Vehicle lighting

Abstract

In a vehicle lighting device in which a light guide is placed between the light source and the projection lens, the additional light distribution pattern added when forming the high beam light distribution pattern can be formed as a bright light distribution pattern. [Solution] The light guide 50 is configured to form an additional light distribution pattern by light emitted from a second emission surface 52B located in front of the luminaire than the first emission surface 52A. In this configuration, the second emission surface 52B is composed of a first inclined surface 52B1 extending diagonally downward and forward from the front end edge 52Ca of the connecting surface 52C connected to the first emission surface 52A, and a second inclined surface 52B2 extending diagonally downward and backward from its lower end edge. The first inclined surface 52B1 is formed with an inclination angle that deflects the light incident on the light guide 50 downward toward the projection lens 40, and the second inclined surface 52B2 is formed with an inclination angle that deflects the light that has been totally reflected by the connecting surface 52C after being incident on the light guide 50 upward toward the projection lens 40.

Description

Technical Field

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

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, a vehicle lamp configured to irradiate light emitted from a light source forward of the lamp through a projection lens is known.

[0003] In "Patent Document 1", as a configuration of such a vehicle lamp, a light guide is arranged between the light source and the projection lens, which is configured to guide the light emitted from the light source and make it incident on the projection lens.

[0004] The vehicle lamp described in this "Patent Document 1" includes, as its light source, a first light source for forming a low-beam light distribution pattern and a second light source for forming a high-beam light distribution pattern by lighting simultaneously with the first light source. Also, the light guide has a first emission surface for emitting light for the low-beam light distribution pattern and a second emission surface for emitting light for an additional light distribution pattern that is added to the low-beam light distribution pattern when forming the high-beam light distribution pattern.

[0005] At that time, in the light guide described in this "Patent Document 1", the second emission surface is formed at a position displaced forward of the lamp with respect to the first emission surface on the lower side of the first emission surface, and a connection surface extending forward of the lamp from the lower edge of the first emission surface to the upper edge of the second emission surface is configured as a mirror surface portion.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0006]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0007] In the vehicle lighting device described in "Patent Document 1" above, a low-beam light distribution pattern having a cutoff line along the front edge shape of the connection surface is formed by the light emitted from the first emission surface of the light guide, and an additional light distribution pattern is formed above the cutoff line by the light emitted from the second emission surface of the light guide. However, in order to make the high-beam light distribution pattern highly visible from a distance, it is desirable to form the additional light distribution pattern as bright as possible.

[0008] The present invention has been made in view of these circumstances, and aims to provide a vehicle lamp configured to project light emitted from a light source toward the front of the lamp through a projection lens, which can form an additional light distribution pattern added to the low beam light distribution pattern when forming the high beam light distribution pattern as a bright light distribution pattern. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] The present invention aims to achieve the above objective by modifying the structure of the light guide.

[0010] In other words, the vehicle lighting device according to the present invention is A vehicle lamp comprising a light source and a projection lens, configured to project light emitted from the light source toward the front of the lamp through the projection lens, A light guide is positioned between the light source and the projection lens, configured to guide the light emitted from the light source and direct it into the projection lens. The above light source comprises a first light source for forming a light distribution pattern for low beams, and a second light source for forming a light distribution pattern for high beams by simultaneous illumination with the first light source. The light guide comprises a first emitting surface for emitting light for the low beam light distribution pattern and a second emitting surface for emitting light for an additional light distribution pattern that is added to the low beam light distribution pattern when forming the high beam light distribution pattern. The second emission surface is formed below the first emission surface and at a position displaced forward of the lamp relative to the first emission surface. The above light guide has a connecting surface that extends forward from the lower edge of the first emission surface to the upper edge of the second emission surface, with the mirror surface portion configured therein. The above-mentioned second ejection surface is composed of a first inclined surface extending diagonally downward and forward from the front end edge of the connecting surface, and a second inclined surface extending diagonally downward and backward from the lower end edge of the first inclined surface. The first inclined surface is formed at an inclination angle that causes the light emitted from the second light source, which is incident on the light guide, to be deflected downwards toward the projection lens. The second inclined surface is characterized by being formed at an inclination angle that causes the light emitted from the second light source, which has been totally reflected at the connection surface after being incident on the light guide, to be deflected upward toward the projection lens.

[0011] The "first inclined surface" described above is formed at an inclination angle that deflects the light emitted from the second light source incident on the light guide downwards toward the projection lens; however, the specific inclination angle is not particularly limited.

[0012] The "second inclined surface" described above is formed at an angle that causes the light emitted from the second light source, which has undergone total internal reflection at its connection surface after being incident on the light guide, to be deflected upward toward the projection lens. The specific angle of inclination of this surface is not particularly limited. [Effects of the Invention]

[0013] The vehicle lamp according to the present invention has a light guide positioned between the light source and the projection lens, configured to guide the light emitted from the light source and cause it to enter the projection lens. The light source comprises a first light source for forming a low beam light distribution pattern and a second light source for forming a high beam light distribution pattern by simultaneous illumination of the first light source and the second light source. The light guide comprises a first emission surface for emitting light for the low beam light distribution pattern and an additional light distribution surface that is added to the low beam light distribution pattern when forming the high beam light distribution pattern. The lamp is equipped with a second emitting surface that emits light for turning, but the second emitting surface is formed below the first emitting surface and displaced forward relative to the first emitting surface. The connecting surface extending forward from the lower edge of the first emitting surface to the upper edge of the second emitting surface is configured as a mirror surface. As a result, the light emitted from the first emitting surface forms a low-beam light distribution pattern with a cutoff line along the shape of the front edge of the connecting surface, and the light emitted from the second emitting surface forms an additional light distribution pattern above the cutoff line.

[0014] Furthermore, the second emission surface of the light guide is composed of a first inclined surface extending diagonally downward and forward from the front edge of the connecting surface, and a second inclined surface extending diagonally downward and backward from the lower edge of the first inclined surface. The first inclined surface is formed at an inclination angle that deflects the light emitted from the second light source incident on the light guide downward toward the projection lens, and the second inclined surface is formed at an inclination angle that deflects the light emitted from the second light source, which has undergone total internal reflection at the connecting surface after being incident on the light guide, upward toward the projection lens. As a result, the light emitted from the light guide can be efficiently incident on the projection lens. This makes it possible to form an additional light distribution pattern as a bright light distribution pattern.

[0015] According to the invention of the present application, in a vehicle lamp configured to project the emitted light from a light source forward of the lamp via a projection lens, when forming a high-beam light distribution pattern, an additional light distribution pattern added to the low-beam light distribution pattern can be formed as a bright light distribution pattern. Thereby, the high-beam light distribution pattern can be made excellent in far-field visibility.

[0016] In the above configuration, further, as the configuration of the second inclined surface, if it is formed at an inclination angle that totally reflects the emitted light from the second light source that has reached the light guide body without total reflection at its connection surface and then totally reflects it toward the first inclined surface, more light from the second light source incident on the light guide body can be made incident on the projection lens, and thereby the brightness of the additional light distribution pattern can be further increased.

[0017] In the above configuration, further, if the first light source is composed of a plurality of light-emitting elements arranged side by side in the left-right direction, and the second light source is composed of a single light-emitting element, the following operational effects can be obtained.

[0018] That is, by configuring the first light source with a plurality of light-emitting elements, the brightness of the low-beam light distribution pattern can be sufficiently ensured. Also, with the above configuration, since the additional light distribution pattern is formed as a bright light distribution pattern, even if the second light source is composed of a single light-emitting element, it is possible to ensure the necessary brightness as the additional light distribution pattern, and thereby the cost of the lamp can be reduced.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0019] [Figure 1] Side cross-sectional view showing a vehicle lamp according to an embodiment of the present invention [Figure 2] View showing the lamp unit of the above vehicle lamp, as viewed in the direction of arrow II in FIG. 1 [Figure 3] Cross-sectional view taken along line III-III in FIG. 2 [Figure 4] Cross-sectional view taken along line IV-IV in FIG. 3 [Figure 5] Cross-sectional view taken along line V-V of FIG. 3 [Figure 6] Diagram showing the light distribution pattern formed by the irradiation light from the above-described lamp unit [Figure 7] A diagram similar to FIG. 3 showing a comparative example of the above-described embodiment

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0020] Hereinafter, embodiments of the invention of the present application will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0021] FIG. 1 is a side cross-sectional view showing a vehicle lamp 10 according to an embodiment of the invention of the present application. Further, FIG. 2 is a view taken in the direction of arrow II in FIG. 1.

[0022] In FIGS. 1 and 2, the direction indicated by X is “in front of the lamp”, the direction indicated by Y is “left direction” (in the front view of the lamp, it is “right direction”) orthogonal to “in front of the lamp”, and the direction indicated by Z is “upward direction”. The same applies to other figures.

[0023] As shown in FIG. 1, the vehicle lamp 10 is a headlamp provided at the front end of the vehicle, and has a configuration in which a lamp unit 20 is housed in a lamp chamber formed by a lamp body 12 and a light-transmitting cover 14.

[0024] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line III-III of FIG. 2. Further, FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along line IV-IV of FIG. 3, and FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along line V-V of FIG. 3.

[0025] As also shown in FIGS. 3 to 5, the lamp unit 20 is a projector-type lamp unit, and by irradiating the emitted light from the light source 三十 with the projection lens forty toward the front of the lamp, a low-beam light distribution pattern and a high-beam light distribution pattern (which will be described later) can be formed.

[0026] The projection lens 40 has an optical axis Ax extending in the front-to-back direction of the lamp, and the above light distribution pattern is formed by inverting and projecting the projection image formed on the rear focal plane.

[0027] A light guide 50 is positioned between the projection lens 40 and the light source 30 located behind the lamp, and is configured to guide the light emitted from the light source 30 and direct it into the projection lens 40. The projection image is then formed in this light guide 50.

[0028] The projection lens 40 is a biconvex aspherical lens having an outer peripheral flange portion 40a, and is made of a colorless, transparent resin material. When viewed from the front of the lamp, the projection lens 40 has a lens shape in which the upper and lower parts of a circle have been horizontally cut off, and is supported by the lens holder 42 at its outer peripheral flange portion 40a.

[0029] The lens holder 42 is a cylindrical member extending in the front-to-back direction of the lamp, and a lens support portion 42a for supporting the projection lens 40 is formed at its front end.

[0030] The light source 30 consists of three first light-emitting elements 32A, 32B, and 32C and a single second light-emitting element 34B mounted on a common substrate 36. These first and second light-emitting elements 32A-32C and 34B are all white light-emitting diodes having a rectangular (e.g., square) light-emitting surface, and are arranged with their light-emitting surfaces facing forward towards the lamp.

[0031] The three first light-emitting elements 32A to 32C are configured as first light sources that light up when forming a light distribution pattern for low beams, and the second light-emitting element 34B is configured as a second light source that additionally lights up when forming a light distribution pattern for high beams.

[0032] The three first light-emitting elements 32A to 32C are positioned directly above the optical axis Ax of the projection lens 40 and at equal intervals on both sides thereof, while the second light-emitting element 34B is positioned directly below the optical axis Ax.

[0033] The substrate 36 is supported by a metal heatsink 60, positioned to extend along a vertical plane perpendicular to the optical axis Ax of the projection lens 40.

[0034] The heat sink 60 comprises a main body portion 62 extending along a vertical plane perpendicular to the optical axis Ax of the projection lens 40, and a plurality of heat dissipation fins 64 extending along the vertical plane from the main body portion 62 toward the rear of the lamp, and is supported by the lens holder 42 with the main body portion 62 in surface contact with the substrate 36.

[0035] The light guide 50 is made of a colorless, transparent resin component.

[0036] The light guide 50 includes a first emission surface 52A for emitting light for a low beam light distribution pattern, a second emission surface 52B for emitting light for an additional light distribution pattern that is added to the low beam light distribution pattern when forming a high beam light distribution pattern, and a connecting surface 52C formed to connect the first emission surface 52A and the second emission surface 52B.

[0037] The first emission surface 52A constitutes the upper front surface of the light guide 50. This first emission surface 52A is formed in a concave curved shape at a position a certain distance behind the rear focal plane of the projection lens 30, and has a roughly horizontally elongated rectangular shape when viewed from the front of the light fixture.

[0038] The connecting surface 52C extends horizontally from the lower edge of the first emission surface 52A toward the front of the luminaire, and is formed with a stepped design on the left and right sides when viewed from the front of the luminaire. This connecting surface 52C is configured as a mirror surface by applying a mirror finish (e.g., aluminum vapor deposition) to the surface of the light guide 50, thereby causing a portion of the light emitted from the first emission surface 52A to be specularly reflected upward.

[0039] The front edge 52Ca of the connecting surface 52C is formed to curve and extend toward the front of the luminaire in both left and right directions, passing near the rear focal point F of the projection lens 30.

[0040] The second emission surface 52B constitutes the lower front surface of the light guide 50. This second emission surface 52B is composed of a first inclined surface 52B1 that extends downward toward the front of the luminaire from the front edge 52Ca of the connecting surface 52C, and a second inclined surface 52B2 that extends diagonally downward toward the rear from the lower edge of the first inclined surface 52B1, and has an outer shape that is roughly horizontally elongated rectangular when viewed from the front of the luminaire. The specific shape of this second emission surface 52B will be described later.

[0041] As shown in Figures 4 and 5, the light guide 50 includes three first incident sections 54A, 54B, and 54C for receiving light emitted from each of the three first light-emitting elements 32A, 32B, and 32C, and a second incident section 56B for receiving light emitted from the second light-emitting element 34B.

[0042] The three first inlet portions 54A to 54C are formed to be located on the front side of the lamp with respect to each of the three first light-emitting elements 32A to 32C, and on the rear side of the lamp with respect to the first emission surface 52A. The second inlet portion 56B is formed to be located on the front side of the lamp with respect to the second light-emitting element 34B, and on the rear side of the lamp with respect to the second emission surface 52B.

[0043] As shown in Figure 3, light from the first light-emitting element 32B, which is incident on the light guide 50 from the first incident part 54B located directly above the optical axis Ax, exits from the first emission surface 52A, is then specularly reflected either directly or at the connecting surface 52C, and enters the projection lens 30. From this projection lens 30, the light is projected toward the front of the lamp as light directed slightly downward. The same applies to the light from the first light-emitting elements 32A and 32C, which are incident on the light guide 50 from the first incident parts 54A and 54C located on the right and left sides, respectively.

[0044] On the other hand, light from the second light-emitting element 34B, which enters the light guide 50 from the second incident section 56B located directly below the optical axis Ax, is guided to the second emission surface 52B either directly or after total internal reflection at the connection surface 52C, and then emitted from this second emission surface 52B toward the projection lens 30, from which the light is projected toward the front of the lamp as light directed slightly upward (the specific shape of the second emission surface 52B will be described later).

[0045] Outer peripheral flange portions 58 are formed on the upper part and both left and right sides of the light guide body 50, extending along a vertical plane perpendicular to the optical axis Ax at a position in front of the first emission surface 52A of the luminaire.

[0046] The lens holder 42 has a light guide support portion 42b that extends along the outer peripheral flange portion 58 of the light guide 50. The light guide 50 is supported by the lens holder 42 with its outer peripheral flange portion 58 in contact with the rear surface of the light guide support portion 42b of the lens holder 42, thus being positioned.

[0047] As shown in Figures 3 and 4, the three first incident sections 54A to 54C are configured to receive the light emitted from the three first light-emitting elements 32A to 32C, and then guide it to the first emission surface 52A either directly or through total internal reflection.

[0048] Specifically, each first incident section 54A, 54B, 54C includes a front incident surface 54A1, 54B1, 54C1 that receives the light emitted from each first light-emitting element 32A, 32B, 32C as light directed toward the first emission surface 52A, a side incident surface 54A2, 54B2, 54C2 that receives the light emitted from each first light-emitting element 32A, 32B, 32C around the front incident surface 54A1, 54B1, 54C1 as light directed toward the front incident surface 54A1, 54B1, 54C1, and a total reflection surface 54A3, 54B3, 54C3 that totally reflects the light emitted from each first light-emitting element 32A, 32B, 32C that has been incident from the side incident surface 54A2, 54B2, 54C2 toward the first emission surface 52A.

[0049] In this configuration, as shown in Figure 4, the three first incident sections 54A to 54C are configured to guide the light emitted from the three first light-emitting elements 32A to 32C to the first output surface 52A as a beam of light that is close to parallel. Furthermore, the shapes of the three first incident sections 54A to 54C are set such that the width of the beam of light reaching the first output surface 52A from the first incident section 54B, which is located directly above the optical axis Ax, is slightly narrower than the width of the beam of light reaching the first output surface 52A from the first incident sections 54A and 54C located on either side thereof, and the beam of light reaching the first output surface 52A from the first incident section 54B and the beam of light reaching the first output surface 52A from the first incident sections 54A and 54C located on either side thereof partially overlap at the position of the rear focal plane of the projection lens 40.

[0050] On the other hand, as shown in Figures 3 and 5, the second incident section 56B is configured to direct or totally reflect the light emitted from the second light-emitting element 34B and then guide it to the second emission surface 52B.

[0051] Specifically, the second incident section 56B includes a front incident surface 56B1 that incidents the light emitted from the second light-emitting element 34B as light directed toward the second emission surface 52B, a side incident surface 56B2 that incidents the light emitted from the second light-emitting element 34B around the front incident surface 56B1 as light directed toward the front incident surface 56B1, and a total reflection surface 56B3 that causes the light emitted from the second light-emitting element 34B incident from the side incident surface 56B2 to undergo total internal reflection toward the second emission surface 52B.

[0052] In this case, as shown in Figure 5, the second incident section 56B has a wider width from left to right than the total reflective surface 54B3 of the first incident section 54B (see Figure 4). The second incident section 56B is configured to guide the light emitted from the second light-emitting element 34B to the second output surface 52B as a beam of light that is somewhat converged in the direction closer to the optical axis Ax in the horizontal direction.

[0053] Next, we will describe the specific shape of the second emission surface 52B in the light guide 50.

[0054] As described above, the second emission surface 52B is provided with a first inclined surface 52B1 that extends diagonally downward and forward from the front end edge 52Ca of the connecting surface 52C. As shown in Figure 3, this first inclined surface 52B1 is formed at an inclination angle that deflects the light emitted from the second light-emitting element 34B, which is incident on the light guide 50, downward toward the projection lens 40. Specifically, the downward inclination angle θ1 of this first inclined surface 52B1 with respect to the horizontal plane is set to a value of approximately θ1 = 30 to 60° (for example, a value of approximately θ1 = 45°).

[0055] Furthermore, as described above, the second emission surface 52B includes a second inclined surface 52B2 that extends diagonally downward and backward from the lower edge of the first inclined surface 52B1. As shown in Figure 3, this second inclined surface 52B2 is formed at an inclination angle that deflects the light emitted from the second light-emitting element 34B, which has been totally reflected at its connection surface 52C after being incident on the light guide 50, upward toward the projection lens 40. Specifically, this second inclined surface 52B2 is set to a downward inclination angle θ2 with respect to the horizontal plane of approximately θ2 = 25 to 30° (for example, approximately θ2 = 27°).

[0056] By setting the inclination angle of the second inclined surface 52B2 to this value, the light emitted from the second light-emitting element 34B (specifically, the light that has been totally reflected by the total reflection surface 56B3 of the second incident part 56B and then reached the second inclined surface 52B2 after being incident on the light guide 50 without totally reflecting at its connection surface 52C) is totally reflected toward the first inclined surface 52B1 and deflected downward toward the projection lens 40 from this first inclined surface 52B1.

[0057] Figure 6 is a perspective view showing the light distribution pattern formed on a virtual vertical screen located 25m in front of the vehicle by light emitted from the lamp unit 20 toward the front of the lamp, where Figure 6(a) shows the light distribution pattern PL for low beam and Figure 6(b) shows the light distribution pattern PH for high beam.

[0058] As shown in Figure 6(a), the low beam light distribution pattern PL is a left-facing low beam light distribution pattern, and has staggered cutoff lines CL1 and CL2 at its upper edge. These cutoff lines CL1 and CL2 extend horizontally at staggered levels on the left and right, separated by the VV line which passes vertically through the vanishing point HV in the direction of the front of the lamp. The portion to the right of the VV line, on the opposing lane side, is formed as the lower cutoff line CL1, and the portion to the left of the VV line, on the in-lane side, is formed as the upper cutoff line CL2, which rises from the lower cutoff line CL1 via an inclined section. In this low beam light distribution pattern PL, the elbow point E, which is the intersection point of the lower cutoff line CL1 and the VV line, is located approximately 0.5 to 0.6° below HV.

[0059] The low beam light distribution pattern PL is formed as a composite light distribution pattern of three light distribution patterns P1L, P1C, and P1R. In this case, the low beam light distribution pattern PL is formed as a horizontally elongated light distribution pattern in which the three light distribution patterns P1L, P1C, and P1R are arranged side by side and partially overlap each other.

[0060] Each of the light distribution patterns P1L, P1C, and P1R is a light distribution pattern formed as an inverted projection image of the projection image formed on the rear focal plane of the projection lens 40 by light emitted from each of the first light-emitting elements 32A, 32B, and 32C emitted from the first emission surface 52A of the light guide 50.

[0061] In this configuration, the light guide 50 curves and extends towards the front of the lamp in both left and right directions, such that the front edge 52Ca of its connection surface 52C passes near the rear focal point F of the projection lens 40. As a result, the low beam light distribution pattern PL has clearly defined cutoff lines CL1 and CL2.

[0062] As shown in Figure 6(b), the high-beam light distribution pattern PH is formed by adding an additional light distribution pattern PA to the low-beam light distribution pattern PL, which extends above the cutoff lines CL1 and CL2. This additional light distribution pattern PA is a light distribution pattern formed as an inverted projection image of the projection image formed on the rear focal plane of the projection lens 40 by light from the second light-emitting element 34B emitted from the second emission surface 52B of the light guide 50.

[0063] The additional light distribution pattern PA is formed as a horizontally elongated light distribution pattern that spreads out to the left and right sides from the VV line. In this case, since this additional light distribution pattern PA is formed by light emitted from a single second light-emitting element 34B, it is formed as a light distribution pattern with a smaller left-right diffusion angle than the low-beam light distribution pattern PL, but it is formed as a relatively bright light distribution pattern.

[0064] This is because the light guide 50 is configured to direct most of the light emitted from the second light-emitting element 34B, which is emitted from its second emission surface 52B, into the projection lens 40.

[0065] This point will be explained in comparison with the comparative example of this embodiment, as follows.

[0066] Figure 7 is a diagram similar to Figure 3, showing the configuration described in "Patent Document 1" as a comparative example of this embodiment, and representing it as the luminaire unit 20'. In Figure 7, the optical path of the light emitted from the second light-emitting element 34B is shown by a dashed line.

[0067] As shown in Figure 7, the basic configuration of this comparative example is the same as that of the above embodiment, but the vertical cross-sectional shape of the light guide 50' is slightly different from that of the above embodiment.

[0068] In other words, the light guide 50' of this comparative example differs from that of the above embodiment in the shape of the second emission surface 52B', but the other configurations are the same as those of the above embodiment.

[0069] Specifically, in the light guide 50' of this comparative example, the second emission surface 52B' includes a first inclined surface 52B1' extending diagonally downward and forward from the front end edge 52Ca of the connecting surface 52C, and a second inclined surface 52B2' extending diagonally downward and backward from the lower end edge of the first inclined surface 52B1', but the inclination angle is different from that of the above embodiment.

[0070] In other words, in the light guide 50' of this comparative example, the second emission surface 52B' of the first inclined surface 52B1' is set to a value of approximately θ1' = 75°, and the second inclined surface 52B2' is set to a value of approximately θ2' = 22°.

[0071] Therefore, the light emitted from the second light-emitting element 34B, which is incident on the light guide 50', reflected by the total reflection surface 56B3 of its second incident portion 56B, and then undergoes total reflection directly or at the second inclined surface 52B2' before reaching the first inclined surface 52B1', is deflected upward from this first inclined surface 52B1', and a portion of it does not enter the projection lens 40.

[0072] Furthermore, the light emitted from the second light-emitting element 34B, which is incident on the light guide 50' and undergoes total internal reflection at its connection surface 52C before reaching the first inclined surface 52B1', is deflected downwards from this first inclined surface 52B1', and much of it does not enter the projection lens 40.

[0073] Furthermore, the light emitted from the second light-emitting element 34B, which is incident on the light guide 50' and undergoes total internal reflection at its connection surface 52C before reaching the second inclined surface 52B2', is deflected upward from this second inclined surface 52B2', but most of it does not enter the projection lens 40.

[0074] In contrast, in this embodiment, as shown in Figure 3, it is possible to direct a large portion of this light into the projection lens 40.

[0075] Next, the operation of this embodiment will be described.

[0076] The vehicle lamp 10 according to this embodiment is configured to project light emitted from a light source 30 towards the front of the lamp via a projection lens 40. A light guide 50 is placed between the light source 30 and the projection lens 40, which is configured to guide the light emitted from the light source 30 and direct it into the projection lens 40. By controlling the light incident on the projection lens 40 with this light guide 50, it becomes easy to form a light distribution pattern of a desired shape.

[0077] Furthermore, the vehicle lamp 10 according to this embodiment includes, as its light source 30, three first light-emitting elements 32A, 32B, and 32C (first light sources) for forming a low-beam light distribution pattern PL, and a second light-emitting element 34B (second light source) for forming a high-beam light distribution pattern PH by simultaneous illumination of these elements. The light guide 50 also includes a first emitting surface 52A for emitting light for the low-beam light distribution pattern PL, and a second emitting surface 52B for emitting light for an additional light distribution pattern PA that is added to the low-beam light distribution pattern PL when forming the high-beam light distribution pattern PH. However, the second emission surface 52B is formed below the first emission surface 52A and at a position displaced forward relative to the first emission surface 52A, and the connecting surface 52C extending forward from the lower edge of the first emission surface 52A to the upper edge of the second emission surface 52B is configured as a mirror surface. Therefore, the light emitted from the first emission surface 52A forms a low-beam light distribution pattern PL having cutoff lines CL1 and CL2 along the front edge shape of the connecting surface 52C, and the light emitted from the second emission surface 52B forms an additional light distribution pattern PA above the cutoff lines CL1 and CL2.

[0078] Furthermore, the second emission surface 52B of the light guide 50 is composed of a first inclined surface 52B1 extending diagonally downward and forward from the front end edge 52Ca of the connecting surface 52C, and a second inclined surface 52B2 extending diagonally downward and backward from the lower end edge of the first inclined surface 52B1. The first inclined surface 52B1 is formed at an inclination angle that deflects the light emitted from the second light-emitting element 34B, which has been incident on the light guide 50, downward toward the projection lens 40. The second inclined surface 52B2 is formed at an inclination angle that deflects the light emitted from the second light-emitting element 34B, which has undergone total internal reflection at the connecting surface 52C after being incident on the light guide 50, upward toward the projection lens 40. As a result, the light emitted from the light guide 50 can be efficiently incident on the projection lens 40. This makes it possible to form the additional light distribution pattern PA as a bright light distribution pattern.

[0079] As described above, in this embodiment, in a vehicle lamp 10 configured to project light emitted from a light source toward the front of the lamp via a projection lens 40, the additional light distribution pattern PA added to the low beam light distribution pattern PL when forming the high beam light distribution pattern PH can be formed as a bright light distribution pattern. As a result, the high beam light distribution pattern PH can be made to have excellent long-distance visibility.

[0080] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the second emission surface 52B of the light guide 50 is formed at an inclination angle such that the second inclined surface 52B2 causes the light emitted from the second light-emitting element 34B, which reaches the light guide 50 without total internal reflection at the connection surface 52C, to total internal reflection toward the first inclined surface 52B1. By deflecting the light that reaches this first inclined surface 52B1 downwards, the amount of light incident on the projection lens 40 can be increased, thereby further increasing the brightness of the additional light distribution pattern PA.

[0081] Furthermore, the vehicle light fixture 10 according to this embodiment is composed of three first light-emitting elements 32A, 32B, and 32C arranged in a left-right direction as its first light source, and a single second light-emitting element 34B as its second light source, so the following effects can be obtained.

[0082] In other words, by configuring the first light source with three first light-emitting elements 32A to 32C, sufficient brightness can be ensured for the low-beam light distribution pattern PL. Furthermore, in this embodiment, since the additional light distribution pattern PA is formed as a bright light distribution pattern, even if the second light source is configured with a single second light-emitting element 34B, it is possible to ensure the necessary brightness for the additional light distribution pattern PA, thereby reducing the cost of the luminaire.

[0083] In the above embodiment, the first light source is described as being composed of three first light-emitting elements 32A to 32C, and the second light source is described as being composed of a single second light-emitting element 34B. However, it is also possible to set the number of each of the first and second light sources to a different number than in the above embodiment.

[0084] It should be noted that the numerical values ​​shown as specifications in the above embodiment are merely examples, and these may be set to different values ​​as appropriate.

[0085] Furthermore, the present invention is not limited to the configuration described in the above embodiments, and various other modified configurations can be adopted. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0086] 10 Vehicle lighting fixtures 12 Lamp Body 14 Translucent cover 20 Lighting Units 30 light source 32A, 32B, 32C First light-emitting element (first light source) 34B Second light-emitting element (second light source) 36 circuit boards 40 Projection Lens 40a Outer flange portion 42 Lens holder 42a Lens support section 42b Light guide support part 50 Light guide 52A 1st exit surface 52B 2nd exit surface 52B1 1st slope 52B2 2nd slope 52C connection side 52Ca front edge 54A, 54B, 54C 1st entrance section 54A1, 54B1, 54C1, 56B1 Front entrance plane 54A2, 54B2, 54C2, 56B2 Side incidence surface 54A3, 54B3, 54C3, 56B3 Total reflection surface 56B 2nd entrance section 58 Outer flange portion 60 Heatsink 62 Main body 64 heat sinks Ax optical axis CL1 Lower cutoff CL2 Upper cutoff E Elbow point F back focus PA Additional Light Distribution Pattern PH High Beam Light Distribution Pattern PL low beam light distribution pattern P1C, P1L, P1R light distribution patterns θ1, θ2 Downward tilt angle

Claims

1. A vehicle lamp comprising a light source and a projection lens, configured to project light emitted from the light source toward the front of the lamp through the projection lens, A light guide is positioned between the light source and the projection lens, configured to guide the light emitted from the light source and direct it into the projection lens. The above light source comprises a first light source for forming a light distribution pattern for low beams, and a second light source for forming a light distribution pattern for high beams by simultaneous illumination with the first light source. The light guide comprises a first emitting surface for emitting light for the low beam light distribution pattern and a second emitting surface for emitting light for an additional light distribution pattern that is added to the low beam light distribution pattern when forming the high beam light distribution pattern. The second emission surface is formed below the first emission surface and at a position displaced forward of the lamp relative to the first emission surface. The light guide has a connecting surface that extends forward from the lower edge of the first emission surface to the upper edge of the second emission surface, with the mirror surface portion configured therein. The second ejection surface described above is composed of a first inclined surface extending diagonally downward and forward from the front end edge of the connecting surface, and a second inclined surface extending diagonally downward and backward from the lower end edge of the first inclined surface. The first inclined surface is formed at an inclination angle that causes the light emitted from the second light source, which is incident on the light guide, to be deflected downwards toward the projection lens. The vehicle light fixture is characterized in that the second inclined surface is formed at an inclination angle that causes the light emitted from the second light source, which has been totally reflected at the connecting surface after being incident on the light guide, to be deflected upward toward the projection lens.

2. The vehicle lamp according to claim 1, characterized in that the second inclined surface is formed at an inclination angle that causes the light emitted from the second light source, which has been incident on the light guide and reached the connecting surface without total internal reflection, to be total internally reflected toward the first inclined surface.

3. The first light source described above is composed of multiple light-emitting elements arranged in a left-right direction, The vehicle lamp according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the second light source is composed of a single light-emitting element.

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