Vehicle lamp

Abstract

A vehicle lamp includes a circuit board on which a light source is mounted; a heat sink on which the circuit board is mounted and which releases heat generated at the time of driving of the light source; and a cooling fan disposed above or below the circuit board and the heat sink, wherein cooling air generated by the cooling fan flows along the heat sink and the light source.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present application relates to the technical field of a vehicle lamp provided with a heat sink that releases heat generated at the time of driving of a light source and a cooling fan that generates cooling air. BACKGROUND

[0002] A vehicle lamp has a structure in which, for example, a heat sink that releases heat generated at the time of driving of a light source and a cooling fan that generates cooling air are arranged inside a lamp housing composed of a cover and a lamp housing, the temperature rise of the light source is suppressed, and a good driving state of the light source is ensured (for example, refer to Patent Literature 1).

[0003] In the vehicle lamp described in Patent Literature 1, a circuit board on which a light source is mounted is attached to the front surface of the heat sink, and the cooling fan is arranged on the rear surface side of the heat sink, and at the time of driving of the light source, the cooling fan rotates.

[0004] The cooling air generated by the cooling fan flows toward the front while a part of it circulates on the front surface side of the heat sink through an air passage formed in the lower portion of the heat sink. The cooling air that flows toward the front is blown against the heat sink, and the cooling air that circulates on the front surface side of the heat sink through the air passage flows toward the upper portion and along the light source. Therefore, the cooling performance for the light source is improved by the cooling air blown against the heat sink and the cooling air flowing along the light source.

[0005] PRIOR ART DOCUMENTS

[0006] PATENT LITERATURE

[0007] Patent Literature 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2017-91848

[0008] PROBLEMS TO BE SOLVED BY THE INVENTION

[0009] However, in the vehicle lamp described in Patent Literature 1, since a part of the cooling air flows toward the light source after flowing along the lower surface of the heat sink through the air passage, there is a concern that the temperature of the cooling air rises when flowing through the air passage and sufficient cooling performance for the light source cannot be ensured.

[0010] In addition, in the vehicle lamp, it is also common that necessary parts such as a projection lens, a lens holder, a circuit board, a heat sink, and the like are arranged in the front-rear direction (optical axis direction), and the size in the front-rear direction tends to be large, and miniaturization in the front-rear direction is often desired. SUMMARY

[0011] Therefore, the vehicle lamp of the present application aims to achieve miniaturization in the front-rear direction and to improve the cooling performance for the light source.

[0012] Technical means for solving technical problems

[0013] First, the vehicle lamp according to the present application includes: a circuit board on which a light source is mounted; a heat sink on a front surface or a rear surface of which the circuit board is mounted, and which releases heat generated at the time of driving of the light source; and a cooling fan which is disposed above or below the circuit board and the heat sink, and cooling air generated by the cooling fan flows along the heat sink and the light source.

[0014] Thus, the cooling air generated by the cooling fan disposed above or below the circuit board and the heat sink flows along the heat sink and the circuit board mounted on the front surface or the rear surface of the heat sink.

[0015] Second, in the vehicle lamp according to the present application described above, it is preferable that the cooling fan be provided with a rotation shaft and a plurality of blades, and the rotation shaft be located on the heat sink side in the front-rear direction than the light source.

[0016] Thus, the blades are disposed above or below the light source, and therefore the amount of the cooling air flowing along the light source is increased.

[0017] Third, in the vehicle lamp according to the present application described above, it is preferable that a reflector which reflects light emitted from the light source be provided, an intake opening which is located below or above the cooling fan and which takes in the cooling air generated by the cooling fan be formed in the reflector, and the cooling air taken in from the intake opening flows toward the light source.

[0018] Thus, the cooling air generated by the cooling fan is taken in from the intake opening formed in the reflector and flows toward the light source, and therefore a dedicated member for causing the cooling air to flow toward the light source is not required in addition to the reflector.

[0019] Fourth, in the vehicle lamp according to the present application described above, it is preferable that an induction inclined surface which induces the cooling air taken in from the intake opening be formed in the reflector, and the induction inclined surface be inclined in a manner that approaches the light source as it moves away from the cooling fan in the up-down direction.

[0020] Thus, the cooling air generated by the cooling fan is induced by the induction inclined surface to flow toward the light source, and therefore the cooling air flows along the light source in a concentrated manner.

[0021] Fifth, in the vehicle lamp according to the present application described above, it is preferable that the reflector be formed of a metal material and be mounted to the heat sink.

[0022] Thus, heat generated at the time of driving of the light source is transmitted to both the heat sink and the reflector.

[0023] Sixth, in the vehicle lamp according to the above-mentioned aspect, it is preferable that a surface of the circuit board on which the light source is mounted be formed as a light source mounting surface, and the circuit board be disposed so that the light source mounting surface is inclined toward the cooling fan side with respect to the vertical direction.

[0024] Thus, the cooling air generated by the cooling fan easily flows along the light source.

[0025] Seventh, in the vehicle lamp according to the above-mentioned aspect, it is preferable that a projection lens that controls light emitted from the light source and a protector that has a light shielding portion that shields sunlight that has entered via the projection lens be provided, the light shielding portion being provided as a guide portion that guides cooling air toward the projection lens.

[0026] Thus, the cooling air is guided toward the projection lens by the light shielding portion of the protector.

[0027] Effects of the Invention

[0028] According to the present application, cooling air generated by a cooling fan disposed above or below the circuit board and the heat sink flows along the heat sink and the circuit board mounted to the front surface or the rear surface of the heat sink, and thus miniaturization in the front-rear direction is achieved, and the cooling performance for the light source is improved. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0029] Figure 1 、 Figures 2 to 5 An embodiment of the vehicle lamp according to the present application will be described below with reference to the drawings. Figure 1 is a cross-sectional view of the vehicle lamp.

[0030] Figure 2 is an exploded perspective view of the lamp unit.

[0031] Figure 3 is a perspective view showing the reflector and the circuit board.

[0032] Figure 4 is a rear view showing the reflector and the circuit board.

[0033] Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view showing the path of the cooling air. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0034] An embodiment of the vehicle lamp according to the present application will be described below with reference to the drawings.

[0035] The vehicle lamp 1 is, for example, a vehicle headlamp, and is mounted and disposed in the left and right end portions of the front end portion of the vehicle body.

[0036] A vehicle lamp 1 is provided with a lamp housing 2 having an opening at a front end, and a cover 3 that closes the opening of the lamp housing 2 (see Figure 1 ). A lamp housing 4 is constituted by the lamp housing 2 and the cover 3, and an inner space of the lamp housing 4 is formed as a lamp chamber 5.

[0037] A lamp unit 6 is disposed in the lamp chamber 5. The lamp unit 6 has a lens holder 7, a projection lens 8, a heat sink 9, a circuit substrate 10, a reflector 11, and a protector 12 (see Figure 1 and Figure 2 ).

[0038] The lamp unit 6 is supported to the lamp housing 2 via an optical axis adjustment mechanism that is not shown. Therefore, the optical axis adjustment (sighting adjustment or horizontal adjustment) of light can be performed by causing the optical axis adjustment mechanism to act so as to tilt the lamp unit 6 upward or downward, or leftward or rightward, with respect to the lamp housing 2.

[0039] The lens holder 7 has a substantially cylindrical holding cylinder portion 7a whose axial direction is set as the front-rear direction, and foot portions 7b, 7b that protrude rearward from the holding cylinder portion 7a, respectively.

[0040] The projection lens 8 is held to the holding cylinder portion 7a of the lens holder 7. The projection lens 8 is formed integrally from a lens main body portion 8a through which light is transmitted, and a flange-like mounting portion 8b that protrudes outward from a rear end portion of the lens main body portion 8a. The projection lens 8 is held to the lens holder 7 by being mounted to the holding cylinder portion 7a from the front side via the mounting portion 8b.

[0041] The projection lens 8 is formed, for example, by injection molding of acrylic. Acrylic is a preferred material for forming resin parts by injection molding, together with polycarbonate, and is a material that has higher transparency and better moldability than polycarbonate, but it is known that the heat resistance of acrylic is lower than that of polycarbonate.

[0042] For this reason, the projection lens 8 is held to the lens holder 7 in a state in which the lower end portion of the mounting portion 8b is located at the gate position. By locating the gate position, in which a residual strain can remain, at the lowermost side, the portion in which a residual strain can remain is less likely to be affected by heat than when the gate position is located upward, and deformation of the portion in which the gate position is located can be suppressed.

[0043] The heat radiating portion 13, the mounting portions 14, 14, and the bridge portion 15 of the heat sink 9 are formed of a metal material that has high thermal conductivity.

[0044] The heat sink 13 has a front surface portion 16, side surface portions 17, 17, an upper surface portion 18, and fin portions 19, 19,.... The front surface portion 16 is inclined downward rearward with respect to the vertical direction, and a front surface 16a is formed as a substrate mounting surface. The side surface portions 17, 17 protrude rearward from left and right end portions of the front surface portion 16. The upper surface portion 18 protrudes rearward from an upper end portion of the front surface portion 16, and left and right end portions thereof are continuous with upper end portions of the side surface portions 17, 17, respectively. An inflow hole 18a is formed in a portion of the upper surface portion 18 other than an outer peripheral portion thereof. The fin portions 19, 19,.... are provided separately left and right between the side surface portions 17, 17, and protrude rearward from the front surface portion 16.

[0045] The mounting portions 14, 14 protrude from left and right end portions of the front surface portion 16 to positions in the lateral direction from the outer side to the lower side. The leg portions 7b, 7b of the lens holder 7 are mounted to the mounting portions 14, 14 from the front side, for example, by screwing.

[0046] The bridge portion 15 is provided as a portion that links upper end portions of the mounting portions 14, 14. The strength of the heat sink 9 is improved by the bridge portion 15.

[0047] The circuit substrate 10 is oriented in the substantially front-rear direction, and a front surface is formed as a light source mounting surface 10a, and is mounted to the front surface 16a of the front surface portion 16. Therefore, the circuit substrate 10 is inclined downward rearward with respect to the vertical direction in accordance with the inclined state of the front surface portion 16, and the light source mounting surface 10a is disposed in a state inclined slightly upward with respect to the front direction.

[0048] The light sources 20, 20,.... are mounted to the light source mounting surface 10a of the circuit substrate 10 at positions near the upper end. Light emitting diodes (LEDs) are used as the light sources 20, for example. The light sources 20, 20,.... are arranged in a plurality of numbers left and right, for example, in two rows of upper and lower rows, respectively. The light sources 20, 20,.... arranged in the upper row are low beam light sources, for example, and the light sources 20, 20,.... arranged in the lower row are high beam light sources, for example.

[0049] Further, in the vehicle lamp 1, the light distribution variable control of individually turning on and off the light sources 20, 20,.... is performed in accordance with the running state of the vehicle, the environment around the vehicle, and the like, so that the drivers, pedestrians, and the like in oncoming vehicles and vehicles ahead are not dazzled.

[0050] The reflector 11 is formed of a metal material such as aluminum having high thermal conductivity. The reflector 11 has a horizontal long base surface portion 21 oriented in the front-rear direction, reflection protrusions 22, 22 protruding forward from positions near left and right end portions of an upper end portion of the base surface portion 21, and a reflection portion 23 between the reflection protrusions 22, 22 (see FIG. 2). Figures 2 to 4).

[0051] The opposing faces of the reflection protrusions 22, 22 are formed as side reflection faces 22a, 22a.

[0052] The horizontally long first and second through holes 23a, 23b of the reflection portion 23 are formed separately above and below. The upper and lower walls of the reflection portion 23 in which the first through holes 23a are formed are formed as first reflection faces 24, 24, and the upper and lower walls and the inclined faces continuous therewith of the reflection portion 23 in which the second through holes 23b are formed are formed as second reflection faces 25, 25.

[0053] The inducer portions 26, 26 are provided at the rear of the reflection protrusions 22, 22 of the reflector 11. The inducer portions 26 are formed in a shape open upward and rearward. The inner surfaces of the inducer portions 26, 26 are each composed of three faces, the first inducer inclined faces 26a, 26a in the center in the left-right direction, the second inducer inclined faces 26b, 26b on the outer sides in the left-right direction, and the third inducer inclined faces 26c, 26c on the inner sides in the left-right direction. The upper end of the inducer portion 26 is formed as a take-in opening 26d.

[0054] The first inducer inclined faces 26a, 26a are inclined in a manner to shift rearward as they progress downward, the second inducer inclined faces 26b, 26b are inclined in a manner to approach each other in the left-right direction as they progress downward, and the third inducer inclined faces 26c, 26c are inclined in a manner to approach each other in the left-right direction as they progress downward.

[0055] The left and right end portions of the base face portion 21 of the reflector 11 are attached to the attachment portions 14, 14 of the heat sink 9 from the front side by screwing or the like. In the state where the reflector 11 is attached to the heat sink 9, the base face portion 21 and the reflection portion 23 are in a state of approaching the circuit board 10 from the front side, and the light sources 20, 20,... for low beam are positioned directly rearward of the first through holes 23a, and the light sources 20, 20,... for high beam are positioned directly rearward of the second through holes 23b.

[0056] Thus, the reflector 11 is in a state where the base face portion 21 and the reflection portion 21 approach the circuit board 10 from the front side, the first inducer inclined faces 26a, 26a are in a state of approaching the light sources 20, 20,... in the front-rear direction as they progress downward, and the second inducer inclined faces 26b, 26b and the third inducer inclined faces 26c, 26c are in a state of approaching the light sources 20, 20,... in the left-right direction as they progress downward.

[0057] The protector 12 is formed, for example, by bending a plate-shaped metal material into a prescribed shape. The protector 12 is composed of a base portion 12a that is longer in the horizontal direction toward the front-rear direction, fastening portions 12b, 12b that protrude upward from left and right end portions of the base portion 12a, respectively, a first light shielding portion 12c that protrudes obliquely downward from the base portion 12a toward the front and is bent toward the front with respect to the base portion 12a, and second light shielding portions 12d, 12d that protrude toward the front from end portions on the inner sides in the left-right direction of the fastening portions 12b, 12b, respectively. The fastening portions 12b, 12b of the protector 12 are mounted from the front side to the mounting portions 14, 14 of the heat sink 9.

[0058] Further, in the vehicle lamp 1, the base surface portions 21 of the reflectors 11, the fastening portions 12b, 12b of the protector 12, and the foot portions 7b, 7b of the lens holder 7 are sequentially mounted from the front side to the mounting portions 14, 14 of the heat sink 9 by so-called common fastening such as screw fastening, or the like, from the front side.

[0059] The cooling fan 27 is mounted to the heat radiating portion 13 of the heat sink 9, for example, by screw fastening, or the like (refer to Figure 1 and Figure 2 ).

[0060] The cooling fan 27 has a housing portion 28 that is substantially rectangular in outer shape, and a rotation driving portion 29 that is disposed in a state of being able to rotate inside the housing portion 28. The rotation driving portion 29 has a shaft portion 29a that is axial in the up-down direction, and a plurality of blades 29b, 29b,... that protrude from an outer peripheral surface of the shaft portion 29a, respectively.

[0061] The housing portion 28 of the cooling fan 27 is mounted from above to the upper surface portion 18 of the heat radiating portion 13, and by being mounted to the upper surface portion 18, the cooling fan 27 is positioned directly behind the bridging portion 15. In a state in which the cooling fan 27 is mounted to the heat radiating portion 13, the rotation driving portion 29 is disposed at a position that straddles the front surface portion 16 of the heat sink 9 in the front-rear direction, and the shaft portion 29a (rotation shaft 29c) is positioned rearward with respect to the light sources 20, 20,... mounted to the circuit board 10 (refer to Figure 5 ). Thus, a certain interval S is formed between the shaft portion 29a and the light sources 20. Further, the front end of the shaft portion 29a and the rear end of the light sources 20 can coincide, in which case the interval S is 0.

[0062] Further, as described above, the circuit board 10 is inclined rearward and downward with respect to the plumb line in accordance with the inclined state of the front surface portion 16, and the light source mounting surface 10a is disposed in a state of being inclined in a direction toward the side of the cooling fan 27 with respect to the plumb line.

[0063] In the vehicle lamp 1 thus configured described above, when light is emitted toward the front by driving the light sources 20, 20,..., the emitted light is transmitted through the projection lens 8 to be irradiated toward the front.

[0064] At this time, the light emitted from the light source 20 for low beam is reflected on the first reflecting surfaces 24, 24 and the side reflecting surfaces 22a, 22a by the first passing hole 23a of the reflecting portion 23, and is irradiated toward the front in a state where the light distribution control is performed. On the other hand, the light emitted from the light source 20 for high beam is reflected on the second reflecting surfaces 25, 25 by the second passing hole 23b of the reflecting portion 23, and is irradiated toward the front in a state where the light distribution control is performed.

[0065] In addition, in the vehicle, there is a concern that sunlight is transmitted through the projection lens 8 and enters the inside of the lamp unit 6 depending on the position of the sun with respect to the vehicle lamp 1, but the entered sunlight is shielded by the first light shielding portion 12c and the second light shielding portions 12d, 12d of the protector 12. Therefore, melting of each part of the lamp unit 6, particularly a part formed of a resin material, caused by the entry of the sunlight is prevented. Particularly, since the first light shielding portion 12c is bent toward the projection lens 8 side with respect to the base portion 12a at a position close to the projection lens 8, it has high shielding properties with respect to the sunlight transmitted through the projection lens 8 and entering the inside of the lamp unit 6.

[0066] At the time of driving the light sources 20, 20,..., heat is generated from the light sources 20, 20,..., the electronic parts and each circuit pattern of the circuit substrate 10, and the like. The heat generated from the light sources 20 and the like is transferred to the heat sink 9 by a part thereof, and is emitted from each portion of the heat sink 9, particularly from the fin portions 19, 19,...

[0067] At this time, the cooling fan 27 is in a driving state to rotate the rotating drive portion 29, and the cooling air generated by the rotation of the rotating drive portion 29 flows along the fin portions 19, 19,... toward the lower side in the first path Pl through the inflow hole 18a of the heat radiating portion 13 (refer to Figure 5 ). Therefore, the cooling air is blown to the heat radiating portion 13, particularly the fin portions 19, 19,..., and high heat radiating properties from the heat sink 9 are ensured.

[0068] On the other hand, a part of the heat generated from the light sources 20 and the like is emitted to the space of the lamp chamber 5 on the front side of the light source mounting surface 10a or is transferred to the reflector 11 formed of a metal material having high thermal conductivity and is emitted from the reflector 11.

[0069] At this time, the cooling fan 27 is in a driven state and the rotation driving portion 29 is rotated, and cooling air generated by the rotation of the rotation driving portion 29 is taken in from the intake opening 26d, passes through the gap of the reflector 11 and the circuit board 10, and is blown toward the light sources 20, 20,.... and flows in the second path P2 toward the lower side. Therefore, the heat emitted from the space of the light chamber 5 on the front side of the light source mounting surface 10a is moved downward by the cooling air flowing along the light sources 20, 20,...., and high heat dissipation of the heat emitted from the light sources 20, 20,.... and the like toward the space of the light chamber 5 on the front side is ensured.

[0070] As described above, the cooling air generated by the rotation of the rotation driving portion 29 is taken in from the intake opening 26d and flows toward the light sources 20, 20,....

[0071] Therefore, since the cooling air generated by the cooling fan 27 is taken in from the intake opening 26d formed in the reflector 11 and flows toward the light sources 20, 20,...., a dedicated member for flowing the cooling air toward the light sources 20, 20,.... is not required in addition to the reflector 11, and thus reduction in the number of parts and simplification of the configuration can be achieved, and temperature rise of the light sources 20, 20,.... can be reliably suppressed.

[0072] In addition, the first induction inclined surface 26a, 26a, the second induction inclined surface 26b, 26b, and the third induction inclined surface 26c, 26c are formed in the reflector 11 to induce the cooling air taken in from the intake opening 26d, and the first induction inclined surface 26a, 26a, the second induction inclined surface 26b, 26b, and the third induction inclined surface 26c, 26c are inclined in a manner to approach the light sources 20, 20,.... in the upward and downward direction as they move away from the cooling fan 27.

[0073] Therefore, the cooling air flows along the light sources 20, 20,...., and improvement in cooling efficiency for the light sources 20, 20,.... can be achieved.

[0074] Further, the circuit board 10 is inclined downward and rearward with respect to the vertical direction according to the inclined state of the front surface portion 16, and the light source mounting surface 10a is disposed in a state inclined toward the side of the cooling fan 27 with respect to the vertical direction.

[0075] Therefore, the cooling air generated by the cooling fan 27 easily flows along the light sources 20, 20,...., and further improvement in cooling efficiency for the light sources 20, 20,.... can be achieved.

[0076] In addition, at the time of driving of the light source 20, 20,..., the cooling air generated by the rotation of the rotation driving portion 29 flows in the second path P2 toward the lower side through the gap between the reflector 11 and the circuit board 10, and flows in the third path P3 toward the lower side through the front surface side of the reflector 11. Therefore, since the cooling air is blown to both the front and rear surfaces of the reflector 11, high heat dissipation from the reflector 11 is ensured.

[0077] Further, the cooling air flowing in the third path P3 toward the lower side flows along the first light shielding portion 12c of the protector 12 from the front surface side of the reflector 11. At this time, the first light shielding portion 12c is bent forward with respect to the base portion 12a and is inclined toward the lower end portion of the projection lens 8 as it advances downward. Therefore, the cooling air flowing along the first light shielding portion 12c in the third path P3 flows toward the lower end portion of the mounting portion 8b in the projection lens 8.

[0078] As described above, since the lower end portion of the mounting portion 8b corresponds to the gate position at the time of injection molding, there is a possibility that residual strain remains, and there is a concern that it becomes a portion that is easily deformed by heat, but the cooling air flowing along the first light shielding portion 12c in the above-described third path P3 is blown to the lower end portion of the mounting portion 8b.

[0079] Therefore, since the lower end portion of the mounting portion 8b is cooled by the cooling air, even in the case where the lower end portion of the mounting portion 8b is a portion in which residual strain remains and which is easily deformed by heat, deformation of the lower end portion of the mounting portion 8b can be prevented.

[0080] As described above, since the first light shielding portion 12c of the protector 12 is provided as a guide portion that guides the cooling air toward the projection lens 8, the cooling air is guided toward the projection lens 8 by the first light shielding portion 12c of the protector 12, the functionality of the protector 12 can be improved, and deformation of the projection lens 8 by heat can be prevented.

[0081] As the vehicle lamp 1 described above, there are provided the circuit board 10 on which the light source 20 is mounted, the heat sink 9 that mounts the light source 20 on the front surface 16a and releases heat generated at the time of driving of the light source 20, and the cooling fan 27 that is disposed above the circuit board 10 and the heat sink 9, and the cooling air generated by the cooling fan 27 flows along the heat sink 9 and the light source 20.

[0082] Therefore, the cooling air generated by the cooling fan 27 that is disposed above the circuit board 10 and the heat sink 9 flows along the heat sink 9 and the circuit board 10 mounted on the front surface 16a of the heat sink 9, so that downsizing in the front-rear direction can be achieved, and improvement in cooling performance with respect to the light source 20 can be achieved.

[0083] Further, while the above illustrates an example in which the cooling fan 27 is disposed above the circuit board 10 and the heat sink 9, and the cooling air flows from the upper side to the lower side by the cooling fan 27, conversely, it can also be a structure in which air is sucked in from the lower side and blown out from the upper side in the cooling fan 27 by rotation of the rotation driving portion 29, or a structure in which the cooling air flows from the lower side to the upper side along the heat sink 9 and the light source 20.

[0084] Further, it can also be a structure in which the cooling fan 27 is disposed below the circuit board 10 and the heat sink 9, and the cooling air flows along the heat sink 9 and the light source 20. In this case, it can also be a structure in which the cooling air flows from the lower side to the upper side by the cooling fan 27, or a structure in which the cooling air flows from the upper side to the lower side by the cooling fan 27.

[0085] However, in the case in which the cooling fan 27 is disposed below the circuit board 10 and the heat sink 9, in order to make the cooling air easily flow along the light sources 20, 20,..., it is preferable that the circuit board 10 be disposed in a state inclined to the lower front side with respect to the vertical direction.

[0086] Further, in the vehicle lamp 1, the shaft portion 29a is located on the heat sink 9 side in the front-rear direction with respect to the light sources 20.

[0087] Therefore, since the blade 29b is located above or below the light source 20, the amount of the cooling air flowing along the light source 20 becomes large, and an improvement in cooling performance with respect to heat generated at the time of driving of the light source 20 can be achieved.

[0088] Still further, the reflector 11 is formed of a metal material and is mounted to the heat sink 9.

[0089] Therefore, since heat generated at the time of driving of the light sources 20, 20,..., is transmitted to both the heat sink 9 and the reflector 11, an improvement in cooling efficiency can be achieved by heat dissipation of the reflector 11 in addition to the heat sink 9.

[0090] Further, while the above illustrates an example in which the vehicle lamp 1 is a vehicle headlamp, the vehicle lamp 1 can also be other vehicle lamps than the vehicle headlamp, or a vehicle lamp in which light is emitted not only to the front but also to the rear.

[0091] In the case of a vehicle lamp in which light is emitted to the rear, the circuit board 10 is mounted to the rear surface of the heat sink 9, and the cooling fan 27 is disposed above or below the circuit board 10 and the heat sink 9, and the cooling air generated by the cooling fan 27 flows along the heat sink 9 and the light source 20.

[0092] Symbol Explanation

[0093] 1… vehicle lamp, 9… radiator, 10… circuit board, 11… reflector, 12… protector, 12c… first light shielding portion, 16a… front surface, 20… light source, 26a… first induction inclined surface, 26b… second induction inclined surface, 26c… third induction inclined surface, 26d… intake opening, 27… cooling fan, 29a… shaft portion, 29b… blade.

Claims

1. A vehicle lamp characterized by comprising: Possessing: a circuit substrate on which a light source is mounted; a heat sink on a front surface or a rear surface of which the circuit substrate is mounted, and which releases heat generated at the time of driving of the light source; and a cooling fan which is disposed above or below the circuit substrate and the heat sink, cooling air generated by the cooling fan flows along the heat sink and the light source, a surface of the circuit substrate on which the light source is mounted is formed as a light source mounting surface, the circuit substrate is disposed in a state in which the light source mounting surface is inclined in a direction toward the cooling fan side with respect to a vertical direction.

2. The vehicle lamp according to claim 1, characterized in that a rotating shaft and a plurality of blades are provided in the cooling fan, the rotating shaft is located on the heat sink side in a front-rear direction with respect to the light source.

3. The vehicle lamp according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that a reflector which reflects light emitted from the light source is provided, an intake opening which is located below or above the cooling fan and which takes in cooling air generated by the cooling fan is formed in the reflector, the cooling air taken in from the intake opening flows toward the light source.

4. The vehicle lamp according to claim 3, characterized in that an induction inclined surface which induces the cooling air taken in from the intake opening is formed in the reflector, the induction inclined surface is inclined in a vertical direction in such a manner as to approach the light source as it moves away from the cooling fan.

5. The vehicle lamp according to claim 3, characterized in that the reflector is formed of a metal material and is mounted to the heat sink.

6. The vehicle lamp according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that a projection lens which controls light emitted from the light source and a protector which has a light-shielding portion which shields sunlight which is incident via the projection lens are provided, the light-shielding portion is provided as a guide portion which guides cooling air toward the projection lens.

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