JP2012243678A - Lamp - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a vehicular lamp with thin and small size compared with a conventional vehicular signal lamp.SOLUTION: The vehicular lamp is provided with a wedge-shape light guide lens which includes an end face and a tip part on the opposite side as a light incident surface, and both side faces of an outer side face as a light emitting surface and an inner side face as the light emitting surface on the opposite side, and in which the thickness between the outer side face and the inner side face becomes thin as it goes from the light incident surface to the tip part, and a light source which is arranged opposed to the light incident surface and radiates light which enters from the light incident surface into the light guide lens and emits from the outer side face or the inner side face. The light guide lens is curved when viewed from one side face side out of the both side faces.

Description

  The present invention relates to a lamp, and more particularly to a lamp that combines a light source and a light guide lens.

  Conventionally, in the field of lamps, as shown in FIG. 29, a vehicle signal lamp 300 including a plurality of LED light sources 310, a reflecting surface 320, and the like has been proposed (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

JP 2007-149382 A

  However, in the vehicular signal lamp 300 described in Patent Document 1 having the above-described configuration, the reflection surface 320 is a reflection surface of a substantially paraboloid, and has a certain depth dimension W in relation to a required light distribution pattern. In addition, since the height dimension H (see FIG. 29) is required, there is a problem that it is difficult to make the vehicle signal lamp 300 thinner and smaller.

  This invention is made | formed in view of such a situation, and it aims at providing a thin and small lamp compared with the conventional signal lamp for vehicles.

  In order to solve the above-mentioned problem, the invention described in claim 1 includes an end surface as a light incident surface, a tip portion on the opposite side, an outer surface as a light emission surface, an inner surface as a light emission surface on the opposite side, A wedge-shaped light guide lens that includes both side surfaces and that decreases in thickness between the outer surface and the inner surface as it goes from the light incident surface toward the tip, and is disposed opposite the light incident surface A light source that enters the light guide lens from the light incident surface and emits light emitted from the outer surface or the inner surface, and the light guide lens is one of the two side surfaces. It is characterized in that it is curved when viewed from the side of the side.

  According to the first aspect of the present invention, the conventional vehicular signal lamp is obtained by the action of the wedge-shaped light guide lens in which the thickness between the outer surface and the inner surface decreases as it goes from the light incident surface toward the tip. In comparison, a thin and small lamp (for example, a vehicular lamp) can be configured.

  According to the first aspect of the present invention, the light beam emitted from the outer surface is significantly increased by the action of the curved light guide lens (outer surface and inner surface) as compared with the light beam emitted from the inner surface. A lamp can be configured.

  In addition, according to the first aspect of the present invention, it is possible to provide a new-looking lamp that has a completely new way of shining due to the action of the curved light guide lens (outer surface and inner surface).

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the invention, the outer surface gradually approaches the lamp optical axis outside the lamp optical axis when viewed from one of the two side surfaces. And extending along the lamp optical axis, and after passing through the lamp optical axis, is a convex curved surface extending gradually away from the lamp optical axis inside the lamp optical axis and reaching the tip, The inner surface extends along the outer surface so that the distance between the inner surface and the outer surface gradually decreases toward the tip portion inside the lamp optical axis when viewed from the one side surface side. It is a concave curved surface that reaches the tip.

  According to the second aspect of the present invention, the amount of light from the light source incident on the outer surface is increased by the action of the outer surface which is a convex curved surface as compared with the case where the outer surface is a flat surface. Moreover, the incident angle of the light which injects into an outer surface becomes small compared with the case where an outer surface is a plane by the effect | action of the outer surface which is a convex curve. This increases the amount of light emitted from the outer surface without being totally reflected.

  In addition, due to the action of the inner side surface that is a concave curved surface, the amount of light incident on the inner side surface is reduced because the shadowed portion of the inner side surface when viewed from the light source is increased as compared with the case where the inner side surface is a flat surface. Also, the amount of light emitted from the inner surface increases because the incident angle of the light incident on the inner surface becomes larger and the total reflection is easier than the case where the inner surface is a flat surface due to the action of the inner surface that is a concave curved surface. Decrease. In this way, the amount of light emitted from the outer surface is further increased by the amount of light emitted from the inner surface being decreased.

  As described above, according to the second aspect of the present invention, it is possible to configure a lamp in which the luminous flux emitted from the outer surface is significantly increased as compared with the luminous flux emitted from the inner surface.

  The invention according to claim 3 is the invention according to claim 1 or 2, wherein in the light guide lens, light emitted from a region on the light incident surface side of the inner surface is the tip of the inner surface. The light guide lens is curved so as to enter the light guide lens again from the region on the part side, pass through the light guide lens, and exit from the outer surface.

  According to the third aspect of the present invention, light that enters the light guide lens again, passes through the light guide lens, and exits from the outer surface is refracted toward the lamp optical axis by the light guide lens acting as a prism. And exit from the outer surface. This further increases the amount of light emitted from the outer surface.

  As described above, according to the third aspect of the present invention, it is possible to configure a lamp in which the luminous flux emitted from the outer surface further increases as compared with the luminous flux emitted from the inner surface.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the invention according to any one of the first to third aspects, the light guide lens has the tip portion curved at least 25 degrees with respect to the light incident surface. And

  According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, the light beam emitted from the outer surface is caused to be emitted from the inner surface by the action of the light guide lens (outer surface and inner surface) whose tip is curved at least 25 degrees with respect to the light incident surface. It is possible to configure a lamp that greatly increases compared to the emitted light beam.

  According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the invention according to any one of the first to fourth aspects, the light emitted from the outer surface or the inner surface is controlled on the outer surface or the inner surface of the light guide lens. The lens cut is performed.

  According to the invention described in claim 5, since the spread of the light distribution is adjusted by the action of the lens cut applied to the inner surface or the outer surface, the light distribution unevenness is compared with the case where the lens cut is not performed. Thus, it is possible to form a light distribution pattern with reduced luminance unevenness.

  The invention according to claim 6 is the invention according to claim 5, wherein the lens cut is a knurled or fine prism for adjusting light distribution unevenness, luminance unevenness, and directivity.

  According to the invention described in claim 6, since the spread of the light distribution is adjusted by the action of the knurling or fine prism applied to the inner surface or the outer surface, compared with the case where the knurling or fine prism is not applied. Thus, it is possible to form a light distribution pattern with reduced light distribution unevenness and luminance unevenness.

  The invention according to claim 7 is the invention according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein both side surfaces of the light guide lens enter the light guide lens from the light incident surface, respectively. The light is incident on the light guide lens and is reflected as light that is condensed in the width direction of the light guide lens.

  According to the seventh aspect of the present invention, the light distribution pattern condensed in the width direction of the light guide lens by the action of both side surfaces of the light guide lens (for example, the vertical light distribution required by the law on the virtual vertical screen) It is possible to configure a lamp that can form a pattern.

  The invention according to an eighth aspect is the invention according to the seventh aspect, wherein both sides of the light guide lens have a parabola, an elliptic arc, a trapezoidal shape, or the like, as viewed from the outer surface. It is characterized by a close shape.

  Claim 8 is an illustration of both side surfaces of the light guide lens. According to the eighth aspect of the present invention, the light distribution pattern condensed in the width direction of the light guide lens by the action of both side surfaces of the light guide lens (for example, the vertical light distribution required by the law on the virtual vertical screen) It is possible to configure a lamp that can form a pattern.

  The invention according to claim 9 is the invention according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the light guide lens is arranged vertically so that the outer side surface and the inner side surface are vertical surfaces. The light intensity emitted from the outer surface is arranged so that the direction of the Max luminous intensity coincides with the lamp optical axis extending in the vehicle front-rear direction.

  According to the ninth aspect of the present invention, it is possible to realize a directivity characteristic that emits light almost uniformly in the left-right direction with respect to the lamp optical axis, and there is no left-right crack (that is, the luminous intensity is significantly reduced). Therefore, it is possible to configure a vehicular lamp that can form a light distribution pattern suitable for an automotive lamp having a bright central portion.

  The invention according to claim 10 is the invention according to claim 9, wherein the light guide lens is disposed in front of the vehicular lamp unit so that light emitted from the vehicular lamp unit is transmitted. It is characterized by that.

  According to the tenth aspect of the present invention, it is possible to configure a new-looking vehicle lamp in which a light guide lens is disposed in front of the vehicle lamp unit.

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, it becomes possible to provide a thin and small lamp compared with the conventional vehicle signal lamp.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an extension 200 that is a decorative member disposed on the left side of the front portion of the vehicle and a lamp 100 that is mounted on the extension 200. 2A is a perspective view of the lamp 100 according to the first embodiment, FIG. 2B is a plan view, FIG. 2C is a side view, and FIG. 2D is a front view. It is a cross-sectional view (including an optical path diagram) of the lamp 100. 4 is an optical path diagram (plan view) of light from the LED light source 10 that has entered the light guide lens 30 from the light incident surface 33. FIG. (A) Ray 1 optical path diagram of light from the LED light source 10 incident on the light guide lens 30 from the light incident surface 33, (b) LED light source 10 incident on the light guide lens 30 from the light incident surface 33. It is an optical path diagram of Ray2 of light. 4 is a side view for explaining that light emitted from a light emitting surface 31 of the light guide lens 30 is refracted and diffused in the vertical direction. FIG. It is an example of the light distribution pattern P0 formed with the light radiate | emitted from the light guide lens 30 shown in FIG. It is a side view for demonstrating the focus F of the side surfaces 35 and 36. FIG. FIG. 4 is an optical path diagram (side view) of light from the LED light source 10 that enters the light guide lens 30 from the light incident surface 33 of the light guide lens 30 and is condensed vertically by the side surfaces 35 and 36. It is an example of the light distribution pattern P1 formed with the light radiate | emitted from the light guide lens 30 which has the side surfaces 35 and 36 shown in FIG. (A) Top view of 100 A of lamps of 2nd Embodiment, (b) Side view, (c) It is a front view. (A) The perspective view of the lamp | ramp using the light guide lens 30 which is not curved, (b) Side view, (c) Plan view, (d) It is a front view. FIG. 13A is a ray tracing diagram of light emitted from the light guide lens 30 (light emitting surfaces 31 and 32) whose front end portion 34 is not curved with respect to the light incident surface 33, and FIG. It is an enlarged view in a circle. Example of light distribution pattern P2 formed on a virtual vertical screen (disposed approximately 25 m ahead of light guide lens 30) by light emitted from light guide lens 30 (light exit surfaces 31, 32) which is not curved It is. (A), (b) When the outer surface 31A is a convex surface, it is a figure for demonstrating that the incident angle of the light which injects into the outer surface 31A becomes small compared with the case where the outer surface 31A is a plane. (A), (b) It is a figure for demonstrating that the incident angle of the light which injects into the inner surface 32A becomes large compared with the case where the inner surface 32A is a plane when the inner surface 32A is a concave surface. It is the perspective view seen from the outer surface 31A side of the lamp 100A of 2nd Embodiment. It is the perspective view seen from the inner surface 32A side of the lamp 100A of 2nd Embodiment. (A) is a ray tracing diagram of light emitted from the light guide lens 30A (the outer surface 31A and the inner surface 32A) in which the tip end portion 34 is bent by β = about 25 degrees with respect to the normal line X of the light incident surface 33; FIG. 19B is an enlarged view in the circle of FIG. In the example of the light distribution pattern P3 formed on the virtual vertical screen (disposed about 25 m ahead of the light guide lens 30A) by the light emitted from the curved light guide lens 30A (the outer side surface 31A and the inner side surface 32A). is there. (A) is an example of a light distribution pattern P4 (isoluminous intensity diagram) formed by light emitted from the inner surface 32A, and (b) is a light distribution pattern P5 (isoluminous intensity) formed by light emitted from the outer surface 31A. It is an example of a diagram). It is the perspective view seen from the inner surface 32B side of the light guide lens 30B of 3rd Embodiment. (A) It is a cross-sectional view of the light guide lens 30B with the lens cut LC applied to the inner side surface 32B, and (b) is a cross-sectional view of the light guide lens 30B with the lens cut LC applied to the outer side surface 31B. As shown in FIG. 23A, the light distribution pattern P6 formed on the virtual vertical screen by the light emitted from the light guide lens 30B (the outer surface 31B and the inner surface 32B) having the lens cut LC applied to the inner surface 32B. It is an example. As shown in FIG. 23B, the light distribution pattern P7 formed on the virtual vertical screen by the light emitted from the light guide lens 30B (the outer surface 31B and the inner surface 32B) having the lens cut LC applied to the outer surface 31B. It is an example. (A) Example of light distribution pattern P8 (isophotometric diagram) formed by light emitted from inner side surface 32B subjected to lens cut LC, (b) Emission from outer side surface 31B not subjected to lens cut LC It is an example of the light distribution pattern P9 (isoluminous intensity diagram) formed by the light to be. (A) An example of a light distribution pattern P10 (isophotometric diagram) formed by light emitted from the inner side surface 32B not subjected to the lens cut LC, (b) emitted from the outer side surface 31B subjected to the lens cut LC. It is an example of the light distribution pattern P11 (isoluminous intensity diagram) formed by the light to do. It is a figure for demonstrating the example of installation of lamp 100A, 100B. It is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the conventional signal lamp 300 for vehicles.

[First Embodiment]
Hereinafter, the lamp 100 which is 1st Embodiment of this invention is demonstrated, referring drawings.

  The lamp 100 according to the present embodiment is mounted on, for example, an extension 200 (a modeled object that hides the gap between the projector unit and the outer periphery of the outer lens) that is a decorative member disposed on each of the left and right sides of the front portion of the vehicle. Used as a lamp (DRL (Daytime Running Lamp), Position Lamp, Cornering Lamp, Front / Rear / Side Turn Signal Lamp, Stop Lamp, High Mount Stop Lamp, Tail Lamp, etc.)

  FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an extension 200 that is a decorative member disposed on the left side of the front portion of the vehicle and a lamp 100 that is mounted on the extension 200.

  2A is a perspective view of the lamp 100, FIG. 2B is a plan view, FIG. 2C is a side view, and FIG. 2D is a front view.

  As shown in FIGS. 2A to 2D, the lamp 100 includes an LED light source 10, a reflecting surface 20, a light guide lens 30, and the like.

[LED light source 10]
The LED light source 10 is a white LED light source, an orange LED light source, or a red LED light source. For example, when the lamp 100 is a daytime running lamp or a position lamp, a white LED light source is used. Further, when the lamp 100 is a turn signal lamp, an orange LED light source is used. Further, when the lamp 100 is a stop lamp, a red LED light source is used. As described above, the LED light source 10 having an appropriate color is used according to the function of the lamp 100. The light color may be changed by coloring the lens.

  The LED light source 10 is disposed so as to face the end surface (light incident surface 33) of the light guide lens 30, and enters the light guide lens 30 from the light incident surface 33 of the light guide lens 30, and the surface (light emitting surface 31). ) Is emitted.

[Reflection surface 20]
The reflecting surface 20 is, for example, a high reflectance sheet on which aluminum deposition or silver deposition is performed. The reflecting surface 20 is disposed so as to be in contact with the back surface 32 side of the light guide lens 30 in order to reflect the light emitted from the back surface 32 of the light guide lens 30 and return the light into the light guide lens 30 again (FIG. 2 ( b)).

[Light guide lens 30]
The light guide lens 30 includes an end surface 33 (hereinafter referred to as a light incident surface 33) as a light incident surface, a tip portion 34 on the opposite side, a surface 31 (hereinafter referred to as a light output surface 31) as a light output surface, A wedge-shaped (prism-shaped) shape including a back surface 32 on the opposite side, and both side surfaces 35 and 36, and the thickness between the light exit surface 31 and the back surface 32 becomes thinner from the light incident surface 33 toward the tip end portion 34. It is a light guide lens (light guide plate). The light guide lens 30 is formed of a transparent resin such as acrylic, polycarbonate, or cycloolefin polymer.

  The light guide lens 30 enters the light guide lens 30 and the light from the LED light source 10 emitted from the light exit surface 31 of the light guide lens 30 is placed on a virtual vertical screen (located about 25 m ahead of the vehicle). In order to form a light distribution pattern required by laws and regulations (for example, a light distribution standard such as ECE), the light emission surface 31 and the back surface 32 are vertical surfaces and are arranged in a posture inclined in the left-right direction with respect to the lamp optical axis AX0. (See FIG. 2 (a) to FIG. 2 (d)).

  Both the light emission surface 31 and the back surface 32 are flat surfaces (vertical surfaces).

  The both side surfaces 35 and 36 enter the light guide lens 30 through the light incident surface 33 and enter the both side surfaces 35 and 36 in the width direction of the light guide lens 30 (vertical direction in FIG. 2C). A shape that reflects light to be collected (for example, the outer shape of the light guide lens 30 viewed from the light exit surface 31 side is a parabola, an elliptical arc, a trapezoid, or a shape close thereto (substantially different portions corresponding to these shapes) (See FIG. 2 (c)). The technical significance of making both side surfaces 35 and 36 into this shape will be described in detail later.

[Explanation of light distribution control method in the left-right direction (wedge shape)]
Next, a mechanism in which light whose light distribution is controlled in the left-right direction is emitted from the light emission surface 31 of the light guide lens 30 will be described.

  FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the lamp 100. With reference to FIG. 3, how the light travels on the light incident surface 33 of the light guide lens 30 will be described.

  Usually, most of the light emitted from the LED light source 10 is close to Lambertian (diffuse light whose intensity is proportional to the apparent area of the light emitting surface). When light (diffused light) emitted from the LED light source 10 enters the light guide lens 30 from the light incident surface 33 (enters light), the light is within a critical angle with respect to the normal X of the light incident surface 33. Refracts on. In FIG. 3, the angle θ <b> 1 indicates the angle of the light incident on the light incident surface 33 with respect to the normal line X of the light incident lens 30. Since the refractive index of the material of the light guide lens 30 described above is about 1.5 to 1.6, the critical angle is about 40 degrees. Therefore, when the light incident surface 33 is a flat surface, the angles θ1 are all in the range of ± 40 degrees. In a general light guide lens, the front surface and the back surface are parallel, and the light incident surface is perpendicular to the light guide lens (the front surface and the back surface). For this reason, the light that has entered the general light guide lens from the light incident surface repeats total reflection between the front surface and the back surface.

  In contrast, the light guide lens 30 of the present embodiment has a wedge shape in cross section as shown in FIG. For this reason, the incident light that has entered the light guide lens 30 from the light incident surface 33 gradually decreases the incident angle with respect to the light emitting surface 31 while repeating total reflection on the light emitting surface 31 and the back surface 32. And when it becomes smaller than a critical angle, it radiate | emits out from the light-projection surface 31. FIG.

  In FIG. 4, incident light a is light that has entered the light guide lens 30 at an angle near the critical angle on the front side. In FIG. 4, the light incident surface 33 is not perpendicular to the light guide lens 30 but is a surface perpendicular to the lamp optical axis AX0. For this reason, the incident light a becomes an incident angle smaller than the critical angle with respect to the light exit surface 31 and becomes the emitted light a without being totally reflected.

  On the other hand, the incident light b incident on the back side at an angle near the critical angle is totally reflected because the incident angle with respect to the back surface 32 of the light guide lens 30 is larger than the critical angle. At this time, since the light guide lens 30 has a wedge shape, the direction of the light beam is reflected in the direction in which the incident angle is slightly reduced with respect to the light exit surface 31. For this reason, the incident angle with respect to the light emitting surface 31 is within the critical angle, and becomes the outgoing light b.

  Since the incident lights c and d facing inward from the incident light b do not fall within the critical angle by one total reflection, the front and back surfaces 31 and 32 repeat total reflection, and the incident angle with respect to the light exit surface 31 is smaller than the critical angle. At that time, the light exits from the light exit surface 31.

  In addition, the wedge shape eliminates the light emitted from the distal end portion of the light guide lens 30 and has an effect that most of the light is emitted from the light emitting surface 31 side.

  In FIG. 4, the light incident surface 33 is described as being perpendicular to the lamp optical axis AX <b> 0, but the light incident surface 33 may be perpendicular to the light guide lens 30. In this case, the incident light a is not emitted from the light emission surface 31 from the first time, but is emitted from the light guide lens 30 by repeating total reflection. Except this point, it is the same as the case where the light incident surface 33 is perpendicular to the lamp optical axis AX0.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 5 (a), the ray Ray1 emitted from the light exit surface 31 when the incident angle to the light exit surface 31 is smaller than the critical angle first, and as shown in FIG. 5 (b), The incident angle on the back surface 32 of the light guide lens 30 is smaller than the critical angle first than the incident angle on the light exit surface 31, and there is a light ray Ray 2 emitted from the back surface 32 of the light guide lens 30. The light ray Ray <b> 2 is reflected by the reflecting surface 20, returned again into the light guide lens 30, and emitted from the light emitting surface 31.

[Description of vertical light distribution control method (parabolic column)]
Next, a method for converging light emitted from the light exit surface 31 of the light guide lens 30 in the vertical direction will be described.

  If the light guide lens 30 has a wedge-shaped cross section as described above, the light emitted from the light exit surface 31 of the light guide lens 30 is refracted and diffused in the vertical direction as shown in FIG. As shown, a vertically long light distribution pattern P0 extending in the vertical direction is formed. Since this light distribution pattern P0 spreads in the vertical direction larger than required by the light distribution standard (for example, ECE), the light use efficiency is poor.

  In the present embodiment, the side surfaces 35 and 36 of the light guide lens 30 are radiated from the LED light source 10 in order to form a light distribution pattern condensed in the vertical direction as required by the light distribution standard, as shown in FIG. The surface including the parabola Pa with the focal point F set near the intersection C of the extension line of the light ray group that has entered the light guide lens 30 from the light incident surface 33, for example, the parabola Pa on the front or back surface of the light guide lens In contrast, it is a parabolic pillar surface extending in a direction perpendicular to the surface.

  Thereby, since the light totally reflected by the side surfaces 35 and 36 of the light guide lens 30 is condensed toward the lamp optical axis AX0 (see FIG. 9), as shown in FIG. 10, as compared with FIG. It becomes possible to form the light distribution pattern P1 condensed in the vertical direction. The side surfaces 35 and 36 of the light guide lens 30 are surfaces including an elliptic arc in which the first focal point is set in the vicinity of the intersection C and the second focal point is set on the virtual vertical screen, for example, the elliptical arc is guided through the elliptical arc. It may be a surface extended in a direction perpendicular to the front surface or the back surface. This also makes it possible to form a light distribution pattern that is significantly condensed in the vertical direction as compared with FIG.

  As described above, according to the lamp 100 of the present embodiment, the wedge-shaped light guide lens 30 whose thickness between the light emitting surface 31 and the back surface 32 decreases as it goes from the light incident surface 33 toward the tip end portion 34. Due to the action, it is possible to configure a thin and small vehicle lamp as compared with the conventional vehicle signal lamp.

  Further, according to the lamp 100 of the present embodiment, the light distribution pattern P1 having the vertical width (or horizontal width) required by the law on the virtual vertical screen by the action of the side surfaces 35 and 36 of the light guide lens 30 (see FIG. 10). ) Can be formed.

  Further, according to the lamp 100 of the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1, a completely new way of shining is provided by mounting (arranging) the stepped portion of the extension 200 as a decorative member that covers the gaps between the plurality of lamp units. It is possible to provide a vehicular lamp having a new appearance.

  Moreover, according to the lamp 100 of this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1, the modeling surface (for example, the step portion) is mounted on the vehicle by mounting the light guide lens on the modeling surface (for example, the step portion) of the extension. It is possible to configure a new-looking vehicle lamp that functions as a traffic signal lamp.

  Further, according to the lamp 100 of the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1, a wedge-shaped light guide whose thickness between the light exit surface 31 and the back surface 32 decreases as it goes from the light incident surface 33 toward the tip end portion 34. It becomes possible to constitute a new-looking vehicle lamp in which the lens 30 is attached to the extension 200.

  As the angle θ2 (see FIGS. 5A and 5B) formed by the light emitting surface 31 and the back surface 32 increases, the lateral expansion increases. Although the luminous intensity distribution varies depending on the size and arrangement of the light source 10, the apex angle θ2 is preferably 10 ° or less. This is because DRL and stop lamps are normally required to expand about 40 ° on the left and right (20 ° on one side). In the present embodiment, the apex angle θ2 = 3.5 ° is adopted.

[Second Embodiment]
Next, the lamp 100A which is 2nd Embodiment of this invention is demonstrated, referring drawings.

  11A is a plan view of the lamp 100A of the second embodiment, FIG. 11B is a side view, and FIG. 11C is a front view.

  As shown in FIGS. 11A to 11C, the lamp 100A according to the present embodiment does not include the reflecting surface 20, and the light guide lens 30 (the light emitting surface 31 and the light emitting surface 32). However, it is the same as that of the lamp 100 of 1st Embodiment except the point which is curving seeing from one side surface side among the both side surfaces 35 and 36. FIG. Hereinafter, the light guide lens 30, the light exit surface 31, and the light exit surface 32 of the present embodiment are referred to as a light guide lens 30A, an outer surface 31A, and an inner surface 32A, respectively. Other configurations are denoted by the same reference numerals as in the first embodiment.

  Hereinafter, the technical significance of the curved light guide lens 30A will be described in comparison with the light guide lens 30 that is not curved.

  12A is a perspective view of a lamp using a light guide lens 30 that is not curved, FIG. 12B is a side view, FIG. 12C is a plan view, and FIG. 12D is a front view.

  As shown in FIGS. 12A to 12D, in the case of the light guide lens 30 that is not curved, the light emitted from the light emission surfaces 31 and 32 of the light guide lens 30 is emitted symmetrically. Directivity characteristics are obtained (see FIGS. 12C, 13A, and 13B).

  FIG. 14 shows a light distribution formed on a virtual vertical screen (arranged approximately 25 m ahead of the light guide lens 30) by light emitted from the light guide lens 30 (light exit surfaces 31, 32) which is not curved. It is an example of the pattern P2.

  Referring to FIG. 14, the light distribution pattern P2 is darker at the center portion (near 0 [°] in the left-right direction in FIG. 14) where the brightness is most required as a car lamp as if it was broken left and right. It can be seen that this is not suitable as a light distribution pattern for an automobile lamp.

  In order to prevent (or reduce) the left and right cracks and form a light distribution pattern suitable for an automobile lamp having a bright central portion, in the present embodiment, it is viewed from one of the side surfaces 35 and 36. A curved light guide lens 30A (see FIG. 11A) is used.

  As shown in FIG. 11 (a), the outer side surface 31A of the light guide lens 30A is gradually aligned with the lamp optical axis AX0 outside the lamp optical axis AX0 when viewed from the side surface 35 side of the both side surfaces 35, 36. It extends along the lamp optical axis AX0 (the direction of the maximum luminous intensity in the lamp, the optical center of design) so as to approach, passes through the lamp optical axis AX0, and gradually moves away from the lamp optical axis AX0 inside the lamp optical axis AX0. A convex curved surface extending so as to reach the front end portion 34 is formed.

  On the other hand, the inner side surface 32A of the light guide lens 30A is gradually formed between the outer side surface 31A and the inner side surface 32A of the light guide lens 30A as viewed from the side surface 35 side of the side surfaces 35 and 36 toward the front end portion 34 inside the lamp optical axis AX0. It is a concave curved surface that extends along the outer surface 31A and reaches the front end portion 34 so as to reduce the interval.

  Next, the reason why the amount of light emitted from the outer surface 31A increases in the light guide lens 30A having the above configuration, that is, the effect of curving the light guide lens 30A will be described.

  As described above, when the outer surface 31A is a convex curved surface, the amount of light from the LED light source 10 incident on the outer surface 31A increases as compared to the case where the outer surface 31A is a flat surface. As shown in FIGS. 15A and 15B, when the outer surface 31A is a convex curved surface, the incident angle of the light RayA incident on the outer surface 31A is larger than when the outer surface 31A is a flat surface. θ3 is reduced. This increases the amount of light emitted from the outer surface 31A without being totally reflected.

  On the other hand, when the inner side surface 32A is a concave curved surface, compared to the case where the inner side surface 32A is a flat surface, the shadowed portion of the inner side surface 32A as viewed from the LED light source 10 increases, so the amount of light incident on the inner side surface 32A Decrease. In addition, as shown in FIGS. 16A and 16B, when the inner side surface 32A is a concave curved surface, the incident angle of the light RayB incident on the inner side surface 32A compared to the case where the inner side surface 32A is a flat surface. Since θ4 increases and total reflection becomes easy, the amount of light emitted from the inner side surface 32A decreases. As described above, the amount of light emitted from the outer surface 31A is further increased by the amount of light emitted from the inner surface 32A being decreased.

  Furthermore, when the light guide lens 30A curved as described above is used, the area on the light incident surface 33 side of the inner side surface 32A as shown in FIGS. 11 (a), 17, 18, and 19 (b). The light RayC (light emitted at a relatively large emission angle) emitted from the light enters the light guide lens 30 (near the front end 34) again from the region on the front end 34 side of the inner side surface 32A and is transmitted therethrough. The light exits from the outer side surface 31A. The light RayC that enters the light guide lens 30 (near the tip end portion 34) again, passes through the light guide lens 30, and exits from the outer surface 31A is guided by the light guide lens 30 (near the tip end portion 34) acting as a prism. About half of the apex angle θ2 of the optical lens 30 is refracted toward the lamp optical axis AX0 and emitted from the outer surface 31A (when the lens refractive index is about 1.5). As a result, the amount of light emitted from the outer surface 31A further increases.

  As described above, by using the curved light guide lens 30A, it is possible to configure a lamp in which the luminous flux emitted from the outer side surface 31A increases as compared with the luminous flux emitted from the inner side surface 32A.

  When the lamp 100A including the light guide lens 30A having the above configuration is used as a vehicle signal lamp, the lamp 100A is placed vertically so that the outer surface 31A and the inner surface 32A are vertical surfaces (FIG. 11B, FIG. 17), and the light intensity emitted from the outer surface 31A is tilted outward (for example, tilted outward by approximately 10 degrees) so as to coincide with the lamp optical axis AX0 extending in the vehicle front-rear direction. (See FIG. 11B). When the lamp 100A is arranged in this way, the light emitted from the outer surface 31A and the inner surface 32A increases as shown in FIGS. 19 (a) and 19 (b). Light rays emitted from the inner side surface 32A are reduced, and as a whole, the directivity characteristic is emitted almost uniformly in the left-right direction.

  20, the light guide lens 30 </ b> A in which the tip 34 is curved with respect to the light incident surface 33 (angle β between the normal X of the light incident surface 33 and the tip 34. See FIG. 11A). This is an example of a light distribution pattern P3 formed on a virtual vertical screen (disposed about 25 m ahead of the light guide lens 30A) by light emitted from the outer side surface 31A and the inner side surface 32A.

  Referring to FIG. 20, the light distribution pattern P3 formed by the light emitted from the curved light guide lens 30A is the light distribution pattern P2 formed by the light emitted from the non-curved light guide lens 30 (see FIG. 14). ), There is no crack on the left and right (that is, there is no portion where the luminous intensity is significantly reduced), and the light distribution pattern is bright at the center, that is, a light distribution pattern suitable for an automobile lamp.

  Next, it will be examined how much the luminous flux emitted from the outer side surface 31A increases as compared with the luminous flux emitted from the inner side surface 32A.

  FIG. 21A shows an example of a light distribution pattern P4 (isoluminous intensity diagram) formed by light emitted from the inner side surface 32A, and FIG. 21B shows a light distribution pattern formed by light emitted from the outer side surface 31A. It is an example of P5 (isoluminous intensity diagram).

  As a result of the simulation, the inventor of the present application shows that when the luminous flux of the LED light source 10 is 100 [lm], the light emitted from the inner side surface 32A (the luminous flux forming the light distribution pattern P4 in FIG. 79 [lm], the light emitted from the outer surface 31A (the light beam forming the light distribution pattern P5 in FIG. 21B) becomes 48.17 [lm], that is, from the outer surface 31A to the inner surface 32A. It was confirmed that about 1.6 times the luminous flux was emitted. This is an effect of the curved light guide lens 30A.

  Next, a study will be made as to how much the light guide lens 30A is bent and the above-mentioned effect appears.

  FIG. 13B is a ray tracing diagram of light emitted from the light guide lens 30 (light emitting surfaces 31 and 32) whose tip 34 is not curved with respect to the light incident surface 33. FIG. 19B is a ray tracing diagram of light emitted from the light guide lens 30A (the outer side surface 31A and the inner side surface 32A) in which the distal end portion 34 is curved by β = about 25 degrees with respect to the normal line X of the light incident surface 33. It is.

  Referring to FIG. 13B and FIG. 19B, the light guide lens 30 that is not curved has a small amount of light in the direction of the optical axis AX0, but the curved light guide lens 30A as a whole has a right and left relative to the optical axis AX0. It can be seen that the light rays are distributed almost uniformly in the direction.

  As a result of the simulation, the inventor of the present application differs depending on the length of the light guide lens 30A, but is about 25 degrees (the angle β formed between the normal line X of the light incident surface 33 and the tip portion 34; see FIG. 11A). The above-mentioned effect starts to appear from the curved light guide lens 30A, and is about 45 degrees (the angle β formed between the normal line X of the light incident surface 33 and the tip 34. See FIG. 11A). It was confirmed that the effect appeared sufficiently.

  As described above, according to the lamp 100A of the present embodiment, the wedge-shaped light guide lens 30A has a thickness between the outer surface 31A and the inner surface 32A that decreases from the light incident surface 33 toward the distal end portion 34. Due to the action, it is possible to configure a thin and small vehicle lamp as compared with the conventional vehicle signal lamp.

  Further, according to the lamp 100A of the present embodiment, the light beam emitted from the outer surface 31A is compared with the light beam emitted from the inner surface 32A by the action of the curved light guide lens 30A (the outer surface 31A and the inner surface 32A). It is possible to configure a lamp that greatly increases. The automobile lamp is required to have a high luminous intensity in the direction of the optical axis AX0 (the direction of 0 ° to the left and right of the light distribution pattern), and the light emitted from the outer surface 31A is irradiated in the direction of the optical axis AX0. Therefore, the more light emitted from the outer surface 31A, the more preferable as a vehicular lamp.

  Further, according to the lamp 100A of the present embodiment, it is possible to provide a new-looking lamp that emits a completely new way of lighting by the action of the curved light guide lens 30A (the outer surface 31A and the inner surface 32A).

  Further, according to the lamp 100A of the present embodiment, the lamp 100A is arranged vertically so that the outer surface 31A and the inner surface 32A are vertical surfaces (see FIGS. 11B and 17), and the outer surface. Tilt outward so that the direction of the Max light intensity of the light emitted from 31A coincides with the lamp optical axis AX0 extending in the vehicle front-rear direction (for example, the normal X of the light incident surface 33 of the light guide lens 30A is set to an angle α (for example, By tilting outward (about 10 degrees) (see FIG. 11A), the following effects can be obtained. That is, it is possible to realize a directivity characteristic that emits light almost uniformly in the left-right direction with respect to the lamp optical axis AX0 (see FIGS. 19A and 19B), and the light distribution pattern shown in FIG. A vehicular lamp that can form a light distribution pattern P3 suitable for an automotive lamp that has no cracks on the left and right sides (that is, there is no portion where the luminous intensity is significantly reduced) and is brighter in the center than P2. It is possible to configure (see FIG. 20).

  Further, according to the lamp 100A of the present embodiment, the light distribution pattern P3 having the vertical width (or horizontal width) required by the law on the virtual vertical screen by the action of the side surfaces 35 and 36 of the light guide lens 30A (see FIG. 20). ) Can be formed.

  As the angle θ2 (see FIG. 11) formed by the outer side surface 31A and the inner side surface 32A increases, the lateral expansion increases. Although the luminous intensity distribution varies depending on the size and arrangement of the light source 10, the apex angle θ2 is preferably 10 ° or less. This is because DRL and stop lamps are normally required to expand about 40 ° on the left and right (20 ° on one side). In the present embodiment, the apex angle θ2 = 3.5 ° is adopted.

[Third Embodiment]
Next, the lamp 100B which is 3rd Embodiment of this invention is demonstrated, referring drawings.

  As shown in FIG. 22, the lamp 100B of the present embodiment has a lens cut LC for controlling light emitted from the inner side surface 32B or the outer side surface 31B on the inner side surface 32B or the outer side surface 31B. This is the same as the lamp 100A of the second embodiment. Hereinafter, the light guide lens 30, the light exit surface 31, and the light exit surface 32 of the present embodiment are referred to as a light guide lens 30B, an outer surface 31B, and an inner surface 32B, respectively. About the other structure, the code | symbol similar to 1st Embodiment and 2nd Embodiment is attached | subjected.

  The lens cut LC has a corrugation extending in the vertical direction (see FIG. 22), for example, a waveform in which concave curves C1 and convex curves C2 appear alternately in the cross section as shown in FIGS. 23 (a) and 23 (b). Unevenness (also referred to as knurling). The lens cut LC (unevenness C1, C2) shown in FIGS. 23A and 23B is exaggerated for the sake of clarity, but the actual lens cut LC (unevenness C1, C2) is shown. The size (the height of the mountain) may be smaller than this.

  First, the case where the lens cut LC is applied to the inner side surface 32B (see FIG. 23A) will be described.

  In FIG. 24, as shown in FIG. 23A, the lens cut LC is formed on the virtual vertical screen by the light emitted from the light guide lens 30B (the outer surface 31B and the inner surface 32B) having the inner surface 32B. It is an example of the light distribution pattern P6.

  Referring to FIG. 24, the light distribution pattern P6 has a light distribution unevenness near the center (horizontal direction 0 [°]), compared to the light distribution pattern P3 (when the lens cut LC is not applied) shown in FIG. It can be seen that the luminance unevenness is reduced and the light distribution pattern is suitable for an automobile lamp. This is because the spread of light distribution is adjusted by the action of the lens cut LC.

  Next, the case where the lens cut LC is applied to the outer side surface 31B (see FIG. 23B) will be described.

  In FIG. 25, as shown in FIG. 23B, the lens cut LC is formed on the virtual vertical screen by the light emitted from the light guide lens 30B (the outer surface 31B and the inner surface 32B) having the outer surface 31B. It is an example of the light distribution pattern P7.

  Referring to FIG. 25, the light distribution pattern P7 has reduced light distribution unevenness and luminance unevenness compared to the light distribution pattern P3 (when the lens cut LC is not applied) shown in FIG. It can be seen that the light distribution pattern is suitable for. This is because the spread of light distribution is adjusted by the action of the lens cut LC.

  Next, it is examined whether it is preferable to apply the lens cut LC to the inner side surface 32B or the outer side surface 31B.

  First, when the lens cut LC is applied to the inner side surface 32B (see FIG. 23A), the extent to which the luminous flux emitted from the outer side surface 31B increases as compared with the luminous flux emitted from the inner side surface 32B is examined. .

  FIG. 26A shows an example of a light distribution pattern P8 (isophotometric diagram) formed by light emitted from the inner side surface 32B on which the lens cut LC is applied, and FIG. 26B shows the lens cut LC. It is an example of the light distribution pattern P9 (isoluminous intensity diagram) formed with the light radiate | emitted from the outer side 31B which is not.

  As a result of the simulation, the inventor of the present application, when the luminous flux of the LED light source 10 is 100 [lm], the light emitted from the inner side surface 32B on which the lens cut LC is applied (the light distribution pattern P8 of FIG. 26A). Formed light flux) is 29.21 [lm], and light emitted from the outer surface 31B (light flux forming the light distribution pattern P9) is 47.68 [lm], that is, from the outer surface 31B to the inner surface 32B. It was confirmed that about 1.63 times as much luminous flux was emitted.

  Next, when the lens cut LC is applied to the outer side surface 31B (see FIG. 23B), it is examined how much the luminous flux emitted from the outer side surface 31B increases compared to the luminous flux emitted from the inner side surface 32B. To do.

  FIG. 27A shows an example of a light distribution pattern P10 (isophotometric diagram) formed by light emitted from the inner side surface 32B not subjected to the lens cut LC, and FIG. 27B shows a case where the lens cut LC is applied. It is an example of the light distribution pattern P11 (isoluminous intensity diagram) formed with the light radiate | emitted from the outer surface 31B made.

  As a result of the simulation, the inventor of the present application has assumed that light emitted from the inner side surface 32B on which the lens cut LC is not applied (light flux forming the light distribution pattern P10) when the light flux of the LED light source 10 is 100 [lm]. 34.08 [lm], the light emitted from the outer surface 31B (light flux forming the light distribution pattern P11) becomes 42.74 [lm], that is, approximately 1.25 from the outer surface 31B to the inner surface 32B. It was confirmed that double the luminous flux was emitted.

  From the above, it can be seen that the amount of light emitted from the outer surface 31B increases (and the central luminous intensity also increases) when the lens cut LC is applied to the outer surface 31B rather than the inner surface 32B. From this, it can be seen that when the lamp 100B is used as a vehicular lamp, it is more preferable to apply the lens cut LC to the inner side 32B than to the outer side 31B.

  As described above, according to the lamp 100B of the present embodiment, in addition to the effects described in the second embodiment, the following effects are further achieved.

  That is, since the spread of the light distribution is adjusted by the action of the lens cut LC applied to the inner surface 32B or the outer surface 31B, the light distribution pattern P3 shown in FIG. 20 (when the lens cut LC is not applied). As a result, it is possible to form light distribution patterns P6 and P7 suitable for an automobile lamp with reduced light distribution unevenness and brightness unevenness (see FIGS. 24 and 25).

  In the present embodiment, the example in which the lens cut LC is a corrugated unevenness in which the concave curve C1 and the convex curve C2 alternately appear in the cross section has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, a minute prism used in a backlight or the like may be used as the lens cut LC. By using a small prism and adjusting its angle and pitch, it is possible to reduce luminance unevenness. In addition to controlling the light distribution pattern, it can be expected to beautify the appearance.

[Example of installation of lamps 100A and 100B]
Next, an installation example of the lamps 100A and 100B will be described.

  FIG. 28 is an example in which a lamp 100A (or lamp 100B) that functions as a DRL / position lamp is disposed in front of the vehicle lamp unit 40 so that light emitted from the vehicle lamp unit 40 is transmitted. If it does in this way, it will become possible to comprise the vehicular lamp of the new appearance by which light guide lens 30A (or light guide lens 30B) is arranged ahead of vehicular lamp unit 40. Since the light guide lens 30A is not provided with the reflecting surface 20 and is transparent, the light from the vehicle lamp unit 40 is transmitted through the light guide lens 30A without being blocked by the light guide lens 30A.

  The vehicular lamp unit 40 includes, for example, a light source 41 such as a halogen bulb and a reflector 42 configured to reflect the light from the light source 41 as a traveling beam and irradiate the front (for example, a free-form surface). The optical unit of the mold.

  The light emitted from the vehicular lamp unit 40 is spread in the left-right direction by the action of the light guide lens 30A (for example, wedge-shaped cross section or lens cut). However, the lower part of the reflecting surface 42 is used to form a light distribution that spreads to the left and right as compared to the central part. Therefore, by designing the reflecting surface 42 in consideration of the influence of the light guide lens 30A, it is possible to form a traveling beam light distribution pattern without (or hardly receiving) the influence of the light guide lens 30A. It becomes.

  Further, the lamp 100A (or the lamp 100B) can be hung on the ceiling or the like like an icicle and used as a general lighting lamp. Alternatively, the lamp 100A (or the lamp 100B) can be incorporated into a device such as a gaming machine and used as a special lighting lamp.

  The above embodiment is merely an example in all respects. The present invention is not construed as being limited to these descriptions. The present invention can be implemented in various other forms without departing from the spirit or main features thereof.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100, 100A, 100B ... Lamp, 10 ... LED light source, 20 ... Reflective surface, 21 ... Auxiliary reflective surface, 30, 30A, 30B ... Light guide lens, 31 ... Light-emitting surface (front surface), 31A, 31B ... Outer surface, 32 ... Back side, 32A, 32B ... Inner side surface, 33 ... Light incident surface (end surface), 34 ... Tip part, 35 ... Side surface, 36 ... Side surface, 200 ... Extension

Claims (10)

Including an end surface as a light incident surface, a tip portion on the opposite side, an outer surface as a light emission surface, an inner surface as a light emission surface on the opposite side, and both side surfaces, and from the light incident surface to the tip portion A wedge-shaped light guide lens in which the thickness between the outer side surface and the inner side surface decreases as it goes toward the head,
A light source that is disposed to face the light incident surface and emits light that enters the light guide lens from the light incident surface and exits from the outer surface or the inner surface;
With
The lamp is characterized in that the light guide lens is curved as viewed from one side surface of the both side surfaces. The outer surface extends along the lamp optical axis so as to gradually approach the lamp optical axis outside the lamp optical axis when viewed from one side of the both side surfaces, and passes through the lamp optical axis. After that, it is a convex curved surface that extends gradually away from the lamp optical axis inside the lamp optical axis and reaches the tip portion,
The inner side surface extends along the outer side surface so that the distance between the inner side surface and the outer side surface gradually decreases toward the tip end portion inside the lamp optical axis when viewed from the one side surface side. The lamp according to claim 1, wherein the lamp has a concave curved surface reaching the tip portion.   In the light guide lens, light emitted from a region on the light incident surface side of the inner side surface enters the light guide lens again from a region on the tip end side of the inner side surface and passes through the light guide lens. The lamp according to claim 1, wherein the lamp is curved so as to be emitted from the outer side surface.   The lamp according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the light guide lens has the tip portion curved by 25 degrees or more with respect to the light incident surface.   The lens cut for controlling the light radiate | emitted from the said outer surface or inner surface is given to the outer surface or inner surface of the said light guide lens, The any one of Claim 1 to 4 characterized by the above-mentioned. Lamps.   The lamp according to claim 5, wherein the lens cut is a knurled or fine prism for adjusting light distribution unevenness, luminance unevenness, and directivity.   Both side surfaces of the light guide lens are shaped to reflect light that enters the light guide lens from the light incident surface and is incident on the both side surfaces as light condensed in the width direction of the light guide lens. The lamp according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the lamp is provided.   The lamp according to claim 7, wherein each of both side surfaces of the light guide lens has a parabolic shape, an elliptical arc shape, a trapezoidal shape, or a shape close thereto as viewed from the outer side surface.   The light guide lens is arranged vertically so that the outer surface and the inner surface are vertical surfaces, and the direction of the Max luminous intensity of the light emitted from the outer surface is a lamp optical axis extending in the vehicle front-rear direction. The lamp according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the lamp is arranged so as to coincide with each other.   The said light guide lens is arrange | positioned ahead of the said vehicle lamp unit so that the light irradiated from a vehicle lamp unit may permeate | transmit, The lamp of Claim 9 characterized by the above-mentioned.

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