Vehicle headlight

Abstract

To provide a vehicle headlight which can increase a diffusion angle of a low beam to the outer side in a vehicle width direction.SOLUTION: A vehicle headlight 1 includes: a light source part 12; a reflector 13 which reflects light emitted from the light source part 12 to the vehicle front side; a projection lens 101 which projects a main light distribution pattern of a low beam to the vehicle front with reflection light of the reflector 13; a reflection part 131 which reflects the reflection light of the reflector 13 to the inner side in a vehicle width direction of a rear surface of the projection lens 101; and a prism 103 which is provided at the inner side in the vehicle width direction of the rear surface of the projection lens 101 and reflects the reflection light of the reflection part 131 to a projection area at the outer side in the vehicle width direction relative to the main light distribution pattern.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 6

Description

[Technical field]

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

[0002] A vehicle lamp in which multiple lamp units, each having a light-emitting element and a reflector that reflects light from the light-emitting element forward, are arranged in the vehicle width direction is known that has a reflecting portion for the purpose of ensuring a sufficient amount of reflected light from the reflector and thus a sufficient amount of illumination for the entire lamp (see, for example, Patent Document 1). In the vehicle lamp described in Patent Document 1, the reflecting portion reflects light from the light-emitting elements of the other lamp units forward, thereby increasing the amount of reflected light from the reflector. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 6180794 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] There is a need for low-beam vehicle headlamps to have an increased diffusion angle outward in the vehicle width direction. For example, there is a need for a vehicle headlamp on the right side of a vehicle that drives on the left side to have an increased diffusion angle to the right, and for a vehicle headlamp on the left side of a vehicle that drives on the left side to have an increased diffusion angle to the left. In response to this, the vehicle lamp described in Patent Document 1 can increase the amount of light reflected by the reflector, but does not support an increase in the diffusion angle outward in the vehicle width direction.

[0005] In view of the above circumstances, an object of the present invention is to provide a vehicle headlamp that can increase the diffusion angle of a low beam outward in the vehicle width direction. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The vehicle headlamp of the present invention includes a first light source unit, a reflector that reflects light emitted from the first light source unit toward the front of the vehicle, a first projection lens that projects a low beam light distribution pattern toward the front of the vehicle using the light reflected by the reflector, a reflecting unit that reflects the reflected light of the reflector toward the inside in the vehicle width direction of the back surface of the first projection lens, and a prism that is provided on the inside in the vehicle width direction of the back surface of the first projection lens and reflects the reflected light of the reflecting unit toward a projection area that is outside in the vehicle width direction of the light distribution pattern. Effect of the Invention

[0007] According to the present invention, it is possible to increase the diffusion angle of the low beam outward in the vehicle width direction. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a plan view showing a vehicle headlamp according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a front view showing the vehicle headlamp of FIG. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is a right side view showing the vehicle headlamp of FIG. 1 and FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 4-4 of FIG. [Diagram 5] FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 5-5 of FIG. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 6-6 of FIG. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view showing a main optical path of the low beam unit. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view showing the sub-optical path of the low beam unit. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a main light distribution pattern of a low beam projected onto a virtual screen in front of a vehicle. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a sub-light distribution pattern of a low beam projected onto a virtual screen in front of the vehicle by the light reflected by the first prism. [Figure 11]FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a sub-light distribution pattern of a low beam projected onto a virtual screen in front of the vehicle by the light reflected by the second prism. [Figure 12] FIG. 12 is a diagram showing a sub light distribution pattern of a low beam projected onto a virtual screen in front of the vehicle by the light reflected by the third prism. [Figure 13] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a sub light distribution pattern of a low beam projected onto a virtual screen in front of the vehicle by the light reflected by the fourth prism. [Figure 14] FIG. 14 is a diagram showing a low beam light distribution pattern projected onto a virtual screen in front of a vehicle. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0009] The present invention will be described below along with preferred embodiments. Note that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments shown below, and can be modified as appropriate within the scope of the present invention. In addition, in the embodiments shown below, some configurations are omitted from illustration and description, but for the details of the omitted technologies, publicly known or well-known technologies are applied as appropriate within the scope of not causing any contradiction with the contents described below.

[0010] FIG. 1 is a plan view showing a vehicle headlamp 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a front view showing the vehicle headlamp 1 of FIG. 1. FIG. 3 is a right side view showing the vehicle headlamp 1 of FIG. 1 and FIG. 2. The vehicle headlamp 1 shown in these figures is a headlamp on the right side of the vehicle, and mainly irradiates a low beam light distribution pattern and a high beam light distribution pattern forward of the vehicle. In particular, the vehicle headlamp 1 of this embodiment has a function of expanding the diffusion angle of the low beam to the outside in the vehicle width direction. Note that, although a headlamp on the right side of the vehicle will be described as an embodiment of the present invention, a headlamp on the left side of the vehicle having a function of expanding the diffusion angle of the low beam to the front left of the vehicle can also be used as an embodiment of the present invention.

[0011] 1 to 3, vehicle headlamp 1 includes a low beam unit 10, a high beam unit 20, and a lens 100. The low beam unit 10 is disposed on the outer side in the vehicle width direction (right side of the vehicle), and the high beam unit 20 is disposed on the inner side in the vehicle width direction (left side of the vehicle). The high beam unit 20 has a function of controlling the illumination range of the high beam when a preceding vehicle or an oncoming vehicle is detected in the illumination range of the high beam by an onboard camera or the like, and partially blocking the high beam so as not to illuminate the preceding vehicle or the oncoming vehicle directly.

[0012] The lens 100 is a lens in which a low beam projection lens 101 that projects light from the low beam unit 10 forward of the vehicle and a high beam projection lens 102 that projects light from the high beam unit 20 forward of the vehicle are integrated. The projection lens 101 is disposed on the outer side in the vehicle width direction, and the projection lens 102 is disposed on the inner side in the vehicle width direction. In addition, the surface (front surface) of the lens 100 is inclined toward the rear side of the vehicle from the inner side to the outer side in the vehicle width direction, and the high beam projection lens 102 is located further forward of the low beam projection lens 101. In addition, the lens 100 has a shape that is inclined toward the upper side of the vehicle when viewed from the front.

[0013] Although details will be described later, a prism 103 (see FIG. 6, etc.) is formed at the boundary between the projection lens 101 and the projection lens 102 on the rear surface of the lens 100. This prism 103 and a reflecting portion 131 (see FIG. 6, etc.) described later realize a function of expanding the diffusion angle of the low beam outward in the vehicle width direction.

[0014] The vehicle headlamp 1 includes a frame 2. A lens 100 is attached to the front side of the frame 2, and a low beam unit 10 and a high beam unit 20 are attached to the frame 2 so as to face the lens 100 in the front-rear direction of the vehicle. The low beam unit 10 is disposed on the outer side in the vehicle width direction, and the high beam unit 20 is disposed on the inner side in the vehicle width direction. The frame 2 is also attached to a lamp housing (not shown).

[0015] Fig. 4 is a 4-4 cross-sectional view of Fig. 2, Fig. 5 is a 5-5 cross-sectional view of Fig. 2, and Fig. 6 is a 6-6 cross-sectional view of Fig. 2. Fig. 4 shows a longitudinal section of the low beam unit 10, Fig. 5 shows a longitudinal section of the high beam unit 20, and Fig. 6 shows cross sections of the low beam unit 10 and the high beam unit 20. As shown in Fig. 4, the low beam unit 10 includes a light source unit 12, a reflector 13, a shade 14, a heat sink 15, and a projection lens 101.

[0016] The light source unit 12, the reflector 13, and the shade 14 are provided on the base unit 152 of the heat sink 15. The light source unit 12 is attached to the upper surface of the base unit 152. The light source unit 12 includes a light-emitting diode, a board, a power supply holder, and the like, and emits light for forming a low beam light distribution pattern.

[0017] The reflector 13 is attached to the upper surface of the base portion 152. The reflector 13 is formed in a three-dimensional free-form surface shape based on an ellipse or a combination of an ellipse and a parabola, and is provided so as to cover the light source portion 12. A reflective surface is formed on the inner surface of the reflector 13 by aluminum deposition, high-reflection coating, or the like. The reflector 13 reflects the light emitted from the light source portion 12 to the front side of the vehicle.

[0018] The shade 14 is a light blocking plate attached to the base portion 152 and disposed between the light source portion 12 and the projection lens 101. The light emitted from the light source portion 12 and reflected by the reflector 13 toward the front of the vehicle is blocked by the shade 14, so that a low beam light distribution pattern including a cut-off line is projected forward of the vehicle.

[0019] The heat sink 15 includes a plurality of heat dissipation fins 151 and a base portion 152. The plurality of heat dissipation fins 151 are integrally formed on the lower surface of the base portion 152, and heat generated in the light source portion 12 is dissipated to the outside by the heat sink 15.

[0020] The projection lens 101 is an aspheric lens having convex front and back surfaces, and projects light emitted from the light source unit 12 and reflected by the reflector 13 toward the front of the vehicle.

[0021] As shown in FIG. 5, the high beam unit 20 includes a light source unit 22, a collimator lens 23, a heat sink 24, and a projection lens 102.

[0022] The light source unit 22 is attached to the front surface of the base portion 242 of the heat sink 24. The light source unit 22 includes light emitting diodes, a board, a power supply holder, etc., and emits light for forming a high beam light distribution pattern. The light source unit 22 of this embodiment includes a light emitting diode array in which a plurality of light emitting diodes are arranged in the horizontal direction, and the turning on and off of each light emitting diode is controlled depending on whether a preceding vehicle or an oncoming vehicle is detected within the irradiation range of the high beam light distribution pattern.

[0023] The heat sink 24 includes a plurality of heat dissipation fins 241 and a base portion 242. The plurality of heat dissipation fins 241 are integrally formed on the rear surface of the base portion 242, and heat generated in the light source portion 22 is dissipated to the outside by the heat sink 24.

[0024] The projection lens 102 is an aspheric lens having convex front and back surfaces, and projects the light emitted from the light source unit 22 and collimated by the collimator lens 23 toward the front of the vehicle.

[0025] 6, the lens 100 is a lens in which a projection lens 101 and a projection lens 102 arranged in the vehicle width direction are integrally formed, and a prism 103 is formed between them. The back surface of the projection lens 101 is convex toward the light source unit 12 side in a plan view, and the back surface of the projection lens 102 is convex toward the light source unit 22 side in a plan view. In addition, the back surface of the projection lens 101 is inclined toward the vehicle front side from the optical axis toward the inside in the vehicle width direction, and the back surface of the projection lens 102 is inclined toward the vehicle front side from the optical axis toward the outside in the vehicle width direction.

[0026] Here, a prism 103 is formed at the boundary (junction) between the rear surface of the projection lens 101 and the rear surface of the projection lens 102. This prism 103 includes a first prism 103A, a second prism 103B, a third prism 103C, and a fourth prism 103D arranged side by side in the vehicle width direction. The number of prisms is not limited to four and may be set appropriately.

[0027] The first to fourth prisms 103A to 103D have a triangular cross-sectional shape that is convex toward the rear side of the vehicle in a plan view, and extend in the vehicle up-down direction. The first prism 103A is disposed at the innermost side in the vehicle width direction, the second prism 103B is disposed adjacent to the first prism 103A on the outer side in the vehicle width direction, the third prism 103C is disposed adjacent to the second prism 103B on the outer side in the vehicle width direction, and the fourth prism 103D is disposed at the outermost side in the vehicle width direction. The first prism 103A is formed so as to be continuous with the rear surface of the projection lens 102, and the fourth prism 103D is formed so as to be continuous with the rear surface of the projection lens 101.

[0028] The low beam unit 10 includes a reflecting portion 131 in addition to the reflector 13. The reflecting portion 131 is formed integrally with the reflector 13. The reflecting portion 131 may be formed separately from the reflector 13.

[0029] The reflecting portion 131 is disposed on the outer side in the vehicle width direction (the right side of the vehicle) and on the vehicle front side with respect to the light source portion 12. The reflecting portion 131 is formed in a flat plate shape so as to extend from an end portion on the outer side in the vehicle width direction and on the vehicle front side of the reflector 13 having a substantially elliptical cross section toward the vehicle front side. A reflecting surface 131A similar to that of the reflector 13 is formed on the inner surface in the vehicle width direction of the reflecting portion 131, and reflects light reflected by the reflector 13 and traveling toward the outer side in the vehicle width direction and the vehicle front side toward the prism 103.

[0030] Here, since the rear surface of the projection lens 101 is inclined from the optical axis toward the vehicle front side toward the inside in the vehicle width direction, the light reflected by the reflecting surface 131A of the reflecting portion 131 proceeds to the prism 103 without being blocked by the projection lens 101. The light reflected by the reflecting surface 131A of the reflecting portion 131 and proceeds to the prism 103 is totally reflected by the first to fourth prisms 103A to 103D toward the vehicle front side and outside in the vehicle width direction.

[0031] 7 is a cross-sectional view showing a main optical path of the low beam unit 10. As shown in this figure, light emitted from the light source unit 12 is reflected by the reflector 13 and partially blocked by the shade 14 while traveling to the projection lens 101, and is irradiated to the front side of the vehicle by the projection lens 101. As a result, a main light distribution pattern P0 including a cut-off line CL (see FIG. 9 for both) is projected to the front side of the vehicle.

[0032] 8 is a cross-sectional view showing the sub-light path of the low beam unit 10. As shown in this figure, a part of the light emitted from the light source unit 12 is reflected by the reflector 13 toward the outside in the vehicle width direction and the front side of the vehicle, and proceeds to the reflecting surface 131A of the reflecting unit 131 without being blocked by the shade 14, and is reflected by the reflecting surface 131A of the reflecting unit 131 toward the prism 103. The light reflected by the reflecting surface 131A of the reflecting unit 131 and proceeding to the prism 103 is reflected by the first to fourth prisms 103A to 103D toward the front side of the vehicle and the outside in the vehicle width direction, and is irradiated by the projection lens 102 to a projection area toward the front side of the vehicle and outside the main light distribution pattern P0 in the vehicle width direction. As a result, the sub light distribution patterns P1 to P4 (see FIGS. 10 to 13) are projected to a projection area toward the front side of the vehicle and outside the main light distribution pattern in the vehicle width direction.

[0033] Fig. 9 is a diagram showing a low beam main light distribution pattern P0 projected onto a virtual screen in front of a vehicle. In Fig. 9 and Figs. 10 to 14 described later, lines V indicate vertical lines of the screen, and lines H indicate horizontal lines of the screen. Furthermore, the intersections of lines V and H correspond to reference positions in the horizontal and vertical directions.

[0034] As shown in Fig. 9, a cut-off line CL is formed in the main light distribution pattern P0 so that the low beam does not illuminate an oncoming vehicle on the right side of the vehicle. This main light distribution pattern P0 is asymmetrical about the V line, and the diffusion angle toward the outside in the vehicle width direction is larger than the diffusion angle toward the inside in the vehicle width direction. For example, the diffusion angle toward the inside in the vehicle width direction of the main light distribution pattern P0 is 50° to 55° from the V line.

[0035] However, there is a need to further increase the diffusion angle of the low beam light distribution pattern P (see FIG. 14) outward in the vehicle width direction. Therefore, in this embodiment, the above-mentioned prism 103 and reflector 131 are provided, and the sub light distribution patterns P1 to P4 (see FIGS. 10 to 13) are projected onto a projection area that is further outward in the vehicle width direction than the main light distribution pattern P0.

[0036] 10 is a diagram showing a sub light distribution pattern P1 of a low beam projected on a virtual screen in front of the vehicle by the reflected light of the first prism 103A. As shown in this figure, the sub light distribution pattern P1 is formed in a projection area on the outer side in the vehicle width direction than the main light distribution pattern P0. This sub light distribution pattern P1 is formed by irradiation with the reflected light of the first prism 103A. The irradiation range of the sub light distribution pattern P1 is, for example, 20° to 25° left and right from a position about 45° from the V line.

[0037] As shown in Fig. 8, the first prism 103A has a pair of inclined surfaces. The inclined surface on the outer side in the vehicle width direction of the first prism 103A is a light-transmitting surface through which the reflected light of the reflecting portion 131 is transmitted, and the inclined surface on the inner side in the vehicle width direction of the first prism 103A is a reflecting surface that totally reflects the light transmitted through the light-transmitting surface toward the front side of the vehicle and the outer side in the vehicle width direction. That is, the inclined surface on the outer side in the vehicle width direction of the first prism 103A is angled so as to transmit the reflected light of the reflecting portion 131. In addition, the inclined surface on the inner side in the vehicle width direction of the first prism 103A is angled so as to totally reflect the reflected light of the reflecting portion 131 to the position of the sub light distribution pattern P1.

[0038] 11 is a diagram showing a sub light distribution pattern P2 of a low beam projected on a virtual screen in front of the vehicle by the reflected light of the second prism 103B. As shown in this figure, the sub light distribution pattern P2 is formed in a projection area on the outer side in the vehicle width direction than the sub light distribution pattern P1. This sub light distribution pattern P2 is formed by irradiation with the reflected light of the second prism 103B. The irradiation range of the sub light distribution pattern P2 is, for example, 20° to 25° left and right from a position about 55° from the V line.

[0039] As shown in Fig. 8, the second prism 103B has a pair of inclined surfaces. The inclined surface on the outer side in the vehicle width direction of the second prism 103B is a light-transmitting surface through which the reflected light of the reflecting portion 131 is transmitted, and the inclined surface on the inner side in the vehicle width direction of the second prism 103B is a reflecting surface that totally reflects the light transmitted through the light-transmitting surface toward the front side of the vehicle and the outer side in the vehicle width direction. That is, the inclined surface on the outer side in the vehicle width direction of the second prism 103B is angled so as to transmit the reflected light of the reflecting portion 131. In addition, the inclined surface on the inner side in the vehicle width direction of the second prism 103B is angled so as to totally reflect the reflected light of the reflecting portion 131 to the position of the sub light distribution pattern P2.

[0040] 12 is a diagram showing a sub light distribution pattern P3 of a low beam projected on a virtual screen in front of the vehicle by the reflected light of the third prism 103C. As shown in this figure, the sub light distribution pattern P3 is formed in a projection area on the outer side in the vehicle width direction than the sub light distribution pattern P2. This sub light distribution pattern P3 is formed by irradiation with the reflected light of the third prism 103C. The irradiation range of the sub light distribution pattern P3 is, for example, 20° to 25° left and right from a position about 65° from the V line.

[0041] As shown in Fig. 8, the third prism 103C has a pair of inclined surfaces. The inclined surface on the outer side in the vehicle width direction of the third prism 103C is a light-transmitting surface through which the reflected light of the reflecting portion 131 is transmitted, and the inclined surface on the inner side in the vehicle width direction of the third prism 103C is a reflecting surface that totally reflects the light transmitted through the light-transmitting surface toward the front side of the vehicle and the outer side in the vehicle width direction. That is, the inclined surface on the outer side in the vehicle width direction of the third prism 103C is angled so as to transmit the reflected light of the reflecting portion 131. In addition, the inclined surface on the inner side in the vehicle width direction of the third prism 103C is angled so as to totally reflect the reflected light of the reflecting portion 131 to the position of the sub light distribution pattern P3.

[0042] 13 is a diagram showing a sub light distribution pattern P4 of a low beam projected on a virtual screen in front of the vehicle by the reflected light of the fourth prism 103D. As shown in this figure, the sub light distribution pattern P4 is formed in a projection area on the outer side in the vehicle width direction than the sub light distribution pattern P3. This sub light distribution pattern P4 is formed by irradiation with the reflected light of the fourth prism 103D. The irradiation range of the sub light distribution pattern P4 is, for example, 20° to 25° left and right from a position about 75° from the V line.

[0043] As shown in Fig. 8, the fourth prism 103D has a pair of inclined surfaces. The inclined surface on the outer side in the vehicle width direction of the fourth prism 103D is a light-transmitting surface through which the reflected light of the reflecting portion 131 is transmitted, and the inclined surface on the inner side in the vehicle width direction of the fourth prism 103D is a reflecting surface that totally reflects the light transmitted through the light-transmitting surface toward the front side of the vehicle and the outer side in the vehicle width direction. That is, the inclined surface on the outer side in the vehicle width direction of the fourth prism 103D is angled so as to transmit the reflected light of the reflecting portion 131. In addition, the inclined surface on the inner side in the vehicle width direction of the fourth prism 103D is angled so as to totally reflect the reflected light of the reflecting portion 131 to the position of the sub light distribution pattern P4.

[0044] 14 is a diagram showing a low beam light distribution pattern P projected onto a virtual screen in front of the vehicle. The low beam light distribution pattern P shown in this figure is a result of the above-mentioned main light distribution pattern P0 and the sub light distribution patterns P1 to P4 overlapping each other, and is characterized in that it has a wider diffusion angle outward in the vehicle width direction (positive horizontal direction in the figure) than the main light distribution pattern P0.

[0045] As described above, in the vehicle headlamp 1 of this embodiment, the low beam unit 10 is provided with the reflecting portion 131 and the prism 103. The reflecting portion 131 reflects the reflected light of the reflector 13 toward the inside of the rear surface of the projection lens 101 in the vehicle width direction. The prism 103 is provided on the inside of the rear surface of the projection lens 101 in the vehicle width direction, and reflects the reflected light of the reflecting portion 131 toward a projection area that is more outward in the vehicle width direction than the main light distribution pattern P0. This makes it possible to form a low beam light distribution pattern P in which the main light distribution pattern P0 and the sub light distribution patterns P1 to P4 formed in the projection area that is more outward in the vehicle width direction than the main light distribution pattern P0 overlap each other. Therefore, the diffusion angle of the low beam toward the outside in the vehicle width direction can be increased.

[0046] In the vehicle headlamp 1 of this embodiment, a plurality of prisms (first to fourth prisms 103A to 103D) are arranged in the vehicle width direction, and the angle of each of the reflection surfaces of the plurality of prisms is set so that the projection area of ​​the reflected light of the prism on the outer side in the vehicle width direction is located more outward in the vehicle width direction than the projection area of ​​the reflected light of the prism on the inner side in the vehicle width direction. Specifically, the angles of the reflection surfaces of the third prism 103C and the fourth prism 103D are set so that the projection area of ​​the sub light distribution pattern P4 by the reflected light of the fourth prism 103D is located more outward in the vehicle width direction than the projection area of ​​the sub light distribution pattern P3 by the reflected light of the third prism 103C. In addition, the angles of the reflection surfaces of the second prism 103B and the third prism 103C are set so that the projection area of ​​the sub light distribution pattern P3 by the reflected light of the third prism 103C is located more outward in the vehicle width direction than the projection area of ​​the sub light distribution pattern P2 by the reflected light of the second prism 103B. Furthermore, the angles of the reflecting surfaces of the first prism 103A and the second prism 103B are set so that the projection area of ​​the sub light distribution pattern P2 by the reflected light of the second prism 103B is positioned outside in the vehicle width direction relative to the projection area of ​​the sub light distribution pattern P1 by the reflected light of the first prism 103A. This makes it possible to form the sub light distribution patterns P1 to P4 shifted in the vehicle width direction in the projection area outside the main light distribution pattern P0 in the vehicle width direction, and to increase the diffusion angle of the low beam outward in the vehicle width direction.

[0047] In the vehicle headlamp 1 of this embodiment, the reflected light from the single reflecting surface 131A of the reflecting portion 131 travels toward the multiple prisms (first to fourth prisms 103A to 103D) arranged in a line in the vehicle width direction. Here, the vertices of the first to fourth prisms 103A to 103D are positioned so that the reflected light from the single reflecting surface 131A is incident on all of the first to fourth prisms 103A to 103D and is totally reflected. This makes it possible to project the secondary light distribution patterns P1 to P4 by an optical system constituted by the single reflecting surface 131A and the multiple prisms.

[0048] Furthermore, the vehicle headlamp 1 of this embodiment is provided with a high beam unit 20, and the prism 103 is provided at the boundary between the projection lens 101 that projects the light distribution pattern of the low beam and the projection lens 102 that projects the light distribution pattern of the high beam. This makes it possible to increase the diffusion angle of the low beam outward in the vehicle width direction in the monocular vehicle headlamp 1 equipped with the low beam unit 10 and the high beam unit 20 without blocking the optical path of the high beam.

[0049] In the vehicle headlamp 1 of this embodiment, the back surface of the projection lens 101 that projects the light distribution pattern of the low beam is convex toward the rear side of the vehicle, and the prism 103 is formed on the inside of the back surface of the projection lens 101 in the vehicle width direction so as to be connected to the back surface of the projection lens 101. That is, the back surface of the projection lens 101 is inclined toward the front side of the vehicle from the optical axis toward the inside in the vehicle width direction, and the prism 103 is formed so as to be connected to the inclined back surface. This makes it possible for the light reflected by the reflecting portion 131 and traveling along the back surface of the projection lens 101 to be incident on the prism 103 without being blocked by the back surface of the projection lens 101. Therefore, the optical system composed of the reflecting portion 131 and the prism 103 makes it possible to expand the diffusion angle of the low beam toward the outside in the vehicle width direction.

[0050] Although the present invention has been described based on the above-mentioned embodiment, the present invention is not limited to the above-mentioned embodiment, and modifications may be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention, and techniques from the embodiments or known or commonly known techniques may be combined.

[0051] For example, in the above embodiment, the present invention has been described taking as an example the vehicle headlamp 1 equipped with the low beam unit 10 and the high beam unit 20, but it is not essential to have the high beam unit 20. Furthermore, when the high beam unit 20 is provided, it is not essential to have an automatic high beam switching function, and high beam switching may be performed manually.

[0052] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the reflecting portion 131 reflects light toward the first to fourth prisms 103A to 103D by the single reflecting surface 131A, but the reflecting portion 131 may include a reflecting surface for each of the first to fourth prisms 103A to 103D. [Explanation of symbols]

[0053] 1: Vehicle headlights 12:Light source section (first light source section) 13: Reflector 22: Light source section (second light source section) 101: Projection lens (first projection lens) 102: Projection lens (second projection lens) 103: Prism 103A: First prism (prism) 103B: Second prism (prism) 103C: Third prism (prism) 103D: 4th prism (prism) 131:Reflector 131A: Reflective surface (single reflective surface) P0: Main light distribution pattern (light distribution pattern)

Claims

1. A first light source unit; a reflector that reflects the light emitted from the first light source unit toward a front side of the vehicle; a first projection lens that projects a low beam light distribution pattern in front of the vehicle using light reflected by the reflector; a reflecting portion that reflects the reflected light of the reflector toward an inner side in a vehicle width direction on a rear surface of the first projection lens; a prism that is provided on the inner side of the rear surface of the first projection lens in the vehicle width direction and that reflects the reflected light of the reflecting portion toward a projection area that is on the outer side of the light distribution pattern in the vehicle width direction; A vehicle headlamp comprising:

2. A plurality of the prisms are arranged side by side in the vehicle width direction, 2. The vehicle headlamp according to claim 1, wherein the angle of the reflective surface of each of the plurality of prisms is set so that a projection area of ​​the reflected light of the prism on the outer side in the vehicle width direction is positioned further outward in the vehicle width direction than a projection area of ​​the reflected light of the prism on the inner side in the vehicle width direction.

3. The reflecting portion has a single reflecting surface, A plurality of the prisms are arranged side by side in the vehicle width direction, 3. The vehicle headlamp according to claim 1, wherein the apex positions of the plurality of prisms are set so that reflected light from the single reflective surface is incident on the prism on the outer side in the vehicle width direction and the prism on the inner side in the vehicle width direction.

4. A second light source unit disposed on the inner side in a vehicle width direction from the first light source unit; a second projection lens that projects a high beam pattern in front of the vehicle using the light emitted from the second light source unit; Equipped with 3. The vehicle headlamp according to claim 1, wherein the prism is provided at a boundary between the first projection lens and the second projection lens.

5. a rear surface of the first projection lens is convex toward the rear side of the vehicle; 3. The vehicle headlamp according to claim 1, wherein the prism is formed so as to be continuous with a rear surface of the first projection lens.

Images