Vehicle lamp unit, vehicle headlight

Abstract

The objective is to provide a vehicle lamp unit and a vehicle headlight that can illuminate a wider area than the illumination range of a predetermined light distribution pattern by using an additional light distribution pattern. [Solution] This invention comprises a first additional reflector 6 that reflects light L1 from a light source 4 as a first additional reflected light L3, and a second additional reflector 7 that reflects the first additional reflected light L3 as a second additional reflected light L4. As a result, this invention can illuminate a wider area than the irradiation range of the high beam light distribution pattern HP, which is a predetermined light distribution pattern, by the additional light distribution pattern UP.

Description

Technical Field

[0004] ,

[0001] This invention relates to a vehicle lamp unit. This invention relates to a vehicle headlamp.

Background Art

[0002] Examples of vehicle lamp units and vehicle headlamps using a cylindrical lens or a lens approximating a cylindrical lens include those shown in Patent Document 1, Patent Document 2, and Patent Document 3. Hereinafter, the vehicle headlamp of Patent Document 1, the vehicle lamp of Patent Document 2, and the vehicle lamp of Patent Document 3 will be described.

[0003] The vehicle headlamp of Patent Document 1, the vehicle lamp of Patent Document 2, and the vehicle lamp of Patent Document 3 each include a light source, a reflector that reflects light from the light source as reflected light, and a lens that irradiates the reflected light in a predetermined light distribution pattern forward of the vehicle. The lens has a shape that extends from the inner side to the outer side or from the outer side to the inner side in the vehicle width direction when viewed from the upper side to the lower side of the vehicle, and is composed of a so-called cylindrical lens or a lens approximating a cylindrical lens.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Patent Document 2

Patent Document 3

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] In vehicle lamp units and vehicle headlights using cylindrical lenses or lenses similar to cylindrical lenses, there is a demand for adding an additional light distribution pattern to a predetermined light distribution pattern so that a wider area than the illumination range of the predetermined light distribution pattern is illuminated by the additional light distribution pattern.

[0006] The problem that this invention aims to solve is to provide a vehicle lamp unit and a vehicle headlight that can illuminate a wider area than the illumination range of a predetermined light distribution pattern by an additional light distribution pattern. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] To solve the aforementioned problems, the vehicle lamp unit of this invention comprises a light source, a reflector that reflects light from the light source as reflected light, a first additional reflector that reflects light from the light source as first additional reflected light, a second additional reflector that reflects the first additional reflected light as second additional reflected light, and a lens that illuminates the front of the vehicle with the reflected light and the second additional reflected light in a predetermined light distribution pattern, wherein the lens has a shape that extends in the vehicle width direction when viewed from the top to the bottom of the vehicle and has a focal line, the first additional reflector is positioned above the focal line of the lens, and the second additional reflector is positioned below the focal line of the lens.

[0008] In the vehicle lamp unit of this invention, the second additional reflector has a plate shape that extends from the upper side to the lower side of the vehicle toward the lens side from the focal line side of the lens, and preferably the upper surface of the second additional reflector has an upper surface reflecting surface formed thereon that reflects the first additional reflected light as the second additional reflected light, and preferably the end face of the second additional reflector toward the focal line side of the lens has an end surface reflecting surface formed thereon that reflects a portion of the reflected light from the reflector toward a side other than the lens side.

[0009] In the vehicle lamp unit of this invention, it is preferable that the upper reflective surface extends from the upper side to the lower side of the vehicle toward the lens side, following the shape of the plate, and that the end reflective surface intersects with the upper reflective surface and extends from the upper side to the lower side of the vehicle toward the opposite side of the lens toward the lens side.

[0010] In the vehicle lamp unit of this invention, it is preferable that the lens, when viewed from above the vehicle, has a shape that is inclined from the front to the rear of the vehicle, from the inside in the vehicle width direction to the outside in the vehicle width direction, and the focal line of the lens follows or approximates the shape of the lens, and at least a portion of the reflected light and the second additional reflected light are parallel or substantially parallel to the optical axis of the vehicle lamp unit in the left-right direction when viewed from above.

[0011] In the vehicle lamp unit of this invention, it is preferable that the angle between the upper reflective surface and the optical axis on a vertical cross-section parallel to the vertical cross-section containing the optical axis, such that the angle between the upper reflective surface and the optical axis on the inner side in the vehicle width direction is greater than the angle between the upper reflective surface and the optical axis on the outer side in the vehicle width direction.

[0012] In the vehicle lamp unit of this invention, the predetermined light distribution pattern formed by the reflected light is a high beam light distribution pattern, and the predetermined light distribution pattern formed by the second additional reflected light is an upward light distribution pattern that is irradiated from the upper part of the high beam light distribution pattern upward, and it is preferable that the upper edge of the high beam light distribution pattern and the lower edge of the upward light distribution pattern overlap or are adjacent.

[0013] To solve the aforementioned problems, the vehicle headlight of this invention is characterized by comprising a lamp housing and a lamp lens that form a lamp chamber, and a vehicle lamp unit of this invention disposed within the lamp chamber. [Effects of the Invention]

[0014] The vehicle lamp unit and vehicle headlight of this invention can illuminate a wider area than the illumination range of the light distribution pattern by an additional light distribution pattern. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0015] [Figure 1] Figure 1 is a plan view showing an embodiment of a vehicle lamp unit and vehicle headlight according to this invention in use. [Figure 2] Figure 2 is a perspective view showing the first lamp unit of the vehicle lamp unit device on the right, that is, a vehicle lamp unit according to the present invention, which is a high beam lamp unit. [Figure 3] Figure 3 is a plan view showing the high-beam lamp unit, and is a view taken along arrow III in Figure 2. [Figure 4] Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view showing the high-beam lamp unit, and is a cross-sectional view taken along line IV-IV in Figure 3. [Figure 5] Figure 5 is a cross-sectional diagram illustrating the optical path in a high-beam lamp unit. [Figure 6] Figure 6 is an explanatory diagram showing the end face reflective surface of a second additional reflector of a high beam lamp unit. (A) is an explanatory diagram showing the end face reflective surface of the present invention. (B) is an explanatory diagram showing the end face reflective surface that forms an uncontrolled additional light distribution pattern. (C) is an explanatory diagram showing the end face reflective surface having a sharp edge, i.e., an acute-angled corner. [Figure 7] Figure 7 is an explanatory diagram showing the high beam light distribution pattern projected from the high beam lamp unit toward the front of the vehicle. [Figure 8] Figure 8 is an explanatory diagram showing the additional light distribution pattern projected from the high-beam lamp unit toward the front of the vehicle. [Figure 9] Figure 9 is an explanatory diagram showing the state in which the high beam light distribution pattern shown in Figure 7 and the additional light distribution pattern shown in Figure 8 are superimposed. [Figure 10]FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing an uncontrolled additional light distribution pattern formed by the end face reflecting surface shown in FIG. 6(B). [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram showing a state in which the uncontrolled additional light distribution pattern shown in FIG. 10 is superimposed as a mottled light streak light distribution pattern on the high beam light distribution pattern and the additional light distribution pattern shown in FIG. 9. [Figure 12] FIG. 12 is an explanatory diagram showing the optical paths in the first additional reflector and the second additional reflector. [Figure 13] FIG. 13 is a plan explanatory diagram showing the optical paths in the first additional reflector and the second additional reflector. [Figure 14] FIG. 14 is a plan explanatory diagram showing the optical path when the angle, that is, the gradient, of the upper surface reflecting surface of the second additional reflector with respect to the optical axis is equal over the entire surface. [Figure 15] FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional explanatory diagram showing the angle, that is, the gradient, of the upper surface reflecting surface of the second additional reflector with respect to the optical axis. (A) is a cross-sectional explanatory diagram showing the case where the angle on the inner side in the vehicle width direction is larger than the angle on the outer side in the vehicle width direction, and is a cross-sectional explanatory diagram taken along the XVA-XVA line in FIG. 13. (B) is a cross-sectional explanatory diagram showing the case where the angle is equal over the entire surface, and is a cross-sectional explanatory diagram taken along the XVB-XVB line in FIG. 14. [Figure 16] FIG. 16 is an explanatory diagram showing a state in which the additional light distribution pattern is shifted to the right with respect to the high beam light distribution pattern in the case of the upper surface reflecting surface where the angle shown in FIGS. 14 and 15(B) is equal over the entire surface.

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0016] Hereinafter, an example of an embodiment (example) of a vehicle lamp unit and a vehicle headlamp according to this invention will be described based on the drawings. In this specification and the scope of the appended claims, front, rear, up, down, left, and right refer to the front, rear, up, down, left, and right when the vehicle lamp unit and the vehicle headlamp according to this invention are installed on a vehicle.

[0017] In the drawings, the symbols "F" represent "front," "B" represent "rear," "U" represent "top," "D" represent "bottom," "L" represent "left," and "R" represent "right." Also, in Figures 1, 3, 13, and 14, the symbol "I" represents the inside in the vehicle width direction, and the symbol "O" represents the outside in the vehicle width direction. Furthermore, in Figures 7 through 11 and 16, the symbols "VU-VD" indicate the vertical lines of the screen, and the symbols "HL-HR" indicate the horizontal lines of the screen. In addition, since the drawings are schematic diagrams, the main components are shown, the illustration of components other than the main components is omitted, and some hatching is omitted.

[0018] (Description of the configuration of the embodiment) The configuration of the vehicle lamp unit 1, vehicle headlights 100L, and 100R according to this embodiment will be described below.

[0019] As shown in Figure 1, the left-side vehicle headlight 100L is mounted on the left side of the front of the vehicle VE, and the right-side vehicle headlight 100R is mounted on the right side of the front of the vehicle VE.

[0020] As shown in Figure 1, the left and right vehicle headlights 100L and 100R each comprise a lamp housing 101, a lamp lens 102, a left vehicle lamp unit device 10L, and a right vehicle lamp unit device 10R, respectively.

[0021] The lamp housing 101 is made of a light-opaque resin material. The lamp lens 102 is made of a light-transmitting resin material. The lamp lens 102 is an outer lens or outer cover. The plan view shape of the emission surface of the lamp lens 102, which is the surface opposite to the lamp chamber 103 side described later, is inclined. That is, when the emission surface of the lamp lens 102 is viewed from the top to the bottom of the vehicle VE, it has a shape that is inclined or curves around from the front to the rear of the vehicle VE, from the inside I in the vehicle width direction to the outside O in the vehicle width direction.

[0022] The lamp housing 101 and the lamp lens 102 form a lamp chamber 103. Inside the lamp chamber 103, the left vehicle lamp unit device 10L and the right vehicle lamp unit device 10R are arranged.

[0023] (Description of vehicle lamp unit device 10R) The vehicle lamp unit device 10R on the right side will be described below with reference to Figure 1. The vehicle lamp unit device 10L on the left side has almost the same configuration as the vehicle lamp unit device 10R on the right side, but with the left and right sides reversed. Therefore, the description of the vehicle lamp unit device 10L on the left side will be omitted. Also, the terms "both left and right sides," "left side," and "right side" will be omitted as appropriate.

[0024] As shown in Figure 1, the vehicle lamp unit device 10R comprises a first lamp unit 1, a second lamp unit 2, and a third lamp unit 3. The vehicle lamp unit device 10R is attached to the lamp housing 101 either via a bracket as a mounting member or directly. Thus, the vehicle lamp unit device 10R is equipped on the vehicle headlight 100R. The vehicle lamp unit device 10R is equipped so that the optical axis can be adjusted via an optical axis adjustment device.

[0025] The first lamp unit 1 is a vehicle lamp unit according to this embodiment, and in this example, it is a high-beam lamp unit that illuminates the front of the vehicle VE with the high-beam light distribution pattern HP shown in Figures 7 and 9 and the additional light distribution pattern UP shown in Figures 8 and 9. The second lamp unit 2 is a first low-beam lamp unit that illuminates the front of the vehicle VE with a portion of the low-beam light distribution pattern. The third lamp unit 3 is a second low-beam lamp unit that illuminates the front of the vehicle VE with a portion of the low-beam light distribution pattern.

[0026] (Description of the first lamp unit 1 and the high beam lamp unit 1) The first lamp unit 1 is a vehicle lamp unit according to this embodiment, and in this example, it is a high-beam lamp unit. Hereinafter, the first lamp unit 1 may be referred to as the high-beam lamp unit 1.

[0027] The high beam lamp unit 1 will be described below with reference to Figures 2 to 16. The high beam lamp unit 1 comprises a light source 4, a reflector 5, a first additional reflector 6, a second additional reflector 7, a lens 8, a holder member 9, and a heat dissipation member 10.

[0028] The high-beam lamp unit 1 has an optical axis Z. The optical axis Z may also be called the lamp axis Z, and may also refer to the direction in which light primarily travels from the lens 8 toward the front of the vehicle VE. The optical axis Z is parallel to the track line or zero plane in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle VE.

[0029] (Explanation of Light Source 4) In this example, the light source 4 is an LED. The light source 4 is attached to the heat dissipation member 10. As shown in Figures 2, 4, and 5, the light source 4 has a main body 41 and a light-emitting part 42.

[0030] The main body 41 is composed of a circuit board and the like. The light-emitting unit 42 is a light-emitting element mounted on the upper surface of the main body 41. In this example, the upper surface of the light-emitting unit 42 forms a rectangular light-emitting surface that is long in the left-right direction. The light source 4 emits light L1 from the light-emitting surface.

[0031] (Explanation of Reflector 5) As shown in Figures 2 to 5 and Figures 12 to 14, the reflector 5 is positioned above the light source 4 and reflects the light L1 from the light source 4 as reflected light L2. The reflector 5 has a reflective surface 50 that reflects the light L1 from the light source 4. The reflector 5 projects the image of the light source 4 onto the reflective surface 50 and reflects it towards the lens 8.

[0032] The reflector 5 has a first focal point F1 and a focal line FL2 which is the set of second focal points. The first focal point F1 is located at or near the center of the light-emitting surface of the light source 4. The focal line FL2 which is the set of second focal points is located between the light source 4 and the lens 8. The reflective surface 50 of the reflector 5 is an elliptical surface having the first focal point F1 and the second focal point. The reflector 5 focuses the reflected light L2 near the focal line FL3 of the lens 8 described below. The reflector 5 also focuses the reflected light L2 near the focal line FL2.

[0033] (Explanation of the first additional reflector 6) The first additional reflector 6 is integrally provided from the front side of the reflector 5, as shown in Figures 2 to 5 and Figures 12 to 14. The first additional reflector 6 is positioned above the light source 4 and reflects the light L1 from the light source 4 as the first additional reflected light L3. The first additional reflector 6 has a reflective surface 60 that reflects the light L1 from the light source 4.

[0034] The first additional reflector 6 has a first focal point F1 and a focal line FL2 which is the set of the second focal points. The first focal point F1 of the first additional reflector 6 and the first focal point F1 of reflector 5 are common focal points. Also, the focal line FL2 of the first additional reflector 6 is located below the focal line FL2 of reflector 5. The reflective surface 60 of the first additional reflector 6 is an elliptical surface having a first focal point F1 and a second focal point, similar to the reflective surface 50 of reflector 5.

[0035] The first additional reflector 6 is positioned above the focusing line FL2 of reflector 5 and the focusing line FL3 of lens 8. The focusing line FL2 of reflector 5 and the focusing line FL3 of lens 8 may hereafter be referred to as focusing lines FL2 and FL3.

[0036] (Explanation of the second additional reflector 7) As shown in Figures 2 to 6 and Figures 12 to 15, the second additional reflector 7 is positioned between the light source 4, the reflector 5, and the first additional reflector 6 and the lens 8, and reflects the first additional reflected light L3 from the first additional reflector 6 as the second additional reflected light L4. The second additional reflector 7 has a reflective surface 70 that reflects the first additional reflected light L3 from the first additional reflector 6.

[0037] The second additional reflector 7 is positioned below the focal lines FL2 and FL3. The second additional reflector 7 has a plate shape that extends from the upper to the lower side of the vehicle VE, from the focal lines FL2 and FL3 towards the lens 8. The second additional reflector 7 has an upper reflective surface 70 and an end reflective surface 71.

[0038] (Explanation of the upper reflective surface 70) The upper reflective surface 70 is formed on the upper surface of the plate-shaped second additional reflector 7 and reflects the first additional reflected light L3 as the second additional reflected light L4. As shown in Figure 13, the second additional reflected light L4 is parallel or approximately parallel to the optical axis Z of the high beam lamp unit 1. The upper reflective surface 70 extends from the upper side to the lower side of the vehicle VE, from the focal line FL2, FL3 side toward the lens 8 side, following the plate shape of the second additional reflector 7.

[0039] Figures 12 and 15(A) are explanatory diagrams showing the angles θI and θO between the cross-sectional lines 70I and 70O of the upper reflective surface 70 and the optical axes ZI and ZO on a vertical cross-section parallel to the vertical cross-section containing the optical axis Z. Here, the angle θI between the cross-sectional line 70I of the upper reflective surface 70 and the optical axis ZI on the inner side I in the vehicle width direction is greater than the angle θO between the cross-sectional line 70O of the upper reflective surface 70 and the optical axis ZO on the outer side O in the vehicle width direction.

[0040] Thus, the upper reflective surface 70 forms a twisted surface.

[0041] (Explanation of the end face reflective surface 71) The end face reflective surface 71 is formed on the rear end face of the plate-shaped second additional reflector 7, on the side of the focal lines FL2 and FL3. As shown in Figure 5, the light L20 emitted from the front of the light source 4 is reflected by the reflective surface 50 of the reflector 5, then incident on the end face reflective surface 71, and reflected as extra-lens reflected light L5, away from the lens 8 side. Due to this end face reflective surface 71, the light L20 emitted from the front of the light source 4 does not incident on the lens 8.

[0042] Most of the light L1 from the light source 4 is reflected as reflected light L2 by the reflective surface 50 of the reflector 5. This reflected light L2 enters the lens 8.

[0043] The end face reflective surface 71 intersects with the upper face reflective surface 70, in this example, at an angle of approximately 90° orthogonal to it, and extends from the focal lines FL2 and FL3 towards the opposite side of the lens 8, from the upper to the lower side of the vehicle VE.

[0044] Here, as shown in Figure 6(B), if the end face reflective surface 71B is tilted at an angle greater than approximately 90° with respect to the top face reflective surface 70, the corner formed between the end face reflective surface 71B and the top face reflective surface 70 does not become a sharp edge, which is preferable for mold forming. However, if the end face reflective surface 71B is tilted at an angle greater than approximately 90° with respect to the top face reflective surface 70, as shown in Figure 6(B), a portion L20 of the reflected light L2 may be reflected towards the lens 8 as lens-side reflected light L6.

[0045] Furthermore, the end face reflective surface 71 may be made to intersect the top face reflective surface 70 at an angle greater than approximately 90° to such an extent that a portion of the reflected light L2 L20 is reflected off-lens as external reflected light L5, and not reflected back towards the lens 8 as lens-side reflected light L6.

[0046] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 6(C), if the end face reflective surface 71C is tilted at an angle smaller than approximately 90° with respect to the top reflective surface 70, a portion L20 of the reflected light L2 is reflected as externally reflected light L5, and is reflected away from the lens 8 side and does not enter the lens 8, which is preferable. However, if the end face reflective surface 71C is tilted at an angle smaller than approximately 90° with respect to the top reflective surface 70, as shown in Figure 6(C), the corner formed by the end face reflective surface 71C and the top reflective surface 70 becomes a sharp edge, which is undesirable from a mold forming perspective.

[0047] Furthermore, the corner formed by the end face reflective surface 71C and the top face reflective surface 70 may be made to intersect the top face reflective surface 70 at an angle smaller than approximately 90°, to the extent that the sharp edge does not pose a problem during mold forming.

[0048] (Description of Lens 8) Lens 8 projects the reflected light L2 in a predetermined light distribution pattern, in this example, the high beam light distribution pattern HP shown in Figure 7, and the second additional reflected light L4 in a predetermined additional light distribution pattern, in this example, the additional light distribution pattern UP shown in Figure 8, both in front of the vehicle VE. Lens 8 projects the image of the light source 4, which has been reflected by the reflective surface 50 of the reflector 5, outwards.

[0049] In this example, the additional light distribution pattern UP is an upward light distribution pattern that illuminates the area from the top to above the high beam light distribution pattern HP. The upper edge of the high beam light distribution pattern HP and the lower edge of the additional light distribution pattern UP, which is an upward light distribution pattern, overlap or are adjacent.

[0050] When viewed from above to below the vehicle VE, lens 8 has a shape that slopes or curves around from the front to the rear of the vehicle VE, from the inside I in the vehicle width direction to the outside O in the vehicle width direction. In other words, lens 8 follows the shape of lamp lens 102 and has a shape that slopes or curves around in the same direction as lamp lens 102.

[0051] Lens 8 has an incident surface 80, an exit surface 81, and a focal line FL3. The focal line FL3 of lens 8 is the rear focal line. Focal lines FL2 and FL3 follow or approximate the shape of lens 8. Note that in the vertical cross-section, focal lines FL2 and FL3 are points, and these points connect in the left-right direction to form a line.

[0052] The vertical cross-sectional shape of lens 8 is the same or nearly the same from the inner side I in the vehicle width direction to the outer side O in the vehicle width direction. In other words, lens 8 is a cylindrical lens or a lens that approximates a cylindrical lens. By using a cylindrical lens for lens 8, the configuration makes it easy for reflected light L2 reflected from any part of the reflective surface 50 of the reflector 5 to enter lens 8.

[0053] (Explanation of holder member 9) The holder member 9 holds the reflector 5, the first additional reflector 6, the second additional reflector 7, the lens 8, and the heat dissipation member 10. The holder member 9 may be an integral part of the reflector 5, the first additional reflector 6, and the second additional reflector 7. The heat dissipation member 10 also serves as a heat sink member that releases heat generated by the light source 4 to the outside when the light source 4 is lit.

[0054] (Description of the operation of the embodiment) The vehicle lamp unit 1 and vehicle headlights 100L and 100R according to this embodiment have the configuration described above, and their operation will be explained below.

[0055] The light source 4 of the high beam lamp unit 1 is turned on. Then, most of the light L1 from the light source 4 is reflected as reflected light L2 at the reflective surface 50 of the reflector 5. The reflected light L2 is parallel to the optical axis Z of the high beam lamp unit 1 when viewed from above, although it is not shown in the figure. Most of the reflected light L2 passes through the lens 8 and the lamp lens 102 and is projected in front of the vehicle VE as the high beam light distribution pattern HP shown in Figure 7.

[0056] Furthermore, a portion of the light L1 from the light source 4 is reflected as the first additional reflected light L3 at the reflective surface 60 of the first additional reflector 6. The first additional reflected light L3 is reflected as the second additional reflected light L4 at the upper reflective surface 70 of the second additional reflector 7. As shown in Figure 13, the second additional reflected light L4 is parallel to the optical axis Z of the high beam lamp unit 1 in a top view. The second additional reflected light L4 passes through the lens 8 and the lamp lens 102 and is projected in front of the vehicle VE as the additional light distribution pattern UP shown in Figure 8.

[0057] Thus, as shown in Figure 9, the high-beam lamp unit 1 illuminates the front of the vehicle VE with the high-beam light distribution pattern HP and the additional light distribution pattern UP. At this time, the upper edge of the high-beam light distribution pattern HP and the lower edge of the additional light distribution pattern UP overlap or are adjacent to each other.

[0058] Furthermore, a portion 20 of the reflected light L2 from the reflective surface 50 of the reflector 5 is reflected off the end face reflective surface 71 of the second additional reflector 7 as off-lens reflected light L5, and does not enter the lens 8.

[0059] Furthermore, when the second lamp unit 2 is turned on, a first low beam light distribution pattern, which is part of a low beam light distribution pattern not shown, is projected from the second lamp unit 2 through the lamp lens 102 towards the front of the vehicle VE. Also, when the third lamp unit 3 is turned on, a second low beam light distribution pattern, which is part of a low beam light distribution pattern not shown, is projected from the third lamp unit 3 through the lamp lens 102 towards the front of the vehicle VE. This first low beam light distribution pattern and the second low beam light distribution pattern are superimposed to form the overall low beam light distribution pattern.

[0060] (Description of the effects of the embodiment) The vehicle lamp unit 1 and vehicle headlights 100L and 100R according to this embodiment have the configuration and operation described above, and their effects will be explained below.

[0061] The vehicle lamp unit 1 according to this embodiment includes a reflector 5 that reflects light L1 from a light source 4 as reflected light L2, a first additional reflector 6 that reflects light L1 from a light source 4 as first additional reflected light L3, and a second additional reflector 7 that reflects the first additional reflected light L3 as second additional reflected light L4. As a result, the vehicle lamp unit 1 according to this embodiment can transmit the reflected light L2 through the lens 8 and irradiate the front of the vehicle VE as a high beam light distribution pattern HP, which is a predetermined light distribution pattern, and transmit the second additional reflected light L4 through the lens 8 and irradiate the front of the vehicle VE as a predetermined additional light distribution pattern UP. As a result, the vehicle lamp unit 1 according to this embodiment can irradiate a wider area than the irradiation range of the high beam light distribution pattern HP, which is a predetermined light distribution pattern, by the additional light distribution pattern UP.

[0062] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the vehicle lamp unit 1 has the first additional reflector 6 positioned above the focal line FL2 of the reflector 5 and the focal line FL3 of the lens 8, and the second additional reflector 7 positioned below the focal line FL2 of the reflector 5 and the focal line FL3 of the lens 8. As a result, in this embodiment, the optical path of the reflected light L2 is not obstructed by the first additional reflector 6 and the second additional reflector 7, so the reflected light L2 can be efficiently irradiated in front of the vehicle VE as a high beam light distribution pattern HP with a predetermined light distribution pattern.

[0063] In this embodiment, the vehicle lamp unit 1 has an upper reflective surface 70 formed on the upper surface of the plate-shaped second additional reflector 7 that reflects the first additional reflected light L3 as the second additional reflected light L4. Therefore, this upper reflective surface 70 allows the additional light distribution pattern UP to be projected in front of the vehicle VE.

[0064] Furthermore, in the vehicle lamp unit 1 according to this embodiment, an end-face reflective surface 71 is formed on the end face of the second additional reflector 7 on the side of the focal line FL2 of the reflector 5 and the focal line FL3 of the lens 8, which reflects a portion L20 of the reflected light L2 from the reflector 5 away from the lens 8 side. As a result, a portion L20 of the reflected light L2 is reflected away from the lens 8 side as externally reflected light L5 by this end-face reflective surface 71 and does not enter the lens 8. Consequently, the vehicle lamp unit 1 according to this embodiment can prevent the occurrence of the uncontrolled additional light distribution pattern PSP shown in Figure 10, that is, the uneven light streak light distribution pattern PSP shown in Figure 11.

[0065] Figure 6(B) is an explanatory diagram showing the end face reflective surface 71B of the second additional reflector 7B, which is tilted at an angle greater than approximately 90° with respect to the upper reflective surface 70. In the case of this second additional reflector 7B, a portion 20 of the reflected light L2 may be reflected back towards the lens 8 side as lens-side reflected light L6 at the end face reflective surface 71B. As a result, the uncontrolled additional light distribution pattern PSP shown in Figure 10 is formed and superimposed on the high beam light distribution pattern HP and the additional light distribution pattern UP as a patchy streaky light distribution pattern PSP, as shown in Figure 11.

[0066] In contrast, the vehicle lamp unit 1 according to this embodiment intersects the end face reflective surface 71 with the upper face reflective surface 70 at an angle such that a portion L20 of the reflected light L2 is reflected away from the lens 8 side as external reflected light L5, and does not reflect towards the lens 8 side as lens-side reflected light L6. This prevents the occurrence of the uncontrolled additional light distribution pattern PSP shown in Figure 10, i.e., the uneven light streak light distribution pattern PSP shown in Figure 11.

[0067] In this embodiment, the vehicle lamp unit 1 has an end reflective surface 71 that intersects the upper reflective surface 70 at a right angle, i.e., at approximately 90°. Therefore, the corner formed by the upper reflective surface 70 and the end reflective surface 71 is the corner formed by the upper reflective surface 70 and the end reflective surface 71C of the second additional reflector 7C shown in Figure 6(C), and does not have a sharp edge with an angle smaller than approximately 90°. As a result, the corner formed by the end reflective surface 71 and the upper reflective surface 70 of the vehicle lamp unit 1 in this embodiment does not have a sharp edge, which is preferable from a mold molding perspective.

[0068] In this embodiment, the vehicle lamp unit 1 has a lens 8 that, when viewed from above to below the vehicle VE, is slanted or curved from the front to the rear of the vehicle VE, from the inside I in the vehicle width direction to the outside O in the vehicle width direction, and the focusing line FL2 of the reflector 5 and the focusing line FL3 of the lens 8 are aligned with or approximate the slant shape of the lens 8. As a result, even though the lens 8 has a slant shape, the vehicle lamp unit 1 in this embodiment can efficiently illuminate the front of the vehicle VE with reflected light L2 and second additional reflected light L4 as a predetermined high beam light distribution pattern HP and a predetermined additional light distribution pattern UP, thanks to the focusing line FL2 of the reflector 5 and the focusing line FL3 of the lens 8, which are aligned with or approximate the slant shape of the lens 8. Here, "approximate" means that the same effect can be achieved, including dimensional errors, design errors, manufacturing errors, etc.

[0069] Furthermore, in the vehicle lamp unit 1 according to this embodiment, the reflected light L2 and the second additional reflected light L4 are parallel to the optical axis Z of the vehicle lamp unit 1 in a top view. As a result, as shown in Figure 9, in the vehicle lamp unit 1 according to this embodiment, the high beam light distribution pattern HP and the additional light distribution pattern UP are not offset from each other to the left or right, and the upper edge of the high beam light distribution pattern HP and the lower edge of the additional light distribution pattern UP overlap.

[0070] In this embodiment, the vehicle lamp unit 1 has an angle θI between the cross-sectional line 70I of the upper reflective surface 70 on the inner side I in the vehicle width direction and the optical axis Z, which is greater than the angle θO between the cross-sectional line 70O of the upper reflective surface 70 on the outer side O in the vehicle width direction and the optical axis Z. As a result, the vehicle lamp unit 1 in this embodiment can make the second additional reflected light L4 from the upper reflective surface 70 parallel to the optical axis Z of the vehicle lamp unit 1 when viewed from above. Consequently, the vehicle lamp unit 1 in this embodiment can provide additional illumination with an additional light distribution pattern UP without any lateral shift relative to the high beam light distribution pattern HP.

[0071] Figures 14 and 15 are explanatory diagrams showing a second additional reflector 7A in which the angle θAI between the cross-sectional line 70AI of the upper reflective surface 70A on the inner side I in the vehicle width direction and the optical axis Z is equal to or approximately equal to the angle θAO between the cross-sectional line 70AO of the upper reflective surface 70A on the outer side O in the vehicle width direction and the optical axis Z. In the case of this second additional reflector 7A, the second additional reflected light L4A reflected by the upper reflective surface 70A is inclined from the inner side I in the vehicle width direction to the outer side O in the vehicle width direction with respect to the optical axis Z, so as shown in Figure 16, the additional light distribution pattern UP is shifted to the right with respect to the high beam light distribution pattern HP. Note that Figures 14 to 16 describe the right high beam lamp unit 1A, and in the case of the left high beam lamp unit, the additional light distribution pattern UP is shifted to the left with respect to the high beam light distribution pattern HP. In contrast, in the vehicle lamp unit 1 according to this embodiment, the additional light distribution pattern UP is not shifted to the left or right with respect to the high beam light distribution pattern HP. Here, "equivalent" means that the same effects and functions can be achieved, including dimensional errors, design errors, and manufacturing errors.

[0072] In this embodiment, the vehicle lamp unit 1 has a predetermined light distribution pattern formed by reflected light L2 which is a high beam light distribution pattern HP, and a predetermined light distribution pattern formed by a second additional reflected light L4 which is an upward light distribution pattern UP, with the upward light distribution pattern UP illuminating from the top to the top of the high beam light distribution pattern HP. As a result, in this embodiment, the vehicle lamp unit 1 can make signs and markers visible in the range from the top to the top of the high beam light distribution pattern HP due to the upward light distribution pattern UP.

[0073] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the vehicle lamp unit 1 has the upper edge of the high beam light distribution pattern HP and the lower edge of the upward light distribution pattern UP overlapping, resulting in a smooth change in light intensity between the high beam light distribution pattern HP and the upward light distribution pattern UP, thereby improving visibility for the driver.

[0074] The vehicle headlights 100L and 100R according to this embodiment include a lamp housing 101 and a lamp lens 102 that form a lamp chamber 103, and a vehicle lamp unit 1 according to this embodiment that is disposed within the lamp chamber 103. As a result, the vehicle headlights 100L and 100R according to this embodiment can achieve the same effects as the vehicle lamp unit 1 according to this embodiment.

[0075] (Explanation of examples other than the embodiment) This invention is not limited to the embodiments described above.

[0076] In the above embodiment, an example is described in which the lens 8, when viewed from above to below the vehicle VE, has a shape that slopes or curves around from the front to the rear of the vehicle VE, from the inside I in the vehicle width direction to the outside O in the vehicle width direction. That is, the lens 8 has a slant shape that follows the shape of the lamp lens 102. However, in this invention, the lens 8 may not have a slant shape. That is, the lens 8 may simply have a shape that extends in the vehicle width direction, i.e., in the left-right direction, when viewed from above to below the vehicle VE.

[0077] The above embodiment describes an example of an upward light distribution pattern in which the additional light distribution pattern UP illuminates the area from the top to the top of the high beam light distribution pattern HP. However, in this invention, the additional light distribution pattern UP may be in an area other than the area from the top to the top of the high beam light distribution pattern HP, for example, the area from the left side to the left side of the high beam light distribution pattern HP, the area from the right side to the right side, the area from the bottom to the bottom, or even within the high beam light distribution pattern HP.

[0078] [Note] The contents described in some of the embodiments above can be understood, for example, as follows:

[0079] (1) Light source 4 and A reflector 5 that reflects light L1 from the light source 4 as reflected light L2, A first additional reflector 6 reflects the light L1 from the light source 4 as a first additional reflected light L3, A second additional reflector 7 that reflects the first additional reflected light L3 as a second additional reflected light L4, The reflected light L2 is directed towards the front of the vehicle VE using a predetermined light distribution pattern (high beam light distribution pattern HP), and the second additional reflected light L4 is directed towards the front of the vehicle VE using a predetermined additional light distribution pattern UP, respectively. Equipped with, The lens 8, when viewed from above to below the vehicle VE, has a shape that extends in the vehicle width direction and has a focal line FL3. The first additional reflector 6 is positioned above the focal line FL3 of the lens 8, The second additional reflector 7 is positioned below the focal line FL3 of the lens 8. It is characterized by the following:

[0080] As a result, the vehicle lamp unit 1 according to this embodiment can illuminate a wider area than the illumination range of the high beam light distribution pattern HP, which is a predetermined light distribution pattern, by adding a light distribution pattern UP, as described above.

[0081] Furthermore, as described above, in this embodiment, the vehicle lamp unit 1 can efficiently illuminate the front of the vehicle VE with the reflected light L2 as a high beam light distribution pattern HP, since the optical path of the reflected light L2 is not obstructed by the first additional reflector 6 and the second additional reflector 7.

[0082] (2) The second additional reflector 7 has a plate shape that extends from the upper side to the lower side of the vehicle VE toward the lens 8, from the focal line FL3 side of the lens 8 toward the lens 8 side. An upper reflective surface 70 is formed on the upper surface of the second additional reflector 7, which reflects the first additional reflected light L3 as the second additional reflected light L4. Of the second additional reflector 7, an end-face reflective surface 71 is formed on the end face of the lens 8 on the side of the focal line FL3, which reflects a portion L20 of the reflected light L2 from the reflector 5 away from the lens 8 side. It is characterized by the following:

[0083] As a result, the vehicle lamp unit 1 according to this embodiment can, as described above, project the additional light distribution pattern UP in front of the vehicle VE using the upper reflective surface 70, and can prevent the occurrence of an uncontrolled additional light distribution pattern PSP, which can cause unevenness or streaks of light, using the end reflective surface 71.

[0084] (3) The upper reflective surface 70 extends from the upper side to the lower side of the vehicle VE, following the shape of the plate, from the focal line FL3 side of the lens 8 toward the lens 8 side. The end face reflective surface 71 intersects with the upper face reflective surface 70 and extends from the lens 8 on the focal line FL3 side toward the opposite side of the lens 8, from the upper side to the lower side of the vehicle VE. It is characterized by the following:

[0085] As a result, the vehicle lamp unit 1 according to this embodiment is preferable in terms of mold molding because, as described above, the corner formed by the end surface reflective surface 71 and the upper surface reflective surface 70 does not have a sharp edge.

[0086] (4) When viewed from above the vehicle VE, the lens 8 has a shape that is inclined or curved from the front to the rear of the vehicle VE, from the inner side I in the vehicle width direction to the outer side O in the vehicle width direction. The focal line FL3 of the lens 8 follows or approximates the shape of the lens 8. At least a portion of the reflected light L2 and the second additional reflected light L4 are parallel or substantially parallel to the optical axis Z of the vehicle lamp unit 1 in the left-right direction when viewed from above. It is characterized by the following:

[0087] As a result, the vehicle lamp unit 1 according to this embodiment can efficiently illuminate the front of the vehicle VE with reflected light L2 and second additional reflected light L4 as a predetermined high beam light distribution pattern HP and a predetermined additional light distribution pattern UP, even if the lens 8 has a slant shape, as described above.

[0088] Furthermore, in this embodiment of the vehicle lamp unit 1, as described above, the high beam light distribution pattern HP and the additional light distribution pattern UP are not offset from each other to the left or right.

[0089] (5) The angle between the upper reflective surface 70 and the optical axis Z on a vertical cross-section parallel to the vertical cross-section containing the optical axis Z, The angle between the upper reflective surface 70 and the optical axis Z on the inner side I in the vehicle width direction is greater than the angle between the upper reflective surface 70 and the optical axis Z on the outer side O in the vehicle width direction. It is characterized by the following:

[0090] As a result, the vehicle lamp unit 1 according to this embodiment can additionally illuminate with the additional light distribution pattern UP without any lateral shift relative to the high beam light distribution pattern HP.

[0091] (6) The predetermined light distribution pattern formed by the reflected light L2 is a high beam light distribution pattern HP. The predetermined light distribution pattern formed by the second additional reflected light L4 is an upward light distribution pattern UP that is irradiated from the upper part upward of the high beam light distribution pattern HP. The upper edge of the high beam light distribution pattern HP and the lower edge of the upward light distribution pattern UP are superimposed or adjacent. It is characterized by the following:

[0092] As a result, the vehicle lamp unit 1 according to this embodiment, as described above, allows for the visibility of signs and markers in the range from the upper part of the high beam light distribution pattern HP upwards due to the upward light distribution pattern UP. Furthermore, as described above, the vehicle lamp unit 1 according to this embodiment has a smooth change in light intensity between the high beam light distribution pattern HP and the upward light distribution pattern UP, which can improve visibility for the driver.

[0093] (7) The lamp housing 101 and lamp lens 102 form the lamp chamber 103, A vehicle lamp unit according to any one of claims 1 to 6 (first lamp unit 1, high beam lamp unit 1) arranged within the lamp chamber 103, Equipped with, It is characterized by the following:

[0094] As a result, the vehicle headlights 100L and 100R of this invention can achieve the same effects as the vehicle lamp unit 1 of this invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0095] 1, 1A First lamp unit, high beam lamp unit 2. Second Lamp Unit 3. Third Lamp Unit 4 light source 41 Main body 42 Light-emitting part 5 Reflectors 50 reflective surface 6. First additional reflector 60 reflective surface 7, 7A, 7B, 7C Second additional reflector 70, 70A reflective surface, top reflective surface 71, 71B, 71C end reflective surface 70I, 70AI, 70O, 70AO cross section line 8 lenses 80 Entrance plane 81 Ejection surface 9. Holder member 10 Heat dissipation components 10L, 10R Vehicle Lamp Unit Device 100L, 100R Vehicle Headlights 101 Lamp Housing 102 Lamp Lens 103 Light room After B D bottom Before F F1 1st focal point FL2 burnt line, reflector 5 burnt line FL3 focusing line, lens 8 focusing line, rear focusing line HL-HR Left and right horizontal lines HP High Beam Beam Distribution Pattern I. Inward in the vehicle width direction L left L1 light L2 reflected light L20 Part of the reflected light L3 First additional reflected light L4, L4A 2nd additional reflected light L5 External reflection of light from the lens L6 Lens-side reflected light Outer side in the vehicle width direction PSP Uncontrolled additional beam patterns, patchy beam patterns R right SPA concentrated light distribution pattern SPB Concentrated Beam Pattern U Up UP Additional light distribution patterns VE Vehicle VU-VD vertical vertical line Z optical axis, lamp axis θI, θAI, θO, θAO angle

Claims

1. Light source and A reflector that reflects light from the aforementioned light source as reflected light, A first additional reflector that reflects light from the aforementioned light source as first additional reflected light, A second additional reflector that reflects the first additional reflected light as a second additional reflected light, A lens that projects the reflected light in a predetermined light distribution pattern and the second additional reflected light in a predetermined additional light distribution pattern, respectively, forward of the vehicle, Equipped with, The lens, when viewed from above to below the vehicle, has a shape that extends in the vehicle width direction and has a focal line. The first additional reflector is positioned above the focal line of the lens, The second additional reflector is positioned below the focal line of the lens, A vehicle lamp unit characterized by the following features.

2. The second additional reflector has a plate shape that extends from the lens side toward the lens side toward the upper and lower sides of the vehicle, An upper reflective surface is formed on the upper surface of the second additional reflector, which reflects the first additional reflected light as the second additional reflected light. In the second additional reflector, an end-face reflective surface is formed on the end face of the lens on the focal line side, which reflects a portion of the reflected light from the reflector away from the lens side. The vehicle lamp unit according to feature 1.

3. The upper reflective surface extends from the upper to the lower side of the vehicle, along the shape of the plate, from the focal line side of the lens toward the lens side. The end face reflective surface intersects with the upper face reflective surface and extends from the lens's focal line side toward the opposite side of the lens, from the upper to the lower side of the vehicle. The vehicle lamp unit according to feature 2.

4. When viewed from above the vehicle, the lens has a shape that is inclined or curved from the front to the rear of the vehicle, extending from the inside in the vehicle width direction to the outside in the vehicle width direction. The focal line of the lens follows or approximates the shape of the lens. At least a portion of the reflected light and the second additional reflected light are parallel or substantially parallel to the optical axis of the vehicle lamp unit in the left-right direction when viewed from above. The vehicle lamp unit according to feature 1.

5. The angle between the upper reflective surface and the optical axis on a vertical cross-section parallel to the vertical cross-section containing the optical axis, The angle between the upper reflective surface and the optical axis on the inner side in the vehicle width direction is greater than the angle between the upper reflective surface and the optical axis on the outer side in the vehicle width direction. The vehicle lamp unit according to feature 4.

6. The predetermined light distribution pattern formed by the reflected light is a high beam light distribution pattern. The predetermined light distribution pattern formed by the second additional reflected light is an upward light distribution pattern that is irradiated from the upper part upward of the high beam light distribution pattern. The upper edge of the high beam light distribution pattern and the lower edge of the upward light distribution pattern overlap or are adjacent. The vehicle lamp unit according to feature 1.

7. A lamp housing and lamp lens that form the lamp chamber, A vehicle lamp unit according to any one of claims 1 to 6, disposed within the lamp chamber, Equipped with, A vehicle headlight characterized by the following features.

Images