Vehicle lamp

Abstract

Provided is a vehicle lamp that is configured to form a lamp light distribution pattern by irradiating an area ahead of the lamp with direct light from a plurality of light-emitting elements via a translucent member, wherein a plurality of light distribution patterns having different brightness can be formed using a simple lamp structure. A translucent member (20) is configured to be provided with three projection lens portions (22A, 22B, 22C) that are arranged in parallel in the vehicle width direction, and and is configured such that six light-emitting elements (30A, 30B, 30C, 40A, 40B, 40C) are mounted on a shared substrate (50) in a state of being arranged two by two in the vehicle width direction rearward of the lamp with respect to the three projection lens portions (22A-22C). The light-emitting elements (30A-30C), which emit light at a high luminous intensity, and the light-emitting elements (40A-40C), which emit light at a low luminous intensity, are alternately arranged in the vehicle width direction. As a result, even though the aforementioned elements are mounted on a shared substrate (50), generation of a local thermal load in the vehicle lamp (10) is effectively suppressed.

Description

Vehicle lighting fixtures

[0001] The present invention relates to a vehicle lamp having a light-transmitting member.

[0002] BACKGROUND ART Conventionally, a vehicle lamp is known that is configured to form a lamp light distribution pattern by irradiating direct light from a plurality of light-emitting elements toward the front of the lamp through a translucent member.

[0003] Patent Document 1 describes such a direct-projection type vehicle lamp having a light-transmitting member that includes a plurality of projection lens portions arranged in parallel in the vehicle width direction.

[0004] In the vehicle lamp described in Patent Document 1, a first light-emitting element is arranged on the rear side of each of the multiple projection lenses, and a second light-emitting element is arranged on the rear side of the first light-emitting element.

[0005] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2017-147154

[0006] By adopting the vehicle lighting fixture described in the above-mentioned "Patent Document 1," it is easily possible to form a light distribution pattern formed by the light emitted from the first light-emitting element and a light distribution pattern formed by the light emitted from the second light-emitting element with different brightnesses.

[0007] However, in the vehicle lamp described in the above-mentioned "Patent Document 1," the substrate carrying the first light-emitting element and the substrate carrying the second light-emitting element are arranged in two locations, one at the front and one at the back, making the lamp structure complex.

[0008] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above circumstances, and aims to provide a vehicle lamp that is configured to form a lamp light distribution pattern by irradiating direct light from multiple light-emitting elements toward the front of the lamp through a translucent member, and that is capable of forming multiple light distribution patterns of different brightness with a simple lamp structure.

[0009] The present invention is intended to achieve the above object by devising a structure and arrangement of a plurality of light-emitting elements.

[0010] In other words, the vehicle lamp of the present invention is a vehicle lamp configured to form a lamp light distribution pattern by irradiating direct light from a plurality of light-emitting elements toward the front of the lamp through a translucent member, wherein the translucent member has a plurality of projection lens portions arranged in parallel in the vehicle width direction, the plurality of light-emitting elements are mounted on a common substrate in a state where they are lined up two by two in the vehicle width direction on the rear side of each of the plurality of projection lens portions, and the plurality of light-emitting elements are arranged alternately in the vehicle width direction as first light-emitting elements that emit light at high brightness and second light-emitting elements that emit light at low brightness.

[0011] The number of the "plurality of projection lenses" is not particularly limited.

[0012] The above-mentioned "plurality of light-emitting elements" are composed of a first light-emitting element that emits light at a high intensity and a second light-emitting element that emits light at a low intensity, but as long as the first light-emitting element is configured to emit light at a higher intensity than the second light-emitting element, the specific light-emitting intensity of each element is not particularly limited, and the specific configuration for achieving this is not particularly limited either.

[0013] The above-mentioned "plurality of light-emitting elements" are first light-emitting elements and second light-emitting elements arranged alternately in the vehicle width direction, but the specific spacing between the first and second light-emitting elements is not particularly limited.

[0014] The type of the above-mentioned "lamp light distribution pattern" is not particularly limited, and for example, a light distribution pattern for a low beam or a light distribution pattern for forming a part thereof, a light distribution pattern for a high beam or a light distribution pattern for forming a part thereof, a light distribution pattern for a daytime running lamp, a light distribution pattern for a fog lamp, etc. can be used.

[0015] The vehicle lamp of the present invention is configured to form a lamp light distribution pattern by irradiating direct light from a plurality of light-emitting elements toward the front of the lamp through a translucent member, and the translucent member is provided with a plurality of projection lens portions arranged in parallel in the vehicle width direction, and the plurality of light-emitting elements are mounted on a common substrate in a state where they are lined up two by two in the vehicle width direction on the rear side of each of the plurality of projection lens portions, and the first light-emitting elements that emit light at high intensity and the second light-emitting elements that emit light at low intensity are arranged alternately in the vehicle width direction, so that the following effects can be obtained.

[0016] In other words, the light distribution pattern formed by the light emitted from each of the plurality of first light-emitting elements and the light distribution pattern formed by the light emitted from each of the plurality of second light-emitting elements can be formed with different brightnesses. In this case, since the plurality of light-emitting elements are mounted on a common substrate, the above-mentioned effects can be obtained while simplifying the lamp structure.

[0017] Furthermore, the multiple light-emitting elements are arranged alternately in the vehicle width direction, with first light-emitting elements that emit high brightness and second light-emitting elements that emit low brightness, so even though they are mounted on a common substrate, it is possible to effectively prevent localized thermal loads from occurring in the vehicle lamp, thereby preventing the optical function of the vehicle lamp from being inadvertently impaired.

[0018] Thus, according to the present invention, in a vehicle lamp configured to form a lamp light distribution pattern by irradiating direct light from multiple light-emitting elements toward the front of the lamp through a translucent member, multiple light distribution patterns of different brightness can be formed with a simple lamp structure.

[0019] In the above configuration, if each of the multiple projection lens sections is configured to have a rear surface shape that is a convex curved surface and whose horizontal cross-sectional shape is different from each other, it becomes easy to form a lamp light distribution pattern with a smooth luminous intensity distribution.

[0020] In this case, if each of the multiple projection lens sections is configured so that its optical axis faces in different directions relative to the vehicle width direction, it becomes easy to form multiple light distribution patterns formed by the light emitted from the multiple first light-emitting elements and multiple light distribution patterns formed by the light emitted from the multiple second light-emitting elements in any arrangement.

[0021] In the above configuration, if the first light-emitting element is positioned closer to the optical axis of the projection lens unit than the second light-emitting element on the rear side of each of the multiple projection lens units, the light distribution pattern of the lamp can be formed as a light distribution pattern in which the portion closer to the front of the vehicle is bright.

[0022] In the above configuration, if the front surface of the translucent member is configured as a continuous single curved surface or plane, the presence of multiple projection lenses can be made less noticeable when the vehicle lamp is observed from the outside, thereby improving its design.

[0023] In the above configuration, if a third light-emitting element that emits light at a lower intensity than the second light-emitting element is additionally arranged behind each of the multiple projection lens portions, and this third light-emitting element is mounted on the substrate in a state aligned with the first and second light-emitting elements in the vehicle width direction, the following effects can be obtained.

[0024] In other words, by adding the third light-emitting element, the number of projection lens units can be reduced, thereby making it possible to reduce the size and weight of the vehicle lamp. Also, by adding the third light-emitting element, it is possible to easily form the lamp light distribution pattern as a light distribution pattern with less light distribution unevenness.

[0025] The specific positional relationship of the above-mentioned "third light-emitting element" with the first and second light-emitting elements is not particularly limited, as long as it is mounted on the substrate in a state aligned with the first and second light-emitting elements in the vehicle width direction.

[0026] In this case, if the third light-emitting element is positioned on the rear side of each of the multiple projection lens sections of the lamp, opposite the first light-emitting element to the second light-emitting element, the above-mentioned effects can be obtained while minimizing the increase in thermal load due to the additional placement of the third light-emitting element.

[0027] 1 is a plan cross-sectional view showing a vehicle lamp according to one embodiment of the present invention; 2 is a plan cross-sectional view showing main components of the vehicle lamp; 3 is a partial cross-sectional perspective view showing the main components; (a) is a perspective view showing an additional light distribution pattern for high beams formed as a composite light distribution pattern of a lamp light distribution pattern formed by irradiation light from the vehicle lamp and a lamp light distribution pattern formed by irradiation light from a vehicle lamp that is to be paired with the vehicle lamp; (b) is a view showing the additional light distribution pattern with a portion thereof missing; FIG. 1B is a plan view showing a light distribution pattern of the vehicle lamp according to a first modification of the embodiment; FIG. 1C is a perspective view showing an additional light distribution pattern for high beam formed as a composite light distribution pattern of the light distribution pattern formed by the light emitted from the vehicle lamp, for illustrating the operation of the first modification, and the light distribution pattern formed by the light emitted from the vehicle lamp, for illustrating the operation of the first modification; FIG. 1C is a perspective view showing an additional light distribution pattern for high beam formed as a composite light distribution pattern of the light distribution pattern formed by the light emitted from the vehicle lamp, for illustrating the operation of the first modification; 1A is a diagram showing the lamp light distribution pattern formed by light irradiated from the vehicle lamp to illustrate the operation of the first modified example, with a part of the additional light distribution pattern missing, and FIG. 1B is a diagram showing the lamp light distribution pattern formed by light irradiated from a vehicle lamp to be paired with the vehicle lamp to illustrate the operation of the first modified example. FIG. 1B is a plan sectional view showing a vehicle lamp according to a second modified example of the embodiment, and FIG. 1C is a diagram showing the lamp light distribution pattern formed by light irradiated from the vehicle lamp to illustrate the operation of the second modified example. 1A is a perspective view of a lamp light distribution pattern formed by light irradiated from a vehicle lamp to be paired with the vehicle lamp, and an additional light distribution pattern for high beam formed as a composite light distribution pattern of the lamp light distribution pattern formed by light irradiated from the vehicle lamp to be paired with the vehicle lamp, and FIG. 1B is a view showing the additional light distribution pattern with a portion thereof cut out to illustrate the operation of the second modified example. FIG. 1A is a view showing a lamp light distribution pattern formed by light irradiated from the vehicle lamp to be paired with the vehicle lamp, to illustrate the operation of the second modified example.

[0028] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0029] Fig. 1 is a plan cross-sectional view showing a vehicle lamp 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention, and Figs. 2 and 3 are a plan cross-sectional view and a partial cross-sectional perspective view showing the main components of the vehicle lamp 10.

[0030] 1 to 3, the direction indicated by X is the "forward" direction of the vehicle lamp 10 ("forward" also from the vehicle's perspective), the direction indicated by Y is the "leftward" direction perpendicular to the "forward" direction ("leftward" from the vehicle's perspective, but "rightward" when viewed from the front of the lamp), and the direction indicated by Z is the "upward" direction. This is the same in figures other than FIGS. 1 to 3.

[0031] 1, a vehicle lamp 10 is a lamp located at the right front end of a vehicle, and is configured such that a light-transmitting member 20 and six light-emitting elements 30A, 30B, 30C, 40A, 40B, and 40C are disposed within a lamp chamber formed by a lamp body 12 and a transparent cover 14 attached to the front end opening of the lamp body 12. The vehicle lamp 10 is configured to form a lamp light distribution pattern (described later) by irradiating direct light from the six light-emitting elements 30A-30C and 40A-40C forward through the light-transmitting member 20.

[0032] 2 and 3, the light-transmitting member 20 includes three projection lens units 22A, 22B, and 22C arranged in parallel in the vehicle width direction. Specifically, the projection lens units 22A, 22B, and 22C are arranged in this order from the outer side in the vehicle width direction, and are arranged at approximately equal intervals.

[0033] The front surface 20a of the light-transmitting member 20 is formed of a convex cylindrical curved surface extending in the vehicle width direction, while the rear surface 20b of the light-transmitting member 20 has a convex cylindrical curved surface extending in the up-down direction at the portions corresponding to the three projection lens units 22A, 22B, and 22C.

[0034] The light-transmitting member 20 is supported by the lamp body 12 at a pair of left and right flange portions 20c formed on both sides of the three projection lens portions 22A, 22B, 22C in the vehicle width direction.

[0035] The six light-emitting elements 30A to 30C, 40A to 40C are mounted on a common substrate 50, arranged two by two in the vehicle width direction, behind each of the three projection lens units 22A to 22C. The substrate 50 is disposed so as to extend in the vehicle width direction along a vertical plane perpendicular to the front direction of the lamp, and is supported at both left and right ends by the lamp body 12.

[0036] The six light-emitting elements 30A to 30C, 40A to 40C are all white light-emitting diodes, and their light-emitting surfaces 30a, 40a have the same rectangular (e.g., square) outer shape. These six light-emitting elements 30A to 30C, 40A to 40C are arranged with their light-emitting surfaces 30a, 40a facing toward the front of the lamp.

[0037] Of the six light-emitting elements 30A to 30C, 40A to 40C, three light-emitting elements 30A to 30C are configured as first light-emitting elements that emit light at high luminous intensity, and three light-emitting elements 40A to 40C are configured as second light-emitting elements that emit light at low luminous intensity.

[0038] Of the six light-emitting elements 30A to 30C, 40A to 40C, two light-emitting elements 30A, 40A are arranged on the rear side of the lamp of the projection lens unit 22A, two light-emitting elements 30B, 40B are arranged on the rear side of the lamp of the projection lens unit 22B, and two light-emitting elements 30C, 40C are arranged on the rear side of the lamp of the projection lens unit 22C. In this case, of these six light-emitting elements 30A to 30C, 40A to 40C, the light-emitting elements 30A to 30C that emit high luminous intensity and the light-emitting elements 40A to 40C that emit low luminous intensity are arranged alternately in the vehicle width direction.

[0039] Each of the three projection lens units 22A to 22C has a rear surface that is a convex curved surface and has a different horizontal cross-sectional shape. That is, each of the three projection lens units 22A, 22B, and 22C is formed so that its optical axis Axa, Axb, and Axc faces in a different direction relative to the vehicle width direction (i.e., the left-right direction).

[0040] 2, the optical axis Axa of the projection lens unit 22A located on the outer side in the vehicle width direction extends in a direction slightly inclined outward in the vehicle width direction toward the front of the lamp with respect to an imaginary line L extending in the fore-and-aft direction of the lamp, the optical axis Axb of the projection lens unit 22B located in the center extends in a direction inclined toward the front of the lamp at a greater angle than the optical axis Axa of the projection lens unit 22A, and the optical axis Axc of the projection lens unit 22C located on the inner side in the vehicle width direction extends in a direction inclined toward the front of the lamp at an even greater angle than the optical axis Axb of the projection lens unit 22B. For example, the inclination angles θa, θb, and θc of these optical axes Axa, Axb, and Axc with respect to the imaginary line L are set to values ​​of approximately θa = 2°, θb = 4°, and θc = 6°.

[0041] The three projection lens sections 22A to 22C have their optical axes Axa to Axc oriented in such a way that the light arriving from the light-emitting center of each of the six light-emitting elements 30A to 30C, 40A to 40C is emitted in a direction slightly upward (for example, about 1° upward) with respect to the imaginary line L.

[0042] The rear focal points Fa, Fb, and Fc of the three projection lens sections 22A, 22B, and 22C are respectively positioned at the intersections of a virtual vertical plane including the light-emitting surfaces 30a and 40a of the six light-emitting elements 30A to 30C, and 40A to 40C and the optical axes Axa, Axb, and Axc.

[0043] With respect to the rear focal point Fa of the projection lens unit 22A, the light-emitting element 30A is located to the right (left side when viewed from the front of the lamp), and the light-emitting element 40A is located to the left. With respect to the rear focal point Fb of the projection lens unit 22B, the light-emitting element 30B is located to the right, and the light-emitting element 40B is located to the left. With respect to the rear focal point Fc of the projection lens unit 22C, the light-emitting element 30C is located to the right, and the light-emitting element 40C is located to the left.

[0044] At this time, the rightward displacement amounts Da1, Db1, and Dc1 of the light-emitting elements 30A, 30B, and 30C from their rear focal points Fa, Fb, and Fc are all set to relatively small, approximately equal values, while the leftward displacement amounts Da2, Db2, and Dc2 of the light-emitting elements 40A, 40B, and 40C from their rear focal points Fa, Fb, and Fc are set to values ​​larger than the rightward displacement amounts Da1 to Dc1, and are set so that Da2<Db2<Dc2.

[0045] The vehicle lamp 10 according to this embodiment is configured so that six light emitting elements 30A to 30C, 40A to 40C are lighted simultaneously or selectively.

[0046] Figure 4(a) is a perspective view of an additional light distribution pattern PA1 for high beams formed on a virtual vertical screen positioned 25 m in front of the vehicle lamp as a composite light distribution pattern (i.e., a light distribution pattern formed on a vehicle basis) of a lamp light distribution pattern PAR1 formed by light irradiated from the vehicle lamp 10 and a lamp light distribution pattern PAL1 formed by light irradiated from a vehicle lamp that is to be paired with the vehicle lamp 10 (i.e., a lamp positioned at the left front end of the vehicle).

[0047] The additional light distribution pattern PA1 is a light distribution pattern that is additionally formed on the low beam light distribution pattern PL when forming the high beam light distribution pattern PH1. Before describing the additional light distribution pattern PA1, the low beam light distribution pattern PL will be described.

[0048] As shown by the two-dot chain line in the figure, the low-beam light distribution pattern PL is a low-beam light distribution pattern for left-hand light distribution, and has left and right staggered cutoff lines CL1 and CL2 at its upper edge. These cutoff lines CL1 and CL2 extend horizontally with left and right steps separated by a V-V line that passes vertically through H-V, which is the vanishing point in front of the lamp. The portion on the oncoming lane side to the right of the V-V line is formed as a lower cutoff line CL1, and the portion on the own lane side to the left of the V-V line is formed as an upper cutoff line CL2 that rises in a step from the lower cutoff line CL1 via an inclined portion.

[0049] In the low beam light distribution pattern PL, an elbow point E, which is the intersection of the lower cutoff line CL1 and the VV line, is located about 0.5 to 0.6° below HV.

[0050] The additional light distribution pattern PA1 is a horizontally elongated light distribution pattern extending in the left-right direction on the line H-H that passes horizontally through the H-V, and is formed by partially overlapping a lamp light distribution pattern PAR1 extending long in the right direction from a position near the left side of the line V-V, and a lamp light distribution pattern PAL1 extending long in the left direction from a position near the right side of the line V-V. This additional light distribution pattern PA1 overlaps with a region near the cutoff line of the low beam light distribution pattern PL in its lower end region, and as a result, the high beam light distribution pattern PH1 is formed as a light distribution pattern with no gap between the low beam light distribution pattern PL and the additional light distribution pattern PA1.

[0051] FIG. 5A is a diagram showing a lamp light distribution pattern PAR1 formed by light emitted from the vehicle lamp 10. As shown in FIG.

[0052] As shown in Figure 5(a), the lamp light distribution pattern PAR1 is formed by six inverted projection images IR1a, IR1b, IR1c, IR2a, IR2b, and IR2c formed by light emitted from six light-emitting elements 30A, 30B, 30C, 40A, 40B, and 40C, which partially overlap each other.

[0053] The inverted projection image IR1a is an image formed by direct light from the light-emitting element 30A being emitted through the projection lens unit 22A, and is formed as a bright, clear, approximately rectangular image slightly to the left of the front of the lamp, straddling the V-V line. This is because the optical axis Axa of the projection lens unit 22A extends in a direction slightly inclined outward in the vehicle width direction with respect to the front of the lamp, and the light-emitting element 30A, which emits light with high luminous intensity, is slightly displaced to the right of the rear focal point Fa of the projection lens unit 22A.

[0054] The inverted projection image IR1b is an image formed by direct light from the light-emitting element 30B being emitted through the projection lens unit 22B, and is formed as a bright, clear, approximately rectangular image slightly to the right of the front of the lamp, straddling the V-V line. This is because the optical axis Axb of the projection lens unit 22B extends in a direction slightly inclined outward in the vehicle width direction than the optical axis Axa of the projection lens unit 22A, and the light-emitting element 30B, which emits light with high luminous intensity, is slightly displaced to the right from the rear focal point Fb of the projection lens unit 22B.

[0055] The inverted projection image IR1c is an image formed by direct light from the light-emitting element 30C emitting through the projection lens unit 22C, and is formed as a bright, clear, approximately rectangular image in a state where it partially overlaps with the inverted projection image IR1b at a position away to the right of the line V-V. This is because the optical axis Axc of the projection lens unit 22C extends in a direction inclined further outward in the vehicle width direction than the optical axis Axb of the projection lens unit 22B, and the light-emitting element 30C, which emits light with high luminous intensity, is slightly displaced to the right from the rear focal point Fc of the projection lens unit 22C.

[0056] These three inverted projection images IR1a, IR1b, and IR1c are all formed as images of approximately the same size and having an external shape that is approximately rectangular and slightly longer vertically than a square.

[0057] The inverted projection image IR2a is an image formed by direct light from the light-emitting element 40A being emitted through the projection lens unit 22A, and is a generally rectangular image that is horizontally longer and less bright and clear than the inverted projection images IR1a to IR1c, and is formed in a state where it partially overlaps with the inverted projection image IR1c at a position away from the V-V line to the right. This is because the optical axis Axa of the projection lens unit 22A extends in a direction that is slightly inclined outward in the vehicle width direction with respect to the front direction of the lamp, and the light-emitting element 40A, which emits light with a low luminous intensity, is displaced to the left from the rear focal point Fa of the projection lens unit 22A.

[0058] The inverted projection image IR2b is an image formed by direct light from the light-emitting element 40B being emitted through the projection lens unit 22B, and is a substantially rectangular image that is longer in the horizontal direction and less bright and clear than the inverted projection images IR1a to IR1c, and is formed in a state where it partially overlaps with the inverted projection image IR2a at a position to the right of the inverted projection image IR2a. This is because the optical axis Axb of the projection lens unit 22B extends in a direction slightly inclined outward in the vehicle width direction than the optical axis Axa of the projection lens unit 22A, and the light-emitting element 40B, which emits light with a low luminous intensity, is displaced to the left from the rear focal point Fb of the projection lens unit 22B.

[0059] The inverted projection image IR2c is an image formed by direct light from the light-emitting element 40C being emitted through the projection lens unit 22C, and is a generally rectangular image that is horizontally longer and less bright and clear than the inverted projection images IR1a to IR1c, and is formed in a state where it partially overlaps with the inverted projection image IR2b at a position to the right of the inverted projection image IR2b. This is because the optical axis Axc of the projection lens unit 22C extends in a direction slightly inclined outward in the vehicle width direction than the optical axis Axb of the projection lens unit 22B, and the light-emitting element 40C, which emits light with a low luminous intensity, is displaced to the left of the rear focal point Fc of the projection lens unit 22C.

[0060] These three inverted projection images IR2a, IR2b, and IR2c are formed so that their external shapes become gradually longer in this order. This is because the leftward displacement amounts of the projection lens units 22A, 22B, and 22C of the three light-emitting elements 40A, 40B, and 40C from the rear focal points Fa, Fb, and Fc increase in this order, and accordingly the backward displacement amounts of the projection lens units 22A, 22B, and 22C from the rear focal points Fa, Fb, and Fc in the directions in which the optical axes Axa, Axb, and Axc extend also increase in this order.

[0061] FIG. 5B is a diagram showing a lamp light distribution pattern PAL1 formed by light emitted from a vehicle lamp that is to be paired with the vehicle lamp 10.

[0062] As shown in FIG. 5B, the lamp light distribution pattern PAL1 is formed as a light distribution pattern that is bilaterally symmetrical to the lamp light distribution pattern PAR1 with respect to the line VV.

[0063] That is, the lamp light distribution pattern PAL1 is composed of six inverted projection images IL1a, IL1b, IL1c, IL2a, IL2b, and IL2c that have image shapes that are symmetrical with respect to the V-V line, relative to the six inverted projection images IR1a, IR1b, IR1c, IR2a, IR2b, and IR2c that make up the lamp light distribution pattern PAR1.

[0064] 4A, the additional light distribution pattern PA1 is formed as a light distribution pattern with little light distribution unevenness, in which the left-right central region located near the V-V line is brightest and gradually becomes darker toward the left and right ends. This is because the three inverted projection images IR1a to IR1c constituting the region near the V-V line of the lamp light distribution pattern PAR1 and the three inverted projection images IL1a to IL1c constituting the region near the V-V line of the lamp light distribution pattern PAL1 are formed as images brighter than the three inverted projection images IR2a to IR2c and the three inverted projection images IR2a to IR2c, and the three inverted projection images IR1a to IR1c and the three inverted projection images IL1a to IL1c partially overlap near the V-V line.

[0065] The vertical center position of the additional light distribution pattern PA1 is shifted slightly upward relative to the H-H line, but this is because the orientation of its optical axes Axa to Axc is set so that the direction of the light emitted from the three projection lens sections 22A to 22C is slightly upward relative to the imaginary straight line L.

[0066] FIG. 4B is a diagram similar to FIG. 4A, showing the additional light distribution pattern PA1 with a part thereof missing.

[0067] Figure 4(b) shows a state in which, out of the six light-emitting elements 30A to 30C and 40A to 40C in the vehicle lamp 10, two light-emitting elements 30C and 40A are turned off, resulting in the loss of two inverted projection images IR1c and IR2a that constitute the lamp light distribution pattern PAR1 out of the pair of left and right lamp light distribution patterns PAL1 and PAR1 that constitute the additional light distribution pattern PA1.

[0068] By forming the additional light distribution pattern PA1 as shown in FIG. 4(b), the light emitted from the vehicle lamp 10 is prevented from hitting the oncoming vehicle 2, and the road ahead is illuminated as widely as possible without causing glare to the driver of the oncoming vehicle 2.

[0069] As the position of the oncoming vehicle 2 changes, the light-emitting elements 30A to 30C and 40A to 40C to be turned off are switched in sequence, thereby making it possible to change the shape of the additional light distribution pattern PA1.

[0070] The presence of an oncoming vehicle 2 is detected by an on-board camera (not shown) or the like. When a preceding vehicle is present on the road ahead or a pedestrian is present on the shoulder of the road, this is detected and part of the inverted projection images IR1a to IR1c, IL1a to IL1c, IR2a to IR2c, and IL2a to IL2c is removed to prevent glare.

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

[0072] The vehicle lamp 10 according to this embodiment is configured to form a lamp light distribution pattern PAR1 by irradiating direct light from six light-emitting elements 30A, 30B, 30C, 40A, 40B, 40C forward of the lamp via a light-transmitting member 20. The light-transmitting member 20 has three projection lens sections 22A, 22B, 22C arranged in parallel in the vehicle width direction. The six light-emitting elements 30A to 30C, 40A to 40C are mounted on a common substrate 50 in a state where two elements are lined up in the vehicle width direction on the rear side of each of the three projection lens sections 22A to 22C. Furthermore, the light-emitting elements 30A to 30C (first light-emitting elements) that emit high luminance and the light-emitting elements 40A to 40C (second light-emitting elements) that emit low luminance are arranged alternately in the vehicle width direction, and therefore the following effects can be obtained.

[0073] That is, the light distribution patterns IR1a, IR1b, and IR1c formed by the light emitted from each of the three light-emitting elements 30A, 30B, and 30C and the light distribution patterns IR2a, IR2b, and IR2c formed by the light emitted from each of the three light-emitting elements 40A, 40B, and 40C can be formed with different brightnesses. In this case, since the six light-emitting elements 30A to 30C and 40A to 40C are mounted on a common substrate 50, the above-mentioned effects can be obtained while simplifying the lamp structure.

[0074] Furthermore, the six light-emitting elements 30A to 30C, 40A to 40C are arranged alternately in the vehicle width direction with 30A to 30C emitting high-intensity light and 40A to 40C emitting low-intensity light, so even though they are mounted on a common substrate 50, it is possible to effectively prevent localized heat loads from occurring in the vehicle lamp 10, thereby preventing the optical function of the vehicle lamp 10 from being inadvertently impaired.

[0075] Thus, according to this embodiment, in a vehicle lamp 10 configured to form a lamp light distribution pattern PAR1 by irradiating direct light from six light-emitting elements 30A to 30C, 40A to 40C toward the front of the lamp through a translucent member 20, six light distribution patterns IR1a to IR1c, IR2a to IR2c of different brightness can be formed with a simple lamp structure.

[0076] In this embodiment, the three projection lens sections 22A to 22C are each configured to have a rear surface shape with a convex curved horizontal cross section that is different from each other, making it easy to form the lamp light distribution pattern PAR1 with a smooth luminous intensity distribution.

[0077] Specifically, in this embodiment, the three projection lens sections 22A, 22B, 22C are each configured so that their optical axes Axa, Axb, Axc face in different directions relative to the vehicle width direction, and therefore it is possible to easily form the three light distribution patterns IR1a to IR1c formed by the light emitted from each of the three light-emitting elements 30A to 30C and the three light distribution patterns IR2a to IR2c formed by the light emitted from each of the three light-emitting elements 40A to 40C in any arrangement.

[0078] Moreover, in this embodiment, on the rear side of each of the three projection lens sections 22A to 22C, the light-emitting elements 30A to 30C are positioned closer to the optical axes Axa to Axc of the projection lens sections 22A to 22C than the light-emitting elements 40A to 40C, so the lamp light distribution pattern PAR1 can be formed as a light distribution pattern in which the portion closer to the front of the vehicle is bright.

[0079] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the front surface 20a of the translucent member 20 is composed of a convex cylindrical curved surface (i.e., a continuous single curved surface) extending in the vehicle width direction, so when the vehicle lamp 10 is observed from the outside, the presence of the three projection lens sections 22A to 22C is made less noticeable, thereby improving its design.

[0080] In the above embodiment, the translucent member 20 is described as having three projection lens sections 22A to 22C arranged in parallel in the vehicle width direction, but it is also possible to have a configuration with two or less or four or more projection lens sections, and even when such a configuration is adopted, it is possible to obtain approximately the same effects as in the above embodiment.

[0081] In the above embodiment, the light-transmitting member 20 has been described as having a front surface 20a that is configured as a convex cylindrical curved surface extending in the vehicle width direction, and a rear surface 20b on which the three projection lens units 22A to 22C are located that are configured as convex cylindrical curved surfaces extending in the vertical direction. However, it is also possible to adopt other configurations (for example, a configuration in which the front surface 20a of the light-transmitting member 20 is formed flat, and a rear surface 20b on which the three projection lens units 22A to 22C are located that are formed as convex curved surfaces, etc.).

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

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

[0084] FIG. 6 is a view similar to FIG. 2, showing the main components of a vehicle lamp according to this modified example.

[0085] As shown in FIG. 6, the basic configuration of this vehicle lamp is the same as that of the vehicle lamp 10 according to the above embodiment, but the configuration of the light-transmitting member 120 and the arrangement of the six light-emitting elements 130A, 130B, 130C, 140A, 140B, and 140C are different from those of the above embodiment.

[0086] In this modified example, the light-transmitting member 120, like the light-transmitting member 20 in the above embodiment, has three projection lens sections 122A, 122B, and 122C arranged in parallel in the vehicle width direction, and its front surface 120a is composed of a convex cylindrical curved surface extending in the vehicle width direction, and the portions of its rear surface 120b located at each of the three projection lens sections 122A, 122B, and 122C are composed of convex cylindrical curved surfaces extending in the vertical direction.

[0087] On the other hand, in this modified example, the portions of the translucent member 120 located at each of the three projection lens sections 122A, 122B, and 122C on the rear surface 120b have the same horizontal cross-sectional shape, and the optical axes Axa, Axb, and Axc are all formed to extend in the fore-and-aft direction of the lamp when viewed in a plane.

[0088] In the light-transmitting member 120 of this modified example, the three projection lens portions 122A to 122C also have their optical axes Axa to Axc oriented such that the emitted light is directed slightly upward relative to the front of the lamp.

[0089] Also in this modified example, the six light-emitting elements 130A to 130C, 140A to 140C are mounted on a common substrate 150 in a state where two are lined up in the vehicle width direction behind each of the three projection lens sections 122A to 122C.

[0090] The six light emitting elements 130A to 130C and 140A to 140C have the same configuration as in the above embodiment, and are arranged with their light emitting surfaces 130a and 140a facing towards the front of the lamp.

[0091] That is, of the six light-emitting elements 130A to 130C and 140A to 140C, three light-emitting elements 130A to 130C are configured as first light-emitting elements that emit light at high intensity, and three light-emitting elements 140A to 140C are configured as second light-emitting elements that emit light at low intensity.

[0092] Furthermore, of the six light-emitting elements 130A to 130C and 140A to 140C, two light-emitting elements 130A and 140A are arranged on the rear side of the lamp of the projection lens unit 122A, two light-emitting elements 130B and 140B are arranged on the rear side of the lamp of the projection lens unit 122B, and two light-emitting elements 130C and 140C are arranged on the rear side of the lamp of the projection lens unit 122C, and the light-emitting elements 130A to 130C that emit light at high intensity and the light-emitting elements 140A to 140C that emit light at low intensity are arranged alternately in the vehicle width direction.

[0093] The rear focal points Fa, Fb, and Fc of the three projection lens sections 122A, 122B, and 122C are respectively positioned at the intersections of a virtual vertical plane including the light-emitting surfaces 130a and 140a of the six light-emitting elements 130A to 130C, and 140A to 140C, and the optical axes Axa, Axb, and Axc.

[0094] With respect to the rear focal point Fa of the projection lens unit 122A, the light-emitting element 130A is disposed to the right and the light-emitting element 140A is disposed to the left. With respect to the rear focal point Fb of the projection lens unit 122B, the light-emitting element 130B is disposed to the right and the light-emitting element 140B is disposed to the left. With respect to the rear focal point Fc of the projection lens unit 122C, the light-emitting element 130C is disposed to the right and the light-emitting element 140C is disposed to the left.

[0095] At this time, the rightward displacement amounts Da1, Db1, and Dc1 from the rear focal points Fa, Fb, and Fc of the light-emitting elements 130A, 130B, and 130C are set so as to satisfy Da1<Db1<Dc1. On the other hand, the leftward displacement amounts Da2, Db2, and Dc2 from the rear focal points Fa, Fb, and Fc of the light-emitting elements 140A, 140B, and 140C are all set to values ​​larger than the rightward displacement amounts Da1 to Dc1, and are set so as to satisfy Da2>Db2>Dc2.

[0096] Figure 7(a) is a perspective view of an additional light distribution pattern PA2 for high beams formed on a virtual vertical screen positioned 25 m in front of the lamp, as a composite light distribution pattern (i.e., a light distribution pattern formed on a vehicle basis) of a lamp light distribution pattern PAR2 formed by light irradiated from a vehicle lamp according to this modified example and a lamp light distribution pattern PAL2 formed by light irradiated from a vehicle lamp that is to be paired with the vehicle lamp according to this modified example.

[0097] As shown in FIG. 7A, the additional light distribution pattern PA2 is a light distribution pattern that is additionally formed on the low beam light distribution pattern PL when the high beam light distribution pattern PH2 is formed.

[0098] The additional light distribution pattern PA2 is a horizontally elongated light distribution pattern that extends in a narrow strip in the left-right direction on the H-H line, and is formed in a state in which the lamp light distribution pattern PAR2 and the lamp light distribution pattern PAL2 partially overlap, and its lower end region overlaps with the region near the cutoff line of the low beam light distribution pattern PL.

[0099] FIG. 8A is a diagram showing a lamp light distribution pattern PAR2 formed by light emitted from a vehicle lamp according to this modified example.

[0100] As shown in Figure 8(a), the lamp light distribution pattern PAR2 is formed by six inverted projection images IR1a, IR1b, IR1c, IR2a, IR2b, and IR2c formed by light emitted from six light-emitting elements 130A, 130B, 130C, 140A, 140B, and 140C, with three images partially overlapping each other at two locations on the left and right.

[0101] The inverted projection image IR1a is an image formed by direct light from the light emitting element 130A being emitted through the projection lens unit 122A, and is formed as a bright, clear, approximately rectangular image slightly to the left of the front of the lamp, straddling the V-V line. This is because the light emitting element 130A, which emits light with high luminous intensity, is slightly displaced to the right from the rear focal point Fa of the projection lens unit 122A.

[0102] The inverted projection image IR1b is an image formed by direct light from the light emitting element 130B being emitted through the projection lens unit 122B, and is formed as a bright, clear, approximately rectangular image that partially overlaps with the inverted projection image IR1a at a position slightly to the left of the line V-V. This is because the light emitting element 130B, which emits light with high luminous intensity, is displaced more to the right from the rear focal point Fb of the projection lens unit 122B than the light emitting element 130A.

[0103] The inverted projection image IR1c is an image formed by direct light from the light-emitting element 130C being emitted through the projection lens unit 122C, and is formed as a bright, clear, and approximately rectangular image in a state where it partially overlaps with the inverted projection image IR2b at a position further to the left of the inverted projection image IR1b from the V-V line. This is because the light-emitting element 130C, which emits light with high luminous intensity, is displaced more to the right from the rear focal point Fc of the projection lens unit 122C than the light-emitting element 130B.

[0104] These three inverted projection images IR1a, IR1b, and IR1c are all formed as images of approximately the same size and having an external shape that is approximately rectangular and slightly longer vertically than a square.

[0105] The inverted projection image IR2a is an image formed by direct light from the light emitting element 140A being emitted through the projection lens unit 122A, and is formed as a substantially rectangular image that is less bright than the inverted projection images IR1a to IR1c, at a position far to the right of the line V-V. This is because the light emitting element 140A, which emits light with low luminous intensity, is displaced far to the left from the rear focal point Fa of the projection lens unit 122A.

[0106] The inverted projection image IR2b is an image formed by direct light from the light-emitting element 140B being emitted through the projection lens unit 122B, and is a substantially rectangular image that is less bright than the inverted projection images IR2a to IR2c, and is formed in a state where it partially overlaps with the inverted projection image IR2a at a position to the left of the inverted projection image IR2a. This is because the light-emitting element 140B, which emits light with a low luminous intensity, is displaced slightly to the left from the rear focal point Fb of the projection lens unit 122B compared to the case of the light-emitting element 140A.

[0107] The inverted projection image IR2c is an image formed by direct light from the light-emitting element 140C being emitted through the projection lens unit 122C, and is a substantially rectangular image that is less bright than the inverted projection images IR2a to IR2c, and is formed in a state where it partially overlaps with the inverted projection image IR2b at a position to the left of the inverted projection image IR2b. This is because the light-emitting element 140C, which emits light with a low luminous intensity, is displaced more to the left from the rear focal point Fc of the projection lens unit 22C than the light-emitting element 140B.

[0108] FIG. 8B is a diagram showing a lamp light distribution pattern PAL2 formed by light emitted from a vehicle lamp that is to be paired with the vehicle lamp according to this modified example.

[0109] As shown in FIG. 8B, the lamp light distribution pattern PAL2 is formed as a light distribution pattern symmetrical to the lamp light distribution pattern PAR2 with respect to the line VV.

[0110] That is, the lamp light distribution pattern PAL2 is composed of six inverted projection images IL1a, IL1b, IL1c, IL2a, IL2b, and IL2c that have image shapes that are symmetrical with respect to the V-V line, relative to the six inverted projection images IR1a, IR1b, IR1c, IR2a, IR2b, and IR2c that make up the lamp light distribution pattern PAR2.

[0111] 7A, the additional light distribution pattern PA2 is formed as a light distribution pattern with little light distribution unevenness, in which the left-right central region located near the V-V line is brightest and gradually becomes darker toward the left and right ends. This is because the three inverted projection images IR1a to IR1c constituting the region near the V-V line of the lamp light distribution pattern PAR2 and the three inverted projection images IL1a to IL1c constituting the region near the V-V line of the lamp light distribution pattern PAL2 are formed as images brighter than the three inverted projection images IR2a to IR2c and the three inverted projection images IL2a to IL2c, and the three inverted projection images IR1a to IR1c and the three inverted projection images IL1a to IL1c partially overlap near the V-V line.

[0112] The vertical center position of the lamp light distribution pattern PA2 is shifted slightly upward relative to the H-H line, but this is because the orientation of its optical axes Axa to Axc is set so that the direction of the light emitted from the three projection lens sections 122A to 122C is slightly upward relative to the front of the lamp.

[0113] FIG. 7B is a diagram similar to FIG. 7A, showing the additional light distribution pattern PA2 with a portion thereof missing.

[0114] Figure 7(b) shows a state in which two inverted projection images IL1b and IL1c constituting the lamp light distribution pattern PAL2 are missing from the pair of left and right lamp light distribution patterns PAL2 and PAR2 constituting the additional light distribution pattern PA2.

[0115] Even when the configuration of this modified example is adopted, substantially the same effects as those of the above embodiment can be obtained.

[0116] In this modified example, the six light-emitting elements 130A to 130C, 140A to 140C are arranged in a row of two in the vehicle width direction behind each of the three projection lens sections 122A to 122C. However, the distances between the light-emitting elements 130A and 140A, between the light-emitting elements 130B and 140B, and between the light-emitting elements 130C and 140C are larger than the distances between the light-emitting elements 30A and 40A, between the light-emitting elements 30B and 40B, and between the light-emitting elements 30C and 40C in the above embodiment. Therefore, even though these six light-emitting elements 130A to 130C, 140A to 140C are mounted on a common substrate 150, the occurrence of local thermal loads in the vehicle lamp can be more effectively suppressed.

[0117] Furthermore, by adopting the configuration of this modified example, the shape of the light-transmitting member 120 can be simplified.

[0118] Next, a second modification of the above embodiment will be described.

[0119] FIG. 9 is a view similar to FIG. 1, showing a vehicle lamp 210 according to this modified example.

[0120] 9, a vehicle lamp 210 according to this modified example is also a lamp placed at the right front end of a vehicle, and is configured such that a light-transmitting member 220 and six light-emitting elements 230A, 230B, 240A, 240B, 260A, and 260B are arranged in a lamp chamber formed by a lamp body 212 and a transparent cover 214 attached to the front end opening of the lamp body 212. The vehicle lamp 10 is configured to form a light distribution pattern by irradiating direct light from the six light-emitting elements 230A to 260B forward through the light-transmitting member 220.

[0121] On the other hand, in this modified example, the light-transmitting member 220 is configured to include two projection lens units 222A, 222B arranged side by side in the vehicle width direction, and the six light-emitting elements 230A to 260B are mounted on a common substrate 250 in a state where three elements are lined up in the vehicle width direction behind each of the two projection lens units 222A, 222B. The specific arrangement of these six light-emitting elements 230A to 260B will be described later. The substrate 250 is arranged to extend in the vehicle width direction along a vertical plane perpendicular to the front direction of the lamp, and is supported at both left and right ends by the lamp body 212.

[0122] The front surface 220a of the light-transmitting member 220 is configured as a convex cylindrical surface extending in the vehicle width direction, and the rear surface 220b is configured as a convex cylindrical surface extending in the vertical direction at the portions located at the two projection lens portions 222A and 222B. The light-transmitting member 220 is supported by the lamp body 212 at a pair of left and right flange portions 220c formed on both sides of the two projection lens portions 222A and 222B in the vehicle width direction.

[0123] The two projection lens sections 222A, 222B have optical axes Axa, Axb that extend in a direction inclined outward in the vehicle width direction toward the front of the lamp with respect to an imaginary straight line L that extends in the fore-and-aft direction of the lamp, and the inclination angles θa, θb are set to the same value (for example, θa = θb = approximately 6°).

[0124] The rear focal points Fa and Fb of the two projection lens units 222A and 222B are respectively positioned at the intersections of an imaginary vertical plane including the light emitting surfaces of the six light emitting elements 230A to 260B and the optical axes Axa and Axb.

[0125] In the light-transmitting member 220 of this modified example, the optical axes Axa and Axb of the two projection lens portions 222A and 222B are also oriented so that the emitted light is directed slightly upward relative to the front direction of the lamp.

[0126] Of the six light-emitting elements 230A to 260B, two light-emitting elements 230A and 230B are configured as first light-emitting elements that emit light at high intensity, two light-emitting elements 240A and 240B are configured as second light-emitting elements that emit light at lower intensity than the two light-emitting elements 230A and 230B, and two light-emitting elements 260A and 260B are configured as third light-emitting elements that emit light at even lower intensity than the two light-emitting elements 240A and 240B.

[0127] As in the above embodiment, the six light-emitting elements 230A to 260B are all white light-emitting diodes, and their light-emitting surfaces have the same size and rectangular (e.g., square) outer shape, and are arranged with their light-emitting surfaces facing toward the front of the lamp.

[0128] The three light-emitting elements 230A, 240A, and 260A are disposed at equal intervals in the vehicle width direction on the rear side of the lamp of the projection lens unit 222A. At this time, the three light-emitting elements 230A to 260A are disposed such that the light-emitting element 230A emitting light with high luminance is disposed on the outer side in the vehicle width direction, the light-emitting element 240A emitting light with low luminance is disposed in the center, and the light-emitting element 260A emitting light with even lower luminance is disposed on the inner side in the vehicle width direction, and the light-emitting center of the central light-emitting element 240A is disposed near the rear of the rear focal point Fa of the projection lens unit 222A.

[0129] The three light-emitting elements 230B, 240B, and 260B are also arranged at equal intervals in the vehicle width direction behind the lamp of the projection lens unit 222B, with the light-emitting element 230B emitting light at a high intensity being arranged on the outer side in the vehicle width direction, the light-emitting element 240B emitting light at a low intensity being arranged in the center, and the light-emitting element 260B emitting light at an even lower intensity being arranged on the inner side in the vehicle width direction. These three light-emitting elements 230B to 260B are arranged so that the midpoint between the light-emitting center of the light-emitting element 230A and the light-emitting center of the light-emitting element 240A is located near the rear of the rear focal point Fb of the projection lens unit 222B. In other words, with respect to the optical axes Axa and Axb of the projection lens units 222A and 222B, the three light-emitting elements 230B to 260B are arranged shifted half a pitch inward in the vehicle width direction relative to the three light-emitting elements 230A to 260A.

[0130] In the vehicle lamp 210 according to this modification, as in the above embodiment, six light emitting elements 230A to 260B are configured to light up simultaneously or selectively.

[0131] Fig. 10(a) is a perspective view of an additional light distribution pattern PA3 for high beams formed as a composite light distribution pattern of a pair of left and right light distribution patterns PAL3, PAR3. Fig. 11(a) is a view showing the lamp light distribution pattern PAR3 formed by light irradiated from a vehicle lamp 210, and Fig. 11(b) is a view showing the lamp light distribution pattern PAL3 formed by light irradiated from a vehicle lamp that is to be paired with the vehicle lamp 210.

[0132] 10(a), the additional light distribution pattern PA3 is a horizontally elongated light distribution pattern extending in the left-right direction on the line H-H, and is formed in a state in which a lamp light distribution pattern PAR3 extending in the right direction from a position near the left side of the line V-V partially overlaps with a lamp light distribution pattern PAL3 extending in the left direction from a position near the right side of the line V-V. The additional light distribution pattern PA3 overlaps with a region near the cutoff line of the low beam light distribution pattern PL in its lower end region, and as a result, the high beam light distribution pattern PH3 is formed as a light distribution pattern with no gap between the low beam light distribution pattern PL and the additional light distribution pattern PA3.

[0133] As shown in Figure 11(a), the lamp light distribution pattern PAR3 is formed by six inverted projection images IR3a, IR3b, IR4a, IR4b, IR6a, and IR6b formed by light emitted from six light-emitting elements 230A, 230B, 240A, 240B, 260A, and 260B, which partially overlap each other.

[0134] The inverted projection image IR3a is an image formed by direct light from the light-emitting element 230A being emitted through the projection lens portion 222A, and is formed as a bright, approximately rectangular image, straddling the V-V line and positioned slightly to the right of the front of the lamp.

[0135] The inverted projection image IR3b is an image formed by direct light from the light-emitting element 230B being emitted through the projection lens section 222B, and is formed as an approximately rectangular image with the same brightness as the inverted projection image IR3a, partially overlapping with it on the right side of the inverted projection image IR3a.

[0136] The inverted projection image IR4a is an image formed by direct light from the light-emitting element 240A being emitted through the projection lens section 222A, and is formed as an approximately rectangular image that is less bright than the inverted projection images IR3a and IR3b, partially overlapping with the inverted projection image IR3b on the right side.

[0137] The inverted projection image IR4b is an image formed by direct light from the light-emitting element 240B being emitted through the projection lens section 222B, and is formed as an approximately rectangular image with the same brightness as the inverted projection image IR4a, partially overlapping with it on the right side of the inverted projection image IR4a.

[0138] The inverted projection image IR6a is an image formed by direct light from the light-emitting element 260A being emitted through the projection lens section 222A, and is formed as an approximately rectangular image that is even less bright than the inverted projection images IR4a and IR4b, and partially overlaps with the inverted projection image IR4b.

[0139] The inverted projection image IR6b is an image formed by direct light from the light-emitting element 260A being emitted through the projection lens section 222A, and is formed as an approximately rectangular image with the same brightness as the inverted projection image IR6a, partially overlapping with it on the right side of the inverted projection image IR6a.

[0140] As shown in FIG. 11B, the lamp light distribution pattern PAL3 is formed as a light distribution pattern that is bilaterally symmetrical to the lamp light distribution pattern PAR3 with respect to the line VV.

[0141] That is, the lamp light distribution pattern PAL3 is composed of six inverted projection images IL3a, IL3b, IL4a, IL4b, IL6a, and IL6b that have image shapes that are symmetrical with respect to the V-V line, relative to the six inverted projection images IR3a, IR3b, IR4a, IR4b, IR6a, and IR6b that make up the lamp light distribution pattern PAR3.

[0142] 10(a), the additional light distribution pattern PA3 is formed as a light distribution pattern with little light distribution unevenness, with the left and right central region located near the V-V line being brightest and gradually darkening toward the left and right end regions. This is because, in the pair of left and right lamp light distribution patterns PAL1 and PAR1, the two sets of inverted projection images IL3a, IL3b and IR3a, IR3b that constitute the region near the V-V line are formed as the brightest images, the two sets of inverted projection images IL4a, IL4b and IR4a, IR4b that constitute the regions on both sides are formed as the next brightest images, the two sets of inverted projection images IL6a, IL6b and IR6a, IR6b that constitute the regions on both sides are formed as the next brightest images, and the pair of left and right inverted projection images IL3a, IR3a partially overlap on the V-V line.

[0143] FIG. 10B is a diagram similar to FIG. 10A, showing the additional light distribution pattern PA3 with a part thereof missing.

[0144] Figure 10(b) shows a state in which, due to the turning off of two light-emitting elements 230B and 240A out of the six light-emitting elements 230A to 260B in the vehicle lamp 10, two inverted projection images IR3b and IR4a constituting the lamp light distribution pattern PAR3 out of the pair of left and right lamp light distribution patterns PAL3 and PAR3 constituting the additional light distribution pattern PA3 are missing.

[0145] Even when the configuration of this modified example is adopted, substantially the same effects as those of the above embodiment can be obtained.

[0146] In addition, in this modified example, the six light-emitting elements 230A to 260B are arranged in a row of three in the vehicle width direction on the rear side of each of the two projection lens sections 222A, 222B, so that the left and right width of the translucent member 220 can be reduced, thereby making it possible to make the vehicle lamp 210 smaller and lighter.

[0147] Furthermore, in this modified example, light-emitting elements 230A, 230B (first light-emitting elements) that emit light at a high intensity and light-emitting elements 240A, 240B (second light-emitting elements) that emit light at a low intensity are arranged on the rear side of each of the two projection lens portions 222A, 222B, and light-emitting elements 260A, 260B (third light-emitting elements) that emit light at an even lower intensity than light-emitting elements 240A, 240B are additionally arranged.Therefore, even though the light-transmitting member 220 is composed of only two projection lens portions 222A, 222B, the light distribution pattern PAR3 of the lamp can be formed as a light distribution pattern with little light distribution unevenness. Furthermore, these light-emitting elements 260A, 260B are positioned on the rear side of each of the two projection lens sections 222A, 222B, on the opposite side of the light-emitting elements 240A, 240B from the light-emitting elements 230A, 230B, so that the above-mentioned effects can be obtained while minimizing the increase in thermal load due to the additional placement of light-emitting elements 260A, 260B.

[0148] It should be noted that the numerical values ​​shown as the specifications in the above embodiment and its modified examples are merely examples, and it goes without saying that these may be set to different values ​​as appropriate.

[0149] Furthermore, the present invention is not limited to the configurations described in the above embodiment and its modifications, and various other modified configurations can be adopted.

[0150] This international application claims priority based on Japanese Patent Application No. 2023-214764, which was filed on December 20, 2023, and Japanese Patent Application No. 2024-177618, which was filed on October 10, 2024. The entire contents of Japanese Patent Application Nos. 2023-214764 and 2024-177618 are incorporated by reference into this international application.

[0151] The above descriptions of specific embodiments of the present invention have been presented for purposes of illustration. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise forms described. Numerous modifications and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art in light of the above description.

[0152] 2 Oncoming vehicle 10, 210 Vehicle lamp 12, 212 Lamp body 14, 214 Light-transmitting cover 20, 120, 220 Light-transmitting member 20a, 120a, 220a Front surface 20b, 120b, 220b Rear surface 20c, 220c Flange portion 22A, 22B, 22C, 122A, 122B, 122C, 222A, 222B Projection lens portion 30A, 30B, 30C, 130A, 130B, 130C, 230A, 230B Light-emitting element (first light-emitting element) 30a, 40a, 130a, 140a Light-emitting surface 40A, 40B, 40C, 140A, 140B, 140C, 240A, 240B Light-emitting element (second light-emitting element) 50, 150, 250 Substrate 260A, 260B Light-emitting element (third light-emitting element) Axa, Axb, Axc Optical axis CL1 Lower cutoff line CL2 Upper cutoff line Da1, Db1, Dc1 Right-side displacement amount Da2, Db2, Dc2 Left-side displacement amount E Elbow point Fa, Fb, Fc Back focal point IL1a, IL1b, IL1c, IL2a, IL2b, IL2c, IL3a, IL3b, IL4a, IL4b, IL6a, IL6b, IR1a, IR1b, IR1c, IR2a, IR2b, IR2c, IR3a, IR3b, IR4a, IR4b, IR6a, IR6b Inverted projection image L Virtual straight line PA1, PA2, PA3 Additional light distribution patterns PAL1, PAL2, PAR1, PAR2, PAL3, PAR3 Lamp light distribution patterns PH1, PH2, PH3 High beam light distribution patterns PL Low beam light distribution patterns θa, θb, θc Tilt angles

Claims

1. A vehicle lamp configured to form a lamp light distribution pattern by irradiating direct light from a plurality of light-emitting elements toward the front of the lamp through a translucent member, the translucent member having a plurality of projection lens sections arranged in parallel in the vehicle width direction, the plurality of light-emitting elements being mounted on a common substrate in a state where two elements are lined up in the vehicle width direction on the rear side of each of the plurality of projection lens sections, and the plurality of light-emitting elements being arranged alternately in the vehicle width direction as first light-emitting elements emitting high luminance and second light-emitting elements emitting low luminance.

2. The vehicle lamp according to claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of projection lens sections has a rear surface shape that is a convex curved surface and has a different horizontal cross-sectional shape from each other.

3. The vehicle lamp according to claim 2, wherein each of the plurality of projection lens sections is formed so that its optical axis faces in a different direction relative to the vehicle width direction.

4. A vehicle lamp as described in any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that, on the rear side of each of the plurality of projection lens portions, the first light-emitting element is positioned closer to the optical axis of the projection lens portion than the second light-emitting element.

5. A vehicle lamp as set forth in any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the front surface of the light-transmitting member is configured as a continuous single curved surface or flat surface.

6. A vehicle lamp as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that a third light-emitting element that emits light at a lower intensity than the second light-emitting element is additionally disposed on the rear side of each of the plurality of projection lens portions, and the third light-emitting element is mounted on the substrate in a state aligned with the first and second light-emitting elements in the vehicle width direction.

7. A vehicle lamp as described in claim 6, characterized in that, on the rear side of each of the plurality of projection lens portions, the third light-emitting element is arranged so as to be positioned on the opposite side of the second light-emitting element from the first light-emitting element.

Images