Vehicle lighting fixtures

Abstract

To provide a vehicular lamp fitting which obtains a good light distribution pattern and enables further downsizing.SOLUTION: A vehicular lamp fitting includes: a first light source 2 which emits a first light; a second light source 3 which is disposed adjacent to the first light source 2 and emits a second light L2 in the same direction as the first light; and a projection lens 4 which projects the first light and the second light L2 in the same direction. The projection lens 4 includes: a first incident part 6 located at the side facing the first light source 2; a second incident part 7 located at the side facing the second light source 3; an emission part 8 located at the opposite side of the first incident part 6 and the second incident part 7; and a slit 9 which cuts out a space between the first incident part 6 and the second incident part 7.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical field]

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

[0002] For example, a vehicle lighting fixture such as a vehicle headlamp includes a light source, a reflector that reflects light emitted from the light source in the direction in which the vehicle is traveling, a shade that blocks (cuts) a portion of the light reflected by the reflector, and a projection lens that projects the light that has been cut by the shade in the direction in which the vehicle is traveling.

[0003] In such vehicle lamps, a low beam light distribution pattern including a cutoff line at the upper end is formed by inverting and projecting the light source image defined by the front end of the shade using a projection lens to provide a passing beam (low beam).

[0004] In addition, in vehicle lighting fixtures, a separate light source that emits light in the direction the vehicle is traveling is placed below the shade, and the light emitted by this light source is projected by a projection lens as a driving beam (high beam), forming a high beam light distribution pattern above the low beam light distribution pattern.

[0005] Incidentally, in the vehicle lamp described in the following Patent Document 1, it is proposed to form a low beam light distribution pattern and a high beam light distribution pattern by using a projection lens that projects light emitted from two light sources, one above and one below, in the same direction, instead of the reflector and shade described above. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0006] [Patent Document 1] JP 2018-174159 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0007] However, in the vehicle lamp described in Patent Document 1, the two upper and lower light sources are arranged at different angles to the projection lens, which means that the two upper and lower light sources cannot be arranged adjacent to each other, which causes a problem that the vehicle lamp becomes large in size.

[0008] The present invention has been proposed in view of the above-mentioned conventional circumstances, and has an object to provide a vehicle lamp which can obtain a good light distribution pattern and which can be further miniaturized. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides the following means. [1] A first light source that emits a first light; a second light source disposed adjacent to the first light source and configured to emit a second light in the same direction as the first light; a projection lens that projects the first light and the second light in the same direction; The projection lens has a first entrance portion located on a side facing the first light source; a second incident portion located on a side opposite to the second light source; an exit portion located on the opposite side to the first entrance portion and the second entrance portion; a slit formed between the first incident portion and the second incident portion; Has the emission portion includes a first emission surface located on the same side as the first incident portion in a first direction in which the first incident portion and the second incident portion are aligned, and a second emission surface located on the same side as the second incident portion, the first emission surface is configured with a lens surface that is curved convexly in the first direction and curved concavely in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction, The second exit surface is configured with a lens surface that is convexly curved in the first direction and convexly curved in the second direction. A vehicle lamp characterized by the above. [2] The optical element according to the above-mentioned [, wherein a focal point of a lens surface constituting the first exit surface and a focal point of a lens surface constituting the second exit surface are at different positions from each other in a direction along an optical axis of the second light emitted from the second light source. 1 ] A vehicle lamp according to the above. [3] The projection lens includes a first reflecting surface located on one side of the slit and configured to reflect a part of the first light incident from the first incident portion; a second reflecting surface located on the other side of the slit and configured to reflect a portion of the second light incident from the second incident portion, The first reflecting surface and the second reflecting surface are butted against each other at the bottom of the slit. Or [2] 2. A vehicle lamp according to claim 1 . [4] A first light source that emits a first light; a second light source disposed adjacent to the first light source and configured to emit a second light in the same direction as the first light; a projection lens that projects the first light and the second light in the same direction; The projection lens has a first entrance portion located on a side facing the first light source; a second incident portion located on a side opposite to the second light source; an exit portion located on the opposite side to the first entrance portion and the second entrance portion; a slit formed between the first incident portion and the second incident portion; a first reflecting surface located on one side of the slit and configured to reflect a portion of the first light incident from the first incident portion; a second reflecting surface located on the other side of the slit and configured to reflect a portion of the second light incident from the second incident portion, The vehicle lamp, wherein the first reflecting surface and the second reflecting surface are butted against each other at a bottom of the slit. [5] The first incident portion includes a first incident surface formed of a plane, The vehicular lamp according to any one of the above [1] to [4], wherein the second incident portion includes a second incident surface formed of a flat surface. [6] The vehicular lamp according to any one of [1] to [5], wherein the first light source and the second light source are provided on the same surface of the same substrate. [7] The first light projected by the projection lens forms a first light distribution pattern including a cutoff line formed by the bottom of the slit at an upper end thereof, The vehicular lamp according to any one of claims [1] to [6], characterized in that the second light projected by the projection lens forms a second light distribution pattern located above the first light distribution pattern. Effect of the Invention

[0010] As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to provide a vehicle lamp which can obtain a good light distribution pattern and can be further miniaturized. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0011] [Figure 1] 1 is a perspective view showing an external appearance of a vehicle lamp according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Diagram 2] 2 is a perspective view of the vehicle lamp shown in FIG. 1, as viewed from the front side. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is a vertical cross-sectional view showing the configuration of the vehicular lamp shown in FIG. [Figure 4] 4 is an enlarged longitudinal sectional view of a boxed portion A shown in FIG. 3. [Diagram 5] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram for explaining the shape of a cutoff line. [Figure 6] 2 is a light path diagram showing the light paths of a first light and a second light in a transverse section and a longitudinal section of the vehicle lamp shown in FIG. 1. [Figure 7] 2 is a luminous intensity distribution diagram showing a light distribution pattern for low beam formed on the surface of a virtual vertical screen by a first light of the vehicle lamp shown in FIG. 1. [Figure 8] 2 is a luminous intensity distribution diagram showing a high beam light distribution pattern formed on the surface of a virtual vertical screen by the second light of the vehicle lamp shown in FIG. 1. FIG. [Figure 9] 2 is a luminous intensity distribution diagram showing a light distribution pattern formed on the surface of a virtual vertical screen by the wide light of the vehicle lamp shown in FIG. 1. [Figure 10] 2 is a luminous intensity distribution diagram showing a light distribution pattern formed on the surface of a virtual vertical screen by spot light from the vehicle lamp shown in FIG. 1. [Figure 11] 1. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing a modified example of the vehicular lamp shown in FIG. [Figure 12] FIG. 12 is a rear view showing the configuration of the projection lens shown in FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0012] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In the drawings used in the following description, in order to make each component easier to see, the dimensions of the components may be shown at different scales, and the dimensional ratios of each component may not necessarily be the same as in reality.

[0013] As one embodiment of the present invention, a vehicle lamp 1 shown in, for example, FIGS. 1 to 5 will be described. Fig. 1 is a perspective view showing the appearance of the vehicle lamp 1. Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the vehicle lamp 1 as viewed from the front side. Fig. 3 is a vertical cross-sectional view showing the configuration of the vehicle lamp 1. Fig. 4 is a vertical cross-sectional view enlarging a surrounded portion A shown in Fig. 3. Fig. 5 is a schematic diagram for explaining the shape of a cut-off line CL.

[0014] In addition, in the drawings shown below, an XYZ Cartesian coordinate system is set up, with the X-axis direction representing the front-to-rear direction (length direction) of the vehicle lighting fixture 1, the Y-axis direction representing the left-to-right direction (width direction) of the vehicle lighting fixture 1, and the Z-axis direction representing the up-down direction (height direction) of the vehicle lighting fixture 1.

[0015] Therefore, in the following description, unless otherwise specified, the terms "front," "rear," "left," "right," "upper," and "lower" refer to the respective directions when viewing the vehicle lighting fixture 1 from the front (front of the vehicle).

[0016] The vehicle lamp 1 of this embodiment is a saddle-type vehicle lamp mounted in the front center of a saddle-type vehicle (not shown), such as a motorcycle or three-wheeled vehicle, and is an application of the present invention to a vehicle headlamp that can switch between low beam and high beam and illuminates the area ahead of the vehicle.

[0017] Specifically, as shown in Figures 1 to 3, this vehicle lamp 1 includes, inside a lamp body (not shown), a first light source 2 that emits a first light L1, a second light source 3 that emits a second light L2, and a projection lens 4 that projects the first light L1 and the second light L2.

[0018] The lamp body is composed of a housing with an opening at the front and a transparent cover lens (outer lens) that covers the opening of the housing. Inside the lamp body, a lens holder that holds the projection lens 4, which serves as the inner lens, and an extension that covers the periphery of the front side of the projection lens 4 can be placed. The shape of the lamp body can be changed as appropriate to suit the design of the vehicle.

[0019] The first light source 2 and the second light source 3 are, for example, light emitting diodes (LEDs) that emit white light. Note that, for the first light source 2 and the second light source 3, in addition to the above-mentioned LEDs, light emitting elements such as laser diodes (LDs) can also be used.

[0020] In the vehicle lamp 1 of this embodiment, the first light source 2 and the second light source 3 are arranged adjacent to each other in the vertical direction (height direction) of the vehicle lamp 1. Of these, one LED constituting the first light source 2 is arranged on the upper side, and one LED constituting the second light source 3 is arranged on the lower side.

[0021] The first light source 2 and the second light source 3 are mounted on one surface (the front surface in this embodiment) of a circuit board 5 on which a drive circuit for driving each LED is provided. As a result, the first light source 2 and the second light source 3 radially emit the first light L1 and the second light L2 forward. That is, the first light source 2 and the second light source 3 are provided on the same surface of the same circuit board 5, and are configured to radially emit the first light L1 and the second light L2 in the same direction.

[0022] In this embodiment, the LEDs constituting the first light source 2 and the second light source 3 described above and the drive circuit for driving the LEDs are mounted on the circuit board 5. However, the mounting board on which the LEDs are mounted and the circuit board on which the drive circuit for driving the LEDs is provided may be disposed separately and electrically connected to each other via a wiring cord called a harness to protect the drive circuit from heat generated by the LEDs.

[0023] In this embodiment, a heat sink for dissipating heat generated by the first light source 2 and the second light source 3 may be attached to the other surface (back surface in this embodiment) of the circuit board 5.

[0024] The projection lens 4 has a first entrance section 6 located on the side facing the first light source 2, a second entrance section 7 located on the side facing the second light source 3, an exit section 8 located on the opposite side to the first entrance section 6 and the second entrance section 7, and a slit 9 cutting between the first entrance section 6 and the second entrance section 7.

[0025] The projection lens 4 is made of a polyhedral lens body having a shape that gradually expands and extends from the rear side where the first entrance section 6 and the second entrance section 7 are provided to the front side where the exit section 8 is provided.

[0026] The projection lens 4 can be made of a material having a higher refractive index than air, such as transparent resin, such as polycarbonate or acrylic, or glass. When transparent resin is used for the projection lens 4, the projection lens 4 can be formed by injection molding using a mold.

[0027] The first incident section 6 has a first incident surface 6a formed of a flat surface. In the first incident section 6, the first light L1 emitted from the first light source 2 is incident from the first incident surface 6a into the inside of the projection lens 4. The first light L1 incident from the first incident surface 6a (first incident section 6) into the inside of the projection lens 4 is guided toward the exit section 8.

[0028] The second incident section 7 has a second incident surface 7a formed of a flat surface. In the second incident section 7, the second light L2 emitted from the second light source 3 is incident from the second incident surface 7a into the inside of the projection lens 4. The second light L2 incident from the second incident surface 7a (second incident section 7) into the inside of the projection lens 4 is guided toward the exit section 8.

[0029] 4, the projection lens 4 has a first reflecting surface 10a located on one side (upper) of the slit 9, and a second reflecting surface 10b located on the other side (lower) of the slit 9. The first reflecting surface 10a and the second reflecting surface 10b are butted against each other at the bottom of the slit 9.

[0030] That is, the first reflecting surface 10a and the second reflecting surface 10b are configured by a slit 9 having a substantially V-shaped cross section that cuts out the rear side of the projection lens 4 in the horizontal direction (width direction).

[0031] The first reflecting surface 10a reflects a portion of the first light L1 incident from the first entrance surface 6a (first entrance portion 6) toward the exit portion 8. On the other hand, the second reflecting surface 10b reflects a portion of the second light L incident from the second entrance surface 7a (second entrance portion 7) toward the exit portion 8.

[0032] 1 to 3, the emission section 8 has a first emission surface 8a located on the same side (upper side) as the first incidence section 6 in a first direction (height direction) in which the first incidence section 6 and the second incidence section 7 are aligned, and a second emission surface 8b located on the same side (lower side) as the second incidence section 7. In addition, a step section 8c in which the second emission surface 8b is set back from the first emission surface 8a is provided between the first emission surface 8a and the second emission surface 8b and extends in the second direction (width direction).

[0033] The first exit surface 8a is configured with a spherical or aspherical lens surface that is convexly curved in a first direction (height direction) and concavely curved in a second direction (width direction) perpendicular to the first direction.

[0034] The second emission surface 8b is configured of a spherical or aspherical lens surface that is convexly curved in the first direction (height direction) and convexly curved in the second direction (width direction).

[0035] In addition, the focal point S1 of the lens surface constituting the first exit surface 8a and the focal point S2 of the lens surface constituting the second exit surface 8b are at different positions from each other in the direction along the optical axis of the second light L2 emitted from the second light source 3.

[0036] 4, in a cross section (longitudinal cross section) of the vehicle lamp 1A taken along a first direction (vertical direction), the focal point S2 of the second light exit surface 8b is located further back than the focal point S1 of the first light exit surface 8a. The focal point S1 of the first light exit surface is located near the bottom of the slit 9.

[0037] In the emission section 8, as shown in FIG. 3, the first light L1 is focused in a first direction (vertical direction) by the first emission surface 8a and emitted to the outside of the projection lens 4 while being diffused in a second direction (horizontal direction).

[0038] Meanwhile, in the exit section 8, the first light L1 and the second light L2 are focused in a first direction (vertical direction) by the second exit surface 8b, and then focused in a second direction (horizontal direction) while being emitted to the outside of the projection lens 4.

[0039] The first light L1 and the second light L2 emitted from the first emission surface 8a and the second emission surface 8b (emission portion 8) to the outside of the projection lens 4 are projected toward the front of the vehicle lamp 1.

[0040] In addition, among the surfaces constituting the projection lens 4, the other surfaces not shown or described can be freely designed (e.g., shielded) within a range that does not adversely affect the first light L1 and the second light L2 guided inside the projection lens 4.

[0041] In the vehicle lamp 1 of the present embodiment having the above-mentioned configuration, the first light L1 emitted from the first light source 2 is projected as a passing beam (low beam) toward the front of the vehicle by the projection lens 4. This makes it possible to form a low beam light distribution pattern (first light distribution pattern) including a cut-off line formed by the bottom of the slit 9 at the upper end.

[0042] The cutoff line formed by the bottom of the slit 9 includes a symmetrical cutoff line CL that extends linearly in the second direction (horizontal direction) for two wheels as shown in Figure 5(a), and an asymmetrical cutoff line CL that extends with a step in the second direction (horizontal direction) for four wheels as shown in Figure 5(b).

[0043] On the other hand, in the vehicle lamp 1 of this embodiment, the second light L2 emitted from the second light source 3 is projected as a driving beam (high beam) toward the front of the vehicle by the projection lens 4. This makes it possible to form a high beam light distribution pattern (second light distribution pattern) above the low beam light distribution pattern.

[0044] Specifically, FIG. 6 shows a summary of the optical paths of the first light L1 and the second light L2 in a cross section (longitudinal cross section) along the first direction (vertical direction) and a cross section (transverse cross section) along the second direction (horizontal direction) for this vehicle lamp 1.

[0045] In addition, in Figure 6, in the cross section and longitudinal section of the vehicle lamp 1, the optical path of the first light L1 is shown as "LOW", the optical path of the second light L2 (wide light L21) emitted from the first exit surface 8a is shown as "HI WIDE", and the optical path of the second light L2 (spot light L22) emitted from the second exit surface 8b is shown as "HI SPOT".

[0046] The first light L1 emitted from the first light source 2 enters the first entrance surface 6a (first entrance section 6) of the projection lens 4 and then exits from the first exit surface 8a of the exit section 8, thereby forming the above-mentioned low beam light distribution pattern.

[0047] The second light L2 emitted from the second light source 3 enters the second entrance surface 7a (second entrance section 7) of the projection lens 4, and then exits from the first exit surface 8a and the second exit surface 8b of the exit section 8, thereby forming the above-mentioned high beam light distribution pattern.

[0048] Of these, the second light L2 emitted from the first exit surface 8a is a light component that is not reflected by the second reflecting surface 10b and travels directly from the second incident surface 7a (second incident portion 7) to the first exit surface 8a, and is emitted from the first exit surface 8a while being diffused, becoming wide light L21 that expands the high beam light distribution pattern in the second direction (width direction).

[0049] On the other hand, the second light L2 emitted from the second exit surface 8b is a light component that is reflected by the second reflecting surface 10b and then travels toward the second exit surface 8b, and is emitted from the second exit surface 8b while being condensed, becoming spot light L22 that brightens the central portion (distant area) of the high beam light distribution pattern.

[0050] Regarding the vehicle lamp 1 of this embodiment, light source images when the first light L1 and the second light L2 are projected onto a virtual vertical screen facing the projection lens 4 are shown in FIGS.

[0051] Fig. 7 is a luminous intensity distribution diagram showing a low beam light distribution pattern formed on the surface of a virtual vertical screen by the first light L1. Fig. 8 is a luminous intensity distribution diagram showing a high beam light distribution pattern formed on the surface of a virtual vertical screen by the second light L2. Fig. 9 is a luminous intensity distribution diagram showing a light distribution pattern formed on the surface of a virtual vertical screen by the wide light L21, among the high beam light distribution patterns shown in Fig. 8. Fig. 10 is a luminous intensity distribution diagram showing a light distribution pattern formed on the surface of a virtual vertical screen by the spot light L22, among the high beam light distribution patterns shown in Fig. 8.

[0052] In the vehicle lamp 1 of this embodiment, as shown in Figures 7 to 10, the first light L1 and the second light L2 emitted from the above-mentioned first light source 2 and second light source 3 are projected by a projection lens 4, making it possible to obtain a good low beam light distribution pattern and a good high beam light distribution pattern.

[0053] Moreover, in the vehicle lamp 1 of this embodiment, by arranging the above-mentioned first light source 2 and second light source 3 adjacent to each other, the vehicle lamp 1 can be further reduced in size.

[0054] The present invention is not necessarily limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention. For example, the vehicle lamp 1 of this embodiment may constitute an adaptive driving beam (ADB) headlamp that variably controls the light distribution pattern of light projected forward of the vehicle. ADB is a technology that uses an on-board camera to recognize preceding vehicles, oncoming vehicles, pedestrians, etc., and expands the driver's forward visibility at night without dazzling the driver or pedestrians in front.

[0055] When the vehicle lamp 1 of this embodiment constitutes an ADB, for example, as shown in Figures 11 and 12, a plurality of second light sources 3 are arranged side by side in the second direction (width direction). Also, in the second entrance portion 7, second entrance surfaces 7a corresponding to the plurality of second light sources 3 are arranged side by side in the second direction (width direction).

[0056] Furthermore, in the second incident portion 7, slits 11 that are cut in the first direction (height direction) between adjacent second incident surfaces 7a are arranged side by side in the second direction (width direction). This forms a pair of reflecting surfaces 12a, 12b on both sides of the slit 11. The pair of reflecting surfaces 12a, 12b are butted against each other at the bottom of the slit 11.

[0057] As a result, in the second entrance section 7, the second light L2 emitted from each second light source 3 can be incident from each second entrance surface 7a into the inside of the projection lens 4. In addition, in the second entrance section 7, a part of the second light L2 incident from each second entrance surface 7a can be reflected toward the exit section 8 by the pair of reflecting surfaces 12a, 12b.

[0058] In the above embodiment, the present invention has been illustrated as being applied to a vehicle headlamp of a saddle-type vehicle such as the above-mentioned motorcycle or three-wheeled vehicle, but the present invention can also be applied to a vehicle headlamp mounted on both corners of the front end of a vehicle such as a four-wheeled automobile. [Explanation of symbols]

[0059] REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1...vehicle lamp 2...first light source 3...second light source 4...projection lens 5...circuit board 6...first entrance portion 6a...first entrance surface 7...second entrance portion 7a...second entrance surface 8...exit portion 8a...first exit surface 8b...second exit surface 9...slit 10a...first reflecting surface 10b...second reflecting surface 11...slit 12a, 12b...reflecting surface S1...focus of first exit surface S2...focus of second exit surface L1...first light (passing beam / low beam) L2...second light (driving beam / high beam) L21...wide light L22...spot light

Claims

1. A first light source that emits a first light; a second light source disposed adjacent to the first light source and configured to emit a second light in the same direction as the first light; a projection lens that projects the first light and the second light in the same direction; The projection lens has a first entrance portion located on a side facing the first light source; a second incident portion located on a side opposite to the second light source; an exit portion located on the opposite side to the first entrance portion and the second entrance portion; a slit formed between the first incident portion and the second incident portion, the emission portion includes a first emission surface located on the same side as the first incident portion in a first direction in which the first incident portion and the second incident portion are aligned, and a second emission surface located on the same side as the second incident portion, the first emission surface is configured by a lens surface that is curved convexly in the first direction and curved concavely in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction, The vehicle lamp according to claim 1, wherein the second light exit surface is configured by a lens surface that is convexly curved in the first direction and convexly curved in the second direction.

2. 2. The vehicular lamp according to claim 1, wherein a focal point of a lens surface constituting the first exit surface and a focal point of a lens surface constituting the second exit surface are at different positions from each other in a direction along an optical axis of the second light emitted from the second light source.

3. the projection lens includes a first reflecting surface located on one side of the slit and configured to reflect a part of the first light incident from the first incident portion; a second reflecting surface located on the other side of the slit and configured to reflect a portion of the second light incident from the second incident portion, 3. The vehicle lamp according to claim 1, wherein the first reflecting surface and the second reflecting surface are butted against each other at a bottom of the slit.

4. A first light source that emits a first light; a second light source disposed adjacent to the first light source and configured to emit a second light in the same direction as the first light; a projection lens that projects the first light and the second light in the same direction; The projection lens has a first entrance portion located on a side facing the first light source; a second incident portion located on a side opposite to the second light source; an exit portion located on the opposite side to the first entrance portion and the second entrance portion; a slit formed between the first incident portion and the second incident portion; a first reflecting surface located on one side of the slit and configured to reflect a portion of the first light incident from the first incident portion; a second reflecting surface located on the other side of the slit and configured to reflect a portion of the second light incident from the second incident portion, The vehicle lamp according to claim 1, wherein the first reflecting surface and the second reflecting surface are butted against each other at a bottom of the slit.

5. the first incident portion includes a first incident surface formed of a flat surface, 5. The vehicular lamp according to claim 1, wherein the second incident portion includes a second incident surface formed of a flat surface.

6. 6. The vehicular lamp according to claim 1, wherein the first light source and the second light source are provided on the same surface of the same substrate.

7. a first light projected by the projection lens forms a first light distribution pattern including a cutoff line formed by a bottom of the slit at an upper end thereof; The vehicular lamp according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the second light projected by the projection lens forms a second light distribution pattern located above the first light distribution pattern.

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