Vehicular lighting fixture

Abstract

To enable a vehicular lighting fixture including a projection lens to form a light distribution pattern for emitting a low-beam light distribution pattern to a short-distance region on a vehicle front road surface, while maintaining the brightness in the center region of a high-beam light distribution pattern.SOLUTION: Between a first light emitting element 20A lighting at the low-beam irradiation time and a second light emitting element 20B additionally lighting at the high-beam irradiation time in a state of being arranged below, a shade 40 is arranged for shielding part of emission light from the first light emitting element 20A. Then, in the upper region of a projection lens 30, a specific region 30B is provided in which direct light from the second light emitting element 20B does not reach due to a light shielding action of the shade 40, and in this specific region 30B, light reaching from the position of a rear side focal point F of the projection lens 30 is emitted as downward light to the lighting fixture front. Thereby, a low-beam light distribution pattern is expanded downward, and is made to be a light distribution pattern which is emitted to a short-distance region on a vehicle front road side.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a vehicle lamp equipped with a projection lens.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, as a configuration of a vehicle lamp, there is known a configuration in which emitted light from a light emitting element is irradiated forward of the lamp through a projection lens to form a light distribution pattern for a headlamp.

[0003] Patent Document 1 describes a vehicle lamp having, as a light emitting element of such a vehicle lamp, a first light emitting element that lights up during low beam irradiation and a second light emitting element that lights up additionally during high beam irradiation while being disposed below the first light emitting element.

[0004] In the vehicle lamp described in this Patent Document 1, a shade is disposed between the first light emitting element and the second light emitting element, and by shielding a part of the emitted light from the first light emitting element with this shade, it is configured to form a light distribution pattern for a low beam having a cut-off line at the upper end.

[0005] At that time, the projection lens of the vehicle lamp described in this Patent Document 1 is configured such that the upper region thereof emits light reaching from the position of the rear focal point of the projection lens forward of the lamp as downward light.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0006]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0007] By adopting the configuration described in the above-mentioned "Patent Document 1", it is possible to form the additional light distribution pattern formed by the supplementary lighting of the second light-emitting element during high-beam irradiation as a light distribution pattern that partially overlaps with the vicinity of the cut-off line of the low-beam light distribution pattern. As a result, it is possible to form the high-beam light distribution pattern as a light distribution pattern without a dark portion in the cut-off line part.

[0008] Also, by adopting the configuration described in the above-mentioned "Patent Document 1", it is possible to form the low-beam light distribution pattern by expanding it downward, and thereby form the low-beam light distribution pattern as a light distribution pattern that irradiates the short-distance region of the road surface in front of the vehicle.

[0009] However, when such a configuration is adopted, there is a possibility that the brightness of the central region of the high-beam light distribution pattern may decrease.

[0010] The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and an object thereof is to provide a vehicle lamp provided with a projection lens, which can form a low-beam light distribution pattern that irradiates the short-distance region of the road surface in front of the vehicle while maintaining the brightness of the central region of the high-beam light distribution pattern.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0011] The present invention is devised in the configuration of the projection lens so as to achieve the above object.

[0012] That is, the vehicle lamp according to the present invention is In a vehicle lamp configured to form a headlamp light distribution pattern by irradiating the emitted light from a light-emitting element forward of the lamp through a projection lens, As the above light-emitting element, it includes a first light-emitting element that lights up during low-beam irradiation, and a second light-emitting element that is arranged below the first light-emitting element and lights up supplementary during high-beam irradiation. A shade configured to form a light distribution pattern for a low beam having a cut-off line at an upper end portion by blocking a part of the light emitted from the first light emitting element is disposed between the first light emitting element and the second light emitting element. A specific area where direct light from the second light emitting element does not reach is provided in an upper region of the projection lens due to the light shielding effect of the shade. The specific area is configured to emit light reaching from a position of a rear focal point of the projection lens forward of the lamp as downward light. This is the gist of the invention.

[0013] The specific configuration of each of the "first and second light emitting elements" is not particularly limited.

[0014] The "specific area" is not particularly limited in its specific arrangement in the upper region of the projection lens as long as it is an area where direct light from the second light emitting element does not reach due to the light shielding effect of the shade.

[0015] The "specific area" may be configured to be realized by the surface shape of either the front surface or the rear surface of the projection lens as long as it is configured to emit light reaching from a position of a rear focal point of the projection lens forward of the lamp as downward light.

[0016] The "light reaching from a position of a rear focal point of the projection lens" may be actual light or virtual light.

Advantages of the Invention

[0017] The vehicle lamp according to the present invention is configured to form a light distribution pattern for a headlamp by the light emitted from a light-emitting element and irradiated forward of the lamp through a projection lens. The light-emitting element includes a first light-emitting element that lights up during low beam irradiation and a second light-emitting element that is arranged below the first light-emitting element and lights up additionally during high beam irradiation. A shade is arranged between the first light-emitting element and the second light-emitting element to block a part of the light emitted from the first light-emitting element, so that a light distribution pattern for a low beam having a cut-off line at the upper end can be formed.

[0018] Furthermore, in the upper region of the projection lens, a specific region is provided where the direct light from the second light-emitting element does not reach due to the light-shielding effect of the shade. This specific region is configured to emit the light reaching from the position of the rear focal point of the projection lens forward of the lamp as downward light. Therefore, the light distribution pattern for the low beam can be extended downward, and thus the light distribution pattern for the low beam can be formed as a light distribution pattern that irradiates the near-distance region of the road surface in front of the vehicle.

[0019] At this time, since the direct light from the second light-emitting element does not reach the specific region of the projection lens, even if the light distribution pattern for the low beam is configured to be extended downward in this specific region, it will not affect the additional light distribution pattern formed by the lighting of the second light-emitting element during high beam irradiation. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the brightness of the additional light distribution pattern from decreasing inadvertently, and thereby maintain the brightness of the central region of the light distribution pattern for the high beam.

[0020] As described above, according to the present invention, in a vehicle lamp provided with a projection lens, it is possible to form a light distribution pattern for a low beam that irradiates the near-distance region of the road surface in front of the vehicle while maintaining the brightness of the central region of the light distribution pattern for the high beam.

[0021] In the above configuration, further, as the configuration of the shade, an upward reflecting surface that reflects the light emitted from the first light-emitting element upward toward the projection lens, and a downward reflecting surface that serves as the light-shielding action and reflects the light emitted from the second light-emitting element downward toward the projection lens are provided. In this case, the light emitted from the first and second light-emitting elements can be efficiently incident on the projection lens, and thereby the brightness of the light distribution pattern for low beam and the light distribution pattern for high beam can be increased.

[0022] When such a configuration is adopted, if the cut-off line of the light distribution pattern for low beam is formed as a horizontal cut-off line as a vehicle lamp, the configuration of the vehicle lamp can be made suitable for a two-wheeler headlamp. At that time, if the shade has a wedge-shaped side cross-sectional shape, it is possible to form the light distribution pattern for high beam as a light distribution pattern without a dark portion in the portion of the horizontal cut-off line.

[0023] In the above configuration, further, if a reflector that reflects the direct light from the second light-emitting element toward the projection lens is disposed below the shade, the brightness of the additional light distribution pattern can be increased, and thereby the brightness of the light distribution pattern for high beam can also be increased.

[0024] At that time, as the configuration of the reflector, it is also possible to adopt a configuration in which a part of the reflected light is incident on a specific region of the projection lens. When such a configuration is adopted, the additional light distribution pattern can be formed as a light distribution pattern that partially overlaps with the region near the cut-off line of the light distribution pattern for low beam, and thereby it is easily possible to form the light distribution pattern for high beam as a light distribution pattern without a dark portion in the portion of the cut-off line.

[0025] In the above configuration, if the first and second light-emitting elements are both arranged with their light-emitting surfaces facing forward of the lamp, the direct light from the first and second light-emitting elements can be efficiently incident on the projection lens.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0026]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0027] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0028] FIG. 1 is a front view showing a vehicle lamp 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along line II-II of FIG. 1.

[0029] In FIGS. 1 and 2, the direction indicated by X is "forward of the lamp", the direction indicated by Y is "left direction" ( "right direction" when viewed from the front of the lamp) perpendicular to "forward of the lamp", and the direction indicated by Z is "upward direction". The same applies to the figures other than FIGS. 1 and 2.

[0030] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the vehicle lamp 10 according to the present embodiment is a headlamp for a two-wheeled vehicle used in a state of being mounted on the front end portion of the two-wheeled vehicle, and is configured to be able to selectively perform low beam irradiation and high beam irradiation.

[0031] That is, this vehicle lamp 10 includes, as a light-emitting element serving as its light source, a first light-emitting element 20A that lights up during low beam irradiation, and a second light-emitting element 20B that is arranged below the first light-emitting element 20A and lights up additionally during high beam irradiation. The emitted light from these first and second light-emitting elements 20A and 20B is configured to be irradiated forward of the lamp through a projection lens 30.

[0032] The projection lens 30 has an optical axis Ax extending in the front-rear direction of the lamp, and forms a low beam light distribution pattern and a high beam light distribution pattern (these will be described later) by inversely projecting a projection image formed on its rear focal plane (that is, the focal plane including the rear focal point F).

[0033] Further, in the vehicle lamp 10 according to the present embodiment, a shade 40 is arranged between the first light-emitting element 20A and the second light-emitting element 20B, and the shade 40 is configured to form the above-described low beam light distribution pattern by blocking a part of the emitted light from the first light-emitting element 20A.

[0034] The first and second light-emitting elements 20A and 20B have horizontally long rectangular light-emitting surfaces 20Aa and 20Ba, and are arranged with their light-emitting surfaces 20Aa and 20Ba facing the front direction of the lamp.

[0035] Specifically, the first and second light-emitting elements 20A and 20B are mounted on a common substrate 22 in a state where their light-emitting surfaces 20Aa and 20Ba are arranged on a vertical plane perpendicular to the optical axis Ax on the rear side of the rear focal point F of the projection lens 30 and on the rear side of the lamp. At this time, the first light-emitting element 20A is arranged directly above the optical axis Ax, while the second light-emitting element 20B is arranged directly below the optical axis Ax, and these first and second light-emitting elements 20A and 20B are arranged at positions approximately equidistant from the optical axis Ax.

[0036] The light-emitting surface 20Aa of the first light-emitting element 20A has a horizontally long outer shape compared to the light-emitting surface 20Ba of the second light-emitting element 20B. For example, the light-emitting surface 20Aa of the first light-emitting element 20A has a horizontally long rectangular outer shape with a vertical-to-horizontal ratio of about 1:4, and the light-emitting surface 20Ba of the second light-emitting element 20B has a horizontally long rectangular outer shape with a vertical-to-horizontal ratio of about 1:2.

[0037] The substrate 22 is formed in a horizontally long rectangular shape when viewed from the front of the lamp, and is supported by the heat sink 50 on its rear surface.

[0038] The heat sink 50 is composed of a metal member such as aluminum, and includes a main body portion 50A that extends in a flat plate shape along a vertical plane perpendicular to the optical axis Ax, a plurality of heat dissipation fins 50B that extend rearward of the lamp at intervals in the left-right direction from the main body portion 50A, and a lens support portion 50C that extends annularly forward of the lamp from the main body portion 50A.

[0039] The projection lens 30 is configured as a plano-convex aspherical lens with a convex front surface 30a and a flat rear surface 30b, and has a circular outer shape when viewed from the front of the lamp.

[0040] This projection lens 30 has an annular outer peripheral flange portion 32, and a cylindrical portion 34 extending rearward from the lamp unit is integrally formed from this outer peripheral flange portion 32. This cylindrical portion 34 is formed so that its diameter gradually increases toward the rear of the lamp unit, and an annular mounting flange portion 36 is formed at its rear end portion. And this projection lens 30 is supported by the lens support portion 50C of the heat sink 50 at its mounting flange portion 36. Note that the outer peripheral surface 34a of the cylindrical portion 34 is subjected to a light shielding process such as black painting.

[0041] The shade 40 is formed so as to extend horizontally in the vehicle width direction with a wedge-shaped side cross-sectional shape on the front side of the lamp unit of the substrate 22, and is supported by the main body portion 50A of the heat sink 50 at both its left and right end portions.

[0042] This shade 40 includes an upward reflecting surface 40a that reflects the light emitted from the first light emitting element 20A upward toward the projection lens 30, and a downward reflecting surface 40b that reflects the light emitted from the second light emitting element 20B downward toward the projection lens 30.

[0043] The upward reflecting surface 40a is formed so as to extend obliquely upward from the position of the rear-side focal point F of the projection lens 30 toward the vicinity of the substrate 22 toward the rear of the lamp unit, and the downward reflecting surface 40b is formed so as to extend obliquely downward from the position of the rear-side focal point F of the projection lens 30 toward the vicinity of the substrate 22 toward the rear of the lamp unit. At this time, the downward reflecting surface 40b is formed at a larger inclination angle than the upward reflecting surface 40a. Thereby, the light emitted from the second light emitting element 20B reflected by the downward reflecting surface 40b is configured to pass more through a position closer to the optical axis Ax in the vertical direction on the rear-side focal plane of the projection lens 30 than the light emitted from the first light emitting element 20A reflected by the upward reflecting surface 40a.

[0044] Note that the front edge 40a1 of the upward reflecting surface 40a (which is also the front edge of the downward reflecting surface 40b) is formed so as to curve and extend toward the front side of the lamp unit in both the left and right directions from the position of the rear-side focal point F of the projection lens 30.

[0045] In the upper region of the projection lens 30, a specific region 30B is provided where direct light from the second light-emitting element 20B does not reach due to the light-shielding effect of the shade 40. In FIG. 2, the virtual optical path of the direct light from the second light-emitting element 20B that did not reach the specific region 30B of the projection lens 30 due to the light-shielding effect of the shade 40 is indicated by a dashed line.

[0046] FIG. 3 is a detailed view of part III of FIG. 2.

[0047] As also shown in FIG. 3, the specific region 30B is configured such that its front surface 30Ba is formed in a convex curve-shaped vertical cross-sectional shape that is displaced toward the rear of the lamp with respect to the virtual extension line (i.e., the convex curve indicated by the two-dot chain line in the figure) of the front surface 30Aa of the general region 30A (i.e., the region other than the specific region 30B).

[0048] On the front surface 30a of the projection lens 30, the boundary line La between the front surface 30Aa of the general region 30A and the front surface 30Ba of the specific region 30B is set to extend horizontally at a position about 1 / 3 to 1 / 5 (for example, about 1 / 4) of the maximum vertical width from the upper edge position of the projection lens 30.

[0049] And in this specific region 30B, light R (i.e., the virtual light indicated by the one-dot chain line in the figure) reaching from the position of the rear focal point F of the projection lens 30 is configured to be emitted as downward light (for example, light that is about 1 to 5° downward with respect to the optical axis Ax) toward the front of the lamp. Note that the light indicated by the two-dot chain line in the figure shows the state in which light R is emitted horizontally from the upper region in the case where the specific region 30B was not provided in the upper region of the projection lens 30.

[0050] The vehicle lamp 10 according to the present embodiment is configured such that in the vehicle-mounted state (i.e., the state of being mounted on the front end of a two-wheeled vehicle), the optical axis Ax of the projection lens 30 extends in a state where it is slightly downward toward the front of the lamp with respect to the horizontal plane.

[0051] FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing, together with the two-wheeler 2, a headlamp light distribution pattern formed on a virtual vertical screen disposed at a position 25 m in front of the lamp by the light emitted from the vehicle lamp 10 toward the front of the lamp (i.e., the front of the vehicle). (a) shows the low beam light distribution pattern PL-1, and (b) shows the high beam light distribution pattern PH-1.

[0052] The low beam light distribution pattern PL-1 shown in FIG. 4(a) is a light distribution pattern formed when the first light emitting element 20A is lit, and is formed as a horizontally long light distribution pattern that largely spreads to both the left and right sides centered on the V-V line, which is a vertical line passing through H-V, below the H-H line, which is a horizontal line passing through H-V.

[0053] The upper edge of the low beam light distribution pattern PL-1 is formed as a cut-off line CL that extends horizontally in the vicinity below the H-H line, and a high luminance region HZL centered on the V-V line is formed along the cut-off line CL.

[0054] This low beam light distribution pattern PL-1 is a light distribution pattern formed by the light that is directly incident on the projection lens 30 as direct light after being emitted from the first light emitting element 20A and the light that is incident on the projection lens 30 after being reflected by the upward reflecting surface 40a of the shade 40, and the upper region along the cut-off line CL is formed as a relatively bright light distribution pattern.

[0055] The reason why this low beam light distribution pattern PL-1 is formed as a horizontally long light distribution pattern is that the first light emitting element 20A has a horizontally long rectangular light emitting surface 20Aa.

[0056] In addition, in FIG. 4(a), the low beam light distribution pattern PL' shown by the two-dot chain line is a light distribution pattern formed when the specific region 30B is not provided in the upper region of the projection lens 30.

[0057] Actually, the projection lens 30 is configured to emit the light R reaching from the position of the rear focal point F in the specific region 30B as downward light toward the front of the lamp unit. Therefore, the low beam light distribution pattern PL-1 is formed as a light distribution pattern obtained by expanding the low beam light distribution pattern PL´ downward, and thus it is a light distribution pattern that irradiates the short-distance region on the road surface in front of the vehicle (i.e., the region located in the vicinity of the front of the two-wheeler 2).

[0058] Note that the cut-off line CL of the low beam light distribution pattern PL-1 is formed such that its upper edge extends horizontally in the vicinity below the H-H line. This is because when the vehicle lamp unit 10 is in the vehicle-mounted state, the optical axis Ax of the projection lens 30 is arranged in a state where it extends in a slightly downward direction toward the front of the lamp unit with respect to the horizontal plane.

[0059] The high beam light distribution pattern PH-1 shown in FIG. 4(b) is a light distribution pattern formed by the additional lighting of the second light-emitting element 20B while the first light-emitting element 20A is lit, and an additional light distribution pattern PA-1 is added to the upper side of the low beam light distribution pattern PL-1.

[0060] This additional light distribution pattern PA-1 is formed by the light that directly enters the projection lens 30 as it is after being emitted from the second light-emitting element 20B and the light that enters the projection lens 30 after being reflected by the downward reflecting surface 40b of the shade 40. Therefore, the lower region along the cut-off line CL is formed as a relatively bright light distribution pattern.

[0061] At this time, the lower edge of this additional light distribution pattern PA-1 extends along the cut-off line CL. This is because the shade 40 is formed with a wedge-shaped cross-sectional shape and extends horizontally in the vehicle width direction.

[0062] In addition, this additional light distribution pattern PA-1 is also formed as a horizontally long light distribution pattern, which is due to the fact that the second light-emitting element 20B has a horizontally long rectangular light-emitting surface 20Ba. However, since the width of the light-emitting surface 20Ba of the second light-emitting element 20B is smaller than that of the light-emitting surface 20Aa of the first light-emitting element 20A, the additional light distribution pattern PA-1 is formed with a smaller left-right diffusion angle than the low-beam light distribution pattern PL-1.

[0063] And in the high-beam light distribution pattern PH-1 formed as a combined light distribution pattern of the low-beam light distribution pattern PL-1 and the additional light distribution pattern PA-1 in this way, a high-luminance region centered on H-V is formed by the high-luminance region HZL of the low-beam light distribution pattern PL-1 and the high-luminance region HZA of the additional light distribution pattern PA-1.

[0064] Next, the operation of this embodiment will be described.

[0065] The vehicle lamp 10 according to this embodiment is configured to form a headlamp light distribution pattern by the light emitted from the light-emitting element and irradiated forward of the lamp through the projection lens 30. As the light-emitting element, it includes a first light-emitting element 20A that lights up during low-beam irradiation and a second light-emitting element 20B that lights up additionally during high-beam irradiation and is arranged below the first light-emitting element 20A. However, by blocking a part of the light emitted from the first light-emitting element 20A by the shade 40 arranged between the first light-emitting element 20A and the second light-emitting element 20B, a low-beam light distribution pattern PL-1 having a cut-off line CL at the upper end can be formed.

[0066] Furthermore, in the upper region of the projection lens 30, a specific region 30B is provided where direct light from the second light-emitting element 20B cannot reach due to the light-shielding effect of the shade 40. Since this specific region 30B is configured to emit the light R reaching from the position of the rear focal point F of the projection lens 30 forward of the lamp as downward light, the low-beam light distribution pattern PL-1 can be extended downward. As a result, the low-beam light distribution pattern PL-1 can be formed as a light distribution pattern that irradiates the short-distance region of the road surface in front of the vehicle.

[0067] At this time, as shown by the broken line in FIGS. 2 and 3, since the direct light from the second light-emitting element 20B does not reach the specific region 30B of the projection lens 30, even if the low-beam light distribution pattern PL-1 is configured to be extended downward by the light emitted from this specific region 30B, it will not affect the additional light distribution pattern PA-1 formed by the lighting of the second light-emitting element 20B during high-beam irradiation. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the brightness of the additional light distribution pattern PA-1 from inadvertently decreasing, and thereby maintain the brightness of the central region of the high-beam light distribution pattern PH-1.

[0068] As described above, according to the present embodiment, in the vehicle lamp 10 including the projection lens 30, the low-beam light distribution pattern PL-1 can be formed as a light distribution pattern that irradiates the short-distance region of the road surface in front of the vehicle while maintaining the brightness of the central region of the high-beam light distribution pattern PH-1.

[0069] Moreover, in the vehicle lamp 10 according to the present embodiment, the shade 40 includes an upward reflecting surface 40a that reflects the light emitted from the first light-emitting element 20A upward toward the projection lens 30, and a downward reflecting surface 40b that performs the above-described light-shielding action and reflects the light emitted from the second light-emitting element 20B downward toward the projection lens 30. Therefore, the light emitted from the first and second light-emitting elements 20A and 20B can be efficiently incident on the projection lens 30, and thereby the brightness of the low-beam light distribution pattern PL-1 and the high-beam light distribution pattern PH-1 can be increased.

[0070] In addition, since the vehicle lamp 10 according to the present embodiment is configured to form the cut-off line CL of the low-beam light distribution pattern PL-1 as a horizontal cut-off line (i.e., a cut-off line extending in the horizontal direction), the configuration of the vehicle lamp 10 can be made suitable for a two-wheeler headlamp.

[0071] Moreover, in the vehicle lamp 10 according to the present embodiment, since the shade 40 has a wedge-shaped side cross-sectional shape, the high-beam light distribution pattern PH-1 can be formed as a light distribution pattern without a dark portion at the portion of the horizontal cut-off line CL.

[0072] In addition, in the vehicle lamp 10 according to the present embodiment, since the first and second light-emitting elements 20A and 20B are both arranged with their light-emitting surfaces 20Aa and 20Ba facing forward of the lamp, the direct light from the first and second light-emitting elements 20Aa and 20B can be efficiently incident on the projection lens 30.

[0073] In the above embodiment, the first and second light-emitting elements 20A and 20B have been described as each having a single light-emitting surface 20Aa and 20Ba, but it is also possible to adopt a configuration in which a plurality of light-emitting surfaces are arranged side by side.

[0074] The vehicle lamp 10 according to the above embodiment has been described as having a configuration in which the optical axis Ax of the projection lens 30 extends in a slightly downward direction toward the front of the lamp with respect to the horizontal plane in the vehicle-mounted state. However, even in the vehicle-mounted state, after adopting a configuration in which the optical axis Ax of the projection lens 30 extends along the horizontal plane, as the configuration of the shade 40, the front edge 40a1 of the upward reflecting surface 40a is arranged to be slightly above the optical axis Ax of the projection lens 30. This is also possible.

[0075] In the above embodiment, the vehicle lamp 10 has been described as being configured as a headlamp for a two-wheeled vehicle. However, even when it is configured as a headlamp for a four-wheeled vehicle such as a one-box car or a truck, by adopting the same configuration as the above embodiment, it is possible to form a low-beam light distribution pattern that irradiates up to the short-distance area of the road surface in front of the vehicle.

[0076] Next, a modification of the above embodiment will be described.

[0077] First, a first modification of the above embodiment will be described.

[0078] FIG. 5 is a view similar to FIG. 3 showing a main part of the vehicle lamp 110 according to this modification.

[0079] As shown in FIG. 5, the basic configuration of this modification is the same as that of the above embodiment, but the configuration of the projection lens 130 is partially different from that of the above embodiment.

[0080] That is, the projection lens 130 of this modification is also configured as a plano-convex aspherical lens with a convex curved surface on the front surface 130a and a flat surface on the rear surface 130b, and has a circular outer shape when viewed from the front of the lamp. Further, this projection lens 130 also has an annular outer peripheral flange portion 132, and the outer peripheral surface 134a of a cylindrical portion 134 extending rearward from the lamp from this outer peripheral flange portion 132 is subjected to a light-shielding treatment such as black painting. Furthermore, in the upper region of this projection lens 130, a specific region 130B is provided where direct light from the second light-emitting element 20B (see FIG. 2) does not reach due to the light-shielding action of the shade 40.

[0081] However, the specific region 130B in the projection lens 130 of this modification is configured by being formed in a convex-curved vertical cross-sectional shape that is displaced toward the front side of the lamp with respect to the virtual extension line of the rear surface 130Ab of the general region 130A (that is, the straight line indicated by the two-dot chain line in the figure).

[0082] At the rear surface 130b of the projection lens 130, the boundary line Lb between the rear surface 130Ab of the general region 130A and the rear surface 130Bb of the specific region 130B is set to extend horizontally at a position about 1 / 3 to 1 / 5 (for example, about 1 / 4) of the maximum vertical width from the upper edge position of the projection lens 30. And the projection lens 130 is configured to emit the light R (the virtual light shown by the one-dot chain line in the figure) reaching from the position of its rear focal point F as a downward light toward the front of the lamp.

[0083] Even when the configuration of this modification is adopted, the same operational effects as those in the above-described embodiment can be obtained.

[0084] Also, by adopting the configuration of this modification, the above-described operational effects can be obtained with a configuration that maintains the design of the front surface 130a of the projection lens 130 in a single convex curved surface shape.

[0085] Next, a second modification of the above-described embodiment will be described.

[0086] FIG. 6 is a view similar to FIG. 2 showing a vehicle lamp 210 according to this modification.

[0087] As shown in FIG. 6, the basic configuration of this modification is the same as that in the above-described embodiment, but it is partially different from the above-described embodiment in that a pair of upper and lower first and second reflectors 260A and 260B are additionally arranged.

[0088] That is, the vehicle lamp 210 according to this modification has a configuration in which a first reflector 260A is arranged above the shade 40 and a second reflector 260B is arranged below the shade 40.

[0089] The first reflector 260A includes a reflecting surface 260Aa that reflects the direct light from the first light-emitting element 20A toward the projection lens 30, and the second reflector 260B includes a reflecting surface 260Ba that reflects the direct light from the second light-emitting element 20B toward the projection lens 30.

[0090] These first and second reflectors 260A and 260B are supported by the main body 50A of the heat sink 50 at both left and right ends thereof. Incidentally, as the configuration of these first and second reflectors 260A and 260B, it is also possible that they are integrally formed with the shade 40 at both left and right ends thereof.

[0091] Of the direct light from the first light-emitting element 20A, the light reflected by the reflecting surface 260Aa of the first reflector 260A is partly incident on a specific region 30B of the projection lens 30, and is emitted forward of the lamp as downward light from this specific region 30B. Also, of the direct light from the second light-emitting element 20B, the light reflected by the reflecting surface 260Ba of the second reflector 260B is partly incident on the specific region 30B of the projection lens 30, and is emitted forward of the lamp as downward light from this specific region 30B.

[0092] FIG. 7 is a view similar to FIG. 4, showing a light distribution pattern for a headlamp formed by irradiation light from the vehicle lamp 210.

[0093] The low beam light distribution pattern PL-2 shown in FIG. 7(a) is formed as a light distribution pattern in which a light distribution pattern PL-R formed by reflected light from the first reflector 260A is superimposed on the low beam light distribution pattern PL-1 shown in FIG. 4(a).

[0094] The light distribution pattern PL-R is formed such that its lower end edge is located further below the lower end edge of the low beam light distribution pattern PL-1. This is because the light that is reflected by the reflecting surface 260Aa of the first reflector 260A and then incident on the specific region 30B of the projection lens 30 is emitted forward of the lamp as downward light from this specific region 30B.

[0095] Thereby, the low beam light distribution pattern PL-2 is formed as a light distribution pattern that widely irradiates the near-distance region of the road surface in front of the vehicle, in which the low beam light distribution pattern PL-1 is further extended downward.

[0096] The high-beam light distribution pattern PH-2 shown in Fig. 7(a) is formed as a light distribution pattern in which an additional light distribution pattern PA-2 is added above the low-beam light distribution pattern PL-2.

[0097] The additional light distribution pattern PA-2 is formed as a light distribution pattern in which a light distribution pattern PA-R formed by the reflected light from the second reflector 260B is superimposed on the additional light distribution pattern PA-1 shown in Fig. 4(b).

[0098] The light distribution pattern PA-R is formed such that its lower end edge extends substantially horizontally below the cut-off line CL of the low-beam light distribution pattern PL-2. This is because the light that has entered a specific region 30B of the projection lens 30 after being reflected by the reflecting surface 260Ba of the second reflector 260B is emitted forward of the lamp as downward light from this specific region 30B.

[0099] As a result, the high-beam light distribution pattern PH-2 is formed in a state where the lower end edge portion of the additional light distribution pattern PA-2 partially overlaps with the low-beam light distribution pattern PL-2.

[0100] Even when the configuration of this modification is adopted, the same operational effects as those in the above-described embodiment can be obtained.

[0101] Furthermore, by adopting the configuration of this modification, the brightness of the low-beam light distribution pattern PL-2 can be increased by the reflected light from the first reflector 260A, and the brightness of the additional light distribution pattern PA-2 can be increased by the reflected light from the second reflector 260B. As a result, the brightness of the high-beam light distribution pattern PH-2 can also be increased.

[0102] Also, by adopting the configuration of this modification, the low-beam light distribution pattern PL-2 can be formed as a light distribution pattern that irradiates a wider area up to the short-distance region of the road surface in front of the vehicle than the low-beam light distribution pattern PL-1 in the above-described embodiment.

[0103] Furthermore, by adopting the configuration of this modification example, the light distribution pattern PH-2 for high beams can be formed as a light distribution pattern in which the lower edge of the additional light distribution pattern PA-2 partially overlaps with the light distribution pattern PL-2 for low beams. As a result, it becomes possible to easily form a light distribution pattern in which no dark portion is generated in the portion of the cut-off line CL.

[0104] Note that the numerical values shown as specifications in the above-described embodiment and its modification examples are merely examples, and it goes without saying that these may be set to different values as appropriate.

[0105] Also, the invention of the present application is not limited to the configurations described in the above-described embodiment and its modification examples, and configurations in which various other changes are made can be adopted.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0106] 2 Two-wheeled vehicle 10, 110, 210 Vehicle lamp 20A First light-emitting element (light-emitting element) 20Aa, 20Ba Light-emitting surface 20B Second light-emitting element (light-emitting element) 22 Substrate 30, 130 Projection lens 30a, 30Aa, 30Ba, 130a Front surface 30A, 130A General area 30b, 130Ab, 130Bb, 130b Rear surface 30B, 130B Specific area 32, 132 Outer peripheral flange portion 34, 134 Cylindrical portion 34a, 134a Outer peripheral surface 36 Mounting flange portion 40 Shade 40a Upward reflecting surface 40a1 Front edge 40b Downward reflecting surface 50 Heat sink 50A Body portion 50B Radiation fin 50C lens support part 260A First reflector 260Aa, 260Ba Reflecting surface 260B Second reflector (reflector) Ax Optical axis CL Cutoff line (horizontal cutoff line) F Rear focal point HZA, HZL High-luminance region La, Lb Boundary line PA-1, PA-2 Additional light distribution pattern PH-1, PH-2 Light distribution pattern for high beam PL-1, PL-2 Light distribution pattern for low beam PL-R Light distribution pattern Light reaching from the position of the rear focal point of the projection lens

Claims

1. In a vehicle lamp configured to form a light distribution pattern for a headlamp by irradiating light emitted from a light emitting element forward of the lamp through a projection lens, as the light emitting element, the vehicle lamp includes a first light emitting element that lights up during low beam irradiation, and a second light emitting element that is arranged below the first light emitting element and lights up additionally during high beam irradiation, a shade is arranged between the first light emitting element and the second light emitting element and is configured to form a light distribution pattern for a low beam having a cut-off line at an upper end portion by blocking a part of the light emitted from the first light emitting element, a specific area where direct light from the second light emitting element does not reach is provided in an upper region of the projection lens due to the light blocking action of the shade, the vehicle lamp is characterized in that the specific area is configured to emit light reaching from a position of a rear focal point of the projection lens forward of the lamp as downward light.

2. The vehicle lamp according to claim 1, wherein the shade includes an upward reflecting surface that reflects the light emitted from the first light emitting element upward toward the projection lens, and a downward reflecting surface that performs the light blocking action and reflects the light emitted from the second light emitting element downward toward the projection lens.

3. The vehicle lamp is configured to form the cut-off line as a horizontal cut-off line, the vehicle lamp according to claim 2, wherein the shade has a wedge-shaped side cross-sectional shape.

4. The vehicle lamp according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein a reflector that reflects direct light from the second light emitting element toward the projection lens is arranged below the shade.

5. The vehicle lamp according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein both the first and second light emitting elements are arranged with their light emitting surfaces facing forward of the lamp.

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