Vehicle lighting

Abstract

To achieve improvement in front visibility of an own vehicle driver, while effectively suppressing glare with respect to a driver of an oncoming vehicle in a vehicular lighting fixture which includes a plurality of lighting fixture units for forming a low-beam light distribution pattern.SOLUTION: In each of first and second lighting fixture units 30A, 30B, by allowing emission light from light sources 34A, 34 to reflect on first additional reflectors 42A, 42B and second additional reflectors 44A, 44B sequentially, as a low-beam light distribution pattern, in an above space of a cut-off line, an OHS irradiation light distribution pattern is formed in an additional manner. At that time, as the first lighting fixture unit 30A, a protrusion part 44Ab as a light diffusion region is formed at a position further on an own lane side than a rear side focus F of a projection lens 32A on a reflection surface 44Aa of the second additional reflector 44A. Thereby, a space between the cut-off line and the OHS irradiation light distribution pattern does not become brighter than is necessary.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a vehicle lamp provided with a plurality of lamp units for forming a light distribution pattern for a low beam.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, as a configuration of a vehicle lamp configured to form a light distribution pattern for a low beam, a configuration including a plurality of lamp units is known.

[0003] And, as the configuration of each of these plurality of lamp units, a projection lens, a light source disposed on the rear side of the lamp with respect to the rear focal point thereof, a reflector that reflects the emitted light from this light source toward the projection lens, and a shade that shields a part of the reflected light from the reflector in a state of being disposed between these reflector and the projection lens to form a cut-off line of the light distribution pattern for the low beam are known.

[0004] In "Patent Document 1", as the configuration of a lamp unit configured to form a light distribution pattern for a low beam, a first additional reflector that reflects the emitted light from the light source downward is disposed on the front side of the lamp of the reflector, and a second additional reflector that reflects the emitted light from the light source reflected by the first additional reflector toward the projection lens is disposed at a position on the front side and the lower side of the lamp with respect to the rear focal point of the projection lens. form is described.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0005]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0006] In the lighting unit described in "Patent Document 1" above, by sequentially reflecting the light emitted from the light source with the first and second additional reflectors, it becomes possible to form an OHS illumination light distribution pattern (i.e., a light distribution pattern for illuminating overhead signs installed above the road surface in front of the vehicle) in the space above the cutoff line of the low beam light distribution pattern.

[0007] However, in vehicle lighting systems equipped with multiple lighting units, if such a configuration is adopted for each of these multiple lighting units, the space between the cutoff line and the OHS illumination pattern may become excessively bright, potentially causing glare to oncoming drivers.

[0008] In contrast, if each of the multiple lighting units is configured such that a protrusion or the like is formed on the reflective surface of the second additional reflector at a position on the side of the in-lane side relative to the optical axis of the projection lens, it becomes possible to locally suppress the brightness in the space above the cutoff line on the opposing lane side in the low beam light distribution pattern.

[0009] While this configuration makes it possible to avoid causing glare to oncoming drivers, it also carries the risk of reducing forward visibility for the driver of the vehicle in question, as the space between the cutoff line and the OHS illumination pattern becomes too dark.

[0010] The present invention has been made in view of these circumstances, and aims to provide a vehicle light fixture equipped with a plurality of light fixture units for forming a low beam light distribution pattern, which can effectively suppress glare for oncoming drivers while improving forward visibility for the driver of the vehicle. [Means for solving the problem]

[0011] The present invention aims to achieve the above objective by modifying the configuration of the second additional reflector in each of the multiple lighting units.

[0012] In other words, the vehicle lighting device according to the present invention is In a vehicle lighting device equipped with multiple lighting units for forming a low beam light distribution pattern, Each of the above-mentioned multiple luminaire units comprises a projection lens, a light source positioned behind the luminaire beyond the rear focal point of the projection lens, a reflector that reflects the light emitted from the light source toward the projection lens, and a shade positioned between the reflector and the projection lens that blocks a portion of the reflected light from the reflector in order to form the cutoff line of the low-beam light distribution pattern. Each of the above-mentioned multiple lighting units is configured such that a first additional reflector is positioned at the front end of the reflector to reflect the light emitted from the light source downwards, and a second additional reflector is positioned in front of and below the rear focal point of the lighting unit to reflect the light emitted from the light source, which has been reflected by the first additional reflector, toward the projection lens. Some of the above-mentioned multiple lighting units are configured such that a light diffusion region is formed on the reflective surface of the second additional reflector at a position closer to the in-lane than the rear focal point. Occasionally, The above-mentioned first additional reflector is formed integrally with the above-mentioned reflector. The above-mentioned second additional reflector is formed integrally with the above-mentioned shade. The above-mentioned multiple lighting units are configured such that the reflector and the shade are integrally formed, and the reflector and the shade are integrally formed. It is characterized by being present.

[0013] Of the "multiple lighting units" mentioned above, the specific number of lighting units in which a light diffusion region is formed on the reflective surface of the second additional reflector is not particularly limited.

[0014] The above-mentioned "light diffusion region" refers to a region on the reflective surface of the second additional reflector that has a surface shape that diffuses the reflected light from the first additional reflector more than the general region (i.e., the region other than the light diffusion region). The specific surface shape is not particularly limited, and for example, it can be composed of protrusions or depressions, a region that has been frosted or textured, or a region that is partially untreated with aluminum vapor deposition or other surface treatments. [Effects of the Invention]

[0015] The vehicle lamp according to the present invention comprises, as the configuration of each of a plurality of lamp units for forming a low beam light distribution pattern, a projection lens, a light source positioned behind the rear focal point of the lamp, a reflector that reflects the light emitted from the light source toward the projection lens, and a shade positioned between the reflector and the projection lens that blocks a portion of the light reflected from the reflector in order to form a cutoff line for the low beam light distribution pattern. A first additional reflector is positioned at the front end of the reflector to reflect the light emitted from the light source toward downward, and a second additional reflector is positioned in front of and below the rear focal point of the projection lens to reflect the light emitted from the light source reflected by the first additional reflector toward the projection lens. As a result, the following effects can be obtained.

[0016] In other words, by sequentially reflecting the light emitted from the light source with the first and second additional reflectors, it becomes possible to additionally form an OHS irradiation light distribution pattern in the space above the cutoff line of the low beam light distribution pattern.

[0017] Furthermore, among the plurality of lamp units, some of the lamp units are configured such that a light diffusion region is formed at a position closer to the own lane side than the rear focal point of the projection lens on the reflecting surface of the second additional reflector. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the space between the cut-off line and the OHS irradiation light distribution pattern from becoming brighter than necessary, thereby effectively suppressing the glare given to the oncoming vehicle driver.

[0018] At this time, since the light diffusion region is formed on the reflecting surface of the second additional reflector in some of the plurality of lamp units, it is possible to prevent the space between the cut-off line and the OHS irradiation light distribution pattern from becoming too dark, thereby preventing the forward visibility of the driver of the own vehicle from deteriorating.

[0019] Thus, according to the present invention, in a vehicle lamp provided with a plurality of lamp units for forming a low beam light distribution pattern, it is possible to effectively suppress glare to the oncoming vehicle driver and improve the forward visibility of the driver of the own vehicle.

[0020] In the above configuration, further, if the light diffusion region is formed of a protrusion or a recess, it is possible to accurately perform reflection control to prevent the space between the cut-off line and the OHS irradiation light distribution pattern from becoming brighter than necessary.

[0021] In the above configuration, further, as the configuration of each of the plurality of lamp units, after the reflector is arranged so as to cover the light source from above, the shade is provided with an upward reflecting surface that reflects a part of the reflected light from the reflector upward toward the projection lens. In this case, the light emitted from the light source can be efficiently irradiated forward of the lamp, thereby increasing the brightness of the low beam light distribution pattern.

[0022] In the above configuration, if the first additional reflector is formed integrally with the reflector and the second additional reflector is formed integrally with the shade, the number of parts of the vehicle lamp can be reduced, and the positional relationship accuracy between the first additional reflector and the reflector and the positional relationship accuracy between the second additional reflector and the shade can be improved.

[0023] At that time, as a plurality of lamp units, if the reflector is integrally formed and the shade is integrally formed, the number of parts of the vehicle lamp can be further reduced.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0024] [Figure 1] Front view showing a vehicle lamp according to an embodiment of the present invention [Figure 2] Plan view showing the lamp unit assembly of the above vehicle lamp [Figure 3] Cross-sectional view taken along line III-III of FIG. 2 [Figure 4] Cross-sectional view taken along line IV-IV of FIG. 2 [Figure 5] Perspective view showing the above lamp unit assembly [Figure 6] Detailed view of part VI in FIG. 5 [Figure 7] View showing the low beam light distribution pattern formed by the irradiation light from the above vehicle lamp [Figure 8] View showing the first and second light distribution patterns constituting the above low beam light distribution pattern [Figure 9] View similar to FIG. 6 showing the first modification of the above embodiment [Figure 10] View similar to FIG. 6 showing the second modification of the above embodiment

Modes for Carrying Out the Invention

[0025] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0026] Figure 1 is a front view showing a vehicle light fixture 10 according to one embodiment of the present invention. Figure 2 is a plan view showing the light fixture unit assembly 20 of the vehicle light fixture 10.

[0027] In Figures 1 and 2, the direction indicated by X is "forward of the lamp," the direction indicated by Y is "leftward" (or "rightward" when viewed from the front of the lamp), which is perpendicular to "forward of the lamp," and the direction indicated by Z is "upward." The same applies to figures other than Figures 1 and 2.

[0028] As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the vehicle lighting fixture 10 according to this embodiment is a headlamp positioned at the front end of a vehicle, and has a lighting fixture unit assembly 20 housed in a lighting chamber formed by a lamp body 12 and a transparent light-transmitting cover 14 attached to the front end opening of the lamp body 12.

[0029] The luminaire unit assembly 20 has a configuration in which first and second luminaire units 30A and 30B for forming a light distribution pattern for low beams are integrally formed.

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

[0031] The first luminaire unit 30A includes a projection lens 32A having an optical axis Ax extending in the front-rear direction of the luminaire, a light source 34A positioned behind the rear focal point (more precisely, the rear focal point in the vertical cross-section) F of the projection lens 32A, a reflector 36A positioned to cover the light source 34A from above and reflect the light emitted from the light source 34A toward the projection lens 32A, and a shade 38A positioned between the reflector 36A and the projection lens 32A and blocking a portion of the light reflected from the reflector 36A.

[0032] The second lighting unit 30B, like the first lighting unit 30A, is configured to include a projection lens 32B, a light source 34B, a reflector 36B, and a shade 38B.

[0033] Next, the specific configurations of the first and second lighting units 30A and 30B will be described.

[0034] First, let's explain the specific configuration of the first lighting unit 30A.

[0035] Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line III-III in Figure 2, and Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along line IV-IV in Figure 2. Figure 5 is a perspective view showing the luminaire unit assembly 20.

[0036] As shown in Figures 3-5, the projection lens 32A is a plano-convex aspherical lens with a convex front surface 32Aa and a flat rear surface 32Ab. It projects the light source image formed on the rear focal plane, which includes the rear focal point F, as an inverted image onto a virtual vertical screen in front of the luminaire. When viewed from the front of the luminaire, the projection lens 32A has a horizontally elongated rectangular shape.

[0037] The light source 34A is a light-emitting element (specifically a white light-emitting diode) and has a horizontally elongated rectangular light-emitting surface 34Aa. The light source 34A is supported on the substrate 40 with its light-emitting surface 34Aa facing upward on the optical axis Ax.

[0038] The reflector 36A is configured to direct the light emitted from the light source 34A into the projection lens 32A as light that is focused in the left-right direction.

[0039] Specifically, the reflective surface 36Aa of the reflector 36A is composed of a roughly ellipsoidal curved surface with the light-emitting center of the light source 34A as the first focal point, and its eccentricity is set to gradually increase from the vertical cross-section to the horizontal cross-section. As a result, the reflector 36A focuses the light emitted from the light source 34A to a point located on the front side of the rear focal point F within the vertical cross-section, and further displaces that convergence point towards the front of the lamp within the horizontal cross-section.

[0040] The shade 38A has an upward-facing reflective surface 38Aa formed therein that reflects a portion of the reflected light from the reflector 36A upward toward the projection lens 32A. This upward-facing reflective surface 38Aa has a left-side region located to the left of the optical axis Ax (right side when viewed from the front of the lamp) which is composed of a horizontal plane including the optical axis Ax, and a right-side region located to the right of the optical axis Ax which is composed of a horizontal plane that is one level lower than the left-side region via a short slope. Furthermore, the front edge 38Aa1 of the upward-facing reflective surface 38Aa is formed to curve and extend toward the front of the lamp toward both the left and right sides from the rear focal point F of the projection lens 32A, and its rear edge is also formed to curve and extend toward the front of the lamp toward both the left and right sides.

[0041] A first additional reflector 42A is positioned at the front end of the reflector 36A. This first additional reflector 42A has a reflective surface 42Aa that is formed to extend slightly downward from the front edge of the reflective surface 36Aa of the reflector 36A toward the front of the lamp. The first additional reflector 42A is configured to reflect the light emitted from the light source 34A downward toward the space toward the front of the lamp beyond the front edge 38Aa1 of the upward reflective surface 38Aa of the shade 38A. This first additional reflector 42A is formed integrally with the reflector 36A.

[0042] Furthermore, the first additional reflector 42A is formed such that the front edge of its reflective surface 42Aa is located further rearward than the rear edge of the upward reflective surface 38Aa of the shade 38A, thereby preventing the shade 38A and the reflector 36A from overlapping in a plan view.

[0043] A second additional reflector 44A is positioned in the shade 38A at a location that is both forward and below the upward reflective surface 38Aa of the lampshade. This second additional reflector 44A has a reflective surface 44Aa that extends slightly downward toward the front of the lampshade from a position near the lower end edge 38Aa1 of the upward reflective surface 38Aa of the shade 38A. The second additional reflector 44A is configured to reflect the light emitted from the light source 34A, which has been reflected by the first additional reflector 42A, toward the projection lens 32A using its reflective surface 44Aa. This second additional reflector 44A is formed integrally with the shade 38A.

[0044] Figure 6 is a detailed view of section VI of Figure 5.

[0045] As shown in Figure 6, a projection 44Ab, which acts as a light diffusion region, is formed on the reflective surface 44Aa of the second additional reflector 44A at a position to the left of the optical axis Ax (i.e., on the side of the vehicle's lane side of the rear focal point F of the projection lens 32A). This projection 44Ab is located near the upper edge of the reflective surface 44Aa and has a horizontally elongated, approximately ellipsoidal surface shape. This projection 44Ab is configured to diffusely reflect a portion of the light emitted from the light source 34A that has been reflected by the first additional reflector 42A.

[0046] Next, we will describe the specific configuration of the second lighting unit 30B.

[0047] As described above, in the second luminaire unit 30B, the configuration of the projection lens 32B, light source 34B, reflector 36B, and shade 38B is the same as in the first luminaire unit 30A. Also, the basic configuration of the first and second additional reflectors 42B and 44B is the same as in the first luminaire unit 30A, however, the configuration of the second additional reflector 44B is slightly different from that of the first luminaire unit 30A.

[0048] In other words, in the second luminaire unit 30B, a first additional reflector 42B is positioned at the front end of the reflector 36B, and a second additional reflector 44B is positioned in front of and below the upward reflective surface 38Ba of the shade 38B. The light emitted from the light source 34B is sequentially reflected by the reflective surfaces 42Ba and 44Ba of these first and second additional reflectors 42B and 44B and incident onto the projection lens 32B.

[0049] However, the reflective surface 44Ba of the second additional reflector 44B in the second lighting unit 30B does not have a protrusion like the protrusion 44Ab formed on the reflective surface 44Aa of the second additional reflector 44A in the first lighting unit 30A.

[0050] The luminaire unit assembly 20 is configured such that the light sources 34A and 34B of the first and second luminaire units 30A and 30B are supported by a metal heatsink 50 via a common substrate 40, and this heatsink 50 is supported by a resin holder 60.

[0051] The holder 60 includes a horizontal flange portion 60a that extends along the horizontal plane so as to surround the outer edges of the reflectors 36A and 36B in the first and second lighting units 30A and 30B. The two reflectors 36A and 36B are integrally formed with the holder 60.

[0052] The heat sink 50 comprises a main body portion 52 extending left to right along a horizontal plane, and a plurality of heat dissipation fins 54 formed to extend downward from the lower surface of the main body portion 52, with the plurality of heat dissipation fins 54 spaced apart in the left to right direction. The heat sink 50 is supported by the holder 60 with its main body portion 52 in contact with the horizontal flange portion 60a of the holder 60 from below.

[0053] The shades 38A and 38B of the first and second luminaire units 30A and 30B are also integrally formed with the holder 60.

[0054] The projection lenses 32A and 32B of the first and second lighting units 30A and 30B are supported by the holder 60 in a state where they are integrally formed as a projection lens assembly 22.

[0055] Specifically, a frame portion 60b is formed at the front end of the holder 60, extending along a vertical plane perpendicular to the front-to-back direction of the lamp. This frame portion 60b is formed in a horizontally elongated U-shape when viewed from the front of the lamp, and has an L-shaped cross-section. The projection lens assembly 22 is supported by the holder 60 with the peripheral edges of the rear surfaces of the two projection lenses 32A and 32B in contact with the frame portion 60b of the holder 60 from the front side of the lamp.

[0056] In this way, the lamp unit assembly 20 is integrally formed with the reflectors 36A, 36B, shades 38A, 38B, first and second additional reflectors 42B, 44B of the first and second lamp units 30A, 30B, and the holder 60. As a result, the vehicle lamp 10 is configured so that the optical axis adjustment of the first and second lamp units 30A, 30B is performed integrally.

[0057] Furthermore, in the luminaire unit assembly 20, there are no overlapping parts in plan view of the reflectors 36A, 36B, shades 38A, 38B, first and second additional reflectors 42B, 44B, and holder 60. Therefore, when these are molded as a single injection-molded product, the structure of the mold used for this purpose is simple.

[0058] When the luminaire unit assembly 20 is incorporated into the vehicle luminaire 10, the optical axes Ax of the first and second luminaire units 30A and 30B are positioned so that they extend downwards by approximately 0.5 to 0.6° relative to the horizontal plane, towards the front of the luminaire.

[0059] Figure 7 is a transparent view of the low beam light distribution pattern PL formed by the light emitted from the vehicle's lighting fixture 10.

[0060] As shown in Figure 7, the low beam light distribution pattern PL is a left-facing low beam light distribution pattern, and has staggered cutoff lines CL1 and CL2 at its upper edge. These cutoff lines CL1 and CL2 extend horizontally at staggered levels on the left and right, separated by the VV line which passes vertically through the vanishing point HV in the direction of the front of the lamp. The portion to the right of the VV line is formed as the oncoming lane cutoff line CL1, and the portion to the left of the VV line is formed as the in-lane cutoff line CL2, which rises from the oncoming lane cutoff line CL1 via an inclined section.

[0061] The low beam light distribution pattern PL is formed as a composite light distribution pattern of the first light distribution pattern PLA shown in Figure 8(a) and the second light distribution pattern PLB shown in Figure 8(b). In this case, the first light distribution pattern PLA is the light distribution pattern formed by the light emitted from the first luminaire unit 30A, and the second light distribution pattern PLB is the light distribution pattern formed by the light emitted from the second luminaire unit 30B.

[0062] In the low beam light distribution pattern PL, the elbow point E, which is the intersection of the oncoming lane cutoff line CL1 and the VV line, is located approximately 0.5 to 0.6° below the HV line. This is because the optical axis Ax of the first and second lamp units 30A and 30B extends approximately 0.5 to 0.6° downwards toward the front of the lamp with respect to the horizontal plane.

[0063] In the space above the cutoff lines CL1 and CL2 of the low beam light distribution pattern PL, an OHS illumination light distribution pattern PC is additionally formed. This OHS illumination light distribution pattern PC is a light distribution pattern for illuminating overhead markers (OHS) installed above the road surface in front of the vehicle, and is formed as a horizontally elongated light distribution pattern that spreads horizontally from the VV line at a position above the cutoff lines CL1 and CL2.

[0064] The first light distribution pattern PLA shown in Figure 8(a) is formed by projecting an inverted image of the light source 34A, which is formed on the rear focal plane of the projection lens 32A by the light emitted from the light source 34A reflected by the reflector 36A, onto the virtual vertical screen using the projection lens 32A. Its cutoff lines CL1 and CL2 are formed as inverted projection images of the front edge 38A1 of the upward reflective surface 38Aa in the shade 38A.

[0065] The first light distribution pattern PLA has an additional light distribution pattern PCA for OHS irradiation. This OHS irradiation light distribution pattern PCA is formed when the light emitted from the light source 34A, which is reflected downward by the first additional reflector 42A, is reflected forward by the second additional reflector 44A and then irradiated forward through the projection lens 32A. At the same time, the reflected light from the second additional reflector 44A forms a diffuse light distribution pattern Sa in the space between the OHS irradiation light distribution pattern PCA and the cutoff lines CL1 and CL2, with a brightness weaker than the OHS irradiation light distribution pattern PCA.

[0066] However, in this diffuse light distribution pattern Sa, a localized dark area D is formed in the area near the upper part of the cutoff line CL1 on the opposing lane side. This dark area D is formed when a portion of the reflected light from the first additional reflector 42A is diffusely reflected at the projection 44Ab formed in the area on the in-lane side of the reflective surface 44Aa of the second additional reflector 44A.

[0067] In this case, the position of the projection 44Ab on the reflective surface 44Aa of the second additional reflector 44A is set such that, as shown in Figure 7, the dark area D approximately coincides with the position of the oncoming vehicle 2 when the oncoming vehicle 2 approaches to within approximately 50m in front of the vehicle.

[0068] On the other hand, the second light distribution pattern PLB shown in Figure 8(b) is formed by projecting an inverted image of the light source 34B, which is formed on the rear focal plane of the projection lens 32B by the light emitted from the light source 34B reflected by the reflector 36B, onto the virtual vertical screen using the projection lens 32B. Its cutoff lines CL1 and CL2 are formed as inverted projection images of the front edge 38Ba1 of the upward reflective surface 38Ba in the shade 38B.

[0069] In the second light distribution pattern PLB, an OHS illumination light distribution pattern PCB is additionally formed, and a diffuse light distribution pattern Sb is formed in the space between the OHS illumination light distribution pattern PCB and the cutoff lines CL1 and CL2, with a lower brightness than the OHS illumination light distribution pattern PCA. However, this diffuse light distribution pattern Sb does not have a dark area D like the diffuse light distribution pattern Sa shown in Figure 8(a). This is because the region of the reflective surface 44Ba of the second additional reflector 44B on the lane side does not have a protrusion 44Ab like the one in the case of the second additional reflector 44A.

[0070] Therefore, as shown in Figure 7, in the OHS illumination light distribution pattern PC, which is formed as a composite light distribution pattern of the OHS illumination light distribution pattern PCA shown in Figure 8(a) and the second light distribution pattern PLB shown in Figure 8(b), only the dark area D of the diffuse light distribution pattern Sa is present among the diffuse light distribution patterns Sa and Sb that are formed in conjunction with it. As a result, long-distance visibility on the oncoming lane side of the road ahead of the vehicle is ensured without causing glare to the driver of the oncoming vehicle 2.

[0071] Next, the effects and advantages of this embodiment will be described.

[0072] The vehicle lamp 10 according to this embodiment includes first and second lamp units 30A and 30B, each of which is configured to form cutoff lines CL1 and CL2 of the low beam light distribution pattern PL by blocking a portion of the light emitted from the light sources 34A and 34B reflected by the reflectors 36A and 36B with shades 38A and 38B placed between the reflectors 36A and 36B and the projection lenses 32A and 32B. Therefore, it is easy to form the low beam light distribution pattern PL with a desired light distribution using the light emitted from the first and second lamp units 30A and 30B.

[0073] Furthermore, in each of the first and second luminaire units 30A and 30B, by sequentially reflecting the light emitted from the light sources 34A and 34 with the first additional reflectors 42A and 42B and the second additional reflectors 44A and 44B, an OHS irradiation light distribution pattern PC can be additionally formed in the space above the cutoff lines CL1 and CL2 as a low beam light distribution pattern PL.

[0074] In this configuration, the first luminaire unit 30A has a protrusion 44Ab formed as a light diffusion region at a position on the side of the own lane than the rear focal point F of the projection lens 32A on the reflective surface 44Aa of the second additional reflector 44A. This prevents the space between the cutoff lines CL1 and CL2 and the OHS illumination light distribution pattern PC from becoming excessively bright due to the diffuse light distribution patterns Sa and Sb, thereby effectively suppressing glare for oncoming drivers.

[0075] Furthermore, since such protrusions 44Ab are formed only on the first lamp unit 30A, the space between the cutoff lines CL1 and CL2 and the OHS illumination light distribution pattern PC can be prevented from becoming too dark, thereby preventing a decrease in the forward visibility of the vehicle driver.

[0076] Thus, according to this embodiment, in a vehicle lamp 10 equipped with first and second lamp units 30A and 30B for forming a low beam light distribution pattern PL, it is possible to effectively suppress glare for oncoming vehicle drivers while improving forward visibility for the own vehicle's driver.

[0077] In particular, in this embodiment, since the projection 44Ab constitutes a light diffusion region, reflection control can be performed with high precision to prevent the space between the cutoff lines CL1 and CL2 and the OHS irradiation light distribution pattern PC from becoming unnecessarily bright.

[0078] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the first and second luminaire units 30A and 30B are configured such that the reflectors 36A and 36B cover the light sources 34A and 34B from above, and the shades 38A and 38B are equipped with upward-facing reflective surfaces 38Aa and 38Ba that reflect a portion of the reflected light from the reflectors 36A and 36B upward toward the projection lenses 32A and 32B. As a result, the light emitted from the light sources 34A and 34B can be efficiently directed toward the front of the luminaire, thereby increasing the brightness of the low-beam light distribution pattern PL.

[0079] Furthermore, in this embodiment, in each of the first and second lighting units 30A and 30B, the first additional reflectors 42A and 42B are integrally formed with the reflectors 36A and 36B, and the second additional reflectors 44A and 44B are integrally formed with the shades 38A and 38B. This reduces the number of parts in the vehicle lighting unit 10 and improves the positional accuracy of the first additional reflectors 42A and 42B and the reflectors 36A and 36B, as well as the positional accuracy of the second additional reflectors 44A and 44B and the shades 38A and 38B.

[0080] Furthermore, since the first and second lighting units 30A and 30B have their reflectors 36A and 36B and shades 38A and 38B integrally formed, it is possible to further reduce the number of parts in the vehicle lighting unit 10.

[0081] In the above embodiment, the vehicle lighting fixture 10 was described as having two first and second lighting units 30A and 30B. However, it is also possible to have a configuration in which an additional lighting unit having the same configuration as the first lighting unit 30A is added, or an additional lighting unit having the same configuration as the second lighting unit 30B is added.

[0082] Next, a modified example of the above embodiment will be described.

[0083] First, a first modified example of the above embodiment will be described.

[0084] Figure 9 is a diagram similar to Figure 6, showing the main parts of the vehicle lighting fixture according to this modified example.

[0085] As shown in Figure 9, the basic configuration of this modified example is the same as that of the above embodiment, but the configuration of the second additional reflector 144A differs in some respects from that of the above embodiment.

[0086] In other words, the second additional reflector 144A of this modified example also has a reflective surface 144Aa similar to the reflective surface 44Aa of the second additional reflector 44Aa of the above embodiment, but a recessed portion 144Ab is formed as a light diffusion region at a position on the side of the lane relative to the optical axis Ax. This recessed portion 144Ab is located near the upper edge of the reflective surface 144Aa and has a horizontally elongated, substantially elliptical surface shape. This recessed portion 144Ab diffusely reflects a portion of the light emitted from the light source 34A that has been reflected by the first additional reflector 42A.

[0087] Even when this modified configuration is adopted, by diffusing and reflecting a portion of the reflected light from the reflector 42A in the recessed portion 144Ab formed on the reflective surface 144Aa of the second additional reflector 144A, it is possible to effectively suppress glare for oncoming drivers while improving the forward visibility of the own driver.

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

[0089] Figure 10 is a diagram similar to Figure 6, showing the main parts of the vehicle lighting device according to this modified example.

[0090] As shown in Figure 10, the basic configuration of this modified example is the same as that of the above embodiment, but the configuration of the second additional reflector 244A differs in some respects from that of the above embodiment.

[0091] In other words, the second additional reflector 244A of this modified example also has a reflective surface 244Aa similar to the reflective surface 44Aa of the second additional reflector 44A in the above embodiment, but a textured surface 244Ab is formed as a light diffusion region at a position on the side of the lane relative to the optical axis Ax. This textured surface 244Ab is formed by applying a textured surface to a horizontally elongated rectangular region near the upper edge of the reflective surface 244Aa. This textured surface 244Ab diffusely reflects a portion of the light emitted from the light source 34A that has been reflected by the first additional reflector 42A.

[0092] Even when this modified configuration is adopted, by diffusing and reflecting a portion of the reflected light from the reflector 42A on the textured surface 244Ab formed on the reflective surface 244Aa of the second additional reflector 244A, it is possible to effectively suppress glare for oncoming drivers while improving the forward visibility of the own driver.

[0093] It should be noted that the numerical values ​​shown as specifications in the above embodiments and their modified forms are merely examples, and these may be set to different values ​​as appropriate.

[0094] Furthermore, the present invention is not limited to the configurations described in the above embodiments and their modifications, and various other modified configurations can be adopted. [Explanation of symbols]

[0095] 2. Oncoming car 10 Vehicle lighting fixtures 12 Lamp body 14 Translucent cover 20 Lighting Unit Assembly 22 Projection lens assembly 30A First Lighting Unit 30B Second Lighting Unit 32A, 32B projection lenses 32Aa front 32Ab rear 34A, 34B light source 34Aa Emitting surface 36A, 36B reflector 36Aa reflective surface 38A, 38B Shade 38Aa, 38Ba Upward reflecting surface 38Aa1, 38Ba1 Front edge 40 circuit boards 42A, 42B First additional reflector 42Aa, 42Ba, 44Aa, 44Ba, 144Aa, 244Aa reflective surface 44A, 44B, 144A, 244A Second Additional Reflector 44Ab protrusion (light-diffusing region) 50 Heatsink 52 Main body 54 heat dissipation fins 60 holder 60a Horizontal flange section 60b Frame section 144Ab recessed area (light diffusion region) 244Ab Textured surface (light diffusion region) Ax optical axis CL1 Oncoming lane cutoff line CL2 Lane-side cutoff line D Dark Area E Elbow point F back focus OHS overhead sign Light distribution patterns for PC, PCA, and PCB OHS irradiation. PL low beam light distribution pattern PLA First Light Distribution Pattern PLB Second Light Distribution Pattern Sa, Sb diffuse light distribution pattern

Claims

1. In a vehicle lighting device equipped with multiple lighting units for forming a low beam light distribution pattern, Each of the above-mentioned multiple luminaire units comprises a projection lens, a light source positioned behind the luminaire beyond the rear focal point of the projection lens, a reflector that reflects the light emitted from the light source toward the projection lens, and a shade positioned between the reflector and the projection lens that blocks a portion of the reflected light from the reflector in order to form the cutoff line of the low-beam light distribution pattern. Each of the above-mentioned multiple lighting units is configured such that a first additional reflector is positioned at the front end of the reflector to reflect the light emitted from the light source downwards, and a second additional reflector is positioned in front of and below the rear focal point of the lighting unit to reflect the light emitted from the light source, which has been reflected by the first additional reflector, toward the projection lens. Some of the above-mentioned multiple lighting units have a configuration in which a light diffusion region is formed on the reflective surface of the second additional reflector at a position closer to the in-lane than the rear focal point. The above-mentioned first additional reflector is formed integrally with the above-mentioned reflector. The above-mentioned second additional reflector is formed integrally with the above-mentioned shade. Vehicle lighting fixtures characterized in that the above-mentioned plurality of lighting units have a configuration in which the reflector and the shade are integrally formed, and the reflector and the shade are integrally formed.

2. The vehicle lamp according to claim 1, characterized in that the above-mentioned light diffusion region is composed of protrusions or recesses.

3. The above reflector is positioned to cover the above light source from above. The vehicle lamp according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the shade has an upward-facing reflective surface that reflects a portion of the reflected light from the reflector upward toward the projection lens.

Images