WO2023063137A1

WO2023063137A1 - Vehicular lamp

Info

Publication number: WO2023063137A1
Application number: PCT/JP2022/036929
Authority: WO
Inventors: 麻希子末次
Original assignee: 株式会社小糸製作所
Priority date: 2021-10-12
Filing date: 2022-10-03
Publication date: 2023-04-20
Also published as: JP2023057849A

Abstract

Provided is a vehicular lamp configured to illuminate light emitted from a light source frontward of the lamp through a projection lens, the vehicular lamp enabling formation of a light distribution pattern for a high beam as a continuous light distribution pattern, while ensuring sufficient distance visibility during low beam illumination. With respect to a plurality of first light emitting elements (30) that light up during low beam illumination and high beam illumination, a plurality of second light emitting elements (40) that additionally light up during the high beam illumination are disposed in lower, spaced-apart positions, and a shade (60) is disposed therebetween. Further, a downward deflection part (50c) is formed in a lower region of a rear surface (50b) of a projection lens (50) where light emitted from the plurality of first light emitting elements (30) does not enter, the downward deflection part (50c) deflecting light emitted from the plurality of second light emitting elements (40) downward. This ensures that a lower region of an additional light distribution pattern formed when the plurality of second light emitting elements (40) additionally light up overlaps with a light distribution pattern for a low beam.

Description

vehicle lamp

The present invention relates to a vehicle lamp equipped with a projection lens.

Conventionally, as a structure of a vehicle lamp, light emitted from a plurality of light-emitting elements is emitted through a projection lens toward the front of the lamp, thereby selectively switching between a low beam light distribution pattern and a high beam light distribution pattern. Formable structures are known.

FIG. 8 of "Patent Document 1" shows a configuration of such a vehicle lamp, which includes a plurality of first light-emitting elements that are lit during low-beam irradiation and high-beam irradiation, and a plurality of second light-emitting elements that are additionally lit during high-beam irradiation. and are described.

At that time, the plurality of second light emitting elements are arranged at positions spaced downward from the plurality of first light emitting elements, and the plurality of first light emitting elements are arranged therebetween in order to form a cutoff line for the low beam light distribution pattern. A shade is arranged to block part of the light emitted from the light emitting element.

In the vehicular lamp described in "Patent Document 1," a low-beam light distribution pattern is formed by lighting a plurality of first light-emitting elements, and a low-beam distribution pattern is formed by additionally lighting a plurality of second light-emitting elements. An additional light distribution pattern is added above the cutoff line of the light pattern to form a high beam light distribution pattern.

JP 2019-207774 A

In the vehicular lamp disclosed in Patent Document 1, a high beam light distribution pattern is formed by adding an additional light distribution pattern above the cutoff line of the low beam light distribution pattern. However, in that case, it is not easy to form the high beam light distribution pattern as a continuous light distribution pattern in which the low beam light distribution pattern and the additional light distribution pattern are smoothly connected.

On the other hand, if the cut-off line of the low-beam light distribution pattern is formed in a slightly blurred state, it is possible to ensure continuity with the additional light distribution pattern. However, in this case, the sharpness of the cut-off line is lowered, so that long-distance visibility cannot be sufficiently ensured during low-beam irradiation.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances. It is an object of the present invention to provide a vehicle lamp capable of forming a high beam light distribution pattern as a continuous light distribution pattern while sufficiently ensuring long-distance visibility.

The present invention is intended to achieve the above object by devising the configuration of the projection lens.

That is, the vehicle lamp according to the present invention is
A light source and a projection lens are provided, and a light distribution pattern for low beam and a light distribution pattern for high beam can be selectively formed by irradiating light emitted from the light source toward the front of the lamp through the projection lens. In a vehicle lamp configured as follows:
The light source includes a plurality of first light emitting elements that are lit during low beam irradiation and high beam irradiation, and a plurality of second light emitting elements that are additionally lit during high beam irradiation,
The plurality of second light emitting elements are arranged at positions spaced downward from the plurality of first light emitting elements,
A portion of the light emitted from the plurality of first light emitting elements is blocked in order to form a cutoff line of the low beam light distribution pattern between the plurality of first light emitting elements and the plurality of second light emitting elements. The shade is placed to
A downward deflecting portion that deflects downward light emitted from the plurality of second light emitting elements is formed in a region of the projection lens where light emitted from the plurality of first light emitting elements does not enter. It is something to do.

The specific arrangement and number of the "plurality of first light emitting elements" are not particularly limited.

As long as the above "plurality of second light emitting elements" are arranged at positions spaced downward from the plurality of first light emitting elements, the specific arrangement and the number of arrangement thereof are not particularly limited.

If the above-mentioned "downward deflection section" is formed so as to deflect the light emitted from the plurality of second light emitting elements downward in a region of the projection lens where the light emitted from the plurality of first light emitting elements does not enter, The specific arrangement, shape, etc. thereof are not particularly limited, and may be formed on the front surface or the rear surface of the projection lens.

A vehicle lamp according to the present invention is configured to emit light emitted from a light source toward the front of the lamp via a projection lens. A light emitting element and a plurality of second light emitting elements that additionally light up when the high beam is irradiated are provided. Since a shade for shielding part of the light emitted from the plurality of first light emitting elements is arranged in , a low beam light distribution pattern can be formed by lighting the plurality of first light emitting elements. A light distribution pattern for high beam can be formed by additionally lighting the second light emitting element.

In this case, a downward deflecting portion that deflects downward the light emitted from the plurality of second light emitting elements is formed in a region of the projection lens where the light emitted from the plurality of first light emitting elements does not enter. Such effects can be obtained.

That is, by additionally lighting the plurality of second light emitting elements, an additional light distribution pattern is additionally formed above the cutoff line of the light distribution pattern for low beam. A light distribution pattern is formed in which the lower end region is extended downward by the light emitted from the portion.

Therefore, the additional light distribution pattern can be formed in a state where the lower end region thereof overlaps the region near the cutoff line of the low beam light distribution pattern, thereby smoothly connecting the low beam light distribution pattern and the additional light distribution pattern. A high-beam light distribution pattern can be formed as a continuous light distribution pattern.

Moreover, since this can be achieved without affecting the formation of the light distribution pattern for low beams, the sharpness of the cutoff line can be maintained as it is, thereby ensuring sufficient long-distance visibility during low beam irradiation. can be secured to

As described above, according to the present invention, in the vehicle lamp configured to irradiate the light emitted from the light source toward the front of the lamp via the projection lens, long-distance visibility is sufficiently ensured during low-beam illumination. , the high-beam light distribution pattern can be formed as a continuous light distribution pattern.

In the above configuration, if the downward deflection section is formed on the rear surface of the projection lens, it is possible to precisely control the downward deflection of the emitted light from the plurality of second light emitting elements, In addition, it is possible to easily arrange the downward deflection section in a region of the projection lens where the light emitted from the plurality of first light emitting elements does not enter.

In the above configuration, if the downward deflection section is configured to diffuse the light emitted from the plurality of second light emitting elements in the horizontal direction, the lower end region of the additional light distribution pattern can be made more uniform. In terms of brightness, it can be overlapped with the area near the cutoff line of the light distribution pattern for low beam. Therefore, it is possible to more easily form the high-beam light distribution pattern as a continuous light distribution pattern in which the low-beam light distribution pattern and the additional light distribution pattern are smoothly connected.

In the above configuration, if the plurality of second light emitting elements are arranged in a horizontal direction with the light emitting surface facing the projection lens, the additional light distribution pattern can be spread over a wide area below the light emitting element. It is possible to easily form a light distribution pattern that overlaps the area near the cutoff line of the low-beam light distribution pattern. Therefore, it is possible to more easily form the high-beam light distribution pattern as a continuous light distribution pattern in which the low-beam light distribution pattern and the additional light distribution pattern are smoothly connected.

In the above configuration, the brightness of the additional light distribution pattern can be increased by further including a second reflector for reflecting the light emitted from the plurality of second light emitting elements toward the projection lens, and , it is possible to more easily form the high-beam light distribution pattern as a continuous light distribution pattern.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a side cross-sectional view showing a vehicle lamp according to an embodiment of the present invention; View from the direction of arrow II in Fig. 1 III-III line sectional view of FIG. A diagram showing a light distribution pattern formed by light emitted from the vehicle lamp. FIG. 5 is a view similar to FIG. 4 showing a comparative example of the above embodiment; FIG. 3 is a view similar to FIG. 2, showing a first modification of the above embodiment; FIG. 4 is a view similar to FIG. 3 showing a second variant of the above embodiment; FIG. 3 is a view similar to FIG. 2, showing a third modification of the above embodiment; A view similar to FIG. 3 showing the third modification A diagram showing a light distribution pattern formed by light emitted from the vehicle lamp according to the third modification.

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

FIG. 1 is a side sectional view showing a vehicle lamp 10 according to one embodiment of the present invention. 2 is a view taken in the direction of arrow II in FIG. 1. FIG.

In these figures, the direction indicated by X is the "front of the lamp", the direction indicated by Y is the "left direction" ("right direction" when viewed from the front of the lamp) orthogonal to the "front of the lamp", and the direction indicated by Z. is the "upward direction". The same applies to figures other than these.

The vehicle lamp 10 is a headlamp provided at the front end of a vehicle, and has a configuration in which a lamp unit 20 is accommodated in a lamp chamber formed by a lamp body 12 and a translucent cover 14 .

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line III-III in FIG.

As also shown in FIG. 3, the lamp unit 20 is a so-called projector-type lamp unit, and includes a plurality of first and second

light emitting elements

30 and 40 as light sources, and first and

second reflectors

32 and 42. , and a projection lens 50, and are configured to selectively form a low-beam light distribution pattern and a high-beam light distribution pattern with the irradiated light.

Specifically, the plurality of first light emitting elements 30 are configured to light during low beam irradiation and high beam irradiation, and the plurality of second light emitting elements 40 are configured to additionally light during high beam irradiation.

The lamp unit 20 directs the direct light from the plurality of first light emitting elements 30 and the light emitted from the plurality of first light emitting elements 30 and reflected by the first reflector 32 through the projection lens 50 toward the front of the lamp. Direct light from the plurality of second light emitting elements 40 and light emitted from the plurality of second light emitting elements 40 and reflected by the second reflector 42 By irradiating the projected light toward the front of the lamp through the projection lens 50, an additional light distribution pattern for high beam is formed.

In FIG. 3, the optical path of light emitted from the first light emitting element 30 is indicated by a broken line, and the optical path of light emitted from the second light emitting element 40 is indicated by a solid line.

Next, a specific configuration of the lamp unit 20 will be described.

As shown in FIG. 3, the projection lens 50 is a plano-convex aspherical lens having a convex front surface 50a, and has an optical axis Ax extending in the longitudinal direction of the lamp. The projection lens 50 projects the light source image formed on the rear focal plane, which is the focal plane including the rear focal point F, as an inverted image onto a virtual vertical screen in front of the lamp (that is, in front of the vehicle). ing.

The rear surface 50b of the projection lens 50 is formed with a downward deflection portion 50c in its lower region (this will be described later).

The projection lens 50 is supported by a lens holder 52 at its outer periphery, and the lens holder 52 is supported by a heat sink 54 .

As shown in FIG. 2, the plurality of first light emitting elements 30 are arranged side by side in the left-right direction above the optical axis Ax, and the plurality of second light emitting elements 40 are arranged above the optical axis Ax. They are arranged side by side in the left-right direction on the lower side.

The plurality of first light-emitting elements 30 are composed of 11 white light-emitting diodes each having a rectangular (specifically, square) light-emitting surface 30a, and are arranged at small intervals from each other. At that time, the first light emitting element 30 arranged directly above the optical axis Ax and the five first light emitting elements 30 arranged on the right side thereof (the left side when viewed from the front of the lamp) are replaced by the remaining five light emitting elements 30 arranged on the left side. is arranged in a state of being displaced downward with respect to the first light emitting element 30 of .

On the other hand, the plurality of second light emitting elements 40 are composed of nine white light emitting diodes each having a rectangular light emitting surface 40a (specifically, a square having the same size as the light emitting surface 30a). They are arranged in a horizontal row at intervals.

A plurality of first and second

light emitting elements

30 and 40 are mounted on a common substrate 56, and this substrate 56 is supported by a heat sink 54.

As shown in FIG. 3, the substrate 56 is arranged in a state tilted backward with respect to a vertical plane perpendicular to the optical axis Ax. At that time, the backward inclination angle of the substrate 56 with respect to the vertical plane is set to a value of 10 to 20 degrees (for example, about 15 degrees). As a result, the plurality of first and second light-emitting

elements

30 and 40 have their light-emitting

surfaces

30a and 40a directed upward by 10 to 20° (for example, about 15°) with respect to the front direction of the lamp (that is, the projection lens). 50).

The first and

second reflectors

32 and 42 are arranged on the front side of the lamp with respect to the board 56 . These first and

second reflectors

32 and 42 are integrally formed and supported by heat sinks 54 at both left and right ends thereof.

The first reflector 32 has a reflecting surface 32a formed to surround the plurality of first light emitting elements 30. The light emitted from the plurality of first light emitting elements 30 is directed to the projection lens 50 on this reflecting surface 32a. It is configured to be directed and reflected. At this time, the reflecting surface 32a has a horizontally elongated concave curved reflecting surface shape, and the upper edge thereof has a substantially horizontally elongated elliptical outer shape when viewed from the front of the lamp.

On the other hand, the second reflector 42 has a reflecting surface 42a formed so as to surround the plurality of second light emitting elements 40. The light emitted from the plurality of second light emitting elements 40 is projected onto the reflecting surface 42a. It is configured to reflect towards 50 . At this time, the reflecting surface 42a has a horizontally elongated concave curved reflecting surface shape, and the lower edge thereof has a substantially horizontally elongated elliptical outer shape when viewed from the front of the lamp.

A reflecting surface 32a of the first reflector 32 is formed with an opening 32b surrounding the plurality of first light emitting elements 30 in the vicinity of the outer periphery thereof. The openings 32b are formed so as to extend along the arrangement of the plurality of first light emitting elements 30 in a substantially laterally elongated rectangular shape in a staggered manner.

On the other hand, the reflective surface 42a of the second reflector 42 is formed with a horizontally long opening 42b surrounding the plurality of second light emitting elements 40 in the vicinity of the outer periphery thereof. The opening 42b is formed to extend in a horizontally long rectangular shape along the arrangement of the plurality of second light emitting elements 40. As shown in FIG.

Direct light from the plurality of first light emitting elements 30 and light emitted from the plurality of first light emitting elements 30 reflected by the first reflector 32 are separated between the plurality of first light emitting elements 30 and the plurality of second light emitting elements 40 . A shade 60 is provided for blocking part of the incident light and forming a cutoff line for the low-beam light distribution pattern.

The shade 60 is integrally formed with the first and

second reflectors

32,42. That is, the shade 60 is formed by extending the connecting portion of the first and

second reflectors

32 and 42 in a wedge-shaped vertical cross section toward the front of the lamp, and the upper surface of the shade 60 is the reflecting surface 32a of the first reflector 32. A part of the reflection surface 42 a of the second reflector 42 is formed on the lower surface of the second reflector 42 .

The front edge 60a of the shade 60 is formed so as to extend in the left-right direction at the position of the rear focal point F of the projection lens 50 along a vertical plane perpendicular to the optical axis Ax. Specifically, the front edge 60a extends in the horizontal direction at a position slightly above the optical axis Ax at the left side of the optical axis Ax (the right side when viewed from the front of the lamp). A portion on the right side of Ax extends horizontally at a position slightly below the optical axis Ax, and its left end portion extends obliquely in an upper left direction and is connected to a portion on the left side of the optical axis Ax. .

As shown in FIG. 3, the projection lens 50 is configured to deflect the light emitted from the plurality of second light emitting elements 40 downward at a downward deflection portion 50c formed on the rear surface 50b.

The downward deflector 50c is a lower region of the rear surface 50b of the projection lens 50 where the light emitted from the plurality of first light emitting elements 30 does not enter (that is, the light emitting surface 30a of the first light emitting element 30 as indicated by the dashed line in FIG. 3). It is formed in a region located below a straight line L connecting the upper edge and the front edge 60a of the shade 60 (the region on the right side thereof).

The downward deflection portion 50c is formed so as to protrude from the rear surface 50b of the projection lens 50 toward the rear side of the lamp. Specifically, the downward deflecting portion 50c is formed by an upper inclined surface of a protrusion formed to have a wedge-shaped vertical cross-section and extending in the left-right direction. A downward deflection angle is set for the outgoing light from the .

Of the light emitted from the plurality of second light emitting elements 40 and reaching the rear surface 50b of the projection lens 50, the light reaching the downward deflecting portion 50c is refracted downward and enters the projection lens 50, whereupon the front surface thereof The light is emitted from 50a as slightly downward light.

Note that the optical path shown by the two-dot chain line in FIG. It is the optical path of incident light. When the downward deflecting portion 50c is not formed on the rear surface 50b of the projection lens 50 as described above, light incident on the projection lens 50 from the plurality of second light emitting elements 40 is emitted as upward light from the front surface 50a. .

FIG. 4 is a view perspectively showing a light distribution pattern formed on a virtual vertical screen arranged at a position 25 m in front of the vehicle by light emitted forward from the lamp unit 20 of the vehicle lamp 10. FIG. is. At that time, FIG. 4A is a diagram showing a low beam light distribution pattern PL, and FIG. 4B is a diagram showing a high beam light distribution pattern PH.

As shown in FIG. 4(a), the low-beam light distribution pattern PL is a left-handed low-beam light distribution pattern, and has cutoff lines CL1 and CL2 that are uneven on the left and right at the upper edge thereof. The cut-off lines CL1 and CL2 extend in the horizontal direction on the left and right sides of the line VV, which passes vertically through the vanishing point HV in the front direction of the lamp. The opposite lane side portion is formed as a lower cutoff line CL1, and the own lane side portion on the left side of the VV line is formed as an upper cutoff line CL2 rising from the lower cutoff line CL1 via an inclined portion. formed.

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

As described above, the low beam light distribution pattern PL is formed by the direct light from the plurality of first light emitting elements 30 and the reflected light from the first reflector 32. At this time, the left and right cutoff lines CL1 and CL2 are shades. 60 as an inverted projected image of the leading edge 60a.

As shown in FIG. 4(b), the high-beam light distribution pattern PH is formed as a light distribution pattern in which an additional light distribution pattern PA is added to the low-beam light distribution pattern PL.

As described above, the additional light distribution pattern PA is formed by the direct light from the plurality of second light emitting elements 40 and the light emitted from the plurality of second light emitting elements 40 and reflected by the second reflector 42. overlaps the area near the cutoff line of the low-beam light distribution pattern PL.

This is because the additional light distribution pattern PA is formed as a light distribution pattern in which the lower end area PAa is expanded downward by the light emitted from the downward deflector 50c of the projection lens 50.

In this way, the high beam light distribution pattern PH is formed in a state where the low beam light distribution pattern PL and the additional light distribution pattern PA are partially overlapped, thereby eliminating the risk of forming a gap between them. be able to.

On the other hand, FIGS. 5A and 5B are diagrams showing a comparative example of the present embodiment. FIG. 5A is a diagram showing a low beam light distribution pattern PL′, and FIG. 5B is a diagram showing a high beam light distribution pattern PH. ' is a diagram showing .

In the low-beam light distribution pattern PL' shown in FIG. 5(a), it is assumed that the projection lens 50 does not have the downward deflection portion 50c, and instead, for example, the position of the front edge 60a of the shade 60 is shifted slightly. This is a light distribution pattern when the cutoff lines CL1 and CL2 are formed in a slightly blurred state by .

The high-beam light distribution pattern PH' shown in FIG. 5B is formed as a light distribution pattern in which an additional light distribution pattern PA' is added to the low-beam light distribution pattern PL'. is somewhat blurred, the high-beam light distribution pattern PH' is formed without forming a gap between the low-beam light distribution pattern PL' and the additional light distribution pattern PA'.

However, in the low-beam light distribution pattern PL' shown in FIG. 5(a), the cut-off lines CL1 and CL2 are somewhat blurred, so the cut-off line is slightly blurred compared to the low-beam light distribution pattern PL shown in FIG. 4(a). Clearness of CL1 and CL2 is lowered, and it becomes impossible to sufficiently ensure long-distance visibility during low-beam irradiation.

Next, the effects of this embodiment will be described.

The lamp unit 20 of the vehicle lamp 10 according to the present embodiment includes, as its light source, a plurality of first light emitting elements 30 that light during low beam irradiation and high beam irradiation and a plurality of second light emitting elements 40 that additionally light during high beam irradiation. However, the plurality of second light emitting elements 40 are arranged at a position spaced downward from the plurality of first light emitting elements 30, and there is a portion of the light emitted from the plurality of first light emitting elements 30 between them. Since the shade 60 for blocking the light is arranged, the low beam light distribution pattern PL can be formed by lighting the plurality of first light emitting elements 30, and the high beam light distribution pattern PL can be formed by additionally lighting the plurality of second light emitting elements 40. A light distribution pattern PH can be formed.

At this time, a downward deflecting portion 50c that deflects downward the emitted light from the plurality of second light emitting elements 40 is formed in a region of the projection lens 50 where the emitted light from the plurality of first light emitting elements 30 does not enter. Therefore, the following effects can be obtained.

That is, additional lighting of the plurality of second light emitting elements 40 additionally forms an additional light distribution pattern PA above the cutoff lines CL1 and CL2 of the low-beam light distribution pattern PL. PA is formed as a light distribution pattern in which the lower end area PAa is expanded downward by the light emitted from the downward deflector 50c of the projection lens 50. FIG.

Therefore, the additional light distribution pattern PA can be formed in a state in which the lower end area PAa thereof overlaps the area near the cutoff line of the low beam light distribution pattern PL. It is possible to form the high-beam light distribution pattern PH as a continuous light distribution pattern in which the .

Moreover, this can be achieved without affecting the formation of the low-beam light distribution pattern PL. Sufficient visibility can be ensured.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, in the vehicle lamp 10 configured to irradiate the emitted light from the light source through the projection lens 50 toward the front of the lamp, sufficient long-distance visibility is achieved during low-beam irradiation. In addition, the high-beam light distribution pattern PH can be formed as a continuous light distribution pattern.

At this time, in this embodiment, since the downward deflecting portion 50c is formed on the rear surface 50b of the projection lens 50, it is possible to precisely control the downward deflection of the emitted light from the plurality of second light emitting elements 40. In addition, it is possible to easily arrange the downward deflector 50c in a region of the projection lens 50 where the light emitted from the plurality of first light emitting elements 30 does not enter.

Moreover, in this embodiment, since the plurality of second light emitting elements 40 are arranged in a horizontal direction with the light emitting surface 40a facing the projection lens 50, the additional light distribution pattern PA is arranged in the lower region thereof. It is possible to easily form a light distribution pattern in which PAa overlaps the cut-off line vicinity area of the low-beam light distribution pattern PL over a wide range. Therefore, it is possible to more easily form the high-beam light distribution pattern PH as a continuous light distribution pattern in which the low-beam light distribution pattern PL and the additional light distribution pattern PA are smoothly connected.

Furthermore, in this embodiment, since the second reflector 40 is provided to reflect the light emitted from the plurality of second light emitting elements 40 toward the projection lens 50, the brightness of the additional light distribution pattern PA can be increased. Moreover, it is possible to more easily form the high-beam light distribution pattern PH as a continuous light distribution pattern.

In the above embodiment, the projection lens 50 is described as being composed of a plano-convex aspherical lens, but it is also possible to be composed of a biconvex lens, a convex meniscus lens, or the like. It is also possible to have a configuration having an outer shape of .

In the above embodiment, the lamp unit 20 has been described as having 11 first light emitting elements 30 and 9 second light emitting elements 40, but the number of first and second light emitting elements other than this number may be different. A configuration with 30 and 40 is also possible.

In the above-described embodiment, the plurality of first light emitting elements 30 are arranged in a staggered manner, but it is also possible to arrange them in a horizontal row.

In the above embodiment, the light-emitting

surfaces

30a and 40a of the plurality of first and second light-emitting

elements

30 and 40 have been described as having a square outer shape. It is also possible to adopt a configuration having an external shape such as a rectangular shape or a laterally long rectangular shape.

In the above embodiment, the first and

second reflectors

32, 42 are arranged to effectively utilize the light emitted from the plurality of first and second

light emitting elements

30, 40. and

second reflectors

32, 42, or both are not arranged.

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

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

FIG. 6 is a view, similar to FIG. 2, showing a lamp unit 120 of a vehicle lamp according to this modified example.

As shown in FIG. 6, the basic configuration of the lamp unit 120 is similar to that of the lamp unit 20 of the above embodiment, but the configuration of the projection lens 150 is partially different from that of the above embodiment.

That is, in this modification as well, the projection lens 150 is composed of a plano-convex aspherical lens having a convex front surface 150a, and a rear surface 150b having a downward deflecting portion 150c formed in its lower region. However, it differs from the above-described embodiment in that the downward deflector 150c is composed of a plurality of diffuser lens elements 150s.

The plurality of diffusing lens elements 150s are formed in a vertical striped pattern, and are configured to diffuse the light emitted from the plurality of second light emitting elements 40 in the horizontal direction.

Even when the configuration of this modified example is adopted, the same effects as in the case of the above embodiment can be obtained.

Moreover, by adopting the configuration of this modified example, the lower end area PAa of the additional light distribution pattern PA can be overlapped with the area near the cutoff line of the low-beam light distribution pattern PL with more uniform brightness. Therefore, it is possible to more easily form the high-beam light distribution pattern PH as a continuous light distribution pattern in which the low-beam light distribution pattern PL and the additional light distribution pattern PA are smoothly connected.

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

FIG. 7 is a view, similar to FIG. 3, showing a lighting unit 220 of a vehicle lamp according to this modified example.

As shown in FIG. 7, the basic configuration of the lamp unit 220 is similar to that of the lamp unit 20 of the above embodiment, but the configuration of the projection lens 250 is partly different from that of the above embodiment.

That is, in this modified example as well, the projection lens 250 is composed of a plano-convex aspherical lens having a convex front surface 250a, while the rear surface 250b is formed flat over the entire area. This differs from the above embodiment in that a downward deflecting portion 250c is formed in 250a.

The downward deflection portion 250c is formed in a lower region (that is, a region below the straight line L) on the front surface 250a of the projection lens 250 where the light emitted from the plurality of first light emitting elements 30 does not reach. Specifically, the downward deflecting portion 250c is composed of an upper inclined surface of a protrusion extending in the left-right direction and having a wedge-shaped vertical cross-section. A downward deflection angle is set.

Of the light emitted from the plurality of second light emitting elements 40 and incident on the projection lens 250, the light that reaches the downward deflecting portion 250c of the front surface 250a is emitted from the projection lens 250 as slightly downward light.

As shown by the two-dot chain line in FIG. 3, if the downward deflector 50c were not formed, the light emitted from the front surface 250a of the projection lens 250 would be upward light.

Next, a third modified example of the above embodiment will be described.

8 and 9 are views similar to FIGS. 2 and 3, showing a lighting unit 320 of a vehicle lighting device according to this modified example.

As shown in FIG. 8, the basic configuration of the lamp unit 320 is the same as that of the lamp unit 20 of the above embodiment, but the number of the plurality of second light emitting elements 340 and the configuration of the second reflector 342 are different from those of the above embodiment. different from the case.

In this modified example, 13 white light emitting diodes are provided as the plurality of second light emitting elements 340, and these are arranged in a horizontal row with a slight interval from each other around the vertical plane including the optical axis Ax. It is The shape of the light emitting surface 340a of each of the plurality of second light emitting elements 340 is the same as in the above embodiment.

Each of the plurality of second light emitting elements 340 is turned on and off according to the driving conditions of the own vehicle by an electronic control unit (not shown). At this time, the running condition of the own vehicle can be grasped based on detected values such as steering angle data of the own vehicle, navigation data, image data of the road ahead.

The second reflector 342 has a reflecting surface 342a formed to surround the plurality of second light emitting elements 340, similarly to the second reflector 42 of the above-described embodiment. A laterally long opening 342b is formed surrounding the two light emitting elements 340 in the vicinity of the outer periphery thereof.

The reflective surface 342a is configured such that a pair of small reflective surfaces 342s are arranged on both upper and lower sides of each of the plurality of second light emitting elements 340 . The pair of upper and lower small reflecting surfaces 342 s reflect the emitted light from each second light emitting element 340 toward the projection lens 350 as substantially parallel light.

FIG. 10(a) shows a perspective view of a high-beam light distribution pattern PH-3 formed on the virtual vertical screen by light emitted from the lighting unit 320 of the vehicle lighting device according to the present modification toward the front of the lighting device. It is a schematic diagram.

As shown in FIG. 10(a), the high beam light distribution pattern PH-3 is formed as a synthetic light distribution pattern in which the additional light distribution pattern PA-3 is added to the low beam light distribution pattern PL.

The additional light distribution pattern PA-3 includes direct light from the 13 second light emitting elements 340 and light emitted from the 13 second light emitting elements 340 and reflected by the second reflector 342 (specifically, the second reflector This is a light distribution pattern formed by the light reflected by 13 pairs of small reflecting surfaces 342s constituting the reflecting surface 342a of 342).

That is, the additional light distribution pattern PA-3 is formed as a composite light distribution pattern of 13 small light distribution patterns PA-3a formed by lighting of the 13 second light emitting elements 340 respectively.

The thirteen small light distribution patterns PA-3a are all formed as substantially rectangular light distribution patterns, and are formed in a horizontal row with the small light distribution patterns PA-3a adjacent to each other slightly overlapping each other. ing. At that time, each small light distribution pattern PA-3a is formed as a vertically long light distribution pattern by the direct light from each second light emitting element 340 and the reflected light from each pair of small reflecting surfaces 342s of the reflector 342. The area PA-3a1 overlaps the area near the cutoff line of the low-beam light distribution pattern PL.

This is because each small light distribution pattern PA-3a is formed as a light distribution pattern in which the lower end area PA-3a1 is expanded downward by the light emitted from the downward deflector 50c of the projection lens 50. be.

FIG. 10(b) is a view perspectively showing an intermediate light distribution pattern PM-3 in which a part of the high beam light distribution pattern PH-3 is omitted.

In FIG. 10(b), by turning off the sixth second light emitting element 340 from the left, the sixth small light distribution pattern PA-3a from the right among the 13 small light distribution patterns PA-3a constituting the additional light distribution pattern PA-3 is turned off. An intermediate light distribution pattern PM-3 is shown in which the light distribution pattern PA-3a is missing.

By forming such an intermediate light distribution pattern PM-3, the irradiation light from the lamp unit 320 is prevented from striking the oncoming vehicle 2, thereby avoiding giving glare to the driver of the oncoming vehicle 2. It is designed to irradiate the front traveling road as widely as possible.

As the position of the oncoming vehicle 2 changes, the second light emitting elements 340 to be turned off are sequentially switched to change the shape of the intermediate light distribution pattern PM-3. The system is designed to illuminate the road ahead as wide as possible without glaring the driver.

The existence of the oncoming vehicle 2 is detected by an on-board camera (not shown) or the like. Even if there is a vehicle in front on the road ahead or a pedestrian on the shoulder of the road, this is detected and a part of the small light distribution pattern PA-3a is omitted to prevent glare. It is designed not to give

In this modified example, by forming the intermediate light distribution pattern PM-3, it is possible to maintain a state in which the forward traveling road 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, an intermediate light distribution pattern PM- is formed as a continuous light distribution pattern in which the plurality of small light distribution patterns PA-3a constituting the additional light distribution pattern PA-3 and the low-beam light distribution pattern PL are smoothly connected. 3 can be formed.

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

In addition, 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 adopted.

This international application claims priority based on Japanese Patent Application No. 2021-167553, which is a Japanese patent application filed on October 12, 2021. The entire contents of this International Application are incorporated by reference.

The foregoing descriptions of specific embodiments of the invention have been presented for purposes of illustration. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise forms described. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that many variations and modifications are possible in light of the above description.

2 oncoming vehicle 10 vehicle lamp 12 lamp body 14

translucent cover

20, 120, 220, 320 lamp unit 30 first light emitting element (light source)
30a, 40a, 340a light emitting surface 32

first reflector

32a, 42a, 342a reflecting

surface

32b, 42b, 342b opening 40, 340 second light emitting element (light source)
42, 342

second reflector

50, 150, 250

projection lens

50a, 150a, 250a

front surface

50b, 150b, 250b

rear surface

50c, 150c, 250c downward deflector 52 lens holder 54 heat sink 56 substrate 60 shade 60a front edge 150s diffusion lens element 342s Small reflecting surface Ax Optical axis CL1 Lower cutoff line CL2 Upper cutoff line E Elbow point F Back focus L Straight line PA, PA-3 Additional light distribution pattern PAa, PA-3a1 Bottom area PA-3a Small light distribution pattern PH, PH- 3 Light distribution pattern for high beam PL Light distribution pattern for low beam PM-3 Intermediate light distribution pattern

Claims

A light source and a projection lens are provided, and a light distribution pattern for low beam and a light distribution pattern for high beam can be selectively formed by irradiating light emitted from the light source toward the front of the lamp through the projection lens. In a vehicle lamp configured as follows:
The light source includes a plurality of first light emitting elements that are lit during low beam irradiation and high beam irradiation, and a plurality of second light emitting elements that are additionally lit during high beam irradiation,
The plurality of second light emitting elements are arranged at positions spaced downward from the plurality of first light emitting elements,
A portion of the light emitted from the plurality of first light emitting elements is blocked in order to form a cutoff line of the low beam light distribution pattern between the plurality of first light emitting elements and the plurality of second light emitting elements. The shade is placed to
A downward deflecting portion that deflects downward light emitted from the plurality of second light emitting elements is formed in a region of the projection lens where light emitted from the plurality of first light emitting elements does not enter. Vehicle lighting equipment.
The vehicle lamp according to claim 1, wherein the downward deflection portion is formed on the rear surface of the projection lens.
3. The vehicle lamp according to claim 1, wherein the downward deflecting portion is configured to diffuse the light emitted from the plurality of second light emitting elements in the left-right direction.
3. The vehicular lamp according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of second light emitting elements are arranged side by side in the left-right direction with their light emitting surfaces facing the projection lens.
3. The vehicle lamp according to claim 1, further comprising a second reflector for reflecting the light emitted from the plurality of second light emitting elements toward the projection lens.