Lamp unit for vehicle headlight, vehicle headlight

Abstract

To provide a lamp unit of a vehicular headlamp and a vehicular headlamp capable of further diffusing left and right both ends of high-beam light distribution patterns into left and right sides.SOLUTION: An inside reflection surface 30L reflects light L1 from a first light-emitting element LED1 to a lens 4 as reflection light L11. The lens 4 emits the reflection light L11 to a front side of a vehicle V as diffusion light distribution patterns PL1C and PR1C. Edges on the vehicle outer side of the diffusion light distribution patterns PL1C and PR1C are located on the vehicular outer side than edges on the vehicle outer side of first part light distribution patterns PL1 and PR1. Consequently, left and right both ends of the whole high-beam light distribution patterns P can be further diffused to left and right sides.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a lamp unit for a vehicle headlamp, and also to a vehicle headlamp. [Background technology]

[0002] Variable light distribution type lamp units that change the high beam light distribution pattern (high beam light distribution pattern) according to vehicles ahead, such as oncoming vehicles and preceding vehicles, so-called ADB (Adaptive Driving Beam) type lamp units, and vehicle headlamps equipped with such lamp units are, for example, those shown in the following Patent Documents 1 and 2. Patent Documents 1 and 2 will be described below.

[0003] The vehicle lighting unit of Patent Document 1 comprises a projection lens and a light source unit, and the light source unit comprises a plurality of cylindrical sections arranged in a horizontal row, each having a reflective surface formed on its inner surface, and a plurality of semiconductor light-emitting elements arranged at an entrance at one end of each of the cylindrical sections.

[0004] The operation of the vehicle lighting unit of Patent Document 1 will be described below. Light from the multiple semiconductor light-emitting elements enters the entrances of the multiple cylindrical portions, is reflected by the reflecting surfaces of the multiple cylindrical portions, and exits from the exits at the other ends of the multiple cylindrical portions, and is irradiated from the projection lens toward the front of the vehicle as a light distribution pattern including multiple illumination areas. The light distribution pattern including multiple illumination areas can be changed by individually controlling the lighting and extinguishing (dimming) of the multiple semiconductor light-emitting elements.

[0005] The vehicle lighting unit of Patent Document 1 forms a uniform or specific luminous intensity distribution in multiple illumination areas by using the reflective surfaces on the inner peripheral surfaces of multiple cylindrical portions. Also, the vehicle lighting unit of Patent Document 1 positions the vertical edges of the emission ports of the multiple cylindrical portions rearward (toward the multiple semiconductor light emitting elements) from the rear focal plane of the projection lens, thereby suppressing the formation of dark streaks (gap streaks) and bright streaks (light streaks) between the multiple illumination areas caused by the vertical edges, and adjusting and mitigating uneven brightness (uneven light distribution).

[0006] The vehicle headlamp of Patent Document 2 comprises a plurality of semiconductor light-emitting elements arranged in the left-right direction, reflectors provided above, below, left and right of the light-emitting surface side of each of the plurality of semiconductor light-emitting elements, and a projection lens.

[0007] The operation of the vehicle headlamp of Patent Document 2 will be described below. Light from the multiple semiconductor light-emitting elements is emitted as multiple light distributions, and the multiple light distributions are combined to form a light distribution pattern that is irradiated from a projection lens toward the front of the vehicle. By individually controlling the on / off of the multiple semiconductor light-emitting elements, the areas between the light distributions become dark areas (unlit areas), and the light distribution pattern formed from the multiple light distributions changes.

[0008] The vehicle headlamp of Patent Document 2 uses light from multiple semiconductor light-emitting elements and distributes reflected light from multiple reflectors to the boundary of the light distribution area of ​​direct light, i.e., the boundary of multiple light distributions (lightless area), thereby eliminating vertical streaks (vertical dark areas) and forming a good light distribution pattern. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0009] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2013-110068 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2014-120452 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0010] The variable light distribution type lamp unit and a vehicle headlamp equipped with the lamp unit can contribute to traffic safety by improving visibility by diffusing both the left and right sides of the high beam light distribution pattern (high beam light distribution pattern).

[0011] However, in the vehicle lighting unit of Patent Document 1, although a means is provided to prevent the formation of dark streaks (gap streaks) and bright streaks (light streaks) caused by vertical edges between multiple illumination areas and to adjust and mitigate brightness unevenness (uneven light distribution), no means is provided to diffuse the left and right sides of the high beam light distribution pattern (high beam light distribution pattern).

[0012] Furthermore, the vehicle headlamp of Patent Document 2 is provided with a means for distributing reflected light from multiple reflectors to the boundary of the light distribution area of ​​direct light, i.e., the boundary of multiple light distributions (lightless area), thereby eliminating vertical streaks (vertical dark areas), but is not provided with a means for diffusing both the left and right sides of the high beam light distribution pattern (main beam light distribution pattern).

[0013] As a result, the vehicle lighting unit of Patent Document 1 and the vehicle headlamp of Patent Document 2 cannot further diffuse the left and right ends of the high beam light distribution pattern to the left and right.

[0014] An object of the present invention is to provide a lamp unit for a vehicle headlamp and a vehicle headlamp that can further diffuse both the left and right ends of a high beam light distribution pattern to the left and right. [Means for solving the problem]

[0015] The lamp unit for a vehicle headlamp of this invention is a lamp unit for a vehicle headlamp mounted to the front of a vehicle, and comprises: a light source having a plurality of light-emitting elements arranged horizontally on the left and right; a lens arranged in front of the light source; and an inner reflective surface arranged on the inside of the vehicle relative to the plurality of light-emitting elements, wherein the inner reflective surface reflects light from the innermost light-emitting element located furthest inside of the light-emitting elements to the lens as reflected light, and the lens emits the light from the plurality of light-emitting elements in front of the vehicle as a plurality of partial light distribution patterns arranged horizontally on the left and right, and emits the reflected light from the inner reflective surface in front of the vehicle as a diffused light distribution pattern such that the diffused light distribution pattern is superimposed on an outermost partial light distribution pattern located furthest outside of the partial light distribution patterns, and the outer edge of the diffused light distribution pattern is located further outside of the vehicle than the outer edge of the outermost partial light distribution pattern.

[0016] In the lamp unit for a vehicle headlamp of the present invention, it is preferable that the area of ​​the diffused light distribution pattern is narrower than the area of ​​the outermost partial light distribution pattern.

[0017] In the lamp unit for a vehicle headlamp of the present invention, the inner reflective surface preferably reflects light from the next-inner light emitting element located next to the innermost light emitting element to a location other than the lens.

[0018] In the lamp unit of a vehicle headlamp of this invention, it is preferable that the inner reflective surface is composed of any surface and reflects light from the innermost light-emitting element onto an effective portion of the lens that is on the inside of the vehicle and above the optical axis of the lens, and reflects light from the next innermost light-emitting element onto an effective portion of the lens that is above the optical axis of the lens and other than the effective portion of the lens.

[0019] In the lamp unit of a vehicle headlamp of this invention, it is preferable that the lamp unit is provided with an outer reflective surface that is located further outward from the vehicle than the plurality of light-emitting elements, and the outer reflective surface reflects light from the outermost light-emitting element located furthest outward from the vehicle as reflected light to the lens, and the lens emits the reflected light from the outer reflective surface forward of the vehicle so as to add it to the innermost partial light distribution pattern located furthest inward from the vehicle as an additional light distribution pattern.

[0020] In the lamp unit of a vehicle headlamp of this invention, it is preferable that the outer reflective surface is composed of an ellipsoidal surface whose first focus is located at the outermost light-emitting element and whose second focus is located at the incident surface of the lens, and that light from the outermost light-emitting element is reflected to an effective portion of the lens that is closer to the outside of the vehicle than light from the innermost light-emitting element that is reflected from the inner reflective surface.

[0021] In the lamp unit of a vehicle headlamp of this invention, it is preferable that the lamp unit comprises a reflector arranged between the light source and the lens, the reflector having a reflective surface that reflects light from the light-emitting element to the lens, and the lens superimposes the light from the light-emitting element and the light from the reflective surface and emits the light in front of the vehicle as multiple partial light distribution patterns.

[0022] In the lamp unit for a vehicle headlamp of the present invention, the inner reflective surface and the outer reflective surface are preferably provided on a reflector.

[0023] The vehicle headlamp of the present invention is a vehicle headlamp mounted on each of the left and right sides of the front of the vehicle, and is characterized by comprising a lamp housing and a lamp lens that form a lamp chamber, and a lamp unit of the vehicle headlamp of the present invention. [Effects of the Invention]

[0024] The vehicle headlamp lamp unit and vehicle headlamp of the present invention can further diffuse the left and right ends of the high beam light distribution pattern to the left and right. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0025] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a plan view showing an embodiment of a lamp unit for a vehicle headlamp, a vehicle headlamp, according to the present invention in a state of use (a state in which the lamp unit is mounted on a vehicle). [Figure 2] 2 is a cross-sectional view (horizontal cross-sectional view taken along line II-II in FIG. 3 and line II-II in FIG. 4) showing a lamp unit of a right-side vehicle headlamp. [Figure 3] 3 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view showing a lamp unit of a right-side vehicle headlamp (a vertical cross-sectional view taken along line III-III in FIG. 2 and line III-III in FIG. 4). [Figure 4] 4 is a front view (a view taken along line IV-IV in FIG. 2 and a view taken along line IV-IV in FIG. 3) showing the lamp unit of the right-side vehicle headlamp with the lens removed. [Figure 5] 5A and 5B are explanatory diagrams showing an outermost partial light distribution pattern (first partial light distribution pattern) formed by a lamp unit of a right-side vehicle headlamp. (A) is an explanatory diagram showing an outermost partial light distribution pattern (first partial light distribution pattern) on which a diffused light distribution pattern is superimposed. (B) is an explanatory diagram showing an outermost partial light distribution pattern (first partial light distribution pattern) on which a diffused light distribution pattern is not superimposed. (C) is an explanatory diagram showing a diffused light distribution pattern. [Figure 6] 6A and 6B are explanatory diagrams showing the next-outer partial light distribution pattern (second partial light distribution pattern) formed by a lamp unit of a right-side vehicle headlamp. (A) and (B) are explanatory diagrams showing the next-outer partial light distribution pattern (second partial light distribution pattern). (C) is an explanatory diagram showing a state in which no light distribution pattern is formed. [Figure 7] 7A and 7B are explanatory diagrams showing an innermost partial light distribution pattern (tenth partial light distribution pattern) formed by a lamp unit of a right-side vehicle headlamp. (A) is an explanatory diagram showing the innermost partial light distribution pattern (tenth partial light distribution pattern) to which an additional light distribution pattern is added. (B) is an explanatory diagram showing the innermost partial light distribution pattern (tenth partial light distribution pattern) to which no additional light distribution pattern is added. (C) is an explanatory diagram showing the additional light distribution pattern. [Figure 8] 8A and 8B are explanatory diagrams showing the next-inside partial light distribution pattern (ninth partial light distribution pattern) formed by a lamp unit of a right-side vehicle headlamp. (A) and (B) are explanatory diagrams showing the next-inside partial light distribution pattern (ninth partial light distribution pattern). (C) is an explanatory diagram showing a state in which no light distribution pattern is formed. [Figure 9] 9A and 9B are explanatory diagrams showing high beam light distribution patterns emitted from a lamp unit of a vehicle headlight. FIG. 9A is an explanatory diagram showing a left high beam light distribution pattern emitted from a lamp unit of a left vehicle headlight. FIG. 9B is an explanatory diagram showing a right high beam light distribution pattern emitted from a lamp unit of a right vehicle headlight. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing an overall high beam light distribution pattern obtained by superimposing and combining a left high beam light distribution pattern (see FIG. 9(A)) emitted from a lamp unit of a left vehicle headlight and a right high beam light distribution pattern (see FIG. 9(B)) emitted from a lamp unit of a right vehicle headlight. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram showing an overall high beam light distribution pattern when an oncoming vehicle is present. [Figure 12] FIG. 12 is an explanatory diagram showing an overall high beam light distribution pattern when there is a preceding vehicle. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0026] An example of an embodiment (example) of a vehicle headlamp lamp unit and a vehicle headlamp according to the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings. In this specification and the appended claims, the terms front, rear, top, bottom, left, and right refer to the front, rear, top, bottom, left, and right of the vehicle when the vehicle headlamp lamp unit and the vehicle headlamp according to the present invention are installed on a vehicle. In addition, in this specification and the appended claims, the inside of the vehicle refers to the center side of the vehicle in the left-right direction, and the outside of the vehicle refers to the left and right sides of the vehicle with respect to the center of the vehicle in the left-right direction.

[0027] Because the drawings are schematic, only the main components are shown, and components other than the main components are omitted, and some hatching is omitted. In FIGS. 1 to 4, the symbols "F" represent "front," "B" represent "rear," "U" represent "up," "D" represent "down," "L" represent "left," and "R" represent "right." In the longitudinal cross-sectional view of FIG. 3, the symbols "30R," "31R," and "LED6-LED10" are used for convenience to denote components not shown. Furthermore, in FIGS. 5 to 12, the symbols "VU-VD" represent vertical lines at the top and bottom of the screen, and the symbols "HL-HR" represent horizontal lines at the left and right of the screen. Furthermore, in the isoluminance lines in FIGS. 5 to 8, the luminous intensity of the isoluminance lines is high at the center, and decreases toward the outside (periphery).

[0028] (Description of the configuration of the embodiment) Below, we will explain the configuration of the lamp units 1L, 1R of the vehicle headlights according to this embodiment (hereinafter referred to as "lamp units 1L, 1R") and the vehicle headlights 100L, 100R according to this embodiment (hereinafter referred to as "vehicle headlights 100L, 100R").

[0029] (Description of vehicle headlights 100L and 100R) As shown in FIG. 1, the left vehicle headlamp 100L is mounted on the left front side of the vehicle V, and the right vehicle headlamp 100R is mounted on the right front side of the vehicle V.

[0030] As shown in FIG. 1, the vehicle headlamps 100L and 100R each include a lamp housing 101, a lamp lens 102, a lamp unit 1L, an lamp unit 1R, and a control device (not shown).

[0031] The lamp housing 101 is made of a light-opaque resin material. The lamp lens 102 is made of a light-transmitting resin material. The lamp lens 102 is an outer lens or an outer cover. The planar shape of the surface of the lamp lens 102 (the surface opposite to the surface facing the lamp chamber 103 described below) is, as shown in FIG. 1, a slanted shape that gradually recedes from the front to the rear of the vehicle V along the design surface of the vehicle V as it moves from the inside to the outside of the vehicle. The lamp housing 101 and the lamp lens 102 form a lamp chamber 103. Lamp units 1L and 1R are arranged inside the lamp chamber 103.

[0032] (Control device description) Although not shown, the control device is installed in the vehicle V. The control device has a detection unit, a detection control unit, and a light on / off control unit.

[0033] The detection unit is composed of, for example, an imaging device (camera) arranged in the center of the upper edge of the front windshield of the vehicle V, a millimeter wave radar arranged in the center of the front grille of the vehicle V, etc.

[0034] The imaging device captures images including an oncoming vehicle V1 and a preceding vehicle V2 relative to the host vehicle V (the same symbol as the symbol "V" is used for the vehicle). The millimeter wave radar measures the distance to the oncoming vehicle V1 and the preceding vehicle V2 relative to the host vehicle V. The detection unit outputs a detection signal to the detection control unit via the interface.

[0035] The detection control unit is an ECU for detection control, and includes an arithmetic and control electronic device such as an MPU or a CPU, and an electronic storage device such as a RAM or a ROM. The detection control unit calculates the positions and distances of the oncoming vehicle V1 and the preceding vehicle V2 based on the detection signals from the detection unit by the arithmetic and control electronic device executing a predetermined program stored in the electronic storage device, and outputs the calculated signals to the light on / off control unit via the interface.

[0036] The on / off control unit is an ECU for controlling on / off, and includes an arithmetic and control electronic device such as an MPU or a CPU, and an electronic storage device such as a RAM or a ROM. The arithmetic and control electronic device executes a predetermined program stored in the electronic storage device, and the on / off control unit controls the on / off, increasing and decreasing the brightness of a plurality of light-emitting elements LED1 to LED10 (described below), in this example ten light-emitting elements LED1 to LED10, based on an arithmetic signal from the detection control unit.

[0037] (Explanation of lamp units 1L and 1R) The left lamp unit 1L of the left-side vehicle headlamp 100L irradiates a left-side high beam light distribution pattern PL ahead of the vehicle V, as shown in Fig. 9(A). On the other hand, the right lamp unit 1R of the right-side vehicle headlamp 100R irradiates a right-side high beam light distribution pattern PR ahead of the vehicle V, as shown in Fig. 9(B).

[0038] The left high beam distribution pattern PL and the right high beam distribution pattern PR are superimposed to form an overall high beam distribution pattern P, as shown in Fig. 10. In this example, the overall high beam distribution pattern P is a wide high beam distribution pattern that illuminates a wide range from the near to the far front of the vehicle V with high luminous intensity.

[0039] Lamp units 1L and 1R are variable light distribution type lamp units, so-called ADB (Adaptive Driving Beam) type lamp units. When there are no vehicles ahead, such as an oncoming vehicle V1 or a preceding vehicle V2, lamp units 1L and 1R irradiate an overall high beam light distribution pattern P shown in Fig. 10. On the other hand, when there is a vehicle ahead, lamp units 1L and 1R control the area where the vehicle ahead is located (the area indicated by the dashed lines in Figs. 11 and 12) so that it is darker than the surrounding area (the area indicated by the solid lines in Figs. 11 and 12).

[0040] That is, the lamp units 1L and 1R control the on / off, brightening, and dimming of the light-emitting elements LED1 to LED10 of the light source 2 described below using a control device, thereby turning off or dimming the partial light distribution pattern described below where a vehicle ahead is present, thereby changing the overall high beam light distribution pattern P.

[0041] (Right side lamp unit 1R explanation) The right lamp unit 1R will be described below with reference to Figs. 2 to 4. Here, for the right lamp unit 1R, the outside of the vehicle is the right side of the vehicle V, and the inside of the vehicle is the left side of the vehicle V; hereinafter, the "outside of the vehicle" will be referred to as the "right side," and the "inside of the vehicle" will be referred to as the "left side." On the other hand, for the left lamp unit 1L, the outside of the vehicle is the left side of the vehicle V, and the inside of the vehicle is the right side of the vehicle V; hereinafter, the "outside of the vehicle" will be referred to as the "left side," and the "inside of the vehicle" will be referred to as the "right side."

[0042] The left lamp unit 1L has a configuration that is almost the same as the right lamp unit 1R, but is configured by inverting the left and right sides. For this reason, the description of the left lamp unit 1L and illustrations similar to those in Figures 2 to 4 will be omitted. Furthermore, the terms "both left and right sides," "left side," and "right side" will be omitted as appropriate.

[0043] The lamp unit 1R includes a light source 2, a reflector 3, a lens 4, a heat sink 5, and a fan unit 6. The light source 2, the reflector 3, the lens 4, the heat sink 5, and the fan unit 6 are attached to a frame member (not shown), and are also attached to the lamp housing 101 via the frame member and a bracket member (not shown).

[0044] (Explanation of light source 2) 2 to 4, the light source 2 includes a plurality of light-emitting elements, in this example ten light-emitting elements LED1, LED2, LED3, LED4, LED5, LED6, LED7, LED8, LED9, and LED10 (hereinafter referred to as "LED1 to LED10"), and a substrate 20. Here, the ten light-emitting elements LED1 to LED10 are referred to as the first light-emitting element LED1 to the tenth light-emitting element LED10 from the left.

[0045] That is, of the ten light-emitting elements LED1 to LED10, the light-emitting element located on the leftmost side (inside the vehicle) (the innermost light-emitting element described in the claims) is the first light-emitting element LED1. The light-emitting element located immediately to the right of the first light-emitting element LED1 (the next innermost light-emitting element described in the claims) is the second light-emitting element LED2. Of the ten light-emitting elements LED1 to LED10, the light-emitting element located immediately to the right (outside the vehicle) (the outermost light-emitting element described in the claims) is the tenth light-emitting element LED10. The light-emitting element located immediately to the left of the tenth light-emitting element LED10 (the next outermost light-emitting element described in the claims) is the ninth light-emitting element LED9.

[0046] In this example, the ten light-emitting elements LED1 to LED10 are an LED array, and are arranged horizontally from left to right on one surface (front surface) of the substrate 20. The light-emitting surfaces of the ten light-emitting elements LED1 to LED10 are rectangular. The on / off, brightening, and dimming of the ten light-emitting elements LED1 to LED10 are controlled by the control device. The other surface (rear surface) of the substrate 20 is attached to the attachment portion 50 of the heat sink 5.

[0047] The light (radiated light, emitted light) emitted (emitted) from the light-emitting surfaces of the ten light-emitting elements LED1 to LED10 has a Lambertian shape. As a result, the light from the light-emitting elements LED1 to LED10 is emitted over a wide range in all directions ahead of the vehicle V.

[0048] As a result, most of the light from the light emitting elements LED1 to LED10 is incident as direct light onto an incident surface 40 (described later) of the lens 4. Also, the lower portion of the light from the light emitting elements LED1 to LED10 is reflected by a reflecting surface 30 (described later) of the reflector 3 and is incident as reflected light onto the incident surface 40 of the lens 4.

[0049] 2, the left portions of light L1 and L2 from the first light-emitting element LED1 and the second light-emitting element LED2 are incident on an inner reflective surface 30L (described later) of the reflector 3. Note that the left portions of light (not shown) from the third light-emitting element LED3 to the tenth light-emitting element LED10 are also incident on the inner reflective surface 30L (described later) of the reflector 3.

[0050] 2, right-side light L9 and L10 from the ninth light-emitting element LED9 and the tenth light-emitting element LED10 are incident on an outer reflective surface 30R (described later) of the reflector 3. Right-side light (not shown) from the first light-emitting element LED1 to the eighth light-emitting element LED8 also enters the outer reflective surface 30R (described later) of the reflector 3.

[0051] (Reflector 3 explanation) The reflector 3 is disposed between the light source 2 and the lens 4. The reflector 3 has a main body 31 and mounting portions 31L, 31R integrally provided on both the left and right sides of the main body 31. The main body 31 is disposed below the light emitting elements LED1 to LED10. The left mounting portion 31L is disposed to the left of the light emitting elements LED1 to LED10. The right mounting portion 31R is disposed to the right of the light emitting elements LED1 to LED10. The left and right mounting portions 31L, 31R are attached to mounting portions 50 of the heat sink 5.

[0052] A reflective surface 30 is provided on the upper surface of the main body 31. The reflective surface 30 may be, for example, the reflective surface described in JP 2017-195116 A. The reflective surface 30 reflects the light from the light emitting elements LED1 to LED10 on the lower side, which does not enter the effective portion of the incident surface 40 of the lens 4, toward the incident surface 40 of the lens 4, and causes the light to enter the incident surface 40. This allows the light from the light emitting elements LED1 to LED10 to be used effectively.

[0053] (Explanation of the inner reflective surface 30L) An inner reflective surface 30L serving as a side reflector is provided at the upper end portion of the left mounting portion 31L. The inner reflective surface 30L is provided to the left of the ten light-emitting elements LED1 to LED10. In other words, the inner reflective surface 30L is provided to the left (inside the vehicle) of the first light-emitting element LED1. The inner reflective surface 30L is also provided in front of the light-emitting elements LED1 to LED10. Furthermore, in this example, the inner reflective surface 30L is made up of any surface, such as a free-form surface, multiple curved surfaces, one curved surface, multiple flat surfaces, or one flat surface.

[0054] As shown by the solid arrow in Fig. 2, the left portion of light L1 from the first light-emitting element LED1 is incident on the inner reflective surface 30L. As shown by the solid arrow in Fig. 2, the inner reflective surface 30L reflects the incident light L1 from the first light-emitting element LED1 to the incident surface 40 of the lens 4 as reflected light L11. The reflected light L11 is incident on an effective portion of the incident surface 40 of the lens 4 that is to the left of the optical axis Z and above the optical axis Z. The reflected light L11 that has entered the lens 4 is irradiated from the lens 4 toward the front of the vehicle V as diffused light distribution patterns PL1C and PR1C, which will be described later.

[0055] Furthermore, as indicated by the dashed arrow in Fig. 2, the left portion of light L2 from the second light-emitting element LED2 is incident on the inner reflective surface 30L. As indicated by the dashed arrow in Fig. 2, the inner reflective surface 30L reflects the incident light from the second light-emitting element LED2 as reflected light L21 above the optical axis Z and outside the effective portion of the incident surface 40, i.e., diagonally to the upper right side of the lens 4. Therefore, the reflected light L21 from the second light-emitting element LED2 that is reflected by the inner reflective surface 30L does not enter the lens 4, and therefore there is no influence of CL2R on the left vertical cutoff line CL2L and the right vertical cutoff line of the second partial light distribution patterns PL2 and PR2, which will be described later.

[0056] Furthermore, light from the left portion of the third light-emitting element LED3 to the tenth light-emitting element LED10 is also incident on the inner reflective surface 30L. However, the light from the third light-emitting element LED3 to the tenth light-emitting element LED10 is light from the second light-emitting element LED2, and like the reflected light L21 reflected by the inner reflective surface 30L, it does not enter the lens 4. Moreover, the light from the third light-emitting element LED3 to the tenth light-emitting element LED10 is weak enough to have no effect on the left-side vertical cutoff line and the right-side vertical cutoff line from the third partial light distribution pattern PL3, PR3 to the tenth partial light distribution pattern PL10, PL10, which will be described later. Therefore, even if the light enters the lens 4, it does not affect the left-side vertical cutoff line and the right-side vertical cutoff line.

[0057] (Explanation of outer reflective surface 30R) An outer reflective surface 30R serving as a side reflector is provided at the upper end portion of the right-side mounting portion 31R. The outer reflective surface 30R is provided to the right of the ten light-emitting elements LED1 to LED10. That is, the outer reflective surface 30R is provided to the right (outside the vehicle) of the tenth light-emitting element LED10. The outer reflective surface 30R is also provided in front of the light-emitting elements LED1 to LED10. Furthermore, in this example, the outer reflective surface 30R is configured as an ellipsoidal surface obtained by vertically extending an ellipse having a first focal point F1 located at the tenth light-emitting element LED10 and a second focal point F2 located on the incident surface 40 of the lens 4 to the left of the optical axis Z.

[0058] As shown by the solid arrow in FIG. 2, the light L10 from the tenth light-emitting element LED10 is incident on the outer reflective surface 30R on the right side. As shown by the solid arrow in FIG. 2, the outer reflective surface 30R reflects the incident light L10 from the tenth light-emitting element LED10 as reflected light L101 to the incident surface 40 of the lens 4. The reflected light L101 is mainly incident on an effective portion of the incident surface 40 of the lens 4 that is to the right of the light L11 from the first light-emitting element LED1 that is reflected from the inner reflective surface 30L and to the left of the optical axis Z. The reflected light L101 that has entered the lens 4 is irradiated from the lens 4 toward the front of the vehicle V as additional light distribution patterns PL10C and PR10C, which will be described later.

[0059] 2, the right-side portion of light L9 from the ninth light-emitting element LED9 is incident on the outer reflective surface 30R. As shown by the dashed arrow in FIG. 2, the outer reflective surface 30R reflects the light L9 from the ninth light-emitting element LED9 as reflected light L91 to the left, outside the effective portion of the incident surface 40, i.e., to the left side of the lens 4. Therefore, the reflected light L91 from the ninth light-emitting element LED9 that is reflected by the outer reflective surface 30R does not enter the lens 4 and therefore does not affect the overall high-beam light distribution pattern P.

[0060] Note that light from the right portion of the first light-emitting element LED1 to the eighth light-emitting element LED8 is incident on the outer reflective surface 30R. However, the light from the right portion of the first light-emitting element LED1 to the eighth light-emitting element LED8 is so weak that it does not affect the overall high-beam light distribution pattern P. Therefore, the light from the first light-emitting element LED1 to the eighth light-emitting element LED8 does not affect the overall high-beam light distribution pattern P.

[0061] (Lens 4 explanation) 2 and 3, in this example, the lens 4 is a projection lens and is made of an aspherical lens. The lens 4 has an entrance surface 40, an exit surface 41, and an optical axis Z. In this example, the optical axis Z passes between the sixth light-emitting element LED6 and the seventh light-emitting element LED7, as shown in FIG.

[0062] The lens 4 controls the light from the ten light-emitting elements LED1 to LED10 individually to emit a plurality of partial light distribution patterns, in this example, ten partial light distribution patterns PL1 to PL10 and PR1 to PR10 (see FIG. 9), ahead of the vehicle V. Here, in this example, the light from the ten light-emitting elements LED1 to LED10 is direct light from the ten light-emitting elements LED1 to LED10 and light from the ten light-emitting elements LED1 to LED10 that is reflected by the reflective surface 30. The ten partial light distribution patterns PL1 to PL10 and PR1 to PR10 will be described in detail later.

[0063] Furthermore, the lens 4 controls the light L1 from the first light-emitting element LED1, which is reflected light L11 from the inner reflective surface 30L, and irradiates it as emitted light L12 (see the solid arrow in FIG. 2), that is, as diffuse light distribution patterns PL1C, PR1C (see FIGS. 5(C) and 9), ahead of the vehicle V. The diffuse light distribution patterns PL1C, PR1C will be described in detail later, as will the ten partial light distribution patterns. Note that the light L2 from the second light-emitting element LED2, which is reflected light L21 from the inner reflective surface 30L, passes outside the lens 4 and does not form a light distribution pattern, as shown in FIG. 6(C).

[0064] Furthermore, the lens 4 controls the light L10 from the tenth light-emitting element LED10, which is reflected light L101 from the outer reflective surface 30R, and irradiates it as emitted light L102 (see the dashed arrow in FIG. 2), that is, as additional light distribution patterns PL10C, PR10C (see FIGS. 7(C) and 9), ahead of the vehicle V. The additional light distribution patterns PL10C, PR10C will be described in detail later, as will the ten partial light distribution patterns and the diffused light distribution patterns PL1C, PR1C. Note that the light L9 from the ninth light-emitting element LED9, which is reflected light L91 from the outer reflective surface 30R, passes outside the lens 4 and does not form a light distribution pattern, as shown in FIG. 8(C).

[0065] The incident surface 40 is an aspherical surface, in this example an aspherical surface close to a plane, and controls the light from the ten light emitting elements LED1 to LED10 to enter the lens 4 as incident light (not shown).

[0066] The exit surface 41 is an aspherical surface, in this example an aspherical surface close to a sphere, and controls the incident light from the ten light-emitting elements LED1 to LED10 that enters the entrance surface 40 to be emitted as exit light (not shown) to the outside, i.e., in front of the vehicle V.

[0067] In this way, the entrance surface 40 and exit surface 41 of the lens 4 are designed and formed based on the light distribution of the ten partial light distribution patterns PL1 to PL10, PR1 to PR10, the diffused light distribution pattern PR1C, and the additional light distribution pattern PR10C described below.

[0068] The front shape of the lens 4 (front shape of the light output surface 41) is a horizontally elongated shape with a narrow vertical width (vertical width) and a wide horizontal width (horizontal width). The thickness of the lens 4 is thick in the center and gradually becomes thinner as it moves from the center to the periphery. Furthermore, the radius of curvature of the incident surface 40 is larger than the radius of curvature of the light output surface 41. That is, the lens 4 of the ADB type lamp units 1L, 1R must allow light from the ten light-emitting elements LED1 to LED10 to enter through the incident surface 40 and be irradiated from the light output surface 41 toward the front of the vehicle V. For this reason, the radius of curvature of the incident surface 40 is large and the radius of curvature of the light output surface 41 is small.

[0069] (Explanation of light distribution pattern) The light distribution patterns emitted from the left and right lamp units 1L and 1R will be described below with reference to FIGS.

[0070] 9(A), the left lamp unit 1L of the left-side vehicle headlamp 100L irradiates the above-mentioned ten partial light distribution patterns PL1 to PL10 (PL1, PL2, PL3, PL4, PL5, PL6, PL7, PL8, PL9, PL10), a diffused light distribution pattern PL1C, and an additional light distribution pattern PL10C as a left-side high beam light distribution pattern PL ahead of the vehicle V. Here, the ten partial light distribution patterns PL1 to PL10 are referred to as the first partial light distribution pattern PL1 to the tenth partial light distribution pattern PL10 from the left side.

[0071] On the other hand, as shown in Figures 5 to 8 and 9(B), the right lamp unit 1R of the right-side vehicle headlamp 100R irradiates the above-mentioned ten partial light distribution patterns PR1 to PR10 (PR1, PR2, PR3, PR4, PR5, PR6, PR7, PR8, PR9, PR10), a diffused light distribution pattern PR1C, and an additional light distribution pattern PR10C as a right-side high beam light distribution pattern PR ahead of the vehicle V. Here, the ten partial light distribution patterns PR1 to PR10 are referred to as the first partial light distribution pattern PR1 to the tenth partial light distribution pattern PR10 from the right side.

[0072] The left high beam distribution pattern PL and the right high beam distribution pattern PR emitted from the left and right lamp units 1L, 1R are superimposed to form the overall high beam distribution pattern P, as shown in Figures 10 to 12. In the overall high beam distribution pattern P, the left portion of the left high beam distribution pattern PL is more diffused to the left than the left portion of the right high beam distribution pattern PR, and the right portion of the right high beam distribution pattern PR is more diffused to the right than the right portion of the left high beam distribution pattern PL.

[0073] The shapes of the ten partial light distribution patterns PL1 to PL10, PR1 to PR10, the shapes of the diffused light distribution patterns PL1C, PR1C, and the shapes of the additional light distribution patterns PL10C, PR10C are not limited to the shapes shown in FIGS.

[0074] (Explanation of the 10 partial light distribution patterns PL1 to PL10, PR1 to PR10) As described above, the ten partial light distribution patterns PL1 to PL10, PR1 to PR10 are formed by controlling the light from the ten light-emitting elements LED1 to LED10 (direct light from the ten light-emitting elements LED1 to LED10 and light from the ten light-emitting elements LED1 to LED10) using lens 4.

[0075] That is, the ten partial light distribution patterns PL1 to PL10, PR1 to PR10 are formed from projected images of the light emitting surfaces of the ten light emitting elements LED1 to LED10 illuminated from the lens 4, and correspond one-to-one to the ten light emitting elements LED1 to LED10. The ten partial light distribution patterns PL1 to PL10, PR1 to PR10 are arranged horizontally on the left and right.

[0076] The on / off, increased / decreasing light intensity of the ten partial light distribution patterns PL1 to PL10, PR1 to PR10 is controlled based on the on / off, increased / decreasing light intensity of the ten light-emitting elements LED1 to LED10, which are controlled by the control device. As a result, the ten partial light distribution patterns PL1 to PL10, PR1 to PR10 have high resolution in the overall high beam light distribution pattern P.

[0077] (Vertical cutoff line explanation) A left-side vertical cutoff line and a right-side vertical cutoff line are formed at the left and right ends of the ten partial light distribution patterns PL1 to PL10, PR1 to PR10, respectively. For example, as shown in FIGS. 5(B) and 9(B), a left-side vertical cutoff line CL1L and a right-side vertical cutoff line CL1R are formed at the left and right ends of the right-side first partial light distribution pattern PR1. As shown in FIGS. 6(A), 6(B), and 9(B), a left-side vertical cutoff line CL2L and a right-side vertical cutoff line CL2R are formed at the left and right ends of the right-side second partial light distribution pattern PR2. Furthermore, as shown in FIGS. 7(B) and 9(B), a left-side vertical cutoff line CL10L and a right-side vertical cutoff line CL10R are formed at the left and right ends of the right-side tenth partial light distribution pattern PR10. Furthermore, as shown in FIGS. 8(A), 8(B), and 9(B), a left-side vertical cutoff line CL9L and a right-side vertical cutoff line CL9R are formed at the left and right ends of the right-side ninth partial light distribution pattern PR9.

[0078] The left-side vertical cutoff line and the right-side vertical cutoff line are intended to prevent adjacent bright areas (partial light distribution patterns PL7, PR6 PR1 shown by solid lines in FIG. 11, and partial light distribution patterns PL4, PR8 PL9, PR4 shown by solid lines in FIG. 12) from giving glare to the vehicle ahead when the area where the vehicle ahead is located (partial light distribution patterns PL8-PL10, PR2-PR5, PL10C shown by dashed lines in FIG. 11, and partial light distribution patterns PL5-PL8, PR5-PR8 shown by dashed lines in FIG. 12) is made darker than the surrounding areas (partial light distribution patterns shown by solid lines in FIGS. 11 and 12). As a result, the left-side vertical cutoff line and the right-side vertical cutoff line of the 10 partial light distribution patterns PL1-PL10, PR1-PR10 are formed with high precision and controlled with high precision by the lens 4.

[0079] (Explanation of diffused light distribution patterns PL1C and PR1C) 5 and 9 to 12, the diffuse light distribution patterns PL1C, PR1C are formed by controlling reflected light L11, which is light L1 from the first light-emitting element LED1 and is reflected by the inner reflecting surface 30L, with the lens 4. The diffuse light distribution patterns PL1C, PR1C are superimposed on the first partial light distribution patterns PL1, PR1 on the vehicle outer side of the ten partial light distribution patterns PL1 to PL10, PR1 to PR10.

[0080] The vehicle-outside edge of the diffused light distribution patterns PL1C, PR1C, in this example, the vehicle-outside vertical cutoff line CL1RC (see Figures 5(C) and 9(B)), is located further to the vehicle outside (to the right) than the vehicle-outside edge of the first partial light distribution patterns PL1, PR1, in this example, the vehicle-outside vertical cutoff line CL1R (see Figures 5(B) and 9(B)).

[0081] As a result, the vehicle outer edge of the first partial light distribution patterns PL1A, PR1A on which the diffuse light distribution patterns PL1C, PR1C are superimposed (hereinafter referred to as "first partial light distribution patterns PL1A, PR1A after superposition"), in this example, the vehicle outer vertical cutoff line CL1RC (see Figures 5(A) and 9(B)), is located further outside the vehicle (to the right) than the vehicle outer edge of the first partial light distribution patterns PL1, PR1 on which the diffuse light distribution patterns PL1C, PR1C are not superimposed (hereinafter referred to as "first partial light distribution patterns PL1, PR1 before superposition"), in this example, the vehicle outer vertical cutoff line CL1R (see Figures 5(B) and 9(B)).

[0082] Therefore, the portions of the first partial light distribution patterns PL1A and PR1A outside the vehicle after superposition (see Figures 5(A) and 9(B)) are more diffused outside the vehicle than the portions of the first partial light distribution patterns PL1 and PR1 before superposition (see Figures 5(B) and 9(B)).

[0083] The areas of the diffuse light distribution patterns PL1C, PR1C are narrower than the areas of the first partial light distribution patterns PL1A, PR1A. As a result, the vehicle inner edge of the diffuse light distribution patterns PL1C, PR1C (see FIGS. 5(C) and 9(B)) is located on the vehicle outer side (right side) of the vehicle inner edge of the first partial light distribution patterns PL1, PR1, in this example, the vehicle inner vertical cut-off line CL1L (see FIGS. 5(B) and 9(B)).

[0084] Therefore, the vehicle inside vertical cutoff line CL1L (see Figures 5(A) and 9(B)) of the first partial light distribution patterns PL1A and PR1A after superposition is identical or almost identical to the vehicle inside vertical cutoff line CL1L (see Figures 5(B) and 9(B)) of the first partial light distribution patterns PL1 and PR1 before superposition.

[0085] (Explanation of additional light distribution patterns PL10C and PR10C) As shown in Figures 7, 9 to 12, the additional light distribution patterns PL10C and PR10C are light L10 from the tenth light-emitting element LED10, and are formed by controlling the reflected light L101 reflected by the outer reflecting surface 30R using the lens 4.

[0086] The additional light distribution patterns PL10C, PR10C are superimposed on the vehicle inner side of the tenth partial light distribution patterns PL10, PR10. That is, the left additional light distribution pattern PL10C is superimposed on the right side, which is the vehicle inner side, of the left tenth partial light distribution pattern PL10, as shown in Fig. 9(A), and the right additional light distribution pattern PR10C is superimposed on the left side, which is the vehicle inner side, of the right tenth partial light distribution pattern PR10, as shown in Fig. 9(B).

[0087] For this reason, the luminous intensity of the tenth partial light distribution patterns PL10A, PR10A on which the additional light distribution patterns PL10C, PR10C are superimposed (hereinafter referred to as "tenth partial light distribution patterns PL10A, PR10A after superimposition", see FIG. 7(A)) is higher than the luminous intensity of the tenth partial light distribution patterns PL10, PR10 on which the additional light distribution patterns PL10C, PR10C are not superimposed (hereinafter referred to as "tenth partial light distribution patterns PL10, PR10 before superimposition", see FIG. 7(B)).

[0088] Furthermore, the vehicle inner vertical cutoff lines CL10LC (see FIGS. 7(C) and 9(B)) of the additional light distribution patterns PL10C and PR10C are located slightly more inward than the vehicle inner vertical cutoff lines CL10L (see FIGS. 7(B) and 9(B)) of the tenth partial light distribution patterns PL10 and PR10. As a result, the vehicle inner portions of the additional light distribution patterns PL10C and PR10C are located slightly more inward than the vehicle inner portions of the tenth partial light distribution patterns PL10 and PR10. For this reason, the vehicle inner portions of the tenth partial light distribution patterns PL10A and PR10A after superimposition (see FIGS. 7(A) and 9(B)) are slightly more diffused toward the vehicle inner side than the vehicle inner portions of the tenth partial light distribution patterns PL10 and PR10 before superimposition (see FIGS. 7(B) and 9(B)).

[0089] The diffusion width of the vehicle inner portion of the superimposed tenth partial light distribution patterns PL10A, PR10A is narrower than the diffusion width of the vehicle outer portion of the superimposed first partial light distribution patterns PL1A, PR1A. Also, the vehicle outer vertical cutoff line CL10R of the superimposed tenth partial light distribution patterns PL10A, PR10A and the vehicle outer vertical cutoff line CL10R of the pre-superimposed tenth partial light distribution patterns PL10, PR10 are the same or nearly the same.

[0090] (Explanation of Heatsink 5) The heat sink 5 is made of a highly thermally conductive material, in this example, a die-cast aluminum material. As shown in Figures 2 to 4, the heat sink 5 is an integrated structure consisting of a plate-shaped mounting portion 50 and a fin-shaped heat dissipation portion 51.

[0091] The light emitting elements LED1 to LED10 are attached to the front mounting surface of the mounting part 50 via a substrate 20, and the mounting parts 31L and 31R of the reflector 3 are also attached. The front surface of the heat dissipation part 51 is integrally provided on the rear surface of the mounting part 50. The multiple fins of the heat dissipation part 51 are parallel or nearly parallel in the vertical direction.

[0092] (Explanation of fan unit 6) 2 to 4, the fan unit 6 is attached to the rear surface of the heat dissipation portion 51 of the heat sink 5. The fan unit 6 forcibly and directly blows air onto the heat sink 5, thereby cooling the heat sink 5 from the heat generated in the light emitting elements LED1 to LED10.

[0093] (Explanation of the operation of the embodiment) The lamp units 1L, 1R according to this embodiment and the vehicle headlamps 100L, 100R according to this embodiment are configured as described above, and their operation will be described below.

[0094] (Explanation when there are no oncoming vehicles V1 or preceding vehicles V2) 10, when there are no vehicles ahead, such as an oncoming vehicle V1 or a preceding vehicle V2, the detection unit of the control device does not detect any vehicles ahead, such as the oncoming vehicle V1 or the preceding vehicle V2. Therefore, all ten light-emitting elements LED1 to LED10 of the lamp units 1L and 1R on both the left and right sides are turned on.

[0095] Then, light from the ten light-emitting elements LED1 to LED10 of the lamp units 1L, 1R on both the left and right sides is incident on the incident surface 40 of the lens 4 as direct light and as light reflected from the reflecting surface 30. The light from the ten light-emitting elements LED1 to LED10 that has entered the lens 4 is emitted from the exit surface 41 of the lens 4 and is irradiated ahead of the vehicle V as ten partial light distribution patterns PL1 to PL10 and PR1 to PR10 on both the left and right sides, as shown in FIGS.

[0096] In addition, a portion of the light L1 from the first light-emitting element LED1 is reflected by the outer reflecting surface 30R, and the reflected light L11 passes through the lens 4 and is emitted, and the emitted light L12 is irradiated forward of the vehicle V as diffused light distribution patterns PL1C and PR1C on both the left and right sides, as shown in Figures 5, 9 to 12.

[0097] Furthermore, a portion of the light L10 from the tenth light-emitting element LED10 is reflected by the inner reflective surface 30L, and the reflected light L101 passes through the lens 4 and is emitted, and the emitted light L102 is irradiated forward of the vehicle V as additional light distribution patterns PL10C and PR10C on both the left and right sides, as shown in Figures 7, 9 to 12.

[0098] The ten partial light distribution patterns PL1-PL10, PR1-PR10 on the left and right sides, the diffused light distribution patterns PL1C, PR1C on the left and right sides, and the additional light distribution patterns PL10C, PR10C on the left and right sides are superimposed to form the left and right high beam light distribution patterns PL, PR shown in Figures 9 to 12. These left and right high beam light distribution patterns PL, PR are then superimposed to form the overall high beam light distribution pattern P shown in Figures 10 to 12.

[0099] (Explanation when there is an oncoming vehicle V1) 11, when there is an oncoming vehicle V1, the detection unit of the control device detects the oncoming vehicle V1. Therefore, of the ten light-emitting elements LED1 to LED10 of the lamp units 1L and 1R on both the left and right sides, the light-emitting elements that illuminate the area where the oncoming vehicle V1 is located, in this example, the light-emitting elements LED8 to LED10 of the left lamp unit 1L and the light-emitting elements LED2 to LED5 of the right lamp unit 1R, are turned off or dimmed by the control of the control device.

[0100] Then, of the ten partial light distribution patterns PL1 to PL10, PR1 to PR10 on both the left and right sides, the diffused light distribution patterns PL1C, PR1C on both the left and right sides, and the additional light distribution patterns PL10C, PR10C on both the left and right sides, the left partial light distribution patterns PL8 to PL10, PL10C and the right partial light distribution patterns PR2 to PR5 corresponding to the turned-off light-emitting elements LED8 to LED10 of the left lamp unit 1L and the light-emitting elements LED2 to LED5 of the right lamp unit 1R, respectively, disappear or their luminous intensity decreases, as shown by the dashed lines in Fig. 11. As a result, in the overall high beam light distribution pattern P shown in Fig. 11, the area where the oncoming vehicle V1 is located becomes darker than the surrounding area, and no dazzling light is provided to the oncoming vehicle V1.

[0101] (Explanation when there is a preceding vehicle V2) 12, when there is a preceding vehicle V2, the detection unit of the control device detects the preceding vehicle V2. Therefore, of the ten light-emitting elements LED1 to LED10 of the lamp units 1L and 1R on both the left and right sides, the light-emitting elements that illuminate the area where the preceding vehicle V2 is located, in this example, the light-emitting elements LED5 to LED8 of the left lamp unit 1L and the light-emitting elements LED5 to LED8 of the right lamp unit 1R, are turned off or dimmed by the control of the control device.

[0102] Then, among the ten partial light distribution patterns PL1 to PL10, PR1 to PR10 on both the left and right sides, the diffused light distribution patterns PL1C, PR1C on both the left and right sides, and the additional light distribution patterns PL10C, PR10C on both the left and right sides, the left partial light distribution patterns PL5 to PL8 and the right partial light distribution patterns PL5 to PL8 corresponding to the turned-off light-emitting elements LED5 to LED8 of the left lamp unit 1L and the light-emitting elements LED5 to LED8 of the right lamp unit 1R, respectively, disappear or their luminous intensity decreases, as shown by the dashed lines in Fig. 12. As a result, in the overall high beam light distribution pattern P shown in Fig. 12, the area where the preceding vehicle V2 is located becomes darker than the surrounding areas, and no dazzling light is presented to the preceding vehicle V2.

[0103] (Cooling explanation) The heat generated in the light emitting elements LED1 to LED10 is dissipated to the outside via the substrate 20 and the heat sink 5, which is an attachment member. The heat sink 5 is cooled by forced air cooling by the fan unit 6.

[0104] (Explanation of Effects of the Embodiments) The lamp units 1L, 1R and vehicle headlights 100L, 100R according to this embodiment (hereinafter referred to as "lamp systems 1L, 1R, 100L, 100R") have the above-described configuration and function, and the effects thereof will be described below.

[0105] In the lamp systems 1L, 1R, 100L, and 100R, the light L1 from the first light-emitting element LED1, which is located furthest inside the vehicle among the ten light-emitting elements LED1 to LED10, is reflected to the lens 4 as reflected light L11 by the inner reflective surface 30L, which is located inside the vehicle from the ten light-emitting elements LED1 to LED10.

[0106] In addition, the lamp systems 1L, 1R, 100L, and 100R use a lens 4 arranged in front of a light source 2 having ten light-emitting elements LED1 to LED10 to irradiate light from the ten light-emitting elements LED1 to LED10 forward of the vehicle V as ten partial light distribution patterns PL1 to PL10, PR1 to PR10 arranged horizontally on the left and right.

[0107] Furthermore, the lamp systems 1L, 1R, 100L, and 100R use the lens 4 to emit the reflected light L11 from the inner reflective surface 30L as diffused light distribution patterns PL1C and PR1C in front of the vehicle V so that the diffused light distribution patterns PL1C and PR1C are superimposed on the first partial light distribution patterns PL1 and PR1 that are located furthest to the vehicle outer side of the ten partial light distribution patterns PL1 to PL10 and PR1 to PR10, and so that the vehicle outer edge of the diffused light distribution patterns PL1C and PR1C (vehicle outer vertical cutoff line CL1RC) is located further to the vehicle outer side than the vehicle outer edge of the first partial light distribution patterns PL1 and PR1 (vehicle outer vertical cutoff line CL1R).

[0108] As a result, the lamp systems 1L, 1R, 100L, 100R can position the vehicle outer edge (vehicle outer vertical cutoff line CL1RC) of the first partial light distribution pattern PL1A, PR1A after superposition (first partial light distribution pattern PL1A, PR1A on which diffused light distribution pattern PL1C, PR1C is superimposed) further outside the vehicle than the vehicle outer edge (vehicle outer vertical cutoff line CL1R) of the first partial light distribution pattern PL1, PR1 before superposition (first partial light distribution pattern PL1, PR1 on which diffused light distribution pattern PL1C, PR1C is not superimposed).

[0109] Therefore, the lamp systems 1L, 1R, 100L, and 100R can diffuse the vehicle-exterior portion of the first partial light distribution patterns PL1A and PR1A after superposition further outside the vehicle than the vehicle-exterior portion of the first partial light distribution patterns PL1 and PR1 before superposition.

[0110] As described above, the lamp systems 1L, 1R, 100L, and 100R can further diffuse the overall high beam distribution pattern P to both left and right sides outside the vehicle, thereby improving visibility.

[0111] In the lamp systems 1L, 1R, 100L, and 100R, the area of ​​the diffused light distribution patterns PL1C and PR1C is narrower than the area of ​​the first partial light distribution patterns PL1A and PR1A, so the vehicle inner edge of the diffused light distribution patterns PL1C and PR1C (see Figure 5(C)) can be positioned further outside the vehicle than the vehicle inner edge of the first partial light distribution patterns PL1 and PR1 (vehicle inner vertical cutoff line CL1L; see Figure 5(B)).

[0112] Therefore, the lamp systems 1L, 1R, 100L, and 100R can align the vehicle-inside vertical cutoff line CL1L (see Figure 5(A)) of the first partial light distribution patterns PL1A and PR1A after superposition to be identical or nearly identical to the vehicle-inside vertical cutoff line CL1L of the first partial light distribution patterns PL1 and PR1 before superposition.

[0113] As a result, in the lamp systems 1L, 1R, 100L, 100R, when the second partial light distribution patterns PL2, PR2 located on the vehicle inner side of the first partial light distribution patterns PL1A, PR1A after superposition are turned off or dimmed, the vehicle inner vertical cutoff line CL1L of the first partial light distribution patterns PL1A, PR1A after superposition that appears is the same as the vehicle inner vertical cutoff line CL1L of the first partial light distribution patterns PL1, PR1 before superposition, and therefore there is no effect on the vehicle inner vertical cutoff line CL1L. In other words, the light distribution of the vehicle inner part of the first partial light distribution patterns PL1A, PR1A after superposition has less effect on the light distribution on the vehicle inner side than the first partial light distribution patterns PL1A, PR1A after superposition.

[0114] As a result, the lamp systems 1L, 1R, 100L, 100R do not give glare to a forward vehicle present in the area of ​​the second partial light distribution patterns PL2, PR2.

[0115] Generally, vehicles ahead are more likely to be present in the region inside the vehicle of the overall high beam distribution pattern P than in the region outside the vehicle. Therefore, the partial light distribution patterns in the region inside the vehicle of the overall high beam distribution pattern P are turned off or dimmed more frequently than the partial light distribution patterns in the region outside the vehicle. As a result, the lamp systems 1L, 1R, 100L, and 100R are suitable for the overall high beam distribution pattern P.

[0116] In the lamp systems 1L, 1R, 100L, and 100R, the inner reflective surface 30L reflects light L2 from the second light-emitting element LED2 located next to the first light-emitting element LED1 as reflected light L21 to a location other than the lens 4. For this reason, in the lamp systems 1L, 1R, 100L, and 100R, the reflected light L21 from the inner reflective surface 30L does not pass through the lens 4 to form a light distribution pattern, and therefore the reflected light L21 from the inner reflective surface 30L does not affect the 10 partial light distribution patterns PL1 to PL10 and PR1 to PR10.

[0117] As a result, when the first partial light distribution patterns PL1A, PR1A located at the outermost side of the vehicle are turned off or dimmed in the lamp systems 1L, 1R, 100L, 100R, the second partial light distribution patterns PL2, PR2 adjacent to the first partial light distribution patterns PL1A, PR1A are not diffused to the outside of the vehicle, and no glare is caused to a vehicle ahead that is in the area of ​​the first partial light distribution patterns PL1A, PR1A.

[0118] In the lamp systems 1L, 1R, 100L, and 100R, the inner reflective surface 30L is made up of any surface and reflects light L1 from the first light-emitting element LED1 to an effective portion of the lens 4 that is inside the vehicle and above the optical axis Z, and reflects light L2 from the second light-emitting element LED2 to an effective portion of the lens 4 that is above the optical axis Z but not above the optical axis Z.

[0119] As a result, the lamp systems 1L, 1R, 100L, and 100R can form the light L1 from the first light-emitting element LED1 as diffuse light distribution patterns PL1C and PR1C with high precision using the inner reflective surface 30L, and can control this with high precision. Moreover, the lamp systems 1L, 1R, 100L, and 100R can control the light L2 from the second light-emitting element LED2 with high precision, and suppress the influence on the ten partial light distribution patterns PL1 to PL10, PR1 to PR10.

[0120] In the lamp systems 1L, 1R, 100L, and 100R, the outer reflective surface 30R, which is provided on the outer side of the vehicle than the ten light-emitting elements LED1 to LED10, reflects light L10 from the tenth light-emitting element LED10, which is located furthest to the vehicle outer side, as reflected light L101 to the lens 4. In addition, the lamp systems 1L, 1R, 100L, and 100R, by the lens 4, emit the reflected light L101 from the outer reflective surface 30R forward of the vehicle V as additional light distribution patterns PL10C, PR10C to be added to the tenth partial light distribution patterns PL10, PR10, which are located furthest to the vehicle inner side.

[0121] As a result, the lamp systems 1L, 1R, 100L, and 100R can increase the luminous intensity of the areas of the overall high beam distribution pattern P where the additional light distribution patterns PL10C and PR10C are superimposed, by using the 10th partial light distribution patterns PL10A and PR10A on which the additional light distribution patterns PL10C and PR10C are superimposed.

[0122] In the lamp systems 1L, 1R, 100L, and 100R, the outer reflective surface 30R is an ellipsoid whose first focal point F1 is located at the tenth light-emitting element LED10 and whose second focal point F2 is located at the entrance surface 40 of the lens 4.

[0123] As a result, the lamp systems 1L, 1R, 100L, and 100R can use the outer reflective surface 30R to reflect light L10 from the tenth light-emitting element LED10 to an effective portion of the lens 4 that is closer to the outside of the vehicle than light L1 from the first light-emitting element, which is reflected light L11 from the inner reflective surface 30L, and can form and control additional light distribution patterns PL10C and PR10C with high precision.

[0124] The lamp systems 1L, 1R, 100L, and 100R each include a reflector 3 disposed between a light source 2 and a lens 4, and the reflecting surface 30 of the reflector 3 reflects light from the ten light-emitting elements LED1 to LED10 to the lens 4, which then superimposes the light from the ten light-emitting elements LED1 to LED10 and the light from the reflecting surface 30, and emits the light in front of the vehicle V as ten partial light distribution patterns PL1 to PL10, PR1 to PR10.

[0125] As a result, the lamp systems 1L, 1R, 100L, and 100R can increase the luminous intensity of the overall high beam light distribution pattern P by effectively utilizing the light from the ten light emitting elements LED1 to LED10.

[0126] In the lamp systems 1L, 1R, 100L, and 100R, the inner reflective surface 30L and the outer reflective surface 30R are provided on the reflector 3, so that the number of parts can be reduced.

[0127] Furthermore, the lamp systems 1L, 1R, 100L, and 100R can maintain the relative positions of the reflective surface 30, the inner reflective surface 30L, and the outer reflective surface 30R with high precision via the reflector 3, and are therefore preferable as an overall high beam light distribution pattern P in which the relative positions of the ten partial light distribution patterns PL1 to PL10, PR1 to PR10, the diffused light distribution patterns PL1C, PR1C, and the additional light distribution patterns PL10C, PR10C can be maintained with high precision.

[0128] (Explanation of examples other than the embodiment) In the above embodiment, ten partial light distribution patterns are formed by ten light-emitting elements LED1 to LED10. However, in the present invention, four partial light distribution patterns may be formed by at least four light-emitting elements LED1, LED2, LED9, and LED10. Incidentally, a high-beam light distribution pattern in which ten to fourteen partial light distribution patterns are formed by ten to fourteen light-emitting elements is preferable.

[0129] In the above embodiment, an example will be described in which lamp units 1L and 1R that irradiate a high beam light distribution pattern are arranged in the lamp chamber 103. However, in the present invention, in addition to the lamp units 1L and 1R that irradiate a high beam light distribution pattern, for example, a lamp unit that irradiates a low beam light distribution pattern or a daytime running lamp may be arranged in the lamp chamber 103.

[0130] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment. [Explanation of symbols]

[0131] 1L Left side lamp unit (lamp unit) 1R Right side lamp unit (lamp unit) 2 light source 20 PCB 3 Reflector 30 reflective surface 30L inner reflective surface 30R outer reflective surface 31 Main body 31L Left side mounting part 31R Right side mounting part 4 lenses 40 Entrance plane 41 Exit surface 5 Heatsink 50 Mounting part 51 Heat radiation part 6 fan units 100L Left-side vehicle headlight (vehicle headlight) 100R Right-side vehicle headlight (vehicle headlight) 101 Lamp housing 102 Lamp lens 103 Light room After B CL1L cutoff line CL1R cutoff line CL1RC cutoff line CL2L cutoff line CL2R cutoff line CL9L cutoff line CL9R cutoff line CL10L cutoff line CL10L cutoff line CL10LC Cut-off line D bottom Before F F1 1st focal point F2 2nd focal point HL-HR Left and right horizontal lines of the screen L left L1 light L11 Reflected light L12 output light L2 light L21 Reflected light L9 light L91 reflected light L10 light L101 Reflected light L102 Output light LED1, LED2, LED3, LED4, LED5, LED6, LED7, LED8, LED9, LED10 (LED1 to LED10) 10 light-emitting elements P Overall high beam light distribution pattern PL left high beam light distribution pattern PR Right side high beam light distribution pattern PL1, PL2, PL3, PL4, PL5, PL6, PL7, PL8, PL9, PL10 (PL1~PL10) 10 partial light distribution patterns on the left PL1A First partial light distribution pattern on the left side after superimposition PL1C left diffused light pattern PL10A Left 10th partial light distribution pattern after superimposition PL10C Left side additional light distribution pattern PR1, PR2, PR3, PR4, PR5, PR6, PR7, PR8, PR9, PR10 (PR1 to PR10) 10 partial light distribution patterns on the right PR1A First partial light distribution pattern on the right side after superimposition PR1C Right side diffused light pattern PR10A 10th partial light distribution pattern on the right side after superimposition PR10C Right side additional light distribution pattern R right U Top V Vehicle (own vehicle) V1 Oncoming vehicle V2 Leading vehicle VU-VD vertical lines above and below the screen Z optical axis

Claims

1. A lamp unit for a vehicle headlight mounted on the front of a vehicle, a light source having a plurality of light-emitting elements arranged horizontally on the left and right; a lens disposed in front of the light source; an inner reflective surface provided on the vehicle inner side of the plurality of light emitting elements; Equipped with the inner reflective surface reflects light from an innermost light-emitting element located closest to the vehicle inner side among the light-emitting elements to the lens as reflected light; the lens emits light from the plurality of light-emitting elements in front of the vehicle as a plurality of partial light distribution patterns arranged horizontally to the left and right, and emits the reflected light from the inner reflective surface in front of the vehicle as a diffused light distribution pattern such that the diffused light distribution pattern is superimposed on an outermost partial light distribution pattern located furthest outside the vehicle among the partial light distribution patterns, and such that an outer edge of the diffused light distribution pattern is located further outside the vehicle than an outer edge of the outermost partial light distribution pattern, The area of ​​the diffused light distribution pattern is narrower than the area of ​​the outermost partial light distribution pattern. A lamp unit for a vehicle headlight.

2. A lamp unit for a vehicle headlight mounted on the front of a vehicle, a light source having a plurality of light-emitting elements arranged horizontally on the left and right; a lens disposed in front of the light source; an inner reflective surface provided on the vehicle inner side of the plurality of light emitting elements; Equipped with the inner reflective surface reflects light from an innermost light-emitting element located closest to the vehicle inner side among the light-emitting elements to the lens as reflected light; the lens emits light from the plurality of light-emitting elements in front of the vehicle as a plurality of partial light distribution patterns arranged horizontally to the left and right, and emits the reflected light from the inner reflective surface in front of the vehicle as a diffused light distribution pattern such that the diffused light distribution pattern is superimposed on an outermost partial light distribution pattern located furthest outside the vehicle among the partial light distribution patterns, and such that an outer edge of the diffused light distribution pattern is located further outside the vehicle than an outer edge of the outermost partial light distribution pattern, The inner reflective surface reflects light from the next innermost light-emitting element located next to the innermost light-emitting element to a location other than the lens. A lamp unit for a vehicle headlight.

3. The inner reflective surface is The surface is composed of any surface selected from the group consisting of a free-form surface, multiple curved surfaces, one curved surface, multiple flat surfaces, and one flat surface, The light from the innermost light-emitting element is reflected onto an effective portion of the lens, which is located inside the vehicle and above the optical axis of the lens, The light from the next inner light-emitting element is reflected above the optical axis of the lens and to a portion other than the effective portion of the lens.

3. The lamp unit for a vehicle headlamp according to claim 2.

4. an outer reflective surface provided on the outer side of the vehicle than the plurality of light emitting elements; the outer reflective surface reflects light from an outermost light-emitting element located furthest outside the vehicle among the light-emitting elements to the lens as reflected light; the lens emits the reflected light from the outer reflective surface to a front of the vehicle so as to add the reflected light as an additional light distribution pattern to an innermost partial light distribution pattern located furthest inside the vehicle among the partial light distribution patterns.

4. The lamp unit for a vehicle headlamp according to claim 1.

5. The outer reflective surface is The first focal point is located at the outermost light-emitting element, and the second focal point is located at the entrance surface of the lens. The ellipsoidal surface is configured, The light from the outermost light-emitting element is reflected to an effective portion of the lens that is closer to the vehicle than the light from the innermost light-emitting element that is reflected from the inner reflective surface.

5. The lamp unit for a vehicle headlight according to claim 4.

6. A vehicle headlamp mounted on each of the left and right sides of the front of a vehicle, a lamp housing and a lamp lens forming a lamp chamber; a lamp unit for a vehicle headlamp according to any one of claims 1 to 5, which is disposed in the lamp chamber; Equipped with A vehicle headlamp characterized by:

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