Vehicle lamp

Abstract

This vehicle lamp (1) for projecting light forward comprises: a first optical system (10) having a first incident part and a first emitting part; a second optical system (20) which is disposed side by side with the first optical system in a direction orthogonal to the front-rear direction, and which has a second incident part and a second emitting part; a first light source unit (30) facing the first incident part; and a second light source unit (40) facing the second incident part. The first light source unit has a first main light-emitting part (31) and a first sub-light-emitting part (32), and the second light source unit has a second main light-emitting part (41) and a second sub-light-emitting part (42). The first main light-emitting part is disposed on the optical axis of the first incident part. The second main light-emitting part is disposed on the optical axis of the second incident part. The first sub-light-emitting part is offset to the left with respect to the optical axis of the first incident part. The second sub-light-emitting part is offset to the right with respect to the optical axis of the second incident part.

Description

Vehicle lighting fixtures

[0001] This application claims priority from Japanese Patent Application No. 2023-110717, filed on July 5, 2023, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

[0002] Vehicle lamps that combine a light source and a lens body are known. In such vehicle lamps, the lens body refracts light to form a desired light distribution pattern ahead. Forming multiple light distribution patterns with such vehicle lamps requires the preparation of multiple lens bodies, which results in an increase in the size of the vehicle lamp. Patent Document 1 discloses a vehicle lamp that arranges multiple light-emitting elements that direct light from different directions onto an incident portion of a single lens body, thereby forming high-beam and low-beam light distribution patterns with a small number of lens bodies.

[0003] Japanese Patent No. 6690961

[0004] Conventional vehicle lamps have been unable to form both a light distribution pattern that concentrates light in a narrow range, such as for high beams, and a light distribution pattern that irradiates light over a wide range, such as for daytime running lights (DRL), with a small number of lens bodies. In other words, conventional vehicle lamps have been limited in the variety of light distribution patterns that can be formed.

[0005] An object of an aspect of the present invention is to provide a vehicle lamp that can realize a variety of light distribution patterns while achieving miniaturization.

[0006] The present invention provides the following aspects: [1] A vehicular lamp that emits light forward, comprising: a first optical system having a first incident portion and a first exit portion; a second optical system arranged alongside the first optical system in a direction (a plurality of optical systems) orthogonal to a front-to-rear direction and having a second incident portion and a second exit portion; a first light source unit facing the first incident portion; and a second light source unit facing the second incident portion, wherein the first light source unit has a first main light-emitting portion and a first sub light-emitting portion, and the second light source unit has a second main light-emitting portion and a second sub light-emitting portion, the first main light-emitting portion is arranged on the optical axis of the first incident portion and the second main light-emitting portion is arranged on the optical axis of the second incident portion, the first sub light-emitting portion is arranged offset to the left with respect to the optical axis of the first incident portion, and the second sub light-emitting portion is arranged offset to the right with respect to the optical axis of the second incident portion. [2] The vehicular lamp according to [1], wherein the first sub light-emitting unit is disposed offset upward with respect to the optical axis of the first incident unit, and the second sub light-emitting unit is disposed offset downward with respect to the optical axis of the second incident unit. [3] The vehicular lamp according to [1], wherein the distance between the optical axis of the first incident unit and the center of the first sub light-emitting unit is equal to the distance between the optical axis of the second incident unit and the center of the second sub light-emitting unit. [4] The vehicular lamp according to [1], wherein the first main light-emitting unit, the first sub light-emitting unit, the second main light-emitting unit, and the second sub light-emitting unit are mounted on the same circuit board. [5] The vehicular lamp according to any one of [1] to [4], further comprising a control unit that controls the first light source unit and the second light source unit, and the control unit is capable of switching between a first mode in which the first main light-emitting unit and the second main light-emitting unit are turned on and the first sub light-emitting unit and the second sub light-emitting unit are turned off to form a first light distribution pattern ahead, and a second mode in which the first sub light-emitting unit and the second sub light-emitting unit are turned on and the first main light-emitting unit and the second main light-emitting unit are turned off to form a second light distribution pattern ahead.

[0007] According to the aspects of the present invention, it is possible to provide a vehicle lamp that can realize a variety of light distribution patterns while achieving miniaturization.

[0008] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a vehicular lamp 1 according to one embodiment. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the vehicular lamp taken along line II-II in FIG. 1. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the vehicular lamp taken along line III-III in FIG. 1, illustrating the optical path of light emitted in a first mode. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the vehicular lamp taken along line III-III in FIG. 1, illustrating the optical path of light emitted in a second mode. FIG. 5 is a front view of a first light source unit according to one embodiment, viewed from the rear. FIG. 6 is a front view of a second light source unit according to one embodiment, viewed from the rear. FIG. 7 is a view illustrating a first light distribution pattern projected by the vehicular lamp according to one embodiment. FIG. 8 is a view illustrating a second light distribution pattern projected by the vehicular lamp according to one embodiment.

[0009] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In the drawings used in the following description, the dimensions of the components may be shown at different scales to make them easier to see, and the dimensional ratios of the components may not necessarily be the same as those in reality.

[0010] In the following description, the positions of each part of a vehicle lamp will be described based on a vehicle lamp mounted on a vehicle positioned on a horizontal road surface. The drawings also appropriately illustrate an XYZ coordinate system as a three-dimensional Cartesian coordinate system. In each drawing, the Z axis direction is the vertical direction, the +Z side is the vertically upper side, and the -Z side is the vertically lower side. In this specification, the +X side is simply referred to as "upward," and the vertically lower side is simply referred to as "downward." The X axis direction is a direction perpendicular to the Z axis direction and corresponds to the fore-and-aft direction of a vehicle on which the vehicle lamp 1 of this embodiment is mounted. The +X side is the front of the vehicle, and the -X side is the rear of the vehicle. In this specification, the +X side is simply referred to as "forward," and the -X side is simply referred to as "rear." The Y axis direction is a direction perpendicular to both the X axis direction and the Z axis direction and corresponds to the left-right direction of the vehicle, i.e., the vehicle width direction. The +Y side is the left side of the vehicle, and the -Y side is the right side of the vehicle. In this specification, the +Y side is simply referred to as the "left" side, and the -Y side is simply referred to as the "right" side.

[0011] Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a vehicle lamp 1 according to this embodiment. Fig. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the vehicle lamp 1 taken along line II-II in Fig. 1. Figs. 3 and 4 are cross-sectional views of the vehicle lamp 1 taken along line III-III in Fig. 1.

[0012] The vehicular lamp 1 of this embodiment constitutes a vehicular headlamp (headlight) that switchably irradiates a high beam and a daytime running light (DRL) beam toward the front (+X) of the vehicle. In this specification, the direction of light emitted by the vehicular lamp 1 is defined as the forward direction, and the directions of each part are defined accordingly. That is, the vehicular lamp 1 irradiates light toward the forward (+X) side.

[0013] 1 , the vehicle lamp 1 of this embodiment includes a control unit 2, a light source unit 5, a first optical system 10, and a second optical system 20. The light source unit 5 includes a first light source unit 30, a second light source unit 40, and a circuit board 50. Furthermore, the first light source unit 30 includes a first main light-emitting unit 31 and a first sub light-emitting unit 32, and the second light source unit 40 includes a second main light-emitting unit 41 and a second sub light-emitting unit 42.

[0014] The first optical system 10 and the second optical system 20 are arranged side by side in the left-right direction (Y-axis direction). The first optical system 10 extends along a first reference axis (optical axis) AX1 that is substantially parallel to the front-to-back direction (X-axis direction). The first optical system 10 has a first rear lens portion 11 and a first front lens portion 15. The first rear lens portion 11 and the first front lens portion 15 are arranged side by side along the first reference axis AX1. Similarly, the second optical system 20 extends along a second reference axis (optical axis) AX2 that is substantially parallel to the front-to-back direction (X-axis direction). The second optical system 20 has a second rear lens portion 21 and a second front lens portion 25. The second rear lens portion 21 and the second front lens portion 25 are arranged side by side along the second reference axis AX2.

[0015] In this embodiment, the first rear lens portion 11 and the second rear lens portion 21 are integrally formed to form the rear lens body 3. Similarly, the first front lens portion 15 and the second front lens portion 25 are integrally formed to form the front lens body 4. The rear lens body 3 and the front lens body 4 are each a polyhedral lens body. The front lens body 4 is located in front of the rear lens body 3. The rear lens body 3 and the front lens body 4 are made of a transparent resin material with a refractive index higher than that of air, such as polycarbonate or acrylic (PMMA). The rear lens body 3 and the front lens body 4 are each molded by injection molding using a mold. Note that the rear lens body 3 and the front lens body 4 may also be made of a glass material.

[0016] (First Optical System) First optical system 10 has first incident portion 12 and first exit portion 19. First exit portion 19 has first intermediate exit surface 13, first intermediate incident surface 16, and first exit surface 17. In the present embodiment, first incident portion 12 and first intermediate exit surface 13 are formed on the surface of first rear lens portion 11. On the other hand, first intermediate incident surface 16 and first exit surface 17 are formed on the surface of first front lens portion 15. First incident portion 12, first intermediate exit surface 13, first intermediate incident surface 16, and first exit surface 17 are arranged in this order along first reference axis AX1.

[0017] In this embodiment, the first reference axis AX1 constitutes the optical axis of the first entrance portion 12 and the first exit portion 19. Light that enters the first entrance portion 12 along the first reference axis AX1 passes through the inside of the first optical system 10 along the first reference axis AX1 and is emitted forward from the first exit portion 19 along the first reference axis AX1.

[0018] 2, the first incident portion 12 is located on the rear end (rear surface) side of the first rear lens portion 11. The first incident portion 12 faces the light source unit 5 in the front-rear direction. The first incident portion 12 has a front incident surface 12a, a side incident surface 12b, and an internal reflection surface 12c.

[0019] The front incidence surface 12a is disposed on the first reference axis AX1. The front incidence surface 12a is configured as a free-form surface (aspheric surface) that is convex rearward (-X) with respect to the first reference axis AX1. The front incidence surface 12a constitutes a lens surface. The side incidence surface 12b extends rearward (-X) from the outer edge of the front incidence surface 12a. The side incidence surface 12b is configured as a conical inner peripheral surface. The side incidence surface 12b is inclined so as to move away from the first reference axis AX1 as it extends from the front to the rear. As a result, the opening area of ​​the side incidence surface 12b that opens rearward increases as it extends rearward (-X), allowing the side incidence surface 12b to efficiently capture light irradiated from the light source unit 5. The internal reflection surface 12c extends forward from the rear end of the side incidence surface 12b. The internal reflection surface 12c has a substantially parabolic shape with its central axis aligned along the front-to-rear direction. The inner reflecting surface 12c surrounds the front incidence surface 12a and the side incidence surface 12b from the outside in the radial direction.

[0020] Of the light emitted from the first main light-emitting unit 31 of the light source unit 5, light LA1 with a relatively small emission angle is incident on the front incident surface 12a. This light LA1 is refracted at the front incident surface 12a and guided into the first optical system 10. The front incident surface 12a focuses the light LA1 emitted from the first main light-emitting unit 31 at a first focal point F1 on the first reference axis AX1. On the other hand, of the light emitted from the first main light-emitting unit 31, light L2 with a relatively large emission angle is incident on the side incident surface 12b. This light L2 is refracted at the side incident surface 12b and guided into the first optical system 10, where it is internally reflected (total reflected) forward by the internal reflecting surface 12c. In other words, the internal reflecting surface 12c internally reflects the light L2 incident from the side incident surface 12b forward. The side entrance surface 12b and the internal reflection surface 12c may be configured to focus the light L2 incident from the first main light-emitting unit 31 onto the first focal point F1.

[0021] First intermediate emission surface 13 is located on the front end (front surface) side of first rear lens portion 11. Light passing through the interior of first rear lens portion 11 is emitted from first intermediate emission surface 13. As shown in FIG. 1 , first intermediate emission surface 13 is configured as a free-form surface (aspheric surface) that is convex forward (+X) so as to condense the emitted light in the vertical direction (Z-axis direction) and horizontal directions.

[0022] First intermediate entrance surface 16 is located on the rear end (rear surface) side of first front lens portion 15. First intermediate entrance surface 16 faces rearward (-X) and faces first intermediate exit surface 13 in the front-to-rear direction. Light emitted from first intermediate exit surface 13 is incident on first intermediate entrance surface 16. In this embodiment, first intermediate entrance surface 16 is a cylindrical lens surface that is convex rearward about a cylindrical axis extending in the horizontal direction.

[0023] First exit surface 17 is located at the front end (front surface) of first front lens portion 15. First exit surface 17 faces the forward (+X) side. First exit surface 17 emits light passing through the interior of first front lens portion 15 forward. First exit surface 17 functions as the final exit surface of first optical system 10. In this embodiment, first exit surface 17 is a cylindrical lens surface that is convex rearward about a cylindrical axis extending horizontally.

[0024] In this embodiment, first intermediate exit surface 13, first intermediate entrance surface 16, and first exit surface 17 constitute a composite lens that connects first focal point F1. Therefore, among the light that enters first optical system 10 from first entrance portion 12, light that passes through first focal point F1 is emitted forward as approximately parallel light from first exit surface 17. Note that the configurations of first intermediate exit surface 13, first intermediate entrance surface 16, and first exit surface 17 in this embodiment are merely examples, and the shapes and arrangements of each surface are not limited to those in this embodiment as long as they can form a single composite lens as a whole.

[0025] (Second Optical System) Similar to first optical system 10, second optical system 20 has second entrance portion 22 and second exit portion 29. Second exit portion 29 has second intermediate exit surface 23, second intermediate entrance surface 26, and second exit surface 27. Second entrance portion 22 and second intermediate exit surface 23 are formed on the surface of second rear lens portion 21. Second intermediate entrance surface 26 and second exit surface 27 are formed on the surface of second front lens portion 25. Second entrance portion 22, second intermediate exit surface 23, second intermediate entrance surface 26, and second exit surface 27 are arranged in this order along second reference axis AX2.

[0026] In this embodiment, the second reference axis AX2 constitutes the optical axis of the second entrance portion 22 and the second exit portion 29. Light that enters the second entrance portion 22 along the second reference axis AX2 passes through the inside of the second optical system 20 along the second reference axis AX2 and is emitted forward from the second exit portion 29 along the second reference axis AX2.

[0027] As shown in FIG. 3 , the first optical system 10 and the second optical system 20 have surface-symmetric shapes with a virtual boundary plane VP parallel to the first reference axis AX1 and the second reference axis AX2 as a reference plane. Therefore, the second optical system 20 has components that are surface-symmetric with respect to the components of the first optical system 10. More specifically, the first incident portion 12 and the second incident portion 22 have symmetric shapes, the first intermediate exit surface 13 and the second intermediate exit surface 23 have symmetric shapes, the first intermediate entrance surface 16 and the second intermediate entrance surface 26 have symmetric shapes, and the first exit surface 17 and the second exit surface 27 have symmetric shapes. Therefore, in this specification, the components of the second optical system 20 will be briefly described below, and detailed description will be omitted.

[0028] 2, the second incident portion 22 is located on the rear end (rear surface) side of the second rear lens portion 21. The second incident portion 22 faces the light source unit 5 in the front-rear direction. Similar to the first optical system 10, the second incident portion 22 has a front incident surface 22a, a side incident surface 22b, and an internal reflection surface 22c. Of the light incident on the second incident portion 22, at least the light incident on the front incident surface 22a is focused at a second focal point F2 on the second reference axis AX2.

[0029] The second intermediate exit surface 23 is located on the front end (front surface) side of the second rear lens unit 21. The second intermediate incident surface 26 is located on the rear end (rear surface) side of the second front lens unit 25. The second exit surface 27 is located on the front end (front surface) of the second front lens unit 25. In this embodiment, the second intermediate exit surface 23, the second intermediate incident surface 26, and the second exit surface 27 form a composite lens that forms the second focal point F2. Therefore, of the light that enters the second optical system 20 from the second incident unit 22, the light that passes through the second focal point F2 is emitted forward from the second exit surface 27 as parallel light.

[0030] (Light Source Unit) The circuit board 50 of the light source unit 5 is a rectangular, flat, printed wiring board extending along a plane perpendicular to the first reference axis AX1 and the second reference axis AX2. A wiring pattern (not shown) is provided on the mounting surface of the circuit board 50. The first main light-emitting unit 31 and the first sub light-emitting unit 32 of the first light source unit 30, and the second main light-emitting unit 41 and the second sub light-emitting unit 42 of the second light source unit 40 are mounted on the front-facing surface of the circuit board 50. A control unit 2 that controls the first light source unit 30 and the second light source unit 40 is also connected to the circuit board 50. The control unit 2 may be composed of a plurality of electronic components mounted on the circuit board 50.

[0031] The first main light-emitting unit 31 and the first sub light-emitting unit 32 face the first incident unit 12 in the front-rear direction (X-axis direction). The second main light-emitting unit 41 and the second sub light-emitting unit 42 face the first incident unit 12 in the front-rear direction (X-axis direction). The first main light-emitting unit 31, the first sub light-emitting unit 32, the second main light-emitting unit 41, and the second sub light-emitting unit 42 are each composed of an LED that emits white light. Furthermore, the LEDs used are high-output types used for vehicle lighting. The type of each light-emitting unit is not particularly limited, and light sources other than the light-emitting elements described above may be used.

[0032] The light emitted from the first main light-emitting unit 31 and the second main light-emitting unit 41 is used as high beam light. Meanwhile, the first sub light-emitting unit 32 and the second sub light-emitting unit 42 are used as daytime running lights (DRL) beam light. The first main light-emitting unit 31 and the second main light-emitting unit 41 emit light in the same amount. The first sub light-emitting unit 32 and the second sub light-emitting unit 42 emit light in the same amount. In this embodiment, the light intensities of the light emitted by the first main light-emitting unit 31 and the second main light-emitting unit 41 and the first sub light-emitting unit 32 and the second sub light-emitting unit 42 are equal to each other, but they may be different from each other.

[0033] FIG. 5 is a front view of the first light source unit 30 of this embodiment, as seen from the rear. As shown in FIG. 5, the first main light-emitting unit 31 and the first sub-light-emitting unit 32 of the first light source unit 30 are offset from each other. The first main light-emitting unit 31 is disposed on a first reference axis AX1. The first reference axis AX1 is located at the center of the first main light-emitting unit 31 and is perpendicular to the main surface of the first main light-emitting unit 31. The brightest light emitted from the first main light-emitting unit 31 passes through the first reference axis AX1 and enters the first incident unit 12. Meanwhile, the first sub-light-emitting unit 32 is disposed offset to the left (+Y) and upward (+Z) with respect to the first reference axis AX1. In this embodiment, the direction in which the first sub-light-emitting unit 32 is offset from the first reference axis AX1 (upper-left direction) is defined as a first direction D1. The first reference axis AX1 and the center of the first sub light-emitting unit 32 are separated by a first left-right distance d1 in the left-right direction (Y-axis direction) and a first vertical distance h1 in the vertical direction (Z-axis direction).

[0034] FIG. 6 is a front view of the second light source unit 40 of this embodiment, as viewed from the rear. As shown in FIG. 6, the second main light-emitting unit 41 and the second sub-light-emitting unit 42 of the second light source unit 40 are offset from each other. The second main light-emitting unit 41 is disposed on a second reference axis AX2. The second reference axis AX2 is located at the center of the second main light-emitting unit 41 and is perpendicular to the main surface of the second main light-emitting unit 41. The brightest light emitted from the second main light-emitting unit 41 passes through the second reference axis AX2 and enters the second incident unit 22. Meanwhile, the second sub-light-emitting unit 42 is disposed offset to the right (-Y) and downward (-Z) with respect to the second reference axis AX2. In this embodiment, the direction in which the second sub-light-emitting unit 42 is offset from the second reference axis AX2 (toward the lower right) is defined as the second direction D2. The second reference axis AX2 and the center of the second main light-emitting unit 41 are separated by a second left-right distance d2 in the left-right direction (Y-axis direction) and a second vertical distance h2 in the vertical direction (Z-axis direction).

[0035] As shown in Figures 5 and 6, the first sub-light-emitting unit 32 is offset upward and leftward with respect to the first reference axis AX1, and the second sub-light-emitting unit 42 is offset downward and rightward with respect to the second reference axis AX2. Therefore, the direction in which the first sub-light-emitting unit 32 is offset with respect to the first reference axis AX1 (first direction D1) and the direction in which the second sub-light-emitting unit 42 is offset with respect to the second reference axis AX2 (second direction D2) are symmetrical to each other. Note that "mutually symmetrical directions" here refers to directions that are substantially parallel to each other and point in opposite directions. Furthermore, "substantially parallel" does not necessarily mean "parallel" in the strict sense; it is sufficient that one is generally parallel to the other within a range of ±30°.

[0036] In this embodiment, the first left-right distance d1 and the second left-right distance d2 are equal to each other. The first vertical distance h1 and the second vertical distance h2 are equal to each other. That is, the distance between the first reference axis AX1 and the center of the first sub-light-emitting unit 32 and the distance between the second reference axis AX2 and the center of the second sub-light-emitting unit 42 are equal to each other.

[0037] (Controller) The controller 2 of this embodiment shown in Fig. 1 controls each light-emitting element of the light source unit 5 and switches the mode of the vehicle lamp 1 between a first mode and a second mode. The first mode is a mode in which a high beam is emitted in front of the vehicle lamp 1. On the other hand, the second mode is a mode in which a daytime running light beam is emitted in front of the vehicle lamp 1. The first mode is selected mainly at night, and the second mode is selected mainly during the day.

[0038] In the first mode, the control unit 2 turns on the first main light-emitting unit 31 and the second main light-emitting unit 41 and turns off the first sub light-emitting unit 32 and the second sub light-emitting unit 42 to form a first light distribution pattern P1 ahead. In the second mode, the control unit 2 turns on the first sub light-emitting unit 32 and the second sub light-emitting unit 42 and turns off the first main light-emitting unit 31 and the second main light-emitting unit 41 to form a second light distribution pattern P2 ahead.

[0039] (Light Distribution Pattern) As shown in FIG. 3 , in the first mode, light is emitted from the first main light-emitting unit 31 and the second main light-emitting unit 41. Light LA1 emitted from the first main light-emitting unit 31 passes through a first focal point F1 inside the first rear lens unit 11 and is emitted forward from the first emission unit 19 as substantially parallel light. Similarly, light LA2 emitted from the second main light-emitting unit 41 passes through a second focal point F2 inside the second rear lens unit 21 and is emitted forward from the second emission unit 29 as substantially parallel light. Note that, as shown in FIG. 2 , light LA1 emitted from the first main light-emitting unit 31 also passes through the first focal point F1 in the vertical direction (Z) and is emitted forward from the first emission unit 19 as substantially parallel light. Although not shown, light LA2 emitted from the second main light-emitting unit 41 is also emitted forward as parallel light in the vertical direction.

[0040] 7 is a diagram showing a first light distribution pattern P1 projected by the vehicular lamp 1 onto a virtual screen in front in the first mode. In the first mode, light emitted from the first optical system 10 and light emitted from the second optical system 20 overlap each other on the screen in front to form a first light distribution pattern P1 for high beams. In the first mode, the first optical system 10 and the second optical system 20 each emit substantially parallel light forward (+X). Therefore, in the first light distribution pattern P1, light irradiation is concentrated near the center of the screen, making the area brightest near the center of the screen. On the other hand, in the first light distribution pattern P1, light is diffused to the top, bottom, left, and right of the screen, and less light is irradiated.

[0041] As shown in FIG. 4 , in the second mode, light is emitted from the first sub-light-emitting unit 32 and the second sub-light-emitting unit 42. Light LB1 emitted from the first sub-light-emitting unit 32 is emitted from the first light-emitting unit 19 in a diffused manner in a direction tilted leftward (+Y) with respect to the forward direction (+X). Also, as shown in FIG. 2 , light LB1 emitted from the first sub-light-emitting unit 32 is emitted from the first light-emitting unit 19 in a diffused manner in a direction tilted upward (+Z) with respect to the forward direction (+X). Light LB2 emitted from the second sub-light-emitting unit 42 is emitted from the second light-emitting unit 29 in a diffused manner in a direction tilted rightward (-Y) with respect to the forward direction (+X). Although not shown, light LB1 emitted from the second sub-light-emitting unit 42 is emitted from the second light-emitting unit 29 in a diffused manner in a direction tilted downward (-Z) with respect to the forward direction (+X). At least a portion of the light LB1, LB2 emitted from the first sub light emitting unit 32 and the second sub light emitting unit 42 intersects with each other in the left-right direction (Y-axis direction) and the vertical direction (Z-axis direction) in front of the vehicle lamp 1 (+X).

[0042] Because the first sub light-emitting unit 32 is disposed to the left and above the first reference axis AX1, light LB1 emitted from the first sub light-emitting unit 32 is diffused to the left and above in front of the vehicular lamp 1. Because the second sub light-emitting unit 42 is disposed to the right and below the second reference axis AX2, light LB2 emitted from the second sub light-emitting unit 42 is diffused to the right and below in front of the vehicular lamp 1. That is, in the second mode of this embodiment, the directions of the diffused light emitted from the first optical system 10 and the second optical system 20 coincide with the directions (first direction D1 and second direction D2) in which the sub light-emitting units of each light source are shifted from the reference axis.

[0043] 8 is a diagram showing a second light distribution pattern P2 projected by the vehicular lamp 1 onto a virtual screen ahead in the second mode. In the second mode, the light emitted from the first optical system 10 and the light emitted from the second optical system 20 overlap each other on the screen ahead to form a second light distribution pattern P2 for a daytime running light beam. In the second mode, the first optical system 10 diffuses light to the left and upward, and the second optical system 20 diffuses light to the right and downward. Therefore, in the second mode, the second light distribution pattern P2 is formed in which light is widely distributed in the upper left and lower right directions of the screen. On the other hand, in the second light distribution pattern P2, light irradiation is less likely to be concentrated near the center of the screen, making the area near the center of the screen darker than in the first light distribution pattern P1.

[0044] (Summary) The vehicular lamp 1 of this embodiment emits light forward. As shown in FIG. 1 , the vehicular lamp 1 includes a first optical system 10, a second optical system 20, a first light source unit 30, and a second light source unit 40. The first optical system 10 has a first incident portion 12 and a first exit portion 19. The second optical system 20 is arranged alongside the first optical system 10 in a direction perpendicular to the front-to-rear direction (X-axis direction). The second optical system 20 has a second incident portion 22 and a second exit portion 29. The first light source unit 30 faces the first incident portion 12. The second light source unit 40 faces the second incident portion 22. The first light source unit 30 has a first main light-emitting portion 31 and a first sub light-emitting portion 32. The second light source unit 40 has a second main light-emitting portion 41 and a second sub light-emitting portion 42. As shown in Figures 5 and 6, the first main light-emitting unit 31 is disposed on the optical axis (first reference axis AX1) of the first incident unit 12. The second main light-emitting unit 41 is disposed on the optical axis (second reference axis AX2) of the second incident unit 22. The first sub light-emitting unit 32 is disposed offset to the left (+Y) with respect to the optical axis (first reference axis AX1) of the first incident unit 12. The second sub light-emitting unit 42 is disposed offset to the right (-Y) with respect to the optical axis (second reference axis AX2) of the second incident unit 22.

[0045] According to the above-described configuration, the first light source unit 30 has the first main light-emitting unit 31 and the first sub light-emitting unit 32 facing the first incident unit 12, so that different light distribution patterns can be formed by the light emitted from the first main light-emitting unit 31 and the light emitted from the first sub light-emitting unit 32. Similarly, the second light source unit 40 has the second main light-emitting unit 41 and the second sub light-emitting unit 42 facing the second incident unit 22, so that different light distribution patterns can be formed by the light emitted from the second main light-emitting unit 41 and the light emitted from the second sub light-emitting unit 42. In other words, according to the above-described configuration, it is possible to form multiple light distribution patterns while saving on the number of optical systems, and the vehicle lamp 1 can be made more compact.

[0046] Furthermore, with the above-described configuration, as shown in Fig. 3 , the first main light-emitting element 31 and the second main light-emitting element 41 are disposed on the optical axes of the incident portions 12 and 22, respectively. Therefore, the light emitted from the first main light-emitting element 31 and the second main light-emitting element 41 tends to be emitted parallel to each other from the respective exit portions 19 and 29. As shown in Fig. 7 , by turning on the first main light-emitting element 31 and the second main light-emitting element 41, the vehicle lamp 1 can form a light distribution pattern (first light distribution pattern P1) that concentrates light in a narrow range. This first light distribution pattern P1 can be suitably used as a high beam.

[0047] On the other hand, with the above-described configuration, as shown in FIG. 4 , the first sub light-emitting unit 32 and the second sub light-emitting unit 42 are disposed offset from the optical axes of the incident units 12 and 22, respectively. As shown in FIG. 8 , the vehicle lamp 1 can form a light distribution pattern (second light distribution pattern P2) in which light is widely diffused by turning on the first sub light-emitting unit 32 and the second sub light-emitting unit 42. In particular, with the above-described configuration, the direction (first direction D1) in which the first sub light-emitting unit 32 is offset from the optical axis (first reference axis AX1) is opposite to the direction (second direction D2) in which the second sub light-emitting unit 42 is offset from the optical axis (second reference axis AX2). Therefore, the direction in which the light emitted from the first sub light-emitting unit 32 diffuses through the first optical system 10 can be opposite to the direction in which the light emitted from the second sub light-emitting unit 42 diffuses through the second optical system 20. By superimposing the light distribution patterns formed by the first sub-light-emitting element 32 and the second sub-light-emitting element 42, a composite light distribution pattern (second light distribution pattern P2) that irradiates a wide range in the left-right direction can be formed. In addition, such second light distribution pattern P2 can be suitably used as a daytime running light (DRL) beam.

[0048] In this embodiment, the first sub-light-emitting unit 32 is offset leftward and upward from the optical axis, and the second sub-light-emitting unit 42 is offset rightward and downward from the optical axis. However, as long as the first sub-light-emitting unit 32 and the second sub-light-emitting unit 42 are offset on opposite sides of the optical axis in the left-right direction, they may not be offset up-down from the optical axis, or may be offset in the same direction in the up-down direction. Even in these cases, the effect of forming a wide composite light distribution pattern in the left-right direction can be obtained.

[0049] In the vehicle lamp 1 of this embodiment, the first sub light-emitting unit 32 is disposed so as to be offset upward with respect to the optical axis (first reference axis AX1) of the first incident portion 12. The second sub light-emitting unit 42 is disposed so as to be offset downward with respect to the optical axis (second reference axis AX2) of the second incident portion 22. With this configuration, in the second light distribution pattern P2 formed by turning on the first sub light-emitting unit 32 and the second sub light-emitting unit 42, light can be emitted in the vertical direction, thereby emitting light widely in the vertical direction.

[0050] In the vehicle lamp 1 of this embodiment, the distance between the optical axis (first reference axis AX1) of the first incident portion 12 and the center of the first sub-light-emitting portion 32 is equal to the distance between the optical axis (second reference axis AX2) of the second incident portion 22 and the center of the second sub-light-emitting portion 42. With this configuration, the light distribution pattern formed by the first sub-light-emitting portion 32 and the light distribution pattern formed by the second sub-light-emitting portion 42 can be made substantially symmetrical, and a combined light distribution pattern (second light distribution pattern P2) that is equally wide can be formed in the direction in which the first sub-light-emitting portion 32 and the second sub-light-emitting portion 42 are shifted. As a result, the second light distribution pattern P2 that irradiates light over a wider range can be formed.

[0051] In the vehicular lamp 1 of this embodiment, the first main light-emitting unit 31, the first sub light-emitting unit 32, the second main light-emitting unit 41, and the second sub light-emitting unit 42 are mounted on the same circuit board 50. This configuration reduces the number of components required for the vehicular lamp 1, thereby enabling the vehicular lamp 1 to be manufactured more inexpensively than when mounted on multiple circuit boards. Additionally, the vehicular lamp 1 can be made more compact than when multiple circuit boards are used. Note that the first main light-emitting unit 31 and the second main light-emitting unit 41 of this embodiment are used as light sources for high beams and therefore illuminate at night. On the other hand, the first sub light-emitting unit 32 and the second sub light-emitting unit 42 are used as light sources for daytime running lights (DFL) beams and therefore illuminate during the day. Therefore, even when the main light-emitting units 31, 41 and the sub light-emitting units 32, 42 are located close to each other on the same circuit board 50, they are unlikely to affect each other's heat. Therefore, even when mounted on the same circuit board 50, the light output of each light-emitting unit is unlikely to decrease.

[0052] The vehicular lamp 1 of this embodiment includes a control unit 2 that controls the first light source unit 30 and the second light source unit 40. The control unit 2 is switchable between a first mode and a second mode. In the first mode, the first main light-emitting unit 31 and the second main light-emitting unit 41 are turned on and the first sub light-emitting unit 32 and the second sub light-emitting unit 42 are turned off to form a first light distribution pattern P1 ahead. In the second mode, the first sub light-emitting unit 32 and the second sub light-emitting unit 42 are turned on and the first main light-emitting unit 31 and the second main light-emitting unit 41 are turned off to form a second light distribution pattern P2 ahead. With this configuration, the control unit 2 can easily switch between the first light distribution pattern P1, which is suitable for high beams, and the second light distribution pattern P2, which is suitable for daytime running lights.

[0053] Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the configurations and combinations thereof in each embodiment are merely examples, and additions, omissions, substitutions, and other modifications of the configurations are possible without departing from the spirit of the present invention. Furthermore, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments.

[0054] For example, in the above embodiment, the first light distribution pattern P1 is used for a high beam, but the first light distribution pattern P1 may be used for other purposes such as a low beam, etc. Similarly, in the above embodiment, the second light distribution pattern P2 is used for a daytime running light, but the second light distribution pattern P2 may be used for other purposes such as a lower-intensity sidelight (position lamp) or a decorative lamp (accessory lamp).

[0055] In the above-described embodiment, the case has been described in which the distance between the first reference axis AX1 and the first sub light-emitting unit 32 is equal to the distance between the second reference axis AX2 and the second sub light-emitting unit 42. However, if the direction in which the first sub light-emitting unit 32 is shifted from the first reference axis AX1 and the direction in which the second sub light-emitting unit 42 is shifted from the second reference axis AX2 are symmetrical to each other, the above-described effect of irradiating light over a wide range can be achieved to a certain extent even if the distances are different.

[0056] The shapes and configurations of the first optical system 10 and the second optical system 20 in the above-described embodiments are merely examples, and are not limited to the above-described embodiments as long as an optical system having similar functions is configured. For example, the first rear lens unit 11 and the second rear lens unit 21 may be separate from each other. Similarly, the first front lens unit 15 and the second front lens unit 25 may be separate from each other. Furthermore, the rear lens body 3 and the front lens body 4 may have an integrated shape in which they are connected to each other at a portion that avoids the optical path. Furthermore, the first optical system 10 and the second optical system 20 may each be provided with a reflective surface that forms a cutoff line.

[0057] DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1...vehicle lamp, 2...controller, 10...first optical system, 12...first incident section, 19...first exit section, 20...second optical system, 22...second incident section, 29...second exit section, 30...first light source section, 31...first main light-emitting section, 32...first sub-light-emitting section, 40...second light source section, 41...second main light-emitting section, 42...second sub-light-emitting section, 50...circuit board, AX1...first reference axis (optical axis), AX2...second reference axis (optical axis), D1...first direction, D2...second direction, P1...first light distribution pattern, P2...second light distribution pattern

Claims

1. A vehicular lamp that emits light forward, comprising: a first optical system having a first entrance portion and a first exit portion; a second optical system arranged alongside the first optical system in a direction perpendicular to the front-to-rear direction and having a second entrance portion and a second exit portion; a first light source portion facing the first entrance portion; and a second light source portion facing the second entrance portion, wherein the first light source portion has a first main light-emitting portion and a first sub-light-emitting portion, and the second light source portion has a second main light-emitting portion and a second sub-light-emitting portion, the first main light-emitting portion is arranged on the optical axis of the first entrance portion, the second main light-emitting portion is arranged on the optical axis of the second entrance portion, the first sub-light-emitting portion is arranged shifted to the left with respect to the optical axis of the first entrance portion, and the second sub-light-emitting portion is arranged shifted to the right with respect to the optical axis of the second entrance portion.

2. A vehicular lamp as described in claim 1, wherein the first sub-light-emitting element is positioned with an upward shift with respect to the optical axis of the first incident portion, and the second sub-light-emitting element is positioned with a downward shift with respect to the optical axis of the second incident portion.

3. The vehicle lamp according to claim 1, wherein the distance between the optical axis of the first incident portion and the center of the first sub-light-emitting portion is equal to the distance between the optical axis of the second incident portion and the center of the second sub-light-emitting portion.

4. The vehicular lamp according to claim 1, wherein the first main light-emitting unit, the first sub-light-emitting unit, the second main light-emitting unit, and the second sub-light-emitting unit are mounted on a same circuit board.

5. A vehicular lamp as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 4, further comprising a control unit for controlling the first light source unit and the second light source unit, the control unit being switchable between a first mode in which the first main light-emitting unit and the second main light-emitting unit are turned on and the first sub-light-emitting unit and the second sub-light-emitting unit are turned off to form a first light distribution pattern ahead, and a second mode in which the first sub-light-emitting unit and the second sub-light-emitting unit are turned on and the first main light-emitting unit and the second main light-emitting unit are turned off to form a second light distribution pattern ahead.

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