JP2024086086A - Vehicular lighting fixture - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a vehicular lighting fixture that can switch between two functions.

SOLUTION: A lighting fixture 2 comprises a first optical system configured to emit light in a first direction, a second optical system configured to emit light in a second direction different from the first direction, a first board 23 supporting a light source of the first optical system, and a second board 24 supporting a light source of the second optical system, and different from the first board. The light source of the first optical system and the light source of the second optical system are configured to emit the light independently of each other. The color of the light emitted from the first optical system is different from the color of the light emitted from the second optical system. The first board 23 and the second board 24 are connected.

SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

COPYRIGHT: (C)2024,JPO&INPIT

Description

This disclosure relates to vehicle lighting.

Patent Document 1 discloses a rear combination lamp as an example of a vehicle lamp. The lamp in Patent Document 1 includes a first semiconductor light-emitting element, a second semiconductor light-emitting element that emits a different light color than the first semiconductor light-emitting element, and an inner lens. The inner lens includes a first region that controls the distribution of light emitted from the first semiconductor light-emitting element, and a second region that controls the distribution of light emitted from the second semiconductor light-emitting element. The first region is provided with a first step that extends in a band shape in the left-right direction of the lamp, and the second region is provided with a second step that extends in a band shape in the up-down direction of the lamp. With this configuration, light can be emitted in at least two directions.

Patent Document 2 discloses a vehicle marker lamp as another example of a vehicle lamp. The lamp in Patent Document 2 includes a light source and a lens. The lens has an outer lens and an inner lens, the outer lens is colorless and transparent, and the inner lens is colored red, yellow, green, blue, etc. The light source is a number of LED chips that emit white light, and light of the color of the inner lens is emitted forward, above, and on both sides, while white light, which is the original light of the LED, is emitted downward through a cutout in the inner lens. This white light emitted downward allows the driver to easily check the location of roadside strips at night from the driver's seat.

JP 2019-165021 A Design Registration No. 1545289

Meanwhile, in addition to rotating warning lights, emergency vehicles such as ambulances may be equipped with non-rotating warning lights to further alert those in the vicinity. These non-rotating warning lights are configured to flash red when the vehicle is traveling in an emergency. Emergency vehicles may also be equipped with work lights to brightly illuminate the work area for emergency treatment. These work lights are configured to light up with white light when emergency treatment is being performed.

When installing both warning lights to alert those in the vicinity and work lights to illuminate the work area for emergency treatment on a vehicle, there is a limit to the space available for installing multiple types of lighting. Furthermore, conventional work lights are attached high up on the vehicle and project light horizontally onto the vehicle. Emergency treatment is sometimes performed on roads surrounding the ambulance, and the light emitted horizontally from the work lights does not necessarily brightly illuminate the work area for emergency treatment, leaving room for improvement in illuminating the work area with light.

Therefore, the objective of this disclosure is to provide a vehicle lamp that can switch between two functions.

The vehicle lamp of the present disclosure includes:
a first optical system configured to emit light in a first direction;
a second optical system configured to emit light in a second direction different from the first direction;
a first substrate supporting a light source of the first optical system;
a second substrate supporting a light source of the second optical system and different from the first substrate;
the light source of the first optical system and the light source of the second optical system are configured to emit light independently of each other,
a color of the light emitted from the first optical system is different from a color of the light emitted from the second optical system,
The first substrate and the second substrate are connected to each other.

The control method of the present disclosure is a control method for a vehicle lamp, comprising:
The vehicle lamp includes:
a first optical system configured to emit light in a first direction;
a second optical system configured to emit light in a second direction different from the first direction,
a color of the light emitted from the first optical system is different from a color of the light emitted from the second optical system,
The control method includes:
The light emission from the first optical system and the light emission from the second optical system are switched.

This disclosure provides a vehicle lamp that can switch between two functions.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating a vehicle equipped with a vehicle lamp according to the present disclosure. FIG. 2 is a perspective view illustrating a vehicle lamp. FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view illustrating a vehicle lamp. FIG. 4 is a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating light emitted from a first optical system of a vehicle lamp and light emitted from a second optical system of the vehicle lamp.

The following describes an embodiment of the present disclosure (hereinafter, referred to as the present embodiment) with reference to the drawings. For the sake of convenience, the dimensions of each component shown in the drawings may differ from the actual dimensions of each component.

In addition, in the description of this embodiment, for convenience of explanation, the "left-right direction", "up-down direction", and "front-rear direction" may be mentioned as appropriate. These directions are relative directions set for the vehicle 1 illustrated in FIG. 1. Here, the "left-right direction" includes the "left direction" and the "right direction", and is also the horizontal direction of the vehicle 1. The "up-down direction" includes the "upward direction" and the "downward direction". The "front-rear direction" includes the "forward direction" and the "rearward direction". The front-rear direction is a direction perpendicular to the left-right direction and the up-down direction. Note that in each figure, the symbol U shown in the figure indicates the upward direction. The symbol D indicates the downward direction. The symbol F indicates the forward direction. The symbol B indicates the rearward direction. The symbol L indicates the leftward direction. The symbol R indicates the rightward direction.

A vehicle 1 equipped with a lamp 2 according to this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 1. FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating a vehicle 1 equipped with a lamp 2 according to this embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 1, the lamp 2 is attached to a high place on the vehicle 1. In this embodiment, the high place means the upper part of the vehicle 1, which is higher than the windshield of the vehicle 1. The high place is preferably higher than a person's eye level (180 cm or more above ground). Furthermore, the lamp 2 is attached to each of the left and right sides of the vehicle 1. The lamp 2 may be provided between a rotating front warning light 3 attached to the front of the vehicle 1 and a rotating rear warning light 4 attached to the rear of the vehicle 1. FIG. 1 shows two lamps 2 attached to the left side of the vehicle 1. The number of lamps attached to one side is not limited to two, and may be one, three or more. The lamp 2 may be attached to only one of the left and right sides of the vehicle 1, or may be attached to the back of the vehicle 1. The vehicle 1 is, for example, an emergency vehicle. The lamp 2 is an example of a vehicle lamp.

Next, the lamp 2 according to this embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 2 and 3. Figure 2 is a bottom perspective view illustrating the lamp 2. Figure 3 is an exploded perspective view illustrating the lamp 2.

As illustrated in Figures 2 and 3, the lamp 2 includes a first light source 21, a second light source 22, a first substrate 23, a second substrate 24, an inner lens 25, an outer lens 26, a body 27, and a base 28. The first light source 21, the inner lens 25, and the outer lens 26 are an example of a first optical system. This first optical system functions as a warning light. The second light source 22, the inner lens 25, and the outer lens 26 are an example of a second optical system. This second optical system functions as a work light. Each component will be described below.

The first light source 21 is configured to emit light in a first direction. The first light source 21 is, for example, an LED (light emitting diode) chip. The first light source 21 emits, for example, white light. The first substrate 23 is a substrate that supports a plurality of the first light sources 21. The first substrate 23 supports six first light sources 21 arranged in two columns in one row. The first substrate 23 is connected to an external control unit (not shown) by a cord via the body 27 and the base 28, and the first light source 21 can be controlled by this control unit. The external control unit may be, for example, a vehicle control unit of the vehicle 1. In this embodiment, the first direction is the horizontal direction of the vehicle 1 and the normal direction of the first substrate 23.

The second light source 22 is configured to emit light in a second direction different from the first direction. In this embodiment, the configuration of the second light source 22 is the same as the configuration of the first light source, and is, for example, an LED (light emitting diode) chip. The second light source 22 emits, for example, white light. The second substrate 24 is a substrate that supports a plurality of the second light sources 22. The second substrate 24 is different from the first substrate 23. The second substrate 24 supports six second light sources 22 in a row. The second substrate 24 is connected to an external control unit (not shown) by a cord via the first substrate 23, the body 27, and the base 28, and the second light source 22 can be controlled by this control unit. In this embodiment, the second direction is downward from the first direction and is the normal direction of the second substrate 24. It is preferable that the second direction is not a direction perpendicular to the first direction downward, but is diagonally downward with respect to the first direction. That is, in this embodiment, downward does not mean a downward direction in the up-down direction, but a diagonally downward direction with respect to the horizontal direction. The second direction is, for example, downward, at an angle of 20 degrees or more and 70 degrees or less with respect to the first direction.

The first light source 21 and the second light source 22 emit light independently of each other. For example, a control unit (not shown) may switch between the emission of light from the first light source 21 and the emission of light from the second light source 22. For example, while the first light source 21 is emitting light in a first direction, the second light source 22 may not emit light, and conversely, while the second light source 22 is emitting light in a second direction, the first light source 21 may not emit light. For example, the first light source 21 may blink its light, and the second light source 22 may turn on its light. Details of the emission of light from the first light source 21 and the second light source 22 will be described later.

The first substrate 23 and the second substrate 24 are connected to each other. More specifically, a recess 23A formed below the first substrate 23 and a protrusion 24A formed above the second substrate 24 engage with each other. This engagement connects the first substrate 23 and the second substrate 24 both physically and electrically.

The area of the first substrate 23 is larger than the area of the second substrate 24. Furthermore, the number of first light sources 21 supported by the first substrate 23 is greater than the number of second light sources 22 attached to the second substrate 24.

The inner lens 25 has a light collecting area 25A and a cutout portion 25B. The light collecting area 25A is configured to cover the first light source 21 and collect the light emitted from the first light source 21. For example, a plurality of steps may be formed on the emission surface of the light collecting area 25A, and the collected light may be distributed by emitting the light from these steps. The light emitted from the second light source 22 passes through the cutout portion 25B. The inner lens 25 of this embodiment is colored. The color of the inner lens is, for example, red.

The outer lens 26 is a colorless and transparent cover that forms the outer shape of the lamp 2. The outer lens 26 has a first exit surface 26A, a second exit surface 26B, and a side surface 26C. The outer lens 26, including the first exit surface 26A, the second exit surface 26B, and the side surface 26C, is formed by integral molding. The first exit surface 26A covers the light collection area 25A of the inner lens 25 and is configured to transmit light emitted from the first light source 21 and collected in the light collection area 25A. The second exit surface 26B covers the cutout portion 25B of the inner lens 25 and is configured to transmit light emitted from the second light source 22 and passed through the cutout portion 25B. The first exit surface 26A is approximately perpendicular to the horizontal direction. The second exit surface 26B is downwardly oriented relative to the first exit surface 26A. Side 26C is the surface of outer lens 26 that covers inner lens 25, except for first emission surface 26A and second emission surface 26B. Multiple grooves are formed on side 26C. These grooves mainly function as a so-called grain that makes it difficult to see the inside of lamp 2 from the outside while improving the appearance of lamp 2.

The color of the light passing through the light collection area 25A of the inner lens 25 and the first exit surface 26A of the outer lens 26 from the first light source 21 is different from the color of the light passing through the cutout portion 25B of the inner lens 25 and the second exit surface 26B of the outer lens from the second light source 22. In this embodiment, the color of the light passing through the light collection area 25A of the inner lens 25 and the first exit surface 26A of the outer lens 26 from the first light source 21 is, for example, red. The color of the light passing through the cutout portion 25B of the inner lens 25 and the second exit surface 26B of the outer lens from the second light source 22 is, for example, white. The light passing through the light collection area 25A of the inner lens 25 and the first exit surface 26A of the outer lens 26 from the first light source 21 is an example of light emitted from the first optical system. Light emitted from the second light source 22 and passing through the cutout portion 25B of the inner lens 25 and the second exit surface 26B of the outer lens is an example of light emitted from the second optical system.

The body 27 supports the first substrate 23 via the first sheet 27A and the second substrate 24 via the second sheet 27B. The first sheet 27A provides heat insulation and insulation for the first substrate 23. The second sheet 27B provides heat insulation and insulation for the second substrate 24. The body 27 also supports the inner lens 25 and the outer lens 26. The base 28 supports each component via the body 27. The base 28 is formed of, for example, an elastic material, and makes it easy to attach the lamp 2 to the vehicle 1 according to the external shape of the vehicle 1. The base 28 is attached to the vehicle 1 by a screw that passes through the screw hole of the outer lens 26, the screw hole of the inner lens 25, the screw hole of the body 27, and the screw hole of the base 28. The base 28 may be attached to the vehicle 1 by passing a screw from the vehicle 1 to the outer lens 26.

Next, the use of the lamp 2 of this embodiment will be described. FIG. 4 is a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating the light emitted from the first optical system and the light emitted from the second optical system. An external control unit (not shown) switches between emitting light from the first optical system and emitting light from the second optical system as follows.

First, the light emitted from the first optical system will be described. As shown in FIG. 4, the light emitted from the first light source 21 in the first direction is first concentrated by passing through the light-concentrating area 25A of the inner lens 25. The inner lens 25 is colored red. Therefore, the light emitted from the first light source 21 is white, but the light that passes through the light-concentrating area 25A becomes red. This concentrated red light passes through the first exit surface 26A of the outer lens 26 and is emitted in the first direction. In this way, the light emitted from the first optical system has a high intensity and is noticeable in red color. Furthermore, since the number of first light sources 21 is greater than the number of second light sources 22, the first optical system emits light with a relatively high brightness in the first direction.

The first optical system is controlled by an external control unit (not shown) to flash while the vehicle 1 is traveling. For example, when the vehicle 1 is transporting an emergency vehicle, the first optical system flashes a relatively bright, conspicuous red light in a first direction. This makes it possible to alert those in the vicinity over a wide horizontal range of the vehicle 1.

Next, the light emitted from the second optical system will be described. As shown in FIG. 4, the second light source 22 emits light in the second direction, which is more downward than the first direction. More specifically, the second direction is diagonally downward with respect to the first direction. The light emitted in the second direction first passes through the cutout 25B of the inner lens 25. The light emitted from the second light source 22 is white, and the light passes through the cutout 25B while remaining white. In other words, unlike the light emitted from the first light source 21 and passing through the light-collecting region 25A, the light emitted from the second light source 22 and passing through the cutout 25B is not concentrated or colored. The light that has passed through the cutout 25B passes through the second emission surface 26B of the outer lens 26 and is emitted in the second direction. In this way, the second optical system emits light that is not concentrated and has a bright color, which is more downward than the first direction.

The second optical system is controlled by an external control unit (not shown) to be illuminated while the vehicle 1 is stopped. For example, when the vehicle 1 is stopped and emergency treatment is being performed around the vehicle 1, the second optical system illuminates a non-concentrated, highly bright white light facing downward. This allows for broad, bright illumination of the area around the vehicle 1 where emergency treatment is being performed.

As described above, the lamp 2 of the present disclosure includes a first optical system and a second optical system. The first optical system has a first light source 21 that emits light in a first direction, an inner lens 25, and an outer lens 26. The second optical system has a second light source 22 that emits light in a second direction, an inner lens 25, and an outer lens 26. The first light source 21 and the second light source 22 are configured to emit light independently of each other. Furthermore, the color of the light emitted from the first optical system and the color of the light emitted from the second optical system are different from each other. Therefore, one lamp 2 can emit two types of light independently in different directions, and space for installation on the vehicle 1 can be secured.

Furthermore, the first substrate 23 supporting the first light source 21 and the second substrate 24 supporting the second light source 22 are connected. This allows light to be emitted in two different directions with a simple structure.

The control method of this embodiment makes it possible for a single lighting fixture 2 to switch between emitting two types of light in different directions.

The lamp 2 of this embodiment is attached to a high position on the vehicle 1. The second light source 22 also emits light in a second direction that is more downward than the first direction. Therefore, the lamp 2 can widely illuminate the vicinity of the vehicle 1 from a high position on the vehicle 1.

In this embodiment, the number of first light sources 21 is greater than the number of second light sources 22. In other words, there are a relatively large number of first light sources 21 that emit light in the first direction, which is more upward than the second direction. This makes it possible to more strongly alert those in the vicinity.

The first direction in which the first light source 21 emits light is the horizontal direction of the vehicle 1. This allows the driver to be alerted over a relatively wide area around the vehicle 1.

The second substrate 24 supports the second light source 22 that emits light in the second direction and faces downward. This second substrate 24 is connected to the first substrate 23 that supports the first light source 21 that emits light in the first direction. Therefore, the lighting fixture 2 of this embodiment can emit light in two different directions with a simple structure of connecting two substrates and facing one downward.

The inner lens 25 of this embodiment has a light-collecting area 25A and a cutout portion 25B. The light emitted from the first optical system is collected in the light-collecting area 25A, so that the light can be emitted as high-brightness light and more likely to alert people in the surroundings. On the other hand, the light emitted from the second optical system passes through the cutout portion 25B and is emitted. Therefore, compared to when the light is collected by an optical member such as a lens, the light is more naturally visible to the worker.

In this embodiment, the light emitted from the first optical system is red, and the light emitted from the second optical system is white. Because the light emitted in the first direction is a relatively conspicuous color, the first optical system can better call attention to the surroundings in the first direction. On the other hand, because the light emitted in the second direction is a relatively bright color, the second optical system can brightly illuminate the range in the second direction.

According to the present disclosure, the first optical system is controlled to flash while the vehicle 1 is traveling. Because the light emitted from the first optical system flashes, it is possible to more strongly call the attention of those in the vicinity, for example, when the vehicle 1 is being transported by ambulance. Furthermore, the second optical system is controlled to light while the vehicle 1 is stopped. Because the light emitted from the second optical system is turned on, it is possible to brightly illuminate the vicinity of the vehicle 1, for example, when the vehicle 1 is stopped and emergency treatment is being performed around the vehicle 1.

Although the embodiment of the present disclosure has been described above, it goes without saying that the technical scope of the present disclosure should not be interpreted as being limited by the description of the present embodiment. The present embodiment is merely an example, and it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various modifications of the embodiment are possible within the scope of the invention described in the claims. The technical scope of the present disclosure should be determined based on the scope of the invention described in the claims and its equivalents.

In the above-described embodiment, the vehicle 1 is an ambulance vehicle, but is not limited to this. The vehicle 1 may be a fire engine. The vehicle 1 may be a vehicle owned by the Japan Highway Public Corporation that operates the expressway, and may be, for example, a highway patrol car or a sign car. Also, in the above-described embodiment, the inner lens 25 is colored red and the light emitted from the first optical system is red, but the color is not limited to red. For example, if the vehicle 1 is a highway patrol car or a sign car, the inner lens 25 may be colored amber and the light emitted from the first optical system may be amber.

In the above-described embodiment, the number of first light sources 21 is 12 and the number of second light sources 22 is 6, but the number of light sources is not limited to these. Also, the configuration of the first light source 21 is the same as the configuration of the second light source 22, but they may be different from each other. For example, the first light source 21 may be a light source that emits light with a higher brightness, and the second light source 22 may be a light source that emits light with a large spread angle.

In the above embodiment, the inner lens 25 has the cutout portion 25B, but it may have another light collecting area instead of the cutout portion 25B. The other light collecting area is colorless and transparent, covers the second light source 22, and collects the light emitted from the second light source 22. In this case, the second optical system can locally emit the collected light with a relatively high brightness near the vehicle 1 to brightly illuminate the area.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1: Vehicle 2: Lamp 3: Front warning light 4: Rear warning light 21: First light source 22: Second light source 23: First substrate 23A: Concave portion 24: Second substrate 24A: Convex portion 25: Inner lens 25A: Light collecting area 25B: Notch portion 26: Outer lens 26A: First light exit surface 26B: Second light exit surface 26C: Side surface 27: Body 27A: First sheet 27B: Second sheet 28: Base

Claims (5)

a first optical system configured to emit light in a first direction;
a second optical system configured to emit light in a second direction different from the first direction;
a first substrate supporting a light source of the first optical system;
a second substrate supporting a light source of the second optical system and different from the first substrate;
the light source of the first optical system and the light source of the second optical system are configured to emit light independently of each other;
a color of the light emitted from the first optical system is different from a color of the light emitted from the second optical system,
The first substrate and the second substrate are connected to each other. The vehicle lamp according to claim 1, wherein the number of light sources in the first optical system is greater than the number of light sources in the second optical system. The vehicle lamp according to claim 1, further comprising an inner lens having a light collecting area configured to cover the light source of the first optical system and collect the light emitted from the light source, and a cutout portion through which the light emitted from the light source of the second optical system passes. The first optical system is controlled to be turned on and off while the vehicle to which the vehicle lamp is attached is traveling,
The vehicular lamp according to claim 1 , wherein the second optical system is controlled to be turned on while the vehicle is stopped. A method for controlling a vehicle lamp, comprising:
The vehicle lamp includes:
a first optical system configured to emit light in a first direction;
a second optical system configured to emit light in a second direction different from the first direction,
a color of the light emitted from the first optical system is different from a color of the light emitted from the second optical system,
The control method includes:
A control method for switching between emitting light from the first optical system and emitting light from the second optical system.

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