Vehicle lighting fixtures

Abstract

To provide a vehicular lighting fixture that can be downsized while forming an irradiation pattern having a desired size.SOLUTION: A vehicular lighting fixture 1 comprises first units (10, 20, and 30) comprising first irradiation lenses (12, 22, and 32) for emitting light incident from first light sources (11, 21, and 31), and second units (40 and 50) comprising second irradiation lenses (42 and 52) for emitting a portion of light incident from second light sources (41 and 51), and emitting the other portion of the light after internally reflecting it. A desired light distribution pattern (low-beam irradiation pattern LP) is formed by superimposing light condensing patterns (LP1, LP2, and LP3) formed by the first units and distribution patterns (LP4 and LP5) formed by the second units.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

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

[0002] A vehicle lamp using a plurality of units has been considered in which each unit forms an individual light distribution pattern, and an illumination pattern is formed by appropriately overlapping the light distribution patterns (see, for example, Patent Document 1, etc.).

[0003] This vehicle lamp uses a reflector reflection type unit that reflects light from a light source with a reflector to form a light distribution pattern that spreads over a desired range, and uses a direct projection type unit that directly irradiates light from the light source with an irradiation lens to form a light distribution pattern with a high amount of light in a narrow range. Therefore, this vehicle lamp can form an irradiation pattern that illuminates a desired range with a desired brightness distribution by overlapping each light distribution pattern. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] JP 2004-95481 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] Here, the above-mentioned vehicle lamp uses a plurality of reflector-type reflective units to achieve a desired size of irradiation pattern, and therefore ends up having a large overall configuration.

[0006] The present disclosure has been made in consideration of the above circumstances, and has an object to provide a vehicle lamp that can be made compact while forming an illumination pattern of a desired size. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The vehicle lamp disclosed herein comprises a first unit having a first illumination lens that emits light incident from a first light source, and a second unit having a second illumination lens that emits a portion of the light incident from a second light source and reflects the other portion of the light internally before emitting it, and is characterized in that a desired light distribution pattern is formed by overlapping a focusing pattern formed by the first unit and a diffusing pattern formed by the second unit. Effect of the Invention

[0008] According to the vehicle lamp of the present disclosure, it is possible to reduce the size of the lamp while forming an illumination pattern of a desired size. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] 1 is an explanatory diagram showing an exploded configuration of a vehicle lamp as an example according to an embodiment of a vehicle lamp according to the present disclosure; [Diagram 2] 2 is a cross-sectional view showing a longitudinal section (vertical section) perpendicular to the left-right direction taken along line II in FIG. 1. [Diagram 3] FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing a first light distribution pattern. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along line II-II in FIG. [Diagram 5] FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing a second light distribution pattern. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along line III-III in FIG. [Figure 7] FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram showing a third light distribution pattern. [Figure 8] This is an explanatory diagram showing the irradiation lens of the fourth low beam unit in a cross section (horizontal section) perpendicular to the up-down direction, and also showing, in superimposition, the progression of light that enters through the curved entrance surface and exits from the central exit surface. [Figure 9] 11 is an explanatory diagram showing a cross section of an irradiation lens of a fourth low beam unit, and also showing, in superimposition, how light reflected by a reflecting surface and emitted from an upper emission surface portion (lower emission surface portion) travels. FIG. [Figure 10]11 is an explanatory diagram showing a state in which an irradiation lens of a fourth low beam unit is viewed from the light exit surface side. FIG. [Figure 11] FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram showing a pattern portion a of a fourth light distribution pattern. [Figure 12] FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram showing a b pattern portion of a fourth light distribution pattern. [Figure 13] FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram showing a fourth light distribution pattern. [Figure 14] 11 is an explanatory diagram showing a cross section of an illumination lens of a fifth low beam unit. FIG. [Figure 15] 11 is an explanatory diagram showing a state in which an irradiation lens of a fifth low beam unit is viewed from the light exit surface side. FIG. [Figure 16] FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram showing a pattern portion a of a fifth light distribution pattern. [Figure 17] FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram showing a b pattern portion of the fifth light distribution pattern. [Figure 18] FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram showing a c-pattern portion of the fifth light distribution pattern. [Figure 19] 13 is an explanatory diagram showing a vertical cross section of the irradiation lens of the fifth low beam unit, and also showing, in superimposition, the progression of light incident on the curved entrance surface portion and exiting from the OH exit surface portion. FIG. [Figure 20] 13 is an explanatory diagram showing a vertical cross section of an irradiation lens of a fifth low beam unit, with a superimposed view showing how light reflected by a reflecting surface and emitted from an OH emission surface portion travels. FIG. [Figure 21] FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram showing a d pattern portion of the fifth light distribution pattern. [Figure 22] FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram showing an e pattern portion of a fifth light distribution pattern. [Figure 23] FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram showing a fifth light distribution pattern. [Figure 24] 1 is an explanatory diagram showing a cross section of the illumination lens of the right-side high beam unit (left-side high beam unit), with the light incident on the curved entrance surface and exiting from the central exit surface traveling in an overlapping manner. [Diagram 25]1 is an explanatory diagram showing a cross section of the irradiation lens of the right-side high beam unit (left-side high beam unit), with the light reflected by the reflecting surface and emitted from the outer emission surface traveling therethrough. FIG. [Figure 26] 1 is an explanatory diagram showing a cross section of the irradiation lens of the right-side high beam unit (left-side high beam unit), with the light reflected by the reflecting surface and emitted from the inner emission surface traveling therethrough. [Figure 27] 1 is an explanatory diagram showing a state in which an illumination lens of a right-side high beam unit (left-side high beam unit) is viewed from the emission surface side. FIG. [Figure 28] FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram showing a pattern portion a of the sixth light distribution pattern (seventh light distribution pattern). [Figure 29] FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram showing a b-pattern portion of the sixth light distribution pattern (seventh light distribution pattern). [Diagram 30] FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram showing a c-pattern portion of the sixth light distribution pattern (seventh light distribution pattern). [Diagram 31] FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram showing a sixth light distribution pattern (seventh light distribution pattern). [Diagram 32] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along line IV-IV in FIG. [Diagram 33] FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram showing a low-vehicle illumination pattern. [Diagram 34] FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing a driving irradiation pattern. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0010] Hereinafter, a first embodiment of the vehicle lamp 1 as an embodiment of the vehicle lamp according to the present disclosure will be described with reference to Figs. 1 to 34. In Figs. 8, 9, 14, 24, 25, and 26 showing the cross sections of each irradiating lens, and Figs. 19 and 20 showing the longitudinal sections of each irradiating lens, hatching showing the cross sections is omitted to avoid complication. In Figs. 3, 5, 7, 11, 12, 13, 16, 17, 18, 21, 22, 23, 28, 29, 30, 31, 33, and 34 showing the light distribution patterns or irradiation patterns, the brightness distribution is shown as contour lines in which the brightness increases toward the center on a screen where the horizontal line H and the vertical line V intersect with the central position O of the irradiation by the vehicle lamp 1 as the origin. In each of these diagrams showing the screen, the angle centered on the horizontal line H (the upper side is +) is shown at the right edge, and the angle centered on the vertical line V (the right side is +) is shown at the bottom edge. EXAMPLES

[0011] The vehicle lamp 1 is used as a lamp for use in vehicles such as automobiles, and is used, for example, as a headlamp or fog lamp. The vehicle lamp 1 has a unit group 2 (see FIG. 1) composed of a plurality of units (10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70). The unit group 2 is provided on both the left and right sides of the front of the vehicle in a lamp chamber formed by covering the open front end of the lamp housing with an outer lens, via a vertical light axis adjustment mechanism and a horizontal light axis adjustment mechanism. In the following description, in the vehicle lamp 1, the direction in which light is emitted is the front-rear direction (referred to as Z in the drawings), the vertical direction when the front-rear direction is along a horizontal plane is the up-down direction (referred to as Y in the drawings), and the direction perpendicular to the front-rear direction and the up-down direction (horizontal direction) is the left-right direction (referred to as X in the drawings). The front side of the front-rear direction indicates the front of the vehicle in the vehicle lamp 1.

[0012] As shown in FIG. 1, the vehicle lamp 1 includes a first low beam unit 10, a second low beam unit 20, a third low beam unit 30, a fourth low beam unit 40, a fifth low beam unit 50, a right high beam unit 60, and a left high beam unit 70 in a unit group 2. The vehicle lamp 1 forms a passing illumination pattern LP (see FIG. 33) by simultaneously lighting five low beam units (10, 20, 30, 40, 50), and forms a running illumination pattern HP (see FIG. 34) by simultaneously lighting two high beam units (60, 70). When forming the running illumination pattern HP, the vehicle lamp 1 also forms a passing illumination pattern LP. The seven units are arranged such that the lens axes of the seven units are substantially aligned with their center positions O (the center position of illumination by the vehicle lamp 1) on a screen that is arranged perpendicular to the front-rear direction. The lens axes are the optical center axes of the units. In the following, the lens axis of the first low beam unit 10 will be referred to as La1, the lens axis of the second low beam unit 20 as La2, and the lens axis of the third low beam unit 30 as La3. In addition, the lens axis of the fourth low beam unit 40 will be referred to as La4, the lens axis of the fifth low beam unit 50 as La5, the lens axis of the right high beam unit 60 as La6, and the lens axis of the left high beam unit 70 as La7.

[0013] As shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the first low beam unit 10 has a light source 11 and an illumination lens 12. The light source 11 is composed of a light emitting element such as an LED (Light Emitting Diode) and is mounted on a substrate 3. The substrate 3 is flat. The substrate 3 of the first embodiment also has light sources (21, 31, 41, 51, 61, 71) of the remaining units (20 to 70) (described later) mounted thereon, and is flat in size corresponding to the seven units. The light source 11 is supplied with power from a lighting control circuit and is appropriately turned on.

[0014] A heat sink member is appropriately provided for this light source 11. The heat sink member is a heat dissipation member that dissipates heat generated by the light source 11 etc. to the outside, and is made of a metal material or a resin material with high thermal conductivity. Note that the heat sink member does not need to be provided if the substrate 3 can sufficiently dissipate heat to the outside.

[0015] The illumination lens 12 is provided on the optical axis of the light source 11, and is a convex lens in a cross section perpendicular to the left-right direction based on a cylindrical lens that extends in the left-right direction and has a refractive power only in the up-down direction, and is rectangular in front view (see FIG. 1). The illumination lens 12 has an entrance surface 13 facing the light source 11 and an exit surface 14 facing the opposite side. The illumination lens 12 of the first embodiment has the entrance surface 13 and the exit surface 14 that are convex. Note that the illumination lens 12 is not limited to the configuration of the first embodiment, so long as it is a convex lens based on a cylindrical lens, and the entrance surface 13 and the exit surface 14 may be flat or concave.

[0016] The projection lens 12 is integrated with each of the projection lenses (22, 32, 42, 52, 62, 72) of the remaining units (described later) to form a lens body 4 (see FIG. 1). The lens body 4 includes a lens surface portion 5 on which seven projection lenses (12 to 72) are provided, and a lens surface portion 5 on which seven projection lenses (12 to 72) are provided. Anteroposterior directionand a peripheral wall portion 6 extending to the rear side of the lens surface portion 5. The lens surface portion 5 is rectangular when viewed in the front-rear direction, and seven irradiation lenses (12 to 72) are arranged in two upper and lower stages in the left-right direction, with three irradiation lenses (12 to 32) in the upper stage and four irradiation lenses (42 to 72) in the lower stage. In this lens surface portion 5, when a location where no irradiation lenses are provided (upper right in FIG. 1) is taken as a reference plane, the three irradiation lenses (12 to 32) in the upper stage protrude from the reference plane to the front side in the front-rear direction, and the two irradiation lenses (42, 52) in the lower stage protrude from the reference plane to the rear side (light source 41, 51) in the front-rear direction. The peripheral wall portion 6 is cylindrical extending to the rear side from the four outer edges of the rectangular lens surface portion 5, and the entire circumference of the rear end portion can be applied to the substrate 3. In the lens body 4, a paint or coating that blocks light transmission is applied appropriately to areas other than the seven irradiation lenses (12 to 72), thereby suppressing light leakage and the occurrence of stray light. With the rear end of the peripheral wall portion 6 facing the substrate 3, the lens body 4 is assembled to the substrate 3 by fitting the screw member 7, which is passed through the substrate 3 from the rear side, into the screw hole of the lens surface portion 5. Then, the irradiation lens 12 is positioned with respect to the light source 11 on the substrate 3 (see FIG. 2).

[0017] The illumination lens 12 has a rear focus F1 set near the light source 11 on the substrate 3. The focal length of the illumination lens 12 (the distance to the rear focus F1) is set to be greater than the focal lengths of the remaining six illumination lenses. The illumination lens 12 also has a larger vertical dimension (size) than the illumination lenses 22, 32 of the second low beam unit 20 and the third low beam unit 30. This allows the illumination lens 12 to collect light from the light source 11 within the narrowest range while minimizing the light distribution image of the light source 11 compared to the remaining illumination lenses (22 to 72).

[0018] The projection lens 12 irradiates light from the light source 11, and forms a plurality of light distribution images of the light source 11 on the screen by appropriately overlapping them at positions according to the optical characteristics. These optical characteristics can be set by adjusting the curvature (surface shape) of the entrance surface 13 and the exit surface 14 for each location. The projection lens 12 aligns each light distribution image in a substantially horizontal direction near the center position O (lens axis La1) on the screen according to the set optical characteristics, and joins two horizontal cutoff lines at their upper edges with an inclined cutoff line.

[0019] The first low beam unit 10 forms a first low light distribution pattern LP1 on the screen by irradiating light from the light source 11 through the irradiation lens 12, as shown in Fig. 3. This first low light distribution pattern LP1 has a cutoff line CL that extends from a horizontal cutoff line to a horizontal cutoff line via an inclined cutoff line in the vicinity of the central position O, and the cutoff line CL is clear because the difference in brightness with the outside (upper side) is clear. In addition, the first low light distribution pattern LP1 is a light-collecting pattern that is brightened by collecting light from the light source 11 within a narrow range, and corresponds to the requirement that the vicinity of the central position O be the brightest in the passing irradiation pattern LP.

[0020] In this way, the first low beam unit 10 is a first unit (direct type unit) that directly emits light incident from the light source 11 from the irradiation lens 12. Therefore, the light source 11 serves as a first light source (light source for direct irradiation), and the irradiation lens 12 serves as a first irradiation lens (direct type irradiation lens).

[0021] As shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 4, the second low beam unit 20 has a light source 21 and an irradiation lens 22. The light source 21 is composed of a light emitting element such as an LED, and is mounted on the same substrate 3 as the light source 11. The light source 21 is appropriately turned on by being supplied with power from a lighting control circuit. The irradiation lens 22 is a convex lens in a cross section perpendicular to the left-right direction, based on a cylindrical lens that extends in the left-right direction and has refractive power only in the up-down direction. The irradiation lens 22 is rectangular when viewed from the front, and its size (dimension) in the up-down direction is smaller than that of the irradiation lens 12 (see FIG. 1). The irradiation lens 22 has an entrance surface 23 facing the light source 21 and an exit surface 24 facing the opposite side. In the irradiation lens 22 of the first embodiment, the entrance surface 23 and the exit surface 24 are convex. Note that the irradiation lens 22 is not limited to the configuration of the first embodiment, and the entrance surface 23 and the exit surface 24 may be flat or concave as long as the irradiation lens 22 is a convex lens based on a cylindrical lens.

[0022] The illumination lens 22 is provided on the optical axis of the light source 21, and a rear focal point F2 is set near the light source 21 on the substrate 3 when the lens body 4 is assembled to the substrate 3. The focal length of the illumination lens 22 (the distance to the rear focal point F2) is smaller than that of the illumination lens 12 and larger than that of each of the remaining five illumination lenses (32 to 72). The illumination lens 22 is mounted on the same substrate 3 as the light source 21 and is provided on the substrate 3 side, i.e., rearward in the front-rear direction, compared to the illumination lens 12, and is located further back than the illumination lens 12 in the lens body 4 (see FIG. 1). As a result, the illumination lens 22 can collect light from the light source 21 within a range wider than the illumination lens 12 and narrower than the remaining five illumination lenses, while making the light distribution image of the light source 21 larger than that of the illumination lens 12 and smaller than that of the remaining five illumination lenses (32 to 72).

[0023] The projection lens 22 irradiates light from the light source 21, and forms a plurality of light distribution images of the light source 21 on the screen in an appropriate overlapping manner at positions according to the optical characteristics. The optical characteristics can be set by adjusting the curvature (surface shape) of the entrance surface 23 and the exit surface 24 for each location. Due to the set optical characteristics, the projection lens 22 aligns each light distribution image in the approximately horizontal direction on the screen while positioning the upper edge in the vicinity of the center position O (lens axis La2), and collects light in a range larger in the horizontal direction than the first low light distribution pattern LP1.

[0024] As a result, the second low beam unit 20 forms a second low light distribution pattern LP2 on the screen by irradiating light from the light source 21 through the irradiation lens 22, as shown in Fig. 5. This second low light distribution pattern LP2 spreads out more horizontally than the first low light distribution pattern LP1 in the vicinity of the central position O, and extends in the substantially horizontal direction, forming a part of the cutoff line CL at its upper edge. In addition, the second low light distribution pattern LP2 is a light-collecting pattern that is brightened by collecting light from the light source 21 within a narrow range, and corresponds to the requirement of brightening the vicinity of the central position O in the passing irradiation pattern LP.

[0025] In this way, the second low beam unit 20 is a first unit (direct type unit) that directly emits light incident from the light source 21 from the irradiation lens 22. Therefore, the light source 21 serves as a first light source (light source for direct irradiation), and the irradiation lens 22 serves as a first irradiation lens (direct type irradiation lens).

[0026] As shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 6, the third low beam unit 30 has a light source 31 and an irradiation lens 32. The light source 31 is composed of a light emitting element such as an LED, and is mounted on the same substrate 3 as the above-mentioned two light sources (11, 21). The light source 31 is appropriately turned on by supplying power from a lighting control circuit. The irradiation lens 32 is provided on the output optical axis of the light source 31, and is a convex lens in a cross section perpendicular to the left-right direction based on a cylindrical lens that extends in the left-right direction and has refractive power only in the up-down direction. The irradiation lens 32 has a rectangular shape when viewed from the front, and its size (dimension) in the up-down direction is smaller than that of the irradiation lens 22 (see FIG. 1). The irradiation lens 32 has an entrance surface 33 facing the light source 31 and an exit surface 34 facing the opposite side. In the irradiation lens 32 of the first embodiment, the entrance surface 33 and the exit surface 34 are convex. Incidentally, as long as the illumination lens 32 is a convex lens based on a cylindrical lens, the entrance surface 33 and the exit surface 34 may be flat or concave, and the illumination lens 32 is not limited to the configuration of the first embodiment.

[0027] The illumination lens 32 has a rear focal point F3 set near the light source 31 on the substrate 3 when the lens body 4 is assembled to the substrate 3. The focal length of the illumination lens 32 (the distance to the rear focal point F3) is smaller than the focal length of the illumination lens 22 and larger than the focal lengths of the remaining four illumination lenses (42 to 72). The illumination lens 32 is mounted on the same substrate 3 as the light sources 11 and 21, and is provided on the substrate 3 side, i.e., rearward in the front-rear direction, compared to the illumination lenses 12 and 22, and is provided at a position retreated from the illumination lenses 12 and 22 in the lens body 4 (see FIG. 1). As a result, the illumination lens 32 can collect light from the light source 31 in a range wider than the illumination lenses 12 and 22 and narrower than the remaining four illumination lenses (42 to 72), while making the light distribution image of the light source 31 larger than the illumination lenses 12 and 22 and smaller than the remaining four illumination lenses (42 to 72).

[0028] The projection lens 32 irradiates light from the light source 31, and forms a plurality of light distribution images of the light source 31 on the screen in an appropriate overlapping manner at positions according to the optical characteristics. The optical characteristics can be set by adjusting the curvature (surface shape) of the entrance surface 33 and the exit surface 34 for each location. Due to the set optical characteristics, the projection lens 32 aligns each light distribution image in a substantially horizontal direction on the screen with the upper edge positioned near the center position O (lens axis La3), and irradiates a range larger in the horizontal direction than the second low light distribution pattern LP2 (see FIG. 5).

[0029] As a result, the third low beam unit 30 forms a third low light distribution pattern LP3 on the screen by irradiating light from the light source 31 through the irradiation lens 32, as shown in Fig. 7. This third low light distribution pattern LP3 extends in a substantially horizontal direction below the central position O and spreads more horizontally than the second low light distribution pattern LP2, and forms a part of the cutoff line CL at its upper edge. In addition, the third low light distribution pattern LP3 is a light-collecting pattern that is brightened by collecting light from the light source 31 within a predetermined range, and corresponds to the requirement of brightening the vicinity of the central position O in the passing irradiation pattern LP.

[0030] In this way, the third low beam unit 30 is a first unit (direct type unit) that directly emits light incident from the light source 31 from the irradiation lens 32. Therefore, the light source 31 serves as a first light source (light source for direct irradiation), and the irradiation lens 32 serves as a first irradiation lens (direct type irradiation lens).

[0031] As shown in Figs. 1 and 6, the fourth low beam unit 40 has a light source 41 and an irradiation lens 42. The light source 41 is composed of a light emitting element such as an LED, and is mounted on the same substrate 3 as the above three light sources (11 to 31). The light source 41 is supplied with power from a lighting control circuit and is appropriately turned on. The irradiation lens 42 is provided on the output optical axis of the light source 41, is a convex lens, and is circular in front view (see Fig. 1). The irradiation lens 42 has an entrance surface 43 facing the corresponding light source 41 and an exit surface 44 facing the opposite side. As shown in Figs. 8 and 9, the entrance surface 43 has a curved entrance surface portion 43a whose center portion is recessed toward the inside of the irradiation lens 42 (the opposite side to the light source 41), and has a curved entrance surface portion 43a that is curved convexly outward at the center, and an annular entrance surface portion 43b that surrounds it. In addition, a truncated cone-shaped reflection surface 43c that surrounds the annular entrance surface portion 43b is provided around the entrance surface 43.

[0032] In a state where the lens body 4 is assembled to the substrate 3, the curved incident surface portion 43a faces the light source 41 in the optical axis direction as shown in FIG. 8, and the light source 41 is positioned near the rear focal point F4 on the rear side. The focal length (distance to the rear focal point F4) of this irradiation lens 42 (curved incident surface portion 43a) is set to be smaller than the focal length of the irradiation lens 32. The light source 41 is mounted on the same substrate 3 as each of the light sources (11 to 31), and this irradiation lens 42 is provided on the substrate 3 side, i.e., on the rear side in the front-rear direction, compared to each of the irradiation lenses (12 to 32), and is provided at a position retreated from the irradiation lenses (12 to 32) in the lens body 4 (see FIG. 1). The curved incident surface portion 43a causes the light emitted from the light source 41 to enter the irradiation lens 42 as parallel light traveling parallel to the lens axis La4. The parallel light (parallel light) refers to light in a state where the light is collimated by passing through the curved incident surface portion 43a.

[0033] As shown in FIG. 9, the annular incident surface portion 43b is provided so as to protrude toward the light source 41 side, and allows light from the light source 41 that does not proceed to the curved incident surface portion 43a to enter the irradiation lens 42. The reflecting surface 43c is formed at a position where the light that has entered the irradiation lens 42 from the annular incident surface portion 43b proceeds. When the reflecting surface 43c reflects the light that has entered from the annular incident surface portion 43b, it makes the light parallel to the lens axis La4. The reflecting surface 43c may reflect light by using total reflection, or may reflect light by adhering aluminum, silver, or the like by vapor deposition or painting. For these reasons, the incident surface 43 causes the light emitted from the light source 41 to proceed into the irradiation lens 42 as parallel light that proceeds parallel to the lens axis La4, and leads it to the exit surface 44.

[0034] The exit surface 44 emits the light incident from the entrance surface 43 and converted into parallel light to the front side in the front-rear direction. As shown in FIG. 10, the exit surface 44 is circular when viewed from the front, and has a central exit surface portion 44a, an upper exit surface portion 44b, and a lower exit surface portion 44c with different optical settings. As shown in FIG. 8, the central exit surface portion 44a is provided in a region near the center of the exit surface 44 and where the light passing through the curved entrance surface portion 43a travels. The central exit surface portion 44a of the first embodiment is rectangular when viewed from the front. The central exit surface portion 44a is recessed toward the inside of the irradiation lens 42 (toward the entrance surface 43) more than the upper exit surface portion 44b and the lower exit surface portion 44c, and the difference between the central exit surface portion 44a and the lower exit surface portion 44c in the front-rear direction is a depth d1. The central emission surface portion 44a refracts the light that has passed through the curved incidence surface portion 43a and been converted into parallel light, thereby causing the light to travel toward the front in the front-rear direction while being diffused significantly in the left-right direction.

[0035] The central exit surface 44a irradiates light from the light source 41 through the curved entrance surface 43a, and forms a plurality of light distribution images of the light source 41 on the screen in an appropriate overlapping manner at positions according to the optical characteristics. The optical characteristics can be set by adjusting the curvature (surface shape) of the central exit surface 44a for each location, and in the first embodiment, the curvature is gradually changed. Due to the set optical characteristics, the central exit surface 44a arranges each light distribution image in a substantially horizontal direction on the screen with the upper edge positioned near the center position O (lens axis La4), and diffuses the light over a range larger than the third low light distribution pattern LP3 (see FIG. 7).

[0036] As shown in FIG. 10, the central exit surface 44a of the first embodiment has a diffusing section 44d on its surface. The diffusing section 44d has at least one of vertically extending concave and convex portions formed side by side, and in the first embodiment, the diffusing section 44d has a so-called knurled shape in which the vertically extending convex portions are formed side by side in the left-right direction. The diffusing section 44d supplementarily diffuses the light (light beams) emitted from the central exit surface 44a in the left-right direction (widening the distance between the light beams in the traveling direction) and homogenizes the light. Therefore, the central exit surface 44a irradiates the light that has passed through the curved entrance surface 43a in accordance with the above optical characteristics while receiving the supplementary action of the diffusing section 44d.

[0037] As a result, the central emission surface portion 44a forms an a-pattern portion Pp4a, which is a part of the fourth low light distribution pattern LP4 (see FIG. 13), on the screen, as shown in FIG 11. This a-pattern portion Pp4a extends in a substantially horizontal direction below the center position O, and is diffused over a range larger than the third low light distribution pattern LP3, thereby forming the overall shape (outline) of the fourth low light distribution pattern LP4 and irradiating the entire area.

[0038] 8 to 10, the upper exit surface portion 44b is provided in a region surrounding the central exit surface portion 44a, approximately in the upper half of the exit surface 44, and is positioned in a region through which light reflected by the reflecting surface 43c located approximately in the upper half of the curved entrance surface portion 43a travels. The upper exit surface portion 44b is positioned (protrudes) outside the illumination lens 42 by a depth d1 from the central exit surface portion 44a. The surface of the upper exit surface portion 44b is provided with a diffusion portion 44d similar to that of the central exit surface portion 44a, which supplementarily diffuses the emitted light in the left-right direction while making it uniform.

[0039] The lower exit surface 44c is provided in the region surrounding the central exit surface 44a, approximately in the lower half of the exit surface 44, and is located in the region where the light reflected by the reflecting surface 43c located in the approximately lower half of the curved entrance surface 43a travels. The lower exit surface 44c is located (protrudes) outside the illumination lens 42 more than the central exit surface 44a. The surface of the lower exit surface 44c is provided with a diffusion section 44d similar to the central exit surface 44a, which diffuses the emitted light in the left-right direction and makes it uniform. The diffusion section 44d is formed in a knurled shape that is continuous in the vertical direction across the central exit surface 44a, the upper exit surface 44b, and the lower exit surface 44c, and the entire exit surface 44 has a unified appearance.

[0040] The upper and lower exit surfaces 44b and 44c each emit light from the light source 41 that is reflected by the reflecting surface 43c and converted into parallel light, thereby forming a plurality of light distribution images of the light source 41 on the screen in a suitable overlapping manner at positions according to the optical characteristics. The respective optical characteristics can be set by adjusting the curvature (surface shape) of the upper and lower exit surfaces 44b and 44c for each location, and in the first embodiment, the curvatures are set by gradually changing. Both exit surfaces (44b, 44c) have optical characteristics that diffuse light in a range of the same shape with the same brightness distribution on the screen, and have different inclinations in the vertical direction so that the ranges that they irradiate are at the same height positions. Therefore, both exit surfaces (44b, 44c) line up the respective light distribution images in the substantially horizontal direction below the center position O on the screen, and diffuse the light so that they overlap each other in a range substantially equal to the range in which the a pattern portion Pp4a (see FIG. 11) is formed. The upper and lower emission surfaces 44b, 44c form a peripheral emission surface that surrounds the central emission surface 44a and protrudes beyond the central emission surface 44a.

[0041] As a result, both of the emission surface portions (44b, 44c) form a b pattern portion Pp4b, which is another part of the fourth low light distribution pattern LP4 (see FIG. 13), on the screen, as shown in FIG 12. This b pattern portion Pp4b extends in the substantially horizontal direction near the center position O, and is diffused over a range larger than the third low light distribution pattern LP3 (see FIG. 7), thereby forming a brightness distribution in the fourth low light distribution pattern LP4 while irradiating the entire area.

[0042] The fourth low beam unit 40 irradiates light from the light source 41 through the irradiation lens 42, and forms the fourth low light distribution pattern LP4 as shown in Fig. 13 by overlapping the a pattern portion Pp4a and the b pattern portion Pp4b on the screen. The fourth low light distribution pattern LP4 is a diffusion pattern that extends in the substantially horizontal direction below the center position O and is diffused over a larger range than the third low light distribution pattern LP3. Therefore, by setting the irradiation lens 42 as described above, the fourth low beam unit 40 can diffuse the light from the light source 41 over a wider range than each of the low beam units (10 to 30) described above.

[0043] In this way, the fourth low beam unit 40 is a second unit (direct reflection type unit) that directly emits a part of the light incident from the light source 41 from the irradiation lens 42 and emits the other part of the light after being reflected inside the irradiation lens 42 to form a desired light distribution pattern (LP4). Therefore, the light source 41 becomes a second light source (light source for direct reflection), and the irradiation lens 42 becomes a second irradiation lens (direct reflection type irradiation lens). In the fourth low beam unit 40, the light that passes through the curved entrance surface portion 43a becomes a direct light that directly heads toward the exit surface 44, and the light that passes through the annular entrance surface portion 43b and is reflected by the reflection surface 43c becomes a reflected light that heads toward the exit surface 44 after being reflected inside.

[0044] As shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 4, the fifth low beam unit 50 has a light source 51 and an irradiation lens 52. The light source 51 is composed of a light emitting element such as an LED, and is mounted on the same substrate 3 as the above four light sources (11 to 41). The light source 51 is supplied with power from a lighting control circuit and is appropriately turned on. The irradiation lens 52 is provided on the output optical axis of the light source 51, is a convex lens, and is circular in front view (see FIG. 1). The irradiation lens 52 has an entrance surface 53 facing the corresponding light source 51 and an exit surface 54 facing the opposite side. As shown in FIG. 14, the entrance surface 53 has a central portion recessed toward the inside of the irradiation lens 52 (the opposite side to the light source 51), and has a curved entrance surface portion 53a that is curved convexly outward at the center, and an annular entrance surface portion 53b surrounding it. In addition, a truncated cone-shaped reflection surface 53c that surrounds the annular entrance surface portion 53b is provided around the entrance surface 53.

[0045] The curved incident surface portion 53a faces the light source 51 in the optical axis direction when the lens body 4 is assembled to the substrate 3, and the light source 51 is located near the rear focal point F5 on the rear side. The focal length of the irradiation lens 52 (the distance to the rear focal point F5) is set to be approximately equal to the focal length of the irradiation lens 42. The irradiation lens 52 is provided in a position in the lens body 4 that is further back in the front-rear direction than the three irradiation lenses (12 to 32) described above, and is provided at a position approximately equal to the irradiation lens 42. The curved incident surface portion 53a causes the light emitted from the light source 51 to enter the irradiation lens 52 as parallel light traveling approximately parallel to the lens axis La5. The annular incident surface portion 53b is provided to protrude toward the light source 51 side, and causes the light from the light source 51 that does not travel to the curved incident surface portion 53a to enter the irradiation lens 52.

[0046] The reflecting surface 53c is formed at a position where the light incident from the annular incident surface portion 53b into the illumination lens 52 travels. When the reflecting surface 53c reflects the light incident from the annular incident surface portion 53b, the reflecting surface 53c condenses the light so that it approaches the lens axis La5 slightly more than parallel to the lens axis La5. The reflecting surface 53c may reflect light by total reflection, or may reflect light by adhering aluminum, silver, or the like by vapor deposition, painting, or the like.

[0047] The exit surface 54 emits the light incident from the entrance surface 53 to the front side in the front-rear direction. As shown in FIG. 15, the exit surface 54 is circular when viewed from the front, and has a central exit surface portion 54a, an upper exit surface portion 54b, a lower exit surface portion 54c, and an OH (overhead) exit surface portion 54d, which have different optical settings. The central exit surface portion 54a is provided in a region near the center of the exit surface 54, where most of the light passing through the curved entrance surface portion 53a travels. The central exit surface portion 54a of the first embodiment is rectangular when viewed from the front. As shown in FIG. 14, the central exit surface portion 54a is recessed toward the inside of the irradiation lens 52 (toward the light source 51) more than the upper exit surface portion 54b and the lower exit surface portion 54c, and the difference in the front-rear direction is a depth d2. The depth d2 is set to be greater than the depth d1 (see FIG. 8) of the central exit surface portion 44a of the exit surface 44. The central exit surface portion 54a refracts the light that has passed through the curved entrance surface portion 53a and become parallel light, causing the light to travel toward the front in the front-rear direction while being diffused significantly in the left-right direction. This allows the illumination lens 52 to diffuse the light from the light source 51 over a wider range than the illumination lens 42.

[0048] The central exit surface 54a irradiates light from the light source 51 through the curved entrance surface 53a, thereby forming a plurality of light distribution images of the light source 51 on the screen in an appropriate overlapping manner at positions according to the optical characteristics. The optical characteristics can be set by adjusting the curvature (surface shape) of the central exit surface 54a for each location, and in the first embodiment, the curvature is gradually changed. Due to the set optical characteristics, the central exit surface 54a arranges each light distribution image in the substantially horizontal direction below the center position O (lens axis La5) on the screen, and diffuses it over a range larger than the third low light distribution pattern LP3 (see FIG. 7).

[0049] As shown in FIG. 15, the central exit surface 54a of the first embodiment is provided with a diffusion section 54e. The diffusion section 54e is formed with at least one of vertically extending concave and convex portions arranged side by side, and in the first embodiment, the diffusion section 54e is formed in a so-called knurled shape in which the vertically extending convex portions are arranged side by side in the left-right direction. The diffusion section 54e supplementarily diffuses the light emitted from the central exit surface 54a in the left-right direction and makes it uniform. Therefore, the central exit surface 54a irradiates the light that has passed through the curved entrance surface 53a in accordance with the above optical characteristics while receiving the supplementary action of the diffusion section 54e.

[0050] As a result, the central emission surface portion 54a forms an a-pattern portion Pp5a, which is a part of the fifth low light distribution pattern LP5 (see FIG. 23), on the screen as shown in FIG 16. This a-pattern portion Pp5a extends in the substantially horizontal direction below the center position O, and is diffused over a larger range than the fourth low light distribution pattern LP4, irradiating the entire area.

[0051] 14 and 15, the upper exit surface portion 54b is provided in a region surrounding the central exit surface portion 54a, approximately in the upper half of the exit surface 54, and is positioned in a region through which most of the light reflected by the reflecting surface 53c located approximately in the upper half of the curved entrance surface portion 53a travels. The upper exit surface portion 54b protrudes outward from the illumination lens 52 by a depth d2 beyond the central exit surface portion 54a. The upper exit surface portion 54b is provided with a diffusion portion 54e similar to the central exit surface portion 54a, which supplementarily diffuses the emitted light in the left-right direction while making it uniform.

[0052] The upper exit surface portion 54b irradiates light from the light source 51 that is reflected by the substantially upper half of the reflecting surface 53c and converted into parallel light, thereby forming a plurality of light distribution images of the light source 51 that are appropriately superimposed on the screen at positions according to the optical characteristics. The optical characteristics can be set by adjusting the curvature (surface shape) of the upper exit surface portion 54b for each location, and in the first embodiment, the curvature is set to be gradually changed. Due to the set optical characteristics, the upper exit surface portion 54b arranges each light distribution image in the substantially horizontal direction below the center position O on the screen, and diffuses it in an area substantially equal to the a-pattern portion Pp5a.

[0053] As a result, the upper emission surface portion 54b forms a b pattern portion Pp5b, which is another part of the fifth low light distribution pattern LP5 (see FIG. 23), on the screen as shown in FIG 17. This b pattern portion Pp5b extends in the substantially horizontal direction near the center position O, and is diffused in a range substantially equal to the a pattern portion Pp5a, thereby irradiating the entire area and forming a brightness distribution in the fifth low light distribution pattern LP5.

[0054] As shown in Figures 14 and 15, the lower exit surface portion 54c is provided in a region surrounding the central exit surface portion 54a, approximately in the lower half of the exit surface 54, and is positioned in a region through which light reflected by the reflecting surface 53c located approximately in the lower half of the curved entrance surface portion 53a travels. The lower exit surface portion 54c protrudes outward from the illumination lens 52 by a depth d2 beyond the central exit surface portion 54a and the lower exit surface portion 54c. The lower exit surface portion 54c is provided with a diffusion portion 54e similar to the central exit surface portion 54a, which supplementarily diffuses the emitted light in the left-right direction while making it uniform.

[0055] The lower exit surface 54c irradiates light from the light source 51 that is reflected by the substantially lower half of the reflecting surface 53c and converted into parallel light, thereby forming a plurality of light distribution images of the light source 51 that are appropriately superimposed on the screen at positions according to the optical characteristics. The optical characteristics can be set by adjusting the curvature (surface shape) of the lower exit surface 54c for each location, and in the first embodiment, the curvature is set to be gradually changed. Due to the set optical characteristics, the lower exit surface 54c arranges each light distribution image in the substantially horizontal direction below the center position O on the screen, and diffuses it below the a pattern portion Pp5a and the b pattern portion Pp5b. The upper and lower emission surface portions 54b, 54c form a peripheral emission surface portion that surrounds the central emission surface portion 54a and protrudes beyond the central emission surface portion 54a.

[0056] As a result, the lower emission surface portion 54c forms a c-pattern portion Pp5c, which is another part of the fifth low light distribution pattern LP5 (see FIG. 23), on the screen as shown in FIG 18. This c-pattern portion Pp5c extends substantially horizontally below the center position O, and is diffused to a range substantially equal to the a-pattern portion Pp5a in the horizontal direction and wider than the a-pattern portion Pp5a in the vertical direction, thereby forming a brightness distribution in the fifth low light distribution pattern LP5 while irradiating the entire area.

[0057] As shown in Fig. 15, the OH exit surface 54d is provided above the central exit surface 54a on the exit surface 54 and inside the upper exit surface 54b, and in the first embodiment, it is rectangular in shape with the central exit surface 54a extended upward when viewed from the front. As shown in Figs. 19 and 20, the OH exit surface 54d is located in an area where a part of the light (direct light) that has passed through the curved entrance surface 53a and a part of the light (reflected light) that has been reflected by the reflecting surface 53c travel. In detail, the OH exit surface 54d is located in an area where the light that has passed through the upper part of the curved entrance surface 53a, i.e., the light that has passed through the curved entrance surface 53a and does not travel to the central exit surface 54a, travels (see Fig. 19). In addition, the OH exit surface portion 54d is positioned in a region where light reflected by a portion (hereinafter referred to as the OH reflecting surface portion 53d) above the annular incident surface portion 53b (curved incident surface portion 53a) on the reflecting surface 53c, i.e., the light reflected by the reflecting surface 53c that does not proceed to the upper exit surface portion 54b, proceeds (see Figure 20).

[0058] In the longitudinal section, the OH exit surface 54d is recessed toward the rear side in the front-rear direction with respect to the upper end of the central exit surface 54a, inclined so as to be displaced toward the front side as it goes upward, and is a flat surface that is continuous with the lower end of the upper exit surface 54b. Therefore, the OH exit surface 54d is formed to be partially recessed on the exit surface 54 of the irradiation lens 52. The OH exit surface 54d refracts the parallel light traveling approximately parallel to the lens axis La5 upward compared to when it is emitted from the central exit surface 54a. The OH exit surface 54d is provided with a diffusion portion 54e similar to that of the central exit surface 54a, and diffuses and uniforms the emitted light in the left-right direction. This diffusion portion 54e has a knurled shape that is continuous in the vertical direction across the central exit surface portion 54a, the upper exit surface portion 54b, the lower exit surface portion 54c, and the OH exit surface portion 54d, giving the entire exit surface 54 a unified appearance.

[0059] As shown in FIG. 19, the OH exit surface 54d irradiates light from the light source 51 through the upper part of the curved entrance surface 53a, thereby forming a plurality of light distribution images of the light source 51 on the screen in a suitable overlapping manner at a position according to the optical characteristics of the curved entrance surface 53a. This optical characteristic can be set by adjusting the curvature (surface shape) of the OH reflection surface 53d for each location, and is approximately flat in the first embodiment. The OH exit surface 54d diffuses the light that has passed through the curved entrance surface 53a so as to spread in the horizontal direction while emitting the light toward a position about 4 degrees above the center position O on the screen. As a result, the OH exit surface 54d forms a d pattern portion Pp5d on the screen, which is the other part of the fifth low light distribution pattern LP5 (see FIG. 23), as shown in FIG. 21. This d pattern portion Pp5d is irradiated by diffusing the light over a range of about 5 degrees in the vertical direction from a position about 4 degrees above the central position O, and also irradiating by diffusing the light over a range of a little more than about 8 degrees in the horizontal direction from the vertical line V.

[0060] As shown in FIG. 20, the OH exit surface 54d irradiates light reflected by the OH reflecting surface 53d from the light source 51, thereby forming a plurality of light distribution images of the light source 51 on the screen in a suitable overlapping manner at a position according to the optical characteristics of the OH reflecting surface 53d. This optical characteristic can be set by adjusting the curvature (surface shape) of the OH reflecting surface 53d for each location, and is set to be approximately flat in the first embodiment. The OH exit surface 54d emits the light reflected by the OH reflecting surface 53d toward a position about 2 degrees above the center position O on the screen, and diffuses the light so as to spread in the horizontal direction. As a result, the OH exit surface 54d forms an e pattern portion Pp5e on the screen, which is the other part of the fifth low light distribution pattern LP5 (see FIG. 23), as shown in FIG. 22. This e pattern portion Pp5e is irradiated by diffusing the light over a range of about 5 degrees in the vertical direction centered on a position about 2 degrees above the central position O, and also irradiating the light over a range of a little more than about 8 degrees in the horizontal direction centered on the vertical line V.

[0061] The fifth low beam unit 50 irradiates light from the light source 51 through the irradiation lens 52, and the a pattern portion Pp5a, the b pattern portion Pp5b, the c pattern portion Pp5c, the d pattern portion Pp5d, and the e pattern portion Pp5e are superimposed on the screen. Then, the fifth low light distribution pattern LP5 is formed on the screen as shown in FIG. 23. The fifth low light distribution pattern LP5 is a diffusion pattern that extends in the substantially horizontal and vertical directions below the center position O in a range larger than each of the low light distribution patterns (LP1 to LP4) by the a pattern portion Pp5a, the b pattern portion Pp5b, and the c pattern portion Pp5c. This ensures visibility over a wide range. The fifth low light distribution pattern LP5 extends in the substantially horizontal direction in a range slightly exceeding a range of about 8 degrees, centered on a position of about 2 degrees and a position of about 4 degrees above the center position O, by the d pattern portion Pp5d and the e pattern portion Pp5e. As a result, the d pattern portion Pp5d and the e pattern portion Pp5e become an OH (overhead) light distribution pattern portion OHP that illuminates signs and the like above, thereby ensuring upward visibility from the vehicle.

[0062] In this way, the fifth low beam unit 50 is a second unit (direct reflection type unit) that directly emits a part of the light incident from the light source 51 from the irradiation lens 52 and emits the other part of the light after being reflected inside the irradiation lens 52 to form a desired light distribution pattern (LP5). Therefore, the light source 51 becomes a second light source (light source for direct reflection), and the irradiation lens 52 becomes a second irradiation lens (direct reflection type irradiation lens). In the fifth low beam unit 50, the light that passes through the curved entrance surface portion 53a becomes a direct light that directly heads toward the exit surface 54, and the light that passes through the annular entrance surface portion 53b and is reflected by the reflection surface 53c becomes a reflected light that heads toward the exit surface 54 after being reflected inside.

[0063] As shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the right high beam unit 60 has a light source 61 and an irradiation lens 62. The light source 61 is composed of a light emitting element such as an LED, and is mounted on the same substrate 3 as the above-mentioned five light sources (11 to 51). The light source 61 is supplied with power from a lighting control circuit and is appropriately turned on. The irradiation lens 62 is provided on the output optical axis of the light source 61, is a convex lens, and is circular in front view (see Fig. 1). The irradiation lens 62 has an entrance surface 63 facing the corresponding light source 61 and an exit surface 64 facing the opposite side. As shown in Figs. 24 to 26, the entrance surface 63 has a central portion recessed toward the inside of the irradiation lens 62 (the opposite side to the light source 61), and has a curved entrance surface portion 63a that is curved convexly outward at the center and an annular entrance surface portion 63b surrounding it. In addition, a truncated cone-shaped reflection surface 63c that surrounds the annular entrance surface portion 63b is provided around the entrance surface 63.

[0064] The curved entrance surface portion 63a, the annular entrance surface portion 63b, and the reflecting surface 63c are designed based on the same concept as the curved entrance surface portion 43a, the annular entrance surface portion 43b, and the reflecting surface 43c of the irradiation lens 42 of the fourth low beam unit 40. Therefore, when the lens body 4 is assembled to the substrate 3, the curved entrance surface portion 63a faces the light source 61 in the optical axis direction, and the light source 61 is positioned near the rear focal point F6 on the rear side. The focal length of the irradiation lens 62 (the distance to the rear focal point F6) is set to be approximately equal to the focal lengths of the irradiation lens 42 and the irradiation lens 52. The irradiation lens 62 is provided in a position that is further back than the three irradiation lenses (12 to 32) in the lens body 4 in the front-rear direction, and is approximately equal to the irradiation lens 42 and the irradiation lens 52.

[0065] As shown in FIG. 24, the curved incident surface portion 63a causes the light emitted from the light source 61 to enter the irradiation lens 62 as parallel light traveling approximately parallel to the lens axis La6. As shown in FIG. 25 and FIG. 26, the annular incident surface portion 63b is provided to protrude toward the light source 61 side, and causes light from the light source 61 that does not travel to the curved incident surface portion 63a to enter the irradiation lens 62. The reflecting surface 63c reflects the light that has entered the irradiation lens 62 from the annular incident surface portion 63b, and turns it into parallel light traveling approximately parallel to the lens axis La6. For these reasons, the incident surface 63 causes the light emitted from the light source 61 to travel into the irradiation lens 62 as parallel light traveling approximately parallel to the lens axis La6, and guides it to the exit surface 64.

[0066] The exit surface 64 emits the light, which is incident from the entrance surface 63 and is made into substantially parallel light, to the front side in the front-rear direction. As shown in FIG. 27, the exit surface 64 is circular in front view, and has a central exit surface portion 64a, an outer exit surface portion 64b, and an inner exit surface portion 64c, which have different optical settings. As shown in FIG. 24, the central exit surface portion 64a is provided in a region in the vicinity of the center of the exit surface 64, where the light passing through the curved entrance surface portion 63a travels. In the first embodiment, the central exit surface portion 64a is circular in front view. The central exit surface portion 64a is recessed toward the inside of the irradiation lens 62 (toward the light source 61) more than the outer exit surface portion 64b and the inner exit surface portion 64c, and the difference between the central exit surface portion 64a and the outer exit surface portion 64b in the front-rear direction is a depth d3. The depth d3 is greater than the depth d1 (see FIG. 8) of the central emission surface portion 44a on the emission surface 44 and the depth d2 (see FIG. 14) of the central emission surface portion 54a on the emission surface 54. For this reason, the central emission surface portion 64a has the greatest recession among the central emission surface portion 44a and the central emission surface portion 54a. The central emission surface portion 64a refracts the light that has passed through the curved entrance surface portion 63a and become substantially parallel, causing the light to travel toward the front in the front-rear direction while being diffused greatly in the left-right direction.

[0067] This central emission surface portion 64a irradiates light, which has been made substantially parallel from the light source 61 through the curved incidence surface portion 63a, to form a plurality of light distribution images of the light source 61 on the screen, appropriately overlapping them at positions according to the optical characteristics. The optical characteristics can be set by adjusting the curvature (surface shape) of the central emission surface portion 64a for each location, and in the first embodiment, the curvatures are set by gradually changing. The central emission surface portion 64a diffuses each light distribution image on the screen, arranging them in a substantially horizontal direction above the center position O (lens axis La6) while including the center position O.

[0068] As shown in Fig. 27, the central exit surface 64a is provided with a diffusion section 64d. The diffusion section 64d is formed with at least one of vertically extending concave and convex portions arranged side by side, and in the first embodiment, the diffusion section 64d is formed in a so-called knurled shape in which the vertically extending convex portions are arranged side by side in the left-right direction. The diffusion section 64d diffuses the light emitted from the central exit surface 64a in the left-right direction as an auxiliary and uniform light. Therefore, the central exit surface 64a irradiates the light that has passed through the curved entrance surface 63a in accordance with the above optical characteristics while receiving the auxiliary action of the diffusion section 64d.

[0069] As a result, the central emission surface portion 64a forms, on the screen, an a-pattern portion Pp6a which is a part of the sixth high light distribution pattern HP6 (see FIG. 31) as shown in FIG 28. This a-pattern portion Pp6a includes the center position O and extends substantially horizontally above it, and irradiates the entire area.

[0070] As shown in Figs. 24 to 27, the outer emission surface portion 64b is provided outside the diffusion portion 64d provided outside the central emission surface portion 64a in the left-right direction, and is located at both ends in the left-right direction. The outer emission surface portion 64b is located in a region where light reflected by the reflection surfaces 63c located at both ends in the left-right direction of the curved entrance surface portion 63a travels. The outer emission surface portion 64b is located outside the irradiation lens 62 in the front-rear direction compared to the central emission surface portion 64a and the inner emission surface portion 64c, that is, it protrudes relatively. The outer emission surface portion 64b refracts the light that has been made into approximately parallel light through the reflection surface 63c, thereby collecting the light in the vicinity of the center position O on the screen.

[0071] The outer emission surface portion 64b irradiates light from the light source 61 that has been reflected by the reflecting surface 63c and turned into substantially parallel light, thereby forming a plurality of light distribution images of the light source 61 that are appropriately superimposed on the screen at positions according to the optical characteristics. The optical characteristics can be set by adjusting the curvature (surface shape) of the outer emission surface portion 64b for each location, and in the first embodiment, the curvatures are set to be gradually changed. The outer emission surface portions 64b are provided in pairs on the left and right, and each of them condenses light so as to overlap in a narrow range centered slightly above the center position O on the screen.

[0072] As a result, the outer emission surface portion 64b forms a b pattern portion Pp6b, which is another part of the sixth high light distribution pattern HP6 (see FIG. 31), on the screen as shown in Fig. 29. This b pattern portion Pp6b is brightened by collecting the light from the light source 61 in a small circular narrow range centered slightly above the central position O, and corresponds to the requirement of brightening the vicinity of the central position O in the driving irradiation pattern HP.

[0073] As shown in Figs. 24 to 27, the inner exit surface portion 64c is inside the outer exit surface portion 64b in the left-right direction and surrounds the central exit surface portion 64a. The inner exit surface portion 64c is located in a region where light reflected by the reflecting surfaces 63c located at both ends of the curved entrance surface portion 63a in the left-right direction travels. The inner exit surface portion 64c is located (protrudes) outside the irradiation lens 62 more than the central exit surface portion 64a in the front-rear direction and is recessed inside the irradiation lens 62 more than the outer exit surface portion 64b. The inner exit surface portion 64c refracts the light that has passed through the reflecting surface 63c and become substantially parallel, thereby collecting the light near the center position O on the screen.

[0074] The inner exit surface 64c irradiates light from the light source 61, which is reflected by the reflecting surface 63c and made into substantially parallel light, to appropriately overlap a plurality of light distribution images of the light source 61 on the screen at positions according to the optical characteristics. The optical characteristics can be set by adjusting the curvature (surface shape) of the inner exit surface 64c for each location, and in the first embodiment, the curvature is gradually changed and set. The inner exit surface 64c irradiates a wider range than the b pattern portion Pp6b centered slightly above the center position O on the screen. The inner exit surface 64c is provided with a diffusion section 64d (see FIG. 27) similar to the central exit surface 64a, which supplementarily diffuses the emitted light in the left-right direction and makes it uniform. The diffusion section 64d is formed in a knurled shape that is continuous in the up-down direction across the central exit surface 64a and the inner exit surface 64c, and the entire exit surface 64 has a unified appearance.

[0075] As a result, the inner emission surface portion 64c forms a c pattern portion Pp6c, which is another part of the sixth high light distribution pattern HP6 (see FIG. 31), on the screen, as shown in FIG. 30. This c pattern portion Pp6c is brightened by collecting light from the light source 61 in a wider range than the b pattern portion Pp6b centered slightly above the central position O, and is formed by diffusing the light in the left and right directions by the action of the diffusion portion 64d. For this reason, the c pattern portion Pp6c is brightest on both the left and right sides of the central position O, and is diffused from there in a wide range in the left and right directions.

[0076] This right side high beam unit 60 irradiates light from a light source 61 through an irradiation lens 62, and forms a sixth high light distribution pattern HP6 by superimposing a pattern portion Pp6a, b pattern portion Pp6b, and c pattern portion Pp6c on a screen, as shown in Fig. 31. This sixth high light distribution pattern HP6 is a diffusion pattern that is brightest in the vicinity of a central position O, and extends from there in a substantially horizontal direction and is diffused over a large range.

[0077] In this way, the right high beam unit 60 is a third unit (direct reflection type unit) that directly emits a part of the light incident from the light source 61 from the irradiation lens 62 and emits the other part of the light after being reflected inside the irradiation lens 62 to form a desired light distribution pattern (HP6). Therefore, the light source 61 becomes a third light source (light source for direct reflection), and the irradiation lens 62 becomes a third irradiation lens (direct reflection type irradiation lens). In the right high beam unit 60, the light that passes through the curved entrance surface portion 63a becomes direct light that directly heads toward the exit surface 64, and the light that passes through the annular entrance surface portion 63b and is reflected by the reflection surface 63c becomes reflected light that heads toward the exit surface 64 after being reflected inside.

[0078] The left high beam unit 70 has the same configuration as the right high beam unit 60, except for the position where it is installed. As shown in Figs. 1 and 32, the left high beam unit 70 has a light source 71 mounted on a substrate 3 and an irradiation lens 72 configured as part of a lens body 4. The light source 71 is supplied with power from a lighting control circuit and is turned on as appropriate. The irradiation lens 72 is provided on the output optical axis of the light source 71, is a convex lens, and is circular when viewed from the front (see Fig. 1).

[0079] The illumination lens 72 has an entrance surface 73 and an exit surface 74, the entrance surface 73 having a curved entrance surface portion 73a and an annular entrance surface portion 73b, and a reflecting surface 73c is provided around the entrance surface 73. When the lens body 4 is assembled to the substrate 3, the curved entrance surface portion 73a faces the light source 71 in the optical axis direction, and the light source 71 is positioned near the rear focal point F7 on the rear side. The focal length of this illumination lens 72 (the distance to the rear focal point F7) is set to be approximately equal to the focal length of the illumination lens 62. This illumination lens 72 is provided at a position that is further back in the front-rear direction than the upper three illumination lenses (12 to 32) in the up-down direction in the lens body 4, and at a position approximately equal to the illumination lens 62, etc. The incident surface 73 causes the light emitted from the light source 71 to enter the illumination lens 72 as parallel light traveling approximately parallel to the lens axis La7 by passing through the curved incident surface portion 73a, or by passing through the annular incident surface portion 73b and then being reflected by the reflecting surface 73c (see Figures 24 to 26).

[0080] The emission surface 74 is circular when viewed from the front, and has a central emission surface portion 74a, an outer emission surface portion 74b, and an inner emission surface portion 74c, which have different optical settings (see FIG. 27). The central emission surface portion 74a has the same configuration (including optical characteristics) as the central emission surface portion 64a, the outer emission surface portion 74b has the same configuration as the outer emission surface portion 64b, and the inner emission surface portion 74c has the same configuration (including optical characteristics) as the inner emission surface portion 64c. The central emission surface portion 74a and the inner emission surface portion 74c are provided with a diffusion portion 74d similar to the diffusion portion 64d, which supplementarily diffuses the light emitted from both emission surfaces (74a, 74c) in the left-right direction while making it uniform. The diffusion portion 74d is formed in a knurled shape that is continuous in the vertical direction across the central exit surface portion 74a and the inner exit surface portion 74c, and the entire exit surface 74 has a unified appearance. As a result, the central exit surface portion 74a forms an a-pattern portion Pp7a having a substantially identical shape to the a-pattern portion Pp6a at a substantially identical position on the screen (see FIG. 28). The outer exit surface portion 74b forms a b-pattern portion Pp7b having a substantially identical shape to the b-pattern portion Pp6b at a substantially identical position (see FIG. 29). The inner exit surface portion 74c forms a c-pattern portion Pp7c having a substantially identical shape to the c-pattern portion Pp6c at a substantially identical position (see FIG. 30).

[0081] This left high beam unit 70 irradiates light from a light source 71 through an irradiation lens 72, and forms a seventh high light distribution pattern HP7 by overlapping an a pattern portion Pp7a, a b pattern portion Pp7b, and a c pattern portion Pp7c on a screen (see FIG. 31). This seventh high light distribution pattern HP7 has substantially the same shape as the sixth high light distribution pattern HP6 at substantially the same position, and is a diffusion pattern that is brightest near a central position O (lens axis La7), and extends substantially horizontally from there to be diffused over a large range.

[0082] In this way, the left high beam unit 70 is a third unit (direct reflection type unit) that directly emits a portion of the light incident from the light source 71 from the irradiation lens 72 and emits the other portion of the light after being reflected inside the irradiation lens 72 to form a desired light distribution pattern (HP7). Therefore, the light source 71 becomes a third light source (light source for direct reflection), and the irradiation lens 72 becomes a third irradiation lens (direct reflection type irradiation lens). In the left high beam unit 70, the light that passes through the curved entrance surface portion 73a becomes direct light that directly travels toward the exit surface 74, and the light that passes through the annular entrance surface portion 73b and is reflected by the reflection surface 73c becomes reflected light that travels toward the exit surface 74 after being reflected inside.

[0083] Next, the lighting of the vehicle lamp 1 will be described. In the vehicle lamp 1, power is supplied from the lighting control circuit to each light source (11 to 71) mounted on the board 3 in each unit (10 to 70) provided in the lamp room, and the light sources (11 to 71) are appropriately turned on and off. When the light sources (11 to 51) of the five low beam units (10 to 50) are turned on, the vehicle lamp 1 forms the first to fifth light distribution patterns (LP1 to LP5) by appropriately overlapping them, thereby forming the low beam irradiation pattern LP shown in FIG. 33. This low beam irradiation pattern LP illuminates a wide range extending in the horizontal direction including the center position O, and a cutoff line CL is formed at the upper edge, and an OH light distribution pattern portion OHP is formed above it. Therefore, the vehicle lamp 1 can ensure upward visibility from the vehicle by forming the low beam irradiation pattern LP.

[0084] Furthermore, when the light sources (61, 71) of the two high beam units (60, 70) are turned on, the vehicle lamp 1 forms two sixth and seventh light distribution patterns (LP6, LP7), which are overlapped to form a driving irradiation pattern HP shown in FIG. 34. This driving irradiation pattern HP basically illuminates a wide range extending in the left-right direction above the horizontal direction including the center position O, and its lower part overlaps with the upper part of the passing irradiation pattern LP. Therefore, by forming the driving irradiation pattern HP, the vehicle lamp 1 can illuminate a wide range including the height position of occupants of oncoming vehicles, etc., and ensure visibility.

[0085] This vehicle lamp 1 can form a low beam irradiation pattern LP having a cutoff line CL by lighting five low beam units (10 to 50), and can provide light distribution during passing (so-called low beam). Also, the vehicle lamp 1 can form a driving irradiation pattern HP superimposed above the low beam irradiation pattern LP by lighting two high beam units (60, 70) in addition to the five low beam units, and can provide light distribution during driving (so-called high beam).

[0086] Next, the operation of the vehicle lamp 1 will be described. In conventional vehicle lamps, a reflector-reflecting unit forms a light distribution pattern that spreads over a desired range, and a direct-type unit forms a light distribution pattern with a high light intensity in a narrow range, and by appropriately overlapping these, a passing illumination pattern that illuminates a desired range with a desired brightness distribution is formed. In this vehicle lamp, the reflector-reflecting unit is a large structure, so the overall structure is large.

[0087] In contrast, the vehicular lamp 1 forms a passing illumination pattern LP with a first unit (10 to 30 in the first embodiment) that irradiates light from a light source by an irradiation lens, and a second unit (40, 50 in the first embodiment) that irradiates a part of the light from the light source by an irradiation lens and irradiates the other part of the light by internally reflecting it. Since the first unit of the vehicular lamp 1 can efficiently collect light from the light source, the first unit forms the brightest area near the center position O in the passing illumination pattern LP (the first to third light distribution patterns (LP1 to LP3) in the first embodiment). In addition, since the second unit of the vehicular lamp 1 can efficiently diffuse light from the light source, the second unit forms an area that is largely expanded in the approximately horizontal direction below the center position O in the passing illumination pattern LP (the fourth and fifth light distribution patterns (LP4, LP5) in the first embodiment). Therefore, the vehicle lamp 1 can brighten a desired range with the second unit and ensure brightness at a predetermined position with the first unit without using a reflector-type unit with a large configuration. As a result, the vehicle lamp 1 can be made smaller than conventional vehicle lamps, and can efficiently form bright spots and can brighten a sufficiently wide range to form a passing irradiation pattern LP.

[0088] In addition, in the vehicle lamp 1, in the unit group 2, the light sources (11 to 71) of each unit (10 to 70) are mounted on the same board 3. Therefore, even though the vehicle lamp 1 uses seven units, the board 3 can be made common, the configuration and wiring of the lighting control circuit can be simplified, and the number of parts can be reduced. In addition, in the vehicle lamp 1, the irradiation lenses (12 to 72) of each unit (10 to 70) are formed as an integrated lens body 4. Therefore, in the vehicle lamp 1, the unit group 2 can be formed by positioning and assembling the single board 3 and the lens body 4, which makes the configuration simpler, reduces the number of parts, and makes the assembly work easier.

[0089] Furthermore, the vehicle lamp 1 forms an OH light distribution pattern portion OHP, which is a portion in the low beam irradiation pattern LP that illuminates an upward sign or the like, in the second unit (the fifth low beam unit 50 in the first embodiment). Therefore, the vehicle lamp 1 can efficiently form a bright portion and can brighten a sufficiently wide range to form the low beam irradiation pattern LP, while ensuring upward visibility from the vehicle itself.

[0090] In the vehicle lamp 1, the second illumination lens (illumination lens (42, 52)) has an entrance surface (43, 53) having a curved entrance surface portion (43a, 53a) and an annular entrance surface portion (43b, 53b), and a reflecting surface (43c, 53c) is provided surrounding the annular entrance surface portion. Therefore, in the second illumination lens, the vehicle lamp 1 can directly irradiate a part of the light from the light source (direct light) with a simple configuration and irradiate the other part of the light by internally reflecting it (reflected light), and can efficiently use the light from the corresponding light source (41, 51).

[0091] In the vehicle lamp 1, the second illumination lens (illumination lens (42, 52)) has an exit surface (44, 54) having a central exit surface portion (44a, 54a), an upper exit surface portion (44b, 54b), and a lower exit surface portion (44c, 54c). In the vehicle lamp 1, pattern portions are individually formed on each exit surface portion of the second illumination lens, and the light distribution patterns (LP4, LP5) are individually formed by appropriately overlapping them. Therefore, even if the light distribution pattern (LP4, LP5) illuminates a large range, the vehicle lamp 1 can form a desired shape and an appropriate brightness distribution.

[0092] In the vehicle lamp 1, the smaller the size of the light distribution pattern (LP1 to LP3) formed in the three first units (10 to 30), the larger the interval (focal length) from the light source (11 to 31) to each of the irradiation lenses (12 to 32) is. Therefore, the vehicle lamp 1 increases the degree of collecting light from the light source (11 to 31) by increasing the interval from the light source to each of the irradiation lenses, so that each of the first units can efficiently and appropriately form light distribution patterns (LP1 to LP3) of different sizes. In particular, in the vehicle lamp 1 of the first embodiment, the lens body 4 is formed by integrating each of the irradiation lenses, and the interval between the corresponding light source is set by changing the position of each of the irradiation lenses (12 to 32) in the lens body 4 in the front-rear direction. Therefore, in the vehicle lamp 1 of the first embodiment, each of the light sources (11 to 31) can be mounted on the same substrate 3, and three light distribution patterns (LP1 to LP3) of different sizes can be formed while having a simple configuration.

[0093] The vehicle lamp 1 forms a passing irradiation pattern LP with five low beam units (10 to 50 in the first embodiment) and forms a running irradiation pattern HP with two high beam units (60 and 70 in the first embodiment). Therefore, the vehicle lamp 1 can appropriately form a passing irradiation pattern LP that is required to illuminate a predetermined range while making the cutoff line CL clear and satisfying the brightness requirements at various positions. In addition, the vehicle lamp 1 can appropriately form a running irradiation pattern HP that has fewer requirements compared to the passing irradiation pattern LP with a simple configuration.

[0094] The vehicle lamp 1 has an OH light distribution pattern portion OHP at a position on the illumination lens 52 where both a portion of the light that has passed through the curved entrance surface portion 53a (direct light) and a portion of the light that has been reflected by the OH reflecting surface portion 53d on the reflecting surface 53c (reflected light) are incident. Therefore, the vehicle lamp 1 can emit both the direct light and the reflected light that have passed through two different optical paths from the OH exit surface portion 54d, so that the OH light distribution pattern portion OHP can have a brightness distribution with a predetermined amount of light at multiple locations without the OH exit surface portion 54d having a complex configuration.

[0095] In the vehicle lamp 1, the exit surface 54 of the irradiation lens 52 of the fifth low beam unit 50 is partially recessed to provide an OH exit surface portion 54d, so that the OH light distribution pattern portion OHP in the low beam irradiation pattern LP is formed when the irradiation lens 52 emits light from the light source 51. Therefore, the vehicle lamp 1 can form the OH light distribution pattern portion OHP using a part of the light from the light source 51 that forms the low beam irradiation pattern LP (the fifth low beam light distribution pattern LP5 that is a part of the low beam irradiation pattern LP in the first embodiment) while having a simple configuration.

[0096] The vehicle lamp 1 has an OH exit surface 54d in the vicinity of the lens axis La5 on the exit surface 54 of the irradiation lens 52. Therefore, the vehicle lamp 1 can reduce the angle and distance between the lens axis La5 and the direction of travel of the direct light and reflected light traveling to the OH exit surface 54d. Therefore, even if the angle of the OH exit surface 54d with respect to the exit surface 54 is reduced, the vehicle lamp 1 can make the direct light and reflected light travel toward a position required for the OH light distribution pattern part OHP. Therefore, the vehicle lamp 1 can easily create the irradiation lens 52 (lens body 4 in the first embodiment) by resin molding using a mold, can appropriately form the OH exit surface 54d, and can appropriately form the OH light distribution pattern part OHP while improving the appearance of the irradiation lens 52.

[0097] In the vehicular lamp 1, the direct light is diffused in the irradiation lens 52 at a position about 4 degrees above the central position O in the vertical direction in a range slightly exceeding about 8 degrees in the horizontal direction around the central position O, forming the d pattern portion Pp5d. In addition, in the vehicular lamp 1, the reflection light is diffused in the irradiation lens 52 at a position about 2 degrees above the central position O in the vertical direction in a range slightly exceeding about 8 degrees in the horizontal direction around the central position O, forming the e pattern portion Pp5e. Therefore, in the OH light distribution pattern portion OHP, the vehicular lamp 1 can ensure brightness in the horizontal direction at a position (0 degrees) coinciding with the vertical line V, at a position about 4 degrees to the plus or minus of the vertical line V, and at a position about 8 degrees to the plus or minus of the vertical line V, at both positions about 2 degrees and about 4 degrees above the central position O. Here, in the case of overhead light distribution, there is a regulation (rule) that stipulates that the brightness at a total of 10 positions (so-called legal points) including a position coinciding with the vertical line V in the horizontal direction, a position at about 4 degrees plus or minus from the vertical line V, and a position at about 8 degrees plus or minus from the vertical line V, must be equal to or less than a predetermined upper limit value at each of the positions of about 2 degrees and about 4 degrees above the central position O. Also, in the case of overhead light distribution, there is a regulation that stipulates that the sum of the brightness at the above-mentioned five positions (positions at 0 degrees, ±4 degrees, and ±8 degrees) in the horizontal direction must be equal to or greater than a predetermined lower limit value at each of the positions of about 2 degrees and about 4 degrees above the central position O. With the above-mentioned configuration, the vehicle lamp 1 can adjust the brightness at the above-mentioned 10 positions, so that the plurality of legal points can be made to have a predetermined light amount, and the above-mentioned two regulations can be appropriately satisfied, and upward visibility from the vehicle can be more appropriately ensured.

[0098] In the vehicle lamp 1, the irradiation lens (62, 72) of the high beam unit (60, 70 in the first embodiment) has an exit surface (64, 74) having a central exit surface portion (64a, 74a), an outer exit surface portion (64b, 74b), and an inner exit surface portion (64c, 74c). Therefore, even if the light distribution pattern (LP6, LP7) that illuminates a large range is formed by the vehicle lamp 1, the light distribution pattern (LP6, LP7) can be formed as a desired shape and an appropriate brightness distribution. In particular, the vehicle lamp 1 of the first embodiment has two high beam units (60, 70) with similar optical characteristics, and each of the high beam units forms a light distribution pattern (LP6, LP7) of approximately the same shape at approximately the same position, so that the two light distribution patterns are superimposed on each other to form a running irradiation pattern HP. Therefore, the vehicle lamp 1 can easily ensure the required brightness and form a more appropriate running irradiation pattern HP.

[0099] In the vehicle lamp 1, the depth d3 of the central exit surface 64a of the irradiation lens 62 of the right high beam unit 60 and the central exit surface 74a of the irradiation lens 72 of the left high beam unit 70 is greater than the depth d1 of the central exit surface 44a of the exit surface 44 of the irradiation lens 42 of the fourth low beam unit 40 and the depth d2 of the central exit surface 54a of the irradiation lens 52 of the fifth low beam unit 50. Therefore, by reducing the depth d1 in the fourth low beam unit 40 and the depth d2 in the fifth low beam unit 50, the vehicle lamp 1 appropriately diffuses light by the central exit surface 44a and the central exit surface 54a. Here, in the vehicle lamp 1, the upper exit surface 44b and the lower exit surface 44c adjacent to the central exit surface 44a, and the upper exit surface 54b and the lower exit surface 54c adjacent to the central exit surface 54a diffuse light. Therefore, in the vehicle lamp 1, the three surfaces (44a to 44c, 54a to 54c) that have similar functions are positioned at approximately equal positions in the front-rear direction, so that each surface can diffuse light appropriately. In addition, in the vehicle lamp 1, the depth d3 in the right high beam unit 60 and the left high beam unit 70 is increased, so that the central exit surface 64a and the central exit surface 74a diffuse light appropriately. Here, in the vehicle lamp 1, the outer emission surface portion 64b and the inner emission surface portion 64c adjacent to the central emission surface portion 64a, and the outer emission surface portion 74b and the inner emission surface portion 74c adjacent to the central emission surface portion 74a, collect light. Therefore, in the vehicle lamp 1, the central emission surface portion 64a and the central emission surface portion 74a are located at different positions in the front-rear direction relative to the surrounding surfaces (64b, 64c, 74b, 74c) that collect light, so that both can diffuse light appropriately.

[0100] In the vehicle lamp 1, the central exit surface 44a of the exit surface 44 of the irradiation lens 42 of the fourth low beam unit 40 and the central exit surface 54a of the irradiation lens 52 of the fifth low beam unit 50 are rectangular, and the central exit surface 64a of the irradiation lens 62 of the right high beam unit 60 and the central exit surface 74a of the irradiation lens 72 of the left high beam unit 70 are circular. Therefore, the vehicle lamp 1 allows the difference in the light distribution patterns it forms to be determined by the appearance of each of the irradiation lenses (42 to 72).

[0101] In the vehicle lamp 1, the fifth low beam unit 50 forming the OH light distribution pattern portion OHP forms a desired light distribution pattern (fifth low light distribution pattern LP5) that is at least a part of the low-beam irradiation pattern LP. Therefore, the vehicle lamp 1 can simultaneously form the low-beam irradiation pattern LP (a part thereof) used together with the OH light distribution pattern portion OHP with light from the light source 51, thereby making it possible to miniaturize the configuration and contribute to space saving.

[0102] The vehicle lamp 1 of the first embodiment can provide the following functions and effects.

[0103] The vehicle lamp 1 forms a desired light distribution pattern (a low-vehicle irradiation pattern LP in the first embodiment) by overlapping the light collection patterns (LP1, LP2, LP3) formed by the first units (10, 20, 30) with the diffusion patterns (LP4, LP5) formed by the second units (40, 50). Therefore, the vehicle lamp 1 can ensure brightness at a predetermined position with the first unit without using a reflector-type unit that has a large configuration, and can brighten a desired range with the second unit, forming an irradiation pattern that illuminates the desired range with a desired brightness distribution.

[0104] In addition, in the vehicle lamp 1, the first units are provided at different intervals from the first light source (11, 21, 31) to the first irradiation lens (12, 22, 32), and the second units have an interval from the second light source (41, 51) to the second irradiation lens (42, 52) that is shorter than that of the first units. Therefore, in the vehicle lamp 1, the first units can efficiently and appropriately form light collection patterns (LP1 to LP3) of different sizes, and the second units can form diffusion patterns (LP4, LP5) that are more diffuse than any of the light collection patterns.

[0105] Furthermore, in the vehicle lamp 1, the distance between the first light source and the first irradiation lens is large when the vertical dimension of the first irradiation lens is large, and the distance between the first light source and the first irradiation lens is small when the vertical dimension of the first irradiation lens is small. Therefore, in the vehicle lamp 1, each of the first units can more efficiently and appropriately form light distribution patterns (LP1 to LP3) of different sizes.

[0106] In the vehicle lamp 1, the second unit has a plurality of exit surface portions (44a to 44c, 54a to 54d) whose exit surface (44, 54) has different optical settings, and a diffusion portion (44d, 54e) is formed on the surface of the exit surface, which is continuous across the plurality of exit surface portions. Therefore, the vehicle lamp 1 diffuses and homogenizes the light emitted from the second unit, and even if the exit surface is divided into a plurality of exit surface portions, the overall appearance is unified, improving the appearance. In addition, the vehicle lamp 1 diffuses and homogenizes the light emitted from each exit surface portion in approximately the same manner, and can diffuse and homogenize the light in approximately the same manner without breaks even at the boundary between different exit surface portions. Therefore, when at least a part of the diffusion patterns formed by each exit surface portion are overlapped, the vehicle lamp 1 can suppress discomfort such as uneven light at the overlapped portion.

[0107] In the vehicle lamp 1, the first illumination lens and the second illumination lens are integrated to form the lens body 4. Therefore, even though the vehicle lamp 1 uses the first unit and the second unit, the number of components can be reduced compared to a case in which separate illumination lenses are provided, and the vehicle lamp 1 can be easily assembled with a simple structure.

[0108] In the vehicle lamp 1, the lens body 4 has the first illumination lens protruding toward the light emitting side and the second illumination lens protruding toward the second light source side. Therefore, the vehicle lamp 1 can easily ensure the distance to the first light source and the second light source while making the lens body 4 of a simple configuration.

[0109] In the vehicle lamp 1, the first light source and the second light source are provided on a common substrate 3. Therefore, the vehicle lamp 1 can have a simple configuration as a whole, and can be easily made compact.

[0110] The light distribution pattern formed by the vehicular lamp 1 is at least a part of the low-vehicle irradiation pattern LP. Therefore, the vehicular lamp 1 can appropriately form the low-vehicle irradiation pattern LP that illuminates a predetermined range while making the cutoff line CL clear and satisfying the brightness requirements at various positions.

[0111] Therefore, the vehicle lamp 1 of the first embodiment as the vehicle lamp according to the present disclosure can be made compact while forming a radiation pattern of a desired size (a low-vehicle radiation pattern LP in the first embodiment).

[0112] The vehicle lamp of the present disclosure has been described above based on Example 1, but the specific configuration is not limited to Example 1, and design changes and additions are permitted as long as they do not deviate from the gist of the invention according to each claim in the scope of the claims.

[0113] In the first embodiment, five low beam units (10 to 50 in the first embodiment) form a passing irradiation pattern LP, and two high beam units (60 and 70 in the first embodiment) form a running irradiation pattern HP. However, the vehicle lamp 1 may be one that forms a desired light distribution pattern (a combined irradiation pattern) and is not limited to the configuration of the first embodiment. Even when forming a passing irradiation pattern LP and a running irradiation pattern HP, the number of low beam units and high beam units may be appropriately set and is not limited to the configuration of the first embodiment.

[0114] Moreover, in the first embodiment, three first units (10 to 30) and two second units (40, 50) are provided. However, the numbers of first units and second units may be set appropriately and are not limited to the configuration of the first embodiment. Furthermore, the second unit has a plurality of exit surface portions (44a to 44c, 54a to 54d) on the exit surface (44, 54), but as long as a plurality of exit surface portions with different optical settings are provided, the number and optical settings may be set appropriately and are not limited to the configuration of the first embodiment.

[0115] Furthermore, in the first embodiment, the OH exit surface portion 54d is provided on the irradiation lens 52 of the fifth low beam unit 50, but it may be provided on another unit and is not limited to the configuration of the first embodiment.

[0116] In the first embodiment, the OH exit surface portion 54d forms an OH light distribution pattern portion OHP that ensures brightness at a position (0 degrees) that coincides with the central position O, a position at about ±4 degrees from the central position O, and a position at about ±8 degrees from the central position O in the horizontal direction, at positions of about 2 degrees and about 4 degrees above the central position O. However, the OH exit surface portion 54d is not limited to the configuration of the first embodiment as long as it forms an OH light distribution pattern portion OHP according to a desired brightness distribution.

[0117] In the first embodiment, the OH exit surface 54d is substantially flat. However, as long as the OH exit surface 54d emits one of the direct light and the reflected light toward a position that is about 4 degrees above the center position O and emits the other toward a position that is about 2 degrees above the center position O, the curvature of the OH exit surface 54d may be gradually changed, and is not limited to the configuration of the first embodiment. [Explanation of symbols]

[0118] 1 Vehicle lamp 3 Substrate 10 First low beam unit (as an example of a first unit) 11 Light source (as an example of a first light source) 12 Illumination lens (as an example of a first illumination lens) 20 Second low beam unit (as an example of a first unit) 21 Light source (as an example of a first light source) 22 Illumination lens (as an example of a first illumination lens) 30 Third low beam unit (as an example of a first unit) 31 Light source (as an example of a first light source) 32 Illumination lens (as an example of a first illumination lens) 40 Fourth low beam unit (as an example of a second unit) 41 Light source (as an example of a second light source) 42 Illumination lens (as an example of a second illumination lens) 44 Exit surface 44a Central exit surface portion (as an example of an exit surface portion) 44b Upper exit surface portion (as an example of an exit surface portion) 44c Lower exit surface portion (as an example of an exit surface portion) 44d Diffusion portion 50 Fifth low beam unit 51 (as an example of a second unit) Light source 52 (as an example of a second light source) Illumination lens 54 (as an example of a second illumination lens) Exit surface 54a Central exit surface portion (as an example of an exit surface portion) 54b Upper exit surface portion (as an example of an exit surface portion) 54c Lower exit surface portion (as an example of an exit surface portion) 54d OH exit surface portion (as an example of an exit surface portion) 54e Diffusion portion LP Passing illumination pattern (as an example of a desired light distribution pattern) LP1 First low light distribution pattern (as an example of a light collection pattern) LP2 Second low light distribution pattern (as an example of a light collection pattern) LP3 Third low light distribution pattern (as an example of a light collection pattern) LP4 Fourth low light distribution pattern (as an example of a diffusion pattern) LP5 Fifth low light distribution pattern (as an example of a diffusion pattern)

Claims

1. a first unit including a first illumination lens disposed on an emission optical axis of a first light source and configured to directly emit light incident from the first light source; a second unit having a second illumination lens that emits a part of the light incident from the second light source and reflects the other part of the light therein before emitting the other part; The first light source and the second light source are provided on a common flat substrate, A desired light distribution pattern is formed by overlapping the light collecting pattern formed by the first unit and the light diffusing pattern formed by the second unit, The first unit is provided in plurality with different intervals between the first light source and the first illumination lens, the second unit has a shorter distance from the second light source to the second illumination lens than the first unit; The vehicle lamp is characterized in that, when the vertical dimension of the first illumination lens is large, the distance between the first light source and the first illumination lens is large, and when the vertical dimension of the first illumination lens is small, the distance between the first light source and the first illumination lens is small.

2. The second unit has a central emission surface portion located near the center of the emission surface, and a peripheral emission surface portion surrounding the central emission surface portion and protruding beyond the central emission surface portion, 2. The vehicle lamp according to claim 1, wherein a diffusion portion is formed on the surface of the light exit surface, the diffusion portion being continuous across the central light exit surface portion and the peripheral light exit surface portion.

3. A vehicle lighting fixture as described in claim 1 or claim 2, characterized in that the first illumination lens and the second illumination lens are integrated to form a lens body.

4. The vehicle lighting fixture as described in Claim 3, characterized in that the lens body has the first illumination lens protruding toward the side that irradiates light and the second illumination lens protruding toward the second light source.

5. A vehicle lighting fixture as described in any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the light distribution pattern is at least a part of a passing illumination pattern.

Images