Vehicle lamp

Abstract

In this vehicle lamp including first and second lighting fixture units for forming a low-beam light distribution pattern, improvement in distant visibility on an oncoming-lane side of a vehicle forward traveling road is achieved while effectively suppressing glare to a driver of an oncoming vehicle. As a configuration of the first and second lighting fixture units 30A, 30B, shades 38A, 38B are arranged between reflectors 36A, 36B for reflecting light emitted from light sources 34A, 34B and projection lenses 32A, 32B. In the configuration, a stepped cut-off line is formed by the shade 38A, and a horizontal cut-off line extending in the horizontal direction is formed by the shade 38B at a position above a lower cut-off line of the stepped cut-off line, the horizontal cut-off line having a light-dark ratio lower than that of the lower cut-off line. Then, the shade 38B is configured such that a projection part 38Bd is formed for forming a required part of the horizontal cut-off line into a recessed shape.

Description

Vehicle lamp

[0001] The present invention relates to a vehicle lamp provided with a plurality of lamp units for forming a low beam light distribution pattern.

[0002] Conventionally, as a vehicle lamp configured to form a low beam light distribution pattern, one provided with first and second lamp units is known.

[0003] In "Patent Document 1", as a configuration of such a vehicle lamp, each of the first and second lamp units includes a projection lens, a light source disposed on the rear side of the lamp behind the rear focal point thereof, and a reflector that reflects the light emitted from this light source toward the projection lens, and a shade that shields a part of the reflected light from the reflector in a state of being disposed between the reflector and the projection lens to form a cut-off line of the low beam light distribution pattern.

[0004] The vehicle lamp described in this "Patent Document 1" has a configuration in which a stepped cut-off line in which a lower cut-off line and an upper cut-off line are connected via an inclined portion is formed by the irradiation light from each of the first and second lamp units. At that time, a protrusion for forming a part of the lower cut-off line in a concave shape is formed on the shade of the first lamp unit, and thus a light distribution pattern in which the vicinity region below the lower cut-off line is relatively darker than other regions is formed as a low beam light distribution pattern.

[0005] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2023-172581

[0006] By adopting the configuration described in the above "Patent Document 1", it becomes possible to locally suppress the brightness of the vicinity region below the lower cut-off line in the low beam light distribution pattern, and thus it becomes possible to suppress glare for the oncoming vehicle driver even when the own vehicle pitches.

[0007] However, in the low beam light distribution pattern formed by the light emitted from the vehicle lamp described in "Patent Document 1" above, the lower cutoff line is doubled with a high light-dark ratio by the light emitted from the first and second lamp units, making it difficult to ensure sufficient long-distance visibility on the oncoming lane side of the road ahead of the vehicle.

[0008] The present invention has been made in view of these circumstances, and aims to provide a vehicle light fixture equipped with first and second light fixture units for forming a low beam light distribution pattern, which can effectively suppress glare to oncoming drivers and improve long-distance visibility on the oncoming lane side of the road ahead of the vehicle.

[0009] The present invention aims to achieve the above objective by modifying the configuration of the shades in each of the first and second lighting units.

[0010] In other words, the vehicle lamp according to the present invention is a vehicle lamp comprising first and second lamp units for forming a low beam light distribution pattern, wherein each of the first and second lamp units comprises a projection lens, a light source positioned behind the lamp unit beyond the rear focal point of the projection lens, a reflector that reflects the light emitted from the light source toward the projection lens, and a shade positioned between the reflector and the projection lens that blocks a portion of the reflected light from the reflector in order to form a cutoff line for the low beam light distribution pattern, wherein the shade of the first lamp unit is configured to form a stepped cutoff line in which a lower cutoff line and an upper cutoff line are connected via an inclined portion as part of the cutoff line, and the shade of the second lamp unit is configured to form a horizontal cutoff line extending horizontally at a position above the lower cutoff line with a lower light-to-dark ratio than the lower cutoff line as part of the cutoff line. The shade of the second lighting unit described above is characterized in that it has a projection formed on it to create a concave shape in the required portion located above the lower cutoff line in the horizontal cutoff line.

[0011] The above-mentioned "stepped cutoff line" is not particularly limited in its specific shape, as long as the lower cutoff line and the upper cutoff line are connected via an inclined section.

[0012] The above-mentioned "horizontal cutoff line" is formed to extend horizontally at a position above the lower cutoff line and with a lower light-to-dark ratio than the lower cutoff line; however, the specific position of its formation and the degree of its light-to-dark ratio are not particularly limited.

[0013] The "protrusion" described above is configured to form a concave shape in the required portion located above the lower cutoff line in the horizontal cutoff line, but its specific formation position and external shape are not particularly limited.

[0014] The vehicle lamp according to the present invention comprises, as the configuration of first and second lamp units for forming a low beam light distribution pattern, a projection lens, a light source positioned behind the lamp unit beyond the rear focal point, a reflector that reflects the light emitted from the light source toward the projection lens, and a shade positioned between the reflector and the projection lens that blocks a portion of the reflected light from the reflector in order to form a cutoff line for the low beam light distribution pattern. The shade of the first lamp unit is configured to form a stepped cutoff line, while the shade of the second lamp unit is configured to form a horizontal cutoff line. Therefore, the cutoff line for the low beam light distribution pattern can be formed by superimposing these stepped and horizontal cutoff lines.

[0015] In this configuration, the stepped cutoff line is connected to the lower and upper cutoff lines via an inclined section, while the horizontal cutoff line extends horizontally at a position above the lower cutoff line with a lower light-to-dark ratio. Therefore, as a light distribution pattern for low beams, the basic shape of the cutoff line is formed by the stepped cutoff line, while ensuring a certain level of brightness in the space above the lower cutoff line. This improves the long-distance visibility of oncoming lanes in the road ahead of the vehicle.

[0016] Furthermore, the shade of the second lighting unit has a projection formed to create a concave shape in the required portion located above the lower cutoff line in the horizontal cutoff line, thus providing the following effects.

[0017] In other words, the cutoff line of the low-beam light distribution pattern is formed in a concave shape in the required portion of its horizontal cutoff line, which makes it possible to effectively suppress glare for oncoming drivers.

[0018] Thus, according to the present invention, in a vehicle lamp equipped with first and second lamp units for forming a low beam light distribution pattern, it is possible to effectively suppress glare to oncoming vehicle drivers while improving long-distance visibility on the oncoming lane side of the road ahead of the vehicle.

[0019] In the above configuration, if the shade of the second lamp unit is configured to have a horizontal cutoff line positioned lower than the upper cutoff line, the glare suppression effect for oncoming drivers can be enhanced.

[0020] In the above configuration, if the center position of the required portion of the horizontal cutoff line (i.e., the portion formed in a concave shape) is set to a position 2 to 3° away from the lower end position of the inclined portion of the stepped cutoff line toward the lower cutoff line, it becomes possible to make the required portion of the lower cutoff line approximately coincide with the position of the oncoming vehicle when the oncoming vehicle approaches to within approximately 50m in front of the vehicle. This makes it even easier to achieve both the suppression of glare for the driver of the oncoming vehicle and the improvement of the driver's long-distance visibility.

[0021] In the above configuration, if the first luminaire unit is configured to form a focusing light distribution pattern and the second luminaire unit is configured to form a diffusing light distribution pattern, the low-beam light distribution pattern formed as a combined light distribution pattern can have a smooth luminous intensity distribution with minimal unevenness in light distribution.

[0022] Figure 10 shows a front view of a vehicle lamp according to one embodiment of the present invention. Figure 10 shows a lamp unit assembly of the vehicle lamp. Figure 2 shows a cross-sectional view taken along line III-III. Figure 2 shows a cross-sectional view taken along line IV-IV. Figure 2 shows a perspective view of the main part of the lamp unit assembly. Figure 5 shows a detailed view of part VI. Figure 7 shows a low beam light distribution pattern formed by the light emitted from the vehicle lamp, where Figure 7(a) is the first light distribution pattern, Figure 7(b) is the second light distribution pattern, and Figure 7(c) shows the low beam light distribution pattern in perspective. Figure 7 shows a detailed view of part VIII. Figure 10 shows a first modified example of the above embodiment, similar to Figure 2. Figure 10 shows the operation of the above first modified example, similar to Figure 7, where Figure 10(a) shows the first light distribution pattern, Figure 10(b) shows the second light distribution pattern, and Figure 10(c) shows the low beam light distribution pattern in perspective. Figure 10 shows a second modified example of the above embodiment, similar to Figure 6.

[0023] Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

[0024] Figure 1 is a front view showing a vehicle light fixture 10 according to one embodiment of the present invention. Figure 2 is a plan view showing the light fixture unit assembly 20 of the vehicle light fixture 10.

[0025] In Figures 1 and 2, the direction indicated by X is "forward of the lamp," the direction indicated by Y is "leftward" (or "rightward" when viewed from the front of the lamp), which is perpendicular to "forward of the lamp," and the direction indicated by Z is "upward." The same applies to figures other than Figures 1 and 2.

[0026] As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the vehicle lighting fixture 10 according to this embodiment is a headlamp positioned at the front end of a vehicle, and has a lighting fixture unit assembly 20 housed in a lighting chamber formed by a lamp body 12 and a transparent light-transmitting cover 14 attached to the front end opening of the lamp body 12.

[0027] The luminaire unit assembly 20 has a configuration in which first and second luminaire units 30A and 30B for forming a light distribution pattern for low beams are integrally formed.

[0028] The first and second lighting units 30A and 30B are both configured as projector-type lighting units and are arranged side by side in the left-right direction (i.e., in the vehicle width direction). Specifically, the first lighting unit 30A is located on the left side (right side when viewed from the front of the lighting unit), and the second lighting unit 30B is located on the right side.

[0029] The first luminaire unit 30A includes a projection lens 32A having an optical axis Ax extending in the front-rear direction of the luminaire, a light source 34A positioned behind the rear focal point (more precisely, the rear focal point in the vertical cross-section) F of the projection lens 32A, a reflector 36A positioned to cover the light source 34A from above and reflect the light emitted from the light source 34A toward the projection lens 32A, and a shade 38A positioned between the reflector 36A and the projection lens 32A and blocking a portion of the light reflected from the reflector 36A.

[0030] The second lighting unit 30B, like the first lighting unit 30A, is configured to include a projection lens 32B, a light source 34B, a reflector 36B, and a shade 38B.

[0031] Next, the specific configurations of the first and second lighting units 30A and 30B will be described.

[0032] First, let me explain the specific configuration of the first lighting unit 30A.

[0033] Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line III-III in Figure 2.

[0034] As shown in Figure 3, the projection lens 32A is a plano-convex aspherical lens with a convex front surface 32Aa and a flat rear surface 32Ab. It projects the light source image formed on the rear focal plane, which includes the rear focal point F, as an inverted image onto a virtual vertical screen in front of the luminaire. When viewed from the front of the luminaire, the projection lens 32A has a horizontally elongated rectangular shape.

[0035] The light source 34A is a light-emitting element (specifically a white light-emitting diode) and has a horizontally elongated rectangular light-emitting surface 34Aa. The light source 34A is supported on the substrate 40 with its light-emitting surface 34Aa facing upward on the optical axis Ax of the projection lens 32A.

[0036] The reflector 36A is configured to direct the light emitted from the light source 34A into the projection lens 32A as light that is focused in the left-right direction.

[0037] Specifically, the reflective surface 36Aa of the reflector 36A is composed of a roughly ellipsoidal curved surface with the light-emitting center of the light source 34A as the first focal point, and its eccentricity is set to gradually increase from the vertical cross-section to the horizontal cross-section. As a result, the reflector 36A focuses the light emitted from the light source 34A to a point located on the front side of the rear focal point F within the vertical cross-section, and further displaces that convergence point towards the front of the lamp within the horizontal cross-section.

[0038] The shade 38A is formed to extend in a strip shape, curving towards the front of the lamp on both the left and right sides from the optical axis Ax of the projection lens 32A. This shade 38A is equipped with an upward-facing reflective surface 38Aa that reflects a portion of the reflected light from the reflector 36A upward toward the projection lens 32A. This upward-facing reflective surface 38Aa has a left-side region located to the left of the optical axis Ax (right side when viewed from the front of the lamp) which is composed of a horizontal plane including the optical axis Ax, and a right-side region located to the right of the optical axis Ax which is composed of a horizontal plane that is one level lower than the left-side region via a short slope. Furthermore, this upward-facing reflective surface 38Aa is formed so that its front edge 38Aa1 passes through the rear focal point F of the projection lens 32A.

[0039] Next, we will describe the specific configuration of the second lighting unit 30B.

[0040] Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along line IV-IV in Figure 2.

[0041] As also shown in FIG. 4, the second lamp unit 30B has the same configuration as the first lamp unit 30A in terms of its projection lens 32B, light source 34B, and reflector 36B, but the configuration of the shade 38B is partially different from that of the first lamp unit 30A.

[0042] That is, the shade 38B of the second lamp unit 30B is also configured to block a part of the reflected light from the reflector 36B while being disposed between the reflector 36B and the projection lens 32B. Also, this shade 38B is formed so as to curve from the optical axis Ax of the projection lens 32B toward both left and right sides and extend forward of the lamp in a strip shape, and has an upward reflecting surface 38Ba that reflects a part of the reflected light from the reflecting surface 36Ba of the reflector 36B upward toward the projection lens 32B.

[0043] However, the shade 38B of the second lamp unit 30B is formed such that its upward reflecting surface 38Ba extends along the horizontal plane below the optical axis Ax. At that time, this upward reflecting surface 38Ba is formed to be located slightly above the right-side region of the upward reflecting surface 38Aa of the shade 38A.

[0044] FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing a main part of the lamp unit assembly 20, and FIG. 6 is a detailed view of part VI in FIG. 5.

[0045] As also shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the shade 38B of the second lamp unit 30B is formed with a convex curved surface portion 38Bc that extends horizontally such that the connection portion between its front end surface 38Bb and the upward reflecting surface 38Ba passes through a position substantially directly below the rear focal point F of the projection lens 32B. Then, the shade 38B has a configuration in which a protrusion 38Bd is formed at the front end portion of its upward reflecting surface 38Ba. This protrusion 38Bd has a horizontally long substantially semi-elliptical spherical surface shape and is formed at a position away from the optical axis Ax to the left side (right side in front view of the lamp). At that time, this protrusion 38Bd is formed to straddle from the front end portion of the upward reflecting surface 38Ba to the rear portion of the convex curved surface portion 38Bc.

[0046] As shown in FIGS. 4 to 6, among the reflected light from the reflector 36B, the light that reaches the upward reflecting surface 38Ba and the convex curved surface portion 38Bc of the shade 38B becomes light that is reflected upward by these upward reflecting surface 38Ba and convex curved surface portion 38Bc and travels toward the projection lens 32B. At that time, the light that reaches the upward reflecting surface 38Ba of the shade 38B is specularly reflected by this upward reflecting surface 38Ba, while the light that reaches the convex curved surface portion 38Bc of the shade 38B becomes light that is somewhat diffused in the vertical direction by this convex curved surface portion 38Bc.

[0047] On the other hand, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, among the reflected light from the reflector 36B, the light that reaches the protrusion 38Bd of the shade 38B is blocked by this protrusion 38Bd and does not enter the projection lens 32A.

[0048] As shown in FIGS. 1 to 4, in the lamp unit assembly 20, the light sources 34A and 34B of the first and second lamp units 30A and 30B are supported by a metal heat sink 50 via a common substrate 40, and this heat sink 50 is supported by a resin holder 60.

[0049] The holder 60 includes a horizontal flange portion 60a that extends along a horizontal plane so as to surround the outer peripheral edge portions of the reflectors 36A and 36B in the first and second lamp units 30A and 30B. And the two reflectors 36A and 36B are integrally formed with the holder 60.

[0050] The heat sink 50 includes a main body portion 52 that extends in the left - right direction along a horizontal plane, and a plurality of heat - radiating fins 54 formed to extend downward from the lower surface of this main body portion 52. The plurality of heat - radiating fins 54 are arranged at intervals in the left - right direction. And the heat sink 50 is supported by the holder 60 in a state where its main body portion 52 is abutted against the horizontal flange portion 60a of the holder 60 from below.

[0051] The shades 38A and 38B of the first and second lamp units 30A and 30B are also integrally formed with the holder 60.

[0052] The projection lenses 32A and 32B of the first and second lighting units 30A and 30B are supported by the holder 60 in a state where they are integrally formed as a projection lens assembly 22.

[0053] In other words, a frame portion 60b is formed at the front end of the holder 60, extending along a vertical plane perpendicular to the front-to-back direction of the lamp. This frame portion 60b is formed in a horizontally elongated U-shape when viewed from the front of the lamp, and has an L-shaped cross-section. The projection lens assembly 22 is supported by the holder 60 with the peripheral edges of the rear surfaces of the two projection lenses 32A and 32B in contact with the frame portion 60b of the holder 60 from the front side of the lamp.

[0054] In this way, the lamp unit assembly 20 is integrally formed with the reflectors 36A, 36B and shades 38A, 38B of the first and second lamp units 30A, 30B and the holder 60, so that the vehicle lamp 10 is configured to allow for integrated adjustment of the optical axis of the first and second lamp units 30A, 30B.

[0055] Furthermore, in the lighting unit assembly 20, there are no overlapping parts in plan view between the reflectors 36A, 36B, shades 38A, 38B, and holder 60. Therefore, when these are molded as a single injection-molded product, the structure of the mold used for this purpose is simple.

[0056] When the luminaire unit assembly 20 is incorporated into the vehicle luminaire 10, the optical axes Ax of the first and second luminaire units 30A and 30B are positioned so that they extend downwards by approximately 0.5 to 0.6° relative to the horizontal plane, towards the front of the luminaire.

[0057] Figure 7(c) is a transparent view of the low beam light distribution pattern PL formed by the light emitted from the vehicle light fixture 10.

[0058] The low beam light distribution pattern PL shown in Figure 7(c) is formed as a composite light distribution pattern of the first light distribution pattern PLA shown in Figure 7(a) and the second light distribution pattern PLB shown in Figure 7(b). In this case, the first light distribution pattern PLA is a light distribution pattern formed by the light emitted from the first luminaire unit 30A, and the second light distribution pattern PLB is a light distribution pattern formed by the light emitted from the second luminaire unit 30B.

[0059] As shown in Figure 7(c), the low beam light distribution pattern PL is a low beam light distribution pattern with leftward light distribution, and has stepped cutoff lines CL1 and CL2 with staggered left and right edges, and a horizontal cutoff line CLH at its upper edge.

[0060] The stepped cutoff lines CL1 and CL2 extend horizontally at different heights on the left and right sides, separated by the V-V line which runs vertically through the H-V line, the vanishing point in the front direction of the luminaire. The portion to the right of the V-V line (i.e., the opposing lane side) is formed as the lower cutoff line CL1, while the portion to the left of the V-V line (i.e., the own lane side) is formed as the upper cutoff line CL2, which rises from the lower cutoff line CL1 via an inclined section.

[0061] In the low beam light distribution pattern PL, the elbow point E, which is the intersection of the lower cutoff line CL1 and the V-V line, is located approximately 0.5 to 0.6° below the H-V line. This is because the optical axes Ax of the first and second luminaire units 30A and 30B extend approximately 0.5 to 0.6° downwards toward the front of the luminaire relative to the horizontal plane.

[0062] The horizontal cutoff line CLH is formed as a cutoff line that extends horizontally at a position above the lower cutoff line CL1 and with a lower light-to-dark ratio than the lower cutoff line CL1.

[0063] Figure 8 is a detailed view of section VIII of Figure 7, showing the main part of the low beam light distribution pattern PL.

[0064] As shown in Figure 8, the horizontal cutoff line CLH is formed to be located between the H-H line passing horizontally through H-V and the upper cutoff line CL2. A required portion CLHa located above the lower cutoff line CL1 is formed in a concave shape in this horizontal cutoff line CLH.

[0065] Specifically, this required portion CLHa is formed as a roughly arc-shaped recess, and its center is set slightly above the lower cutoff line CL1 and 2 to 3° to the right of the V-V line (for example, about 2.5° away).

[0066] The first light distribution pattern PLA shown in Figure 8 is formed by projecting an inverted image of the light source 34A, which is formed on the rear focal plane of the projection lens 32A by the light emitted from the light source 34A reflected by the reflector 36A, onto the virtual vertical screen using the projection lens 32A. The stepped cutoff lines CL1 and CL2 are formed as inverted projection images of the front edge 38A1 of the upward reflective surface 38Aa in the shade 38A.

[0067] On the other hand, the second light distribution pattern PLB shown in Figure 8 is formed by projecting an inverted image of the light source 34B, which is formed on the rear focal plane of the projection lens 32B by the light emitted from the light source 34B reflected by the reflector 36B, onto the virtual vertical screen using the projection lens 32B. Its horizontal cutoff line CLH is formed as an inverted projection image of the front end of the upward reflective surface 38Ba in the shade 38B.

[0068] In this case, the horizontal cutoff line CLH is formed with a lower brightness ratio than the lower cutoff line CL1 because, as shown in Figure 6, the connection portion between the front end surface 38Bb and the upward reflective surface 38Ba of the shade 38B of the second luminaire unit 30B is formed as a horizontally extending convex curved surface portion 38Bc.

[0069] Furthermore, the reason why the required portion CLHa of the horizontal cutoff line CLH is formed in a concave shape is because a projection 38Bd is formed at the front end of the upward reflective surface 38Ba of the shade 38B of the second lamp unit 30B, and in this case, the reason why this required portion CLHa is formed as a substantially arc-shaped recess is because the projection 38Bd has a horizontally elongated, substantially semi-ellipsoidal surface shape.

[0070] The position where the projection 38Bd is formed on the upward reflective surface 38Ba of the shade 38B is set such that, as shown in Figure 8, the dark area D approximately coincides with the position of the oncoming vehicle 2 when the oncoming vehicle 2 approaches to within approximately 50 m in front of the vehicle (i.e., as described above, a position 2 to 3° to the right of the V-V line).

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

[0072] The vehicle lamp 10 according to this embodiment comprises first and second lamp units 30A and 30B, each of which includes projection lenses 32A and 32B, light sources 34A and 34B positioned behind the rear focal point F of the lamp, reflectors 36A and 36B that reflect the light emitted from the light sources 34A and 34B toward the projection lenses 32A and 32B, and a reflector 3 positioned between the reflectors 36A and 36B and the projection lenses 32A and 32B to form the cutoff line of the low beam light distribution pattern PL. The lamp unit is equipped with shades 38A and 38B that block some of the reflected light from 6A and 36B. The shade 38A of the first lamp unit 30A is configured to form stepped cutoff lines CL1 and CL2, while the shade 38B of the second lamp unit 30B is configured to form a horizontal cutoff line CLH. By superimposing these stepped cutoff lines CL1 and CL2 and the horizontal cutoff line CLH, the cutoff line of the low beam light distribution pattern PL can be formed.

[0073] In this configuration, the stepped cutoff lines CL1 and CL2 are connected via an inclined section, while the horizontal cutoff line CLH extends horizontally at a position above the lower cutoff line CL1 and with a lower brightness-to-dark ratio than the lower cutoff line CL1. Therefore, as a light distribution pattern PL for low beams, the basic shape of the cutoff line is formed by the stepped cutoff lines CL1 and CL2, while ensuring a certain level of brightness in the space above the lower cutoff line CL1. This improves the long-distance visibility of oncoming lanes in the road ahead of the vehicle.

[0074] Furthermore, the shade 38B of the second lighting unit 30B is formed with a projection 38Bd for creating a concave shape in the required portion CLHa located above the lower cutoff line CL1 in the horizontal cutoff line CLH, so the following effects can be obtained.

[0075] In other words, the cutoff line of the low-beam light distribution pattern PL is such that the required portion CLHa of the horizontal cutoff line CLH is formed in a concave shape, which makes it possible to effectively suppress glare for oncoming drivers.

[0076] Thus, according to this embodiment, in a vehicle lamp 10 equipped with first and second lamp units 30A and 30B for forming a low beam light distribution pattern PL, it is possible to effectively suppress glare for oncoming vehicle drivers while improving long-distance visibility on the oncoming lane side of the road ahead of the vehicle.

[0077] In this embodiment, the shade 38B of the second lamp unit 30B is configured to have a horizontal cutoff line CLH positioned lower than the upper cutoff line CL2, thereby enhancing the glare suppression effect for oncoming vehicle drivers.

[0078] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the center position of the required portion (i.e., the portion formed in a concave shape) CLHa of the horizontal cutoff line CLH is set at a position 2 to 3° away from the lower end position of the inclined portion of the stepped cutoff lines CL1 and CL2 toward the lower cutoff line CL1. Therefore, when an oncoming vehicle 2 approaches to within approximately 50m in front of the vehicle, the required portion CLHa of the lower cutoff line CL1 can be made to roughly coincide with the position of the oncoming vehicle 2. This makes it even easier to achieve both the suppression of glare for the driver of the oncoming vehicle and the improvement of the driver's long-distance visibility.

[0079] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the first and second luminaire units 30A and 30B are configured such that the reflectors 36A and 36B cover the light sources 34A and 34B from above, and the shades 38A and 38B are equipped with upward-facing reflective surfaces 38Aa and 38Ba that reflect a portion of the reflected light from the reflectors 36A and 36B upward toward the projection lenses 32A and 32B. As a result, the light emitted from the light sources 34A and 34B can be efficiently directed toward the front of the luminaire, thereby increasing the brightness of the low-beam light distribution pattern PL.

[0080] Furthermore, in this embodiment, since the reflectors 36A and 36B of the first and second lighting units 30A and 30B are integrally formed with the shades 38A and 38B, the number of parts of the vehicle lighting unit 10 can be reduced, and the positional relationship accuracy between the reflectors 36A and 36B and the shades 38A and 38B can be improved.

[0081] In the above embodiment, the horizontal cutoff line CLH was described as being formed to be located between the H-H line and the upper cutoff line CL2. However, it is also possible to form it at a position below the H-H line, or at a position above the upper cutoff line CL2.

[0082] In the above embodiment, the projection 38Bd formed on the shade 38B of the second lamp unit 30B has a horizontally elongated, substantially semi-ellipsoidal surface shape, thereby forming a substantially arc-shaped concave portion CLHa of the required part of the horizontal cutoff line CLH. However, it is also possible to appropriately change the concave shape of the required part CLHa by appropriately changing the surface shape of the projection 38Bd (for example, by making the surface shape of the projection 38Bd horizontally elongated, substantially rectangular, the concave shape of the required part CLHa will be formed in a horizontally elongated, substantially rectangular shape).

[0083] In the above embodiment, the vehicle lighting fixture 10 was described as comprising two first and second lighting units 30A and 30B. However, it is also possible to have a configuration in which an additional lighting unit having the same configuration as the first lighting unit 30A or an additional lighting unit having the same configuration as the second lighting unit 30B is added.

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

[0085] First, a first modified example of the above embodiment will be described.

[0086] Figure 9 is a diagram similar to Figure 2, showing a lighting unit assembly 120 of a vehicle lighting fixture according to this modified example.

[0087] As shown in Figure 9, the basic configuration of this modified example is the same as that of the above embodiment, but the configuration of the reflector 136A of the first lighting unit 130A is slightly different from that of the above embodiment.

[0088] In other words, the reflector 136A of this modified example is configured to cause the light emitted from the light source 34A to be incident on the projection lens 32A as light that is converged in the left-right direction, similar to the reflector 36A of the above embodiment, but the shape of its reflective surface 136Aa is different from that of the above embodiment.

[0089] Specifically, in this modified example, the reflector 136A also has a reflective surface 136Aa that is a substantially ellipsoidal curved surface with the light-emitting center of the light source 34A as the first focal point, and its eccentricity gradually increases from the vertical cross-section to the horizontal cross-section, but the degree of change in eccentricity is smaller than in the above embodiment. As a result, in this modified example, the degree of convergence of the reflected light from the reflector 136A is increased.

[0090] Figure 10(c) is a perspective view of the low beam light distribution pattern PL-1 formed by the light emitted from the vehicle lamp according to this modified example.

[0091] The low beam light distribution pattern PL-1 shown in Figure 10(c) is formed as a composite light distribution pattern of the first light distribution pattern PLA-1 shown in Figure 10(a) and the second light distribution pattern PLB shown in Figure 10(b). In this case, the first light distribution pattern PLA-1 is a light distribution pattern formed by the light emitted from the first luminaire unit 130A, and the second light distribution pattern PLB is a light distribution pattern formed by the light emitted from the second luminaire unit 30B.

[0092] The first light distribution pattern PLA-1 shown in Figure 10(a) is formed as a light distribution pattern that is smaller and brighter than that of the above embodiment. This is because, in the first luminaire unit 130A of this modified example, the degree of convergence of the reflected light from its reflector 136A is greater than that of the above embodiment.

[0093] The second light distribution pattern PLB shown in Figure 10(b) is formed as the same light distribution pattern as in the above embodiment.

[0094] As a result, the low-beam light distribution pattern PL-1 formed by the light emitted from the vehicle lamp 10 according to this modified example is formed as a composite light distribution pattern of a first light distribution pattern PLA-1, which is a focusing light distribution pattern, and a second light distribution pattern PLB, which is a diffusing light distribution pattern.

[0095] Even when adopting the configuration of this modified example, substantially the same effects and advantages as in the above embodiment can be obtained.

[0096] Furthermore, by adopting the configuration of this modified example, the low-beam light distribution pattern PL-1 can be made to have a smooth luminous intensity distribution with less unevenness in light distribution.

[0097] Next, a second modified example of the above embodiment will be described.

[0098] Figure 11 is a diagram similar to Figure 6, showing the main part of the shade 238B in the second lamp unit of this modified example.

[0099] As shown in Figure 11, the basic configuration of this modified example is the same as in the above embodiment, but the cross-sectional shape of the shade 238B is different from that of the above embodiment.

[0100] In other words, the shade 238B of this modified example, like the shade 38B of the above embodiment, is formed to curve and extend toward the front of the lamp from the optical axis Ax of the projection lens 32B to both the left and right sides, but it is formed in the shape of a vertical wall rather than a strip, and does not have an upward reflective surface 38Ba like the shade 38B of the above embodiment.

[0101] Specifically, in this modified example, the shade 238B has an upper end surface 238Bf of its vertical wall portion 238Be that curves and extends to both the left and right sides with a roughly arc-shaped cross-section. Furthermore, this shade 238B has a projection 238Bd formed on its upper end surface 238Bf at a position to the left of the optical axis Ax (to the right when viewed from the front of the lamp), having a horizontally elongated, roughly semi-ellipsoidal surface shape. The amount of leftward displacement of this projection 238Bd from the optical axis Ax is set to the same value as in the above embodiment.

[0102] As shown in Figure 11, a portion of the reflected light from the reflector 36B (not shown) is blocked by the shade 238B and does not enter the projection lens 32A. At the same time, any light that reaches the projection 238Bd of the shade 238B is also blocked by this projection 238Bd and does not enter the projection lens 32A.

[0103] In this modified example, the shade 238B may or may not have its upper end surface 238Bf configured as a reflective surface.

[0104] Even when adopting the configuration of this modified example, substantially the same effects and advantages as in the above embodiment can be obtained.

[0105] Furthermore, by adopting the configuration of this modified example, the lighting fixture configuration can be simplified.

[0106] It should be noted that the numerical values ​​shown as specifications in the above embodiments and their modified forms are merely examples, and these may be set to different values ​​as appropriate.

[0107] Furthermore, the present invention is not limited to the configurations described in the above embodiments and their modifications, and various other modified configurations can be adopted.

[0108] This international application claims priority based on Japanese Patent Application No. 2024-166212, filed on 25 September 2024, and the entire contents of said Japanese Patent Application No. 2024-166212 are incorporated herein by reference.

[0109] The above description of specific embodiments of the present invention is provided for illustrative purposes only. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the forms described. Numerous modifications and changes are possible in light of the above description, as will be obvious to those skilled in the art.

[0110] 2 Oncoming vehicle 10 Vehicle light fixture 12 Lamp body 14 Light-transmitting cover 20 Light fixture unit assembly 22 Projection lens assembly 30A First light fixture unit 30B Second light fixture unit 32A, 32B Projection lens 32Aa Front 32Ab Rear 34A, 34B Light source 34Aa Light-emitting surface 36A, 36B Reflector 36Aa, 36Ba Reflecting surface 38A, 38B Shade 38Aa, 38Ba Upward reflecting surface 38Aa1 Front edge 38Bb Front surface 38Bc Convex curved surface 38Bd Protrusion 40 Substrate 50 Heat sink 52 Main body 54 Heat dissipation fin 60 Holder 60a Horizontal flange 60b Frame 120 Light fixture unit assembly 130A First luminaire unit 136A Reflector 136Aa Reflecting surface 238B Shade 238Bd Projection 238Be Vertical wall portion 238Bf Upper end surface Ax Optical axis CL1, CL2 Stepped cutoff line CL1 Lower cutoff line CL2 Upper cutoff line CLH Horizontal cutoff line CLHa Required portion E Elbow point F Rear focal point PL, PL-1 Light distribution pattern for low beam PLA, PLA-1 First light distribution pattern PLB Second light distribution pattern

Claims

1. A vehicle lamp comprising first and second lamp units for forming a low beam light distribution pattern, wherein each of the first and second lamp units comprises a projection lens, a light source positioned behind the lamp unit beyond the rear focal point of the projection lens, a reflector that reflects the light emitted from the light source toward the projection lens, and a shade positioned between the reflector and the projection lens that blocks a portion of the reflected light from the reflector in order to form a cutoff line for the low beam light distribution pattern, wherein the shade of the first lamp unit is configured to form a stepped cutoff line in which a lower cutoff line and an upper cutoff line are connected via an inclined portion as part of the cutoff line, and the shade of the second lamp unit is configured to form a horizontal cutoff line extending horizontally at a position above the lower cutoff line with a lower light-to-dark ratio than the lower cutoff line as part of the cutoff line. A vehicle light fixture characterized in that the shade of the second light fixture unit has a projection formed thereon for forming a concave shape in a required portion located above the lower cutoff line in the horizontal cutoff line.

2. The vehicle lamp according to claim 1, characterized in that the shade of the second lamp unit is configured to have the horizontal cutoff line formed at a position lower than the upper cutoff line.

3. The vehicle light fixture according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the center position of the required portion in the horizontal cutoff line is set at a position 2 to 3° away from the lower end position of the inclined portion in the stepped cutoff line toward the lower cutoff line.

4. The vehicle lamp according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the first lamp unit is configured to form a light distribution pattern for focusing light, and the second lamp unit is configured to form a light distribution pattern for diffusion light.

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