Vehicle light

A rear light is a light disposed in a rear portion of a vehicle, and includes: a light source; a light-transmitting plate that guides incident light from the light source; and a dot portion that is disposed on the light-transmitting plate and reflects incident light to the outside of the vehicle with different reflection intensities depending on positions on the light-transmitting plate.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims priority to Japanese Patent Application No. 2018-219747 filed on Nov. 22, 2018, the disclosure of which including the specification, the drawings, and the claims is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND

The present disclosure relates to a vehicle light.

A display board including a light source and a light guide board has been used to date for, for example, a character illuminated type license plate of a vehicle.

Japanese Patent Publication No. 2015-39912 describes a display board in which a dot group constituted by a large number of recesses and projections is provided on a surface of a transparent light guide board facing a reflector such that the surface area of the dots increases as the distance form a light source increases, and minute projections and recesses are formed on the front surfaces of the dots and on the back surfaces of the light guide board such that numbers and characters on a license plate can be uniformly illuminated.

It is generally known that light-emission intensity decreases as the distance from the light source increases. In some cases of a vehicle light, for example, a structure in which light emission intensity increases at an intended position independently of the distance from the light source is demanded under the request for aesthetic design.

SUMMARY

In view of the foregoing situations, the present disclosure provides a vehicle light with aesthetic design capable of increasing light-emission intensity at an intended position, independently of a distance from a light source.

A vehicle light disclosed here is a vehicle light disposed in a front portion or a rear portion of a vehicle and includes a light source; a light-transmitting plate that guides incident light from the light source; and a reflection portion disposed on the light-transmitting plate, the reflection portion being configured to reflect the incident light toward outside of the vehicle with an reflection intensity that varies depending on a position on the light-transmitting plate.

With the presence of the reflection portion in the light-transmitting plate, the light-transmitting plate seems to emit light strongly when seen from the outside of the vehicle because of reflection of incident light on the reflection portion. In this vehicle light, the reflection portion may be configured such that the reflection intensity of incident light increases in a region where the light-emission intensity of the light-transmitting plate needs to be increased, whereas the reflection intensity of incident light decreases in a region where the light-emission intensity needs to be reduced, for example. Then, it is possible to provide the vehicle light with aesthetic design capable of increasing light-emission intensity at an intended position, independently of the distance from the light source.

In one embodiment, the reflection intensity of the incident light on the reflection portion may gradually change in accordance with a distance from the light source.

In this configuration, the reflection portion is configured to change the reflection intensity of incident light gradually so that a natural change of light-emission intensity can be expressed. Accordingly, the light having in such a light-emission mode that the light-emission intensity gradually decreases from a position where the light-emission intensity needs to be increased to a position where the light-emission intensity needs to be reduced can be obtained, and thus, aesthetic design of the vehicle light can be enhanced.

In one embodiment, the vehicle light may include a main light-emitting part that illuminates space in front of or at rear of the vehicle, the light-transmitting plate extends from the main light-emitting part in a vehicle longitudinal direction, and is disposed at a side surface of the vehicle, the light-transmitting plate may include the light source at an end opposite to a position where the main light-emitting part is disposed, and the reflection intensity of the incident light on the reflection portion may gradually increase toward the main light-emitting part.

The main light-emitting part is disposed at one end of the light-transmitting plate extending in the vehicle longitudinal direction, whereas the light source is disposed at the other end. In this embodiment, the reflection intensity of incident light by the reflection portion is gradually increased as the distance to the main light-emitting part decreases, that is, as the distance from the light source increases, so that a natural decrease of the light-emission intensity continuous from the main light-emitting part can be expressed. Then, the vehicle light with aesthetic design capable of providing a natural light-emission mode can be provided.

In one embodiment, the reflection intensity of the incident light on the reflection portion may gradually change in a vehicle longitudinal direction.

With this configuration, a light-emission mode in which the light-emission intensity gradually increases or gradually decreases in the vehicle longitudinal direction can be obtained, and thus, the vehicle light with aesthetic design can be provided.

In one embodiment, the reflection intensity of the incident light on the reflection portion may be larger in a portion away from the light source than in a portion close to the light source.

With this configuration, the light-emission intensity is increased even at a position away from the light source so that the vehicle light with aesthetic design can be provided.

In one embodiment, the reflection portion may be a dot portion constituted by a large number of recesses and/or a large number of projections disposed on a back surface of the light-transmitting plate, and the number of the recesses and/or the projections per a unit area may be larger in a portion away from the light source than in a portion close to the light source.

Light incident on the light-transmitting plate from the light source travels in the light-transmitting plate and is reflected on the wall surfaces of the recesses and/or the projections toward the front surface. Then, as the number of the recesses and/or the projections per a unit area increases, the reflection intensity of incident light increases. Accordingly, increase in the number of the recesses and/or the projections in a region away from the light source relative to a region close to the light source enables the vehicle light to have aesthetic design and a light-emission mode in which the light-emission intensity increases as the distance from the light source increases.

In one embodiment, the reflection portion may be a dot portion constituted by a large number of recesses and/or a large number of projections disposed on a back surface of the light-transmitting plate, and a size of the recesses and/or the projections may be larger in a portion away from the light source than in a portion close to the light source.

Light incident on the light-transmitting plate from the light source travels in the light-transmitting plate, and is reflected on the wall surfaces of the recesses and/or the projections, that is, on the reflection surfaces, toward the front surface. Then, as the size of the recesses and/or the projections increases, the area of the reflection surfaces that reflect incident light increases, and thus, the reflection intensity of incident light increases. Accordingly, increase in the size of the recesses and/or the projections in a region away from the light source relative to a region close to the light source enables the vehicle light to have aesthetic design and a light-emission mode in which the light-emission intensity increases as the distance from the light source increases.

In one embodiment, the reflection portion may be a dot portion constituted by a large number of recesses and/or a large number of projections disposed on a back surface of the light-transmitting plate, and a pitch of the recesses and/or the projections may be smaller in a portion away from the light source than in a portion close to the light source.

Light incident on the light-transmitting plate from the light source travels in the light-transmitting plate and is reflected on the wall surfaces of the recesses and/or the projections toward the front surface. Then, as the pitch of the recesses and/or the projections decreases, the area of the reflection surfaces that reflect incident light per a unit area increases, and thus, the reflection intensity of incident light increases. Accordingly, reduction in the pitch of the recesses and/or the projections in a region away from the light source relative to a region close to the light source enables the vehicle light to have aesthetic design and a light-emission mode in which the light-emission intensity increases as the distance from the light source increases.

In one embodiment, the vehicle light may further include a sub-light-emitting part extending in a vehicle longitudinal direction in a vertically intermediate portion of the light-transmitting plate, the reflection portion may be a dot portion constituted by a large number of recesses and/or a large number of projections disposed on a back surface of the light-transmitting plate, and the recesses may be continuously provided along the sub-light-emitting part at a location adjacent to the sub-light-emitting part.

The area of the reflection surfaces of the recesses on which incident light is reflected is larger than that of the projections. In this embodiment, the presence of recesses at a location adjacent to the sub-light-emitting part can increase the light-emission intensity around the sub-light-emitting part. Then, natural light expansion from the sub-light-emitting part to the light-transmitting plate can be expressed, and thus, the vehicle can be provided with aesthetic design.

In one embodiment, the reflection portion may be a dot portion constituted by a large number of recesses and a large number of projections disposed on a back surface of the light-transmitting plate, and the projections may be disposed in a region where the reflection intensity of the incident light needs to be reduced, whereas the recesses may be disposed in a region where the reflection intensity needs to be increased.

The area of the reflection surfaces of the recesses on which incident light is reflected is larger than that of the projections. In this embodiment, the projections are disposed on a region where the reflection intensity needs to be reduced, whereas the recesses are provided on a region where the reflection intensity needs to be increased so that the light-emission intensity at intended positions can be adjusted. In this manner, a natural light-emitting mode can be obtained, and thus, the vehicle light can be provided with aesthetic design.

The light-transmitting plate may include a first guide portion extending in the vehicle longitudinal direction in an upper portion of the sub-light-emitting part and a second guide portion extending in the vehicle longitudinal direction in a lower portion of the sub-light-emitting part, the first guide portion guides a part of the incident light to a space above the sub-light-emitting part and the second guide portion guides the other part of the incident light to a space below the sub-light-emitting part.

In a case where a light-emitting region is provided around a vehicle constituent member, the configuration may be modified such that two light-transmitting plates are disposed at the upper and lower sides of the vehicle constituent member, and a light source is provided on each of the light-transmitting plates so that a light-emitting region is formed around the members. However, the increases in the numbers of light-transmitting plates and the light sources are not preferable in terms of costs and power consumption. The configuration disclosed here employs the light-transmitting plate including the first guide portion and the second guide portion disposed at upper and lower sides of the sub-light-emitting part in order to avoid the location of the sub-light-emitting part, and incident light from one light source is divided to the first guide portion and the second guide portion. Accordingly, a light-emitting region around the sub-light-emitting part can be formed by using one set of the light-transmitting plate and the light source. In this manner, the vehicle light has aesthetic design, can be manufactured at low costs, and shows low power consumption.

The sub-light-emitting part may be a turn light, for example.

In a case where the sub-light-emitting part is a turn light, the presence of the light-emitting region around the sub-light-emitting part can express natural light expansion around the sub-light-emitting part. Accordingly, the vehicle light has enhanced aesthetic design.

In an alternative configuration, the light source is disposed at the front surface of the light-transmitting plate, incident light from the light source enters the light-transmitting plate from the front surface of the light-transmitting plate, and the light-transmitting plate includes a spectroscopic section for dividing the incident light to the first guide portion and the second guide portion, at the back surface facing the front surface at a location where the light source is disposed.

The spectroscopic section for forcibly dividing the incident light from light source to the first guide portion and the second guide portion can increase the amount of incident light guided to the first guide portion and the second guide portion. In this manner, a sufficient light-emission intensity can be obtained in the light-transmitting plate.

In addition, the spectroscopic section may be a groove that has a V shape in cross section, is recessed toward the front surface, and extends in the vehicle longitudinal direction.

With the groove having a V shape in cross section that is recessed toward the front surface, since the wall surface of the groove is sloped relative to incident light, the incident light is reflected on the slopes and is divided into an upper portion and a lower portion. In this manner, the incident light can be divided to the first guide portion and the second guide portion with a simple configuration.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. The following preferred embodiments are merely examples in nature, and are not intended to limit the disclosure, applications, and use of the applications.

First Embodiment

FIGS. 1 through 3illustrate an appearance and an internal structure of a rear light1as a vehicle light according to this embodiment. The rear light1is a light disposed at a right rear portion of a vehicle (not shown).

Directions herein are defined with respect to the vehicle for convenience of description. Specifically, as illustrated inFIG. 1, a front-rear direction of the vehicle will be referred to as a longitudinal direction, a top-bottom direction of the vehicle will be referred to as a vertical direction, and left and right of the vehicle when seen from the rear will be referred to as “left” and “right,” respectively.

As illustrated inFIGS. 1 and 3, the rear light1includes: a ring-shaped rear light body (taillight)2as a main light-emitting part that emits light toward the rear of the vehicle; a turn light3(sub-light-emitting part, vehicle constituent member) as a light-emitting member continuous to a light-emitting region of the rear light body2and extending in the vehicle longitudinal direction; and an outer frame4and a transparent cover5configured to protect these members and enhance aesthetic design of the rear light1. AlthoughFIG. 1illustrates the rear light1in a state where the transparent cover5is detached,FIG. 3shows the transparent cover5by an imaginary line for understanding.

<Light-Transmitting Plate and Light Source>

As illustrated inFIGS. 2 and 3, a light-transmitting plate100located that sandwiches the top and bottom of the turn light3, is continuous to the rear light body2, and extends in the vehicle longitudinal direction is disposed inside the outer frame4. The light-transmitting plate100has a rear end103connected to the rear light body2, and has a front end104(i.e., an end opposite to a position at which the main light-emitting part is disposed) provided with a board121on which a light source122constituted by an LED light is mounted. As described above, in the rear light1, the rear light body2is disposed at the right rear end of the vehicle, and the turn light3, the light-transmitting plate100, and the light source122are disposed at the right side surface of the vehicle. The light-transmitting plate100and the light source122form a light-emitting region located around the turn light3, continuous to the rear light body2, and extending forward.

The light-transmitting plate100is used for guiding incident light from the light source122, and is, for example, a transparent plate member of, for example, an acrylic resin. The light-transmitting plate100may be a flat member or a gently curved member, depending on design of the rear light1.

As illustrated inFIGS. 4 and 5, a plurality of nails109,109, . . . are disposed at a back surface100B of the light-transmitting plate100. The nails109,109, . . . are engaged with unillustrated engagement portions of the vehicle body so that the light-transmitting plate100is attached to the vehicle body.

A slit131extending in the vehicle longitudinal direction is formed in a vertically intermediate portion of the light-transmitting plate100. The turn light3is disposed in the slit131. That is, the light-transmitting plate100is branched by the slit131into a first guide portion101extending from the front end104rearward above the turn light3and a second guide portion102extending from the front end104reward below the turn light3. The first guide portion101guides a part of incident light from the light source122to a space above the turn light3, and the second guide portion102guides the other part of the incident light to a space below the turn light3.

In this manner, the light-transmitting plate100having the branched portion and one light source122form a light-emitting region around the turn light3so that the rear light1has enhanced aesthetic design, can be manufactured at low costs, and shows low power consumption.

As illustrated inFIG. 2, the light source122is disposed at a front surface100A of the front end104. As illustrated inFIGS. 5 and 6, the back surface100B facing the front surface100A has a groove105(spectroscopic section) at a position where the light source122of the light-transmitting plate100is disposed. The groove105has a V shape in cross section, is recessed toward the front surface100A, and extends in the vehicle longitudinal direction.

As indicated by arrows inFIG. 6, incident light from the light source122enters the light-transmitting plate100from the front surface100A of the front end104of the light-transmitting plate100. The incident light is reflected by slopes105D and105E of the groove105, and is divided in the vertical direction. As indicated by arrows L1and L2inFIG. 5, the divided incident light is reflected on wall surfaces of an upper curved portion104C and a lower curved portion104D of the front end104of the light-transmitting plate100, and travels toward the first guide portion101and the second guide portion102.

In the manner described above, the groove105as a spectroscopic section for forcibly dividing incident light from the light source122into the first guide portion101and the second guide portion102can increase the amount of incident light guided to the first guide portion101and the second guide portion102with a simple configuration. Accordingly, a sufficient light-emission intensity can be obtained in the light-transmitting plate100.

An angle α formed by the slopes105D and105E of the groove105illustrated inFIG. 6is 30 degrees or more and 120 degrees or less, for example, from the viewpoint of efficiently dividing incident light from the light source122in the vertical direction.

As illustrated inFIGS. 4 and 5, the light-transmitting plate100has a dot portion110(reflection portion) constituted by a large number of projections111and a large number of recesses112disposed on portions of the back surface100B at the back of the first guide portion101and the second guide portion102. The dot portion110is used for reflecting incident light toward the front surface100A. The dot portion110extends from a portion near the front end104to the rear end103in the first guide portion101, and extends from an intermediate portion near the front end104to the rear end103in the second guide portion102.

As illustrated inFIGS. 7 and 8, the projections111are conical projections having circular bases111A as bottom surfaces at the back surface100B. As indicated by arrows inFIG. 8, incident light traveling from the front, hits side surfaces111B of the projections111and is reflected toward the front surface100A.

As illustrated inFIGS. 7 through 9, the recesses112are conical recesses having openings112A as bottom surfaces at the back surface100B. As indicated by arrows inFIG. 9, incident light entering from the front, hits side surfaces112B of the recesses112and is reflected toward the front surface100A.

Incident light is reflected or transmitted on or through the walls of the light-transmitting plate100, and travels to the outside of the light-transmitting plate100. Then, when seen from the outside of the vehicle, that is, from the front surface100A, the light-transmitting plate100seems to emit light. Here, in the rear light1according to this embodiment, reflection of incident light in the dot portion110constituted by the projections111and the recesses112increases reflection intensity of incident light in portions of the light-transmitting plate100where the dot portion110is formed, and when seen from the front surface100A, especially the light-transmitting plate100seems to emit light strongly.

As schematically illustrated inFIGS. 4 and 5, the sizes of the projections111and the recesses112, that is, a radius R1of each of the bases111A and a radius R2of each of the openings112A gradually increase from the front end104close to the light source122to the rear end103away from the light source122. As the radii R1and R2increase, the area of the side surfaces111B and112B that reflect incident light increases, and thus, the reflection intensity of incident the light increases. Since the reflection intensity of incident light in the dot portion110gradually increases toward the rear light body2connected to the rear end103, natural decrease in light-emission intensity continuous to the rear light body2can be expressed, and thus, the rear light1showing natural light-emission and having aesthetic design can be obtained.

As illustrated inFIGS. 4 and 5, the rear light1according to this embodiment is configured such that the radii R1and R2of the projections111and the recesses112increase toward the turn light3in addition to the rear light body2. In this manner, the light-emission intensity of the light-emitting region increases toward the turn light3in addition to the rear light body2.

To gradually increase the reflection intensity of incident light in the dot portion110toward the rear light body2and the turn light3, instead of or in addition to the configuration in which the radii R1and R2gradually increase, a configuration in which a pitch P1of the projections111and a pitch P2of the recesses112illustrated inFIGS. 8 and 9gradually decrease toward the rear light body2and the turn light3, may be employed, may be employed. Instead of or in addition to the gradual increase of the radii R1and R2and/or the gradual decrease of the pitches P1and P2, the number of the projections111and the recesses112per a unit area may gradually increase toward the rear light body2and the turn light3. As described above, in the dot portion110, the radii R1and R2, the pitches P1and P2, and/or the number, per a unit area, of the projections111and/or the recesses112are changed, especially gradually changed, so that incident light can be reflected with different reflection intensities depending on a position on the light-transmitting plate100, and thereby, light-emission intensity can be changed, especially gradually changed.

In addition, as illustrated inFIG. 8, the side surfaces111B of the projections111are disposed outside the light-transmitting plate100relative the back surface100B, whereas the side surfaces112B of the recesses112are located inside the light-transmitting plate100relative to the back surface100B. Then, even in a case where the radii R1and R2are the same, the recesses112has a large side surface area on which incident light enters than the projections111. As described above, since the reflection intensity of incident light is larger in the recesses112than the projections111, the light-emission intensity of the light-transmitting plate100is larger in a position where the recesses112are provided than a portion where the projections111are provided. Accordingly, the projections111are provided in a region where the reflection intensity of incident light needs to be reduced, whereas the recesses112are provided in a region where the reflection intensity needs to be increased so that the light-emission intensity at intended positions can be adjusted.

In the rear light1according to this embodiment, the recesses112are continuously provided along the turn light3at positions near ends101C and102C adjacent to the turn light3of the light-transmitting plate100. Specifically, as illustrated inFIGS. 4 and 5, in a region near the slit131from boundaries D1and D2, the recesses112are disposed along the ends101C and102C, and in the other regions, the projections111are disposed. With this configuration, the light-emission intensity of the light-transmitting plate100around the turn light3can be increased so that natural light expansion around the turn light3can be expressed.

As described above, in the rear light1according to this embodiment, the dot portion110is configured such that the reflection intensity of incident light increases in a region of the light-transmitting plate100where the light-emission intensity needs to be increased, for example, a peripheral portion of a light-emitting member such as the rear light body2or the turn light3, whereas the reflection intensity of incident light decreases in a region where the light-emission intensity needs to be reduced. Thus, the rear light1can have aesthetic design and has its light-emission intensity increased at an intended position, independently of the distance from the light source122.

The radii R1and R2are preferably 0.5 mm or more and 2 mm or less. Each of the number of the recesses112and the number of the projections111is preferably 25/cm2or more and 400/cm2or less. The pitches P1and P2are preferably 0.5 mm or more and 2 mm or less. When these values are below the lower limits thereof, the reflection intensity of incident light in the dot portion110is insufficient so that it might be difficult to obtain a sufficient light-emission intensity of the light-transmitting plate100. When these values exceed the upper limits thereof, the reflection intensity of reflection light in a portion near the light source122increases, and the amount of incident light reaching a portion away from the light source122is insufficient so that the reflection intensity in this region is insufficient and it might be difficult to obtain a sufficient light-emission intensity of the light-transmitting plate100. The distance between vertexes of adjacent ones of the projections111and the distance between vertexes of adjacent ones of the recesses112may be defined in accordance with the pitches P1and P2.

The direction of reflected light can be adjusted by adjusting a vertex angle θ1of the cones of the bases111A illustrated inFIG. 8and a vertex angle θ2of the cones of the recesses112illustrated inFIG. 9, and thus, the light-emission mode of the light-transmitting plate100can be finely adjusted. Specifically, from the viewpoint of obtaining a sufficient light-emission intensity of the light-transmitting plate100when seen from the outside of the vehicle, the vertex angles θ1and θ2are preferably 30 degrees or more and 120 degrees or less, and more preferably 30 degrees or more and 50 degrees or less.

Second Embodiment

Another embodiment of the present disclosure will now be described in detail. In the following description of the embodiment, components already described in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference characters, and will not be described again in detail.

FIG. 10illustrates a light-transmitting plate100of a rear light1according to a second embodiment. In this embodiment, a light source122is disposed forward of a front end104of the light-transmitting plate100. As indicated by characters L3and L4, incident light on the front end104of the light-transmitting plate100from the light source122is divided by a slit131, and enters a first guide portion101and a second guide portion102. In this manner, without a spectroscopic section such as a groove105, the slit131can serve as a spectroscopic section.

The light source122is an LED light in the first embodiment, but is not limited to this example, and may be another light-emitting section such as an incandescent lamp.

OTHER EMBODIMENTS

In the first embodiment, the groove105is provided as a spectroscopic section. However, the spectroscopic section is not limited to the groove105, and may be a configuration in which a plurality of recesses of quadrangular pyramids are arranged in the longitudinal direction as long as incident light is divided to the first guide portion101and the second guide portion102. The slopes105D and105E may be mirror surfaces.

In the embodiments described above, the dot portion110is constituted by the large number of projections111and the large number of recesses112. Alternatively, the dot portion110may be constituted by either a large number of recesses or a large number of projections. The locations of the projections111and/or the recesses112are not limited to those in the embodiments, and may be changed as appropriate such that the light-emission intensity of the light-transmitting plate100increases or decreases at desired positions. The range of formation of the dot portion110is not limited to those in the embodiments, and may be changed as appropriate in accordance with an intended light-emission mode. Specifically, inFIG. 4, for example, in a case where the range of formation of the dot portion110is limited to a narrow range near the slit131and the rear end103, a narrow light range around the rear light body2and the turn light3can be expressed. On the other hand, in a case where the range of formation of the dot portion110is expanded to a wider range toward the front end104as in the configuration ofFIG. 4or wider than that inFIG. 4, a wide light range around the rear light body2and the turn light3can be expressed.

In the embodiments, the shapes of the large number of projections111and the large number of recesses112constituting the dot portion110are conical shapes, but are not limited to conical shapes, and may be other shapes such as truncated conical shapes, multi-pyramid shapes, or truncated multi-pyramid shapes. The configuration of the reflection portion is not limited to the dot portion110of the embodiments as long as incident light can be reflected toward the front surface100A, and may be other configurations including reflection surfaces and grooves and/or ribs having a linear shape or a lattice pattern with a V shape in cross section.

The rear light1of the embodiments has the configuration in which the ring-shaped rear light body2incorporates the turn light3, but is not limited to this configuration. Specifically, the rear light body2is not limited to a ring shape, and may be other shapes such as a hemisphere or a polyhedron. In the rear light1, the rear light body2may not incorporate the turn light3, and may incorporate other vehicle components such as another light-emitting member or a frame instead of or in addition to the turn light3. In a configuration in which the turn light3is not incorporated, for example, a light-transmitting plate100including no slit131and having no branching structure may be employed. In a configuration in which another light-emitting member or a vehicle constituent member is incorporated, the slit131may be configured to divide incident light into three or more parts or has a through hole, for example, in accordance with the shape of the other light-emitting member or the vehicle constituent member.

In the embodiments, the vehicle light is the rear light disposed at a right rear portion of the vehicle, and may be a rear light disposed at a left rear portion. In addition, the vehicle light is not limited to the rear light, and may be a headlight, a small light, a fog light, or a cornering light disposed in a front portion of the vehicle, or a combination of two or more of these lights, a brake light or a turn light disposed in a rear portion of the vehicle or a combination of these lights, for example.