阅读说明：本技术 车辆用灯具 (Vehicle lamp ) 是由 大久保泰宏 铃木恭史 于 2020-03-27 设计创作，主要内容包括：车辆用灯具具备：向车辆的前方照射第一配光的第一配光照射部；以及至少向上述车辆的侧方照射具有明暗边界线的第二配光的第二配光照射部,根据上述车辆的驾驶员针对上述第一配光照射部进行的预定的操作,来控制上述第一配光照射部和上述第二配光照射部的点亮,上述第二配光照射部与上述第一配光照射部的点亮连动地点亮。上述第二配光照射部具备：光源；以及将从上述光源射出的光投影而形成由多个明暗边界线包围的照射图案并向上述车辆的侧方照射的投影透镜,上述投影透镜越从上述投影透镜的光轴朝向外侧,越使从上述光源射出的光聚集,并使从上述光源射出的光聚集于上述多个明暗边界线的至少一部分而进行强调。(A vehicle lamp includes: a first light distribution irradiation unit that irradiates a first light distribution to the front of the vehicle; and a second light distribution irradiation unit that irradiates a second light distribution having a light and dark boundary line at least to a side of the vehicle, wherein lighting of the first light distribution irradiation unit and the second light distribution irradiation unit is controlled in accordance with a predetermined operation performed by a driver of the vehicle with respect to the first light distribution irradiation unit, and the second light distribution irradiation unit lights in conjunction with lighting of the first light distribution irradiation unit. The second light distribution irradiation unit includes: a light source; and a projection lens that projects light emitted from the light source to form an irradiation pattern surrounded by a plurality of bright and dark boundary lines and irradiates the light to a side of the vehicle, wherein the projection lens focuses the light emitted from the light source as the light goes outward from an optical axis of the projection lens, and focuses the light emitted from the light source on at least a part of the plurality of bright and dark boundary lines.)

1. A vehicle lamp is characterized by comprising:

a first light distribution irradiation unit that irradiates a first light distribution to the front of the vehicle; and

a second light distribution irradiation unit that irradiates a second light distribution to at least a lateral side of the vehicle,

controlling the lighting of the first light distribution irradiating section and the second light distribution irradiating section in accordance with a predetermined operation performed on the first light distribution irradiating section by a driver of the vehicle, the second light distribution irradiating section being lighted in conjunction with the lighting of the first light distribution irradiating section,

the second light distribution has a light and dark boundary line.

2. The vehicular lamp according to claim 1,

the second light distribution irradiation unit irradiates the second light distribution in a right-left direction in a vehicle-mounted state to an outside of a visually recognizable region where the first light distribution can be visually recognized from outside the vehicle.

3. The vehicular lamp according to claim 1,

the second light distribution irradiation unit further includes a forward irradiation unit that irradiates the vehicle forward,

the forward irradiation unit irradiates, in a left-right direction in a vehicle-mounted state, an inner side of a visually recognizable region in which the first light distribution can be visually recognized from outside the vehicle.

4. The vehicular lamp according to claim 1,

the second light distribution irradiation unit includes a light source and a lens that irradiates light from the light source as the second light distribution.

5. The vehicular lamp according to claim 4,

the maximum luminous intensity of the second light distribution is lower than the maximum luminous intensity of the first light distribution.

6. The vehicular lamp according to claim 4,

the second light distribution has a geometrical shape.

7. The vehicular lamp according to claim 1,

at least the first light distribution irradiation portion constitutes a vehicle turn signal.

8. A vehicle lamp, when a first vehicle lamp for irradiating a first light distribution to the front of a vehicle is turned on according to a predetermined operation performed by a driver of the vehicle, controls the turning on of the first vehicle lamp in conjunction with the turning on of the first vehicle lamp,

the vehicle lamp is characterized by comprising:

a light source; and

a projection lens for projecting light emitted from the light source to form an irradiation pattern surrounded by a plurality of bright-dark boundary lines and irradiating the light to the side of the vehicle,

the projection lens concentrates light emitted from the light source as it goes outward from the optical axis of the projection lens, and concentrates light emitted from the light source on at least a part of the plurality of light-dark boundary lines to emphasize the light.

9. The vehicular lamp according to claim 8,

the projection lens collects light emitted from the light source inside the light-dark boundary line and diffuses light emitted from the light source at other portions of the irradiation pattern.

10. The vehicular lamp according to claim 8,

the projection lens is formed by a plurality of lens parts in the vertical direction,

the irradiation pattern is formed by a plurality of irradiation pattern portions formed by the plurality of lens portions,

the projection lens forms the plurality of light and dark boundary lines by overlapping the plurality of irradiation pattern portions.

11. The vehicular lamp according to claim 10,

the plurality of lens portions are formed by upper lens portions and lower lens portions,

the upper lens portion forms a distant side pattern portion irradiated to a portion distant from the vehicle in the irradiation pattern, the lower lens portion forms a near side pattern portion irradiated to a portion near to the vehicle in the irradiation pattern,

the projection lens forms a scribing portion having a light amount higher than that of the periphery on the irradiation pattern by overlapping an end portion of the far-side pattern portion close to the vehicle and an end portion of the near-side pattern portion far from the vehicle.

12. The vehicular lamp according to claim 8,

the projection lens is provided with a diffusion section at least in a part other than the incident surface and the exit surface.

13. The vehicular lamp according to claim 12,

the projection lens has a convex emission surface, and the periphery of a vertical line extending in the vertical direction through the optical axis and the periphery of a horizontal line extending in the horizontal direction through the optical axis are recessed relative to other portions.

14. The vehicular lamp according to claim 8,

the incident surface of the projection lens is convex in a cross section orthogonal to the width direction and concave in a cross section orthogonal to the vertical direction.

15. The vehicular lamp according to claim 8,

the irradiation pattern includes: a first irradiation region extending in the traveling direction; a second irradiation region outside the first irradiation region and darker than the first irradiation region; and a third irradiation region which is located outside the second irradiation region and is brighter than the second irradiation region,

the projection lens forms a first outer boundary line outside the first irradiation region and a third inner boundary line inside the third irradiation region.

16. The vehicular lamp according to claim 15,

in the irradiation pattern, the first irradiation region is brighter than the third irradiation region.

Technical Field

The present disclosure relates to a vehicle lamp.

Background

In recent years, there has been known a technique of recognizing a pattern by a pedestrian or a driver of another vehicle using a vehicle lamp for irradiating the pattern from a vehicle to a road surface (for example, see patent document 1). Such a vehicle lamp forms an irradiation pattern in the periphery of a vehicle by projecting the irradiation pattern on a road surface in the periphery of the vehicle (for example, patent document 2). For example, the following vehicle lamps are known: an irradiation pattern can be formed by locally irradiating a road surface on the front side outside the vehicle, and the driver of the two-wheeled vehicle can be alerted by presenting the irradiation pattern to the driver (for example, patent document 3).

Documents of the prior art

Patent document

Patent document 1: international publication No. 2016/027315

Patent document 2: US2018/0257546 publication

Patent document 3: japanese laid-open patent publication No. 7-125573

Disclosure of Invention

Problems to be solved by the invention

The road surface irradiation device described in patent document 1 has the following structure: vehicle information is acquired from an in-vehicle device mounted on a vehicle, the motion of the vehicle thereby performed is estimated based on the acquired vehicle information, and a pattern corresponding to the estimated motion is irradiated to a road surface. However, the configuration described in patent document 1 requires a large-scale system, and the lamp itself for irradiating various patterns is also large-sized, resulting in an increase in manufacturing cost.

In addition, the technique described in patent document 2 simply projects an irradiation pattern onto a road surface in the vicinity of the vehicle, and therefore, if the light amount of the light source is not increased, it is difficult to recognize the shape of the irradiation pattern. Further, the vehicle lamp described in patent document 3 simply irradiates a road surface locally to form an irradiation pattern, and therefore, there is a possibility that a driver of a two-wheeled vehicle cannot recognize whether the irradiation pattern is a pattern formed by a vehicle to be pushed away or a pattern formed by irradiation of a surrounding street lamp or the like. Therefore, the vehicle lamp described in patent document 3 still has room for improvement from the viewpoint of appropriately calling attention of people around the vehicle.

The present disclosure has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object thereof is to provide a vehicle lamp that can irradiate a road surface with a pattern and can suppress an increase in size and cost. Further, an object of the present disclosure is to provide a vehicle lamp in which the shape of an irradiation pattern can be easily recognized without increasing the light amount of a light source, and a vehicle lamp in which an irradiation pattern that can appropriately call the attention of people around is formed.

Means for solving the problems

The disclosed vehicle lamp is provided with: a first light distribution irradiation unit that irradiates a first light distribution to the front of the vehicle; and a second light distribution irradiation unit that irradiates a second light distribution to at least a lateral side of the vehicle, wherein lighting of the first light distribution irradiation unit and the second light distribution irradiation unit is controlled in accordance with a predetermined operation performed by a driver of the vehicle with respect to the first light distribution irradiation unit, the second light distribution irradiation unit lights in conjunction with lighting of the first light distribution irradiation unit, and the second light distribution has a light-dark boundary line.

Further, a vehicle lamp that controls lighting of a first vehicle lamp that irradiates a first light distribution forward of a vehicle in conjunction with lighting of the first vehicle lamp when the first vehicle lamp is turned on in accordance with a predetermined operation performed by a driver of the vehicle, the vehicle lamp comprising: a light source; and a projection lens that projects light emitted from the light source to form an irradiation pattern surrounded by a plurality of light and dark boundary lines and irradiates the light to a side of the vehicle, wherein the projection lens focuses the light emitted from the light source as the light goes outward from an optical axis of the projection lens, and focuses the light emitted from the light source at least in part of the plurality of light and dark boundary lines to emphasize the light.

Further, it is preferable that the second light distribution irradiation unit irradiates the second light distribution outside a visually recognizable region in which the first light distribution can be visually recognized from outside the vehicle in a right-left direction in a vehicle mounted state.

Preferably, the second light distribution irradiation unit further includes a forward irradiation unit that irradiates a forward direction of the vehicle, and the forward irradiation unit irradiates an inner side of a visually recognizable region where the first light distribution can be visually recognized from outside the vehicle in a left-right direction in a vehicle-mounted state.

Preferably, the maximum luminous intensity of the second light distribution is lower than the maximum luminous intensity of the first light distribution.

Preferably, the second light distribution has a light and dark boundary line.

Preferably, the second light distribution has a geometric shape.

Further, it is preferable that at least the first light distribution irradiation unit constitutes a turn signal for a vehicle.

ADVANTAGEOUS EFFECTS OF INVENTION

According to the vehicle lamp of the present disclosure, it is possible to provide a vehicle lamp that can irradiate a pattern to a road surface and can suppress an increase in size and cost. In addition, according to the vehicle lamp of the present disclosure, it is possible to form an irradiation pattern that can be easily recognized without causing an increase in the light amount of the light source, and can appropriately call attention of people around.

Drawings

Fig. 1 is a diagram showing an example of a state in which the vehicle lamp according to the present embodiment is mounted in a vehicle.

Fig. 2 is a diagram schematically showing an example of the vehicular lamp according to the present embodiment.

Fig. 3 is a diagram schematically showing an example of the vehicular lamp according to the present embodiment.

Fig. 4 is a diagram schematically showing an example of an irradiation pattern of the vehicle lamp.

Fig. 5 is a diagram showing an example of a case where the forward light distribution and the side light distribution are irradiated to the road surface.

Fig. 6 is a diagram showing a configuration example of the auxiliary light distribution irradiation unit.

Fig. 7 is a diagram showing a configuration example of the auxiliary light distribution irradiation unit.

Fig. 8 is an explanatory view showing a case where the vehicle lamp according to modification 1 of the present disclosure is mounted on a vehicle and an irradiation pattern is formed.

Fig. 9 is an explanatory view showing a configuration of the vehicular lamp according to modification 1.

Fig. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing a case where adjustment of optical setting of the projection lens is performed, and shows a relationship between a plurality of light distribution images of the light source on the screen and the irradiation pattern.

Fig. 11 is an explanatory diagram showing the shape of the emission surface of the projection lens.

Fig. 12 is an explanatory diagram showing the shape of the incident surface of the projection lens. Has a shape suitable for forming a diffused light distribution pattern.

Fig. 13 is an explanatory view showing an example of use of an irradiation pattern formed by the vehicle lamp.

Fig. 14 is an explanatory view showing another example of a case where the vehicle lamp is mounted on a vehicle and an irradiation pattern is formed.

Fig. 15 is an explanatory view showing a case where the vehicle lamp according to modification 2 of the present disclosure is mounted on a vehicle and an irradiation pattern is formed.

Fig. 16 is an explanatory diagram showing a configuration of the vehicle lamp according to modification 2.

Fig. 17 is an explanatory diagram for explaining setting of an irradiation pattern, in which an upper side shows an irradiation pattern formed on a road surface, and a lower side shows a graph showing a change in illuminance in a width direction on the road surface including the irradiation pattern.

Fig. 18 is an explanatory diagram showing an irradiation pattern projected onto a screen by a vehicle lamp.

Fig. 19 is an explanatory view showing a case where light passing through a projection lens travels on a cross section including an optical axis in the vehicle lamp.

Fig. 20 is an explanatory view showing a case where light passing through the projection lens travels in a vertical cross section including an optical axis in the vehicle lamp and six optical regions divided in the vertical direction.

Fig. 21 is an explanatory diagram showing a state of optical setting of the projection lens, and shows a relationship between a contour position of the irradiation pattern and a plurality of light distribution images formed by the light having passed through the first optical region on the screen.

Fig. 22 is an explanatory view similar to fig. 21, and shows on the screen the relationship between the outline position of the irradiation pattern and the plurality of light distribution images formed by the light having passed through the second optical region.

Fig. 23 is an explanatory view similar to fig. 21, and shows a relationship between the outline position of the irradiation pattern and a plurality of light distribution images formed by the light having passed through the third optical region on the screen.

Fig. 24 is an explanatory view similar to fig. 21, and shows on the screen the relationship between the outline position of the irradiation pattern and the plurality of light distribution images formed by the light having passed through the fourth optical region.

Fig. 25 is an explanatory view similar to fig. 21, and shows a relationship between the outline position of the irradiation pattern and a plurality of light distribution images formed by the light having passed through the fifth optical region on the screen.

Fig. 26 is an explanatory view similar to fig. 21, and shows on the screen the relationship between the outline position of the irradiation pattern and the plurality of light distribution images formed by the light having passed through the sixth optical region.

Fig. 27 is an explanatory view showing an example of use of an irradiation pattern formed by the vehicle lamp.

Detailed Description

Hereinafter, embodiments of the vehicle lamp will be described with reference to the drawings. The present invention is not limited to the embodiment. The components in the following embodiments include components that can be easily replaced by those skilled in the art, or substantially the same components.

In the following description, each of the front-rear direction, the up-down direction, and the left-right direction is a direction in a vehicle mounted state in which the vehicle lamp is mounted on the vehicle, and indicates a direction in a case where a traveling direction of the vehicle is viewed from a driver's seat. In the present embodiment, the vertical direction is parallel to the vertical direction, and the front-rear direction and the left-right direction are parallel to the horizontal direction.

Fig. 1 is a diagram showing an example of a state in which a vehicle lamp 100 according to the present embodiment is mounted on a vehicle M. As shown in fig. 1, the vehicle lamp 100 of the present embodiment includes a vehicle turn signal lamp, and is a vehicle headlamp mounted on the left and right front portions of the vehicle M. Fig. 2 and 3 are diagrams schematically showing an example of the vehicle lamp 100 according to the present embodiment. Fig. 2 is a view as viewed from the front of the vehicle, and fig. 3 is a view showing a structure taken along a-a section in fig. 2. As shown in fig. 2 and 3, the vehicle lamp 100 includes a housing 10, a main light distribution irradiation portion 20, and an auxiliary light distribution irradiation portion 30. In fig. 2 and 3 and the following description, a vehicle lamp 100 mounted on a front portion on the left side of a vehicle is taken as an example. The same description can be made for the vehicle lamp mounted on the front portion on the right side of the vehicle M by switching left and right.

The housing 10 accommodates the main light distribution irradiation portion 20 and the auxiliary light distribution irradiation portion 30. The main light distribution irradiation portion 20 and the auxiliary light distribution irradiation portion 30 constitute a vehicle turn signal. The housing 10 has an outer lens 11 shared by the main light distribution irradiation unit 20 and the auxiliary light distribution irradiation unit 30. Both the light ML emitted from the main light distribution irradiation unit 20 and the light SL emitted from the auxiliary light distribution irradiation unit 30 are transmitted through the same external lens 11 and irradiated. In the present embodiment, although not shown, for example, low beam lamp units, position lamps, and the like are disposed in the housing 10 in addition to the main light distribution irradiation portion 20 and the auxiliary light distribution irradiation portion 30 that constitute the vehicle turn signal.

The main light distribution irradiation unit 20 irradiates the main light distribution to the front of the vehicle M based on a predetermined signal from the vehicle side. The predetermined signal from the vehicle side includes, for example, a signal corresponding to a predetermined operation on the vehicle side such as an operation of a direction indicator mounted on the vehicle, an operation of a hazard warning switch, and a predetermined steering wheel operation. The predetermined signal from the vehicle side includes, for example, a signal generated when another vehicle (such as a motorcycle) is detected to approach from behind, a signal generated in addition to the operation on the vehicle side, and the like. The main light distribution irradiation unit 20 includes a plurality of light emitting units 21 arranged in the left-right direction. The light emitting section 21 has, for example, a reflective surface structure in which a reflector reflects light generated by a light source such as a semiconductor-type light source. The main light distribution irradiation unit 20 can control the timing of turning on and off each light emitting unit 21.

The auxiliary light distribution irradiation portion 30 irradiates the auxiliary light distribution below the irradiation region of the main light distribution in conjunction with the main light distribution irradiation portion 20 by the above-described predetermined operation. The auxiliary light distribution irradiation portion 30 includes a front irradiation portion 31 and a side irradiation portion 32. The front irradiation unit 31 irradiates a front light distribution SP1 described later. The side irradiation portion 32 irradiates a side light distribution SP2 described later.

In front irradiation unit 31, the emission direction of light SL1 is inclined at an angle θ 1 toward the vehicle outer side with respect to the direction toward the vehicle front. The angle θ 1 can be set to, for example, about 45 °, but the value is not limited. In the side irradiation part 32, the emission direction of the light SL2 is inclined at the angle θ 2 toward the vehicle outer side with respect to the direction toward the vehicle front. The angle θ 2 can be set to about 90 °, for example. That is, the side irradiation portion 32 is disposed at a position where the light SL2 is irradiated to the vehicle outside (left side in fig. 3).

The auxiliary light distribution irradiation unit 30 is disposed at a position close to the plurality of light emitting units 21 of the main light distribution irradiation unit 20. That is, in the vehicle lamp 100, the plurality of light emitting portions 21 of the main light distribution irradiating portion 20, the forward irradiating portion 31 of the auxiliary light distribution irradiating portion 30, and the side irradiating portion 32 are configured as the same light emitting body mechanism for irradiating the lamp pattern.

Fig. 4 is a diagram showing an example of an irradiation pattern of the vehicle lamp. Fig. 4 shows an example of a case where a pattern is irradiated on a virtual screen around a vehicle. The line H-H in fig. 4 represents the horizontal plane, and the line V-V is a vertical line perpendicular to the horizontal plane and representing the center of the vehicle. The numbers on the horizontal axis in fig. 4 are angles in the left-right direction with reference to the V-V line. The right side of the V-V line is represented by positive angles and the left side of the V-V line is represented by negative angles. The numbers on the vertical axis in fig. 4 are vertical angles with reference to the H-H line. The upper side of the H-H line is represented by a positive angle, and the lower side of the H-H line is represented by a negative angle.

In fig. 4, a central irradiation region AR1 and a visually recognizable region AR2 are provided on a virtual screen. The central irradiation region AR1 is, for example, a region irradiated with the main light distribution MP. The central irradiation region AR1 is set in the left-right direction in a range of 20 ° left and right with respect to the vertical line and in a rectangular range of 10 ° up and down with respect to the horizontal plane, for example, but the above range is an example and is not limited thereto.

The visually recognizable area AR2 is an area where the main light distribution MP can be visually recognized when the vehicle lamp 100 is viewed from the outside of the vehicle. The visually recognizable area AR2 is an area including the central irradiation area AR 1. The visually recognizable area AR2 is set in a range of 60 ° outward in the left and right direction and 5 ° outward in the up and down direction with respect to the central irradiation area AR1, for example.

As shown in fig. 4, the main light distribution MP is formed in a region including an intersection of the H-H line and the V-V line. The main light distribution MP is arranged so as to overlap a low beam pattern LP, which is a pattern irradiated by a low beam lamp unit provided in the housing 10, for example. The shape of the irradiation region of the main light distribution MP is not limited to the example shown in fig. 4, and may be another shape.

The auxiliary light distribution SP is irradiated below the irradiation region of the main light distribution MP. The auxiliary light distribution SP includes: a forward light distribution SP1 irradiated onto a road surface in front of the vehicle M; and a side light distribution SP2 irradiated onto a road surface on the side of the vehicle M. Fig. 4 shows the pattern of the vehicle lamps 100 mounted on the left and right of the front of the vehicle M.

The forward light distribution SP1 has, for example, a rectangular shape, and the end portions in the vertical direction and the end portions in the horizontal direction form corner portions. The forward light distribution SP1 is irradiated to a region in a range of 10 ° to 30 ° below the H-H line and in a range of 15 ° to 70 ° to the left and right with respect to the V-V line, for example.

The forward light distribution SP1 is irradiated downward from the central irradiation region AR1 and the visually recognizable region AR2 in the vertical direction. That is, the upper corner C1 of the front light distribution SP1 is irradiated into the central irradiation region AR1, and the lower corner C2 is irradiated outside the central irradiation region AR1 and the visually recognizable region AR 2. The vehicle inside corner C3 of the forward light distribution SP1 is disposed within the central irradiation region AR1, and the vehicle outside corner C4 is disposed within the visually recognizable region AR 2. Therefore, the forward light distribution SP1 irradiates the range inside the central irradiation region AR1 and the visually recognizable region AR2 in the left-right direction.

The side light distribution SP2 is formed in a V shape, for example. The side light distribution SP2 is irradiated to a region in a range of 20 ° to 50 ° below the H-H line and in a range of 30 ° to 150 ° to the left and right with respect to the V-V line, for example.

The side light distribution SP2 is irradiated below the central irradiation region AR1 and the visually recognizable region AR 2. That is, the upper end C5 of the side light distribution SP2 is located below the lower edges of the central irradiation region AR1 and the visually recognizable region AR 2. The side E2 of the side light distribution SP2 extending upward from the end C6 on the vehicle inner side is disposed to face the side E1 connecting the corner C2 and the corner C4 of the front light distribution SP 1. Side E2 is parallel or substantially parallel to side E1 and is disposed at a predetermined interval from side E1.

In the left-right direction, the vehicle inside end C6 of the side light distribution SP2 is disposed at a position within the angular range of the central irradiation region AR1, and the vehicle outside end C7 is disposed at a position outside the angular range of the visually recognizable region AR 2. That is, the side light distributions SP2 are provided at positions outside the angular range of the visually recognizable area AR2 from the position within the angular range of the central irradiation area AR1 beyond the angular range of the visually recognizable area AR2 in the left-right direction. In this case, the side light distribution SP2 illuminates a range outside the visually recognizable area AR2 in the left-right direction.

The auxiliary light distribution SP including the forward light distribution SP1 and the side light distribution SP2 is set such that the maximum luminous intensity is lower than the maximum luminous intensity of the main light distribution. Therefore, the required luminous intensity can be ensured even when a small-sized unit is used as the auxiliary light distribution irradiation unit 30. Therefore, the size increase of the vehicle lamp 100 can be suppressed. The front light distribution SP1 and the side light distribution SP2 are set to irradiate with the same light intensity, for example, but are not limited thereto, and may be set to irradiate with different light intensities.

Fig. 5 is a diagram showing an example of a case where the forward light distribution SP1 and the side light distribution SP2 are irradiated onto the road surface. As shown in fig. 5, the front light distribution SP1 and the side light distribution SP2 are projected onto the road surface in a geometrical shape such as a rectangular shape. The forward light distribution SP1 and the side light distribution SP2 have a boundary line of light and shade. Therefore, the forward light distribution SP1 and the side light distribution SP2 are irradiated onto the road surface in a state where the irradiation region is clearly visually confirmed by a pedestrian or the like. The shape of the irradiation region on the road surface of the forward light distribution SP1 and the side light distribution SP2 is not limited to the rectangular shape, and may be other shapes. For example, the front light distribution SP1 and the side light distribution SP2 may be circular, elliptical, oblong, polygonal such as triangular or pentagonal, or may include curved lines. The shape of the front light distribution SP1 and the shape of the side light distribution SP2 may be the same or different.

In fig. 5, the front light distribution SP1 is irradiated so that the edge side E3 on the vehicle inner side coincides with the side edge E4 of the vehicle M, but is not limited thereto. The edge E3 of the front light distribution SP1 may be disposed inward of the vehicle M with respect to the side E4 of the vehicle M, and the edge E3 may be disposed outward of the vehicle M with respect to the side E4 of the vehicle M. The rear end edge E6 of the forward light distribution SP1 is disposed forward of the front end of the vehicle M. Therefore, the forward light distribution SP1 can be irradiated to a position far from the front with respect to the vehicle.

The side light distribution SP2 is irradiated to the side from, for example, the front side of the vehicle front end. The vehicle front side edge E5 of the side light distribution SP2 overlaps the vehicle rear side edge E6 of the front light distribution SP 1. Therefore, the forward light distribution SP1 is irradiated integrally with the side light distribution SP 2. Further, by adjusting the interval between the side E1 and the side E2 shown in fig. 4, the positional relationship between the side E5 and the side E6 can be adjusted. For example, by adjusting the positional relationship between the side E1 and the side E2 so that the end edge E5 and the end edge E6 are arranged in the opposite region (the end edge E5 is arranged in the front light distribution SP1 and the end edge E6 is arranged in the side light distribution SP 2), a part of the side light distribution SP2 is irradiated in a state of overlapping with the front light distribution SP 1. Further, the side light distribution SP2 is irradiated in a state separated from the front light distribution SP1 by adjusting the positional relationship between the side E1 and the side E2 so that the side E5 and the side E6 are separated from each other.

The vehicle-interior end edge E7 of the side light distribution SP2 is disposed further toward the vehicle exterior side than the vehicle-interior end edge E3 of the front light distribution SP 1. The vehicle outer side edge E8 of the side light distribution SP2 is disposed further toward the vehicle inner side than the vehicle outer side edge E9 of the front light distribution SP 1. Therefore, the irradiation region in the left-right direction of the side light distribution SP2 is within the range of the irradiation region irradiated with the forward light distribution SP 1.

Fig. 6 and 7 are diagrams showing a configuration example of the auxiliary light distribution irradiation unit 30. The auxiliary light distribution irradiation portion 30A shown in fig. 6 includes a light source 33, a lens 34, and a heat sink 35. The light source 33 is a semiconductor-type light source such as an LED. The light source 33 emits, for example, orange (brown) light. The lens 34 emits light from the light source 33. The heat sink 35 supports the light source 33 and emits heat generated by the light source 33. In this configuration, light from the light source 33 is emitted through the lens 34. The emitted light is irradiated to the road surface as the auxiliary light distribution SP having the shape controlled by the lens 34.

The auxiliary light distribution irradiation unit 30B shown in fig. 7 is provided with a lens 37 for emitting light from the light source 33 as parallel light or substantially parallel light, and a filter 38 for providing the auxiliary light distribution SP for the light from the lens 37, in addition to the configuration of the auxiliary light distribution irradiation unit 30A shown in fig. 6. In this configuration, light from the light source 33 is collimated or substantially collimated by the lens 37, and is emitted from the lens 34 through the filter 38. The emitted light is irradiated to the road surface as, for example, an auxiliary light distribution SP having a geometric shape. The filter 38 can be replaced. By replacing the filter 38, it is possible to irradiate the auxiliary light distribution SP having a different geometric shape.

The operation of the vehicle lamp 100 configured as described above will be described. When a driver performs a predetermined operation such as an operation of a direction indicator on the vehicle side or an operation of a hazard warning switch, the vehicle lamp 100 performs lighting control of the main light distribution irradiating portion 20 and the auxiliary light distribution irradiating portion 30 in accordance with the operation.

The main light distribution irradiation unit 20 can be lit (sequentially lit) in a manner such that the lit area expands from the inside to the outside of the vehicle M by delaying the timing of lighting the light emitting unit 21 from inside (right side) to outside (left side) of the vehicle M at predetermined intervals, for example. The main light distribution irradiation unit 20 may light the plurality of light emitting units 21 at the same timing. The main light distribution irradiation unit 20 may cause the plurality of light emitting units 21 to blink at predetermined timings.

When the direction indicator or the hazard warning switch is operated, the auxiliary light distribution irradiation unit 30 is turned on in conjunction with the main light distribution irradiation unit 20. In this case, the auxiliary light distribution irradiation unit 30 emits light at the same timing as any one of the light emitting units 21 of the main light distribution irradiation unit 20. For example, in the case of the configuration in which the main light distribution irradiation unit 20 performs the sequential lighting described above, the auxiliary light distribution irradiation unit 30 lights the auxiliary light distribution irradiation unit 30 at the same timing as the lighting of the light emitting unit 21 arranged at the outermost side of the vehicle M among the plurality of light emitting units 21. This makes it possible to irradiate the main light distribution MP and the auxiliary light distribution SP as one lamp pattern. The operation of the main light distribution irradiation unit 20 and the auxiliary light distribution irradiation unit 30 is not limited to the above description, and may be linked in another manner.

As described above, the vehicle lamp 100 according to the present embodiment includes: a main light distribution irradiation unit 20 that irradiates the main light distribution MP toward the front of the vehicle M based on a predetermined signal from the vehicle side; and an auxiliary light distribution irradiation unit 30 that irradiates the auxiliary light distribution SP below the irradiation region of the main light distribution MP in conjunction with the main light distribution irradiation unit 20.

In this configuration, the main light distribution irradiation unit 20 and the auxiliary light distribution irradiation unit 30 are interlocked to irradiate the main light distribution MP and the auxiliary light distribution SP. The auxiliary light distribution SP can be easily formed on the road surface by the auxiliary light distribution SP irradiated below the irradiation region of the main light distribution MP. Since it is not necessary to form a plurality of patterns, the size increase of the auxiliary light distribution irradiation part 30 can be suppressed. This makes it possible to irradiate the road surface with the auxiliary light distribution SP and suppress an increase in size and cost.

In the vehicle lamp 100 of the present embodiment, the auxiliary light distribution SP includes the forward light distribution SP1 that irradiates the forward direction of the vehicle M, the auxiliary light distribution irradiating portion 30 has the forward irradiating portion 31 that irradiates the forward light distribution SP1, and the forward irradiating portion 31 irradiates the forward light distribution SP1 toward the inside of the visually recognizable area AR2 in the left-right direction in the vehicle mounted state. In this configuration, the auxiliary light distribution irradiation unit 30 can irradiate the forward light distribution SP1 limited to the area forward of the vehicle by the forward irradiation unit 31. By limiting the irradiation range in this way, the auxiliary light distribution SP can be diversified while suppressing an increase in size and cost of the front irradiation portion 31.

In the vehicle lamp 100 of the present embodiment, the auxiliary light distribution SP includes the side light distribution SP2 that irradiates the side of the vehicle M, the auxiliary light distribution irradiation portion 30 includes the side irradiation portion 32 that irradiates the side light distribution SP2, and the side irradiation portion 32 irradiates the side light distribution SP2 outside the visually recognizable area AR2 in the left-right direction in the vehicle mounted state. In this configuration, the side light distribution SP2 can be irradiated to the outside of the visually recognizable area AR2, that is, the area on the side of the vehicle. This makes it possible to irradiate the auxiliary light distribution SP over a wide range, and to suppress an increase in size and cost of the auxiliary light distribution irradiation unit 30 itself.

In the vehicle lamp 100 of the present embodiment, the predetermined signal includes a signal generated by a predetermined operation on the vehicle side. In this configuration, the main light distribution irradiation unit 20 and the auxiliary light distribution irradiation unit 30 are interlocked with each other by an operation of a direction indicator or a hazard switch of the vehicle M, and the main light distribution MP and the auxiliary light distribution SP are irradiated. Therefore, the auxiliary light distribution SP can be formed on the road surface without using a dedicated system, an in-vehicle device, or the like.

In the vehicle lamp 100 according to the present embodiment, the maximum luminous intensity of the auxiliary light distribution SP is lower than the maximum luminous intensity of the main light distribution MP. In this configuration, even when a small-sized unit is used as the auxiliary light distribution irradiation unit 30, a necessary luminous intensity can be ensured. Therefore, the size increase of the vehicle lamp 100 can be suppressed.

In the vehicle lamp 100 of the present embodiment, the auxiliary light distribution SP may have a bright-dark boundary line. In this configuration, the irradiation regions of the forward light distribution SP1 and the side light distribution SP2 on the road surface can be clearly visually confirmed by a pedestrian or the like.

In the vehicle lamp 100 of the present embodiment, the auxiliary light distribution SP may have a geometric shape. In this configuration, the irradiation regions of the forward light distribution SP1 and the side light distribution SP2 on the road surface can be clearly visually confirmed by a pedestrian or the like.

In the vehicle lamp 100 of the present embodiment, the main light distribution irradiating portion 20 and the auxiliary light distribution irradiating portion 30 constitute a vehicle turn signal. In this configuration, the main light distribution MP and the auxiliary light distribution SP of the turn signal for a vehicle can be irradiated to the road surface, and the increase in size and cost can be suppressed.

The technical scope of the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and can be appropriately modified within a scope not departing from the gist of the present invention. For example, in the above-described embodiment, the description has been given taking as an example a configuration in which the auxiliary light distribution SP has a boundary line between light and dark and has a geometric shape, but the present invention is not limited to this. The auxiliary light distribution SP may have no boundary between light and dark. The auxiliary light distribution SP may have a shape different from a geometric shape, for example, an arrow shape or the like, or may be a character shape or the like.

In the above-described embodiment, the case where the maximum luminous intensity of the auxiliary light distribution SP is lower than the maximum luminous intensity of the main light distribution MP has been described as an example, but the present invention is not limited thereto. The maximum luminous intensity of the auxiliary light distribution SP may be the same as or higher than the maximum luminous intensity of the main light distribution MP as long as the auxiliary light distribution irradiator 30 can use a small-sized unit.

In the above-described embodiment, the configuration in which the forward light distribution SP1 is irradiated to the inside of the visually recognizable area AR2 in the left-right direction has been described as an example, but the present invention is not limited to this. The forward light distribution SP1 may be configured to be able to illuminate the outside of the visually recognizable area AR2 in the left-right direction.

In the above-described embodiment, the configuration in which the lateral light distribution SP2 is irradiated to the outside of the visually recognizable area AR2 in the left-right direction has been described as an example, but the present invention is not limited to this. The side light distribution SP2 may be configured to irradiate only the inside of the visually recognizable area AR2 in the left-right direction.

For example, in the above-described embodiment, the configuration in which the auxiliary light distribution SP includes the forward light distribution SP1 and the side light distribution SP2 has been described as an example, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, either one of the forward light distribution SP1 and the side light distribution SP2 may be omitted. In this case, one of the front irradiation portion 31 and the side irradiation portion 32 can be omitted from the auxiliary light distribution irradiation portion 30.

For example, in the above-described embodiment, the case where the main light distribution irradiation unit 20 and the auxiliary light distribution irradiation unit 30 constitute a turn signal for a vehicle has been described as an example, but the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, the main light distribution irradiation portion 20 may constitute a vehicle turn signal, and the auxiliary light distribution irradiation portion 30 may be a component independent from the vehicle turn signal.

For example, in the above-described embodiment, the case where the vehicle lamp 100 having the main light distribution irradiating portion 20 and the auxiliary light distribution irradiating portion 30 is a vehicle headlamp is described as an example, but the invention is not limited thereto. For example, the vehicle lamp having the main light distribution irradiation portion 20 and the auxiliary light distribution irradiation portion 30 may be a lamp incorporated in a part of a vehicle door mirror. In addition, a vehicle lamp having the main light distribution irradiation portion 20 and the auxiliary light distribution irradiation portion 30 may be similarly assembled in a digital mirror or the like that acquires information behind the vehicle using a camera instead of a door mirror.

Hereinafter, a preferred specific example of a vehicle lamp as the auxiliary light distribution irradiating portion 30A shown in fig. 6 will be described as a modification of the present disclosure with reference to the drawings. That is, the present modification is a vehicle lamp as the auxiliary light distribution irradiation portion 30, and the auxiliary light distribution irradiation portion 30 irradiates the auxiliary light distribution SP in conjunction with the main light distribution irradiation portion 20 that irradiates the main light distribution MP forward of the vehicle M in accordance with a predetermined signal from the vehicle side, and presents a vehicle lamp in which the auxiliary light distribution includes the side light distribution SP2 that irradiates the side of the vehicle M and which has a light and dark boundary line. The vehicle lamp of the present modification can be used in any case where the vehicle turn signal is configured together with the main light distribution irradiation portion 20 as in the above-described embodiment, and the vehicle turn signal is configured by the main light distribution irradiation portion 20 and the vehicle lamp of the present modification is provided as a component separate from the vehicle turn signal.

[ modification 1]

The vehicle lamp 110 according to modification 1 will be described with reference to fig. 8 to 14. As shown in fig. 8, since the vehicle lamp 110 of modification 1 is used as a lamp of a vehicle M such as an automobile, an irradiation pattern Pi is formed on a road surface 200 around the vehicle M, unlike a headlamp provided in the vehicle M. In fig. 8, the size of the vehicle lamp 110 relative to the vehicle M is exaggerated to make it easier to recognize that the vehicle lamp 110 of the present modification is provided, and does not necessarily match the actual situation. The periphery of the vehicle M necessarily includes an approach region closer to the vehicle M than a headlamp region irradiated with a headlamp provided in the vehicle M, and the headlamp region may be partially included.

In modification 1, the vehicle lamp 110 is disposed in the lamp chambers on both left and right sides of the front portion of the vehicle. The lamp chamber is formed by covering the open front end of the lamp housing with an outer lens. The vehicle lamp 110 is disposed in a state where the optical axis La is inclined with respect to the road surface 200. This is because the lamp house is disposed at a position higher than the road surface 200. In the following description, as shown in fig. 9, in the vehicle lamp 110, a direction in which an optical axis La, which is a direction of irradiation light, extends is referred to as an optical axis direction (Z in the drawing), a vertical direction when the optical axis direction is in a state of being along a horizontal plane is referred to as a vertical direction (Y in the drawing), and a direction (horizontal direction) orthogonal to the optical axis direction and the vertical direction is referred to as a width direction (X in the drawing).

The vehicle lamp 110 is assembled with a light source section 111 and a projection lens 112, and constitutes a road surface projection unit of a direct projection type. The vehicle lamp 110 is appropriately housed in a case in a state where a light source section 111 and a projection lens 112 are assembled, and is provided in the vehicle M.

The light source unit 111 has a light source 121 mounted on a substrate 122. The light source 121 is formed of a light Emitting element such as an led (light Emitting diode), and has an emission optical axis aligned with the optical axis La. In modification 1, the light source 121 emits a brown monochromatic light (one peak in a graph having the light amount on the vertical axis and the wavelength on the horizontal axis) in a lambertian distribution centered on the optical axis La. The light source 121 has a rectangular shape when viewed from the optical axis direction. The color (wavelength band) of the light emitted from the light source 121, the distribution pattern, the number of colors (the number of peaks in the graph) and the like may be appropriately set, and the configuration is not limited to that of modification example 1.

The substrate 122 appropriately supplies power from the lighting control circuit to light the light source 121. The substrate 122 is formed in a plate shape and has a rectangular shape when viewed from the optical axis direction. Mounting holes 122a are provided at four corners of the substrate 122.

This substrate 122 also functions as a heat sink member that uses aluminum in modification 1 and releases heat generated by the mounted light source 121 to the outside. Further, a plurality of heat dissipation fins may be provided on the substrate 122 as appropriate. The light source unit 111 may be configured such that different heat-radiating members are allocated to the substrate 122. The light emitted from the light source 121 of the light source unit 111 is projected onto the road surface 200 by the projection lens 112.

The projection lens 112 includes a lens body 123 which is a rectangular convex lens when viewed in the optical axis direction, and mounting portions 124 provided on both sides. The quadrilateral shape may be rectangular or curved as long as it has four corners (including a shape chamfered into a spherical surface). The lens main body 23 forms the irradiation pattern Pi on the projection target (the road surface 200 in modification 1) by forming and projecting the light from the light source 121, and thus the incident surface 125 and the output surface 26 are formed as free curved surfaces. The optical setting of the lens main body 123 (projection lens 112) will be described later. The projection lens 112 has a lens axis extending in the optical axis direction. The lens axis is an axis line that becomes an optical center in the lens body 123.

The mounting portions 124 are provided in pairs on both sides in the width direction of the lens body portion 123, and protrude toward the rear side (the light source portion 111 side) in the optical axis direction. Each mounting portion 124 is provided with a mounting protrusion 127 at an end in the vertical direction. Each mounting protrusion 127 has a cylindrical shape protruding rearward in the optical axis direction and is capable of being fitted into the mounting hole 122a of the substrate 122. The mounting portion 124 is configured such that the lens axis of the lens body portion 123 is aligned on the optical axis La of the light source 121 of the light source portion 111 by fitting each mounting protrusion 127 into the corresponding mounting hole 122 a.

The projection lens 112 is provided with a diffusion portion 128 on an end surface in the left-right direction. The end surfaces in the left-right direction have both side surfaces 123a in the lens body 123 and outer side surfaces 124a in the mounting portions 124. The diffusion section 128 is a member that diffuses light that is introduced into the projection lens 112 and that is emitted from the two side surfaces 123a and the outer side surface 124a, and is formed by, for example, performing a corrugation process, a sandblasting process, or the like on each side surface (123a, 124 a).

Hereinafter, the optical setting of the lens main body 123 (projection lens 112) will be described with reference to fig. 10 to 12. Fig. 10 shows an irradiation pattern Pi formed on a screen arranged perpendicular to the optical axis La, and having a shape different from the shape of the irradiation pattern Pi projected on the road surface 200. In fig. 12, only the lens body 123 is shown and the mounting portion 124 is omitted in the projection lens 112. Hereinafter, a direction perpendicular to the optical axis La is referred to as a radial direction. As shown in fig. 10, the lens body 23 is formed in a quadrilateral shape such that the outline (shape) of the irradiation pattern Pi formed on the projection target is the same as that of the projection lens 112. In other words, the irradiation pattern Pi is formed to be surrounded by four light and dark boundary lines B. When the light-dark boundary line B is shown, the upper side in the vertical direction is an upper boundary line B1, the lower side in the vertical direction is a lower boundary line B2, the right side in the width direction is a right boundary line B3, and the left side in the width direction is a left boundary line B4. When the irradiation pattern Pi is projected onto the road surface 200, the optical axis La is inclined with respect to the road surface 200, and thus, as shown in fig. 8, the irradiation pattern Pi has a substantially trapezoidal shape.

The lens body 123 diverges a light flux passing through the vicinity of the optical axis La in the radial direction from the light source 21 and makes parallel a light flux passing through a position distant from the optical axis La in the radial direction, in a cross section including the optical axis direction and the width direction, that is, a cross section orthogonal to the vertical direction. That is, the lens body portion 123 diffuses light in the vicinity of the optical axis La where the light amount is high, and concentrates light from the vicinity of the optical axis La toward the outside. Therefore, the lens main body portion 23 disperses the light from the light source 121 substantially uniformly in the transverse section, that is, in the width direction so as to have a substantially equal light amount distribution, and concentrates the light on the right boundary B3 and the left boundary B4 located in the width direction on the boundary B between light and dark sides of the irradiation pattern Pi formed by projection, thereby emphasizing both the boundaries B3 and B4.

As shown in fig. 11, the lens body 123 is formed of an upper lens portion 131 and a lower lens portion 132 in the vertical direction around the optical axis La. In the lens body 123, the upper lens portion 131 forms a distant-side pattern Pf (see fig. 10) of the irradiation pattern Pi, and the lower lens portion 32 forms a near-side pattern Pn (see fig. 10) of the irradiation pattern Pi. The distant-side pattern part Pf is a distant portion that is a side distant from the vehicle lamp 100 (vehicle M) in the irradiation pattern Pi. The near side pattern portion Pn is a portion near the side of the illumination pattern Pi closer to the vehicle lamp 110 (vehicle M). The lens body 123 projects the near end portion (end portion on the near side pattern portion Pn side) of the far side pattern portion Pf formed by the upper lens portion 131 and the deep end portion (end portion on the far side pattern portion Pf side) of the near side pattern portion Pn formed by the lower lens portion 132 so as to overlap each other, and forms a scribe line portion Lp having a light amount (brightness) higher than the surrounding area at the overlapping portion.

The upper lens portion 131 diverges a light flux passing through the vicinity of the optical axis La in the radial direction from the light source 21 and makes parallel a light flux passing through a position distant from the optical axis La in the radial direction in a vertical cross section including the optical axis direction and the vertical direction, that is, a vertical cross section orthogonal to the width direction. That is, the upper lens portion 131 diffuses light in the vicinity of the optical axis La having a high light amount by using the lambertian distribution, and concentrates light from the vicinity of the optical axis La toward the outside. Therefore, the upper lens unit 131 disperses the light from the light source 121 substantially uniformly in the vertical cross section, i.e., in the upper side in the vertical direction so as to have substantially equal light amount distribution, and concentrates the light on the upper boundary line B1 located on the upper side in the vertical direction on the light-dark boundary line B of the far-side pattern portion Pf formed by projection, thereby emphasizing the upper boundary line B1.

The lower lens portion 132 diverges the light flux passing through the vicinity of the optical axis La in the radial direction from the light source 121 in the above-described vertical cross section, and makes parallel the light flux passing through a position distant from the optical axis La in the radial direction. That is, the lower lens portion 132 diffuses light in the vicinity of the optical axis La where the light amount is high, and concentrates light more toward the outside from the vicinity of the optical axis La, using lambertian distribution. Therefore, the lower lens portion 132 disperses the light from the light source 121 substantially uniformly in the vertical cross section, that is, in the lower side in the vertical direction so as to have a substantially equal light amount distribution, and concentrates the light on the lower side boundary line B2 located on the lower side in the vertical direction on the light-dark boundary line B of the near-side pattern portion Pn formed by projection, thereby emphasizing the lower side boundary line B2.

Thus, the irradiation pattern Pi is formed by the far-side pattern part Pf and the near-side pattern part Pn. As shown in fig. 10, the irradiation pattern Pi appropriately overlaps a plurality of light distribution images Li of the light source 121 on the screen to form a light-dark boundary line B. Here, each light distribution image Li is projected by the light source 121 to be substantially rectangular, but the position and shape of formation thereof are changed in accordance with the optical setting in the lens main body portion 123. Further, the lens main body portion 23 forms the irradiation pattern Pi with the distribution basically as described above by performing the optical setting as described above, but the light distribution images Li (the outer edges thereof) may not be appropriately arranged only with the basic setting described above, and the light-dark boundary line B may not be clear. Therefore, the lens main body portion 123 is optically set so that the light distribution images Li forming the outer edge in the irradiation pattern Pi are appropriately aligned. Here, the lens main body portion 123 can adjust the position where each light distribution image Li is formed by mainly adjusting the shape of the emission surface 126 on the screen, and can adjust the shape of each light distribution image Li by mainly adjusting the shape of the emission surface 25.

The output surface 126 adjusts the curvature (surface shape) of the corresponding portion so that the light distribution images Li forming the outer edge of the irradiation pattern Pi are appropriately arranged on the screen and a line (light-dark boundary line B) is formed by the arrangement of the outer edge of each light distribution image Li. That is, the curvature of the corresponding portion of the emission surface 126 is adjusted as follows: the light distribution image Li that is shifted upward from the upper boundary line B1 is shifted downward, the light distribution image Li that is shifted downward from the lower boundary line B2 is shifted upward, the light distribution image Li that is shifted rightward from the right boundary line B3 is shifted leftward, and the light distribution image Li that is shifted leftward from the left boundary line B4 is shifted rightward. In fig. 10, a case where the light distribution image Li at the left end shifted upward from the upper boundary line B1 is shifted downward and a case where the light distribution image Li at the right end shifted downward from the lower boundary line B2 is shifted upward are indicated by two-dot chain lines.

By the above setting, the emission surface 126 has the shape shown in fig. 11. In fig. 11, the darker the color, the larger the curvature, indicating a relative protrusion, and the lighter the color, the smaller the curvature, indicating a relative depression. Here, a straight line passing through the optical axis La and extending in the width direction is defined as a width direction line L1, and a straight line passing through the optical axis La and extending in the vertical direction is defined as a vertical direction line L2. The emission surface 126 is recessed with respect to the periphery of the width direction line L1 and the periphery of the vertical direction line L2, and is protruded with respect to the parts corresponding to the first quadrant to the fourth quadrant with the width direction line L1 as the x-axis and the vertical direction line L2 as the y-axis. By forming the emission surface 126 in such a shape, it is possible to form the irradiation pattern Pi by forming a line by aligning the outer edges of the respective light distribution images Li and by appropriately arranging all the light distribution images Li. Thus, the lens body 123 can make the emphasized bright-dark boundary line B clearer by using the basic light amount distribution described above. This is because a line is formed by the arrangement of the outer edges of the light distribution images Li, the light distribution images Li are arranged further inward than the line, and the light distribution images Li are not arranged on the outer sides, and therefore the line becomes a clear light-dark boundary line B.

The incident surface 125 is adjusted in surface shape on the screen so that distortion in each light distribution image Li is reduced. Here, the shape of the incident surface 125 in the transverse section and the shape of the longitudinal section are set independently.

As shown in fig. 12, the incident surface 125 is a curved surface that protrudes toward a concave surface, that is, the side opposite to the light source 121 (the front side in the optical axis direction) in the transverse cross section. This is because when the incident surface 125 is a flat surface, the distortion in each light distribution image Li becomes larger than when it is a concave surface, and when the incident surface 125 is a convex surface, the distortion in each light distribution image Li becomes larger.

The incident surface 125 is a curved surface that protrudes toward the convex surface, that is, toward the light source 121 (toward the rear side in the optical axis direction) in the vertical cross section. This is because when the incident surface 125 is a flat surface, the distortion in each light distribution image Li becomes larger than when it is a convex surface, and when the incident surface 125 is a concave surface, the distortion in each light distribution image Li becomes larger.

In this way, the incident surface 125 is formed as an annular surface (annular lens) having a radius of curvature different between the width direction, which is a transverse section, and the vertical direction, which is a longitudinal section. The incident surface 125 may have a convex shape in a vertical section and a concave shape in a transverse section, and the respective radii of curvature (curvatures) may be appropriately set. By forming the incident surface 125 in such a shape, distortion of each light distribution image Li can be suppressed, and the irradiation pattern Pi can be formed using each light distribution image Li. This enables the lens body 123 to form the irradiation pattern Pi into a more desirable shape. This is because, compared to using the light distribution images Li having large distortion, the light distribution images Li having small distortion can be easily appropriately arranged at the corner of the light-dark boundary line B set by the arrangement forming line of the outer edge of each light distribution image Li as described above.

Referring to fig. 9, the vehicle lamp 110 is assembled as follows. First, the light source unit 111 is assembled by mounting the light source 121 on the substrate 122 in a state of being positioned with respect to the substrate 122. Then, the mounting projections 127 of the two mounting portions 124 of the projection lens 112 are fitted into the corresponding mounting holes 122a of the substrate 122 of the light source portion 111, and the two mounting portions 124 are fixed to the substrate 122. Thus, the light source section 111 and the projection lens 112 are attached at a predetermined interval with the lens axis of the lens body section 123 of the projection lens 112 aligned on the optical axis La of the light source 121 of the light source section 111, thereby assembling the vehicle lamp 100.

The vehicle lamp 110 is provided in a lamp room with an optical axis La directed to a side of the vehicle M and inclined with respect to a road surface 200 around the vehicle M (see fig. 8). The vehicle lamp 110 can appropriately turn on and off the light source 121 by supplying power from the lighting control circuit to the light source 121 from the substrate 122. As shown in fig. 8, when the light from the light source 121 is controlled by the projection lens 112 and projected, the near end of the far-side pattern part Pf overlaps the deep end of the near-side pattern part Pn, and an irradiation pattern Pi having a scribe line part Lp is formed on the road surface 200. The irradiation pattern Pi has a trapezoidal shape that expands as it is separated from the vehicle M because the optical axis La is inclined with respect to the road surface 200. The irradiation pattern Pi can locally brighten the road surface 200 on the left and right sides near the front end of the vehicle M. The irradiation pattern Pi is formed in conjunction with the turn signal in modification 1 as an example, and the periphery of the vehicle M can be recognized as turning right and left.

The operation of the vehicle lamp 110 will be described below with reference to fig. 13. In fig. 13, the driver of the two-wheeled vehicle 300 is not shown for the sake of easy understanding. When any of the right and left winkers is turned on in conjunction with the vehicle lamp 110, the light source 121 of the lamp provided on the turned-on side is turned on, and the irradiation pattern Pi is formed on the road surface 200. For example, fig. 13 shows a scene in which a vehicle M traveling straight on a road intends to turn left. The vehicle M blinks the left turn signal, and the vehicle lamp 110 provided in the front left forms the irradiation pattern Pi on the road surface 200. Therefore, even when the driver of the two-wheeled vehicle 300 traveling behind the vehicle M cannot visually recognize the turn signal of the vehicle M, the driver can visually recognize the irradiation pattern Pi formed on the road surface 200, and can recognize that the vehicle M is turning left.

In addition, since the left and right vehicle lamps 110 are interlocked with the turn signal lamps, when both the turn signal lamps are turned on as hazard lamps, the left and right vehicle lamps 110 simultaneously form the irradiation pattern Pi on the road surface 200 (see fig. 8). Therefore, the vehicle lamp 110 can make the person around the vehicle M recognize the vehicle lamp that is turned on as the hazard lamps more reliably than the case where only the right and left turn lamps are blinked.

In the vehicle lamp 110, the projection lens 112 is optically set as described above, and thus the irradiation pattern Pi for making the four boundary lines B clear can be formed by condensing light. Therefore, the vehicle lamp 110 can recognize the shape of the irradiation pattern Pi without increasing the light amount of the light source 121, and can transmit some intention of the driver (such as a right-left turn in the present modification 1) to the surrounding people by the formed irradiation pattern Pi.

Here, the conventional vehicle lamp described in the prior art document simply projects an irradiation pattern onto a road surface around the vehicle, and does not emphasize the outline (light-dark boundary line) of the irradiation pattern. Therefore, the conventional vehicle lamp forms a region with blurred light emission as an irradiation pattern, and it is difficult to recognize the shape of the irradiation pattern. It is difficult to determine whether such an irradiation pattern is a pattern formed by light from the vehicle or light from a different light from the vehicle, and it is difficult to convey some intention of the driver to surrounding people. In addition, although the irradiation pattern is considered to express some intention from the driver in terms of shape, it is difficult to recognize the shape and it is still difficult to transmit the intention. Therefore, in the conventional vehicle lamp, it is considered to increase the light amount of the light source in order to recognize the shape of the irradiation pattern, but the overall structure becomes large, the power consumption increases, and the heat radiation member is added in association therewith.

In contrast, in the vehicle lamp 100 according to modification 1, the projection lens 112 concentrates the light on each boundary line B of the irradiation pattern Pi to emphasize the light from the light source 121, thereby making each boundary line B of the irradiation pattern Pi clear (see fig. 8). Even when the irradiation pattern Pi is formed with a brightness substantially equal to that of the conventional vehicle lamp, the vehicle lamp 110 can appropriately recognize the irradiation pattern Pi (its shape) as compared with the irradiation pattern formed by the conventional vehicle lamp. Therefore, the vehicle lamp 110 can recognize the irradiation pattern Pi (the shape thereof) without increasing the light amount of the light source 121, as compared with the conventional vehicle lamp. Further, since the vehicle lamp 110 can recognize the irradiation pattern Pi having the intended shape by the surrounding person, it can appropriately transmit some intention of the driver (such as turning right and left in the present modification 1) to the surrounding person.

In particular, in the vehicle lamp 110 according to modification 1, the light source 121 is monochromatic, and thus the influence of chromatic aberration in the projection lens 12 can be greatly suppressed. Therefore, the vehicle lamp 110 can form the irradiation pattern Pi in which each boundary line B is clearer.

In addition, in the vehicle lamp 110 according to modification 1, the near end portion of the far side pattern portion Pf formed by the upper lens portion 131 and the deep end portion of the near side pattern portion Pn formed by the lower lens portion 32 are overlapped with each other in the irradiation pattern Pi, thereby forming the scribed line portion Lp having a light amount (bright) higher than the surrounding area. Here, the above-described conventional vehicle lamp is provided with a light source for forming a scribe line portion in addition to a light source for forming an irradiation pattern, thereby forming the scribe line portion in the irradiation pattern. Therefore, the vehicle lamp 110 can form the scribing portion Lp in the irradiation pattern Pi with a simple configuration including the light source portion 111 and the projection lens 112 without using a new light source different from the conventional vehicle lamp, and thus can recognize the irradiation pattern Pi more easily.

The vehicle lamp 110 according to modification 1 is provided with the diffusion portion 128 on both side surfaces 123a of the lens body portion 123 and on outer side surfaces 124a of the mounting portions 124, which are end surfaces in the left-right direction in the projection lens 112. Therefore, even when the light from the light source 121 introduced into the projection lens 112 is emitted from both side surfaces 123a of the lens body 123 and the outer side surfaces 124a of the mounting portions 124, the vehicle lamp 110 can diffuse the light by the diffusion portion 128. Thus, the vehicle lamp 110 can prevent light emitted from the both side surfaces 123a and the both outer side surfaces 124a from leaking to the undesired portions around the irradiation pattern Pi. Therefore, the vehicle lamp 110 can suppress the blurring of the light-dark boundary lines B due to the light leakage, can more appropriately emphasize the light-dark boundary lines B, and can appropriately form the irradiation pattern Pi.

The vehicle lamp 110 according to modification 1 can obtain the following operational effects.

The vehicle lamp 110 includes: a light source 121; and a projection lens 112 that projects the light emitted from the light source 121 to form an irradiation pattern Pi having a plurality of bright-dark boundary lines B, and the projection lens 112 focuses and emphasizes the light at least at a part of the bright-dark boundary lines B. Therefore, the vehicle lamp 110 can sharpen at least a part of the light-dark boundary B in the irradiation pattern Pi, and can easily recognize the shape of the irradiation pattern Pi. Further, since the shape of the irradiation pattern Pi is easily recognized by the light source section 111 and the projection lens 112 without increasing the light amount of the light source 121, the vehicle lamp 110 can have a simple configuration as compared with a conventional vehicle lamp.

In addition, the projection lens 112 of the vehicle lamp 110 concentrates the light from the light source 121 inside the bright-dark boundary line B and diffuses the light at other portions of the irradiation pattern Pi. Therefore, the vehicle lamp 110 can easily form the irradiation pattern Pi (its shape) by controlling the light from the light source 121 by the projection lens 112, and can form the irradiation pattern Pi more appropriately.

The vehicle lamp 110 has the emission surface 126 of the projection lens 112 as a convex surface, and is recessed with respect to other portions around a width direction line L1 passing through the optical axis La and around a vertical direction line L2 passing through the optical axis La. Therefore, the vehicle lamp 110 can position each light distribution image Li forming the irradiation pattern Pi inside the emphasized light and dark boundary line B, and can make the light and dark boundary line B clearer.

The vehicle lamp 110 has the incident surface 25 of the projection lenses 1 to 112 as a convex surface in a cross section orthogonal to the width direction and as a concave surface in a cross section orthogonal to the vertical direction. Therefore, the vehicle lamp 110 can effectively suppress distortion in each light distribution image Li forming the irradiation pattern Pi, and can form the irradiation pattern Pi more appropriately.

In the vehicle lamp 110, the projection lens 112 is formed by an upper lens portion 131 and a lower lens portion 132 in the vertical direction, the upper lens portion 131 forms a distant pattern portion Pf which is a distant portion in the irradiation pattern Pi, and the lower lens portion 32 forms a close pattern portion Pn which is a close portion in the irradiation pattern Pi. Then, the vehicle lamp 110 forms the scribing portion Lp having a light amount higher than the periphery in the irradiation pattern Pi by overlapping the near end portion of the far side pattern portion Pf and the deep end portion of the near side pattern portion Pn. Therefore, the vehicle lamp 110 can form the scribing portion Lp in the irradiation pattern Pi with a simple configuration including the light source portion 111 and the projection lens 112.

The vehicle lamp 110 includes a diffusion portion 128 provided in the projection lens 112 at least in a portion other than the incident surface 125 and the emission surface 126. Therefore, the vehicle lamp 110 can suppress the emphasized light and dark boundary line B from being blurred by the light leakage, can emphasize the light and dark boundary line B more appropriately, and can form the irradiation pattern Pi appropriately.

Therefore, the vehicle lamp 110 according to modification 1 can easily recognize the shape of the irradiation pattern Pi without increasing the light amount of the light source 121.

In modification 1, the irradiation pattern Pi has a quadrilateral shape having four bright-dark boundary lines B. However, the irradiation pattern Pi is not limited to the configuration of modification 1 described above, as long as it is a polygonal shape having a plurality of corner portions (including a shape chamfered into a spherical surface or the like) and a plurality of bright-dark boundary lines B, which is formed on the road surface 200 in the periphery of the vehicle 1 and allows the peripheral person to know a certain intention of the driver, and the number and shape of the corner portions are appropriately set.

In modification 1, the projection lens 112 focuses and emphasizes light on all four light-dark boundary lines B in the rectangular irradiation pattern Pi. However, the projection lens 112 is not limited to the configuration of modification 1, as long as it focuses and emphasizes light on at least a portion of each bright-dark boundary line B of the irradiation pattern Pi, and the range of the emphasized bright-dark boundary line B may be appropriately set. In this case, for example, as in modification 1, by emphasizing only the side (one bright-dark boundary line B) farthest from the vehicle M in the quadrangular irradiation pattern Pi, it is possible to easily recognize the shape of the irradiation pattern Pi and to face in a direction away from the vehicle M, as shown in fig. 14.

In addition, in the projection lens 112 of modification 1, the diffusion sections 128 are provided on both side surfaces 123a of the lens body section 123 and on the outer side surfaces 124a of the mounting sections 124. However, the diffusion section 128 is not limited to the configuration of modification 1 described above, and may be provided as appropriate outside the two side surfaces 123a and the two outer side surfaces 124a, as long as the diffusion section is provided in the projection lens 112 at a position other than the incident surface 125 and the output surface 126 and at a position where light from the light source 121 introduced into the projection lens 112 leaks.

In modification 1, projection lens 112 projects the near end of far-side pattern part Pf and the deep end of near-side pattern part Pn while overlapping each other, thereby forming irradiation pattern Pi having scribe line part Lp. However, the projection lens 112 is not limited to the configuration of modification 1, and may be configured not to form the scribe line Lp, or may be configured to form the scribe line Lp having another shape, as long as the projection lens projects the light emitted from the light source 121 to form the polygonal irradiation pattern Pi having the plurality of bright and dark boundary lines B. The scribing portion Lp can be set in position and shape by adjusting the shape of the near end portion of the far-side pattern portion Pf and the shape of the deep end portion of the near-side pattern portion Pn, and can be, for example, a curved line or a curved line.

[ modification 2]

Hereinafter, a detailed configuration of a vehicle lamp as another modification of the auxiliary light distribution irradiating portion 30A shown in fig. 6 will be described as a modification 2 with reference to the drawings. The present modification 2 is an example of a vehicle lamp in which a polygonal irradiation pattern having a plurality of bright and dark boundary lines is provided, but an irradiation pattern different from that of the modification 1 is provided. Note that the same components as those of modification 1 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof will be omitted unless otherwise particularly required.

As in modification 1, the size of the vehicle lamp 210 relative to the vehicle M is shown in an exaggerated manner in fig. 15 of modification 2 in order to facilitate understanding of the case where the vehicle lamp 210 is provided, and does not necessarily match the actual case. In fig. 17, in the graph shown on the lower side of the figure, the vertical axis represents illuminance, and the horizontal axis represents a position in the width direction including the irradiation pattern Pi2 shown on the upper side and the periphery thereof. In fig. 21 to 26, in order to make it easy to understand that the irradiation regions (a1, a2, A3) of the irradiation pattern Pi2 are formed by the light distribution images Li, only the selected light distribution images Li are shown, and do not necessarily match the actual situation. In fig. 21 to 26, outline positions set as the irradiation patterns Pi2 (the irradiation regions thereof) are shown on the screen, and arrows indicating the traveling direction and the width direction when the outline positions are formed on the road surface 200 on the left side of the vehicle M are shown. The arrow is also the same as in fig. 18.

The vehicular lamp 210 according to modification 2 will be described with reference to fig. 15 to 27. As shown in fig. 15, the vehicle lamp 210 according to modification 2 is used as a lamp of a vehicle M such as an automobile, and forms an irradiation pattern Pi2 on a road surface 200 around the vehicle M, unlike a headlamp provided in the vehicle M. Here, the periphery of the vehicle M inevitably includes an approach region closer to the vehicle M than a headlamp region irradiated with headlamps provided on the vehicle M, and may partially include the headlamp region. The vehicle lamp 210 is provided in a lamp chamber of the vehicle lamp, a door mirror, a side surface of a vehicle body, and the like of the vehicle M, and in modification 2, the lamp chambers are disposed on both left and right sides of a front portion of the vehicle. The lamp chamber is formed by covering the open front end of the lamp housing with an outer lens. The vehicle lamp 210 is disposed in a state where the optical axis La is inclined with respect to the road surface 200. This is because the lamp house is provided at a position higher than the road surface 200.

In the following description, as shown in fig. 15, on a road surface 200 around a vehicle M, a direction in which the vehicle M travels is referred to as a traveling direction (Dr in the drawing), and a direction orthogonal to the traveling direction is referred to as a width direction (Dw in the drawing). As shown in fig. 16, in the vehicle lamp 210, a direction in which the optical axis La, which is a direction of irradiation light, extends is defined as an optical axis direction (Z in the drawing), a vertical direction when the optical axis direction is in a state of being along a horizontal plane is defined as a vertical direction (Y in the drawing), and a direction (horizontal direction) orthogonal to the optical axis direction and the vertical direction is defined as a horizontal direction (X in the drawing).

The vehicle lamp 210 is assembled with the light source section 111 and the projection lens 212, and constitutes a road surface projection unit of a direct projection type. The vehicle lamp 210 is appropriately housed in a housing in a state where the light source unit 111 and the projection lens 212 are assembled, and is provided in the vehicle M.

The lens main body 223 forms the irradiation pattern Pi2 on the projection target (road surface 200 in the present modification example 2) by forming and projecting the light from the light source 121, and the incident surface 225 and the output surface 226 are formed as a single free-form surface, that is, a surface having no step and smoothly changing curvature. The optical setting of the lens main body portion 223 (projection lens 212) will be described later. The projection lens 212 has a lens axis extending in the optical axis direction. The lens axis is an axis line that becomes an optical center in the lens body portion 223.

As shown in fig. 15, the vehicle lamp 210 forms the irradiation patterns Pi2 in plane symmetry on the left and right sides of the vehicle M in a plane orthogonal to the width direction of the vehicle M. The irradiation pattern Pi2 includes a first irradiation region a1, a second irradiation region a2, and a third irradiation region A3 in this order from the inner side in the width direction (the vehicle M or the light source 121 side), and the irradiation regions extend in the traveling direction. That is, three linear irradiation regions extending in the traveling direction of the irradiation pattern Pi2 are formed in parallel in the width direction. In addition, the vehicle lamp 210 is formed so as to be spaced from the vehicle M mounted thereon, and thereby forms a non-irradiation region An in which light is not irradiated inside the irradiation pattern Pi2 (the first irradiation region a1 thereof). Setting of the irradiation pattern Pi2 will be described with reference to fig. 17. The irradiation pattern Pi2 can be set by adjusting the irradiation pattern Pi2 (see fig. 18) on the screen in consideration of the distance and angle from the vehicle lamp 210 provided in the vehicle M to the road surface 200.

As shown in fig. 17, in the irradiation pattern Pi2, the first irradiation region a1 is brightest, the second irradiation region a2 is darkest, and the third irradiation region A3 is set to have a brightness in between. The third irradiation region A3 may have substantially the same luminance as the first irradiation region a 1. Even if the second irradiation region a2 is darkest in the irradiation pattern Pi, the road surface 2 is irradiated with light in a band shape extending in the traveling direction due to the irradiation of the light. Therefore, the irradiation pattern Pi2 passes through the road surface 200 formed without irradiation of light and without illuminance, and the first irradiation region a1, the second irradiation region a2, and the third irradiation region A3 of the three become bright.

The irradiation pattern Pi2 is set to have a size in the width direction such that the second irradiation region a2 is the smallest, the first irradiation region a1 is larger than the second irradiation region a2, and the third irradiation region A3 is the largest. The first irradiation region a1 is set to have a width-directional dimension from the viewpoint of easy observation by a driver of the vehicle, and in modification 2, is set to have a width-directional dimension substantially equal to a white line formed on the road surface 200 as a scribe line. The first irradiation region a1 is set to a minimum dimension in the width direction after the non-irradiation region An is combined, which is a dimension that the two-wheeled vehicle 300 such as a motorcycle or a bicycle can push aside the vehicle 1.

The irradiation pattern Pi2 is an example of a dimension in the width direction, and the first irradiation region a1 is 20cm, the second irradiation region a2 is 15cm, and the third irradiation region A3 is 40 cm. The irradiation pattern Pi2 is set to have a dimension in the width direction between the vehicle M and the non-irradiation region An of 30cm to 50 cm. Therefore, the irradiation pattern Pi2 has a dimension in the width direction after the first irradiation region a1 is combined with the non-irradiation region An of 50cm to 80 cm.

Next, the optical setting of the lens main body portion 223 (projection lens 212) will be described with reference to fig. 18 to 26. Fig. 18 shows an irradiation pattern Pi2 formed on a screen arranged perpendicular to the optical axis La, and has a shape different from that in the case of being projected onto the road surface 200 (see fig. 15). In fig. 18, the longitudinal direction (left-right direction in front view) of the irradiation pattern Pi2 corresponds to the traveling direction, the short-side direction (up-down direction in front view) corresponds to the width direction, and the lower side corresponds to the inner side in the width direction. As shown in fig. 18, the outline (shape) of the irradiation pattern Pi2 is substantially quadrangular on the screen. In this irradiation pattern Pi2, the lower side is a first irradiation region a1 extending in the traveling direction, the upper side is a second irradiation region a2 extending in the traveling direction, and the upper side is a third irradiation region A3. When this irradiation pattern Pi2 is projected onto road surface 200, optical axis La is inclined with respect to road surface 200, and thus, as shown in fig. 15 and 17, it has a substantially trapezoidal shape (an inverted trapezoidal shape when viewed from vehicle M side). The lens main body portion 223 is optically set to form such an irradiation pattern Pi2 on the screen.

As shown in fig. 19, the lens main body portion 223 diffuses (widens the interval in the traveling direction between the light beams) passing through the vicinity of the optical axis La among the light beams from the light source 121, and makes substantially parallel the light beams (light beam groups) passing through the positions distant from the optical axis La, in a cross section including the optical axis direction and the left-right direction, that is, a cross section orthogonal to the up-down direction. That is, the lens main body portion 223 diffuses light in the vicinity of the optical axis La where the light amount is high, and concentrates light more toward the outside from the vicinity of the optical axis La, using lambertian distribution. Therefore, the lens body portion 223 disperses the light from the light source 121 substantially uniformly so as to have a substantially equal light amount distribution in the lateral section, i.e., the left-right direction. Further, the lens main body portion 223 may focus light on both boundary lines (inside thereof) of the irradiation pattern Pi2 in the left-right direction so that both boundary lines are clear.

As shown in fig. 20, the lens body 223 is divided into two optical regions in a vertical cross section including the optical axis direction and the vertical direction, that is, a vertical cross section perpendicular to the left-right direction. The optical regions include, in order from the upper side, a first optical region S1, a second optical region S2, a third optical region S3, a fourth optical region S4, a fifth optical region S5, and a sixth optical region S6. Each of the optical regions (S1 to S6) is determined by an incident angle from the light source 21 to the incident surface 225 of the lens main body portion 223 in the vertical direction (vertical cross section) with respect to the optical axis La.

Specifically, the first optical region S1 is a region located outside (above in the vertical direction) the optical axis La with respect to the incident angle of 30 degrees, and in the present modification 2, is a region with an incident angle of 30 degrees to 50 degrees. The second optical region S2 is set to a region where the incident angle is 10 to 30 degrees. The third optical region S3 is set to a region where the incident angle is 0 to 10 degrees. The fourth optical region S4 is set to a region where the incident angle is-10 degrees to 0 degrees. The fifth optical zone S5 is set to a zone where the incident angle is-30 degrees to-10 degrees. The sixth optical region S6 is a region located outside (lower side in the vertical direction) the optical axis La with respect to the incident angle of-30 degrees, and in the present modification 2, is a region with an incident angle of-50 degrees to-30 degrees. Therefore, the first optical region S1 is an upper region, the second optical region S2 is an upper region, the third optical region S3 and the fourth optical region S4 are central regions, the fifth optical region S5 is a lower region, and the sixth optical region S6 is a lower region. The optical regions (S1 to S6) may be set as appropriate so that the angles (30 degrees, 10 degrees, -30 degrees) that form the boundaries between the optical regions are included in any adjacent region.

Each of the optical regions (S1 to S6) forms an irradiation pattern Pi2 by projecting light from the light source 121 according to respective optical settings. Here, as shown in fig. 21 to 26, the irradiation pattern Pi2 is formed by appropriately overlapping a plurality of light distribution images Li of the light source 121 on the screen. The light distribution images Li are projected by the light source 121 to have a substantially rectangular shape, but the positions and shapes to be formed vary depending on the optical setting in the lens main body portion 223. The lens main body 223 sets a corresponding portion of the irradiation pattern Pi2 for each optical region, and optically sets each optical region based on the corresponding portion.

Here, the lens main body portion 223 adjusts the position where each light distribution image Li is formed by mainly adjusting the shape of the emission surface 226 on the screen, and adjusts the shape of each light distribution image Li by mainly adjusting the shape of the emission surface 225. Therefore, the lens main body 223 performs the optical setting in the above-described transverse section and the optical setting in the below-described longitudinal section by mainly adjusting the curvature (surface shape) of the emission surface 226 for each position. The emission surface 26 is optically set by gradually changing the curvature, and is a smooth surface having no step.

The first optical area S1 forms a third irradiation area A3 of the irradiation pattern Pi2, and forms a third outer boundary line Bo3 outside the third irradiation area A3 (outside the irradiation pattern Pi2, on the side away from the light source 121). The curvature of the exit surface 226 is set as follows: the first optical region S1 diffuses light (light group) passing through the vicinity of the incident angle of 30 degrees among the light from the light source 121, and as the incident angle increases, the degree of diffusion decreases, and light (light group) passing through the vicinity of the incident angle of 50 degrees becomes substantially parallel. That is, the first optical region S1 diffuses light in the vicinity of the incident angle of 30 degrees, and concentrates light as the incident angle approaches 50 degrees. Therefore, as shown in fig. 21, the first optical region S1 has a size (denoted by symbol Lia) such that each light distribution image Li formed by light having an incidence angle of 30 degrees or so reaches the third irradiation region A3 substantially in the entire width direction. The first optical region S1 has a size corresponding to a part of the third irradiation region A3 in the width direction and is located outside (on the upper side in fig. 21) the third irradiation region A3 in the width direction, and each light distribution image Li formed by light passing through the vicinity of an incident angle of 50 degrees is located (indicated by symbol Lib).

Thus, the first optical region S1 projects each light distribution image Li into the third irradiation region A3, and aligns the outer edge portions of each light distribution image Li to form a third outer boundary Bo 3. Here, when there is a light distribution image Li that is shifted outward in the width direction from the third outer boundary Bo3, the first optical region S1 appropriately aligns the light distribution images Li by adjusting the curvature of the emission surface 226 at the corresponding portion. Thus, the first optical region S1 illuminates the third irradiation region A3 and focuses light on the third outer boundary line Bo3, so that the difference in brightness between the third irradiation region A3 and the outside thereof (outside the irradiation pattern Pi 2) is clear, and the third outer boundary line Bo3 is clear.

The second optical region S2 forms the third irradiation region A3 of the irradiation pattern Pi2, and forms a third inner boundary line Bi3 inside (on the second irradiation region a2 side) the third irradiation region A3. The curvature of the exit surface 226 is set as follows: the second optical region S2 diffuses light (light group) passing through the vicinity of the incident angle of 30 degrees among the light from the light source 121, and as the incident angle becomes smaller, the degree of diffusion becomes smaller, and light (light group) passing through the vicinity of the incident angle of 10 degrees becomes substantially parallel. That is, the second optical region S2 diffuses light in the vicinity of the incident angle of 30 degrees, and concentrates light as the incident angle approaches 10 degrees. Therefore, as shown in fig. 17, the second optical region S2 has a size (denoted by symbol Lic) such that each light distribution image Li formed by light having an incidence angle of 30 degrees or so reaches the third irradiation region A3 substantially in the entire width direction. The second optical region S2 has a size corresponding to a part of the third irradiation region A3 in the width direction, and is positioned inward (downward in fig. 21) of the third irradiation region A3 in the width direction (indicated by reference numeral Lid) of each light distribution image Li formed by light having an incidence angle of about 10 degrees.

Thus, the second optical region S2 projects each light distribution image Li into the third irradiation region A3, and forms a third inner boundary Bi3 by aligning the inner edges of each light distribution image Li. Here, when there is a light distribution image Li that is shifted inward in the width direction with respect to the third inner boundary line Bi3, the second optical region S2 appropriately aligns the light distribution images Li by adjusting the curvature of the emission surface 226 at the corresponding portion. Thus, the second optical region S2 irradiates the third irradiation region A3 and concentrates the light on the third inner boundary Bi3, thereby making the difference between the brightness of the third irradiation region A3 and the brightness of the second irradiation region a2 clear and making the third inner boundary Bi3 clear.

The third optical area S3 mainly forms the second irradiation area a2 and the third irradiation area A3 of the irradiation pattern Pi 2. The curvature of the exit surface 226 is set as follows: the third optical region S3 diffuses light (light ray group) passing through the vicinity of the optical axis La at the incident angle among the light rays from the light source 121, and the degree of diffusion decreases as the incident angle increases. That is, the third optical region S3 diffuses light more greatly in the vicinity of the incident angle being the optical axis La, and the degree of diffusion decreases as the incident angle approaches 10 degrees.

Therefore, as shown in fig. 23, the third optical region S3 has a size (denoted by symbol Lie) such that each light distribution image Li formed by light passing through the vicinity of the optical axis La reaches the entire third irradiation region A3 from the first irradiation region a1 through the second irradiation region a2 in the width direction. The third optical region S3 has a size (denoted by reference numeral Lif) such that each light distribution image Li formed by light having an incident angle that is farther from the optical axis La and is smaller than 10 degrees is slightly in contact with the first irradiation region a1 in the width direction and reaches the entire second irradiation region a2 and the third irradiation region A3. The third optical region S3 is a size (denoted by symbol Lig) in which each light distribution image Li formed by light having an incidence angle of approximately 10 degrees slightly abuts on the second irradiation region a2 in the width direction and reaches the entire third irradiation region A3. Thereby, the third optical region S3 expands the range from the first irradiation region a1 to the third irradiation region A3, and necessarily irradiates at least a part of the second irradiation region a 2.

The fourth optical region S4 is in a vertically inverted relationship with the third optical region S3, and mainly forms the second irradiation region a2 and the first irradiation region a1 of the irradiation pattern Pi 2. The curvature of the exit surface 226 is set as follows: the fourth optical region S4 diffuses light (light ray group) passing through the vicinity of the optical axis La, which is the incident angle, among the light rays from the light source 121, and the degree of diffusion decreases as the incident angle decreases. That is, the fourth optical region S4 diffuses light more greatly in the vicinity of the incident angle being the optical axis La, and the degree of diffusion becomes smaller as the incident angle approaches-10 degrees.

Therefore, as shown in fig. 24, the fourth optical region S4 has a size (denoted by symbol Lih) such that each light distribution image Li formed by light passing through the vicinity of the optical axis La reaches the entire first irradiation region a1 from the third irradiation region A3 through the second irradiation region a2 in the width direction. The fourth optical region S4 is configured such that each light distribution image Li formed by light passing through a position farther from the optical axis La than the incident angle of-10 degrees has a size (denoted by symbol Lik) slightly following the third irradiation region A3 in the width direction and reaching the second irradiation region a2 and the first irradiation region a1 as a whole. The fourth optical region S4 has a size (denoted by symbol Lim) such that each light distribution image Li formed by light passing through the vicinity of an incident angle of 10 degrees slightly abuts against the second irradiation region a2 in the width direction and reaches the entire first irradiation region a 1. Thereby, the fourth optical region S4 widely irradiates the range from the third irradiation region A3 to the third irradiation region A3, and necessarily irradiates at least a part of the second irradiation region a 2.

The fifth optical region S5 is in an up-down inverted relationship with the second optical region S2, forms the first irradiation region a1 of the irradiation pattern Pi2, and forms a first outer boundary line Bo1 outside (on the second irradiation region a2 side) the first irradiation region a 1. The curvature of the exit surface 226 is set as follows: the fifth optical region S5 diffuses light (light ray group) that has passed through the vicinity of the incident angle of-30 degrees out of the light from the light source 121, and as the incident angle increases, the degree of diffusion decreases, and light (light ray group) that has passed through the vicinity of the incident angle of-10 degrees becomes substantially parallel. That is, the fifth optical region S5 diffuses light in the vicinity of the incident angle of-30 degrees, and concentrates light as the incident angle approaches-10 degrees. Therefore, as shown in fig. 25, the fifth optical region S5 has a size (denoted by a reference sign Lin) in the width direction that reaches substantially the entire first irradiation region a1, in each light distribution image Li formed by light in the vicinity of an incidence angle of-30 degrees. The fifth optical region S5 has a size corresponding to a part of the first irradiation region a1 in the width direction and is located outside (on the upper side in fig. 25) the first irradiation region a1 in the width direction (symbol Lip).

Thus, the fifth optical region S5 projects each light distribution image Li into the first irradiation region a1, and arranges the outer edge portions of each light distribution image Li so as to form the first outer boundary Bo 1. Here, when there is a light distribution image Li that is shifted outward in the width direction from the first outer boundary Bo1, the fifth optical region S5 appropriately aligns the light distribution images Li by adjusting the curvature of the emission surface 226 at the corresponding portion. Thus, the fifth optical region S5 irradiates the first irradiation region a1 and concentrates light on the first outer boundary Bo1, thereby making the difference in brightness between the first irradiation region a1 and the second irradiation region a2 clear and making the first outer boundary Bo1 clear.

The sixth optical region S6 is in a vertically inverted relationship with the first optical region S1, forms the first irradiation region a1 of the irradiation pattern Pi2, and forms the first inner boundary Bi1 inside (on the non-irradiation region An side) the first irradiation region a 1. The curvature of the exit surface 226 is set as follows: the sixth optical region S6 diffuses light (light ray group) passing through the vicinity of the incident angle of-30 degrees out of the light from the light source 121, and as the incident angle becomes smaller, the degree of diffusion becomes smaller, and light (light ray group) passing through the vicinity of the incident angle of-50 degrees becomes substantially parallel. That is, the sixth optical region S6 diffuses light in the vicinity of the incident angle of-30 degrees, and gathers light as the incident angle approaches-50 degrees. Therefore, as shown in fig. 26, the sixth optical region S6 has a size (denoted by symbol Liq) such that each light distribution image Li formed by light having an incidence angle of-30 degrees or so reaches the first irradiation region a1 substantially in the entire width direction. The sixth optical region S6 has a size corresponding to a part of the first irradiation region a1 in the width direction and is located inward (downward in the front view of fig. 26) of the first irradiation region a1 in the width direction (reference character Lir).

Thus, the sixth optical region S6 projects each light distribution image Li into the first irradiation region a1, and forms the first inner boundary Bi1 by aligning the inner edges of each light distribution image Li. Here, when there is a light distribution image Li that is shifted inward in the width direction with respect to the first inner boundary line Bi1, the sixth optical region S6 appropriately aligns the light distribution images Li by adjusting the curvature of the emission surface 226 at the corresponding portion. Thus, the sixth optical region S6 irradiates the first irradiation region a1 and concentrates light on the first inner boundary Bi1, thereby making clear the difference in brightness between the first irradiation region a1 and the inner side thereof (the non-irradiation region An inside the irradiation pattern Pi), and making the first inner boundary Bi1 clear.

In the lens main body portion 223, the shape of the incident surface 225 is adjusted so that distortion of each light distribution image Li is reduced on the screen. Here, the shape of the injection surface 225 in the above-described transverse cross section and the shape of the above-described longitudinal cross section are set independently.

As shown in fig. 19, the incident surface 225 has a concave surface in a transverse section, that is, a curved surface protruding toward the side opposite to the light source 121 (the front side in the optical axis direction). This is because when the incident surface 225 is a flat surface, the distortion in each light distribution image Li becomes larger than when it is a concave surface, and when the incident surface 25 is a convex surface, the distortion in each light distribution image Li becomes larger.

As shown in fig. 20, the incident surface 225 is a convex surface in vertical section, that is, a curved surface protruding toward the light source 121 (rearward in the optical axis direction). This is because when the incident surface 225 is a flat surface, the distortion in each light distribution image Li becomes larger than when it is a convex surface, and when the incident surface 25 is a concave surface, the distortion in each light distribution image Li becomes larger.

In this way, the incident surface 225 is formed as an annular surface (annular lens) having a radius of curvature different between the horizontal direction, which is a transverse section, and the vertical direction, which is a longitudinal section. The incident surface 225 may have a convex shape in a vertical section and a concave shape in a transverse section, and the respective radii of curvature (curvatures) may be set as appropriate. The incident surface 225 may be a free-form surface having the above-described annular surface as a basic surface. By forming the incident surface 225 in such a shape, distortion of each light distribution image Li can be suppressed, and the irradiation pattern Pi2 can be formed using each light distribution image Li. Thus, the lens main body portion 223 can make the irradiation pattern Pi 2a more desirable shape. This is because, compared to the case of using each light distribution image Li having a large distortion, the light distribution image Li having a small distortion can be easily appropriately arranged at the corner of the boundary line set by the arrangement forming line of the outer edge of each light distribution image Li as described above.

Referring to fig. 16, the vehicle lamp 210 is assembled as follows. First, the light source 121 is mounted on the substrate 122 in a state of being positioned with respect to the substrate 22, and the light source unit 111 is assembled. Then, the mounting projections 127 of the two mounting portions 124 of the projection lens 212 are fitted into the corresponding mounting holes 122a of the substrate 122 of the light source unit 111, and the two mounting portions 124 are fixed to the substrate 122. Thus, the central axis of radiation of the light source 121 of the light source section 111 is aligned with the lens axis of the lens body section 223 of the projection lens 212 with a predetermined interval therebetween, and these axes become the optical axis La of the vehicle lamp 210. In this state, the light source unit 111 and the projection lens 112 are attached, and the vehicle lamp 210 is assembled.

As shown in fig. 15, the vehicle lamp 210 is provided in a lamp chamber with an optical axis La directed to a side of the vehicle M and inclined with respect to a road surface 200 around the vehicle M. The vehicle lamp 210 supplies power from the lighting control circuit to the light source 121 from the board 122, thereby appropriately turning on and off the light source 121. The light from the light source 121 passes through the aperture controlled by the projection lens 212 and is projected, thereby forming an irradiation pattern Pi2 in which the first irradiation region a1, the second irradiation region a2, and the third irradiation region A3 are arranged in a band shape extending in the traveling direction on the road surface 200. The irradiation pattern Pi2 has a trapezoidal shape that expands as it moves away from the vehicle M, and a non-irradiation region An is formed between the vehicle M and the first irradiation region a 1. The irradiation pattern Pi2 can partially brighten the road surface 200 on the left and right sides near the front end of the vehicle M. The irradiation pattern Pi2 is formed in conjunction with a turn signal in the present modification 2 as an example, and the surrounding awareness vehicle M can be made to turn right or left.

The irradiation pattern Pi2 is formed with the first inner boundary Bi1 and the first outer boundary Bo1 of the first irradiation region a1 and the third inner boundary Bi3 and the third outer boundary Bo3 of the third irradiation region A3 by the above setting of the optical regions (S1 to S6). Therefore, the irradiation pattern Pi2 makes the boundary with the surroundings and the boundary of each irradiation region (a1, a2, A3) clear, and thus can be easily grasped as being formed by three belt-shaped irradiation regions (a1, a2, A3) extending in the traveling direction. As shown in fig. 15 and 17, in the irradiation pattern Pi2 of modification example 2, the distance to the road surface 200 increases as the optical axis La is inclined with respect to the road surface 200 and the distance to the road surface 200 increases toward the outer side in the width direction, so that the light amount in the vicinity of the third outer boundary line Bo3 of the third irradiation region A3 gradually decreases, and it is difficult to understand the third outer boundary line Bo 3. Therefore, in the irradiation pattern Pi2 of modification example 2, the vicinity of the third outer boundary line Bo3 is blurred, and the situation in which the irradiation pattern is directed in a direction away from the vehicle M can be shown.

In addition, in the irradiation pattern Pi2, the second irradiation region a2 is irradiated with only a part of the light passing through the third optical region S3 and the fourth optical region S4. In contrast, the first irradiation region a1 is irradiated with substantially all of the light passing through the first optical region S1 and the second optical region S2, and is irradiated with a part of the light passing through the third optical region S3. Similarly, the third irradiation region a3 is irradiated with substantially all of the light passing through the fifth optical region S5 and the sixth optical region S6, and is irradiated with a part of the light passing through the fourth optical region S4. Therefore, in the irradiation pattern Pi2, the second irradiation region a2 is darkest. The third irradiation region A3 is inclined with respect to the road surface 200 by the optical axis La, and thus the distance to the road surface 200 becomes larger, and therefore is darker than the first irradiation region a 1.

Next, the operation of the vehicle lamp 210 will be described with reference to fig. 15 to 17. In fig. 17, the driver of the two-wheeled vehicle 3 is not shown for easy understanding. When any of the right and left winkers is turned on in conjunction with the vehicle lamp 210, the light source 121 of the lamp provided on the turned-on side is turned on, and the irradiation pattern Pi2 is formed on the road surface 200. For example, fig. 17 shows a scene in which a vehicle M traveling straight on a road intends to turn left. The vehicle M blinks the left turn signal, and the vehicle lamp 210 provided in the front left forms the irradiation pattern Pi2 on the road surface 200. Accordingly, even when the driver of the two-wheeled vehicle 300 traveling behind the vehicle M cannot visually recognize the turn signal of the vehicle M, is overlooked, or is difficult to see, the irradiation pattern Pi2 formed on the road surface 200 can be visually recognized, and the driver can grasp that the vehicle M is turning left.

In the vehicle M, when the left and right vehicle lamps 210 are interlocked with the turn signal lamps and the turn signal lamps are turned on as hazard lamps, the left and right vehicle lamps 210 simultaneously form the irradiation pattern Pi2 on the road surface 200 (see fig. 15). Therefore, the vehicle lamp 210 can make a person around the vehicle M recognize more reliably that the vehicle lamp is turned on as a hazard lamp, as compared with a case where only the right and left turn lamps are blinked.

Further, the vehicle lamp 210 collects the light to clarify the first inner boundary line Bi1, the first outer boundary line Bo1, the third inner boundary line Bi3, and the third outer boundary line Bo3, thereby forming the irradiation pattern Pi2 with sharp boundaries with the surroundings and boundaries with the irradiation regions (a1, a2, A3). Therefore, the vehicle lamp 210 can recognize the shape of the irradiation pattern Pi2 without increasing the light amount of the light source 121, and can transmit some intention of the driver (such as a right-left turn in the present modification 2) to the surrounding people by the formed irradiation pattern Pi 2.

Here, the conventional vehicle lamp described in the prior art document simply projects an irradiation pattern onto a road surface around the vehicle, and does not form an outline (outer boundary line) of the irradiation pattern. Therefore, the conventional vehicle lamp may form a region with blurred light emission as an irradiation pattern, and may make it difficult to recognize the shape of the irradiation pattern. Such an irradiation pattern is difficult to determine whether it is a pattern formed by light from a vehicle or a pattern formed by light from a vehicle different from the vehicle, such as a street light in the vicinity, and there is a possibility that it is difficult for a person in the vicinity to transmit some intention of the driver.

Therefore, since the conventional vehicle lamp forms an irradiation pattern by projecting a plurality of spot lights or a plurality of line lights, it is considered that the irradiation pattern is formed by the light from the vehicle. However, such an irradiation pattern has a blackish area between dot-shaped and line-shaped lights, which is not irradiated with light, and thus the ratio of the area in which light occupies the entire area is reduced. Therefore, the luminance of the irradiation pattern as a whole is reduced, and there is room for improvement from the viewpoint of calling attention. In particular, when the painted black region extends in the width direction, the painted black region is visible as being scattered when viewed from a distance, but the painted black region can be recognized when approaching, and a change in shape (light form) is perceived by a change in distance, that is, a change in the angle of observation.

In contrast, in the vehicle lamp 210 according to modification 2, the irradiation pattern Pi2 is formed by arranging the first irradiation region a1, the second irradiation region a2, and the third irradiation region A3 in a band shape extending in the traveling direction. Therefore, since the vehicle lamp 210 forms the stripe-shaped irradiation pattern Pi2 extending in the traveling direction, it can be distinguished from the irradiation of light from a street lamp or the like, and it is possible to easily recognize the pattern formed by the light from the vehicle. Here, it is generally known that, if the pattern provided on the road surface 200 is a pattern extending in the traveling direction, the pattern is easily recognized by a driver of the vehicle or the like. Thus, the vehicle lamp 210 can present the easily recognizable irradiation pattern Pi2, can more easily determine that the pattern is formed by the light from the vehicle, and can locally convey some intention of the driver (such as a right-left turn in the present modification 2) to the surrounding people.

In particular, in the vehicle lamp 210 according to modification 2, the boundaries with the surroundings and the boundaries of the irradiation regions (a1, a2, and A3) are made sharp by forming light at the boundaries (Bi1, Bo1, Bi3, and Bo3) in the irradiation pattern Pi2 so as to converge. Therefore, the vehicle lamp 210 can clearly identify that the formed irradiation pattern Pi2 has three irradiation areas and can recognize the pattern as three band-shaped patterns extending in the traveling direction. Therefore, the vehicle lamp 210 can recognize the irradiation pattern Pi2 (its shape) without increasing the light amount of the light source 121, as compared with the conventional vehicle lamp. In addition, since the shape of the irradiation pattern Pi2 is clarified by forming each boundary line by the optical setting of the lens body portion 223, the vehicle lamp 210 can have a simple configuration as compared with a case of forming a shape using a filter. Thus, the vehicle lamp 210 can recognize the irradiation pattern Pi2 having the intended shape by the surrounding person, and can locally convey some intention of the driver to the surrounding person with a simple configuration.

In the vehicle lamp 210 according to modification 2, the irradiation pattern Pi2 has three irradiation regions (a1, a2, and A3) formed by irradiating light onto the road surface 200. Therefore, the vehicle lamp 210 can emit the irradiation pattern Pi2 having the difference in illuminance over the entire area, can secure the luminance as a whole, can prevent the change in the shape (light form) due to the change in the distance, and can appropriately call attention of people around the vehicle lamp.

In addition, since the vehicle lamp 210 according to modification 2 emits the brown light from the light source 121, the influence of chromatic aberration in the projection lens 212 can be significantly suppressed. Therefore, the vehicle lamp 210 can form the irradiation pattern Pi2 that sharpens the boundary with the surroundings and the boundary of each irradiation region (a1, a2, A3).

In addition, in the vehicle lamp 210 according to modification 2, the lens body 223 is divided into six optical regions (S1 to S6) in the vertical direction, and the irradiation regions are formed by setting the portions of the three irradiation regions (a1, a2, A3) corresponding to the respective optical regions and setting the curvatures (surface shapes) of the emission surfaces 26. Therefore, the vehicle lamp 210 can form the irradiation pattern Pi2 with three irradiation regions by a simple configuration including the light source section 111 and the projection lens 212 without using a new light source, and can recognize the irradiation pattern Pi2 more easily.

The vehicle lamp 210 of modification example 2 has the size in the width direction of the first irradiation region a1 of the irradiation pattern Pi2 substantially equal to the white line formed on the road surface 200. The white line is set to have a dimension in the width direction and extends in the traveling direction from the viewpoint of easy recognition by a driver of the vehicle or the like. Therefore, the vehicle lamp 210 can easily recognize the first irradiation region a1 of the irradiation pattern Pi2, and can appropriately call attention.

In particular, the vehicle lamp 210 according to modification 2 sets the dimension in the width direction of the combined first irradiation region a1 and non-irradiation region An to the minimum dimension at which the two-wheeled vehicle 3, such as a motorcycle or a bicycle, can be pushed aside the vehicle 1. Therefore, the vehicle lamp 210 can appropriately call attention to the two-wheeled vehicle 300 (the driver thereof) to be crowded with. The reason is as follows. For example, as shown in fig. 27, the vehicle M travels on the road surface 200 provided with the pedestrian way 400 having the pedestrian way boundary area 404a, and is spaced from the pedestrian way 400 (the pedestrian way boundary area 404a) by a left-right interval over which the two-wheeled vehicle 300 can push. In this scene, when the vehicle lamp 210 forms the irradiation pattern Pi2 on the road surface 200 on the side of the pedestrian way 400, a part of the irradiation pattern Pi2 is formed on the pedestrian way 400. Incidentally, the vehicle lamp 210 forms at least the first irradiation region a1 on the road surface 200 by setting the dimension in the width direction as described above, in a case where the two-wheeled vehicle 300 can push through. When the vehicle M is located closer to the side of the pedestrian path 400 than in the state shown in fig. 27, the vehicle lamp 210 forms a part or all of the first irradiation region a1 on the pedestrian path 400, but the two-wheeled vehicle 300 is difficult to push between the vehicle M and the pedestrian path 400. Therefore, even in the two-wheeled vehicle 300 (the driver thereof) to be crowded with, the vehicle lamp 210 can present at least the brightest first irradiation region a1 having a size substantially equal to the white line in the width direction, and can appropriately call attention. Thus, even in a situation where it is difficult for a person around the vehicle M to visually recognize the turn signal, such as when the vehicle M intends to change the lane during a traffic jam, the vehicle lamp 210 can appropriately call attention to the two-wheeled vehicle 300 (the driver thereof).

The vehicle lamp 210 according to modification 2 is provided with the diffusion sections 128 on both side surfaces 223a of the lens body section 223, which are end surfaces in the left-right direction in the projection lens 212, and on the outer side surfaces 124a of the mounting sections 124. Therefore, even when the light from the light source 121 introduced into the projection lens 212 is emitted from the both side surfaces 223a of the lens body 223 and the outer side surfaces 124a of the mounting portions 124, the vehicle lamp 210 can scatter the light by the scattering portion 128. Thus, the vehicle lamp 210 can prevent light emitted from the both side surfaces 223a and the both outer side surfaces 124a from becoming light leakage that irradiates undesired portions around the irradiation pattern Pi 2. Therefore, the vehicle lamp 10 can suppress blurring of the irradiation pattern Pi2, and can appropriately form the irradiation pattern Pi 2.

The vehicle lamp 210 according to modification 2 can obtain the following operational effects.

The vehicle lamp 210 includes: a light source 121; and a projection lens 212 that projects the light emitted from the light source to form an irradiation pattern Pi 2. The irradiation pattern Pi2 formed by the vehicle lamp 210 has a first irradiation region a1, a second irradiation region a2, and a third irradiation region A3 extending in the traveling direction, the second irradiation region a2 being darkest. The projection lens 212 of the vehicle lamp 210 forms a first outer boundary Bo1 outside the first irradiation region a1 and a third inner boundary Bi3 inside the third irradiation region A3. Therefore, the vehicle lamp 210 can make the first outer boundary Bo1 and the third inner boundary Bi3 clear, so that the light and dark in the irradiation pattern Pi2 can be clearly seen from the second irradiation region a2 located in the middle, and the shapes of the three irradiation regions (a1, a2, A3) extending in the traveling direction can be easily recognized. Thus, the vehicle lamp 210 can easily recognize that the irradiation pattern Pi2 is a pattern formed by light from the vehicle M, and can appropriately call attention of people around the vehicle M.

In addition, the vehicle lamp 210 has the non-irradiation region An adjacent to the inside of the first irradiation region a1 of the irradiation pattern Pi 2. Therefore, the vehicle lamp 210 is provided with the non-irradiation region An where light is not irradiated between the irradiation pattern Pi2 and the vehicle M, and thus can recognize that it is not decorative light illuminating the lower side of the vehicle M, and can improve the visual confirmation of the irradiation pattern Pi2 by floating the irradiation pattern Pi2 on the dark road surface 200.

The projection lens 212 of the vehicle lamp 210 forms a first inner boundary Bi1 inside the first irradiation region a 1. Therefore, the vehicle lamp 210 can sharpen the first inner boundary Bi1, i.e., the inner edge of the irradiation pattern Pi2, and can easily recognize the shape of the irradiation pattern Pi 2.

In the irradiation pattern Pi2, the vehicle lamp 210 makes the first irradiation region a1 brighter than the third irradiation region A3. Therefore, the vehicle lamp 210 brightest the first irradiation region a1 closest to the vehicle M side, and thus the shape of the irradiation pattern Pi2 can be recognized more easily.

In the irradiation pattern Pi2, the vehicle lamp 210 is set to have a dimension in the width direction such that the second irradiation region a2 is minimized and the third irradiation region A3 is maximized. Therefore, the vehicle lamp 210 can be bright as a whole because the darkest second irradiation region a2 is small, and can be wide because the third irradiation region A3 farthest from the vehicle M is largest. Thus, the vehicle lamp 210 can improve the appearance of the irradiation pattern Pi2 and can more easily recognize the shape of the irradiation pattern Pi 2. In particular, in the vehicle lamp 210 according to modification 2, the dimension of the first irradiation region a1 in the width direction is substantially equal to the white line formed on the road surface 200, and the first irradiation region a1 can be easily recognized, so that attention can be appropriately called.

In the vehicle lamp 210, the projection lens 212 forms the first outer boundary line Bo1 using the plurality of light distribution images Li projected in the lower region (the fifth optical region S5), and forms the third inner boundary line Bi3 using the plurality of light distribution images Li projected in the upper region (the second optical region S2). Therefore, the vehicle lamp 210 can easily recognize the irradiation pattern Pi2 with a simple configuration including the light source section 111 and the projection lens 212 without using a new light source by forming the first outer boundary line Bo1 and the third inner boundary line Bi3 independently by dividing two regions of the projection lens 212 in the vertical direction.

In the vehicle lamp 210, the projection lens 212 forms the first inner boundary Bi1 inside the first irradiation region a1 using the plurality of light distribution images Li projected in the lower end side region (sixth optical region S6), and forms the third outer boundary Bo3 outside the third irradiation region A3 using the plurality of light distribution images Li projected in the upper end side region (first optical region S1). Therefore, the vehicle lamp 210 forms the first inner boundary line Bi1 and the third outer boundary line Bo3 independently by further dividing two regions of the projection lens 212 in the vertical direction, and thus can easily recognize the irradiation pattern Pi2 with a simple configuration including the light source section 111 and the projection lens 212.

In the vehicle lamp 210, the projection lens 212 forms the second irradiation region a2 using the plurality of light distribution images Li projected in the central region (the third optical region S3, the fourth optical region S4). Therefore, the vehicle lamp 210 forms the second irradiation region a2 by further dividing the region of the projection lens 212 in the vertical direction, and therefore, the irradiation pattern Pi2 can be easily recognized by a simple configuration including the light source section 111 and the projection lens 212 without using a new light source.

Therefore, the vehicle lamp 210 of modification 2, which is the vehicle lamp of the present disclosure, can form the irradiation pattern Pi2 that can appropriately call the attention of the surrounding people.

In modification 2, the irradiation pattern Pi2 has a trapezoidal shape that expands on the road surface 200 as it moves away from the vehicle M. However, the shape of the irradiation pattern Pi2 is not limited to the trapezoidal shape and may be set as appropriate as long as the second irradiation region a2 is provided between the first irradiation region a1 and the third irradiation region A3 extending in the traveling direction and the second irradiation region a2 is made darkest, and is not limited to the configuration of the above-described modification 2.

In modification 2, the entire second irradiation region a2 of irradiation pattern Pi2 has a single luminance. However, the second irradiation region a2 may be configured by a plurality of regions having different brightness as long as it is between and darker than the first irradiation region a1 and the third irradiation region A3, and is not limited to the configuration of modification 2. For example, the second irradiation region a2 may be formed by arranging different portions of the luminance extending in the traveling direction in the width direction. In this case, in the second irradiation region a2, as long as the portions adjacent to the first irradiation region a1 (the first outer boundary Bo1 thereof) and the third irradiation region A3 (the third inner boundary Bi3 thereof) are darker than the first irradiation region a1 and the third irradiation region A3, the portions having the same degree of brightness as the first irradiation region a1 and the third irradiation region A3 may be located at intermediate positions therebetween. That is, the irradiation pattern Pi2 is formed to have five or more luminous portions in a band shape extending in the traveling direction by using a bright band-shaped portion extending in the traveling direction in the second irradiation region a2 in addition to the first irradiation region a1 and the third irradiation region A3. In this case, the second irradiation region a2 also has a darker region than both irradiation regions (a1, A3), and is therefore darker than both irradiation regions as a whole.

In modification 2, the projection lens 212 forms boundaries (Bi1, Bo1, Bi3, Bo 3). However, the projection lens 12 is not limited to the configuration of the present modification 2 described above as long as at least the first outer boundary Bo1 and the third inner boundary Bi3 are formed.

In the projection lens 212 of modification 2, the scattering portion 128 is provided on both side surfaces 223a of the lens body 223 and on the outer surface 124a of each mounting portion 124. However, the scattering section 128 is not limited to the configuration of modification 2, and may be provided as appropriate, even in a region other than the two side surfaces 223a and the two outer side surfaces 124a, as long as the region of the projection lens 212 other than the incident surface 225 and the output surface 226 and the region where light from the light source 121 introduced into the projection lens 212 leaks.

In the present modification 2, the projection lens 212 is configured such that the upper region, the central region, the lower region, and the lower region are set to the above-described settings (each optical region (S1 to S6)). However, each region of the projection lens 212 is not limited to the configuration of the present modification 2 described above as long as the upper region is provided at a position above the upper region that does not include the optical axis, the upper end region is provided at a position above the upper region, the lower region is provided at a position below the lower region that does not include the optical axis, the lower end region is provided at a position below the lower region, and the central region is provided at a position including the optical axis in the vertical direction.

The vehicle lamp according to the present disclosure has been described above based on the embodiments and modifications thereof, but the specific configuration is not limited to the embodiments and modifications, and changes, additions, and the like may be made thereto without departing from the spirit of the invention according to the claims.

Description of the symbols

Theta 1, theta 2-angle, C1, C2, C3, C4-corner, C5, C6, C7-end, E3, E5, E6, E7, E8, E9-end, E4-side, P2, SP 2-side, AR 1-central illumination area, AR 2-visual confirmation area, ML, SL1, SL 2-light, LP-low beam pattern, MP-main light distribution, SP-auxiliary light distribution, SP 1-front light distribution, 10-housing, 11-external lens, 20-main light distribution illumination section, 21-segment, 30A, 30B-auxiliary light distribution illumination section, 31-front illumination section, 32-side illumination section, 33-light source, 34, 37-lens, 35-heat sink, 36B-support member, 38-tool, 100-210 filter, vehicle lamp 110, vehicle lamp 112-210, vehicle lamp 112-side illumination section, 125-projection lens 126, upper projection surface 126-projection surface 126, 132-lower lens portion, L1-width direction line, L2-up-down direction line, La-optical axis, Lp-scribe portion, B-light-dark boundary line, Pf-far side pattern portion, Pn-near side pattern portion, Pi 2-irradiation pattern, a 1-first irradiation region, a 2-second irradiation region, A3-third irradiation region, An-non-irradiation region, Bi 1-first inner boundary line, Bi 3-third inner boundary line, Bo 1-first outer boundary line, Li-light distribution image, S1-upper end side region (first optical region), S2-upper side region (second optical region), S3, S4-center region (third optical region, fourth optical region), S5-lower side region (fifth optical region), S6-lower end side region (sixth optical region).