Vehicle headlight

Abstract

A vehicle headlight (1) is provided with: a light-emitting unit (40) including a light-emitting element (42) and a light-emitting element (41) adjacent to each other in the left-right direction in a front view; a heat sink (10) on which the light-emitting unit (40) is disposed; and a light-shielding member (65) positioned between the light-emitting element (41) and the light-emitting element (42). The light-shielding member (65) is fixed to the heat sink (10).

Description

Vehicle headlights

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

[0002] 2. Description of the Related Art A known vehicle headlamp forms a light distribution pattern using a plurality of light-emitting elements. JP-A-2003-144992 discloses such a vehicle headlamp.

[0003] The vehicle headlamp of Patent Document 1 listed below comprises a plurality of light-emitting elements arranged in the left-right direction, a lens provided for each of the plurality of elements to focus the light emitted from each light-emitting element, and a partition portion extending to separate adjacent lenses.

[0004] JP 2011-171002 A

[0005] Generally, light emitted from a light source has a divergence angle. Light emitted obliquely to the side from the light source tends to become stray light. In the vehicle headlamp of Patent Document 1, the partition can prevent light emitted obliquely to the side from the light-emitting element from entering another lens adjacent to the lens corresponding to the light-emitting element. However, the partition is heated by the light from the light-emitting element.

[0006] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a vehicle headlamp that can suppress stray light and unnecessary overheating.

[0007] In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the vehicle headlamp of the present invention comprises a light-emitting section including a first light-emitting element and a second light-emitting element adjacent to each other in the left-right direction when viewed from the front, a heat sink in which the light-emitting section is arranged, and a light-shielding member located between the first light-emitting element and the second light-emitting element, and is characterized in that the light-shielding member is fixed to the heat sink.

[0008] According to this vehicle headlamp, the light-blocking member can prevent light from one of the first and second light-emitting elements from traveling into a region where only light from the other light-emitting element should travel, thereby suppressing stray light. Furthermore, in this vehicle headlamp, because the light-blocking member is fixed to the heat sink, heat from the light-blocking member heated by the light from the light-emitting elements can be dissipated from the heat sink. Therefore, according to this vehicle headlamp, unnecessary overheating can be suppressed compared to when the light-blocking member and the heat sink are separated from each other.

[0009] The heat sink and the light blocking member may be integral with each other.

[0010] With this configuration, the number of parts can be reduced compared to when the heat sink and the light blocking member are separate. Note that the heat sink and the light blocking member being integrated here means that they are made of the same material and there is no seam between them.

[0011] The above-mentioned vehicle headlamp may further include a first optical element located closer to the first light-emitting element than the second light-emitting element and changing the propagation direction of light emitted from the first light-emitting element, and a second optical element located closer to the second light-emitting element than the first light-emitting element and changing the propagation direction of light emitted from the second light-emitting element.

[0012] In this vehicle headlamp, the light-blocking member can block light traveling from the first light-emitting element to the second optical member, and light traveling from the second light-emitting element to the first optical member, thereby preventing light emitted from the first light-emitting element from becoming stray light via the second optical member, and preventing light emitted from the second light-emitting element from becoming stray light via the first optical member.

[0013] The first optical member may be a first reflector that covers the first light-emitting element from the side opposite the heat sink and reflects light from the first light-emitting element forward, and the second optical member may be a second reflector that covers the second light-emitting element from the side opposite the heat sink and reflects light from the second light-emitting element forward.

[0014] The first reflector and the second reflector may be connected to each other, and the light blocking member may overlap a connection portion between the first reflector and the second reflector.

[0015] The thickness of the light blocking member along a direction connecting the first light emitting element and the second light emitting element may decrease in the vertical direction with increasing distance from the first light emitting element and the second light emitting element.

[0016] With this configuration, the surface of the light-shielding member facing the light-emitting element can be inclined in the vertical direction away from the light-emitting element as the surface is further away from the light-emitting element. Therefore, light emitted from the light-emitting element toward the light-shielding member and reflected by the light-shielding member can be directed upward or downward toward the front. Therefore, for example, when an optical member such as a lens is disposed in front of the light-emitting unit, light reflected by the light-shielding member can be prevented from entering the optical member, thereby preventing stray light from being emitted from the optical member.

[0017] The thickness of the light blocking member along a direction connecting the first light emitting element and the second light emitting element may increase toward the front.

[0018] With this configuration, the surface of the light-shielding member facing the light-emitting element can be tilted forward toward the light-emitting element. This can make it difficult for light emitted from the light-emitting element and reflected by the light-shielding member to travel forward. Therefore, when an optical member such as a lens is disposed in front of the light-emitting unit, for example, it is possible to prevent light reflected by the light-shielding member from entering the optical member, thereby suppressing the emission of stray light.

[0019] At least one of the surface of the light blocking member on the side of the first light emitting element and the surface on the side of the second light emitting element may have a convex portion.

[0020] With this configuration, it is possible to diffuse the light incident on the light blocking member, and to suppress problems caused by the light reflected by the light blocking member.

[0021] The light emitting unit may further include a substrate on which the first light emitting element and the second light emitting element are mounted and which has an insertion portion through which the light blocking member is inserted.

[0022] As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to provide a vehicle headlamp that can suppress stray light and unnecessary overheating.

[0023] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a vehicle equipped with a vehicle headlamp according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a vertical cross-sectional view schematically showing the 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 the additional light source unit. FIG. 5 is a vertical cross-sectional view schematically showing the additional light source unit. FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the additional light source unit taken along line A-A in FIG. 5. FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a low-beam light distribution pattern from the right vehicle headlamp according to this embodiment. FIG. 8 is a diagram similar to FIG. 7 showing an ADB additional light distribution pattern formed by light from the left and right vehicle headlamp according to this embodiment. FIG. 9 is a diagram similar to FIG. 7 showing an additional light distribution pattern formed by light from the right vehicle headlamp according to this embodiment. FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing the operation of the control unit according to this embodiment. FIG. 11 is a diagram similar to FIG. 7 showing an example of an ADB light distribution pattern. FIG. 12 is a schematic view showing a portion of the additional light source unit according to Modification 1. FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram showing a part of the additional light source unit of the second modification.

[0024] Preferred embodiments of a vehicle headlamp according to the present invention will be described in detail below 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 may be modified or improved from the embodiments exemplified below within the scope of the claims. Furthermore, the present invention may also be realized 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. Furthermore, 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.

[0025] Fig. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a vehicle equipped with a vehicle headlamp according to an 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.

[0026] 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.

[0027] 2 is a vertical cross-sectional view schematically illustrating the lamp unit 5 of this embodiment. The lamp unit 5 mainly includes a housing 6 and a lamp unit LU. In FIG. 2, the X-axis direction indicates the front of the vehicle VE, and the Z-axis direction indicates the upward direction.

[0028] 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.

[0029] 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, a light-blocking member 65, and a lens member 70 arranged in front of the low light source section 20 and the additional light source section 30.

[0030] 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.

[0031] 3 is a view of the heat sink 10, the low beam light source unit 20, and the additional light source unit 30 as seen from the front. In FIG. 3, the Y-axis direction indicates the rightward direction of the vehicle VE. Therefore, the -Y direction indicates the leftward direction of the vehicle VE. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the low beam light source unit 20 mainly comprises a light-emitting element 21 and a reflector 25, and emits light that becomes the light of the low beam light distribution pattern toward the lens member 70.

[0032] 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 an LED (Light Emitting Diode). The light-emitting element 21 is mounted on a flat substrate 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.

[0033] The reflector 25 is an optical member that changes the propagation direction of light emitted from the light-emitting element 21 and reflects the light. 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 serves as 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 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 element 21 is reflected by the reflective surface 25r toward the lens member 70. Most of the reflected light is focused on the light-emitting element 21 side of the lens member 70 and directed toward the lens member 70.

[0034] FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of the additional light source unit 30 of this embodiment. Also shown in FIG. 4 is a light-blocking member 65 and an additional projection lens 72 of a lens member 70 (described later). FIG. 5 is a vertical cross-sectional view schematically illustrating the additional light source unit 30. As shown in FIGS. 2 to 5 , the additional light source unit 30 of this embodiment is disposed below the low-beam light source unit 20, and primarily comprises a light-emitting unit 40 and a reflector unit 50. The additional light source unit 30 emits, toward the lens member 70, light that forms a light distribution pattern that is added to the low-beam light distribution pattern.

[0035] The light-emitting unit 40 of this embodiment includes a plurality of light-emitting elements 41 to 45, including a light-emitting element 41 as a first light-emitting element and a light-emitting element 42 as a second light-emitting element, and a single substrate 46 on which these light-emitting elements 41 to 45 are mounted. In this example, an example is shown in which the light-emitting unit 40 includes five light-emitting elements 41 to 45. The substrate 46 is placed on the second mounting surface 12 of the heat sink 10 and fixed to the heat sink 10. Because the second mounting surface 12 is tilted downward as it faces forward, the light-emitting elements 41 to 45 emit light diagonally downward and rearward. The light-emitting elements 41 to 45 are aligned in the left-right direction in a front view. The light-emitting element 41 is located at the leftmost position, the light-emitting element 45 is located at the rightmost position, the light-emitting element 43 is located in the center, the light-emitting element 42 is located between the light-emitting elements 41 and 43, and the light-emitting element 44 is located between the light-emitting elements 45 and 43. Therefore, the light-emitting elements 41 and 42, the light-emitting elements 42 and 43, the light-emitting elements 43 and 44, and the light-emitting elements 44 and 45 are adjacent to each other in the left-right direction. As will be described in detail later, an additional light distribution pattern is formed by the light from the light-emitting element 43, and an ADB additional light distribution pattern is formed by the light from the light-emitting elements 41, 42, 44, and 45. The additional light distribution pattern is a light distribution pattern that is added to the low-beam light distribution pattern to form the high-beam light distribution pattern. The ADB additional light distribution pattern is a separate light distribution pattern that is added to the low-beam light distribution pattern. The control of the emission, non-emission, and light intensity adjustment of the light from these light-emitting elements 41 to 45 is performed by a control unit CO, which will be described later. Examples of these light-emitting elements 41 to 45 include LEDs.

[0036] The reflector unit 50 of this embodiment has multiple reflectors 51-55, including a reflector 51 serving as a first reflector and a reflector 52 serving as a second reflector. The number of the multiple reflectors 51-55 is five, the same as the number of the multiple light-emitting elements 41-45. The reflector 51 serving as the first reflector is an optical element that changes the propagation direction of light emitted from the light-emitting element 41 serving as the first light-emitting element and reflects the light. The reflector 51 of this embodiment is a curved plate-like member and is arranged to cover the light-emitting element 41 from the lower side, opposite the heat sink 10. The surface of the reflector 51 facing the light-emitting element 41 serves as a reflective surface 51r that reflects light. The reflective surface 51r is based on a revolutional ellipsoidal surface, with the light-emitting element 41 located at or near the first focal point of the ellipsoidal surface, and the second focal point of the ellipsoidal surface being located between the first focal point and the lens member 70. At least a portion of the light from the light emitting element 41 is reflected forward by the reflecting surface 51r, and most of this reflected light is collected on the light emitting element 41 side of the lens member 70 and directed toward the lens member 70.

[0037] The reflector 52, which serves as a second reflector, is an optical element that changes the propagation direction of light emitted from the light-emitting element 42, which serves as the second light-emitting element, and reflects the light. In this embodiment, the reflectors 52 and 53-55 are curved, plate-like members that have a configuration generally similar to that of the reflector 51. The reflectors 52-55 are arranged to cover the light-emitting elements 42-45 from below. Furthermore, the surfaces of the reflectors 52-55 facing the light-emitting elements 42-45 serve as reflective surfaces 52r-55r that reflect light. The reflective surfaces 52r-55r are based on ellipsoidal surfaces of revolution, with the light-emitting elements 42-45 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 42-45 is reflected forward by the reflective surfaces 52r-55r. Most of this reflected light is collected on the light emitting elements 42 to 45 side of the lens member 70 and directed toward the lens member 70 .

[0038] In such a reflector unit 50, the reflector 51 is located closer to the light emitting element 41 than the light emitting element 42, and the reflector 52 is located closer to the light emitting element 42 than the light emitting element 41. Furthermore, the reflector 53 is located closer to the light emitting element 43 than the light emitting element 42, the reflector 54 is located closer to the light emitting element 44 than the light emitting element 43, and the reflector 55 is located closer to the light emitting element 45 than the light emitting element 44.

[0039] In this embodiment, adjacent reflectors 51 and 52 are connected, adjacent reflectors 52 and 53 are connected, adjacent reflectors 53 and 54 are connected, and adjacent reflectors 54 and 55 are connected. These reflectors 51 to 55 are integral and fixed to the heat sink 10. An example of such an integral member configuration is a configuration consisting of a main body and a light-reflecting film provided on the surface of the main body. Examples of materials that make up the main body include resin, and examples of the light-reflecting film include a vapor-deposited metal film such as aluminum. Note that the reflectors 51 to 55 may be separate bodies. Here, "two members being integral" means that the two members are made of the same material and there is no seam between the two members.

[0040] 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 curved surface 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.

[0041] As shown in FIGS. 3, 4, and 5, in this embodiment, the number of light-blocking members 65 is four. The light-blocking members 65 are non-transparent members. In this embodiment, the light-blocking members 65 are plate-shaped members extending in the front-rear and up-down directions. The light-blocking members 65 are integral with the heat sink 10 and fixed to the heat sink 10. The four light-blocking members 65 are respectively disposed between the light-emitting elements 41 and 42, between the light-emitting elements 42 and 43, between the light-emitting elements 43 and 44, and between the light-emitting elements 44 and 45. In FIG. 4, the light-blocking members 65 are depicted as being positioned forward of the light-emitting elements 41 to 45, but this is for ease of viewing; the light-blocking members 65 overlap with the light-emitting elements 41 to 45 in the left-right direction. The light-shielding member 65 between the light-emitting elements 41 and 42 overlaps in the vertical direction with the connection portion 57 between the reflector 51 and the reflector 52, and blocks light from the light-emitting element 41 toward the reflector 52 and light from the light-emitting element 42 toward the reflector 51. The light-shielding member 65 between the light-emitting elements 42 and 43 overlaps in the vertical direction with the connection portion 57 between the reflector 52 and the reflector 53, and blocks light from the light-emitting element 42 toward the reflector 53 and light from the light-emitting element 43 toward the reflector 52. The light-shielding member 65 between the light-emitting elements 43 and 44 overlaps in the vertical direction with the connection portion 57 between the reflector 53 and the reflector 54, and blocks light from the light-emitting element 43 toward the reflector 54 and light from the light-emitting element 44 toward the reflector 53. The light-blocking member 65 between the light-emitting elements 44, 45 overlaps the connection portion 57 between the reflector 54 and the reflector 55 in the vertical direction, and blocks light from the light-emitting element 44 toward the reflector 55 and light from the light-emitting element 45 toward the reflector 54. Each light-blocking member 65 is spaced apart from the reflector unit 50. The light-blocking member 65 does not have to overlap the connection portion 57.

[0042] Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view of the additional light source unit 30 taken along line A-A in Figure 5. Note that the reflector unit 50 is omitted from Figure 6 for ease of understanding. In this embodiment, the substrate 46 includes insertion portions 47 through which the respective light blocking members 65 are inserted. The insertion portions 47 in this embodiment are through holes provided in the substrate 46. The light blocking members 65 protrude downward from the insertion portions 47.

[0043] The thickness T1 of the light-shielding member 65 between the light-emitting elements 41 and 42 in the left-right direction, which is the thickness along the direction connecting the light-emitting elements 41 and 42, decreases with increasing distance from the light-emitting elements 41 and 42 in the up-down direction. In other words, the thickness decreases downward. Although not illustrated, the thickness T1 of the light-shielding member 65 between the light-emitting elements 42 and 43 in the direction connecting the light-emitting elements 42 and 43 decreases with increasing distance from the light-emitting elements 42 and 43 in the up-down direction. Furthermore, the thickness T1 of the light-shielding member 65 between the light-emitting elements 43 and 44 in the direction connecting the light-emitting elements 43 and 44 decreases with increasing distance from the light-emitting elements 43 and 44 in the up-down direction. Furthermore, the thickness T1 of the light-shielding member 65 between the light-emitting elements 44 and 45 in the direction connecting the light-emitting elements 44 and 45 decreases with increasing distance from the light-emitting elements 44 and 45 in the up-down direction.

[0044] The thickness T1 of each of the four light blocking members 65 is generally constant in the front-rear direction.

[0045] The lens member 70 is an optical member that adjusts the divergence angle of the 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 light source unit 20. 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.

[0046] 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.

[0047] 4, the additional projection lens 72 of this embodiment includes three projection lenses 81, 82, and 83. The projection lens 81 is located in front of the light-emitting elements 41 and 42, the projection lens 82 is located in front of the light-emitting elements 43, and the projection lens 83 is located in front of the light-emitting elements 44 and 45, and these three projection lenses 81, 82, and 83 are aligned in the left-right direction.

[0048] Like the low-light projection lens 71, the projection lenses 81, 82, and 83 are biconvex lenses in which surfaces 81i, 82i, and 83i facing the additional light source unit 30 and surfaces 81o, 82o, and 83o facing away from the additional light source unit 30 are convexly curved. The rear focal point of the projection lens 81 is located forward of the light-emitting elements 41 and 42, the rear focal point of the projection lens 82 is located forward of the light-emitting element 43, and the rear focal point of the projection lens 81 is located forward of the light-emitting elements 44 and 45. Therefore, the configuration consisting of the light-emitting element 41, the reflector 51, and the projection lens 81 and the configuration consisting of the light-emitting element 42, the reflector 52, and the projection lens 81 are projector-type lighting units, and they share the projection lens 81. Furthermore, the configuration consisting of the light-emitting element 44, the reflector 54, and the projection lens 83 are projector-type lighting units, and they share the projection lens 83. The configuration consisting of the light-emitting element 43, the reflector 53, and the projection lens 82 is a projector-type lamp unit. Light emitted from the light-emitting elements 41 and 42 passes through the projection lens 81 and is irradiated ahead of the vehicle VE, light emitted from the light-emitting element 43 passes through the projection lens 82 and is irradiated ahead of the vehicle VE, and light emitted from the light-emitting elements 44 and 45 passes through the projection lens 83 and is irradiated ahead of the vehicle VE.

[0049] In this embodiment, the projection lens 82 is connected to both the projection lenses 81 and 82, and these projection lenses 81, 82, and 83 are integrated together. Note that the projection lenses 81, 82, and 83 may also be separate bodies.

[0050] Next, a light distribution pattern formed by light emitted from the vehicle headlamp 1 will be described.

[0051] FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a low-beam light distribution pattern from a right-hand vehicle headlamp 1 according to this embodiment. In FIG. 7 , S denotes a horizontal line, V denotes a vertical line passing through the center of the vehicle in the lateral direction, and the low-beam light distribution pattern PL formed on a virtual vertical screen positioned 25 m ahead of the vehicle VE is shown by a thick line. 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 this 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.

[0052] FIG. 8 is a diagram similar to FIG. 7 , showing ADB additional light distribution patterns formed by light from the left and right vehicle headlights 1 of this embodiment. Note that in FIG. 8 , a low-beam light distribution pattern PL is indicated by a dotted line. As shown in FIG. 8 , in this embodiment, the ADB additional light distribution pattern PA1 surrounded by a dashed line is formed by light distribution patterns P1R, P2R, P4R, P5R, P1L, P2L, P4L, and P5L. The light distribution patterns P1R, P2R, P4R, and P5R are light distribution patterns of light from the light-emitting elements 41, 42, 44, and 45 that have passed through the additional projection lens 72 in the right vehicle headlight 1. Specifically, the light distribution pattern P1R is a light distribution pattern of light from the light-emitting element 41, the light distribution pattern P2R is a light distribution pattern of light from the light-emitting element 42, the light distribution pattern P4R is a light distribution pattern of light from the light-emitting element 44, and the light distribution pattern P5R is a light distribution pattern of light from the light-emitting element 45. Furthermore, light distribution patterns P1L, P2L, P4L, and P5L are light distribution patterns of light from light-emitting elements 41, 42, 44, and 45 that have passed through the additional projection lens 72 in the left-side vehicle headlamp 1. Specifically, light distribution pattern P1L is a light distribution pattern of light from light-emitting element 41, light distribution pattern P2L is a light distribution pattern of light from light-emitting element 42, light distribution pattern P4L is a light distribution pattern of light from light-emitting element 44, and light distribution pattern P5L is a light distribution pattern of light from light-emitting element 45. For ease of viewing, in FIG. 8 , light distribution patterns P1R and P2R are shown slightly shifted in the vertical direction with respect to light distribution patterns P4R and P5R, and light distribution patterns P1L and P2L are shown slightly shifted in the vertical direction with respect to light distribution patterns P4L and P5L.

[0053] These light distribution patterns P1R to P5L are formed in an area including the upper side of the low beam light distribution pattern PL. Furthermore, these light distribution patterns P1R to P5L 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 P5L overlap with the low beam light distribution pattern PL. The light distribution patterns P1R, P2R, P4R, and P5R are located to the right of the light distribution patterns P1L, P2L, P4L, and P5L. Of the light distribution patterns P1R, P2R, P4R, and P5R, the light distribution pattern P1R is located at the rightmost position and the light distribution pattern P5R is located at the leftmost position, with the light distribution patterns P2R and P4R located between the light distribution patterns P1R and P5R. Furthermore, light distribution pattern P4R is located between light distribution pattern P1R and light distribution pattern P2R, and light distribution pattern P2R is located between light distribution pattern P4R and light distribution pattern P5R. The order of light distribution patterns P1L, P2L, P4L, and P5L formed by light from the left vehicle headlamp 1 is bilaterally symmetrical to the order of light distribution patterns P1R, P2R, P4R, and P5R, so a description of this order will be omitted. Note that, among light distribution patterns P1R to P5L, adjacent light distribution patterns may not partially overlap, and adjacent light distribution patterns may be spaced apart.

[0054] FIG. 9 is a diagram similar to FIG. 7 showing additional light distribution patterns formed by light from the right-hand vehicle headlamp 1 of this embodiment. Note that in FIG. 9 , 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 light-emitting element 43, and the reflecting surface 53r of the reflector 53 and the projection lens 82 are shaped so that the light distribution pattern of the light from the light-emitting element 43 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 portion of the additional light distribution pattern PA2 overlaps with the entire ADB additional light distribution pattern PA1. 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 generally the same, and the additional light distribution patterns are superimposed so that their outer edges coincide.

[0055] Returning to FIG. 1 , the control unit CO is electrically connected to the low light source unit 20 and the additional light source unit 30. 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 accommodation space of the housing 6.

[0056] 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.

[0057] 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.

[0058] Next, the operation of the vehicle headlamp 1 will be described.

[0059] 10 is a flowchart showing the operation of the control unit CO in this embodiment. As shown in FIG. 10, 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.

[0060] (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.

[0061] (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 and the additional light source unit 30 to stop emitting light. Note that when the control unit CO controls the low light source unit 20 and the additional light source unit 30 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 and the additional light source unit 30 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.

[0062] (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.

[0063] (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 and the additional light source unit 30 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.

[0064] (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.

[0065] (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 and the additional light source unit 30 to emit light from the light-emitting element 21 of the low light source unit 20 and the light-emitting element 43 of the additional light source unit 30, and to place the light-emitting elements 41, 42, 44, and 45 in a non-light-emitting state. In this way, the vehicle headlamp 1 emits light of the additional light distribution pattern PA2 together 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. After this step, the control unit CO returns the control flow to step S1.

[0066] (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 and the additional light source unit 30 to emit light from the light-emitting element 21 and at least one of the light-emitting elements 41, 42, 44, and 45, and to place the light-emitting element 43 in a non-light-emitting state. In controlling the additional light source unit 30, 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 the light-emitting elements 41, 42, 44, and 45 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.

[0067] 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 41, 42, 44, and 45 whose light distribution patterns do not overlap with the coordinates of the object, and dims or does not emit light from the light-emitting elements whose light distribution patterns overlap with the coordinates of the object. Therefore, light of a light distribution pattern in which a portion 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 the ADB light distribution pattern corresponding to the object is emitted from the vehicle headlamp 1.

[0068] FIG. 11 is a diagram similar to FIG. 7 , illustrating an example of an ADB light distribution pattern. In the example shown in FIG. 11 , the object OB is an oncoming vehicle, and the position of the object OB overlaps with the light distribution patterns P2R and P4R formed by the light from the light-emitting elements 42 and 44. Therefore, the control unit CO dims or turns off the light-emitting elements 42 and 44. Therefore, the ADB light distribution pattern PADB is a light distribution pattern in which the light distribution patterns P2R and P4R 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.

[0069] As described above, the vehicle headlamp 1 of this embodiment includes a light-emitting unit 40 including a plurality of light-emitting elements 41 to 45, a heat sink 10 in which the light-emitting unit 40 is disposed, and a light-shielding member 65. In a front view, the light-emitting elements 41 and 42 are adjacent to each other in the left-right direction, the light-emitting elements 42 and 43 are adjacent to each other in the left-right direction, the light-emitting elements 43 and 44 are adjacent to each other in the left-right direction, and the light-emitting elements 44 and 45 are adjacent to each other in the left-right direction. The light-shielding member 65 is disposed between adjacent light-emitting elements among the plurality of light-emitting elements 41 to 45. Therefore, according to the vehicle headlamp 1 of this embodiment, the light-shielding member 65 can prevent light from one of the adjacent light-emitting elements from traveling into a region where only light from the other light-emitting element should travel, thereby suppressing stray light. Furthermore, in the vehicle headlamp 1 of this embodiment, because the light-shielding member 65 is fixed to the heat sink 10, heat from the light-shielding member 65 heated by light from the light-emitting elements can be dissipated from the heat sink 10. Therefore, according to the vehicle headlamp 1 of this embodiment, unnecessary overheating can be suppressed compared to when the light blocking member 65 and the heat sink 10 are spaced apart.

[0070] In the vehicle headlamp 1 of this embodiment, the heat sink 10 and the light blocking member 65 are integrated. Therefore, with the vehicle headlamp 1 of this embodiment, an increase in the number of parts can be suppressed compared to when the heat sink 10 and the light blocking member 65 are separate bodies. Note that the heat sink 10 and the light blocking member 65 may be separate bodies. In this case, for example, the light blocking member 65 is fixed to the heat sink 10 with a bolt or the like.

[0071] The vehicle headlamp 1 of this embodiment further includes reflectors 51 to 55. The reflector 51 is located closer to the light-emitting element 41 than the light-emitting element 42 of the adjacent light-emitting elements 41, 42, and changes the propagation direction of light emitted from the light-emitting element 41. The reflector 52 is located closer to the light-emitting element 42 than the light-emitting element 41 of the adjacent light-emitting elements 41, 42, and changes the propagation direction of light emitted from the light-emitting element 42. The reflector 53 is located closer to the light-emitting element 43 than the light-emitting element 42 of the adjacent light-emitting elements 42, 43, and changes the propagation direction of light emitted from the light-emitting element 43. The reflector 54 is located closer to the light-emitting element 44 than the light-emitting element 43 of the adjacent light-emitting elements 43, 44, and changes the propagation direction of light emitted from the light-emitting element 44. The reflector 55 is located closer to the light-emitting element 45 than the light-emitting element 44 of the adjacent light-emitting elements 44, 45, and changes the propagation direction of light emitted from the light-emitting element 45. According to the vehicle headlamp 1 of this embodiment, the light-blocking member 65 disposed between the light-emitting elements 41 and 42 can block light traveling from the light-emitting element 41 toward the reflector 52 and light traveling from the light-emitting element 42 toward the reflector 51. This can prevent light from the light-emitting element 41 from becoming stray light via the reflector 52 and light from the light-emitting element 42 from becoming stray light via the reflector 51. Similarly, it can prevent light from the light-emitting element 42 from becoming stray light via the reflector 53, light from the light-emitting element 43 from becoming stray light via the reflectors 52 and 54, light from the light-emitting element 44 from becoming stray light via the reflectors 53 and 55, and light from the light-emitting element 45 from becoming stray light via the reflector 54.

[0072] In the vehicle headlamp 1 of this embodiment, the thickness T1 of the light-blocking member 65 disposed between the light-emitting elements 41 and 42 along the direction connecting the light-emitting elements 41 and 42 decreases with increasing distance from the light-emitting elements 41 and 42 in the vertical direction. The thickness T1 of the light-blocking member 65 disposed between the light-emitting elements 42 and 43 along the direction connecting the light-emitting elements 42 and 43 decreases with increasing distance from the light-emitting elements 42 and 43 in the vertical direction. The thickness T1 of the light-blocking member 65 disposed between the light-emitting elements 43 and 44 along the direction connecting the light-emitting elements 43 and 44 decreases with increasing distance from the light-emitting elements 43 and 44 in the vertical direction. The thickness T1 of the light-blocking member 65 disposed between the light-emitting elements 44 and 45 along the direction connecting the light-emitting elements 44 and 45 decreases with increasing distance from the light-emitting elements 44 and 45 in the vertical direction. Therefore, the light-emitting element-side surface of each light-blocking member 65 may be inclined in a direction away from the light-emitting element in the vertical direction as it increases away from the light-emitting element. In this embodiment, the direction away from the light-emitting element is downward. Therefore, light emitted from the light-emitting element toward the front and the light-blocking member 65 and reflected by the light-blocking member 65 can be directed downward and forward. Therefore, when an optical member such as a lens is disposed in front of the light-emitting unit 40, light reflected by the light-blocking member can be prevented from entering the optical member, and stray light can be prevented from being emitted from the optical member. In this embodiment, the lens member 70 is disposed in front of the light-emitting unit 40, and therefore light reflected by the light-blocking member 65 can be prevented from entering the lens member 70.

[0073] Although the present invention has been described above using the above embodiment as an example, the present invention is not limited to this.

[0074] For example, in the above embodiment, the light-emitting unit 40 includes five light-emitting elements 41 to 45, and the light-shielding members 65 are disposed between adjacent light-emitting elements. However, the light-emitting unit 40 only needs to include a first light-emitting element and a second light-emitting element that are adjacent to each other in the left-right direction when viewed from the front, and the light-shielding member 65 only needs to be located between the first light-emitting element and the second light-emitting element and fixed to the heat sink on which the light-emitting unit 40 is disposed. Therefore, for example, the number of light-emitting elements may be two, and the number of light-shielding members 65 may be one. Furthermore, the light-emitting unit 40 may include a light-emitting element that is adjacent to the first light-emitting element in the vertical direction. Furthermore, the light-shielding member 65 does not need to be a plate-shaped member. Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the light-emitting element 41 is the first light-emitting element, and the light-emitting element 42 is the second light-emitting element. Therefore, the first optical element that changes the propagation direction of light from the first light-emitting element is the reflector 51, which serves as a first reflector that reflects light from the first light-emitting element. The second optical member that changes the propagation direction of the light from the second light-emitting element is a reflector 52 that serves as a second reflector that reflects the light from the second light-emitting element.

[0075] In the above embodiment, the substrate 46 has the insertion portion 47 through which the light blocking member 65 is inserted, and the insertion portion 47 is a through-hole. However, the insertion portion 47 may not be a through-hole, but may be a notch extending from the edge of the substrate 46. Furthermore, adjacent light-emitting elements do not have to be mounted on a single substrate, and may be mounted on different substrates.

[0076] In the above embodiment, the thickness T1 of the light-blocking member 65 disposed between a pair of adjacent light-emitting elements, which is the thickness along the direction connecting the pair of light-emitting elements, decreases with increasing distance from the pair of light-emitting elements in the vertical direction. However, the thickness T1 is not limited to this. For example, the thickness T1 may be constant in the vertical direction or may increase with increasing distance from the pair of light-emitting elements. Furthermore, the thickness T2 may increase toward the front. Such a first modification will be described with reference to FIG. 12 .

[0077] FIG. 12 is a schematic diagram showing a portion of the additional light source unit of Modification Example 1, showing a portion including the light-emitting elements 41 and 42. In this modification, the thickness T1 of the light-shielding member 65 located between the light-emitting elements 41 and 42 increases toward the front. In this modification, the surface of the light-shielding member 65 facing the light-emitting element 41 is inclined toward the light-emitting element 41 as it moves forward, and the surface of the light-shielding member 65 facing the light-emitting element 42 is inclined toward the light-emitting element 42 as it moves forward. This can make it difficult for light emitted from the light-emitting elements 41 and 42 and reflected by the light-shielding member 65 to travel forward. Therefore, when an optical element such as a lens is disposed in front of the light-emitting unit 40, light reflected by the light-shielding member can be prevented from entering the optical element, thereby suppressing stray light from being emitted from the optical element.

[0078] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the light-shielding member 65 is described as a flat plate. However, the light-shielding member 65 may be curved. This second modification will be described with reference to FIG. 13 . FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram showing a portion of the additional light source unit of the second modification, including the light-emitting elements 41 and 42. The light-shielding member 65 of this modification includes a plurality of first curved portions 651 that are convexly curved toward the light-emitting element 41 and a plurality of second curved portions 652 that are convexly curved toward the light-emitting element 42. The first curved portions 651 and the second curved portions 652 are alternately arranged in the front-to-rear direction. Therefore, the surface 65s1 of the light-shielding member 65 facing the light-emitting element 41 and the surface 65s2 of the light-shielding member 65 facing the light-emitting element 42 have convex portions 65sa. Therefore, this modification can diffuse light incident on the light-shielding member 65 and suppress problems caused by light reflected by the light-shielding member 65. From this viewpoint, it is sufficient that at least one of the surface 65s1 on the light-emitting element 41 side and the surface 65s2 on the light-emitting element 42 side has the convex portion 65sa. Also, from this viewpoint, at least one of the surface 65s1 and the surface 65s2 may have a minute uneven structure.

[0079] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the vehicle headlamp 1 includes reflectors 51-55 as optical elements that change the propagation direction of light emitted from the light-emitting elements 41-45, and the reflectors 51-55 reflect the light from the light-emitting elements 41-45 so as to condense it. However, there are no limitations on how the reflectors 51-55 reflect the light from the light-emitting elements 41-45. Furthermore, the vehicle headlamp 1 may include lenses instead of the reflectors 51-55, and the lenses are optical elements that change the propagation direction of the light emitted from the light-emitting elements 41-45. Furthermore, the vehicle headlamp 1 does not need to include optical elements that change the propagation direction of the light emitted from the light-emitting elements 41-45.

[0080] In the above embodiment, the light emitting elements 41 to 45 emit light downward. However, the light emission direction of the light emitting elements 41 to 45 is not limited, and for example, the light emitting elements 41 to 45 may emit light upward or forward.

[0081] In the above embodiment, the ADB additional light distribution pattern PA1 is formed by light from the light-emitting elements 41, 42, 44, and 45, and the additional light distribution pattern PA2 is formed by light from the light-emitting element 43. However, the light distribution patterns formed by light from the light-emitting elements are not limited to these.

[0082] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the lens member 70 including the low projection lens 71 and the additional projection lens 72 has been described as an example, but the lens member 70 is not limited thereto.

[0083] According to the present invention, a vehicle headlamp that can suppress stray light and unnecessary overheating is provided, and can be used in fields such as vehicle headlamps for automobiles and the like.

Claims

a light-emitting section including a first light-emitting element and a second light-emitting element adjacent to each other in the left-right direction when viewed from the front; a heat sink on which the light emitting unit is disposed; a light blocking member positioned between the first light emitting element and the second light emitting element; Equipped with The light blocking member is fixed to the heat sink. A vehicle headlamp characterized by: 　 The heat sink and the light blocking member are integral with each other.

2. The vehicle headlamp according to claim 1. 　 a first optical member positioned closer to the first light-emitting element than the second light-emitting element and changing the propagation direction of light emitted from the first light-emitting element; a second optical member positioned closer to the second light-emitting element than the first light-emitting element and changing the propagation direction of light emitted from the second light-emitting element; Further provided with 2. The vehicle headlamp according to claim 1. 　 the first optical member is a first reflector that covers the first light-emitting element from a side opposite to the heat sink and reflects light from the first light-emitting element forward, The second optical member is a second reflector that covers the second light emitting element from the side opposite to the heat sink and reflects light from the second light emitting element forward.

4. The vehicle headlamp according to claim 3. 　 the first reflector and the second reflector are connected to each other, The light blocking member overlaps the connection portion between the first reflector and the second reflector.

5. The vehicle headlamp according to claim 4. 　 The thickness of the light blocking member along a direction connecting the first light emitting element and the second light emitting element decreases with increasing distance from the first light emitting element and the second light emitting element in the up-down direction.

2. The vehicle headlamp according to claim 1. 　 The thickness of the light blocking member along a direction connecting the first light emitting element and the second light emitting element increases toward the front.

2. The vehicle headlamp according to claim 1. 　 At least one of the surface of the light-blocking member on the side of the first light-emitting element and the surface on the side of the second light-emitting element has a convex portion.

2. The vehicle headlamp according to claim 1. 　 The light emitting unit further includes a substrate on which the first light emitting element and the second light emitting element are mounted and which has an insertion portion through which the light blocking member is inserted.

2. The vehicle headlamp according to claim 1.

Images