Abstract:
A lamp can includes: a first reflective surface which can be provided on a surface of a circular shaped member, a radius of a top of the annular member can be longer than a radius of a bottom of the annular member; a second reflective surface which can be arranged inside of the first reflective surface and can have a conical shape, a vertex of the second reflective surface can be directed to a top side of the first reflective surface; and a plurality of light emitters which can be annularly arranged on the first reflective surface around the second reflective surface at a predetermined interval so as to be projected on the second reflective surface.

Description:
This application claims the priority benefit under 35 U.S.C. §119 of Japanese Patent Application No. 2008-316045 filed on Dec. 11, 2008, which is hereby incorporated in its entirety by reference. 
     BACKGROUND 
     1. Technical Field 
     The presently disclosed subject matter relates to a lamp, and more particularly to a lamp having a new light emission appearance applicable to a vehicle signal lamp, general illumination other than the vehicle signal lamp, or the like. 
     2. Description of the Related Art 
     Conventionally, a vehicle lamp including a convex reflective surface has been known (for example, see Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2002-343111). 
       FIG. 18  is a sectional view for illustrating a configuration of a vehicle lamp described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2002-343111. 
     As shown in  FIG. 18 , the vehicle lamp  200  described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2002-343111 includes a convex reflective surface  210  placed at a center of the lamp  200 , a plurality of LED (Light Emitting Diode) light sources  220  annularly arranged around the convex reflective surface  210 , a front lens  230 . 
     In the vehicle lamp  200  described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2002-343111, the convex reflective surface  210  is formed as a paraboloidal reflective surface obtained by rotating a parabola C having a focus set near the LED light source  220  around an optical axis AX. Thus, an irradiation light from the LED light source  220  having reached the convex reflective surface  210  is converted into parallel rays by the convex reflective surface  210 , and the rays pass through the front lens  230  and are irradiated in a direction indicated by arrows in  FIG. 18 . 
     SUMMARY 
     However, in the vehicle lamp  200  described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2002-343111, as shown in  FIG. 18 , the convex reflective surface  210  is a substantially conical reflective surface with the parabola C, which is a curved line recessed outwardly, appearing when cut along a plane through a vertex of the surface  210 . Thus, the LED light source  220  is hardly (or extremely slightly) projected on the convex reflective surface  210 . Accordingly, the vehicle lamp  200  described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2002-343111 has a uniform light emission appearance of the LED light source  220 , and there is a problem that it is difficult to provide a lamp having a new light emission appearance. 
     The presently described subject matter is achieved in view of such circumstances, and can include a lamp which forms a pattern with an appearance changing according to viewpoint positions of an observer and has a new light emission appearance. 
     To achieve this, an aspect of the presently described subject matter provides a lamp that can include: a first reflective surface which can be provided on a surface of a circular shaped member, a radius of a top of the annular member can be longer than a radius of a bottom of the annular member; a second reflective surface which can be arranged inside of the first reflective surface and can have a conical shape, a vertex of the second reflective surface can be directed to a top side of the first reflective surface; and a plurality of light emitters which can be annularly arranged on the first reflective surface around the second reflective surface at a predetermined interval so as to be projected on the second reflective surface. 
     Another aspect of the presently described subject matter provides a lamp, wherein the first reflective surface can be formed as a flat surface, a cross-section view of the flat surface along a lamp optical axis passing through a vertex of the second reflective surface can be a straight line, or a concave surface, a cross-section view of the concave surface along the lamp optical axis can be a curved line that can be concave inward with respect to a center thereof. 
     Another aspect of the presently described subject matter provides a lamp, wherein the second reflective surface can be formed as a flat surface, a cross-section view of the flat surface along a lamp optical axis passing through a vertex of the second reflective surface can be a straight line, or a convex surface, a cross-section view of the convex surface can be a curved line that can be convex outward with respect to a center thereof. 
     The second reflective surface can be formed as the convex reflective surface with the curved line protruding outwardly, or a flat surface with the straight line appearing when cut along the plane through the lamp optical axis. Thus, the plurality of light emitters can be projected on the second reflective surface, and a virtual image projected on the second reflective surface can be enlarged (or not reduced). Therefore, a pattern with an appearance changing according to viewpoint positions of the observer can be formed. Specifically, a lamp can be provided which can form a pattern with an appearance changing according to viewpoint positions and can have a new light emission appearance. 
     Another aspect of the presently described subject matter provides a lamp, wherein each of the plurality of light emitters can include: a lens which can be set in an aperture provided on the first reflective surface; a first light source which can correspond to the lens, and can be arranged at a back side of the first reflective surface; and a third reflective surface which can correspond to the lens, can be arranged at the back side of the first reflective surface, and can reflect a light irradiated from the first light source to make the light reach the second reflective surface. 
     Another aspect of the presently described subject matter provides a lamp, wherein the lens can include a first end portion which can be acute-angled; and a second end portion which can be on the opposite side with respect to the first end portion, and can be arranged so that the first end portion can be located closer to the top of the first reflective surface, and the second end portion can be located closer to the bottom of the first reflective surface. 
     The first end portion of the lens can be located closer to the top of the first reflective surface, and thus the first end portion can be projected on a tip (at or in vicinity of the vertex) of the second reflective surface. Thus, a virtual image of the first end portion having a very sharp shape can be enlarged, and a pattern with an appearance significantly changing by slight movement of the eyes of an observer can be formed. Specifically, a lamp can be provided that can form a pattern with an appearance significantly changing by slight movement of the viewpoint position, and can have a new light emission appearance. 
     Another aspect of the presently described subject matter provides a lamp, wherein the first light source can irradiate the light outwardly with respect to a center of the lamp. 
     Another aspect of the presently described subject matter provides a lamp, wherein the first light source can be an LED light source. 
     The second reflective surface can be formed as the convex reflective surface with the curved line protruding outwardly or a flat surface with the straight line appearing when cut along the plane through the lamp optical axis. Thus, the plurality of lenses illuminated by a plurality of first light sources (for example, LED light sources) can be projected on the second reflective surface. Thus, a virtual image projected on the second reflective surface can be enlarged (or not reduced), and a pattern with an appearance changing according to viewpoint positions can be formed. Specifically, the lamp can be provided which can form a pattern with an appearance changing according to viewpoint positions and can have a new light emission appearance. 
     The convex reflective surface can be formed as the convex reflective surface with a curved line protruding outwardly (or a straight line) appearing when cut along the plane through the vertex and the lamp optical axis. Thus, the plurality of light emitters can be projected on the convex reflective surface, a virtual image projected on the convex reflective surface can be enlarged (or not reduced), and a pattern with an appearance changing according to viewpoint positions can be formed. 
     Another aspect of the presently described subject matter provides a lamp that can include a plurality of fourth reflective surfaces each of which can correspond to the first light source, can be arranged at the back side of the first reflective surface, and can reflect the light irradiated from the first light source to make the light be directed along the lamp optical axis. 
     Also, the irradiation light emitted from the first light source and having reached the fourth reflective surface can be reflected by the fourth reflective surface and can be irradiated through the corresponding lens, and can form a first light distribution pattern (particularly a light distribution pattern suitable for a vehicle signal lamp). Also, the irradiation light emitted from the first light source and having reached the third reflective surface can be reflected by the third reflective surface, can pass through the corresponding lens, and can reach the second reflective surface. The irradiation light having reached the second reflective surface can be further reflected by the second reflective surface, and can form a second light distribution pattern (particularly a light distribution pattern suitable for a wide vehicle signal lamp enlarged by the convex reflective surface) superimposed on the first light distribution pattern. 
     Specifically, a lamp can be provided which can form a pattern with an appearance changing according to viewpoint positions, and can form a predetermined light distribution pattern (particularly a light distribution pattern suitable for a vehicle signal lamp) (combination of a new appearance and a predetermined light distribution pattern). 
     The acute-angled first end portion of the lens can be located closer to the top of the first reflective surface, and thus the first end portion can be projected on a tip of the second reflective surface. Thus, a virtual image of the first end portion having a very sharp shape can be enlarged (or not reduced), and a pattern with an appearance significantly changing by slight movement of the viewpoint position can be formed. Specifically, a lamp can be provided which can form a pattern with an appearance significantly changing by slight movement of the viewpoint position, can form a predetermined light distribution pattern (particularly a light distribution pattern suitable for a vehicle signal lamp), and can have a new light emission appearance. 
     Another aspect of the presently described subject matter provides a lamp that can include: a plurality of second light sources which can be arranged at a back side of the second reflective surface; and a plurality of fifth reflective surfaces each of which can correspond to the second light sources, can be arranged at a back side of the second reflective surface, and can reflect the light irradiated from the second light source to make the light be directed along the lamp optical axis, wherein the second reflective surface can transmit the light from the back side thereof. 
     Another aspect of the presently described subject matter provides a lamp, wherein the second light sources can be annularly arranged around a lamp optical axis at a predetermined interval, and can irradiate the light inwardly with respect to a center of the lamp. 
     The second reflective surface can be formed as the reflective surface through which the reflected light from the fifth reflective surfaces having reached the second reflective surface can pass. Thus, the irradiation light emitted from the second light source and having reached the fifth reflective surface can be reflected by the fifth reflective surface and irradiated through the second reflective surface, and can form a third light distribution pattern (particularly a light distribution pattern suitable for a vehicle signal lamp) superimposed on the first and second light distribution patterns. 
     Specifically, the third light distribution pattern formed by the irradiation light from the second light source can be added to the first and second light distribution patterns formed by the irradiation lights from the first light source. Thus, for example, when these aspects are applied to a tail lamp of a vehicle, the light sources can be controlled to turn on only the first light source when a brake of the vehicle is not applied, and to turn on both the first light source and the second light source when the brake is applied. Thus, a sufficient amount of light can be ensured even when the brake is applied, thereby allowing formation of a light distribution pattern that can satisfy a government standard. 
     According to an aspect of the disclosed subject matter, a lamp can include a first reflective surface located on a surface of an annular shaped member, a radius of a top of the annular shaped member being longer than a radius of a bottom of the annular shaped member, a second reflective surface located inside of the first reflective surface and having a conical shape, a vertex of the second reflective surface being directed to the top of the first reflective surface. The lamp can include a plurality of light emitters annularly arranged on the first reflective surface around the second reflective surface at a predetermined interval and arranged to project light on the second reflective surface. 
     According to another aspect of the disclosed subject matter, a lamp having an optical axis can include a first annular reflector having an outer perimeter, a front surface extending at an angle relative to the optical axis and a back surface opposite to the front surface. A second reflector can be located within the outer perimeter of the first annular reflector and can have a convex surface facing the first annular reflector. The second reflector can include a vertex adjacent to the optical axis and the second reflector can extend between the optical axis and the front surface of the first annular reflector. A first plurality of semiconductor light emitters can be located adjacent to at least one of the front surface and the back surface of the first annular reflector, spaced annularly about the optical axis, and configured to project light onto the convex surface of the second reflector. 
     According to another aspect of the disclosed subject matter, the front surface of the first annular reflector can abut the convex surface of the second reflector. 
     According to another aspect of the disclosed subject matter, the convex surface can be either conical or polygonal pyramidal. 
     According to another aspect of the disclosed subject matter, the convex surface can appear as an outwardly curved line when viewed in a cross-sectional plane that includes the optical axis and the vertex. 
     According to another aspect of the disclosed subject matter, each of the light emitters can include an LED light source adjacent to the front surface of the first reflector such that an image of the LED light source is reflected in the convex surface. 
     According to another aspect of the disclosed subject matter, each of the light emitters can include an LED light source adjacent to the back surface of the first reflector, and a lens adjacent to the front surface of the first reflector such that an image of the lens is reflected in the convex surface. 
     According to another aspect of the disclosed subject matter, the lamp can include a third reflector positioned such that the back surface of the first reflector lies intermediate the front surface of the first reflector and the third reflector. Each of the LED light sources can be configured to emit light toward the third reflector. 
     According to another aspect of the disclosed subject matter, the third reflector can include a first plurality of reflector surfaces and a second plurality of reflector surfaces, each of the LED light sources corresponding to one of the first plurality of reflector surfaces and the second plurality of reflector surfaces. The light emitted from each of the LED light sources and incident on a respective one of the first plurality of reflector surfaces can be directed substantially parallel with the optical axis, and light emitted from each of the LED light sources and incident on a respective one of the second plurality of reflector surfaces can be incident on the convex surface of the second reflector. 
     According to another aspect of the disclosed subject matter, the lamp can include a second plurality of semiconductor light emitters adjacent to the back surface of the first reflector and configured to emit light in a radially inward direction relative to the optical axis, and a fourth reflector facing a side of the second reflector that is opposite to the convex surface relative to the optical axis. The fourth reflector can include a fourth plurality of reflective surfaces each corresponding to a respective one of the second plurality of semiconductor light emitters. The first plurality of semiconductor light emitters can be configured to emit light in a radially outward direction relative to the optical axis. The fourth reflector can be oriented relative to the second plurality of semiconductor light emitters such that light emitted from the second plurality of semiconductor light emitters is incident on the fourth reflector surface and is directed substantially parallel with the optical axis. 
     According to another aspect of the disclosed subject matter, each of the second plurality of semiconductor light emitters can be located adjacent, and in a back to back relationship with, a respective one of the first plurality of semiconductor light emitters, such that each of the first plurality of semiconductor light emitters has a light emitting axis that is diametrically opposite to a light emitting axis of a respective one of the second plurality of semiconductor light emitters. 
     According to the presently described subject matter, a lamp can be provided which can form a pattern with an appearance changing according to viewpoint positions and has a new light emission appearance. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The disclosed subject matter of the present application will now be described in more detail with reference to exemplary embodiments of the apparatus and method, given by way of example, and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a lamp according to an embodiment of the presently described subject matter; 
         FIG. 2  is an exploded perspective view of components of the lamp shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3  is an enlarged sectional view of the lamp along line  3 - 3  shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 4  illustrates a method of calculating the shape of a convex reflective surface; 
         FIG. 5  illustrates the method of calculating the shape of the convex reflective surface; 
         FIG. 6  illustrates the method of calculating the shape of the convex reflective surface; 
         FIG. 7  illustrates the method of calculating the shape of the convex reflective surface; 
         FIG. 8  is a front view of the lamp shown in  FIG. 1 , and shows an example of a pattern formed by a virtual image projected on a convex reflective surface when viewed from the front of the lamp; 
         FIG. 9  is a perspective view of the lamp shown in  FIG. 1 , and shows an example of a pattern formed by the virtual image projected on the convex reflective surface when diagonally viewed; 
         FIG. 10  is a perspective view of a lamp according to an another embodiment (Modified Example 1) of the presently described subject matter; 
         FIG. 11  shows an example of a pattern formed by a virtual image projected on a convex reflective surface of the lamp shown in  FIG. 10 ; 
         FIG. 12  is a perspective view of a lamp according to another embodiment (Modified Example 2) of the presently described subject matter; 
         FIG. 13  shows an example of a pattern formed by a virtual image projected on a convex reflective surface of the lamp shown in  FIG. 12 ; 
         FIG. 14  is a perspective view of a lamp according to another embodiment (Modified Example 2) of the presently described subject matter; 
         FIG. 15  shows an example of a pattern formed by a virtual image projected on a convex reflective surface of the lamp shown in  FIG. 14 ; 
         FIG. 16  is a perspective view of the lamp according to the another embodiment (Modified Example 3) of the presently described subject matter; 
         FIG. 17  is an enlarged sectional view of a lamp along line  17 - 17  shown in  FIG. 16 ; and 
         FIG. 18  is a sectional view for illustrating a configuration of a conventional vehicle lamp. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS 
     Now, a lamp according to an embodiment of the presently described subject matter will be described with reference to the drawings. 
       FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a lamp according to an embodiment of the presently described subject matter.  FIG. 2  is an exploded perspective view of components of the lamp shown in  FIG. 1 .  FIG. 3  is an enlarged sectional view of the lamp shown in  FIG. 1 . 
     A lamp  100  of this embodiment can be applied to a vehicle signal lamp such as a tail lamp, turn signal, and a general illumination lamp other than a vehicle signal lamp, or the like. The lamp  100  can include a first reflector  10 , a second reflector  20 , a plurality of first light sources  30 , a plurality of inner lenses  40 , as shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 . 
     First, the first reflector  10  will be described. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 1 to 3 , the first reflector  10  can include a concave reflective surface  11  and a convex reflective surface  12 . 
     The concave reflective surface  11  can be a concave mirror (for example, a paraboloid of revolution) having, for example, a substantially circular shape when viewed from the front, and a predetermined depth D 1  (for example, D 1 =15 mm. See  FIG. 3 ). As shown in  FIG. 3 , the convex reflective surface  12  can be a conical reflective surface with a curved line C appearing to protrude outwardly (or a straight line) when cut along a plane passing through a vertex V 1  and a lamp optical axis AX (centerline). Alternatively, the reflective surface can appear as a straight line, instead of as a curved line, when viewed in this cross-section. The convex reflective surface  12  can be adjacent the center of a bottom of the concave reflective surface  11 , as shown in  FIG. 1 . The shape of the convex reflective surface  12  can be determined as described later, for example, using an existing computer program. 
     Next, the second reflector  20  will be described. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 2 and 3 , the second reflector  20  can include a first reflective surface  21  and a second reflective surface  22 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 3 , the first reflective surface  21  can reflect an irradiation light L 1  incident from the first light source  30  toward the inner lens  40  corresponding with the respective first reflective surface  21 . The first reflective surface  21  can be placed, for example, adjacent to a bottom surface of the second reflector  20 . The first reflective surface  21  can be a paraboloid of revolution obtained by, for example, rotating a parabola having a focus positioned at or adjacent to the first light source  30  around the lamp optical axis AX. 
     As shown in  FIG. 3 , the second reflective surface  22  can reflect an irradiation light L 2  incident from the first light source  30  toward the convex reflective surface  12  via the inner lens  40  corresponding with the respective second reflective surface  22 . The second reflective surface  22  can be arranged, for example, on an inner side surface of the second reflector  20 . 
     Next, the first light source  30  will be described. 
     The first light source  30  can be, for example, an LED light source such as an LED package including one or more LED chips (monochrome or three color RGB) in a package, or a bulb light source such as an incandescent light bulb. When the first light source  30  is an LED light sources, for example, the first light sources  30  can be annularly arranged between the first reflector  10  and the second reflector  20  with their respective optical axis (illumination direction) AX 2  directed outward along a radial direction of the lamp  100  with respect to the center of the lamp  100 , as shown in  FIG. 2 . 
     Next, the inner lens  40  will be described. 
     The inner lens  40  can be a light illumination unit which can receive the irradiation light from the first light source  30  and can transmit the light incident thereon. The inner lens  40  can be, for example, integrally manufactured by injection molding a transparent or translucent material such as acryl or polycarbonate. The inner lens  40  can have a surface subjected to a diffusion process such as embossing. The inner lens  40  can include, for example, as shown in  FIG. 1 , an acute-angled end  40   a  and an end  40   b  on the opposite side of the acute-angled end  40   a . The inner lenses  40  can be annularly arranged on the concave reflective surface  11  around the convex reflective surface  12  so as to be projected on the convex reflective surface  12 . Specifically, as shown in  FIG. 1 , the inner lenses  40  can be inserted into openings H formed in the concave reflective surface  11  so that the acute-angled end  40   a  can be located closer to an outer peripheral edge  11   e  of the concave reflective surface  11 , and the end  40   b  on the opposite side can be located closer to the center of the bottom of the concave reflective surface  11 . And, the inner lenses  40  can be placed substantially at circumferentially regular intervals. 
     Next, a method of determining the convex reflective surface  12  will be described. The convex reflective surface  12  can be, for example, determined using an existing computer program for an optical design as described below. 
       FIGS. 4-7  illustrate the method of calculating the shape of the convex reflective surface  12 .  FIGS. 4-7  show the shape of a pattern P 1  formed by a virtual image projected on the convex reflective surface  12  calculated by the computer program for the optical design. 
     First, as shown in  FIG. 4 , the shapes of the reflective surfaces (such as the concave reflective surface  11  and the convex reflective surface  12 ) can be determined, and the reflective surfaces (such as the concave reflective surface  11  and the convex reflective surface  12 ) and the inner lenses  40  can be arranged.  FIG. 4  shows an example in which a recessed mirror shape having a predetermined depth D 1  (for example, D 1 =15 mm, See  FIG. 3 ) can be used as the concave reflective surface  11 , and a conical shape can be used as the convex reflective surface  12 . 
     Then, as shown in  FIG. 5 , the inner lenses  40  can be moved toward the center of the bottom of the concave reflective surface  11  to adjust a pattern formed by a virtual image projected on the convex reflective surface  12 . Then, as shown in  FIG. 6 , a comparatively high brightness portion A 1  of each inner lens  40  can be colored, for example, red, and the pattern P 1  formed by the virtual image projected on the convex reflective surface  12  can be checked by an operator who manipulates the computer program or reviews the calculation result of the computer program. Then, as shown in  FIG. 7 , the convex reflective surface  12  can be curved outwardly with respect to the center thereof so that the pattern P 1  formed by the virtual image projected on the convex reflective surface  12  becomes a desired size. Therefore, the pattern P 1  formed by the virtual image projected on the convex reflective surface  12  can be enlarged. As described above, the shape of the convex reflective surface  12  on which the pattern P 1  of the desired size is formed can be determined. Thus, the convex reflective surface  12  can be formed, as shown in  FIG. 3 , as a conical reflective surface with a curved line C protruding outwardly (or a straight line) with respect to the center of the convex reflective surface  12  appearing when cut along a plane passing through the vertex V 1  of the convex reflective surface  12  and the lamp optical axis AX (centerline). 
     As described above, according to the lamp  100  of this embodiment, as shown in  FIG. 3 , the convex reflective surface  12  can be formed as a conical convex reflective surface with the curved line C appearing to protrude outwardly with respect to the center of the convex reflective surface  12  when cut along the plane passing through the vertex V 1  and the lamp optical axis AX. Thus, according to the lamp  100  of this embodiment, as shown in  FIGS. 7 and 8 , the plurality of inner lenses  40  can be projected on the convex reflective surface  12  in a multiplexed manner, and the virtual image projected on the convex reflective surface  12  can be enlarged, and a pattern P 1  with an appearance changing according to viewpoint positions of an observer can be formed as shown in  FIG. 9 . Specifically, the number of the inner lenses  40  can appear to be doubled as a result of the pattern P 1 . The pattern P 1  can be changed by changing the shape of the convex reflective surface  12 . 
     Also, according to the lamp  100  of this embodiment, as shown in  FIG. 3 , the irradiation light L 1  emitted from the first light source  30  and incident on the first reflective surface  21  can be reflected by the first reflective surface  21 , can pass through the inner lens  40 , can be irradiated in a direction indicated by L 1  in  FIG. 3 , and can form a first light distribution pattern (particularly a light distribution pattern suitable for a vehicle signal lamp). Also, according to the lamp  100  of this embodiment, the irradiation light L 2  emitted from the first light source  30  and incident on the second reflective surface  22  can be reflected by the second reflective surface  22 , can pass through the inner lens  40 , and can reach the convex reflective surface  12 . The irradiation light L 2  incident on the convex reflective surface  12  can be further reflected by the convex reflective surface  12  in a direction indicated by L 2  in  FIG. 3 , and can form a second light distribution pattern (particularly a light distribution pattern suitable for a wide vehicle signal lamp enlarged by the convex reflective surface  12 ) superimposed on the first light distribution pattern. 
     Specifically, according to the lamp  100  of this embodiment, as shown in  FIGS. 8 and 9 , a lamp can be provided that can form a pattern P 1  with an appearance changing according to the viewpoint positions of the observer, can form a predetermined light distribution pattern (particularly a light distribution pattern suitable for a vehicle signal lamp), and can have a new light emission appearance. 
     Also, according to the lamp  100  of this embodiment, as shown in  FIG. 1 , the acute-angled end  40   a  of the inner lens  40  can be located closer to the outer peripheral edge  11   e  of the concave reflective surface  11 , and thus as shown in  FIGS. 8 and 9 , the acute-angled end  40   a  of the inner lens  40  can be projected adjacent to a tip portion (in the vicinity of the vertex V 1 ) of the convex reflective surface  12 . Thus, a virtual image having a very sharp shape can be enlarged. The pattern P 1  formed on the convex reflective surface  12  can form an appearance that significantly changes by slight movement of an observer&#39;s eyes. 
     Specifically, according to the lamp  100  of this embodiment, a lamp can be provided that can form a pattern P 1  with an appearance significantly changing by slight movement of eyes of the observer, can form a predetermined light distribution pattern (particularly a light distribution pattern suitable for a vehicle signal lamp), and can have a new light emission appearance (combination of a new appearance and a predetermined light distribution pattern). 
     Next, Modified Example 1 will be described. 
     In the above-described embodiment, the example in which the inner lenses  40  are annularly arranged on the concave reflective surface  11  around the convex reflective surface  12  (see  FIG. 1 ) has been described, but the presently described subject matter is not limited thereto. 
     For example, as shown in  FIGS. 10 ,  12  and  14 , the first light sources  30  can be annularly arranged on the concave reflective surface  11  around the convex reflective surface  12 .  FIGS. 11 ,  13  and  15  show patterns formed by the annularly arranged first light sources  30  being projected on the convex reflective surface  12  shown in  FIGS. 10 ,  12  and  14 , respectively. Each pattern shown in  FIGS. 11 ,  13  and  15  changes its appearance according to viewpoint positions of an observer. The first light sources  30  can be projected on the convex reflective surface  12 . Reference numeral  30 ′ in the  FIGS. 11 ,  13  and  15  represents the projected image of the first light sources  30 . The number of the first light sources  30  can appear to be doubled. The pattern can be changed by changing the shape of the convex reflective surface  12 . 
     Modified Example 1 can also provide a lamp which can form a pattern with an appearance changing according to the viewpoint positions of an observer, can form a predetermined light distribution pattern (particularly a light distribution pattern suitable for a vehicle signal lamp), and can have a new light emission appearance. 
     Next, Modified Example 2 will be described. 
     In the above-described embodiment, the example in which the convex reflective surface  12  is formed as the conical reflective surface has been described (see  FIGS. 1 and 3 ), but the presently described subject matter is not limited thereto. For example, as shown in  FIGS. 12 and 14 , the convex reflective surface  12  can be formed as a polygonal pyramidal reflective surface. Even when the convex reflective surface  12  has a polygonal pyramidal shape as in  FIGS. 12 and 14 , the convex reflective surface  12  can be determined by the same determination method of the convex reflective surface  12  as described in the above-described embodiment. 
     Modified Example 2 can also provide a lamp which can form a pattern with an appearance changing according to the viewpoint positions of an observer, can form a predetermined light distribution pattern (particularly a light distribution pattern suitable for a vehicle signal lamp), and can have a new light emission appearance. 
     Next, Modified Example 3 will be described. 
       FIG. 16  is a perspective view of the lamp (Modified Example 3) according to another embodiment of the presently described subject matter.  FIG. 17  is an enlarged sectional view of a lamp  100  along line  17 - 17  shown in  FIG. 16 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 17 , Modified Example 3 is an example in which an optical system  50  is added to the lamp  100  of  FIG. 3  described above. 
     The optical system  50  can include a third reflective surface  51 , a plurality of second light sources  52 , and the convex reflective surface  12 . 
     The third reflective surface  51  can reflect an irradiation light L 3  incident from a second light source  52  toward the convex reflective surface  12 . The third reflective surface  51  can be, for example, formed on the second reflector  20  in an integrated fashion. The third reflective surface  51  can be, for example, a paraboloid of revolution obtained by rotating a parabola having a focus positioned at or adjacent the second light source  52  around the lamp optical axis AX. 
     The convex reflective surface  12  can be a conical (or polygonal pyramidal) reflective surface with a curved line C that can appear to protrude outwardly with respect to the center thereof (or a straight line) when cut along a plane through the vertex V 1  and the optical axis AX (centerline). Alternatively, the conical (or polygonal pyramidal) reflective surface can appear as a straight line, instead of as a curved line, when viewed in this cross-section. The convex reflective surface  12 , for example, can be formed as a reflective surface through which the light reflected from the third reflective surface  51  and incident on the convex reflective surface  12  can pass. The convex reflective surface  12  can be made by performing vapor deposition of metal such as aluminum on a front or back surface of a conical (or polygonal pyramidal) transparent member (for example, acryl or polycarbonate). The convex reflective surface  12  can be, for example, fixed to an opening periphery  11   a  formed at the center of the bottom of the concave reflective surface  11  by any known fixing device, such as threaded fastener, etc. 
     The second light source  52  can be, for example, an LED light source such as an LED package including one or more LED chips (monochrome or three color RGB) in a package, or a bulb light source such as an incandescent light bulb. When the second light sources  52  are LED light sources, for example, the second light sources  52  can be annularly arranged with an optical axis (illumination direction) directed inwardly with respect to the center of the convex reflective surface  12  as shown in  FIG. 17 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 16 , the inner lens  40  can be formed to be radially wider than the inner lens  40  described in the above-described embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 1  to increase an amount of light. 
     Modified Example 3 can provide a lamp which can form a pattern with an appearance changing according to viewpoint positions of an observer, can form a predetermined light distribution pattern (particularly a light distribution pattern suitable for a vehicle signal lamp), and can have a new light emission appearance. 
     Also, according to the lamp  100  of Modified Example 3, the convex reflective surface  12  can be formed as the reflective surface through which the light reflected from the third reflective surface  51  and incident on the convex reflective surface  12  can pass. Thus, as shown in  FIG. 17 , the irradiation light L 3  from the second light source  52  incident on the third reflective surface  51  can be reflected by the third reflective surface  51 , can pass through the convex reflective surface  12 , can be irradiated in a direction indicated by L 3  in  FIG. 17 , and can form a third light distribution pattern (particularly a light distribution pattern suitable for a vehicle signal lamp) superimposed on the first and second light distribution patterns. 
     Specifically, according to the lamp  100  of Modified Example 3, the third light distribution pattern formed by the irradiation light L 3  (see  FIG. 17 ) from the second light source  52  can be provided in addition to the first and second light distribution patterns formed by the irradiation lights L 1  and L 2  (see  FIGS. 3 and 17 ) from the first light source  30 . 
     Thus, for example, when the lamp  100  of Modified Example 3 is applied to a tail lamp of a vehicle, for example, the light sources  30  and  52  can be controlled so that, for example, only the first light source  30  is turned on when a brake of the vehicle is not applied, and both the first light source  30  and the second light source  52  are turned on when the brake is applied. Thus, a sufficient amount of light can be ensured even when the brake is applied. Therefore, the lamp  100  of Modified Example 3 can allow formation of a light distribution pattern which can satisfy a government standard. 
     The above-described embodiments are just some of the examples of the presently disclosed subject matter. The scope of the presently described subject matter should not be restrictively construed by these embodiments and examples. The presently described subject matter can be carried out in various ways without departing from the spirit and main features thereof. 
     While there has been described what are at present considered to be exemplary embodiments of the invention, it will be understood that various modifications may be made thereto, and it is intended that the appended claims cover such modifications as fall within the true spirit and scope of the invention. All conventional art references described above along with any English translations thereof are herein incorporated in their entirety by reference.