Patent Description:
In the related art, as a configuration of a vehicle lamp, a vehicle lamp including a lamp unit configured to irradiate light emitted from a light emitting element toward the front of a lamp through a light transmitting member has been known.

Patent Document <NUM> discloses a configuration of a light transmitting member of a lamp unit of a vehicle lamp including a direct light controller that directly emits light incident from a light emitting element onto the light transmitting member toward the front of a lamp, and a total reflection controller that totally reflects the light incident from the light emitting element onto the light transmitting member, and then emits the light toward the front of the lamp.

Further, Patent Document <NUM> discloses a configuration of a light transmitting member in which the total reflection surface of the total reflection controller is divided into a plurality of reflection regions in a circumferential direction around the direct light controller.

Like the lamp unit disclosed in Patent Document <NUM>, by adopting a configuration including the direct light controller and the total reflection controller as the light transmitting member, it is possible to emit most of the light emitted from the light emitting element from the light transmitting member toward the front of the lamp, and thus, it is possible to improve the utilization efficiency of the light source light flux.

At this time, by adopting the light transmitting member as disclosed in Patent Document <NUM>, it is possible to align the upper end positions of the light distribution patterns formed by reflected light from each reflection region that constitutes the total reflection surface of the total reflection controller and thus, it is possible to form a light distribution pattern having a cut-off line at the upper end edge as a light distribution pattern formed by light emitted from the total reflection controller.

However, even in the case where such configuration is adopted, it is not easy to form a bright light distribution pattern having horizontal and oblique cut-off lines at the upper end edge.

The present invention has been made in consideration of the circumstances, and in a vehicle lamp including a lamp unit configured to irradiate light emitted from a light emitting element toward the front of the lamp through a light transmitting member, is to provide a vehicle lamp capable of forming a bright light distribution pattern having horizontal and oblique cut-off lines at the upper end edge after improving the utilization efficiency of light source light flux.

The present invention provides a vehicle lamp with the features of claim <NUM>.

A type of the "light emitting element" is not particularly limited, and examples thereof may include a light emitting diode or a laser diode.

The specific shape of the "horizontal diffusion lens element" is not particularly limited as long as it is configured to diffuse light emitted from the light transmitting member in the horizontal direction.

The specific shape of the "oblique diffusion lens element" is not particularly limited as long as it is configured to diffuse light emitted from the light transmitting member in the oblique direction inclined with respect to the horizontal direction.

The vehicle lamp according to the present invention, which is defined by claim <NUM>, includes the first and second lamp units, and the light transmitting member of each of the first and second lamp units includes the direct light controller that directly emits light incident from the light emitting element onto the light transmitting member toward the front of the lamp, and the total reflection controller that totally reflects the light incident from the light emitting element onto the light transmitting member, and then emits the light toward the front of the lamp. Therefore, it is possible to emit most of the light emitted from the light emitting element from the light transmitting member toward the front of the lamp, and thus, it is possible to improve the utilization efficiency of the light source light flux.

At this time, in each of the first and second lamp units, the total reflection surface of the total reflection controller in the light transmitting member is divided into a plurality of reflection regions in the circumferential direction around the direct light controller. Therefore, it is possible to easily align the upper end positions of the light distribution patterns formed by the reflected light from each reflection region.

A plurality of horizontal diffusion lens elements that diffuses the light emitted from the light transmitting member in the horizontal direction is formed on the emission surface of the light transmitting member of the first lamp unit, and a plurality of oblique diffusion lens elements that diffuses the light emitted from the light transmitting member in the oblique direction inclined with respect to the horizontal direction is formed on the emission surface of the light transmitting member of the second lamp unit. Therefore, it is possible to form a bright light distribution pattern having horizontal and oblique cut-off lines at the upper end edge by the irradiation light from the first and second lamp units.

As described above, according to the present invention, the vehicle lamp includes the lamp unit configured to irradiate the light emitted from the light emitting element toward the front of the lamp through the light transmitting member, and is capable of forming a bright light distribution pattern having horizontal and oblique cut-off lines at the upper end edge after improving the utilization efficiency of the light source light flux.

In an optional configuration, further, the light emitting element of the first lamp unit is disposed such that the lower end edge of the light emitting surface of the light emitting element extends in the horizontal direction, and the light emitting element of the second lamp unit is disposed such that the lower end edge of the light emitting surface of the light emitting element extends in the oblique direction. Therefore, the light distribution pattern formed by the light emitted from the direct light controller of the first lamp unit may be a light distribution pattern having a clear horizontal cut-off line at the upper end edge, and the light distribution pattern formed by the light emitted from the direct light controller of the second lamp unit may be a light distribution pattern having a clear oblique cut-off line at the upper end edge.

In an optional configuration, further, in the light transmitting member of the first lamp unit, a diffusion angle of a horizontal diffusion lens element formed on an emission surface of the direct light controller is set to be larger than a diffusion angle of the horizontal diffusion lens element formed on the emission surface of the total reflection controller, and in the light transmitting member of the second lamp unit, a diffusion angle of the oblique diffusion lens element formed on an emission surface of the direct light controller is set to be larger than a diffusion angle of the oblique diffusion lens element formed on an emission surface of the total reflection controller. As a result, following operation effects may be obtained.

That is, since the direct light controller is positioned closer to the light emitting element than the total reflection controller, the light distribution pattern formed by the light emitted from the direct light controller becomes a light distribution pattern larger than the light distribution pattern formed by the light emitted from the total reflection controller.

Therefore, the diffusion angles of the horizontal diffusion lens element and the oblique diffusion lens element formed on the emission surface of the direct light controller are set to values larger than those of the diffusion angles of the horizontal diffusion lens element and the oblique diffusion lens element formed on the emission surface of the total reflection controller, so that the light distribution pattern formed by the irradiation light from the first and second lamp units may be formed as light distribution patterns with less light distribution unevenness.

In an optional configuration, further, in the light transmitting member of the first lamp unit, the emission surface of the total reflection controller is divided into an inner peripheral side annular region and an outer peripheral side annular region, and then, a diffusion angle of the horizontal diffusion lens element formed on the inner peripheral side annular region is set to be larger than a diffusion angle of the horizontal diffusion lens element formed on the outer peripheral side annular region, and in the light transmitting member of the second lamp unit, the emission surface of the total reflection controller is divided into an inner peripheral side annular region and an outer peripheral side annular region, and then, a diffusion angle of the oblique diffusion lens element formed on the inner peripheral side annular region is set to a value larger than that of a diffusion angle of the oblique diffusion lens element formed on the outer peripheral side annular region. As a result, following operation effects may be obtained.

That is, the light distribution pattern formed by the light emitted from the inner peripheral side annular region becomes a light distribution pattern larger than the light distribution pattern formed by the light emitted from the outer peripheral side annular region.

Therefore, the diffusion angles of the horizontal diffusion lens element and the oblique diffusion lens element formed on the inner peripheral side annular region are set to values larger than those of the diffusion angles of the horizontal diffusion lens element and the oblique diffusion lens element formed on the outer peripheral side annular region, so that the light distribution pattern formed by the irradiation light from the first and second lamp units may be formed as light distribution patterns with less light distribution unevenness.

At this time, optionally in each of the light transmitting members of the first and second lamp units, the emission surface of the total reflection controller is displaced forward of the lamp with respect to the emission surface of the direct light controller, and the outer peripheral side annular region of the emission surface of the total reflection controller is displaced forward of the lamp with respect to the inner peripheral side annular region of the emission surface. As a result, the thickness of the light transmitting member may be reduced.

In such a case, optionally in the light transmitting member of the first lamp unit, the horizontal diffusion lens element formed on the emission surface of the direct light controller and the horizontal diffusion lens element formed on the inner peripheral side annular region of the emission surface of the total reflection controller are configured such that a diffusion angle in a direction approaching the light emitting element in a front view of the lamp is set to have a value larger than that of a diffusion angle in a direction away from the light emitting element, and in the light transmitting member of the second lamp unit, the oblique diffusion lens element formed on the emission surface of the direct light controller and the oblique diffusion lens element formed on the inner peripheral side annular region of the emission surface of the total reflection controller are configured such that a diffusion angle in a direction approaching the light emitting element in the front view of the lamp is set to have a value larger than that of a diffusion angle in a direction away from the light emitting element. As a result, following operation effects may be obtained.

That is, the light emitted from the emission surface of the direct light controller may be hardly blocked by a standing wall positioned on the outer peripheral side of the emission surface, and the light emitted from the inner peripheral side annular region of the emission surface of the total reflection controller may be hardly blocked by a standing wall positioned on the outer peripheral side of the emission surface. Therefore, it is possible to improve the utilization efficiency of the light source light flux and to effectively suppress the generation of stray light.

Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to drawings.

<FIG> is a front view of a vehicle lamp <NUM> according to an embodiment of the present invention. <FIG> is a cross-sectional view taken along line II-II of <FIG>, <FIG> is a cross-sectional view taken along line III-III of <FIG>, and <FIG> is a cross-sectional view taken along line IV-IV of <FIG>.

In these drawings, the direction indicated by X is the "front" for a vehicle lamp <NUM> (also "front" for a vehicle), the direction indicated by Y is the "left direction" orthogonal to the "front" (also "left direction for a vehicle, but "right direction" in the front view of a lamp", and the direction indicated by Z is the "upper direction. " This is also applied to other drawings.

As illustrated in <FIG>, the vehicle lamp <NUM> according to the embodiment is a head lamp provided at the front end portion of a vehicle, and is configured such that projector type first, second, and third lamp units <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> are incorporated in a lamp chamber formed by a lamp body <NUM> and a transparent light transmitting cover <NUM> attached to the front end opening of the lamp body <NUM>.

Then, the vehicle lamp <NUM> is configured to form a low beam light distribution pattern by irradiation light from the first and second lamp units <NUM> and <NUM>, and to form a high beam light distribution pattern by adding irradiation light of the third lamp unit <NUM>.

First, a configuration of the first lamp unit <NUM> will be described.

<FIG> is a perspective view illustrating a first lamp unit <NUM> as a single item.

As illustrated in <FIG>, <FIG>, and <FIG>, the first lamp unit <NUM> is configured to irradiate light emitted from a light emitting element <NUM> toward the front of the lamp through a light transmitting member <NUM>.

The light emitting element <NUM> is a white light emitting diode having a rectangular (e.g., square) light emitting surface 22a, and is disposed toward the front of the lamp (also the front for the vehicle) in a state of being mounted on a substrate <NUM>. The substrate <NUM> is supported by the lamp body <NUM>.

The light emitting element <NUM> is disposed in a state where the lower end edge of the light emitting surface 22a extends in the horizontal direction above near an axis Ax extending in the front-rear direction of the lamp.

The light transmitting member <NUM> is formed of a transparent synthetic resin molded article such as an acrylic resin. The light transmitting member <NUM> is disposed in front of the lamp of the light emitting element <NUM> and supported by the lamp body <NUM> via a support structure (not illustrated).

The light transmitting member <NUM> is configured to include a direct light controller 24A that directly emits light incident from the light emitting element <NUM> onto the light transmitting member <NUM> toward the front of the lamp, and a total reflection controller 24B that totally reflects the light incident from the light emitting element <NUM> onto the light transmitting member <NUM>, and then emits the light toward the front of the lamp.

The direct light controller 24A is set as a circular region centered on the axis Ax in the front view of the lamp.

A rear surface 24Ab of the direct light controller 24A is configured as a rotational curved surface having a convex curved surface shape centered on the axis Ax. Then, the direct light controller 24A is configured to direct light emitted from the light emission center of the light emitting element <NUM> on the rear surface 24Ab as parallel light slightly downward to be incident.

The total reflection controller 24B is a region positioned on the outer peripheral side of the direct light controller 24A, and is set as an annular region centered on the axis Ax in the front view of the lamp.

A rear surface 24Bb of the total reflection controller 24B includes an incident surface 24Bb1 that refracts the light emitted from the light emitting element <NUM> in the direction away from the axis Ax to be incident, and a total reflection surface 24Bb2 that totally reflects the incident light from the incident surface 24Bb1 toward the front of the lamp.

The incident surface 24Bb1 is configured as a conical surface close to a cylindrical surface centered on the axis Ax. The total reflection surface 24Bb2 is configured as a curved surface having a rotational curved surface having a convex curved surface shape centered on the axis Ax as a reference surface.

Then, the total reflection controller 24B is configured to reflect the light from the light emission center of the light emitting element <NUM> incident from the incident surface 24Bb1 as parallel light toward slightly downward on the total reflection surface 24Bb2.

The total reflection surface 24Bb2 of the total reflection controller 24B is divided into eight reflection regions L1, L2, L3, L4, R1, R2, R3, and R4 in the circumferential direction around the axis Ax. Specifically, these eight reflection regions L1 to L4 and R1 to R4 have a fan-shaped outer shape having the same size centered on the axis Ax in the front view of the lamp, and are disposed symmetrically on both of the left and right sides of the vertical plane including the axis Ax.

In these eight reflection regions L1 to L4 and R1 to R4, a light reflection angle in the vertical direction is set to a slightly different value for each reflection region, but the reflection regions in the symmetrical positional relationship (i.e., each of the reflection regions L1 to L4 and each of the reflection regions R1 to R4) have a symmetrical surface shape.

An emission surface 24a of the light transmitting member <NUM> is constituted by three emission regions 24aA, 24aB, and 24aC that are concentrically divided in the front view of the lamp.

The emission region 24aA positioned at the center is a circular region centered on the axis Ax in the front view of the lamp, and has a diameter set to a value slightly larger than a diameter of the inner peripheral edge of the total reflection surface 24Bb2 of the total reflection controller 24B.

The emission region 24aB adjacent to the outer peripheral side of the emission region 24aA is formed as an annular region displaced forward of the lamp with respect to the emission region 24aA. Further, the emission region 24aC adjacent to the outer peripheral side of the emission region 24aB is formed as an annular region displaced forward of the lamp with respect to the emission region 24aB.

In each of the emission regions 24aA to 24aC, a plurality of horizontal diffusion lens elements 24sA, 24sB, and 24sC that diffuses the light from the light emitting element <NUM> that has reached to the emission regions 24aA to 24aC in the horizontal direction is formed. Each of the horizontal diffusion lens elements 24sA to 24sC is formed in a convex cylindrical lens shape extending in the vertical direction, and is configured to diffuse the light from the light emitting element <NUM> evenly to the left and right in the horizontal direction.

At this time, a diffusion angle of the horizontal diffusion lens element 24sA formed in the emission regions 24aA is set to a value larger than that of a diffusion angle of the horizontal diffusion lens element 24sB formed in the emission region 24aB. Further, the diffusion angle of the horizontal diffusion lens element 24sB formed in the emission regions 24aB is set to a value larger than that of a diffusion angle of the horizontal diffusion lens element 24sC formed in the emission region 24aC.

Next, a configuration of the second lamp unit <NUM> will be described.

As illustrated in <FIG>, the second lamp unit <NUM> is also configured to irradiate light emitted from a light emitting element <NUM> toward the front of the lamp through a light transmitting member <NUM>.

However, as illustrated in <FIG>, the second lamp unit <NUM> has a configuration in which the first lamp unit <NUM> is rotated in a predetermined angle (specifically, <NUM>°) clockwise (anticlockwise in the front view of the lamp) around the axis Ax extending in the front-rear direction of the lamp, and an emission surface 44a of the light transmitting member <NUM> is partially different from the case of the first lamp unit <NUM>.

That is, the light emitting element <NUM> of the second lamp unit <NUM> has the same configuration as the light emitting element <NUM> of the first lamp unit <NUM>, and is disposed toward the front of the lamp in a state of being mounted on a substrate <NUM> above near the axis Ax, but the lower end edge of a light emitting surface 42a extends in an oblique direction inclined by <NUM>° with respect to the horizontal direction.

Further, the light transmitting member <NUM> of the second lamp unit <NUM> is configured to include a direct light controller 44A that directly emits light incident from the light emitting element <NUM> onto the light transmitting member <NUM> toward the front of the lamp, and a total reflection controller 44B that totally reflects the light incident from the light emitting element <NUM> onto the light transmitting member <NUM>, and then emits the light toward the front of the lamp.

A rear surface 44Ab of the direct light controller 44A and a rear surface 44Bb of the total reflection controller 44B have the same shape as the case of the first lamp unit <NUM>, but are configured to be rotated by <NUM>° clockwise.

Similarly to the case of the first lamp unit <NUM>, the emission surface 44a of the light transmitting member <NUM> is constituted by three emission regions 44aA, 44aB, and 44aC that are concentrically divided in the front view of the lamp. In each of the emission regions 44aA to 44aC, a plurality of oblique diffusion lens elements 44sA, 44sB, and 44sC that diffuses the light emitted from the light transmitting member <NUM> in an oblique direction inclined by <NUM>° with respect to the horizontal direction is formed.

Each of the oblique diffusion lens elements 44sA to 44sC is formed in a convex cylindrical lens shape extending in the direction orthogonal to the oblique direction, and is configured to diffuse the light from the light emitting element <NUM> evenly to the left and right in the oblique direction.

However, a diffusion angle of each of the oblique diffusion lens elements 44sA to 44sC is set to a value smaller (e.g., a value of about half) than that of the diffusion angle of each of the horizontal diffusion lens elements 24sA to 24sC in the lamp unit <NUM>.

At this time, the diffusion angle of the oblique diffusion lens element 44sA is set to a value larger than that of the diffusion angle of the oblique diffusion lens element 44sB, and further, the diffusion angle of the oblique diffusion lens element 44sB is set to a value larger than that of the diffusion angle of the oblique diffusion lens element 44sC.

Next, a configuration of the third lamp unit <NUM> will be described.

As illustrated in <FIG>, the third lamp unit <NUM> is also configured to irradiate light emitted from a light emitting element <NUM> toward the front of the lamp through a light transmitting member <NUM>.

However, in the third lamp unit <NUM>, the arrangement of the light emitting element <NUM> and the configuration of the light transmitting member <NUM> are partially different from the case of the first lamp unit <NUM>.

That is, the light emitting element <NUM> of the third lamp unit <NUM> has the same configuration as the case of the first lamp unit <NUM>, but is disposed in a state where the center of a light emitting surface 62a is positioned on the axis Ax extending in the front-rear direction of the lamp.

Further, the light transmitting member <NUM> of the third lamp unit <NUM> is configured to include a direct light controller 64A that directly emits light incident from the light emitting element <NUM> onto the light transmitting member <NUM> toward the front of the lamp, and a total reflection controller 64B that totally reflects the light incident from the light emitting element <NUM> on the light transmitting member <NUM>, and then emits the light toward the front of the lamp.

A configuration of a rear surface 64Ab of the direct light controller 64A is the same as the case of the first lamp unit <NUM>. Meanwhile, in a rear surface 64Bb of the total reflection controller 64B, a total reflection surface 64Bb2 is configured as a rotational curved surface having a convex curved surface shape centered on the axis Ax, and is not divided into eight reflection regions as the case of the first lamp unit <NUM>.

Similarly to the case of the first lamp unit <NUM>, the emission surface 64a of the light transmitting member <NUM> is constituted by three emission regions 64aA, 64aB, and 64aC that are concentrically divided in the front view of the lamp. In each of the emission regions 64aA to 64aC, a plurality of horizontal diffusion lens elements 64sA, 64sB, and 64sC that diffuses the light emitted from the light transmitting member <NUM> in the horizontal direction is formed.

Each of the horizontal diffusion lens elements 64sA to 64sC is formed in a convex cylindrical lens shape extending in the vertical direction, and is configured to diffuse the light from the light emitting element <NUM> evenly to the left and right in the horizontal direction.

A diffusion angle of each of the horizontal diffusion lens elements 64sA to 64sC is set to a value slightly smaller (e.g., a value of about <NUM>%) than that of the diffusion angle of each of the horizontal diffusion lens elements 24sA to 24sC in the lamp unit <NUM>.

At this time, the diffusion angle of the horizontal diffusion lens element 64sA is set to a value larger than that of the diffusion angle of the horizontal diffusion lens element 64sB, and further, the diffusion angle of the horizontal diffusion lens element 64sB is set to a value larger than that of the diffusion angle of the horizontal diffusion lens element 64sC.

<FIG> are views transparently illustrating light distribution patterns formed on a virtual vertical screen disposed at a position <NUM> ahead of the vehicle front, by light irradiated from the vehicle lamp <NUM> toward the front of the lamp. <FIG> is a view illustrating a low beam light distribution pattern PL1, and <FIG> is a view illustrating a high beam light distribution pattern PH1.

The low beam light distribution pattern PL1 illustrated in <FIG> is a low beam light distribution pattern of a left light distribution, and has horizontal and oblique cut-off lines CL1 and CL2 on the upper end edge thereof. In the cut-off lines CL1 and CL2, a facing lane side portion on the right side of line V-V vertically passing through H-V, which are the vanishing points in the front direction of the lamp, is formed as the horizontal cut-off line CL1, and a vehicle lane side portion on the left side of line V-V is formed as the oblique cut-off line CL2, and an elbow point E, which is the intersecting point of the cut-off lines, is positioned about <NUM>° to <NUM>° below H-V.

The low beam light distribution pattern PL1 is formed as a combined light distribution pattern of a light distribution pattern PA1 formed by irradiation light from the first lamp unit <NUM> and a light distribution pattern PB1 formed by irradiation light from the second lamp unit <NUM>.

The light distribution pattern PA1 is a horizontally long light distribution pattern that is widened in the left-right direction around line V-V, and forms the horizontal cut-off line CL1 of the low beam light distribution pattern PL1 at the upper end edge.

<FIG> are views illustrating a forming process of the light distribution pattern PA1.

<FIG> is a view illustrating a light distribution pattern PA1A formed by light emitted from the direct light controller 64A in the light distribution pattern PA1.

The light distribution pattern PA1A is a horizontally long light distribution pattern formed by widening a light distribution pattern PA1Ao illustrated in <FIG> to both the left and right sides.

As illustrated in <FIG>, the light distribution pattern PA1Ao is a light distribution pattern formed by light emitted from the direct light controller 24A in a case of assuming that a plurality of horizontal diffusion lens elements 24sA to 24sC is not formed on the emission surface 24a of the light transmitting member <NUM>.

The light distribution pattern PA1Ao is formed as a light distribution pattern having a substantially square outer shape below line H-H horizontally passing through H-V, and has a clear light-and-darkness boundary line extending in the horizontal direction at the upper end edge. It is because the lower end edge of the light emitting surface 22a of the light emitting element <NUM> extends in the horizontal direction above near the axis Ax, and the direct light controller 24A of the light transmitting member <NUM> is configured to direct light emitted from the light emission center of the light emitting element <NUM> on the rear surface 24Ab as parallel light slightly downward to be incident.

In practice, since the plurality of horizontal diffusion lens elements 24sA to 24sC are formed on the emission surface 24a of the light transmitting member <NUM>, the light distribution pattern PA1A formed by the light emitted from the direct light controller 24A is formed as a horizontally long light distribution pattern as illustrated in <FIG>, and a clear light-darkness line CLa extending in the horizontal direction is formed at the upper end edge.

In each of the light distribution patterns PA1Ao and PA1A, the multiple curved lines formed therein indicate that the region surrounded by the curved lines is relatively bright. This is also applied to other light distribution patterns.

<FIG> illustrates light distribution patterns formed by light emitted from the right half region of the total reflection controller 24B in a case of assuming that the plurality of horizontal diffusion lens elements 24sA to 24sC are not formed on the emission surface 24a of the light transmitting member <NUM>.

A light distribution pattern PA1B1o illustrated in (b1) of <FIG> is a light distribution pattern formed by reflected light from the reflection region R1 illustrated in (a1) of <FIG>. The light distribution pattern PA1B1o is formed as a horizontally slightly long light distribution pattern straddling line V-V. In the light distribution pattern PA1B1o, the upper region is relatively bright, and a light-darkness boundary line extending in a substantially horizontal direction is formed at the upper end edge.

A light distribution pattern PA1B2o illustrated in (b2) of <FIG> is a light distribution pattern formed by reflected light from the reflection region R2 illustrated in (a2) of <FIG>. The light distribution pattern PA1B2o is formed as a horizontally slightly long light distribution pattern straddling line V-V. In the light distribution pattern PA1B2o, the upper region is relatively bright, and a light-darkness boundary line extending in a substantially horizontal direction is formed at the upper end edge.

A light distribution pattern PA1B3o illustrated in (b3) of <FIG> is a light distribution pattern formed by reflected light from the reflection region R3 illustrated in (a3) of <FIG>. The light distribution pattern PA1B3o is formed as a horizontally slightly long light distribution pattern straddling line V-V. In the light distribution pattern PA1B3o, the upper region is relatively bright, and a light-darkness boundary line extending in a substantially horizontal direction is formed at the upper end edge.

A light distribution pattern PA1B4o illustrated in (b4) of <FIG> is a light distribution pattern formed by reflected light from the reflection region R4 illustrated in (a4) of <FIG>. The light distribution pattern PA1B4o is formed as a horizontally slightly long light distribution pattern straddling line V-V. In the light distribution pattern PA1B4o, the upper region is relatively bright, and a light-darkness boundary line extending in a substantially horizontal direction is formed at the upper end edge.

The surface shape of each of the reflection regions R1 to R4 is set such that the upper end edge of each of the light distribution patterns PA1B1o to PA1B4o is at substantially the same height position as the upper end edge of the light distribution pattern PA1A illustrated in <FIG>.

In practice, as illustrated in <FIG>, since the plurality of horizontal diffusion lens elements 24sA to 24sC are formed on the emission surface 24a of the light transmitting member <NUM>, as illustrated in <FIG>, the light distribution pattern PB1 formed by light emitted from the entire total reflection controller 24B is formed as a horizontally long light distribution pattern obtained by widening the four light distribution patterns PA1B1o to PA1B4o illustrated in (b1) to (b4) of <FIG> and four light distribution pattern having a shape in which the four light distribution patterns are inverted in the left-right direction to both the left and right sides. As a result, a relatively clear light-darkness boundary line CLb is formed on the upper end edge.

Then, the horizontal cut-off line CL1 of the low beam light distribution pattern PL1 is formed by the light-darkness boundary line CLa of the light distribution pattern PA1A and the light-darkness boundary line CLb of the light distribution pattern PA1B.

The light distribution pattern PB1 illustrated in <FIG> is a horizontally long light distribution pattern that is widened in the oblique direction inclined by <NUM>° clockwise with respect to the horizontal direction, and forms the oblique cut-off line CL2 of the low beam light distribution pattern PL1 at the upper end edge.

<FIG> is a view illustrating a forming process of the light distribution pattern PB1 illustrated in <FIG>.

The light distribution pattern PB1 is formed as a combined light distribution pattern of a light distribution pattern PB1A illustrated in (b1) of <FIG> and a light distribution pattern PB1B illustrated in (b2) of <FIG>.

The light distribution pattern PB1A is a light distribution pattern formed by light emitted from the direct light controller 44A of the light transmitting member <NUM> illustrated in (a1) of <FIG>, and as illustrated in (b1) of <FIG>, is formed as a horizontally long light distribution pattern that is widened in the oblique direction, and forms a clear light-darkness boundary lien CLc extending in the oblique direction at the upper end edge.

The light distribution pattern PB1B is a light distribution pattern formed by light emitted from the total reflection controller 44B of the light transmitting member <NUM> illustrated in (a2) of <FIG>, and as illustrated in (b2) of <FIG>, is formed as a horizontally long light distribution pattern that is widened in the oblique direction, and forms a light-darkness boundary lien CLd extending in the oblique direction at the upper end edge.

Then, the oblique cut-off line CL2 of the low beam light distribution pattern PL1 is formed by the light-darkness boundary lines CLc and CLd.

As illustrated in <FIG>, in the low beam light distribution pattern PL1, a portion positioned at the lower left of the elbow point E where the high-intensity light region of the light distribution pattern PA1 and the high-intensity light region of the light distribution pattern PB1 are overlapped with each other constitutes a high-intensity light region.

The high beam light distribution pattern PH1 illustrated in <FIG> is formed by adding a light distribution pattern PC1 to the low beam light distribution pattern PL1.

The light distribution pattern PC1 is a light distribution pattern formed by irradiation light from the third lamp unit <NUM>, and is formed as a horizontally long light distribution pattern that is widened in the left-right direction around line V-V.

The light distribution pattern PC1 is a light distribution pattern having a left-right diffusion angle slightly smaller than that of the light distribution pattern PA1, and is evenly widened to both the upper and lower sides of line H-H so as to partially overlap with the light distribution patterns PA1 and PB1.

Then, a distant visibility of the vehicle front travel path is sufficiently secured by forming such high beam light distribution pattern PH1.

Next, the operational effects of the present embodiment will be described.

The vehicle lamp <NUM> according to the embodiment includes the first and second lamp units <NUM> and <NUM>, and the light transmitting members <NUM> and <NUM> of each of the first and second lamp units <NUM> and <NUM> include the direct light controllers 24A and 44A that directly emit light incident from the light emitting elements <NUM> and <NUM> onto the light transmitting members <NUM> and <NUM> toward the front of the lamp, and the total reflection controllers 24B and 44B that totally reflect the light incident from the light emitting elements <NUM> and <NUM> onto the light transmitting members <NUM> and <NUM>, and then emit the light toward the front of the lamp. Therefore, it is possible to emit most of the light emitted from the light emitting elements <NUM> and <NUM> from the light transmitting members <NUM> and <NUM> toward the front of the lamp, and thus, it is possible to improve the utilization efficiency of the light source light flux.

At this time, in the first lamp unit <NUM>, the total reflection surface 24Bb2 of the total reflection controller 24B of the transmitting member <NUM> is divided into the eight reflection regions L1, L2, L3, L4, R1, R2, R3, and R4 in the circumferential direction around the direct light controller 24A, and thus, it is possible to easily align the upper end positions of, for example, the light distribution patterns PA1B1o, PA1B2o, PA1B3o, and PA1B4o formed by the reflected light from each of the reflection regions L1 to L4 and R1 to R4.

In the same manner, in the second lamp unit <NUM>, a total reflection surface 44Bb2 of the total reflection controller 44B of the light transmitting member <NUM> has the same configuration as that of the light transmitting member <NUM> of the first lamp unit <NUM>, and thus, it is possible to easily align the upper end positions of the light distribution pattern formed by the reflected light from each of the reflection regions.

The plurality of horizontal diffusion lens elements 24sA, 24sB, and 24sC that diffuse the light emitted from the light transmitting member <NUM> in the horizontal direction are formed on the emission surface 24a of the light transmitting member <NUM> of the first lamp unit <NUM>, and the plurality of oblique diffusion lens elements 44sA, 44sB, and 44sC that diffuse the light emitted from the light transmitting member <NUM> in the oblique direction inclined with respect to the horizontal direction are formed on the emission surface 44a of the light transmitting member <NUM> of the second lamp unit <NUM>. Therefore, it is possible to form the bright low beam light distribution pattern PL1 having the horizontal and oblique cut-off lines CL1 and CL2 at the upper end edge by the irradiation light from the first and second lamp units <NUM> and <NUM>.

As described above, according to the embodiment, in the vehicle lamp <NUM> including the lamp unit configured to irradiate light emitted from the light emitting element toward the front of the lamp through the light transmitting member, it is possible to form the bright light distribution pattern PL1 having the horizontal and oblique cut-off lines CL1 and CL2 at the upper end edge after improving the utilization efficiency of the light source light flux.

At this time, in the embodiment, the light emitting element <NUM> of the first lamp unit <NUM> is disposed such that the lower end edge of the light emitting surface 22a thereof extends in the horizontal direction, and further, the light emitting element <NUM> of the second lamp unit <NUM> is disposed such that the lower end edge of the light emitting surface 42a thereof extends in the oblique direction. Therefore, the clear light-darkness boundary line CLa extending in the horizontal direction may be formed at the upper end edge of the light distribution pattern PA1A formed by the light emitted from the direct light controller 24A of the first lamp unit <NUM>, and the clear light-darkness boundary line CLc extending in the oblique direction may be formed at the upper end edge of the light distribution pattern PB1A formed by the light emitted from the direct light controller 44A of the second lamp unit <NUM>. Therefore, the horizontal and oblique cut-off lines CL1 and CL2 of the low beam light distribution pattern PL1 may become clear.

Further, in the embodiment, in the light transmitting member <NUM> of the first lamp unit <NUM>, the diffusion angle of the horizontal diffusion lens element 24sA formed on the emission region 24aA, which is the emission surface of the direct light controller 24A, is set to a value larger than those of the diffusion angles of the horizontal diffusion lens elements 24sB and 24sC formed on the emission regions 24aB and 24aC, which are the emission surfaces of the total reflection controller 24b, and further, in the light transmitting member <NUM> of the second lamp unit <NUM>, the diffusion angle of the oblique diffusion lens element 44sA formed on the emission region 44aA, which is the emission surface of the direct light controller 44A, is set to a value larger than those of the diffusion angles of the oblique diffusion lens elements 44sB and 44sC formed on the emission regions 44aB and 44aC, which are the emission surfaces of the total reflection controller 44B. As a result, following operation effects may be obtained.

That is, since the direct light controllers 24A and 44A are positioned closer to the light emitting elements <NUM> and <NUM> than the total reflection controllers 24B and 44B, for example, the light distribution pattern PA1Ao formed by the light emitted from the direct light controllers 24A and 44A becomes a light distribution pattern larger than, for example, the light distribution patterns PA1B1o to PA1B4o formed by the light emitted from the total reflection controllers 24B and 44B.

Therefore, the diffusion angles of the horizontal diffusion lens element 24sA and the oblique diffusion lens element 44sA formed on the emission regions 24sA and 44aA that constitute the emission surfaces of the direct light controllers 24A and 44A are set to values larger than those of the diffusion angles of the horizontal diffusion lens elements 24sB and 24sC and the oblique diffusion lens elements 44sB and 44sC formed on the emission regions 24aB and 24aC, and 44aB and 44aC that constitute the emission surfaces of the total reflection controllers 24B and 44B, so that the light distribution patterns PA1 and PB1 formed by the irradiation light from the first and second lamp units <NUM> and <NUM> may be formed as light distribution patterns with less light distribution unevenness.

Further, in the embodiment, in the light transmitting member <NUM> of the first lamp unit <NUM>, the emission surface of the total reflection controller 24B is divided into the emission region 24aB (inner peripheral side annular region) and the emission region 24aC (outer peripheral side annular region), and the diffusion angle of the horizontal diffusion lens element 24sB formed on the emission region 24aB is set to a value larger than that of the diffusion angle of the horizontal diffusion lens element 24sC formed on the emission region 24aC. Further, in the light transmitting member <NUM> of the second lamp unit <NUM>, the emission surface of the total reflection controller 44B is divided into the emission region 44aB (inner peripheral side annular region) and the emission region 44aC (outer peripheral side annular region), and the diffusion angle of the oblique diffusion lens element 44sB formed on the emission region 44aB is set to a value larger than that of the diffusion angle of the oblique diffusion lens element 44sC formed on the emission region 44aC. As a result, following operation effects may be obtained.

That is, the light distribution patterns formed by the light emitted from the emission regions 24aB and 44aB become a light distribution pattern larger than the light distribution patterns formed by the light emitted from the emission regions 24aC and 44aC. Therefore, the diffusion angles of the horizontal and oblique diffusion lens elements 24sB and 44sB formed on the emission regions 24aB and 44aB are set to values larger than those of the diffusion angles of the horizontal and oblique diffusion lens elements 24sC and 44sC formed on the emission regions 24aC and 44aC, so that the light distribution patterns PA1 and PB1 formed by the irradiation light from the first and second lamp units <NUM> and <NUM> may be formed as light distribution patterns with less light distribution unevenness.

At this time, in each of the light transmitting members <NUM> and <NUM> of the first and second lamp units <NUM> and <NUM>, the emission regions 24aB and 44aB that constitute the emission surface of the total reflection controllers 24B and 44B are displaced forward of the lamp with respect to the emission regions 24aA and 44aA that constitute the emission surface of the direct light controller 24A and 44A, and further, the emission regions 24aC and 44aC that constitute the emission surface of the total reflection controller 24C and 44C are displaced forward of the lamp with respect to the emission regions 24aB and 44aB that constitute the emission surface of the total reflection controller 24B and 44B. As a result, the thickness of the light transmitting members <NUM> and <NUM> may be reduced.

Further, the vehicle lamp <NUM> according to the embodiment is configured to form the high beam light distribution pattern PH1 by adding the irradiation light from the third lamp unit <NUM> having substantially the same configuration as the first and second lamp units <NUM> and <NUM>, and thus, it is possible to exert the function as a headlamp after securing the uniformity in design.

In the above embodiment, the total reflection surface 24Bb of the total reflection controller 24B of the light transmitting member <NUM> has been described as being divided into the eight reflection regions L1 to L4 and R1 to R4, but it is also possible to have a configuration divided into nine or more or seven or less reflection regions.

In the above embodiment, each of the horizontal diffusion lens elements 24sA to 24sC, 44sA to 44sC, and 64sA to 64sC has been described as being formed in a convex cylindrical lens shape, but it is also possible to form the horizontal diffusion lens elements in a concave cylindrical lens shape.

In the above embodiment, the total reflection surfaces 24Bb, 44Bb, and 64Bb of the total reflection controllers 24B, 44B, and 64B of the respective light transmitting members <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> have been described as being configured as a rotational curved surface or a curved surface having the rotational curved surface as a reference surface, but it is also possible to have a configuration configured as other curved surfaces or a plurality of planes.

In the above embodiment, the emission surfaces 24a, 44a, 64a of the respective light transmitting members <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> have been described as being concentrically divided in the front view of the lamp, but it is also possible to have a configuration divided into other shapes (e.g., elliptical shape or rectangular shape).

Next, modifications of the above embodiment will be described.

First, Modification <NUM> of the above embodiment will be described.

<FIG> is a view illustrating a second lamp unit <NUM> according to Modification <NUM>, which is similar to <FIG>.

As illustrated in <FIG>, the second vehicle lamp <NUM> according to Modification <NUM> is also identical in its basic configuration to that of the above embodiment. However, the configuration of the light transmitting member <NUM> is partially different from that of the above embodiment.

That is, the light transmitting member <NUM> according to Modification <NUM> is also configured to include a direct light controller 144A that directly emits light incident from the light emitting element <NUM> onto the light transmitting member <NUM> toward the front of the lamp, and a total reflection controller 144B that totally reflects the light incident from the light emitting element <NUM> onto the light transmitting member <NUM>, and then emits the light toward the front of the lamp.

The configurations of a rear surface 144Ab of the direct light controller 144A and a rear surface 144Bb of the total reflection controller 144B are the same as those of the above embodiment. However, the configuration of an emission surface 144a of the light transmitting member <NUM> is partially different from that of the above embodiment.

Specifically, also in the light transmitting member <NUM> according to Modification <NUM>, although a plurality of oblique diffusion lens elements 144sA, 144sB, and 144sC having a convex cylindrical lens shape is formed in emission regions 144aA, 144aB, and 144aC that constitute the emission surface 144a, each of the oblique diffusion lens elements 144sA to 144sC is formed so as to largely diffuse the light emitted from the oblique diffusion lens elements 144sA to 144sC more to the left direction than the right direction (left direction in <FIG>) with respect to the front direction of the lamp.

At this time, a diffusion angle of the oblique diffusion lens element 144sA is set to a value larger than that of a diffusion angle of the oblique diffusion lens element 144sB, and further, the diffusion angle of the oblique diffusion lens element 144sB is set to a value larger than that of a diffusion angle of the oblique diffusion lens element 144sC.

<FIG> are views illustrating a light distribution pattern formed by light irradiated from the vehicle lamp according to Modification <NUM> toward the front of the lamp, which are similar to <FIG>.

A low beam light distribution pattern PL2 illustrated in <FIG> is formed as a combined light distribution pattern of the same light distribution pattern PA1 as in the above embodiment and a light distribution pattern PB2 formed by irradiation light from the second lamp unit <NUM>.

The light distribution pattern PB2 has the same shape as the light distribution pattern PB1 in the above embodiment, but is formed at a position displaced in the upper left direction along the oblique cut-off line CL2 from the light distribution pattern PB1.

This is because, in the light transmitting member <NUM> according to Modification <NUM>, each of the oblique diffusion lens elements 144sA to 144sC formed in the emission regions 144aA to 144aC that constitute the emission surface 144a is configured so as to largely diffuse the light emitted from the diffusion lens elements 144sA to 144sC more to the left direction than the right direction with respect to the front direction of the lamp.

A high beam light distribution pattern PH2 illustrated in <FIG> is formed by adding the same light distribution pattern PC1 as in the above embodiment to the low beam light distribution pattern PL2.

By adopting the configuration of Modification <NUM>, the following operational effects may be obtained.

That is, also in the low beam light distribution pattern PL2 formed by irradiation light from the vehicle lamp according to Modification <NUM>, a portion positioned at the lower left of the elbow point E where the high-intensity light region of the light distribution pattern PA1 and the high-intensity light region of the light distribution pattern PB2 are overlapped with each other constitutes a high-intensity light region. However, the position of the high-intensity light region is displaced to the upper left direction as compared with the low beam light distribution pattern PL1 formed in the above embodiment, and thus, the distant visibility of the road shoulder portion of the vehicle lane side may be further enhanced.

Next, Modification <NUM> of the above embodiment will be described.

<FIG> is a view illustrating a first lamp unit <NUM> according to Modification <NUM>, which is similar to <FIG>.

As illustrated in <FIG>, the first vehicle lamp <NUM> according to Modification <NUM> is also identical in its basic configuration to that of the above embodiment. However, the configuration of the light transmitting member <NUM> is partially different from that of the above embodiment.

That is, the light transmitting member <NUM> of the first lamp unit <NUM> according to Modification <NUM> is also configured to include a direct light controller 224A that directly emits light incident from the light emitting element <NUM> onto the light transmitting member <NUM> toward the front of the lamp, and a total reflection controller 224B that totally reflects the light incident from the light emitting element <NUM> onto the light transmitting member <NUM>, and then emits the light toward the front of the lamp.

The configurations of a rear surface 224Ab of the direct light controller 224A and a rear surface 224Bb of the total reflection controller 224B are the same as those of the above embodiment. However, the configuration of an emission surface 224a of the light transmitting member <NUM> is partially different from that of the above embodiment.

Specifically, also in the light transmitting member <NUM> according to Modification <NUM>, a plurality of horizontal diffusion lens elements 224sA, 224sB, and 224sC having a convex cylindrical lens shape is formed in emission regions 224aA, 224aB, and 224aC that constitute the emission surface 224a.

At this time, the configuration of each horizontal diffusion lens element 224sC formed in the emission region 224aC is the same as in the above embodiment, but each of the horizontal diffusion lens elements 224sA and 224sB formed in the emission regions 224aA and 224aB is formed so as to largely diffuse light emitted from the horizontal diffusion lens elements 224sA and 224sB more to the direction close to the vertical plane than the direction away from the vertical plane including the axis Ax.

In Modification <NUM>, a diffusion angle of the horizontal diffusion lens element 224sA is set to a value larger than that of a diffusion angle of the horizontal diffusion lens element 224sB, and further, the diffusion angle of the horizontal diffusion lens element 224sB is set to a value larger than that of a diffusion angle of the horizontal diffusion lens element 224sC.

In Modification <NUM>, a second lamp unit (not illustrated) also has the same configuration as the first lamp unit <NUM> with respect to the above aspects.

As in Modification <NUM>, the horizontal diffusion lens elements 224sA and 224sB is configured such that, in the front view of the lamp, the diffusion angle in the direction approaching the light emitting element <NUM> is set to a value larger than that of the diffusion angle in the direction away from the light emitting element. As a result, following operation effects may be obtained.

That is, the light emitted from the emission region 224aA that constitutes the emission surface of the direct light controller 224A may be hardly blocked by a standing wall positioned on the outer peripheral side of the emission region 224aA, and the light emitted from the emission region 224aB that constitutes the inner peripheral side annular region of the emission surface of the total reflection controller 224B may be hardly blocked by a standing wall positioned on the outer peripheral side of the emission region 224aB. Therefore, it is possible to improve the utilization efficiency of the light source light flux and to effectively suppress the generation of stray light.

The numerical values shown as specifications in the above embodiment and the modifications thereof are merely examples, and, of course, the numerical values may be appropriately set to different values.

Further, the present invention is not limited to the configurations described in the above embodiment and the modifications thereof, and configurations to which various other changes are added may be adopted.

This international application claims priority based on <CIT>.

Claim 1:
A vehicle lamp (<NUM>), wherein the vehicle lamp (<NUM>) is a vehicle lamp for forming a light distribution pattern and wherein the vehicle lamp (<NUM>) comprises:
a lamp unit including a first lamp unit (<NUM>) and a second lamp unit (<NUM>) each provided with a light transmitting member (<NUM>, <NUM>) configured to irradiate light emitted from a light emitting element (<NUM>, <NUM>) including a light emitting diode toward a front of the vehicle lamp through the light transmitting member,
wherein, in each of the first and second lamp units (<NUM>, <NUM>), the light transmitting member (<NUM>, <NUM>) includes a direct light controller (24A, 44A) that directly emits light incident from the light emitting element (<NUM>, <NUM>) onto the light transmitting member (<NUM>, <NUM>), toward the front of the vehicle lamp (<NUM>), and a total reflection controller (24B, 44B) that totally reflects the light and then emits the light toward the front of the vehicle lamp (<NUM>),
a total reflection surface (24Bb2, 44Bb2) of the total reflection controller (24B, 44B) is divided into a plurality of reflection regions (L1, L2, L3, L4, R1, R2, R3, R4) in a circumferential direction around the direct light controller (24A, 44A),
characterized in that
a plurality of horizontal diffusion lenses (24sA, 24sB, 24sC) that diffuses the light emitted from the light transmitting member (<NUM>) in a horizontal direction is formed on an emission surface (24a) of the light transmitting member (<NUM>) of the first lamp unit (<NUM>) such that a cut-off line in the horizontal direction at the upper end edge of the light distribution pattern is formed, and
a plurality of oblique diffusion lenses (44sA, 44sB, 44sC) that diffuses the light emitted from the light transmitting member (<NUM>) in an oblique direction with respect to the horizontal direction is formed on an emission surface (44a) of the light transmitting member (<NUM>) of the second lamp unit (<NUM>) such that an oblique cut-off line at the upper end edge, with respect to the horizontal direction, of the light distribution pattern is formed.