Vehicle lamp

Abstract

The present invention improves the utilization efficiency of light flux from a light source in a vehicle lamp configured to form a low beam light distribution pattern by directing light emitted from a plurality of light-emitting elements forward of the lamp through a projection lens. This vehicle lamp has a configuration comprising: a shade 60 disposed between a projection lens 50 and a plurality of first light-emitting elements 30 arranged in the left-right direction with light-emitting surfaces 30a thereof oriented obliquely upward toward the front of the lamp; and a first reflector 32 disposed above the shade 60. This configuration further comprises a light-transmitting control member 70 provided with an upper-stage convex lens part 70A and a lower-stage convex lens part 70B, and disposed between the shade 60 and the first reflector 32. In this configuration, the light-transmitting control member 70 deflects and emits the light emitted from the plurality of first light-emitting elements 30 upward in a lower region of the upper-stage convex lens part 70A, and deflects and emits the light emitted from the plurality of first light-emitting elements 30 downward in an upper region of the lower-stage convex lens part 70B.

Description

Vehicle lighting fixtures

[0001] The present invention relates to a vehicle lamp equipped with a projection lens.

[0002] 2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a vehicle lamp is known that is configured to form a low beam light distribution pattern by irradiating light emitted from a plurality of light-emitting elements forward through a projection lens.

[0003] Patent Document 1 describes a configuration of such a vehicle lamp in which multiple light-emitting elements are arranged in a left-right direction with their light-emitting surfaces facing diagonally upward toward a projection lens, and a shade arranged between the multiple light-emitting elements and the projection lens reflects the emitted light from the multiple light-emitting elements upward to form a cut-off line of a low-beam light distribution pattern.

[0004] The vehicle lamp described in Patent Document 1 has a configuration in which a reflector is disposed above a shade to reflect light emitted from a plurality of light-emitting elements toward a projection lens.

[0005] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2023-77596

[0006] By configuring the vehicle lamp in such a way that a reflector is positioned above the shade, as in the vehicle lamp described in the above-mentioned Patent Document 1, it is possible to improve the utilization efficiency of the light source luminous flux, thereby increasing the brightness of the low beam light distribution pattern.

[0007] However, in the vehicle lamp described in the above-mentioned "Patent Document 1," multiple light-emitting elements are arranged with their light-emitting surfaces facing diagonally upward toward the projection lens, so a significant amount of bright light traveling in a direction close to the perpendicular direction of the light-emitting surfaces is emitted toward the space between the projection lens and the reflector, resulting in light that does not contribute to the formation of a low-beam light distribution pattern. Therefore, improvements are desired to improve the utilization efficiency of the light source luminous flux in such vehicle lamps as well.

[0008] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above circumstances, and aims to provide a vehicle lamp that is configured to form a low beam light distribution pattern by irradiating light emitted from multiple light-emitting elements toward the front of the lamp via a projection lens, and that can improve the utilization efficiency of the light source luminous flux.

[0009] The present invention aims to achieve the above object by providing a configuration in which a predetermined light-transmittance control member is additionally disposed.

[0010] That is, the vehicle lamp according to the present invention is a vehicle lamp comprising a plurality of light-emitting elements and a projection lens, and configured to form a low-beam light distribution pattern by irradiating light emitted from the plurality of light-emitting elements toward the front of the lamp through the projection lens, wherein the plurality of light-emitting elements are arranged side by side in the left-right direction with their light-emitting surfaces facing obliquely upward toward the projection lens, a shade is arranged between the plurality of light-emitting elements and the projection lens, and is configured to form a cutoff line of the low-beam light distribution pattern by reflecting the light emitted from the plurality of light-emitting elements upward, a reflector is arranged above the shade, and reflects the light emitted from the plurality of light-emitting elements toward the projection lens, and a light-transmission control member is arranged between the shade and the reflector, which controls the light transmission of the light emitted from the plurality of light-emitting elements, The light-transmitting control member is characterized in that it comprises an upper convex lens portion and a lower convex lens portion arranged in two tiers, one above the other, and is configured so that the lower region of the upper convex lens portion deflects the light emitted from the plurality of light-emitting elements upward, and the upper region of the lower convex lens portion deflects the light emitted from the plurality of light-emitting elements downward.

[0011] The above-mentioned "plurality of light-emitting elements" are not particularly limited in their specific arrangement or number, as long as they are arranged in a line in the left-right direction with their light-emitting surfaces facing diagonally upward toward the projection lens.

[0012] The specific arrangement and shape of the above-mentioned "shade" are not particularly limited, as long as it is configured to form a cutoff line of a low beam light distribution pattern by reflecting the light emitted from multiple light-emitting elements upward.

[0013] The above-mentioned "light-transmitting control member" is not particularly limited in its specific arrangement between the shade and the reflector or its specific shape, as long as it is configured to deflect the light emitted from the multiple light-emitting elements upward in the lower region of the upper convex lens portion and to deflect the light emitted from the multiple light-emitting elements downward in the upper region of the lower convex lens portion.

[0014] The vehicle lamp of the present invention is configured such that a plurality of light-emitting elements are aligned in the left-right direction with their light-emitting surfaces facing diagonally upward toward the front of the lamp. Between these light-emitting elements and the projection lens, a shade is arranged that is configured to form a cutoff line for a low-beam light distribution pattern by reflecting the light emitted from the plurality of light-emitting elements upward. In addition, a reflector is arranged above this shade that reflects the light emitted from the plurality of light-emitting elements toward the projection lens, thereby increasing the utilization efficiency of the light source luminous flux.

[0015] Furthermore, the vehicle lamp of the present invention is configured such that a light-transmitting control member having an upper convex lens portion and a lower convex lens portion is disposed between the shade and the reflector, and this light-transmitting control member is configured to deflect the light emitted from the plurality of light-emitting elements upward in the lower region of the upper convex lens portion, and to deflect the light emitted from the plurality of light-emitting elements downward in the upper region of the lower convex lens portion, thereby achieving the following effects.

[0016] In other words, if the light-transmitting control member were not provided, the emitted light that would be emitted from the multiple light-emitting elements toward the space located between the projection lens and the reflector can be directed toward the reflector by the upper convex lens portion, and can be made to enter the projection lens as reflected light from the reflector.Furthermore, by directing the light toward the shade or the space in front of it by the lower convex lens portion, the light can be made to enter the projection lens as upward reflected light from the shade or direct light, thereby improving the utilization efficiency of the light beam from the light source.

[0017] In this case, if the light-transmitting control member were not placed, the light emitted from the multiple light-emitting elements toward the space located between the projection lens and the reflector would be bright light traveling in a direction close to the perpendicular direction to the light-emitting surface, and it would be particularly effective to make effective use of this light by using the light-transmitting control member.

[0018] Thus, according to the present invention, in a vehicle lamp configured to form a low-beam light distribution pattern by irradiating light emitted from a plurality of light-emitting elements forward through a projection lens, it is possible to improve the utilization efficiency of the light source luminous flux, thereby increasing the brightness of the low-beam light distribution pattern.

[0019] In the above configuration, if the light-transmitting control member is further configured so that the front surface of the lower convex lens portion protrudes further toward the front of the lamp than the front surface of the upper convex lens portion, the light emitted from the multiple light-emitting elements can be deflected in a balanced manner in both the upward and downward directions in the lower region of the upper convex lens portion and the upper region of the lower convex lens portion.

[0020] In the above configuration, if the light-transmitting control member is configured to have the same vertical cross-sectional shape and extend in the left-right direction, the shape of the light-transmitting control member can be simplified and the light-transmitting control of the light emitted from the multiple light-emitting elements can be performed with high precision.

[0021] In the above configuration, if a plurality of second light-emitting elements are further arranged below the shade in a row in the left-right direction with their light-emitting surfaces facing diagonally upward toward the projection lens, and if these plurality of second light-emitting elements are mounted on a common substrate together with the plurality of light-emitting elements, the following effects can be obtained.

[0022] In other words, by irradiating the light emitted from multiple second light-emitting elements toward the front of the lamp through a projection lens, an additional light distribution pattern for high beams can be formed in the space above the cut-off line of the light distribution pattern for low beams, and a light distribution pattern for high beams can be formed as a composite light distribution pattern.

[0023] In this case, since the plurality of second light-emitting elements are disposed closer to the rear focal plane of the projection lens than the plurality of light-emitting elements, it is possible to ensure sufficient brightness of the additional light distribution pattern, thereby making it possible to provide a high-beam light distribution pattern with excellent long-distance visibility. Moreover, since the plurality of second light-emitting elements are mounted on a common substrate together with the plurality of light-emitting elements, it is possible to reduce the number of parts in the lamp.

[0024] By adopting such a configuration and arranging a second reflector below the shade that reflects the light emitted from the multiple second light-emitting elements toward the projection lens, the utilization efficiency of the light emitted from the multiple second light-emitting elements can be improved, thereby further increasing the brightness of the additional light distribution pattern.

[0025] 1 is a cross-sectional view taken along line III-III in FIG. 2; and FIG. 3 is a detailed view of part IV in FIG. 3. The figures show light distribution patterns formed by light emitted from the vehicle lamp, where (a) shows a low beam light distribution pattern, and (b) shows a high beam light distribution pattern. The figures are similar to FIG. 2 and show a modified example of the embodiment.

[0026] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0027] Fig. 1 is a side cross-sectional view showing a vehicle lamp 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention, Fig. 2 is a view taken in the direction of arrow II in Fig. 1, and Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line III-III in Fig. 2.

[0028] 1 to 3, the direction indicated by X is "in front of the lamp," the direction indicated by Y is "leftward" ("rightward" when viewed from the front of the lamp) perpendicular to "in front of the lamp," and the direction indicated by Z is "upward." This is the same in other figures.

[0029] As shown in Figures 1 to 3, the vehicle lamp 10 of this embodiment is a headlamp provided at the front end of a vehicle, and is configured so that a lamp unit 20 is housed within a lamp chamber formed by a lamp body 12 and a translucent cover 14.

[0030] The lighting unit 20 is a so-called projector-type lighting unit, and is equipped with a plurality of first and second light-emitting elements 30, 40 and a projection lens 50, and is configured to be able to selectively form a low-beam light distribution pattern and a high-beam light distribution pattern by the light emitted from the light-emitting elements.

[0031] To achieve this, the plurality of first light-emitting elements 30 are configured to light up during low beam illumination and high beam illumination, and the plurality of second light-emitting elements 40 are configured to additionally light up during high beam illumination.

[0032] The projection lens 50 is disposed with its optical axis Ax extending in the fore-and-aft direction of the lamp, further forward than the first and second light-emitting elements 30, 40. The projection lens 50 is configured to project a light source image formed on a rear focal plane, which is a focal plane including the rear focal point F, by the light emitted from the first and second light-emitting elements 30, 40, as an inverted image onto a virtual vertical screen in front of the lamp (i.e., in front of the vehicle).

[0033] In FIG. 3, the optical path of the light emitted from the first light-emitting element 30 is indicated by a solid line, and the optical path of the light emitted from the second light-emitting element 40 is indicated by a broken line.

[0034] Next, the specific configuration of the lighting unit 20 will be described.

[0035] 1 to 3, the projection lens 50 is a plano-convex aspherical lens with a convex front surface 50a and a flat rear surface 50b, and has a circular outer shape with both upper and lower ends cut off horizontally when viewed from the front of the lamp. The projection lens 50 is supported at its outer periphery by a lens holder 52, and the lens holder 52 is supported by a base member 54.

[0036] The plurality of first light-emitting elements 30 are arranged in a line in the left-right direction above the optical axis Ax of the projection lens 50, and the plurality of second light-emitting elements 40 are arranged in a line in the left-right direction below the optical axis Ax.

[0037] The plurality of first light-emitting elements 30 are each composed of 12 white light-emitting diodes each having a rectangular (specifically, square) light-emitting surface 30a, and are arranged at small intervals from one another about a vertical plane including the optical axis Ax, with the light-emitting surfaces 30a facing diagonally upward toward the projection lens 50. In this case, the six first light-emitting elements 30 arranged to the right of the optical axis Ax (the left side when viewed from the front of the lamp) are arranged in a state of being displaced downward relative to the remaining six first light-emitting elements 30 arranged on the left side, and the amount of downward displacement of the first light-emitting element 30 closest to the optical axis Ax is set to a value approximately half that of the first light-emitting element 30.

[0038] On the other hand, the multiple second light-emitting elements 40 are each composed of 10 white light-emitting diodes each having a rectangular light-emitting surface 40a (specifically, a square of the same size as the light-emitting surface 30a), and are arranged in a horizontal row with a small gap between them centered on a vertical plane including the optical axis Ax, with the light-emitting surfaces 40a facing diagonally upward toward the projection lens 50.

[0039] The plurality of first and second light-emitting elements 30 and 40 are mounted on a common substrate 56 , and this substrate 56 is supported by a base member 54 .

[0040] 3, the substrate 56 is disposed in a state inclined backward with respect to a vertical plane perpendicular to the optical axis Ax. In this case, the backward tilt angle of the substrate 56 is set to a value of 10 to 20° (for example, about 15°), and therefore the upward angle of the light-emitting surfaces 30 a, 40 a of the first and second light-emitting elements 30, 40 is also set to 10 to 20° (for example, about 15°).

[0041] A shade 60 is disposed between the plurality of first light-emitting elements 30 and the plurality of second light-emitting elements 40 to form a cutoff line of the low-beam light distribution pattern by blocking a portion of the light emitted from the plurality of first light-emitting elements 30. The shade 60 has a vertical cross-sectional shape that expands in a wedge shape from the rear focal plane of the projection lens 50 toward the rear of the lamp.

[0042] The front edge 62 of the shade 60 is formed to extend in a staggered manner in the left-right direction along a vertical plane perpendicular to the optical axis Ax, and to include the rear focal point F of the projection lens 50. Specifically, the portion of this front edge 62 to the left of the optical axis Ax (the right portion when viewed from the front of the lamp) extends horizontally at a position slightly above the optical axis Ax, and the portion to the right of the optical axis Ax extends horizontally at a position slightly below the optical axis Ax, and its left end is connected to the portion to the left of the optical axis Ax via an inclined portion.

[0043] The upper surface of the shade 60 is configured as a first reflecting surface 60a formed to extend horizontally toward the rear of the lamp, and this first reflecting surface 60a is configured to reflect the light emitted from the multiple first light-emitting elements 30 upward toward the projection lens 50. On the other hand, the lower surface of the shade 60 is configured as a second reflecting surface 60b formed to extend diagonally downward toward the rear of the lamp, and this second reflecting surface 60b is configured to reflect the light emitted from the multiple second light-emitting elements 40 downward toward the projection lens 50.

[0044] A first reflector 32 is disposed above the shade 60 to reflect the light emitted from the plurality of first light-emitting elements 30 toward the projection lens 50. The first reflector 32 has a reflective surface 32a that is a horizontally elongated concave curved surface extending in the left-right direction.

[0045] A second reflector 42 is disposed below the shade 60 to reflect the light emitted from the plurality of second light-emitting elements 40 toward the projection lens 50. The second reflector 42 has a reflective surface 42a that is a horizontally elongated concave curved surface extending in the left-right direction.

[0046] The shade 60 is integrally formed with the first and second reflectors 32, 42 via vertical wall portions 64 formed on both left and right ends thereof. The shade 60 is supported by the base member 54 at a pair of left and right flange portions 64a formed on the rear ends of the pair of left and right vertical wall portions 64.

[0047] A light-transmission control member 70 that controls the transmission of light emitted from the plurality of first light-emitting elements 30 is disposed between the shade 60 and the first reflector 32 .

[0048] The light-transmitting control member 70 is a colorless, transparent resin member formed to extend in the left-right direction with the same vertical cross-sectional shape. The light-transmitting control member 70 is formed to extend in a staggered manner in response to the front edge 62 of the shade 60, which is formed to extend in a staggered manner on the left and right. The light-transmitting control member 70 is supported at its left and right ends by a pair of left and right tabs 64b formed on a pair of left and right vertical wall portions 64 of the shade 60.

[0049] FIG. 4 is a detailed view of part IV in FIG.

[0050] As also shown in FIG. 4, the light-transmitting control member 70 includes an upper convex lens portion 70A and a lower convex lens portion 70B arranged in two stages, one above the other.

[0051] Specifically, the rear surface 70b of the light-transmitting control member 70 is configured as a plane extending parallel to the substrate 56, while the front surface 70a of the light-transmitting control member 70 is formed such that the front surface 70Aa of the upper convex lens portion 70A and the front surface 70Ba of the lower convex lens portion 70B each have a convex curved vertical cross-sectional shape. In this case, the light-transmitting control member 70 is formed such that the front surface 70Ba of the lower convex lens portion 70B protrudes more toward the front side of the lamp than the front surface 70Aa of the upper convex lens portion 70A, and the lower end of the front surface 70Ba of the lower convex lens portion 70B is formed in a substantially flat shape.

[0052] The light-transmitting control member 70 is configured to deflect the light emitted from the plurality of first light-emitting elements 30 upward from its front surface 70Aa in the lower region of the upper convex lens portion 70A, and to deflect the light downward from its front surface 70Ba in the upper region of the lower convex lens portion 70B.

[0053] In the lighting unit 20 of this embodiment, if the light-transmitting control member 70 were not arranged, part of the light emitted from the multiple first light-emitting elements 30 would be directed toward the space between the first reflector 32 and the projection lens 50, as shown by the two-dot chain line in Figure 4.

[0054] In reality, because the light-transmitting control member 70 is arranged, the light emitted from the lower region of the upper convex lens portion 70A is deflected upward and reflected by the reflecting surface 32a of the first reflector 32 before entering the projection lens 50, and the light emitted from the upper region of the lower convex lens portion 70B is deflected downward and directly enters the projection lens 50.

[0055] In addition, the light emitted from the upper region of the upper convex lens portion 70A is reflected by the reflecting surface 32a of the first reflector 32 either directly or after being deflected slightly downward, and then enters the projection lens 50, and the light emitted from the lower region of the lower convex lens portion 70B is deflected upward and enters the projection lens 50 either directly or after being reflected by the first reflecting surface 60a of the shade 60.

[0056] In this case, of the light emitted from the light-transmitting control member 70, the light emitted from the lower end region of the lower convex lens portion 70B (i.e., the region formed in a flat shape) is reflected upward by the first reflecting surface 60a at a position closer to the front edge 62 of the shade 60 than if the light-transmitting control member 70 were not positioned, and most of the light is incident on the projection lens 50.

[0057] 5A and 5B are perspective views showing the light distribution patterns formed on a virtual vertical screen positioned 25 m ahead of the vehicle by light emitted from the lighting unit 20 of the vehicle lighting fixture 10 toward the front of the lighting fixture, where FIG. 5A shows the low beam light distribution pattern PL and FIG. 5B shows the high beam light distribution pattern PH.

[0058] 5A, the low beam light distribution pattern PL is a low beam light distribution pattern for left light distribution and has cutoff lines CL1 and CL2 at its upper edge that are staggered on the left and right. These cutoff lines CL1 and CL2 extend horizontally with a V-V line that passes vertically through H-V, which is the vanishing point in front of the lamp, as a boundary, and the portion on the oncoming lane side to the right of the V-V line is formed as a lower cutoff line CL1, and the portion on the own lane side to the left of the V-V line is formed as an upper cutoff line CL2 that is stepped up from the lower cutoff line CL1 via an inclined portion.

[0059] In the low beam light distribution pattern PL, an elbow point E, which is the intersection of the lower cutoff line CL1 and the VV line, is located about 0.5 to 0.6° below HV.

[0060] The low beam light distribution pattern PL is a light distribution pattern formed by light emitted from the multiple first light-emitting elements 30, entering the light-transmittance control member 70, and then emitting from this light-transmittance control member 70 toward the front of the lamp, light reflected upward by the first reflecting surface 60a of the shade 60, and light reflected by the reflecting surface 32a of the first reflector 32, all of which are irradiated toward the front of the lamp via the projection lens 50.

[0061] 4, part of the light emitted from the first light-emitting elements 30 would be directed toward the space between the first reflector 32 and the projection lens 50, and would not contribute to the formation of the low-beam light distribution pattern PL. Moreover, the light directed toward the space is bright light directed from the first light-emitting elements 30 in a direction close to the plane perpendicular to the light-emitting surface 30a, resulting in a significant loss of light.

[0062] In contrast, in this embodiment, of the light emitted from the light-transmitting control member 70, the light emitted from the lower region of the upper convex lens portion 70A is deflected upward and reflected by the reflective surface 32a of the first reflector 32, before entering the projection lens 50, and the light emitted from the upper region of the lower convex lens portion 70B is deflected downward and enters the projection lens 50, thereby contributing to the formation of the low-beam light distribution pattern PL.

[0063] Furthermore, in this embodiment, of the light emitted from the light-transmitting control member 70, the light emitted from the lower end region of the lower convex lens portion 70B is reflected upward in the region near the front edge 62 of the first reflecting surface 60a of the shade 60, so that the low beam light distribution pattern PL is formed as a light distribution pattern that is brighter in the region near the cutoff lines CL1 and CL2.

[0064] As shown in FIG. 5B, the high beam light distribution pattern PH is formed as a light distribution pattern in which an additional light distribution pattern PA is added to the low beam light distribution pattern PL.

[0065] The additional light distribution pattern PA is formed as a horizontally elongated light distribution pattern above the cutoff lines CL1 and CL2 of the low-beam light distribution pattern PL. This additional light distribution pattern PA is a light distribution pattern formed by irradiating direct light from the plurality of second light-emitting elements 40, light reflected downward by the second reflecting surface 60b of the shade 60, and light reflected by the reflecting surface 42a of the second reflector 42, via the projection lens 50, toward the front of the lamp.

[0066] In this case, the additional light distribution pattern PA is formed so that its lower edge extends along the cutoff lines CL1 and CL2 of the low-beam light distribution pattern PL. This is because the front edge 62 of the shade 60 is formed so as to extend linearly on the rear focal plane of the projection lens 50.

[0067] Next, the effects of this embodiment will be described.

[0068] The lighting unit 20 of the vehicle lamp 10 in this embodiment is configured so that a plurality of first light-emitting elements 30 (light-emitting elements) are lined up in the left-right direction with the light-emitting surface 30a facing diagonally upward toward the front of the lamp. Between these plurality of first light-emitting elements 30 and the projection lens 50 is arranged a shade 60 configured to form cutoff lines CL1, CL2 of the low beam light distribution pattern PL by reflecting the light emitted from the plurality of first light-emitting elements 30 upward. In addition, above this shade 60 is arranged a first reflector 32 that reflects the light emitted from the plurality of first light-emitting elements 30 toward the projection lens 50, thereby improving the utilization efficiency of the light source luminous flux.

[0069] Furthermore, the lighting unit 20 of this embodiment is configured such that a light-transmitting control member 70 having an upper convex lens portion 70A and a lower convex lens portion 70B is disposed between the shade 60 and the first reflector 32, and this light-transmitting control member 70 is configured to deflect the light emitted from the plurality of light-emitting elements 30 upward in the lower region of the upper convex lens portion 70A, and to deflect the light emitted from the plurality of light-emitting elements 30 downward in the upper region of the lower convex lens portion 70B, thereby achieving the following effects.

[0070] In other words, if the light-transmitting control member 70 were not provided, the emitted light that would be emitted from the multiple first light-emitting elements 30 toward the space located between the projection lens 50 and the first reflector 32 can be directed toward the first reflector 32 by the upper convex lens portion 70A, and can be made to enter the projection lens 50 as reflected light from the first reflector 32, and by directing the light toward the shade 60 or the space in front of it by the lower convex lens portion 70B, can be made to enter the projection lens 50 as upward reflected light from the shade 60 or direct light, thereby improving the utilization efficiency of the light beam from the light source.

[0071] As described above, according to this embodiment, in the vehicle lamp 10 configured to form the low-beam light distribution pattern PL by irradiating light emitted from the plurality of first light-emitting elements 30 forward through the projection lens 50, it is possible to improve the utilization efficiency of the light source luminous flux, thereby increasing the brightness of the low-beam light distribution pattern PL.

[0072] Furthermore, the light-transmitting control member 70 of this embodiment is formed so that the front surface 70Ba of the lower convex lens portion 70B protrudes further toward the front of the lamp than the front surface 70Aa of the upper convex lens portion 70A, so that the light emitted from the multiple light-emitting elements 30 can be deflected in a balanced manner in both the upward and downward directions in the lower region of the upper convex lens portion 70A and the upper region of the lower convex lens portion 70B.

[0073] Furthermore, since the light-transmitting control member 70 of this embodiment is formed to extend in the left-right direction with the same vertical cross-sectional shape, it is possible to simplify the shape of the light-transmitting control member 70 and still achieve precise light-transmitting control of the light emitted from the multiple first light-emitting elements 30.

[0074] Furthermore, in the lighting unit 20 of this embodiment, a plurality of second light-emitting elements 40 are arranged below the shade 60 in a line in the left-right direction with the light-emitting surface 30a facing diagonally upward toward the front of the lighting fixture, and these plurality of second light-emitting elements 40 are mounted on a common substrate 56 together with a plurality of first light-emitting elements 30, so that the following effects can be obtained.

[0075] In other words, by irradiating the light emitted from the multiple second light-emitting elements 40 toward the front of the lamp through the projection lens 50, an additional light distribution pattern PA for high beams can be formed in the space above the cutoff lines CL1, CL2 of the light distribution pattern PL for low beams, and a light distribution pattern PH for high beams can be formed as a composite light distribution pattern.

[0076] In this case, the plurality of second light-emitting elements 40 are disposed closer to the rear focal plane of the projection lens 50 than the plurality of first light-emitting elements 30, so that the brightness of the additional light distribution pattern PA can be sufficiently ensured, thereby making it possible to provide the high-beam light distribution pattern PH with excellent long-distance visibility. Moreover, since the plurality of second light-emitting elements 40 are mounted on the common substrate 56 together with the plurality of first light-emitting elements 30, the number of parts of the lamp can be reduced.

[0077] Furthermore, in this embodiment, a second reflector 42 is arranged below the shade 60 to reflect the light emitted from the multiple second light-emitting elements 40 toward the projection lens 50, thereby increasing the utilization efficiency of the light emitted from the multiple second light-emitting elements 40 and thereby further increasing the brightness of the additional light distribution pattern PA.

[0078] In the above embodiment, the projection lens 50 is described as being composed of a plano-convex aspherical lens having a circular outer shape with both the upper and lower ends cut off horizontally when viewed from the front of the lamp, but it is also possible for the projection lens 50 to be composed of a biconvex lens or a convex meniscus lens, etc., and it is also possible for the projection lens 50 to be composed of a lens having an outer shape other than these.

[0079] In the above embodiment, the shade 60 is described as having an upper surface that constitutes the first reflective surface 60a that is formed to extend horizontally toward the rear of the lamp, but it is also possible for the upper surface to be formed to extend in a direction inclined relative to the horizontal direction or to be formed in a curved shape.

[0080] In the above embodiment, the lighting unit 20 has been described as having 12 first light-emitting elements 30 and 10 second light-emitting elements 40, but it is also possible to configure the lighting unit 20 with any other number of first and second light-emitting elements 30, 40.

[0081] In the above embodiment, the light-emitting surfaces 30a, 40a of each of the multiple first and second light-emitting elements 30, 40 are described as having a square outer shape, but it is also possible to configure them to have other outer shapes (for example, a vertically elongated rectangular shape or a horizontally elongated rectangular shape, etc.).

[0082] In the above embodiment, the first light emitting elements 30 are arranged in a staggered arrangement on the left and right sides, but they may also be arranged in a single horizontal row.

[0083] In the above embodiment, the light-transmitting control member 70 has been described as being formed to have the same vertical cross-sectional shape and extend in the left-right direction with a difference in level, but it is also possible to configure it so that it extends linearly in the left-right direction.

[0084] Next, a modification of the above embodiment will be described.

[0085] FIG. 6 is a view similar to FIG. 2, showing a lighting unit 120 of a vehicle lighting fixture according to this modified example.

[0086] As shown in FIG. 6, the basic configuration of the lighting unit 120 of this modified example is the same as that of the above embodiment, but the number of the multiple first light-emitting elements 30 and the configuration of the light-transmitting control member 170 are partially different from those of the above embodiment.

[0087] That is, in this modified example, the plurality of first light-emitting elements 30 are made up of five white light-emitting diodes, and are arranged at regular intervals around a vertical plane including the optical axis Ax, with their light-emitting surfaces 30a facing diagonally upward toward the projection lens 50. In this case, the two first light-emitting elements 30 arranged to the right of the optical axis Ax are arranged in a state where they are displaced downward relative to the two first light-emitting elements 30 arranged to the left of the optical axis Ax, and the remaining first light-emitting element 30 is arranged above the optical axis Ax at an intermediate height position relative to the two pairs of first light-emitting elements 30 on the left and right.

[0088] In addition, the light-transmitting control member 170 of this modified example also has an upper convex lens portion 170A and a lower convex lens portion 170B arranged in two tiers, one above the other, and the front surface 170a thereof, the front surface 170Aa of the upper convex lens portion 170A and the front surface 170Ba of the lower convex lens portion 170B, are each formed with a convex curved vertical cross-sectional shape.

[0089] However, the light-transmitting control member 170 of this modified example does not extend in the left-right direction with the same vertical cross-sectional shape like the light-transmitting control member 70 of the above embodiment, and the portions on the front surfaces 170Aa, 170Ba of the upper and lower convex lens portions 170A, 170B corresponding to each of the multiple first light-emitting elements 30 are configured as spherical lens elements 170As, 170Bs.

[0090] As a result, in the light-transmitting control member 170 of this modified example, each of the multiple lens elements 170As, 170Bs deflects the light emitted from each of the multiple first light-emitting elements 30 in a direction closer to the front of the lamp in the left-right direction.

[0091] In addition, in this modified example of the light-transmitting control member 170, the light emitted from each of the multiple first light-emitting elements 30 is deflected upward from the lower region of each of the multiple lens elements 170As on the front surface 170Aa of the upper convex lens portion 170A, and is deflected downward from the upper region of each of the multiple lens elements 170Bs on the front surface 170Ba of the lower convex lens portion 170B.

[0092] Even when the configuration of this modified example is adopted, the same effects as those of the above embodiment can be obtained.

[0093] Furthermore, by adopting the configuration of this modified example, the proportion of light that is deflected and emitted in a direction closer to the front of the lamp can be increased, thereby making it possible to ensure sufficient brightness of the low beam light distribution pattern even if the number of multiple first light-emitting elements 30 arranged is reduced.

[0094] It should be noted that the numerical values ​​shown as the specifications in the above embodiment and its modified examples are merely examples, and it goes without saying that these may be set to different values ​​as appropriate.

[0095] Furthermore, the present invention is not limited to the configurations described in the above embodiment and its modifications, and various other modified configurations can be adopted.

[0096] This international application claims priority based on Japanese Patent Application No. 2024-112674, filed on July 12, 2024, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

[0097] The above descriptions of specific embodiments of the present invention have been presented for purposes of illustration. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise forms described. Numerous modifications and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art in light of the above description.

[0098] REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 10 Vehicle lamp 12 Lamp body 14 Light-transmitting cover 20, 120 Lamp unit 30 First light-emitting element (light-emitting element) 30a, 40a Light-emitting surface 32 First reflector (reflector) 32a, 42a Reflecting surface 40 Second light-emitting element 42 Second reflector 50 Projection lens 50a Front surface 50b Rear surface 52 Lens holder 54 Base member 56 Substrate 60 Shade 60a First reflecting surface 60b Second reflecting surface 62 Front edge 64 Vertical wall portion 64a Flange portion 64b Tab portion 70, 170 Light-transmitting control member 70A, 170A Upper convex lens portion 70a, 70Aa, 70Ba, 170a, 170Aa, 170Ba Front surface 70B, 170B Lower convex lens portion 70b Rear surface 170As, 170Bs Lens element Ax Optical axis CL1 Lower cutoff line CL2 Upper cutoff line E Elbow point F Rear focus PA Additional light distribution pattern PH High beam light distribution pattern PL Low beam light distribution pattern

Claims

1. A vehicle lamp having a plurality of light-emitting elements and a projection lens, and configured to form a low-beam light distribution pattern by irradiating light emitted from the plurality of light-emitting elements toward the front of the lamp through the projection lens, wherein the plurality of light-emitting elements are arranged side by side in the left-right direction with their light-emitting surfaces facing diagonally upward toward the projection lens, a shade is arranged between the plurality of light-emitting elements and the projection lens, and is configured to form a cutoff line of the low-beam light distribution pattern by reflecting the light emitted from the plurality of light-emitting elements upward, a reflector is arranged above the shade, and reflects the light emitted from the plurality of light-emitting elements toward the projection lens, and a light-transmission control member is arranged between the shade and the reflector, which controls the light transmission of the light emitted from the plurality of light-emitting elements, the light-transmitting control member is provided with an upper convex lens portion and a lower convex lens portion arranged in two upper and lower stages, and is configured to deflect the light emitted from the plurality of light-emitting elements upward in a lower region of the upper convex lens portion, and to deflect the light emitted from the plurality of light-emitting elements downward in an upper region of the lower convex lens portion.

2. A vehicle lamp according to claim 1, characterized in that the light transmission control member is formed so that the front surface of the lower convex lens portion protrudes further forward than the front surface of the upper convex lens portion.

3. A vehicle lamp according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the light transmission control member is formed so as to extend in the left-right direction with the same vertical cross-sectional shape.

4. A vehicle lamp according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the plurality of second light-emitting elements are arranged below the shade in a row in the left-right direction with their light-emitting surfaces facing diagonally upward toward the projection lens, and the plurality of second light-emitting elements are mounted on a common substrate together with the plurality of light-emitting elements.

5. The vehicle lamp according to claim 4, wherein a second reflector is disposed below the shade for reflecting the light emitted from the plurality of second light-emitting elements toward the projection lens.

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