JP7186570B2 - vehicle lamp - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a vehicle lamp having a microlens array.

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there has been known a projection display device configured to irradiate light emitted from a light source unit toward the front of the device via a microlens array.

In "Patent Document 1", as a microlens array of such a projection type display device, a rear lens array having a plurality of condensing lens portions for condensing light emitted from a light source unit is formed on the rear surface. , and a front lens array having a plurality of projection lens units formed on the front surface thereof for projecting each of the plurality of light source images formed by the plurality of condenser lens units.

In the projection display device described in this "Patent Document 1", a light source image whose shape is defined by a plurality of imaging structures arranged between the rear lens array and the front lens array is arranged in front of the device. configured to be displayed on the screen

On the other hand, "Patent Document 2" describes a vehicle lamp configured to form a desired light distribution pattern by irradiating light emitted from a light source unit toward the front of the lamp via a microlens array. It is

In the vehicular lamp described in this "Patent Document 2", the shape of each of a plurality of light source images formed by a plurality of condensing lens units is defined between the rear lens array and the front lens array. A light shielding plate is arranged for the purpose of forming a light distribution pattern having a cut-off line in the upper portion as the required light distribution pattern.

Japanese Patent No. 5327658 Japanese Patent No. 6229054

In the vehicular lamp described in "Patent Document 2", the shape of each of the plurality of light source images formed by the plurality of condensing lens portions is uniquely defined by the light shielding plate. It is not possible to change the shape and brightness of the off-line light distribution pattern according to vehicle running conditions and the like.

Such a problem is also a problem that can occur in the case of forming a light distribution pattern having a cutoff line other than the upper part.

The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and in a vehicle lamp having a microlens array, it is possible to change the shape and brightness of the light distribution pattern according to the driving conditions of the vehicle. An object of the present invention is to provide a vehicle lamp.

The present invention is intended to achieve the above object by employing a configuration including a spatial light modulator.

That is, the vehicle lamp according to the present invention is
A vehicle lamp configured to form a desired light distribution pattern by irradiating light emitted from a light source unit toward the front of the lamp via a microlens array,
The microlens array includes: a rear lens array having a rear surface formed with a plurality of condenser lens portions for condensing light emitted from the light source unit; a front lens array having a plurality of projection lens units formed on the front surface for projecting each of the light source images,
A spatial light modulator is disposed between the rear lens array and the front lens array for controlling the spatial distribution of light that passes through the rear lens array and enters the front lens array. cage,
The rear lens array has an area in which the front focal point of the condensing lens portion is offset to the front side of the lamp with respect to the rear focal point of the projection lens portion of the condensing lens portion located in the front direction of the lamp. , is characterized by

The specific configuration of the "spatial light modulator" is not particularly limited as long as it can control the spatial distribution of the light that passes through the rear lens array and enters the front lens array. Instead, for example, a light transmission type liquid crystal or an OLED can be used.

The vehicle lamp according to the present invention is configured to form a desired light distribution pattern by irradiating the light emitted from the light source unit toward the front of the lamp via the microlens array. and the front lens array for controlling the spatial distribution of the light transmitted through the rear lens array and incident on the front lens array. A light distribution pattern having an arbitrary shape and brightness can be formed as the light pattern, and these can be changed over time.

As described above, according to the present invention, in a vehicle lamp having a microlens array, it is possible to change the shape and brightness of the light distribution pattern according to vehicle running conditions and the like.

Moreover, according to the present invention, it is possible to easily form a light distribution pattern having a cut-off line as the required light distribution pattern. can be changed accordingly.

In the above configuration, if the spatial light modulator is arranged along a vertical plane passing through the vicinity of the rear focus of each projection lens unit constituting the front lens array, a sharp cutoff line can be formed. can.

In the above configuration, if the spatial light modulator is sandwiched between the front lens array and the rear lens array from both sides in the front-rear direction of the lamp, the positioning accuracy of the spatial light modulator can be increased, and the lamp can be further positioned. Configuration can be simplified.

In the above configuration, if the rear lens array further includes an area in which the front focal point of the condenser lens section is offset from the corresponding rear focal point of the projection lens section to the front side of the lamp, In this area, a relatively large light source image is formed on the rear focal plane of the projection lens section by the light emitted from the light source unit and incident on the rear lens array, thereby increasing the size of the light distribution pattern. can be made

1 is a front view showing a vehicle lamp according to an embodiment of the present invention; FIG. II-II line sectional view of Fig. 1 III-III line sectional view of FIG. (a) is a detailed view of part IVa in FIG. 2, (b) is a detailed view of part IVb in FIG. 2, and (c) is a detailed view of part IVc in FIG. (a) is a detailed view of the Va part in FIG. 3, (b) and (c) are similar to (a) showing other parts (a1) and (a2) are views viewed in the VIa direction of FIG. 4, (b1) and (b2) are views viewed in the VIb direction of FIG. 4, and (c1) and (c2) are views viewed in the VIc direction of FIG. FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a light distribution pattern formed by light emitted from the vehicle lamp; FIG. 7 is a view similar to FIG. 6 showing a modification of the above embodiment; FIG. 11 is a view perspectively showing a light distribution pattern formed by light emitted from the vehicle lamp according to the modified example;

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

FIG. 1 is a front view showing a vehicle lamp 10 according to one embodiment of the present invention. 2 is a sectional view taken along line II-II of FIG. 1, and FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken along line III-III of FIG. In addition, in FIG. 1, it has shown in the state which fracture|ruptured a part of component.

In these figures, the direction indicated by X is the "forward" direction of the lamp (also the "forward" direction of the vehicle), and the direction indicated by Y is the "leftward direction" orthogonal to the "forward" direction (the "leftward direction" of the vehicle). However, when viewed from the front of the lamp, it is "rightward"), and the direction indicated by Z is "upward". The same applies to figures other than these.

As shown in these figures, the vehicle lamp 10 according to the present embodiment is a headlamp provided at the right front end portion of a vehicle, and has three lamps in a lamp chamber formed by a lamp body 12 and a translucent cover 14 . The lamp units 20A, 20B, and 20C are arranged in the vehicle width direction.

The three lamp units 20A to 20C are configured to irradiate the light emitted from the light source unit 30 having the same configuration toward the front of the lamp via the microlens arrays 40A, 40B, and 40C.

Each light source unit 30 includes a light source 32 and a translucent member 34 arranged in front of the lamp.

Each light source 32 is a white light emitting diode, has a rectangular (for example, square) light emitting surface, and is mounted on a substrate 36 and arranged facing forward of the lamp. Each substrate 36 is supported by the lamp body 12 .

Each translucent member 34 has an incident surface 34a for receiving light from the light source 32, and an emitting surface 34b for emitting the light incident from the incident surface 34a toward the front of the lamp.

The entrance surface 34 a is formed of a curved surface centered on the optical axis Ax extending in the front-rear direction of the lamp so as to pass through the light emission center of the light source 32 .

Specifically, the incident surface 34a includes a central region 34a1 that allows the light from the light emission center of the light source 32 to enter as light parallel to the optical axis Ax, and the light from the light emission center of the light source 32 around the central region 34a1. A peripheral region 34a2 is provided, in which the light is internally reflected by total reflection as light parallel to the optical axis Ax after being incident in a direction away from the optical axis Ax.

On the other hand, the exit surface 34b is a flat surface extending along a vertical plane perpendicular to the optical axis Ax. The light from the light emission center of the light source 32 incident from the central region 32a1 of the incidence surface 34a and the light from the light emission center of the light source 32 internally reflected by the peripheral region 34a2 are directly reflected on the light emission surface 34b along the optical axis Ax. Parallel light is emitted toward the front of the lamp.

The three translucent members 34 are integrally formed as a transparent resin molding.

Specifically, the three translucent members 34 are connected to each other via a flat plate portion 34c extending along the output surface 34b of the outer peripheral edge portion thereof, and the resin molded product as a whole has a horizontally elongated rectangular shape when viewed from the front of the lamp. It has an external shape of This resin molded product is supported by the lamp body 12 at the outer peripheral flange portion 34d.

Each of the microlens arrays 40A to 40C includes rear lens arrays 42A, 42B, 42C and front lens arrays 44A, 44B, 44C positioned in front of the lamp.

The front surface of each of the rear lens arrays 42A to 42C is composed of a flat surface extending along a vertical plane orthogonal to the optical axis Ax, and the rear surface thereof is a plane for condensing the emitted light from each light source unit 30. A plurality of condenser lens portions 42As, 42Bs, and 40Cs are formed. Each of the plurality of condensing lens portions 42As to 42Cs is a fisheye lens having a convex curved surface, and each of a plurality of segments (for example, segments with a size of about 0.5 to 3 mm square) divided in a vertical and horizontal grid pattern. assigned.

On the other hand, the rear surface of each of the front lens arrays 44A to 44C is composed of a flat surface extending along a vertical plane perpendicular to the optical axis Ax, and the front surface thereof is formed by a plurality of condenser lens portions 42As to 42Cs. A plurality of projection lens units 44As, 44Bs, and 44Cs are formed for projecting each of the plurality of light source images. Each of the projection lens units 44As to 44Cs is a fish-eye lens having a convex curved surface, and is assigned to each of a plurality of segments divided into vertical and horizontal grids of the same size as the condenser lens units 42As to 42Cs. .

The three rear lens arrays 42A to 42C are connected to each other at their side ends, and are configured as a rear light-transmitting plate 42 having a laterally long rectangular outer shape as a whole. The rear light-transmitting plate 42 has a flat plate-shaped outer peripheral edge region 42a of a laterally elongated rectangular shape surrounding a portion of the three rear lens arrays 42A to 42C where the plurality of condensing lens portions 42As to 42Cs are formed. and is supported by the lamp body 12 at the outer peripheral edge region 42a.

On the other hand, the three front lens arrays 44A to 44C are also connected to each other at their side ends, and are configured as a front light-transmitting plate 44 having the same external shape as the rear light-transmitting plate 42 as a whole. The front light-transmitting plate 44 also has a flat plate-shaped outer peripheral edge region 44a in the shape of a horizontally elongated rectangle that surrounds portions of the three front lens arrays 44A to 44C where the plurality of projection lens portions 44As to 44Cs are formed.

Between the rear lens arrays 42A to 42C and the front lens arrays 44A to 44C are provided to control the spatial distribution of light that passes through the rear lens arrays 42A to 42C and enters the front lens arrays 44A to 44C. of spatial light modulators 50 are arranged.

The spatial light modulator 50 is a light-transmitting spatial light modulator having the same external shape as the front light-transmitting plate 44 and the rear light-transmitting plate 42, and is formed in a panel shape and has a horizontally long rectangular shape. of the light control region 50a. Specifically, the spatial light modulator 50 is configured by a transmissive liquid crystal display in which a plurality of light control elements 50s made of transmissive liquid crystal are arranged in a vertical and horizontal lattice pattern in the light control region 50a.

The spatial light modulator 50 controls the light emitted from the microlens arrays 40A to 40C by electrically controlling the spatial distribution of the light from the light source unit 30 that reaches the light control region 50a. It is supposed to be done.

The spatial light modulator 50 is sandwiched between the front light-transmitting plate 44 and the rear light-transmitting plate 42 from both sides in the front and rear direction of the lamp in the outer peripheral region 50b surrounding the light control region 50a.

4(a) is a detailed view of IVa section of FIG. 2, FIG. 4(b) is a detailed view of IVb section of FIG. 2, and FIG. 4(c) is a detailed view of IVc section of FIG. . 5(a) is a detailed view of the Va portion of FIG. 3 showing the essential parts of the lamp unit 20A, and FIGS. 5(b) and 5(c) show the essential parts of the lamp units 20B and 20C. 5(a) is similar to FIG. Further, FIG. 6(a) is a view in the direction of arrow VIa in FIG. 4, FIG. 6(b) is a view in the direction of arrow VIb in FIG. 4, and FIG. 6(c) is a view in the direction of VIc in FIG. It is an arrow view.

As shown in these figures, the plurality of projection lens portions 44As to 44Cs formed on the front surface of each of the three front lens arrays 44A to 44C all have spherical surface shapes with the same curvature. ing. Specifically, each of the projection lens units 44As to 44Cs has optical axes Axa, Axb, and Axc extending in the longitudinal direction of the lamp, and the rear focal point F is the optical axis Axa to Axa of the projection lens units 44As to 44Cs. It is located near the intersection of Axc and the rear surface of each front lens array 44A-44C.

A plurality of condensing lens units 42As to 40Cs formed on the rear surfaces of the three rear lens arrays 42A to 42C also emit light from the projection lens units 44As to 44Cs corresponding to them (that is, positioned in the front direction of the lamp). They are arranged on the axes Axa-Axc.

As shown in FIG. 5A, the condensing lens portion 42As of the rear lens array 42A has an arcuate vertical cross-sectional shape with a smaller curvature than the spherical surface forming the surface of the projection lens portion 44As. The front focal point in the vertical plane is located on the front side of the lamp with respect to the rear focal point F of the projection lens portion 44As.

Further, as shown in FIG. 4A, the surface of the condenser lens portion 42As has an arcuate horizontal cross-sectional shape with a smaller curvature than the spherical surface forming the surface of the projection lens portion 44As. The front focal point in the horizontal plane is located on the front side of the lamp with respect to the front focal point in the vertical plane.

As a result, as shown in FIG. 6(a1), the condenser lens section 42As forms a small oblong light source image IA on the rear focal plane of the projection lens section 44As. Light control is performed by the spatial light modulator 50 on the basis of the light source image IA, so that light is emitted from the projection lens portion 44As toward the front of the lamp with a predetermined light distribution.

As shown in FIG. 5B, the condensing lens portion 42Bs of the rear lens array 42B has an arcuate vertical cross-sectional shape with a smaller curvature than the spherical surface forming the surface of the projection lens portion 44Bs. The front focal point in the vertical plane is located on the front side of the lamp with respect to the rear focal point F of the projection lens portion 44Bs. The amount of forward displacement at that time is larger than in the case of the condensing lens portion 42As of the rear lens array 42A.

Further, as shown in FIG. 4B, the condenser lens portion 42Bs has an arcuate horizontal cross-sectional shape whose surface has a smaller curvature than the spherical surface forming the surface of the projection lens portion 44Bs. The front focal point in the horizontal plane is located on the front side of the lamp with respect to the front focal point in the vertical plane.

As a result, as shown in FIG. 6(b1), the condenser lens section 42Bs forms a medium-sized horizontally long light source image IB on the rear focal plane of the projection lens section 44Bs. . Light control is performed by the spatial light modulator 50 based on the light source image IB, so that light is emitted from the projection lens portion 44Bs toward the front of the lamp with a predetermined light distribution.

As shown in FIG. 5C, the condensing lens portion 42Cs of the rear lens array 42C has an arcuate vertical cross-sectional shape whose surface has a smaller curvature than the spherical surface forming the surface of the projection lens portion 44Cs. The front focal point in the vertical plane is located on the front side of the lamp with respect to the rear focal point F of the projection lens section 44Cs. The amount of forward displacement at that time is even greater than in the case of the condensing lens portion 42Bs of the rear lens array 42B.

As shown in FIG. 4C, the condenser lens portion 42Cs has an arcuate horizontal cross-sectional shape whose surface has a smaller curvature than the spherical surface forming the surface of the projection lens portion 44Cs. The front focal point in the horizontal plane is located on the front side of the lamp with respect to the front focal point in the vertical plane.

As a result, as shown in FIG. 6(c1), the condenser lens section 42Cs forms a considerably large oblong light source image IC on the rear focal plane of the projection lens section 44Cs. Based on this light source image IC, the spatial light modulator 50 performs light control, so that light is emitted from the projection lens section 44Cs toward the front of the lamp with a predetermined light distribution.

FIG. 7 is a view perspectively showing a light distribution pattern formed on a virtual vertical screen arranged at a position 25 m ahead of the vehicle by the light emitted from the vehicle lamp 10. As shown in FIG.

At that time, the light distribution pattern shown in FIG. 7A is the high beam light distribution pattern PH1, and the light distribution pattern shown in FIG. A light distribution pattern (that is, an intermediate light distribution pattern between the high beam light distribution pattern and the low beam light distribution pattern) PM1.

As shown in FIG. 7(a), the high-beam light distribution pattern PH1 is a horizontally elongated light distribution pattern that spreads widely in the horizontal direction around a line VV passing vertically through the vanishing point HV in the front direction of the lamp. The light pattern is formed as a composite light distribution pattern of three light distribution patterns PA, PB, and PC.

The light distribution pattern PA is a light distribution pattern that is formed as an inverted projected image of the light source image IA by the light emitted from the lamp unit 20A, and is formed as a small and bright oblong light distribution pattern centered on HV. , thereby forming a high-intensity region of the high-beam light distribution pattern PH1.

The light distribution pattern PB is a light distribution pattern formed as an inverted projected image of the light source image IB by the light emitted from the lamp unit 20B, and is a horizontally long light distribution pattern slightly larger than the light distribution pattern PA. , thereby forming a medium diffusion region of the high-beam light distribution pattern PH1.

The light distribution pattern PC is a light distribution pattern formed as an inverted projected image of the light source image IC by the light emitted from the lamp unit 20C, and is a horizontally long light distribution pattern that is slightly larger than the light distribution pattern PB. It is formed concentrically with PA, thereby forming a high diffusion region of the high beam light distribution pattern PH1.

As described above, the high-beam light distribution pattern PH1 is formed as a composite light distribution pattern of three types of light distribution patterns PA, PB, and PC having different sizes and brightness. It has a small light distribution pattern.

When forming the high-beam light distribution pattern PH1, as shown in FIGS. The light from the unit 30 is directly emitted from the projection lens portions 44As to 44Cs toward the front of the lamp.

The intermediate light distribution pattern PM1 shown in FIG. 7B is a light distribution pattern in which the upper part of the high beam light distribution pattern PH1 is partially missing.

Specifically, this intermediate light distribution pattern PM1 is also formed as a composite light distribution pattern of the three light distribution patterns PAm, PBm, and PCm, and is located on the right side of the VV line of the high beam light distribution pattern PH1. A light distribution pattern having a substantially U-shaped concave portion PM1a that is cut out by a rectangular cutoff line CL is formed in a partial area where the light distribution pattern is located. At that time, the cutoff line CL is formed such that its lower edge is located slightly below the HH line passing through HV in the horizontal direction.

As shown in FIGS. 6(a2), (b2), and (c2), this concave portion PM1a serves as a part of the plurality of light control elements 50s that constitute the light control region 50a of the spatial light modulator 50, and each projection lens. Each of the portions 44As, 44Bs, and 44Cs is formed by partially blocking light.

Specifically, in the light control area 50a, a vertically long belt-like area 50a1 located on the left side (right side when viewed from the front of the lamp) of the optical axes Axa to Axc of the projection lens portions 44As to 44Cs is in a light blocking state. At this time, the upper edge of the band-shaped region 50a1 is located slightly above the optical axes Axa to Axc. A concave portion PM1a is formed as an inverted projected image of the band-like region 50a1.

By forming the intermediate light distribution pattern PM1 having such recesses PM1a, the light emitted from the vehicle lamp 10 is prevented from striking the oncoming vehicle 2, thereby giving glare to the driver of the oncoming vehicle 2. It is designed to illuminate the road ahead as wide as possible within the range of no light.

Then, as the position of the oncoming vehicle 2 changes, the position of the band-shaped region 50a1 in the light control region 50a of the spatial light modulator 50 is moved in the horizontal direction, and the position of the concave portion PM1a is moved in the horizontal direction. As a result, it is possible to maintain a state in which the road ahead is illuminated as widely as possible within a range that does not give glare to the driver of the oncoming vehicle 2 .

At that time, the presence of the oncoming vehicle 2 is detected by an on-board camera or the like (not shown). Even if there is a vehicle ahead on the road ahead or a pedestrian on the shoulder of the road ahead, glare is given by detecting this and performing optical control of the spatial light modulator 50 . It is designed not to be lost.

Next, the operation of this embodiment will be described.

The vehicle lamp 10 according to this embodiment includes three lamp units 20A, 20B, and 20C. It is configured to form a desired light distribution pattern by irradiating forward of the lamp through the rear lens arrays 42A, 42B, and 42C constituting the microlens arrays 40A to 40C, the front lens array 44A, A spatial light modulator 50 is arranged between 44B and 44C for controlling the spatial distribution of light that passes through the rear lens arrays 42A-42C and enters the front lens arrays 44A-44C. Therefore, a light distribution pattern having an arbitrary shape and brightness can be formed as the required light distribution pattern, and these can be changed with time.

Specifically, it is possible to selectively form a high-beam light distribution pattern PH1 and an intermediate light distribution pattern PM1 whose upper portion is partially missing as the required light distribution pattern. The position and size of the concave portion PM1a of the pattern PM1 can be changed according to the vehicle running condition and the like.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, in the vehicle lamp 10 having the microlens arrays 40A to 40C, the shape and brightness of the light distribution pattern can be changed according to the vehicle running conditions and the like.

Moreover, in this embodiment, since the spatial light modulator 50 is arranged along the vertical plane passing through the vicinity of the rear focal point F of each of the projection lens units 44As to 44Cs constituting the front lens arrays 44A to 44C, the recess PM1a It is possible to clearly form the cutoff line CL forming the contour of .

Further, in the present embodiment, the spatial light modulator 50 is sandwiched from both sides in the front and rear direction of the lamp by the front lens arrays 44A to 44C and the rear lens arrays 42A to 42C, so that the positioning accuracy of the spatial light modulator 50 is enhanced. In addition, the configuration of the lamp can be simplified.

Further, in the present embodiment, as the configuration of the rear lens arrays 42A to 42C, the front focal points of the condenser lens units 42As to 42Cs are located on the front side of the lamp with respect to the rear focal points F of the corresponding projection lens units 44As to 44Cs. , and the amount of offset is different for each of the projection lens units 44As to 44Cs. Three types of light source images IA, IB, and IC with different sizes and brightness can be formed on the focal plane. Therefore, the high-beam light distribution pattern PH1 and the intermediate light distribution pattern PM1 can be formed as light distribution patterns with little light distribution unevenness, thereby making it possible to improve the visibility of the road ahead of the vehicle. .

Moreover, by adopting such a configuration, even in the case of a simple configuration in which only light shielding control is performed as light control by the spatial light modulator 50, the light distribution pattern PH1 for high beam and the intermediate light distribution pattern PH1 can be obtained. PM1 can be formed as a light distribution pattern with little light distribution unevenness.

As the light control by the spatial light modulator 50, it is also possible to perform light transmittance control and the like in addition to light shielding control. Of course, it is possible to form a light distribution pattern other than the intermediate light distribution pattern PM1 (for example, a low-beam light distribution pattern having a cut-off line at the top).

In the above embodiment, the front focal points of the condensing lens units 42As to 42Cs in the entire area of the respective rear lens arrays 42A to 42C are on the front side of the lamp with respect to the rear focal points F of the corresponding projection lens units 44As to 44Cs. Although the explanation has been given assuming that the lamp is offset to the front side of the lamp, it is also possible to adopt a configuration in which only a part of the area is offset to the front side of the lamp.

In the above-described embodiment, the condenser lens units 42As to 42Cs of the rear lens arrays 42A to 42C and the projection lens units 44As to 44Cs of the front lens arrays 44A to 44C are each divided into a plurality of segments divided vertically and horizontally. Although the explanation has been given assuming that the blocks are allocated, it is also possible to adopt divisions other than vertical and horizontal grids (for example, diagonal grid divisions).

In the above embodiment, each light source 32 is described as being composed of a white light emitting diode, but it is also possible to use a light source other than this (for example, a laser diode, an organic EL, etc.).

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

FIG. 8 is a view, similar to FIG. 6, showing the essential parts of the vehicle lamp according to this modification.

As shown in the figure, the basic configuration of this modified example is the same as that of the above-described embodiment, but includes a single lamp unit 120D having the same configuration as the lamp unit 20C of the above-described embodiment. , and the spatial light modulator 150 is partially different from the above embodiment in that the spatial light modulator 150 performs not only light shielding control but also light transmittance control.

That is, the lamp unit 120D of this modification includes a microlens array 140D similar to the microlens array 40C of the above embodiment, and the rear focal point of each projection lens section 144Ds constituting the front lens array 144D. A relatively large light source image ID (a light source image similar to the light source image IC in the above embodiment) is formed on the surface.

On the other hand, the spatial light modulator 150 of this modified example is configured such that the light control region 150a can control the light transmittance of the light control element 150s in the segment corresponding to each projection lens portion 144Ds. FIG. 8 shows, as an example, a state in which the light transmittance of the light control region 150a is set in three stages.

Specifically, the first region Z1 positioned at the center of the light source image ID (that is, the region positioned near the optical axis Axd of the projection lens unit 144Ds) has the highest light transmittance. The second area Z2 annularly surrounding the first area Z1 is set to have a lower light transmittance than the first area Z1, and the other third area Z3 is set to an even lower light transmittance.

As a result, the light source image ID is projected in front of the lamp by the projection lens section 144Ds as an image having three levels of brightness.

Also, in FIG. 8, in the light control area 150a of the spatial light modulator 150, a vertically long belt-like area 150a1 located on the left side of the optical axis Axd of the projection lens section 144D is in a light blocking state.

FIG. 9 is a view perspectively showing an intermediate light distribution pattern PM2 formed on a virtual vertical screen arranged at a position 25 m ahead of the vehicle by irradiation light from the vehicle lamp according to this modification.

This intermediate light distribution pattern PM2 is formed as a light distribution pattern having the same shape as the intermediate light distribution pattern PM1 of the above-described embodiment. Portions corresponding to the light distribution patterns PAm, PBm, and PCm are formed as a first region Pm1, a second region Pm2, and a third region Pm3. These first to third regions Pm1 to Pm3 are respectively formed as inverted projection images of the first regions Z1 to Z3.

Also in this intermediate light distribution pattern PM2, a partial region located on the right side of the VV line is formed as a substantially U-shaped concave portion PM2a as an inverted projection image of the band-shaped region 150a1.

Even when the configuration of this modified example is employed, it is possible to form an intermediate light distribution pattern PM2 substantially similar to the intermediate light distribution pattern PM1 of the above-described embodiment.

Moreover, in this modified example, this can be achieved by a single lamp unit 120D.

It should be noted that the numerical values shown as specifications in the above-described embodiment and its modification are merely examples, and it goes without saying that these values may be set to different values as appropriate.

Moreover, the present invention is not limited to the configurations described in the above embodiments and modifications thereof, and configurations with various other modifications can be employed.

2 Oncoming vehicle 10 Vehicle lamp 12 Lamp body 14 Translucent cover 20A, 20B, 20C, 120D Lamp unit 30 Light source unit 32 Light source 34 Translucent member 34a Entrance surface 34a1 Central region 34a2 Peripheral region 34b Output surface 34c Flat plate portion 34d Peripheral flange Part 36 Substrate 40A, 40B, 40C, 140D Microlens array 42 Rear light-transmitting plate 42A, 42B, 42C Rear lens array 42As, 42Bs, 42Cs Collecting lens part 42a, 44a Peripheral edge region 44 Front light-transmitting plate 44A, 44B, 44C, 144D Front lens array 44As, 44Bs, 44Cs, 144Ds Projection lens unit 50, 150 Spatial light modulator 50a, 150a Light control area 50a1, 150a1 Strip area 50b Outer peripheral area 50s, 150s Light control element Ax, Axa, Axb, Axc, Axd Optical axis CL Cutoff line F Back focus IA, IB, IC, ID Light source image PA, PAm, PB, PBm, PC, PCm Light distribution pattern PH1 High beam light distribution pattern PM1, PM2 Intermediate light distribution Pattern PM1a, PM2a Concave portion Pm1, Z1 First region Pm2, Z2 Second region Pm3, Z3 Third region

Claims (3)

A vehicle lamp configured to form a desired light distribution pattern by irradiating light emitted from a light source unit toward the front of the lamp via a microlens array,
The microlens array includes: a rear lens array having a rear surface formed with a plurality of condenser lens portions for condensing light emitted from the light source unit; a front lens array having a plurality of projection lens units formed on the front surface for projecting each of the light source images,
A spatial light modulator is disposed between the rear lens array and the front lens array for controlling the spatial distribution of light that passes through the rear lens array and enters the front lens array. cage,
The rear lens array has an area in which the front focal point of the condensing lens portion is offset to the front side of the lamp with respect to the rear focal point of the projection lens portion of the condensing lens portion located in the front direction of the lamp. A vehicle lamp characterized by: 2. The vehicular lamp according to claim 1, wherein the spatial light modulator is arranged along a vertical plane passing through the vicinity of the rear focal point of each projection lens unit constituting the front lens array. 3. The vehicular lamp according to claim 1, wherein the spatial light modulator is sandwiched from both sides in the longitudinal direction of the lamp by the front lens array and the rear lens array.

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