阅读说明：本技术 车辆用灯具 (Vehicle lamp ) 是由 生田龙治郎 于 2020-02-12 设计创作，主要内容包括：本发明提供车辆用灯具,在具有投射式灯具单元的车辆用灯具中,通过单个灯具单元且简单的结构,能够选择性地或同时形成明亮且清晰的配光图案和大且不清晰的配光图案。作为灯具单元(40)的光源构成为,两个发光元件(44A)配置在投影透镜(42)的后侧焦点(F)附近,并且七个发光元件(44B)配置在比后侧焦点(F)更靠上方侧、从该后侧焦点(F)向灯具后方侧移动的位置,并且上述发光元件搭载于以向灯具后方侧倾斜延伸的方式配置的同一基板(46)。而且,通过使两个发光元件(44A)点亮形成明亮且清晰的配光图案,另一方面通过使七个发光元件(44B)点亮在上述配光图案的下方形成比所述配光图案大且不清晰的配光图案。(The invention provides a vehicle lamp with a projection type lamp unit, which can selectively or simultaneously form a bright and clear light distribution pattern and a large and unclear light distribution pattern through a single lamp unit and a simple structure. A light source of a lamp unit (40) is configured in such a manner that two light emitting elements (44A) are arranged near a rear focal point (F) of a projection lens (42), seven light emitting elements (44B) are arranged at a position which is located above the rear focal point (F) and moves from the rear focal point (F) to the rear side of the lamp, and the light emitting elements are mounted on the same substrate (46) which is arranged to extend obliquely to the rear side of the lamp. Then, a bright and clear light distribution pattern is formed by lighting two light emitting elements (44A), while a light distribution pattern larger than the light distribution pattern and unclear is formed below the light distribution pattern by lighting seven light emitting elements (44B).)

1. A vehicle lamp having a lamp unit configured to irradiate light emitted from a light source to the front of the lamp via a projection lens,

the lamp unit has a first light source and a second light source which are lighted in a required lighting mode as the light source,

the first light source is composed of at least one light emitting element disposed in the vicinity of a rear focal point of the projection lens,

the second light source is composed of at least one light emitting element arranged at a position which is located above the rear focal point and moves from the rear focal point in the front-rear direction of the lamp,

the light emitting elements constituting the first light source and the light emitting elements constituting the second light source are mounted on the same substrate disposed so as to extend obliquely in the front-rear direction of the lamp with respect to a vertical plane orthogonal to the front-rear direction of the lamp.

2. A lamp for a vehicle as defined in claim 1,

the light emitting area of the second light source is set to a value larger than the light emitting area of the first light source.

3. The vehicular lamp according to claim 1 or 2,

a second lamp unit configured to be capable of selectively forming a light distribution pattern for low beam and a light distribution pattern for high beam,

the lamp unit is configured to enhance the brightness of the low beam light distribution pattern by the lighting of the second light source, and to enhance the brightness of the high beam light distribution pattern by the lighting of the first light source.

4. A lamp for a vehicle as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 3,

the substrate is inclined to the front side of the lamp with respect to the vertical surface.

5. A lamp for a vehicle as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 4,

the lamp unit has a pair of reflectors disposed on both left and right sides of the second light source,

each of the reflecting mirrors is configured to reflect light emitted from the second light source toward the projection lens.

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a vehicle lamp having a projector type lamp unit.

Background

Conventionally, as a configuration of a vehicle lamp, a configuration having a so-called projection type lamp unit that irradiates light emitted from a light source to the front of a lamp via a projection lens is known.

In patent document 1, there is described a vehicle lamp including: a first lamp unit in which a plurality of first light-emitting elements are arranged in parallel in a left-right direction on a rear focal plane of a projection lens; and a second lamp unit in which a plurality of second light-emitting elements are arranged in parallel in the left-right direction on the lamp rear side of the rear focal plane of the projection lens.

In the vehicle lamp described in "patent document 1", a bright and clear light distribution pattern is formed as a projected image of the plurality of first light-emitting elements by irradiation light from the first lamp unit, and a light distribution pattern larger than the light distribution pattern and unclear is formed as a projected image of the plurality of second light-emitting elements by irradiation light from the second lamp unit.

Disclosure of Invention

Technical problem to be solved by the invention

With the structure described in "patent document 1", a bright and clear light distribution pattern and a large and unclear light distribution pattern can be selectively or simultaneously formed, but two lamp units are required to achieve the above object.

The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a vehicle lamp having a projector-type lamp unit, which can selectively or simultaneously form a bright and clear light distribution pattern and a large and unclear light distribution pattern with a single lamp unit and a simple configuration.

Technical solution for solving technical problem

The present invention can achieve the above object by devising the structure, arrangement, and the like of the light source.

That is, the vehicle lamp of the present invention has a lamp unit configured to irradiate light emitted from a light source to the front of the lamp via a projection lens,

the lamp unit has a first light source and a second light source which are lighted in a required lighting mode as the light source,

the first light source is composed of at least one light emitting element disposed in the vicinity of a rear focal point of the projection lens,

the second light source is composed of at least one light emitting element arranged at a position which is located above the rear focal point and moves from the rear focal point in the front-rear direction of the lamp,

the light emitting elements constituting the first light source and the light emitting elements constituting the second light source are mounted on the same substrate disposed so as to extend obliquely in the front-rear direction of the lamp with respect to a vertical plane orthogonal to the front-rear direction of the lamp.

The "required lighting mode" is not limited to the specified lighting mode, but may be, for example, a low beam lighting mode, a high beam lighting mode, a fog lighting mode, a running light lighting mode, a daytime running light lighting mode, or the like.

The "first light source" is not particularly limited in number and specific arrangement as long as it is constituted by at least one light emitting element arranged in the vicinity of the rear focal point of the projection lens.

The "second light source" is not particularly limited in number and specific arrangement as long as it is arranged at a position above the rear focal point of the projection lens and moved in the front-rear direction of the lamp from the rear focal point.

The "substrate" is not particularly limited in its inclination direction and its specific inclination angle as long as it is disposed so as to extend obliquely in the front-rear direction of the lamp with respect to a vertical plane orthogonal to the front-rear direction of the lamp.

Effects of the invention

The vehicle lamp according to the present invention includes a lamp unit configured to irradiate light emitted from a light source to the front of the lamp through a projection lens, and the lamp unit includes, as the light source, a first light source and a second light source that are lit in a desired lighting mode, the first light source being configured by at least one light emitting element disposed in the vicinity of a rear focal point of the projection lens, and the second light source being configured by at least one light emitting element disposed at a position that is above the rear focal point of the projection lens and that moves in the front-rear direction of the lamp from the rear focal point.

That is, by turning on the first light source, a bright and clear first light distribution pattern can be formed as a projected image of at least one light emitting element constituting the first light source, and by turning on the second light source, a second light distribution pattern that is larger and less clear than the first light distribution pattern can be formed below the first light distribution pattern as a projected image of at least one light emitting element constituting the second light source.

Further, since the light emitting elements constituting the first light source and the light emitting elements constituting the second light source are mounted on the same substrate that is disposed to extend obliquely in the front-rear direction of the lamp with respect to a vertical plane orthogonal to the front-rear direction of the lamp, the above-described operational effects can be obtained while simplifying the structure of the lamp unit.

As described above, according to the present invention, in the vehicular lamp having the projector-type lamp unit, it is possible to selectively or simultaneously form a bright and clear light distribution pattern and a large and unclear light distribution pattern by a single lamp unit and a simple configuration.

In the above configuration, if the light emitting area of the second light source is set to a value larger than the light emitting area of the first light source, the clear first light distribution pattern can be formed into a relatively small light distribution pattern, while the second light distribution pattern can be formed into a light distribution pattern that is sufficiently larger than the first light distribution pattern and is unclear.

In this case, as a specific configuration for setting the light-emitting area of the second light source to a value larger than the light-emitting area of the first light source, the light-emitting surface itself of the light-emitting element may be increased, or the number of light-emitting elements may be increased.

In the above configuration, in addition to the configuration in which the second lamp unit is provided so as to be capable of selectively forming the light distribution pattern for low beam and the light distribution pattern for high beam, the following operational effects can be obtained if the configuration of the lamp unit is such that the luminance of the light distribution pattern for low beam is enhanced by the lighting of the second light source and the luminance of the light distribution pattern for high beam is enhanced by the lighting of the first light source.

That is, since the first light distribution pattern formed by lighting the first light source is a bright and clear light distribution pattern, the brightness of the central region of the light distribution pattern for high beam can be enhanced by increasing the formation of the first light distribution pattern.

On the other hand, since the second light distribution pattern formed below the first light distribution pattern by the lighting of the second light source is a large and unclear light distribution pattern, the brightness of the diffusion region of the light distribution pattern for low beam can be enhanced while suppressing the unevenness of the light distribution by forming the second light distribution pattern in an increased manner.

In addition, by forming the second light distribution pattern to be increased by simultaneously lighting the second light sources when the first light sources are lit, it is possible to enhance not only the luminance of the central region of the light distribution pattern for high beam but also the luminance of the diffusion region while suppressing the unevenness of the light distribution.

In the above configuration, if the substrate is further inclined toward the front side of the lamp with respect to the vertical plane orthogonal to the front-rear direction of the lamp, the light emitted from the second light source disposed above the rear focal point of the projection lens can be efficiently incident on the projection lens.

In the above configuration, the lamp unit may further include a pair of reflectors disposed on both left and right sides of the second light source, and the reflectors may be configured to reflect light emitted from the second light source toward the projection lens, so that the left and right diffusion angles of the second light distribution pattern can be increased. Further, since the light distribution pattern formed by the reflected light from each reflector is a light distribution pattern that is larger and unclear than the second light distribution pattern, the diffusion region can be expanded to the left and right sides while suppressing the unevenness of the light distribution of the low beam light distribution pattern.

Drawings

Fig. 1 is a front view showing a vehicle lamp according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 2 is a sectional view taken along line II-II of fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a view in the direction III of fig. 2.

Fig. 4 is a perspective view showing a light distribution pattern formed by irradiation light from the vehicle lamp, fig. 4(a) is a view showing a light distribution pattern for low beam, and fig. 4(b) is a view showing a light distribution pattern for high beam.

Fig. 5 is a view similar to fig. 2 showing a first modification of the above embodiment.

Fig. 6 is a view similar to fig. 4 showing an operation of the first modification.

Fig. 7 is a view similar to fig. 2 showing a second modification of the above embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a view similar to FIG. 3 showing a third modification of the above embodiment,

fig. 9 is a view similar to fig. 4 showing an operation of the third modification.

Description of the reference numerals

10 a vehicular lamp;

12 a lamp body;

14 a light-transmitting cover;

20 a lamp unit (second lamp unit);

22 a projection lens;

24a light emitting element;

24a, 44Aa, 44Ba light emitting faces;

26 a mirror;

28. 38 a lens holder;

30. 50, 150, 250 base members;

34a movable lamp cover;

34a upper end edge;

40. 140, 240, 340 luminaire units;

42a projection lens;

42a front surface;

42b rear surface;

42c outer peripheral flange portion;

44A light emitting element (first light source);

44B light emitting elements (second light sources);

46 a substrate;

360L, 360R mirrors;

360La, 360Ra reflecting surfaces;

an Ax optical axis;

a lower cut-off line of CL 1;

CL2 upper cut-off line;

e, inflection point;

f, a rear focus;

PA1, PA2, PA3, PAL, PAR, PB1, PB2, PB3, PBL, PBR additional light distribution patterns;

pa1, Pa2, Pb1 and Pb2 light distribution patterns;

basic light distribution patterns of PH0 and PL 0;

light distribution patterns for a PH1, PH2, PH3 high beam lamp;

PL1, PL2, PL3 low beam light distribution patterns.

Detailed Description

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

Fig. 1 is a front view showing a vehicle lamp 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 2 is a sectional view taken along line II-II of fig. 1, and fig. 3 is a view taken along direction III of fig. 2.

In the above drawings, the direction indicated by X is the "front" of the vehicle lamp 10 (also "front" of the vehicle), the direction indicated by Y is the "left direction" orthogonal to the "front" (also "left direction" of the vehicle, but "right direction" in the front view of the lamp), and the direction indicated by Z is the "up direction". The same applies to the drawings other than the above-described drawings.

As shown in the above drawings, the vehicle lamp 10 according to the present embodiment is a headlamp provided at a front end portion of a vehicle, and two projector-type lamp units 20 and 40 are mounted in a lamp chamber formed by a lamp body 12 and a transparent translucent cover 14 provided at a front end opening portion thereof.

The lamp unit 20 is configured to be able to selectively form a light distribution pattern for low beam and a light distribution pattern for high beam, and the lamp unit 40 is configured to enhance the brightness of the light distribution pattern for low beam and the light distribution pattern for high beam.

First, the configuration of the lamp unit 20 will be described.

As shown in fig. 1, the lamp unit 20 is a reflective light control type lamp unit, and includes: a projection lens 22 having an optical axis Ax extending in the front-rear direction of the lamp; a light emitting element 24 as a light source disposed on the lamp rear side of the rear focal point of the projection lens 22; and a reflector 26 disposed so as to cover the light emitting element 24 from above and reflect light from the light emitting element 24 toward the projection lens 22.

The light emitting element 24 is a white light emitting diode having a horizontally long rectangular light emitting surface, and is supported on the base member 30 with its light emitting surface 24a directed upward on the optical axis Ax. The mirror 26 is also supported at its lower end edge by the base member 30. The projection lens 22 is supported by a base member 30 via a lens holder 28.

The lamp unit 20 further includes: a movable lamp cover 34 which is disposed so as to be able to apply a light blocking position (a position indicated by a solid line in fig. 1) for blocking a part of the reflected light from the reflecting mirror 26 toward the projection lens 22 and a light blocking release position (a position indicated by a two-dot chain line in fig. 1) for releasing the light blocking; and an actuator (not shown) for driving the movable lamp cover 34.

The movable shade 34 is disposed such that its upper end edge 34a passes through the rear focal point of the projection lens 22 when it is positioned at the light shielding position. Thus, the lamp unit 20 forms a light distribution pattern for low beam having a cut-off line at the upper end edge when the movable shade 34 is in the light blocking position, and forms a light distribution pattern for high beam when the movable shade 34 is in the light blocking release position.

Next, the structure of the lamp unit 40 will be described.

As shown in fig. 1 to 3, the lamp unit 40 is a direct light control lamp unit, and includes: a projection lens 42 having an optical axis Ax extending in the front-rear direction of the lamp; two light emitting elements 44A as a first light source disposed in the vicinity of the rear focal point F of the projection lens 42; seven light emitting elements 44B as the second light source are arranged above the rear focal point F and behind the lamp.

Each light emitting element 44A is a white light emitting diode having a square light emitting surface 44Aa, and is disposed in a state where left and right sides of the rear focal point F are close to each other at a height position of the optical axis Ax, and the light emitting surface 44Aa thereof is directed obliquely upward in front of the lamp. In this case, the angle of each light emitting element 44A obliquely upward is set to a value of about 10 to 20 ° (e.g., about 15 °).

Each light emitting element 44B is also a white light emitting diode having a square light emitting surface 44Ba of the same size as the light emitting surface 44Aa of each light emitting element 44A, and is disposed in a state in which the light emitting elements are close to each other directly above and on both the left and right sides of the optical axis Ax, and also in a state in which the light emitting elements are close to the two light emitting elements 44A. Each light emitting element 44B is disposed such that its light emitting surface 44Ba faces in the same direction as each light emitting element 44A (i.e., obliquely upward in front of the lamp).

The two light emitting elements 44A and the seven light emitting elements 44B are mounted on the same substrate 46 disposed so as to extend obliquely toward the rear side of the lamp with respect to a vertical plane orthogonal to the front-rear direction of the lamp. The base plate 46 is supported by a base member 50.

The two light emitting elements 44A are configured to be turned on in the high beam lighting mode, and the seven light emitting elements 44B are configured to be turned on in the low beam lighting mode.

The projection lens 42 is a plano-convex aspherical lens having a convex front surface 42a and a flat rear surface 42b, and projects a light source image formed on a rear focal plane, which is a focal plane including a rear focal point F, onto a virtual vertical screen in front of the lamp as an inverted image. The projection lens 42 has a circular outer shape in a front view of the lamp, and is supported by the lens holder 38 at an outer peripheral flange portion 42c thereof. The lens holder 38 is supported by a base member 50.

Fig. 4 is a perspective view showing a light distribution pattern formed on a virtual vertical screen arranged at a position 25m ahead of the vehicle by light emitted forward from the vehicle lamp 10, in which fig. 4(a) is a view showing a light distribution pattern PL1 for low beam and fig. 4(b) is a view showing a light distribution pattern PH1 for high beam.

The low beam light distribution pattern PL1 shown in fig. 4(a) is a low beam light distribution pattern for left light distribution, and has cut-off lines CL1 and CL2 having different left and right heights at the upper end edge thereof. The cut-off lines CL1 and CL2 extend horizontally at different heights from left to right with a V-V line passing through H-V, which is a vanishing point in the direction of the front surface of the lamp in the vertical direction, and a portion on the right side of the V-V line (left side in japan) is formed as a lower cut-off line CL1, and a portion on the left side of the V-V line (in japan) is formed as an upper cut-off line CL2 which is raised in height from the lower cut-off line CL1 via an inclined portion.

In the light distribution pattern PL1 for low beam, an inflection point E, which is an intersection of the lower cutoff line CL1 and the V-V line, is located below about 0.5 ° to 0.6 ° of H-V.

The low beam light distribution pattern PL1 is formed as a combined light distribution pattern of a basic light distribution pattern PL0 formed by the irradiation light from the lamp unit 20 and an additional light distribution pattern PB1 formed by the irradiation light from the lamp unit 40.

The basic light distribution pattern PL0 is a light distribution pattern of a basic shape constituting the low beam light distribution pattern PL1, and cutoff lines CL1 and CL2 thereof are formed by the movable shade 34 located at the light blocking position in the low beam lighting mode.

The additional light distribution pattern PB1 is formed by lighting seven light-emitting elements 44B as a diffused light distribution pattern for enhancing the brightness of the diffused area of the basic light distribution pattern PL 0. The additional light distribution pattern PB1 will be described in detail later.

The light distribution pattern PH1 for a high beam shown in fig. 4(b) is formed as a combined light distribution pattern of a basic light distribution pattern PH0 formed by the irradiation light from the lamp unit 20 and an additional light distribution pattern PA1 formed by the irradiation light from the lamp unit 40.

The basic light distribution pattern PH0 is a light distribution pattern of a basic shape constituting the light distribution pattern PH1 for high beam, and is formed such that the basic light distribution pattern PL0 is expanded to a position above the cutoff lines CL1, CL2 by moving the movable shade 34 to the light blocking release position in the high beam lighting mode.

The additional light distribution pattern PA1 is formed by lighting two light emitting elements 44A as a condensed light distribution pattern for enhancing the brightness of the central region of the basic light distribution pattern PH 0.

The additional light distribution pattern PA1 is a horizontally long, dot-shaped bright light distribution pattern centered on H-V. At this time, the additional light distribution pattern PA1 is formed by a pair of left and right light distribution patterns PA1 adjacent to each other with the V-V line interposed therebetween.

Each light distribution pattern Pa1 is formed as an inverted projected image passing through each light emitting element 44A of the projection lens 42. At this time, since the light emitting elements 44A are disposed close to each other on both the left and right sides of the rear focal point F of the projection lens 42, the light distribution patterns Pa1 form a light distribution pattern having a small, bright, substantially rectangular shape in a state of substantially close contact with each other. The light emitting surface 44Aa of each light emitting element 44A is inclined toward the rear side of the lamp with respect to the vertical plane orthogonal to the optical axis Ax, and therefore, a rectangular light distribution pattern that is substantially laterally long is formed.

On the other hand, the additional light distribution pattern PB1 of the low beam light distribution pattern PL1 shown in fig. 4(a) is formed as a laterally long light distribution pattern that spreads in the left-right direction around the V-V line on the lower side of the cutoff lines CL1 and CL2, thereby increasing the luminance of the diffusion region of the low beam light distribution pattern PL 1.

The additional light distribution pattern PB1 is formed of seven light distribution patterns PB1 located on the V-V line and on the left and right sides thereof.

Each light distribution pattern Pb1 is formed as an inverted projected image of each light emitting element 44B of the projection lens 42. At this time, since each light emitting element 44B is disposed on the upper side of the rear focal point F of the projection lens 42 and on the lamp rear side of the rear focal point F, each light distribution pattern Pb1 is formed as a substantially rectangular light distribution pattern which is larger and unclear than each light distribution pattern Pa1 in a state of being partially overlapped with each other, and the position of the upper end edge thereof is located slightly on the upper side of the position of the lower end edge of each light distribution pattern Pa 1.

Next, the operation and effects of the present embodiment will be described.

The vehicle lamp 10 of the present embodiment includes the projector-type lamp unit 40 as its light sources, including the first light source that is turned on in the high beam lighting mode and the second light source that is turned on in the low beam lighting mode, but the first light source is configured by two light emitting elements 44A arranged in the vicinity of the rear focal point F of the projection lens 42, and the second light source is configured by seven light emitting elements 44B arranged in a position that is above the rear focal point F of the projection lens 42 and moves from the rear focal point F to the lamp rear side.

That is, by lighting the light emitting elements 44A, a bright and clear additional light distribution pattern PA1 for high beam (first light distribution pattern) can be formed as a projected image thereof, and by lighting the seven light emitting elements 44B, an additional light distribution pattern PB1 for low beam (second light distribution pattern) that is larger and unclear than the additional light distribution pattern PA1 can be formed below the additional light distribution pattern PA1 as a projected image thereof.

Further, since the two light emitting elements 44A and the seven light emitting elements 44B are mounted on the same substrate 46 that is disposed so as to extend obliquely toward the rear side of the lamp with respect to the vertical plane orthogonal to the front-rear direction of the lamp, the above-described operational effects can be obtained while simplifying the configuration of the lamp unit 40.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, in the vehicular lamp 10 having the projector-type lamp unit 40, the bright and clear additional light distribution pattern PA1 and the large and unclear additional light distribution pattern PB1 can be selectively or simultaneously formed by the single lamp unit 40 and the simple configuration.

In the present embodiment, since the light-emitting area of the second light source formed by the seven light-emitting elements 44B is set to a value larger than the light-emitting area of the first light source formed by the two light-emitting elements 44A, the clear additional light distribution pattern PA1 can be formed into a relatively small light distribution pattern, while the additional light distribution pattern PB1 can be formed into a light distribution pattern that is sufficiently larger and unclear than the additional light distribution pattern PA 1.

Further, the vehicle lamp 10 of the present embodiment has the lamp unit 20 (second lamp unit) configured to selectively form the low beam light distribution pattern PL1 and the high beam light distribution pattern PH1, and in addition, as the configuration of the lamp unit 40, the luminance of the low beam light distribution pattern PL1 is enhanced by the lighting of the seven light emitting elements 44B, and the luminance of the high beam light distribution pattern PH1 is enhanced by the lighting of the two light emitting elements 44A, so the following operational effects can be obtained.

That is, since the additional light distribution pattern PA1 formed by lighting the two light emitting elements 44A is a bright and clear light distribution pattern, the brightness of the central region of the light distribution pattern PH1 for a high beam can be enhanced by forming the additional light distribution pattern PA1 in an increased manner.

On the other hand, since the additional light distribution pattern PB1 formed by lighting the seven light emitting elements 44B is a large and unclear light distribution pattern, by additionally forming the additional light distribution pattern PB1, it is possible to enhance the luminance of the diffusion region of the low beam light distribution pattern PL1 while suppressing the unevenness of the light distribution.

In the above embodiment, the case where the first light source is configured by two light emitting elements 44A and the second light source is configured by seven light emitting elements 44B has been described, but the first light source and the second light source may be configured by a number of light emitting elements other than the above number.

In the above embodiment, the description has been given of the case where the light-emitting surface 44Aa of each light-emitting element 44A and the light-emitting surface 44Ba of each light-emitting element 44B are formed in the same size, but a configuration in which they are formed in different sizes from each other (for example, a configuration in which the light-emitting surface 44Aa of each light-emitting element 44A is formed in a square shape, and the light-emitting surface 44Ba of each light-emitting element 44B is formed in a horizontally long rectangular shape, or the like) may be employed.

In the above embodiment, the case where the lamp unit 20 is configured by the reflected light control type lamp unit has been described, but a configuration may be made by a direct light control type lamp unit, or a configuration may be made by a parabolic lamp unit instead of a projection type lamp unit.

Next, a modified example of the above embodiment will be described.

First, a first modification of the above embodiment will be described.

Fig. 5 is a view similar to fig. 2 showing a lamp unit 140 according to the present modification.

As shown in the drawing, the basic configuration of the present modification is the same as that of the above embodiment, but the arrangement of two light-emitting elements 44A and seven light-emitting elements 44B and a part of the substrate 46 is different from that of the above embodiment, and a part of the configuration of the base member 150 that supports the substrate 46 is also different from that of the above embodiment.

Specifically, in the present modification, the two light emitting elements 44A and the seven light emitting elements 44B are positioned slightly downward relative to the case of the above-described embodiment, and are arranged so that the optical axis Ax of the projection lens 42 passes through a position slightly above the center positions of the two light emitting elements 44A (i.e., a position slightly below the upper end edges of the two light emitting elements 44A).

In the present modification, when two light-emitting elements 44A are turned on in the high beam lighting mode, seven light-emitting elements 44B are also simultaneously turned on.

Fig. 6 is a view similar to fig. 4 showing a light distribution pattern formed by irradiation light from the vehicle lamp including the lamp unit 140 of the present modification.

The low beam light distribution pattern PL2 shown in fig. 6(a) is formed as a light distribution pattern synthesized from a basic light distribution pattern PL0 and an additional light distribution pattern PB2 formed by irradiation light from the lamp unit 140, which is the same as the above-described embodiment.

The additional light distribution pattern PB2 is formed of seven light distribution patterns PB2, similarly to the additional light distribution pattern PB1 of the above-described embodiment, but is formed in a state of being moved upward with respect to the additional light distribution pattern PB1 of the above-described embodiment.

This is because, in the lamp unit 140 of the present modification, the positions of the seven light emitting elements 44B are shifted downward relative to the case of the above-described embodiment. At this time, the downward displacement amounts of the seven light emitting elements 44B are set so that the upper end edge of the additional light distribution pattern PB2 is positioned in the vicinity below the lower cutoff line CL1 of the basic light distribution pattern PL 0.

The light distribution pattern PH2 for a high beam shown in fig. 6(b) is formed as a light distribution pattern synthesized from the basic light distribution pattern PH0 and the two additional light distribution patterns PA2 and PB2 formed by irradiation light from the lamp unit 140, as in the case of the above-described embodiment.

In the light distribution pattern PH2 for a high beam, the additional light distribution pattern PA2 is formed in an upwardly moving state with respect to the additional light distribution pattern PA1 of the light distribution pattern PH1 for a high beam of the above embodiment. This is because, in the lamp unit 140 of the present modification, the positions of the two light emitting elements 44A are also moved downward as compared with the case of the above-described embodiment.

In addition, an additional light distribution pattern PB2 is additionally formed in the light distribution pattern PH2 for the high beam light. The additional light distribution pattern PB2 is formed in a state where its upper end portion overlaps with the lower end portion of the additional light distribution pattern PA 2.

By adopting the structure of the present modification, the following operational effects can be obtained.

That is, in the present modification, by additionally forming the additional light distribution pattern PB2, it is possible to enhance the brightness of the diffusion region of the low beam light distribution pattern PL2 while suppressing the unevenness of the light distribution. Further, since the additional light distribution pattern PB2 is formed at a position close to the cutoff lines CL1 and CL2, the visibility of the distance to the road ahead of the vehicle can be improved.

In addition, in the present modification, by additionally forming the additional light distribution pattern PA2, not only the luminance of the central region of the light distribution pattern PH2 for high beam but also the luminance of the diffusion region of the light distribution pattern PH2 for high beam can be enhanced while suppressing the unevenness of the light distribution by additionally forming the additional light distribution pattern PB 2.

Next, a second modification of the above embodiment will be described.

Fig. 7 is a view similar to fig. 2 showing a lamp unit 240 according to the present modification.

As shown in fig. 7, the basic configuration of this modification is the same as that of the above-described embodiment, but the arrangement of two light-emitting elements 44A and seven light-emitting elements 44B and a part of the substrate 46 is different from that of the above-described embodiment, and accordingly, the configuration of the base member 250 that supports the substrate 46 is different from that of the above-described embodiment.

Specifically, in the present modification, the base plate 46 is supported by the base member 250 in a state of being inclined toward the front side of the lamp with respect to the vertical plane orthogonal to the front-rear direction of the lamp. At this time, the forward tilt angle of the base plate 46 is set to the same value as the backward tilt angle of the base plate 46 of the above embodiment.

The height positions of the two light emitting elements 44A and the seven light emitting elements 44B are the same as those of the above embodiment.

Even in the case of the configuration of the present modification, it is possible to form an additional light distribution pattern substantially similar to the additional light distribution patterns PA1 and PB1 of the above-described embodiments.

In addition, in the present modification, since the seven light emitting elements 44B arranged above the rear focal point F of the projection lens 42 are arranged such that the light emitting surfaces 44Ba thereof face obliquely downward in the front direction of the lamp, the light emitted from each light emitting element 44B can be made incident on the projection lens 42 more effectively than in the above-described embodiment. Accordingly, the additional light distribution pattern formed by lighting the seven light-emitting elements 44B can be made brighter than the additional light distribution pattern PB1 of the above embodiment.

Next, a third modification of the above embodiment will be described.

Fig. 8 is a view similar to fig. 3 showing a lamp unit 340 according to the present modification.

As shown in fig. 8, the basic configuration of this modification is the same as that of the above embodiment, but is different from the above embodiment in that a pair of reflection mirrors 360L and 360R are arranged on both left and right sides of seven light emitting elements 44B.

Each of the reflecting mirrors 360L and 360R has a reflecting surface 360La or 360Ra formed in a concave curved surface shape, and is configured to reflect light emitted from each of the light emitting elements 44A and 44B toward the projection lens 42 on the reflecting surface 360La or 360 Ra.

The mirrors 360L and 360R are supported by the base member 50 on both the left and right sides of the substrate 46.

Fig. 9 is a view similar to fig. 4 showing a light distribution pattern formed by irradiation light from the vehicle lamp including the lamp unit 340 of the present modification.

The low beam light distribution pattern PL3 shown in fig. 9(a) is formed as a light distribution pattern synthesized from the basic light distribution pattern PL0, the additional light distribution pattern PB3 formed by the irradiation light from the lamp unit 340, and the pair of left and right additional light distribution patterns PBL, PBR, similar to the above-described embodiment.

The additional light distribution pattern PB3 is formed of seven light distribution patterns PB3, similarly to the additional light distribution pattern PB1 of the above-described embodiment.

The left additional light distribution pattern PBL is a light distribution pattern formed by light emitted from the seven light emitting elements 44B and reflected by the right reflector 360R. The additional light distribution pattern PBL is formed as a light distribution pattern having a large lateral length, and is provided at its right end portion so as to overlap with the left end portion of the basic light distribution pattern PL 0.

The right additional light distribution pattern PBR is a light distribution pattern formed by light emitted from the seven light emitting elements 44B and reflected by the reflector 360L positioned on the left side. The additional light distribution pattern PBR is formed as a light distribution pattern having a large lateral length, and partially overlaps the right end of the basic light distribution pattern PL0 at the left end thereof. The light distribution pattern PH3 for a high beam shown in fig. 9(b) is formed as a combined light distribution pattern of the basic light distribution pattern PH0, the additional light distribution pattern PA3 formed by the irradiation light from the lamp unit 140, and the pair of left and right additional light distribution patterns PAL and PAR, similar to the above-described embodiment.

The additional light distribution pattern PA3 is formed of two light distribution patterns PA3, similarly to the additional light distribution pattern PB1 of the above-described embodiment.

The left additional light distribution pattern PAL is a light distribution pattern formed by light emitted from the two light emitting elements 44A and reflected by the right reflector 360R. The additional light distribution pattern PAL is a light distribution pattern having a large lateral length, and partially overlaps the left end of the basic light distribution pattern PH0 at the right end thereof.

The right additional light distribution pattern PBR is a light distribution pattern formed by light emitted from the two light emitting elements 44A and reflected by the reflector 360L positioned on the left side. The additional light distribution pattern PBR is formed as a light distribution pattern having a large lateral length, and partially overlaps the right end of the basic light distribution pattern PH0 at the left end thereof.

With the configuration of the present modification, the right and left diffusion angles of the low beam light distribution pattern PL3 can be increased. Further, since the respective additional light distribution patterns PBR, PBL formed by the reflected light from the respective reflectors 360L, 360R are light distribution patterns that are larger and unclear than the additional light distribution pattern PB3, the diffusion region thereof can be expanded to the left and right sides while suppressing the light distribution unevenness of the low beam light distribution pattern PL 3.

Further, by disposing the pair of left and right reflectors 360L, 360R, the left and right diffusion angles can be increased by forming the pair of left and right additional light distribution patterns PBR, PAL even with the light distribution pattern PH3 for high beam.

Note that the numerical values shown as specifications in the above embodiment and the modifications thereof are merely examples, and it is needless to say that the numerical values may be set to different values as appropriate.

The present invention is not limited to the configurations described in the above embodiments and the modifications thereof, and various modifications other than the above may be added.