Vehicular lamp

Abstract

A vehicle lamp is provided that can expand a diffusion angle of a high beam to a vehicle-width-direction outer side. A vehicle lamp (1) includes: a light source portion (5); a light source portion (4) that is arranged to be aligned together with the light source portion (5) in a vehicle width direction; a lens (100) in which a projection lens (102) and a projection lens (101) are integrally formed, the projection lens (102) projecting a light distribution pattern of a high beam in front of a vehicle by light emitted from the light source portion (5), the projection lens (101) projecting a light distribution pattern of a low beam in front of the vehicle by light emitted from the light source portion (4); and a partition wall portion (24) that shields light which is emitted from the light source portion (5) and travels toward the projection lens (101), the lens (100) includes a connection portion (103) which is formed between the projection lens (102) and the projection lens (101) and connects the projection lens (102) and the projection lens (101) together, and a light shielding portion (24) allows at least a part of light which is emitted from the light source portion (5) and travels toward the connection portion (103) to pass.

Description

[Technical Field]

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

[0002] A vehicle lamp has been known that includes a composite projection lens in which a first projection lens portion and a second projection lens portion are integrally shaped, a first light source which emits first light passing through the first projection lens portion, and a second light source which emits second light passing through the second projection lens portion (for example, see Patent Literature 1). In the vehicle lamp disclosed in Patent Literature 1, for the purpose of preventing the first light emitted from the first light source from being incident on the second projection lens portion and of preventing the second light emitted from the second light source from being incident on the first projection lens portion, a partition wall portion is provided which parts a first space between the first light source and the first projection lens portion from a second space between the second light source and the second projection lens portion.[Citation List][Patent Literature]

[0003] [Patent Literature 1] Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2013-161708[Summary of Invention][Technical Problem]

[0004] In a vehicle lamp that includes a composite projection lens in which a projection lens portion for a low beam and a projection lens portion for a high beam are integrally shaped, a light source which emits light for the low beam, and a light source which emits light for the high beam, there has been a demand for expansion of a diffusion angle of the high beam to a vehicle-width-direction outer side. For example, there has been a demand that the diffusion angle of the high beam to a right side be expanded in a vehicle headlamp on the right side of a vehicle driving on a left side of a road and the diffusion angle of the high beam to a left side be expanded in a vehicle headlamp on the left side of the vehicle driving on the left side of the road.

[0005] In contrast, because in a vehicle lamp disclosed in Patent Literature 1, light which is emitted from the light source for the high beam and travels toward a side of the projection lens portion for the low beam is completely obstructed by a partition wall portion, the above demand cannot be met.

[0006] The present invention has been made in the above circumstance, and an object thereof is to provide a vehicle lamp that can expand a diffusion angle of a high beam to a vehicle-width-direction outer side.[Solution to Problem]

[0007] A vehicle lamp according to the present invention includes: a first light source portion; a second light source portion that is arranged to be aligned together with the first light source portion in a vehicle width direction; a lens in which a first projection lens and a second projection lens are integrally formed, the first projection lens projecting a light distribution pattern of a high beam in front of a vehicle by light emitted from the first light source portion, the second projection lens projecting a light distribution pattern of a low beam in front of the vehicle by light emitted from the second light source portion; and a light shielding portion that shields light which is emitted from the first light source portion and travels toward the second projection lens, the lens includes a connection portion which is formed between the first projection lens and the second projection lens and connects the first projection lens and the second projection lens together, and the light shielding portion allows at least a part of light which is emitted from the first light source portion and travels toward the connection portion to pass.[Advantageous Effect of Invention]

[0008] The present invention makes it possible to expand a diffusion angle of a high beam to a vehicle-width-direction outer side.[Brief Description of Drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] Figure 1 is a perspective view illustrating a vehicle lamp according to one embodiment of the present invention from a front side. [Figure 2] Figure 2 is a perspective view of the vehicle lamp in Figure 1 from a back side. [Figure 3] Figure 3 is an exploded perspective view illustrating the vehicle lamp in Figure 1 and Figure 2. [Figure 4] Figure 4 is a vertical cross-sectional view illustrating a projection lens for a high beam and a high beam unit in Figure 1. [Figure 5] Figure 5 is a cross-sectional perspective view illustrating a lens and the high beam unit in Figure 1. [Figure 6] Figure 6 is a lateral cross-sectional view illustrating the vehicle lamp in Figure 1 and Figure 2. [Figure 7] Figure 7 is a cross-sectional view illustrating an optical path of the high beam of the vehicle lamp in Figure 6. [Figure 8] Figure 8 is a diagram illustrating a light distribution pattern of the high beam projected onto a virtual screen in front of the vehicle. [Description of Embodiment]

[0010] The present invention will hereinafter be described along a preferable embodiment. Note that the present invention is not limited to the embodiment described hereinafter and can appropriately be changed without departing from the scope of the gist of the present invention. Further, in the embodiment described hereinafter, there are sections in which illustrations and descriptions about a part of configurations are skipped, but about details of techniques which are skipped, publicly known or well-known techniques are appropriately applied within the scope in which no contradiction occurs with the contents described hereinafter.

[0011] Figure 1 is a perspective view illustrating a vehicle lamp 1 according to one embodiment of the present invention from a front side. Figure 2 is a perspective view of the vehicle lamp 1 in Figure 1 from a back side. Figure 3 is an exploded perspective view illustrating the vehicle lamp 1 in Figure 1 and Figure 2. The vehicle lamp 1 illustrated in Figures 1 to 3 is a headlamp on a vehicle right side and projects a light distribution pattern of a low beam and a light distribution pattern of a high beam mainly in front of the vehicle. In particular, the vehicle lamp 1 of the present embodiment includes a function of expanding a diffusion angle of the high beam to a vehicle-width-direction outer side. Note that the headlamp on the vehicle right side will be described as one embodiment of the present invention, but it is also possible to set, as one embodiment of the present invention, a headlamp on a vehicle left side which includes a function of expanding the diffusion angle of the high beam to the left side in front of the vehicle.

[0012] As illustrated in Figure 1 and Figure 2, the vehicle lamp 1 includes a low beam unit 10, a high beam unit 20, and a lens 100. The low beam unit 10 is arranged on the vehicle-width-direction outer side (vehicle right side), and the high beam unit 20 is arranged on a vehicle-width-direction inner side (vehicle left side). The high beam unit 20 includes a function of controlling an irradiation range of the high beam in a case where a preceding vehicle or an oncoming vehicle is detected in the irradiation range of the high beam by a vehicle-mounted camera or the like and of partially shielding light so as not to directly irradiate the preceding vehicle or the oncoming vehicle with the high beam.

[0013] The lens 100 includes a projection lens 101 for the low beam, a projection lens 102 for the high beam, and a connection portion 103. The projection lens 101 for the low beam projects light from the low beam unit 10 in front of the vehicle. The projection lens 102 for the high beam projects light from the high beam unit 20 in front of the vehicle. The connection portion 103 connects the projection lens 101 and the projection lens 102 together. The projection lens 101 is arranged on the vehicle-width-direction outer side, the projection lens 102 is arranged on the vehicle-width-direction inner side, and the connection portion 103 is arranged between the projection lens 101 and the projection 102.

[0014] A front surface (fore surface) of the lens 100 is inclined to a vehicle rear side from an optical axis of the projection lens 102 for the high beam to the vehicle-width-direction inner side and is inclined to the vehicle rear side from the optical axis of the projection lens 102 for the high beam to the vehicle-width-direction outer side. The projection lens 102 for the high beam is positioned on the vehicle front side relative to the projection lens 101 for the low beam.

[0015] Here, although details will be described later, the function of expanding the diffusion angle of the high beam to the vehicle-width-direction outer side is realized by the connection portion 103 which connects the projection lens 101 and the projection lens 102 together in the lens 100.

[0016] As illustrated in Figure 3, the vehicle lamp 1 includes a lower frame 2, a heat sink 3, a light source portion 4 for the low beam, a light source portion 5 for the high beam, a reflector 7, a retainer 8, a shade unit 9, and the lens 100. The lower frame 2 and the retainer 8 are fastened together by screws S, and a frame F (see Figure 1 and Figure 2) of the vehicle lamp 1 is thereby configured. A lower side portion of the frame F is configured with the lower frame 2, and an upper side portion of the frame F is configured with the retainer 8.

[0017] The lower frame 2 is formed to have a U shape in a front view. At both ends of the lower frame 2 in a vehicle width direction, a pair of positioning pins 21 and a pair of screw holes 22 are provided. Further, in a lower portion of the lower frame 2, a pair of engaged portions 23 are provided to be apart from each other in the vehicle width direction.

[0018] A partition wall portion 24 is provided in a central portion, in the vehicle width direction, in the lower portion of the lower frame 2. The partition wall portion 24 protrudes from the lower portion of the lower frame 2 to a vehicle upper side, shields light traveling from the light source portion 5 of the high beam unit 20 (see Figure 1) toward the projection lens 101 for the low beam, and shields light traveling from the light source portion 4 of the low beam unit 10 (see Figure 1) toward the projection lens 102 for the high beam. Here, whereas a part of light traveling from the high beam unit 20 toward the connection portion 103 is shielded by the partition wall portion 24, a remaining part of the light passes through a lateral side of the partition wall portion 24 and reaches the connection portion 103.

[0019] The heat sink 3 includes a base portion 31 configuring the low beam unit 10, a base portion 32 configuring the high beam unit 20, a plurality of fins 33, and a pair of flanges 34 and 35. The base portion 31 is arranged on the vehicle-width-direction outer side (vehicle right side), and the base portion 32 is arranged on the vehicle-width-direction inner side (vehicle left side). The base portion 31 includes a flat surface (hereinafter, a base surface) 311 facing the vehicle upper side and a shade mounting portion 303, and the base portion 32 includes a flat surface (hereinafter, a base surface) 321 facing in front of the vehicle.

[0020] The light source portion 4 configuring the low beam unit 10 is mounted on the base surface 311 so as to face the vehicle upper side, and the light source portion 5 configuring the high beam unit 20 is mounted on the base surface 321 so as to face in front of the vehicle. Further, the shade mounting portion 303 is provided on a lower side of the base surface 311, and the shade unit 9 is mounted on the shade mounting portion 303.

[0021] The shade unit 9 includes a light shielding plate 91 which is disposed between the light source portion 4 of the low beam unit 10 and the projection lens 101 for the low beam. Light which is emitted from the light source portion 4 of the low beam unit 10 and is reflected toward the area in front of the vehicle by the reflector 7 is shielded by the light shielding plate 91, and the light distribution pattern of the low beam, which includes a cutoff line, is thereby projected in front of the vehicle.

[0022] The plurality of fins 33 are arranged on a back surface (a surface on the vehicle rear side) of the heat sink 3 to be aligned in a vehicle up-down direction (see Figure 2). Each of the fins 33 extends in the vehicle width direction, protrudes from the back surface of the heat sink 3 to a vehicle rear direction side, and dissipates heat produced by the light source portions 4 and 5.

[0023] The flange 34 extends from an end portion of the base surface 311 on the vehicle-width-direction outer side to the vehicle front side, and in the flange 34, a pin insertion hole 341 through which a positioning pin 21 is inserted and a screw insertion hole 342 through which the screw S is inserted are formed. Further, the flange 35 extends from an end portion of the base surface 321 on the vehicle-width-direction inner side to the vehicle front side, and in the flange 35, a pin insertion hole 351 through which the positioning pin 21 is inserted and a screw insertion hole 352 through which the screw S is inserted are formed.

[0024] The light source portion 4 of the low beam unit 10 includes a light-emitting diode 41, a substrate 42, a holder 43, and so forth and emits light for forming the light distribution pattern of the low beam. The light-emitting diode 41 is mounted on the substrate 42, and the substrate 42 is placed on the base surface 311. Further, the holder 43 is fastened to the base surface 311 by screws in a state where the holder 43 holds down the substrate 42 placed on the base surface 311.

[0025] The light source portion 5 of the high beam unit 20 includes a light-emitting diode 51, a substrate 52, a primary lens 53, and so forth. The light-emitting diode 51 is mounted on the substrate 52, and the substrate 52 is fastened to the base surface 321 by screws. The primary lens 53 is arranged to face the light-emitting diode 51 and is fastened to the base surface 321, together with the substrate 52, by screws. The primary lens 53 refracts light emitted from the light-emitting diode 51.

[0026] The light source portion 5 of the present embodiment includes a light-emitting diode array in which a plurality of light-emitting diodes 51 are aligned in the vehicle width direction, and the turning on and off of each of the light-emitting diodes 51 is controlled according to whether or not a preceding vehicle or an oncoming vehicle is detected in a projection range of the light distribution pattern of the high beam.

[0027] The lens 100 is fastened to the frame F in a state where the lens 100 is interposed between the lower frame 2 and the retainer 8. The projection lens 101 formed in a region of the lens 100 on the vehicle-width-direction outer side is arranged to face the reflector 7 in a vehicle front-rear direction and projects the light distribution pattern of the low beam in front of the vehicle by light which is emitted from the light-emitting diode 41 of the low beam unit 10 and is reflected by the reflector 7. On the other hand, the projection lens 102 formed in a region of the lens 100 on the vehicle-width-direction inner side is arranged to face, in the vehicle front-rear direction, the light-emitting diode 51 of the high beam unit 20 via the primary lens 53 and projects the light distribution pattern of the high beam in front of the vehicle by light which is emitted from the light-emitting diode 51 of the high beam unit 20 and passes through the primary lens 53.

[0028] A pair of engaged portions 104 are provided on an upper surface of the lens 100. Further, in side surfaces on both sides of the lens 100, engaging portions 105 are provided which respectively engage with engaged portions (not illustrated) provided in side surfaces of the lower frame 2. In addition, in a lower surface of the lens 100, a pair of engaging portions (not illustrated) are provided which engage with the pair of engaged portions 23 provided in the lower portion of the lower frame 2.

[0029] The reflector 7 is fixed to the base surface 311 by the retainer 8 in a state where the reflector 7 is positioned on the base surface 311. The reflector 7 includes a reflection surface, which is formed to have a three-dimensional free-form surface shape in which an ellipse is provided as a base or an ellipse and a parabola are combined, and is arranged to cover the light-emitting diode 41 of the low beam unit 10. The reflection surface is formed on the reflector 7 by aluminum evaporation, high reflection coating, or the like, and the reflection surface reflects, toward the area in front of the vehicle, light emitted from the light-emitting diode 41 of the low beam unit 10.

[0030] The retainer 8 is a resin component which includes a plate-shaped base portion 86 spreading in the vehicle width direction and includes a pair of engaging portions 81, a pair of positioning holes 84, and a pair of screw insertion holes 85. The pair of engaging portions 81 are claw members provided in the base portion 86, are arranged apart in the vehicle width direction, and engage with the pair of engaged portions 104 provided in the upper surface of the lens 100.

[0031] One of the pair of positioning holes 84 is formed in an end portion of the base portion 86 on the vehicle-width-direction outer side, and the positioning pin 21, which is formed in an end portion of the lower frame 2 on the vehicle-width-direction outer side and is inserted through the pin insertion hole 341 of the flange 34, is fitted in the positioning hole 84. Further, the other of the pair of positioning holes 84 is formed in an end portion of the base portion 86 on the vehicle-width-direction inner side, and the positioning pin 21, which is formed in an end portion of the lower frame 2 on the vehicle-width-direction inner side and is inserted through the pin insertion hole 351 of the flange 35, is fitted in the positioning hole 84.

[0032] One of the pair of screw insertion holes 85 is formed in an end portion of the base portion 86 on the vehicle-width-direction outer side, and the screw S, which is inserted through the screw insertion hole 85 and the screw insertion hole 342 of the flange 34, is screwed into the screw hole 22 formed in an end portion of the lower frame 2 on the vehicle-width-direction outer side. Further, the other of the pair of screw insertion holes 85 is formed in an end portion of the base portion 86 on the vehicle-width-direction inner side, and the screw S, which is inserted through the screw insertion hole 85 and the screw insertion hole 352 of the flange 35, is screwed into the screw hole 22 formed in an end portion of the lower frame 2 on the vehicle-width-direction inner side.

[0033] Figure 4 is a vertical cross-sectional view illustrating the projection lens 102 for the high beam and the high beam unit 20 in Figure 1. Figure 5 is a cross-sectional perspective view illustrating the lens 100 and the high beam unit 20 in Figure 1. As illustrated in Figures 4 and 5, a front surface side of a vertical cross section of the projection lens 102 for the high beam exhibits a curve which is convex to the vehicle front side. On the other hand, as illustrated in Figure 5, on a back surface of the projection lens 102 for the high beam, a plurality of prisms 106 which extend in the vehicle width direction are formed to be aligned in the vehicle up-down direction. Thus, light emitted from the light source portion 5 (see Figure 3) of the high beam unit 20 is diffused in the vehicle up-down direction by the prisms 106 on the back surface of the projection lens 102. Accompanying that, light emitted from a front surface of the projection lens 102 is also diffused in the vehicle up-down direction.

[0034] Although not illustrated, a front surface side of a vertical cross section of the projection lens 101 for the low beam exhibits a curve which is convex to the vehicle front side, and a back surface side of the vertical cross section of the projection lens 101 for the low beam exhibits a linear shape compared to the front surface side. Thus, light which is emitted from the light source portion 4 (see Figure 3) of the low beam unit 10 (see Figure 1) and is reflected by the reflector 7 (see Figure 3) passes through a back surface of the projection lens 101 and is condensed in the vehicle up-down direction at a front surface of the projection lens 101.

[0035] In addition, although not illustrated, a front surface side of a vertical cross section of the connection portion 103 exhibits a curve which is convex to the vehicle front side. On the other hand, as illustrated in Figure 5, on a back surface of the connection portion 103, a plurality of prisms 106 which extend in the vehicle width direction are formed to be aligned in the vehicle up-down direction. Thus, light emitted from the light source portion 5 of the high beam unit 20 is diffused in the vehicle up-down direction by the prisms 106 on the back surface of the connection portion 103. Accompanying that, light emitted from a front surface of the connection portion 103 is also diffused in the vehicle up-down direction.

[0036] Figure 6 is a lateral cross-sectional view illustrating the vehicle lamp 1 in Figure 1 and Figure 2. As illustrated in Figure 6, the lens 100 is a lens in which the projection lens 101 and the projection lens 102, which are aligned to be spaced part in the vehicle width direction, and the connection portion 103 arranged therebetween are integrally formed.

[0037] A front surface side of a lateral cross section of the projection lens 101 exhibits a linear shape; on the other hand, a back surface side of the lateral cross section of the projection lens 101 exhibits a curve which is convex to the vehicle rear side from both ends in the vehicle width direction to a center. Thus, light which is emitted from the low beam unit 10 and is reflected by the reflector 7 is condensed in the vehicle width direction by the projection lens 101.

[0038] A front surface side of a lateral cross section of the projection lens 102 exhibits a curve which is convex to the vehicle front side from both ends in the vehicle width direction to a center. Further, a back surface side of the lateral cross section of the projection lens 102 exhibits a curve which is convex to the vehicle rear side from both ends in the vehicle width direction to the center. Thus, light emitted from the high beam unit 20 is condensed in the vehicle width direction by the projection lens 102.

[0039] A front surface side of a lateral cross section of the connection portion 103 exhibits a linear shape; on the other hand, a back surface side of the lateral cross section of the connection portion 103 exhibits a concave curve from both ends in the vehicle width direction to a center. Thus, light which is emitted from the high beam unit 20 and passes through the connection portion 103 is diffused in the vehicle width direction by the connection portion 103.

[0040] A thickness of the connection portion 103 decreases from the projection lens 101 side toward the center side in the vehicle width direction and increases from the center side in the vehicle width direction toward the projection lens 102 side. Here, the thickness of the connection portion 103 becomes a maximum at a boundary portion with the projection lens 101, and a curvature of the back surface side of the lateral cross section of the connection portion 103 is higher on the projection lens 101 side than on the projection lens 102 side.

[0041] A curvature of a back surface side of a lateral cross section of the lens 100 changes in a boundary between the projection lens 101 and the connection portion 103 and a boundary between the projection lens 102 and the connection portion 103. Accordingly, optical characteristics of the lens 100 change in the boundary between the projection lens 101 and the connection portion 103 and the boundary between the projection lens 102 and the connection portion 103.

[0042] As illustrated in Figure 3, the partition wall portion 24 is a rib which rises from the lower portion of the lower frame 2. As illustrated in Figure 6, the partition wall portion 24 is arranged between the primary lens 53 and the projection lens 101 and between the primary lens 53 and the connection portion 103. The partition wall portion 24 includes a first wall portion 241 and a second wall portion 242.

[0043] The first wall portion 241 extends in the vehicle up-down direction, and a wall surface of the first wall portion 241 is parallel with the vehicle front-rear direction (at a right angle to the vehicle width direction). The first wall portion 241 is arranged to overlap, in the vehicle front-rear direction, the boundary between the projection lens 102 and the connection portion 103 (see Figure 7).

[0044] The second wall portion 242 extends in the vehicle up-down direction, and a wall surface of the second wall portion 242 is inclined with respect to the vehicle front-rear direction. The second wall portion 242 is arranged to be inclined toward the projection lens 102 side from the vehicle front side end of the first wall portion 241.

[0045] As illustrated in Figure 1, on the front surface of the lens 100, a plurality of prisms 107 which extend in the vehicle up-down direction are formed to be aligned in the vehicle width direction. Specifically, the plurality of prisms 107 are formed to be aligned to be continuous with the front surface of the projection lens 102 and the front surface of the connection portion 103. Thus, light which is emitted from the light source portion 5 (see Figure 3) of the high beam unit 20 and passes through the lens 100 is diffused in the vehicle width direction by the prisms 107 on the front surface of the projection lens 102 and is diffused in the vehicle width direction by the prisms 107 on the front surface of the connection portion 103.

[0046] Figure 7 is a cross-sectional view illustrating an optical path of the high beam of the vehicle lamp 1 in Figure 6. As illustrated in Figure 7, light (indicated by thin line arrows), which is emitted from the light-emitting diode 51 of the high beam unit 20 and passes through the primary lens 53, travels mainly toward the projection lens 102, and is irradiated in front of the vehicle by the projection lens 102. Accordingly, a primary light distribution pattern P0 (see Figure 8) of the high beam is projected in front of the vehicle. However, a part of light passing through the primary lens 53 travels to a region on the vehicle-width-direction outer side relative to the projection lens 102.

[0047] Here, the first wall portion 241 of the partition wall portion 24 is arranged between the primary lens 53 and the back surface of the projection lens 101 so as to overlap, in the vehicle front-rear direction, a boundary portion between the projection lens 102 and the connection portion 103. Further, the second wall portion 242 is arranged to be inclined toward the projection lens 102 side from the vehicle-front-side end of the first wall portion 241 and to spread toward the front side of the vehicle. Accordingly, light which passes through the primary lens 53 and travels toward the projection lens 101 is shielded by the first wall portion 241 or the second wall portion 242. Consequently, light (indicated by a thick line arrow) emitted from the light source portion 5 for the high beam is prevented from being incident on the projection lens 101.

[0048] Further, the second wall portion 242 is positioned between the primary lens 53 and a region in the connection portion 103 on the vehicle-width-direction outer side and shields light which passes through the primary lens 53 and travels toward the region in the connection portion 103 on the vehicle-width-direction outer side. On the other hand, the second wall portion 242 is not interposed between the primary lens 53 and a region in the connection portion 103 on the vehicle-width-direction inner side and does not shield light (indicated by broken line arrows) which passes through the primary lens 53 and travels toward the region in the connection portion 103 on the vehicle-width-direction inner side.

[0049] Consequently, light that passed through the primary lens 53 and traveled the vehicle-width-direction inner side the region of the connection portion 103 is irradiated in front of the vehicle by the connection portion 103. Accordingly, a secondary light distribution pattern P1 (see Figure 8) of the high beam is projected in front of the vehicle.

[0050] Figure 8 is a diagram illustrating a primary light distribution pattern P0 and the secondary light distribution pattern P1 of the high beam which are projected onto a virtual screen in front of the vehicle. In Figure 8, a line V indicates a vertical line of the virtual screen, and a line H indicates a horizontal line of the virtual screen. In addition, an intersection point between the line V and the line H corresponds to reference points in a horizontal direction and a vertical direction.

[0051] As illustrated in Figure 8, the primary light distribution pattern P0 is left-right asymmetric with respect to the line V as a center, and a diffusion angle to the vehicle-width-direction outer side is larger than a diffusion angle to the vehicle-width-direction inner side. For example, the diffusion angle of the primary light distribution pattern P0 to the vehicle-width-direction outer side is approximately two times the diffusion angle of the primary light distribution pattern P0 to the vehicle-width-direction inner side. However, there has been a demand for further expansion of a diffusion angle of the light distribution pattern of the high beam to the vehicle-width-direction outer side. Thus, in the present embodiment, a part of light which is emitted from the high beam unit 20 and travels toward the connection portion 103 is allowed to pass through the connection portion 103, and the secondary light distribution pattern P1 is thereby projected onto a region on the vehicle-width-direction outer side relative to the primary light distribution pattern P0.

[0052] As described above, the vehicle lamp 1 according to the present embodiment includes the light source portion 5 for the high beam, the light source portion 4 for the low beam which is arranged to be aligned together with the light source portion 5 in the vehicle width direction, the lens 100 which projects light emitted from the light source portions 4 and 5 in front of the vehicle, and the partition wall portion 24. The lens 100 includes the projection lenses 101 and 102. The projection lens 101 projects the light distribution pattern of the low beam in front of the vehicle by light emitted from the light source portion 4 for the low beam, and the projection lens 102 projects the primary light distribution pattern P0 of the high beam in front of the vehicle by light emitted from the light source portion 5 for the high beam. Further, the partition wall portion 24 shields light which is emitted from the light source portion 5 for the high beam and travels toward the projection lens 101.

[0053] Here, the connection portion 103, which connects the projection lens 101 and the projection lens 102 together, is formed between the projection lens 102 and the projection lens 101 of the lens 100, and the partition wall portion 24 allows a part of light which is emitted from the light source portion 5 for the high beam and travels toward the connection portion 103 to pass. Accordingly, the secondary light distribution pattern P1 of the high beam is projected in front of the vehicle by light which is emitted from the light source portion 5 for the high beam, is not shielded by the partition wall portion 24, and passes through the connection portion 103. Consequently, it is possible to form a light distribution pattern of the high beam, which is composed of the primary light distribution pattern P0 and the secondary light distribution pattern P1 aligned in the vehicle width direction, and in which the diffusion angle to the vehicle-width-direction outer side is expanded.

[0054] Further, the prisms 107 are formed on the lens 100 to diffuse passing light in the vehicle width direction. Accordingly, the high beam can be diffused in the vehicle width direction. In particular, in the present embodiment, the prisms 107 are formed across the front surface of the projection lens 102 for the high beam and the front surface of the connection portion 103, and the primary light distribution pattern P0 and the secondary light distribution pattern P1 can thereby be diffused in the vehicle width direction.

[0055] Further, the back surface of the connection portion 103 is concave from both ends in the vehicle width direction to a center side. Accordingly, light which is emitted from the light source portion 5 for the high beam and passes through the connection portion 103 without being shielded by the partition wall portion 24 can be diffused in the vehicle width direction. In particular, in the present embodiment, a thickness of the boundary of the connection portion 103 to the projection lens 101 for the low beam is larger than a thickness of the boundary of the connection portion 103 to the projection lens 102 for the high beam. Accordingly, a curvature of the back surface of the connection portion 103 is higher on the projection lens 101 side than on the projection lens 102 side. Consequently, because light passing through the projection lens 101 side in the connection portion 103 can largely be refracted to the projection lens 101 side compared to light passing through the projection lens 102 side in the connection portion 103, the diffusion angle of the secondary light distribution pattern P1 of the high beam to the vehicle-width-direction outer side can be made larger.

[0056] In the foregoing, the present invention is described based on the above embodiment; however, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, changes may be applied, and techniques of embodiments and publicly known and well-known techniques may be combined, without departing from the scope of the gist of the present invention.

[0057] For example, in the above embodiment, the back surface sides of the lateral cross sections of the projection lenses 101 and 102 are made convex, and the back surface side of the lateral cross section of the connection portion 103 is made concave, but this is not essential. It is sufficient that shape characteristics of the back surfaces of the projection lenses 101 and 102 are different from shape characteristics of the back surface of the connection portion 103, such as when curvatures of the back surfaces of the projection lenses 101 and 102 are different from the curvature of the back surface of the connection portion 103.

[0058] Further, in the above embodiment, light which is emitted from the high beam unit 20 and travels toward the vehicle-width-direction inner side of the connection portion 103 is not shielded by the partition wall portion 24 and is allowed to pass, and light which is emitted from the high beam unit 20 and travels toward the vehicle-width-direction outer side of the connection portion 103 is shielded by the partition wall portion 24, but this is not essential. A ratio between light which is emitted from the high beam unit 20 and passes through the connection portion 103, and light which is emitted from the high beam unit 20 and is shielded by the partition wall portion 24 may be appropriately set.[Reference Signs List]

[0059] 1vehicle lamp 4light source portion (second light source portion) 5light source portion (first light source portion) 24partition wall portion (light shielding portion) 100lens 101projection lens (second projection lens) 102projection lens (first projection lens) 103connection portion 107prism P0primary light distribution pattern (light distribution pattern)

Examples

Embodiment Construction

[0010]The present invention will hereinafter be described along a preferable embodiment. Note that the present invention is not limited to the embodiment described hereinafter and can appropriately be changed without departing from the scope of the gist of the present invention. Further, in the embodiment described hereinafter, there are sections in which illustrations and descriptions about a part of configurations are skipped, but about details of techniques which are skipped, publicly known or well-known techniques are appropriately applied within the scope in which no contradiction occurs with the contents described hereinafter.

[0011]Figure 1 is a perspective view illustrating a vehicle lamp 1 according to one embodiment of the present invention from a front side. Figure 2 is a perspective view of the vehicle lamp 1 in Figure 1 from a back side. Figure 3 is an exploded perspective view illustrating the vehicle lamp 1 in Figure 1 and Figure 2. The vehicle lamp 1 illustrated in Fi...

[Technical Field]

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

[0002] A vehicle lamp has been known that includes a composite projection lens in which a first projection lens portion and a second projection lens portion are integrally shaped, a first light source which emits first light passing through the first projection lens portion, and a second light source which emits second light passing through the second projection lens portion (for example, see Patent Literature 1). In the vehicle lamp disclosed in Patent Literature 1, for the purpose of preventing the first light emitted from the first light source from being incident on the second projection lens portion and of preventing the second light emitted from the second light source from being incident on the first projection lens portion, a partition wall portion is provided which parts a first space between the first light source and the first projection lens portion from a second space between the second light source and the second projection lens portion.[Citation List][Patent Literature]

[0003] [Patent Literature 1] Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2013-161708[Summary of Invention][Technical Problem]

[0004] In a vehicle lamp that includes a composite projection lens in which a projection lens portion for a low beam and a projection lens portion for a high beam are integrally shaped, a light source which emits light for the low beam, and a light source which emits light for the high beam, there has been a demand for expansion of a diffusion angle of the high beam to a vehicle-width-direction outer side. For example, there has been a demand that the diffusion angle of the high beam to a right side be expanded in a vehicle headlamp on the right side of a vehicle driving on a left side of a road and the diffusion angle of the high beam to a left side be expanded in a vehicle headlamp on the left side of the vehicle driving on the left side of the road.

[0005] In contrast, because in a vehicle lamp disclosed in Patent Literature 1, light which is emitted from the light source for the high beam and travels toward a side of the projection lens portion for the low beam is completely obstructed by a partition wall portion, the above demand cannot be met.

[0006] The present invention has been made in the above circumstance, and an object thereof is to provide a vehicle lamp that can expand a diffusion angle of a high beam to a vehicle-width-direction outer side.[Solution to Problem]

[0007] A vehicle lamp according to the present invention includes: a first light source portion; a second light source portion that is arranged to be aligned together with the first light source portion in a vehicle width direction; a lens in which a first projection lens and a second projection lens are integrally formed, the first projection lens projecting a light distribution pattern of a high beam in front of a vehicle by light emitted from the first light source portion, the second projection lens projecting a light distribution pattern of a low beam in front of the vehicle by light emitted from the second light source portion; and a light shielding portion that shields light which is emitted from the first light source portion and travels toward the second projection lens, the lens includes a connection portion which is formed between the first projection lens and the second projection lens and connects the first projection lens and the second projection lens together, and the light shielding portion allows at least a part of light which is emitted from the first light source portion and travels toward the connection portion to pass.[Advantageous Effect of Invention]

[0008] The present invention makes it possible to expand a diffusion angle of a high beam to a vehicle-width-direction outer side.[Brief Description of Drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] Figure 1 is a perspective view illustrating a vehicle lamp according to one embodiment of the present invention from a front side. [Figure 2] Figure 2 is a perspective view of the vehicle lamp in Figure 1 from a back side. [Figure 3] Figure 3 is an exploded perspective view illustrating the vehicle lamp in Figure 1 and Figure 2. [Figure 4] Figure 4 is a vertical cross-sectional view illustrating a projection lens for a high beam and a high beam unit in Figure 1. [Figure 5] Figure 5 is a cross-sectional perspective view illustrating a lens and the high beam unit in Figure 1. [Figure 6] Figure 6 is a lateral cross-sectional view illustrating the vehicle lamp in Figure 1 and Figure 2. [Figure 7] Figure 7 is a cross-sectional view illustrating an optical path of the high beam of the vehicle lamp in Figure 6. [Figure 8] Figure 8 is a diagram illustrating a light distribution pattern of the high beam projected onto a virtual screen in front of the vehicle. [Description of Embodiment]

[0010] The present invention will hereinafter be described along a preferable embodiment. Note that the present invention is not limited to the embodiment described hereinafter and can appropriately be changed without departing from the scope of the gist of the present invention. Further, in the embodiment described hereinafter, there are sections in which illustrations and descriptions about a part of configurations are skipped, but about details of techniques which are skipped, publicly known or well-known techniques are appropriately applied within the scope in which no contradiction occurs with the contents described hereinafter.

[0011] Figure 1 is a perspective view illustrating a vehicle lamp 1 according to one embodiment of the present invention from a front side. Figure 2 is a perspective view of the vehicle lamp 1 in Figure 1 from a back side. Figure 3 is an exploded perspective view illustrating the vehicle lamp 1 in Figure 1 and Figure 2. The vehicle lamp 1 illustrated in Figures 1 to 3 is a headlamp on a vehicle right side and projects a light distribution pattern of a low beam and a light distribution pattern of a high beam mainly in front of the vehicle. In particular, the vehicle lamp 1 of the present embodiment includes a function of expanding a diffusion angle of the high beam to a vehicle-width-direction outer side. Note that the headlamp on the vehicle right side will be described as one embodiment of the present invention, but it is also possible to set, as one embodiment of the present invention, a headlamp on a vehicle left side which includes a function of expanding the diffusion angle of the high beam to the left side in front of the vehicle.

[0012] As illustrated in Figure 1 and Figure 2, the vehicle lamp 1 includes a low beam unit 10, a high beam unit 20, and a lens 100. The low beam unit 10 is arranged on the vehicle-width-direction outer side (vehicle right side), and the high beam unit 20 is arranged on a vehicle-width-direction inner side (vehicle left side). The high beam unit 20 includes a function of controlling an irradiation range of the high beam in a case where a preceding vehicle or an oncoming vehicle is detected in the irradiation range of the high beam by a vehicle-mounted camera or the like and of partially shielding light so as not to directly irradiate the preceding vehicle or the oncoming vehicle with the high beam.

[0013] The lens 100 includes a projection lens 101 for the low beam, a projection lens 102 for the high beam, and a connection portion 103. The projection lens 101 for the low beam projects light from the low beam unit 10 in front of the vehicle. The projection lens 102 for the high beam projects light from the high beam unit 20 in front of the vehicle. The connection portion 103 connects the projection lens 101 and the projection lens 102 together. The projection lens 101 is arranged on the vehicle-width-direction outer side, the projection lens 102 is arranged on the vehicle-width-direction inner side, and the connection portion 103 is arranged between the projection lens 101 and the projection 102.

[0014] A front surface (fore surface) of the lens 100 is inclined to a vehicle rear side from an optical axis of the projection lens 102 for the high beam to the vehicle-width-direction inner side and is inclined to the vehicle rear side from the optical axis of the projection lens 102 for the high beam to the vehicle-width-direction outer side. The projection lens 102 for the high beam is positioned on the vehicle front side relative to the projection lens 101 for the low beam.

[0015] Here, although details will be described later, the function of expanding the diffusion angle of the high beam to the vehicle-width-direction outer side is realized by the connection portion 103 which connects the projection lens 101 and the projection lens 102 together in the lens 100.

[0016] As illustrated in Figure 3, the vehicle lamp 1 includes a lower frame 2, a heat sink 3, a light source portion 4 for the low beam, a light source portion 5 for the high beam, a reflector 7, a retainer 8, a shade unit 9, and the lens 100. The lower frame 2 and the retainer 8 are fastened together by screws S, and a frame F (see Figure 1 and Figure 2) of the vehicle lamp 1 is thereby configured. A lower side portion of the frame F is configured with the lower frame 2, and an upper side portion of the frame F is configured with the retainer 8.

[0017] The lower frame 2 is formed to have a U shape in a front view. At both ends of the lower frame 2 in a vehicle width direction, a pair of positioning pins 21 and a pair of screw holes 22 are provided. Further, in a lower portion of the lower frame 2, a pair of engaged portions 23 are provided to be apart from each other in the vehicle width direction.

[0018] A partition wall portion 24 is provided in a central portion, in the vehicle width direction, in the lower portion of the lower frame 2. The partition wall portion 24 protrudes from the lower portion of the lower frame 2 to a vehicle upper side, shields light traveling from the light source portion 5 of the high beam unit 20 (see Figure 1) toward the projection lens 101 for the low beam, and shields light traveling from the light source portion 4 of the low beam unit 10 (see Figure 1) toward the projection lens 102 for the high beam. Here, whereas a part of light traveling from the high beam unit 20 toward the connection portion 103 is shielded by the partition wall portion 24, a remaining part of the light passes through a lateral side of the partition wall portion 24 and reaches the connection portion 103.

[0019] The heat sink 3 includes a base portion 31 configuring the low beam unit 10, a base portion 32 configuring the high beam unit 20, a plurality of fins 33, and a pair of flanges 34 and 35. The base portion 31 is arranged on the vehicle-width-direction outer side (vehicle right side), and the base portion 32 is arranged on the vehicle-width-direction inner side (vehicle left side). The base portion 31 includes a flat surface (hereinafter, a base surface) 311 facing the vehicle upper side and a shade mounting portion 303, and the base portion 32 includes a flat surface (hereinafter, a base surface) 321 facing in front of the vehicle.

[0020] The light source portion 4 configuring the low beam unit 10 is mounted on the base surface 311 so as to face the vehicle upper side, and the light source portion 5 configuring the high beam unit 20 is mounted on the base surface 321 so as to face in front of the vehicle. Further, the shade mounting portion 303 is provided on a lower side of the base surface 311, and the shade unit 9 is mounted on the shade mounting portion 303.

[0021] The shade unit 9 includes a light shielding plate 91 which is disposed between the light source portion 4 of the low beam unit 10 and the projection lens 101 for the low beam. Light which is emitted from the light source portion 4 of the low beam unit 10 and is reflected toward the area in front of the vehicle by the reflector 7 is shielded by the light shielding plate 91, and the light distribution pattern of the low beam, which includes a cutoff line, is thereby projected in front of the vehicle.

[0022] The plurality of fins 33 are arranged on a back surface (a surface on the vehicle rear side) of the heat sink 3 to be aligned in a vehicle up-down direction (see Figure 2). Each of the fins 33 extends in the vehicle width direction, protrudes from the back surface of the heat sink 3 to a vehicle rear direction side, and dissipates heat produced by the light source portions 4 and 5.

[0023] The flange 34 extends from an end portion of the base surface 311 on the vehicle-width-direction outer side to the vehicle front side, and in the flange 34, a pin insertion hole 341 through which a positioning pin 21 is inserted and a screw insertion hole 342 through which the screw S is inserted are formed. Further, the flange 35 extends from an end portion of the base surface 321 on the vehicle-width-direction inner side to the vehicle front side, and in the flange 35, a pin insertion hole 351 through which the positioning pin 21 is inserted and a screw insertion hole 352 through which the screw S is inserted are formed.

[0024] The light source portion 4 of the low beam unit 10 includes a light-emitting diode 41, a substrate 42, a holder 43, and so forth and emits light for forming the light distribution pattern of the low beam. The light-emitting diode 41 is mounted on the substrate 42, and the substrate 42 is placed on the base surface 311. Further, the holder 43 is fastened to the base surface 311 by screws in a state where the holder 43 holds down the substrate 42 placed on the base surface 311.

[0025] The light source portion 5 of the high beam unit 20 includes a light-emitting diode 51, a substrate 52, a primary lens 53, and so forth. The light-emitting diode 51 is mounted on the substrate 52, and the substrate 52 is fastened to the base surface 321 by screws. The primary lens 53 is arranged to face the light-emitting diode 51 and is fastened to the base surface 321, together with the substrate 52, by screws. The primary lens 53 refracts light emitted from the light-emitting diode 51.

[0026] The light source portion 5 of the present embodiment includes a light-emitting diode array in which a plurality of light-emitting diodes 51 are aligned in the vehicle width direction, and the turning on and off of each of the light-emitting diodes 51 is controlled according to whether or not a preceding vehicle or an oncoming vehicle is detected in a projection range of the light distribution pattern of the high beam.

[0027] The lens 100 is fastened to the frame F in a state where the lens 100 is interposed between the lower frame 2 and the retainer 8. The projection lens 101 formed in a region of the lens 100 on the vehicle-width-direction outer side is arranged to face the reflector 7 in a vehicle front-rear direction and projects the light distribution pattern of the low beam in front of the vehicle by light which is emitted from the light-emitting diode 41 of the low beam unit 10 and is reflected by the reflector 7. On the other hand, the projection lens 102 formed in a region of the lens 100 on the vehicle-width-direction inner side is arranged to face, in the vehicle front-rear direction, the light-emitting diode 51 of the high beam unit 20 via the primary lens 53 and projects the light distribution pattern of the high beam in front of the vehicle by light which is emitted from the light-emitting diode 51 of the high beam unit 20 and passes through the primary lens 53.

[0028] A pair of engaged portions 104 are provided on an upper surface of the lens 100. Further, in side surfaces on both sides of the lens 100, engaging portions 105 are provided which respectively engage with engaged portions (not illustrated) provided in side surfaces of the lower frame 2. In addition, in a lower surface of the lens 100, a pair of engaging portions (not illustrated) are provided which engage with the pair of engaged portions 23 provided in the lower portion of the lower frame 2.

[0029] The reflector 7 is fixed to the base surface 311 by the retainer 8 in a state where the reflector 7 is positioned on the base surface 311. The reflector 7 includes a reflection surface, which is formed to have a three-dimensional free-form surface shape in which an ellipse is provided as a base or an ellipse and a parabola are combined, and is arranged to cover the light-emitting diode 41 of the low beam unit 10. The reflection surface is formed on the reflector 7 by aluminum evaporation, high reflection coating, or the like, and the reflection surface reflects, toward the area in front of the vehicle, light emitted from the light-emitting diode 41 of the low beam unit 10.

[0030] The retainer 8 is a resin component which includes a plate-shaped base portion 86 spreading in the vehicle width direction and includes a pair of engaging portions 81, a pair of positioning holes 84, and a pair of screw insertion holes 85. The pair of engaging portions 81 are claw members provided in the base portion 86, are arranged apart in the vehicle width direction, and engage with the pair of engaged portions 104 provided in the upper surface of the lens 100.

[0031] One of the pair of positioning holes 84 is formed in an end portion of the base portion 86 on the vehicle-width-direction outer side, and the positioning pin 21, which is formed in an end portion of the lower frame 2 on the vehicle-width-direction outer side and is inserted through the pin insertion hole 341 of the flange 34, is fitted in the positioning hole 84. Further, the other of the pair of positioning holes 84 is formed in an end portion of the base portion 86 on the vehicle-width-direction inner side, and the positioning pin 21, which is formed in an end portion of the lower frame 2 on the vehicle-width-direction inner side and is inserted through the pin insertion hole 351 of the flange 35, is fitted in the positioning hole 84.

[0032] One of the pair of screw insertion holes 85 is formed in an end portion of the base portion 86 on the vehicle-width-direction outer side, and the screw S, which is inserted through the screw insertion hole 85 and the screw insertion hole 342 of the flange 34, is screwed into the screw hole 22 formed in an end portion of the lower frame 2 on the vehicle-width-direction outer side. Further, the other of the pair of screw insertion holes 85 is formed in an end portion of the base portion 86 on the vehicle-width-direction inner side, and the screw S, which is inserted through the screw insertion hole 85 and the screw insertion hole 352 of the flange 35, is screwed into the screw hole 22 formed in an end portion of the lower frame 2 on the vehicle-width-direction inner side.

[0033] Figure 4 is a vertical cross-sectional view illustrating the projection lens 102 for the high beam and the high beam unit 20 in Figure 1. Figure 5 is a cross-sectional perspective view illustrating the lens 100 and the high beam unit 20 in Figure 1. As illustrated in Figures 4 and 5, a front surface side of a vertical cross section of the projection lens 102 for the high beam exhibits a curve which is convex to the vehicle front side. On the other hand, as illustrated in Figure 5, on a back surface of the projection lens 102 for the high beam, a plurality of prisms 106 which extend in the vehicle width direction are formed to be aligned in the vehicle up-down direction. Thus, light emitted from the light source portion 5 (see Figure 3) of the high beam unit 20 is diffused in the vehicle up-down direction by the prisms 106 on the back surface of the projection lens 102. Accompanying that, light emitted from a front surface of the projection lens 102 is also diffused in the vehicle up-down direction.

[0034] Although not illustrated, a front surface side of a vertical cross section of the projection lens 101 for the low beam exhibits a curve which is convex to the vehicle front side, and a back surface side of the vertical cross section of the projection lens 101 for the low beam exhibits a linear shape compared to the front surface side. Thus, light which is emitted from the light source portion 4 (see Figure 3) of the low beam unit 10 (see Figure 1) and is reflected by the reflector 7 (see Figure 3) passes through a back surface of the projection lens 101 and is condensed in the vehicle up-down direction at a front surface of the projection lens 101.

[0035] In addition, although not illustrated, a front surface side of a vertical cross section of the connection portion 103 exhibits a curve which is convex to the vehicle front side. On the other hand, as illustrated in Figure 5, on a back surface of the connection portion 103, a plurality of prisms 106 which extend in the vehicle width direction are formed to be aligned in the vehicle up-down direction. Thus, light emitted from the light source portion 5 of the high beam unit 20 is diffused in the vehicle up-down direction by the prisms 106 on the back surface of the connection portion 103. Accompanying that, light emitted from a front surface of the connection portion 103 is also diffused in the vehicle up-down direction.

[0036] Figure 6 is a lateral cross-sectional view illustrating the vehicle lamp 1 in Figure 1 and Figure 2. As illustrated in Figure 6, the lens 100 is a lens in which the projection lens 101 and the projection lens 102, which are aligned to be spaced part in the vehicle width direction, and the connection portion 103 arranged therebetween are integrally formed.

[0037] A front surface side of a lateral cross section of the projection lens 101 exhibits a linear shape; on the other hand, a back surface side of the lateral cross section of the projection lens 101 exhibits a curve which is convex to the vehicle rear side from both ends in the vehicle width direction to a center. Thus, light which is emitted from the low beam unit 10 and is reflected by the reflector 7 is condensed in the vehicle width direction by the projection lens 101.

[0038] A front surface side of a lateral cross section of the projection lens 102 exhibits a curve which is convex to the vehicle front side from both ends in the vehicle width direction to a center. Further, a back surface side of the lateral cross section of the projection lens 102 exhibits a curve which is convex to the vehicle rear side from both ends in the vehicle width direction to the center. Thus, light emitted from the high beam unit 20 is condensed in the vehicle width direction by the projection lens 102.

[0039] A front surface side of a lateral cross section of the connection portion 103 exhibits a linear shape; on the other hand, a back surface side of the lateral cross section of the connection portion 103 exhibits a concave curve from both ends in the vehicle width direction to a center. Thus, light which is emitted from the high beam unit 20 and passes through the connection portion 103 is diffused in the vehicle width direction by the connection portion 103.

[0040] A thickness of the connection portion 103 decreases from the projection lens 101 side toward the center side in the vehicle width direction and increases from the center side in the vehicle width direction toward the projection lens 102 side. Here, the thickness of the connection portion 103 becomes a maximum at a boundary portion with the projection lens 101, and a curvature of the back surface side of the lateral cross section of the connection portion 103 is higher on the projection lens 101 side than on the projection lens 102 side.

[0041] A curvature of a back surface side of a lateral cross section of the lens 100 changes in a boundary between the projection lens 101 and the connection portion 103 and a boundary between the projection lens 102 and the connection portion 103. Accordingly, optical characteristics of the lens 100 change in the boundary between the projection lens 101 and the connection portion 103 and the boundary between the projection lens 102 and the connection portion 103.

[0042] As illustrated in Figure 3, the partition wall portion 24 is a rib which rises from the lower portion of the lower frame 2. As illustrated in Figure 6, the partition wall portion 24 is arranged between the primary lens 53 and the projection lens 101 and between the primary lens 53 and the connection portion 103. The partition wall portion 24 includes a first wall portion 241 and a second wall portion 242.

[0043] The first wall portion 241 extends in the vehicle up-down direction, and a wall surface of the first wall portion 241 is parallel with the vehicle front-rear direction (at a right angle to the vehicle width direction). The first wall portion 241 is arranged to overlap, in the vehicle front-rear direction, the boundary between the projection lens 102 and the connection portion 103 (see Figure 7).

[0044] The second wall portion 242 extends in the vehicle up-down direction, and a wall surface of the second wall portion 242 is inclined with respect to the vehicle front-rear direction. The second wall portion 242 is arranged to be inclined toward the projection lens 102 side from the vehicle front side end of the first wall portion 241.

[0045] As illustrated in Figure 1, on the front surface of the lens 100, a plurality of prisms 107 which extend in the vehicle up-down direction are formed to be aligned in the vehicle width direction. Specifically, the plurality of prisms 107 are formed to be aligned to be continuous with the front surface of the projection lens 102 and the front surface of the connection portion 103. Thus, light which is emitted from the light source portion 5 (see Figure 3) of the high beam unit 20 and passes through the lens 100 is diffused in the vehicle width direction by the prisms 107 on the front surface of the projection lens 102 and is diffused in the vehicle width direction by the prisms 107 on the front surface of the connection portion 103.

[0046] Figure 7 is a cross-sectional view illustrating an optical path of the high beam of the vehicle lamp 1 in Figure 6. As illustrated in Figure 7, light (indicated by thin line arrows), which is emitted from the light-emitting diode 51 of the high beam unit 20 and passes through the primary lens 53, travels mainly toward the projection lens 102, and is irradiated in front of the vehicle by the projection lens 102. Accordingly, a primary light distribution pattern P0 (see Figure 8) of the high beam is projected in front of the vehicle. However, a part of light passing through the primary lens 53 travels to a region on the vehicle-width-direction outer side relative to the projection lens 102.

[0047] Here, the first wall portion 241 of the partition wall portion 24 is arranged between the primary lens 53 and the back surface of the projection lens 101 so as to overlap, in the vehicle front-rear direction, a boundary portion between the projection lens 102 and the connection portion 103. Further, the second wall portion 242 is arranged to be inclined toward the projection lens 102 side from the vehicle-front-side end of the first wall portion 241 and to spread toward the front side of the vehicle. Accordingly, light which passes through the primary lens 53 and travels toward the projection lens 101 is shielded by the first wall portion 241 or the second wall portion 242. Consequently, light (indicated by a thick line arrow) emitted from the light source portion 5 for the high beam is prevented from being incident on the projection lens 101.

[0048] Further, the second wall portion 242 is positioned between the primary lens 53 and a region in the connection portion 103 on the vehicle-width-direction outer side and shields light which passes through the primary lens 53 and travels toward the region in the connection portion 103 on the vehicle-width-direction outer side. On the other hand, the second wall portion 242 is not interposed between the primary lens 53 and a region in the connection portion 103 on the vehicle-width-direction inner side and does not shield light (indicated by broken line arrows) which passes through the primary lens 53 and travels toward the region in the connection portion 103 on the vehicle-width-direction inner side.

[0049] Consequently, light that passed through the primary lens 53 and traveled the vehicle-width-direction inner side the region of the connection portion 103 is irradiated in front of the vehicle by the connection portion 103. Accordingly, a secondary light distribution pattern P1 (see Figure 8) of the high beam is projected in front of the vehicle.

[0050] Figure 8 is a diagram illustrating a primary light distribution pattern P0 and the secondary light distribution pattern P1 of the high beam which are projected onto a virtual screen in front of the vehicle. In Figure 8, a line V indicates a vertical line of the virtual screen, and a line H indicates a horizontal line of the virtual screen. In addition, an intersection point between the line V and the line H corresponds to reference points in a horizontal direction and a vertical direction.

[0051] As illustrated in Figure 8, the primary light distribution pattern P0 is left-right asymmetric with respect to the line V as a center, and a diffusion angle to the vehicle-width-direction outer side is larger than a diffusion angle to the vehicle-width-direction inner side. For example, the diffusion angle of the primary light distribution pattern P0 to the vehicle-width-direction outer side is approximately two times the diffusion angle of the primary light distribution pattern P0 to the vehicle-width-direction inner side. However, there has been a demand for further expansion of a diffusion angle of the light distribution pattern of the high beam to the vehicle-width-direction outer side. Thus, in the present embodiment, a part of light which is emitted from the high beam unit 20 and travels toward the connection portion 103 is allowed to pass through the connection portion 103, and the secondary light distribution pattern P1 is thereby projected onto a region on the vehicle-width-direction outer side relative to the primary light distribution pattern P0.

[0052] As described above, the vehicle lamp 1 according to the present embodiment includes the light source portion 5 for the high beam, the light source portion 4 for the low beam which is arranged to be aligned together with the light source portion 5 in the vehicle width direction, the lens 100 which projects light emitted from the light source portions 4 and 5 in front of the vehicle, and the partition wall portion 24. The lens 100 includes the projection lenses 101 and 102. The projection lens 101 projects the light distribution pattern of the low beam in front of the vehicle by light emitted from the light source portion 4 for the low beam, and the projection lens 102 projects the primary light distribution pattern P0 of the high beam in front of the vehicle by light emitted from the light source portion 5 for the high beam. Further, the partition wall portion 24 shields light which is emitted from the light source portion 5 for the high beam and travels toward the projection lens 101.

[0053] Here, the connection portion 103, which connects the projection lens 101 and the projection lens 102 together, is formed between the projection lens 102 and the projection lens 101 of the lens 100, and the partition wall portion 24 allows a part of light which is emitted from the light source portion 5 for the high beam and travels toward the connection portion 103 to pass. Accordingly, the secondary light distribution pattern P1 of the high beam is projected in front of the vehicle by light which is emitted from the light source portion 5 for the high beam, is not shielded by the partition wall portion 24, and passes through the connection portion 103. Consequently, it is possible to form a light distribution pattern of the high beam, which is composed of the primary light distribution pattern P0 and the secondary light distribution pattern P1 aligned in the vehicle width direction, and in which the diffusion angle to the vehicle-width-direction outer side is expanded.

[0054] Further, the prisms 107 are formed on the lens 100 to diffuse passing light in the vehicle width direction. Accordingly, the high beam can be diffused in the vehicle width direction. In particular, in the present embodiment, the prisms 107 are formed across the front surface of the projection lens 102 for the high beam and the front surface of the connection portion 103, and the primary light distribution pattern P0 and the secondary light distribution pattern P1 can thereby be diffused in the vehicle width direction.

[0055] Further, the back surface of the connection portion 103 is concave from both ends in the vehicle width direction to a center side. Accordingly, light which is emitted from the light source portion 5 for the high beam and passes through the connection portion 103 without being shielded by the partition wall portion 24 can be diffused in the vehicle width direction. In particular, in the present embodiment, a thickness of the boundary of the connection portion 103 to the projection lens 101 for the low beam is larger than a thickness of the boundary of the connection portion 103 to the projection lens 102 for the high beam. Accordingly, a curvature of the back surface of the connection portion 103 is higher on the projection lens 101 side than on the projection lens 102 side. Consequently, because light passing through the projection lens 101 side in the connection portion 103 can largely be refracted to the projection lens 101 side compared to light passing through the projection lens 102 side in the connection portion 103, the diffusion angle of the secondary light distribution pattern P1 of the high beam to the vehicle-width-direction outer side can be made larger.

[0056] In the foregoing, the present invention is described based on the above embodiment; however, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, changes may be applied, and techniques of embodiments and publicly known and well-known techniques may be combined, without departing from the scope of the gist of the present invention.

[0057] For example, in the above embodiment, the back surface sides of the lateral cross sections of the projection lenses 101 and 102 are made convex, and the back surface side of the lateral cross section of the connection portion 103 is made concave, but this is not essential. It is sufficient that shape characteristics of the back surfaces of the projection lenses 101 and 102 are different from shape characteristics of the back surface of the connection portion 103, such as when curvatures of the back surfaces of the projection lenses 101 and 102 are different from the curvature of the back surface of the connection portion 103.

[0058] Further, in the above embodiment, light which is emitted from the high beam unit 20 and travels toward the vehicle-width-direction inner side of the connection portion 103 is not shielded by the partition wall portion 24 and is allowed to pass, and light which is emitted from the high beam unit 20 and travels toward the vehicle-width-direction outer side of the connection portion 103 is shielded by the partition wall portion 24, but this is not essential. A ratio between light which is emitted from the high beam unit 20 and passes through the connection portion 103, and light which is emitted from the high beam unit 20 and is shielded by the partition wall portion 24 may be appropriately set.[Reference Signs List]

[0059] 1vehicle lamp 4light source portion (second light source portion) 5light source portion (first light source portion) 24partition wall portion (light shielding portion) 100lens 101projection lens (second projection lens) 102projection lens (first projection lens) 103connection portion 107prism P0primary light distribution pattern (light distribution pattern)

Examples

Embodiment Construction

[0010]The present invention will hereinafter be described along a preferable embodiment. Note that the present invention is not limited to the embodiment described hereinafter and can appropriately be changed without departing from the scope of the gist of the present invention. Further, in the embodiment described hereinafter, there are sections in which illustrations and descriptions about a part of configurations are skipped, but about details of techniques which are skipped, publicly known or well-known techniques are appropriately applied within the scope in which no contradiction occurs with the contents described hereinafter.

[0011]Figure 1 is a perspective view illustrating a vehicle lamp 1 according to one embodiment of the present invention from a front side. Figure 2 is a perspective view of the vehicle lamp 1 in Figure 1 from a back side. Figure 3 is an exploded perspective view illustrating the vehicle lamp 1 in Figure 1 and Figure 2. The vehicle lamp 1 illustrated in Fi...

Claims

1. A vehicle lamp comprising: a first light source portion; a second light source portion that is arranged to be aligned together with the first light source portion in a vehicle width direction; a lens in which a first projection lens and a second projection lens are integrally formed, the first projection lens projecting a light distribution pattern of a high beam in front of a vehicle by light emitted from the first light source portion, the second projection lens projecting a light distribution pattern of a low beam in front of the vehicle by light emitted from the second light source portion; and a light shielding portion that shields light which is emitted from the first light source portion and travels toward the second projection lens, wherein the lens includes a connection portion which is formed between the first projection lens and the second projection lens and connects the first projection lens and the second projection lens together, and the light shielding portion allows at least a part of light which is emitted from the first light source portion and travels toward the connection portion to pass.

2. The vehicle lamp according to claim 1, wherein on the lens, a prism is formed which diffuses passing light in the vehicle width direction.

3. The vehicle lamp according to claim 2, wherein the prism is formed across a front surface of the first projection lens and a front surface of the connection portion.

4. The vehicle lamp according to claim 1 or 2, wherein a back surface of the connection portion is concave from both end sides in the vehicle width direction to a center side.

5. The vehicle lamp according to claim 4, wherein a thickness of a boundary of the connection portion to the second projection lens is larger than a thickness of a boundary of the connection portion to the first projection lens.

6. The vehicle lamp according to claim 1 or 2, wherein a curvature of a back surface of the connection portion is different from a curvature of a back surface of the first projection lens and from a curvature of a back surface of the second projection lens.

Images