Vehicle headlamp

Abstract

A vehicle headlamp (1) is provided with: a circuit board (33) on which first light sources (31a, 31b, 31c) and second light sources (32) are mounted; a projection lens (35) through which light emitted from the first light sources (31a, 31b, 31c) and the second light source (32) passes; a holder (80) that is disposed in front of the first light sources (31a, 31b, 31c) and the second light source (32) and that holds the projection lens (35); and a heat sink (20) that includes a base plate (21) that extends in the vertical direction and in the left-right direction and on which the circuit board (33) is placed, and a plurality of front-side fins (22a-22i) that extend in the front direction and in the vertical direction from the base plate (21), the front-side fins (22c-22f) including: a main body part (220) that extends from the base plate (21) and overlaps the holder (80) in the front-rear direction behind the holder (80); and a first expansion part (221) extending forward from the lower side of the main body part (220) and overlapping with the holder (80) below the holder (80).

Description

Technical Field

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

[0002] There are some vehicle headlamps that include a light source, an inner lens through which light emitted from the light source passes, a projection lens through which light transmitted from the inner lens passes, a holder that holds the projection lens and accommodates at least a portion of the inner lens, and a heat sink that dissipates heat generated by the light source. Patent Document 1 below discloses such a vehicle headlamp.

[0003] In the vehicle headlamp disclosed in Patent Document 1 below, the radiator comprises a plate-shaped main body with cooling fins integrally formed on the front and rear surfaces of the main body. A substrate carrying a light source is mounted on the front surface of the radiator main body in a position where no cooling fins are provided. A holder for holding an inner lens and a projection lens is located in front of the light source. The cooling fins are located outside the holder and further rearward of the holder.

[0004] There are also vehicle headlamps that include a light source, an inner lens through which light emitted from the light source passes, a projection lens through which light transmitted from the inner lens passes, and a holder for holding the projection lens. Patent Document 2 below discloses such a vehicle headlamp. In this vehicle headlamp, the holder is a cylindrical member extending in the front-to-back direction. The projection lens is mounted at the front end of the holder, and the inner lens is housed in the holder.

[0005] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2022-175633

[0006] Patent Document 2: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2019-21602 Summary of the Invention

[0007] The vehicle headlamp of the first embodiment of the present invention is characterized in that it comprises: a circuit substrate, which is equipped with a light source; a projection lens, which allows light emitted from the light source to pass through; a retaining frame, which is arranged in front of the light source and retains the projection lens; and a heat sink, which includes a bottom plate extending vertically and horizontally and having the circuit substrate mounted on the front surface, and a plurality of heat sinks extending forward and vertically from the bottom plate, at least one of the heat sinks including: a main body extending from the bottom plate and overlapping with the retaining frame in the front-to-back direction at the rear of the retaining frame; and a first expansion portion extending forward from the lower side of the main body and overlapping with the retaining frame at the bottom of the retaining frame.

[0008] In the vehicle headlamp of the first embodiment, at least one heat sink includes: a main portion that overlaps the retaining frame in the front-to-back direction behind the retaining frame; and a first expansion portion that extends forward from the lower side of the main portion. Therefore, compared to a case where the first expansion portion is not formed, the heat sink has a larger first expansion portion, thereby improving heat dissipation. Furthermore, the main portion and the first expansion portion of the heat sink extend vertically, and the first expansion portion overlaps the retaining frame below the retaining frame. Therefore, compared to a case where the first expansion portion overlaps the retaining frame above the retaining frame in the vertical direction, the vehicle headlamp of the first embodiment can suppress the flow of air directed upward by the heat of the light source, and the flow of air directed downward toward the first expansion portion can be disrupted by the retaining frame. Therefore, compared to the case where the first expansion portion overlaps the retaining frame above the retaining frame, the vehicle headlamp of the first embodiment can suppress turbulence in the air flow along the first expansion portion, thereby improving the heat dissipation effect at the first expansion portion.

[0009] In the vehicle headlamp of the first embodiment, the radiator may include a holder fixing portion for fixing the holder, and the holder fixing portion of the radiator and a fixed portion of the holder fixed to the holder fixing portion may overlap in the front-rear direction in a state in which the upper edge of the first expansion portion abuts the lower surface of the holder and the rear edge of the lower surface of the holder abuts the connection portion between the upper edge of the first expansion portion and the front edge of the main body.

[0010] With this structure, the above-described state allows for vertical positioning of the retainer relative to the radiator. In this state, the lower surface of the retainer abuts the upper edge of the first expansion portion, and the retainer is supported by the first expansion portion. Therefore, according to the first embodiment of the vehicle headlamp, vertical positioning of the retainer relative to the radiator is easily achieved, and the work of securing the retainer to the radiator is easily performed.

[0011] In the vehicle headlamp of the first embodiment, the at least one heat sink may include a second expansion portion, which extends forward from the main body at a position above the first expansion portion, and the retaining frame may include a plate-shaped portion, which extends in the front-to-rear direction and is sandwiched by the first expansion portion and the second expansion portion.

[0012] According to this configuration, when the holder is arranged in front of the light source, the first and second expanded portions can restrict the vertical movement of the holder relative to the heat sink, thereby facilitating the arrangement of the holder.

[0013] In this case, the vehicle headlamp of the first aspect may include an inner lens that transmits light emitted from the light source and is arranged above the second expansion portion, wherein the upper edge of the second expansion portion is located below the upper edge of the main body of the heat sink including the second expansion portion.

[0014] According to the vehicle headlamp of the first aspect, compared with a case where the upper edge of the second expansion portion is located at the same height as the upper edge of the main body of the heat sink including the second expansion portion, the second expansion portion can be prevented from being too close to the inner lens, thereby preventing heating of the inner lens.

[0015] In the vehicle headlamp of the first aspect, the plurality of fins may be arranged in a horizontal direction, and the fins closest to the light source on the right and left sides of the light source may include the first expansion portion.

[0016] In the vehicle headlamp of the first embodiment, the light source is located between adjacent heat sinks that include the first expansion portion. Therefore, the vehicle headlamp of the first embodiment can easily dissipate heat generated by the light source. Furthermore, the first expansion portion can block a portion of the light from the light source that leaks between the heat sink and the retaining frame, thereby preventing the light from the light source from becoming stray light.

[0017] In the vehicle headlamp of the first aspect, the radiator may include a holder fixing portion to fix the holder, and specific fins among the plurality of fins may not form the first expansion portion, and the specific fins may be formed integrally with the holder fixing portion.

[0018] In the vehicle headlamp of the first aspect, the plurality of radiating fins may be arranged in parallel in the left-right direction, and at least two adjacent radiating fins may include the first expansion portion.

[0019] According to the vehicle headlamp of the first aspect, the first expanded portion of the heat sink can be more easily visually confirmed when the retainer is arranged in front of the light source, compared to a case where the heat sink including the first expanded portion is not adjacent. Therefore, according to the vehicle headlamp of the first aspect, it is possible to easily prevent the retainer from accidentally contacting the first expanded portion when the retainer is arranged.

[0020] The vehicle headlamp of the second embodiment of the present invention is characterized in that it comprises: a light source portion; a projection lens, which allows light emitted from the above-mentioned light source portion to pass through; a retaining frame, which has a lower plate portion extending from the light source portion side toward the projection lens side, and a pair of side plate portions extending from the light source portion side toward the projection lens side and connected to the left and right edges of the lower plate portion, holding the projection lens, the lower plate portion is not formed at least in a range from a first position closer to the projection lens side than the edge of the side plate portion on the light source portion side to a second position closer to the light source portion side than the edge.

[0021] Generally speaking, sunlight incident from a projection lens tends to be concentrated toward the lower side of the retainer. In the vehicle headlamp of the second embodiment, as described above, the lower plate portion of the retainer is not formed within the range from a first position closer to the projection lens than the edge of the side plate on the light source side to a second position closer to the light source than the edge. Therefore, in the vehicle headlamp of the second embodiment, compared to a case where the lower plate portion is formed within the range from the first position to the second position, sunlight incident from the projection lens from the outside can be prevented from being concentrated on the lower plate portion and diffused toward the space below the lower plate portion, thereby preventing excessive heating of the retainer by the sunlight.

[0022] The vehicle headlamp of the second aspect may further include an inner lens disposed between the light source unit and the projection lens and transmitting the light emitted from the light source unit, wherein the inner lens is located closer to the light source unit than the first position.

[0023] According to this configuration, compared to a case where the inner lens is located closer to the projection lens than the first position, it is possible to suppress sunlight incident from the projection lens from entering the inner lens and being focused at an unintended position.

[0024] In this case, the vehicle headlamp of the second embodiment may further include a sunshade, which is arranged between the inner lens and the projection lens and forms at least a portion of a cut-off line of a low beam light distribution pattern, and at least a portion of the sunshade is located on the light source portion side relative to the first position.

[0025] The vehicle headlamp of the second embodiment can emit low beam even if the light emitted from the light source unit does not have a low beam light distribution pattern, thereby simplifying the structure of the light source unit. In addition, the vehicle headlamp of the second embodiment can prevent sunlight incident from being reflected by the sunshade and concentrated at an undesirable position, compared to a case where the sunshade is positioned entirely closer to the projection lens than the first position described above.

[0026] When the vehicle headlamp according to the second aspect includes a shade, the inner lens and the shade may be separable.

[0027] With such a configuration, it is possible to suppress heat transfer from the light shield to the inner lens.

[0028] When the vehicle headlamp according to the second aspect includes a shade, the shade may be located between the first position and the second position.

[0029] When the light shield is heated by the light from the light source, an upward airflow is generated around the shield. With this structure, air below the lower plate portion of the retaining frame can easily flow near at least one of the ends of the shield facing the projection lens and the light source. Therefore, the vehicle headlamp of the second embodiment can prevent heated air from stagnating around the shield, thereby preventing the shield from overheating.

[0030] When the vehicle headlamp according to the second aspect includes an inner lens, at least a portion of the inner lens may be located between the first position and the second position.

[0031] When the inner lens is heated by light from the light source, an upward airflow is generated around the inner lens. By setting the above structure, air below the lower plate portion of the holder can easily flow toward the inner lens, which can prevent the inner lens from being overheated.

[0032] A third aspect of the present invention is characterized in that the vehicle headlamp comprises: a light source portion; an inner lens through which light emitted from the light source portion passes; a projection lens through which the light that has passed through the inner lens passes; and a retaining frame that holds the projection lens and accommodates at least a portion of the inner lens, wherein an upper opening is formed on the retaining frame through which the inner lens is exposed upward.

[0033] In the third embodiment of the vehicle headlamp, an upper opening is formed in the retainer, through which the inner lens is exposed upward. Therefore, compared to a case without the upper opening, the third embodiment of the vehicle headlamp allows heat from the inner lens heated by light from the light source to be released to the outside through the upper opening, thereby preventing heat from being trapped in the interior space of the retainer housing the inner lens. Consequently, the third embodiment of the vehicle headlamp can prevent excessive heating compared to the aforementioned case.

[0034] In the vehicle headlamp according to the third aspect, an outer peripheral edge of a surface of the inner lens on the projection lens side may be exposed upward from the upper opening.

[0035] According to this configuration, a flow of air can be formed along the projection lens-side surface of the inner lens toward the upper opening, and heat of the inner lens can be easily released to the outside through the upper opening.

[0036] In the vehicle headlamp according to the third aspect, the retainer may be formed with a lower opening that overlaps with the upper opening in a vertical direction.

[0037] According to such a configuration, an air flow can be formed from the lower opening toward the upper opening through the periphery of the inner lens, and the heat of the inner lens can be easily released to the outside through the upper opening.

[0038] In the vehicle headlamp according to the third aspect, the upper opening may be a pair of through holes arranged in a direction non-parallel to a propagation direction of the light emitted from the inner lens.

[0039] The above-mentioned third-type vehicle headlamp may also include a sunshade arranged between the inner lens and the projection lens, the upper surface of the sunshade reflects a portion of the light emitted from the light source portion and passing through the inner lens toward the projection lens to form a light-dark cut-off line of the low beam light distribution pattern, and the sunshade is exposed upward from the upper opening.

[0040] The vehicle headlamp of the third aspect can emit low beam even if the light emitted from the light source unit does not have a low beam light distribution pattern, thereby simplifying the structure of the light source unit. Furthermore, in the vehicle headlamp of the third aspect, the light shield is exposed upward from the upper opening. Therefore, according to the vehicle headlamp of the third aspect, the heat of the light shield heated by the light from the light source unit can be more easily dissipated to the outside through the upper opening, compared to a case where the light shield is not exposed from the upper opening.

[0041] When the vehicle headlamp according to the third aspect includes a shade, the shade may be held by the holder.

[0042] According to such a configuration, the number of parts can be reduced compared to a case where the light shield is held by a member separate from the holder.

[0043] When the vehicle headlamp according to the third aspect includes a sunshade, an edge of the upper surface of the sunshade on the projection lens side may be exposed upward from the upper opening.

[0044] As described above, the upper surface of the sunshade reflects a portion of the light transmitted through the inner lens toward the projection lens to form the cutoff line of the low-beam light distribution pattern. This tends to direct a large amount of light toward the projection lens-side portion of the sunshade's upper surface, potentially heating the projection lens side of the sunshade. In the third embodiment of the vehicle headlamp, as described above, the edge of the sunshade's upper surface on the projection lens side is exposed upward from the upper opening. This allows air to flow around the projection lens-side portion of the sunshade, which is susceptible to heating, and toward the upper opening, allowing heat from the sunshade to be easily dissipated through the upper opening.

[0045] In the case where the vehicle headlamp of the third type is provided with a sunshade, the sunshade may be a flat-plate-shaped component whose main surface serves as the upper surface, and the light source portion includes: a first light source that emits a first light, the first light being emitted from a portion of the inner lens above the sunshade to become the low beam; a second light source that emits a second light, the second light being emitted from a portion of the inner lens below the sunshade to form a high beam light distribution pattern together with the first light, the upper surface of the sunshade reflects a portion of the first light toward the projection lens, and the lower surface of the sunshade reflects a portion of the second light toward the projection lens.

[0046] The vehicle headlamp according to the third aspect can switch between emission of low beam and emission of high beam by switching between emission and non-emission of light from the second light source.

[0047] In addition, the vehicle headlamp of the fourth embodiment of the present invention is characterized in that it includes: a light source portion; a projection lens, which allows light emitted from the light source portion to pass through; a light shield, which is arranged between the light source portion and the projection lens, and the upper surface of which reflects a part of the light emitted from the light source portion toward the projection lens; a retaining frame, which holds the projection lens and covers the light shield from above at a predetermined interval, and an upper opening is formed on the retaining frame to expose the light shield upward.

[0048] According to the vehicle headlamp of the fourth aspect, compared to a case where the upper opening is not formed, heat from the light source portion of the light shield can be released to the outside through the upper opening, thereby preventing heat from being trapped in the space between the retainer and the light shield. Therefore, according to the vehicle headlamp of the fourth aspect, compared to the above-described case, excessive heating can be prevented.

[0049] In this case, an edge of the upper surface of the light shielding cover on the projection lens side may be exposed upward from the upper opening.

[0050] As described above, such a sunshade tends to irradiate a large amount of light onto the projection lens-side portion of the sunshade's upper surface, easily heating the projection lens-side portion of the sunshade. In the vehicle headlamp of the fourth aspect, as described above, the edge of the sunshade's upper surface on the projection lens-side portion is exposed upward from the upper opening. This allows air to flow around the projection lens-side portion of the sunshade, which is easily heated, and toward the upper opening, thereby facilitating the release of heat from the sunshade to the outside through the upper opening. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0051] Figure 1 It is a side view showing a vehicle headlamp according to a first embodiment as the first to third aspects of the present invention.

[0052] Figure 2 This is an exploded perspective view of the lamp unit.

[0053] Figure 3 It is a perspective view showing the heat sink and light source.

[0054] Figure 4 This is the front view of the lamp unit.

[0055] Figure 5 yes Figure 4 A cross-sectional view of the lamp unit at line VV.

[0056] Figure 6 yes Figure 4 A cross-sectional view of the lamp unit at line VI-VI.

[0057] Figure 7 This is an exploded perspective view of the lens hood.

[0058] Figure 8 It is a three-dimensional diagram of the retainer.

[0059] Figure 9 is a top view of the lamp unit.

[0060] Figure 10 It is an enlarged representation Figure 1 FIG. 1 is a diagram of a portion of a lamp unit.

[0061] Figure 11 This is a bottom view of the lamp unit.

[0062] Figure 12 This is a diagram showing an example of how the holder is fixed to the heat sink.

[0063] Figure 13 It will Figure 5 A diagram showing an example of light paths of a first light emitted from a first light source and a second light emitted from a second light source, with a portion of the diagram being enlarged.

[0064] Figure 14 It is a diagram showing a light distribution pattern of a low beam in the first embodiment.

[0065] Figure 15 It is a diagram showing a light distribution pattern of a high beam in the first embodiment.

[0066] Figure 16 It is a plan view of the lamp unit according to the second embodiment as the fourth aspect. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0067] Hereinafter, a preferred embodiment of the vehicle headlamp of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. The following exemplary embodiments are intended to facilitate understanding of the present invention and are not intended to limit the interpretation of the present invention. The present invention can be changed and improved within the scope of the claims without departing from its main purpose. In addition, the present invention can also appropriately combine the constituent elements in the following exemplary embodiments. It should be noted that in the drawings referred to below, the dimensions of each component are sometimes changed for ease of understanding. In addition, in the drawings, for ease of observation, for the same constituent elements, sometimes only a portion is marked with reference symbols, and a portion of the reference symbols are omitted.

[0068] (First embodiment)

[0069] A first embodiment as the first to third aspects of the present invention will be described. Figure 1 This is a side view of a vehicle headlamp according to a first embodiment. Vehicle headlamps are typically located on the left and right sides of the vehicle. In this specification, "right" refers to the right side in the vehicle's forward direction, and "left" refers to the left side in the vehicle's forward direction. The left and right vehicle headlamps have the same structure, except that their shapes are roughly symmetrical in the left-right direction. Therefore, the following description will focus on one vehicle headlamp.

[0070] The vehicle headlamp 1 of this embodiment includes a housing 10 and a lamp unit LU as main components. Figure 1 In the figure, the housing 10 is shown in a vertical cross-section. The housing 10 includes a lamp housing 11 and a light-transmitting front cover 12. The front of the lamp housing 11 is open, and the front cover 12 is fixed to the lamp housing 11 to block the opening. The space formed by the lamp housing 11 and the front cover 12 is the lamp chamber R, which houses the lamp unit LU.

[0071] Figure 2 1 is an exploded perspective view of the lamp unit LU, which is an exploded perspective view of the lamp unit LU viewed from the front and obliquely above. Figure 2 As shown, the lamp unit LU of the present embodiment includes a heat sink 20 , a light source 30 , a projection lens 35 , an inner lens 40 , a shade 50 , and a holder 80 as main components.

[0072] Figure 3 3 is a perspective view showing the heat sink 20 and the light source unit 30. Figure 2 、 Figure 3 As shown, the heat sink 20 of this embodiment includes a base plate 21, a plurality of front fins 22a to 22i, a plurality of bosses 23, and a plurality of rear fins 27. The base plate 21 is a plate-shaped member extending vertically and horizontally, and is provided with three substrate threaded holes 25.

[0073] The plurality of front fins 22a-22i are plate-shaped members extending forward and vertically from the base plate 21. In this embodiment, the front fins 22a-22i are integrally formed with the base plate 21, and the number of front fins 22a-22i is nine, but this is not limited to a specific number. The eight front fins 22a-22h are arranged side by side in the horizontal direction, starting from the right: front fin 22a, front fin 22b, front fin 22c, front fin 22d, front fin 22e, front fin 22f, front fin 22g, and front fin 22h.

[0074] Therefore, the front fins 22c and 22d, the front fins 22d and 22e, and the front fins 22e and 22f are adjacent to each other. These four front fins 22c-22f include a main body 220 extending from the base plate 21 and a first expansion portion 221 extending forward from the lower side of the main body 220. The front edge 220e1 of the main body 220 of each front fin 22c-22f is generally parallel to the vertical direction, and the distance from this front edge 220e1 to the base plate 21 is generally the same. The front edge 221e1 of the first expansion portion 221 of each front fin 22c-22f is generally parallel to the vertical direction, and the distance from this front edge 221e1 to the base plate 21 is generally the same. The upper edge 221e2 of the first expansion portion 221 of each front fin 22c-22f is tilted downward and forward, and they generally overlap in the left-right direction. The main body 220 overlaps with the holder 80 in the front-rear direction behind a holder 80 described later, and the first expansion portion 221 overlaps with the holder 80 below the holder, as will be described in detail later.

[0075] The two adjacent front heat sinks 22d and 22e include a second expansion portion 222 extending forward from the main body 220 above the first expansion portion 221. A front edge 221e1 of the second expansion portion 222 is located rearward of the front edge 221e1 of the first expansion portion 221, and an upper edge 222e2 of the second expansion portion 222 is located below the upper edge 220e2 of the main body 220.

[0076] The front edges of the four front fins 22a, 22b, 22g, and 22h are substantially parallel to the vertical direction, and the distance from the front edges to the bottom plate 21 is substantially the same as the distance from the front edge 220e1 of the main body 220 to the bottom plate 21.

[0077] The plurality of bosses 23 are columnar components extending forward from the base plate 21. In this embodiment, the number of bosses 23 is three, but this is not limited to this. Each boss 23 has a retainer threaded hole 24 formed along the front end surface 23s extending from the boss 23. The front end surface 23s is located further rearward than the front edge 221e1 of the second expansion portion 222, and the distance from the front end surface 23s to the base plate 21 is approximately the same as the distance from the front edge 220e1 of the main body 220 to the base plate 21. In this embodiment, each boss 23 is integrally formed with the front heat sinks 22b, 22g, and 22i. That is, the front heat sinks 22b, 22g, and 22i, where the first expansion portion 221 is not formed, are integrally formed with the boss 23. The front fins 22 b and 22 g are provided with positioning pins 26 extending forward from the front edges and having tapered front ends. The front ends of the positioning pins 26 are located forward of the front end surface 23 s of the boss 23 .

[0078] The plurality of rear fins 27 are plate-shaped members extending rearward and vertically from the bottom plate 21, are arranged side by side in the left-right direction, and are formed integrally with the bottom plate 21. The number of the plurality of rear fins 27 is not limited.

[0079] Examples of the material constituting the heat sink 20 include metals such as aluminum.

[0080] like Figure 2 As shown, the light source unit 30 of this embodiment includes three first light sources 31a, 31b, and 31c, a second light source 32, and a circuit board 33. The circuit board 33 is placed on the front surface of the base plate 21 in the heat sink 20. Through holes 33h are provided in the circuit board 33 at positions corresponding to the base plate threaded holes 25 in the base plate 21. Screws 36 are inserted through the through holes 33h and tightened into the base plate threaded holes 25, thereby securing the circuit board 33 to the heat sink 20.

[0081] The first light sources 31a, 31b, 31c, and the second light source 32 are mounted on a circuit board 33 and emit white light when supplied with power from the circuit board 33. In this embodiment, the first light sources 31a, 31b, 31c, and the second light source 32 are LEDs (Light Emitting Diodes) that emit light forward. The first light source 31a is spaced to the right of the first light source 31b, and the first light source 31c is spaced to the left of the first light source 31b. These first light sources 31a, 31b, and 31c are arranged in a horizontal direction. The first light sources 31a, 31b, and 31c are low-beam light sources and emit first light that forms a low-beam light distribution pattern. The second light source 32 is positioned below the first light sources 31a, 31b, and 31c and is aligned approximately vertically with the first light source 31b. The second light source 32 is a high-beam light source and emits second light that forms a high-beam light distribution pattern along with the first light. It should be noted that there is no limitation on the types and numbers of the first light sources 31 a , 31 b , 31 c and the second light sources 32 .

[0082] In this embodiment, if Figure 3 As shown, the first light sources 31a, 31b, and 31c are located above the front heat sinks 22a to 22h arranged side by side in the horizontal direction and below the front heat sink 22i. Furthermore, the first light source 31b and the second light source 32 are located between the front heat sink 22d and the front heat sink 22e. In other words, the front heat sinks 22d and 22e, closest to the first light source 31a and the second light source 32 to the right and left of the first light source 31a and the second light source 32, respectively, include the first expansion portion 221. In this embodiment, the first light source 31a is located between the front heat sink 22c and the front heat sink 22d, and the first light source 31c is located between the front heat sink 22e and the front heat sink 22f. Furthermore, the second light source 32 overlaps the front heat sinks 22d and 22e in the horizontal direction, but this does not necessarily have to occur.

[0083] like Figure 2 As shown, the projection lens 35 of this embodiment includes a lens body 36 that changes the divergence angle of transmitted light, and a flange-shaped fixing portion 37 provided on the outer periphery of the lens body 36. The lens body 36 is positioned forward of the light source 30. The lens body 36 is a biconvex aspheric lens having a substantially elliptical orbital shape that is elongated in the left-right direction. The optical axis of the projection lens 35 extends in the front-to-back direction and passes between the first light source 31b and the second light source 32. Examples of materials constituting the projection lens 35 include resin and glass.

[0084] The inner lens 40 of this embodiment includes a light guide portion 41 and a flange-shaped fixing portion 42 provided on the outer periphery of the light guide portion 41 excluding the lower side, and is arranged between the light source portion 30 and the projection lens 35 .

[0085] Figure 4 3 is a front view of the lamp unit LU, which is a front view of the lamp unit LU seen from the front. Figure 5 yes Figure 4 The cross-sectional view of the lamp unit LU taken along line VV is a horizontal cross-sectional view of the lamp unit LU passing through the first light source 31 b and the second light source 32 . Figure 6 yes Figure 4 The cross-sectional view of the lamp unit LU at the VI-VI line is a horizontal cross-sectional view of the lamp unit LU passing through the first light sources 31a, 31b, and 31c. Figure 5 In the embodiment, a portion of the heat sink 20 is omitted. Figure 6 In the embodiment, description of the heat sink 20 is omitted.

[0086] like Figure 5 、 Figure 6 As shown, the light guide portion 41 of this embodiment has three first incident surfaces 43a, 43b, 43c and a second incident surface 43d on the rear side surface 43. The first light from the first light source 31a is incident on the first incident surface 43a, the first light from the first light source 31b is incident on the first incident surface 43b, the first light from the first light source 31c is incident on the first incident surface 43c, and the second light from the second light source 32 is incident on the second incident surface 43d. The light guide portion 41 guides the incident first and second lights directly to the front side surface or guides the incident first and second lights to the front side surface 45 after total reflection. The front side surface 45 emits the first and second lights guided in this way toward the projection lens 35. In this embodiment, the front side surface 45 is concavely curved toward the rear. As shown Figure 5 As shown, a light shield 50, which will be described later, is arranged between the front side surface 45 and the projection lens 35. The area above the rear end of the light shield 50 in the front side surface 45 is the first emission area 45a that emits the first light, and the area below is the second emission area 45b that emits the second light. The light guide 41 guides the first light and the second light in this way. Therefore, a first light-emitting optical system that emits the first light toward the front is formed by the first light source 31a, 31b, 31c and the inner lens 40, and a second light-emitting optical system that emits the second light toward the front is formed by the second light source 32 and the inner lens 40. In addition, the first light-emitting optical system and the second light-emitting optical system share the inner lens 40. In addition, the optical axis L1C of the first light emitted from the first light-emitting optical system is inclined downward toward the front, and the optical axis L2C of the second light emitted from the second light-emitting optical system is inclined upward toward the front.

[0087] The front side surface 46 of the fixing portion 42 is connected to the front side surface 45 of the light guide portion 41. Therefore, the surface of the inner lens 40 facing the projection lens 35 is formed by these front side surfaces 45 and 46. The upper side and left and right sides of the outer periphery of this surface are the outer periphery 46e of the front side surface 46, and the lower side is the lower side edge 45e of the front side surface 45. Furthermore, the rear side surface 47 of the fixing portion 42 is connected to the rear side surface 43 of the light guide portion 41. Therefore, the surface of the inner lens 40 opposite the projection lens 35 is formed by these rear side surfaces 43 and 47. The upper side and left and right sides of the outer periphery of this surface are the outer periphery 47e of the rear side surface 47, and the lower side is the lower side edge 43e of the rear side surface 43. In this embodiment, the front side surface 46 and the rear side surface 47 are flat surfaces that are substantially parallel to the vertical direction, with the front side surface 46 being located closest to the projection lens 35.

[0088] Figure 7 1 is an exploded perspective view showing the light shielding cover 50, which is an exploded perspective view of the light shielding cover 50 viewed from the front and obliquely above. Figure 7 As shown, the light shield 50 of this embodiment is a plate-shaped member composed of a main portion 51 and a reinforcement portion 61. The main portion 51 and the reinforcement portion 61 are flat plate-shaped members with one main surface serving as the upper surface, and are elongated in the left-right direction. The reinforcement portion 61 overlaps the main portion 51 from the bottom.

[0089] The main part 51 has a pair of left and right fixing parts 52, 52 and a base part 53. Figure 7 The dashed line indicating the boundary between the left fixing portion 52 and the base portion 53 is recorded. The pair of fixing portions 52, 52 has two through holes 51h1, 51h2 extending in the horizontal direction and penetrating in the thickness direction. The through hole 51h2 is located behind the through hole 51h2. The through holes 51h1, 51h2 in the right fixing portion 52 are roughly circular, while the through holes 51h1, 51h2 in the left fixing portion 52 are roughly elliptical orbital shapes that are longer in the left-right direction. In addition, the pair of fixing portions 52, 52 are located on the same plane, but one fixing portion 52 can also be located above the other fixing portion 52.

[0090] The base portion 53 is elongated in the horizontal direction and is positioned between and sandwiched between the pair of fixing portions 52, 52. Its left end is connected to the left fixing portion 52, and its right end is connected to the right fixing portion 52. The front end 53e1 of the base portion 53 is curved in the horizontal direction at its center, forming a concave arc toward the rear. Both ends of the front end 53e1 lie on a straight line extending in the horizontal direction. The rear end 53e2 of the base portion 53 is curved in the horizontal direction, forming a convex arc toward the rear.

[0091] The upper surface 51S1 of the main portion 51 is the upper surface of the light shield 50 and has a first step 55a and a second step 55b. These steps 55a and 55b are formed by bending the base 53. Therefore, the steps 55a and 55b are located in the area of ​​the upper surface 51S1 that serves as the upper surface of the base 53. The area of ​​the upper surface 51S1 other than these steps 55a and 55b is a flat surface extending generally horizontally.

[0092] In this embodiment, the first step portion 55a is located near the left-right center of the base portion 53 and extends linearly in the front-back direction. Although not illustrated, the first step portion 55a is aligned with the optical axis L1C when viewed from above. The second step portion 55b is substantially parallel to the first step portion 55a and extends along the right end of the base portion 53.

[0093] The heights of these step portions 55a, 55b are constant and identical to each other in the extending directions of the step portions 55a, 55b. In addition, the front ends of these step portions 55a, 55b are connected to the front end 53e1 of the base portion 53, and the rear ends are connected to the rear end 53e2 of the base portion 53. The first step portion 55a is formed by an inclined surface that tilts downward from the right side toward the left side, and the second step portion 55b is formed by a surface that extends approximately in the vertical direction. Moreover, the area between the first step portion 55a and the second step portion 55b in the upper surface 51S1 is higher than other areas. It should be noted that the area between the first step portion 55a and the second step portion 55b may also be lower than other areas. In addition, the first step portion 55a may also be formed by a surface that extends approximately in the vertical direction, and the second step portion 55b may also be formed by an inclined surface that tilts relative to the vertical direction.

[0094] In this embodiment, a protrusion 56 is provided on the upper surface 51S1 of the main portion 51, located between the first step portion 55a and the second step portion 55b. When viewed from above, the protrusion 56 does not overlap with the reinforcement portion 61 (described later). Furthermore, the protrusion 56 is hemispherical and protrudes upward, formed by curving the main portion 51. It should be noted that the position of the protrusion 56 is not limited, and the protrusion 56 may not be provided on the upper surface 51S1.

[0095] Examples of the member forming the main portion 51 include a metal plate and a plated metal plate, and examples of the metal include stainless steel and carbon steel. The thickness of the main portion 51 is, for example, 0.05 mm to 1.0 mm.

[0096] The reinforcement portion 61 of this embodiment includes a pair of left and right mounting portions 62 and a connecting portion 63. The upper surface 61S1 of the reinforcement portion 61 is opposed to the lower surface of the main portion 51, and the reinforcement portion 61 overlaps with the main portion 51 from below. The mounting portion 62 on the right side overlaps only with the fixing portion 52 on the right side, and the mounting portion 62 on the left side overlaps only with the fixing portion 52 on the left side. The overlapping fixing portions 52 and mounting portions 62 have substantially the same shape. Furthermore, each mounting portion 62 has through-holes 61h1 and 61h2 that overlap with the through-holes 51h1 and 51h2 of the fixing portion 52, respectively. Furthermore, each mounting portion 62 is fixed to the fixing portion 52 by, for example, laser welding.

[0097] The connecting portion 63 extends from one mounting portion 62 to the other mounting portion 62, with at least a portion overlapping the base portion 53. In this embodiment, the right end of the connecting portion 63 is connected to the rear side of the left end of the right mounting portion 62, and the left end of the connecting portion 63 is connected to the rear side of the right end of the left mounting portion 62. Furthermore, the connecting portion 63 is fixed to the base portion 53 of the main portion 51 along a region to the left of the first step portion 55a, for example, by laser welding.

[0098] When the reinforcement portion 61 is secured to the main portion 51, the majority of the front end 53e1 of the base portion 53 of the main portion 51, including the portion that is concavely recessed toward the rear, is located forward of the front end 63e1. Therefore, the base portion 53 includes a portion that includes the front end of the main portion 51 and does not overlap with the reinforcement portion 61, and a portion that overlaps with the reinforcement portion 61 and secures the reinforcement portion 61. In this embodiment, the portion of the front end 63e1 of the connecting portion 63 that is located rearward of the front end 53e1 of the base portion 53 is curved into an arc shape that is concave toward the rear, and the distance between this portion and the front end 53e1 in the left-right direction is maintained at a predetermined value or greater. Furthermore, the rear end 63e2 of the connecting portion 63 is aligned with the rear end 53e2 of the base portion 53. It should be noted that the rear end 63e2 may not be aligned with the rear end 53e2.

[0099] The member forming the reinforcement portion 61 can be the same member as the main portion 51. The thickness of the reinforcement portion 61 is, for example, 0.05 mm to 1.0 mm. In this embodiment, the reinforcement portion 61 is thicker than the main portion 51, but the thickness of the reinforcement portion 61 may be less than the thickness of the main portion 51. Furthermore, in this embodiment, the Young's modulus of the reinforcement portion 61 is higher than that of the main portion 51, but the Young's modulus of the reinforcement portion 61 may be less than that of the main portion 51.

[0100] By fixing the reinforcing portion 61 to the main portion 51, even if the thickness of the main portion 51 is reduced, it is possible to suppress the base portion 53 of the main portion 51 from being easily deformed. Figure 5As shown, the light shield 50 is positioned between the projection lens 35 and the inner lens 40. In this embodiment, when viewed from the front along the optical axis of the projection lens 35, the light shield 50 intersects the front side surface 45 of the light guide 41. Furthermore, the optical axis of the projection lens 35 passes through or near the first step 55a, and the rear focal point of the projection lens 35 is located at or near the front end 53e1 of the base 53. Furthermore, the light shield 50 is separated from the inner lens 40. Furthermore, the gap between the light shield 50 and the inner lens 40 is wider than the gap between the light shield 50 and the projection lens 35.

[0101] Figure 8 80 is a perspective view of the retainer 80, which is a perspective view of the retainer 80 viewed from the front and obliquely above. Figure 8 As shown, the holder 80 of this embodiment includes a lens holding portion 81, a first protecting portion 91, and a second protecting portion 96, and holds the projection lens 35, the inner lens 40, and the light shield 50. Examples of materials constituting the holder 80 include opaque resins such as polycarbonate. In this embodiment, the lens holding portion 81, the first protecting portion 91, and the second protecting portion 96 are integrally formed.

[0102] The lens holder 81 of this embodiment is a cylindrical member extending in the front-to-back direction. It comprises a lower plate 82, side plates 83 connected to the left and right edges of the lower plate 82, and an upper plate 84 opposite the lower plate 82 and connected to each of the side plates 83. The outer shape of the lens holder 81 matches the outer shape of the lens body 36 of the projection lens 35. The lower plate 82 and upper plate 84 extend generally horizontally, while the side plates 83 extend vertically and are curved in an outwardly convex arc. The rear edge 82e of the lower plate 82 is located forward of the rear edge 83e of the side plates 83. The area behind the rear edge 82e is a space bounded by the left and right side plates 83, and no other components are located within this space. Furthermore, a flange-like protrusion 85 protruding from the inner circumference of the front end of the lens holder 81 is provided. This protrusion 85 increases the width of the front end surface of the lens holder 81. A plurality of pedestal portions 86 protruding forward are provided on the front end surface of the lens holding portion 81. Figure 2As shown, the fixing portion 37 of the projection lens 35 abuts against the pedestal 86 from the front. The fixing portion 37 is fixed to the pedestal 86 by, for example, ultrasonic welding or laser welding, and the projection lens 35 is supported by the holder 80. Therefore, the lower plate 82, the side plate 83, and the upper plate 84 extend from the light source 30 side toward the projection lens 35 side, with the rear edges 82e and 83e being the edges on the light source 30 side. Furthermore, as described above, the rear edge 82e is located forward of the rear edge 83e. Therefore, it can be understood that the lower plate 82 is not formed within the range from the first position on the projection lens 35 side relative to the rear edge 83e of the side plate 83 on the light source 30 side to the rear edge 83e on the light source 30 side.

[0103] like Figure 8 As shown, the first protection portion 91 of the present embodiment is a semi-cylindrical component extending in the front-to-back direction, and has an upper plate portion 94 and side plate portions 93 connected to the left and right edges of the upper plate portion 94. The outer shape of the first protection portion 91 is consistent with the outer shape of the upper half of the lens holding portion 81, the upper plate portion 94 extends from the rear end of the upper plate portion 84 toward the rear, and the side plate portion 93 extends from the upper side of the rear end of the side plate portion 83 toward the rear. Therefore, the component composed of the lens holding portion 81 and the first protection portion 91 is a component that is cut out on the lower side of a specified range from the rear end toward the front in a cylindrical component that matches the outer shape of the lens main body portion 36 of the projection lens 35. A flange-shaped connecting plate portion 92 that protrudes outward in a roughly vertical direction is provided at the rear end of the first protection portion 91. In addition, a support plate 95 that extends outward in a roughly horizontal direction is provided at the lower end of each side plate portion 93. As shown Figure 2 、 Figure 4 As shown, the left and right pair of fixing portions 52 of the main portion 51 of the light shield 50 abut against the support plate 95 from below and are secured to the support plate 95 together with the mounting portion 62 of the reinforcement portion 61 that overlaps the fixing portion 52. In this embodiment, the fixing portion 52 and the mounting portion 62 are secured to the support plate 95 by thermal compression. Specifically, the tip of a pin protruding downward from the support plate 95 and penetrating through the through-hole 51h1 of the fixing portion 52 and the through-hole 61h1 of the mounting portion 62 is melted by heat, thereby forming a head portion 95a that blocks the opening of the through-hole 61h1 opposite the support plate 95. As a result, the fixing portion 52 and the mounting portion 62 are sandwiched between the support plate 95 and the head portion 95a, securing them to the support plate 95 and holding the light shield 50 by the holder 80. Furthermore, the base portion 53 of the light shield 50 is covered from above by the first protective portion 91 at a predetermined distance, thereby protecting the base portion 53. In addition, the method for fixing the light shielding cover 50 is not limited, and it may be fixed by, for example, laser welding.

[0104] like Figure 8As shown, the second protection portion 96 is a cylindrical component located behind the first protection portion 91 and extending in the front-to-back direction. When viewed along the front-to-back direction, the upper portion of the second protection portion 96 is located outside the first protection portion 91, and the front end of the upper portion is connected to the connecting plate portion 92. Figure 6 As shown, the interior space of the second protection portion 96 accommodates a portion of the inner lens 40, protecting the inner lens 40. The rear side surface of the connecting plate portion 92 is provided with a plurality of rearwardly protruding pedestals (not shown). The fixing portion 42 of the inner lens 40 abuts against these pedestals from the rear, for example, by ultrasonic welding or laser welding, thereby securing the inner lens 40 to the pedestals. In this manner, the inner lens 40 is retained by the retaining frame 80.

[0105] like Figure 4 、 Figure 8 As shown, three fixing plates 97 extending outward in a roughly vertical direction are provided on the upper side and left and right sides of the rear end portion of the second protective portion 96. The fixing plates 97 correspond to the bosses 23 of the radiator 20, and are provided with through holes 98a corresponding to the threaded holes 24 for the retaining frame of the bosses 23. In addition, through holes 98b corresponding to the positioning pins 26 are provided on the fixing plates 97 on the left and right sides, and a protrusion 97p protruding toward the rear is provided on the fixing plate 97 on the upper side. The protrusion 97p is roughly C-shaped, and is separated from the edge of the through hole 98a and surrounds the upper side and the left and right sides of the through hole 98a. By inserting the positioning pin 26 into the through hole 98b, the retaining frame 80 is positioned relative to the radiator 20, which will be described in detail later. Furthermore, the fixing plate 97 contacts the front end face 23s of the boss 23 from the front side, and the screw 99 is inserted into the through hole 98a and fastened to the screw hole 24 for the retainer, thereby fixing the retainer 80 to the radiator 20. At this time, the retainer fixing portion of the retainer 80 in the radiator 20 is the front end face 23s of the boss 23. In addition, the fixed portion fixed to the front end face 23s of the retainer 80 is the peripheral portion 97a surrounding the through hole 98a along the edge of the through hole 98a of the fixing plate 97. Figure 8 In the present embodiment, the lower surface of the second protection portion 96 and the lower side surfaces of the left and right fixing plates 97 are located on the same plane, and these surfaces constitute part of the lower surface of the retainer 80 .

[0106] Furthermore, an upper opening 80h1 opening upward is provided in the holder 80. The upper opening 80h1 in this embodiment is a single through-hole provided across the upper plate portion 94 of the first protector 91, the connecting plate portion 92, and the second protector 96. Figure 9 1 is a top view of the lamp unit LU, which is a view of the lamp unit LU viewed from above in the vertical direction. Figure 9 In FIG, a portion of the heat sink 20 is omitted. Figure 9 As shown, in this embodiment, the inner lens 40 protrudes vertically upward from the upper opening 80h1. Furthermore, the outer edge 46e of the front side surface 46 of the fixing portion 42 of the inner lens 40 protrudes vertically upward from the upper opening 80h1. As described above, the outer edge 46e of the front side surface 46 is the outer edge of the surface of the inner lens 40 facing the projection lens 35, and therefore, this outer edge protrudes vertically upward from the upper opening 80h1. Furthermore, the outer edge 47e of the rear side surface 47 of the fixing portion 42 of the inner lens 40 protrudes vertically upward from the upper opening 80h1. As described above, the outer edge 47e of the rear side surface 47 is the outer edge of the surface of the inner lens 40 opposite the projection lens 35, and therefore, this outer edge protrudes vertically upward from the upper opening 80h1. Furthermore, the light shield 50 protrudes vertically upward from the upper opening 80h1.

[0107] As described above, the retaining frame 80 is fixed to the front end surface 23s of the boss 23 of the heat sink 20. Therefore, the retaining frame 80 is separated from the bottom plate 21 of the heat sink 20 and is positioned in front of the first light sources 31a to 31c and the second light source 32. Furthermore, the inner lens 40 is separated from the light source unit 30. In this embodiment, the gap between the inner lens 40 and the light source unit 30 is exposed vertically upward and vertically downward. Furthermore, this exposed gap includes the gap between the inner lens 40 and the first light source 31a and the gap between the inner lens 40 and the first light source 31c.

[0108] In addition, the holder 80 is such that the semi-cylindrical first protection portion 91 is located between the cylindrical lens holding portion 81 and the second protection portion 96. Figure 5 As shown, a downwardly opening lower opening 80h2 is formed below the first protective portion 91 of the retaining frame 80. In this embodiment, the upper opening 80h1 and the lower opening 80h2 overlap in the vertical direction. Furthermore, the inner lens 40 and the light shield 50 are exposed vertically downward through the lower opening 80h2. Furthermore, the front end of the light shield 50, i.e., the front end 53e1 of the base 53, the lower edge of the front side surface of the inner lens 40, i.e., the lower edge 45e of the front side surface 45, and the gap between the light shield 50 and the inner lens 40 are exposed vertically downward through the lower opening 80h2.

[0109] A portion of the edge of such a lower opening 80h2 is defined by the rear edge 82e of the lower plate portion 82 of the lens holding portion 81. In addition, it can be understood that the lower end portion of the cylindrical second protection portion 96 is a portion of the lower plate portion 82, the rear edge 82e is located at a position closer to the front side than the rear edge 83e of the side plate portion 83, and the lower end portion of the second protection portion 96 is located at a position closer to the front side than the rear edge 83e. Therefore, the lower plate portion 82 is not formed in the range from the first position P1 that is closer to the projection lens 35 side than the rear edge 83e of the side plate portion 83 to the second position P2 that is closer to the light source portion 30 side than the rear edge 83e. Thus, it can be understood that the lower opening 80h2 is formed. It should be noted that the rear edge 82e is located at the first position P1, and the front end 96de of the lower end portion of the second protection portion 96 is located at the second position P2. Figure 4 In the figure, the first position P1 is indicated by a dotted line, the second position P2 is indicated by a two-dot chain line, and the line along the rear edge 83e of the side plate portion 83 is indicated by a dashed line. Furthermore, the inner lens 40 is located closer to the light source unit 30 than the first position P1. Furthermore, at least a portion of the light shielding cover 50 is located closer to the light source unit 30 than the first position P1. In this embodiment, the light shielding cover 50 is located between the first position P1 and the second position P2.

[0110] Figure 10 It is an enlarged representation Figure 1 The diagram of a portion of the lamp unit LU in FIG. 1 is an enlarged diagram showing the vicinity of the bottom plate 21 of the heat sink 20 . Figure 11 1 is a bottom view of the lamp unit LU, which is a view of the lamp unit LU viewed from below in the vertical direction. Figure 10 、 Figure 11As shown, in this embodiment, the main body 220 of the front heat sinks 22c-22f overlaps the holder 80 in the front-to-back direction, behind the holder 80, while the first expansion portion 221 overlaps the holder 80 below it. The second expansion portions 222 of the front heat sinks 22d and 22e extend into the interior space of the second protector 96 of the holder 80. The lower portion of the second protector 96 is separated from and sandwiched between the first and second expansion portions 221, 222. As described above, the second protector 96 is a cylindrical member extending in the front-to-back direction. Therefore, the lower portion of the second protector 96 can be understood as a plate-shaped portion extending in the front-to-back direction and sandwiched between the first and second expansion portions 221, 222. It should be noted that the second protector 96 may also contact at least one of the first and second expansion portions 221, 222. Furthermore, the inner lens 40 is disposed above the second expansion portion 222. In this embodiment, the inner lens 40 is positioned above the front heat sinks 22c-22f and overlaps with them. Furthermore, the front heat sinks 22a, 22b, 22g, 22h, and 22i overlap with the holder 80 in the front-to-back direction behind the holder 80. It should be noted that the holder 80 may also include front heat sinks that do not overlap with the holder 80 in the front-to-back direction behind the holder 80.

[0111] Next, an example of a method of fixing the holder 80 to the heat sink 20 will be described.

[0112] Figure 12 1 is a diagram showing an example of a case where the holder 80 is fixed to the radiator 20. Figure 12As shown, the upper edge 221e2 of the first extension 221 of the front fins 22c-22f abuts against a surface 80ds formed by the lower surface of the holder 80, i.e., the lower surface of the second protection portion 96, and the lower side surfaces of the left and right fixing plates 97. Furthermore, the rear edge of the surface 80ds abuts against the connection 220c between the upper edge 221e2 of the first extension 221 and the front edge 220e1 of the main body 220. In this embodiment, in this position, the front end surface 23s of the boss 23, serving as the holder fixing portion, overlaps with the peripheral edge 97a, serving as the fixed portion fixed to this front end 23s, in the front-to-back direction. Therefore, in this embodiment, the holder 80 is vertically positioned relative to the heat sink 20 by maintaining this position. Furthermore, in this position, the surface 80ds of the holder 80 abuts against the upper edge 221e2 of the first extension 221, thereby supporting the holder 80 on the first extension 221. Therefore, the vertical positioning of the holder 80 relative to the radiator 20 can be easily performed, and the work of fixing the holder 80 to the radiator 20 can be easily performed. Figure 12 In the figure, the peripheral portion 97a is represented by shading, and the straight lines extending horizontally and forward from the upper and lower edges of the front end face 23s are represented by dot-dash lines. In addition, in the above-mentioned state, in the left-right direction, the position of the left-right center of the peripheral portion 97a is the same as the position of the left-right center of the front end face 23s, and the position of the center of the through-hole 98a is the same as the position of the center of the threaded hole 24 for the retaining frame. In this embodiment, in the above-mentioned state, the front end portion of the positioning pin 26 is inserted into the through-hole 98b of the fixing plate 97. Therefore, in the above-mentioned state, the left-right movement of the retaining frame 80 is restricted. It should be noted that, in the above-mentioned state, the front end portion of the positioning pin 26 does not have to be inserted into the through-hole 98b of the fixing plate 97.

[0113] Next, while the rear edge of the surface 80ds abuts the connection portion 220c, the retainer 80 is rotated rearward, causing the rear surface of the fixing plate 97 to abut the front end surface 23s of the boss 23, and the screw 99 is tightened into the retainer threaded hole 24. In this manner, the retainer 80 is secured to the radiator 20. In this embodiment, the front end of the upper boss 23 is surrounded by the protrusion 97p of the upper fixing plate 97. Furthermore, in this state, the front end of the positioning pin 26 is inserted into the through hole 98b of the fixing plate 97, thereby restricting the left-right movement of the retainer 80 when the retainer 80 is rotated rearward. This facilitates securing the retainer 80 to the radiator 20.

[0114] Next, formation of the light distribution pattern of the low beam of the vehicle headlamp 1 will be described. Figure 13 It will Figure 5A portion of the diagram is enlarged to show an example of the optical paths of the first light emitted from the first light source and the second light emitted from the second light source. Figure 13 The reflection angle, refraction angle, etc. of light shown are sometimes not accurate.

[0115] To form a low-beam light distribution pattern, first light L1 is emitted from the first light sources 31a, 31b, and 31c. The first light L1 enters the light guide portion 41 of the inner lens 40 from the first incident surfaces 43a, 43b, and 43c, and is emitted from the first emission area 45a of the front side surface 45 of the light guide portion 41 toward the projection lens 35. Most of the first light L1 emitted from the first emission area 45a passes above the light shield 50 and directly enters the projection lens 35. A portion of the first light L1 emitted from the first emission area 45a strikes the upper surface 51S1 of the main portion 51 of the light shield 50. Furthermore, the upper surface of the base portion 53, which is part of the upper surface 51S1, reflects a portion of the first light L1 toward the projection lens 35, forming a cutoff line corresponding to the front end 53e1 in the light distribution pattern formed by the first light L1. This light distribution pattern becomes the low-beam light distribution pattern. The reflected first light L1 and the first light L1 that directly enters the projection lens 35 from the first emission area 45a form the low-beam light distribution pattern. That is, the light shield 50 forms a cutoff line. The protrusion 56 is located within the area of ​​the upper surface 51S1 that is illuminated by the first light L1. The protrusion 56 reflects another portion of the first light L1, preventing it from entering the projection lens 35, thereby blocking the light. This allows a predetermined area within the low-beam light distribution pattern to be darkened. Furthermore, the area between the front end 53e1 of the upper surface 51S1 and the protrusion 56 is also illuminated by the first light L1, brightening the area. This creates a gap between the darkened predetermined area and the cutoff line. Thus, the low-beam light distribution pattern is formed by the first light L1, and light having this low-beam light distribution pattern passes through the projection lens 35 and is emitted from the vehicle headlamp 1. As described above, the rear focus of the projection lens 35 is located at or near the front end 53e1. Therefore, the light distribution pattern of the low beam projected in front of the vehicle is a light distribution pattern that is inverted by the projection lens 35 .

[0116] Figure 14 : is a diagram showing a low beam light distribution pattern in this embodiment. Figure 14In the figure, S represents the horizontal line, and V represents the vertical line passing through the left-right center of the vehicle. The low-beam light distribution pattern PL projected onto an imaginary vertical screen positioned 25 meters in front of the vehicle is represented by a bold line. The light guide 41 and the light shield 50 are formed so that the light distribution pattern of the first light L1 forms the shape of this low-beam light distribution pattern PL. The low-beam light distribution pattern PL of this embodiment is suitable for countries and regions where vehicles travel on the left side of the road. Furthermore, the cutoff line CL of the low-beam light distribution pattern PL corresponds to the shape of the front end 53e1 of the base portion 53. A step CLa corresponding to the first step 55a is formed on the cutoff line CL. The step CLa is formed by a line that slopes upward and to the left from an inflection point EP located below the horizontal line S and on or near the vertical line V. Furthermore, area AR1 in the low-beam light distribution pattern PL is darker than its surrounding area. Area AR1 is located on the opposite side of the inflection point EP toward the oncoming lane OL. Therefore, area AR1 can overlap the road surface between the vehicle and the oncoming vehicle, reducing glare caused to the driver of the oncoming vehicle by light reflected from the road surface. It should be noted that the position and shape of area AR1 can be modified by adjusting the position and shape of protrusion 56. Furthermore, by not providing protrusion 56 on top surface 51S1, area AR1 can be prevented from being darkened.

[0117] Next, formation of the light distribution pattern of the high beam of the vehicle headlamp 1 will be described.

[0118] When forming a high-beam light distribution pattern, the first light L1 is emitted from the first light sources 31a, 31b, and 31c, and the second light L2 is emitted from the second light source 32. Therefore, as described above, the low-beam light distribution pattern PL is formed by the first light L1, and light having the low-beam light distribution pattern PL is emitted from the vehicle headlamp 1. Figure 13As shown, the second light L2 emitted from the second light source 32 enters the light guide 41 from the second incident surface 43d and exits from the second exit area 45b of the front side surface 45 toward the projection lens 35. Most of the second light L2 emitted from the second exit area 45b passes under the light shield 50 and directly enters the projection lens 35. A portion of the second light L2 emitted from the second exit area 45b strikes an exposed portion of the lower surface 51S2 of the main portion 51 of the light shield 50. This exposed portion of the lower surface 51S2 is a portion of the lower surface of the base 53. This portion of the lower surface 51S2 reflects a portion of the second light L2 toward the projection lens 35, forming a cutoff line corresponding to the shape of the front end 53e1 in the light distribution pattern formed by the second light L2, thereby creating an additional light distribution pattern. The additional light distribution pattern is formed by this reflected second light L2 and the second light L2 that directly enters the projection lens 35 from the second exit area 45b. The additional light distribution pattern is a light distribution pattern that is added to the low-beam light distribution pattern PL to form the high-beam light distribution pattern. Therefore, the second light L2 and the first light L1 form the high-beam light distribution pattern. Thus, the additional light distribution pattern is formed by the second light L2, and the light having the additional light distribution pattern passes through the projection lens 35 and is emitted from the vehicle headlamp 1. Therefore, the light having the high-beam light distribution pattern is emitted from the vehicle headlamp 1. It should be noted that the additional light distribution pattern projected forward of the vehicle is identical to the low-beam light distribution pattern PL and is a light distribution pattern that has been flipped by the projection lens 35. Furthermore, the cutoff line of the additional light distribution pattern is defined by the front end 53e1 of the base portion 53, similarly to the cutoff line CL of the low-beam light distribution pattern PL. Therefore, the cutoff line of the additional light distribution pattern is substantially identical to the cutoff line CL of the low-beam light distribution pattern PL, and the high-beam light distribution pattern becomes a pattern formed by connecting the additional light distribution pattern and the low-beam light distribution pattern PL.

[0119] In this manner, the vehicle headlamp 1 of the present embodiment can switch between emission of low beam and emission of high beam by switching between emission and non-emission of light from the second light source 32 .

[0120] Figure 15 is a diagram showing a high beam light distribution pattern in this embodiment, Figure 14 The same diagram shows the light distribution pattern of the high beam. Figure 15 In the figure, a dotted line indicates the cutoff line CL in the low-beam light distribution pattern PL. In the high-beam light distribution pattern PH, an area below the cutoff line CL is formed by the first light L1, and an area above the cutoff line CL is formed by the second light L2.

[0121] However, in the vehicle headlamp of Patent Document 1, enlarging the fins is considered to improve the heat dissipation effect of the radiator. However, depending on the position and shape of the enlargement, the air flowing toward the fins may be disturbed, and the heat dissipation effect may not be improved.

[0122] Therefore, the vehicle headlamp 1 of this embodiment, as a first aspect, includes: a circuit board 33 on which first light sources 31a, 31b, 31c and a second light source 32 are mounted; a projection lens 35; a holder 80 that holds the projection lens 35; and a heat sink 20. The holder 80 is positioned in front of the first light sources 31a, 31b, 31c, and the second light source 32. The heat sink 20 includes: a base plate 21 extending vertically and horizontally, with the circuit board 33 positioned on its front surface; and a plurality of front heat sink fins 22a to 22i extending forward and vertically from the base plate 21. The four front heat sink fins 22c to 22f include a main body 220 extending from the base plate 21 and overlapping the holder 80 in the front-to-back direction behind the holder 80, and a first expansion portion 221. The first expansion portion 221 extends forward from the lower side of the main body 220 and overlaps the holder 80 below the holder 80. Therefore, the front fins 22c-22f extend the first expansion portion 221 more than in a case where the first expansion portion 221 is not formed, thereby improving the heat dissipation effect. Furthermore, the main body 220 and the first expansion portion 221 extend vertically, and the first expansion portion 221 overlaps the holder 80 below the holder 80. Therefore, according to the vehicle headlamp 1 of this embodiment as the first aspect, compared to a case where the first expansion portion 221 overlaps the holder 80 above the holder 80, the upward airflow generated by the heat of the first light sources 31a, 31b, 31c and the second light source 32 can be prevented from being disrupted by the holder 80 below the first expansion portion 221. Therefore, according to the vehicle headlamp 1 of this embodiment as the first aspect, compared to the case where the first expansion portion 221 overlaps the holder 80 above the holder 80, the airflow directed toward the first expansion portion 221 below the first expansion portion 221 can be prevented from being disrupted by the holder 80. Therefore, according to the vehicle headlamp 1 of this embodiment as the first aspect, compared to the above-mentioned case, the airflow along the first expansion portion 221 can be prevented from being disturbed, thereby improving the heat dissipation effect in the first expansion portion 221.

[0123] Furthermore, in the vehicle headlamp 1 of the present embodiment, which is a first aspect, the two front fins 22d and 22e include second expansion portions 222. The second expansion portions 222 extend forward from the main body 220 at a position above the first expansion portion 221. The retainer 80 includes a cylindrical second protection portion 96 extending in the front-to-back direction. The lower portion of the second protection portion 96 extends in the front-to-back direction and is sandwiched between the first expansion portion 221 and the second expansion portion 222. Therefore, according to the vehicle headlamp 1 of the present embodiment, which is a first aspect, when the retainer 80 is positioned, the first expansion portion 221 and the second expansion portion 222 can restrict the vertical movement of the retainer 80 relative to the radiator 20, making the placement of the retainer 80 easier. Note that, in this view, the retainer 80 only needs to include a plate-shaped portion extending in the front-to-back direction and sandwiched between the first expansion portion 221 and the second expansion portion 222. A portion of the second protection portion 96 other than the lower portion may also be the plate-shaped portion.

[0124] Furthermore, the vehicle headlamp 1 of the present embodiment, which is a first aspect, includes an inner lens 40 that transmits light emitted from the first light sources 31a, 31b, 31c and the second light source 32. The inner lens 40 is disposed above the second expansion portion 222. The upper edge 222e2 of the second expansion portion 222 is located below the upper edge 220e2 of the main body 220 of the front fins 22d and 22e, including the second expansion portion 222. Therefore, according to the vehicle headlamp 1 of the present embodiment, which is a first aspect, the second expansion portion 222 can be prevented from being too close to the inner lens 40, thereby preventing heating of the inner lens 40, compared to a case where the upper edge 222e2 of the second expansion portion 222 is located at the same height as the upper edge 220e2 of the main body 220 of the front fins 22d and 22e, including the second expansion portion 222. It should be noted that the upper edge 222e2 of the second expansion portion 222 may be located at the same height as the upper edge 220e2 of the main body portion 220 including the front heat sinks 22d and 22e of the second expansion portion 222, or may be located above the upper edge 220e2.

[0125] In the vehicle headlamp 1 of this embodiment, which is the first aspect, the front fins 22a to 22h are arranged side by side in the left-right direction. The front fins 22d and 22e, which are closest to the first light source 31b and the second light source 32 to the right and left of the first light source 31b and the second light source 32, respectively, include first expansion portions 221. In the vehicle headlamp 1 of this embodiment, the first light source 31b and the second light source 32 are located between the front fins 22d and 22e, which include the first expansion portion 221. Therefore, the vehicle headlamp 1 of this embodiment, which is the first aspect, can easily dissipate heat generated by the first light source 31b and the second light source 32. Furthermore, the first expansion portion 221 blocks a portion of the light from the first light source 31b and the second light source 32 that leaks between the front fins 22d and 22e and the retainer 80, thereby preventing the light from the first light source 31b and the second light source 32 from becoming stray light.

[0126] Furthermore, in the vehicle headlamp 1 of the first embodiment, as described above, the front fins 22c to 22f include the first expansion portions 221, and these front fins 22c to 22f are adjacent to each other. Therefore, according to the vehicle headlamp 1 of the first embodiment, the first expansion portions 221 of the front fins can be more easily visually confirmed, for example, when installing the retainer 80, compared to a case where the front fins including the first expansion portions 221 are not adjacent to each other. Therefore, according to the vehicle headlamp 1 of the first embodiment, the retainer 80 can be easily prevented from accidentally contacting the first expansion portions 221 when installing the retainer 80. It should be noted that the front fins including the first expansion portions 221 do not need to be adjacent to each other.

[0127] However, in the vehicle headlamp described in Patent Document 2, sunlight incident from the outside through the projection lens may be focused onto a portion of the retainer, causing the retainer to be excessively heated.

[0128] Therefore, the vehicle headlamp 1 of the present embodiment, which is a second aspect, includes a light source unit 30, a projection lens 35, and a holder 80 that holds the projection lens 35. The holder 80 includes a lower plate portion 82 extending from the light source unit 30 toward the projection lens 35, and a pair of side plates 83 extending from the light source unit 30 toward the projection lens 35 and connected to the left and right edges of the lower plate portion 82. Generally, sunlight incident from the projection lens tends to converge toward the lower side of the holder. In the vehicle headlamp 1 of the present embodiment, which is a second aspect, the lower plate portion 82 of the holder 80 is not formed within the range from a first position P1, which is closer to the projection lens 35 than the trailing edge 83e of the side plate portion 83 on the light source unit 30 side, to a second position P2, which is closer to the light source unit 30 than the trailing edge 83e. Therefore, in the vehicle headlamp 1 of the present embodiment as the second mode, compared with the case where the lower plate portion 82 is formed in the range from the above-mentioned first position P1 to the second position P2, the sunlight incident from the outside through the projection lens 35 is not focused on the lower plate portion 82 but diffused to the space below the lower plate portion 82, and excessive heating of the retaining frame 80 by the sunlight can be suppressed.

[0129] Furthermore, the vehicle headlamp 1 of the present embodiment as the second aspect further includes an inner lens 40 that is disposed between the light source unit 30 and the projection lens 35 and transmits light emitted from the light source unit 30. Figure 5 As shown, the inner lens 40 is located closer to the light source unit 30 than the first position P1. Therefore, according to the vehicle headlamp 1 of this embodiment, which is the second aspect, sunlight incident from the projection lens 35 can be prevented from entering the inner lens 40 and being focused at an undesired position, compared to a case where the inner lens 40 is located closer to the projection lens 35 than the first position P1. It should be noted that the inner lens 40 may also be located closer to the projection lens 35 than the first position P1.

[0130] Furthermore, the vehicle headlamp 1 of the present embodiment as the second mode further includes a light shield 50 disposed between the inner lens 40 and the projection lens 35. The light shield 50 forms a cut-off line CL of the low-beam light distribution pattern PL. Therefore, the vehicle headlamp 1 of the present embodiment as the second mode can emit low-beam light even if the first light L1 emitted from the light source unit 30 does not have a low-beam light distribution pattern, thereby simplifying the structure of the light source unit 30. Figure 5As shown, in the vehicle headlamp 1 of the present embodiment as the second aspect, at least a portion of the shade 50 is located closer to the light source unit 30 than the first position P1. Therefore, according to the vehicle headlamp 1 of the present embodiment as the second aspect, compared to a case where the entire shade 50 is located closer to the projection lens 35 than the first position P1, sunlight incident from the projection lens 35 can be prevented from being reflected by the shade 50 and concentrated at an undesired location. It should be noted that the shade 50 may also be located closer to the projection lens 35 than the first position P1.

[0131] When the light shield 50 is heated by the light from the light source 30, an upward airflow is generated around the shield 50. In the vehicle headlamp 1 of the second embodiment, the shield 50 is located between the first position P1 and the second position P2. Therefore, in the vehicle headlamp 1 of the second embodiment, air below the lower plate 82 of the retainer 80 can easily flow near at least one of the front end 53e1 of the shield 50 on the projection lens 35 side and the rear end on the light source 30 side. Therefore, in the vehicle headlamp 1 of the second embodiment, heated air can be prevented from stagnating around the shield 50, thereby preventing the shield 50 from being excessively heated. It should be noted that at least a portion of the shield 50 does not need to be located between the first position P1 and the second position P2.

[0132] In the vehicle headlamp 1 of the second embodiment, the inner lens 40 is separated from the shade 50. Therefore, the vehicle headlamp 1 of the second embodiment can suppress heat transfer from the shade 50 to the inner lens 40.

[0133] Furthermore, in the vehicle headlamp 1 of the second embodiment, an upper opening 80h1 is formed in the holder 80, which exposes the inner lens 40 and the light shield 50 upward. Therefore, according to the vehicle headlamp 1 of the second embodiment, air below the lower plate portion 82 of the holder 80 can flow through the periphery of the inner lens 40 and the light shield 50 toward the upper opening 80h1, allowing heat from the inner lens 40 and the light shield 50 to be released to the outside through the upper opening 80h1.

[0134] However, in the vehicle headlamp disclosed in Patent Document 2, heat is easily trapped in the cylindrical holder, and the holder may be excessively heated.

[0135] Therefore, the vehicle headlamp 1 of the third embodiment includes a light source unit 30, an inner lens 40, a projection lens 35, and a holder 80. The holder 80 holds the projection lens 35 and houses a portion of the inner lens 40. An upper opening 80h1 is formed in the holder 80, through which the inner lens 40 is exposed upward. Therefore, compared to a case where the upper opening 80h1 is not formed, the vehicle headlamp 1 of the third embodiment allows heat from the inner lens 40, heated by light from the light source unit 30, to be released to the outside through the upper opening 80h1. This can prevent heat from being trapped in the interior space of the holder 80 housing the inner lens 40. Therefore, compared to the above-described case, the vehicle headlamp 1 of the third embodiment can prevent excessive heating.

[0136] Furthermore, in the vehicle headlamp 1 of the third embodiment, the outer peripheral edge of the surface of the inner lens 40 on the projection lens 35 side, i.e., the outer peripheral edge 46e of the front side surface 46, is exposed upward from the upper opening 80h1. Therefore, the vehicle headlamp 1 of the third embodiment can create an air flow along the surface of the inner lens 40 on the projection lens 35 side, i.e., the front side surfaces 45 and 46, toward the upper opening 80h1, thereby facilitating heat dissipation from the inner lens 40 to the outside through the upper opening 80h1. It should be noted that the outer peripheral edge of the surface of the inner lens 40 on the projection lens 35 side does not necessarily need to be exposed from the upper opening 80h1.

[0137] Furthermore, in the vehicle headlamp 1 of the third embodiment, the outer peripheral edge 47e of the rear side surface 47 of the inner lens 40, which is the side opposite to the projection lens 35, is exposed upward from the upper opening 80h1. Therefore, the vehicle headlamp 1 of the third embodiment allows air to flow along the rear side surfaces 43 and 47 of the inner lens 40, which are the side opposite to the projection lens 35, toward the upper opening 80h1, thereby facilitating heat dissipation from the inner lens 40 to the outside through the upper opening 80h1. It should be noted that the outer peripheral edge of the inner lens 40, which is the side opposite to the projection lens 35, does not necessarily need to be exposed from the upper opening 80h1.

[0138] Furthermore, in the vehicle headlamp 1 of the third embodiment, a lower opening 80h2 is formed in the retainer 80, vertically overlapping the upper opening 80h1. Therefore, the vehicle headlamp 1 of the third embodiment allows air to flow from the lower opening 80h2 through the periphery of the inner lens 40 toward the upper opening 80h1, thereby facilitating heat release from the inner lens 40 to the outside through the upper opening 80h1. It should be noted that the upper opening 80h1 and the lower opening 80h2 do not necessarily overlap in the vertical direction.

[0139] The vehicle headlamp 1 of the third embodiment further includes a light shield 50 disposed between the inner lens 40 and the projection lens 35. The upper surface 51S1 of the main portion 51 of the light shield 50, i.e., the upper surface 51S1 of the main portion 51, reflects a portion of the first light L1 emitted from the light source unit 30 and transmitted through the inner lens 40 toward the projection lens 35 to form a cutoff line CL of the low-beam light distribution pattern PL. Therefore, the vehicle headlamp 1 of the third embodiment can emit low-beam light even if the first light L1 emitted from the light source unit 30 does not have a low-beam light distribution pattern, thereby simplifying the structure of the light source unit 30. Furthermore, in the vehicle headlamp 1 of the third embodiment, the light shield 50 is exposed upward from the upper opening 80h1. Therefore, according to the vehicle headlamp 1 of the third embodiment, the heat of the shade 50 heated by the light from the light source unit 30 can be easily released to the outside through the upper opening 80h1 compared to a case where the shade 50 is not exposed from the upper opening 80h1.

[0140] Furthermore, in the vehicle headlamp 1 of the third embodiment, the shade 50 is held by the holder 80. Therefore, according to the vehicle headlamp 1 of the third embodiment, the number of parts can be reduced compared to a case where the shade 50 is held by a member separate from the holder 80.

[0141] Furthermore, in the vehicle headlamp 1 of the third embodiment, the gap between the inner lens 40 and the light source unit 30 is exposed both upward and downward when viewed in the vertical direction. Therefore, no other components are positioned between this gap and the external space below the inner lens 40 and light source unit 30, or between this gap and the external space above the inner lens 40 and light source unit 30. Consequently, an air flow path is formed that flows from the external space below the inner lens 40 and light source unit 30 through the gap between the inner lens 40 and light source unit 30 to the external space above the inner lens 40 and light source unit 30, and this flow path is along the vertical direction. Therefore, the vehicle headlamp 1 of the third embodiment facilitates the dissipation of heat from the inner lens 40 and light source unit 30 to the outside. Furthermore, in the vehicle headlamp 1 of the third embodiment, this exposed gap includes the gap between the inner lens 40 and the first light source 31a, and the gap between the inner lens 40 and the first light source 31c. Therefore, according to the vehicle headlamp 1 of the present embodiment, it is possible to easily suppress the vicinity of the first light sources 31 a and 31 c in the inner lens 40 from being excessively heated.

[0142] Furthermore, in the vehicle headlamp 1 of the third embodiment, the shade 50 is separated from the inner lens 40. Therefore, air can flow from below the shade 50, along the surface of the inner lens 40 on the projection lens 35 side, through the gap between the shade 50 and the inner lens 40, toward the upper opening 80h1. Therefore, according to the vehicle headlamp 1 of the third embodiment, heat from the inner lens 40 can be easily dissipated to the outside through the upper opening 80h1.

[0143] Furthermore, in the vehicle headlamp 1 of the third embodiment, the gap between the light shield 50 and the inner lens 40 is exposed vertically downward from the lower opening 80h2. Therefore, the vehicle headlamp 1 of the third embodiment allows air to flow from the lower opening 80h2 through the gap between the inner lens 40 and the light shield 50 toward the upper opening 80h1, allowing heat from the inner lens 40 to be easily dissipated to the outside through the upper opening 80h1. It should be noted that the gap between the light shield 50 and the inner lens 40 does not need to be exposed from the lower opening 80h2, and no gap may be formed between the light shield 50 and the inner lens 40.

[0144] Furthermore, in the third embodiment, the front end 53e1 of the base portion 53, which is the front end of the sunshade 50, is exposed downward from the lower opening 80h2. Therefore, according to the vehicle headlamp 1 of the third embodiment, air can flow from the lower opening 80h2 through the periphery of the front end of the sunshade 50 toward the upper opening 80h1, thereby easily dissipating heat from the sunshade 50 to the outside.

[0145] In the vehicle headlamp 1 of this embodiment, which is the third aspect, the sunshade 50 is composed of a flat main portion 51 and a flat reinforcement portion 61 that overlaps the main portion 51 from below. The main portion 51 has a base portion 53, which includes a portion that includes the front end of the main portion 51 and does not overlap with the reinforcement portion 61, and a portion that overlaps with the reinforcement portion 61 and secures it. Therefore, it can be understood that a recessed portion connected to the front end of the sunshade 50 is provided on the lower surface of the sunshade 50. Therefore, according to the vehicle headlamp 1 of this embodiment, air entering the sunshade 50 from below easily passes through the front end of the sunshade 50 and flows upward within the sunshade 50.

[0146] It should be noted that, although the first aspect of the present invention has been described taking the first embodiment as an example, the first aspect of the present invention is not limited thereto.

[0147] For example, in the first embodiment, a heat sink 20 is described as having four front fins 22c to 22f including a main body 220 and a first expansion portion 221. However, as a first embodiment, as long as at least one front fin includes a main body 220 and a first expansion portion 221, there is no limit on the number of front fins including a main body 220 and a first expansion portion 221. Furthermore, the plurality of front fins 22a to 22h may not be arranged side by side in the left-right direction, and the front fins 22d and 22e may not include the second expansion portion 222. Furthermore, the upper edge 221e2 of the first expansion portion 221 may not be inclined forward and downward. Furthermore, there are no restrictions on the front fins formed integrally with the boss 23. The front fin including the first expansion portion 221 may be formed integrally with the boss 23, or the boss 23 and the front fins may be formed separately.

[0148] In the first embodiment, the holder 80 having the upper opening 80h1 is described as an example. However, as a first embodiment, the holder 80 only needs to be positioned in front of the light source and hold the projection lens 35. For example, the holder 80 may not have the upper opening 80h1. Furthermore, as a second embodiment, the fixing of the holder 80 to the heat sink 20 is not limited to screws; the holder 80 may also be fixed to a component separate from the heat sink 20.

[0149] In the first embodiment, an example has been described in which the inner lens 40 is provided in the holder 80. However, the vehicle headlamp 1 according to the first embodiment may not include the inner lens 40.

[0150] In the first embodiment, the circuit board 33 is described as an example, which includes first light sources 31a, 31b, and 31c that emit first light that forms a low-beam light distribution pattern, and second light source 32 that emits second light that forms a high-beam light distribution pattern together with the first light. However, as a first embodiment, the light sources mounted on the circuit board 33 are not limited. For example, the second light source 32 may not be mounted on the circuit board 33.

[0151] Furthermore, although the second aspect of the present invention has been described taking the first embodiment as an example, the second aspect of the present invention is not limited thereto.

[0152] For example, in the first embodiment, the lamp unit LU including the inner lens 40 and the shade 50 is described as an example. However, as a second embodiment, the vehicle headlamp 1 may not include at least one of the inner lens 40 and the shade 50 .

[0153] In the first embodiment, the holder 80 is described as an example having the upper opening 80h1 for exposing the inner lens 40 and the shade 50 upward. However, as a second embodiment, the holder 80 may not have the upper opening 80h1.

[0154] Furthermore, as a second embodiment, the first position P1 defining the range where the lower plate portion 82 is not formed can be any position closer to the projection lens 35 than the rear edge 83e of the side plate portion 83, and the second position P2 can be any position closer to the light source unit 30 than the rear edge 83e of the side plate portion 83. Furthermore, as a second embodiment, the lower plate portion 82 can be omitted from at least the range from the first position P1 to the second position P2. For example, the lower plate portion 82 can be omitted from the entire range closer to the light source unit 30 than the first position P1, or the lower end of the second protective portion 96 can be cut away to create a lower opening 80h2 extending from the bottom to the rear.

[0155] In the first embodiment, the light source unit 30 is described as including first light sources 31a, 31b, and 31c that emit first light L1 and second light source 32 that emits second light L2. However, as a second embodiment, there are no restrictions on the light emitted by the light source unit 30. For example, the light source unit 30 may not include the second light source 32. Furthermore, as a second embodiment, the light shield 50 only needs to form at least a portion of the cutoff line CL. For example, the main portion 51 and the reinforcing portion 61 of the light shield 50 may be integrally formed, or may consist solely of the main portion 51. It may not be a plate-shaped component, and a portion of the heat sink 20 may form the light shield 50.

[0156] (Second embodiment)

[0157] Next, a second embodiment as a fourth aspect of the present invention will be described in detail. Components identical or equivalent to those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals unless otherwise specified, and duplicate descriptions will be omitted.

[0158] Figure 16 : is a top view of the lamp unit in this embodiment, which is a view of the lamp unit viewed from above along the vertical direction. Figure 16 In FIG, a portion of the heat sink 20 is omitted. Figure 16 As shown, in the vehicle headlamp 1 of the present embodiment, the upper opening 80h1 of the holder 80 is different from the upper opening 80h1 of the holder 80 of the first embodiment.

[0159] The upper opening 80h1 of this embodiment is composed of a pair of through holes 94h provided on the upper plate portion 94 of the first protective portion 91. The pair of through holes 94h are quadrilateral through holes of approximately the same size and are arranged in the left-right direction. The first light L1 and the second light L2 emitted from the inner lens 40 propagate from the rear to the front, so the pair of through holes 94h are arranged in a direction that is not parallel to the propagation direction of the first light L1 and the second light L2. It should be noted that there is no restriction on the shape and arrangement direction of the through holes 94h. For example, the upper opening 80h1 can also be composed of more than three through holes 94h. In addition, a portion of the edge of the through hole 94h is defined by the connecting plate portion 92, but the through hole 94h can also be separated from the connecting plate portion 92.

[0160] In this embodiment, the shade 50 is exposed upward from the upper opening 80h1. Therefore, according to the vehicle headlamp 1 of this embodiment, which is the fourth aspect, heat from the shade 50 can be released to the outside through the upper opening 80h1, compared to a case where the upper opening 80h1 is not formed. This can prevent heat from being trapped in the space between the holder 80 and the shade 50, thereby preventing excessive heating.

[0161] As described above, the upper surface 51S1 of the main portion 51, or the upper surface of the sunshade 50, reflects a portion of the first light L1 transmitted through the inner lens 40 toward the projection lens 35, thereby forming the cut-off line CL of the low-beam light distribution pattern PL. This tends to result in a large amount of light being directed toward the projection lens 35-side portion, or the front end, of the upper surface of the sunshade 50, easily heating the front end. In the vehicle headlamp 1 of this fourth embodiment, the front end 53e1, or the edge of the upper surface of the sunshade 50 on the projection lens 35-side, is exposed upward from the upper opening 80h1. This allows air to flow around the easily heated front end of the sunshade 50 and toward the upper opening 80h1, facilitating the dissipation of heat from the sunshade 50 through the upper opening 80h1. Note that the front end 53e1 does not necessarily need to be exposed from the upper opening 80h1.

[0162] It should be noted that, although the third and fourth aspects of the present invention have been described using the first and second embodiments as examples, the third and fourth aspects of the present invention are not limited thereto.

[0163] For example, the first embodiment describes a holder 80 in which the inner lens 40 and the light shield 50 are exposed upward from the upper opening 80h1. The second embodiment describes a holder 80 in which the light shield 50 is exposed from the upper opening 80h1. However, in the third and fourth embodiments, the vehicle headlamp 1 may include at least one of the inner lens 40 and the light shield 50, and the light shield 50 may be exposed upward from the upper opening 80h1. For example, in the first and second embodiments, the vehicle headlamp 1 may not include the inner lens 40. Furthermore, in the second embodiment, the inner lens 40 and the light shield 50 may be exposed upward from the upper opening 80h1.

[0164] In the first and second embodiments, the holder 80 is described as having a lower opening 80h2. However, as in the third and fourth embodiments, the holder 80 may not have the lower opening 80h2. For example, the holder 80 may be a cylindrical member that covers the hood 50 from above and below with a predetermined gap. Furthermore, as in the third and fourth embodiments, the holder 80 may accommodate the entire inner lens 40.

[0165] In the first and second embodiments, the rear edge 82e of the lower plate portion 82 of the lens holding portion 81 of the holder 80 is located forward of the rear edge 83e of the side plate portion 83. However, in the third and fourth embodiments, the lens holding portion 81 only needs to be capable of holding the projection lens 35. For example, the rear edge 82e of the lower plate portion 82 may be located rearward of the rear edge 83e of the side plate portion 83.

[0166] In the first and second embodiments, the light source unit 30 is described as including first light sources 31a, 31b, and 31c that emit first light L1 and second light source 32 that emits second light L2. However, in the third and fourth embodiments, there are no restrictions on the light emitted by the light source unit 30. For example, the light source unit 30 may not include the second light source 32. In the third and fourth embodiments, the light shield 50 only needs to form at least a portion of the cutoff line CL. For example, the light shield 50 may be formed integrally with the main portion 51 and the reinforcing portion 61, or may consist solely of the main portion 51. It may not be a plate-shaped component, and a portion of the heat sink 20 may form the light shield 50.

[0167] According to a first embodiment of the present invention, a vehicle headlamp capable of improving heat dissipation is provided. According to a second embodiment of the present invention, a vehicle headlamp capable of suppressing excessive heating of a retaining frame caused by sunlight is provided. According to a third embodiment and a fourth embodiment of the present invention, a vehicle headlamp capable of suppressing excessive heating is provided, which can be used in fields such as vehicle headlamps for automobiles.

Claims

1. A vehicle headlamp, characterized in that: have: a circuit substrate carrying a light source; a projection lens through which the light emitted from the light source passes; a holding frame, disposed in front of the light source and holding the projection lens; The heat sink includes a bottom plate extending vertically and horizontally and placing the circuit board on the front surface, and a plurality of heat dissipation fins extending forward and vertically from the bottom plate. At least one of the heat sinks includes: a main body extending from the bottom plate and overlapping the holder in the front-to-rear direction behind the holder; The first expansion portion extends forward from the lower side of the main body portion and overlaps with the retainer below the retainer.

2. The vehicle headlamp according to claim 1, wherein: The heat sink includes a holder fixing portion for fixing the holder, When the upper edge of the first expansion portion abuts the lower surface of the retaining frame and the rear edge of the lower surface of the retaining frame abuts the connecting portion between the upper edge of the first expansion portion and the front edge of the main body, the retaining frame fixing portion of the radiator and the fixed portion of the retaining frame fixed to the retaining frame fixing portion overlap in the front-to-back direction.

3. The vehicle headlamp according to claim 1, wherein: The at least one heat sink includes a second expansion portion extending forward from the main body portion at a position above the first expansion portion. The retainer includes a plate-shaped portion extending in the front-rear direction and sandwiched between the first expansion portion and the second expansion portion.

4. The vehicle headlamp according to claim 3, wherein: an inner lens that transmits light emitted from the light source and is disposed above the second expansion portion; An upper edge of the second extension portion is located below an upper edge of the main body portion of the heat sink including the second extension portion.

5. The vehicle headlamp according to claim 1, wherein: The plurality of heat sinks are arranged side by side in the left-right direction, The heat sink closest to the light source at the right side and the left side of the light source includes the first expansion portion.

6. The vehicle headlamp according to claim 1, wherein: The heat sink includes a holder fixing portion for fixing the holder, The specific heat sink among the plurality of heat sinks does not form the first expansion portion, The specific heat sink is formed integrally with the holder fixing portion.

7. The vehicle headlamp according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein: The plurality of heat sinks are arranged side by side in the left-right direction, At least two of the heat dissipating fins adjacent to each other include the first expansion portion.

8. A vehicle headlamp, characterized in that: have: Light source department; a projection lens for transmitting light emitted from the light source; A holding frame having a lower plate portion extending from the light source portion side toward the projection lens side, and a pair of side plates extending from the light source portion side toward the projection lens side and connected to both left and right edges of the lower plate portion, for holding the projection lens. The lower plate portion is not formed at least in a range from a first position closer to the projection lens than an edge of the side plate portion on the light source side to a second position closer to the light source side than the edge.

9. The vehicle headlamp according to claim 8, wherein: An inner lens is further provided, which is arranged between the light source unit and the projection lens and transmits the light emitted from the light source unit. The inner lens is located closer to the light source than the first position.

10. The vehicle headlamp according to claim 9, wherein: The system further comprises a light shield disposed between the inner lens and the projection lens and forming at least a portion of a cut-off line of a low beam light distribution pattern. At least a portion of the light shield is located closer to the light source than the first position.

11. The vehicle headlamp according to claim 10, wherein: The inner lens is separated from the light shield.

12. The vehicle headlamp according to claim 10 or 11, characterized in that: The light shield is located between the first position and the second position.

13. The vehicle headlamp according to claim 10 or 11, characterized in that: At least a portion of the inner lens is located between the first position and the second position.

14. A vehicle headlamp, characterized in that: have: Light source department; an inner lens for transmitting light emitted from the light source; a projection lens through which the light passing through the inner lens passes; a holder that holds the projection lens and houses at least a portion of the inner lens, The holder is formed with an upper opening through which the inner lens is exposed upward.

15. The vehicle headlamp according to claim 14, wherein: An outer peripheral edge of a surface of the inner lens on the projection lens side is exposed upward from the upper opening.

16. The vehicle headlamp according to claim 14, wherein: The retainer is formed with a lower opening that overlaps with the upper opening in the up-down direction.

17. The vehicle headlamp according to claim 14, wherein: The upper opening is a pair of through holes arranged in a direction non-parallel to a propagation direction of the light emitted from the inner lens.

18. The vehicle headlamp according to any one of claims 14 to 17, wherein: further comprising a light shield disposed between the inner lens and the projection lens, The upper surface of the light shield reflects a portion of the light emitted from the light source and transmitted through the inner lens toward the projection lens to form a cut-off line of the low beam light distribution pattern. The light shield is exposed upward from the upper opening.

19. The vehicle headlamp according to claim 18, wherein: The light shield is held by the holding frame.

20. The vehicle headlamp according to claim 18, wherein: An edge of the upper surface of the light shielding cover on the projection lens side is exposed upward from the upper opening.

21. The vehicle headlamp according to claim 18, wherein: The light shield is a flat plate-shaped member whose main surface becomes the upper surface. The light source unit includes: a first light source that emits a first light, the first light being emitted from a portion of the inner lens above the sunshade to form the low beam; and a second light source that emits a second light, the second light being emitted from a portion of the inner lens below the sunshade to form a high beam light distribution pattern together with the first light. The upper surface of the light shield reflects a portion of the first light toward the projection lens. The lower surface of the light shield reflects a portion of the second light toward the projection lens.

22. A vehicle headlamp, characterized in that: have: Light source department; a projection lens for transmitting light emitted from the light source; a light shield disposed between the light source unit and the projection lens, wherein an upper surface thereof reflects a portion of the light emitted from the light source unit toward the projection lens; a holding frame that holds the projection lens and covers the light shield from above with a predetermined distance therebetween, The holder is formed with an upper opening through which the light shield is exposed upward.

23. The vehicle headlamp according to claim 22, wherein: An edge of the upper surface of the light shielding cover on the projection lens side is exposed upward from the upper opening.

Images