Vehicle lamp structure

A rear combination lamp is configured to include a door-side lamp portion, which has a first LED, a first housing, and a first lens, and a fender-side lamp portion, which has a second LED, a second housing, and a second lens. The door-side lamp portion and the fender-side lamp portion are disposed adjacent to one another in the vehicle width direction. Moreover, a second lamp-side reflector that reflects toward the second lens the light emitted from the second LED is disposed between the second housing and the second lens. Part of the second lamp-side reflector is configured as an interstitial reflecting portion that reflects the light emitted from the second LED between the first lens and the second lens.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a vehicle lamp structure.

RELATED ART

Conventionally, an integrated type vehicle lamp (vehicle combination lamp) equipped with a cornering lamp and a side turn lamp has been disclosed (e.g., see Japanese Patent Application (JP-A) No. 2007-53046). To briefly describe the technology described in this document, in the vehicle lamp, a cornering lamp bulb and a side turn lamp bulb are disposed at the vehicle front side and the vehicle rear side, respectively, of a region demarcated between a lamp body and a lamp lens. Furthermore, a diffusing portion is disposed in the boundary portion between the region of the vehicle lamp at the vehicle front side and the region of the vehicle lamp on the vehicle rear side. Light emitted from the side turn lamp bulb is diffused by the diffusing portion, and thus the visibility of the side turn lamp from the side of the vehicle is improved.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

Technical Problem

However, in a case in which the vehicle lamp described in JP-A No. 2007-53046 is made into a separate type, in which the cornering lamp and the side turn lamp are separate, and the cornering lamp and the side turn lamp are disposed in close proximity to one another, it is conceivable that the space between the cornering lamp and the side turn lamp will not be illuminated or that the space between the cornering lamp and the side turn lamp will be dark. In this case, the lamp lacks a sense of unity.

In consideration of the circumstances described above, it is an object of the present invention to obtain a vehicle lamp structure that can improve the sense of unity of a lamp configured to be a separate type.

Solution to Problem

A vehicle lamp structure pertaining to a first aspect includes: a first lamp that has a first housing to which a first light source is attached and a first lens that covers the first light source as a result of being fixed to the first housing and that transmits light emitted from the first light source; a second lamp that is disposed adjacent to the first lamp and has a second housing to which a second light source is attached and a second lens that covers the second light source as a result of being fixed to the second housing and that transmits light emitted from the second light source; and a second lamp-side reflector that is disposed between the second housing and the second lens and reflects toward the second lens the light emitted from the second light source, with a part of the second lamp-side reflector is configured as an interstitial reflecting portion that reflects between the first lens and the second lens the light emitted from the second light source.

According to this aspect, the first lamp and the second lamp are disposed adjacent to one another. When light is emitted from the first light source supported on the first housing, the light is transmitted through the first lens. That is, the first lamp lights up. When light is emitted from the second light source supported on the second housing, the light is reflected by the second lamp-side reflector and is thereafter transmitted through the second lens. That is, the second lamp lights up. Here, in the present aspect, part of the second lamp-side reflector is configured as the interstitial reflecting portion that reflects between the first lens and the second lens the light emitted from the second light source. Therefore, when the second lamp lights up, the space between the first lamp and the second lamp is illuminated.

A vehicle lamp structure pertaining to a second aspect is the first aspect, wherein a second lamp-side leg portion that extends along the first lens and an opposing portion that extends along the interstitial reflecting portion from an end portion of the second lamp-side leg portion on the second housing side are disposed in the second lens.

According to this aspect, the second lens has the second lamp-side leg portion and the opposing portion. Therefore, part of the light reflected by the interstitial reflecting portion of the second lamp-side reflector is transmitted through the opposing portion and illuminates the space between the first lamp and the second lamp. Furthermore, another part of the light reflected by the interstitial reflecting portion of the second lamp-side reflector is introduced into the opposing portion and is thereafter emitted from the end portion (the end portion on the side away from the second housing) of the second lamp-side leg portion. Therefore, in a state in which the second lamp is lit up, the area of the second lamp near the second lamp-side leg portion is prevented from becoming dark.

A vehicle lamp structure pertaining to a third aspect is the second aspect, wherein a lens cut that introduces, into the second lens, the light emitted from the interstitial reflecting portion toward the opposing portion, is disposed in the opposing portion.

According to this aspect, the lens cut is disposed at the opposing portion of the second lens. Therefore, it becomes easier for the light reflected by the interstitial reflecting portion of the second lamp-side reflector to be introduced through the opposing portion and into the second lens. Furthermore, the light introduced into the opposing portion is emitted from the end portion (the end portion on the side away from the second housing) of the second lamp-side leg portion. Therefore, in a state in which the second lamp is lit up, the area of the second lamp near the second lamp-side leg portion is prevented from becoming dark.

A vehicle lamp structure pertaining to a fourth aspect is the second aspect or the third aspect, wherein a second lamp-side inner diffuser that diffuses the light reflected by the second lamp-side reflector is disposed between the second lamp-side reflector and the second lens, and a step portion having an end portion of the second lamp-side inner diffuser disposed in close proximity thereto is formed in the second lamp-side leg portion.

According to this aspect, the second lamp-side inner diffuser that diffuses the light reflected by the second lamp-side reflector is disposed between the second lamp-side reflector and the second lens. Therefore, the light reflected by the second lamp-side reflector is diffused by the second lamp-side inner diffuser and is transmitted through the second lens. Because of that, the second lamp is illuminated more uniformly. Furthermore, the light introduced into the second lamp-side inner diffuser travels toward the end portion of the second lamp-side inner diffuser, and the light is introduced from the step portion formed in the second lamp-side leg portion of the second lens into the second lamp-side leg portion. Then, the light introduced into the second lamp-side leg portion is emitted from the end portion (the end portion on the side away from the second housing) of the second lamp-side leg portion.

A vehicle lamp structure pertaining to a fifth aspect is the fourth aspect, wherein a first lamp-side reflector that reflects toward the first lens the light emitted from the first light source, and a first lamp-side inner diffuser that diffuses the light reflected by the first lamp-side reflector, are disposed between the first housing and the first lens, a first lamp-side leg portion that extends along the second lamp-side leg portion is disposed in the first lens, and a step portion having an end portion of the first lamp-side inner diffuser disposed in close proximity thereto is formed in this first lamp-side leg portion.

According to this aspect, the first lamp-side reflector and the first lamp-side inner diffuser are disposed between the first housing and the first lens. Therefore, the light reflected by the first lamp-side reflector is diffused by the first lamp-side inner diffuser and is transmitted through the first lens. Because of this, the first lamp is illuminated more uniformly. Furthermore, the light introduced into the first lamp-side inner diffuser travels toward the end portion of the first lamp-side inner diffuser, and the light is introduced from the step portion formed in the first lamp-side leg portion of the first lens into the first lamp-side leg portion. Then, the light introduced into the first lamp-side leg portion is emitted from the end portion (the end portion on the side away from the first housing) of the first lamp-side leg portion.

A vehicle lamp structure pertaining to a sixth aspect is the fifth aspect, wherein an end portion of the first lamp-side leg portion on the side away from the first housing or an end portion of the second lamp-side leg portion on a side further away from the second housing is configured as a corner portion at which an angle formed by the corner portion and a direction in which the first lamp-side leg portion or the second lamp-side leg portion extends is set to an angle that is less than an angle of total reflection.

According to this aspect, the end portion (the end portion on the side away from the first housing) of the first lamp-side leg portion and the end portion (the end portion on the side away from the second housing) of the second lamp-side leg portion is configured as the corner portions. Therefore, the light traveling toward the end portion of the first lamp-side leg portion and the light traveling toward the end portion of the second lamp-side leg portion are emitted from the end portion of the first lamp-side leg portion and the end portion of the second lamp-side leg portion without being totally reflected by the end portion of the first lamp-side leg portion and the end portion of the second lamp-side leg portion.

Effects of Invention

The vehicle lamp structure pertaining to the first aspect has the advantageous effect of improving the sense of unity of a lamp configured to be a separate type.

The vehicle lamp structure pertaining to the second aspect has the advantageous effect of preventing the region of the second lamp that is in close proximity to the first lamp from being dark.

The vehicle lamp structure pertaining to the third aspect has the advantageous effect of further preventing the region of the second lamp that is in close proximity to the first lamp from being dark.

The vehicle lamp structure pertaining to the fourth aspect has the advantageous effect that it can more uniformly illuminate the second lamp and can prevent the region of the second lamp that is in close proximity to the first lamp from being dark.

The vehicle lamp structure pertaining to the fifth aspect has the advantageous effect that it can more uniformly illuminate the first lamp and can prevent the region of the first lamp that is in close proximity to the second lamp from being dark.

The vehicle lamp structure pertaining to the sixth aspect has the advantageous effect of further preventing the region of the first lamp that is in close proximity to the second lamp and the region of the second lamp that is in close proximity to the first lamp from being dark.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENT

Next, a vehicle lamp structure pertaining to an embodiment of the present invention will be described usingFIG. 1toFIG. 4. Note that arrow FR indicates frontward in the vehicle front-rear direction, arrow OUT indicates outward in the vehicle width direction, and arrow UP indicates upward in the vehicle up-down direction. Furthermore, in cases in which the directions of front-rear and up-down are indicated in the following description, these will be understood to mean front-rear in the vehicle front-rear direction and up-down in the vehicle up-down direction.

As shown inFIG. 4, the vehicle lamp structure of the present embodiment is applied to a rear combination lamp10serving as a vehicle lamp disposed on the rear portion of the vehicle. The rear combination lamp10is configured to have a door-side lamp portion12, which is configured as a first lamp attached to a non-illustrated back door that closes a back door open portion, and a fender-side lamp portion14, which is configured as a second lamp attached to a rear end portion of a non-illustrated rear fender. Furthermore, the door-side lamp portion12and the fender-side lamp portion14are disposed adjacent to one another in a state in which the back door is closed. Below, first the door-side lamp portion12will be described and then the fender-side lamp portion14will be described.

The door-side lamp portion12is configured to have a back lamp16, which emits substantially white light in the vehicle rear direction to thereby let another party know that the vehicle will back up, and a tail lamp18, which emits red light in the vehicle rear direction to thereby let another party know of the existence of the vehicle.

As shown inFIG. 1, the door-side lamp portion12having the back lamp16and the tail lamp18is equipped with a first housing20that supports the door-side lamp portion12as a result of being fixed to the back door and supports light sources (a back lamp incandescent bulb and a first LED22serving as a first light source) of the back lamp16and the tail lamp18. Furthermore, the door-side lamp portion12is equipped with a first lens24that covers the back lamp incandescent bulb (not shown in the drawings) and the first LED22as a result of being fixed to the first housing20, and transmits the light emitted from the back lamp incandescent bulb and the first LED22. Moreover, a first lamp-side reflector26that reflects toward the first lens24the light emitted from the first LED22and a first lamp-side inner diffuser28that diffuses the light reflected by the first lamp-side reflector26are disposed between the first housing20and the first lens24.

The first housing20is formed in a box shape that is open in the vehicle rear direction, and the first housing20includes a bottom wall32that is fixed to a back door panel30that configures part of the back door. Reflector attachment portions32A, which are formed in convex shapes in the vehicle rear direction and to which the first lamp-side reflector26described in detail later is attached, are formed in the bottom wall32. The first housing20includes an inner wall34that extends in the vehicle rear direction from the vehicle width direction inside end portion of the bottom wall32. The vehicle rear side end portion of the inner wall34is configured as a fixing portion34A to which the first lens24is fixed. Moreover, the first housing20includes an outer wall36that extends in the vehicle rear direction from the vehicle width direction outside end portion of the bottom wall32. The outer wall36extends in the vehicle rear direction while slanting outward in the vehicle width direction, and the vehicle rear side end portion of the outer wall36is configured as a fixing portion36A to which the first lens24is fixed.

The first lens24is formed in a box shape that is open in the vehicle front direction. As shown inFIG. 4, the first lens24includes a bottom wall38, which extends in the vehicle width direction and the vehicle up-down direction and is formed in a rectangular shape that narrows toward inward in the vehicle width direction as seen from the vehicle rear direction. The region of the bottom wall38on the vehicle upper side is configured as a back lamp light-transmitting portion38A that is colorless and transparent. The region on the lower side of the back lamp light-transmitting portion38A is configured as a tail lamp light-transmitting portion38B that is red and transparent. Furthermore, as shown inFIG. 1, the vehicle width direction inside end portion of the bottom wall38is fixed to the fixing portion34A of the first housing20.

As shown inFIG. 2, the first lens24includes a first lamp-side leg portion40that extends in the vehicle front direction from the vehicle width direction outside end portion of the bottom wall38. The vehicle rear side region of the first lamp-side leg portion40is configured as a thick-walled portion40A whose plate thickness in the vehicle width direction is thick, and the vehicle front side region of the first lamp-side leg portion40is configured as a thin-walled portion40B whose plate thickness in the vehicle width direction is thin compared to the thick-walled portion40A. The front end portion of the thin-walled portion40B is bent inward in the vehicle width direction, and the distal end of this bent region is fixed to the fixing portion36A of the first housing20. A step portion42is formed at the boundary portion between the thick-walled portion40A and the thin-walled portion40B and in the vehicle width direction inside surface of the first lamp-side leg portion40. Moreover, as shown inFIG. 3, the rear end portion (the end portion on the side away from the first housing20) of the thick-walled portion40A of the first lamp-side leg portion40is configured as a corner portion44at which an angle θ1formed by that corner portion44and the direction in which the thick-walled portion40A extends is set to an angle less than an angle of total reflection. In the present embodiment, because the first lens24is formed using acrylic resin, the angle θ1is set to an angle less than 42.2 degrees.

As shown inFIG. 1, the first lamp-side reflector26is formed in a plate shape that extends in the vehicle width direction and the vehicle up-down direction, and support portions46supported on the reflector attachment portions32A of the first housing20are disposed upright on the vehicle front side surface of the first lamp-side reflector26. The vehicle rear side surface of the first lamp-side reflector26is finished to a mirror surface by aluminum deposition or the like.

The first LED22is attached to the vehicle width direction inside end portion of a base plate48, and the first LED22emits light as a result of electrical power being supplied via the base plate48. Moreover, the first LED22is fixed inside the door-side lamp portion12as a result of the base plate48being supported on the first housing20. A concave reflector50is disposed on the rear side of the first LED22. Because of this concave reflector50, the light of the first LED22is reflected toward the vehicle rear surface of the first lamp-side reflector26.

The first lamp-side inner diffuser28is disposed at the vehicle rear side of the first lamp-side reflector26, and the first lamp-side inner diffuser28is formed in a plate shape that extends in the vehicle width direction and the vehicle up-down direction. A non-illustrated lens cut for diffusing the light of the first LED22reflected by the first lamp-side reflector26is disposed in the first lamp-side inner diffuser28. When the light of the first LED22is transmitted through the first lamp-side inner diffuser28, the light of the first LED22is diffused in a wide range in the vehicle width direction and the vehicle up-down direction. Moreover, as shown inFIG. 2, the vehicle width direction inside end portion of the first lamp-side inner diffuser28is supported on the reflector50, and the vehicle width direction outside end portion of the first lamp-side inner diffuser28is disposed in close proximity to the step portion42formed in the first lamp-side leg portion40of the first lens24.

As shown inFIG. 4, the fender-side lamp portion14is configured to have: a tail and stop lamp52that lights up at substantially the same illuminance as that of the tail lamp18of the door-side lamp portion12to thereby let another party know of the existence of the vehicle and, when the vehicle decelerates, lights up at a higher illuminance to thereby let another party know that the vehicle is decelerating; two stop lamps54that light up independently of the tail and stop lamp52to thereby let another party know that the vehicle is decelerating; and a turn signal lamp56that flashes in a predetermined cycle to thereby let another party know, for example, that the vehicle will turn.

Furthermore, as shown inFIG. 1, the fender-side lamp portion14is equipped with a second housing62that supports the fender-side lamp portion14as a result of being fixed to a rear end portion58of a rear fender, and that supports the light sources (a second LED60serving as a second light source, a stop lamp LED (not shown in the drawings), and a turn signal lamp incandescent bulb (not shown in the drawings)) of the tail and stop lamp52, the stop lamps54, and the turn signal lamp56. Furthermore, the fender-side lamp portion14is equipped with a second lens64that covers the second LED60, the stop lamp LED, and the turn signal lamp incandescent bulb as a result of being fixed to the second housing62and transmits the light emitted from the second LED60, the stop lamp LED, and the turn signal lamp incandescent bulb. A second lamp-side reflector66that reflects toward the second lens64the light emitted from the second LED60, and a second lamp-side inner diffuser68that diffuses the light reflected by the second lamp-side reflector66, are disposed between the second housing62and the second lens64.

The second housing62is formed in a box shape that is open in the vehicle rear direction, and is equipped with a bottom wall70that is fixed to the rear end portion58of the rear fender. A bulging portion70A that bulges in the vehicle rear direction is formed in the vehicle width direction middle portion of the bottom wall70. A projecting portion72that projects in the vehicle front direction is formed on the vehicle width direction outside end portion of the bottom wall70, and the vehicle width direction outside end portion of the projecting portion72is configured as a fixing portion72A to which the second lens64is fixed. The second housing62is equipped with a first inner wall portion74that extends in the vehicle front direction from the vehicle width direction inside end portion of the bottom wall70, a slanted wall portion76that extends in the vehicle rear direction while slanting inward in the vehicle width direction from the rear end of the first inner wall portion74, and a second inner wall portion78that extends in the vehicle front direction from the vehicle width direction inside end portion of the slanted wall portion76. The boundary portion between the slanted wall portion76and the second inner wall portion78projects in the vehicle rear direction, and the distal end of this projecting section80is configured as a fixing portion80A to which the second lens64is fixed.

The second lens64is formed in a box shape that is open in the vehicle front direction. As shown inFIG. 4, the second lens64is equipped with a bottom wall82that extends in the vehicle width direction and the vehicle up-down direction, and is formed in a substantially rectangular shape as seen from the vehicle rear direction. The region of the bottom wall82at the vehicle upper side is configured as tail lamp and stop lamp light-transmitting portions82A that are red and transparent, and the region of the bottom wall82at the vehicle lower side is configured as a turn signal lamp light-transmitting portion82B that is orange and transparent. As shown inFIG. 1, the second lens64is equipped with an outside leg portion84that extends in the vehicle front direction from the vehicle width direction outside end portion of the bottom wall82. The distal end of the outside leg portion84is fixed to the fixing portion72A of the second housing62. Moreover, a garnish86is disposed on the vehicle width direction outside of the outside leg portion84.

Furthermore, as shown inFIG. 2, the second lens64is equipped with a second lamp-side leg portion88that extends along the first lamp-side leg portion40of the first lens24from the vehicle width direction inside end portion of the bottom wall82. The vehicle rear side region of the second lamp-side leg portion88is configured as a thick-walled portion88A whose plate thickness in the vehicle width direction is thick, and the vehicle front side region of the second lamp-side leg portion88is configured as a thin-walled portion88B whose plate thickness in the vehicle width direction is thin compared to the thick-walled portion88A. A step portion90is formed at the boundary portion between the thick-walled portion88A and the thin-walled portion88B and in the vehicle width direction outside surface of the second lamp-side leg portion88. As shown inFIG. 3, the rear end portion (the end portion on the side away from the second housing62) of the thick-walled portion88A of the second lamp-side leg portion88is configured as a corner portion92at which an angle θ2formed by that corner portion92and the direction in which the thick-walled portion88A extends is set to an angle less than an angle of total reflection. In the present embodiment, because the second lens64is formed using acrylic resin similarly to the first lens24, the angle θ2is set to an angle less than 42.2 degrees.

As shown inFIG. 2, the second lens64is equipped with an extension portion94that extends inward in the vehicle width direction from the front end portion of the second lamp-side leg portion88. The extension portion94has an opposing portion94A, in which the base end side of the extension portion94extends in the vehicle width direction, and a slanted wall portion94B, in which the distal end side (vehicle width direction inside) of the extension portion94is bent in the vehicle front direction. A lens cut96that introduces into the second lens64the light emitted from an interstitial reflecting portion66A toward the opposing portion94A is formed in the vehicle front surface of the opposing portion94A. The distal end of the slanted wall portion94B is fixed to the fixing portion80A of the second housing62.

As shown inFIG. 1, the second lamp-side reflector66is formed in a plate shape that extends in the vehicle up-down direction, and the second lamp-side reflector66is disposed slanting outward in the vehicle width direction. A support portion98supported on the second housing62is disposed upright at the vehicle front surface of the second lamp-side reflector66. The vehicle rear surface of the second lamp-side reflector66is finished to a mirror surface by aluminum deposition or the like. The light emitted from the second LED60can be thereby reflected toward the bottom wall82of the second lens64. The vehicle width direction inside end portion of the second lamp-side reflector66is configured as an interstitial reflecting portion66A that is disposed along the slanted wall portion76of the second housing62, and the interstitial reflecting portion66A is disposed opposing the opposing portion94A of the second lens64in the vehicle front-rear direction. The light emitted from the second LED60can be thereby reflected, via the interstitial reflecting portion66A, between the first lamp-side leg portion40of the first lens24and the second lamp-side leg portion88of the second lens64.

The second LED60is attached to the vehicle width direction outside end portion of a base plate100, and similarly to the first LED22, the second LED60emits light as a result of electrical power being supplied via the base plate100. Moreover, the second LED60is fixed inside the fender-side lamp portion14as a result of the base plate100being supported on the second housing62. A concave reflector102is disposed at the rear side of the second LED60. Because of this concave reflector102, the light of the second LED60is reflected toward the vehicle rear surface of the second lamp-side reflector66.

The second lamp-side inner diffuser68is disposed at the vehicle rear side of the second lamp-side reflector66, and the second lamp-side inner diffuser68is formed in a plate shape that extends in substantially the same direction as the second lamp-side reflector66. A non-illustrated lens cut for diffusing the light of the second LED60reflected by the second lamp-side reflector66is disposed at the second lamp-side inner diffuser68. When the light of the second LED60is transmitted through the second lamp-side inner diffuser68, the light of the second LED60is diffused in a wide range in the vehicle width direction and the vehicle up-down direction. As shown inFIG. 2, the vehicle width direction inside end portion of the second lamp-side inner diffuser68is disposed in close proximity to the step portion90formed in the second lamp-side leg portion88of the second lens64.

Operation and Effects of Present Embodiment

Next, the operation and effects of the present embodiment will be described.

As shown inFIG. 1, in the present embodiment, when light is emitted from the first LED22, the light is transmitted through the first lens24. That is, the tail lamp18(seeFIG. 4) lights up. When light is emitted from the second LED60, the light is reflected by the second lamp-side reflector66and is thereafter transmitted through the second lens64. That is, the tail and stop lamp52lights up. Here, in the present embodiment, part of the second lamp-side reflector66is configured as the interstitial reflecting portion66A that reflects the light emitted from the second LED60between the first lamp-side leg portion40of the first lens24and the second lamp-side leg portion88of the second lens64. Therefore, when the tail and stop lamp52lights up, the space between the first lamp-side leg portion40of the first lens24and the second lamp-side leg portion88of the second lens64is illuminated (the space between the door-side lamp portion12and the fender-side lamp portion14is illuminated). That is, in the present embodiment, the sense of unity of the rear combination lamp10configured to be a separate type can be improved.

Furthermore, in the present embodiment, the second lens64has the second lamp-side leg portion88and the opposing portion94A. Therefore, part of the light reflected by the interstitial reflecting portion66A of the second lamp-side reflector66is transmitted through the opposing portion94A and illuminates the space between the first lamp-side leg portion40of the first lens24and the second lamp-side leg portion88of the second lens64. Another part of the light reflected by the interstitial reflecting portion66A of the second lamp-side reflector66is introduced into the opposing portion94A and is thereafter emitted from the end portion (the end portion on the side away from the second housing) of the second lamp-side leg portion88. Therefore, in a state in which the tail and stop lamp52is lit up, the area of the tail and stop lamp52near the second lamp-side leg portion can be prevented from being dark.

Moreover, as shown inFIG. 2, in the present embodiment, the lens cut96is disposed at the opposing portion94A of the second lens64. Therefore, it is easier for the light reflected by the interstitial reflecting portion66A of the second lamp-side reflector66to be introduced through the opposing portion94A and into the second lens64. The light introduced into the opposing portion94A is emitted from the end portion (the end portion on the side away from the second housing62) of the second lamp-side leg portion88. Therefore, in a state in which the tail and stop lamp52is lit up, the area of the tail and stop lamp52near the second lamp-side leg portion88can further be prevented from being dark.

Furthermore, as shown inFIG. 1, in the present embodiment, the second lamp-side inner diffuser68that diffuses the light reflected by the second lamp-side reflector66is disposed between the second lamp-side reflector66and the second lens64. Therefore, the light reflected by the second lamp-side reflector66is diffused by the second lamp-side inner diffuser68and is transmitted through the second lens64. This thereby enables the tail and stop lamp52to be illuminated more uniformly. The light introduced into the second lamp-side inner diffuser68travels toward the end portion (the vehicle width direction inside end portion) of the second lamp-side inner diffuser68, and the light is introduced from the step portion90formed in the second lamp-side leg portion88of the second lens64into the second lamp-side leg portion88. Then, the light introduced into the second lamp-side leg portion88is emitted from the end portion (the end portion on the side away from the second housing62) of the second lamp-side leg portion88. Therefore, in the present embodiment, the area of the tail and stop lamp52near the second lamp-side leg portion88can further be prevented from being dark.

Moreover, in the present embodiment, the first lamp-side reflector26and the first lamp-side inner diffuser28are disposed between the first housing20and the first lens24. Therefore, the light reflected by the first lamp-side reflector26is diffused by the first lamp-side inner diffuser28and is transmitted through the first lens24. The tail lamp18can be thereby illuminated more uniformly. Furthermore, the light introduced into the first lamp-side inner diffuser28travels toward the end portion (the vehicle width direction outside end portion) of the first lamp-side inner diffuser28, and the light is introduced from the step portion42formed in the first lamp-side leg portion40of the first lens24into the first lamp-side leg portion40. Then, the light introduced into the first lamp-side leg portion40is emitted from the end portion (the end portion on the side away from the first housing20) of the first lamp-side leg portion40. In the present embodiment, the area of the tail lamp18near the first lamp-side leg portion40can be thereby prevented from becoming dark.

Furthermore, as shown inFIG. 3, in the present embodiment, the rear end portion of the first lamp-side leg portion40and the rear end portion of the second lamp-side leg portion88are configured as the corner portions44and92. Therefore, the light traveling toward the rear end portion of the first lamp-side leg portion40and the light traveling toward the rear end portion of the second lamp-side leg portion88are emitted from the rear end portion of the first lamp-side leg portion40and the rear end portion of the second lamp-side leg portion88without being totally reflected by the corner portions44and92. In the present embodiment, the boundary portion between the door-side lamp portion12and the fender-side lamp portion14can be thereby prevented from becoming dark.

Moreover, as shown inFIG. 2, in the present embodiment, the distal end of the extension portion94of the second lens64(the distal end of the slanted wall portion94B) is fixed to the fixing portion80A of the second housing62. Therefore, compared to a case where the end portion of the second lamp-side leg portion88on the second housing62side is fixed to the second housing62, it becomes more difficult to be affected by the vehicle width direction dimension of the fixing portion80A, and the first lamp-side leg portion40of the first lens24and the second lamp-side leg portion88of the second lens64can be disposed in close proximity to one another. That is, the door-side lamp portion12and the fender-side lamp portion14that configure the rear combination lamp10can be disposed in close proximity to one another. In the present embodiment, the sense of unity of the rear combination lamp10configured to be a separate type can be thereby improved.

Next, the action and effects in a state in which the tail lamp18and the tail and stop lamp52are not lit up will be described.

In the present embodiment, when, due to sunlight or the like being emitted toward the bottom wall82of the second lens64, that light such as sunlight enters the second lens64, the light travels from the second lamp-side leg portion88toward the extension portion94, and the light is emitted from the opposing portion94A of the extension portion94toward the space between the first lamp-side leg portion40and the second lamp-side leg portion88. Therefore, the space between the first lamp-side leg portion40and the second lamp-side leg portion88(the interstice between the door-side lamp portion12and the fender-side lamp portion14) is prevented from appearing dark. In the present embodiment, the sense of unity of the rear combination lamp10can be thereby improved even in a state in which the tail lamp18and the tail and stop lamp52are not lit up.

Furthermore, in the present embodiment, the first lamp-side inner diffuser28is disposed inside the door-side lamp portion12and the second lamp-side inner diffuser68is disposed inside the fender-side lamp portion14. Therefore, when light such as sunlight is introduced into the inner diffusers (into the first lamp-side inner diffuser28and the second lamp-side inner diffuser68), the light travels toward the end portions of the inner diffusers, and the light is introduced from the step portions42and90formed in the first lamp-side leg portion40of the first lens24and the second lamp-side leg portion88of the second lens64into the first lamp-side leg portion40and into the second lamp-side leg portion88. Then, the light introduced into the first lamp-side leg portion40and into the second lamp-side leg portion88is emitted from the end portions (the vehicle rear side end portions) of the first lamp-side leg portion40and the second lamp-side leg portion88. Therefore, the boundary portion between the door-side lamp portion12and the fender-side lamp portion14is prevented from appearing dark, and the sense of unity of the rear combination lamp10is improved even more.

In the present embodiment, an example has been described where the step portions42and90are disposed in the first lamp-side leg portion40of the first lens24and the second lamp-side leg portion88of the second lens64and where the end portions of the inner diffusers (the first lamp-side inner diffuser28and the second lamp-side inner diffuser68) are disposed in close proximity to the step portions42and90. However, the present invention is not limited to this. That is, the present invention can also be given a configuration not provided with the step portions42and90, or can also be given a configuration not provided with the inner diffusers. Whether or not to dispose the step portions42and90and the inner diffusers may be appropriately set in consideration of the light reflection characteristics of the reflectors (the first lamp-side reflector26and the second lamp-side reflector66).

Furthermore, in the present embodiment, an example has been described where the rear end portion of the first lamp-side leg portion40and the rear end portion of the second lamp-side leg portion88are configured as the corner portions44and92. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the present invention may also be given a configuration not provided with the corner portions44and92in a case in which the sense of unity of the rear combination lamp10will not be compromised even if the light traveling toward the rear end portion of the first lamp-side leg portion40and the light traveling toward the rear end portion of the second lamp-side leg portion88are totally reflected at these rear end portions.

Moreover, in the present embodiment, an example has been described where the second lens64has the second lamp-side leg portion88and the opposing portion94A. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the present invention can also be given a configuration not provided with the second lamp-side leg portion88and the opposing portion94A in a case in which a sufficient sense of unity for the rear combination lamp10can be obtained by emitting, between the first lamp-side leg portion40of the first lens24and the second lamp-side leg portion88of the second lens64, the light reflected by the interstitial reflecting portion66A of the second lamp-side reflector66.

Furthermore, in the present embodiment, an example has been described where the present invention is applied to the rear combination lamp10. However, the present invention can also be applied to another vehicle lamp configured to be a separate type.

An embodiment of the present invention has been described above, but the present invention is not limited to what is described above, and can of course be modified and implemented in a variety of ways in addition to those described above without departing from the spirit thereof.