Vehicle lighting fixtures

Abstract

A vehicular lamp (1) provided with a lamp unit (20) having: a light source (41); and a reflection device (50) serving as a light distribution pattern formation part that is irradiated with light (L) emitted from the light source (41) and that emits light (LF), the light distribution pattern formation part being capable of changing the light distribution pattern of the emitted light (LF). The lamp unit (20) adjusts the direction of emission of the light (LF) emitted from the lamp unit (20) in accordance with the change in the light distribution pattern of the light (LF) emitted from the reflection device (50).

Description

[Technical field]

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

[0002] Known vehicle lighting devices include vehicle headlights such as automobile headlights, and drawing devices that draw images on the road surface, etc. Patent Document 1 listed below discloses a vehicle equipped with a vehicle headlight that irradiates light ahead of the vehicle, and a drawing device that draws an image on the road surface ahead of the vehicle.

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2015-153057 A Summary of the Invention

[0004] The vehicle headlamp and the drawing device described in the above Patent Document 1 can be understood as a lamp unit that emits light having different light distribution patterns in different directions. For this reason, it is conceivable to integrate such two lamp units into one vehicle lamp. When integrating multiple lamp units in this way, there is a demand for a simplified configuration of the vehicle lamp.

[0005] SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT DISCLOSURE An object of the present invention is to provide a vehicle lamp that is capable of changing the light distribution pattern of emitted light and changing the emission direction of the light with a simple configuration.

[0006] In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the vehicle lamp of the present invention comprises a lamp unit having a light source and a light distribution pattern forming portion that is irradiated with light emitted from the light source and is capable of emitting light and changing the light distribution pattern of the emitted light, and is characterized in that the lamp unit adjusts the emission direction of the light emitted from the lamp unit in response to changes in the light distribution pattern of the light emitted from the light distribution pattern forming portion.

[0007] In this vehicle lamp, the light distribution pattern of the emitted light can be changed by changing the light distribution pattern of the light emitted from the light distribution pattern forming portion. Therefore, the configuration of the vehicle lamp can be simplified compared to a case where a plurality of lamp units that emit light with different light distribution patterns are provided. Also, in this vehicle lamp, the lamp unit adjusts the emission direction of the light emitted from the lamp unit according to a change in the light distribution pattern of the light emitted from the light distribution pattern forming portion. Therefore, this vehicle lamp can change the emission direction of the light while changing the light distribution pattern of the emitted light with a simple configuration. Therefore, this vehicle lamp can emit, for example, a high beam and draw an image on a road surface, etc., with one lamp unit.

[0008] The lamp unit may further include a support member that supports the light source and the light distribution pattern forming portion and tilts in response to a change in the light distribution pattern of light emitted from the light distribution pattern forming portion.

[0009] In this vehicle lamp, the emission direction of the light emitted from the lamp unit changes according to the tilt of the support member. Therefore, in this vehicle lamp, the emission direction of the light emitted from the lamp unit can be adjusted by controlling the tilt of the support member. In addition, in this vehicle lamp, the light source and the light distribution pattern forming portion are supported by the support member. Therefore, this vehicle lamp can suppress relative positional deviation between the light source and the light distribution pattern forming portion and suppress unintended changes in the light distribution pattern compared to a case in which the light source and the light distribution pattern forming portion are supported by different members. Furthermore, this vehicle lamp can improve the degree of freedom of the emission direction of the light compared to a case in which the light distribution pattern forming portion adjusts the emission direction of the light emitted from the lamp unit by changing the emission direction of the light emitted from the light distribution pattern forming portion.

[0010] Alternatively, the lighting unit may further include a projection lens through which the light emitted from the light distribution pattern forming portion passes, and the projection lens and the light distribution pattern forming portion may move relatively in a direction non-parallel to the propagation direction of the light emitted from the light distribution pattern forming portion in response to changes in the light distribution pattern of the light emitted from the light distribution pattern forming portion.

[0011] In this vehicle lamp, the projection lens and the light distribution pattern forming portion move relatively in a direction non-parallel to the propagation direction of the light emitted from the light distribution pattern forming portion, thereby changing the emission position of the light emitted from the light distribution pattern forming portion in the projection lens, and changing the emission direction of the light emitted from the projection lens. Therefore, this vehicle lamp can adjust the emission direction of the light emitted from the lamp unit by controlling the relative movement of the projection lens and the light distribution pattern forming portion in a direction non-parallel to the propagation direction of the light emitted from the light distribution pattern forming portion. Furthermore, this vehicle lamp can improve the degree of freedom of the emission direction of the light compared to a case in which the light distribution pattern forming portion adjusts the emission direction of the light emitted from the lamp unit by changing the emission direction of the light emitted from the light distribution pattern forming portion.

[0012] Alternatively, the lighting unit may further include a projection lens through which the light emitted from the light distribution pattern forming portion passes, and the light distribution pattern forming portion may change the emission position of the light that forms the light distribution pattern in response to a change in the light distribution pattern of the emitted light.

[0013] In this vehicle lamp, the light distribution pattern forming section changes the emission position of the light that forms the light distribution pattern in response to a change in the light distribution pattern of the emitted light, thereby changing the emission position of the light emitted from the light distribution pattern forming section in the projection lens and changing the emission direction of the light emitted from the projection lens. Therefore, this vehicle lamp can adjust the emission direction of the light emitted from the lamp unit by controlling the emission position of the light that forms the light distribution pattern in the light distribution pattern forming section. Furthermore, this vehicle lamp can suppress an increase in size of the vehicle lamp compared to a case in which the emission direction of the light emitted from the lamp unit is adjusted by moving a member included in the lamp unit.

[0014] The light distribution pattern forming section may be a reflecting device that has a reflection control surface formed by the reflective surfaces of a plurality of reflective elements whose tilt states can be individually switched, onto which light emitted from the light source is irradiated, and that reflects the light emitted from the light source by the reflection control surface to form a light distribution pattern corresponding to the tilt states of the plurality of reflective elements.

[0015] In this vehicle lamp, the light distribution pattern of the emitted light can be changed by changing the tilt state of the multiple reflective elements.

[0016] Alternatively, the light distribution pattern forming portion may be a phase modulation element that diffracts light emitted from the light source in a changeable phase modulation pattern and emits light in a light distribution pattern based on the phase modulation pattern.

[0017] In this vehicle lamp, the light distribution pattern of the emitted light can be changed by changing the phase modulation pattern.

[0018] As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to provide a vehicle lamp that can change the light distribution pattern of emitted light and change the emission direction of the light with a simple configuration. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0019] [Figure 1]1 is a diagram illustrating a vehicle lamp according to a first embodiment of the present invention; [Diagram 2] 2 is a diagram illustrating a cross section of a portion of the reflecting section illustrated in FIG. 1 in a thickness direction. [Diagram 3] 1 is a block diagram including a vehicle lamp according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a light distribution pattern of a high beam. [Diagram 5] FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating an example of a rendered image. [Figure 6] FIG. 1 is a view similar to FIG. 1 showing a vehicle lamp according to a second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 7] 11A and 11B are diagrams illustrating an example of a state of the lamp unit when the projection lens is moved. [Figure 8] FIG. 13 is a view similar to FIG. 1 showing a vehicle lamp according to a third embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 9] 11A and 11B are diagrams illustrating an example of a state of the lighting unit when the light source is moved. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0020] Hereinafter, embodiments of the vehicle lamp according to the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. The embodiments illustrated below are intended to facilitate understanding of the present invention, and are not intended to limit the present invention. The present invention can be modified and improved from the following embodiments without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

[0021] (First embodiment) FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a vehicle lamp in this embodiment, and is a diagram showing a schematic vertical cross section of the vehicle lamp. The vehicle lamp 1 in this embodiment is a headlamp for an automobile. Automobile headlamps are generally provided on the left and right sides of the front of the vehicle, and the left and right headlamps are configured to be approximately symmetrical in the left and right direction. Therefore, in this embodiment, one of the headlamps will be described. As shown in FIG. 1, the vehicle lamp 1 in this embodiment mainly comprises a housing 10 and a lamp unit 20.

[0022] The housing 10 mainly comprises a lamp housing 11, a front cover 12, and a back cover 13. The front of the lamp housing 11 is open, and the front cover 12 is fixed to the lamp housing 11 so as to close the opening. In addition, an opening smaller than the front is formed in the rear of the lamp housing 11, and the back cover 13 is fixed to the lamp housing 11 so as to close the opening.

[0023] The space formed by the lamp housing 11, a front cover 12 that covers the front opening of the lamp housing 11, and a back cover 13 that covers the rear opening of the lamp housing 11 is a lamp chamber R, and a lamp unit 20 is housed within this lamp chamber R.

[0024] The lamp unit 20 of this embodiment mainly comprises a support member 30, a substrate 40, a light source 41, a reflector 50 serving as a light distribution pattern forming section, a projection lens 60, and a light absorbing plate 65.

[0025] The support member 30 of this embodiment is a metal member and includes a base plate 31, a back plate 32, a first locking portion 33, a second locking portion 34, and a fixing portion 35. The base plate 31 is a plate-shaped metal member extending in a generally horizontal direction, and the back plate 32 is a plate-shaped metal member extending in a generally vertical direction and in the left-right direction. The rear end of the base plate 31 is connected to a lower portion of the back plate 32. In addition, a first locking portion 33 is provided near the upper end of the back plate 32. The first locking portion 33 extends rearward from the back plate 32, and a groove is formed in the first locking portion 33 that opens to the rear side and into which a spherical body can be fitted. A generally spherical fitting portion 36c formed at the tip of a stud bolt 36, one end of which is fixed to the lamp housing 11, is fitted into this groove.

[0026] Further, a second locking portion 34 is provided at a portion of the back plate 32 below the base plate 31. The second locking portion 34 extends forward and backward from the back plate 32, and a screw hole penetrating in the front-rear direction is formed in the second locking portion 34. A leveling unit 37 having an aiming bolt 38 that can be rotated by a motor and gears (not shown) is fixed to the lamp housing 11, and the aiming bolt 38 is screwed into the screw hole in the second locking portion 34. In this manner, the support member 30 is attached to the lamp housing 11 via the stud bolt 36 and the leveling unit 37. The support member 30 is tilted in the front-rear direction with the fitting portion 36c as a fulcrum by rotating the aiming bolt 38 of the leveling unit 37. A leveling drive circuit (not shown) is connected to the leveling unit 37, and the output shaft of the motor rotates in response to the power supply from the leveling drive circuit to the motor, thereby rotating the aiming bolt 38.

[0027] In addition, a fixing portion 35 is provided at a portion of the base plate 31 that is forward of the back plate 32. The fixing portion 35 extends upward from the base plate 31, and the tip surface of the fixing portion 35 is inclined so as to approach the base plate 31 from the front side to the rear side.

[0028] A substrate 40 is disposed on the tip surface of the fixed portion 35, and a light source 41, which is a light-emitting element that emits light, is mounted on the substrate 40. Since the tip surface of the fixed portion 35 is inclined as described above, the light source 41 emits light backward and upward. The light emitted from the light source 41 is irradiated onto a reflection control surface of a reflecting device 50, which will be described later. In this embodiment, the light source 41 is a surface-mounted LED (Light Emitting Diode) that has a roughly rectangular light-emitting surface that emits light and emits white light. The light source 41 is connected to a power supply circuit (not shown) provided on the substrate 40, and emits light by being powered by the power supply circuit.

[0029] The reflecting device 50 as a light distribution pattern forming unit is configured to emit light when irradiated with light and to be able to change the light distribution pattern of the emitted light. The reflecting device 50 of this embodiment is a so-called DMD (Digital Mirror Device), and as shown in FIG. 1, includes a reflecting unit 51 and an edge cover 52 as main components. Note that the inside of the reflecting unit 51 is not shown in FIG. 1. The reflecting unit 51 has a reflection control surface 53 configured to emit light by reflecting incident light and to be able to change the light distribution pattern of the emitted light. The light emitted from the light source 41 is irradiated onto this reflection control surface 53. Although not illustrated, the reflecting unit 51 of this embodiment is formed in a substantially rectangular shape in a front view seen from the reflection control surface 53 side, and the entire area in the front view is the reflection control surface 53. The edge cover 52 covers the entire periphery of the side surface of the reflecting section 51 and the side opposite the reflection control surface 53, and the reflection control surface 53 is exposed to the outside without being covered by the edge cover 52. Note that the edge cover 52 is not particularly limited, and for example, it does not have to cover the back side of the reflecting section 51, and the reflecting device 50 does not have to include the edge cover 52.

[0030] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a cross section of a part of the reflecting part shown in FIG. 1 in the thickness direction, and a diagram showing a cross section of a part of the reflecting part in the vertical direction. The reflecting part 51 of this embodiment has a plurality of reflecting elements 54 arranged two-dimensionally on a substrate (not shown), and the reflection control surface 53 of the reflecting part 51 is composed of the reflecting surfaces 54r of the plurality of reflecting elements 54. The plurality of reflecting elements 54 are supported on the substrate so as to be individually tiltable about a rotation axis 54a. The plurality of reflecting elements 54 are individually switchable between a first tilt state in which the reflecting elements 54 are tilted at a predetermined angle to one side and a second tilt state in which the reflecting elements 54 are tilted at a predetermined angle to the other side. A reflecting part driving circuit (not shown) is connected to the reflecting part 51, and the tilt state of each of the reflecting elements 54 is switched according to the voltage applied to each of the reflecting elements 54 by the reflecting part driving circuit.

[0031] In this embodiment, the rotation axes 54a of the multiple reflecting elements 54 are approximately parallel to each other, and each reflecting element 54 reflects the light from the light source 41 incident on the reflecting surface 54r in the first tilted state toward a first direction. On the other hand, each reflecting element 54 reflects the light from the light source 41 incident on the reflecting surface 54r in the second tilted state toward a second direction different from the first direction. Note that the multiple reflecting elements 54 only need to be able to reflect the light from the light source 41 incident on the reflecting surface 54r in the first tilted state toward the first direction. For example, the multiple reflecting elements 54 may include multiple reflecting elements whose second directions different from the first direction are different from each other. That is, the rotation axes 54a of the multiple reflecting elements 54 may be non-parallel to each other.

[0032] As described above, the plurality of reflecting elements 54 can be individually switched between a first tilt state in which the reflecting elements 54 are tilted at a predetermined angle to one side and a second tilt state in which the reflecting elements 54 are tilted at a predetermined angle to the other side. Therefore, the reflecting unit 51 can form a predetermined light distribution pattern, for example, by light emitted from the reflection control surface 53 in a first direction by controlling the tilt states of the reflecting elements 54. In addition, the intensity distribution of light in a predetermined light distribution pattern can be a predetermined intensity distribution by controlling the tilt states of the reflecting elements 54 over time. For example, the amount of light per unit time emitted in the first direction from the reflecting elements 54 that are repeatedly switched between the first tilt state and the second tilt state at a predetermined time interval is lower than the amount of light per unit time emitted in the first direction from the reflecting elements 54 that are always in the first tilt state. In this way, the amount of light per unit time emitted in the first direction from each reflecting element 54 changes depending on the difference in the tilt state of the reflecting elements 54 over time. Therefore, by controlling the tilt state of the plurality of reflecting elements 54 over time, the light intensity distribution in the light distribution pattern of the light emitted in the first direction can be made to be a predetermined intensity distribution. In this way, the reflecting device 50 can form a light distribution pattern according to the tilt state of the plurality of reflecting elements 54 by reflecting the light emitted from the light source 41 by the reflection control surface 53. Therefore, the reflecting device 50 can change the light distribution pattern of the emitted light by changing the tilt state of the plurality of reflecting elements 54. Note that the number, shape, arrangement, size, etc. of the plurality of reflecting elements 54 are not particularly limited. In addition, the reflection control surface 53 may be covered with a member having translucency.

[0033] The reflecting device 50 as described above is fixed on the front surface of the back plate 32 so that the reflection control surface 53 is irradiated with light from the light source 41, the first direction is a forward direction, and the second direction is a forward and upward direction. Specifically, the reflecting device 50 of this embodiment is fixed on the front surface of the back plate 32 so that the reflection control surface 53 extends in the vertical direction and the left-right direction, and the extension direction of the rotation axes 54a of the multiple reflecting elements 54 is approximately parallel to the left-right direction.

[0034] The projection lens 60 is a lens that adjusts the divergence angle of the incident light. The projection lens 60 of this embodiment is fixed to the upper surface side at the front end of the base plate 31. This projection lens 60 is located forward of the reflecting device 50, and the light emitted from the reflection control surface 53 in the first direction is incident on the projection lens 60, and the divergence angle of this light is adjusted by the projection lens 60. The light whose divergence angle has been adjusted by the projection lens 60 in this manner is emitted from the vehicle lamp 1 through the front cover 12. That is, the light emitted from the reflection control surface 53 in the first direction passes through the projection lens 60 and is emitted from the vehicle lamp 1 through the front cover 12. In this embodiment, the projection lens 60 is a lens in which the entrance surface 60i and the exit surface 60o are formed in a convex shape, and is arranged so that the rear focal point is located on or near the reflection control surface 53 of the reflecting device 50.

[0035] The light absorbing plate 65 is a plate-like member having light absorption properties, and is configured to convert most of the incident light into heat. In this embodiment, the light absorbing plate 65 is located above the reflecting device 50 and extends in the front-rear direction. The front end of the light absorbing plate 65 is located near the incident surface 60i of the projection lens 60, and the rear end of the light absorbing plate 65 is connected to the back plate 32, and the light absorbing plate 65 is fixed to the back plate 32. Light emitted from the reflection control surface 53 in the second direction is incident on the light absorbing plate 65, and most of this light is converted into heat. As the light absorbing plate 65, for example, a plate-like member made of a metal such as aluminum and having a surface that is black anodized or the like can be mentioned. The light absorbing plate 65 may be formed integrally with the back plate 32 to be a part of the back plate 32, or may be formed integrally with the lamp housing 11 to be a part of the lamp housing 11.

[0036] Fig. 3 is a block diagram including a vehicle lamp in this embodiment. As shown in Fig. 3, in this embodiment, a power supply circuit 71, a reflector driving circuit 72, a leveling driving circuit 73, a light switch 74, a storage unit 75, etc. are electrically connected to a control unit 70. This control unit 70 may be provided in the lamp unit 20, or may be a part of an electronic control device of the vehicle. In addition, the light switch 74 may be electrically connected to the control unit 70 via the electronic control device of the vehicle.

[0037] The control unit 70 is configured to control the leveling unit 37, the light source 41, and the reflecting device 50 in response to a signal from the light switch 74. The control unit 70 may be, for example, a microcontroller having a CPU (Central Processing Unit) for performing arithmetic processing, a main memory device for storing control programs and information, a timer, an input circuit, an output circuit, etc. The main memory device may be, for example, a semiconductor memory such as a ROM (Read Only Memory) or a RAM (Random access memory). The control unit 70 may be configured to have a machine learning function.

[0038] The power supply circuit 71 is electrically connected to the light source 41, and a power supply (not shown) is connected to the power supply circuit 71. The power supply circuit 71 supplies a predetermined amount of power to the light source 41 based on a signal input from the control unit 70. Note that the power supply circuit 71 may adjust the power supplied from the power supply to the light source 41 based on the signal input from the control unit 70, thereby adjusting the intensity of the light emitted from the light source 41.

[0039] The reflection section drive circuit 72 is electrically connected to the reflection section 51. The reflection section drive circuit 72 adjusts the voltage applied to the reflection section 51 based on a signal input from the control section 70, and adjusts the tilt states of the multiple reflection elements 54 individually.

[0040] The leveling drive circuit 73 is electrically connected to the leveling unit 37. Based on a signal input from the control unit 70, the leveling drive circuit 73 adjusts the rotation of the motor of the leveling unit 37 to rotate the aiming bolt 38, thereby adjusting the tilt angle of the support member 30 in the front-rear direction.

[0041] The light switch 74 is a switch with which the driver instructs whether or not to emit light from the vehicle lamp 1. Although details will be described later, the vehicle lamp 1 of this embodiment is configured to be able to emit a high beam and draw a predetermined image on the road surface or the like, and the light switch 74 of this embodiment is configured to be able to select between emitting a high beam and drawing an image in addition to emitting or not emitting light.

[0042] The storage unit 75 is configured to store information and to be able to read out the stored information. Examples of the storage unit 75 include a semiconductor memory such as a ROM, a magnetic disk, and the like. The storage unit 75 of this embodiment stores a table in which information on a light distribution pattern formed by light emitted in a first direction from the reflection control surface 53 of the reflector 51 and information on the tilt angle of the support member 30 are associated with each other. Although details will be described later, the vehicle lamp 1 of this embodiment is capable of emitting a high beam and drawing a predetermined image on a road surface or the like, and is configured to adjust the emission direction of the light emitted from the lamp unit 20 according to each case. In this embodiment, the light distribution pattern formed by light emitted in a first direction from the reflection control surface 53 of the reflector 51 is a high beam light distribution pattern and a light distribution pattern that draws a predetermined image, and the information on these light distribution patterns is a pattern of a voltage applied to the reflector 51. In addition, the information regarding the tilt angle of the support member 30 is information regarding the tilt angle in the forward / rearward direction of the support member 30 with the fitting portion 36c as a fulcrum, and this information regarding the tilt angle is the rotation angle of the aiming bolt 38 of the leveling unit 37, and different rotation angles are associated with the voltage pattern applied to the reflecting portion 51 when emitting the high beam and the voltage pattern applied to the reflecting portion 51 when drawing a specified image.

[0043] Fig. 4 is a diagram showing a light distribution pattern of a high beam, in which S indicates a horizontal line and the light distribution pattern is shown by a thick line. In the light distribution pattern PH of the high beam shown in Fig. 4, area HA1 is the area with the highest light intensity, and the light intensity decreases in the order of area HA2, area HA3, and area HA4. In other words, the tilt state of the multiple reflecting elements 54 of the reflecting portion 51 is controlled so that the light LF emitted from the reflection control surface 53 in the first direction becomes light that forms a light distribution pattern including the intensity distribution of the high beam.

[0044] Fig. 5 is a diagram showing an example of a drawn image. The image IM shown in Fig. 5 is a mark similar to a no parking sign when seen by the driver. That is, the tilt state of the multiple reflecting elements 54 of the reflecting unit 51 is controlled so that the light LF emitted in the first direction from the reflection control surface 53 becomes light that forms a light distribution pattern constituting the image IM shown in Fig. 5. By drawing the image IM shown in Fig. 5 on the road surface in front of the vehicle, the user's intention that he does not want people outside the vehicle to park in the area where the image IM is drawn can be conveyed.

[0045] Next, a description will be given of the operation of the vehicle lamp 1. Specifically, a description will be given of the operation of switching between emitting a high beam and drawing a predetermined image.

[0046] In this embodiment, when the light switch 74 is turned on and a signal instructing the emission of light and selection of high beam is input from the light switch 74 to the control unit 70, the control unit 70 controls the light source 41, the reflector 51, and the leveling unit 37 so that the light LF emitted from the reflection control surface 53 of the reflector 51 in the first direction becomes light that forms a light distribution pattern of high beam, and the tilt angle of the support member 30 becomes an angle corresponding to the high beam. Specifically, the control unit 70 outputs a predetermined signal to the power supply circuit 71, and the power supply circuit 71 supplies a predetermined power to the light source 41 based on the signal input from the control unit 70. Therefore, the light source 41 emits white light L of a predetermined intensity, and this light L is irradiated to the reflection control surface 53. In this embodiment, the light L is irradiated to almost the entire surface of the reflection control surface 53.

[0047] Furthermore, the control unit 70 refers to a table stored in the storage unit 75 based on a signal input from the light switch 74, and outputs a signal based on a voltage pattern corresponding to the high beam light distribution pattern PH to the reflector drive circuit 72. Based on this signal input from the control unit 70, the reflector drive circuit 72 controls the voltage applied to each reflecting element 54, and controls the tilt state of each reflecting element 54. Therefore, the light distribution pattern formed by the light LF emitted in the first direction from the reflection control surface 53 of the reflector 51 becomes the high beam light distribution pattern PH. This light LF passes through the projection lens 60 and is emitted from the lamp unit 20. Note that most of the light LS emitted in the second direction from the reflection control surface 53 is incident on the light absorbing plate 65 and converted into heat.

[0048] Further, the control unit 70 refers to a table stored in the storage unit 75 based on a signal input from the light switch 74, and outputs a signal based on the tilt angle of the support member 30 corresponding to the high beam light distribution pattern PH to the leveling drive circuit 73. Based on this signal input from the control unit 70, the leveling drive circuit 73 adjusts the rotation of the motor of the leveling unit 37 to rotate the aiming bolt 38, and adjusts the tilt angle in the front-rear direction of the support member 30. Therefore, the tilt angle of the support member 30 becomes the tilt angle corresponding to the high beam light distribution pattern PH. As described above, since the light source 41, the reflector 50, the projection lens 60, and the light absorbing plate 65 are supported by the support member 30, when the support member 30 tilts, these members tilt while maintaining their relative positions. Therefore, the emission direction of the light emitted from the projection lens 60, i.e., the light LF emitted from the lamp unit 20, corresponds to the tilt angle of the support member 30, and the light LF emitted from the lamp unit 20 is emitted from the vehicle lamp 1 via the front cover 12. In this embodiment, the emission direction of the light LF emitted from the lamp unit 20 in this case is approximately horizontal. As described above, the light distribution pattern formed by the light LF emitted in the first direction from the reflection control surface 53 is the high beam light distribution pattern PH, and therefore the light of the high beam light distribution pattern PH is emitted from the vehicle lamp 1.

[0049] In this way, when the light of the high beam light distribution pattern PH is emitted from the vehicle lamp 1, and the selection of the high beam in the light switch 74 is switched to drawing an image, the control unit 70 controls the reflector 51 and the leveling unit 37 so that the light LF emitted in the first direction from the reflection control surface 53 of the reflector 51 becomes light that forms a light distribution pattern that constitutes a predetermined image, and the tilt angle of the support member 30 becomes an angle according to the drawing of the predetermined image. Specifically, the control unit 70 refers to a table stored in the storage unit 75 based on a signal input from the light switch 74, and outputs a signal based on a voltage pattern corresponding to the light distribution pattern that constitutes the predetermined image to the reflector drive circuit 72. Based on this signal input from the control unit 70, the reflector drive circuit 72 controls the voltage applied to each reflector element 54, and controls the tilt state of each reflector element 54. Therefore, the light distribution pattern formed by the light LF emitted in the first direction from the reflection control surface 53 of the reflecting portion 51 becomes a light distribution pattern that constitutes a predetermined image, and this light LF passes through the projection lens 60 and is emitted from the lighting unit 20.

[0050] Further, the control unit 70 refers to a table stored in the storage unit 75 based on a signal input from the light switch 74, and outputs a signal based on the tilt angle of the support member 30 corresponding to the light distribution pattern constituting a predetermined image to the leveling drive circuit 73. Based on this signal input from the control unit 70, the leveling drive circuit 73 adjusts the rotation of the motor of the leveling unit 37 to rotate the aiming bolt 38 and adjust the tilt angle in the front-rear direction of the support member 30. Therefore, the tilt angle of the support member 30 becomes the tilt angle corresponding to the light distribution pattern constituting the predetermined image. The light source 41, the reflector 50, the projection lens 60, and the light absorbing plate 65 tilt while maintaining their mutual positional relationship according to the tilt of the support member 30. Therefore, the emission direction of the light LF emitted from the lamp unit 20 becomes the direction according to the tilt angle of the support member 30. In this embodiment, the emission direction of the light LF emitted from the lamp unit 20 in this case is set to a diagonally downward direction. Therefore, it can be understood that the lamp unit 20 adjusts the emission direction of the light LF emitted from the lamp unit 20 in response to a change in the light distribution pattern of the light LF emitted from the reflector 50 as a light distribution pattern forming unit. As described above, since the light distribution pattern formed by the light LF emitted in the first direction from the reflection control surface 53 is a light distribution pattern that constitutes a predetermined image, light of the light distribution pattern that constitutes the predetermined image is emitted from the vehicle lamp 1, and the predetermined image is drawn on the road surface or the like in front of the vehicle. The control unit 70 controls the light source 41 to continue emitting white light L of a predetermined intensity.

[0051] As described above, the vehicle lamp 1 of this embodiment includes the lamp unit 20 having the light source 41 and the reflector 50 as a light distribution pattern forming portion. The reflector 50 as a light distribution pattern forming portion is irradiated with the light L emitted from the light source 41, emits the light LF, and can change the light distribution pattern of the emitted light LF. The lamp unit 20 adjusts the emission direction of the light LF emitted from the lamp unit 20 in response to a change in the light distribution pattern of the light LF emitted from the reflector 50.

[0052] In the vehicle lamp 1 of this embodiment, the light distribution pattern of the light LF emitted from the reflector 50 as the light distribution pattern forming part can be changed to change the light distribution pattern of the emitted light LF. Therefore, the configuration of the vehicle lamp 1 can be simplified compared to a case where a plurality of lamp units that emit light with different light distribution patterns are provided. In addition, in the vehicle lamp 1 of this embodiment, the lamp unit 20 adjusts the emission direction of the light LF emitted from the lamp unit 20 according to a change in the light distribution pattern of the light LF emitted from the reflector 50 as the light distribution pattern forming part. Therefore, this vehicle lamp can change the emission direction of the light LF while changing the light distribution pattern of the emitted light LF with a simple configuration. Therefore, the vehicle lamp 1 of this embodiment can emit a high beam and draw an image on the road surface or the like with one lamp unit.

[0053] In the vehicle lamp 1 of the present embodiment, the lamp unit 20 further includes a support member 30. The support member 30 supports a light source 41 and a reflecting device 50 serving as a light distribution pattern forming section, and tilts in response to a change in the light distribution pattern of light LF emitted from the reflecting device 50.

[0054] Therefore, in the vehicle lamp 1 of this embodiment, the emission direction of the light emitted from the lamp unit 20 changes according to the tilt of the support member 30. Therefore, in the vehicle lamp 1 of this embodiment, the emission direction of the light emitted from the lamp unit 20 can be adjusted by controlling the tilt of the support member 30. In addition, in the vehicle lamp 1 of this embodiment, the light source 41 and the reflecting device 50 as a light distribution pattern forming part are supported by the support member 30. Therefore, in the vehicle lamp 1 of this embodiment, the relative positional deviation between the light source 41 and the reflecting device 50 can be suppressed compared to a case in which the light source 41 and the reflecting device 50 are supported by different members, and the light distribution pattern can be suppressed from changing unintentionally. In addition, in the vehicle lamp 1 of this embodiment, the degree of freedom of the emission direction of the light can be improved compared to a case in which the reflecting device 50 adjusts the emission direction of the light emitted from the lamp unit by changing the emission direction of the light LF emitted from the reflecting device 50.

[0055] In the vehicle lamp 1 of this embodiment, the light distribution pattern forming portion is a reflecting device 50. The reflecting device 50 has a reflection control surface 53 that is configured by reflection surfaces 54r of a plurality of reflecting elements 54 that can be individually switched in tilt state, and onto which light L emitted from the light source 41 is irradiated. The reflecting device 50 reflects the light L emitted from the light source 41 by the reflection control surface 53 to form a light distribution pattern according to the tilt states of the plurality of reflecting elements 54.

[0056] Therefore, in the vehicle lamp 1 of this embodiment, by changing the tilt state of the multiple reflective elements 54, the light distribution pattern of the emitted light can be changed.

[0057] The vehicle lamp 1 of this embodiment further includes a projection lens 60 that adjusts the divergence angle of light LF that is emitted from the reflection control surface 53 and forms a light distribution pattern according to the tilt state of the multiple reflecting elements 54.

[0058] With this configuration, it is easier to set the size of the emitted light distribution pattern to a desired size, compared to a case where the projection lens 60 is not provided.

[0059] In this embodiment, the support member 30 can be tilted in the front-rear direction by rotating the aiming bolt 38 of the leveling unit 37. However, the support member 30 only needs to support the light source 41 and the reflecting device 50 as a light distribution pattern forming unit and tilt in response to a change in the light distribution pattern of the light emitted from the reflecting device 50, and the configuration for supporting the light source 41 and the reflecting device 50 and the configuration for tilting the support member 30 are not particularly limited.

[0060] Second embodiment Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to Fig. 6. Note that components that are the same as or equivalent to those in the first embodiment will be given the same reference numerals and will not be described again unless otherwise specified.

[0061] Fig. 6 is a view showing a vehicle lamp according to a second embodiment of the present invention in the same manner as Fig. 1. As shown in Fig. 6, the lamp unit 20 of this embodiment is mainly different from the lamp unit 20 of the first embodiment in that it includes a lens moving device 80 instead of the leveling unit 37.

[0062] In this embodiment, the support member 30 supports the light source 41, the reflector 50 as a light distribution pattern forming unit, and the light absorbing plate 65 as in the first embodiment, but does not support the projection lens 60. The positional relationship between the light source 41, the reflector 50, and the light absorbing plate 65 is the same as in the first embodiment. Such a support member 30 is fixed to the housing 10 by a configuration not shown in the figure so that the light LF emitted in the first direction from the reflection control surface 53 of the reflector 51 in the reflector 50 is incident on the projection lens 60 arranged in front of the reflector 50. Therefore, the light emitted from the reflector 50 propagates from the rear side to the front side.

[0063] The projection lens 60 of this embodiment is a lens in which the entrance surface 60i and the exit surface 60o are formed in a convex shape, as in the first embodiment. In this embodiment, the projection lens 60 is held not by the support member 30 but by a plate-like lens holding member 61 that is connected to the outer periphery of the projection lens 60 and extends in a substantially vertical direction. The lens holding member 61 is supported by the housing 10 by a configuration (not shown) so that it can move in the extending direction of the lens holding member 61.

[0064] The lens moving device 80 of this embodiment has a rack 81, a pinion 82, a motor 83, and a gear 84 attached to the output shaft of the motor 83. The rack 81 is fixed to a surface of the lens holding member 61 on the light source 41 side below the projection lens 60. The pinion 82 meshes with the rack 81 and the gear 84, and the power of the motor 83 is transmitted to the lens holding member 61 via the gear 84, the pinion 82, and the rack 81. Such a lens holding member 61 is movable in a substantially vertical direction by the power of the motor 83. As described above, the light LF emitted from the reflecting device 50 supported by the support member 30 fixed to the housing 10 propagates from the rear side to the front side. For this reason, it can be understood that the projection lens 60 held by the lens holding member 61 and the reflecting device 50 as the light distribution pattern forming unit supported by the support member 30 as described above are relatively movable in a direction non-parallel to the propagation direction of the light emitted from the reflecting device 50.

[0065] The control unit 70 of this embodiment controls the light source 41, the reflecting unit 51, and the lens moving device 80 based on a signal input from the light switch 74. In this embodiment, when the light switch 74 is turned on and a signal instructing the emission of light and the selection of high beam is input from the light switch 74 to the control unit 70, the control unit 70 controls the light source 41 to emit white light L of a predetermined intensity in the same manner as in the first embodiment, and the light L is irradiated onto the reflection control surface 53. Also, the control unit 70 controls the reflecting device 50 in the same manner as in the first embodiment so that the light distribution pattern formed by the light LF emitted in the first direction from the reflection control surface 53 of the reflecting unit 51 becomes the light distribution pattern PH of high beam. Note that, similar to the first embodiment, most of the light LS emitted in the second direction from the reflection control surface 53 is incident on the light absorbing plate 65 and converted into heat.

[0066] Further, the control unit 70 of this embodiment controls the lens moving device 80 based on a signal input from the light switch 74 so that the vertical position of the projection lens 60 with respect to the reflecting device 50 becomes a predetermined first position. In this embodiment, the predetermined first position of the projection lens 60 with respect to the reflecting device 50 is set to a position where the light LF emitted from approximately the center of the reflection control surface 53 of the reflecting device 50 passes through the center of the projection lens 60. In this manner, the light LF emitted from the reflecting device 50 passes through the projection lens 60 and is emitted from the lamp unit 20, and is emitted from the vehicle lamp 1 through the front cover 12. In this embodiment, as in the first embodiment, the light distribution pattern formed by the light LF emitted from the reflection control surface 53 in the first direction is the light distribution pattern PH of high beam, so that the light of the light distribution pattern PH of high beam is emitted from the vehicle lamp 1.

[0067] In this way, when light of a high beam light distribution pattern PH is emitted from the vehicle lamp 1, and the high beam selection on the light switch 74 is switched to drawing an image, the control unit 70 controls the reflecting unit 51, in the same manner as in the first embodiment described above, so that the light LF emitted from the reflection control surface 53 of the reflecting unit 51 in the first direction becomes light that forms a light distribution pattern that constitutes a predetermined image.

[0068] In addition, the control unit 70 of this embodiment controls the lens moving device 80 based on a signal input from the light switch 74 so that the vertical position of the projection lens 60 relative to the reflecting device 50 becomes a predetermined second position that is moved downward from the above-mentioned predetermined first position. When the vertical position of the projection lens 60 relative to the reflecting device 50 becomes a predetermined second position that is moved downward from the above-mentioned predetermined first position, the exit position of the light LF emitted from the reflecting device 50 on the exit surface 60o of the projection lens 60 changes as shown in FIG. 7. Therefore, the exit direction of the light LF from the exit surface 60o of the projection lens 60 changes. Here, FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of the state of the lighting unit 20 when the projection lens 60 moves, and the projection lens 60 located at the first position is shown in broken lines in FIG. 7. In addition, in FIG. 7, the housing 10 is omitted for easy understanding. In this embodiment, the shapes of the entrance surface 60i and the exit surface 60o of the projection lens 60 are adjusted so that the emission direction of the light LF from the projection lens 60 when the position of the projection lens 60 relative to the reflecting device 50 is the second position is more downward than the emission direction of the light LF from the projection lens 60 when the position of the projection lens 60 relative to the reflecting device 50 is the first position. Therefore, the emission direction of the light LF emitted from the lamp unit 20 is made to be a downward direction compared to the case where the light LF is made to be light that forms a high beam light distribution pattern. Therefore, it can be understood that the lamp unit 20 of this embodiment adjusts the emission direction of the light LF emitted from the lamp unit 20 in accordance with a change in the light distribution pattern of the light LF emitted from the reflecting device 50 as a light distribution pattern forming part, similar to the lamp unit 20 of the first embodiment. As described above, the light distribution pattern formed by the light LF emitted in the first direction from the reflection control surface 53 is a light distribution pattern that constitutes a predetermined image, so that the light of the light distribution pattern that constitutes the predetermined image is emitted from the vehicle lamp 1, and the predetermined image is drawn on the road surface or the like in front of the vehicle. The control unit 70 controls the light source 41 to continue emitting white light L of a predetermined intensity. The storage unit 75 also stores information for the control unit 70 to control the lens moving device 80 as described above, and the control unit 70 outputs a control signal to a drive circuit electrically connected to the lens moving device 80 based on this information.This drive circuit adjusts the rotation of the motor 83 of the lens moving device 80 based on a control signal from the control unit 70. In this manner, the control unit 70 controls the lens moving device 80.

[0069] As described above, the vehicle lamp 1 of this embodiment, like the vehicle lamp 1 of the first embodiment described above, can change the emission direction of the light LF while changing the light distribution pattern of the emitted light LF with a simple configuration, compared to a case in which the vehicle lamp 1 is provided with multiple lamp units that emit light with different light distribution patterns.

[0070] In the vehicle lamp 1 of this embodiment, the lamp unit 20 includes the projection lens 60 through which the light LF emitted from the reflector 50 as a light distribution pattern forming portion passes, as described above. In addition, the projection lens 60 and the reflector 50 move relatively in a direction non-parallel to the propagation direction of the light LF emitted from the reflector 50 in response to a change in the light distribution pattern of the light LF emitted from the reflector 50. As described above, in the vehicle lamp 1 of this embodiment, the projection lens 60 and the reflector 50 move relatively in a direction non-parallel to the propagation direction of the light LF emitted from the reflector 50, so that the emission position of the light LF emitted from the reflector 50 on the emission surface 60o of the projection lens 60 changes, and the emission direction of the light emitted from the projection lens 60 changes. Therefore, the vehicle lamp 1 of this embodiment can adjust the emission direction of the light emitted from the lamp unit 20 by controlling the relative movement between the projection lens 60 and the reflector 50. Moreover, the vehicle lamp 1 of this embodiment can improve the degree of freedom of the light emission direction compared to the case where the reflector 50 adjusts the emission direction of the light emitted from the lamp unit 20 by changing the emission direction of the light LF emitted from the reflector 50. Moreover, in the vehicle lamp 1 of this embodiment, the relative position between the projection lens 60 and the reflector 50 changes due to the movement of the projection lens 60, which is an optical element that does not require power. Therefore, for example, compared to the case where the reflector 50, which is an optical element that requires power, moves, the occurrence of damage such as disconnection can be suppressed, and the deterioration of reliability can be suppressed.

[0071] It should be noted that it is sufficient that the projection lens 60 and the reflecting device 50 move relatively in a direction non-parallel to the propagation direction of the light LF emitted from the reflecting device 50, and for example, the reflecting device 50 may move, or the projection lens 60 and the reflecting device 50 may move. Furthermore, the moving direction of the projection lens 60 and the reflecting device 50 and the configuration for moving them are not particularly limited.

[0072] Third embodiment Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to Fig. 8. Note that components that are the same as or equivalent to those in the first embodiment will be given the same reference numerals and will not be described again unless otherwise specified.

[0073] Fig. 8 is a view showing a vehicle lamp according to a third embodiment of the present invention in the same manner as Fig. 1. As shown in Fig. 8, the lamp unit 20 of this embodiment differs from the lamp unit 20 of the first embodiment mainly in that it includes a plate moving device 90 instead of the leveling unit 37, and that the base plate 31 and the back plate 32 of the support member 30 are separate.

[0074] In this embodiment, the reflecting device 50 and the light absorbing plate 65 are supported on the back plate 32 of the support member 30 in the same manner as in the first embodiment, and the back plate 32 is fixed to the housing 10 by a configuration not shown. On the other hand, the light source 41 is arranged on the base plate 31 of the support member 30 in the same manner as in the first embodiment. In addition, the base plate 31 of this embodiment has a connection part 31s at the rear end thereof that extends in the vertical direction so as to be approximately parallel to the reflection control surface 53 of the reflecting device 50. This base plate 31 is supported on the housing 10 by a configuration not shown so as to be movable in the extending direction of the connection part 31s. Note that the direction approximately parallel to the reflection control surface 53 here refers to, for example, a direction approximately parallel to the reflection control surface 53 when the inclination state of the multiple reflecting elements 54 is a state in which the reflection surfaces 54r of the multiple reflecting elements 54 are located on the same plane.

[0075] The projection lens 60 of this embodiment is a lens in which the entrance surface 60i and the exit surface 60o are formed in a convex shape, as in the first embodiment. In this embodiment, the projection lens 60 is held by a plate-like lens holding member 61 that is connected to the outer periphery of the projection lens 60 and extends in a substantially vertical direction, as in the second embodiment. This lens holding member 61 is fixed to the housing 10 by a configuration not shown. In this embodiment, the rear focal point of the projection lens 60 is located on or in the vicinity of the reflection control surface 53 of the reflector 50, and the optical axis of the projection lens 60 intersects with a region of the reflection control surface 53 below the center of the reflection control surface 53.

[0076] The plate moving device 90 of this embodiment has a rack 91, a pinion 92, a motor 93, and a gear 94 attached to the output shaft of the motor 93. The rack 91 is fixed to the rear surface of the connection portion 31s of the base plate 31. The pinion 92 meshes with the rack 91 and the gear 94, and the power of the motor 93 is transmitted to the base plate 31 via the gear 94, the pinion 92, and the rack 91. Such a base plate 31 is movable in the vertical direction approximately parallel to the reflection control surface 53 of the reflecting device 50 by the power of the motor 93. As described above, the reflecting device 50 is supported by the back plate 32 fixed to the housing 10. For this reason, it can be understood that the light source 41 supported by the base plate 31 and the reflecting device 50 supported by the back plate 32 are relatively movable.

[0077] The control unit 70 of this embodiment controls the light source 41, the reflector 51, and the plate moving device 90 based on a signal input from the light switch 74. In this embodiment, when the light switch 74 is turned on and a signal instructing the light emission and selection of high beam is input from the light switch 74 to the control unit 70, the control unit 70 controls the light source 41 to emit white light L of a predetermined intensity in the same manner as in the first embodiment, and the light L is irradiated onto the reflection control surface 53. In this embodiment, the area on the reflection control surface 53 on which the light L is irradiated is set to a partial area of ​​the reflection control surface 53. In addition, the control unit 70 controls the plate moving device 90 so that the position of the light source 41 in the vertical direction relative to the reflection device 50 is set to a predetermined first position. In this embodiment, the first position is set to a position where the area on the reflection control surface 53 on which the light L is irradiated is a lower area on the reflection control surface 53, and the area on which the light L is irradiated includes the intersection of the optical axis of the projection lens 60 and the reflection control surface 53. The control unit 70 also controls the reflecting device 50 so that the light distribution pattern PH of the high beam is formed by the light LF emitted in the first direction from the region of the reflection control surface 53 irradiated with the light L. That is, the control unit 70 controls the tilt state of the reflecting element 54 located in the region irradiated with the light L to emit the light LF that forms the light distribution pattern PH of the high beam from the reflecting device 50. The region on the reflection control surface 53 from which the light LF that forms the light distribution pattern PH of the high beam is emitted includes the intersection of the optical axis of the projection lens 60 and the reflection control surface 53. Note that, similarly to the first embodiment, most of the light LS emitted in the second direction from the reflection control surface 53 is incident on the light absorbing plate 65 and converted into heat.

[0078] In this way, light L emitted from light source 41 is irradiated onto the lower region of reflection control surface 53, and light LF emitted from this region passes through projection lens 60 to be emitted from lamp unit 20 and then emitted from vehicle lamp 1 via front cover 12. In this embodiment, similar to the first embodiment, the light distribution pattern formed by light LF emitted in the first direction from reflection control surface 53 is a high beam light distribution pattern PH, and therefore light of the high beam light distribution pattern PH is emitted from the vehicle lamp 1.

[0079] In this way, in a state where the light of the high beam light distribution pattern PH is emitted from the vehicle lamp 1, when the selection of the high beam in the light switch 74 is switched to drawing an image, the control unit 70 controls the plate moving device 90 to move the base plate 31. Specifically, the control unit 70 controls the plate moving device 90 so that the position of the light source 41 in the vertical direction relative to the reflection device 50 becomes a predetermined second position that is a position on the upper side than the above-mentioned first position. Therefore, the area on the reflection control surface 53 where the light L is irradiated moves upward. In this case, the area where the light L is irradiated is the upper area on the reflection control surface 53, and does not include the intersection point between the optical axis of the projection lens 60 and the reflection control surface 53. In other words, the control unit 70 controls the plate moving device 90 to move the base plate 31 so that the area where the light L is irradiated becomes such an area. The area irradiated with the light L when the light source 41 is located at the first position and the area irradiated with the light L when the light source 41 is located at the second position may or may not overlap each other. The area irradiated with the light L when the light source 41 is located at the second position may include an intersection between the optical axis of the projection lens 60 and the reflection control surface 53. The control unit 70 controls the reflecting device 50 so that a light distribution pattern constituting a predetermined image is formed by the light LF emitted in the first direction from the area irradiated with the light L of the reflection control surface 53. That is, the control unit 70 controls the tilt state of the reflecting element 54 located in the area irradiated with the light L emitted from the light source 41 located at the second position, and causes the reflecting device 50 to emit the light LF that forms the light distribution pattern constituting the predetermined image. In this embodiment, the area on the reflection control surface 53 from which the light LF that forms the light distribution pattern constituting the predetermined image is emitted does not overlap with the area from which the light LF that forms the high beam light distribution pattern PH is emitted. However, a part of the area for emitting the light LF that forms the light distribution pattern constituting the image may overlap with a part of the area for emitting the light LF that forms the high beam light distribution pattern PH.

[0080] In this way, the area on the reflection control surface 53 where the light L is irradiated moves from the area where the light LF forming the high beam light distribution pattern PH is emitted. Then, the light LF forming the light distribution pattern constituting a predetermined image is emitted from an area at least partially different from the area on the reflection control surface 53 where the light LF forming the high beam light distribution pattern PH is emitted. In other words, it can be understood that the reflection device 50 changes the emission position of the light LF forming the light distribution pattern according to the change in the light distribution pattern of the emitted light LF. In this way, the incident position of the light LF on the entrance surface 60i of the projection lens 60 changes due to the change in the emission position of the light LF forming the light distribution pattern in the reflection device 50. Therefore, the emission position of the light LF emitted from the emission surface 60o of the projection lens 60 changes, and the emission direction from the emission surface 60o of this light LF changes. Here, FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of the state of the lamp unit 20 when the light source 41 moves, and in FIG. 9, the light source 41 located at the first position is indicated by a broken line. In addition, in FIG. 9, the housing 10 is omitted for easy understanding. In this embodiment, the shapes of the entrance surface 60i and the exit surface 60o of the projection lens 60 are adjusted so that the exit direction of the light LF from the projection lens 60 when the position of the light source 41 relative to the reflection device 50 is the second position is more downward than the exit direction of the light LF from the projection lens 60 when the position of the light source 41 relative to the reflection device 50 is the first position. Therefore, the exit direction of the light LF emitted from the lamp unit 20 is made to be a downward direction compared to the case where the light LF is made to be light that forms a high beam light distribution pattern. Therefore, it can be understood that the lamp unit 20 of this embodiment adjusts the exit direction of the light LF emitted from the lamp unit 20 in accordance with a change in the light distribution pattern of the light LF emitted from the reflection device 50 as a light distribution pattern forming part, similarly to the lamp unit 20 of the first embodiment. As described above, the light distribution pattern formed by the light LF emitted in the first direction from the reflection control surface 53 is a light distribution pattern that constitutes a predetermined image, so that the light of the light distribution pattern that constitutes the predetermined image is emitted from the vehicular lamp 1, and the predetermined image is drawn on the road surface or the like in front of the vehicle. The control unit 70 controls the light source 41 to continue emitting white light L of a predetermined intensity.The storage unit 75 also stores information for the control unit 70 to control the plate moving device 90 as described above, and the control unit 70 outputs a control signal based on this information to a drive circuit electrically connected to the plate moving device 90. This drive circuit adjusts the rotation of the motor 93 of the plate moving device 90 based on the control signal from the control unit 70. In this manner, the control unit 70 controls the plate moving device 90.

[0081] As described above, the vehicle lamp 1 of this embodiment, like the vehicle lamp 1 of the first embodiment described above, can change the emission direction of the light LF while changing the light distribution pattern of the emitted light LF with a simple configuration, compared to a case in which the vehicle lamp 1 is provided with multiple lamp units that emit light with different light distribution patterns.

[0082] In the vehicle lamp 1 of the present embodiment, as described above, the reflecting device 50 as a light distribution pattern forming unit changes the emission position of the light LF that forms the light distribution pattern according to the change in the light distribution pattern of the emitted light LF. Therefore, the emission position of the light LF emitted from the reflecting device 50 in the projection lens 60 changes, and the emission direction of the light LF emitted from the projection lens 60 changes. Therefore, the vehicle lamp 1 of the present embodiment can adjust the emission direction of the light LF emitted from the lamp unit 20 by controlling the emission position of the light LF that forms the light distribution pattern in the reflecting device 50. Moreover, the vehicle lamp 1 of the present embodiment can suppress the increase in size of the vehicle lamp compared to a case in which the emission direction of the light LF emitted from the lamp unit 20 is adjusted by moving a member included in the lamp unit 20.

[0083] In this embodiment, the region of the reflection control surface 53 onto which the light L emitted from the light source 41 is irradiated is a partial region of the reflection control surface 53. The light source 41 is moved in response to a change in the light distribution pattern of the light LF emitted from the reflecting device 50, and the region of the reflection control surface 53 onto which the light L is irradiated is moved. However, the emission position of the light LF forming the light distribution pattern may be changed in response to a change in the light distribution pattern of the light LF emitted from the reflecting device 50. For example, when the light L emitted from the light source 41 is irradiated onto almost the entire surface of the reflection control surface 53, it is not necessary to move the light source 41 in response to a change in the light distribution pattern of the light LF emitted from the reflecting device 50. In terms of reducing the amount of the light LS converted into heat by the light absorbing plate 65, it is preferable to move the light source 41 in response to a change in the light distribution pattern of the light LF emitted from the reflecting device 50, as described above.

[0084] Although the present invention has been described above using the above-mentioned embodiments as examples, the present invention is not limited to these.

[0085] For example, in the above embodiment, the vehicle lamp 1 is capable of emitting high beams and drawing a mark similar to a no parking sign. However, the light emitted by the vehicle lamp 1 is not particularly limited. For example, the vehicle lamp 1 may be capable of emitting low beams and drawing a mark similar to a no parking sign, and the image to be drawn may be another mark, may be a character, or may be an image consisting of a mark and a character.

[0086] The vehicle lamp 1 may further include other lamp units, and a light distribution pattern may be formed by the light emitted from the plurality of lamp units. In this case, the lamp unit 20 emits light that forms a part of the light distribution pattern of the light emitted from the vehicle lamp 1. For example, the lamp unit 20 may emit light that forms a part of the high beam light distribution pattern PH.

[0087] In the above embodiment, the lamp unit 20 adjusts the emission direction of the light LF emitted from the lamp unit 20 in the vertical direction according to the change in the light distribution pattern of the light LF emitted from the reflector 50 as the light distribution pattern forming part. However, the lamp unit 20 only needs to adjust the emission direction of the light LF emitted from the lamp unit 20 according to the change in the light distribution pattern of the light LF emitted from the reflector 50, and the lamp unit 20 may adjust the emission direction of the light LF emitted from the lamp unit 20 in the horizontal direction. In this case, for example, the light distribution pattern of the light LF emitted from the reflector 50 may change from the high beam light distribution pattern PH to a light distribution pattern in which the high beam light distribution pattern PH is expanded to the side where the emission direction of the light LF changes. By changing the light distribution pattern of the light LF emitted from the reflector 50 in this way, the vehicle lamp can irradiate light to the destination on a curved road, and can improve visibility on a curved road.

[0088] In the above embodiment, the lamp unit 20 has the projection lens 60. However, the lamp unit 20 does not have to have the projection lens 60.

[0089] In the above embodiment, the lamp unit 20 includes the projection lens 60 consisting of one lens. However, the projection lens 60 may be a lens group consisting of a plurality of lenses arranged in parallel in the transmission direction of the light emitted from the reflector 50 serving as the light distribution pattern forming section.

[0090] In the above embodiment, the light distribution pattern forming unit is configured by the reflection surfaces 54r of the plurality of reflection elements 54, the tilt state of which can be individually switched, and has a reflection control surface 53 on which the light L emitted from the light source 41 is irradiated, and the reflection device 50 is configured to form a light distribution pattern according to the tilt state of the plurality of reflection elements 54 by reflecting the light L emitted from the light source 41 by the reflection control surface 53. However, the light distribution pattern forming unit may be any unit as long as it is irradiated with the light L emitted from the light source 41, emits light, and can change the light distribution pattern of the emitted light. For example, the light distribution pattern forming unit may be a phase modulation element that diffracts the light emitted from the light source with a changeable phase modulation pattern and emits light of a light distribution pattern based on the phase modulation pattern, or may be a liquid crystal display or the like. Examples of the phase modulation element include LCOS (Liquid Crystal On Silicon), which is a reflective liquid crystal panel, LCD (Liquid Crystal display), which is a transmissive liquid crystal panel, and GLV (Grating Light Valve), which has a plurality of reflectors formed on a silicon substrate.

[0091] LCOS includes a silicon substrate on which a plurality of electrodes, each of which has its potential controlled independently, are arranged in a matrix, a transparent electrode, and a liquid crystal layer sandwiched between the electrodes. In LCOS, the potentials of the plurality of electrodes are controlled independently, so that the refractive index of the liquid crystal layer sandwiched between each electrode and the transparent electrode changes independently. Therefore, the light that enters the transparent electrode side, is reflected by the electrode, and is emitted from the transparent electrode side, passes through the liquid crystal layer, which has a refractive index according to the potential of the electrode. Therefore, the phase of the light that enters the LCOS is adjusted for each part corresponding to each electrode, and light with a modulated phase distribution is emitted from the LCOS. Since lights with different phases interfere with each other and are diffracted, the LCOS diffracts the light that enters according to a pattern consisting of the refractive index of the liquid crystal layer corresponding to each electrode, and emits light with a light distribution pattern based on this refractive index pattern. Note that this refractive index pattern is a pattern according to the potential at each electrode, so this refractive index pattern and the potential pattern at each electrode can be understood as a phase modulation pattern. In the LCD, the phase of light incident on the LCD is adjusted for each part corresponding to each electrode, similarly to the LCOS, which is a reflective liquid crystal panel. For this reason, the pattern consisting of the refractive index of the liquid crystal layer corresponding to each electrode and the pattern of the potential at each electrode are phase modulation patterns, and the LCD diffracts the incident light and emits light with a light distribution pattern based on this phase modulation pattern. In the LCD, each electrode is a transparent electrode. The GLV is a reflective phase modulation element, and the phase of light incident on the GLV is adjusted for each part corresponding to each reflector by electrically controlling the deflection of each reflector. For this reason, the pattern consisting of the deflection amount of each reflector and the pattern of the voltage applied to each reflector are phase modulation patterns, and the GLV diffracts the incident light and emits light with a light distribution pattern based on this phase modulation pattern. In addition, these LCOS and GLV can be arranged in the same position as the reflection device 50 in the above embodiment, for example.

[0092] In the above embodiment, the light source 41 is a surface-mounted LED. However, the light source is not particularly limited, and for example, the light source may be a laser element that emits laser light. The number of light sources 41 and the color of light emitted from the light source 41 are also not particularly limited.

[0093] According to the present invention, a vehicle lamp capable of changing the emission direction of light while changing the light distribution pattern of the emitted light with a simple configuration is provided, and can be used in fields such as vehicle lamps for automobiles and the like.

Claims

1. A light source; a light distribution pattern forming unit that is irradiated with light emitted from the light source and emits the light forward and is capable of changing a light distribution pattern of the emitted light; A support member that supports the light source and the light distribution pattern forming unit; A lamp unit having the lighting unit adjusts an emission direction of the light emitted from the lighting unit in response to a change in the light distribution pattern of the light emitted from the light distribution pattern forming portion, The support member tilts in the front-rear direction in response to a change in the light distribution pattern of the light emitted from the light distribution pattern forming portion. A vehicle lamp characterized by the above.

2. A light source; a light distribution pattern forming unit that is irradiated with light emitted from the light source and emits light and is capable of changing a light distribution pattern of the emitted light; a projection lens through which light emitted from the light distribution pattern forming portion passes; A lamp unit having the lighting unit adjusts an emission direction of the light emitted from the lighting unit in response to a change in the light distribution pattern of the light emitted from the light distribution pattern forming portion, The projection lens and the light distribution pattern forming section move relatively in a direction non-parallel to a propagation direction of the light emitted from the light distribution pattern forming section in response to a change in the light distribution pattern of the light emitted from the light distribution pattern forming section and incident on the projection lens. A vehicle lamp characterized by the above.

3. The light distribution pattern forming unit is a reflection device that has a reflection control surface that is configured by the reflection surfaces of a plurality of reflection elements that can be individually switched in tilt state and onto which light emitted from the light source is irradiated, and that reflects the light emitted from the light source by the reflection control surface to form a light distribution pattern according to the tilt states of the plurality of reflection elements.

3. A vehicle lamp according to claim 1 or 2.

4. The light distribution pattern forming portion is a phase modulation element that diffracts light emitted from the light source in a changeable phase modulation pattern and emits light of a light distribution pattern based on the phase modulation pattern.

3. A vehicle lamp according to claim 1 or 2.

5. the light distribution pattern forming unit changes a light distribution pattern of the emitted light between a high beam light distribution pattern and a light distribution pattern that constitutes a predetermined image drawn on a road surface, The support member tilts in the front-rear direction in response to a change between the high beam light distribution pattern and the light distribution pattern constituting the predetermined image.

2. The vehicle lamp according to claim 1.

6. The light distribution pattern of the light incident on the projection lens is changed between a high beam light distribution pattern and a light distribution pattern constituting a predetermined image drawn on a road surface, The projection lens and the light distribution pattern forming unit move relatively in the vertical direction in response to a change between the light distribution pattern of the high beam and the light distribution pattern forming the predetermined image.

3. The vehicle lamp according to claim 2.

Images