Patent ID: 7997779
Filing Date: 2011-08-16
Classification: F21S,F21Y

Abstract:
1. A vehicle lamp unit configured for use with a vehicle and having an optical axis extending in a forward direction, comprising: a semiconductor light source configured to emit light; a first reflector having a reflecting surface configured to reflect light emitted from the semiconductor light source, the first reflector being disposed in front of a light emitting surface of the semiconductor light source while the reflecting surface is in opposition to the light emitting surface of the semiconductor light source, the first reflector having an opening formed at a position on the optical axis to allow passage of light emitted from the semiconductor light source, and the first reflector configured to substantially cover the semiconductor light source; a second reflector having reflecting surfaces respectively disposed on opposing sides of the semiconductor light source; a first projection lens disposed in front of the opening of the first reflector and spaced from, so as not to contact with, the first reflector, the first projection lens being configured to project light passing through the opening of the first reflector in the forward direction, wherein the reflecting surface of the first reflector is configured to reflect, toward each of the reflecting surfaces of the second reflector, portions of light emitted from the semiconductor light source that does not pass through the opening of the first reflector, and the reflecting surfaces of the second reflector are configured to reflect light that is already reflected by the reflecting surface of the first reflector into the forward direction, wherein the reflecting surface of the first reflector includes a pair of ellipsoidal reflecting surfaces disposed adjacent to each other, the reflecting surfaces of the second reflector include paraboloidal reflecting surfaces respectively disposed on opposing sides of the semiconductor light source, one of the ellipsoidal reflecting surfaces has a first focal point located substantially at the semiconductor light source and has a second focal point located substantially at a focal point of one of the paraboloidal reflecting surfaces, and an other one of the ellipsoidal reflecting surfaces has a first focal point located substantially at the semiconductor light source and has a second focal point located substantially at a focal point of an other one of the paraboloidal reflecting surfaces; a first shading shutter configured to block a portion of light emitted from the semiconductor light source and reflected by the first reflector, the first shutter being disposed between the one of the ellipsoidal reflecting surfaces and the one of the paraboloidal reflecting surfaces; and a second shading shutter configured to block a portion of light emitted from the semiconductor light source and reflected by the first reflector, the second shutter being disposed between the other one of the ellipsoidal reflecting surfaces and the other one of the paraboloidal reflecting surfaces, wherein the second focal point of the one of the ellipsoidal reflecting surfaces is located substantially at an upper end edge of the first shading shutter, and the second focal point of the other one of the ellipsoidal reflecting surfaces is located substantially at an upper end edge of the second shading shutter.