Patent Description:
A vehicle headlight capable of switching light to be emitted between a low beam and a high beam is known, and <CIT> discloses such a vehicle headlight.

The vehicle headlight disclosed in <CIT> includes a first light emitting optical system, a second light emitting optical system disposed below the first light emitting optical system, a projection lens disposed in front of the first light emitting optical system and the second light emitting optical system, and a plate-shaped beam shaper disposed between the first and second light emitting optical systems and the projection lens. Each of the first light emitting optical system and the second light emitting optical system includes a light source and a lens that guides light from the light source toward the projection lens. First light emitted from the first light emitting optical system and second light emitted from the second light emitting optical system are transmitted through the projection lens. An upper surface of the beam shaper reflects a part of the first light toward the projection lens, so that a low beam light distribution pattern having a cutoff line is formed by the first light. In addition, a high beam light distribution pattern is formed by overlapping the first light and the second light. Therefore, it is possible to switch light to be emitted between the low beam and the high beam by switching between emission and non-emission of light of a second light source.

<CIT> is related to the preamble of claim <NUM>, and <CIT>, <CIT> and <CIT> show further headlights.

A vehicle headlight according to a first aspect, which is not part of the claimed invention, includes: a first light emitting optical system that emits first light forming a low beam light distribution pattern forward from a first part; a second light emitting optical system that emits second light forming a high beam light distribution pattern with the first light forward from a second part positioned below the first part; a projection lens that is disposed in front of the first part and the second part and transmits the first light and the second light; and a plate-shaped beam shaper that is disposed between the first and second parts and the projection lens, in which the beam shaper includes a plate-shaped main member and a plate-shaped reinforcing member overlapping the main member, the main member includes a base portion having a part that includes a front end of the main member and does not overlap the reinforcing member and a part that overlaps the reinforcing member and to which the reinforcing member is fixed, and an upper surface of the base portion reflects a part of the first light toward the projection lens in such a way as to form a cutoff line of the low beam light distribution pattern.

In the vehicle headlight according to the first aspect, the main member of the beam shaper includes the base portion having the part that includes the front end of the main member and does not overlap the reinforcing member and the part that overlaps the reinforcing member and to which the reinforcing member is fixed. Therefore, in the vehicle headlight according to the first aspect, the base portion of the main member can be suppressed from being easily deformed, and the front end of the base portion can maintain a predetermined shape even in a case where the main member is thinned, unlike a case where the beam shaper only includes the main member. Then, in the vehicle headlight according to the first aspect, the upper surface of the base portion reflects a part of the first light toward the projection lens in such a way as to form the cutoff line of the low beam light distribution pattern. Therefore, with the vehicle headlight according to the first aspect, the cutoff line of the low beam light distribution pattern can be formed into a predetermined shape while suppressing formation of a linear dark region extending in the left-right direction in the high beam light distribution pattern unlike the above case. Therefore, with the vehicle headlight according to the first aspect, the low beam light distribution pattern and the high beam light distribution pattern can be more appropriately formed as compared with the above case.

The vehicle headlight according to the first aspect may further include a holder that holds the beam shaper, in which the main member may further include a pair of fixing portions that pinch the base portion in a left-right direction and are connected to a left end and a right end of the base portion, respectively, the reinforcing member may include a pair of left and right attachment portions that overlap only the pair of fixing portions and are fixed to the fixing portions, respectively, and a connecting portion that extends from one attachment portion to the other attachment portion, at least partially overlaps the base portion, and is fixed to the base portion, and the fixing portions and the attachment portions may be fixed to the holder.

Such a configuration can prevent the first light from being blocked by the holder. In addition, in the vehicle headlight according to the first aspect, both the left and right sides of the beam shaper are held by the holder. Therefore, in the vehicle headlight according to the first aspect, the front end of the base of the main member can maintain a predetermined shape even in a case where the main member is thinned, unlike a case where only one of the left and right sides of the beam shaper is held by the holder.

In the vehicle headlight according to the first aspect, the reinforcing member may be positioned under the main member.

With such a configuration, it is possible to suppress formation of an unintended bright region or dark region in the low beam light distribution pattern due to reflection of the first light on a side surface of the reinforcing member.

Alternatively, in the vehicle headlight according to the first aspect, the reinforcing member may be positioned on the main member.

In the vehicle headlight according to the first aspect, a Young's modulus of the reinforcing member may be higher than a Young's modulus of the main member.

With such a configuration, it becomes easier to make the base portion less likely to be deformed without increasing the thickness of the main member as compared with a case where the Young's modulus of the reinforcing member is equal to or lower than the Young's modulus of the main member.

In the vehicle headlight according to the first aspect, the reinforcing member may have a thickness larger than a thickness of the main member.

With such a configuration, it becomes easy to make the base portion less likely to be deformed even in a case where the Young's modulus of the reinforcing member and the Young's modulus of the main member are the same.

In the vehicle headlight according to the first aspect, the first light emitting optical system and the second light emitting optical system may share a light guide member having a first emission region as the first part and a second emission region as the second part on a front side surface of the light guide member, at least one of the main member or the reinforcing member may include a position regulating portion extending rearward from a rear end of the main member or the reinforcing member, and the light guide member may include a recessed portion into which the position regulating portion is inserted in the front side surface.

In the vehicle headlight according to the first aspect, the position regulating portion is inserted into the recessed portion, and thus, it is possible to suppress misalignment in a relative position between the beam shaper and the light guide member. Therefore, with the vehicle headlight, the low beam light distribution pattern and the high beam light distribution pattern can be more appropriately formed as compared with a case where the beam shaper does not include the position regulating portion.

In the vehicle headlight according to the first aspect, the base portion may include a first base portion extending in a horizontal direction, an inclined portion extending obliquely downward from an edge of the first base portion on one side of the first base portion in a left-right direction toward a side opposite to the first base portion, and a second base portion extending in the horizontal direction from an edge of the inclined portion on the side opposite to the first base portion toward a side opposite to the inclined portion.

In the vehicle headlight according to the first aspect, the cutoff lines of the low beam light distribution pattern may include a first line extending in the horizontal direction from an elbow point to one side in the left-right direction, an inclined line extending obliquely upward from the elbow point to the other side in the left-right direction, and a second line extending in the horizontal direction from an end of the inclined line opposite to the elbow point.

A vehicle headlight according to a second aspect, which is in accordance with the invention, includes: a first light source that emits first light forming a low beam light distribution pattern forward; a second light source that is disposed below the first light source and emits second light forming a high beam light distribution pattern with the first light forward; a projection lens that is disposed in front of the first light source and the second light source; a light guide member that is disposed between the first and second light sources and the projection lens, receives the first light and the second light, emits the first light from a first part toward the projection lens, and emits the second light from a second part positioned below the first part toward the projection lens; a beam shaper that is disposed between the first and second parts and the projection lens and includes a plate-shaped main body portion and a position regulating portion; and a holder that holds the beam shaper and the light guide member, in which an upper surface of the main body portion reflects a part of the first light toward the projection lens in such a way as to form a cutoff line of the low beam light distribution pattern, the position regulating portion extends rearward from the main body portion, and the light guide member includes a recessed portion into which the position regulating portion is inserted on a front side surface of the light guide member.

In the vehicle headlight according to the second aspect, as described above, the position regulating portion of the beam shaper is inserted into the recessed portion of the light guide member. Therefore, in the vehicle headlight, it is possible to suppress misalignment in the relative position between the beam shaper and the light guide member as compared with a case where the beam shaper does not include the position regulating portion. Therefore, with the vehicle headlight, the low beam light distribution pattern and the high beam light distribution pattern can be more appropriately formed as compared with the above case.

In addition, in the vehicle headlight according to the second aspect, the main body portion may include a pair of left and right fixing portions fixed to the holder, and a base portion positioned between the pair of fixing portions and having left and right ends connected to the fixing portions, and the position regulating portion may be a plate-shaped member extending from a rear end of one fixing portion to a rear end of the other fixing portion through a rear side of the base portion.

In the vehicle headlight according to the second aspect, a gap is formed between the base portion and the position regulating portion. Therefore, with such a configuration, moldability of the beam shaper in press working in a case where the base portion has bent portions can be improved as compared with a case where a gap is not formed between the base portion and the position regulating portion.

Alternatively, in the vehicle headlight according to the second aspect, the main body portion may include a pair of left and right fixing portions fixed to the holder, and a base portion positioned between the pair of fixing portions and having left and right ends connected to the fixing portions, and the position regulating portion may be a plate-shaped member extending rearward from a section of a rear end of the main body portion, the second continuing from one fixing portion to the other fixing portion.

With such a configuration, the rigidity of the beam shaper can be improved as compared with a case where a gap is formed between the base portion and the position regulating portion.

In a case where the main body portion of the vehicle headlight according to the second aspect includes the pair of fixing portions and the base portion, the beam shaper may include a protrusion protruding upward or downward, and the protrusion may extend from one fixing portion to the other fixing portion through the position regulating portion.

With such a configuration, the rigidity of the beam shaper can be increased as compared with a case where the beam shaper does not have the protrusion. In the vehicle headlight according to the second aspect, no protrusion is formed on the base portion. Therefore, in the vehicle headlight according to the second aspect, it is possible to suppress blocking of the first light and the second light by the protrusion, and to more appropriately form the low beam light distribution pattern and the high beam light distribution pattern as compared with a case where the protrusion is formed on the base portion.

In this case, in each of the pair of fixing portions, a part of the fixing portion fixed to the holder and the protrusion may overlap each other in a left-right direction.

With such a configuration, the rigidity of the beam shaper held by the holder can be further increased as compared with a case where the part and the protrusion do not overlap each other in the left-right direction.

In addition, in the vehicle headlight according to the second aspect, the main body portion may include a pair of left and right fixing portions fixed to the holder, and a base portion positioned between the pair of fixing portions and having left and right ends connected to the fixing portions, and the position regulating portion may be a plate-shaped member extending rearward from a part of a rear end of the base portion.

With such a configuration, the recessed portion can be made smaller as compared with a case where the position regulating portion is a plate-shaped member extending rearward from an entire rear end of the base portion. For example, in a case where the recessed portion is formed in an emission surface of the light guide member from which light is emitted, a range in which light can be emitted in a desired direction is narrowed, as a result of which energy efficiency is lowered. Therefore, the vehicle headlight according to the second aspect is useful in a case where the recessed portion is formed in the emission surface of the light guide member from which light is emitted.

In the vehicle headlight according to the second aspect, in a case where the main body portion includes the pair of fixing portions and the base portion, and the position regulating portion is a plate-shaped member, a rear end portion of the position regulating portion and the pair of fixing portions may be positioned on the same plane.

With such a configuration, it is possible to easily align the beam shaper and the light guide member as compared with a case where the rear end portion of the position regulating portion is inclined with respect to the fixing portions.

In a case where the position regulating portion of the vehicle headlight according to the second aspect is a plate-shaped member, the recessed portion may be a groove extending along a rear end of the position regulating portion, and the entire rear end of the position regulating portion may be inserted into the recessed portion.

With such a configuration, the maximum amount of change in relative position between the beam shaper and the light guide member can be reduced as compared with a case where only a part of the rear end of the position regulating portion is inserted into the recessed portion.

In a case where the position regulating portion of the vehicle headlight according to the second aspect is a plate-shaped member, the recessed portion may be a groove extending along the rear end of the position regulating portion, the recessed portion may have a pair of surfaces extending in a depth direction of the recessed portion and facing each other, and the pair of surfaces may be inclined in such a way as to approach each other toward a bottom of the recessed portion.

With such a configuration, it is possible to more easily insert the position regulating portion into the recessed portion while suppressing an increase in maximum amount of change in relative position between the beam shaper and the light guide member as compared with a case where the recessed portion does not have the pair of surfaces.

In the vehicle headlight according to the second aspect, the main body portion may include a pair of left and right fixing portions fixed to the holder, and a base portion positioned between the pair of fixing portions and having left and right ends connected to the fixing portions, and the position regulating portion may be a pin extending rearward from the base portion.

In the vehicle headlight according to the second aspect, the base portion may include a first base portion extending in a horizontal direction, an inclined portion extending obliquely downward from an edge of the first base portion on one side of the first base portion in a left-right direction toward a side opposite to the first base portion, and a second base portion extending in the horizontal direction from an edge of the inclined portion on the side opposite to the first base portion toward a side opposite to the inclined portion.

In the vehicle headlight according to the second aspect, the cutoff lines of the low beam light distribution pattern may include a first line extending in the horizontal direction from an elbow point to one side in the left-right direction, an inclined line extending obliquely upward from the elbow point to the other side in the left-right direction, and a second line extending in the horizontal direction from an end of the inclined line opposite to the elbow point.

In the vehicle headlight according to the second aspect, the main body portion may include a plate-shaped main member and a plate-shaped reinforcing member overlapping each other, the main member may include a base portion having a part that includes a front end of the main member and does not overlap the reinforcing member and a part that overlaps the reinforcing member and to which the reinforcing member is fixed, and an upper surface of the base portion may reflect a part of the first light toward the projection lens in such a way as to form the cutoff line of the low beam light distribution pattern.

A linear dark region extending in the left-right direction may be formed in the high beam light distribution pattern in a case where a front end of the beam shaper is thick. In the vehicle headlight according to the second aspect, the base portion of the main member can be suppressed from being easily deformed, and the front end of the base portion can maintain a predetermined shape even in a case where the main member is thinned, unlike a case where the beam shaper only includes the main member. Then, in the vehicle headlight according to the second aspect, the upper surface of the base portion reflects a part of the first light toward the projection lens in such a way as to form the cutoff line of the low beam light distribution pattern. Therefore, with the vehicle headlight according to the second aspect, the cutoff line of the low beam can be formed into a predetermined shape while suppressing formation of a linear dark region extending in the left-right direction in the high beam light distribution pattern unlike the above case.

In the vehicle headlight according to the second aspect, the holder may hold the beam shaper and the light guide member.

With such a configuration, it is possible to suppress misalignment in a relative position between the beam shaper and the light guide member.

Hereinafter, modes for implementing a vehicle headlight according to the present invention will be exemplified with reference to the accompanying drawings. Embodiments exemplified below are intended to facilitate understanding of the present invention and are not intended to limit the present invention. The present invention can be changed and modified without departing from the scope of the claims. In the present invention, constituent elements in the following embodiments may be appropriately combined. In the drawings referred to below, dimensions of each member may be changed for easy understanding.

A first embodiment as a first aspect not according to the claimed invention will be described. <FIG> is a side view schematically illustrating a vehicle headlight in the present embodiment. The vehicle headlight is generally provided at each of left and right portions on a front side of a vehicle. In the present specification, "right" refers to a right side in a forward movement direction of the vehicle, and "left" refers to a left side in the forward movement direction of the vehicle. Each of the left and right vehicle headlights has the same configuration except that shapes thereof are substantially symmetrical to each other in a left-right direction. Therefore, one vehicle headlight will be described below.

A vehicle headlight <NUM> according to the present embodiment includes a housing <NUM> and a lamp unit LU as main components. In <FIG>, a vertical cross section of the housing <NUM> is illustrated. The housing <NUM> includes a lamp housing <NUM> and a light transmissive front cover <NUM>. A front side of the lamp housing <NUM> is opened, and the front cover <NUM> is fixed to the lamp housing <NUM> in such a way as to close the opening. A space formed by the lamp housing <NUM> and the front cover <NUM> is a lamp room R, and the lamp unit LU is housed in the lamp room R.

<FIG> is an exploded perspective view schematically illustrating the lamp unit LU, and is an exploded perspective view of the lamp unit LU as viewed from the front and obliquely above. <FIG> is a front view schematically illustrating the lamp unit LU, and is a front view of the lamp unit LU as viewed from the front. <FIG> is a view schematically illustrating a cross section of the lamp unit LU taken along line IV-IV in <FIG>. As illustrated in <FIG>, the lamp unit LU according to the present embodiment mainly includes a heat sink <NUM>, a light source unit <NUM>, a projection lens <NUM>, a light guide member <NUM>, a beam shaper <NUM>, and a holder <NUM>.

The heat sink <NUM> according to the present embodiment includes a metal base plate <NUM> extending substantially vertically and horizontally, and a plurality of heat dissipation fins <NUM> are provided integrally with the base plate <NUM> on a rear surface side and a front surface side of the base plate <NUM>. Three bosses <NUM> protruding forward are provided integrally with the base plate <NUM> on the front surface side of the base plate <NUM>. Each boss <NUM> has a screw hole <NUM> formed from a distal end surface along the boss <NUM>.

The light source unit <NUM> according to the present embodiment includes three first light sources 31a, 31b, and 31c, a second light source <NUM>, and a circuit board <NUM>. The circuit board <NUM> is placed on a front surface of the base plate <NUM> in the heat sink <NUM> and is fixed to the base plate <NUM> by screws (not illustrated). The first light sources 31a, 31b, and 31c and the second light source <NUM> are mounted on the circuit board <NUM>, and emit white light forward when power is supplied from the circuit board <NUM>. In the present embodiment, the first light sources 31a, 31b, and 31c and the second light source <NUM> are light emitting diodes (LEDs). The first light source 31a is disposed on a right side of the first light source 31b at an interval, the first light source 31c is disposed on a left side of the first light source 31b at an interval, and the first light sources 31a, 31b, and 31c are aligned in the left-right direction. The first light sources 31a, 31b, and 31c are light sources for a low beam, and emit first light forming a low beam light distribution pattern forward. The second light source <NUM> is disposed below the first light sources 31a, 31b, and 31c, and the second light source <NUM> and the first light source 31b are aligned in a substantially vertical direction. The second light source <NUM> is a light source for a high beam, and emits second light forming a high beam light distribution pattern with the first light forward. The types and numbers of first light sources 31a, 31b, and 31c and second light sources <NUM> are not particularly limited.

The projection lens <NUM> is a lens that changes a divergence angle of transmitted light, and is disposed in front of the first light sources 31a, 31b, and 31c and the second light source <NUM>. In the present embodiment, the projection lens <NUM> is a biconvex aspheric lens having a substantially oval track shape whose outer shape is long in the left-right direction, and an optical axis 35C of the projection lens <NUM> extends in a front-rear direction and passes between the first light source 31b and the second light source <NUM>. <FIG> is a vertical cross-sectional view of the lamp unit LU along the optical axis 35C. A flange portion <NUM> protruding outward and extending over the entire periphery of the projection lens <NUM> is provided on an outer peripheral surface of the projection lens <NUM>. Examples of a material of the projection lens <NUM> include a resin and glass.

<FIG> is a view schematically illustrating a cross section of the lamp unit LU taken along line V-V in <FIG>, and is a horizontal cross-sectional view of the lamp unit LU, passing through the first light sources 31a, 31b, and 31c. The heat sink <NUM> is not illustrated in <FIG>. As illustrated in <FIG>, <FIG>, and <FIG>, the light guide member <NUM> is disposed between the projection lens <NUM> and the first light sources 31a, 31b, and 31c and the second light source <NUM>, and guides the first light emitted from the first light sources 31a, 31b, and 31c and the second light emitted from the second light source <NUM> to enter the projection lens <NUM>.

The light guide member <NUM> according to the present embodiment has three first incident surfaces 41a, 41b, and 41c and a second incident surface <NUM> on a rear side of the light guide member <NUM>, and has an emission surface <NUM> on a front side of the light guide member <NUM>. The first light from the first light source 31a is incident on the first incident surface 41a, the first light from the first light source 31b is incident on the first incident surface 41b, the first light from the first light source 31c is incident on the first incident surface 41c, and the second light from the second light source <NUM> is incident on the second incident surface <NUM>. In addition, a plate-shaped flange portion <NUM> protruding outward and extending along an outer edge at a front end of the light guide member <NUM> is provided at an upper portion and both of left and right side portions at a front end portion of the light guide member <NUM>.

The light guide member <NUM> directly or totally reflects the first light incident from the first incident surfaces 41a, 41b, and 41c and guides the first light to the emission surface <NUM>, and directly or totally reflects the second light incident from the second incident surface <NUM> and guides the second light to the emission surface <NUM>. The emission surface <NUM> emits the first light and the second light guided in this manner toward the projection lens <NUM>. In the present embodiment, the emission surface <NUM> is concavely curved rearward. As illustrated in <FIG>, the beam shaper <NUM> described below is disposed between the emission surface <NUM> and the projection lens <NUM>. A region of the emission surface <NUM> above a rear end of the beam shaper <NUM> is a first emission region 43a from which the first light is emitted. A region of the emission surface <NUM> below the rear end of the beam shaper <NUM> is a second emission region 43b from which the second light is emitted. The light guide member <NUM> guides the first light and the second light in this manner. Therefore, a first light emitting optical system LE1 that emits the first light forward is formed by the first light sources 31a, 31b, and 31c and the light guide member <NUM>. In addition, a second light emitting optical system LE2 that emits the second light forward is formed by the second light source <NUM> and the light guide member <NUM>, and the first light emitting optical system LE1 and the second light emitting optical system LE2 share the light guide member <NUM>. A first part of the first light emitting optical system LE1 that emits the first light is the first emission region 43a of the emission surface <NUM>. A second part of the second light emitting optical system LE2 that emits the second light is the second emission region 43b of the emission surface <NUM>, and the second emission region 43b is positioned below the first emission region 43a that is the first part.

<FIG> is a plan view schematically illustrating the beam shaper <NUM>, and is a plan view of the beam shaper <NUM> as viewed from above. The upper side in <FIG> is a front side of the vehicle, and the lower side in <FIG> is a rear side of the vehicle. <FIG> is a front view schematically illustrating the beam shaper <NUM>, and is a front view of the beam shaper <NUM> as viewed from the front. <FIG> is an exploded perspective view schematically illustrating the beam shaper <NUM>, and is an exploded perspective view of the beam shaper <NUM> as viewed from the front and obliquely above. As illustrated in <FIG>, the plate-shaped beam shaper <NUM> includes a plate-shaped main member <NUM> and a plate-shaped reinforcing member <NUM> that overlap each other.

The main member <NUM> according to the present embodiment is a plate-shaped member which is long in the left-right direction and of which one main surface faces upward. The main member <NUM> includes a pair of left and right fixing portions <NUM> and <NUM> and a base portion <NUM>. In <FIG> and <FIG>, a dotted line indicating a boundary between the left fixing portion <NUM> and the base portion <NUM> is illustrated. The pair of fixing portions <NUM> and <NUM> extend in a horizontal direction and each have a through-hole <NUM> penetrating in a thickness direction. The pair of fixing portions <NUM> and <NUM> are positioned on the same plane.

The base portion <NUM> is long in the left-right direction, is positioned between the pair of fixing portions <NUM> and <NUM> and pinched by the pair of fixing portions <NUM> and <NUM> in the left-right direction, and has a left end connected to the left fixing portion <NUM> and a right end connected to the right fixing portion <NUM>. A central portion of a front end 53e1 of the base portion <NUM> in the left-right direction is curved in an arc shape recessed rearward, and both end portions of the front end 53e1 in the left-right direction are positioned on the same straight line extending in the left-right direction. A rear end 53e2 of the base portion <NUM> is curved in an arc shape protruding rearward.

The base portion <NUM> has three bent portions 55a, 55b, and 55c at which the base portion <NUM> is bent. The bent portions 55a, 55b, and 55c extend substantially linearly from the front end 53e1 to the rear end 53e2. The bent portion 55a forms a first base portion <NUM> extending in the horizontal direction and an inclined portion <NUM> extending obliquely downward from a left edge which is one side of the first base portion <NUM> in the left-right direction toward a side opposite to the first base portion <NUM>. The bent portion 55b forms a second base portion <NUM> extending in the horizontal direction from an edge of the inclined portion <NUM> on a side opposite to the first base portion <NUM> toward a side opposite to the inclined portion <NUM>. A left edge of the second base portion <NUM> is connected to the left fixing portion <NUM>, and the second base portion <NUM> and the left fixing portion <NUM> are positioned on the same plane. The bent portion 55c forms a connecting portion <NUM> extending downward from an edge of the first base portion <NUM> on a side opposite to the inclined portion <NUM>. An edge of the connecting portion <NUM> on a side opposite to the first base portion <NUM> is connected to the right fixing portion <NUM>.

The reinforcing member <NUM> is a plate-shaped member of which one main surface faces upward. The reinforcing member <NUM> includes a pair of left and right attachment portions <NUM> and a connecting portion <NUM>. In the present embodiment, the reinforcing member <NUM> is positioned under the main member <NUM>, and an upper surface 120S2 of the reinforcing member <NUM> and a lower surface 110S1 of the main member <NUM> face each other. The reinforcing member <NUM> is overlapped on the lower surface 110S1 of the main member <NUM>. The right attachment portion <NUM> overlaps only the right fixing portion <NUM>, and the left attachment portion <NUM> overlaps only the left fixing portion <NUM>. The fixing portion <NUM> and the attachment portion <NUM> overlapping each other have the same shape, and the entire fixing portion <NUM> and the entire attachment portion <NUM> overlap each other. Each of the attachment portions <NUM> has a through-hole <NUM> overlapping the through-hole <NUM> of the fixing portion <NUM>. Therefore, a through-hole <NUM> including the through-hole <NUM> and the through-hole <NUM> is formed on each of left and right sides of the beam shaper <NUM>. Each of the attachment portions <NUM> is fixed to the fixing portion <NUM> by, for example, laser welding. In <FIG>, a fixed part 122a is indicated by hatching including oblique lines. The position of the fixed part 122a is not particularly limited. The fixing portion <NUM> and the attachment portion <NUM> may have different shapes.

The connecting portion <NUM> extends from one attachment portion <NUM> to the other attachment portion <NUM>, and at least partially overlaps the base portion <NUM>. The connecting portion <NUM> is fixed to the base portion <NUM> by, for example, laser welding, and a fixed part 123a is indicated by hatching including oblique lines in <FIG>. In the present embodiment, the connecting portion <NUM> is fixed to the second base portion <NUM> of the base portion <NUM>. The connecting portion <NUM> and the pair of attachment portions <NUM> are positioned on the same plane, and a gap GP1 is formed between the first base portion <NUM> and the inclined portion <NUM> of the base portion <NUM> and the connecting portion <NUM>. When viewed in the thickness direction of the reinforcing member <NUM>, the front end 53e1 of the base portion <NUM> is positioned in front of the connecting portion <NUM>. Therefore, the base portion <NUM> has a part that includes a front end of the main member <NUM> and does not overlap the reinforcing member <NUM>, and a part that overlaps the reinforcing member <NUM> and to which the reinforcing member <NUM> is fixed. In the present embodiment, a front end 123e1 of the connecting portion <NUM> of the reinforcing member <NUM> is curved in an arc shape recessed rearward, and a distance between the front end 123e1 and the front end 53e1 is maintained at a predetermined value or more in the left-right direction. The rear end 123e2 of the connecting portion <NUM> is aligned with the rear end 53e2 of the base portion <NUM>. The rear end 123e2 and the rear end 53e2 do not have to be aligned with each other.

Examples of a member forming the main member <NUM> and the plate-shaped reinforcing member <NUM> include a metal plate and a plated metal plate, and examples of the metal include stainless steel and carbon steel. In the present embodiment, the reinforcing member <NUM> has a thickness larger than that of the main member <NUM>, but the thickness of the reinforcing member <NUM> may be equal to or smaller than the thickness of the main member <NUM>. The thicknesses of the main member <NUM> and the reinforcing member <NUM> are, for example, <NUM> to <NUM>. In the present embodiment, a Young's modulus of the reinforcing member <NUM> is higher than a Young's modulus of the main member <NUM>, but the Young's modulus of the reinforcing member <NUM> may be equal to or lower than the Young's modulus of the main member <NUM>.

As illustrated in <FIG>, the beam shaper <NUM> is disposed between the projection lens <NUM> and the first and second emission regions 43a and 43b of the emission surface <NUM>, the first emission region 43a being a part of the light guide member <NUM> from which the first light is emitted, and the second emission region 43b being a part of the light guide member <NUM> from which the second light is emitted. In the present embodiment, the beam shaper <NUM> crosses the emission surface <NUM> when viewed from the front along the optical axis 35C of the projection lens <NUM>. In addition, the optical axis 35C passes through the bent portion 55a of the base portion <NUM> of the main member <NUM> or the vicinity thereof, and a rear focal point of the projection lens <NUM> is positioned at the front end 53e1 of the base portion <NUM> or the vicinity thereof.

As illustrated in <FIG>, <FIG>, and <FIG>, the holder <NUM> according to the present embodiment includes a support portion <NUM> and a protective portion <NUM>, and supports the projection lens <NUM>, the light guide member <NUM>, and the beam shaper <NUM>. Examples of a material of the holder <NUM> include a resin such as opaque polycarbonate, and in the present embodiment, the support portion <NUM> and the protective portion <NUM> are integrally formed.

The support portion <NUM> is a cylindrical member extending in the front-rear direction, and a flange portion <NUM> protruding from an inner peripheral surface of the support portion <NUM> is provided at a front end portion of the support portion <NUM>. The flange portion <NUM> of the projection lens <NUM> is in contact with the flange portion <NUM> from the front, and the flange portion <NUM> is fixed to the flange portion <NUM> by, for example, ultrasonic fusion splicing or laser welding. A predetermined range of a lower side of the support portion <NUM> extending forward from a rear end of the support portion <NUM> is notched, and a support plate <NUM> extending substantially horizontally outward is provided at a lower end portion on a right side and a lower end portion on a left side in the predetermined range. Further, a connecting wall <NUM> protruding from an outer surface of the support portion <NUM> in a direction substantially perpendicular to an extending direction of the support portion <NUM> is provided at the rear end of the support portion <NUM>. As illustrated in <FIG>, a pedestal portion <NUM> protruding downward is provided on a lower surface of the support plate <NUM>. Each of the pair of left and right fixing portions <NUM> in the main member <NUM> of the beam shaper <NUM> is in contact with a distal end of the pedestal portion <NUM> from below, and is fixed to the pedestal portion <NUM> together with the attachment portion <NUM> of the reinforcing member <NUM> overlapping the fixing portion <NUM>. In the present embodiment, the fixing portion <NUM> and the attachment portion <NUM> are fixed to the pedestal portion <NUM> by thermal caulking. Specifically, a head portion <NUM> that closes an opening of the through-hole <NUM> on a side opposite to the pedestal portion <NUM> is formed by melting a distal end portion of a pin protruding downward from the pedestal portion <NUM> and penetrating through the through-hole <NUM> by heat. In this way, the fixing portion <NUM> and the attachment portion <NUM> are sandwiched by the pedestal portion <NUM> and the head portion <NUM>, and the fixing portion <NUM> and the attachment portion <NUM> are fixed to the pedestal portion <NUM>. In <FIG>, a part 50a fixed to the pedestal portion <NUM> by thermal caulking is indicated by a line with alternating long and short dashes. At the part 50a, the attachment portion <NUM> is fixed to the fixing portion <NUM>, and the fixing portion <NUM> and the attachment portion <NUM> are fixed to the pedestal portion <NUM>. A method of fixing the beam shaper <NUM> is not particularly limited, and the beam shaper <NUM> may be fixed by laser welding, for example.

As illustrated in <FIG>, <FIG>, and <FIG>, the protective portion <NUM> is a plate-shaped member that is positioned behind the support portion <NUM> and surrounds both left and right sides and an upper side of the light guide member <NUM>. In the present embodiment, the protective portion <NUM> surrounds both left and right sides and an upper side of a front side portion of the light guide member <NUM>. A front end of the protective portion <NUM> is connected to the connecting wall <NUM>, the flange portion <NUM> of the light guide member <NUM> is in contact with the connecting wall <NUM> from behind, and the flange portion <NUM> is fixed to the connecting wall <NUM> by, for example, ultrasonic fusion splicing or laser welding. In this way, the projection lens <NUM>, the light guide member <NUM>, and the beam shaper <NUM> are supported by the holder <NUM>.

As illustrated in <FIG>, three fixing plates <NUM> protruding substantially vertically from an outer surface of a rear end portion of the protective portion <NUM> are provided at the rear end portion of the protective portion <NUM>. The fixing plate <NUM> corresponds to the boss <NUM> of the heat sink <NUM>, and the fixing plate <NUM> has a through-hole <NUM>. The fixing plate <NUM> is in contact with a distal end of the boss <NUM> from the front, and a screw <NUM> is inserted into the through-hole <NUM> and fastened to a screw hole <NUM>, whereby the holder <NUM> is fixed to the heat sink <NUM>. In this way, the projection lens <NUM>, the light guide member <NUM>, and the beam shaper <NUM> are fixed to the heat sink <NUM> via the holder <NUM>.

Next, formation of the low beam light distribution pattern by the vehicle headlight <NUM> will be described. <FIG> is an enlarged view of a part of <FIG>, schematically illustrating an optical path example of the first light emitted from the first light source and the second light emitted from the second light source. A reflection angle, a refraction angle, and the like of light illustrated in <FIG> may not be accurate.

In the case of forming the low beam light distribution pattern, first light L1 is emitted from the first light emitting optical system LE1. Specifically, the first light L1 is emitted from the first light sources 31a, 31b, and 31c. The first light L1 from the first light source 31b is incident on the light guide member <NUM> from the first incident surface 41b, and is emitted from the first emission region 43a toward the projection lens <NUM> positioned in front. The same applies to the first light L1 from the first light sources 31a and 31c. Most of the first light L1 emitted from the first emission region 43a passes above the beam shaper <NUM> and is directly incident on the projection lens <NUM>. A part of the first light L1 emitted from the first emission region 43a is incident on an upper surface 110S2 of the main member <NUM> of the beam shaper <NUM>. A region irradiated with the first light L1 in the upper surface 110S2 is in continuous contact with the front end of the main member <NUM>, and in the present embodiment, the region is in contact with the entire front end 53e1 of the base portion <NUM> of the main member <NUM>. Then, an upper surface of the base portion <NUM>, which is a part of the upper surface 110S2 of the main member <NUM>, reflects a part of the first light L1 toward the projection lens <NUM> in such a way that a cutoff line having a shape corresponding to the front end 53e1 is formed in the light distribution pattern formed by the first light L1 and the light distribution pattern becomes the low beam light distribution pattern. Then, the low beam light distribution pattern is formed by the reflected first light and the first light L1 directly incident on the projection lens <NUM> from the first emission region 43a. In this way, the low beam light distribution pattern is formed by the first light L1, and light having the low beam light distribution pattern is transmitted through the projection lens <NUM> and emitted from the vehicle headlight <NUM> via the front cover <NUM>. As described above, the rear focal point of the projection lens <NUM> is positioned at the front end 53e1 or the vicinity thereof. Therefore, the low beam light distribution pattern projected forward from the vehicle is a light distribution pattern inverted by the projection lens <NUM>.

<FIG> is a view illustrating the low beam light distribution pattern in the present embodiment. In <FIG>, S indicates a horizontal line, V indicates a vertical line passing through the center of the vehicle in the left-right direction, and a low beam light distribution pattern PL projected on a virtual vertical screen arranged <NUM> ahead of the vehicle is indicated by a thick line. The light guide member <NUM> and the beam shaper <NUM> have shapes such that the light distribution pattern of the first light L1 incident on the projection lens <NUM> becomes such a low beam light distribution pattern PL. The low beam light distribution pattern PL according to the present embodiment is applied in countries or areas where vehicles travel on the right side. Cutoff lines CL of the low beam light distribution pattern PL correspond to the shape of the front end 53e1 of the base portion <NUM>, and includes a first line CL1, an inclined line CL2, and a second line CL3. The first line CL1 extends in the horizontal direction to the left side which is one side of an elbow point EP in the left-right direction, the elbow point EP being positioned below the horizontal line S and on or near the vertical line V. The inclined line CL2 extends obliquely upward from the elbow point EP to the right side, and a right end of the inclined line CL2 is positioned above the horizontal line S. The second line CL3 extends in the horizontal direction to the right side from the right end of the inclined line CL2.

Next, formation of the high beam light distribution pattern by the vehicle headlight <NUM> will be described.

In the case of forming the high beam light distribution pattern, the first light L1 is emitted from the first light emitting optical system LE1, and the second light L2 is emitted from the second light emitting optical system LE2. Specifically, the first light L1 is emitted from the first light sources 31a, 31b, and 31c, and the second light L2 is emitted from the second light source <NUM>. Therefore, as described above, a low beam light distribution pattern PL is formed by the first light L1, and light having the low beam light distribution pattern PL is emitted from the vehicle headlight <NUM>. As illustrated in <FIG>, the second light L2 emitted from the second light source <NUM> is incident on the light guide member <NUM> from the second incident surface <NUM>. The second light L2 incident on the light guide member <NUM> is emitted from the second emission region 43b toward the projection lens <NUM> positioned in front. Most of the second light L2 emitted from the second emission region 43b passes below the beam shaper <NUM> and is directly incident on the projection lens <NUM> disposed in front of the second emission region 43b. A part of the second light L2 emitted from the second emission region 43b is incident on a part of the lower surface 110S1 of the main member <NUM> exposed to the outside, a lower surface 120S1 of the reinforcing member <NUM>, and a part of a side surface of the reinforcing member <NUM>. The part of the lower surface 110S1 exposed to the outside is a part of a lower surface of the base portion <NUM>, and the part reflects the part of the second light L2 toward the projection lens <NUM>. A region irradiated with the second light L2 at the part of the lower surface 110S1 is in continuous contact with the front end of the main member <NUM>, and in the present embodiment, the region is in contact with the entire front end 53e1 of the base portion <NUM> of the main member <NUM>. Then, the part of the lower surface 110S1 reflects a part of the second light L2 toward the projection lens <NUM> in such a way that a cutoff line having a shape corresponding to the front end 53e1 is formed in the light distribution pattern formed by the second light L2 and the light distribution pattern becomes an additional light distribution pattern. Then, the additional light distribution pattern is formed by the reflected second light L2 and the second light L2 directly incident on the projection lens <NUM> from the second emission region 43b. The additional light distribution pattern is a light distribution pattern added to the low beam light distribution pattern PH to form the high beam light distribution pattern, and the second light L2 forming the additional light distribution pattern forms the high beam light distribution pattern with the first light L1. In this way, the additional light distribution pattern is formed by the second light L2, and light having the additional light distribution pattern is transmitted through the projection lens <NUM> and emitted from the vehicle headlight <NUM> via the front cover <NUM>. Therefore, light having the high beam light distribution pattern is emitted from the vehicle headlight <NUM>. The additional light distribution pattern projected forward from the vehicle is a light distribution pattern inverted by the projection lens <NUM> similarly to the low beam light distribution pattern PL. The cutoff line of the additional light distribution pattern is defined by the front end 53e1 of the base portion <NUM> similarly to the cutoff line CL of the low beam light distribution pattern PL. Therefore, the cutoff line of the additional light distribution pattern and the cutoff line CL of the low beam light distribution pattern PL substantially coincide with each other, and in the high beam light distribution pattern, the additional light distribution pattern and the low beam light distribution pattern PL are connected. In the present embodiment, the high beam light distribution pattern is formed by overlapping the first light L1 and the second light L2. However, the first light L1 and the second light L2 do not have to overlap each other. In this case, at least a part of the cutoff line of the additional light distribution pattern coincides with at least a part of the cutoff line CL of the low beam light distribution pattern PL, and the additional light distribution pattern and the low beam light distribution pattern PL are connected.

<FIG> is a view illustrating the high beam light distribution pattern in the present embodiment, and is a view illustrating the high beam light distribution pattern similarly to <FIG>. In <FIG>, the cutoff line CL in the low beam light distribution pattern PL is indicated by a dotted line. A region below the cutoff line CL in the high beam light distribution pattern PH is formed by the first light L1, and a region above the cutoff line CL is formed by the second light L2.

Meanwhile, in the case of the vehicle headlight of Patent Literature <NUM> described above, a linear dark region extending in the left-right direction may be formed in the high beam light distribution pattern in a case where a distal end of the beam shaper is thick. For this reason, there is a demand for thinning the beam shaper. However, in a case where the beam shaper is thinned, a front end of the beam shaper is difficult to maintain a predetermined shape, and the cutoff line of the low beam may not have a predetermined shape.

Therefore, the vehicle headlight <NUM> according to the present embodiment includes the first light emitting optical system LE1, the second light emitting optical system LE2, the projection lens <NUM>, and the plate-shaped beam shaper <NUM>. The first light emitting optical system LE1 emits the first light L1 forming the low beam light distribution pattern PL forward. The second light emitting optical system LE2 emits the second light L2 forming the high beam light distribution pattern PH with the first light L1 forward. The second part of the second light emitting optical system LE2 that emits the second light L2 is positioned below the first part of the first light emitting optical system LE1 that emits the first light L1. The projection lens <NUM> is disposed in front of the first part and the second part, and transmits the first light L1 and the second light L2. The beam shaper <NUM> is disposed between the first and second parts and the projection lens <NUM>. The beam shaper <NUM> includes the plate-shaped main member <NUM> and the plate-shaped reinforcing member <NUM> overlapping the main member <NUM>.

In the vehicle headlight <NUM> according to the present embodiment, the main member <NUM> of the beam shaper <NUM> includes the base portion <NUM> having the part that includes the front end of the main member <NUM> and does not overlap the reinforcing member <NUM> and the part that overlaps the reinforcing member <NUM> and to which the reinforcing member <NUM> is fixed. Therefore, in the vehicle headlight <NUM> according to the present embodiment, the base portion <NUM> of the main member <NUM> can be suppressed from being easily deformed, and the front end 53e1 of the base portion <NUM> can maintain a predetermined shape even in a case where the main member <NUM> is thinned, unlike a case where the beam shaper <NUM> only includes the main member <NUM>. Then, in the vehicle headlight <NUM> according to the present embodiment, the upper surface of the base portion <NUM> reflects a part of the first light L1 toward the projection lens <NUM> in such a way as to form the cutoff line CL of the low beam light distribution pattern PL. Therefore, with the vehicle headlight <NUM> according to the present embodiment, the cutoff line CL of the low beam light distribution pattern PL can be formed into a predetermined shape while suppressing formation of a linear dark region extending in the left-right direction in the high beam light distribution pattern PH unlike the above case. Therefore, with the vehicle headlight <NUM> according to the present embodiment, the low beam light distribution pattern PL and the high beam light distribution pattern PH can be more appropriately formed as compared with the above case.

The vehicle headlight <NUM> according to the present embodiment further includes the holder <NUM> that holds the beam shaper <NUM>. The main member <NUM> further includes the fixing portions <NUM> that pinch the base portion <NUM> in the left-right direction and are connected to the left end and the right end of the base portion <NUM>, respectively. The reinforcing member <NUM> includes the pair of left and right attachment portions <NUM> that overlap only the pair of fixing portions <NUM> and are fixed to the fixing portions <NUM>, and the connecting portion <NUM> that extends from one attachment portion <NUM> to the other attachment portion <NUM>, at least partially overlaps the base portion <NUM>, and is fixed to the base portion <NUM>. The fixing portions <NUM> and the attachment portions <NUM> are fixed to the holder <NUM>. Therefore, in the vehicle headlight <NUM> according to the present embodiment, it is possible to suppress the first light L1 from being blocked by the holder <NUM>. In addition, in the vehicle headlight <NUM> according to the present embodiment, both the left and right sides of the beam shaper <NUM> are held by the holder <NUM>. Therefore, in the vehicle headlight <NUM> according to the present embodiment, the front end 53e1 of the base portion <NUM> of the main member <NUM> can maintain a predetermined shape even in a case where the main member <NUM> is thinned, unlike a case where only one of the left and right sides of the beam shaper <NUM> is held by the holder <NUM>.

In the vehicle headlight <NUM> according to the present embodiment, the reinforcing member <NUM> is positioned under the main member <NUM>. Therefore, it is possible to suppress formation of an unintended bright region or dark region in the low beam light distribution pattern PL due to reflection of the first light L1 on the side surface of the reinforcing member <NUM>.

In the vehicle headlight <NUM> according to the present embodiment, the Young's modulus of the reinforcing member <NUM> is higher than the Young's modulus of the main member <NUM>. Therefore, it is easier to make the base portion <NUM> less likely to be deformed without increasing the thickness of the main member <NUM> as compared with a case where the Young's modulus of the reinforcing member <NUM> is equal to or lower than the Young's modulus of the main member <NUM>.

In the vehicle headlight <NUM> according to the present embodiment, the reinforcing member <NUM> has a thickness larger than that of the main member <NUM>. Therefore, it is easy to make the base portion less likely to be deformed even in a case where the Young's modulus of the reinforcing member <NUM> and the Young's modulus of the main member <NUM> are the same.

In the vehicle headlight <NUM> according to the present embodiment, the base portion <NUM> includes the first base portion <NUM>, the inclined portion <NUM>, and the second base portion <NUM>. The first base portion <NUM> extends in the horizontal direction, and the inclined portion <NUM> extends obliquely downward from the edge of the first base portion <NUM> on one side of the first base portion <NUM> in the left-right direction in the left-right direction toward the side opposite to the first base portion <NUM>. In addition, the second base portion <NUM> extends in the horizontal direction from the edge of the inclined portion <NUM> on the side opposite to the first base portion <NUM> toward the side opposite to the inclined portion <NUM>. Therefore, in the vehicle headlight <NUM> according to the present embodiment, the cutoff lines CL may include the first line CL1 extending in the horizontal direction from the elbow point EP to one side in the left-right direction, the inclined line CL2 extending obliquely upward from the elbow point EP to the other side in the left-right direction, and the second line CL3 extending in the horizontal direction from the end of the inclined line CL2 opposite to the elbow point EP as illustrated in <FIG>.

Although the first aspect which is not part of the claimed invention has been described by taking the first embodiment as an example, the first aspect is not limited thereto.

For example, in the first embodiment, the first light emitting optical system LE1 including the first light sources 31a, 31b, and 31c and the light guide member <NUM> and the second light emitting optical system LE2 including the second light source <NUM> and the light guide member <NUM> have been described as an example. However, the first light emitting optical system LE1 and the second light emitting optical system LE2 are not particularly limited. For example, the first light emitting optical system LE1 and the second light emitting optical system LE2 may include different light guide members without sharing the light guide member <NUM>. Alternatively, the first light emitting optical system LE1 and the second light emitting optical system LE2 may each include a light source and a reflector that reflects light from the light source.

In the first embodiment, the beam shaper <NUM> that includes the main member <NUM> including the base portion <NUM> and the pair of fixing portions <NUM> and the reinforcing member <NUM> including the pair of attachment portions <NUM> and the connecting portion <NUM> has been described as an example. However, it is sufficient if the main member <NUM> includes the base portion <NUM> having the part that includes the front end of the main member <NUM> and does not overlap the reinforcing member <NUM> and the part that overlaps the reinforcing member <NUM> and to which the reinforcing member <NUM> is fixed. For example, the reinforcing member <NUM> does not have to include the attachment portion <NUM>. However, the reinforcing member <NUM> preferably includes the pair of the attachment portions <NUM> and the connecting portion <NUM> from the viewpoint of making it easy for the front end 53e1 of the base portion <NUM> to maintain a predetermined shape. In addition, a configuration in which the holder <NUM> holds the beam shaper <NUM> is not particularly limited. For example, only one of the fixing portion <NUM> and the attachment portion <NUM> may be fixed to the holder <NUM>. However, from the above viewpoint, the fixing portion <NUM> and the attachment portion <NUM> are preferably fixed to the holder <NUM>.

In the above embodiment, the beam shaper <NUM> in which the gap GP1 is formed between the main member <NUM> and the reinforcing member <NUM> has been described as an example. However, the reinforcing member <NUM> may extend along the main member <NUM>, and the gap GP1 does not have to be formed.

In the first embodiment, the reinforcing member <NUM> positioned under the main member <NUM> has been described as an example. However, the reinforcing member <NUM> may be positioned on the main member <NUM> and may be overlapped on the upper surface 110S2 of the main member <NUM> as illustrated in <FIG>.

<FIG> is a front view schematically illustrating a beam shaper <NUM> according to a first modification as the first aspect, and is a front view of the beam shaper <NUM> as viewed from the front. The same or equivalent constituent elements as those of the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and an overlapping description will be omitted unless otherwise specified.

As illustrated in <FIG>, in the first modification, a position of a bent portion 55c of a base portion <NUM> is different from a position of a bent portion 55c in a fourth modification. In the present modification, the bent portion 55c is positioned on a left side of a bent portion 55b, and a left end of a second base portion <NUM> and a left fixing portion <NUM> are connected via a connecting portion <NUM> extending in the vertical direction. A right end of a first base portion <NUM> is connected to the left fixing portion <NUM>. A pair of fixing portions <NUM> and the first base portion <NUM> are positioned on the same plane. Further, a reinforcing member <NUM> is positioned above a main member <NUM> and overlapped on an upper surface 110S2 of the main member <NUM>. A gap GP2 is formed between the second base portion <NUM> and an inclined portion <NUM>, and a connecting portion <NUM>. Further, the connecting portion <NUM> is fixed to the first base portion <NUM> of the base portion <NUM>. Also with such a beam shaper <NUM>, it is possible to more appropriately form the low beam light distribution pattern PL and the high beam light distribution pattern PH as in the above-described embodiment, as compared with a case where the beam shaper <NUM> includes only the main member <NUM>.

The beam shaper <NUM> may be a beam shaper illustrated in <FIG> and <FIG>. <FIG> is a perspective view schematically illustrating a beam shaper <NUM> and a light guide member <NUM> according to a second modification as the first aspect, which could be used in the claimed vehicle headlight, and is a perspective view of the beam shaper <NUM> and the light guide member <NUM> as viewed from the front and obliquely above. Further, <FIG> illustrates a state in which the beam shaper <NUM> is moved forward with respect to the light guide member <NUM>. <FIG> is an exploded perspective view schematically illustrating the beam shaper <NUM> according to the second modification as the first aspect, and is an exploded perspective view of the beam shaper <NUM> as viewed from the front and obliquely above. The same or equivalent constituent elements as those of the above embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and an overlapping description will be omitted unless otherwise specified.

As illustrated in <FIG> and <FIG>, in the present modification, a reinforcing member <NUM> includes a position regulating portion <NUM> that is a plate-shaped member extending rearward from a rear end 123e2 of a connecting portion <NUM> in an extending direction of the connecting portion <NUM>. A rear end 90e2 of the position regulating portion <NUM> is curved in an arc shape protruding rearward. In addition, the light guide member <NUM> includes a recessed portion <NUM> in an emission surface <NUM>, and the position regulating portion <NUM> is inserted into the recessed portion <NUM> as illustrated in <FIG>. As a result, it is possible to suppress misalignment in a relative position between the beam shaper <NUM> and the light guide member <NUM>. Therefore, according to the present modification, the low beam light distribution pattern PL and the high beam light distribution pattern PH can be more appropriately formed as compared with a case where the beam shaper <NUM> does not include the position regulating portion <NUM>.

The recessed portion <NUM> according to the present modification is a substantially V-shaped groove extending in the left-right direction along the rear end 90e2 of the position regulating portion <NUM>. Therefore, the recessed portion <NUM> has a pair of surfaces <NUM> extending in a depth direction from an edge 49e of an opening of the recessed portion <NUM> and facing each other, and the pair of surfaces <NUM> are inclined in such a way as to approach each other toward a bottom 49b of the recessed portion <NUM>. Therefore, it is possible to more easily insert the position regulating portion <NUM> into the recessed portion <NUM> while suppressing an increase in maximum amount of change in relative position between the beam shaper <NUM> and the light guide member <NUM> as compared with a case where the recessed portion does not have the pair of surfaces. The recessed portion <NUM> does not have to have a substantially V-shaped cross section, and may have, for example, a substantially U-shaped cross section. A depth of the recessed portion <NUM> is substantially constant in an extending direction of the recessed portion <NUM>, and is, for example, about <NUM> to <NUM>. A width 49W of the opening of the recessed portion <NUM> in a direction perpendicular to the extending direction of the recessed portion <NUM> is substantially constant in the extending direction of the recessed portion <NUM>, and is, for example, about <NUM> to <NUM>.

In the present modification, the reinforcing member <NUM> includes the position regulating portion <NUM> that is the plate-shaped member. However, it is sufficient if at least one of the main member <NUM> or the reinforcing member <NUM> includes the position regulating portion <NUM> extending rearward from the rear end thereof, and the light guide member <NUM> having a first emission region 43a as a first part and a second emission region 43b as a second part includes the recessed portion <NUM> into which the position regulating portion <NUM> is inserted in a front side surface thereof. Therefore, the shape of the position regulating portion <NUM> and the shape of the recessed portion <NUM> are not particularly limited. For example, the position regulating portion <NUM> may be a pin extending rearward, and the recessed portion <NUM> may be a hole. In addition, the recessed portion <NUM> may be provided in a front side surface other than the emission surface <NUM>.

In the first embodiment and the first and second modifications, the base portion <NUM> having the bent portions 55a, 55b, and 55c extending from the front end to the rear end of the base portion <NUM> has been described as an example. However, the bent portion only needs to extend from the front end of the base portion <NUM>, and does not have to extend to the rear end of the base portion <NUM>. The number of bent portions is not particularly limited. For example, the base portion <NUM> does not have to have the bent portion.

In the first embodiment and the first and second modifications, the holder <NUM> that holds the projection lens <NUM>, the light guide member <NUM>, and the beam shaper <NUM> has been described as an example. However, the holder <NUM> only needs to hold the beam shaper <NUM>, and the projection lens <NUM> and the light guide member <NUM> may be held by a holder different from the holder <NUM>. It is preferable that the holder <NUM> holds the light guide member <NUM> and the beam shaper <NUM> from the viewpoint of suppressing the misalignment in the relative position between the light guide member <NUM> and the beam shaper <NUM>.

Next, a second embodiment as a second aspect according to the present invention will be described. The same or equivalent constituent elements as those of the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals and an overlapping description will be omitted unless otherwise specified.

<FIG> is an exploded perspective view schematically illustrating a lamp unit LU in the present embodiment, and is an exploded perspective view of the lamp unit LU as viewed from the front and obliquely above. <FIG> is a vertical cross-sectional view of the lamp unit LU in the present embodiment. As illustrated in <FIG> and <FIG>, the lamp unit LU according to the present embodiment is different from the lamp unit LU according to the first embodiment mainly in that a recessed portion <NUM> is provided in an emission surface <NUM> of a light guide member <NUM>, and a beam shaper <NUM> includes a plate-shaped main body portion <NUM> and a position regulating portion <NUM>.

<FIG> is an enlarged view illustrating the vicinity of the recessed portion <NUM> in <FIG>. As illustrated in <FIG>, <FIG>, and <FIG>, in the present embodiment, the recessed portion <NUM> is a substantially V-shaped groove extending in the left-right direction. Therefore, the recessed portion <NUM> has a pair of surfaces <NUM> extending in a depth direction from an edge 49e of an opening of the recessed portion <NUM> and facing each other, and the pair of surfaces <NUM> are inclined in such a way as to approach each other toward a bottom 49b of the recessed portion <NUM>. The recessed portion <NUM> does not have to have a substantially V-shaped cross section, and may have, for example, a substantially U-shaped cross section. A depth of the recessed portion <NUM> is substantially constant in an extending direction of the recessed portion <NUM>, and is, for example, about <NUM> to <NUM>. A width 49W of the opening of the recessed portion <NUM> in a direction perpendicular to the extending direction of the recessed portion <NUM> is substantially constant in the extending direction of the recessed portion <NUM>, and is, for example, about <NUM> to <NUM>. In addition, the recessed portion <NUM> crosses the emission surface <NUM>.

As illustrated in <FIG>, a region of the emission surface <NUM> above a rear end of the beam shaper <NUM> and above the recessed portion <NUM> is a first emission region 43a from which first light L1 is emitted. Further, a region of the emission surface <NUM> below the rear end of the beam shaper <NUM> and below the recessed portion <NUM> is a second emission region 43b from which second light L2 is emitted. The light guide member <NUM> guides the first light L1 and the second light L2 in this manner.

<FIG> is a perspective view schematically illustrating the beam shaper <NUM> in the present embodiment, and is a perspective view of the beam shaper <NUM> as viewed from the front and obliquely above. <FIG> is a plan view schematically illustrating the beam shaper <NUM> in the present embodiment, and is a plan view of the beam shaper <NUM> as viewed from above. The upper side in <FIG> is a front side of the vehicle, and the lower side in <FIG> is a rear side of the vehicle. As illustrated in <FIG> and <FIG>, the beam shaper <NUM> includes the plate-shaped main body portion <NUM> and the position regulating portion <NUM>. The main body portion <NUM> according to the present embodiment has the same configuration as the main member <NUM> according to the first embodiment. Therefore, a description of the configuration of the main body portion <NUM> is omitted.

The position regulating portion <NUM> is a member that extends rearward from the main body portion <NUM> and is inserted into the recessed portion <NUM> of the light guide member <NUM>. The position regulating portion <NUM> according to the present embodiment is a plate-shaped member extending from a rear end of one fixing portion <NUM> to a rear end of the other fixing portion <NUM> through a rear side of a base portion <NUM>. Therefore, a gap GP is formed between the position regulating portion <NUM> and the base portion <NUM>. In the present embodiment, the position regulating portion <NUM> has a band shape extending along a rear end 53e2 of the base portion <NUM>, and a front end 90e1 and a rear end 90e2 of the position regulating portion <NUM> are curved in an arc shape protruding rearward.

Such a beam shaper <NUM> has a protrusion <NUM> protruding upward. The protrusion <NUM> extends from one fixing portion <NUM> to the other fixing portion <NUM> through the position regulating portion <NUM>. The protrusion <NUM> according to the present embodiment is a curved portion in which a part where the protrusion <NUM> is formed is curved in an arc shape. The protrusion <NUM> on the fixing portion <NUM> extends substantially linearly in the front-rear direction, and the protrusion <NUM> on the position regulating portion <NUM> extends in an arc shape along the center of the band-shaped position regulating portion <NUM> in a width direction. A height of the protrusion <NUM> is smaller than the width 49W of the recessed portion <NUM> of the light guide member <NUM>, and is, for example, <NUM> to <NUM>. In addition, parts of the position regulating portion <NUM> other than the protrusion <NUM> are positioned on the same plane as the pair of fixing portions <NUM>. Therefore, a rear end portion of the position regulating portion <NUM> behind the protrusion <NUM> and the pair of fixing portions <NUM> are positioned on the same plane.

The beam shaper <NUM> according to the present embodiment is formed, for example, by performing plating on a base material formed by pressing a metal plate. Examples of metal of the metal plate include stainless steel and carbon steel. The beam shaper <NUM> may be formed by plating a member formed by cutting a member made of metal, or may include only a member formed by press working or cutting.

As illustrated in <FIG> and <FIG>, the beam shaper <NUM> is disposed between a projection lens <NUM> and the first and second emission regions 43a and 43b of the emission surface <NUM>, the first emission region 43a being a part of the light guide member <NUM> from which the first light L1 is emitted, and the second emission region 43b being a part of the light guide member <NUM> from which the second light L2 is emitted. The rear end portion of the position regulating portion <NUM> is inserted into the recessed portion <NUM> of the light guide member <NUM>. In the present embodiment, the main body portion <NUM> of the beam shaper <NUM> crosses the emission surface <NUM> when viewed from the front along an optical axis 35C of the projection lens <NUM>. In addition, the optical axis 35C passes through a bent portion 55a of the base portion <NUM> of the main body portion <NUM> or the vicinity thereof, and a rear focal point of the projection lens <NUM> is positioned at a front end 53e1 of the base portion <NUM> or the vicinity thereof. The recessed portion <NUM> which is a groove extends along the rear end 90e2 of the position regulating portion <NUM>, and the entire rear end 90e2 of the position regulating portion <NUM> is inserted into the recessed portion <NUM>. As illustrated in <FIG>, the protrusion <NUM> of the position regulating portion <NUM> is not positioned in the recessed portion <NUM>.

The beam shaper <NUM> according to the present embodiment is fixed to a support portion <NUM> of a holder <NUM> as in the first embodiment. In the present embodiment, each of the pair of left and right fixing portions <NUM> of the main body portion <NUM> of the beam shaper <NUM> is in contact with a distal end of a pedestal portion <NUM> from below and is fixed to the pedestal portion <NUM>. A height of the pedestal portion <NUM> is larger than a height of the protrusion <NUM> of the beam shaper <NUM>, and the protrusion <NUM> is not in contact with a lower surface of a support plate <NUM> in a state in which the fixing portions <NUM> are fixed to the pedestal portion <NUM>. In the present embodiment, the fixing portion <NUM> is fixed to the pedestal portion <NUM> by thermal caulking. Specifically, a head portion <NUM> that closes an opening of a through-hole <NUM> on a side opposite to the pedestal portion <NUM> is formed by melting a distal end portion of a pin protruding downward from the pedestal portion <NUM> and penetrating through the through-hole <NUM> of the fixing portion <NUM> by heat. In this way, the fixing portion <NUM> is sandwiched by the pedestal portion <NUM> and the head portion <NUM>, and the fixing portion <NUM> is fixed to the pedestal portion <NUM>. In <FIG>, a part 52a of each fixing portion <NUM> that is in contact with the pedestal portion <NUM> and is fixed to the pedestal portion <NUM> is indicated by a line with alternating long and short dashes. In each fixing portion <NUM>, the part 52a and the protrusion <NUM> overlap each other in the left-right direction. A method of fixing the fixing portion <NUM> is not particularly limited, and the fixing portion <NUM> may be fixed by ultrasonic fusion splicing or laser welding, for example.

Next, formation of a low beam light distribution pattern by a vehicle headlight <NUM> according to the present embodiment will be described. <FIG> is an enlarged view of a part of <FIG>, schematically illustrating an optical path example of the first light emitted from a first light source and the second light emitted from a second light source. A reflection angle, a refraction angle, and the like of light illustrated in <FIG> may not be accurate.

In the case of forming the low beam light distribution pattern, the first light L1 is emitted from first light sources 31a, 31b, and 31c similarly to the first embodiment. The first light L1 from the first light source 31b is incident on the light guide member <NUM> from the first incident surface 41b, and is emitted from the first emission region 43a toward the projection lens <NUM> positioned in front. The same applies to the first light L1 from the first light sources 31a and 31c. Most of the first light L1 emitted from the first emission region 43a passes above the beam shaper <NUM> and is directly incident on the projection lens <NUM>. A part of the first light L1 emitted from the first emission region 43a is incident on an upper surface 51S2 of the main body portion <NUM> of the beam shaper <NUM>. A region irradiated with the first light L1 in the upper surface 51S2 is in continuous contact with a front end of the main body portion <NUM>, and in the present embodiment, the region is in contact with the entire front end 53e1 of the base portion <NUM> of the main body portion <NUM>. Then, an upper surface of the base portion <NUM>, which is a part of the upper surface 51S2, reflects a part of the first light L1 toward the projection lens <NUM> in such a way that a cutoff line having a shape corresponding to the front end 53e1 is formed in the light distribution pattern formed by the first light L1 and the light distribution pattern becomes the low beam light distribution pattern. Then, the low beam light distribution pattern is formed by the reflected first light and the first light L1 directly incident on the projection lens <NUM> from the first emission region 43a. In this way, the low beam light distribution pattern is formed by the first light L1, and light having the low beam light distribution pattern is transmitted through the projection lens <NUM> and emitted from the vehicle headlight <NUM> via the front cover <NUM>. The low beam light distribution pattern according to the present embodiment is the same as the low beam light distribution pattern PL illustrated in <FIG>, and the shape of the light guide member <NUM>, the shape of the beam shaper <NUM>, and the like are adjusted in such a manner.

Next, formation of a high beam light distribution pattern by the vehicle headlight <NUM> according to the present embodiment will be described.

In the case of forming the high beam light distribution pattern, the first light L1 is emitted from the first light sources 31a, 31b, and 31c, and the second light L2 is emitted from a second light source <NUM>, similarly to the first embodiment. Therefore, as described above, a low beam light distribution pattern PL is formed by the first light L1, and light having the low beam light distribution pattern PL is emitted from the vehicle headlight <NUM>. As illustrated in <FIG>, the second light L2 emitted from the second light source <NUM> is incident on the light guide member <NUM> from a second incident surface <NUM>. The second light L2 incident on the light guide member <NUM> is emitted from the second emission region 43b toward the projection lens <NUM> positioned in front. Most of the second light L2 emitted from the second emission region 43b passes below the beam shaper <NUM> and is directly incident on the projection lens <NUM> disposed in front of the second emission region 43b. A part of the second light L2 emitted from the second emission region 43b is incident on a lower surface 51S1 of the main body portion <NUM>. The lower surface 51S1 reflects the part of the second light L2 toward the projection lens <NUM>. A region irradiated with the second light L2 in the lower surface 51S1 is in continuous contact with the front end of the main body portion <NUM>, and in the present embodiment, the region is in contact with the entire front end 53e1 of the base portion <NUM> of the main body portion <NUM>. Then, the lower surface 51S1 reflects a part of the second light L2 toward the projection lens <NUM> in such a way that a cutoff line having a shape corresponding to the front end 53e1 is formed in the light distribution pattern formed by the second light L2 and the light distribution pattern becomes an additional light distribution pattern. Then, the additional light distribution pattern is formed by the reflected second light L2 and the second light L2 directly incident on the projection lens <NUM> from the second emission region 43b. Similarly to the first embodiment, light having the additional light distribution pattern is transmitted through the projection lens <NUM> and emitted from the vehicle headlight <NUM> via the front cover <NUM>. Therefore, light having the high beam light distribution pattern is emitted from the vehicle headlight <NUM>. The high beam light distribution pattern according to the present embodiment is the same as the high beam light distribution pattern PH illustrated in <FIG>, and the shape of the light guide member <NUM>, the shape of the beam shaper <NUM>, and the like are adjusted in such a manner.

By the way, in the case of the vehicle headlight of Patent Literature <NUM> described above, when there is a misalignment in the relative position between the lens in each of the first light emitting optical system and the second light emitting optical system and the beam shaper, the position of the cutoff line in the low beam light distribution pattern may be shifted, or an unintended dark region may be formed in the high beam light distribution pattern.

Therefore, the vehicle headlight <NUM> according to the present embodiment includes the first light sources 31a, 31b, and 31c, the second light source <NUM>, the projection lens <NUM>, the light guide member <NUM>, the beam shaper <NUM>, and the holder <NUM>. The first light sources 31a, 31b, and 31c emit the first light L1 forming the low beam light distribution pattern PL forward. The second light source <NUM> is disposed below the first light sources 31a, 31b, and 31c, and emits the second light L2 forming the high beam light distribution pattern with the first light L1 forward. The projection lens <NUM> is disposed in front of the first light sources 31a, 31b, and 31c and the second light source <NUM>. The light guide member <NUM> is disposed between the projection lens <NUM> and the first light sources 31a, 31b, and 31c and the second light source <NUM>, and the first light L1 and the second light L2 are incident on the light guide member <NUM>. The light guide member <NUM> emits the first light L1 from the first emission region 43a of the emission surface <NUM> toward the projection lens <NUM>, and emits the second light L2 from the second emission region 43b of the emission surface <NUM> toward the projection lens <NUM>. The second emission region 43b is positioned below the first emission region 43a. The beam shaper <NUM> is disposed between the first and second emission regions 43a and 43b and the projection lens <NUM>, and includes the plate-shaped main body portion <NUM> and the position regulating portion <NUM>. The upper surface 51S2 of the main body portion <NUM> reflects a part of the first light L1 toward the projection lens <NUM> in such a way as to form a cutoff line CL of the low beam light distribution pattern PL. The position regulating portion <NUM> extends rearward from the main body portion <NUM>. The light guide member <NUM> includes the recessed portion <NUM> where the position regulating portion <NUM> is inserted into the emission surface <NUM> which is the front side surface of the light guide member <NUM>.

In the vehicle headlight <NUM> according to the present embodiment, the position regulating portion <NUM> of the beam shaper <NUM> is inserted into the recessed portion <NUM> of the light guide member <NUM>. Therefore, in the vehicle headlight <NUM> according to the present embodiment, it is possible to suppress misalignment in the relative position between the beam shaper <NUM> and the light guide member <NUM> as compared with a case where the beam shaper <NUM> does not include the position regulating portion <NUM>. Therefore, with the vehicle headlight <NUM> according to the present embodiment, the low beam light distribution pattern PL and the high beam light distribution pattern PH can be more appropriately formed as compared with the above case.

In addition, in the vehicle headlight <NUM> according to the present embodiment, the main body portion <NUM> includes the pair of left and right fixing portions <NUM> fixed to the holder <NUM> and the base portion <NUM> positioned between the pair of fixing portions <NUM> and having left and right ends connected to the fixing portions <NUM>, respectively. The position regulating portion <NUM> is a plate-shaped member extending from the rear end of one fixing portion <NUM> to the rear end of the other fixing portion <NUM> through the rear side of the base portion <NUM>. Therefore, the gap GP is formed between the base portion <NUM> and the position regulating portion <NUM>. The base portion <NUM> has the bent portions 55a, 55b, and 55c. Therefore, in the vehicle headlight <NUM> according to the present embodiment, moldability of the beam shaper <NUM> in press working can be improved as compared with a case where the gap GP is not formed between the base portion <NUM> and the position regulating portion <NUM>.

In addition, in the vehicle headlight <NUM> according to the present embodiment, the beam shaper <NUM> has the protrusion <NUM> protruding upward, and the protrusion <NUM> extends from one fixing portion <NUM> to the other fixing portion <NUM> through the position regulating portion <NUM>. Therefore, in the vehicle headlight <NUM> according to the present embodiment, the rigidity of the beam shaper <NUM> can be increased as compared with a case where the beam shaper <NUM> does not have the protrusion <NUM>. Alternatively, no protrusion is formed on the base portion <NUM>. Therefore, in the vehicle headlight <NUM> according to the present embodiment, it is possible to suppress blocking of the first light and the second light by the protrusion <NUM>, and to more appropriately form the low beam light distribution pattern PL and the high beam light distribution pattern PH as compared with a case where the protrusion <NUM> is formed on the base portion <NUM>. The protrusion <NUM> may be formed on the base portion <NUM>, and the protrusion <NUM> may protrude upward from the viewpoint of increasing the rigidity of the beam shaper <NUM>. Further, the protrusion <NUM> according to the present embodiment is a curved portion in which a part where the protrusion <NUM> is formed is curved in an arc shape. The present invention is not limited to such a configuration. For example, the protrusion <NUM> may be a thick portion in which the thickness of the part where the protrusion <NUM> is formed is larger than those of other portions.

In addition, in the vehicle headlight <NUM> according to the present embodiment, in each of the pair of fixing portions <NUM>, the part 52a of the fixing portion <NUM> fixed to the holder <NUM> and the protrusion <NUM> overlap each other in the left-right direction. Therefore, in the vehicle headlight <NUM> according to the present embodiment, the rigidity of the beam shaper <NUM> held by the holder <NUM> can be further increased as compared with a case where the part 52a and the protrusion <NUM> do not overlap each other in the left-right direction.

In the vehicle headlight <NUM> according to the present embodiment, the rear end portion of the position regulating portion <NUM> and the pair of fixing portions <NUM> are positioned on the same plane. Therefore, in the vehicle headlight <NUM> according to the present embodiment, it is possible to easily align the beam shaper <NUM> and the light guide member <NUM> as compared with a case where the rear end portion of the position regulating portion <NUM> is inclined with respect to the fixing portions <NUM>.

In the vehicle headlight <NUM> according to the present embodiment, the recessed portion <NUM> is a groove extending along the rear end 90e2 of the position regulating portion <NUM>, and the entire rear end 90e2 of the position regulating portion <NUM> is inserted into the recessed portion <NUM>. Therefore, in the vehicle headlight <NUM> according to the present embodiment, the maximum amount of change in relative position between the beam shaper <NUM> and the light guide member <NUM> can be reduced as compared with a case where only a part of the rear end 90e2 of the position regulating portion <NUM> is inserted into the recessed portion <NUM>.

In the vehicle headlight <NUM> according to the present embodiment, the recessed portion <NUM> is a substantially V-shaped groove, and has a pair of surfaces <NUM> extending in the depth direction from the edge 49e of the opening of the recessed portion <NUM> and facing each other. The pair of surfaces <NUM> are inclined in such a way as to approach each other toward the bottom 49b of the recessed portion <NUM>. Therefore, in the vehicle headlight <NUM> according to the present embodiment, it is possible to more easily insert the position regulating portion into the recessed portion while suppressing an increase in maximum amount of change in relative position between the beam shaper <NUM> and the light guide member <NUM> as compared with a case where the recessed portion <NUM> does not have the pair of surfaces <NUM>. From this point of view, it is sufficient if the recessed portion <NUM> has the pair of surfaces <NUM> extending in the depth direction and facing each other, and the pair of surfaces <NUM> are inclined in such a way as to approach each other toward the bottom 49b of the recessed portion <NUM>. Therefore, the pair of surfaces <NUM> do not have to be flat surfaces and do not have to be connected to the edge 49e, and the bottom 49b of the recessed portion <NUM> may be curved in an arc shape.

In the vehicle headlight <NUM> according to the present embodiment, the holder <NUM> holds the beam shaper <NUM> and the light guide member <NUM>. Therefore, in the vehicle headlight <NUM> according to the present embodiment, it is possible to suppress misalignment in the relative position between the beam shaper <NUM> and the light guide member <NUM>.

Although the second aspect of the present invention has been described by taking the second embodiment as an example, the second aspect of the present invention is not limited thereto.

For example, in the second embodiment, the position regulating portion <NUM> which is a plate-shaped member extending from the rear end of one fixing portion <NUM> to the rear end of the other fixing portion <NUM> through the rear side of the base portion <NUM> has been described as an example. However, the position regulating portion <NUM> may extend rearward from the main body portion <NUM>. For example, the position regulating portion <NUM> may be a position regulating portion illustrated in <FIG>.

<FIG> is a plan view schematically illustrating a beam shaper <NUM> according to a third modification as the second aspect, and <FIG> is a cross-sectional view of the beam shaper <NUM> taken along line XXIII-XXIII in <FIG>. The same or equivalent constituent elements as those of the second embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and an overlapping description will be omitted unless otherwise specified. As illustrated in <FIG>, the beam shaper <NUM> according to the third modification is different from the beam shaper <NUM> according to the second embodiment in that no gap GP is formed between a base portion <NUM> and a position regulating portion <NUM>. In <FIG>, a boundary between a main body portion <NUM> and the position regulating portion <NUM> and a boundary between the base portion <NUM> and a left fixing portion <NUM> of the main body portion <NUM> are indicated by dotted lines.

In the present modification, a front end of the position regulating portion <NUM> is continuously connected to a rear end of one fixing portion <NUM>, a rear end of the base portion <NUM>, and a rear end of the other fixing portion <NUM>. Therefore, the position regulating portion <NUM> is a plate-shaped member extending rearward from a section SE of the rear end of the main body portion <NUM>, the section SE continuing from the one fixing portion <NUM> to the other fixing portion <NUM>. Therefore, in a vehicle headlight <NUM> according to the present modification, the rigidity of the beam shaper can be improved as compared with a case where a gap is formed between the base portion <NUM> and the position regulating portion <NUM>. In the present modification, similarly to the above embodiment, a first base portion <NUM>, an inclined portion <NUM>, and a connecting portion <NUM> of the base portion <NUM> are not positioned on the same plane as the fixing portions <NUM>. Therefore, the position regulating portion <NUM> includes an inclined portion <NUM> inclined with respect to a part of the position regulating portion <NUM> that is connected to the fixing portion <NUM>.

The position regulating portion <NUM> may be a position regulating portion illustrated in <FIG> is a perspective view schematically illustrating a beam shaper <NUM> and a light guide member <NUM> according to the fourth modification as the second aspect, and is a perspective view of the beam shaper <NUM> and the light guide member <NUM> as viewed from the front and obliquely above. Further, <FIG> illustrates a state in which the beam shaper <NUM> is moved forward with respect to the light guide member <NUM>. The same or equivalent constituent elements as those of the second embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and an overlapping description will be omitted unless otherwise specified. As illustrated in <FIG>, in the fourth modification, a position regulating portion <NUM> of the beam shaper <NUM> is different from the position regulating portion <NUM> according to the second embodiment. In addition, the light guide member <NUM> according to the present modification is different from the light guide member <NUM> according to the second embodiment in that a length of a recessed portion <NUM> in an extending direction is small.

The position regulating portion <NUM> according to the present modification is a plate-shaped member extending rearward in an extending direction of a second base portion <NUM> from a rear end of the second base portion <NUM> of a base portion <NUM>. Similarly to the above embodiment, the position regulating portion <NUM> is inserted into the recessed portion <NUM> which is a groove provided in an emission surface <NUM> and extending in the left-right direction. Therefore, in the vehicle headlight <NUM> according to the present modification, the recessed portion <NUM> can be made smaller as compared with a case where the position regulating portion <NUM> is a plate-shaped member extending rearward from an entire rear end 53e2 of the base portion <NUM>. Therefore, in the vehicle headlight <NUM> according to the present modification, as compared with this case, the emission surface <NUM> can be widened, and a range in which light can be emitted in a desired direction in the light guide member <NUM> can be widened. It is sufficient if the position regulating portion <NUM> is a plate-shaped member extending rearward from a part of the rear end 53e2 of the base portion <NUM> from the viewpoint of reducing the size of the recessed portion <NUM> as compared with a case where the position regulating portion <NUM> is a plate-shaped member extending rearward from the entire rear end 53e2 of the base portion <NUM>. For example, the position regulating portion <NUM> do not have to extend in the extending direction of the second base portion <NUM>, and may be a plate-shaped member extending rearward from a rear end of a first base portion <NUM>. In addition, the beam shaper <NUM> may include a plurality of such position regulating portions, and for example, may include a plate-like position regulating portion extending from the rear end of the first base portion <NUM> and another plate-like position regulating portion extending from the rear end of the second base portion <NUM>.

The position regulating portion <NUM> may be a position regulating portion illustrated in <FIG> is a view illustrating a beam shaper <NUM> and a light guide member <NUM> according to a fifth modification as the second aspect similarly to <FIG>. The same or equivalent constituent elements as those of the second embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and an overlapping description will be omitted unless otherwise specified. As illustrated in <FIG>, in the fifth modification, a position regulating portion <NUM> of the beam shaper <NUM> is different from the position regulating portion <NUM> according to the second embodiment, and a recessed portion <NUM> of the light guide member <NUM> is different from the recessed portion <NUM> according to the second embodiment.

The recessed portion <NUM> according to the present modification is a quadrangular hole provided in an emission surface <NUM>. The position regulating portion <NUM> according to the present modification is a pin extending rearward from a main body portion <NUM>. Specifically, the position regulating portion <NUM> according to the present modification is a quadrangular prism shaped pin fixed to a part of a second base portion <NUM> on a lower surface 51S1 of the main body portion <NUM> and extending rearward. Then, the position regulating portion <NUM> is inserted into the recessed portion <NUM> which is a quadrangular hole. A shape of the position regulating portion <NUM>, which is a pin, is not particularly limited, and for example, the position regulating portion <NUM> may be a cylindrical pin. Further, the position regulating portion <NUM> may be thinned toward the rear, or may be fixed to the upper surface 51S2 of the main body portion <NUM>. In addition, it is sufficient if the position regulating portion <NUM> can be inserted into the recessed portion <NUM> which is a hole, and the recessed portion <NUM> may be, for example, a circular hole, and a diameter of the hole may decrease toward a bottom thereof.

Furthermore, the beam shaper <NUM> and the light guide member <NUM> may be the beam shaper <NUM> and the light guide member <NUM> according to the second modification illustrated in <FIG>. That is, the main body portion <NUM> of the beam shaper <NUM> may include the main member <NUM> and the reinforcing member <NUM> according to the second modification, and the recessed portion <NUM> of the light guide member <NUM> may be the recessed portion <NUM> according to the second modification.

In addition, the beam shaper <NUM> may have a configuration in which the reinforcing member <NUM> of the beam shaper <NUM> according to the first modification illustrated in <FIG> includes the position regulating portion <NUM> as in the second modification. In this case, the recessed portion <NUM> of the light guide member <NUM> has the same configuration as the recessed portion <NUM> according to the second modification.

In the second embodiment and the second to fifth modifications, the light guide member <NUM> in which the recessed portion <NUM> is provided in the emission surface <NUM> has been described as an example. However, the light guide member <NUM> only needs to include the recessed portion <NUM> in the front side surface, and the recessed portion <NUM> may be provided in a surface other than the emission surface <NUM>.

In the second embodiment and the second to fifth modifications, the base portion <NUM> having the bent portions 55a, 55b, and 55c extending from the front end to the rear end of the base portion <NUM> has been described as an example. However, the bent portion only needs to extend from the front end of the base portion <NUM>, and does not have to extend to the rear end of the base portion <NUM>. The number of bent portions is not particularly limited. For example, the base portion <NUM> does not have to have the bent portion.

In the second embodiment and the second to fifth modifications, the holder <NUM> that holds the projection lens <NUM>, the light guide member <NUM>, and the beam shaper <NUM> has been described as an example. However, the holder <NUM> only needs to hold the beam shaper <NUM>, and the projection lens <NUM> and the light guide member <NUM> may be held by a holder different from the holder <NUM>. It is preferable that the holder <NUM> holds the light guide member <NUM> and the beam shaper <NUM> from the viewpoint of suppressing the misalignment in the relative position between the light guide member <NUM> and the beam shaper <NUM>.

Claim 1:
A vehicle headlight (<NUM>) comprising:
a first light source (LE1) that emits first light (L1) forming a low beam light distribution pattern (PL) forward;
a second light source (LE2) that is disposed below the first light source (LE1) and emits second light (L2) forming a high beam light distribution pattern with the first light (L1) forward;
a projection lens (<NUM>) that is disposed in front of the first light source (LE1) and the second light source (LE2;
a light guide member (<NUM>) that is disposed between the first and second light sources (LE2) and the projection lens (<NUM>), receives the first light (L1) and the second light (L2), emits the first light (L1) from a first part toward the projection lens (<NUM>), and emits the second light (L2) from a second part positioned below the first part toward the projection lens (<NUM>);
a beam shaper (<NUM>) that is disposed between the first and second parts and the projection lens (<NUM>) and includes a plate-shaped main body portion (<NUM>,<NUM>) and a position regulating portion (<NUM>); and
a holder (<NUM>) that holds the beam shaper (<NUM>), wherein
an upper surface (51S2,110S2) of the main body portion (<NUM>,<NUM>) reflects a part of the first light (L1) toward the projection lens (<NUM>) in such a way as to form a cutoff line (CL) of the low beam light distribution pattern (PL),
the plate-shaped main body portion (<NUM>,<NUM>) is disposed in front of the light guide member (<NUM>), characterized in that
the position regulating portion (<NUM>) extends rearward from the main body portion (<NUM>), and
the light guide member (<NUM>) includes a recessed portion (<NUM>) into which the position regulating portion (<NUM>) is inserted on a front side surface of the light guide member (<NUM>).