Vehicle lamp

Abstract

The lens (30) is configured such that a rear surface (34b) of a peripheral region (34) located around a central region (32) of the lens (30) is divided into an inner peripheral region (34b1) and an outer peripheral region (34b2). On this basis, the inner peripheral region (34b1) is configured such that the plurality of total reflection prism elements (34s1) form the first annular concave curved surface (C1) as an envelope surface, and the outer peripheral region (34b2) is configured such that the plurality of total reflection prism elements (34s2) form the second annular concave curved surface (C2) as an envelope surface. Thus, light emitted from the light-emitting element (22) can be used as forward irradiation light having substantially uniform brightness over a wide range, and on the basis of this, the cross-sectional shape of the total reflection prism element (34s2) does not become extremely large at the outer peripheral edge of the outer peripheral region (34b2), thereby improving the moldability of the lens (30), and improving the accuracy of light distribution control.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to a vehicle lamp. Background Art

[0002] As a structure of a vehicle lamp, there is known a structure in which light emitted from a light source is irradiated toward the front of the lamp via a lens.

[0003] Patent Document 1 describes a structure of a lens in such a vehicle lamp having a central region centered on an optical axis extending in the front-rear direction of the lamp and a peripheral region located therearound. On the rear surface of the peripheral region, a plurality of total reflection prism elements are formed in a state of being arranged in concentric circles with the optical axis as the center, so as to cause the emitted light from the light source to be totally reflected toward the front of the lamp after being incident.

[0004] Also, as a structure of a vehicle lamp, there is known a structure in which a desired light distribution pattern is formed by irradiating light emitted from a light source toward the front of the lamp via a microlens array.

[0005] Patent Document 2 describes a structure including a rear lens array and a front lens array as a structure of a microlens array in such a vehicle lamp, wherein the rear lens array includes a plurality of condensing lens portions for condensing emitted light from a light source, and the front lens array includes a plurality of projection lens portions for respectively projecting a plurality of light source images formed by the plurality of condensing lens portions. The vehicle lamp is configured to include a collimating lens for causing the emitted light from the light source to enter the rear lens array in a state of parallel light.

[0006] Prior art literature

[0007] Patent Literature

[0008] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2009-187859

[0009] Patent Document 2: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2020-61231 Summary of the invention

[0010] Problems to be solved by the invention

[0011] As in the vehicle lamp lens described in Patent Document 1, by adopting a structure in which light emitted from a light source is incident on a plurality of total reflection prism elements and then totally reflected toward the front of the lamp, light emitted from the light source can be used as forward illumination light over a wide range.

[0012] However, in Patent Document 1 Figure 1In the described vehicle lamp, since the lens is formed in a flat plate-like manner extending along a vertical plane orthogonal to the above-mentioned optical axis, in most cases, the light emitted from the light source toward the outer peripheral edge of the lens cannot obtain a sufficient amount of light, and it is therefore not easy to fully ensure the amount of light emitted from the outer peripheral edge of the lens.

[0013] On the other hand, if the Fig.11 As in the vehicle lamp described above, if the lens is formed to extend and bend toward the rear of the lamp relative to a vertical plane orthogonal to the optical axis, a sufficient amount of light can be obtained for light emitted from the light source toward the outer peripheral edge of the lens.

[0014] However, when such a lens is used, the size of the total reflection prism element formed on the outer peripheral portion of the lens will inevitably increase, so the wall thickness of the outer peripheral portion of the lens will change greatly. Therefore, when forming the lens, it is difficult to form the total reflection prism element on the outer peripheral portion with high precision, and thus it is difficult to control the light distribution of the lens with high precision.

[0015] In addition, when such a lens is used, the angle of the emitted light from the light source reaching its outer peripheral edge becomes quite large relative to the optical axis, so the intensity of the reflected light from multiple total reflection prism elements is uneven depending on the radial position, making it difficult to perform high-precision light distribution control of the lens.

[0016] In addition, in the vehicle lamp described in Patent Document 1, if a plurality of lens elements for controlling the emission of light arriving from a plurality of total reflection prism elements are formed on the front surface of the lens in a state divided into vertical and horizontal grids, then by appropriately adjusting the orientations of these plurality of lens elements, a light distribution pattern having a bright and dark cut-off line at the upper end can be formed.

[0017] At this time, it is desirable to form a light distribution pattern having a cut-off line as sharp as possible.

[0018] In order to reduce uneven light distribution in the light distribution pattern formed by the irradiated light in the vehicle lamp described in Patent Document 2, it is desirable to make the emitted light from the light source incident on each of the plurality of condensing lens portions in the microlens array as parallel light of uniform brightness.

[0019] In order to achieve this, in the vehicle lamp described in Patent Document 2, the collimator lens is configured as a large block-shaped light-transmitting member, so the depth dimension of the vehicle lamp is large.

[0020] One of the objects of the present invention is to provide a vehicle lamp which is configured to irradiate light emitted from a light source toward the front of the lamp via a lens, and can perform light distribution control based on the lens with high accuracy while sufficiently ensuring the light amount of light emitted from the outer peripheral edge of the lens.

[0021] Another object of the present invention is to provide a vehicle lamp configured to irradiate light emitted from a light source toward the front of the lamp via a lens, thereby forming a light distribution pattern having a clear cut-off line.

[0022] Another object of the present invention is to provide a vehicle lamp including a microlens array, wherein the vehicle lamp can form a light distribution pattern with less uneven light distribution while reducing the depth thereof.

[0023] Means for solving problems

[0024] The present invention achieves the above-mentioned purpose by designing the structure of the rear surface of the peripheral area of ​​the lens.

[0025] That is, the vehicle lamp according to the first aspect of the present invention is characterized by comprising:

[0026] Light source; and

[0027] lens,

[0028] The vehicle lamp is configured to irradiate the light emitted from the light source toward the front of the lamp via the lens.

[0029] The lens has: a central area, the central area is centered on the optical axis extending along the front-rear direction of the lamp; and a peripheral area, the peripheral area is located around the central area.

[0030] A plurality of total reflection prism elements are formed on the rear surface of the peripheral area in a state of being arranged in concentric circles with the optical axis as the center, and the plurality of total reflection prism elements make the emitted light from the light source totally reflect toward the front of the lamp after being incident.

[0031] The rear surface of the peripheral area is divided into an inner peripheral area and an outer peripheral area.

[0032] The plurality of total reflection prism elements form a first annular concave surface centered on the optical axis as an envelope surface in the inner peripheral region, and the plurality of total reflection prism elements form a second annular concave surface centered on the optical axis as an envelope surface in the outer peripheral region.

[0033] The type of the above-mentioned “vehicle lamp” is not particularly limited, and for example, a headlamp, a fog lamp, a tail lamp, a width lamp, etc. can be used.

[0034] The type of the above-mentioned "light source" is not particularly limited, and for example, light-emitting elements such as light-emitting diodes, light source bulbs, etc. can be used.

[0035] The specific range and outer shape of each of the above-mentioned "central region" and "peripheral region" are not particularly limited.

[0036] The specific curvature of each of the above-mentioned "first annular concave curved surface" and "second annular concave curved surface" is not particularly limited.

[0037] Furthermore, the present invention achieves the above-mentioned object by adopting a structure in which a condenser lens is additionally arranged between the light source and the lens.

[0038] That is, the vehicle lamp according to the second aspect of the present invention is characterized by having:

[0039] light source;

[0040] lens; and

[0041] a condenser lens, the condenser lens being arranged between the light source and the lens so that the emitted light from the light source is incident on the lens in a condensed state,

[0042] The vehicle lamp is configured to irradiate the light emitted from the light source toward the front of the lamp via the lens.

[0043] The lens has: a central area, the central area is centered on the optical axis extending in the front-rear direction of the lamp; and a peripheral area, the peripheral area is located around the central area.

[0044] A plurality of total reflection prism elements are formed on the rear surface of the peripheral area in a state of being arranged in concentric circles with the optical axis as the center, and the plurality of total reflection prism elements make the emitted light from the light source totally reflect toward the front of the lamp after being incident.

[0045] The plurality of total reflection prism elements form an annular concave surface centered on the optical axis as an envelope surface.

[0046] The type of the above-mentioned “vehicle lamp” is not particularly limited, and for example, a headlamp, a fog lamp, a tail lamp, a width lamp, etc. can be used.

[0047] The type of the above-mentioned "light source" is not particularly limited, and for example, light-emitting elements such as light-emitting diodes, light source bulbs, etc. can be used.

[0048] The specific range and outer shape of each of the above-mentioned "central region" and "peripheral region" are not particularly limited.

[0049] The specific curvature of the above-mentioned “annular concave curved surface” is not particularly limited.

[0050] The specific structure, arrangement, etc. of the “condenser lens” are not particularly limited as long as the condensed light emitted from the light source can be incident on the lens.

[0051] Furthermore, in the present invention, the above-mentioned object is achieved by designing the structure of the front surface of the lens.

[0052] That is, the vehicle lamp according to the third aspect of the present invention is characterized by comprising:

[0053] light source; and

[0054] lens,

[0055] The vehicle lamp is configured to form a light distribution pattern having a cut-off line by irradiating light emitted from the light source toward the front of the lamp via the lens.

[0056] The lens has: a central area, the central area is centered on the optical axis extending along the front-rear direction of the lamp; and a peripheral area, the peripheral area is located around the central area.

[0057] A plurality of total reflection prism elements are formed on the rear surface of the peripheral area in a state of being arranged in concentric circles with the optical axis as the center, and the plurality of total reflection prism elements make the emitted light from the light source totally reflect toward the front of the lamp after being incident.

[0058] A plurality of lens elements are formed on the front surface of the lens in a state divided into a vertical and horizontal grid, and the plurality of lens elements control the emission of light arriving from the plurality of total reflection prism elements.

[0059] In at least a part of the plurality of lens elements, vertical inclination angles between the plurality of lens elements constituting the longitudinal columns divided into the longitudinal and transverse lattice are set to different values.

[0060] The type of the above-mentioned “vehicle lamp” is not particularly limited, and for example, a headlamp, a fog lamp, etc. can be used.

[0061] The type of the above-mentioned "light source" is not particularly limited, and for example, light-emitting elements such as light-emitting diodes, light source bulbs, etc. can be used.

[0062] The specific range and outer shape of each of the above-mentioned "central region" and "peripheral region" are not particularly limited.

[0063] The “front surface of the lens” may be entirely divided into a vertical and horizontal grid pattern, or may be divided into a vertical and horizontal grid pattern only in a part of the region.

[0064] The above-mentioned “plurality of lens elements” may be formed in a state divided into vertical and horizontal grids, and the specific shape and size of each are not particularly limited.

[0065] In addition, the present invention achieves the above-mentioned purpose by improving the structure of the collimating lens.

[0066] That is, the vehicle lamp according to the fourth aspect of the present invention is characterized by comprising:

[0067] light source;

[0068] a microlens array, the microlens array comprising: a rear lens array having a plurality of condensing lens portions for condensing light emitted from the light source; and a front lens array having a plurality of projection lens portions for respectively projecting a plurality of light source images formed by the plurality of condensing lens portions; and

[0069] a collimating lens, the collimating lens being arranged between the light source and the rear lens array and being used to make the emitted light from the light source incident on the rear lens array as parallel light,

[0070] The vehicle lamp is configured to form a desired light distribution pattern by irradiating the light emitted from the light source to the front of the lamp via the microlens array.

[0071] The collimating lens has: a central area, the central area is centered on the optical axis along the front-rear direction of the lamp; and a peripheral area, the peripheral area is located around the central area.

[0072] A plurality of total reflection prism elements are formed on the rear surface of the peripheral area in a state of being arranged in concentric circles with the optical axis as the center, and the plurality of total reflection prism elements make the emitted light from the light source totally reflect toward the front of the lamp after being incident.

[0073] The plurality of total reflection prism elements form an annular concave surface centered on the optical axis as an envelope surface.

[0074] The type of the above-mentioned “vehicle lamp” is not particularly limited, and for example, a headlamp, a fog lamp, etc. can be used.

[0075] The type and specific shape of the "required light distribution pattern" are not particularly limited, and for example, a high beam light distribution pattern, a low beam light distribution pattern, a fog light light distribution pattern, a road surface depicting light distribution pattern, etc. may be used.

[0076] The type of the above-mentioned "light source" is not particularly limited, and for example, light-emitting elements such as light-emitting diodes, light source bulbs, etc. can be used.

[0077] The specific range and outer shape of each of the above-mentioned "central region" and "peripheral region" are not particularly limited.

[0078] The specific curvature of the above-mentioned “annular concave curved surface” is not particularly limited.

[0079] Effects of the Invention

[0080] The vehicle lamp involved in the first scheme of the present invention is constructed to irradiate the emitted light from the light source toward the front of the lamp via a lens, but in the above-mentioned lens, on the rear surface of the peripheral area around the central area located around the optical axis extending in the front-to-rear direction of the lamp, a plurality of total reflection prism elements are formed in a state of being arranged in concentric circles with the above-mentioned optical axis as the center, so that the emitted light from the light source is totally reflected toward the front of the lamp after being incident, thereby enabling the emitted light from the light source to be used as forward illumination light over a wide range.

[0081] On this basis, the rear surface of the peripheral area of ​​the above-mentioned lens is divided into an inner peripheral area and an outer peripheral area. Multiple total reflection prism elements form a first annular concave surface centered on the above-mentioned optical axis as an envelope surface in the inner peripheral area, and form a second annular concave surface centered on the above-mentioned optical axis as an envelope surface in the outer peripheral area, thereby achieving the following effect.

[0082] That is, in the inner circumferential side area of ​​the rear surface of the peripheral area, a plurality of total reflection prism elements form a first annular concave surface centered on the above-mentioned optical axis as an envelope surface. Therefore, a plurality of total reflection prism elements can be used to make the outgoing light from the light source incident on the inner circumferential side area be totally reflected toward the front of the lamp as light of approximately uniform brightness.

[0083] In addition, in the peripheral side area of ​​the rear surface of the peripheral area, a plurality of total reflection prism elements form a second annular concave surface centered on the above-mentioned optical axis as an envelope surface, so that the outgoing light from the light source incident on the peripheral side area can also pass through the plurality of total reflection prism elements as light of approximately uniform brightness and be totally reflected toward the front of the lamp.

[0084] Moreover, in this way, the plurality of total reflection prism elements are configured to form the first annular concave surface and the second annular concave surface set as double as an envelope surface, thereby not only the total reflection prism elements formed at the outer peripheral edge of the inner peripheral area, but also the total reflection prism elements formed at the outer peripheral edge of the outer peripheral area will not be too large in size. Therefore, when forming the lens, the plurality of total reflection prism elements can be formed with high precision, thereby enabling high-precision light distribution control.

[0085] Thus, according to the present invention, in a vehicle lamp configured to irradiate light emitted from a light source toward the front of the lamp via a lens, light distribution control by the lens can be performed with high accuracy while ensuring a sufficient amount of light emitted from the outer peripheral edge of the lens.

[0086] Moreover, as in the present invention, multiple total reflection prism elements are configured to form a first annular concave surface and a second annular concave surface that are set as a double surface as an envelope surface, thereby achieving a thinner lens compared to the case where a single annular concave surface is formed as an envelope surface.

[0087] In the above-mentioned structure, if the structures of the multiple total reflection prism elements formed in the inner peripheral area are respectively constructed so that the emitted light from the first imaginary point light source is totally reflected as parallel light toward the front direction of the lamp, and the first imaginary point light source is located on the rear side of the lamp compared with the light source in the plane including the above-mentioned optical axis, and the structures of the multiple total reflection prism elements formed in the outer peripheral area are respectively constructed so that the emitted light from the second imaginary point light source is totally reflected as parallel light toward the front direction of the lamp, and the second imaginary point light source is located on the rear side of the lamp compared with the light source in the plane including the above-mentioned optical axis and on the front side of the lamp compared with the first imaginary point light source, then the following effect can be obtained.

[0088] That is, the light source has a certain size, but by setting the positions of the first imaginary point light source and the second imaginary point light source as described above, it is possible to easily make the emitted light from the light source be totally reflected as approximately parallel light toward the front direction of the lamp through multiple total reflection prism elements in each of the inner peripheral area and the outer peripheral area.

[0089] At this time, if the position of the first imaginary point light source is further set on the side opposite to the incident area of ​​the outgoing light from the first imaginary point light source in the inner peripheral area relative to the above-mentioned optical axis, and the position of the second imaginary point light source is set on the side opposite to the incident area of ​​the outgoing light from the second imaginary point light source in the outer peripheral area relative to the above-mentioned optical axis, the outgoing light from a light source of a certain size can be totally reflected with higher precision in either the inner peripheral area or the outer peripheral area through a plurality of total reflection prism elements as approximately parallel light toward the front direction of the lamp.

[0090] In the above configuration, if the light source is composed of a light emitting element arranged with the light emitting surface facing forward of the lamp, a light distribution pattern having a cutoff line can be easily formed using the irradiated light from the vehicle lamp.

[0091] In the above structure, further, on the basis of being configured to form a plurality of lens elements on the front surface of the lens for controlling the emission of light arriving from a plurality of total reflection prism elements, as a structure of these plurality of lens elements, if the horizontal cross-sectional shape including the above optical axis forms a convex curve centered on the above optical axis as an envelope line, it is possible to easily form a light distribution pattern formed by the irradiated light from the vehicle lamp into a light distribution pattern that suppresses light unevenness.

[0092] The vehicle lamp involved in the second scheme of the present invention is a structure that irradiates the emitted light from the light source toward the front of the lamp through a lens, but in the above-mentioned lens, on the rear surface of the peripheral area located around the central area centered on the optical axis extending in the front-to-rear direction of the lamp, a plurality of total reflection prism elements are formed in a state of being arranged concentrically with the above-mentioned optical axis as the center, so that the emitted light from the light source is totally reflected toward the front of the lamp after being incident, thereby enabling the emitted light from the light source to be used as forward illumination light over a wide range.

[0093] In this case, since the plurality of total reflection prism elements form an annular concave surface centered on the optical axis as an envelope surface, a sufficient amount of light can be obtained for light emitted from the light source toward the outer peripheral edge of the lens.

[0094] Furthermore, since a focusing lens is disposed between the light source and the lens to allow the emitted light from the light source to enter the lens in a focused state, the angle of the emitted light from the light source reaching the outer peripheral edge of the peripheral area of ​​the lens relative to the optical axis can be reduced. Therefore, the intensity of the reflected light from the plurality of total reflection prism elements will not become uneven due to their radial positions, thereby enabling the light distribution control of the lens to be performed with high precision.

[0095] Thus, according to the present invention, in a vehicle lamp configured to irradiate light emitted from a light source toward the front of the lamp via a lens, light distribution control by the lens can be performed with high accuracy while ensuring a sufficient amount of light emitted from the outer peripheral edge of the lens.

[0096] In the above configuration, if the condenser lens is further configured by a plano-convex lens whose front surface is formed into a convex curved surface, the light emitted from the light source can be used as forward irradiation light in a wider range.

[0097] At this time, if a plurality of focusing lens elements are formed on the front surface of the focusing lens in a concentrically arranged state with the above-mentioned optical axis as the center, the area in which the emitted light from the light source enters the lens through the focusing lens can be appropriately set according to the surface shapes of each of the plurality of focusing lens elements, thereby improving the freedom of light distribution control of the lens.

[0098] In the above configuration, if a plurality of lens elements for controlling the emission of light arriving from a plurality of total reflection prism elements are further formed on the front surface of the lens, the degree of freedom in controlling light distribution can be further increased.

[0099] In the above configuration, if the light source is composed of a light emitting element arranged with the light emitting surface facing forward of the lamp, a light distribution pattern having a cutoff line can be easily formed using the irradiated light from the vehicle lamp.

[0100] The vehicle lamp involved in the third scheme of the present invention is a structure that irradiates the emitted light from the light source toward the front of the lamp through a lens, but in the above-mentioned lens, on the rear surface of the peripheral area located around the central area centered on the optical axis extending in the front-to-rear direction of the lamp, a plurality of total reflection prism elements are formed in a state of being arranged in concentric circles with the above-mentioned optical axis as the center, so that the emitted light from the light source is totally reflected toward the front of the lamp after being incident, thereby making it possible to use the emitted light from the light source as forward irradiation light in a wide range.

[0101] Moreover, on the front surface of the lens, a plurality of lens elements for controlling the emission of light arriving from a plurality of total reflection prism elements are formed in a state divided into vertical and horizontal grids. Therefore, by appropriately adjusting the orientations of these plurality of lens elements, a light distribution pattern having a cut-off line at the upper end can be easily formed.

[0102] At this time, at least a portion of the plurality of lens elements are set to have vertical inclination angles different from each other between the plurality of lens elements constituting the longitudinal columns divided into the vertical and horizontal grid shape, so that the positions of the upper edges of the light distribution patterns formed by the light emitted from each of the plurality of lens elements can be made consistent, thereby making it easy to form a light distribution pattern having a bright-dark cut-off line at the upper end.

[0103] As described above, according to the present invention, in the vehicle lamp configured to irradiate light emitted from a light source toward the front of the lamp via a lens, a light distribution pattern having a clear cut-off line can be formed.

[0104] In the above structure, if a plurality of lens elements whose vertical inclination angles are set to different values ​​are continuously formed in the longitudinal columns divided into the vertical and horizontal grids, it is possible to avoid forming steps between the plurality of lens elements. Moreover, it is possible to avoid accidental irradiation of scattered light from the step portion, so that a clear light-dark cutoff line can be easily maintained. In addition, by forming a structure in which no steps are formed between the plurality of lens elements, the front surface of the lens can be made into a simple appearance, thereby improving the aesthetics of the lens.

[0105] In the above structure, further, if the multiple lens elements whose vertical inclination angles are set to different values ​​are constructed as multiple lens elements with different horizontal cross-sectional shapes, it is possible to appropriately shift the position of the high-intensity area to the left and right from the front direction of the lamp on the basis of forming a light distribution pattern with clear light-dark cut-off lines, thereby easily obtaining a light distribution suitable for vehicle driving.

[0106] In the above structure, if a plurality of total reflection prism elements are configured such that a circular concave surface centered on the optical axis is formed as an envelope surface, a sufficient amount of light can be obtained for light emitted from the light source toward the outer peripheral edge of the lens.

[0107] In the above configuration, if the light source is composed of a light emitting element arranged with the light emitting surface facing forward of the lamp, a light distribution pattern having a cutoff line can be formed more easily using the irradiated light from the vehicle lamp.

[0108] In the vehicle lamp involved in the fourth embodiment of the present invention, the structure is such that the outgoing light from the light source that is incident on the microlens array as parallel light via the collimating lens is focused by using a plurality of focusing lens portions of the rear lens array constituting the microlens array, and the plurality of light source images formed thereby are projected separately by using a plurality of projection lens portions of the front lens array constituting the microlens array, so that the required light distribution pattern can be easily formed in any shape.

[0109] At this time, in the collimating lens, on the rear surface of the peripheral area located around the central area centered on the optical axis extending in the front-to-rear direction of the lamp, a plurality of total reflection prism elements are formed in a state of being arranged concentrically with the above-mentioned optical axis as the center, so that the emitted light from the light source is totally reflected toward the front of the lamp after being incident. Therefore, the emitted light from the light source can be used as forward illumination light in a wide range while suppressing the depth dimension of the vehicle lamp.

[0110] Furthermore, the plurality of total reflection prism elements form an annular concave surface centered on the optical axis as an envelope surface, so that a sufficient amount of light can be obtained for the light emitted from the light source toward the outer peripheral edge of the collimating lens. Therefore, the light emitted from the light source can be incident on each of the plurality of condensing lens portions as parallel light of approximately uniform brightness, thereby forming a light distribution pattern with less uneven light distribution.

[0111] As described above, according to the present invention, in a vehicle lamp including a microlens array, it is possible to form a light distribution pattern with less uneven light distribution while reducing the depth dimension thereof.

[0112] In the above structure, if a structure is further adopted in which the collimator lens and the rear lens array are formed integrally, the depth dimension of the vehicle lamp can be further reduced, and the cost of the vehicle lamp can be reduced by reducing the number of parts.

[0113] In the above structure, further, as a front lens array, if it is constructed so that the focal length of at least a part of the multiple projection lens parts is set to different values ​​from each other, it is possible to use the emitted light from the multiple projection lens parts to form light distribution patterns of different sizes, which can increase the freedom of the light distribution of the composite light distribution pattern.

[0114] In the above structure, if a shading sheet is further arranged between the rear lens array and the front lens array, and the shading sheet has a plurality of light-transmitting portions for defining the outer shapes of the plurality of light source images, a light distribution pattern corresponding to the size and outer shape of the plurality of light-transmitting portions can be formed.

[0115] At this time, the specific size and outer shape of each of the above-mentioned "plurality of light-transmitting parts" are not particularly limited.

[0116] In the above configuration, if the light source is composed of a light emitting element disposed with the light emitting surface facing forward of the lamp, the depth of the vehicle lamp can be easily reduced. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0117] Figure 1 It is a front view showing a vehicle lamp according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

[0118] Figure 2 yes Figure 1 Sectional view along line II-II.

[0119] Figure 3A It is a front view showing a first lamp unit of the above-mentioned vehicle lamp.

[0120] Figure 3B It is a front view showing a second lamp unit of the above-mentioned vehicle lamp.

[0121] Figure 4A yes Figure 3A Sectional view along line IVa-IVa.

[0122] Figure 4B yes Figure 3B Sectional view along line IVb-IVb.

[0123] Figure 5 yes Figure 4A Va-Va line cross-sectional view.

[0124] Fig. 6A It means from Figure 4A A stereoscopic view of the lens of the first lamp unit as viewed in the direction of VIa.

[0125] Figure 6B It means from Figure 4B A stereoscopic view of the lens of the second lamp unit as viewed in the direction of VIb.

[0126] Fig. 7A It means from Figure 4A VIIa is a stereoscopic view of the lens of the first lamp unit as viewed in the direction of arrow VIIa.

[0127] Figure 7B It means from Figure 4B VIIb is a stereoscopic view of the lens of the second lamp unit as viewed in the direction of arrow VIIb.

[0128] Figure 8 yes Figure 5 Detail of Part VIII.

[0129] Fig. 9A yes Figure 8 Detail of Section IXa.

[0130] Fig. 9B yes Figure 8 Detail of section IXb.

[0131] Fig.10 It is a diagram transparently showing a low-beam light distribution pattern formed by the irradiation light from the above-mentioned vehicle lamp.

[0132] Fig.11 It is a diagram showing a first light distribution pattern formed by the irradiated light from the first lamp unit.

[0133] Fig.12 It is a diagram for explaining a process of forming a part of the first light distribution pattern.

[0134] Fig.13 It is a diagram showing a second light distribution pattern formed by the irradiated light from the second lamp unit.

[0135] Fig.14A is a modification example of the first embodiment described above. Figure 3A Same picture.

[0136] Fig. 14B is a modification example of the first embodiment described above. Figure 3B Same picture.

[0137] Fig.15 is a diagram showing the effect of the above modification example. Fig.10 Same picture.

[0138] Fig.16It is a front view showing a vehicle lamp according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

[0139] Fig.17 yes Fig.16 Sectional view along line II-II.

[0140] Fig.18 yes Fig.16 Cross-sectional view along line III-III.

[0141] Fig.19 yes Fig.16 Sectional view along line IV-IV.

[0142] Fig. 20A yes Fig.17 View in the Va direction.

[0143] Fig. 20B yes Fig.17 View in the Vb direction.

[0144] Fig.21 It is a diagram transparently showing a low-beam light distribution pattern formed by the irradiation light from the above-mentioned vehicle lamp.

[0145] Fig. 22 It is a diagram for explaining a process of forming a part of the light distribution pattern for low beam.

[0146] Fig.23A is a diagram for explaining the function of the second embodiment described above, and is similar to Fig.19 Same picture.

[0147] Fig. 23B is a comparative example of the second embodiment described above. Fig.23A Same picture.

[0148] Fig.24 is a modification example of the second embodiment described above. Fig.19 Same picture.

[0149] Fig.25 It is a front view showing a vehicle lamp according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

[0150] Fig.26 yes Fig.25 Sectional view along line II-II.

[0151] Fig. 27 yes Fig.25 Cross-sectional view along line III-III.

[0152] Fig.28A yes Fig.26 IVa direction view.

[0153] Fig.28B yes Fig.26 View in the direction of IVb.

[0154] Fig.29 yes Fig.25 Detail of the V-section.

[0155] Fig.30 It is a diagram showing in perspective a light distribution pattern formed by the irradiated light from the above-mentioned vehicle lamp.

[0156] Fig.31 is a first modification example of the third embodiment described above. Fig.25 Same picture.

[0157] Fig.32 is a diagram showing the first modification example described above. Fig.26 Same picture.

[0158] Fig.33 is a diagram showing the first modification example described above. Fig. 27 Same picture.

[0159] Fig.34A is a diagram showing the first modification example described above. Fig.28A Same picture.

[0160] Fig.34B is a diagram showing the first modification example described above. Fig.28B Same picture.

[0161] Fig.35 is a second modification of the third embodiment. Fig. 27 Same picture.

[0162] Fig.36 It is a diagram showing in perspective a light distribution pattern formed by irradiation light from the vehicle lamp according to the second modified example.

[0163] Fig.37 It is a front view showing a vehicle lamp according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

[0164] Fig.38 yes Fig.37 Sectional view along line II-II.

[0165] Fig.39 yes Fig.37 Cross-sectional view along line III-III.

[0166] Fig.40 yes Fig.37 Sectional view along line IV-IV.

[0167] Fig.41A yes Fig.39 View in the Va direction.

[0168] Fig.41B yes Fig.39 View in the Vb direction.

[0169] Fig.42 It is a diagram transparently showing a low-beam light distribution pattern formed by the irradiation light from the above-mentioned vehicle lamp.

[0170] Fig.43A It is a diagram for explaining a process of forming a part of the light distribution pattern for low beam.

[0171] Fig.43B It is a diagram for explaining a process of forming a part of the light distribution pattern for low beam.

[0172] Fig.44 It is a diagram for explaining a process of forming another part of the low-beam light distribution pattern.

[0173] Fig.45 is a first modified example of the fourth embodiment. Fig.39 Same picture.

[0174] Fig.46A is a diagram showing the first modification example described above. Fig.41A Same picture.

[0175] Fig.46B is a diagram showing the first modification example described above. Fig.41B Same picture.

[0176] Fig.47A is a second modification of the fourth embodiment. Fig.41A Same picture.

[0177] Fig.47B is a second modification of the fourth embodiment. Fig.41B Same picture.

[0178] Fig.48 is a diagram showing the effect of the second modification example. Fig.42 Same picture. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0179] (First Embodiment)

[0180] Hereinafter, a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0181] Figure 1 1 is a front view showing a vehicle lamp 10 according to a first embodiment of the present invention. Figure 2 yes Figure 1 Sectional view along line II-II.

[0182] exist Figure 1 , Figure 2 In the figure, the direction indicated by X is "in front of the lamp", the direction indicated by Y is "left" ("right" when observing the lamp from the front) which is orthogonal to "in front of the lamp", and the direction indicated by Z is "up". Figure 1 , Figure 2 The same applies to other figures.

[0183] like Figure 1 , Figure 2 As shown, the vehicle lamp 10 involved in this embodiment is a headlamp arranged at the front end of the vehicle, and is constructed by assembling a first lamp unit 20 and a second lamp unit 40 in a state of being side by side in the vehicle width direction in a lamp chamber formed by a lamp body 12 and a transparent light-transmitting cover 14 installed at its front end opening.

[0184] The first lamp unit 20 includes a light emitting element 22 and a lens 30 disposed on the front side of the lamp, and irradiates light emitted from the light emitting element 22 toward the front of the lamp via the lens 30 .

[0185] The second lamp unit 40 includes a light emitting element 42 and a lens 50 disposed on the front side of the lamp, and irradiates light emitted from the light emitting element 42 to the front of the lamp via the lens 50 .

[0186] The light emitting element 22 of the first lamp unit 20 and the light emitting element 42 of the second lamp unit 40 are supported by the lamp body 12 via a common substrate 24 , and the lenses 30 and 50 thereof are supported by the lamp body 12 via a mounting structure (not shown).

[0187] The vehicle lamp 10 forms a low-beam light distribution pattern using the irradiated light from the first lamp unit 20 and the second lamp unit 40 (this will be described later).

[0188] Next, the specific structure of each of the first lamp unit 20 and the second lamp unit 40 will be described.

[0189] First, the structure of the first lamp unit 20 will be described.

[0190] Figure 3A 2 is a front view showing the first lamp unit 20. Figure 4A 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line IVa-IVa, Figure 5 yes Figure 4A Furthermore, Fig. 6A It means from Figure 4A A three-dimensional view of the lens 30 of the first lamp unit 20 observed in the direction of VIa, Fig. 7A It means from Figure 4A VIIa is a stereoscopic view of the lens 30 as viewed in the direction of the arrow VIIa.

[0191] As shown in these figures, the lens 30 of the first lamp unit 20 has an optical axis Ax extending in the front-rear direction of the lamp and has a circular shape centered on the optical axis Ax when the lamp is viewed from the front. The outer dimensions of the lens 30 are set to a value of 50 mm or less (eg, about 35 mm).

[0192] The light emitting element 22 is a white light emitting diode, and is arranged so that its light emitting surface 22a faces the front of the lamp (specifically, the front direction of the lamp). The light emitting surface 22a of the light emitting element 22 has a rectangular shape (specifically, a square of about 1×1 mm). Moreover, the light emitting element 22 is arranged so that the center position of the left and right sides of the lower edge of the light emitting surface 22a (hereinafter referred to as the "reference position") is located on the optical axis Ax of the lens 30.

[0193] The lens 30 is an injection-molded product made of a transparent resin, and includes a central region 32 centered on the optical axis Ax and a peripheral region 34 located around the central region 32 .

[0194] The rear surface 32b of the central area 32 is composed of a single convex lens surface centered on the optical axis Ax, so that the emitted light from the light emitting element 22 is deflected and incident in a direction close to the optical axis Ax. Specifically, the surface shape of the rear surface 32b is set to guide the emitted light from the reference position of the light emitting element 22 to the front surface 30a of the lens 30 as parallel light toward the front direction of the lamp.

[0195] The rear surface 34 b of the peripheral region 34 is divided into an inner peripheral region 34 b 1 and an outer peripheral region 34 b 2 .

[0196] A plurality of total reflection prism elements 34s1 are formed in the inner peripheral region 34b1 so as to be arranged concentrically around the optical axis Ax, and a plurality of total reflection prism elements 34s2 are formed in the outer peripheral region 34b2 so as to be arranged concentrically around the optical axis Ax.

[0197] The plurality of total reflection prism elements 34s1 and 34s2 are all Fresnel lens type total reflection prisms, and are configured to make the emitted light from the light emitting element 22 totally reflect toward the front of the lamp after being incident. Specifically, the plurality of total reflection prism elements 34s1 and 34s2 guide the emitted light from the reference position of the light emitting element 22 as parallel light toward the front direction of the lamp as incident light refracted toward the direction away from the optical axis Ax.

[0198] The boundary position between the central area 32 and the peripheral area 34 is defined by a circle with a radius of 3 to 5 mm (e.g., a radius of about 4 mm) centered on the optical axis Ax. In addition, the boundary position between the inner circumference area 34b1 and the outer circumference area 34b2 is defined by a circle with a radius of 8 to 12 mm (e.g., a radius of about 10 mm) centered on the optical axis Ax.

[0199] Figure 8 yes Figure 5 Detail of Part VIII. In addition, Fig. 9A yes Figure 8 Detail of Section IXa, Fig. 9B yes Figure 8 Detail of section IXb.

[0200] like Figure 8 As shown, among the multiple total reflection prism elements 34s1 and 34s2 formed on the back surface 34b of the peripheral area 34, the multiple total reflection prism elements 34s1 located in the inner peripheral area 34b1 form a first annular concave surface C1 (the cross-sectional shape is represented by a double dotted line in the figure) centered on the optical axis Ax as an envelope surface, and in addition, the multiple total reflection prism elements 34s2 located in the outer peripheral area 34b2 form a second annular concave surface C2 (the cross-sectional shape is represented by a double dotted line in the figure) centered on the optical axis Ax as an envelope surface.

[0201] Furthermore, the plurality of total reflection prism elements 34s1 formed in the inner circumferential region 34b1 are respectively configured to totally reflect, within a plane including the optical axis Ax, the emitted light from the first imaginary point light source S1 located on the rear side of the lamp relative to the light emitting surface 22a of the light emitting element 22 as parallel light directed toward the front direction of the lamp. Relative to the optical axis Ax, the first imaginary point light source S1 is located on the side opposite to the incident area of ​​the emitted light from the first imaginary point light source S1 in the inner circumferential region 34b1. Specifically, the first imaginary point light source S1 is located at the intersection of the straight line L1a and the straight line L1b, and the straight line L1a connects the inner circumferential edge of the inner circumferential region 34b1 and the right end edge of the light emitting surface 22a of the light emitting element 22 (at Figure 8 The straight line L1b connects the outer edge of the inner circumferential area 34b1 and the left edge of the light emitting surface 22a of the light emitting element 22.

[0202] In addition, the plurality of total reflection prism elements 34s2 formed in the peripheral area 34b2 are respectively configured to totally reflect, in a plane including the optical axis Ax, the emitted light from the second imaginary point light source S2 located on the rear side of the lamp than the light emitting surface 22a of the light emitting element 22 and on the front side of the lamp than the first imaginary point light source S1 as parallel light toward the front direction of the lamp. With respect to the optical axis Ax, the second imaginary point light source S2 is located on the side opposite to the incident area of ​​the emitted light from the second imaginary point light source S2 in the peripheral area 34b2. Specifically, the second imaginary point light source S2 is located at the intersection of a straight line L2a and a straight line L2b, the straight line L2a connecting the inner peripheral edge of the peripheral area 34b2 and the right end edge of the light emitting surface 22a of the light emitting element 22, and the straight line L2b connecting the outer peripheral edge of the peripheral area 34b2 and the left end edge of the light emitting surface 22a of the light emitting element 22.

[0203] Furthermore, since the plurality of total reflection prism elements 34s1 and 34s2 are formed over the entire circumference around the optical axis Ax, the first virtual point light source S1 and the second virtual point light source S2 are also arranged to describe an annular trajectory around the optical axis Ax.

[0204] The first annular concave surface C1 is formed so that the inner and outer edges of the inner circumference area 34b1 are located at substantially the same position in the front-rear direction of the lamp. In addition, the second annular concave surface C2 is formed so that the inner and outer edges of the outer circumference area 34b2 are located at substantially the same position in the front-rear direction of the lamp.

[0205] Moreover, if Fig. 9A As shown, in the inner peripheral area 34b1, the pitch of the plurality of total reflection prism elements 34s1 and the curvature of the first annular concave surface C1 are set so that the emitted light from the light emitting element 22 is substantially equally incident on the plurality of total reflection prism elements 34s1. Fig. 9B As shown, in the outer peripheral area 34b2, the pitch of the plurality of total reflection prism elements 34s2 and the curvature of the second annular concave surface C2 are set so that the emitted light from the light emitting element 22 is substantially equally incident on each of the plurality of total reflection prism elements 34s2.

[0206] As a result, among the plurality of total reflection prism elements 34s1 formed in the inner peripheral area 34b1, the total reflection prism elements 34s1 near the outer peripheral edge of the inner peripheral area 34b1 have a larger cross-sectional shape than the total reflection prism elements 34s1 near the inner peripheral edge of the inner peripheral area 34b1. In addition, among the plurality of total reflection prism elements 34s2 formed in the outer peripheral area 34b2, the total reflection prism elements 34s2 near the outer peripheral edge of the outer peripheral area 34b2 have a larger cross-sectional shape than the total reflection prism elements 34s2 near the inner peripheral edge of the outer peripheral area 34b2.

[0207] The multiple total reflection prism elements 34s2 formed in the outer peripheral area 34b2 have a cross-sectional shape that is generally larger than the multiple total reflection prism elements 34s1 formed in the inner peripheral area 34b1, but the multiple total reflection prism elements 34s1 and 34s2 are formed by setting a double first annular concave surface C1 and a second annular concave surface C2 as envelope surfaces. Therefore, even if it is a total reflection prism element 34s2 located near the outer edge of the outer peripheral area 34b2, its cross-sectional shape will not become extremely large.

[0208] The central region 32 of the lens 30 is partially thick, but the peripheral region 34 is entirely thin. Specifically, the central region 32 has a maximum thickness of about 4 to 6 mm on the optical axis Ax, but the peripheral region 34 has a substantially constant thickness of about 2 to 4 mm.

[0209] like Figure 3A to Figure 6B As shown, the front surface 30a of the lens 30 has a structure in which a plurality of lens elements (described later) are formed on a vertical plane orthogonal to the optical axis Ax.

[0210] The front surface 30a of the lens 30 is divided into five emission areas 30a1, 30a2, 30a3, 30a4, and 30a5.

[0211] The emission area 30a1 is a semicircular area and is located in the upper half of the front surface 30a, the emission areas 30a2 and 30a4 are semicircular areas extending in a band-like manner along the outer periphery of the lower half of the front surface 30a, the emission area 30a3 is an area in the lower area of ​​the front surface 30a having a longitudinal shape extending in a fan-like manner downward, and the emission area 30a5 is the remaining area of ​​the lower half of the front surface 30a.

[0212] The emission area 30a1 is divided into a horizontal grid shape with a horizontal length (for example, about 2×4 mm), and is configured so that a convex curved lens element 30s1 is allocated to each grid. Each lens element 30s1 is configured so that the light from the light emitting element 22 that arrives as parallel light from the rear surface 32b, 34b of the lens 30 is emitted toward the front of the lamp in a manner that is greatly diffused to the left and right after being deflected downward.

[0213] The emission regions 30a2 and 30a4 are divided into vertical stripes (for example, with a horizontal width of about 2 mm), and a convexly curved lens element 30s2 or 30s4 is allocated to each vertical stripe.

[0214] Each lens element 30s2 constituting the emission area 30a2 located on the left side of the emission area 30a3 (on the right side when the lamp is viewed from the front) is configured so that the light from the light-emitting element 22 arriving from the rear surface 34b of the lens 30 as parallel light is emitted toward the front of the lamp in a manner that is greatly diffused to the right while being slightly deflected downward.

[0215] Each lens element 30s4 constituting the emission area 30a4 located on the right side of the emission area 30a3 is configured so that the light from the light-emitting element 22 arriving from the rear surface 34b of the lens 30 as parallel light is emitted toward the front of the lamp in a manner that is greatly diffused to the left while being slightly deflected upward.

[0216] The left edge of the emission area 30a3 (the right edge when the lamp is viewed from the front) is formed by a straight line extending from the optical axis Ax in the direction directly below, and the right edge is formed by a straight line extending from the optical axis Ax in a direction inclined to the right relative to the directly below direction (specifically, a direction inclined about 15° from the directly below direction to the right). The upper edge of the emission area 30a3 is formed by an arc centered on the optical axis Ax. The arc is located slightly closer to the outer peripheral side than the boundary position between the central area 32 and the peripheral area 34 of the lens 30. In addition, the lower edge of the emission area 30a is formed by the outer peripheral edge of the front surface 30a.

[0217] The emission area 30a3 is composed of a single lens element 30s3. The lens element 30s3 has a surface shape composed of a convex free-form surface. That is, the surface of the lens element 30s3 is composed of a free-form surface whose curvature gradually changes from the right half 30s3A to the left half 30s3B. In addition, in the lens element 30s3, the light from the light emitting element 22 that arrives from the rear surface 34b of the lens 30 as parallel light is emitted toward the front of the lamp in a manner that gradually changes the emission direction from the right half 30s3A to the left half 30s3B while being slightly deflected upward.

[0218] The emission area 30a5 is divided into a vertical and horizontal grid shape similarly to the emission area 30a1, and a convex curved lens element 30s5 is assigned to each grid. However, each lens element 30s5 is configured so that the light from the light emitting element 22 that arrives as parallel light from the rear surface 32b, 34b of the lens 30 is emitted toward the front of the lamp in a manner that is greatly diffused to the left after being slightly deflected downward.

[0219] Next, the structure of the second lamp unit 40 will be described.

[0220] Figure 3B 2 is a front view showing the second lamp unit 40. Figure 4B yes Figure 3BThe IVb-IVb line cross-sectional view, Figure 5 yes Figure 4B Vb-Vb line cross-sectional view. And, Figure 6B is from Figure 4B A perspective view showing the lens 50 of the second lamp unit 40 as viewed in the direction of VIb, Figure 7B is from Figure 4B VIIb shows a stereoscopic view of the lens 50 as viewed in the viewing direction.

[0221] As shown in these figures, in the second lamp unit 40, the structure and configuration of the light-emitting element 42 are the same as those of the light-emitting element 22 of the first lamp unit 20. In addition, the basic structure and configuration of the lens 50 are the same as those of the lens 30 of the first lamp unit 20, but the structure of the front surface 50a is different from that of the lens 30.

[0222] That is, the lens 50 of the second lamp unit 40 is also an injection-molded product made of transparent resin, and has a central region 52 centered on the optical axis Ax extending in the lamp front-rear direction, and a peripheral region 54 located around the central region 52 .

[0223] The structures of the rear surface 52b of the central area 52 and the rear surface 54b of the peripheral area 54 are exactly the same as those of the lens 30 of the first lamp unit 20. That is, the rear surface 54b of the peripheral area 54 is divided into an inner peripheral area 54b1 and an outer peripheral area 54b2, and a plurality of total reflection prism elements 54s1 and 54s2 are respectively formed in a state of being arranged in concentric circles with the optical axis Ax as the center.

[0224] The front surface 50a of the lens 50 is divided into nine emission areas 50a1, 50a2L, 50a2R, 50a3L, 50a3R, 50a4L, 50a4R, 50a5L, and 50a5R, and a plurality of lens elements (described later) are formed in each emission area.

[0225] The nine emission regions 50a1 to 50a5R are formed as belt-shaped regions extending in the upper and lower directions along a cylindrical surface extending in the upper and lower directions so as to bulge toward the front side of the lamp.

[0226] The emission area 50a1 is formed with a wider width (for example, a width of about 6 mm) centered on the optical axis Ax, and on its left and right sides, the emission areas 50a2L, 50a2R, the emission areas 50a3L, 50a3R, the emission areas 50a4L, 50a4R, and the emission areas 50a5L, 50a5R are adjacent in sequence and are each formed with a width of, for example, about 4 mm.

[0227] The nine emission areas 50a1 to 50a5R are divided by a certain vertical width (for example, a width of about 2 mm), and are respectively assigned convex curved lens elements 50s1, 50s2L, 50s2R, 50s3L, 50s3R, 50s4L, 50s4R, 50s5L, and 50s5R. These multiple lens elements 50s1 to 50s5R are respectively configured so that the light from the light emitting element 42 that arrives from the rear surface 52b, 54b of the lens 50 as parallel light is emitted toward the front of the lamp in a manner that is diffused to the left and right after being deflected downward.

[0228] like Figure 5 As shown in FIG. 1 , the horizontal cross-sectional shape of the plurality of lens elements 50s1 to 50s5R including the optical axis Ax is formed with a convex curve C3 centered at a point on the optical axis Ax as an envelope. As a result, the emitted light from each lens element 50s1 constituting the emission area 50a1 located in the center becomes light that is equally diffused in the left and right directions. However, since the inclination angle of the convex curve C3 toward the rear side of the lamp gradually increases as it moves away from the optical axis Ax toward the left and right sides, the emitted light from each lens element 50s2L to 50s5R constituting the emission area 50a2L to 50a5R other than each lens element 50s1 becomes light that is unevenly diffused in the left and right directions. That is, the degree of left and right unevenness increases in the order of lens element 50s2L, 50s2R, lens element 50s3L, 50s3R, lens element 50s4L, 50s4R, lens element 50s5L, 50s5R.

[0229] Fig.10 1 is a diagram showing in a perspective manner a low-beam light distribution pattern PL- 1 formed on a virtual vertical screen disposed 25 m in front of the vehicle lamp 10 by the irradiation light from the vehicle lamp 10 .

[0230] The low-beam light distribution pattern PL- 1 is a left-beam low-beam light distribution pattern, and a stepped cutoff line CL is formed at an upper end portion thereof.

[0231] The step cut-off line CL has a shape in which the lower cut-off line CL1 and the upper cut-off line CL2, which have different heights on the left and right and extend in the horizontal direction, are connected via the inclined portion CL3. At this time, the step cut-off line CL is formed such that, with respect to the plumb line VV passing through the vanishing point HV in the front direction of the lamp, the lower cut-off line CL1 is located on the opposite lane side, and the inclined portion CL3 and the upper cut-off line CL2 are located on the own lane side. The upper cut-off line CL2 is located slightly above the horizontal line HH passing through the HV.

[0232] In the low-beam light distribution pattern PL-1, the inflection point E, which is the intersection of the lower cut-off line CL1 and the inclined portion CL3, is located about 0.5 to 0.6 degrees below HV, and the inclined portion CL3 extends obliquely to the upper left at an inclination angle of 15 degrees relative to the horizontal direction from the inflection point E. In the low-beam light distribution pattern PL-1, a high-intensity area HZ is formed near the lower left of the inflection point E.

[0233] The low-beam light distribution pattern PL- 1 is formed as a composite light distribution pattern in which a first light distribution pattern PL- 1A formed by the light emitted from the first lamp unit 20 and a second light distribution pattern PL- 1B formed by the light emitted from the second lamp unit 40 overlap.

[0234] Fig.11 It is a diagram showing a first light distribution pattern PL-1A.

[0235] like Fig.11 As shown, the first light distribution pattern PL-1A is formed as a composite light distribution pattern in which five light distribution patterns PA1, PA2, PA3, PA4, and PA5 are overlapped.

[0236] The light distribution pattern PA1 is a light distribution pattern formed by the emitted light from the emission area 30a in the front surface 30a of the lens 30, and is formed as a horizontally long light distribution pattern that greatly expands in the left and right directions with a large vertical width below the HH line. The light distribution pattern PA1 forms a wide diffusion area of ​​the low beam light distribution pattern PL-1.

[0237] The light distribution pattern PA2 is a light distribution pattern formed by the emitted light from the emission area 30a2 in the front surface 30a of the lens 30, and is formed as a horizontally long bright light distribution pattern extending rightward from the vicinity of the VV line with a narrow vertical width near the bottom of the HH line. The light distribution pattern PA2 forms the lower bright-dark cut-off line CL1 of the low-beam light distribution pattern PL-1 through its upper edge.

[0238] Such a light distribution pattern PA2 is formed because, in the outer peripheral area 34b2 of the peripheral area 34, the light emitting surface 22a of the light emitting element 22 has an extremely small viewing angle when viewed from the outer peripheral edge portion. Therefore, the light distribution pattern formed by the emitted light from the emission area 30a2 located in front of the lamp tends to become small and bright.

[0239] The light distribution pattern PA3 is a light distribution pattern formed by the emitted light from the emission area 30a3 of the front surface 30a of the lens 30, and is formed as a small and bright light distribution pattern extending obliquely upward to the left with a narrow vertical width near the bottom of the HV. The light distribution pattern PA3 forms the inclined portion CL3 of the low beam light distribution pattern PL-1 and the right end of the upper bright and dark cut-off line CL2 through its upper edge. In addition, the formation process of the light distribution pattern PA3 will be described later.

[0240] The light distribution pattern PA4 is a light distribution pattern formed by the emitted light from the emission area 30a4 in the front surface 30a of the lens 50, and is formed as a horizontally long bright light distribution pattern extending from the left side of the VV line to the left with a narrow upper and lower width roughly along the HH line. The light distribution pattern PA4 forms the upper bright and dark cut-off line CL2 of the low beam light distribution pattern PL-1 through its upper edge. At this time, the light distribution pattern PA4 is formed so that its right end is smoothly connected in a state of overlapping with the light distribution pattern PA3.

[0241] The reason for forming such a light distribution pattern PA4 is that, as in the case of the light distribution pattern PA2, in the outer peripheral area 34b2 of the peripheral area 34, the viewing angle of the light-emitting surface 22a of the light-emitting element 22 viewed from the outer peripheral edge is extremely small. Therefore, the light distribution pattern formed by the emitted light from the emission area 30a4 located in front of its lamp tends to become small and bright.

[0242] The light distribution pattern PA5 is a light distribution pattern formed by the emitted light from the emission area 30a5 in the front surface 30a of the lens 30, and is formed as a horizontally long, brighter light distribution pattern that extends to the left from the left side of the VV line with a narrow upper and lower width in a manner spanning the light distribution pattern PA4 and the light distribution pattern PA1, and its right end portion overlaps with the light distribution pattern PA3.

[0243] Fig.12 1 and 1A are diagrams for explaining a process of forming the light distribution pattern PA3, and show a portion of the front surface 30a of the lens 30 and a portion of the first light distribution pattern PL-1A in perspective views.

[0244] like Fig.12 As shown, the light distribution pattern PA3 formed by the light emitted from the lens element 30s3 constituting the emission area 30a3 in the front surface 30a of the lens 30 is formed as described above, and its upper edge extends from the inclined portion CL3 of the low-beam light distribution pattern PL-1 to the right end of the upper cut-off line CL2.

[0245] On the other hand, Fig.12 The light distribution pattern PA3o indicated by the double-dashed line is a light distribution pattern formed when the lens element 30s3 is not formed in the emission area 30a3, and is formed to extend obliquely to the upper left near the bottom of the inclined portion CL3. The upper edge of the light distribution pattern PA3o is formed as a clear light-dark boundary line. This is because the light emitting element 22 is configured in a state where the lower edge of its light emitting surface 22a is located on the optical axis Ax of the lens 30.

[0246] In fact, since the lens element 30s3 is formed in the emission area 30a3, the light distribution pattern PA3o changes like the light distribution pattern PA3. This is because the lens element 30s3 is composed of a free-form surface whose curvature gradually changes from the right half 30s3A to the left half 30s3B, thereby causing the parallel light reaching the front surface 30a of the lens 30 to be slightly deflected upward, and the emission direction gradually changes from the right half 30s3A to the left half 30s3B.

[0247] Furthermore, since the emission area 30a3 is composed of a single lens element 30s and has no step on its surface, light accumulation that causes glare is not accidentally formed in the space above the inclined portion CL3 as the light distribution pattern PA3.

[0248] Fig.13 It is a diagram showing the second light distribution pattern PL-1B.

[0249] like Fig.13 As shown, the second light distribution pattern PL-1B is formed as a composite light distribution pattern in which nine light distribution patterns PB1, PB2L, PB2R, PB3L, PB3R, PB4L, PB4R, PB5L, and PB5R are overlapped.

[0250] The light distribution pattern PB1 is formed by light emitted from the emission area 50a1 in the front surface 50a of the lens 50, and is formed as a horizontally long light distribution pattern that spreads equally to the left and right sides below the HH line and around the VV line.

[0251] The left and right pair of light distribution patterns PB2L and PB2R are light distribution patterns formed by the emitted light from the left and right pair of emission areas 50a2L and 50a2R in the front surface 50a of the lens 50. As a horizontally long light distribution pattern smaller than the light distribution pattern PB1, it is formed in a left-right symmetrical positional relationship in a state where its center position deviates from the VV line.

[0252] A pair of left and right light distribution patterns PB3L and PB3R are light distribution patterns formed by light emitted from a pair of left and right emission areas 50a3L and 50a3R in the front surface 50a of the lens 50. As horizontally long light distribution patterns that are smaller than the light distribution patterns PB2L and PB2R, they are formed in a left-right symmetrical positional relationship in a state where their center positions deviate from the VV line.

[0253] A pair of left and right light distribution patterns PB4L and PB4R are light distribution patterns formed by light emitted from a pair of left and right emission areas 50a4L and 50a4R in the front surface 50a of the lens 50. As horizontally long light distribution patterns that are smaller than the light distribution patterns PB3L and PB3R, they are formed in a left-right symmetrical positional relationship in a state where their center positions deviate from the VV line.

[0254] A pair of left and right light distribution patterns PB5L and PB5R are light distribution patterns formed by light emitted from a pair of left and right emission areas 50a5L and 50a5R in the front surface 50a of the lens 50. As horizontally long light distribution patterns smaller than the light distribution patterns PB4L and PB4R, they are formed in a left-right symmetrical positional relationship in a state where their center positions deviate from the VV line.

[0255] Each of the four pairs of left and right light distribution patterns PB2L to PB5R is formed in a symmetrical positional relationship with its center position deviated from the VV line. This is because the horizontal cross-sectional shapes of the plurality of lens elements 50s2L to 50s5R are symmetrical. Figure 5 The convex curve C3 shown is formed as an envelope curve.

[0256] Therefore, the second light distribution pattern PL-1B is formed as a light distribution pattern having a light intensity distribution in which the light intensity gradually decreases from the VV line toward the left and right directions, thereby effectively suppressing the occurrence of uneven light distribution.

[0257] The second light distribution pattern PL-1B is formed so that the upper edges of the nine light distribution patterns PB1 to PB5R are substantially aligned below the lower cut-off line CL1. This is achieved by appropriately adjusting the vertical inclination angles of the plurality of lens elements 50s1 to 50s5R constituting the nine emission regions 50a to 50a5R.

[0258] like Fig.10 As shown, the low-beam light distribution pattern PL-1 is formed as a composite light distribution pattern of the first light distribution pattern PL-1A and the second light distribution pattern PL-1B, so the high-intensity area HZ formed near the lower left of the inflection point E is extremely bright.

[0259] Next, the effects of this embodiment will be described.

[0260] The vehicle lamp 10 according to the present embodiment is configured to form a low-beam light distribution pattern PL having a stepped cut-off line CL by irradiating the emitted light from the light emitting element 22 (light source) of the first lamp unit 20 and the light emitting element 42 (light source) of the second lamp unit 40 toward the front of the lamp through the lenses 30 and 50, but the peripheral area 3 around the central area 32 and 52 of each lens 30 and 50, which is located around the optical axis Ax extending in the front-rear direction of the lamp, is The rear surfaces 34b, 54b of 4, 54 are formed with a plurality of total reflection prism elements 34s1, 34s2, 54s1, 54s2 arranged concentrically with the optical axis Ax as the center. The plurality of total reflection prism elements 34s1, 34s2, 54s1, 54s2 allow the emitted light from the light emitting elements 22, 42 to be totally reflected toward the front of the lamp after being incident, so that the emitted light from the light emitting elements 22, 42 can be used as forward illumination light over a wide range.

[0261] On this basis, the rear surface 34b, 54b of the peripheral area 34, 54 is divided into an inner peripheral area 34b1, 54b1 and an outer peripheral area 34b2, 54b2. In the inner peripheral area 34b1, 54b1, a plurality of total reflection prism elements 34s1, 54s1 form a first annular concave surface C1 centered on the optical axis Ax as an envelope surface. Therefore, the plurality of total reflection prism elements 34s1, 54s1 can be used to make the light from the light emitting element incident on the inner peripheral area 34b1, 54b1 The emitted light from light-emitting elements 22 and 42 is totally reflected toward the front of the lamp as light of approximately uniform brightness. Furthermore, in the peripheral area 34b2 and 54b2, a plurality of total reflection prism elements 34s2 and 54s2 form a second annular concave surface C2 centered on the optical axis Ax as an envelope surface. Therefore, the emitted light from light-emitting elements 22 and 42 incident on the peripheral area 34b2 and 54b2 can also be totally reflected toward the front of the lamp as light of approximately uniform brightness by utilizing the plurality of total reflection prism elements 34s2 and 54s2.

[0262] Moreover, in this way, the plurality of total reflection prism elements 34s1, 34s2, 54s1, 54s2 are configured to form the first annular concave surface C1 and the second annular concave surface C2 set as double as an envelope surface, thereby, not only the total reflection prism elements 34s1, 54s1 formed at the outer peripheral edge of the inner peripheral area 34b1, 54b1, but also the total reflection prism elements 34s2, 54s2 formed at the outer peripheral edge of the outer peripheral area 34b2, 54b2 will not be too large in size. Therefore, when forming the lens 30, 50, the plurality of total reflection prism elements 34s1, 34s2, 54s1, 54s2 can be formed with high precision, thereby enabling high precision light distribution control.

[0263] Thus, according to the present embodiment, in a vehicle lamp 10 configured to irradiate the emitted light from the light emitting element 22 of the first lamp unit 20 and the light emitting element 42 of the second lamp unit 40 toward the front of the lamp via the lenses 30 and 50, it is possible to perform light distribution control of the lenses 30 and 50 with high precision while fully ensuring the amount of light emitted from the outer peripheral edge portions of the lenses 30 and 50.

[0264] Moreover, as in the present embodiment, a plurality of total reflection prism elements 34s1, 34s2, 54s1, 54s2 are configured to form a first annular concave surface C1 and a second annular concave surface C2 which are set as a double surface as an envelope surface. Thus, compared with a case where a single annular concave surface is formed as an envelope surface, the peripheral area 34, 54 of the lens 30, 50 can be made thinner.

[0265] In addition, the central region 32, 52 of the lens 30, 50 of the present embodiment is formed thicker than the peripheral region 34, 54, but by adopting a structure in which a gate when the lens 30, 50 is injection molded is arranged in the central region 32, 52, the lens 30, 50 can be easily molded.

[0266] In the present embodiment, a plurality of total reflection prism elements 34s1, 54s1 formed in the inner circumferential area 34b1, 54b1 of the rear surfaces 34b, 54b of the peripheral area 34, 54 are respectively configured to totally reflect, in a plane including the optical axis Ax, light emitted from a first imaginary point light source S1 located on the rear side of the lamp relative to the light-emitting elements 22, 42 as parallel light toward the front direction of the lamp. Furthermore, a plurality of total reflection prism elements 34s2, 54s2 formed in the outer circumferential area 34b2, 54b2 are respectively configured to totally reflect, in a plane including the optical axis Ax, light emitted from a second imaginary point light source S2 located on the rear side of the lamp relative to the light-emitting elements 22, 42 and on the front side of the lamp relative to the first imaginary point light source S1 as parallel light toward the front direction of the lamp. Thus, the following effects can be obtained.

[0267] That is, the light emitting surfaces 22a and 42a of the light emitting elements 22 and 42 have a certain size, but the emitted light from these light emitting elements 22 and 42 can be totally reflected by multiple total reflection prism elements 34s1 and 54s1 in the inner peripheral area 34b1 and 54b1 as approximately parallel light toward the front direction of the lamp, and can be totally reflected by multiple total reflection prism elements 34s2 and 54s2 in the outer peripheral area 34b2 and 54b2 as approximately parallel light toward the front direction of the lamp.

[0268] At this time, relative to the optical axis Ax, the first imaginary point light source S1 is located on the opposite side of the incident area of ​​the outgoing light from the first imaginary point light source S1 in the inner peripheral area 34b1, 54b1. In addition, relative to the optical axis Ax, the second imaginary point light source S2 is located on the opposite side of the incident area of ​​the outgoing light from the second imaginary point light source S2 in the outer peripheral area 34b2, 54b2, so that the following effect can be obtained.

[0269] That is, with respect to the emitted light from the light emitting surface 22a, 42a of the light emitting element 22, 42 having a certain size, in the inner peripheral area 34b1, 54b1, it can be totally reflected with high precision as approximately parallel light toward the front direction of the lamp by a plurality of total reflection prism elements 34s1, 54s1. In addition, in the outer peripheral area 34b2, 54b2, it can be totally reflected with high precision as approximately parallel light toward the front direction of the lamp by a plurality of total reflection prism elements 34s2, 54s2.

[0270] In this embodiment, the light sources of the first lamp unit 20 and the second lamp unit 40 are composed of light-emitting elements 22 and 42 arranged with the light-emitting surfaces 22a and 42a facing the front of the lamps. Therefore, it is possible to easily form a low-beam light distribution pattern PL-1 having a stepped cut-off line CL using the illumination light from the vehicle lamp 10.

[0271] At this time, in the present embodiment, a first light distribution pattern PL-1A formed by the irradiated light from the first lamp unit 20 is used to form a stepped cut-off line CL of the low-beam light distribution pattern PL-1. On this basis, the structure of the lens 50 in the second lamp unit 40 is such that its front surface 50a is divided into nine emission areas 50a1, 50a2L, 50a2R, 50a3L, 50a3R, 50a4L, 50a4R, 50a5L, and 50a5R extending upward and downward. On this basis, a plurality of lens elements 50s1, 50s2L, 50s2R, 50s3L, 50s3R, 50s4L, 50s4R, 50s5L, and 50s5R are formed, and their horizontal cross-sectional shapes including the optical axis Ax are formed to have a convex curve C3 centered on the optical axis Ax as an envelope, so that the following effects can be obtained.

[0272] That is, the second light distribution pattern PL-1B formed by the irradiated light from the second lamp unit 40 is formed into a composite light distribution pattern of nine light distribution patterns PB1, PB2L, PB2R, PB3L, PB3R, PB4L, PB4R, PB5L, and PB5R formed by the emitted light from nine emission areas 50a1 to 50a5R. These nine light distribution patterns PB1, PB2L, PB2R, PB3L, PB3R, PB4L, PB4R, PB5L, and PB5R are formed in a state where their sizes and formation positions vary from each other, so that the second light distribution pattern PL-1B can be formed into a light distribution pattern that suppresses light unevenness.

[0273] In the above embodiment, the case where the light emitting surface 22a of the light emitting element 22 has an outer shape of about 1 mm×1 mm is described, but a light emitting surface having a shape other than this may be used.

[0274] In the above embodiment, the rear surface 32 b of the central region 32 of the lens 30 of the first lamp unit 20 is described as being composed of a single convex lens surface, but other structures (such as a Fresnel lens-shaped structure) may be adopted.

[0275] In the above embodiment, the lenses 30 and 50 of the first lamp unit 20 and the second lamp unit 40 are described as having a circular outer shape when the lamps are viewed from the front, but a configuration having an outer shape other than this may be adopted.

[0276] In the above-described embodiment, the lens 30 , 50 is described as an injection-molded product. However, other structures (for example, a compression-molded product) may be employed.

[0277] In the above embodiment, the case where the left low-beam light distribution pattern PL- 1 having the step cut-off line CL is formed by the irradiated light from the vehicle lamp 10 is described, but a configuration may be made to form other light distribution patterns.

[0278] Next, modifications of the above-described embodiment will be described.

[0279] Fig.14A The first lamp unit 120 of the vehicle lamp according to the present modification example is shown. Figure 3A Same picture. Fig. 14B The second lamp unit 140 of the vehicle lamp according to the present modification example is shown. Figure 3B Same picture.

[0280] like Fig. 14B As shown, in this modified example, the structure of the second lamp unit 140 is also completely the same as that of the above embodiment, but as shown in FIG. Fig.14A As shown, the structure of the lens 130 of the first lamp unit 120 is partially different from that of the above-mentioned embodiment.

[0281] That is, Fig.14A As shown, the lens 130 of this modified example also has a central area 132 and a peripheral area 134, and the structure of its rear surfaces 132b and 134b is exactly the same as that of the above-mentioned embodiment, and the rear surface 134b of the peripheral area 134 is divided into an inner peripheral area 134b1 and an outer peripheral area 134b2.

[0282] Moreover, the front surface 130a of the lens 130 of this modified example is divided into five emission areas 130a1, 130a2, 130a3, 130a4, and 130a5. Specifically, the front surface 130a of the lens 130 is configured to be roughly divided into two areas in a concentric circle shape with the optical axis Ax as the center, and a pair of upper and lower emission areas 130a1 and 130a5 are arranged on the inner peripheral side, and a pair of left and right emission areas 130a2 and 130a4 and a pair of upper and lower emission areas 130a3 are arranged on the outer peripheral side.

[0283] The emission area 130a1 located at the upper part of the inner circumference is divided into horizontally long vertical and horizontal grids, similarly to the emission area 30a of the lens 30 of the first lamp unit 20 in the above-mentioned embodiment, and has a structure in which a convex curved lens element 130s1 is allocated to each grid. Each lens element 130s1 is configured so that the light from the light emitting element 22 that arrives from the rear surface 132b, 134b of the lens 130 as parallel light is emitted toward the front of the lamp in a manner that is widely diffused to the left and right after being deflected downward.

[0284] The pair of left and right emission regions 130a2 and 130a4 are divided into two parts, the upper and lower parts, and are divided into vertical stripes, and a convex curved surface lens element 130s2 or 130s4 is assigned to each vertical stripe.

[0285] Each lens element 130s2 constituting the emission area 130a2 located on the left side is configured so that the light from the light emitting element 22 that reaches the rear surface 134b of the lens 130 as parallel light is slightly deflected downward and then widely diffused to the right to be emitted toward the front of the lamp.

[0286] Each lens element 130s4 constituting the emission area 130a4 located on the right side is configured so that the light from the light emitting element 22 that reaches the rear surface 134b of the lens 130 as parallel light is slightly deflected upward and then widely diffused to the left and emitted toward the front of the lamp.

[0287] The pair of upper and lower emission areas 130a3 are divided into inclined longitudinal stripes, and a convex curved lens element 130s3 is assigned to each longitudinal stripe. At this time, each lens element 130s3 is formed to extend in a direction inclined 15° to the left (right when the lamp is viewed from the front) with respect to the vertical direction, and is configured so that the light from the light emitting element 22 that arrives from the rear surface 134b of the lens 130 as parallel light is slightly deflected upward and diffused in a direction orthogonal to the above-mentioned 15° inclined direction, and then emitted toward the front of the lamp.

[0288] The emission area 130a5 located at the lower part of the inner circumference is divided into longitudinal stripes in the same manner as the emission area 30a5 of the lens 30 of the first lamp unit 20 in the above-mentioned embodiment, and a convex curved lens element 130s5 is allocated to each longitudinal stripe. Each lens element 130s5 is configured so that the light from the light emitting element 22 that arrives as parallel light from the rear surface 132b, 134b of the lens 130 is emitted toward the front of the lamp in a manner that is greatly diffused to the left after being slightly deflected downward.

[0289] Fig.15 1 is a diagram showing in perspective the low-beam light distribution pattern PL- 2 formed on the virtual vertical screen by the irradiation light from the vehicle lamp according to the present modification.

[0290] The low-beam light distribution pattern PL- 2 is formed as a composite light distribution pattern in which a first light distribution pattern PL- 2C formed by the light emitted from the first lamp unit 120 and a second light distribution pattern PL- 2B formed by the light emitted from the second lamp unit 140 overlap.

[0291] The second light distribution pattern PL-2B is different from the second light distribution pattern PL-1B (see Fig.13 ) are exactly the same.

[0292] On the other hand, the first light distribution pattern PL-2C is formed as a composite light distribution pattern in which five light distribution patterns PC1, PC2, PC3, PC4, and PC5 are superimposed.

[0293] The light distribution pattern PC1 is formed by the light emitted from the emission area 130a1 in the front surface 130a of the lens 130, and is formed as a horizontally long light distribution pattern that greatly expands in the left and right directions with a large vertical width below the HH line. The light distribution pattern PC1 forms a wide diffusion area of ​​the low beam light distribution pattern PL-2.

[0294] The light distribution pattern PC2 is a light distribution pattern formed by the emitted light from the emission area 130a2 in the front surface 130a of the lens 130, and is formed as a horizontally long bright light distribution pattern extending from the vicinity of the VV line to the right with a narrow vertical width near the bottom of the HH line. The light distribution pattern PC2 forms the lower bright-dark cut-off line CL1 of the low-beam light distribution pattern PL-2 through its upper edge.

[0295] The light distribution pattern PC3 is a light distribution pattern formed by the emitted light from a pair of upper and lower emission areas 130a3 in the front surface 130a of the lens 130, and is formed as a small and bright light distribution pattern extending obliquely upward to the left with a narrow upper and lower width near the bottom of the HV. The light distribution pattern PC3 forms an inclined portion CL3 of the low beam light distribution pattern PL-2 through its upper edge.

[0296] The light distribution pattern PC4 is a light distribution pattern formed by the emitted light from the emission area 130a4 in the front surface 130a of the lens 130, and is formed as a horizontally long bright light distribution pattern extending from the left side of the VV line to the left with a narrow upper and lower width roughly along the HH line. The light distribution pattern PC4 forms the upper bright and dark cut-off line CL2 of the low beam light distribution pattern PL-2 through its upper edge. At this time, the light distribution pattern PC4 is formed in a state where its right end overlaps with the light distribution pattern PC3.

[0297] The light distribution pattern PC5 is a light distribution pattern formed by the emitted light from the emission area 130a5 in the front surface 130a of the lens 130, and is formed as a horizontally long, brighter light distribution pattern that extends to the left from the left side of the VV line with a narrow upper and lower width in a manner spanning the light distribution pattern PC4 and the light distribution pattern PC1, and its right end portion overlaps with the light distribution pattern PC3.

[0298] Even when the structure of this modified example is adopted, substantially the same operational effects as those of the above-described embodiment can be obtained.

[0299] Furthermore, by adopting the configuration of the present modified example, it is possible to easily ensure sufficient brightness in the vicinity of the step cut-off line CL in the low-beam light distribution pattern PL-2.

[0300] In addition, the numerical values ​​shown as specifications in the above-mentioned embodiment and its modified examples are merely examples, and it is of course possible to set them to different values ​​as appropriate.

[0301] 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 to which various other modifications are added.

[0302] (Second Embodiment)

[0303] Hereinafter, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0304] Fig.16 1 is a front view showing a vehicle lamp 310 according to an embodiment of the present invention. Fig.17 yes Fig.16 Sectional view along line II-II.

[0305] exist Fig.16 , Fig.17 In the figure, the direction indicated by X is "in front of the lamp", the direction indicated by Y is "left" ("right" when observing the lamp from the front) which is orthogonal to "in front of the lamp", and the direction indicated by Z is "up". Fig.16 , Fig.17 The same applies to other figures.

[0306] like Fig.16 , Fig.17 As shown, the vehicle lamp 310 involved in this embodiment is a headlamp arranged at the front end of a vehicle, and is configured by assembling a lamp unit 320 in a lamp chamber formed by a lamp body 312 and a transparent light-transmitting cover 314 installed at the front end opening of the lamp body 312. In addition, the vehicle lamp 310 forms a low beam light distribution pattern using the irradiated light from the lamp unit 320 (this will be described later).

[0307] The lamp unit 320 includes a light emitting element 322 and a lens 330 disposed on the front side of the lamp, and is configured to irradiate the light emitted from the light emitting element 322 to the front of the lamp via the lens 330. In addition, the lamp unit 320 is configured such that a focusing lens 340 is disposed between the light emitting element 322 and the lens 330, so that the light emitted from the light emitting element 322 is incident on the lens 330 in a focused state.

[0308] The light emitting element 322 is supported by the lamp body 312 via the substrate 324 , and the lens 330 and the condenser lens 340 are supported by the lamp body 312 via mounting structures (not shown).

[0309] Next, the specific structure of the lamp unit 320 will be described.

[0310] Fig.18 yes Fig.16 The III-III line cross-sectional view, Fig.19 yes Fig.16 IV-IV line cross-sectional view. In addition, Fig. 20A yes Fig.17 The view in the Va direction, Fig. 20B yes Fig.17 View in the Vb direction.

[0311] like Figure 16 to Figure 20BAs shown, the lens 330 has an optical axis Ax extending in the front-rear direction of the lamp, and has a circular shape centered on the optical axis Ax when the lamp is viewed from the front. The outer dimensions of the lens 330 are set to a value of 50 mm or less (eg, about 35 mm).

[0312] The light emitting element 322 is a white light emitting diode, and is arranged so that its light emitting surface 322a faces the front of the lamp (specifically, the front direction of the lamp). The light emitting surface 322a of the light emitting element 322 has a rectangular shape (specifically, a square of about 1×1 mm). Moreover, the light emitting element 322 is arranged so that the center position of the left and right sides of the lower edge of the light emitting surface 322a (hereinafter referred to as the "reference position") is located on the optical axis Ax of the lens 330.

[0313] The condenser lens 340 is a plano-convex lens made of transparent resin, the front surface 340a of which is formed into a convex curved surface and the rear surface 340b of which is formed into a flat surface, and its outer dimensions are set to a value of about 12 to 16 mm (for example, about 14 mm). The condenser lens 340 is arranged on the optical axis Ax in a state close to the front side of the lamp relative to the light emitting element 322 (specifically, the rear surface 340b of the condenser lens 340 is about 1 to 2 mm away from the light emitting surface 322a of the light emitting element 322). In addition, the condenser lens 340 is configured so that the emitted light from the light emitting element 322 is refracted in a direction close to the optical axis Ax and then incident on the lens 330.

[0314] The lens 330 is an injection-molded product made of a transparent resin, and includes a central region 332 centered on the optical axis Ax and a peripheral region 334 located around the central region 332 .

[0315] The rear surface 332b of the central region 332 is composed of a Fresnel lens in which a plurality of lens elements 332s are arranged concentrically around the optical axis Ax, thereby causing the light from the light emitting element 322 arriving via the condenser lens 340 to be incident on the lens 330 in a manner of being refracted in a direction close to the optical axis Ax. Specifically, the rear surface 332b of the central region 332 guides the emitted light from the reference position of the light emitting element 322 to the front surface 330a of the lens 330 as parallel light in the front direction of the lamp by using each lens element 332s.

[0316] On the rear surface 334b ​​of the peripheral area 334, a plurality of total reflection prism elements 334s are formed in a state of being arranged in concentric circles with the optical axis Ax as the center. These plurality of total reflection prism elements 334s are respectively Fresnel lens type total reflection prisms, and are configured to make the light from the light emitting element 322 arriving via the condenser lens 340 totally reflect toward the front of the lamp after being incident. Specifically, the plurality of total reflection prism elements 334s respectively make the emitted light from the reference position of the light emitting element 322 incident in a manner of being refracted in a direction away from the optical axis Ax, and then guide it to the front surface 330a of the lens 330 as parallel light toward the front direction of the lamp.

[0317] The boundary position between the central region 332 and the peripheral region 334 is defined by a circle having a radius of 4 to 6 mm (eg, a radius of about 5 mm) with the optical axis Ax as the center.

[0318] like Fig.18 , Fig.19 As shown, the plurality of total reflection prism elements 334s formed on the rear surface 334b ​​of the peripheral region 334 form an annular concave surface C10 (the cross-sectional shape is indicated by a two-dot chain line in the figure) centered on the optical axis Ax as an envelope surface.

[0319] At this time, in the rear surface 334 b of the peripheral region 334 , the pitch of the plurality of total reflection prism elements 334 s and the curvature of the annular concave surface C10 are set so that the emitted light from the light emitting element 322 is substantially evenly incident on each of the plurality of total reflection prism elements 334 s .

[0320] As a result, the plurality of total reflection prism elements 334 s have a cross-sectional shape in which total reflection prism elements 334 s located near the outer periphery of the rear surface 334 b of the peripheral region 334 are larger than total reflection prism elements 334 s located near the inner periphery of the rear surface 334 b of the peripheral region 334 .

[0321] The lens 330 is arranged in the front-rear direction of the lamp so that light from the light emitting element 322 emitted from the outer periphery of the front surface 340 a of the condenser lens 340 enters the outer periphery of the rear surface 334 b of the peripheral region 334 .

[0322] like Figure 16 to Figure 20B As shown, the front surface 330a of the lens 330 has a structure in which a plurality of lens elements (described later) are formed on a vertical plane orthogonal to the optical axis Ax.

[0323] The front surface 330a of the lens 330 is divided into five emission areas 330a1, 330a2, 330a3, 330a4, and 330a5.

[0324] The emission area 330a1 is a semicircular area located in the upper half of the front surface 330a, the emission areas 330a2 and 330a4 are semicircular areas extending in a band-like manner along the outer periphery of the lower half of the front surface 330a, the emission area 330a3 is an area in the lower area of ​​the front surface 330a having a longitudinal shape extending in a fan-like manner downward, and the emission area 330a5 is the remaining area of ​​the lower half of the front surface 330a.

[0325] The emission area 330a1 is divided into a horizontal grid shape with a horizontal length (for example, about 2×4 mm), and a convex curved lens element 330s1 is assigned to each vertical and horizontal grid. Each lens element 330s1 is configured to emit light from the light emitting element 322 that arrives as parallel light from the rear surface 332b, 334b ​​of the lens 330 toward the front of the lamp in a manner that is greatly diffused to the left and right after being deflected downward.

[0326] The emission regions 330a2 and 330a4 are divided into vertical stripes (for example, with a horizontal width of about 2 mm), and a convexly curved lens element 330s2 or 330s4 is allocated to each vertical stripe.

[0327] Each lens element 330s2 constituting the emission area 330a2 located on the left side of the emission area 330a3 (the right side when the lamp is viewed from the front) is configured so that the light from the light-emitting element 322 arriving from the rear surface 334b ​​of the lens 330 as parallel light is emitted toward the front of the lamp in a manner that is greatly diffused to the right after being slightly deflected downward.

[0328] Each lens element 330s4 constituting the emission area 330a4 located on the right side of the emission area 330a3 is configured so that the light from the light-emitting element 322 arriving as parallel light from the rear surface 334b ​​of the lens 330 is emitted toward the front of the lamp in a manner that is greatly diffused to the left after being slightly deflected upward.

[0329] The left edge of the emission area 330a3 (the right edge when the lamp is viewed from the front) is formed by a straight line extending from the optical axis Ax in the direction directly below, and the right edge is formed by a straight line extending from the optical axis Ax in a direction inclined to the right relative to the directly below direction (specifically, a direction inclined about 15° from the directly below direction to the right). The upper edge of the emission area 330a3 is formed by an arc centered on the optical axis Ax. The arc is located slightly closer to the outer peripheral side than the boundary between the central area 332 and the peripheral area 334 of the lens 330. In addition, the lower edge of the emission area 330a3 is formed by the outer peripheral edge of the front surface 330a.

[0330] The emission area 330a3 is composed of a single lens element 330s3. The lens element 330s3 has a surface shape composed of a convex free-form surface. That is, the surface of the lens element 330s3 is composed of a free-form surface whose curvature gradually changes from the right half 330s3A to the left half 330s3B. Moreover, in the lens element 330s3, it is configured so that the light from the light emitting element 322 that arrives as parallel light from the rear surface 334b ​​of the lens 330 is emitted toward the front of the lamp in a manner that the emission direction gradually changes from the right half 330s3A to the left half 330s3B on the basis of being slightly deflected upward.

[0331] The emission area 330a5 is divided into longitudinal stripes in the same manner as the emission area 330a1, and a convex curved lens element 330s5 is assigned to each longitudinal stripe. However, each lens element 330s5 is configured so that the light from the light emitting element 322 that arrives as parallel light from the rear surface 332b, 334b ​​of the lens 330 is emitted in front of the lamp in a manner that is greatly diffused to the left after being slightly deflected downward.

[0332] like Fig.18 , Fig.19 As shown, the central region 332 of the lens 330 has a substantially constant wall thickness of about 3 to 4 mm, but the peripheral region 334 is thinner than the central region 332 in its middle portion and has a wall thickness of about 5 to 6 mm in its outer peripheral edge portion.

[0333] Fig.21 1 is a diagram showing in a perspective manner a low-beam light distribution pattern PL10 formed on a virtual vertical screen disposed 25 m in front of the vehicle lamp 310 using the illumination light from the vehicle lamp 310 .

[0334] The low-beam light distribution pattern PL10 is a low-beam light distribution pattern for left light, and a stepped cutoff line CL10 is formed at an upper end portion thereof.

[0335] The step cut-off line CL10 has a shape formed by connecting the lower cut-off line CL11 and the upper cut-off line CL12, which have different heights on the left and right and extend in the horizontal direction, via the inclined portion CL13. At this time, the step cut-off line CL10 is formed such that the lower cut-off line CL11 is located on the opposite lane side with respect to the plumb line VV passing through the vanishing point HV in the front direction of the lamp, and the inclined portion CL13 and the upper cut-off line CL12 are located on the own lane side. The upper cut-off line CL12 is located slightly above the horizontal line HH passing through the HV.

[0336] In the low-beam light distribution pattern PL10, the inflection point E, which is the intersection of the lower cut-off line CL11 and the inclined portion CL13, is located about 0.5 to 0.6 degrees below HV, and the inclined portion CL13 extends obliquely to the upper left at an inclination angle of 15 degrees relative to the horizontal direction from the inflection point E. In the low-beam light distribution pattern PL10, a high-intensity area HZ is formed near the lower left of the inflection point E.

[0337] The low-beam light distribution pattern PL10 is formed as a composite light distribution pattern obtained by overlapping five light distribution patterns P11 , P12 , P13 , P14 , and P15 .

[0338] The light distribution pattern P11 is a light distribution pattern formed by the light emitted from the emission area 330a1 in the front surface 330a of the lens 330, and is formed as a horizontally long light distribution pattern that greatly expands in the left and right directions with a large vertical width below the HH line. The light distribution pattern P11 forms a wide diffusion area of ​​the low beam light distribution pattern PL10.

[0339] The light distribution pattern P12 is a light distribution pattern formed by the emitted light from the emission area 330a2 in the front surface 330a of the lens 330, and is formed as a horizontally long bright light distribution pattern extending rightward from the vicinity of the VV line with a narrow vertical width near the bottom of the HH line. The light distribution pattern P12 forms the lower bright-dark cut-off line CL11 of the low-beam light distribution pattern PL10 through its upper edge.

[0340] Such a light distribution pattern P12 is formed because, in the peripheral area of ​​the peripheral area 334, the light emitting surface 322a of the light emitting element 322 has a small viewing angle when viewed from its peripheral edge. Therefore, the light distribution pattern formed by the emitted light from the emission area 330a2 located in front of the lamp tends to become small and bright.

[0341] The light distribution pattern P13 is a light distribution pattern formed by the emitted light from the emission area 330a3 in the front surface 330a of the lens 330, and is formed as a small and bright light distribution pattern extending obliquely upward to the left with a narrow vertical width near the bottom of the HV. The light distribution pattern P13 forms the inclined portion CL13 of the low beam light distribution pattern PL10 and the right end of the upper bright and dark cut-off line CL12 through its upper edge. In addition, the formation process of the light distribution pattern P13 will be described later.

[0342] The light distribution pattern P14 is a light distribution pattern formed by the emitted light from the emission area 330a4 in the front surface 330a of the lens 330, and is formed as a horizontally long bright light distribution pattern extending from the left side of the VV line to the left with a narrow upper and lower width roughly along the HH line. The light distribution pattern P14 forms the upper bright-dark cut-off line CL12 of the low-beam light distribution pattern PL10 through its upper edge. At this time, the light distribution pattern P14 is formed so that its right end is smoothly connected to the light distribution pattern P13 in an overlapping state.

[0343] The reason for forming such a light distribution pattern P14 is that, as in the case of the light distribution pattern P12, in the peripheral area of ​​the peripheral area 334, the light-emitting surface 322a of the light-emitting element 322 has a smaller viewing angle when viewed from its outer peripheral edge. Therefore, the light distribution pattern formed by the emitted light from the emission area 330a4 located in front of its lamp tends to become small and bright.

[0344] The light distribution pattern P15 is a light distribution pattern formed by the emitted light from the emission area 330a5 in the front surface 330a of the lens 330, and is formed as a horizontally long, brighter light distribution pattern that extends to the left from the left side of the VV line with a narrow upper and lower width in a manner spanning the light distribution pattern P14 and the light distribution pattern P11, and its right end portion overlaps with the light distribution pattern P13.

[0345] Fig. 22 It is a diagram for explaining the formation process of the light distribution pattern P13, and shows a part of the front surface 330a of the lens 330 and a part of the low-beam light distribution pattern PL10 in perspective views.

[0346] like Fig. 22 As shown, as described above, the light distribution pattern P13 formed by the light emitted from the lens element 330s3 constituting the emission area 330a3 on the front surface 330a of the lens 330 is formed so that its upper edge extends from the inclined portion CL13 of the low-beam light distribution pattern PL10 to the right end of the upper cut-off line CL12.

[0347] on the other hand, Fig. 22 The light distribution pattern P13o shown by the double-dashed line is a light distribution pattern formed when the lens element 330s3 is not formed in the emission area 330a3, and is formed to extend obliquely to the upper left near the bottom of the inclined portion CL13. The upper edge of the light distribution pattern P13o is formed as a clear light-dark boundary line. This is because the light emitting element 322 is configured in a state where the lower edge of its light emitting surface 322a is located on the optical axis Ax of the lens 330.

[0348] In fact, since the lens element 330s3 is formed in the emission area 330a3, the light distribution pattern P13o changes like the light distribution pattern P13. This is because the lens element 330s3 is composed of a free-form surface whose curvature gradually changes from the right half 330s3A to the left half 330s3B, thereby causing the parallel light reaching the front surface 330a of the lens 330 to be slightly deflected upward, and the emission direction gradually changes from the right half 330s3A to the left half 330s3B.

[0349] Furthermore, since the emission region 330a3 is composed of a single lens element 330s3 and has no step on its surface, light accumulation that causes glare is not accidentally formed in the space above the inclined portion CL13 as the light distribution pattern P13.

[0350] Fig.23A is a diagram for explaining the function of this embodiment. Fig.19 Same picture. In addition, Fig. 23B is a comparative example of the present embodiment. Fig.23A Same picture.

[0351] like Fig.23A As shown, in the lamp unit 320, the emitted light from the light emitting element 322 is deflected and emitted in a direction close to the optical axis Ax by the condenser lens 340, and then enters the lens 330. At this time, as shown by the double-dashed line in the figure, the maximum irradiation angle θ1 when incident on the condenser lens 340 from the reference position of the light emitting element 322 becomes a relatively large value, but the maximum irradiation angle θ2 when incident on the lens 330 becomes a value relatively small compared with the maximum irradiation angle θ1 (specifically, a value of about θ2 = 1 / 2 × θ1).

[0352] Furthermore, by making the maximum irradiation angle θ2 a smaller value, the curvature of the annular concave surface C10 (i.e., the envelope surface when a plurality of total reflection prism elements 334s are formed on the rear surface 334b ​​of the peripheral region 334 of the lens 330) also becomes a smaller value. Therefore, the maximum wall thickness t2 of the peripheral region 334 is about 1.5 times the maximum wall thickness t1 of the central region 332, which is not that large.

[0353] On the other hand, Fig. 23B As shown, the lamp unit 320′ involved in the comparative example of the present embodiment has the same light-emitting element 322 and substrate 324 as the lamp unit 320, but does not have a focusing lens 340 like the lamp unit 320. The structure is such that the emitted light from the light-emitting element 322 is directly incident on the lens 330′. Accordingly, the structure of the lens 330′ is different from that of the lens 330 of the lamp unit 320.

[0354] Furthermore, in the lamp unit 320', the light emitted from the light emitting element 322 is irradiated to the front of the lamp through the lens 330', thereby forming a Fig.21 The low-beam light distribution pattern PL10 shown is substantially the same as the light distribution pattern.

[0355] In order to achieve this, lens 330′ is the same as lens 330, and has a central area 332′ and a peripheral area 334′. A plurality of lens elements 332s′ are formed in the form of Fresnel lenses on the rear surface 332b′ of the central area 332′, and a plurality of total reflection prism elements 334s′ are formed in a concentric arrangement on the rear surface 334b′ of the peripheral area 334′. In addition, in lens 330′, the emitted light from the reference position of the light emitting element 322 is guided to the front surface 330a′ as parallel light toward the front direction of the lamp. In addition, the structure of the front surface 330a′ of lens 330′ is the same as that of lens 330.

[0356] In the lamp unit 320', the light emitted from the light emitting element 322 is directly incident on the lens 330'. However, at this time, the maximum irradiation angle θ1 when the light emitted from the reference position of the light emitting element 322 is incident on the lens 330' is set to be equal to Fig.23A The maximum irradiation angle θ1 shown (ie, the maximum irradiation angle when light is incident on the condenser lens 340 from the reference position of the light emitting element 322 in the lamp unit 320 ) is the same value.

[0357] Correspondingly, the curvature of the annular concave surface C10′ of the lens 330′ (i.e., the envelope surface when a plurality of total reflection prism elements 334s′ are formed on the rear surface 334b′ of the peripheral region 334′) is set to a relatively large value. Therefore, the maximum wall thickness t2 of the peripheral region 334′ is a considerable value of about twice the maximum wall thickness t1 of the central region 332′.

[0358] As a low beam light distribution pattern formed by the irradiation light from the lamp unit 320 ′, in order to make the light distribution close to Fig.21 The light distribution of the low beam light distribution pattern PL10 shown needs to make the optical path length from the light emitting element 322 to the lens 330' close to the optical path length from the light emitting element 322 to the lens 330 in the lamp unit 320. Therefore, in the lamp unit 320', the outer diameter D of the lens 330' is set to a value much larger than the outer diameter D of the lens 330.

[0359] When comparing the lamp unit 320 and the lamp unit 320′, the utilization efficiency of the light emitted from the light emitting element 322 is the same, but the luminous intensity distribution of the light reaching the lenses 330 and 330′ is more uniform in the lamp unit 320. This is because, in the lamp unit 320, the light reaching the lens 330 becomes light with a point P on the optical axis Ax located on the rear side of the lamp relative to the reference position of the light emitting element 322 as a virtual point light source, thereby reducing the apparent maximum irradiation angle θ2 (i.e., θ2<θ1).

[0360] Next, the effects of this embodiment will be described.

[0361] The vehicle lamp 310 involved in the present embodiment is constructed to form a low beam light distribution pattern PL10 with a stepped cut-off line CL10 by irradiating the emitted light from the light emitting element 322 (light source) of the lamp unit 320 toward the front of the lamp through the lens 330, but a rear surface 334b ​​of a peripheral area 334 located around a central area 332 centered on an optical axis Ax extending in the front-to-rear direction of the lamp in the lens 330 is formed with a plurality of total reflection prism elements 334s arranged concentrically with the optical axis Ax as the center, so that the emitted light from the light emitting element 322 is totally reflected toward the front of the lamp after being incident, thereby enabling the emitted light from the light emitting element 322 to be used as forward illumination light over a wide range.

[0362] At this time, the plurality of total reflection prism elements 334 s form an annular concave surface C10 centered on the optical axis Ax as an envelope surface, so that a sufficient amount of light can be obtained for light emitted from the light emitting element 322 toward the outer peripheral edge of the lens 330 .

[0363] On this basis, a condenser lens 340 is arranged between the light emitting element 322 and the lens 330 to make the emitted light from the light emitting element 322 incident on the lens 330 in a condensed state, so that the angle of the emitted light from the light emitting element 322 reaching the outer peripheral edge of the peripheral area 334 of the lens 330 with respect to the optical axis Ax (i.e., the value of half the maximum irradiation angle θ2) can be reduced. Therefore, the intensity of the reflected light from the plurality of total reflection prism elements 334s will not become uneven due to their radial positions, thereby enabling the light distribution control of the lens 330 to be performed with high precision.

[0364] Thus, according to this embodiment, in a vehicle lamp 310 configured to irradiate the emitted light from the light emitting element 322 toward the front of the lamp via the lens 330, the light distribution control of the lens 330 can be performed with high precision while fully ensuring the amount of light emitted from the outer peripheral edge of the lens 330.

[0365] Moreover, as in this embodiment, by adopting a structure in which the emitted light from the light emitting element 322 is incident on the lens 330 in a state of being condensed by the condenser lens 340, the maximum wall thickness t2 of the peripheral area 334 can be not so large relative to the maximum wall thickness t1 of the central area 332.

[0366] Moreover, therefore, Fig. 23B Compared with the case where the light emitted from the light emitting element 322 directly enters the lens 330' as shown in the lamp unit 320', the lens 330 can be made thinner and its moldability can be improved. In addition, although the size of the lens 330 is smaller than that of the lens 330', the low beam light distribution pattern PL10 can be formed with high precision.

[0367] The condenser lens 340 of this embodiment is formed of a plano-convex lens with a convex front surface 340a and a flat rear surface 340b, so that the emitted light from the light emitting element 322 can be incident on a wide range and used as forward irradiation light.

[0368] In addition, the lens 330 of the present embodiment is constructed such that its front surface 330a is divided into five emission areas 330a1, 330a2, 330a3, 330a4, and 330a5, and each emission area is provided with a plurality of lens elements 330s1, 330s2, 330s3, 330s4, and 330s5 for controlling the emission of light arriving from a plurality of total reflection prism elements 334s, thereby further improving the degree of freedom of light distribution control.

[0369] In this embodiment, the light source of the lamp unit 320 is composed of a light emitting element 322 arranged with the light emitting surface 322a facing forward of the lamp. Therefore, the low beam light distribution pattern PL10 having the stepped cut-off line CL10 can be easily formed using the irradiated light from the vehicle lamp 310 .

[0370] In the above embodiment, the light emitting surface 322a of the light emitting element 322 has an outer shape of about 1 mm×1 mm, but a light emitting surface having a shape other than this may be used.

[0371] In the above embodiment, the rear surface 332b of the central region 332 of the lens 330 of the lamp unit 320 is described as being formed in a Fresnel lens shape, but other structures (such as a structure composed of a single convex lens surface) may be adopted.

[0372] In the above embodiment, the lens 330 of the lamp unit 320 has a circular outer shape when the lamp is viewed from the front, but a configuration having an outer shape other than this may be adopted.

[0373] In the above embodiment, the lens 330 is described as an injection-molded product. However, other structures (for example, a compression-molded product) may be employed.

[0374] In the above embodiment, the case where the left low-beam light distribution pattern PL10 having the step cut-off line CL10 is formed by the irradiated light from the vehicle lamp 310 is described, but a configuration may be made to form other light distribution patterns.

[0375] Next, modifications of the above-described embodiment will be described.

[0376] Fig.24 The lamp unit 420 of the vehicle lamp according to the present modification example is shown in FIG. Fig.19 Same picture.

[0377] like Fig.24 As shown, in the lamp unit 420 of this variation, the light emitted from the light emitting element 322 is irradiated toward the front of the lamp via the lens 430 arranged on the front side of the lamp, and a focusing lens 440 is arranged between the two so that the light emitted from the light emitting element 322 is incident on the lens 430 in a focusing state, but the structures of the lens 430 and the focusing lens 440 are partially different from those in the above-mentioned embodiment.

[0378] That is, the lens 430 of this variant also has a central area 432 centered on the optical axis Ax extending in the front-to-rear direction of the lamp and a peripheral area 434 located around the central area 432, and the rear surfaces 432b and 434b of the central area 432 and the peripheral area 434 are configured to guide the emitted light from the reference position of the light-emitting element 322 as parallel light toward the front direction of the lamp toward the front surface 430a of the lens 430, but its specific structure is different from that of the above-mentioned embodiment.

[0379] That is, the rear surface 432b of the central area 432 is composed of a single convex lens surface.

[0380] On the other hand, the rear surface 434b of the peripheral area 434 is constructed as follows: in a state where it is divided into an inner peripheral area 434b1 and an outer peripheral area 434b2, a plurality of total reflection prism elements 434s1 and 434s2 are respectively formed in the inner peripheral area 434b1 and the outer peripheral area 434b2 in a state where they are arranged in concentric circles with the optical axis Ax as the center.

[0381] Specifically, in the inner peripheral area 434b1, multiple total reflection prism elements 434s1 form a first annular concave surface C11 centered on the optical axis Ax as an envelope surface, and in the outer peripheral area 434b2, multiple total reflection prism elements 434s2 form a second annular concave surface C12 centered on the optical axis Ax as an envelope surface.

[0382] The first annular concave surface C11 is formed so that the inner and outer edges of the inner circumference area 434b1 are at substantially the same position in the front-rear direction of the lamp. In addition, the second annular concave surface C12 is formed so that the inner and outer edges of the outer circumference area 434b2 are at substantially the same position in the front-rear direction of the lamp.

[0383] At this time, in the inner side area 434b1, the spacing between the multiple total reflection prism elements 434s1 and the curvature of the first annular concave surface C11 are set in a manner that the emitted light from the light emitting element 322 is approximately equally incident on the multiple total reflection prism elements 434s1, and in addition, in the outer side area 434b2, the spacing between the multiple total reflection prism elements 434s2 and the curvature of the second annular concave surface C12 are set in a manner that the emitted light from the light emitting element 322 is approximately equally incident on the multiple total reflection prism elements 434s2.

[0384] As a result, the plurality of total reflection prism elements 434s1 formed in the inner peripheral area 434b1 have a cross-sectional shape in which the total reflection prism element 434s1 located near the outer peripheral edge of the inner peripheral area 434b1 is larger than the total reflection prism element 434s1 located near the inner peripheral edge of the inner peripheral area 434b1. In addition, the plurality of total reflection prism elements 434s2 formed in the outer peripheral area 434b2 also have a cross-sectional shape in which the total reflection prism element 434s2 located near the outer peripheral edge of the outer peripheral area 434b2 is larger than the total reflection prism element 434s2 located near the inner peripheral edge of the outer peripheral area 434b2.

[0385] The multiple total reflection prism elements 434s2 formed in the outer peripheral area 434b2 have a cross-sectional shape that is generally larger than the multiple total reflection prism elements 434s1 formed in the inner peripheral area 434b1, but the multiple total reflection prism elements 434s1 and 434s2 are formed by setting a double first annular concave surface C11 and a second annular concave surface C12 as an envelope surface. Therefore, even if it is a total reflection prism element 434s2 located near the outer edge of the outer peripheral area 434b2, its cross-sectional shape will not become extremely large.

[0386] In addition, in the lens 430 of this modification, the structure of the front surface 430a is also the same as that of the above-mentioned embodiment.

[0387] The focusing lens 440 of this variant is the same as the focusing lens 340 of the above embodiment, and is composed of a plano-convex lens made of transparent resin with a front surface 440a formed as a convex surface and a rear surface 440b formed as a flat surface, but the specific surface shape of its front surface 440a is different from that of the above embodiment.

[0388] That is, the front surface 440a of the condenser lens 440 is configured such that three condenser lens elements 440s1, 440s2, and 440s3 are arranged concentrically around the optical axis Ax on a virtual spherical surface centered at a point on the optical axis Ax.

[0389] The focusing lens element 440s1 located in the center is formed into a spherical shape with the optical axis Ax as the center, the focusing lens element 440s2 adjacent to the focusing lens element 440s1 has an arc-shaped cross-section and is formed into a circular ring shape with the optical axis Ax as the center, and the focusing lens element 440s3 adjacent to the focusing lens element 440s2 also has an arc-shaped cross-section and is formed into a circular ring shape with the optical axis Ax as the center.

[0390] The condensing lens element 440s1 is configured to deflect the light emitted from the light emitting element 322 toward a direction close to the optical axis Ax. In addition, the condensing lens element 440s2 is configured to deflect the light emitted from the light emitting element 322 toward a direction inclined to a certain degree relative to the optical axis Ax. Furthermore, the condensing lens element 440s3 is configured to deflect the light emitted from the light emitting element 322 toward a direction greatly inclined relative to the optical axis Ax. At this time, the focusing lens element 440s1 is formed so that the curvature of the rear surface 432b of the central area 432 of the lens 430 is made incident on the emitted light from the light emitting element 322, the focusing lens element 440s2 is formed so that the curvature of the rear surface 434b1 of the inner peripheral area 434b1 of the peripheral area 434 of the lens 430 is made incident on the emitted light from the light emitting element 322, and the focusing lens element 440s3 is formed so that the curvature of the rear surface 434b2 of the outer peripheral area 434b2 of the peripheral area 434 of the lens 430 is made incident on the emitted light from the light emitting element 322.

[0391] That is, the condenser lens 440 sets the curvature of the surface shape of each condenser lens element 440s1, 440s2, and 440s3 so that the emitted light from each of the three condenser lens elements 440s1, 440s2, and 440s3 is Fig.24 The three areas divided by the double-dashed line reach the lens 430.

[0392] When the configuration of this modification is adopted, similarly to the above-described embodiment, it is possible to perform light distribution control of the lens 430 with high accuracy while sufficiently ensuring the amount of light emitted from the outer peripheral edge portion of the lens 430 .

[0393] Furthermore, by adopting the structure of this variation, the region where the light emitted from the light emitting element 322 enters the lens 430 via the condenser lens 440 can be appropriately set according to the surface shapes of each of the three condenser lens elements 440s1, 440s2, and 440s3, thereby increasing the degree of freedom in controlling the light distribution of the lens 430.

[0394] Moreover, in this modification, as the structure of the peripheral region 434 of the lens 430, on the basis of the rear surface 434b being divided into the inner peripheral region 434b1 and the outer peripheral region 434b2, a plurality of total reflection prism elements 434s1 and 434s2 are set to form a double first annular concave surface C11 and a second annular concave surface C12 as an envelope surface, so that not only the total reflection prism element 434s1 formed at the outer peripheral edge of the inner peripheral region 434b1, but also the total reflection prism element 434s2 formed at the outer peripheral edge of the outer peripheral region 434b2 will not be too large in size. Therefore, when forming the lens 430, the plurality of total reflection prism elements 434s1 and 434s2 can be formed with high precision, thereby enabling high precision light distribution control. In addition, the peripheral region 434 of the lens 430 can be made thinner.

[0395] In addition, in the above-mentioned modification example, as the structure of the front surface 440a of the focusing lens 440, a structure in which three focusing lens elements 440s1, 440s2, and 440s3 are formed on the imaginary spherical surface is described, but it can also be a structure in which two or more focusing lens elements are formed.

[0396] In addition, the lamp unit 420 of the above-mentioned modified example may be replaced by a structure in which the focusing lens 440 of the above-mentioned modified example and the lens 330 of the above-mentioned embodiment are combined, or a structure in which the focusing lens 340 of the above-mentioned embodiment and the lens 430 of the above-mentioned modified example are combined may be adopted.

[0397] In addition, the numerical values ​​shown as specifications in the above-mentioned embodiment and its modified examples are merely examples, and it is of course possible to set them to different values ​​as appropriate.

[0398] 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 to which various other modifications are added.

[0399] (Third Embodiment)

[0400] Hereinafter, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0401] Fig.25 2 is a front view showing a vehicle lamp 510 according to a third embodiment of the present invention. Fig.26 yes Fig.25 The II-II line cross-sectional view, Fig. 27 yes Fig.25 In addition, Fig.25 , a part of the constituent elements is shown in a cutaway state.

[0402] exist Figure 25 to Figure 27 In the figure, the direction indicated by X is the "front" of the lamp (also the "front" of the vehicle), the direction indicated by Y is the "left" which is orthogonal to the "front" (also the "left" of the vehicle, but the "right" when observing the lamp from the front), and the direction indicated by Z is the "up". Figure 25 to Figure 27 The same applies to other figures.

[0403] like Figure 25 to Figure 27 As shown, the vehicle lamp 510 involved in this embodiment is a headlamp arranged at the right front end of the vehicle. In the lamp chamber formed by the lamp body 512 and the light-transmitting cover 514, there are accommodated a light-emitting element 522 as a light source, a collimating lens 530 having an optical axis Ax extending along the front-to-rear direction of the lamp, a microlens array 540, and a shading sheet 550.

[0404] Moreover, the vehicle lamp 510 is constructed so that the emitted light from the light emitting element 522 is incident on the microlens array 540 in a state of becoming parallel light through the collimating lens 530, and is irradiated toward the front of the lamp through the microlens array 540, thereby forming a low beam light distribution pattern (this will be explained later).

[0405] The light emitting element 522 is a white light emitting diode, and is arranged so that its light emitting surface 522a faces the front of the lamp (specifically, the front direction of the lamp). The light emitting surface 522a of the light emitting element 522 has a rectangular shape (specifically, a square of about 1×1 mm). Moreover, the light emitting element 522 is arranged so that its light emitting center (i.e., the center position of the light emitting surface 522a) is located on the optical axis Ax.

[0406] Next, the specific structure of the collimating lens 530 will be described.

[0407] Fig.28A yes Fig.26 IVa direction view, Fig.28B yes Fig.26 View in the direction of IVb.

[0408] like Fig.28A , Fig.28B As shown, the collimating lens 530 is an injection molded product made of a transparent resin, and includes a central region 532 centered on the optical axis Ax, a peripheral region 534 located around the central region 532, and a flange portion 536 located around the peripheral region 534. The central region 532 and the peripheral region 534 have a circular outer shape centered on the optical axis Ax when the lamp is viewed from the front, and the flange portion 536 has a rectangular outer shape (specifically, a square with a side of 50 mm or less (e.g., about 35 mm)) circumscribed to the peripheral region 534 when the lamp is viewed from the front.

[0409] The rear surface 532b of the central region 532 is composed of a Fresnel lens in which a plurality of prism elements 532s are arranged in a concentric circle shape with the optical axis Ax as the center, thereby causing the emitted light from the light emitting element 522 to be refracted in a direction close to the optical axis Ax and enter the collimating lens 530. Specifically, the rear surface 532b of the central region 532 guides the emitted light from the emission center of the light emitting element 522 as parallel light toward the front direction of the lamp toward the front surface 530a of the collimating lens 530 using each prism element 532s.

[0410] On the rear surface 534b of the peripheral area 534, a plurality of total reflection prism elements 534s are arranged in a concentric circle shape with the optical axis Ax as the center. These plurality of total reflection prism elements 534s are respectively Fresnel lens type total reflection prisms, and are configured to make the emitted light from the light emitting element 522 totally reflect toward the front of the lamp after incident. Specifically, the plurality of total reflection prism elements 534s respectively make the emitted light from the light emission center of the light emitting element 522 incident in a manner of refracting in a direction away from the optical axis Ax, and then guide it toward the front surface 530a of the collimating lens 530 as parallel light toward the front direction of the lamp.

[0411] The boundary position between the central region 532 and the peripheral region 534 is defined by a circle having a radius of 4 to 6 mm (eg, a radius of about 5 mm) with the optical axis Ax as the center.

[0412] like Fig.26 , Fig. 27 As shown, the plurality of total reflection prism elements 534s formed on the rear surface 534b of the peripheral region 534 form an annular concave surface C20 (the cross-sectional shape is indicated by a double-dashed line in the figure) centered on the optical axis Ax as an envelope surface.

[0413] At this time, in the rear surface 534b of the peripheral region 534, the pitch of the plurality of total reflection prism elements 534s and the curvature of the annular concave surface C20 are set so that the emitted light from the light emitting element 522 is substantially evenly incident on each of the plurality of total reflection prism elements 534s.

[0414] As a result, the plurality of total reflection prism elements 534 s have a cross-sectional shape in which total reflection prism elements 534 s located near the outer periphery are larger than total reflection prism elements 534 s located near the inner periphery of the rear surface 534 b of the peripheral region 534 .

[0415] like Figure 25 to Figure 28B As shown, the front surface 530 a of the collimator lens 530 is formed of a plane extending along a vertical plane orthogonal to the optical axis Ax. The collimator lens 530 is disposed so that the front surface 530 a is close to the microlens array 540 .

[0416] like Fig.26 , Fig. 27 As shown, the central region 532 of the collimating lens 530 has a substantially constant wall thickness of about 3 to 4 mm, the middle portion of the peripheral region 534 is thinner than the central region 532 , and the outer peripheral edge portion of the peripheral region 534 has a wall thickness of about 6 to 8 mm.

[0417] like Fig.28A , Fig.28B As shown, the flange portion 536 of the collimator lens 530 is formed to be thinner than the central region 532 and to extend in a flat plate shape coplanar with the front surface 530a. The collimator lens 530 is supported by the lamp body 512 at the flange portion 536 thereof.

[0418] Next, the specific structure of the microlens array 540 will be described.

[0419] like Figure 25 to Figure 27 As shown, the microlens array 540 includes a rear lens array 542 and a front lens array 544 located in front of the lamp.

[0420] The front surface of the rear lens array 542 is composed of a plane extending along a vertical plane orthogonal to the front-to-back direction of the lamp, but a plurality of focusing lens portions 542s are formed on the rear surface thereof for focusing the emitted light from the light emitting element 522. These plurality of focusing lens portions 542s are all convex curved fisheye lenses, and have an optical axis Ax1 extending along the front-to-back direction of the lamp.

[0421] The plurality of condensing lens units 542s are allocated to each of the plurality of segments divided into a vertical and horizontal grid shape. Each segment has a rectangular (eg, square) outer shape with a side length of about 2 to 3 mm (eg, about 2.5 mm).

[0422] On the other hand, the rear surface of the front lens array 544 is composed of a plane extending along a vertical plane orthogonal to the front-rear direction of the lamp, but a plurality of projection lens units 544s are formed on the front surface for projecting the plurality of light source images formed by the plurality of condensing lens units 542s. These plurality of projection lens units 544s are all convex curved fisheye lenses, and are allocated to each of the plurality of sections divided into vertical and horizontal grids with the same size as each of the plurality of condensing lens units 542s. At this time, the optical axis Ax1 of each of the plurality of projection lens units 544s is set to be coaxial with the optical axis Ax1 of each of the plurality of condensing lens units 542s.

[0423] The rear lens array 542 has a horizontally long rectangular outer shape when the lamp is viewed from the front, and an outer peripheral region 542 c surrounding a portion where a plurality of condensing lens portions 542 s are formed is formed in a flat plate shape.

[0424] On the other hand, the front lens array 544 also has the same outer shape as the rear lens array 542 when the lamp is viewed from the front, and an outer peripheral region 544c surrounding a portion where the plurality of projection lens units 544s are formed is formed in a flat plate shape.

[0425] A light shielding sheet 550 is disposed between the rear lens array 542 and the front lens array 544 . The light shielding sheet 550 is used to define the shape of each of the plurality of light source images formed by the plurality of condensing lens units 542 s .

[0426] The light shielding sheet 550 is composed of a light shielding plate (e.g., a metal plate having a thickness of about 0.1 to 0.5 mm) having a shape substantially the same as that of the rear lens array 542 and the front lens array 544. A plurality of light-transmitting portions 550a and 550b are formed in the light shielding sheet 550. At this time, the plurality of light-transmitting portions 550a and 550b are arranged in a vertical and horizontal lattice in a manner corresponding to the plurality of projection lens portions 544s in the front lens array 544, respectively, and the plurality of light-transmitting portions 550a and the plurality of light-transmitting portions 550b are alternately arranged in a vertical row on the left and right sides.

[0427] Fig.29 yes Fig.25 Detail of the V-section.

[0428] Also like Fig.29 As shown, the plurality of light-transmitting portions 550 a and 550 b are formed as openings that penetrate the light-shielding sheet 550 and have opening shapes different from each other.

[0429] That is, each of the plurality of light-transmitting portions 550a has an opening shape that is substantially the same shape as the upper half of the horizontally long ellipse. The lower edge 550a1 of the light-transmitting portion 550a is formed to extend in the left and right directions at different heights along a vertical plane orthogonal to the optical axis Ax1 at the position of the rear focus of the projection lens portion 544s. Specifically, the portion of the lower edge 550a1 that is to the left of the optical axis Ax1 (the portion on the right when the lamp is viewed from the front) extends in the horizontal direction at a position slightly above the optical axis Ax1, and the portion that is to the right of the optical axis Ax1 extends in the horizontal direction at a position slightly below the optical axis Ax1, and the left end portion thereof is connected to the portion that is to the left of the optical axis Ax1 in a state of extending obliquely to the upper left.

[0430] In addition, each of the plurality of light-transmitting portions 550b has an opening shape substantially the same as the upper half of the horizontally long ellipse, but is set to be much smaller than the light-transmitting portion 550a. Furthermore, the lower edge 550b1 of the light-transmitting portion 550b has the same shape as the lower edge 550a1 of the light-transmitting portion 550a.

[0431] The light shielding sheet 550 is fixed to the rear lens array 542 and the front lens array 544 by bonding or the like. The microlens array 540 is supported by the lamp body 512 at the outer peripheral region 542c of the rear lens array 542.

[0432] Fig.30 The figure transparently shows a light distribution pattern formed by the irradiation light from the vehicle lamp 510 on a virtual vertical screen arranged at a position 25 m in front of the lamp.

[0433] Fig.30 The light distribution pattern shown is a left-side low-beam light distribution pattern PL20, and has cut-off lines CL21 and CL22 at different heights on the upper edge. Of the cut-off lines CL21 and CL22, the portion on the opposite lane to the right of the HV line that passes through the vanishing point in the vertical direction of the lamp in the front direction is formed as the lower cut-off line CL21, and the portion on the own lane to the left of the VV line is formed as the upper cut-off line CL22 that gradually rises from the lower cut-off line CL21 via the inclined portion.

[0434] In the low-beam light distribution pattern PL20 , an inflection point E, which is an intersection of the lower cutoff line CL21 and the VV line, is located approximately 0.5 to 0.6° below HV.

[0435] The low-beam light distribution pattern PL20 is formed as a composite light distribution pattern of two large and small light distribution patterns PLA and PLB.

[0436] The larger light distribution pattern PLA is formed by the light emitted from the plurality of light emitting elements 522 passing through the plurality of light transmitting portions 550a. The smaller light distribution pattern PLB is formed by the light emitted from the plurality of light emitting elements 522 passing through the plurality of light transmitting portions 550b.

[0437] Furthermore, in the low-beam light distribution pattern PL20 , a diffusion region is formed by the light distribution pattern PLA, and a high-intensity region HZ is formed in the vicinity of the inflection point E by the light distribution pattern PLB.

[0438] Next, the operation of this embodiment will be described.

[0439] The vehicle lamp 510 involved in the present embodiment is constructed such that the outgoing light from the light-emitting element 522 (light source) incident on the microlens array 540 as parallel light via the collimating lens 530 is focused by a plurality of focusing lens portions 542s constituting the rear lens array 542 constituting the microlens array 540, and the plurality of light source images thus formed are projected respectively by a plurality of projection lens portions 544s constituting the front lens array 544 constituting the microlens array 540, thereby being able to easily form a low beam light distribution pattern PL20 (the required light distribution pattern) in an arbitrary shape.

[0440] On this basis, in the collimating lens 530, on the rear surface 532b of the peripheral area 534 located around the central area 532 located around the optical axis Ax extending in the front-to-rear direction of the lamp as the center, a plurality of total reflection prism elements 532s are formed in a state of being arranged in concentric circles with the optical axis Ax as the center, so that the emitted light from the light emitting element 522 is totally reflected toward the front of the lamp after being incident. Therefore, the emitted light from the light emitting element 522 can be used as forward illumination light over a wide range while suppressing the depth dimension of the vehicle lamp 510.

[0441] Furthermore, the plurality of totally reflecting prism elements 532s form an annular concave surface C20 centered on the optical axis Ax as an envelope surface, so that a sufficient amount of light can be obtained for the light emitted from the light emitting element 522 toward the outer peripheral edge of the collimating lens 530. Therefore, the light emitted from the light emitting element 522 can be made incident on each of the plurality of condensing lens portions 542s as parallel light of substantially uniform brightness, thereby forming a low beam light distribution pattern PL20 with less uneven light distribution.

[0442] As described above, according to the present embodiment, in the vehicle lamp 510 including the microlens array 540 , it is possible to form a light distribution pattern with less uneven light distribution while reducing the depth dimension thereof.

[0443] At this time, in the present embodiment, a shading sheet 550 is arranged between the rear lens array 542 and the front lens array 544 constituting the microlens array 540. The shading sheet 550 has a plurality of light-transmitting portions 550a, 550b for defining the external shapes of the plurality of light source images. Thus, light distribution patterns PLA, PLB corresponding to the sizes and external shapes of the plurality of light-transmitting portions 550a, 550b can be formed, thereby forming a low beam light distribution pattern PL20 with an arbitrary light distribution.

[0444] In addition, in the present embodiment, the light source of the vehicle lamp 510 is composed of the light emitting element 522 arranged with the light emitting surface 522a facing the front of the lamp, so that the low beam light distribution pattern PL20 having the cut-off lines CL21 and CL22 can be easily formed using the irradiated light from the vehicle lamp 510.

[0445] In the above embodiment, the case where the light emitting surface 522a of the light emitting element 522 has an outer shape of about 1 mm×1 mm is described, but a light emitting element having a light emitting surface of another shape may be used.

[0446] In the above embodiment, the case where the rear surface 532b of the central region 532 of the collimator lens 530 is formed in a Fresnel lens shape is described, but other structures (such as a structure composed of a single convex lens surface) may also be adopted.

[0447] In the above embodiment, the collimator lens 530 has a circular outer shape when the lamp is viewed from the front, but a configuration having an outer shape other than this may be adopted.

[0448] In the above embodiment, the collimator lens 530 is described as an injection-molded product. However, other structures (for example, a compression-molded product) may be adopted.

[0449] In the above-mentioned embodiment, the case where the focusing lens portion 542s of the rear lens array 542 and the projection lens portion 544s of the front lens array 544 in the microlens array 540 are assigned to each of a plurality of units divided into vertical and horizontal grids is described, but a division other than a vertical and horizontal grid (for example, an oblique grid, a honeycomb-shaped division, etc.) may also be adopted.

[0450] In the above-mentioned embodiment, the case where the shading sheet 550 is composed of a shading plate in which a plurality of light-transmitting portions 550a, 550b are formed into a plurality of opening portions is described, but a transparent sheet having a shading treatment applied to the surface of the area surrounding the plurality of light-transmitting portions 550a, 550b, a shading film formed by applying a shading treatment to the area surrounding the plurality of light-transmitting portions 550a, 550b on the front surface of the rear lens array 542 or the rear surface of the front lens array 544, etc. may also be used.

[0451] In the above embodiment, the plurality of light-transmitting portions 550a and 550b formed on the light-shielding sheet 550 are described as being formed alternately in a vertical row in the left and right directions. However, a configuration in which a plurality of light-transmitting portions are formed in other arrangements may be adopted.

[0452] In the above embodiment, the case where the low-beam light distribution pattern PL20 is formed as the required light distribution pattern is described, but a configuration may be adopted in which other light distribution patterns (for example, a road surface depicting light distribution pattern, etc.) are formed.

[0453] Next, modifications of the above-described embodiment will be described.

[0454] First, a first modified example of the above-mentioned embodiment will be described.

[0455] Figure 31 to Figure 34B The vehicle lamp 610 according to the present modification example is shown in FIG. Figure 25 to Figure 2 8Same picture.

[0456] like Figure 31 to Figure 34B As shown, the basic structure of the vehicle lamp 610 according to the present modification is the same as that of the above-mentioned embodiment, but the structures of the collimator lens 630 and the microlens array 640 are partially different from those of the above-mentioned embodiment.

[0457] That is, the collimator lens 630 of the present modification example has a structure in which the collimator lens 530 of the above-described embodiment and the rear lens array 542 of the microlens array 540 are integrally formed.

[0458] Specifically, in the collimating lens 630 of this modified example, a plurality of condensing lens portions 630s are formed on its front surface 630a, thereby playing the role of the rear lens array 542 of the microlens array 540 of the above-mentioned embodiment. These plurality of condensing lens portions 630s are all convex curved fisheye lenses, and are allocated to each of a plurality of segments divided into a vertical and horizontal grid shape with the same size as each of the plurality of condensing lens portions 542s formed on the rear lens array 542 of the microlens array 540 of the above-mentioned embodiment.

[0459] In addition, the microlens array 640 of this modification is configured to play the function of the front lens array 544 in the microlens array 540 of the above-mentioned embodiment. That is, the microlens array 640 is configured to have a plurality of projection lens units 640s2 formed on its front surface 640a, and a plurality of condensing lens units 640s1 formed on its rear surface 640b. These plurality of condensing lens units 640s1 and the plurality of projection lens units 640s2 are allocated to each of the plurality of segments divided into a vertical and horizontal grid shape with the same size as each of the plurality of condensing lens units 630s formed on the front surface 630a of the collimating lens 630.

[0460] The outer peripheral region 640c of the microlens array 640 is formed in a flat plate shape and is formed to be thicker toward the rear side of the lamp.

[0461] In this modification, a light shielding sheet 550 having the same structure as that of the above-mentioned embodiment is disposed between the collimating lens 630 and the microlens array 640. The light shielding sheet 550 is fixed to the outer peripheral region 640c of the microlens array 640 by bonding or the like at its outer peripheral portion. Furthermore, the microlens array 640 is supported by the lamp body 512 at its outer peripheral region 640c.

[0462] The vehicle lamp 610 involved in this variant is constructed as follows: after the emitted light from the light-emitting element 522 is incident on the collimating lens 630 and becomes parallel light, the light is focused by a plurality of focusing lens portions 630s formed on the front surface 630a of the collimating lens 630 and a plurality of focusing lens portions 640s1 formed on the rear surface 640b of the microlens array 640, and the plurality of light source images thus formed are projected respectively by a plurality of projection lens portions 640s2 formed on the front surface 640a of the microlens array 640, so that the same effect as that of the above-mentioned embodiment can be obtained.

[0463] Moreover, the collimating lens 630 of this variation is a structure in which the collimating lens 530 of the above-mentioned embodiment and the rear lens array 542 of the microlens array 540 are integrally formed, thereby being able to further reduce the depth dimension of the vehicle lamp 610 and achieve a cost reduction of the vehicle lamp 610 due to a reduction in the number of components.

[0464] Next, a second modified example of the above-described embodiment will be described.

[0465] Fig.35 The vehicle lamp 710 according to the present modification example is shown in FIG. Fig. 27 Same picture.

[0466] like Fig.35As shown, the basic structure of the vehicle lamp 710 involved in this variant is the same as that of the first variant mentioned above, but it does not have a structure of a shading sheet 550 like the vehicle lamp 610 involved in the first variant mentioned above, and the structure of the microlens array 740 is partially different from that of the first variant mentioned above.

[0467] That is, the microlens array 740 of this modified example is also configured to have a plurality of condensing lens units 740s1 formed on its rear surface 740b and a plurality of projection lens units 740s2 formed on its front surface 740a, but the plurality of projection lens units 740s2 are formed so that the curvature of the horizontal cross-sectional shape of the convex curved surface constituting the surface shape thereof becomes larger as the position is located farther from the optical axis Ax of the collimating lens 630. On the other hand, the curvature of the vertical cross-sectional shape of the convex curved surface constituting the surface shape of each of the plurality of projection lens units 740s2 is set to a substantially constant value.

[0468] That is, the focal lengths of the plurality of projection lens units 740s2 in the vertical plane are substantially constant, but the focal lengths in the horizontal plane become shorter as the position is farther from the optical axis Ax.

[0469] Thus, the light emitted from the microlens array 740 becomes light that greatly expands in the left and right directions in the projection lens unit 740s2 located near the optical axis Ax, and becomes light that slightly expands in the left and right directions in the projection lens unit 740s2 located far from the optical axis Ax.

[0470] Fig.36 1 is a diagram showing in perspective a light distribution pattern formed by the irradiation light from the vehicle lamp 710 on a virtual vertical screen arranged 25 m in front of the lamp.

[0471] Fig.36 The light distribution pattern shown is an additional light distribution pattern PA formed additionally to the low-beam light distribution pattern PL20 when the high-beam light distribution pattern PH20 is formed.

[0472] like Fig.36 As shown, the additional light distribution pattern PA is formed as a horizontally long light distribution pattern extending from the VV line to the left and right sides with HV as the center. At this time, the additional light distribution pattern PA is formed by overlapping a plurality of light distribution patterns with different left and right diffusion angles. This is because the focal lengths of the plurality of projection lens portions 740s2 constituting the front surface 740a of the microlens array 740 are substantially constant in the vertical plane, but in the horizontal plane, the farther away from the optical axis Ax, the shorter the focal length.

[0473] Even when the structure of this modified example is adopted, it is possible to form a light distribution pattern with less uneven light distribution while reducing the depth dimension of the vehicle lamp 710 .

[0474] Furthermore, as in the present modification, by appropriately adjusting the focal length values ​​of the plurality of projection lens portions 740s2, the degree of freedom of light distribution of the additional light distribution pattern PA formed as a composite light distribution pattern of a plurality of light distribution patterns can be increased.

[0475] In addition, the numerical values ​​shown as specifications in the above-mentioned embodiment and its modified examples are merely examples, and it is of course possible to set them to different values ​​as appropriate.

[0476] 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 to which various other modifications are added.

[0477] (Fourth Embodiment)

[0478] Hereinafter, a fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0479] Fig.37 2 is a front view showing a vehicle lamp 810 according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention. Fig.38 yes Fig.37 Sectional view along line II-II.

[0480] exist Fig.37 , Fig.38 In the figure, the direction indicated by X is "in front of the lamp", the direction indicated by Y is "left" ("right" when observing the lamp from the front) which is orthogonal to "in front of the lamp", and the direction indicated by Z is "up". Fig.37 , Fig.38 The same applies to other figures.

[0481] like Fig.37 , Fig.38 As shown, the vehicle lamp 810 involved in this embodiment is a headlamp arranged at the front end of the vehicle, and is configured by assembling a lamp unit 820 in a lamp chamber formed by a lamp body 812 and a transparent light-transmitting cover 814 installed at the front end opening thereof. In addition, the vehicle lamp 810 uses the irradiated light from the lamp unit 820 to form a low beam light distribution pattern (this will be described later).

[0482] The lamp unit 820 includes a light emitting element 822 and a lens 830 disposed on the front side of the lamp, and is configured to irradiate light emitted from the light emitting element 822 toward the front of the lamp via the lens 830 .

[0483] The light emitting element 822 is supported by the lamp body 812 via a substrate 824 , and the lens 830 is supported by the lamp body 812 via a mounting structure (not shown).

[0484] Next, the specific structure of the lamp unit 820 will be described.

[0485] Fig.39 yes Fig.37 The III-III line cross-sectional view, Fig.40 yes Fig.37 IV-IV line cross-sectional view. In addition, Fig.41A yes Fig.39 The view in the Va direction, Fig.41B yes Fig.39 View in the Vb direction.

[0486] like Figures 37 to 41B As shown, the lens 830 has an optical axis Ax extending in the front-rear direction of the lamp, and has a circular shape centered on the optical axis Ax when the lamp is viewed from the front. The outer dimensions of the lens 830 are set to a value of less than 50 mm (eg, about 35 mm).

[0487] The light emitting element 822 is a white light emitting diode, and is arranged in a state where its light emitting surface 822a faces the front of the lamp (specifically, the front direction of the lamp). The light emitting surface 822a of the light emitting element 822 has a rectangular shape (specifically, a square of about 1×1 mm). Moreover, the light emitting element 822 is arranged in a state where the center position of the lower edge of the light emitting surface 822a in the left-right direction (hereinafter referred to as the "reference position") is located on the optical axis Ax of the lens 830.

[0488] The lens 830 is an injection-molded product made of a transparent resin, and includes a central region 832 centered on the optical axis Ax and a peripheral region 834 located around the central region 832 .

[0489] The rear surface 832b of the central region 832 is composed of a Fresnel lens in which a plurality of lens elements 832s are arranged concentrically around the optical axis Ax, thereby causing the emitted light from the light emitting element 822 to be incident on the lens 830 in a manner of being refracted in a direction close to the optical axis Ax. Specifically, the rear surface 832b of the central region 832 guides the emitted light from the reference position of the light emitting element 822 toward the front surface 830a of the lens 830 as parallel light toward the front direction of the lamp by using each lens element 832s.

[0490] On the rear surface 834b of the peripheral area 834, a plurality of total reflection prism elements 834s are formed in a state of being arranged in concentric circles with the optical axis Ax as the center. These plurality of total reflection prism elements 834s are respectively Fresnel lens type total reflection prisms, and are configured to make the emitted light from the light emitting element 822 totally reflect toward the front of the lamp after incident. Specifically, the plurality of total reflection prism elements 834s respectively make the emitted light from the reference position of the light emitting element 822 incident in a manner of refracting in a direction away from the optical axis Ax, and then guide it toward the front surface 830a of the lens 830 as parallel light toward the front direction of the lamp.

[0491] The boundary position between the central region 832 and the peripheral region 834 is defined by a circle having a radius of 4 to 6 mm (eg, a radius of about 5 mm) with the optical axis Ax as the center.

[0492] like Fig.39 , Fig.40 As shown, the plurality of total reflection prism elements 834s formed on the rear surface 834b of the peripheral region 834 form an annular concave surface C30 (the cross-sectional shape is indicated by a double-dashed line in the figure) centered on the optical axis Ax as an envelope surface.

[0493] At this time, in the rear surface 834b of the peripheral region 834, the pitch of the plurality of total reflection prism elements 834s and the curvature of the annular concave surface C30 are set so that the emitted light from the light emitting element 822 is substantially evenly incident on each of the plurality of total reflection prism elements 834s.

[0494] As a result, the plurality of total reflection prism elements 834 s have a cross-sectional shape in which total reflection prism elements 834 s located near the outer periphery are larger than total reflection prism elements 834 s located near the inner periphery of the rear surface 834 b of the peripheral region 834 .

[0495] like Figures 37 to 41B As shown, the front surface 830a of the lens 830 has a structure in which a plurality of lens elements (described later) are formed on a vertical plane orthogonal to the optical axis Ax.

[0496] The front surface 830a of the lens 830 is divided into five emission areas 830a1, 830a2, 830a3, 830a4, and 830a5.

[0497] The emission area 830a1 is a semicircular area located in the upper half of the front surface 830a, the emission areas 830a2 and 830a4 are semicircular areas extending in a band-like manner along the outer periphery of the lower half of the front surface 830a, the emission area 830a3 is an area in the lower area of ​​the front surface 830a having a longitudinal shape extending in a fan-like manner downward, and the emission area 830a5 is the remaining area of ​​the lower half of the front surface 830a.

[0498] The emission area 830a1 is divided into a horizontal grid shape (e.g., about 2×4 mm) in length and width, and a convex curved lens element 830s1 is assigned to each of the vertical and horizontal grids. Each lens element 830s1 is configured to emit light from the light emitting element 822 that arrives as parallel light from the rear surface 832b, 834b of the lens 830 toward the front of the lamp in a manner that is diffused to the left and right after being deflected downward.

[0499] The plurality of lens elements 830s1 constituting the emission region 830a1 are set to have different values ​​of inclination angles in the vertical direction between the plurality of lens elements 830s1 constituting the longitudinal columns divided into the vertical and horizontal grid shape. Specifically, the plurality of lens elements 830s1 are formed to protrude and extend obliquely downward from the upper edge toward the lower edge thereof, and at this time, the more the lens element 830s1 is located on the lower edge side of the emission region 830a1, the greater the inclination angle relative to the vertical plane orthogonal to the optical axis Ax is set. In addition, the more the lens element 830s1 is located on the lower edge side of the emission region 830a1, the greater the curvature of each of the plurality of lens elements 830s1 in the left-right direction is set.

[0500] The emission regions 830a2 and 830a4 are divided into vertical stripes (for example, with a horizontal width of about 2 mm), and a convex curved lens element 830s2 or 830s4 is allocated to each vertical stripe.

[0501] Each lens element 830s2 constituting the emission area 830a2 located on the left side of the emission area 830a3 (the right side when the lamp is viewed from the front) is configured so that the light from the light-emitting element 822 arriving from the rear surface 834b of the lens 830 as parallel light is emitted toward the front of the lamp in a manner that is greatly diffused to the right while being slightly deflected downward.

[0502] Each lens element 830s4 constituting the emission area 830a4 located on the right side of the emission area 830a3 is configured so that the light from the light-emitting element 822 arriving from the rear surface 834b of the lens 830 as parallel light is emitted toward the front of the lamp in a manner that is greatly diffused to the left after being slightly deflected upward.

[0503] The left edge of the emission area 830a3 (the right edge when the lamp is viewed from the front) is formed by a straight line extending from the optical axis Ax to the right side, and the right edge is formed by a straight line extending from the optical axis Ax to the direction inclined to the right side relative to the downward direction (specifically, a direction inclined to the right side by about 15° from the downward direction). The upper edge of the emission area 830a3 is formed by an arc centered on the optical axis Ax. The arc is located slightly closer to the outer peripheral side than the boundary between the central area 832 and the peripheral area 834 of the lens 830. In addition, the lower edge of the emission area 830a3 is formed by the outer peripheral edge of the front surface 830a.

[0504] The emission area 830a3 is composed of a single lens element 830s3. The lens element 830s3 has a surface shape composed of a convex free-form surface. That is, the surface of the lens element 830s3 is composed of a free-form surface whose curvature gradually changes from the right half 830s3A to the left half 830s3B. Moreover, in the lens element 830s3, it is configured so that the light from the light-emitting element 822 that arrives as parallel light from the rear surface 834b of the lens 830 is emitted toward the front of the lamp in a manner that gradually changes the emission direction from the right half 830s3A to the left half 830s3B on the basis of a slight upward deflection.

[0505] The emission area 830a5 is divided into vertical stripes in the same manner as the emission area 830a1, and a convex curved lens element 830s5 is assigned to each vertical stripe. However, each lens element 830s5 is configured so that the light from the light emitting element 822 that arrives as parallel light from the rear surface 832b, 834b of the lens 830 is emitted toward the front of the lamp in a manner that is greatly diffused to the left after being slightly deflected downward.

[0506] like Fig.39 , Fig.40 As shown, the central region 832 of the lens 830 has a substantially constant wall thickness of about 3 to 4 mm, but the middle portion of the peripheral region 834 is thinner than the central region 832, and the outer peripheral edge portion of the peripheral region 834 has a wall thickness of about 5 to 6 mm.

[0507] Fig.42 1 is a diagram showing in a perspective manner a low-beam light distribution pattern PL30 formed on a virtual vertical screen disposed 25 m in front of the vehicle lamp 810 using the illumination light from the vehicle lamp 810 .

[0508] The low-beam light distribution pattern PL30 is a low-beam light distribution pattern for the left beam, and a stepped cutoff line CL30 is formed at an upper end portion thereof.

[0509] The step cut-off line CL30 has a shape in which the lower cut-off line CL31 and the upper cut-off line CL32 are connected via the inclined portion CL33, and the lower cut-off line CL31 and the upper cut-off line CL32 are different in height and extend in the horizontal direction. At this time, the step cut-off line CL30 is formed such that, relative to the plumb line VV line passing through the vanishing point HV in the front direction of the lamp, the lower cut-off line CL31 is located on the opposite lane side, and the inclined portion CL33 and the upper cut-off line CL32 are located on the own lane side. The upper cut-off line CL32 is located slightly above the horizontal line HH line passing through HV.

[0510] In the low-beam light distribution pattern PL30, the inflection point E, which is the intersection of the lower cut-off line CL31 and the inclined portion CL33, is located about 0.5 to 0.6 degrees below HV, and the inclined portion CL33 extends obliquely to the upper left at an inclination angle of 15 degrees relative to the horizontal direction from the inflection point E. In the low-beam light distribution pattern PL30, a high-intensity area HZ is formed near the lower left of the inflection point E.

[0511] The low-beam light distribution pattern PL30 is formed as a composite light distribution pattern in which five light distribution patterns P31 , P32 , P33 , P34 , and P35 are superimposed.

[0512] The light distribution pattern P31 is a light distribution pattern formed by the emitted light from the emission area 830a1 in the front surface 830a of the lens 830, and is formed as a horizontally long light distribution pattern that greatly expands in the left and right directions with a large vertical width below the HH line. The light distribution pattern P31 forms a wide diffusion area of ​​the low beam light distribution pattern PL30. At this time, as the light distribution pattern P31 itself, a high-intensity area HZ1 for enhancing the brightness of the high-intensity area HZ is also formed near the bottom of the inflection point E. In addition, the formation process of the light distribution pattern P31 will be described later.

[0513] The light distribution pattern P32 is a light distribution pattern formed by the emitted light from the emission area 830a2 in the front surface 830a of the lens 830, and is formed as a horizontally long bright light distribution pattern extending from the vicinity of the VV line to the right with a narrow vertical width near the bottom of the HH line. The light distribution pattern P32 forms the lower bright-dark cut-off line CL31 of the low-beam light distribution pattern PL30 through its upper edge.

[0514] Such a light distribution pattern P32 is formed because, in the peripheral area of ​​the peripheral area 834, the viewing angle of the light-emitting surface 822a of the light-emitting element 822 from its peripheral edge is small, so the light distribution pattern formed by the emitted light from the emission area 830a2 located in front of its lamp tends to become small and bright.

[0515] The light distribution pattern P33 is a light distribution pattern formed by the emitted light from the emission area 830a3 in the front surface 830a of the lens 830, and is formed as a small and bright light distribution pattern extending obliquely upward to the left with a narrow vertical width near the bottom of the HV. The light distribution pattern P33 forms the inclined portion CL33 of the low beam light distribution pattern PL30 and the right end of the upper bright and dark cut-off line CL32 through its upper edge. In addition, the formation process of the light distribution pattern P33 will be described later.

[0516] The light distribution pattern P34 is a light distribution pattern formed by the emitted light from the emission area 830a4 in the front surface 830a of the lens 50, and is formed as a horizontally long bright light distribution pattern extending from the left side of the VV line to the left with a narrow upper and lower width roughly along the HH line. The light distribution pattern P34 forms the upper bright and dark cut-off line CL32 of the low-beam light distribution pattern PL30 through its upper edge. At this time, the light distribution pattern P34 is formed so that its right end is smoothly connected to the light distribution pattern P33 in an overlapping state.

[0517] The reason for forming such a light distribution pattern P34 is that, as in the case of the light distribution pattern P32, in the peripheral side area of ​​the peripheral area 834, the viewing angle of the light-emitting surface 822a of the light-emitting element 822 as viewed from its outer peripheral edge is smaller. Therefore, the light distribution pattern formed by the emitted light from the emission area 830a4 located in front of its lamp tends to become small and bright.

[0518] The light distribution pattern P35 is a light distribution pattern formed by the emitted light from the emission area 830a5 in the front surface 830a of the lens 830, and is formed as a horizontally long, brighter light distribution pattern that extends to the left from near the left side of the VV line with a narrow upper and lower width in a manner spanning the light distribution pattern P34 and the light distribution pattern P31, and its right end portion overlaps with the light distribution pattern P33.

[0519] Fig.43A This is a diagram showing only the light distribution pattern P31 extracted from the low-beam light distribution pattern PL30.

[0520] like Fig.43A As shown, the light distribution pattern P31 is formed as a horizontally long light distribution pattern with a large vertical width and greatly extended in the left and right directions with the VV line as the center, and the position of the upper edge thereof is substantially consistent with the lower section cut-off line CL31. In addition, a horizontally long high-luminous intensity area HZ1 with the VV line as the center is formed at the upper end of the light distribution pattern P31, and the position of the upper edge thereof is substantially consistent with the lower section cut-off line CL31.

[0521] Fig.43B It is a diagram for explaining the process of forming the light distribution pattern P31.

[0522] exist Fig.43B , the light distribution pattern P31 is shown as a composite light distribution pattern of three light distribution patterns P31A, P31B, and P31C having different sizes.

[0523] The largest light distribution pattern P31A among the three light distribution patterns P31A to P31C is a light distribution pattern formed by the emission lights from multiple lens elements 830s1 located in the lower area of ​​the emission area 830a1, the smallest light distribution pattern P31C is a light distribution pattern formed by the emission lights from multiple lens elements 830s1 located in the upper area of ​​the emission area 830a1, and the medium-sized light distribution pattern P31B is a light distribution pattern formed by the emission lights from multiple lens elements 830s1 located in the middle area in the upper and lower directions of the emission area 830a1.

[0524] The positions of the upper edges of the three light distribution patterns P31A to P31C are substantially the same because the lens elements 830s1 are configured such that the lens elements 830s1 located closer to the lower edge of the emission region 830a1 have larger inclination angles with respect to the vertical plane orthogonal to the optical axis Ax.

[0525] The magnitude of the left-right diffusion angle of each of the three light distribution patterns P31A to P31C is set according to the magnitude of the curvature in the left-right direction of each of the plurality of lens elements 830s1.

[0526] On the other hand, Fig.43B The light distribution pattern P31o indicated by the dotted line is a light distribution pattern formed when the plurality of lens elements 830s1 constituting the emission region 830a1 are configured to emit light from the light emitting element 822 that reaches the rear surfaces 832b and 834b of the lens 830 as parallel light without being deflected downward.

[0527] In addition, Fig.43B In FIG. 1 , the light distribution pattern P31o is shown as a composite light distribution pattern of three light distribution patterns P31oA, P31oB, and P31oC having different sizes, corresponding to the light distribution pattern P31.

[0528] The three light distribution patterns P310A to P310C are formed in multiple layers at their upper ends so as to straddle the HH line vertically and downwardly, and the positions of their upper edges are shifted downward in the order of the light distribution patterns P310A, P310B, and P310C.

[0529] In addition, Fig.43B The light distribution pattern P31′ indicated by the double-dashed line is a light distribution pattern formed when the inclination angles of the lens elements 830s1 located at the lower edge of the emission region 830a1 are assumed to be the same as the inclination angles of the lens elements 830s1 with respect to the vertical plane orthogonal to the optical axis Ax as the structures of the plurality of lens elements 830s1.

[0530] In addition, Fig.43BIn FIG. 1 , the light distribution pattern P31 ′ is also shown as a composite light distribution pattern of three light distribution patterns P31A′, P31B′, and P31C′ having different sizes corresponding to the light distribution pattern P31 .

[0531] The three light distribution patterns P31A′ to P31C′ are obtained by directly shifting the three light distribution patterns P31oA to P31C in parallel downward by the same angle θa′.

[0532] In contrast, among the three light distribution patterns P31A to P31C, light distribution pattern P31A is formed by moving light distribution pattern P31οA downward in parallel by an amount equivalent to angle θa (θa=θa′), light distribution pattern P31B is formed by moving light distribution pattern P31οB downward in parallel by an amount equivalent to angle θb (θb<θa), and light distribution pattern P31C is formed by moving light distribution pattern P31οC downward in parallel by an amount equivalent to angle θc (θc<θb).

[0533] Therefore, the light distribution pattern P31 is a light distribution pattern in which the positions of the upper edges of the three light distribution patterns P31A to P31C are substantially the same. Fig.43A As shown, the light distribution pattern P31 has a horizontally long high-intensity zone HZ1 formed at its upper end.

[0534] Fig.44 It is a diagram for explaining the formation process of the light distribution pattern P33, and shows a part of the front surface 830a of the lens 830 and a part of the low-beam light distribution pattern PL30 in a perspective view.

[0535] like Fig.44 As shown, as described above, the light distribution pattern P33 formed by the light emitted from the lens element 830s3 constituting the emission area 830a3 in the front surface 830a of the lens 830 is formed so that its upper edge extends from the inclined portion CL33 of the low-beam light distribution pattern PL30 to the right end of the upper cut-off line CL32.

[0536] on the other hand, Fig.44 The light distribution pattern P33o shown by the double-dashed line is a light distribution pattern formed when the lens element 830s3 is not formed in the emission area 830a3, and is formed to extend obliquely to the upper left near the bottom of the inclined portion CL33. The upper edge of the light distribution pattern P33o is formed as a clear light-dark boundary line. This is because the light emitting element 822 is configured in a state where the lower edge of its light emitting surface 822a is located on the optical axis Ax of the lens 830.

[0537] In fact, since the lens element 830s3 is formed in the emission area 830a3, the light distribution pattern P33o changes like the light distribution pattern P33. This is because the lens element 830s3 is composed of a free-form surface whose curvature gradually changes from the right half 830s3A to the left half 830s3B, thereby causing the parallel light reaching the front surface 830a of the lens 830 to be slightly deflected upward, and the emission direction gradually changes from the right half 830s3A to the left half 830s3B.

[0538] Furthermore, since the emission area 830a3 is composed of a single lens element 830s3 and has no step on its surface, light accumulation that causes glare is not accidentally formed in the space above the inclined portion CL33 as the light distribution pattern P33.

[0539] Next, the operation of this embodiment will be described.

[0540] The vehicle lamp 810 involved in the present embodiment is constructed such that the emitted light from the light emitting element 822 (light source) of the lamp unit 820 is irradiated toward the front of the lamp through the lens 830, thereby forming a low beam light distribution pattern PL30 having a stepped cut-off line CL30. However, in the lens 830, a rear surface 834b of a peripheral area 834 located around a central area 832 centered on an optical axis Ax extending in the front-to-rear direction of the lamp is formed with a plurality of total reflection prism elements 834s arranged concentrically with the optical axis Ax as the center, so that the emitted light from the light emitting element 822 is totally reflected toward the front of the lamp after being incident. Therefore, the emitted light from the light emitting element 822 can be used as forward illumination light over a wide range.

[0541] On this basis, the front surface 830a of the lens 830 is divided into five emission areas 830a1, 830a2, 830a3, 830a4, and 830a5, and each emission area is provided with a plurality of lens elements 830s1, 830s2, 830s3, 830s4, and 830s5 for controlling the emission of light from the light-emitting element 822 that arrives as parallel light from the rear surfaces 832b and 834b of the lens 830, thereby increasing the degree of freedom of light distribution control.

[0542] At this time, the plurality of lens elements 830s1 constituting the emission region 830a1 located at the upper half of the front surface 830a are formed in a state divided into a vertical and horizontal grid shape. Therefore, by appropriately adjusting the orientation of the plurality of lens elements 830s1, it is possible to easily form a light distribution pattern P31 with an arbitrary light distribution. Specifically, the more the plurality of lens elements 830s1 are located on the lower edge side of the emission region 830a1, the greater the inclination angle with respect to the vertical plane orthogonal to the optical axis Ax is set to, so that the plurality of light distribution patterns (see FIG. 1 ) formed by the emission light from the plurality of lens elements 830s1 can be made. Fig.43B Therefore, the upper edge of the light distribution pattern P31 formed as a composite light distribution pattern of these multiple light distribution patterns can be made to be along the lower cut-off line CL31 of the low-beam light distribution pattern PL30.

[0543] As described above, according to the present embodiment, in the vehicle lamp 810 configured to irradiate the light emitted from the light emitting element 822 toward the front of the lamp via the lens 830 , a low-beam light distribution pattern PL30 having a clear step cut-off line CL30 can be formed.

[0544] At this time, in this embodiment, the light source of the lamp unit 820 is composed of a light emitting element 822 arranged with the light emitting surface 822a facing the front of the lamp, so it is easy to form a low beam light distribution pattern PL30 having a stepped cut-off line CL30 using the irradiated light from the vehicle lamp 810.

[0545] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the plurality of total reflection prism elements 834 s form an annular concave surface C30 centered on the optical axis Ax as an envelope surface, so that a sufficient amount of light can be obtained for light emitted from the light emitting element 822 toward the outer peripheral edge of the lens 830 .

[0546] In the above embodiment, the multiple lens elements 830s1 constituting the entire region of the emission region 830a1 are set such that the value of the tilt angle relative to the vertical plane orthogonal to the optical axis Ax is larger for the lens elements located closer to the lower edge of the emission region 830a1, but such setting may be made for the multiple lens elements 830s1 constituting a part of the emission region 830a1 (e.g., the central region or the upper region on the left and right sides). Furthermore, in the emission region 830a5, a structure may be adopted in which the vertical tilt angles of the multiple lens elements 830s5 constituting the longitudinal columns divided into the longitudinal and transverse lattice shape are set to different values.

[0547] In the above embodiment, the case where the light emitting surface 822a of the light emitting element 822 has an outer shape of about 1 mm×1 mm is described, but a light emitting element having a light emitting surface of another shape may be used.

[0548] In the above embodiment, the rear surface 832b of the central region 832 of the lens 830 of the lamp unit 820 is formed into a Fresnel lens shape, but other structures (such as a structure composed of a single convex lens surface) may be adopted.

[0549] In the above embodiment, the lens 830 of the lamp unit 820 has a circular outer shape when the lamp is viewed from the front, but a configuration having an outer shape other than this may be adopted.

[0550] In the above embodiment, the lens 830 is described as an injection-molded product. However, other structures (for example, a compression-molded product) may be employed.

[0551] In the above embodiment, the case where the left low-beam light distribution pattern PL30 having the step cut-off line CL30 is formed by the irradiated light from the vehicle lamp 810 is described, but a configuration may be made to form other light distribution patterns.

[0552] Next, modifications of the above-described embodiment will be described.

[0553] First, a first modified example of the above-mentioned embodiment will be described.

[0554] Fig.45 The lamp unit 920 of the vehicle lamp according to the present modification example is shown in FIG. Fig.39 Same picture. In addition, Fig.46A is a diagram showing the relationship between the lens 930 of the lamp unit 920 and Fig.41A Same picture. Fig.46B is a diagram showing the relationship between the lens 930 of the lamp unit 920 and Fig.41B Same picture.

[0555] like Fig.45 , Fig.46A , Fig.46B As shown, the basic structure of the lamp unit 920 of this modification is the same as that of the above-mentioned embodiment, but the structure of the front surface 930a of the lens 930 is partially different from that of the above-mentioned embodiment.

[0556] Specifically, the lens 930 of the present modification example is configured such that a plurality of lens elements 930s1 constituting an emission region 930a1 of a front surface 930a thereof are formed to extend in a cylindrical lens shape in the upper and lower directions.

[0557] That is, in this modification, a plurality of lens elements 830s1 that are divided into vertical columns in a vertical and horizontal grid shape in the emission region 830a1 of the front surface 830a of the lens 830 of the above embodiment are continuously formed to constitute one lens element 930s1.

[0558] At this time, each of the plurality of lens elements 930s1 is formed with the same left-right width as each of the plurality of lens elements 830s1 in the above embodiment, and its vertical inclination angle is set to different values ​​depending on the vertical position of the lens element 930s1.

[0559] Specifically, the plurality of lens elements 930s1 are formed so as to extend obliquely toward the front side of the lamp from the upper edge toward the lower edge thereof, and at this time, the inclination angle with respect to the vertical plane orthogonal to the optical axis Ax is set to a larger value as the portion is located closer to the lower edge of the emission region 930a1. In addition, the curvature of the left and right sides of the plurality of lens elements 930s1 is set to a larger value as the portion is located closer to the lower edge of the emission region 930a1.

[0560] In this modification, the light emitted from the emission area 930a1 of the front surface 930a of the lens 930 is also used to form the same light distribution pattern as that in the above embodiment (ie Fig.43A The light distribution pattern P31 shown).

[0561] The structures of the other emission regions 830a2 to 830a5 in the front surface 930a of the lens 930 of this modification are also the same as those in the above embodiment, and the structures of the rear surfaces 832b and 834b are also the same as those in the above embodiment.

[0562] Even when the structure of this modified example is adopted, the same effects as those of the above-described embodiment can be obtained.

[0563] Furthermore, by adopting the structure of this modified example, a step is not formed between the plurality of lens elements 830s1 forming a longitudinal row in the emission area 830a1 as in the lens 830 of the above-mentioned embodiment, so that it is possible to prevent the upward scattered light from being accidentally irradiated from the step portion. Therefore, the step cut-off line CL30 of the low-beam light distribution pattern PL30 can be made clearer.

[0564] Furthermore, by adopting the structure of this modification, the front surface 930 a of the lens 930 can be made to have a simple appearance compared to the case of the above-mentioned embodiment, thereby improving the aesthetics of the lens 930 .

[0565] In addition, as in this modification, when a structure is adopted in which a plurality of lens elements 930s1 extend in the shape of cylindrical lenses in the upper and lower parts, Fig.45 As shown, the emission area 930a1 becomes a backward-inclined surface shape, but on the rear surface 834b of the peripheral area 834 of the lens 930, a plurality of total reflection prism elements 834s form a circular concave surface C30 centered on the optical axis Ax as an envelope surface, thereby avoiding the wall thickness of the lens 930 becoming too thin at its upper end.

[0566] In the first modification, the tilt angle of the plurality of lens elements 930s1 constituting the entire region of the emission region 930a1 is set to a larger value as the portion located on the lower edge side thereof is located, but the plurality of lens elements 930s1 constituting a partial region (e.g., the central region on the left and right sides) of the emission region 930a1 may be set in this manner. Furthermore, in the emission region 830a5, a configuration may be adopted in which the plurality of lens elements 830s5 constituting the longitudinal rows divided into the longitudinal and transverse lattice shape are continuously formed.

[0567] Next, a second modified example of the above-described embodiment will be described.

[0568] Fig.47A The lens 1230 in the lamp unit of the vehicle lamp according to the present modification example and Fig.41A Same picture. Fig.47B The lens 1230 in the lamp unit of the vehicle lamp according to the present modification example and Fig.41B Same picture.

[0569] like Fig.47A , Fig.47B As shown, the basic structure of the lens 1230 of this modification is the same as that of the above-mentioned embodiment, but the structure of the emission area 1230a1 of the front surface 1230a thereof is partially different from that of the above-mentioned embodiment.

[0570] That is, the structure of the plurality of lens elements 1230s1B constituting the upper region 1230a1B of the emission region 1230a1 in the front surface 1230a of the lens 1230 of the present modification example is different from that of the above-described embodiment.

[0571] Specifically, the plurality of lens elements 1230s1B are configured to emit light from the light emitting element 822 that reaches the rear surfaces 832b and 834b of the lens 1230 as parallel light toward the front of the lamp while being slightly deflected downward and diffused more to the left than to the right.

[0572] The structure of the plurality of lens elements 1230s1A constituting the general region 1230a1A other than the upper region 1230a1B in the emission region 1230a1 is the same as that of the above-described embodiment.

[0573] Fig.48 1 is a diagram showing in perspective the low-beam light distribution pattern PL30 - 2 formed on the virtual vertical screen by the irradiation light from the vehicle lamp according to the present modification.

[0574] The low beam light distribution pattern PL30-2 is also formed as a composite light distribution pattern formed by overlapping the five light distribution patterns P31-2, P32, P33, P34, and P35, similarly to the low beam light distribution pattern PL30 of the above embodiment, but the formation position of the high light intensity area HZ1-2 in the light distribution pattern P31-2 is shifted to the left side compared with the high light intensity area HZ1 in the light distribution pattern P31 of the above embodiment. This is because the plurality of lens elements 1230s1B constituting the upper area 1230a1B of the emission area 1230a1 is configured so that the light from the light emitting element 822 is emitted to the front of the lamp in a manner that is more diffused to the left than to the right.

[0575] Even when the structure of this modified example is adopted, the same effects as those of the above-described embodiment can be obtained.

[0576] Moreover, by adopting the structure of this modified example, as the low beam light distribution pattern PL30-2, its high-intensity area HZ-2 can be formed at a position close to the shoulder on the side of the lane compared to the above-mentioned embodiment, thereby obtaining a light distribution more suitable for vehicle driving.

[0577] In addition, the numerical values ​​shown as specifications in the above-mentioned embodiment and its modified examples are merely examples, and it is of course possible to set them to different values ​​as appropriate.

[0578] 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 to which various other modifications are added.

[0579] This application is based on Japanese Patent Application No. 2022-093903 filed on June 9, 2022, Japanese Patent Application No. 2022-093904 filed on June 9, 2022, Japanese Patent Application No. 2022-093905 filed on June 9, 2022, and Japanese Patent Application No. 2022-093906 filed on June 9, 2022, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

Claims

1. A vehicle lamp, characterized in that: have: Light source; and lens, The vehicle lamp is configured to irradiate the light emitted from the light source toward the front of the lamp via the lens. The lens has: a central area, the central area is centered on the optical axis extending along the front-rear direction of the lamp; and a peripheral area, the peripheral area is located around the central area. A plurality of total reflection prism elements are formed on the rear surface of the peripheral area in a state of being arranged in concentric circles with the optical axis as the center, and the plurality of total reflection prism elements make the emitted light from the light source totally reflect toward the front of the lamp after being incident. The rear surface of the peripheral area is divided into an inner peripheral area and an outer peripheral area. The plurality of total reflection prism elements form a first annular concave surface centered on the optical axis as an envelope surface in the inner peripheral region, and the plurality of total reflection prism elements form a second annular concave surface centered on the optical axis as an envelope surface in the outer peripheral region.

2. The vehicle lamp according to claim 1, characterized in that: The plurality of total reflection prism elements formed in the inner peripheral area are respectively configured to totally reflect the emitted light from a first imaginary point light source as parallel light toward the front direction of the lamp, wherein the first imaginary point light source is located at a position closer to the rear side of the lamp than the light source in a plane containing the optical axis, The multiple total reflection prism elements formed in the peripheral side area are respectively constructed to totally reflect the emitted light from the second imaginary point light source as parallel light toward the front direction of the lamp, and the second imaginary point light source is located on the rear side of the lamp than the light source and on the front side of the lamp than the first imaginary point light source in the plane containing the optical axis.

3. The vehicle lamp according to claim 2, characterized in that: The first imaginary point light source is located at a position on the opposite side of the incident area of ​​the light emitted from the first imaginary point light source in the inner peripheral area with respect to the optical axis. The second imaginary point light source is located at a position on the opposite side of the incident region of the outer peripheral region with respect to the optical axis.

4. The vehicle lamp according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that: The light source includes a light emitting element arranged with a light emitting surface facing forward of the lamp.

5. The vehicle lamp according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that: A plurality of lens elements for controlling the emission of light arriving from the plurality of total reflection prism elements are formed on the front surface of the lens. The horizontal cross-sectional shape of the plurality of lens elements including the optical axis forms a convex curve centered on the optical axis as an envelope.

6. A vehicle lamp, characterized in that: have: light source; lens; and a condenser lens, the condenser lens being arranged between the light source and the lens so that the emitted light from the light source is incident on the lens in a condensed state, The vehicle lamp is configured to irradiate the light emitted from the light source toward the front of the lamp via the lens. The lens has: a central area, the central area is centered on the optical axis extending in the front-rear direction of the lamp; and a peripheral area, the peripheral area is located around the central area. A plurality of total reflection prism elements are formed on the rear surface of the peripheral area in a state of being arranged in concentric circles with the optical axis as the center, and the plurality of total reflection prism elements make the emitted light from the light source totally reflect toward the front of the lamp after being incident. The plurality of total reflection prism elements form an annular concave surface centered on the optical axis as an envelope surface.

7. The vehicle lamp according to claim 6, characterized in that: The condenser lens is composed of a plano-convex lens whose front surface is formed into a convex curved surface.

8. The vehicle lamp according to claim 7, characterized in that: A plurality of condenser lens elements are formed on the front surface of the condenser lens in a state of being arranged concentrically around the optical axis.

9. The vehicle lamp according to any one of claims 6 to 8, characterized in that: A plurality of lens elements are formed on the front surface of the lens, and the plurality of lens elements control the emission of light arriving from the plurality of total reflection prism elements.

10. The vehicle lamp according to any one of claims 6 to 8, characterized in that: The light source is a light emitting element arranged with the light emitting surface facing the front of the lamp.

11. A vehicle lamp, characterized in that: have: light source; A microlens array, the microlens array comprising: a rear lens array having a plurality of condensing lens portions for condensing light emitted from the light source; and a front lens array having a plurality of projection lens units for respectively projecting a plurality of light source images formed by the plurality of condensing lens units; as well as a collimating lens, the collimating lens being arranged between the light source and the rear lens array and being used to make the emitted light from the light source incident on the rear lens array as parallel light, The vehicle lamp is configured to form a desired light distribution pattern by irradiating the light emitted from the light source to the front of the lamp via the microlens array. The collimating lens has: a central area, the central area is centered on the optical axis along the front-rear direction of the lamp; and a peripheral area, the peripheral area is located around the central area. A plurality of total reflection prism elements are formed on the rear surface of the peripheral area in a state of being arranged in concentric circles with the optical axis as the center, and the plurality of total reflection prism elements make the emitted light from the light source totally reflect toward the front of the lamp after being incident. The plurality of total reflection prism elements form an annular concave surface centered on the optical axis as an envelope surface.

12. The vehicle lamp according to claim 11, characterized in that: The collimating lens and the rear lens array are integrally formed.

13. The vehicle lamp according to claim 11 or 12, characterized in that: In the front lens array, focal lengths of at least some of the plurality of projection lens units are set to different values ​​from each other.

14. The vehicle lamp according to claim 11 or 12, characterized in that: The vehicle lamp further includes a light shielding sheet disposed between the rear lens array and the front lens array, and including a plurality of light-transmitting portions for defining an outer shape of each of the plurality of light source images.

15. The vehicle lamp according to claim 11 or 12, characterized in that: The light source includes a light emitting element arranged with a light emitting surface facing forward of the lamp.

16. A vehicle lamp, characterized in that: have: light source; and lens, The vehicle lamp is configured to form a light distribution pattern having a cut-off line by irradiating light emitted from the light source toward the front of the lamp via the lens. The lens has: a central area, the central area is centered on the optical axis extending along the front-rear direction of the lamp; and a peripheral area, the peripheral area is located around the central area. A plurality of total reflection prism elements are formed on the rear surface of the peripheral area in a state of being arranged in concentric circles with the optical axis as the center, and the plurality of total reflection prism elements make the emitted light from the light source totally reflect toward the front of the lamp after being incident. A plurality of lens elements are formed on the front surface of the lens in a state divided into a vertical and horizontal grid, and the plurality of lens elements control the emission of light arriving from the plurality of total reflection prism elements. In at least a part of the plurality of lens elements, vertical inclination angles between the plurality of lens elements constituting the longitudinal columns divided into the longitudinal and transverse lattice are set to different values.

17. The vehicle lamp according to claim 16, characterized in that: In the longitudinal columns divided into the vertical and horizontal grid shapes, a plurality of lens elements whose vertical inclination angles are set to different values ​​are continuously formed.

18. The vehicle lamp according to claim 16, wherein: The plurality of lens elements whose vertical inclination angles are set to different values ​​are lens elements of different types having horizontal cross-sectional shapes different from each other.

19. The vehicle lamp according to any one of claims 16 to 18, characterized in that: The plurality of total reflection prism elements form an annular concave surface centered on the optical axis as an envelope surface.

20. The vehicle lamp according to any one of claims 16 to 18, characterized in that: The light source includes a light emitting element arranged with a light emitting surface facing forward of the lamp.

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