Vehicle lighting fixtures

Abstract

To form a light distribution pattern for OHS irradiation while maintaining brightness and uniformity of a light distribution pattern for low beam in a vehicular lighting fixture which is constituted so as to radiate emission light from a plurality of light emitting elements toward the front of the lighting fixture via a projection lens.SOLUTION: A plurality of light emitting elements 30 is arranged in a state of being arrayed in a left-to-right direction and in a state where a light emitting surface 30a is faced toward a projection lens 50, and between the plurality of light emitting elements 30 and the projection lens 50, a shade 60 is arranged for shielding a part of the emission light from the plurality of light emitting elements 30 so as to form a cut-off line of a light distribution pattern for low beam. Then, below the shade 60, a reflection member 70 is arranged which reflects direct light emitted further to a lighting fixture rear side than the shade 60 from at least one light emitting element 30 out of the plurality of light emitting elements 30 toward the projection lens 50. Then, by the reflection light, a light distribution pattern for OHS irradiation is formed.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a vehicle lamp equipped with a projection lens. [Background technology]

[0002] 2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a vehicle lamp is known that is configured to form a low beam light distribution pattern by irradiating light emitted from a plurality of light emitting elements forward through a projection lens.

[0003] Patent Document 1 describes such a vehicle lamp that is configured to form a light distribution pattern for overhead signs (OHS) installed above the road surface in front of the lamp, in a space above the cut-off line of a light distribution pattern for low beam.

[0004] In the vehicle lamp described in "Patent Document 1," a stepped portion is formed on the rear surface of the projection lens to form a light distribution pattern for OHS irradiation. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] International Publication No. 2020 / 044605 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] In the vehicle lamp described in the above-mentioned "Patent Document 1," a portion of the irradiated light that should originally form a low beam light distribution pattern is used to form a light distribution pattern for OHS irradiation, which reduces the brightness of the low beam light distribution pattern accordingly and makes the low beam light distribution pattern more susceptible to uneven light distribution.

[0007] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above circumstances, and aims to provide a vehicle lamp configured to irradiate light emitted from a plurality of light-emitting elements toward the front of the lamp via a projection lens, which can form a light distribution pattern for OHS illumination while maintaining the brightness and uniformity of a light distribution pattern for low beam. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] The present invention is intended to achieve the above object by providing a structure including a predetermined reflecting member.

[0009] That is, the vehicle lamp according to the present invention is A vehicle lamp including a plurality of light-emitting elements and a projection lens, the vehicle lamp being configured to form a low-beam light distribution pattern by irradiating light emitted from the plurality of light-emitting elements toward a front of the lamp through the projection lens, the plurality of light-emitting elements are arranged in a line in the left-right direction with their light-emitting surfaces facing the projection lens, a shade is disposed between the plurality of light-emitting elements and the projection lens to block a part of the light emitted from the plurality of light-emitting elements in order to form a cutoff line of the light distribution pattern for low beam; A reflecting member is disposed below the shade, and reflects, toward the projection lens, direct light emitted from at least one of the plurality of light-emitting elements toward the rear side of the lamp beyond the shade. And, The plurality of light emitting elements are configured to be lit up during low beam irradiation. The present invention is characterized in that:

[0010] The "plurality of light-emitting elements" are not particularly limited in their specific arrangement or number, so long as they are arranged side by side in the left-right direction with their light-emitting surfaces facing the projection lens.

[0011] The above-mentioned "shade" is not particularly limited in its specific arrangement or shape, so long as it is configured to form a cut-off line of a low beam light distribution pattern by blocking a portion of the light emitted from a plurality of light-emitting elements.

[0012] The above-mentioned "reflective member" is not particularly limited in its specific arrangement or shape, so long as it is configured to reflect direct light emitted from at least one of the multiple light-emitting elements below the shade toward the rear of the lamp from the shade toward the projection lens. Effect of the Invention

[0013] The vehicle lamp of the present invention is configured to form a low beam light distribution pattern by irradiating light emitted from multiple light-emitting elements toward the front of the lamp through a projection lens, and in this case, the multiple light-emitting elements are arranged in a line in the left-right direction with their light-emitting surfaces facing the projection lens. In addition, a shade is arranged between the multiple light-emitting elements and the projection lens to block a portion of the light emitted from the multiple light-emitting elements in order to form a cut-off line of the low beam light distribution pattern. Below this shade, a reflective member is arranged to reflect direct light emitted from at least one of the multiple light-emitting elements toward the rear of the lamp beyond the shade toward the projection lens, thereby obtaining the following effects.

[0014] In other words, direct light emitted from at least one of the multiple light-emitting elements toward the rear of the lamp beyond the shade is reflected by a reflective member arranged below it, and then enters the projection lens, and becomes light that is emitted from this projection lens toward the space above the cut-off line of the low beam light distribution pattern, so that a light distribution pattern for OHS illumination can be formed by this emitted light.

[0015] In this case, this light distribution pattern for OHS irradiation can be formed without affecting at all the lamp configuration for forming the light distribution pattern for low beam, so that the light distribution pattern for OHS irradiation can be formed while maintaining the brightness and uniformity of the light distribution pattern for low beam.

[0016] Thus, according to the present invention, in a vehicle lamp configured to irradiate light emitted from a plurality of light-emitting elements toward the front of the lamp via a projection lens, a light distribution pattern for OHS irradiation can be formed while maintaining the brightness and uniformity of a light distribution pattern for low beam.

[0017] In addition, direct light emitted from the light-emitting element toward the rear of the lamp beyond the shade may be unintentionally reflected by other lamp components and become stray light, which may cause glare; however, by adopting the configuration of the present invention, the occurrence of such stray light can be effectively suppressed.

[0018] In the above configuration, if the reflective member is further configured to diffusely reflect direct light from the multiple light-emitting elements in the left and right directions, a light distribution pattern for OHS irradiation can be formed with approximately uniform brightness.

[0019] In the above configuration, if the reflecting member is formed integrally with the shade, the accuracy of the light distribution control can be improved, and the accuracy of the positional relationship between the cutoff line of the low beam light distribution pattern and the OHS irradiation light distribution pattern can be improved. Also, by adopting such a configuration, the number of parts of the vehicle lamp can be reduced.

[0020] In the above configuration, if a reflector that reflects the light emitted from the multiple light-emitting elements toward the projection lens is further provided, the brightness of the low beam light distribution pattern can be increased and the degree of freedom of the light distribution can be increased. Furthermore, if the reflector is integrally formed with the shade, the accuracy of the light distribution control can be further improved and the number of parts of the vehicle lamp can be reduced.

[0021] In the above configuration, if a plurality of second light-emitting elements that are additionally turned on when high beam is emitted and a second reflector that reflects the light emitted from these plurality of second light-emitting elements toward the projection lens are arranged below the shade and the reflective member is formed integrally with the second reflector, then even in a lamp configuration that can selectively form a low beam light distribution pattern and a high beam light distribution pattern, it is possible to reduce the number of parts in the vehicle lamp while improving the accuracy of light distribution control. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0022] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a side cross-sectional view showing a vehicle lamp according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Diagram 2] View from the direction of arrow II in Figure 1 [Diagram 3] Cross-sectional view of line III-III in Figure 2 [Figure 4] FIG. 2A is a diagram showing a low beam light distribution pattern formed by light emitted from the above-mentioned vehicle lamp, and FIG. 2B is a diagram similar to FIG. 2A showing a comparative example. [Diagram 5] FIG. 3 is a view similar to FIG. 2, showing a first modified example of the embodiment; [Figure 6] FIG. 3 is a view similar to FIG. 2, showing a second modification of the embodiment; [Figure 7] FIG. 4 is a diagram similar to FIG. 3, showing the second modified example. [Figure 8] FIG. 1A is a diagram showing a low-beam light distribution pattern formed by light emitted from a vehicle lamp according to the second modified example, and FIG. 1B is a diagram showing a high-beam light distribution pattern. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0023] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0024] Fig. 1 is a side cross-sectional view showing a vehicle lamp 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention, and Fig. 2 is a view taken in the direction of the arrow II in Fig. 1.

[0025] In these figures, the direction indicated by X is the "front of the lamp," the direction indicated by Y is the "left direction" perpendicular to the "front of the lamp" (the "right direction" when viewed from the front of the lamp), and the direction indicated by Z is the "upward direction." This is the same in other figures.

[0026] The vehicle lamp 10 is a headlamp provided at the front end of a vehicle, and is configured such that a lamp unit 20 is housed within a lamp chamber formed by a lamp body 12 and a translucent cover 14.

[0027] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line III-III in FIG.

[0028] 3, the lamp unit 20 is a so-called projector-type lamp unit, and includes a plurality of light-emitting elements 30, a reflector 32, and a projection lens 50. The lamp unit 20 forms a low-beam light distribution pattern by irradiating direct light from the plurality of light-emitting elements 30 and light emitted from the plurality of light-emitting elements 30 and reflected by the reflector 32, via the projection lens 50, toward the front of the lamp.

[0029] 3, the projection lens 50 is composed of a plano-convex aspheric lens whose front surface is formed into a convex curved shape, and has an optical axis Ax extending in the front-rear direction of the lamp. This projection lens 50 projects a light source image formed on a rear focal plane, which is a focal plane including the rear focal point F, as an inverted image onto a virtual vertical screen in front of the lamp (i.e., in front of the vehicle).

[0030] The projection lens 50 is supported at its outer periphery by a lens holder 52 , and the lens holder 52 is supported by a heat sink 54 .

[0031] As shown in FIG. 2, the multiple light emitting elements 30 are arranged side by side in the left-right direction above the optical axis Ax.

[0032] The light-emitting elements 30 are each composed of eleven white light-emitting diodes each having a rectangular (specifically, square) light-emitting surface 30a, and are arranged at slight intervals from one another. In this case, the light-emitting element 30 arranged directly above the optical axis Ax and five light-emitting elements 30 arranged to the right of it (left side when viewed from the front of the lamp) are arranged in a state of being displaced downward with respect to the remaining five light-emitting elements 30 arranged to the left.

[0033] The multiple light emitting elements 30 are mounted on a substrate 56 , which is supported by a heat sink 54 .

[0034] 3, the substrate 56 is disposed in a state inclined backward with respect to a vertical plane perpendicular to the optical axis Ax. In this case, the backward inclination angle of the substrate 56 with respect to the vertical plane is set to a value of 10 to 20° (for example, about 15°). As a result, the multiple light-emitting elements 30 are disposed in a state in which their light-emitting surfaces 30a are oriented upward by 10 to 20° (for example, about 15°) with respect to the front direction of the lamp (i.e., toward the projection lens 50).

[0035] The reflector 32 is disposed on the front side of the lamp relative to the substrate 56, and is supported by the heat sink 54 at both left and right ends thereof.

[0036] 2, the reflector 32 has a reflective surface 32a formed so as to surround the multiple light-emitting elements 30, and is configured to reflect the light emitted from the multiple light-emitting elements 30 at this reflective surface 32a toward the projection lens 50. In this case, the reflective surface 32a has a horizontally elongated concave curved reflective surface shape, and the upper edge thereof has an external shape of a substantially horizontally elongated ellipse when the lamp is viewed from the front.

[0037] An opening 32b is formed in the reflecting surface 32a of the reflector 32 to surround the plurality of light-emitting elements 30 in the vicinity of their outer periphery. The opening 32b is formed so as to extend in a substantially horizontally elongated rectangular shape with left and right steps along the arrangement of the plurality of light-emitting elements 30.

[0038] A shade 60 is disposed between the multiple light-emitting elements 30 and the projection lens 50 to block direct light from the multiple light-emitting elements 30 and a portion of the emitted light from the multiple light-emitting elements 30 reflected by the reflector 32, thereby forming a cut-off line of the low beam light distribution pattern.

[0039] The shade 60 is formed integrally with the lower region of the reflector 32 , and the upper surface thereof constitutes a part of the reflecting surface 32 a of the reflector 32 .

[0040] The front edge 60a of the shade 60 is formed so as to extend in the left-right direction with a left-right stagger along a vertical plane perpendicular to the optical axis Ax at the position of the rear focal point F of the projection lens 50. Specifically, the portion of this front edge 60a to the left of the optical axis Ax (the right portion when the lamp is viewed from the front) extends horizontally at a position slightly above the optical axis Ax, and the portion to the right of the optical axis Ax extends horizontally at a position slightly below the optical axis Ax, and its left end portion extends diagonally in the upper left direction and is connected to the portion to the left of the optical axis Ax.

[0041] 3, the opening 32b of the reflector 32 is formed at a position slightly away from the light-emitting surfaces 30a of the multiple light-emitting elements 30 toward the front of the lamp. The rear end surface 32c of the reflector 32 extends parallel to the substrate 56 at a position slightly away from the light-emitting surfaces 30a of the multiple light-emitting elements 30 toward the front of the lamp, but its lower region 32c1 extends obliquely downward toward the front of the lamp beyond the plane parallel to the substrate 56.

[0042] A reflecting member 70 is disposed below the shade 60, which reflects the direct light emitted from the light-emitting elements 30 toward the rear of the lamp from the shade 60 (i.e., the direct light emitted toward the rear of the lamp from the lower region 32c1 of the rear end surface 32c of the reflector 32) toward the projection lens 50. The reflecting member 70 is made of a plate-like member having a reflecting surface 70a formed so as to extend obliquely downward toward the front of the lamp. The reflecting member 70 is supported by the heat sink 54 at a flat bracket portion 70b formed so as to bend downward from its rear end.

[0043] As shown in FIG. 2, the reflective member 70 is formed with a left-right width corresponding to a portion of the multiple light-emitting elements 30 (specifically, approximately seven light-emitting elements 30) that are located closer to the optical axis Ax when viewed from the front of the lamp.

[0044] The reflecting surface 70a of the reflecting member 70 is composed of a number of small reflecting surfaces 70s arranged in the left-right direction. Each small reflecting surface 70s is composed of a concave cylindrical surface extending diagonally downward toward the front side of the lamp, so that the direct light from the multiple light-emitting elements 30 is reflected as light that is somewhat diffused in the left-right direction.

[0045] As shown in FIG. 3, the downward angle of the reflecting surface 70a is set to a value such that the reflected light from the multiple small reflecting surfaces 70s passes through the rear focal plane of the projection lens 50 at a position spaced downward from the optical axis Ax.

[0046] In FIG. 3, the optical paths of the direct light from the light emitting element 30 and the reflected light from the reflector 32 are indicated by thick solid lines, and the optical path of the reflected light from the reflecting member 70 is indicated by thin solid lines.

[0047] Figure 4(a) is a perspective view showing a low beam light distribution pattern PL formed on a virtual vertical screen located 25 m ahead of the vehicle by light emitted from the lighting unit 20 of the vehicle lighting fixture 10 toward the front of the lamp.

[0048] As shown in Fig. 4(a), the low beam light distribution pattern PL is a low beam light distribution pattern with left light distribution, and has cutoff lines CL1 and CL2 with left and right steps at its upper edge. These cutoff lines CL1 and CL2 extend horizontally with left and right steps at the boundary of the VV line that passes vertically through HV, which is the vanishing point in front of the lamp, and the oncoming lane side part to the right of the VV line is formed as a lower cutoff line CL1, and the own lane side part to the left of the VV line is formed as an upper cutoff line CL2 that is stepped up from the lower cutoff line CL1 via an inclined part.

[0049] In the low beam light distribution pattern PL, an elbow point E, which is an intersection point between the lower cutoff line CL1 and the VV line, is located approximately 0.5 to 0.6° below HV.

[0050] The low beam light distribution pattern PL is formed as a light distribution pattern to which an OHS illumination light distribution pattern PA for illuminating an overhead sign OHS installed above the road surface ahead of the vehicle is added. This OHS illumination light distribution pattern PA is formed as a horizontally elongated light distribution pattern that spreads in the left and right directions at a position above and away from the cutoff lines CL1 and CL2.

[0051] As described above, the low beam light distribution pattern PL is formed by direct light from multiple light-emitting elements 30 and reflected light from the reflector 32, and in this case, the left and right staggered cutoff lines CL1 and CL2 are formed as inverted projection images of the front edge 60a of the shade 60.

[0052] In addition, the light distribution pattern PA for OHS irradiation is formed by direct light emitted from the multiple light-emitting elements 30 toward the rear of the lamp beyond the shade 60, being reflected by a reflective member 70 arranged below it, and then being emitted toward the front of the lamp through the projection lens 50.

[0053] In this case, when the direct light from the multiple light-emitting elements 30 is reflected by the multiple small reflective surfaces 70s that make up the reflective surface 70a of the reflective member 70, the light becomes somewhat diffused in the left and right directions, so that the light distribution pattern PA for OHS irradiation is formed with approximately uniform brightness.

[0054] On the other hand, Figure 4(b) is a diagram showing a comparative example of this embodiment, and shows a light distribution pattern PA' for OHS irradiation formed when the lighting unit 20 does not include a reflective member 70 and instead a step portion is formed on the rear surface of the projection lens 50, together with a light distribution pattern PL' for low beam.

[0055] As shown in Figure 4(b), the low beam light distribution pattern PL' is formed as a light distribution pattern substantially similar to the low beam light distribution pattern PL, but a horizontally extending streak-like dark area D' is formed in approximately the central region.

[0056] The reason why such streaky dark areas D' are formed is that when a step portion is formed on the rear surface of the projection lens 50 to form the OHS illumination light distribution pattern PA', a portion of the illumination light that should form the low beam light distribution pattern is lost.

[0057] Next, the effects of this embodiment will be described.

[0058] The lighting unit 20 of the vehicle lamp 10 in this embodiment is configured to form a low beam light distribution pattern PL by irradiating light emitted from multiple light-emitting elements 30 toward the front of the lamp through a projection lens 50. In this case, the multiple light-emitting elements 30 are arranged in a line in the left-right direction with the light-emitting surface 30a facing the projection lens 50. In addition, a shade 60 is arranged between the multiple light-emitting elements 30 and the projection lens 50 to block a portion of the light emitted from the multiple light-emitting elements 30 in order to form cut-off lines CL1, CL2 of the low beam light distribution pattern PL. Below this shade 60, a reflective member 70 is arranged to reflect direct light emitted from at least one of the multiple light-emitting elements 30 toward the rear of the lamp beyond the shade 60 toward the projection lens 50, thereby obtaining the following effects.

[0059] In other words, direct light emitted from at least one of the multiple light-emitting elements 30 toward the rear of the lamp beyond the shade 60 is reflected by the reflective member 70 and then enters the projection lens 50, and becomes light that is emitted from this projection lens 50 toward the space above the cut-off lines CL1 and CL2 of the low beam light distribution pattern PL, and this emitted light can form the light distribution pattern PA for OHS irradiation.

[0060] In this case, the light distribution pattern PA for OHS irradiation can be formed without affecting at all the lamp configuration for forming the light distribution pattern PL for low beam, so that the light distribution pattern PA for OHS irradiation can be formed while maintaining the brightness and uniformity of the light distribution pattern PL for low beam.

[0061] Thus, according to this embodiment, in a vehicle lamp 10 configured to irradiate light emitted from a plurality of light-emitting elements 30 toward the front of the lamp via a projection lens 50, a light distribution pattern PA for OHS irradiation can be formed while maintaining the brightness and uniformity of the light distribution pattern PL for low beam.

[0062] In this case, direct light emitted from each light-emitting element 30 toward the rear of the lamp beyond the shade 60 may be unintentionally reflected by other lamp components (such as the heat sink 54) and become stray light, which may cause glare; however, by adopting the configuration of this embodiment, the occurrence of such stray light can be effectively suppressed.

[0063] Moreover, in this embodiment, the reflective surface 70a of the reflective member 70 is composed of a plurality of small reflective surfaces 70s arranged in the left-right direction, which reflects the direct light from the plurality of light-emitting elements 30 as light that is somewhat diffused in the left-right direction, thereby making it possible to form a light distribution pattern PA for OHS irradiation with approximately uniform brightness.

[0064] In addition, this embodiment is provided with a reflector 32 that reflects the light emitted from the multiple light-emitting elements 30 toward the projection lens 50, thereby increasing the brightness of the low beam light distribution pattern PL and enhancing the degree of freedom of the light distribution.

[0065] Furthermore, in this embodiment, since the reflector 32 is formed integrally with the shade 60, the precision of the light distribution control can be improved, and the number of parts of the vehicle lamp 10 can be reduced.

[0066] In addition, the reflective member 70 of this embodiment can also be formed to hide a connector (not shown) for connecting multiple light-emitting elements 30 to a power source, and can also be used as a member for protecting the wiring pattern (not shown) on the substrate 56, etc. from sunlight.

[0067] In the above embodiment, the projection lens 50 is described as being composed of a plano-convex aspherical lens, but it is also possible for it to be composed of a biconvex lens or a convex meniscus lens, etc., and it is also possible for it to be configured to have an outer shape other than circular.

[0068] In the above embodiment, the lighting unit 20 has been described as having eleven light-emitting elements 30, but it is also possible to have a configuration in which a number of light-emitting elements 30 other than this number is provided.

[0069] In the above embodiment, the multiple light emitting elements 30 are described as being arranged in staggered left and right positions, but it is also possible to arrange them in a single horizontal row.

[0070] In the above embodiment, the light-emitting surface 30a of each of the multiple light-emitting elements 30 has been described as having a square outer shape, but it is also possible to configure it to have another outer shape (for example, a vertically elongated rectangular shape or a horizontally elongated rectangular shape, etc.).

[0071] In the above embodiment, the reflector 32 is described as being arranged to effectively utilize the light emitted from the multiple light-emitting elements 30, but it is also possible to configure the device without the reflector 32.

[0072] Next, a modification of the above embodiment will be described.

[0073] First, a first modification of the above embodiment will be described.

[0074] FIG. 5 is a view similar to FIG. 2, showing a lighting unit 120 of a vehicle lighting device according to this modified example.

[0075] As shown in FIG. 5, the basic configuration of the lamp unit 120 is similar to that of the lamp unit 20 of the above embodiment, but differs from the above embodiment in that the reflective member 170 is formed integrally with the shade 60.

[0076] That is, even in this modified example, the reflective member 170 is positioned below the shade 60 and is configured to reflect direct light emitted from the multiple light-emitting elements 30 toward the rear of the lamp beyond the shade 60 toward the projection lens 50, and is configured to be connected to the underside of the shade 60 by bracket portions 170c formed on both the left and right sides.

[0077] The reflecting surface 170a of the reflecting member 170 of this modified example is also composed of a plurality of small reflecting surfaces 170s arranged in the left-right direction, and the specific shape of the reflecting surface is the same as in the above embodiment.

[0078] The reflecting member 170 of this modified example does not have the bracket portion 70b formed thereon, unlike the reflecting member 70 of the above embodiment.

[0079] Even when the configuration of this modified example is adopted, the same effects as those of the above embodiment can be obtained.

[0080] Moreover, in this modified example, since the reflecting member 170 is integrally formed with the shade 60, the precision of the light distribution control can be improved, and this improves the precision of the positional relationship between the cutoff lines CL1 and CL2 of the low beam light distribution pattern PL and the OHS irradiation light distribution pattern PA. Also, by adopting such a configuration, the number of parts of the lamp unit 120 can be reduced.

[0081] Next, a second modification of the above embodiment will be described.

[0082] 6 and 7 are views similar to FIGS. 2 and 3, showing a lighting unit 220 of a vehicle lighting device according to this modified example.

[0083] 6, the basic configuration of the lamp unit 220 is the same as that of the lamp unit 20 of the above embodiment, but differs from the above embodiment in that a plurality of second light-emitting elements 240 that are additionally turned on during high beam irradiation and a second reflector 242 that reflects the light emitted from the plurality of second light-emitting elements 240 toward the projection lens 50 are additionally arranged below the shade 260, and that the reflective member 270 is integrally formed with the second reflector 242. Accordingly, the configurations of the shade 260 and the substrate 256 are also partially different from those of the above embodiment.

[0084] The multiple second light-emitting elements 240 are each composed of nine white light-emitting diodes each having a rectangular light-emitting surface 240a (specifically, a square of the same size as the light-emitting surface 30a of the first light-emitting element 30), and are arranged in a horizontal row with a small gap between each other.

[0085] The multiple second light emitting elements 240 are mounted on a common substrate 256 together with the multiple light emitting elements 30. This substrate 256 is supported by the heat sink 54 in a state in which it is disposed at the same backward inclination angle as the substrate 56 of the above embodiment.

[0086] The second reflector 242 has a reflective surface 242a formed to surround the multiple second light-emitting elements 240, and is configured to reflect the emitted light from the multiple second light-emitting elements 240 toward the projection lens 50 at this reflective surface 242a.

[0087] A horizontally long opening 242b is formed on the reflecting surface 242a of the second reflector 242, surrounding the plurality of second light-emitting elements 240 in the vicinity of their outer periphery. The opening 242b is formed so as to extend in a horizontally long rectangular shape along the arrangement of the plurality of second light-emitting elements 240.

[0088] The shade 260 is formed integrally with the first and second reflectors 32, 242. That is, the shade 260 is formed such that the connection portion of the first and second reflectors 32, 242 has a wedge-shaped vertical cross section extending to a front end edge 260a toward the front of the lamp.

[0089] The reflecting member 270 is configured by forming a through hole 242c extending elongatedly in the left-right direction in an area near the upper portion of the opening 242b in the second reflector 242. That is, the reflecting surface 270a of this reflecting member 270 is configured by forming the lower surface of the through hole 242c so as to extend obliquely downward toward the front side of the lamp.

[0090] The reflecting surface 270a of the reflecting member 270 is composed of a number of small reflecting surfaces 270s arranged in the left-right direction. Each small reflecting surface 270s is composed of a concave cylindrical surface extending diagonally downward toward the front side of the lamp, so that the direct light from the multiple light-emitting elements 30 is reflected as light that is somewhat diffused in the left-right direction.

[0091] As shown in FIG. 7, the downward angle of the reflecting surface 270a is set to a value such that the reflected light from the multiple small reflecting surfaces 270s passes through the rear focal plane of the projection lens 50 at a position spaced downward from the optical axis Ax.

[0092] In FIG. 7, the optical paths of the direct light from the light-emitting element 30 and the reflected light from the reflector 32 are shown by thick solid lines, the optical paths of the reflected light from the reflecting member 270 are shown by thin solid lines, and the optical paths of the direct light from the second light-emitting element 240 and the reflected light from the second reflector 242 are shown by dashed lines.

[0093] Figure 8(a) is a diagram showing a low beam light distribution pattern PL-2 formed on the virtual vertical screen by light irradiated from the lighting unit 220 toward the front of the lighting fixture, and Figure 8(b) is a perspective diagram showing a high beam light distribution pattern PH-2 formed on the virtual vertical screen by light irradiated from the lighting unit 220 toward the front of the lighting fixture.

[0094] As shown in FIG. 8(a), the low beam light distribution pattern PL-2 is formed as a light distribution pattern to which a light distribution pattern PA-2 for OHS irradiation is added, similar to the low beam light distribution pattern PL formed in the above embodiment.

[0095] The low beam light distribution pattern PL-2 itself is a light distribution pattern similar to the low beam light distribution pattern PL. The OHS irradiation light distribution pattern PA-2 is also formed as a light distribution pattern substantially similar to the OHS irradiation light distribution pattern PA formed in the above embodiment.

[0096] As shown in FIG. 8(b), the high beam light distribution pattern PH-2 is formed as a composite light distribution pattern in which an additional light distribution pattern PB-2 is added to the low beam light distribution pattern PL-2.

[0097] The additional light distribution pattern PB-2 is formed by direct light from the plurality of second light-emitting elements 240 and light emitted from the plurality of second light-emitting elements 240 and reflected by the second reflector 242.

[0098] As a result, the high beam light distribution pattern PH-2 is formed as a continuous light distribution pattern in which the low beam light distribution pattern PL-2 and the additional light distribution pattern PB-2 are integrated. At that time, the OHS irradiation light distribution pattern PA-2 is formed so as to be included in the additional light distribution pattern PB-2.

[0099] Even when the configuration of this modified example is adopted, the same effects as those of the above embodiment can be obtained.

[0100] In this case, the lamp unit 220 of this modified example is configured to be able to selectively form a low beam light distribution pattern PL-2 and a high beam light distribution pattern PH-2, but even with such a lamp configuration, it is possible to reduce the number of parts of the lamp unit 220 while improving the accuracy of light distribution control.

[0101] In the lamp unit 220 of this modified example, the multiple second light-emitting elements 240 are configured to light up all at once, but it is also possible to configure the multiple second light-emitting elements 240 to light up individually. In this case, if each of the multiple second light-emitting elements 240 is turned on and off depending on the driving conditions of the vehicle, it is possible to illuminate the road ahead as widely as possible without causing glare to the driver of an oncoming vehicle.

[0102] It should be noted that the numerical values ​​given as the specifications in the above embodiment and its modified examples are merely examples, and it goes without saying that these may be set to different values ​​as appropriate.

[0103] Furthermore, the present invention is not limited to the configurations described in the above embodiment and its modified examples, and various other modified configurations can be adopted. [Explanation of symbols]

[0104] 10 Vehicle lighting fixtures 12 Lamp body 14 Translucent cover 20, 120, 220 Lighting unit 30 Light emitting element 30a, 240a Light emitting surface 32a, 242a reflective surface 32 Reflector 32b, 242b opening 32c Rear end surface 32c1 lower area 50 Projection Lens 52 Lens holder 54 Heat sink 56, 256 board 60, 260 shades 60a, 260a front edge 70, 170, 270 Reflective material 70a, 170a, 270a reflective surface 70b, 170c bracket part 70s, 170s, 270s small reflective surface 240 Second light-emitting element 242 Second Reflector 242c through hole Ax optical axis CL1 Lower cutoff line CL2 Upper cutoff line E Elbow point F back focus Light distribution pattern for PA, PA-2 OHS irradiation PB-2 Additional light distribution pattern PH-2 High beam light distribution pattern PL, PL-2 low beam light distribution pattern

Claims

1. A vehicle lamp including a plurality of light-emitting elements and a projection lens, the vehicle lamp being configured to form a low-beam light distribution pattern by irradiating light emitted from the plurality of light-emitting elements toward a front of the lamp through the projection lens, the plurality of light-emitting elements are arranged in a line in the left-right direction with their light-emitting surfaces facing the projection lens, a shade is disposed between the plurality of light-emitting elements and the projection lens to block a part of the light emitted from the plurality of light-emitting elements in order to form a cutoff line of the light distribution pattern for low beam; a reflecting member that reflects, below the shade, a direct light emitted from at least one of the plurality of light-emitting elements toward the rear side of the lamp beyond the shade, toward the projection lens; The vehicle lamp according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of light-emitting elements are configured to be turned on during low beam irradiation.

2. 2. The vehicle lamp according to claim 1, wherein the reflecting member is configured to diffusely reflect the direct light from the plurality of light-emitting elements in the left and right directions.

3. 3. The vehicle lamp according to claim 1, wherein the reflecting member is formed integrally with the shade.

4. a reflector that reflects the light emitted from the plurality of light-emitting elements toward the projection lens, 4. The vehicular lamp according to claim 1, wherein the reflector is formed integrally with the shade.

5. A plurality of second light-emitting elements that are additionally turned on during high beam irradiation and a second reflector that reflects the light emitted from the plurality of second light-emitting elements toward the projection lens are disposed below the shade, 5. The vehicle lamp according to claim 1, wherein the reflective member is formed integrally with the second reflector.

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