JP7569297B2 - Vehicle lighting fixtures - Google Patents

Description

This invention relates to a vehicle lamp equipped with a projection lens.

Conventionally, a vehicle lamp is known that is configured to selectively form a low beam light distribution pattern and a high beam light distribution pattern by projecting light emitted from multiple light-emitting elements forward through a projection lens.

Figure 8 of "Patent Document 1" describes such a vehicle lamp configuration that includes multiple first light-emitting elements that light up when low beams are illuminated and when high beams are illuminated, and multiple second light-emitting elements that additionally light up when high beams are illuminated.

In this case, the multiple second light-emitting elements are positioned below and away from the multiple first light-emitting elements, and a shade is placed between them to block a portion of the light emitted from the multiple first light-emitting elements in order to form a cutoff line for the low beam light distribution pattern.

In the vehicle lamp described in Patent Document 1, a low beam light distribution pattern is formed by lighting multiple first light-emitting elements, and a high beam light distribution pattern is formed by adding an additional light distribution pattern above the cutoff line of the low beam light distribution pattern by additionally lighting multiple second light-emitting elements.

JP 2019-207774 A

In the vehicle lamp described in the above-mentioned "Patent Document 1," a high beam light distribution pattern is formed by adding an additional light distribution pattern above the cutoff line of a low beam light distribution pattern. In this case, however, it is not easy to form a high beam light distribution pattern as a continuous light distribution pattern in which the low beam light distribution pattern and the additional light distribution pattern are smoothly connected.

In response to this, if the cutoff line of the low beam light distribution pattern is formed in a somewhat blurred state, it is possible to ensure continuity with the additional light distribution pattern. However, in this case, the clarity of the cutoff line decreases, and it becomes impossible to ensure sufficient long-distance visibility when low beam is irradiated.

The present invention was made in consideration of these circumstances, and aims to provide a vehicle lamp that is configured to project light emitted from a light source toward the front of the lamp through a projection lens, and that can form a continuous light distribution pattern for high beams while ensuring sufficient long-distance visibility when low beams are illuminated.

The present invention aims to achieve the above objective by improving the configuration of the projection lens.

That is, the vehicle lamp according to the present invention is
A vehicle lamp including a light source and a projection lens, the vehicle lamp being configured to selectively form a low beam light distribution pattern and a high beam light distribution pattern by irradiating light emitted from the light source through the projection lens toward a front of the lamp,
The light source includes a plurality of first light-emitting elements that are turned on when a low beam is irradiated and a high beam is irradiated, and a plurality of second light-emitting elements that are additionally turned on when a high beam is irradiated,
The second light emitting elements are disposed at positions spaced downward from the first light emitting elements,
a shade is disposed between the plurality of first light-emitting elements and the plurality of second light-emitting elements to block a part of light emitted from the plurality of first light-emitting elements in order to form a cutoff line of the light distribution pattern for low beam;
The projection lens is characterized in that a downward deflection portion that deflects the emitted light from the plurality of second light-emitting elements downward is formed in an area where the emitted light from the plurality of first light-emitting elements is not incident.

The specific arrangement and number of the "plurality of first light-emitting elements" are not particularly limited.

The "multiple second light-emitting elements" are not particularly limited in their specific arrangement or number, so long as they are arranged at a position below and away from the multiple first light-emitting elements.

The "downward deflection section" is not particularly limited in its specific arrangement or shape, as long as it is formed so as to deflect downward the light emitted from the second light-emitting elements in an area of the projection lens where the light emitted from the first light-emitting elements is not incident, and may be formed on the front or rear surface of the projection lens.

The vehicle lamp according to the present invention is configured to project light emitted from a light source forward through a projection lens, and includes as its light source a number of first light-emitting elements that are turned on when low beam and high beam are illuminated, and a number of second light-emitting elements that are additionally turned on when high beam is illuminated. The second light-emitting elements are positioned below and away from the first light-emitting elements, and a shade is positioned between them to block a portion of the light emitted from the first light-emitting elements. This allows a low beam light distribution pattern to be formed by turning on the first light-emitting elements, and a high beam light distribution pattern to be formed by turning on the second light-emitting elements.

In this case, in the area of the projection lens where the light emitted from the first light-emitting elements is not incident, a downward deflection section that deflects the light emitted from the second light-emitting elements downward is formed, so that the following effects can be obtained.

In other words, by additionally lighting multiple second light-emitting elements, an additional light distribution pattern is additionally formed above the cutoff line of the low beam light distribution pattern, and this additional light distribution pattern is formed as a light distribution pattern whose lower end area is expanded downward by the emitted light from the downward deflection portion of the projection lens.

The additional light distribution pattern can therefore be formed with its lower end region overlapping with the region near the cutoff line of the low beam light distribution pattern, thereby forming a high beam light distribution pattern as a continuous light distribution pattern in which the low beam light distribution pattern and the additional light distribution pattern are smoothly connected.

Moreover, this can be achieved without affecting the formation of the low beam light distribution pattern, so the clarity of the cutoff line can be maintained, ensuring sufficient long-distance visibility when low beam is used.

According to the present invention, in a vehicle lamp configured to irradiate light emitted from a light source toward the front of the lamp via a projection lens, it is possible to form a continuous light distribution pattern for high beams while ensuring sufficient long-distance visibility during low beam illumination.

In the above configuration, if the downward deflection unit is further configured to be formed on the rear surface of the projection lens, it is possible to precisely control the downward deflection of the light emitted from the second light-emitting elements, and it is also possible to easily position the downward deflection unit in an area of the projection lens where the light emitted from the first light-emitting elements does not enter.

In the above configuration, if the downward deflection section is further configured to diffuse the light emitted from the multiple second light-emitting elements in the left-right direction, the lower end region of the additional light distribution pattern can be made to overlap with the region near the cutoff line of the low beam light distribution pattern with more uniform brightness. Therefore, it becomes even easier to form the high beam light distribution pattern as a continuous light distribution pattern in which the low beam light distribution pattern and the additional light distribution pattern are smoothly connected.

In the above configuration, if the multiple second light-emitting elements are arranged in a left-right line with their light-emitting surfaces facing the projection lens, it becomes easy to form the additional light distribution pattern as a light distribution pattern whose lower region overlaps with the region near the cutoff line of the low beam light distribution pattern over a wide range. Therefore, it becomes even easier to form the high beam light distribution pattern as a continuous light distribution pattern in which the low beam light distribution pattern and the additional light distribution pattern are smoothly connected.

In the above configuration, if a second reflector is further provided that reflects the light emitted from the multiple second light-emitting elements toward the projection lens, the brightness of the additional light distribution pattern can be increased, and it becomes even easier to form the high beam light distribution pattern as a continuous light distribution pattern.

FIG. 1 is a side cross-sectional view showing a vehicle lamp according to an embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 1 is a view taken in the direction of the arrow II. Cross-sectional view of line III-III in FIG. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a light distribution pattern formed by light emitted from the vehicle lamp. FIG. 5 is a diagram similar to FIG. 4, illustrating a comparative example of the above embodiment. FIG. 3 is a view similar to FIG. 2 showing a first modified example of the embodiment; FIG. 4 is a view similar to FIG. 3, showing a second modification of the embodiment; FIG. 3 is a view similar to FIG. 2, showing a third modification of the embodiment; FIG. 4 is a diagram similar to FIG. 3, showing the third modified example. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a light distribution pattern formed by light emitted from the vehicle lamp according to the third modified example.

The following describes an embodiment of the present invention with reference to the drawings.

Figure 1 is a side cross-sectional view showing a vehicle lamp 10 according to one embodiment of the present invention. Figure 2 is a view taken in the direction of the arrow II in Figure 1.

In these figures, the direction indicated by X is "in front of the lamp," the direction indicated by Y is the "left direction" perpendicular to the "in front of the lamp" (the "right direction" when viewed from the front of the lamp), and the direction indicated by Z is the "upward direction." This is the same for the other figures.

The vehicle lamp 10 is a headlamp that is installed at the front end of the vehicle, and is configured such that a lamp unit 20 is housed within a lamp chamber formed by a lamp body 12 and a translucent cover 14.

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

As shown in FIG. 3, the lamp unit 20 is a so-called projector type lamp unit, and includes a plurality of first and second light-emitting elements 30, 40 as light sources, first and second reflectors 32, 42, and a projection lens 50, and is configured to selectively form a low beam light distribution pattern and a high beam light distribution pattern by the light emitted from the light source.

Specifically, the first light-emitting elements 30 are configured to light up during low beam irradiation and high beam irradiation, and the second light-emitting elements 40 are configured to additionally light up during high beam irradiation.

The lamp unit 20 forms a low beam light distribution pattern by irradiating the direct light from the multiple first light-emitting elements 30 and the light emitted from the multiple first light-emitting elements 30 and reflected by the first reflector 32 toward the front of the lamp via the projection lens 50, and forms an additional high beam light distribution pattern by irradiating the direct light from the multiple second light-emitting elements 40 and the light emitted from the multiple second light-emitting elements 40 and reflected by the second reflector 42 toward the front of the lamp via the projection lens 50.

In FIG. 3, the optical path of the light emitted from the first light-emitting element 30 is shown by a dashed line, and the optical path of the light emitted from the second light-emitting element 40 is shown by a solid line.

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

As shown in FIG. 3, the projection lens 50 is a plano-convex aspheric lens with a front surface 50a formed into a convex curved shape, and has an optical axis Ax extending in the front-to-rear direction of the lamp. This projection lens 50 projects the light source image formed on the rear focal plane, which is a focal plane including the rear focal point F, as an inverted image onto a virtual vertical screen in front of the lamp (i.e. in front of the vehicle).

A downward deflection section 50c is formed in the lower region of the rear surface 50b of the projection lens 50 (described later).

The projection lens 50 is supported at its outer periphery by a lens holder 52, which is supported by a heat sink 54.

As shown in FIG. 2, the first light-emitting elements 30 are arranged in a left-right line above the optical axis Ax, and the second light-emitting elements 40 are arranged in a left-right line below the optical axis Ax.

The multiple first light-emitting elements 30 are each composed of eleven white light-emitting diodes each having a rectangular (specifically, square) light-emitting surface 30a, and are arranged at slight intervals from one another. In this case, the first light-emitting element 30 arranged directly above the optical axis Ax and the five first light-emitting elements 30 arranged to its right (left side when viewed from the front of the lamp) are arranged in a state where they are displaced downward relative to the remaining five first light-emitting elements 30 arranged to the left.

On the other hand, the second light-emitting elements 40 are each composed of nine white light-emitting diodes each having a rectangular light-emitting surface 40a (specifically, a square of the same size as the light-emitting surface 30a), and are arranged in a horizontal row with a small gap between them.

The first and second light-emitting elements 30, 40 are mounted on a common substrate 56, which is supported by a heat sink 54.

As shown in FIG. 3, the substrate 56 is arranged in a state in which it is tilted backward with respect to a vertical plane perpendicular to the optical axis Ax. In this case, the backward tilt angle of the substrate 56 with respect to the vertical plane is set to a value of 10 to 20° (e.g., about 15°). As a result, the first and second light-emitting elements 30, 40 are arranged with their light-emitting surfaces 30a, 40a facing upward at an angle of 10 to 20° (e.g., about 15°) with respect to the front direction of the lamp (i.e., facing the projection lens 50).

The first and second reflectors 32, 42 are positioned forward of the lamp from the substrate 56. The first and second reflectors 32, 42 are integrally formed and are supported by the heat sink 54 at both the left and right ends.

The first reflector 32 has a reflective surface 32a formed to surround the first light-emitting elements 30, and is configured to reflect the light emitted from the first light-emitting elements 30 toward the projection lens 50 at the reflective surface 32a. In this case, the reflective surface 32a has a horizontally elongated concave curved reflective surface shape, and its upper edge has an external shape that is approximately horizontally elongated elliptical when viewed from the front of the lamp.

On the other hand, the second reflector 42 has a reflective surface 42a formed to surround the multiple second light-emitting elements 40, and is configured to reflect the light emitted from the multiple second light-emitting elements 40 toward the projection lens 50 at this reflective surface 42a. In this case, this reflective surface 42a has a horizontally elongated concave curved reflective surface shape, and its lower edge has an external shape that is approximately horizontally elongated elliptical when viewed from the front of the lamp.

An opening 32b is formed on the reflecting surface 32a of the first reflector 32, surrounding the first light-emitting elements 30 near their outer periphery. This opening 32b is formed so as to extend in a generally horizontally elongated rectangular shape with left and right steps along the arrangement of the first light-emitting elements 30.

On the other hand, a horizontally elongated opening 42b is formed on the reflecting surface 42a of the second reflector 42, surrounding the second light-emitting elements 40 near their outer periphery. This opening 42b is formed to extend in a horizontally elongated rectangular shape along the arrangement of the second light-emitting elements 40.

A shade 60 is disposed between the multiple first light-emitting elements 30 and the multiple second light-emitting elements 40 to block direct light from the multiple first light-emitting elements 30 and a portion of the light emitted from the multiple first light-emitting elements 30 reflected by the first reflector 32, thereby forming a cutoff line of the low beam light distribution pattern.

The shade 60 is formed integrally with the first and second reflectors 32, 42. That is, the shade 60 is formed by the connection portion of the first and second reflectors 32, 42 extending toward the front of the lamp with a wedge-shaped vertical cross section, and its upper surface forms part of the reflective surface 32a of the first reflector 32, and its lower surface forms part of the reflective surface 42a of the second reflector 42.

The front edge 60a of the shade 60 is formed so as to extend in the left-right direction with a left-right step along a vertical plane perpendicular to the optical axis Ax at the position of the rear focal point F of the projection lens 50. Specifically, the portion of this front edge 60a to the left of the optical axis Ax (the right portion when the lamp is viewed from the front) extends horizontally at a position slightly above the optical axis Ax, and the portion to the right of the optical axis Ax extends horizontally at a position slightly below the optical axis Ax, and its left end extends diagonally in the upper left direction and is connected to the portion to the left of the optical axis Ax.

As shown in FIG. 3, the projection lens 50 is configured to deflect the light emitted from the second light-emitting elements 40 downward at the downward deflection portion 50c formed on the rear surface 50b.

The downward deflection portion 50c is formed in a lower region of the rear surface 50b of the projection lens 50 where the light emitted from the first light-emitting elements 30 is not incident (i.e., the region located below the straight line L connecting the upper edge of the light-emitting surface 30a of the first light-emitting element 30 and the front edge 60a (the right region) of the shade 60, as shown by the dashed line in Figure 3).

The downward deflection section 50c is formed so as to protrude from the rear surface 50b of the projection lens 50 toward the rear of the lamp. Specifically, the downward deflection section 50c is composed of an upper inclined surface of a protrusion formed so as to extend in the left-right direction with a wedge-shaped vertical cross section, and the downward deflection angle for the light emitted from the multiple second light-emitting elements 40 is set by the inclination angle.

Of the light emitted from the multiple second light-emitting elements 40 and reaching the rear surface 50b of the projection lens 50, the light that reaches the downward deflection section 50c enters the projection lens 50 in a downward refracted manner and is emitted from the front surface 50a as light directed slightly downward.

The optical path indicated by the two-dot chain line in FIG. 3 is the optical path of the light emitted from the multiple second light-emitting elements 40 that enters the projection lens 50 if the downward deflection portion 50c is not formed on the rear surface 50b of the projection lens 50. In this way, if the downward deflection portion 50c is not formed on the rear surface 50b of the projection lens 50, the light that enters the projection lens 50 from the multiple second light-emitting elements 40 is emitted as upward light from the front surface 50a.

Figure 4 is a perspective view showing the light distribution pattern formed on a virtual vertical screen located 25 m ahead of the vehicle by the light emitted from the lamp unit 20 of the vehicle lamp 10 toward the front of the lamp. In this case, Figure 4(a) shows the low beam light distribution pattern PL, and Figure 4(b) shows the high beam light distribution pattern PH.

As shown in FIG. 4(a), the low beam light distribution pattern PL is a low beam light distribution pattern with left light distribution, and has cutoff lines CL1 and CL2 at the upper edge that are staggered on the left and right. These cutoff lines CL1 and CL2 extend horizontally with left and right steps, with the V-V line that passes vertically through H-V, which is the vanishing point in front of the lamp, as the boundary, and the portion on the oncoming lane side to the right of the V-V line is formed as a lower cutoff line CL1, while the portion on the own lane side to the left of the V-V line is formed as an upper cutoff line CL2 that is stepped up from the lower cutoff line CL1 via an inclined portion.

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

As described above, the low beam light distribution pattern PL is formed by the direct light from the multiple first light-emitting elements 30 and the reflected light from the first reflector 32, and the left and right cutoff lines CL1 and CL2 are formed as inverted projection images of the front edge 60a of the shade 60.

As shown in FIG. 4(b), the high beam light distribution pattern PH is formed as a light distribution pattern in which an additional light distribution pattern PA is added to the low beam light distribution pattern PL.

As described above, the additional light distribution pattern PA is formed by direct light from the multiple second light-emitting elements 40 and light emitted from the multiple second light-emitting elements 40 and reflected by the second reflector 42, and its lower end region PAa overlaps with the region near the cutoff line of the low beam light distribution pattern PL.

This is because the additional light distribution pattern PA is formed as a light distribution pattern whose lower end area PAa is extended downward by the light emitted from the downward deflection portion 50c of the projection lens 50.

In this way, the high beam light distribution pattern PH is formed in a state where the low beam light distribution pattern PL and the additional light distribution pattern PA partially overlap, eliminating the risk of a gap being formed between the two.

On the other hand, FIG. 5 shows a comparative example of this embodiment, where FIG. 5(a) shows a low beam light distribution pattern PL' and FIG. 5(b) shows a high beam light distribution pattern PH'.

The low beam light distribution pattern PL' shown in FIG. 5(a) is a light distribution pattern in the case where the projection lens 50 does not have a downward deflection portion 50c, but instead the cutoff lines CL1 and CL2 are formed in a slightly blurred state, for example, by slightly shifting the position of the front edge 60a of the shade 60 forward or backward.

The high beam light distribution pattern PH' shown in FIG. 5(b) is formed as a light distribution pattern in which an additional light distribution pattern PA' is added to the low beam light distribution pattern PL', but because the cutoff lines CL1 and CL2 are somewhat blurred, the high beam light distribution pattern PH' is formed without any gaps being formed between the low beam light distribution pattern PL' and the additional light distribution pattern PA'.

However, the cutoff lines CL1 and CL2 of the low beam light distribution pattern PL' shown in FIG. 5(a) are somewhat blurred, so the clarity of the cutoff lines CL1 and CL2 is reduced compared to the low beam light distribution pattern PL shown in FIG. 4(a), and it becomes difficult to ensure sufficient long-distance visibility when the low beam is illuminated.

Next, we will explain the effects of this embodiment.

The lamp unit 20 of the vehicle lamp 10 according to this embodiment includes, as its light source, a plurality of first light-emitting elements 30 that are turned on during low beam irradiation and high beam irradiation, and a plurality of second light-emitting elements 40 that are additionally turned on during high beam irradiation. The second light-emitting elements 40 are positioned below and away from the first light-emitting elements 30, and a shade 60 that blocks a portion of the light emitted from the first light-emitting elements 30 is positioned between them. Therefore, the light distribution pattern PL for low beam can be formed by turning on the first light-emitting elements 30, and the light distribution pattern PH for high beam can be formed by additionally turning on the second light-emitting elements 40.

In this case, in the area of the projection lens 50 where the light emitted from the first light-emitting elements 30 is not incident, a downward deflection section 50c that deflects the light emitted from the second light-emitting elements 40 downward is formed, so that the following effects can be obtained.

In other words, by additionally lighting the multiple second light-emitting elements 40, an additional light distribution pattern PA is additionally formed above the cutoff lines CL1 and CL2 of the low-beam light distribution pattern PL, and this additional light distribution pattern PA is formed as a light distribution pattern in which the lower end area PAa is expanded downward by the emitted light from the downward deflection portion 50c of the projection lens 50.

The additional light distribution pattern PA can therefore be formed with its lower end region PAa overlapping with the region near the cutoff line of the low beam light distribution pattern PL, thereby forming the high beam light distribution pattern PH as a continuous light distribution pattern in which the low beam light distribution pattern PL and the additional light distribution pattern PA are smoothly connected.

Moreover, this can be achieved without affecting the formation of the low beam light distribution pattern PL, so the clarity of the cutoff lines CL1 and CL2 can be maintained, thereby ensuring sufficient long-distance visibility when low beam is applied.

According to this embodiment, in a vehicle lamp 10 configured to irradiate light emitted from a light source toward the front of the lamp via a projection lens 50, it is possible to form a high beam light distribution pattern PH as a continuous light distribution pattern while ensuring sufficient long-distance visibility during low beam irradiation.

In this embodiment, since the downward deflection portion 50c is formed on the rear surface 50b of the projection lens 50, it is possible to precisely control the downward deflection of the light emitted from the second light-emitting elements 40, and it is also easy to position the downward deflection portion 50c in an area of the projection lens 50 where the light emitted from the first light-emitting elements 30 does not enter.

In addition, in this embodiment, since the multiple second light-emitting elements 40 are arranged in a line in the left-right direction with the light-emitting surfaces 40a facing the projection lens 50, it is easy to form the additional light distribution pattern PA as a light distribution pattern whose lower region PAa overlaps with the region near the cutoff line of the low beam light distribution pattern PL over a wide range. Therefore, it is even easier to form the high beam light distribution pattern PH as a continuous light distribution pattern in which the low beam light distribution pattern PL and the additional light distribution pattern PA are smoothly connected.

Furthermore, in this embodiment, a second reflector 40 is provided that reflects the light emitted from the multiple second light-emitting elements 40 toward the projection lens 50, so that the brightness of the additional light distribution pattern PA can be increased and it becomes even easier to form the high beam light distribution pattern PH as a continuous light distribution pattern.

In the above embodiment, the projection lens 50 is described as being composed of a plano-convex aspheric lens, but it may also be composed of a biconvex lens or a convex meniscus lens, etc., and may also be configured to have an outer shape other than circular.

In the above embodiment, the lighting unit 20 has been described as having eleven first light-emitting elements 30 and nine second light-emitting elements 40, but it is also possible to configure the lighting unit 20 with a different number of first and second light-emitting elements 30, 40.

In the above embodiment, the multiple first light-emitting elements 30 are described as being arranged in staggered left and right positions, but it is also possible to arrange them in a single horizontal row.

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

In the above embodiment, the first and second reflectors 32, 42 are described as being arranged to effectively utilize the light emitted from the first and second light-emitting elements 30, 40, but it is also possible to configure the device such that either or both of the first and second reflectors 32, 42 are not arranged.

Next, we will explain a variation of the above embodiment.

First, we will explain the first variation of the above embodiment.

Figure 6 is a diagram similar to Figure 2, showing the lighting unit 120 of the vehicle lighting fixture according to this modified example.

As shown in FIG. 6, the basic configuration of the lamp unit 120 is similar to that of the lamp unit 20 in the above embodiment, but the configuration of the projection lens 150 is partially different from that in the above embodiment.

That is, in this modified example, the projection lens 150 is also composed of a plano-convex aspherical lens with a front surface 150a formed in a convex curved shape, and a downward deflection section 150c is formed in the lower region of the rear surface 150b, but this downward deflection section 150c is different from the above embodiment in that it is composed of multiple diffusing lens elements 150s.

The multiple diffusion lens elements 150s are formed in vertical stripes and are configured to diffuse the light emitted from the multiple second light-emitting elements 40 in the left-right direction.

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

Moreover, by adopting the configuration of this modified example, the lower end region PAa of the additional light distribution pattern PA can be made to overlap with the region near the cutoff line of the low beam light distribution pattern PL with more uniform brightness. Therefore, it becomes even easier to form the high beam light distribution pattern PH as a continuous light distribution pattern in which the low beam light distribution pattern PL and the additional light distribution pattern PA are smoothly connected.

Next, we will explain the second variation of the above embodiment.

Figure 7 is a diagram similar to Figure 3, showing the lighting unit 220 of the vehicle lighting device according to this modified example.

As shown in FIG. 7, the basic configuration of the lamp unit 220 is similar to that of the lamp unit 20 in the above embodiment, but the configuration of the projection lens 250 is partially different from that in the above embodiment.

That is, in this modified example, the projection lens 250 is also composed of a plano-convex aspheric lens with the front surface 250a formed in a convex curved shape, but the rear surface 250b is formed in a flat shape over its entire area, and differs from the above embodiment in that a downward deflection portion 250c is formed on the front surface 250a.

The downward deflection section 250c is formed in a lower region (i.e., a region below the straight line L) on the front surface 250a of the projection lens 250 where the light emitted from the multiple first light-emitting elements 30 does not reach. Specifically, the downward deflection section 250c is composed of an upper inclined surface of a protrusion that has a wedge-shaped vertical cross-section and extends in the left-right direction, and the downward deflection angle for the light emitted from the multiple second light-emitting elements 40 is set by the inclination angle.

Of the light emitted from the multiple second light-emitting elements 40 and incident on the projection lens 250, the light that reaches the downward deflection portion 250c of the front surface 250a is emitted from the projection lens 250 as slightly downward light.

As shown by the two-dot chain line in FIG. 3, if the downward deflection section 50c were not formed, the light emitted from the front surface 250a of the projection lens 250 would be directed upward.

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

Next, we will explain the third variation of the above embodiment.

Figures 8 and 9 are similar to Figures 2 and 3 and show a lighting unit 320 of a vehicle lighting fixture according to this modified example.

As shown in FIG. 8, the basic configuration of the lamp unit 320 is similar to that of the lamp unit 20 of the above embodiment, but the number of the second light-emitting elements 340 and the configuration of the second reflector 342 are different from those of the above embodiment.

In this modified example, 13 white light-emitting diodes are provided as the second light-emitting elements 340, which are arranged in a horizontal row with a small gap between each other centered on a vertical plane including the optical axis Ax. The shape of the light-emitting surface 340a of each of the second light-emitting elements 340 is the same as in the above embodiment.

Each of the multiple second light-emitting elements 340 is controlled to be turned on and off by an electronic control unit (not shown) according to the driving conditions of the vehicle. At that time, the driving conditions of the vehicle can be grasped based on detection values such as steering angle data of the vehicle, navigation data, and image data of the road ahead.

The second reflector 342, like the second reflector 42 in the above embodiment, has a reflective surface 342a formed to surround the multiple second light-emitting elements 340, and this reflective surface 342a has a horizontally elongated opening 342b formed to surround the multiple second light-emitting elements 340 near their outer periphery.

The reflecting surface 342a is configured such that a pair of small reflecting surfaces 342s are arranged on both the top and bottom of each of the multiple second light-emitting elements 340. These pairs of small reflecting surfaces 342s on the top and bottom are configured to reflect the light emitted from each second light-emitting element 340 toward the projection lens 350 as approximately parallel light.

Figure 10(a) is a perspective view of a high beam light distribution pattern PH-3 formed on the virtual vertical screen by light emitted from the lamp unit 320 of the vehicle lamp according to this modified example toward the front of the lamp.

As shown in FIG. 10(a), the high beam light distribution pattern PH-3 is formed as a composite light distribution pattern in which an additional light distribution pattern PA-3 is added to the low beam light distribution pattern PL.

The additional light distribution pattern PA-3 is a light distribution pattern formed by direct light from the 13 second light-emitting elements 340 and light emitted from the 13 second light-emitting elements 340 and reflected by the second reflector 342 (specifically, light reflected by 13 pairs of small reflecting surfaces 342s that constitute the reflecting surface 342a of the second reflector 342).

In other words, the additional light distribution pattern PA-3 is formed as a composite light distribution pattern of 13 small light distribution patterns PA-3a formed by lighting each of the 13 second light-emitting elements 340.

All 13 small light distribution patterns PA-3a are formed as approximately rectangular light distribution patterns, and are arranged in a horizontal row with adjacent small light distribution patterns PA-3a slightly overlapping each other. In this case, each small light distribution pattern PA-3a is formed as a vertically elongated light distribution pattern by the direct light from each second light-emitting element 340 and the reflected light from each pair of small reflecting surfaces 342s of the reflector 342, and its lower end region PA-3a1 overlaps with the region near the cutoff line of the low beam light distribution pattern PL.

This is because each small light distribution pattern PA-3a is formed as a light distribution pattern with its lower end region PA-3a1 extended downward by the light emitted from the downward deflection portion 50c of the projection lens 50.

Figure 10(b) is a perspective view of an intermediate light distribution pattern PM-3 in which part of the high beam light distribution pattern PH-3 is missing.

Figure 10(b) shows an intermediate light distribution pattern PM-3 in which the sixth small light distribution pattern from the right of the 13 small light distribution patterns PA-3a that make up the additional light distribution pattern PA-3 is missing due to the turning off of the sixth second light-emitting element 340 from the left.

By forming this intermediate light distribution pattern PM-3, the light emitted from the lamp unit 320 is prevented from hitting the oncoming vehicle 2, and the road ahead is illuminated as broadly as possible without causing glare to the driver of the oncoming vehicle 2.

Then, as the position of the oncoming vehicle 2 changes, the shape of the intermediate light distribution pattern PM-3 is changed by sequentially switching the second light-emitting elements 340 to be turned off, thereby maintaining a state in which the road ahead is illuminated as widely as possible without causing glare to the driver of the oncoming vehicle 2.

The presence of an oncoming vehicle 2 is detected by an on-board camera (not shown) or the like. If there is a vehicle ahead on the road ahead or a pedestrian on the road shoulder, this is detected and some of the small light distribution patterns PA-3a are omitted to prevent glare.

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

In this modified example, by forming the intermediate light distribution pattern PM-3, it is possible to maintain a state in which the road ahead is illuminated as widely as possible without causing glare to the driver of the oncoming vehicle 2, and in so doing, the intermediate light distribution pattern PM-3 can be formed as a continuous light distribution pattern in which the multiple small light distribution patterns PA-3a that make up the additional light distribution pattern PA-3 and the low beam light distribution pattern PL are smoothly connected.

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

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

2 oncoming vehicle 10 vehicle lamp 12 lamp body 14 light-transmitting cover 20, 120, 220, 320 lamp unit 30 first light-emitting element (light source)
30a, 40a, 340a: light emitting surface 32: first reflector 32a, 42a, 342a: reflecting surface 32b, 42b, 342b: opening 40, 340: second light emitting element (light source)
42, 342 Second reflector 50, 150, 250 Projection lens 50a, 150a, 250a Front surface 50b, 150b, 250b Rear surface 50c, 150c, 250c Downward deflection portion 52 Lens holder 54 Heat sink 56 Substrate 60 Shade 60a Front edge 150s Diffusion lens element 342s Small reflecting surface Ax Optical axis CL1 Lower cutoff line CL2 Upper cutoff line E Elbow point F Rear focal point L Straight line PA, PA-3 Additional light distribution pattern PAa, PA-3a1 Lower end region PA-3a Small light distribution pattern PH, PH-3 High beam light distribution pattern PL Low beam light distribution pattern PM-3 Intermediate light distribution pattern

Claims (5)

A vehicle lamp including a light source and a projection lens, the vehicle lamp being configured to selectively form a low beam light distribution pattern and a high beam light distribution pattern by irradiating light emitted from the light source through the projection lens toward a front of the lamp,
The light source includes a plurality of first light-emitting elements that are turned on when a low beam is irradiated and a high beam is irradiated, and a plurality of second light-emitting elements that are additionally turned on when a high beam is irradiated,
The second light emitting elements are disposed at positions spaced downward from the first light emitting elements,
a shade is disposed between the plurality of first light-emitting elements and the plurality of second light-emitting elements to block a part of light emitted from the plurality of first light-emitting elements in order to form a cutoff line of the light distribution pattern for low beam;
a downward deflection portion that deflects the emitted light from the plurality of second light-emitting elements downward in an area of the projection lens where the emitted light from the plurality of first light-emitting elements is not incident. The vehicle lamp according to claim 1, characterized in that the downward deflection portion is formed on the rear surface of the projection lens. The vehicle lamp according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the downward deflection section is configured to diffuse the light emitted from the second light-emitting elements in the left-right direction. The vehicle lamp according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the second light-emitting elements are arranged in a line in the left-right direction with their light-emitting surfaces facing the projection lens. The vehicle lamp according to any one of claims 1 to 4, further comprising a second reflector that reflects the light emitted from the second light-emitting elements toward the projection lens.

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