Patent Description:
There is known a vehicle lamp including a light source including a plurality of semiconductor light emitting elements that can be individually turned on and off, and a reflector having a reflective surface based on a rotating parabolic surface, wherein the reflector includes a plurality of partial reflectors divided in the vertical direction, and the reflective surface of each partial reflector is configured such that the horizontal spread of reflected light on a predetermined projection surface reflected by each partial reflector is substantially equal (see <CIT>).

However, in the above-described conventional technology, light in an upper portion on the vehicle outer side of a light distribution pattern is relatively strong, and therefore there is a risk of glare to a driver due to the irradiation of light to a reflection object such as a signboard located on the roadway lateral side.

Therefore, in one aspect, we have appreciated that it would be desirable reduce glare caused by light irradiation to a reflection object such as a signboard located on the roadway lateral side, in a vehicle lamp provided with a plurality of reflectors.

<CIT> relates to a motor vehicle headlamp having a two-chamber reflection system. The motor vehicle headlamp has: a first reflection module, including a first reflector, a first group of LED chips and a second group of LED chips; a second reflection module, which comprises a second reflector, a third group of LED chips and a fourth group of LED chips; and a control circuit, which is configured to control the current flow through the light emitting diodes, and which is configured to activate the LED chips of the first group together with the LED chips of the fourth group, wherein the LED chips of the second group and the LED chips of the third group are deactivated. The control circuit activates the LED chips of the second group together with the LED chips of the third group, wherein the LED chips of the first group and the LED chips of the fourth group are deactivated.

<CIT> discloses a vehicular lamp that is constructed of two reflectors, two semiconductor type light sources, and one lens. The one lens is constructed of a spherical lens part and a cylindrical lens part. The optical axes of the reflection surfaces making a pair with the cylindrical lens part are directed to the outside against the lens axes of the aspherical lens part and the optical axes of the reflection surfaces making a pair with the aspherical lens part. As a result, the vehicular lamp can irradiate effectively and efficiently the light distribution pattern of condensing type and the light distribution pattern of diffusion type.

<CIT> relates to a lighting module for a motor vehicle, comprising an optical axis; a first optical system with at least one first light source, said system being configured to form a first lighting beam along the optical axis, with horizontal cutoff; and a second optical system with at least a second light source, said system being configured to produce, in combination with the first optical system, a second lighting beam along the axis optical, vertically more extended than the first beam. The at least one first light source has a variable lighting power between a high level and a low level, the first beam being produced at the low lighting power level and the second beam being produced at the high level.

<CIT> discloses a vehicle lamp. A first lamp unit includes a plurality of first light-emitting elements arranged in a vehicle width direction. A second lamp unit includes a plurality of second light-emitting elements arranged in the vehicle width direction. A wiring channel of a first type lights at least one of the first light-emitting elements by supplying power thereto, thereby forming a light distribution pattern of a first type. A wiring channel of a second type connects at least one of the first light-emitting elements in series with at least one of the second light-emitting elements, and lights these by supplying power thereto, thereby forming a light distribution pattern of a second type. The position of a light-dark boundary that extends vertically in the light distribution pattern of the first type is different from the position of a light-dark boundary that extends vertically in the light distribution pattern of the second type.

The invention is defined in the independent claim to which reference should now be made. There is provided a vehicle lamp including: a plurality of reflectors including a first reflector; and a plurality of light sources provided in the plurality of reflectors in a mode in which at least one of the plurality of light sources is provided in each of the plurality of reflectors, wherein the plurality of light sources include two or more first light sources provided in the first reflector, a light distribution pattern of light emitted from the plurality of light sources through the plurality of reflectors includes a first pattern in which a width in a vertical direction decreases toward a vehicle outer side, one of the two or more first light sources is disposed at a focal point of the first reflector, and the other of the two or more first light sources is disposed on a vehicle inner side with respect to the focal point of the first reflector. The other of the two or more first light sources emits light having a lower luminous flux than the first light source disposed at the focal point of the first reflector.

In the aspect, according to the present invention, it is possible to reduce glare caused by light irradiation to a reflection object such as a signboard located on the roadway lateral side, in a vehicle lamp provided with a plurality of reflectors.

Hereinafter, each embodiment will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the accompanying drawings, for the sake of clarity, only some of a plurality of portions having the same attribute may be denoted by reference numerals. Hereinafter, unless otherwise specified, "front" and "rear" indicate the "forward traveling direction" and the "backward traveling direction" of a vehicle, respectively, and "up", "down", "left", and "right" indicate the directions as seen by a driver who gets on a vehicle, respectively. Note that "up" and "down" are also "up" and "down" in the vertical direction, and "left" and "right" are also "left" and "right" in the horizontal direction. The vehicle outer side refers to the outer side of the vehicle in the left-right direction with respect to the front-rear axis of the vehicle that passes through the center of the vehicle in the left-right direction, and the vehicle inner side refers to the side closer to the front-rear axis in the left-right direction of the vehicle.

<FIG> is a plan view of a vehicle <NUM> provided with vehicle lamps (vehicle headlights) of this embodiment as a first embodiment.

As illustrated in <FIG>, the vehicle lamps of this embodiment are respective vehicle headlights (<NUM>, 101R) provided on the left and right sides of the front side of the vehicle <NUM>, and will be hereinafter simply referred to as vehicle lamps.

Each of the vehicle lamps in this embodiment includes a housing (not illustrated) with an opening on the front side of the vehicle and an outer lens (not illustrated) attached to the housing so as to cover the opening, and a lamp unit <NUM> (see <FIG>) and the like are disposed in a lamp chamber formed by the housing and the outer lens.

Hereinafter, the lamp unit <NUM> of the right headlight 101R will be described with reference to <FIG> and subsequent drawings. Unless otherwise mentioned, the same may be described for the lamp unit <NUM> of the left headlight <NUM>. For example, the lamp unit <NUM> of the left headlight <NUM> has a symmetrical configuration with respect to the lamp unit <NUM> of the right headlight 101R.

<FIG> is a front view for illustrating a reflector assembly <NUM> of the lamp unit <NUM> of an embodiment.

The lamp unit <NUM> is an ADB (Adaptive Driving Beam) or high beam, and includes the reflector assembly <NUM>. The reflector assembly <NUM> includes four reflectors <NUM> to <NUM> aligned in the vehicle width direction.

The first reflector <NUM> is located on the vehicle outer side with respect to the second reflector <NUM>. The second reflector <NUM> is located on the vehicle innermost side among the four reflectors <NUM> to <NUM>, and the third reflector <NUM> is located on the vehicle outer side with respect to the first reflector <NUM>. The fourth reflector <NUM> is located on the vehicle outer side with respect to the third reflector <NUM>, and is located on the vehicle outermost side among the four reflectors <NUM> to <NUM>.

The first reflector <NUM> is located on the vehicle rear side with respect to the second reflector <NUM>. The second reflector <NUM> is located on the vehicle foremost side among the four reflectors <NUM> to <NUM>, and the third reflector <NUM> is located on the vehicle rear side with respect to the first reflector <NUM>. The fourth reflector <NUM> is located on the vehicle rear side with respect to the third reflector <NUM>, and is located on the vehicle rearmost side among the four reflectors <NUM> to <NUM>.

<FIG> is a top view illustrating relationship between the reflectors <NUM> to <NUM> and light sources <NUM> to <NUM> of the lamp unit <NUM>. In <FIG>, the outline of the reflectors <NUM> to <NUM> is schematically illustrated, and respective focal points of the reflectors <NUM> to <NUM> are illustrated by respective intersections O of cross hairs.

The reflectors <NUM> to <NUM> are provided with the light sources <NUM> to <NUM>. The light sources <NUM> to <NUM> are formed of LEDs (Light Emitting Diodes). The reflectors <NUM> to <NUM> form a traveling light distribution area in front of the vehicle on the basis of light from the light sources <NUM> to <NUM>.

The first light sources <NUM> and <NUM> are provided in the first reflector <NUM>. The first light sources <NUM> and <NUM> are disposed on the left and right side by side, respectively, and the first light source <NUM> is disposed on the vehicle inner side with respect to the first light source <NUM>. The first light source <NUM> is disposed at the focal point of the first reflector <NUM>. Note that the concept of "the first light source <NUM> is disposed at the focal point of the first reflector <NUM>" includes not only a mode in which the center position (center of a chip) of the first light source <NUM> coincides with the focal point of the first reflector <NUM> but also a mode in which a chip pertaining to the first light source <NUM> is located on the focal point of the first reflector <NUM>. This is substantially the same as the relationship between the light sources and the reflectors other than the first light source <NUM> and the first reflector <NUM>.

The third light sources <NUM> and <NUM> are provided in the third reflector <NUM>. The third light sources <NUM> and <NUM> are disposed on the left and right side by side, respectively, and the third light source <NUM> is disposed on the vehicle inner side with respect to the third light source <NUM>. The third light source <NUM> is disposed at the focal point of the third reflector <NUM>.

The second light source <NUM> is in the form of a single chip integrally mounted with two LED devices, and is provided in the second reflector <NUM>. As illustrated in <FIG>, the second light source <NUM> is disposed at the focal point of the second reflector <NUM> in such a mode that the light-emitting chips are adjacent to each other. Note that the concept of "the second light source <NUM> is disposed at the focal point of the second reflector <NUM>" includes not only a mode in which the center position (center between the two LED devices, namely the center of a chip pertaining to the second light source <NUM>) of the second light source <NUM> coincides with the focal point of the second reflector <NUM> but also a mode in which the chip pertaining to the second light source <NUM> is located on the focal point of the second reflector <NUM>.

The fourth light source <NUM> is provided in the fourth reflector <NUM>. The fourth light source <NUM> is disposed at the focal point of the fourth reflector <NUM>.

<FIG> is a system diagram schematically illustrating a control system <NUM> for the light sources <NUM> to <NUM> of the lamp unit <NUM>.

The control system <NUM> is electrically connected to the light sources <NUM> to <NUM> so as to enable individual control of the light sources <NUM> to <NUM>. In <FIG>, the control system <NUM> includes a microcomputer <NUM> (referred to as a "microcomputer" in <FIG>) and drive circuits <NUM> to <NUM>. The microcomputer <NUM> and the drive circuits <NUM> to <NUM> may be embodied as, for example, an ECU (Electronic Control Unit).

The drive circuit <NUM> drives the second light source <NUM> in response to a command from the microcomputer <NUM>. The drive circuit <NUM> drives the first light source <NUM> in response to a command from the microcomputer <NUM>. Hereinafter, in the same manner, the drive circuits <NUM> to <NUM> drive the light sources <NUM> to <NUM>, respectively, in response to respective commands from the microcomputer <NUM>. Note that a driving method is pulse driving, and each of the light sources <NUM> to <NUM> is individually controlled, for example, in a mode in which the duty ratio of the pulse driving is variable.

The microcomputer <NUM> realizes variable light distribution control such as ADB. The microcomputer <NUM> controls the light sources <NUM> to <NUM> such that a light distribution pattern that does not cause glare to a driver of an oncoming vehicle or the like is realized on the basis of an image captured from a front camera <NUM> that captures an image in front of the vehicle. In this case, variable light distribution control can be realized without using mechanical moving parts.

In this embodiment, the four reflectors <NUM> to <NUM> are provided, and therefore a variety of light distribution patterns can be realized. For example, various light distribution patterns can be realized by changing the reflector to be used (i.e., the light source to be turned on among the light sources <NUM> to <NUM>) among the four reflectors <NUM> to <NUM> (see <FIG> below). In addition, in this embodiment, the brightness (luminous flux) of light sources <NUM> to <NUM> can be varied by varying the duty ratio of a drive current, and therefore the brightness of the light sources <NUM> to <NUM> can be individually controlled to achieve various light distribution patterns.

Also, in this embodiment, since the first reflectors <NUM> and <NUM> each include the two light sources in one reflector (for example, the first light sources <NUM> and <NUM> for the first reflector <NUM>), and therefore various light distribution patterns can be realized by changing the light sources to be used.

Now, the light distribution pattern of the lamp unit <NUM> of the right headlight 101R will be described with reference to <FIG> and the subsequent drawings.

<FIG> and <FIG> are diagrams each schematically illustrating, as a light distribution pattern of the lamp unit <NUM>, the distribution of the luminous intensity (cross-sectional luminous intensity) on a plane (screen) perpendicular to the optical axis of the lamp unit <NUM> in front of the vehicle. Note that in <FIG> and <FIG> (as well as in the similar figures below), a line V indicates a vertical reference line (V-V line) on the screen, and a line H indicates a horizontal reference line (H-H line) on the screen. In <FIG> and <FIG>, contour lines L1 to L8 of the luminous intensity are illustrated. The luminous intensity has the relationship of L1 > L2 > L3 > L4 > L5 > L6 > L7 > L8, and an area surrounded by the contour line L1 is a so-called "hot zone". For example, the contour line L8 is a line of <NUM> [cd], for example, and the contour line L1 is a line of <NUM> [cd]. In the following, description related to the light distribution pattern is description related to a pattern expressed by the luminous intensity as illustrated in <FIG> and <FIG>.

<FIG> illustrates a light distribution pattern obtained when the light sources <NUM> to <NUM> are driven at the following duty ratios.

The light distribution pattern illustrated in each of <FIG> and <FIG> is realized, for example, in a state in which an oncoming vehicle is not detected, and referred to as a "normal pattern".

In this embodiment, the normal pattern is a form in which the width in the vertical direction decreases toward the vehicle outer side, as illustrated in <FIG> and <FIG>. Such a light distribution pattern is hereinafter also referred to as a "light distribution pattern in which the vertical width is reduced on the vehicle outer side.

In the normal pattern as described in the above PTL <NUM>, glare to a driver may occur due to irradiation of light to a reflection object such as a signboard located on the roadway lateral side because light in an upper portion on the vehicle outer side is relatively strong as described above.

In this respect, according to this embodiment, in the normal pattern, the light in the upper portion on the vehicle outer side is relatively weak (is on the outer side with respect to the contour line L8) as illustrated in a Q1 section in each of <FIG> and <FIG>, and therefore it is possible to reduce an inconvenience (glare to the driver) caused by the irradiation of the light to the reflective objects such as the signboard located on the roadway lateral side. In particular, a signboard located at a position close to the vehicle tends to be located in the Q1 section, and according to this embodiment, it is possible to effectively reduce glare caused by reflected light from such a signboard.

According to this embodiment, as illustrated in <FIG> and <FIG>, while an area with the highest luminous intensity (the "hot zone", which is a condensing portion) is formed at an intersection of the line V and the line H, it is possible to realize a light distribution pattern in which the vertical width is reduced on the vehicle outer side.

Note that in the normal pattern illustrated in <FIG>, compared to the normal pattern illustrated in <FIG>, the area with the highest luminous intensity ("hot zone") tends to move to the vehicle outer side (i.e., tend to spread outward from the line V or to move away from the line V). Therefore, in this respect, the normal pattern illustrated in <FIG> is more advantageous than the normal pattern illustrated in <FIG> In addition, the duty ratio when driving the first light source <NUM> and the like is smaller, and therefore the normal pattern illustrated in <FIG> is more advantageous in terms of power consumption than the normal pattern illustrated in <FIG>.

Thus, in this embodiment, the first light source <NUM> is preferably caused to emit light having a lower luminous flux than the first light source <NUM>, the third light source <NUM> is caused to emit light having a lower luminous flux than the third light source <NUM> or light having a luminous flux equivalent to that of the first light source <NUM>. In <FIG>, the first light source <NUM> is driven at a duty ratio of <NUM>% and the first light source <NUM> is driven at a duty ratio of <NUM>%, so that the luminous flux of the first light source <NUM> is lower than that of the first light source <NUM>, but is not limited to this. For example, the first light source <NUM> may be driven at a duty ratio of <NUM>% and the first light source <NUM> may be driven at a duty ratio of <NUM>%. A specific value of the duty ratio is an adaptive value. This is also true of the relationship between the third light source <NUM> and the third light source <NUM>.

A method of making the luminous flux of the first light source <NUM> lower than that of the first light source <NUM> may be a method other than a method for setting a difference in the duty ratio. For example, a difference may be set in rated output itself between the first light source <NUM> and the first light source <NUM>. This is also true of the relationship between the third light source <NUM> and the third light source <NUM>.

Now, individual light distribution patterns that realize the light distribution pattern illustrated in <FIG> will be described with reference to <FIG> and the subsequent drawings.

<FIG> is a diagram illustrating a light distribution pattern realized by the second reflector <NUM> and the second light source <NUM>, <FIG> is a diagram illustrating a light distribution pattern realized by the first reflector <NUM> and the first light source <NUM>, <FIG> is a diagram illustrating a light distribution pattern realized by the first reflector <NUM> and the first light source <NUM>, and <FIG> is a diagram illustrating a light distribution pattern realized by the third reflector <NUM> and the third light source <NUM>, <FIG> is a diagram illustrating a light distribution pattern realized by the third reflector <NUM> and the third light source <NUM>, and <FIG> is a diagram illustrating a light distribution pattern realized by the fourth reflector <NUM> and the fourth light source <NUM>. The lines V and H and the contour lines L1 to L8 are described above.

As illustrated in <FIG>, in the light distribution pattern realized by the second reflector <NUM> and the second light source <NUM>, a condensing portion pertaining to the contour line L1 is formed at an intersection of the line V and the line H. Consequently, in the normal pattern, the area with the highest luminous intensity ("hot zone") can be effectively formed at the intersection of the line V and the line H by the second reflector <NUM> and the second light source <NUM>.

As illustrated in <FIG> and <FIG>, the light distribution pattern realized by the first reflector <NUM> and the first light source <NUM> is different from the light distribution pattern realized by the first reflector <NUM> and the first light source <NUM> in that there is no condensing portion pertaining to the contour line L3. In addition, the light distribution pattern realized by the first reflector <NUM> and the first light source <NUM> is in a form in which the vehicle outer side is covered, compared to the light distribution pattern realized by the first reflector <NUM> and the first light source <NUM>.

More specifically, the first light source <NUM> is disposed at the focal point of the first reflector <NUM>, as described above, and therefore it is possible to effectively form the condensing portion pertaining to the contour line L3. The condensing portion pertaining to the contour line L3 caused by the first light source <NUM> is adjacent to a condensing portion pertaining to the contour line L1 in the light distribution pattern realized by the second reflector <NUM> and the second light source <NUM> illustrated in <FIG>, from the vehicle outer side. Consequently, it is possible to effectively form the "hot zone" in the normal pattern illustrated in <FIG>.

As illustrated in <FIG>, the light distribution pattern realized by the first reflector <NUM> and the first light source <NUM> is different from the light distribution pattern realized by the second reflector <NUM> and the second light source <NUM> (see <FIG>) in that there is no condensing portion pertaining to the contour line L1. This is because the second light source <NUM> is composed of two LED chips and the first light source <NUM> composed of one LED chip has a lower luminous flux than the second light source <NUM>.

The first light source <NUM> is disposed on the vehicle inner side with respect to the first light source <NUM>, as described above. In other words, the first light source <NUM> is disposed significantly on the vehicle inner side with respect to the focal point of the first reflector <NUM>. Consequently, it is possible to efficiently realize diffusion of light to the vehicle outer side.

In addition, the light distribution pattern realized by the first reflector <NUM> and the first light source <NUM> is a form in which the width in the vertical direction reduces toward the vehicle outer side, as illustrated in <FIG>. Consequently, it is possible to effectively realize the light distribution pattern in which the vertical width is reduced on the above vehicle outer side.

As illustrated in each of <FIG> and <FIG>, in the light distribution pattern realized by the third reflector <NUM> and the third light source <NUM>, the condensing portion pertaining to the contour line L4 is located on the vehicle outer side, compared to the light distribution pattern realized by the third reflector <NUM> and the third light source <NUM>. In other words, the light distribution pattern realized by the third reflector <NUM> and the third light source <NUM> is in a form in which the vehicle outer side is covered, compared to the light distribution pattern realized by the third reflector <NUM> and the third light source <NUM>.

More specifically, the third light source <NUM> is disposed at the focal point of the third reflector <NUM>, as described above, and therefore it is possible to effectively form the condensing portion pertaining to the contour line L4. The condensing portion pertaining to the contour line L4 caused by the third light source <NUM> is adjacent to the condensing portion pertaining to the contour line L3 in the light distribution pattern realized by the first reflector <NUM> and the first light source <NUM> illustrated in <FIG>, from the vehicle outer side.

Note that the light distribution pattern realized by the third reflector <NUM> and the third light source <NUM> is different from the light distribution pattern realized by the first reflector <NUM> and the first light source <NUM> (see <FIG>) in that there is no condensing portion pertaining to the contour line L3, as illustrated in <FIG>. Consequently, the area with the highest luminous intensity can be inhibited from relatively widely extending up to the vehicle outer side.

The third light source <NUM> is disposed on the vehicle inner side with respect to the third light source <NUM>, as described above. In other words, the third light source <NUM> is disposed significantly on the vehicle inner side with respect to the focal point of the third reflector <NUM>. Consequently, it is possible to efficiently realize diffusion of light to the vehicle outer side.

In addition, the light distribution pattern realized by the third reflector <NUM> and the third light source <NUM> is in a form in which the width in the vertical direction decreases toward the vehicle outer side, as illustrated in <FIG>. Consequently, it is possible to effectively realize the light distribution pattern in which the vertical width is reduced on the above vehicle outer side.

As illustrated in <FIG>, the light distribution pattern realized by the fourth reflector <NUM> and the fourth light source <NUM> is different from the light distribution pattern realized by the third reflector <NUM> and the third light source <NUM> (see <FIG>) in that there is no condensing portion pertaining to the contour line L4. Consequently, the area with the highest luminous intensity can be inhibited from relatively widely extending up to the vehicle outer side, while widening the normal pattern up to the vehicle outer side.

<FIG> and <FIG> are diagrams each illustrating a light distribution pattern realized by the first reflector <NUM> and the first light sources <NUM> and <NUM>, and <FIG> and <FIG> are diagrams each illustrating a light distribution pattern realized by the third reflector <NUM> and the third light sources <NUM> and <NUM>. <FIG> illustrates a case where the duty ratio of the first light source <NUM> is <NUM>% and the duty ratio of the first light source <NUM> is <NUM>%, and <FIG> illustrates a case where the duty ratio of the first light source <NUM> is <NUM>% and the duty ratio of the first light source <NUM> is <NUM>%. Similarly, <FIG> illustrates a case where the duty ratio of the third light source <NUM> is <NUM>% and the duty ratio of the third light source <NUM> is <NUM>%, and <FIG> illustrates a case where the duty ratio of the third light source <NUM> is <NUM>% and the duty ratio of the third light source <NUM> is <NUM>%.

As can be seen by contrasting <FIG> and <FIG>, the luminous flux of the first light source <NUM> is made lower than that of the first light source <NUM>, so that it is possible to suppress the spread of the condensing portion pertaining to the contour line L2 to the vehicle outer side. Similarly, as can be seen by contrasting <FIG> and <FIG>, the luminous flux of the third light source <NUM> is made lower than that of the third light source <NUM>, so that it is possible to suppress the spread of the condensing portion pertaining to the contour line L3 to the vehicle outer side. Consequently, it is possible to realize a difference between the normal pattern illustrated in <FIG> and the normal pattern illustrated in <FIG> described above.

Now, some of the various light distribution patterns that can be realized by the lamp unit <NUM> will be described below with reference to <FIG>.

<FIG> illustrates a light distribution pattern in a case where all the light sources <NUM> to <NUM> are turned on, the light distribution pattern being corresponding to the normal pattern illustrated in <FIG>. <FIG> illustrates a light distribution pattern in a case where the light sources <NUM> to <NUM> are tuned on. <FIG> illustrates a light distribution pattern in a case where the light sources <NUM>, and <NUM> to <NUM> are tuned on. <FIG> illustrates a light distribution pattern in a case where the light sources <NUM> to <NUM> are tuned on. <FIG> illustrates a light distribution pattern in a case where the light sources <NUM> and <NUM> are tuned on.

Thus, a reflector to be used among the four reflectors <NUM> to <NUM> (i.e., a light source to be turned on among the light sources <NUM> to <NUM>) is changed, so that it is possible to realize various light distribution patterns.

<FIG> is a top view illustrating relationship between reflectors <NUM> to <NUM>, and <NUM> and light sources <NUM> to <NUM>, and <NUM> of a lamp unit 1A as a second embodiment. In <FIG> (as well as in <FIG> below), as in <FIG> above, the outline of the reflectors <NUM> to <NUM>, and <NUM> is illustrated schematically, and focal points of the reflectors <NUM> to <NUM>, and <NUM> are illustrated by respective intersections O of cross hairs.

The lamp unit 1A further includes a passing lamp unit <NUM> that forms a passing light distribution area in addition to the reflectors <NUM> to <NUM> and the light sources <NUM> to <NUM> according to the above first embodiment.

The passing lamp unit <NUM> is adjacent to the second reflector <NUM> in the vehicle width direction. In <FIG>, the passing lamp unit <NUM> is provided on the vehicle inner side with respect to the second reflector <NUM>. The passing lamp unit <NUM> includes the reflector <NUM> and the light source <NUM>. For example, the light source <NUM> is disposed at the focal point of the reflector <NUM>.

<FIG> is a top view illustrating relationship between reflectors <NUM> to <NUM>, 621B and 622B and light sources <NUM> to <NUM>, 641B and 642B of a lamp unit 1B as a modification of the second embodiment.

The lamp unit 1B further includes a passing lamp unit 60B that forms a passing light distribution area in addition to the reflectors <NUM> to <NUM> and the light sources <NUM> to <NUM> according to the above first embodiment. However, in <FIG>, the reflectors <NUM> to <NUM> and the light sources <NUM> to <NUM> according to the first embodiment described above <NUM> to <NUM> are disposed differently. Specifically, the second reflector <NUM> and the second light source <NUM> are disposed on the vehicle outer side with respect to the fourth reflector <NUM> and the fourth light source <NUM>.

The passing lamp unit 60B is adjacent to the second reflector <NUM> in the vehicle width direction. In <FIG>, the passing lamp unit 60B is provided on the vehicle outer side with respect to the second reflector <NUM>. The passing lamp unit 60B includes the reflectors 621B and 622B, and the light sources 641B and 642B. For example, the light sources 641B and 642B are disposed at the respective focal points of the reflectors 621B and 622B.

Thus, the reflectors <NUM> to <NUM> and the light sources <NUM> to <NUM> of the lamp unit <NUM> according to the first embodiment described above can also be combined with the passing lamp unit in various manners. The second reflector <NUM> is adjacent to the passing lamp units <NUM> and 60B, so that the passing light distribution pattern and the light distribution pattern on the central side illustrated in <FIG> are precisely aligned to enable light distribution.

Although each embodiment is described in detail above, the present invention is not limited to a specific embodiment, and various variations and changes are possible within the scope of the claims. It is also possible to combine all or a plurality of the components of the aforementioned embodiments.

For example, in the embodiment described above, the four reflectors <NUM> to <NUM> are provided. However, as long as the number of the reflectors is two or more, any number of the reflectors can be employed. For example, among the four reflectors <NUM> to <NUM>, the fourth reflector <NUM> (and, accordingly, the fourth light source <NUM>) may be omitted. In place of or in addition to this, the third reflector <NUM> (and, accordingly, the third light sources <NUM> and <NUM>) may be omitted. The arrangement of the four reflectors <NUM> to <NUM> is not limited to the arrangement illustrated in <FIG>, and may be changed as appropriate (see <FIG>).

In the above embodiments, the third reflector <NUM> is provided with the two third light sources <NUM> and <NUM>. However, three or more light sources may be provided. This is also true for the first reflector <NUM>.

Claim 1:
A vehicle lamp comprising:
a plurality of reflectors (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) including a first reflector (<NUM>); and
a plurality of light sources (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) provided in the plurality of reflectors (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) in a mode in which at least one of the plurality of light sources (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) is provided in each of the plurality of reflectors (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>), wherein
the plurality of light sources (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) include two or more first light sources (<NUM>, <NUM>) provided in the first reflector (<NUM>),
a light distribution pattern of light emitted from the plurality of light sources (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) through the plurality of reflectors (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) includes a first pattern in which a width in a vertical direction decreases toward a vehicle outer side,
one (<NUM>) of the two or more first light sources (<NUM>, <NUM>) is disposed at a focal point of the first reflector (<NUM>), and
the other (<NUM>) of the two or more first light sources (<NUM>, <NUM>) is disposed on a vehicle inner side with respect to the focal point of the first reflector (<NUM>),
characterized in that
the other (<NUM>) of the two or more first light sources (<NUM>, <NUM>) emits light having a lower luminous flux than the first light source (<NUM>) disposed at the focal point of the first reflector (<NUM>).