JP7444631B2 - Vehicle lights - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a vehicle lamp.

As a conventional vehicle lamp, for example, a technique described in Patent Document 1 is known. The vehicle lamp described in Patent Document 1 has an inner lens having a light transmitting portion, and various lamps are configured by transmitting light from the light transmitting portion of the inner lens. This inner lens is provided with an extension as a separate member.

Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2015-156362

As mentioned above, a separate member such as an extension may be provided to the inner lens in some cases. Here, in an inner lens having a light transmitting portion extending in the longitudinal direction, a separate member may be provided on the distal end side of the light transmitting portion in the longitudinal direction. In such a case, depending on the position of the separate member, the separate member may become conspicuous and the appearance of the vehicle lamp may deteriorate.

One aspect of the present invention is to provide a vehicle lamp that can improve the appearance when a separate member is provided for the inner lens.

A vehicular lamp according to one aspect of the present invention is a vehicular lamp including an inner lens having a non-light transmitting part and a light transmitting part extending in a longitudinal direction, the inner lens having a light non-transmissive part to a light transmitting part. A step part is formed on the outer side at the part where the switch is made, and a separate member separate from the inner lens is provided on the tip side in the longitudinal direction of the light transmitting part. It is arranged in relation to the stepped portion at the tip of the section.

In the vehicle lamp according to one aspect of the present invention, the inner lens has a light transmitting portion extending in the longitudinal direction. A separate member separate from the inner lens is provided on the tip end side in the longitudinal direction of the light transmitting portion of the inner lens. Here, a stepped portion is formed on the outer side at a portion of the inner lens where the non-light transmitting portion switches to the light transmitting portion. This stepped portion is used for arranging a jig used when forming the light transmitting portion. The end portion of the separate member is arranged with respect to the stepped portion at the tip portion of the light transmitting portion. This allows the separate member to be configured so as not to cover the light transmitting portion, so that it can be placed in an inconspicuous position without narrowing the light emitting area of the lamp. As described above, when providing a separate member to the inner lens, the appearance can be improved.

The stepped portion has a first surface disposed on the inner side from the outer side surface of the light transmitting portion, and a second surface rising from the first surface toward the outer side, and the end portion of the separate member is The second surface of the stepped portion may be abutted, and the first surface of the stepped portion may be covered by another member. In this case, by bringing the second surface of the step part and the end of the separate member close to each other, it is possible to suppress the formation of a step near the parting part between the separate member and the inner lens, thereby improving the appearance. I can do it.

The separate member may have the same color as at least the stepped portion of the non-light transmitting portion. In this case, the configuration near the parting portion between the separate member and the inner lens can be made inconspicuous.

According to one aspect of the present invention, it is possible to provide a vehicle lamp that can improve appearance when a separate member is provided for the inner lens.

1 is a perspective view showing a vehicle equipped with a vehicle lamp according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a schematic side view showing the structure of the vicinity of the front end portions in the longitudinal direction of the lower lamp and the upper lamp of the vehicle lamp. 3 is a sectional view taken along line III-III shown in FIG. 2. FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken along the line IV-IV shown in FIG. 2. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line VV shown in FIG. 2. FIG. FIG. 6(a) is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the structure near the stepped portion of the vehicle lamp according to the embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 6(b) is an enlarged sectional view of the structure near the stepped portion of the vehicle lamp according to the modified example. FIG.

Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the description of the drawings, the same or equivalent elements are given the same reference numerals, and redundant description will be omitted.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a vehicle 100 provided with a vehicle lamp 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1, the vehicle lamp 1 is configured as a pair of headlights that are provided on the front side of a vehicle 100 and illuminate the front. The vehicle lamp 1 includes a plurality of lamps. Specifically, the vehicle lamp 1 includes at least a lower lamp 2A and an upper lamp 2B formed above the lower lamp 2A. The lower lamp 2A and the upper lamp 2B extend in the horizontal direction as a longitudinal direction, and extend upward at the rear end side. Hereinafter, in the right vehicle lamp 1, the structure near the front end portions in the longitudinal direction of the lower lamp 2A and the upper lamp 2B will be described in detail. Note that in FIGS. 1 to 5, arrows "FR", "OS", and "UP" are shown to clarify the positional relationship of the configuration of the vehicle lamp 1 on the right side. "FR" indicates the front side of the vehicle. "OS" indicates the outside (right side) in the vehicle width direction. "UP" indicates the upper side. Note that "front" and "rear" in this specification mean the front and rear of the vehicle 100.

FIG. 2 is a schematic side view showing the structure of the lower lamp 2A and the upper lamp 2B in the vicinity of the front end portions in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle lamp 1. FIG. 2 is a diagram of the vehicle lamp 1 viewed from the right side in the vehicle width direction. FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken along line III--III shown in FIG. 2. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line IV-IV shown in FIG. FIG. 5 is a sectional view taken along line VV shown in FIG. 2. As shown in FIGS. 2 to 5, the vehicle lamp 1 includes at least an inner lens 10, an extension 20 (separate member), and an outer lens 30. Note that the outer lens 30 is omitted in FIG. 2. In addition, in each figure, members of the vehicle lamp 1 are omitted as appropriate. In the following description, "outer" means a direction toward the outside of the vehicle 100, and "inner" means a direction toward the inside of the vehicle 100. Moreover, when simply saying "longitudinal direction D1", it shall mean the longitudinal direction of lamps 2A, 2B. The longitudinal direction D1 is a direction that is inclined with respect to the longitudinal direction of the vehicle so that the longitudinal direction D1 is disposed outward in the vehicle width direction toward the rear when viewed from above (see FIGS. 3 and 4).

The inner lens 10 is a member that irradiates light toward the outer lens 30 by transmitting light from a light source (not shown). The inner lens 10 includes light transmitting portions 15A and 15B that transmit light from the inner side, and a light non-transmitting portion 16 that blocks light from the inner side without transmitting it. The light transmitting portion 15A is formed in the shape of the lower lamp 2A, and constitutes a light emitting area of the lower lamp 2A. The light transmitting portion 15B is formed in the shape of the upper lamp 2B, and constitutes a light emitting region of the upper lamp 2B. In FIG. 2, the light transmitting parts 15A and 15B are hatched. Further, in FIGS. 3 to 5, the outer side surfaces of the light transmitting portions 15A and 15B are indicated by thick lines. All regions of the inner lens 10 other than the light transmitting portions 15A and 15B are configured as light non-transmitting portions 16. The light transmitting section 15B is arranged above the light transmitting section 15A. The light transmitting parts 15A and 15B extend along the longitudinal direction D1.

The inner lens 10 is made of a light-transmitting material. The non-light transmitting portion 16 is constructed by painting the outer surface of the material of the inner lens 10 . On the other hand, the light transmitting parts 15A and 15B are constructed by leaving the outer surface of the material of the inner lens 10 unpainted without applying paint.

The shape of the inner lens 10 will be explained. The inner lens 10 has a lower structure 11A in which a lower lamp 2A is formed, and an upper structure 11B in which an upper lamp 2B is formed. The upper structure 11B is arranged above the lower structure 11A. The lower structure 11A and the upper structure 11B have a main surface 11a, an upper surface 11b, and a lower surface 11c on the outer side. The main surface 11a is a surface that expands in the vertical direction at a position on the outer side and extends along the longitudinal direction D1. The upper surface 11b is a surface extending along the longitudinal direction D1 above the main surface 11a. The lower surface 11c is a surface extending along the longitudinal direction D1 below the main surface 11a.

Among these surfaces, the main surface 11a of the lower structure 11A forms the outer side surface of the light transmitting section 15A (i.e., the lower lamp 2A), and the main surface 11a of the upper structure 11B forms the outer surface of the light transmitting section 15B (i.e., the upper lamp 2A). It constitutes the outer side surface of the lamp 2B). The upper surface 11b and the lower surface 11c of the lower structure 11A and the upper structure 11B serve as a non-light transmitting portion 16.

In the inner lens 10, stepped portions 12A, 13A, and 14A are formed on the outer side at a portion where the non-light transmitting portion 16 switches to the light transmitting portion 15A. In the inner lens 10, stepped portions 12B, 13B, and 14B are formed on the outer side at a portion where the non-light transmitting portion 16 switches to the light transmitting portion 15B. The stepped portions 12A, 12B are formed at portions where the non-light transmitting portion 16 switches to the upper edges of the light transmitting portions 15A, 15B. Therefore, the stepped portions 12A and 12B are formed between the upper edge of the main surface 11a and the upper surface 11b. The stepped portions 13A, 13B are formed at portions where the non-light transmitting portion 16 switches to the lower edges of the light transmitting portions 15A, 15B. Therefore, the stepped portions 13A and 13B are formed between the lower edge of the main surface 11a and the lower surface 11c. The step portions 14A, 14B are formed at portions where the light non-transmissive portion 16 switches to the front edge of the light transmitting portions 15A, 15B in the longitudinal direction D1. Therefore, the step portions 14A and 14B are formed in a portion forward of the front edge of the main surface 11a in the longitudinal direction D1. As described above, a stepped portion is formed so as to surround the entire circumference of the light transmitting portions 15A and 15B.

Here, with reference to FIG. 6(a), the configuration of the stepped portion 14A will be described in more detail. FIG. 6(a) is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the structure near the stepped portion 14A. In addition, in FIG. 6A, in order to facilitate understanding of the content, points are emphasized and the board thickness, angle, etc. are deformed. Note that FIG. 6(a) shows the structure near the stepped portion 14A of the front end portion 15a in the longitudinal direction D1 of the light transmitting portion 15A. However, since the other step portions have similar configurations, their explanations will be omitted. As shown in FIG. 6(a), the stepped portion 14A has a first surface 14a and a second surface 14b. The first surface 14a is arranged closer to the inner side than the main surface 11a on the outer side of the light transmitting section 15A. The first surface 14a extends so as to face the plane direction in which the main surface 11a extends. However, the first surface 14a may be somewhat inclined with respect to the main surface 11a. The second surface 14b rises from the first surface 14a toward the outer side. The second surface 14b extends in a direction intersecting the main surface 11a. However, the second surface 14b does not need to be perpendicular to the main surface 11a, and may be slightly inclined. The stepped portion 14A is used when attaching a jig to prevent paint from being applied to the main surface 11a during painting. The stepped portion 14A is used as a so-called paint switching shelf. The dimension of the stepped portion 14A may be 1.5 mm or more as a dimension necessary for attaching the jig. The dimensions of the step portion 14A are determined by the length of the first surface 14a (the dimension in the horizontal direction of the paper) and the length of the second surface 14b (the dimension in the vertical direction of the paper) in the cross-sectional view shown in FIG. 6(a). This is the total dimension of

As shown in FIGS. 2 to 4, the extension 20 is provided as a separate member from the inner lens 10 on the tip end portions 15a, 15a side in the longitudinal direction D1 of the light transmitting portions 15A, 15B. The extension 20 includes a side wall portion 23 extending forward from the inner lens 10 along the longitudinal direction D1, and a side wall portion 24 extending inward in the vehicle width direction from the front end of the side wall portion 23. Further, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the extension 20 includes a guide portion 21 that guides a portion of the light that passes through the lower light transmitting portion 15A to the front side in the longitudinal direction D1. The guide part 21 has an internal space extending along the longitudinal direction D1, and has a light guide part 22 that opens at the front end. The light guide unit 22 emits light L2 in a direction that intersects the direction in which the lower lamp 2A mainly emits light L1 (see FIG. 3). That is, the lower lamp 2A mainly emits light L1 diagonally forward so as to go outward in the vehicle width direction, whereas the light guide portion 22 emits light L2 diagonally forward so as to go inside in the vehicle width direction. emanate. Note that in the internal space of the guide section 21, the light guide section 22 has a wall section 22a that surrounds the entire circumference of the optical axis. Thereby, it is possible to suppress the light L2 from leaking to other parts in the internal space.

As shown in FIGS. 2 to 4, the rear end 20a of the extension 20 is arranged relative to the step portions 14A, 14B at the tip portions 15a, 15a of the light transmitting portions 15A, 15B. That is, the end portion 20a of the extension 20 is placed close to the step portions 14A, 14B, and is placed so as not to cover the light transmitting portions 15A, 15B. In the vicinity of the step portions 14A, 14B, the end portion 20a is arranged close to the step portions 14A, 14B regardless of the position of the character line 26 of the extension 20. However, portions of the end portion 20a that do not abut against the stepped portions 14A, 14B may be placed at positions corresponding to the character lines, or may be placed in accordance with other arrangement considerations.

Here, the arrangement of the extensions 20 near the stepped portion 14A will be described in detail with reference to FIG. 6(a). Note that the vicinity of the step portion 14B also has a similar configuration, and therefore a description thereof will be omitted. As shown in FIG. 6(a), the end portion 20a of the extension 20 is butted against the second surface 14b of the stepped portion 14A. In this state, the end portion 20a is close to the second surface 14b with a slight space between the end portion 20a and the second surface 14b. The end portion 20a is arranged at least at a position near the rear end of the first surface 14a. As a result, the first surface 14a of the stepped portion 14A is covered with the extension 20. That is, in the vicinity of the end 20a of the extension 20, the inner-side side surface 20b of the extension 20 faces the first surface 14a. When viewed from the outer side, the first surface 14a is hidden by the outer side surface 20c of the extension 20. The outer side surface 20c is located closer to the main surface 11a in the thickness direction than the first surface 14a. Therefore, the step formed between the main surface 11a and the outer side surface 20c becomes smaller, and the parting part 70 becomes less noticeable.

As described above, since the stepped portion 14A is the non-light transmitting portion 16, the first surface 14a and the second surface 14b are coated with the paint 61. Paint 62 is also applied to the outer side surface 20c of the extension 20. The extension 20 has the same color as at least the stepped portion 14A of the non-light transmitting portion 16. Here, the same colors do not necessarily have to be completely the same colors, but may be colors that are similar enough to be recognized as the same color when visually recognized. For example, when both are achromatic colors such as black or white, the lightness may be slightly different. Further, when both are chromatic colors such as red, blue, or green, it is sufficient that the hues are the same to the extent that they are difficult to distinguish, and the saturation and lightness may be slightly different. In addition, it is preferable that the textures such as the glossiness of the surfaces of both are also similar.

As shown in FIGS. 3 to 5, the outer lens 30 is arranged to cover the inner lens 10 and the extension 20 from the outer side. The light from the lamps 2A and 2B is emitted to the outside of the vehicle lamp 1 via the outer lens 30. As shown in FIG. 5, light guide members 50A and 50B that guide light in the longitudinal direction D1 are provided on the inner sides of the light transmitting parts 15A and 15B of the inner lens 10. The light guide members 50A, 50B are supported by the support portions 41A, 41B of the inner support member 40.

Next, the functions and effects of the vehicle lamp 1 according to the present embodiment will be explained.

The inner lens 10 has light transmitting portions 15A and 15B extending in the longitudinal direction D1. Here, when emitting light in different directions like the light guide portion 22 (see FIG. 3), it is necessary to provide an extension 20 as a separate member on the tip portion 15a side in the longitudinal direction D1 of the inner lens 10. be. This is because it is difficult to form the light guide portion 22 by integrally molding the inner lens 10 due to manufacturing constraints.

In such a case, for example, if the extensions 20 are configured to cover the vicinity of the tips 15a of the light transmitting parts 15A, 15B, the light emitting range of the lamps 2A, 2B becomes narrower, and the extensions 20 become conspicuous. As a result, the appearance of the vehicle lamp 1 may deteriorate.

In contrast, in the vehicle lamp 1 according to the present embodiment, the end portion 20a of the extension 20 is disposed relative to the step portions 14A, 14B at the tip portions 15a of the light transmitting portions 15A, 15B. As a result, the extension 20 has a configuration that does not cover the light transmitting portions 15A and 15B, so that it can be placed in an inconspicuous position without narrowing the light emitting area of the lamps 2A and 2B. As described above, when providing a separate member such as the extension 20 to the inner lens 10, the appearance can be improved.

Here, with reference to FIG. 6(b), a configuration near the stepped portion 14A of the vehicle lamp 1 according to the modification will be described. In the vehicle lamp 1, the end 20a of the extension 20 is butted against the front end 10a of the inner lens 10. In this case, a step is created near the parting portion 70 due to the step portion 14A. Therefore, the step becomes noticeable. For example, even if the parting portion 70 is formed at the position of the character line, the level difference due to the stepped portion 14A will be noticeable, and the character line may become less noticeable.

On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 6(a), in the vehicle lamp 1 according to the present embodiment, the stepped portion 14A is located on the inner side of the outer main surface 11a of the light transmitting portion 15A. and a second surface 14b rising from the first surface 14a toward the outer side. Further, the end portion 20a of the extension 20 is abutted against the second surface 14b of the stepped portion 14A, and the first surface 14a of the stepped portion 14A is covered by the extension 20. In this case, by bringing the second surface 14b of the step portion 14A and the end portion 20a of the extension 20 close to each other, it is possible to suppress the formation of a step near the parting portion 70, thereby improving the appearance. Furthermore, since the area around the parting portion 70 becomes less noticeable, the character line 26 (see FIG. 4) can be made more noticeable. Furthermore, since the first surface 14a of the stepped portion 14A can be inserted into the extension 20, the light transmitting portion 15A (ie, the light emitting region) can be made wider.

Further, the extension 20 may have the same color as at least the stepped portions 14A and 14B of the non-light transmitting portion 16. In this case, the configuration near the parting part 70 between the extension 20 and the inner lens 10 can be made inconspicuous.

The invention is not limited to the embodiments described above.

The arrangement of the end portion 20a of the extension 20 may be arranged at a position close to the stepped portions 14A, 14B, and is not necessarily limited to the arrangement as in the above-described embodiment. For example, the gap between the end portion 20a and the second surface 14b may be somewhat larger. Alternatively, a configuration as shown in FIG. 6(b) may be adopted. The state in which the end portion 20a of the extension 20 is arranged with respect to the stepped portion 14A is the state in which the end portion 20a overlaps the first surface 14a of the stepped portion 14A when viewed from the outer side, and the case where the end portion 20a overlaps the first surface 14a of the stepped portion 14A. However, the gap between the end portion 20a and the stepped portion 14A (the end portion 10a of the inner lens 10) is suppressed to an inconspicuous size (for example, the size of the first surface 14a or less). state.

Further, the number of lamps is not limited, and may be one or three or more. Further, the shape of the lamp is not particularly limited, and the longitudinal direction of the lamp may be oriented in any direction.

Further, the color of the extension 20 and the color of the inner lens 10 may be different from each other.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1... Vehicle lamp, 10... Inner lens, 11a... Main surface (outer side surface), 12A, 12B, 13A, 13B, 14A, 14B... Step portion, 14a... First surface, 14b... Second surface , 15A, 15B...Light transmitting part, 16...Light non-transmitting part, 20... Extension (separate member), 20a... End part.

Claims (1)

A vehicle lamp comprising an inner lens having a non-light transmitting portion and a light transmitting portion extending in the longitudinal direction,
A stepped portion is formed on the outer side at a portion of the inner lens where the non-light transmitting portion switches to the light transmitting portion,
The light transmitting part is located on the outer side of the light non-transmitting part,
The stepped portion includes a first surface of the light non-transmissive portion disposed on an inner side from an outer side surface of the light transmitting portion, and a second surface rising from the first surface toward the outer side. has
A separate member separate from the inner lens is provided on the distal end side of the light transmitting portion in the longitudinal direction,
an end of the separate member is butted against the second surface of the stepped portion;
the first surface of the step portion is covered with the separate member;
In the vehicular lamp, the separate member has the same color as at least the stepped portion of the non-light transmitting portion.

Images