JP2012003986A - Lamp unit for vehicle - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a lamp unit for a vehicle capable of preventing or reducing generation of a gap (a part darker than the surroundings) among a plurality of illumination areas which are individually controlled for lighting on and off.SOLUTION: In the lamp unit for a vehicle provided with a projection lens arranged on an optical axis extended in a vehicle front-back direction and a light source unit arranged at a further backward side than a back-side focal plane of the projection lens, the light source unit is provided with a plurality of solid light guide lens parts structured in a shape in which an outer peripheral surface between an emission surface and a light-incident surface is narrowed like a nearly conical shape as it is headed from the emission surface arranged at a vehicle front side to the light-incident surface arranged at a vehicle rear side, and a plurality of light-emitting elements emitting light each of which is incident into the light guide lens part from the light incident surface, internally reflected on the outer peripheral surface and emitted from the emission surface. The emission surfaces of the plurality of light guide lens parts are adjoiningly arranged in a nearly horizontal direction in the vicinity of the focal plane of the projection lens, and the plurality of light guide lens parts structure a light guide lens body with the adjoining emission surfaces among each of their emission surfaces coupled with each other.

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 problems, the invention according to claim 1 is 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. And the light source unit is arranged between the exit surface and the entrance surface as it goes from the exit surface arranged on the front side of the vehicle toward the entrance surface arranged on the rear side of the vehicle. A plurality of solid light guide lens portions configured so that the outer peripheral surface thereof is narrowed into a substantially conical shape, and the light incident surface enters the light guide lens portion from the light incident surface and is internally reflected by the outer peripheral surface. A plurality of light-emitting elements that emit light emitted from the plurality of light-guiding lens portions, the light-emitting surfaces of the plurality of light guide lens portions are disposed adjacent to each other in a substantially horizontal direction in the vicinity of a focal plane of the projection lens, The light guide lens part of each exit surface Wherein the exit surface adjacent to each other constitute a mutually linked light guide lens body.

  According to the first aspect of the present invention, the plurality of exit surfaces are disposed adjacent to each other in the substantially horizontal direction in the vicinity of the focal plane of the projection lens without interposing a conventional thick portion therebetween, and Since the plurality of exit surfaces (that is, the light intensity distribution formed on each exit surface) are inverted and projected forward by the action of the projection lens, gaps ( It is possible to prevent or reduce the occurrence of darker areas than the surroundings.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the invention, 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, and the light guide lens The body 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 light guide lens sections from a light incident surface of the plurality of light guide lens sections. It is characterized by.

  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) It is a front view. 4 is a diagram for explaining the relationship between light from the light emitting element 33a and the projection lens 20. FIG. (A) the light guide lens unit wide angle direction of the light Ray2 respect to the optical axis AX of the light from the light emitting element 33a incident on the 31 single state a schematic emitted from the emitting surface _31c 1 _{~31c 9} internally reflected Fig. 8 is a longitudinal sectional view schematically showing (b) an enlarged view of a circle in Fig. 7 (a). (A) the light guide lens unit wide angle direction of the light Ray2 respect to the optical axis AX of the light from the light emitting element 33a incident on the 31 single state a schematic emitted from the emitting surface _31c 1 _{~31c 9} internally reflected Fig. 9 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing (b) an enlarged view of a circle in Fig. 8 (a). (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 lens body. 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.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the projection lens 20 is an aspheric lens, and is held by the lens holding frame 40 and fixed to the heat sink 50 by screws.

As shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B, the light source unit 30 is incident on the rear side of the vehicle from the emission surface 31 c (emission surfaces 31 c _{1 to} 31 c ₉ ) arranged on the vehicle front side. From the light incident surfaces 31b, a plurality of solid light guide lens portions 31 configured such that the outer peripheral surface 31a between the light emission surface 31c and the light incident surface 31b narrows in a substantially conical shape as it goes to the surface 31b. A plurality of light emitting elements 33a that emit light that enters the respective light guide lenses 31 and is internally reflected by the respective outer peripheral surfaces 31a and emitted from the respective output surfaces 31c.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the light emitting elements 33a are arranged in a line on the metal substrate 33 at a constant interval (about 2 mm). 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 lens body 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 is also incident on the projection lens 20. (See FIG. 2, FIG. 5 (a), etc.).

As shown in FIG. 5A and FIG. 5B, the plurality of light guide lens portions 31 are located adjacent to each other in substantially the horizontal direction, and the respective emission surfaces 31c _{1 to} 31c _9. constitutes the output surface (e.g., output surface 31c ₁ and the exit surface 31c ₂₎ are connected to each other (i.e. are 1 unitized) light guide lens body 32 adjacent to each other among the. The light guide lens body 32 is integrally formed, for example, by injection molding a transparent plastic material having heat resistance.

  In the light guide lens body 32, light Ray1 and Ray2 (see FIG. 6) from the light emitting element 33a emitted in a narrow angle direction and a wide angle direction with respect to the optical axis AX enter the light guide lens portion 31 from the light incident surface 31b. As described above, after positioning with respect to the substrate 33 with positioning pins (not shown), the substrate 33 is sandwiched and fixed to the heat sink 50 with screws (see FIG. 2).

  The light incident surface 31b is disposed behind the rear focal point of the projection lens 20 by about 2.0 mm. The light incident surface 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).

  As shown in FIGS. 7B and 8B, the light incident surface 31b is preferably a concave curved surface (for example, a hemispherical curved surface) with respect to the light emitting element 33a. In this way, not only the light Ray1 in the narrow angle direction with respect to the axis AX but also the light Ray2 in the wide angle direction with respect to the optical axis AX can be made incident on the projection lens 20 (improvement of light utilization efficiency). FIG. 7 (a), FIG. 7 (b), FIG. 8 (a), and FIG. 8 (b)).

The exit surfaces 31c _{1 to} 31c ₉ are disposed 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) (see FIGS. 2 and 5A). ). As the emission surfaces 31c _{1 to} 31c ₉ , for example, a rectangular shape, a parallelogram shape, a trapezoid shape, and various other shapes can be used.

The exit surfaces 31c _{1 to} 31c ₉ (that is, the luminous intensity distribution formed on the exit surfaces 31c _{1 to} 31c ₉ ) are inverted and projected forward by the action of the projection lens 20, are arranged adjacent to each other in the horizontal direction, and the light 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 surfaces 31c _{1 to} 31c ₉ are set so as to gradually increase with distance from the optical axis AX (see FIG. 5B. For example, the vertical width of the exit surfaces 31c _{1 to} 31c ₉ : 3 mm to 6 mm, left and right width of the exit surfaces 31c _{2 to} 31c ₈ : 2 mm, left and right width of the exit surfaces 31c ₁ and 31c ₉ : 4.5 mm).

However, if there is a conventional thick part (see thick part B in FIG. 12) between the exit surfaces 31c _{1 to} 31c ₉ , this thick part is projected forward, and between the irradiation areas A _{1 to} A ₉ . A gap is created.

In order to prevent this, the plurality of emission surfaces 31c _{1 to} 31c ₉ are substantially horizontal in the vicinity of the focal plane of the projection lens 31 without sandwiching a conventional thick portion (see thick portion B in FIG. 12). Adjacent to each other (see FIGS. 2 and 5A). 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 surface _31c 1 _{~31c 9} in the horizontal direction (FIG. 9 (b), the FIG. 9 (See (c)).

Incidentally, on the back side of the plurality of emitting surface 31c ₁ ~31c ₉ which are connected to each other, between the outer peripheral surface 31a of the outer peripheral surface 31a and the other of the light guide lens 31 adjacent thereto of the light guide lens 31 Although the vertical edge E is formed (see FIGS. 5A and 5B), the vertical edge E is not a conventional thick portion (see the thick portion B in FIG. 12), and its width is almost the same. An edge that can be ignored. For this reason, even if the vertical edge E is projected forward, a conventional gap cannot be formed between the irradiation regions A _{1 to} A ₉ .

The outer peripheral surface 31a, the light from the single internal reflection (approximately total reflection) light emission element 33a in the outer peripheral surface 31a is incident on the projection lens 20, and a uniform light intensity distribution on the exit surface _31c 1 _{~31c 9} (or It is optimized so that a specific light intensity distribution is formed (see FIGS. 7A, 7B, 8A, and 8B).

Incidentally, the light guide lens 31 (the outer peripheral surface 31a) is be composed from the exit surface _31c 1 _{~31c 9} in a shape which narrows in a substantially conical As directed toward the light incident surface 31b, the specific shape and spread The degree is not limited.

It is inverted projected exit surface _31c 1 _{~31c 9} (i.e., light intensity distribution at the exit surface _31c 1 _{~31c 9)} as the lower edge of substantially overlaps the horizontal cutoff line of the low-beam light distribution pattern P2, output surface 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 surfaces 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 is possible to increase the luminous intensity in the vicinity of the upper end edges of the emission surfaces 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 surfaces 31c _{1 to} 31c ₉ extend in an arc shape when viewed from the front 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).

Of the light from the light emitting element 33a, the light Ray1 in a narrow-angle direction with respect to the optical axis AX enters the light guide lens portion 31 from the light incident surface 31b and is not reflected by the outer peripheral surface 31a, but is emitted from the light emitting surfaces 31c _{1 to} 31c. ₉ and enters the projection lens 20 directly. On the other hand, a wide angle of light Ray2 respect to the optical axis AX is once internal reflection (approximately total reflection) by the outer peripheral surface 31a incident from the light incident surface 31b on the light guide lens unit 31 has been output surface _31c 1 _{~31c 9} And enters the projection lens 20 (see FIGS. 7A, 7B, 8A, and 8B). These direct light Ray1 and a single internal reflection light Ray2 form a luminous intensity distribution uniform (or specific) on the emission surface _31c 1 _{~31c 9.}

The exit surfaces 31c _{1 to} 31c ₉ (that is, the luminous intensity distribution formed on the exit surfaces 31c _{1 to} 31c ₉ ) are inverted and projected forward by the action of the projection lens 20, and are arranged adjacent to each other on the virtual vertical screen in the horizontal direction. 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 emission surfaces 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 surfaces 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 surface _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 surfaces 31c ₁ and 31c ₉ have a rectangular shape with a vertical width of 3 mm and a lateral width of 4.5 mm, and are disposed outside the exit surfaces 31 c _{2 to} 31 c ₈ , and thus the exit surfaces 31 c 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, the plurality of emission surfaces 31c _{1 to} 31c ₉ are focused on the projection lens 20 without sandwiching a conventional thick portion (see thick portion B in FIG. 12). A plurality of emission surfaces 31c _{1 to} 31c ₉ (that is, each emission surface 31c) arranged adjacent to each other in a substantially horizontal direction in the vicinity of the surface (see FIGS. 5A and 5B). _{1 to} 31c _{9 (the} luminous intensity distribution) is reversely projected forward by the action of the projection lens 20 (see FIG. 2), and the lighting control is individually performed only by using one vehicular lamp unit 10. It is possible to prevent or reduce the formation of gaps (parts darker than the surroundings) between the plurality of irradiated areas A _{1 to} A ₉ (in the past, between the plurality of irradiated areas that are individually controlled to be turned on and off. The gap (darker than the surrounding area) Therefore, it was necessary to add another lamp for irradiating the gap).

  Moreover, according to this embodiment, since it is the structure which uses the total reflection surface (outer peripheral surface 31a) which totally reflects the light from the light emitting element 33a light-guided in the light guide lens part 31, a mirror surface process is performed. Compared with the case of using a reflective surface, it is possible to suppress light loss due to reflection.

  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.

  Further, according to the present embodiment, the light (light Ray 2 in the wide-angle direction with respect to the optical axis AX) incident on the light guide lens unit 31 is emitted from the emission surface 31c by one internal reflection. In addition, each of the outer peripheral surfaces 31a of the plurality of light guide lens portions 31 is configured to be narrowed into a substantially conical shape as it goes from the emission surface 31c to the light incident surface 31b (see FIG. 5B). By the action of the outer peripheral surface 31a of the light guide lens unit 31, 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, the positioning of the light emitting elements 33a with respect to the plurality of light guide lens portions 31 can be performed 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 emitting surface 31c ₁ ~31c ₉ of the light guide lens 31 inverts projecting a plurality of light emitting elements 33a itself Compared to the configuration, it is possible to increase 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 height of the irradiation region A ₁ to A ₉ are distant on the virtual vertical screen is small, so as to increase with increasing near, the lower edge of the exit surface 31c ₁ ~31c ₉ is circular in front view 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 surfaces 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 ... light guide lens unit, 31a ... outer peripheral surface, 31b ... light incident _{surface, 31c (31c 1 ~31c 9)} ... exit surface 32 ... guide Optical lens body 33... Substrate 33 a. Light emitting element 40. Lens holding frame 50. Heat sink 60. Lamp chamber 61. Housing 62. Translucent cover 70.

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 has a shape in which an outer peripheral surface between the light exit surface and the light entrance surface narrows in a substantially conical shape as it goes from the light exit surface disposed on the vehicle front side to the light entrance surface disposed on the vehicle rear side. A plurality of solid light guide lens portions configured in the above, and a plurality of light emitting elements that emit light that is incident on the light guide lens portion from the light incident surface, is internally reflected by the outer peripheral surface, and is emitted from the light exit surface And,
The exit surfaces of the plurality of light guide lens portions are disposed adjacent to each other in a substantially horizontal direction near the focal plane of the projection lens,
The plurality of light guide lens portions constitutes a light guide lens body in which the exit surfaces adjacent to each other among the respective exit surfaces are connected to each other. 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 lens body is disposed in front of the plurality of light emitting elements so that light from the plurality of light emitting elements enters the light guide lens parts from a light incident surface of the plurality of light guide lens parts. The vehicular lamp unit according to claim 1, wherein the vehicular lamp unit is provided.

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