JP2024049896A - Vehicle lighting fixtures - Google Patents

Abstract

[Problem] To provide a vehicle lamp capable of forming a light distribution pattern for passing vehicles and an additional light distribution pattern to the side of the light distribution pattern while suppressing an increase in size. [Solution] A vehicle lamp 10 includes a substrate 36 on which light sources (31 to 34) are mounted, a reflector section (41 to 44) that reflects light emitted from the light sources (31 to 34), a projection lens 14 that projects the light reflected by the reflector section (41 to 44) to form a light distribution pattern P that illuminates the front of the vehicle, and a mounting member 11 to which the substrate 36 is attached to a mounting section 21a. The mounting member 11 is provided with a light-shielding wall 23 that protrudes from the mounting section 21a, and the substrate 36 is provided with a light-shielding wall slit 37 that receives the light-shielding wall 23 at a position corresponding to the light sources (31, 32, 34). [Selected Figure] Figure 2

Description

This disclosure relates to vehicle lighting.

One type of vehicle lamp that is being considered is one that incorporates a light distribution unit that forms a desired light distribution pattern (see, for example, Patent Document 1). In this vehicle lamp, the light distribution unit forms the desired light distribution pattern by blocking part of the light from the light source with a shade.

JP 2005-141918 A

However, the vehicle lamp described above is configured so that the drive mechanism supports the shade so that it can be moved between the optical path from the light source to the projection lens and a position off the optical path, which results in a complex configuration and an increase in the number of parts.

This disclosure was made in consideration of the above circumstances, and aims to provide a vehicle lamp that can form a desired light distribution pattern with a simple configuration and without increasing the number of parts.

The vehicle lamp of the present disclosure comprises a substrate on which a light source is mounted, a reflector section that reflects light emitted from the light source, a projection lens that projects the light reflected by the reflector section to form a light distribution pattern that illuminates the area ahead of the vehicle, and a mounting member to which the substrate is attached to a mounting section, the mounting member being provided with a light-shielding wall that protrudes from the mounting section, and the substrate being provided with a light-shielding wall slit that receives the light-shielding wall at a position corresponding to the light source.

The vehicle lamp disclosed herein can form a desired light distribution pattern with a simple configuration and without increasing the number of parts.

1 is an explanatory diagram showing a vehicle lamp according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing an exploded configuration of a vehicle lamp. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing a state in which a light source unit is provided on a mounting member. FIG. FIG. 4 is an end view taken along line II of FIG. 3. FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing a light source unit. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing a state in which the vehicle lamp is viewed from diagonally below in an inverted manner in order to understand the positional relationship between a projection lens, a reflector member, and each light source in the vehicle lamp; FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing the positional relationship between the projection lens, the reflector member, and each light source as viewed from below in the up-down direction; FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing the positional relationship between the projection lens, the reflector member, and each light source as viewed from above in the up-down direction; FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram showing how light from each light source shown in FIG. 7 is reflected by each reflector member and emitted from each lens portion. FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing a first light distribution pattern formed by a first unit of a vehicle lamp on a screen where a horizontal line and a vertical line intersect at a center position on a projection optical axis. FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram showing a second light distribution pattern formed by a second unit of the vehicle lamp on a screen where a horizontal line and a vertical line intersect at the center position on the projection optical axis. FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram showing a third light distribution pattern formed by a third unit of the vehicle lamp on a screen where a horizontal line and a vertical line intersect at the center position on the projection optical axis. FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram showing a fourth light distribution pattern formed by a fourth unit of the vehicle lamp on a screen where a horizontal line and a vertical line intersect at the center position on the projection optical axis. FIG. FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing a low-beam light distribution pattern on a screen where a horizontal line and a vertical line intersect at the center position on the projection optical axis. FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram showing a state in which a low-beam light distribution pattern and a third light distribution pattern are formed on a screen where a horizontal line and a vertical line intersect at the center position on the projection optical axis. 9 is an explanatory diagram showing the positional relationship between a projection lens, a reflector member, and each light source, which is configured differently from that shown in FIG. 8, as viewed from above in the up-down direction. FIG. 17 is an explanatory diagram showing a light source unit in the configuration of FIG. 16 .

Below, a first embodiment of a vehicle lamp 10 as an example of a vehicle lamp according to the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that in Figs. 10 to 15, which show the light distribution patterns, the brightness distribution is shown as contour lines that become brighter toward the center on a screen where a horizontal line H and a vertical line V intersect with the central position O (projection optical axis Lp) of the irradiation by the vehicle lamp 10 as the origin.

A vehicle lamp 10 according to a first embodiment of the vehicle lamp of the present disclosure will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 15. The vehicle lamp 10 according to the first embodiment is used as a headlamp device for a vehicle such as an automobile. The headlamp device is mounted on both the left and right sides of the front of the vehicle, and the vehicle lamp 10 is provided in a lamp chamber formed by a lamp housing whose open front end is covered with an outer lens 15 (see FIG. 8). The vehicle lamp 10 is provided in the lamp chamber via a vertical light axis adjustment mechanism and a horizontal light axis adjustment mechanism, and appropriately illuminates the front of the vehicle. In the following description, in the vehicle lamp 10, the direction in which the vehicle travels is the front-rear direction (referred to as Z in the drawings), the vertical direction when the front-rear direction is in a state along a horizontal plane is the up-down direction (referred to as Y in the drawings), and the direction perpendicular to the front-rear direction and the up-down direction (horizontal direction) is the width direction (referred to as X in the drawings). Here, the vehicle lamp 10 installed on the right side of the vehicle and the one installed on the left side are basically the same configuration but are inverted in the width direction (left and right), so the following explanation will be given using the vehicle lamp 10 installed on the right side.

As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the vehicle lamp 10 of Example 1 is a projector-type lamp unit in which a light source section 12, a reflector member 13, and a projection lens 14 are attached to an attachment member 11. The attachment member 11 is where the light source section 12 is provided, and is made of a thermally conductive aluminum plate, aluminum die-casting, or resin, and functions as a heat sink that dissipates heat generated by the light source section 12 to the outside. The attachment member 11 has a light source attachment section 21 and a lens attachment section 22.

2 to 4, the light source mounting section 21 is a flat plate perpendicular to the vertical direction, and the light source section 12 is attached at a predetermined position. Three light-shielding walls 23 are provided on the light source mounting section 21. Each light-shielding wall 23 is a plate-like wall that protrudes upward in the vertical direction so as to be perpendicular to the light source mounting section 21, and corresponds individually to the first light source 31, the second light source 32, and the fourth light source 34 of the light source section 12, which will be described later. Each light-shielding wall 23 in the first embodiment is a plate-like wall that protrudes upward from the light source mounting section 21 by partially cutting out the plate-like light source mounting section 21 into a U-shape and bending the part corresponding to the open end of the U-shape. Therefore, in the light source mounting section 21, a through hole is formed at the location where each light-shielding wall 23 is provided. Each light-shielding wall 23 is provided on the front side of the corresponding light source in the front-rear direction, and absorbs or diffuses light from the corresponding light source. Each light-shielding wall 23 is positioned relative to the corresponding light source to prevent the light from the corresponding light source from illuminating above the cutoff line CL in the low-passing light distribution pattern LP (described later).

The lens mounting section 22 is a flat plate that is approximately perpendicular to the up-down direction, is provided in front of the light source mounting section 21 in the front-to-back direction, and is positioned lower in the up-down direction than the light source mounting section 21 with a step. The lens mounting section 22 constitutes the location where the projection lens 14 is attached, and the projection lens 14 is positioned in front of the light source section 12 attached to the light source mounting section 21 in the front-to-back direction.

The mounting member 11 has four positioning holes 11a and three screw holes 11b. Each positioning hole 11a and each screw hole 11b are provided in pairs. Each positioning hole 11a can be fitted with a positioning protrusion 13a of the reflector member 13 described later. Each screw hole 11b can be passed through a screw 24. The mounting member 11 can be provided with multiple heat dissipation fins, and heat generated by the light source unit 12 attached to the light source mounting portion 21 can be dissipated to the outside mainly from each heat dissipation fin. The mounting member 11 is fixed to the lamp housing via a bracket (not shown). The mounting member 11 can be provided with a cooling fan unit as appropriate to increase cooling efficiency.

As shown in FIG. 5 and other figures, the light source unit 12 has a first light source 31, a second light source 32, a third light source 33, a fourth light source 34 (see FIG. 2 and other figures), a connector terminal 35, and a substrate 36 on which they are mounted. These four light sources (31 to 34) are composed of light-emitting elements such as LEDs (Light Emitting Diodes). The four light sources (31 to 34) are provided at positions corresponding to the respective reflector units (41 to 44) described later. This positional relationship will be described later.

The connector terminal 35 is electrically connected to the wiring pattern of the substrate 36, and the connector connected to the lighting control circuit can be freely attached and detached. The connector terminal 35 is provided at the rear end of the substrate 36 in the front-to-rear direction, and the connector can be easily attached and detached. The connector terminal 35, with the connector attached, enables the supply of power from the lighting control circuit to each light source (31 to 34) via the wiring pattern.

The board 36 is a plate-like aluminum board on which the light sources (31 to 34) are mounted. The board 36 may be made of a resin material such as a glass epoxy board, or may be made of other materials. The board 36 is provided with a wiring pattern that electrically connects the light sources (31 to 34) to the connector terminals 35. The board 36 is also provided with a positioning hole 36a corresponding to the positioning hole 11a in the center of the light source mounting portion 21 of the mounting member 11, and a screw through hole 36b corresponding to the screw through hole 11b nearby. The board 36 is attached to the mounting member 11 (light source mounting portion 21) by passing the positioning protrusion 13a of the reflector member 13 described later through the positioning hole 36a, and screwing the screw 24 through the screw through hole 36b into the screw hole 13b of the reflector member 13 described later. The board 36 is supplied with power from a lighting control circuit via the connector terminals 35 as appropriate to light up the light sources (31 to 34) as appropriate.

The substrate 36 is provided with light-shielding wall slits 37 in front of the first light source 31, the second light source 32, and the fourth light source 34. Each light-shielding wall slit 37 is located in front of the corresponding light source, and is capable of receiving each light-shielding wall 23 provided in the light source mounting portion 21 of the mounting member 11. In the light-shielding wall slits 37 of the first embodiment, the light-shielding wall slit 37a corresponding to the first light source 31 and the light-shielding wall slit 37b corresponding to the second light source 32 are through holes penetrating the substrate 36. In addition, in the light-shielding wall slits 37 of the first embodiment, the light-shielding wall slit 37c corresponding to the fourth light source 34 is cut inward from the outer periphery of the substrate 36. Note that the light-shielding wall slits 37 may be appropriately set to be through holes or cuts according to the positions of the substrate 36 as long as they can receive the corresponding light-shielding walls 23, and are not limited to the configuration of the first embodiment.

The reflector member 13 is a molded product made of a resin material, and the first reflector portion 41, the second reflector portion 42, the third reflector portion 43, and the fourth reflector portion 44 (see Figures 2, 6, etc.) are integrally provided. Each reflector portion (41 to 44) has a reflective surface Rs that is curved to cover the corresponding light source (31 to 34), and each reflective surface Rs reflects the light emitted from the corresponding light source (31 to 34) toward the projection lens 14. Each reflective surface Rs is provided inside each reflector portion (41 to 44). Each reflective surface Rs is a bowl-shaped free-form surface based on an ellipse with the corresponding light source (31 to 34) (its center position or its vicinity) as the first focus and the vicinity of the lens portion (51 to 54) of the corresponding projection lens 14 described later as the second focus. This allows each reflector section (41 to 44) to efficiently guide the light emitted from each light source (31 to 34) near the first focal point to the corresponding lens section (51 to 54). The positional relationship between each reflector section (41 to 44) will be described later.

As shown in Figures 2, 6, 7, etc., the reflector member 13 is provided with four positioning protrusions 13a and three screw holes 13b. Each positioning protrusion 13a is rod-shaped and protrudes downward in the vertical direction at a position that does not obstruct the optical path from each reflector portion (41 to 44). Each screw hole 13b is provided near the corresponding positioning protrusion 13a at a position that does not obstruct the optical path from each reflector portion (41 to 44), and can be fixed by screwing in a screw 24.

The reflector member 13 is fixed to the mounting member 11 by screwing the screws 24 into the screw holes 13b while being positioned by the positioning protrusions 13a with the light source unit 12 interposed between the reflector member 13 and the light source mounting portion 21. Then, the light source unit 12 is fixed to the upper surface (21a) of the light source mounting portion 21 of the mounting member 11, so that the upper surface (21a) becomes the mounting portion 21a to which the light source unit 12 (its respective light sources (31 to 34)) and the respective reflector portions (41 to 44) of the reflector member 13 are attached (see Figures 3, 4, etc.). As a result, the light source unit 12 faces each of the light sources (31 to 34) mounted on the board 36 to the corresponding reflector portions (41 to 44) on the mounting portion 21a (see Figures 6, 7, etc.). Then, in the light source unit 12, the three light-shielding walls 23 provided on the mounting portion 21a of the mounting member 11 (light source mounting portion 21) are passed through the corresponding light-shielding wall slits 37 of the substrate 36, so that they protrude forward of the first light source 31, the second light source 32, and the fourth light source 34 (see Figures 3, 4, etc.). Each light-shielding wall 23 blocks light from the first light source 31, the second light source 32, and the fourth light source 34 that travels directly to the corresponding portion of the projection lens 14 (each lens portion (51, 52, 54) described later) and then travels above the cutoff line CL in the low-passing light distribution pattern LP described later. As a result, in the light source unit 12, the light from the first light source 31, the second light source 32, and the fourth light source 34 can be prevented from illuminating above the cutoff line CL in the low-passing light distribution pattern LP described later.

Here, in the vehicle lamp 10, as described later, each lens portion (51 to 54) appropriately overlaps a plurality of light distribution images of the inner wall portion (41c to 44c) (a predetermined area in the vicinity) of each reflective surface Rs of the corresponding reflector portion (41 to 44) to form a light distribution pattern P. Therefore, in the vehicle lamp 10, the light reflected by the reflector portion is prevented from going above the cutoff line CL. However, in the vehicle lamp 10, there is a risk that the light going directly from the corresponding light source (31 to 34) to the projection lens 14 will go above the cutoff line CL. And, in the vehicle lamp 10, as described later, the light from the first light source 31, the second light source 32, and the fourth light source 34 forms the passing light distribution pattern LP, so it is not preferable for the light to go above the cutoff line CL. For this reason, in the vehicle lamp 10, by providing each light-shielding wall 23 in front of the first light source 31, the second light source 32, and the fourth light source 34, it is possible to block light from traveling above the cutoff line CL as described above, and to appropriately form the low-vehicle light distribution pattern LP as described below.

When the reflector member 13 is fixed to the mounting member 11 as described above, the light source unit 12 positions the connector terminal 35 provided on the substrate 36 between the first reflector portion 41 and the second reflector portion 42 adjacent to each other in the width direction (see FIG. 8). Here, the first reflector portion 41 and the second reflector portion 42 are each cup-shaped and have their open ends 41b, 42b adjacent to each other, so that a gap is formed between the rear wall portions 41c, 42c. The connector terminal 35 is disposed between the first reflector portion 41 and the second reflector portion 42 adjacent to each other in the width direction by utilizing the gap formed near the rear wall portions 41c, 42c. Therefore, the connector terminal 35 can be provided by efficiently utilizing the mounting portion 21a, and the size can be suppressed.

The reflector member 13 is provided with three partition walls 25. Each partition wall 25 is located between the first lens portion 51 and the second lens portion 52, between the second lens portion 52 and the third lens portion 53, and between the third lens portion 53 and the fourth lens portion 54 of the projection lens 14, and is a plate extending in the vertical direction. Each partition wall 25 prevents light passing through each irradiation unit (61 to 64) from traveling to other adjacent irradiation units, which will be described later.

As shown in Figs. 6 to 9, the projection lens 14 projects the light reflected by the reflector member 13 (each of its reflecting surfaces Rs) forward of the vehicle to form a predetermined light distribution pattern. The projection lens 14 is a molded product made of a resin material, and a first lens section 51, a second lens section 52, a third lens section 53, and a fourth lens section 54 (see Fig. 2, etc.) are integrally provided. Each lens section (51 to 54) is positioned opposite the corresponding reflector section (41 to 44), that is, in the direction in which light from the corresponding light source (31 to 34) is reflected by the reflector section (41 to 44). Specifically, in the projection lens 14, the fourth lens section 54, the first lens section 51, the second lens section 52, and the third lens section 53 are provided adjacent to each other in this order in the width direction from the inside of the vehicle (the right side in Fig. 7, and the left side in Fig. 8).

Each of the lens sections (51 to 54) has a focal point (rear focal point) located near the rear wall portion (41b to 44b) of the corresponding reflector section (41 to 44) described later. Each of the lens sections (51 to 54) irradiates light from the corresponding reflector section (41 to 44), and forms a plurality of light distribution images of the rear wall portion (41b to 44b) (a predetermined area in the vicinity) that are appropriately superimposed at a position according to the optical characteristics on a screen where the horizontal line H and the vertical line V intersect with the center position O of the irradiation by the vehicle lamp 10 as the origin. The optical characteristics can be set by adjusting the curvature (surface shape) of each lens section (51 to 54) for each location, and in the first embodiment, the curvature is gradually changed to set it.

The first lens section 51 is a convex lens, the second lens section 52 is a concave lens, the third lens section 53 is a concave lens, and the fourth lens section 54 is a concave lens. The fourth lens section 54 and the first lens section 51 are extended in the width direction. The second lens section 52 is tilted slightly rearward than the first lens section 51 so as to be displaced rearward as it moves outward. The third lens section 53 is tilted rearward more than the second lens section 52 so as to be displaced rearward as it moves outward. The third lens section 53 in the first embodiment has an axis that coincides with the third projection optical axis Lp3 of the third reflector section 43, which will be described later, and is tilted outward between 40 degrees and 80 degrees with respect to the front-rear direction, and this tilt is 60 degrees in the first embodiment. As a result, the projection lens 14 as a whole slopes (slants) from the inside to the outside in the width direction toward the rear in the front-to-rear direction, and is shaped similarly to the outer lens 15 (see Figure 8), giving it a unified appearance.

Here, in the projection lens 14 of the first embodiment, the first lens unit 51 is a convex lens in that the first exit surface 51a is a substantially smooth curved surface, and the first entrance surface 51b is a convex surface that bulges toward the first light source 31 (first reflector unit 41). The second lens unit 52 is a concave lens in that the second exit surface 52a is a substantially smooth curved surface, and the second entrance surface 52b is a concave surface that is recessed on the opposite side to the second light source 32 (second reflector unit 42). Furthermore, the third lens unit 53 is a concave lens in that the third exit surface 53a is a substantially smooth curved surface, and the third entrance surface 53b is a concave surface that is recessed on the opposite side to the third light source 33 (third reflector unit 43). The fourth lens section 54 is a concave lens in that the fourth exit surface 54a is a substantially smooth curved surface, and the fourth entrance surface 54b is a concave surface that is recessed toward the opposite side to the fourth light source 34 (fourth reflector section 44). The curvature of each entrance surface (51b to 54b) is set according to the optical settings of each irradiation unit (61 to 64) described later.

In the projection lens 14 of Example 1, the fourth exit surface 54a, the first exit surface 51a, and the second exit surface 52a are arranged in a continuous line from the inside in the width direction, forming a single curved surface. Here, a single curved surface means that there are no bends and the change in curvature is continuous. As a result, in the projection lens 14 of Example 1, even though the first lens section 51, the second lens section 52, and the fourth lens section 54 have different optical characteristics as described below, the fourth exit surface 54a, the first exit surface 51a, and the second exit surface 52a can be made to appear to form a single surface, improving the appearance.

In addition, in the projection lens 14 of Example 1, the third exit surface 53a of the third lens unit 53 is a single curved surface. In addition, in the projection lens 14 of Example 1, a curved surface portion 55 is provided between the second lens unit 52 (its second exit surface 52a) and the third lens unit 53 (its third exit surface 53a). This curved surface portion 55 forms a continuous portion while bending between the second exit surface 52a of the second lens unit 52 and the third exit surface 53a of the third lens unit 53. In other words, the second exit surface 52a and the third exit surface 53a are single curved surfaces that extend in different directions, but they are continuous while changing their direction due to the curved surface portion 55. As a result, in the projection lens 14, the four exit surfaces (51a to 54a) can be designed as a whole with a cohesive, integrated design composed of two smooth curved surfaces without unevenness, while moving toward the rear as they move outward (slanting). Furthermore, in the projection lens 14, the second lens portion 52 can be made to be approximately perpendicular to the second projection optical axis Lp2 of the second irradiation unit 62 described below, while the third lens portion 53 can be made to be approximately perpendicular to the third projection optical axis Lp3 of the third irradiation unit 63 described below.

In addition, in the projection lens 14 of Example 1, a common reference curve that is smoothly continuous and gently curved is set on the incident surface side of the second lens unit 52 to the third lens unit 53, and the second incident surface 52b and the third incident surface 53b are concave surfaces that are concave with respect to the reference curve. Therefore, the second incident surface 52b and the third incident surface 53b can be adjacent to each other without creating a step between them, and it is possible to prevent unintended light and dark from being formed on each light distribution pattern P due to the light caused by the step. In addition, since the second incident surface 52b and the third incident surface 53b are mutually concave, it is possible to suppress the light from one irradiation unit from entering the incident surface of the other irradiation unit, compared to when the incident surface of one irradiation unit is concave and the incident surface of the other irradiation unit is convex.

As shown in Figs. 2 to 7, the projection lens 14 has two positioning holes 14a and one screw-through hole 14b. Each positioning hole 14a is provided on both sides of the area in which each lens portion (51 to 54) is provided in the width direction, and the corresponding positioning protrusion 13a of the reflector member 13 can be inserted. The screw-through hole 14b can be passed through the screw 24. The projection lens 14 is attached between the mounting member 11 (lens mounting portion 22) and the reflector member 13 by threading the screw 24 through the screw-through hole 14b into the screw hole 13b of the reflector member 13 while each positioning protrusion 13a of the reflector member 13 is passed through the positioning hole 14a. As a result, the projection lens 14 is positioned such that each lens portion (51 to 54) faces the corresponding reflector portion (41 to 44).

Next, the positional relationship of each reflector section (41 to 44) will be described. First, each reflector section (41 to 44) cooperates with the corresponding light source (31 to 34) and lens section (51 to 54) to form an irradiation unit that forms a predetermined light distribution pattern. In detail, the first reflector section 41 constitutes a first irradiation unit 61 with the first light source 31 and the first lens section 51, and the second reflector section 42 constitutes a second irradiation unit 62 with the second light source 32 and the second lens section 52. In addition, the third reflector section 43 constitutes a third irradiation unit 63 with the third light source 33 and the third lens section 53, and the fourth reflector section 44 constitutes a fourth irradiation unit 64 with the fourth light source 34 and the fourth lens section 54.

Here, in each irradiation unit (61 to 64), the axis of the respective reflector portion (41 to 44) is set as the projection optical axis Lp. The axis (each projection optical axis Lp) is set as the major axis of the ellipse based on each reflecting surface Rs. In the following, the axis of the first irradiation unit 61 is set as the first projection optical axis Lp1, the axis of the second irradiation unit 62 is set as the second projection optical axis Lp2, the axis of the third irradiation unit 63 is set as the third projection optical axis Lp3, and the axis of the fourth irradiation unit 64 is set as the fourth projection optical axis Lp4 (see FIG. 7).

As shown in Figures 6 to 8, in the first illumination unit 61, the first reflector portion 41 is provided at the center in the width direction, and its first projection optical axis Lp1 is aligned in the front-rear direction. This first projection optical axis Lp1 also functions as the projection optical axis Lp in the vehicle lamp 10. This first reflector portion 41 is bowl-shaped on a horizontal plane, with the open end 41a from which light is emitted positioned at the front in the front-rear direction, and the back wall portion 41b, which is the apex of the bowl, positioned at the rear in the front-rear direction. The first lens portion 51 of the projection lens 14 is positioned at the front of the first reflector portion 41 in the front-rear direction, i.e., on the first projection optical axis Lp1.

In this first reflector part 41, the lower end of the inner wall part 41b is the cutoff forming surface 41c (see Figures 3, 4, etc.). In order to form the cutoff line CL, this cutoff forming surface 41c has a shape in which two horizontal edges with different heights are connected at the lower end by an inclined edge. As shown in Figure 6, the first reflector part 41 reflects light from the first light source 31 located at (or near) the first focus of its reflecting surface Rs toward the first lens part 51. As shown in Figures 6 and 7, the first lens part 51 projects the light reflected by the first reflector part 41 in the direction of the first projection optical axis Lp1. At this time, since the first lens part 51 is a convex lens, it causes the light from the first reflector part 41 to travel in the direction of the first projection optical axis Lp1 while condensing it. In addition, even if the vehicle lamp 10 is installed on the left side of the vehicle, the relationship between the inclination direction and height of the cutoff forming surface 41c is not reversed in the width direction. In other words, the vehicle lamp 10 is reversed in the width direction between the right and left sides of the vehicle, but the inclination of the cutoff forming surface 41c is in the same direction.

As a result, the first irradiation unit 61 forms a first light distribution pattern P1 on the screen as a concentrated light distribution pattern that concentrates light from the first light source 31, as shown in FIG. 10. This first light distribution pattern P1 has a cutoff line CL on the upper side, in which two horizontal edges of different heights are connected by an inclined edge. The first light distribution pattern P1 positions the cutoff line CL on the projection optical axis Lp, and collects light below the cutoff line CL to emphasize the brightness and clarify the brightness and darkness of the cutoff line CL.

As shown in Figs. 3 to 5, etc., in the second irradiation unit 62, the second reflector portion 42 is provided adjacent to the first reflector portion 41 on the outside in the width direction. The second reflector portion 42 has a second projection optical axis Lp2 that is aligned with the front-rear direction or is slightly tilted outward from the front-rear direction. The second reflector portion 42 has an open end 42a located on the front side in the front-rear direction, and a back wall portion 42b that is the apex of the bowl shape located on the rear side in the front-rear direction. The second lens portion 52 of the projection lens 14 is located on the second projection optical axis Lp2 of the second reflector portion 42. The second lens portion 52 is adjacent to the first lens portion 51 on the outside in the width direction.

9, the second reflector unit 42 reflects the light from the second light source 32 located at (near) the first focus of the reflecting surface Rs toward the second lens unit 52. The second lens unit 52 projects the light reflected by the second reflector unit 42 toward the second projection optical axis Lp2, as shown in FIG. 7. At this time, the second lens unit 52 is a concave lens and the second projection optical axis Lp2 is slightly tilted outward, so that the light from the second reflector unit 42 is diffused and travels in the direction of the second projection optical axis Lp2, i.e., slightly outward (leftward in FIG. 7 and FIG. 9) in the width direction from the projection optical axis Lp (first projection optical axis Lp1). In the second lens unit 52 of the first embodiment, the degree of concavity of the second entrance surface 52b, which is a concave surface, i.e., the curvature of the second entrance surface 52b, is smaller than that of the third entrance surface 53b and larger than that of the fourth entrance surface 54b.

As a result, the second irradiation unit 62 forms a second light distribution pattern P2 on the screen as a highly diffused light distribution pattern that largely diffuses the light from the second light source 32, as shown in FIG. 11. The center of brightness of this second light distribution pattern P2 is located outside (to the right) in the width direction from the projection optical axis Lp. The second light distribution pattern P2 partially overlaps with the first light distribution pattern P1 below the cutoff line CL of the first light distribution pattern P1 and extends largely outside of it, brightening a wider area than the first light distribution pattern P1.

In the third irradiation unit 63, as shown in Figs. 6 to 8, the third reflector portion 43 is provided between the first reflector portion 41 and the second reflector portion 42 in the width direction and in front of the first reflector portion 41 and the second reflector portion 42 in the front-rear direction. In other words, the third reflector portion 43 is positioned forward to a position where it contacts the first reflector portion 41 (its open end 41a) and the second reflector portion 42 (its open end 42a) in the front-rear direction, and is therefore positioned between the first reflector portion 41 and the second reflector portion 42 adjacent in the width direction. The third reflector portion 43 has its third projection optical axis Lp3 inclined outward between 40 degrees and 80 degrees with respect to the front-rear direction, and in the first embodiment, this inclination is set to 60 degrees.

The third reflector 43 is bowl-shaped on a horizontal plane, with the open end 43a from which light is emitted positioned at the front in the front-rear direction, and the back wall portion 43b, which is the apex of the bowl, positioned at the rear in the front-rear direction. The third lens 53 of the projection lens 14 is positioned opposite the third reflector 43, i.e., on the third projection optical axis Lp3. As described above, the third lens 53 is positioned outside the second lens 52 in the width direction. This is because the third projection optical axis Lp3 of the third reflector 43 is inclined 60 degrees outward. In this way, the order of the arrangement of the second reflector 42 and the third reflector 43 and the order of the arrangement of the second lens 52 and the third lens 53 are reversed in the width direction. Therefore, the optical paths (both projection optical axes Lp2 and Lp3) of the second irradiation unit 62 and the third irradiation unit 63 cross each other.

In addition, the third reflector section 43 is inclined significantly outward with respect to the first reflector section 41 and the second reflector section 42 by greatly inclining the third projection optical axis Lp3. Therefore, in the third reflector section 43, the vicinity of the rear wall portion 43b (the third light source 33) is located in front of the first light source 31 in the front-rear direction. Here, in the first irradiation unit 61, the trajectory of the effective light from the first light source 31 reflected by the first reflector section 41 and proceeding to the first lens section 51 becomes the optical path for forming the first light distribution pattern P1. The optical path of the first irradiation unit 61 has a reduced dimension in the width direction at the intermediate position from the first reflector section 41 to the first lens section 51 (see FIG. 9). The third reflector section 43 is disposed in front of the first light source 31 in accordance with the state of the light path of the first irradiation unit 61 (the above-mentioned effective light trajectory) so as to minimize the obstruction of the light path of the first irradiation unit 61. In other words, the position and size of the third reflector section 43 on the light path of the first irradiation unit 61 are set so as to minimize the obstruction of the light path of the first irradiation unit 61.

In addition, in the third reflector section 43, more than half of the open end 43b side is located on the optical path of the second irradiation unit 62, that is, on the trajectory of effective light from the second light source 32 used to form the second light distribution pattern P2, which is reflected by the second reflector section 42 and proceeds to the second lens section 52. In the third reflector section 43, a light source side notch 45 is provided on one side of the second light source 32, and an opposite side notch 46 is provided on the other side of the second lens section 52. The light source side notch 45 and the opposite side notch 46 are formed by partially cutting out the third reflector section 43 in order to prevent the light from the second light source 32, which is reflected by the second reflector section 42 and proceeds to the second lens section 52, from being obstructed. The light source side notch 45 and the opposite side notch 46 in the first embodiment are cut out in a curved shape centered on or near the second projection optical axis Lp2.

In the first embodiment, the optical path of the second irradiation unit 62 is reduced in the width direction at the intermediate position from the second reflector 42 to the second lens 52 (see FIG. 9). For this reason, the light source side notch 45 is cut out larger than the opposite side notch 46, that is, the opposite side notch 46 has a larger radius of curvature. In other words, in the third reflector 43, the light source side notch 45 is cut out larger so as to make the reflection surface Rs in the third reflector 43 as large as possible while suppressing the obstruction of the optical path of the second irradiation unit 62, and the opposite side notch 46 is cut out smaller than that. As a result, both notches (45, 46) make it possible to ensure a balanced optical path for both the second irradiation unit 62 and the third irradiation unit 63, and make it possible to appropriately form both the second light distribution pattern P2 and the third light distribution pattern P3.

As shown in FIG. 9, the third reflector unit 43 reflects light from the third light source 33 located at (near) the first focus of the reflecting surface Rs toward the third lens unit 53. As shown in FIG. 7, the third lens unit 53 projects the light reflected by the third reflector unit 43 in the direction of the third projection optical axis Lp3. At this time, since the third lens unit 53 is a concave lens and the third projection optical axis Lp3 is greatly tilted outward, the light reflected by the third reflector unit 43 is diffused and travels in the direction of the third projection optical axis Lp3, i.e., in a direction farther outward (leftward in FIG. 7 and FIG. 9) than the projection optical axis Lp (first projection optical axis Lp1) in the width direction. In the third lens unit 53 of the first embodiment, the degree of concavity of the third entrance surface 53b, i.e., the curvature of the third entrance surface 53b, is made larger than the other concave entrance surfaces (52b, 54b).

As a result, the third irradiation unit 63 diffuses the light from the third light source 33 on the screen to form a third light distribution pattern P3, as shown in FIG. 12. The center of brightness of this third light distribution pattern P3 is located farther outward (right side) in the width direction than the projection optical axis Lp. The third light distribution pattern P3 brightens a wide area on the outside (right side) in the width direction while partially overlapping with the second light distribution pattern P2. The third light distribution pattern P3 can illuminate the side of the low-beam light distribution pattern LP described later (see FIG. 15), and functions as a so-called side light distribution pattern that can illuminate a position that may be a blind spot with the low-beam light distribution pattern LP alone. In the first embodiment, this third light distribution pattern P3 brightens the range from 30 degrees to 90 degrees outward along the horizontal line H from the center position O (projection optical axis Lp).

In the fourth irradiation unit 64, as shown in Figs. 6 to 8, the fourth reflector portion 44 is provided adjacent to the first reflector portion 41 on the inside in the width direction of the first reflector portion 41. The fourth reflector portion 44 has a fourth projection optical axis Lp4 that is aligned with the front-rear direction or is slightly tilted inward from the front-rear direction. The fourth reflector portion 44 is bowl-shaped on a horizontal plane, with the open end 44a from which light is emitted positioned on the front side in the front-rear direction, and the back wall portion 44b, which is the apex of the bowl, positioned on the rear side in the front-rear direction. The fourth lens portion 54 of the projection lens 14 is positioned on the front side of the fourth reflector portion 44 in the front-rear direction, i.e., on the fourth projection optical axis Lp4. Here, the fourth reflector portion 44 is adjacent to the first reflector portion 41 on the inside in the width direction, and the second lens portion 52 is adjacent to the first lens portion 51 on the inside in the width direction.

As shown in FIG. 9, the fourth reflector unit 44 reflects light from the fourth light source 34 located at (or near) the first focus of the reflecting surface Rs toward the fourth lens unit 54. As shown in FIG. 7, the fourth lens unit 54 projects the light reflected by the fourth reflector unit 44 toward the fourth projection optical axis Lp4. At this time, since the fourth lens unit 54 is a concave lens and the fourth projection optical axis Lp4 is slightly tilted inward, the light reflected by the fourth reflector unit 44 is diffused and travels in the direction of the fourth projection optical axis Lp4, i.e., slightly inward (to the right in FIG. 7 and FIG. 9) in the width direction from the projection optical axis Lp (first projection optical axis Lp1). In the fourth lens unit 54 of the first embodiment, the degree of concavity of the fourth entrance surface 54b, i.e., the curvature of the fourth entrance surface 54b, which is a concave surface, is smaller than the other concave entrance surfaces (52b, 53b).

As a result, the fourth irradiation unit 64 forms a fourth light distribution pattern P4 on the screen as a medium diffuse light distribution pattern that diffuses the light from the fourth light source 34, as shown in FIG. 13. The center of brightness of this fourth light distribution pattern P4 is located inside (left side) in the width direction from the projection optical axis Lp. The fourth light distribution pattern P4 is below the cutoff line CL of the first light distribution pattern P1 and includes substantially the entire area of the first light distribution pattern P1, expanding greatly to the left thereof and brightening a wider area than the first light distribution pattern P1.

The vehicle lamp 10 can form a low-passing light distribution pattern LP as shown in FIG. 14 by turning on the first light source 31, the second light source 32, and the fourth light source 34 to simultaneously form and overlap the first light distribution pattern P1, the second light distribution pattern P2, and the fourth light distribution pattern P4. This low-passing light distribution pattern LP has a cutoff line CL on the projection optical axis Lp, and can brighten a large area in the width direction below the cutoff line CL while making the area near the projection optical axis Lp the brightest.

Then, in the state where the low-passing light distribution pattern LP is formed, the vehicle lamp 10 lights up the third light source 33 to form the third light distribution pattern P3, as shown in FIG. 15, and can brighten the outside (the right side in FIG. 15) of the low-passing light distribution pattern LP while overlapping it partially. As a result, the vehicle lamp 10 can ensure a wide range of visibility to the right of the low-passing light distribution pattern LP in addition to the low-passing light distribution pattern LP. Here, when the steering wheel of the vehicle in which the vehicle lamp 10 is mounted is turned significantly to the right or when an operation is performed to turn on the right turn signal, the vehicle lamp 10 turns on the third light source 33 in conjunction with the operation, thereby automatically ensuring a wide range of visibility in accordance with the operation of the vehicle and appropriately supporting driving. The vehicle lamp 10 may also turn on the third light source 33 in accordance with an operation on an operation unit for turning on the third light source 33 provided on the vehicle to form the third light distribution pattern P3. Furthermore, when forming the low-vehicle light distribution pattern LP, the vehicle lamp 10 may be configured to constantly form the third light distribution pattern P3. If the vehicle lamp 10 is provided on the left side of the vehicle, the third light distribution pattern P3 will be formed to the left of the low-vehicle light distribution pattern LP in conjunction with an operation in which the steering wheel is turned significantly to the left or an operation in which the left turn signal is turned on.

This vehicle lamp 10 is configured integrally with a first irradiation unit 61, a second irradiation unit 62, and a fourth irradiation unit 64 that form a passing light distribution pattern LP, as well as a third irradiation unit 63 that forms a third light distribution pattern P3. Therefore, the vehicle lamp 10 can eliminate the need for positioning adjustment between the irradiation units (61 to 64) when mounted on a vehicle, and can increase the accuracy of the relative positional relationship between the irradiation units (61 to 64). Furthermore, the vehicle lamp 10 can reduce the number of parts required for installation and simplify the installation process, compared to when each irradiation unit (61 to 64) is mounted individually on a vehicle.

In addition, in order to form the low-passing light distribution pattern LP, the vehicle lamp 10 has a first lens portion 51 that collects light from the first light source 31 to form the first light distribution pattern P1, and a second lens portion 52 that diffuses light from the second light source 32 to form the second light distribution pattern P2 in the projection lens 14. The vehicle lamp 10 forms the low-passing light distribution pattern LP (and the fourth light distribution pattern P4 in the first embodiment) by simultaneously forming the first light distribution pattern P1 having a cutoff line CL with the inner first lens portion 51 and the second light distribution pattern P2 formed with the outer second lens portion 52. In this way, the vehicle lamp 10 forms the cutoff line CL with the light from the first lens portion 51 that is positioned on the inside and extends in the width direction, making it easy to clearly form the cutoff line CL in the low-passing light distribution pattern LP formed in front of the vehicle. In addition, the vehicle lamp 10 forms the second light distribution pattern P2 with light from the second lens portion 52, which is located on the outer side of the first lens portion 51, so that the second light distribution pattern P2 can be easily made larger than the first light distribution pattern P1. This is because the inner first lens portion 51 is more advantageous for collecting light around the cutoff line CL located in front of the vehicle, and the outer second lens portion 52 is more advantageous for diffusing the light while overlapping at least a part of the first light distribution pattern P1. Therefore, the vehicle lamp 10 can form an appropriate low-beam light distribution pattern LP that illuminates a large area while emphasizing the cutoff line CL by simultaneously forming the first light distribution pattern P1 and the second light distribution pattern P2.

Furthermore, the vehicle lamp 10 is provided with a third irradiation unit 63 that forms a third light distribution pattern P3 that illuminates the side of the passing light distribution pattern LP, and the third lens portion 53 is provided adjacent to the second lens portion 52 on the outside in the width direction in the projection lens 14. Therefore, the vehicle lamp 10 can cross the optical path from the second light source 32 to the second lens portion 52 and the optical path from the third light source 33 to the third lens portion 53. As a result, the vehicle lamp 10 forms the third light distribution pattern P3 by emitting light from the third light source 33, which is on the inside of the second light source 32, from the third lens portion 53, which is on the outside of the second lens portion 52, making it easy to position the third light distribution pattern P3 outside the first light distribution pattern P1 and the second light distribution pattern P2. For these reasons, the vehicle lamp 10 can appropriately form a low-vehicle light distribution pattern LP having a cutoff line CL and a third light distribution pattern P3 to the side of the low-vehicle light distribution pattern LP.

Next, the vehicle lamp 10 has a projection lens 14 that is slanted toward the rear in the front-rear direction as it moves from the inside to the outside in the width direction. Therefore, the vehicle lamp 10 can reduce the distance between the second reflector part 42 and the second lens part 52 in the second irradiation unit 62 compared to the first irradiation unit 61 and the fourth irradiation unit 64, so that the focal length of the second lens part 52 can be reduced. As a result, the second irradiation unit 62 can easily diffuse the light from the second light source 32 compared to when it is disposed at the position of the first irradiation unit 61. In addition, the second irradiation unit 62 has the second lens part 52 tilted slightly rearward from the first lens part 51, so that it is easy to form a second light distribution pattern P2 that spreads widely while positioning the center of brightness outside the projection optical axis Lp in the width direction.

In addition, by slanting the projection lens 14 as described above, the vehicle lamp 10 can increase the distance between the first reflector portion 41 and the first lens portion 51 in the first irradiation unit 61 compared to the second irradiation unit 62, so that the focal length of the first lens portion 51 can be increased. Therefore, by arranging the first irradiation unit 61 on the inside of the second irradiation unit 62, it is easier to collect light from the first light source 31 compared to when it is arranged at the position of the second irradiation unit 62. In addition, since the first irradiation unit 61 has the first lens portion 51 along the width direction, it is easy to form the first light distribution pattern P1 that collects light to emphasize brightness and makes the cutoff line CL clear, with the center of brightness near the projection optical axis Lp.

The vehicle lamp 10 has a first reflector portion 41 and a second reflector portion 42 arranged adjacent to each other in the width direction on the mounting portion 21a of the mounting member 11, and a third reflector portion 43 arranged between them in the width direction and on the front-rear direction front side. Therefore, the vehicle lamp 10 does not simply line up the three reflector portions (41, 42, 43) in the width direction, but rather displaces them in the front-rear direction, so that the mounting portion 21a can be efficiently utilized and the size can be prevented from becoming too large.

In particular, the vehicle lamp 10 has the third projection optical axis Lp3 of the third reflector part 43, which forms the third light distribution pattern P3 that illuminates the side of the passing light distribution pattern LP, tilted 60 degrees outward with respect to the front-rear direction. The vehicle lamp 10 has the third reflector part 43 disposed forward of the first reflector part 41 and the second reflector part 42, which have projection optical axes (Lp1, Lp2) that are approximately aligned with the front-rear direction to form the passing light distribution pattern LP. This allows the vehicle lamp 10 to bring the light emission positions from the three irradiation units (61 to 63) close to each other. Therefore, the vehicle lamp 10 can have the three lens parts (51 to 53) in the projection lens 14 adjacent to each other, which allows for a compact configuration and improved appearance compared to the case where the lens parts are disposed at intervals. Here, in the vehicle lamp 10, partition walls 25 are provided between each lens section (51 to 54), but these partition walls 25 are intended to prevent the light passing through each illumination unit (61 to 64) from traveling to other adjacent illumination units, and are not intended to provide spacing, so as to prevent the appearance from being impaired.

5 and the like, the vehicle lamp 10 has three light sources (31, 32, 33) corresponding to the three reflector parts (41, 42, 43) in a positional relationship that draws a triangle on the substrate 36. The vehicle lamp 10 has the light shielding wall 23 and the light shielding wall slit 37 provided on the front side of the first light source 31 in the front-rear direction on the straight line SL connecting the first light source 31 and the third light source 33. The vehicle lamp 10 has the light shielding wall 23 and the light shielding wall slit 37 provided on the front side of the second light source 32 in the front-rear direction on the straight line SL connecting the second light source 32 and the third light source 33. The light shielding walls 23 are formed to form a through hole in the light source mounting part 21. In addition, the two light shielding wall slits 37 corresponding to the first light source 31 and the second light source 32 are formed as through holes in the substrate 36.

Here, the mounting member 11 functions as a heat sink that releases heat generated by the light source unit 12, i.e., each light source (31 to 34), to the outside, and the heat from each light source (31 to 34) is transmitted in the radial direction through the substrate 36, and is dissipated from the entirety. At this time, in the mounting member 11, a through hole is provided by the light-shielding wall 23 and the light-shielding wall slit 37 between the first light source 31 and the third light source 33, so that the heat from both light sources 31 and 33 can be separated. Similarly, in the mounting member 11, a through hole is provided by the light-shielding wall 23 and the light-shielding wall slit 37 between the second light source 32 and the third light source 33, so that the heat from both light sources 32 and 33 can be separated. From these points of view, the mounting member 11 can suppress the heat interference between the first light source 31 and the third light source 33, and can suppress the heat interference between the second light source 32 and the third light source 33, and can efficiently utilize the entirety to dissipate heat. In addition, each light-shielding wall 23 is plate-shaped and protrudes upward from the substrate 36 through the light-shielding wall slits 37, so that convection can be formed to dissipate heat from each light source (mainly 31 to 33) upward, promoting heat dissipation. For these reasons, by providing each light-shielding wall 23 and each light-shielding wall slit 37, the vehicle lamp 10 can efficiently dissipate heat generated in the light source section 12, i.e., each light source (31 to 34), to the outside.

Here, the technical problems of conventional vehicle lamps will be explained. Conventional vehicle lamps form a passing light distribution pattern as a desired light distribution pattern by providing a passing light distribution unit. This conventional vehicle lamp forms a passing light distribution pattern by blocking part of the light from the light source with a shade in the passing light distribution unit. This conventional vehicle lamp is configured so that the shade is supported by a drive mechanism, and the shade can be moved between the optical path from the light source to the projection lens and a position off the optical path. Thus, conventional vehicle lamps need to provide a shade and a drive mechanism to block part of the light from the light source, which leads to a complex configuration and an increase in the number of parts.

In contrast, the vehicle lamp 10 of the present disclosure has the three light-shielding walls 23 of the mounting member 11 (its light source mounting portion 21) passing through the light-shielding wall slits 37 of the substrate 36 of the light source portion 12, so that the light-shielding walls 23 are provided in front of the three light sources (31, 32, 34) in the front-rear direction. Here, the mounting member 11 is provided to the light source portion 12 in order to release heat generated by the light source portion 12 to the outside, so that the light-shielding walls 23 are provided even if they are not provided. In addition, since the light-shielding walls 23 are provided protruding upward in the vertical direction from the mounting portion 21a of the mounting member 11, it is an extremely simple configuration. Furthermore, since the substrate 36 is attached on the mounting portion 21a of the mounting member 11, and the light-shielding wall slits 37 are provided there so that the light-shielding walls 23 can be received therein, it is an extremely simple configuration. For these reasons, the vehicle lamp 10 can provide a light shielding wall 23 in front of each light source (31, 32, 34) without complicating the configuration or increasing the number of parts, and each light shielding wall 23 can block a portion of the light from each light source. Therefore, the vehicle lamp 10 can form a desired light distribution pattern by appropriately setting the position and shape of each light shielding wall 23 according to the light distribution pattern to be formed, and can prevent an increase in the number of parts with a simple configuration.

Here, in order to provide each light-shielding wall in front of each light source, it is possible to provide it on the substrate, but providing it on the substrate is difficult. Therefore, it is also possible to provide each light-shielding wall in a position close to the edge of the substrate, but if multiple light sources are provided scattered in the front-rear and width directions, it is difficult to arrange the light-shielding walls in appropriate positions in front of each light source.
In contrast, in the vehicle lamp 10 of the present disclosure, the mounting member 11 functioning as a heat sink is made of an aluminum plate, and each light-shielding wall 23 is formed by cutting out and bending a part of the mounting member 11 into a U-shape. In the vehicle lamp 10, the substrate 36 is provided with light-shielding wall slits 37 through which the light-shielding walls 23 can pass. As a result, even if the vehicle lamp 10 has a configuration in which the light sources (31, 32, 34) are scattered, the light-shielding walls 23 can be arranged at appropriate positions in front of the light sources by protruding the light-shielding walls 23 from the light-shielding wall slits 37. As a result, the vehicle lamp 10 can arrange the light sources and the light-shielding walls 23 close to each other, and can appropriately block a part of the light from each light source by the light-shielding walls 23 while having a compact configuration as a whole.

The vehicle lamp 10, which is an example of a vehicle lamp according to the present disclosure, can achieve the following effects.

In the vehicle lamp 10, the light-shielding wall 23 is provided protruding from the mounting portion 21a of the mounting member 11, and the light-shielding wall slit 37 that receives the light-shielding wall 23 is provided in the substrate 36 at a position corresponding to the light source (31, 32, 34). Therefore, the vehicle lamp 10 can provide the light-shielding wall 23 at a position corresponding to the light source by passing the light-shielding wall 23 through the light-shielding wall slit 37 of the substrate 36. As a result, the vehicle lamp 10 can provide the light-shielding wall 23 corresponding to the light source without complicating the configuration and increasing the number of parts, and can block part of the light from the light source with the light-shielding wall 23, thereby forming a desired light distribution pattern. In addition, the vehicle lamp 10 has the light-shielding wall 23 in a plate shape that protrudes upward in the vertical direction beyond the substrate 36 through the light-shielding wall slit 37, so that convection that dissipates heat from the light source (31 to 33) upward can be formed, and the heat dissipation effect can be promoted.

In addition, in the vehicle lamp 10, the mounting member 11 is partially folded to form the light-shielding wall 23. This allows the vehicle lamp 10 to provide the light-shielding wall 23 with a simpler configuration.

Furthermore, in the vehicle lamp 10, multiple pairs of light sources (31 to 34) and reflector parts (41 to 44) are provided, multiple light shielding walls 23 are provided corresponding to the light sources (31 to 33), and the light shielding wall slits (37a, 37b) are positioned on a straight line SL connecting the multiple light sources (31 to 34). Therefore, in the vehicle lamp 10, the light shielding wall slits 37 can separate the heat from the two light sources positioned on the straight line SL, preventing interference between the heat from both sources, and efficiently utilizing the entire mounting member 11 for heat dissipation.

In the vehicle lamp 10, a plurality of pairs of light sources (31 to 34) and reflector parts (41 to 44) are provided. In addition, in the vehicle lamp 10, the plurality of light sources include at least a first light source 31 and a second light source 32 that are spaced apart in the width direction, and a third light source 33 that is provided between the first light source 31 and the second light source 32 in the width direction and forward of them in the front-rear direction. In the vehicle lamp 10, the light-shielding walls 23 are provided in correspondence with the first light source 31 and the second light source 32 individually. Therefore, in the vehicle lamp 10, even if the substrate 36 is present between the first light source 31 and the second light source 32 and the third light source 33, the light-shielding walls 23 can be provided in positions close to each of the first light source 31 and the second light source 32. This allows the vehicle lamp 10 to have a compact overall configuration while allowing each light-shielding wall 23 to appropriately block a portion of the light from the first light source 31 and the second light source 32.

The vehicle lamp 10 is provided with at least three light sources (31, 32, 33) and reflector parts (41, 42, 43), and the three light sources (31 to 34) are positioned so as to form a triangle on the substrate 36. Therefore, the vehicle lamp 10 can position the light-shielding wall 23 and the light-shielding wall slit 37 between the first light source 31 and the third light source 33 and between the second light source 32 and the third light source 33, respectively, and can separate the heat from the first light source 31 and the second light source 32 from the third light source 33. This allows the vehicle lamp 10 to suppress interference between these heat sources and to efficiently use the entire mounting member 11 to dissipate heat.

The vehicle lamp 10 has a connector terminal 35 on the substrate 36 that enables the supply of power to the light sources (31 to 34), and at least two of the reflector sections (41 to 44) are adjacent to each other, with the connector terminal 35 provided between the two adjacent reflector sections (41, 42). As a result, the vehicle lamp 10 can place the connector terminal 35 by utilizing the gap between the two reflector sections (41, 42), making efficient use of the space above the mounting section 21a and preventing the lamp from becoming too large.

In the vehicle lamp 10, the projection lens 14 forms a light distribution pattern P by projecting a light distribution image of the back wall portion (41c to 44c) of the reflector portion (41 to 44). Therefore, in the vehicle lamp 10, there is a risk that the light traveling directly from the corresponding light source (31, 32, 34) to the projection lens 14 will travel above the cutoff line CL. However, by providing each light blocking wall 23 in front of the light source, it is possible to block the light from traveling above the cutoff line CL, and the passing light distribution pattern LP can be appropriately formed.

Therefore, the vehicle lamp 10 of Example 1, which is a vehicle lamp according to the present disclosure, can form the desired light distribution pattern P with a simple configuration and without increasing the number of parts.

The vehicle lamp of the present disclosure has been described above based on Example 1, but the specific configuration is not limited to Example 1, and design changes and additions are permitted as long as they do not deviate from the gist of the invention according to each claim in the scope of the claims.

In the above-mentioned first embodiment, the light is controlled by the reflector member 13 and the projection lens 14 to form a predetermined light distribution pattern, but the light may be controlled only by the reflector member, only by the projection lens, or by other configurations, and is not limited to the configuration of the above-mentioned first embodiment.

In the above-mentioned embodiment 1, the first light distribution pattern P1, the second light distribution pattern P2, and the fourth light distribution pattern P4 are formed simultaneously to form the light distribution pattern LP for passing vehicles. However, the light distribution pattern LP for passing vehicles may be formed by the first light distribution pattern P1 and the second light distribution pattern P2, and is not limited to the configuration of embodiment 1. In this case, the first light distribution pattern P1 may be the main one, and the second light distribution pattern P2 may be the auxiliary one. In other words, the first light distribution pattern P1 can be made to satisfy the regulations required for the light distribution pattern LP for passing vehicles. And, the second light distribution pattern P2 can be made to form at least a part of the light distribution pattern LP for passing vehicles in order to further improve visibility during driving by being formed simultaneously with the first light distribution pattern P1.

Furthermore, in the above-mentioned embodiment 1, four irradiation units (61 to 64) are provided, but the number of irradiation units may be set appropriately and is not limited to the configuration of the above-mentioned embodiment 1. As another example, an example in which three irradiation units (61 to 63) are provided is shown in Figs. 16 and 17. The vehicle lamp 10' in the example of Figs. 16 and 17 is the same as that of embodiment 1 except that the fourth irradiation unit 64 is not provided, and the substrate 36' of the light source section 12' is accordingly made smaller. The vehicle lamp 10' has the same basic configuration as the vehicle lamp 10 of embodiment 1 except that the fourth irradiation unit 64 is not provided, and therefore is indicated with the same reference numerals as the vehicle lamp 10. The vehicle lamp 10' has the same configuration as the vehicle lamp 10 in terms of the light shielding walls 23 and the light shielding wall slits 37 as those of the vehicle lamp 10, and therefore can obtain the same effect as the vehicle lamp 10.

In the above-mentioned embodiment 1, the third irradiation unit 63 was not provided with a light-shielding wall 23. This is because the third irradiation unit 63 forms the third light distribution pattern P3 that irradiates the side of the passing light distribution pattern LP, so that even if it irradiates upward, it does not dazzle the occupants of oncoming vehicles. In this third irradiation unit 63, if the third light distribution pattern P3 that irradiates the side is a problem with light to the upper side, the light-shielding wall 23 may be provided as in the other irradiation units. Here, in the third irradiation unit 63, the third reflector part 43 (third light source 33) is provided forward of the first reflector part 41 and the second reflector part 42. Therefore, in the third irradiation unit 63, the corresponding light-shielding wall 23 can be positioned outside the substrate 36 as shown by the two-dot image line in FIG. 5. In this case, it is not necessary to provide a light-shielding wall slit 37 for receiving the light-shielding wall 23 of the third irradiation unit 63. In addition, in the third irradiation unit 63, the corresponding light-shielding wall 23 may be located in a position that slightly overlaps the substrate 36', as shown by the two-dot image line in FIG. 17. In this case, a light-shielding wall slit 37' may be provided by cutting out a part of the outer periphery of the substrate 36'.

In the above-mentioned Example 1, the plate-like light source mounting portion 21 is partially cut out into a U-shape, and the portions corresponding to the open ends of the U-shape are bent to form each light-shielding wall 23. However, each light-shielding wall only needs to be in the shape of a plate protruding upward from the mounting portion 21a, and is not limited to the configuration of Example 1.

10 Vehicle lamp 11 Mounting member 21a Mounting portion 14 Projection lens 23 Light shielding wall 31 First light source 32 Second light source 33 Third light source 34 Fourth light source 35 Connector terminal 36 Board 37 Light shielding wall slit 41 First reflector portion 41c Back wall portion 42 Second reflector portion 42c Back wall portion 43 Third reflector portion 43c Back wall portion 44 Fourth reflector portion 44c Back wall portion LP Light distribution pattern for passing P1 First light distribution pattern P2 Second light distribution pattern P3 Third light distribution pattern P4 Fourth light distribution pattern SL Straight line

Claims (7)

A substrate on which a light source is mounted;
A reflector portion that reflects light emitted from the light source;
a projection lens that projects the light reflected by the reflector portion to form a light distribution pattern that illuminates the area ahead of the vehicle;
a mounting member for mounting the substrate to a mounting portion;
The mounting member is provided with a light-shielding wall protruding from the mounting portion,
The vehicle lamp is characterized in that the substrate is provided with a light-shielding wall slit for receiving the light-shielding wall at a position corresponding to the light source. The vehicle lamp according to claim 1, characterized in that the light blocking wall is formed by partially bending the mounting member. The light source and the reflector portion are provided in pairs,
The light-shielding walls are provided in a plurality in correspondence with the light sources,
3. The vehicle lamp according to claim 2, wherein the light-shielding wall slit is positioned on a straight line connecting the plurality of light sources. The light source and the reflector portion are provided in pairs,
the plurality of light sources include at least a first light source and a second light source spaced apart in the width direction, and a third light source provided between the first light source and the second light source in the width direction and forward of the first light source and the second light source in the front-rear direction,
4. The vehicle lamp according to claim 3, wherein the light blocking wall is provided so as to correspond to the first light source and the second light source individually. At least three of the light sources and at least three of the reflector units are provided,
4. The vehicular lamp according to claim 3, wherein the three light sources are positioned on the substrate so as to form a triangle. The substrate is provided with a connector terminal that enables the supply of power to the light source;
At least two of the reflector portions are provided adjacent to each other,
6. The vehicular lamp according to claim 4, wherein the connector terminal is provided between two adjacent ones of the reflector portions. The vehicle lamp according to claim 1, characterized in that the projection lens forms the light distribution pattern by projecting a light distribution image of the back wall portion of the reflector section.