Vehicle headlamp

Abstract

A vehicle headlamp (1) is provided with: a first light source (30L); a second light source (32); and a projection lens (60) that projects the first light from the first light source (30L) and the second light from the second light source (32) to the front of the vehicle, and in the projection lens (60), a part of a region through which the second light propagates is shared by a region through which the first light propagates.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a headlamp for a vehicle. Background Art

[0002] There is known a headlamp for a vehicle, which includes: a lamp unit for low beam that emits light of a low beam light distribution pattern toward the front of the vehicle; and an auxiliary lamp unit that emits light of another light distribution pattern projected adjacent to the low beam light distribution pattern in the left-right direction. Such a headlamp for a vehicle is disclosed in Patent Document 1 below. In this headlamp for a vehicle, a horizontally long light distribution pattern formed by the low beam light distribution pattern and another light distribution pattern projected adjacent to the low beam light distribution pattern is projected onto the front of the vehicle, and the traveling road in front of the vehicle is irradiated over a wide range, improving visual recognition.

[0003] Prior Art Documents

[0004] Patent Documents

[0005] Patent Document 1: Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2013-254603 Summary of the Invention

[0006] In the headlamp for a vehicle of Patent Document 1, projection lenses are provided independently for each of the lamp units for low beam and the auxiliary lamp unit, and the respective projection lenses are connected to form an integral body. Therefore, there is a tendency for the whole of the projection lenses to become horizontally long and for the headlamp for a vehicle as a whole to become large-sized. Therefore, miniaturization of the headlamp for a vehicle is required.

[0007] Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a headlamp for a vehicle that projects a plurality of light distribution patterns onto the front of the vehicle and can be miniaturized.

[0008] In order to achieve the above object, a headlamp for a vehicle according to the present invention is characterized in that the headlamp for a vehicle includes: a first light source that emits first light, which is one of light of a low beam light distribution pattern and light of an additional light distribution pattern that is added to the low beam light distribution pattern to form a high beam light distribution pattern; a second light source; and a projection lens that projects the first light from the first light source and second light from the second light source onto the front of the vehicle, and in the projection lens, a part of a region through which the second light propagates is shared with a region through which the first light propagates.

[0009] In the vehicle headlamp, within the projection lens, a part of the region through which the second light travels is shared with a part of the region through which the first light travels. Therefore, compared with a case where the region through which the second light travels within the projection lens is not shared with the region through which the first light travels and the respective regions are located at separated positions, the projection lens can be miniaturized. Accordingly, according to this configuration, a plurality of light distribution patterns including the light distribution pattern of the first light and the light distribution pattern of the second light can be projected from the vehicle headlamp toward the front of the vehicle, and the vehicle headlamp can be miniaturized.

[0010] In addition, at least a part of the incident region of the projection lens into which the second light is incident may overlap with the incident region of the projection lens into which the first light is incident.

[0011] According to this configuration, compared with a case where the incident region into which the second light is incident and the incident region into which the first light is incident are located at separated positions in the projection lens, the projection lens can be miniaturized. Accordingly, according to this configuration, the vehicle headlamp can be miniaturized.

[0012] In addition, at least a part of the exit region of the projection lens from which the second light exits may overlap with the exit region of the projection lens from which the first light exits.

[0013] According to this configuration, compared with a case where the exit region from which the first light exits and the exit region from which the second light exits are located at separated positions in the projection lens, the projection lens can be miniaturized. Accordingly, according to this configuration, the vehicle headlamp can be miniaturized.

[0014] Alternatively, the exit region of the projection lens from which the second light exits may not overlap with the exit region of the projection lens from which the first light exits.

[0015] In addition, the second light may be light for an enlarged light distribution pattern projected adjacent to the light distribution pattern of the low beam in the left - right direction.

[0016] Alternatively, the second light may be light for an enhanced light distribution pattern projected inside the light distribution pattern of the low beam in the left - right direction.

[0017] As described above, according to the present invention, a vehicle headlamp capable of projecting a plurality of light distribution patterns toward the front of the vehicle and miniaturizing can be provided. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0018] Figure 1 is a schematic view of the vehicle headlamp in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0019] Figure 2 is a schematic side view of the lamp unit for the low beam.

[0020] Figure 3 It is a side view schematically showing a lamp unit having a second light source.

[0021] Figure 4 It is a diagram showing a light distribution pattern of low beam and an enlarged light distribution pattern.

[0022] Figure 5 It is a diagram showing a light distribution pattern of high beam and an enlarged light distribution pattern.

[0023] Figure 6 It is a schematic diagram of a vehicle headlamp in Modification 1.

[0024] Figure 7 It is a side view schematically showing a lamp unit of Modification 1 having a second light source.

[0025] Figure 8 It is a diagram showing a light distribution pattern of low beam and an enhanced light distribution pattern.

[0026] Figure 9 It is a diagram showing a light distribution pattern of high beam and an enhanced light distribution pattern.

[0027] Figure 10 It is a schematic diagram of a vehicle headlamp in Modification 2. Detailed implementation mode

[0028] Hereinafter, in conjunction with the attached Figure 1 And examples of ways to implement the vehicle headlamp according to the present invention are illustrated. The following illustrated embodiments are embodiments for facilitating the understanding of the present invention, and are not embodiments for limiting the interpretation of the present invention. The present invention can be changed and improved without departing from its gist within the scope of the technical solution. In addition, in the following drawings referred to, in order to facilitate understanding, the sizes of the respective components are sometimes changed for display. Further, in the drawings, sometimes only a part of the same components is labeled with reference numerals for easy observation, and a part of the reference numerals is omitted.

[0029] Figure 1 It is a schematic diagram of a vehicle headlamp in the present embodiment. The vehicle headlamp 1 is a headlamp usually provided on each of the left and right sides in front of the vehicle, and the left and right vehicle headlamps 1 are formed in a substantially symmetric configuration in the left and right directions. Therefore, in the present embodiment, the left vehicle headlamp 1 will be described. In addition, in this specification, "right" means the right side in the forward direction of the vehicle, and "left" means the left side in the forward direction. The vehicle in the present embodiment is a motor vehicle.

[0030] The vehicle headlamp 1 includes: a housing 10; a lamp unit 1L for a low-beam light distribution pattern; a lamp unit 1S for a magnified light distribution pattern, which projects adjacent to the low-beam light distribution pattern in the left-right direction; and a lamp unit 1H for an additional light distribution pattern, which forms a high-beam light distribution pattern by adding to the low-beam light distribution pattern. In the present embodiment, the lamp unit 1L is arranged on the outer side of the vehicle relative to the lamp unit 1H and is arranged in the left-right direction with the lamp unit 1H. The lamp unit 1S is arranged on the outer side of the vehicle in the left-right direction relative to the lamp unit 1L and is arranged in the front. In addition, compared with the lamp unit 1L, the lamp unit 1S is inclined toward the outer side of the vehicle with respect to the front-rear direction. The light distribution pattern means both the shape of the image of the light formed on a virtual vertical screen, for example, 25 m in front of the vehicle, and the light intensity distribution in the image.

[0031] The housing 10 includes a housing body 11 and a front cover 12. The housing body 11 is configured in a box shape having an opening in the front, and the front cover 12 is fixed to the housing body 11 so as to close the opening. Thus, an accommodation space surrounded by the housing body 11 and the front cover 12 is formed in the housing 10, and the lamp unit 1L, the lamp unit 1S, and the lamp unit 1H are arranged in the accommodation space. The front cover 12 allows the light emitted from the lamp unit 1L, the lamp unit 1S, and the lamp unit 1H to pass through.

[0032] Figure 2 It is a side view schematically showing the lamp unit 1L. The lamp unit 1L includes a first light source 30L, a projection lens 60, a reflector 70, and a light shielding member 80.

[0033] The first light source 30L in the lamp unit 1L emits first light that will form a low-beam light distribution pattern. The first light source 30L is constituted by, for example, an LED (Light Emitting Diode). The switching of the power supply to the first light source 30L between on and off, the intensity of the light from the first light source 30L, etc. are controlled by a light control circuit (not shown). The light control circuit (not shown) and the first light source 30L are fixed to a base plate of a radiator (not shown). In the radiator, the heat generated by the first light source 30L and the light control circuit is transferred to the base plate of the radiator. On this basis, the heat dissipation fins of the radiator connected to the base plate are cooled by the air flow caused by the rotation of a cooling fan (not shown). Therefore, the heat of the first light source 30L and the light control circuit is efficiently dissipated.

[0034] The mirror 70 is composed of a curved plate material and is fixed to the base plate of the radiator so as to cover the light-emitting surface of the first light source 30L. The surface of the mirror 70 facing the first light source 30L is provided with a concave reflecting surface 70R that reflects the first light from the first light source 30L in a non-transmissive manner. The reflecting surface 70R is based on a rotational ellipsoidal surface, and the first light source 30L is disposed at the position of the first focus of the ellipsoidal surface or near it. At least a part of the first light emitted from the first light source 30L is reflected by the reflecting surface 70R toward the projection lens 60. In Figure 2 , an example is shown in which a part of the first light is reflected by the reflecting surface 70R toward the projection lens 60, and another part of the first light is reflected by the reflecting surface 70R toward the light shielding member 80.

[0035] The projection lens 60 is a convex lens. The projection lens 60 includes: an incident area 61L into which the first light from the first light source 30L is incident; and an exit area 62L that emits the first light incident on the projection lens 60 from the incident area 61L forward. The incident area 61L is curved convexly toward the rear and faces the exit area 62L. The exit area 62L is curved convexly toward the front. In the present embodiment, the projection lens 60 is arranged such that the rear focus of the projection lens 60 is located at the second focus of the reflecting surface of the mirror 70 or near it. That is, the lamp unit 1L of the present embodiment is a PES (Projector Ellipsoid System) type lamp unit.

[0036] The light shielding member 80 is disposed between the reflecting surface 70R and the projection lens 60. The upper end portion of the light shielding member 80 is located at the second focus of the ellipsoidal surface of the reflecting surface 70R or near the second focus. A part of the first light emitted from the first light source 30L and reflected by the mirror 70 is irradiated onto the light shielding member 80. The light shielding member 80 shields a part of the first light from the first light source 30L so that the light distribution pattern of the first light emitted from the exit area 62L of the projection lens 60 becomes a low beam light distribution pattern. Therefore, a part of the first light is shielded by the light shielding member 80 and does not enter the projection lens 60. In addition, another part of the first light is not shielded by the light shielding member 80, but travels directly from the reflecting surface 70R to the incident area 61L of the projection lens 60 and enters the incident area 61L, or is reflected by the upper end portion of the light shielding member 80 and enters the incident area 61L. Thus, the first light reflecting the shape of the cut-off line of light and dark based on the upper end portion of the light shielding member 80 is emitted from the exit area 62L of the projection lens 60 and projected in front of the vehicle.

[0037] Figure 3It is a side view schematically showing the lamp unit 1S. The lamp unit 1S has the same configuration as the lamp unit 1L, except that a light-shielding member 80 is not provided in the configuration of the lamp unit 1L and a second light source 32 is provided instead of the first light source 30L. Therefore, for the lamp unit 1S, it is only necessary to consider replacing the first light source 30L described in the lamp unit 1L with the second light source 32. In the following description of the lamp unit 1S, the aspects different from the lamp unit 1L will be mainly described.

[0038] The second light source 32 of the lamp unit 1S in the present embodiment emits second light having a light distribution pattern different from that of the low beam, i.e., an enlarged light distribution pattern. The surface of the reflector 70 of the lamp unit 1S facing the second light source 32 is provided as a reflecting surface 70R that reflects the second light from the second light source 32 without transmission. The reflecting surface 70R is based on a rotational ellipsoidal surface, and the second light source 32 is disposed at or near the position of the first focus of the ellipsoidal surface. At least a part of the second light emitted from the second light source 32 is reflected by the reflecting surface 70R of the lamp unit 1S and reflected toward the projection lens 60.

[0039] In Figure 3 the incident area and the exit area in the projection lens 60 of the lamp unit 1S are shown as the incident area 61S and the exit area 62S. The second light enters the incident area 61S via the reflecting surface 70R, and the incident area 61S is curved convexly toward the rear. The exit area 62S emits the second light from the second light source 32 that has entered the projection lens 60 from the incident area 61S forward, and the exit area 62S faces the incident area 61S and is curved convexly toward the front. In the present embodiment, the projection lens 60 is arranged such that the rear focal point of the projection lens 60 is located at or near the second focus of the reflecting surface of the reflector 70. That is, the lamp unit 1S in the present embodiment is also a PES type lamp unit.

[0040] At least a part of the second light emitted from the second light source 32 is reflected by the reflecting surface 70R of the reflector 70 and enters the incident area 61S of the projection lens 60. Thus, the second light with an enlarged light distribution pattern is emitted from the exit area 62S of the projection lens 60 and projected in front of the vehicle.

[0041] If comparing Figure 2 and Figure 3 , then Figure 3 the reflector 70 of the lamp unit 1S shown in Figure 2 appears to be arranged at a position farther from the projection lens 60 in the vehicle's front-rear direction than the reflector 70 of the lamp unit 1L shown in Figure 1As shown, the reflector 70 of the lamp unit 1S is disposed at a position closer to the projection lens 60 than the reflector 70 of the lamp unit 1L in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle, specifically at a position forward of the rear end of the light-shielding member 80. In addition, the second light source 32 of the lamp unit 1S is disposed at a position forward of the first light source 30L of the lamp unit 1L, specifically at a position forward of the light-shielding member 80. Further, the second light source 32 is disposed above the first light source 30L.

[0042] As Figure 1 shown, the projection lens 60 of the lamp unit 1S is the projection lens 60 of the lamp unit 1L. Therefore, one projection lens 60 is shared by the lamp unit 1L and the lamp unit 1S and is their common lens. The projection lens 60 in the lamp unit 1L and the lamp unit 1S is provided as a horizontally long lens in the left-right direction. A part of the horizontally long projection lens 60 is a projection lens for low beam, and another part of the projection lens 60 adjacent to the part of the projection lens 60 is a projection lens for magnifying the light distribution pattern. Therefore, it can be understood that the projection lenses 60 in the lamp unit 1L and the lamp unit 1S are integrated. Such a projection lens 60 projects the first light from the first light source 30L and the second light from the second light source 32 to the front of the vehicle.

[0043] In the present embodiment, on the rear surface of the projection lens 60, the incident area 61S is smaller than the incident area 61L, but may also be of a size equal to or larger than the incident area 61L. In addition, a part of the incident area 61S overlaps with the incident area 61L, and another part of the incident area 61S is located outside the part of the incident area 61S and does not overlap with the incident area 61L. The overlapping area of the incident area 61S and the incident area 61L is preferably 10% or more and 20% or less of the larger area of the incident area 61S and the incident area 61L. The overlapping area is located outside the most recessed position of the recess extending from the rear surface to the front surface of the projection lens 60 and may also be located around the recessed position. In addition, in the present embodiment, on the front surface of the projection lens 60, the exit area 62S is smaller than the exit area 62L, but may also be of a size equal to or larger than the exit area 62L. In addition, the exit area 62S is located outside the vehicle relative to the exit area 62L and does not overlap with the exit area 62L.

[0044] Next, the lamp unit 1H will be described. The lamp unit 1H has the same configuration as the lamp unit 1L except that the light-shielding member 80 is not provided in the configuration of the lamp unit 1L and the first light source 30L is replaced with the first light source 30H. Therefore, for the lamp unit 1H, it is only necessary to consider replacing the first light source 30L described in the lamp unit 1L with the first light source 30H. In the following description of the lamp unit 1H, the aspects different from the lamp unit 1L will be mainly described.

[0045] The first light source 30H of the lamp unit 1H emits first light that forms an additional light distribution pattern that is added to the low beam light distribution pattern to form a high beam light distribution pattern. The first light source 30H is arranged at the same height position as the first light source 30L and is arranged in a row with the first light source 30L in the left-right direction. In the vehicle headlamp 1, the first light source 30H is a light source of a lamp unit that is arranged in a lamp unit different from the lamp unit 1L that mounts the first light source 30L and the lamp unit 1S that mounts the second light source 32.

[0046] The projection lens 60 of the lamp unit 1H is a projection lens different from the projection lenses 60 of the lamp unit 1L and the lamp unit 1S. In Figure 1 this, the incident region and the exit region in the projection lens 60 of the lamp unit 1H are denoted as the incident region 61H and the exit region 62H. The first light from the first light source 30H is incident on the incident region 61H via the reflecting surface 70R of the reflector 70 of the lamp unit 1H, and the incident region 61H is curved convexly toward the rear. The exit region 62H emits the first light from the first light source 30H that has entered the projection lens 60 from the incident region 61H forward, and the exit region 62H faces the incident region 61H and is curved convexly toward the front. In the present embodiment, the projection lens 60 is arranged such that the rear focal point of the projection lens 60 is located at or near the second focal point of the reflecting surface of the reflector 70. That is, the lamp unit 1H of the present embodiment is also a PES type lamp unit.

[0047] At least a part of the first light emitted from the first light source 30H is reflected by the reflecting surface 70R of the reflector 70 and is incident on the incident region 61H of the projection lens 60. As a result, the first light of the additional light distribution pattern is emitted from the exit region 62H of the projection lens 60 and projected in front of the vehicle.

[0048] Next, the operation of the vehicle headlamp 1 of the present embodiment will be described.

[0049] In the lamp unit 1L, in a state where the low beam is emitted, as Figure 1 and Figure 2 shown, the first light is emitted from the first light source 30L, and this first light is mainly reflected by the reflecting surface 70R of the reflector 70. Among the first light reflected by the reflecting surface 70R, a part travels directly toward the incident region 61L of the projection lens 60 without being blocked by the light shielding member 80, and another part is reflected by the upper end portion of the light shielding member 80 and travels toward the incident region 61L. In addition, although not shown, another part of the first light is blocked by the light shielding member 80. The first light traveling toward the incident region 61L enters the projection lens 60 from the incident region 61L and is emitted from the exit region 62L. As a result, as Figure 4 shown, the light distribution pattern PL of the low beam is projected in front of the vehicle from the vehicle headlamp 1.

[0050] In addition, in the lamp unit 1S, in the state of emitting low beam, as Figure 1 and Figure 3 shown, the second light is emitted from the second light source 32, and the second light is mainly reflected by the reflecting surface 70R of the reflector 70. The second light reflected by the reflecting surface 70R enters the projection lens 60 from the incident area 61S of the projection lens 60.

[0051] A part of the incident area 61S of the present embodiment overlaps with the incident area 61L. Therefore, it can be understood that a part of the second light enters the projection lens 60 from the incident area 61L. Therefore, in the projection lens 60 of the present embodiment, a part of the area through which the second light entering the projection lens 60 from a part of the incident area 61S overlapping with the incident area 61L propagates is shared by a part of the area through which the first light from the first light source 30L propagates. That is to say, in the projection lens 60, a part of the area through which the second light from the second light source 32 propagates is shared by the area through which the first light from the first light source 30L propagates. Therefore, in the projection lens 60, the optical path of the second light from the second light source 32 intersects with the optical path of the first light from the first light source 30L. In addition, in the present embodiment, another part of the second light enters the projection lens 60 from another part of the incident area 61S that does not overlap with the incident area 61L. The area through which the second light entering the projection lens 60 from another part of the incident area 61S propagates is shared by the area through which the first light from the first light source 30L propagates.

[0052] The second light propagating in the projection lens 60 exits from the exit area 62S. The exit area 62S does not overlap with the exit area 62L, so the first light does not exit from the exit area 62S. In addition, since the exit area 62S does not overlap with the exit area 62L, the area shared by the first light and the second light in the projection lens 60 becomes narrower from a part of the incident area 61S toward the exit area 62L and the exit area 62S, and does not reach the exit area 62L and the exit area 62S.

[0053] If the second light exits from the exit area 62S, then as Figure 4As shown, the magnified light distribution pattern P1 is projected forward from the vehicle headlamp 1. The magnified light distribution pattern P1 is a light distribution pattern different from the light distribution pattern PL of the low beam, and is projected adjacent to the light distribution pattern PL of the low beam, specifically projected to the right side. A part of the magnified light distribution pattern P1 overlaps with the light distribution pattern PL of the low beam, and the other part does not overlap with the light distribution pattern PL of the low beam. A part of the magnified light distribution pattern P1 is smaller than the other part of the magnified light distribution pattern P1, but it can also be larger than the other part. The center of the magnified light distribution pattern P1 does not overlap with the light distribution pattern PL of the low beam, but it can also overlap with the light distribution pattern PL of the low beam. In addition, in the human vision, the magnified light distribution pattern P1 can be in contact with the light distribution pattern PL of the low beam without overlapping with it. In addition, the second light source 32 is disposed in front of and above the first light source 30L. Therefore, the upper edge of the magnified light distribution pattern P1 of the present embodiment is located at the same height as the cut-off line of the light and dark of the light distribution pattern PL of the low beam, suppressing the projection of the magnified light distribution pattern P1 above the cut-off line. In addition, the second light from the second light source 32 is reflected by the reflecting surface 70R of the reflector 70, and the second light reflected by the reflecting surface 70R of the reflector 70 is not blocked by the light shielding member 80 and is projected forward of the vehicle through the projection lens 60. Thus, compared with the case where the second light is blocked by the light shielding member 80, since the second light is not blocked by the light shielding member 80, the front of the vehicle is irradiated without waste, suppressing the deterioration of the light shielding member 80 caused by the irradiation of the second light. In this way, in the state of emitting the low beam, a horizontally long light distribution pattern composed of the light distribution pattern PL of the low beam and the magnified light distribution pattern P1, which is a light distribution pattern different from the light distribution pattern PL of the low beam, is projected forward of the vehicle. By the magnified light distribution pattern P1, compared with the case where only the light distribution pattern PL of the low beam is projected forward of the vehicle, the light distribution pattern in front of the vehicle is wider. Thus, the driving road in front of the vehicle is irradiated in a wide range, improving visual recognition.

[0054] In the lamp unit 1H, in the state of emitting the high beam, as described above, the light distribution pattern PL of the low beam is projected forward from the vehicle headlamp 1, as Figure 1 shown, the first light is further emitted from the first light source 30H. In the lamp unit 1H, the first light is mainly reflected by the reflecting surface 70R of the reflector 70. The first light reflected by the reflecting surface 70R enters from the incident area 61H of the projection lens 60 and exits from the exit area 62H. Thus, as Figure 5 shown, the additional light distribution pattern PA is projected forward from the vehicle headlamp 1 together with the light distribution pattern PL of the low beam, forming the light distribution pattern PH of the high beam shown by the thick line. The light distribution pattern PH of the high beam is formed by adding the additional light distribution pattern PA having a substantially horizontally long rectangular shape to the light distribution pattern PL of the low beam. A part of the additional light distribution pattern PA overlaps with the light distribution pattern PL of the low beam, and the additional light distribution pattern PA extends in the horizontal direction and overlaps with the horizontal line S. InFigure 5 In this case, the upper edge of the light distribution pattern PL of the low beam, which is the cut-off line between light and darkness, and the part that overlaps with the additional light distribution pattern PA are shown by a dashed line. As Figure 5 shown, in the state where the high beam is emitted, it is also projected onto Figure 4 the enlarged light distribution pattern P1 shown in Figure 4 . In this case, a part of the enlarged light distribution pattern P1 overlaps with the light distribution pattern PL of the low beam and the additional light distribution pattern PA, another part overlaps with the light distribution pattern PL of the low beam and does not overlap with the additional light distribution pattern PA. Additionally, yet another part does not overlap with the light distribution pattern PL of the low beam and the additional light distribution pattern PA. Furthermore, in the state where the high beam is emitted, it is projected onto

[0055] the enlarged light distribution pattern P1 shown in

[0056] , but the enlarged light distribution pattern P1 may not be projected.

[0057] As described above, in the vehicle headlamp 1 of the present embodiment, within the projection lens 60, a part of the region for the second light to propagate is shared by the region for the first light from the first light source 30L to propagate.

[0058] In the present embodiment, the following example is used for illustration: The lamp unit 1S is inclined outward with respect to the vehicle in the front-rear direction as compared with the lamp unit 1L, and the second light from the second light source 32 is light of an enlarged light distribution pattern projected in the left-right direction adjacent to the light distribution pattern of the low beam. However, the configuration of the lamp unit 1S and the second light are not limited thereto. Hereinafter, other examples of the configuration of the lamp unit 1S and the second light will be described as Modification Example 1 of the present embodiment.

[0059] Figure 6 It is a schematic diagram of the vehicle headlamp 1 in this modification example. Figure 7 It is a side view schematically showing the lamp unit 1S in this modification example. In this modification example, the right vehicle headlamp 1 will be described. In this modification example, the lamp unit 1L is disposed outside the vehicle with respect to the lamp unit 1H and is arranged in the left-right direction with the lamp unit 1H. The lamp unit 1S is disposed between the lamp unit 1L and the lamp unit 1S in the left-right direction. In addition, the lamp unit 1S of this modification example is inclined outward with respect to the vehicle in the front-rear direction as compared with the lamp unit 1L.

[0060] The second light source 32 and the reflector 70 of the lamp unit 1S of this modification example are disposed behind the light shielding member 80 of the lamp unit 1L. The second light source 32 disposed in this way emits second light of a light distribution pattern different from the light distribution pattern of the low beam, that is, an enhanced light distribution pattern. The enhanced light distribution pattern is projected inside the light distribution pattern of the low beam in the left-right direction, and at least a part of the enhanced light distribution pattern overlaps with the light distribution pattern of the low beam.

[0061] In this modification example, on the rear surface of the projection lens 60, as in the embodiment, a part of the incident region 61S overlaps with the incident region 61L. In addition, another part of the incident region 61S is located inside a part of the incident region 61S and does not overlap with the incident region 61L. Further, in this modification example, different from the embodiment, on the front surface of the projection lens 60, a part of the exit region 62S overlaps with the exit region 62L, and another part of the exit region 62S is located inside a part of the exit region 62S and does not overlap with the exit region 62L. The overlapping region of the exit region 62S and the exit region 62L is preferably 10% or more and 20% or less of the larger region of the exit region 62S and the exit region 62L.

[0062] Next, the operation of the vehicle headlamp 1 of this modification example will be described. Since the lamp units 1L and 1H are the same as those in the embodiment, the description thereof will be omitted.

[0063] In the lamp unit 1S, in the state of emitting the low beam, as Figure 6 and Figure 7As shown, similarly to the embodiment, the second light enters the projection lens 60 from the incident region 61S of the projection lens 60 through the reflecting surface 70R from the second light source 32.

[0064] Similarly to the embodiment, a part of the incident region 61S of this modification also overlaps with the incident region 61L. Therefore, in this modification, it can also be understood that a part of the second light enters the projection lens 60 from the incident region 61L. Therefore, in this modification, within the projection lens 60, a part of the region through which the second light from the second light source 32 propagates is also shared by the region through which the first light from the first light source 30L propagates. In addition, in this modification, another part of the second light also enters the projection lens 60 from another part of the incident region 61S that does not overlap with the incident region 61L. The region through which the second light entering the projection lens 60 from the other part of the incident region 61S propagates is not shared by the region through which the first light from the first light source 30L propagates.

[0065] The second light propagating in the projection lens 60 exits from the exit region 62S. In this modification, differently from the embodiment, a part of the exit region 62S overlaps with the exit region 62L. Therefore, it can be understood that a part of the second light exits from the exit region 62L. In addition, another part of the second light exits from another part of the exit region 62S that does not overlap with the exit region 62L. In addition, in this modification, differently from the embodiment, since a part of the exit region 62S overlaps with the exit region 62L, the region shared by the first light and the second light within the projection lens 60 is provided from a part of the incident region 61S to a part of the exit region 62S and reaches a part of the exit region 62S.

[0066] If the second light exits from the exit region 62S, then as Figure 8As shown, the high-beam light distribution pattern P2 is projected forward from the vehicle headlamp 1. The high-beam light distribution pattern P2 is a light distribution pattern different from the low-beam light distribution pattern PL, smaller than the low-beam light distribution pattern PL, and projected inside the low-beam light distribution pattern PL in the left-right direction. The high-beam light distribution pattern P2 is projected to the periphery of the upper edge of the low-beam light distribution pattern PL. A part of the high-beam light distribution pattern P2 overlaps with the low-beam light distribution pattern PL, and another part does not overlap with the low-beam light distribution pattern PL. The other part is located above the upper edge of the light distribution pattern PL. The part of the edge of the other part that is located above the upper edge of the low-beam light distribution pattern PL and the upper edge of the low-beam light distribution pattern PL together form the cut-off line of the low-beam light distribution pattern PL. A part of the high-beam light distribution pattern P2 is larger than the other part of the high-beam light distribution pattern P2, but if it overlaps with the low-beam light distribution pattern PL, it can also be of a size below the other part. The center of the high-beam light distribution pattern P2 overlaps with the low-beam light distribution pattern PL, but it can also not overlap with the low-beam light distribution pattern PL. In addition, if the high-beam light distribution pattern P2 is projected inside the low-beam light distribution pattern PL in the left-right direction, at least a part of the high-beam light distribution pattern P2 may overlap with the low-beam light distribution pattern PL in the up-down direction. In this way, in the state of emitting low beam, the light distribution pattern composed of the low-beam light distribution pattern PL and the high-beam light distribution pattern P2, which is a light distribution pattern different from the low-beam light distribution pattern PL and overlaps with the low-beam light distribution pattern PL, is projected in front of the vehicle. Through the high-beam light distribution pattern P2, compared with only the low-beam light distribution pattern PL being projected in front of the vehicle, the overlapping area of the low-beam light distribution pattern PL and the high-beam light distribution pattern P2 becomes brighter. Thereby, the visual recognition is improved.

[0067] In the lamp unit 1H, in the state of emitting high beam, as described above, the low-beam light distribution pattern PL is projected forward from the vehicle headlamp 1, as Figure 6 shown, the first light is further emitted from the first light source 30H. Figure 9 is a diagram showing the high-beam light distribution pattern PH and the high-beam light distribution pattern P2 in this modified example. In Figure 9 , the high-beam light distribution pattern PH is shown by a thick line. As Figure 9 shown, in the state of emitting high beam, the high-beam light distribution pattern P2 shown in Figure 8 is also projected. In this case, a part of the high-beam light distribution pattern P2 overlaps with the low-beam light distribution pattern PL and the additional light distribution pattern PA, another part overlaps with the low-beam light distribution pattern PL and does not overlap with the additional light distribution pattern PA. In addition, another part does not overlap with the low-beam light distribution pattern PL and the additional light distribution pattern PA. In addition, in the state of emitting high beam, the high-beam light distribution pattern P2 shown in Figure 8 is projected, but the high-beam light distribution pattern P2 may not be projected.

[0068] As described above, in the vehicle headlamp 1 of this modification example, a part of the light emission region 62S of the projection lens 60 that emits the second light overlaps with the light emission region 62L of the projection lens 60 that emits the first light from the first light source 30L. According to this configuration, compared to the case where the light emission region 62S that emits the second light and the light emission region 62L that emits the first light are located at separate positions in the projection lens 60, the projection lens 60 can be miniaturized. Therefore, according to this configuration, the vehicle headlamp 1 can be miniaturized. In addition, in this modification example, all of the light emission region 62S of the projection lens 60 that emits the second light may overlap with the light emission region 62L of the projection lens 60 that emits the first light from the first light source 30L. Alternatively, as long as a part of the region in the projection lens 60 where the second light propagates is shared by the region where the first light propagates, the light emission region 62S of the projection lens 60 that emits the second light may not overlap with the light emission region 62L of the projection lens 60 that emits the first light from the first light source 30L.

[0069] In this modification example, all of the incident region 61S may also overlap with the incident region 61L. Alternatively, as long as a part of the region in the projection lens 60 where the second light propagates is shared by the region where the first light propagates, the incident region 61S may not overlap with the incident region 61L.

[0070] In this embodiment, an example in which a part of the region where the second light propagates is shared by the region where the first light from the first light source 30L propagates has been described. However, a part of the region where the second light propagates may also be shared by the region where the first light from the first light source 30H propagates, and this will be described as Modification Example 2 of this embodiment. Figure 10 It is a schematic diagram of the vehicle headlamp 1 in this modification example.

[0071] As Figure 10 shown, the projection lens 60 of the lamp unit 1S is the projection lens 60 of the lamp unit 1H. Therefore, one projection lens 60 is shared by the lamp unit 1L and the lamp unit 1H and is their common lens. The projection lens 60 in the lamp unit 1L and the lamp unit 1H is provided as a single lens that is horizontally long in the left-right direction. A part of this horizontally long projection lens 60 is a projection lens with an additional light distribution pattern, and another part of the projection lens 60 adjacent to this part is a projection lens for magnifying the light distribution pattern. Such a projection lens 60 projects the first light from the first light source 30H and the second light from the second light source 32 in front of the vehicle.

[0072] In this modified example, on the rear surface of the projection lens 60, the incident region 61S is smaller in direction than the incident region 61H, but it may also be of a size equal to or larger than the incident region 61H. In addition, a part of the incident region 61S overlaps with the incident region 61H, and another part of the incident region 61S is located outside the part of the incident region 61S and does not overlap with the incident region 61H. The overlapping region between the incident region 61S and the incident region 61H is preferably 10% or more and 20% or less of the larger region among the incident region 61S and the incident region 61H. The overlapping region is located outside the most recessed position of the recess facing the front surface in the rear surface of the projection lens 60, but it may also be located around the recessed position. In addition, in the present embodiment, on the front surface of the projection lens 60, the exit region 62S is smaller than the exit region 62H, but it may also be of a size equal to or larger than the exit region 62H. In addition, the exit region 62S is located outside the vehicle compared to the exit region 62L and does not overlap with the exit region 62H.

[0073] A part of the region for the second light to propagate that enters the projection lens 60 from a part of the incident region 61S is shared by a part of the region for the first light to propagate from the first light source 30H. That is, inside the projection lens 60, a part of the region for the second light from the second light source 32 to propagate is shared by the region for the first light from the first light source 30H to propagate.

[0074] As described above, in this modified example, inside the projection lens 60, a part of the region for the second light to propagate is shared by the region for the first light from the first light source 30H to propagate. According to this configuration, compared with the case where the region for the second light to propagate inside the projection lens 60 is not shared by the region for the first light to propagate and the respective regions are located at separate positions, the projection lens 60 can be miniaturized.

[0075] This modified example has been described as a modified example of the embodiment, but it may also be a modified example of Modified Example 1. Therefore, at least a part of the exit region 62S of the projection lens 60 that emits the second light may overlap with the exit region 62H of the projection lens 60 that emits the first light from the first light source 30H.

[0076] The present invention has been described above by taking the above-described embodiment and modified examples as examples, but the present invention is not limited thereto.

[0077] In the lamp units 1L, 1S, and 1H, the PES optical system may not be adopted. The left - right arrangement order of the lamp units 1L, 1S, and 1H is not particularly limited.

[0078] According to the present invention, there is provided a vehicle headlamp capable of projecting a plurality of light distribution patterns in front of a vehicle and being miniaturized, which can be used in the field of vehicle headlamps such as motor vehicles.

Claims

1. A headlamp for a vehicle, characterized in that, The vehicle headlamp includes: A first light source that emits first light, which is one of the light of the light distribution pattern of the low beam and the light of the additional light distribution pattern that forms the light distribution pattern of the high beam by being added to the light distribution pattern of the low beam; A second light source; And A projection lens that projects the first light from the first light source and the second light from the second light source in front of the vehicle, In the projection lens, a part of the area through which the second light propagates is shared by the area through which the first light propagates.

2. The headlamp for a vehicle according to claim 1, characterized in that, At least a part of the incident area of the projection lens into which the second light is incident overlaps with the incident area of the projection lens into which the first light is incident.

3. The headlamp for a vehicle according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, At least a part of the exit area of the projection lens from which the second light exits overlaps with the exit area of the projection lens from which the first light exits.

4. The headlamp for a vehicle according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The exit area of the projection lens from which the second light exits does not overlap with the exit area of the projection lens from which the first light exits.

5. The headlamp for a vehicle according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The second light is the light of an enlarged light distribution pattern projected adjacent to the light distribution pattern of the low beam in the left-right direction.

6. The headlamp for a vehicle according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The second light is the light of an enhanced light distribution pattern projected inside the light distribution pattern of the low beam in the left-right direction.

Images