JP2023180529A - Vehicular lighting device - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a vehicular lighting device including a microlens array, which has a smaller depth dimension and can form a light distribution pattern with less light distribution unevenness.SOLUTION: An outgoing beam from a light emitter 22 is caused to enter a microlens array 40 via a collimator lens 30 as parallel light. The collimator lens 30 is configured such that a plurality of total reflection prism elements 32s is arranged in a concentrically circular manner on a back surface 32b of a peripheral region 32 positioned around a central region 32 of the collimator lens. Whereby a depth dimension of a vehicular lighting device 10 is curbed, and the outgoing beam from the light emitter 22 can be used as a front irradiation light over a wide range. Further, the plurality of total reflection prism elements 32s is configured such that an enveloping surface is formed by a plurality of annular concave curve surfaces C around a light axis Ax. Whereby sufficient light volume can be obtained with respect to the outgoing beam from the light emitter 22 toward an outer peripheral edge part of the collimator lens 30.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

The present invention relates to a vehicle lamp equipped with a microlens array.

Conventionally, vehicle lamps have been known to be configured to form a desired light distribution pattern by irradiating light emitted from a light source toward the front of the lamp via a microlens array. There is.

``Patent Document 1'' describes the configuration of a microlens array in such a vehicle lamp, including a rear lens array having a plurality of condensing lens sections for condensing light emitted from a light source, and A device is described that includes a front lens array having a plurality of projection lens sections for projecting each of the plurality of light source images formed by the condenser lens section.

The vehicle lamp described in Patent Document 1 includes a collimator lens for collimating the light emitted from the light source and making it enter the rear lens array.

JP2020-61231A

In such a vehicle lamp, in order to reduce unevenness in the light distribution pattern formed by the irradiated light, it is necessary to It is desirable to make the light incident as parallel light with uniform brightness.

To achieve this, in the vehicle lamp described in Patent Document 1, the collimator lens is configured as a large block-shaped transparent member, and therefore the vehicle lamp has a large depth dimension. It becomes.

The present invention has been made in view of these circumstances, and it is possible to form a light distribution pattern with less uneven light distribution while reducing the depth dimension of a vehicle lamp equipped with a microlens array. The purpose of the present invention is to provide a vehicle lamp that can be used in a vehicle.

The present invention aims to achieve the above object by devising the configuration of the collimator lens.

That is, the vehicle lamp according to the present invention is
A vehicle lamp configured to form a desired light distribution pattern by irradiating light emitted from a light source toward the front of the lamp through a microlens array,
The microlens array includes a rear lens array having a plurality of condensing lens sections for condensing light emitted from the light source, and each of the plurality of light source images formed by the plurality of condensing lens sections. and a front lens array having a plurality of projection lens sections for projecting,
A collimator lens is disposed between the light source and the rear lens array to make the light emitted from the light source enter the rear lens array as parallel light,
The collimator lens includes a central region centered on an optical axis extending in the front-rear direction of the lamp, and a peripheral region located around the central region,
A plurality of total reflection prism elements are formed on the rear surface of the peripheral area, and are arranged in concentric circles around the optical axis, for making the emitted light from the light source incident and totally reflecting it toward the front of the lamp. and
The plurality of total reflection prism elements are characterized in that they are formed with an annular concave curved surface centered on the optical axis as an envelope surface.

The type of the above-mentioned "vehicle lamp" is not particularly limited, and for example, a headlamp, a fog lamp, etc. can be employed.

The type and specific shape of the above-mentioned "required light distribution pattern" are not particularly limited. Light distribution pattern etc. can be adopted.

The type of the above-mentioned "light source" is not particularly limited, and for example, a light emitting element such as a light emitting diode, a light source bulb, etc. can be employed.

The specific range and external shape of each of the above-mentioned "central region" and "peripheral region" are not particularly limited.

The specific curvature of the above-mentioned "annular concave curved surface" is not particularly limited.

In the vehicle lamp according to the present invention, the emitted light from the light source that enters the microlens array as parallel light via the collimator lens is collected by the plurality of condensing lens sections that constitute the rear lens array of the microlens array. It is configured to emit light and project each of the plurality of light source images formed thereby by the plurality of projection lens sections that constitute the front lens array of the microlens array, so that the required light distribution pattern can be arbitrarily set. It is possible to easily form the shape of

At this time, in the collimator lens, the light emitted from the light source enters the rear surface of the peripheral area located around the central area centered on the optical axis extending in the longitudinal direction of the lamp, and then is totally reflected toward the front of the lamp. Since a plurality of total reflection prism elements are arranged concentrically around the optical axis, the light emitted from the light source can illuminate a wide area forward while suppressing the depth of the vehicle lamp. It can be used as light.

Furthermore, since the plurality of total reflection prism elements are formed with an annular concave curved surface centered on the optical axis as an envelope surface, a sufficient amount of light can be obtained from the light source toward the outer periphery of the collimator lens. You can make it possible to Therefore, the light emitted from the light source can be made to enter each of the plurality of condensing lens parts as parallel light with substantially uniform brightness, thereby making it possible to form a light distribution pattern with less uneven light distribution. .

As described above, according to the present invention, in a vehicle lamp equipped with a microlens array, it is possible to reduce the depth dimension and form a light distribution pattern with less uneven light distribution.

In the above configuration, if the collimator lens and the rear lens array are further formed integrally, the depth dimension of the vehicle lamp can be further reduced, and the number of parts can be reduced. It is possible to reduce costs.

In the above configuration, if the front lens array is configured such that the focal lengths of at least some of the plurality of projection lens sections are set to different values, the emitted light from the plurality of projection lens sections It is possible to form light distribution patterns of different sizes depending on the combination, and the degree of freedom in the light distribution of the combined light distribution pattern can be increased.

In the above configuration, a light shielding sheet having a plurality of light-transmitting portions for defining the outer shape of each of the plurality of light source images is further arranged between the rear lens array and the front lens array. For example, a light distribution pattern can be formed according to the size and external shape of each of the plurality of light-transmitting parts.

At that time, the specific size and external shape of each of the "multiple transparent parts" are not particularly limited.

In the above configuration, if the light source is configured with a light emitting element arranged with the light emitting surface facing the front of the lamp, it is possible to easily reduce the depth dimension of the vehicle lamp. Become.

A front view showing a vehicle lamp according to an embodiment of the present invention II-II cross-sectional view in Figure 1 Cross-sectional view along line III-III in Figure 1 (a) is a view taken in the IVa direction of FIG. 2, and (b) is a view taken in the IVb direction of FIG. Detailed view of V section in Figure 1 A perspective view showing the light distribution pattern formed by the light emitted from the vehicle lamp. A diagram similar to FIG. 1 showing a first modification of the above embodiment. A diagram similar to FIG. 2 showing the first modification example above. A diagram similar to FIG. 3 showing the first modification example above. A diagram similar to FIG. 4 showing the first modification example above. A diagram similar to FIG. 3 showing a second modification of the above embodiment. A diagram transparently showing a light distribution pattern formed by irradiation light from a vehicle lamp according to the second modification example.

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a front view showing a vehicle lamp 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention. 2 is a sectional view taken along the line II--II in FIG. 1, and FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken along the line III--III in FIG. Note that in FIG. 1, some of the constituent elements are shown in a broken state.

In Figures 1 to 3, the direction indicated by ", but when viewed from the front of the lamp, it is "rightward"), and the direction indicated by Z is "upward". The same applies to figures other than FIGS. 1 to 3.

As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, a vehicle lamp 10 according to the present embodiment is a headlamp provided at the right front end of a vehicle, and is located inside a lamp chamber formed by a lamp body 12 and a transparent cover 14. , a light emitting element 22 as a light source, a collimator lens 30 having an optical axis Ax extending in the longitudinal direction of the lamp, a microlens array 40, and a light shielding sheet 50 are housed.

In the vehicle lamp 10, the light emitted from the light emitting element 22 is made into parallel light by the collimator lens 30, and then enters the microlens array 40, and is irradiated toward the front of the lamp via the microlens array 40. Accordingly, a low beam light distribution pattern (described later) is formed.

The light emitting element 22 is a white light emitting diode, and is disposed with its light emitting surface 22a directed toward the front of the lamp (specifically, toward the front of the lamp). The light emitting surface 22a of the light emitting element 22 has a rectangular outer shape (specifically, a square of about 1×1 mm). The light emitting element 22 is arranged with its light emitting center (that is, the center position of the light emitting surface 22a) located on the optical axis Ax.

Next, a specific configuration of the collimator lens 30 will be explained.

4(a) is a view taken in the IVa direction of FIG. 2, and FIG. 4(b) is a view taken in the IVb direction of FIG. 2.

As shown in FIG. 4, the collimator lens 30 is an injection molded product made of transparent resin, and includes a central region 32 centered on the optical axis Ax, a peripheral region 34 located around the central region 32, and a peripheral region 34 located around the central region 32. A flange portion 36 located around this peripheral region 34 is provided. The central region 32 and the peripheral region 34 have circular external shapes centered on the optical axis Ax when viewed from the front of the lamp, and the flange portion 36 has a rectangular shape (specifically Specifically, the outer shape is a square with one side of 50 mm or less (for example, about 35 mm).

The rear surface 32b of the central region 32 is composed of a Fresnel lens in which a plurality of lens elements 32s are arranged concentrically around the optical axis Ax, thereby directing the emitted light from the light emitting element 22 in a direction closer to the optical axis Ax. The beam is made incident on the collimator lens 30 in such a manner that it is refracted. Specifically, the rear surface 32b of the central region 32 is configured to guide the emitted light from the light emission center of the light emitting element 22 in each lens element 32s to the front surface 30a of the collimator lens 30 as parallel light heading toward the front direction of the lamp. .

On the rear surface 34b of the peripheral region 34, a plurality of total reflection prism elements 34s are formed concentrically arranged around the optical axis Ax. Each of the plurality of total reflection prism elements 34s is a Fresnel lens type total reflection prism, and is configured to make the emitted light from the light emitting element 22 enter and then totally reflect it toward the front of the lamp. Specifically, each of the plurality of total reflection prism elements 34s refracts the emitted light from the light emission center of the light emitting element 22 in a direction away from the optical axis Ax, and then refracts the light in a parallel direction toward the front of the lamp. The light is guided to the front surface 30a of the collimator lens 30.

The boundary position between the central region 32 and the peripheral region 34 is defined by a circle having a radius of 4 to 6 mm (for example, a radius of about 5 mm) centered on the optical axis Ax.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the plurality of total reflection prism elements 34s formed on the rear surface 34b of the peripheral region 34 have an annular concave curved surface C centered on the optical axis Ax (the cross-sectional shape is indicated by the two-dot chain line in the figure). ) is formed as an envelope surface.

At that time, on the rear surface 34b of the peripheral region 34, the pitch of the plurality of total reflection prism elements 34s is adjusted such that the emitted light from the light emitting element 22 enters each of the plurality of total reflection prism elements 34s substantially equally. The curvature of the annular concave curved surface C is set.

As a result, of the plurality of total reflection prism elements 34s, the total reflection prism elements 34s located closer to the outer periphery of the rear surface 34b of the peripheral area 34 have a larger cross-sectional shape than the total reflection prism elements 34s located closer to the inner periphery. It has become something that we have.

As shown in FIGS. 1 to 4, the front surface 30a of the collimator lens 30 is constituted by a plane extending along a vertical plane orthogonal to the optical axis Ax. The collimator lens 30 is arranged with its front surface 30a close to the microlens array 40.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the collimator lens 30 has a substantially constant wall thickness of about 3 to 4 mm in the center region 32, but the peripheral region 34 has a thicker thickness in the middle than the center region 32. It is thin, with a thickness of about 6 to 8 mm at the outer peripheral edge.

As shown in FIG. 4, the flange portion 36 of the collimator lens 30 is thinner than the center region 32, and is formed to extend in a flat plate shape flush with the front surface 30a. The collimator lens 30 is supported by the lamp body 12 at its flange portion 36.

Next, a specific configuration of the microlens array 40 will be described.

As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the microlens array 40 includes a rear lens array 42 and a front lens array 44 located on the front side of the lamp.

The front surface of the rear lens array 42 is composed of a plane extending along a vertical plane perpendicular to the front-rear direction of the lamp, and the rear surface has a plurality of condensers for condensing light emitted from the light emitting elements 22. A lens portion 42s is formed. Each of the plurality of condensing lens parts 42s is a convex curved fisheye lens, and has an optical axis Ax1 extending in the front-rear direction of the lamp.

The plurality of condensing lens parts 42s are allocated to each of the plurality of segments divided into a vertical and horizontal grid pattern. Each segment has a rectangular (eg, square) outer shape with a side length of about 2 to 3 mm (eg, about 2.5 mm).

On the other hand, the rear surface of the front lens array 44 is composed of a plane extending along a vertical plane perpendicular to the front-rear direction of the lamp, and the front surface of the front lens array 44 has a plurality of light source images formed by a plurality of condensing lens sections 42s. A plurality of projection lens portions 44s are formed for respectively projecting images. These plurality of projection lens parts 44s are all convex curved fisheye lenses, and have the same size as each of the plurality of condensing lens parts 42s, and are assigned to each of a plurality of segments divided into a vertical and horizontal grid pattern. . At this time, the optical axis Ax1 of each of the plurality of projection lens sections 44s is set to be coaxial with the optical axis Ax1 of each of the plurality of condensing lens sections 42s.

The rear lens array 42 has a horizontally long rectangular outer shape when viewed from the front of the lamp, and an outer peripheral region 42c surrounding a portion where the plurality of condensing lens parts 42s are formed is formed into a flat plate shape. .

On the other hand, the front lens array 44 also has the same external shape as the rear lens array 42 when viewed from the front of the lamp, and the outer peripheral region 44c surrounding the portion where the plurality of projection lens sections 44s are formed is shaped like a flat plate. It is formed.

A light shielding sheet 50 is arranged between the rear lens array 42 and the front lens array 44 to define the shape of each of the plurality of light source images formed by the plurality of condensing lens sections 42s.

The light-shielding sheet 50 is composed of a light-shielding plate (for example, a metal plate having a thickness of about 0.1 to 0.5 mm) having approximately the same external shape as the rear lens array 42 and the front lens array 44. This light shielding sheet 50 has a plurality of light transmitting parts 50a and 50b formed therein. At this time, the plurality of transparent parts 50a and 50b are arranged in a vertical and horizontal lattice shape so as to correspond to each of the plurality of projection lens parts 44s in the front lens array 44, and the plurality of transparent parts 50a and A plurality of light transmitting parts 50b are arranged in a vertical row alternately in the left and right direction.

FIG. 5 is a detailed view of the V section in FIG. 1.

As also shown in FIG. 5, the plurality of light-transmitting parts 50a and 50b are formed as openings that penetrate the light-shielding sheet 50 and have different opening shapes.

That is, each of the plurality of light-transmitting parts 50a has an opening shape that is substantially the same as the upper half of a horizontally long ellipse. The lower edge 50a1 of the light-transmitting portion 50a is formed to extend in the left-right direction at different levels on the left and right along a vertical plane perpendicular to the optical axis Ax1 at the position of the rear focal point of the projection lens 50. Specifically, the lower edge 50a1 has a portion on the left side of the optical axis Ax1 (a portion on the right side when viewed from the front of the lamp) extending horizontally at a position slightly above the optical axis Ax1. The part on the right side of Ax1 extends horizontally at a position slightly below the optical axis Ax1, and its left end extends diagonally upward to the left and is connected to the part on the left side of the optical axis Ax1. .

Further, each of the plurality of light-transmitting portions 50b also has an opening shape that is substantially the same as the upper half of the horizontally oblong ellipse, but the opening shape is set to be considerably smaller than that of the light-transmitting portion 50a. The lower edge 50b1 of the transparent portion 50b has the same shape as the lower edge 50a1 of the transparent portion 50a.

The light shielding sheet 50 is fixed to the rear lens array 42 and the front lens array 44 by adhesive or the like. The microlens array 40 is supported by the lamp body 12 at the outer peripheral area 42c of the rear lens array 42.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing a light distribution pattern formed by irradiation light from the vehicle lamp 10 on a virtual vertical screen placed 25 m in front of the lamp.

The light distribution pattern shown in FIG. 6 is a left-hand low beam light distribution pattern PL, and has cut-off lines CL1 and CL2 at different levels on the left and right sides at its upper edge. These cutoff lines CL1 and CL2 are formed as a lower cutoff line CL1 on the right side of the VV line passing vertically through HV, which is the vanishing point in the front direction of the lamp, as a lower cutoff line CL1. The own lane side portion on the left side of the line is formed as an upper cutoff line CL2 which is stepped up from the lower cutoff line CL1 via an inclined part.

In the low beam light distribution pattern PL, the elbow point E, which is the intersection of the lower cutoff line CL1 and the line VV, is located approximately 0.5 to 0.6 degrees below HV.

The low beam light distribution pattern PL is formed as a composite light distribution pattern of two large and small light distribution patterns PLA and PLB.

The larger light distribution pattern PLA is a light distribution pattern formed by the light emitted from the plurality of light emitting elements 22 and transmitted through the plurality of light transmitting parts 50a. Moreover, the smaller light distribution pattern PLB is a light distribution pattern formed by the light emitted from the plurality of light emitting elements 22 and transmitted through the plurality of light transmitting parts 50b.

In this low beam light distribution pattern PL, a diffusion region is formed by the light distribution pattern PLA, and a high luminous intensity region HZ is formed near the elbow point E by the light distribution pattern PLB.

Next, the operation of this embodiment will be explained.

The vehicle lamp 10 according to the present embodiment converts the light emitted from the light emitting element 22 (light source) which has entered the microlens array 40 as parallel light via the collimator lens 30 into the rear lens array 42 of the microlens array 40. The light is condensed by the plurality of condensing lens sections 42s constituting the microlens array 40, and each of the plurality of light source images formed thereby is projected by the plurality of projection lens sections 44s constituting the front lens array 44 of the microlens array 40. Therefore, the low beam light distribution pattern PL (required light distribution pattern) can be easily formed in any shape.

In addition, in the collimator lens 30, after the emitted light from the light emitting element 22 is incident on the rear surface 32b of the peripheral region 32 located around the central region 32 centered on the optical axis Ax extending in the longitudinal direction of the lamp, Since the plurality of total reflection prism elements 32s that totally reflect the light toward the front of the lamp are arranged concentrically around the optical axis Ax, the depth dimension of the vehicle lamp 10 can be suppressed, and The light emitted from the light emitting element 22 can be used as forward illumination light over a wide range.

Moreover, since the plurality of total reflection prism elements 32s are formed with an annular concave curved surface C centered on the optical axis Ax as an envelope surface, the output light from the light emitting element 22 toward the outer peripheral edge of the collimator lens 30 is also A sufficient amount of light can be obtained. Therefore, the light emitted from the light emitting element 22 can be made to enter each of the plurality of condensing lens parts 42s as parallel light with substantially uniform brightness, thereby creating a low beam light distribution pattern PL with less uneven light distribution. can be formed.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, in the vehicle lamp 10 including the microlens array 40, it is possible to reduce the depth dimension and form a light distribution pattern with less uneven light distribution.

In this case, in the present embodiment, a plurality of transparent parts are provided between the rear lens array 42 and the front lens array 44 that constitute the microlens array 40 to define the external shape of each of the plurality of light source images. Since the light-shielding sheet 50 having the light-shielding sheets 50a and 50b is arranged, it is possible to form light distribution patterns PLA and PLB according to the size and external shape of each of the plurality of light-transmitting parts 50a and 50b. The light distribution pattern PL can be formed with any light distribution.

Furthermore, in the present embodiment, the light source of the vehicle lamp 10 is composed of the light emitting element 22 disposed with the light emitting surface 22a facing forward, so that the cutoff line is It becomes possible to easily form the low beam light distribution pattern PL having CL1 and CL2.

In the above embodiment, the light emitting surface 22a of the light emitting element 22 has been described as having an external shape of about 1×1 mm, but it is also possible to use a light emitting surface having a shape other than this.

In the above embodiment, the rear surface 32b of the central region 32 in the collimator lens 30 was described as being formed in the shape of a Fresnel lens, but other configurations (for example, one configured with a single convex lens surface, etc.) are possible. It is also possible to adopt

In the above embodiment, the collimator lens 30 has been described as having a circular outer shape when viewed from the front of the lamp, but it is also possible to adopt a configuration having an outer shape other than this.

In the above embodiment, the collimator lens 30 has been described as being configured as an injection molded product, but it is also possible to adopt a configuration other than this (for example, configured as a compression molded product).

In the embodiment described above, the condenser lens section 42s of the rear lens array 42 and the projection lens section 44s of the front lens array 44 in the microlens array 40 are allocated to each of a plurality of segments divided into a vertical and horizontal grid. Although the above description has been made assuming that there are two types, it is also possible to adopt a division other than a vertical and horizontal grid (for example, a diagonal grid, a honeycomb, etc.).

In the above embodiment, the light-shielding sheet 50 has been described as being composed of a light-shielding plate in which the plurality of light-transmitting parts 50a, 50b are formed as a plurality of openings. By using a transparent sheet with a light-blocking treatment applied to the surface of the surrounding area, or by applying a light-blocking process to the area surrounding the plurality of transparent parts 50a and 50b on the front surface of the rear lens array 42 or the rear surface of the front lens array 44. It is also possible to employ a formed light shielding film or the like.

In the above embodiment, the plurality of light-transmitting parts 50a and 50b formed on the light-shielding sheet 50 are described as being formed in one vertical row and alternating in the left-right direction, but in other arrangements, a plurality of types of light-transmitting parts 50a and 50b are formed in the light-shielding sheet 50. It is also possible to adopt a configuration in which a transparent portion is formed.

In the above embodiment, a case has been described in which a low beam light distribution pattern PL is formed as the required light distribution pattern, but a configuration in which a light distribution pattern other than this (for example, a light distribution pattern for road surface drawing, etc.) is formed is also possible. is also possible.

Next, a modification of the above embodiment will be described.

First, a first modification of the above embodiment will be described.

7 to 10 are views similar to FIGS. 1 to 4, showing a vehicle lamp 110 according to this modification.

As shown in FIGS. 7 to 10, the basic configuration of the vehicle lamp 110 according to this modification is the same as that of the above embodiment, but the configuration of the collimator lens 130 and the microlens array 140 is different from that of the above embodiment. The case is partially different.

That is, the collimator lens 130 of this modification has a configuration in which the collimator lens 30 of the embodiment described above and the rear lens array 42 of the microlens array 40 are integrally formed.

Specifically, the collimator lens 130 of this modified example has a plurality of condensing lens parts 130s formed on its front surface 130a, and thereby serves as the rear lens array 42 of the microlens array 40 of the above embodiment. configured to perform a function. These plurality of condensing lens parts 130s are all convex curved fisheye lenses, and are the same as each of the plurality of condensing lens parts 42s formed in the rear lens array 42 of the microlens array 40 of the above embodiment. It is allocated to each of a plurality of segments divided into vertical and horizontal grids based on size.

Further, the microlens array 140 of this modification is configured to function as the front lens array 44 in the microlens array 40 of the above embodiment. That is, this microlens array 140 has a configuration in which a plurality of projection lens sections 140s2 are formed on the front surface 140a, and a plurality of condensing lens sections 140s1 are formed on the rear surface 140b. These plurality of condensing lens parts 140s1 and plurality of projection lens parts 140s2 are divided into a plurality of segments having the same size as each of the plurality of condensing lens parts 130s formed on the front surface 130a of the collimator lens 130 and divided into vertical and horizontal lattice shapes. are assigned to each.

The microlens array 140 has an outer peripheral edge region 140c formed into a flat plate shape, and is formed to become thicker toward the rear side of the lamp.

In this modification, a light shielding sheet 50 having the same configuration as the above embodiment is arranged between the collimator lens 130 and the microlens array 140. The light shielding sheet 50 is fixed at its outer peripheral edge to the outer peripheral area 140c of the microlens array 140 by adhesive or the like. The microlens array 140 is supported by the lamp body 12 at its outer peripheral region 140c.

In the vehicle lamp 110 according to the present modification, the light emitted from the light emitting element 22 is made incident on the collimator lens 130 to become parallel light, and then a plurality of condensing lens parts 130s and microlenses formed on the front surface 130a of the collimator lens 130 are used. The light is condensed by the plurality of condensing lens sections 140s1 formed on the rear surface 140b of the array 140, and each of the plurality of light source images formed thereby is transferred to the plurality of projection lenses formed on the front surface 140a of the microlens array 140. Since the image is projected by the portion 140s2, the same effects as in the above embodiment can be obtained.

Moreover, since the collimator lens 130 of this modification has a configuration in which the collimator lens 30 of the above embodiment and the rear lens array 42 of the microlens array 40 are integrally formed, the depth of the vehicle lamp 110 is The dimensions can be further reduced, and the cost of the vehicle lamp 110 can be reduced by reducing the number of parts.

Next, a second modification of the above embodiment will be described.

FIG. 11 is a diagram similar to FIG. 3, showing a vehicle lamp 210 according to this modification.

As shown in FIG. 11, the basic configuration of a vehicle lamp 210 according to the present modification is the same as that of the first modification, but unlike the vehicle lamp 110 according to the first modification, the basic structure is similar to that of the first modification. The configuration does not include the sheet 50, and the configuration of the microlens array 240 is partially different from that of the first modification.

That is, the microlens array 240 of this modification also has a configuration in which a plurality of condensing lens sections 240s1 are formed on the rear surface 240b, and a plurality of projection lens sections 240s2 are formed on the front surface 240a. The plurality of projection lens parts 240s2 are formed such that the farther away from the optical axis Ax of the collimator lens 130 the projection lens parts 240s2 are, the larger the curvature of the horizontal cross-sectional shape of the convex curved surface forming the surface shape of the projection lens parts 240s2. On the other hand, the curvature of the vertical cross-sectional shape of the convex curved surface constituting the surface shape of each of the plurality of projection lens sections 240s2 is set to a substantially constant value.

That is, the focal lengths of the plurality of projection lens sections 240s2 in the vertical plane are approximately constant, but the focal lengths in the horizontal plane become shorter as the distance from the optical axis Ax increases.

As a result, the light emitted from the microlens array 240 becomes light that widely spreads in the left-right direction at the projection lens section 240s2 located close to the optical axis Ax, and becomes light that widely spreads in the left-right direction at the projection lens section 240s2 located at a position far from the optical axis Ax. The light spreads small in the left and right directions.

FIG. 12 is a perspective view showing a light distribution pattern formed by irradiation light from the vehicle lamp 210 on a virtual vertical screen placed 25 m in front of the lamp.

The light distribution pattern shown in FIG. 12 is an additional light distribution pattern PA that is additionally formed with respect to the low beam light distribution pattern PL when forming the high beam light distribution pattern PH.

As shown in FIG. 12, the additional light distribution pattern PA is formed as a horizontally elongated light distribution pattern that extends from the VV line to both left and right sides with HV as the center. At this time, the additional light distribution pattern PA is formed by superimposing a plurality of light distribution patterns having different left and right diffusion angles. This is because the focal lengths of the plurality of projection lens sections 240s2 constituting the front surface 240a of the microlens array 240 are approximately constant in the vertical plane, but are located away from the optical axis Ax in the horizontal plane. This is due to the fact that it is shorter.

Even when the configuration of this modification is adopted, it is possible to reduce the depth dimension of the vehicle lamp 210 and form a light distribution pattern with less uneven light distribution.

Further, as in this modification, by appropriately adjusting the value of the focal length of each of the plurality of projection lens sections 240s2, an additional light distribution pattern PA is formed as a composite light distribution pattern of a plurality of light distribution patterns. The degree of freedom in light distribution can be increased.

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

Furthermore, the present invention is not limited to the configurations described in the above embodiments and modifications thereof, and configurations with various changes other than these can be adopted.

10, 110, 210 Vehicle lamp 12 Lamp body 14 Transparent cover 22 Light emitting element (light source)
22a Light emitting surface 30, 130 Collimator lens 30a, 130a, 140a, 240a Front surface 32 Central region 32b, 34b, 140b, 240b Rear surface 32s Lens element 34 Peripheral region 34s Total reflection prism element 36 Flange portion 40, 140, 240 Microlens array 42 Rear lens array 42c, 44c, 140c Outer peripheral area 42s, 130s, 140s1, 240s1 Condensing lens section 44 Front lens array 44s, 140s2, 240s2 Projection lens section 50 Light shielding sheet 50a, 50b Transparent section 50a1, 50b1 Lower edge Ax , Ax1 Optical axis C Annular concave curved surface CL1 Lower cut-off line CL2 Upper cut-off line E Elbow point HZ High luminous intensity area PA Additional light distribution pattern (required light distribution pattern)
PH Light distribution pattern for high beam PL Light distribution pattern for low beam (required light distribution pattern)
PLA, PLB light distribution pattern

Claims (5)

A vehicle lamp configured to form a desired light distribution pattern by irradiating light emitted from a light source toward the front of the lamp through a microlens array,
The microlens array includes a rear lens array having a plurality of condensing lens sections for condensing light emitted from the light source, and each of the plurality of light source images formed by the plurality of condensing lens sections. and a front lens array having a plurality of projection lens sections for projecting.
A collimator lens is disposed between the light source and the rear lens array to make the light emitted from the light source enter the rear lens array as parallel light.
The collimator lens includes a central region centered on an optical axis extending in the front-rear direction of the lamp, and a peripheral region located around the central region,
A plurality of total reflection prism elements are formed on the rear surface of the peripheral area, and are arranged in concentric circles around the optical axis, for making the emitted light from the light source incident and totally reflecting it toward the front of the lamp. and
The vehicular lamp is characterized in that the plurality of total reflection prism elements are formed with an annular concave curved surface centered on the optical axis as an envelope surface. The vehicle lamp according to claim 1, wherein the collimator lens and the rear lens array are integrally formed. 3. The vehicle lamp according to claim 1, wherein in the front lens array, focal lengths of at least some of the plurality of projection lens sections are set to different values. A light-shielding sheet having a plurality of transparent parts for defining the external shape of each of the plurality of light source images is arranged between the rear lens array and the front lens array. The vehicle lamp according to claim 1 or 2. 3. The vehicle lamp according to claim 1, wherein the light source includes a light emitting element arranged with a light emitting surface facing forward of the lamp.

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