JP6717646B2 - Vehicle lighting - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a vehicular lamp including a projection lens and an optical unit.

Conventionally, a vehicular lamp configured to form a required light distribution pattern by irradiation light from a plurality of lamp units housed in a lamp chamber formed by a lamp body and a translucent cover is known. There is.

In Patent Document 1, as a configuration of each lamp unit in such a vehicle lamp, a projection lens and an optical unit arranged behind the projection lens are provided, and light emitted from the optical unit is transmitted through the projection lens to the lamp. What is configured to illuminate forward is described.

JP, 2005-166590, A

As a configuration of such a vehicular lamp, when the translucent cover is inclined toward the side of the lamp toward the rear of the lamp, the front surface of the projection lens is directed toward the side of the lamp toward the rear of the lamp as a projection lens. It may be necessary to have an inclined configuration.

On the other hand, from the point of view of design, as the configuration of the projection lens, when the curvature of the horizontal cross-sectional shape of the front surface is reduced, it is necessary to set the horizontal cross-sectional shape of the rear surface to a convex curve, If such a configuration is adopted when the front surface of the projection lens is inclined toward the side of the lamp and toward the rear side of the lamp, the following problems occur.

That is, when the light emission direction from the optical unit is set to the front direction of the lamp as in the vehicle lamp described in the above-mentioned "Patent Document 1," the light emitted from the optical unit enters the projection lens. At this time, since the incident angle becomes considerably large in the end area on the side opposite to the side of the lamp on the rear surface, most of the light emitted from the optical unit is surface-reflected in this end area, and is reflected by the projection lens. The light incidence efficiency of is significantly reduced.

Therefore, as the irradiation light from the vehicular lamp, it is not possible to sufficiently secure the irradiation light heading in the direction inclined to the lamp lateral side with respect to the front direction of the lamp, and the required light distribution pattern is as described above. The spread to the side of the lamp will be insufficient.

The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and in a vehicle lamp including a projection lens and an optical unit, the front surface of the projection lens is inclined toward the lamp rear side toward the lamp side. And, even when the horizontal cross-sectional shape of the rear surface is set to a convex curve shape, it is an object to provide a vehicle lamp that can sufficiently secure the irradiation light traveling toward the side of the lamp. It is a thing.

The present invention is intended to achieve the above object by devising the arrangement of the optical unit.

That is, the vehicle lamp according to the present invention is
In a vehicular lamp including a projection lens and an optical unit arranged behind the projection lens, the light emitted from the optical unit is radiated toward the front of the lamp through the projection lens.
The projection lens has a front surface inclined toward the rear side of the lamp toward the side of the lamp and a rear surface whose horizontal cross-sectional shape is set to a convex curve,
The optical unit, the light emission direction from the optical unit is set to a direction inclined to the lamp lateral side with respect to the lamp front direction ,
At least two sets of the projection lens and the optical unit are provided,
The optical unit of each set, the inclination angle from the front direction of the lamp of the light emission direction from the optical unit is set to a different value,
The at least two sets of projection lenses are configured as a single transparent member,
In the front surface of the transparent member, the portion forming the front surface of the at least two sets of projection lenses is formed of a single convex cylindrical surface extending in a substantially horizontal direction,
The rear surface of the transparent member is such that the portion forming the rear surface of each of the at least two sets of projection lenses is composed of a single convex cylindrical surface extending substantially vertically.
The convex cylindrical surface forming the rear surface of the projection lens of each set is formed with a curvature corresponding to the light emission direction from the optical unit of each set .

If the "projection lens" has a front surface that is inclined toward the rear side of the lamp toward the side of the lamp and has a rear surface whose horizontal cross-sectional shape is set to a convex curve, a specific inclination angle of the front surface. The specific curvature of the convex curve forming the horizontal cross-sectional shape of the rear surface is not particularly limited.

The "optical unit" is not particularly limited in its specific configuration as long as its light emission direction is set in a direction inclined to the lamp lateral side with respect to the lamp front direction, for example, A configuration in which direct light from a light source is incident on a first projection lens, a configuration in which light emitted from a light source is reflected and controlled by a reflector to be incident on a first projection lens, and light emitted from a light source is transmitted and controlled by a lens to be first A configuration in which the light is incident on the projection lens can be adopted.

The vehicular lamp according to the present invention is configured to irradiate the light emitted from the optical unit toward the front of the lamp through the projection lens, but the projection lens is directed toward the side of the lamp toward the rear side of the lamp. It has an inclined front surface and a rear surface whose horizontal cross-sectional shape is set to a convex curve, and the optical unit has a light emitting direction in a direction inclined to the lamp lateral side with respect to the lamp front direction. Since it is set, the following operational effects can be obtained.

That is, since the light emission direction from the optical unit is set to a direction inclined to the side of the lamp with respect to the front direction of the lamp, the angle of incidence when the emitted light enters the projection lens is It can be a relatively small value in the whole area of the rear surface. This makes it possible to reduce the proportion of the surface-reflected light on the rear surface of the projection lens and improve the efficiency of light incidence on the projection lens.

Therefore, as the irradiation light from the vehicular lamp, it is possible to sufficiently secure the light traveling in the direction inclined to the side of the lamp with respect to the front direction of the lamp.

As described above, according to the present invention, in the vehicular lamp including the projection lens and the optical unit, the front surface of the projection lens is inclined toward the lamp rear side toward the lamp side and the horizontal cross-sectional shape of the rear surface is convex. Even when it is set in a curved shape, it is possible to sufficiently secure the irradiation light traveling toward the side of the lamp.

Thus, the required light distribution pattern formed by the irradiation light from the vehicular lamp can be a light distribution pattern in which the lateral spread of the lamp is sufficiently ensured.

In the above configuration, in the case where the optical unit includes a light source and a reflector that reflects the light emitted from the light source toward the projection lens, the reflector diffuses the light emitted from the light source in a horizontal plane. In the case of being configured to reflect as light, if the light emission direction from the optical unit is set to the front direction of the lamp as in the conventional case, the incident angle with respect to the projection lens becomes a larger value. It is particularly effective to adopt the configuration of the present invention.

In the above-described configuration, the vehicle lamp is configured to include at least two sets of projection lenses and optical units, and the optical units of each set have different inclination angles from the front direction of the lamp. If set to, the end area of the required light distribution pattern can be formed without unevenness of light distribution by the irradiation light traveling toward the side of the lamp.

At that time, at least two sets of projection lenses are configured as a single transparent member, and the front surface of each projection lens is configured by a convex cylindrical surface extending in a substantially horizontal direction, and the rear surface of each projection lens is configured in a substantially vertical direction. When the vehicle lighting device is configured to have the extending convex cylindrical surface, it is possible to make the presence of the plurality of projection lenses inconspicuous when the vehicle lighting device is observed from the outside, and to enhance its design.

A front view showing a vehicle lamp according to an embodiment of the present invention. II-II sectional view taken on the line of FIG. III-III line sectional view of FIG. IV-IV line sectional view of FIG. Detailed view of section V in FIG. Perspective view showing the transparent member of the vehicle lamp as a single item (A) is a detailed view of part VII of FIG. 2, and (b) is a similar view showing a comparative example. The figure which shows the light distribution pattern formed by the irradiation light from the said vehicle lamp. FIG. 8 is a view similar to FIG. 8 showing the operation of the above embodiment.

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

FIG. 1 is a front view showing a vehicular lamp 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention. 2 is a sectional view taken along the line II-II of FIG.

As shown in these drawings, the vehicular lamp 10 according to the present embodiment is a headlamp arranged at the left front end portion of the vehicle and has a configuration capable of forming a low beam light distribution pattern.

As the vehicle lamp 10, in FIG. 2, the direction indicated by X is “front” (also “front” for the vehicle), and the direction indicated by Y is “left” orthogonal to “front” (as the vehicle). Is also “left direction”, but is “right direction” in front view of the lamp.

This vehicular lamp 10 includes a first lamp unit 20A and three second lamp units 20B, 20C in a lamp chamber formed by a lamp body 12 and a light-transmitting transparent cover 14 attached to a front end opening thereof. , 20D are housed side by side in the vehicle width direction. At that time, the three second lamp units 20B, 20C, and 20D are arranged on the outer side in the vehicle width direction of the first lamp unit 20A so as to be gradually displaced rearward in this order.

The translucent cover 14 is formed to extend obliquely rearward toward the outer side in the vehicle width direction.

A main bracket 50 rotatably supported by the lamp body 12 and a sub-bracket 60 rotatably supported by the main bracket 50 are arranged in the lamp chamber.

The first lamp unit 20A has a configuration including a first projection lens 32A and a first optical unit 40A arranged behind the first projection lens 32A. Further, each of the second lamp units 20B, 20C, 20D is configured to include second projection lenses 32B, 32C, 32D and second optical units 40B, 40C, 40D arranged behind them.

The first projection lens 32A and the three second projection lenses 32B, 32C, 32D are configured as a single transparent member 30.

The transparent member 30 is arranged so as to extend along a horizontal plane, and has a laterally long rectangular outer shape when the lamp is viewed from the front.

The transparent member 30 is supported by the lens holder 16 at the outer peripheral edge thereof. The lens holder 16 is supported by the main bracket 50 at both left and right ends thereof.

An extension member 18 that covers the lens holder 16 is arranged on the outer peripheral side of the lens holder 16. The extension member 18 has a front end opening 18a that surrounds the transparent member 30 at a substantially constant distance from the transparent member 30 when viewed from the front of the lamp. The extension member 18 is supported by the main bracket 50 at its rear end.

The main bracket 50 is rotatable in the vertical and horizontal directions with respect to the lamp body 12 by a pivot 52 located in the upper right (upper left in front view of the lamp) and two aiming screws 54 located in the upper left and lower right. It is supported.

The pivot 52 has a base end fixed to the lamp body 12, and a tip end engaged with a spherical step bearing 56 mounted on the main bracket 50. A base end of the aiming screw 54 is rotatably supported by the lamp body 12, and a tip end of the aiming screw 54 is screwed with an aiming nut 58 mounted on the main bracket 50.

Next, a detailed structure of the first lamp unit 20A will be described.

FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken along the line III-III in FIG.

As shown in the figure, the first projection lens 32A of the first lamp unit 20A has an optical axis Axa extending in the vehicle front-rear direction.

The first optical unit 40A includes a light source 42A arranged rearward of the rear focal point F1 of the first projection lens 32A, and a reflector 44A for reflecting light emitted from the light source 42A toward the first projection lens 32A. A shade 46A for shielding a part of the reflected light from the reflector 44A and a base member 48A for supporting the shade 46A are provided.

The light source 42A is a white light emitting diode having a rectangular light emitting surface, and is supported by the base member 48A with its light emitting surface facing upward. The reflector 44A is arranged so as to cover the light source 42A from above. The shade 46A has an upward reflection surface 46Aa for reflecting a part of the reflected light from the reflector 44A upward so as to enter the first projection lens 32A. The front end edge of the upward reflecting surface 46Aa is formed so as to extend from the rear focal point F1 toward both left and right sides.

Then, the first optical unit 40A is screwed and fixed to the main bracket 50 at the base member 48A by a plurality of screws 22. The base member 48A is configured to also function as a heat sink.

Next, the detailed structure of each second lamp unit 20B, 20C, 20D will be described.

As shown in FIG. 2, of the three second lamp units 20B, 20C, and 20D, the second lamp unit 20D located on the outermost side in the vehicle width direction has the optical axis Axd of the second projection lens 32D in the vehicle front-rear direction. Extends to. In the second lamp unit 20C adjacent to the inside of the second lamp unit 20D in the vehicle width direction, the optical axis Axc of the second projection lens 32C is inclined outward in the vehicle width direction toward the vehicle front with respect to the vehicle front-rear direction. Direction (for example, a direction inclined by about 5° with respect to the vehicle front-rear direction). In the second lamp unit 20B adjacent to the inside of the second lamp unit 20C in the vehicle width direction, the optical axis Axb of the second projection lens 32B of the second lamp unit 20C is further inclined toward the vehicle front with respect to the vehicle front-rear direction. In a predetermined direction (for example, a direction inclined about 10° with respect to the vehicle front-rear direction).

In each of these second lamp units 20B, 20C, 20D, the configurations of the second optical units 40B, 40C, 40D are the same.

Therefore, in the following, the configuration of the second optical unit 40C will be described taking the second lamp unit 20C as an example.

FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken along line IV-IV in FIG.

As shown in the figure, the second optical unit 40C directs the light source 42C arranged rearward of the rear focal point F2 of the projection lens 32C and the light emitted from the light source 42C to the projection lens 32C. The reflector 44C for reflecting the light, the shade 46C for shielding a part of the reflected light from the reflector 44C, and the base member 48C for supporting these are provided.

The light source 42C is a white light emitting diode having a rectangular light emitting surface, and is supported by the base member 48C with the light emitting surface facing upward. The reflector 44C is arranged so as to cover the light source 42C from above. This reflector 44C has its reflection surface such that the degree of convergence of the light from the light source 42C reflected by the reflector 44C is smaller than the degree of convergence of the light from the light source 42A reflected by the reflector 44A of the first lamp unit 20A. The shape is set. The shade 46C has an upward reflection surface 46Ca for reflecting a part of the reflected light from the reflector 44C upward so as to enter the projection lens 42C. The front edge of the upward reflecting surface 46Ca is formed so as to extend from the rear focal point F2 toward the left and right sides.

Then, the second optical unit 40C is screwed and fixed to the sub-bracket 60 at the base member 48C by a plurality of screws 24. The base member 48C is configured to also function as a heat sink.

FIG. 5 is a detailed view of a V portion of FIG.

As shown in the figure, the sub-bracket 60 is supported by the main bracket 50 so as to be vertically rotatable about a horizontally extending rotation axis Ax1. The rotation axis Ax1 extends in a direction orthogonal to the optical axis Axc of the second projection lens 32C (that is, a direction inclined toward the vehicle rear side toward the vehicle width direction outer side).

Then, the sub-bracket 60 is located above the three optical axes Axb, Axc, and Axd and at two positions in the direction in which the rotation axis Ax1 extends (the positions thereof are indicated by points A and B in FIG. 1). It is fastened with screws.

A wave washer 64 that is elastically deformable in the screw tightening direction is attached to the screw 62 used for the screw tightening.

Sleeves 50a are formed on the main bracket 50 at two locations in the direction in which the rotation axis Ax1 extends. The sleeve 50a is formed so as to project rearward from the main bracket 50, and the inner peripheral surface thereof forms an insertion hole for inserting the screw 62.

Further, the main bracket 50 is formed with projections 50b at four positions in the direction in which the rotation axis Ax1 extends to allow the sub-bracket 60 to rotate in the up-down direction due to contact with the sub-bracket 60. .. One pair of these four protrusions 50b is formed near both sides in the direction in which the rotation axis Ax1 extends with respect to each insertion hole. Each of these protrusions 50b is formed in the same size as a substantially hemispherical protrusion.

The sub-bracket 60 is formed with boss portions 60a for fixing the screw 62 by being screwed with the screw portion of the screw 62 at two positions in the direction in which the rotation axis Ax1 extends.

On the other hand, at a position below the three optical axes Axb, Axc, and Axd, an adjusting screw 66 for rotating the sub-bracket 60 with respect to the main bracket 50 in the vertical direction about the rotation axis Ax1 is provided. (The position of the adjusting screw 66 is indicated by a point C in FIG. 1).

A base end portion of the adjusting screw 66 is rotatably supported by the main bracket 50, and a tip end portion of the adjusting screw 66 is screwed with an adjusting nut 68 mounted on the sub bracket 60.

Then, by operating the adjusting screw 66 to rotate the sub-bracket 60, the vertical optical axis shift between the first optical unit 40A and the three second optical units 40B, 40C, 40D is corrected. You can do it. This operation can be performed before assembling the main bracket 50 to the lamp body 12.

The main bracket 50 is formed such that the portion supporting the base end portion of the adjusting screw 66 is displaced rearward from the portion where the sleeve 50a is formed.

Next, the configuration of the transparent member 30 will be described.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing the transparent member 30 as a single item.

As shown in the figure, the front surface of the transparent member 30 has the portions forming the front surfaces 32Ba, 32Ca, and 32Da of the second projection lenses 32B, 32C, and 32D obliquely rearward toward the outer side in the vehicle width direction. It is composed of a single convex cylindrical surface that extends, and the portion that constitutes the front surface 32Aa of the first projection lens 32A is continuous with the convex cylindrical surface and turns toward the rear side toward the inside in the vehicle width direction. It is composed of a convex curved surface formed.

Further, on the rear surface of the transparent member 30, the portions forming the rear surfaces 32Bb, 32Cb, 32Db of the second projection lenses 32B, 32C, 32D are each formed of a convex cylindrical surface extending in the vertical direction. The portion forming the rear surface 32Ab of the projection lens 32A is formed of a plane orthogonal to the optical axis Axa.

At that time, the convex cylindrical surfaces forming the rear surfaces 32Bb, 32Cb, 32Db of the second projection lenses 32B, 32C, 32D are oriented in the directions of the optical axes Axb, Axc, Axd of the second projection lenses 32B, 32C, 32D. Is formed with a curvature corresponding to.

The transparent member 30 has a connecting portion 30a formed between the first projection lens 32A and the second projection lens 32B, and an extension portion 30b formed outside the second projection lens 32D in the vehicle width direction. Has been done. The front surfaces of the connecting portion 30a and the extension portion 30b are formed of the same convex cylindrical surfaces as the front surfaces 32Ba, 32Ca, 32Da of the second projection lenses 32B, 32C, 32D, and the rear surfaces thereof face outward in the vehicle width direction. It is composed of a vertical plane extending diagonally rearward.

FIG. 7A is a detailed view of the VII portion of FIG. 2, showing the second lamp unit 20B located on the innermost side in the vehicle width direction.

As shown in FIG. 4A, in the second lamp unit 20B, the optical axis Axb of the second projection lens 32B is inclined toward the vehicle front with respect to the vehicle front-rear direction toward the vehicle width direction outer side. Corresponding to the extension, the second optical unit 40B is also arranged in the direction in which the optical axis Axb extends.

The second optical unit 40B includes a light source 42B, a reflector 44B, a shade 46B, and a base member 48B, like the second optical unit 40C of the second lamp unit 20C, and the reflector 44B is reflected by the reflector 44B. The reflection surface shape is set so that the degree of convergence of the light from the light source 42B is smaller than the degree of convergence of the light from the light source 42A reflected by the reflector 44A of the first lamp unit 20A.

Specifically, the reflecting surface 44Ba of the reflector 44B is set such that the opening angle of the reflected light from the optical axis Axb increases as the reflection position of the light emitted from the light source 42B moves away from the optical axis Axb in the horizontal plane. It is configured as a diffuse reflection surface. As a result, the reflected light from the reflector 44B is made into light that spreads out substantially evenly on the left and right sides of the optical axis Axb, and the light emitted from the second projection lens 32B is also centered on the optical axis Axb. It is designed so that the light spreads approximately evenly.

FIG. 8 is a diagram perspectively showing a low-beam light distribution pattern PL formed on a virtual vertical screen arranged at a position 25 m in front of the vehicle by the irradiation light from the vehicle lamp 10.

The low-beam light distribution pattern PL is a left-beam low-beam light distribution pattern, and has cut-off lines CL1 and CL2 at the upper edge thereof that are different in level from left to right. The cut-off lines CL1 and CL2 extend horizontally in a step difference from the VV line that passes through the HV, which is the vanishing point in the front direction of the lamp, in the vertical direction, and are located on the right side of the VV line. The part on the opposite lane side is formed as the lower cut-off line CL1, and the part on the lane side on the left side of the V-V line is the upper cut-off line CL2 that is raised from the lower cut-off line CL1 via the inclined portion. Has been formed.

In this low beam light distribution pattern PL, the elbow point E, which is the intersection of the lower cutoff line CL1 and the VV line, is located below H-V by about 0.5 to 0.6°.

The low beam light distribution pattern PL is formed as a combined light distribution pattern in which four light distribution patterns PaL, PbL, PcL, and PdL are superimposed.

The light distribution pattern PaL is a light distribution pattern formed by the irradiation light from the first lamp unit 20A, and the remaining three light distribution patterns PbL, PcL, and PdL are from the three second lamp units 20B, 20C, and 20D. It is a light distribution pattern formed by the irradiation light of.

The light distribution pattern PaL is an image of the light source 42A formed on the rear focal plane of the first projection lens 32A by the light from the light source 42A reflected by the reflector 44A of the first lamp unit 20A. The cut-off lines CL1 and CL2 are formed by projecting a reverse projection image on the virtual vertical screen, and are formed as a reverse projection image of the front end edge of the upward reflecting surface 46Aa of the shade 46A. In this respect, the same applies to the remaining three light distribution patterns PbL, PcL, and PdL.

The light distribution pattern PaL is formed as a small and bright horizontally long light distribution pattern. The light distribution pattern PaL is formed as a light distribution pattern that spreads evenly on the left and right with respect to a VV line that passes through the vanishing point HV in the front direction of the lamp in the vertical direction. This is because the optical axis Axa of the first lamp unit 20A extends in the vehicle front-rear direction.

The remaining three light distribution patterns PbL, PcL, and PdL are not as bright as the light distribution pattern PaL, but are formed as horizontally long light distribution patterns larger than the light distribution pattern PaL. This is because the degree of convergence of the reflected light from the reflector 44C of the second lamp unit 20C (and 20B, 20D) is smaller than the degree of convergence of the reflected light from the reflector 44A of the first lamp unit 20A.

These three light distribution patterns PbL, PcL, and PdL are formed as substantially the same light distribution pattern, but their formation positions are shifted in the horizontal direction.

That is, the light distribution pattern PdL is formed as a light distribution pattern that is evenly spread to the left and right with respect to the line VV. This is because the optical axis Axd of the second lamp unit 20D extends in the vehicle front-rear direction.

On the other hand, the light distribution pattern PcL is formed at a position displaced to the left with respect to the light distribution pattern PdL. This is because the optical axis Axc of the second lamp unit 20C is inclined to the left with respect to the optical axis Axd of the second lamp unit 20D.

Further, the light distribution pattern PbL is formed at a position further shifted to the left with respect to the light distribution pattern PcL. This is because the optical axis Axb of the second lamp unit 20B is further inclined to the left with respect to the optical axis Axc of the second lamp unit 20C.

As described above, the low-beam light distribution pattern PL includes a small and bright light distribution pattern PaL that spreads horizontally to the V-V line, and a large light distribution pattern PdL that spreads horizontally to the V-V line. Since the light distribution pattern PcL is shifted to the left side with respect to the light distribution pattern PdL and the light distribution pattern PbL is further shifted to the left side with respect to the light distribution pattern PcL, a high luminous intensity region in the front direction of the lamp. It is formed as a light distribution pattern having HZ with less uneven light distribution.

The low-beam light distribution pattern formed on a vehicle-by-vehicle basis is formed by light emitted from a vehicle lamp that is to be paired with the vehicle lamp 10 (that is, a headlamp arranged at the right front end of the vehicle). The light distribution pattern for low beam and the light distribution pattern PL for low beam are formed as a combined light distribution pattern. At that time, the light distribution patterns substantially the same as the light distribution patterns PaL and PdL are formed at substantially the same positions as these, and the light distribution is substantially symmetrical to the light distribution patterns PbL and PcL with respect to the VV line. Since the patterns PbR and PcR (indicated by the chain double-dashed line in FIG. 7) are formed, the vehicle front traveling path is uniformly illuminated widely on the left and right.

Next, the function and effect of this embodiment will be described.

In the vehicular lamp 10 according to the present exemplary embodiment, the second projection lens 32B is configured as the configuration of the second lamp unit 20B located on the innermost side in the vehicle width direction among the three second lamp units 20B, 20C, and 20D. It has a front surface 32Ba that extends obliquely backward toward the outside in the width direction and a rear surface 32Bb whose horizontal cross-sectional shape is set to a convex curve shape, and the light emission direction of the second optical unit 40B is relative to the front direction of the lamp. Since it is set in a direction inclined outward in the vehicle width direction, the following operational effects can be obtained.

That is, since the light emission direction from the second optical unit 40B is set to be a direction inclined outward in the vehicle width direction with respect to the front direction of the lamp, the emission light is incident on the second projection lens 32B. The angle can be set to a relatively small value in the entire area of the rear surface 32Bb of the second projection lens 32B. And thereby, the ratio of the surface-reflected light on the rear surface 32Bb of the second projection lens 32B can be reduced, and the light incident efficiency on the second projection lens 32B can be improved.

Therefore, as the irradiation light from the vehicular lamp 10, it is possible to sufficiently secure the light traveling in the direction inclined outward in the vehicle width direction with respect to the front direction of the lamp.

Details of this point are as follows.

FIG. 7B is a view similar to FIG. 7A, showing a second lamp unit 20B′ as a comparative example of the second lamp unit 20B.

As shown in FIG. 2B, this second lamp unit 20B' also secondly projects the light emitted from the second optical unit 40B' having the same configuration as the second optical unit 40B of the second lamp unit 20B. Although the illumination is directed toward the front of the lamp through the lens 32B', the arrangement of the second optical unit 40B' and the configuration of the second projection lens 32B' are different from those of the second lamp unit 20B.

That is, in this second lamp unit 20B', the second optical unit 40B' is arranged toward the front direction of the lamp, and the light emitting direction thereof is also set to the front direction of the lamp.

The front surface 32Ba′ of the second projection lens 32B′ has the same shape as the front surface 32Ba of the second projection lens 32B, but a light distribution pattern (that is, a light distribution pattern) formed by the irradiation light from the second lamp unit 20B. The rear surface 32Bb′ of the second projection lens 32B′ has a horizontal cross-sectional shape different from that of the rear surface 32Bb of the second projection lens 32B in order to form the light distribution pattern at the same position as (PbL).

Specifically, the rear surface 32Bb' of the second projection lens 32B' has a large inclination angle of its right end portion (that is, the end portion on the inner side in the vehicle width direction) with respect to the rear surface 32Bb of the second projection lens 32B, The inclination angle of the left end region is small.

In the second lamp unit 20B', the light emission direction from the second optical unit 40B' is set to the front direction of the lamp, and the inclination angle of the right end region of the rear surface 32Bb' of the second projection lens 32B' is set. Therefore, when the light emitted from the second optical unit 40B' enters the second projection lens 32B', the incident angle becomes considerably large at the right end portion of the rear surface 32Bb'. Therefore, in the right end region of the rear surface 32Bb′, most of the light emitted from the second optical unit 40B′ is surface-reflected, and the light incident efficiency on the second projection lens 32B′ is significantly reduced.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a light distribution pattern PbL′ formed by irradiation light from the second lamp unit 20B′ in comparison with the light distribution pattern PbL.

In contrast to the light distribution pattern PbL shown in FIG. 11A, the light distribution pattern PbL′ shown in FIG. 9B is formed such that the left end region PbLa′ is a dark light distribution pattern. As described above, this is because the light incidence efficiency is significantly reduced in the right end region of the rear surface 32Bb′ of the second projection lens 32B′, and the second projection lens 32B′ is leftward (that is, the vehicle width with respect to the front direction of the lamp). This is because the emitted light traveling toward the outer side in the direction is not sufficiently secured.

On the other hand, in the second lamp unit 20B, the light emission direction from the second optical unit 40B is set to the direction that is inclined outward in the vehicle width direction with respect to the front direction of the lamp, so that the second projection lens 32B is provided. The efficiency of light incidence can be increased, and thus, the emitted light toward the outside in the vehicle width direction can be sufficiently secured.

Thus, according to the present embodiment, in the vehicular lamp 10 including the second projection lens 32B and the second optical unit 40B, the front surface 32Ba of the second projection lens 32B is directed toward the vehicle width direction outer side toward the lamp rear side. Even in the case where the rear surface 32Bb is inclined and the horizontal cross-sectional shape of the rear surface 32Bb is set to be a convex curve, it is possible to sufficiently secure the irradiation light toward the outside in the vehicle width direction.

Therefore, it is possible to sufficiently secure the spread of the light distribution pattern PbL formed by the irradiation light from the second lamp unit 20B toward the outer side in the vehicle width direction, and thus the irradiation light from the vehicle lamp 10 forms the light distribution pattern PbL. The low-beam light distribution pattern PL can be a light distribution pattern in which the expansion outward in the vehicle width direction is sufficiently ensured.

In particular, like the second lamp unit 20B of the present embodiment, the second optical unit 40B includes the light source 42B and the reflector 44B that reflects the light emitted from the light source 42B toward the projection lens 32B. When the reflector 44B is configured to reflect the light emitted from the light source 42B as diffused light in the horizontal plane, the light emitting direction from the second optical unit 40B′ is the front direction of the lamp as in the comparative example. If set, the incident angle with respect to the projection lens 32B′ will have a larger value, and therefore it is particularly effective to adopt the configuration of the present embodiment.

The vehicular lamp 10 according to the present embodiment includes three second lamp units 20B, 20C, 20D, and the second optical units 40B, 40C of the respective second lamp units 20B, 20C, 20D. , 40D, the inclination angles of the light emission directions from the front direction of the lamp are different from each other, so that the end regions of the low-beam light distribution pattern PL are formed without unevenness of light distribution by the irradiation light traveling outward in the vehicle width direction. can do.

At that time, the second lamp unit 20C is also set such that the light emission direction from the second optical unit 40C is inclined outward in the vehicle width direction with respect to the front direction of the lamp, so that the second projection lens 32C is not affected. The light incidence efficiency can be increased, and thus, sufficient irradiation light traveling outward in the vehicle width direction can be secured.

Further, in the present embodiment, the second projection lenses 32B, 32C, 32D of the three second lamp units 20B, 20C, 20D are configured as a single transparent member 30 together with the first projection lens A of the first lamp unit 20A. The front surfaces 32Ba, 32Ca, 32Da of the respective second projection lenses 32B, 32C, 32D are constituted by convex cylindrical surfaces extending in the horizontal direction, and the rear surfaces 32Bb, 32Cb of the respective second projection lenses 32B, 32C, 32D, Since 32Db is configured by the convex cylindrical surface extending in the vertical direction, it is possible to make it inconspicuous that the three second projection lenses 32B, 32C, 32D exist when the vehicular lamp 10 is observed from the outside. The designability can be improved.

In the above-described embodiment, the second lamp units 20D, 20C, and 20B are described in this order as being arranged so that the leftward inclination angle of the light irradiation direction from the lamp front direction gradually increases. It is also possible to adopt a configuration in which the arrangement is appropriately changed.

In the above-described embodiment, it is described that two second lamp units 20C and 20D are arranged in addition to the second lamp unit 20B, but the number of second lamp units other than the second lamp unit 20B is particularly limited. However, it is also possible to adopt a configuration in which only the second lamp unit 20B is arranged at that time.

In the above-described embodiment, the vehicular lamp 10 for forming the low beam light distribution pattern PL has been described. However, in the vehicular lamp for forming the high beam light distribution pattern or the like, substantially the same operation as that in the above embodiment is performed. It is possible to obtain an effect.

The numerical values shown as the specifications in the above embodiment are merely examples, and it goes without saying that they may be set to different values as appropriate.

Further, the invention of the present application is not limited to the configurations described in the above-described embodiments, and configurations with various modifications other than this can be adopted.

10 Vehicle Lamp 12 Lamp Body 14 Light-transmitting Cover 16 Lens Holder 18 Extension Member 18a Front End Opening 20A First Lamp Unit 20B, 20C, 20D Second Lamp Unit 22, 24, 62 Screw 30 Transparent Member 30a Connection Part 30b Extension 32A 1st projection lens 32Aa, 32Ba, 32Ca, 32Da Front surface 32Ab, 32Bb, 32Cb, 32Db Rear surface 32B, 32C, 32D 2nd projection lens 40A 1st optical unit 40B, 40C, 40D 2nd optical unit 42A, 42B, 42C Light source 44A, 44B, 44C Reflector 44Ba Reflective surface 46A, 46B, 46C Shade 46Aa, 46Ca Upward reflective surface 48A, 48B, 48C Base member 50 Main bracket 50a Sleeve 50b Projection 52 Pivot 54 Aiming screw 56 Spherical step bearing 58 Subiming nut 60 Bracket 60a Boss part 64 Wave washer 66 Adjusting screw 68 Adjusting nut A, B, C point Ax1 Rotation axis Axa, Axb, Axc, Axd Optical axis CL1 Lower cutoff line CL2 Upper cutoff line E Elbow point F1, F2 Rear side Focus HZ High intensity area PaL, PbL, PbR, PcL, PcR, PdL Light distribution pattern PL Low beam light distribution pattern

Claims (2)

In a vehicular lamp including a projection lens and an optical unit arranged behind the projection lens, the light emitted from the optical unit is radiated toward the front of the lamp through the projection lens.
The projection lens has a front surface inclined toward the rear side of the lamp toward the side of the lamp and a rear surface whose horizontal cross-sectional shape is set to a convex curve,
The optical unit, the light emission direction from the optical unit is set to a direction inclined to the lamp lateral side with respect to the lamp front direction ,
At least two sets of the projection lens and the optical unit are provided,
The optical unit of each set, the inclination angle from the front direction of the lamp of the light emission direction from the optical unit is set to a different value,
The at least two sets of projection lenses are configured as a single transparent member,
In the front surface of the transparent member, the portion forming the front surface of the at least two sets of projection lenses is formed of a single convex cylindrical surface extending in a substantially horizontal direction,
The rear surface of the transparent member is such that the portion forming the rear surface of each of the at least two sets of projection lenses is composed of a single convex cylindrical surface extending substantially vertically.
The vehicular lamp according to claim 1, wherein the convex cylindrical surface forming the rear surface of the projection lens of each set is formed with a curvature corresponding to the light emission direction from the optical unit of each set . The optical unit of each set includes a light source and a reflector that reflects light emitted from the light source toward the projection lens,
The vehicular lamp according to claim 1, wherein the reflector is configured to reflect the light emitted from the light source as diffused light in a horizontal plane.

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