Vehicle lamp

Abstract

The projection lens (32B) of the second lamp unit (30B) is formed so as to extend obliquely toward the rear side of the lamp from the end on the side of the first lamp unit (30A) toward the end on the opposite side of the first lamp unit (30A). The first lamp unit (30A) has first and second additional reflectors (42, 44) that sequentially reflect light emitted from the light source (34A) thereof toward the projection lens (32B) of the second lamp unit (30B). The second additional reflector (44) is disposed on the opposite side from the second lamp unit (30B) with respect to the light source (34A). The first lamp unit (30A) uses light emitted from the light source (34A), sequentially reflected by the first and second additional reflectors (42, 44), and irradiated to the front of the lamp via the projection lens (32B) as lateral irradiation light in a direction substantially inclined laterally from the front of the lamp.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a vehicle lamp including a first lamp unit and a second lamp unit. Background Art

[0002] A vehicle lamp is known in which a first lamp unit and a second lamp unit are arranged side by side in the left-right direction. The first lamp unit and the second lamp unit each have: a projection lens; a light source arranged further to the rear of the lamp than the rear focus of the projection lens; and a reflector that reflects the emitted light from the light source toward the projection lens.

[0003] In addition, there is known a vehicle lamp that forms a low-beam light distribution pattern. The vehicle lamp is configured to reflect the emitted light from the light source arranged on the rear side of the lamp more behind the rear focus of the projection lens toward the projection lens by using a reflector arranged in a manner to cover the light source from the upper side. Furthermore, the vehicle lamp is configured to shield a part of the reflected light from the reflector by using a shading member arranged between the reflector and the projection lens, thereby forming a light-dark cutoff line of the low-beam light distribution pattern.

[0004] The vehicle lamp of Patent Document 1 is configured to form a main area of ​​a low-beam light distribution pattern using light emitted from a first lamp unit and to form a diffuse area of ​​the low-beam light distribution pattern using light emitted from a second lamp unit.

[0005] Furthermore, in the vehicle lamp of Patent Document 1, an upward reflecting surface is formed as a shade in each of the first lamp unit and the second lamp unit to reflect reflected light from the reflector upward toward the projection lens, thereby improving the beam utilization rate of the light emitted from the light source.

[0006] Prior art literature

[0007] Patent Literature

[0008] Patent Document 1: International Publication No. 2013 / 183240 Summary of the invention

[0009] Problems to be solved by the invention

[0010] The vehicle lamp of Patent Document 1 can illuminate a road ahead of the vehicle in a wide range by using a light distribution pattern formed by the irradiation light from the first lamp unit and the second lamp unit.

[0011] However, considering the turning of the vehicle (for example, when traveling on a curve, turning left or right, etc.), it is preferable to further increase the side illumination angle on the road ahead of the vehicle.

[0012] An object of the present invention is to provide a vehicle lamp in which a first lamp unit and a second lamp unit are arranged side by side in the left-right direction, and a sufficient lateral illumination angle of a road ahead of the vehicle can be ensured.

[0013] Furthermore, in order to improve the light beam utilization rate of the vehicle lamp, it is preferable to enlarge the shape of the reflecting surface of the reflector of the first lamp unit and the second lamp unit so that more light emitted from the light source is incident on the projection lens.

[0014] However, in each of the first lamp unit and the second lamp unit arranged side by side in the left-right direction, if the shape of the reflecting surface of each reflector is enlarged, the reflectors interfere with each other, and it is difficult to ensure a sufficient size of the reflecting surface shape.

[0015] An object of the present invention is to provide a vehicle lamp, in which a first lamp unit and a second lamp unit are arranged side by side in the left-right direction, the lamp is compact and can improve the light beam utilization rate.

[0016] When forming a low-beam light distribution pattern using light emitted from a vehicle lamp, it is preferred that an OHS light distribution pattern (ie, a light distribution pattern for illuminating an overhead sign disposed above the road surface in front of the vehicle) be formed in a space above the cut-off line.

[0017] In this case, it is preferable not to increase the number of components of the vehicle lamp as much as possible.

[0018] An object of the present invention is to provide a vehicle lamp having a first lamp unit and a second lamp unit for forming a low-beam light distribution pattern, and capable of forming an OHS light distribution pattern without increasing the number of components of the vehicle lamp.

[0019] Means for solving problems

[0020] The present invention achieves the above-mentioned object by effectively utilizing the first lamp unit and the second lamp unit.

[0021] The vehicle lamp according to the present invention includes a first lamp unit and a second lamp unit arranged side by side in a left-right direction.

[0022] The first lamp unit and the second lamp unit each include: a projection lens; a light source, the light source being arranged on the rear side of the lamp relative to the rear focus of the projection lens; and a reflector, the reflector reflecting the emitted light from the light source toward the projection lens.

[0023] The projection lens of the second lamp unit is formed to extend obliquely toward the rear side of the lamp from the end on the first lamp unit side toward the end on the opposite side.

[0024] The first lamp unit has a first additional reflector and a second additional reflector, and the first additional reflector and the second additional reflector sequentially reflect the outgoing light from the light source of the first lamp unit toward the projection lens of the second lamp unit.

[0025] The second additional reflector is arranged on a side opposite to the second lamp unit with respect to the light source of the first lamp unit.

[0026] The type and specific shape of the light distribution pattern formed by the irradiation light from each of the first lamp unit and the second lamp unit are not particularly limited.

[0027] The specific shape of the projection lens of the second lamp unit is not particularly limited as long as it is formed to extend obliquely toward the rear side of the lamp from the end on the first lamp unit side toward the end on the opposite side.

[0028] The first additional reflector is not particularly limited in its specific arrangement or shape of the reflecting surface as long as it is configured to reflect the light emitted from the light source of the first lamp unit toward the second additional reflector.

[0029] The second additional reflector is not particularly limited in its specific arrangement and reflection surface shape as long as it is arranged on the opposite side of the second lamp unit relative to the light source of the first lamp unit and reflects reflected light from the first additional reflector toward the projection lens of the second lamp unit.

[0030] Furthermore, the present invention achieves the above-mentioned purpose by designing the configuration of the first lamp unit and the second lamp unit.

[0031] The vehicle lamp according to the present invention includes a first lamp unit and a second lamp unit arranged side by side in a left-right direction.

[0032] The first lamp unit and the second lamp unit each include: a projection lens; a light source, the light source being arranged on the rear side of the lamp relative to the rear focus of the projection lens; and a reflector, the reflector reflecting the emitted light from the light source toward the projection lens.

[0033] The reflector of the first lamp unit is configured to reflect the light emitted from the light source of the first lamp unit as light that converges in the left-right direction.

[0034] The light source of the second lamp unit is arranged on the front side of the lamp unit than the light source of the first lamp unit.

[0035] The reflector of the second lamp unit is arranged on the front side of the lamp with respect to the reflector of the first lamp unit so as to partially overlap with the reflector of the first lamp unit when the lamp is viewed from the front.

[0036] The reflector of the first lamp unit is not particularly limited in its specific configuration and shape of the reflecting surface as long as it is configured to reflect the emitted light from the light source of the first lamp unit as light converging in the left-right direction. In addition, the reflector of the first lamp unit does not need to be a structure that reflects the converging light in the up-down direction.

[0037] The specific arrangement of the light source of the second lamp unit is not particularly limited as long as it is arranged on the front side of the lamp unit relative to the light source of the first lamp unit.

[0038] The reflector of the second lamp unit is not particularly limited in its specific arrangement or shape of the reflecting surface as long as it is arranged on the front side of the lamp in a positional relationship that it partially overlaps with the reflector of the first lamp unit when the lamp is viewed from the front.

[0039] Furthermore, the present invention achieves the above-mentioned purpose by designing the structure of one of the first lamp unit and the second lamp unit.

[0040] The vehicle lamp according to the present invention comprises a first lamp unit and a second lamp unit for forming a low beam light distribution pattern.

[0041] The first lamp unit and the second lamp unit respectively include: a projection lens; a light source, the light source is arranged at the rear side of the lamp than the rear focus of the projection lens; a reflector, the reflector is arranged in a manner of covering the light source from the upper side and reflects the emitted light from the light source toward the projection lens; a shading member, the shading member is arranged between the reflector and the projection lens and shields a part of the reflected light from the reflector to form a light-dark cutoff line of the low-beam light distribution pattern, and an upward reflecting surface is formed on the shading member, the upward reflecting surface reflects the reflected light from the reflector upward toward the projection lens,

[0042] The first lamp unit is configured to form a main area of ​​the low-beam light distribution pattern, and the second lamp unit is configured to form a diffusion area of ​​the low-beam light distribution pattern.

[0043] In the second lamp unit, a first additional reflecting surface is formed at the front end portion of the reflecting member, and the first additional reflecting surface reflects the outgoing light from the light source toward the front end portion of the upward reflecting surface of the shading member. A second additional reflecting surface is formed on the shading member at a position closer to the front side and lower side of the lamp than the upward reflecting surface. The second additional reflecting surface reflects the outgoing light from the light source after being reflected by the first additional reflecting surface toward the projection lens, and the reflecting member is formed integrally with the shading member.

[0044] The light distribution pattern formed by the light from the first lamp unit only needs to form the main area of ​​the low beam light distribution pattern, and its specific shape is not particularly limited. The light distribution pattern formed by the light from the second lamp unit only needs to form the diffusion area of ​​the low beam light distribution pattern, and its specific shape is not particularly limited.

[0045] The first additional reflecting surface may be configured to reflect the light emitted from the light source toward the front end of the upward reflecting surface of the light shielding member at the front end of the reflecting member, and the specific shape of the reflecting surface is not particularly limited.

[0046] The specific shape of the second additional reflecting surface is not particularly limited as long as it is configured to reflect the outgoing light from the light source reflected by the first additional reflecting surface toward the projection lens at a position further forward and below the upward reflecting surface of the shade.

[0047] Effects of the Invention

[0048] The vehicle lamp involved in the present invention is configured such that a first lamp unit and a second lamp unit are arranged side by side in the left-right direction, and each of them uses a reflector to reflect the emitted light from a light source arranged at the rear side of the lamp more behind the rear focus of the projection lens toward the projection lens. Therefore, the vehicle lamp can form a desired light distribution pattern using the irradiated light from the first lamp unit and the second lamp unit.

[0049] The projection lens of the second lamp unit is formed to extend obliquely toward the rear side of the lamp from the end of the first lamp unit toward the end of the opposite side. The first lamp unit has a first additional reflector and a second additional reflector that sequentially reflect the emitted light from the light source toward the projection lens of the second lamp unit. The second additional reflector is arranged on the side opposite to the second lamp unit with respect to the light source of the first lamp unit. Therefore, the vehicle lamp involved in the present invention can obtain the following effects.

[0050] That is, after being emitted from the light source of the first lamp unit, the light reflected by the first additional reflector and the second additional reflector in sequence is irradiated toward the front of the lamp via the projection lens of the second lamp unit tilted toward the rear side of the lamp. The irradiated light becomes side irradiation light that is oriented in a direction that is greatly tilted toward the side from the front direction of the lamp.

[0051] Therefore, as a light distribution pattern formed by the illumination light from the vehicle lamp as a whole, a side illumination light distribution pattern formed by the side illumination light is added to the original light distribution pattern formed by the light emitted from the light source in each of the first lamp unit and the second lamp unit and irradiated toward the front of the lamp via the reflector and the projection lens. Thus, a side illumination angle on the road ahead of the vehicle is fully ensured.

[0052] As described above, according to the present invention, in the vehicle lamp in which the first lamp unit and the second lamp unit are arranged side by side in the left-right direction, a sufficient lateral illumination angle on the road ahead of the vehicle can be ensured.

[0053] The vehicle lamp involved in the present invention is configured such that a first lamp unit and a second lamp unit are arranged side by side in the left-right direction, and each of them uses a reflector to reflect the emitted light from a light source arranged at the rear side of the lamp more behind the rear focus of the projection lens toward the projection lens. Therefore, the vehicle lamp can form a desired light distribution pattern using the irradiated light from the first lamp unit and the second lamp unit.

[0054] The reflector of the first lamp unit is configured to reflect the emitted light from the light source of the first lamp unit as light that converges in the left-right direction. The light source of the second lamp unit is arranged on the front side of the lamp more than the light source of the first lamp unit. The reflector of the second lamp unit is arranged on the front side of the lamp more than the reflector of the first lamp unit in a positional relationship that partially overlaps with the reflector of the first lamp unit when the lamp is viewed from the front. Therefore, the vehicle lamp involved in the present invention can obtain the following effects.

[0055] That is, the reflector of the first lamp unit is configured to reflect the emitted light from the light source of the first lamp unit as light that converges in the left-right direction. Therefore, although the reflector of the first lamp unit is arranged on the rear side of the lamp in a positional relationship that partially overlaps with the reflector of the second lamp unit when the lamp is viewed from the front, the reflected light is hardly shielded by the reflector of the second lamp unit. In this way, the reflector of the first lamp unit can make the reflected light incident on the projection lens of the first lamp unit without being shielded by the reflector of the second lamp unit.

[0056] According to this configuration, the first lamp unit can have a larger reflective surface shape of the reflector, thereby allowing more light emitted from the light source to enter the projection lens.

[0057] The reflector of the second lamp unit is arranged in front of the lamp unit compared with the reflector of the first lamp unit, and the reflected light of the reflector of the second lamp unit is not shielded by the reflector of the first lamp unit. Therefore, the shape of the reflecting surface of the reflector of the second lamp unit can be easily enlarged.

[0058] Therefore, it is possible to improve the light beam utilization rate of the vehicle lamp while avoiding interference between the reflectors of the first lamp unit and the second lamp unit.

[0059] Furthermore, the reflectors of the first lamp unit and the second lamp unit are arranged in a positional relationship that they partially overlap when the lamps are viewed from the front. Therefore, the left-right width of the vehicle lamp can be narrowed, thereby achieving miniaturization of the vehicle lamp.

[0060] As described above, according to the present invention, in the vehicle lamp in which the first lamp unit and the second lamp unit are arranged side by side in the left-right direction, it is possible to improve the light beam utilization efficiency while maintaining the compactness of the lamp.

[0061] The vehicle lamp of the present invention comprises: a first lamp unit configured to form a main area of ​​a low-beam light distribution pattern; and a second lamp unit configured to form a diffusion area of ​​the low-beam light distribution pattern. Therefore, the vehicle lamp can easily form a low-beam light distribution pattern with a light distribution suitable for vehicle driving.

[0062] The first lamp unit and the second lamp unit use a shading member disposed between the reflector and the projection lens to shield a portion of the outgoing light from the light source after being reflected by the reflector, thereby forming a light-dark cutoff line of the low-beam light distribution pattern. Since the shading member is formed with an upward reflecting surface that reflects the reflected light from the reflector upward toward the projection lens, the utilization rate of the light beam of the outgoing light from the light source can be improved.

[0063] In the second lamp unit, a first additional reflecting surface is formed at the front end of the reflector, which reflects the emitted light from the light source toward the front end of the upward reflecting surface of the shading member. In addition, a second additional reflecting surface is formed at a position in the shading member that is closer to the front side and lower side of the lamp than the upward reflecting surface, which reflects the emitted light from the light source reflected by the first additional reflecting surface toward the projection lens. In addition, the reflector and the shading member are formed integrally. Therefore, the vehicle lamp involved in the present invention can obtain the following effects.

[0064] That is, in the second lamp unit, the second additional reflecting surface of the shading member is used to reflect the reflected light from the first additional reflecting surface of the reflecting member toward the projection lens. Thus, when forming the light distribution pattern for low beam, the light distribution pattern for OHS illumination can be formed in the space above the cut-off line. The second lamp unit forms a diffusion area of ​​the light distribution pattern for low beam. Therefore, even if the width of the upward reflecting surface of the shading member in the front-to-rear direction of the lamp is narrowed, the desired light distribution pattern can be formed. Therefore, as the second lamp unit, even if the reflecting member and the shading member are formed integrally, they can be easily molded, thereby achieving a reduction in the number of components of the vehicle lamp.

[0065] As described above, according to the present invention, in the vehicle lamp including the first lamp unit and the second lamp unit for forming the low-beam light distribution pattern, it is possible to form the OHS irradiation light distribution pattern without increasing the number of components of the vehicle lamp. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0066] Figure 1 It is a front view showing the vehicle lamp according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

[0067] Figure 2 It is shown Figure 1 A top view of a lamp unit assembly of a vehicle lamp.

[0068] Figure 3 yes Figure 2 Cross-sectional view along line III-III.

[0069] Figure 4 yes Figure 2 Sectional view along line IV-IV.

[0070] Figure 5 It is shown Figure 1 A perspective view of a lamp unit assembly.

[0071] Fig. 6A is shown in perspective by Figure 1 A diagram showing a low beam light distribution pattern formed by light emitted from a vehicle lamp.

[0072] Figure 6B is shown in perspective by Figure 1 A diagram showing a low beam light distribution pattern formed by light emitted from a vehicle lamp.

[0073] Figure 7 It is a plan view showing a lamp unit assembly of a vehicle lamp according to a modified example of the first embodiment.

[0074] Figure 8 It is a front view showing a vehicle lamp according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

[0075] Fig. 9 It is shown Figure 8 A top view of a lamp unit assembly of a vehicle lamp.

[0076] Fig.10 yes Fig. 9 XX line cross-sectional view.

[0077] Fig.11 yes Fig. 9 XI-XI line cross-sectional view.

[0078] Fig.12 It is shown Figure 8 A perspective view of a lamp unit assembly.

[0079] Fig.13 is shown in perspective by Figure 8 A diagram showing a low beam light distribution pattern formed by light emitted from a vehicle lamp.

[0080] Fig.14 It is a plan view showing a lamp unit assembly of a vehicle lamp according to a modified example of the second embodiment.

[0081] Fig.15 yes Fig.14 Sectional view along line XV-XV.

[0082] Fig.16A It is a diagram of a low-beam light distribution pattern that transparently shows the operation of a modified example of the second embodiment.

[0083] Fig. 16B It is a diagram showing the operation of a modified example of the second embodiment, and transparently showing a high-beam light distribution pattern.

[0084] Fig.17 It is a front view showing a vehicle lamp according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

[0085] Fig.18 It is shown Fig.17 A top view of a lamp unit assembly of a vehicle lamp.

[0086] Fig.19 yes Fig.18 Sectional view along line XIX-XIX.

[0087] Fig. 20 yes Fig.18 XX-XX line cross-sectional view.

[0088] Fig.21 It is shown Fig.17 A perspective view of a lamp unit assembly.

[0089] Fig. 22 is shown in perspective by Fig.17 A diagram showing a low beam light distribution pattern formed by light emitted from a vehicle lamp.

[0090] Fig.23 It is a plan view showing a lamp unit assembly of a vehicle lamp showing a modification of the third embodiment.

[0091] Fig.24 This is a diagram illustrating the operation of the above-described modified example, and transparently illustrating a low-beam light distribution pattern formed by irradiation light from a vehicle lamp. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0092] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described using the drawings.

[0093] (First Embodiment)

[0094] Figure 1 It is a front view showing a vehicle lamp 10 according to the first embodiment of the present invention. Figure 2 1 is a plan view showing the lamp unit assembly 20 of the vehicle lamp 10 .

[0095] exist Figure 1 and Figure 2 In the figure, the direction indicated by X is the "front of the lamp". The direction indicated by Y is the "left direction" (the "right direction" when the lamp is viewed from the front) which is perpendicular to the "front of the lamp". The direction indicated by Z is the "upward direction". Figure 1 and Figure 2 The same applies to other figures.

[0096] like Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, the vehicle lamp 10 according to the present embodiment is a headlamp disposed at the left front end of a vehicle. A lamp unit assembly 20 is housed in a lamp chamber formed by a lamp body 12 and a transparent light-transmitting cover 14 attached to the front end opening of the lamp body 12 .

[0097] The lamp unit assembly 20 includes a first lamp unit 30A and a second lamp unit 30B. The first lamp unit 30A and the second lamp unit 30B each form a low beam light distribution pattern. The first lamp unit 30A and the second lamp unit 30B are integrally formed.

[0098] The first lamp unit 30A and the second lamp unit 30B are both projector-type lamp units and are arranged side by side in the left-right direction (ie, the vehicle width direction). Specifically, the first lamp unit 30A is located on the right side, and the second lamp unit 30B is located on the left side.

[0099] The vehicle lamp 10 is configured to form a main area of ​​a low-beam light distribution pattern using the light emitted from the first lamp unit 30A, and to form a diffuse area of ​​the low-beam light distribution pattern using the light emitted from the second lamp unit 30B. The vehicle lamp 10 is configured to also form a side light distribution pattern. This will be described later.

[0100] Next, the specific structure of each of the first lamp unit 30A and the second lamp unit 30B will be described.

[0101] Figure 3 yes Figure 2 Cross-sectional view along line III-III. Figure 4 yes Figure 2 Sectional view along line IV-IV. Figure 5 2 is a perspective view showing the lamp unit assembly 20 .

[0102] First, the specific structure of the first lamp unit 30A will be described.

[0103] like Figure 3 and Figure 5As shown, the first lamp unit 30A has a projection lens 32A, a light source 34A, a reflector 36A, and a shading member 38A. The projection lens 32A has an optical axis Ax1 extending in the front-rear direction of the lamp. The light source 34A is arranged at a position closer to the rear side of the lamp than the rear focus (to be precise, the rear focus in the vertical cross section) F1 of the projection lens 32A. The reflector 36A is arranged in a manner to cover the light source 34A from the upper side so that the emitted light from the light source 34A is reflected toward the projection lens 32A. The shading member 38A is arranged between the reflector 36A and the projection lens 32A to shield a portion of the reflected light from the reflector 36A.

[0104] The projection lens 32A is a plano-convex aspheric lens whose front surface 32Aa is a convex curved surface and whose rear surface 32Ab is a flat surface. The projection lens 32A is configured to project a light source image formed on the focal plane including the rear focus F1 of the projection lens 32A, i.e., the rear focal plane, as a reversed image onto an imaginary vertical screen in front of the lamp. The projection lens 32A has a horizontally long rectangular shape when the lamp is viewed from the front.

[0105] The light source 34A is a light emitting element (specifically, a white light emitting diode) and has a horizontally long rectangular light emitting surface 34Aa. The light source 34A is supported on the substrate 40A so that the light emitting surface 34Aa faces upward on the optical axis Ax1 of the projection lens 32A.

[0106] The reflector 36A is configured to allow the emitted light from the light source 34A to enter the projection lens 32A as light that is converged in the left-right direction.

[0107] Specifically, the reflecting surface 36Aa of the reflecting member 36A is composed of a substantially elliptical curved surface with the light emission center of the light source 34A as the first focus. The eccentricity of the reflecting surface 36Aa is set to gradually increase from the vertical section toward the horizontal section. Thus, the reflecting member 36A makes the emitted light from the light source 34A converge roughly at a point on the front side of the lamp located at the rear focus F1 in the vertical section, and further displaces its convergence position toward the front side of the lamp in the horizontal section.

[0108] The light shielding member 38A is formed with an upward reflecting surface 38Aa that reflects a part of the reflected light from the reflecting member 36A upward toward the projection lens 32A. The left region of the upward reflecting surface 38Aa located to the left of the optical axis Ax1 (to the right when the lamp is viewed from the front) is composed of a horizontal plane including the optical axis Ax1, and the right region located to the right of the optical axis Ax1 is composed of a horizontal plane one level lower than the left region via a shorter inclined plane.

[0109] The front end edge 38Aa1 of the upward reflecting surface 38Aa of the shading member 38A is formed to extend in a curved manner from the rear side focus F1 of the projection lens 32A toward the left and right sides and toward the front side of the lamp. The rear end edge 38Aa2 of the upward reflecting surface 38Aa of the shading member 38A is also formed to extend in a curved manner toward the left and right sides and toward the front side of the lamp. The rear end edge 38Aa2 of the upward reflecting surface 38Aa is formed to be located closer to the front side of the lamp than the front end edge 36Aa1 of the reflecting surface 36Aa of the reflecting member 36A. Thus, the shading member 38A and the reflecting member 36A do not overlap when viewed from above.

[0110] In the vehicle lamp 10 involved in this embodiment, as the structure of the first lamp unit 30A, in addition to the projection lens 32A, the light source 34A, the reflector 36A and the shading member 38A, it also has a first additional reflector 42 and a second additional reflector 44, whose specific structure is described later.

[0111] Next, the specific structure of the second lamp unit 30B will be described.

[0112] like Figure 4 and Figure 5 As shown, the second lamp unit 30B is the same as the first lamp unit 30A, and includes a projection lens 32B, a light source 34B, a reflector 36B, and a light shielding member 38B. However, the shape of the projection lens 32B is different from that of the projection lens 32A. The shape of the reflector 36B is different from that of the reflector 36A. Furthermore, the shape of the light shielding member 38B is different from that of the light shielding member 38A.

[0113] The projection lens 32B has the same vertical width as the projection lens 32A of the first lamp unit 30A, and is formed to extend obliquely toward the rear side of the lamp from the end on the first lamp unit 30A side toward the end on the opposite side.

[0114] Specifically, the projection lens 32B is formed to bend from the right end of the projection lens 32B toward the left direction and extend toward the rear side of the lamp in an annular lens shape. That is, the front surface 32Ba of the projection lens 32B is formed to extend in an arc shape with a vertical cross-section shape of a convex curve, and the rear surface 32Bb of the projection lens 32B is formed in a cylindrical surface shape. The curvature of the front surface 32Ba of the projection lens 32B is set in such a way that the rear focus F2 in the vertical cross-section containing the optical axis Ax2 is located at a position closer to the rear side of the lamp than the rear focus F1 of the projection lens 32A. The optical axis Ax2 is an axis extending along the front-rear direction of the lamp through the light emission center of the light source 34B.

[0115] The light source 34B is composed of the same light emitting element as the light source 34A of the first lamp unit 30A, and is arranged on the rear side of the lamp more than the rear focus F2 of the projection lens 32B. The light source 34B is located closer to the front side of the lamp than the light source 34A, and the light emitting surface 34Ba of the light source 34B is supported on the substrate 40B in an upward manner on the optical axis Ax2 of the projection lens 32B.

[0116] The reflector 36B is similar to the reflector 36A of the first lamp unit 30A, and is configured to cover the light source 34B from the upper side, and is configured to allow the emitted light from the light source 34B to be incident on the projection lens 32B as light that converges in the left-right direction. The reflective surface 36Ba of the reflector 36B is also composed of a substantially elliptical curved surface with the light emission center of the light source 34B as the first focus. However, the reflective surface 36Ba of the reflector 36B is smaller than the reflective surface 36Aa of the reflector 36A. The front end edge 36Ba1 of the reflective surface 36Ba is formed to extend obliquely toward the rear side of the lamp as it moves from the right end toward the left end (i.e., from the end on the first lamp unit 30A side toward the end on the opposite side).

[0117] The reflector 36B is arranged on the front side of the lamp in a positional relationship that it partially overlaps with the reflector 36A of the first lamp unit 30A when the lamp is viewed from the front, and is formed integrally with the reflector 36A. Therefore, the left end of the reflecting surface 36Aa of the reflector 36A is partially missing, and a vertical wall portion 36Ab extending in a substantially vertical plane along the outer peripheral shape of the reflector 36B is formed in this portion.

[0118] As a result, the reflective surface 36Aa of the reflector 36A is in a state where the vicinity of the left end of the vertical wall portion 36Ab located at the rear side of the lamp is blocked by the reflector 36B when the lamp is viewed from the front. However, since the reflective surface 36Aa of the reflector 36A is configured to reflect the emitted light from the light source 34A as light that converges in the left-right direction, it does not cause a significant obstacle to its optical function.

[0119] The light shielding member 38B is configured to shield a part of the reflected light from the reflector 36B, similarly to the light shielding member 38A of the first lamp unit 30A. The light shielding member 38B is formed with an upward reflecting surface 38Ba that reflects a part of the reflected light from the reflector 36B upward toward the projection lens 32B. The structure of the upward reflecting surface 38Ba of the light shielding member 38B is different from the structure of the upward reflecting surface 38Aa of the light shielding member 38A.

[0120] That is, the upward reflecting surface 38Ba of the shade 38B is composed of a horizontal plane including the optical axis Ax2. The width of the upward reflecting surface 38Ba in the front-rear direction of the lamp is set to a value narrower than the width of the upward reflecting surface 38Aa of the shade 38A in the front-rear direction of the lamp (specifically, a value less than 1 / 2).

[0121] The front edge 38Ba1 of the upward reflecting surface 38Ba is formed to pass through the rear focus F2 of the projection lens 32B. The front edge 38Ba1 is curved to be convex toward the rear side of the lamp in a plan view and extends obliquely toward the rear side of the lamp as it moves from the right end toward the left end.

[0122] The rear edge 38Ba2 of the upward reflecting surface 38Ba is formed to extend at a substantially constant distance from the front edge 38Ba1 of the reflecting surface 36Ba in the reflector 36B, further to the front side of the lamp.

[0123] In the lamp unit assembly 20 , the substrates 40A and 40B of the first lamp unit 30A and the second lamp unit 30B are supported by a heat sink 50 made of metal, and the heat sink 50 is supported by a holder 60 made of resin.

[0124] The holder 60 has a horizontal flange portion 60 a extending along a horizontal plane so as to surround the outer peripheral edge portions of the reflectors 36A and 36B in the first lamp unit 30A and the second lamp unit 30B. The two reflectors 36A and 36B are formed integrally with the holder 60 .

[0125] The radiator 50 includes a main body 52 extending in the left-right direction along a horizontal plane and a plurality of fins 54 formed so as to extend downward from the lower surface of the main body 52. ​​The plurality of fins 54 are arranged at intervals in the left-right direction. The radiator 50 is supported by the holder 60 by making the main body 52 of the radiator 50 abut against the horizontal flange 60a of the holder 60 from the lower side.

[0126] The light shielding member 38A of the first lamp fixture unit 30A and the light shielding member 38B of the second lamp fixture unit 30B are also formed integrally with the holder 60 .

[0127] The projection lens 32A of the first lamp unit 30A and the projection lens 32B of the second lamp unit 30B are integrally formed as a projection lens assembly 22 , and are supported by a holder 60 .

[0128] That is, a frame portion 60b is formed at the front end of the holder 60, the right half of the frame portion 60b extends along a vertical plane orthogonal to the front-rear direction of the lamp, and the left half extends obliquely toward the rear side of the lamp. The frame portion 60b is formed into a horizontally long U-shape when the lamp is viewed from the front, and has an L-shaped cross-sectional shape. The projection lens assembly 22 is supported by the holder 60 by making the peripheral portions of the rear surfaces of the two projection lenses 32A and 32B abut against the frame portion 60b of the holder 60 from the front side of the lamp.

[0129] Next, the structures of the first additional reflector 42 and the second additional reflector 44 will be described.

[0130] The first additional reflector 42 and the second additional reflector 44 are configured to sequentially reflect the light emitted from the light source 34A of the first lamp unit 30A toward the projection lens 32B of the second lamp unit 30B.

[0131] The first additional reflector 42 protrudes from the front end edge of the reflector 36A toward the front side of the lamp, and is formed integrally with the reflector 36A.

[0132] The reflecting surface 42a of the first additional reflecting member 42 is composed of a curved surface that is substantially ellipsoidal. Specifically, the reflecting surface 42a is composed of a curved surface that is close to an ellipsoid, and the curved surface that is close to an ellipsoid has the light emission center of the light source 34A as the first focus, and has a point A between the first additional reflecting member 42 and the projection lens 32A that is located to the right of the optical axis Ax1 and above the optical axis Ax1 as the second focus ( Figure 2 ) The reflecting surface 42a is formed to extend across a position directly above the optical axis Ax1 and to extend to the left side of the optical axis Ax1 more widely than to the right side of the optical axis Ax1.

[0133] The front edge 42a of the reflecting surface 42a of the first additional reflector 42 is formed to be located behind the lamp relative to the rear edge 38Aa2 of the upward reflecting surface 38Aa of the shade 38A, so that the shade 38A and the first additional reflector 42 do not overlap in a plan view.

[0134] The second additional reflector 44 is disposed between the reflector 36A and the projection lens 32A and on the right side of the optical axis Ax1. Specifically, the second additional reflector 44 is formed integrally with the holder 60 near the right side of the light shielding member 38A so as to extend upward from the horizontal flange portion 60a of the holder 60. Furthermore, the second additional reflector 44 is configured to reflect the emitted light from the light source 34A after being reflected by the first additional reflector 42 in a direction that is greatly inclined to the left direction relative to the front direction of the lamp, and to be incident on the projection lens 32B of the second lamp unit 30B.

[0135] The reflecting surface 44a of the second additional reflector 44 is formed of a curved surface close to a parabola with point A as a focus. Thus, the reflecting surface 44a of the second additional reflector 44 is configured to reflect the reflected light from the first additional reflector 42 as light slightly diffused in the vertical direction and the horizontal direction.

[0136] The outgoing light from the light source 34A reflected by the first additional reflector 42 and the second additional reflector 44 in sequence and incident on the projection lens 32B of the second lamp unit 30B is irradiated from the projection lens 32B with substantially uniform brightness in a direction greatly inclined to the left relative to the front direction of the lamp.

[0137] Furthermore, the light emitted from the light source 34A after being reflected by the standing wall portion 36Ab of the reflector 36A is directed toward the rear side of the lamp from the second additional reflector 44 , and therefore does not enter the reflecting surface 44 a of the second additional reflector 44 .

[0138] As described above, in the lamp unit assembly 20, the reflectors 36A, 36B and the shades 38A, 38B of the first lamp unit 30A and the second lamp unit 30B, the first additional reflector 42 and the second additional reflector 44 of the first lamp unit 30A, and the holder 60 are integrally formed. In the reflectors 36A, 36B, the shades 38A, 38B, the first additional reflector 42 and the second additional reflector 44, and the holder 60, there is no overlapping portion when viewed from above, so when they are molded into a single injection molded product, the structure of the mold used becomes simple.

[0139] When the lamp unit assembly 20 is assembled in the vehicle lamp 10 , the optical axis Ax1 of the first lamp unit 30A and the optical axis Ax2 of the second lamp unit 30B extend in a direction about 0.5° to 0.6° downward toward the front of the lamp relative to a horizontal plane.

[0140] Fig. 6A 1 is a diagram transparently showing a low-beam light distribution pattern PL formed by irradiation light from the vehicle lamp 10 .

[0141] like Fig. 6A As shown, the low beam light distribution pattern PL is a low beam light distribution pattern for left light distribution, and has cut-off lines CL1 and CL2 with different heights on the left and right at the upper edge of the low beam light distribution pattern PL. The cut-off lines CL1 and CL2 extend in the horizontal direction with different heights on the left and right, with the VV line of HV, which is the vanishing point passing through the front direction of the lamp in the vertical direction, as the boundary. The portion to the right of the VV line is formed as the cut-off line CL1 on the opposite lane side. The portion to the left of the VV line is formed as the cut-off line CL2 on the own lane side, which rises in height from the cut-off line CL1 on the opposite lane side via the inclined portion.

[0142] In the low beam light distribution pattern PL, the intersection of the opposite lane side cut-off line CL1 and the VV line, i.e., the inflection point E, is located about 0.5° to 0.6° below HV. This is because the optical axis Ax1 of the first lamp unit 30A and the optical axis Ax2 of the second lamp unit 30B extend in a direction about 0.5° to 0.6° downward toward the front of the lamp relative to the horizontal plane.

[0143] The low beam light distribution pattern PL is formed as a composite light distribution pattern of the main area light distribution pattern PA, the diffuse area light distribution pattern PB, and the side illumination light distribution pattern PC. The main area light distribution pattern PA and the side illumination light distribution pattern PC are formed by the illumination light from the first lamp unit 30A. The diffuse area light distribution pattern PB is formed by the illumination light from the second lamp unit 30B.

[0144] The main area light distribution pattern PA is a light distribution pattern constituting a main area of ​​the low-beam light distribution pattern PL. The cut-off lines CL1 and CL2 including the inflection point E are formed by the main area light distribution pattern PA.

[0145] Specifically, the main area light distribution pattern PA is formed by projecting the light source image of the light source 34A onto the virtual vertical screen in the form of an inverted projection image using the projection lens 32A. The light source image of the light source 34A is an image formed on the rear focal plane of the projection lens 32A using the outgoing light from the light source 34A reflected by the reflector 36A. The cut-off lines CL1 and CL2 of the main area light distribution pattern PA are formed as the inverted projection images of the front edge 38Aa1 of the upward reflecting surface 38Aa of the light shielding member 38A. At this time, since the upward reflecting surface 38Aa is formed with a relatively wide front-to-back width, the main area light distribution pattern PA is formed as a light distribution pattern in which the areas near the cut-off lines CL1 and CL2 are sufficiently bright.

[0146] The diffuse region light distribution pattern PB is a light distribution pattern constituting a diffuse region of the low-beam light distribution pattern PL. The diffuse region light distribution pattern PB is formed as a horizontally long light distribution pattern extending to the left side than the main region light distribution pattern PA.

[0147] In the second lamp unit 30B, the projection lens 32B is formed into a ring-shaped lens that extends obliquely toward the rear side of the lamp toward the left end of the projection lens 32B, and the upward reflection surface 38Ba of the light shielding member 38B is composed of a horizontal plane including the optical axis Ax2. Therefore, the diffuse area light distribution pattern PB is formed so that the upper edge PBa of the diffuse area light distribution pattern PB extends in the horizontal direction at a height position substantially the same as the light-dark cut-off line CL1 on the opposite lane side. In addition, the upward reflection surface 38Ba of the light shielding member 38B is formed with a front-to-rear width narrower than the upward reflection surface 38Aa of the light shielding member 38A. Therefore, compared with the brightness of the main area light distribution pattern PA, the brightness of the area near the upper edge PBa of the diffuse area light distribution pattern PB is also suppressed.

[0148] In addition, since the reflective surface shape of the reflector 36B of the second lamp unit 30B is smaller than that of the reflector 36A of the first lamp unit 30A, the precision of the reflected light control is reduced accordingly. However, in the diffuse area light distribution pattern PB, a precise light distribution as that of the main area light distribution pattern PA is not required, so even if the reflective surface shape of the reflector 36B is reduced, the desired light distribution pattern can be formed.

[0149] The side illumination light distribution pattern PC is a light distribution pattern formed by light emitted from the light source 34A of the first lamp unit 30A, reflected by the first additional reflector 42 and the second additional reflector 44 in sequence, and then irradiated through the projection lens 32B of the second lamp unit 30B. The light that has passed through the projection lens 32B of the second lamp unit 30B is irradiated in a direction that is greatly inclined to the left relative to the front direction of the lamp (for example, a direction centered on a direction inclined by about 75 degrees relative to the front direction of the lamp).

[0150] The side illumination light distribution pattern PC is formed as a slightly long light distribution pattern extending further to the left from the left end of the diffuse area light distribution pattern PB. The side illumination light distribution pattern PC is formed as a light distribution pattern with suppressed brightness compared to the diffuse area light distribution pattern PB, and is extended to a position above the upper edge PBa of the diffuse area light distribution pattern PB. By forming such a side illumination light distribution pattern PC, it is possible to fully ensure the visibility of the road ahead of the vehicle when the vehicle is turning left (for example, when driving on a left curve, when turning left, etc.).

[0151] Figure 6B This is a diagram showing the low-beam light distribution pattern PL in a wider range and transparently showing the low-beam light distribution pattern PL.

[0152] Figure 6BThe diffuse area light distribution pattern PB′ shown by the double-dashed line is a light distribution pattern formed by the irradiation light from other vehicle lamps. The other vehicle lamp is a vehicle lamp having a lamp unit assembly in which the first lamp unit 30A and the second lamp unit 30B are arranged in opposite positions relative to the lamp unit assembly 20, and is arranged at the right front end of the vehicle. The diffuse area light distribution pattern PB′ is a light distribution pattern formed by the irradiation light from the second lamp unit of the other vehicle lamp. The diffuse area light distribution pattern PB′ is formed as a light distribution pattern that is symmetrical with the diffuse area light distribution pattern PB about the VV line. In this way, the left and right pair of diffuse area light distribution patterns PB and PB′ are formed to partially overlap, thereby forming a more diffuse light distribution pattern for the vehicle as a whole.

[0153] Likewise, in Figure 6B The light distribution pattern PC′ for side illumination indicated by the double-dashed line is a light distribution pattern formed by the illumination light from other vehicle lamps. The light distribution pattern PC′ for side illumination is a light distribution pattern formed by the illumination light from the first lamp unit of other vehicle lamps. The light distribution pattern PC′ for side illumination is formed to be a light distribution pattern that is symmetrical with the light distribution pattern PC for side illumination about the VV line. In this way, the left and right pair of light distribution patterns PC, PC′ for side illumination and the left and right pair of light distribution patterns PB, PB′ for diffusion areas are partially overlapped, thereby fully ensuring the visual recognizability of the road ahead of the vehicle as a whole when turning to either left or right directions.

[0154] Next, the effects of this embodiment will be described.

[0155] The vehicle lamp 10 according to the present embodiment includes a first lamp unit 30A which is configured as a main area for forming a low-beam light distribution pattern PL, and a second lamp unit 30B which is configured as a diffusion area for forming the low-beam light distribution pattern PL. Therefore, it is possible to easily form the low-beam light distribution pattern PL with a light distribution suitable for vehicle driving.

[0156] Furthermore, the projection lens 32B of the second lamp unit 30B is formed to extend obliquely toward the rear side of the lamp as it extends from the right end of the projection lens 32B toward the left end (i.e., from the end on the first lamp unit 30A side toward the end on the opposite side). In addition, the first lamp unit 30A has a first additional reflector 42 and a second additional reflector 44 that sequentially reflect the emitted light from the light source 34A toward the projection lens 32B of the second lamp unit 30B. Furthermore, the second additional reflector 44 is arranged on the right side (i.e., the opposite side of the second lamp unit 30B) relative to the light source 34A of the first lamp unit 30A. Therefore, the present embodiment can obtain the following effects.

[0157] That is, after being emitted from the light source 34A of the first lamp unit 30A, the light reflected by the first additional reflector 42 and the second additional reflector 44 in sequence is irradiated toward the front of the lamp via the projection lens 32B of the second lamp unit 30B tilted toward the rear side of the lamp. This irradiated light becomes side irradiation light directed toward a direction greatly tilted toward the left side from the front direction of the lamp.

[0158] Therefore, in addition to the main area light distribution pattern PA and the diffuse area light distribution pattern PB, the side illumination light distribution pattern PC formed by the side illumination light is added to the low beam light distribution pattern PL formed by the illumination light from the entire vehicle lamp 10. The main area light distribution pattern PA and the diffuse area light distribution pattern PB are original light distribution patterns formed by the light emitted from the light sources 34A and 34B in each of the first lamp unit 30A and the second lamp unit 30B and irradiated to the front of the lamp via the reflectors 36A and 36B and the projection lenses 32A and 32B. In addition to such original light distribution patterns, the side illumination light distribution pattern PC is formed, so that the side illumination angle on the road ahead of the vehicle can be fully ensured.

[0159] As described above, according to the present embodiment, in the vehicle lamp 10 in which the first lamp unit 30A and the second lamp unit 30B are arranged side by side in the left-right direction, a sufficient lateral illumination angle on the road ahead of the vehicle can be ensured.

[0160] In this embodiment, the first additional reflector 42 is configured to reflect the emitted light from the light source 34A of the first lamp unit 30A as convergent light toward the second additional reflector 44. Therefore, the shape of the reflection surface of the second additional reflector 44 can be reduced, thereby increasing the degree of freedom in the arrangement of the second additional reflector 44.

[0161] In the present embodiment, the reflector 36A and the first and second additional reflectors 42 and 44 of the first lamp unit 30A are formed integrally with the reflector 36B of the second lamp unit 30B. Therefore, the number of components of the vehicle lamp 10 can be reduced.

[0162] In the present embodiment, the projection lens 32B of the second lamp unit 30B is formed in a toroidal lens shape, so that it is possible to form the side illumination light distribution pattern PC with a substantially constant vertical width and substantially uniform brightness.

[0163] In the present embodiment, the projection lens 32A of the first lamp unit 30A and the projection lens 32B of the second lamp unit 30B are formed integrally. Therefore, after being emitted from the light source 34A of the first lamp unit 30A, the light reflected by the first additional reflector 42 and the second additional reflector 44 in sequence can be easily incident on the projection lens 32B of the second lamp unit 30B. In addition, the number of components of the vehicle lamp 10 can be further reduced.

[0164] In the present embodiment, the projection lens 32B of the second lamp unit 30B is formed to extend obliquely toward the rear side of the lamp as it extends from the right end of the projection lens 32B toward the left end (i.e., from the end of the first lamp unit 30A located on the inner side in the vehicle width direction toward the end on the opposite side). Therefore, the vehicle lamp 10 can be easily designed to follow the shape of the vehicle body.

[0165] In the present embodiment, the light source 34B of the second lamp unit 30B is arranged on the front side of the lamp compared with the light source 34A of the first lamp unit 30A. Furthermore, the reflector 36B of the second lamp unit 30B is arranged on the front side of the lamp compared with the reflector 36A of the first lamp unit 30A in a positional relationship that the reflector 36B partially overlaps with the reflector 36A of the first lamp unit 30A when the lamp is viewed from the front. Therefore, the left-right width of the lamp unit assembly 20 can be narrowed, thereby achieving miniaturization of the vehicle lamp 10.

[0166] In the present embodiment, the low beam light distribution pattern PL is a light distribution pattern obtained by adding the side illumination light distribution pattern PC to the main area light distribution pattern PA and the diffuse area light distribution pattern PB. Therefore, the road ahead of the vehicle can be easily photographed in a wide range using an onboard camera or the like.

[0167] In the present embodiment, the first additional reflector 42 is described as being configured to reflect the emitted light from the light source 34A of the first lamp unit 30A as convergent light toward the second additional reflector 44. However, the first additional reflector 42 may be configured to reflect the emitted light from the light source 34A toward the second additional reflector 44 as parallel light or diffuse light.

[0168] In the present embodiment, the reflecting surface 44a of the second additional reflector 44 is described as being composed of a single curved surface, but the reflecting surface 44a may be composed of a plurality of reflecting elements.

[0169] In the present embodiment, the reflector 36B of the second lamp unit 30B is described as being configured to reflect the light emitted from the light source 34B as light that converges in the left-right direction. However, the reflector 36B may be configured to reflect the light emitted from the light source 34B as light that spreads in the left-right direction or as parallel light.

[0170] In the present embodiment, the second lamp unit 30B is arranged on the left side of the first lamp unit 30A in the lamp unit assembly 20. However, even when the second lamp unit 30B is arranged on the right side of the first lamp unit 30A, the same effect as in the present embodiment can be obtained. In the case of adopting such a structure, the lamp unit assembly can be suitable for a vehicle lamp arranged at the right front end of the vehicle.

[0171] (Modification of the first embodiment)

[0172] Next, a modification of the first embodiment will be described.

[0173] Figure 7 1 is a plan view showing a lamp unit assembly 120 of a vehicle lamp according to the present modification.

[0174] like Figure 7 As shown, the lamp unit assembly 120 according to this modification is also a lamp unit assembly for a vehicle lamp arranged at the left front end of the vehicle. However, the structure of the first lamp unit 130A of the lamp unit assembly 120 is partially different from that of the first embodiment.

[0175] That is, the second lamp unit 130B includes the projection lens 132B, the light source 134B, the reflector 136B, and the light shielding member 138B similar to the second lamp unit 30B of the first embodiment.

[0176] On the other hand, the first lamp unit 130A also has the same projection lens 132A, light source 134A, reflector 136A and light shielding member 138A as the first lamp unit 30A of the first embodiment. However, the structures of the first additional reflector 142 and the second additional reflector 144 that sequentially reflect the emitted light from the light source 134A toward the projection lens 132B of the second lamp unit 130B are different from those of the first embodiment.

[0177] That is, in this modification, the first additional reflector 142 is disposed on the rear side of the lamp compared to the reflector 136B of the second lamp unit 130B. Accordingly, the arrangement of the second additional reflector 144 is also different from that of the first embodiment.

[0178] Specifically, in this modified example, the light source 134B of the second lamp unit 130B is also arranged on the front side of the lamp more than the light source 134A of the first lamp unit 130A. In addition, the reflector 136B of the second lamp unit 130B is arranged on the front side of the lamp more than the reflector 136A in a positional relationship that partially overlaps with the reflector 136A of the first lamp unit 130A when the lamp is viewed from the front, and is formed integrally with the reflector 136A.

[0179] Therefore, in this modification, the left end of the reflective surface 136Aa of the reflector 136A of the first lamp unit 130A is also partially missing. However, in this modification, the reflective surface 142a of the first additional reflector 142 is formed in the portion of the left end located on the back side of the reflector 136B. The reflective surface 142a has the light emission center of the light source 134A as the first focus. Moreover, the reflective surface 142a is composed of a curved surface close to an elliptical surface with a point B located between the first additional reflector 142 and the projection lens 132A, which is on the right side of the optical axis Ax1 and on the upper side of the optical axis Ax1, as the second focus.

[0180] In this modified example as well, the second additional reflector 144 is formed integrally with the holder 60 in a manner extending upward from the horizontal flange portion 60a of the holder 60 near the right side of the light shielding member 138A. However, the formation position of the second additional reflector 144 is displaced toward the rear side of the lamp compared with the case of the first embodiment. In addition, the second additional reflector 144 reflects the outgoing light from the light source 134A after being reflected by the first additional reflector 142 in a direction that is greatly inclined to the left direction relative to the front direction of the lamp, and makes the light enter the projection lens 132B of the second lamp unit 130B.

[0181] The reflecting surface 144a of the second additional reflector 144 is formed of a curved surface close to a parabola having a focus at point B. Thus, the reflecting surface 144a is configured to reflect the reflected light from the first additional reflector 142 as light slightly diffused in the vertical direction and the horizontal direction.

[0182] In this modification, the light emitted from the light source 134A of the first lamp unit 130A and reflected by the first additional reflector 142 and the second additional reflector 144 in sequence, and then irradiated to the front of the lamp via the projection lens 132B, becomes the side irradiation light oriented in a direction greatly inclined to the left side from the front direction of the lamp. Therefore, in this modification, as in the first embodiment, the side irradiation angle on the road ahead of the vehicle can be sufficiently ensured.

[0183] In addition, in this modification, the structure of the lamp unit assembly 120 can be simplified by narrowing the left-right width of the lamp unit assembly 120 .

[0184] (Second Embodiment)

[0185] Figure 8 FIG. 2 is a front view showing a vehicle lamp 10X according to a second embodiment of the present invention. Figure 8 In the structure shown, Figure 1 The same structures as shown are denoted by the same reference numerals, and their description is omitted. Fig. 9FIG. 2 is a top view showing a lamp unit assembly 20X of a vehicle lamp 10X. Fig. 9 In the structure shown, Figure 2 The same structures as shown are denoted by the same reference numerals, and their description is omitted.

[0186] like Figure 8 and Fig. 9 As shown, the lamp unit assembly 20X according to the second embodiment is also a lamp unit assembly for a vehicle lamp arranged at the left front end of the vehicle. However, the structure of the first lamp unit 30AX of the lamp unit assembly 20X according to the second embodiment is partially different from the structure of the first lamp unit 30A of the first embodiment.

[0187] Fig.10 yes Fig. 9 XX line cross-sectional view. Fig.10 In the structure shown, Figure 3 The same structures as shown are denoted by the same reference numerals, and their description is omitted. Fig.11 yes Fig. 9 The XI-XI line cross-sectional view. Fig.11 In the structure shown, Figure 4 The same structures as shown are denoted by the same reference numerals, and their description is omitted. Fig.12 2 is a perspective view showing the lamp unit assembly 20X. Fig.12 In the structure shown, Figure 5 The same structures as shown are denoted by the same reference numerals, and their description is omitted.

[0188] The first lamp unit 30A of the first embodiment includes a first additional reflector 42 and a second additional reflector 44. On the other hand, in the second embodiment, Figures 8 to 12 As shown, the first lamp unit 30AX does not have these additional reflective members.

[0189] Fig.13 1 is a diagram showing in perspective the low beam light distribution pattern PLX formed by the irradiation light from the vehicle lamp 10X. Fig.13 Among the structures shown in the figure, the same reference numerals are attached to the same structures as those shown in FIG. 6 , and the description thereof will be omitted.

[0190] like Fig.13 As shown, the low beam light distribution pattern PLX of the second embodiment includes only the main area light distribution pattern PA and the diffusion area light distribution pattern PB, but does not include a side illumination light distribution pattern. Since the first lamp unit 30AX of the second embodiment does not have an additional reflector, no side illumination light distribution pattern is formed.

[0191] Next, the effects of the second embodiment will be described.

[0192] The reflector 36A of the first lamp unit 30AX is configured to reflect the emitted light from the light source 34A of the first lamp unit 30AX as light that converges in the left-right direction. The light source 34B of the second lamp unit 30B is arranged at a position closer to the front side of the lamp than the light source 34A of the first lamp unit 30AX. The reflector 36B of the second lamp unit 30B is arranged closer to the front side of the lamp than the reflector 36A in a positional relationship that the reflector 36B of the first lamp unit 30AX partially overlaps when the lamp is viewed from the front. Therefore, the present embodiment can obtain the following effects.

[0193] That is, the reflector 36A of the first lamp unit 30AX is configured to reflect the emitted light from the light source 34A of the first lamp unit 30AX as light that converges in the left-right direction. Therefore, although the reflector 36A is arranged on the rear side of the lamp in a positional relationship that partially overlaps with the reflector 36B of the second lamp unit 30B when the lamp is viewed from the front, the reflected light is hardly shielded by the reflector 36B of the second lamp unit 30B. In this way, the reflector 36A can make the reflected light incident on the projection lens 32A of the first lamp unit 30AX without being shielded by the reflector 36B.

[0194] Thus, the first lamp unit 30AX can enlarge the shape of the reflecting surface of the reflector 36A, so that more light emitted from the light source 34A can be incident on the projection lens 32A.

[0195] The reflector 36B of the second lamp unit 30B is arranged in front of the reflector 36A of the first lamp unit 30AX, and the reflected light of the reflector 36B of the second lamp unit 30B is not shielded by the reflector 36A. Therefore, the shape of the reflecting surface of the reflector 36B of the second lamp unit 30B can be easily enlarged.

[0196] Therefore, it is possible to improve the light beam utilization efficiency of the vehicle lamp 10X while avoiding the mutual interference between the reflector 36A of the first lamp unit 30AX and the reflector 36B of the second lamp unit 30B.

[0197] The reflector 36A of the first lamp unit 30AX and the reflector 36B of the second lamp unit 30B are arranged so as to partially overlap when the lamp is viewed from the front. Therefore, the left-right width of the vehicle lamp 10X can be narrowed, thereby miniaturizing the vehicle lamp 10X.

[0198] As described above, according to the present embodiment, in the vehicle lamp 10X in which the first lamp unit 30AX and the second lamp unit 30B are arranged side by side in the left-right direction, it is possible to improve the light beam utilization efficiency while maintaining the miniaturization of the lamp.

[0199] In the present embodiment, the reflecting surface of the reflector 36B of the second lamp unit 30B is smaller than the reflecting surface of the reflector 36A of the first lamp unit 30AX. Therefore, even though the reflector 36A of the first lamp unit 30AX and the reflector 36B of the second lamp unit 30B are arranged in a positional relationship in which they partially overlap when the lamp is viewed from the front, the front-to-back width of the vehicle lamp 10X can be kept unchanged.

[0200] In the present embodiment, since the reflector 36A of the first lamp unit 30AX and the reflector 36B of the second lamp unit 30B are integrally formed, it is possible to reduce the number of components of the vehicle lamp 10X.

[0201] In the present embodiment, the projection lens 32B of the second lamp unit 30B is formed to extend obliquely toward the rear side of the lamp as it extends from the right end toward the left end (i.e., from the end on the first lamp unit 30AX side located on the inner side in the vehicle width direction toward the end on the opposite side). Therefore, the vehicle lamp 10X can be easily designed to follow the shape of the vehicle body.

[0202] In the present embodiment, the projection lens 32A of the first lamp unit 30AX and the projection lens 32B of the second lamp unit 30B are integrally formed as the projection lens assembly 22. Therefore, the number of components of the vehicle lamp 10X can be further reduced.

[0203] In the present embodiment, the first lamp unit 30AX and the second lamp unit 30B use the shading members 38A and 38B disposed between the reflectors 36A and 36B and the projection lenses 32A and 32B to shield a portion of the outgoing light from the light sources 34A and 34B after being reflected by the reflectors 36A and 36B, thereby forming the light-dark cutoff lines CL1 and CL2 of the low-beam light distribution pattern PLX. Since the shading members 38A and 38B are provided with upward reflecting surfaces 38Aa and 38Ba for reflecting the reflected light from the reflectors 36A and 36B upward toward the projection lenses 32A and 32B, the utilization rate of the light beam of the outgoing light from the light sources 34A and 34B can be improved.

[0204] The second lamp unit 30B forms a diffusion area of ​​the low beam light distribution pattern PLX. Therefore, even if the width of the upward reflecting surface 38Ba of the light shielding member 38B in the front-rear direction of the lamp is narrowed, the light distribution pattern PB for the diffusion area can be formed with the required light distribution. Therefore, as shown in this embodiment, as the second lamp unit 30B, even if the reflector 36B and the light shielding member 38B are formed integrally, they can be easily molded.

[0205] In the second lamp unit 30B, the front end edge 36Ba1 of the reflecting surface 36Ba of the reflecting member 36B is formed to extend obliquely toward the rear side of the lamp from the right end toward the left end of the front end edge 36Ba1. In addition, the upward reflecting surface 38Ba of the light shielding member 38B is also formed to extend obliquely toward the rear side of the lamp as it extends from the right end toward the left end of the upward reflecting surface 38Ba. Therefore, although the projection lens 32B is formed to extend obliquely toward the rear side of the lamp as it extends from the right end toward the left end of the projection lens 32B, it is possible to easily ensure the required light distribution function.

[0206] In the present embodiment, the front edge 38Aa1 and the rear edge 38Aa2 of the upward reflecting surface 38Aa of the first lamp unit 30AX are formed to extend in a curved manner toward the front side of the lamp as they extend toward the left and right sides. However, the front edge 38Aa1 and the rear edge 38Aa2 may be formed to extend linearly toward the left and right sides.

[0207] In the present embodiment, the light shielding member 38B as the second lamp unit 30B is described as follows: the front edge 38Ba1 and the rear edge 38Ba2 of the upward reflecting surface 38Ba are formed to extend obliquely toward the rear side of the lamp as it moves from the right end toward the left end. However, the front edge 38Ba1 and the rear edge 38Ba2 may also be formed to extend linearly toward both sides.

[0208] In this embodiment, another second lamp unit having a structure symmetrical to the second lamp unit 30B may be additionally arranged on the right side of the first lamp unit 30AX. Thus, a main area light distribution pattern and a pair of left and right diffusion area light distribution patterns can be formed as the low beam light distribution pattern.

[0209] (Variation of the Second Embodiment)

[0210] Next, a modification of the second embodiment will be described.

[0211] Fig.14 1 is a plan view showing a lamp unit assembly 120X of a vehicle lamp according to the present modification. Fig.15 yes Fig.14 Sectional view along line XV-XV.

[0212] like Fig.14 and Fig.15 As shown, the lamp unit assembly 120X involved in this modification is also a lamp unit assembly of a vehicle lamp arranged at the left front end of the vehicle. However, the lamp unit assembly 120X is configured to form a low beam light distribution pattern by the irradiation light from the first lamp unit 130AX, and to form a high beam light distribution pattern by adding the irradiation light from the second lamp unit 130BX. In terms of forming the high beam light distribution pattern, the modification is different from the second embodiment.

[0213] In the lamp unit assembly 120X according to this modification, the structure of the first lamp unit 130AX is substantially the same as the first lamp unit 30AX of the second embodiment, but the structure of the second lamp unit 130BX is partially different from the second lamp unit 30B of the second embodiment.

[0214] That is, the first lamp unit 130AX includes the projection lens 132A, the light source 134A, the reflector 136AX, and the light shielding member 138A which are the same as those of the first lamp unit 30AX of the second embodiment.

[0215] On the other hand, the present modification is the same as the second embodiment in that the second lamp unit 130BX includes a light source 134B, a reflector 136BX, and a projection lens 132BX. However, the second lamp unit 130BX of the present modification does not include a light shielding member 38B like the second lamp unit 30B of the second embodiment. In addition, the structures of the reflector 136BX and the projection lens 132BX are different from the structures of the reflector 36B and the projection lens 32B of the second embodiment.

[0216] In the present modification, the projection lens 132A of the first lamp unit 130AX and the projection lens 132BX of the second lamp unit 130BX are also integrally formed as the projection lens assembly 122X.

[0217] At this time, the projection lens 132A of the first lamp unit 130AX has the same structure as the projection lens 32A in the first lamp unit 30AX of the second embodiment.

[0218] On the other hand, the projection lens 132BX of the second lamp unit 130BX is configured as a cylindrical lens extending in the left-right direction, and has the same vertical width as the projection lens 132A of the first lamp unit 130AX. The rear surface 132BbX of the projection lens 132BX is formed coplanar with the rear surface 132Ab of the projection lens 132A. The front surface 132BaX of the projection lens 132BX is located at a position closer to the rear side of the lamp than the front surface 132Aa of the projection lens 132A. At this time, the curvature of the front surface 132BaX of the projection lens 132BX is set so that the rear focus F2 in the vertical cross section including the optical axis Ax2 is located slightly closer to the front side of the lamp than the rear focus F1 of the projection lens 132A. The optical axis Ax2 is an axis extending in the front-rear direction of the lamp through the light emission center of the light source 134B.

[0219] The reflector 136BX of the second lamp unit 130BX is similar to the reflector 136AX of the first lamp unit 130AX, and is configured to cover the light source 134B from the upper side, and is configured to make the emitted light from the light source 134B enter the projection lens 132BX as light that converges in the left-right direction. The reflective surface 136BaX of the reflector 136BX is also composed of a substantially elliptical curved surface with the light emission center of the light source 134B as the first focus. The reflective surface 136BaX is smaller than the reflective surface 136AaX of the reflector 136AX.

[0220] The reflecting surface 136BaX of the reflecting member 136BX has a shape that is bilaterally symmetrical about the optical axis Ax2, and a front edge 136Ba1X of the reflecting surface 136BaX is located further forward than the front edge 36Ba1 of the reflecting surface 36Ba in the reflecting member 36B of the second embodiment.

[0221] In this modified example, the reflector 136BX is also arranged at a position closer to the front side of the lamp than the reflector 136AX in a positional relationship that partially overlaps with the reflector 136AX of the first lamp unit 130AX when the lamp is viewed from the front, and is formed integrally with the reflector 136AX. Therefore, similarly to the second embodiment, the left end portion of the reflective surface 136AaX of the reflector 136AX is partially defective, and a vertical wall portion 136AbX extending in a substantially vertical plane shape along the outer peripheral shape of the reflector 136BX is formed in this portion.

[0222] In the lamp unit assembly 120X of this modification, the reflector 136AX of the first lamp unit 130AX, the reflector 136BX of the second lamp unit 130BX, the light shielding member 138A of the first lamp unit 130AX, and the holder 160 having the horizontal flange portion 160a and the frame portion 160b are integrally formed.

[0223] Fig.16Aand Fig. 16B It is a diagram transparently showing a low-beam light distribution pattern PLX- 1 and a high-beam light distribution pattern PH- 1 formed by irradiation light from the vehicle lamp according to the present modification.

[0224] like Fig.16A As shown, the low beam light distribution pattern PLX-1 is Fig.13 The light distribution pattern PLX for low beam shown is the same as the main area light distribution pattern PA, and is formed by the irradiation light from the first lamp unit 130AX.

[0225] like Fig. 16B As shown, the high-beam light distribution pattern PH- 1 is a light distribution pattern obtained by adding an additional light distribution pattern PC- 1 formed by the irradiation light from the second lamp unit 130BX to the low-beam light distribution pattern PLX- 1 .

[0226] The additional light distribution pattern PC-1 is a horizontally long light distribution pattern centered near the HV, and is formed in a manner that crosses the cut-off lines CL1 and CL2 of the low-beam light distribution pattern PLX-1 in the upper and lower directions. This is because the second lamp unit 130BX does not have a light shielding member 38B like the second lamp unit 30B of the second embodiment, so the outgoing light from the light source 134B reflected by the reflector 136BX is irradiated toward the front of the lamp as light diffused to the upper and lower sides from the projection lens 132BX.

[0227] In this modified example, the reflector 136AX of the first lamp unit 130AX is also configured to reflect the emitted light from the light source 134A as light that converges in the left-right direction. Therefore, although the reflector 136AX of the first lamp unit 130AX is arranged on the rear side of the lamp in a positional relationship that partially overlaps with the reflector 136BX of the second lamp unit 130BX when the lamp is viewed from the front, the reflected light is hardly shielded by the reflector 136BX of the second lamp unit 130BX. In this way, the reflector 136AX can make the reflected light incident on the projection lens 132A of the first lamp unit 130AX without being shielded by the reflector 136BX.

[0228] Thus, the first lamp unit 130AX can increase the shape of the reflecting surface of the reflector 136AX, so that more light emitted from the light source 34A can be incident on the projection lens 132A.

[0229] The reflector 136BX of the second lamp unit 130BX is disposed on the front side of the lamp compared to the reflector 136AX of the first lamp unit 130AX, and the reflected light is not shielded by the reflector 136AX, so the shape of the reflecting surface can be easily enlarged.

[0230] Therefore, it is possible to improve the light beam utilization rate of the vehicle lamp while avoiding interference between the reflector 136AX of the first lamp unit 130AX and the reflector 136BX of the second lamp unit 130BX.

[0231] In this modification, the reflector 136AX of the first lamp unit 130AX and the reflector 136BX of the second lamp unit 130BX are also arranged so as to partially overlap when the lamp is viewed from the front. Therefore, the left-right width of the lamp unit assembly 120X can be narrowed, thereby miniaturizing the vehicle lamp.

[0232] In this modification, the reflector 136BX of the second lamp unit 130BX also has a smaller reflective surface shape than the reflector 136AX of the first lamp unit 130AX. Therefore, even though the reflectors 136AX and 136BX are arranged in a positional relationship that partially overlaps when the lamp is viewed from the front, the front-rear width of the vehicle lamp is not increased.

[0233] (Third Embodiment)

[0234] Fig.17 FIG. 1 is a front view showing a vehicle lamp 10Y according to a third embodiment of the present invention. Fig.17 In the structure shown, Figure 1 The same structures as shown are denoted by the same reference numerals, and their description is omitted. Fig.18 FIG. 2 is a top view showing a lamp unit assembly 20Y of a vehicle lamp 10Y. Fig.18 In the structure shown, Figure 2 The same structures as shown are denoted by the same reference numerals, and their description is omitted.

[0235] like Fig.17 and Fig.18 As shown in FIG. 1 , the lamp unit assembly 20Y according to the third embodiment is also a lamp unit assembly for a vehicle lamp arranged at the left front end of the vehicle. However, the structure of the first lamp unit 30AY of the lamp unit assembly 20Y according to the third embodiment is partially different from the structure of the first lamp unit 30A of the first embodiment. Furthermore, the structure of the second lamp unit 30BY of the lamp unit assembly 20Y according to the third embodiment is partially different from the structure of the second lamp unit 30B of the first embodiment.

[0236] Fig.19 yes Fig.18 The XIX-XIX line cross-sectional view. Fig.19 In the structure shown, Figure 3 The same structures as shown are denoted by the same reference numerals, and their description is omitted. Fig. 20 yes Fig.18The XX-XX line cross-sectional view. Fig. 20 In the structure shown, Figure 4 The same structures as shown are denoted by the same reference numerals, and their description is omitted. Fig.21 2 is a perspective view showing the lamp unit assembly 20Y. Fig.21 In the structure shown, Figure 5 The same structures as shown are denoted by the same reference numerals, and their description is omitted.

[0237] The first lamp unit 30A of the first embodiment includes a first additional reflector 42 and a second additional reflector 44. On the other hand, in the third embodiment, Figures 17 to 21 As shown, the first lamp unit 30AY does not have these additional reflectors. In addition, the two reflectors 36A and 36B of the first embodiment are arranged in a positional relationship that they partially overlap when the lamp is viewed from the front. On the other hand, in the third embodiment, the two reflectors 36AY and 36BY are arranged in a positional relationship that they do not overlap when the lamp is viewed from the front.

[0238] Furthermore, if Fig. 20 and Fig.21 As shown, the projection lens 32BY, the reflector 36BY, and the light shielding member 38BY of the second lamp unit 30BY according to the third embodiment are different from the projection lens 32B, the reflector 36B, and the light shielding member 38B of the second lamp unit 30B according to the first embodiment.

[0239] That is, the projection lens 32BY of the third embodiment is configured as a cylindrical lens extending in the left-right direction. Furthermore, the projection lens 32BY has the same upper and lower width as the projection lens 32A of the first lamp unit 30AY. The rear surface 32BbY of the projection lens 32BY is formed coplanarly with the rear surface 32Ab of the projection lens 32A. The front surface 32BaY of the projection lens 32BY is located at a position closer to the rear side of the lamp than the front surface 32Aa of the projection lens 32A. Specifically, the curvature of the front surface 32BaY of the projection lens 32BY is set in such a way that the rear focus F2 in the vertical cross section containing the optical axis Ax2 is located at approximately the same position as the rear focus F1 of the projection lens 32A in the front-to-back direction of the lamp, and the optical axis Ax2 is an axis extending in the front-to-back direction of the lamp through the light emission center of the light source 34B.

[0240] The light shielding member 38BY is provided with an upward reflecting surface 38BaY which shields part of the reflected light from the reflecting member 36BY and reflects part of the reflected light upward toward the projection lens 32BY. The structure of the upward reflecting surface 38BaY is different from that of the upward reflecting surface 38Ba of the first embodiment.

[0241] That is, the upward reflecting surface 38BaY of the shading member 38BY is composed of a horizontal plane including the optical axis Ax2. The front edge 38Ba1Y of the upward reflecting surface 38BaY is formed to extend linearly from the rear focus F2 of the projection lens 32BY toward the left and right sides. The width of the upward reflecting surface 38BaY in the front-to-back direction of the lamp is set to a value narrower than the upward reflecting surface 38Aa of the shading member 38A (specifically, a value less than 1 / 2). The rear end edge 38Ba2Y of the upward reflecting surface 38BaY is formed to extend linearly to the left and right directions at a position closer to the front side of the lamp than the front edge 36Ba1Y of the reflecting surface 36BaY in the reflecting member 36BY.

[0242] A first additional reflecting surface 36BbY is formed at the front end of the reflecting member 36BY, and the first additional reflecting surface 36BbY reflects the emitted light from the light source 34B toward the front end of the upward reflecting surface 38BaY of the light shielding member 38BY. The front end edge 36Bb1Y of the first additional reflecting surface 36BbY is formed to be located at a position closer to the rear side of the lamp than the rear end edge 38Ba2Y of the upward reflecting surface 38BaY in the light shielding member 38BY. Thus, the light shielding member 38BY and the reflecting member 36BY do not overlap when viewed from above.

[0243] A second additional reflecting surface 38BbY is formed in the light shielding member 38BY at a position closer to the front side and lower side of the lamp than the upward reflecting surface 38BaY, and reflects the outgoing light from the light source 34B reflected by the first additional reflecting surface 36BbY of the reflecting member 36BY toward the projection lens 32BY. The second additional reflecting surface 38BbY is composed of an inclined surface extending obliquely downward from a position below the front edge 38Ba1Y of the upward reflecting surface 38BaY toward the front of the lamp. In addition, the second additional reflecting surface 38BbY is formed to extend in a planar shape in the left-right direction along the front edge 38Ba1Y of the upward reflecting surface 38BaY.

[0244] Fig. 22 1 is a diagram showing in perspective the low beam light distribution pattern PLY formed by the irradiation light from the vehicle lamp 10Y. Fig. 22 In the illustrated configuration, the same components as those shown in FIG. 6 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof will be omitted.

[0245] like Fig. 22 As shown, in the low beam light distribution pattern PLY involved in the third embodiment, in addition to the main area light distribution pattern PA and the diffuse area light distribution pattern PB, an OHS illumination light distribution pattern PCY is additionally formed in the space above the cut-off lines CL1 and CL2. The main area light distribution pattern PA is formed by the illumination light from the first lamp unit 30AY. The diffuse area light distribution pattern PB and the OHS illumination light distribution pattern PCY are formed by the illumination light from the second lamp unit 30BY.

[0246] The diffusion region light distribution pattern PB is a light distribution pattern of a diffusion region constituting the low-beam light distribution pattern PLY. The diffusion region light distribution pattern PB is formed as a horizontally long light distribution pattern.

[0247] In the second lamp unit 30BY, the projection lens 32BY is formed in a cylindrical lens shape extending in the left-right direction, and the upward reflecting surface 38BaY of the light shielding member 38BY is composed of a horizontal plane including the optical axis Ax2. Therefore, the upper edge PBa of the diffused area light distribution pattern PB is formed to extend in the horizontal direction at a height position substantially the same as the opposite lane side cut-off line CL1.

[0248] The OHS irradiation light distribution pattern PCY is a light distribution pattern for irradiating an overhead sign OHS provided above the road surface in front of the vehicle. The OHS irradiation light distribution pattern PCY is formed as a horizontally long light distribution pattern extending in the left-right direction with the VV line as the center at a position upwardly away from the cut-off lines CL1 and CL2.

[0249] The outgoing light from the light source 34B reflected downward by the first additional reflecting surface 36BbY of the reflecting member 36BY is reflected toward the front of the lamp by the second additional reflecting surface 38BbY of the light shielding member 38BY, and then irradiates toward the front of the lamp via the projection lens 32BY, thereby forming the light distribution pattern PCY for OHS irradiation. The brightness of the light distribution pattern PCY for OHS irradiation is suppressed compared with the light distribution pattern PA for the main area and the light distribution pattern PB for the diffuse area.

[0250] Next, the effects of the third embodiment will be described.

[0251] The vehicle lamp 10Y according to the present embodiment includes a first lamp unit 30AY which is configured as a main area for forming a low-beam light distribution pattern PLY, and a second lamp unit 30BY which is configured as a diffusion area for forming the low-beam light distribution pattern PLY. Therefore, the vehicle lamp 10Y can easily form the low-beam light distribution pattern PLY with a light distribution suitable for vehicle driving.

[0252] The first lamp unit 30AY and the second lamp unit 30BY use the shading members 38A and 38BY disposed between the reflectors 36AY and 36BY and the projection lenses 32A and 32BY to shield a portion of the outgoing light from the light sources 34A and 34B after being reflected by the reflectors 36AY and 36BY, thereby forming the light-to-dark cut-off lines CL1 and CL2 of the low-beam light distribution pattern PLY. Since upward reflecting surfaces 38Aa and 38BaY are formed on the shading members 38A and 38BY to reflect the reflected light from the reflectors 36AY and 36BY upward toward the projection lenses 32A and 32BY, the utilization rate of the light beam of the outgoing light from the light sources 34A and 34B can be improved.

[0253] In the second lamp unit 30BY, a first additional reflecting surface 36BbY is formed at the front end of the reflecting member 36BY, which reflects the emitted light from the light source 34B toward the front end of the upward reflecting surface 38BaY of the shading member 38BY. In addition, a second additional reflecting surface 38BbY is formed at a position closer to the front side and lower side of the lamp than the upward reflecting surface 38BaY in the shading member 38BY, and the second additional reflecting surface 38BbY reflects the emitted light from the light source 34B after being reflected by the first additional reflecting surface 36BbY toward the projection lens 32BY. Furthermore, the reflecting member 36BY and the shading member 38BY are formed integrally. Therefore, the present embodiment can obtain the following effects.

[0254] That is, in the second lamp unit 30BY, the reflected light from the first additional reflecting surface 36BbY of the reflector 36BY is reflected toward the projection lens 32BY at the second additional reflecting surface 38BbY of the shading member 38BY. Thus, when forming the low beam light distribution pattern PLY, the OHS irradiation light distribution pattern PCY can be formed in the space above the cut-off lines CL1 and CL2. The second lamp unit 30BY forms a diffuse area of ​​the low beam light distribution pattern PLY. Therefore, even if the width of the upward reflecting surface 38BaY of the shading member 38BY in the front-to-back direction of the lamp is narrowed, the diffuse area light distribution pattern PB can be formed with the required light distribution. Therefore, as the second lamp unit 30BY, even if the reflector 36BY and the shading member 38BY are formed integrally, they can be easily molded, thereby achieving a reduction in the number of components of the vehicle lamp 10Y.

[0255] As described above, according to the present embodiment, in the vehicle lamp 10Y having the first lamp unit 30AY and the second lamp unit 30BY forming the low-beam light distribution pattern PLY, the OHS irradiation light distribution pattern PCY can be formed without increasing the number of components of the vehicle lamp 10Y.

[0256] Furthermore, in the present embodiment, the reflector 36AY and the light shielding member 38A of the first lamp unit 30AY are integrally formed with the reflector 36BY and the light shielding member 38BY of the second lamp unit 30BY. Therefore, the present embodiment can obtain the following effects.

[0257] That is, the second lamp unit 30BY forms the light distribution pattern PCY for OHS illumination, so there is no need to add a structure to the first lamp unit 30AY that forms the light distribution pattern PA for the main area, and the reflector 36AY and the light shielding member 38A can be easily formed in one piece. Therefore, even if the reflector 36AY and the light shielding member 38A of the first lamp unit 30AY are formed in one piece with the reflector 36BY and the light shielding member 38BY of the second lamp unit 30BY, molding can be easily performed. As a result, the number of components of the vehicle lamp 10Y can be further reduced.

[0258] In this embodiment, the reflective surface of the reflector 36BY of the second lamp unit 30BY is smaller than that of the reflector 36AY of the first lamp unit 30AY. Therefore, the vehicle lamp 10Y can be miniaturized while maintaining the light distribution structures required for the first lamp unit 30AY and the second lamp unit 30BY.

[0259] In the present embodiment, the projection lens 32A of the first lamp unit 30AY and the projection lens 32BY of the second lamp unit 30BY are integrally formed as a projection lens assembly 22Y. Therefore, the number of components of the vehicle lamp 10Y can be further reduced.

[0260] In the third embodiment, the light shielding member 38A of the first lamp unit 30AY is described as having a front edge 38Aa1 and a rear edge 38Aa2 of the upward reflecting surface 38Aa formed to be curved and extended toward the front side of the lamp as it extends toward the left and right sides. However, the front edge 38Aa1 and the rear edge 38Aa2 may be formed to extend linearly toward the left and right sides.

[0261] In the third embodiment, the light shielding member 38BY of the second lamp unit 30BY is described as being formed so that the front edge 38Ba1Y and the rear edge 38Ba2Y of the upward reflecting surface 38BaY are linearly extended toward the left and right sides. However, the front edge 38Ba1Y and the rear edge 38Ba2Y may be formed so as to be curved and extend toward the front side of the lamp as they extend toward the left and right sides.

[0262] In the third embodiment, as the lamp unit assembly 20Y, the second lamp unit 30BY is arranged on the left side of the first lamp unit 30AY, but when arranged on the right side of the first lamp unit 30AY, the same effect as in the above embodiment can be obtained. When such a structure is adopted, the lamp unit assembly can be suitable for a vehicle lamp arranged at the right front end of the vehicle.

[0263] (Variation of the Third Embodiment)

[0264] Next, a modification of the third embodiment will be described.

[0265] Fig.23 1 is a plan view showing a lamp unit assembly 120Y of the vehicle lamp according to the present modification.

[0266] like Fig.23 As shown, the lamp unit assembly 120Y involved in this modification is also a lamp unit assembly of a vehicle lamp arranged at the left front end of the vehicle. The structure of the first lamp unit 130AY of the lamp unit assembly 120Y is roughly the same as that of the third embodiment. However, the structure of the second lamp unit 130BY is partially different from that of the third embodiment.

[0267] That is, the first lamp unit 130AY includes the projection lens 132A, the light source 134A, the reflector 136AY, and the light shielding member 138A which are the same as those of the first lamp unit 30AY of the third embodiment.

[0268] On the other hand, in the second lamp unit 130BY, the orientations of the light source 134BY, the reflector 136BY, and the light shielding member 138BY are different from those in the third embodiment. Furthermore, the shape of the projection lens 132BY is different from that in the third embodiment.

[0269] Specifically, in this modified example, the light source 134BY of the second lamp unit 130BY is arranged at a position closer to the front side of the lamp than the light source 134A of the first lamp unit 130AY. However, the light source 134BY, the reflector 136BY and the light shielding member 138BY of the second lamp unit 130BY are arranged in a direction inclined to the left by a predetermined angle relative to the front direction of the lamp.

[0270] In addition, in this modification, the reflector 136BY also has a reflective surface shape smaller than that of the reflector 136AY of the first lamp unit 130AY. However, the difference between this modification and the third embodiment is that the two reflectors 136AY and 136BY are arranged in a positional relationship in which they partially overlap when the lamp is viewed from the front. Therefore, the left end of the reflective surface 136AaY of the reflector 136AY is partially defective, and a vertical wall portion 136AbY extending in a substantially vertical plane shape along the outer peripheral shape of the reflector 136BY is formed in this portion.

[0271] A first additional reflecting surface 136BbY similar to the first additional reflecting surface 36BbY of the third embodiment is formed at the front end portion of the reflector 136BY.

[0272] The upward reflecting surface 138BaY of the light shielding member 138BY is composed of a horizontal plane including an optical axis Ax2Y, which is an axis extending in a direction inclined to the left at a predetermined angle relative to the front direction of the lamp in a manner passing through the light emission center of the light source 134BY. The front-to-back width of the upward reflecting surface 138BaY is narrower than the upward reflecting surface 138Aa of the light shielding member 138A.

[0273] The reflecting surface 136BaY and the first additional reflecting surface 136BbY of the reflecting member 136BY are formed so that the front edges 136Ba1Y and 136Bb1Y are located behind the lamp in comparison with the rear edge 138Ba2Y of the upward reflecting surface 138BaY of the shading member 138BY. Thus, the shading member 138BY and the reflecting member 136BY do not overlap in a plan view.

[0274] A second additional reflecting surface 138BbY similar to the second additional reflecting surface 38BbY of the third embodiment is formed in the light shielding member 138BY at a position on the front side and below the lamp relative to the upward reflecting surface 138BaY.

[0275] The lamp unit assembly 120Y is configured such that base plates (not shown) of the first lamp unit 130AY and the second lamp unit 130BY are supported by a heat sink 150 which is the same as the heat sink 50 of the third embodiment, and the heat sink 150 is supported by a holder 160 .

[0276] The holder 160 has a horizontal flange 160a extending along a horizontal plane so as to surround the outer peripheral edge of the reflector 136AY of the first lamp unit 130AY and the reflector 136BY of the second lamp unit 130BY. The reflector 136AY of the first lamp unit 130AY and the reflector 136BY of the second lamp unit 130BY and the light shielding members 138A and 138BY are formed integrally with the holder 160.

[0277] In the present modification, the projection lens 132A of the first lamp unit 130AY and the projection lens 132BY of the second lamp unit 130BY are also integrally formed as a projection lens assembly 122Y, and are supported by the holder 160 .

[0278] The projection lens 132A has the same structure as the projection lens 32A of the above-described embodiment.

[0279] On the other hand, the projection lens 132BY is formed to be curved from the right end of the projection lens 132BY toward the left direction and extend in a ring-shaped lens shape toward the rear side of the lamp with the same upper and lower width as the projection lens 132A. That is, the front surface 132BaY of the projection lens 132BY is formed to extend in a circular arc shape with a vertical cross-section shape of a convex curve. The rear surface 132BbY of the projection lens 132BY is formed in a cylindrical surface shape. The curvature of the front surface 132BaY of the projection lens 132BY is set in such a way that the rear side focus F2 in the vertical cross-section containing the optical axis Ax2Y is located at the front end edge 138Ba1Y of the upward reflecting surface 138BaY of the light shielding member 138BY.

[0280] In this modification, a frame portion 160b substantially similar to the holder 60 of the third embodiment is formed at the front end of the holder 160. The projection lens assembly 122Y is supported by the holder 160 by making the peripheral edges of the rear surfaces of the two projection lenses 132A and 132BY contact the frame portion 160b of the holder 160 from the front side of the lamp.

[0281] As described above, in the lamp unit assembly 120Y, the reflector 136AY of the first lamp unit 130AY and the reflector 136BY of the second lamp unit 130BY and the light shielding members 138A and 138BY are formed integrally with the holder 160. However, since these reflectors 136AY, 136BY, light shielding members 138A and 138BY and the holder 160 do not overlap when viewed from above, the structure of the mold used when molding them into a single injection molded product becomes simple.

[0282] Fig.24 1 is a diagram transparently showing a low-beam light distribution pattern PLY- 1 formed by irradiation light from the vehicle lamp according to the present modification.

[0283] like Fig.24 As shown by the solid line in , in the low-beam light distribution pattern PLY-1, similarly to the low-beam light distribution pattern PLY of the third embodiment, in addition to the main area light distribution pattern PA-1 and the diffuse area light distribution pattern PB-1, an OHS illumination light distribution pattern PCY-1 is additionally formed in the space above the cut-off lines CL1 and CL2.

[0284] At this time, the main area light distribution pattern PA- 1 formed by the irradiation light from the first lamp unit 130AY is substantially the same as that in the third embodiment.

[0285] On the other hand, the diffuse area light distribution pattern PB-1 and the OHS light distribution pattern PCY-1 formed by the irradiation light from the second lamp unit 130BY are shifted to the left with respect to the diffuse area light distribution pattern PB and the OHS light distribution pattern PCY of the third embodiment and are formed in substantially the same shape as them.

[0286] In addition, Fig.24 The diffuse area light distribution pattern PB-1′ and the OHS light distribution pattern PCY-1′ indicated by the double-dashed lines are light distribution patterns formed by the light from other vehicle lamps. The other vehicle lamps are vehicle lamps having a lamp unit assembly in which the first lamp unit 130AY and the second lamp unit 130BY are arranged opposite to each other in the left and right relative to the lamp unit assembly 120Y, and are arranged at the right front end of the vehicle. The diffuse area light distribution pattern PB-1′ and the OHS light distribution pattern PCY-1′ are light distribution patterns formed by the light from the second lamp unit of the other vehicle lamps.

[0287] The diffuse region light distribution pattern PB- 1 ′ and the OHS irradiation light distribution pattern PCY- 1 ′ are formed as light distribution patterns that are bilaterally symmetrical with the diffuse region light distribution pattern PB- 1 and the OHS irradiation light distribution pattern PCY- 1 about the VV line.

[0288] In this way, by partially overlapping the left and right pair of light distribution patterns PB-1 and PB-1' for diffusion areas, a light distribution pattern with greater diffusion is formed for the vehicle as a whole. In addition, by partially overlapping the left and right pair of light distribution patterns PCY-1 and PCY-1' for OHS illumination, the head mark OHS is illuminated in a wider range compared to the case of only the light distribution pattern PCY-1 for OHS illumination, and its visual recognition is improved.

[0289] In this modification, the reflector 136BY of the second lamp unit 130BY also has a smaller reflective surface shape than the reflector 136AY of the first lamp unit 130AY. Therefore, the vehicle lamp can be miniaturized while maintaining the light distribution functions required of the first lamp unit 130AY and the second lamp unit 130BY.

[0290] In this modified example, the light source 134BY of the second lamp unit 130BY is arranged at a position closer to the front side of the lamp than the light source 134A of the first lamp unit 130AY. Furthermore, the reflector 136BY of the second lamp unit 130BY is arranged closer to the front side of the lamp than the reflector 136AY of the first lamp unit 130AY in a positional relationship that partially overlaps with the reflector 136AY of the first lamp unit 130AY when the lamp is viewed from the front. Therefore, the left-right width of the lamp unit assembly 120Y can be narrowed, thereby achieving further miniaturization of the vehicle lamp.

[0291] In the above-mentioned modification, another second lamp unit having a structure symmetrical with the second lamp unit 130BY may be additionally arranged on the right side of the first lamp unit 130AY. In this case, as the low beam light distribution pattern, a main area light distribution pattern, a pair of left and right diffusion area light distribution patterns, and a pair of left and right OHS illumination light distribution patterns are formed.

[0292] 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.

[0293] 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.

[0294] This application claims the benefit of priority based on Japanese Application No. 2022-103657 filed on June 28, 2022, Japanese Application No. 2022-103658 filed on June 28, 2022, and Japanese Application No. 2022-103656 filed on June 28, 2022, and incorporates all the contents described in the above Japanese Applications.

Claims

1. A vehicle lamp, characterized in that: A first lamp unit and a second lamp unit are arranged side by side in the left-right direction. The first lamp unit and the second lamp unit each include: a projection lens; a light source, the light source being arranged at a position closer to the rear side of the lamp than the rear focus of the projection lens; and a reflector that reflects the emitted light from the light source toward the projection lens, The projection lens of the second lamp unit is formed to extend obliquely toward the rear side of the lamp from the end on the first lamp unit side toward the end on the opposite side. The first lamp unit has a first additional reflector and a second additional reflector, and the first additional reflector and the second additional reflector sequentially reflect the outgoing light from the light source of the first lamp unit toward the projection lens of the second lamp unit. The second additional reflector is arranged on a side opposite to the second lamp unit with respect to the light source of the first lamp unit.

2. The vehicle lamp according to claim 1, characterized in that: The first additional reflector is configured to reflect the light emitted from the light source of the first lamp unit toward the second additional reflector as convergent light.

3. The vehicle lamp according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The light source of the second lamp unit is arranged at a position closer to the front side of the lamp than the light source of the first lamp unit. The reflector of the second lamp unit is arranged at a position closer to the front side of the lamp than the reflector of the first lamp unit so as to partially overlap with the reflector of the first lamp unit when the lamp is viewed from the front. The first additional reflector is arranged at a position closer to the rear side of the lamp than the reflector of the second lamp unit.

4. The vehicle lamp according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The reflector of the first lamp unit, the first additional reflector, the second additional reflector, and the reflector of the second lamp unit are integrally formed.

5. The vehicle lamp according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The projection lens of the second lamp unit is formed in a ring lens shape.

6. The vehicle lamp according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The projection lens of the first lamp unit and the projection lens of the second lamp unit are integrally formed.

7. A vehicle lamp, characterized in that: A first lamp unit and a second lamp unit are arranged side by side in the left-right direction. The first lamp unit and the second lamp unit each include: a projection lens; a light source, the light source being arranged at a position further back than a rear focus of the projection lens; and a reflector, the reflector reflecting the emitted light from the light source toward the projection lens. The reflector of the first lamp unit is configured to reflect the light emitted from the light source of the first lamp unit as light that converges in the left-right direction. The light source of the second lamp unit is arranged at a position closer to the front side of the lamp than the light source of the first lamp unit. The reflector of the second lamp unit is arranged at a position further to the front side of the lamp than the reflector of the first lamp unit so as to partially overlap with the reflector of the first lamp unit when the lamp is viewed from the front.

8. The vehicle lamp according to claim 7, characterized in that: A reflective surface of the reflector of the second lamp unit is smaller than a reflective surface of the reflector of the first lamp unit.

9. The vehicle lamp according to claim 7 or 8, characterized in that: The reflector of the first lamp unit and the reflector of the second lamp unit are integrally formed.

10. The vehicle lamp according to claim 7 or 8, characterized in that: The projection lens of the second lamp unit is formed to extend obliquely toward the rear side of the lamp from the end on the first lamp unit side toward the end on the opposite side.

11. The vehicle lamp according to claim 7 or 8, characterized in that: The projection lens of the first lamp unit and the projection lens of the second lamp unit are integrally formed.

12. A vehicle lamp, characterized in that: The device comprises a first lamp unit and a second lamp unit which form a low beam light distribution pattern. The first lamp unit and the second lamp unit respectively include: a projection lens; a light source, which is arranged at a position closer to the rear side of the lamp than the rear focus of the projection lens; a reflector, which is arranged in a manner of covering the light source from the upper side and reflects the emitted light from the light source toward the projection lens; a shading member, which is arranged between the reflector and the projection lens, and the shading member shields a part of the reflected light from the reflector to form a light-dark cut-off line of the low-beam light distribution pattern, and an upward reflecting surface is formed on the shading member, and the upward reflecting surface reflects the reflected light from the reflector upward toward the projection lens, The first lamp unit is configured to form a main area of ​​the low-beam light distribution pattern, and the second lamp unit is configured to form a diffusion area of ​​the low-beam light distribution pattern. In the second lamp unit, a first additional reflecting surface is formed at the front end portion of the reflecting member, and the first additional reflecting surface reflects the outgoing light from the light source toward the front end portion of the upward reflecting surface of the shading member, and a second additional reflecting surface is formed on the shading member at a position closer to the front side and lower side of the lamp than the upward reflecting surface, and the second additional reflecting surface reflects the outgoing light from the light source after being reflected by the first additional reflecting surface toward the projection lens, and the reflecting member is formed integrally with the shading member.

13. The vehicle lamp according to claim 12, characterized in that: The reflector and the light shielding member of the first lamp unit are integrally formed with the reflector and the light shielding member of the second lamp unit.

14. The vehicle lamp according to claim 13, wherein: The light source of the second lamp unit is arranged at a position closer to the front side of the lamp than the light source of the first lamp unit. The reflector of the second lamp unit is arranged on the front side of the lamp with respect to the reflector of the first lamp unit so as to partially overlap with the reflector of the first lamp unit when the lamp is viewed from the front.

15. The vehicle lamp according to claim 13, characterized in that: A reflective surface of the reflector of the second lamp unit is smaller than a reflective surface of the reflector of the first lamp unit.

16. The vehicle lamp according to any one of claims 12 to 15, characterized in that: The projection lens of the first lamp unit is formed integrally with the projection lens of the second lamp unit.

Images