Vehicle headlight

Abstract

This vehicle headlight (1) comprises: light source units (41-44) aligned in the lateral direction; and a lens unit (80) including a projection lens (81) that transmits light beams from a pair of adjacent light source units (41, 43). The light source units (41-44) include light-emitting elements (41a-44a) and reflectors (41b-44b) that reflect light beams emitted from the light-emitting elements (41a-44a) so as converge at positions further toward the light-emitting element (41a-44a) side than the lens unit (80) and traverse the lens unit (80). Light distribution patterns (P1R-P4R) of the light beams from the respective light source units (41-44) which have traversed the lens unit (80) are aligned in the lateral direction, and the light distribution pattern (P2R) of the light beam from the light source unit (42) is positioned between the light distribution patterns (P1R, P3R) of the light beams from the pair of light source units (41, 43) which have traversed the projection lens (81).

Description

Vehicle headlights

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

[0002] There are known vehicle headlamps that darken areas of the light distribution pattern of emitted light that overlap with other vehicles or pedestrians ahead of the vehicle to reduce glare to the drivers of the other vehicles or pedestrians. Such light distribution patterns with darkened areas are sometimes called adaptive driving beams (ADBs). Patent Documents 1 and 2 listed below disclose such vehicle headlamps.

[0003] The vehicle headlamp of Patent Document 1 below includes a low beam lamp unit that emits a low beam and an ADB lamp unit. The ADB lamp unit includes a light source unit consisting of multiple light-emitting elements that are aligned in the left-right direction and emit light forward, and a projection lens that transmits the light emitted from the light source unit. The light distribution patterns of the light from each light-emitting element are aligned in the left-right direction and overlap with the low beam light distribution pattern at the bottom. The light distribution patterns of the light emitted from adjacent light-emitting elements are adjacent to each other.

[0004] The vehicle headlamp of Patent Document 2 below includes a low beam lamp unit that emits a low beam, a high beam lamp unit, and an ADB lamp unit. The high beam lamp unit emits light of an additional light distribution pattern that is added to the low beam light distribution pattern to form the high beam light distribution pattern. The ADB lamp unit includes a plurality of light-emitting elements aligned in the left-right direction, and the light distribution patterns of the light from each light-emitting element are aligned in the left-right direction and overlap with the low beam light distribution pattern at the bottom.

[0005] JP 2019-89424 A JP 2020-147183 A

[0006] A first aspect of the present invention provides a vehicle headlamp comprising three or more light source units arranged in the left-right direction, and a lens unit including a projection lens through which light from a pair of adjacent light source units passes, wherein the light source units include a light-emitting element and a reflector that collects light emitted from the light-emitting element on the light-emitting element side of the lens unit and reflects the light so that it passes through the lens unit, and wherein the light distribution patterns of the light from each of the light source units that passes through the lens unit are arranged in the left-right direction, and the light distribution pattern of the light from a light source unit different from the pair of light source units is located between the light distribution pattern of the light from one of the pair of light source units that passes through the projection lens and the light distribution pattern of the light from the other of the pair of light source units that passes through the projection lens.

[0007] In the vehicle headlamp of the first aspect, the lens unit includes a projection lens that transmits light from a pair of adjacent light source units. Therefore, with the vehicle headlamp of the first aspect, the number of projection lenses can be reduced compared to when the lens unit includes multiple projection lenses corresponding to each light source unit. Furthermore, when light from a pair of adjacent light source units transmits through a single projection lens, the greater the distance between the pair of light source units, the greater the distance between the pair of light source units becomes. In the vehicle headlamp of the first aspect, as described above, the light distribution pattern of light from one of the pair of light source units that has transmitted through the projection lens tends to be greater than the light distribution pattern of light from the other of the pair of light source units that has transmitted through the projection lens. Therefore, according to the vehicle headlamp of the first aspect, the light distribution pattern of light from one of the pair of light source units that has passed through the projection lens and the light distribution pattern of light from the other of the pair of light source units that has passed through the projection lens can be spaced apart, and the distance between the pair of light source units can be increased, compared to when these patterns are adjacent to each other. Therefore, according to the vehicle headlamp of the first aspect, the reflectors in the pair of light source units can be made larger than in the above case, and overheating of the reflectors by light from the light-emitting elements can be suppressed. Therefore, according to the vehicle headlamp of the first aspect, overheating of the light source units can be suppressed while reducing the number of projection lenses.

[0008] In the vehicle headlamp of the first aspect, the number of light source units is four or more, and the lens unit further includes another projection lens through which light from another pair of adjacent light source units different from the pair of light source units passes, and the light distribution pattern of the light from the pair of light source units that has passed through the projection lens and the light distribution pattern of the light from the other pair of light source units that has passed through the other projection lens may be arranged alternately.

[0009] According to the vehicle headlamp of the first aspect, the number of projection lenses can be reduced compared to when the lens unit includes projection lenses corresponding to each of the other pair of light sources. Furthermore, in the vehicle headlamp of the first aspect, as described above, the light distribution pattern of light from one of the other pair of light sources that has passed through the other projection lens and the light distribution pattern of light from the other of the other pair of light sources that has passed through the other projection lens are not adjacent to each other. Therefore, according to the vehicle headlamp of the first aspect, the distance between the other pair of light sources can be increased compared to when the light distribution pattern of light from one of the other pair of light sources that has passed through the other projection lens and the light distribution pattern of light from the other of the other pair of light sources that has passed through the other projection lens are adjacent to each other. Therefore, with this configuration, the reflectors in the other pair of light sources can be made larger than in the above case, and overheating of the other pair of light sources can be suppressed.

[0010] The vehicle headlamp of the first aspect described above further includes a high-beam light-emitting element that emits light to form an additional light distribution pattern that is added to a low-beam light distribution pattern to form a high-beam light distribution pattern, and a high-beam projection lens that is adjacent to the projection lens and through which the light emitted from the high-beam light-emitting element passes, and a portion of the light from the high-beam light-emitting element may pass through the high-beam projection lens, and another portion of the light from the high-beam light-emitting element may pass through the projection lens.

[0011] With this configuration, the size of the high projection lens can be reduced compared to when the light from the high light emitting element passes through only the high projection lens.

[0012] In this case, the projection lens and the high-use projection lens may be integrated.

[0013] With this configuration, compared to when the projection lens and the high-use projection lens are separate, it is possible to prevent the position of the high-use projection lens relative to the projection lens from shifting from the designed position due to, for example, assembly errors, etc. Therefore, with this configuration, compared to the above case, it is possible to make it less likely that the additional light distribution pattern will become an unintended light distribution pattern.

[0014] The vehicle headlamp of the first aspect described above further includes a high-beam light-emitting element that emits light to form an additional light distribution pattern that is added to a low-beam light distribution pattern to form a high-beam light distribution pattern, and the lens unit includes another projection lens that is different from the pair of light source units and through which light from the light source unit adjacent to one of the pair of light source units passes, and the high-beam light-emitting element may be located between the light-emitting element in one of the pair of light source units and the light-emitting element in the light source unit adjacent to the one of the pair of light source units.

[0015] When light from adjacent light source units passes through different projection lenses, the space between the light source units tends to be wider than the space between light source units when light from adjacent light source units passes through a single projection lens. In the vehicle headlamp of the first aspect, the emitted light passes through different projection lenses and the high light-emitting element is located between the light-emitting elements of adjacent light source units. Therefore, according to the vehicle headlamp of the first aspect, the emitted light passes through different projection lenses and the space between adjacent light source units can be effectively utilized.

[0016] As described above, according to the first aspect of the present invention, it is possible to provide a vehicle headlamp that can reduce the number of projection lenses while preventing the light source unit from being overheated.

[0017] In addition, a second aspect of the present invention provides a vehicle headlamp comprising a plurality of light-emitting elements arranged in the left-right direction and including a first light-emitting element and a second light-emitting element adjacent to each other, a plurality of projection lenses arranged in front of the plurality of light-emitting elements and arranged in the left-right direction, including a first projection lens through which light from the first light-emitting element passes and a second projection lens through which light from the second light-emitting element passes, the vehicle headlamp comprising: a lens unit through which light from the plurality of light-emitting elements passes; and a high-beam light-emitting element that emits light to form an additional light distribution pattern that is added to a low-beam light distribution pattern to form a high-beam light distribution pattern, the light distribution patterns of the light from each of the light-emitting elements that passes through the lens unit being arranged in the left-right direction, and the high-beam light-emitting element being arranged between the first light-emitting element and the second light-emitting element.

[0018] As described above, the vehicle headlamp of the second aspect includes a high-use light-emitting element that emits light that forms an additional light distribution pattern, and thus can form an additional light distribution pattern. The vehicle headlamp of the second aspect also includes a lens unit including multiple projection lenses through which light from the multiple light-emitting elements passes. Therefore, the vehicle headlamp of the second aspect can more easily form a desired light distribution pattern from each light-emitting element compared to when light from the multiple light-emitting elements passes through a common projection lens. Furthermore, when light from adjacent light-emitting elements passes through different projection lenses, the space between the light-emitting elements tends to be wider than the space between the light-emitting elements when light from adjacent light-emitting elements passes through a single projection lens. In the vehicle headlamp of the second aspect, as described above, the multiple light-emitting elements include adjacent first and second light-emitting elements, and the lens unit includes multiple projection lenses including a first projection lens through which light from the first light-emitting element passes and a second projection lens through which light from the second light-emitting element passes, and the high-use light-emitting element is disposed between the first and second light-emitting elements. Therefore, according to the vehicle headlamp of the second aspect, the space between the first light-emitting element and the second light-emitting element can be effectively used as a space for arranging the high-use light-emitting element, and the increase in size can be suppressed compared to when the high-use light-emitting element is arranged above or below the first light-emitting element and the second light-emitting element. Therefore, according to the vehicle headlamp of the second aspect, an additional light distribution pattern can be formed, and it is possible to easily make the light distribution pattern aligned in the left-right direction into a desired light distribution pattern while suppressing the increase in size.

[0019] In the vehicle headlamp of the second aspect, the plurality of light-emitting elements may include a third light-emitting element adjacent to the first light-emitting element, and light from the first light-emitting element and the third light-emitting element may be transmitted through the first projection lens.

[0020] With this configuration, the size of the lens unit in the left-right direction can be reduced compared to when the lens unit includes a projection lens that transmits only the light from the third light-emitting element.

[0021] In this case, the light distribution pattern of light from the light-emitting element different from the first light-emitting element and the third light-emitting element may be located between the light distribution pattern of light from the first light-emitting element that has passed through the first projection lens and the light distribution pattern of light from the third light-emitting element that has passed through the first projection lens.

[0022] When light from a pair of adjacent light-emitting elements passes through a single projection lens, the greater the distance between the pair of light-emitting elements, the greater the distance between the light distribution pattern of the light from one of the pair of light-emitting elements that has passed through the projection lens and the light distribution pattern of the light from the other of the pair of light-emitting elements that has passed through the projection lens. According to the above configuration, the light distribution patterns of the light from the first light-emitting element that has passed through the first projection lens and the light distribution pattern of the light from the third light-emitting element that has passed through the first projection lens can be made farther apart, and the distance between the first light-emitting element and the third light-emitting element can be increased, compared to when the light distribution patterns of the light from the first light-emitting element and the third light-emitting element that have passed through the first projection lens are adjacent to each other. Therefore, when a vehicle headlamp includes a reflector that reflects light from the first light-emitting element and light from the third light-emitting element toward the first projection lens, the reflector can be made larger than in the above case, and overheating of the reflector due to light from the light-emitting elements can be suppressed. Therefore, this configuration is useful when the vehicle headlamp includes such a reflector.

[0023] In this case, the plurality of light-emitting elements include a fourth light-emitting element adjacent to the second light-emitting element, and light from the second light-emitting element and the fourth light-emitting element passes through the second projection lens, and the light distribution pattern of the light from the first light-emitting element that has passed through the first projection lens and the light distribution pattern of the light from the second light-emitting element that has passed through the second projection lens may be located between the light distribution pattern of the light from the third light-emitting element that has passed through the first projection lens and the light distribution pattern of the light from the fourth light-emitting element that has passed through the second projection lens.

[0024] In this configuration, the light distribution pattern of the light from the first light-emitting element is located between the light distribution pattern of the light from the second light-emitting element that has passed through the second projection lens and the light distribution pattern of the light from the fourth light-emitting element that has passed through the second projection lens. Therefore, with this configuration, the distance between the second light-emitting element and the fourth light-emitting element can be greater than when the light distribution pattern of the light from the second light-emitting element that has passed through the second projection lens and the light distribution pattern of the light from the fourth light-emitting element that has passed through the second projection lens are adjacent to each other. Therefore, if the vehicle headlamp includes a reflector that reflects the light from the second light-emitting element and the light from the fourth light-emitting element toward the second projection lens, the reflector can be made larger than in the above case, and overheating of the reflector by the light from the light-emitting elements can be suppressed. Therefore, this configuration is useful when the vehicle headlamp includes such a reflector.

[0025] The vehicle headlamp of the second aspect described above may further include a high-use projection lens located forward of the high-use light-emitting element, and a portion of the light from the high-use light-emitting element may be transmitted through the high-use projection lens, and another portion of the light from the high-use light-emitting element may be incident on at least one of the first projection lens and the second projection lens.

[0026] With this configuration, the high projection lens can be prevented from becoming large compared to when the light emitted from the high light emitting element passes through only the high projection lens.

[0027] As described above, according to the second aspect of the present invention, a vehicle headlamp can be provided that can form an additional light distribution pattern and can easily make light distribution patterns aligned in the left-right direction into a desired light distribution pattern while suppressing an increase in size.

[0028] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a vehicle equipped with vehicle headlights according to first and second embodiments of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a vertical cross-sectional view schematically showing a lamp unit according to this embodiment. FIG. 3 is a view showing a heat sink, a low-beam light source unit, and an additional light source unit as viewed from the front. FIG. 4 is a schematic view of an additional light source unit. FIG. 5 is a vertical cross-sectional view schematically showing a light source unit according to this embodiment. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a low-beam light distribution pattern from a right vehicle headlight according to this embodiment. FIG. 7 is a diagram similar to FIG. 6 showing an ADB additional light distribution pattern formed by light from the ADB light source units of the left and right vehicle headlights according to this embodiment. FIG. 8 is a diagram similar to FIG. 6 showing an additional light distribution pattern formed by light from the high-beam light source unit of the right vehicle headlight according to this embodiment. FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing the operation of a control unit according to this embodiment. FIG. 10 is a diagram similar to FIG. 6 showing an example of an ADB light distribution pattern. FIG. 11 is a schematic view of an ADB light source unit and a lens unit according to a modified example of the first aspect.

[0029] Preferred embodiments of a vehicle headlamp according to the present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the drawings. The embodiments exemplified below are intended to facilitate understanding of the present invention and are not intended to limit the present invention. The present invention can be modified and improved within the scope of the claims without departing from the spirit thereof. The present invention may also be implemented by appropriately combining the components in the embodiments exemplified below. Note that in the drawings referred to below, the dimensions of each component may be changed to facilitate understanding. Also, in the drawings, for ease of viewing, similar components may be assigned reference symbols only in some cases, and some reference symbols may be omitted.

[0030] First and second embodiments of the present invention will be described. Fig. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a vehicle equipped with a vehicle headlamp according to this embodiment. As shown in Fig. 1, the vehicle VE includes a pair of left and right vehicle headlamps 1, an ECU (Electronic Control Unit) 101, and a detection device 110. In this embodiment, the right and left sides refer to the right and left sides when facing the direction of travel of the vehicle VE.

[0031] Each vehicle headlamp 1 includes a lamp unit 5 and a control unit CO. Generally, the lamp unit 5 of the right-side vehicle headlamp 1 is disposed on the right side of a forward portion of the vehicle VE, and the lamp unit 5 of the left-side vehicle headlamp 1 is disposed on the left side of the forward portion. In this embodiment, the configuration of the right-side vehicle headlamp 1 is the same as the configuration of the left-side vehicle headlamp 1, except that the shape of the lamp unit 5 is roughly symmetrical and the light distribution pattern of the emitted light is different. Therefore, the following description will focus on the right-side vehicle headlamp 1, and a description of the left-side vehicle headlamp 1 will be omitted as appropriate. The light distribution pattern refers to both the shape of a light image formed on a virtual vertical screen, for example, 25 m ahead of the vehicle, and the light intensity distribution in the image.

[0032] 2 is a vertical cross-sectional view schematically showing the lighting unit 5 of this embodiment. The lighting unit 5 mainly comprises a housing 6 and a lighting unit LU.

[0033] The housing 6 mainly comprises a housing 7 and a front cover 8. The front cover 8 transmits light emitted from the lamp unit LU. The housing 7 is configured in a box shape with an opening at the front, and the front cover 8 is fixed to the housing 7 so as to close the opening. In this way, an accommodation space surrounded by the housing 7 and the front cover 8 is formed in the housing 6, and the lamp unit LU is disposed in this accommodation space.

[0034] The lighting unit LU of this embodiment mainly comprises a heat sink 10, a low light source section 20, an additional light source section 30, a shade 60, and a lens member 70 arranged in front of the low light source section 20 and the additional light source section 30.

[0035] The heat sink 10 of this embodiment includes a first mounting surface 11 facing upward and a second mounting surface 12 facing downward. The first mounting surface 11 is a plane that is generally parallel to the horizontal plane. The second mounting surface 12 is a plane that slopes downward toward the front. The heat sink 10 can be made of a metal such as aluminum.

[0036] 3 is a front view of the heat sink 10, the low light source unit 20, and the additional light source unit 30. As shown in Figures 2 and 3, the low light source unit 20 mainly comprises a light emitting element 21 and a reflector 25, and emits light that becomes light for the low beam light distribution pattern toward the lens member 70.

[0037] The light-emitting element 21 of this embodiment emits light upward to form a low-beam light distribution pattern. An example of the light-emitting element 21 is a light-emitting diode (LED). The light-emitting element 21 is mounted on a flat circuit board 22, which is placed on the first mounting surface 11 of the heat sink 10 and fixed to the heat sink 10. The control unit CO, which will be described later, controls whether the light-emitting element 21 emits or does not emit light.

[0038] The reflector 25 is a member that reflects light emitted from the light-emitting element 21. In this embodiment, the reflector 25 is a curved, plate-like member that is fixed to the heat sink 10 so as to cover the light-emitting element 21 from above. The surface of the reflector 25 facing the light-emitting element 21 is a reflective surface 25r that reflects light. The reflective surface 25r is based on an ellipsoidal surface of revolution, with the light-emitting element 21 located at or near the first focal point of this ellipsoidal surface, and the second focal point of this ellipsoidal surface is located between the first focal point and the lens member 70. At least a portion of the light from the light-emitting element 21 is reflected by the reflective surface 25r toward the lens member 70. Most of the reflected light is concentrated on the light-emitting element 21 side of the lens member 70 and directed toward the lens member 70.

[0039] Fig. 4 is a schematic diagram of the additional light source unit 30 of this embodiment. Fig. 4 also shows an additional projection lens 72 of the lens member 70, which will be described later. As shown in Figs. 2, 3, and 4, the additional light source unit 30 of this embodiment is disposed below the low beam light source unit 20, and includes an ADB light source unit 40 and a high beam light source unit 50 as its main components. The ADB light source unit 40 and the high beam light source unit 50 each emit light toward the lens member 70 to form a light distribution pattern that is added to the low beam light distribution pattern.

[0040] The ADB light source unit 40 of this embodiment includes four light sources 41, 42, 43, and 44. These light sources 41, 42, 43, and 44 are aligned in the left-right direction. Light source unit 44 is located on the far right, light source unit 43 is located on the far left, and light source unit 41 and light source unit 42 are located between light source unit 44 and light source unit 43. In the alignment of these light source units 41, 42, 43, and 44, light source unit 41 and light source unit 43 are adjacent to each other, light source unit 42 and light source unit 44 are adjacent to each other, and light source unit 41 and light source unit 42 are adjacent to each other.

[0041] 5 is a vertical cross-sectional view schematically illustrating the light source unit 41 of this embodiment. As shown in FIG. 5, the light source unit 41 mainly includes a light-emitting element 41 a as a first light-emitting element and a reflector 41 b.

[0042] The light-emitting element 41 a of this embodiment emits light diagonally downward and rearward. The light-emitting element 41 a is mounted on a flat circuit board 45, which is placed on the second mounting surface 12 of the heat sink 10 and fixed to the heat sink 10.

[0043] The reflector 41b is a member that reflects light emitted from the light-emitting element 41a. In this embodiment, the reflector 41b is a curved, plate-like member that is fixed to the heat sink 10 so as to cover the light-emitting element 41a from below. The surface of the reflector 41b facing the light-emitting element 41a is a reflective surface 41r that reflects light. The reflective surface 41r is based on an ellipsoidal surface of revolution, with the light-emitting element 41a located at or near the first focal point of this ellipsoidal surface, and the second focal point of this ellipsoidal surface is located between the first focal point and the lens member 70. At least a portion of the light from the light-emitting element 41a is reflected by the reflective surface 41r toward the lens member 70. Most of the reflected light is concentrated on the light-emitting element 41a side of the lens member 70 and directed toward the lens member 70.

[0044] 3 and 4, the light source units 42, 43, and 44 have the same configuration as the light source unit 41. The light source unit 42 mainly includes a light-emitting element 42a as a second light-emitting element and a reflector 42b, the light source unit 43 mainly includes a light-emitting element 43a as a third light-emitting element and a reflector 43b, and the light source unit 44 mainly includes a light-emitting element 44a as a fourth light-emitting element and a reflector 44b.

[0045] These light-emitting elements 42a, 43a, and 44a are mounted on the circuit board 45 on which the light-emitting element 41a is mounted, and emit light diagonally downward and rearward. The four light-emitting elements 41a to 44a, including the light-emitting element 41a, are arranged in the left-right direction in the same order as the four light source units 41 to 44. The control of whether to emit light or not and the adjustment of the light intensity of these light-emitting elements 41a to 44a is performed by a control unit CO, which will be described later. Examples of these light-emitting elements 41a to 44a include LEDs.

[0046] The reflectors 42b, 43b, and 44b are curved plate-like members. The reflectors 42b, 43b, and 44b are arranged to cover the light-emitting elements 42a, 43a, and 44a from below. These reflectors 42b, 43b, and 44b are fixed to the heat sink 10. The surfaces of the reflectors 42b, 43b, and 44b facing the light-emitting elements 42a, 43a, and 44a serve as reflective surfaces 42r, 43r, and 44r that reflect light. The reflective surfaces 42r, 43r, and 44r are based on ellipsoidal surfaces of revolution, with the light-emitting elements 42a, 43a, and 44a located at or near the first focal point of the ellipsoidal surface, and the second focal point of the ellipsoidal surface is located between the first focal point and the lens member 70. At least a portion of the light from the light-emitting elements 42a, 43a, and 44a is reflected by the reflecting surfaces 42r, 43r, and 44r toward the lens member 70. Most of this reflected light is condensed on the side of the lens member 70 that is closer to the light-emitting elements 42a, 43a, and 44a, and then travels toward the lens member 70.

[0047] 2, 3, and 4, the high light source unit 50 of this embodiment is disposed between the light source unit 41 and the light source unit 42. The high light source unit 50 has the same configuration as the light source unit 41, and mainly comprises a high light-emitting element 51 and a high reflector 55.

[0048] The high light emitting element 51 emits light diagonally downward and rearward to form an additional light distribution pattern that is added to the low beam light distribution pattern to form a high beam light distribution pattern. An example of the high light emitting element 51 is an LED. The high light emitting element 51 is mounted on the circuit board 45 on which the light emitting elements 41 a to 44 a of the ADB light source unit 40 are mounted. Specifically, the high light emitting element 51 is disposed between the light emitting element 41 a and the light emitting element 42 a. The control unit CO, which will be described later, controls whether the high light emitting element 51 emits or does not emit light.

[0049] In this embodiment, the high reflector 55 is a curved, plate-like member that reflects light emitted from the high light-emitting element 51 and is fixed to the heat sink 10 so as to cover the high light-emitting element 51 from below. The high reflector 55 is larger than the reflectors 41b to 44b. The surface of the high reflector 55 facing the high light-emitting element 51 serves as a reflective surface 55r that reflects light. The reflective surface 55r is based on an ellipsoidal surface of revolution, with the high light-emitting element 51 located at or near the first focal point of the ellipsoidal surface, and the second focal point of the ellipsoidal surface is located forward of the first focal point. At least a portion of the light from the high light-emitting element 51 is reflected by the reflective surface 55r toward the lens member 70. Most of this reflected light is focused on the high light-emitting element 51 side of the lens member 70 and directed toward the lens member 70.

[0050] In this embodiment, the high reflector 55 is connected to reflectors 41b and 42b of the ADB light source unit 40, with reflector 41b connected to reflector 43b and reflector 42b connected to reflector 44b. These reflectors 41b to 44b and the high reflector 55 are integrated, and the integrated member may be configured, for example, as a main body and a light-reflecting film provided on the surface of the main body. The main body may be made of a material such as resin, and the light-reflecting film may be a vapor-deposited metal film such as aluminum. Note that the two members being integrated means that there is no connecting portion connecting the two members.

[0051] As shown in FIG. 2 , the shade 60 is a non-transparent member disposed between the low light source unit 20 and the lens member 70. In this embodiment, the shade 60 is a plate-like member extending vertically and horizontally. The upper end surface of the shade 60 is a flat surface extending generally horizontally and is located at or near the second focal point of the elliptical curve of the reflecting surface 25r of the reflector 25. A step portion (not shown) is formed on the upper end surface of the shade 60. A portion of the light emitted from the low light source unit 20 is irradiated onto the upper end portion of the shade 60, including the upper end surface, and the light is blocked. Furthermore, another portion of the light emitted from the low light source unit 20 is not blocked by the shade 60 and is directed toward the lens member 70. Thus, light of a low-beam light distribution pattern having a cutoff line corresponding to the shape of the upper end of the shade 60 is directed toward the lens member 70. The configuration of the shade 60 is not limited as long as a cutoff line is formed. For example, the shade 60 may be part of the heat sink 10.

[0052] The lens member 70 is an optical member that adjusts the divergence angle of transmitted light. The lens member 70 of this embodiment includes a low-use projection lens 71 and an additional projection lens 72 that is disposed below the low-use projection lens 71. The low-use projection lens 71 and the additional projection lens 72 are integrated, but the low-use projection lens 71 and the additional projection lens 72 may be separate bodies.

[0053] The low projection lens 71 of this embodiment is a biconvex lens in which a surface 71i on the low light source unit 20 side and a surface 71o on the opposite side from the low light source unit 20 side are convexly curved. In this embodiment, the vertical and horizontal cross sections of the surface 71i are arc-shaped, convexly curved toward the low light source unit 20 side. The vertical cross section of the surface 71o is arc-shaped, convexly curved toward the opposite side from the low light source unit 20 side, and the horizontal cross section of the surface 71o is generally linear and parallel to the left-right direction. The rear focal point of the low projection lens 71 is located at or near the second focal point of the reflecting surface 25r of the reflector 25. Therefore, the configuration consisting of the low light source unit 20, the shade 60, and the low projection lens 71 is a so-called projector-type lighting unit. Of the light emitted from the low light source unit 20, the light of the low beam light distribution pattern that is not blocked by the shade 60 and heads toward the lens member 70 passes through the low projection lens 71 and is irradiated ahead of the vehicle VE.

[0054] As shown in Figure 4, the additional projection lens 72 of this embodiment includes a lens unit 80 and a high projection lens 85. The lens unit 80 of this embodiment includes a projection lens 81 as a first projection lens and a projection lens 82 as a second projection lens. The projection lens 81 is located in front of the light source units 41 and 43, and the projection lens 82 is located in front of the light source units 42 and 44, with the projection lenses 81 and 82 lined up in the left-right direction. In this lens unit 80, the projection lenses 81 and 82 are adjacent to each other.

[0055] Like the low projection lens 71, the projection lenses 81 and 82 are biconvex lenses in which surfaces 81i and 82i on the ADB light source unit 40 side and surfaces 81o and 81o on the opposite side from the ADB light source unit 40 side are convexly curved. In this embodiment, the shapes of the surfaces 81i and 82i in vertical and horizontal cross sections are arc-shaped, convexly curved toward the ADB light source unit 40 side. The shapes of the surfaces 81o and 82o in vertical cross sections are arc-shaped, convexly curved toward the opposite side from the ADB light source unit 40 side, and the shapes of the surfaces 81o and 82o in horizontal cross sections are generally linear and parallel to the left-right direction. The rear focal point of the projection lens 81 is located forward of the light source units 41 and 43, and the rear focal point of the projection lens 82 is located forward of the light source units 42 and 44. Therefore, the configuration consisting of the light source unit 41 and the projection lens 81 and the configuration consisting of the light source unit 43 and the projection lens 81 are projector-type lamp units, and share the projection lens 81. Furthermore, the configuration consisting of the light source unit 42 and the projection lens 82 and the configuration consisting of the light source unit 44 and the projection lens 82 are projector-type lamp units, and share the projection lens 82. Light emitted from the light source unit 41 and the light source unit 43 passes through the projection lens 81 and is irradiated forward of the vehicle, and light emitted from the light source unit 42 and the light source unit 44 passes through the projection lens 82 and is irradiated forward of the vehicle VE.

[0056] In this embodiment, the high projection lens 85 is located in front of the high light source unit 50 and between the projection lens 81 and the projection lens 82. Therefore, the high projection lens 85 is adjacent to the projection lens 81 and the projection lens 82. In this embodiment, the high projection lens 85 is connected to both the projection lenses 81 and 82, and the high projection lens 85 and the projection lenses 81 and 82 are integrated. Note that the high projection lens 85 and the projection lenses 81 and 82 may be separate bodies.

[0057] Like the low projection lens 71, the high projection lens 85 is a biconvex lens in which a surface 85i facing the high light source unit 50 and a surface 85o facing the opposite side from the high light source unit 50 are convexly curved. In this embodiment, the vertical and horizontal cross sections of the surface 85i are arc-shaped, convexly curved toward the high light source unit 50. The vertical cross section of the surface 85o is arc-shaped, convexly curved toward the opposite side from the high light source unit 50, and the horizontal cross section of the surface 85o is generally linear and parallel to the left-right direction. Furthermore, the surface 85o is seamlessly connected to the surfaces 81o and 82o of the projection lenses 81 and 82, and these surfaces 81o, 82o, and 85o are seamlessly connected to the surface 71o of the low projection lens 71. The rear focal point of the high projection lens 85 is located forward of the high light source unit 50. Therefore, the configuration consisting of the high light source unit 50 and the high projection lens 85 is a projector-type lamp unit. In this embodiment, part of the light emitted from the high light source unit 50, which is light from the high light emitting element 51, passes through the high projection lens 85, and another part of the light from the high light source unit 50 passes through the projection lens 81, and these lights are irradiated forward of the vehicle VE.

[0058] Next, a light distribution pattern formed by light emitted from the vehicle headlamp 1 will be described.

[0059] FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a low-beam light distribution pattern from a right-hand vehicle headlamp 1 according to this embodiment. In FIG. 6, S indicates a horizontal line, V indicates a vertical line passing through the center of the vehicle VE in the lateral direction, and a thick line indicates a low-beam light distribution pattern PL formed on a virtual vertical screen positioned 25 m ahead of the vehicle VE. The low-beam light distribution pattern PL is formed by light from the low-light source unit 20. The reflecting surface 25r of the reflector 25 of the low-light source unit 20 and the low-light projection lens 71 are shaped so that the light distribution pattern of light from the light-emitting element 21 forms the low-beam light distribution pattern PL. The low-beam light distribution pattern PL according to this embodiment is suitable for countries and regions where vehicles drive on the left side of the road. The cutoff line CL, which is the upper edge of the low-beam light distribution pattern PL, corresponds to the shape of the upper end of the shade 60, and a step portion CLa is formed in the cutoff line CL. In this embodiment, the low beam light distribution pattern PL formed by the right-side vehicle headlight 1 and the low beam light distribution pattern formed by the left-side vehicle headlight 1 are generally the same, and the outer edges of these low beam light distribution patterns are overlapped so that they coincide.

[0060] FIG. 7 is a diagram similar to FIG. 6 , showing ADB additional light distribution patterns formed by light from the ADB light source units 40 of the left and right vehicle headlights 1 of this embodiment. Note that in FIG. 7 , a low-beam light distribution pattern PL is indicated by a dotted line. As shown in FIG. 7 , in this embodiment, the ADB additional light distribution pattern PA1 surrounded by a dashed line is formed by light distribution patterns P1R, P2R, P3R, P4R, P1L, P2L, P3L, and P4L. The light distribution patterns P1R to P4R are light distribution patterns of light from the ADB light source unit 40 that has passed through the lens unit 80 in the right vehicle headlight 1. Specifically, the light distribution pattern P1R is a light distribution pattern of light from the light source unit 41, the light distribution pattern P2R is a light distribution pattern of light from the light source unit 42, the light distribution pattern P3R is a light distribution pattern of light from the light source unit 43, and the light distribution pattern P4R is a light distribution pattern of light from the light source unit 44. Further, light distribution patterns P1L, P2L, P3L, and P4L are light distribution patterns of light from the ADB light source unit 40 that has passed through the lens unit 80 in the left-side vehicle headlamp 1. Specifically, light distribution pattern P1L is a light distribution pattern of light from the light source unit 41, light distribution pattern P2L is a light distribution pattern of light from the light source unit 42, light distribution pattern P3L is a light distribution pattern of light from the light source unit 43, and light distribution pattern P4L is a light distribution pattern of light from the light source unit 44. For ease of viewing, in FIG. 7 , the light distribution patterns P1R and P3R are shown slightly shifted in the vertical direction with respect to the light distribution patterns P2R and P4R, and the light distribution patterns P1L and P3L are shown slightly shifted in the vertical direction with respect to the light distribution patterns P2L and P4L.

[0061] The light distribution patterns P1R to P4R and P1L to P4L are formed in an area including the upper side of the low beam light distribution pattern PL. The light distribution patterns P1R to P4R and P1L to P4L are aligned in the left-right direction, with adjacent light distribution patterns partially overlapping each other. Furthermore, the lower parts of the light distribution patterns P1R to P4R and P1L to P4L overlap with the low beam light distribution pattern PL. The light distribution patterns P1R to P4R are located to the right of the light distribution patterns P1L to P4L. Of the light distribution patterns P1R to P4R, the light distribution pattern P3R is located at the rightmost position, and the light distribution pattern P4R is located at the leftmost position, with the light distribution patterns P1R and P2R located between the light distribution patterns P3R and P4R. Furthermore, light distribution pattern P2R is located between light distribution patterns P1R and P3R, and light distribution pattern P1R is located between light distribution patterns P2R and P4R. Therefore, light distribution pattern P1R and light distribution pattern P3R are not adjacent to each other, and light distribution pattern P2R and light distribution pattern P4R are not adjacent to each other. Furthermore, light distribution patterns P1R and P3R of light from light source units 41 and 43 that have passed through projection lens 81 and light distribution patterns P2R and P4R of light from light source units 42 and 44 that have passed through projection lens 82 are arranged alternately. The order of light distribution patterns P1L to P4L formed by light from the left vehicle headlamp 1 is bilaterally symmetrical to the order of light distribution patterns P1R to P4R, and therefore a description of this order will be omitted. In the light distribution patterns P1R to P4R and P1L to P4L, adjacent light distribution patterns may not overlap partially, and adjacent light distribution patterns may be spaced apart.

[0062] FIG. 8 is a diagram similar to FIG. 6 , showing an additional light distribution pattern formed by light from the high light source unit 50 of the right-hand vehicle headlamp 1 of this embodiment. Note that in FIG. 8 , the low-beam light distribution pattern PL and the ADB additional light distribution pattern PA1 are indicated by dotted lines. The additional light distribution pattern PA2 is formed by light from the high light source unit 50, and the reflecting surface 55r of the high reflector 55 of the high light source unit 50, the high projection lens 85, and the projection lens 81 are shaped so that the light distribution pattern of light from the high light-emitting element 51 becomes the additional light distribution pattern PA2. The additional light distribution pattern PA2 is formed in an area including an area above the low-beam light distribution pattern PL, and the lower part of the additional light distribution pattern PA2 overlaps with the low-beam light distribution pattern PL. The additional light distribution pattern PA2 is added to the low-beam light distribution pattern PL to form a high-beam light distribution pattern. In this embodiment, a part of the additional light distribution pattern PA2 overlaps with the entire ADB additional light distribution pattern PA1. Note that in this embodiment, the additional light distribution pattern PA2 formed by the right-side vehicle headlight 1 and the additional light distribution pattern formed by the left-side vehicle headlight 1 are substantially the same, and these additional light distribution patterns are overlapped so that their outer edges coincide.

[0063] Returning to FIG. 1 , the control unit CO is electrically connected to the low light source unit 20, the ADB light source unit 40, and the high light source unit 50. The control unit CO is composed of, for example, an integrated circuit such as a microcontroller, an integrated circuit (IC), a large-scale integrated circuit (LSI), or an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), or an NC (numerical control) device. The control unit CO may or may not use a machine learning device. The control unit CO is also electrically connected to the ECU 101. The control unit CO may or may not be located within the housing space of the housing 6.

[0064] The ECU 101 has a configuration generally similar to that of the control unit CO, for example, and supplies information to the vehicle headlamp 1. The ECU 101 may also perform engine control, airbag control, transmission control, and the like.

[0065] The detection device 110 includes an image acquisition unit 111 and a determination unit 112 and detects objects such as pedestrians and other vehicles located ahead of the vehicle VE. Other vehicles include leading and oncoming vehicles. The image acquisition unit 111 may include, for example, a light detection and ranging (LiDAR) device, a camera, etc. When the image acquisition unit 111 is a LiDAR device, the image acquisition unit 111 may, for example, scan the area ahead of the vehicle VE with a laser beam, receive the reflected laser beam, generate a signal related to the image based on the received laser beam, and output the signal to the determination unit 112. When the image acquisition unit 111 is a camera, examples of the camera include a charged coupled device (CCD) camera and a complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS) camera. In this case, the image acquisition unit 111 captures an image ahead of the vehicle VE and outputs a signal related to the captured image to the determination unit 112. The determination unit 112 is electrically connected to the ECU 101. The determination unit 112 has a configuration generally similar to that of the control unit CO, for example, and determines whether an image of an object is included in the signal related to the image input from the image acquisition unit 111. If the signal related to the image includes an image of the object, the determination unit 112 calculates the position coordinates of the object. If the image of the object is included, the determination unit 112 outputs a signal including data related to the position coordinates of the object to the ECU 101.

[0066] Next, the operation of the vehicle headlamp 1 will be described.

[0067] 9 is a flowchart showing the operation of the control unit CO in this embodiment. As shown in FIG. 9, in this embodiment, the operation of the control unit CO includes steps S1 to S7. Note that, unless otherwise specified, the left and right vehicle headlamps 1 perform the same operation.

[0068] (Step S1) In this step, the next step is determined depending on whether an ON signal is input from a light switch (not shown). In this step, if the ON signal is not input from the light switch, the control unit CO advances the control flow to step S2, and if an ON signal is input, the control flow advances to step S3. The ON signal from the light switch may be input to the control unit CO directly or via the ECU 101.

[0069] (Step S2) This step is a step of causing the vehicle headlamp 1 to stop emitting light. In this step, the control unit CO controls the low light source unit 20, the ADB light source unit 40, and the high light source unit 50 to stop emitting light. Note that when the control unit CO controls the low light source unit 20, the ADB light source unit 40, and the high light source unit 50 to stop emitting light, it is sufficient that light is not emitted from these light sources. For example, if light is not being emitted from the low light source unit 20, the ADB light source unit 40, and the high light source unit 50 when proceeding from step S1 to this step, the control unit CO simply maintains that state. Therefore, in this case, the control unit CO does not need to output any control signal. After this step, the control unit CO returns the control flow to step S1.

[0070] (Step S3) This step determines the next step depending on whether an ON signal is input from a high beam switch (not shown). In this step, if the ON signal is not input from the high beam switch, the control unit CO advances the control flow to step S4, and if an ON signal is input from the high beam switch, the control flow advances to step S5. The ON signal from the high beam switch may be input directly to the control unit CO or may be input via the ECU 101.

[0071] (Step S4) This step is a step of emitting a low beam from the vehicle headlamp 1. In this step, the control unit CO controls the low light source unit 20, the ADB light source unit 40, and the high light source unit 50 to emit light only from the light-emitting element 21 of the low light source unit 20. The light from the low light source unit 20 is partially blocked by the shade 60, so that the light becomes light of the low beam light distribution pattern PL, and this light is emitted from the vehicle headlamp 1. In this way, the vehicle headlamp 1 emits a low beam. Note that if light is being emitted from the low light source unit 20 when proceeding from step S3 to this step, the control unit CO may maintain that state. In this case, the control unit CO does not need to output any control signal to the low light source unit 20. After this step, the control unit CO returns the control flow to step S1.

[0072] (Step S5) This step is a step in which the next step is changed depending on the signal from the detection device 110. In this step, if the signal from the detection device 110 does not indicate that an object has been detected, the control unit CO advances the control flow to step S6. If the signal from the detection device 110 indicates that an object has been detected, the control unit CO advances the control flow to step S7. A case in which the signal from the detection device 110 indicates that an object has been detected is, for example, a case in which the signal from the detection device 110 includes data related to the position coordinates of the object. In addition, a case in which the signal from the detection device 110 does not indicate that an object has been detected includes a case in which a signal indicating that an object has not been detected is input from the detection device 110 to the control unit CO, or a case in which no signal is input from the detection device 110 to the control unit CO.

[0073] (Step S6) This step is a step of emitting a high beam from the vehicle headlamp 1. In this step, the control unit CO controls the low-light source unit 20, the ADB light source unit 40, and the high-light source unit 50 to emit light from the light-emitting element 21 of the low-light source unit 20 and the high-light-emitting element 51 of the high-light source unit 50, and to place the ADB light source unit 40 in a non-light-emitting state. In this way, light of the additional light distribution pattern PA2 is emitted from the vehicle headlamp 1 along with the low beam, and the additional light distribution pattern PA2 is added to the low-beam light distribution pattern PL. In other words, the vehicle headlamp 1 emits a high beam. Note that when proceeding from step S5 to this step, if light is emitted from the low-light source unit 20 and the high-light source unit 50 and light is not emitted from the ADB light source unit 40, the control unit CO may maintain that state. After this step, the control unit CO returns the control flow to step S1.

[0074] (Step S7) This step is a step of causing the vehicle headlamp 1 to emit light of an ADB light distribution pattern corresponding to the object. In this step, the control unit CO controls the low light source unit 20, the ADB light source unit 40, and the high light source unit 50 to emit light from the low light source unit 20 and the ADB light source unit 40, and to place the high light source unit 50 in a non-light-emitting state. In controlling the ADB light source unit 40, if the coordinates of the object are not located in a position overlapping with the ADB additional light distribution pattern PA1, the control unit CO causes all of the light-emitting elements 41 a to 44 a of the ADB light source unit 40 to emit light. As a result, light of the ADB additional light distribution pattern PA1 is emitted from the vehicle headlamp 1 along with the low beam, and the ADB additional light distribution pattern PA1 is added to the low beam light distribution pattern PL. Furthermore, when the coordinates of an object are located at a position overlapping with the ADB additional light distribution pattern PA1, the control unit CO emits light from the light-emitting elements 41a to 44a whose light distribution pattern does not overlap with the coordinates of the object, and dims or does not emit light from the light-emitting elements whose light distribution pattern overlaps with the coordinates of the object. As a result, light of a light distribution pattern in which part of the ADB additional light distribution pattern PA1 is dimmed or turned off is emitted from the vehicle headlamp 1 along with the low beam, and this light distribution pattern is added to the low beam light distribution pattern PL. In this way, light of an ADB light distribution pattern corresponding to the object is emitted from the vehicle headlamp 1.

[0075] FIG. 10 is a diagram similar to FIG. 6 , illustrating an example of an ADB light distribution pattern. In the example shown in FIG. 10 , the object OB is an oncoming vehicle, and the position of the object OB overlaps with the light distribution patterns P1R and P2R formed by the light from the light-emitting elements 41a and 42a. Therefore, the control unit CO dims or turns off the light-emitting elements 41a and 42a. Therefore, the ADB light distribution pattern PADB is a light distribution pattern in which the light distribution patterns P1R and P2R of the ADB additional light distribution pattern PA1 are dimmed or turned off and added to the low-beam light distribution pattern PL. This reduces glare to the driver of the oncoming vehicle, which is the object OB. After this step, the control unit CO returns the control flow to step S1.

[0076] The ADB lamp unit in the vehicle headlamp of the aforementioned Patent Document 1 is a so-called direct-projection lamp unit. Here, a lamp unit is known in which the light source section includes a light-emitting element and a reflector, and the reflector focuses light from the light-emitting element closer to the light source than the projection lens and then reflects it so that it passes through the projection lens. There is a demand for a configuration of the above-mentioned ADB lamp unit using this lamp unit. In this case, for example, the above-mentioned ADB lamp unit is configured with multiple lamp units lined up in the left-right direction. Since an ADB lamp unit with this configuration includes projection lenses equal to the number of light-emitting elements, there is a demand for reducing the number of projection lenses. There is also a demand for suppressing overheating of the light source section.

[0077] Therefore, the vehicle headlamp 1 of this embodiment as a first aspect includes light source units 41 to 44 aligned in the left-right direction and a lens unit 80 including a projection lens 81 through which light from a pair of adjacent light source units 41, 43 passes. Therefore, the vehicle headlamp 1 of this embodiment can reduce the number of projection lenses compared to when the lens unit 80 includes multiple projection lenses corresponding to each of the light source units 41 to 44. Furthermore, in the vehicle headlamp 1 of this embodiment, the light distribution patterns P1R to P4R of the light from each of the light source units 41 to 44 that passes through the lens unit 80 are aligned in the left-right direction, and the light source units 41 to 44 include light-emitting elements 41 a to 44 a and reflectors 41 b to 44 b. When light from a pair of adjacent light source units passes through a single projection lens, the greater the distance between the pair of light sources, the greater the distance between the light source units. In the vehicle headlamp 1 of this embodiment, a light distribution pattern P2R of light from a light source unit 42 that is different from the pair of light source units 41, 43 is located between light distribution patterns P1R, P3R of light from the pair of light source units 41, 43 that has passed through the projection lens 81. Therefore, according to the vehicle headlamp 1 of this embodiment, the light distribution patterns P1R, P3R of light from the pair of light source units 41, 43 that has passed through the projection lens 81 can be spaced apart, and the distance between the pair of light source units 41, 43 can be increased, compared to when the light distribution patterns P1R, P3R of light from the pair of light source units 41, 43 are adjacent to each other. Therefore, according to the vehicle headlamp 1 of this embodiment, the reflectors 41b, 43b of the pair of light source units 41, 43 can be made larger than in the above case, and overheating of the reflectors 41b, 43b by light from the light emitting elements 41a, 43a can be suppressed. Therefore, according to the vehicle headlamp 1 of this embodiment, it is possible to reduce the number of projection lenses while preventing the light source units 41 and 43 from being overheated.

[0078] Furthermore, in the vehicle headlamp 1 of this embodiment as a first aspect, the reflectors 41b to 44b collect light emitted from the light-emitting elements 41a to 44a on the light-emitting element 41a to 44a side of the lens unit 80 and reflect the light so that it passes through the lens unit 80. A lamp unit equipped with such a reflector is a so-called projector-type lamp unit, and tends to easily make the light distribution pattern of light emitted from a direct-type lamp unit into a desired light distribution pattern. Therefore, according to the vehicle headlamp 1 of this embodiment, it is easier to make the light distribution patterns P1R to P4R into the desired light distribution patterns than when the light source units 41 to 44 do not have the above-mentioned reflectors 41b to 44b.

[0079] In the vehicle headlamp 1 of this embodiment as a first aspect, the lens unit 80 further includes a projection lens 82 through which light from another pair of adjacent light source units 42, 43 different from the pair of light source units 41, 43 passes. Therefore, with the vehicle headlamp 1 of this embodiment, the number of projection lenses can be reduced compared to when the lens unit 80 includes projection lenses corresponding to each of the pair of light source units 42, 43. Furthermore, with the vehicle headlamp 1 of this embodiment, the light distribution patterns P1R, P3R of the light from the pair of light source units 41, 43 that passes through the projection lens 81 and the light distribution patterns P2R, P4R of the light from the pair of light source units 41, 43 that passes through the projection lens 82 are arranged alternately. Therefore, the light distribution pattern P2R and the light distribution pattern P4R are not adjacent to each other. Therefore, with the vehicle headlamp 1 of this embodiment, the distance between the pair of light source units 42, 44 can be increased compared to when the light distribution pattern P2R and the light distribution pattern P4R are adjacent to each other. Therefore, according to the vehicle headlamp 1 of this embodiment, the reflectors 42b, 44b of the pair of light source units 42, 44 can be made larger than in the above case, and overheating of the light source units 42, 44 can be suppressed. Note that the light distribution patterns P1R, P3R and the light distribution patterns P2R, P4R do not have to be arranged alternately. For example, both the light distribution patterns P2R, P4R may be positioned between the light distribution pattern P1R and the light distribution pattern P3R.

[0080] The vehicle headlamp 1 of this embodiment as a first aspect further includes a high-use light emitting element 51 that emits light to form an additional light distribution pattern PA2 that is added to the low-beam light distribution pattern PL to form a high-beam light distribution pattern, and a high-use projection lens 85 that is adjacent to the projection lens 81 and through which light emitted from the high-use light emitting element 51 passes. A portion of the light from the high-use light emitting element 51 passes through the high-use projection lens 85, and another portion of the light from the high-use light emitting element 51 passes through the projection lens 85. Therefore, according to the vehicle headlamp 1 of this embodiment, the size of the high-use projection lens 85 can be reduced compared to when light from the high-use light emitting element 51 passes only through the high-use projection lens 85. Note that the light from the high-use light emitting element 51 may pass only through the high-use projection lens 85.

[0081] Furthermore, in the vehicle headlamp 1 of this embodiment as the first aspect, the projection lens 81 and the high projection lens 85 are integrated. Therefore, with the vehicle headlamp 1 of this embodiment, it is possible to prevent the position of the high projection lens 85 relative to the projection lens 81 from deviating from its designed position due to, for example, an assembly error, compared to when the projection lens 81 and the high projection lens 85 are separate. Therefore, with the vehicle headlamp 1 of this embodiment, it is possible to make it less likely that the additional light distribution pattern PA2 will become an unintended light distribution pattern, compared to the above case.

[0082] When light from adjacent light source units passes through different projection lenses, the space between the light source units tends to be wider than when light from adjacent light source units passes through a single projection lens. In the vehicle headlamp 1 of this embodiment as a first aspect, unlike the pair of light source units 41, 43, light from the light source unit 42 adjacent to the light source unit 41, which is one of the pair of light source units 41, 43, passes through the projection lens 82. The high light-emitting element 51 is located between the light-emitting element 41a of the light source unit 41 and the light-emitting element 42a of the light source unit 42. That is, the light emitted from the high light-emitting element 51 passes through different projection lenses, and the high light-emitting element 51 is located between the light-emitting elements 41a and 42a of the adjacent light source units 41, 42. Therefore, the vehicle headlamp 1 of this embodiment can effectively utilize the space between the light source units 41, 42. The high light-emitting element 51 does not necessarily have to be located between the light-emitting element 41a and the light-emitting element 42a. For example, the high light-emitting element 51 may be located on the opposite side of the light-emitting element 43a from the light-emitting element 41a. Also, the high light-emitting element 51 may be located between the light-emitting element 41a and the light-emitting element 43a. Even in this case, the light-emitting elements 41a and 43a are adjacent to each other in the arrangement of the light-emitting elements 41a to 44a that emit light that forms the ADB additional light distribution pattern PA1.

[0083] In a lamp unit that forms multiple light distribution patterns aligned in the left-right direction, such as the ADB lamp unit of Patent Document 2, light from multiple light-emitting elements may be emitted through a common projection lens. However, because light from multiple light-emitting elements passes through a common projection lens, it tends to be difficult to make each light distribution pattern into a desired light distribution pattern. For this reason, there is a demand for making it easier to make each light distribution pattern into a desired light distribution pattern. There is also a demand for preventing the vehicle headlamp from becoming larger.

[0084] Therefore, the vehicle headlamp 1 of this embodiment as a second aspect includes a plurality of light-emitting elements 41a-44a aligned in the left-right direction, a lens unit 80, and a high-beam light-emitting element 51. The high-beam light-emitting element 51 emits light that forms an additional light distribution pattern PA2 that is added to the low-beam light distribution pattern PL to form a high-beam light distribution pattern. Therefore, the vehicle headlamp 1 of this embodiment can form the additional light distribution pattern PA2. The lens unit 80 is disposed forward of the light-emitting elements 41a-44a and includes a plurality of projection lenses 81, 82 aligned in the left-right direction, through which light from the plurality of light-emitting elements 41a-44a passes. The light distribution patterns P1R-P4R of the light from the light-emitting elements 41a-44a that pass through the lens unit 80 are aligned in the left-right direction. Therefore, with the vehicle headlamp 1 of this embodiment, it is easier to form the light distribution patterns P1R-P4R of the light from each of the light-emitting elements 41a-44a into the desired light distribution pattern, compared to when light from the multiple light-emitting elements 41a-44a passes through a common projection lens. Here, the space between the light-emitting elements when the light from adjacent light-emitting elements passes through different projection lenses tends to be wider than the space between the light-emitting elements when the light from adjacent light-emitting elements passes through a single projection lens. In the vehicle headlamp 1 of this embodiment, the multiple light-emitting elements 41a-44a include the adjacent light-emitting elements 41a and 42a. The lens unit 80 includes a projection lens 81 through which the light from the light-emitting element 41a passes and a projection lens 82 through which the light from the light-emitting element 42a passes, and the high-use light-emitting element 51 is disposed between the light-emitting element 41a and the light-emitting element 42a. Therefore, according to the vehicle headlamp 1 of this embodiment, the space between the light-emitting element 41 a and the light-emitting element 42 a can be effectively used as a space for arranging the high light-emitting element 51, and an increase in size can be suppressed compared to when the high light-emitting element 51 is arranged above or below the light-emitting element 41 a and the light-emitting element 42 a. Therefore, according to the vehicle headlamp 1 of this embodiment, it is possible to form the additional light distribution pattern PA2, and it is possible to easily make the light distribution patterns P1R to P4R arranged in the left-right direction into desired light distribution patterns while suppressing an increase in size.

[0085] Furthermore, in the vehicle headlamp 1 of this embodiment as a second aspect, the light-emitting element 43a is adjacent to the light-emitting element 41a, and light from the light-emitting element 41a and the light-emitting element 43a passes through the projection lens 81. Therefore, according to the vehicle headlamp 1 of this embodiment, it is possible to prevent the lens unit 80 from becoming larger in the left-right direction compared to when the lens unit 80 includes a projection lens that passes only the light from the light-emitting element 43a. Note that the light from the light-emitting element 41a and the light from the light-emitting element 43a may pass through different projection lenses.

[0086] Furthermore, in the vehicle headlamp 1 of this embodiment as a second aspect, a light distribution pattern P2R of light from a light-emitting element 42a, which is different from the light-emitting elements 41a and 43a, is located between a light distribution pattern P1R of light from the light-emitting element 41a that has passed through the projection lens 81 and a light distribution pattern P3R of light from the light-emitting element 43a that has passed through the projection lens 81. When light from a pair of adjacent light-emitting elements passes through a single projection lens, the greater the distance between the pair of light-emitting elements, the greater the distance between the light distribution pattern of one of the pair of light-emitting elements that has passed through the projection lens and the light distribution pattern of the other of the pair of light-emitting elements that has passed through the projection lens. Therefore, according to the vehicle headlamp 1 of this embodiment, the light distribution pattern P1R and the light distribution pattern P3R can be made farther apart, and the distance between the light-emitting element 41a and the light-emitting element 43a can be increased, compared to when the light distribution patterns P1R and P3R are adjacent to each other. Therefore, when the vehicle headlamp 1 includes reflectors 41b, 43b that reflect the light from the light-emitting element 41a and the light from the light-emitting element 43a toward the projection lens 81, as in the present embodiment, the reflectors 41b, 43b can be made larger than in the above case, and overheating of the reflectors 41b, 43b by the light from the light-emitting elements 41a, 43a can be suppressed. Therefore, the vehicle headlamp 1 of the present embodiment is useful from the viewpoint of suppressing overheating of the reflectors 41b, 43b. Note that the light distribution pattern P1R and the light distribution pattern P3R may be adjacent to each other.

[0087] Furthermore, in the vehicle headlamp 1 of this embodiment as a second aspect, the plurality of light-emitting elements 44a are adjacent to the light-emitting element 42a, and light from the light-emitting elements 42a, 44a is transmitted through the projection lens 82. A light distribution pattern P1R of light from the light-emitting element 41a that has transmitted through the projection lens 81 and a light distribution pattern P2R of light from the light-emitting element 42a that has transmitted through the projection lens 82 are positioned between a light distribution pattern P3R of light from the light-emitting element 43a that has transmitted through the projection lens 81 and a light distribution pattern P4R of light from the light-emitting element 44a that has transmitted through the projection lens 82. Therefore, the light distribution pattern P1R is positioned between the light distribution pattern P2R and the light distribution pattern P4R. Therefore, according to the vehicle headlamp 1 of this embodiment, the distance between the light-emitting element 42a and the light-emitting element 44a can be made greater than when the light distribution pattern P2R and the light distribution pattern P4R are adjacent to each other. Therefore, when the vehicle headlamp 1 includes reflectors 42b, 44b that reflect light from the light-emitting elements 42a, 44a toward the projection lens 82, as in the present embodiment, the reflectors 42b, 44b can be made larger than in the above case, and overheating of the reflectors 42b, 44b due to light from the light-emitting elements 42a, 44a can be suppressed. Therefore, the vehicle headlamp 1 of the present embodiment is useful from the viewpoint of suppressing overheating of the reflectors 42b, 44b. Note that the light distribution pattern P2R and the light distribution pattern P4R may be adjacent to each other.

[0088] The vehicle headlamp 1 of this embodiment as a second aspect further includes a high-use projection lens 85 located forward of the high-use light-emitting element 51. A portion of the light from the high-use light-emitting element 51 passes through the high-use projection lens 85, and another portion of the light from the high-use light-emitting element 51 is incident on the projection lens 81. Therefore, with the vehicle headlamp 1 of this embodiment, the size of the high-use projection lens 85 can be reduced compared to when light emitted from the high-use light-emitting element 51 passes only through the high-use projection lens 85. From the perspective of reducing the size of the high-use projection lens 85, it is sufficient that a portion of the light from the high-use light-emitting element 51 passes through the high-use projection lens 85, and another portion of the light from the high-use light-emitting element 51 is incident on at least one of the projection lenses 81 and 82. Therefore, for example, the other portion of the light from the high-use light-emitting element 51 may be incident on the projection lens 82, or may be incident on both the projection lenses 81 and 82. Note that the light emitted from the high-use light-emitting element 51 may be transmitted only through the high-use projection lens 85.

[0089] Although the first and second aspects of the present invention have been described using the above-mentioned embodiment as an example, the first and second aspects of the present invention are not limited to this.

[0090] For example, in the above embodiment, the vehicle headlamp 1 is described as including four light source units 41 to 44 and a lens unit 80 including two projection lenses 81 and 82. However, in the first aspect, the number of light source units may be three or more. Furthermore, the lens unit 80 may include a projection lens through which light from a pair of adjacent light source units passes. For example, the vehicle headlamp may be configured to include three light source units aligned in the left-right direction and a lens unit 80 including one projection lens, with light from the three light source units passing through the lens unit 80. Although not illustrated, such a configuration may include, for example, the light source units 41 and 43 in the above embodiment, another light source unit adjacent to the light source unit 41 or the light source unit 43, and a projection lens 81, with light from the light source units 41 and 43 and the other light source unit passing through the projection lens 81. In this case, the light distribution pattern of light from another light source unit of the right-side vehicle headlamp 1 is located between the light distribution patterns P1R and P3R, and the light distribution pattern of light from another light source unit of the left-side vehicle headlamp 1 is located between the light distribution patterns P1L and P3L. Also, the light distribution pattern P1R of light from the light source unit 41 of the right-side vehicle headlamp 1 and the light distribution pattern P1L of light from the light source unit 41 of the left-side vehicle headlamp 1 are adjacent to each other.

[0091] In the above embodiment, the high light source unit 50 is disposed between the light source units 41 and 42, and the high projection lens 85 is disposed between the projection lenses 81 and 82. However, in the first aspect, the arrangement of the high light source unit 50 and the high projection lens 85 is not limited. For example, the high light source unit 50 may be disposed between the light source units 41 and 43. Even in this case, the light source units 41 and 43 are adjacent to each other in the arrangement of the light source units 41 to 44 that emit light that forms the ADB additional light distribution pattern PA1. Furthermore, the high light source unit 50 may be disposed below the light source units 41 to 44, and the high projection lens 85 may be disposed below the projection lenses 81 and 82. In such a case, for example, in the ADB light source unit 40, the reflector 41b and the reflector 42b may be connected, and the projection lens 81 and the projection lens 82 may be connected, as shown in FIG. 11 .

[0092] In the above embodiment, the high light source unit 50 is described as including the high light emitting element 51 and the high reflector 55. However, in the first aspect, the high light source unit 50 only needs to include the high light emitting element 51, and does not necessarily need to include the high reflector 55.

[0093] In the above embodiment, the vehicle headlamp 1 is described as including a high-use projection lens 85 through which light from the high-use light source unit 50 passes. However, in the first aspect, the vehicle headlamp 1 does not need to include the high-use projection lens 85. Furthermore, the vehicle headlamp 1 does not need to include the high-use light source unit 50 and the high-use projection lens 85, and may not be able to emit light of the additional light distribution pattern PA2. In this case, for example, the vehicle headlamp 1 sets a light distribution pattern for the high beam as a light distribution pattern obtained by adding an ADB additional light distribution pattern PA1 to a low-beam light distribution pattern PL. Furthermore, the ADB light source unit and lens unit in this case may be, for example, the ADB light source unit 40 and lens unit 80 shown in FIG. 11 .

[0094] In the above embodiment, an example has been described in which the high-beam light distribution pattern is a light distribution pattern in which the additional light distribution pattern PA2 is added to the low-beam light distribution pattern PL. However, in the first and second aspects, the high-beam light distribution pattern may be a light distribution pattern in which the additional light distribution pattern PA2 and the ADB additional light distribution pattern PA1 are added to the low-beam light distribution pattern PL. In this case, among the high-beam light distribution patterns, a light distribution pattern in which the light of the light distribution patterns P1R to P4R and P1L to P4L of the ADB additional light distribution pattern PA1 that overlap with the coordinates of the object OB is dimmed or turned off may be used as the ADB light distribution pattern corresponding to the object OB.

[0095] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the low light source unit 20 is positioned above the light source units 41 to 44 and the high light source unit 50. However, in the first and second aspects, the low light source unit 20 only needs to emit light that becomes a low beam, and the position and configuration of the low light source unit 20 are not limited.

[0096] In the above embodiment, the vehicle headlamp 1 is described as including four light-emitting elements 41a to 44a, a lens unit 80 including two projection lenses 81 and 82, and a high-light light-emitting element 51. However, in the second aspect, the plurality of light-emitting elements aligned in the left-right direction only need to include a first light-emitting element and a second light-emitting element adjacent to each other, and the number of light-emitting elements may be two, three, or five or more. Furthermore, the lens unit 80 is composed of a plurality of projection lenses aligned in the left-right direction, and the plurality of projection lenses only need to include a first projection lens through which light from the first light-emitting element passes and a second projection lens through which light from the second light-emitting element passes. Therefore, the number of projection lenses may be three or more.

[0097] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the reflectors 41b to 44b are described as examples that reflect light from the light-emitting elements 41a to 44a so that the light is collected on the light-emitting elements 41a to 44a side of the lens unit 80 and transmitted through the lens unit 80. However, in the second aspect, the reflectors 41b to 44b are not limited as long as they reflect the light from the light-emitting elements 41a to 44a toward the lens unit 80. Furthermore, the vehicle headlamp 1 does not need to include the reflectors 41b to 44b, and the light emitted from the light-emitting elements 41a to 44a may be directly incident on the lens unit 80.

[0098] In the above embodiment, the high reflector 55 reflects light from the high light emitting element 51 so that the light is collected on the high light emitting element 51 side of the high projection lens 85 and transmitted through the high projection lens 85. However, in the second aspect, the high reflector 55 is not limited as long as it reflects light from the high light emitting element 51 toward the high projection lens 85. Also, the vehicle headlamp 1 does not need to include the high reflector 55, and light emitted from the high light emitting element 51 may directly enter the high projection lens 85. Also, the position of the high projection lens 85 is not limited, and for example, the high projection lens 85 may be disposed above or below the projection lenses 81 and 82. Also, the vehicle headlamp 1 does not need to include the high projection lens 85.

[0099] According to a first aspect of the present invention, a vehicle headlamp is provided that can reduce the number of projection lenses while preventing the light source unit from overheating. According to a second aspect of the present invention, a vehicle headlamp is provided that can form an additional light distribution pattern and can easily make a light distribution pattern aligned in the left-right direction into a desired light distribution pattern while preventing the size from increasing, and can be used in fields such as vehicle headlights for automobiles, etc.

Claims

1. A vehicle headlamp comprising: three or more light source units lined up in the left-right direction; and a lens unit including a projection lens through which light from a pair of adjacent light source units passes; wherein the light source units include a light-emitting element and a reflector that collects light emitted from the light-emitting element on the light-emitting element side of the lens unit and reflects the light so that it passes through the lens unit; the light distribution patterns of the light from each of the light source units that has passed through the lens unit are lined up in the left-right direction; and the light distribution pattern of the light from a light source unit different from the pair of light source units is located between the light distribution pattern of the light from one of the pair of light source units that has passed through the projection lens and the light distribution pattern of the light from the other of the pair of light source units that has passed through the projection lens.

2. The vehicle headlamp according to claim 1, wherein the number of light source parts is four or more, the lens unit further includes another projection lens through which light from another pair of adjacent light source parts different from the pair of light source parts passes, and the light distribution pattern of the light from the pair of light source parts that has passed through the projection lens and the light distribution pattern of the light from the other pair of light source parts that has passed through the other projection lens are arranged alternately.

3. A vehicle headlamp as described in claim 1, further comprising: a high beam light emitting element that emits light to form an additional light distribution pattern that is added to a low beam light distribution pattern to form a high beam light distribution pattern; and a high beam projection lens that is adjacent to the projection lens and through which the light emitted from the high beam light emitting element passes, wherein a portion of the light from the high beam light emitting element passes through the high beam projection lens and another portion of the light from the high beam light emitting element passes through the projection lens.

4. The vehicle headlamp according to claim 3, wherein the projection lens and the high-light projection lens are integrated.

5. A vehicle headlamp as described in claim 1, further comprising a high beam light emitting element that emits light to form an additional light distribution pattern that is added to a low beam light distribution pattern to form a high beam light distribution pattern, wherein the lens unit includes another projection lens that is different from the pair of light source units and through which light from the light source unit adjacent to one of the pair of light source units passes, and the high beam light emitting element is located between the light emitting element in one of the pair of light source units and the light emitting element in the light source unit adjacent to the one of the pair of light source units.

6. A vehicle headlamp comprising: a plurality of light-emitting elements arranged in the left-right direction and including a first light-emitting element and a second light-emitting element adjacent to each other; a lens unit arranged in front of the plurality of light-emitting elements and arranged in the left-right direction, the lens unit comprising a plurality of projection lenses including a first projection lens through which light from the first light-emitting element passes and a second projection lens through which light from the second light-emitting element passes, the lens unit transmitting light from the plurality of light-emitting elements; and a high-beam light-emitting element that emits light that forms an additional light distribution pattern that is added to a low-beam light distribution pattern to form a high-beam light distribution pattern, wherein the light distribution patterns of the light from each of the light-emitting elements that has passed through the lens unit are arranged in the left-right direction, and the high-beam light-emitting element is arranged between the first light-emitting element and the second light-emitting element.

7. The vehicle headlamp according to claim 6, wherein the plurality of light-emitting elements includes a third light-emitting element adjacent to the first light-emitting element, and light from the first light-emitting element and the third light-emitting element passes through the first projection lens.

8. A vehicle headlamp as described in claim 7, characterized in that a light distribution pattern of light from the light-emitting element different from the first light-emitting element and the third light-emitting element is located between the light distribution pattern of light from the first light-emitting element that has passed through the first projection lens and the light distribution pattern of light from the third light-emitting element that has passed through the first projection lens.

9. The vehicle headlamp according to claim 8, wherein the plurality of light-emitting elements include a fourth light-emitting element adjacent to the second light-emitting element, light from the second light-emitting element and the fourth light-emitting element is transmitted through the second projection lens, and the light distribution pattern of the light from the first light-emitting element transmitted through the first projection lens and the light distribution pattern of the light from the second light-emitting element transmitted through the second projection lens are located between the light distribution pattern of the light from the third light-emitting element transmitted through the first projection lens and the light distribution pattern of the light from the fourth light-emitting element transmitted through the second projection lens.

10. The vehicle headlamp according to claim 6, further comprising a high-use projection lens located forward of the high-use light-emitting element, wherein a portion of the light from the high-use light-emitting element passes through the high-use projection lens, and another portion of the light from the high-use light-emitting element is incident on at least one of the first projection lens and the second projection lens.

Images