The present disclosure relates to a light guide for vehicles and a lamp for vehicles.
Conventionally, in a lamp for vehicles, a technique relating to a light guide for vehicles (light guide) for guiding light from a light source toward a projection lens, and forming a predetermined light distribution pattern is known. For example, PTL 1 discloses a lighting device having a series of optical waveguides and in which each of the optical waveguides guides a light ray between an inlet surface and an outlet surface. Further, PTL 2 discloses a light projecting device including a light source, a lens assigned to the light source, and a total reflection light guide provided between the light source and the lens. Further, PTL 3 discloses a vehicle headlamp including an LED, a projection lens, and a light distribution member grounded between the LED and the projection lens.
PTL 1: Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2016-184578
PTL 2: Japanese Translation of PCT International Application Publication No. 2016-524802
PTL 3: Japanese Patent No. 5889499
In a lamp for vehicles including a light guide for vehicles as described above, it may not be possible to acquire a sufficient thickness in a predetermined area of a light distribution pattern. Therefore, there is a possibility that s desired light distribution performance cannot be acquired due to, for example, vertical aiming of the lamp for vehicles in a vertical direction, misalignment of each component, and the like.
In view of the above, an object of the present disclosure is to secure a sufficient thickness of a predetermined area on a light distribution pattern, and acquire a desired light distribution performance.
One aspect of the present disclosure provides a light guide for vehicles that guides light from a light source toward a projection lens. The light guide for vehicles includes: an incident surface on which light from the light source is incident; a reflective surface that reflects light incident from the incident surface; and an exit surface that outputs light reflected on the reflective surface. The reflective surface includes, on at least a part thereof, a light diffusing part where at least either one of a plurality of convex parts and a plurality of concave parts that diffuse light are formed.
According to the present disclosure, it becomes possible to secure a sufficient thickness in a predetermined area of a light distribution pattern, and acquire a desired light distribution performance.
In the following, an embodiment is described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.
The present invention is not limited by the embodiment. In addition, components in the following embodiment include those that can be easily replaced by those skilled in the art, or those that are substantially the same. In the following description, each of front and rear directions, up and down directions, and left and right directions is a direction in a state that a light guide for vehicles and a lamp for vehicles are mounted in a vehicle, and indicates a direction when a traveling direction of the vehicle is viewed from a driver's seat. In the present embodiment, it is assumed that the up and down directions are in parallel to a vertical direction, and the left and right directions are a horizontal direction. In the following description, the left and right directions of the vehicle are referred to as a “direction X”, and the front and rear directions of the vehicle are referred to as a “direction Y”.
The plurality of light sources 10 are, for example, semiconductor type light sources such as LEDs, OELs, and OLEDs (organic ELs). The plurality of light sources 10 are mounted on the light source substrate 20. As schematically shown in
The projection lens 30 is disposed on the front side of the vehicle with respect to the plurality of light sources 10, the light source substrate 20, and the vehicle light guide 40. The projection lens 30 is supported by, for example, an unillustrated lens holder. As shown in
The vehicle light guide 40 is disposed between the plurality of light sources 10 and the projection lens 30, and guides light from the plurality of light sources 10 toward the projection lens 30. The vehicle light guide 40 is formed by, for example, resin molding. As shown in
The plurality of incident surfaces 41 are disposed side by side along the direction X. Each of the incident surfaces 41 is disposed side by side along the direction X in association with each of the light sources 10. Each of the light guide parts 42 extends from each of the incident surfaces 41 toward the projection lens 30. The merging part 43 is a portion where each of the light guide parts 42 merges at an end thereof on a side opposite to the incident surface 41. As shown in
As shown in
The exit surface 44 is formed on an end surface of the merging part 43 on the projection lens 30 side. The exit surface 44 outputs, toward the projection lens 30, light from each of the light sources 10, which is guided from each of the incident surfaces 41 through each of the light guide parts 42 and the merging part 43. In the present embodiment, as shown in
The central exit surface 441 is formed at a position associated with four centrally arranged light sources 10 among the plurality of light sources 10. Further, as shown in
Light incident from the light source 10 passes through the vehicle light guide 40 while being reflected on the upper reflective surface 451 and the lower reflective surface 452, is output from the exit surface 44, and is irradiated toward the front side of the vehicle via the projection lens 30. In this way, light irradiated toward the front side of the vehicle via the projection lens 30 forms an ADB light distribution pattern as described above.
As shown in
In the vehicle lamp 100 according to the present embodiment, by individually switching lighting states of the plurality of light sources 10, it is possible to adjust a range of light that passes through each of the incident surfaces 41 and each of the light guide parts 42 from each of the light sources 10, and is irradiated from the projection lens 30. In other words, by turning off a part of the plurality of light sources 10 disposed along the direction X, it is possible to prevent a part of a plurality of divided patterns of the ADB light distribution pattern P1 shown in
The structure of the vehicle light guide 40 is described in more detail with reference to
The light diffusing part 50 is formed in a predetermined area of the reflective surface 45 extending from the incident surface 41 to the central exit surface 441. In the present embodiment, the light diffusing part 50 is formed in the entire area of the lower reflective surface 452 in the direction X within a predetermined range. As shown in
The light diffusing part 50 includes a plurality of convex parts 51 and a plurality of concave parts 52. In the light diffusing part 50, the convex part 51 and the concave part 52 are disposed continuously in order. The convex part 51 and the concave part 52 adjacent to each other are smoothly connected to each other. Specifically, a portion (concave part 52 in the present embodiment) adjacent to the convex part 51, and a portion (convex part 51 in the present embodiment) adjacent to the concave part 52 do not have corner portions (edges), and are formed to be a smooth continuous surface. Thus, as shown in
In
As described above, the vehicle lamp 100 according to the embodiment includes the light source 10, the projection lens 30, and the vehicle light guide 40. The vehicle light guide 40 according to the embodiment is the vehicle light guide 40 that guides light from the light source 10 toward the projection lens 30, and includes the incident surface 41 on which light from the light source 10 is incident, the reflective surface 45 that reflects light incident from the incident surface 41, and the exit surface 44 that outputs light reflected on the reflective surface 45. The reflective surface 45 includes the light diffusing part 50 where the plurality of convex parts 51 and the plurality of concave parts 52 that diffuse light are formed.
In this configuration, it is possible to diffuse light from the light source 10 by the light diffusing part 50 formed on the reflective surface 45, and sufficiently secure a vertical thickness of a predetermined area (hot zone Hz1 according to the present embodiment) of a light distribution pattern (ADB light distribution pattern P1 according to the present embodiment), which is formed by the vehicle lamp 100 including the vehicle light guide 40. By securing a thickness of the predetermined area, it is possible to reduce a difference in luminous intensity and a difference in illuminance between the predetermined area and other areas. Specifically, it is possible to suppress a sharp change in luminous intensity and illuminance between the predetermined area and the other areas, and smoothly continue the predetermined area and the other areas. Consequently, for example, even when a predetermined area of a light distribution pattern is shifted due to vertical aiming of the vehicle lamp 100 in the vertical direction, misalignment of each component, or the like, a desired luminous intensity and illuminance can be acquired more reliably within a target range. Therefore, it becomes possible to acquire a desired light distribution performance. In addition, it becomes possible to more reliably acquire a light distribution pattern in accordance with the regulations.
Further, the light diffusing part 50 is formed on the reflective surface 45 (lower reflective surface 452) for forming the hot zone Hz1 of the ADB light distribution pattern P1 irradiated from the projection lens 30.
In this configuration, it is possible to secure a vertical thickness of the hot zone Hz1 having a maximum luminous intensity band or a maximum illuminance band on the ADB light distribution pattern P1, and in which the thickness tends to reduce by light collection. It is possible to suppress a sharp change in luminous intensity and illuminance between the hot zone Hz1 and other areas, and smoothly continue the hot zone Hz1 and the other areas. Consequently, for example, even when the hot zone Hz1 is shifted due to vertical aiming of the vehicle lamp 100 in the vertical direction, misalignment of each component, or the like, a desired luminous intensity and illuminance can be more reliably acquired in a target range. Therefore, it becomes possible to acquire a desired light distribution performance.
Further, the light diffusing part 50 is connected in such a way that the convex part 51 or the concave part 52, and a portion adjacent to the convex part 51 or the concave part 52 are formed to be a smooth continuous surface.
In this configuration, it is possible to prevent a corner portion (edge) from being formed on the plurality of convex parts 51 and the plurality of concave parts 52 of the light diffusing part 50. Consequently, it becomes possible to easily form the vehicle light guide 40 by resin molding.
Further, the light diffusing part 50 is formed between the intersection 61 between the central axis 10a of light emitted from the light source 10 and the reflective surface 45 (lower reflective surface 452), and the intersection 62 between the line L1 along the half-value angle θ of the light emitted from the light source 10 and the reflective surface 45 (lower reflective surface 452).
In this configuration, it is possible to diffuse light having a sufficiently high intensity among the light emitted from the light source 10 by the light diffusing part 50, and sufficiently acquire a luminous intensity or illuminance of the hot zone Hz1, while securing a vertical thickness of the hot zone Hz1.
Further, a plurality of the incident surfaces 41 are formed side by side along the left and right directions of the vehicle in association with each of the plurality of light sources 10 disposed side by side along the left and right directions. The exit surface 44 includes the central exit surface 441 formed at a central part in the left and right directions, and the lateral exit surfaces 442 formed laterally in the left and right directions with respect to the central exit surface 441. The central exit surface 441 is formed closer to the focal point 30a of the projection lens 30 than the lateral exit surface 442. The light diffusing part 50 is formed on the reflective surface 45 extending from the incident surface 41 to the central exit surface 441.
In this configuration, it is possible to diffuse light having a high light intensity and output from the central exit surface 441 disposed in the vicinity of the focal point 30a of the projection lens 30 by the light diffusing part 50. Consequently, it is possible to reliably secure a vertical thickness of the hot zone Hz1.
Further, the vehicle lamp additionally includes a plurality of the light guide parts 42, each of which extends from the incident surface 41 and includes the reflective surface 45, and the merging part 43 where the plurality of light guide parts 42 merge. The central exit surface 441 and the lateral exit surface 442 are integrally formed on an end surface of the merging part 43 on the projection lens 30 side.
In this configuration, it is possible to suppress occurrence of spots and streaks in the ADB light distribution pattern P1, as compared with a case where the central exit surface 441 and the lateral exit surface 442 are formed on separate members.
Further, the upper end 44a of the exit surface 44 is disposed in the vicinity of the focal point 30a of the projection lens 30 in the vertical direction, and the lower end 44b is disposed closer to the projection lens 30 than the upper end 44a.
In this configuration, it is possible to output light obliquely upward from the exit surface 44. Consequently, it is possible to satisfactorily transmit light output from the exit surface 44, whose major part is located below the focal point 30a of the projection lens 30 in the vertical direction, toward the projection lens 30, and it becomes possible to improve light use efficiency.
In the present embodiment, the light diffusing part 50 is formed into a waveform shape by the plurality of convex parts 51 and the plurality of concave parts 52. However, as far as light from the light source 10 can be appropriately diffused, the light diffusing part 50 may have another shape. For example, the light diffusing part 50 may be formed by either one of the plurality of convex parts 51 and the plurality of concave parts 52. For example, the light diffusing part 50 may be formed by continuously forming the convex part 51 and a flat part 53 (see the broken line in
Further, in the present embodiment, the light diffusing part 50 is formed in the entire area of the lower reflective surface 452 in the direction X within a predetermined range. Alternatively, the light diffusing part 50 may be formed only in a part of a range of the lower reflective surface 452 in the direction X within a predetermined range. Further alternatively, the light diffusing part 50 may not be formed in the entire length of a range between the intersection 61 between the central axis 10a of the light source 10 and the reflective surface 45 (lower reflective surface 452), and the intersection 62 between the line L1 along the half-value angle θ of the light from the light source 10 and the reflective surface 45 (lower reflective surface 452), but may be formed only on a part of the range.
Further, in the present embodiment, the light diffusing part 50 is formed on the lower reflective surface 452 of the light guide part 42 continuing to the central exit surface 441. Alternatively, the light diffusing part 50 may be formed only on a part of the light guide part 42 continuing to the central exit surface 441, or may be formed on the light guide part 42 continuing to the lateral exit surface 442.
Further, in the present embodiment, the light diffusing part 50 is formed on the lower reflective surface 452 for forming the hot zone Hz1. Alternatively, the light diffusing part 50 may be formed on any part of the reflective surface 45 for forming an area other than the hot zone Hz1 on the ADB light distribution pattern P1. Further, in the present embodiment, the light diffusing part 50 diffuses light to secure a vertical thickness of a predetermined area on a light distribution pattern in the vertical direction. Alternatively, the light diffusing part 50 may be configured to diffuse light to secure a thickness of the predetermined area in the horizontal direction or in any direction.
Further, a reflective member that reflects light more advantageously may be formed on a surface of the vehicle light guide 40 at a position where the light diffusing part 50 is formed. The reflective member may be formed by, for example, vapor deposition.
Number | Date | Country | Kind |
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2018-191631 | Oct 2018 | JP | national |
Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind |
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PCT/JP2019/038254 | 9/27/2019 | WO | 00 |