Vehicle headlights

Abstract

A vehicle headlight (1) comprising: a first lamp unit (10) having a light distribution pattern forming part (12) in which a plurality of light-emitting elements (13) capable of individually changing the amount of emitted light are arranged in a matrix and which forms a prescribed light distribution pattern (P1) in accordance with the amount of light emitted from the plurality of light-emitting elements (13); and a second lamp unit (20) that emits light having a prescribed light distribution pattern (P2), wherein a low-beam light distribution pattern (PL) is formed by the light emitted from the first lamp unit (10) and the light emitted from the second lamp unit (20) and, in the low-beam light distribution pattern (PL), a prescribed region (CA) formed by light including the light from the first lamp unit (10) includes an elbow point (EP), and a first lateral region (SA1) and a second lateral region (SA2) flanking the prescribed region (CA) in the left-right direction are formed by the light emitted from the second lamp unit (20).

Description

[Technical field]

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

[0002] A known vehicle headlamp, typified by an automobile headlight, has a light-emitting section in which a plurality of light-emitting elements are arranged in a matrix, and forms a low-beam light distribution pattern by the light emitted from the light-emitting section. Patent Document 1 listed below describes such a vehicle headlamp.

[0003] The vehicle headlamp described in Patent Document 1 below includes a light-emitting section in which a plurality of light-emitting elements are arranged in a matrix, and a control section that adjusts the amount of light emitted from each of the light-emitting elements. This vehicle headlamp is said to be able to form a low-beam light distribution pattern by adjusting the amount of light emitted from each of the light-emitting elements in the light-emitting section using the control section.

[0004] [Patent Document 1] International Publication No. 2018 / 186187 Summary of the Invention

[0005] In the vehicle headlamp described in the above Patent Document 1, the amount of light emitted from the light emitting element can be adjusted by the control unit, so that the light intensity distribution in the low beam light distribution pattern can be adjusted. Since such a vehicle headlamp has a plurality of light emitting elements, the manufacturing cost tends to be higher than those in which the light emitted from the light source is reflected by a reflector to form a low beam light distribution pattern, or those in which the light emitted from the light source is blocked by a shade to form a low beam light distribution pattern. On the other hand, these vehicle headlamps tend to be more difficult to finely adjust the light intensity distribution in the low beam light distribution pattern compared to the vehicle headlamp described in Patent Document 1. The region including the elbow point in the low beam light distribution pattern has a larger rate of change in light intensity than the regions on one side and the other side of this region in the left-right direction. For this reason, there is a demand for finely adjusting the light intensity distribution in the above region.

[0006] SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT DISCLOSURE An object of the present invention is to provide a vehicle headlamp that can finely adjust the light intensity distribution in a predetermined region including the elbow point in the low beam light distribution pattern and can reduce manufacturing costs.

[0007] In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the vehicle headlamp of the present invention comprises a first lamp unit having a light distribution pattern forming portion in which a plurality of light emitting portions, each capable of individually changing the amount of light emitted, are arranged in a matrix to form a predetermined light distribution pattern according to the amount of light emitted from the plurality of light emitting portions, and a second lamp unit that emits light having a specific light distribution pattern, wherein a low beam light distribution pattern is formed by the light emitted from the first lamp and the light emitted from the second lamp unit, the low beam light distribution pattern having a horizontal cutoff line extending horizontally to one side in the left-right direction from the elbow point and an inclined cutoff line extending diagonally upward from the elbow point to the other side in the left-right direction, and the predetermined area of ​​the low beam light distribution pattern formed by light including the light from the first lamp unit includes the elbow point, and a first lateral area and a second lateral area sandwiching the predetermined area in the left-right direction are formed by the light emitted from the second lamp unit.

[0008] In this vehicle headlamp, the predetermined region including the elbow point in the low beam light distribution pattern is formed by light including light emitted from a first lamp unit having a light distribution pattern forming section in which light emitting parts are arranged in a matrix. Therefore, this vehicle headlamp can finely adjust the light intensity distribution in this predetermined region by, for example, adjusting the amount of light emitted from each light emitting part. Here, in the low beam light distribution pattern, the first side region and the second side region have a smaller rate of change in light intensity than the predetermined region, and the light intensity distribution in these first side region and second side region does not require fine adjustment compared to the predetermined region. Therefore, the second lamp unit does not need to be able to finely adjust the light intensity distribution in the specific light distribution pattern emitted compared to the first lamp unit, and such a lamp unit can be configured more simply than the first lamp unit. Therefore, this vehicle headlamp can reduce manufacturing costs compared to when the low beam light distribution pattern is formed only by light emitted from the first lamp unit.

[0009] At least a portion of the predetermined light distribution pattern and a portion of the specific light distribution pattern may overlap each other.

[0010] With this configuration, it is possible to prevent unintentional dark areas from appearing in the low beam light distribution pattern.

[0011] At least a portion of an upper edge of the first lateral region may be located above the horizontal cut-off line.

[0012] With this configuration, visibility on one side in the left-right direction can be improved compared to a case where the upper edge of the first side region is located below the horizontal cut-off line.

[0013] At least a portion of an upper edge of the second lateral region may be located above the horizontal cut-off line.

[0014] With this configuration, visibility on the other side in the left-right direction can be improved compared to a case where the upper edge of the second side region is located below the horizontal cut-off line.

[0015] The specific light distribution pattern may have a first region, at least a portion of which becomes the first lateral region in the low beam light distribution pattern, and a second region separated from the first region, at least a portion of which becomes the second lateral region in the low beam light distribution pattern.

[0016] In this case, the specific light distribution pattern may further have a third region located between the first region and the second region and connected to the first region and the second region, and the upper edge of the third region may be located lower than the upper edges of the first region and the second region.

[0017] In this case, the upper edge of the first region on the third region side may be inclined downward toward the third region side and connected to the upper edge of the third region, the upper edge of the third region may extend horizontally in a straight line, and the upper edge of the second region on the third region side may be inclined downward toward the third region side and connected to the upper edge of the third region.

[0018] A portion of the predetermined light distribution pattern and a portion of the specific light distribution pattern may overlap each other, and a portion of an upper edge of the specific light distribution pattern may extend horizontally in a straight line and cross the predetermined light distribution pattern.

[0019] With this configuration, the upper edge of the region where a part of the predetermined light distribution pattern and a part of the specific light distribution pattern overlap is a straight line extending horizontally, which makes it possible to suppress, for example, the complexity of adjusting the amount of light emitted from the light emission portion of the light distribution pattern forming portion compared to a case where the upper edge of the overlapping region is curved.

[0020] The second lamp unit may have a light source portion that emits light, and a shade that blocks a portion of the light emitted from the light source portion.

[0021] The above-mentioned vehicle headlamp may further include a third lamp unit that emits light, and a high beam light distribution pattern may be formed by the light emitted from the first lamp unit, the light emitted from the second lamp unit, and the light emitted from the third lamp unit.

[0022] The above-mentioned vehicle headlamp further includes a control unit, which adjusts the amount of light emitted from the multiple light emitting units to change the predetermined light distribution pattern into a light distribution pattern in which the elbow point moves a predetermined distance to a predetermined side in the left-right direction, and a fixed area that coincides with the range from the edge opposite the predetermined side to a position the predetermined distance away from the predetermined side within the predetermined area in the first state before the elbow point moves is located within the predetermined area in the second state after the elbow point moves, and the intensity of light from the first lamp unit in the second state at an arbitrary point within the fixed area is less than or equal to the intensity of light from the first lamp unit in the first state at the arbitrary point, and is greater than or equal to the intensity of light from the first lamp unit in the first state at the intersection of a straight line extending in the left-right direction through the arbitrary point and the edge opposite the predetermined side of the fixed area.

[0023] In this vehicle headlamp, as described above, the control unit adjusts the amount of light emitted from the multiple light emitting units, and changes the predetermined light distribution pattern to a light distribution pattern in which the elbow point moves a predetermined distance to the left or right side. Therefore, according to this vehicle headlamp, the elbow point can be moved left or right in response to a change in the traveling direction of the vehicle, thereby improving the visibility in the traveling direction. In addition, for example, when the elbow point moves to the right, the fixed area is an area that corresponds to a range from the left edge to a position a predetermined distance to the right of the predetermined area in the first state before the elbow point moves. Then, the intensity of light from the first lamp unit in the second state after the elbow point moves at an arbitrary point within this fixed area is equal to or lower than the intensity of light from the first lamp unit in the first state at the arbitrary point, and is equal to or higher than the intensity of light from the first lamp unit in the first state at the intersection of a straight line passing through the arbitrary point and extending left or right and the left edge of the fixed area. For example, when the elbow point is moved left and right by moving the predetermined light distribution pattern left and right, the fixed area is not illuminated with light from the first lamp unit. Therefore, with this vehicle headlamp, the amount of change in the light intensity in the fixed area can be made smaller than in the above case, and the driver's discomfort in the fixed area can be suppressed. Therefore, with this vehicle headlamp, the driver's discomfort when the elbow point is moved can be suppressed compared to the above case.

[0024] When the above-mentioned vehicle headlamp is equipped with a control unit, the intensity of light from the first lamp unit in the second state at the arbitrary point may be the same as the intensity of light from the first lamp unit in the first state at the intersection of a straight line extending in the left-right direction through the arbitrary point and the edge of the fixed area opposite the specified side.

[0025] With this configuration, the intensity of light from the first lamp unit in the second state in the fixed region becomes constant in the left-right direction, making it easier for the control unit to adjust the amount of light emitted from the multiple light emitting portions.

[0026] When the above-mentioned vehicle headlamp includes a control unit, the predetermined area may include a hot zone, and the hot zone may move by the predetermined distance to the predetermined side together with the elbow point.

[0027] With this configuration, the driver can be prevented from feeling uncomfortable.

[0028] In this case, the intensity of the light from the first lamp unit in the second state may be gradually increased from the edge of the fixed area on the predetermined side toward the hot zone.

[0029] With this configuration, it is possible to further prevent the driver from feeling uncomfortable when the elbow point and the hot zone are moved.

[0030] If the above-mentioned specified area includes a hot zone, the intensity of light from the first lamp unit in the second state may gradually increase from the edge of the fixed area opposite the specified side toward the hot zone.

[0031] With this configuration, it is possible to further prevent the driver from feeling uncomfortable when the elbow point and the hot zone are moved.

[0032] When the above-mentioned vehicle headlamp is equipped with a control unit, the edge of the specified side of the specified area in the first state is located within the specified area in the second state, and the intensity of light from the first lamp unit in the second state at an arbitrary reference point on a reference line that coincides with the edge of the specified side of the specified area in the first state may be greater than or equal to the intensity of light from the first lamp unit in the first state at the arbitrary reference point, and less than or equal to the intensity of light from the first lamp unit at the arbitrary reference point when the specified light distribution pattern in the first state moves the predetermined distance to the specified side.

[0033] With this configuration, the change in light intensity on the above line can be prevented from becoming large compared to when the elbow point is moved left and right by moving a specified light distribution pattern left and right, thereby preventing the driver from feeling uncomfortable about the change in light amount on this reference line.

[0034] In this case, the intensity of light from the first lamp unit in the second state at the arbitrary reference point may be the same as the intensity of light from the first lamp unit in the first state at the arbitrary reference point.

[0035] With this configuration, the intensity of the light from the first lamp unit does not change when the elbow point is moved on the above-mentioned reference line, which makes it possible to further reduce the sense of discomfort felt by the driver.

[0036] When the edge on a specified side of a specified area in the first state is located within a specified area in the second state, the specified area includes a hot zone, and the hot zone moves the specified distance to the specified side together with the elbow point, and the intensity of light from the first lighting unit in the second state gradually increases from the reference line toward the hot zone.

[0037] With this configuration, it is possible to further prevent the driver from feeling uncomfortable when the elbow point and the hot zone are moved. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0038] [Figure 1] 1 is a front view showing an outline of a vehicle equipped with a vehicle headlamp according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a side view illustrating a schematic view of the first lamp unit illustrated in FIG. [Diagram 3] 3 is a front view illustrating the light distribution pattern forming section illustrated in FIG. 2. [Figure 4] 2 is a side view illustrating a schematic view of the second lamp unit illustrated in FIG. 1. [Diagram 5]5 is a front view showing a schematic view of the light source unit shown in FIG. [Figure 6] 2 is a side view illustrating a schematic view of the third lamp unit illustrated in FIG. 1. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a front view illustrating the light distribution pattern forming section shown in FIG. 6. [Figure 8] 1 is a block diagram including a vehicle headlamp according to a first embodiment. [Figure 9] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a light distribution pattern of a low beam in the first embodiment. [Figure 10] 10 is a diagram showing a predetermined light distribution pattern of light emitted from a first lamp unit when forming the light distribution pattern of the low beam shown in FIG. 9, and the light intensity distribution in the light distribution pattern. FIG. [Figure 11] 11 is a diagram showing a specific light distribution pattern of light emitted from a second lamp unit. FIG. [Figure 12] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a light distribution pattern of a high beam. [Figure 13] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a control flowchart of a control unit in the first embodiment. [Figure 14] 11A and 11B are diagrams showing an example of a state in which an elbow point and a hot zone of a low beam light distribution pattern are moved in accordance with a steering angle of a vehicle. [Figure 15] 15 is a diagram showing a predetermined light distribution pattern of light emitted from a first lamp unit when forming the light distribution pattern of the low beam shown in FIG. 14, and the light intensity distribution in the light distribution pattern. FIG. [Figure 16] 15 shows, in a similar manner to FIG. 15, a predetermined light distribution pattern of light emitted from the first lamp unit of the second embodiment when forming the low beam light distribution pattern shown in FIG. 14, and the light intensity distribution in that light distribution pattern. [Figure 17] FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a low beam light distribution pattern according to a first modified example. [Figure 18] 13A and 13B are diagrams showing a specific light distribution pattern of light emitted from a second lamp unit according to a first modified example. [Figure 19]13 is a diagram showing a specific light distribution pattern of light emitted from a second lamp unit according to a second modified example. FIG. [Figure 20] 10 is a view showing a first lamp unit according to a third modified example from the same perspective as FIG. 2. FIG. [Figure 21] 17 is a diagram showing, in a similar manner to FIG. 16, a predetermined light distribution pattern of light emitted from a first lamp unit according to a fourth modified example, and the light intensity distribution in the light distribution pattern. FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0039] Hereinafter, embodiments for carrying out the vehicle headlamp according to the present invention will be illustrated with reference to the accompanying drawings. The embodiments illustrated below are intended to facilitate understanding of the present invention, and are not intended to limit the present invention. The present invention can be modified or improved from the following embodiments without departing from the spirit of the present invention. In addition, in the above-mentioned attached drawings, the dimensions of each component may be exaggerated in some cases to facilitate understanding.

[0040] (First embodiment) A first embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG. 1 is a front view showing an outline of a vehicle equipped with a vehicle headlamp according to this embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1, a vehicle 100 is equipped with a pair of vehicle headlamp 1 on each of the left and right directions in the front. The pair of vehicle headlamp 1 equipped on the vehicle 100 are symmetrical in the left and right directions. The vehicle headlamp 1 of this embodiment is equipped with a first lamp unit 10, a second lamp unit 20, and a third lamp unit 30. These lamp units 10, 20, and 30 are arranged side by side, with the first lamp unit 10 disposed at the most central side of the vehicle 100, the second lamp unit 20 disposed at the most outer side of the vehicle 100, and the third lamp unit 30 disposed between the first lamp unit 10 and the second lamp unit 20. In this embodiment, as described below, the first lamp unit 10 and the second lamp unit 20 are lamps for low beam, and the third lamp unit 30 is a lamp unit for high beam. For this reason, the vehicle headlamp 1 is capable of switching the emitted light between a low beam and a high beam by switching the lamp unit that emits light using the control unit.

[0041] Fig. 2 is a side view that shows a schematic view of the first lamp unit 10 shown in Fig. 1. As shown in Fig. 2, the first lamp unit 10 is a lamp unit that includes a first emission unit 11 and a housing 16 as main components and emits a part of a low beam. In Fig. 2, the housing 16 is shown in vertical cross section.

[0042] The housing 16 mainly comprises a lamp housing 17, a front cover 18, and a back cover 19. The front of the lamp housing 17 is open, and the front cover 18 is fixed to the lamp housing 17 so as to close the opening. In addition, an opening smaller than the front is formed in the rear of the lamp housing 17, and the back cover 19 is fixed to the lamp housing 17 so as to close the opening.

[0043] The space formed by the lamp housing 17, the front cover 18 that closes the front opening of the lamp housing 17, and the back cover 19 that closes the rear opening of the lamp housing 17 is the lamp chamber 10R, and the first emission unit 11 is housed in this lamp chamber 10R. The first emission unit 11 includes a light distribution pattern forming section 12 and a projection lens 15 as its main components.

[0044] FIG. 3 is a front view showing the light distribution pattern forming unit 12 shown in FIG. 2. As shown in FIG. 2 and FIG. 3, the light distribution pattern forming unit 12 of this embodiment has a plurality of light emitting elements 13 as a light emitting unit that emits light, and a circuit board 14 on which the plurality of light emitting elements 13 are mounted. The plurality of light emitting elements 13 are arranged in a matrix to form rows in the vertical and horizontal directions, and emit light forward. The plurality of light emitting elements 13 are capable of individually changing the amount of light emitted. In this embodiment, the light distribution pattern forming unit 12 has 32 light emitting element groups each consisting of 96 light emitting elements 22a arranged in the horizontal direction, and these light emitting element groups are arranged in the vertical direction. In addition, these light emitting elements 13 are micro LEDs (Light Emitting Diodes), and the light distribution pattern forming unit 12 is a so-called micro LED array. The number of light emitting elements 13 in each light emitting element group and the number of light emitting element groups are not particularly limited.

[0045] Such a light distribution pattern forming unit 12 can form a predetermined light distribution pattern by selecting the light emitting elements 13 that emit light. Also, the light distribution pattern forming unit 12 can adjust the light intensity distribution in the predetermined light distribution pattern by adjusting the amount of light emitted from each light emitting element 13. In other words, it can be understood that the light distribution pattern forming unit 12 forms a predetermined light distribution pattern according to the amount of light emitted from the multiple light emitting elements 13.

[0046] The projection lens 15 is a lens that adjusts the divergence angle of the incident light. The projection lens 15 is disposed forward of the light distribution pattern forming section 12, and the light emitted from the light distribution pattern forming section 12 is incident on the projection lens 15, and the divergence angle of the light is adjusted by the projection lens 15. The projection lens 15 is a lens whose entrance surface and exit surface are formed in a convex shape, and the rear focal point of the projection lens 15 is located on or near the light exit surface of any of the light emitting elements 13 in the light distribution pattern forming section 12. The light whose divergence angle has been adjusted by such a projection lens 15 is emitted from the first lamp unit 10 through the front cover 18 toward the front of the vehicle 100.

[0047] FIG. 4 is a side view that shows the second lamp unit 20 shown in FIG. 1. As shown in FIG. 4, the second lamp unit 20 is a lamp unit that includes a second emission unit 21 and a housing 26 as main components and emits another part of the low beam. In FIG. 4, the housing 26 is shown in vertical cross section. The housing 26 has a similar structure to the housing 16 of the first lamp unit 10, and includes a lamp housing 27, a front cover 28, and a back cover 29 as main components, and the second emission unit 21 is accommodated in a lamp chamber 20R formed by the housing 26. The second emission unit 21 includes a light source unit 22, a shade 23, and a projection lens 25 as main components.

[0048] Fig. 5 is a front view that shows a schematic view of the light source unit 22 shown in Fig. 4. Note that Fig. 5 also shows a shade 23. As shown in Figs. 4 and 5, the light source unit 22 of this embodiment has a light-emitting element 22a that emits light, and a circuit board 22b on which the light-emitting element 22a is mounted. In this embodiment, the light-emitting element 22a is an LED having a light-emitting surface that is elongated in the left-right direction and emits light forward.

[0049] The shade 23 has a light shielding portion 23a and a fixing portion 23b. In this embodiment, the light shielding portion 23a and the fixing portion 23b are integrally formed by bending a plate-shaped member. The light shielding portion 23a extends in the left-right direction in front of the light emitting element 22a of the light source unit 22, and the fixing portion 23b is connected to the upper end portion. The fixing portion 23b extends rearward from the upper end portion of the light shielding portion 23a, and the end portion of the fixing portion 23b opposite to the light shielding portion 23a side is fixed to the circuit board 22b. The light shielding portion 23a is located above the optical axis of the light emitting element 22a, and a protrusion 23c protruding downward in a generally isosceles trapezoidal shape is provided at the center in the left-right direction of the lower end portion of the light shielding portion 23a. Such a light shielding portion 23a of the shade 23 blocks a part of the light emitted from the light emitting element 22a.

[0050] The projection lens 25 is a lens that adjusts the divergence angle of the incident light, similar to the projection lens 15. The projection lens 25 is a lens whose entrance surface and exit surface are formed in a convex shape, and is disposed forward of the shade 23. The rear focal point of the projection lens 25 is located on or near the light exit surface of the light-emitting element 22a. As described above, a part of the light emitted from the light-emitting element 22a is blocked by the light-shielding portion 23a of the shade 23, and another part of the light emitted from the light-emitting element 22a enters the projection lens 25, and light having a specific light distribution pattern according to the shape of the light-shielding portion 23a is emitted from the projection lens 25. In this way, the light having a specific light distribution pattern emitted from the projection lens 25 is emitted from the second lamp unit 20 toward the front of the vehicle 100 through the front cover 28.

[0051] FIG. 6 is a side view that shows a schematic view of the third lamp unit 30 shown in FIG. 1. As shown in FIG. 6, the third lamp unit 30 is a lamp unit that includes a third emission unit 31 and a housing 36 as main components and emits a part of a high beam. In FIG. 6, the housing 36 is shown in a vertical cross section. The housing 36 has a similar structure to the housing 16 of the first lamp unit 10, and includes a lamp housing 37, a front cover 38, and a back cover 39 as main components, and the third emission unit 31 is accommodated in a lamp chamber 30R formed by the housing 36. The third emission unit 31 includes a light distribution pattern forming section 32 and a projection lens 35 as main components.

[0052] FIG. 7 is a front view showing the light distribution pattern forming section 32 shown in FIG. 6. As shown in FIG. 6 and FIG. 7, the light distribution pattern forming section 32 of this embodiment has a plurality of light emitting elements 33a to 33e that emit light, and a circuit board 34 on which the plurality of light emitting elements 33a to 33e are mounted. Moreover, these light emitting elements 33a to 33e are larger than the light emitting element 13 in the first lamp unit 10, and are LEDs whose emission surface that emits light is elongated in the vertical direction and has a generally rectangular shape. Moreover, these light emitting elements 33a to 33e are arranged in a row in the horizontal direction, and the light distribution pattern forming section 32 is a so-called LED array, and five LEDs are arranged in this embodiment. The number of light emitting elements is not particularly limited, and the plurality of light emitting elements may be arranged in a matrix.

[0053] In this way, the light distribution pattern forming unit 32 can form a predetermined light distribution pattern by selecting the light emitting elements 33a-33e that emit light. Also, the light distribution pattern forming unit 32 can adjust the light intensity distribution in the predetermined light distribution pattern by adjusting the amount of light emitted from each of the light emitting elements 33a-33e. In other words, it can be understood that the light distribution pattern forming unit 32 forms a predetermined light distribution pattern according to the amount of light emitted from the multiple light emitting elements 33a-33e.

[0054] The projection lens 35 is a lens that adjusts the divergence angle of the incident light, similar to the projection lens 15. The projection lens 35 is disposed forward of the light distribution pattern forming section 32, and the light emitted from the light distribution pattern forming section 32 is incident on the projection lens 35, and the divergence angle of the light is adjusted by the projection lens 35. The projection lens 35 is a lens whose entrance surface and exit surface are formed in a convex shape, and the rear focal point of the projection lens 35 is located on or near the exit surface of the light from the light emitting element 33c in the light distribution pattern forming section 32. The light whose divergence angle has been adjusted by the projection lens 35 is emitted from the second lamp unit 20 toward the front of the vehicle 100 through the front cover 38.

[0055] Fig. 8 is a block diagram including a vehicle headlamp 1 in this embodiment. As shown in Fig. 8, in this embodiment, the light distribution pattern forming section 12 of the first lamp unit 10, the light source section 22 of the second lamp unit 20, the light distribution pattern forming section 32 of the third lamp unit 30, the light switch 51, the steering sensor 52, the memory ME, etc. are electrically connected to a control section CO. This control section CO may be a part of an electronic control device of the vehicle 100. In addition, the light switch 51 and the steering sensor 52 may be electrically connected to the control section CO via the electronic control device of the vehicle 100.

[0056] The control unit CO may be, for example, an integrated circuit such as a microcontroller, an integrated circuit (IC), a large-scale integrated circuit (LSI), or an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), or an NC (Numerical Control) device. When an NC device is used, the control unit CO may or may not use a machine learning device. As described below, the light distribution pattern forming unit 12 of the first lamp unit 10, the light source unit 22 of the second lamp unit 20, and the light distribution pattern forming unit 32 of the third lamp unit 30 are controlled by the control unit CO.

[0057] The light switch 51 is a switch that selects between emission of a low beam, emission of a high beam, and non-emission of both low and high beams. For example, the light switch 51 outputs a signal indicating emission of a low beam to the control unit CO when emission of a low beam is selected, and outputs a signal indicating emission of a high beam to the control unit CO when emission of a high beam is selected. In addition, the light switch 51 does not output a signal to the control unit CO when non-emission of a low beam or high beam is selected.

[0058] The steering sensor 52 is a sensor that detects the rotation angle of the steering wheel of the vehicle 100, that is, the steering angle of the vehicle 100, and detects the right steering angle and the left steering angle while distinguishing these steering angles as different steering angles. The steering sensor 52 outputs a signal corresponding to the steering angle based on the straight-ahead driving of the vehicle 100 to the control unit CO.

[0059] The memory ME is, for example, a non-transitory recording medium, and is preferably a semiconductor recording medium such as a random access memory (RAM) or a read only memory (ROM), but may include any type of recording medium such as an optical recording medium or a magnetic recording medium. The term "non-transitory" recording medium includes all computer-readable recording media except for a transient propagating signal, and does not exclude volatile recording media. The memory ME stores a table in which information on the amount of light emitted from each of the plurality of light-emitting elements 13 in the light distribution pattern forming section 12 of the first lamp unit 10 is associated with the steering angle of the vehicle 100. The information on the amount of light emitted from each of the plurality of light-emitting elements 13 includes, for example, a current value supplied to each of the plurality of light-emitting elements 13. Details will be described later, but the vehicle headlamp 1 of this embodiment is configured so that the left-right position of the elbow point in the emitted low beam corresponds to the steering angle of the vehicle 100. In other words, the vehicle headlamp 1 of this embodiment is configured to emit a low beam according to the steering angle of the vehicle 100.

[0060] Next, the low beam emitted from the vehicle headlamp 1 will be described.

[0061] In this embodiment, as described above, the first lamp unit 10 and the second lamp unit 20 of the vehicle headlamp 1 are configured as low beam lamp units, and a low beam light distribution pattern is formed by the light emitted from the first lamp unit 10 and the light emitted from the second lamp unit 20.

[0062] FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a low beam light distribution pattern in this embodiment. In FIG. 9, S indicates a horizontal line, V indicates a vertical line passing through the center of the vehicle 100 in the left-right direction, and a low beam light distribution pattern PL formed on a virtual vertical screen arranged 25 m ahead of the vehicle 100 is indicated by a thick line. The low beam light distribution pattern PL of this embodiment has cutoff lines CL1 as a horizontal cutoff line, cutoff lines CL2 as an inclined cutoff line, and cutoff lines CL3, CL4, and CL5 at the upper edge. The cutoff line CL1 as a horizontal cutoff line extends horizontally to the right side, which is one side in the left-right direction, from the elbow point EP located below the horizontal line S and on or near the vertical line V. The cutoff line CL2 as an inclined cutoff line extends obliquely upward from the elbow point EP to the left side, which is the other side in the left-right direction, and the end of the cutoff line CL2 opposite to the elbow point EP side is located above the horizontal line S. The cutoff line CL3 extends horizontally from the end of the cutoff line CL2 opposite to the elbow point EP side to the other side in the left-right direction. The cutoff line CL4 extends obliquely upward to one side in the left-right direction from the end of the cutoff line CL1 opposite to the elbow point EP side, and the end of the cutoff line CL4 opposite to the cutoff line CL1 side is located above the horizontal line S. The cutoff line CL5 extends horizontally from the end of the cutoff line CL4 opposite to the cutoff line CL1 side to one side in the left-right direction. The cutoff lines CL5 and CL3 are located at approximately the same height. In addition, the hot zone HZL, which is the area where the light intensity is the highest in the low beam light distribution pattern PL, is located in the vicinity of the elbow point EP. Here, the outline of the light distribution pattern is defined by, for example, an isointensity line formed by a collection of points where the light intensity is a predetermined ratio value to the maximum light intensity value in the light distribution pattern. The outline of the light distribution pattern of this embodiment is defined by isointensity lines formed by a collection of points where the light intensity is 1.5% of the maximum light intensity value in the light distribution pattern. However, the definition of the outline of the light distribution pattern is not particularly limited.

[0063] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a predetermined light distribution pattern of light emitted from the first lamp unit 10 when forming the light distribution pattern of the low beam shown in FIG. 9, and the light intensity distribution in the light distribution pattern. In FIG. 10, S indicates a horizontal line, V indicates a vertical line passing through the center of the vehicle 100 in the left-right direction, and a predetermined light distribution pattern P1 of light emitted from the first lamp unit 10 formed on a virtual vertical screen located 25 m ahead of the vehicle 100 is shown by a thick line. Note that in FIG. 10, the position of the hot zone HZL and an area AP1 to which the first lamp unit 10 can irradiate light are shown by a dotted line. Also, the light intensity distribution shown in FIG. 10 is a distribution on a straight line SL1 extending in the left-right direction through the hot zone HZL, and is shown by a thick line. Note that the straight line SL1 is parallel to the horizontal direction. The predetermined light distribution pattern P1 of this embodiment has cutoff lines CL11, CL12, and CL13 at the upper edge. The cutoff line CL11 corresponds to the cutoff line CL1 in the low beam light distribution pattern PL, and extends horizontally from the elbow point EP to the right side, which is one side in the left-right direction. The cutoff line CL12 corresponds to the cutoff line CL2 in the low beam light distribution pattern PL, and extends obliquely upward from the elbow point EP to the left side, which is the other side in the left-right direction, and the end of the cutoff line CL2 opposite to the elbow point EP side is located above the horizontal line S. The cutoff line CL13 corresponds to the cutoff line CL3 in the low beam light distribution pattern PL, and extends horizontally from the end of the cutoff line CL12 opposite to the elbow point EP side to the other side in the left-right direction. Also, as shown in FIG. 10, the light intensity in the predetermined light distribution pattern P1 gradually increases in the left-right direction as it approaches the hot zone HZL. The control unit CO adjusts the amount of light emitted from each light-emitting element in the light distribution pattern forming unit 12 so that the outline, position, and light intensity distribution of a predetermined light distribution pattern P1 of light emitted from the first lamp unit 10 are as specified.

[0064] FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a specific light distribution pattern of light emitted from the second lamp unit 20. In FIG. 11, S indicates a horizontal line, V indicates a vertical line passing through the center of the vehicle 100 in the left-right direction, and a specific light distribution pattern P2 formed on a virtual vertical screen located 25 m ahead of the vehicle 100 is shown by a thick line. In FIG. 11, a predetermined light distribution pattern P1 emitted from the first lamp unit 10 shown in FIG. 10 is shown by a dotted line. The specific light distribution pattern P2 of this embodiment has a first area A1, a second area A2, and a third area A3. The first area A1 is located on one side in the left-right direction. The second area A2 is separated from the first area A1 and located on the other side in the left-right direction. The third area A3 is located between the first area A1 and the second area A2 in the left-right direction and is connected to the first area A1 and the second area A2. In FIG. 11, the boundary between the first region A1 and the third region A3, and the boundary between the second region A2 and the third region A3 are indicated by two-dot chain lines.

[0065] The upper edge of the specific light distribution pattern P2 corresponds to the shape of the lower end of the light-shielding portion 23a of the shade 23, and has cutoff lines CL21, CL22, CL23, CL24, and CL25. The cutoff line CL21 is the upper edge of the third region A3 and extends in the horizontal direction below the elbow point EP. One end of the cutoff line CL21 is located on one side of the elbow point EP in the left-right direction, and the other end of the cutoff line CL21 is located on the other side of the elbow point EP in the left-right direction.

[0066] The cutoff line CL22 is a part of the upper edge of the second region A2, and extends obliquely upward from the other end of the cutoff line CL21 in the left-right direction to the other side. The cutoff line CL23 is another part of the upper edge of the second region A2, and extends horizontally from the end of the cutoff line CL22 opposite to the cutoff line CL21 side to the other side in the left-right direction. Therefore, the upper edge of the second region A2 is the cutoff lines CL22 and CL23, and the cutoff line CL21, which is the upper edge of the third region A3, is located below these cutoff lines CL22 and CL23. In addition, the upper edge of the second region A2 on the third region A3 side is the cutoff line CL22, which can be understood to be inclined downward toward the third region A3 side and connected to the upper edge of the third region A3.

[0067] The cutoff line CL24 is a part of the upper edge of the first region A1 and corresponds to the cutoff line CL4 in the light distribution pattern PL of the low beam. The cutoff line CL24 extends obliquely upward from one end of the cutoff line CL21 in the left-right direction to one side. The cutoff line CL21 side of the cutoff line CL24 is located within a predetermined light distribution pattern P1. The cutoff line CL25 is another part of the upper edge of the first region A1 and corresponds to the cutoff line CL5 in the light distribution pattern PL of the low beam. The cutoff line CL25 extends horizontally from the end of the cutoff line CL24 opposite to the cutoff line CL21 side to one side in the left-right direction. Therefore, the upper edge of the first region A1 is the cutoff lines CL24 and CL25, and the cutoff line CL21, which is the upper edge of the third region A3, is located below these cutoff lines CL24 and CL25. In addition, the upper edge of the first region A1 on the third region A3 side is a cutoff line CL24, which can be understood to be inclined downward toward the third region A3 side and connected to the upper edge of the third region A3.

[0068] In this embodiment, a part of the specific light distribution pattern P2 and a part of the predetermined light distribution pattern P1 overlap each other. Specifically, one side in the left-right direction of the specific light distribution pattern P1 overlaps with a part of the first region A1 of the specific light distribution pattern P2. The other side in the left-right direction of the specific light distribution pattern P1 overlaps with a part of the second region A2 of the specific light distribution pattern P2. In addition, the lower side of the center in the left-right direction of the specific light distribution pattern P1 overlaps with a part of the third region A3 of the specific light distribution pattern P2. And, the entire cutoff line CL12 in the specific light distribution pattern P2 is located within the specific light distribution pattern P1. Also, the entire cutoff line CL22 in the specific light distribution pattern P2 is located within the specific light distribution pattern P1. Also, the cutoff line CL23 in the specific light distribution pattern P2 is located at approximately the same height as CL13 in the specific light distribution pattern P1, and the cutoff line CL22 side of the cutoff line CL23 overlaps with CL13.

[0069] The light having the predetermined light distribution pattern P1 emitted from the first lamp unit 10 and the light having the specific light distribution pattern P2 emitted from the second lamp unit 20 form the low beam light distribution pattern PL shown in FIG. 9. As shown in FIG. 9, the predetermined area CA formed by the light including the light from the first lamp unit 10 in the low beam light distribution pattern PL includes the elbow point EP and the hot zone HZL. The predetermined area CA is an area overlapping with the predetermined light distribution pattern P1. In addition, only the light emitted from the second lamp unit 20 is irradiated to the first side area SA1 on one side of the predetermined area CA in the left-right direction and the second side area SA2 on the other side, and the lower area UA located below the predetermined area CA and between the first side area SA1 and the second side area SA2 in the left-right direction in the low beam light distribution pattern PL. That is, the predetermined area CA is sandwiched in the left-right direction by the first side area SA1 and the second side area SA2, and the first side area SA1, the second side area SA2, and the lower area UA are formed by another part of the light having the specific light distribution pattern P2 emitted from the second lamp unit 20. In addition, in FIG. 9, the boundaries of these areas CA, SA1, SA2, and UA are indicated by dotted lines. The first side area SA1 is a part of the first area A1 in the specific light distribution pattern P2 of the light emitted from the second lamp unit 20, and the second side area SA2 is a part of the second area A2 in the specific light distribution pattern P2. In addition, the lower area UA is formed by another part of the first area A1, another part of the second area A2, and a part of the third area A3 in the specific light distribution pattern P2.

[0070] In addition, the cutoff line CL1 in the low beam light distribution pattern PL is formed from the cutoff line CL11 in a predetermined light distribution pattern P1 emitted from the first lamp unit 10, and the cutoff line CL2 in the low beam light distribution pattern PL is formed from the cutoff line CL12 in the predetermined light distribution pattern P1.

[0071] Further, the cutoff line CL3 in the low beam light distribution pattern PL is formed by the cutoff line CL13 in the predetermined light distribution pattern P1 and the cutoff line CL23 in the specific light distribution pattern P2. This cutoff line CL3 is the upper edge of the second side region SA2 and is located above the cutoff line CL1 as a horizontal cutoff line.

[0072] Further, the cutoff line CL4 in the low beam light distribution pattern PL is formed from the cutoff line CL24 in the specific light distribution pattern P2, and the cutoff line CL5 in the low beam light distribution pattern PL is formed from the cutoff line CL25 in the specific light distribution pattern P2. The cutoff line CL5 is a part of the upper edge of the first side region SA1, and is located above the cutoff line CL1 as a horizontal cutoff line.

[0073] Next, the high beam emitted from the vehicle headlamp 1 will be described.

[0074] In this embodiment, as described above, the third lamp unit 30 of the vehicle headlamp 1 is a lamp unit for high beam, and a high beam light distribution pattern is formed by the light emitted from the first lamp unit 10, the light emitted from the second lamp unit 20, and the light emitted from the third lamp unit 30.

[0075] Fig. 12 is a diagram showing a high beam light distribution pattern. In Fig. 12, S indicates a horizontal line, V indicates a vertical line passing through the center of the vehicle 100 in the lateral direction, and a high beam light distribution pattern PH formed on a virtual vertical screen located 25 m ahead of the vehicle 100 is shown by a thick line. In this embodiment, a hot zone HZH, which is an area where the light intensity in the high beam light distribution pattern PH is the highest, is located on or near the intersection of the horizontal line S and the vertical line V. Fig. 12 also shows areas PHa to PHe onto which light emitted from the multiple light emitting elements 33a to 33e in the third lamp unit 30 is irradiated, and an area AP1 onto which the first lamp unit 10 can irradiate light. These regions PHa to PHe are aligned in the left-right direction, and the region PHa is irradiated with light emitted from the light-emitting element 33a, the region PHb is irradiated with light emitted from the light-emitting element 33b, the region PHc is irradiated with light emitted from the light-emitting element 33c, the region PHd is irradiated with light emitted from the light-emitting element 33d, and the region PHe is irradiated with light emitted from the light-emitting element 33e. That is, the third lamp unit 30 emits light irradiated to these PHa to PHe. Note that these regions PHa to PHe may overlap with other adjacent regions. Also, the above-mentioned hot zone HZH overlaps with the region PHc and the region AP1.

[0076] In this embodiment, when a high beam is emitted from the vehicle headlamp 1, light is emitted from all the light emitting elements 13 in the first lamp unit 10, and the outer shape of the predetermined light distribution pattern of the light emitted from the first lamp unit 10 is the same as the area AP1. The light intensity distribution in the predetermined light distribution pattern of the light emitted from the first lamp unit 10 is, for example, a distribution in which the intensity decreases as the distance from the hot zone HZH increases, and the control unit CO adjusts the amount of light emitted from each light emitting element 13 in the first lamp unit 10 so as to obtain such a distribution. In addition, the second lamp unit 20 emits light having the above-mentioned specific light distribution pattern P2, similar to the case of emitting a low beam. In this way, light is emitted from the first lamp unit 10, the second lamp unit 20, and the third lamp unit 30, and thus a high beam is emitted from the vehicle headlamp 1.

[0077] Next, an operation of the vehicle headlamp 1 of this embodiment will be described. Fig. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a control flowchart of the control unit in this embodiment. As shown in Fig. 13, the control flow of this embodiment includes steps SP11 to SP15.

[0078] (Step SP11) First, the control unit CO judges whether or not a signal indicating emission of low beam is input from the light switch 51. If this signal is input to the control unit CO, the control unit CO advances the control flow to step SP12. On the other hand, if this signal is not input to the control unit CO, the control unit CO advances the control flow to step SP13. Therefore, the judgment of the control unit CO can be understood as changing the next step by distinguishing between cases depending on the input signal in this way.

[0079] (Step SP12) In this step, the control unit CO controls the light distribution pattern forming unit 12 of the first lamp unit 10 and the light source unit 22 of the second lamp unit 20 so that the low beam is emitted from the vehicle headlamp 1 and the position of the elbow point EP of the light distribution pattern PL of the low beam is a position corresponding to the steering angle of the vehicle 100. In this embodiment, the control unit CO controls the light distribution pattern forming unit 12 of the first lamp unit 10 and the light source unit 22 of the second lamp unit 20 so that the position of the hot zone HZL as well as the elbow point EP is a position corresponding to the steering angle of the vehicle 100. Specifically, the control unit CO refers to a table stored in the memory ME based on a signal corresponding to the steering angle of the vehicle 100 output from the steering sensor 52. Then, the control unit CO adjusts the power supplied from a power supply unit (not shown) to the multiple light-emitting elements 13 in the light distribution pattern forming unit 12 of the first lamp unit 10 to make the amount of light emitted from each light-emitting element 13 correspond to the steering angle. Therefore, light having a predetermined light distribution pattern P1 according to the steering angle is emitted from the first lamp unit 10 toward the front of the vehicle 100. The control unit CO also supplies a predetermined power from a power supply unit (not shown) to the light source unit 22 of the second lamp unit 20, and causes the light source unit 22 to emit light. Therefore, light having a specific light distribution pattern P2 shown in Fig. 11 is emitted from the second lamp unit 20. Then, a low beam light distribution pattern according to the steering angle of the vehicle 100 is formed by the light from the first lamp unit 10 and the light from the second lamp unit 20, and the control unit CO returns the control flow to step SP11.

[0080] In this embodiment, when the steering angle is equal to or smaller than the reference angle, the control unit CO adjusts the amount of light emitted from the plurality of light-emitting elements 13 in the light distribution pattern forming unit 12 of the first lamp unit 10 so that the low-beam light distribution pattern PL shown in FIG. 9 is formed. This reference angle is, for example, 5°. When the steering angle is a steering angle to the left that exceeds the reference angle, the control unit CO adjusts the amount of light emitted from the plurality of light-emitting elements 13 to form a predetermined light distribution pattern P1 emitted from the first lamp unit 10 such that the positions of the elbow point EP and the hot zone HZL are shifted to the left by a predetermined distance according to the steering angle from the positions shown in FIG. When the steering angle is a steering angle to the right that exceeds the reference angle, the control unit CO adjusts the amount of light emitted from the plurality of light-emitting elements 13 to form a predetermined light distribution pattern P1 emitted from the first lamp unit 10 such that the positions of the elbow point EP and the hot zone HZL are shifted to the right by a predetermined distance according to the steering angle from the positions shown in FIG. The predetermined distance according to the steering angle is short when the steering angle is small and long when the steering angle is large, and in this embodiment, it gradually becomes longer as the steering angle becomes larger. That is, the table stored in the memory ME is a table in which the predetermined distance becomes as described above. Therefore, the control unit CO adjusts the amount of light emitted from the multiple light-emitting elements 13 based on such a table to change the predetermined light distribution pattern P1, and moves the elbow point EP and hot zone HZL of the low beam light distribution pattern PL in the left-right direction according to the steering angle of the vehicle 100. Note that the predetermined distance may gradually become longer as the steering angle becomes larger.

[0081] FIG. 14 is a diagram showing an example of a state in which the elbow point EP and hot zone HZL of the low beam light distribution pattern PL are moved according to the steering angle of the vehicle 100. In FIG. 14, the elbow point EP and hot zone HZL of the low beam light distribution pattern shown in FIG. 9 are shown by dashed lines. The state shown in FIG. 14 is a state in which the steering angle of the vehicle is a steering angle to the right that exceeds the reference angle. Therefore, in this embodiment, in step SP12, the positions of the elbow point EP and hot zone HZL of the low beam light distribution pattern PL are changed to a position moved a predetermined distance D to the right. The vertical positions of the elbow point EP and hot zone HZL are approximately the same before and after the movement. In addition, the cutoff line CL2, which is an inclined cutoff line, also moves to the right. The inclination angle of the cutoff line CL2 with respect to the horizontal direction is approximately the same before and after the movement.

[0082] FIG. 15 is a diagram showing a predetermined light distribution pattern of light emitted from the first lamp unit 10 when forming the low beam light distribution pattern PL shown in FIG. 14, and the light intensity distribution in the light distribution pattern. In FIG. 15, S indicates a horizontal line, V indicates a vertical line passing through the center of the vehicle 100 in the left-right direction, and a predetermined light distribution pattern P12 of light emitted from the first lamp unit 10 formed on a virtual vertical screen located 25 m ahead of the vehicle 100 is shown by a thick line. In addition, in FIG. 15, the position of the hot zone HZL in the low beam light distribution pattern PL shown in FIG. 14 is shown by a dotted line, and the predetermined light distribution pattern P1 and the light intensity distribution of the predetermined light distribution pattern P1 shown in FIG. 10 are shown by a two-dot chain line. Note that this predetermined light distribution pattern P1 is shown slightly shifted downward for ease of understanding. In addition, the light intensity distribution shown in FIG. 15 is a distribution on a straight line SL1 extending in the left-right direction through the hot zone HZL, similar to the light intensity distribution shown in FIG. 10, and is shown by a thick line. The straight line SL1 is parallel to the horizontal direction.

[0083] As described above, the predetermined area CA in the first state before the elbow point EP and the hot zone HZL move is the outer edge of the predetermined light distribution pattern P1 shown in FIG. 10 and the area inside the outer edge. In FIG. 15, the fixed area 61 based on the predetermined area CA in the first state is hatched. The fixed area 61 is an area that corresponds to the range from the edge opposite to the predetermined side to a position a predetermined distance D away from the predetermined side in the predetermined area CA in the first state. In the example shown in FIG. 15, the elbow point EP and the hot zone HZL move the predetermined distance D to the right, so the predetermined side in the left-right direction is the right side. Therefore, the fixed area 61 is an area that corresponds to the range from the left edge E1 to a position a predetermined distance D away from the left side in the predetermined area CA in the first state. Note that the left edge E1 of the predetermined area CA in the first state is the same as the left edge 61E1 of the fixed area 61. Moreover, the predetermined area CA in the second state after the elbow point EP and the hot zone HZL have moved the predetermined distance D is the outer edge of the predetermined light distribution pattern P12 shown in FIG. 15, which has changed so that the elbow point EP and the hot zone HZL have moved, and the area inside the outer edge. The above-mentioned fixed area 61 and the right edge E2 of the predetermined area CA in the first state are located within the predetermined area CA in the second state. In this embodiment, when changing from the first state to the second state, the positions of the left edge E1, the right edge E2, and the lower edge E3 of the predetermined area CA do not change. Therefore, in the second state, as in the first state, a part of the predetermined light distribution pattern P12 and a part of the specific light distribution pattern P2 overlap each other.

[0084] The intensity of light from the first lamp unit 10 in the second state in the fixed region 61 is equal to or less than the intensity of light from the first lamp unit 10 in the first state in the fixed region 61. Specifically, the intensity of light from the first lamp unit 10 in the second state at an arbitrary point in the fixed region 61 is equal to or less than the intensity of light from the first lamp unit 10 in the first state at this arbitrary point. Also, the intensity of light from the first lamp unit 10 in the second state at an arbitrary point in the fixed region 61 is equal to or greater than the intensity of light from the first lamp unit 10 in the first state at the intersection point between a straight line passing through this arbitrary point and extending in the left-right direction and the left edge 61E1 of the fixed region 61. For example, when this arbitrary point is located on the straight line SL1, the intensity of light from the first lamp unit 10 in the second state at the arbitrary point is equal to or greater than the intensity d1 of light from the first lamp unit 10 in the first state at the intersection point 61P between the straight line SL1 and the edge 61E1.

[0085] Also, the intensity of light from the first lamp unit 10 in the second state at an arbitrary reference point on the reference line 62 that coincides with the right edge E2 of the predetermined area CA in the first state is equal to or greater than the intensity of light from the first lamp unit 10 in the first state at the arbitrary reference point. For example, if the arbitrary reference point is an intersection 62P between the straight line SL1 and the reference line 62, the intensity of light from the first lamp unit 10 in the second state at the intersection 62P is equal to or greater than the intensity d2 of light from the first lamp unit 10 in the first state at the intersection 62P. Also, the intensity of light from the first lamp unit 10 in the second state at an arbitrary reference point on the reference line 62 is equal to or less than the intensity of light from the first lamp unit 10 at the arbitrary reference point when the predetermined light distribution pattern P1 in the first state moves a predetermined distance D to the right. For example, if this arbitrary reference point is the intersection 62P between the straight line SL1 and the reference line 62, the intensity of light from the first lighting unit 10 in the second state at this intersection 62P is less than or equal to the intensity d3 of light from the first lighting unit 10 at this intersection 62P when the specified light distribution pattern P1 in the first state is moved a specified distance D to the right.

[0086] In this embodiment, the intensity of light from the first lamp unit 10 in the second state at an arbitrary point on the left edge 61E1 of the fixed region 61 is the same as the intensity of light from the first lamp unit 10 in the first state at this arbitrary point. Also, the intensity of light from the first lamp unit 10 in the second state at an arbitrary reference point on the base line 62 is the same as the intensity of light from the first lamp unit 10 in the first state at this arbitrary reference point. Also, the intensity of light from the first lamp unit 10 in the second state gradually increases from the left edge 61E1 of the fixed region 61 toward the hot zone HZL. However, the intensity of light from this first lamp unit 10 may increase stepwise from the edge 61E1 toward the hot zone HZL. Also, the intensity of light from the first lamp unit 10 in the second state gradually increases from the base line 62 toward the hot zone HZL. However, the intensity of light from this first lamp unit 10 may increase stepwise from the base line 62 toward the hot zone HZL. Further, the intensity d1 of the light from the first lamp unit 10 in the first state at the intersection 61P is higher than the intensity d2 of the light from the first lamp unit 10 in the first state at the intersection 62P, but this is not particularly limited.

[0087] The control unit CO adjusts the amount of light emitted from the multiple light-emitting elements 13 of the light distribution pattern forming unit 12 so that the outer shape, position, and light intensity distribution of the predetermined light distribution pattern P12 in the second state are as described above.

[0088] (Step SP13) In this step, the control unit CO judges whether or not a signal indicating emission of high beams is input from the light switch 51. If this signal is input to the control unit CO, the control unit CO advances the control flow to step SP14. On the other hand, if this signal is not input to the control unit CO, the control unit CO advances the control flow to step SP15.

[0089] (Step SP14) In this step, the control unit CO controls the light distribution pattern forming unit 12 of the first lamp unit 10, the light source unit 22 of the second lamp unit 20, and the light distribution pattern forming unit 32 of the third lamp unit 30 so that a high beam is emitted from the vehicle headlamp 1. Specifically, the control unit CO causes the light source unit 22 of the second lamp unit 20 to emit light, and causes the light emitting elements 33a to 33e in the light distribution pattern forming unit 32 of the third lamp unit to emit light. The control unit CO also adjusts the amount of light emitted from each of the light emitting elements 13 in the light distribution pattern forming unit 12 of the first lamp unit 10 to the amount of light corresponding to a high beam. Then, the light from the first lamp unit 10, the light from the second lamp unit 20, and the light from the third lamp unit 30 form a light distribution pattern of a high beam, and the control unit CO returns the control flow to step SP11.

[0090] (Step SP15) In this step, no signal is input from the light switch 51 to the control unit CO. Therefore, the light switch 51 is in a state where no low beam or high beam is emitted. The control unit CO controls the light distribution pattern forming unit 12 of the first lamp unit 10, the light source unit 22 of the second lamp unit 20, and the light distribution pattern forming unit 32 of the third lamp unit 30 so that light from the first lamp unit 10, the second lamp unit 20, and the third lamp unit 30 is not emitted. Specifically, the control unit CO makes the light from the plurality of light-emitting elements 13 in the light distribution pattern forming unit 12 of the first lamp unit 10, the light source unit 22 of the second lamp unit 20, and the plurality of light-emitting elements 33a to 33e in the light distribution pattern forming unit 32 of the third lamp unit 30 not emitted, and returns the control flow to step SP11.

[0091] In this way, in the vehicle headlamp 1 of this embodiment, the elbow point EP and the hot zone HZL of the low beam light distribution pattern PL move left and right in response to the steering angle of the vehicle 100. The control flow of the control unit CO is not particularly limited. The vehicle headlamp 1 may also move the hot zone HZH in the high beam light distribution pattern PH left and right in response to the steering angle of the vehicle 100. The vehicle headlamp 1 may not move the elbow point EP and the hot zone HZL of the low beam light distribution pattern PL in response to the steering angle of the vehicle 100, and may not move the hot zone HZH in the high beam light distribution pattern PH in response to the steering angle of the vehicle 100.

[0092] As described above, the vehicle headlamp 1 of the present embodiment includes the first lamp unit 10 and the second lamp unit 20. The first lamp unit 10 has a light distribution pattern forming section 12 in which a plurality of light emitting elements 13 serving as light emitting sections capable of individually changing the amount of light emitted are arranged in a matrix to form a predetermined light distribution pattern according to the amount of light emitted from the plurality of light emitting elements 13. The second lamp unit 20 emits light having a specific light distribution pattern P2. In addition, a low beam light distribution pattern PL is formed by the light emitted from the first lamp unit 10 and the light emitted from the second lamp unit 20. This low beam light distribution pattern PL has a cutoff line CL1, which is a horizontal cutoff line extending horizontally from the elbow point EP to one side in the left-right direction, and a cutoff line CL2, which is an inclined cutoff line extending obliquely upward from the elbow point EP to the other side in the left-right direction. In addition, the predetermined area CA formed by the light including the light from the first lamp unit 10 in the low beam light distribution pattern PL includes the elbow point EP. Therefore, the vehicle headlamp 1 of the present embodiment can finely adjust the light intensity distribution in the predetermined area CA by adjusting the amount of light emitted from each light emitting element 13 in the first lamp unit 10. In addition, in the low beam light distribution pattern PL, the first side area SA1 and the second side area SA2 sandwiching the predetermined area CA in the left and right direction are formed by the light emitted from the second lamp unit 20. Here, the first side area SA1 and the second side area SA2 have a smaller rate of change in light intensity than the above-mentioned predetermined area CA. The light intensity distribution in the first side area SA1 and the second side area SA2 does not require fine adjustment compared to the predetermined area CA. Therefore, the second lamp unit 20 does not need to be able to finely adjust the light intensity distribution in the specific light distribution pattern P2 emitted compared to the first lamp unit 10. In this embodiment, the second lamp unit 20 has a light source section 22 that emits light and a shade 23, and forms a specific light distribution pattern P2 by blocking a portion of the light emitted from the light source section 22 with the shade 23. The second lamp unit 20 thus configured has a simpler configuration than the first lamp unit 10 having the light distribution pattern forming section 12.Therefore, the vehicle headlamp 1 of this embodiment can reduce manufacturing costs compared to a case in which the low beam light distribution pattern PL is formed by only the light emitted from the first lamp unit 10.

[0093] In the vehicle headlamp 1 of the present embodiment, a portion of the predetermined light distribution pattern P1 and a portion of the specific light distribution pattern P2 overlap each other. This makes it possible to prevent an unintended dark area from being created in the low beam light distribution pattern PL.

[0094] In the vehicle headlamp 1 of this embodiment, the cutoff lines CL4 and CL5, which are the upper edges of the first side region SA1, are located above the cutoff line CL1, which is a horizontal cutoff line. Therefore, the visibility on one side in the left-right direction can be improved compared to a case where the upper edge of the first side region SA1 is located below the cutoff line CL1. From the viewpoint of improving the visibility on one side in the left-right direction, it is sufficient that at least a part of the upper edge of the first side region SA1 is located above the cutoff line CL1.

[0095] In the vehicle headlamp 1 of this embodiment, the cutoff line CL3, which is the upper edge of the second side region SA2, is located above the cutoff line CL1, which is the horizontal cutoff line. Therefore, the visibility to the right and left can be improved compared to a case where the upper edges of the first side region SA1 and the second side region SA2 are located below the cutoff line CL1. From the viewpoint of improving the visibility to the other side in the left-right direction, it is sufficient that at least a part of the upper edge of the second side region SA2 is located above the cutoff line CL1.

[0096] The vehicle headlamp 1 of this embodiment further includes a control unit CO, and the predetermined area CA includes the elbow point and the hot zone HZL. The control unit CO adjusts the amount of light emitted from the multiple light-emitting elements 13, and changes the predetermined light distribution pattern P1 to a light distribution pattern in which the elbow point EP and the hot zone HZL move a predetermined distance D to a predetermined side in the left-right direction. Therefore, according to the vehicle headlamp 1 of this embodiment, the elbow point EP and the hot zone HZL can be moved in the left-right direction according to a change in the traveling direction of the vehicle 100, and the visibility in the traveling direction can be improved. In addition, in the vehicle headlamp 1 of this embodiment, for example, when the elbow point EP and the hot zone HZL move a predetermined distance D to the right, the fixed area 61 is an area that coincides with the range from the left edge E1 to a position that is a predetermined distance D away to the right in the predetermined area CA in the first state before the elbow point EP and the hot zone HZL move. The intensity of light from the first lamp unit 10 in the second state after the elbow point EP and the hot zone HZL at an arbitrary point in the fixed region 61 are moved is equal to or less than the intensity of light from the first lamp unit 10 in the first state at the arbitrary point, and is equal to or greater than the intensity of light from the first lamp unit 10 in the first state at the intersection of a straight line passing through the arbitrary point and extending in the left-right direction with the left edge 61E1 of the fixed region 61. For example, when the elbow point EP and the hot zone HZL are moved in the left-right direction by moving the predetermined light distribution pattern P1 in the left-right direction, the fixed region 61 is not irradiated with light from the first lamp unit 10. Therefore, according to the vehicle headlamp 1 of this embodiment, the amount of change in the light intensity in the fixed region 61 can be made smaller than in the above case, and the driver's discomfort in the fixed region 61 can be suppressed. Therefore, according to the vehicle headlamp 1 of this embodiment, the driver's discomfort when the elbow point EP and the hot zone HZL are moved can be suppressed compared to the above case. In addition, from the viewpoint of enabling fine adjustment of the light intensity distribution in the specified area CA and reducing manufacturing costs, the intensity of light from the first lamp unit 10 in the second state at any point within the fixed area 61 is not particularly limited.For example, when the elbow point EP and the hot zone HZL move a predetermined distance D to the right, the intensity of light from the first lamp unit 10 in the second state at any point in the fixed region 61 may exceed the intensity of light from the first lamp unit 10 in the first state at the arbitrary point. Also, this light intensity may be less than the intensity of light from the first lamp unit 10 in the first state at the intersection of a straight line passing through the arbitrary point and extending in the left-right direction and the left edge 61E1 of the fixed region 61.

[0097] In the vehicle headlamp 1 of this embodiment, the right edge E2 of the predetermined area CA in the first state is located within the predetermined area CA in the second state. The intensity of light from the first lamp unit 10 in the second state at an arbitrary reference point on the reference line 62 that coincides with the edge E2 is equal to or greater than the intensity of light from the first lamp unit 10 in the first state at the arbitrary reference point, and is equal to or less than the intensity of light from the first lamp unit 10 at the arbitrary reference point when the predetermined light distribution pattern P1 in the first state moves a predetermined distance D to the right. Therefore, according to the vehicle headlamp 1 of this embodiment, the change in the light intensity on the reference line 62 can be prevented from becoming large, compared to the case where the elbow point EP and the hot zone HZL are moved in the left-right direction by moving the predetermined light distribution pattern P1 in the left-right direction, and it is possible to suppress the driver from easily feeling discomfort due to the change in the amount of light on the reference line 62.

[0098] In the vehicle headlamp 1 of this embodiment, the intensity of light from the first lamp unit 10 in the second state gradually increases from the left edge 61E1 of the fixed region 61 toward the hot zone HZL. Therefore, the vehicle headlamp 1 of this embodiment can further prevent the driver from feeling uncomfortable when the elbow point EP and the hot zone HZL are moved.

[0099] In the vehicle headlamp 1 of this embodiment, the intensity of light from the first lamp unit 10 in the second state at any reference point on the base line 62 is the same as the intensity of light from the first lamp unit 10 in the first state at the any reference point. Therefore, according to the vehicle headlamp 1 of this embodiment, the intensity of light from the first lamp unit 10 does not change on the base line 62 when the elbow point EP and the hot zone HZL are moved, which can further reduce the sense of discomfort felt by the driver.

[0100] In the vehicle headlamp 1 of this embodiment, the intensity of the light from the first lamp unit 10 in the second state gradually increases from the reference line 62 toward the hot zone HZL. This can further prevent the driver from feeling uncomfortable when the elbow point EP and the hot zone HZL are moved.

[0101] Second embodiment Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to Fig. 16. Note that components that are the same as or equivalent to those in the first embodiment will be given the same reference numerals and will not be described repeatedly unless otherwise specified.

[0102] FIG. 16 is a diagram showing a predetermined light distribution pattern of light emitted from the first lamp unit 10 of this embodiment when forming the low beam light distribution pattern shown in FIG. 14, and the light intensity distribution in the light distribution pattern, in a manner similar to that of FIG. 15. The predetermined light distribution pattern P12 shown in FIG. 16 is a predetermined light distribution pattern of light emitted from the first lamp unit 10 when forming the low beam light distribution pattern PL in which the elbow point EP and the hot zone HZL are moved according to the steering angle of the vehicle 100. In this embodiment, the light intensity distribution in the predetermined light distribution pattern P12 is different from the light intensity distribution in the predetermined light distribution pattern P12 in the first embodiment. Therefore, the light intensity distribution in the low beam light distribution pattern PL of this embodiment is different from the light intensity distribution in the low beam light distribution pattern PL of the first embodiment. Note that the outer shape of the predetermined light distribution pattern P12 of this embodiment, and the positions of the elbow point EP and the hot zone HZL of the low beam light distribution pattern PL are the same as those of the first embodiment.

[0103] As shown in FIG. 16, in this embodiment, the intensity of light from the first lamp unit 10 in the second state at an arbitrary point in the fixed region 61 is the same as the intensity of light from the first lamp unit 10 in the first state at the intersection point between a straight line extending in the left-right direction through this arbitrary point and the left edge 61E1 of the fixed region 61. For example, when this arbitrary point is located on the straight line SL1, it is the same as the intensity d1 of light from the first lamp unit 10 in the first state at the intersection point 61P between the straight line SL1 and the edge 61E1. Therefore, according to the vehicle headlamp 1 of this embodiment, as in the first embodiment, it is possible to suppress the driver from feeling uncomfortable when the elbow point EP and the hot zone HZL are moved. Moreover, according to the vehicle headlamp 1 of this embodiment, the intensity of light from the first lamp unit 10 in the second state in the fixed region 61 is constant in the left-right direction, which makes it easy to adjust the amount of light emitted from the multiple light-emitting elements 13 by the control unit CO.

[0104] In the vehicle headlamp 1 of this embodiment, the intensity of the light from the first lamp unit 10 in the second state gradually increases from the right edge 61E2 of the fixed area 61 toward the hot zone HZL. This can further prevent the driver from feeling uncomfortable when the elbow point EP and the hot zone HZL are moved.

[0105] In addition, in this embodiment, the intensity distribution of light from the first lamp unit 10 in the second state in the range from the right edge 61E2 of the fixed region 61 to the reference line 62 is the same as the intensity distribution of that range when the predetermined light distribution pattern P1 in the first state moves to the right by a predetermined distance D. Therefore, according to the vehicle headlamp 1 of this embodiment, it is possible to simplify the adjustment of the amount of light emitted from the multiple light-emitting elements 13 by the control unit CO, compared to a case in which the light intensity distribution of that range in the second state differs from the light intensity distribution of that range when the predetermined light distribution pattern P1 in the first state moves to the right by a predetermined distance D.

[0106] Although the present invention has been described above using the above-mentioned embodiments as examples, the present invention is not limited to these.

[0107] For example, in the above embodiment, a low beam light distribution pattern PL having a cutoff line CL1 as a horizontal cutoff line, CL2 as an inclined cutoff line, and cutoff lines CL3, CL4, and CL5 at the upper edge has been described as an example. However, the low beam light distribution pattern PL only needs to have the cutoff line CL1 as a horizontal cutoff line and CL2 as an inclined cutoff line, and may be, for example, a light distribution pattern shown in FIG.

[0108] FIG. 17 is a diagram showing a low beam light distribution pattern according to a first modified example. In FIG. 17, S indicates a horizontal line, V indicates a vertical line passing through the center of the vehicle 100 in the left-right direction, and a low beam light distribution pattern PL formed on a virtual vertical screen arranged 25 m ahead of the vehicle 100 is shown by a thick line. The upper edge of the low beam light distribution pattern PL in this modified example is different from the upper edge of the low beam light distribution pattern PL in the above embodiment. The low beam light distribution pattern PL in this modified example has a cutoff line CL1a as a horizontal cutoff line, CL2a as an inclined cutoff line, and cutoff lines CL3a, CL4a, and CL5a at the upper edge. Since the cutoff lines CL1a and CL2a are the same as the cutoff lines CL1 and CL2 in the above embodiment, the description of the cutoff lines CL1a and CL2a will be omitted. The cutoff line CL3a extends horizontally from the end of the cutoff line CL2a opposite to the elbow point EP side to the other side in the left-right direction. The cutoff line CL4a extends downward from the end of the cutoff line CL3a opposite to the elbow point EP. The end of the cutoff line CL4a opposite to the cutoff line CL3a is located below the horizontal line S. The cutoff line CL5a extends horizontally from the end of the cutoff line CL4a opposite to the cutoff line CL3a to the other side in the left-right direction. The cutoff lines CL5a and CL1a are located at approximately the same height.

[0109] The upper edge of the predetermined area CA in the low beam light distribution pattern PL is a part of the cutoff line CL1a, the cutoff line CL2a, and the cutoff line CL3a. The upper edge of the first side area SA1 is another part of the cutoff line CL1a, and the upper edge of the second side area SA2 is the cutoff line CL5a.

[0110] Such a low beam light distribution pattern PL is formed, for example, by making the light distribution pattern of the light emitted from the second lamp unit 20 into a specific light distribution pattern shown in FIG. 18. FIG. 18 is a diagram showing a specific light distribution pattern of the light emitted from the second lamp unit 20 according to the first modified example. In FIG. 18, S indicates a horizontal line, V indicates a vertical line passing through the center of the vehicle 100 in the left-right direction, and a specific light distribution pattern P2 formed on a virtual vertical screen located 25 m ahead of the vehicle 100 is shown by a thick line. In FIG. 18, a predetermined light distribution pattern P1 emitted from the first lamp unit 10 is shown by a dotted line, and this predetermined light distribution pattern P1 is the same as the predetermined light distribution pattern P1 in the above embodiment.

[0111] The upper edge of the specific light distribution pattern P2 in this modification is composed of a cutoff line CL21a extending linearly in the horizontal direction, unlike the upper edge of the specific light distribution pattern P2 in the above embodiment. A part of such a specific light distribution pattern P2 and a part of the predetermined light distribution pattern P1 overlap each other. Specifically, the cutoff line CL21a in the specific light distribution pattern P2 crosses the predetermined light distribution pattern P1 in the left-right direction and overlaps with the cutoff line CL11 in the predetermined light distribution pattern P1. Then, the region below the cutoff line CL11 in the predetermined light distribution pattern P1 overlaps with a part of the specific light distribution pattern P2. Then, the light having the predetermined light distribution pattern P1 and the light having the specific light distribution pattern P2 form a low beam light distribution pattern PL shown in FIG. 17. The predetermined area CA in this modification includes the elbow point EP and the hot zone HZL, as in the above embodiment. This predetermined area CA is an area formed by light including the light emitted from the first lamp unit 10 as described above, and the outer shape of the predetermined area CA and the outer shape of the predetermined light distribution pattern P1 match. Further, the cutoff line CL21a in the specific light distribution pattern P2 forms the cutoff lines CL1a and CL5a in the low beam light distribution pattern PL. The specific light distribution pattern P2 in this modification can be formed, for example, by not forming the protrusion 23c in the light blocking portion 23a of the shade 23 in the above embodiment.

[0112] In this modification, as described above, a part of the predetermined light distribution pattern P1 and a part of the specific light distribution pattern P2 overlap each other, and the cutoff line CL21a, which is the upper edge of the specific light distribution pattern P2, extends in a straight line in the horizontal direction and crosses the predetermined light distribution pattern P1. Therefore, the upper edge of the region where the predetermined light distribution pattern P1 and the specific light distribution pattern P2 overlap each other is a straight line extending in the horizontal direction. Therefore, compared with the case where the upper edge of the overlapping region is curved, for example, it is possible to suppress the adjustment of the amount of light emitted from the light emitting element 13 as the light emitting portion of the light distribution pattern forming portion 12 from becoming complicated. Note that, from the viewpoint of suppressing the adjustment of the amount of light from becoming complicated, it is sufficient that a part of the predetermined light distribution pattern P1 and a part of the specific light distribution pattern P2 overlap each other, and a part of the upper edge of the specific light distribution pattern P2 extends in a straight line in the horizontal direction and crosses the predetermined light distribution pattern P1.

[0113] In the above embodiment, the specific light distribution pattern P2 having the first region A1, the second region A2, and the third region has been described as an example. However, the specific light distribution pattern is not particularly limited. It is sufficient that a low beam light distribution pattern having a horizontal cutoff line and an inclined cutoff line can be formed by the light having a predetermined light distribution pattern emitted from the first lamp unit 10 and the light having a specific light distribution pattern emitted from the second lamp unit 20. For example, the specific light distribution pattern may be the light distribution pattern shown in FIG.

[0114] FIG. 19 is a diagram showing a specific light distribution pattern of light emitted from the second lamp unit 20 according to the second modified example. In FIG. 19, S indicates a horizontal line, V indicates a vertical line passing through the center of the vehicle 100 in the left-right direction, and a specific light distribution pattern P2 formed on a virtual vertical screen located 25 m ahead of the vehicle 100 is shown by a thick line. In FIG. 19, a predetermined light distribution pattern P1 emitted from the first lamp unit 10 in this modified example is shown by a dotted line. This predetermined light distribution pattern P1 is mainly different from the predetermined light distribution pattern P1 in the above embodiment in that the lower edge is located lower. Therefore, the predetermined light distribution pattern P1 of this modified example has cutoff lines CL11, CL12, and CL13 at the upper edge, similar to the predetermined light distribution pattern P1 in the above embodiment. The cutoff line CL11 forms a horizontal cutoff line in the light distribution pattern of the low beam, and the cutoff line CL12 forms an inclined cutoff line in the light distribution pattern of the low beam.

[0115] The specific light distribution pattern P2 in this modification is composed of a first region A1 located on one side in the left-right direction and a second region A2 located on the other side in the left-right direction and separated from the first region A1. The upper edge of the first region A1 is composed of a cutoff line CL21a extending linearly in the horizontal direction, and the upper edge of the second region A2 is composed of a cutoff line CL22a extending linearly in the horizontal direction. The cutoff lines CL21a and CL22a are located at approximately the same height as the cutoff line CL11 of the specific light distribution pattern P1. A part of such a specific light distribution pattern P2 and a part of the specific light distribution pattern P1 overlap each other. Specifically, the other side of the first region A1 of the specific light distribution pattern P2 overlaps with one side of the specific light distribution pattern P1, and one side of the second region A2 of the specific light distribution pattern P2 overlaps with the other side of the specific light distribution pattern P1. Then, the light having the predetermined light distribution pattern P1 and the light having the specific light distribution pattern P2 form a low beam light distribution pattern having a horizontal cutoff line and an inclined cutoff line, similar to the low beam light distribution pattern PL shown in FIG. 17. The predetermined area in this modification includes the hot zone HZL as well as the elbow point EP, similar to the above embodiment. The predetermined area CA is an area irradiated with the light emitted from the first lamp unit 10 as described above, and the outer shape of the predetermined area CA and the outer shape of the predetermined light distribution pattern P1 match. A part of the first area A1 in the specific light distribution pattern P2 becomes the first side area in the low beam light distribution pattern, and a part of the second area A2 in the specific light distribution pattern P2 becomes the second side area in the low beam light distribution pattern. The specific light distribution pattern P2 in this modification can be formed, for example, by making the protrusion 23c of the light shielding portion 23a of the shade 23 in the above embodiment protrude downward in a linear, elongated rectangular shape and cross the light emitting element 22a in a front view.

[0116] In the above embodiment, the predetermined area CA formed by the light emitted from the first lamp unit 10 and a part of the light emitted from the second lamp unit 20 has been described as an example. However, the predetermined area CA is formed by light including the light emitted from the first lamp unit 10, and the predetermined area CA may be formed only by the light emitted from the first lamp unit 10 as long as it includes the elbow point EP. In this case, in the above embodiment, a part of the outer edge of the predetermined light distribution pattern P1 and a part of the outer edge of the specific light distribution pattern P2 are in contact with each other, and the predetermined light distribution pattern P1 and the specific light distribution pattern P2 do not overlap each other. Note that, from the viewpoint of suppressing the occurrence of an unintentionally dark area in the low beam light distribution pattern PL, it is preferable that at least a part of the predetermined light distribution pattern and a part of the specific light distribution pattern overlap each other. For example, in the above embodiment, the outer shape of the specific light distribution pattern P2 may be the same as the outer shape of the low beam light distribution pattern PL, and in this case, the entire predetermined light distribution pattern P1 and a part of the specific light distribution pattern P2 overlap each other.

[0117] Also, in the above embodiment, the first lamp unit 10 has been described as an example, in which a plurality of light emitting elements 13 capable of individually changing the amount of light emitted are arranged in a matrix to form a predetermined light distribution pattern according to the amount of light emitted from the plurality of light emitting elements 13. However, the first lamp unit 10 may have a light distribution pattern forming section in which a plurality of light emitting parts capable of individually changing the amount of light emitted are arranged in a matrix to form a predetermined light distribution pattern according to the amount of light emitted from the plurality of light emitting parts, and may have a configuration as shown in FIG.

[0118] Fig. 20 is a view showing a first lamp unit according to a third modified example from the same perspective as Fig. 2. As shown in Fig. 20, the first lamp unit 10 of this modified example is mainly different from the first lamp unit 10 of the above embodiment in that the first emission unit 11 includes a light source 41, a reflector 42, a reflection device 43, and a light absorbing plate 45 instead of the light distribution pattern forming section 12.

[0119] The light source 41 is a light emitting element that emits light. In this modification, the light source 41 is disposed so as to emit light forward. An example of the light source 41 is an LED.

[0120] The reflector 42 is configured to reflect the light emitted from the light source 41 by the reflection surface 42r and irradiate the light on a reflection control surface of the reflection device 43 described later. In this modified example, the reflector 42 is a curved plate-like member and is arranged to cover the light source 41 from the front side. The surface of the reflector 42 facing the light source 41 is the reflection surface 42r. This reflection surface 42r is curved so as to be concave on the side opposite to the light source 41 side, and is configured to collect the light emitted from the light source 41 based on, for example, an ellipsoidal curved surface and irradiate the light on the reflection control surface.

[0121] The reflection device 43 of this modified example is a so-called DMD (Digital Mirror Device), has a reflection control surface 43r that reflects incident light, and is configured to form a predetermined light distribution pattern by the light reflected by the reflection control surface 43r. The reflection device 43 is disposed above the light source 41 and behind the reflector 42 so that the reflection control surface 43r faces forward. The reflection control surface 43r is irradiated with light emitted from the light source 41 and reflected by the reflector 42. The reflection control surface 43r is composed of the reflection surfaces of a plurality of reflection elements arranged in a matrix, and these reflection elements are supported on a substrate so as to be individually tiltable. The plurality of reflection elements are individually switchable between a first tilt state in which the light from the reflector 42 is reflected toward the projection lens 15 and a second tilt state in which the light from the reflector 42 is reflected toward a light absorbing plate 45 described later. By controlling the tilt state of the reflecting elements, such a reflecting device 43 can form a predetermined light distribution pattern with the light directed from the reflection control surface 43r to the projection lens 15. In addition, by controlling the tilt state of these reflecting elements over time, the light intensity distribution of the predetermined light distribution pattern can be made to be a desired intensity distribution. In other words, the multiple reflecting elements of this reflecting device 43 are arranged in a matrix so that the amount of light emitted in the direction toward the projection lens 15 can be individually changed, and it can be understood that this reflecting device 43 forms a predetermined light distribution pattern according to the amount of light emitted from the reflecting surfaces of the multiple reflecting elements.

[0122] The light absorbing plate 45 is a plate-like member having light absorbing properties, and is configured to convert most of the incident light into heat. In this modification, the light absorbing plate 45 is disposed forward and above the reflecting device 43, and light traveling from the reflection control surface 43r toward the light absorbing plate 45 is incident on the light absorbing plate 45, and most of this light is converted into heat. As the light absorbing plate 45, for example, a plate-like member made of a metal such as aluminum and having a surface that is black anodized or the like can be mentioned.

[0123] Even if the first lamp unit 10 has such a configuration, it is possible to finely adjust the light intensity distribution in the predetermined area CA including the elbow point EP in the low beam light distribution pattern PL, and to reduce manufacturing costs, as in the above embodiment. Although not described, the light distribution pattern forming portion may be, for example, LCOS (Liquid Crystal On Silicon) or a diffraction grating that diffracts incident light to emit light of a predetermined light distribution pattern.

[0124] In the above embodiment, the second lamp unit 20 having the light source unit 22 that emits light and the shade 23 that blocks a part of the light emitted from the light source unit 22 has been described as an example. However, the second lamp unit 20 only needs to be able to emit light having a specific light distribution pattern, and the configuration of the second lamp unit 20 is not particularly limited. The second lamp unit 20 may be, for example, a parabolic lamp.

[0125] In the above embodiment, the vehicle headlamp 1 including the third lamp unit 30 has been described as an example. However, the vehicle headlamp 1 does not necessarily have to include the third lamp unit 30. The configuration of the third lamp unit 30 is not particularly limited. The third lamp unit 30 may be, for example, a parabolic lamp unit or a direct lens lamp unit, and may be configured such that the light distribution pattern of the emitted light cannot be changed.

[0126] In the above embodiment, the lighting units 10, 20, and 30 are respectively provided with the housings 16, 26, and 36. However, the lighting units 10, 20, and 30 may share a single housing, and the emission units 11, 21, and 31 may be housed in a lamp chamber in the single housing.

[0127] In the above embodiment, the specific light distribution pattern P2 having the first region A1, the second region A2, and the third region A3 has been described as an example. However, the specific light distribution pattern P2 may have a first region, at least a part of which is the first side region SA1 in the low beam light distribution pattern PL, and a second region, at least a part of which is the second side region in the low beam light distribution pattern PL. In the above embodiment, one side is the right side and the other side is the left side, but in countries or regions where vehicles are driven on the right side, one side is the left side and the other side is the right side.

[0128] In the above embodiment, the positions of the left edge E1, the right edge E2, and the lower edge E3 of the predetermined area CA did not change when changing from the first state to the second state. However, it is sufficient that the fixed area 61 is located within the predetermined area CA in the second state. Therefore, for example, the positions of the left edge E1, the right edge E2, and the lower edge E3 may change when changing from the first state to the second state.

[0129] In the above embodiment, when the first state is changed to the second state, the positions of the elbow point EP and the hot zone HZL are moved a predetermined distance D to the left-right direction. However, from the viewpoint of improving the visibility of the traveling direction when the traveling direction is changed, the elbow point EP may be moved a predetermined distance D to the left-right direction. For example, the moving distance of the hot zone HZL may be smaller than the moving distance of the elbow point EP. Also, as in the modified example shown in FIG. 21, the elbow point EP may be moved without moving the hot zone HZL. That is, the control unit CO may adjust the amount of light emitted from the multiple light-emitting elements 13 to change the predetermined light distribution pattern P1 to a light distribution pattern in which the elbow point EP is moved a predetermined distance to the predetermined side and the hot zone HZL is not moved. FIG. 21 is a diagram showing a predetermined light distribution pattern of light emitted from the first lamp unit according to the fourth modified example and the light intensity distribution in the light distribution pattern in the same manner as FIG. 16. Note that, for components that are the same or equivalent to those in the second embodiment, the same reference symbols are used and duplicated descriptions are omitted except when specifically described.

[0130] In this modification, as described above, the hot zone HZL does not move according to the steering angle of the vehicle 100. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 21, the light intensity distribution in the predetermined light distribution pattern P12 in this modification is different from the light intensity distribution in the predetermined light distribution pattern P12 in the second embodiment. The outline and the position of the elbow point EP in the predetermined light distribution pattern P12 in this modification are the same as those in the second embodiment. In addition, in this modification, the light intensity distribution in the region of the predetermined light distribution pattern P12 that overlaps with the predetermined light distribution pattern P1 and is to the right of the hot zone HZL is approximately the same as the light intensity distribution in the first state before the elbow point EP moves. Therefore, the amount of light emitted from the light emitting element 13 that irradiates the above region in the region overlapping with the predetermined light distribution pattern P12 does not change according to the steering angle of the vehicle 100.

[0131] In this modification, similarly to the second embodiment, the intensity of light from the first lamp unit 10 in the second state at an arbitrary point in the fixed region 61 is the same as the intensity of light from the first lamp unit 10 in the first state at the intersection of a straight line passing through the arbitrary point and extending in the left-right direction and the left edge 61E1 of the fixed region 61. Therefore, according to the vehicle headlamp 1 of this modification, similarly to the second embodiment, it is possible to suppress the driver from feeling uncomfortable when the elbow point is moved. Note that, from the viewpoint of suppressing the driver from feeling uncomfortable, similarly to the first and second embodiments, it is preferable to move the hot zone HZL together with the elbow point EP a predetermined distance D to the predetermined side.

[0132] Furthermore, according to the vehicle headlamp 1 of this modification, as in the second embodiment, the intensity of light from the first lamp unit 10 in the second state in the fixed region 61 is constant in the left-right direction, which can facilitate the adjustment of the amount of light emitted from the plurality of light-emitting elements 13 by the control unit CO. From the viewpoint of suppressing the driver's feeling of discomfort, the intensity of light from the first lamp unit 10 in the second state at an arbitrary point in the fixed region 61 may be equal to or less than the intensity of light from the first lamp unit 10 in the first state at the arbitrary point, and equal to or greater than the intensity of light from the first lamp unit 10 in the first state at the intersection of a straight line passing through the arbitrary point and extending in the left-right direction with the left edge 61E1 of the fixed region 61.

[0133] According to the present invention, a vehicle headlamp is provided that can finely adjust the light intensity distribution in a predetermined region including the elbow point in the low beam light distribution pattern and can reduce manufacturing costs, and can be used in fields such as vehicle headlamps for automobiles, etc.

Claims

1. a first lamp unit having a light distribution pattern forming section in which a plurality of light emitting sections, each capable of individually changing the amount of light emitted, are arranged in a matrix and form a predetermined light distribution pattern according to the amount of light emitted from the plurality of light emitting sections; A second lamp unit that emits light having a specific light distribution pattern; A control unit; Equipped with a low beam light distribution pattern is formed by the light emitted from the first lamp unit and the light emitted from the second lamp unit, the low beam light distribution pattern having a horizontal cutoff line extending horizontally from an elbow point to one side in the left-right direction and an inclined cutoff line extending obliquely upward from the elbow point to the other side in the left-right direction; a predetermined region of the low beam light distribution pattern formed by light including the light from the first lamp unit includes the elbow point, and a first side region and a second side region sandwiching the predetermined region in the left and right directions are formed by light emitted from the second lamp unit, the control unit adjusts the amount of light emitted from the plurality of light emitting units, and changes the predetermined light distribution pattern to a light distribution pattern in which the elbow point moves a predetermined distance to a predetermined side in the left-right direction; a fixed area that corresponds to a range from an edge on the opposite side to the predetermined side to a position at the predetermined distance to the predetermined side in the first state before the elbow point moves is located within the predetermined area in the second state after the elbow point moves, The intensity of light from the first lamp unit in the second state at an arbitrary point within the fixed region is less than the intensity of light from the first lamp unit in the first state at the arbitrary point, and is equal to or greater than the intensity of light from the first lamp unit in the first state at an intersection between a straight line passing through the arbitrary point and extending in the left-right direction and an edge of the fixed region on the opposite side to the predetermined side. A vehicle headlamp characterized by:

2. At least a portion of the predetermined light distribution pattern and a portion of the specific light distribution pattern overlap each other.

2. The vehicle headlamp according to claim 1.

3. At least a portion of the upper edge of the first side region is located above the horizontal cut-off line.

3. The vehicle headlamp according to claim 1 or 2.

4. At least a portion of the upper edge of the second side region is located above the horizontal cut-off line.

4. The vehicle headlamp according to claim 1, wherein the first and second electrodes are arranged in a first direction.

5. The specific light distribution pattern has a first region, at least a part of which becomes the first side region in the light distribution pattern of the low beam, and a second region, separated from the first region, at least a part of which becomes the second side region in the light distribution pattern of the low beam.

5. The vehicle headlamp according to claim 1, wherein the first and second electrodes are arranged in a first direction.

6. The specific light distribution pattern further includes a third region located between the first region and the second region and connected to the first region and the second region, The upper edge of the third region is located lower than the upper edges of the first region and the second region.

6. The vehicle headlamp according to claim 5.

7. an upper edge of the first region on the third region side inclines downward toward the third region and is connected to an upper edge of the third region; The upper edge of the third region extends linearly in a horizontal direction, The upper edge of the second region on the third region side is inclined downward toward the third region and connected to the upper edge of the third region.

7. The vehicle headlamp according to claim 6.

8. A part of the predetermined light distribution pattern and a part of the specific light distribution pattern overlap each other, A part of the upper edge of the specific light distribution pattern extends in a straight line in the horizontal direction and crosses the predetermined light distribution pattern.

2. The vehicle headlamp according to claim 1.

9. The second lamp unit has a light source unit that emits light and a shade that blocks a part of the light emitted from the light source unit.

9. A vehicle headlamp according to claim 1, wherein the first and second electrodes are arranged in a first direction.

10. Further comprising a third lamp unit that emits light, A high beam light distribution pattern is formed by the light emitted from the first lamp unit, the light emitted from the second lamp unit, and the light emitted from the third lamp unit.

10. The vehicle headlamp according to claim 1,

11. The intensity of light from the first lamp unit in the second state at the arbitrary point is the same as the intensity of light from the first lamp unit in the first state at an intersection between a straight line extending in the left-right direction through the arbitrary point and an edge on the opposite side to the predetermined side of the fixed area.

11. The vehicle headlamp according to claim 1,

12. the predetermined area includes a hot zone; The hot zone moves the predetermined distance to the predetermined side along with the elbow point.

12. The vehicle headlamp according to claim 1,

13. The intensity of the light from the first lamp unit in the second state gradually increases from the edge of the fixed area on the predetermined side toward the hot zone.

13. A vehicle headlamp according to claim 12.

14. The intensity of the light from the first lamp unit in the second state gradually increases from the edge of the fixing area opposite to the predetermined side toward the hot zone.

14. The vehicle headlamp according to claim 12 or 13.

15. an edge on the predetermined side of the predetermined area in the first state is located within the predetermined area in the second state; The intensity of light from the first lamp unit in the second state at an arbitrary reference point on a reference line coinciding with an edge on the predetermined side of the predetermined area in the first state is equal to or greater than the intensity of light from the first lamp unit in the first state at the arbitrary reference point, and is equal to or less than the intensity of light from the first lamp unit at the arbitrary reference point when the predetermined light distribution pattern in the first state moves the predetermined distance to the predetermined side.

15. A vehicle headlamp according to claim 1.

16. The intensity of the light from the first lamp unit in the second state at the arbitrary reference point is the same as the intensity of the light from the first lamp unit in the first state at the arbitrary reference point.

16. A vehicle headlamp according to claim 15.

17. the predetermined area includes a hot zone; the hot zone moves the predetermined distance to the predetermined side along with the elbow point; The intensity of the light from the first lamp unit in the second state gradually increases from the reference line toward the hot zone.

17. A vehicle headlamp according to claim 15 or 16.

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