Lamp unit and vehicle lamp

Abstract

The structure is such that the light from the light source (52) reflected by the spatial light modulator (30) is irradiated to the front of the unit via the projection lens (72), and a light shielding member (32) for shielding a part of the reflected light from the reflection control unit (30A) is arranged on the front side of the unit of the spatial light modulator (30). In this case, the light shielding member (32) is formed with an opening (32a), and the opening (32a) has an opening shape formed by inverting an isosceles trapezoid up and down, so that the left and right width of the non-light shielding area that does not shield the reflected light from the reflection control unit (30A) is narrower at the bottom than at the top.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a lamp unit including a reflective spatial light modulator.

[0002] The present invention also relates to a vehicle lamp in which two lamp units each including a projection lens are arranged in parallel.

[0003] The present invention also relates to a vehicle lamp in which a lamp unit including a spatial light modulator and a projection lens is housed in a lamp chamber. Background Art

[0004] Conventionally, as a vehicle-mounted lamp unit, there is known a lamp unit that irradiates light from a light source reflected by a spatial light modulator toward the front of the unit via a projection lens.

[0005] In Patent Document 1, as a structure of a spatial light modulator in such a lamp unit, there is described a spatial light modulator having a reflection control unit, wherein the reflection control unit is composed of a plurality of reflection elements arranged in an array, and the plurality of reflection elements are configured to selectively adopt a first angular position for reflecting light from a light source toward a projection lens and a second angular position for reflecting light from the light source in a direction deviating from the projection lens.

[0006] The lamp unit described in Patent Document 1 is configured to form a road surface drawing light distribution pattern (ie, a light distribution pattern for drawing characters, symbols, etc.) on the road surface in front of the vehicle by controlling the spatial distribution of reflected light using a spatial light modulator.

[0007] In addition, in Patent Document 2, as the structure of a spatial light modulator in such a lamp unit, there is described a spatial light modulator having a plurality of reflective elements, wherein the plurality of reflective elements are configured to selectively adopt a first angular position for reflecting light from a light source toward a projection lens and a second angular position for reflecting light from the light source in a direction deviating from the projection lens.

[0008] The lamp unit described in Patent Document 2 is configured to form a road surface depicting light distribution pattern on the road surface in front of the vehicle, similarly to Patent Document 1 in which the spatial distribution of reflected light is controlled by a spatial light modulator.

[0009] Prior art literature

[0010] Patent Literature

[0011] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2014-165130

[0012] Patent Document 2: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2016-91976 Summary of the invention

[0013] Technical problem that the invention aims to solve

[0014] Generally speaking, the reflection control part of the spatial light modulator has a rectangular shape. Therefore, assuming that the entire area of ​​the reflection control part is projected onto the road surface in front of the vehicle, the maximum projection area becomes an inverted trapezoidal shape whose width gradually widens to the left and right as it moves farther away, and its two side edges extend in a direction intersecting the road shoulder and the center line.

[0015] Therefore, if the road surface depicting light distribution pattern is formed in the maximum projection area of ​​the outer shape having such an inverted trapezoidal shape, there is a possibility that the driver or the like may feel uncomfortable.

[0016] A first object of the present invention is to provide a lamp unit including a reflective spatial light modulator, in which a road surface depicting light distribution pattern can be formed without causing discomfort to a driver or the like.

[0017] In addition, as in the lamp unit described in Patent Document 1, by forming a road surface depicting light distribution pattern while the vehicle is traveling, it is possible to promote attention to the surroundings.

[0018] However, in such a lamp unit, further improvement is desired in order to fully enhance the function of alerting the surroundings by forming a road surface depicting light distribution pattern. At this time, it is desired to achieve this without causing any hindrance to the light distribution function of the lamp unit.

[0019] A second object of the present invention is to provide a lamp unit having a reflective spatial light modulator, in which a function of calling attention to surroundings by forming a road surface depicting light distribution pattern can be improved without hindering its light distribution function.

[0020] In addition, as a vehicle lamp, if the structure described in Patent Document 2 is adopted in which the lamp unit is arranged in parallel with other lamp units, various light distribution patterns including a light distribution pattern for road surface drawing can be formed. However, if the other lamp units are configured with projection lenses, the following problems may arise.

[0021] That is, in order to form a light distribution pattern for road surface drawing, it is necessary to irradiate light from the lamp unit toward the front of the lamp and obliquely downward, but in the lamp unit described in Patent Document 2, the center position of the plurality of reflective elements constituting the spatial light modulator is located on the optical axis of the projection lens, so in order to improve its irradiation efficiency, it is necessary to arrange the lamp unit in a state of being inclined obliquely downward. On the other hand, in the case of forming a light distribution pattern for a headlamp using irradiation light from other lamp units, it is necessary to irradiate light toward the front direction of the lamp, so in order to improve its irradiation efficiency, it is necessary to arrange the lamp unit horizontally.

[0022] Therefore, the projection lenses of the two lamp units arranged in parallel have different orientations from each other, thereby impairing the appearance of the vehicle lamp.

[0023] A third object of the present invention is to provide a vehicle lamp having two lamp units including projection lenses arranged in parallel, in which a variety of light distribution patterns including a road surface depicting light distribution pattern can be efficiently formed without impairing the appearance of the vehicle lamp.

[0024] In addition, a lamp unit of a general vehicle lamp is housed in a lamp chamber composed of a lamp body and a translucent cover, so that irradiation light from the lamp unit is irradiated toward the front of the lamp through the translucent cover.

[0025] Therefore, as a lamp unit, the focus of the projection optical system is located at the original position, thereby becoming a structure that can form a light distribution pattern for depicting a road surface with high precision. However, as a vehicle lamp as a whole that also includes a light-transmitting cover, the focus of the projection optical system deviates subtly from the original position in the front-rear direction of the lamp, and there is a possibility that a light distribution pattern for depicting a road surface cannot be formed with high precision.

[0026] A fourth object of the present invention is to provide a vehicle lamp in which a lamp unit including a spatial light modulator and a projection lens is housed in a lamp chamber, wherein a light distribution pattern for road surface depiction or the like can be formed with high precision.

[0027] Technical solutions to the problem

[0028] The present invention achieves the first object by being configured to include a predetermined light shielding member.

[0029] In a lamp unit according to one embodiment of the present invention,

[0030] The lamp unit is configured to irradiate the light from the light source reflected by the spatial light modulator toward the front of the unit (in this application, the front of the lamp unit) via the projection lens.

[0031] The spatial light modulator includes a reflection control unit formed by arranging a plurality of reflection elements, wherein the plurality of reflection elements are configured to selectively take a first angle position and a second angle position, wherein the first angle position is an angle position at which the light from the light source is reflected toward the projection lens, and the second angle position is an angle position at which the light from the light source is reflected in a direction deviating from the projection lens.

[0032] A light shielding member for shielding a part of the reflected light from the reflection control unit is arranged at a position closer to the front side of the unit than the reflection control unit, and

[0033] The light shielding member is formed so that the left-right width of a non-light shielding region that does not shield the reflected light from the reflection control unit is narrower at a lower portion than at an upper portion.

[0034] In the present invention, the "lamp unit" may be configured so that light emitted from a light source directly enters the spatial light modulator, or may be configured so that light emitted from a light source is incident on the spatial light modulator in a state controlled by a reflector, a lens, or the like.

[0035] In the present invention, the “spatial light modulator” is not particularly limited in its specific structure as long as it includes a reflection control unit in which a plurality of reflection elements are arranged so as to selectively take a first angular position and a second angular position.

[0036] In the present invention, the "light shielding member" only needs to be configured to shield a portion of the reflected light from the reflection control unit and the left-right width of the non-light shielding area is formed to be narrower at the bottom than at the top, and its specific arrangement and structure are not particularly limited.

[0037] In the present invention, the "non-light-shielding area" can be formed so that its left and right width is narrower at the bottom than at the top, and its specific shape is not particularly limited. The "non-light-shielding area" can be formed, for example, so that the left and right width gradually narrows, or so that the left and right width narrows in stages, or so that the left and right width narrows equally, or so that the left and right width narrows unequally.

[0038] In addition, the present invention achieves the second object by studying the arrangement of the first light source and the second light source as light sources.

[0039] In a lamp unit according to one embodiment of the present invention,

[0040] The lamp unit is configured such that the light from the light source reflected by the spatial light modulator is irradiated toward the front of the unit via the projection lens.

[0041] The spatial light modulator includes a plurality of reflective elements configured to selectively take a first angular position and a second angular position.

[0042] The lamp unit includes a first light source and a second light source as the light sources,

[0043] The first light source is arranged at the following position: light from the first light source is reflected toward the projection lens by each of the reflective elements located at the first angular position, and light from the first light source is reflected in a direction deviating from the projection lens by each of the reflective elements located at the second angular position,

[0044] The second light source is arranged at the following position: light from the second light source is reflected toward the projection lens by each of the reflective elements located at the second angular position, and light from the second light source is reflected in a direction deviating from the projection lens by each of the reflective elements located at the first angular position, and

[0045] The second light source is arranged at a position deviated from a plane including the optical axis of the projection lens and the emission center of the first light source.

[0046] In the present invention, the specific structure of the “spatial light modulator” is not particularly limited as long as it includes a plurality of reflective elements configured to selectively take a first angular position and a second angular position.

[0047] In the present invention, the "projection lens" may be composed of a single lens or a plurality of lenses.

[0048] In addition, the present invention achieves the third object by studying the structure of a lamp unit having a spatial light modulator.

[0049] In a vehicle lamp according to one embodiment of the present invention,

[0050] The first lamp unit and the second lamp unit are arranged in parallel,

[0051] The first lamp unit is configured to irradiate the light from the first light source reflected by the first spatial light modulator toward the front of the lamp (in this application, the front of the vehicle lamp) via the first projection lens.

[0052] The second lamp unit is configured to irradiate light from the second light source toward the front of the lamp via the second projection lens.

[0053] The first spatial light modulator includes a plurality of first reflecting elements, and the plurality of first reflecting elements are configured to selectively take a first angular position and a second angular position, wherein the first angular position is an angular position at which the light from the first light source is reflected toward the first projection lens, and the second angular position is an angular position at which the light from the first light source is reflected in a direction deviating from the first projection lens, and

[0054] The first spatial light modulator is arranged in a state where the center positions of the plurality of first reflective elements are displaced upward from the optical axis of the first projection lens.

[0055] In the present invention, as long as the “first lamp unit and the second lamp unit” are arranged in parallel, the specific positional relationship between the two is not particularly limited.

[0056] In the present invention, the "first lamp unit" may be configured to allow the light emitted from the first light source to directly enter the first spatial light modulator, or may be configured to allow the light emitted from the first light source to enter the first spatial light modulator after being controlled by a reflector, lens, or the like.

[0057] In the present invention, the "second lamp unit" may be configured to allow light emitted from the second light source to directly enter the second projection lens, or may be configured to allow light emitted from the second light source to enter the second projection lens after being controlled by a reflector, lens, or the like.

[0058] In the present invention, the specific structure of the "first spatial light modulator" is not particularly limited as long as it includes a plurality of reflective elements configured to selectively assume a first angular position and a second angular position. Furthermore, as long as the center positions of the plurality of first reflective elements are configured in a state displaced upward from the optical axis of the first projection lens, the specific value of the upward displacement is not particularly limited.

[0059] In addition, the present invention achieves the fourth object by being configured to include a predetermined adjustment mechanism.

[0060] In a vehicle lamp according to one embodiment of the present invention,

[0061] The lamp unit is housed in a lamp chamber consisting of a lamp body and a light-transmitting cover.

[0062] The lamp unit is configured such that the light from the light source reflected by the spatial light modulator is irradiated toward the front of the lamp via the projection lens.

[0063] The spatial light modulator includes a plurality of reflective elements, and the plurality of reflective elements are configured to selectively take a first angle position and a second angle position, wherein the first angle position is an angle position at which the light from the light source is reflected toward the projection lens, and the second angle position is an angle position at which the light from the light source is reflected in a direction deviating from the projection lens.

[0064] The lamp unit includes: a bracket that supports the spatial light modulator; and a lens holder that supports the projection lens, and

[0065] An adjustment mechanism for adjusting the relative positional relationship between the bracket and the lens holder in the front-rear direction of the lamp is provided in a manner operable from outside the lamp chamber.

[0066] In the present invention, the specific structure of the “spatial light modulator” is not particularly limited as long as it includes a plurality of reflective elements configured to selectively take a first angular position and a second angular position.

[0067] In the present invention, the specific structure of the "adjustment mechanism" is not particularly limited as long as it is a structure arranged so as to be able to manipulate the relative positional relationship of the bracket supporting the spatial light modulator and the lens holder supporting the projection lens in the front-rear direction of the lamp from outside the lamp chamber.

[0068] Effects of the Invention

[0069] The lamp unit according to one embodiment of the present invention is configured such that light from a light source reflected by a spatial light modulator is irradiated toward the front of the unit via a projection lens. Therefore, various light distribution patterns can be formed with high accuracy by controlling the spatial distribution of reflected light using the spatial light modulator.

[0070] Furthermore, the spatial light modulator includes a reflection control unit formed by an arrangement of a plurality of reflection elements, the plurality of reflection elements being configured to selectively assume a first angular position and a second angular position, and a shading component for shading a portion of reflected light from the reflection control unit is disposed on the front side of the unit of the spatial light modulator. Therefore, even if it is assumed that all of the plurality of reflection elements are located at the first angular position (i.e., even if the entire area of ​​the reflection control unit is in a state where it can be projected onto the road surface in front of the vehicle), the maximum projection area actually projected onto the road surface in front of the vehicle can be set to an outer shape corresponding to the outer shape of the non-shading area (i.e., an area where the reflected light from the reflection control unit is not blocked by the shading component).

[0071] At this time, the shading component is formed as follows: the left and right widths of the non-shading area are narrower at the lower part than at the upper part, so that the outer shape of the maximum projection area can be changed from an inverted trapezoidal shape to a rectangular shape when viewed from above, thereby allowing the end edges of both sides of the maximum projection area to extend roughly along the direction of the shoulder and the center line.

[0072] Therefore, by forming the road surface depicting light distribution pattern in the maximum projection area having an outer shape close to such a rectangular shape, it is possible to prevent the driver or the like from feeling uncomfortable.

[0073] As described above, according to the present invention, in the lamp unit including the reflective spatial light modulator, it is possible to form a road surface depicting light distribution pattern without causing discomfort to the driver or the like.

[0074] In addition, the lamp unit according to one embodiment of the present invention is configured such that light from a light source reflected by a spatial light modulator is irradiated toward the front of the unit via a projection lens. Therefore, various light distribution patterns can be formed with high accuracy by controlling the spatial distribution of reflected light using the spatial light modulator.

[0075] At this time, the spatial light modulator includes a plurality of reflective elements configured to selectively assume a first angular position and a second angular position, and further includes a first light source and a second light source as light sources, and the first light source is arranged at a position where light from the first light source is reflected toward the projection lens by each reflective element located at the first angular position and is reflected in a direction deviating from the projection lens by each reflective element located at the second angular position, and on the other hand, the second light source is arranged at a position where light from the second light source is reflected toward the projection lens by each reflective element located at the second angular position and is reflected in a direction deviating from the projection lens by each reflective element located at the first angular position, thereby being able to obtain the following effect.

[0076] That is, by lighting the first light source, the reflected light from each reflective element located at the first angle position is irradiated toward the front of the unit via the projection lens, and by lighting the second light source, the reflected light from each reflective element located at the second angle position is irradiated toward the front of the unit via the projection lens, so that by lighting the first light source and the second light source at the same time, all the reflective elements can be used for light irradiation. Thus, when a road surface depicting light distribution pattern is formed on the road surface in front of the vehicle, a supplementary light distribution pattern surrounding the road surface depicting light distribution pattern can be formed at the same time.

[0077] Furthermore, since the second light source is disposed at a position deviated from the plane including the optical axis of the projection lens and the light emission center of the first light source, it is possible to prevent the light from the first light source reflected by each reflective element at the second angle position from reaching the position of the second light source, or the light from the second light source reflected by each reflective element at the first angle position from reaching the position of the first light source. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the first light source and the second light source and their peripheral structures from being damaged by heat, or to prevent stray light from being accidentally generated from the peripheral structures of the first light source and the second light source, thereby preventing the light distribution function of the lamp unit from being obstructed.

[0078] As described above, according to the present invention, in a lamp unit including a reflective spatial light modulator, the function of calling attention to the surroundings by forming a road surface drawing light distribution pattern can be improved without causing any hindrance to the light distribution function.

[0079] In addition, a vehicle lamp involved in one embodiment of the present invention has a structure in which a first lamp unit and a second lamp unit are arranged in parallel, but the first lamp unit is configured to irradiate light from a first light source reflected by a first spatial light modulator toward the front of the lamp via a first projection lens. Therefore, by controlling the spatial distribution of the reflected light using the first spatial light modulator, a light distribution pattern for road surface depiction can be formed with high precision on the road surface in front of the vehicle, thereby reminding the vehicle to pay attention to the surroundings.

[0080] On the other hand, the second lamp unit is configured to irradiate light from the second light source toward the front of the lamp via the second projection lens, so that a desired light distribution pattern (for example, a light distribution pattern for a headlamp) can be formed using the irradiated light.

[0081] Moreover, in the first lamp unit, the first spatial light modulator is arranged in a state where the center positions of the plurality of first reflecting elements are displaced upward from the optical axis of the first projection lens. Therefore, when the first lamp unit is arranged horizontally (or when the downward angle is reduced), light can be irradiated obliquely downward toward the front of the lamp, thereby efficiently forming a light distribution pattern for road surface depiction.

[0082] Therefore, the directions of the irradiated light from the first lamp unit and the second lamp unit can be made different from each other while the directions of the first projection lens and the second projection lens of the first lamp unit and the second lamp unit arranged in parallel are made consistent. Therefore, a variety of light distribution patterns including a light distribution pattern for road surface depiction can be efficiently formed without damaging the aesthetics of the vehicle lamp.

[0083] As described above, according to the present invention, in a vehicle lamp having two lamp units including projection lenses arranged in parallel, a plurality of light distribution patterns including a road surface depicting light distribution pattern can be efficiently formed without impairing the appearance of the vehicle lamp.

[0084] In addition, in a vehicle lamp involved in one embodiment of the present invention, the lamp unit housed in the lamp chamber is constructed to irradiate light from a light source reflected by a spatial light modulator toward the front of the lamp via a projection lens, so that various light distribution patterns can be formed with high precision by controlling the spatial distribution of the reflected light using the spatial light modulator.

[0085] On this basis, the above-mentioned lamp unit has an adjustment mechanism for adjusting the relative position relationship of the bracket supporting the spatial light modulator and the lens holding frame supporting the projection lens in the front-rear direction of the lamp. The adjustment mechanism is arranged in a manner that can be operated from outside the lamp room, so that the following effect can be obtained.

[0086] That is, the irradiation light from the lamp unit contained in the lamp chamber is irradiated toward the front of the lamp via the light-transmitting cover, so even if the focus of the projection optical system is located at the original position as a single lamp unit, the focus of the projection optical system as a whole vehicle lamp including the light-transmitting cover sometimes slightly shifts from the original position to the front-rear direction of the lamp. However, by operating the adjustment mechanism from outside the lamp chamber to adjust the relative positional relationship of the bracket and the lens holder in the front-rear direction of the lamp, the focus of the projection optical system can be aligned with the original position. Therefore, it is possible to form a light distribution pattern for road surface depiction with high precision.

[0087] As described above, according to the present invention, in a vehicle lamp in which a lamp unit including a spatial light modulator and a projection lens is accommodated in a lamp chamber, a light distribution pattern for road surface depiction or the like can be formed with high accuracy. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0088] Figure 1 It is a longitudinal sectional view showing a vehicle lamp including a lamp unit according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

[0089] Figure 2 yes Figure 1 Detailed diagram of the main parts.

[0090] Figure 3 yes Figure 2 The III-III line view.

[0091] Figure 4 yes Figure 3 Detailed diagram of the main parts.

[0092] Figure 5 yes Figure 2 Detailed diagram of the main parts.

[0093] Figure 6 The figure transparently shows the light distribution pattern formed by the irradiated light from the lamp unit.

[0094] Figure 7 It is a diagram transparently showing a light distribution pattern formed by irradiation light from a lamp unit according to a comparative example of the first embodiment.

[0095] Figure 8 This is a diagram showing a light distribution pattern formed by irradiation light from the lamp unit as viewed from above.

[0096] Fig. 9 This is a diagram showing a light distribution pattern formed by irradiation light from a lamp unit according to the comparative example described above, as viewed from above.

[0097] Fig.10 is a first modification example of the first embodiment described above. Figure 4 Roughly the same picture.

[0098] Fig.11 is a second modification of the first embodiment. Figure 4 Roughly the same picture.

[0099] Fig.12 is a diagram showing the effect of the first modification example. Figure 6 Same picture.

[0100] Fig.13 is a diagram showing the effect of the second modification example. Figure 6 Same picture.

[0101] Fig.14 is a third modified example of the first embodiment described above. Figure 4 Roughly the same picture.

[0102] Fig.15 is a fourth modified example of the first embodiment described above. Figure 4 Roughly the same picture.

[0103] Fig.16 It is a side cross-sectional view showing a vehicle lamp including a lamp unit according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

[0104] Fig.17 yes Fig.16 Detailed diagram of the main parts.

[0105] Fig.18 yes Fig.17 The III-III line view.

[0106] Fig.19 yes Fig.17 Detailed diagram of the main parts.

[0107] Fig. 20 is a diagram for explaining the function of the second embodiment described above, and is similar to Fig.18 Roughly the same picture.

[0108] Fig.21 The figure transparently shows the light distribution pattern formed by the irradiated light from the lamp unit.

[0109] Fig. 22 is a first modified example of the second embodiment described above, and Fig. 20 Same picture.

[0110] Fig.23 is a second modification example of the second embodiment described above, and Fig. 20 Same picture.

[0111] Fig.24 is a third modified example of the second embodiment described above, and Fig.17 Same picture.

[0112] Fig.25 is a fourth modified example of the second embodiment described above, and Fig.17 Same picture.

[0113] Fig.26 It is a front view showing a vehicle lamp according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

[0114] Fig. 27 yes Fig.26 Sectional view along line II-II.

[0115] Fig.28 yes Fig.26 Cross-sectional view along line III-III.

[0116] Fig.29 yes Fig. 27 Detailed diagram of the main parts.

[0117] Fig.30 yes Fig.29 VV line view.

[0118] Fig.31 It is a view transparently showing a light distribution pattern formed by irradiation light from a first lamp unit of the vehicle lamp according to the third embodiment.

[0119] Fig.32 It is a view transparently showing a light distribution pattern formed by irradiation light from a second lamp unit of the vehicle lamp according to the third embodiment.

[0120] Fig.33 The third embodiment of the vehicle lamp is shown in FIG. Fig.26 Same picture.

[0121] Fig.34 It is a figure which shows the external appearance of the vehicle lamp as a comparative example.

[0122] Fig.35 is a first modified example of the third embodiment described above, and Fig.26 Same picture.

[0123] Fig.36 is a diagram showing the effect of the first modified example of the third embodiment described above, and Fig.32 Same picture.

[0124] Fig.37 is a second modified example of the third embodiment described above, and Fig.26 Same picture.

[0125] Fig.38 yes Fig.37 Sectional view along line XII-XII.

[0126] Fig.39 It is a longitudinal sectional view showing a vehicle lamp according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

[0127] Fig.40 yes Fig.39 View in direction II.

[0128] Fig.41 yes Fig.39 View in direction III.

[0129] Fig.42 yes Fig.39 Detailed diagram of the main parts.

[0130] Fig.43 It is a perspective view showing a lamp unit of the vehicle lamp according to the fourth embodiment.

[0131] Fig.44 is a vehicle lamp according to a first modified example of the fourth embodiment, Fig.41 Same picture.

[0132] Fig.45 The vehicle lamp according to the second modified example of the fourth embodiment is shown in FIG. Fig.40 Same picture. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0133] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described using the drawings.

[0134] <First Embodiment>

[0135] Figure 1 1 is a longitudinal sectional view showing a vehicle lamp 100 including a lamp unit 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 2 yes Figure 1 Detailed diagram of the main parts, Figure 3 yes Figure 2 The III-III line view. Furthermore, Figure 4 yes Figure 3 Detailed diagram of the main parts.

[0136] In these figures, the direction indicated by X is the "unit front", the direction indicated by Y is the "left direction" orthogonal to the "unit front" (the "right direction" when the unit is viewed from the front), and the direction indicated by Z is the "upward direction". The same applies to other figures.

[0137] like Figure 1 As shown, the vehicle lamp 100 is a road surface depicting lamp installed at the front end of a vehicle. The vehicle lamp 100 is configured such that a lamp unit 10 is accommodated in a lamp chamber formed by a lamp body 102 and a translucent cover 104 in a state where the optical axis is adjusted so that the front-rear direction (i.e., the unit front-rear direction) is consistent with the front-rear direction of the vehicle.

[0138] The lamp unit 10 includes a spatial light modulation unit 20 , a light source side subassembly 50 , a lens side subassembly 70 , and a bracket 40 that supports these.

[0139] The bracket 40 is a metal member (eg, aluminum die casting) and is arranged to extend along a vertical plane perpendicular to the unit front-rear direction. A shelf-like portion 40d extending toward the front of the unit is formed on the front surface of the bracket 40 .

[0140] The lamp unit 10 is supported by the lamp body 102 via a mounting structure (not shown) via the bracket 40 , and is configured to be tiltable in the up-down direction and the left-right direction relative to the lamp body 102 .

[0141] The spatial light modulation unit 20 includes a spatial light modulator 30, a support substrate 22 disposed at a position on the unit rear side relative to the spatial light modulator 30, and a heat sink 24 disposed at a position on the unit rear side relative to the support substrate 22. The support substrate 22 is formed to have a length extending to a position below the heat sink 24.

[0142] The lens-side subassembly 70 includes a projection lens 72 having an optical axis Ax extending in the unit front-rear direction and a lens holder 74 that supports the projection lens 72 . The lens-side subassembly 70 is supported by the bracket 40 at the rear end of the lens holder 74 .

[0143] The light source side subassembly 50 includes a light source 52 and a condenser lens 54 that is controlled so as to deflect light emitted from the light source 52 toward the spatial light modulator 30 .

[0144] The light source 52 and the condenser lens 54 are arranged below the optical axis Ax (specifically, directly below the optical axis Ax).

[0145] The lamp unit 10 involved in this embodiment can form a light distribution pattern depicting text, signs, etc. (i.e., a light distribution pattern for road surface depiction) on the road surface in front of the vehicle by causing the light from the light source 52 that reaches the spatial light modulator 30 via the focusing lens 54 to be reflected at the spatial light modulator 30 and irradiated toward the front of the lamp unit 10 via the projection lens 72.

[0146] The spatial light modulator 30 is controlled based on a video signal or the like from a vehicle-mounted camera (not shown).

[0147] Next, the specific structure of the spatial light modulation unit 20 will be described.

[0148] like Figure 2 , Figure 3As shown, the spatial light modulator 30 is a digital micromirror device (DMD), which includes a reflection control unit 30A, a frame unit 30B accommodating the reflection control unit 30A, a light-transmitting plate 30C, and a sealing unit 30D. The reflection control unit 30A is provided with a plurality of reflective elements (specifically, hundreds of thousands of micro-mirrors) 30As in a matrix shape. The light-transmitting plate 30C is supported on the frame unit 30B in a state where it is arranged at a position closer to the front side of the unit than the reflection control unit 30A. The sealing unit 30D is configured to seal the light-transmitting plate 30C to the frame unit 30B at its peripheral portion.

[0149] like Figure 4 As shown in FIG. 1 , the reflection control section 30A is formed as a horizontally long rectangular region when viewed from the front of the unit. In addition, the light-transmitting plate 30C has a horizontally long rectangular outer shape that is slightly larger than the outer peripheral shape of the reflection control section 30A.

[0150] like Figure 2 As shown in FIG. 1 , the spatial light modulator 30 is configured in such a manner that the reflection control unit 30A is located on a vertical plane orthogonal to the optical axis Ax at the rear focus F of the projection lens 72. The central axis Ax1 of the reflection control unit 30A is an axis passing through the central positions of the plurality of reflection elements 30As. The central axis Ax1 of the reflection control unit 30A extends in the unit front-rear direction at a position displaced upward relative to the optical axis Ax (specifically, the lower edge of the reflection control unit 30A is located slightly above the optical axis Ax).

[0151] Furthermore, the spatial light modulator 30 can selectively switch the reflection direction of the light reaching each of the reflection elements 30As from the light source 52 by controlling the angle of the reflection surface of each of the plurality of reflection elements 30As constituting the reflection control unit 30A.

[0152] Specifically, the light from the light source 52 is selected to be directed in the direction of the optical path R1 toward the projection lens 72 ( Figure 2 The first angular position of the light source 52 reflected from the projection lens 72 (in the direction indicated by the solid line in the middle), and the direction of the light path R2 (in the direction that does not adversely affect the formation of the light distribution pattern) to deviate from the projection lens 72. Figure 2 The second angular position reflected in the direction indicated by the double-dotted line in the figure.

[0153] The optical axis Ax of the projection lens 72 is displaced downward relative to the central axis Ax1 of the reflection control unit 30A of the spatial light modulator 30. Figure 1 As shown, the light reaching the projection lens 72 from the reflection control unit 30A is irradiated from the projection lens 72 toward the front of the unit as light slightly downward relative to the horizontal direction, thereby efficiently forming a road surface depicting light distribution pattern and a supplementary light distribution pattern on the road surface in front of the vehicle.

[0154] Figure 5The detailed structure of the reflection control unit 30A is shown in FIG. Figure 2 Detailed diagram of the main parts.

[0155] like Figure 5 As shown, each reflective element 30As constituting the reflection control unit 30A is configured to be rotatable around a horizontal axis extending in the left-right direction. At a first angle position, each reflective element 30As is rotated downward by a predetermined angle (e.g., about 12°) relative to a vertical plane orthogonal to the central axis Ax1 of the reflection control unit 30A, so that the light from the light source 52 incident from obliquely below is reflected toward the front of the unit as slightly upward light (light of the optical path R1). At a second angle position, each reflective element 30As is rotated upward by a predetermined angle (e.g., about 12°) relative to the above-mentioned vertical plane, so that the light from the light source 52 is reflected toward the front of the unit as fairly upward light (light of the optical path R2).

[0156] The switching between the first angular position and the second angular position is performed by controlling the energization of an electrode (not shown) disposed near a member (not shown) that rotatably supports each reflective element 30As. In a neutral state where the energization is not performed, each reflective element 30As is configured such that its reflective surface is flush with each other along a vertical plane orthogonal to the central axis Ax1.

[0157] in addition, Figure 5 This shows a state in which the reflective elements 30As located in the vicinity of the central axis Ax1 of the reflection control section 30A are located at the first angular position, and the reflective elements 30As located in the area below the reflective elements 30As are located at the second angular position.

[0158] like Figure 2 As shown in FIG. 1 , the support substrate 22 is arranged to extend along a vertical plane orthogonal to the front-rear direction of the unit (i.e., a vertical plane orthogonal to the optical axis Ax and the central axis Ax1), and a conductive pattern (not shown) is formed on its front surface. In addition, the support substrate 22 supports the peripheral edge of the frame portion 30B of the spatial light modulator 30 from the rear side of the unit via the socket 26. Thus, the spatial light modulator 30 is electrically connected to the support substrate 22.

[0159] The spatial light modulator 30 is supported by the bracket 40 and the heat sink 24 from both sides in the unit front-rear direction.

[0160] The heat sink 24 is arranged to extend along a vertical plane orthogonal to the front-rear direction of the unit, and has a protrusion 24a protruding in a prism shape toward the front of the unit formed on its front surface, and a plurality of heat sinks 24b extending toward the rear of the unit formed on its rear surface. Moreover, the heat sink 24 abuts against the central portion of the frame portion 30B of the spatial light modulator 30 at the front end surface of the protrusion 24a.

[0161] The bracket 40 has a horizontally long rectangular opening 40a surrounding the light-transmitting plate 30C of the spatial light modulator 30. The opening 40a has an inner peripheral surface shape chamfered over the entire circumference so as to expand toward the front of the unit.

[0162] like Figure 2 and Figure 4 As shown, a light shielding member 32 and a spacer 34 are arranged between the bracket 40 and the spatial light modulator 30 .

[0163] The light shielding member 32 is a member for shielding a part of the reflected light from the reflection control unit 30A, and is configured as a light shielding plate having an opening 32 a formed around the central axis Ax1 of the reflection control unit 30A.

[0164] Specifically, the light shielding member 32 is composed of an aluminum plate thinner than the light-transmitting plate 30C of the spatial light modulator 30, and a black alumite treatment is applied to the surface thereof. The light shielding member 32 has an outer peripheral surface shape larger than the frame portion 30B of the spatial light modulator 30, and is arranged at a position slightly away from the light-transmitting plate 30C toward the front side of the unit in a state of surface contact with the rear surface of the bracket 40.

[0165] The opening 32 a of the light shielding member 32 is formed in an opening shape smaller than the outer peripheral surface shape of the light-transmitting plate 30C so as to partially overlap with the reflection control section 30A when viewed from the front of the unit.

[0166] Specifically, the opening 32a has an opening shape that is an isosceles trapezoid reversed up and down, and is formed in such a manner that most of the area of ​​the reflection control unit 30A is exposed and the wedge-shaped areas on the left and right sides thereof are shielded when viewed from the front of the unit. That is, the light shielding member 32 is formed such that the side edges 32a1 of the opening 32a are inclined toward the center as they go downward, so that the left and right width of the non-light shielding area that does not shield the reflected light from the reflection control unit 30A becomes narrower at the bottom than at the top.

[0167] The spacer 34 is made of silicone rubber and is installed between the light shielding member 32 and the frame portion 30B of the spatial light modulator 30 .

[0168] The front surface of the spacer 34 is formed in a flat shape and is in surface contact with the light shielding member 32. In addition, the spacer 34 has an outer peripheral surface shape slightly smaller than the outer peripheral surface shape of the light shielding member 32, and has an inner peripheral surface shape slightly smaller than the outer peripheral surface shape of the sealing portion 30D of the spatial light modulator 30. In addition, the portion of the spacer 34 located on the front side of the unit relative to the frame portion 30B is formed as a thin-walled portion, and the portion of the spacer 34 surrounding the frame portion 30B is formed as a thick-walled portion.

[0169] Next, the specific structure of the light source side subassembly 50 will be described.

[0170] like Figure 2 As shown, the light source 52 is composed of a light emitting diode that emits green light, and is supported by a light source side holder 60 via a support substrate 56. The light source side holder 60 is supported by the shelf-shaped portion 40d of the bracket 40.

[0171] The condenser lens 54 is a biconvex lens, and is supported by a light source side holder 60 via a lens holder 58. The condenser lens 54 is disposed at a position where it condenses the light emitted from the light source 52 toward the reflection control unit 30A of the spatial light modulator 30.

[0172] Next, the specific structure of the lens-side subassembly 70 will be described.

[0173] like Figure 1 As shown, the projection lens 72 is composed of a first lens 72A, a second lens 72B, and a third lens 72C arranged along the optical axis Ax in the unit front-rear direction.

[0174] The first lens 72A located most toward the front of the unit is a plano-convex lens convex toward the front of the unit. The second lens 72B located in the center is a biconcave lens. The third lens 72C located most toward the rear of the unit is a biconvex lens.

[0175] The first lens 72A is composed of a resin lens (specifically, an acrylic resin lens). The second lens 72B is composed of a resin lens (specifically, a polycarbonate resin lens). The third lens 72C is composed of a glass lens.

[0176] The first lens 72A and the second lens 72B have substantially the same size rectangular outer peripheral shape when viewed from the front of the unit. The third lens 72C has a circular outer peripheral shape larger than the first lens 72A and the second lens 72B when viewed from the front of the unit, and an outer peripheral flange portion 72Ca is formed on its outer peripheral edge.

[0177] The first lens 72A to the third lens 72C are supported by a common lens holding frame 74 .

[0178] The lens holder 74 is a metal member (eg, aluminum die casting), and its front region 74A is formed to extend in a square cylindrical shape with the optical axis Ax as the center, and its rear region 74B is formed to extend in a cylindrical shape with the optical axis Ax as the center. In addition, the lower end of the rear region 74B of the lens holder 74 is cut off.

[0179] The first fitting 76A is mounted on the lens holder 74 from the front side of the unit, thereby fixing the first lens 72A and the second lens 72B to the lens holder 74. On the other hand, the third lens 72C is fixed to the lens holder 74 by mounting a plurality of clamps 76B from the outer peripheral side thereof while the second fitting 76C is pressed against the outer peripheral flange portion 72Ca from the rear side of the unit.

[0180] Figure 6 The figure transparently shows a light distribution pattern formed on a virtual vertical screen arranged 25 m in front of the vehicle by the irradiation light from the lamp unit 10 according to the present embodiment.

[0181] Figure 6 The light distribution pattern shown is a road surface depicting light distribution pattern PA, and is formed together with (or independently of) a low beam light distribution pattern PL formed by irradiation light from another lamp unit not shown.

[0182] Before describing the road surface depicting light distribution pattern PA, the low-beam light distribution pattern PL will be described.

[0183] The low-beam light distribution pattern PL is a left-beam low-beam light distribution pattern and has cut-off lines CL1 and CL2 at its upper edge.

[0184] The cut-off lines CL1 and CL2 extend horizontally at different heights on the left and right sides with the VV line of HV, which is the vanishing point in the vertical direction passing through the front direction of the lamp, as the boundary. The portion on the opposite lane side to the right of the VV line is formed as a lower cut-off line CL1, and the portion on the own lane side to the left of the VV line is formed as an upper cut-off line CL2 that rises from the lower cut-off line CL1 via the inclined portion.

[0185] In the low-beam light distribution pattern PL, the elbow point E, which is the intersection of the lower cutoff line CL1 and the VV line, is located approximately 0.5° to 0.6° below the HV.

[0186] The road surface drawing light distribution pattern PA is a light distribution pattern for drawing the road surface for promoting attention to the surroundings, and is formed as a light distribution pattern for drawing characters, symbols, etc. on the road surface in front of the vehicle. Figure 6 The road surface depicting light distribution pattern PA shown is formed as an arrow-shaped light distribution pattern directed toward the front direction of the vehicle.

[0187] The road surface depicting light distribution pattern PA is formed by rotating a part of the plurality of reflective elements 30As (for example, the reflective elements 30As located in the area set in the shape of an arrow) of the reflection control unit 30A of the spatial light modulator 30 to a first angular position, and directing the light from the light source 52 reflected by the reflective elements 30As toward the projection lens 72. At this time, the light source 52 is formed by a light emitting diode that emits green light, so the road surface depicting light distribution pattern PA is also formed as a green light distribution pattern.

[0188] When the vehicle is traveling at night, by forming such an arrow-shaped road surface depicting light distribution pattern PA, for example, the surroundings are informed that the vehicle is approaching an intersection in front of the vehicle, thereby prompting attention.

[0189] In addition, Figure 6 In the figure, a trapezoidal area Z1 surrounded by a thin solid line represents a maximum projection area projected onto the road surface in front of the vehicle when all of the plurality of reflective elements 30As constituting the reflection control unit 30A are located at the first angular position, indicating a range in which various road surface depicting light distribution patterns PA can be formed.

[0190] Figure 8 1 and 2 are diagrams showing a state where the road surface depicting light distribution pattern PA, the maximum projection area Z1, and the vehicle 2 are viewed from above.

[0191] like Figure 8 As shown, the maximum projection area Z1 is formed into a rectangular area in a plan view, and both side edges thereof extend substantially parallel to the road shoulder and the center line.

[0192] The surrounding area surrounding the road surface depicting light distribution pattern PA in the maximum projection area Z1 is slightly brighter than the area outside the maximum projection area Z1. This is because when the reflected light from the reflection control unit 30A passes through the light-transmitting plate 30C, surface reflection occurs on the light-transmitting plate 30C, so a small amount of stray light other than the reflected light from the reflective element 30As located at the first angle position is irradiated toward the front of the unit through the projection lens 72.

[0193] On the other hand, as a comparative example of the above-mentioned embodiment, Figure 7 , Fig. 9 is with Figure 6 , Figure 8 The same figure shows the road surface drawing light distribution pattern PA and the maximum projection area Z0 when it is assumed that the spatial light modulation unit 20 does not include the light shielding member 32 .

[0194] like Fig. 9 As shown, the maximum projection area Z0 is an area in which the projection image of the entire reflection control unit 30A is formed in an inverted trapezoidal shape in a plan view, and both side edges thereof extend so as to expand from the short distance area toward the long distance area.

[0195] Therefore, in the maximum projection area Z0, the peripheral area surrounding the road surface depicting light distribution pattern PA is slightly illuminated in a state intersecting with the road shoulder and the center line, which causes a feeling of discomfort to the driver or the like.

[0196] In contrast, Figure 6 , Figure 8The side edges of the maximum projection area Z1 shown extend substantially parallel to the road shoulder and the center line. Therefore, although the peripheral area surrounding the road surface depicting light distribution pattern PA in the maximum projection area Z1 is slightly illuminated, it does not cause discomfort to the driver or the like.

[0197] In addition, Figure 6 , Figure 8 In the figure, the double-dotted line indicates the maximum projection area Z0. Figure 7 , Fig. 9 In FIG. 1 , the maximum projection area Z1 is indicated by a double-dashed line.

[0198] Next, the operation of this embodiment will be described.

[0199] The lamp unit 10 according to the present embodiment is configured to irradiate the light from the light source 52 reflected by the spatial light modulator 30 toward the front of the unit via the projection lens 72 . Therefore, by controlling the spatial distribution of the reflected light in the spatial light modulator 30 , various road surface drawing light distribution patterns PA can be formed with high accuracy.

[0200] The spatial light modulator 30 includes a reflection control unit 30A formed by arranging a plurality of reflection elements 30As, the plurality of reflection elements 30As are configured to selectively take a first angular position and a second angular position, and a light shielding member 32 for shielding a portion of the reflected light from the reflection control unit 30A is disposed on the unit front side of the spatial light modulator 30. Thus, even if it is assumed that all of the plurality of reflection elements 30As are located at the first angular position (that is, even if the entire area of ​​the reflection control unit 30A can be projected onto the road surface in front of the vehicle), the lamp unit 10 can set the maximum projection area Z1 actually projected onto the road surface in front of the vehicle to an outer shape corresponding to the outer shape of the non-light shielding area (that is, an area where the reflected light from the reflection control unit 30A is not shielded by the light shielding member 32).

[0201] At this time, the shading component 32 is formed so that the left and right width of the opening portion 32a serving as the non-shading area is narrower at the lower part than at the upper part, so that the outer shape of the maximum projection area Z1 can be changed from an inverted trapezoidal shape to a rectangular shape when viewed from above, thereby allowing the end edges of both sides of the maximum projection area Z1 to extend in a direction roughly along the shoulder and the center line.

[0202] Therefore, by forming the road surface depicting light distribution pattern PA in the maximum projection area Z1 having an outer shape close to such a rectangular shape, it is possible to prevent the driver or the like from feeling uncomfortable.

[0203] As described above, according to the present embodiment, the road surface drawing light distribution pattern PA can be formed without causing discomfort to the driver or the like by using the lamp unit 10 including the reflective spatial light modulator 30 .

[0204] In addition, in the present embodiment, the spatial light modulator 30 comprises: a frame portion 30B, which accommodates a reflection control portion 30A; and a light-transmitting plate 30C, which is supported by the frame portion 30B in a state where it is arranged closer to the front side of the unit than the reflection control portion 30A, and a light-shielding component 32 is arranged at a position closer to the front side of the unit than the light-transmitting plate 30C, so that the following effect can be obtained.

[0205] That is, when the reflected light from the reflection control unit 30A passes through the light-transmitting plate 30C, surface reflection occurs in the light-transmitting plate 30C, so that stray light other than the reflected light from the reflective element 30As located at the first angular position is irradiated toward the front of the unit in a small amount through the projection lens 72. Therefore, the road surface depicting light distribution pattern PA is formed on the road surface in front of the vehicle, and its surrounding area (i.e., the area other than the road surface depicting light distribution pattern PA in the maximum projection area Z1) is slightly illuminated.

[0206] However, even if the peripheral area is slightly illuminated in this way, due to the presence of the light shielding member 32, both side edges of the peripheral area extend in a direction substantially along the road shoulder and the center line, so that the driver or the like will not feel uncomfortable.

[0207] In the present embodiment, the light shielding member 32 is formed of a light shielding plate having an opening 32a having a non-light shielding region shape, so that the front-to-rear width of the light shielding member 32 can be reduced. In addition, the reflected light from the reflection control unit 30A toward the projection lens 72 can be prevented from being unnecessarily shielded.

[0208] Moreover, in this embodiment, since the non-light-shielding area is set to an isosceles trapezoidal shape, the outer shape of the maximum projection area Z1 can be made closer to a rectangular shape when viewed from above, and its side edges can be easily aligned with the road shoulder and the center line.

[0209] When the lamp unit 10 according to the present embodiment is configured as a vehicle-mounted lamp unit, the incident angle of the irradiated light from the lamp unit 10 with respect to the road surface becomes large, and therefore, adopting the configuration of the present embodiment is particularly effective.

[0210] In addition, in the present embodiment, since the sealing portion 30D of the spatial light modulator 30 is covered by the shading component 32 from the front side of the unit, even if sunlight or the like passes through the projection lens 72 at an angle that converges on the sealing portion 30D, the shading component 32 can block the converged light, thereby preventing the sealing portion 30D from melting.

[0211] The lamp unit 10 involved in the present embodiment is configured as a vehicle-mounted lamp unit. The incident angle of the irradiated light from the lamp unit 10 relative to the road surface is large. The outer shape of the maximum projection area Z0 formed when the shading component 32 is assumed to be not configured becomes an inverted trapezoidal shape that deviates significantly from the rectangular shape when viewed from above. Therefore, the structure of the present embodiment is particularly effective.

[0212] In the present embodiment, the case where the light source 52 is composed of a light emitting diode that emits green light is described. However, the light source 52 may be configured to emit light of a color other than green, such as blue or white.

[0213] In this embodiment, the reflection control unit 30A of the spatial light modulator 30 is configured in a manner so as to be located on a vertical plane orthogonal to the optical axis Ax of the projection lens 72, but it may also be configured in a state inclined relative to the vertical plane orthogonal to the optical axis Ax (for example, in a forward tilted state).

[0214] In the present embodiment, a case where the central axis Ax1 of the spatial light modulator 30 is displaced upward with respect to the optical axis Ax of the projection lens 72 is described, but a configuration in which the central axis Ax1 coincides with the optical axis Ax may be adopted.

[0215] In this embodiment, the light source side subassembly 50 is described as being composed of a light source 52 and a focusing lens 54 arranged at a position directly below the central axis Ax1, but other structures can also be adopted. For example, a structure in which two groups of light sources 52 and focusing lenses 54 are arranged at the left and right sides of a position directly below the central axis Ax1 can be adopted, and a structure in which a reflector is arranged instead of the focusing lens 54 can also be adopted.

[0216] In this embodiment, as the structure of the light source side subassembly 50, a structure in which a group of light sources 52 and a focusing lens 54 are arranged at a position directly below the central axis Ax1 is described, but other structures may also be adopted. In this case, it may be configured that two groups of light sources 52 and a focusing lens 54 are arranged on the left and right sides of the position directly below the central axis Ax1.

[0217] In this embodiment, the case where the non-light-shielding area is set to an isosceles trapezoidal shape is described, but the following structure may also be adopted: in the case where the discomfort caused by the intersection with the road shoulder or the center line is judged to be caused by only one of them, the shape of the non-light-shielding area is set to a trapezoidal shape that is inclined only to one of the left and right sides.

[0218] In the present embodiment, the lamp unit 10 is described as a vehicle-mounted lamp unit, but it may be used for purposes other than vehicle-mounted use (for example, a lamp unit configured as a street lamp that depicts a road surface from obliquely above).

[0219] <First Modification of First Embodiment>

[0220] Next, a first modification example of the first embodiment will be described. Fig.10 The lamp unit 110 according to this modification example is shown in FIG. Figure 4 Roughly the same picture.

[0221] like Fig.10 As shown in FIG. 1 , the basic structure of this modification example is the same as that of the first embodiment, but the structure of the light shielding member 132 is partially different from that of the first embodiment.

[0222] That is, although the shading component 132 of this modified example is also formed to have a non-light-shielding area that does not block the reflected light from the reflection control unit 30A and the left-right width is narrower at the lower part than at the upper part, the shape of the opening portion 132a used to form the non-light-shielding area is partially different from that of the first embodiment.

[0223] Specifically, in the present modification, both side edges 132a1 of the opening 132a extend in the vertical direction, and the left-right width thereof is formed in a stepped shape so that the lower half thereof becomes narrower than the upper half thereof.

[0224] Fig.12 1 is a diagram transparently showing the road surface depicting light distribution pattern PA and the maximum projection area Z2 formed on the virtual vertical screen by the irradiation light from the lamp unit 110 according to the present modification.

[0225] like Fig.12 As shown, the maximum projection area Z2 is formed so that Figure 7 The maximum projection area Z0 shown has a shape in which the left-right width becomes narrower in a step-like manner in the long-distance area.

[0226] The side edges of the maximum projection area Z2 extend in a direction intersecting the road shoulder and the center line, but the left-right width thereof becomes narrower in the long-distance area, and therefore does not intersect the road shoulder and the center line.

[0227] Therefore, even though the peripheral area surrounding the road surface depicting light distribution pattern PA in the maximum projection area Z1 is slightly illuminated, the driver or the like will not feel uncomfortable.

[0228] <Second Modification of First Embodiment>

[0229] Next, a second modification of the first embodiment will be described. Fig.11 The lamp unit 210 according to this modification example is shown in FIG. Figure 4 Roughly the same picture.

[0230] like Fig.11As shown, the basic structure of this modification is the same as that of the first embodiment, but the structure of the light shielding member 232 is partially different from that of the first embodiment.

[0231] That is, although the shading component 232 of this variant is also formed as a non-light-shielding area that does not block the reflected light from the reflection control unit 30A, and the left and right widths are narrower at the lower part than at the upper part, the shape of the opening portion 232a used to form the non-light-shielding area is partially different from that of the first embodiment.

[0232] Specifically, the side edges 232a1 of the opening 232a of this modification are inclined downward toward the center, but the lower edge 232a2 is formed in an arc shape. At this time, the lower end position of the lower edge 232a2 is set to be substantially the same as the lower edge of the reflection control unit 30A.

[0233] Fig.13 1 is a diagram transparently showing the road surface depicting light distribution pattern PA and the maximum projection area Z3 formed on the virtual vertical screen by the irradiation light from the lamp unit 210 of the present modification.

[0234] like Fig.13 As shown, the maximum projection area Z3 is formed as Figure 6 A pair of left and right corners at the front end of the maximum projection area Z1 shown are cut into arc-like shapes.

[0235] The side edges of the maximum projection area Z3 extend approximately parallel to the road shoulder and the center line, and the front edge thereof is formed in an arc shape, so that even in the case where the vehicle travels on a curved road, the surrounding area surrounding the road surface depicting light distribution pattern PA will not be slightly illuminated in a state of intersecting the road shoulder and the center line. As a result, not only when the vehicle is traveling straight, but also when the vehicle is turning, it will not cause discomfort to the driver and the like.

[0236] <Third Modification of First Embodiment>

[0237] Next, a third modification example of the first embodiment will be described. Fig.14 The lamp unit 310 according to this modification example is shown in FIG. Figure 4 Roughly the same picture.

[0238] like Fig.14 As shown, the basic structure of this modification is the same as that of the first embodiment, but the structure of the light shielding member 334 is partially different from that of the first embodiment.

[0239] Specifically, the light shielding member 334 of this modification is formed into the same shape as the opening 32a of the light shielding member 32 of the first embodiment in the structure of the gasket 34 of the first embodiment. In addition, in the lamp unit 310 involved in this modification, there is no component equivalent to the light shielding member 32 of the first embodiment.

[0240] The light shielding member 334 of this modified example is formed such that the side edges 334a1 of the opening 334a are inclined downward toward the center, so that the left and right width of the non-light shielding area that does not shield the reflected light from the reflection control unit 30A is narrower at the bottom than at the top.

[0241] Even when the configuration of this modified example is adopted, substantially the same operational effects as those of the first embodiment can be obtained.

[0242] Furthermore, by adopting the structure of this modification, the number of components can be reduced, and the number of components corresponding to the light shielding member 32 of the first embodiment can be reduced.

[0243] In addition, in this variation, since the sealing portion 30D of the spatial light modulator 30 is covered by the shading component 334 from the front side of the unit, even if sunlight or the like passes through the projection lens 72 at an angle that converges on the sealing portion 30D, the shading component 334 can block the converged light, thereby preventing the sealing portion 30D from melting.

[0244] In the above-mentioned third variant, the case where the component equivalent to the gasket 34 of the first embodiment is configured as a shading component 334 is described, but in addition to this, by making the opening shape of the opening portion 40a of the bracket 40 of the first embodiment the same as the opening portion 32a of the shading component 32 of the first embodiment, it can also have the function of a shading component.

[0245] <Fourth Modification of First Embodiment>

[0246] Next, a fourth modification example of the first embodiment will be described. Fig.15 The lamp unit 410 according to this modification example is shown in FIG. Figure 4 Roughly the same picture.

[0247] like Fig.15 As shown, the basic structure of this modification is the same as that of the first embodiment, but the structure of the light shielding member is partially different from that of the first embodiment.

[0248] Specifically, the light shielding member of this modification example is composed of a pair of left and right light shielding seals 436 attached to the light-transmitting plate 30C of the spatial light modulator 30 .

[0249] The pair of left and right light shielding seals 436 are attached to the light-transmitting plate 30C in a wedge-shaped state to shield the left and right side portions of the reflection control unit 30A when viewed from the front of the unit. That is, the inner side edges 436a of the pair of left and right light shielding seals 436 are inclined toward the center as they go downward, thereby forming a left-right width of a non-light shielding area that does not shield the reflected light from the reflection control unit 30A to be narrower at the bottom than at the top.

[0250] In addition, the lamp unit 410 according to the present modification is configured to include a plate-shaped member 432 as a member corresponding to the light shielding member 32 of the first embodiment, but the opening portion 432a of the plate-shaped member 432 is formed in a horizontally long rectangular opening shape that is slightly smaller than the inner peripheral surface of the gasket 34 so as to surround the pair of left and right light shielding seals 436. Therefore, the plate-shaped member 432 does not have a function of shielding the reflected light from the reflection control unit 30A.

[0251] Even when the configuration of this modified example is adopted, substantially the same operational effects as those of the first embodiment can be obtained.

[0252] Furthermore, by adopting the configuration of this modification, a part of the reflected light from the reflection control unit 30A can be shielded at a position closer to the reflection control unit 30A, thereby making the outer shape of the maximum projection area Z1 where the road surface drawing light distribution pattern PA can be formed clear.

[0253] In the above-mentioned fourth variant example, a case where a light-shielding component is formed by a pair of left and right light-shielding seals 436 is described, but in addition to this, it is also possible to have the function of a light-shielding component by coating a light-shielding film on the transparent plate 30C of the spatial light modulator 30 in an area roughly the same as the pasting area of ​​the pair of left and right light-shielding seals 436.

[0254] <Second Embodiment>

[0255] Fig.16 1 is a side sectional view showing a vehicle lamp 1100 including a lamp unit 1010 according to a second embodiment of the present invention. Fig.17 yes Fig.16 Detailed diagram of the main parts, Fig.18 yes Fig.17 In addition, for the same structure as the first embodiment, the same figure mark is marked and the description thereof is omitted.

[0256] The vehicle lamp 1100 is a road surface depicting lamp installed at the front end of the vehicle, and is constructed as follows: the lamp unit 1010 is housed in a lamp chamber formed by a lamp body 102 and a translucent cover 104 with its optical axis adjusted so that its front-to-rear direction (i.e., the unit front-to-rear direction) is consistent with the vehicle front-to-rear direction.

[0257] The lamp unit 1010 is configured to include a spatial light modulation unit 20 , a light source side subassembly 1050 , a lens side subassembly 70 , and a bracket 40 that supports them.

[0258] The bracket 40 is a metal member (eg, aluminum die casting) and is arranged to extend along a vertical plane orthogonal to the unit front-rear direction. Shelf-shaped portions 40d extending toward the unit front are formed at two locations on its front surface.

[0259] The lamp unit 1010 is supported by the lamp body 102 via a mounting structure (not shown) via the bracket 40 , and is configured to be tiltable in the up-down direction and the left-right direction relative to the lamp body 102 .

[0260] The light source side subassembly 1050 includes: a first light source 52A and a second light source 52B; and a first lens 54A and a second lens 54B that control deflection of light emitted from the first light source 52A and the second light source 52B toward the spatial light modulator 30 .

[0261] The first light source 52A and the first lens 54A are arranged at a position lower than the optical axis Ax (specifically, directly below the optical axis Ax), and the second light source 52B and the second lens 54B are arranged at a position higher than the optical axis Ax (specifically, at a position diagonally above and to the right at an angle of approximately 20 to 40 degrees from the optical axis Ax).

[0262] The lamp unit 1010 involved in this embodiment allows the light from the first light source 52A that reaches the spatial light modulator 30 through the first lens 54A to be reflected at the spatial light modulator 30 and irradiated toward the front of the unit through the projection lens 72, thereby forming a light distribution pattern depicting text, signs, etc. on the road surface in front of the vehicle (i.e., a light distribution pattern for road surface depiction).

[0263] The lamp unit 1010 according to the present embodiment can form a supplementary light distribution pattern surrounding the road surface depicting light distribution pattern on the road surface in front of the vehicle by causing the light from the second light source 52B that reaches the spatial light modulator 30 via the second lens 54B to be reflected at the spatial light modulator 30 and irradiated toward the front of the unit via the projection lens 72 .

[0264] The spatial light modulator 30 can selectively switch the reflection direction of the light from the first light source 52A and the second light source 52B reaching each reflective element 30As by controlling the angle of the reflective surface of each of the plurality of reflective elements 30As constituting the reflection control unit 30A.

[0265] Specifically, a first angular position and a second angular position are selected. The first angular position is to direct the light from the first light source 52A located below the optical axis Ax toward the direction of the optical path R1 of the projection lens 72 ( Fig.17 The second angular position is an angular position for making the light from the first light source 52A be reflected in the direction of the optical path R2 in the direction deviating from the projection lens 72 (i.e., in the direction that does not adversely affect the formation of the light distribution pattern). Fig.17 The angular position of the reflection (in the direction indicated by the double-dotted line).

[0266] On the other hand, when each reflective element 30As is at the first angular position, the light from the second light source 52B located above the optical axis Ax is directed in the direction of the optical path R3 ( Fig.17 When each reflective element 30As is at the second angular position, the light from the second light source 52B is reflected in the direction of the optical path R4 toward the projection lens 72 ( Fig.17 The direction indicated by the double-dotted line in the figure) is reflected.

[0267] Fig.19 The detailed structure of the reflection control unit 30A is shown in FIG. Fig.17 Detailed diagram of the main part is a diagram showing the optical path of the light from the second light source 52B. In addition, the optical paths R1 and R2 of the light from the first light source 52A are the same as those from the Figure 5 The optical paths R1 , R2 of the light from the light source 52 shown are the same.

[0268] like Fig.19 As shown, each reflecting element 30As, in a first angular position, causes the light from the second light source 52B incident from obliquely above to be reflected toward the front of the unit as relatively downward light (light along the optical path R3). On the other hand, in a second angular position, causes the light from the second light source 52B to be reflected toward the front of the unit as slightly downward light (light along the optical path R4).

[0269] On the rear surface of the bracket 40, protrusions 40b are formed at three locations surrounding the opening 40a, and protrusions 40b protrude in a cylindrical shape toward the rear of the unit. Further, on the outer peripheral side, an annular flange 40c protrudes toward the rear of the unit and extends in a horizontally long rectangular shape.

[0270] The distal end surfaces of the protrusions 40 b at three locations of the bracket 40 abut against the front surface of the frame 30B of the spatial light modulator 30 , and at this time, the annular flange 40 c covers the entire circumference of the spatial light modulator 30 .

[0271] Next, the specific structure of the light source side subassembly 1050 is described.

[0272] The first light source 52A is composed of a light emitting diode that emits yellow light. The first light source 52A is supported by a light source side holder 60A via a support substrate 56A, and the light source side holder 60A is supported by the shelf-like portion 40d of the bracket 40 (see Fig.17 ).

[0273] The first lens 54A is a biconvex lens, and is supported by a light source side holder 60A via a lens holder 58A. The first lens 54A is disposed at a position where the light emitted from the first light source 52A is focused toward the reflection control unit 30A of the spatial light modulator 30 .

[0274] The second light source 52B is composed of a light emitting diode that emits blue light. The second light source 52B is supported by a light source side holder 60B via a support substrate 56B, and the light source side holder 60B is supported by the shelf-shaped portion 40 d of the bracket 40 .

[0275] The second lens 54B is a biconvex lens, and is supported by a light source side holder 60B via a lens holder 58B. The second lens 54B is arranged at a position where the light emitted from the second light source 52B is focused on the reflection control unit 30A of the spatial light modulator 30 .

[0276] Fig. 20 is the reflection direction of the light from the first light source 52A and the second light source 52B after being incident on a reflective element 30As located at a first angle position and Fig.18 Roughly the same picture.

[0277] like Fig. 20 As shown, the first light source 52A and the first lens 54A are arranged directly below the optical axis Ax. Therefore, the light from the first light source 52A that reaches the spatial light modulator 30 via the first lens 54A is reflected toward a direction substantially directly above the optical axis Ax.

[0278] At this time, one reflective element 30As is at the first angular position, and therefore, the light from the first light source 52A reflected by the reflective element 30As is directed slightly upward toward the third lens 72C of the projection lens 72 as indicated by a solid line optical path R1.

[0279] On the other hand, when one reflective element 30As is rotated to the second angular position, the light from the first light source 52A reflected by the reflective element 30As does not reach the second light source 52B and its peripheral structures (i.e., the second lens 54B, the support substrate 56B, the lens holder 58B, and the light source side holder 60B), as shown by the double-dashed line optical path R2, but rather is directed as fairly upward light toward the rear region 74B of the lens holder 74 (see FIG. Fig.17 ).

[0280] Furthermore, since the second light source 52B and the second lens 54B are located obliquely upward to the right with respect to the optical axis Ax, the light from the second light source 52B that reaches the spatial light modulator 30 via the second lens 54B is reflected obliquely downward to the left.

[0281] At this time, one reflective element 30As is located at the first angular position. Therefore, the light from the second light source 52B reflected by the reflective element 30As does not reach the first light source 52A and its peripheral structures (i.e., the first lens 54A, the supporting substrate 56A, the lens holder 58A, and the light source side holder 60A), as shown by the solid line optical path R3, but is directed as fairly downward light toward the rear area 74B of the lens holder 74 (see Fig.17 ).

[0282] On the other hand, when a reflective element 30As rotates to the second angular position, the light from the second light source 52B reflected by the reflective element 30As is directed toward the third lens 72C of the projection lens 72 as slightly downward light as shown by the double-dashed line optical path R4.

[0283] Fig.21 The figure transparently shows a light distribution pattern formed on a virtual vertical screen arranged 25 m in front of the vehicle by the irradiation light from the vehicle lamp 1100 .

[0284] Fig.21 The light distribution patterns shown are a road surface depicting light distribution pattern PA and a supplementary light distribution pattern PB, and are formed together with (or independently of) a low beam light distribution pattern PL formed by irradiation light from another vehicle lamp not shown.

[0285] The road surface drawing light distribution pattern PA is a light distribution pattern for drawing the road surface for promoting attention to the surroundings, and is formed as a light distribution pattern for drawing characters, symbols, etc. on the road surface in front of the vehicle. Fig.21 The road surface depicting light distribution pattern PA shown is formed as an arrow-shaped light distribution pattern directed toward the front direction of the vehicle.

[0286] The road surface depicting light distribution pattern PA is formed by rotating a part of the plurality of reflective elements 30As (e.g., the reflective elements 30As located in the area set in the shape of an arrow) of the reflection control unit 30A of the spatial light modulator 30 to a first angular position, and directing the light from the first light source 52A reflected by these reflective elements 30As toward the projection lens 72. At this time, the first light source 52A is composed of a light emitting diode that emits yellow light, so the road surface depicting light distribution pattern PA is also formed as a yellow light distribution pattern.

[0287] When a vehicle is traveling at night, by forming such an arrow-shaped road surface depicting light distribution pattern PA, for example, the surroundings are informed that the vehicle is approaching an intersection ahead of the vehicle, thereby prompting attention.

[0288] On the other hand, the supplementary light distribution pattern PB is formed as a light distribution pattern surrounding the road surface drawing light distribution pattern PA.

[0289] The supplementary light distribution pattern PB is formed by directing the light from the second light source 52B reflected by the reflective element 30As (i.e., the reflective element 30As rotated to the second angle position) among the plurality of reflective elements 30As constituting the reflection control unit 30A of the spatial light modulator 30, which does not contribute to the formation of the road surface drawing light distribution pattern PA, toward the projection lens 72, and its outer shape is a shape that projects the rectangular outer shape of the reflection control unit 30A onto the road surface in front of the vehicle. At this time, since the second light source 52B is composed of a light emitting diode that emits blue light, the supplementary light distribution pattern PB is also formed as a blue light distribution pattern. And, by surrounding the yellow road surface drawing light distribution pattern PA with the blue supplementary light distribution pattern PB, the presence of the road surface drawing light distribution pattern PA is made conspicuous.

[0290] Next, the operation of this embodiment will be described.

[0291] The lamp unit 1010 involved in this embodiment is configured to irradiate the light from the first light source 52A reflected by the spatial light modulator 30 toward the front of the unit via the projection lens 72. Therefore, by controlling the spatial distribution of the reflected light using the spatial light modulator 30, various road surface drawing light distribution patterns PA can be formed with high precision.

[0292] At this time, the spatial light modulator 30 includes a plurality of reflective elements 30As configured so as to selectively assume a first angular position and a second angular position. In addition, the spatial light modulator 30 includes a first light source 52 and a second light source 52B as light sources, and the first light source 52A is arranged at a position where light from the first light source 52A is reflected toward the projection lens 72 by each reflective element 30As located at the first angular position and is reflected in a direction deviating from the projection lens 72 by each reflective element 30As located at the second angular position. On the other hand, the second light source 52B is arranged at a position where light from the second light source 52B is reflected toward the projection lens 72 by each reflective element 30As located at the second angular position and is reflected in a direction deviating from the projection lens 72 by each reflective element 30As located at the first angular position, thereby achieving the following effect.

[0293] That is, by lighting the first light source 52A, the reflected light from each reflective element 30As located at the first angle position is irradiated toward the front of the unit via the projection lens 72, and by lighting the second light source 52B, the reflected light from each reflective element 30As located at the second angle position is irradiated toward the front of the unit via the projection lens 72, so by lighting the first light source 52A and the second light source 52B at the same time, light irradiation using all the reflective elements 30As can be performed. Thus, when a road surface depicting light distribution pattern PA is formed on the road surface in front of the vehicle, a supplementary light distribution pattern PB surrounding the road surface depicting light distribution pattern PA can be formed at the same time. Therefore, by setting the brightness and light color of the first light source 52A and the second light source 52B to be different from each other, the presence of the road surface depicting light distribution pattern PA can be made clear compared to the case where only the road surface depicting light distribution pattern PA is formed on the road surface in front of the vehicle, thereby improving the function of alerting attention to the surroundings.

[0294] Furthermore, since the second light source 52B is disposed at a position deviated from the plane including the optical axis Ax of the projection lens 72 and the light emission center of the first light source 52A, it is possible to prevent the light from the first light source 52A reflected by each reflective element 30As located at the second angular position from reaching the position of the second light source 52B, or the light from the second light source 52B reflected by each reflective element 30As located at the first angular position from reaching the position of the first light source 52A. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the first light source 52A and the second light source 52B and their peripheral structures from being damaged by heat, or to prevent stray light from being accidentally generated by the peripheral structures of the first light source 52A and the second light source 52B, thereby preventing the light distribution function of the lamp unit 1010 from being obstructed.

[0295] As described above, according to the present embodiment, in the lamp unit 1010 including the reflective spatial light modulator 30 , the function of calling attention to the surroundings by forming the road surface drawing light distribution pattern PA can be improved without hindering the light distribution function.

[0296] At this time, in the present embodiment, the first light source 52A is arranged at a position lower than the optical axis Ax, and the second light source 52B is arranged at a position higher than the optical axis Ax, so that light irradiation of the central area in the left-right direction of the projection lens 72 can be performed, thereby making it easy to form the road surface depicting light distribution pattern PA and the supplementary light distribution pattern PB into light distribution patterns with uniform brightness.

[0297] In addition, in the present embodiment, since the first light source 52A and the second light source 52B are configured to have different luminous colors, the road surface depicting light distribution pattern PA and the supplementary light distribution pattern PB can be formed with different colors. Therefore, the presence of the road surface depicting light distribution pattern PA formed on the road surface in front of the vehicle can be further clarified, thereby further improving the function of alerting the surroundings.

[0298] Furthermore, in the present embodiment, the central axis Ax1 of the spatial light modulator 30 (i.e., the axis passing through the center positions of the plurality of reflective elements 30As) is displaced upward relative to the optical axis Ax of the projection lens 72. Thus, the light from the first light source 52A and the second light source 52B reflected by the spatial light modulator 30 can be irradiated from the projection lens 72 as light directed obliquely downward, thereby efficiently forming a road surface depicting light distribution pattern PA and a supplementary light distribution pattern PB on the road surface in front of the vehicle.

[0299] In the present embodiment, the first light source 52A is composed of a light emitting diode that emits yellow light and the second light source 52B is composed of a light emitting diode that emits blue light. However, the first light source 52A and the second light source 52B may have light emitting colors other than yellow or blue, such as green or white, and they may be appropriately combined to form a structure having light emitting colors different from each other. Alternatively, light emitting diodes having the same light emitting color but different brightness may be used as the first light source 52A and the second light source 52B, thereby forming a structure in which the road surface depiction light distribution pattern PA and the supplementary light distribution pattern PB are formed with different brightness.

[0300] In the present embodiment, a case where the central axis Ax1 of the spatial light modulator 30 is displaced upward with respect to the optical axis Ax of the projection lens 72 is described, but a configuration in which the central axis Ax1 coincides with the optical axis Ax may be adopted.

[0301] In this embodiment, the lamp unit 1010 is described as a vehicle-mounted lamp unit, but it can also be used for purposes other than vehicle-mounted use (for example, a street lamp unit configured to draw images from a direction substantially directly above the road surface).

[0302] <First Modification of Second Embodiment>

[0303] Next, a first modified example of the second embodiment will be described. Fig. 22 The lamp unit 1110 of this modification example is shown in FIG. Fig. 20 The same diagram. Fig. 22 As shown, the basic structure of this variation is the same as that of the second embodiment, but the structure of the light source side subassembly 1150 is partially different from that of the second embodiment.

[0304] That is, the light source side subassembly 1150 of the present modification example includes the second light source 152C and the second lens 154C in addition to the first light source 52A and the second light source 52B and the first lens 54A and the second lens 54B.

[0305] The second light source 152C and the second lens 154C are disposed in a bilaterally symmetrical positional relationship with the second light source 52B and the second lens 54B with respect to a vertical plane including the optical axis Ax, and have the same structure as the second light source 52B and the second lens 54B.

[0306] That is, the second light source 152C is composed of a light emitting diode that emits blue light, and is supported by the light source side holder 160C via a support substrate 156C. In addition, the second lens 154C is a biconvex lens, and is supported by the light source side holder 160C via a lens holder 158C.

[0307] exist Fig. 22 In the figure, the light from the second light source 152C reaches the spatial light modulator 30 via the second lens 154C and is reflected by the reflective element 30As located at the first angular position, becoming light directed in the obliquely downward right direction.

[0308] At this time, the light from the second light source 152C reflected by the reflective element 30As does not reach the first light source 52A and its peripheral structures (i.e., the first lens 54A, the supporting substrate 56A, the lens holder 58A, and the light source side holder 60A) and the second light source 52B and its peripheral structures (i.e., the second lens 54B, the supporting substrate 56B, the lens holder 58B, and the light source side holder 60B), as shown by the solid line optical path R5, but rather is directed as fairly downward light toward the rear area 74B of the lens holder 74 (refer to Fig.17 ).

[0309] On the other hand, when the reflective element 30As changes to the second angular position, the light from the second light source 152C reflected by the reflective element 30As travels slightly downward toward the third lens 72C of the projection lens 72 as indicated by a double-dashed line optical path R6.

[0310] Even when the structure of this modified example is adopted, the same operational effects as those of the second embodiment can be obtained.

[0311] Moreover, in this modified example, since the left and right pair of second light sources 52B and 152C are lit at the same time, the supplementary light distribution pattern PB surrounding the road surface depicting light distribution pattern PA can be formed into a bright light distribution pattern, so the existence of the road surface depicting light distribution pattern PA can be further clarified, thereby further improving the function of calling attention to the surroundings.

[0312] <Second Modification of Second Embodiment>

[0313] Next, a second modification of the second embodiment will be described. Fig.23 The lamp unit 1210 according to this modification example is Fig. 20 Same picture.

[0314] like Fig.23 As shown, the basic structure of this variation is the same as that of the second embodiment, but the structure of the light source side subassembly 1250 is partially different from that of the second embodiment.

[0315] That is, in the light source side subassembly 1250 of this variant, a left and right pair of first light sources 252D, 252E and a left and right pair of first lenses 254D, 254E are arranged with respect to a horizontal plane of a central axis Ax1 of a reflection control unit 30A including a spatial light modulator 30, in a positional relationship symmetrical in vertical direction with a left and right pair of second light sources 52B, 152C and a left and right pair of second lenses 54B, 154C in the first variant of the second embodiment, and the second light source 252F and the second lens 254F are arranged with respect to the above-mentioned horizontal plane, in a positional relationship symmetrical in vertical direction with the first light source 52A and the second lens 54A in the above-mentioned first variant.

[0316] exist Fig.23 In the figure, the first light source 252D and the first lens 254D are located in the lower right direction relative to the optical axis Ax, so the light from the first light source 252D reaches the spatial light modulator 30 through the first lens 254D and is reflected by the reflective element 30As located at the first angle position, becoming light directed toward the upper left direction.

[0317] At this time, the light from the first light source 252D reflected by the reflective element 30As is directed toward the third lens 72C of the projection lens 72 as light slightly directed upward as indicated by a solid line optical path R7.

[0318] On the other hand, when the reflective element 30As rotates to the second angular position, the light from the first light source 252D reflected by the reflective element 30As does not reach the first light source 252E and its peripheral structures (i.e., the first lens 254E, the supporting substrate 256E, the lens holder 258E, and the light source side holder 260E) and the second light source 252F and its peripheral structures (i.e., the second lens 254F, the supporting substrate 256F, the lens holder 258F, and the light source side holder 260F), as shown by the double-dotted line optical path R8, but rather is directed as relatively upward light toward the rear area 74B of the lens holder 74 (refer to Fig.17 ).

[0319] In addition, the first light source 252E and the first lens 254E are located obliquely to the lower left relative to the optical axis Ax. Therefore, the light from the first light source 252E that reaches the spatial light modulator 30 via the first lens 254E and is reflected by the reflective element 30As located at the first angular position becomes light that travels obliquely to the upper right.

[0320] At this time, the light from the first light source 252E reflected by the reflective element 30As is directed toward the third lens 72C of the projection lens 72 as light slightly directed upward as indicated by an optical path R9 of a solid line.

[0321] On the other hand, when the reflective element 30As rotates to the second angular position, the light from the first light source 252E reflected by the reflective element 30As does not reach the first light source 252D and its peripheral structures (i.e., the first lens 254D, the supporting substrate 256D, the lens holder 258D, and the light source side holder 260D) and the second light source 252F and its peripheral structures, but rather is directed as relatively upward light toward the rear area 74B of the lens holder 74 (see FIG. Fig.17 ).

[0322] Furthermore, since the second light source 252F and the second lens 254F are arranged directly above the optical axis Ax, the light from the second light source 252F that reaches the spatial light modulator 30 via the second lens 254F and is reflected by the reflective element 30As located at the first angle position becomes light that is directed approximately directly below the optical axis Ax.

[0323] At this time, the light from the second light source 252F reflected by the reflective element 30As does not reach the first light source 252D, 252E and its surrounding structure as shown by the solid line optical path R11, but is directed toward the rear area 74B of the lens holder 74 as a relatively downward light (see Fig.17 ).

[0324] On the other hand, when the reflecting element 30As rotates to the second angular position, the light from the second light source 252F reflected by the reflecting element 30As is directed slightly downward toward the third lens 72C of the projection lens 72 as indicated by a double-dashed line optical path R12.

[0325] Even when the structure of this modified example is adopted, the same operational effects as those of the second embodiment can be obtained.

[0326] Furthermore, in this modification, by lighting up the left and right pair of first light sources 252D and 252E simultaneously, the road surface depicting light distribution pattern PA can be made bright, so that the presence of the road surface depicting light distribution pattern PA can be further clarified, thereby further improving the function of calling attention to the surroundings.

[0327] <Third Modification of Second Embodiment>

[0328] Next, a third modification example of the second embodiment will be described. Fig.24 The lamp unit 1310 according to this modification example is shown in FIG. Fig.17 Same picture.

[0329] like Fig.24 As shown, the basic structure of this variation is the same as that of the second embodiment, but the structure of the light source side subassembly 1350 is partially different from that of the second embodiment.

[0330] That is, the light source side subassembly 1350 of the present modification includes a first light source 352A and a reflector 364A instead of the first light source 52A and the first lens 54A of the second embodiment.

[0331] The first light source 352A is disposed between the third lens 72C of the projection lens 72 and the bracket 40, just below the optical axis Ax. The first light source 352A is composed of a light emitting diode that emits yellow light, and is supported by a light source side holder 360A via a support substrate 356A in a state where the light emitting surface thereof faces obliquely upward and forward. The light source side holder 360A is supported by the shelf-shaped portion 40d of the bracket 40.

[0332] The reflector 364A is supported on the support substrate 356A in a state of being arranged so as to cover the first light source 352A from the front side of the unit, and is configured to reflect the emitted light from the first light source 352A toward the spatial light modulator 30. The reflecting surface 364Aa of the reflector 364A has a curved surface shape formed by slightly deforming the rotating ellipsoidal surface with the rotating ellipsoidal surface as a reference surface, thereby converging the emitted light from the first light source 352A toward the reflection control unit 30A of the spatial light modulator 30.

[0333] exist Fig.24 In the embodiment, the light from the first light source 352A, which is reflected by the reflector 364A and reaches the spatial light modulator 30 and is reflected by the reflective element 30As located at the first angular position, becomes light directed in a direction substantially directly above the optical axis Ax.

[0334] At this time, the light from the first light source 352A reflected by the reflective element 30As is directed toward the third lens 72C of the projection lens 72 as light slightly directed upward as indicated by an optical path R13 of a solid line.

[0335] On the other hand, when the reflecting element 30As changes to the second angle position, the light from the first light source 352A reflected by the reflecting element 30As does not reach the second light source 52B and its surrounding structure as shown by the double-dotted line optical path R14, but instead goes as relatively upward light toward the rear area 74B of the lens holder 74.

[0336] In addition, since the second light source 52B and the second lens 54B are located obliquely to the upper right relative to the optical axis Ax, the light from the second light source 52B that reaches the spatial light modulator 30 via the second lens 54B and is reflected by the reflective element 30As located at the first angular position does not reach the first light source 352A and its peripheral structures (i.e., the reflector 364A, the support substrate 356A, and the light source side holder 360A) as shown by the solid line optical path R3, but is directed as fairly downward light toward the rear area 74B of the lens holder 74 (see FIG. Fig.17 ).

[0337] On the other hand, when the reflecting element 30As rotates to the second angular position, the light from the second light source 52B reflected by the reflecting element 30As is directed slightly downward toward the third lens 72C of the projection lens 72 as indicated by a double-dashed line optical path R4.

[0338] Even when the structure of this modified example is adopted, the same operational effects as those of the second embodiment can be obtained.

[0339] Moreover, in this variation, the structure is such that the emitted light from the first light source 352A is reflected by the reflector 364A and reaches the spatial light modulator 30. Therefore, the intensity distribution of the reflected light from the spatial light modulator 30 can be easily adjusted using the surface shape of the reflecting surface 364Aa of the reflector 364A, thereby easily adjusting the luminous distribution of the road surface drawing light distribution pattern PA and the supplementary light distribution pattern PB.

[0340] In addition, a structure in which a plurality of sets of first light sources 352A and reflectors 364A are arranged in parallel may be used instead of the structure of the third modified example.

[0341] <Fourth Modification of Second Embodiment>

[0342] Next, a fourth modification example of the second embodiment will be described. Fig.25 The lamp unit 1410 according to this modification example is shown in FIG. Fig.17 Same picture.

[0343] like Fig.25 As shown, the basic structure of this modification is the same as that of the second embodiment, but the structure of the third lens 472C of the projection lens 1472 is partially different from that of the second embodiment.

[0344] That is, the third lens 472C of this modified example is also the same as the third lens 72C of the second embodiment, and is composed of a glass biconvex lens with a circular outer peripheral shape, and a peripheral flange portion 72Ca is formed on its outer peripheral edge portion, but the upper half and the lower half have different incident surface shapes with the horizontal plane containing its optical axis Ax as the boundary.

[0345] Specifically, the lower half 472Cb of the rear surface of the third lens 472C is slightly displaced toward the front side of the unit compared to the upper half 472Ca thereof. Fig.25 In FIG. 4 , the extended line of the curve constituting the vertical cross-sectional shape of the upper half 472Ca is indicated by a double-dashed line.

[0346] Moreover, thereby, the projection lens 1472 is constructed as a lens as follows: in its upper half, for yellow light (i.e., the luminous color of the first light source 52A), the rear focus F is located at the center of the reflection control unit 30A, and in its lower half, for blue light (i.e., the luminous color of the second light source 52B), the rear focus F is located at the center of the reflection control unit 30A.

[0347] Even when the structure of this modified example is adopted, the same operational effects as those of the second embodiment can be obtained.

[0348] Moreover, in this modification, the third lens 472C of the projection lens 1472 has incident surface shapes that are different from each other in the upper half and the lower half, so the following effects can be obtained.

[0349] That is, the lamp unit 1410 involved in this variant example has the following structure: relative to the optical axis Ax of the projection lens 1472, the first light source 52A is arranged on the lower side, and the second light source 52B is arranged on the upper side. Therefore, most of the light from the first light source 52A reflected by the spatial light modulator 30 and directed toward the projection lens 1472 is incident on the upper half of the third lens 472C in the manner shown by the optical path R1. On the other hand, most of the light from the second light source 52B reflected by the spatial light modulator 30 and directed toward the projection lens 1472 is incident on the lower half of the third lens 472C as shown by the optical path R4.

[0350] Therefore, as in the projection lens 1472 of the present variation, by adopting a structure in which the upper half and the lower half have different incident surface shapes, the projection lens 1472 can be constructed as a lens having a focal length corresponding to the wavelength of the emitted light of the first light source 52A and the second light source 52B, thereby more clearly forming the road surface depiction light distribution pattern PA and the supplementary light distribution pattern PB.

[0351] In the above-mentioned fourth variant example, the case where the third lens 472C is composed of a glass lens having a circular outer peripheral shape is described, but the third lens 472C can also be easily formed by forming the third lens 472C with a resin lens, or the outer peripheral shape of the third lens 472C can be made into a rectangular shape, thereby making it easy to position in the rotation direction centered on its optical axis Ax.

[0352] <Third Embodiment>

[0353] Hereinafter, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described. Fig.26 2 is a front view showing a vehicle lamp 2100 according to a third embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 27 yes Fig.26 The II-II line cross-sectional view, Fig.28 yes Fig.26 The III-III line cross-sectional view. Moreover, Fig.29 yes Fig. 27 Detailed diagram of the main parts, Fig.30 yes Fig.29 In addition, the same figure mark is attached to the same structure as that of the first embodiment or the second embodiment, and the description thereof is omitted.

[0354] like Figure 26 to Figure 28 As shown, the vehicle lamp 2100 is a road surface depicting lamp arranged at the front end of the vehicle, and is constructed as follows: the first lamp unit 2010A and the second lamp unit 2010B are accommodated in a lamp chamber formed by a lamp body 102 and a light-transmitting cover 104 in a state where their optical axes are adjusted so that their front-to-back directions are consistent with the front-to-back directions of the lamps (and the front-to-back directions of the vehicle).

[0355] First, the structure of the first lamp unit 2010A will be described.

[0356] like Fig. 27 As shown, the first lamp unit 2010A includes a spatial light modulation unit 2020, a light source side subassembly 2050, a lens side subassembly 2050, and a bracket 40A supporting them.

[0357] Furthermore, the first lamp unit 2010A is supported by the lamp body 102 via a mounting structure (not shown) by the bracket 40A, and is configured to be tiltable in the up-down direction and the left-right direction relative to the lamp body 102 .

[0358] The bracket 40A is a metal member (eg, aluminum die casting) and is arranged to extend along a vertical plane perpendicular to the front-rear direction of the lamp. Shelf-like portions 40d extending toward the front of the lamp are formed at two locations on its front surface.

[0359] The spatial light modulation unit 2020 includes: a first spatial light modulator 2030A; a support substrate 22 disposed at a position closer to the rear of the lamp than the first spatial light modulator 2030A; and a heat sink 24 disposed at a position closer to the rear of the lamp than the support substrate 22 .

[0360] The lens side subassembly 2070 includes: a first projection lens 2072A having an optical axis Ax extending in the front-rear direction of the lamp; and a lens holder 74 that supports the first projection lens 2072A. The lens side subassembly 2070 is supported by the bracket 40A at the rear end of the lens holder 74.

[0361] The light source side subassembly 2050 includes a first light source 2052A and a condenser lens 54 for controlling deflection of light emitted from the first light source 2052A toward the first spatial light modulator 2030A. The first light source 2052A and the condenser lens 54 are arranged below the optical axis Ax (specifically, directly below the optical axis Ax).

[0362] The first lamp unit 2010A involved in the present embodiment is constructed so that light from the first light source 2052A, after reaching the first spatial light modulator 2030A via the focusing lens 54, is reflected at the first spatial light modulator 2030A and irradiated toward the front of the lamp via the first projection lens 2072A, thereby being able to form a light distribution pattern depicting text, signs, etc. on the road surface in front of the vehicle (i.e., a light distribution pattern for road surface depiction).

[0363] The first spatial light modulator 2030A is controlled based on an image signal from a vehicle-mounted camera (not shown).

[0364] Next, the specific structure of the spatial light modulation unit 2020 is described.

[0365] like Fig.29 as well as Fig.30 As shown, the first spatial light modulator 2030A is a digital micromirror device (DMD), which is constructed to include: a reflection control unit 2032A, which has a plurality of first reflection elements (specifically, hundreds of thousands of tiny mirrors) 2032As arranged in a matrix; a frame portion 2034, which accommodates the reflection control unit 2032A; and a light-transmitting plate 2036, which is supported by the frame portion 2034 in a state of being arranged closer to the front side of the lamp than the reflection control unit 2032A.

[0366] The first spatial light modulator 2030A is arranged so that its reflection control unit 2032A is located on a vertical plane orthogonal to the optical axis Ax at the rear focus F of the first projection lens 2072A.

[0367] The central axis Ax1 of the reflection control unit 2032A (i.e., the axis passing through the center positions of the plurality of first reflection elements 2032As) extends in the front-rear direction of the lamp at a position displaced upward relative to the optical axis Ax. At this time, the upward displacement Ha of the central axis Ax1 relative to the optical axis Ax is set to a value that causes the lower edge of the reflection control unit 2032A to be located slightly above the optical axis Ax.

[0368] Furthermore, the first spatial light modulator 2030A can selectively switch the reflection direction of the light from the first light source 52A after reaching each first reflection element 2032As by controlling the angle of the reflection surface of each of the plurality of first reflection elements 2032As constituting the reflection control unit 2032A.

[0369] Specifically, a first angle position and a second angle position are selected. The first angle position is to direct the light from the first light source 2052A toward the direction of the optical path R1 toward the first projection lens 2072A ( Fig.29 The second angular position is an angular position for making the light from the first light source 2052A be reflected in the direction of the optical path R2 (in the direction indicated by the solid line in FIG. 1 ), and the second angular position is an angular position for making the light from the first light source 2052A be reflected in the direction of the optical path R2 (in the direction not adversely affecting the formation of the light distribution pattern) in the direction deviating from the first projection lens 2072A (i.e., in the direction not adversely affecting the formation of the light distribution pattern) Fig.29 The angular position of the reflection (direction indicated by the double-dotted line).

[0370] like Fig. 27 As shown, the optical axis Ax of the first projection lens 2072A is displaced downward relative to the central axis Ax1 of the first spatial light modulator 2030A. Therefore, the light reaching the first projection lens 2072A from the first spatial light modulator 2030A is irradiated from the first projection lens 2072A toward the front of the lamp as light slightly downward relative to the horizontal direction, thereby efficiently forming a light distribution pattern for road surface depiction on the road surface in front of the vehicle.

[0371] The detailed structure of each first reflection element 2032As constituting the reflection control unit 2032A is Figure 5 The reflective elements 30As shown are identical.

[0372] The first spatial light modulator 2030A is supported by the bracket 40A and the heat sink 24 from both sides in the front-rear direction of the lamp.

[0373] The bracket 40A has a horizontally long rectangular opening 40 a surrounding the light-transmitting plate 2036 of the first spatial light modulator 2030A.

[0374] Next, the specific structure of the light source side subassembly 2050 is described.

[0375] The first light source 2052A is composed of a light emitting diode that emits green light. The first light source 2052A is supported by a light source side holder 60 via a support substrate 56, and the light source side holder 60 is supported by the shelf-shaped portion 40d of the bracket 40A.

[0376] The condenser lens 54 is arranged at a position where the light emitted from the first light source 2052A is condensed on the reflection control unit 2032A of the first spatial light modulator 2030A.

[0377] Next, the specific structure of the lens side subassembly 2070 is described.

[0378] like Fig. 27 As shown, the first projection lens 2072A is composed of three lenses arranged in the front-rear direction of the lamp on the optical axis Ax, namely, a first lens 72A1, a second lens 72A2 and a third lens 72A3.

[0379] The first lens 72A1 located closest to the front of the lamp is a plano-convex lens convex toward the front of the lamp. The second lens 72A2 located in the center is a biconcave lens. The third lens 72A3 located closest to the rear of the lamp is a biconvex lens.

[0380] The first lens 72A1 is composed of a resin lens (specifically, an acrylic resin lens). The second lens 72A2 is composed of a resin lens (specifically, a polycarbonate resin lens). The third lens 72A3 is composed of a glass lens.

[0381] The first lens 72A1 and the second lens 72A2 have substantially the same size of rectangular outer peripheral shape when viewed from the front of the lamp. The third lens 72A3 has a circular outer peripheral shape larger than the first lens 72A1 and the second lens 72A2 when viewed from the front of the lamp, and has an outer peripheral flange portion 72A3a formed on its outer peripheral edge.

[0382] The first lens 72A1 to the third lens 72A3 are supported by a common lens holding frame 74 .

[0383] The first fitting 76A is mounted on the lens holder 74 from the front side of the lamp, thereby fixing the first lens 72A1 and the second lens 72A2 to the lens holder 74. On the other hand, the third lens 72A3 is fixed to the lens holder 74 by mounting a plurality of clamps 76B on its outer peripheral side in a state where the second fitting 76C is pressed against the outer peripheral flange portion 72A3a from the rear side of the lamp.

[0384] Next, the structure of the second lamp unit 2010B will be described.

[0385] like Fig.26 and Fig.28As shown, the basic structure of the second lamp unit 2010B is the same as that of the first lamp unit 2010A. That is, the second lamp unit 2010B is configured to irradiate the light from the second light source 2052B reflected by the second spatial light modulator 2030B toward the front of the lamp via the second projection lens 2072B.

[0386] On the other hand, the second lamp unit 2010B is set such that the upward displacement Hb of the central axis line (i.e., the axis line passing through the central positions of the plurality of second reflective elements 2032Bs) Ax1 of the reflection control unit 2032B of the second spatial light modulator 2030B relative to the optical axis Ax of the second projection lens 2072B is greater than the upward displacement Ha of the first lamp unit 2010A (specifically, Hb=a value of about 1.5 to 3×Ha). Therefore, in the second lamp unit 2010B, the structure of the bracket 40B is partially different from that of the bracket 40A of the first lamp unit 2010A.

[0387] like Figure 26 to Figure 28 As shown, in the lamp chamber of the vehicle lamp 2100, an extension panel 106 extending along a vertical plane orthogonal to the lamp front-rear direction is arranged near the front ends of the first lamp unit 2010A and the second lamp unit 2010B. The extension panel 106 is supported by the lamp body 102 at its peripheral edge.

[0388] The extension panel 106 is formed with a pair of left and right openings 106 a and 106 b .

[0389] One opening 106a is formed in a rectangular shape at the front end of the first lamp unit 2010A so as to surround the first lens 72A1 of the first projection lens 2072A. The other opening 106b is formed in a rectangular shape at the front end of the second lamp unit 2010B so as to surround the first lens 72B1 of the second projection lens 2072B. At this time, the openings 106a and 106b are formed so as to surround the first lenses 72A1 and 72B1 at approximately a certain interval when the lamp is viewed from the front.

[0390] Fig.31 and Fig.32 The figure transparently shows a light distribution pattern formed on a virtual vertical screen arranged 25 m in front of the vehicle by the irradiation light from the vehicle lamp 2100 .

[0391] Fig.31 The light distribution pattern shown is a road surface depicting light distribution pattern PA formed by the irradiation light from the first lamp unit 2010A. Fig.32 The light distribution pattern shown is a road surface depicting light distribution pattern PC formed by the irradiation light from the second lamp unit 2010B.

[0392] These road surface drawing light distribution patterns PA and PC are formed together with (or independently of) a low-beam light distribution pattern PL formed by irradiation light from another vehicle lamp (not shown).

[0393] The road surface drawing light distribution patterns PA and PC are light distribution patterns for drawing the road surface for promoting attention to the surroundings, and are formed as light distribution patterns for drawing characters, symbols, etc. on the road surface in front of the vehicle.

[0394] Fig.31 The road surface depicting light distribution pattern PA shown is formed in a relatively far region of the road surface in front of the vehicle as a light distribution pattern in the shape of an arrow pointing in the front direction of the vehicle.

[0395] The road surface depicting light distribution pattern PA is formed by rotating a portion of the plurality of first reflecting elements 2032As (e.g., the first reflecting elements 2032As located in the area set to be in the shape of an arrow) of the reflection control unit 2032A constituting the first spatial light modulator 2030A to a first angle position, and directing the light from the first light source 2052A reflected by the first reflecting elements 2032As toward the first projection lens 2072A. At this time, the first light source 2052A is composed of a light emitting diode that emits green light, so the road surface depicting light distribution pattern PA is also formed as a green light distribution pattern.

[0396] When a vehicle is traveling at night, for example, such an arrow-shaped road surface depicting light distribution pattern PA is formed in a relatively distant area of ​​the road surface in front of the vehicle, thereby notifying the surroundings that the vehicle is approaching an intersection in front of the vehicle and urging caution.

[0397] in addition, Fig.31 The area Za indicated by the two-dot chain line in the figure shows a range in which various road surface drawing light distribution patterns PA can be formed. The area Za is a rectangular area centered on the line VV on the virtual vertical screen, and its upper edge is located near below the line HH passing through HV in the horizontal direction.

[0398] on the other hand, Fig.32 The road surface depicting light distribution pattern PC shown is formed as a longitudinal stripe-shaped light distribution pattern directed toward the front direction of the vehicle in a relatively short distance area of ​​the road surface in front of the vehicle.

[0399] The road surface drawing light distribution pattern PC is also formed as a green light distribution pattern similar to the road surface drawing light distribution pattern PA.

[0400] When a vehicle is traveling at night, for example, if there is a pedestrian trying to cross a crosswalk, the vehicle is stopped and such a longitudinal stripe-shaped road surface depicting light distribution pattern PC is formed in a relatively close area of ​​the road surface in front of the vehicle, thereby urging the pedestrian to cross.

[0401] in addition, Fig.32 The area Zb indicated by the two-dot chain line in the figure shows the range in which various road surface drawing light distribution patterns PB can be formed. The area Zb is a rectangular area centered on the VV line on the virtual vertical screen, and its upper edge is located in the middle of the road surface drawing light distribution pattern PA in the vertical direction.

[0402] Fig.33 The appearance of the vehicle lamp 2100 according to the present embodiment is shown in FIG. Fig.26 Same picture. Fig.34 1 is a diagram showing the appearance of a vehicle lamp 2100 ′ as a comparative example.

[0403] like Fig.33 As shown, in the vehicle lamp 2100 involved in this embodiment, the optical axes Ax of the first projection lens 2072A and the second projection lens 2072B in the first lamp unit 2010A and the second lamp unit 2010B are horizontally extended in the front-rear direction of the lamp, so the first projection lens 2072A and the second projection lens 2072B are arranged in a state facing the front direction of the lamp. In addition, the first lens 72A1 of the first projection lens 2072A is arranged with a substantially constant interval with respect to the opening portion 106a of the extension panel 106 and its inner peripheral surface. In addition, the first lens 72B1 of the second projection lens 2072B is arranged with a substantially constant interval with respect to the opening portion 106b of the extension panel 106 and its inner peripheral surface.

[0404] On the other hand, Fig.34 The vehicle lamp 2100' shown as a comparative example in the figure represents a structure in the following case: the first lamp unit 2010A' and the second lamp unit 2010B' do not displace the central axis Ax1 of the reflection control parts 2032A and 2032B of the first spatial light modulator 2030A and the second spatial light modulator 2030B upward relative to the optical axis Ax of the first projection lens 2072A and the second projection lens 2072B as in the first lamp unit 2010A and the second lamp unit 2010B of the present embodiment, but make the optical axis Ax coincide with the central axis Ax1, and on this basis, use the irradiated light from the first lamp unit 2010A' and the second lamp unit 2010B' to form the same road surface drawing light distribution patterns PA and PC as in the present embodiment.

[0405] In the vehicle lamp 2100′, in order to form a road surface depicting light distribution pattern PA in a relatively distant area of ​​the road surface in front of the vehicle using the illumination light from the first lamp unit 2010A′, the first lamp unit 2010A′ needs to be configured with the optical axis Ax of its first projection lens 2072A′ facing forward and slightly obliquely downward.

[0406] Furthermore, in the vehicle lamp 2100′, in order to form a road surface depicting light distribution pattern PC in a relatively close area of ​​the road surface in front of the vehicle using the illumination light from the second lamp unit 2010B′, the second lamp unit 2010B′ needs to be configured with the optical axis Ax of its second projection lens 2072B′ directed toward the front of the lamp and further directed obliquely downward.

[0407] Therefore, when the vehicle lamp 2100' is observed from the front direction of the lamp, the first lamp unit 2010A' is seen in a state where the first lens 72A1' of the first projection lens 2072A' is slightly oriented obliquely downward and the interval with the inner peripheral surface of the opening 106a of the extension panel 106 is also uneven. In addition, the second lamp unit 2010B' is seen in a state where the first lens 72B1' of the second projection lens 2072B' is further oriented obliquely downward and the interval with the inner peripheral surface of the opening 106b of the extension panel 106 is also even more uneven.

[0408] Next, the operation of this embodiment will be described.

[0409] The vehicle lamp 2100 involved in this embodiment is a structure in which the first lamp unit 2010A and the second lamp unit 2010B are arranged in parallel. The first lamp unit 2010A is configured to irradiate the light from the first light source 2052A reflected by the first spatial light modulator 2030A toward the front of the lamp via the first projection lens 2072A. Therefore, by controlling the spatial distribution of the reflected light using the first spatial light modulator 2030A, a road surface drawing light distribution pattern PA can be formed on the road surface in front of the vehicle, thereby reminding the surroundings. On the other hand, the second lamp unit 2010B is configured to irradiate the light from the second light source 2052B toward the front of the lamp via the second projection lens 2072B, so that the irradiated light can form a desired light distribution pattern.

[0410] On this basis, the first spatial light modulator 2030A of the first lamp unit 2010A is configured so that the center position of the multiple first reflective elements 2032As constituting its reflection control part 2032A is shifted upward from the optical axis Ax of the first projection lens 2072A. Therefore, while the first lamp unit 2010A is kept in a horizontal configuration, light can be irradiated obliquely downward toward the front of the lamp, thereby efficiently forming a light distribution pattern PA for road surface depiction.

[0411] Therefore, the directions of the irradiated light from the first lamp unit 2010A and the second lamp unit 2010B can be made different from each other while the directions of the first projection lens 2072A and the second projection lens 2072B of the first lamp unit 2010A and the second lamp unit 2010B arranged in parallel are made consistent. Therefore, a variety of light distribution patterns including the road surface depiction light distribution pattern PA can be efficiently formed without damaging the aesthetics of the vehicle lamp 2100.

[0412] As described above, according to the present embodiment, in the vehicle lamp 2100 in which two lamp units including projection lenses are arranged in parallel, a variety of light distribution patterns including the road surface depicting light distribution pattern PA can be efficiently formed without impairing the appearance of the vehicle lamp 2100 .

[0413] Moreover, in the present embodiment, the second lamp unit 2010B, like the first lamp unit 2010A, has a second spatial light modulator 2030B for reflecting the light from the second light source 2052B toward the second projection lens 2072B. The second spatial light modulator 2030B has a plurality of second reflection elements 2032Bs. The plurality of second reflection elements 2032Bs are configured to selectively assume a first angle position and a second angle position. The first angle position is an angle position at which the light from the second light source 2052B is reflected toward the second projection lens 2072B, and the second angle position is an angle position at which the light from the second light source 2052B is reflected in a direction deviating from the second projection lens 2072B. Therefore, the following effects can be obtained.

[0414] That is, by controlling the spatial distribution of the reflected light in the second spatial light modulator 2030B, the road surface depicting light distribution pattern PC can be formed with high precision on the road surface in front of the vehicle, and the headlight light distribution pattern or a part thereof can be formed with high precision.

[0415] Furthermore, the second spatial light modulator 2030B is configured in a state where the center position of the plurality of second reflection elements 2032Bs constituting the reflection control unit 2032B is displaced upward from the optical axis Ax of the second projection lens 2072B. At this time, since the upward displacement amount Hb of the center axis Ax1 (i.e., the axis passing through the center position of the plurality of second reflection elements 2032Bs) of the reflection control unit 2032B of the second spatial light modulator 2030B relative to the optical axis Ax of the second projection lens 2072B is set to a value greater than the upward displacement amount Ha of the center axis Ax1 (i.e., the axis passing through the center position of the plurality of first reflection elements 2032As) of the reflection control unit 2032A of the first spatial light modulator 2030A relative to the optical axis Ax of the first projection lens 2072A, the following effects can be obtained.

[0416] That is, when the first projection lens 2072A and the second projection lens 2072B of the first lamp unit 2010A and the second lamp unit 2010B arranged in parallel are aligned in their directions, the downward angles of the irradiated light from the first lamp unit 2010A and the second lamp unit 2010B can be made different from each other. In addition, when the first projection lens 2072A and the second projection lens 2072B of the first lamp unit 2010A and the second lamp unit 2010B arranged in parallel are aligned in their directions, the downward angle of the irradiated light from the second lamp unit 2010B can be increased compared to the downward angle of the irradiated light from the first lamp unit 2010A. Therefore, the road surface drawing light distribution pattern PA can be efficiently formed in the long-distance area of ​​the road surface in front of the vehicle, and the road surface drawing light distribution pattern PC can be efficiently formed in the short-distance area of ​​the road surface in front of the vehicle, thereby improving the function of calling attention to the surroundings.

[0417] In addition, as the structure of the second spatial light modulator 2030B, the center position of the plurality of second reflective elements 2032Bs is arranged above the optical axis of the second projection lens 2072B, so that the headlight light distribution pattern or a part thereof can be efficiently formed using the irradiation light from the second lamp unit 2010B.

[0418] The vehicle lamp 2100 involved in this embodiment is constructed such that a first lamp unit 2010A and a second lamp unit 2010B are arranged in the same lamp chamber. In the case of such a lamp structure, if the orientations of the first lamp unit 2010A and the second lamp unit 2010B are inconsistent, the appearance of the vehicle lamp 2100 will be significantly damaged. Therefore, it is particularly effective to adopt the structure of this embodiment.

[0419] In this embodiment, the first light source 2052A and the second light source 2052B are described as being both composed of LEDs emitting green light, but in addition to green, they can also be composed of LEDs emitting colors such as blue or white.

[0420] In the present embodiment, the reflection control units 2032A and 2032B of the first spatial light modulator 2030A and the second spatial light modulator 2030B are described as being located on a vertical plane orthogonal to the optical axis Ax of the first projection lens 2072A and the second projection lens 2072B, but may be configured to be inclined relative to the vertical plane orthogonal to the optical axis Ax (e.g., tilted forward).

[0421] <First Modification of the Third Embodiment>

[0422] Next, a first modified example of the third embodiment will be described. Fig.35 The vehicle lamp 2200 according to this modification example is shown in FIG. Fig.26 Same picture.

[0423] like Fig.35 As shown, the basic structure of this modification is the same as that of the third embodiment, but the structure of the second lamp unit 2110 is partially different from that of the third embodiment.

[0424] That is, the central axis Ax1 (i.e., the axis passing through the center positions of the plurality of second reflective elements 2132Bs) of the reflection control unit 2132B of the second spatial light modulator 2130B of the second lamp unit 2110B of this modification is consistent with the optical axis Ax of the second projection lens 2072B, and in this state extends in the front-rear direction of the lamp. To achieve this, in the second lamp unit 2110B, the structure of the bracket 140B is partially different from the bracket 40B of the third embodiment.

[0425] In this modification, the opening 106b of the extension panel 106 is formed in a rectangular shape at the front end of the second lamp unit 2110 so as to surround the first lens 2172B1 of the second projection lens 2172B, and the interval between the two is maintained at a substantially constant value.

[0426] Fig.36 The diagram is a perspective view showing a light distribution pattern formed by the irradiation light from the vehicle lamp 2200 on a virtual vertical screen disposed 25 m in front of the vehicle. Fig.32 Same picture.

[0427] Fig.36 The light distribution pattern shown is an additional light distribution pattern PD for high beam formed by the irradiated light from the second lamp unit 2110B.

[0428] The road surface drawing light distribution pattern PA formed by the irradiation light from the first lamp unit 2010A is Fig.31 The road surface depicting light distribution patterns PA shown are the same.

[0429] Fig.36 The additional high-beam light distribution pattern PD shown is formed as a light distribution pattern for increasing the brightness of a central region of the high-beam light distribution pattern PH formed by irradiation light from another vehicle lamp (not shown).

[0430] The high-beam light distribution pattern PH is formed as a light distribution pattern in which the low-beam light distribution pattern PL extends to the space above the cut-off lines CL1 and CL2.

[0431] The additional light distribution pattern PD for high beam is formed as a dot-shaped light distribution pattern centered at HV. The shape and formation position of the additional light distribution pattern PD for high beam can be appropriately changed by controlling the second spatial light modulator 2130B.

[0432] In addition, Fig.36 In FIG. 1 , a range in which various high-beam additional light distribution patterns PD can be formed is indicated as a region Zc by a two-dot chain line in a state in which the range is projected onto the above-mentioned virtual vertical screen.

[0433] like Fig.36 As shown, the area Zc is a rectangular area centered on HV. This is because the central axis Ax1 of the reflection control unit 2132B of the second spatial light modulator 2130B and the optical axis Ax of the second projection lens 2172B extend in the front-to-back direction of the lamp in a consistent state, so that the light from the second spatial light modulator 2130B to the second projection lens 2172B is irradiated from the second projection lens 2172B toward the front direction of the lamp.

[0434] As described above, in this modification, since the central axis Ax1 of the reflection control unit 2132B of the second spatial light modulator 2130B coincides with the optical axis Ax of the second projection lens 2172B, the additional high-beam light distribution pattern PD can be formed accurately and efficiently using the irradiated light from the second lamp unit 2110B.

[0435] <Second Modification of the Third Embodiment>

[0436] Next, a second modification of the third embodiment will be described. Fig.37 The vehicle lamp 2300 according to this modification example is shown in FIG. Fig.26 The same picture, Fig.38 yes Fig.37 Sectional view along line XII-XII.

[0437] like Fig.37 and Fig.38 As shown, the basic structure of this modification is the same as that of the third embodiment, but the structure of the second lamp unit 210B is different from that of the third embodiment.

[0438] That is, the second lamp unit 210B of this modification is configured to irradiate the light from the second light source 252B to the front of the lamp via the second projection lens 272B, and at this time, the light from the second light source 252B is reflected by the reflector 262 and enters the second projection lens 272B.

[0439] The second projection lens 272B uses the light emitted from the second light source 252B and reflected by the reflector 262 to project the light source image formed on its rear focal plane (i.e., the focal plane including the rear focus F of the second projection lens 272B) onto an imaginary vertical screen in front of the vehicle.

[0440] The second projection lens 272B is composed of a single resin lens (specifically, an acrylic resin lens). The second projection lens 272B is a plano-convex lens that bulges toward the front of the lamp, and has an outer shape in which the upper and lower ends of the circle are cut off in the horizontal direction when the lamp is viewed from the front. In addition, the second projection lens 272B is supported by a lens holder 278 at its outer peripheral edge, and the lens holder 278 is supported by a base member 280.

[0441] The second light source 252B is a light emitting diode that emits white light and has a light emitting surface in a horizontally long rectangular shape. The second light source 252B is supported by the base member 280 in a state where the light emitting surface is arranged upward on the optical axis Ax.

[0442] The reflector 262 is supported by the base member 280 at its lower edge in a state where it is arranged to cover the second light source 252B from the upper side. The reflecting surface 262a of the reflector 262 is composed of a substantially elliptical curved surface with the light emission center of the second light source 252B as the first focus. The reflecting surface 262a is set so that the vertical cross-section shape along the major axis is an elliptical shape with a point located on the front side of the lamp more than the rear focus F as the second focus, and the eccentricity thereof is set so as to gradually increase from the vertical cross-section toward the horizontal cross-section. Moreover, thereby, the reflector 262 causes the emitted light from the second light source 252B to converge at a point on the front side of the lamp more than the rear focus F in the vertical cross-section, and further displaces its convergence position toward the front side of the lamp in the horizontal cross-section.

[0443] The base member 280 is formed with an upward reflecting surface 280a, which reflects the light after shielding upward after shielding a part of the light from the second light source 252B reflected by the reflector 262. In the upward reflecting surface 280a, the left area located on the left side of the optical axis Ax (the right side when the lamp is viewed from the front) is composed of a horizontal plane located slightly above the optical axis Ax, and the right area located on the right side of the optical axis Ax is composed of a horizontal plane one level lower than the left area via a shorter inclined surface (specifically, a horizontal plane located slightly below the optical axis Ax), and the front end edge thereof passes above the rear focus F and extends to the left and right sides.

[0444] Thus, in the second lamp unit 210B, the light reflected upward by the upward reflecting surface 280a of the base member 280 is incident on the second projection lens 272B, and is emitted from the second projection lens 272B as downward light, thereby forming a Fig.31 The low beam light distribution pattern PL as shown.

[0445] In this modification, an extension panel 206 substantially the same as the extension panel 106 of the third embodiment is arranged in the lamp chamber of a vehicle lamp 2300 .

[0446] The extension panel 206 is formed with a pair of left and right openings 206 a and 206 b .

[0447] The opening 206a is similar to the opening 106a of the third embodiment, and is formed at the front end of the first lamp unit 2010A so as to surround the first lens 72A1 of the first projection lens 2072A at a substantially constant interval. On the other hand, the opening 206b is formed at the front end of the second lamp unit 210B so as to surround the second projection lens 272B at a substantially constant interval.

[0448] In this modification, the directions of the irradiated light from the first lamp unit 2010A and the second lamp unit 210B can be made different from each other while the directions of the first projection lens 2072A and the second projection lens 272B of the first lamp unit 2010A and the second lamp unit 210B arranged in parallel are made consistent. Therefore, without impairing the beauty of the vehicle lamp 2300, the vehicle lamp 2300 can be efficiently formed simultaneously or separately. Fig.31 The light distribution pattern PA for road surface depiction and the light distribution pattern PL for low beam are shown.

[0449] Therefore, even when the structure of this modified example is adopted, the same operational effects as those of the third embodiment described above can be obtained.

[0450] <Fourth Embodiment>

[0451] Hereinafter, a fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described. Fig.39 : is a side sectional view showing a vehicle lamp 3100 according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention. Fig.40 yes Fig.39 II direction view, Fig.41 yes Fig.39 In addition, about the structure same as 1st Embodiment - 3rd Embodiment, the same code|symbol is attached|subjected and the description is abbreviate|omitted.

[0452] like Fig.39As shown, the vehicle lamp 3100 is a road surface depicting lamp installed at the front end of the vehicle. The lamp unit 3010 is housed in a lamp chamber formed by a lamp body 102 and a translucent cover 104 with its optical axis adjusted so that its front-to-back direction is consistent with the front-to-back direction of the lamp (and the front-to-back direction of the vehicle).

[0453] The lamp unit 3010 includes a spatial light modulation unit 20 , a light source side subassembly 3050 , a lens side subassembly 3070 , and a bracket 3040 that supports them.

[0454] The bracket 3040 is a metal component and includes a vertical surface portion 3040A extending along a vertical plane perpendicular to the front-rear direction of the lamp and a horizontal surface portion 3040B extending from the lower edge of the vertical surface portion 3040A toward the front of the lamp along a substantially horizontal plane.

[0455] like Fig.40 , Fig.41 As shown, the lamp unit 3010 is supported so as to be able to direct light in the up-down direction and the left-right direction with respect to the lamp body 102 .

[0456] Specifically, the lamp unit 3010 is supported so as to be rotatable in the up-down and left-right directions relative to the lamp body 102 by a pivot 12 located at the upper right (upper left when viewed from the front) of the vertical surface 3040A of the bracket 3040 and two aiming screws 14 and 16 located at the upper left and lower right.

[0457] The pivot 12 is arranged to extend in the front-rear direction of the lamp, and is fixedly supported at its base end (rear end) on the lamp body 102. The distal end (front end) 12a of the pivot 12 is formed into a spherical shape, and is engaged with a resin spherical stepped bearing 42 mounted on the bracket 3040 in an all-directionally rotatable manner.

[0458] The aiming screw 14 is arranged to extend in the front-rear direction of the lamp, and is supported by the lamp body 102 at its base end (rear end) so as to be rotatable. The aiming screw 14 is screwed with a resin aiming nut 44 mounted on the bracket 3040 at its threaded portion 14a. The aiming nut 44 is mounted on the bracket 3040 in a manner that allows the bracket 3040 to rotate around a vertical axis centered on the screwing position with the aiming screw 14.

[0459] The aiming screw 16 is also arranged to extend in the front-rear direction of the lamp, and is supported by the lamp body 102 at its base end (rear end) so as to be rotatable. The aiming screw 16 is screwed with a resin aiming nut 46 mounted on the bracket 3040 at its threaded portion 16a. The aiming nut 46 is mounted on the bracket 3040 in a manner that allows the bracket 3040 to rotate around a horizontal axis centered on the screwing position with the aiming screw 16.

[0460] like Fig.39 As shown, the spatial light modulation unit 20 includes a spatial light modulator 30, a supporting substrate 22 arranged at a position closer to the rear side of the lamp than the spatial light modulator 30, and a heat sink 24 arranged at a position closer to the rear side of the lamp than the supporting substrate 22. The spatial light modulation unit 20 is supported on a vertical surface 3040A of a bracket 3040 at a position closer to the front side of the lamp than the spatial light modulator 30.

[0461] The light source side subassembly 3050 includes: a pair of left and right light sources (specifically, light emitting diodes emitting green light) 52 mounted on a substrate 56; a reflector 3054 for reflecting the emitted light from each light source 52 toward the spatial light modulation unit 20; and a base member 3060 for supporting them, and the light source side subassembly 3050 is supported on the horizontal surface 3040B of the bracket 3040 via the base member 3060. At this time, the reflecting surface of the reflector 3054 is configured to converge the emitted light from each light source 52 to a position displaced upward relative to the rear focus F of the projection lens 3072.

[0462] The lens side subassembly 3070 comprises: a projection lens 3072 having an optical axis Ax extending in the front-to-rear direction of the lamp; and a lens holder 3074 which supports the projection lens 3072. The lens side subassembly 3070 is supported by the vertical surface 3040A and the horizontal surface 3040B of the bracket 3040 through the lens holder 3074.

[0463] Moreover, the lamp unit 3010 can form a light distribution pattern depicting text, signs, etc. (i.e., a light distribution pattern for road surface depiction) on the road surface in front of the vehicle with high precision by irradiating the light from each light source 52 reflected by the reflector 3054 toward the front of the lamp via the spatial light modulator 30 and the projection lens 3072.

[0464] In addition, a heat sink 80 and a heat dissipation fan 82 are arranged on the front side of the lamp than the light source side subassembly 3050 and on the lower side than the lens side subassembly 3070 to dissipate the heat generated by lighting each light source 52. The heat sink 80 is connected to the heat transfer plate 62 of the light source side subassembly 3050 via a heat transfer plate 84 and a pair of left and right heat pipes 86.

[0465] Fig.42 Detailed structure of the spatial light modulation unit 20 is shown in FIG. Fig.39 Detailed diagram of the main parts.

[0466] like Fig.42 As shown, the spatial light modulator 30 is a digital micromirror device (DMD), and includes a reflection control unit 30A, a frame unit 30B, and a light-transmitting plate 30C.

[0467] Furthermore, the spatial light modulator 30 can selectively switch the reflection direction of the light from each light source 52 after reaching each reflection element 30As by controlling the angle of the reflection surface of each of the plurality of reflection elements 30As constituting the reflection control unit 30A. Specifically, a first angle position and a second angle position are selected, and the first angle position is to make the light from each light source 52 in the direction of the optical path R1 toward the projection lens 3072 ( Fig.42 The second angular position is an angular position for reflecting the light from each light source 52 in the direction of the optical path R2 (in the direction indicated by the solid line in FIG. 1 ), and the second angular position is an angular position for causing the light from each light source 52 to be deviated from the projection lens 3072 (i.e., a direction that does not adversely affect the formation of the light distribution pattern). Fig.42 In addition, the detailed structure of each reflection element 30As constituting the reflection control unit 30A is similar to Figure 5 The structure of the reflection control unit 30A of the first embodiment shown is the same.

[0468] The spatial light modulator 30 is supported from both sides in the front-rear direction of the lamp by the vertical surface 3040A of the bracket 3040 and the heat sink 24. At this time, the plate member 3032 and the spacer 34 are arranged between the vertical surface 3040A of the bracket 3040 and the spatial light modulator 30.

[0469] An opening 40Aa surrounding the light-transmitting plate 30C of the spatial light modulator 30 is formed in the vertical surface portion 3040A of the bracket 3040 , and an opening 32 a slightly smaller than the opening 40Aa is formed in the plate-like member 3032 .

[0470] A dustproof translucent cover 3036 that covers the opening 40Aa from the front side of the lamp is supported on the vertical surface 3040A of the bracket 3040. The translucent cover 3036 is fixed to the vertical surface 3040A of the bracket 3040 by screwing at both left and right sides thereof.

[0471] Next, the specific structure of the lens side subassembly 3070 is described.

[0472] like Fig.39 As shown, the projection lens 3072 is composed of a first lens 3072A, a second lens 3072B and a third lens 3072C arranged along the optical axis Ax in the front-rear direction of the lamp.

[0473] The first lens 3072A located closest to the front of the lamp is a plano-convex lens convex toward the front of the lamp. The second lens 3072B located in the center is a biconcave lens. The third lens 3072C located closest to the rear of the lamp is a biconvex lens.

[0474] The first lens 3072A to the third lens 3072C are all made of resin lenses. Specifically, the first lens 3072A and the third lens 3072C are made of acrylic resin, and the second lens 3072B is made of polycarbonate resin.

[0475] The first lens 3072A to the third lens 3072C are configured such that their upper ends are slightly cut away along a horizontal plane and their lower ends are relatively largely cut away along a horizontal plane. In addition, the first lens 3072A to the third lens 3072C are supported at their outer peripheral edges by a common lens holder 3074 .

[0476] The optical axis Ax of the projection lens 3072 is displaced downward relative to the central axis Ax1 of the reflection control unit 30A of the spatial light modulator 30. Therefore, the light after reaching the projection lens 3072 from the reflection control unit 30A is irradiated from the projection lens 3072 toward the front of the lamp as light slightly downward relative to the horizontal direction, thereby forming a light distribution pattern for road surface depiction on the road surface in front of the vehicle.

[0477] Fig.43 This is a perspective view of the lamp unit 3010 as viewed from the upper left side.

[0478] like Fig.43 As shown, the lens holder 3074 is a metal component (for example, aluminum die-casting), comprising: a holder body 3074A formed in a cylindrical manner to surround the projection lens 3072; a pair of left and right legs 3074B extending to the left and right sides from the lower end portion of the outer peripheral surface of the holder body 3074A and bending toward the downward side; and a pair of left and right flange portions 3074C formed to extend to the left and right sides from the left and right side portions of the outer peripheral surface of the holder body 3074A.

[0479] The first fitting 3076A is attached to the holder body 3074A from the front side of the lamp, and the second fitting 3076B is attached from the rear side of the lamp, whereby the first lens 3072A to the third lens 3072C are fixed to the holder body 3074A.

[0480] The distal ends of the pair of left and right legs 3074B are placed on the horizontal surface 3040B of the bracket 3040. On the other hand, the horizontal surface 3040B of the bracket 3040 has a pair of left and right engaging grooves 3040Ba that engage with the distal ends of the pair of left and right legs 3074B.

[0481] The end portion of each leg 3074B is formed to extend slenderly in the front-rear direction of the lamp and extend in the direction directly below, and its lower end surface abuts against the bottom surface of each engaging groove portion 3040Ba. Each engaging groove portion 3040Ba is formed to have a slightly larger left-right width than the end portion of each leg 3074B, and to extend longer in the front-rear direction of the lamp than the end portion of each leg 3074B. Thus, the lens holder 3074 is configured to be able to slide in the front-rear direction of the lamp relative to the bracket 3040.

[0482] The left and right pair of flange portions 3074C are formed to extend in a plate shape along a vertical plane orthogonal to the optical axis Ax at the same height as the optical axis Ax of the projection lens 3072, and screw holes 3074Ca extending in the front-rear direction of the lamp are formed at their respective ends.

[0483] In the lamp unit 3010 , an adjustment mechanism 90 for adjusting the relative positional relationship between the bracket 3040 and the lens holder 3074 in the lamp front-rear direction is provided so as to be operable from outside the lamp housing of the vehicle lamp 3100 .

[0484] The adjustment mechanism 90 is configured by screwing a pair of left and right screws 92 supported by the bracket 3040 so as to be rotatable about an axis Ax2 extending in the front-rear direction of the lamp into a pair of left and right flange portions 3074C of the lens holder 3074 .

[0485] Specifically, each screw 92 is inserted into a screw insertion hole (not shown) formed in the bracket 3040, and the middle portion of the shaft portion is supported to be rotatable relative to the bracket 3040. At this time, each screw 92 is positioned in the front-rear direction of the lamp by installing a pair of front and rear retaining fittings 94 between each screw 92 and the bracket 3040.

[0486] Moreover, each screw 92 is screwed into a threaded hole 3074Ca formed in each flange portion 3074C of the lens holder 3074 through a threaded portion 92a formed at its distal end portion (front end portion), and is rotated by a head portion 92b formed at its base end portion (rear end portion).

[0487] In the adjustment mechanism 90 , the relative positional relationship between the bracket 3040 and the lens holder 3074 in the front-rear direction of the lamp is adjusted by operating the screws 92 , thereby aligning the focal position of the projection lens 3072 .

[0488] In order to be able to perform the focus position alignment with high precision, Fig.41 As shown, the pitch of the threaded portion 92 a of each screw 92 is set to a value smaller than the pitch of the threaded portions 14 a and 16 a of each aiming screw 14 and 16 (for example, a value of about 1 / 4 to 3 / 4).

[0489] In order to enable the focus position alignment to be performed from outside the lamp chamber independently of the aiming adjustment of the lamp unit 3010 , a pair of left and right openings 102 a are formed in the lamp body 102 at positions corresponding to the pair of left and right screws 92 .

[0490] Rubber caps 96 for closing the openings 102a are attached to the base ends of the screws 92. The rubber caps 96 are attached to the lamp body 102 around the openings 102a.

[0491] Furthermore, even if the aiming adjustment of the lamp unit 3010 is performed after the focus position of the projection lens 3072 is aligned, the change in the positional relationship between the lamp body 102 and the screws 92 caused by the aiming adjustment can be absorbed by elastically deforming the rubber cap 96. Furthermore, interference between the lamp body 102 and the screws 92 can be avoided in advance, and the airtightness in the lamp chamber can be maintained.

[0492] As described above, the lens holder 3074 is constructed to be supported on the vertical surface 3040A of the bracket 3040 via a pair of left and right screws 92, but the lens holder 3074 is carried at the distal ends of the left and right pair of legs 3074B relative to the horizontal surface 3040B of the bracket 3040 in a state capable of sliding along the front-to-rear direction of the lamp, so that no excessive load is applied to the threaded parts of the left and right pair of screws 92 and the left and right pair of flange portions 3074C.

[0493] FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing a light distribution pattern PA formed on a virtual vertical screen disposed 25 m in front of the vehicle by the irradiation light from the vehicle lamp 3100 according to the present embodiment. Figure 6 same.

[0494] Next, the operation of this embodiment will be described.

[0495] In the vehicle lamp 3100 involved in the present embodiment, the lamp unit 3010 contained in the lamp chamber is constructed to irradiate the light from the light source 52 reflected by the spatial light modulator 30 toward the front of the lamp via the projection lens 3072. Therefore, by controlling the spatial distribution of the reflected light using the spatial light modulator 30, various light distribution patterns PA for road surface depiction can be formed with high precision.

[0496] Moreover, the lamp unit 3010 has an adjustment mechanism 90 for adjusting the relative position relationship between the bracket 3040 supporting the spatial light modulator 30 and the lens holder 3074 supporting the projection lens 3072 in the front-rear direction of the lamp. The adjustment mechanism 90 is arranged in a manner that can be operated from outside the lamp room, so that the following effect can be obtained.

[0497] That is, the irradiation light from the lamp unit 3010 housed in the lamp chamber is irradiated toward the front of the lamp via the light-transmitting cover 104. Therefore, even if the focus of the projection optical system (i.e., the projection optical system composed of the light-transmitting cover 3036 and the projection lens 3072) as the lamp unit 3010 alone is located at the original position, the focus of the projection optical system as the vehicle lamp 3100 as a whole (i.e., the projection optical system including not only the light-transmitting cover 3036 and the projection lens 3072 of the lamp unit 3010 but also the light-transmitting cover 104) sometimes slightly shifts from the original position in the front-rear direction of the lamp. However, by operating the adjustment mechanism 90 from outside the lamp chamber and adjusting the relative positional relationship between the bracket 3040 and the lens holder 3074 in the front-rear direction of the lamp, the focus of the projection optical system can be aligned with the original position. Therefore, the light distribution pattern PA for road surface depiction can be formed with high precision.

[0498] As described above, according to the present embodiment, in the vehicle lamp 3100 in which the lamp unit 3010 including the spatial light modulator 30 and the projection lens 3072 is accommodated in the lamp chamber, the road surface drawing light distribution pattern PA can be formed with high accuracy.

[0499] In particular, in the vehicle lamp 3100 according to the present embodiment, the lamp unit 3010 is configured to be supported relative to the lamp body 102 in a manner that allows alignment in the vertical direction and the horizontal direction, so that due to the alignment, the focus of the projection optical system is also slightly shifted from the original position to the front-rear direction of the lamp. Therefore, adopting the structure of the present embodiment is particularly effective.

[0500] Furthermore, in the present embodiment, the lens holder 3074 is supported relative to the bracket 3040 so as to be slidable in the front-rear direction of the lamp, thereby preventing the relative positional relationship between the spatial light modulator 30 and the projection lens 3072 in a direction orthogonal to the front-rear direction of the lamp from accidentally deviating, and also preventing excessive load from being applied to the adjustment mechanism 90.

[0501] Furthermore, the adjustment mechanism 90 of the present embodiment is constructed by threading a screw 92 supported on the bracket 3040 in a manner that allows it to rotate around an axis Ax2 extending in the front-to-rear direction of the lamp, into the lens holder 3074. Therefore, while maintaining the position of the screw 92 in a substantially constant state, the focus of the projection optical system can be aligned with the original position. The focus of the projection optical system can be aligned with the original position while simplifying the structure of the lamp.

[0502] At this time, in the present embodiment, since the screws 92 are arranged on both left and right sides of the lens holder 3074, the lens holder 3074 can be supported stably.

[0503] Furthermore, in the present embodiment, since the pitch of the threaded portion 92a of each screw 92 is set to a value smaller than the pitch of the threaded portions 14a and 16a of the aiming screws 14 and 16, the focus of the projection optical system can be easily aligned with the original position with good accuracy.

[0504] In the present embodiment, the structure in which the pair of left and right screws 92 are directly screwed with the pair of left and right flanges 3074C of the lens holder 3074 is described, but it may be configured to be screwed with the pair of left and right flanges 3074C via a resin adjustment nut, etc. In addition, the holder 92 may also be configured to be screwed with the lens holder via a nut, etc.

[0505] In the present embodiment, as the adjustment mechanism 90, a structure is described in which a screw 92 supported by the bracket 3040 in a manner capable of rotating around an axis line Ax2 extending in the front-to-back direction of the lamp is screwed together with a lens holder 3074, but it can also be constructed in which the screw 92 screwed together with the bracket 3040 in a state arranged in a manner extending in the front-to-back direction of the lamp is connected to the lens holder 3074.

[0506] <First Modification of the Fourth Embodiment>

[0507] Next, a first modified example of the fourth embodiment will be described. Fig.44 The vehicle lamp 3200 according to this modification example is shown in FIG. Fig.41 Same picture.

[0508] The basic structure of this variant example is the same as that of the fourth embodiment, but the structure of the adjustment mechanism 190 for adjusting the relative position relationship between the holder 3140 in the lamp unit 3110 and the lens holder 174 of the lens side subassembly 170 in the front-to-rear direction of the lamp is partially different from that of the fourth embodiment, and accordingly the structure of the lamp body 202 is also partially different from that of the fourth embodiment.

[0509] That is, the adjustment mechanism 190 of the present modification example is configured by screwing a pair of left and right screws 192 supported by the lamp body 202 so as to be rotatable around an axis extending in the front-rear direction of the lamp, into the lens holder 174 .

[0510] Specifically, each screw 192 is screwed with a resin adjustment nut 198 attached to each flange 174C of the lens holder 174 at a threaded portion 192a formed at the distal end (front end) thereof. The adjustment nut 198 is attached to the flange 174C so as to absorb the change even if the inclination angle of the lens holder 174 with respect to the screw 192 changes slightly.

[0511] In addition, each screw 192 is rotatably supported by the lamp body 202 at its base end portion (rear end portion), and is rotated at the screw head portion 192 b.

[0512] Insertion holes 3140Ab for inserting the pair of left and right screws 192 are formed in the vertical surface portion 3140A of the bracket 3140 , thereby preventing interference between the bracket 3140 and the pair of left and right screws 192 .

[0513] The lens holder 174 of this modification also includes a holder body 174A and a pair of left and right legs 174B similar to the lens holder 3074 of the fourth embodiment. The bracket 3140 of this modification also has a pair of left and right engaging grooves 3140Ba formed on the horizontal surface 3140B to engage with the distal ends of the pair of left and right legs 174B.

[0514] When the structure of this variant example is adopted, the relative position relationship between the bracket 3140 and the lens holder 174 in the front-rear direction of the lamp is adjusted by operating the adjustment mechanism 190 from outside the lamp chamber, so that the focus of the projection optical system of the vehicle lamp 3200, which accommodates the lamp unit 3110 in the lamp chamber, can be aligned with the original position.

[0515] In addition, as in this variation, by adopting a structure in which a pair of left and right screws 192 are supported by the lamp body 202, there is no need to form a pair of left and right openings 102a in the lamp body 102 and close them by installing rubber caps 96 as in the fourth embodiment, thereby simplifying the lamp structure.

[0516] Furthermore, in this modification, since each screw 192 is screwed into the lens holder 174 via the resin adjustment nut 198, even if some relative displacement occurs between the lamp unit 3110 and the lamp body 202, no excessive load is applied to the screwed portion.

[0517] On the other hand, in this variation, when the lamp unit 3110 is aligned after the assembly of the vehicle lamp 3200 is completed, the lens holder 174 slides relative to the bracket 3140 in the front-to-rear direction of the lamp, and the relative position relationship of the lamp in the front-to-rear direction changes. However, in this case, it is only necessary to operate the adjustment mechanism 190 from outside the lamp chamber again to adjust the relative position relationship of the bracket 3140 and the lens holder 174 in the front-to-rear direction of the lamp.

[0518] In addition, in a vehicle lamp that does not have an aiming function, since the lamp unit 3110 is not aimed after the assembly is completed, it is particularly effective to adopt the structure of this modified example.

[0519] Instead of the screw 192 of the first modified example of the fourth embodiment, a screw having universal joints at two locations in the middle of the shaft may be used. By adopting such a structure, an excessive load can be prevented from being applied to the screwed portion screwed with the lens holder 174.

[0520] <Second Modification of the Fourth Embodiment>

[0521] Next, a second modification example of the fourth embodiment will be described. Fig.45 The vehicle lamp 3300 according to this modification example is shown in FIG. Fig.40 Same picture.

[0522] The basic structure of this modification is the same as that of the fourth embodiment, but the structure for supporting the lens holder 274 slidably relative to the bracket 240 in the lamp front-rear direction in this lamp unit 3210 is different from that of the fourth embodiment.

[0523] That is, the lens holder 274 of this modified example has a holder body 274A and a pair of left and right flange portions 274C that are the same as the lens holder 3074 of the fourth embodiment, but is constructed to have a single leg portion 274B instead of the pair of left and right legs 3074B in the lens holder 3074 of the fourth embodiment.

[0524] The leg portion 274B protrudes downward from the holder body 274A at a position directly below the optical axis Ax of the projection lens 3072, and the distal end portion thereof is formed to expand to both left and right sides.

[0525] The bracket 240 of this modified example has the same vertical surface 240A and horizontal surface 240B as the bracket 3040 of the fourth embodiment, but a single engaging groove 240Ba is formed on the horizontal surface 240B instead of the pair of left and right engaging grooves 40Ba in the bracket 240 of the fourth embodiment.

[0526] The engagement groove 240Ba is formed to extend in the front-rear direction of the lamp with a width wider than the distal end of the leg 274B of the lens holder 274. In addition, a pair of left and right extensions 240Bb extending in the horizontal direction are formed on the horizontal surface 240B of the bracket 240 so as to cover the distal end of the leg 274B from above.

[0527] In this modification, the leg 274B of the lens holder 274 is inserted into the engagement groove 240Ba of the bracket 240 from the front side of the lamp, so that when the lens holder 274 is placed on the horizontal surface 240B of the bracket 240, the leg 274B engages with the engagement groove 240Ba.

[0528] Even in the case of adopting the structure of this variant, since the lens holder 274 is supported relative to the bracket 240 in a manner that allows sliding in the front-to-rear direction of the lamp, it is possible to avoid inadvertent deviation in the relative position relationship between the spatial light modulator 30 and the projection lens 3072 in a direction orthogonal to the front-to-rear direction of the lamp, and in addition, it is possible to avoid applying excessive load to the adjustment mechanism 90.

[0529] Furthermore, by adopting the structure of this modified example, the engagement between the leg portion 274B and the engagement groove portion 240Ba can restrict the upward displacement of the holder 274 relative to the bracket 240, thereby improving the durability of the vehicle lamp 3300 against vehicle vibrations and the like.

[0530] In addition, in the above-mentioned embodiment and its modification, the numerical values ​​shown as specifications are merely examples, and it is of course possible to set them to different values ​​as appropriate.

[0531] In addition, the present invention is not limited to the configurations described in the above-mentioned embodiment and its modified examples, and can adopt configurations in which various other modifications are made.

[0532] This application is based on the Japanese patent application filed on March 10, 2020 (Japanese Patent Application No. 2020-040554), the Japanese patent application filed on March 17, 2020 (Japanese Patent Application No. 2020-046155), the Japanese patent application filed on April 7, 2020 (Japanese Patent Application No. 2020-068815), and the Japanese patent application filed on April 10, 2020 (Japanese Patent Application No. 2020-070773), and the contents of which are incorporated by reference.

Claims

1. A lamp unit, characterized in that: The lamp unit is configured such that the light from the light source reflected by the spatial light modulator is irradiated toward the front of the lamp unit via the projection lens. The spatial light modulator includes a plurality of reflective elements configured to selectively take a first angular position and a second angular position. The lamp unit includes a first light source and a second light source as the light sources, The first light source is arranged at the following position: light from the first light source is reflected toward the projection lens by each of the reflective elements located at the first angular position, and light from the first light source is reflected in a direction deviating from the projection lens by each of the reflective elements located at the second angular position, The second light source is arranged at the following position: light from the second light source is reflected toward the projection lens by each of the reflective elements located at the second angular position, and light from the second light source is reflected in a direction deviating from the projection lens by each of the reflective elements located at the first angular position, The second light source is arranged at a position deviated from a plane including the optical axis of the projection lens and the emission center of the first light source, and The first light source is used to form a road surface depicting light distribution pattern on the road surface in front of the vehicle, and the second light source is used to form a supplementary light distribution pattern surrounding the road surface depicting light distribution pattern on the road surface in front of the vehicle, and the light distribution pattern composed of the road surface depicting light distribution pattern and the supplementary light distribution pattern is formed together with or independently of a low beam light distribution pattern formed by illumination light from other vehicle lamps.

2. The lamp unit according to claim 1, characterized in that The first light source is arranged below the optical axis. The second light source is arranged above the optical axis.

3. The lamp unit according to claim 1, characterized in that: The first light source and the second light source have light emission colors different from each other.

4. The lamp unit according to claim 2, characterized in that: The first light source and the second light source have light emission colors different from each other.

5. The lamp unit according to claim 3, characterized in that: The projection lens has an incident surface, and an upper half of the incident surface and a lower half of the incident surface have shapes different from each other.

6. The lamp unit according to claim 4, characterized in that The projection lens has an incident surface, and an upper half of the incident surface and a lower half of the incident surface have shapes different from each other.

7. The lamp unit according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that: The spatial light modulator is arranged in a state where the center positions of the plurality of reflective elements are moved to the upper side of the optical axis.

8. The lamp unit according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that: The lamp unit is configured as a vehicle-mounted lamp unit.

9. The lamp unit according to claim 7, characterized in that: The lamp unit is configured as a vehicle-mounted lamp unit.

Images