Vehicular lighting fixture

Abstract

To provide a vehicular lighting fixture.SOLUTION: A vehicular lighting fixture 12L includes: a first lighting fixture unit 16 configured to form a low beam light distribution pattern by projecting first light emitted from a first light source 16a to a front side of the vehicle; and a second lighting fixture unit 18 provided on an outer side of the vehicle from the first lighting fixture unit 16 and functioning as a vehicle width lamp or a daytime traveling lamp by projecting second light emitted from a second light source 18a to the front side of the vehicle. The second lighting fixture unit 18 further includes a third light source 18b and is configured to form a part of the low beam light distribution pattern by projecting third light emitted from the third light source 18b to the front side of the vehicle.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical Field]

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

[0002] There is known a vehicle headlamp that can improve the visibility of the lamp to drivers of oncoming vehicles and pedestrians, thereby improving safety while the vehicle is traveling (see, for example, Patent Document 1). In the vehicle headlamp of Patent Document 1, a light-guiding member is disposed to the side of a projection lens that projects light from a light source forward of the lamp. This light-guiding member is provided near the projection lens and includes a light intake portion that takes in light emitted from the light source, and an extension portion that extends from the light intake portion toward the outside in the vehicle width direction and emits the light guided from the light intake portion to the outside.

[0003] As a result, when the light source is turned on, not only the projection lens but also the extended portion of the light-guiding member becomes the light-emitting surface, so that the light-emitting surface can be made larger when the vehicle headlamp is viewed from the front side of the lamp, thereby increasing the visibility of the vehicle headlamp. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Patent Publication No. 2013-258001 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] However, depending on the vehicle headlamp, there may be no space available near the lamp unit that forms the low beam light distribution pattern to implement measures to improve visibility, and in such cases, it is not possible to install a new component such as the light guide member.

[0006] The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and one of its exemplary purposes is to provide a vehicle lamp having a new configuration that enhances visibility.

Means for Solving the Problem

[0007] In order to solve the above problems, a vehicle lamp according to an aspect of the present invention includes a first lamp unit configured to form a low-beam light distribution pattern by irradiating the first light emitted from a first light source forward of the vehicle, and a second lamp unit disposed outside the vehicle relative to the first lamp unit and functioning as a side marker lamp or a daytime running lamp by irradiating the second light emitted from a second light source forward of the vehicle. The second lamp unit further includes a third light source and is configured to form a part of the low-beam light distribution pattern by irradiating the third light emitted from the third light source forward of the vehicle.

[0008] According to this aspect, when forming the low-beam light distribution pattern, not only the first lamp unit but also the second lamp unit outside the first lamp unit can be seen to emit light, so that the visibility can be improved.

[0009] The second lamp unit may have an illumination part lit by the second light and an illumination part lit by the third light overlapping. Thereby, since a common illumination part is lit by both the second light and the third light, the entire vehicle lamp can be miniaturized.

[0010] Regarding the illumination part, when the ratio of the incident second light to be emitted is A and the ratio of the incident third light to be emitted is B, B < A may be satisfied. Thereby, even if the third light is bright, the brightness of the irradiation part can be suppressed.

[0011] The illumination part may have a light transmission member that transmits the second light from the rear to the front and allows the third light to be incident from the side and exit forward. Thereby, since the third light source can be disposed at a location away from the second light source, the design freedom of the second lamp unit increases.

[0012] The second lamp unit may have a mounting portion that is mounted to the vehicle so that the outermost edge of the illumination portion is within 400 mm from the outermost edge of the vehicle, making it easier to grasp the vehicle width when the low beam light distribution pattern is formed.

[0013] The second lamp unit may dim the second light source when the third light source is turned on compared to when the third light source is turned off, thereby making it possible to further reduce the brightness of the illumination unit of the second lamp unit when the third light source is turned off.

[0014] Any combination of the above components, and conversion of the expression of the present invention between a manufacturing method, a lighting device or illumination, a light-emitting module, a light source, etc. are also valid aspects of the present invention. [Effects of the Invention]

[0015] According to the present invention, it is possible to improve visibility. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0016] [Figure 1] 1 is a front view of a vehicle equipped with a vehicle lamp according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 2] 2 is a schematic diagram for explaining the layout of a lamp unit in the vehicle lamp according to the present embodiment. FIG. [Figure 3] 5A and 5B are diagrams showing a low beam light distribution pattern according to the present embodiment; [Figure 4] FIG. 10 is a front view of the lighting section of the second lamp unit. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the second lamp unit shown in FIG. 4 taken along line AA. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0017] The present invention will be described below based on preferred embodiments with reference to the drawings. The same or equivalent components, parts, and processes shown in each drawing will be given the same reference numerals, and redundant explanations will be omitted where appropriate. Furthermore, the embodiments are illustrative and do not limit the invention, and all features and combinations thereof described in the embodiments are not necessarily essential to the invention.

[0018] Fig. 1 is a front view of a vehicle equipped with a vehicle lamp according to this embodiment. Fig. 2 is a schematic diagram for explaining the layout of a lamp unit in the vehicle lamp according to this embodiment. The vehicle lamp shown in Figs. 1 and 2 is a vehicle headlamp, and is configured to be able to form both low beam and high beam light distribution patterns. In addition, the vehicle headlamp is integrated with lamps having specific functions such as a Front Turn Signal Lamp (FTSL), a Daytime Running Lamp (DRL), and a Clearance Lamp (CLL).

[0019] A vehicle 10 shown in Fig. 1 is provided with a pair of vehicle lamps 12R, 12L on the left and right sides of the front of a vehicle body 14. The vehicle lamp 12L shown in Fig. 2 is a left headlamp and has the same configuration as the vehicle lamp 12R, which is a right headlamp, and the following will describe the vehicle lamp 12L.

[0020] The vehicle lamp 12L includes a first lamp unit 16 configured to form a low beam light distribution pattern and a high beam light distribution pattern, a second lamp unit 18 functioning as a CLL and a DRL, and a third lamp unit 20 functioning as a FTSL. Note that the first lamp unit 16 does not necessarily have the function of forming a high beam light distribution pattern.

[0021] The first lamp unit 16 irradiates a first light emitted from a first light source 16a toward the front of the vehicle. The second lamp unit 18 is disposed on the outer side of the vehicle than the first lamp unit 16 and irradiates a second light emitted from a second light source 18a toward the front of the vehicle. The second lamp unit 18 further includes a third light source 18b and is configured to form a part of a low beam light distribution pattern by irradiating the third light emitted from the third light source 18b toward the front of the vehicle.

[0022] Fig. 3 is a diagram showing a low-beam light distribution pattern according to this embodiment. The low-beam light distribution pattern PH shown in Fig. 3 is formed by superimposing a low-beam light distribution pattern PH1 formed by the first lamp unit 16 and a low-beam light distribution pattern PH2 formed by the second lamp unit 18. As a result, when the low-beam light distribution pattern PH is formed, not only the first lamp unit 16 but also the second lamp unit 18 located outside the first lamp unit 16 appears to glow, thereby improving the visibility of the vehicle 10 to other vehicles, cyclists, pedestrians, and the like around the vehicle 10.

[0023] Next, the second lamp unit 18 will be described in more detail. Fig. 4 is a front view of the lighting section of the second lamp unit 18. Fig. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the second lamp unit 18 taken along line AA in Fig. 4.

[0024] The second lamp unit 18 includes a reflector 22 having six reflecting portions 22a arranged in the vehicle width direction, a circuit board 24 disposed on top of the reflector 22, and an inner lens 26 made of a translucent material disposed in front of the reflector 22. Six light-emitting elements 24a are mounted on the underside of the circuit board 24 as the second light source 18a. The light-emitting elements 24a are, for example, LEDs. The six light-emitting elements 24a are provided at positions corresponding to the six reflecting portions 22a.

[0025] The light L1 emitted from the light-emitting element 24a is emitted from the opening 22b of the reflecting portion 22a. In the present embodiment, the opening 22b serves as the illumination portion 22c. Further, a light-emitting element 24b is mounted on the upper surface of the circuit board 24 as a third light source. The light L2 emitted from the light-emitting element 24b passes through the light guide portion 26a of the inner lens 26 and is emitted forward from the emission portion 26b by the reflecting surface formed in the light guide portion 26a. The shape of the reflecting surface is, for example, a step, a groove, irregularities, or the like.

[0026] In the second lamp unit 18 according to the present embodiment, the illumination portion 22c lit by the light L1 and the emission portion 26b (illumination portion) lit by the light L2 overlap. Thereby, by lighting a common illumination portion with both the light L1 and the light L2, the entire vehicle lamp can be downsized.

[0027] For the emission portion 26b, assuming that the ratio (L1' / L1) at which the incident light L1 is emitted is A and the ratio (L2' / L2) at which the incident light L2 is emitted is B, B < A. Thereby, even if the light L2 is bright, the brightness of the emission portion 26b can be suppressed.

[0028] The emission portion 26b is a light transmission member that transmits the light L1 from the rear to the front and allows the light L2 to enter from the side and be emitted forward. Thereby, since the third light source 18b can be arranged at a location away from the second light source 18a, the design freedom of the second lamp unit 18 is increased.

[0029] The second lamp unit 18 according to the present embodiment has an attachment portion 28 that is attached to the vehicle such that the distance D between the outermost edge of the emission portion 26b and the outermost side of the vehicle is within 400 mm. Thereby, it becomes easier for others (such as pedestrians and drivers of other vehicles) to grasp the vehicle width of the vehicle when forming a low beam light distribution pattern.

[0030] Note that when the third light source 18b of the second lamp unit 18 is lit, the second light source 18a may be dimmed as compared with the case where the third light source 18b is turned off. Thereby, when the third light source is lit, the brightness of the emission portion 26b of the second lamp unit 18 can be further reduced.

[0031] Although the present invention has been described above with reference to the above-mentioned embodiments, the present invention is not limited to the above-mentioned embodiments, and suitable combinations and substitutions of the configurations of the embodiments are also included in the present invention. Furthermore, it is possible to suitably rearrange the combinations and processing orders in the embodiments based on the knowledge of those skilled in the art, and to make modifications to the embodiments such as various design changes, and such modified embodiments are also included in the scope of the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0032] 10 Vehicle, 12L Vehicle lamp, 14 Vehicle body, 16 First lamp unit, 16a First light source, 18 Second lamp unit, 18a Second light source, 18b Third light source, 20 Third lamp unit, 22 Reflector, 22a Reflecting portion, 22b Opening, 22c Illuminating portion, 24a Light-emitting element, 24b Light-emitting element, 26 Inner lens, 26a Light-guiding portion, 26b Emission portion, 28 Mounting portion, PH1 Light distribution pattern for low beam.

Claims

1. a first lamp unit configured to form a low beam light distribution pattern by irradiating a first light emitted from a first light source forward of the vehicle; a second lamp unit that is disposed on the outer side of the vehicle than the first lamp unit and functions as a side light or a daytime running light by irradiating a second light emitted from a second light source to a front of the vehicle, The second lamp unit further includes a third light source, and is configured to form part of the low beam light distribution pattern by irradiating the third light emitted from the third light source forward of the vehicle.

2. 2. The vehicle lamp according to claim 1, wherein the second lamp unit has an illumination portion that is illuminated by the second light and an illumination portion that is illuminated by the third light overlapping each other.

3. 3. The vehicle lamp according to claim 2, wherein, in the illumination unit, a ratio of the incident second light that is emitted is A and a ratio of the incident third light that is emitted is B, where B<A.

4. 4. The vehicle lamp according to claim 3, wherein the illumination portion has a light-transmitting member that transmits the second light from the rear to the front and that transmits the third light from the side and emits it forward.

5. 3. The vehicle lamp according to claim 2, wherein the second lamp unit has a mounting portion that is mounted on the vehicle so that the outermost edge of the lighting portion is within 400 mm from the outermost edge of the vehicle.

6. 6. The vehicle lamp according to claim 1, wherein the second lamp unit dims the second light source when the third light source is turned on compared to when the third light source is turned off.

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