Vehicle lighting unit, vehicle lighting device

Abstract

To provide a vehicular light fitting unit which can obtain a second light distribution pattern which is added to a first light distribution pattern and whose light distribution is precisely controlled, and to provide a vehicular light fitting device.SOLUTION: The invention includes: a low beam light source 10L; a low beam lens 1L; a high beam light source 10H; and a high beam optical member 1H. The high beam optical member 1H includes: a high beam lens 13H; and a high beam reflector 14H. As a result, the invention can obtain a high beam light distribution pattern HP which is added to a low beam light distribution pattern LP and whose light distribution is precisely controlled.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a vehicle lighting unit and a vehicle lighting device. [Background technology]

[0002] Vehicle lighting units and vehicle lighting devices that emit a first light distribution pattern and a second light distribution pattern having cutoff lines along the left-right direction of a vehicle are disclosed, for example, in Patent Document 1 and Patent Document 2. Patent Document 1 and Patent Document 2 will be described below.

[0003] The vehicle lamp of Patent Document 1 includes a first light source and a first lens body, and a second light source and a second lens body. The first lens body includes an entrance surface, a reflecting surface, a shade, an extended entrance surface, and an exit surface. The second lens body includes an entrance surface, a reflecting surface, a shade, and an exit surface.

[0004] The vehicle lamp of Patent Document 1 forms a low-beam light distribution pattern as a first light distribution pattern and an ADB light distribution pattern as a second light distribution pattern. That is, light from a first light source enters the first lens body from the entrance surface of the first lens body and exits the first lens body from the exit surface of the first lens body to form a low-beam light distribution pattern. A cutoff line is formed at the upper edge of the low-beam light distribution pattern by the shade.

[0005] Moreover, light from the second light source enters the second lens body from the incident surface of the second lens body, exits the second lens body from the exit surface of the second lens body, enters the first lens body from the extended incident surface of the first lens body, and exits the first lens body from the exit surface of the first lens body to form a light distribution pattern for ADB. The light distribution pattern for ADB is an additional light distribution pattern added to the light distribution pattern for low beam, and has a cutoff line formed at its lower edge by the shade, and is arranged horizontally with its lower end overlapping with the upper end of the light distribution pattern for low beam.

[0006] The headlamp module of Patent Document 2 includes a first light source, a first light-collecting optical element, a light-guiding projection optical element, and a second light source and a second light-collecting optical element. The first light-collecting optical element and the second light-collecting optical element include an incident surface, a reflecting surface, and an exit surface. The light-guiding projection optical element includes an incident surface, a reflecting surface, an exit surface, an additional incident surface, and a ridge portion.

[0007] The headlamp module of Patent Document 2 forms a low beam as a first light distribution pattern and a high beam as a second light distribution pattern. That is, light from a first light source enters the first light-concentrating optical element from the entrance surface of the first light-concentrating optical element, exits the first light-concentrating optical element from the exit surface of the first light-concentrating optical element, enters the light-guiding projection optical element from the entrance surface of the light-guiding projection optical element, and exits the light-guiding projection optical element from the exit surface of the light-guiding projection optical element to form a low beam. A cutoff line is formed on the upper side of the low beam by the ridge of the light-guiding projection optical element.

[0008] Moreover, the light from the second light source is incident from the incident surface of the second light collecting optical element into the second light collecting optical element, and is emitted from the exit surface of the second light collecting optical element to the outside of the second light collecting optical element, and is incident from the incident surface of the light guiding projection optical element into the light guiding projection optical element, and is emitted from the exit surface of the light guiding projection optical element to the outside of the light guiding projection optical element to form a high beam. The high beam is an additional light distribution pattern added to the light distribution pattern for low beam, and a cutoff line is formed on the lower side by the ridge portion of the light guiding projection optical element. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0009] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 6364701 [Patent Document 2] Patent No. 6130602 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0010] However, in the vehicle lamp of Patent Document 1, the light from the second light source that entered the inside of the second lens body is directly emitted from the inside of the second lens body, entered into the inside of the first lens body, and emitted from the inside of the first lens body to form a light distribution pattern for ADB. As a result, the vehicle lamp of Patent Document 1 has a problem in obtaining a light distribution pattern for ADB with precise light distribution control.

[0011] On the other hand, the headlight module of Patent Document 2 forms a high beam by emitting light from the second light source, which is incident on the second light collecting optical element, from the second light collecting optical element, which enters the light guiding projection optical element, and emitting the light from the light guiding projection optical element. As a result, the headlight module of Patent Document 2 has a problem in obtaining a high beam with precisely controlled light distribution.

[0012] The problem that this invention aims to solve is to provide a vehicle lighting unit and a vehicle lighting device that can obtain a second light distribution pattern that is added to a first light distribution pattern and that has precisely controlled light distribution. [Means for solving the problem]

[0013] The vehicle lamp unit of the present invention includes a first light source, a first optical member, a second light source, and a second optical member, the first optical member including a first incident portion through which light from the first light source is incident, a first reflecting surface that reflects the first incident light from the first incident portion, a cutoff line forming portion that controls a portion of the first reflected light from the first reflecting surface to form a cutoff line, and a first reflected light that has passed through the inside of the first optical member from the cutoff line forming portion as a first light distribution pattern having a cutoff line at an upper edge, The first optical member has an exit surface that emits light forward and an extended entrance surface that extends from the cutoff line forming portion to the opposite side of the first entrance portion, and the second optical member has a second entrance portion that receives light from a second light source and a second reflecting surface that reflects the second incident light from the second entrance portion, and the extended entrance surface causes the second reflected light from the second reflecting surface to enter the inside of the first optical member as additional incident light, and the exit surface emits the additional incident light from the extended entrance surface forward as a second light distribution pattern.

[0014] In the vehicle lighting unit of the present invention, it is preferable that the second incident portion and the second reflective surface are arranged one above the other, the second reflective surface has an upper second reflective area and a lower second reflective area, and the upper second reflective area reflects the second reflected light further downward than the second reflected light from the lower second reflective area.

[0015] In the vehicle lighting unit of the present invention, it is preferable that the upper second reflective area is provided above a horizontal line from the cutoff line forming portion or above a horizontal line from below the cutoff line forming portion, and the lower second reflective area is provided below the horizontal line.

[0016] In the vehicle lighting unit of the present invention, it is preferable that the lower second reflective area reflects the second reflected light from the lower second reflective area to a region at the lower edge of the second light distribution pattern, and the upper second reflective area reflects the second reflected light from the upper second reflective area to a region above the lower edge of the second light distribution pattern.

[0017] In the vehicle lamp unit of the present invention, the area of ​​the lower second reflective region is preferably larger than the area of ​​the upper second reflective region.

[0018] In the vehicle lighting unit of the present invention, it is preferable that the first optical member is composed of a first lens, the exit surface of the first optical member is composed of a first exit surface of the first lens, the second optical member includes a second lens that is integral with or separately provided to the first lens, and a reflector that is separate from the first lens and the second lens, the second lens having a second entrance portion and a second exit surface that emits the second incident light from the second entrance portion toward the external reflector, and the reflector has a second reflecting surface that reflects the second exit light emitted from the second exit surface toward the extended entrance surface as second reflected light.

[0019] In the vehicle lighting unit of the present invention, it is preferable that the first optical member is composed of a first lens, the exit surface of the first optical member is composed of a first exit surface of the first lens, and the second optical member is composed of a second lens that is integral with or separately provided to the first lens, and has a second entrance portion, a second reflecting surface that reflects the second incident light from the second entrance portion as second reflected light, and a second exit surface that emits the second reflected light from the second reflecting surface toward the external extended entrance surface.

[0020] In the vehicle lamp unit of the present invention, the first light source and the second light source are preferably attached on the same plane.

[0021] In the vehicle lighting unit of the present invention, it is preferable that the first light source and the first optical member, and the second light source and the second optical member are arranged in a front-to-rear relationship, and that the first light source and the first optical member are arranged forward of the second light source and the second optical member.

[0022] In the vehicle lamp unit of the present invention, the second light source and the second optical member are preferably disposed rearward and downward with respect to the first light source and the first optical member, and are inclined.

[0023] The vehicle lighting device of the present invention is characterized by comprising a lamp lens and a lamp housing which form a lamp chamber, and the vehicle lighting unit of the present invention which is arranged in the lamp chamber. Effect of the Invention

[0024] The vehicle lighting unit and vehicle lighting device of the present invention can obtain a second light distribution pattern that is added to a first light distribution pattern and that has been precisely controlled in light distribution. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0025] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a vertical cross-sectional view showing a first embodiment of a vehicle lighting unit and a vehicle lighting device according to the present invention. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a partially enlarged vertical cross-sectional view showing the main part (an enlarged view of part II in FIG. 1). [Diagram 3] 3 is an explanatory diagram showing emitted (irradiated) light distribution patterns. (A) is an explanatory diagram showing a low-beam light distribution pattern which is a first light distribution pattern. (B) is an explanatory diagram showing a high-beam light distribution pattern which is a second light distribution pattern. (C) is an explanatory diagram showing a low-beam light distribution pattern and a high-beam light distribution pattern superimposed on each other. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a vertical sectional view showing a second embodiment of the vehicle lighting unit and vehicle lighting device according to the present invention. [Diagram 5] FIG. 5 is a partially enlarged vertical cross-sectional view showing the main part (enlarged view of part V in FIG. 4). DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0026] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Two embodiments (examples) of a vehicle lighting unit and a vehicle lighting device according to the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings. These embodiments are applied to countries such as Japan and the UK where vehicles drive on the left side of the road.

[0027] In this specification and the appended claims, the terms "front," "rear," "upper," "lower," "left" and "right" refer to the front, rear, upper, lower, left and right of the lens, vehicle lighting unit and vehicle lighting device of the present invention when installed on a vehicle. In the drawings, the symbols "F" and "B" stand for "front," "rear," "U" and "D" stand for "upper," and "lower," respectively.

[0028] Fig. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing the low beam light distribution pattern and the high beam light distribution pattern projected onto a screen installed 25 m ahead of the vehicle. In Fig. 3, the symbols "VU-VD" indicate the top and bottom vertical lines of the screen, and the symbols "HL-HR" indicate the left and right horizontal lines of the screen.

[0029] Furthermore, since the drawings are schematic diagrams showing the vehicle lighting unit and the vehicle lighting device according to the present invention, the main components of the vehicle lighting unit and the vehicle lighting device according to the present invention are shown, and components other than the main components are omitted. Furthermore, hatching is omitted in Figures 1, 2, 4, and 5.

[0030] (Description of the configuration of the first embodiment) 1 to 3 show a vehicle lighting unit and a vehicle lighting device according to a first embodiment of the present invention. The configurations of a vehicle lighting unit 1U according to the first embodiment (hereinafter referred to as "vehicle lighting unit 1U") and a vehicle lighting device 100 according to the first embodiment (hereinafter referred to as "vehicle lighting device 100") will be described below.

[0031] (Description of Vehicle Lighting Device 100) The vehicle lighting device 100 is installed on the left and right sides of the front of a vehicle (automobile) not shown. In this example, the vehicle lighting device 100 is a vehicle headlamp (headlamp) that irradiates a low beam light distribution pattern LP as a first light distribution pattern shown in Fig. 3(A) and a high beam light distribution pattern HP as a second light distribution pattern shown in Fig. 3(B) forward of the vehicle. The high beam light distribution pattern HP of the second light distribution pattern is an additional light distribution pattern added to the low beam light distribution pattern LP of the first light distribution pattern.

[0032] Fig. 1 is a longitudinal sectional view (vertical sectional view) showing a vehicle lighting device 100. As shown in Fig. 1, the vehicle lighting device 100 includes a lamp housing 101, a lamp lens 102, and a vehicle lighting unit 1U.

[0033] The lamp housing 101 is made of a light-impermeable resin material. The lamp lens 102 is made of a light-transmitting resin material or glass. The lamp lens 102 is an outer lens or an outer cover. The lamp lens 102 conforms to the design surface of the vehicle.

[0034] The lamp housing 101 and the lamp lens 102 form a lamp chamber 103. In the lamp chamber 103, the vehicle lamp unit 1U, one or more other vehicle lamp units (not shown), an inner panel (not shown), and the like are arranged.

[0035] The vehicle lighting device 100 can project a low beam light distribution pattern LP and a high beam light distribution pattern HP ahead of the vehicle using the vehicle lighting unit 1U. The vehicle lighting device 100 can also project, for example, a light distribution pattern for a daytime running lamp, a light distribution pattern for a front turn signal lamp, etc. using other vehicle lighting units.

[0036] (Explanation of low beam light distribution pattern LP and high beam light distribution pattern HP) As shown in Fig. 3A, the low-beam light distribution pattern LP has a horizontal cutoff line along the left-right direction of the vehicle at the upper edge (upper side). The cutoff lines consist of a lower horizontal cutoff line CLD on the right side, an upper horizontal cutoff line CLU on the left side, and a diagonal cutoff line CLS in the middle.

[0037] In the low-beam light distribution pattern LP, the intersection point of the lower horizontal cutoff line CLD and the oblique cutoff line CLS is the elbow point, and the area near this elbow point is the high-luminance area having the highest luminance. The low-beam light distribution pattern LP illuminates the road surface below the cutoff lines CLD, CLS, and CLU, that is, the road surface from the front side of the vehicle to the near side of the vehicle, over a wide range in the left-right direction.

[0038] The high beam distribution pattern HP is located at the upper edge (upper side) of the low beam distribution pattern LP as shown in Figures 3(B) and (C). The lower edge (lower side) of the high beam distribution pattern HP overlaps (is overlapped with) the upper edge (upper side) of the low beam distribution pattern LP along the cutoff lines CLD, CLS, and CLU of the low beam distribution pattern LP.

[0039] As shown in FIG. 3C, the high beam light distribution pattern HP is a light distribution pattern that is more concentrated (converged) than the low beam light distribution pattern LP. The high beam light distribution pattern HP may be a diffused light distribution pattern similar to the low beam light distribution pattern LP. The luminous intensity of the high intensity area of ​​the high beam light distribution pattern HP is higher than the luminous intensity of the high intensity area of ​​the low beam light distribution pattern LP. The high beam light distribution pattern HP illuminates the road surface from the front side of the vehicle to the distant area.

[0040] (Description of 1U vehicle lighting unit) As shown in Figures 1, 2 and 3, the vehicle lighting unit 1U includes a low beam light source 10L as a first light source, a low beam optical member 1L as a first optical member, a high beam light source 10H as a second light source, and a high beam optical member 1H as the second optical member.

[0041] The high beam light source 10H of the second light source and the high beam optical member 1H of the second optical member are additional light sources and optical members added to the low beam light source 10L of the first light source and the low beam optical member 1L of the first optical member.

[0042] The low beam light source 10L and the low beam optical member 1L, and the high beam light source 10H and the high beam optical member 1H are disposed front to back in the horizontal direction.

[0043] (Explanation of low beam light source 10L and high beam light source 10H) In this example, the low beam light source 10L and the high beam light source 10H are light sources of a self-luminous semiconductor light emitting element (semiconductor light emitting element) type, such as an LED, an OEL, or an OLED (organic electroluminescence).

[0044] 1 and 2, the low beam light source 10L and the high beam light source 10H are attached to the same mounting member, in this example, the lower surface of the same substrate 12, in a substantially horizontal direction from front to back. As a result, the low beam light source 10L and the high beam light source 10H are disposed on the same plane.

[0045] The low beam light source 10L and the high beam light source 10H have light emitting surfaces 11L and 11H, respectively. The light emitting surfaces 11L and 11H are opposite to the surface attached to the substrate 12 and face downward.

[0046] Although not shown in the drawings, a heat sink is attached to the substrate 12. As a result, the low beam light source 10L and the high beam light source 10H are attached to the same heat sink via the same substrate 12. The low beam light source 10L and the high beam light source 10H may be attached to separate substrates 12 and separate heat sinks. Even in this case, it is preferable that the low beam light source 10L and the high beam light source 10H are attached on the same plane.

[0047] (Explanation of low beam optical component 1L) The low beam optical member 1L is a light-transmitting member (such as a resin member), and in this example, is composed of a first lens made of a colorless transparent resin material such as acrylic resin, PC (polycarbonate), PMMA (polymethyl methacrylate, methacrylic resin), etc. In the following, the low beam optical member 1L will be referred to as a low beam lens 1L.

[0048] The low beam lens 1L receives light L1 from the low beam light source 10L and projects a low beam light distribution pattern LP having horizontal cutoff lines CLD, CLS, and CLU along the left-right direction of the vehicle forward of the vehicle.

[0049] As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the low beam lens 1L comprises a low beam entrance portion 2L as a first entrance portion, a low beam reflecting surface 3L as a first reflecting surface, a cutoff line forming portion 4L, a first exit surface 5L as an exit surface of the first optical member, an extended entrance surface 6L, and a horizontal surface 7L.

[0050] (Explanation of low beam entrance 2L) The low beam entrance portion 2L is provided on the upper surface of one end portion (rear end portion) of the low beam lens 1L. The low beam entrance portion 2L is provided facing the light emitting surface 11L of the low beam light source 10L. The low beam entrance portion 2L causes at least a portion of the light L1 from the low beam light source 10L to enter as parallel light.

[0051] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the low beam incident portion 2L has a reflecting surface 20L, a first incident surface 21L, and a second incident surface 22L.

[0052] The low beam entrance portion 2L has an entrance optical axis (not shown). The entrance optical axis passes through the centers of the reflecting surface 20L, the first entrance surface 21L, and the second entrance surface 22L. The first entrance surface 21L and the second entrance surface 22L are concave with respect to the reflecting surface 20L.

[0053] The first incident surface 21L is a surface that refracts and incidents the light L1 from the light emitting surface 11L, the light L1 having a solid angle of about 40° with the center of the light emitting surface 11L as a point (vertex of the angle) as the first incident light L11. Note that the solid angle is not particularly limited.

[0054] As shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the second incident surface 22L is a surface that refracts and enters, as second incident light L12, light L1 from the light emitting surface 11L having a solid angle of about 40° to about 90° with the center of the light emitting surface 11L as a point (vertex of the angle). The solid angle is not particularly limited. The second incident surface 22L is a side wall surface on the periphery of the first incident surface 21L. The second incident surface 22L is provided on the outside of the light emitting surface 11L.

[0055] The reflecting surface 20L is a surface that totally reflects the second incident light L12 incident from the second incident surface 22L as reflected light L13 parallel or nearly parallel to the optical axis of the incident portion.

[0056] (Explanation of low beam reflector 3L) The low beam reflecting surface 3L is provided on the underside of one end portion (rear end portion) of the low beam lens 1L. The low beam entrance portion 2L and the low beam reflecting surface 3L are arranged one above the other. As shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the low beam reflecting surface 3L is based on a paraboloid of revolution (not shown). The low beam reflecting surface 3L reflects the first incident light (i.e., the first incident light L11 and the reflected light L13) from the low beam entrance portion 2L as the first reflected light L14 toward the cutoff line forming portion 4L, the first exit surface 5L, and the extended entrance surface 6L.

[0057] (Description of cutoff line forming part 4L) The cutoff line forming unit 4L controls a portion of the first reflected light L14 from the low beam reflective surface 3L to form a cutoff line along the left-right direction of the vehicle, i.e., the lower horizontal cutoff line CLD, the upper horizontal cutoff line CLU and the oblique cutoff line CLS of the low beam distribution pattern LP shown in Figures 3(A) and (C).

[0058] The cutoff line forming portion 4L is provided between the low beam reflecting surface 3L and the first exit surface 5L. The cutoff line forming portion 4L is provided on the lower surface of the middle portion of the low beam lens 1L in the front-rear direction. The cutoff line forming portion 4L has a corner formed by an extended vertical incidence surface 6L and a horizontal surface 7L. The extended vertical incidence surface 6L is inclined such that the upper side is rearward and the lower side is forward.

[0059] The corners of the cutoff line forming portion 4L extend linearly or curvedly in the left-right direction of the vehicle.

[0060] The cutoff line forming portion 4L has a lower horizontal cutoff line forming portion, an upper horizontal cutoff line forming portion, and an oblique cutoff line forming portion. The lower horizontal cutoff line forming portion is provided in the left part from the center in the left-right direction, and forms a lower horizontal cutoff line CLD of the low beam distribution pattern LP. The upper horizontal cutoff line forming portion is provided in the right part from the center in the left-right direction, and forms an upper horizontal cutoff line CLU of the low beam distribution pattern LP. The oblique cutoff line forming portion is provided in the center part in the left-right direction, and forms an oblique cutoff line CLS of the low beam distribution pattern LP.

[0061] The cutoff line forming portion 4L may block light by, for example, refracting or internally reflecting the light that reaches the cutoff line forming portion 4L in a direction different from the direction of the first emission surface 5L, or may have a light absorbing layer disposed in a portion of a horizontal surface including a corner that corresponds to the cutoff line forming portion 4L and absorb the light by this light absorbing layer. Note that the light that is internally reflected or refracted by the cutoff line forming portion 4L is emitted to the outside of the low beam lens 1L and is blocked or absorbed by an inner panel (such as an inner housing) that is outside the low beam lens 1L and disposed in the lamp chamber 103, and is not emitted to the outside of the lamp chamber 103.

[0062] (Explanation of first exit surface 5L) The first exit surface 5L is provided on the front surface of the other end portion (front end portion) of the low beam lens 1L. The first exit surface 5L emits the first reflected light L14 that has passed through the inside of the low beam lens 1L from the cutoff line forming portion 4L as a light distribution pattern having a cutoff line. That is, the first exit surface 5L irradiates the first reflected light L14 as the first exit light L15 to the front of the vehicle. The first exit light L15 forms the low beam light distribution pattern LP (low beam light distribution pattern LP having a lower horizontal cutoff line CLD, an upper horizontal cutoff line CLU, and an oblique cutoff line CLS) shown in FIG. 3(A) and (C).

[0063] (Explanation of low beam reflecting surface 3L and first exit surface 5L) The low beam reflecting surface 3L has a surface shape in which a basic paraboloid of revolution is continuously extended in the left-right direction of the vehicle. The first exit surface 5L has an exit surface focal point LF in the vicinity of the cutoff line forming portion 4L.

[0064] The first reflected light L14 from the low beam reflecting surface 3L is diffused in the left-right direction along the cutoff line forming portion 4L or its vicinity. Therefore, as shown in Figures 3(A) and (C), a low beam light distribution pattern LP with a wide diffusion width on the left and right is formed.

[0065] (Explanation of high beam optical component 1H) The high beam optical member 1H includes a high beam lens 13H as a second lens, and a high beam reflector 14H as a reflector.

[0066] (Explanation of high beam lens 13H) The high beam lens 13H, like the low beam lens 1L, is a light-transmitting material (such as a resin material), and in this example is made of a colorless and transparent resin material such as acrylic resin, PC (polycarbonate), or PMMA (polymethyl methacrylate, methacrylic resin).

[0067] In this example, the high beam lens 13H is provided integrally with the low beam lens 1L at the front and rear. That is, the portion between the low beam entrance portion 2L and the low beam reflecting surface 3L at the rear end portion of the low beam lens 1L and the lower end portion of the high beam lens 13H are integrally connected. The high beam lens 13H may be provided separately from the low beam lens 1L. The high beam lens 13H has a high beam entrance portion 2H as a second entrance portion and a second exit surface 15H.

[0068] (Explanation of high beam entrance 2H) The high beam incident portion 2H is provided on an upper portion of the high beam lens 13H. The high beam incident portion 2H is provided below the light emitting surface 11H of the high beam light source 10H. The high beam incident portion 2H causes at least a portion of the light L2 from the high beam light source 10H to be incident as parallel light.

[0069] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the high beam incident portion 2H has a reflecting surface 20H, a first incident surface 21H, and a second incident surface 22H, similar to the low beam incident portion 2L.

[0070] The high beam incident portion 2H has an incident portion optical axis (not shown). The incident portion optical axis passes through the centers of the reflecting surface 20H, the first incident surface 21H, and the second incident surface 22H. The first incident surface 21H and the second incident surface 22H are concave with respect to the reflecting surface 20H.

[0071] The first incident surface 21H is a surface that refracts and enters the light L2 from the light emitting surface 11H, the light L2 having a solid angle of about 40° with the center of the light emitting surface 11H as a point (vertex of the angle), as the first incident light L21. Note that the solid angle is not particularly limited.

[0072] As shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the second incident surface 22H is a surface that refracts and enters, as second incident light L22, light L2 from the light emitting surface 11H that has a solid angle of about 40° to about 90° with the center of the light emitting surface 11H as a point (vertex of the angle). The solid angle is not particularly limited. The second incident surface 22H is a side wall surface on the periphery of the first incident surface 21H. The second incident surface 22H is provided on the outside of the light emitting surface 11H.

[0073] The reflecting surface 20H is a surface that totally reflects the second incident light L22 incident from the second incident surface 22H as reflected light L23 parallel or nearly parallel to the optical axis of the incident portion.

[0074] (Explanation of second exit surface 15H) The second exit surface 15H is provided on the lower surface of the high beam lens 13H. The second exit surface 15H is provided between the upper high beam entrance portion 2H and the lower high beam reflector 14H.

[0075] The second exit surface 15H outputs the second incident light (that is, the first incident light L21 and the reflected light L23) from the high beam incident portion 2H to the external high beam reflector 14H side.

[0076] (Explanation of high beam reflector 14H) The high beam reflector 14H is provided separately from the low beam lens 1L and the high beam lens 13H. The high beam reflector 14H is disposed behind the low beam lens 1L in the space below the high beam lens 13H.

[0077] One surface of the high beam reflector 14H is provided below the second exit surface 15H of the lower surface of the high beam lens 13H. In addition, one surface of the high beam reflector 14H is provided behind the low beam reflecting surface 3L, the cutoff line forming portion 4L, and the extended entrance surface 6L of the rear end portion of the low beam lens 1L. One surface of the high beam reflector 14H is provided with a high beam reflecting surface 3H as a second reflecting surface.

[0078] (Explanation of 3H high beam reflector) Like the low beam reflecting surface 3L, the high beam reflecting surface 3H is basically a paraboloid of revolution (not shown) as shown in Figures 1 and 2. The high beam reflecting surface 3H reflects the second exit light (i.e., the second incident light from the high beam incident portion 2H, which is the first incident light L21 and the reflected light L23) emitted from the second exit surface 15H toward the cutoff line forming portion 4L and the extended incident surface 6L as the second reflected light L24D (see the long dashed line among the dashed lines in Figures 1 and 2) and L24U (see the short dashed line among the dashed lines in Figures 1 and 2).

[0079] The high beam reflecting surface 3H has an upper high beam reflecting area 3HU and a lower high beam reflecting area 3HD.

[0080] The upper high beam reflective area 3HU is the second reflective area of ​​the high beam reflective surface 3H that is above the horizontal line H from the cutoff line forming portion 4L. The lower high beam reflective area 3HD is the second reflective area of ​​the high beam reflective surface 3H that is below the horizontal line H from the cutoff line forming portion 4L. In this example, the horizontal line H is located on the horizontal surface 7L of the cutoff line forming portion 4L, as shown by the two-dot chain line in Figures 1 and 2. Here, the horizontal surface 7L has a function as a reflective surface. In addition, a reflective surface that protrudes downward may be provided on the horizontal surface 7L. In this case, the horizontal line H is drawn from a point below the cutoff line forming portion 4L.

[0081] The lower high beam reflection region 3HD reflects the second outgoing light (second incident light (first incident light L21 and reflected light L23)) as the second reflected light L24D to the vicinity of the cutoff line forming portion 4L of the extended incident surface 6L. As a result, the second reflected light L24D irradiates the area on the lower edge side (lower side) of the high beam distribution pattern HP. On the other hand, the upper high beam reflection region 3HU reflects the second outgoing light (second incident light (first incident light L21 and reflected light L23)) as the second reflected light L24U to a position on the extended incident surface 6L that is further downward than the vicinity of the cutoff line forming portion 4L where the second reflected light L24D is reflected. As a result, the second reflected light L24U irradiates the area above the lower edge side (lower side) of the high beam distribution pattern HP.

[0082] The area of ​​the lower high beam reflective area 3HD is larger than the area of ​​the upper high beam reflective area 3HU. The lower high beam reflective area 3HD is a reflective surface of a light collecting (converging) system that collects (converges) the second reflected light L24D from the lower high beam reflective area 3HD more than the second reflected light L24U from the upper high beam reflective area 3HU.

[0083] (Explanation of extended entrance surface 6L) The extended incident surface 6L causes the second reflected light L24D, L24U that has passed through the cutoff line forming portion 4L to be incident again into the low beam lens 1L as additional incident light L26D (see the long dashed line among the dashed lines in Figures 1 and 2) and L26U (see the short dashed line among the dashed lines in Figures 1 and 2).

[0084] (Further explanation of the first exit surface 5L) The first exit surface 5L irradiates the second reflected light L24D, L24U that has passed through the cutoff line forming portion 4L, which is additional incident light L26D, L26U, forward of the vehicle as second exit light L25D (see the long dashed line among the dashed lines in Figs. 1 and 2) and L25U (see the short dashed line among the dashed lines in Figs. 1 and 2). This forms a high beam distribution pattern HP.

[0085] (Description of Function of First Embodiment) The vehicle lighting unit 1U according to the first embodiment and the vehicle lighting device 100 according to the first embodiment are configured as described above, and their operation will be described below.

[0086] The low beam light source 10L is turned on. Then, light L1 from the low beam light source 10L enters the low beam lens 1L from the low beam entrance portion 2L of the low beam lens 1L. The first incident light (i.e., the first incident light L11 and the reflected light L13) that enters the low beam lens 1L from the low beam entrance portion 2L is reflected by the low beam reflecting surface 3L toward the cutoff line forming portion 4L as the first reflected light L14.

[0087] A part of the first reflected light L14 is controlled by the cutoff line forming unit 4L. The first reflected light L14 that passes through the inside of the low beam lens 1L from the cutoff line forming unit 4L is irradiated forward of the vehicle as the first emitted light L15 from the first emission surface 5L. The first emitted light L15 forms the low beam light distribution pattern LP shown in Figs. 3(A) and (C).

[0088] With the low beam light source 10L still on, the high beam light source 10H is turned on. Then, the light L2 from the high beam light source 10H enters the high beam lens 13H from the high beam entrance portion 2H of the high beam lens 13H. The second incident light (i.e., the first incident light L21 and the reflected light L23) that entered the high beam lens 13H from the high beam entrance portion 2H exits from the second exit surface 15H to the high beam reflector 14H outside the high beam lens 13H, and is reflected by the high beam reflecting surface 3H to the cutoff line forming portion 4L as the second reflected light L24D and L24U.

[0089] The second reflected light beams L24D and L24U pass through the cutoff line forming portion 4L and are incident again into the low beam lens 1L from the extended incident surface 6L as additional incident light beams L26D and L26U.

[0090] The additional incident light L26D, L26U is irradiated from the first exit surface 5L as the second exit light L25D, L25U toward the front of the vehicle. The second exit light L25D, L25U forms the high beam distribution pattern HP shown in Figures 3(B) and (C). The high beam distribution pattern HP is added to the low beam distribution pattern LP as shown in Figure 3(C).

[0091] (Explanation of Effects of the First Embodiment) The vehicle lighting unit 1U according to the first embodiment and the vehicle lighting device 100 according to the first embodiment have the above-mentioned configuration and function, and the effects thereof will be described below.

[0092] In the vehicle lamp unit 1U according to the first embodiment, the high beam optical member 1H includes a high beam entrance portion 2H and a high beam reflecting surface 3H. The high beam entrance portion 2H causes light L2 from the high beam light source 10H to enter as second incident light (i.e., first incident light L21 and reflected light L23). The high beam reflecting surface 3H reflects the second incident light from the high beam entrance portion 2H as second reflected light L24D and L24U.

[0093] As a result, the vehicle lamp unit 1U according to the first embodiment causes the second reflected light L24D, L24U, which has been subjected to light distribution control by the high beam reflecting surface 3H, to enter the low beam lens 1L from the extended incident surface 6L as additional incident light L26D, L26U, and causes the additional incident light L26D, L26U to exit the low beam lens 1L from the first exit surface 5L, thereby forming a high beam light distribution pattern HP. As a result, the vehicle lamp unit 1U according to the first embodiment can obtain a high beam light distribution pattern HP, which has been precisely controlled by the high beam reflecting surface 3H.

[0094] In the vehicle lamp unit 1U according to the first embodiment, the high beam reflecting surface 3H has an upper high beam reflecting area 3HU and a lower high beam reflecting area 3HD. The upper high beam reflecting area 3HU reflects the second reflected light L24U lower than the second reflected light L24D from the lower high beam reflecting area 3HD.

[0095] As a result, the vehicle lamp unit 1U according to the first embodiment can precisely control the light distribution of the high beam light distribution pattern HP.

[0096] In the vehicle lamp unit 1U according to the first embodiment, the upper high beam reflective area 3HU is provided on the high beam reflective surface 3H above the horizontal line H from the cutoff line forming portion 4L. The lower high beam reflective area 3HD is provided above the horizontal line H.

[0097] As a result, the vehicle lamp unit 1U according to the first embodiment can precisely control the light distribution of the high beam light distribution pattern HP.

[0098] In the vehicle lamp unit 1U according to the first embodiment, the lower high beam reflective area 3HD reflects the second reflected light L24D from the lower high beam reflective area 3HD to the area at the lower edge of the high beam distribution pattern HP. The upper high beam reflective area 3HU reflects the second reflected light L24U from the upper high beam reflective area 3HU to the area above the lower edge of the high beam distribution pattern HP.

[0099] As a result, the vehicle lamp unit 1U according to the first embodiment can precisely control the light distribution of the high beam light distribution pattern HP.

[0100] In the vehicle lamp unit 1U according to the first embodiment, the area of ​​the lower high beam reflective region 3HD is larger than the area of ​​the upper high beam reflective region 3HU.

[0101] As a result, the vehicle lamp unit 1U according to the first embodiment is suitable for forming a high luminous intensity zone at the lower edge of the high beam light distribution pattern HP.

[0102] The vehicle lighting unit 1U according to the first embodiment includes a low beam lens 1L and a high beam optical member 1H. The low beam lens 1L is composed of a first lens. The high beam optical member 1H includes a high beam lens 13H as a second lens and a high beam reflector 14H. The low beam lens 1L of the first lens and the high beam lens 13H of the second lens are integrally provided. The high beam reflector 14H is provided separately from the low beam lens 1L and the high beam lens 13H.

[0103] As a result, since the vehicle lighting unit 1U of this embodiment 1 has the low beam lens 1L and the high beam lens 13H integrally formed, the relative positional relationship between the low beam lens 1L and the high beam lens 13H can be precisely maintained and the number of parts can be reduced.

[0104] In addition, in the vehicle lamp unit 1U according to the first embodiment, the high beam reflector 14H, the low beam lens 1L, and the high beam lens 13H are provided separately, so that the structures of the high beam reflector 14H, the low beam lens 1L, and the high beam lens 13H can be easily manufactured separately, and the structures of the high beam reflector 14H, the low beam lens 1L, and the high beam lens 13H can be simplified. In addition, the degree of freedom in designing the high beam reflecting surface 3H of the high beam reflector 14H and the low beam reflecting surface 3L of the low beam lens 1L is increased.

[0105] The vehicle lamp unit 1U according to the first embodiment has the low beam light source 10L and the high beam light source 10H mounted on the same plane. As a result, the vehicle lamp unit 1U according to the first embodiment can share the board 12 and the associated heat sink for the low beam light source 10L and the high beam light source 10H without providing separate ones for each, thereby reducing the number of parts and the manufacturing cost.

[0106] In the vehicle lamp unit 1U according to the first embodiment, the low beam light source 10L, the low beam lens 1L, the high beam light source 10H, and the high beam optical member 1H are arranged in a front-to-back arrangement in the horizontal direction. As a result, the vehicle lamp unit 1U according to the first embodiment can keep its vertical height low, making it ideal for lamps that are thin in the vertical direction.

[0107] In the vehicle lamp unit 1U according to the first embodiment, the low beam light source 10L and the low beam lens 1L are disposed in front of the high beam light source 10H and the high beam optical member 1H. As a result, the vehicle lamp unit 1U according to the first embodiment can form a low beam light distribution pattern LP with precise light distribution control.

[0108] In the vehicle lamp unit 1U according to the first embodiment, the high beam light source 10H and the high beam optical member 1H are arranged rearward and downwardly inclined with respect to the low beam light source 10L and the low beam lens 1L. As a result, the vehicle lamp unit 1U according to the first embodiment can form a high beam light distribution pattern HP with precisely controlled light distribution.

[0109] (Description of the configuration of the second embodiment) 4 and 5 show a vehicle lighting unit and a vehicle lighting device according to a second embodiment of the present invention. Hereinafter, the configurations of a vehicle lighting unit 1AU (hereinafter referred to as "vehicle lighting unit 1AU") and a vehicle lighting device 100A (hereinafter referred to as "vehicle lighting device 100A") according to the second embodiment will be described. In the drawings, the same reference numerals as those in Figs. 1 to 3 indicate the same components.

[0110] The high beam optical member 1H in the vehicle lamp unit 1U of the first embodiment includes a high beam lens 13H and a high beam reflector 14H. In contrast, the high beam optical member 1AH in the vehicle lamp unit 1AU of the second embodiment is composed of a high beam lens 1AH. Hereinafter, the high beam optical member 1AH will be referred to as the high beam lens 1AH.

[0111] (High beam lens 1AH explanation) The high beam lens 1AH is disposed horizontally in front of and behind the low beam lens 1L. The front surface of the high beam lens 1AH faces the low beam entrance portion 2L, the low beam reflecting surface 3L, the cutoff line forming portion 4L, and the extended entrance surface 6L on the rear surface of the low beam lens 1L.

[0112] The high beam lens 1AH is provided integrally with the low beam lens 1L (see the dashed lines in Figs. 4 and 5) or separately. When the high beam lens 1AH and the low beam lens 1L are integrated, it is necessary to form a space S between the front of the middle part of the high beam lens 1AH and the low beam reflecting surface 3L on the rear surface of the low beam lens 1L.

[0113] This space S causes the first incident light (first incident light L11, reflected light L13) to be reflected by the low beam reflecting surface 3L. In other words, if the space S is not formed, the first incident light (first incident light L11, reflected light L13) will travel straight without being reflected by the low beam reflecting surface 3L. The space S is formed to prevent the first incident light (first incident light L11, reflected light L13) from traveling straight.

[0114] The high beam lens 1AH includes a high beam entrance portion 2AH as a second entrance portion, a high beam reflecting surface 3AH as a second reflecting surface, and a second exit surface 15AH.

[0115] (Explanation of high beam entrance 2AH) The high beam incident portion 2AH is provided at the upper end portion of the high beam lens 13AH. The high beam incident portion 2AH faces the light emitting surface 11H of the high beam light source 10H.

[0116] The high beam incident portion 2AH of this embodiment 2 has a reflecting surface 20H, a first incident surface 21H, and a second incident surface 22H, similar to the high beam incident portion 2H of the embodiment 1 described above.

[0117] (Explanation of high beam reflector 3AH) The high beam reflecting surface 3H in the first embodiment is provided on the high beam reflector 14H, whereas the high beam reflecting surface 3AH in the second embodiment is provided on the high beam lens 1AH.

[0118] The high beam reflecting surface 3AH is provided on the rear surface of the high beam lens 13AH from the middle to the lower end. The high beam reflecting surface 3AH is provided below the high beam entrance portion 2AH. The high beam reflecting surface 3AH is also provided behind the second exit surface 15AH. The high beam entrance portion 2AH and the high beam reflecting surface 3AH of the high beam lens 13AH are arranged one above the other.

[0119] The high beam reflecting surface 3H reflects the second incident light (the first incident light L21 and the reflected light L23) from the high beam incident portion 2AH as second reflected light L24D, L24U via the second exit surface 15AH toward the cutoff line forming portion 4L and the extended incident surface 6L.

[0120] Similarly to the high beam reflecting surface 3H of the first embodiment, the high beam reflecting surface 3AH of the second embodiment has an upper high beam reflecting area 3AHU and a lower high beam reflecting area 3AHD.

[0121] (Explanation of second exit surface 15AH) The second exit surface 15AH is provided on the front surface of the lower end portion of the high beam lens 13AH. The second exit surface 15AH is provided in front of the high beam reflecting surface 3AH. The second exit surface 15AH is also provided on the rear side of the cutoff line forming portion 4L and the extended entrance surface 6L on the rear surface of the low beam lens 1L.

[0122] The second exit surface 15AH emits the second reflected light beams L24D and L24U from the high beam reflecting surface 3AH toward the cutoff line forming portion 4L and the extended entrance surface 6L on the rear surface of the low beam lens 1L.

[0123] (Explanation of the Function of the Second Embodiment) The vehicle lighting unit 1AU according to the second embodiment and the vehicle lighting device 100A according to the second embodiment are configured as described above, and their operation will be described below.

[0124] The configurations of the low beam light source 10L and the low beam optical member 1L in the vehicle lamp unit 1AU of the embodiment 2 are almost the same as the configurations of the low beam light source 10L and the low beam optical member 1L in the vehicle lamp unit 1U of the embodiment 1. Therefore, when the low beam light source 10L is turned on, the low beam light distribution pattern LP shown in Figures 3(A) and (C) is irradiated ahead of the vehicle.

[0125] The configuration of the high beam incident portion 2AH in the vehicle lamp unit 1AU of the second embodiment is substantially the same as the configuration of the high beam incident portion 2H in the vehicle lamp unit 1U of the first embodiment. Therefore, the high beam light source 10H is turned on while the low beam light source 10L is kept on. Then, the light L2 from the high beam light source 10H is incident as the second incident light (the first incident light L21 and the reflected light L23) from the high beam incident portion 2AH of the high beam lens 1AH.

[0126] The second incident light (the first incident light L21 and the reflected light L23) is reflected as the second reflected light L24U by the upper high beam reflective region 3AHU, through the second exit surface 15AH, to the extended incident surface 6L below the cutoff line forming portion 4L. The second incident light (the first incident light L21 and the reflected light L23) is reflected as the second reflected light L24D by the lower high beam reflective region 3AHD, through the second exit surface 15AH, to the extended incident surface 6L near the cutoff line forming portion 4L.

[0127] The second reflected light beams L24D, L24U are temporarily emitted to the outside from the high beam lens 1AH via the second emission surface 15AH, and then enter the low beam lens 1L again as additional incident light beams L26D, L26U via the extended incident surface 6L.

[0128] The additional incident light L26D, L26U is irradiated from the first emission surface 5L of the low beam lens 1L to the front of the vehicle as the second emission light L25D, L25U. The second emission light L25D, L25U is irradiated to the front of the vehicle as the high beam light distribution pattern HP shown in Figures 3(B) and (C). As a result, the high beam light distribution pattern HP is added to the low beam light distribution pattern LP as shown in Figure 3(C).

[0129] (Explanation of Effects of the Second Embodiment) The vehicle lighting unit 1AU according to this embodiment 2 and the vehicle lighting device 100A according to this embodiment 2 have the configuration and function described above, and can achieve effects similar to those of the vehicle lighting unit 1U according to the first embodiment and the vehicle lighting device 100 according to this embodiment 1.

[0130] In particular, in the vehicle lamp unit 1AU according to the second embodiment, the high beam optical member 1AH is composed of the high beam lens 1AH, and therefore the high beam light distribution pattern HP can be more precisely controlled in comparison with the high beam optical member 1H in the vehicle lamp unit 1U according to the first embodiment, which is composed of the high beam lens 13H and the high beam reflector 14H. Moreover, the structure is simple, and the number of parts can be reduced, which reduces the manufacturing cost.

[0131] Moreover, in the vehicle lamp unit 1AU according to the second embodiment, the high beam optical member 1AH is disposed at an incline rearward and downward with respect to the low beam lens 1L. As a result, the vehicle lamp unit 1AU according to the second embodiment can reliably totally reflect the second incident light (the first incident light L21 and the reflected light L23) as the second reflected light L24D and L24U on the high beam reflecting surface 3AH of the high beam lens 1AH.

[0132] (Explanation of examples other than embodiments 1 and 2) In the above-mentioned first and second embodiments, examples are described in which the present invention is applied to countries such as Japan and the UK where people drive on the left side of the road. However, the present invention can also be applied to countries such as Europe and the US where people drive on the right side of the road. In the case of right-side driving, the left and right are reversed from the case of left-side driving. For example, the low beam light distribution pattern LP and the high beam light distribution pattern HP shown in FIG. 3 are left and right reversed low beam light distribution patterns and high beam light distribution patterns.

[0133] In the above-mentioned first and second embodiments, the high beam light distribution pattern HP is described as the second light distribution pattern. However, in the present invention, the second light distribution pattern can be applied to a light distribution pattern other than the high beam light distribution pattern HP, for example, an ADB light distribution pattern. In the ADB light distribution pattern, a vertical cutoff line is also required in addition to a horizontal cutoff line.

[0134] Furthermore, in the above-mentioned first and second embodiments, the low beam light source 10L and the low beam lens 1L, the high beam light source 10H and the high beam optical member (high beam lens 13H and high beam reflector 14H) of the first embodiment, and the high beam lens 1AH of the second embodiment are arranged front to back in the horizontal direction. However, in this invention, the low beam light source 10L and the low beam lens 1L, the high beam light source 10H and the high beam optical member (high beam lens 13H and high beam reflector 14H) of the first embodiment, and the high beam lens 1AH of the second embodiment may be arranged left to right or diagonally left to right in the horizontal direction, or may be arranged up and down or diagonally up and down in the vertical direction.

[0135] Furthermore, in the above-mentioned first and second embodiments, the low beam light source 10L and the high beam light source 10H are attached to the front and rear of the same lower surface of the same mounting member, the same board 12. However, in this invention, the low beam light source 10L and the high beam light source 10H may be attached to separate mounting members, i.e., separate boards, or may be attached to separate surfaces. In this case, the heat sink may be the same heat sink or separate heat sinks.

[0136] It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the above-described first embodiment. [Explanation of symbols]

[0137] 1U Vehicle Light Unit 1L Low beam lens (low beam optical component, first optical component) 10L Low beam light source (first light source) 11L Light emitting surface 12 Substrate 2L low beam incidence section (first incidence section) 20L reflective surface 21L First entrance surface 22L Second entrance surface 3L Low beam reflective surface (first reflective surface) 4L Cut-off line forming section 5L 1st exit surface 6L extended entrance surface 7L horizontal plane 1H High beam optical component (second optical component) 10H High beam light source (second light source) 11H Light-emitting surface 13H High beam lens 14H High beam reflector 15H 2nd exit surface 2H High beam entrance (second entrance) 20H reflective surface 21H First entrance surface 22H Second entrance surface 3H High beam reflective surface (second reflective surface) 3HU Upper high beam reflective area 3HD Lower high beam reflective area 100 Vehicle lighting device 101 Lamp housing 102 Lamp lens 103 Light room 1AU vehicle lighting unit 1AH High beam lens (high beam optical component, second optical component) 15AH 2nd exit surface 2AH High beam entrance (second entrance) 3AH High beam reflector (second reflector) 3AHU Upper high beam reflective area 3AHD Lower high beam reflective area 100A Vehicle lighting equipment L1 light (light from low beam light source 10L) L11 First incident light (First incident light) L12 Second incident light L13 Reflected light (first incident light) L14 1st reflected light L15 1st output light L2 light (light from high beam light source 10H) L21 First incident light (Second incident light) L22 Second incident light L23 Reflected light (second incident light) L24D, L24U 2nd reflected light L25D, L25U 2nd output light L26D, L26U Additional incident light LF exit surface focus Before F After B U Top D bottom LP Low beam light distribution pattern (first light distribution pattern) CLD Lower horizontal cut-off line CLS Diagonal cut-off line CLU Upper horizontal cut-off line HP High beam pattern (secondary pattern) HL-HR Left and right horizontal lines of the screen VU-VD Screen vertical lines S space

Claims

1. A first light source, a first optical member, a second light source, and a second optical member, The first optical member is A first incident portion to which light from the first light source is incident; a first reflecting surface that reflects the first incident light from the first incident portion; a cutoff line forming unit that forms a cutoff line by controlling a part of the first reflected light from the first reflecting surface; an exit surface that outputs the first reflected light that has passed through the inner side of the first optical member from the cutoff line forming portion to a front of the vehicle as a first light distribution pattern having the cutoff line at an upper end edge; an extended incident surface provided by extending from the cutoff line forming portion to an opposite side to the first incident portion; Equipped with The second optical member is A second incident portion to which light from the second light source is incident; a second reflecting surface that reflects the second incident light from the second incident portion; Equipped with the extended incidence surface causes the second reflected light from the second reflection surface to enter the first optical member as an additional incident light, The exit surface outputs the additional incident light from the extended incident surface in a second light distribution pattern forward of the vehicle, The second incident portion and the second reflecting surface are disposed one above the other, the second reflective surface has an upper second reflective area and a lower second reflective area, The upper second reflection area reflects the second reflected light downward relative to the second reflected light from the lower second reflection area. A vehicle lighting unit comprising:

2. A first light source, a first optical member, a second light source, and a second optical member, The first optical member is A first incident portion to which light from the first light source is incident; a first reflecting surface that reflects the first incident light from the first incident portion; a cutoff line forming unit that forms a cutoff line by controlling a part of the first reflected light from the first reflecting surface; an exit surface that outputs the first reflected light that has passed through the inner side of the first optical member from the cutoff line forming portion to a front of the vehicle as a first light distribution pattern having the cutoff line at an upper end edge; an extended incident surface provided by extending from the cutoff line forming portion to an opposite side to the first incident portion; Equipped with The second optical member is A second incident portion to which light from the second light source is incident; a second reflecting surface that reflects the second incident light from the second incident portion; Equipped with the extended incidence surface causes the second reflected light from the second reflection surface to enter the first optical member as an additional incident light, The exit surface outputs the additional incident light from the extended incident surface in a second light distribution pattern forward of the vehicle, The first light source and the second light source are mounted on the same plane. A vehicle lighting unit comprising:

3. The upper second reflection area is provided above a horizontal line from the cutoff line forming part or above a horizontal line from a lower side than the cutoff line forming part, The lower second reflective area is provided below the horizontal line.

2. The vehicle lamp unit according to claim 1.

4. the lower second reflective area reflects the second reflected light from the lower second reflective area toward a lower edge area of ​​the second light distribution pattern, The upper second reflection area reflects the second reflected light from the upper second reflection area to an area above a lower edge of the second light distribution pattern.

4. The vehicle lamp unit according to claim 1 or 3.

5. The area of ​​the lower second reflection region is larger than the area of ​​the upper second reflection region.

5. A vehicle lamp unit according to claim 1, 3 or 4.

6. The first optical member is composed of a first lens, the exit surface of the first optical member is formed from a first exit surface of the first lens, The second optical member is a second lens provided integrally with or separately from the first lens; a reflector separate from the first lens and the second lens; Equipped with The second lens is The second incident portion; a second exit surface that outputs the second incident light from the second incident portion to an external side of the reflector; having The reflector is The second reflecting surface reflects the second emitted light emitted from the second emission surface toward the extended incidence surface as the second reflected light.

6. A vehicle lamp unit according to claim 1, 3 or 5.

7. The first optical member is composed of a first lens, the exit surface of the first optical member is formed from a first exit surface of the first lens, The second optical member is The optical system includes a second lens that is provided integrally with or separately from the first lens, The second incident portion; the second reflecting surface that reflects the second incident light from the second incident portion as the second reflected light; a second exit surface that outputs the second reflected light from the second reflecting surface toward the extended incident surface; Equipped with 6. A vehicle lamp unit according to claim 1, 3 or 5.

8. The first light source and the second light source are mounted on the same plane.

8. The vehicle lamp unit according to claim 1, 3 or 7.

9. The first light source and the first optical member, and the second light source and the second optical member are disposed in front and behind each other, The first light source and the first optical member are disposed in front of the second light source and the second optical member.

9. The vehicle lamp unit according to claim 1,

10. The second light source and the second optical member are disposed rearward and downward with respect to the first light source and the first optical member, and are inclined.

10. The vehicle lamp unit according to claim 9.

11. a lamp lens and a lamp housing forming a lamp chamber; The vehicle lamp unit according to any one of claims 1 to 10, which is disposed in the lamp chamber; Equipped with A vehicle lighting device comprising:

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