Title of Invention

A REAR LAMP DEVICE FOR A VEHICLE

Abstract

Provided is a rear lamp device for a vehicle, which can improve flexibility in layout and design by reducing dimensions of the rear lamp device in a vertical direction and in a width direction of the vehicle, [Solving Means] In a rear lamp device 30 which is symmetrically configured, a tail lamp part 35 is formed in a substantially center of a base member 31 which is integrally formed, and stop lamp parts 36L (not shown) and 36R are formed on both left and right sides thereof. In the stop lamp part 36R, an LED unit 50 is attached, which is configured in a manner that stop lamp bulbs 41a to 41c formed respectively of light emitting diodes are disposed in an obliquely upward direction toward a center of a vehicle. An arrangement shape of the LEDs reduces the dimensions of the stop lamp in a vertical direction and a width direction of the vehicle. Thus, the rear lamp device 30 is downsized. The stop lamp part 36R is covered with an outer lens covering a winker lamp bulb 42R. The LEDs can also be disposed in an obliquely downward direction toward the center of the vehicle. [Selected Drawing] FIG. 3

Full Text

[Name of Document] Specification [Title of the Invention] Tail Lamp Device for Vehicle [Technical Field] [0001] The present invention relates to a rear lamp device for a vehicle, and more particularly relates to a rear lamp device for a vehicle, which is capable of improving flexibility in layout and design thereof by reducing dimensions thereof in a vertical direction and in a width direction of a vehicle. [Background Art] [0002] There has heretofore been known a rear lamp device in which a stop lamp in a vehicle rear part is formed of light emitting diodes (LEDs), the stop lamp being illuminated in a braking action. [0003] Patent Document 1 discloses a lamp arrangement structure for a motorcycle, in which a stop lamp formed of a plurality of LEDs horizontally arranged in a row is disposed above a combination lamp unit including a tail lamp in its center and winker lamps on left and right sides of the tail lamp. [Patent Document 1] Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Laid-Open Official Gazette No. Hei 6 (1994)-156341 [Disclosure of the Invention] [Problems to be Solved by the Invention] [0004] However, the technique of Patent Document 1 uses a two-tiered configuration in which the stop lamp is disposed above the combination lamp unit. For this reason, a dimension of a rear lamp device in the vertical direction is likely to be increased. Consequently, there is a problem that flexibility in layout and design is limited. [0005] It is an object of the present invention to provide a rear lamp device for a vehicle, which is capable of improving flexibility in layout and design thereof by solving the foregoing problem of the conventional technique, and by reducing dimensions of the rear lamp device in the vertical direction and in a width direction of the vehicle [Means for Solving the Problems] [0006] In order to achieve the foregoing object, a first feature of the present invention has a rear lamp device for a vehicle, including a tail lamp, stop lamps and winker lamps . In the rear lamp device, the plurality of stop lamps each formed of light emitting diodes are disposed at both left and right sides of the tail lamp. Each of the stop lamps is disposed in an oblique direction. [0007] Moreover, a second feature is that, in each of the stop lamps, the plurality of light emitting diodes are disposed in an obliquely upward direction toward the center of a vehicle. [0008] In addition, as a third feature is that, in each of the stop lamps, the plurality of light emitting diodes are disposed in an obliquely downward direction toward the center of a vehicle. [0009] Furthermore, a fourth feature is that, inner lenses are provided respectively to the stop lamps; each of the inner lenses has cylindrical concave portions formed therein respectively in portions facing the corresponding light emitting diodes; and a surface in which the concave portions are not formed, of each of the inner lenses, is textured. [0010] Still furthermore, as a fifth feature, a bottom portion of each of the cylindrical concave portions is formed into a lenticular shape which causes irradiating light from the corresponding light emitting diode to converge. [0011] In addition, a sixth feature is that the rear lamp device further includes a base member to be mounted on a rear part of a vehicle. In the base member, the tail lamp is disposed in a substantially center of the base member, and each of the winker lamp is disposed at outer side of the corresponding stop lamp in a width direction of the vehicle body. The rear lamp device also includes a tail lamp outer lens covering the tail lamp, and winker lamp outer lenses covering the respective winker lamps. [0012] Moreover, as a seventh feature, the stop lamps are configured to be covered respectively with the winker lamp outer lenses. [Effects of the Invention] [0013] According to the first invention, the stop lamps formed of the LEDs are allocated and disposed at the left and right sides of the tail lamp, and the plurality of LEDs are disposed in an oblique direction. Thus, dimensions of the rear lamp device in the vertical direction and in the width direction of a vehicle are reduced. Consequently, flexibility in layout and design can be improved. [0014] According to the second invention, compared with an arrangement structure in which a plurality of LEDs are arranged substantially horizontally, the width of each of the stop lamps is reduced. Accordingly, the dimension of the rear lamp device in the width direction of a vehicle can be reduced. Moreover, since the LED having a calorific value lower than that of an incandescent lamp is used, high-intensity light emission is achieved within a small space by disposing the plurality of LEDs close to one another . Accordingly, visibility of the stop lamps can be enhanced. [0015] According to the third invention, compared with an arrangement structure in which a plurality of LEDs are arranged substantially horizontally, the width of a stop lamp part is reduced. Accordingly, the dimension of the rear lamp device in the width direction of a vehicle can be reduced. Moreover, since the LED having a calorific value lower than that of an incandescent lamp is used, high-intensity light emission is achieved within a small space by disposing the plurality of LEDs close to one another. Accordingly, visibility of the stop lamps can be enhanced. [0016] According to the fourth invention, the cylindrical concave portions of each of the inner lenses are lit by transmitted light, and the surface in which the concave portions are not formed, of the inner lens, is entirely lit by light diffusion caused by the texturing. Accordingly, two kinds of light can be obtained from the same light source, and also the stop lamps having a novel appearance can be obtained. [0017] According to the fifth invention, lenticular objects, each of which causes the irradiating light from the corresponding LED to converge, make it possible to light the cylindrical concave portions more clearly and intensely. [0018] According to the sixth invention, the tail lamp, the stop lamps and the winker lamps are integrally arranged in the base member. Accordingly, it is possible to improve attachment of the rear lamp device to a vehicle and ease of maintenance thereof. Moreover, the tail lamp is disposed in the center and the stop lamps formed of the light emitting diodes are disposed at the left and right sides thereof. Thus, it is possible to obtain the rear lamp device which secures high visibility while reducing dimension thereof in the vertical dimension. [0019] According to the seventh invention, the stop lamps are configured so as to be covered with the winker lamp outer lenses. Thus, the tail lamp outer lens can be downsized, and the flexibility in layout and design for the rear lamp device can be significantly enhanced. Moreover, compared with a configuration in which independent outer lenses are provided in the stop lamps, the number of components and manufacturing steps can be reduced. [Embodiments of the Invention] [0020] With reference to the drawings, an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail below. FIG. 1 is a side view of a motorcycle according to an embodiment, to which the present invention is applied. A motorcycle 1 is a scooter-type motorcycle including a unit swing type power unit having a continuously variable transmission. A gusset 7 as a reinforcing member and a cylindrical head pipe 4 are fixedly connected to front ends of a pair of left and right main frames 6. At lower ends of a pair of left and right front forks 5 attached pivotally to the head pipe 4, a front wheel WF is rotatably and pivotally supported. The front forks 5 can be steered by a handle bar 2 and a pair of handle grips 3 attached thereto. The handle bar 2 is connected to a stem shaft (not shown) which is rotatably and pivotally supported by the head pipe 4. Moreover, the head pipe 4 is covered with a front cover 24 and a cover panel 15, which are used as outer covering parts, respectively from front and rear of the vehicle. [0021] Each of the main frames 6 is curved into a substantially U shape on a lower side of the vehicle body, and is connected to a seat frame 9 extending to a rear part of the vehicle. Moreover, a plate 12 for supporting a power unit 18 to be described later is connected to a gusset 11 connected to a lower part of each of the main frames 6. The main frames 6 and the seat frame 9 are also connected to each other respectively by a pair of left and right sub-frames 8 with a gusset 10 interposed therebetween, which is disposed in a substantially center of the vehicle. A fuel tank 13 is disposed in a manner that the fuel tank 13 is held by the sub-frames 8. The power unit 18 is supported by the plate 12 having one end rotatably and pivotally supported by the gusset 11. The power unit 18 includes an engine 17, a carburetor 21 and an air cleaner box 20. The power unit 18 is suspended by a rear cushion 22 attached to the seat frame 9 and thus can swing by using the end of the plate 12 as a rotation axis. At a rear end of the power unit, a rear wheel WR as a drive wheel is rotatably and pivotally supported. Moreover, an exhaust pipe 19 connected to an exhaust port (not shown) provided to a cylinder head of the engine 17 has its other end connected to a muffler 23 provided in the rear of the vehicle. [0022] The seat frame 9 is covered with a pair of left and right side covers 25 provided below a seat 16 on which a rider sits. A rear lamp device 30 according to an embodiment of the present invention is provided in the side covers 25 on the rear end side of the vehicle. Specifically, the rear lamp device 30 is integrally formed of a tail lamp as a tail light, a stop lamp as a stop light and left and right winker lamps respectively as turn signal lights. [0023] FIG. 2 is a side view of the rear lamp device 30 according to the embodiment of the present invention. A base member 31 of the rear lamp device 30 integrally houses the tail lamp, the stop lamp and the winker lamps, and is fixedly supported on a vehicle body side by a pair of left and right stays 34 and the like. Moreover, the base member 31 integrally formed of resin and the like has a shape in which the base member 31 is lifted upward toward its rear end. This makes it possible to give the rear end part of the motorcycle a sharp appearance. Moreover, on a surface side of the base member 31, a tail lamp lens 32, left and right winker lamp lenses 33L and 33R (see FIG. 4) are attached as outer lenses formed of transparent or colored transparent resin and the like. [0024] FIG. 3 is a front view of the rear lamp device 30, which corresponds to a state where the device is viewed from the rear of the motorcycle 1. The base member 31 of the rear lamp device 30 and each of the outer lenses are symmetrically formed. FIG. 3 shows a state where the right winker lamp lens 33R (see FIG. 4) as a winker lamp outer lens and a right-side half of the tail lamp lens 32 are detached. In a center of the base member 31 in a width direction of the vehicle, a concave tail lamp part 35 is formed, in which a tail lamp bulb 40 made of an incandescent lamp is disposed. On both left and right sides of the tail lamp part 35, concave stop lamp parts 36L (not shown) and 36R are formed. Right stop lamp bulbs 41a to 41c and left stop lamp bulbs 71a to 71c (see FIG. 5) are provided respectively inside the stop lamp parts 36R and 36L. These stop lamp bulbs are made respectively of light emitting diodes (LEDs) . Moreover, on the outer sides of the stop lamp parts 36L and 36R on the vehicle body, winker lamp parts 37L (not shown) and 37R are formed, respectively. Inside the winker lamp parts 37L and 37R, winker lamp bulbs 42L and 42R made of incandescent lamps are disposed. Note that, between the tail lamp part 35 and each of the stop lamp parts 36L and 36R, between the stop lamp part 36L and the winker lamp part 37L, and between the stop lamp part 36R and the winker lamp part 37R, partition plates for mutually blocking irradiating light from the corresponding bulbs are formed, respectively. [0025] By use of the arrangement configuration of the stop lamps as described above, the stop lamps are allocated and disposed not above and below the tail lamp but on the left and right sides of the tail lamp. Accordingly, the dimension of the rear lamp device 30 in the vertical direction can be reduced. Moreover, an irradiation range of the stop lamps can be extended in the width direction of the vehicle. Accordingly, visibility of the stop lamps can be enhanced. Furthermore, since the LEDs which generate less heat than the incandescent lights are used, the stop lamps which enable high-intensity light emission can be obtained while suppressing an increase in the dimension of the stop lamp parts 36L and 36R by disposing the plurality of LEDs close to one another. [0026] The right stop lamp bulbs 41a to 41c are provided in an LED unit 50 facing a bottom face of the right stop lamp part 36R. Additionally, in this embodiment, three LEDs are provided at higher positions toward the center of the vehicle body. With the configuration as described above, compared with a method of substantially horizontally arranging the right stop lamp bulbs 41a to 41c, the dimension of the right stop lamp part 36R in the width direction of the vehicle can be suppressed. Accordingly, the dimension of the rear lamp device 30 in the width direction of the vehicle can be reduced. Moreover, although the right stop lamp bulbs 41a to 41c are linearly disposed in this embodiment, those bulbs may be nonlinearly disposed. Furthermore, the right stop lamp bulbs 41a to 41c can also be disposed at lower positions toward the center of the vehicle body. Note that the configuration as described above is similarly applied also to the left stop lamp bulbs 71a to 71c. [0027] The tail lamp part 35 is covered with the tail lamp lens 32 as a tail lamp outer lens having a substantially triangular shape so as to fit the shape of the tail lamp part 35. Meanwhile, the stop lamp parts 36L and 36R are not covered with the tail lamp lens 32 formed of red-colored transparent resin or the like, but with a part of the winker lamp lenses 33L and 33R (see FIG. 4) . With the above configuration, the tail lamp lens 32 can be downsized, and concurrently, flexibility in the entire design of the rear lamp device 30 can be enhanced. Moreover, for example, compared with a configuration in which independent outer lenses are provided in the stop lamp parts 36L and 36R, the numbers of components and manufacturing steps can also be reduced. Note that, between the stop lamp bulbs 41a to 41c and the right winker lamp lens 33R (see FIG. 4) , a right inner lens 60R (see FIG. 4) is disposed, which is symmetrical to a left inner lens 60L shown in FIG. 3. The right inner lens 60R is fixed to the stop lamp part 36R by use of a screw hole 36a, and details thereof will be described later. [0028] FIG. 4 is a top view of the rear lamp device 30, including a cross-sectional view taken along the line A-A in FIG. 3. The same or similar parts are denoted by the same reference numerals. On the base member 31, symmetrical left and right stays 31a (the right one is not shown) for supporting the rear lamp device 30 on the vehicle body side are formed. As described above, on the base member 31, the tail lamp part 35, the stop lamp parts 36L (not shown) and 36R, and the winker lamp parts 37L (not shown) and 37R are symmetrically formed. Accordingly, the configuration on the right side in FIG. 4 will be mainly described below. A socket 70 for supporting the tail lamp bulb 4 0 is attached to the bottom of the tail lamp part 35. Moreover, the LED unit 50 is’ attached to the bottom of the stop lamp part 36R. Furthermore, a socket 72R for supporting the winker lamp bulb 42R is attached to the bottom of the winker lamp part 37R. [0029] The winker lamp lens 33R is configured in a manner that the winker lamp lens 33R is engaged with the end of the base member 31, and also with the end of the tail lamp lens 32. In this configuration, by connecting the tail lamp lens 32 to the base member 31 with attachment screws 73, the winker lamp lens 33R is also fixed to the base member 31 at the same time. For this reason, three attachment screws 73, which fix the tail lamp lens 32 to the base member 31 from a back side of the base member 31, are used to also fix the left and right winker lamp lenses 33L and 33R at the same time. With this, the number of components is reduced, and concurrently, heads of the attachment screws and holes for the attachment are not exposed on the surfaces of the respective outer lenses. Accordingly, the appearance and quality of the rear lamp device 30 can be enhanced. [0030] The LED unit 50 attached to the stop lamp part 36R includes: a base 51 to which a wiring 54 for supplying power is connected; a case 52 for supporting the base 51; and a lens 53 for covering the LEDs. Between the lens 53 and the winker lamp lens 33R, the inner lens 60R is disposed, in which cylindrical concave portions 61 corresponding to the respective stop lamp bulbs 41a to 41c are formed. [0031] FIG. 5 is a front view of the LED unit 50. The same or similar parts are denoted by the same reference numerals. The LED unit 50 in which the base 51 having the left and right LEDs disposed thereon is housed in the integral case 52 is configured in the following manner. Specifically, when the LED unit 50 is attached to the base member 31, only portions, where the LEDs are disposed, face the bottoms of the left and right stop lamp parts 3 6L and 3 6R. [0032] In this embodiment, the left stop lamp bulbs 71a to 71c are provided obliquely right up, and the right stop lamp bulbs 41a to 41c are provided obliquely right down. Specifically, the respective bulbs are provided at higher positions toward the center of the vehicle. Thus, an LED arrangement having a substantially inverted truncated chevron shape is realized, which matches the substantially triangular shape of the tail lamp part 35 is realized. Thus, a dead space is reduced while sufficiently securing a distance between the bulbs, which is required when heating values of the respective bulbs are considered. Consequently, the dimensions of the rear lamp device 30 in the vertical direction and in the width direction of the vehicle can be further reduced. [0033] FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line B-B in FIG. 3. The same or similar parts are denoted by the same reference numerals. The base 51 is attached to the bottom of the case 52 by use of an attachment screw 74, and the right LED unit 50 is attached so as to cover an opening formed in the bottom of the base member 31 by use of attachment screws 75 and 76 which penetrate fixing stays 52a and 52b. Moreover, the cylindrical concave portion 61 formed on the right inner lens 60R has a shape largely extended toward the lens 53. Note that, in this embodiment, LEDs which emit red light are used as the stop lamp bulbs. However, needless to say, for example, the LEDs may be those that emit white light, and the lens 53 or the inner lens 60R may be set to be red transparent. [0034] FIG. 7 is a front view of the right inner lens 60R. As described above, the right inner lens 60R is fixed to the base member 31 so as to cover the right LED unit 50 by use of an attachment screw (not shown) through an attachment hole 65. Moreover, in a surface of the inner lens 60R formed of transparent or colored transparent resin or the like, openings 62a to 62c are formed, which correspond to positions of the stop lamp bulbs 41a to 41c in the LED unit 50. Moreover, a plate-like surface part of the inner lens 60R, which is indicated by a shaded area, is formed to have a number of irregularities and is subjected to texturing which diffuses irradiating light from the back side. [0035] FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line C-C in FIG. 7. The same or similar parts are denoted by the same reference numerals. As described above, the surface of the inner lens 60R is subjected to texturing which diffuses the irradiating light from the back side. Thus, it is possible to achieve such an appearance as if the entire surface of the inner lens 60R were a luminous body when the stop lamp bulbs 41a to 41c are lit. Meanwhile, at bottoms of the cylindrical concave portions 61a to 61c, lenticular objects 63a to 63c are formed, which focus the irradiating light. Thus, when the stop lamp bulbs 41a to 41c are lit, the irradiating light is transmitted substantially linearly toward the rear of the vehicle body from the openings 62a to 62c. By use of the configuration as described above, when the stop lamp bulbs 41a to 41c are lit, circular and clear transmitted light is emitted from the openings 62a to 62c, and the entire surroundings thereof are irradiated with glittering diffused light. Thus, it is possible to give the stop lamps a novel appearance and to further improve the visibility. Note that the texturing may be performed on the back side of the inner lens 60R. Moreover, by changing lengths, diameters and the like of the cylindrical concave portions 61a to 61c, even if the same LEDs are used for the stop lamp bulbs 41a to 41c, lights having different intensities can be transmitted from the openings 62a to 62c. Note that the rear lamp device according to the embodiment of the present invention can also be formed without using the inner lens as described above. [0036] As described above, in the rear lamp device for a vehicle according to the present invention, the stop lamps formed respectively of the light emitting diodes are disposed at both left and right sides of the tail lamp. Accordingly, the dimension of the rear lamp device in the vertical direction is reduced. Moreover, the visibility can be enhanced by extending the irradiation range of the stop lamps in the width direction of the vehicle. Furthermore, the light emitting diodes, which generate less heat than the incandescent lamps, are configured so as to be provided at higher or lower positions toward the center of the vehicle. Thus, the dimensions of the rear lamp device in the vertical direction and in the width direction of the vehicle are reduced. Consequently, the flexibility in design of the rear lamp device can be improved. [0037] Note that, needless to say, the shapes respectively of the tail lamp part, the stop lamp parts and the winker lamp parts, all of which are formed on the base member, the number and the arrangement shape of the stop lamp bulbs, the shapes respectively of the outer lenses, and the like are not limited to those in the embodiment described above, but various changes can be made. [Brief Description of the Drawings] [0038] FIG. 1 is a side view of a motorcycle to which a rear lamp device according to an embodiment of the present invention is applied. FIG. 2 is a side view of the rear lamp device according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a front view of the rear lamp device according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4 is a top view of the rear lamp device, including a cross-sectional view taken along the line A-A in FIG. 3. FIG. 5 is a front view of an LED unit according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line B-B in FIG. 3. FIG. 7 is a front view of an inner lens (right side) according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line C-C in FIG. 7. [Explanation of Reference Numerals] [0039] 30 rear lamp device 31 base member 32 tail lamp lens 33L left winker lamp lens 35 tail lamp part 36R right stop lamp part 37R right winker lamp part 40 tail lamp bulb 41a, 41b, 41c stop lamp bulbs 42L, 42R winker lamp bulbs 50 right LED unit 60L left inner lens [Name of Document]. Scope of Claims [Claim 1] A rear lamp device for a vehicle, characterized by comprising a tail lamp, stop lamps and winker lamps, the rear lamp device being characterized in that the plurality of stop lamps each formed of light emitting diodes are disposed at both left and right sides of the tail lamp, and each of the stop lamps is disposed in an oblique direction. [Claim 2] The rear lamp device for a vehicle, according to claim 1, characterized in that the plurality of light emitting diodes are disposed in an obliquely upward direction toward the center of a vehicle. [Claim 3] The rear lamp device for a vehicle, according to claim 1, characterized in that the plurality of light emitting diodes are disposed in an obliquely downward direction toward the center of a vehicle. [Claim 4] The rear lamp device for a vehicle, according to any of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that inner lenses are provided respectively to the stop lamps, each of the inner lenses has cylindrical concave portions formed therein respectively in portions facing the corresponding light emitting diodes, and a surface in which the cylindrical concave portions are not formed, of each of the inner lenses, is textured. [Claim 5] The rear lamp device for a vehicle, according to claim 4, characterized in that a bottom portion of each of the plurality of cylindrical concave portions is formed into a lenticular shape which causes irradiating light from the corresponding light emitting diode to converge - [Claim 6] The rear lamp device for a vehicle, according to any of claims 1 to 5, characterized by further comprising a base member to be mounted on a rear part of a vehicle, characterized in that in the base member, the tail lamp is disposed in a substantially center, and each of the winker lamp is disposed at an outer side of the corresponding stop lamp in a width direction of the vehicle body, and the rear lamp device being characterized by comprising a tail lamp outer lens covering the tail lamp and winker lamp outer lenses covering the respective winker lamps. [Claim 7] The rear lamp device for a vehicle, according to claim 6, characterized in that the stop lamps are configured to be covered with the respective winker lamp outer lenses.

Documents:

198-che-2007-abstract.pdf

198-che-2007-claims.pdf

198-che-2007-correspondnece-others.pdf

198-che-2007-description(complete).pdf

198-che-2007-drawings.pdf

198-che-2007-form 1.pdf

198-che-2007-form 18.pdf

198-che-2007-form 26.pdf

198-che-2007-form 3.pdf

198-che-2007-form 5.pdf

EXAMINATION REPORT REPLY.PDF