JP2011249080A - Vehicular lamp unit - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a vehicular lamp unit capable of preventing or reducing occurrence of a gap (a part darker than surroundings) between a plurality of irradiation ranges which are lighting-on/off controlled independently.SOLUTION: The vehicular lamp unit is provided with a projection lens and a light source unit arranged on a further rear side than a rear side focal point face of the projection lens. The light source unit comprises a plurality of cylindrical parts on the inner circumference face of which a reflection face is formed and a plurality of light emitting elements which emit light which enters into the cylindrical part from an incident port which is one end of the cylindrical part, is reflected by the reflection face, and is emitted from an emission port or the other end of the cylindrical part, and the emission ports of the plurality of the cylindrical parts are arranged neighbored almost in a horizontal direction in the vicinity of the focal point face of the projection lens, and the neighboring emission ports out of the emission ports of the cylindrical parts are structured including the same vertical edges and partitioned by the same vertical edges, and each of the plurality of the cylindrical parts is structured in a shape of an almost conical shape narrowing from the emission port toward the incident port.

Description

  The present invention relates to a vehicular lamp unit, and more particularly to a vehicular lamp unit capable of preventing or reducing the formation of gaps (darker portions than the surroundings) between a plurality of irradiation areas that are individually controlled to be turned on and off. .

  Conventionally, a vehicular lamp unit that forms a light distribution pattern including a plurality of irradiation regions that are individually controlled to be turned on and off is known (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

  As shown in FIG. 12, the vehicular lamp unit 200 described in Patent Document 1 includes a plurality of cylindrical members 210 whose inner peripheral surfaces 211 are mirror-finished, and one end of the cylindrical member 210 via a reflector 220. A plurality of light emitting elements 230 that emit light emitted from the other end 213 (exit port) of the cylindrical member 210 by being reflected from the inner peripheral surface 211 that has entered the cylindrical member 210 from 212 and is subjected to mirror surface treatment. I have. The exit ports 213 of the plurality of cylindrical members 210 are disposed in the vicinity of the rear focal plane of the projection lens 240.

  In the vehicular lamp unit 200 described in Patent Document 1 having the above-described configuration, light from the light emitting element 230 enters the cylindrical member 210 from one end 212 of the corresponding cylindrical member 210 via the reflector 220 and is subjected to mirror surface processing. Is reflected by the inner peripheral surface 211 to which the light is applied and exits from the exit port 213, and a uniform (or specific) luminous intensity distribution is formed at the exit port 213. The exit port 213 (that is, the luminous intensity distribution formed at the exit port 213) is reversely projected forward by the action of the projection lens 240, and forms a light distribution pattern including a plurality of irradiation regions that are individually controlled to be turned on and off.

JP 2009-070679 A

  However, in the vehicular lamp unit 200 configured as described above, the thick portion B exists between the exit ports 213 adjacent to each other among the plurality of exit ports 213. In other words, there is a problem that gaps (parts darker than the surroundings) are formed between a plurality of irradiation areas that are controlled to be turned on and off.

  The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and it is possible to prevent or reduce the formation of gaps (darker portions than the surroundings) between a plurality of irradiation regions that are individually controlled to be turned on and off. An object is to provide a vehicular lamp unit.

  In order to solve the above-mentioned problem, the invention according to claim 1 is directed to a vehicular lamp unit including a projection lens and a light source unit disposed rearward of a rear focal plane of the projection lens. The light source unit includes a plurality of cylindrical portions each having a reflection surface formed on an inner peripheral surface, and is incident on the cylindrical portion from an incident port which is one end of the cylindrical portion, and is reflected by the reflective surface and is reflected at the other end of the cylindrical portion. A plurality of light emitting elements that emit light emitted from a certain exit port, and the exit ports of the plurality of cylindrical portions are disposed adjacent to each other in a substantially horizontal direction near the focal plane of the projection lens, The exit ports adjacent to each other among the exit ports of the plurality of cylindrical portions are configured to include the same vertical edge and are partitioned by the same vertical edge, and each of the plurality of cylindrical portions is separated from the exit port. As it goes to the entrance, it narrows in a substantially conical shape. Characterized in that it is configured in that shape.

  According to the first aspect of the present invention, the adjacent outlets among the plurality of outlets are not separated by the conventional thick portion, but are separated by the vertical edges that can almost ignore the width thereof. Since the plurality of exit openings (that is, luminous intensity distributions formed at the exit openings) are inverted and projected forward by the action of the projection lens, between the irradiation areas that are individually controlled to be turned on and off It is possible to prevent or reduce the formation of gaps (parts darker than the surroundings).

  The invention according to claim 2 is the invention according to claim 1, further comprising a light guide member including the plurality of cylindrical portions, wherein the plurality of light emitting elements have a light emitting surface facing forward of the vehicle. The light guide members are arranged in a row in the horizontal direction so that light from the plurality of light emitting elements is incident on the plurality of tube portions from the entrances of the plurality of tube portions. It is arranged in front of the light emitting element.

  According to the second aspect of the present invention, since the plurality of light emitting elements are arranged in a line in the horizontal direction with the light emitting surface facing the front of the vehicle, the plurality of light emitting elements are dispersedly arranged in the optical axis direction. Therefore, it is possible to configure a small vehicle lamp unit that has a shorter dimension in the optical axis direction than the conventional one.

  As described above, according to the present invention, there is provided a vehicular lamp unit capable of preventing or reducing gaps (parts darker than the surroundings) between a plurality of irradiation areas that are individually controlled to be turned on and off. It becomes possible to provide.

1 is a horizontal sectional view of a right vehicle lamp including a vehicle lamp unit 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a perspective view of a vehicular lamp unit 10. FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a vehicular lamp unit 10. FIG. (A) Top view of vehicle lamp unit 10, (b) Front view, (c) Side view. (A) It is AA sectional drawing of the light source unit 30 shown in FIG.5 (b), (b) Front view, (c) It is BB sectional drawing of the light source unit 30 shown in FIG.5 (b). 4 is a diagram for explaining the relationship between light from the light emitting element 33a and the projection lens 20. FIG. (A) the manner in which a wide angle of light Ray2 respect to the optical axis AX of the light from the light emitting element 33a incident on the cylindrical portion 31 is emitted from the exit _31c 1 _{~31c 9} in a single reflection schematically showing FIG. 8 is a longitudinal sectional view, (b) an enlarged view of the inside of the circle in FIG. (A) the manner in which a wide angle of light Ray2 respect to the optical axis AX of the light from the light emitting element 33a incident on the cylindrical portion 31 is emitted from the exit _31c 1 _{~31c 9} in a single reflection schematically showing FIG. 9B is an enlarged view of the inside of the circle in FIG. 8A. (A) An example of a light distribution pattern P2 formed by a lamp unit 70 dedicated to a passing beam, (b) an example of a light distribution pattern P1L formed by a left vehicle lamp unit 10, (c) a right vehicle lamp It is an example of the light distribution pattern P1R formed by the unit 10, and (d) is an example of the synthetic | combination light distribution pattern which overlap | superposed each light distribution pattern P1L, P1R, and P2. (A) Example of a combined light distribution pattern formed when the light emitting element 33a corresponding to the irradiation area covering the oncoming vehicle V (or preceding vehicle) existing in the distance is turned off or dimmed, (b) existing in the distance Example of a combined light distribution pattern formed when the light emitting element 33a corresponding to the irradiation area covering the oncoming vehicle V (or the preceding vehicle) is turned off or dimmed, (c) the oncoming vehicle V (or the vicinity) existing in the vicinity It is an example of the synthetic | combination light distribution pattern formed when the light emitting element 33a corresponding to the irradiation area | region which covers a preceding vehicle is light-extinguished or dimmed. It is a figure for demonstrating the modification of the light guide member. It is a figure for demonstrating the structure of the vehicle lamp unit which forms the light distribution pattern containing the several irradiation area | region by which the conventional lighting-off control is carried out separately.

  Hereinafter, a vehicular lamp unit according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the vehicular lamp unit 10 according to the present embodiment is disposed in a lamp chamber 60 configured by combining a housing 61 and a translucent cover 62 together with a lamp unit 70 dedicated to a passing beam. .

  The vehicular lamp unit 10 and the lamp unit 70 dedicated to the passing beam are respectively disposed on the left and right sides of the front portion of the vehicle.

  As shown in FIGS. 2 to 4, the vehicle lamp unit 10 is disposed on the rear side of the rear focal plane of the projection lens 20 disposed on the optical axis AX extending in the vehicle front-rear direction. A light source unit 30 and the like are provided.

  The projection lens 20 is an aspheric lens, and is held by the lens holding frame 40 and fixed to the heat sink 50 with screws.

  As shown in FIG. 5A to FIG. 5C, the light source unit 30 includes a light guide member 32 including a plurality of tube portions 31 having a reflection surface 31 a formed on the inner peripheral surface, and one end of the tube portion 31. A substrate 33 on which a plurality of light emitting elements 33a that emit light emitted from an exit port 31c that is incident on the cylindrical surface 31 from the incident port 31b and is reflected by the reflecting surface 31a and that is the other end of the cylindrical portion 31 are mounted; It is equipped with.

  The light emitting elements 33a are arranged in a line on the metal substrate 33 at a constant interval (about 2 mm) (see FIG. 3). The substrate 33 is screwed and fixed to the heat sink 50 so that the light emitting surface of the light emitting element 33a faces in front of the vehicle, is arranged in a row in the horizontal direction, and is symmetrical with respect to the optical axis AX ( (See FIG. 2).

  As the light emitting element 33a, for example, a white LED having the same configuration having a 0.7 mm square light emitting surface (a white LED combining a blue LED chip and a phosphor, a white LED combining a near ultraviolet LED chip and a phosphor, Alternatively, it is possible to use a white LED in which LED chips of RGB colors are combined. As the light emitting element 33a, other light emitting diodes, laser diodes, or the like can be used.

  As shown in FIG. 6, the light emitted from the light emitting element 33a includes not only the light Ray1 in the narrow angle direction with respect to the optical axis AX but also the light Ray2 in the wide angle direction with respect to the optical axis AX. A light guide member 32 that controls the light Ray2 in the wide-angle direction with respect to the optical axis AX is disposed in front of each light-emitting element 33a so that the light Ray2 in the wide-angle direction with respect to the optical axis AX also enters the projection lens 20. (Refer to FIG. 2 etc.).

  As shown in FIGS. 5A to 5C, the light guide member 32 includes a plurality of cylindrical portions 31 that communicate a front surface disposed on the vehicle front side and a rear surface disposed on the vehicle rear side. (Cylindrical opening) is included. A reflective surface 31 a is formed on the inner peripheral surface of each cylindrical portion 31 by performing mirror surface treatment (for example, aluminum vapor deposition). The light guide member 32 is integrally formed, for example, by injection molding a plastic material having heat resistance.

Each of the plurality of cylindrical portions 31 has an incident port 31b disposed in front of the corresponding light emitting element 33a and an exit port 31c _{1 to} 31c disposed on the front side of the vehicle so that light from the corresponding light emitting element 33a enters. ₉ is included.

  The light guide member 32 is configured so that light Ray1 and Ray2 (see FIG. 6) from the light emitting element 33a emitted in the narrow angle direction and the wide angle direction with respect to the optical axis AX are incident into the cylindrical portion 31 from the incident port 31b. After positioning with respect to the substrate 33 by positioning pins (not shown), the substrate 33 is fixed to the heat sink 50 with screws (see FIG. 2).

  The incident port 31b is disposed about 2.0 mm behind the rear focal point of the projection lens 20. The incident port 31b is set to be slightly larger than the light emitting element 33a (for example, left and right width: 1 mm, vertical width: 1.5 mm).

The exit ports 31c _{1 to} 31c ₉ are arranged adjacent to each other in the substantially horizontal direction in the vicinity of the focal plane of the projection lens 20 (for example, along the focal plane of the projection lens 20). As the exit ports 31c _{1 to} 31c ₉ , for example, a rectangular shape, a parallelogram shape, a trapezoidal shape, or the like can be used.

The exit ports 31c _{1 to} 31c ₉ (that is, the luminous intensity distribution formed at the exit ports 31c _{1 to} 31c ₉ ) are inverted and projected forward by the action of the projection lens 20, arranged adjacent to each other in the horizontal direction, and the luminous intensity is increased or decreased individually. The light distribution patterns P1L and P1R including a plurality of irradiation areas A _{1 to} A ₉ are formed (see FIGS. 9B and 9C). The exit ports 31c _{1 to} 31c ₉ are set so as to gradually increase as they move away from the optical axis AX (see FIG. 5B. For example, the vertical width: 3 mm to 6 mm, the exit ports 31c _{2 to} 31c. ₈ left and right width: 2 mm, left and right width of the exit ports 31c ₁ and 31c ₉ : 4.5 mm).

However, if there is a thick portion between the exit ports 31c _{1 to} 31c ₉ , this thick portion is projected forward, and a gap is formed between the irradiation regions A _{1 to} A ₉ .

In order to prevent this, among the exit ports 31c _{1 to} 31c ₉ of the plurality of cylindrical portions 31, the exit ports adjacent to each other (for example, the exit port 31c ₁ and the exit port 31c ₂ ) have the same vertical edge E (the width thereof). And is partitioned by the same vertical edge E (see FIG. 5B). Thus, it is possible without gaps closely adjacently disposed a plurality of irradiation regions _A 1 to A ₉ inverting a projected image of the exit port _31c 1 _{~31c 9} in the horizontal direction (FIG. 9 (b), the FIG. 9 (See (c)).

7 (a), 7 (b), 8 (a), and 8 (b), light from the light emitting element 33a that has entered the cylindrical portion 31 (in a wide-angle direction with respect to the optical axis AX). Ryakukiri as such light RAY2) is emitted from the exit _31c 1 _{~31c 9} in one reflection, a plurality of cylindrical portion 31 (reflecting surface 31a), respectively, toward the incident port 31b from the exit _31c 1 _{~31c 9} It is configured to be narrowed into a body shape (see FIGS. 5A and 5C). By the action of the cylindrical portion 31 (reflection surface 31a), not only the light Ray1 in the narrow angle direction with respect to the optical axis AX but also the light Ray2 in the wide angle direction with respect to the optical axis AX can be incident on the projection lens 20. (Improvement of light utilization efficiency. See FIGS. 7A, 7B, 8A, and 8B).

The cylindrical portion 31 is configured in a shape that narrows in a substantially conical shape as it goes from the exit ports 31c _{1 to} 31c ₉ to the entrance port 31b, and the exit ports (for example, the exit port 31c ₁ and the exit port 31c ₂ are adjacent to each other). ) Includes the same vertical edge E (a vertical edge whose width can be almost ignored. The vertical edge extends substantially in the vertical direction) and is partitioned by the same vertical edge E. The general shape and extent of expansion are not limited.

In the present embodiment, the reflective surface 31a, light from the light emitting element 33a that is reflected once by the reflective surface 31a is incident on the projection lens 20, and a uniform light intensity distribution on the exit opening _31c 1 _{~31c 9} (or specific (The light intensity distribution) is optimized.

Inverted projected the exit opening _31c 1 _{~31c 9} (i.e., light intensity distribution at the exit port _31c 1 _{~31c 9)} as the lower edge of substantially overlaps the horizontal cutoff line of the low-beam light distribution pattern P2, emitting port 31c ₁ The upper end edge of ˜31c ₉ extends in a substantially horizontal direction when viewed from the front (see FIG. 5B).

The emission ports 31c _{1 to} 31c ₉ are arranged so that the center in the vertical direction is located slightly below (about 1 mm) with respect to the horizontal plane including the optical axis AX (see FIG. 5B). Thereby, it becomes possible to increase the luminous intensity in the vicinity of the upper end edges of the emission ports 31c _{1 to} 31c ₉ . That is, since it is possible to increase the luminous intensity in the vicinity of the lower end edges of the plurality of irradiation areas A _{1 to} A ₉ arranged adjacent to each other in the horizontal direction, the area near the horizontal line HH is particularly bright and has excellent distant visibility. The optical patterns P1L and P1R can be formed.

On the other hand, the lower end edges of the exit ports 31c _{1 to} 31c ₉ extend in an arc shape in front view so that the height of the irradiation areas A _{1 to} A ₉ on the virtual vertical screen is small in the distance and increases as the distance increases. (See FIG. 5B). As a result, the light flux density is high in the distant place, and the vicinity can be irradiated over a wide range.

  Next, the light distribution patterns P1L and P1R formed by the vehicle lamp unit 10 having the above configuration will be described.

The vehicle lamp units 10 arranged on the left and right sides of the front part of the vehicle have the same configuration, and the same light distribution patterns P1L and P1R including a plurality of irradiation areas A _{1 to} A _{9 in} which the luminous intensity is increased or decreased individually (see FIG. 9 (b) and FIG. 9 (c)).

The vehicle lamp units 10 disposed on the left and right sides of the front part of the vehicle are respectively adjusted in aiming so that the respective irradiation areas A _{1 to} A ₉ partially overlap (for example, by shifting left and right by 1 °). (See FIG. 9 (d)). Thereby, it is possible to extinguish or diminish a total of 18 areas by turning on / off the specific irradiation areas A _{1 to} A ₉ (extinguishing or dimming) (near 1 ° in the vicinity of the center). Can be turned off or dimmed).

Light Ray1 narrow angle direction with respect to the optical axis AX of the light from the light emitting element 33a is emitted from the emission port _31c 1 _{~31c 9} without being reflected by the incident from the incident port 31b to the tubular portion 31 the reflecting surface 31a Then, the light directly enters the projection lens 20. On the other hand, a wide angle of light Ray2 respect to the optical axis AX is emitted and incident on the incident port 31b to the cylindrical portion 31 is reflected once by the reflecting surface 31a from the exit _31c 1 _{~31c 9,} enters the projection lens 20 (See FIG. 7A, FIG. 7B, FIG. 8A, and FIG. 8B). These direct light Ray1 and once reflected light Ray2 form a luminous intensity distribution uniform (or specific) to the exit port _31c 1 _{~31c 9.}

The exit ports 31c _{1 to} 31c ₉ (that is, the luminous intensity distribution formed at the exit ports 31c _{1 to} 31c ₉ ) are inverted and projected forward by the action of the projection lens 20, and are adjacently arranged in the horizontal direction on the virtual vertical screen. Light distribution patterns P1L and P1R (see FIG. 9B and FIG. 9C) including a plurality of irradiation areas A _{1 to} A ₉ having clear outlines, in which the light intensity is individually increased or decreased, are formed.

  On the virtual vertical screen, an image having a size of 1 mm square on the rear focal plane of the projection lens 20 is formed as an image having a size of about 1 ° square.

Since the exit ports 31c _{1 to} 31c ₉ are arranged so that the center in the vertical direction is located slightly below (about 1 mm) with respect to the horizontal plane including the optical axis AX, the irradiation areas A _{1 to} A ₉ are virtually vertical On the screen, it is disposed about 1 ° above the horizontal line HH.

On the other hand, the irradiation areas A _{1 to} A ₉ are formed as follows in the horizontal direction. That is, the emission ports 31c _{2 to} 31c ₈ have a rectangular shape with a vertical width of 3 mm and a horizontal width of 2 mm, and are arranged so that the center thereof is located on a vertical plane including the optical axis AX. , irradiation area _a 2 to a ₈ corresponding to these exit opening _31c 2 _{~31c 8} is centered and positioned the line V-V, the vertical width: formed as a 3 °, substantially rectangular region of the lateral width of about 2 ° .

The exit opening _31c 1, 31c ₉ is vertical width: has a rectangular shape of 3mm lateral width 4.5 mm, since it is located outside the exit opening _31c 2 _{~31c 8,} these exit openings 31c ₁ , irradiation area _a 1 corresponding to 31c _{9, a 9} is vertically outside the illuminated area _a 2 to a ₈ width: 3 °, the lateral width: formed as a 4.5 substantially rectangular area of about °.

  Next, the low beam light distribution pattern P2 formed by the lamp unit 70 dedicated to the passing beam will be described.

  As shown in FIG. 9 (a), the low beam light distribution pattern P2 is a left light distribution light beam distribution pattern, and has a cut-off line CL with a different left and right step at the upper edge.

This cut-off line CL extends in a horizontal direction with a difference in right and left on the VV line that is a vertical line passing through HV that is a vanishing point in the front direction of the lamp, and the right side of the VV line is together they are formed so as to extend horizontally as an opposite lane side cutoff line CL _R, left of the line V-V is horizontally stepped up than the opposite lane side cut-off line CL _R as a self-lane side cutoff line CL _L It is formed so as to extend. Then, the ends of the line V-V closer in the own lane side cut-off line CL _L is formed as an oblique cut-off line CL _S. The oblique cutoff line CL _S extends at an inclination angle of 15 ° to the left diagonally upward from the opposite lane cutoff line CL _R and the intersection of the line V-V.

In this low-beam light distribution pattern P2, an elbow point which is the point of intersection between the oncoming vehicle lane side cut-off line CL _R and the line V-V is positioned approximately 0.5 to 0.6 ° below the H-V A hot zone that is a high luminous intensity region is formed so as to surround the elbow point E slightly to the left.

  The above light distribution patterns P1L, P1R, and P2 are superimposed to form a combined light distribution pattern shown in FIG.

Next, an example in which the lighting regions A _{1 to} A ₉ (light emitting elements 33a) are individually turned on and off will be described.

For example, as shown in FIG. 10 (a), when a preceding vehicle V exists in the distance ahead of the vehicle (or as shown in FIG. 10 (b), there is an oncoming vehicle V in the distance of the opposite lane in front of the vehicle. The light emitting element 33a corresponding to the irradiation area that covers the preceding vehicle V (or the oncoming vehicle V) that exists in the distance among the plurality of irradiation areas A _{1 to} A ₉ is turned off (or dimmed). . Thereby, it becomes possible to prevent glare with respect to the preceding vehicle V (or oncoming vehicle V) existing in the distance. At the same time, the visibility of the road surface ahead of the vehicle can be improved.

On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 10 (c), if the oncoming vehicle V approaches the subject vehicle to some extent, i.e., when there is an oncoming vehicle in the vicinity is a vicinity of the plurality of irradiation areas A ₁ to A ₉ The light emitting element 33a corresponding to the irradiation region that covers the existing oncoming vehicle V is turned off (or dimmed). Thereby, it becomes possible to prevent glare with respect to the oncoming vehicle V existing in the vicinity. At the same time, the visibility of the road surface ahead of the vehicle can be improved.

  In addition, the horizontal position on the virtual vertical screen of the oncoming vehicle (or preceding vehicle) in front of the vehicle is, for example, imaged in front of the vehicle by a CCD camera or the like, and the oncoming vehicle (or preceding vehicle) is based on the image data. It can be easily detected by detecting the position of the headlight (or taillight) in the lit state as a high-density pixel.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, a conventional thick portion is provided between the exit ports adjacent to each other (for example, the exit port 31c ₁ and the exit port 31c ₂ ) among the plurality of exit ports 31c _{1 to} 31c _9. (Refer to the thick portion B in FIG. 12) instead of a vertical edge E whose width is almost negligible, and a plurality of emission ports 31 c _{1 to} 31 c ₉ (that is, each emission) divided by the vertical edge E. Since the light intensity distribution formed in the mouths 31c _{1 to} 31c ₉ is inverted and projected forward by the action of the projection lens 20 (see FIG. 5B), only by using one vehicle lamp unit 10, It is possible to prevent or reduce the formation of gaps (parts darker than the surroundings) between the plurality of irradiation areas A _{1 to} A ₉ that are individually controlled to be turned on and off (conventionally, the lighting on and off is individually controlled. Between multiple irradiation areas In order to fill the gap (darker than the surrounding area), it was necessary to add another lamp that irradiates the gap).

  In addition, according to the present embodiment, the plurality of light emitting elements 33a are arranged in a line in the horizontal direction with the light emitting surface facing the front of the vehicle (see FIG. 3 and the like), and thus the plurality of light emitting elements are light. Compared to the conventional arrangement in which the light is distributed in the axis AX direction (see the light emitting element 230 in FIG. 12), it is possible to configure a small vehicle lamp unit having a shorter dimension in the optical axis AX direction.

  In addition, according to the present embodiment, the light from the light emitting element 33a that has entered the cylindrical portion 31 (light Ray2 in the wide-angle direction with respect to the optical axis AX) is emitted from the emission port 31c with a single reflection. Each of the cylindrical portions 31 (reflecting surfaces 31a) is formed in a shape that narrows in a substantially conical shape from the exit port 31c toward the entrance port 31b (see FIG. 5B). By the action of the cylindrical portion 31 (reflection surface 31a), not only the light Ray1 in the narrow angle direction with respect to the optical axis AX but also the light Ray2 in the wide angle direction with respect to the optical axis AX can be incident on the projection lens 20. (Improvement of light utilization efficiency)

  Moreover, according to this embodiment, since it is the structure which does not use a reflector, compared with the past which uses a reflector (refer reflector 220 in FIG. 12), it becomes possible to comprise a vehicle lamp unit with a fewer number of parts. .

  In addition, according to the present embodiment, since the plurality of light emitting elements 33a are mounted on the same substrate 33 (that is, the plurality of light emitting elements 33a are unitized), the plurality of light emitting elements are the same. As compared with the conventional case where the light emitting elements 33a are dispersed in the direction of the optical axis AX without being mounted on the substrate (see the light emitting elements 230 in FIG. 12), the plurality of light emitting elements 33a can be assembled very easily. In addition, it is possible to position the plurality of light emitting elements 33a with respect to the plurality of cylindrical portions 31 with extremely high accuracy.

Further, according to this embodiment, instead of the plurality of light emitting elements 33a itself, since it is configured to invert projecting the exit opening 31c ₁ ~31c ₉ of the light guide member 32, inverts projecting a plurality of light emitting elements 33a itself configuration Compared to, it is possible to widen the arrangement interval of the plurality of light emitting elements 33a. Thereby, it becomes possible to reduce the influence of heat generated with the light emission of the light emitting element 33a.

  Next, a modified example will be described.

In the above embodiment, the lower end edges of the exit ports 31c _{1 to} 31c ₉ are circular in front view so that the heights of the irradiation areas A _{1 to} A ₉ on the virtual vertical screen are small in the distance and increase as they approach the vicinity. Although described as extending in an arc, the present invention is not limited to this.

For example, as shown in FIG. 11, the lower end edges of the emission ports 31c _{1 to} 31c ₉ may extend linearly in the horizontal direction when viewed from the front.

  Moreover, although the said embodiment demonstrated the example which has nine light emitting elements 33a and a 0.7 mm square light emission surface, this invention is not limited to this. It is possible to use a light-emitting element having an appropriate number and size of light-emitting surfaces according to the required light intensity.

  The above embodiment is merely an example in all respects. The present invention is not construed as being limited to these descriptions. The present invention can be implemented in various other forms without departing from the spirit or main features thereof.

10 ... vehicle lamp unit, 20 ... projection lens, 30 ... light source unit, 31 ... cylinder portion, 31a ... reflecting surface, 31b ... entrance, 31c ₁ -31c 9 _... emitting window, 32 ... light shielding member, 33 ... substrate, 33a ... Light emitting element, 40 ... Lens holding frame, 50 ... Heat sink, 60 ... Lamp chamber, 61 ... Housing, 62 ... Translucent cover, 70 ... Lamp unit

Claims (2)

In a vehicle lamp unit comprising: a projection lens disposed on an optical axis extending in the vehicle front-rear direction; and a light source unit disposed on the rear side of the rear focal plane of the projection lens.
The light source unit includes a plurality of cylindrical portions having a reflection surface formed on an inner peripheral surface, and enters the cylindrical portion from an incident port which is one end of the cylindrical portion, and is reflected by the reflective surface and is reflected at the other end of the cylindrical portion. A plurality of light emitting elements that emit light emitted from the exit port,
The exit ports of the plurality of cylindrical portions are disposed adjacent to each other in a substantially horizontal direction near the focal plane of the projection lens,
The exit ports adjacent to each other among the exit ports of the plurality of cylindrical portions are configured to include the same vertical edge and are partitioned by the same vertical edge,
Each of the plurality of cylindrical portions is configured to have a shape that narrows in a substantially conical shape as it goes from the exit port to the entrance port. A light guide member including the plurality of tube portions;
The plurality of light emitting elements are arranged in a row in a horizontal direction with a light emitting surface facing the front of the vehicle,
The light guide member is disposed in front of the plurality of light emitting elements such that light from the plurality of light emitting elements enters the plurality of tube parts from an entrance of the plurality of tube parts. The vehicle lamp unit according to claim 1.

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