Vehicle headlamp

Abstract

A vehicle headlamp (1) includes: a light exit portion (32) that emits light for forming a first additional distribution pattern (PA1) toward a lower side, the first additional distribution pattern (PA1) being formed in a region including an upper side of a low beam distribution pattern (PL); a reflector (35) that is configured to cover the light exit portion (32) from a lower side, and reflects light emitted from the light exit portion (32) toward a front side; a light exit portion (42) that emits light for forming a second additional distribution pattern (PA2) toward a lower side, the second additional distribution pattern (PA2) being formed in a region including an upper side of the low beam distribution pattern (PL) and being different from the first additional distribution pattern (PA1); and a reflector (45) that is configured to cover the light exit portion (42) from a lower side, and reflects light emitted from the light exit portion (42) toward a front side, a portion of the reflector (35) being located at a position lower than the reflector (45), and another portion of the reflector (35) overlapping the reflector in a front-rear direction.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to headlights for vehicles. Background Technology

[0002] A vehicle headlight is known, comprising a lamp unit that emits low beam and an auxiliary lamp unit that emits light with a light distribution pattern additional to the low beam light distribution pattern. Such a vehicle headlight is disclosed in Patent Document 1 below.

[0003] The vehicle headlight of Patent Document 1 described below includes a low beam lamp unit for emitting low beams, a first auxiliary lamp unit, and a second auxiliary lamp unit. The first auxiliary lamp unit emits light with a first auxiliary light distribution pattern formed in a region including the area above the low beam light distribution pattern. The second auxiliary lamp unit emits light with a second auxiliary light distribution pattern formed in a region including the area above the low beam light distribution pattern and different from the first auxiliary light distribution pattern. In the vehicle headlight of Patent Document 1 described below, the first and second auxiliary light distribution patterns are added to the low beam light distribution pattern to form a high beam light distribution pattern. The first auxiliary lamp unit and the second lamp unit have a light emitting portion that emits light forward and a reflector that surrounds the light emitting portion and reflects the light emitted from the light emitting portion forward.

[0004] Furthermore, the vehicle headlight described in Patent Document 1 includes two substrates extending in a left-right direction and a heat sink that fixes the two substrates. The two substrates intersect a reference plane that passes through the center of the heat sink in the left-right direction and extends in the front-back direction and vertical direction. In addition, multiple light-emitting elements serving as light-emitting sections are mounted on the two substrates, and connectors that are electrically connected to the multiple light-emitting elements are installed.

[0005] Furthermore, as a vehicle headlight, a structure is known that includes a light emitting section and a reflector that reflects light emitted from the light emitting section. Patent Document 2 discloses such a vehicle headlight.

[0006] The vehicle headlight described in Patent Document 2 includes a substrate extending in a horizontal direction, a light emitting section mounted on the lower surface of the substrate and emitting light downwards, a reflector, and a heat sink. The reflector is arranged to cover the light emitting section from below, reflecting the light emitted from the light emitting section forwards, and the substrate and the reflector are fixed to the heat sink.

[0007] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2017-212170

[0008] Patent Document 2: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2015-222662 Summary of the Invention

[0009] A vehicle headlight according to a first aspect of the present invention is characterized by comprising: a first light emitting portion that emits light downward for forming a first additional light distribution pattern, the first additional light distribution pattern being formed in a region including the upper side of the low beam light distribution pattern; a first reflector configured to cover the first light emitting portion from below and reflecting the light emitted from the first light emitting portion forward; a second light emitting portion that emits light downward for forming a second additional light distribution pattern, the second additional light distribution pattern being formed in a region including the upper side of the low beam light distribution pattern and being different from the first additional light distribution pattern; and a second reflector configured to cover the second light emitting portion from below and reflecting the light emitted from the second light emitting portion forward, wherein a portion of the first reflector is located below the second reflector, and another portion of the first reflector overlaps with the second reflector in the longitudinal direction.

[0010] In the vehicle headlight of the first aspect, as described above, a portion of the first reflector is located below the second reflector, and another portion of the first reflector overlaps with the second reflector in the longitudinal direction. Therefore, according to the vehicle headlight of the first aspect, compared to the case where the first and second reflectors are arranged in the left-right direction, it is possible to suppress the enlargement of the vehicle headlight in the left-right direction. Furthermore, according to the vehicle headlight of the first aspect, compared to the case where the first and second reflectors do not overlap in the longitudinal direction, it is possible to suppress the enlargement of the vehicle headlight in the vertical direction. Therefore, according to the vehicle headlight of the first aspect, it is possible to suppress its enlargement in both the left-right and vertical directions.

[0011] In the vehicle headlight of the first aspect, the first light emitting part and the second light emitting part may emit light in a downward and rearward direction.

[0012] According to this structure, compared with the case where the first light emitting part and the second light emitting part emit light vertically downwards, it is possible to make the light more easily reflected forwards.

[0013] The vehicle headlight of the first aspect described above may also include a light-shielding component for blocking a portion of the light reflected by the first reflector, wherein the first reflector is positioned rearward than the second reflector, and at least a portion of the light-shielding component is located between the first reflector and the second reflector.

[0014] In the vehicle headlight of the first aspect, as described above, the first reflector is positioned rearward than the second reflector. Therefore, some light reflected by the first reflector from the first light emitting portion may strike the second reflector. However, the vehicle headlight of the first aspect includes a light-shielding member located at least partially between the first and second reflectors. Therefore, according to the vehicle headlight of the first aspect, even in the above-described situation, it is possible to suppress light reflected by the first reflector from the first light emitting portion from the second reflector from striking the second reflector, thereby preventing overheating of the second reflector.

[0015] In this case, the first light emitting part may be one or more light-emitting elements mounted on the first substrate, and the light-shielding part may be the first substrate.

[0016] This structure can suppress the increase in the number of parts.

[0017] The vehicle headlight of the first aspect described above may also further include: a first substrate; a first heat sink that fixes the first substrate and the first reflector; a second substrate; and a second heat sink that fixes the second substrate and the second reflector, wherein the first light emitting portion is one or more light-emitting elements mounted on the first substrate, the second light emitting portion is one or more light-emitting elements mounted on the second substrate, and the second heat sink is detachably mounted to the first heat sink such that the second reflector is located in front of the first reflector, and light from the first light emitting portion reflected by the first reflector does not irradiate the second substrate, the second reflector, and the second heat sink.

[0018] According to this structure, the first additional light distribution pattern can remain unchanged whether the second heat sink is installed on the first heat sink or when the second heat sink is removed from the first heat sink.

[0019] As described above, according to a first aspect of the present invention, it is possible to provide a vehicle headlight that can suppress the increase in size.

[0020] A vehicle headlight according to a second aspect of the present invention is characterized by comprising: a plurality of substrates extending in a left-right direction, each substrate having a light emitting portion mounted thereon and a connector electrically connected to the light emitting portion; and a heat sink that fixes the plurality of substrates, the plurality of substrates intersecting a reference plane that passes through the center of the heat sink in the left-right direction and extends in the front-back direction and vertical direction, wherein the connectors mounted on each of the substrates are mounted on the same side with reference to the reference plane.

[0021] In the vehicle headlight of the second aspect, as described above, the connectors mounted on each substrate are mounted on the same side with the aforementioned reference surface as a reference. Therefore, according to the vehicle headlight of the second aspect, it is convenient to organize the cables connected to the connectors mounted on each substrate, and it is possible to prevent the vehicle headlight from becoming larger due to these cables.

[0022] In the second aspect of the vehicle headlight, at least one of the light-emitting portions on the substrate is a plurality of light-emitting elements arranged in a left-right direction, and the connector on the at least one substrate may overlap with the plurality of light-emitting elements in the left-right direction.

[0023] According to this structure, compared with the case where multiple light-emitting elements and connectors do not overlap in the left-right direction, it is possible to suppress the enlargement of the substrate.

[0024] In the second aspect of the vehicle headlight, at least one portion of the substrate on which the connector is mounted protrudes from the radiator.

[0025] According to this structure, compared to the case where the connector mounting portion on the substrate does not protrude from the heat sink, the need for a larger heat sink can be suppressed. It should be noted that, according to this structure, the connector mounting portion on the substrate can be easily configured as a card edge connector for connection.

[0026] In the second aspect of the vehicle headlight, the connectors on at least two of the substrates may overlap each other in the vertical direction.

[0027] This structure facilitates the organization of cables connected to connectors that overlap each other in the vertical direction.

[0028] In the second aspect of vehicle headlights, at least two of the substrates may have different tilt angles relative to the horizontal direction.

[0029] As described above, according to a second aspect of the invention, a headlight for a vehicle capable of suppressing large-scale applications can be provided.

[0030] A vehicle headlight according to a third aspect of the present invention is characterized by comprising: a substrate inclined downward in a forward direction; a light emitting portion mounted on the lower surface of the substrate and emitting light downward; a reflector configured to cover the light emitting portion from below and reflect the light emitted from the light emitting portion forward; and a ventilation path that allows air flowing upward in the space between the substrate and the reflector to flow out to the outside of the space.

[0031] The third aspect of the vehicle headlight, as described above, includes a ventilation path that allows air flowing upwards from the space between the substrate and the reflector to exit the space. Therefore, according to the third aspect of the vehicle headlight, compared to the case where the ventilation path is not formed, the air heated by the light emitting portion can be prevented from remaining in the space between the substrate and the reflector, thereby suppressing overheating.

[0032] In the third aspect of vehicle headlights, the rear end of the substrate may be located further back than the rear end of the reflector, and the ventilation path may be the gap between the rear end of the reflector and the substrate.

[0033] The vehicle headlight of the third aspect mentioned above may also include a radiator, which includes a main body for fixing the substrate and the reflector, and a plurality of heat dissipation fins fixed to the main body and spaced apart from each other. The radiator includes another ventilation path that allows air passing through the ventilation path to flow out into the space between adjacent heat dissipation fins.

[0034] According to this structure, cooling efficiency can be improved compared to cases where the radiator does not contain another ventilation path.

[0035] In the third aspect of vehicle headlights, the ventilation path may overlap with the light emitting portion when the substrate and the reflector are viewed from the front along the lower surface of the substrate.

[0036] The air heated by the light emitting section tends to rise along the substrate. According to the above structure, the air heated by the light emitting section can be directed towards the ventilation path, thereby further suppressing the stagnation of heated air in the space between the substrate and the reflector.

[0037] As described above, according to a third aspect of the invention, a vehicle headlight capable of suppressing overheating can be provided. Attached Figure Description

[0038] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram showing a vehicle equipped with vehicle headlights as embodiments of the first, second, and third aspects of the present invention.

[0039] Figure 2 This is a simplified vertical cross-sectional view of the lighting fixture section in this embodiment.

[0040] Figure 3 It is an enlarged representation Figure 2 A diagram showing the part containing the heat sink.

[0041] Figure 4 This is a diagram showing the heat sink, the low beam light source, the first auxiliary light source, and the second auxiliary light source from the front side.

[0042] Figure 5 This is a view of the first additional light source section as seen from the front side along the lower surface of the substrate.

[0043] Figure 6 This is a view of the first additional light source section viewed from a direction perpendicular to the lower surface of the substrate.

[0044] Figure 7 This is a view of the second additional light source unit as seen from the front side along the lower surface of the substrate.

[0045] Figure 8 This is a view of the second additional light source section viewed from a direction perpendicular to the lower surface of the substrate.

[0046] Figure 9 This is a view of the area around the three connectors from the top side.

[0047] Figure 10 This is a diagram showing the low beam pattern of a vehicle headlight from the right side of this embodiment.

[0048] Figure 11 Is with Figure 10 Similarly, this diagram illustrates the first additional light distribution pattern formed by light from the first additional light source portion of the vehicle headlight on the right side of this embodiment.

[0049] Figure 12 Is with Figure 10 Similarly, the diagram shows the second additional light distribution pattern formed by the light from the second additional light source section of the left and right vehicle headlights in this embodiment.

[0050] Figure 13 This is a flowchart illustrating the operation of the control unit in this embodiment.

[0051] Figure 14 Is with Figure 10 Similarly, a diagram showing an example of an ADB light distribution pattern is also provided.

[0052] Figure 15 Is with Figure 3 Similarly, the diagram shows the lighting fixture section in the variation of the third aspect. Detailed Implementation

[0053] The preferred embodiments of the vehicle headlight of the present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. The following illustrative embodiments are provided to facilitate understanding of the invention and are not intended to limit its scope. The invention can be modified and improved within the scope of the claims without departing from its spirit. Furthermore, the constituent elements of the following illustrative embodiments can be appropriately combined. It should be noted that, in the accompanying drawings referred to below, the dimensions of some components may be adjusted for ease of understanding. Also, for ease of observation, the same constituent elements in the drawings are only partially labeled with reference numerals, and in some cases, reference numerals may be omitted.

[0054] The embodiments of the first, second and third aspects of the present invention will be described. Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of a vehicle equipped with the headlights of this embodiment. Figure 1 As shown, the vehicle VE includes a pair of left and right headlights 1, an ECU (Electronic Control Unit) 101, and a detection device 110. It should be noted that in this embodiment, right and left refer to the right and left sides when facing the direction of travel of the vehicle VE.

[0055] Each vehicle headlight 1 includes a lamp unit 5 and a control unit CO. Typically, the lamp unit 5 of the right-side vehicle headlight 1 is located on the right side of the front portion of the vehicle VE, and the lamp unit 5 of the left-side vehicle headlight 1 is located on the left side of the same front portion. In this embodiment, the structure of the right-side vehicle headlight 1 is the same as that of the left-side vehicle headlight 1, except that the shape of the lamp unit 5 is approximately symmetrical and the light distribution pattern of the emitted light is different. Therefore, the description of the right-side vehicle headlight 1 will be provided below, and the description of the left-side vehicle headlight 1 will be omitted as appropriate. It should be noted that the light distribution pattern refers to both the shape of the light image formed on a virtual vertical screen at a distance of, for example, 25m in front of the vehicle, and the light intensity distribution within that image.

[0056] Figure 2 This is a schematic vertical cross-sectional view of the lighting unit 5 according to this embodiment. The lighting unit 5 includes a frame 6 and a lighting unit LU as its main structure.

[0057] The frame 6, as the main structure, includes an outer shell 7 and a front cover 8. The front cover 8 allows light emitted from the luminaire unit LU to pass through. The outer shell 7 is configured as a box with an opening at the front, and the front cover 8 is fixed to the outer shell 7 to seal the opening. Thus, a storage space surrounded by the outer shell 7 and the front cover 8 is formed inside the frame 6, and the luminaire unit LU is disposed in this storage space.

[0058] The lamp unit LU of this embodiment includes a heat sink 10, a low beam light source 20, a first auxiliary light source 30, a second auxiliary light source 40, a light shield 60, and a lens component 70 disposed further forward than the low beam light source 20, the first auxiliary light source 30, and the second auxiliary light source 40.

[0059] Figure 3 It is Figure 2 The diagram shows an enlarged view of the part containing the heat sink 10. Figure 4 This diagram shows the heat sink 10, the low beam light source unit 20, the first auxiliary light source unit 30, and the second auxiliary light source unit 40 viewed from the front. It should be noted that... Figure 4 In the diagram, a dashed line represents the reference plane RS, which passes through the center of the radiator 10 in the left-right direction and extends in the front-back direction and vertical direction.

[0060] First, the radiator 10 of this embodiment will be described.

[0061] like Figure 3 , Figure 4 As shown, the radiator 10 of this embodiment includes a first radiator 11 and a second radiator 16. In this embodiment, the first radiator 11 includes a plate-shaped main body 12 extending in the front-back and left-right directions, a plurality of first heat dissipation fins 13, a plurality of second heat dissipation fins 14, and a plurality of third heat dissipation fins 15. It should be noted that in Figure 2 , Figure 3 In the diagram, the first to third heat dissipation fins 13, 14, and 15 are represented by dashed lines.

[0062] The main body 12 of this embodiment includes a front side portion 12a that extends generally in a horizontal direction, a first inclined portion 12b that extends obliquely downward from the rear end of the front side portion 12a, a second inclined portion 12c that extends obliquely upward from the rear end of the first inclined portion 12b, and a rear side portion 12d that extends horizontally in a rearward direction from the rear end of the second inclined portion 12c.

[0063] Multiple first heat dissipation fins 13 protrude upward from the upper surfaces of the first inclined portion 12b, the second inclined portion 12c, and the rear portion 12d, and are arranged at intervals in the left-right direction. Multiple second heat dissipation fins 14 protrude downward from the lower surface of the front portion 12a, and are arranged at intervals in the left-right direction. Multiple third heat dissipation fins 15 protrude downward from the lower surface of the rear portion 12d, and are arranged at intervals in the left-right direction.

[0064] The second radiator 16 includes a plate-shaped main body 17 extending in both the front-rear and left-right directions, and a plurality of heat dissipation fins 18. The main body 17 includes a front portion 17a extending generally in the horizontal direction and an inclined portion 17b extending obliquely upward and backward from the rear end of the front portion 17a. The plurality of heat dissipation fins 18 protrude upward from the upper surfaces of the front portion 17a and the inclined portion 17b, and are arranged at intervals between each other in the left-right direction. The second radiator 16 is detachably mounted to the first radiator 11 with the rear end of the inclined portion 17b abutting against the lower surface of the first inclined portion 12b on the first radiator 11. As a method of mounting the second radiator 16 to the first radiator 11, for example, fixing it with bolts can be cited.

[0065] With the second radiator 16 installed on top of the first radiator 11, the inclination angle of the inclined portion 17b of the second radiator 16 relative to the horizontal direction is approximately the same as the inclination angle of the second inclined portion 12c of the first radiator 11 relative to the horizontal direction, for example, 30°. It should be noted that these inclination angles may also be different. Furthermore, the left-right width of the second radiator 16 is approximately the same as the left-right width of the first radiator 11, but these widths may also be different. For example, aluminum or other metals can be used as materials to construct the radiator 10.

[0066] Next, the low beam light source unit 20 of this embodiment will be described.

[0067] In this embodiment, the low beam light source unit 20 has a substrate 21, a light emitting unit 22, and a reflector 25 as its main structure. The low beam light source unit 20 emits light to the lens component 70 for forming a low beam light distribution pattern.

[0068] In this embodiment, the substrate 21 is mounted on the upper surface of the front side portion 12a of the first heat sink 11. Therefore, the substrate 21 extends in both the left-right and front-back directions and is substantially parallel to the horizontal direction. It should be noted that the substrate 21 intersects with the reference plane RS. The light emitting portion 22 consists of two light-emitting elements 22a and 22b, which are mounted on the upper surface of the substrate 21 at intervals in the left-right direction, emitting light upwards to form a near-beam light distribution pattern. The reference plane RS passes between the light-emitting elements 22a and 22b. Examples of light-emitting elements 22a and 22b include LEDs (Light Emitting Diodes). The substrate 21 has a rectangular shape with a longer dimension in the left-right direction. The right end portion 21o of the substrate 21 protrudes to the right beyond the front side portion 12a, and its width in the front-back direction is narrower than other parts of the substrate 21. A terminal (not shown) is provided at the right end 21o, which is electrically connected to the light-emitting elements 22a and 22b via a circuit (not shown). This right end 21o functions as a card edge connector. A connector 23 is mounted on this right end 21o, and a cable 24 (not shown) is connected to the connector 23, which is connected to a power supply unit (not shown). That is, the connector 23 is electrically connected to the light-emitting elements 22a and 22b, and power from the power supply unit is supplied to the light-emitting elements 22a and 22b via the cable 24 and the connector 23. In addition, the connector 23 is located on the right side of the reference plane RS, overlapping the two light-emitting elements 22a and 22b in the left-right direction. The control unit CO, described later, controls the power supply unit, thereby controlling the light emission and non-emission of the light-emitting elements 22a and 22b.

[0069] The reflector 25 is a component that reflects light emitted from the light-emitting elements 22a and 22b, and is configured to cover the light-emitting elements 22a and 22b from above. In this embodiment, the reflector 25 includes two reflective portions 26 and a pair of left and right fixing portions 27. One reflective portion 26 is a plate-shaped component that covers one light-emitting element 22a from above, and the other reflective portion 26 is a plate-shaped component configured to cover another light-emitting element 22b from above. The two reflective portions 26 are connected via a plate-shaped connecting portion 28. The surface of each reflective portion 26 on the side of the light-emitting elements 22a and 22b is a reflective surface 26r for reflecting light. The reflective surface 26r is based on a rotating elliptical surface, with the light-emitting elements 22a and 22b located at or near the first focal point of this elliptical surface, and the second focal point of this elliptical surface located between the first focal point and the lens component 70. At least a portion of the light from the light-emitting elements 22a and 22b is reflected by the reflective surface 26r toward the lens component 70. Most of the reflected light is focused towards the lens component 70 on the side closer to the light-emitting elements 22a and 22b than the lens component 70.

[0070] A pair of fixing parts 27 are plate-shaped components. One fixing part 27 extends along the upper surface of the substrate 21 from the right side of the right reflective part 26, and the other fixing part 27 extends along the upper surface of the substrate 21 from the left side of the left reflective part 26. Each fixing part 27 is fixed to the first heat sink 11 together with the substrate 21 by screws 29. In this embodiment, the reflective part 26, the fixing part 27, and the connecting part 28 are integrated. The structure of this integrated component can be, for example, composed of a main body and a light-reflecting film disposed on the surface of the main body. As a material constituting the main body, resin can be cited as an example, and as a light-reflecting film, a metal vapor-deposited film such as aluminum can be cited as an example. It should be noted that the two components being integrated means that no connecting part is formed to connect the two components.

[0071] Next, the first additional light source unit 30 of this embodiment will be described.

[0072] like Figure 3 As shown, the first additional light source unit 30 of this embodiment has a substrate 31 as a first substrate, a light emitting unit 32 as a first light emitting unit, and a reflector 35 as a first reflector as its main structure. The first additional light source unit 30 emits light for forming a first additional light distribution pattern toward the lens member 70, and the first additional light distribution pattern is formed in the region including the area above the near light distribution pattern.

[0073] Figure 5 This is a view of the first additional light source unit 30 as seen from the front side along the lower surface of the substrate 31. Figure 6 This is a view of the first additional light source unit 30 taken from a direction perpendicular to the lower surface of the substrate 31. It should be noted that... Figure 5 , Figure 6 In the diagram, the reference plane RS is represented by a dashed line. For example... Figure 3 , Figure 5 , Figure 6As shown, in this embodiment, the substrate 31 is placed on the lower surface of the second inclined portion 12c of the first heat sink 11. Therefore, the substrate 31 extends in the left-right direction and is inclined downwards in the forward direction. That is, the in-plane direction of the main surface of the substrate 31 is inclined downwards in the forward direction. Therefore, the inclination of the substrate 31 relative to the horizontal direction is different from the inclination of the substrate 21 relative to the horizontal direction. Furthermore, the substrate 31 intersects with the reference plane RS. The light emitting portion 32 consists of two light-emitting elements 32a and 32b, which are arranged at intervals in the left-right direction and mounted on the lower surface of the substrate 31, emitting light obliquely downwards and backwards to form a first additional light distribution pattern. The reference plane RS passes between the light-emitting elements 32a and 32b. Examples of light-emitting elements 32a and 32b include LEDs. The substrate 31 has a rectangular shape with a length in the left-right direction. The right end 31o of the substrate 31 protrudes to the right side of the second inclined portion 12c, and its width in the front-back direction is narrower than other parts of the substrate 31. A terminal (not shown) is provided at the right end 31o, which is electrically connected to the light-emitting elements 32a and 32b via a circuit (not shown). The right end 31o functions as a card edge connector. A connector 33 is mounted on this right end 31o, and a cable 34 (not shown) is connected to the connector 33, which is connected to a power supply unit (not shown). That is, the connector 33 is electrically connected to the light-emitting elements 32a and 32b, and power from the power supply unit is supplied to the light-emitting elements 32a and 32b via the cable 34 and the connector 33. In addition, the connector 33 is located on the right side of the reference plane RS, overlapping the two light-emitting elements 32a and 32b in the left-right direction. The control unit CO, described later, controls the power supply unit, thereby controlling the light emission and non-emission of the light-emitting elements 32a and 32b.

[0074] Reflector 35 is a component that reflects light emitted from light-emitting elements 32a and 32b, and is configured to cover light-emitting elements 32a and 32b from below. In this embodiment, reflector 35 and reflector 25 have a generally vertically symmetrical structure, including two reflective portions 36 and a pair of left and right fixing portions 37. One reflective portion 36 is a plate-shaped component that covers one light-emitting element 32a from below, and the other reflective portion 36 is a plate-shaped component that covers another light-emitting element 32b from below. The two reflective portions 36 are connected via a plate-shaped connecting portion 38. The surface of each reflective portion 36 facing the light-emitting elements 32a and 32b is a reflective surface 36r. The reflective surface 36r is based on a rotating elliptical surface, and light-emitting elements 32a and 32b are arranged at or near the first focal point of this elliptical surface. The second focal point of this elliptical surface is located between the first focal point and the lens component 70. At least a portion of the light from the light-emitting elements 32a and 32b is reflected by the reflective surface 36r towards the lens component 70. Most of the reflected light is focused onto the lens component 70 on the side closer to the light-emitting elements 32a and 32b than the lens component 70.

[0075] A pair of fixing parts 37 are plate-shaped components. One fixing part 37 is located to the right of the right reflective part 36 and extends along the lower surface of the substrate 31. The right end of the right reflective part 36 is connected to the left end of the lower surface of this fixing part 37. The other fixing part 37 is located to the left of the left reflective part 36 and extends along the lower surface of the substrate 31. The left end of the left reflective part 36 is connected to the right end of the lower surface of this other fixing part 37. Therefore, the two reflective parts 36 and the connecting part 38 are located below the fixing parts 37 and spaced apart from the substrate 31. Each fixing part 37 is fixed to the first heat sink 11 together with the substrate 31 by screws 39. In this embodiment, the reflective part 36, the fixing part 37 and the connecting part 38 are integrated, and the structure of this integrated component can be, for example, the same structure described in the reflector 25.

[0076] The rear end of the reflector 35 is located forward of the rear end of the substrate 31, and the entire rear end of the reflector 35 overlaps with the substrate 31 in a direction perpendicular to the lower surface of the substrate 31. As described above, since the two reflective portions 36 and the connecting portion 38 are spaced apart from the substrate 31, a gap 35G is formed between the rear ends of the two reflective portions 36 and the connecting portion 38 and the lower surface of the substrate 31. The gap 35G is located above the front end of the substrate 31 and the front end of the reflector 35. Therefore, air flowing upward in the space 35S between the substrate 31 and the reflector 35 flows out through the gap 35G to the outside of the space 35S. That is, the gap 35G is a ventilation path for the upward air in the space 35S to flow out of the space 35S. In addition, no component is formed between the reflector 35 and the second heat sink fin 14. Therefore, air passing through the gap 35G, which serves as a ventilation path, flows out into the space between adjacent second heat sink fins 14. That is, it can be understood that the radiator 10 includes another ventilation path, which allows air passing through the gap 35G to flow out into the space between adjacent second heat dissipation fins 14. It should be noted that the airflow... Figure 3 The middle part is indicated by an arrow. Additionally, as... Figure 5 As shown, when the substrate 31 and reflector 35 are viewed from the front side along the lower surface of the substrate 31, the gap 35G overlaps with the light-emitting elements 32a and 32b.

[0077] Next, the second additional light source unit 40 of this embodiment will be described.

[0078] like Figure 3 As shown, the second additional light source unit 40 of this embodiment has a main structure comprising a substrate 41 as a second substrate, a light emitting unit 42 as a second light emitting unit, and a reflector 45 as a second reflector. The second additional light source unit 40 emits light for forming a second additional light distribution pattern toward the lens member 70, the second additional light distribution pattern being formed in a region that includes a region above the near-light light distribution pattern.

[0079] Figure 7 The attached drawing shows the second additional light source unit 40 viewed from the front along the lower surface of the substrate 41. Figure 8 This is an attached drawing showing the second additional light source unit 40 as viewed from a direction perpendicular to the lower surface of the substrate 41. It should be noted that... Figure 7 , Figure 8 The reference plane RS is represented by a dashed line. For example... Figure 3 , Figure 7 , Figure 8 As shown, in this embodiment, substrate 41 is mounted on the lower surface of the inclined portion 17b of the second heat sink 16. Therefore, substrate 41 extends in the left-right direction and is inclined downwards in the forward direction. That is, the in-plane direction of the main surface of substrate 41 is inclined downwards in the forward direction. As described above, the inclination of the inclined portion 17b of the second heat sink 16 relative to the horizontal direction is approximately the same as the inclination of the second inclined portion 12c of the first heat sink 11 relative to the horizontal direction. Therefore, the inclination of substrate 41 relative to the horizontal direction is approximately the same as the inclination of substrate 31 relative to the horizontal direction. Furthermore, substrate 41 intersects with the reference plane RS. The light emitting portion 42 consists of four light-emitting elements 42a, 42b, 42c, and 42d. The four light-emitting elements 42a to 42d are mounted on the lower surface of substrate 41 at intervals in the left-right direction, emitting light obliquely downwards and rearwards, forming a second additional light distribution pattern different from the first additional light distribution pattern. Of the four light-emitting elements 42a to 42d, the reference plane RS passes between the second light-emitting element 42b from the right and the second light-emitting element 42c from the left. Examples of these light-emitting elements 42a to 42d include LEDs. The substrate 41 is rectangular in shape with a length along the left-right direction. The right end 41o of the substrate 41 protrudes to the right of the inclined portion 17b, and its width in the front-back direction is narrower than other parts of the substrate 41. A terminal (not shown) is provided at the right end 41o, which is electrically connected to the light-emitting elements 42a to 42d via a circuit (not shown). The right end 41o functions as a card edge connector. A connector 43 is mounted on the right end 41o, and a cable 44 (not shown) is connected to the connector 43 for connection to a power supply unit (not shown). That is, the connector 43 is electrically connected to the light-emitting elements 42a to 42d, and power from the power supply unit is supplied to the light-emitting elements 42a to 42d via the cable 44 and the connector 43. Furthermore, connector 43 is located to the right of reference plane RS, overlapping with the four light-emitting elements 42a to 42d in the left-right direction. The control unit CO, described later, controls the power supply unit, thereby controlling the light emission, non-emission, and light intensity adjustment of the light-emitting elements 42a to 42d.

[0080] Reflector 45 is a component that reflects light emitted from light-emitting elements 42a-42d, and is arranged to cover light-emitting elements 42a-42d from below. In this embodiment, reflector 45 includes four reflective portions 46a, 46b, 46c, and 46d, and a pair of left and right fixing portions 47. Reflective portions 46a, 46b, 46c, and 46d are plate-shaped components. Reflective portion 46a covers light-emitting element 42a from below, reflective portion 46b covers light-emitting element 42b from below, reflective portion 46c covers light-emitting element 42c from below, and reflective portion 46d covers light-emitting element 42d from below. These reflective portions 46a-46d are arranged in a left-right direction. The surfaces of reflective portions 46a-46d facing light-emitting elements 42a-42d constitute reflective surfaces 46ar, 46br, 46cr, and 46dr for reflecting light. These reflective surfaces 46ar-46dr are based on a rotating elliptic surface, with light-emitting elements 42a-42d located at or near the first focal point of this rotating elliptic surface. The second focal point of this rotating elliptic surface is located between the first focal point and the lens component 70. At least a portion of the light from the light-emitting elements 42a-42d is reflected by the reflective surfaces 46ar-46dr toward the lens component 70. Most of the reflected light is focused toward the lens component 70 on the side closer to the light-emitting elements 42a-42d than the lens component 70.

[0081] Reflecting part 46a is connected to reflecting part 46b, reflecting part 46c is connected to reflecting part 46d, and reflecting part 46b and reflecting part 46c are connected via plate-shaped connecting part 48.

[0082] A pair of fixing parts 47 are plate-shaped components. One fixing part 47 is located to the right of the rightmost reflective part 46a and extends along the lower surface of the substrate 41. The right end of the reflective part 46a is connected to the left end of the lower surface of the fixing part 47. The other fixing part 47 is located to the left of the leftmost reflective part 46d and extends along the lower surface of the substrate 41. The left end of the reflective part 46d is connected to the right end of the lower surface of the other fixing part 47. Therefore, the four reflective parts 46a to 46d and the connecting part 48 are located below the fixing parts 47 and spaced apart from the substrate 41. Each fixing part 47 is fixed to the second heat sink 16 together with the substrate 41 by screws 49. In this embodiment, the reflective parts 46a to 46d, the fixing parts 47, and the connecting part 48 are integrated as a single unit. As a configuration of this integrated component, a configuration similar to that described in the reflector 25 can be given.

[0083] The rear end of the reflector 45 is located forward of the rear end of the substrate 41, and the reflector 45 overlaps the substrate 41 entirely in a direction perpendicular to the lower surface of the substrate 41. As described above, the reflective portions 46a-46d and the connecting portion 48 are spaced apart from the substrate 31, therefore a gap 45G is formed between the rear ends of the reflective portions 46a-46d and the connecting portion 48 and the lower surface of the substrate 41. This gap 45G is located above the front end of the substrate 41 and the front end of the reflector 45. Therefore, air flowing upward in the space 45S between the substrate 41 and the reflector 45 flows out through the gap 45G to the outside of the space 45S. That is, the gap 45G is a ventilation path for the air flowing upward in the space 45S to flow out to the outside of the space 45S. In addition, as Figure 3 As shown, in this embodiment, a through hole 12bh extending along the thickness direction is provided in the first inclined portion 12b of the first heat sink 11. The through hole 12bh is located behind and above the gap 45G, and the opening of the through hole 12bh on the side opposite to the gap 45G is located between adjacent first heat sink fins 13. Therefore, air passing through the gap 45G, which serves as a ventilation path, flows out through the through hole 12bh into the space between adjacent first heat sink fins 13. That is, the through hole 12bh is another ventilation path that allows air passing through the gap 45G to flow out into the space between adjacent first heat sink fins 13. It should be noted that... Figure 3 Arrows are used to indicate airflow. Additionally, as... Figure 7 As shown, when the substrate 41 and the reflector 45 are viewed from the front side along the lower surface of the substrate 41, the gap 45G overlaps with the light-emitting elements 42a to 42d.

[0084] In addition, such as Figure 3 As shown, the lower portion of the reflector 35, which is part of the first auxiliary light source unit 30, is located below the reflector 45 of the second auxiliary light source unit 40, and the upper portion of the other part of the reflector 35 overlaps with the reflector 45 in the front-back direction. Furthermore, the reflector 35 is positioned behind the reflector 45. The reflector 45 is fixed to the second heat sink 16, which is detachably mounted to the first heat sink 11. That is, the second heat sink 16 is detachably mounted to the first heat sink 11 such that the reflector 45 is positioned in front of the reflector 35. Additionally, a substrate 31 is located between the reflector 35 and the reflector 45. This substrate 31 is a non-transparent component that blocks a portion of the light reflected by the reflector 35. Therefore, it can be understood that the substrate 31 is a light-shielding component located between the reflector 35 and the reflector 45, blocking a portion of the light reflected by the reflector 35. Furthermore, the light reflected from the light-emitting elements 32a and 32b by the reflector 35 does not illuminate the substrate 41, the reflector 45, and the second heat sink 16.

[0085] Figure 9This is a view of the vicinity of the three connectors 23, 33, and 43 from above. In this embodiment, connector 23 overlaps with connector 43 in the vertical direction, while connector 33 does not overlap with other connectors 23 and 43.

[0086] Next, the light shield 60 will be described.

[0087] like Figure 2 As shown, the light shield 60 is a non-transparent component disposed between the low beam light source unit 20 and the lens component 70. In this embodiment, the light shield 60 is a plate-shaped component extending upwards, downwards, leftwards, and rightwards. The upper surface of the light shield 60 is a plane extending approximately horizontally, located near or at the second focal point of the elliptical surface of the reflecting surface 26r of each reflecting portion 26 of the reflector 25. A stepped portion (not shown) is formed on the upper surface of the light shield 60. The upper portion including the upper surface of the light shield 60 is illuminated by a portion of the light emitted from the low beam light source unit 20, and this portion of light is blocked. The remaining portion of the light emitted from the low beam light source unit 20 is not blocked by the light shield 60 and is emitted towards the lens component 70. Thus, the light with a low beam distribution pattern forming a cutoff line corresponding to the shape of the upper part of the light shield 60 is directed towards the lens component 70. It should be noted that the structure of the light shield 60 is not limited as long as it can form a cutoff line. For example, the light shield 60 can also be part of the heat sink 10.

[0088] The lens component 70 is an optical component that adjusts the divergence angle of transmitted light. In this embodiment, the lens component 70 includes a low beam projection lens 71 and an auxiliary projection lens 72 disposed below the low beam light source unit 20. The low beam projection lens 71 and the auxiliary projection lens 72 are an integral structure, but they can also be separate structures.

[0089] The low-beam projection lens 71 in this embodiment is a biconvex lens with a surface 71i on the low-beam light source 20 side and a surface 71o on the opposite side of the low-beam light source 20 side bent into a convex shape. In this embodiment, the surface 71i has an arc shape in both its vertical and horizontal cross-sections, which is convexly curved towards the low-beam light source 20 side. The vertical cross-section of the surface 71o has an arc shape that is convexly curved towards the opposite side of the low-beam light source 20 side, and the horizontal cross-section of the surface 71o is a generally straight line parallel in the left-right direction. The rear focal point of the low-beam projection lens 71 is located at or near the second focal point of the reflecting surface 26r in the reflecting portion 26 of the reflector 25. Therefore, the structure consisting of the low-beam light source 20, the light shield 60, and the low-beam projection lens 71 is a so-called projection-type lamp unit. The light emitted from the low beam light source unit 20, which is not blocked by the light shield 60 and is directed toward the low beam light distribution pattern of the lens component 70, passes through the low beam projection lens 71 and shines in front of the vehicle VE.

[0090] The additional projection lens 72 in this embodiment is the same as the low-beam projection lens 71, and is a biconvex lens with a convex curved surface 72i on the side of the first additional light source 30 and a surface 72o on the opposite side of the first additional light source 30. In this embodiment, the shape of the surface 72i in both the vertical and horizontal sections is an arc shape that convexly curves towards the side of the first additional light source 30. The shape of the vertical section of the surface 72o is an arc shape that convexly curves towards the side opposite to the side of the first additional light source 30, and the shape of the horizontal section of the surface 72o is a roughly straight line parallel to the left and right direction. The rear focal point of the additional projection lens 72 is located in front of the first additional light source 30 and the second additional light source 40. Therefore, the structures composed of the first additional light source 30 and the additional projection lens 72, and the structures composed of the second additional light source 40 and the additional projection lens 72, are both projection-type lamp units, and share the additional projection lens 72. Light emitted from the first auxiliary light source unit 30 shines on the front of the vehicle VE through the auxiliary projection lens 72, and light emitted from the second auxiliary light source unit 40 shines on the front of the vehicle VE through the auxiliary projection lens 72.

[0091] Next, the light distribution pattern formed by the light emitted by the vehicle's headlight 1 will be explained.

[0092] Figure 10 This is the low beam pattern emitted by the right-side vehicle headlight 1 in this embodiment. Figure 10 In the diagram, S represents a horizontal line, and V represents a vertical line passing through the center of the vehicle in the left-right direction. The low beam pattern PL formed on a virtual vertical screen located 25m in front of the vehicle VE is represented by a thick line. The low beam pattern PL is formed by the light emitted from the low beam light source 20. The reflective portion 26 of the reflector 25 of the low beam light source 20 and the low beam projection lens 71 are configured such that the light distribution pattern of the light emitted by the light-emitting elements 22a and 22b is the shape of the low beam pattern PL described above. The low beam pattern PL of this embodiment is suitable for countries or regions where vehicles travel on the left. In addition, the cutoff line CL at the upper edge of the low beam pattern PL corresponds to the shape of the upper end of the sunshade 60, and a step portion CLa is formed on the cutoff line CL. It should be noted that in this embodiment, the low beam pattern PL formed by the right-side vehicle headlight 1 is approximately the same as the low beam pattern formed by the left-side vehicle headlight 1, and these low beam patterns overlap with their outer edges aligned.

[0093] Figure 11 Is with Figure 10 Similarly, this diagram illustrates the first additional light distribution pattern formed by the light emitted from the first additional light source unit 30 of the right-side vehicle headlight 1 in this embodiment. It should be noted that... Figure 11The low beam pattern PL is represented by a dashed line. The first additional light distribution pattern PA1 is formed by light from the first additional light source unit 30. The reflective portion 36 of the reflector 35 of the first additional light source unit 30 and the additional projection lens 72 are configured such that the light distribution pattern of the light from the light-emitting elements 32a and 32b forms the shape of the first additional light distribution pattern PA1. The first additional light distribution pattern PA1 is formed in the region including the area above the low beam pattern PL, and the lower part of the first additional light distribution pattern PA1 overlaps with the low beam pattern PL. By attaching the first additional light distribution pattern PA1 to the low beam pattern PL, a high beam pattern can be formed. It should be noted that in this embodiment, the first additional light distribution pattern PA1 formed by the right-side vehicle headlight 1 is substantially the same as the first additional light distribution pattern formed by the left-side vehicle headlight 1, and these first additional light distribution patterns overlap in a manner with their outer edges aligned.

[0094] Figure 12 Is with Figure 10 Similarly, this diagram illustrates the second additional light distribution pattern formed by the light emitted from the second additional light source unit 40 of the left and right vehicle headlights 1 in this embodiment. It should be noted that... Figure 12 In the diagram, the low beam pattern PL and the first additional beam pattern PA1 are represented by dashed lines. For example... Figure 12 As shown, in this embodiment, the second additional light distribution pattern PA2, surrounded by dashed lines, is formed by light distribution patterns P1R, P2R, P3R, P4R, P1L, P2L, P3L, and P4L. Light distribution patterns P1R to P4R are the light distribution patterns for the light emitted from the second additional light source unit 40 in the right-side vehicle headlight 1. Specifically, light distribution pattern P1R is the light distribution pattern for the light emitted from the light-emitting element 42a, light distribution pattern P2R is the light distribution pattern for the light emitted from the light-emitting element 42b, light distribution pattern P3R is the light distribution pattern for the light emitted from the light-emitting element 42c, and light distribution pattern P4R is the light distribution pattern for the light emitted from the light-emitting element 42d. Furthermore, light distribution patterns P1L, P2L, P3L, and P4L are the light distribution patterns for the light emitted from the second additional light source unit 40 in the left-side vehicle headlight 1. Specifically, light distribution pattern P1L is the light distribution pattern of the light emitted by light-emitting element 42a, light distribution pattern P2L is the light distribution pattern of the light emitted by light-emitting element 42b, light distribution pattern P3L is the light distribution pattern of the light emitted by light-emitting element 42c, and light distribution pattern P4L is the light distribution pattern of the light emitted by light-emitting element 42d. It should be noted that, for ease of observation, in... Figure 12 In the diagram, light distribution patterns P1R and P3R are slightly offset vertically relative to light distribution patterns P2R and P4R, and light distribution patterns P1L and P3L are slightly offset vertically relative to light distribution patterns P2L and P4L.

[0095] Light distribution patterns P1R to P4R and P1L to P4L are formed in the area above the low beam light distribution pattern PL. The light distribution patterns P1R to P4R and P1L to P4L are arranged in a left-right direction, with adjacent patterns partially overlapping. Furthermore, the lower portions of the light distribution patterns P1R to P4R and P1L to P4L overlap with the low beam light distribution pattern PL. The light distribution patterns P1R to P4R are located to the right of the light distribution patterns P1L to P4L. The arrangement order of the light distribution patterns P1R to P4R is the opposite of the arrangement order of the light-emitting elements 42a to 42d, with light distribution pattern P4R located on the far right. The arrangement order of the light distribution patterns P1L to P4L formed by the light emitted from the left-side vehicle headlight 1 is symmetrical to the arrangement order of the light distribution patterns P1R to P4R, therefore, the description of this arrangement order is omitted. In this embodiment, the entire forming area of ​​the second additional light distribution pattern PA2 overlaps with a portion of the forming area of ​​the first additional light distribution pattern PA1. It should be noted that in the light distribution patterns P1R~P4R and P1L~P4L, adjacent light distribution patterns may not partially overlap, and adjacent light distribution patterns may also be spaced apart from each other.

[0096] Next, the control unit CO, ECU101 and detection device 110 will be described.

[0097] return Figure 1 The control unit CO is electrically connected to the low beam light source unit 20, the first auxiliary light source unit 30, and the second auxiliary light source unit 40. The control unit CO may be composed of integrated circuits such as microcontrollers, ICs (Integrated Circuits), LSIs (Large-scale Integrated Circuits), and ASICs (Application Specific Integrated Circuits), or NC (Numerical Control) devices. Furthermore, the control unit CO may or may not employ a machine learning architecture. The control unit CO is also electrically connected to the ECU 101. It should be noted that the control unit CO may or may not be housed within the storage space of the housing 6.

[0098] ECU 101, for example, has a structure roughly the same as the control unit CO, and provides information to the vehicle's headlights 1. It should be noted that ECU 101 can also perform engine control, airbag control, transmission control, etc.

[0099] The detection device 110 includes an image acquisition unit 111 and a determination unit 112, and is a device for detecting objects such as pedestrians and other vehicles located in front of the vehicle VE. Other vehicles include vehicles traveling in front and oncoming vehicles. The image acquisition unit 111 is configured, for example, as a LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) system or a camera. When the image acquisition unit 111 is a LiDAR system, it scans the front of the vehicle VE with a laser, receives the reflected laser light, generates an image-related signal based on the received laser light, and outputs the signal to the determination unit 112. When the image acquisition unit 111 is configured as a camera, examples of cameras include CCD (Charged Coupled Device) cameras and CMOS (Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor) cameras. In this case, the image acquisition unit 111 captures an image of the front of the vehicle VE and outputs a signal related to the captured image to the determination unit 112. The determination unit 112 is electrically connected to the ECU 101. The determination unit 112 has, for example, a structure substantially the same as that of the control unit CO, and determines whether the image-related signal input from the image acquisition unit 111 contains an image of the object. When the image-related signal contains an image of the object, the determination unit 112 calculates the position coordinates of the object. When the image of the object is included, the determination unit 112 outputs a signal containing data related to the position coordinates of the object to the ECU 101.

[0100] Next, the operation of the vehicle's headlight 1 will be explained.

[0101] Figure 13 This is a flowchart illustrating the operation of the control unit CO in this embodiment. For example... Figure 13 As shown, in this embodiment, the operation of the control unit CO includes steps S1 to S7. Unless otherwise stated, the left and right vehicles perform the same operation using the headlights 1.

[0102] (Step S1)

[0103] This step determines the next step based on whether an on / off signal is input from the light switch (not shown). In this step, when no on / off signal is input from the light switch, the control unit CO advances the control flow to step S2; when an on / off signal is input, the control unit CO advances the control flow to step S3. It should be noted that the on / off signal from the light switch can be directly input to the control unit CO, or it can be input via ECU 101.

[0104] (Step S2)

[0105] This step is to prevent the vehicle headlight 1 from emitting light. In this step, the control unit CO controls the low beam light source 20, the first auxiliary light source 30, and the second auxiliary light source 40 to prevent them from emitting light. It should be noted that when the control unit CO controls the low beam light source 20, the first auxiliary light source 30, and the second auxiliary light source 40 to prevent them from emitting light, it is sufficient that these light sources eventually stop emitting light. For example, if the low beam light source 20, the first auxiliary light source 30, and the second auxiliary light source 40 are not emitting light when entering this step from step S1, the control unit CO only needs to maintain this state. Therefore, in this case, the control unit CO does not need to output any control signals. After this step is completed, the control unit CO returns the control flow to step S1.

[0106] (Step S3)

[0107] This step determines the next step based on whether an on / off signal has been input from the high beam switch (not shown). In this step, if no on / off signal is input from the high beam switch, the control unit CO advances the control flow to step S4; if an on / off signal from the high beam switch is input, the control unit CO advances the control flow to step S5. It should be noted that the on / off signal from the high beam switch can be directly input to the control unit CO or input via ECU 101.

[0108] (Step S4)

[0109] This step involves emitting low beam from the vehicle headlight 1. In this step, the control unit CO controls the low beam light source 20, the first auxiliary light source 30, and the second auxiliary light source 40, causing only the light-emitting elements 22a and 22b of the low beam light source 20 to emit light. A portion of the light emitted from the low beam light source 20 is blocked by the light shield 60, forming a low beam pattern PL, which is then emitted from the vehicle headlight 1. Thus, low beam is emitted from the vehicle headlight 1. It should be noted that when entering this step from step S3, if light is emitted from the low beam light source 20, the control unit CO only needs to maintain this state. In this case, the control unit CO may not output any control signal to the low beam light source 20. After this step is completed, the control unit CO returns the control flow to step S1.

[0110] (Step S5)

[0111] This step is a step that determines the next step based on the signal output by the detection device 110. In this step, when the signal from the detection device 110 does not indicate that an object has been detected, the control unit CO advances the control flow to step S6; when the signal from the detection device 110 indicates that an object has been detected, the control unit CO advances the control flow to step S7. The case where the signal from the detection device 110 indicates that an object has been detected is, for example, when the signal from the detection device 110 contains data related to the position coordinates of the object. Furthermore, the case where the signal from the detection device 110 does not indicate that an object has been detected includes the case where the detection device 110 inputs a signal indicating that no object has been detected to the control unit CO, and the case where no signal is input from the detection device 110 to the control unit CO.

[0112] (Step S6)

[0113] This step involves emitting high beam from the vehicle headlight 1. In this step, the control unit CO controls the low beam light source 20, the first auxiliary light source 30, and the second auxiliary light source 40, causing the light-emitting elements 22a and 22b of the low beam light source 20 and the light-emitting elements 32a and 32b of the first auxiliary light source 30 to emit light, while keeping the second auxiliary light source 40 in a non-emitting light state. As a result, light from the vehicle headlight 1, along with the low beam, is emitted using the first auxiliary light distribution pattern PA1, which is then affixed to the low beam light distribution pattern PL. That is, high beam is emitted from the vehicle headlight 1. It should be noted that when entering this step from step S5, if light is emitted from the low beam light source 20 and the first auxiliary light source 30 but not from the second auxiliary light source 40, the control unit CO only needs to maintain this state. After this step is completed, the control unit CO returns the control flow to step S1.

[0114] (Step S7)

[0115] This step involves emitting light from the vehicle headlight 1 using an ADB light distribution pattern adapted to the target object. In this step, the control unit CO controls the low beam light source 20, the first auxiliary light source 30, and the second auxiliary light source 40, configuring them to emit light from the low beam light source 20 and the second auxiliary light source 40, while the first auxiliary light source 30 does not emit light. During the control of the second auxiliary light source 40, when the coordinates of the target object are not overlapping with the second auxiliary light distribution pattern PA2, the control unit CO emits light from all the light-emitting elements 42a to 42d of the second auxiliary light source 40. Thus, the vehicle headlight 1 emits light from the second auxiliary light distribution pattern PA2 along with the low beam, and the second auxiliary light distribution pattern PA2 is attached to the low beam light distribution pattern PL. Furthermore, when the coordinates of the object overlap with the second additional light distribution pattern PA2, the control unit CO emits light only from the light-emitting elements 42a-42d whose light distribution patterns do not overlap with the object's coordinates, thus reducing or eliminating the light emitted by the light-emitting elements whose light distribution patterns overlap with the object's coordinates. Therefore, the vehicle headlight 1 emits light from the second additional light distribution pattern PA2 (partially reduced or eliminated) along with the low beam, and this light distribution pattern is added to the low beam light distribution pattern PL. Consequently, the vehicle headlight 1 emits light with an ADB light distribution pattern adapted to the object.

[0116] Figure 14 and Figure 10 Similarly, this represents an example of an ADB light distribution pattern. In Figure 14 In the example shown, the object OB is an oncoming vehicle, and the position of the object OB overlaps with the light distribution patterns P2R and P3R formed by the light emitted from the light-emitting elements 42b and 42c. Therefore, the control unit CO reduces or eliminates the light emitted by the light-emitting elements 42b and 42c. Thus, the ADB light distribution pattern PADB is a light distribution pattern obtained by adding the light distribution pattern obtained by reducing or eliminating the light of the light distribution patterns P2R and P3R in the second additional light distribution pattern PA2 to the low beam light distribution pattern PL. Therefore, glare to the driver of the oncoming vehicle, which is the object OB, can be suppressed. After this step, the control unit CO returns the control flow to step S1.

[0117] The first and second additional lamp units in Patent Document 1 are so-called direct-beam lamp units. A lamp unit is known to include a light-emitting section that emits light downwards and a reflector configured to cover the light-emitting section from below and reflect the light emitted from the light-emitting section forwards. There is a need for the structure of the first and second additional lamp units to be the same as that of this lamp unit. In this case, the reflector is configured to cover the light-emitting section from below, therefore its size is often larger than that of a direct-beam lamp unit, posing a risk of increasing the size of vehicle headlights.

[0118] In this regard, a vehicle headlight 1, as a first aspect, includes light emitting portions 32 and 42 and reflectors 35 and 45. The light emitting portion 32 emits light downwards to form a first additional light distribution pattern PA1, which is formed in a region including the area above the low beam light distribution pattern PL. The reflector 35 is configured to cover the light emitting portion 32 from below, reflecting the light emitted from the light emitting portion 32 forwards. The light emitting portion 42 emits light downwards to form a second additional light distribution pattern PA2, which is formed in a region including the area above the low beam light distribution pattern PL and is different from the first additional light distribution pattern PA1. The reflector 45 is configured to cover the light emitting portion 42 from below, reflecting the light emitted from the light emitting portion 42 forwards. A portion of the reflector 35 is located below the reflector 45, and another portion of the reflector 35 overlaps with the reflector 45 in the longitudinal direction. Therefore, the vehicle headlight 1 according to this embodiment can suppress the increase in size in the left-right direction compared to the case where the reflectors 35 and 45 are arranged in the left-right direction. Furthermore, the vehicle headlight 1 according to this embodiment can suppress the increase in size in the vertical direction compared to the case where the reflectors 35 and 45 do not overlap in the front-back direction. Therefore, the vehicle headlight 1 according to this embodiment can suppress its increase in size in both the left-right and vertical directions.

[0119] In the vehicle headlight 1 of this embodiment, which is a first aspect, the light emitting portions 32 and 42 emit light obliquely downward and rearward. According to this embodiment, the vehicle headlight 1 can more easily reflect light forward compared to the case where the light emitting portions 32 and 42 emit light downward in the vertical direction. It should be noted that the light emitting portions 32 and 42 only need to emit light downward; for example, they can also emit light downward in the vertical direction.

[0120] In the vehicle headlight 1 of this embodiment, which is a first aspect, the reflector 35 is disposed behind the reflector 45. Therefore, a portion of the light emitted from the light emitting section 32 and reflected by the reflector 35 may be directed toward the reflector 45. However, in the vehicle headlight 1 of this embodiment, the substrate 31, which serves as a light-shielding member, blocks a portion of the light reflected by the reflector 35 and is disposed between the reflector 35 and the reflector 45. Therefore, according to the vehicle headlight 1 of this embodiment, even when the reflector 35 is disposed behind the reflector 45, it is possible to suppress the light reflected by the reflector 35 from the light emitting section 32 from irradiating the reflector 45, and to suppress overheating of the reflector 45.

[0121] In the vehicle headlight 1 of this embodiment, which is a first aspect, the light emitting portion 32 consists of two light-emitting elements 32a and 32b mounted on a substrate 31 located between reflectors 35 and 45. Therefore, compared to the case where a light-shielding member different from the substrate 31 is arranged between reflectors 35 and 45, the increase in the number of parts can be suppressed. It should be noted that, from the viewpoint of suppressing light reflected by reflectors 35 from the light emitting portion 32 from illuminating reflectors 45, it is sufficient that at least a portion of the light-shielding member is located between reflectors 35 and 45. For example, the light-shielding member may also be part of the heat sink 10.

[0122] The vehicle headlight 1 of this embodiment, as a first aspect, further includes a first radiator 11 and a second radiator 16. A substrate 31 and a reflector 35 are fixed to the first radiator 11. The light emitting portion 42 consists of four light-emitting elements 42a to 42d mounted on the substrate 41, and the substrate 41 and the reflector 45 are fixed to the second radiator 16. Furthermore, the second radiator 16 is detachably mounted to the first radiator 11 such that the reflector 45 is positioned forward of the reflector 35. Moreover, light reflected from the light emitting portion 32 by the reflector 35 will not illuminate the substrate 41, the reflector 45, or the second radiator 16. Therefore, according to this embodiment of the vehicle headlight 1, the first additional light distribution pattern PA1 remains unchanged whether the second radiator 16 is mounted to the first radiator 11 or removed from the first radiator 11. It should be noted that the second heat sink 16 may not need to be removed from the first heat sink 11; for example, the second heat sink 16 and the first heat sink 11 may be an integral structure. In addition, a portion of the light from the light emitting section 32 reflected by the reflector 35 may also illuminate at least one of the substrate 41, the reflector 45, and the second heat sink 16.

[0123] In the vehicle headlight of Patent Document 1, the connector on one of the two substrates is located on the right side of the reference plane, and the connector on the other substrate is located on the left side of the reference plane. Therefore, in the vehicle headlight of Patent Document 1, it can be assumed that the cable connected to the connector on one substrate is led out to the right side of the radiator, and the cable connected to the connector on the other substrate is led out to the left side of the radiator. This makes it difficult to bundle the cables when they are led out from both sides of the radiator, potentially leading to a larger vehicle headlight.

[0124] Therefore, the vehicle headlight 1 of this embodiment, as a second aspect, includes a plurality of substrates 21, 31, and 41, and a heat sink 10 that fixes the plurality of substrates 21, 31, and 41. Substrate 21 extends in the left-right direction, is equipped with a light emitting portion 22, and has a connector 23 electrically connected to the light emitting portion 22. Substrate 31 extends in the left-right direction, is equipped with a light emitting portion 32, and has a connector 33 electrically connected to the light emitting portion 32. Substrate 41 extends in the left-right direction, is equipped with a light emitting portion 42, and has a connector 43 electrically connected to the light emitting portion 42. The plurality of substrates 21, 31, and 41 intersect with a reference plane RS that passes through the center of the heat sink 10 in the left-right direction and extends in the front-back and vertical directions. The connectors 23, 33, and 43 mounted on each substrate 21, 31, and 41 are mounted on the same side, i.e., the right side, with reference to the reference plane RS. Therefore, the vehicle headlight 1 according to this embodiment can facilitate the organization and installation of cables 24, 34, 44 connected to connectors 23, 33, 43 on each substrate 21, 31, 41, and can prevent the vehicle headlight 1 from becoming too large due to cables 24, 34, 44.

[0125] In the vehicle headlight 1 of this embodiment, as a second aspect, the light emitting portion 22 of the substrate 21 consists of two light-emitting elements 22a and 22b arranged in the left-right direction, and the connector 23 of the substrate 21 overlaps with the two light-emitting elements 22a and 22b in the left-right direction. Therefore, compared with the case where the light-emitting elements 22a and 22b and the connector 23 do not overlap in the left-right direction, the large size of the substrate 21 can be suppressed. Furthermore, the light emitting portion 32 of the substrate 31 consists of two light-emitting elements 32a and 32b arranged in the left-right direction, and the connector 33 of the substrate 31 overlaps with the two light-emitting elements 32a and 32b in the left-right direction. Therefore, compared with the case where the light-emitting elements 32a and 32b and the connector 33 do not overlap in the left-right direction, the large size of the substrate 31 can be suppressed. Furthermore, the light emitting portion 42 of the substrate 41 consists of four light-emitting elements 42a to 42d arranged in the left-right direction, and the connector 43 of the substrate 41 overlaps with the four light-emitting elements 42a to 42d in the left-right direction. Therefore, compared to the case where the light-emitting elements 42a-42d and the connector 43 do not overlap in the left-right direction, the enlargement of the substrate 41 can be suppressed. It should be noted that, in the left-right direction, the light-emitting elements 22a and 22b may also not overlap with the connector 23, the light-emitting elements 32a and 32b may also not overlap with the connector 33, and the light-emitting elements 42a-42d may also not overlap with the connector 43. It should be noted that, preferably, in at least one substrate, the plurality of light-emitting elements arranged in the left-right direction overlap with the connector.

[0126] In the vehicle headlight 1 of this embodiment, as a second aspect, the right-side ends 21o, 31o, and 41o of the connectors 23, 33, and 43 mounted on the substrates 21, 31, and 41 protrude from the radiator 10. Therefore, according to the vehicle headlight 1 of this embodiment, compared to the case where the portion of the substrate on which the connectors are mounted does not protrude from the radiator, the enlargement of the radiator 10 can be suppressed. Furthermore, according to this structure, as in this embodiment, the right-side ends 21o, 31o, and 41o of the connectors 23, 33, and 43 mounted on the substrates 21, 31, and 41 can be easily made into card edge connectors for the connection of the connectors 23, 33, and 43. It should be noted that the portion of the substrate on which the connectors are mounted may also not protrude from the radiator 10. In this case, for example, the connectors 23, 33, and 43 may be connected to a socket mounted on the substrates 21, 31, and 41 and electrically connected to the light-emitting elements 22a, 22b, 32a, 32b, and 42a-42d. However, it is preferable that in at least one substrate, the portion for mounting the connector protrudes from the heat sink 10.

[0127] In the vehicle headlight 1 of this embodiment, as a second aspect, the connector 23 on the substrate 21 and the connector 43 on the substrate 41 overlap each other in the vertical direction. Therefore, according to the vehicle headlight 1 of this embodiment, it is easier to connect the cables 24 and 44 connected to the connectors 23 and 43 that overlap each other in the vertical direction. It should be noted that the connectors 23, 33, and 43 may not overlap each other in the vertical direction, but it is preferable that the connectors on at least two substrates overlap each other in the vertical direction.

[0128] In structures such as the vehicle headlight in Patent Document 2 mentioned above, the substrate is sometimes arranged in a way that tilts downwards and forwards. In this case, the air heated by the light emitting part is prone to get trapped in the space between the substrate and the reflector, raising concerns about overheating.

[0129] Therefore, the vehicle headlight 1 of this embodiment, as a third aspect, includes substrates 31 and 41, light emitting portions 32 and 42, and reflectors 35 and 45. The substrates 31 and 41 are inclined downwards in the forward direction, and the light emitting portions 32 and 42 are mounted on the lower surfaces of the substrates 31 and 41, emitting light downwards. The reflectors 35 and 45 are arranged to cover the light emitting portions 32 and 42 from below, reflecting the light emitted from the light emitting portions 32 and 42 forwards. The rear ends of the substrates 31 and 41 are located further rearward than the rear ends of the reflectors 35 and 45, and gaps 35G and 45G are formed between the lower surfaces of the substrates 31 and 41 and the rear ends of the reflectors 35 and 45. These gaps 35G and 45G are ventilation paths through which air flowing upwards in the spaces 35S and 45S between the substrates 31 and 41 and the reflectors 35 and 45 exits to the outside of the spaces 35S and 45S. Therefore, according to this embodiment, the vehicle headlight 1 can suppress the air heated by the light emitting portions 32 and 42 from being trapped in the spaces 35S and 45S between the substrates 31 and 41 and the reflectors 35 and 45, compared with the case where gaps 35G and 45G are not formed, and can suppress overheating.

[0130] The vehicle headlight 1 of this embodiment, as a third aspect, also includes a radiator 10. The radiator 10 includes a main body 12 to which a substrate 31 and a reflector 35 are fixed, and a plurality of second heat dissipation fins 14 fixed to the main body 12 and arranged at intervals. No component is formed between the reflector 35 and the second heat dissipation fins 14. Therefore, air passing through the gap 35G, which serves as a ventilation path, flows out to the space between adjacent second heat dissipation fins 14. That is, the radiator 10 includes another ventilation path for air passing through the gap 35G to flow out to the space between adjacent second heat dissipation fins 14. Therefore, the vehicle headlight 1 according to this embodiment improves cooling efficiency compared to a case where the radiator 10 does not include this other ventilation path. Furthermore, the radiator 10 includes a main body 17 to which a substrate 41 and a reflector 45 are fixed; and a plurality of first heat dissipation fins 13 fixed to the main body 12 to which the main body 17 is fixed and arranged at intervals. A through hole 12bh extending along the thickness direction is provided on the main body 12. The through hole 12bh is located behind and above the gap 45G, and the opening of the through hole 12bh on the side opposite to the gap 45G is located between adjacent first heat dissipation fins 13. Therefore, air passing through the gap 45G, which serves as a ventilation path, flows out through the through hole 12bh to the space between adjacent first heat dissipation fins 13. That is, the through hole 12bh is another ventilation path for air passing through the gap 45G to flow out to the space between adjacent first heat dissipation fins 13. Therefore, the vehicle headlight 1 according to this embodiment can improve cooling efficiency compared to the case where the radiator 10 does not have a through hole 12bh. It should be noted that the through hole 12bh may also be omitted.

[0131] The air heated by the light emitting portions 32 and 42 tends to rise along the substrates 31 and 41. In the vehicle headlight 1 of this embodiment, which is a third aspect, when the substrates 31 and 41 and the reflectors 35 and 45 are viewed from the front side along the lower surface of the substrates 31 and 41, the gaps 35G and 45G, which serve as ventilation paths, overlap with the light emitting portions 32 and 42. Therefore, according to the vehicle headlight 1 of this embodiment, the air heated by the light emitting portions 32 and 42 can flow toward the gaps 35G and 45G, and the stagnation of heated air in the spaces 35S and 45S between the substrates 31 and 41 and the reflectors 35 and 45 can be further suppressed. It should be noted that, when viewed as described above, the gaps 35G and 45G may not overlap with the light emitting portions 32 and 42.

[0132] It should be noted that the first, second, and third aspects of the present invention have been described using the above embodiments as examples, but the first, second, and third aspects of the present invention are not limited thereto.

[0133] For example, in the above embodiments, light emitting section 32 composed of two light-emitting elements 32a and 32b and light emitting section 42 composed of four light-emitting elements 42a to 42d were described as examples. However, in the first aspect, light emitting sections 32 and 42 can be made up of one or more light-emitting elements, and the number of light-emitting elements is not limited.

[0134] Furthermore, in the above embodiments, a reflector 35 comprising two reflective portions 36 covering the light-emitting elements 32a and 32b respectively from below, and a reflector 45 comprising four reflective portions 46a to 46d covering the light-emitting elements 42a to 42d respectively from below, have been described as examples. However, in the first aspect, the reflector 35 only needs to be configured to cover the light-emitting portion 32 from below and reflect the light emitted from the light-emitting portion 32 forward; the reflector 45 only needs to be configured to cover the light-emitting portion 42 from below and reflect the light emitted from the light-emitting portion 42 forward. For example, the reflective portions 36 do not need to focus the light from the light-emitting elements 32a and 32b on the side closer to the light-emitting elements 32a and 32b than the additional projection lens 72, and the reflective portions 46a to 46d do not need to focus the light from the light-emitting elements 42a to 42d at a position closer to the light-emitting elements 42a to 42d than the additional projection lens 72. Alternatively, the gap 35G between the substrate 31 and the reflector 35 may not be formed, and the gap 45G between the substrate 41 and the reflector 45 may not be formed.

[0135] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the reflector 35 disposed behind the reflector 45 was described as an example. However, in the first aspect, the reflector 35 may also be disposed in front of the reflector 45. For example, in the above embodiment, the first auxiliary light source unit 30 and the second auxiliary light source unit 40 may also be interchanged.

[0136] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, an additional projection lens 72 that transmits light reflected by reflector 35 from light-emitting elements 32a and 32b and light reflected by reflector 45 from light-emitting elements 42a to 42d has been described as an example. However, in the first aspect, the vehicle headlight 1 may also include: a projection lens that transmits light reflected by reflector 35 from light-emitting elements 32a and 32b; and another projection lens, which is different from the projection lens, that transmits light reflected by reflector 45 from light-emitting elements 42a to 42d.

[0137] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, a first additional light distribution pattern PA1, which forms a high beam light distribution pattern by being attached to the low beam light distribution pattern PL, was described as an example. Additionally, a second additional light distribution pattern PA2, formed by arranging the light distribution patterns P1R to P4R of the light from each light-emitting element 42a to 42d in the right-side vehicle headlight 1 and the light distribution patterns P1L to P4L of the light from each light-emitting element 42a to 42d in the left-side vehicle headlight 1 in a left-right direction, was also described as an example. However, in the first aspect, the first additional light distribution pattern only needs to be a light distribution pattern formed in the region above the low beam light distribution pattern PL. Similarly, the second additional light distribution pattern only needs to be a light distribution pattern formed in the region above the low beam light distribution pattern PL and different from the first additional light distribution pattern.

[0138] Furthermore, the above embodiment is described using the example of setting the high beam light distribution pattern as a light distribution pattern obtained by adding a first additional light distribution pattern PA1 to the low beam light distribution pattern PL. However, in the first, second, and third aspects, the high beam light distribution pattern may also be a light distribution pattern obtained by adding a first additional light distribution pattern PA1 and a second additional light distribution pattern PA2 to the low beam light distribution pattern PL. In this case, the light distribution pattern obtained by subtracting or extinctling the light from the light distribution patterns P1R to P4R and P1L to P4L of the second additional light distribution pattern PA2 that overlap with the coordinates of the object OB may also be set as an ADB light distribution pattern adapted to the object OB.

[0139] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the low beam light source 20 located above the first auxiliary light source 30 and the second auxiliary light source 40 has been described as an example. However, in the first, second, and third aspects, the low beam light source 20 is only required to emit low beam light, and its position and structure are not limited.

[0140] Furthermore, in the above embodiments, the following structures were described as examples: a substrate 21 with a light emitting section 22 composed of two light-emitting elements 22a and 22b; a substrate 31 with a light emitting section 32 composed of two light-emitting elements 32a and 32b; and a substrate 41 with a light emitting section 42 composed of four light-emitting elements 42a to 42d. However, in the second aspect, the light emitting sections 22, 32, and 42 can be any one or more light-emitting elements, and the number of light-emitting elements is not limited. Additionally, the number of substrates can be two or more, or even four or more.

[0141] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the connectors 23, 33, and 43, which are respectively mounted on each substrate 21, 31, and 41, are mounted on the right side with reference to the reference plane RS. However, in the second aspect, the connectors 23, 33, and 43 mounted on the substrates 21, 31, and 41 can be mounted on the same side with reference to the reference plane RS, or they can be mounted on the left side of the reference plane RS.

[0142] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the example described is that the second radiator 16 is a radiator that is detachably installed on the first radiator 11. However, in the second and third aspects, the first radiator 11 and the second radiator 16 may also be an integral structure.

[0143] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, examples were given of substrates 31 and 41 with approximately the same tilt angle relative to the horizontal direction, and substrate 21 with a different tilt angle relative to the horizontal direction than substrates 31 and 41. However, in the second aspect, the tilt angle of the multiple substrates relative to the horizontal direction is not limited; all substrates may have the same tilt angle relative to the horizontal direction, or at least two substrates may have different tilt angles relative to the horizontal direction.

[0144] Furthermore, the above embodiment has been described using a vehicle headlight 1 as an example. This vehicle headlight includes reflectors 25, 35, and 45 that reflect light from light emitting portions 22, 32, and 42, and a lens component 70 through which light reflected by the reflectors 25, 35, and 45 is transmitted. However, in a second aspect, the vehicle headlight 1 may also omit the reflectors 25, 35, and 45, and may also omit the lens component 70. Additionally, the gap 35G may not be formed between the substrate 31 and the reflector 35, nor may the gap 45G be formed between the substrate 41 and the reflector 45.

[0145] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the gaps 35G and 45G between the lower surfaces of the substrates 31 and 41 and the rear ends of the reflectors 35 and 45 serve as ventilation paths for air flowing upwards in the spaces 35S and 45S between the substrates 31 and 41 and the reflectors 35 and 45 to exit the spaces 35S and 45S. However, in a third aspect, the vehicle headlight 1 only needs to have ventilation paths for air flowing upwards in the spaces 35S and 45S to exit the spaces 35S and 45S, and the ventilation paths are not limited. Figure 15 Is with Figure 3 Similarly, the diagram shows the lighting fixture section in the variation of the third aspect. For example... Figure 15 As shown, in this modified example, a through hole 31h is provided on the substrate 31, located between the light emitting portion 32 and the rear end of the reflector 35 and extending through the thickness direction. A through hole 12ch is provided on the second inclined portion 12c of the first heat sink 11, overlapping with the through hole 31h. Therefore, air flowing upwards in the space 35S flows out to the outside of the space 35S through the through hole 31h and the through hole 12ch. Additionally, a through hole 41h is provided on the substrate 41, located between the light emitting portion 42 and the rear end of the reflector 45 and extending through the thickness direction. A through hole 17bh is provided on the inclined portion 17b of the second heat sink 16, overlapping with the through hole 41h. Therefore, air flowing upwards in the space 45S flows out to the outside of the space 45S through the through hole 41h and the through hole 17bh. According to this structure, similarly to the embodiment described above, it is possible to suppress the retention of air heated by the light emitting portions 32 and 42 in the spaces 35S and 45S between the substrates 31 and 41 and the reflectors 35 and 45, thereby suppressing overheating. Furthermore, in this modified example, the opening of the through-hole 17bh on the side opposite to the substrate 41 side is located between adjacent heat dissipation fins 18. Therefore, air passing through the through-holes 41h and 17bh flows out into the space between adjacent heat dissipation fins 18. Therefore, according to this modified example, cooling efficiency can be further improved.

[0146] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, a heat sink 10 was described as an example. This heat sink 10 has a through hole 12bh as another ventilation path, which allows air passing through the gap 45G, which serves as the ventilation path, to flow out into the space between adjacent first heat sink fins 13. However, in a third aspect, the other ventilation path can simply be an air path that allows air flowing upward through the space between the substrate and the reflector to flow out into the space between adjacent heat sink fins. Although the illustration is omitted, for example, the other ventilation path could also be a through hole located behind the substrate 41 and penetrating the inclined portion 17b of the second heat sink 16 in the thickness direction. Such a through hole allows air passing through the gap 45G, which serves as the ventilation path, to flow out into the space between adjacent heat sink fins 18.

[0147] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the rear ends of substrates 31 and 41 are located behind reflectors 35 and 45. However, in a third aspect, the rear ends of substrates 31 and 41 may also be located in front of the rear ends of reflectors 35 and 45.

[0148] Furthermore, in the above embodiments, light emitting section 32 composed of two light-emitting elements 32a and 32b, and light emitting section 42 composed of four light-emitting elements 42a to 42d were described as examples. However, in the third aspect, light emitting sections 32 and 42 can be composed of one or more light-emitting elements, and the number of light-emitting elements is not limited.

[0149] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, reflectors 35 and 45 were described as examples: reflector 35 includes two reflective portions 36 that cover the light-emitting elements 32a and 32b from below, respectively; reflector 45 includes four reflective portions 46a to 46d that cover the light-emitting elements 42a to 42d from below, respectively. However, in a third aspect, reflector 35 only needs to be configured to cover the light-emitting portion 32 from below and reflect the light emitted from the light-emitting portion 32 forward; reflector 45 only needs to be configured to cover the light-emitting portion 42 from below and reflect the light emitted from the light-emitting portion 42 forward. For example, reflective portions 36 do not need to focus the light from the light-emitting elements 32a and 32b on the side closer to the light-emitting elements 32a and 32b than the additional projection lens 72, and reflective portions 46a to 46d do not need to focus the light from the light-emitting elements 42a to 42d on the side closer to the light-emitting elements 42a to 42d than the additional projection lens 72.

[0150] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the example given is an additional projection lens 72, which allows light reflected by reflector 35 from light-emitting elements 32a and 32b, and light reflected by reflector 45 from light-emitting elements 42a to 42d, to pass through. However, in a third aspect, the vehicle headlight 1 may also include: a projection lens that allows light reflected by reflector 35 from light-emitting elements 32a and 32b to pass through; and another projection lens, different from the projection lens, that allows light reflected by reflector 45 from light-emitting elements 42a to 42d to pass through.

[0151] According to the first and second aspects of the present invention, a vehicle headlight capable of suppressing overheating can be provided; according to the third aspect of the present invention, a vehicle headlight capable of suppressing overheating can be provided; the present invention can be applied to the fields of vehicle headlights such as automobiles.

Claims

1. A vehicle headlight, characterized in that, have: The first light emitting part emits light downwards to form a first additional light distribution pattern, which is formed in the region including the area above the near light distribution pattern. A first reflector is configured to cover the first light emitting portion from below, and reflects the light emitted from the first light emitting portion forward. The second light emitting section emits light downwards to form a second additional light distribution pattern, which is formed in the region including the upper side of the near light distribution pattern and is different from the first additional light distribution pattern; as well as The second reflector, which is configured to cover the second light emitting portion from below, reflects the light emitted from the second light emitting portion forward. A portion of the first reflector is located below the second reflector. Another portion of the first reflector overlaps with the second reflector in the front-back direction.

2. The vehicle headlight according to claim 1, characterized in that, The first light emitting part and the second light emitting part emit light in a downward and rearward direction.

3. The vehicle headlight according to claim 1, characterized in that, It also includes a light-shielding component that blocks a portion of the light reflected by the first reflector. The first reflector is positioned further back than the second reflector. At least a portion of the light-shielding component is located between the first reflector and the second reflector.

4. The vehicle headlight according to claim 3, characterized in that, The first light emitting section is one or more light-emitting elements mounted on the first substrate. The light-shielding component is the first substrate.

5. The vehicle headlight according to claim 1, characterized in that, It also has: First substrate; A first heat sink, which fixes the first substrate and the first reflector; Second substrate; as well as The second heat sink fixes the second substrate and the second reflector. The first light emitting part is one or more light-emitting elements mounted on the first substrate. The second light emitting section is one or more light-emitting elements mounted on the second substrate. The second heat sink is detachably mounted to the first heat sink such that the second reflector is positioned in front of the first reflector. The light from the first light emitting part, reflected by the first reflector, does not illuminate the second substrate, the second reflector, and the second heat sink.

6. A vehicle headlight, characterized in that, have: Multiple substrates extending in a left-right direction are equipped with light emitting sections and connectors electrically connected to the light emitting sections; and A heat sink, which fixes multiple said substrates, The plurality of substrates intersect with a reference plane that passes through the center of the heat sink in the left-right direction and extends in the front-back direction and vertical direction. The connectors mounted on each of the substrates are mounted on the same side with reference to the reference plane.

7. The vehicle headlight according to claim 6, characterized in that, At least one of the light-emitting portions on the substrate comprises a plurality of light-emitting elements arranged in a left-right direction. The connector on at least one substrate overlaps with a plurality of light-emitting elements in the left-right direction.

8. The vehicle headlight according to claim 6, characterized in that, At least one portion of the substrate on which the connector is mounted protrudes from the heat sink.

9. The vehicle headlight according to claim 6, characterized in that, The connectors on at least two of the substrates overlap each other in the vertical direction.

10. The vehicle headlight according to claim 6, characterized in that, At least two of the substrates have different tilt angles relative to the horizontal direction.

11. A vehicle headlight, characterized in that, have: The substrate is tilted downwards in the forward direction; A light emitting section is mounted on the lower surface of the substrate and emits light downwards; A reflector configured to cover the light emitting portion from below and reflect light emitted from the light emitting portion forward. as well as A ventilation path that allows air flowing upwards from the space between the substrate and the reflector to flow out of the space.

12. The vehicle headlight according to claim 11, characterized in that, The rear end of the substrate is located further back than the rear end of the reflector. The ventilation path is the gap between the rear end of the reflector and the substrate.

13. The vehicle headlight according to claim 11, characterized in that, It also includes a heat sink, which comprises a main body for fixing the substrate and the reflector, and a plurality of heat dissipation fins fixed to the main body and arranged at intervals from each other. The radiator includes another ventilation path that allows air passing through the ventilation path to flow out into the space between adjacent heat dissipation fins.

14. The vehicle headlight according to claim 11, characterized in that, When the substrate and the reflector are viewed from the front side along the lower surface of the substrate, the ventilation path overlaps with the light emitting portion.

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