Vehicular lighting fixture

Abstract

To be able to form a plurality of light distribution patterns with different brightness with a simple lighting fixture structure, in a vehicular lighting fixture which is constituted so as to form a lighting fixture light distribution pattern by radiating direct light from a plurality of light emitting elements toward the front of the lighting fixture via a translucent member.SOLUTION: As a translucent member 20, three projection lens parts 22A, 22B, 22C arranged in parallel in the vehicle width direction are provided, and in a state where six light emitting elements 30A, 30B, 30C, 40A, 40B, 40C are arranged side by side by two in the vehicle width direction at the back side of each lighting fixture of three projection lens parts 22A-22C, they are mounted on a common substrate 50. At that time, the light emitting elements 30A-30C emitting light at high luminosity and the light emitting elements 40A-40C emitting light at low luminosity are arranged alternately in the vehicle width direction. Thereby, even though these are mounted on the common substrate 50, a local thermal load generating in a vehicular lighting fixture 10 is effectively suppressed.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a vehicle lamp including a light-transmitting member.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, as a configuration of a vehicle lamp, there is known a configuration in which direct light from a plurality of light-emitting elements is irradiated forward of the lamp through a light-transmitting member to form a lamp light distribution pattern.

[0003] "Patent Document 1" describes such a direct-type vehicle lamp having a configuration including a plurality of projection lens portions arranged in parallel in the vehicle width direction as the light-transmitting member.

[0004] In the vehicle lamp described in this "Patent Document 1", a first light-emitting element is arranged on the rear side of each of the plurality of projection lenses with respect to the lamp, and a second light-emitting element is arranged on the rear side of the lamp.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0005]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0006] By adopting the vehicle lamp described in the above "Patent Document 1", it becomes possible to easily form a light distribution pattern formed by the emitted light from the first light-emitting element and a light distribution pattern formed by the emitted light from the second light-emitting element with different brightnesses.

[0007] However, in the vehicle lamp described in the above "Patent Document 1", since the substrate on which the first light-emitting element is mounted and the substrate on which the second light-emitting element is mounted are arranged at two positions in the front and rear, the lamp structure is complicated.

[0008] The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and in a vehicle lamp configured to form a lamp light distribution pattern by irradiating direct light from a plurality of light-emitting elements forward of the lamp through a light-transmitting member, an object of the present invention is to provide a vehicle lamp capable of forming a plurality of light distribution patterns with different brightnesses with a simple lamp structure.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0009] The present invention aims to achieve the above object by devising the configuration and arrangement of a plurality of light-emitting elements.

[0010] That is, the vehicle lamp according to the present invention is In a vehicle lamp configured to form a lamp light distribution pattern by irradiating direct light from a plurality of light-emitting elements forward of the lamp through a light-transmitting member, The light-transmitting member includes a plurality of projection lens portions arranged in parallel in the vehicle width direction, The plurality of light-emitting elements are mounted on a common substrate in a state of being arranged in pairs in the vehicle width direction on the rear side of the lamp of each of the plurality of projection lens portions, The plurality of light-emitting elements are characterized in that a first light-emitting element that emits light with high brightness and a second light-emitting element that emits light with low brightness are alternately arranged in the vehicle width direction.

[0011] The specific number of arrangements of the above "plurality of projection lenses" is not particularly limited.

[0012] The above-mentioned "plurality of light-emitting elements" is composed of a first light-emitting element that emits light with high luminance and a second light-emitting element that emits light with low luminance. However, as long as the first light-emitting element is configured to emit light with higher luminance than the second light-emitting element, the specific emission luminance of each of them is not particularly limited, and the specific configuration for realizing this is also not particularly limited.

[0013] The above-mentioned "plurality of light-emitting elements" has the first light-emitting element and the second light-emitting element arranged alternately in the vehicle width direction. However, the specific interval between the first and second light-emitting elements is not particularly limited.

[0014] The type of the above-mentioned "lamp light distribution pattern" is not particularly limited. For example, a light distribution pattern for low beam, a light distribution pattern for forming a part thereof, a light distribution pattern for high beam, a light distribution pattern for forming a part thereof, a light distribution pattern for daytime running lamp, a light distribution pattern for fog lamp, etc. can be adopted.

Effects of the Invention

[0015] The vehicle lamp according to the present invention is configured to form a lamp light distribution pattern by irradiating direct light from a plurality of light-emitting elements forward of the lamp through a light-transmitting member. The light-transmitting member includes a plurality of projection lens portions arranged in parallel in the vehicle width direction. Further, the plurality of light-emitting elements are mounted on a common substrate in a state of being arranged in pairs in the vehicle width direction on the rear side of the lamp of each of the plurality of projection lens portions, and the first light-emitting element that emits light with high luminance and the second light-emitting element that emits light with low luminance are alternately arranged in the vehicle width direction. Therefore, the following operational effects can be obtained.

[0016] That is, the light distribution pattern formed by the emitted light from each of the plurality of first light-emitting elements and the light distribution pattern formed by the emitted light from each of the plurality of second light-emitting elements can be formed with different brightnesses. At this time, since the plurality of light-emitting elements are mounted on a common substrate, the lamp structure can be made simple and the above-mentioned operational effects can be obtained.

[0017] Furthermore, since the plurality of light-emitting elements are arranged alternately in the vehicle width direction with the first light-emitting element that emits light with high luminance and the second light-emitting element that emits light with low luminance, even though they are mounted on a common substrate, it is possible to effectively suppress the occurrence of local heat loads in the vehicle lamp, thereby preventing the optical function of the vehicle lamp from being inadvertently impaired.

[0018] Thus, according to the present invention, in a vehicle lamp configured to form a lamp light distribution pattern by irradiating direct light from a plurality of light-emitting elements forward of the lamp through a light-transmitting member, it is possible to form a plurality of light distribution patterns with different brightness levels with a simple lamp structure.

[0019] In the above configuration, further, if each of the plurality of projection lens portions has a convex curved rear surface shape with mutually different horizontal cross-sectional shapes, it becomes possible to easily form the lamp light distribution pattern with a smooth luminance distribution.

[0020] At that time, further, if each of the plurality of projection lens portions is formed such that its optical axis faces mutually different directions with respect to the vehicle width direction, it becomes possible to easily form a plurality of light distribution patterns formed by the emitted light from the plurality of first light-emitting elements and a plurality of light distribution patterns formed by the emitted light from the plurality of second light-emitting elements in an arbitrary arrangement.

[0021] In the above configuration, further, if the first light-emitting element is arranged closer to the optical axis of the projection lens portion than the second light-emitting element on the rear side of the lamp of each of the plurality of projection lens portions, it is possible to form the lamp light distribution pattern such that the portion closer to the vehicle front direction is a bright light distribution pattern.

[0022] In the above configuration, further, if the light-transmitting member has a front surface configured as a continuous single curved surface or a flat surface, when observing the vehicle lamp from the outside, the presence of the plurality of projection lenses can be made less noticeable, thereby enhancing its design quality.

[0023] In the above configuration, further, on the rear side of each of the plurality of projection lens units with respect to the lamp, a third light emitting element that emits light with a lower luminous intensity than the second light emitting element is additionally arranged. With the configuration in which this third light emitting element is mounted on the substrate in a state of being arranged side by side in the vehicle width direction with the first and second light emitting elements, the following operational effects can be obtained.

[0024] That is, by additionally arranging the third light emitting element, the number of the plurality of projection lens units can be reduced, and thereby the size reduction and weight reduction of the vehicle lamp can be achieved. Further, by additionally arranging the third light emitting element, it becomes possible to easily form the light distribution pattern of the lamp into a light distribution pattern with less light distribution unevenness.

[0025] The above "third light emitting element" is not particularly limited in the specific positional relationship with the first and second light emitting elements as long as it is mounted on the substrate in a state of being arranged side by side in the vehicle width direction with the first and second light emitting elements.

[0026] In that case, in the rear side of each of the plurality of projection lens units with respect to the lamp, if the configuration is such that the third light emitting element is arranged so as to be located on the opposite side of the second light emitting element from the first light emitting element, the above operational effects can be obtained while minimizing the increase in the heat load due to the additional arrangement of the third light emitting element.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0027]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Figure 8

Figure 9

Figure 10

Figure 11

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0028] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0029] FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional plan view showing a vehicle lamp 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIGS. 2 and 3 are a cross-sectional plan view and a partial cross-sectional perspective view showing main components of the vehicle lamp 10.

[0030] In FIGS. 1 to 3, the direction indicated by X is the "front" as the vehicle lamp 10 (also the "front" as the vehicle), the direction indicated by Y is the "left direction" orthogonal to the "front" (also the "left direction" as the vehicle, but the "right direction" when viewed from the front of the lamp), and the direction indicated by Z is the "upward direction". The same applies to the figures other than FIGS. 1 to 3.

[0031] As shown in FIG. 1, the vehicle lamp 10 is a lamp disposed at the right front end of the vehicle, and in a lamp chamber formed by a lamp body 12 and a transparent through-cover 14 attached to the front end opening thereof, a light-transmitting member 20 and six light-emitting elements 30A, 30B, 30C, 40A, 40B, and 40C are arranged. And this vehicle lamp 10 is configured to form a lamp light distribution pattern (which will be described later) by irradiating direct light from the six light-emitting elements 30A to 30C, 40A to 40C forward of the lamp through the light-transmitting member 20.

[0032] As also shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the light-transmitting member 20 includes three projection lens portions 22A, 22B, and 22C arranged in parallel in the vehicle width direction. Specifically, the projection lens portions 22A, 22B, and 22C are arranged in order from the outside in the vehicle width direction, and they are arranged at substantially equal intervals.

[0033] The front surface 20a of the light-transmitting member 20 is formed of a convex cylindrical curved surface extending in the vehicle width direction. On the other hand, the rear surface 20b of the light-transmitting member 20 is formed of convex cylindrical curved surfaces where the portions located at each of the three projection lens portions 22A, 22B, and 22C extend in the vertical direction.

[0034] The light-transmitting member 20 is supported by the lamp body 12 at a pair of left and right flange portions 20c formed on both sides in the vehicle width direction of the three projection lens portions 22A, 22B, and 22C.

[0035] The six light-emitting elements 30A to 30C, 40A to 40C are mounted on a common substrate 50 in a state of being arranged in two rows in the vehicle width direction on the rear side of the lamp for each of the three projection lens portions 22A to 22C. This substrate 50 is arranged to extend in the vehicle width direction along a vertical plane orthogonal to the front direction of the lamp, and is supported by the lamp body 12 at both left and right end portions thereof.

[0036] The six light-emitting elements 30A to 30C and 40A to 40C are all white light-emitting diodes, and their light-emitting surfaces 30a and 40a have a rectangular (e.g., square) outer shape of the same size. And these six light-emitting elements 30A to 30C and 40A to 40 are arranged with their light-emitting surfaces 30a and 40a facing the front direction of the lamp.

[0037] Among the six light-emitting elements 30A to 30C and 40A to 40C, three light-emitting elements 30A to 30C are configured as first light-emitting elements that emit light with high brightness, and three light-emitting elements 40A to 40C are configured as second light-emitting elements that emit light with low brightness.

[0038] Also, among the six light-emitting elements 30A to 30C and 40A to 40C, two light-emitting elements 30A and 40A are arranged on the rear side of the lamp of the projection lens unit 22A, two light-emitting elements 30B and 40B are arranged on the rear side of the lamp of the projection lens unit 22B, and two light-emitting elements 30C and 40C are arranged on the rear side of the lamp of the projection lens unit 22C. At this time, these six light-emitting elements 30A to 30C and 40A to 40C are arranged alternately in the vehicle width direction (i.e., the left-right direction) with the light-emitting elements 30A to 30C that emit light with high brightness and the light-emitting elements 40A to 40C that emit light with low brightness.

[0039] Each of the three projection lens units 22A to 22C has a convex curved rear surface shape with different horizontal cross-sectional shapes. That is, each of these three projection lens units 22A, 22B, and 22C is formed such that its optical axes Axa, Axb, and Axc face different directions with respect to the vehicle width direction (i.e., the left-right direction).

[0040] Specifically, as shown in FIG. 2, the optical axis Axa of the projection lens unit 22A located on the outer side in the vehicle width direction extends in a direction slightly inclined outward in the vehicle width direction toward the front of the lamp with respect to the virtual straight line L extending in the longitudinal direction of the lamp. The optical axis Axb of the projection lens unit 22B located at the center extends in a direction more inclined than the optical axis Axa of the projection lens unit 22A toward the front of the lamp. The optical axis Axc of the projection lens unit 22C located on the inner side in the vehicle width direction extends in a direction even more inclined than the optical axis Axb of the projection lens unit 22B toward the front of the lamp. For example, the inclination angles θa, θb, and θc of these optical axes Axa, Axb, and Axc with respect to the virtual straight line L are set to values of about θa = 2°, θb = 4°, and θc = 6°.

[0041] Note that the directions of the optical axes Axa to Axc of the three projection lens units 22A to 22C are set such that the light reaching from the emission centers of the six light emitting elements 30A to 30C and 40A to 40C is emitted in a direction slightly upward (e.g., about 1° upward) with respect to the virtual straight line L.

[0042] The rear focal points Fa, Fb, and Fc of the three projection lens units 22A, 22B, and 22C are respectively located at the intersections of the virtual vertical plane including the light emitting surfaces 30a and 40a of the six light emitting elements 30A to 30C and 40A to 40C and the optical axes Axa, Axb, and Axc.

[0043] With respect to the rear focal point Fa of the projection lens unit 22A, the light emitting element 30A is arranged on the right side (left side when viewed from the front of the lamp), and the light emitting element 40A is arranged on the left side. Also, with respect to the rear focal point Fb of the projection lens unit 22B, the light emitting element 30B is arranged on the right side, and the light emitting element 40B is arranged on the left side. Further, with respect to the rear focal point Fc of the projection lens unit 22C, the light emitting element 30C is arranged on the right side, and the light emitting element 40C is arranged on the left side.

[0044] At this time, the right displacement amounts Da1, Db1, and Dc1 from the rear foci Fa, Fb, and Fc of the light-emitting elements 30A, 30B, and 30C are all set to relatively small and approximately the same values. On the other hand, the left displacement amounts Da2, Db2, and Dc2 from the rear foci Fa, Fb, and Fc of the light-emitting elements 40A, 40B, and 40C are set to values larger than the right displacement amounts Da1 to Dc1, and are set such that Da2 < Db2 < Dc2.

[0045] In the vehicle lamp 10 according to this embodiment, the six light-emitting elements 30A to 30C and 40A to 40C are configured to light simultaneously or selectively.

[0046] FIG. 4(a) is a perspective view showing a supplementary light distribution pattern PA1 for high beam formed on a virtual vertical screen disposed at a position 25 m in front of the lamp, as a combined light distribution pattern (i.e., a light distribution pattern formed in terms of the vehicle) of the lamp light distribution pattern PAR1 formed by the irradiation light from the vehicle lamp 10 and the lamp light distribution pattern PAL1 formed by the irradiation light from a vehicle lamp (i.e., a lamp disposed at the left front end of the vehicle) that should be paired with the vehicle lamp 10.

[0047] The supplementary light distribution pattern PA1 is a light distribution pattern additionally formed with respect to the low beam light distribution pattern PL when forming the high beam light distribution pattern PH1. Before explaining this supplementary light distribution pattern PA1, the low beam light distribution pattern PL will be explained.

[0048] The low beam light distribution pattern PL is a low beam light distribution pattern for left light distribution, as shown by the two-dot chain line in the figure, and has cutoff lines CL1 and CL2 at the upper edge that are staggered on the left and right. These cutoff lines CL1 and CL2 extend horizontally with left and right steps, with the VV line passing vertically through HV, which is the vanishing point in front of the lamp, as a boundary, and the oncoming lane side portion to the right of the VV line is formed as a lower cutoff line CL1, and the own lane side portion to the left of the VV line is formed as an upper cutoff line CL2 that is stepped up from the lower cutoff line CL1 via an inclined portion.

[0049] In the low beam light distribution pattern PL, an elbow point E, which is an intersection point between the lower cutoff line CL1 and the line VV, is located approximately 0.5 to 0.6° below HV.

[0050] The additional light distribution pattern PA1 is a horizontally elongated light distribution pattern extending in the left-right direction on the HH line passing horizontally through the HV, and is formed in a state in which the lamp light distribution pattern PAR1 extending long in the right direction from the left side vicinity of the VV line and the lamp light distribution pattern PAL1 extending long in the left direction from the right side vicinity of the VV line are partially overlapped. This additional light distribution pattern PA1 overlaps with the cutoff line vicinity region of the low beam light distribution pattern PL in its lower end region, and thus the high beam light distribution pattern PH1 is formed as a light distribution pattern with no gap between the low beam light distribution pattern PL and the additional light distribution pattern PA1.

[0051] FIG. 5(a) is a diagram showing a lamp light distribution pattern PAR1 formed by light emitted from a vehicle lamp 10. As shown in FIG.

[0052] As shown in Figure 5(a), the lamp light distribution pattern PAR1 is formed in a state in which six inverted projection images IR1a, IR1b, IR1c, IR2a, IR2b, and IR2c formed by the light emitted from six light-emitting elements 30A, 30B, 30C, 40A, 40B, and 40C partially overlap each other.

[0053] The inverted projection image IR1a is an image formed by the direct light from the light-emitting element 30A exiting through the projection lens unit 22A. It is a bright and clear substantially rectangular image formed at a position slightly to the left with respect to the front direction of the lamp, straddling the V-V line. This is because the optical axis Axa of the projection lens unit 22A extends in a direction slightly inclined outward in the vehicle width direction with respect to the front direction of the lamp, and the light-emitting element 30A that emits light with high luminance is slightly displaced to the right from the rear focal point Fa of the projection lens unit 22A.

[0054] The inverted projection image IR1b is an image formed by the direct light from the light-emitting element 30B exiting through the projection lens unit 22B. It is a bright and clear substantially rectangular image formed at a position slightly to the right with respect to the front direction of the lamp, straddling the V-V line. This is because the optical axis Axb of the projection lens unit 22B extends in a direction slightly inclined outward in the vehicle width direction more than the optical axis Axa of the projection lens unit 22A, and the light-emitting element 30B that emits light with high luminance is slightly displaced to the right from the rear focal point Fb of the projection lens unit 22B.

[0055] The inverted projection image IR1c is an image formed by the direct light from the light-emitting element 30C exiting through the projection lens unit 22C. It is a bright and clear substantially rectangular image formed in a state of partially overlapping with the inverted projection image IR1b at a position away from the V-V line to the right. This is because the optical axis Axc of the projection lens unit 22C extends in a direction inclined further outward in the vehicle width direction than the optical axis Axb of the projection lens unit 22B, and the light-emitting element 30C that emits light with high luminance is slightly displaced to the right from the rear focal point Fc of the projection lens unit 22C.

[0056] These three inverted projection images IR1a, IR1b, and IR1c are all formed as images of substantially the same size having an outer shape of a substantially rectangular shape that is slightly vertically longer than a square.

[0057] The inverted projection image IR2a is an image formed by the direct light from the light-emitting element 40A exiting through the projection lens unit 22A. It is a substantially rectangular image that is wider horizontally than the inverted projection images IR1a to IR1c and is inferior in brightness and sharpness. It is formed in a state of partially overlapping with the inverted projection image IR1c at a position away from the right side of the V-V line. This is because the optical axis Axa of the projection lens unit 22A extends in a direction slightly inclined outward in the vehicle width direction with respect to the front direction of the lamp, and the light-emitting element 40A that emits light at a low light intensity is displaced to the left from the rear focal point Fa of the projection lens unit 22A.

[0058] The inverted projection image IR2b is an image formed by the direct light from the light-emitting element 40B exiting through the projection lens unit 22B. It is a substantially rectangular image that is wider horizontally than the inverted projection images IR1a to IR1c and is inferior in brightness and sharpness. It is formed in a state of partially overlapping with the inverted projection image IR2a at a position to the right of the inverted projection image IR2a. This is because the optical axis Axb of the projection lens unit 22B extends in a direction slightly inclined outward in the vehicle width direction compared to the optical axis Axa of the projection lens unit 22A, and the light-emitting element 40B that emits light at a low light intensity is displaced to the left from the rear focal point Fb of the projection lens unit 22B.

[0059] The inverted projection image IR2c is an image formed by the direct light from the light-emitting element 40C exiting through the projection lens unit 22C. It is a substantially rectangular image that is wider horizontally than the inverted projection images IR1a to IR1c and is inferior in brightness and sharpness. It is formed in a state of partially overlapping with the inverted projection image IR2b at a position to the right of the inverted projection image IR2b. This is because the optical axis Axc of the projection lens unit 22C extends in a direction slightly inclined outward in the vehicle width direction compared to the optical axis Axb of the projection lens unit 22B, and the light-emitting element 40C that emits light at a low light intensity is displaced to the left from the rear focal point Fc of the projection lens unit 22C.

[0060] These three inverted projection images IR2a, IR2b, and IR2c are formed such that their outer shapes gradually become wider horizontally in this order. This is because the leftward displacement amounts from the rear foci Fa, Fb, and Fc of the projection lens units 22A, 22B, and 22C of the three light-emitting elements 40A, 40B, and 40C increase in this order, and accordingly, the rearward displacement amounts from the rear foci Fa, Fb, and Fc in the direction in which the optical axes Axa, Axb, and Axc extend also increase in this order.

[0061] FIG. 5(b) is a diagram showing a lamp light distribution pattern PAL1 formed by the irradiation light from a vehicle lamp that should be paired with the vehicle lamp 10.

[0062] As shown in FIG. 5(b), the lamp light distribution pattern PAL1 is formed as a light distribution pattern that is symmetric about the V-V line with respect to the lamp light distribution pattern PAR1.

[0063] That is, the lamp light distribution pattern PAL1 is composed of six inverted projection images IL1a, IL1b, IL1c, IL2a, IL2b, and IL2c having image shapes that are symmetric about the V-V line with respect to the six inverted projection images IR1a, IR1b, IR1c, IR2a, IR2b, and IR2c that constitute the lamp light distribution pattern PAR1.

[0064] As shown in FIG. 4(a), the additional light distribution pattern PA1 is formed as a light distribution pattern with little light distribution unevenness in which the left and right central regions located near the V-V line are the brightest and gradually become darker toward both left and right ends. This is because the three inverted projection images IR1a to IR1c that constitute the region near the V-V line of the lamp light distribution pattern PAR1 and the three inverted projection images IL1a to IL1c that constitute the region near the V-V line of the lamp light distribution pattern PAL1 are formed as brighter images than the three inverted projection images IR2a to IR2c and the three inverted projection images IR2a to IR2c, and the three inverted projection images IR1a to IR1c and the three inverted projection images IL1a to IL1c partially overlap near the V-V line.

[0065] Incidentally, in the additional light distribution pattern PA1, the center position in the vertical direction is slightly displaced upward with respect to the H-H line. This is because the directions of the optical axes Axa to Axc are set such that the directions of the emitted light from the three projection lens units 22A to 22C are slightly upward with respect to the virtual straight line L.

[0066] FIG. 4(b) is a view similar to FIG. 4(a), showing the additional light distribution pattern PA1 with a part thereof missing.

[0067] In FIG. 4(b), among the six light-emitting elements 30A to 30C and 40A to 40C in the vehicle lamp 10, when two light-emitting elements 30C and 40A are turned off, a state is shown in which two inverted projection images IR1c and IR2a that constitute the lamp light distribution pattern PAR1 among the pair of left and right lamp light distribution patterns PAL1 and PAR1 that constitute the additional light distribution pattern PA1 are missing.

[0068] By forming the additional light distribution pattern PA1 as shown in FIG. 4(b), the irradiation light from the vehicle lamp 10 is prevented from hitting the oncoming vehicle 2, and thus the forward traveling road is irradiated as widely as possible within a range that does not cause glare to the driver of the oncoming vehicle 2.

[0069] Then, as the position of the oncoming vehicle 2 changes, the light-emitting elements 30A to 30C and 40A to 40C to be turned off are sequentially switched, so that the shape of the additional light distribution pattern PA1 can be changed.

[0070] Incidentally, the presence of the oncoming vehicle 2 is detected by an in-vehicle camera (not shown) or the like. Also, when there is a preceding vehicle on the forward traveling road or a pedestrian on the road shoulder portion, this is detected and a part of the inverted projection images IR1a to IR1c, IL1a to IL1c, IR2a to IR2c, and IL2a to IL2c is made missing so as not to cause glare.

[0071] Next, the operation and effects of the present embodiment will be described.

[0072] The vehicle lamp 10 according to this embodiment is configured to form a lamp light distribution pattern PAR1 by irradiating direct light from six light-emitting elements 30A, 30B, 30C, 40A, 40B, and 40C forward of the lamp through the light-transmitting member 20. The light-transmitting member 20 includes three projection lens portions 22A, 22B, and 22C arranged in parallel in the vehicle width direction. Further, the six light-emitting elements 30A to 30C and 40A to 40C are mounted on a common substrate 50 in a state where two are arranged side by side in the vehicle width direction on the rear side of each of the three projection lens portions 22A to 22C. Moreover, since the light-emitting elements 30A to 30C (first light-emitting elements) that emit light with high brightness and the light-emitting elements 40A to 40C (second light-emitting elements) that emit light with low brightness are alternately arranged in the vehicle width direction, the following operational effects can be obtained.

[0073] That is, the light distribution patterns IR1a, IR1b, and IR1c formed by the emitted light from each of the three light-emitting elements 30A, 30B, and 30C and the light distribution patterns IR2a, IR2b, and IR2c formed by the emitted light from each of the three light-emitting elements 40A, 40B, and 40C can be formed with different brightness levels. At this time, since the six light-emitting elements 30A to 30C and 40A to 40C are mounted on the common substrate 50, the above-described operational effects can be obtained while simplifying the lamp structure.

[0074] Furthermore, since the six light-emitting elements 30A to 30C and 40A to 40C are alternately arranged in the vehicle width direction with the 30A to 30C that emit light with high brightness and the light-emitting elements 40A to 40C that emit light with low brightness, it is possible to effectively suppress the occurrence of a local heat load in the vehicle lamp 10, thereby preventing the optical function of the vehicle lamp 10 from being inadvertently impaired.

[0075] According to this embodiment, in the vehicle lamp 10 configured to form the lamp distribution pattern PAR1 by irradiating the direct light from the six light emitting elements 30A to 30C and 40A to 40C forward of the lamp through the light transmissive member 20, six distribution patterns IR1a to IR1c and IR2a to IR2c with different brightness can be formed with a simple lamp structure.

[0076] At this time, in this embodiment, as the configuration of each of the three projection lens portions 22A to 22C, since the horizontal cross-sectional shape has a convex curved surface shape that is different from each other, it is possible to easily form the lamp distribution pattern PAR1 with a smooth light intensity distribution.

[0077] Specifically, in this embodiment, as the configuration of each of the three projection lens portions 22A, 22B, and 22C, since the optical axes Axa, Axb, and Axc are formed to face different directions with respect to the vehicle width direction, the three distribution patterns IR1a to IR1c formed by the emitted light from each of the three light emitting elements 30A to 30C and the three distribution patterns IR2a to IR2c formed by the emitted light from each of the three light emitting elements 40A to 40C can be easily formed in an arbitrary arrangement.

[0078] Moreover, in this embodiment, on the rear side of the lamp of each of the three projection lens portions 22A to 22C, the light emitting elements 30A to 30C are arranged closer to the optical axes Axa to Axc of the projection lens portions 22A to 22C than the light emitting elements 40A to 40C, so that the portion of the lamp distribution pattern PAR1 closer to the vehicle front direction can be formed as a bright distribution pattern.

[0079] Furthermore, in this embodiment, since the front surface 20a of the light transmissive member 20 is formed of a convex cylindrical curved surface (i.e., a continuous single curved surface) extending in the vehicle width direction, when the vehicle lamp 10 is observed from the outside, the presence of the three projection lens portions 22A to 22C can be made less noticeable, and the design property can be enhanced.

[0080] In the above embodiment, the light-transmitting member 20 has been described as including three projection lens portions 22A to 22C arranged in parallel in the vehicle width direction. However, it is also possible to adopt a configuration including two or less or four or more projection lens portions. Even when such a configuration is adopted, substantially the same operational effects as those in the above embodiment can be obtained.

[0081] In the above embodiment, the light-transmitting member 20 has been described such that its front surface 20a is formed of a convex cylindrical curved surface extending in the vehicle width direction, and portions of its rear surface 20b located at the respective three projection lens portions 22A to 22C are formed of convex cylindrical curved surfaces extending in the vertical direction. However, it is also possible to adopt other configurations (for example, a configuration in which the front surface 20a of the light-transmitting member 20 is formed in a planar shape, and portions of its rear surface 20b located at the respective three projection lens portions 22A to 22C are formed in a convex curved surface shape, etc.).

[0082] Next, a modification example of the above embodiment will be described.

[0083] First, a first modification example of the above embodiment will be described.

[0084] FIG. 6 is a view similar to FIG. 2 showing main components of the vehicle lamp according to this modification example.

[0085] As shown in FIG. 6, the basic configuration of this vehicle lamp is the same as that of the vehicle lamp 10 according to the above embodiment, but the configuration of the light-transmitting member 120 and the arrangement of the six light-emitting elements 130A, 130B, 130C, 140A, 140B, and 140C are different from those in the above embodiment.

[0086] Also in this modified example, the light-transmitting member 120 includes three projection lens portions 122A, 122B, and 122C arranged in parallel in the vehicle width direction, similar to the light-transmitting member 20 of the above embodiment. Further, its front surface 120a is formed of a convex cylindrical curved surface extending in the vehicle width direction, and the portions of the rear surface 120b located at the respective three projection lens portions 122A, 122B, and 122C are formed of convex cylindrical curved surfaces extending in the vertical direction.

[0087] On the other hand, in the light-transmitting member 120 of this modified example, the portions of the rear surface 120b located at the respective three projection lens portions 122A, 122B, and 122C have the same horizontal cross-sectional shape, and their optical axes Axa, Axb, and Axc are all formed to extend in the front-rear direction of the lamp in a plan view.

[0088] Note that also in the light-transmitting member 120 of this modified example, the directions of the optical axes Axa to Axc of the three projection lens portions 122A to 122C are set so that their emitted light is slightly upward with respect to the front direction of the lamp.

[0089] Also in this modified example, the six light-emitting elements 130A to 130C and 140A to 140C are mounted on a common substrate 150 in a state of being arranged in pairs in the vehicle width direction on the rear side of the lamp of each of the three projection lens portions 122A to 122C.

[0090] The configuration of each of the six light-emitting elements 130A to 130C and 140A to 140C itself is the same as that in the above embodiment, and their light-emitting surfaces 130a and 140a are arranged in a state of facing the front direction of the lamp.

[0091] That is, among the six light-emitting elements 130A to 130C and 140A to 140C, the three light-emitting elements 130A to 130C are configured as first light-emitting elements that emit light with high luminance, and the three light-emitting elements 140A to 140C are configured as second light-emitting elements that emit light with low luminance.

[0092] Among the six light-emitting elements 130A to 130C and 140A to 140C, two light-emitting elements 130A and 140A are arranged on the rear side of the lamp of the projection lens unit 122A, two light-emitting elements 130B and 140B are arranged on the rear side of the lamp of the projection lens unit 122B, and two light-emitting elements 130C and 140C are arranged on the rear side of the lamp of the projection lens unit 122C. Moreover, the light-emitting elements 130A to 130C that emit light with high brightness and the light-emitting elements 140A to 140C that emit light with low brightness are alternately arranged in the vehicle width direction.

[0093] The rear focal points Fa, Fb, and Fc of the three projection lens units 122A, 122B, and 122C are respectively set at the intersections of the virtual vertical plane including the light-emitting surfaces 130a and 140a of the six light-emitting elements 130A to 130C and 140A to 140C and the optical axes Axa, Axb, and Axc.

[0094] For the rear focal point Fa of the projection lens unit 122A, the light-emitting element 130A is arranged on the right side, and the light-emitting element 140A is arranged on the left side. For the rear focal point Fb of the projection lens unit 122B, the light-emitting element 130B is arranged on the right side, and the light-emitting element 140B is arranged on the left side. Further, for the rear focal point Fc of the projection lens unit 122C, the light-emitting element 130C is arranged on the right side, and the light-emitting element 140C is arranged on the left side.

[0095] At this time, the right displacement amounts Da1, Db1, and Dc1 from the rear focal points Fa, Fb, and Fc of the light-emitting elements 130A, 130B, and 130C are set such that Da1 < Db1 < Dc1. On the other hand, the left displacement amounts Da2, Db2, and Dc2 from the rear focal points Fa, Fb, and Fc of the light-emitting elements 140A, 140B, and 140C are all set to values larger than the right displacement amounts Da1 to Dc1, and are set such that Da2 > Db2 > Dc2.

[0096] FIG. 7(a) is a perspective view showing an additional light distribution pattern PA2 for high beam formed on a virtual vertical screen positioned 25 m in front of the lamp as a composite light distribution pattern (i.e., a light distribution pattern formed on a vehicle basis) of a lamp light distribution pattern PAR2 formed by light irradiated from a vehicle lamp of this modified example and a lamp light distribution pattern PAL2 formed by light irradiated from a vehicle lamp that is to be paired with the vehicle lamp of this modified example.

[0097] As shown in FIG. 7(a), the additional light distribution pattern PA2 is a light distribution pattern that is additionally formed on the low beam light distribution pattern PL when the high beam light distribution pattern PH2 is formed.

[0098] The additional light distribution pattern PA2 is a horizontally elongated light distribution pattern that extends in a thin line in the left-right direction on the HH line, and is formed in a state in which the lamp light distribution pattern PAR2 and the lamp light distribution pattern PAL2 partially overlap, and its lower end region overlaps with the region near the cutoff line of the low beam light distribution pattern PL.

[0099] FIG. 8(a) is a diagram showing a lamp light distribution pattern PAR2 formed by light emitted from a vehicle lamp according to this modified example.

[0100] As shown in Figure 8(a), the lamp light distribution pattern PAR2 is formed by six inverted projection images IR1a, IR1b, IR1c, IR2a, IR2b, and IR2c formed by the light emitted from six light-emitting elements 130A, 130B, 130C, 140A, 140B, and 140C, with three of them partially overlapping each other at two locations on the left and right.

[0101] The inverted projection image IR1a is an image formed by direct light from the light emitting element 130A being emitted through the projection lens unit 122A, and is formed as a bright, clear, and approximately rectangular image slightly to the left of the front direction of the lamp, straddling the VV line. This is because the light emitting element 130A, which emits light with high luminous intensity, is slightly displaced to the right from the rear focal point Fa of the projection lens unit 122A.

[0102] The inverted projection image IR1b is an image formed by the direct light from the light emitting element 130B exiting through the projection lens unit 122B, and is formed in a state of partially overlapping with the inverted projection image IR1a at a position slightly separated to the left from the V-V line as a bright and clear substantially rectangular image. This is because the light emitting element 130B that emits light with high luminance is displaced more greatly to the right from the rear focal point Fb of the projection lens unit 122B than in the case of the light emitting element 130A.

[0103] The inverted projection image IR1c is an image formed by the direct light from the light emitting element 130C exiting through the projection lens unit 122C, and is formed in a state of partially overlapping with the inverted projection image IR2b at a position more separated to the left from the V-V line than the inverted projection image IR1b as a bright and clear substantially rectangular image. This is because the light emitting element 130C that emits light with high luminance is displaced more greatly to the right from the rear focal point Fc of the projection lens unit 122C than in the case of the light emitting element 130B.

[0104] These three inverted projection images IR1a, IR1b, and IR1c are all formed as images of substantially the same size having an outer shape of a substantially rectangular shape that is slightly longer in the vertical direction than a square.

[0105] The inverted projection image IR2a is an image formed by the direct light from the light emitting element 140A exiting through the projection lens unit 122A, and is formed at a position greatly separated to the right from the V-V line as a substantially rectangular image having inferior brightness compared to the inverted projection images IR1a to IR1c. This is because the light emitting element 140A that emits light with low luminance is displaced greatly to the left from the rear focal point Fa of the projection lens unit 122A.

[0106] The inverted projection image IR2b is an image formed by the direct light from the light-emitting element 140B exiting through the projection lens unit 122B. It is a substantially rectangular image with lower brightness than the inverted projection images IR2a to IR2c, and is formed in a state of partially overlapping with the inverted projection image IR2a at a position to the left of the inverted projection image IR2a. This is because the light-emitting element 140B that emits light at low brightness is displaced smaller and to the left from the rear focal point Fb of the projection lens unit 122B than in the case of the light-emitting element 140A.

[0107] The inverted projection image IR2c is an image formed by the direct light from the light-emitting element 140C exiting through the projection lens unit 122C. It is a substantially rectangular image with lower brightness than the inverted projection images IR2a to IR2c, and is formed in a state of partially overlapping with the inverted projection image IR2b at a position to the left of the inverted projection image IR2b. This is because the light-emitting element 140C that emits light at low brightness is displaced smaller and to the left from the rear focal point Fc of the projection lens unit 22C than in the case of the light-emitting element 140B.

[0108] FIG. 8(b) is a diagram showing a lamp light distribution pattern PAL2 formed by the irradiation light from a vehicle lamp to be paired with the vehicle lamp according to this modified example.

[0109] As shown in FIG. 8(b), the lamp light distribution pattern PAL2 is formed as a light distribution pattern that is symmetric about the V-V line with respect to the lamp light distribution pattern PAR2.

[0110] That is, the lamp light distribution pattern PAL2 is composed of six inverted projection images IL1a, IL1b, IL1c, IL2a, IL2b, IL2c having image shapes that are symmetric about the V-V line with respect to the six inverted projection images IR1a, IR1b, IR1c, IR2a, IR2b, IR2c that constitute the lamp light distribution pattern PAR2.

[0111] As shown in FIG. 7(a), the additional light distribution pattern PA2 is formed as a light distribution pattern with little light distribution unevenness in which the left and right central regions located near the V-V line are the brightest and gradually become darker toward both left and right ends. This is because the three inverted projection images IR1a to IR1c constituting the region near the V-V line of the luminaire light distribution pattern PAR2 and the three inverted projection images IL1a to IL1c constituting the region near the V-V line of the luminaire light distribution pattern PAL2 are formed as brighter images than the three inverted projection images IR2a to IR2c and the three inverted projection images IL2a to IL2c, and the three inverted projection images IR1a to IR1c and the three inverted projection images IL1a to IL1c partially overlap near the V-V line.

[0112] Note that although the center position in the vertical direction of the luminaire light distribution pattern PA2 is slightly displaced upward with respect to the H-H line, this is due to the fact that the directions of the optical axes Axa to Axc are set so that the directions of the light emitted from the three projection lens units 122A to 122C are slightly upward with respect to the front direction of the luminaire.

[0113] FIG. 7(b) is a diagram similar to FIG. 7(a) showing the additional light distribution pattern PA2 in a state where a part thereof is missing.

[0114] In FIG. 7(b), a state is shown in which two inverted projection images IL1b and IL1c constituting the luminaire light distribution pattern PAL2 are missing among the pair of left and right luminaire light distribution patterns PAL2 and PAR2 constituting the additional light distribution pattern PA2.

[0115] Even when the configuration of this modified example is adopted, substantially the same operational effects as those in the above-described embodiment can be obtained.

[0116] At this time, in this modified example, six light-emitting elements 130A to 130C and 140A to 140C are arranged in a state where two are arranged side by side in the vehicle width direction on the rear side of each of the three projection lens units 122A to 122C. However, the intervals between the light-emitting elements 130A and 140A, between the light-emitting elements 130B and 140B, and between the light-emitting elements 130C and 140C are larger than the intervals between the light-emitting elements 30A and 40A, between the light-emitting elements 30B and 40B, and between the light-emitting elements 30C and 40C in the above-described embodiment. Therefore, even though these six light-emitting elements 130A to 130C and 140A to 140C are mounted on a common substrate 150, it is possible to more effectively suppress the occurrence of local heat load in the vehicle lamp.

[0117] Also, by adopting the configuration of this modified example, the shape of the light-transmitting member 120 can be simplified.

[0118] Next, a second modified example of the above-described embodiment will be described.

[0119] FIG. 9 is a view similar to FIG. 1 showing a vehicle lamp 210 according to this modified example.

[0120] As shown in FIG. 9, the vehicle lamp 210 according to this modified example is also a lamp arranged at the right front end of the vehicle, and in a lamp chamber formed by a lamp body 212 and a through-shaped light-transmitting cover 214 attached to the front end opening thereof, a light-transmitting member 220 and six light-emitting elements 230A, 230B, 240A, 240B, 260A, and 260B are arranged. And this vehicle lamp 10 is configured to form a lamp light distribution pattern by irradiating direct light from the six light-emitting elements 230A to 260B forward through the light-transmitting member 220.

[0121] On the other hand, in this modified example, the light-transmitting member 220 is configured to include two projection lens portions 222A and 222B arranged in parallel in the vehicle width direction. Further, the six light-emitting elements 230A to 260B are mounted on a common substrate 250 in a state where three of them are arranged side by side in the vehicle width direction on the rear side of the lamp of each of the two projection lens portions 222A and 222B. The specific arrangement of these six light-emitting elements 230A to 260B will be described later. The substrate 250 is arranged to extend in the vehicle width direction along a vertical plane orthogonal to the front direction of the lamp, and is supported by the lamp body 212 at both its left and right ends.

[0122] The front surface 220a of the light-transmitting member 220 is formed of a convex cylindrical curved surface extending in the vehicle width direction, and the rear surface 220b thereof is formed of convex cylindrical curved surfaces in portions located in each of the two projection lens portions 222A and 222B and extending in the vertical direction. And this light-transmitting member 220 is supported by the lamp body 212 at a pair of left and right flange portions 220c formed on both sides in the vehicle width direction of the two projection lens portions 222A and 222B.

[0123] The optical axes Axa and Axb of the two projection lens portions 222A and 222B extend in a direction inclined outward in the vehicle width direction toward the front of the lamp with respect to the virtual straight line L whose optical axis extends in the front-rear direction of the lamp, and the inclination angles θa and θb are set to the same value (for example, a value of about θa = θb = 6°).

[0124] The rear focal points Fa and Fb of the two projection lens portions 222A and 222B are respectively set at the intersections of the virtual vertical plane including the light-emitting surfaces of the six light-emitting elements 230A to 260B and the optical axes Axa and Axb.

[0125] Note that also in the light-transmitting member 220 of this modified example, the directions of the optical axes Axa and Axb of the two projection lens portions 222A and 222B are set so that their emitted light is slightly upward with respect to the front direction of the lamp.

[0126] Among the six light-emitting elements 230A to 260B, two light-emitting elements 230A and 230B are configured as first light-emitting elements that emit light with high luminance, two light-emitting elements 240A and 240B are configured as second light-emitting elements that emit light with lower luminance than the two light-emitting elements 230A and 230B, and two light-emitting elements 260A and 260B are configured as third light-emitting elements that emit light with even lower luminance than the two light-emitting elements 240A and 240B.

[0127] In addition, the six light-emitting elements 230A to 260B are all white light-emitting diodes as in the case of the above-described embodiment, and their light-emitting surfaces have an outer shape of a rectangular shape (for example, a square) of the same size, and are arranged with their light-emitting surfaces facing the front direction of the lamp.

[0128] The three light-emitting elements 230A, 240A, and 260A are arranged at equal intervals in the vehicle width direction on the rear side of the lamp of the projection lens unit 222A. At this time, among these three light-emitting elements 230A to 260A, the light-emitting element 230A that emits light with high luminance is arranged on the outer side in the vehicle width direction, the light-emitting element 240A that emits light with lower luminance is arranged at the center, and the light-emitting element 260A that emits light with even lower luminance is arranged on the inner side in the vehicle width direction, and the light-emitting center of the light-emitting element 240A located at the center is arranged so as to be located in the vicinity behind the rear focal point Fa of the projection lens unit 222A.

[0129] The three light-emitting elements 230B, 240B, and 260B are also arranged at equal intervals in the vehicle width direction on the rear side of the lamp of the projection lens unit 222B. At this time, the light-emitting element 230B that emits light with high brightness is on the outer side in the vehicle width direction, the light-emitting element 240B that emits light with low brightness is in the center, and the light-emitting element 260B that emits light with even lower brightness is arranged on the inner side in the vehicle width direction. And these three light-emitting elements 230B to 260B are arranged such that the midpoint between the light-emitting center of the light-emitting element 230A and the light-emitting center of the light-emitting element 240A is located in the vicinity behind the rear focal point Fb of the projection lens unit 222B. That is, with respect to the optical axes Axa and Axb of the projection lens units 222A and 222B, the three light-emitting elements 230B to 260B are arranged in a state shifted inward by half a pitch in the vehicle width direction with respect to the three light-emitting elements 230A to 260A.

[0130] Also in the vehicle lamp 210 according to this modified example, similar to the case of the above-described embodiment, the six light-emitting elements 230A to 260B are configured to light up simultaneously or selectively.

[0131] FIG. 10(a) is a diagram showing a perspective view of an additional light distribution pattern PA3 for high beam formed as a combined light distribution pattern of a pair of left and right light distribution patterns PAL3 and PAR3. FIG. 11(a) is a diagram showing a lamp light distribution pattern PAR3 formed by the irradiation light from the vehicle lamp 210, and FIG. 11(b) is a diagram showing a lamp light distribution pattern PAL3 formed by the irradiation light from a vehicle lamp that should be paired with the vehicle lamp 210.

[0132] As shown in Fig. 10(a), the additional light distribution pattern PA3 is a horizontally long light distribution pattern that extends longitudinally in the left-right direction on the H-H line. It is formed in a state where the luminaire light distribution pattern PAR3 that extends long to the right from the vicinity of the left side of the V-V line and the luminaire light distribution pattern PAL3 that extends long to the left from the vicinity of the right side of the V-V line partially overlap. This additional light distribution pattern PA3 overlaps with the vicinity of the cut-off line of the low beam light distribution pattern PL in the lower end region thereof. As a result, the high beam light distribution pattern PH3 is formed as a light distribution pattern without a gap between the low beam light distribution pattern PL and the additional light distribution pattern PA3.

[0133] As shown in Fig. 11(a), the luminaire light distribution pattern PAR3 is formed in a state where six inverted projection images IR3a, IR3b, IR4a, IR4b, IR6a, and IR6b formed by the emitted light from six light emitting elements 230A, 230B, 240A, 240B, 260A, and 260B partially overlap with each other.

[0134] The inverted projection image IR3a is an image formed by the direct light from the light emitting element 230A being emitted through the projection lens unit 222A. It is formed as a substantially rectangular bright image at a position slightly to the right with respect to the front direction of the luminaire in a state straddling the V-V line.

[0135] The inverted projection image IR3b is an image formed by the direct light from the light emitting element 230B being emitted through the projection lens unit 222B. It is formed as a substantially rectangular image with the same brightness as the inverted projection image IR3a and is formed in a state of partially overlapping with the inverted projection image IR3a on the right side thereof.

[0136] The inverted projection image IR4a is an image formed by the direct light from the light emitting element 240A being emitted through the projection lens unit 222A. It is formed as a substantially rectangular image with a brightness inferior to that of the inverted projection images IR3a and IR3b and is formed in a state of partially overlapping with the inverted projection image IR3b on the right side thereof.

[0137] The inverted projection image IR4b is an image formed by the direct light from the light emitting element 240B exiting through the projection lens unit 222B. It is formed as a substantially rectangular image with the same brightness level as the inverted projection image IR4a, and is formed in a state of partially overlapping with the latter on the right side of the inverted projection image IR4a.

[0138] The inverted projection image IR6a is an image formed by the direct light from the light emitting element 260A exiting through the projection lens unit 222A. It is formed as a substantially rectangular image with a brightness even lower than that of the inverted projection images IR4a and IR4b, and is formed in a state of partially overlapping with the inverted projection image IR4b.

[0139] The inverted projection image IR6b is an image formed by the direct light from the light emitting element 260A exiting through the projection lens unit 222A. It is formed as a substantially rectangular image with the same brightness level as the inverted projection image IR6a, and is formed in a state of partially overlapping with the latter on the right side of the inverted projection image IR6a.

[0140] As shown in FIG. 11(b), the lamp light distribution pattern PAL3 is formed as a light distribution pattern that is left-right symmetric with respect to the V-V line with the lamp light distribution pattern PAR3.

[0141] That is, the lamp light distribution pattern PAL3 is composed of six inverted projection images IL3a, IL3b, IL4a, IL4b, IL6a, and IL6b that have left-right symmetric image shapes with respect to the V-V line for the six inverted projection images IR3a, IR3b, IR4a, IR4b, IR6a, and IR6b that constitute the lamp light distribution pattern PAR3.

[0142] As shown in Fig. 10(a), the additional light distribution pattern PA3 is formed as a light distribution pattern with little light distribution unevenness such that the left and right central regions located near the V-V line are the brightest and gradually become darker toward the left and right end regions. This is because in the pair of left and right lamp light distribution patterns PAL1 and PAR1, the two pairs of inverted projection images IL3a, IL3b and IR3a, IR3b that constitute the region near the V-V line are formed as the brightest images, the two pairs of inverted projection images IL4a, IL4b and IR4a, IR4b that constitute the regions on both sides thereof are formed as the next brightest images, the two pairs of inverted projection images IL6a, IL6b and IR6a, IR6b that constitute the regions on both sides thereof are formed as the next brightest images, and it is due to the fact that the pair of left and right inverted projection images IL3a and IR3a partially overlap on the V-V line.

[0143] Fig. 10(b) is a diagram similar to Fig. 10(a), showing the additional light distribution pattern PA3 in a state where a part thereof is missing.

[0144] In Fig. 10(b), among the six light emitting elements 230A to 260B in the vehicle lamp 10, due to the extinguishing of the two light emitting elements 230B and 240A, a state is shown in which two inverted projection images IR3b and IR4a that constitute the lamp light distribution pattern PAR3 among the pair of left and right lamp light distribution patterns PAL3 and PAR3 that constitute the additional light distribution pattern PA3 are missing.

[0145] Even when the configuration of this modification is adopted, substantially the same operational effects as those in the above embodiment can be obtained.

[0146] Also, in this modification, since the six light emitting elements 230A to 260B are arranged in three rows each in the vehicle width direction on the rear side of the lamp of each of the two projection lens portions 222A and 222B, the left and right width of the light transmissive member 220 can be reduced, and thereby the miniaturization and weight reduction of the vehicle lamp 210 can be achieved.

[0147] Furthermore, in the present modification, light-emitting elements 230A and 230B (first light-emitting elements) that emit light with high luminance and light-emitting elements 240A and 240B (second light-emitting elements) that emit light with low luminance are arranged on the rear side of each of the two projection lens units 222A and 222B with respect to the lamp. Then, light-emitting elements 260A and 260B (third light-emitting elements) that emit light with even lower luminance than the light-emitting elements 240A and 240B are additionally arranged. Therefore, even though the light-transmitting member 220 is constituted by only the two projection lens units 222A and 222B, the lamp light distribution pattern PAR3 can be formed as a light distribution pattern with less light distribution unevenness. Moreover, these light-emitting elements 260A and 260B are arranged on the rear side of each of the two projection lens units 222A and 222B so as to be located on the side opposite to the light-emitting elements 230A and 230B with respect to the light-emitting elements 240A and 240B. Thus, the above-described operational effects can be obtained while minimizing an increase in the heat load due to the additional arrangement of the light-emitting elements 260A and 260B.

[0148] Note that the numerical values shown as specifications in the above-described embodiment and its modification are merely examples, and it goes without saying that these may be set to different values as appropriate.

[0149] In addition, the present invention is not limited to the configurations described in the above-described embodiment and its modification, and configurations in which various other changes are made can be adopted.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0150] 2 Opposing vehicles 10, 210 Vehicle lamps 12, 212 Lamp bodies 14, 214 Light-transmitting covers 20, 120, 220 Light-transmitting members 20a, 120a, 220a Front surfaces 20b, 120b, 220b Rear surfaces 20c, 220c Flange portions 22A, 22B, 22C, 122A, 122B, 122C, 222A, 222B Projection lens units 30A, 30B, 30C, 130A, 130B, 130C, 230A, 230B Light-emitting elements (first light-emitting elements) 30a, 40a, 130a, 140a Light-emitting surfaces 40A, 40B, 40C, 140A, 140B, 140C, 240A, 240B Light-emitting elements (second light-emitting elements) 50, 150, 250 Substrates 260A, 260B Light-emitting elements (third light-emitting elements) Axa, Axb, Axc Optical axes CL1 Lower cut-off line CL2 Upper cut-off line Da1, Db1, Dc1 Right displacement amounts Da2, Db2, Dc2 Left displacement amounts E Elbow point Fa, Fb, Fc Rear foci IL1a, IL1b, IL1c, IL2a, IL2b, IL2c, IL3a, IL3b, IL4a, IL4b, IL6a, IL6b, IR1a, IR1b, IR1c, IR2a, IR2b, IR2c, IR3a, IR3b, IR4a, IR4b, IR6a, IR6b Inverted projection images L Virtual straight line PA1, PA2, PA3 Additional light distribution patterns PAL1, PAL2, PAR1, PAR2, PAL3, PAR3 Luminaire light distribution patterns PH1, PH2, PH3 High-beam light distribution patterns PL Low-beam light distribution pattern θa, θb, θc Tilt angles

Claims

1. A vehicle lamp configured to form a lamp light distribution pattern by irradiating direct light from a plurality of light-emitting elements toward a front side of the lamp through a translucent member, The light-transmitting member includes a plurality of projection lens portions arranged in parallel in a vehicle width direction, The plurality of light-emitting elements are mounted on a common substrate in a state where two are arranged side by side in a vehicle width direction on the rear side of each of the plurality of projection lens portions, The vehicle lamp is characterized in that the plurality of light-emitting elements are arranged such that first light-emitting elements emitting high luminous intensity and second light-emitting elements emitting low luminous intensity are alternately arranged in a vehicle width direction.

2. 2. The vehicle lamp according to claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of projection lens portions has a rear surface shape that is a convex curved surface and has a different horizontal cross-sectional shape.

3. 3. The vehicle lamp according to claim 2, wherein the plurality of projection lens portions are formed so that their optical axes are oriented in different directions relative to the vehicle width direction.

4. The vehicle lamp according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that, on the rear side of each of the plurality of projection lens portions, the first light-emitting element is positioned closer to the optical axis of the projection lens portion than the second light-emitting element.

5. 4. The vehicular lamp according to claim 1, wherein the front surface of the light-transmitting member is formed as a continuous single curved surface or a continuous flat surface.

6. a third light-emitting element that emits light at a lower luminous intensity than the second light-emitting element is additionally disposed on the rear side of each of the plurality of projection lens portions; 4. The vehicular lamp according to claim 1, wherein the third light emitting element is mounted on the substrate in a state aligned with the first and second light emitting elements in a vehicle width direction.

7. The vehicle lamp according to claim 6, characterized in that, on the rear side of each of the plurality of projection lens portions, the third light-emitting element is arranged so as to be located on the opposite side of the second light-emitting element from the first light-emitting element.

Images