阅读说明：本技术 车辆用灯具 (Vehicle lamp ) 是由 坂下麻美 于 2019-07-08 设计创作，主要内容包括：本发明的目的在于从更多方向视觉辨认导光体的发光。本发明所涉及的车辆用灯具具备：光源(4)；以及导光体(6),该导光体(6)具有板状部(10),该板状部(10)在内部含有光扩散材料,且扭曲为从规定的第一方向观察而能够同时看到板状部(10)的两个主表面的形状。导光体(6)中,通过光扩散材料而使从板状部(10)的将两个主表面连接的第一侧面射入的光源(4)的光从两个主表面射出。(The purpose of the present invention is to visually recognize the light emission of a light guide from more directions. The vehicle lamp according to the present invention includes: a light source (4); and a light guide body (6), wherein the light guide body (6) is provided with a plate-shaped part (10), the plate-shaped part (10) contains a light diffusion material inside, and the light guide body is twisted into a shape that the two main surfaces of the plate-shaped part (10) can be seen at the same time when being observed from a specified first direction. In the light guide body (6), light from the light source (4) entering from a first side surface of the plate-like portion (10) connecting the two main surfaces is emitted from the two main surfaces through the light diffusion material.)

1. A vehicle lamp, characterized by comprising:

a light source; and

a light guide having a plate-shaped portion containing a light diffusing material therein and twisted into a shape in which both main surfaces of the plate-shaped portion can be seen simultaneously when viewed from a predetermined first direction,

in the light guide, light from the light source entering from a first side surface of the plate-shaped portion connecting the two main surfaces is emitted from the two main surfaces by the light diffusing member.

2. The vehicle lamp according to claim 1, wherein the plate-shaped portion has a shape in which one end side and the other end side of the plate-shaped portion in a direction in which an imaginary axis parallel to the main surface extends are rotated in mutually opposite directions around the imaginary axis.

3. The vehicular lamp according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the plate-like portion has a side surface different from the first side surface connecting the two main surfaces,

the plate-like portion has a shape twisted so that both the main surfaces and the different side surfaces can be seen simultaneously as viewed from the first direction,

the light guide emits light incident from the first side surface from the two main surfaces and the different side surfaces.

4. The vehicular lamp according to claim 3, wherein the different side surface includes a second side surface, and a third side surface different from the second side surface,

the plate-like portion has a shape twisted so that the two main surfaces, the second side surface, and the third side surface can be seen at the same time when viewed from the first direction,

the light guide emits light incident from the first side surface from the two main surfaces, the second side surface, and the third side surface.

5. The vehicle lamp according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the light guide has a bar-shaped portion whose peripheral surface is connected to the first side surface of the plate-shaped portion,

the rod-shaped portion is configured to receive light from the light source from an end portion thereof and emit the light from the peripheral surface to the plate-shaped portion while guiding the light from the light source inside.

6. The vehicle lamp according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of light guide bodies are arranged in the vehicle width direction, and a front surface of the plurality of light guide bodies gradually faces a side of the vehicle body as the plurality of light guide bodies face an outer side in the vehicle width direction.

7. The vehicle lamp according to claim 5, wherein two of the light sources are provided for one of the light guide members, and the two light sources are respectively disposed on both end portions of the rod-shaped portion.

8. The lamp for a vehicle as claimed in claim 7, wherein both of said end portions of said rod-shaped portion and said light source disposed near each of said end portions are shielded from view from outside the lamp by a lamp body.

9. The vehicular lamp according to claim 5, wherein the rod-like portion is cylindrical.

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a vehicle lamp, and more particularly to a vehicle lamp used for a vehicle such as an automobile.

Background

Conventionally, there is known a vehicle lamp that emits light from a light source to the front of the lamp via a light guide. For example, patent document 1 discloses a vehicle lamp having a structure in which: light is incident on the plate-shaped light guide from the side surface, reflected by a reflection element such as a step provided on the inner main surface of the lamp, and emitted from the outer main surface of the lamp toward the front of the lamp.

Disclosure of Invention

Problems to be solved by the invention

In the conventional vehicle lamp described above, light is emitted from the flat main surface of the light guide. Therefore, in the conventional vehicle lamp, there is room for improvement in viewing the light emission of the light guide from more directions.

The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and an object thereof is to provide a technique for visually recognizing light emission of a light guide from more directions.

Means for solving the problems

In order to solve the above problem, one embodiment of the present invention is a vehicle lamp. The vehicle lamp includes: a light source; and a light guide body having a plate-shaped portion that contains a light diffusing material therein and is twisted into a shape in which both main surfaces of the plate-shaped portion can be seen at the same time when viewed from a predetermined first direction. In the light guide, light from the light source incident from the first side surface of the plate-shaped portion connecting the two main surfaces is emitted from the two main surfaces by the light diffusing material. According to this aspect, the light emission of the light guide can be visually recognized from more directions.

In the above aspect, the plate-shaped portion may have a shape in which one end side and the other end side of the plate-shaped portion in a direction in which an imaginary axis parallel to the main surface extends are rotated in opposite directions around the imaginary axis. In any of the above-described aspects, the plate-shaped portion may have a side surface different from the first side surface, the plate-shaped portion may have a shape that is twisted so that the two main surfaces and the different side surface can be seen at the same time when viewed from the first direction, and the light guide may emit light incident from the first side surface from the two main surfaces and the different side surface. In the above aspect, the different side surfaces include a second side surface and a third side surface different from the second side surface, the plate-shaped portion has a shape that is twisted so that the two main surfaces, the second side surface, and the third side surface can be seen at the same time when viewed from the first direction, and the light guide may emit light incident from the first side surface from the two main surfaces, the second side surface, and the third side surface. In any of the above embodiments, the light guide body may have a rod-shaped portion having a peripheral surface connected to the first side surface of the plate-shaped portion, and the rod-shaped portion may be configured to allow light from the light source to enter from an end portion thereof and emit light from the peripheral surface to the plate-shaped portion while guiding the light from the light source inside. In the above aspect, the plurality of light guides may be arranged in the vehicle width direction, and the front surface of the plurality of light guides may gradually face the side of the vehicle body as the plurality of light guides face the outside in the vehicle width direction. In the above aspect, two light sources may be provided for one light guide, and the two light sources may be disposed on the two end portions of the rod-shaped portion, respectively. In the above aspect, the two end portions of the rod-shaped portion and the light source disposed near each of the end portions may be shielded from view from outside the lamp by the lamp body. In the above aspect, the rod-shaped portion may have a cylindrical shape.

In addition, any combination of the above-described constituent elements, and a result of conversion of the expression of the present invention between a method, an apparatus, a system, and the like are also effective as an aspect of the present invention.

Effects of the invention

According to the present invention, the light emission of the light guide can be visually recognized from more directions.

Drawings

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a vehicle lamp according to an embodiment.

Fig. 2 is a front view showing an internal structure of the vehicle lamp according to the embodiment.

Fig. 3 is a sectional view taken along line a-a of fig. 2.

Fig. 4 (a) and 4 (B) are schematic diagrams for explaining a method of measuring the light emission efficiency of the plate-shaped portion.

Fig. 5 is a front view of the light source and the light guide.

Fig. 6 is a rear view of the light source and the light guide.

Fig. 7 is a left side view of the light source and the light guide.

Fig. 8 is a right side view of the light source and the light guide.

Fig. 9 (a) is a sectional view taken along line B-B of fig. 7. Fig. 9 (B) is a sectional view taken along line C-C of fig. 7.

Description of the reference numerals

1: a vehicular lamp; 4. 4a, 4 b: a light source; 6: a light guide; 8: a rod-shaped portion; 8 c: a peripheral surface; 10: a plate-like portion; 10 a: a first major surface; 10 b: a second major surface; 10 c: a first side surface; 10 d: a second side surface; 10 e: a third side; 11: a light diffusing material.

Detailed Description

The present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings based on preferred embodiments. The embodiments are not intended to limit the invention but to exemplify the invention, and all the features and combinations described in the embodiments are not necessarily essential to the invention. The same or equivalent constituent elements, members, and processes shown in the respective drawings are denoted by the same reference numerals, and overlapping descriptions are appropriately omitted. The scale and shape of each part shown in the drawings are set for easy explanation and are not to be construed as limiting unless otherwise specified. In the present specification or claims, the terms "first", "second", and the like are used for distinguishing a certain component from other components without indicating any order or importance unless otherwise specified. In the drawings, a part of a member which is not important for explaining the embodiment is omitted.

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a vehicle lamp according to an embodiment. Fig. 2 is a front view showing an internal structure of the vehicle lamp according to the embodiment. Fig. 3 is a sectional view taken along line a-a of fig. 2. The vehicle lamp 1 is, for example, a rear combination lamp disposed behind a vehicle. In the present embodiment, for convenience of explanation, the front-rear direction of the lamp and the front-rear direction of the vehicle body on which the vehicle lamp 1 is mounted are set to be the same direction, and the left-right direction of the lamp is set to be the same direction as the vehicle width direction of the vehicle body. The right side in fig. 1 and 2 is the vehicle width direction outer side.

The vehicle lamp 1 includes a lamp body 2, and a translucent cover (not shown) that covers the lamp front side of the lamp body 2. A light source 4 and a light guide 6 are accommodated in a lamp chamber formed by the lamp body 2 and the outer cover. The light source 4 and the light guide 6 are fixed to the lamp body 2.

The light source 4 is, for example, an LED (light emitting diode). The light source 4 may be an LD (laser diode), another semiconductor light emitting element such as an organic or inorganic EL (electroluminescence), an incandescent lamp, a halogen lamp, a discharge lamp, or the like. In the present embodiment, two light sources 4a and 4b are provided for one light guide 6. Hereinafter, when it is not necessary to distinguish between the light source 4a and the light source 4b, these will be collectively referred to as the light source 4.

The light guide 6 is a resin member having translucency. Examples of the resin used for the light guide 6 include transparent thermoplastic resins such as polycarbonate resins and acrylic resins, and thermosetting resins. In the present embodiment, a plurality of light guides 6 are arranged in the vehicle width direction. The plurality of light guides 6 are arranged so as to be offset toward the rear side of the lamp as they are arranged on the outer side in the vehicle width direction.

Each light guide 6 has a rod-like portion 8 and a plate-like portion 10. The rod-like portion 8 is an elongated portion extending in any one direction. The rod-shaped portion 8 of the present embodiment is cylindrical and extends substantially in the vertical direction. However, the rod-shaped portion 8 is disposed more obliquely as the light guide 6 is disposed more inward in the vehicle width direction. The plurality of light guides 6 are arranged such that the front surface thereof gradually faces the side of the vehicle body as they face the outside in the vehicle width direction. That is, the posture of each light guide 6 is defined so as to gradually rotate around the extending axis (central axis in the extending direction) of the rod-shaped portion 8 as it goes outward in the vehicle width direction.

The light source 4 is disposed at an end of the rod-shaped portion 8. In the present embodiment, the light source 4a is disposed on one end side of the rod-shaped portion 8, and the light source 4b is disposed on the other end side. The light sources 4 are arranged such that the light emitting surfaces thereof face the end surfaces of the rod-shaped portions 8. Therefore, the light from each light source 4 is incident on the light guide body 6 from the end surface of the rod-shaped portion 8. The end surface is a surface extending in a direction intersecting the extension axis at the end of the rod-like member.

The plate-like portion 10 protrudes from the circumferential surface of the rod-like portion 8. The circumferential surface is a surface extending along the extending axis of the rod-like member. The plate-like portion 10 is connected to the rod-like portion 8 at a middle portion excluding both end portions of the rod-like portion 8. Both ends of the rod-shaped portion 8 and the light source 4 disposed near each end are hidden from the outside of the lamp by the lamp body 2. The rod-like portion 8 is inserted into a through hole 2a provided in the lamp body 2. The middle portion of the rod-shaped portion 8 connecting both end portions and the plate-shaped portion 10 are exposed to the outside of the lamp body 2.

The plate-like portion 10 has a first main surface 10a and a second main surface 10b facing away from each other. Further, the plate-like portion 10 has a plurality of side surfaces connecting the first main surface 10a and the second main surface 10 b. The shape of the light guide 6 will be described in detail later.

As shown in an enlarged view of a broken line region R in fig. 3, the plate-like portion 10 contains a light diffusing material 11 therein. As the light diffusing material 11, metal oxide particles, for example, titanium dioxide particles, can be cited. The titanium dioxide particles have an average particle diameter of, for example, 150 to 500nm, preferably 160 to 450nm, more preferably 170 to 450nm, still more preferably 200 to 400nm, and particularly preferably 220 to 400 nm. The content of the light diffusing material 11 is, for example, 0.1 to 100 mass ppm, preferably 0.1 to 50 mass ppm, and more preferably 0.1 to 10 mass ppm based on the entire mass of the plate-like portion 10.

The proportion of rutile transformation in the titanium dioxide particles is, for example, 50 mass% or more, preferably 60 mass% or more, more preferably 70 mass% or more, and still more preferably 90 mass% or more. The plate-like portion 10 may contain other monomers copolymerizable with the main monomer of the resin used, and general additives such as antistatic agents, antioxidants, mold release agents, flame retardants, lubricants, fluidity improvers, fillers, and light stabilizers. The content of the light diffusing material 11 in the rod-shaped portion 8 is smaller than that in the plate-shaped portion 10, and the rod-shaped portion 8 of the present embodiment does not contain the light diffusing material 11.

When the material constituting the plate-like portion 10 is measured as a flat plate having a plate thickness of 4mm, the haze value in the plate thickness direction of at least a part thereof exceeds 7% and is 30% or less. When the material constituting the rod-shaped portion 8 is measured under the same conditions, the haze value is 7% or less. When the material constituting the plate-shaped portion 10 is measured as a flat plate having a plate thickness of 4mm, the transmittance of visible light in at least a part of the plate thickness direction (the ratio of the amount of light incident from one main surface to the amount of light incident from the main surface in the normal direction of the main surface and emitted from the other main surface in all directions) is 60% or more and 92% or less.

The haze values of the plate-shaped portion 10 and the rod-shaped portion 8 can be measured using a haze meter HZ-2 (manufactured by SUGA TEST MACHINE) in accordance with JIS K7136. The visible light transmittance of the plate-like portion 10 can be measured using a haze meter HZ-2 (manufactured by SUGA TEST MACHINE) in accordance with JIS K7361-1.

In addition, in a flat plate material made of a material constituting the plate-shaped portion 10 (hereinafter, for convenience, this flat plate material is referred to as the plate-shaped portion 10), the following conditions are satisfied with respect to the emission efficiency when light incident from a side surface connecting both main surfaces is emitted from the main surfaces. Fig. 4 (a) and 4 (B) are schematic diagrams for explaining a method of measuring the light emission efficiency of the plate-shaped portion. Fig. 4 (a) shows the size of the plate-like portion 10 and the arrangement of the LEDs. Fig. 4 (B) shows a view of the plate-shaped portion 10 to which the fixing frame B is attached, as viewed from the light emitting surface C side.

As shown in fig. 4 (a), a rectangular parallelepiped plate-like portion 10 having a length of 100mm in the vertical direction, a length of 190mm in the horizontal direction, and a thickness of 3.2mm was prepared. The side surface a of the plate-like portion 10 is used as an incident surface of the light source light. Then, an LED is disposed in the normal direction of the side surface a. The LED was disposed so that the focal point P faced the side face a and the distance from the focal point P to the side face a was 1.85 mm. Light is spread over 180 ° from the light emitting face of the LED.

As shown in fig. 4 (B), the periphery of the prepared plate-like portion 10 is covered with a fixing frame B. In a state of being covered by the fixing frame B, the light emitting surface C of the plate-like portion 10 has a length of 90mm in the vertical direction and 160mm in the horizontal direction. Neither the front nor the back of the fixed frame B reflects light. Further, the light is emitted from the light exit surface C in the normal directionFace C is

A light receiving surface (not shown) is disposed at a distance of 10 a.

In this state, light is emitted from the LED. Then, the light flux of light in a rectangular region of 15 ° up and down × 25 ° left and right on the light receiving surface is measured with the intersection of the normal line passing through the center of the light emitting surface C and the light receiving surface as the center. In the case of the plate-shaped portion 10, when the luminous flux of the light emitted from the LED is 1, the luminous flux of the light irradiated on the rectangular region is 0.3% or more.

Further, the plate-shaped portion 10 has the following optical characteristics: when light enters from the side surface, the amount of light emitted from the main surface per unit area is larger than the amount of light emitted from the side surface opposite to the side surface on which the light enters, and when light enters from one main surface, the amount of light emitted from the other main surface per unit area is larger than the amount of light emitted from the side surface per unit area.

That is, in both the case where light enters from the side surface and the case where light enters from the main surface, the proportion of light exiting from the main surface of the plate-like portion 10 is higher than the proportion of light exiting from the side surface. However, a predetermined amount of light is emitted from the side surface of the plate-like portion 10. Therefore, when any one of the side surfaces is a light incident surface, both main surfaces and the other side surfaces of the plate-like portion 10 are visually recognized as light emitting portions.

Next, the shape of the light guide 6 will be described in detail. Fig. 5 is a front view of the light source and the light guide. Fig. 6 is a rear view of the light source and the light guide. Fig. 7 is a left side view of the light source and the light guide. Fig. 8 is a right side view of the light source and the light guide. Fig. 9 (a) is a sectional view taken along line B-B of fig. 7. Fig. 9 (B) is a sectional view taken along line C-C of fig. 7.

The rod-shaped portion 8 has a first end surface 8a positioned on the upper side in the vertical direction, a second end surface 8b positioned on the lower side in the vertical direction, and a peripheral surface 8c connecting the first end surface 8a and the second end surface 8 b. The light source 4a is disposed at a position facing the first end face 8a, and the light source 4b is disposed at a position facing the second end face 8 b. Further, at both ends of the rod-shaped portion 8, a coupling portion 8d for fixing the rod-shaped portion 8 to the lamp body 2 is provided.

The plate-like portion 10 has a first main surface 10a and a second main surface 10b facing away from each other, a first side surface 10c connecting the first main surface 10a and the second main surface 10b, and a side surface different from the first side surface 10 c. In the present embodiment, the side surface different from the first side surface 10c includes a second side surface 10d, a third side surface 10e, and a fourth side surface 10 f. The first side surface 10c is adjacent to the second side surface 10d and the fourth side surface 10 f. The second side surface 10d is adjacent to the first side surface 10c and the third side surface 10 e. The third side surface 10e is adjacent to the second side surface 10d and the fourth side surface 10 f. The fourth side 10f is adjacent to the third side 10e and the first side 10 c. Two side faces adjacent to each other are divided by a ridge line.

The light guide 6 has a structure in which the peripheral surface 8c of the rod-shaped portion 8 is connected to the first side surface 10c of the plate-shaped portion 10. The first side surface 10c extends in the extending direction of the rod-shaped portion 8, and the entire first side surface is connected to the peripheral surface 8 c. The second side surface 10d is a side surface facing substantially vertically upward, the third side surface 10e is a surface facing substantially forward of the lamp, and the fourth side surface 10f is a surface facing substantially vertically downward.

In the present embodiment, the diameter of the rod-shaped portion 8 is larger than the thickness of the plate-shaped portion 10. The rod-shaped portion 8 and the plate-shaped portion 10 are integrally formed. The integrally molded article can be produced by a conventionally known means such as two-color molding using a resin material not mixed with the light diffusing material 11 and a resin material mixed with the light diffusing material 11.

Further, the plate-like portion 10 has a shape that is twisted so that both main surfaces, that is, the first main surface 10a and the second main surface 10b can be seen at the same time when viewed from the predetermined first direction. In other words, the plate-shaped portion 10 has a shape in which one end side (second side surface 10d) and the other end side (fourth side surface 10f) of the plate-shaped portion 10 in a direction in which a virtual axis X parallel to the first main surface 10a or the second main surface 10b extends are rotated in mutually opposite directions around the virtual axis X. This allows the first main surface 10a and the second main surface 10b to be simultaneously viewed from the same direction.

The plate-like portion 10 of the present embodiment has a shape that is twisted so that the first main surface 10a, the second main surface 10b, the second side surface 10d, and the third side surface 10e can be seen at the same time when viewed from the first direction. In the present embodiment, when the front surface of the light guide 6 is viewed as an example of the first direction, the first main surface 10a, the second main surface 10b, the second side surface 10d, and the third side surface 10e can be simultaneously viewed (see also fig. 1).

As described above, the plurality of light guides 6 are arranged such that the front surface thereof gradually faces the side of the vehicle body as they face the outside in the vehicle width direction. Therefore, when the vehicle lamp 1 is viewed from the front of the lamp, the two main surfaces and the two side surfaces can be simultaneously viewed through at least one light guide 6 in a wide angle range in the vehicle width direction.

The light from each light source 4 is incident on the light guide body 6 from the first end surface 8a and the second end surface 8b of the rod-shaped portion 8. The rod-shaped portion 8 guides light of the light source 4 incident from one end portion toward the other end portion. In this process, the light of the light source 4 is emitted from the peripheral surface 8c toward the plate-like portion 10. Specifically, the light from the light source 4a incident on the first end face 8a travels inside the rod-shaped portion 8 while being internally reflected toward the second end face 8b on the opposite side. In this process, the light from the light source 4a leaks from the peripheral surface 8c toward the plate-shaped portion 10 at the connection portion between the peripheral surface 8c of the rod-shaped portion 8 and the first side surface 10c of the plate-shaped portion 10, and enters the plate-shaped portion 10. The same applies to the light from the light source 4b incident on the second end face 8 b.

The light source 4 emits the light incident on the plate-like portion 10 from the first side surface 10c from the first main surface 10a and the second main surface 10b through the light diffusing member 11 dispersed in the plate-like portion 10. This allows the first main surface 10a and the second main surface 10b to emit light uniformly over the entire surface. Part of the light incident on the plate-like portion 10 is also emitted from the second side surface 10d, the third side surface 10e, and the fourth side surface 10 f. Since the plate-shaped portion 10 has a shape that is distorted so that the first main surface 10a, the second main surface 10b, the second side surface 10d, and the third side surface 10e can be seen at the same time when viewed from a predetermined direction, the observer can visually recognize the light emission of the four surfaces of the plate-shaped portion 10 at a glance.

As shown in fig. 7, 9 (a), and 9 (B), in the light guide 6 of the present embodiment, the connection position M between the peripheral surface 8c and the first side surface 10c has a shape that is offset in the direction Y around the axis of the rod-shaped portion 8 at a predetermined first portion and a second portion that is farther from the light source 4 than the first portion.

When considered with the first end surface 8a side as a reference, the connection position Mc is shifted clockwise from the connection position Mb, in a cross-sectional view perpendicular to the extending direction Z of the rod 8, between the connection position Mb located at a first position on the B-B line cross-sectional position and the connection position Mc located at a second position on the C-C line cross-sectional position farther from the light source 4a than the first position.

When considered with the second end face 8B side as a reference, the connection position Mb is shifted counterclockwise from the connection position Mc in the connection position Mc at the first portion located at the C-C line cross-sectional position and in the connection position Mb at the second portion located at the B-B line cross-sectional position located further from the light source 4B than the first portion, when viewed in a cross-section orthogonal to the extending direction Z of the rod-shaped portion 8.

As can be seen from fig. 5 and 8, the connection position M is continuously shifted from the first position to the second position. The first portion includes one end of the plate-like portion 10, i.e., the second side surface 10d, and the second portion includes the other end of the plate-like portion 10, i.e., the fourth side surface 10 f. That is, the plate-like portion 10 is continuously shifted in the axial direction Y from the second side surface 10d to the fourth side surface 10f at the connection position M. Further, the connection position M is offset in the same direction around the axis. That is, the first side surface 10c of the plate-like portion 10 is twisted in a spiral shape around the rod-like portion 8. The rotational range of the first side surface 10c, i.e., the offset amount in the axial direction Y, is, for example, 1/4 to 3/4 with respect to the entire circumference of the circumferential surface 8 c.

The lighting device 1 for a vehicle can function as, for example, a brake lamp, a tail lamp, a turn signal lamp, a width lamp, a daytime running lamp, and the like by emitting light from the plate-like portion 10 by lighting the light source 4a and/or the light source 4 b. The vehicle lamp 1 can also exhibit the first lighting function by the lighting of the light source 4a, and exhibit the second lighting function by the lighting of the light source 4 b. In addition, the vehicle lamp 1 can realize so-called gradation light emission by sequentially emitting light from the plurality of light guide bodies 6.

The plate-like portion 10 has high transparency. Further, the plate-like portion 10 is transparent and can uniformly emit light incident from the first side surface 10c from the first main surface 10a and the second main surface 10 b. Light is also emitted from the second side surface 10d to the fourth side surface 10 f. That is, when the light source 4 is not lit, the plate-like portion 10 appears transparent. On the other hand, when the light source 4 is turned on, the plate-like portion 10 appears to emit light as a whole.

As described above, the vehicle lamp 1 according to the present embodiment includes: a light source 4; and a light guide 6, wherein the light guide 6 has a plate-like portion 10, the plate-like portion 10 contains a light diffusing material 11 therein, and is twisted in a shape such that a first main surface 10a and a second main surface 10b of the plate-like portion 10 can be seen at the same time when viewed from a predetermined first direction. In the light guide 6, the light from the light source 4 incident from the first side surface 10c of the plate-like portion 10 connecting the two main surfaces is emitted from the two main surfaces by the light diffusing member 11.

In this way, by emitting light from the twisted main surface of the light guide, the light emission of the light guide can be visually recognized from more directions than in the case of emitting light from the flat main surface of the light guide. Therefore, the visibility of the vehicle lamp 1 can be improved. In addition, three-dimensional light emission can be realized, and the design and the appearance of the vehicle lamp 1 can be improved.

In addition, the plate-like portion 10 causes the first main surface 10a and the second main surface 10b to emit light by the light diffusing material 11. Therefore, the surface light can be emitted more uniformly than a light guide body that reflects light incident from the side surface by a reflection element such as a step provided on the main surface inside the lamp and emits the light from the main surface outside the lamp. Further, since the uniformity of light emission on the surface of the light guide can be improved, the light emission of the vehicle lamp 1 can be more reliably viewed by pedestrians, drivers of other vehicles, and the like. Therefore, the visibility of the vehicle lamp 1 can be improved.

In addition, in the structure in which light is emitted from the light guide by the reflection element such as the step, it is difficult to form the light guide into a complicated three-dimensional shape due to restrictions such as the mold release direction of the mold when molding the light guide. In contrast, in the present embodiment, since light is emitted from the plate-like portion 10 by the light diffusing member 11, the plate-like portion 10 having a complicated three-dimensional shape can be easily manufactured by means of injection molding or the like. This can easily expand the angle range in which light emission from the light guide 6 can be visually recognized.

The plate-like portion 10 of the present embodiment has a shape in which one end side and the other end side of the plate-like portion 10 in a direction in which a virtual axis X parallel to the main surface thereof extends are rotated in opposite directions around the virtual axis X. This can more reliably improve the visibility of the vehicle lamp 1. In addition, the design and the appearance of the vehicle lamp 1 can be improved.

Further, the plate-like portion 10 has a side surface different from the first side surface 10c connecting the two main surfaces, and the plate-like portion 10 has a shape twisted so that the two main surfaces and the different side surface can be seen at the same time when viewed from the first direction. The light guide 6 emits the light incident from the first side surface 10c from both the main surfaces and the different side surfaces. This can more reliably improve the visibility of the vehicle lamp 1. In addition, the design and the appearance of the vehicle lamp 1 can be improved.

Further, in the present embodiment, the side surface different from the first side surface 10c includes a second side surface 10d and a third side surface 10 e. Further, the plate-like portion 10 has a shape that is twisted so that the two main surfaces, the second side surface 10d, and the third side surface 10e can be seen at the same time when viewed from the first direction. The light guide 6 emits the light incident from the first side surface 10c from the two main surfaces, the second side surface 10d, and the third side surface 10 e. This can more reliably improve the visibility of the vehicle lamp 1. In addition, the design and the appearance of the vehicle lamp 1 can be improved. Further, in the case where there is no ridge line between the second side surface 10d and the third side surface 10e and both side surfaces are seen as being continuous to one side surface (for convenience, this side surface is referred to as the second side surface 10d), the plate-like portion 10 has a shape twisted so that the second side surface 10d and both main surfaces can be seen at the same time, and light can be captured and emitted from the second side surface 10d and both main surfaces.

The light guide 6 has a rod-shaped portion 8, and a peripheral surface 8c of the rod-shaped portion 8 is connected to the first side surface 10c of the plate-shaped portion 10. The rod-shaped portion 8 receives light from the light source 4 from the end portion, and emits light from the peripheral surface 8c to the plate-shaped portion 10 while guiding the light from the light source 4 inside. Therefore, the light from the light source 4 travels while being internally reflected in the rod-shaped portion 8, and in the process, the light leaking from the peripheral surface 8c toward the first side surface 10c enters the plate-shaped portion 10. That is, the light from the light source 4 gradually enters the plate-like portion 10 while traveling through the rod-like portion 8. This enables the plate-like portion 10 to emit light more uniformly.

Further, the vehicle lamp 1 of the present embodiment includes: a light source 4; and a light guide 6, wherein the light guide 6 has a rod-shaped portion 8 and a plate-shaped portion 10 containing a light diffusing material 11 therein. The light guide 6 has the following shape: the peripheral surface 8c of the rod-shaped portion 8 is connected to the first side surface 10c of the plate-shaped portion 10, and the connection position M between the peripheral surface 8c and the first side surface 10c is shifted in the direction around the axis of the rod-shaped portion 8 at a predetermined first position and a second position that is further away from the light source 4 than the first position. The light from the light source 4 enters the rod-shaped portion 8 from the end of the rod-shaped portion 8, enters the plate-shaped portion 10 from the circumferential surface 8c of the rod-shaped portion 8, and exits from the main surface of the plate-shaped portion 10 through the light diffusing member 11.

When the connection position M between the circumferential surface 8c of the rod-shaped portion 8 and the first side surface 10c of the plate-shaped portion 10 is not shifted in the direction around the axis of the rod-shaped portion 8, that is, when the first side surface 10c extends parallel to the extending axis of the rod-shaped portion 8, the light internally reflected in the same direction in the rod-shaped portion 8 is mainly incident on the plate-shaped portion 10. Therefore, it is difficult to efficiently inject the light in the rod-shaped portion 8 into the plate-shaped portion 10. On the other hand, by gradually changing the connection position M in the direction around the axis of the rod-shaped portion 8, more light in the rod-shaped portion 8 can be incident on the plate-shaped portion 10. This can reduce the light that remains in the rod-shaped portion 8 and is not emitted from the plate-shaped portion 10. Therefore, the efficiency of light utilization in the vehicle lamp 1 can be improved.

In addition, the connection position M of the present embodiment is continuously shifted from the first position to the second position. This can further improve the light use efficiency. In addition, the first portion includes one end of the plate-shaped portion 10, and the second portion includes the other end of the plate-shaped portion 10. This allows the entire connecting position M between the rod-shaped portion 8 and the plate-shaped portion 10 to be shifted in the axial direction. Therefore, the light use efficiency can be further improved. In addition, the connection position M is shifted in the same direction around the axis. This can further improve the light use efficiency.

The embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail above. The embodiments described above are merely specific examples shown when implementing the present invention. The contents of the embodiments do not limit the technical scope of the present invention, and various design changes such as changes, additions, deletions, and the like of the constituent elements may be made within the scope not departing from the spirit of the invention defined in the claims. The new embodiment to which the design change is added has the effects of the combined embodiment and the modification. In the above-described embodiments, the description of "in the present embodiment", "in the present embodiment" and the like is attached to emphasize the contents that can be subjected to such design changes, but the design changes are allowed without such contents. Any combination of the above constituent elements is also effective as an aspect of the present invention. The hatching attached to the cross-section of the drawing does not limit the material of the hatched object.

The plate-like portion 10 may have a curved shape with a large curvature. The light source 4 may be disposed only on one end side of the rod-shaped portion 8. The light from the light source 4 may be reflected by the reflector and incident on the rod-shaped portion 8. The number, arrangement, and posture of the light guides 6 are not limited to those in the embodiment.