VEHICLE LIGHT

Abstract

A vehicle light that includes a semiconductor light emitting device can have a simple structure which suppresses deterioration of the light emitting quality of the device. The vehicle light can be configured to prevent aging and/or deterioration of components, such as a vapor deposited silver coating on the reflection surface of a reflector of the light. The vehicle light can also include a projector type optical unit that has the following components: a semiconductor light emitting device; a reflector which surrounds the semiconductor light emitting device from a rear side such that light emitted from the semiconductor light emitting device is reflected in a forward direction; and a projection lens which projects light being directly from the light emitting device or after reflected by the reflector in the forward direction. Furthermore, a space around the semiconductor light emitting device of the optical unit can be hermetically sealed from the outside atmosphere. A sealing member can be used to form the sealed space.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and other characteristics, features, and advantages of the disclosed subject matter will become clear from the following description with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating the configuration of a conventional vehicle light;

FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating an exemplary embodiment of a vehicle light made in accordance with principles of the disclosed subject matter;

FIG. 3 is a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating another exemplary embodiment of a vehicle light made in accordance with principles of the disclosed subject matter; and

FIG. 4 is a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating of still another exemplary embodiment of a vehicle light made in accordance with principles of the disclosed subject matter.

Claims

1. A vehicle light configured to emit light in a forward light emitting direction comprising: a semiconductor light emitting device;a reflector located adjacent the semiconductor light emitting device such that light emitted from the semiconductor light emitting device is reflected by the reflector in the forward light emitting direction; anda projection lens configured to project light that is at least one of light emitted directly from the light emitting device and light that is reflected by the reflector, in the forward light emitting direction,wherein a sealed space including at least an inner surface of the reflector that is located adjacent the semiconductor light emitting device is hermetically sealed from an exterior atmosphere.

2. The vehicle light according to claim 1, further comprising: a sealing member configured to hermetically seal the sealed space from the exterior atmosphere.

3. The vehicle light according to claim 2, further comprising: an inert gas located in the sealed space.

4. The vehicle light according to claim 1, wherein the reflector is coated with vapor deposited silver.

5. The vehicle light according to claim 1, further comprising: an air pressure adjusting bag made of a film-like material and located adjacent the sealed space in order to adjust air pressure in the sealed space.

6. The vehicle light according to claim 2, wherein the sealing member is configured as a lens holder which supports the projection lens, and wherein the projection lens is hermetically attached through the sealing member to the reflector so as to enclose the semiconductor light emitting device.

7. The vehicle light according to claim 6, wherein the reflector, the projection lens, and the sealing member are each made of a thermoplastic resin, and wherein the sealing member is hermetically connected to the reflector and the projection lens by at least one of a weld structure and a bond structure.

8. The vehicle light according to claim 6, wherein the reflector, the projection lens, and the sealing member are each made of a thermoplastic resin, the projection lens and the sealing member are hermetically and integrally molded, and the sealing member is hermetically connected to the reflector by at least one of a weld structure and a bond structure.

9. The vehicle light according to claim 6, wherein the reflector, the projection lens, and the sealing member are each made of a thermoplastic resin, the projection lens is molded hermetically in the sealing member, and the sealing member is hermetically connected to the reflector by at least one of a weld structure and a bond structure.

10. The vehicle light according to claim 2, wherein the sealing member includes, a housing which has an open front and surrounds the reflector, projection lens, and semiconductor light emitting device, anda front-side lens which is made of a transparent material and hermetically seals the open front of the housing.

11. The vehicle light according to claim 10, wherein the housing includes a pinch sealing portion.

12. The vehicle light according to claim 10, wherein the housing is formed such that a convective flow of air located in the sealed space inside the housing is guided toward the front-side lens, the convective flow of air being due to heat generated by the semiconductor light emitting device.

13. The vehicle light according to claim 12, wherein a rear portion of the housing is narrowed and an upper rear corner of the housing is rounded.

14. The vehicle light according to claim 2, further comprising: an air pressure adjusting bag made of a film-like material and located adjacent the sealed space in order to adjust air pressure in the sealed space.

15. The vehicle light according to claim 3, further comprising: an air pressure adjusting bag made of a film-like material and located adjacent the sealed space in order to adjust air pressure in the sealed space.

16. The vehicle light according to claim 3, wherein the sealing member is configured as a lens holder which supports the projection lens, and wherein the projection lens is hermetically attached through the sealing member to the reflector so as to enclose the semiconductor light emitting device.

17. The vehicle light according to claim 4, further comprising: a sealing member configured to hermetically seal the sealed space from the exterior atmosphere, wherein the sealing member is configured as a lens holder which supports the projection lens, and the projection lens is hermetically attached through the sealing member to the reflector so as to enclose the semiconductor light emitting device.

18. The vehicle light according to claim 5, further comprising: a sealing member configured to hermetically seal the sealed space from the exterior atmosphere, wherein the sealing member is configured as a lens holder which supports the projection lens, and the projection lens is hermetically attached through the sealing member to the reflector so as to enclose the semiconductor light emitting device.

19. The vehicle light according to claim 3, wherein the sealing member includes, a housing which has an open front and surrounds the reflector, projection lens, and semiconductor light emitting device, anda front-side lens which is made of a transparent material and hermetically seals the open front of the housing.

20. The vehicle light according to claim 4, further comprising: a sealing member configured to hermetically seal the sealed space from the exterior atmosphere, wherein the sealing member includes, a housing which has an open front and surrounds the reflector, projection lens, and semiconductor light emitting device, anda front-side lens which is made of a transparent material and hermetically seals the open front of the housing.

21. The vehicle light according to claim 5, further comprising: a sealing member configured to hermetically seal the sealed space from the exterior atmosphere, wherein the sealing member includes, a housing which has an open front and surrounds the reflector, projection lens, and semiconductor light emitting device, anda front-side lens which is made of a transparent material and hermetically seals the open front of the housing.

22. The vehicle light according to claim 1, wherein the reflector surrounds the semiconductor light emitting device.