WO2022030387A1

WO2022030387A1 - Vehicle lighting having function for drawing on road surface

Info

Publication number: WO2022030387A1
Application number: PCT/JP2021/028362
Authority: WO
Inventors: 進金子; 賢渡邉; 壮宜鬼頭
Original assignee: 株式会社小糸製作所
Priority date: 2020-08-04
Filing date: 2021-07-30
Publication date: 2022-02-10
Also published as: CN114060761A; CN216814033U; JP2022029215A

Abstract

Provided is vehicle lighting having a function for drawing on the road surface and having a simple structure, the vehicle lighting having a headlight function or an indicator light function, as well as the function for drawing on the road surface. The vehicle lighting comprises one light source. An optical unit functions as a headlight or an indicator light, and shapes a part of the light emitted from the light source into a predetermined light distribution and emits the same. A road surface drawing unit, which has a function for drawing on the road surface, shapes another part of the light emitted from the light source into a drawing pattern related to the illumination objective of the optical unit, and projects the drawing pattern onto the road surface. Since the one light source is used as the common light source for the optical unit and the road surface drawing unit, the vehicle lighting has a simple structure and is functionally very effective because of the emission of light having a related objective.

Description

Vehicle lighting equipment with road surface drawing function

The present invention relates to a vehicle lamp, particularly a vehicle lamp having a road surface drawing function in addition to the function of a headlight or a marker lamp.

There is also a type of vehicle lighting equipment provided with an optical unit that functions as a headlight or an indicator lamp, in which a drawing unit that irradiates a road surface with a desired drawing pattern is also mounted together with the optical unit (for example, Patent Document 1).

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2016-37260

However, in the vehicle lighting equipment of Patent Document 1, both an optical unit that functions as a headlight or an indicator lamp and a drawing unit that irradiates a road surface with a desired drawing pattern are mounted in the same lighting chamber. The body becomes large and the control system becomes complicated.

The present invention has been made in view of this, and provides a vehicle lamp having a simple structure and a road surface drawing function.

In order to solve the above problem, in one aspect of the present disclosure, it is a vehicle lighting device having a road surface drawing function in addition to the function as a headlight or a marker light, and the headlight or a common light source is used. It is configured to include an optical unit that functions as a marker lamp and a road surface drawing unit that functions to project a drawing pattern onto a road surface, and the optical unit and the road surface drawing unit are configured to perform irradiation related to an irradiation purpose. Configured. According to this aspect, since the light source is common, the overall size can be reduced. Furthermore, the emitted contents are related, and the functional effect can be enhanced by the synergistic effect.

Further, in one embodiment, the optical unit forms a part of the emitted light of the light source in a predetermined light distribution pattern and irradiates the optical unit, and the road surface drawing unit forms another part of the emitted light of the light source. It was configured to form a drawing pattern related to the purpose of irradiation of the optical unit and project it onto the road surface. According to this aspect, in order to share the emitted light of one light source, the light distribution and the timing of turning on and off the drawing pattern are linked. The configuration can be simplified without the need for complicated control mechanisms.

Further, in one embodiment, the road surface drawing unit is configured to include a lens that forms incident light into a predetermined drawing pattern and emits the light. Since the drawing pattern can be irradiated just by injecting light, no control circuit is required and the configuration can be simplified.

Further, in one embodiment, the light source commonly used by the optical unit and the road surface drawing unit includes a plurality of light emitting elements, and the plurality of light emitting elements are of a drawing pattern projected by the road surface drawing unit. It was configured so that the arrangement was determined by the shape. The required characteristics differ depending on the shape of the drawing pattern projected on the road surface. By matching the arrangement of the light emitting elements with the required characteristics, it is possible to make the outer diameter of the drawing pattern clearer and to reduce the unevenness of light and darkness by keeping the overall brightness of the drawing pattern constant.

Further, in one embodiment, the optical unit is determined to be arranged relative to the road surface drawing unit according to the height and angle at which the light source is arranged. Mainly, the arrangement of the road surface drawing unit is first determined, and the arrangement of the optical unit is determined depending on how the remaining light distribution is used. As a result, it is possible to project a drawing pattern having a clearer outer shape and a brighter shape on the road surface.

As is clear from the above description, according to the present invention, it is possible to provide a vehicle lamp having a simple configuration and a road surface drawing function.

It is a schematic diagram of the vehicle equipped with the light fixture for a vehicle which concerns on 1st Embodiment. 1 (A) is a plan view, and FIG. 1 (B) is a side view. It is a lamp for the vehicle, and is an explanatory diagram for explaining the configuration. FIG. 2A is a side view, and FIG. 2B is a plan view. The housing is shown by the dotted line to show the internal configuration. It is a schematic block diagram which shows the structure of the lamp for the vehicle schematicly, and is an explanatory diagram mainly about the optical path of the light emitted from a light source. It is a schematic side view for demonstrating the structure of a lens. It is a schematic diagram of the vehicle equipped with the light fixture for a vehicle which concerns on the 2nd Embodiment. 5 (A) is a rear perspective view, FIG. 5 (B) is a plan view, and FIG. 5 (C) is a side view. FIG. 6 (A) is a perspective view and FIG. 6 (B) is a side view of the lighting fixture for the vehicle. It is an exploded perspective view of the lamp for the vehicle. Shows the lamp cover. FIG. 8A mainly shows the outer surface side which is the exit surface, and FIG. 8B mainly shows the inner surface side which is the incident surface. It is a schematic block diagram which shows the structure of the lamp for the vehicle schematicly, and is an explanatory diagram mainly about the optical path of the light emitted from a light source. This is a modified example. This is a modified example.

Hereinafter, specific embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The embodiments are not limited to the invention, but are exemplary, and all the features and combinations thereof described in the embodiments are not necessarily essential to the invention. In each figure, the directions of the vehicle and the headlights for the vehicle are changed from the viewpoint of the driver in the vehicle (upper: lower: left: right: front: rear = Up: Lo: Le: Ri: This will be described as Fr: Re).

(First Embodiment)
FIG. 1 shows a vehicle C equipped with a vehicle lamp 1 according to the first embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1, the vehicle lighting tool 1 is a front turn signal lamp that is mounted on the front portion of the vehicle C and functions as a sign light when the traveling direction of the vehicle C is changed to the left or right. The vehicle lamps 1 are provided in pairs on the left and right, and are symmetrical to each other. Hereinafter, the vehicle lamp 1 mounted on the right side will be focused on and described.

When the vehicle C moves to the right, the vehicle lighting tool 1 forms an amber-colored diffused light as the light distribution LD1 of the turn signal lamp toward the front of the vehicle C, blinks the light, and the vehicle C blinks to the right. Notify the driver of the oncoming vehicle, the vehicle driver of the traveling route, etc. that the vehicle is moving toward the direction. At the same time, the vehicle lamp 1 projects a series of substantially inverted V-shaped drawing patterns M1 on the road surface GR on the front right side. The drawing pattern M1 is turned off at a predetermined cycle, and the timing of turning off the dots is the same as the timing of turning off the blinking light distribution LD1. The drawing pattern M1 causes pedestrians and the like existing in the traveling direction to recognize the traveling path of the vehicle C and call attention to them.

As described above, the vehicle lamp 1 has a road surface drawing function in addition to the function as a conventional indicator lamp, and both irradiations are related to the purpose. The vehicle lighting tool 1 turns on and off the light distribution LD1 as diffused light from the right side of the vehicle C to the front, and further projects a drawing pattern M1 toward the traveling direction on the road surface. Both of these are irradiations for the same purpose of "notifying the surroundings of the movement of the vehicle C to the right and calling attention", and the vehicle lamp 1 functions by irradiating the contents of both functions in relation to each other. The effect is enhanced.

The configuration of the present disclosure is not limited to front turn signal lamps, but headlights include high beam lamps, low beam lamps, fog lamps, and indicator lamps include tail lamps, stop lamps, daylight running lamps, clearance lamps, and side turn signal lamps. It can also be used for automatic operation indicator lamps and the like.

In addition, headlights such as high-beam lamps and low-beam lamps have a specified light distribution at a predetermined distance, while indicator lights have a specified range of maximum luminous intensity and left-right irradiation angle. Regardless of whether it is a headlight or an indicator lamp, the form of light irradiated so as to satisfy the regulations set for each vehicle lamp is referred to as light distribution.

(Structure of vehicle lamp 1)
Next, the configuration of the vehicle lamp 1 will be described. FIG. 2 is a schematic view showing the configuration of the vehicle lamp 1. FIG. 2A is a side view, and FIG. 2B is a plan view. The housing is shown by the dotted line to show the internal configuration. FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing an optical path of light emitted from a light source.

As shown in FIG. 1, the lamp body 1 for a vehicle has a lamp body 40 having an opening in the front and a lamp cover 50 made of a translucent resin, glass, or the like attached to the opening of the lamp body 40. And. The lamp body 40 and the lamp cover 50 are housings for the vehicle lamp 1, and a lamp chamber S is formed inside the lamp body 40 and the lamp cover 50.

In the light chamber S, a lens 10, a step reflector 20, and a light source 30 in which a light emitting element is mounted on a substrate are mainly arranged. The lens 10 is fixed to the lamp body 40 by a pair of legs 15 extending from the side surface to the back surface. The step reflector 20 and the light source 30 are also fixed to the lamp body 40 by a fixing member (not shown).

The step reflector 20 is a step-shaped reflector divided into a plurality of reflecting elements. The inner surface is a reflective surface that reflects light, and is configured to reflect the incident light and irradiate it forward as a predetermined light distribution.

The lens 10 is an optical member that incidents light from an incident surface and emits light from an emitted surface. In the present embodiment, the lens 10 is a drawing lens having an emission surface of a free curved surface that forms incident light in a desired drawing pattern. The detailed shape of the lens 10 will be described later.

As the light source 30, a semiconductor light emitting element such as an LED (Light Emitting Diode), LD (Laser Diode), EL (Electro Luminescence) element, a light bulb, an incandescent lamp (halogen lamp), a discharge lamp (discharge lamp), or the like is used. Can be done. In this embodiment, an LED that emits amber-colored light is used as a light emitting element.

The vehicle lighting tool 1 includes an optical unit that functions as a indicator lamp (turn signal lamp) and a road surface drawing unit that functions to project a drawing pattern onto the road surface.

The road surface drawing unit is mainly composed of a light source 30 and a lens 10. Light L1 which is a part of the light emitted from the light source 30 is incident on the lens 10, and a drawing pattern M1 is formed by the emitted light to form a road surface GR. Irradiate.

The optical unit is mainly composed of a light source 30 and a step reflector 20, and another part of the light emitted by the light source 30 is reflected by the step reflector 20 as light L2, and the reflected light forms a light distribution LD1 of a turn signal lamp. ..

That is, both units share the light source 30. As shown in FIG. 3, the optical axis A1 of the light source 30 is tilted slightly downward from the horizontal while being directed to the front right. The lens 10 is arranged on the optical axis A1. The light of the light source 30 is mainly incident on the lens 10 as light L1, and the others are incident on the step reflector 20 as light L2. Although the step reflector 20 is not arranged on the optical axis A1 of the light source 30, the light distribution LD1 formed by the light emitted from the step reflector 20 has the necessary light distribution legal requirements (maximum luminous intensity, required for the turn signal lamp). (Maximum left-right angle, etc.) is configured to meet.

In the present embodiment, the lamp cover 50 is a transparent lens, and the emitted light of each unit is directly emitted to the front of the vehicle C through the lamp cover 50. A light diffusing lens such as a cylindrical lens may be used on the lamp cover 50 to diffuse the light emitted from the optical unit. In this case, it is preferable that the portion through which the light emitted from the road surface drawing unit passes is a through lens. Further, the step reflector 20 and the lens 10 are arranged so as to be offset in the left-right direction, and the light emitted to the right from the light source 30 is also incident on the step reflector 20 (see FIG. 2B). Note that a part of the light L2 passes to the right of the lens 10, and in FIG. 3, the light L2a passes to the right of the lens 10 (toward the front of the paper) and does not pass through the lens 10. ..

(lens)
The lens 10 will be described in detail with reference to FIG. FIG. 4 is a side view conceptually showing the light source 30 and the lens 10. The right figure of FIG. 4 is a front view of the lens 10 as viewed from the exit surface.

As shown in FIG. 4, the lens 10 is arranged in a state of being slightly tilted downward with respect to the horizontal plane. The light source 30 is arranged substantially on the focal point of the lens 10, and light mainly directed diagonally forward and downward (in the direction of the optical axis) from the light source 30 is incident on the lens 10 as light L1.

The lens 10 has an incident surface 11 on which the light L1 is incident and an exit surface 12 on which the light L1 is emitted. In the present embodiment, the incident surface 11 has a substantially planar shape. On the other hand, the emission surface 12 has a shape that is convex toward the emission direction of light.

The exit surface 12 of the lens 10 is formed by connecting three curved surfaces having different curvatures, and is formed by a first region 12a consisting of a curved surface located at the lower part and a second surface consisting of the most protruding curved surface located at the center. It is divided into a region 12b and a third region 12c composed of a curved surface located at the upper part. That is, the first region 12a and the second region 12b are separated by the line of intersection CL1 at which curved surfaces having different curvatures intersect, and the second region 12b and the third region 12c have curved surfaces having different curvatures. It is separated by the intersecting line CL2.

The line of intersection CL1 and the line of intersection CL2 have a substantially inverted V-shaped locus that is convex upward. Due to such intersection lines CL1 and CL2, the

regions

12a, 12b, and 12c are all regions having a substantially inverted V shape in front view.

When light is emitted from the light source 30, a part of the emitted light propagates diagonally forward and downward and is incident on the incident surface 11 of the drawing lens as light L1. After that, the component located below the light L1 passes through the substantially lower portion of the lens 10 and is emitted from the first region 12a diagonally forward and downward. In the present embodiment, the shape of the first region 12a is a shape in which the light emitted from the region 12a is refracted so as to be substantially the same as the shape of the region 12a. As described above, the first region 12a has a substantially inverted V shape. Therefore, the light L1 component emitted from the first region 12a is formed based on the substantially inverted V-shaped shape of the first region 12a, and becomes the light L1a having a substantially inverted V-shaped shape.

Further, the component located in the center of the light L1 passes through the substantially central portion of the lens 10 and is emitted from the second region 12b diagonally forward and downward. In the present embodiment, the shape of the second region 12b is a shape in which the light emitted from the region 12b is refracted so as to have substantially the same shape as the shape of the region 12b. As described above, the second region 12b has a substantially inverted V shape. Therefore, the light L1 component emitted from the second region 12b is formed based on the substantially inverted V-shaped shape of the second region 12b, and becomes the light L1b having a substantially inverted V-shaped shape.

Further, the component located above the light L1 passes through the substantially upper portion of the lens 10 and is emitted from the third region 12c diagonally forward and downward. In the present embodiment, the shape of the third region 12c is a shape in which the light emitted from the region 12c is refracted so as to have substantially the same shape as the shape of the region 12c. As described above, the third region 12c has a substantially inverted V shape. Therefore, the light L1 component emitted from the third region 12c is formed based on the substantially inverted V-shaped shape of the third region 12c, and becomes the light L1c having a substantially inverted V-shaped shape.

As a result of the light L1a, L1b, L1c being emitted in this way, the drawing pattern M1 is drawn on the road surface GR a predetermined distance ahead. The drawing pattern M1 includes a mark M1a in which the light L1a is projected on the road surface GR, a mark M1b in which the light L1b is projected on the road surface GR, and a mark M1c in which the light L1c is projected on the road surface GR. The above-mentioned predetermined distance may be, for example, a distance of 1 m or more and 5 m or less from the vehicle C.

Hereinafter, the marks M1a, M1b, and M1c will be described.

As described above, the first region 12a and the second region 12b are separated by the line of intersection CL1 where curved surfaces having different curvatures intersect. Therefore, the direction in which the light L1a emitted from the first region 12a, which is the lower region across the line of intersection CL1, is refracted, and the light L1b emitted from the second region 12b, which is the upper region across the line of intersection CL1. The directions of refraction are different from each other. In the present embodiment, the curved surface forming the first region 12a and the curved surface forming the second region 12b are formed in a shape in which the light L1a and the light L1b individually propagate diagonally forward and downward. More specifically, the curved surface of the first region 12a is formed so that the light L1a reaches the first position GRa closest to the vehicle C on the road surface GR. Further, the curved surface of the second region 12b is formed so that the light L1b reaches the second position GRb located in front of the first position GRa apart from the first position GRa. Therefore, the mark M1a drawn on the road surface GR by the light L1a and the mark M1b drawn on the road surface GR by the light L1b are individually projected onto the road surface GR apart from each other.

Further, as described above, the second region 12b and the third region 12c are separated by the line of intersection CL2 where curved surfaces having different curvatures intersect. Therefore, the direction in which the light L1b emitted from the second region 12b, which is the lower region across the line of intersection CL2, is refracted, and the light L1c emitted from the third region 12c, which is the upper region across the line of intersection CL2, are refracted. The directions of refraction are different from each other. In the present embodiment, the curved surface forming the second region 12b and the curved surface forming the third region 12c are formed in such a shape that the light L1b and the light L1c individually propagate diagonally forward and downward. More specifically, the curved surface of the third region 12c is formed so that the light L1c reaches the third position GRc located in front of the second position GRb away from the second position GRb. Therefore, the mark M1b drawn on the road surface GR by the light L1b and the mark M1c drawn on the road surface GR by the light L1c are individually projected on the road surface GR apart from each other.

In this way, the light L1a, L1b, L1c formed in a substantially inverted V shape propagates diagonally forward and downward and reaches the road surface GR at a distance from each other. As a result, the drawing pattern M1 projected on the road surface GR includes a substantially inverted V-shaped mark M1a in which the light L1a is projected on the first position GRa and a substantially V in which the light L1b is projected on the second position GRb. The character-shaped mark M1b and the substantially inverted V-shaped mark M1c formed by projecting the light L1c onto the third position GRc are arranged apart from each other in the traveling direction (see FIG. 1).

As described above, since the drawing pattern M1 indicates a character in which the substantially inverted V-shaped marks M1a, M1b, and M1c are arranged in the traveling direction, the viewer of the drawing pattern M1 can see the direction in which the vehicle C is indicated by the substantially inverted V shape. Recall that you are planning to drive to.

In order to form a drawing pattern M1 in which three substantially inverted V-shaped marks M1a, M1b, and M1c are connected, for example, the front surface of the above-mentioned first region 12a, second region 12b, and third region 12c. The visual ratio is preferably 1: 1: 1. Further, the shape of the exit surface 12 forming such a drawing pattern M1 is preferably a shape based on a spherical surface.

In the present embodiment, the optical axis A1 of the lens 10 mounted on the vehicle lamp 1 on the right side is directed slightly forward and to the right (see FIGS. 2 and 3). Therefore, as shown in FIG. 1, substantially inverted V-shaped marks M1a, M1b, and M1c are projected on the road surface GR in a row at three distances in the irradiation direction with the front right side as the irradiation direction. The viewer who sees this recalls that the vehicle C changes the direction of travel to the right of the vehicle.

(Action effect)
In the vehicle lighting tool 1 configured as described above, the emitted light of the common light source 30 of 1 is formed as the light distribution LD1 of the turn signal rung and is irradiated to the front of the vehicle, and is projected onto the road surface GR as the drawing pattern M1. Will be done. Since the irradiation is performed in relation to the purpose of irradiation, the functional effect is high due to the synergistic effect of the two.

As an optical unit, the emitted light of the light source 30 is reflected by the step reflector 20 to form a predetermined light distribution LD1 and emitted, and as a drawing unit, the emitted light of the light source 30 is incident on the lens 10 to form a predetermined light distribution LD1. It is formed in the drawing pattern M1 and projected onto the road surface. The turning on and off of both units is performed by turning on and off the common light source 30, and the turning on and off of the light distribution LD1 and the drawing pattern M1 are naturally linked. Therefore, the vehicle lamp 1 does not require complicated control as an optical unit or a road surface drawing unit. The configuration is simple, and the size of vehicle lamps can be reduced.

(Second embodiment)
The second embodiment will be described. The same reference numerals are given to the configurations equivalent to those of the first embodiment, and the description thereof will be omitted. FIG. 5 shows a vehicle C equipped with the vehicle lamp 101 according to the second embodiment. 5 (A) is a rear perspective view, FIG. 5 (B) is a plan view, and FIG. 5 (C) is a side view.

As shown in FIG. 5, the vehicle lighting fixture 101 according to the second embodiment is a backup lamp attached to the upper part of the back surface of the large vehicle C. The vehicle lighting tool 101 forms a light distribution LD2 of a backup lamp when the vehicle C moves backward, and blinks the light distribution LD2 to inform the driver or pedestrian of the vehicle behind the movement of the vehicle C to the rear. Close. At the same time, a rectangular drawing pattern M2 extending backward is formed. The vehicle lighting equipment 101 is composed of a pair of left and right, and is attached to the left and right side edges of the rear surface of the vehicle. Since each vehicle lighting equipment 101 projects a rectangular drawing pattern M1 to the rear, the vehicle C to the rear. Two parallel lines of light that extend are projected as the retreat trajectory of vehicle C. As a result, pedestrians, light vehicles, and the like that may exist in the vicinity of the rear, which is the blind spot of the vehicle C, are also notified of the vehicle retreat, and attention and movement are urged.

The vehicle lighting tool 101 blinks the drawing pattern M2 and the light distribution LD2 at the same time to perform irradiation for the same purpose of "notifying the vehicle from moving backward", so that the irradiation effect is high.

(Structure of vehicle lamp 101)
Next, the configuration of the vehicle lamp 101 will be described. 6A and 6B show a vehicle lamp 101, FIG. 6A is a perspective view, and FIG. 6B is a side view. The lamp cover is shown by the dotted line to show the internal configuration. FIG. 7 is an exploded perspective view of the vehicle lamp 101. Since it is a backup lamp, the light irradiation direction is opposite to that of the first embodiment. Therefore, in the description of the lamp of the present embodiment, the rear side will be referred to as the front surface side and the front side will be referred to as the back surface side. The backup lamp irradiates the surface side.

As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the lamp body 101 for a vehicle includes a lamp body 140, a lamp cover 150, a lens 110, a fixing member 160, and a light source 130.

The lamp cover 150 is a housing made of translucent resin, glass, or the like and having an open surface on one side. A flat lamp body 140 is attached to the opening of the lamp cover 150, and a lamp chamber S is formed inside. A light source 130 and a lens 110 are arranged in the light chamber S. Since the light-transmitting lamp cover 150 is the main body of the housing, the light diffusion angle of the vehicle lighting tool 101 can be increased, and the visible range of the irradiation light can be widened.

The lens 110 is a drawing lens that forms incident light into a predetermined drawing pattern, similar to the lens 10 of the first embodiment. The lens 110 of the present embodiment forms incident light in a rectangular drawing pattern long in the emission direction.

Similar to the light source 30 of the first embodiment, the light source 130 emits light from the LED which is a mounted light emitting element. The emitted light is white light in a range defined as backup lamp light, and a part of the emitted light is incident on the lens 110 and formed on the drawing pattern M2. Therefore, the projected drawing pattern M2 is composed of white light. Will be done.

A rectangular hole 141 is provided in the center of the lamp body 140, and the fixing member 160 is engaged from the back surface side (front direction in the present embodiment).

The fixing member 160 is a mounting member for the light source 130 and the lens 110, and includes a pedestal portion 161 whose upper side is inclined toward the surface side (rear direction in this embodiment). The inclined surface on the surface side of the pedestal portion 161 is the mounting surface 162, and the light source 130 is mounted in the center of the mounting surface 162. The lens 110 is fixed to the mounting surface 162 so as to sandwich the light source 130 with legs 115 extending from its side surface to the back surface side. The back surface side of the fixing member 160 is a heat sink 163, and heat generated by the light source 130 is dissipated to the outside. Therefore, the fixing member 160 is made of a metal member having good thermal conductivity.

When the fixing member 160 is fixed to the lamp body 140, the fixing member 160 to which the lens 110 and the light source 130 are attached approaches the lamp body 140 from the back side, and the protruding lens 110 and the inclined pedestal portion 161. The upper part enters the light room S through the hole 141. Then, with the lens 110 fixed to the mounting surface 162 arranged in the lamp chamber S, the fixing member 160 is fixed to the back surface side of the lamp body 140 by the flange portion 164 provided around the outer peripheral surface.

The lamp cover 150 will be described in detail with reference to FIG. FIG. 8A mainly shows the outer surface side which is the exit surface, and FIG. 8B mainly shows the inner surface side which is the incident surface.

The lamp cover 150 is an optical member formed in a box shape with the inner surface side as the entrance surface and the outer surface side as the emission surface. The light emitted from the light source 130 arranged in the lamp chamber S is incident from the inner incident surface, and the light based on the characteristics of each constituent surface is emitted from the outer exit surface.

As shown in FIG. 8, the lamp cover 150 includes a first surface 151, a second surface 152, and a third surface 153 having different characteristics on the surface side, which is the main irradiation direction of the emitted light of the light source 130. The outer surface sides of the first surface 151, the second surface 152, and the third surface 153, which are the emission surfaces, are all formed in a planar shape, and the shape of the inner surface side, which is the entrance surface, is different for each surface.

The first surface 151 constitutes an upper region in the center of the surface of the lamp cover 150. The incident surface 151a of the first surface 151 has a form in which small convex surfaces are arranged in a matrix. The light incident on the first surface 151 configured in this way is emitted from the exit surface while being diffused in all directions.

The second surface 152 is located below the first surface 151. While the first surface 151 and the third surface 153 are vertical surfaces, the second surface 152 is an inclined surface whose lower surface is inclined toward the back surface side. The incident surface 152a of the second surface 152 is a flat surface. The light incident on the second surface 152 thus configured is emitted from the emitting surface in the incident form.

The third surface 153 is arranged on the left and right sides of the first surface 151 and the second surface 152, and constitutes a lateral region of the surface of the lamp cover 150. The third surface 153 extends vertically in the vertical direction, and the side edge side is inclined toward the back surface side with respect to the first surface 151 in the horizontal direction. That is, the third surface 153 arranged on the right side faces to the right, and the third surface 153 arranged on the left side faces to the left. The incident surface 153a of the third surface 153 has a V-shaped groove extending vertically. The light incident on the third surface 153 configured in this way is diffused to the left and right and emitted from the exit surface.

The path of the light emitted from the light source 130 will be described. FIG. 9 is a schematic vertical sectional view for explaining an optical path of light emitted from a light source 130.

As shown in FIG. 9, since the pedestal portion 161 is tilted from the vertical to the surface side, both the attached lens 110 and the light source 130 are tilted from the vertical to the surface side. That is, the optical axis A2 of the light source 130 is tilted downward from the horizontal, and the lens 110 and the second surface 152 of the lamp cover 150 are arranged on the tilted optical axis A2. Therefore, the light emitted from the light source 130 is mainly incident on the lens 110 as light L3, and the light other than the light L3 and mainly the light emitted upward is incident on the first surface 151 of the lamp cover 150 as light L4. do.

Similar to the first embodiment, the vehicle lighting tool 101 includes an optical unit that functions as a marker lamp (backup lamp) and a road surface drawing unit that functions to project a drawing pattern onto the road surface.

The road surface drawing unit is mainly composed of a light source 130 and a lens 110. The light L3, which is a part of the light emitted from the light source 130, enters the lens 110, exits the lens 110, and passes through the second surface 152. The second surface 152 is a lens having both surfaces planar, and in order to allow incident light to pass through, the light L3 is formed in a rectangular shape by the lens 110 and is applied to the road surface GR as a drawing pattern M2.

The optical unit is composed of a light source 130 and a lamp cover 150. In the lamp cover 150, particularly the first surface 151 and the third surface 153 are used as optical units. Of the light emitted by the light source 130, a part different from the light L3, particularly the light emitted above the optical axis A2, is incident on the lamp cover 150 as L4, diffused and emitted, and the light distribution LD2 of the backup lamp. Is mainly composed of. Further, light emitted from the light source 130 in the left-right direction, which is not shown in FIG. 9, is incident on the third surface 153, diffused left and right, and emitted to form a part of the light distribution LD2. The light distribution LD2 is formed by the light emitted from the surfaces other than the second surface 152.

As described above, as in the first embodiment, the optical unit and the road surface drawing unit share the light source 130. The light of the light source 130 is mainly incident on the lens 110 as light L3, is irradiated on the road surface GR as a drawing pattern M2 via the second surface 152, and light other than the light L3 is incident on the lamp cover 150 as light L4. , Light emission as light distribution LD2. Here, the light distribution LD2 formed by the lamp cover 150 is configured to satisfy the necessary light distribution legal requirements (maximum luminous intensity, maximum left-right angle, etc.) required for the backup lamp.

In the present embodiment, a light diffusing lens is mainly used on the first surface 151 and the third surface 153 of the lamp cover 150 to form an optical unit component, but the second surface 152 on the optical axis A2 is excluded. All the constituent surfaces of the lamp cover 150, that is, the surface 154 which is the peripheral side surface adjacent to the first surface 151, the second surface 152, and the third surface 153, is also irradiated with the light distribution LD2 by using the light diffusing lens. You may expand the range.

As described above, another conventionally known configuration may be used for the optical unit. For example, a vehicle with a simple configuration and high functional effect by using a reflective or direct-illumination type lamp unit with a reflector, using the emitted light of a part of the light source as a drawing pattern, and using the remaining emitted light for forming a light distribution. We can provide lighting equipment.

(Arrangement of optical unit and drawing unit)
Here, the relative arrangement of the optical unit and the drawing unit will be described.

In the vehicle lamp 1 of the first embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3, the optical axis A1 of the light source 30 faces downward, and the inclination angle from the horizontal plane is an angle α1. The angle α1 is relatively small in this embodiment, and the angle α1 = about 20 degrees. In the vehicle lamp 1, the step reflector 20 forming the light distribution LD1 is arranged below the lens 10.

Further, in the vehicle lamp 101 of the second embodiment, as shown in FIG. 8, the optical axis A2 of the light source 130 faces downward, and the inclination angle from the horizontal plane is an angle α2. The angle α2 is larger than the angle α1, and in the present embodiment, the angle α2 = more than 30 degrees. In the vehicle lamp 101, the second surface 152 of the lamp cover 150 that mainly forms the light distribution LD2 is located above the lens 110.

When the arrangement of light sources (especially the mounting height) is the same, if the downward angle of the optical axis is large, the drawing pattern is projected near the vehicle, and if the tilt angle of the optical axis is small, the drawing pattern drawn on the road surface is the vehicle. It is projected far from. When the tilt angles of the optical axes are the same, the higher the mounting height of the vehicle lighting equipment, the longer the projection distance, the drawing pattern is projected farther from the vehicle, and the lower the mounting height, the shorter the projection distance and drawing. The pattern is projected near the vehicle.

It is desirable that the drawing pattern projected on the road surface has a high luminous intensity in order to clarify the shape. Therefore, the optical member forming the drawing pattern is arranged on the optical axis, and the light having a high luminous intensity emitted mainly from the front of the light source is mainly used for forming the drawing pattern, and other light is formed as the light distribution.

The position where the vehicle lamp 1 which is a front turn signal lamp is attached is relatively low near the bumper, and when the angle α1 is increased, the drawing pattern M1 drawn on the road surface GR is only in the vicinity of the vehicle C, so be careful of the surroundings. Can't be drawn. Since the drawing pattern M1 is projected at a distance away from the vehicle to some extent, the angle α1 is relatively small. Since the angle of inclination of the optical axis A1 of the light source 30 from the horizontal plane is small, the lens 10 forming the drawing pattern M1 is arranged near the horizontal plane, and the step reflector 20 is relatively arranged below the lens 10. Therefore, the step reflector 20 mainly uses the light emitted below the optical axis A1 to form the light distribution LD1.

On the other hand, since the vehicle lighting fixture 101, which is a backup lamp, is mounted on the upper part of the large vehicle C, the mounting position is relatively high. By making the angle α2 of the inclination of the optical axis A2 of the light source 130 from the horizontal plane relatively large, a rectangular drawing pattern M2 extending long from the vicinity of the vehicle to a distant place is projected. Since the angle of inclination of the optical axis A2 of the light source 130 from the horizontal plane is large, the lens 110 forming the drawing pattern M2 is arranged below the horizontal plane, and the second surface 152 that mainly forms the light distribution LD2 is a lens. It is placed above 110. Therefore, the second surface 152 mainly uses the light emitted above the optical axis A2 to form the light distribution LD2.

That is, when the height at which the vehicle lamp is attached to the vehicle is relatively high, the drawing unit is arranged above the optical unit, and when the height attached to the vehicle is relatively low, the drawing unit is an optical unit. It is preferably placed below. More specifically, when the mounting height of the shared light source is relatively high, the optical member that forms the drawing pattern provided in the drawing unit is below the optical member that forms and irradiates the light distribution provided in the optical unit. It is preferable to be arranged in. If the height at which the vehicle lamps are mounted is relatively low, the preferred arrangement is reversed. As a result, a clear and bright drawing pattern is drawn on the road surface, and the light emitted from the surplus light source can be effectively used to form a light distribution. In addition, the overall size can be reduced by appropriately arranging each unit.

In addition, the arrangement of the drawing unit and the optical unit is determined in consideration of not only the mounting height but also the tilt angle. For example, when the drawing pattern is projected relatively far, the tilt angle is set small. In this case, the drawing unit is arranged above and the optical unit is arranged below. When projecting a drawing pattern in the left-right direction, the drawing unit may be arranged on the left or right side of the optical unit.

Since the drawing unit and the optical unit use a common light source, the arrangement of the light source is the most important, then the arrangement of the optical members of the drawing unit forming the drawing pattern is determined, and finally the light distribution is formed. The arrangement of the optical light source of the drawing unit is determined. In this way, once the relative arrangement of the optical unit with the road surface drawing unit is determined according to the height at which the light source is arranged and the tilt angle of the optical axis, the optical unit can be optimally arranged as a whole. Each irradiation can be made appropriate.

(Modification example)
Although preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described, the present invention is not limited to the above configuration. Hereinafter, modifications are shown in FIGS. 10 and 11.

FIG. 10 is a modified example of the light source 130. The

light sources

130A and 130B each use three light emitting elements 131 in order to improve the brightness. In the light source 130A, three light emitting elements 131 are juxtaposed horizontally, and in the light source 130B, three light emitting elements 131 are juxtaposed vertically.

When a plurality of light emitting elements 131 are arranged side by side, the width of the light source image is widened, which is suitable for a wide drawing pattern. In particular, by appropriately selecting the projection distance, it is possible to clarify the outline of the drawing pattern and suppress unevenness in the brightness of the entire drawing pattern. That is, the light source 130A is suitable for the first embodiment. By using the light source 131A for the vehicle lamp 1, the outer shape of the substantially inverted V shape can be clarified while maintaining the same brightness of the three marks M1a, M1b, and M1c.

When a plurality of light emitting elements 131 are arranged vertically, it is possible to suppress blurring of the outer shape of the drawing pattern in the width direction, and it is possible to extend and irradiate the drawing pattern even in the distance. That is, the light source 130B is suitable for the second embodiment. By using the light source 131B for the vehicle lamp 101, it is possible to project a vertically long line-shaped drawing pattern M2 having a clear outer shape.

By arranging the light emitting elements according to the shape of the drawn pattern projected in this way, the brightness and clarity of the drawn pattern can be improved.

FIG. 11 is a modified example of the road surface drawing unit of the vehicle lamp 101.

In the vehicle lamp 101A shown in FIG. 11A, the road surface drawing unit is mainly composed of a light source 130, a condenser lens 116, a shade 117, and a projection lens 118. The condenser lens 116 is a collimating lens, and the emitted light of the light source 130 is emitted to the shade 117 as parallel light. The shade 117 has a slit 117a in the shape of a desired drawing pattern, and the light L3'passed through the slit is projected onto the road surface as a desired drawing pattern by the projection lens 118.

In the vehicle lamp 101B shown in FIG. 11B, the road surface drawing unit is mainly composed of a light source 130 and three drawing lenses 119. The drawing lens 119 has a circular outer shape, and the incident light is formed into a simple circular drawing pattern and emitted. The light L31, the light L32, and the light L33 emitted from the three drawing lenses 119 are each formed as a circular drawing pattern. Therefore, a continuous circular drawing pattern is projected on the road surface. In this way, the lens itself can be shaped like a drawing pattern, and a plurality of lenses may be used to form one drawing pattern.

Although the preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the above-described embodiments are examples of the present invention, and these can be combined based on the knowledge of those skilled in the art, and such embodiments are also within the scope of the present invention. include.

This international application claims priority based on Japanese Patent Application No. 2020-132448, which was filed on August 4, 2020, and is the Japanese patent application, Japanese Patent Application No. 2020-132448. The entire contents of the issue will be incorporated into this international application.

The above description of the specific embodiment of the present invention is presented for the purpose of illustration. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention as it is described. It is self-evident to those skilled in the art that numerous modifications and changes are possible in the light of the above description.

1, 101: Vehicle lighting equipment 10, 110: Lens 20: Step reflector 30, 130: Light source 150: Lamp cover L1, L2, L3, L4: Optical LD1, LD2: Light distribution M1, M2: Drawing pattern

Claims

In addition to functioning as a headlight or indicator light, it is a vehicle lighting fixture with a road surface drawing function.
It is configured to include an optical unit that functions as a headlight or indicator light that uses a common light source, and a road surface drawing unit that functions as a projection pattern of a drawing pattern on the road surface.
The optical unit and the road surface drawing unit perform irradiation related to the irradiation purpose.
A lighting fixture for vehicles equipped with a road surface drawing function.
The optical unit forms a part of the emitted light of the light source into a predetermined light distribution and irradiates the optical unit.
The road surface drawing unit forms another part of the emitted light of the light source into a drawing pattern related to the irradiation purpose of the optical unit and projects it onto the road surface.
The vehicle lamp having the road surface drawing function according to claim 1.
The road surface drawing unit includes a lens that forms incident light into a predetermined drawing pattern and emits the light.
The vehicle lamp having the road surface drawing function according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the lamp has a road surface drawing function.
The light source commonly used for the optical unit and the road surface drawing unit includes a plurality of light emitting elements.
The arrangement of the plurality of light emitting elements is determined by the shape of the drawing pattern projected by the road surface drawing unit.
The vehicle lamp having the road surface drawing function according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the lamp has a road surface drawing function.
The arrangement of the optical unit relative to the road surface drawing unit is determined according to the height and angle at which the light source is arranged.
The vehicle lamp having the road surface drawing function according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the lamp has a road surface drawing function.