JP2002319304A - Vehicle lighting - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Summary] [Problem] With the configuration of a conventional vehicle lamp of this type, there is no significant change in the appearance between when the lamp is turned off and when the lamp is turned on, so that the attention is low and the design becomes obsolete. Had a problem. According to the present invention, a multi-reflector in which at least one light source is covered from the back and a plurality of reflection units are assembled, and a lens provided with a lenticular polygonal prism which covers the front of the multi-reflector, is provided. The unit is a vehicular lamp that has a diffusion angle of at least 差 or more of the difference in refraction angle provided between each of the lenticular polygonal prisms. It is possible to provide a vehicular lamp whose appearance changes greatly and solve the problem.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a vehicular lamp, and more particularly, to the behavior of a vehicle such as a tail lamp, a stop lamp or a turn signal lamp for a following vehicle, a pedestrian, and the like. The present invention relates to a vehicular lamp used as a signal for notification.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art FIGS. 10 and 11 show examples of the structure of a conventional vehicle lamp of this type. First, a vehicle lamp 90 shown in FIG. A reflector 92 having a paraboloid of revolution having a focus on a light source 91, and an outer lens 93 covering the reflector 92
The outer lens 93 is provided with a lens cut 93a such as a fisheye lens. In the vehicle lamp 90, although not shown, an inner lens provided with a Fresnel lens cut having a focus on the light source 91 is provided in place of the reflector 92, and a parallel light beam is supplied to the outer lens 93. There is also.

[0003] With this configuration, in the vehicular lamp 90, the light reflected from the light source 91 to the reflector 92 is converted into a parallel light beam by the outer lens 9.
When the light is transmitted through the outer lens 93, the light is appropriately diffused by the lens cut 93a to form a light distribution characteristic in which lighting can be confirmed from, for example, the left and right 45 ° directions.

A vehicle lamp 80 shown in FIG. 11 includes a light source 81, a reflector 82, and an outer lens 83 similarly to the vehicle lamp 90 described above.
0, the reflector 82 has a plurality of reflection units 82
a is configured as a multi-reflector.

The reflection direction of the reflection unit 82a is adjusted, for example, from left 45 ° to right 45 °, and at the same time, the outer lens 83 is formed in a transparent shape without lens cutting. For example,
Only the lamp color of the vehicle lamp 80, such as red or amber, is set.

[0006] With this configuration, in the vehicle lamp 80, the light distribution characteristics are formed as a total of the reflection directions of the light from the respective reflection units 82a, whereby the outer lens 83 is made transparent. The reflector 83 is always in the outer lens 8
3 can be seen through, and a sense of depth and a sense of three-dimensionality can be obtained in design.

[0007]

However, in the vehicular lamp 90 having the above-mentioned conventional construction, first, in the vehicular lamp 90, the lens cut 93a is formed on the outer lens 93, so that the lens is less transparent. On the surface 93, the pattern shape with the lens cut 93a is strongly recognized. At the time of lighting, the above-described pattern shape emits light.

In the vehicular lamp 80, the transparency of the outer lens 83 is certainly high, but the reflector 82 that is always visible through the outer lens 83 emits light when lit. Therefore, the vehicle lighting device 9
0 and the vehicle lamp 80 are not so different at the time of lighting and at the time of non-lighting, so that a novel design processing is impossible, and the problem that the design has become obsolete with the spread of vehicles arises. I have.

[0009]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention provides at least one of the above-described conventional problems as specific means.
A reflector having a multi-reflector configuration in which a plurality of reflection units are assembled by covering one light source from the back, and a lens provided with a lenticular polygon prism covering the front of the reflector, wherein the reflection unit is the lenticular polygon. An object of the present invention is to solve the problem by providing a vehicular lamp characterized by having a diffusion angle of at least １ ／ or more of a difference between refraction angles provided between the prisms.

[0010]

Next, the present invention will be described in detail based on an embodiment shown in the drawings. FIG. 1 shows a first embodiment of a vehicle lamp 1 according to the present invention. In the present invention, the vehicle lamp 1 includes a light source 2, a reflector 3,
It is the same as the conventional example in that it is composed of the outer lens 4. In the first embodiment, the inner lens 5 is provided.
In the case where the vehicle lamp 1 indicates braking, a plurality of light sources 2 may be provided in preparation for disconnection.

First, in the present invention, the reflector 3 has a basic shape formed as a paraboloid of revolution having the light source 2 as a focal point. The reflecting unit 3a is formed into an appropriate convex spherical shape. Therefore, the reflected light as a whole of the reflector 3 is directed toward the front of the vehicular lamp 1, and the light from each of the reflecting units 3a has a diffusion angle α corresponding to the convex spherical surface on which the reflecting unit 3a is formed. It becomes what has.

Here, the diffusion angle α corresponding to the convex spherical shape
Means that the reflection unit 3a has a focal point on the back surface of the reflection surface, and is equivalent to that light is emitted from a pseudo light source arranged in accordance with the focal point. . Therefore, by providing the reflection unit 3a, light from the light source 2 is reflected by the reflector 3
, The light is converted into light from the same number of light sources as the number of the reflection units 3a.

In actual practice, the shape of the reflection unit 3a is not limited to the above-mentioned convex spherical surface, but may be a concave spherical surface. That is, as described above, it is only necessary that each of the reflection units 3a has a focal point. More specifically, the reflection unit 3a may be a combination of two types of a convex spherical surface and a concave spherical surface. The convex unit and the concave unit may be combined in the reflection unit 3a.

In the first embodiment, the inner lens 5 has a horizontal section as shown in FIG.
A lenticular polygonal prism 6 having an axis X in the vertical direction is provided in the mounted state of the vehicle lamp 1. In FIG. 2, the shape is simplified for easy understanding. However, in actual implementation, for example, a large number of 19 planes, such as 19 planes at intervals of 5 ° between 45 ° to 45 ° on the left. A prism angle is provided.

Therefore, for example, when the reflector 3 is a paraboloid of revolution having the light source 2 as a focal point, parallel rays are incident on the lenticular polygonal prism 6 of the inner lens 5, and the lenticular shape is obtained. The polygonal prism 6 distributes the parallel rays radially at intervals of 5 ° from the left 45 ° to the right 45 ° and emits the parallel rays, as indicated by the symbol P in FIG. Light will not be distributed.

At this time, according to the present invention, by providing an appropriate diffusion angle α to the reflection unit 3a, the light is distributed also to the above-mentioned intermediate angle as shown by a symbol Q in FIG. And Therefore, the appropriate diffusion angle α required for the reflection unit 3a is preferably a difference between the refraction angles set in the lenticular polygonal prism 6, that is, の or more of the distribution angle. .

The lenticular polygonal prism 6
In the first embodiment, since the axis X is provided along the vertical direction, light is distributed in the horizontal direction, but does not substantially perform any optical function in the vertical direction. It will be. However, as the vehicle lamp 1,
In order to form the light distribution characteristic, diffusion at an appropriate angle in the horizontal direction is also required. Therefore, in the first embodiment, the light distribution characteristic in the vertical direction is formed by the diffusion angle α of the reflection unit 3a. are doing.

FIG. 4 is a vehicle lamp 1 according to the first embodiment.
FIG. 3 schematically shows the appearance at the time of lighting. At this time, the width of the lenticular-shaped polygonal prism 6 in the horizontal direction is narrower than the width of the reflection unit 3a. On the other hand, the description will be made on the assumption that a plurality of lenticular polygonal prisms 6 exist on the front surface.

First, when the light source 2 is turned on, the light source 2
Is reflected by each reflection unit 3a, and the light is incident on the inner lens 5 provided with the lenticular polygonal prism 6. At this time, since the reflection unit 3a has a focal point, an image G of the light source 2 (filament) is generated.

Here, in the first embodiment, since the reflection unit 3a is formed as a convex spherical surface, the position where the light source image G is generated is on the rear side of the reflection unit 3a, that is, the inner lens 5a. (Lenticular polygonal prism 6) and becomes a relatively small image.

When this state is viewed by a viewer from a relatively short distance such as a following vehicle, for example, light source images G from a plurality of directions are formed by the refraction of the lenticular polygonal prism 6.
Will reach the viewer's eyes, and more light source images G than the number of reflection units 3a provided on the reflector 3 will be seen aligned in the horizontal direction.

At the same time, since the reflection unit 3a has an appropriate diffusion angle α, the space between the light source images G is complemented by the diffusion angle α, and the inner lens 5
Means that the entire surface emits light with a light source image G that is brighter and light with a diffusion angle α that is darker than the light source image G. The appearance changes variously, for example, the number of light source images changes due to movement of the line of sight of the observer, movement of the position, and the like. The light transmitted through the inner lens 5 is colored by the outer lens 4 into a lamp color such as red or amber, which is required depending on the use of the vehicle lamp.

When the vehicle lamp 1 is not lit, the pitch of the lenticular polygonal prism 6 provided on the inner lens 5 is fine,
The light source 2 and the reflection unit 3a are not seen through the inner lens 5 and are viewed as the vehicle lamp 1 giving a smooth impression without any irregularities or patterns. The difference can be quite large.

In the above description, the reflection unit 3a
Has been described as being arranged along the surface of the reflector 3 having a shape based on a paraboloid of revolution, but in actual implementation, the light distribution characteristics of this type of vehicle lamp 1 are as follows. Since the maximum amount of light is required, it is preferable that an appropriate number of the reflection units 3a are directed in the vehicle axial direction to secure the amount of light in this direction.

FIG. 5 shows a second embodiment of the vehicular lamp 1 according to the present invention in a main part. In the first embodiment, the vehicular lamp 1 is provided with the diffusion angle α of the reflection unit 3a. In the vertical direction. On the other hand, in the second embodiment, the light distribution characteristic in the vertical direction is also to be formed by a lenticular polygonal prism, and the inner lens 5 has a lenticular shape having an axis X in the vertical direction. A lenticular polygonal prism 7 having an axis Y in the horizontal direction is provided on the surface on the side opposite to the side where the polygonal prism 6 is provided.

In the vehicle lamp 1, since it is generally sufficient to distribute light at a narrow angle in the vertical direction with respect to the horizontal direction, for example, 5 ° steps from 15 ° upward to 15 ° downward. The number of stages may be as small as seven. By doing so, the visibility of the light source image G is increased by the lenticular polygonal prism 7 also in the horizontal direction, and a lighting state different from that of the first embodiment can be obtained. Become.

FIG. 6 shows a third embodiment of the vehicular lamp 1 according to the present invention in a main part. In both the first embodiment and the second embodiment, the arrangement of the reflection unit 3a in the reflector 3 is vertical and horizontal. Although described as a row, in the third embodiment, they are arranged in a diagonal lattice. In this way, even when the same number of reflection units 3a are provided in the reflector 3, the number of light source images G is doubled when viewed through the lenticular polygon prism 6 or the lenticular polygon prism 7. , The appearance is improved.

FIG. 7 shows a fourth embodiment of the vehicular lamp 1 according to the present invention as a main part. In the fourth embodiment, the reflecting unit 3a is a combination of a concave spherical surface and a convex spherical surface. Is formed. Thus, when light from the light source 2 is reflected, the light source image G generated on the rear side of the reflecting unit 3a by the convex spherical surface and the second light source image G 'generated on the front side of the reflecting unit 3a by the concave spherical surface. 2
At this time, the second light source image G 'is close to the inner lens 5 and larger than the light source image G, so that the light emission of the vehicle lamp 1 when viewed through the lenticular polygonal prisms 6 and 7 is obtained. The surface becomes even more novel.

FIG. 8 shows a fifth embodiment of the vehicular lamp 1 according to the present invention as a main part. In each of the first to fourth embodiments, the lenticular polygonal prism 6 is attached to the inner lens 5. Although provided, it may be provided on the back side of the outer lens 4 (not shown). By doing so, the inner lens 5 can be omitted, and the cost of the vehicle lamp 1 can be reduced.

However, when both the lenticular polygonal prism 6 and the lenticular polygonal prism 7 are provided, in the case of the outer lens 4, unevenness on the surface side is disadvantageous in terms of adhesion of dirt, etc. As shown in the sixth embodiment, it is preferable that both lenticular polygonal prisms 6 and 7 are provided only on the rear side as a combination of the two in a lattice shape.

[0031]

As described above, according to the present invention, at least one light source is covered from the back and a plurality of reflection units are assembled to form a multi-reflector structure, and a lenticular polygon covering the front of the multi-reflector. A vehicular lamp comprising a lens provided with a prism, wherein the reflection unit has a diffusion angle of at least １ ／ or more of a difference in refraction angle provided between the prisms of the lenticular polygonal prism. As a result, it is possible to provide a vehicular lamp in which the appearance changes greatly between when turned off and when turned on, and it has an extremely excellent effect of increasing attention and improving visibility, and the novelty of the vehicle It also has an excellent effect in improving the design.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a first embodiment of a vehicular lamp according to the present invention in a partially broken state.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken along line AA of FIG.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory view showing a method of forming a light distribution characteristic of the vehicular lamp according to the present invention.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing how the vehicular lamp according to the present invention looks when it is turned on.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing a main part of a second embodiment of the vehicle lamp according to the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a front view showing a main part of a third embodiment of the vehicle lamp according to the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view showing a main part of a fourth embodiment of a vehicular lamp according to the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a front view showing a fifth embodiment of a vehicular lamp according to the present invention in a main part.

FIG. 9 is a plan view showing a main part of a vehicle lamp according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a sectional view showing a conventional example.

FIG. 11 is a sectional view showing another conventional example.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Vehicle lamp 2 ... Light source 3 ... Reflector 3a ... Reflecting unit 4 ... Outer lens 5 ... Inner lens 6, 7 ... Lenticular polygonal prism G ... Light source image

Claims (6)

[Claims] 1. A reflector having a multi-reflector configuration in which at least one light source is covered from the back and a plurality of reflection units are assembled, and a lens provided with a lenticular polygonal prism covering the front of the reflector. A vehicular lamp, wherein the reflection unit has a diffusion angle of at least の or more of a difference between refraction angles provided between the respective lenticular polygonal prisms. 2. The vehicular lamp according to claim 1, wherein each of the reflection units is provided on the surface of the reflector as a lattice in a vertical, horizontal, or oblique direction. 3. The vehicular lamp according to claim 1, wherein each of the reflection units is formed as a composite of two or more curved surfaces. 4. The vehicle according to claim 1, wherein each of the reflection units has an axial direction of reflection adjusted, and a light distribution characteristic is configured by the adjustment. Lights. 5. The vehicle lamp is provided with an inner lens and an outer lens, and the lenticular polygonal prism lens is provided on one or both surfaces of the inner lens, and provided on both surfaces. The vehicular lamp according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the lenticular polygonal prism lenses have axes substantially orthogonal to each other when the lens is turned on. 6. The vehicular lamp is provided with only an outer lens, and the lenticular polygonal prism lens is provided on one or both surfaces of the outer lens. The vehicular lamp according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the axes of the lenticular polygonal prism lenses are substantially orthogonal.