Lamp units, vehicle lighting fixtures

Abstract

Provided is a lamp unit capable of forming an illumination pattern having a desired brightness distribution, while efficiently utilizing light from a light source.　In a lamp unit 20, a light source portion 21 provided with a plurality of light sources 31, a condensing lens 22, a light shielding member (shade 23), and a projection lens 24 are arranged along a lamp unit axis A2. An incident surface 33 comprises a curved incident surface portion 41 facing the plurality of light sources 31, and an annular incident surface portion 42 surrounding the curved incident surface portion 41, the condensing lens 22 has a reflecting surface 43 surrounding the curved incident surface portion 41, the light shielding member (shade 23) is disposed with a light shielding reference point (Ps) coinciding with the lamp unit axis A2, the plurality of light sources 31 are disposed with an emission optical axis 31L positioned above the lamp unit axis A2 in a vertical direction, and the condensing lens 22 is disposed with a condensing lens axis (A5, A6) positioned above the lamp unit axis A2 in the vertical direction.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a lamp unit and a vehicle lamp.

Background Art

[0002] Vehicle lamps are considered that form an irradiation pattern on the road surface around the vehicle using a lamp unit (see, for example, Patent Documents 1, 2, etc.). These conventional lamp units form an irradiation pattern by projecting light from a light source through an irradiation slit of a light shielding member (shade) with a projection lens, and can inform a person who sees the intention represented by the irradiation pattern. These conventional lamp units efficiently use the light from the light source by guiding the light from the light source to the light shielding member by a light guide (light guide).

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Patent Document 2

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] However, since the conventional lamp unit diffuses the light from the light source in the light guide to make the light beam distribution on the light shielding member uniform, it is difficult to adjust the light beam distribution on the light shielding member, and it becomes difficult to make the irradiation pattern to be formed have a desired brightness distribution.

[0005] The present disclosure has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object thereof is to provide a lamp unit that can form an irradiation pattern having a desired brightness distribution while efficiently using the light from the light source, and a vehicle lamp using the same.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] The lamp unit disclosed herein is , multiple The device comprises a light source unit equipped with several light sources, a focusing lens that collects light from the multiple light sources, a light-shielding member provided with an irradiation slit that partially allows the light collected by the focusing lens to pass through, and a projection lens that projects the light that has passed through the light-shielding member to form an irradiation pattern. The light source, the focusing lens, the light shielding member, and the projection lens are arranged in a line on the lamp unit axis. The incident surface of the condensing lens has a curved incident surface portion facing the plurality of light sources in the axial direction of the condensing lens, and an annular incident surface portion surrounding the curved incident surface portion, the condensing lens has a reflective surface surrounding the curved incident surface portion, the plurality of light sources are arranged with their output light axes positioned above the lamp unit axis in the vertical direction, and the condensing lens is arranged with its condensing lens axis positioned above the lamp unit axis in the vertical direction. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] The lamp unit and vehicle lighting fixture using the same present invention make it possible to efficiently utilize light from a light source while forming an illumination pattern with a desired brightness distribution. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0008] [Figure 1] This is an explanatory diagram showing how the vehicle lighting fixture of Embodiment 1 according to this disclosure is mounted on a vehicle and forms its respective illumination pattern. [Figure 2] This is an explanatory diagram showing the configuration of a vehicle lighting system. [Figure 3] This is an explanatory diagram showing the configuration of a lamp unit for vehicle lighting. [Figure 4] This is an explanatory diagram showing the configuration of a lamp unit with the casing omitted. [Figure 5] This is an explanatory diagram showing the configuration and positional relationship of the light sources. [Figure 6] This is an explanatory diagram showing the shade as viewed from the side of the condensing lens. [Figure 7] This is a perspective view showing the light-emitting side of the focusing lens. [Figure 8] This is an explanatory diagram showing the focusing lens as viewed from the light source side. [Figure 9] This is an explanatory diagram illustrating how, in a lamp unit, light from the light source passes through the focusing reference focal point on a vertical cross-section, enters the focusing lens from the curved incident surface, and then propagates to the shade (each of its slits). [Figure 10] This is an explanatory diagram illustrating how, in a lamp unit, light from a light source passes through a focusing reference focal point on a longitudinal (vertical) cross-section, enters the focusing lens from the annular incident surface, is reflected by a reflective surface, and then travels to the shade (each of its slits). [Figure 11] This is an explanatory diagram showing the luminous flux distribution in the first region formed on the shade by light from both light sources that enter the focusing lens from the first curved incident surface and exit from the inner exit surface. [Figure 12] This is an explanatory diagram showing the luminous flux distribution in the second region formed on the shade by light from both light sources that enter the focusing lens from the second curved incident surface and exit from the inner exit surface. [Figure 13] This is an explanatory diagram showing the luminous flux distribution in the third region formed on the shade by light from both light sources that enters the condensing lens from the first annular incident surface, is reflected by the first reflective surface, and then exits from the first outer exit surface. [Figure 14] This is an explanatory diagram showing the luminous flux distribution in the fourth region formed on the shade by light from both light sources that enters the condensing lens from the second annular incident surface, is reflected by the second reflective surface, and then exits from the second outer exit surface. [Figure 15] This is an explanatory diagram showing the luminous flux distribution when four regions are superimposed on a shade. [Figure 16] This is an explanatory diagram illustrating the problems that arise when a lamp unit installed alongside a signal light unit is tilted. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0009] Hereinafter, an example of a lamp unit and a lamp unit 20 as a vehicle lamp according to the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings in an embodiment of the vehicle lamp 10. In FIG. 1, in order to facilitate understanding of the state where the vehicle lamp 10 is provided, the vehicle lamp 10 is emphasized and shown with respect to the vehicle 1, and it does not necessarily match the actual state. Also, in FIGS. 9 and 10, in order to facilitate understanding of the state where light travels, the hatch indicating the cross-section of the condenser lens is omitted, and the shade frame portion is omitted in the shade.

Embodiment

[0010] The vehicle lamp 10 (lamp unit 20) of the first embodiment will be described using FIGS. 1 to 16. As shown in FIG. 1, the vehicle lamp 10 of the first embodiment is used as a lamp of a vehicle 1 such as an automobile, and is provided at the front part of the vehicle 1 to form an irradiation pattern Pi on the road surface 2 around the front of the vehicle 1, separately from the headlamp provided on the vehicle 1. The periphery in front of the vehicle 1 necessarily includes a proximity area closer to the vehicle 1 than the headlamp area irradiated by the headlamp provided on the vehicle 1, and may partially include the headlamp area. Note that the vehicle lamp 10 may also form an irradiation pattern Pi on the road surface 2 around the rear or side of the vehicle 1, and is not limited to the configuration of the first embodiment.

[0011] In the first embodiment, the vehicle lamp 10 constitutes a signal lamp such as a turn lamp or a back lamp provided on the vehicle 1. In the first embodiment, it is a turn lamp and is provided in pairs on the left and right on the front side of the vehicle 1. Note that the vehicle lamp 10 may also constitute other signal lamps, for example, a clearance lamp, a back lamp (stop lamp), a tail lamp, etc., and is not limited to the first embodiment. The two vehicle lamps 10 have basically the same configuration except that the positions where they are attached and the positions where the irradiation pattern Pi is formed are different. Therefore, hereinafter, it will be simply described as the vehicle lamp 10. As shown in FIG. 2, this vehicle lamp 10 includes a lamp housing 11, a lamp lens 12, a signal lamp unit 13, and a lamp unit 20. [[ID=一三]]

[0012] The lamp housing 11 is formed of a light-impermeable member such as a colored or painted resin material, etc., has an open front and a closed rear shape. The lamp lens 12 is formed of a light-permeable member such as a transparent resin member or a glass member, etc., and can cover the open front end of the lamp housing 11. The lamp lens 12 is fixed in a sealed state to the opening of the lamp housing 11, and watertightness is ensured. A lamp chamber 14 is formed by being partitioned by the lamp housing 11 and the lamp lens 12.

[0013] In this lamp chamber 14, a signal lamp unit 13 and a lamp unit 20 are arranged and fixed to the lamp housing 11, etc. The signal lamp unit 13 is configured such that an optical member such as a light source (not shown in detail) is provided on the signal lamp unit axis A1 within the signal lamp housing 15. A signal lamp light-emitting portion 16 is provided at the front end on the signal lamp unit axis A1, and a signal lamp heat-radiating portion 17 is provided at the rear end. The signal lamp unit 13 is appropriately lit and extinguished by being supplied with power from a lighting control circuit. Since it is a turn lamp in the first embodiment, it blinks at a certain time interval when lit. The signal lamp unit 13 is provided such that the signal lamp unit axis A1 is parallel to the road surface 2, and visibility for a person around the vehicle 1 is ensured.

[0014] The lamp unit 20 is provided below the signal lamp unit 13. In the following description, in the lamp unit 20 where the lamp unit axis A2 is parallel to the signal lamp unit axis A1, when the direction in which the lamp unit axis A2 extends is taken as the axial direction (referred to as Z in the drawing), the vertical direction when the axial direction is along the horizontal plane is taken as the vertical direction (referred to as Y in the drawing), and the direction orthogonal to the axial direction and the vertical direction (horizontal direction) is taken as the width direction (referred to as X in the drawing) (refer to FIG. 2, etc.).

[0015] As shown in Figures 3 and 4, the lamp unit 20 houses a light source unit 21, a focusing lens 22, a shade 23, and a projection lens 24, all positioned on the lamp unit axis A2, within a light source housing 25, forming a single projection optical system and constituting a projector-type road surface projection unit. The light source housing 25 consists of a semi-cylindrical lower member 25a and an upper member 25b. With the above-mentioned components (22 to 24) installed on the lower member 25a, the lower member 25a and the upper member 25b are fitted together and attached to the mounting base 26. In the light source housing 25, the central axis of the cylindrical shape formed by the fitted lower member 25a and upper member 25b is the lamp unit axis A2, which serves as the reference line on which the above-mentioned components (22 to 24) are installed. The light source housing 25 is provided with a condensing lens groove for fitting the condensing lens 22, a shade groove for fitting the shade 23, and a projection lens groove for fitting the projection lens 24. In addition, the light source housing 25 is provided with a pair of fixing protrusions 25c on the lower member 25a in the width direction, and a pair of fixing pieces 25d on the upper member 25b in the width direction (only the front side is shown in Figure 3), and it is possible to fit each fixing protrusion 25c into the fixing hole 25e of each fixing piece 25d. Note that the shape and other configurations of the light source housing 25 can be set as appropriate and are not limited to the configuration of Embodiment 1.

[0016] The mounting base 26 is where the light source 21 is installed and is made of aluminum die-cast or resin, which has thermal conductivity. The base as a whole functions as a heat sink that dissipates the heat generated by the light source 21 to the outside. The mounting base 26 has an installation area 26a and a heat dissipation area 26b. The installation area 26a is where the light source 21 (its substrate 32) is installed and is a flat plate perpendicular to the axial direction. The light source housing 25, which consists of a lower member 25a and an upper member 25b fitted together, is attached to the installation area 26a via a pair of mounting pieces 27 positioned to sandwich the light source 21 in the width direction. The heat dissipation area 26b has a plurality of heat dissipation fins 26c that are provided continuously with the installation area 26a. The heat dissipation area 26b mainly dissipates the heat generated by the light source 21 installed in the installation area 26a to the outside through each heat dissipation fin 26c.

[0017] The light source unit 21 includes a light source 31 and a substrate 32 on which it is mounted. The light source 31 is composed of a light-emitting element such as an LED (Light Emitting Diode), and in Embodiment 1, it emits amber-colored light (amber light) in a Lambertsian distribution centered on the emission optical axis. The light source 31 is not limited to the configuration of Embodiment 1, and the color (wavelength band), distribution pattern, number of colors, etc., can be set as appropriate.

[0018] As shown in Figure 5, the light source 31 of Example 1 has a first light source 31A and a second light source 31B, which have identical configurations. Each light source 31 has two LED chips 31a arranged in parallel in the width direction and a phosphor 31b covering each of them, and light from each LED chip 31a is emitted as amber light by passing through the phosphor 31b. Therefore, in each light source 31, the phosphor 31b functions as a light-emitting surface. In each light source 31, the phosphor 31b is a long rectangle in the width direction, and the emission light axis 31L is set extending axially from its center. When describing this emission light axis 31L individually below, the one of the first light source 31A will be referred to as the first emission light axis 31LA, and the one of the second light source 31B will be referred to as the second emission light axis 31LB.

[0019] The first light source 31A and the second light source 31B are arranged on the substrate 32 at intervals in the width direction, parallel to each other, above the straight line extending in the width direction including the lamp unit axis A2, where each phosphor 31b is located. The first light source 31A is configured such that the first condensing lens axis A5 of the condensing lens 22, described later, is located on the phosphor 31b, and in Embodiment 1, the first condensing lens axis A5 is positioned on the lamp unit axis A2 side with respect to the first light output axis 31LA. More specifically, the first light source 31A is positioned such that the first light output axis 31LA is located above the first condensing lens axis A5 in the vertical direction and on the outside in the width direction (away from the lamp unit axis A2). The second light source 31B is configured such that the second condensing lens axis A6 of the condensing lens 22, as described later, is located on the phosphor 31b. In Embodiment 1, the second condensing lens axis A6 is positioned on the lamp unit axis A2 side with respect to the second light output axis 31LB. More specifically, the second light source 31B is configured such that the second light output axis 31LB is located above the second condensing lens axis A6 in the vertical direction and on the outside in the width direction (away from the lamp unit axis A2).

[0020] The circuit board 32 is attached to the installation location 26a of the mounting base 26, and both light sources 31 are mounted in the positional relationship described above. The circuit board 32 is equipped with a lighting control circuit, from which power is supplied as needed to light up both light sources 31. As described above, the circuit board 32 is positioned on the rear end side of the light source housing 25 (the end on the mounting base 26 side in the axial direction) when the light source housing 25 is connected to the installation location 26a, and is axially opposite the condensing lens 22 (its incident surface 33) housed in the light source housing 25.

[0021] The condensing lens 22 focuses the light emitted from the light source unit 21 and concentrates the light onto the shade 23. The condensing lens 22 has an incident surface 33 facing the light source unit 21 and an exit surface 34 facing the opposite side. In the condensing lens 22 of Embodiment 1, the incident surface 33 and the exit surface 34 are made of free-form surfaces and are optically configured so that the light emitted from the light source unit 21, i.e., the first light source 31A and the second light source 31B, forms a desired light beam distribution on the shade 23. The optical configuration of the condensing lens 22 will be described later.

[0022] The shade 23 is an example of a light-shielding member that partially allows light from the light source 31, which is focused by the light-gathering lens 22, to pass through, thereby forming an illumination pattern Pi. As shown in Figure 1, the illumination pattern Pi consists of three illumination patterns Di aligned at approximately equal intervals in the direction away from the vehicle 1. Here, when each illumination pattern Di is shown individually, the one furthest from the vehicle 1 is designated as the first illumination pattern Di1, and as it approaches the vehicle 1, they are designated as the second illumination pattern Di2, the third illumination pattern Di3, and so on. Therefore, in the illumination pattern Pi, the first illumination pattern Di1 is the far-field illumination pattern, the third illumination pattern Di3 is the near-field illumination pattern, and the second illumination pattern Di2, which is in between, is the intermediate illumination pattern. In Embodiment 1, each illumination pattern Di is represented by a V-shaped symbol that opens wide, and the first illumination pattern Di1 is slightly larger than the other two illumination patterns Di2 and Li3.

[0023] The direction in which the vertices of the V-shape of each illumination pattern Di are aligned is defined as the arrow direction Da, and the side it points to (the side of the first illumination pattern Di1) is defined as the front side of the arrow direction Da. The illumination pattern Pi is made to appear as an arrow pointing to the arrow direction Da from the vehicle 1 by arranging the three illumination patterns Di. On the road surface 2, which is the projection surface, the illumination pattern Pi is made so that the first illumination pattern Di1, the second illumination pattern Di2, and the third illumination pattern Di3 are elongated in a direction perpendicular to the arrow direction Da.

[0024] As shown in Figure 6, the shade 23 has a shade portion 35 and a shade frame portion 36. The shade frame portion 36 is a roughly circular frame that surrounds the shade portion 35 and can be fitted into the shade groove of the light source housing 25, thereby being attached to the light source housing 25. In Embodiment 1, the shade frame portion 36 has its upper and lower ends in the vertical direction partially cut out in the width direction. In the shade 23, a shade reference point Ps (light shielding reference point) is set at the center of the shade portion 35, and the line passing through the shade reference point Ps and perpendicular to the shade portion 35 is defined as the shade reference axis A3. When the shade frame portion 36 of the shade 23 is attached to the light source housing 25, the shade reference axis A3 coincides with the lamp unit axis A2, and the shade reference point Ps is positioned on the lamp unit axis A2.

[0025] The shade portion 35 is basically formed of a plate-shaped member that blocks the transmission of light, and an irradiation slit 37 is provided by partially cutting out and penetrating this member. The irradiation slit 37 corresponds to the irradiation pattern Pi, and by partially passing light from the light source 31 focused by the condensing lens 22 through it, the irradiation pattern Pi is shaped into a predetermined shape. In Embodiment 1, the irradiation slit 37 is composed of three slit portions 38.

[0026] These three slit sections 38 correspond one-to-one with the three illumination patterns Di. Since the projection lens 24 inverts the shade 23 (illumination slit 37) and projects onto the road surface 2, each slit section 38 is in a positional relationship that is rotationally symmetrical with respect to the positional relationship of each illumination pattern Di of the illumination pattern Pi, with respect to the shade reference axis A3 (lamp unit axis A2) (see Figures 1, 6, etc.). For this reason, the lowest first slit section 381 in the vertical direction is the far slit section corresponding to the first illumination pattern Di1 (far illumination pattern) of the illumination pattern Pi. The second slit section 382 above it is the intermediate slit section corresponding to the second illumination pattern Di2 (intermediate illumination pattern). And the uppermost third slit section 383 is the near slit section corresponding to the third illumination pattern Di3 (near illumination pattern). In the shade 23 of Embodiment 1, in the vertical direction, the third slit portion 383 is provided above the lamp unit axis A2, below it is the second slit portion 382 which straddles the horizontal line including the lamp unit axis A2, and below that is the first slit portion 381. Light transmitted through this shade 23 (each slit portion 38 of the illumination slit 37) is projected onto the road surface 2 by the projection lens 24.

[0027] Each of the slit sections 38 is shaped like a V-shape that opens wide, similar to the corresponding illumination pattern Di, and is inverted vertically and horizontally relative to each illumination pattern Di. The position, shape, size, and spacing of the three slit sections 38 on the shade section 35 are set according to the distance to the road surface 2, so that each illumination pattern Di on the road surface 2 is the size and spacing shown in Figure 1. In detail, the lamp unit 20 (vehicle light fixture 10) is installed at a position higher than the road surface 2, and each illumination pattern Di is formed on the road surface 2 in the direction of the arrow Da, so the distance to the position on the road surface 2 where each corresponding illumination pattern Di is formed is different for each slit section 38. For this reason, the position, shape, size, and spacing of each slit section 38 are set according to the distance from the light that passes through it until each illumination pattern Di is projected onto the road surface 2 by the projection lens 24. Specifically, in Embodiment 1, the first slit portion 381 is shaped like a thin V-shape, the second slit portion 382 is shaped like a V-shape that is thicker than the first slit portion 381, and the third slit portion 383 is shaped like a V-shape that is thicker than the second slit portion 382, ​​and each is elongated in the width direction compared to the corresponding illumination pattern Di.

[0028] Thus, the three slit sections 38 are of different sizes and spacings from each other, unlike each illumination pattern Di. In each slit section 38, the reduction ratio with respect to the corresponding illumination pattern Di is smallest in the first slit section 381, and when the light that passes through is projected onto the road surface 2, it is magnified at the largest magnification rate to form the first illumination pattern Di1. In addition, in each slit section 38, the reduction ratio with respect to the corresponding illumination pattern Di is largest in the third slit section 383, and when the light that passes through is projected onto the road surface 2, it is magnified at the smallest magnification rate to form the third illumination pattern Di3. Note that in the shade 23, the shade reference point Ps (light shielding reference point) may be set at approximately the center position of the illumination slit 37 (three slit sections 38), and the configuration is not limited to that of Embodiment 1.

[0029] As shown in Figure 4, the projection lens 24 is basically a convex lens. In Embodiment 1, the incident surface 24a and the exit surface 24b are convex free-form surfaces, and the lower side in the vertical direction is cut out. The projection lens 24 projects the illumination slits 37 (each slit portion 38) of the shade 23, thereby forming an illumination pattern Pi (see Figure 1) on the road surface 2. Note that the incident surface 24a and the exit surface 24b can be convex or concave, as long as the projection lens 24 is a convex lens, and are not limited to the configuration of Embodiment 1.

[0030] In this projection lens 24, the projection reference focal point Fb is set on the lamp unit axis A2 and near the shade reference point Ps of the shade 23. This projection reference focal point Fb is the point where light parallel to the projection lens axis A4 of the projection lens 24 is focused when incident from the exit surface 24b side, when the incident surface 24a and the exit surface 24b are set to a reference curved surface. In the projection lens 24, the center line when the incident surface 24a and the exit surface 24b are set to a reference curved surface is the projection lens axis A4. Here, since the incident surface 24a and the exit surface 24b are freeform surfaces based on this reference curved surface, the light is not necessarily focused only at the projection reference focal point Fb. In this projection lens 24, the incident range Ri from the projection reference focal point Fb is set to within 35 degrees centered on the projection lens axis A4. The size (angle) of this incident range Ri can be set as appropriate and is not limited to the configuration of Embodiment 1.

[0031] The projection lens 24 is positioned rotated (tilted) downward from the lamp unit axis A2, with a center of rotation on a line extending in the width direction while passing through its projection reference focal point Fb. In Embodiment 1, the projection lens axis A4 is at a downward angle of 20 degrees with respect to the lamp unit axis A2. The projection lens 24 is not limited to the configuration of Embodiment 1, as long as it is positioned rotated downward from the lamp unit axis A2 with respect to the projection reference focal point Fb set in the above position. Preferably, the angle of the projection lens axis A4 with respect to the lamp unit axis A2 is in the range of 15 to 20 degrees.

[0032] As described above, the projection lens 24 has its projection reference focal point Fb on the lamp unit axis A2 and is located near the shade reference point Ps of the shade 23. Therefore, according to its own optical settings, it can form an image of the illumination slit 37 (each slit portion 38) of the shade 35 on the projection lens axis A4 in the state with the least aberration. For this reason, the projection lens 24 can project the light that has passed through the illumination slit 37 (each slit portion 38) of the shade 23, which has the light beam distribution described later, onto the area around the position where it intersects with the projection lens axis A4 on the road surface 2.

[0033] The projection lens 24 has a lower end cut out in the vertical direction to form a lower end surface 24c, and a curved surface 24d formed on a side adjacent to the lower end surface 24c. The lower end surface 24c and the curved surface 24d are formed by partially cutting out the parts of the projection lens 24 that interfere with the light source housing 25 (lower member 25a). The lower end surface 24c is a flat surface at a position approximately equal to the lower end of the shade 23 in the vertical direction, and the curved surface 24d is a curved surface that follows the inner surface of the light source housing 25 (lower member 25a). As a result, the projection lens 24 can be housed inside the light source housing 25. This is because, as described above, the projection lens 24 is positioned rotated below the lamp unit axis A2, and if the lower end surface 24c and the curved surface 24d were not provided, it would interfere with the cylindrical light source housing 25. When the projection lens 24 is fitted into the condensing lens groove of the light source housing 25, it is mounted to the light source housing 25 with the projection lens axis A4 tilted downward relative to the lamp unit axis A2, as described above, and is in the same positional relationship with respect to the shade 23 fitted into the shade groove of the light source housing 25.

[0034] Next, the optical settings of the condensing lens 22 will be explained using Figures 7 to 15. Figures 11 to 15 show the illuminated areas with varying colors according to differences in light beam density, and are represented like contour lines, with brightness increasing towards the center of the area.

[0035] As shown in Figure 4, the condensing lens 22 has a central portion of the incident surface 33 that is concave inward (opposite to the light source 21), and has a curved incident surface portion 41 that is curved outward at its center, and an annular incident surface portion 42 surrounding it. In addition, a frustoconical reflective surface 43 is provided around the incident surface 33, surrounding the annular incident surface portion 42.

[0036] The curved incident surface 41 faces the light source 21 in the axial direction, that is, in the direction in which the condensing lens axis extends (the condensing lens axis direction), and the light source 21 is positioned near the condensing reference focal point Fc on the condensing lens axis (the first condensing lens axis A5 and the second condensing lens axis A6, described later) (see Figures 5, 9, 10, etc.). This condensing reference focal point Fc is the point where light parallel to the condensing lens axis is collected when it passes through the curved incident surface 41 from the exit surface 34 side, when the curved incident surface 41 is set as the reference curved surface. Here, the curved incident surface 41 is a free-form surface based on the reference curved surface, and even if parallel light as described above is incident from the exit surface 34 side, not all of the light beam necessarily passes through the condensing reference focal point Fc.

[0037] The curved incident surface 41 causes light emitted from the light source 21 to enter the condensing lens 22 as light traveling forward in the axial direction. The annular incident surface 42 is provided protruding toward the light source 21, and causes light from the light source 21 that does not travel toward the curved incident surface 41 to enter the condensing lens 22. The reflective surface 43 is formed at a position where light that has entered the condensing lens 22 from the annular incident surface 42 travels. When the reflective surface 43 reflects the light that has entered from the annular incident surface 42, it becomes light traveling forward in the axial direction. The reflective surface 43 may reflect light using total internal reflection, or it may reflect light by bonding aluminum, silver, etc., to it by vapor deposition or painting. Therefore, in the condensing lens 22, at the incident surface 33, light that has passed through the curved incident surface portion 41 becomes direct light that goes directly toward the exit surface 34, and light that has passed through the annular incident surface portion 42 and been reflected by the reflective surface 43 is reflected internally before becoming reflected light that goes toward the exit surface 34.

[0038] The emission surface 34 causes the light incident from the incident surface 33 to be emitted forward in the axial direction. By focusing the light incident from the incident surface 33, the emission surface 34 directs it to the region in the shade portion 35 of the shade 23 where the irradiation slits 37 (each slit portion 38) are provided.

[0039] The condensing lens 22, in a cross-section including the axial and width directions, concentrates the light from the light source unit 21 between the emission surface 34 and the shade 23, so that the light beam passing near the lamp unit axis A2 approaches the lamp unit axis A2, while making the light beam passing at positions away from the lamp unit axis A2 parallel. In other words, in a cross-section, the condensing lens 22 maximizes the density of the light beam on the lamp unit axis A2, while gradually decreasing the density of the light beam as it moves away from the lamp unit axis A2.

[0040] Furthermore, the condensing lens 22 concentrates the light from the light source 21 into the irradiation slits 37 (each slit portion 38) in a vertical cross-section including the axial direction and the vertical direction. The condensing lens 22 tilts the optical path leading to the shade 23, that is, the optical path from the condensing reference focal point Fc that proceeds from the emission surface 34 to the shade 23 (the manner in which the light beam emitted from the light source 21 passes through the condensing reference focal point Fc and is concentrated onto the shade 23 from the emission surface 34), downwards from its own condensing lens axis (the first condensing lens axis A5 and the second condensing lens axis A6, described later), so that it moves downwards as it proceeds forward in the axial direction.

[0041] In detail, as shown in Figure 9, the condensing lens 22 focuses the light beam incident from the curved incident surface 41 onto the shade 23 at a position below the condensing lens axis (the first condensing lens axis A5 and the second condensing lens axis A6, which will be described later). Here, in the condensing lens 22, the light beam that has passed through the curved incident surface 41 is mainly directed toward the inner exit surface 53 of the exit surface 34, which will be described later. For this reason, the condensing lens 22 tilts the optical path from the condensing reference focal point Fc downwards, as shown in Figure 9, mainly by setting the curvature of the curved incident surface 41 and the inner exit surface 53.

[0042] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 10, the condensing lens 22 focuses the light beam that passes through the condensing reference focal point Fc, which is incident from the annular incident surface 42 and then reflected by the reflective surface 43, onto the shade 23 at a position below the condensing lens axis (A5, A6). In this case, the condensing lens 22 primarily directs the light beam that has passed through the annular incident surface 42 and reflected by the reflective surface 43 towards the outer exit surface 54 of the exit surface 34, which will be described later. For this reason, the condensing lens 22 tilts the optical path from the condensing reference focal point Fc shown in Figure 10 downwards by mainly setting the curvature of the reflective surface 43 and the outer exit surface 54.

[0043] Thus, the condensing lens 22 tilts the optical path from the condensing reference focal point Fc downwards by setting the curvature of the incident surface 33 and the exit surface 34. In particular, the condensing lens 22 of Embodiment 1 has its condensing lens axis (A5, A6) positioned below the respective exit optical axis 31L of both light sources 31 of the light source unit 21 in the vertical direction (see Figures 4, 5, etc.), so it can assist in tilting the optical path (light beam) emitted from the light source unit 21 located near the condensing reference focal point Fc downwards relative to the condensing lens axis. This is because, since the light-emitting surfaces (phosphor 31b) of both light sources 31 of the light source unit 21 have a predetermined area, the condensing lens 22 can effectively utilize the light from both light sources 31 while displacing (adjusting) the irradiation area on the shade 23 in the vertical direction by changing (adjusting) the vertical position of the condensing lens axis relative to each exit optical axis 31L.

[0044] As shown in Figures 7 and 8, the focusing lens 22 is symmetrical with respect to a plane perpendicular to the width direction, including the lamp unit axis A2. One side in the width direction is the first lens portion 44, and the other side in the width direction is the second lens portion 45. Therefore, in Embodiment 1, when viewing the focusing lens 22 and shade 23 from the light source 21 side (as shown in Figures 6 and 8), the left side in the width direction is one side, and the right side in the width direction is the other side. Note that this one side and the other side can be set as appropriate and is not limited to the configuration of Embodiment 1. Accordingly, the curved incident surface portion 41 has a first curved incident surface portion 46 provided on the first lens portion 44 and a second curved incident surface portion 47 provided on the second lens portion 45. The annular incident surface portion 42 has a first annular incident surface portion 48 provided on the first lens portion 44 and a second annular incident surface portion 49 provided on the second lens portion 45. Furthermore, the reflective surface 43 includes a first reflective surface 51 provided on the first lens portion 44 and a second reflective surface 52 provided on the second lens portion 45.

[0045] As shown in Figure 8, the first curved incident surface 46, the first annular incident surface 48, and the first reflective surface 51 are annular in shape with an axis centered on a line located above the lamp unit axis A2 in the vertical direction and on one side (left) in the width direction, and this axis is defined as the first condensing lens axis A5 of the first lens section 44. The second curved incident surface 47, the second annular incident surface 49, and the second reflective surface 52 are annular in shape with an axis centered on a line located above the lamp unit axis A2 in the vertical direction and on the other side (right) in the width direction, and this axis is defined as the second condensing lens axis A6 of the second lens section 45. The condensing lens 22 is configured such that the first condensing lens axis A5 and the second condensing lens axis A6 are aligned in the width direction above the lamp unit axis A2 in the vertical direction. The first lens section 44 is positioned relative to the first light source 31A such that its first condensing lens axis A5 is on the phosphor 31b of the first light source 31A and is located below its first emission light axis 31LA in the vertical direction and on the inside in the width direction (towards the lamp unit axis A2). The second lens section 45 is positioned relative to the second light source 31B such that its second condensing lens axis A6 is on the phosphor 31b of the second light source 31B and is located below its second emission light axis 31LB in the vertical direction and on the inside in the width direction (towards the lamp unit axis A2).

[0046] As shown in Figure 7, the condensing lens 22 has an inner exit surface portion 53 and an outer exit surface portion 54 as the exit surface 34, each having a different optical setting. The inner exit surface portion 53 is located near the center of the exit surface 34 and is provided in the region where light mainly travels after passing through the curved incident surface portion 41. The inner exit surface portion 53 is recessed inward (towards the incident surface 33 (rear side in the axial direction)) of the condensing lens 22 compared to the outer exit surface portion 54. The inner exit surface portion 53 of Embodiment 1 has a first inner exit surface portion 55 provided on the first lens portion 44 facing the first curved incident surface portion 46 in the axial direction, and a second inner exit surface portion 56 provided on the second lens portion 45 facing the second curved incident surface portion 47 in the axial direction. The first inner exit surface 55 and the second inner exit surface 56 form an integrated free-form surface to constitute the inner exit surface 53. This inner exit surface 53 refracts the light that has passed through the first curved incident surface 46 and the second curved incident surface 47, and propagates it forward in the axial direction, so that on the shade 23 (each slit portion 38 of the shade portion 35), multiple light distribution images of the light source 21, i.e., both light sources 31, are appropriately superimposed at positions according to the optical characteristics. These optical characteristics can be set by adjusting the curvature (surface shape) of the inner exit surface 53 together with the curved incident surface 41 at each location, and in Embodiment 1, the curvature is set by gradually changing it.

[0047] The inner emission surface portion 53 appropriately refracts the light emitted from both light sources 31 and passing through the first curved incident surface portion 46, illuminating the shade 23 and forming the first region a1 shown in Figure 11. This first region a1 illuminates the entire area of ​​the first slit portion 381, while increasing the luminous flux density over the entire area of ​​the right side of the first slit portion 381 in Figure 11, i.e., the other half in the width direction. Here, since the first curved incident surface portion 46 is provided on one side in the width direction, the light that passes through the first curved incident surface portion 46 increases the luminous flux density on the half in the width direction opposite to the side on which the first curved incident surface portion 46 is provided. In Embodiment 1, the first region a1 has a high luminous flux density that extends beyond the shade center line Sc, which includes the lamp unit axis A2 and extends vertically, to a part of one side in the width direction, and the area around the shade center line Sc in the first slit portion 381 also has a high luminous flux density.

[0048] Furthermore, the inner emission surface 53 appropriately refracts the light emitted from both light sources 31 and passing through the second curved incidence surface 47, illuminating the shade 23 and forming the second region a2 shown in Figure 12. This second region a2 illuminates the entire area of ​​the first slit portion 381, while increasing the luminous flux density over the entire area of ​​the left half of the first slit portion 381 in Figure 12, i.e., one half in the width direction. Here, since the second curved incidence surface 47 is provided on the other side in the width direction, the light that passes through the second curved incidence surface 47 increases the luminous flux density on the half in the width direction opposite to the side on which the second curved incidence surface 47 is provided. In Embodiment 1, the second region a2 extends beyond the shade center line Sc to a part of the other side in the width direction, and the luminous flux density is also increased around the shade center line Sc in the first slit portion 381.

[0049] As shown in Figure 7, the outer emission surface portion 54 is provided in the region surrounding the inner emission surface portion 53, and is located in the region where light from both light sources 31, via the annular incident surface portion 42 and reflected by the reflective surface 43, propagates. The outer emission surface portion 54 is located (protrudes) further outward (towards the front in the axial direction) on the condensing lens 22 than the inner emission surface portion 53. The outer emission surface portion 54 of Embodiment 1 has a first outer emission surface portion 57 provided on the first lens portion 44 facing the first reflective surface 51 in the axial direction, and a second outer emission surface portion 58 provided on the second lens portion 45 facing the second reflective surface 52 in the axial direction. The first outer emission surface portion 57 mainly emits light from the light source portion 21 (both light sources 31) that has entered the condensing lens 22 from the first annular incident surface portion 48 and been reflected by the first reflective surface 51. Furthermore, the second outer emission surface portion 58 primarily emits light from the light source portion 21 (both light sources 31) that has entered the condensing lens 22 from the second annular incident surface portion 49 and been reflected by the second reflective surface 52.

[0050] The first outer emission surface portion 57 and the second outer emission surface portion 58 are formed as an integrated free-form surface to constitute the outer emission surface portion 54. This outer emission surface portion 54 refracts the light reflected by the first reflective surface 51 and the second reflective surface 52 and propels it forward in the axial direction, forming multiple light distribution images of the light source portion 21, i.e., both light sources 31, appropriately superimposed on the shade 23 (each slit portion 38 of the shade portion 35) at positions according to the optical characteristics. These optical characteristics can be set by adjusting the curvature (surface shape) of the outer emission surface portion 54 together with the reflective surface 43 at each location, and in Embodiment 1, the curvature is set by gradually changing it.

[0051] The first outer emission surface 57 refracts the light emitted from both light sources 31, which has passed through the first annular incident surface 48 and been reflected by the first reflective surface 51, thereby illuminating the shade 23 and forming the third region a3 shown in Figure 13. This third region a3 illuminates the entire left half, or one half in the width direction, of the three slit portions 38 in Figure 13. Here, since the first outer emission surface 57 and the first annular incident surface 48 are located on one side in the width direction, the light that has passed through them illuminates half of each slit portion 38 on the side in the width direction on which it is located. In Embodiment 1, the third region a3 extends beyond the shade center line Sc to a part of the other side in the width direction, and also illuminates the area around the shade center line Sc in the three slit portions 38.

[0052] Furthermore, the second outer emission surface 58 refracts the light emitted from both light sources 31, which has passed through the second annular incident surface 49 and been reflected by the second reflective surface 52, to the shade 23, thereby illuminating it and forming the fourth region a4 shown in Figure 14. This fourth region a4 illuminates the entire right half, or the other half in the width direction, of the three slit portions 38 in Figure 14. Here, since the second outer emission surface 58, the second annular incident surface 49, and the second reflective surface 52 are located on the other side in the width direction, the light that has passed through them illuminates half of each slit portion 38 on the side in the width direction on which it is located. In Embodiment 1, the fourth region a4 extends beyond the shade center line Sc to a part of one side in the width direction, and also illuminates the area around the shade center line Sc in the three slit portions 38.

[0053] Based on these considerations, the focusing lens 22 can form an illumination region ai on the shade 23 shown in Figure 15 using light emitted from both light sources 31 of the light source unit 21. This illumination region ai is a superposition of the four regions (a1 to a4) described above, and the three slit sections 381, 382, ​​and 383 are illuminated overall, with the light flux density being highest near the apex of the first slit section 381 and gradually decreasing as you move away from it. In detail, the illumination region ai has a high light flux density from near the apex of the first slit section 381 to near both ends in the width direction, and a high light flux density from near the apex of the second slit section 382 to the middle position in the width direction. As a result, the focusing lens 22 can form a desired light flux distribution on the shade 23, making the brightness of each illumination pattern Di projected onto the road surface 2 as desired, and forming the intended illumination pattern Pi. The illumination pattern Pi of Example 1 emphasizes the direction of the arrow Da by making the area near the vertex of the first illumination pattern Di1 the brightest while illuminating each illumination pattern Di throughout.

[0054] Furthermore, the condensing lens 22 of Example 1 extends the areas of high luminous flux density to the opposite side of the shade center line Sc for both the first region a1 and the second region a2, and also extends the areas of the third region a3 and the fourth region a4 to the opposite side of the shade center line Sc. As a result, when the four regions (a1 to a4) are formed, the condensing lens 22 can be superimposed without gaps and the luminous flux density on the shade center line Sc can be increased. In particular, since the condensing lens 22 of Example 1 has its condensing lens axes (A5, A6) positioned inward in the width direction from the respective output optical axes 31L of both light sources 31 of the light source unit 21, it can assist in appropriately superimposing the four regions (a1 to a4) on the shade center line Sc. This is because the focusing lens 22 can adjust the position of the illumination area on the shade 23 in the width direction by adjusting the position of the focusing lens axis in the width direction relative to each emitted optical axis 31L, and by positioning the focusing lens axes (A5, A6) inward in the width direction, it can extend to the opposite side beyond the shade center line Sc. This adjustment is particularly effective in setting the position in the width direction of the areas with high luminous flux density in the first region a1 and the second region a2.

[0055] In this condensing lens 22, the flange portions provided at both ends in the width direction can be fitted into the condensing lens groove of the light source housing 25. When the flange portions of the condensing lens 22 are fitted into the condensing lens groove, the positional relationship of the condensing lens 22 with respect to the light source unit 21 is set such that the two first condensing lens axes A5 and the second condensing lens axis A6 are in the positional relationship described above with respect to the respective light output axes 31L. In this condensing lens 22, the first light source 31A and the second light source 31B are positioned inside the annular incident surface portion 42, facing the curved incident surface portion 41 in the axial direction, while the first light source 31A and the second light source 31B are positioned slightly above the condensing lens axes (A5, A6).

[0056] The lamp unit 20 is assembled as follows. First, both light sources 31 are mounted on the circuit board 32 to form the light source unit 21, which is then fixed to the mounting location 26a of the mounting base 26. Next, in the lower member 25a of the light source housing 25, the condensing lens 22 is fitted into the condensing lens groove, the shade 23 is fitted into the shade groove, and the projection lens 24 is fitted into the projection lens groove. Then, the upper member 25b is fitted onto the lower member 25a to form the light source housing 25, which is then attached to the mounting base 26 via the mounting pieces 27. As a result, the condensing lens 22, the shade 23, and the projection lens 24 are housed in the light source housing 25, and the light source unit 21 is provided facing the condensing lens 22. As a result, the condensing lens 22, shade 23, and projection lens 24 are arranged in order from the light source 21 side along the lamp unit axis A2, and the projection lens 24 is positioned with its projection lens axis A4 tilted downwards with respect to the lamp unit axis A2, and the lamp unit 20 is assembled in this manner. In this lamp unit 20, the light source 21 (its first light output axis 31LA, second light output axis 31LB) and the condensing lens 22 (its first condensing lens axis A5, second condensing lens axis A6) are located above the lamp unit axis A2 in the vertical direction (see Figure 4, etc.).

[0057] As shown in Figure 2, the lamp unit 20 is fixed to the lamp housing 11 in the lamp chamber 14, with the lamp unit axis A2 parallel to the signal light unit axis A1 of the signal light unit 13 and adjacent to the lower side of the signal light unit 13. This allows the vehicle lighting fixture 10 to be assembled. In this vehicle lighting fixture 10, the signal light unit axis A1 and the lamp unit axis A2 are parallel to the road surface 2, and in the lamp unit 20, the projection lens 24 is provided with the projection lens axis A4 tilted downward with respect to the lamp unit axis A2.

[0058] Next, the operation of the vehicle lighting fixture 10 will be explained. In the vehicle lighting fixture 10, the signal light unit 13 can be turned on and off as needed by supplying power from the lighting control circuit to the light sources. Also, in the vehicle lighting fixture 10, the lamp unit 20 can be turned on and off as needed by supplying power from the lighting control circuit to both light sources 31 from the circuit board 32. The vehicle lighting fixture 10 links the signal light unit 13 and the lamp unit 20, so when the signal light unit 13 flashes, both light sources 31 are turned on in accordance with the flashing. Then, in the lamp unit 20, the light from both light sources 31 is focused by the condensing lens 22 and illuminates the shade 23, passes through the illumination slits 37 (each slit portion 38), and is projected by the projection lens 24, forming an illumination pattern Pi on the road surface 2. Thus, in the lamp unit 20, the projection lens 24 (its emission surface 24b) functions as a light-emitting part that emits light when viewed from the periphery. The illumination pattern Pi is formed when the light with the above-described luminous flux distribution passes through the illumination slits 37 (each of the slit portions 38) of the shade 23 and is then projected by the projection lens 24, so that three illumination patterns Di are arranged in the direction of the arrow Da.

[0059] Therefore, the vehicle light fixture 10 can show people around vehicle 1 the flashing of the signal light emitter 16 of the signal light unit 13 and the flashing of the three illumination patterns Di arranged in the direction of the arrow Da on the nearby road surface 2, thereby improving the visibility of the turn lamp. This is particularly effective because it allows people in positions where it is difficult to directly see the signal light emitter 16, such as people in a different alley from vehicle 1 at an intersection in an alley with poor visibility, or people attempting to overtake vehicle 1 from behind, to see the illumination pattern Pi on the road surface 2. In addition, when vehicle 1 turns on its hazard lamps, the two vehicle light fixtures 10 on the left and right are turned on simultaneously, that is, the signal light emitters 16 of the left and right signal light units 13 are turned on, and both lamp units 20 form both illumination patterns Pi on the road surface 2 so that they spread to the left and right. Therefore, compared to the case where only the signal light units 13, which function as left and right turn signals, are flashing, vehicle 1 can more reliably recognize that the hazard lights are on.

[0060] The operation of the lamp unit 20 will now be explained. The lamp unit 20 is equipped with a single focusing lens 22 that guides light from each of the two light sources (31A and 31B) inward from the incident surface 33 and emits it from the exit surface 34. Furthermore, in the focusing lens 22 of the lamp unit 20, light emitted from both light sources 31 in a direction substantially along their respective exit optical axes 31L is incident from the curved incident surface portion 41 of the incident surface 33, while light emitted from both light sources 31 in a direction spreading outward (with a large angle relative to each exit optical axis 31L) is incident from the annular incident surface portion 42 of the incident surface 33 and reflected by the reflective surface 43. For this reason, even though the lamp unit 20 uses a single focusing lens 22 for both light sources 31, it can efficiently utilize the light emitted from both light sources 31.

[0061] Furthermore, in the lamp unit 20, the light incident from the curved incident surface 41 and the light incident from the annular incident surface 42 and reflected by the reflective surface 43 form different regions (a1 to a4) in the condensing lens 22, and these are combined to form the illumination region ai. Therefore, even with a single condensing lens 22, the lamp unit 20 can utilize the difference between the two optical paths (a total of four optical paths) to form different regions (a1 to a4) and create an illumination region ai with a desired luminous flux distribution. As a result, the lamp unit 20 can easily adjust the luminous flux distribution on the shade 23, and the resulting illumination pattern Pi can have a desired brightness distribution.

[0062] Furthermore, the lamp unit 20 is positioned such that the light source unit 21 and the condensing lens 22 are located above the lamp unit axis A2, which is above the shade reference axis A3 of the shade 23. This allows the direction of light propagation from the light source unit 21 to the illumination slits 37 (each slit portion 38) of the shade 23 to be directed downward. As a result, the lamp unit 20 can assist in the optical setting of the condensing lens 22 (tilting the optical path from the condensing reference focal point Fc downwards relative to its own condensing lens axis) by adjusting the positional relationship between the light source unit 21 and the condensing lens 22 relative to the shade 23. This reduces the amount of adjustment required for the curvature of the incident surface 33 and the exit surface 34 for the optical setting of the condensing lens 22, allowing the optical path from the condensing lens 22 to the shade 23 to be appropriately set with a simpler configuration. Therefore, the lamp unit 20 can form a desired luminous flux distribution on the shade 23, and the brightness distribution in the irradiation pattern Pi can be set to the desired value. Furthermore, even if the lamp unit axis A2 is parallel to the road surface 2, the irradiation pattern Pi can be appropriately formed on the road surface 2.

[0063] In addition, the lamp unit 20 positions the projection reference focal point Fb of the projection lens 24 on the lamp unit axis A2 and near the shade reference point Ps of the shade 23, and rotates the projection lens 24 around the projection reference focal point Fb to tilt the projection lens axis A4 downward with respect to the lamp unit axis A2. As a result, the lamp unit 20 can project onto the projection lens axis A4 the image of each slit portion 38 illuminated by light from the light source 31 in the shade 23 (its shade portion 35). At this time, since the lamp unit 20 positions the projection reference focal point Fb near the shade reference point Ps of the shade 23, the projection lens 24 can project onto the projection lens axis A4 the image of the area near the shade reference point Ps, i.e., each slit portion 38, illuminated, in the state with the least aberration according to the optical settings. As a result, even if the lamp unit axis A2 of the lamp unit 2 is installed parallel to the road surface 2, the lamp unit 20 can appropriately form the illumination pattern Pi on the road surface 2 from a position higher than the road surface 2.

[0064] The lamp unit 20 has a projection lens 24 positioned with the projection lens axis A4 tilted downwards relative to the lamp unit axis A2, so that the lamp unit axis A2 is located within the incident range Ri from the projection reference focal point Fb. As a result, the lamp unit 20 is brightest in the direction along the lamp unit axis A2 of the light passing through each slit portion 38. Even with such light, the projection lens 24 can efficiently focus the light according to the optical settings, and the brightened appearance of each slit portion 38 can be appropriately projected onto the projection lens axis A4.

[0065] The lamp unit 20 is configured such that the respective output optical axes 31L of both light sources 31 are positioned above the condensing lens axes (A5, A6) of the condensing lens 22, and the condensing lens 22 and the light source unit 21 are installed in this configuration. As a result, the lamp unit 20 can also direct the direction of light propagation from both light sources 31 toward the condensing lens 22 downwards. This allows the lamp unit 20 to assist in the optical setting of the condensing lens 22 (tilting the optical path from the condensing reference focal point Fc downwards relative to its own condensing lens axis) by adjusting the positional relationship of the light source unit 21 toward the condensing lens 22. Therefore, the lamp unit 20 can reduce the amount of adjustment required for the curvature of the incident surface 33 and the output surface 34 for the optical setting of the condensing lens 22, and can appropriately set the optical path from the condensing lens 22 toward the shade 23 with a simpler configuration.

[0066] The lamp unit 20 has a symmetrical configuration in the condensing lens 22, with a first lens section 44 and a second lens section 45 adjacent to each other in the width direction. The lamp unit 20 has both lens sections (44, 45) that form different regions (a1 to a4) depending on whether the light incident from the curved incident surface section 41 (46, 47) or the light incident from the annular incident surface section 42 (48, 49) and reflected by the reflective surface 43 (51, 52), and these together form the illumination region ai. Therefore, even with a single condensing lens 22, the lamp unit 20 can form four different regions (a1 to a4) by utilizing the difference between the two optical paths (a total of four optical paths) in the two lens sections (44, 45), and can form an illumination region ai with a desired light beam distribution. In particular, the lamp unit 20 positions the first focusing lens axis A5 of the first lens section 44 on the phosphor 31b of the first light source 31A, and the second focusing lens axis A6 of the second lens section 45 on the phosphor 31b of the second light source 31B. Therefore, in addition to the differences in the four optical paths described above, the lamp unit 20 can set the differences (characteristics) of each region (a1 to a4) by utilizing the positions of both light sources 31 relative to the first lens section 44 and the second lens section 45, thus efficiently forming each region. As a result, the lamp unit 20 can easily adjust the luminous flux distribution on the shade 23, and the resulting illumination pattern Pi can be set to a desired brightness distribution.

[0067] The lamp unit 20 has two light sources 31, each having two LED chips 31a, arranged in parallel in the width direction, and the phosphor 31b is made long in the width direction. In the lamp unit 20, the focusing lens 22 focuses the light onto the shade portion 35 of the shade 23, concentrating it on the lamp unit axis A2 in the width direction while illuminating the illumination slit 37, and concentrating it on the illumination slit 37 in the vertical direction. Furthermore, the focusing lens 22 of the lamp unit 20 tilts the optical path from the focusing reference focal point Fc downwards from its own focusing lens axis. For this reason, in the lamp unit 20, the control of light from each light source 31 by the focusing lens 22 requires more precision in the vertical direction than in the width direction. In addition, by arranging the two LED chips 31a of each light source 31 in parallel in the width direction and making the phosphor 31b long in the width direction, the lamp unit 20 can suppress the increase in the size of the light emission area in the vertical direction for each light source 31. Therefore, the lamp unit 20 can control the light from each light source 31 with the focusing lens 22 suppressing the effects of aberrations in the vertical direction, thus enabling a more appropriate luminous flux distribution for each slit portion 38.

[0068] Here, conventional vehicle lighting fixtures described in prior art documents form an illumination pattern on the road surface by tilting the lamp unit axis of the lamp unit, which is a combination of a light source, a light-shielding member, and a projection lens, downward toward the road surface. For this reason, it is difficult to install conventional vehicle lighting fixtures by arranging the lamp unit alongside the signal light unit as a single lighting fixture. This will be explained using Figures 2 and 16. Here, the problem that arises from tilting the lamp unit is the same even in the vehicle lighting fixture 10 of Example 1, when the lamp unit 20 (lamp unit axis A2) is tilted relative to the signal light unit 13 (signal light unit axis A1). Therefore, in Figure 16, the signal light unit 13 and the lamp unit 20 are used, just as in Figure 2.

[0069] First, in vehicle lighting fixtures 10, when two units (signal light unit 13 and lamp unit 20) are installed together as a single lighting fixture, regulations stipulate that the distance between their respective light-emitting parts, namely the signal light light-emitting part 16 and the projection lens 24 (its emission surface 24b), must be less than or equal to a predetermined interval d (see Figure 2). This predetermined interval d is set at 75 mm. Here, since the signal light unit 13 is the part that directly shows the signal light light-emitting part 16, that is, the light emitted from it, to those in the surrounding area, the signal light unit axis A1 is installed parallel to the road surface 2. For this reason, in vehicle lighting fixtures 10, as shown by the dashed line in Figure 16, if the lamp unit 20 is tilted downwards, the tilted lamp unit 20 will interfere with the signal light unit 13. Furthermore, in the vehicle lighting fixture 10, as shown by the solid line in Figure 16, if the tilted lamp unit 20 is lowered to a position where it does not interfere with the signal light unit 13, the distance d' between the signal light light-emitting part 16 and the projection lens 24 (emitting surface 24b) becomes larger than the predetermined distance d. For this reason, conventional vehicle lighting fixtures, because the lamp unit is tilted, cannot meet regulations even if they are to be arranged together with the signal light unit as a single lighting fixture.

[0070] In contrast, the vehicle lighting fixture 10 is designed so that even if the lamp unit axis A2 is parallel to the road surface 2, the illumination pattern Pi can be formed on the road surface 2, by positioning the light source 21 and the focusing lens 22 of the lamp unit axis A2 above the lamp unit axis A2, and by tilting the projection lens 24 (projection lens axis A4) downwards around the projection reference focal point Fb. Therefore, as shown in Figure 2, the vehicle lighting fixture 10 can be installed with the lamp unit 20 and the signal light unit 13 side by side with the lamp unit axis A2 and the signal light unit axis A1 parallel, so that the signal light light source 16 and the projection lens 24 (emitting surface 24b) can be placed at a predetermined distance d (within legal limits). As a result, the vehicle lighting fixture 10 can combine the lamp unit 20 and the signal light unit 13 into a single lighting fixture, increasing the freedom of the position and manner of mounting on the vehicle 1 and improving usability.

[0071] The lamp unit 20 and vehicle lighting fixture 10 of Example 1 can provide the following effects and benefits.

[0072] The lamp unit 20 arranges a light source section 21 having multiple light sources 31, a condensing lens 22, a light shielding member (shade 23), and a projection lens 24 along the lamp unit axis A2. The lamp unit 20 also has a condensing lens 22 whose incident surface 33 has a curved incident surface portion 41 and an annular incident surface portion 42, and the condensing lens 22 has a reflective surface 43. The lamp unit 20 is arranged so that the multiple light sources 31 have their output optical axes 31L positioned above the lamp unit axis A2, and the condensing lens 22 has its condensing lens axes (first condensing lens axis A5, second condensing lens axis A6) positioned above the lamp unit axis A2. As a result, even if a single condensing lens 22 is used for multiple light sources 31, the lamp unit 20 can efficiently utilize the light emitted from each light source 31 and form a desired luminous flux distribution on the shade 23.

[0073] In the lamp unit 20, the projection lens 24 has a projection reference focal point Fb set on the lamp unit axis A2, and is positioned at a location rotated downward around the projection reference focal point Fb, so that the projection lens axis A4 is directed downward compared to the lamp unit axis A2. Therefore, even if the lamp unit axis A2 is set parallel to the road surface 2, the lamp unit 20 can project light through the irradiation slit 37 of the light-shielding member (shade 23) in the direction of the projection lens axis A4, and can form an irradiation pattern Pi on the road surface 2.

[0074] The lamp unit 20 is configured such that the optical path leading to the light-shielding member (shade 23) is tilted downward from the axis of the light-shielding lens 22. As a result, the lamp unit 20 can tilt the direction of propagation of the light (light beam) after passing through the light-shielding member downward as a whole, and in cooperation with the downward-tilted projection lens 24, it can more appropriately form the illumination pattern Pi on the road surface 2 on the projection lens axis A4.

[0075] The lamp unit 20 has a focusing lens 22 which has a first lens portion 44 in the width direction and a second lens portion 45 in the width direction. The first lens portion 44 has a first curved incident surface portion 46, a first annular incident surface portion 48 and a first reflective surface 51, and the second lens portion 45 has a second curved incident surface portion 47, a second annular incident surface portion 49 and a second reflective surface 52. The lamp unit 20 forms a first region a1 with light from each light source 31 passing through the first curved incident surface portion 46, and forms a second region a2 with light from each light source 31 passing through the second curved incident surface portion 47. Therefore, the lamp unit 20 can form two different regions (a1 and a2) by utilizing the difference between the two optical paths passing through the curved incident surface portions (46 and 47) of the two lens portions (44 and 45), and can increase the luminous flux density over the entire area below the irradiation slit 37.

[0076] The lamp unit 20 forms a third region a3 with light from each light source 31 reflected by the first reflective surface 51 through the first annular incident surface 48, and forms a fourth region a4 with light from each light source 31 reflected by the second reflective surface 52 through the second annular incident surface 49. Therefore, the lamp unit 20 can form two different regions (a3, a4) by utilizing the difference between the two optical paths passing through the annular incident surfaces (48, 49) and reflective surfaces (51, 52) in the two lens sections (44, 45), and can illuminate the entire area of ​​the irradiation slit 37. Furthermore, the lamp unit 20 can form four different regions (a1 to a4) by utilizing the differences between the four optical paths in the two lens sections (44, 45) as described above, and can form an irradiation region ai with a desired luminous flux distribution.

[0077] The lamp unit 20 has a first condensing lens axis A5 corresponding to the first lens section 44 and a second condensing lens axis A6 corresponding to the second lens section 45 as condensing lens axes, and has a plurality of light sources 31, including a first light source 31A whose light-emitting surface (phosphor 31b) is facing the first annular incident surface section 48 and a second light source 31B whose light-emitting surface (phosphor 31b) is facing the second annular incident surface section 49. The lamp unit 20 has the light-emitting surface (phosphor 31b) of the first light source 31A positioned on the first condensing lens axis A5 and the light-emitting surface (phosphor 31b) of the second light source 31B positioned on the second condensing lens axis A6. Therefore, the lamp unit 20 can efficiently form each region by using the differences (characteristics) of each region (a1 to a4) in addition to the differences of the four optical paths, by utilizing the positions of both light sources 31 relative to the first lens section 44 and the second lens section 45.

[0078] The lamp unit 20 positions the first light source 31A such that the first output light axis 31LA is positioned vertically above the first condensing lens axis A5, and the second light source 31B such that the second output light axis 31LB is positioned vertically above the second condensing lens axis A6. As a result, the lamp unit 20 can also direct the direction of light propagation from both light sources 31 toward the condensing lens 22 downwards, and the positional relationship of the light source 21 toward the condensing lens 22 can assist in the optical setting of the condensing lens 22 (tilting the optical path from the condensing reference focal point Fc downwards relative to its own condensing lens axis). This allows the lamp unit 20 to further reduce the amount of adjustment required for the curvature of the incident surface 33 and the output surface 34 for the optical setting of the condensing lens 22, and to appropriately set the optical path from the condensing lens 22 toward the shade 23 with a simpler configuration.

[0079] In the lamp unit 20, the first light source 31A is positioned such that the first output light axis 31LA is away from the second light source 31B in the width direction relative to the first condensing lens axis A5, and the second light source 31B is positioned such that the second output light axis 31LB is away from the first light source 31A in the width direction relative to the second condensing lens axis A6. Therefore, the lamp unit 20 positions the condensing lens axes (A5, A6) inward in the width direction from the respective output light axes 31L of both light sources 31 of the light source section 21, which helps to properly overlap the four regions (a1 to a4) on the shade center line Sc.

[0080] The vehicle lighting fixture 10 includes the lamp unit 20 described above. Therefore, even if the lamp unit 20 is mounted with the lamp unit axis A2 parallel to the road surface 2, the illumination pattern Pi can be formed on the road surface 2, thus increasing the degree of freedom in the position and manner of mounting on the vehicle 1 and improving usability.

[0081] The vehicle lighting fixture 10 further includes a signal light unit 13 on the signal light unit axis A1, with a signal light light emitter 16 mounted on it. The lamp unit 20 and the signal light unit 13 are positioned adjacent to each other with the lamp unit axis A2 and the signal light unit axis A1 parallel. As a result, the vehicle lighting fixture 10 can bring the signal light light emitter 16 and the projection lens 24 (emitting surface 24b) closer together than a predetermined distance d (distance stipulated by law), and can form an illumination pattern Pi on the road surface 2 while arranging the lamp unit 20 and the signal light unit 13 side by side as a single lighting fixture.

[0082] Therefore, the lamp unit 20 (vehicle light fixture 10) of Embodiment 1, as a lamp unit (vehicle light fixture) according to this disclosure, can efficiently utilize the light from the light source 31 and form an illumination pattern Pi with a desired brightness distribution.

[0083] Although the vehicle lighting fixtures and lamp units of this disclosure have been described above based on Example 1, the specific configuration is not limited to Example 1. Claim Design changes and additions are permitted as long as they do not deviate from the gist of the invention as defined in each claim within the scope of this invention.

[0084] In Example 1, three V-shaped symbols, the illumination patterns Di, are aligned at approximately equal intervals in the direction away from the vehicle 1 to form the illumination pattern Pi. However, the illumination pattern is formed by a shade (light-shielding member), and the symbols used as illumination patterns Di, their positions, and the number of illumination patterns Di can be set as appropriate, and are not limited to the configuration of Example 1. Furthermore, the patterns, positions, and number of slits 38 in the shade 23 can be set as appropriate according to the set illumination pattern, and are not limited to the configuration of Example 1. In addition, although the vehicle light fixture 10 (lamp unit 20) was provided at the front of the vehicle 1 in Example 1, it may be placed in the headlight chamber or taillight chamber (lamp chambers on both the left and right sides of the rear of the vehicle) as long as it is provided on the vehicle 1 in a position that forms an illumination pattern relative to the vehicle 1, and is not limited to the configuration of Example 1.

[0085] Furthermore, in Example 1, each light source 31 emits amber-colored light. However, the color of the light emitted from the light source can be set appropriately according to the location where it is installed and the message to be conveyed, and is not limited to the configuration of Example 1.

[0086] Furthermore, in Example 1, a shade 23 is used as the light-shielding member, which allows light focused by the focusing lens 22 to pass through the irradiation slit 37. However, the light-shielding member may have other configurations as long as it is provided with an irradiation slit 37 that partially allows light focused by the focusing lens 22 to pass through, and is not limited to the configuration of Example 1. As an example of other configurations, a light-shielding plate (filter) can be made by providing an irradiation slit that partially transmits light to a plate-shaped film member that obstructs light transmission, and allowing light that has passed through the focusing lens 22 to pass through the irradiation slit.

[0087] In Example 1, a vehicle light fixture 10 (lamp unit 20) is provided in a vehicle 1 driven by a driver. However, the vehicle light fixture (lamp unit) may also be provided in a vehicle with an autonomous driving function, and is not limited to the configuration of Example 1. In this case, the vehicle light fixture (lamp unit) only needs to form an illumination pattern at a timing appropriate to its intended use, that is, at a timing appropriate to some intention regarding the operation of the vehicle 1, and is not limited to the configuration of Example 1.

[0088] In Embodiment 1, the lamp unit 20 has a light source 21 mounted on a mounting base 26 that functions as a heat sink, and this mounting base 26 is connected to the light source housing 25. However, the lamp unit is not limited to the configuration of Embodiment 1, as long as it focuses light from the light source onto a light-shielding member with a focusing lens and projects the light that has passed through the light-shielding member onto a projection lens to form an illumination pattern. The light source may be located at the end of the housing or in other configurations.

[0089] In Example 1, two light sources 31A and 31B are provided. However, if multiple light sources are provided, the number and arrangement can be set as appropriate, and the configuration is not limited to that of Example 1. Here, it is desirable to arrange the multiple light sources in parallel in the width direction so that the focusing lens 22 can control the light from each light source in the vertical direction in a state with the least aberration according to the optical setting.

[0090] In Example 1, the lamp unit axis A2 of the lamp unit 20 and the signal light unit axis A1 of the signal light unit 13 are parallel. However, the lamp unit axis A2 and the signal light unit axis A1 do not need to be perfectly parallel, as long as they are approximately parallel. Here, "approximately parallel" means that the angle between them is limited to 3 degrees, preferably within 1 degree. For this reason, the lamp unit axis A2 may also be tilted to the road surface 2, similarly being approximately parallel, i.e., with an upper limit of 3 degrees.

[0091] In Example 1, the shade reference axis A3 of the light-shielding member (shade 23) is parallel to the lamp unit axis A2. However, the light-shielding member may be rotated and positioned so as to displace the front side (projection lens 24 side) of the shade reference axis A3 downwards, around a line extending in the width direction while passing through the shade reference point Ps, and is not limited to the configuration of Example 1. In this case, it is desirable that the shade reference axis A3 with respect to the lamp unit axis A2 is smaller than the inclination of the projection lens axis A4 with respect to the lamp unit axis A2, and preferably it is set to an angle of half or less of the inclination of the projection lens axis A4 with respect to the lamp unit axis A2. In this way, the angle toward downwards between the light-shielding member (shade 23) and the projection lens 24 can be increased in stages, so that the direction in which the light beam propagates can be tilted downwards more smoothly.

[0092] In Example 1, the focusing lens 22 is positioned so that its focusing lens axes (A5, A6) are parallel to the lamp unit axis A2. However, the focusing lens 22 may also be rotated around its lens center point Lc so as to displace the light-shielding member (shade 23) side of the focusing lens axes (A5, A6) downwards, and is not limited to the configuration of Example 1. In this case, it is desirable that the inclination of the focusing lens axis with respect to the lamp unit axis A2 be smaller than the inclination of the light-shielding reference axis (shade reference axis A3) with respect to the lamp unit axis A2, and preferably the angle is half or less of the inclination of the light-shielding reference axis with respect to the lamp unit axis A2. This helps to set the optical path from the focusing lens 22 to the shade 23 as described above, and reduces the amount of adjustment required for the curvature of the incident surface 33 and the exit surface 34 for the optical setting of the focusing lens 22.

[0093] In Embodiment 1, in the vehicle lighting fixture 10, a portion of the signal light heat dissipation section 17 of the signal light unit 13 and a portion of the mounting base section 26 of the lamp unit 20 are exposed to the outside of the lamp housing 11. However, the vehicle lighting fixture may be housed entirely inside the lamp housing 11, and is not limited to the configuration of Embodiment 1. In this case, the signal light unit 13 and the lamp unit 20 can be fixed to the lamp housing 11 via brackets or the like, so that the signal light unit axis A1 and the lamp unit axis A2 are parallel (or nearly parallel).

[0094] In Example 1, the lamp unit 20 of the vehicle lighting fixture 10 is positioned adjacent to the signal light unit 13. However, the vehicle lighting fixture is not limited to the configuration of Example 1, as long as it includes the lamp unit 20 with the above-described configuration. In this vehicle lighting fixture, the lamp unit 20 can be installed with the lamp unit axis A2 parallel (approximately parallel) to the road surface 2, which increases the degree of freedom in the position and manner of mounting on the vehicle 1 and improves usability. Even in this case, the vehicle lighting fixture can be installed alongside a vehicle lighting fixture equipped with a signal light unit, with the signal light unit axis and the lamp unit axis A2 being parallel (approximately parallel). [Explanation of Symbols]

[0095] 10 Vehicle lighting fixture 13 Signal light unit 16 Signal light light emitter 20 Lamp unit 21 Light source unit 22 Focusing lens 23 Shade (as an example of a light-shielding member) 24 Projection lens 31 Light source 31b Phosphor (as an example of a light-emitting surface) 31A First light source 31B Second light source 31L Emission axis 31LA First emission axis 31LB Second emission axis 33 Incident surface 34 Emission surface 37 Irradiation slit 41 Curved incident surface 42 Annular incident surface 43 Reflection surface 44 First lens part 45 Second lens part 46 First curved incident surface 47 Second curved incident surface 48 First annular incident surface 49 Second annular incident surface 51 First reflection surface 52 Second reflection surface A1 Signal light unit axis A2 Lamp unit axis A4 Projection lens axis A5 First focusing lens axis A6 Second focusing lens axis Fb Projection reference focal point Fc Focusing reference focal point Pi Illumination pattern Ps Shade reference point (as an example of a shading reference point)

Claims

1. A light source unit provided with a plurality of light sources; a focusing lens for focusing light from the plurality of light sources; a light shielding member provided with an irradiation slit for partially passing through the light focused by the focusing lens; and a projection lens for projecting the light that has passed through the light shielding member to form an irradiation pattern, The light source, the focusing lens, the light-shielding member, and the projection lens are arranged in a line on the lamp unit axis. The incident surface of the condensing lens has a curved incident surface portion facing a plurality of light sources in the axial direction of the condensing lens, and an annular incident surface portion surrounding the curved incident surface portion. The condensing lens has a reflective surface surrounding the curved incident surface, Multiple light sources are arranged so that their emitted light axes are positioned vertically above the axis of the lamp unit. The lamp unit is characterized in that the condensing lens is positioned such that the axis of the condensing lens is located above the axis of the lamp unit in the vertical direction.

2. The lamp unit according to claim 1, characterized in that the projection lens is positioned at a location rotated downward around the projection reference focal point, with the projection lens axis facing downward relative to the lamp unit axis, where the projection reference focal point is set on the lamp unit axis.

3. The lamp unit according to claim 1, characterized in that the light-gathering lens is inclined to tilt the optical path leading to the light-shielding member downwards from the axis of the light-gathering lens.

4. The condensing lens has a first lens portion located on one side in the width direction perpendicular to the lamp unit axis on a horizontal plane, and a second lens portion located on the other side in the width direction. The curved incident surface portion comprises a first curved incident surface portion provided on the first lens portion and a second curved incident surface portion provided on the second lens portion. The annular incident surface portion comprises a first annular incident surface portion provided on the first lens portion and a second annular incident surface portion provided on the second lens portion. The reflective surface comprises a first reflective surface provided on the first lens portion and a second reflective surface provided on the second lens portion. The condensing lens, with light from multiple light sources passing through the first curved incident surface, forms a light beam distribution that illuminates the entire widthwise area below the illumination slit while increasing the light beam density on the other half of the widthwise side of the lower part. The lamp unit according to claim 1, characterized in that the light from the plurality of light sources passing through the second curved incident surface portion forms a luminous flux distribution that illuminates the entire widthwise area of ​​the lower part while increasing the luminous flux density of one half of the lower part in the widthwise direction.

5. The condensing lens has a first lens portion located on one side in the width direction perpendicular to the lamp unit axis on a horizontal plane, and a second lens portion located on the other side in the width direction. The curved incident surface portion comprises a first curved incident surface portion provided on the first lens portion and a second curved incident surface portion provided on the second lens portion. The annular incident surface portion comprises a first annular incident surface portion provided on the first lens portion and a second annular incident surface portion provided on the second lens portion. The reflective surface comprises a first reflective surface provided on the first lens portion and a second reflective surface provided on the second lens portion. The condensing lens forms a light beam distribution that illuminates at least one half of the widthwise direction of the irradiation slit with light from a plurality of light sources reflected by the first reflective surface through the first annular incident surface, The lamp unit according to claim 1, characterized in that the light from a plurality of light sources reflected by the second reflective surface through the second annular incident surface portion forms a light beam distribution that illuminates at least the other half of the width direction of the irradiation slit.

6. The condensing lens has a first lens portion located on one side in the width direction perpendicular to the lamp unit axis on a horizontal plane, and a second lens portion located on the other side in the width direction. The curved incident surface portion comprises a first curved incident surface portion provided on the first lens portion and a second curved incident surface portion provided on the second lens portion. The annular incident surface portion comprises a first annular incident surface portion provided on the first lens portion and a second annular incident surface portion provided on the second lens portion. The reflective surface comprises a first reflective surface provided on the first lens portion and a second reflective surface provided on the second lens portion. The condensing lens axis comprises a first condensing lens axis corresponding to the first lens portion and a second condensing lens axis corresponding to the second lens portion. The plurality of light sources include a first light source whose light-emitting surface is facing the first annular incident surface, and a second light source whose light-emitting surface is facing the second annular incident surface, The first light source has the light-emitting surface positioned on the axis of the first condensing lens, The lamp unit according to claim 1, characterized in that the second light source has a light-emitting surface arranged on the axis of the second condensing lens.

7. The first light source has a first emission light axis passing through the center of the light-emitting surface, and is positioned such that the first emission light axis is located vertically above the axis of the first condensing lens. The lamp unit according to claim 6, characterized in that the second light source has a second light emission axis passing through the center of the light-emitting surface, and the second light emission axis is positioned vertically above the axis of the second light-gathering lens.

8. The first light source is positioned such that the first output light axis is separated from the second light source in the width direction with respect to the axis of the first condensing lens. The lamp unit according to claim 7, characterized in that the second light source is positioned such that the second light output axis is separated from the first light source in the width direction with respect to the second light-gathering lens axis.

9. A vehicle light fixture characterized by comprising the lamp unit described in Claim 1.

10. A vehicle light fixture according to claim 9, Furthermore, the signal light unit is equipped with a signal light light emitter mounted on the signal light unit shaft. A vehicle lighting device characterized in that the lamp unit and the signal light unit are adjacent to each other with the lamp unit axis and the signal light unit axis being parallel.

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