JP2006236588A - Optical llumination device and vehicular lighting fixture - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To aim at miniaturization of a combination type lamp, and to provide an optical illumination device and a vehicular lighting fixture not influencing the light distribution property of the lamp. <P>SOLUTION: The vehicular lighting fixture comprises a transparent light guide 71 having light transmission property formed by integrating a base area 72 extended in a light axis direction, and an apron area 73 extended in a direction different from the light axis direction; a first LED 81 arranged at back end face of the base area 72, of which light emission direction is turned to light axis direction; and a second LED 82 arranged at back face of the apron area 72, of which light emission direction is turned to light axis direction. The base area 72 emits the light emitted from the first and second LEDs 81, 82 reflected at an inner face of the light guide 71, and the apron area 73 emits the light emitted from the first LED 81 reflected at an inner face of the light guide 71, and the light emitted from the second LED 82 transmitted through the light guide 71. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a light illuminating device used for a vehicle such as an automobile, and more particularly to a light illuminating device and a vehicle that can be applied to a lamp such as an automotive headlamp or a marker lamp to enhance a design effect when the lamp is turned on It relates to a lighting fixture.

  In recent automotive lamps, especially headlamps, a front lamp unit, a headlamp unit, a clearance lamp, a turn signal lamp, etc. are integrated into a single lamp body and attached to the lamp body. A combination type headlamp sealed with a lens is provided. For example, in a combination type headlamp for an automobile disclosed in Patent Document 1, a traveling beam lamp, a low beam lamp, and a turn signal lamp are arranged in a stacked state in a lamp body from the lower side to the upper side. Moreover, although there is no description in patent document 1, there also exists what provided the clearance lamp in the lamp body.

  In this combination type headlamp, a light source, a reflector, etc. are required for each of the plurality of lamps arranged in the lamp body, so that there is a problem that the whole scale becomes large and the whole headlamp becomes large. . In addition, in a headlamp in which a plurality of lamps are stacked one above the other, the slanted design with the lower area in the lamp body protruding forward from the upper area has to be made due to the matching with the streamlined design at the front of the car body. Therefore, the lower region (hereinafter, this lower region is referred to as a slant portion) is exposed to the outside through the front lens, which causes a decrease in appearance. Therefore, in Patent Document 1, an extension that covers this slant portion is arranged to improve the appearance, but a large extension must be arranged in the lamp illumination, which increases the cost of the lamp. It has become.

On the other hand, as a lamp for an automobile, a lamp using a light emitting element such as an LED as a light source has been proposed to reduce the size of the lamp. For example, Patent Document 2 employs an LED as a light source of a tail lamp that functions as a marker lamp, and guides light emitted from the LED into a transparent cover made of a transparent material, or forward from the rear side of the transparent cover. Illumination that transmits through. By applying the technique of Patent Document 2 as a part of a plurality of lamps constituting the combination-type head lamp of Patent Document 1, it is effective in reducing the size of the head lamp.
JP 2004-39329 A JP 2004-146169 A

  In the technique of Patent Document 2, a lamp such as a marker lamp is configured using a light-transmitting cover of an LED and a lamp. When this is applied to a combination type headlamp, a traveling beam or a passing beam passes through the front glass. In some cases, the light distribution characteristic of the headlamp may be affected by the light-transmitting cover that is present in a part of the front glass. Therefore, it is actually difficult to apply the lamp as in Patent Document 2 to the combination type headlamp as in Patent Document 1.

  An object of the present invention is to provide a light illuminating device and a light illuminating device that, when applied to a combination type lamp composed of a plurality of lamps, reduce the size of the lamp and do not affect the light distribution characteristics of the lamp. A vehicle lamp to which the device is applied is provided.

  The light illuminating device of the present invention has a light transmission property in which a base region extended along the optical axis direction and an apron region extended from the front end portion of the base region in a direction different from the optical axis direction are integrally formed. A transparent light guide having a light source, a first light emitting element disposed opposite to the rear end surface of the base region and having an outgoing optical axis directed in the optical axis direction, and a rear surface facing the apron region. A second light emitting element oriented in the axial direction, and the base region emits direct light emitted from the first light emitting element and at least light emitted from the first light emitting element and reflected by the inner surface of the light guide The apron region emits light emitted from the first light emitting element and reflected by the inner surface of the light guide, and emits direct light emitted from the second light emitting element and transmitted through the light guide. And Preferably, the bottom portion of the apron region is configured as a reflective surface, and a part of light emitted from the second light emitting element is reflected by the reflective surface and guided to the base region.

  In the light illuminating device of the present invention, it is preferable to include a step for emitting a part of the light guided in the light guide body forward on the surface of the base region. Moreover, it is preferable to provide the step for diffusing the light radiate | emitted from the said apron area | region in the front surface of the apron area | region. Furthermore, it is preferable that the first light emitting element and the second light emitting element emit different colored lights.

  The vehicular lamp according to the present invention is a vehicular lamp in which at least one or more lamps are built in a lamp chamber including a lamp body and a lens attached to a front opening of the lamp body, The light illumination device according to the present invention is arranged in a lamp chamber as a part of a lamp.

  According to the light illumination device of the present invention, the direct light that is emitted from the first light emitting element and travels straight in the light guide and the reflected light that is guided while being reflected by the inner surface of the light guide are emitted from the surface of the base region. Since the surface of the base region is illuminated, a wide range of the base region is illuminated uniformly. Further, the light emitted from the first light emitting element and guided through the light guide and the light emitted from the second light emitting element and transmitted through the light guide are emitted from the front of the apron area to illuminate the front of the apron area. So brightly illuminate the apron area. In addition, it is possible to illuminate the base region more brightly by reflecting a part of the light emitted from the second light emitting element on the reflection surface of the apron region and guiding it to the base region. By directing the light emitted by the step provided in the base region to the front in the optical axis direction and diffusing the light emitted by the step provided in the apron region, the emitted light from each region is uniformly directed forward. The light can be emitted. Regardless of whether the first light-emitting element or the second light-emitting element emits light, the base region and the apron region are illuminated, the entire light guide is illuminated brightly, and can be applied as a lamp for a vehicle lamp.

  According to the vehicular lamp of the present invention, by arranging the light illumination device according to the present invention in the slant portion in the lamp chamber, the appearance of the slant portion is improved and the light emitting element is used as the slant portion. It can be configured as a lamp as a light source, and a small combination type lamp can be configured.

  A first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a front view in which a part of an embodiment in which the present invention is applied to a CHL combination type headlamp of an automobile is broken, and FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA. A lamp chamber 3 is constituted by the lamp body 1 and a front lens 3 made of a clear (transparent) cover attached to the front opening of the lamp body 1, and a plurality of lamps are installed in the lamp chamber 3. Yes. Here, a traveling beam lamp (high beam lamp) HBL, a passing beam lamp (low beam lamp) LBL, a clearance lamp CL, and a turn signal lamp TSL are configured as a plurality of lamps.

  In the lamp chamber 3, a reflector unit 4 that can be tilted up and down and left and right by an aiming mechanism not shown in the figure is supported internally. A low beam lamp LBL is mounted on the upper part of the reflector unit 4 and travels in the lower part. A beam lamp HBL is mounted. The passing beam lamp LBL is constituted by a so-called projector lamp 5, and although a detailed description is omitted, a light source (bulb) 52 is mounted in a reflector 51 having a shape close to a spheroid, and a front side of the reflector 51 is provided. A lens 54 is integrally assembled through a spacer 53. A shade 55 is disposed in the spacer 53 so as to obtain a required light distribution characteristic. In this passing beam lamp LBL, the light emitted from the light source 52 is reflected by the reflector 51, the light limited by the shade 55 is collected by the lens 54, and the front is irradiated through the front lens 2. Further, the traveling beam lamp HBL has a rotating paraboloid reflector 41 formed in a part of the reflector unit 4, and a light source (bulb) 42 is attached to the focal position of the reflector 41. The light emitted from the light source 42 is reflected by the reflector 41 and irradiated forward through the front lens 2.

  In addition, the combination type headlamp CHL has a relatively large height because the low beam lamp LBL and the traveling beam lamp HBL are vertically installed, so that it corresponds to the curved surface of the front part of the vehicle body. The front lens 2 is also shaped to be greatly curved in the vertical direction. Therefore, the headlamp CHL is configured as a lamp in which the lower region protrudes forward from the upper region and the slant portion has a large dimension. A lamp-like extension 6 extending along the inner edge of the lamp body is provided in the lamp chamber 3 so as to cover the gap between the periphery of each lamp and the inner surface of the lamp body. The extension 6 is surface-treated in the same manner as the reflector unit 4, and when it is viewed from the outside through the front lens 2, it has an appearance that is naturally integrated with the reflector 4.

  A clearance lamp CL and a turn signal lamp TSL configured by the light illuminating device according to the present invention are arranged below the reflector unit 4 in the lamp chamber 3, particularly below the traveling beam lamp HBL. It is installed. Both the clearance lamp CL and the turn signal lamp TSL are configured as one unit in which a light source is configured by an LED, and both lamps use a common light guide to emit light in a wide area. Yes, for convenience, it will be referred to as C / T unit 7 here.

  FIG. 3 is an external perspective view in which a part of the C / T unit 7 is disassembled, and FIG. 4 is an enlarged sectional view of a main part. The light guide 71 is made of a colorless and transparent resin, and extends at a near-horizontal angle along the optical axis direction of the headlamp, and at a near-perpendicular angle from the front end of the base area 72. A drooping apron region 73 is integrally formed. Here, the base region 72 is inclined downward at a minute angle toward the front end direction, and a plurality of taper steps 74 having a sawtooth shape with a minute cross-sectional shape and extending in the left-right direction are striped in the front-rear direction. It is formed in a shape. In addition, on the lower surface of the base region 72, there are a large number of reflection means 75 such as line engravings and dot engravings for reflecting the light guided in the base region 72 toward the upper surface in a state close to the diffusion state. It is arranged to be distributed over. These line engravings and dot engravings are formed with concave portions from the surface so that the cross section has a weight shape, trapezoidal shape, or spherical shape, that is, a shape in which surfaces inclined at different angles with respect to the surface are continuous. . Further, the reflecting means 75 can be configured by a minute protruding step that protrudes from the lower surface, contrary to line engraving or dot engraving.

  On the other hand, the apron region 73 is configured as an inclined surface whose front surface is inclined somewhat rearward, and its lower end portion is bent and formed in a U shape toward the rear, and in particular, the rear surface has a cross-sectional shape. It is formed to be an arc surface. On the other hand, the front surface of the apron region 73 has a plurality of cylindrical steps 76 arranged in a horizontal direction in order to diffuse light emitted from the apron region, and is configured as a diffusing means. Yes. Further, the bottom surface of the apron region 73 is formed in a circular arc cross section, and a substantially semi-cylindrical base 61 formed by a part of the extension 6 is extended in close contact with the bottom surface. The bottom portion 61 constitutes the bottom surface of the apron region 73 as a reflective surface.

  In addition, the C / T unit 7 is mounted on a first mounting board 83 that is opposed to the rear end surface of the base region 71 and is supported by a bottom plate 62 formed by a part of the extension 6. A first LED 81 made up of a plurality of LEDs, and a second LED 82 made up of a plurality of LEDs mounted on a second mounting substrate 84 supported on the bottom plate 62 and opposed to the rear surface of the apron region 73. The first LED 81 and the second LED 82 are arranged in a predetermined number along the left-right direction of the light guide 71, and each of the first LED 81 and the second LED 82 is directed in a direction substantially parallel to the optical axis direction of the headlamp CHL. Yes. In the first embodiment, the first LED 81 has four LEDs arranged in a horizontal row, and the second LED 82 has six LEDs arranged in a horizontal example. The first LED 81 is configured by an LED that emits white or blue light, and light emitted from the first LED 81 is incident on the rear end surface of the base region 72. The second LED 82 is configured by an LED that emits red or amber light, and light emitted from the second LED 82 is incident on the rear surface of the apron region 73.

  According to the headlamp CHL of the first embodiment configured in this way, the configurations of the passing beam lamp LBL and the traveling beam lamp HBL are the same as the lamps provided in the combination type headlamp so far, and the reflector unit The illumination optical axis angles of the lamps LBL and HBL are set by tilting 4 up and down and left and right. In the low beam lamp LBL, the light condensed by the lens 54 when the light source 52 is lit illuminates the front of the automobile through the front lens 2. In the traveling beam lamp HBL, the light collected by the reflector 41 when the light source 42 is lit illuminates the front of the automobile through the front lens 2. When these lights are on, the front lens 2 has a through structure, so that almost all light emitted from the passing beam lamp LBL and the traveling beam lamp HBL is transmitted through the front lens 2 without any obstruction. The light distribution characteristics as a headlamp are not affected.

  When the clearance lamp CL is turned on, the first LED 81 is caused to emit light as shown in FIG. The light emitted from the first LED 81 is almost entirely incident on the light guide 71 from the rear end of the base region 72. Part of the incident white or blue light is guided straight in the base region 72 and emitted forward as direct light from the front end. A part of the other light is guided forward while being totally reflected on the upper surface and the lower surface of the base region 72, finally reaches the front end of the base region 72, and is emitted therefrom. At this time, when a part of the guided light is projected on the reflecting means 75 provided on the lower surface of the base region 72, in this case, the inner surface of the dots, as shown in an enlarged view of the part in FIG. Therefore, a part of the light leaks from the upper surface without being totally reflected by the inner surface of the base region 72 because it is reflected toward the different angle directions on the inner surface. Is emitted. The light emitted from the upper surface of the base region 72 is refracted by the step-like taper step 74 and emitted forward. At the same time, it is diffused in the vertical direction by the taper step 74 and can satisfy the required light distribution characteristics in the vertical direction. Further, a part of the light reaching the front end of the base region 72 is guided to the apron region 73 and is also guided in the apron region 73 while being reflected by the inner surface, and a part is forward from the front surface of the apron region 73. And is emitted from the front surface of the apron region 73. Further, part of the other light is guided so as to be returned to the base region 72 again. As a result, light is emitted from almost the entire upper surface of the base region 72 and the front surface of the apron region 73, and the light guide 71 is entirely lit, and the light emitted from the light guide 71 is emitted from the front lens 2. Illuminate the front of the car through Thereby, the clearance lamp CL is turned on.

  When turning on the turn signal lamp, the second LED 82 is caused to emit light as shown in FIG. The light emitted from the second LED 82 is mostly incident on the rear surface of the apron region 73. Most of the incident red or amber light is transmitted almost straight through the apron region 73 and emitted forward from the front as direct light. At this time, the emitted light is diffused in the left-right direction by the cylindrical step 76 on the front surface of the apron region 73, and the required light distribution characteristic in the horizontal direction can be satisfied. Further, another part of the light incident on the apron region 73 is reflected by the bottom 61 of the extension 6 in close contact with the bottom surface of the apron region 73 having a nearly arc shape, or on the bottom or inner surface of the apron region 73. The light is guided in the upper direction or toward the base region 72 by total reflection. Then, a part of the guided light is emitted from the upper front surface of the apron region 73, or reflected by line engraving or dot engraving constituting the reflecting means 75 as shown partially enlarged in the figure. Then, the light is sequentially emitted from the upper surface of the base region 73 by the refraction of the taper step 74. As a result, light is emitted from the front surface of the apron region 73 and the upper surface of the base region 72, the light guide 71 is entirely lit, and the light emitted from the light guide 71 passes through the front lens 2. To light the front of the car. As a result, the turn signal lamp TSL is turned on. In this case, it is possible to prevent the light incident on the apron region 73 from being guided to the base region 72. In this case, no light is emitted from the upper surface of the base region 72.

  As described above, in the C / T unit 7, the first LED 81 and the second LED 82 are selectively caused to emit light, so that light of each color is emitted from almost the entire surface of the light guide 71 or a predetermined surface area. It can function as a signal lamp. In particular, in the embodiment, the light guide 71 constituting the C / T unit 7 has a shape close to a flat shape and is disposed in the slant portion in the combination type headlamp CHL. The slant portion, which can be configured as a part and can be said to be an unnecessary area in the past, can be effectively used. Further, since the C / T unit is composed of the light guide and the LED, it is not necessary to increase the volume of the lamp chamber and the lamp body, and a small headlamp can be configured. There is no need to cover the slant part with an extension, which is advantageous for reducing the size and cost of the extension.

  Here, the configuration of the C / T unit is not limited to the configuration of the embodiment. In particular, in the C / T unit of the embodiment, the apron region is bent below the base region because it is installed in the slant portion in the lamp chamber of the combination type headlamp, but it is disposed on the side of the lamp chamber. In this case, the apron region may be bent sideways.

  In the above embodiment, the light illuminating device according to the present invention is configured as a C / T unit in which a clearance lamp and a turn signal lamp are integrated. When a rear combination lamp is configured, a sign such as a tail lamp or a stop lamp is used. It goes without saying that it can also be configured as a light.

It is a front view of the headlamp to which the light illumination device of the present invention is applied. It is the sectional view on the AA line of FIG. It is the perspective view which decomposed | disassembled some C / T units. It is an expanded sectional view of a C / T unit. It is sectional drawing for demonstrating the lighting state in a C / T unit.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Lamp body 2 Front lens 4 Reflector unit 5 Projector lamp 6 Extension 7 C / T unit 71 Light guide 72 Base area 73 Apron area 81 1st LED
82 2nd LED

Claims (6)

  A light-transparent transparent light guide in which a base region extended along the optical axis direction and an apron region extended from the front end of the base region in a direction different from the optical axis direction are integrally formed A body, a first light emitting element disposed opposite to a rear end surface of the base region, and an output optical axis facing the optical axis direction, and a rear surface facing the apron region, wherein the output optical axis extends in the optical axis direction. And the base region has direct light emitted from the first light emitting element and at least light emitted from the first light emitting element and reflected by the inner surface of the light guide. The apron region emits light emitted from the first light emitting element and reflected by the inner surface of the light guide, and is emitted from the second light emitting element and passes through the light guide. A light illumination device that emits light.   The bottom portion of the apron region is configured as a reflective surface, and a part of light emitted from the second light emitting element is reflected by the reflective surface and guided to the base region. Item 4. The light illumination device according to Item 1.   The light illuminating device according to claim 1, further comprising a step surface on the surface of the base region for emitting a part of the light guided through the light guide body forward.   The light illumination device according to claim 1, further comprising a step for diffusing light emitted from the apron region on a front surface of the apron region.   5. The light illumination device according to claim 1, wherein the first light emitting element and the second light emitting element emit different colored lights. 6. A vehicular lamp having at least one or more lamps in a lamp chamber composed of a lamp body and a lens attached to a front opening of the lamp body. A vehicle lamp characterized in that the light illuminating device according to (1) is disposed as a lamp in the lamp chamber.

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