Vehicle light guide and vehicle lighting unit

Abstract

To irradiate a light distribution pattern at proper illuminance.SOLUTION: A vehicle light guide body comprises: a light incident part to which light from a light source is made incident; a first reflection face for internally reflecting the light incident from the light incident face; a second reflection face for internally reflecting at least a part the light which is reflected by the first reflection face frontward so as to pass a focus or the vicinity of the focus; a light shield part for shielding a part of the light which is reflected by the second reflection face; an internal reflection face located between a front-side end part of the second reflection face and the light shield part, and internally reflecting a part of the light which is internally reflected by the second reflection face frontward; a light emission face for emitting the light which is internally reflected by the second reflection face; and an adjustment part arranged behind the light shield part out of the internal reflection face, being a portion shifted to either of left and right sides rather than the focus of the second reflection face, and emitting a part of the light which is reflected by the second reflection face to the outside from a portion different from the light emission face by internally reflecting or refracting the light.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

Technical Field

[0006] , , ,

[0001] The present invention relates to a light guide for vehicles and a vehicle lighting unit.

Background Art

[0002] A configuration in which functions corresponding to each of a reflector, a shade, a projection lens, etc. are integrated into one light guide for vehicles is known (see, for example, Patent Document 1). That is, such a light guide for vehicles includes an incident surface for incident light from a light source, an inner reflection surface for internally reflecting the incident light (corresponding to a reflector), a light shielding portion for shielding a part of the internally reflected light (corresponding to a shade), and an emission surface for emitting the light that has been internally reflected and passed through the light shielding portion to irradiate a light distribution pattern in front of the vehicle (corresponding to a projection lens).

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In the above-described light guide for vehicles, it is required to irradiate a light distribution pattern in front of the vehicle with an appropriate illuminance.

[0005] The present invention has been made in view of the above, and an object thereof is to provide a light guide for vehicles and a vehicle lighting unit capable of irradiating a light distribution pattern in front of the vehicle with an appropriate illuminance.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0007] In the above-described vehicle light guide, the adjustment portion has a shape that protrudes outward from the inner surface, and on the front side in the front-rear direction it has an inclined surface that slopes downward toward the rear so as to inwardly reflect a portion of the light reflected by the second surface toward a part different from the emission surface, and on the rear side in the front-rear direction it has a folded surface that is folded upward from the rear end of the inclined surface and connected to the inner surface.

[0008] In the above-described vehicle light guide, the folded surface is provided in a position that is more upright in the vertical direction compared to the inclined surface.

[0009] In the above-described vehicle light guide, the adjustment portion is formed such that the amount of protrusion gradually decreases from the central part in the left-right direction toward both sides.

[0010] In the above-described vehicle light guide, the inner surface reflective surface has a recess behind the adjustment portion that is recessed inward from the inner surface reflective surface.

[0011] In the above-described vehicle light guide, the adjustment portion has a shape that is recessed inward from the inner surface, has a refractive surface on the rear side in the front-rear direction that emits a portion of the light reflected by the second surface to the outside, and has a total reflection surface on the front side in the front-rear direction that totally reflects the light emitted from the refractive surface.

[0012] In the above-described vehicle light guide, the adjustment portion is formed such that it moves further away from the light-shielding portion in the front-to-back direction as it moves further away from the focal point in the left-to-right direction.

[0013] In the above-described vehicle light guide, the adjustment portion is formed such that the amount of recess decreases as it approaches the focal point in the left-right direction.

[0014] The vehicle lighting unit according to the present invention comprises a light source, a light guiding body for vehicles which guides and emits light from the light source and emits a focused light pattern toward the front of the vehicle, and a light diffusing body which guides light from the light source and emits a diffused light pattern toward the front of the vehicle such that a portion of it overlaps with the focused light pattern.

[0015] In the above-described vehicle lighting unit, the adjustment part has a shape that protrudes outward from the inner surface reflective surface, and on the front side in the front-rear direction it has an inclined surface that slopes downward toward the rear so as to internally reflect a portion of the light reflected by the second reflective surface toward a part different from the emission surface, and on the rear side in the front-rear direction it has a folded surface that folds upward from the rear end of the inclined surface and connects to the inner surface reflective surface, and the diffusing light guide is formed such that the diffusion pattern does not overlap with the portion of the light concentrating pattern that is adjusted by the adjustment part.

[0016] In the above-described vehicle lighting unit, the adjustment section has a shape that is recessed inward from the inner surface, has a refractive surface on the rear side in the front-rear direction that emits a portion of the light reflected by the second surface to the outside, and has a total reflection surface on the front side in the front-rear direction that totally reflects the light emitted from the refractive surface, and the diffusing light guide is formed such that the diffusion pattern overlaps the portion of the light-gathering pattern that is adjusted by the adjustment section. [Effects of the Invention]

[0017] According to the present invention, a light distribution pattern can be irradiated in front of the vehicle with an appropriate illuminance.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0018] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a plan view showing an example of a vehicle lamp according to the first embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a view showing a configuration along the A-A cross section in FIG. 1. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view showing an example of a light shielding portion. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is an enlarged view showing a part of FIG. 2(A). [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a view showing an example of an optical path guided by a condensing light guide. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a view showing an example of an optical path guided by a diffusing light guide. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a view showing an example of a condensing pattern irradiated on a virtual screen in front of the vehicle. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a view showing an example of a diffusing pattern irradiated on a virtual screen in front of the vehicle. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a view showing an example of a composite pattern irradiated on a virtual screen in front of the vehicle. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a view showing an example of a vehicle lamp unit according to the first embodiment. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a plan view showing an example of a vehicle light guide according to the second embodiment. [Figure 12] FIG. 12 is a view showing an example of a cross-sectional configuration in FIG. 11. [Figure 13] FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view showing an example of a light shielding portion. [Figure 14] FIG. 14 is a view showing an example of an optical path guided by a condensing light guide. [Figure 15] FIG. 15 is a view showing an example of a condensing pattern irradiated on a virtual screen in front of the vehicle. [Figure 16] Figure 16 shows an example of a diffusion pattern projected onto a virtual screen in front of the vehicle. [Figure 17] Figure 17 shows an example of a composite pattern projected onto a virtual screen in front of the vehicle. [Figure 18] Figure 18 shows another example of a light-gathering light guide. [Figure 19] Figure 19 shows another example of a light-gathering light guide. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0019] Embodiments of the vehicle light guide and vehicle lighting unit according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. However, the present invention is not limited by these embodiments. Furthermore, the components in the embodiments below include those that are easily replaceable or substantially identical by those skilled in the art. In the following description, the front-rear, up-down, and left-right directions refer to the directions when the vehicle headlight is mounted on a vehicle, as viewed from the driver's seat in the direction of vehicle travel. In these embodiments, the up-down direction is parallel to the vertical direction, and the left-right direction is horizontal.

[0020] Figure 1 is a plan view showing an example of a vehicle light fixture 100 according to this embodiment. The vehicle light fixture 100 is capable of illuminating the front of the vehicle with a low beam pattern P1 (see Figure 9), which will be described later. The vehicle light fixture 100 comprises a light source 10 and a vehicle light guide 20. The vehicle light fixture 100 may further include other units having a light source, reflector, shade, projection lens, etc. In the following description of this embodiment, the configuration of a vehicle light fixture 100 mounted on a vehicle traveling on a left-hand traffic road will be used as an example.

[0021] [light source] In this embodiment, the light source 10 is, for example, a semiconductor-type light source such as an LED or OLED (organic light-emitting diode), or a laser light source. The light-emitting surface 11 is positioned facing the incident surface 21 of the vehicle light guide 20, which will be described later. The light-emitting surface 11 is positioned facing the vehicle light guide 20. In this embodiment, multiple light sources 10 are arranged in the left-right direction, for example, four. However, the number of light sources 10 is not limited to four; it may be three or fewer, or five or more.

[0022] [Light guide for vehicles] The vehicle light guide 20 guides light from the light source 10 and emits it forward when mounted on a vehicle. The vehicle light guide 20 according to this embodiment has a configuration that integrates functions corresponding to, for example, the reflector, shade, and projection lens in a conventional projector-type vehicle headlight. The vehicle light guide 20 includes a light concentrating light guide 20A and a light diffusing light guide 20B. In the following description of the vehicle light guide 20, the light concentrating light guide 20A and the light diffusing light guide 20B may be described separately.

[0023] Figure 2 shows the configuration along the AA cross-section in Figure 1. Figure 2(A) shows the configuration of the light-gathering light guide 20A, and Figure 2(B) shows the configuration of the light-diffusing light guide 20B. As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the vehicle light guide 20 comprises an incident surface 21, a first reflective surface 22, a second reflective surface 23, a light-shielding portion 24, an inner reflective surface 25, and an exit surface 26.

[0024] [Incidence plane] Multiple incident surfaces 21 are provided, for example, one for each light source 10. Note that the incident surfaces 21 may be located in positions that do not correspond one-to-one with the light source 10. For example, multiple incident surfaces 21 may be provided for one light source 10. Multiple incident surfaces 21 are arranged side by side in the left-right direction when mounted on a vehicle. The incident surfaces 21 are formed, for example, in the shape of a frustocone. In this embodiment, for example, four incident surfaces 21 are arranged. Note that the diameter of the incident surface 21 located on the left-right outer side may be smaller than the diameter of the incident surface 21 located on the left-right central side. In this embodiment, the diameters of the two incident surfaces 21 located on the left-right outer side are smaller than the diameters of the two incident surfaces 21 located on the left-right central side.

[0025] In this embodiment, the vehicle light guide 20 includes a focusing light guide 20A into which light from the light source 10 is incident on two incident surfaces 21 located on the central side in the left-right direction. The diffusing light guide 20B is also incident on two incident surfaces 21 located on the outer side in the left-right direction.

[0026] Each incident surface 21 has a first surface 21a and a second surface 21b, as shown in Figure 2. Light from the light source 10 is incident on the first surface 21a and the second surface 21b. The first surface 21a faces the light-emitting surface 11. The first surface 21a is, for example, a convex surface that protrudes toward the light source 10, but it may also be a flat surface. The second surface 21b is positioned to the side of the light source 10 and is arranged in a cylindrical shape so as to surround the light-emitting surface 11 and the first surface 21a of the light source 10.

[0027] [First reflective surface] The first reflective surface 22 internally reflects light incident from the incident surface 21. The first reflective surface 22 is positioned to surround the second surface 21b of the incident surface 21, and reflects light incident from the second surface 21b toward the second reflective surface 23. In this embodiment, the first reflective surface 22 is provided corresponding to the incident surface 21. Multiple first reflective surfaces 22 are arranged in a row in the left-right direction when mounted on a vehicle. The multiple first reflective surfaces 22 include reflective surfaces for a light-gathering pattern and reflective surfaces for a diffusion pattern. For example, two first reflective surfaces 22 positioned on the central side in the left-right direction can be used as reflective surfaces for a light-gathering pattern, and two first reflective surfaces 22 positioned on both sides in the left-right direction can be used as reflective surfaces for a diffusion pattern.

[0028] The first reflective surface 22 has a first rear region 22a and a first front region 22b. The first rear region 22a is positioned rearward with respect to the light source 10. In this embodiment, the first rear region 22a is positioned, for example, rearward in the front-rear direction with respect to the optical axis AX of the light source 10. The first front region 22b is positioned in front of the light source 10. In this embodiment, the first front region 22b is positioned, for example, in front of the optical axis AX.

[0029] [Second reflective surface] The second reflective surface 23 has a shape based on a paraboloid of revolution. A portion of the second reflective surface 23 has a focal point P that coincides with or approximately coincides with the focal point of the paraboloid of revolution. The focal point P is located near the focal point of the emission surface 26, which will be described later. The second reflective surface 23 reflects light from the first reflective surface 22 toward the focal point P, that is, toward the front of the vehicle. The second reflective surface 23 has an axis that is parallel or approximately parallel to the optical axis of the light reflected by the first reflective surface 22, and internally reflects the light toward the focal point P of the paraboloid of revolution.

[0030] The second reflective surface 23 includes a light-gathering pattern forming region positioned in correspondence with the light-gathering pattern reflective surface of the first reflective surface 22, and a diffusion pattern forming region positioned in correspondence with the diffusion pattern reflective surface of the first reflective surface 22. The light-gathering pattern forming region is positioned in the center of the second reflective surface 23 in the left-right direction. The diffusion pattern forming region is positioned on the second reflective surface 23, outside the light-gathering pattern forming region in the left-right direction. The light-gathering pattern forming region is positioned, for example, in the center in the left-right direction and internally reflects light from the first reflective surface 22 so that it passes through the focal point P and the vicinity of the focal point P. The diffusion pattern forming region internally reflects light from the first reflective surface 22 so that it passes through the focal point P and a position shifted horizontally outward from the focal point P in the vehicle-mounted state. The diffusion pattern forming region is positioned among the plurality of first reflective surfaces 22 in correspondence with the diffusion pattern reflective surface.

[0031] The second reflective surface 23 has a maximum angle α between the light reflected towards the focal point P and the horizontal plane that is smaller than the maximum angle between the light reflected by the reflector in a so-called projector type and the horizontal plane. Therefore, the light reflected by the second reflective surface 23 arrives towards the focal point P at a shallower angle than the light reflected by the reflector in a projector type.

[0032] [Light-blocking part] The light-shielding portion 24 blocks a portion of the light reflected internally by the second reflective surface 23. The light-shielding portion 24 is provided at the front end (corner portion 20g) of the internal reflective surface 25, which will be described later. The corner portion 20g is concave when the vehicle light guide 20 is viewed from the outside (below). The corner portion 20g extends in a straight or curved manner in the left-right direction. At the corner portion 20g, the light-shielding portion 24 forms the cutoff line CL (see Figures 7 and 8) of the light-gathering pattern PA1 and the light-diffusing pattern PB1, which will be described later. The cutoff line CL includes horizontal cutoff lines CLa and CLc and oblique cutoff lines CLb and CLd.

[0033] The light-shielding portion 24 is provided in the region including the corner portion 20g. The light-shielding portion 24 may block light by, for example, refracting or internally reflecting the light reaching the light-shielding portion 24 in a direction different from the direction of the emission surface 26, or by placing a light-absorbing layer on the portion of the internal reflection surface 25 including the corner portion 20g that corresponds to the light-shielding portion 24, and blocking light by absorbing the light with the light-absorbing layer. The light internally reflected or refracted by the light-shielding portion 24 is emitted to the outside of the vehicle light guide 20 and absorbed by an inner housing or the like which is located outside the vehicle light guide 20.

[0034] Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view showing an example of the light-shielding portion 24. Figure 3(A) shows the configuration along the BB cross-section in Figure 2(A), and illustrates the light-shielding portion 24 of the light-gathering light guide 20A (hereinafter referred to as the light-shielding portion 24A). Figure 3(B) shows the configuration along the CC cross-section in Figure 2(B), and illustrates the light-shielding portion 24 of the diffuse light guide 20B (hereinafter referred to as the light-shielding portion 24B). As shown in Figure 3(A), in the light-gathering light guide 20A, the corner portion 20g has a horizontal portion 20La for forming a horizontal cutoff line CLa and an inclined portion 20Lb for forming an oblique cutoff line CLb. As shown in Figure 3(B), in the diffuse light guide 20B, the corner portion 20g has a horizontal portion 20Lc for forming a horizontal cutoff line CLc and an inclined portion 20Ld for forming an oblique cutoff line CLd.

[0035] As shown in Figures 3(A) and (B), the light-shielding portion 24B of the diffusing light guide 20B has a longer inclined portion 20Ld extending from the vehicle's lane side (left side) to the oncoming vehicle's lane side (right side) compared to the light-shielding portion 24A of the concentrating light guide 20A. In addition, the portion of the light-shielding portion 24B of the diffusing light guide 20B that extends from the inclined portion 20Ld to the oncoming vehicle's lane side (right side) is positioned higher than the light-shielding portion 24A of the concentrating light guide 20A. Thus, the diffusing light guide 20B has a recess 20Le formed in the left-right direction, where the portion corresponding to the adjustment portion 27 of the concentrating light guide 20A (described later) is recessed upward. As a result of the recess 20Le being provided in the diffusing light guide 20B, the diffusion pattern PB1 does not overlap with the adjustment region PR1, which is the adjustment portion of the concentrating pattern PA1 adjusted by the adjustment portion 27 (see Figure 9, etc.).

[0036] [Internal reflective surface] The inner reflective surface 25 extends forward from the front end of the second reflective surface 23. The inner reflective surface 25 is located between the front end of the second reflective surface 23 and the light-shielding portion 24. The inner reflective surface 25 is provided in a state aligned with the horizontal plane. In this embodiment, the inner reflective surface 25 is, for example, planar. However, the inner reflective surface 25 is not limited to being planar, but may be curved. The inner reflective surface 25 is not limited to a configuration aligned with the horizontal plane, but may be configured so that the front side is inclined downward with respect to the horizontal plane. The inner reflective surface 25 ensures an area that can reflect light internally in the front-rear direction.

[0037] Figure 4 is an enlarged view of a portion of Figure 2(A). As shown in Figure 4, in the vehicle light guide 20, an adjustment section 27 is provided on the inner reflective surface 25 of the concentrating light guide 20A. Note that the adjustment section 27 is not provided on the inner reflective surface 25 of the diffusing light guide 20B. The adjustment section 27 is located near the light shielding section 24. The adjustment section 27 is provided to adjust the luminous intensity corresponding to the adjustment area PR1 near the horizontal cutoff line CLa on the opposite lane side relative to the vehicle in the concentrating pattern PA1 (see Figure 7), which will be described later. Specifically, the adjustment section 27 reduces the luminous intensity of the adjustment area PR1 by internally reflecting a portion of the light corresponding to the adjustment area PR1 upward. The adjustment section 27 is located on the side corresponding to the vehicle's driving lane relative to the focal point P in the left-right direction, and in this embodiment, it is located to the left of the focal point P.

[0038] The adjustment section 27 is convex when viewed from the outside of the vehicle light guide 20. The adjustment section 27 is formed such that the amount of protrusion gradually decreases from the center in the left-right direction toward both sides (see Figure 3). The adjustment section 27 has an inclined surface 27a and a folded surface 27b. The inclined surface 27a is inclined downward toward the rear from the light shielding section 24. The inclined surface 27a internally reflects the light reflected by the second reflective surface 23 upward. With this configuration, the light internally reflected by the inclined surface 27a is emitted to the outside of the vehicle light guide 20 from, for example, the upper surface 20h, without reaching the emission surface 26. The shape of the inclined surface 27a, such as the inclination angle, is set so that a portion of the light reflected by the second reflective surface 23 is emitted from the upper surface 20h, etc., without reaching the emission surface 26.

[0039] The folded surface 27b is folded upward from the rear end of the inclined surface 27a and connected to the inner surface reflective surface 25. The folded surface 27b is inclined or curved upward from the rear end of the inclined surface 27a. The folded surface 27b is provided in a more upright position in the vertical direction compared to the inclined surface 27a. When viewed from above or below, the folded surface 27b has a smaller dimension in the front-to-back direction compared to the inclined surface 27a. In other words, the adjustment section 27 has a more protruding or bulging shape on the rear side where the folded surface 27b is provided compared to the front side where the inclined surface 27a is provided. The shape of the folded surface 27b is set so that light reflected by the second reflective surface 23 does not enter the folded surface 27b.

[0040] [Ejection surface] The emission surface 26 emits light that has been internally reflected by the second reflective surface 23 and not blocked by the light-shielding portion 24, illuminating the front of the vehicle with a focusing pattern PA1 (see Figure 7) or a diffusion pattern PB1 (see Figure 8). In this embodiment, the emission surface 26 is, for example, curved and has a focal point (not shown) and an optical axis. Alternatively, the emission surface 26 may be, for example, planar, and other optical elements may be arranged to illuminate the light emitted from the emission surface 26 in front of the vehicle. The focal point of the emission surface 26 is located near the focal point P of the second reflective surface 23. In this embodiment, the width of the emission surface 26 in the left-right direction may be narrower than the width of the second reflective surface 23 in the left-right direction. In this case, the dimensions of the emission surface 26 as seen from the outside can be reduced.

[0041] A light-diffusing portion, such as a prism, may be formed on the upper surface 20h of the vehicle light guide 20. The light-diffusing portion diffuses the light that has been internally reflected by the second reflective surface 23. This suppresses glare from the light that is internally reflected by the upper surface 20h and emitted to the outside of the vehicle light guide 20 from the emission surface 26.

[0042] [Operation] Next, the operation of the vehicle lighting device 100 configured as described above will be explained. Figures 5 and 6 show examples of light paths guided by the vehicle light guide 20. Figure 5 shows an example of a light path guided by the concentrating light guide 20A, and Figure 6 shows an example of a light path guided by the diffusing light guide 20B.

[0043] When the light source 10 of the vehicle lighting fixture 100 is turned on, light is emitted from the light-emitting surface 11. This light enters the vehicle light guide 20 from the first surface 21a and the second surface 21b of the incident surface 21. The light that enters from the first surface 21a travels toward the second reflective surface 23. The light that enters from the second surface 21b is internally reflected by the first reflective surface 22 toward the second reflective surface 23.

[0044] As shown in Figure 5, for example, in the light-gathering light guide 20A, some of the light L1 that reaches the second reflective surface 23 is internally reflected by the second reflective surface 23, passes over the internal reflective surface 25 and the light-shielding portion 24, and reaches the emission surface 26. The light L1 that reaches the emission surface 26 is emitted from the emission surface 26 towards the front of the vehicle.

[0045] Furthermore, some of the light L2 that reaches the second reflective surface 23 is internally reflected by the second reflective surface 23 and reaches the internal reflective surface 25. In this embodiment, the second reflective surface 23 is formed over the entire length in the front-rear direction from the light-shielding portion 24. Therefore, the light L2 that reaches the internal reflective surface 25 is internally reflected towards the front of the vehicle without waste. The light L2 internally reflected by the internal reflective surface 25 passes over the light-shielding portion 24 and reaches the emission surface 26. The light L2 that reaches the emission surface is emitted from the emission surface 26 towards the front of the vehicle.

[0046] Furthermore, some of the light L3 that reaches the second reflective surface 23 is internally reflected by the second reflective surface 23 and reaches the inclined surface 27a of the adjustment unit 28. The light L3 that reaches the inclined surface 27a is internally reflected by the inclined surface 27a and is emitted from the upper surface 20h to the outside of the vehicle light guide 20. This light L3 is not emitted from the emission surface 26. In this way, by allowing some of the light internally reflected by the second reflective surface 23 to reach the inclined surface 27a, the shape of the pattern of light L2 emitted from the emission surface 26 is adjusted.

[0047] On the other hand, as shown in Figure 6, in the diffusing light guide 20B, some of the light L4 that reaches the second reflective surface 23 is internally reflected by the second reflective surface 23, passes over the internal reflective surface 25 and the light shielding portion 24, and reaches the emission surface 26. The light L4 that reaches the emission surface 26 is emitted from the emission surface 26 towards the front of the vehicle.

[0048] Furthermore, some of the light L5 that reaches the second reflective surface 23 is internally reflected by the second reflective surface 23 and reaches the internal reflective surface 25. The light L5 that reaches the internal reflective surface 25 is internally reflected toward the front of the vehicle. The light L5 that has been internally reflected by the internal reflective surface 25 passes over the light-shielding section 24 and reaches the emission surface 26. The light L5 that reaches the emission surface is emitted toward the front of the vehicle from the emission surface 26.

[0049] Figures 7 to 9 show examples of light distribution patterns projected onto a virtual screen in front of the vehicle. Figure 7 shows the light distribution pattern (concentrating pattern) using the concentrating light guide 20A, and Figure 8 shows the light distribution pattern (diffusing pattern) using the diffusing light guide 20B. Figure 9 shows a light distribution pattern (low beam pattern) that combines the concentrating pattern and the diffusion pattern.

[0050] Figures 7 to 9 show patterns corresponding to vehicles traveling on the left side of the road. In Figures 7 to 9, the VV line represents the vertical line of the screen, and the HH line represents the horizontal line on the left and right of the screen. Here, the intersection of the vertical line and the horizontal line is considered the horizontal reference position.

[0051] Light L1 and L2 emitted from the emission surface 26 of the light-concentrating light guide 20A are projected in front of the vehicle as a concentrated pattern PA1, as shown in Figure 7. Specifically, the light L1 and L2 that pass over the light-shielding portion 24 of the light-concentrating light guide 20A and reach the emission surface 26 form a concentrated pattern PA1 including a cutoff line CL. In Figure 7, the case in which the diagonal cutoff line CLb of the cutoff line CL is formed to tilt downward toward the right is used as an example, but the explanation is not limited to this, and a similar explanation is possible even when the diagonal cutoff line CLb is tilted downward toward the left.

[0052] In the light-gathering light guide 20A, a portion of the light (light L3) reflected by the second reflective surface 23 is emitted to the outside from a portion of the light-gathering light guide 20A other than the emission surface 26 via the inclined surface 27a. Therefore, compared to a configuration without the inclined surface 27a, the brightness of the light-gathering pattern PA1 is reduced compared to the surrounding area in the region corresponding to the light L3, that is, in the adjustment region PR1 of the light-gathering pattern PA1 near the horizontal cutoff line CLa on the side of the vehicle's driving lane.

[0053] On the other hand, the light L4 and L5 emitted from the emission surface 26 of the diffusing light guide 20B are irradiated in front of the vehicle as a diffusion pattern PB1, as shown in Figure 8. Specifically, the light L4 and L5 that pass over the light-shielding portion 24 of the diffusing light guide 20B and reach the emission surface 26 form a diffusion pattern PB1 including a cutoff line CL. In Figure 8, the case in which the diagonal cutoff line CLb of the cutoff line CL is formed to tilt downward toward the right is used as an example, but the explanation is not limited to this, and a similar explanation is possible even when the diagonal cutoff line CLb is tilted downward toward the left.

[0054] In this embodiment, the light-shielding portion 24B of the diffusing light guide 20B has a shape in which the inclined portion 20Lb is more steeply inclined upward from the vehicle's lane side (left side) to the oncoming vehicle's lane side (right side) compared to the light-shielding portion 24A of the concentrating light guide 20A. Furthermore, the portion of the light-shielding portion 24B of the diffusing light guide 20B that extends from the inclined portion 20Lb to the oncoming vehicle's lane side (right side) has a shape that is more recessed upward compared to the light-shielding portion 24A of the concentrating light guide 20A. Due to the shape of this light-shielding portion 24B, the diffusion pattern PB1 has a state in which a bypass portion PQ1 is formed, with the portion corresponding to the adjustment region PR1 cut out downwards, compared to the concentrating light pattern PA1.

[0055] By combining the focusing pattern PA1 and the diffusion pattern PB1, a low beam pattern P1 is formed in front of the vehicle, as shown in Figure 9. In the low beam pattern P1, a bypass section PQ1 is formed in the diffusion pattern PB1, so that only the focusing pattern PA1 is illuminated in the adjustment region PR1. Since the focusing pattern PA1 is illuminated with reduced brightness, a rapid decrease in brightness is suppressed in the adjustment region PR1. In addition, since the brightness of the focusing pattern PA1 is not reduced in parts other than the adjustment region PR1, the horizontality of the horizontal cutoff line CLa is ensured.

[0056] [Vehicle lighting unit] Figure 10 shows an example of a vehicle lighting unit 150 according to this embodiment. Figure 10 shows an example viewed from the front when mounted on a vehicle. The vehicle lighting unit 150 shown in Figure 10 has a housing 151, an outer lens 152, a light source 10, and a plurality of vehicle light guides 20. The vehicle lighting unit 150 is configured such that, in this case, two vehicle light guides 20 are arranged in a lighting chamber surrounded by the housing 151 and the outer lens 152. Note that there may be one or three or more vehicle light guides 20 arranged in the lighting chamber. Also, when viewed from the front, the vehicle light guides 20 are not limited to being arranged in a left-right direction, but may be arranged in a vertical direction, a diagonal direction, or a combination of two or more in the left-right, vertical, and diagonal directions. Note that the number and arrangement of light sources 10 may differ for different vehicle light guides 20.

[0057] For example, one vehicle light guide 20 may be configured as a concentrating light guide 20A, in which the light source 10 is positioned to direct light onto the central incident surface 21 in the left-right direction, while the other vehicle light guides 20 may be configured as a diffusing light guide 20B, in which the light source 10 is positioned to direct light onto the outer incident surface 21 in the left-right direction. Furthermore, multiple configurations of at least one of the concentrating light guide 20A and the diffusing light guide 20B may be provided. In this case, while suppressing heat generation from each vehicle light guide 20, the entire vehicle lighting unit 150 can appropriately form a low beam pattern P1 in front of the vehicle.

[0058] As described above, the vehicle light guide 20 according to this embodiment includes an incident surface 21 into which light from a light source 10 is incident, a first reflective surface 22 that internally reflects the light incident from the incident surface 21, a second reflective surface 23 that internally reflects at least a portion of the light reflected by the first reflective surface 22 forward so as to pass through the focal point and the vicinity of the focal point, a light-shielding portion 24 that shields a portion of the light reflected by the second reflective surface 23, an internal reflective surface 25 located between the front end of the second reflective surface 23 and the light-shielding portion 24, which internally reflects a portion of the light internally reflected by the second reflective surface 23 forward, an exit surface 26 that emits the light internally reflected by the second reflective surface 23, and an adjustment portion 27 provided on the internal reflective surface 25 behind the light-shielding portion 24 and shifted to one side to the left or right of the focal point of the second reflective surface 23, which internally reflects or refracts a portion of the light reflected by the second reflective surface 23 so as to emit it to the outside from a portion different from the exit surface 26.

[0059] Therefore, in a configuration in which at least a portion of the light reflected by the first reflective surface 22 is internally reflected forward so as to pass through the focal point and the vicinity of the focal point, an adjustment section 27 is provided in the portion of the second reflective surface 23 that is located on the vehicle's driving lane side in the left-right direction from the focal point, causing a portion of the light reflected by the second reflective surface 23 that passes through the portion including the light-shielding section 24 to be internally reflected and emitted to the outside from a portion different from the emission surface 26. As a result, the focusing pattern PA1 formed in front of the vehicle by the emission surface 26 has reduced brightness in the adjustment region PR1 near the horizontal cutoff line CLa on the vehicle's driving lane side. In this way, the brightness of the focusing pattern PA1 is reduced in the adjustment region PR1, so a sharp decrease in brightness compared to the surroundings can be suppressed. In addition, since the brightness of the focusing pattern PA1 is not reduced in portions other than the adjustment region PR1, the horizontality of the horizontal cutoff line CLa is ensured. This makes it possible to illuminate the front of the vehicle with the light distribution pattern at an appropriate illuminance.

[0060] In the above-described vehicle light guide 20, the adjustment section 27 has a shape that protrudes outward from the inner surface reflective surface 25. On the front side in the front-rear direction, it has an inclined surface 27a that slopes downward toward the rear so as to internally reflect a portion of the light reflected by the second reflective surface 23 toward a part different from the emission surface 26. On the rear side in the front-rear direction, it has a folded surface 27b that folds upward from the rear end of the inclined surface 27a and connects to the inner surface reflective surface 25. With this configuration, by internally reflecting a portion of the light reflected by the second reflective surface 23 with the inclined surface 27a, a portion of that light can be reliably made to reach a part different from the emission surface 26. Therefore, the generation of glare can be suppressed.

[0061] In the above-described vehicle light guide 20, the folded surface 27b is provided in a vertically upright position compared to the inclined surface 27a. With this configuration, when a portion of the light reflected by the second reflective surface 23 reaches the adjustment section 27, it can be more reliably directed onto the inclined surface 27a.

[0062] The above-described vehicle light guide 20 has an adjustment section 27 that is formed such that the amount of protrusion gradually decreases from the center in the left-right direction toward both sides. With this configuration, the brightness can be adjusted so that it gradually becomes brighter from the center toward both sides in the adjustment area PR1 of the light-gathering pattern PA1.

[0063] The vehicle lighting unit 150 according to this embodiment includes a light source 10, a vehicle light guide 20 which guides and emits light from the light source 10 and emits a focusing pattern PA1 in front of the vehicle, and a diffusion light guide 20B which guides light from the light source 10 and emits a diffusion pattern PB1 in front of the vehicle so as to partially overlap the focusing pattern PA1. With this configuration, the illuminance of the entire pattern can be appropriately adjusted by forming the focusing pattern PA1 with the focusing light guide 20A and the diffusion pattern PB1 with the diffusion pattern PB1.

[0064] In the above-described vehicle lighting unit 150, the adjustment unit 27 has a shape that protrudes outward from the inner surface reflective surface 25. On the front side in the front-rear direction, it has an inclined surface 27a that slopes downward toward the rear so as to inwardly reflect a portion of the light reflected by the second reflective surface 23 toward a part different from the emission surface 26. On the rear side in the front-rear direction, it has a folded surface 27b that folds upward from the rear end of the inclined surface 27a and connects to the inner surface reflective surface 25. The diffusing light guide 20B is formed so that the diffusion pattern PB1 does not overlap with the adjustment region PR1, which is the part of the focusing pattern PA1 that is adjusted by the adjustment unit 27. With this configuration, by ensuring that the diffusion pattern PB1 does not irradiate the adjustment region PR1, the brightness in the adjustment region PR1 can be appropriately adjusted by the focusing light guide 20A.

[0065] [Second Embodiment] Next, a second embodiment will be described. Figures 11 and 12 show a vehicle light guide 120 according to the second embodiment. Figure 11 is a plan view showing an example of the vehicle light guide 120. Figures 12(A) and (B) show the configuration along the DD cross section of Figure 11. Figure 12(A) shows the configuration of the light-gathering light guide 120A, and Figure 12(B) shows the configuration of the light-diffusing light guide 120B.

[0066] Figure 13 shows an example of the light-shielding portion 124. Figure 13(A) shows the configuration along the EE cross-section in Figure 12(A), and illustrates the light-shielding portion 124 of the light-collecting light guide 120A (hereinafter referred to as the light-shielding portion 124A). Figure 13(B) shows the configuration along the FF cross-section in Figure 12(B), and illustrates the light-shielding portion 124 of the diffusing light guide 120B (hereinafter referred to as the light-shielding portion 124B). As shown in Figures 13(A) and (B), the light-shielding portion 124A of the light-collecting light guide 120A and the light-shielding portion 124B of the diffusing light guide 120B have almost the same shape.

[0067] In this embodiment, a concave adjustment portion 28 is provided on the inner reflective surface 25 of the light-gathering light guide 120A. The adjustment portion 28 is not provided on the inner reflective surface 25 of the light-diffusing light guide 120B. The configuration of the light-gathering light guide 120A, other than the adjustment portion 28, is the same as that of the light-gathering light guide 20A described in the first embodiment.

[0068] The adjustment unit 28 is positioned near the light-shielding unit 24. The adjustment unit 28 is provided to adjust the luminous intensity corresponding to the adjustment region PR2 in the light-gathering pattern PA2 (see Figure 15), which will be described later, near the horizontal cutoff line CLa on the opposite lane side relative to the vehicle. Specifically, the adjustment unit 28 reduces the luminous intensity of the adjustment region PR2 by emitting a portion of the light corresponding to the adjustment region PR2 downwards. In the left-right direction, the adjustment unit 28 is positioned on the side corresponding to the vehicle's driving lane relative to the focal point P, and in this embodiment, it is positioned to the left of the focal point P.

[0069] The adjustment section 28 is concave when viewed from the outside of the vehicle light guide 20, for example. The adjustment section 28 has a refractive surface 28a on the rear side in the front-rear direction and a total reflection surface 28b on the front side in the front-rear direction. The refractive surface 28a is formed in a state inclined upward toward the front. The refractive surface 28a emits a portion of the light reflected by the second reflection surface 23 to the outside. The total reflection surface 28b is formed so as to fold downward from the front end of the refractive surface 28a. The total reflection surface 28b is formed in a state inclined downward toward the front. The total reflection surface 28b totally reflects the light emitted from the refractive surface 28a. Furthermore, the adjustment section 28 is formed so that it moves further away from the light shielding section 24 in the front-rear direction as it moves away from the focal point P in the left-right direction. In other words, the adjustment section 28 is formed so that the part of the adjustment section 28 that is closer to the light shielding section 24 in the front-rear direction is closer to the focal point P in the left-right direction. For example, the adjustment section 28 extends so that it is positioned further back as it moves away from the focal point P in the left-right direction (see Figure 11). The adjustment section 28 may also be configured to move further back in the front-back direction as it moves away from the light-shielding section 24 in the left-right direction, or it may include a portion that does not extend backward. The adjustment section 28 has a first portion 28c and a second portion 28d in the left-right direction. The first portion 28c is provided on the inside in the left-right direction. The first portion 28c is formed so that its depth gradually decreases toward the focal point P. The second portion 28d is provided on the outside in the left-right direction relative to the first portion 28c. The second portion 28d is deeper than the first portion 28c. In other words, the vertical dimension of the portion of the second portion 28d that extends inward from the inner surface reflective surface 25 into the light-gathering guide 120A is larger than that of the first portion 28c. The second section 28d is formed such that its depth gradually decreases outward in the left-right direction.

[0070] With this configuration, the light reflected by the second reflective surface 23 is emitted outside the light-gathering light guide 120A at the refractive surface 28a of the adjustment unit 28, and is reflected downward at the total reflective surface 28b of the adjustment unit 28. In other words, the shape of the refractive surface 28a and the total reflective surface 28b is set such that a portion of the light reflected by the second reflective surface 23 is emitted outside and reflected downward.

[0071] Figure 14 shows an example of an optical path guided by the light-gathering light guide 120A. As shown in Figure 14, for example, in the light-gathering light guide 120A, some of the light L6 that is reflected by the first reflective surface 22 and reaches the second reflective surface 23 is internally reflected by the second reflective surface 23, passes over the internal reflective surface 25 and the light-shielding portion 24 and reaches the emission surface 26. The light L6 that reaches the emission surface 26 is emitted from the emission surface 26 towards the front of the vehicle.

[0072] Furthermore, some of the light L7 that reaches the second reflective surface 23 is internally reflected by the second reflective surface 23 and reaches the internal reflective surface 25. The light L7 that reaches the internal reflective surface 25 is internally reflected efficiently toward the front of the vehicle, passes over the light-shielding section 24 and reaches the emission surface 26. The light L7 that reaches the emission surface is emitted toward the front of the vehicle from the emission surface 26.

[0073] Furthermore, some of the light L8 that reaches the second reflective surface 23 is internally reflected by the second reflective surface 23 and reaches the refractive surface 28a of the adjustment unit 28. The light L8 that reaches the refractive surface 28a is refracted by the refractive surface 28a and emitted to the outside of the light-gathering light guide 120A. This light L8 is totally reflected downward by the total reflective surface 28b in front of the refractive surface 28a. Therefore, the light L8 is not emitted from the emission surface 26. In this way, by allowing some of the light internally reflected by the second reflective surface 23 to reach the refractive surface 28a, the shape of the pattern formed by the light L7 emitted from the emission surface 26 is adjusted.

[0074] Furthermore, the light guided by the diffusing light guide 120B can be described in the same way as the diffusing light guide 20B in the first embodiment.

[0075] Figures 15 to 17 show examples of light distribution patterns projected onto a virtual screen in front of the vehicle. Figure 15 shows the light distribution pattern (concentrating pattern) using the concentrating light guide 120A, and Figure 16 shows the light distribution pattern (diffusing pattern) using the diffusing light guide 120B. Figure 17 shows a light distribution pattern (low beam pattern) that combines the concentrating pattern and the diffusion pattern.

[0076] Figures 15 to 17 show patterns corresponding to vehicles traveling on the left side of the road. In Figures 15 to 17, the VV line represents the vertical line of the screen, and the HH line represents the horizontal line on the left and right of the screen. Here, the intersection of the vertical line and the horizontal line is considered the horizontal reference position.

[0077] The light L6 and L7 emitted from the emission surface 26 of the light-concentrating light guide 120A are projected in front of the vehicle as a concentrated light pattern PA2, as shown in Figure 15. Specifically, the light L6 and L7 that pass over the light-shielding portion 24 of the light-concentrating light guide 120A and reach the emission surface 26 form a concentrated light pattern PA2 including a cutoff line CL. In Figure 15, the example is given in which the diagonal cutoff line CLb of the cutoff line CL is formed to be tilted downward toward the right, but the explanation is not limited to this, and a similar explanation is possible even when the diagonal cutoff line CLb is tilted downward toward the left.

[0078] In the light-gathering light guide 120A, a portion of the light (light L8) reflected by the second reflective surface 23 is emitted to the outside from a portion of the light-gathering light guide 120A other than the emission surface 26, via the refractive surface 28a and the total reflective surface 28b. Therefore, compared to a configuration without the refractive surface 28a and the total reflective surface 28b, the brightness of the light-gathering pattern PA2 is reduced in the region corresponding to the light L8, that is, in the adjustment region PR2 of the light-gathering pattern PA2 near the horizontal cutoff line CLa on the opposite lane side relative to the vehicle.

[0079] On the other hand, the light emitted from the emission surface 26 of the diffusing light guide 120B is irradiated in front of the vehicle as a diffusion pattern PB2, as shown in Figure 16. Specifically, the light that passes over the light-shielding portion 24 of the diffusing light guide 120B and reaches the emission surface 26 forms a diffusion pattern PB2 including a cutoff line CL. In Figure 16, the case in which the diagonal cutoff line CLd of the cutoff line CL is formed to tilt downward toward the right is used as an example, but the explanation is not limited to this, and a similar explanation is possible even when the diagonal cutoff line CLd is tilted downward toward the left.

[0080] In this embodiment, the light-shielding portion 124B of the diffusing light guide 120B has the same shape as the light-shielding portion 124A of the concentrating light guide 120A. Therefore, the diffusion pattern PB2 is formed to overlap with the adjustment region PR2 of the concentrating pattern PA2.

[0081] By combining the focusing pattern PA2 and the diffusion pattern PB2, a low beam pattern P2 is formed in front of the vehicle, as shown in Figure 17. In the low beam pattern P2, both the focusing pattern PA2 and the diffusion pattern PB2 illuminate the adjustment region PR2. Therefore, since the diffusion pattern PB2 illuminates the portion where the brightness of the focusing pattern PA2 has been reduced, a rapid decrease in brightness is suppressed in the adjustment region PR2. In addition, since both the focusing pattern PA2 and the diffusion pattern PB2 illuminate the portion outside the adjustment region PR2, the horizontality of the horizontal cutoff line CLa is ensured.

[0082] As described above, in the vehicle light guide 120 according to the second embodiment, the adjustment section 28 has a shape that is recessed inward from the inner surface reflective surface 25, has a refractive surface 28a on the rear side in the front-rear direction that emits a portion of the light reflected by the second surface 23 to the outside, and has a total reflection surface 28b on the front side in the front-rear direction that totally reflects the light emitted from the refractive surface.

[0083] In the above-described vehicle light guide 20, the adjustment section 28 is formed so that it moves further away from the light shielding section 24 in the front-rear direction as it moves away from the focal point P in the left-right direction. Therefore, the boundary portion on the opposing lane side in the left-right direction of the adjustment area PR2 of the focusing pattern PA2 can be blurred. Therefore, the gap in the adjustment area PR2 in the focusing pattern PA2 can be mitigated. In addition, the boundary portion on the vertical line VV side in the left-right direction of the adjustment area PR2 of the focusing pattern PA2 can be formed more clearly.

[0084] In the above-described vehicle light guide 20, the adjustment section 28 is formed such that the amount of recess decreases as it approaches the focal point P in the left-right direction. With this configuration, the brightness of the adjustment area PR2 of the light-gathering pattern PA2 can be adjusted more precisely so that it becomes brighter as it approaches the vertical line VV in the left-right direction.

[0085] The vehicle lighting unit according to this embodiment can be configured to include a light source 10, a vehicle light guide 120 which guides and emits light from the light source 10 and emits a focusing pattern PA2 in front of the vehicle, and a diffusion light guide 120B which guides light from the light source 10 and emits a diffusion pattern PB2 in front of the vehicle such that a portion of it overlaps with the focusing pattern PA2. In this configuration, the adjustment unit 28 has a shape that is recessed inward from the inner surface reflective surface 25, has a refractive surface 28a on the front side in the front-rear direction that emits a portion of the light reflected by the second reflective surface 23 to the outside, and has a total reflection surface 28b on the rear side in the front-rear direction that totally reflects the light emitted from the refractive surface, and the diffusion light guide 120B is formed such that the diffusion pattern PB2 overlaps with the adjustment region PR2 which is the adjustment portion of the focusing pattern PA2 by the adjustment unit 28. In this configuration, the diffusion pattern PB2 illuminates the area where the brightness of the focusing pattern PA2 has been reduced, thus suppressing a rapid decrease in brightness in the adjustment region PR2. Furthermore, in areas other than the adjustment region PR2, both the focusing pattern PA2 and the diffusion pattern PB2 illuminate, ensuring the horizontality of the horizontal cutoff line CLa.

[0086] The technical scope of the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and modifications can be made as appropriate without departing from the spirit of the invention. In the embodiments described above, the configuration of a vehicle lighting device 100 mounted on a vehicle traveling on a left-hand road was used as an example, but the invention is not limited thereto, and a similar explanation can be given when a vehicle headlight is mounted on a vehicle traveling on a right-hand road.

[0087] Furthermore, in the light-gathering light guide 20A described in the first embodiment above, other configurations may be provided on the inner surface reflective surface 25 behind the adjustment unit 27. Figure 18 shows another example of a light-gathering light guide. As shown in Figure 18, the light-gathering light guide 220A may have a recess 29 on the inner surface reflective surface 25 that is recessed inward from the inner surface reflective surface 25, behind the adjustment unit 27. By providing the recess 29, a portion of the light that is internally reflected by the second reflective surface 23 and directed toward the focal point P can be blocked. This configuration makes it possible to adjust the illuminance of a portion of the low beam pattern.

[0088] Furthermore, although the above-described light-gathering light guides 20A, 120A, and 220A were explained using a configuration in which the second reflective surface 23 and the light-shielding portion 24 are connected by an inner reflective surface 25 as an example, the explanation is not limited to this configuration.

[0089] Figure 19 shows another example of a light-gathering light guide. As shown in Figure 19, the light-gathering light guide 320A includes an incident surface 21, a first reflective surface 22, a second reflective surface 23, a light-shielding portion 24, an adjustment surface 225, a transmission surface 226, an inner reflective surface 227, a re-incident surface 228, and an exit surface 26.

[0090] The configuration of the incident surface 21, the first reflective surface 22, the second reflective surface 23, the light-shielding portion 24, and the exit surface 26 is the same as described above. The adjustment surface 225 extends forward from the front end of the second reflective surface 23. The transmission surface 226 is provided extending upward in the vertical direction from the front end of the adjustment surface 225, and transmits a portion of the light reflected by the second reflective surface 23 to the outside of the light guide and directs it forward. The internal reflective surface 227 is located between the upper end of the transmission surface 226 and the light-shielding portion 24, and internally reflects a portion of the light internally reflected by the second reflective surface 23 toward the front. The re-incident surface 228 is positioned in front of the transmission surface 226 and below the light-shielding portion 24, and re-incidentates the light that has been transmitted from the transmission surface 226 to the outside of the light guide. The exit surface 26 emits the light internally reflected by the second reflective surface 23 and the light incident from the re-incident surface 228.

[0091] In this configuration, the main pattern (low beam pattern) is formed by light reflected by the second reflective surface 23, passing over the inner reflective surface 227 and the light-shielding portion 24 or above the light-shielding portion 24 before being emitted from the emission surface 26, and light that is internally reflected by the inner reflective surface 227, passing over the light-shielding portion 24 or above the light-shielding portion 24 before being emitted from the emission surface 26. In this configuration, since the adjustment surface 225 is positioned between the second reflective surface 23 and the inner reflective surface 227, a portion of the light reflected by the second reflective surface 23 reaches the adjustment surface 225 without reaching the inner reflective surface 227, and is emitted to the outside from the portion of the light-concentrating light guide 220A other than the emission surface 26 via the adjustment surface 225. As a result, the illuminance of a portion of the low beam pattern can be reduced, and the illuminance of the entire pattern can be appropriately adjusted.

[0092] Furthermore, although the above embodiment was described using the example of a vehicle light guide where the light-gathering light guide that forms the light-gathering pattern and the light-diffusing light guide that forms the diffuse pattern are separate vehicle light guides, the configuration is not limited to this. A single vehicle light guide may form both the light-gathering pattern and the diffuse pattern. In this case, for example, this can be achieved by injecting light into at least one of the two incident surfaces 21 located on the central side in the left-right direction and at least one of the two incident surfaces 21 located on the outer side in the left-right direction of a single vehicle light guide. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0093] AX...Optical axis, CL...Cutoff line, CLa,CLc...Horizontal cutoff line, CLb,CLd...Diagonal cutoff line, L1,L2,L3,L4,L5,L6,L7,L8...Light, P...Focus, P1,P2...Low beam pattern, PA1,PA2...Concentrating pattern, PB1,PB2...Diffusion pattern, PQ1...Avoidance area, PR1,PR2...Adjustment area, 10...Light source, 11...Emitting surface, 20,120...Vehicle light guide, 20A,120A,220A,320A...Concentrating light guide, 20B,120B...Diffusion light guide, 20g...Corner, 20h...Top surface, 20La,20Lc...Horizontal portion, 20Lb,20Ld …inclined portion, 20Le, 29…recess, 21…incident surface, 21a…first surface, 21b…second surface, 22…first reflective surface, 22a…first rear region, 22b…first front region, 23…second reflective surface, 24, 24A, 24B, 124, 124A, 124B…light shielding portion, 25, 227…inner reflective surface, 26…exit surface, 27, 28…adjustment portion, 27a…inclined surface, 27b…folded surface, 28a…refracting surface, 28b…reflective surface, 28c…first part, 28d…second part, 100…vehicle light fixture, 150…vehicle light fixture unit, 151…housing, 152…outer lens, 225…adjustment surface, 226…transmitting surface, 228…re-incident surface

Claims

1. The incident surface into which light from the light source enters, A first reflective surface that internally reflects the light incident from the incident surface, A second reflective surface internally reflects at least a portion of the light reflected by the first reflective surface forward so as to pass through the focal point and the vicinity of the focal point, A light-shielding portion that blocks a portion of the light reflected by the second reflective surface, An internal reflective surface located between the front end of the second reflective surface and the light-shielding portion, which internally reflects a portion of the light internally reflected by the second reflective surface toward the front, An emitting surface that emits light reflected internally by the second reflective surface to form a light distribution pattern in front of the vehicle, An adjustment unit is provided on the inner surface reflective surface behind the light-shielding portion and on one side to the left or right of the focal point of the second reflective surface, which causes a portion of the light reflected by the second reflective surface to be internally reflected or refracted and emitted to the outside from a portion different from the emission surface. Equipped with, The adjustment unit reduces the brightness of the upper part of the light distribution pattern compared to the surrounding area. Light guide for vehicles.

2. The adjustment section has a shape that protrudes outward from the inner surface, and on the front side in the front-rear direction it has an inclined surface that slopes downward toward the rear so as to internally reflect a portion of the light reflected by the second surface toward a part different from the emission surface, and on the rear side in the front-rear direction it has a folded surface that is folded upward from the rear end of the inclined surface and connected to the inner surface. The vehicle light guide according to claim 1.

3. The folded surface is provided in a position that is more upright in the vertical direction compared to the inclined surface. The vehicle light guide according to claim 2.

4. The adjustment portion is formed such that the amount of protrusion gradually decreases from the center in the left-right direction toward both sides. The vehicle light guide according to claim 2.

5. The inner surface reflective surface has a recess behind the adjustment portion that is recessed inward from the inner surface reflective surface. The vehicle light guide according to claim 1.

6. The adjustment section has a shape that is recessed inward from the inner surface, and has a refractive surface on the rear side in the front-rear direction that emits a portion of the light reflected by the second surface to the outside, and a total reflection surface on the front side in the front-rear direction that totally reflects the light emitted from the refractive surface. The vehicle light guide according to claim 1.

7. The adjustment section is formed such that the further it is from the light-shielding section in the front-to-back direction, the further it is from the focal point in the left-to-right direction. The vehicle light guide according to claim 6.

8. The adjustment section is formed such that the amount of recess decreases as it approaches the focal point in the left-right direction. The vehicle light guide according to claim 6.

9. Light source and A light guide for a vehicle according to claim 1, which guides and emits light from the light source, comprising a concentrating light guide that irradiates a concentrating pattern as the light distribution pattern in front of the vehicle, A diffusing light guide that guides light from the aforementioned light source and emits a diffusing pattern toward the front of the vehicle such that a portion of it overlaps with the aforementioned focusing pattern, A vehicle lighting unit equipped with the following features.

10. The adjustment section has a shape that protrudes outward from the inner surface, and on the front side in the front-rear direction it has an inclined surface that slopes downward toward the rear so as to internally reflect a portion of the light reflected by the second surface toward a part different from the emission surface, and on the rear side in the front-rear direction it has a folded surface that is folded upward from the rear end of the inclined surface and connected to the inner surface. The diffusing light guide is formed such that the diffusion pattern does not overlap with the portion of the focusing pattern that is adjusted by the adjustment unit. The vehicle lighting unit according to claim 9.

11. The adjustment section has a shape that is recessed inward from the inner surface, has a refractive surface on the rear side in the front-rear direction that emits a portion of the light reflected by the second surface to the outside, and has a total reflection surface on the front side in the front-rear direction that totally reflects the light emitted from the refractive surface. The diffusing light guide is formed such that the diffusion pattern overlaps with the portion of the focusing pattern that is adjusted by the adjustment unit. The vehicle lighting unit according to claim 9.

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