JP2023134053A - Vehicular lighting fixture - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a vehicular lighting fixture which acquires a light distribution pattern which illuminates a required region even in the case where a multiple division LED array of a standard division number is used, and can perform preferable ADB light distribution control without lowering visibility in front.SOLUTION: A vehicular lighting fixture includes: a light source (multiple division LED array 31) 3 in which a large number of light emitting elements are arrayed, and which emits light of a desired pattern by selecting the light emitting elements and emitting light; and an optical system (first lens 21, second lens 22) 2 which forms a light distribution pattern by projecting light emitted from the light source 3. In the optical system 2, a central region 222 forms a light distribution pattern of a unit illumination region of a small dimension, and a peripheral region 223 around the central region 222 is constituted by a unit illumination region in which the dimension is expanded and forms a light distribution pattern.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

The present invention relates to a vehicular lamp, and more particularly to a vehicular lamp suitable for use as a headlamp of an automobile.

BACKGROUND ART ADB (Adaptive Driving Beam) light distribution control has been proposed as a technology for controlling light distribution in headlamps of vehicles such as automobiles. This ADB light distribution control is a technology for controlling light distribution so as not to dazzle other vehicles such as oncoming vehicles and preceding vehicles, as well as pedestrians, which are detected from images captured by cameras. As one type of headlamp that performs this ADB light distribution control, a headlamp using a multi-division light emitting element (multi-division LED array) in which minute LEDs on the order of μm are arranged in a matrix as a light source has been proposed.

For example, Patent Document 1 proposes a technique in which a multi-division LED array is provided as a light source, and light emitted from the multi-division LED array is projected by an optical system to form a light distribution pattern. This technology enables ADB light distribution control to form a desired light distribution pattern by selectively controlling the light emission of minute LEDs in a multi-divided LED array.

JP 2021-068513 Publication

In this way, when performing ADB light distribution control with high precision, that is, high resolution, in a headlamp that uses a multi-segmented LED array as a light source, it is necessary to It is preferable to use a large multi-division LED array, for example, a multi-division LED array with a number of divisions of about 50 horizontally x 29 vertically = 1450. However, such a multi-division LED array with a high number of divisions is more expensive than the standard number of divisions provided so far, for example, a multi-division LED array with a number of divisions of about 24 (horizontal) x 20 (vertical) = 480.

From a cost standpoint, it is preferable to use a multi-division LED array with a standard number of divisions, but in order to control ADB light distribution in a required area, it is necessary to increase the projection magnification of the optical system. For this reason, although the details will be described later, when controlling the emitting and extinguishing of micro LEDs during ADB light distribution control, the dark area that occurs when one micro LED is extinguished is expanded, improving visibility ahead. The problem arises that the amount of energy decreases.

An object of the present invention is to obtain a light distribution pattern that illuminates a required area even when a multi-division LED array with a standard number of divisions is used as a light source, and to achieve a suitable ADB light distribution without deteriorating forward visibility. Provided is a vehicle lamp that can be controlled.

The present invention provides a light source in which a large number of light emitting elements are arranged and emits a desired pattern of light by selecting the light emitting elements and emitting light, and an optical system that projects the light emitted from the light source to form a light distribution pattern. The optical system forms a light distribution pattern of a unit illumination area with minute dimensions in the central area, and forms a light distribution pattern of a unit illumination area with enlarged dimensions in the peripheral area around the central area. . For example, the central region forms a light distribution pattern without the influence of lens aberration, and the peripheral region forms a light distribution pattern deformed by the lens aberration.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the optical system includes a first lens including a lens step that converges each light of a large number of light emitting elements, and a center region of each of the converged lights, which is focused more than a peripheral region of light. A second lens is provided with a lens step formed by a unit illumination area of small dimensions. Furthermore, the first lens has an entrance surface divided into sections corresponding to a large number of light emitting elements, and a converging lens step is formed in each section. Further, the second lens has an exit surface divided into a central region including the lens optical axis and a peripheral region around the center region, and a diverging lens step is formed in each region. Furthermore, a third lens may be provided between the light source and the first lens to collect the light emitted from the light source and make it enter the second lens.

In the present invention, the light source is equipped with a multi-division LED array in which a large number of micro LEDs (light emitting diodes) are arranged in a grid pattern, and the micro LEDs are selectively controlled to emit and extinguish by a control system installed in the vehicle. be done. The control system detects objects such as other vehicles existing in the vicinity of the automobile, and performs ADB control to extinguish minute LEDs corresponding to the detected objects.

According to the present invention, even when a multi-division LED array with a standard number of divisions is used, the required area can be illuminated by making the unit illumination area in the peripheral area larger than the unit illumination area in the central area using the optical system. Thus, a vehicular lamp can be obtained which can obtain a light distribution pattern that provides a bright light distribution pattern and can perform suitable ADB light distribution control without deteriorating forward visibility.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an automobile to which the lighting device of the present invention is applied. 1 is a perspective view of a schematic configuration of an ADB lamp unit of Embodiment 1. FIG. FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the main parts of FIG. 2; FIG. 3 is a horizontal cross-sectional view of the ADB lamp unit taken along the lens optical axis. FIG. 3 is a block configuration diagram of a control system of an ADB lamp unit. FIG. 3 is a schematic perspective view of the first lens seen from the rear surface. FIG. 4 is a diagram of light distribution patterns of Embodiment 1 and a reference example. FIG. 4 is a light distribution pattern diagram for explaining ADB light distribution control. FIG. 3 is a horizontal sectional view of Modification 1 of the optical system of Embodiment 1; FIG. 3 is a horizontal sectional view of a second modification of the optical system of the first embodiment. FIG. 3 is a horizontal cross-sectional view of the optical system of Embodiment 2. FIG. 7 is a horizontal cross-sectional view of the optical system of Embodiment 3. FIG. 7 is a horizontal cross-sectional view of an optical system according to a modification of the third embodiment.

(Embodiment 1)
Embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a perspective view of Embodiment 1 in which the present invention is applied to an automobile headlamp, in which left and right headlamps R-HL and L-HL are respectively attached to the left and right front parts of the vehicle body of an automobile CAR. Each headlamp R-HL, L-HL consists of an ADB lamp unit (hereinafter referred to as ADB unit) ALU capable of ADB light distribution control, a clearance lamp unit (hereinafter referred to as clearance unit) CLU, and a turn signal lamp unit (hereinafter referred to as turn signal lamp unit). unit) TSLU, which are integrally arranged within the lamp housing 100. Note that, hereinafter, the left-right direction is based on the left-right direction of the automobile.

The left and right headlamps R-HL and L-HL have a symmetrical configuration, and FIG. 1 shows an enlarged perspective view of the right headlamp R-HL. The lamp housing 100 is composed of a lamp body 101 that is opened toward the front of the automobile, and a translucent cover 102 that is attached to this opening. A unit CLU and a turn unit TSLU are provided. In the lamp housing 100, an extension is provided in a region where these lamp units are not provided so that the interior is not exposed through the translucent cover 102, but illustration and description thereof are omitted. .

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a schematic configuration of the ADB unit ALU, as viewed diagonally to the right toward the front of the ADB unit ALU. This ADB unit ALU has an optical system 2 and a light source 3 built into a unit case 1, and is fixedly supported by the lamp body 101, as will be described in detail later. Since the present invention relates to this ADB unit ALU, a detailed explanation of the clearance unit CLU and turn unit TSLU shown in FIG. 1 will be omitted. It is configured to emit light or amber light through an inner lens made of translucent resin and irradiate it to the outside.

3 is an exploded perspective view of the main parts of the ADB unit ALU, and FIG. 4 is a horizontal sectional view of the optical system 2 at a position including the lens optical axis Lx. The unit case 1 includes a cylindrical lens holder 11 and a light source box 12 integrated with the lens holder 11. An optical system 2 consisting of a plurality of lenses is housed in the lens holder 11, and a multi-division LED array 31 constituting the light source 3 is disposed in the light source box 12.

The optical system 2 includes a first lens 21 placed on the side of the light source 3 and a second lens 22 placed in front of the first lens 21. These two lenses 21 and 22 emit lens light. It is supported within the lens holder 11 with the axes Lx aligned. Details of this optical system 2 will be described later.

The multi-division LED array 31 constituting the light source 3 is a multi-division LED array with a standard number of divisions, and there are 480 light emitting elements having a substantially square light emitting surface, that is, micro LEDs 32 (24 horizontally x 20 vertically). An array light emitting surface is constructed by disposing the light emitting surface. This multi-division LED array 31 is mounted on the light source board 30 and is arranged substantially perpendicular to the lens optical axis Lx of the two lenses 21 and 22 forming the optical system 2. Further, in this embodiment, the lens optical axis Lx is arranged approximately at the center of the array light emitting surface of the multi-division LED array 31.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram of the multi-division LED array 31 and its control system 4. The multi-division LED array 31 is connected to a lamp ECU (electronic control unit) 401, and the lamp ECU 401 causes the minute LEDs 32 to selectively emit light. - Extinguishing is controlled. Each micro LED 32 emits white light when controlled to emit light. Further, a control switch 403 is connected to the lamp ECU 401, and when the control switch 403 is operated, the ADB unit ALU is turned on and off, and when turned on, ADB light distribution control is executed.

That is, the lamp ECU 401 is connected to the vehicle ECU 402, and is capable of performing ADB light distribution control based on signals from the vehicle ECU 402. Vehicle ECU 402 outputs an ADB control signal to lamp ECU 401 based on an image of the surroundings of the vehicle, particularly an image of the front area, captured by on-vehicle camera 404. Although detailed description of the vehicle ECU 402 will be omitted, the vehicle ECU 402 analyzes images captured by the vehicle-mounted camera 404 and detects objects such as other vehicles, pedestrians, and signs that are present in front of or to the front side of the vehicle. Further, information on a light distribution pattern to be controlled based on the detected object is output to the lamp ECU 401 as an ADB control signal. Lamp ECU 401 receives this ADB control signal, selects minute LED 31 of multi-division LED array 3, and emits light. These lamp ECU 401 and vehicle ECU 402 may have either a hardware configuration or a software configuration.

The optical system 2 will be explained. As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the optical system 2 includes a first lens 21 and a second lens 22. The first lens 21 is a lens that converges the light emitted from the multi-division LED array 31 into a bundle of parallel rays. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating the configuration of the rear surface of the first lens 21. The rear surface of the first lens 21, that is, the entrance surface 210 into which light from the multi-division LED array 31 is incident, constitutes the multi-division LED array 31. The area corresponding to the plurality of micro LEDs 32, here the 480 micro LEDs 32 described above, is divided into a grid pattern. Each section is formed with a lens step like a fisheye lens, here a convex spherical lens 211, and the overall configuration can be called a fly's eye lens arranged in a plane. The light emitted in a diverging state from each minute LED 32 of the multi-division LED array 31 is refracted into a converging state by each corresponding convex spherical lens 211, and is emitted from the front surface of the first lens 21, that is, the exit surface, as a substantially parallel bundle of rays. It has become so. The exit surface 212 of this first lens 21 is configured to be a flat surface.

The second lens 22 is arranged in front of the first lens 21, and its entrance surface 220 is configured as a flat surface and is placed in close contact with the exit surface 212 of the first lens 21, or with a small gap therebetween. There is. The exit surface 221 of the second lens 22 is divided into a central region 222 including the lens optical axis Lx, and a peripheral region 223 surrounding the central region 222, each of which is configured as a composite surface with a different surface shape. There is. The central region 222 is configured as a rectangular region that includes the center position of the array light emitting surface of the multi-divided LED array 31, in other words, the lens optical axis Lx, and has vertical and horizontal dimensions that are 1/2 of the vertical and horizontal dimensions of the array light emitting surface. ing. The peripheral area 223 is configured as an area surrounding this central area 222.

As can be seen from FIG. 4, the exit surface 224 of the central region 222 is formed into a lens step, here a concave curved surface, with a required radius of curvature close to a flat surface, and the parallel light beams incident from the first lens 21 It is configured to emit light while slightly diverging. Furthermore, the exit surface 225 of the peripheral region 223 is formed into a lens step having a radius of curvature smaller than that of the central region 222, here a concave curved surface, and allows the parallel light beam incident from the first lens 21 to pass through the lens step more than in the case of the central region 222. The light beam is also configured to emit light while being diverged at a large angle with respect to the lens optical axis Lx.

In the ADB unit ALU of the first embodiment, when the control switch 403 is turned on, the lamp ECU 401 causes the minute LEDs 32 of the multi-division LED array 31 to emit light. As shown in an enlarged view of a part of the light beam in FIG. 4, the diverging light emitted from each minute LED 32 of the multi-division LED array 31 is incident on the entrance surface 210 of the first lens 21, and the convex portion of each section is The spherical lens 211 refracts the light in a convergence direction to form a parallel beam of light, which is emitted from the output surface 212 .

Each bundle of rays emitted from the exit surface 212 of the first lens 21 enters the entrance surface 220 of the second lens 22 and exits from the exit surface 221. Since the second lens 22 has a concave curved surface with a large radius of curvature in the central region 222, the light emitted from the central region 222 is emitted in a slightly more divergent state than in a parallel state. On the other hand, since the peripheral region 223 is a concave curved surface with a smaller radius of curvature than the central region 222, the light emitted from the peripheral region 223 is emitted after being diverged at a somewhat larger angle than that of the central region 222.

Therefore, when almost all the micro LEDs 32 of the multi-division LED array 31 emit light, the light distribution pattern of the light emitted from the second lens 22 and projected in front of the automobile is schematically shown in FIG. 7(a). As shown, a light distribution pattern P1 is formed in which unit illumination areas C illuminated by the respective micro LEDs 32 are arranged and combined. In the figure, V is a vertical line passing through the optical axis Lx of the optical system 2, and H is also a horizontal line. That is, a light distribution pattern P1 is formed in which unit illumination areas (unit illumination cells) C corresponding to the minute LEDs 32 forming the multi-division LED array 31 are arranged in a matrix.

In this light distribution pattern P1, the central pattern area P11 corresponding to the central area 222 of the second lens 22 is hardly affected by lens aberration due to the lens step of the central area 222, and the multi-division LED array 31 is The image is projected with the shape of the micro LED 32 substantially maintained. On the other hand, the peripheral pattern area P12 corresponding to the peripheral area 223 of the second lens 22 is affected by lens aberration because the radius of curvature of the peripheral area 223 is small, and the micro LEDs 32 of the multi-division LED array 31 are arranged in a deformed radial shape. be projected.

Therefore, the central pattern region P11 of the projected light distribution pattern P1 has a pattern configuration in which unit illumination regions C of minute dimensions are arranged in a grid pattern corresponding to the minute LEDs 32. Further, the peripheral pattern region P12 of the light distribution pattern P1 has a grid shape in which unit illumination regions C in which the minute LEDs 32 are radially enlarged and deformed are arranged in a radial manner. On the other hand, by deforming the peripheral pattern area P12 in this way, the entire light distribution pattern P1 to be formed is The horizontal and vertical dimensions are expanded.

Incidentally, in order to obtain a light distribution pattern with the same dimensions as in Embodiment 1 and with the same unit illumination area size in the central area, a multi-segmented LED with a high number of divisions is used as shown in FIG. 7(b). It is necessary to form the light distribution pattern P2 using an array, which is expensive. On the other hand, when trying to obtain a light distribution pattern in which the unit illumination area C in the central area has the same dimensions using a multi-division LED array with the standard number of divisions, a light distribution pattern smaller than that in the embodiment as shown in FIG. 7(c) is obtained. You can only get P3. In addition, if an attempt is made to obtain a light distribution pattern of the same size using a multi-division LED array having a standard number of divisions, the size of the unit illumination area C will increase, as will be described later, and the resolution in ADB light distribution control will decrease.

When the vehicle ECU 402 detects another vehicle existing in the area in front of the host vehicle during illumination with this light distribution pattern P1, it outputs an ADB control signal to the lamp ECU 401 to prevent dazzling of the detected other vehicle. Based on this ADB control signal, the lamp ECU 401 extinguishes some of the small LEDs 32 of the multi-division LED array 31 to execute ADB light distribution control.

For example, as schematically shown in FIG. 8(a), the minute LED 32 corresponding to the unit illumination area C in which the detected object Ob such as a preceding vehicle or an oncoming vehicle exists is extinguished to reduce the dazzle towards the object Ob. To prevent. In this way, when extinguishing light on the object Ob during ADB light distribution control, it is performed for each 32 minute LED, that is, for each unit illumination area C, but in most cases, the object Oc is placed in the central pattern area P11 of the light distribution pattern. Therefore, the dark area that is extinguished to prevent dazzling the object Ob has the dimensions of the unit illumination area C, which is controlled to the minimum size, and is a necessary and sufficient minimum size area.

Note that ADB light distribution control is also performed for objects that exist on the sides of the vehicle, but in this case, it is performed in the peripheral pattern area P12. Since the unit illumination area is expanded in this peripheral pattern area P12, when ADB light distribution control is performed, an area more than necessary may be darkened. However, since the peripheral pattern area P12 is out of the direction of travel of the vehicle, visibility for the driver of the vehicle during safe driving will not be reduced.

In this way, in the ADB unit ALU using the multi-division LED array 31 having the standard number of divisions, it is possible to prevent the cost from increasing due to the price of the multi-division LED array 31. Furthermore, even if the standard multi-division LED array 31 is used, the area required for ADB light distribution control can be illuminated, and an unnecessarily dark area will not be formed when ADB light distribution control is performed. This can be prevented and visibility for the driver can be ensured.

Incidentally, when a light distribution pattern in the area required for ADB light distribution control is formed using the multi-division LED array 31 with the standard number of divisions, as shown in FIG. 8(b), the units forming the light distribution pattern P4 are The illumination area C is expanded and its dimensions become larger. If ADB light distribution control is performed in such a case, the dark area formed around the object Ob becomes larger than necessary, and the visibility around the object Ob deteriorates.

(Modification 1 of Embodiment 1)
Of the optical system 2 constituting the ADB unit ALU of the present invention, the second lens 22 in particular can be modified as appropriate. For example, as in Modification 1 of FIG. 9, the central region 222 and peripheral region 223 of the exit surface 221 of the second lens 22 may be configured as a projection lens that forms an image of the light beam from the first lens 21. . Here, the central region 222 and the peripheral region 223 are each formed of a convex spherical surface, and the radius of curvature of the central region 222 is made smaller than the radius of curvature of the peripheral region 223.

(Modification 2 of Embodiment 1)
Alternatively, as in Modification 2 of FIG. 10, the central region 222 and peripheral region 223 of the exit surface 221 of the second lens 22 are each divided into a large number of regions, and each division has a required lens step, in this case a concave spherical surface. It is formed. Each division corresponds to a division of the fisheye step on the entrance surface 210 of the first lens 21. Further, in this embodiment, the first lens and the second lens are configured as one integrated lens.

(Embodiment 2)
FIG. 11 is a horizontal sectional view of an optical system according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention. Here, the peripheral region 223 of the second lens is formed of a concave spherical surface. Further, a third lens 23 is disposed between the light source 3 and the first lens 21. That is, as shown in a partially enlarged view in FIG. 11, when the emission angle θo of the light emitted from each micro LED 32 is large as shown by the chain line, a part of the emitted light, especially the emission angle If it becomes large, the light will be incident on a wider area than the convex spherical lens 211 of the first lens 21 disposed opposite to each micro LED 32, that is, the adjacent convex spherical lens 211. Therefore, parallel light beams exit from each convex spherical lens 211 and are no longer incident on the second lens 22.

The third lens 23 is configured as a condenser lens disposed close to or in contact with the light emitting surface of each micro LED 32 of the multi-division LED array 31. That is, a large number of microlens steps, here micro convex lenses 231, respectively corresponding to the light emitting surfaces of the microscopic LEDs 32 of the multi-division LED array 31, are arranged on the back side in a grid pattern and are integrated. The third lens 23 is integrally attached to the front surface of the multi-division LED array 31, and is arranged to face the light emitting surface of the corresponding micro LED 3 with each micro convex lens 23 in contact with the light emitting surface of the corresponding micro LED 3.

By disposing the third lens 23, the light emitted from the light emitting surface of the micro LED 32 is condensed by the micro convex lens 231 of the third lens 23, as shown in the enlarged view of FIG. Since the micro-convex lens 231 of the third lens 23 covers the light emitting surface of the micro-LED 32, almost all of the light emitted from the micro-LED 32 is condensed by the micro-convex lens 231. This condensing position is the focal position of the convex spherical lens 211 of the first lens 21, and the condensed light is incident on the convex spherical lens 211, so the incident light is more parallel to the convex spherical lens 211. It is converged into a bundle of rays.

As a result, in the optical system 2 of the second embodiment, almost all of the light emitted from each micro LED 32 of the multi-division LED array 31 is incident on the first lens 21 from the third lens 23, and further emitted from the second lens 22. Then, a light distribution pattern is formed. Therefore, the utilization efficiency of the light emitted from the multi-division LED array 31 is increased, and a bright light distribution is obtained.

(Embodiment 3)
FIG. 12 is a horizontal sectional view of the optical system of Embodiment 3. In order to increase the brightness of the projected pattern, the first lens 21 and the second lens 22 are designed as large diameter lenses. Therefore, the dimensions (aperture dimensions) of the first lens 21 and the second lens 22 are relatively large compared to the dimensions (vertical and horizontal dimensions) of the light emitting surface of the multi-divided LED array 31. Therefore, the convex spherical lens 211 of the first lens 21 is arranged to face the micro LED 32 as in the first and second embodiments, but as shown in an enlarged view in FIG. It is displaced in a direction parallel to the optical axis Lx passing through the center of the light emitting surface of the LED 32. That is, the first lens 21 is shifted by a required dimension in the outer diameter direction with respect to the direction parallel to the optical axis Lx.

According to the third embodiment, the light emitted from the micro LED 32 is converted into a parallel bundle of light rays by the convex spherical lens 211 of the first lens 21, but since the center of curvature o of this convex spherical lens 211 is displaced. In this case, the light beam is directed in a desired angular direction with respect to the optical axis Lx. That is, it is directed toward the peripheral area of the first lens 21 . Thereby, the light incident on the convex spherical lens 211 is made to be in a diverging state as a whole with respect to the optical axis Lx, and is emitted from almost the entire surface of the first lens 21. Further, the light beam emitted from the output surface 212 of the first lens 21 is deflected in a direction nearly parallel to the optical axis. Thereby, the light is incident on the second lens 22 as a bundle of light rays substantially parallel to the optical axis Lx, and is projected as a light distribution pattern similar to that in the first embodiment.

(Modification of Embodiment 3)
FIG. 13 is a horizontal sectional view of an optical system according to a modification of the third embodiment. Portions equivalent to those in the third embodiment are given the same reference numerals. In this modification, the exit surface 212 of the first lens 21 is formed into a convex curved surface. Further, the entrance surface 220 of the second lens 22 is formed into a concave curved surface. Each of the convex curved surface shape and the concave curved surface shape may be a spherical surface, but is preferably formed into an aspherical surface. Further, the refractive index and dispersion (Abbe number) of the light-transmitting members forming the first lens 21 and the second lens 22 are appropriately designed.

The operation of this modification is almost the same as in the third embodiment, but since the exit surface 212 of the first lens 21 and the entrance surface 220 of the second lens 22 are formed into curved surfaces, the exit surface 212 of the first lens 21 A beam of light emitted from the optical axis Lx is deflected in the direction of the optical axis Lx, or in a direction substantially along the optical axis Lx. Moreover, when these surfaces are formed into aspherical surfaces, lens aberrations, especially spherical aberrations, of the optical system 2 including the first lens 21 and the second lens 22 are alleviated. Furthermore, when the refractive index and dispersion of the first lens 21 and the second lens 22 are suitably designed, the chromatic aberration of the light transmitted through the first lens 21 and the second lens 22 can be reduced, and a suitable white light distribution pattern can be achieved. is obtained.

In Embodiment 3 and its modifications, although not shown, the first lens 21 is divided into two along the optical axis direction, that is, into a part on the incident surface side and a part on the exit surface side. It may also be a configuration. That is, the entrance surface side is configured as a 1-1 lens having a convex spherical lens, and the exit surface side is configured as a 1-2 lens having a conical or curved surface. The 1-1 lens and the 1-2 lens may be placed in close contact with each other, or may be disposed facing each other with a required gap. By doing so, it becomes easy to design and manufacture the 1-1st lens and the 1-2nd lens, and it also becomes easy to design and manufacture the entire first lens 21.

The present invention is not limited to the lamp unit for a headlamp described in the embodiments, but can be applied to a lamp configured to use a multi-division LED array as a light source and perform illumination with arbitrary light distribution. Further, the optical system is not limited to the configuration including the first and second lenses, but may be configured with a single lens as shown in FIG. 10, or may be configured with three or more lenses. It's okay.

1 Unit case 2 Optical system 3 Light source 4 Control system 21 First lens 22 Second lens 23 Third lens 31 Multi-division LED array 32 Micro LED
222 Central area 223 Peripheral area 100 Lamp housing 401 Lamp ECU
402 Vehicle ECU
ALU ADB lamp unit P1 Light distribution pattern P11 Central light distribution pattern P12 Peripheral light distribution pattern C Unit illumination area Lx Lens optical axis

Claims (10)

A light source in which a large number of light emitting elements are arranged and emits a desired pattern of light by selecting and emitting light from the light emitting elements, and an optical system that projects the light emitted from the light source to form a light distribution pattern. and the optical system forms a light distribution pattern of a unit illumination area with minute dimensions in a central area, and forms a light distribution pattern of a unit illumination area with enlarged dimensions in a peripheral area around the central area. Vehicle lighting featuring: 2. The central region forms a light distribution pattern without the influence of lens aberration of the optical system, and the peripheral region forms a light distribution pattern deformed by the lens aberration of the optical system. Vehicle lighting. The optical system includes a first lens including a lens step that converges each light of the plurality of light emitting elements, and a first lens that converges the light in the central region among the converged lights with a size smaller than the light in the peripheral region. The vehicular lamp according to claim 2, further comprising a second lens having a lens step formed into a light distribution pattern. 4. The vehicular lamp according to claim 3, wherein the first lens has an entrance surface divided into sections corresponding to the plurality of light emitting elements, and a converging lens step is formed in each section. 5. The vehicular lamp according to claim 4, wherein the second lens is divided into a central region whose output surface includes the lens optical axis and a peripheral region around the central region, and a diverging lens step is formed in each division. The vehicular lamp according to any one of claims 3 to 5, further comprising a third lens between the light source and the first lens that collects the light emitted from the light source and makes it enter the second lens. The light source includes a multi-division LED array in which a large number of micro LEDs (light emitting diodes) are arranged in a grid pattern, and the micro LEDs are selectively controlled to emit and extinguish by a control system installed in the vehicle. 6. The vehicle lamp according to any one of 6. 8. The vehicle lamp according to claim 7, wherein the control system detects an object such as another vehicle existing around the automobile and performs ADB control to extinguish a minute LED corresponding to the detected object. The multi-division LED array is composed of 480 micro LEDs (24 horizontally x 20 vertical), and the optical system illuminates the same area as the multi-divided LED array composed of 1450 micro LEDs (50 horizontal x 29 vertical). The vehicular lamp according to claim 7 or 8, wherein the vehicular lamp forms a light distribution pattern. The vehicular lamp according to any one of claims 1 to 9, which is applied to a headlamp of an automobile.

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