Vehicle lighting fixtures

Abstract

To provide a vehicular lighting tool including a projection lens, capable of securing the visibility of a vehicle frontward track without giving great glares to an oncoming driver.SOLUTION: To construct first and second lighting tool units 30A, 30B, upward reflection surfaces 38Aa, 38Ba are formed on shades 38A, 38B. This enhances a light flux utilization factor for emitted light from light sources 34A, 34B, reflected by reflectors 36A, 36B. Furthermore, on the shade 38A, a protrusion part 38Ab to shade part of the reflected light from the reflector 36A reflected by the upward reflection surface 38Aa is formed at the position on the own lane side further than an optical axis Ax of the projection lens 32A on the upward reflection surface 38Aa, but, on the shade 38B, the protrusion part like this is not formed. Thus, brightness in the lower proximity region of an oncoming vehicle lane side cut / off line is locally suppressed, while the brightness is prevented from being lower than necessary.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical Field]

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

[0002] Conventionally, a known vehicle lamp for forming a low beam light distribution pattern is configured such that light emitted from a light source located behind the rear focus of the projection lens is reflected toward the projection lens by a reflector arranged to cover the light source from above, and a shade arranged between the reflector and the projection lens blocks part of the reflected light from the reflector, thereby forming a cutoff line of the low beam light distribution pattern.

[0003] Patent Document 1 describes a shade configuration for such a vehicle lamp, in which an upward-facing reflective surface is formed to reflect the reflected light from the reflector upward toward the projection lens, and a protrusion is formed on this upward-facing reflective surface at a position closer to the vehicle's lane than the optical axis of the projection lens, to block part of the reflected light from the reflector reflected by this upward-facing reflective surface. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2008-243433 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] By forming an upward reflective surface like the shade described in Patent Document 1, it is possible to increase the luminous flux utilization rate of the light emitted from the light source, and by forming a protrusion on the upward reflective surface, it is possible to locally suppress the brightness of the area below the cut-off line on the oncoming lane side in the low beam light distribution pattern, thereby preventing a large glare from being caused to the driver of an oncoming vehicle even when the vehicle pitches.

[0006] However, if such a configuration is adopted, the brightness of the area below and near the cutoff line on the oncoming lane side of the low beam light distribution pattern will be suppressed more than necessary, which may reduce visibility of the road ahead of the vehicle.

[0007] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above circumstances, and aims to provide a vehicle lamp equipped with a projection lens that can ensure visibility of the road ahead of the vehicle without causing excessive glare to drivers of oncoming vehicles. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] The present invention is configured to achieve the above object by providing a configuration including first and second lamp units and by devising a shade configuration for the units.

[0009] That is, the vehicle lamp according to the present invention is A vehicle lamp having first and second lamp units for forming a low beam light distribution pattern, Each of the first and second lamp units includes a projection lens having an optical axis extending in the front-to-rear direction of the lamp, a light source arranged rearward of the rear focal point of the projection lens, a reflector arranged to cover the light source from above and reflect light emitted from the light source toward the projection lens, and a shade arranged between the reflector and the projection lens and blocking a portion of the light reflected from the reflector to form a cutoff line of the low beam light distribution pattern, and an upward reflecting surface is formed on the shade to reflect the light reflected from the reflector upward toward the projection lens, The shade of the first lamp unit is formed with a protrusion at a position on the upward reflecting surface closer to the vehicle lane than the optical axis, the protrusion blocking part of the light reflected from the reflector by the upward reflecting surface, while the shade of the second lamp unit is formed with the protrusion. There is no The light sources of the first and second lamp units are supported by a common holder, The reflectors and shades of the first and second lamp units are formed by the holders. The present invention is characterized by the above.

[0010] The above-mentioned "vehicle lamp" may be configured to be mounted on the vehicle as a single lamp, or as a pair of left and right lamps. In the former case, the single lamp is configured to have first and second lamp units, while in the latter case, it is possible to adopt a configuration in which one of the pair of left and right lamps has the first lamp unit and the other has the second lamp unit, or a configuration in which each of the pair of left and right lamps has the first and second lamp units.

[0011] The "upward reflecting surface" is not particularly limited in its specific shape, as long as it is configured to reflect the light reflected from the reflector upward toward the projection lens.

[0012] As long as the above-mentioned "protrusion" is formed at a position closer to the vehicle's lane than the optical axis of the projection lens, the specific position at which it is formed on the upward reflecting surface is not particularly limited, and its specific shape and size are not particularly limited. [Effects of the Invention]

[0013] The vehicle lamp of the present invention comprises first and second lamp units, each of which is configured to form a cutoff line of a low beam light distribution pattern by blocking a portion of the light emitted from the light source that is reflected by the reflector using a shade arranged between the reflector and the projection lens, and the shade is formed with an upward reflecting surface that reflects the light reflected from the reflector upward toward the projection lens, thereby increasing the luminous flux utilization rate of the light emitted from the light source.

[0014] Furthermore, the shade of the first lamp unit has a protrusion formed on the upward reflecting surface at a position closer to the vehicle's lane than the optical axis of the projection lens, which blocks some of the light reflected from the reflector on the upward reflecting surface, while the shade of the second lamp unit does not have such a protrusion formed, so the following effects can be obtained.

[0015] In other words, in the low beam light distribution pattern formed by the light emitted from the first lamp unit, the protrusion formed on the upward reflective surface of the shade can locally reduce the brightness of the area below and near the cut-off line on the oncoming lane side, while in the low beam light distribution pattern formed by the light emitted from the second lamp unit, the shade does not have a protrusion, so the brightness of the area below and near the cut-off line on the oncoming lane side can be maintained as is.

[0016] Therefore, the low beam light distribution pattern formed by simultaneously lighting the first and second lamp units locally suppresses the brightness of the area below and near the cutoff line on the oncoming lane side, so that even if the vehicle pitches, it does not cause a large glare to the driver of an oncoming vehicle, and it also prevents the brightness of the area below and near the cutoff line on the oncoming lane side from decreasing more than necessary.

[0017] As described above, according to the present invention, in a vehicle lamp equipped with a projection lens, visibility of the road ahead of the vehicle can be ensured without causing large glare to drivers of oncoming vehicles.

[0018] In the above configuration, if the light sources of the first and second lighting units are supported by a common holder and the reflectors and shades of the first and second lighting units are formed by the holder, the number of parts in the vehicle lighting unit can be reduced and the accuracy of the positional relationship between the light source, reflector and shade in each of the first and second lighting units can be improved.

[0019] Furthermore, when such a configuration is adopted, if the third lamp unit for forming a high beam light distribution pattern is configured to include a projection lens, a light source, and a reflector, with the light source being supported by the holder and the reflector being formed by the holder, the number of parts in the vehicle lamp can be reduced and the accuracy of the positional relationship between the light source and the reflector in the third lamp unit can be improved.

[0020] In this case, if the projection lenses of the first, second and third lamp units are formed as a single unit and supported by a holder, the number of parts in the vehicle lamp can be further reduced, and the accuracy of the positional relationship between the light source, reflector and shade and the projection lens in each of the first and second lamp units, as well as the accuracy of the positional relationship between the light source, reflector and projection lens in the third lamp unit, can be improved.

[0021] In this case, if the third lamp unit is further configured to be positioned between the first lamp unit and the second lamp unit, the following advantageous effects can be obtained.

[0022] That is, for example, when the first lamp unit is located on the right side, it is easy to enlarge the right area of ​​its reflector and to enlarge the left area of ​​the reflector of the second lamp unit. Therefore, it is easy to form the left diffusion area of ​​the low-beam light distribution pattern with light irradiated from the first lamp unit and the right diffusion area of ​​the low-beam light distribution pattern with light irradiated from the second lamp unit, thereby forming a light distribution pattern that is diffused in a balanced manner on both the left and right sides as a whole low-beam light distribution pattern. The same applies when the first lamp unit is located on the left side. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0023] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a front view showing a vehicle lamp according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 2] FIG. 3 is a plan view showing a lamp unit assembly of the vehicle lamp; [Figure 3] Cross section of line III-III in Figure 2 [Figure 4] Cross section of line IV-IV in Figure 2 [Figure 5] FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a first lamp unit of the vehicle lamp; [Figure 6] 1 is a perspective view showing a low beam light distribution pattern and a high beam light distribution pattern formed by light emitted from the vehicle lamp; [Figure 7] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a plurality of light distribution patterns constituting a low beam light distribution pattern and a high beam light distribution pattern individually. [Figure 8] 1A is a front view showing the vehicle lamps arranged as a pair of left and right lamps, and FIG. 1B is a view similar to FIG. 1A showing a first modified example of the embodiment. [Figure 9]8(a) is a view similar to FIG. 8(a) showing a second modified example of the vehicle lamp, and FIG. 8(b) is a view similar to FIG. 8(a) showing a third modified example of the embodiment. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a view similar to FIG. 2, showing a fourth modification of the embodiment; [Figure 11] FIG. 7 is a diagram similar to FIG. 6, illustrating the operation of the fourth modified example. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0024] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0025] Fig. 1 is a front view showing a vehicle lamp 10R according to one embodiment of the present invention, and Fig. 2 is a plan view showing a lamp unit assembly 20 of the vehicle lamp 10R.

[0026] 1 and 2, the direction indicated by X is "forward of the lamp," the direction indicated by Y is "leftward" ("rightward" when viewed from the front of the lamp) perpendicular to "forward of the lamp," and the direction indicated by Z is "upward." This is the same in other figures.

[0027] As shown in FIG. 1, the vehicle lamp 10R according to this embodiment is a headlamp located at the right front end of the vehicle, and is configured such that a lamp unit assembly 20 is housed within a lamp chamber formed by a lamp body 12 and a transparent cover 14 attached to the front end opening.

[0028] As for the vehicle as a whole, as shown in the front view of FIG. 8(a), a vehicle lamp 10L having a lamp unit assembly 20 similar to the vehicle lamp 10R is arranged at the left front end of the vehicle.

[0029] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the lamp unit assembly 20 is configured such that three lamp units, namely, first, second and third lamp units 30A, 30B and 30C, are integrally formed.

[0030] The first to third lamp units 30A to 30C are all configured as projector-type lamp units and are arranged side by side in the left-right direction (i.e., the vehicle width direction). Specifically, the first lamp unit 30A is located on the right, the second lamp unit 30B is located on the left, and the third lamp unit 30C is located in the center.

[0031] The vehicle lamp 10R forms a low beam light distribution pattern using light emitted from the first and second lamp units 30A, 30B, and also forms a high beam light distribution pattern by adding light emitted from the third lamp unit 30C.

[0032] Next, the specific configuration of each of the first to third lamp units 30A to 30C will be described.

[0033] Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line III-III in Fig. 2, and Fig. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along line IV-IV in Fig. 2. Also, Fig. 5 is a perspective view showing the first lamp unit 30A.

[0034] As also shown in Figures 3 and 5, the first lighting unit 30A comprises a projection lens 32A having an optical axis Ax extending in the fore-and-aft direction of the lighting fixture, a light source 34A arranged rearward of the rear focus F of the projection lens 32A (more precisely, the rear focus in the vertical cross section), a reflector 36A arranged to cover the light source 34A from above and reflect light emitted from the light source 34A toward the projection lens 32A, and a shade 38A arranged between the reflector 36A and the projection lens 32A and blocking part of the light reflected from the reflector 36A.

[0035] The projection lens 32A is a plano-convex aspherical lens whose front surface is formed in a convex curved shape, and is configured to project the light source image formed on the rear focal plane, which is a focal plane including the rear focus F, as an inverted image onto a virtual vertical screen in front of the lamp.

[0036] The light source 34A is a light-emitting element (specifically, a white light-emitting diode) and has a light-emitting surface 34Aa in a horizontally elongated rectangular shape. The light source 34A is disposed with the light-emitting surface 34Aa facing upward on the optical axis Ax.

[0037] The reflector 36A is configured to make the light emitted from the light source 34A incident on the projection lens 32A as light that converges in the left-right direction.

[0038] Specifically, the reflecting surface 36Aa of the reflector 36A is configured as a substantially ellipsoidal curved surface with the light-emitting center of the light source 34A as its first focus, and its eccentricity is set to gradually increase from the vertical cross section to the horizontal cross section. As a result, the reflector 36A converges the light emitted from the light source 34A to a point located on the front side of the lamp from the rear focal point F in the vertical cross section, and displaces the convergence position further forward in the horizontal cross section. The reflecting surface 36Aa of the reflector 36A is formed so that its right region extends to a position further forward of the lamp than its left region.

[0039] The shade 38A is formed with an upward-facing reflective surface 38Aa that reflects a portion of the light reflected by the reflector 36A upward toward the projection lens 32A. The left-side region of this upward-facing reflective surface 38Aa, located to the left of the optical axis Ax (the right side when viewed from the front of the lamp), is formed as a horizontal plane including the optical axis Ax, while the right-side region, located to the right of the optical axis Ax, is formed as a horizontal plane one step lower than the left-side region via a short slope. A front edge 38Aa1 of this upward-facing reflective surface 38Aa extends from the rear focal point F to both the left and right and curves toward the front of the lamp.

[0040] A protrusion 38Ab is formed on the left side of the upward reflecting surface 38Aa of the shade 38A (i.e., the area on the vehicle's lane side) to block a portion of the light reflected by the upward reflecting surface 38Aa from the reflector 36A. The protrusion 38Ab is formed to extend elongatedly in the left-right direction near the front edge 38Aa1 of the upward reflecting surface 38Aa. Specifically, the protrusion 38Ab has a horizontally elongated semi-elliptical shape when viewed from the front of the lamp, and a slightly vertically elongated semi-elliptical shape when viewed from the side of the lamp.

[0041] As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the second lamp unit 30B includes a projection lens 32B, a light source 34B, a reflector 36B, and a shade 38B that are similar to the projection lens 32A, light source 34A, reflector 36A, and shade 38A of the first lamp unit 30A.

[0042] However, in the second lamp unit 30B, the upward reflecting surface 38Ba of the shade 38B does not have anything equivalent to the protrusion 38Ab formed on the upward reflecting surface 38Aa of the shade 38A in the lamp unit 30A.

[0043] Furthermore, the reflective surface 36Ba of the reflector 36B in the second lamp unit 30B is formed so that its left region extends further forward of the lamp than its right region.

[0044] As shown in Figures 1, 2 and 4, the third lighting unit 30C has a projection lens 32C, a light source 34C and a reflector 36C similar to the projection lens 32A, the light source 34A and the reflector 36A of the first lighting unit 30A, but does not have a shade 38A like the first lighting unit 30A.

[0045] The reflecting surface 36Ca of the reflector 36C in the third lamp unit 30C has a slightly different surface shape from the reflecting surface 36Aa of the reflector 36A in the first lamp unit 30A, and neither the left nor right region of the reflecting surface 36Ca extends to the front of the lamp.

[0046] The light sources 34A to 34C of the first to third lamp units 30A to 30C are supported on a common substrate 40 that extends in the left-right direction along a horizontal plane. This substrate 40 is supported on a metal heat sink 50. Furthermore, this heat sink 50 is supported on a resin holder 60.

[0047] The holder 60 has a horizontal flange portion 60a extending along a horizontal plane so as to surround the outer peripheral edges of the reflectors 36A to 36C of the three first to third lamp units 30A to 30C. These three reflectors 36A to 36C are formed integrally with the holder 60.

[0048] The heat sink 50 includes a main body 52 extending laterally along a horizontal plane, and a plurality of heat dissipation fins 54 formed to extend downward from the underside of the main body 52. ​​The plurality of heat dissipation fins 54 are spaced apart in the left-right direction. The heat sink 50 is supported by the holder 60 with the main body 52 abutting against a horizontal flange 60a of the holder 60 from below.

[0049] The shades 38A and 38B of the first and second lamp units 30A and 30B are also formed integrally with the holder 60.

[0050] The projection lenses 32A to 32C of the first to third lamp units 30A to 30C are integrally formed as a projection lens assembly 22 and are supported by a holder 60.

[0051] That is, a vertical frame portion 60d extending along a vertical plane perpendicular to the front-to-rear direction of the lamp is formed at the front end of the holder 60. This vertical frame portion 60d is formed in a horizontally elongated rectangular shape when the lamp is viewed from the front. The projection lens assembly 22 is supported by the holder 60 with the peripheral portions of the rear surfaces of the three projection lenses 32A to 32C abutting against the vertical frame portion 60d of the holder 60 from the front side of the lamp.

[0052] The holder 60 has a pair of left and right vertical ribs 60b extending forward from the right front end of the reflector 36A and the left front end of the reflector 36B, and a pair of left and right vertical ribs 60c extending forward from the connecting portion between the reflectors 36A and 36C and the connecting portion between the reflectors 36B and 36C. The pair of left and right vertical ribs 60b and the pair of left and right vertical ribs 60c are connected at their front ends to a vertical frame portion 60d.

[0053] When the lamp unit assembly 20 is incorporated into the vehicle lamp 10R, the optical axes Ax of the first to third lamp units 30A to 30C are arranged to extend downward by approximately 0.5 to 0.6 degrees toward the front of the lamp relative to the horizontal plane.

[0054] Fig. 6 is a perspective view of a low beam light distribution pattern PL-1 and a high beam light distribution pattern PH-1 formed by light emitted from the vehicle lamp 10. Fig. 7 is a view individually showing a plurality of light distribution patterns constituting the low beam light distribution pattern PL-1 and the high beam light distribution pattern PH-1.

[0055] As shown by the solid lines in Fig. 6, the low beam light distribution pattern PL-1 is a low beam light distribution pattern for left-hand light distribution and has cutoff lines CL1 and CL2 that are staggered on the left and right at its upper edge. These cutoff lines CL1 and CL2 extend horizontally with staggered left and right steps, with the VV line that passes vertically through HV, which is the vanishing point in the front direction of the lamp, as the boundary, and the portion to the right of the VV line is formed as the oncoming vehicle lane side cutoff line CL1, and the portion to the left of the VV line is formed as the own vehicle lane side cutoff line CL2 that is stepped up from the oncoming vehicle lane side cutoff line CL1 via an inclined portion.

[0056] In the low beam light distribution pattern PL-1, elbow point E, which is the intersection of the oncoming lane cutoff line CL1 and the VV line, is located about 0.5 to 0.6° below HV. This is because the optical axes Ax of the first and second lamp units 30A, 30B extend downward by about 0.5 to 0.6° toward the front of the lamp relative to the horizontal plane.

[0057] The low beam light distribution pattern PL-1 is formed as a composite light distribution pattern of a low beam light distribution pattern PL-1A formed by light irradiated from the first lamp unit 30A and a low beam light distribution pattern PL-1B formed by light irradiated from the second lamp unit 30B.

[0058] The low beam light distribution pattern PL-1A is formed by projecting the light source image of the light source 34A, formed on the rear focal plane of the projection lens 32A by light from the light source 34A reflected by the reflector 36A, as an inverted projection image onto the virtual vertical screen by the projection lens 32A, and the cutoff lines CL1 and CL2 are formed as inverted projection images of the front edge 40a1 of the upward reflecting surface 38Aa of the shade 38A.

[0059] 7(a), the low-beam light distribution pattern PL-1A is formed as a light distribution pattern in which the diffusion angle to the left is larger than the diffusion angle to the right. This is because the right region of the reflective surface 36Aa of the reflector 36A of the first lamp unit 30A is formed so as to extend further forward than the left region.

[0060] Furthermore, the low beam light distribution pattern PL-1A has a localized dark area D in the vicinity below the oncoming lane side cutoff line CL1. This dark area D is formed so that the oncoming lane side cutoff line CL1 is recessed into a substantially arc-shaped hole. This dark area D is formed by a protrusion 38Ab formed in the region of the upward-facing reflective surface 38Aa of the shade 38A on the host lane side, which blocks a portion of the reflected light from the reflector 36A that is reflected by the upward-facing reflective surface 38Aa (and at the same time blocks a portion of the reflected light from the reflector 36A that is directed toward the front edge 40a1 of the upward-facing reflective surface 38Aa).

[0061] In this case, the position at which the protrusion 38Ab is formed on the upward reflective surface 38Aa of the shade 38A is set so that the dark area D approximately coincides with the position of the oncoming vehicle 2 when the oncoming vehicle 2 approaches to within approximately 50 m in front of the vehicle, as shown in Figure 6.

[0062] Furthermore, the protrusion 38Ab has a horizontally elongated semi-elliptical outer shape when viewed from the front of the lamp, and a slightly vertically elongated semi-elliptical outer shape when viewed from the side of the lamp, so that the low beam distribution pattern PL-1A is formed so that the brightness around the dark area D gradually changes in the area below the cut-off line CL1 on the oncoming lane side.

[0063] 7(b), the low beam light distribution pattern PL-1B is formed in the same manner as the low beam light distribution pattern PL-1A, but unlike the low beam light distribution pattern PL-1A, it is formed as a light distribution pattern in which the diffusion angle to the right is larger than the diffusion angle to the left. This is because the left region of the reflective surface 36Ba of the reflector 36B of the second lamp unit 30B is formed so as to extend further forward of the lamp than the right region.

[0064] In the shade 38B of the second lamp unit 30B, the upward reflecting surface 38Ba does not have a protrusion 38Ab like the shade 38A, and therefore the low beam light distribution pattern PL-1B does not have a dark area D like the low beam light distribution pattern PL-1A.

[0065] As shown by the two-dot chain line in Figure 6, the high beam light distribution pattern PH-1 is formed as a light distribution pattern in which an additional light distribution pattern PA-1 formed by the light irradiated from the third lamp unit 30C is added to the low beam light distribution pattern PL-1.

[0066] 7(c), the additional light distribution pattern PA-1 is a horizontally elongated light distribution pattern centered on HV, and is formed so as to vertically straddle the cutoff lines CL1 and CL2 of the low beam light distribution pattern PL-1. This additional light distribution pattern PA-1 is formed with a smaller lateral diffusion angle than the low beam light distribution pattern PL-1.

[0067] As for the vehicle as a whole, the light emitted from the pair of left and right vehicle lamps 10L and 10R shown in Figure 8(a) forms a low beam light distribution pattern and a high beam light distribution pattern that are twice as bright as the low beam light distribution pattern PL-1 and the high beam light distribution pattern PH-1 shown in Figure 6.

[0068] Next, the effects of this embodiment will be described.

[0069] The vehicle lamp 10R of this embodiment includes first and second lamp units 30A, 30B, each of which is configured to use shades 38A, 38B arranged between the reflectors 36A, 36B and the projection lenses 32A, 32B to block a portion of the light emitted from the light sources 34A, 34B that is reflected by the reflectors 36A, 36B, thereby forming cutoff lines CL1, CL2 of the low beam light distribution patterns PL-1A, PL-1B. Furthermore, the shades 38A, 38B are formed with upward reflecting surfaces 38Aa, 38Ba that reflect the light reflected from the reflectors 36A, 36B upward toward the projection lenses 32A, 32B, thereby increasing the luminous flux utilization rate of the light emitted from the light sources 34A, 34B.

[0070] Furthermore, the shade 38A of the first lamp unit 30A is formed with a protrusion 38Ab at a position on the upward reflecting surface 38Aa closer to the vehicle lane than the optical axis Ax of the projection lens 32A, which blocks part of the reflected light from the reflector 36A reflected by the upward reflecting surface 38Aa, while the shade 38B of the second lamp unit 30B does not have such a protrusion, so the following effects can be obtained.

[0071] That is, in the low beam light distribution pattern PL-1A formed by the light irradiated from the first lamp unit 30A, the brightness of the area below and in the vicinity of the cutoff line CL1 on the oncoming lane side can be locally reduced by the protrusion 38Ab formed on the upward reflecting surface 38Aa of the shade 38A, while in the low beam light distribution pattern PL-1B formed by the light irradiated from the second lamp unit 30B, the brightness of the area below and in the vicinity of the cutoff line CL1 on the oncoming lane side can be maintained as is because there is no protrusion on the shade 38B.

[0072] Therefore, the low beam light distribution pattern PL-1 formed by simultaneously lighting the first and second lamp units 30A, 30B locally suppresses the brightness of the area below and in the vicinity of the cutoff line CL1 on the oncoming lane side, so that even if the vehicle pitches, a large glare is not caused to the driver of an oncoming vehicle, and the brightness of the area below and in the vicinity of the cutoff line CL1 on the oncoming lane side is not reduced more than necessary.

[0073] As described above, according to this embodiment, the vehicle lamp 10R equipped with the projection lenses 32A, 32B can ensure visibility of the road ahead of the vehicle without causing large glare to the driver of an oncoming vehicle.

[0074] Moreover, in this embodiment, the light sources 34A, 34B of the first and second lamp units 30A, 30B are supported by a common holder 60, and the reflectors 36A, 36B and shades 38A, 38B of the first and second lamp units 30A, 30B are formed by the holder 60, so that the number of parts of the vehicle lamp 10R can be reduced and the accuracy of the positional relationship between the light sources 34A, 34B and the reflectors 36A, 36B and shades 38A, 38B in each of the first and second lamp units 30A, 30B can be improved.

[0075] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the third lamp unit 30C for forming the high beam light distribution pattern PH-1 is configured to include a projection lens 32C, a light source 34C, and a reflector 36C, and the light source 34C is supported by a holder 60, and the reflector 36C is formed by the holder 60. This reduces the number of parts in the vehicle lamp 10R, and improves the accuracy of the positional relationship between the light source 34C and the reflector 36C in the third lamp unit 30C.

[0076] In this case, the projection lenses 32A, 32B, 32C of the first, second, and third lamp units 30A, 30B, 30C are supported by the holder 60 while being integrally formed as the projection lens assembly 22, thereby further reducing the number of parts of the vehicle lamp 10R and improving the accuracy of the positional relationship between the light sources 34A, 34B, reflectors 36A, 36B, and shades 38A, 38B and the projection lenses 32A, 32B in the first and second lamp units 30A, 30B, respectively, and between the light source 34C, reflector 36C, and the projection lens 32C in the third lamp unit 30C.

[0077] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the lighting unit assembly 20 is configured in a state in which the third lighting unit 30C is positioned between the first lighting unit 30A and the second lighting unit 30B, thereby achieving the following advantageous effects.

[0078] That is, the reflector 36A in the first lamp unit 30A located on the right side can be configured so that the right area of ​​its reflective surface 36Aa is larger than the left area, and the reflector 36B in the second lamp unit 30B located on the left side can be configured so that the left area of ​​its reflective surface 36Ba is larger than the right area. Therefore, the left diffusion area of ​​the low beam light distribution pattern PL-1 can be formed by the light irradiated from the first lamp unit 30A, and the right diffusion area of ​​the low beam light distribution pattern PL-1 can be formed by the light irradiated from the second lamp unit 30B, thereby forming a light distribution pattern that is diffused in a balanced manner on both the left and right sides of the low beam light distribution pattern PL-1 as a whole.

[0079] In the above embodiment, the protrusion 38Ab formed on the upward reflective surface 38Aa of the shade 38A is formed so as to extend elongatedly in the left-right direction, and has a horizontally elongated semi-elliptical outer shape when viewed from the front of the lamp, and a slightly vertically elongated semi-elliptical outer shape when viewed from the side of the lamp. However, it is also possible to adopt a configuration having an outer shape other than these (for example, a hemispherical shape or a rectangular shape).

[0080] In the above embodiment, the lighting unit assembly 20 is configured so that the first lighting unit 30A is arranged on the right side, but even if the first lighting unit 30A is arranged on the left side, the same effects as in the above embodiment can be obtained.

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

[0082] First, a first modification of the above embodiment will be described.

[0083] FIG. 8(b) is a view similar to FIG. 8(a) showing vehicular lamps 110L and 110R according to this modified example.

[0084] As shown in Figure 8(b), in this modified example, the vehicle lamp 110R located at the right front end of the vehicle has a configuration similar to that of the vehicle lamp 10R in the above embodiment, but the configuration of the lamp unit assembly 120 in the vehicle lamp 110L located at the left front end of the vehicle is partially different from that in the above embodiment.

[0085] That is, the lamp unit assembly 120 of the vehicle lamp 110L has the same configurations as the second and third lamp units 30B, 30C in the above-described embodiment, but has a configuration in which a second lamp unit 130B is disposed in the position of the first lamp unit 30A in the above-described embodiment. This second lamp unit 130B has a shade 138B, but its upward reflecting surface 138Ba does not have a protrusion 38Ab formed thereon like the first lamp unit 30A in the above-described embodiment.

[0086] As a result, the low beam light distribution pattern formed by the light emitted from the pair of left and right vehicle lamps 110L, 110R is formed as a composite light distribution pattern of one low beam light distribution pattern PL-1A (see FIG. 7(a)) and three low beam light distribution patterns PL-1B (see FIG. 7(b)). Therefore, this low beam light distribution pattern is formed as a light distribution pattern in which the dark area D is brighter than the low beam light distribution pattern PL-1 (see FIG. 6).

[0087] Even when the configuration of this modified example is adopted, by locally suppressing the brightness of the area below and in the vicinity of the cutoff line on the oncoming lane side, it is possible to prevent the driver of an oncoming vehicle from being hit by a large glare even when the vehicle pitches, and to prevent the brightness of the area below and in the vicinity of the cutoff line on the oncoming lane side from decreasing more than necessary.In this case, it is possible to form a low beam light distribution pattern that emphasizes visibility of the road ahead of the vehicle.

[0088] Next, a second modification of the above embodiment will be described.

[0089] FIG. 9(a) is a view similar to FIG. 8(a) showing vehicle lamps 210L and 210R according to this modified example.

[0090] As shown in Figure 9(a), in this modified example, the vehicle lamp 210R located at the right front end of the vehicle has a configuration similar to that of the vehicle lamp 10R in the above embodiment, but the configuration of the lamp unit assembly 220 in the vehicle lamp 210L located at the left front end of the vehicle is partially different from that in the above embodiment.

[0091] That is, the lamp unit assembly 220 of the vehicle lamp 210L has the same configurations as those of the above-described embodiment for the first and third lamp units 30A and 30C, but has a configuration in which a first lamp unit 230A is disposed in the position of the second lamp unit 30B of the above-described embodiment. The first lamp unit 230A has a shade 238A, and a protrusion 238Ab similar to that of the first lamp unit 30A of the above-described embodiment is formed on its upward reflecting surface 238Aa.

[0092] As a result, the low beam light distribution pattern formed by the light emitted from the pair of left and right vehicle lamps 210L, 210R is formed as a composite light distribution pattern of three low beam light distribution patterns PL-1A (see FIG. 7(a)) and one low beam light distribution pattern PL-1B (see FIG. 7(b)). Therefore, this low beam light distribution pattern is formed as a light distribution pattern in which the dark area D is darker than the low beam light distribution pattern PL-1 (see FIG. 6).

[0093] Even when the configuration of this modified example is adopted, by locally suppressing the brightness of the area below and in the vicinity of the cutoff line on the oncoming lane side, it is possible to prevent the driver of an oncoming vehicle from being hit by a large glare even when the vehicle pitches, and to prevent the brightness of the area below and in the vicinity of the cutoff line on the oncoming lane side from decreasing more than necessary.In this case, a low beam light distribution pattern can be formed that emphasizes preventing glare for the driver of an oncoming vehicle.

[0094] Next, a third modification of the above embodiment will be described.

[0095] FIG. 9(b) is a view similar to FIG. 8(a) showing a vehicle lamp 310 according to this modified example.

[0096] As shown in FIG. 9(b), in this modified example, a single vehicle lamp 310 having the same configuration as the vehicle lamp 10R of the above embodiment is arranged at the front end of the vehicle.

[0097] The low beam light distribution pattern formed by the light emitted from the vehicle lamp 310 according to this modification is the same as the low beam light distribution pattern PL-1 shown in FIG.

[0098] Therefore, even when the configuration of this modified example is adopted, by locally suppressing the brightness of the area below and in the vicinity of the cutoff line on the oncoming lane side, it is possible to prevent the driver of an oncoming vehicle from being hit by a large glare even when the vehicle pitches, and to prevent the brightness of the area below and in the vicinity of the cutoff line on the oncoming lane side from decreasing more than necessary.

[0099] By adopting the configuration of this modified example, it is possible to provide a lamp configuration suitable for compact cars and the like.

[0100] It is also possible to adopt configurations other than the first to third modified examples (for example, a configuration in which the vehicle lamp 110L of the first modified example and the vehicle lamp 210L of the second modified example are arranged as a pair of vehicle lamps on the left and right).

[0101] Next, a fourth modification of the above embodiment will be described.

[0102] FIG. 10 is a view similar to FIG. 2, showing a lamp unit assembly 420 of a vehicle lamp according to this modified example.

[0103] As shown in FIG. 10, the basic configuration of a lamp unit assembly 420 of this modified example is the same as that of the above embodiment, but the configuration of a projection lens assembly 422 is partially different from that of the above embodiment.

[0104] That is, the projection lens assembly 422 of this modified example is formed so that its front surface extends in a straight line from the position of the optical axis Ax of the projection lens 432A of the first lighting unit 430A to the position of the optical axis Ax of the projection lens 432B of the second lighting unit 430B in a plan view while maintaining the vertical cross-sectional shape of the projection lens 32A shown in Figure 3.

[0105] The light emitted from the first lamp unit 430A has a left half of its projection lens 432A formed in a cylindrical lens shape, so the diffusion angle to the left in front of the lamp is smaller than in the above embodiment, and the light emitted from the second lamp unit 430B has a right half of its projection lens 432B formed in a cylindrical lens shape, so the diffusion angle to the right in front of the lamp is smaller than in the above embodiment.Furthermore, the light emitted from the third lamp unit 430C has a projection lens 432A formed in its entirety in a cylindrical lens shape, so the diffusion angle to both the left and right in front of the lamp is smaller than in the above embodiment.

[0106] FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing a low beam light distribution pattern PL-4 and a high beam light distribution pattern PH-4 formed by light emitted from a vehicle lamp according to this modified example.

[0107] As shown by the solid line in Fig. 11, the low beam light distribution pattern PL-4 is formed as a composite light distribution pattern of the low beam light distribution pattern PL-4A formed by the light irradiated from the first lamp unit 430A and the low beam light distribution pattern PL-4B formed by the light irradiated from the second lamp unit 430B, as in the above embodiment, but is formed as a brighter light distribution pattern with a smaller left-right diffusion angle than the low beam light distribution pattern PL-1 shown in Fig. 6. This is because the left half of the projection lens 432A and the right half of the projection lens 432B are formed in the shape of a cylindrical lens.

[0108] In this case, in the low beam light distribution pattern PL-4, as in the above embodiment, a dark area D is locally formed in the vicinity area below the cutoff line PL1 on the oncoming lane side in the low beam light distribution pattern PL-4A.

[0109] 11, the high beam light distribution pattern PH-4 is formed as a light distribution pattern in which an additional light distribution pattern PA-4 formed by light irradiated from the third lamp unit 430C is added to the low beam light distribution pattern PL-4, as in the above embodiment, but this additional light distribution pattern PA-4 is formed as a brighter light distribution pattern with a lateral diffusion angle that is considerably smaller than that of the low beam light distribution pattern PL-4. This is because the entire projection lens 432A is formed in the shape of a cylindrical lens.

[0110] Even when the configuration of this modified example is adopted, by locally suppressing the brightness of the area below and in the vicinity of the cutoff line CL1 on the oncoming lane side, it is possible to prevent the driver of an oncoming vehicle from being hit by a large glare even when the vehicle pitches, and to prevent the brightness of the area below and in the vicinity of the cutoff line CL1 on the oncoming lane side from decreasing more than necessary.

[0111] By adopting the configuration of this modification, the left and right diffusion angles of the low beam distribution pattern PL-4 and the high beam distribution pattern PH-4 become smaller than those of the above embodiment, but the brightness can be increased. In particular, the increased brightness of the high beam distribution pattern PH-4 can improve the long-distance visibility of the road ahead of the vehicle.

[0112] It should be noted that the numerical values ​​shown 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.

[0113] Furthermore, the present invention is not limited to the configurations described in the above embodiment and its modifications, and various other modified configurations can be adopted. [Explanation of symbols]

[0114] 2 Oncoming vehicles 10L, 10R, 110L, 110R, 210L, 210R, 310 Vehicle lights 12 Lamp body 14 Translucent cover 20, 120, 220, 420 Lighting unit assembly 22, 422 Projection lens assembly 30A, 230A, 430A First lighting unit 30B, 130B, 430B second lamp unit 30C, 430C 3rd lamp unit 32A, 32B, 32C, 432A, 432B, 432C projection lenses 34A, 34B, 34C light source 34Aa Light-emitting surface 36A, 36B, 36C reflectors 36Aa, 36Ba, 36Ca reflective surface 38A, 38B, 138B, 238A shades 38Aa, 38Ba, 138Ba, 238Aa upward-facing reflecting surface 38Aa1 Front edge 38Ab, 238Ab protrusion 40 boards 50 Heatsink 52 Main body 54 Heat dissipation fin 60 Holder 60a Horizontal flange 60b, 60c vertical ribs 60d vertical frame section Ax optical axis CL1 Oncoming lane cut-off line CL2 Cut-off line on own lane side D Dark Area E Elbow point F back focus PA-1, PA-4 additional light distribution pattern PH-1, PH-4 high beam light distribution pattern PL-1, PL-1A, PL-1B, PL-4, PL-4A, PL-4B Low beam light distribution pattern

Claims

1. A vehicle lamp including first and second lamp units for forming a low beam light distribution pattern, Each of the first and second lamp units includes a projection lens having an optical axis extending in the front-to-rear direction of the lamp, a light source arranged rearward of the rear focal point of the projection lens, a reflector arranged to cover the light source from above and reflect light emitted from the light source toward the projection lens, and a shade arranged between the reflector and the projection lens and blocking a portion of the light reflected from the reflector to form a cutoff line of the low beam light distribution pattern, and an upward reflecting surface is formed on the shade to reflect the light reflected from the reflector upward toward the projection lens, The shade of the first lamp unit is formed with a protrusion at a position on the upward reflecting surface closer to the vehicle lane than the optical axis, the protrusion blocking a portion of the light reflected from the reflector by the upward reflecting surface, while the shade of the second lamp unit is not formed with the protrusion, The light sources of the first and second lamp units are supported by a common holder, A vehicle lamp, wherein the reflectors and shades of the first and second lamp units are formed by the holder.

2. A third lamp unit is provided for forming a high beam light distribution pattern, The third lamp unit includes a projection lens having an optical axis extending in the front-to-rear direction of the lamp, a light source disposed rearward of the rear focal point of the projection lens, and a reflector disposed so as to cover the light source from above and reflects light emitted from the light source toward the projection lens, the light source of the third lamp unit is supported by the holder, 2. The vehicle lamp according to claim 1, wherein the holder constitutes a reflector of the third lamp unit.

3. 3. The vehicle lamp according to claim 2, wherein the projection lenses of the first, second and third lamp units are supported by the holder in an integrally formed state.

4. 4. The vehicular lamp according to claim 2, wherein the third lamp unit is disposed between the first lamp unit and the second lamp unit.

Images