JP2025020830A - Vehicular lighting fixture - Google Patents

Abstract

[Problem] To provide a vehicle lamp capable of preventing the upward illumination light distribution pattern from becoming dark regardless of changes in the positional relationship between the light source and the upward illumination protrusion. [Solution] A vehicle lamp 10 includes a projection lens 14 that projects light emitted from a light source (31 to 34) to form an illumination light distribution pattern (low-passing light distribution pattern LP) that illuminates the front of the vehicle, and an upward illumination protrusion (71) that is provided on the projection lens 14 and causes the light from the light source (31 to 34) to travel upward of the illumination light distribution pattern (low-passing light distribution pattern LP) to form an upward illumination light distribution pattern (Poh). Two upward illumination protrusions (71) are provided in pairs in the vertical direction. [Selected Figure] Figure 6

Description

This disclosure relates to vehicle lighting.

One type of vehicle lamp uses a portion of the light from a light source to form a desired light distribution pattern, forming an upward light distribution pattern that illuminates signs and the like above (see, for example, Patent Document 1). In this vehicle lamp, an upward projection is provided on a portion of the outer lens, and the light from the light source that passes through the upward projection is partially changed in direction, thereby directing part of the light that forms the light distribution pattern upward, forming an upward light distribution pattern.

Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 11-329008

In the above vehicle lamp, the light from the light source has a predetermined directional characteristic, so the brightness of the light directed upward by the upward illumination protrusion changes depending on the positional relationship between the light source and the upward illumination protrusion, and the brightness of the upward illumination light distribution pattern is determined. For this reason, if the positional relationship between the light source and the upward illumination protrusion deviates from the set state, there is a risk that the upward illumination light distribution pattern will become dark.

This disclosure was made in consideration of the above circumstances, and aims to provide a vehicle lamp that can prevent the upward illumination light distribution pattern from becoming dark, regardless of changes in the positional relationship between the light source and the upward illumination protrusion.

The vehicle lamp disclosed herein comprises a projection lens that projects light emitted from a light source to form a light distribution pattern that illuminates the area ahead of the vehicle, and an upward illumination protrusion that is provided on the projection lens and causes the light from the light source to travel upward in the light distribution pattern to form an upward illumination pattern, and is characterized in that two upward illumination protrusions are provided in pairs in the vertical direction.

The vehicle lamp disclosed herein can prevent the upward illumination light distribution pattern from becoming dark, regardless of changes in the positional relationship between the light source and the upward illumination protrusion.

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. 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. FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing a projection lens as viewed from the entrance surface side. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA of FIG. 5. 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 and an OHS light distribution pattern formed by a second unit of a 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 one 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. 13 is an explanatory diagram showing a third light distribution pattern formed by the other 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. 13 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. 11 is an explanatory diagram showing a state in which a low-beam light distribution pattern, an OHS light distribution pattern, and a fourth 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. 13 is an explanatory diagram showing how light from a second light source is reflected by a second reflector member and emitted from a second lens portion in the second unit. FIG. 14 is an explanatory diagram similar to FIG. 13 and illustrating how light from the second light source is emitted when the second light source is displaced rearward of the first focal point of the second reflector member; FIG. 14 is an explanatory diagram similar to FIG. 13 and illustrating how light from the second light source is emitted when the second light source is displaced forward of the first focal point of the second reflector member. FIG.

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. 7 to 12, 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 of the irradiation by the vehicle lamp 10 (the projection optical axis Lp of 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 by an outer lens. 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). In the front-to-rear direction, the side where the projection lens 14 described later is provided is the front side, and in the up-down direction, the side where the reflector member 13 described later is provided is the top side. Here, the vehicle lamp 10 provided on the right side of the vehicle and the vehicle lamp 10 provided on the left side are basically the same in configuration but are inverted in the width direction (left and right), so the following description will be given using the vehicle lamp 10 provided 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.

As shown in Figs. 2 to 4, the light source mounting portion 21 is a flat plate that is perpendicular to the vertical direction, and the light source portion 12 is mounted at a predetermined position. The light source mounting portion 21 has mounting pieces 23 on both sides in the width direction. Both mounting pieces 23 are formed by bending the light source mounting portion 21 upward in the vertical direction. Both mounting pieces 23 fix the mounting member 11, i.e., the vehicle lamp 10, to the lamp housing via a bracket (not shown).

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.

This mounting member 11 is provided with four positioning holes 11a and three screw-through holes 11b. Each positioning hole 11a can be fitted with a positioning protrusion 13a of the reflector member 13 described below. Each screw-through hole 11b can be passed through a screw 24. This 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 mainly to the outside from each heat dissipation fin. The mounting member 11 can also be provided with a cooling fan unit as appropriate to increase cooling efficiency.

The light source unit 12 has a first light source 31, a second light source 32, a pair of third light sources 33, a fourth light source 34, a connector terminal 35, and a substrate 36 on which they are mounted. These five light sources (31 to 34) are composed of light-emitting elements such as LEDs (Light Emitting Diodes). The five light sources (31 to 34) are provided at positions corresponding to each of the reflector units (41 to 44) described below. 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 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 appropriately supplies power from the lighting control circuit via the connector terminal 35 to appropriately light each light source (31 to 34).

The reflector member 13 is a molded product made of a resin material, and a first reflector portion 41, a second reflector portion 42, a pair of third reflector portions 43, and a fourth reflector portion 44 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 direct the light emitted from each light source (31 to 34) to the corresponding lens section (51 to 54).

Here, in the vehicle lamp 10 of the first embodiment, the third light source 33 and the third reflector portion 43 are provided in pairs. The third light sources 33 are provided side by side in the width direction with a small gap between them. The third reflector portion 43 has a first focus of an ellipse that is the basis of each of them, which is set to match the two third light sources 33, and has a shape in which two bowl-shaped free-form surfaces are joined in the middle. The two third reflector portions 43 can efficiently guide the light emitted from each third light source 33 to the corresponding lens portion (53).

The reflector member 13 is provided with four positioning protrusions 13a (see FIG. 3) and three screw holes 13b (see FIG. 4). 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 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 unit 21. The light source unit 12 is then fixed to the mounting unit 21a, which is the upper surface of the light source mounting unit 21 of the mounting member 11. As a result, the light sources (31 to 34) mounted on the board 36 of the light source unit 12 face the corresponding reflector units (41 to 44) on the mounting unit 21a.

This reflector member 13 is provided with two partition walls 25 (see FIG. 2). Each partition wall 25 is located between a first lens portion 51 and a second lens portion 52 (described later) of the projection lens 14, and between the second lens portion 52 and a third lens portion 53, and is formed into a plate shape extending in the vertical direction.

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 desired illumination light distribution pattern (a passing light distribution pattern LP in Example 1 (see FIG. 12)). The projection lens 14 is a molded product made of a resin material, and as shown in FIGS. 3 to 5, a first lens portion 51, a second lens portion 52, a third lens portion 53, and a fourth lens portion 54 are integrally provided. Each lens portion (51 to 54) is positioned opposite the corresponding reflector portion (41 to 44), that is, in the direction in which light from the corresponding light source (31 to 34) is reflected by the reflector portion (41 to 44). Specifically, in the projection lens 14, the first lens portion 51, the second lens portion 52, the third lens portion 53, and the fourth lens portion 54 are provided adjacent to each other in this order in the width direction from the inside of the vehicle (the left side in FIGS. 3 to 5).

Each lens portion (51 to 54) has a focal point (rear focal point) located near the rear wall portion (41b to 44b (see FIG. 4)) of the corresponding reflector portion (41 to 44). Each lens portion (51 to 54) irradiates light from the corresponding reflector portion (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. In this vehicle lamp 10, in order to achieve such optical settings, the distance in the front-rear direction from each light source (31 to 34) to the rear wall portion (41b to 44b) of the reflector portion (41 to 44) is set to be small, less than 5 mm. In the back wall portion (41b to 44b), the light source (31 to 34) brightens the area slightly above the bottom end, and the light distribution image is projected by each lens portion (51 to 54) and inverted upside down, making the area near the bottom end the brightest. This allows the vehicle lamp 10 to ensure a contrast in brightness near the cutoff line CL, as described below. Such optical characteristics can be set by adjusting the curvature (surface shape) of each lens portion (51 to 54) for each location, and in Example 1, the curvature is set by gradually changing 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 first lens section 51 and the second lens section 52 are extended in the width direction. The third lens section 53 is tilted slightly rearward relative to the second lens section 52 so as to be displaced rearward as it moves outward. The fourth lens section 54 is tilted rearward greater than the third lens section 53 so as to be displaced rearward as it moves outward. As a result, the projection lens 14 as a whole moves rearward in the front-to-rear direction (slants) as it moves from the inside to the outside in the width direction, and can be shaped to match the shape of the installation position (outer lens) of the vehicle.

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 side opposite 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 side opposite 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 first exit surface 51a, the second exit surface 52a, and the third exit surface 53a 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. Also, in the projection lens 14 of Example 1, the third exit surface 53a and the fourth exit surface 54a are adjacent to each other via a bent surface portion 55. The direction of the third exit surface 53a and the fourth exit surface 54a are changed by the bent surface portion 55, and each of them is a single curved surface that extends in a different direction.

As shown in Figs. 2 to 4, 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).

In the vehicle lamp 10 of the present disclosure, as shown in FIG. 5 and FIG. 6, a pair of OHS (overhead sign) protrusions 71 as an example of an upward irradiation protrusion is provided on the second lens portion 52 of the projection lens 14. Both OHS protrusions 71 are columnar protrusions protruding rearward from the second entrance surface 52b of the second lens portion 52, and are sized smaller than the width direction size of the second lens portion 52 (second entrance surface 52b) and significantly smaller than the vertical direction size. Therefore, both OHS protrusions 71 allow a portion of the light from the second light source 32 that is reflected by the reflector member 13 (second reflector portion 42) and enters the second lens portion 52 (second entrance surface 52b) to enter themselves. Both OHS protrusions 71 are optically configured to refract the light that enters them upward and diffuse it in the width direction. The OHS protrusions 71 are provided in a positional relationship that sandwiches the second projection optical axis Lp2, which is the lens optical axis of the second lens portion 52 described later, in the vertical direction, that is, above and below the second projection optical axis Lp2. As shown in FIG. 5, both OHS protrusions 71 in the first embodiment are elongated in the width direction and have the same shape and size. Regardless of the difference in position, both OHS protrusions 71 are optically set to direct light toward approximately equal areas on the above-mentioned screen. In the vehicle lamp 10 of the first embodiment, the light (its brightness) that passes through one (upper) OHS protrusion 71 and the light (its brightness) that passes through the other (lower) OHS protrusion 71 are approximately equal.

These OHS protrusions 71 cause a portion of the light from the second light source 32 to travel upward and the second light source 32 emits light with a predetermined directional characteristic, so that the size (occupied area) and position on the second entrance surface 52b are set according to the amount of light required for the second light distribution pattern P2 described below. Therefore, in the second lens portion 52, when light from the second light source 32 enters the second entrance surface 52b, most of the light is emitted from the second exit surface 52a to form the second light distribution pattern P2, and the remaining portion is caused to travel upward through the OHS protrusions 71 to the second light distribution pattern P2. Note that the OHS protrusions 71 do not have to have the same shape and size, and are not limited to the configuration of Example 1.

In addition, in both OHS protrusions 71 of Example 1, an inclined surface portion 72 is provided on the underside. This inclined surface portion 72 smoothly bridges from the protruding end surface 71a of both OHS protrusions 71 to the second entrance surface 52b. The inclined surface portion 72 can smooth the flow of resin around the corresponding OHS protrusion 71 when the projection lens 14 is resin molded, and can suppress the formation of molding flow.

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 pair of third reflector sections 43 constitutes a third irradiation unit 63 with the pair of 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 lens optical axis, which is the optical axis of the respective lens portion (51 to 54), is set as the projection optical axis of each. 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. 4).

As shown in Figures 2 to 4, in the first irradiation unit 61, the first reflector section 41 is provided at the innermost position in the width direction, and its first projection optical axis Lp1 is approximately aligned in the front-to-rear direction. This first reflector section 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-to-rear direction, and the back wall section 41b, which is the apex of the bowl, positioned at the rear in the front-to-rear direction. The first lens section 51 of the projection lens 14 is positioned at the front of the first reflector section 41 in the front-to-rear direction, i.e., on the first projection optical axis Lp1.

In this first reflector part 41, the lower end of the back wall part 41b is a cutoff forming surface. This cutoff forming surface has a shape in which two horizontal edges with different heights are connected by an inclined edge at the lower end in order to form a cutoff line CL (see Figures 7 and 12) in the passing light distribution pattern LP described later. For this reason, in the first reflector part 41, the first lens part 51 forms the shape of the edge (lower end) of the back wall part 41b as the shape of the edge (cutoff line CL) of the passing light distribution pattern LP as an irradiation light distribution pattern. The first reflector part 41 has the first light source 31 positioned near the first focus of its reflection surface Rs, and reflects light from there toward the first lens part 51. 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 portion 51 is a convex lens, it condenses the light from the first reflector portion 41 and causes it to travel in the direction of the first projection optical axis Lp1. Note that the relationship between the inclination direction and height of the cutoff forming surface is not reversed in the width direction even when the vehicle lamp 10 is provided on the left side of the vehicle. 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 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. 7. 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 brightness and clearly distinguish the light and dark of the cutoff line CL.

As shown in Figs. 2 to 4, in the second irradiation unit 62, the second reflector portion 42 is provided adjacent to the first reflector portion 41 on the outer side in the width direction. The second reflector portion 42 has a second projection optical axis Lp2 that is approximately aligned in the front-rear direction. In the first embodiment, the open end 42a of the second reflector portion 42 is located on the front side in the front-rear direction, and the back wall portion 42b that is the apex of the bowl shape is 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 outer side in the width direction than the first lens portion 51.

The second reflector unit 42 reflects the light from the second light source 32 located at (or near) the first focal point f1 of the reflecting surface Rs toward the second lens unit 52 (see FIG. 13, etc.). The second lens unit 52 projects the light reflected by the second reflector unit 42 in the direction of the second projection optical axis Lp2. At this time, since the second lens unit 52 is a concave lens, the light from the second reflector unit 42 is diffused while traveling in the direction of the second projection optical axis Lp2. In the second lens unit 52 of the first embodiment, the degree of concavity of the second incident surface 52b, which is a concave surface, i.e., the curvature of the second incident surface 52b, is smaller than the third incident surface 53b and the fourth incident surface 54b, which are other concave surfaces.

As a result, the second irradiation unit 62 forms a second light distribution pattern P2 on the screen as a medium diffusion light distribution pattern that diffuses the light from the second light source 32, as shown in FIG. 8. The center of brightness of this second light distribution pattern P2 is located inside (left side) in the width direction from the projection optical axis Lp. The second light distribution pattern P2 is below the cutoff line CL of the first light distribution pattern P1, includes almost the entire area of the first light distribution pattern P1, and extends greatly to the left of it, brightening a wider area than the first light distribution pattern P1.

The second lens portion 52 directs the light from the second light source 32 that has passed through each OHS protrusion 71 toward approximately equal positions above the second light distribution pattern P2. The two OHS protrusions 71 form an OHS (overhead sign) light distribution pattern portion on the screen at approximately equal positions, forming an OHS light distribution pattern Poh. The OHS light distribution pattern Poh is an example of an upward illumination light distribution pattern that expands in the width direction above the second light distribution pattern P2, and is capable of illuminating signs and the like above. Therefore, the OHS light distribution pattern portion becomes an upward illumination light distribution pattern portion that forms an upward illumination light distribution pattern (OHS light distribution pattern Poh). The OHS light distribution pattern Poh has brightness at a total of 10 positions (so-called legal points) including a position coinciding with the vertical line V in the horizontal direction, a position at about 4 degrees from the vertical line V, and a position at about 8 degrees from the vertical line V in the horizontal direction, which are each set to an upper limit value or less at each of the positions of about 2 degrees and about 4 degrees above the center position O. In addition, the OHS light distribution pattern Poh has brightness at the above-mentioned five positions (positions at 0 degrees, ±4 degrees, and ±8 degrees) in the horizontal direction set to a lower limit value or more at each of the positions of about 2 degrees and about 4 degrees above the center position O. The brightness at these 10 positions can be set to a predetermined value by adjusting the size and position of both OHS protrusions 71 on the second lens portion 52 (second entrance surface 52b) according to the directional characteristics of the second light source 32. Therefore, the OHS light distribution pattern Poh can more appropriately ensure upward visibility from the vehicle.

As shown in Figs. 2 to 4, in the third irradiation unit 63, a pair of third reflector parts 43 are provided in parallel with the second reflector part 42 in the width direction at the outermost side. The pair of third reflector parts 43 have a third projection optical axis Lp3 set therebetween that coincides with the front-rear direction or is slightly tilted outward from the front-rear direction. The pair of third reflector parts 43 are 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 a pair of back wall parts 43b that are the apexes of the bowl shape positioned at the rear in the front-rear direction. The third lens part 53 of the projection lens 14 is positioned at the front of the pair of third reflector parts 43 in the front-rear direction, i.e., on the third projection optical axis Lp3.

The pair of third reflector parts 43 reflect light from the third light source 33 located near the first focal point of each reflection surface Rs toward the third lens part 53. The third lens part 53 projects the light reflected by each third reflector part 43 in a direction along the third projection optical axis Lp3. At this time, the third lens part 53 is a concave lens and the third reflector parts 43 are arranged in pairs in the width direction, so that the light reflected by each third reflector part 43 is diffused and travels in a state in which the third reflector parts 43 are arranged side by side. In the pair of third reflector parts 43 of Example 1, the degree of concavity of the third incident surface 53b, which is a concave surface, i.e., the curvature of the third incident surface 53b, is larger than that of the second incident surface 52b, compared to the other concave incident surfaces (52b, 54b).

The third irradiation unit 63 forms an inner third light distribution pattern P3i on the screen, which largely diffuses the light from the corresponding third light source 33, as shown in FIG. 9, with the light reflected by the inner third reflector part 43 of the pair of third reflector parts 43. The center of brightness of this inner third light distribution pattern P3i is located outside (to the right) in the width direction from the projection optical axis Lp. The third irradiation unit 63 also forms an outer third light distribution pattern P3o on the screen, which largely diffuses the light from the corresponding third light source 33, as shown in FIG. 10, with the light reflected by the outer third reflector part 43 of the pair of third reflector parts 43. The center of brightness of this outer third light distribution pattern P3o is located between the inner third light distribution pattern P3i (its center of brightness) and the projection optical axis Lp in the width direction. The third irradiation unit 63 forms a third light distribution pattern P3 by simultaneously forming a third inner light distribution pattern P3i and a third outer light distribution pattern P3o. The third light distribution pattern P3 partially overlaps the first light distribution pattern P1 and the second light distribution pattern P2 below the cutoff line CL of the first light distribution pattern P1 and extends widely outward, and brightens a wider area than the first light distribution pattern P1 and the second light distribution pattern P2.

As shown in Figs. 2 to 4, in the fourth irradiation unit 64, the fourth reflector portion 44 is provided between the second reflector portion 42 and the pair of third reflector portions 43 in the width direction and in front of them in the front-rear direction. In other words, the fourth reflector portion 44 is positioned forward of the second reflector portion 42 (its open end 42a) and the pair of third reflector portions 43 (its open ends 43a), and is therefore positioned between the adjacent second reflector portion 42 and the pair of third reflector portions 43 in the width direction. The fourth projection optical axis Lp4 of this fourth reflector portion 44 is tilted outward by between 40 degrees and 80 degrees with respect to the front-rear direction.

The fourth reflector section 44 is bowl-shaped on a horizontal plane, with the open end 44a from which light is emitted positioned on the front and outside, and the back wall portion 44b, which is the apex of the bowl, positioned on the rear and inside. The fourth lens section 54, which is the outermost part of the projection lens 14, is positioned opposite the fourth reflector section 44, i.e., on the fourth projection optical axis Lp4. In this way, the order of arrangement of the pair of third reflector sections 43 and fourth reflector section 44 and the order of arrangement of the third lens section 53 and fourth lens section 54 are reversed in the width direction, and the optical paths of the second irradiation unit 62 and the third irradiation unit 63 (both projection optical axes Lp3 and Lp4) cross each other.

The fourth reflector portion 44 reflects light from the fourth light source 34 located near the first focal point of the reflecting surface Rs toward the fourth lens portion 54. The fourth lens portion 54 projects the light reflected by the fourth reflector portion 44 in the direction of the fourth projection optical axis Lp4. At this time, since the fourth lens portion 54 is a concave lens and the fourth projection optical axis Lp4 is greatly tilted outward, the light reflected by the fourth reflector portion 44 is diffused and travels in the direction of the fourth projection optical axis Lp4 and farther outward in the width direction than the projection optical axis Lp of the vehicle lamp 10 (to the right in FIG. 4). In the fourth lens portion 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, is made larger than the other concave entrance surfaces (52b, 53b).

As a result, the fourth illumination unit 64 diffuses the light from the fourth light source 34 on the screen to form a fourth light distribution pattern P4, as shown in FIG. 11. The center of brightness of this fourth light distribution pattern P4 is located farther outward (to the right) in the width direction than the projection optical axis Lp. The fourth light distribution pattern P4 partially overlaps with the third light distribution pattern P3, brightening a wide area on the outside (right side) in the width direction (see FIG. 12). The fourth light distribution pattern P4 can illuminate the side of the low-beam light distribution pattern LP described later, and functions as a so-called side light distribution pattern that can illuminate a position that would be a blind spot with the low-beam light distribution pattern LP alone.

The vehicle lamp 10 can form a low-passing light distribution pattern LP as shown in FIG. 12 by turning on the first light source 31, the second light source 32, and the third light source 33 to simultaneously form and overlap the first light distribution pattern P1, the second light distribution pattern P2, and the third light distribution pattern P3. 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 brightening the vicinity of the projection optical axis Lp most. At this time, when the vehicle lamp 10 forms the second light distribution pattern P2 with the second irradiation unit 62, it simultaneously forms an OHS light distribution pattern Poh above the second light distribution pattern P2, thereby more appropriately ensuring visibility above, including overhead signs.

In addition, the vehicle lamp 10 can brighten the outside (the right side in FIG. 12) of the passing light distribution pattern LP while overlapping it partially by turning on the fourth light source 34 to form the fourth light distribution pattern P4 in a state where the passing light distribution pattern LP is formed. As a result, the vehicle lamp 10 can ensure a wide range of visibility to the right of the passing light distribution pattern LP in addition to the 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 the right turn signal is turned on, the vehicle lamp 10 can automatically ensure a wide range of visibility in accordance with the operation of the vehicle by turning on the fourth light source 34 in conjunction with the operation, and can appropriately support driving. In addition, the vehicle lamp 10 can form the fourth light distribution pattern P4 by turning on the fourth light source 34 in accordance with an operation on an operation unit for turning on the fourth light source 34 provided on the vehicle. Furthermore, when forming the low-vehicle light distribution pattern LP, the vehicle lamp 10 may be configured to constantly form the fourth light distribution pattern P4. If the vehicle lamp 10 is provided on the left side of the vehicle, the fourth light distribution pattern P4 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.

Here, the technical problems of conventional vehicle lamps will be explained. Conventional vehicle lamps form an upward illumination light distribution pattern by providing an upward illumination protrusion on a projection lens. However, the upward illumination protrusion forms an upward illumination light distribution pattern by partially changing the direction of travel of light that passes through it among the light incident on the projection lens. Therefore, the position and size are set taking into consideration the directional characteristics of the corresponding light source, and the upward illumination light distribution pattern is made to have a predetermined brightness. For this reason, in conventional vehicle lamps, if the light source deviates from the predetermined position, that is, if the positional relationship between the light source and the upward illumination protrusion deviates from the set state, there is a risk that the upward illumination light distribution pattern will become dark.

In contrast, the vehicle lamp 10 of the present disclosure has a pair of OHS protrusions 71 (upward illumination protrusions) in the second lens portion 52 of the projection lens 14, which are positioned to sandwich the second projection optical axis Lp2 in the vertical direction. Therefore, the vehicle lamp 10 can ensure the brightness of the OHS light distribution pattern Poh (upward illumination light distribution pattern) even if the positional relationship between the corresponding second light source 32 and the OHS protrusion 71 deviates from the set state. This will be described below with reference to Figures 13 to 15. In Figures 13 to 15, the traveling of the light closest to the brightest light (hereinafter also referred to as the center of light) from the second light source 32 is shown by dashed lines.

First, in the vehicle lamp 10, as shown in FIG. 13, the second light source 32 is provided at (or near) the first focal point f1 of the reflecting surface Rs of the second reflector portion 42. In the vehicle lamp 10, the light from the second light source 32 is reflected by the reflecting surface Rs and enters the second lens portion 52 from the second entrance surface 52b. At this time, in the vehicle lamp 10, the center of the light from the second light source 32 passes through the second lens portion 52 slightly below the second projection optical axis Lp2. In the vehicle lamp 10, one of the OHS protrusions 71 is provided above the second projection optical axis Lp2, and the other of the OHS protrusions 71 is provided below the second projection optical axis Lp2. For this reason, in the vehicle lamp 10, a pair of OHS protrusions 71 are provided to sandwich the second projection optical axis Lp2 in the vertical direction, so that one of the OHS protrusions 71 is positioned above and the other below the center of the light from the second light source 32. In the vehicle lamp 10, the brightness ratio between the OHS light distribution pattern portion formed by one (upper) OHS protrusion 71 and the OHS light distribution pattern portion formed by the other (lower) OHS protrusion 71 is approximately 5:5. This vehicle lamp 10 forms an OHS light distribution pattern Poh of a predetermined brightness by causing the light that passes through each OHS protrusion 71 to travel upward and overlapping the respective OHS light distribution pattern portions.

In the vehicle lamp 10, when the position of the second light source 32 is displaced from the set position, the optical positional relationship through the second reflector portion 42 (reflective surface Rs) to each OHS protrusion 71 is displaced from the set state. In the vehicle lamp 10, as shown in FIG. 14, when the second light source 32 is displaced rearward from the first focal point f1 of the reflective surface Rs of the second reflector portion 42, the center of the light from the second light source 32 is displaced upward compared to FIG. 13, which shows the set positional relationship. Therefore, in the vehicle lamp 10, one (upper) OHS protrusion 71 is closer to the center of the light and passes brighter light, while the other (lower) OHS protrusion 71 is farther from the center of the light and passes dimmer light. As a result, in the vehicle lamp 10, due to the misalignment, the OHS light distribution pattern portion formed by one OHS protrusion 71 becomes brighter, and the OHS light distribution pattern portion formed by the other OHS protrusion 71 becomes darker. In the example of FIG. 14, the brightness ratio between the OHS light distribution pattern portion formed by one OHS protrusion 71 and the OHS light distribution pattern portion formed by the other OHS protrusion 71 is approximately 7:3.

In addition, in the vehicle lamp 10, as shown in FIG. 15, when the second light source 32 is displaced forward from the first focal point f1 of the reflecting surface Rs of the second reflector portion 42, the center of the light from the second light source 32 is displaced downward compared to FIG. 13, which shows the set positional relationship. Therefore, in the vehicle lamp 10, one OHS protrusion 71 is located away from the center of the light and passes darker light, while the other OHS protrusion 71 is located closer to the center of the light and passes brighter light. As a result, in the vehicle lamp 10, due to the positional displacement, the OHS light distribution pattern portion formed by one OHS protrusion 71 becomes dark, and the OHS light distribution pattern portion formed by the other OHS protrusion 71 becomes bright. In the example of FIG. 15, the brightness ratio between the OHS light distribution pattern portion formed by one OHS protrusion 71 and the OHS light distribution pattern portion formed by the other OHS protrusion 71 is approximately 3:7.

In this way, even if the positional relationship between the second reflector portion 42 and the second light source 32 changes in the front-to-rear direction, the vehicle lamp 10 only changes the ratio of brightness between one OHS protrusion 71 and the other OHS protrusion 71, with almost no change in the total brightness. Therefore, even if the positional relationship between the second reflector portion 42 and the second light source 32 changes in the front-to-rear direction, the vehicle lamp 10 can form the OHS light distribution pattern Poh with almost no change in brightness.

Here, in the vehicle lamp 10, the focal point (rear focal point) of each lens portion (51 to 54) is located near the back wall portion (41b to 44b) of the reflector portion (41 to 44), and a plurality of light distribution images of the back wall portion (a predetermined area in the vicinity) are appropriately superimposed on the above screen. For this reason, in the vehicle lamp 10, the distance between each light source (31 to 34) and each reflector portion (41 to 44) in the front-rear direction is extremely small compared to the width direction and the up-down direction. For this reason, in the vehicle lamp 10, the positional deviation between each light source (31 to 34) and each reflector portion (41 to 44) in the front-rear direction may affect the state of the light traveling to both OHS protrusions 71, but the positional deviation in the width direction and the up-down direction hardly affects the state of the light. By arranging both OHS protrusions 71 in the above-described manner, the vehicle lamp 10 suppresses the effect of misalignment in the front-rear direction on the behavior of the light traveling to both OHS protrusions 71. As a result, the vehicle lamp 10 can form the OHS light distribution pattern Poh with almost no change in brightness even if the positional relationship between the second reflector portion 42 and the second light source 32 changes.

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

The vehicle lamp 10 includes a projection lens 14 that projects light emitted from the light sources (31 to 34) to form an illumination light distribution pattern (low-vehicle light distribution pattern LP) that illuminates the area ahead of the vehicle, and an OHS protrusion 71 that is provided thereon and directs the light from the light sources (31 to 34) upward in the illumination light distribution pattern to form an OHS light distribution pattern Poh. The vehicle lamp 10 includes two OHS protrusions 71 that are paired in the vertical direction. Therefore, the vehicle lamp 10 can prevent the OHS light distribution pattern Poh from becoming dark even if the positional relationship between the two OHS protrusions 71 and their corresponding second light sources 32 changes.

In addition, in the vehicle lamp 10, two OHS protrusions 71 are provided in pairs in the vertical direction on either side of the lens optical axis (second projection optical axis Lp2) of the projection lens 14. Therefore, in the vehicle lamp 10, even if the positional relationship between the two OHS protrusions 71 and their corresponding second light sources 32 optically changes in the vertical direction of the projection lens 14, the OHS light distribution pattern Poh can be prevented from becoming dark.

Furthermore, the vehicle lamp 10 includes a reflector portion (41 to 44) that reflects the light emitted from the light source (31 to 34), and the projection lens 14 projects the light reflected by the reflector portion (41 to 44) to form an irradiation light distribution pattern (low-vehicle light distribution pattern LP). Therefore, the vehicle lamp 10 can prevent the OHS light distribution pattern Poh from becoming dark even if the optical positional relationship between the second light source 32 and both OHS protrusions 71 changes due to a change in the positional relationship between the light source (31 to 34) and the reflector portion (41 to 44).

In the vehicle lamp 10, the light distribution pattern (passing light distribution pattern LP) is formed by projecting the light distribution image of the back wall portion (41c to 44c) of the reflector portion (41 to 44). Therefore, in the vehicle lamp 10, the distance between each light source (31 to 34) and each reflector portion (41 to 44) in the front-rear direction is extremely small compared to the width direction and the up-down direction, and although the light behavior may be affected by the positional deviation of both in the front-rear direction, the light behavior is hardly affected by the positional deviation in the width direction or the up-down direction. And, in the vehicle lamp 10, the effect of the positional deviation in the front-rear direction on the light behavior is suppressed by arranging both OHS protrusions 71 as described above, so that even if the positional relationship between the second reflector portion 42 and the second light source 32 changes, the OHS light distribution pattern Poh can be formed with almost no change in brightness.

In the vehicle lamp 10, the two OHS protrusions 71 each form an OHS light distribution pattern portion at the same position, and the two OHS light distribution pattern portions are overlapped to form the OHS light distribution pattern Poh. Therefore, even if the positional relationship between the second light source 32 and both OHS protrusions 71 changes, the brightness of the overlapping OHS light distribution pattern Poh remains almost the same, since only the brightness ratio of the OHS light distribution pattern portions formed by each of them changes. In addition, the vehicle lamp 10 ensures the brightness of the OHS light distribution pattern Poh by overlapping the two OHS light distribution pattern portions, so that the size of each OHS protrusion 71 can be reduced to approximately half compared to the case where a single OHS protrusion is provided, making it less noticeable.

In the vehicle lamp 10, the two OHS protrusions 71 are elongated in the width direction and protrude from the entrance surface (second entrance surface 52b) of the projection lens 14 toward the light source (31 to 34). Therefore, the vehicle lamp 10 can make both OHS protrusions 71 blend in with the projection lens 14, which is also elongated in the width direction, improving the appearance. In addition, since the vehicle lamp 10 has both OHS protrusions 71 on the entrance surface (second entrance surface 52b), it is possible to prevent them from being directly seen, and to improve the appearance. Furthermore, since the vehicle lamp 10 has both OHS protrusions 71 elongated in the width direction, even if a positional shift occurs between the second light source 32 and both OHS protrusions 71 in the width direction, it is possible to suppress changes in the manner in which the light from the second light source 32 enters both OHS protrusions 71, and to absorb the effects of the positional shift.

In the vehicle lamp 10, the two OHS protrusions 71 have an inclined surface portion 72 at the lower end that inclines toward the incident surface (second incident surface 52b). Therefore, the vehicle lamp 10 can smooth the flow of resin around both OHS protrusions 71 when molding the projection lens 14, and can suppress the formation of molding flow. In addition, since the vehicle lamp 10 has the inclined surface portion 72 on the lower side of both OHS protrusions 71, it is possible to blur the upper side of the OHS light distribution pattern Poh and improve the appearance of the irradiation light distribution pattern (passing light distribution pattern LP). This is due to the following. When the vehicle lamp 10 is projected by the projection lens 14, the top and bottom of the light that passed through both OHS protrusions 71 is inverted, so the blur caused by the inclined surface portion 72 is formed on the upper side. In contrast, if the gradation caused by the inclined surface portion 72 is formed on the lower side, it is conceivable that it will partially overlap with the illumination light distribution pattern, and there is a risk that the brightness of the gradation will be enhanced and look like streaks due to the overlap of the brightness of both. However, since the vehicular lamp 10 forms the gradation on the upper side, the brightness of the gradation will not stand out due to the location of the gradation in the darkness, and it is possible to prevent it from looking like streaks. This allows the vehicular lamp 10 to improve the appearance of the illumination light distribution pattern (low-vehicle light distribution pattern LP).

The vehicle lamp 10 forms an irradiation light distribution pattern (passing light distribution pattern LP) by at least partially overlapping a first light distribution pattern P1 having a cutoff line CL, a larger second light distribution pattern P2, and a third light distribution pattern P3 that is wider in the width direction than the first light distribution pattern P1. The vehicle lamp 10 also has a projection lens 14 having a first lens portion 51 that forms the first light distribution pattern P1, a second lens portion 52 that forms the second light distribution pattern P2, and a third lens portion 53 that forms the third light distribution pattern P3. The vehicle lamp 10 has two OHS protrusions 71 on the second lens portion 52. Here, in the vehicle lamp 10, the first lens portion 51 needs to be configured to collect light in order to form the first light distribution pattern P1 that has a cutoff line CL and is required to be the brightest. In addition, in the vehicle lamp 10, the third lens portion 53 needs to be configured to diffuse light in the width direction in order to form the third light distribution pattern P3 that expands in the width direction. In contrast, in the vehicle lamp 10, the second lens portion 52 forms the second light distribution pattern P2 that is intermediate in size between the first light distribution pattern P1 and the third light distribution pattern P3, so that the second lens portion 52 is configured to diffuse light moderately. In addition, since the size and brightness of the OHS light distribution pattern Poh are set to be predetermined, it is close to the second light distribution pattern P2 that is intermediate in size. In addition, since both OHS protrusions 71 form the OHS light distribution pattern Poh using a part of the light that passes through the provided lens portion, the brightness of the light distribution pattern formed by the provided lens portion is reduced. For this reason, both OHS protrusions 71 are configured to be small relative to the provided lens portion and to diffuse light in the width direction, so that the OHS light distribution pattern Poh of a predetermined size can be formed while suppressing the influence on the brightness of the light distribution pattern. Here, if the vehicle lamp 10 attempts to provide both OHS protrusions 71 on the first lens portion 51, it may hinder the formation of the brightest first light distribution pattern P1, and the difference between the shapes of the two would be large because the two OHS protrusions 71 would be provided with a diffusing shape compared to the first lens portion 51 with a condensing shape. Also, if the vehicle lamp 10 attempts to provide both OHS protrusions 71 on the third lens portion 53, it would be provided with both OHS protrusions 71 with a shape that does not need to be diffused as much compared to the third lens portion 53 with a shape that is greatly diffused in the width direction, and the difference between the shapes of the two would be large. In contrast, the vehicle lamp 10 provides both OHS protrusions 71 on the second lens portion 52, which makes it possible to reduce the difference in shape with the second lens portion 52 and ensure the brightness of the second light distribution pattern P2 to be formed. Therefore, the vehicle lamp 10 can appropriately form the first light distribution pattern P1, the second light distribution pattern P2, and the third light distribution pattern P3 while preventing the shape of the projection lens 14 from becoming complicated due to the provision of both OHS protrusions 71.

Therefore, the vehicle lamp 10 of Example 1 as a vehicle lamp according to the present disclosure can prevent the OHS light distribution pattern Poh as an upward illumination light distribution pattern from becoming dark, regardless of changes in the positional relationship between the light source (second light source 32) and the OHS protrusion 71 as an upward illumination protrusion.

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 embodiment 1, 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 embodiment 1.

In addition, in the above-mentioned Example 1, the fourth irradiation unit 64 forms a fourth light distribution pattern P4 that irradiates the side of the low-beam light distribution pattern LP. However, it is not limited to the configuration of Example 1 as long as the low-beam light distribution pattern LP is formed while the OHS light distribution pattern Poh is formed above it.

Furthermore, in the above-mentioned Example 1, each OHS protrusion 71 is a single column-shaped protrusion. However, as long as each OHS protrusion 71 is provided in the above-mentioned positional relationship and forms the OHS light distribution pattern Poh, it may be configured, for example, with multiple protrusions arranged in the width direction, and is not limited to the configuration of Example 1. When each OHS protrusion 71 is configured with multiple protrusions arranged in the width direction, the height of each protrusion (the amount of protrusion from the second entrance surface 52b) can be reduced compared to when it is a single protrusion.

In the above-mentioned Example 1, the two OHS protrusions 71 as the two upward irradiation protrusions provided on the second lens portion 52 form an OHS light distribution pattern Poh as an upward irradiation light distribution pattern. However, the upward irradiation protrusions are not limited to the configuration of Example 1 as long as they are provided in pairs in the vertical direction and advance upward in the irradiation light distribution pattern to form an upward irradiation light distribution pattern.

10 Vehicle lamp 14 Projection lens 31 First light source 32 Second light source 33 Third light source 34 Fourth light source 41 First reflector portion 41b Back wall portion 42 Second reflector portion 42b Back wall portion 43 Third reflector portion 43b Back wall portion 44 Fourth reflector portion 44b Back wall portion 51 First lens portion 52 Second lens portion 52b Second incident surface (as an example of an incident surface) 53 Third lens portion 71 OHS protrusion (as an example of an upward irradiation protrusion) 72 Inclined surface portion CL Cut-off line LP Passing light distribution pattern (as an example of an irradiation light distribution pattern) Lp2 Second projection optical axis (as an example of a lens optical axis) Poh OHS light distribution pattern (as an example of an upward irradiation light distribution pattern) P1 First light distribution pattern P2 Second light distribution pattern P3 Third light distribution pattern

Claims (8)

a projection lens that projects light emitted from the light source and forms a light distribution pattern that illuminates the area ahead of the vehicle;
an upward illumination protrusion provided on the projection lens for directing light from the light source toward an upper portion of the illumination distribution pattern to form an upward illumination distribution pattern;
The vehicle lamp is characterized in that the upward illumination protrusions are provided in pairs in the up-down direction. The vehicle lamp according to claim 1, characterized in that the upward illumination protrusions are provided in pairs in the vertical direction on either side of the lens optical axis of the projection lens. Further, a reflector portion that reflects the light emitted from the light source is provided,
2. The vehicle lamp according to claim 1, wherein the projection lens projects the light reflected by the reflector portion to form the light distribution pattern. The vehicle lamp according to claim 3, characterized in that the projection lens forms the illumination light distribution pattern by projecting a light distribution image of the back wall portion of the reflector section. The vehicle lamp according to claim 1, characterized in that the two upward illumination protrusions each form an upward illumination light distribution pattern portion at the same position, and the two upward illumination light distribution pattern portions are overlapped to form the upward illumination light distribution pattern. The vehicle lamp according to claim 1, characterized in that the two upward illumination protrusions are elongated in the width direction and protrude from the entrance surface of the projection lens toward the light source. The vehicle lamp according to claim 6, characterized in that the two upward illumination protrusions have an inclined surface portion that inclines the lower end toward the incident surface. The irradiation light distribution pattern is formed by at least partially overlapping a first light distribution pattern having a cutoff line, a second light distribution pattern larger than the first light distribution pattern, and a third light distribution pattern wider in a width direction than the second light distribution pattern,
the projection lens has a first lens portion that forms the first light distribution pattern, a second lens portion that forms the second light distribution pattern, and a third lens portion that forms the third light distribution pattern,
The vehicular lamp according to claim 1 , wherein the two upward illumination protrusions are provided on the second lens portion.