Vehicular lighting fixture

Abstract

To provide a vehicular lighting fixture which can form a favorable light distribution pattern by overlapping of light emitted toward irradiation ranges different from each other.SOLUTION: A vehicular lighting fixture includes a first lamp unit 10, a second lamp unit 20 and a third lamp unit 30 arranged between them. The third lamp unit 30 includes a third lamp cell 31 and a fourth lamp cell 32 for emitting light L3, L4 toward irradiation ranges different from each other. At the lighting time of the first lamp unit 10, by overlapping the irradiation range of the light L3 emitted by the third lamp cell 31 with the irradiation range of light L1 emitted by a plurality of first lamp cells 11, part of a first light distribution pattern is formed. At the lighting time of the second lamp unit 20, by overlapping the irradiation range of the light L4 emitted by the fourth lamp cell 32 with the irradiation range of light L2 emitted by a plurality of second lamp cells 21, part of a second light distribution pattern is formed.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical field]

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

[0002] For example, a vehicle lamp such as a vehicle headlamp irradiates light that forms a low beam light distribution pattern including a cutoff line at the upper end as a passing beam (low beam) toward the front of the vehicle, or irradiates light that forms a high beam light distribution pattern above the low beam light distribution pattern as a driving beam (high beam) toward the front of the vehicle.

[0003] A vehicle headlamp has a structure in which a low beam lamp that emits the above-mentioned low beam and a high beam lamp that emits a high beam are arranged side by side inside a lamp body mounted on both corners of the front end of the vehicle (see, for example, Patent Document 1 below).

[0004] Furthermore, the following Patent Document 1 discloses a vehicle headlamp that has four optical units that emit light toward different illumination ranges, and forms a low beam light distribution pattern by overlapping the illumination ranges of the light emitted by each optical unit. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 5406566 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] However, in the above-mentioned conventional vehicle headlamps, there is no sense of continuity between the low beam light distribution pattern and the high beam light distribution pattern, which may result in a lack of visibility.

[0007] In addition, when the irradiation ranges of the light emitted by each optical unit are overlapped, it is necessary to precisely align the overlapping cutoff lines. In addition, in order to eliminate such variations in the cutoff lines, it is necessary to improve the machining accuracy and assembly accuracy of the parts, which increases the manufacturing cost.

[0008] Furthermore, the use of a plurality of optical units not only increases the cost due to the increased number of parts, but also leads to an increase in the size of the lamp body.

[0009] The present invention has been proposed in consideration of the above-mentioned conventional circumstances, and aims to provide a vehicle lamp that makes it possible to form an excellent light distribution pattern by overlapping light emitted toward different illumination ranges while suppressing an increase in the number of parts. [Means for solving the problem]

[0010] In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides the following means. [1] A first lamp unit includes a plurality of first lamp cells that emit light toward different irradiation ranges, and forms a first light distribution pattern by overlapping the irradiation ranges of the light emitted by the plurality of first lamp cells; a second lamp unit including a plurality of second lamp cells that emit light toward different irradiation ranges, and that forms a second light distribution pattern by overlapping the irradiation ranges of the light emitted by the plurality of second lamp cells; a third lamp unit disposed between the first lamp unit and the second lamp unit; the third lamp unit includes a third lamp cell and a fourth lamp cell that emit light toward different irradiation ranges; When the first lamp unit is turned on, an irradiation range of the light emitted by the third lamp cell is overlapped with an irradiation range of the light emitted by the plurality of first lamp cells to form a part of the first light distribution pattern; A vehicular lamp characterized in that, when the second lamp unit is turned on, a part of the second light distribution pattern is formed by overlapping an irradiation range of light emitted by the fourth lamp cell with an irradiation range of light emitted by the plurality of second lamp cells. [2] The irradiation range of the light emitted by the third lamp cell is located outside the irradiation range of the light emitted by the plurality of first lamp cells in the vehicle width direction, The vehicle lamp described in [1], characterized in that the irradiation range of the light emitted by the fourth lamp cell is located outside the irradiation range of the light emitted by the multiple second lamp cells in the vehicle width direction. [3] The plurality of first lamp cells are arranged in a vehicle width direction, The second lamp cells are arranged in a line in a vehicle width direction, The vehicle lamp described in [1], characterized in that the third lamp cell and the fourth lamp cell are arranged side by side in the vehicle width direction, the third lamp cell is located on the side of the first lamp cell, and the fourth lamp cell is located on the side of the second lamp cell. [4] The first light distribution pattern is a low beam light distribution pattern including a cutoff line at an upper end, The vehicle lamp according to [1], wherein the second light distribution pattern is a high beam light distribution pattern located above the low beam light distribution pattern. [5] The vehicular lamp according to [1], wherein the second lamp unit and the third lamp unit variably control the second light distribution pattern while switching on and off the plurality of second lamp cells and the fourth lamp cell. Effect of the Invention

[0011] As described above, according to the present invention, a vehicle lamp is provided that makes it possible to form an excellent light distribution pattern by overlapping light emitted toward different illumination ranges while suppressing an increase in the number of parts. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0012] [Figure 1] 1 is a front view showing a vehicle equipped with a vehicle lamp according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a plan view showing an arrangement of first to fourth lamp cells which constitute the first to third lamp units. [Diagram 3] 2 is a perspective view showing a configuration of a first lamp unit included in the vehicle lamp shown in FIG. 1. FIG. [Figure 4] 4 is a horizontal cross-sectional view showing the configuration of the first lamp unit shown in FIG. 3. [Diagram 5] 2 is a perspective view showing a configuration of a second lamp unit included in the vehicle lamp shown in FIG. 1. [Figure 6] 6 is a horizontal cross-sectional view showing the configuration of the second lamp unit shown in FIG. 5. [Figure 7] 1. FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a configuration of a third lamp unit included in the vehicle lamp shown in FIG. [Figure 8] 8 is a horizontal cross-sectional view showing the configuration of the third lamp unit shown in FIG. 7. [Figure 9] FIG. 2 is a luminous intensity distribution diagram showing a light distribution pattern formed on the surface of a virtual vertical screen by a plurality of first lamp cells constituting a first lamp unit. [Figure 10] FIG. 11 is a luminous intensity distribution diagram showing a light distribution pattern formed on the surface of a virtual vertical screen by a third lamp cell constituting a third lamp unit. [Figure 11] 11 is a luminous intensity distribution diagram showing a light distribution pattern formed on the surface of a virtual vertical screen by superimposing the light distribution pattern shown in FIG. 9 and the light distribution pattern shown in FIG. [Figure 12] 10 is a photograph of the light distribution pattern shown in FIG. 9 projected onto the road surface in front of the vehicle. [Figure 13] 12 is a photograph of the light distribution pattern shown in FIG. 11 projected onto the road surface in front of the vehicle. [Figure 14] 10A and 10B are schematic diagrams showing a difference in illumination range between the light distribution pattern shown in FIG. 9 and the light distribution pattern shown in FIG. 11 when they are projected onto a road surface in front of a vehicle. [Figure 15] FIG. 11 is a luminous intensity distribution diagram showing a light distribution pattern formed on the surface of a virtual vertical screen by a plurality of second lamp cells constituting a second lamp unit. [Figure 16] FIG. 11 is a luminous intensity distribution diagram showing a light distribution pattern formed on the surface of a virtual vertical screen by a fourth lamp cell constituting a third lamp unit. [Figure 17] 14 is a luminous intensity distribution diagram showing a light distribution pattern formed on the surface of a virtual vertical screen by superimposing the light distribution pattern shown in FIG. 12 and the light distribution pattern shown in FIG. 13. FIG. [Figure 18] 16 is a photograph of the light distribution pattern shown in FIG. 15 projected onto the road surface in front of the vehicle. [Figure 19] 18 is a photograph of the light distribution pattern shown in FIG. 17 projected onto the road surface in front of the vehicle. [Figure 20] 15 and 17 are projected onto a road surface in front of a vehicle, the light distribution pattern shown in FIG. 17 being projected onto the road surface in front of a vehicle, the light distribution pattern shown in FIG. 16 being projected onto the road surface in front of a vehicle, and the light distribution pattern shown in FIG. 17 being projected onto the road surface in front of a vehicle, the light distribution pattern shown in FIG. 15 and the light distribution pattern shown in FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0013] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In the drawings used in the following description, in order to make each component easier to see, the dimensions of the components may be shown at different scales, and the dimensional ratios of each component may not necessarily be the same as in reality.

[0014] First, as one embodiment of the present invention, a configuration of a vehicle lamp 1 shown in, for example, FIGS. 1 to 8 will be described.

[0015] FIG. 1 is a front view showing a vehicle B equipped with a vehicle lamp 1. FIG. 2 is a plan view showing an arrangement of first to fourth lamp cells 11, 21, 31, 32 constituting the first to third lamp units 10, 20, 30. FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a configuration of a first lamp unit 10 equipped in the vehicle lamp 1. FIG. 4 is a horizontal cross-sectional view showing a configuration of the first lamp unit 10. FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing a configuration of a second lamp unit 20 equipped in the vehicle lamp 1. FIG. 6 is a horizontal cross-sectional view showing a configuration of the second lamp unit 20. FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing a configuration of a third lamp unit 30 equipped in the vehicle lamp 1. FIG. 8 is a horizontal cross-sectional view showing a configuration of the third lamp unit 30.

[0016] In addition, in the drawings shown below, an XYZ Cartesian coordinate system is set, and the X-axis direction is the front-to-rear direction (length direction) of the vehicle lamp 1 (vehicle B), the Y-axis direction is the left-to-right direction (width direction) of the vehicle lamp 1 (vehicle B), and the Z-axis direction is the up-down direction (height direction) of the vehicle lamp 1 (vehicle B).

[0017] As shown in FIG. 1, a vehicle lamp 1 of this embodiment is an application of the present invention to a vehicle headlamp (headlamp) mounted on both corners on the front end side of a vehicle B.

[0018] The vehicle headlamps (headlamps) arranged on both the left and right sides of the vehicle B basically have the same structure except that they are symmetrical. Therefore, in this embodiment, the specific configuration of the vehicle lamp 1 will be described with reference to the vehicle headlamp (headlamp) on the right side of the vehicle.

[0019] As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the vehicle lamp 1 of this embodiment has a first lamp unit 10, a second lamp unit 20, and a third lamp unit 30 that emit light toward the front (+X-axis direction) of the vehicle B, and is structured so that these are arranged inside the lamp body 2.

[0020] The light body 2 is composed of a housing with an opening at the front and a transparent outer lens that covers the opening of the housing. The shape of the light body 2 can be appropriately changed according to the design of the vehicle B, etc.

[0021] Of the three lamp units 10, 20, 30, the first lamp unit 10 is located outside the width direction (hereinafter referred to as the "vehicle width direction") of the vehicle B and constitutes a low beam lamp unit (LO) that irradiates light L1 forming a low beam light distribution pattern (first light distribution pattern) including a cut-off line at the upper end, toward the front of the vehicle B.

[0022] On the other hand, the second lamp unit 20 is located on the inside in the vehicle width direction and constitutes a high beam lamp unit (Hi) that irradiates light L2, which forms a high beam light distribution pattern (second light distribution pattern) above the low beam light distribution pattern, toward the front of the vehicle B.

[0023] On the other hand, the third lamp unit 30 is located between the first lamp unit 10 and the second lamp unit 20, and constitutes an additional lamp unit (Add) that irradiates light L3 that forms part of a low beam light distribution pattern and light L4 that forms part of a high beam light distribution pattern toward the front of the vehicle B.

[0024] That is, in the vehicle lamp 1 of this embodiment, the second lamp unit 20, the third lamp unit 30, and the first lamp unit 10 are arranged in sequence from the inside to the outside in the vehicle width direction.

[0025] As shown in FIGS. 2, 3 and 4, the first lamp unit 10 includes a plurality of (six in this embodiment) first lamp cells 11 arranged side by side in the vehicle width direction.

[0026] Each of the first lamp cells 11 includes a first light source portion 3A and a first lens portion 4A disposed in front of the first light source portion 3A.

[0027] The first light source unit 3A has a plurality of light sources 5, a circuit board 6 on whose front side the plurality of light sources 5 are mounted, and a heat sink 7 in contact with the rear side of the circuit board 6 to dissipate heat generated by the plurality of light sources 5.

[0028] The first lens portion 4A has a first inner lens 8 arranged in front of the multiple light sources 5 and a second inner lens 9 arranged in front of the first inner lens 8.

[0029] The light sources 5 are, for example, light emitting elements such as light emitting diodes (LEDs) that emit white light or laser diodes (LDs). The light sources 5 are arranged side by side in the vehicle width direction on the front side of the circuit board 6. The light sources 5 radially emit light L1 toward the first inner lens 8 in the front.

[0030] The first inner lens 8 and the second inner lens 9 are made of a light-transmitting material such as a transparent resin such as polycarbonate or acrylic, or glass.

[0031] The first inner lenses 8 constituting each first lamp cell 11 are formed of a single lens assembly in which adjacent lenses in the vehicle width direction are connected to each other. On the other hand, the second inner lenses 9 constituting each first lamp cell 11 are formed of a single lens body that is continuous in the vehicle width direction.

[0032] The first inner lens 8 has a first incident surface 81 on its rear side, a first exit surface 82 on its front side, and a reflective surface 83 on the lower side between the first incident surface 81 and the first exit surface 82.

[0033] The first incident portion 81 has a lens shape that causes the light L1 emitted from the light source 5 to enter the inside of the first inner lens 8 while collecting the light L1 toward the optical axis.

[0034] Specifically, this first incident portion 81 has a first collecting light incident surface 81a located at the center of the portion facing the light source 5 and on which a portion of the light L1 emitted from the light source 5 is incident, a second collecting light incident surface 81b located on the inner side of a protrusion that protrudes toward the light source 5 from a position surrounding the first collecting light incident surface 81a and on which a portion of the light L1 emitted from the light source 5 is incident, and a collecting light reflecting surface 81c located on the outer side of the protrusion and reflecting the light L1 incident from the second collecting light incident surface 81b.

[0035] In the first incidence portion 81, the light L1 incident from the first light collecting incidence surface 81a is collected toward the optical axis of the light L1 emitted from the light source 5. On the other hand, the light L1 incident from the second light collecting incidence surface 81b is reflected by the light collecting reflection surface 81c, thereby being collected toward the optical axis of the light L1 emitted from the light source 5.

[0036] As a result, in the first lamp cell 11, the light L1 emitted from the light source 5 is collimated or condensed from the first incident portion 81 and enters the inside of the first inner lens 8. In addition, the light L1 that enters the inside of the first inner lens 8 from the first incident portion 81 is guided toward the front side of the first inner lens 8.

[0037] The reflecting surface 83 is configured by a cut surface that cuts out a part of the lower surface side between the first incident portion 81 and the first exit surface 82. In addition, the front end portion of the reflecting surface 83 defines the cutoff line of the light L1 that enters the inside of the first inner lens 8.

[0038] In the first lamp cell 11, the light L1 incident on the reflecting surface 83 is reflected toward the front side of the first inner lens 8.

[0039] The first emission surface 82 is configured with a semi-cylindrical lens surface (cylindrical surface) whose cylindrical axis extends in the vertical direction.

[0040] In the first lamp cell 11, the light L1 incident on the first emission surface 82 is emitted to the outside of the first inner lens 8 while being condensed in the horizontal direction (width direction).

[0041] The second inner lens 9 has a second entrance surface 91 on its back side and a second exit surface 92 on its front side.

[0042] The second entrance surface 91 is formed of a flat surface extending in the horizontal direction. The second exit surface 92 is formed of a semi-cylindrical lens surface (cylindrical surface) whose cylindrical axis extends in the horizontal direction.

[0043] In the first lamp cell 11, light L1 emitted from the first inner lens 8 enters the inside of the second inner lens 9 from the second incident surface 91, and then the light L1 incident on the second exit surface 92 is concentrated in the vertical direction (height direction) and emitted to the outside of the second inner lens 9.

[0044] In the first lamp unit 10, the multiple first lamp cells 11 emit light L1 toward different irradiation ranges. In addition, by overlapping the irradiation ranges of the light L1 emitted by the multiple first lamp cells 11, a low beam light distribution pattern including a cutoff line at the upper end is formed.

[0045] In this embodiment, the light distribution is controlled by classifying the irradiation range of the light L1 emitted by the multiple first lamp cells 11 into a spot (S) in which the light L1 is concentrated near the center, a wide (W) in which the light L1 is diffused over a wide area, and a mid (M) that is intermediate between the two.

[0046] The light distribution control by each of the first lamp cells 11 can be performed by adjusting the degree of collection of the light L1 at the first incident portion 81, for example.

[0047] Specifically, in this embodiment, the light distribution control of the illumination range is performed so that the six first lamp cells 11 are arranged in the order of 1 (S), 2 (M), 3 (W), 4 (W), 5 (W), and 6 (W) from the inside in the vehicle width direction.

[0048] As shown in FIGS. 2, 5 and 6, the second lamp unit 20 includes a plurality of (four in this embodiment) second lamp cells 21 arranged side by side in the vehicle width direction.

[0049] Each of the second lamp cells 21 includes a second light source portion 3B and a second lens portion 4B disposed in front of the second light source portion 3B.

[0050] The second light source unit 3B, like the first light source unit 3A, has a plurality of light sources 5, a circuit board 6 on whose front side the plurality of light sources 5 are mounted, and a heat sink 7 in contact with the rear side of the circuit board 6 to dissipate heat generated by the plurality of light sources 5.

[0051] The second lens portion 4B, like the first lens portion 4A, has a first inner lens 8 arranged in front of the multiple light sources 5 and a second inner lens 9 arranged in front of the first inner lens 8.

[0052] On the other hand, the first inner lens 8 constituting the second lens portion 4B is configured such that the reflecting surface 83 is omitted.

[0053] In the second lamp unit 20, the second lamp cells 21 emit light L2 toward different irradiation ranges. In addition, the irradiation ranges of the light L2 emitted by the second lamp cells 21 are overlapped to form a high beam light distribution pattern above the low beam light distribution pattern.

[0054] In this embodiment, light distribution control of the illumination range is performed so that the four second lamp cells 21 are arranged in order from the inside in the vehicle width direction as 1(S), 2(S), 3(S), and 4(S).

[0055] As shown in FIGS. 2, 7 and 8, the third lamp unit 30 includes a third lamp cell 31 and a fourth lamp cell 32 arranged side by side in the vehicle width direction.

[0056] Of these, the third lamp cell 31 is located on the first lamp cell 11 side in the vehicle width direction, while the fourth lamp cell 32 is located on the second lamp cell 21 side in the vehicle width direction.

[0057] In this embodiment, the light distribution control of the illumination range is performed such that, from the inside in the vehicle width direction, the third lamp cell 31 has a light output of 1 (W) and the fourth lamp cell 32 has a light output of 2 (W).

[0058] The third lamp cell 31 includes a third light source portion 3C and a third lens portion 4C disposed in front of the third light source portion 3C.

[0059] The fourth lamp cell 31 includes a fourth light source portion 3D and a fourth lens portion 4D disposed in front of the fourth light source portion 3D.

[0060] The third light source unit 3C and the fourth light source unit 3D, like the first light source unit 3A, have a plurality of light sources 5, a circuit board 6 on whose front side the plurality of light sources 5 are mounted, and a heat sink 7 in contact with the rear side of the circuit board 6 to dissipate heat generated by the plurality of light sources 5.

[0061] The third lens portion 4C and the fourth lens portion 4D, like the first lens portion 4A, have a first inner lens 8 arranged in front of the multiple light sources 5 and a second inner lens 9 arranged in front of the first inner lens 8.

[0062] On the other hand, the first inner lens 8 constituting the fourth lens portion 4D is configured such that the reflecting surface 83 is omitted.

[0063] In addition, the first inner lens 8 constituting the third lens portion 4C and the fourth lens portion 4D has a cutout in a part (the second light collecting incident surface 81b and the light collecting reflecting surface 81c) on the outer side in the vehicle width direction of the first incident portion 81. This blocks the light L3 and L4 incident on the first incident portion 81 from the outer side in the vehicle width direction.

[0064] In addition, the second inner lens 9 constituting the third lens portion 4C and the fourth lens portion 4D has the second exit surface 92 inclined toward the inside in the vehicle width direction, so that the light L3, L4 incident on the second exit surface 92 is emitted toward the outside in the vehicle width direction.

[0065] In the third lamp unit 30, the third lamp cell 31 and the fourth lamp cell 32 emit light L3, L4 toward different irradiation ranges.

[0066] Specifically, when the first lamp unit 10 is turned on, the irradiation range of the light L3 emitted by the third lamp cell 31 is overlapped with the irradiation range of the light L1 emitted by the multiple first lamp cells 11 to form a part of the low beam light distribution pattern.

[0067] At this time, the irradiation range of the light L3 emitted by the third lamp cell 31 is located outside the irradiation range of the light L1 emitted by the multiple first lamp cells 11 in the vehicle width direction.

[0068] As a result, in the vehicle lamp 1 of this embodiment, it is possible to form an excellent low beam light distribution pattern with an irradiation range expanded outward in the vehicle width direction by overlapping light L1 and L3 emitted toward different irradiation ranges while suppressing an increase in the number of parts.

[0069] On the other hand, when the second lamp unit 20 is turned on, the irradiation range of the light L4 emitted by the fourth lamp cell 32 is overlapped with the irradiation range of the light L2 emitted by the multiple second lamp cells 21 to form part of the high beam light distribution pattern.

[0070] At this time, the irradiation range of the light L4 emitted by the fourth lamp cell 32 is located outside in the vehicle width direction of the irradiation range of the light L2 emitted by the plurality of second lamp cells 21. In addition, by keeping the above-mentioned plurality of first lamp cells 11 and the third lamp cell 31 lit, the light distribution pattern is superimposed on the low beam light distribution pattern.

[0071] As a result, in the vehicle lamp 1 of this embodiment, by overlapping the light L2 and L4 emitted toward different illumination ranges, it is possible to expand the illumination range outward in the vehicle width direction while suppressing an increase in the number of parts, and also to form an excellent high beam light distribution pattern with improved connection with the low beam light distribution pattern.

[0072] Next, the low beam light distribution pattern formed by the above-mentioned vehicle lamp 1 will be specifically described with reference to FIGS.

[0073] FIG. 9 is a luminous intensity distribution diagram showing a light distribution pattern formed on the surface of a virtual vertical screen by a plurality of first lamp cells 11 constituting the first lamp unit 10. FIG. 10 is a luminous intensity distribution diagram showing a light distribution pattern formed on the surface of a virtual vertical screen by the third lamp cells 31 constituting the third lamp unit 30. FIG. 11 is a luminous intensity distribution diagram showing a light distribution pattern formed on the surface of a virtual vertical screen by superimposing the light distribution pattern shown in FIG. 9 and the light distribution pattern shown in FIG. 10. FIG. 12 is a photograph of the light distribution pattern shown in FIG. 9 projected onto the road surface in front of the vehicle. FIG. 13 is a photograph of the light distribution pattern shown in FIG. 11 projected onto the road surface in front of the vehicle. FIG. 14 is a schematic diagram showing the difference in the irradiation range depending on the presence or absence of the light distribution pattern shown in FIG. 10 when the light distribution pattern shown in FIG. 9 and the light distribution pattern shown in FIG. 11 are projected onto the road surface in front of the vehicle.

[0074] In the first lamp unit 10, the multiple first lamp cells 11 emit light L1 toward different irradiation ranges, and the irradiation ranges of the light L1 emitted by the multiple first lamp cells 11 are overlapped to form a low beam light distribution pattern (LO) as shown in Figure 9.

[0075] On the other hand, the irradiation range of the light L3 emitted by the third lamp cell 31 constituting the third lamp unit 30 forms an additional low beam light distribution pattern (ADDLO) as shown in FIG.

[0076] In the vehicle lamp 1 of this embodiment, a low beam light distribution pattern (LO) shown in FIG. 9 and an additional low beam light distribution pattern (ADDLO) shown in FIG. 10 are superimposed to form a low beam light distribution pattern (LO+ADDLO) as shown in FIG. 11.

[0077] As a result, in the vehicle lamp 1 of this embodiment, when the low beam light distribution pattern (LO+ADDLO) shown in FIG. 13 is projected onto the road surface in front of the vehicle, it is possible to expand the illumination range outward in the vehicle width direction, as shown in the boxed area in FIG. 13, more than when the low beam light distribution pattern (LO) shown in FIG. 12 is projected onto the road surface in front of the vehicle.

[0078] Also, as shown in FIG. 14, by adding the additional low beam light distribution pattern (ADDLO) shown in FIG. 10, it is possible to expand the illumination range on the front side of the vehicle in the vehicle width direction.

[0079] Next, the high beam light distribution pattern formed by the above-mentioned vehicle lamp 1 will be specifically described with reference to FIGS.

[0080] FIG. 15 is a luminous intensity distribution diagram showing a light distribution pattern formed on the surface of a virtual vertical screen by a plurality of second lamp cells 21 constituting the second lamp unit 20. FIG. 16 is a luminous intensity distribution diagram showing a light distribution pattern formed on the surface of a virtual vertical screen by a fourth lamp cell 32 constituting the third lamp unit 30. FIG. 17 is a luminous intensity distribution diagram showing a light distribution pattern formed on the surface of a virtual vertical screen by superimposing the light distribution pattern shown in FIG. 12 and the light distribution pattern shown in FIG. 13. FIG. 18 is a photograph of the light distribution pattern shown in FIG. 15 projected onto the road surface in front of the vehicle. FIG. 19 is a photograph of the light distribution pattern shown in FIG. 17 projected onto the road surface in front of the vehicle. FIG. 20 is a schematic diagram showing the difference in the irradiation range depending on the presence or absence of the light distribution pattern shown in FIG. 16 when the light distribution pattern shown in FIG. 15 and the light distribution pattern shown in FIG. 17 are projected onto the road surface in front of the vehicle.

[0081] In the second lamp unit 20, the multiple second lamp cells 21 emit light L2 toward different irradiation ranges, and the irradiation ranges of the light L2 emitted by the multiple second lamp cells 21 are overlapped to form a high beam light distribution pattern (Hi) as shown in Figure 15.

[0082] On the other hand, the irradiation range of the light L4 emitted by the fourth lamp cell 32 constituting the third lamp unit 30 forms an additional high beam light distribution pattern (ADDHi) as shown in FIG.

[0083] In the vehicle lamp 1 of this embodiment, a high beam light distribution pattern (Hi) shown in FIG. 15 is superimposed on an additional high beam light distribution pattern (ADDHi) shown in FIG. 16 to form a high beam light distribution pattern (Hi+ADDHi) as shown in FIG. 17.

[0084] As a result, in the vehicle lamp 1 of this embodiment, when the high beam light distribution pattern (LO+Hi+ADDHi) shown in FIG. 19 is projected onto the road surface in front of the vehicle, it is possible to expand the illumination range farther and outward in the vehicle width direction, as shown in the boxed area in FIG. 19, compared to when the high beam light distribution pattern (LO+Hi) shown in FIG. 18 is projected onto the road surface in front of the vehicle.

[0085] In addition, as shown in FIG. 20, by adding the additional high beam light distribution pattern (ADDHi) shown in FIG. 16, it is possible to expand the illumination range in the distance while expanding the illumination range on the front side of the vehicle in the vehicle width direction.

[0086] The present invention is not necessarily limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

[0087] For example, the second lamp unit 20 may be an adjustable light distribution headlamp (ADB) that variably controls the light distribution pattern of the light L2 projected toward the road surface in front of the vehicle.

[0088] When the second lamp unit 20 is an ADB, it is possible to variably control the light distribution pattern by switching on and off the plurality of second lamp cells 21 and the fourth lamp cell 32.

[0089] In addition, in the above-mentioned vehicle lamp 1, the above-mentioned first lamp unit 10, second lamp unit 20, and third lamp unit 30 are arranged side by side in the width direction of the lamp body 2, but they may be arranged side by side in the height direction of the lamp body 2. In this case, too, it is preferable to arrange the third lamp unit 30 between the first lamp unit 10 and the second lamp unit 20. [Explanation of symbols]

[0090] REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1...vehicle lamp 2...lamp body 3A...first light source section 3B...second light source section 3C...third light source section 4A...first lens section 4B...second lens section 4C...third lens section 5...light source 6...circuit board 7...heat sink 8...first inner lens 9...second inner lens 10...first lamp unit 11...first lamp cell ... 20...second lamp unit 21...second lamp cell 30...third lamp unit 31...third lamp cell 32...fourth lamp cell

Claims

1. a first lamp unit including a plurality of first lamp cells that emit light toward different irradiation ranges, and forming a first light distribution pattern by overlapping the irradiation ranges of the light emitted by the plurality of first lamp cells; a second lamp unit including a plurality of second lamp cells that emit light toward different irradiation ranges, and forming a second light distribution pattern by overlapping the irradiation ranges of the light emitted by the plurality of second lamp cells; a third lamp unit disposed between the first lamp unit and the second lamp unit; the third lamp unit includes a third lamp cell and a fourth lamp cell that emit light toward different irradiation ranges; When the first lamp unit is turned on, an irradiation range of the light emitted by the third lamp cell is overlapped with an irradiation range of the light emitted by the plurality of first lamp cells to form a part of the first light distribution pattern; A vehicular lamp characterized in that, when the second lamp unit is turned on, a part of the second light distribution pattern is formed by overlapping an irradiation range of light emitted by the fourth lamp cell with an irradiation range of light emitted by the plurality of second lamp cells.

2. The irradiation range of the light emitted by the third lamp cell is located outside the irradiation range of the light emitted by the plurality of first lamp cells in the vehicle width direction, 2. The vehicular lamp according to claim 1, wherein an illumination range of light emitted by the fourth lamp cell is positioned outside an illumination range of light emitted by the plurality of second lamp cells in a vehicle width direction.

3. The plurality of first lamp cells are arranged side by side in a vehicle width direction, The plurality of second lamp cells are arranged side by side in a vehicle width direction, The vehicular lamp according to claim 1, characterized in that the third lamp cell and the fourth lamp cell are arranged side by side in the vehicle width direction, the third lamp cell being located on the side of the first lamp cell, and the fourth lamp cell being located on the side of the second lamp cell.

4. The first light distribution pattern is a light distribution pattern for low beam including a cutoff line at an upper end, 2. The vehicular lamp according to claim 1, wherein the second light distribution pattern is a high beam light distribution pattern located above the low beam light distribution pattern.

5. The vehicle lamp according to claim 1, wherein the second lamp unit and the third lamp unit variably control the second light distribution pattern while switching on and off the plurality of second lamp cells and the fourth lamp cell.

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