JP2011228196A - Lighting fixture for vehicle - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To eliminate contrast difference and improve visibility on this side of front.SOLUTION: The lighting fixture for vehicle 1 is provided with a light-emitting element 40 and a projection lens 50. The emitting face 52 of a convex lens part 58 of the projection lens 50 makes light emitted from the light-emitting element 40 and entered into the incident face 51 emit so as to be diffused to both of right and left sides in a horizontal plane. The emitting face 52 is constituted of refraction surfaces 53-55, and a horizontal cutoff line C1 on self-lane side is formed by the left side refraction surface 53, a horizontal cutoff line C2 on opposite traffic lane side is formed by the right side refraction surface 54, and a slanting cutoff line C3 is formed by the central refraction surface 55. The deflection angles to the bottom of the light emitted from the refraction surfaces 53-55 based on the horizontal plane become larger as it is separated vertically from the optical axis Ax.

Description

  The present invention relates to a vehicular lamp.

  In the direct projection type lamp described in Patent Document 1, the convex lens (12) is disposed in front of the light emitting element (14), and light emitted from the light emitting element (14) is projected directly forward by the convex lens (12). The The convex lens (12) is configured to emit light emitted from the light emitting element (14) as substantially parallel light within the vertical plane and as diffuse light within the horizontal plane. Therefore, a light distribution pattern (PA) extending in the left-right direction is formed on the front virtual screen (see FIG. 4 in Patent Document 1).

JP 2007-335301 A

However, a large light / dark difference is generated between the light distribution pattern (PA) and the region below the light distribution pattern (PA), and the driver mistakes the light / dark difference as a step on the road.
Further, in the technique described in Patent Document 1, since the irradiation area in the vertical direction (up and down direction) is limited, the lower area of the light distribution pattern (PA) is dark, so the front side visibility is not good.
Therefore, the problem to be solved by the present invention is to be able to eliminate the difference in brightness and to improve the visibility on the near side.

  In order to solve the above problems, a vehicular lamp according to the present invention is installed facing forward, and has a lower side provided horizontally when viewed from the front, a side on the own lane side when viewed from the front, and the lower side. A light emitting element having a corner intersecting with the side, and a projection lens disposed on an optical axis extending forward from the corner of the light emitting element and projecting light emitted from the light emitting element forward The projection lens has a rear incident surface on which light emitted from the light emitting element is incident, and a front emission surface that emits incident light incident on the incident surface forward, The exit surface is a first refracting surface in a region on the own lane side, a second refracting surface in a region on the opposite lane side, and a third refracting surface in a region between the first refracting surface and the second refracting surface. And the light exiting surface emits light rays emitted from the light emitting element and incident on the light incident surface. The first refracting surface is limited to a predetermined position on the own lane side from the vertical plane passing through the optical axis in a region below the upper limit with the horizontal plane passing through the optical axis as an upper limit. Irradiating a region closer to the own lane than that to emit a light beam emitted from the light emitting element and incident on the incident surface, and the second refracting surface is lower than a horizontal plane passing through the optical axis. An area below the predetermined position as an upper limit is irradiated so that a light beam emitted from the light emitting element and incident on the incident surface is emitted, and the third refracting surface is irradiated with the first refracting surface. The incident light is emitted from the light emitting element so as to irradiate an area below the upper limit of a line segment obliquely descending from the upper end near the optical axis to the upper limit of the irradiation area by the second refracting surface. Rays incident on the surface The first refracting surface gradually decreases the deflection angle of the light beam emitted from the light emitting element and emitted from the first refracting surface with reference to the horizontal plane as the light beam moves up and down from the optical axis. The second refracting surface gradually increases the downward deflection angle with respect to the horizontal plane of the light beam emitted from the light emitting element and emitted from the second refracting surface as the light beam moves up and down from the optical axis. The third refracting surface gradually increases the downward deflection angle with respect to the horizontal plane of the light beam emitted from the light emitting element and emitted from the third refracting surface as the light beam moves up and down from the optical axis. I decided to make it bigger.

  Preferably, the projection lens includes a prism portion provided on an outer periphery of the entrance surface and the exit surface, and the prism portion includes a prism entrance surface on the rear side on which light emitted from the light emitting element is incident. A prism exit surface on the front side for emitting the incident light incident on the prism entrance surface forward, and the prism exit surface emits light beams emitted from the light emitting element and incident on the prism entrance surface on both the left and right sides. The prism exit surface emits light from the light emitting element so as to irradiate a region below the upper limit of a predetermined position below a horizontal plane passing through the optical axis. The light incident on the surface is emitted.

  Preferably, the projection lens includes a prism portion provided on an outer periphery of the entrance surface and the exit surface, and the prism portion includes a prism entrance surface on the rear side on which light emitted from the light emitting element is incident. A prism exit surface on the front side that emits the incident light incident on the prism entrance surface forward, and the prism exit surface includes a fourth refracting surface in a region on the own lane side, and a region on the opposite lane side. A fifth refracting surface, wherein the prism exit surface emits a light beam emitted from the light emitting element and incident on the prism entrance surface so as to diffuse to the left and right sides, and the fourth refracting surface comprises the optical axis. The light emission is performed by irradiating a region on the lane side of the vehicle with a predetermined position on the lane side of the vertical plane passing through the optical axis as a limit in a region below the upper surface with the horizontal plane passing through Before emitting from the element A light beam incident on the prism incident surface is emitted, and the fifth refracting surface irradiates a region below the upper limit with a predetermined position below a horizontal plane passing through the optical axis, from the light emitting element. The light beam emitted and incident on the prism incident surface is emitted.

  Preferably, the projection lens includes a prism portion provided on an outer periphery of the entrance surface and the exit surface, and the prism portion includes a prism entrance surface on the rear side on which light emitted from the light emitting element is incident. A prism exit surface on the front side that emits the incident light incident on the prism entrance surface forward, and the prism exit surface includes a fourth refracting surface in a region on the own lane side, and a region on the opposite lane side. A fifth refracting surface, and a sixth refracting surface in a region between the fourth refracting surface and the fifth refracting surface, and the prism exit surface is emitted from the light emitting element to the prism entrance surface. The incident light beam is emitted so as to diffuse to the left and right sides, and the fourth refracting surface has a horizontal plane passing through the optical axis as an upper limit, and the lower lane side of the lower plane than the vertical plane passing through the optical axis. Limit the predetermined position of the A line-side region is irradiated so that a light beam emitted from the light emitting element and incident on the prism incident surface is emitted, and the fifth refracting surface has an upper limit on a predetermined position below a horizontal plane passing through the optical axis. Irradiating a region below it, emitting a light beam emitted from the light emitting element and incident on the prism incident surface, and the sixth refracting surface is the upper limit of the irradiation region by the fourth refracting surface. The light emitting element emits the light incident on the prism incident surface so as to irradiate the lower region with a line segment obliquely descending from the end near the optical axis to the upper limit of the irradiation region by the fifth refracting surface. A light beam was emitted.

According to the present invention, the first refracting surface gradually increases the downward deflection angle with respect to the horizontal plane of the light beam emitted from the light emitting element and emitted from the first refracting surface as the distance from the optical axis increases and decreases, The second refracting surface gradually increases the downward deflection angle with respect to the horizontal plane of the light beam emitted from the light emitting element and emitted from the second refracting surface as the distance from the optical axis increases and decreases, Since the downward deflection angle with respect to the horizontal plane of the light beam emitted from the light emitting element and emitted from the third refractive surface is gradually increased as the distance from the optical axis increases or decreases, a light distribution pattern extending downward is formed. be able to. For this reason, it is possible to eliminate a significant difference in brightness and darkness, and to improve the near side visibility.
In addition, a light-dark boundary line along a horizontal plane passing through the optical axis is formed on the front lane side by the light beam emitted from the first refracting surface. A light / dark boundary line along a horizontal plane below the horizontal plane passing through the optical axis is formed on the front opposite lane side by the light beam emitted from the second refractive surface. In addition, a light / dark boundary line obliquely descending from the light / dark boundary line on the own lane side to the light / dark boundary line on the opposite lane side is formed in the vicinity of the front optical axis by the light beam emitted from the third refracting surface.

It is a perspective view of the vehicular lamp of a first embodiment of the present invention. It is a front view of the vehicle lamp of the embodiment. It is arrow sectional drawing of the surface along III-III shown by FIG. It is arrow sectional drawing of the surface along IV-IV shown by FIG. It is the perspective view which showed typically the vehicle lamp of the embodiment. It is the horizontal sectional view which looked at the locus | trajectory of the light ray in the vehicle lamp of the embodiment seeing from the top. It is the vertical sectional view which looked at the locus | trajectory of the light ray in the vehicle lamp of the embodiment seeing from the side. It is the vertical sectional view which looked at the locus | trajectory of the light ray in the vehicle lamp of the embodiment seeing from the side. It is the vertical sectional view which looked at the locus | trajectory of the light ray in the vehicle lamp of the embodiment seeing from the side. It is the perspective view which showed typically the light source image projected on a virtual screen by a part of convex lens part of the vehicle lamp of the embodiment. It is the perspective view which showed typically the light source image projected on a virtual screen by a part of convex lens part of the vehicle lamp of the embodiment. It is the perspective view which showed typically the light source image projected on a virtual screen by a part of convex lens part of the vehicle lamp of the embodiment. It is the perspective view which showed typically the light source image projected on a virtual screen by the convex lens part of the vehicle lamp of the embodiment. It is the perspective view which showed typically the light distribution pattern formed in a virtual screen by the convex lens part of the vehicle lamp of the embodiment. It is the perspective view which showed typically the light distribution pattern formed in a virtual screen by a part of convex lens part of the vehicle lamp of the embodiment. It is the perspective view which showed typically the light distribution pattern formed in a virtual screen by a part of convex lens part of the vehicle lamp of the embodiment. It is the perspective view which showed typically the light distribution pattern formed in a virtual screen by a part of convex lens part of the vehicle lamp of the embodiment. It is the figure which showed typically the light distribution pattern formed in a virtual screen by the prism part of the vehicle lamp of the embodiment. It is a perspective view of the vehicle lamp of 2nd embodiment of this invention. It is a front view of the vehicle lamp of the embodiment. It is the figure which showed typically the light distribution pattern formed in a virtual screen by the prism part of the vehicle lamp of the embodiment. It is a perspective view of the vehicle lamp of 3rd embodiment of this invention. It is a front view of the vehicle lamp of the embodiment. It is the figure which showed typically the light distribution pattern formed in a virtual screen by the prism part of the vehicle lamp of the embodiment.

Hereinafter, a vehicular lamp according to an embodiment for carrying out the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. However, the embodiments described below are given various technically preferable limitations for carrying out the present invention, but the scope of the present invention is not limited to the following embodiments and illustrated examples.
In the following description, “upper”, “lower”, “front”, “rear”, “left”, and “right” are “upper” and “lower” of a vehicle equipped with a direct projection lamp, respectively. ”,“ Front ”,“ back ”,“ left ”,“ right ”. Therefore, the left and right directions are determined by looking from the rear to the front (from the so-called driver's viewpoint).

[First Embodiment]
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a vehicular lamp 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a front view of the vehicular lamp 1. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line III-III shown in FIG. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line IV-IV shown in FIG. FIG. 5 is a perspective view schematically showing the vehicular lamp 1.

The optical axis Ax as the vehicular lamp 1 passes through a predetermined reference point P. The vehicle lamp 1 will be specifically described on the assumption that the vehicle lamp 1 is mounted on the vehicle with the optical axis Ax parallel to the horizontal plane. The optical axis Ax is a virtual straight line extending forward from the reference point P along the horizontal plane. The direction along the optical axis Ax is the front-rear direction, the direction orthogonal to the optical axis Ax and the horizontal plane is the left-right direction, and the direction orthogonal to the optical axis Ax and along the vertical plane is the vertical direction. A horizontal plane passing through the optical axis Ax is referred to as a reference horizontal plane, and a vertical plane passing through the optical axis Ax is referred to as a reference vertical plane.
This vehicular lamp 1 is a vehicular headlamp used for a left-handed low beam. Therefore, the right side is the opposite lane side, and the left side is the own lane side.

  The vehicular lamp 1 includes a support plate 10, a radiation fin 20, a lens holder 30, a light emitting element 40, a projection lens 50, and the like. The vehicular lamp 1 is a direct projection type lamp that projects the direct light emitted from the light emitting element 40 forward by the projection lens 50.

  The support plate 10 is disposed along a vertical plane orthogonal to the optical axis Ax. On the rear surface of the support plate 10, a plurality of heat radiating fins 20 are projected.

  The light emitting element 40 is a light emitting diode and is mounted on a substrate 41. The light emitting element 40 is provided on the front side of the support plate 10. Specifically, the substrate 41 is joined to the front surface of the support plate 10 by screws, adhesive, or other fixing members, and the light emitting element 40 is installed facing forward. When viewed from the front, the light emitting element 40 is provided in a rectangular shape having short sides 43 and 45 and long sides 42 and 44. The long sides 42 and 44 of the light emitting element 40 are provided parallel to the horizontal plane, and the short sides 43 and 45 of the light emitting element 40 are provided parallel to the vertical plane. When viewed from the front, the short side 43 on the own lane side overlaps the reference vertical plane, the lower long side 44 overlaps the reference horizontal plane, and an angle 46 where the short side 43 intersects the long side 44 overlaps the reference point P. The optical axis Ax extends forward from the corner 46 along the horizontal plane.

  A lens holder 30 is attached to the front surface of the support plate 10 and around the light emitting element 40. On the other hand, a leg portion 59 is provided at the peripheral edge of the projection lens 50, the leg portion 59 extends rearward, and the support plate 10 with the lens holder 30 sandwiched between the protruding end of the leg portion 59 and the support plate 10. Is attached. Note that the support plate 10 and the lens holder 30 may be integrated.

  The projection lens 50 is disposed on the optical axis Ax. The projection lens 50 is a convex lens having a plurality of exit surfaces. The projection lens 50 includes a convex lens portion 58 provided at the center portion, and a prism portion 60 provided concentrically with the convex lens portion 58 on the outer periphery of the convex lens portion 58. The convex lens portion 58 includes a rear incident surface 51 on which direct light emitted from the light emitting element 40 is incident, and a front emission surface 52 that emits incident light incident on the incident surface 51 forward. The rear incident surface 51 is a spherical concave surface. The emission surface 52 is an aspherical (free curved surface) convex surface.

  The exit surface 52 includes a first refracting surface 53 in a region on the lane side (left side) with respect to the reference vertical surface, a second refracting surface 54 in a region on the opposite lane side (right side) with respect to the reference vertical surface, and a first refraction. And a third refracting surface 55 in the region between the surface 53 and the second refracting surface 54. When viewed from the front, the edge of the second refracting surface 54 on the own lane side overlaps the reference vertical plane, and the edge of the third refracting surface 55 on the opposite lane side also overlaps the reference vertical plane. The edge of the third refracting surface 55 on the own lane side is located slightly on the own lane side (left side) with respect to the reference vertical plane. The edge on the own lane side of the third refracting surface 55 and the edge on the opposite lane side of the first refracting surface 53 overlap, and these edges are provided in parallel to the reference vertical plane.

  The prism unit 60 includes a rear prism incident surface 61 on which direct light emitted from the light emitting element 40 is incident, and a front prism output surface 62 that emits incident light incident on the prism incident surface 61 forward. . The prism incident surface 61 is a spherical concave surface, and the prism incident surface 61 and the incident surface 51 are provided flush with each other. The prism exit surface 62 is an aspherical convex surface.

  FIG. 6 shows the locus of light rays emitted from a predetermined point (for example, the reference point P) of the light emitting element 40 when the horizontal section along II-II shown in FIG. 2 is viewed from above. . The light beam is represented by a two-dot chain line. As shown in FIG. 6, the emission surface 52 emits an incident light beam emitted from a predetermined point of the light emitting element 40 and incident on the incident surface 51 in a horizontal plane so as to diffuse to the left and right sides.

FIG. 7 shows a locus of light rays emitted from a predetermined point (for example, a reference point P) of the light emitting element 40 when a vertical cross section passing through the first refractive surface 53 is viewed from the side. FIG. 8 shows a locus of light rays emitted from a predetermined point (for example, the reference point P) of the light emitting element 40 when a vertical cross section passing through the second refracting surface 54 is viewed from the side. FIG. 9 shows a locus of light rays emitted from a predetermined point (for example, the reference point P) of the light emitting element 40 when a vertical cross section passing through the third refracting surface 55 is viewed from the side. 7 to 9, the alternate long and two short dashes line indicates a light beam emitted from a predetermined point of the light emitting element 40. As shown in FIG. 7 to FIG. 9, the exit surface 52 of the projection lens 50 does not emit the incident light beam emitted from a predetermined point of the light emitting element 40 and incident on the entrance surface 51 in the vertical plane above the horizontal plane. A part of the incident light beam is emitted below the horizontal plane, and the remaining part is emitted along the horizontal plane.
Specifically, as shown in FIG. 7, the first refracting surface 53 on the own lane side of the emission surface 52 is incident light that is emitted from a predetermined point of the light emitting element 40 and is incident on the incident surface 51 in the vertical plane. Are not emitted above the horizontal plane, a part of the incident light is emitted below the horizontal plane, and the remaining part is emitted along the horizontal plane. As shown in FIG. 8, the second refracting surface 54 in the opposite lane of the exit surface 52 is configured to cause the incident light beam emitted from a predetermined point of the light emitting element 40 and incident on the entrance surface 51 to be above the horizontal plane in the vertical plane. The incident light beam is emitted below the horizontal plane without being emitted. As shown in FIG. 9, the third refracting surface 55 at the center of the emission surface 52 has an incident light beam emitted from a predetermined point of the light emitting element 40 and incident on the incidence surface 51 in a vertical plane above the horizontal plane. The incident light beam is emitted below the horizontal plane without being emitted.

  Further, as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the second refracting surface 54 deflects incident light emitted from the light emitting element 40 and incident on the incident surface 51 more downward than the first refracting surface 53. Let it emit.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 7, with respect to the outgoing light beam emitted from the predetermined point of the light emitting element 40 and emitted from the first refractive surface 53, the deflection angle of the outgoing light beam downward by the first refractive surface 53 with respect to the horizontal plane. Increases gradually with increasing distance from the optical axis Ax. Similarly, as shown in FIG. 8, with respect to the outgoing light beam that is emitted from the predetermined point of the light emitting element 40 and is emitted from the refractive surface 54, the deflection angle of the outgoing light beam downward by the second refractive surface 54 with respect to the horizontal plane is As the distance from the optical axis Ax increases, the size gradually increases. Similarly, as shown in FIG. 9, with respect to the outgoing light emitted from the predetermined point of the light emitting element 40 and emitted from the refractive surface 54, the deflection angle of the outgoing light beam downward by the third refractive surface 55 with respect to the horizontal plane is As the distance from the optical axis Ax increases, the size gradually increases.

  FIG. 10 shows a light source image projected on the virtual screen by the incident surface 51 and the first refracting surface 53 of the convex lens portion 58. FIG. 11 shows a light source image projected on the virtual screen by the incident surface 51 and the second refracting surface 54 of the convex lens portion 58. FIG. 12 shows a light source image projected on the virtual screen by the incident surface 51 and the third refracting surface 55 of the convex lens portion 58. FIG. 13 is a combination of the light source images shown in FIGS. Here, in FIGS. 10-12, the light source image projected on the reference | standard horizontal surface among the refractive surfaces 53-55 and its vicinity is shown. The virtual screen is a virtual surface that is a predetermined distance away from the vehicular lamp 1 and is orthogonal to the optical axis Ax. 10 to 13, a line H is an intersection line between the virtual screen and the reference horizontal plane, and a line V is an intersection line between the virtual screen and the reference vertical plane.

  As shown in FIGS. 10 to 13, the inverted projection image I of the light emitting element 40 is projected on the virtual screen so as to be arranged in the left-right direction by the entire convex lens portion 58. This is because light rays emitted from a predetermined point of the light emitting element 40 are emitted so as to diffuse to the left and right sides by the emission surface 52 in the horizontal plane.

  Although not shown, the inverted projection image I of the light emitting element 40 is projected on the virtual screen by the convex lens unit 58 so as to be arranged in the vertical direction below the H line. The projected portion of the inverted projection image I of the light emitting element 40 is in the vicinity of the H line depending on the portion near the reference horizontal plane in the convex lens portion 58, and gradually moves downward from the H line as it moves away from the reference horizontal plane. This is because, for light rays emitted from a predetermined point of the light emitting element 40, the deflection angle of the outgoing light rays by the refracting surfaces 53 to 55 with respect to the horizontal plane gradually increases as the distance from the optical axis Ax increases and decreases. is there.

  As shown in FIG. 10, the combination of the entrance surface 51 and the first refracting surface 53 is slightly closer to the own lane side (left side) than the vertical line V <b> 1 on the own lane side (left side) with respect to the line V. A reverse projection image I of the light emitting element 40 is projected in a lower region. The combination of the incident surface 51 and the first refracting surface 53 does not project the reverse projection image I of the light emitting element 40 on the opposite lane side or above the line H with respect to the vertical line V1. Of the inverted projection image I of the light emitting element 40 projected by the combination of the incident surface 51 and the first refracting surface 53, the upper edge of the projection image I projected on the top is aligned with the line H. The lower long side 44 is projected. In addition, the intersection of the vertical line V1 and the line V is called intersection E1.

  As shown in FIG. 11, the combination of the incident surface 51 and the second refracting surface 54 projects the inverted projection image I of the light emitting element 40 below the horizontal line H1 slightly below the line H. The combination of the incident surface 51 and the second refracting surface 54 does not project the reverse projection image I of the light emitting element 40 above the horizontal line H1. The upper edge of the inverted projection image I of the light emitting element 40 projected by the combination of the incident surface 51 and the second refracting surface 54 is the uppermost one aligned with the horizontal line H1, and the upper edge is the light emitting element. The lower long side 44 of 40 is projected. The intersection of the horizontal line H1 and the line H is referred to as an intersection E2.

  As shown in FIG. 12, the combination of the incident surface 51 and the third refracting surface 55 projects the inverted projection image I of the light emitting element 40 below the oblique line T connecting the intersection point E1 and the intersection point E2. The combination of the incident surface 51 and the third refracting surface 55 does not project the reverse projection image I of the light emitting element 40 above the oblique line T or above the reference horizontal line. Further, in the combination of the incident surface 51 and the third refracting surface 55, a portion near the reference horizontal plane projects so that the corner 46 of the light emitting element 40 is aligned with the oblique line T.

  As shown in FIG. 14, the light-emitting element 40 emits light, and the light emitted from the light-emitting element 40 is deflected by the convex lens portion 58 and projected forward, whereby a cut-off line that divides the bright portion B from the dark portion is defined as the bright portion B. A light distribution pattern on the upper edge is formed on the virtual screen. In this light distribution pattern, the cut-off line at the upper edge of the bright part B is the own lane side horizontal cut-off line C1 along the line H on the own lane side (left side) with respect to the vertical line V1, and the opposite lane side with respect to the line V. (Right side) diagonally from the right end of the own lane side horizontal cut-off line C1 to the left end of the opposite lane side horizontal cut-off line C2 between the opposite lane side horizontal cut-off line C2 along the horizontal line H1 and the line V and the vertical line V1 And an oblique cut-off line C3 that is lowered. The end of the own lane side horizontal cut-off line C1 near the optical axis Ax coincides with the intersection E1, the end of the opposite lane side horizontal cut-off line C2 near the optical axis Ax coincides with the intersection point E2, and the oblique cut-off line C3 matches the intersection point E1. A line segment connecting the intersection E2.

  FIG. 15 is a diagram showing an irradiation region B1 of a light beam emitted forward from the first refractive surface 53. As shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 15, the first refracting surface 53 emits an incident light beam emitted from the light emitting element 40 and incident on the incident surface 51 forward, and irradiates the irradiation region B1 with the emitted light beam. The irradiation area B1 is an area on the own lane side with the vertical line V1 on the own lane side from the reference vertical plane as a limit, in the area below the reference horizontal plane as an upper limit. The upper edge of the irradiation area B1 is the own lane side horizontal cutoff line C1.

  The irradiation area B1 extends downward from the line H. This is because the projection portion of the inverted projection image I of the light emitting element 40 is near the H line depending on the portion near the reference horizontal plane in the first refracting surface 53, and gradually moves downward from the H line as it moves vertically away from the reference horizontal plane. It is to go. That is, for light rays emitted from a predetermined point of the light emitting element 40, the deflection angle of the outgoing light rays by the first refracting surface 53 with respect to the horizontal plane gradually increases as the distance from the optical axis Ax increases and decreases. .

  In the irradiation area B1, it is brightest in the vicinity of the own lane side horizontal cut-off line C1, and becomes gradually darker away from the own lane side horizontal cut-off line C1. This is because, for a light beam emitted from a predetermined point of the light emitting element 40, the deflection angle of the light beam emitted downward by the first refracting surface 53 with respect to the horizontal plane gradually increases as the distance from the optical axis Ax increases and decreases. is there. Since the brightness in the irradiation area B1 gradually becomes darker as it moves downward from the own lane side horizontal cut-off line C1, there is no large difference in brightness between the far side and the near side. Therefore, the visibility on the near side for the driver can be increased.

  FIG. 16 is a view showing an irradiation region B2 of a light beam emitted forward from the second refractive surface 54. As shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 16, the second refracting surface 54 emits the incident light beam emitted from the light emitting element 40 and incident on the incident surface 51 forward, and irradiates the irradiation region B2 with the emitted light beam. The irradiation area B2 is an area below the upper limit of the horizontal line H1 below the reference horizontal plane. The upper edge of the irradiation area B2 is the opposite lane side horizontal cutoff line C2.

  The irradiation area B2 extends downward from the horizontal line H1. This is because the projected portion of the inverted projection image I of the light emitting element 40 is near the horizontal line H1 depending on the portion near the reference horizontal plane in the second refracting surface 54, and gradually moves downward from the horizontal line H1 as it moves up and down from the reference horizontal plane. It is to go. That is, for light rays emitted from a predetermined point of the light emitting element 40, the deflection angle of the outgoing light rays downward by the second refracting surface 54 with respect to the horizontal plane gradually increases as the distance from the optical axis Ax increases and decreases. .

  In the irradiation area B2, it is brightest in the vicinity of the oncoming lane side horizontal cut-off line C2, and gradually becomes darker as it moves downward from the oncoming lane side horizontal cut off line C2. This is because, for a light beam emitted from a predetermined point of the light emitting element 40, the deflection angle of the light beam emitted downward by the second refracting surface 54 with respect to the horizontal plane gradually increases as the distance from the optical axis Ax increases. is there. Since the brightness in the irradiation area B2 gradually becomes darker as it goes away from the oncoming lane side horizontal cut-off line C2, there is no great contrast between the far side and the near side. Therefore, the visibility on the near side for the driver can be increased.

  As shown in FIG. 17, the third refracting surface 55 emits the incident light beam emitted from the light emitting element 40 and incident on the incident surface 51 forward, and irradiates the irradiation region B3 with the emitted light beam. In the irradiation area B3, the portion closer to the optical axis Ax than the vertical line V1 is an area below the upper limit of the oblique line T connecting the intersection E1 and the intersection E2, and the upper edge of the area is an oblique cutoff line. C3. Further, a portion of the irradiation area B3 closer to the own lane than the vertical line V1 is an area below the reference horizontal plane, and an upper edge of the area becomes the own lane side horizontal cut-off line C1.

  The irradiation area B3 extends downward from the oblique line T. This is because the projected portion of the inverted projection image I of the light emitting element 40 is near the oblique line T depending on the portion near the reference horizontal plane in the third refracting surface 55, and gradually decreases downward from the oblique line T as it moves away from the reference horizontal plane. This is to leave. That is, for light rays emitted from a predetermined point of the light emitting element 40, the deflection angle of the outgoing light rays downward by the third refracting surface 55 with respect to the horizontal plane gradually increases as the distance from the optical axis Ax increases. .

  In the irradiation area B3, it is brightest in the vicinity of the oblique cut-off line C3, and becomes gradually darker as it moves downward from the oblique cut-off line C3. This is because, for a light beam emitted from a predetermined point of the light emitting element 40, the deflection angle of the light beam emitted downward by the third refracting surface 55 with respect to the horizontal plane gradually increases as the distance from the optical axis Ax increases. is there. Since the brightness in the irradiation area B3 gradually becomes darker as it moves downward from the oblique cut-off line C3, there is no great contrast between the far side and the near side. Therefore, the visibility on the near side for the driver can be increased.

  As described above, the bright portion B shown in FIG. 14 is obtained by combining the bright portions in the irradiation regions B1 to B3 shown in FIGS. As described above, since the outgoing light beam emitted from the first refracting surface 53 is applied to the area on the own lane side with the vertical line V1 as a limit, the oblique cutoff line C3 is obscured by the outgoing light beam. There is no such thing as

  As shown in FIG. 6, the prism emission surface 62 emits the incident light beam that is emitted from a predetermined point of the light emitting element 40 and is incident on the prism incident surface 61 in a horizontal plane so as to diffuse to the left and right sides. As shown in FIGS. 7 to 9, the prism emission surface 62 does not emit the incident light beam emitted from a predetermined point of the light emitting element 40 and incident on the prism incident surface 61 in the vertical plane above the horizontal plane. The incident light beam is emitted below the horizontal plane.

FIG. 18 shows a light distribution pattern formed by the convex lens portion 58 and a light distribution pattern formed by the prism portion 60.
The prism emitting surface 62 of the prism unit 60 emits the incident light emitted from the light emitting element 40 and incident on the prism incident surface 61 to the front, and irradiates the irradiated region B4 with the emitted light. The irradiation region B4 is a region below the upper limit of the horizontal line H1 below the reference horizontal plane. The upper edge of the irradiation area B4 overlaps the oncoming lane side horizontal cutoff line C2. Since the upper edge of the irradiation area B4 and the upper edge of the irradiation area B2 (see FIG. 16) overlap on the opposite lane side with respect to the reference vertical plane, the opposite lane side horizontal cutoff line C2 appears clearly.

  Since the prism exit surface 62 emits the light forward in a horizontal plane so as to diffuse the light to the left and right sides, the irradiation region B4 extends from the line V to the left and right. In addition, since the prism exit surface 62 emits below the horizontal plane in the vertical plane, the irradiation region B4 extends downward from the horizontal line H1.

  As described above, the brightness of the bright part B formed by the convex lens part 58 gradually decreases toward the bottom, so that there is no great contrast between the far side and the near side. Therefore, the visibility on the near side for the driver can be increased.

  Further, since the own lane side horizontal cut-off line C1 is formed on the oncoming lane side horizontal cut-off line C2, the occurrence of glare with respect to the oncoming vehicle can be suppressed while ensuring the visibility on the side road side of the own lane. . That is, the vehicular lamp 1 can be used as a low beam for passing.

  Since the prism portion 60 is provided around the convex lens portion 58, the bright portion B formed by the convex lens portion 58 is reinforced by the bright portion (irradiation region B4) formed by the prism portion 60. Therefore, it is possible to obtain a light distribution that spreads to the left and right as a whole.

  Further, since the projection lens 50 is a full-lens convex lens, the aperture of the projection lens 50 can be increased without increasing the thickness of the projection lens 50, and a brighter and wider light distribution can be obtained. it can.

In the present embodiment, the vehicular lamp 1 is for left-hand traffic, but may be for right-hand traffic. In this case, the projection lens 50 is reversed left and right when viewed from the front.
Further, although the incident surface 51 is a spherical surface, it may be a flat surface, a cylindrical surface, or an aspherical surface (arbitrary free-form surface). When the incident surface 51 is changed to a plane, spherical surface, or aspherical surface, the curve shape of the output surface 52 may be changed to refract the light emitted from the output surface 52 as described above.

[Second Embodiment]
FIG. 19 is a perspective view of a vehicular lamp 1A according to the second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 20 is a front view of the vehicular lamp 1A. Portions corresponding to each other between the vehicular lamp 1A of the second embodiment and the vehicular lamp 1 of the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals. Differences among the portions corresponding to each other between the vehicular lamp 1A of the second embodiment and the vehicular lamp 1 of the first embodiment will be described. Except as described below, portions corresponding to each other between the vehicular lamp 1A of the second embodiment and the vehicular lamp 1 of the first embodiment are similarly provided.

  In the vehicular lamp 1A of the second embodiment, the prism exit surface 62 of the prism unit 60 includes the fourth refracting surface 63 in the own lane side (left side) region and the fifth on the remaining oncoming lane side (right side) region. And a refracting surface 64. When viewed from the front, the boundary line separating the fourth refracting surface 63 and the fifth refracting surface 64 is parallel to the reference vertical surface, and the boundary line is located in the vicinity of the reference vertical surface.

  Even if the prism exit surface 62 is composed of these refracting surfaces 63 and 64, the prism exit surface 62 emits incident light rays that are emitted from a predetermined point of the light emitting element 40 and enter the prism entrance surface 61 in the horizontal plane in the horizontal plane. (See FIG. 6).

  The fourth refracting surface 63 on the own lane side of the prism emitting surface 62 does not emit the incident light beam emitted from a predetermined point of the light emitting element 40 and incident on the prism incident surface 61 in the vertical plane above the horizontal plane. A part of the incident light beam is emitted below the horizontal plane, and the remaining part is emitted along the horizontal plane. In the vertical plane, the fifth refracting surface 64 does not emit the incident light beam emitted from a predetermined point of the light emitting element 40 and incident on the prism incident surface 61 above the horizontal plane, and emits the incident light beam below the horizontal plane. Let

  FIG. 22 shows a light distribution pattern formed by the convex lens portion 58 and a light distribution pattern formed by the prism portion 60.

  The fourth refracting surface 63 of the prism unit 60 emits the incident light beam emitted from the light emitting element 40 and incident on the prism incident surface 61 forward, and irradiates the irradiation region B5 with the emitted light beam. The irradiation area B5 is an area on the own lane side with the vertical line V1 on the own lane side relative to the reference vertical plane as a limit among the areas below the reference horizontal plane as the upper limit. The upper edge of the irradiation area B5 overlaps with the upper edge of the irradiation area B1 (see FIG. 15), and the upper edge thereof becomes the own lane side horizontal cutoff line C1. Since the upper edge of the irradiation area B5 overlaps with the upper edge of the irradiation area B1 (see FIG. 15), the own lane side horizontal cutoff line C1 appears clearly. Further, since the outgoing light beam emitted by the fourth refracting surface 63 is irradiated to the area on the own lane side with respect to the vertical line V1 on the own lane side with respect to the reference vertical surface, it is obliquely cut by these emitted light rays. The offline C3 is never obscured.

  The fifth refracting surface 64 of the prism unit 60 emits the incident light emitted from the light emitting element 40 and incident on the prism incident surface 61 to the front, and emits the emitted light to the irradiation region B6. The irradiation area B6 is an area below the upper limit of the horizontal line H1 below the reference horizontal plane. The upper edge of the irradiation area B6 becomes the opposite lane side horizontal cutoff line C2. Since the upper edge of the irradiation area B6 overlaps with the upper edge of the irradiation area B2 (see FIG. 16), the upper edge becomes the opposite lane side horizontal cutoff line C2, and the opposite lane side horizontal cutoff line C2 appears clearly.

[Third Embodiment]
FIG. 22 is a perspective view of a vehicular lamp 1B according to the third embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 23 is a front view of the vehicular lamp 1B. Parts corresponding to each other between the vehicular lamp 1B of the third embodiment and the vehicular lamp 1 of the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals. Differences among the portions corresponding to each other between the vehicular lamp 1B of the third embodiment and the vehicular lamp 1 of the first embodiment will be described. Except for what has been described below, portions corresponding to each other between the vehicular lamp 1B of the third embodiment and the vehicular lamp 1 of the first embodiment are similarly provided.

  In the vehicular lamp 1B of the third embodiment, the prism exit surface 62 of the prism unit 60 includes the fourth refracting surface 63 in the area on the own lane side (left side) with respect to the reference vertical plane, and the opposite lane side with respect to the reference vertical plane. The fifth refracting surface 64 in the (right) region and the sixth refracting surface 65 in the region between the fourth refracting surface 63 and the fifth refracting surface 64 are configured. When viewed from the front, the edge on the own lane side of the fifth refracting surface 64 overlaps the reference vertical plane, and the edge on the opposite lane side of the sixth refracting surface 65 also overlaps the reference vertical plane. The edge of the sixth refracting surface 65 on the own lane side is located slightly on the own lane side (left side) with respect to the reference vertical plane. The edge on the own lane side of the sixth refracting surface 65 and the edge on the opposite lane side of the fourth refracting surface 63 overlap, and these edges are provided in parallel to the reference vertical plane.

  Even if the prism exit surface 62 is composed of these refracting surfaces 63 to 65, the prism exit surface 62 emits incident light rays that are emitted from a predetermined point of the light emitting element 40 and enter the prism entrance surface 61 in the horizontal plane in the horizontal plane. (See FIG. 6).

  The fourth refracting surface 63 on the own lane side of the prism emitting surface 62 does not emit the incident light beam emitted from a predetermined point of the light emitting element 40 and incident on the prism incident surface 61 in the vertical plane above the horizontal plane. A part of the incident light beam is emitted below the horizontal plane, and the remaining part is emitted along the horizontal plane. In the vertical plane, the fifth refracting surface 64 does not emit the incident light beam emitted from a predetermined point of the light emitting element 40 and incident on the prism incident surface 61 above the horizontal plane, and emits the incident light beam below the horizontal plane. Let In the vertical plane, the sixth refracting surface 65 does not emit the incident light beam emitted from a predetermined point of the light emitting element 40 and incident on the prism incident surface 61 above the horizontal plane, and emits the incident light beam below the horizontal plane. Let

  FIG. 24 shows a light distribution pattern formed by the convex lens portion 58 and a light distribution pattern formed by the prism portion 60.

  The fourth refracting surface 63 of the prism unit 60 emits the incident light beam emitted from the light emitting element 40 and incident on the prism incident surface 61 forward, and irradiates the irradiation region B7 with the emitted light beam. The irradiation area B7 is an area on the own lane side with the vertical line V1 as a limit, out of the areas below the reference horizontal plane as the upper limit. The upper edge of the irradiation area B7 overlaps with the upper edge of the irradiation area B1 (see FIG. 15), and the upper edge thereof becomes the own lane side horizontal cutoff line C1. Since the upper edge of the irradiation region B7 overlaps the upper edge of the irradiation region B1 (see FIG. 15), the own lane side horizontal cutoff line C1 appears clearly. Further, since the outgoing light beam emitted by the fourth refracting surface 63 is irradiated to the area on the own lane side with respect to the vertical line V1 on the own lane side with respect to the reference vertical surface, it is obliquely cut by these emitted light rays. The offline C3 is never obscured.

  The fifth refracting surface 64 of the prism unit 60 emits the incident light emitted from the light emitting element 40 and incident on the prism incident surface 61 to the front, and emits the emitted light to the irradiation region B8. The irradiation region B8 is a region below the upper limit of the horizontal line H1 below the reference horizontal plane. The upper edge of the irradiation area B8 is the opposite lane side horizontal cutoff line C2. Since the upper edge of the irradiation area B8 overlaps with the upper edge of the irradiation area B2 (see FIG. 16), the upper edge becomes the opposite lane side horizontal cutoff line C2, and the opposite lane side horizontal cutoff line C2 clearly appears.

  The sixth refracting surface 65 of the prism unit 60 emits the incident light emitted from the light emitting element 40 and incident on the prism incident surface 61 to the front, and irradiates the emitted light to the irradiation region B8. The portion of the irradiation area B8 closer to the optical axis Ax than the vertical line V1 is an area below the upper limit of an oblique line connecting the intersection E1 and the intersection E2. Further, the portion of the irradiation area B3 near the vertical line V1 is also an area below the reference horizontal plane, and the upper edge of the area is the own lane side horizontal cutoff line C1. Since the upper edge of the irradiation area B8 overlaps with the upper edge of the irradiation area B3 (see FIG. 17), the oblique cutoff line C3 and the own lane side horizontal cutoff line C1 appear clearly.

[Other Embodiments]
The vehicular lamp described above has a desired light distribution pattern as a vehicular lamp by using one (one set) of lamps, but the vehicular lamp of the present invention is not limited to this example. That is, the vehicle lamp of the present invention and other vehicle lamps (not shown) can be used in combination. In that case, a configuration in which a desired light distribution pattern as a vehicular lamp is established by a combination of the vehicular lamp of the present invention and another vehicular lamp may be employed.

1, 1A, 1B Vehicle lamp 40 Light emitting element 43 Short side (side of own lane side)
46 angle 50 projection lens 51 entrance surface 52 exit surface 53 first refracting surface 54 second refracting surface 55 third refracting surface 58 convex lens portion 60 prism portion 61 prism entrance surface 62 prism exit surface 63 fourth refracting surface 64 fifth refracting surface 64 65 Sixth refracting surface Ax Optical axis C1 Own lane side horizontal cut-off line C2 Opposite lane side horizontal cut-off line C3 Oblique cut-off line

Claims (4)

A light emitting element that is installed forward and has a lower side that is horizontally provided when viewed from the front, a side that is on the own lane side when viewed from the front, and a corner at which the lower side and the side intersect.
A projection lens disposed on an optical axis extending forward from the corner of the light emitting element, and projecting light emitted from the light emitting element forward;
The projection lens has a rear-side incident surface on which light emitted from the light-emitting element is incident, and a front-side emission surface that emits incident light incident on the incident surface forward;
The exit surface is a first refracting surface in a region on the own lane side, a second refracting surface in a region on the opposite lane side, and a third refracting surface in a region between the first refracting surface and the second refracting surface. And consists of
The exit surface emits light emitted from the light emitting element and incident on the entrance surface so as to diffuse to the left and right sides,
The first refracting surface has a horizontal plane passing through the optical axis as an upper limit, and in a region below the upper limit, a predetermined position on the own lane side with respect to a vertical plane passing through the optical axis as a limit is closer to the own lane side than that. Irradiating the region, emitting the light emitted from the light emitting element and incident on the incident surface,
The second refracting surface emits a light beam emitted from the light emitting element and incident on the incident surface so as to irradiate a region below the upper limit of a predetermined position below a horizontal plane passing through the optical axis. Let
The third refracting surface is a region below the upper limit of a line segment that descends obliquely from the upper end of the irradiation region by the first refracting surface to the upper limit of the irradiation region by the second refracting surface. To emit light rays emitted from the light emitting element and incident on the incident surface,
The first refracting surface gradually increases the deflection angle with respect to the horizontal plane of the light beam emitted from the light emitting element and emitted from the first refracting surface as the light beam moves up and down from the optical axis,
The second refracting surface gradually increases the downward deflection angle with respect to the horizontal plane of the light beam emitted from the light emitting element and emitted from the second refracting surface as the light beam moves up and down from the optical axis,
The third refracting surface gradually increases a downward deflection angle with respect to a horizontal plane of a light beam emitted from the light emitting element and emitted from the third refracting surface as the light beam moves up and down from the optical axis. A vehicular lamp characterized by the above. The projection lens has a prism portion provided on the outer periphery of the entrance surface and the exit surface,
The prism portion has a rear prism incident surface on which light emitted from the light emitting element is incident, and a front prism exit surface that emits incident light incident on the prism incident surface forward,
The prism exit surface emits a light beam emitted from the light emitting element and incident on the prism incident surface so as to diffuse to the left and right sides, and
The prism emitting surface emits a light beam emitted from the light emitting element and incident on the prism incident surface so as to irradiate a region below the upper limit of a predetermined position below a horizontal plane passing through the optical axis. The vehicular lamp according to claim 1, wherein: The projection lens has a prism portion provided on the outer periphery of the entrance surface and the exit surface,
The prism portion has a rear prism incident surface on which light emitted from the light emitting element is incident, and a front prism exit surface that emits incident light incident on the prism incident surface forward,
The prism exit surface is composed of a fourth refracting surface in a region on the own lane side and a fifth refracting surface in a region on the opposite lane side,
The prism exit surface emits the light emitted from the light emitting element and incident on the prism entrance surface to diffuse to the left and right sides,
The fourth refracting surface has a horizontal plane passing through the optical axis as an upper limit, and a region below the vertical plane passing through the optical axis, with a predetermined position on the own lane side as a limit from the vertical plane passing through the optical axis. Irradiating the region, emitting the light emitted from the light emitting element and incident on the prism incident surface,
The fifth refracting surface irradiates a region below the upper limit of a predetermined position below a horizontal plane passing through the optical axis, and emits a light beam emitted from the light emitting element and incident on the prism incident surface. The vehicular lamp according to claim 1, wherein the vehicular lamp is emitted. The projection lens has a prism portion provided on the outer periphery of the entrance surface and the exit surface,
The prism portion has a rear prism incident surface on which light emitted from the light emitting element is incident, and a front prism exit surface that emits incident light incident on the prism incident surface forward,
The prism exit surface is a fourth refracting surface in the area on the own lane side, a fifth refracting surface in the area on the opposite lane side, and a sixth refraction in the area between the fourth refracting surface and the fifth refracting surface. A plane, and
The prism exit surface emits the light emitted from the light emitting element and incident on the prism entrance surface to diffuse to the left and right sides,
The fourth refracting surface has a horizontal plane passing through the optical axis as an upper limit, and a region below the vertical plane passing through the optical axis, with a predetermined position on the own lane side as a limit from the vertical plane passing through the optical axis. Irradiating the region, emitting the light emitted from the light emitting element and incident on the prism incident surface,
The fifth refracting surface irradiates a region below the upper limit of a predetermined position below a horizontal plane passing through the optical axis, and emits a light beam emitted from the light emitting element and incident on the prism incident surface. Let it go,
The sixth refracting surface irradiates the lower region with the upper limit of a line segment that descends obliquely from the end near the optical axis at the upper limit of the irradiation region by the fourth refracting surface to the upper limit of the irradiation region by the fifth refracting surface. Thus, the vehicular lamp according to claim 1, wherein a light beam emitted from the light emitting element and incident on the prism incident surface is emitted.

Images