Vehicle lamp

Abstract

To improve utilization efficiency of light source luminous flux in a vehicular lighting fixture constituted so as to form a light distribution pattern for a low beam by irradiating emission light from a plurality of light-emitting elements toward the front of the lighting fixture via a projection lens.SOLUTION: A shade 60 is disposed between a projecting lens 50 and a plurality of first light-emitting elements 30 disposed in a state of being aligned in a lateral direction and in a state where a light-emitting surface 30a is directed obliquely upward toward the front of a lamp, and a first reflector 32 is disposed above the shade. Then, a light transmission control member 70 having an upper stage convex lens part 70A and a lower stage convex lens part 70B is disposed between the shade 60 and the first reflector 32. The light transmission control member 70 is configured to deflect and emit light emitted from the plurality of first light emitting elements 30 upward in a lower region of the upper-stage convex lens portion 70A and deflect and emit the light downward in an upper region of the lower-stage convex lens portion 70B.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical Field]

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

[0002] 2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a vehicle lamp is known that is configured to form a low beam light distribution pattern by irradiating light emitted from a plurality of light-emitting elements forward through a projection lens.

[0003] Patent Document 1 describes a configuration of such a vehicle lamp in which multiple light-emitting elements are arranged in a row in the left-right direction with their light-emitting surfaces facing diagonally upward toward a projection lens, and a shade arranged between the multiple light-emitting elements and the projection lens reflects the emitted light from the multiple light-emitting elements upward, thereby forming a cut-off line of a low-beam light distribution pattern.

[0004] The vehicle lamp described in Patent Document 1 has a configuration in which a reflector is disposed above a shade, which reflects light emitted from a plurality of light-emitting elements toward a projection lens. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2023-77596 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] By configuring the vehicle lamp in such a way that a reflector is positioned above the shade, as in the vehicle lamp described in the above-mentioned "Patent Document 1," it is possible to improve the utilization efficiency of the light source luminous flux, thereby increasing the brightness of the low beam light distribution pattern.

[0007] However, in the vehicle lamp described in the above-mentioned "Patent Document 1," multiple light-emitting elements are arranged with their light-emitting surfaces facing diagonally upward toward the projection lens, so a significant amount of bright light traveling in a direction close to the perpendicular direction to the light-emitting surfaces is emitted toward the space between the projection lens and the reflector, resulting in light that does not contribute to the formation of a low-beam light distribution pattern. Therefore, improvements are desired to improve the utilization efficiency of the light source luminous flux in such vehicle lamps as well.

[0008] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above circumstances, and aims to provide a vehicle lamp that is configured to form a low beam light distribution pattern by irradiating light emitted from multiple light-emitting elements toward the front of the lamp via a projection lens, and that can improve the utilization efficiency of the light source luminous flux. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] The present invention aims to achieve the above object by providing a configuration in which a predetermined light-transmittance control member is additionally disposed.

[0010] That is, the vehicle lamp according to the present invention is A vehicle lamp including a plurality of light-emitting elements and a projection lens, the vehicle lamp being configured to form a low-beam light distribution pattern by irradiating light emitted from the plurality of light-emitting elements toward a front of the lamp through the projection lens, the plurality of light-emitting elements are arranged side by side in the left-right direction with their light-emitting surfaces facing obliquely upward toward the projection lens, a shade configured to form a cutoff line of the low beam light distribution pattern by reflecting the light emitted from the plurality of light-emitting elements upward, is disposed between the plurality of light-emitting elements and the projection lens; a reflector is disposed above the shade to reflect the light emitted from the plurality of light-emitting elements toward the projection lens; a light-transmitting control member that controls the transmission of light emitted from the plurality of light-emitting elements is disposed between the shade and the reflector; The light-transmitting control member is characterized in that it comprises an upper convex lens portion and a lower convex lens portion arranged in two tiers, one above the other, and is configured so that the lower region of the upper convex lens portion deflects the light emitted from the plurality of light-emitting elements upward, and the upper region of the lower convex lens portion deflects the light emitted from the plurality of light-emitting elements downward.

[0011] The "plurality of light-emitting elements" are arranged in a line in the left-right direction with their light-emitting surfaces facing diagonally upward toward the projection lens, and there are no particular limitations on their specific arrangement or number.

[0012] The specific arrangement and shape of the above-mentioned "shade" are not particularly limited, as long as it is configured to form a cutoff line of a low beam light distribution pattern by reflecting the light emitted from multiple light-emitting elements upward.

[0013] The above-mentioned "light-transmitting control member" is not particularly limited in its specific arrangement between the shade and the reflector or its specific shape, as long as it is configured to deflect the light emitted from the multiple light-emitting elements upward in the lower region of the upper convex lens portion and to deflect the light emitted from the multiple light-emitting elements downward in the upper region of the lower convex lens portion. [Effects of the Invention]

[0014] The vehicle lamp of the present invention is configured such that a plurality of light-emitting elements are aligned in the left-right direction with their light-emitting surfaces facing diagonally upward toward the front of the lamp. Between these light-emitting elements and the projection lens, a shade is arranged that is configured to form a cutoff line for a low-beam light distribution pattern by reflecting the light emitted from the plurality of light-emitting elements upward. In addition, a reflector is arranged above this shade that reflects the light emitted from the plurality of light-emitting elements toward the projection lens, thereby increasing the utilization efficiency of the light source luminous flux.

[0015] Furthermore, the vehicle lamp of the present invention is configured such that a light-transmitting control member having an upper convex lens portion and a lower convex lens portion is disposed between the shade and the reflector, and this light-transmitting control member is configured to deflect the light emitted from the plurality of light-emitting elements upward in the lower region of the upper convex lens portion, and to deflect the light emitted from the plurality of light-emitting elements downward in the upper region of the lower convex lens portion, thereby achieving the following effects.

[0016] In other words, if the light-transmitting control member were not provided, the emitted light that would be emitted from the multiple light-emitting elements toward the space located between the projection lens and the reflector can be directed toward the reflector by the upper convex lens portion, and can be made to enter the projection lens as reflected light from the reflector.Furthermore, by directing the light toward the shade or the space in front of it by the lower convex lens portion, the light can be made to enter the projection lens as upward reflected light from the shade or direct light, thereby improving the utilization efficiency of the light beam from the light source.

[0017] In this case, if the light-transmitting control member were not placed, the light emitted from the multiple light-emitting elements toward the space located between the projection lens and the reflector would be bright light traveling in a direction close to the perpendicular direction to the light-emitting surface, and it would be particularly effective to make effective use of this light by using the light-transmitting control member.

[0018] Thus, according to the present invention, in a vehicle lamp configured to form a low-beam light distribution pattern by irradiating light emitted from a plurality of light-emitting elements forward through a projection lens, it is possible to improve the utilization efficiency of the light source luminous flux, thereby increasing the brightness of the low-beam light distribution pattern.

[0019] In the above configuration, if the light-transmitting control member is further configured so that the front surface of the lower convex lens portion protrudes further toward the front of the lamp than the front surface of the upper convex lens portion, the light emitted from the multiple light-emitting elements can be deflected in a balanced manner in both the upward and downward directions in the lower region of the upper convex lens portion and the upper region of the lower convex lens portion.

[0020] In the above configuration, if the light-transmitting control member is configured to have the same vertical cross-sectional shape and extend in the left-right direction, the shape of the light-transmitting control member can be simplified and the light-transmitting control of the light emitted from the multiple light-emitting elements can be performed with high precision.

[0021] In the above configuration, if a plurality of second light-emitting elements are further arranged below the shade in a row in the left-right direction with their light-emitting surfaces facing diagonally upward toward the projection lens, and if these plurality of second light-emitting elements are mounted on a common substrate together with the plurality of light-emitting elements, the following effects can be obtained.

[0022] In other words, by irradiating the light emitted from multiple second light-emitting elements toward the front of the lamp through a projection lens, an additional light distribution pattern for high beams can be formed in the space above the cutoff line of the light distribution pattern for low beams, and a light distribution pattern for high beams can be formed as a composite light distribution pattern.

[0023] In this case, since the multiple second light-emitting elements are positioned closer to the rear focal plane of the projection lens than the multiple light-emitting elements, sufficient brightness of the additional light distribution pattern can be ensured, thereby making the high beam light distribution pattern excellent in long-distance visibility. Moreover, since the multiple second light-emitting elements are mounted on a common substrate together with the multiple light-emitting elements, the number of parts in the lamp can be reduced.

[0024] By adopting such a configuration and arranging a second reflector below the shade to reflect the light emitted from the multiple second light-emitting elements toward the projection lens, the utilization efficiency of the light emitted from the multiple second light-emitting elements can be improved, thereby further increasing the brightness of the additional light distribution pattern. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0025] [Figure 1] 1 is a side cross-sectional view showing a vehicle lamp according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 2] View in the direction of arrow II in Figure 1 [Figure 3] Cross section of line III-III in Figure 2 [Figure 4] Detailed view of part IV in Figure 3 [Figure 5] 1A and 1B are diagrams showing light distribution patterns formed by light emitted from the vehicle lamp, in which FIG. 1A shows a light distribution pattern for low beams, and FIG. 1B shows a light distribution pattern for high beams. [Figure 6] FIG. 3 is a diagram similar to FIG. 2, illustrating a modification of the embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0026] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0027] Fig. 1 is a side cross-sectional view showing a vehicle lamp 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention, Fig. 2 is a view taken in the direction of arrow II in Fig. 1, and Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line III-III in Fig. 2.

[0028] 1 to 3, the direction indicated by X is "forward of the lamp," the direction indicated by Y is "leftward" ("rightward" when viewed from the front of the lamp) perpendicular to "forward of the lamp," and the direction indicated by Z is "upward." This is the same in other figures.

[0029] As shown in Figures 1 to 3, the vehicle lamp 10 of this embodiment is a headlamp provided at the front end of a vehicle, and is configured so that a lamp unit 20 is housed within a lamp chamber formed by a lamp body 12 and a translucent cover 14.

[0030] The lighting unit 20 is a so-called projector-type lighting unit, and is equipped with a plurality of first and second light-emitting elements 30, 40 and a projection lens 50, and is configured to be able to selectively form a low-beam light distribution pattern and a high-beam light distribution pattern by the light emitted from the light-emitting element.

[0031] To achieve this, the plurality of first light-emitting elements 30 are configured to light up during low beam illumination and high beam illumination, and the plurality of second light-emitting elements 40 are configured to additionally light up during high beam illumination.

[0032] The projection lens 50 is disposed with its optical axis Ax extending in the fore-and-aft direction of the lamp, further forward than the plurality of first and second light-emitting elements 30, 40. The projection lens 50 is configured to project a light source image formed on a rear focal plane, which is a focal plane including the rear focal point F, by the light emitted from the plurality of first and second light-emitting elements 30, 40, as an inverted image onto a virtual vertical screen in front of the lamp (i.e., in front of the vehicle).

[0033] In FIG. 3, the optical path of the light emitted from the first light-emitting element 30 is indicated by a solid line, and the optical path of the light emitted from the second light-emitting element 40 is indicated by a broken line.

[0034] Next, a specific configuration of the lighting unit 20 will be described.

[0035] 1 to 3, the projection lens 50 is a plano-convex aspherical lens with a convex front surface 50a and a flat rear surface 50b, and has a circular outer shape with both upper and lower ends cut off horizontally when viewed from the front of the lamp. The projection lens 50 is supported at its outer periphery by a lens holder 52, and the lens holder 52 is supported by a base member 54.

[0036] The multiple first light-emitting elements 30 are arranged in a row in the left-right direction above the optical axis Ax of the projection lens 50, and the multiple second light-emitting elements 40 are arranged in a row in the left-right direction below the optical axis Ax.

[0037] The plurality of first light-emitting elements 30 are each composed of 12 white light-emitting diodes each having a rectangular (specifically, square) light-emitting surface 30a, and are arranged at small intervals from one another around a vertical plane including the optical axis Ax, with the light-emitting surfaces 30a facing diagonally upward toward the projection lens 50. In this case, the six first light-emitting elements 30 arranged to the right of the optical axis Ax (the left side when viewed from the front of the lamp) are arranged in a state of being displaced downward relative to the remaining six first light-emitting elements 30 arranged on the left side, and the amount of downward displacement of the first light-emitting element 30 closest to the optical axis Ax is set to a value approximately half that of the first light-emitting element 30.

[0038] On the other hand, the multiple second light-emitting elements 40 are each composed of 10 white light-emitting diodes each having a rectangular light-emitting surface 40a (specifically, a square of the same size as the light-emitting surface 30a), and are arranged in a horizontal row with a small gap between them around a vertical plane including the optical axis Ax, with the light-emitting surfaces 40a facing diagonally upward toward the projection lens 50.

[0039] The plurality of first and second light-emitting elements 30, 40 are mounted on a common substrate 56, which is supported by a base member .

[0040] 3, the substrate 56 is disposed in a state tilted backward with respect to a vertical plane perpendicular to the optical axis Ax. In this case, the backward tilt angle of the substrate 56 is set to a value of 10 to 20° (for example, about 15°), and therefore the upward angle of the light-emitting surfaces 30a, 40a of the plurality of first and second light-emitting elements 30, 40 is also set to 10 to 20° (for example, about 15°).

[0041] A shade 60 is disposed between the plurality of first light-emitting elements 30 and the plurality of second light-emitting elements 40 to form a cutoff line of the low-beam light distribution pattern by blocking a portion of the light emitted from the plurality of first light-emitting elements 30. The shade 60 has a vertical cross-sectional shape that expands in a wedge shape from the rear focal plane of the projection lens 50 toward the rear of the lamp.

[0042] The front edge 62 of the shade 60 is formed to extend in a staggered manner in the left-right direction along a vertical plane perpendicular to the optical axis Ax so as to include the rear focal point F of the projection lens 50. Specifically, the portion of this front edge 62 to the left of the optical axis Ax (the right portion when viewed from the front of the lamp) extends horizontally at a position slightly above the optical axis Ax, and the portion to the right of the optical axis Ax extends horizontally at a position slightly below the optical axis Ax, and its left end is connected to the portion to the left of the optical axis Ax via an inclined portion.

[0043] The upper surface of the shade 60 is configured as a first reflecting surface 60a formed to extend horizontally toward the rear of the lamp, and this first reflecting surface 60a is configured to reflect the light emitted from the multiple first light-emitting elements 30 upward toward the projection lens 50. On the other hand, the lower surface of the shade 60 is configured as a second reflecting surface 60b formed to extend diagonally downward toward the rear of the lamp, and this second reflecting surface 60b is configured to reflect the light emitted from the multiple second light-emitting elements 40 downward toward the projection lens 50.

[0044] A first reflector 32 is disposed above the shade 60 to reflect the light emitted from the plurality of first light-emitting elements 30 toward the projection lens 50. The first reflector 32 has a reflective surface 32a that is a horizontally elongated concave curved surface extending in the left-right direction.

[0045] A second reflector 42 is disposed below the shade 60, and reflects the light emitted from the plurality of second light-emitting elements 40 toward the projection lens 50. The second reflector 42 has a reflective surface 42a that is a horizontally elongated concave curved surface extending in the left-right direction.

[0046] The shade 60 is integrally formed with the first and second reflectors 32, 42 via vertical wall portions 64 formed on both left and right ends thereof. The shade 60 is supported by the base member 54 at a pair of left and right flange portions 64a formed on the rear ends of the pair of left and right vertical wall portions 64.

[0047] Between the shade 60 and the first reflector 32, a light-transmission control member 70 that controls the light transmission of the light emitted from the plurality of first light-emitting elements 30 is disposed.

[0048] The light-transmitting control member 70 is a colorless, transparent resin member formed to extend in the left-right direction with the same vertical cross-sectional shape. The light-transmitting control member 70 is formed to extend in a staggered manner in response to the front edge 62 of the shade 60, which is formed to extend in a staggered manner on the left and right. The light-transmitting control member 70 is supported at its left and right ends by a pair of left and right tabs 64b formed on a pair of left and right vertical wall portions 64 of the shade 60.

[0049] FIG. 4 is a detailed view of part IV in FIG.

[0050] As shown in FIG. 4, the light-transmitting control member 70 includes an upper convex lens portion 70A and a lower convex lens portion 70B arranged in two stages, one above the other.

[0051] Specifically, the light-transmitting control member 70 has a rear surface 70b configured as a plane extending parallel to the substrate 56, while the front surface 70a thereof has a front surface 70Aa of the upper convex lens portion 70A and a front surface 70Ba of the lower convex lens portion 70B each formed with a convex curved vertical cross section. In this case, the light-transmitting control member 70 is formed such that the front surface 70Ba of the lower convex lens portion 70B protrudes more toward the front side of the lamp than the front surface 70Aa of the upper convex lens portion 70A, and the lower end portion of the front surface 70Ba of the lower convex lens portion 70B is formed in a substantially flat shape.

[0052] The light-transmitting control member 70 is configured to deflect the light emitted from the plurality of first light-emitting elements 30 upward from its front surface 70Aa in the lower region of the upper convex lens portion 70A, and to deflect the light downward from its front surface 70Ba in the upper region of the lower convex lens portion 70B.

[0053] In the lighting unit 20 of this embodiment, if the light-transmitting control member 70 were not arranged, part of the light emitted from the multiple first light-emitting elements 30 would be directed toward the space between the first reflector 32 and the projection lens 50, as shown by the two-dot chain line in Figure 4.

[0054] In reality, because the light-transmitting control member 70 is arranged, the light emitted from the lower region of the upper convex lens portion 70A is deflected upward and reflected by the reflecting surface 32a of the first reflector 32 before entering the projection lens 50, and the light emitted from the upper region of the lower convex lens portion 70B is deflected downward and directly enters the projection lens 50.

[0055] In addition, the light emitted from the upper region of the upper convex lens portion 70A is reflected by the reflecting surface 32a of the first reflector 32 either directly or after being deflected slightly downward, and then enters the projection lens 50, and the light emitted from the lower region of the lower convex lens portion 70B is deflected upward and enters the projection lens 50 either directly or after being reflected by the first reflecting surface 60a of the shade 60.

[0056] In this case, of the light emitted from the light-transmitting control member 70, the light emitted from the lower end region of the lower convex lens portion 70B (i.e., the region formed in a flat shape) is reflected upward by the first reflecting surface 60a at a position closer to the front edge 62 of the shade 60 than if the light-transmitting control member 70 were not positioned, and most of the light is incident on the projection lens 50.

[0057] Figure 5 is a perspective view of the light distribution pattern formed on a virtual vertical screen positioned 25 m ahead of the vehicle by light emitted from the lighting unit 20 of the vehicle lighting fixture 10 toward the front of the lighting fixture, where Figure 5(a) shows the low beam light distribution pattern PL and Figure 5(b) shows the high beam light distribution pattern PH.

[0058] 5(a), the low beam light distribution pattern PL is a low beam light distribution pattern with left light distribution and has cutoff lines CL1 and CL2 at its upper edge that are staggered on the left and right. These cutoff lines CL1 and CL2 extend horizontally with staggered left and right steps, with the VV line that passes vertically through HV, which is the vanishing point in front of the lamp, as the boundary, and the portion on the oncoming traffic lane side to the right of the VV line is formed as a lower cutoff line CL1, and the portion on the own traffic lane side 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.

[0059] In the low beam light distribution pattern PL, an elbow point E, which is the intersection of the lower cutoff line CL1 and the VV line, is located about 0.5 to 0.6° below HV.

[0060] The low beam light distribution pattern PL is a light distribution pattern formed by irradiating light emitted from the multiple first light-emitting elements 30, entering the light-transmittance control member 70, and then emitting it from the light-transmittance control member 70 toward the front of the lamp, light reflected upward by the first reflecting surface 60a of the shade 60, and light reflected by the reflecting surface 32a of the first reflector 32 toward the front of the lamp via the projection lens 50.

[0061] 4, part of the light emitted from the first light-emitting elements 30 would be directed toward the space between the first reflector 32 and the projection lens 50, and would not contribute to the formation of the low-beam light distribution pattern PL. Moreover, the light directed toward the space is bright light directed from the first light-emitting elements 30 in a direction close to the plane perpendicular to the light-emitting surface 30a, resulting in a considerable loss of light.

[0062] In contrast, in this embodiment, of the light emitted from the light-transmitting control member 70, the light emitted from the lower region of the upper convex lens portion 70A is deflected upward and reflected by the reflecting surface 32a of the first reflector 32, and then enters the projection lens 50, and the light emitted from the upper region of the lower convex lens portion 70B is deflected downward and enters the projection lens 50, thereby contributing to the formation of the low-beam light distribution pattern PL.

[0063] Moreover, in this embodiment, of the light emitted from the light-transmitting control member 70, the light emitted from the lower end region of the lower convex lens portion 70B is reflected upward in the region near the front edge 62 of the first reflecting surface 60a of the shade 60, so that the low beam light distribution pattern PL is formed as a light distribution pattern in which the regions near the cutoff lines CL1 and CL2 are brighter.

[0064] As shown in FIG. 5(b), the high beam light distribution pattern PH is formed as a light distribution pattern in which an additional light distribution pattern PA is added to the low beam light distribution pattern PL.

[0065] The additional light distribution pattern PA is formed as a horizontally elongated light distribution pattern above the cutoff lines CL1 and CL2 of the low-beam light distribution pattern PL. This additional light distribution pattern PA is a light distribution pattern formed by irradiating direct light from the plurality of second light-emitting elements 40, light reflected downward by the second reflecting surface 60b of the shade 60, and light reflected by the reflecting surface 42a of the second reflector 42, via the projection lens 50, toward the front of the lamp.

[0066] In this case, the additional light distribution pattern PA is formed so that its lower edge extends along the cutoff lines CL1 and CL2 of the low beam light distribution pattern PL. This is because the front edge 62 of the shade 60 is formed so as to extend linearly on the rear focal plane of the projection lens 50.

[0067] Next, the effects of this embodiment will be described.

[0068] The lighting unit 20 of the vehicle lamp 10 in this embodiment is configured so that a plurality of first light-emitting elements 30 (light-emitting elements) are lined up in the left-right direction with the light-emitting surface 30a facing diagonally upward toward the front of the lamp. Between these plurality of first light-emitting elements 30 and the projection lens 50, a shade 60 is arranged so as to form cutoff lines CL1, CL2 of the low beam light distribution pattern PL by reflecting the light emitted from the plurality of first light-emitting elements 30 upward. In addition, a first reflector 32 is arranged above this shade 60 so as to reflect the light emitted from the plurality of first light-emitting elements 30 toward the projection lens 50, thereby improving the utilization efficiency of the light source luminous flux.

[0069] Furthermore, the lighting unit 20 of this embodiment is configured such that a light-transmitting control member 70 having an upper convex lens portion 70A and a lower convex lens portion 70B is disposed between the shade 60 and the first reflector 32, and this light-transmitting control member 70 is configured to deflect the light emitted from the plurality of light-emitting elements 30 upward in the lower region of the upper convex lens portion 70A, and to deflect the light emitted from the plurality of light-emitting elements 30 downward in the upper region of the lower convex lens portion 70B, thereby achieving the following effects.

[0070] In other words, if the light-transmitting control member 70 were not provided, the emitted light would be emitted from the multiple first light-emitting elements 30 toward the space located between the projection lens 50 and the first reflector 32. By directing the emitted light toward the first reflector 32 using the upper convex lens portion 70A, the light can be made to enter the projection lens 50 as reflected light from the first reflector 32, and by directing the emitted light toward the shade 60 or the space in front of it using the lower convex lens portion 70B, the light can be made to enter the projection lens 50 as upward reflected light from the shade 60 or direct light, thereby improving the utilization efficiency of the light source luminous flux.

[0071] As described above, according to this embodiment, in the vehicle lamp 10 configured to form a low-beam light distribution pattern PL by irradiating light emitted from the plurality of first light-emitting elements 30 forward through the projection lens 50, it is possible to improve the utilization efficiency of the light source luminous flux, thereby increasing the brightness of the low-beam light distribution pattern PL.

[0072] Furthermore, the light-transmitting control member 70 of this embodiment is formed so that the front surface 70Ba of the lower convex lens portion 70B protrudes further toward the front of the lamp than the front surface 70Aa of the upper convex lens portion 70A, so that the light emitted from the multiple light-emitting elements 30 can be deflected in a balanced manner in both the upward and downward directions in the lower region of the upper convex lens portion 70A and the upper region of the lower convex lens portion 70B.

[0073] Furthermore, since the light-transmitting control member 70 of this embodiment is formed to extend in the left-right direction with the same vertical cross-sectional shape, it is possible to simplify the shape of the light-transmitting control member 70 and still perform light-transmitting control of the light emitted from the multiple first light-emitting elements 30 with high precision.

[0074] Furthermore, in the lighting unit 20 of this embodiment, a plurality of second light-emitting elements 40 are arranged below the shade 60 in a line in the left-right direction with the light-emitting surface 30a facing diagonally upward toward the front of the lighting fixture, and these plurality of second light-emitting elements 40 are mounted on a common substrate 56 together with a plurality of first light-emitting elements 30, so that the following effects can be obtained.

[0075] In other words, by irradiating the light emitted from the multiple second light-emitting elements 40 toward the front of the lamp through the projection lens 50, an additional light distribution pattern PA for high beams can be formed in the space above the cut-off lines CL1 and CL2 of the light distribution pattern PL for low beams, and a light distribution pattern PH for high beams can be formed as a composite light distribution pattern.

[0076] In this case, the second light-emitting elements 40 are disposed closer to the rear focal plane of the projection lens 50 than the first light-emitting elements 30, so that the brightness of the additional light distribution pattern PA can be ensured sufficiently, thereby making it possible to provide the high beam light distribution pattern PH with excellent long-distance visibility. Moreover, the second light-emitting elements 40 and the first light-emitting elements 30 are mounted on a common substrate 56, so that the number of parts in the lamp can be reduced.

[0077] Furthermore, in this embodiment, a second reflector 42 is arranged below the shade 60 to reflect the light emitted from the multiple second light-emitting elements 40 toward the projection lens 50, thereby improving the utilization efficiency of the light emitted from the multiple second light-emitting elements 40 and thereby further increasing the brightness of the additional light distribution pattern PA.

[0078] In the above embodiment, the projection lens 50 is described as being composed of a plano-convex aspherical lens having a circular outer shape with both the upper and lower ends cut off horizontally when viewed from the front of the lamp, but it is also possible for the projection lens 50 to be composed of a biconvex lens or a convex meniscus lens, or the like, and it is also possible for the projection lens 50 to be composed of a lens having an outer shape other than these.

[0079] In the above embodiment, the shade 60 is described as having an upper surface that constitutes the first reflective surface 60a that is formed to extend horizontally toward the rear of the lamp, but it is also possible for the upper surface to be formed to extend in a direction inclined relative to the horizontal direction or to be formed in a curved shape.

[0080] In the above embodiment, the lighting unit 20 has been described as having 12 first light-emitting elements 30 and 10 second light-emitting elements 40, but it is also possible to configure the lighting unit 20 with any other number of first and second light-emitting elements 30, 40.

[0081] In the above embodiment, the light-emitting surfaces 30a, 40a of the first and second light-emitting elements 30, 40 are described as having a square outer shape, but it is also possible to configure them to have other outer shapes (for example, a vertically elongated rectangular shape or a horizontally elongated rectangular shape).

[0082] In the above embodiment, the first light emitting elements 30 are arranged in a staggered arrangement on the left and right sides, but they may also be arranged in a single horizontal row.

[0083] In the above embodiment, the light-transmitting control member 70 has been described as being formed to have the same vertical cross-sectional shape and extend in a staggered manner in the left-right direction, but it is also possible to configure it so that it is formed to extend linearly in the left-right direction.

[0084] Next, a modification of the above embodiment will be described.

[0085] FIG. 6 is a view similar to FIG. 2, showing a lighting unit 120 of a vehicle lighting device according to this modified example.

[0086] As shown in FIG. 6, the basic configuration of the lighting unit 120 of this modified example is the same as that of the above embodiment, but the number of the multiple first light-emitting elements 30 and the configuration of the light-transmitting control member 170 are partially different from those of the above embodiment.

[0087] That is, in this modified example, the plurality of first light-emitting elements 30 are made up of five white light-emitting diodes, and are arranged at regular intervals around a vertical plane including the optical axis Ax, with their light-emitting surfaces 30a facing diagonally upward toward the projection lens 50. In this case, the two first light-emitting elements 30 arranged to the right of the optical axis Ax are arranged in a state of being displaced downward relative to the two first light-emitting elements 30 arranged to the left of the optical axis Ax, and the remaining first light-emitting element 30 is arranged at an intermediate height position relative to the two pairs of first light-emitting elements 30 on the left and right above the optical axis Ax.

[0088] In addition, the light-transmitting control member 170 of this modified example also has an upper convex lens portion 170A and a lower convex lens portion 170B arranged in two tiers, one above the other, and the front surface 170a thereof, the front surface 170Aa of the upper convex lens portion 170A and the front surface 170Ba of the lower convex lens portion 170B, are each formed with a convex curved vertical cross-sectional shape.

[0089] However, the light-transmitting control member 170 of this modified example does not extend in the left-right direction with the same vertical cross-sectional shape like the light-transmitting control member 70 of the above embodiment, and the portions on the front surfaces 170Aa, 170Ba of the upper and lower convex lens portions 170A, 170B corresponding to each of the multiple first light-emitting elements 30 are configured as spherical lens elements 170As, 170Bs.

[0090] As a result, in the light-transmitting control member 170 of this modified example, each of the plurality of lens elements 170As, 170Bs deflects and emits the light emitted from each of the plurality of first light-emitting elements 30 in a direction closer to the front of the lamp in the left-right direction.

[0091] In addition, in this modified example of the light-transmitting control member 170, the light emitted from each of the plurality of first light-emitting elements 30 is deflected upward from the lower region of each of the plurality of lens elements 170As on the front surface 170Aa of the upper convex lens portion 170A, and is deflected downward from the upper region of each of the plurality of lens elements 170Bs on the front surface 170Ba of the lower convex lens portion 170B.

[0092] Even when the configuration of this modified example is adopted, the same effects as those of the above embodiment can be obtained.

[0093] Furthermore, by adopting the configuration of this modified example, the proportion of light that is deflected and emitted in a direction closer to the front of the lamp can be increased, thereby making it possible to ensure sufficient brightness of the low beam light distribution pattern even if the number of multiple first light-emitting elements 30 arranged is reduced.

[0094] It should be noted that the numerical values ​​shown as the specifications in the above embodiment and its modified examples are merely examples, and it goes without saying that these may be set to different values ​​as appropriate.

[0095] Furthermore, the present invention is not limited to the configurations described in the above embodiment and its modifications, and various other modified configurations can be adopted. [Explanation of symbols]

[0096] 10 Vehicle lighting fixtures 12 Lamp body 14 Translucent cover 20, 120 lighting unit 30 First light-emitting element (light-emitting element) 30a, 40a Light-emitting surface 32 First reflector (reflector) 32a, 42a reflective surface 40 Second light-emitting element 42 Second reflector 50 Projection Lens 50a front 50b rear 52 Lens holder 54 Base material 56 Circuit Board 60 Shades 60a First reflecting surface 60b 2nd reflective surface 62 Front edge 64 Vertical wall 64a Flange 64b Tab section 70, 170 Light transmission control member 70A, 170A upper convex lens part 70a, 70Aa, 70Ba, 170a, 170Aa, 170Ba Front 70B, 170B lower convex lens part 70b rear 170As, 170Bs lens elements Ax optical axis CL1 Lower cutoff line CL2 Upper cutoff line E Elbow point F back focus PA additional light distribution pattern PH high beam light distribution pattern PL low beam light distribution pattern

Claims

1. A vehicle lamp including a plurality of light-emitting elements and a projection lens, the vehicle lamp being configured to form a low-beam light distribution pattern by irradiating light emitted from the plurality of light-emitting elements forward through the projection lens, the plurality of light-emitting elements are arranged side by side in the left-right direction with their light-emitting surfaces facing obliquely upward toward the projection lens, a shade configured to form a cutoff line of the low beam light distribution pattern by reflecting the light emitted from the plurality of light-emitting elements upward, is disposed between the plurality of light-emitting elements and the projection lens; a reflector is disposed above the shade to reflect the light emitted from the plurality of light-emitting elements toward the projection lens; a light-transmitting control member that controls the transmission of light emitted from the plurality of light-emitting elements is disposed between the shade and the reflector; the light-transmitting control member is provided with an upper convex lens portion and a lower convex lens portion arranged in two upper and lower stages, and is configured to deflect the light emitted from the plurality of light-emitting elements upward in a lower region of the upper convex lens portion, and to deflect the light emitted from the plurality of light-emitting elements downward in an upper region of the lower convex lens portion.

2. 2. The vehicle lamp according to claim 1, wherein the light transmission control member is formed so that the front surface of the lower convex lens portion protrudes more toward the front side of the lamp than the front surface of the upper convex lens portion.

3. 3. The vehicle lamp according to claim 1, wherein the light transmission control member is formed so as to extend in the left-right direction with the same vertical cross-sectional shape.

4. the plurality of second light-emitting elements are arranged below the shade in a state where they are aligned in the left-right direction and where their light-emitting surfaces are directed obliquely upward toward the projection lens, 3. The vehicle lamp according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of second light emitting elements are mounted on a common substrate together with the plurality of light emitting elements.

5. 5. The vehicle lamp according to claim 4, further comprising a second reflector disposed below the shade for reflecting the light emitted from the plurality of second light-emitting elements toward the projection lens.

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