Vehicle lamp

Abstract

A vehicle lamp is provided in which a low beam distribution pattern in which a dark portion between a low beam distribution and a high beam distribution is suppressed is formed in a lamp having a projection lens shared by two light sources. The projection lens (2) is divided into a plurality of lens regions (21, 22, 23, 24) in which the positions of focal points of parallel light converging from a lens surface (2a) are different in each region, and one second lens region (22) is a near lens region having a near focal point (F2). A low beam light source module (8) is configured so that reflected light from a reflector (81, 82) that reflects emitted light from a low beam light source (80) is incident on the back surface of the second lens region (22), and low beam distribution light is emitted from the region surface. A high beam light source module (9) is configured so that emitted light from a high beam light source (90) is directly incident on the lens back surface (2b) of the projection lens (2), and high beam distribution light for each region is emitted from the plurality of region surfaces.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This disclosure relates to a vehicle lighting fixture. Background Technology

[0002] Conventionally, a vehicle lamp having a first reflector and a second reflector is known as a vehicle lamp that achieves a good light distribution pattern. The first reflector includes a first stepped surface forming a cutoff line, a second stepped surface, and an inclined surface, and has a stepped portion where the front end of the second stepped surface protrudes forward more than the front end of the first stepped surface. The second reflector has a continuous surface below the stepped portion at the upper end of the second stepped surface that protrudes forward more than the first stepped surface, without including the stepped portion (for example, see Patent Document 1).

[0003] Existing technical documents

[0004] Patent documents

[0005] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2019-96484 Summary of the Invention

[0006] The problem that the invention aims to solve

[0007] Conventional vehicle lighting systems include low beam, high beam, and projection lens. Furthermore, a reflective component that reflects a portion of the light from the low beam to form a cutoff line creates a high beam pattern that partially overlaps with the cutoff line of the low beam pattern. However, when there are assembly errors between the two light sources (low beam and high beam) or the lamp housing, sometimes a high beam pattern that does not overlap with the cutoff line of the low beam pattern is formed. When the cutoff line does not overlap with the high beam pattern, a dark area (a region with lower illuminance than the surrounding area) is created between the upper cutoff line of the low beam pattern and the lower edge of the high beam pattern, leaving room for improvement.

[0008] This disclosure was made with regard to the above-mentioned problems, and its purpose is to provide a vehicle lamp that forms a driving light distribution pattern in a lamp having a projection lens shared by two light sources, which suppresses the generation of dark areas between low beam and high beam light distribution.

[0009] Solution for solving the problem

[0010] To achieve the above objectives, the vehicle lighting fixture disclosed herein includes a projection lens, a low beam light source module, and a high beam light source module. The projection lens is divided into multiple lens areas with different focal points in each area, and one of these lens areas is designated as a near-focal point near lens area. The low beam light source module includes a low beam light source and a reflector, configured such that reflected light from the reflector, which reflects light emitted from the low beam light source, is incident on the back surface of the near lens area, and low beam light is emitted from the surface of the area. The high beam light source module includes a high beam light source, and light emitted from the high beam light source is directly incident on the back surface of the projection lens, and high beam light is emitted from the surfaces of the multiple areas in each area.

[0011] Invention Effects

[0012] Therefore, it is possible to provide a vehicle lamp that forms a driving light distribution pattern in a lamp with a projection lens shared by two light sources, which suppresses the dark areas generated between the low beam distribution and the high beam distribution. Attached Figure Description

[0013] Figure 1 This is a perspective view showing the overall structure of the headlight unit in Embodiment 1.

[0014] Figure 2 This is a longitudinal sectional view showing the structure of the projection lens, low beam light source module, and high beam light source module of the headlight unit in Embodiment 1.

[0015] Figure 3 This is an illustration of the light distribution effect in the headlight unit of Embodiment 1, showing the light path from the low beam source forming the low beam light distribution pattern and the light path from the high beam source forming the high beam light distribution pattern.

[0016] Figure 4 This is an illustration of the light distribution effect in the headlight unit of Embodiment 1, showing an example of the light distribution in each zone formed by the light emitted from the lens surfaces of the first lens zone, the second lens zone, the third lens zone, and the fourth lens zone.

[0017] Figure 5 This is a longitudinal sectional view showing the structure of the projection lens, low beam light source module, and high beam light source module of the headlight unit in Embodiment 2.

[0018] Figure 6 This is an illustration of the light distribution effect in the headlight unit of Embodiment 2, showing the light path from the low beam source forming the low beam light distribution pattern and the light path from the high beam source forming the high beam light distribution pattern. Detailed Implementation

[0019] Hereinafter, the method of implementing the vehicle lamps of the present disclosure will be described based on Embodiment 1 and Embodiment 2 shown in the accompanying drawings.

[0020] Example 1

[0021] In Embodiment 1, an example of a headlight unit (an example of a vehicle lamp) suitable for being disposed on the left and right sides of the front of a vehicle and equipped with a projection lens, a low beam light source module, and a high beam light source module will be described. In the following description, in the headlight unit, the direction of travel when the vehicle is moving straight ahead and the direction of the projected light are defined as the optical axis direction (Z in the figure), the direction representing up and down when mounted on the vehicle is defined as the up and down direction (Y in the figure), and the direction orthogonal to the optical axis direction and the up and down direction is defined as the width direction (X in the figure).

[0022] First, refer to Figure 1 as well as Figure 2 This describes the structure of headlight unit 1.

[0023] like Figure 1 As shown, the headlight unit 1 includes a projection lens 2, a substrate 3, a first bracket 4, a second bracket 5, a heat dissipation component 6, and a fan 7.

[0024] The projection lens 2 is mounted on the substrate 3 or the heat dissipation component 6 via the first bracket 4 and the second bracket 5.

[0025] The first bracket 4 positions and holds the outer periphery of the projection lens 2, and is fixed to the second bracket 5 in a lens-holding state.

[0026] The second bracket 5 is fixed to the base plate 3 or the heat dissipation component 6.

[0027] The substrate 3 is positioned behind the projection lens 2, and a near-beam light source 80 and a far-beam light source 90 (described later) are disposed on the surface opposite to the projection lens 2. A heat dissipation component 6 is fixed to the back side of the substrate 3. The heat dissipation component 6 has heat sinks 6a.

[0028] The fan 7 is located on the back of the heat sink 6 to facilitate heat dissipation. Furthermore, a power connector (not shown) is connected to the front of the headlight unit 1, enabling electrical connection between the vehicle power supply and the low beam 80 and high beam 90. For example, during driving with a manually or automatically selected driving beam pattern (high beam pattern + low beam pattern), current is supplied to simultaneously illuminate both the low beam 80 and high beam 90. Additionally, when driving with the driving beam pattern set to the oncoming traffic pattern (low beam pattern) and manually or automatically selected, the current to the high beam 90 is cut off (turned off), and only the low beam 80 is supplied with current.

[0029] like Figure 2 As shown, the headlight unit 1 includes a projection lens 2, a low beam light source module 8, and a high beam light source module 9.

[0030] Projection lens 2 is an optical lens shared by both the near-beam light source 80 and the far-beam light source 90. Projection lens 2 is divided into multiple lens regions 21, 22, 23, and 24, where the focal point of parallel light incident from lens surface 2a varies in different areas. Projection lens 2 is formed of transparent acrylic resin or the like. Furthermore, by continuously varying the curvature of the surface and back surface of each lens region 21, 22, 23, and 24, the shapes of the lens surface 2a and the back surface 2b are smoothly connected without any step differences.

[0031] The projection lens 2, acting as multiple telephoto lens regions directly incident on the emitted light from the telephoto light source 90, is divided into four regions from top to bottom: a first lens region 21, a second lens region 22, a third lens region 23, and a fourth lens region 24. The position dividing the first lens region 21 and the second lens region 22 is designated as the first region boundary 20a. The position dividing the second lens region 22 and the third lens region 23 is designated as the second region boundary 20b. The position dividing the third lens region 23 and the fourth lens region 24 is designated as the third region boundary 20c.

[0032] In Embodiment 1, the projection lens 2 is shown as an example of an integral lens comprising a single optical lens divided into four lens regions. However, the projection lens can also be a composite lens formed by joining multiple lens components corresponding to the lens regions. Furthermore, in the case of an integral lens, it can be configured such that the lens surface is smooth and the back of the lens has a stepped surface for each lens region. Moreover, a prism with vertical stripes that diffuses light from both near and far light sources to the left and right can be formed on the lens surface of the projection lens.

[0033] The first lens region 21 allows the emitted light from the high beam source 90 to directly enter from the back of the region. Furthermore, the light rays emitted from the surface of the first lens region 21 form the central light distribution HP1 of the high beam distribution pattern HP (see reference). Figure 4 The first light distribution). The focal position of the first lens area 21 is designed such that the central light distribution HP1 coincides with the cutoff line CL at the upper end of the near beam light distribution pattern LP.

[0034] The second lens region 22 is sandwiched between the first lens region 21 and the third lens region 23, forming a near-focus region with a near focal point F2 that focuses parallel light incident from the lens surface 2a. The position of the near focal point F2 of the second lens region 22 is designed such that the near-beam distribution pattern LP with a cutoff line CL is formed at an appropriate position overlapping with the far-beam distribution pattern HP. Furthermore, the second lens region 22 is positioned where the center line CA of the optical axis of the projection lens 2 passes.

[0035] The second lens region 22 reflects the emitted light from the near-light source 80 through the first reflector 81 and the second reflector 82, causing the reflected light from the second reflector 82 to enter from the back side of the region. At this time, the reflected light from the first reflector 81 forms a cutoff line CL by the shape of the reflecting surface 82a of the second reflector 82. Then, a near-light distribution pattern LP with the cutoff line CL is formed using the light rays emitted from the surface of the second lens region 22. Figure 4 second light distribution).

[0036] The second lens region 22 allows the emitted light from the high beam source 90 to directly enter from the back of the region. Furthermore, the light rays emitted from the surface of the second lens region 22 form an upper light distribution HP2 that connects to the horizontal line H of the high beam light distribution pattern HP (see reference). Figure 4 second light distribution).

[0037] When a portion of the light from the high beam source 90 is reflected by the reflective surface 91a of the reflective member 91, the second lens region 22 causes the reflected light to enter from the back side of the region. Furthermore, an additional light distribution HP2' (refer to) is formed by the light rays emitted outward from the surface of the second lens region 22, which connects to the cutoff line CL of the low beam distribution pattern LP. Figure 4 The second 'light distribution).

[0038] The third lens region 23 allows light emitted from the high beam source 90 to directly enter from the back of the region. Furthermore, the light rays emitted from the surface of the third lens region 23 form the central light distribution pattern HP3 of the high beam distribution pattern HP (see reference). Figure 4 The third lens region 23 is designed such that the focal position of the central light distribution HP3 coincides with the upper cutoff line CL of the near beam distribution pattern LP.

[0039] The fourth lens region 24 allows light emitted from the high beam source 90 to directly enter from the back of the region. Furthermore, the light rays emitted from the surface of the fourth lens region 24 form the upper light distribution pattern HP4 of the high beam distribution pattern HP (see reference). Figure 4 (The fourth light distribution). Among them, the fourth lens area 24 does not have a specific focal point, and the shape of the upper light distribution HP4 is designed to expand the shape of the high beam light distribution pattern HP formed by the combination of other lens areas 21, 22, and 23 to the upper side.

[0040] The low beam light source module 8 is a light source-side module that uses the second lens area 22 of the projection lens 2 to form a low beam distribution pattern LP with a cutoff line CL. The low beam light source module 8 includes a low beam light source 80, a first reflector 81 (reflector), and a second reflector 82 (reflector).

[0041] A near-beam light source 80 is disposed opposite to the projection lens 2 on a substrate 3 having a lens-facing surface 3a. "Opposite to the projection lens 2" means that the surface orthogonal to the optical axis of the projection lens 2 and opposite to the back surface 2b of the lens is designated as the emitting surface 80a of the near-beam light source 80. That is, the near-beam light source 80 is positioned below the far-beam light source 90 and is on the same plane as the lens-facing surface 3a where the far-beam light source 90 is disposed. The near-beam light source 80 may be a self-emissive semiconductor light source such as an LED or EL (organic EL), i.e., a semiconductor light source (LED in this embodiment). The near-beam light source 80 is configured to include: one or more light-emitting chips disposed on the lens-facing surface 3a of the substrate 3; and a sealing resin component that seals the light-emitting chips. The emitting surface 80a of the near-beam light source 80 is positioned facing the optical axis direction Z of the projection lens 2. "LED" is short for "Light Emitting Diode," and "EL" is short for "Electro Luminescence."

[0042] The first reflector 81 and the second reflector 82 are opaque reflector components, for example, made of resin components having reflective surfaces 81a and 82a that have undergone aluminum vapor deposition or silver coating. Furthermore, the shapes of the reflective surfaces 81a and 82a are curved surfaces designed based on the target optical path of the reflected light relative to the incident light, such as elliptical surfaces of revolution or freeform surfaces (NURBS surfaces) based on ellipses.

[0043] The first reflector 81 is positioned directly in front of the near light source 80 along the optical axis Z, without obstructing the position of the light emitted directly from the far light source 90 toward the back surface 2b of the projection lens 2. The first reflector 81 reflects the light from the near light source 80, causing the reflected light to incident toward the reflecting surface 82a of the second reflector 82.

[0044] The second reflector 82 is positioned obliquely above the far-light source 90 along the optical axis Z, and does not obstruct the position of the light emitted directly from the far-light source 90 toward the back surface 2b of the projection lens 2. The second reflector 82 further reflects the reflected light from the first reflector 81, allowing it to enter the second lens area 22 of the projection lens 2.

[0045] On the reflecting surface 82a of the second reflector 82, near the near focal point F2 at the lower end of the reflecting surface, a cutoff line reflecting shape portion 84 is provided to form a cutoff line CL that forms the near beam distribution pattern LP. Additionally, as... Figure 4 As shown, the cutoff line CL has a lower horizontal cutoff line CL1, an inclined cutoff line CL2, and an upper horizontal cutoff line CL3.

[0046] The high beam light source module 9 is a light source-side module that forms the high beam distribution pattern HP by combining the light distribution of each area in the projection lens 2. The high beam light source module 9 has a high beam light source 90 and a reflective component 91.

[0047] The high beam source 90 is positioned opposite the projection lens 2 and is disposed on a substrate 3 having a lens-facing surface 3a. "Opposite configuration" refers to a configuration where the surface orthogonal to the optical axis of the projection lens 2 and opposite the lens back surface 2b is designated as the light-emitting surface 90a of the high beam source 90. That is, the high beam source 90 is positioned above the low beam source 80 and is on the same plane as the lens-facing surface 3a where the low beam source 80 is disposed. Like the low beam source 80, the high beam source 90 uses a semiconductor-type light source (LED in this embodiment). The high beam source 90 is configured to include: multiple light-emitting chips arranged along the vehicle width direction on the lens-facing surface 3a of the substrate 3; and a sealing resin component that seals the light-emitting chips. The multiple light-emitting chips arranged along the vehicle width direction of the high beam source 90 can also be individually controlled to light up and turn off.

[0048] The emitting surface 90a of the far-beam light source 90 is set to face the optical axis direction Z of the projection lens 2. The emitting surface 90a is positioned below and behind the near focal point F2 and on the center line CA of the optical axis of the projection lens 2.

[0049] The reflective component 91 is located at the position connecting the near focal point F2 and the upper part of the lens side of the far light source 90.

[0050] The reflective surface 91a of the reflective component 91 is positioned above and in front of the high beam source 90, near the focal point F2. The reflective surface 91a reflects a portion of the light emitted from the high beam source 90 toward the second lens region 22, which serves as the near lens region of the projection lens 2. The reflective component 91 is, for example, made of a resin component having a reflective surface 91a that has been subjected to aluminum vapor deposition or silver coating.

[0051] Next, refer to Figure 3 as well as Figure 4 This explains the light distribution pattern formation function in the headlight unit 1 of Embodiment 1. Furthermore, in Figure 4 In the light distribution diagram of each zone, V represents the vertical line in the up-down direction passing through the center point O, and H represents the horizontal line in the vehicle width direction passing through the center point O.

[0052] When the near light source 80 is lit, the emitted light from the near light source 80 is depicted. Figure 3The dashed lines indicate the optical paths OP21, OP22, and OP23. That is, the emitted light from the near-light source 80 is reflected by the first reflector 81, and this reflected light is then reflected by the second reflector 82. The reflected light from the second reflector 82 then follows the optical paths OP21, OP22, and OP23 and enters from the back surface of the second lens region 22. At this time, the reflected light from the second reflector 82 has a reflected light shape corresponding to the shape of the reflecting surface 82a of the second reflector 82, which has a cutoff line reflective shape portion 84.

[0053] Therefore, when the low beam light source is turned on at 80 degrees, such as Figure 4 As shown in the second light distribution diagram, a near-beam light distribution pattern LP with a cutoff line CL is formed by light rays emitted from the surface of the second lens region 22 outward.

[0054] When the high beam source 90 is illuminated, the emitted light from the high beam source 90 is depicted. Figure 3 The solid lines represent the optical paths OP1, OP2, OP3, OP4, and... Figure 3 The light path OP2' is shown by a single-dot dash. That is, the light emitted from the far-light source 90 is directly incident on the back side of each lens area 21, 22, 23, and 24 of the projection lens 2 through light paths OP1, OP2, OP3, and OP4 respectively.

[0055] If light emitted from the high beam source 90 is directly incident on the back side of the first lens region 21 via the optical path OP1, then the light rays emitted from the surface of the first lens region 21 to the outside form a central light distribution HP1 based on the first lens region 21. For example... Figure 4 As shown in the first beam distribution, the shape of the central beam distribution HP1 is such that the center position is approximately the same as the center point O.

[0056] If light emitted from the high beam source 90 is directly incident on the back side of the second lens region 22 via the optical path OP2, then the light rays emitted from the surface of the second lens region 22 outward form the upper light distribution HP2 based on the second lens region 22. For example... Figure 4 As shown in the second light distribution, the shape of the upper light distribution HP2 is such that the center position is higher than the center point O and the lower edge of the upper light distribution HP2 is connected to the horizontal line H.

[0057] If light emitted from the high beam source 90 is directly incident on the back side of the third lens region 23 via the optical path OP3, then the light rays emitted from the surface of the third lens region 23 outward form a central light distribution HP3 based on the third lens region 23. For example... Figure 4 As shown in the third beam distribution diagram, the shape of the central beam distribution HP3 is such that its center position is approximately aligned with the center point O. Furthermore, in... Figure 4In the first and third beam distributions, the central beam distributions HP1 and HP3 are set to have the same shape at approximately the same position. However, the central beam distributions HP1 and HP3 can also be slightly offset in one or both directions along the vertical line V, and the shape of one or both can be slightly changed to appropriately adjust the illuminance distribution of the high beam distribution pattern HP. Furthermore, the slight offset and slight shape change of the central beam distributions HP1 and HP3 are determined by the amount and shape change based on the appropriate adjustment of the illuminance distribution of the high beam distribution pattern HP.

[0058] If light emitted from the high beam source 90 is directly incident on the back side of the fourth lens region 24 via the optical path OP4, then the light rays emitted from the surface of the fourth lens region 24 outward form the upper light distribution HP4 based on the fourth lens region 24. For example... Figure 4 As shown in the fourth beam distribution diagram, the upper beam distribution HP4 is a flattened elliptical shape with its center position slightly above the center point O and its lower edge extending away from the horizontal line H. The upper beam distribution HP4 can also be a beam distribution where its lower edge connects to the upper beam distribution HP2. Alternatively, the upper beam distribution HP4 can also be a beam distribution where its lower edge slightly overlaps with the upper beam distribution HP2.

[0059] When a portion of the light emitted from the high beam source 90 is incident on the reflecting surface 91a of the reflecting member 91 and reflected, the reflected light from near the focal point F2 is incident on the back side of the second lens region 22 via the optical path OP2'. At this time, the light rays emitted from the surface of the second lens region 22 to the outside form an additional light distribution HP2' based on the second lens region 22. Figure 4 As shown in the second 'light distribution', the shape of the additional light distribution HP2' becomes a light distribution that connects with the cutoff line CL of the low beam light distribution pattern LP.

[0060] Therefore, the high beam pattern HP formed by the illumination of the high beam light source 90 becomes a combined light pattern consisting of the light distribution of each zone, namely the central light distribution HP1, the upper light distribution HP2, the central light distribution HP3, the upper light distribution HP4, and the supplementary light distribution HP2'.

[0061] Next, the effect of the characteristic structure of the headlight unit 1 in Embodiment 1 will be explained.

[0062] In the headlight unit 1 of Embodiment 1, a projection lens 2, a low beam light source module 8, and a high beam light source module 9 are included. The projection lens 2 is divided into multiple lens areas 21, 22, 23, and 24, where the focal point of parallel light incident from the lens surface 2a is located in different areas. One of the multiple lens areas 21, 22, 23, and 24, is a second lens area 22 with a near focal point F2. The low beam light source module 8 includes a low beam light source 80, a first reflector 81, and a second reflector 82. The low beam light source module 8 is configured such that reflected light from the first reflector 81 and the second reflector 82, which reflect the light emitted from the low beam light source 80, is incident on the back surface of the second lens area 22, and low beam light is emitted from the area surface. The high beam light source module 9 includes a high beam light source 90. The high beam light source module 9 is configured such that light emitted from the high beam light source 90 is directly incident on the back surface 2b of the projection lens 2, and high beam light is emitted from the multiple area surfaces of each area.

[0063] That is, the low beam pattern LP is formed by the low beam light emitted outward from the surface of the second lens area 22. On the other hand, the high beam pattern HP is formed by overlapping the high beam light emitted outward from the respective surfaces of the multiple lens areas 21, 22, 23, and 24 of the projection lens 2. In this way, the low beam light from the second lens area 22 of the projection lens 2 is combined with the high beam light from each of the multiple lens areas 21, 22, 23, and 24 of the projection lens 2. Therefore, the connection between the high beam and low beam light is improved, and the generation of dark areas between the high beam pattern HP and the low beam pattern LP can be suppressed. Therefore, it is possible to provide a headlight unit 1 that forms a driving light pattern in a projection lens 2 that has two shared light sources, suppressing the generation of dark areas between the low beam and high beam light.

[0064] In Embodiment 1, the projection lens 2, as a plurality of far lens regions directly incident on the emitted light from the far light source 90, is divided at least from the top into a first lens region 21, a second lens region 22, and a third lens region 23. The second lens region 22 of the projection lens 2 is set as a near lens region for the reflected light incident on the first reflector 81 and the second reflector 82.

[0065] That is, the high beam distribution pattern HP is formed by combining the central light distribution HP1 based on the first lens region 21, the upper light distribution HP2 based on the second lens region 22, and the central light distribution HP3 based on the third lens region 23. On the other hand, the low beam distribution pattern LP with a cutoff line CL is formed by the second lens region 22 sandwiched between the first lens region 21 and the third lens region 23. Therefore, the central light distribution HP1 based on the first lens region 21 and the central light distribution HP3 based on the third lens region 23 are formed by the positional relationship of the low beam distribution pattern LP sandwiched between them from above and below. Therefore, the illuminance in the area near the cutoff line CL of the low beam distribution pattern LP can be improved by the central light distribution HP1 based on the first lens region 21 and the central light distribution HP3 based on the third lens region 23. Therefore, it is easy to ensure a good connection between the high beam distribution pattern HP and the cutoff line CL of the low beam distribution pattern LP, and it is possible to suppress the beam splitting near the cutoff line CL.

[0066] In Embodiment 1, the area further down of the third lens region 23 of the projection lens 2 is divided into the fourth lens region 24, which forms the upper light distribution HP4 of the far-beam light distribution pattern HP.

[0067] That is, a fourth lens region 24 for forming the upper light distribution pattern HP4 of the high beam distribution pattern HP is disposed at the lower part of the projection lens 2. Therefore, compared with the case where the high beam distribution pattern including the upper light distribution is formed by the lens as a whole, it is possible to prevent the light cone (light cone) from expanding near the projection lens 2.

[0068] In Embodiment 1, the light-emitting surface 90a of the far-light source 90, which is opposite to the back surface 2b of the projection lens 2, is positioned further back and below the near focal point F2 and on the center line CA of the optical axis of the projection lens 2.

[0069] That is, the emitted light from the high beam source 90 directly incidents on the back surface 2b of the projection lens 2. Therefore, when the light from the high beam source 90 incident on the multiple lens areas 21, 22, 23, and 24 of the projection lens 2, the angle of incidence relative to the lens surface converges to an angle within a right angle range. Thus, a stable high beam pattern HP can be formed by combining the high beam distributions emitted from each of the multiple areas of the projection lens 2. In particular, when the light from the high beam source 90 directly incidents on and passes through the first lens area 21 and the second lens area 22 of the projection lens 2, the luminosity near the two lens areas 21 and 22 increases, improving the visibility of distant signs, pedestrians, etc.

[0070] In Embodiment 1, the high beam light source module 9 includes a reflective component 91, which is positioned above the front side of the high beam light source 90 and has a reflective surface 91a that reflects light emitted from the high beam light source 90 toward the second lens area 22.

[0071] That is, a portion of the light emitted from the high beam source 90, after being removed from the incident light directed toward the back surface 2b of the projection lens 2, is received by the reflecting surface 91a of the reflecting member 91. Furthermore, the reflected light from the reflecting surface 91a forms an additional light distribution HP2' of the high beam distribution pattern HP. Therefore, the additional light distribution HP2' becomes a light distribution that connects to the cutoff line CL of the low beam distribution pattern LP. Thus, by effectively utilizing the emitted light from the high beam source 90 to form the additional light distribution HP2' of the high beam distribution pattern HP, the illuminance in the darker areas of the driving light distribution pattern can be increased.

[0072] In Embodiment 1, a first reflector 81 and a second reflector 82 are included as reflectors in the near-beam light source module 8. A high-beam light source 90 is disposed opposite to the projection lens 2 on a substrate 3 having a lens facing surface 3a. The near-beam light source 80 is positioned below the high-beam light source 90 and is located on the same plane as the lens facing surface 3a. The first reflector 81 and the second reflector 82 are positioned so as not to obstruct the light emitted directly from the high-beam light source 90 toward the lens back surface 2b of the projection lens 2.

[0073] That is, when configuring the low beam light source module 8, including the low beam light source 80, the first reflector 81, and the second reflector 82, the low beam light source 80 and the high beam light source 90 are positioned on the same plane. Furthermore, the first reflector 81 and the second reflector 82 do not obstruct the light emitted from the high beam light source 90 and are positioned closer to the projection lens 2 than the high beam light source 90. Therefore, the low beam light source module 8, including the low beam light source 80, the first reflector 81, and the second reflector 82, can be positioned between the lens back surface 2b of the projection lens 2 and the lens facing surface 3a of the substrate 3. Therefore, the dimension of the optical axis Z of the headlight unit 1 is reduced, enabling a compact headlight unit 1.

[0074] Example 2

[0075] Example 2 is an example of a headlight unit 10 in which the low beam light source module 8' is configured in a different position than the low beam light source module 8 in Example 1.

[0076] First, refer to Figure 5 The structure of the headlight unit 10 in Embodiment 2 will be described.

[0077] like Figure 5 As shown, the headlight unit 10 includes a projection lens 2, a low beam light source module 8', and a high beam light source module 9.

[0078] The low beam light source module 8' has a low beam light source 80 and a third reflector 83.

[0079] The near-beam light source 80 is located behind the far-beam light source 90, and is disposed on the lens optical axis surface 3b of a substrate 3' having a lens opposing surface 3a and a lens optical axis surface 3b. The third reflector 83 has the same structure as the second reflector 82 in Embodiment 1, and has a reflective surface 83a. The third reflector 83 is positioned opposite the emitting surface 80a of the near-beam light source 80 and does not block the emitted light from the far-beam light source 90 directly toward the lens back surface 2b of the projection lens 2.

[0080] The high beam light source module 9 has a high beam light source 90 and a reflective component 91.

[0081] The high beam light source 90 is disposed on the lens opposing surface 3a of the substrate 3', which has a lens opposing surface 3a and a lens optical axis surface 3b. The reflecting member 91 has a reflecting surface 91a in the same manner as in Embodiment 1. Regarding the projection lens 2, since it has the same structure as in Embodiment 1, its description is omitted. Furthermore, regarding the structures of the low beam light source module 8' and the high beam light source module 9, other than those described above, since they have the same structure as in Embodiment 1, their descriptions are also omitted.

[0082] Next, refer to Figure 6 The formation of the low beam pattern LP will be explained using the headlight unit 10 of Embodiment 2.

[0083] When the near light source 80 is lit, the emitted light from the near light source 80 is depicted. Figure 6 The dashed lines indicate the optical paths OP24, OP25, and OP26. That is, the light emitted from the near-light source 80 is reflected by the reflecting surface 83a of the third reflector 83. Furthermore, the reflected light from the third reflector 83 becomes optical paths OP24, OP25, and OP26 and enters from the back side of the second lens region 22. At this time, a cutoff line is formed by the shape setting of the reflecting surface 83a of the third reflector 83.

[0084] Therefore, when the low beam light source is turned on at 80 degrees, such as Figure 4 As shown in the second beam distribution diagram, a near beam pattern LP with a cutoff line CL is formed by light rays emitted outward from the surface of the second lens region 22. Furthermore, the formation of the far beam pattern HP is omitted to indicate that it functions the same as in Example 1.

[0085] Next, the effect of the characteristic structure of the headlight unit 10 in Embodiment 2 will be explained.

[0086] In Embodiment 2, a third reflector 83 is included as a reflector in the near-beam light source module 8'. The far-beam light source 90 is disposed on the lens-facing surface 3a of the substrate 3', which has a lens-facing surface 3a and a lens optical axis surface 3b. The near-beam light source 80 is located behind the far-beam light source 90 and is disposed on the lens optical axis surface 3b of the substrate 3'. The third reflector 83 is positioned opposite the emitting surface 80a of the near-beam light source 80 and does not obstruct the light emitted directly from the far-beam light source 90 toward the lens back surface 2b of the projection lens 2.

[0087] That is, when configuring the low beam light source 80 and the third reflector 83 of the low beam light source module 8', the low beam light source 80 is positioned behind the high beam light source 90 with its emitting surface 80a facing upwards. Furthermore, the third reflector 83 is positioned above the low beam light source 80 so as not to obstruct the light emitted from the high beam light source 90. Therefore, the low beam light source module 8' and the high beam light source module 9 can be positioned in a narrow vertical space behind the projection lens 2. Consequently, the vertical dimension Y of the headlight unit 1 is reduced, enabling a more compact headlight unit 1.

[0088] The vehicle lighting fixtures disclosed herein have been described above based on Embodiments 1 and 2. However, the specific structure is not limited to these embodiments. As long as the scope of the technical solution is not departed from the spirit of the invention involved in each solution, design changes, additions, etc. are permitted.

[0089] In Examples 1 and 2, the projection lens 2 is shown as being divided into four regions: a first lens region 21, a second lens region 22, a third lens region 23, and a fourth lens region 24. However, as a projection lens, any example divided into two or more lens regions is not limited to four regions. Furthermore, examples with three or more lens regions, where the near lens region is sandwiched between the far lens region and the upper and lower parts of the near lens region, are preferred.

[0090] In Examples 1 and 2, an example is shown where the emitting surface 90a of the high-beam light source 90 is positioned on the center line CA of the optical axis of the projection lens 2. However, it is also possible to position the emitting surface of the high-beam light source at a position offset upwards or downwards from the center line of the optical axis of the projection lens.

[0091] In Examples 1 and 2, as a projection lens 2, an example is shown where the lower region of the third lens region 23 is divided into a fourth lens region 24 for forming the upper light distribution HP4 of the high beam distribution pattern HP. However, as a projection lens, it is also possible to set the lower region of the third lens region, which is divided into upper and lower parts, as the fourth lens region for forming the upper light distribution of the high beam distribution pattern.

[0092] Symbol Explanation

[0093] 1—Headlight unit (vehicle lamp), 2—Projection lens, 2a—Lens surface, 2b—Lens back, 21—First lens area, 22—Second lens area (near lens area), 23—Third lens area, 24—Fourth lens area, 3, 3'—Substrate, 3a—Lens facing surface, 3b—Lens optical axis surface, 8—Low beam light source module, 80—Low beam light source, 80a—Emitting surface, 81—First reflector (reflector), 82—Second reflector (reflector) 83—Third reflector (reflector), 84—Cutoff line reflective shape section, 9—High beam light source module, 90—High beam light source, 90a—Emitting surface, 91—Reflecting component, 91a—Reflecting surface, F2—Near focus, LP—Near beam distribution pattern, CL—Cutoff line, HP—High beam distribution pattern, HP1—Central distribution, HP2—Upper distribution, HP3—Central distribution, HP4—Upper distribution, HP2'—Additional distribution, CA—Lens optical axis centerline.

Claims

1. A vehicle lamp comprising a projection lens, a low beam light source module, and a high beam light source module, characterized in that, The projection lens is divided into multiple lens regions with different focal points in each region, and one of these lens regions is designated as a near-focal point near-lens region. The low beam light source module includes a low beam light source and a reflector. The reflected light from the reflector, which reflects the light emitted from the low beam light source, is incident on the back side of the near lens region and emitted from the region surface. The high beam light source module has a high beam light source, and the emitted light from the high beam light source is directly incident on the back of the projection lens, and the high beam light distribution of each zone is emitted from the surface of multiple zones. A portion of the multiple far lens regions of the projection lens, which allow the emitted light from the far light source to directly enter, is configured as the near lens region, which allows the reflected light from the reflector to enter. The module incorporates a first reflector and a second reflector as reflectors for its low-beam light source. The high-beam light source and the projection lens are positioned opposite each other and are mounted on a substrate having a lens-facing surface. The low beam light source is positioned below the high beam light source and is located on the same plane as the lens. The first reflector and the second reflector are positioned so as not to block the light emitted directly from the far-light source toward the back of the projection lens.

2. The vehicle lighting fixture according to claim 1, characterized in that, The projection lens is divided into a first lens area, a second lens area, and a third lens area from at least the top, serving as multiple telephoto lens areas for direct incident light from the high-beam light source. The second lens region in the projection lens is configured as the near lens region for incident reflected light from the reflector.

3. The vehicle lighting fixture according to claim 2, characterized in that, The projection lens designates the area below the third lens region, or the lower region when the third lens region is divided into upper and lower parts, as the fourth lens region for forming the upper light distribution pattern of the high beam.

4. The vehicle lighting fixture according to claim 1, characterized in that, The light-emitting surface of the far-light source, which faces the back of the projection lens, is positioned below and behind the near focal point and on the center line of the optical axis of the projection lens.

5. The vehicle lighting fixture according to claim 1, characterized in that, The high beam light source module has a reflective component, which is disposed above the front side of the high beam light source and has a reflective surface that reflects the emitted light from the high beam light source toward the near lens area.

6. The vehicle lighting fixture according to claim 1, characterized in that, It is equipped with a third reflector as the reflector of the near-beam light source module. The high-beam light source is disposed on the lens-facing surface in a substrate having the lens-facing surface and the lens optical axis surface. The low beam light source is positioned behind the high beam light source and on the optical axis surface of the lens in the substrate. The third reflector is positioned opposite the light-emitting surface of the near light source and does not obstruct the light emitted directly from the far light source toward the back of the projection lens.

Images