Vehicular lamp

Abstract

Provided is a vehicular lamp capable of expanding a diffusion angle of a high beam to the outside in the vehicle width direction.　A vehicular lamp (1) comprises: a light source part (5); a light source part (4) disposed side by side with the light source part (5) in the vehicle width direction; a lens (100) integrally formed with a projection lens (102) for projecting a high-beam light distribution pattern toward the front of a vehicle by light emitted from the light source part (5) and a projection lens (101) for projecting a low-beam light distribution pattern to the front of the vehicle by light emitted from the light source part (4); and a partition wall part (24) for shielding light that is emitted from the light source part (5) and that travels to the projection lens (101). The lens (100) is provided with a connection part (103) that is formed between the projection lens (102) and the projection lens (101) and that connects the projection lens (102) and the projection lens (101). At least a portion of light that is emitted from the light source part (5) and that travels to the connection part (103) passes through the light shielding part (24).

Description

Vehicle lighting fixtures

[0001] The present invention relates to a vehicle lamp.

[0002] A known vehicle lamp includes a composite projection lens in which a first projection lens unit and a second projection lens unit are integrally molded, a first light source that emits a first light that passes through the first projection lens unit, and a second light source that emits a second light that passes through the second projection lens unit (see, for example, Patent Document 1). In the vehicle lamp described in Patent Document 1, a partition wall is provided that separates a first space between the first light source and the first projection lens unit from a second space between the second light source and the second projection lens unit in order to prevent the first light emitted from the first light source from entering the second projection lens unit and the second light emitted from the second light source from entering the first projection lens unit.

[0003] JP 2013-161708 A

[0004] In a vehicle lamp including a composite projection lens in which a low beam projection lens portion and a high beam projection lens portion are integrally molded, a light source that emits low beam light, and a light source that emits high beam light, there is a need to increase the diffusion angle of the high beam outward in the vehicle width direction. For example, there is a need to increase the diffusion angle of the high beam to the right for a headlamp on the right side of a vehicle that drives on the left, and to increase the diffusion angle of the high beam to the left for a headlamp on the left side of a vehicle that drives on the left.

[0005] In contrast, the vehicle lamp described in Patent Document 1 cannot meet the above needs because the partition wall completely blocks light emitted from the high beam light source and traveling toward the low beam projection lens unit.

[0006] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In view of the above circumstances, an object of the present invention is to provide a vehicle lamp that can increase the diffusion angle of a high beam outward in the vehicle width direction.

[0007] The vehicle lamp according to the present invention comprises a first light source unit, a second light source unit arranged next to the first light source unit in the vehicle width direction, a first projection lens that projects a high-beam light distribution pattern ahead of the vehicle using light emitted from the first light source unit, and a lens formed integrally with the second projection lens that projects a low-beam light distribution pattern ahead of the vehicle using light emitted from the second light source unit, and a shading unit that blocks light emitted from the first light source unit and proceeding to the second projection lens, the lens comprising a connection unit formed between the first projection lens and the second projection lens and connecting the first projection lens and the second projection lens, and the shading unit allows at least a portion of the light emitted from the first light source unit and proceeding to the connection unit to pass.

[0008] According to the present invention, it is possible to increase the diffusion angle of the high beam outward in the vehicle width direction.

[0009] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a vehicle lamp according to one embodiment of the present invention, as viewed from the front. FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the vehicle lamp of FIG. 1 from the rear. FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view showing the vehicle lamp of FIGS. 1 and 2. FIG. 4 is a longitudinal sectional view showing the high beam projection lens and high beam unit of FIG. 1. FIG. 5 is a sectional sectional view showing the lens and high beam unit of FIG. 1. FIG. 6 is a transverse sectional view showing the vehicle lamp of FIGS. 1 and 2. FIG. 7 is a sectional view showing the optical path of the high beam of the vehicle lamp of FIG. 6. FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a light distribution pattern of the high beam projected onto a virtual screen in front of the vehicle.

[0010] The present invention will be described below in accordance with preferred embodiments. Note that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments shown below and can be modified as appropriate without departing from the spirit of the present invention. In addition, in the embodiments shown below, some components are omitted from illustration and description, but for the details of the omitted technologies, publicly known or well-known technologies are applied as appropriate within the scope of the content described below.

[0011] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a vehicle lamp 1 according to one embodiment of the present invention, as viewed from the front. FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the vehicle lamp 1 of FIG. 1 from the rear. FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view showing the vehicle lamp 1 of FIGS. 1 and 2. The vehicle lamp 1 shown in these figures is a right-side vehicle headlight that mainly projects a low-beam light distribution pattern and a high-beam light distribution pattern forward of the vehicle. In particular, the vehicle lamp 1 of this embodiment has a function of expanding the diffusion angle of the high beam outward in the vehicle width direction. Note that while a right-side vehicle headlight will be described as one embodiment of the present invention, a left-side vehicle headlight having a function of expanding the diffusion angle of the high beam forward to the left of the vehicle can also be used as one embodiment of the present invention.

[0012] 1 and 2, the vehicle lamp 1 includes a low beam unit 10, a high beam unit 20, and a lens 100. The low beam unit 10 is disposed on the outer side in the vehicle width direction (the right side of the vehicle), and the high beam unit 20 is disposed on the inner side in the vehicle width direction (the left side of the vehicle). The high beam unit 20 has a function of controlling the illumination range of the high beam when a preceding vehicle or an oncoming vehicle is detected in the illumination range of the high beam by an onboard camera or the like, and partially blocking the high beam so as not to illuminate the preceding vehicle or oncoming vehicle directly.

[0013] The lens 100 includes a low beam projection lens 101, a high beam projection lens 102, and a connection portion 103. The low beam projection lens 101 projects light from the low beam unit 10 forward of the vehicle. The high beam projection lens 102 projects light from the high beam unit 20 forward of the vehicle. The connection portion 103 connects the projection lens 101 and the projection lens 102. The projection lens 101 is disposed on the outer side in the vehicle width direction, and the projection lens 102 is disposed on the inner side in the vehicle width direction, and the connection portion 103 is disposed between the projection lens 101 and the projection lens 102.

[0014] The surface (front surface) of the lens 100 is inclined toward the rear of the vehicle from the optical axis of the high beam projection lens 102 toward the inside in the vehicle width direction, and is also inclined toward the rear of the vehicle from the optical axis of the high beam projection lens 102 toward the outside in the vehicle width direction. The high beam projection lens 102 is located closer to the front of the vehicle than the low beam projection lens 101.

[0015] Here, although details will be described later, the function of expanding the diffusion angle of the high beam outward in the vehicle width direction is realized by the connection portion 103 that connects the projection lens 101 and the projection lens 102 in the lens 100.

[0016] As shown in Fig. 3, the vehicle lamp 1 includes a lower frame 2, a heat sink 3, a low beam light source unit 4, a high beam light source unit 5, a reflector 7, a retainer 8, a shade unit 9, and a lens 100. The lower frame 2 and the retainer 8 are fastened together with screws S to form a frame F (see Figs. 1 and 2) of the vehicle lamp 1. The lower portion of the frame F is formed by the lower frame 2, and the upper portion of the frame F is formed by the retainer 8.

[0017] The lower frame 2 is U-shaped when viewed from the front. A pair of positioning pins 21 and a pair of screw holes 22 are provided at both ends of the lower frame 2 in the vehicle width direction. In addition, a pair of engaged portions 23 are provided at the bottom of the lower frame 2, spaced apart from each other in the vehicle width direction.

[0018] A partition wall portion 24 is provided in the center in the vehicle width direction of the lower part of the lower frame 2. This partition wall portion 24 protrudes from the lower part of the lower frame 2 toward the upper part of the vehicle, and blocks light directed from the light source portion 5 of the high beam unit 20 (see FIG. 1) toward the low beam projection lens 101, and also blocks light directed from the light source portion 4 of the low beam unit 10 (see FIG. 1) toward the high beam projection lens 102. Here, a portion of the light directed from the high beam unit 20 toward the connection portion 103 is blocked by the partition wall portion 24, while the remainder of the light passes beside the partition wall portion 24 and reaches the connection portion 103.

[0019] The heat sink 3 includes a base portion 31 that constitutes the low beam unit 10, a base portion 32 that constitutes the high beam unit 20, a plurality of fins 33, and a pair of flanges 34, 35. The base portion 31 is disposed on the outer side in the vehicle width direction (the right side of the vehicle), and the base portion 32 is disposed on the inner side in the vehicle width direction (the left side of the vehicle). The base portion 31 includes a flat surface (hereinafter referred to as the base surface) 311 facing upward in the vehicle direction and a shade attachment portion 303, and the base portion 32 includes a flat surface (hereinafter referred to as the base surface) 321 facing forward in the vehicle direction.

[0020] The light source unit 4 constituting the low beam unit 10 is attached to the base surface 311 facing upward toward the vehicle, and the light source unit 5 constituting the high beam unit 20 is attached to the base surface 321 facing forward toward the vehicle. The shade attachment portion 303 is provided below the base surface 311, and has the shade unit 9 attached thereto.

[0021] The shade unit 9 includes a light blocking plate 91 disposed between the light source 4 of the low beam unit 10 and the low beam projection lens 101. Light emitted from the light source 4 of the low beam unit 10 and reflected by the reflector 7 toward the front of the vehicle is blocked by the light blocking plate 91, and a low beam light distribution pattern including a cut-off line is projected toward the front of the vehicle.

[0022] The fins 33 are arranged in a line in the vertical direction of the vehicle on the rear surface (surface facing the rear of the vehicle) of the heat sink 3 (see FIG. 2). Each fin 33 extends in the vehicle width direction and protrudes from the rear surface of the heat sink 3 toward the rear of the vehicle, and dissipates heat generated by the light sources 4 and 5.

[0023] The flange 34 extends from the outer end of the base surface 311 in the vehicle width direction toward the front of the vehicle, and is formed with a pin insertion hole 341 through which the positioning pin 21 is inserted and a screw insertion hole 342 through which the screw S is inserted. The flange 35 extends from the inner end of the base surface 321 in the vehicle width direction toward the front of the vehicle, and is formed with a pin insertion hole 351 through which the positioning pin 21 is inserted and a screw insertion hole 352 through which the screw S is inserted.

[0024] The light source section 4 of the low beam unit 10 includes a light emitting diode 41, a substrate 42, a holder 43, etc., and emits light to form a low beam light distribution pattern. The light emitting diode 41 is mounted on the substrate 42, which is placed on a base surface 311. The holder 43 is fastened to the base surface 311 with a screw while pressing down on the substrate 42 placed on the base surface 311.

[0025] The light source section 5 of the high beam unit 20 includes a light emitting diode 51, a substrate 52, and a primary lens 53. The light emitting diode 51 is mounted on the substrate 52, which is fastened to the base surface 321 with screws. The primary lens 53 is disposed facing the light emitting diode 51, and is fastened to the base surface 321 together with the substrate 52 with screws. The primary lens 53 refracts the light emitted from the light emitting diode 51.

[0026] The light source unit 5 of this embodiment includes a light-emitting diode array in which multiple light-emitting diodes 51 are arranged in the vehicle width direction, and the turning on and off of each light-emitting diode 51 is controlled depending on whether a preceding vehicle or an oncoming vehicle is detected within the projection range of the high beam light distribution pattern.

[0027] The lens 100 is fastened to the frame F while being sandwiched between the lower frame 2 and the retainer 8. A projection lens 101 formed in an outer region of the lens 100 in the vehicle width direction is disposed opposite the reflector 7 in the vehicle longitudinal direction, and projects a low-beam light distribution pattern ahead of the vehicle using light emitted from the light-emitting diodes 41 of the low-beam unit 10 and reflected by the reflector 7. On the other hand, a projection lens 102 formed in an inner region of the lens 100 in the vehicle width direction is disposed opposite the light-emitting diodes 51 of the high-beam unit 20 in the vehicle longitudinal direction, with the primary lens 53 interposed therebetween, and projects a high-beam light distribution pattern ahead of the vehicle using light emitted from the light-emitting diodes 51 of the high-beam unit 20 and passing through the primary lens 53.

[0028] A pair of engaged portions 104 are provided on the upper surface of the lens 100. Furthermore, engaging portions 105 that engage with engaged portions (not shown) provided on the side surfaces of the lower frame 2 are provided on both side surfaces of the lens 100. Furthermore, a pair of engaging portions (not shown) that engage with a pair of engaged portions 23 provided on the lower part of the lower frame 2 are provided on the lower surface of the lens 100.

[0029] The reflector 7 is positioned on the base surface 311 and fixed to the base surface 311 by a retainer 8. The reflector 7 has a reflective surface formed in a three-dimensional free-form shape based on an ellipse or a combination of an ellipse and a parabola, and is disposed so as to cover the light-emitting diodes 41 of the low beam unit 10. The reflector 7 has a reflective surface formed by aluminum deposition, high-reflection coating, or the like, and this reflective surface reflects light emitted from the light-emitting diodes 41 of the low beam unit 10 toward the front of the vehicle.

[0030] The retainer 8 is a resin part having a plate-shaped base 86 that extends in the vehicle width direction, and has a pair of engaging portions 81, a pair of positioning holes 84, and a pair of screw insertion holes 85. The pair of engaging portions 81 are claw members provided on the base 86, are arranged spaced apart in the vehicle width direction, and engage with a pair of engaged portions 104 provided on the upper surface of the lens 100.

[0031] One of the pair of positioning holes 84 is formed at the outer end of the base 86 in the vehicle width direction, and a positioning pin 21 is fitted into the positioning hole 84 and inserted into a pin insertion hole 341 of the flange 34 formed at the outer end of the lower frame 2 in the vehicle width direction. The other of the pair of positioning holes 84 is formed at the inner end of the base 86 in the vehicle width direction, and a positioning pin 21 is fitted into the positioning hole 84 and inserted into a pin insertion hole 351 of the flange 35 formed at the inner end of the lower frame 2 in the vehicle width direction.

[0032] One of the pair of screw insertion holes 85 is formed at the outer end of the base 86 in the vehicle width direction, and the screw S inserted through the screw insertion hole 85 and the screw insertion hole 342 of the flange 34 is threadedly engaged with the screw hole 22 formed at the outer end of the lower frame 2 in the vehicle width direction. The other of the pair of screw insertion holes 85 is formed at the inner end of the base 86 in the vehicle width direction, and the screw S inserted through the screw insertion hole 85 and the screw insertion hole 352 of the flange 35 is threadedly engaged with the screw hole 22 formed at the inner end of the lower frame 2 in the vehicle width direction.

[0033] FIG. 4 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view showing the high beam projection lens 102 and the high beam unit 20 of FIG. 1 . FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional perspective view showing the lens 100 and the high beam unit 20 of FIG. 1 . As shown in these figures, the front side of the longitudinal cross section of the high beam projection lens 102 has a curve that is convex toward the front of the vehicle. On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 5 , a plurality of prisms 106 extending in the vehicle width direction are formed on the rear surface of the high beam projection lens 102 and aligned in the vehicle vertical direction. Therefore, light emitted from the light source unit 5 (see FIG. 3 ) of the high beam unit 20 is diffused in the vehicle vertical direction by the prisms 106 on the rear surface of the projection lens 102. Accordingly, light emitted from the surface of the projection lens 102 is also diffused in the vehicle vertical direction.

[0034] Although not shown in the drawings, the front side of the vertical cross section of the low beam projection lens 101 is a curve that is convex toward the front of the vehicle, and the back side of the vertical cross section of the low beam projection lens 101 is more linear than the front side. Therefore, light emitted from the light source unit 4 (see FIG. 3) of the low beam unit 10 (see FIG. 1) and reflected by the reflector 7 (see FIG. 3) passes through the back side of the projection lens 101 and is collected on the front side of the projection lens 101 in the vertical direction of the vehicle.

[0035] Furthermore, although not shown, the front surface of the vertical cross section of the connection portion 103 has a curve that convexly extends toward the front of the vehicle. On the other hand, as shown in Fig. 5, a plurality of prisms 106 extending in the vehicle width direction are formed on the back surface of the connection portion 103 and aligned in the vehicle vertical direction. Therefore, the light emitted from the light source portion 5 of the high beam unit 20 is diffused in the vehicle vertical direction by the prisms 106 on the back surface of the connection portion 103. Accordingly, the light emitted from the front surface of the connection portion 103 is also diffused in the vehicle vertical direction.

[0036] Fig. 6 is a cross-sectional view showing the vehicle lamp 1 of Fig. 1 and Fig. 2. As shown in this figure, the lens 100 is a lens integrally formed by projection lenses 101 and 102 arranged at an interval in the vehicle width direction, and a connection part 103 disposed between them.

[0037] The front side of the cross section of the projection lens 101 is linear, whereas the back side of the cross section of the projection lens 101 is curved in a convex shape toward the rear of the vehicle from both ends in the vehicle width direction to the center. Therefore, the light emitted from the low beam unit 10 and reflected by the reflector 7 is condensed in the vehicle width direction by the projection lens 101.

[0038] The front side of the cross section of the projection lens 102 has a curve that is convex from both ends in the vehicle width direction to the center toward the front of the vehicle. The back side of the cross section of the projection lens 102 has a curve that is convex from both ends in the vehicle width direction to the center toward the rear of the vehicle. Therefore, the light emitted from the high beam unit 20 is focused in the vehicle width direction by the projection lens 102.

[0039] The front side of the cross section of connecting portion 103 is linear, whereas the back side of the cross section of connecting portion 103 is a concave curve from both ends in the vehicle width direction to the center. Therefore, light emitted from high beam unit 20 and passing through connecting portion 103 is diffused in the vehicle width direction by connecting portion 103.

[0040] The thickness of the connection part 103 decreases from the projection lens 101 side toward the center in the vehicle width direction, and increases from the center in the vehicle width direction toward the projection lens 102 side. Here, the thickness of the connection part 103 is greatest at the boundary with the projection lens 101, and the curvature of the rear side of the cross section of the connection part 103 is greater on the projection lens 101 side than on the projection lens 102 side.

[0041] The curvature of the rear side of the cross section of the lens 100 changes at the boundary between the projection lens 101 and the connection portion 103 and at the boundary between the projection lens 102 and the connection portion 103. As a result, the optical characteristics of the lens 100 change at the boundary between the projection lens 101 and the connection portion 103 and at the boundary between the projection lens 102 and the connection portion 103.

[0042] As shown in Fig. 3, the partition 24 is a rib that rises from the lower part of the lower frame 2. As shown in Fig. 6, the partition 24 is disposed between the primary lens 53 and the projection lens 101, and between the primary lens 53 and the connection part 103. The partition 24 includes a first wall 241 and a second wall 242.

[0043] The first wall 241 extends in the vertical direction of the vehicle, and the wall surface of the first wall 241 is parallel to the longitudinal direction of the vehicle (perpendicular to the width direction of the vehicle). The first wall 241 is disposed so as to overlap the boundary between the projection lens 102 and the connection portion 103 in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle (see FIG. 7).

[0044] The second wall portion 242 extends in the vertical direction of the vehicle, and the wall surface of the second wall portion 242 is inclined with respect to the longitudinal direction of the vehicle. The second wall portion 242 is disposed so as to incline from the end of the first wall portion 241 on the front side of the vehicle toward the projection lens 102.

[0045] 1, a plurality of prisms 107 extending in the vehicle vertical direction are formed on the surface of lens 100 and aligned in the vehicle width direction. Specifically, the plurality of prisms 107 are formed so as to be aligned continuously on the surface of projection lens 102 and the surface of connecting portion 103. Therefore, light emitted from light source portion 5 (see FIG. 3) of high beam unit 20 and passing through lens 100 is diffused in the vehicle width direction by prisms 107 on the surface of projection lens 102, and is also diffused in the vehicle width direction by prisms 107 on the surface of connecting portion 103.

[0046] Figure 7 is a cross-sectional view showing the optical path of the high beam of the vehicle lamp 1 of Figure 6. As shown in this figure, light (indicated by thin arrows) emitted from the light-emitting diodes 51 of the high beam unit 20 and passing through the primary lens 53 mainly travels toward the projection lens 102 and is irradiated by the projection lens 102 toward the front of the vehicle. As a result, the main light distribution pattern P0 of the high beam (see Figure 8) is projected toward the front of the vehicle. However, a portion of the light that passes through the primary lens 53 travels toward an area outside the projection lens 102 in the vehicle width direction.

[0047] Here, the first wall portion 241 of the partition wall portion 24 is disposed between the primary lens 53 and the rear surface of the projection lens 101 so as to overlap the boundary portion between the projection lens 102 and the connection portion 103 in the vehicle longitudinal direction. In addition, the second wall portion 242 is disposed so as to incline from the vehicle front end of the first wall portion 241 toward the projection lens 102 and widen toward the front of the vehicle. As a result, light passing through the primary lens 53 and traveling toward the projection lens 101 is blocked by the first wall portion 241 or the second wall portion 242. Therefore, light emitted from the high beam light source unit 5 (shown by the thick arrow) is prevented from entering the projection lens 101.

[0048] Further, second wall portion 242 is located between primary lens 53 and the region of connection portion 103 on the outer side in the vehicle width direction, and blocks light that passes through primary lens 53 and proceeds toward the region of connection portion 103 on the outer side in the vehicle width direction. In contrast, second wall portion 242 is not interposed between primary lens 53 and the region of connection portion 103 on the inner side in the vehicle width direction, and does not block light (indicated by the dashed arrow) that passes through primary lens 53 and proceeds toward the region of connection portion 103 on the inner side in the vehicle width direction.

[0049] Therefore, light that passes through primary lens 53 and travels toward the region of connecting portion 103 on the inner side in the vehicle width direction is irradiated toward the front of the vehicle by connecting portion 103. As a result, a secondary light distribution pattern P1 (see FIG. 8) of the high beam is projected toward the front of the vehicle.

[0050] 8 is a diagram showing a main light distribution pattern P0 and a secondary light distribution pattern P1 of a high beam projected onto a virtual screen in front of a vehicle. In this diagram, line V indicates the vertical line of the screen, and line H indicates the horizontal line of the screen. Furthermore, the intersections of line V and line H correspond to the reference positions in the horizontal and vertical directions.

[0051] As shown in FIG. 8 , the main light distribution pattern P0 is asymmetric about the V line, and the diffusion angle outward in the vehicle width direction is larger than the diffusion angle inward in the vehicle width direction. For example, the diffusion angle of the main light distribution pattern P0 outward in the vehicle width direction is approximately twice the diffusion angle of the main light distribution pattern P0 inward in the vehicle width direction. However, there is a need to further increase the diffusion angle of the high beam light distribution pattern outward in the vehicle width direction. Therefore, in this embodiment, a portion of the light emitted from the high beam unit 20 and traveling to the connection portion 103 is allowed to pass through the connection portion 103, thereby projecting the secondary light distribution pattern P1 in an area further outward in the vehicle width direction than the main light distribution pattern P0.

[0052] As described above, the vehicle lamp 1 according to this embodiment includes the high beam light source unit 5, the low beam light source unit 4 arranged alongside the light source unit 5 in the vehicle width direction, the lens 100 that projects light emitted from the light sources 4, 5 forward of the vehicle, and the partition wall 24. The lens 100 includes projection lenses 101, 102. The projection lens 101 projects a low beam light distribution pattern forward of the vehicle using light emitted from the low beam light source unit 4, and the projection lens 102 projects a high beam main light distribution pattern P0 forward of the vehicle using light emitted from the high beam light source unit 5. The partition wall 24 also blocks light emitted from the high beam light source unit 5 and traveling toward the projection lens 101.

[0053] Here, a connection portion 103 that connects the projection lens 101 and the projection lens 102 is formed between the projection lens 102 and the projection lens 101 of the lens 100, and the partition portion 24 passes a portion of the light that is emitted from the high beam light source portion 5 and proceeds to the connection portion 103. As a result, a high beam secondary light distribution pattern P1 is projected ahead of the vehicle by the light that is emitted from the high beam light source portion 5 and passes through the connection portion 103 without being blocked by the partition portion 24. Therefore, a high beam light distribution pattern with an expanded diffusion angle outward in the vehicle width direction, consisting of the main light distribution pattern P0 and the secondary light distribution pattern P1 aligned in the vehicle width direction, can be formed.

[0054] Furthermore, the lens 100 is formed with a prism 107 that diffuses the light passing through it in the vehicle width direction, thereby diffusing the high beam in the vehicle width direction. In particular, in this embodiment, the prism 107 is formed across the surface of the high beam projection lens 102 and the surface of the connection portion 103, thereby diffusing the main light distribution pattern P0 and the secondary light distribution pattern P1 in the vehicle width direction.

[0055] Furthermore, the rear surface of the connection portion 103 is concave from both ends toward the center in the vehicle width direction. This allows light emitted from the high beam light source unit 5 and passing through the connection portion 103 without being blocked by the partition wall 24 to be diffused in the vehicle width direction. In particular, in this embodiment, the thickness of the boundary between the connection portion 103 and the low beam projection lens 101 is greater than the thickness of the boundary between the connection portion 103 and the high beam projection lens 102. This causes the curvature of the rear surface of the connection portion 103 to be greater on the projection lens 101 side than on the projection lens 102 side. Therefore, light passing through the projection lens 101 side of the connection portion 103 can be refracted more toward the projection lens 101 side than light passing through the projection lens 102 side of the connection portion 103, thereby increasing the diffusion angle of the high beam secondary light distribution pattern P1 outward in the vehicle width direction.

[0056] The present invention has been described above based on the above-mentioned embodiments, but the present invention is not limited to the above-mentioned embodiments, and modifications may be made within the scope of the spirit of the present invention, and techniques from the embodiments or publicly known or well-known techniques may be combined.

[0057] For example, in the above embodiment, the rear side of the cross section of the projection lenses 101 and 102 is convex, and the rear side of the cross section of the connection portion 103 is concave, but this is not essential. It is sufficient if the shape characteristics of the rear sides of the projection lenses 101 and 102 and the connection portion 103 are different, such as the curvature of the rear sides of the projection lenses 101 and 102 being different from the curvature of the rear sides of the connection portion 103.

[0058] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, light emitted from high beam unit 20 and traveling inward in the vehicle width direction of connection portion 103 is allowed to pass without being blocked by partition portion 24, and light emitted from high beam unit 20 and traveling outward in the vehicle width direction of connection portion 103 is blocked by partition portion 24, but this is not essential. The ratio of light emitted from high beam unit 20 and traveling through connection portion 103 to light emitted from high beam unit 20 and blocked by partition portion 24 may be set appropriately.

[0059] DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1: Vehicle lamp 4: Light source section (second light source section) 5: Light source section (first light source section) 24: Partition section (light blocking section) 100: Lens 101: Projection lens (second projection lens) 102: Projection lens (first projection lens) 103: Connection section 107: Prism P0: Main light distribution pattern (light distribution pattern)

Claims

1. A vehicle lamp comprising: a first light source unit; a second light source unit arranged alongside the first light source unit in the vehicle width direction; a lens integrally formed with a first projection lens that projects a high beam light distribution pattern ahead of the vehicle using light emitted from the first light source unit and a second projection lens that projects a low beam light distribution pattern ahead of the vehicle using light emitted from the second light source unit; and a shading unit that blocks light emitted from the first light source unit and proceeding to the second projection lens, the lens being formed between the first projection lens and the second projection lens and comprising a connection unit that connects the first projection lens and the second projection lens, and the shading unit allowing at least a portion of the light emitted from the first light source unit and proceeding to the connection unit to pass.

2. The vehicle lamp according to claim 1, wherein the lens is formed with a prism that diffuses the light passing therethrough in the vehicle width direction.

3. The vehicle lamp according to claim 2, wherein the prism is formed across a surface of the first projection lens and a surface of the connection portion.

4. A vehicle lamp as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein the rear surface of the connection portion is concave from both ends towards the centre in the vehicle width direction.

5. The vehicle lamp according to claim 4, wherein the thickness of the boundary between the connecting portion and the second projection lens is greater than the thickness of the boundary between the connecting portion and the first projection lens.

6. A vehicle lamp according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the curvature of the rear surface of the connecting portion is different from the curvature of the rear surface of the first projection lens and the curvature of the rear surface of the second projection lens.

Images