Vehicle lamp

• US 20040057244A1
• Filed: 07/10/2003
• Published: 03/25/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 07/10/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Koito Manufacturing Company Limited
• Original Assignee: Koito Manufacturing Company Limited
• Inventors: Amano, Yasuyuki
• Granted Patent: US 6,811,277 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 362/518
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 43/14 Light emitting diodes [LED]
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 43/239 plate-shaped
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 43/241 of complex shape
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 43/247 with a single light source being coupled into the light guide
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 43/315 using total internal reflection
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 43/40 characterised by the combination of reflectors and refractors
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 7/0091 using total internal reflection
• CPC Class Codes: F21Y 2115/10 Light-emitting diodes [LED]

Abstract

A vehicle lamp is constructed such that light exiting from an LED light source is converted into collimated light and such that the collimated light is reflected forward of the lamp by means of a reflector. At that time, the reflector portion has a stepwise reflection surface in which there are alternately formed a plurality of light incidence sections into which the collimated light enter and a plurality of intermediate sections into which no collimated light enters. Further, each of the intermediate sections is formed from an irregular surface formed so as to recess rearward of the lamp with respect to a plane parallel to the direction of radiation of the collimated light. By means of the irregular surface, stray light or the like included in the collimated light exiting from the optical member is reflected forward of the lamp. As a result, when the lamp is viewed from the front, the light incidence sections appear to glare, resembling spread spots, and the intermediate sections also appear to glare.

Claims

1. A vehicle lamp comprising a light source, an optical member for converting light originating from the light source into collimated light, and a reflector portion for reflecting the collimated light exiting from the optical member forward of the lamp, wherein

the reflector portion includes a stepwise reflection surface on at least a part of the reflector portion in which there are alternately formed a plurality of light incidence sections into which the collimated light enters and a plurality of intermediate sections into which no collimated light enters;

and

at least a portion of the intermediate sections is formed from an irregular surface formed so as to recess rearward of the lamp with respect to a plane parallel to the direction of radiation of the collimated light.

2. The vehicle lamp according to claim 1, wherein the irregular surface has a saw-toothed cross-sectional profile.

3. The vehicle lamp according to claim 1, wherein at least a part of the reflection surface of the reflector portion is formed as an internal reflection section for reflecting the collimated light exiting from the optical member forward of the lamp through internal reflection;

and

each of the intermediate sections is formed from an irregular surface.

4. The vehicle lamp according to claim 1, wherein the light source is a LED light source.

5. The vehicle lamp according to claim 4, wherein the irregular surface has a saw-toothed cross-sectional profile.

6. The vehicle lamp according to claim 5, wherein at least a part of the reflection surface of the reflector portion is formed as an internal reflection section for reflecting the collimated light exiting from the optical member forward of the lamp through internal reflection;

and

each of the intermediate sections is formed from an irregular surface.