JP2023149940A - Vehicle lamp - Google Patents

Abstract

SOLUTION: A lamp cover 20 of a vehicle lamp 10 includes an inner cover portion 46 disposed on an inner side in a vehicle width direction with respect to an optical axis 28a of a first light source 28. The inner cover portion 46 has a specific shape portion 48. The specific shape portion 48 faces an inner light emitting portion 40 of a second light source 30 and is curved rearward when viewed facing on an inner side in the vehicle width direction. When first light L1 from the first light source 28 is reflected by the specific shape portion 48, reflected light RL enters a location away from the inner light emitting portion 40.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

The present invention relates to a vehicle lamp that is placed at the front end of a vehicle and illuminates the front.

Patent Document 1 discloses a vehicle lamp that is disposed at the front end of a vehicle and can illuminate the front of the vehicle. The vehicle lamp includes a lamp housing fixed to the vehicle body, a transparent cover, two lamp units, and a camera unit. The lamp housing has an opening at the front. The opening is covered with a transparent cover.

The camera unit is arranged within a lamp chamber surrounded by a lamp housing and a transparent cover. The camera unit is arranged facing the transparent cover. The camera unit is arranged outside the lamp unit in the vehicle width direction. The camera unit is surrounded by a reflection reduction section.

When the light emitted from the lamp unit is reflected on the inner surface of the light-transmitting cover, the reflection reducing section suppresses the reflected light from entering the camera unit.

Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2013-164913

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, vehicle lamps have been used that include, in addition to a first light unit that illuminates the front, a second light unit that enhances the visibility of the vehicle during the day.

The second light unit is often arranged apart from the first light unit in the vehicle width direction. For example, when the second light unit is placed inside the first light unit in the vehicle width direction, the reflection reduction section described above prevents the reflected light reflected from the inner surface of the transparent cover from entering the second light unit. cannot be prevented. When the reflected light enters the second light unit, the visibility of the second light unit during lighting is reduced.

The present invention aims to solve the above-mentioned problems.

An aspect of the present invention includes a housing that is disposed at the front end of a vehicle and has an opening that opens toward the front of the vehicle;
a transparent lamp cover that is attached to the opening of the housing, covers the opening, and bulges forward in a curved shape;
A first light source that is housed in the housing and emits first light; and a second light source that has an inner light emitting part located inward in the vehicle width direction than the first light source and that emits second light. A lamp unit comprising;
A vehicular lamp that irradiates the first and second lights from the lamp unit toward the front of the vehicle through the lamp cover,
The lamp cover includes an outer cover portion located outward in the vehicle width direction from the optical axis of the first light source;
an inner cover part located inward in the vehicle width direction than the optical axis of the first light source and facing the inner light emitting part of the second light source;
has
The inner cover portion has a specific shape portion that is curved or inclined rearward toward the inside in the vehicle width direction, and the specific shape portion is configured to prevent reflected light of the first light reflected on the inner surface of the lamp cover. is configured to enter the second light source at a location away from the inner light emitting section.

According to the present invention, the following effects can be obtained.

That is, when the first light emitted from the first light source is reflected on the inner surface of the lamp cover, the reflected light is prevented from being reflected toward the second light source by the specific shaped part of the inner cover part. The direction of reflection is controlled. Therefore, the second light emitted from the second light source is prevented from being obstructed by the reflected light, and it is possible to improve the visibility of the second light (second light source).

FIG. 1 is a front view of a vehicle lamp according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along line II-II in FIG. FIG. 3 is a front view of a vehicle lamp according to a modification.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

As shown in FIG. 1, a vehicle lamp 10 according to the present embodiment is a headlamp that is disposed at the front end of a body 14 of a vehicle 12 and illuminates the front of the vehicle 12. In the vehicle width direction (directions of arrows A1 and A2 in FIG. 1) perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the vehicle 12, a pair of vehicle lamps 10 are provided, and each is disposed at an outer end in the vehicle width direction. The vehicle lamp 10 on one side in the vehicle width direction and the vehicle lamp 10 on the other side in the vehicle width direction have a symmetrical shape.

A vehicle lamp 10 disposed on one side (left side) in the vehicle width direction will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2. When viewed from the front of the vehicle 12 shown in FIG. 1, the vehicle lamp 10 has a substantially rectangular shape that is elongated in the vehicle width direction. The vehicle lamp 10 includes a housing 16, a lamp unit 18, and a lamp cover 20. Hereinafter, the width direction of the vehicle 12 is indicated by arrows A1 and A2 directions. The front of the vehicle 12 is shown in the direction of arrow B1, and the rear of the vehicle 12 is shown in the direction of arrow B2.

Housing 16 is located at the front end of body 14 (see FIG. 2). The housing 16 has a housing chamber 22 and an opening 24 . The opening 24 is arranged at the front end of the storage chamber 22 and opens toward the front of the vehicle 12 (in the direction of arrow B1 in FIG. 2). The storage chamber 22 is a space depressed from the opening 24 toward the rear (in the direction of arrow B2 in FIG. 2).

The lamp unit 18 is housed in the housing chamber 22 of the housing 16 . The lamp unit 18 is held at a predetermined position within the housing 16 by a holder 26 fixed to the housing 16. The lamp unit 18 includes a first light source 28 and a second light source 30. The holder 26 holds the first and second light sources 28 and 30, respectively.

The first light source 28 is a headlight that can illuminate the front of the vehicle 12 (in the direction of arrow B1). The first light source 28 has a first irradiation section 32 that can irradiate the first light L1. The first irradiation unit 32 is arranged toward the front of the vehicle 12. The first irradiation section 32 faces the lamp cover 20. The first irradiation section 32 has a lens 34 that is convex toward the front. The first light L1 is irradiated radially forward (in the direction of arrow B1) through the lens 34 with the optical axis 28a of the first light source 28 as the center. The optical axis 28a of the first light source 28 is the central axis of the first light source 28.

Specifically, the first light L1 irradiated from the center of the first irradiation section 32 travels substantially straight forward (in the direction of arrow B1). The first light L1 irradiated from a portion radially outward from the center of the first irradiation section 32 travels in an oblique direction so as to intersect with the optical axis 28a of the first light source 28.

The second light source 30 has an annular shape and is arranged to surround the first light source 28. The second light source 30 is used as at least one of a position lamp and a daytime running light (DRL). The illuminance of the second light L2 is lower than the illuminance of the first light L1.

The second light source 30 has a second irradiation section 36 that can irradiate the second light L2. The second irradiation section 36 faces the lamp cover 20. The second irradiation section 36 has an outer light emitting section 38 and an inner light emitting section 40. In a cross-sectional view from above of the vehicle 12 shown in FIG. 2, the outer light emitting section 38 is disposed further outward in the vehicle width direction (in the direction of arrow A1) than the first light source 28. The inner light emitting section 40 is disposed further inward in the vehicle width direction (in the direction of arrow A2) than the first light source 28 . The inner light emitting section 40 is arranged slightly inclined toward the first light source 28 .

Note that the second light source 30 is not limited to an annular shape. Any configuration is sufficient as long as the inner light emitting section 40 is arranged at least inward in the vehicle width direction (arrow A2 direction) with respect to the first light source 28 .

The lamp cover 20 is made of a transparent resin material. Lamp cover 20 is attached to opening 24 in housing 16 . Lamp cover 20 covers opening 24 of housing 16. The lamp cover 20 has a curved shape that bulges forward. In FIG. 2, the lamp cover 20 extends from the inside in the vehicle width direction to the outside in the vehicle width direction toward the rear of the vehicle 12 (in the direction of arrow B2). A grill 42 is disposed inward in the vehicle width direction (direction of arrow A2) of the vehicle lamp 10 including the lamp cover 20 (see FIG. 1). The grill 42 is attached to the center of the front end of the body 14. The grille 42 constitutes the front end of the vehicle 12 (see FIG. 2). The grill 42 is arranged to surround the lamp cover 20. In the longitudinal direction of the vehicle 12 (directions of arrows B1 and B2), the front surface of the grille 42 is arranged flush with the front end (bent portion 52) of the lamp cover 20 (see FIG. 2).

The lamp cover 20 has an outer cover part 44 and an inner cover part 46.

As shown in FIG. 2, the outer cover portion 44 is disposed further outward in the vehicle width direction (in the direction of arrow A1) than the optical axis 28a of the first light source 28. As shown in FIG. The outer cover portion 44 has a shape that is gently curved outward in the vehicle width direction and rearward (in the direction of arrow B2). The outer end of the outer cover portion 44 in the vehicle width direction is disposed at the rearmost position in the outer cover portion 44 . The outer end of the outer cover portion 44 in the vehicle width direction is fixed to the housing 16 together with the holder 26 .

The inner cover part 46 is arranged inside the outer cover part 44 in the vehicle width direction (arrow A2 direction). The inner cover portion 46 is disposed further inward in the vehicle width direction (in the direction of arrow A2) than the optical axis 28a of the first light source 28. The inner cover part 46 faces the inner light emitting part 40 of the second light source 30.

The inner cover portion 46 has a specific shape portion 48 , a convex curved portion 50 , and a bent portion 52 .

The specific shape portion 48 curves inward in the vehicle width direction and rearward (in the direction of arrow B2). The specific shape portion 48 has a gently curved shape. The specific shaped portion 48 is located between the inner light emitting portion 40 of the second light source 30 and the first light source 28 and facing each other. As shown in FIG. 1, in the inner cover part 46, the specific shape part 48 is formed in a part of the lamp cover 20 in the vertical direction (arrow C1, C2 direction). The specific shape portion 48 is arranged, for example, at a position on a virtual line D passing through the optical axis 28a of the first light source 28. Note that the specific shape portion 48 is not limited to a curved shape, but may be a shape that is inclined rearward toward the inside in the vehicle width direction.

As shown in FIG. 2, the specific shaped portion 48 is configured such that the reflected light RL of the first light L1 reflected on the inner surface of the lamp cover 20 can enter a location away from the inner light emitting portion 40 of the second light source 30. Ru. The inner surface of the specific shape portion 48 has a reflective surface 48a that reflects the reflected light RL of the first light L1 between the first light source 28 and the second light source 30.

The reflective surface 48a has a curved shape. The first light L1 that has hit the reflective surface 48a becomes reflected light RL that is reflected by the reflective surface 48a and travels toward the rear. The traveling direction of the reflected light RL is, for example, a direction that is 90° or less with respect to the incident direction (incident angle) of the first light L1 on the reflective surface 48a.

The shape of the specific shape portion 48 (reflection surface 48a) is formed such that the reflected light RL is incident on the vehicle width direction outward (in the arrow A1 direction) from the inner light emitting portion 40 of the second light source 30.

The convex curved portion 50 is arranged inward in the vehicle width direction (arrow A2 direction) from the center (optical axis 28a) of the first light source 28 (first irradiation portion 32). The convex curved portion 50 is arranged inside the specific shape portion 48 in the vehicle width direction (arrow A2 direction). The convex curved portion 50 curves convexly toward the inner light emitting portion 40 of the second light source 30 . The convex curved portion 50 has a top portion 54 that bulges toward the rear (arrow B2 direction). In the convex curved portion 50, the apex portion 54 is disposed closest to the rear. The top portion 54 is located in front of the inner light emitting portion 40 . The specific shaped portion 48 is disposed between the top portion 54 and the outer cover portion 44 .

The bent portion 52 is arranged inward of the convex curved portion 50 in the vehicle width direction. The bent portion 52 is a portion that is bent back (in the direction of arrow B2) from the inner end of the convex curved portion 50 in the vehicle width direction toward the inner side in the vehicle width direction. The inner cover portion 46 extends inward in the vehicle width direction from the bent portion 52, and the inner end of the inner cover portion 46 in the vehicle width direction is fixed to the housing 16 together with the holder 26. The bent portion 52 constitutes the front end of the vehicle 12 together with the grille 42 . In the longitudinal direction of the vehicle 12 (direction of arrows B1 and B2), the bent portion 52 and the front surface of the grille 42 are arranged flush with each other (see FIG. 2).

The protruding portion 26a of the holder 26 is housed inside the bent portion 52. Like the bent portion 52, the protruding portion 26a has a shape that protrudes toward the front of the vehicle 12 (in the direction of arrow B1). The protruding portion 26a and the bent portion 52 are arranged apart from each other in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle 12 (in the direction of arrows B1 and B2). A gap S is provided in the vehicle width direction between the outer end of the grille 42 in the width direction and the lamp cover 20 (inner cover portion 46). The protruding portion 26a and the bent portion 52 of the lamp cover 20 are arranged in the gap S. At this time, the gap S is suitably filled by the bent portion 52, and the bent portion 52 and the front surface of the grille 42 are arranged flush, so that the design of the front surface of the vehicle 12 can be improved.

Next, a description will be given of when the vehicle lamp 10 is turned on.

When a driver (not shown) operates a light lighting switch in the vehicle interior, power is supplied to the lamp unit 18 of the vehicle lamp 10. As shown in FIG. 2, the first light source 28 emits light and the first irradiation section 32 irradiates the first light L1 forward. At this time, the first light L1 is irradiated radially from the first irradiation section 32 around the optical axis 28a through the lens 34. The second irradiation section 36 of the second light source 30 emits light, and the second light L2 is irradiated forward from the inner light emitting section 40 and the outer light emitting section 38 of the second irradiation section 36 . The second light L2 is annular surrounding the first light L1.

The first light L1 and the second light L2 each pass through the lamp cover 20 and are irradiated to the front of the vehicle 12.

As shown in FIG. 2, a portion of the first light L1 is reflected by the inner surface of the lamp cover 20 and becomes reflected light RL (see the broken line arrow in FIG. 2) that travels toward the rear. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 2, the first light L1a irradiated from the outside in the vehicle width direction of the first irradiation part 32 is directed toward the inner cover in the vehicle width direction so as to intersect with the optical axis 28a. Proceeds diagonally toward section 46. A portion of the first light L1a hits the reflective surface 48a of the specific shape portion 48 and is reflected. The reflected light RLa generated by hitting the reflective surface 48a travels obliquely toward the rear and inward in the vehicle width direction with respect to the reflective surface 48a.

The traveling direction of the reflected light RLa is approximately 90° or less with respect to the direction of incidence of the first light L1a on the reflective surface 48a, that is, inward in the vehicle width direction. At this time, the traveling direction of the reflected light RLa is outward in the vehicle width direction with respect to the traveling direction of the reflected light RLc reflected by the lamp cover 20a (shape of a two-dot chain line in FIG. 2) that does not have the specific shaped portion 48. (direction of arrow A1).

Therefore, the reflected light RLa reflected by the specific shaped portion 48 is incident on a portion (between the inner light emitting portion 40 and the first light source 28) that is further outward in the vehicle width direction than the inner light emitting portion 40 of the second light source 30. . This prevents the second light L2 emitted from the second light source 30 from being obstructed by the reflected light RLa. The second light L2 emitted from the inner light emitting section 40 can be reliably seen from the front of the vehicle 12 shown in FIG.

On the other hand, the first light L1b emitted from the inside of the first irradiation unit 32 in the vehicle width direction shown in FIG. 2 travels diagonally outward in the vehicle width direction (in the direction of arrow A1). A part of the first light L1b hits the inner surface of the outer cover part 44 and is reflected. At this time, the reflected light RLb generated by hitting the inner surface of the outer cover portion 44 travels obliquely toward the rear and outward in the vehicle width direction with respect to the inner surface. The outer light emitting section 38 of the second light source 30 is arranged outward in the vehicle width direction (in the direction of arrow A1) with respect to the traveling direction of the reflected light RLb.

Therefore, the reflected light RLb does not enter the outer light emitting section 38 of the second light source 30, but enters a portion (between the outer light emitting section 38 and the first light source 28) that is inward in the vehicle width direction from the outer light emitting section 38. . This prevents the second light L2 from the outer light emitting section 38 from being obstructed by the reflected light RLb reflected on the outer cover section 44. The visibility of the second light L2 emitted from the outer light emitting section 38 is not reduced by the reflected light RLb.

As described above, in the embodiment of the present invention, the lamp cover 20 includes the inner cover portion 46 that is disposed inward in the vehicle width direction from the optical axis 28a of the first light source 28. The inner cover part 46 faces the inner light emitting part 40 of the second light source 30. The inner cover portion 46 has a specific shape portion 48 that curves rearward inward in the vehicle width direction. The specific shape portion 48 allows the reflected light RL (RLa) of the first light L1 (L1a) from the first light source 28 reflected on the inner surface of the lamp cover 20 to enter a location away from the inner light emitting portion 40 .

Therefore, when the first light L1 (L1a) irradiated from the first light source 28 is reflected on the inner surface of the lamp cover 20, the reflected light RL (RLa) is transmitted to the second light source 30 by the specific shaped portion 48 of the inner cover portion 46. It is possible to effectively prevent the light from entering the inner light emitting section 40. This prevents the second light L2 emitted from the inner light emitting section 40 from being obstructed by the reflected light RL (RLa), making it possible to improve the visibility of the second light L2 (second light source 30). becomes.

By forming the specific shaped portion 48 in a part of the lamp cover 20 in the vertical direction, the specific shaped portion 48 can be formed in accordance with the position where the reflected light RL is reflected by the inner surface of the lamp cover 20 in the vertical direction of the vehicle 12. Can be placed in the optimal position.

The inner cover portion 46 of the lamp cover 20 has a convex curved portion 50 that is curved in a convex shape toward the inner light emitting portion 40 of the second light source 30 . As a result, a recessed portion is formed on the outer surface side of the lamp cover 20, which is the opposite side of the convex curved portion 50. Therefore, it is possible to improve the visibility of the second light L2 while improving the design of the external appearance of the vehicle lamp 10.

The top portion 54 of the convex curved portion 50 is placed in front of the inner light emitting portion 40 of the second light source 30, and the specific shaped portion 48 is placed between the top portion 54 and the outer cover portion 44. Thereby, the traveling direction of the reflected light RL (RLa) of the first light L1 (L1a) reflected by the specific shape portion 48 can be favorably controlled.

By causing the reflected light RL (RLa) to be reflected between the first light source 28 and the second light source 30 by the specific shape portion 48, the reflected light RL (RLa) is reflected from both the first light source 28 and the second light source 30. ) is never incident. Therefore, the reflected light RL (RLa) is suppressed from interfering with the irradiation of the first light L1 from the first light source 28.

When the second light source 30 is used as a position lamp or a day running light, and the first light source 28 is used as a headlight, and the illuminance of the second light source 30 is lower than the illuminance of the first light source 28, the first light source 28 The reflected light RL (RLa) of the first light L1 (L1a) suppresses a decrease in visibility of the second light source 30 with low illuminance.

For example, a vehicle lamp 10A according to a modification shown in FIG. 3 may be adopted. When viewed from the front of the vehicle 12A shown in FIG. 3, the vehicle lamp 10A has a circular shape. The vehicle lamp 10A includes a housing 16A, a lamp unit 18A, and a lamp cover 20A. The lamp unit 18A includes a first light source 28A and a second light source 30A.

The lamp cover 20A has an outer cover portion 44A and an inner cover portion 46A. The inner cover portion 46A has a specific shape portion 48A, a convex curved portion 50A, and a bent portion 52A. The specific shape portion 48A is arranged, for example, at a position below (in the direction of arrow C2) with respect to the virtual line D passing through the optical axis 28a of the first light source 28A.

The above embodiments can be summarized as follows.

The above embodiment includes a housing (16, 16A) that is disposed at the front end of the vehicle (12) and has an opening (24) that opens toward the front of the vehicle;
a transparent lamp cover (20, 20A) that is attached to the opening of the housing, covers the opening, and bulges forward in a curved shape;
The housing includes a first light source (28, 28A) that is housed in the housing and emits a first light (L1), and an inner light emitting part (40) that is located inward in the vehicle width direction from the first light source. a lamp unit (18, 18A) comprising a second light source (30, 30A) that emits the second light (L2);
A vehicle lamp (10, 10A) that irradiates the first and second lights from the lamp unit toward the front of the vehicle through the lamp cover,
The lamp cover includes an outer cover portion (44, 44A) located outward in the vehicle width direction from the optical axis (28a) of the first light source;
an inner cover part (46, 46A) located inward in the vehicle width direction than the optical axis of the first light source and facing the inner light emitting part of the second light source;
has
The inner cover part has a specific shaped part (48, 48A) that is curved or inclined backward toward the inside in the vehicle width direction, and the specific shaped part has the first part reflected on the inner surface of the lamp cover. The reflected light (RL) of the second light source is configured to be incident on a location away from the inner light emitting section of the second light source.

The vehicle lamp is disposed at the outer end in the vehicle width direction,
The specific shaped portion is formed in a portion of the lamp cover in the vertical direction.

The inner cover portion has a convex curved portion (50, 50A) that is curved in a convex manner toward the inner light emitting portion.

The top part (54) of the convex curved part is located in front of the inner light emitting part,
The specific shaped part is located between the top part and the outer cover part.

The specific shape portion reflects the reflected light between the first light source and the second light source.

The illuminance of the second light source is lower than the illuminance of the first light source.

Note that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and can take various configurations without departing from the gist of the present invention.

10, 10A... Vehicle lamp 16, 16A... Housing 18, 18A... Lamp unit 20, 20A, 20a... Lamp cover 28, 28A... First light source 30, 30A... Second light source 38... Outer light emitting part 40... Inner light emitting part 44, 44A...Outer cover part 46, 46A...Inner cover part 48, 48A...Specific shape part 50, 50A...Convex curved part 54...Top part L1, L1a, L1b...First light L2...Second light RL, RLa, RLb, RLc...Reflected light

Claims (6)

a housing disposed at the front end of the vehicle and having an opening that opens toward the front of the vehicle;
a transparent lamp cover that is attached to the opening of the housing, covers the opening, and bulges forward in a curved shape;
A first light source that is housed in the housing and emits first light; and a second light source that has an inner light emitting part located inward in the vehicle width direction than the first light source and that emits second light. A lamp unit comprising;
A vehicular lamp that irradiates the first and second lights from the lamp unit toward the front of the vehicle through the lamp cover,
The lamp cover includes an outer cover portion located outward in the vehicle width direction from the optical axis of the first light source;
an inner cover part located inward in the vehicle width direction than the optical axis of the first light source and facing the inner light emitting part of the second light source;
has
The inner cover portion has a specific shape portion that is curved or inclined rearward toward the inside in the vehicle width direction, and the specific shape portion is configured to prevent reflected light of the first light reflected on the inner surface of the lamp cover. A vehicular lamp configured such that the light is incident on a portion of the second light source that is away from the inner light emitting portion. The vehicle lamp according to claim 1,
The vehicle lamp is disposed at the outer end in the vehicle width direction,
In the vehicle lamp, the specific shaped portion is formed in a portion of the lamp cover in the vertical direction. The vehicle lamp according to claim 1 or 2,
In the vehicle lamp, the inner cover portion has a convex curved portion that is curved in a convex manner toward the inner light emitting portion. The vehicle lamp according to claim 3,
The top of the convex curved part is located in front of the inner light emitting part,
In the vehicle lamp, the specific shaped portion is located between the top portion and the outer cover portion. The vehicle lamp according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
The vehicle lamp is configured such that the specific shaped portion reflects the reflected light between the first light source and the second light source. The vehicle lamp according to any one of claims 1 to 5,
In the vehicle lamp, the illuminance of the second light source is lower than the illuminance of the first light source.

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