Patent Description:
As a configuration of a conventional automotive lamp, an arrangement is known including a lamp unit configured such that the output light from a light-emitting element is emitted toward the front side of the lamp via a translucent member.

As a configuration of a translucent member employed in a lamp unit of such an automotive lamp, an arrangement is described in Patent document <NUM> including a direct light controller configured to directly output light toward the front side of the lamp after it is incident to a translucent member and a total reflection control unit configured to output light toward the front side of the lamp after the light incident to the translucent member is totally reflected.

Also, as such a translucent member, an arrangement is described in Patent document <NUM> in which the total reflection face of the total reflection controller is arranged in the form of multiple divided reflection regions in a circumferential portion of the direct light controller.

As with such a lamp unit described in Patent document <NUM>, with such an arrangement employing a configuration including the direct light controller and the total reflection controller as a translucent member thereof, this allows a large part of the output light from the light-emitting element to be output toward the front side of the lamp from the translucent member. This provides improved utilization efficiency of the light flux from a light source.

In this case, by employing such a translucent member as described in Patent document <NUM>, such an arrangement is capable of aligning the upper-end positions of the light distribution patterns formed by reflected light from each reflection region that forms the total reflection face of the total reflection controller. As a light distribution pattern formed by the output light from the total reflection controller, such an arrangement is capable of such an arrangement is capable of forming a light distribution pattern with an upper edge that defines a cutoff line.

The present invention has been made in view of such a situation. Accordingly, it is an exemplary purpose of an embodiment of the present invention to provide an automotive lamp that is switchable between a high-beam mode and a low-beam mode.

An embodiment of the present invention relates to an automotive lamp structured to be switchable between a low-beam mode and a high-beam mode as defined in the preamble of claim <NUM>. The automotive lamp is furthermore characterized by the characterizing features of claim <NUM>. Further advantageous examples of the automotive lamp as defined in the dependent claims. The automotive lamp includes: a first lamp unit structured to illuminate a first region having its longitudinal direction in the horizontal direction, and having an upper edge that defines a horizontal cutoff line in both the low-beam mode and the high-beam mode; a second lamp unit structured to illuminate a second region having its longitudinal direction in a direction inclined with respect to the horizontal direction and having an upper edge that defines an oblique cutoff line in both the low-beam mode and the high-beam mode; and a third lamp unit structured to illuminate a third region having its longitudinal direction in a direction inclined with respect to the horizontal direction and having a lower edge parallel to the oblique cutoff line in the high-beam mode. At least one from among the first lamp unit and the second lamp unit provides a lower light intensity in the high beam mode than the light intensity thereof in the low beam mode.

With an embodiment of the present invention, such an arrangement is capable of providing an automotive lamp that is switchable between the high-beam mode and the low-beam mode.

Description will be made regarding the outline of several exemplary embodiments of the present invention. The outline is a simplified explanation regarding several concepts of one or multiple embodiments as a preface to the detailed description described later in order to provide a basic understanding of the embodiments. That is to say, the outline described below is by no means intended to restrict the scope of the present invention. The present invention is limited only by the appended claims.

Furthermore, the outline described below is by no means a comprehensive outline of all possible embodiments. That is to say, the outline is by no means intended to identify the indispensable or essential elements of all the embodiments, and is by no means intended to define the scope of a part of or all the embodiments.

An automotive lamp according one embodiment is structured to be switchable between a low-beam mode and a high-beam mode. The automotive lamp includes: a first lamp unit structured to illuminate a first region having its longitudinal direction in the horizontal direction and having an upper edge that defines a horizontal cutoff line in both the low-beam mode and the high-beam mode; a second lamp unit structured to illuminate a second region having its longitudinal direction in a direction inclined with respect to the horizontal direction, and having an upper edge that defines an oblique cutoff line in both the low-beam mode and the high-beam mode; and a third lamp unit structured to illuminate a third region having its longitudinal direction in a direction inclined with respect to the horizontal direction, and having its lower edge parallel to the oblique cutoff line in the high-beam mode.

In the low-beam mode, the first lamp unit illuminates a wide range below the horizontal cutoff line, and the second lamp unit illuminates a region extending along the oblique cutoff line. This is capable of forming a light distribution suitable for the low beam.

In the high-beam mode, the third lamp unit additionally illuminates a third region that mainly occupies a region above the oblique cutoff line. This is capable of forming a light distribution for the high beam.

The kind of the "light-emitting element" is not restricted in particular. For example, a light-emitting diode, laser diode, organic electro-luminescence (EL) element, or the like, may be employed.

In one embodiment, the lower edge of the third region may be aligned with the oblique cutoff line. Also, the lower edge of the third region may be positioned below the oblique cutoff line. Also, the second region and the third region may overlap.

In one embodiment, the first region may have a longitudinal length that is longer than those of the second region and the third region.

According to the invention, at least one from among the first lamp unit and the second lamp unit provides a lower light intensity in the high beam mode than the light intensity thereof in the high-beam mode. With such an arrangement in which, in the high-beam mode, at least one from among the first lamp unit and the second lamp unit is instructed to emit light with a reduced light intensity, this is capable of offsetting an increase in power consumption and an increase of heat generation.

In one embodiment, the first lamp unit through the third lamp unit may each have substantially the same optical configuration.

In one embodiment, the first lamp unit through the third lamp unit may each include: a light-emitting element; and a translucent member structured to emit output light of the light-emitting element toward the front side of the lamp. Also, the translucent member may include: a direct light controller structured to directly output light from the light-emitting element toward the front side of the lamp after it is incident to the translucent member; and a total reflection controller structured to output light toward the front side of the lamp after the light emitted from the light-emitting element and incident to the translucent member is totally reflected. Also, the total reflection controller may have a total reflection face divided into multiple reflection regions defined in a circumferential portion of the direct light controller extending in the circumferential direction. Also, multiple diffusion lens elements may be formed in an output face of the translucent member so as to diffuse output light from the translucent member in a predetermined direction.

This arrangement is capable of outputting a large part of the light output from the light-emitting element toward the front side of the lamp. This provides improved utilization efficiency of the light flux of the light source.

In this case, in each of the first lamp unit and the second lamp unit, the translucent member includes the total reflection controller having the total reflection face divided into multiple reflection regions in a circumferential portion of the direct light controller extending in the circumferential direction. Accordingly, this is capable of easily aligning the upper edge positions formed by the reflected light from the respective reflection regions.

In one embodiment, the multiple diffusion lens elements of the first lamp unit may be arranged in the horizontal direction as viewed in a front view. Also, the multiple diffusion lens elements of the second lamp unit and the third lamp unit may be arranged in an oblique direction as viewed in a front view.

That is to say, multiple horizontal diffusion lens elements are formed in the output face of the translucent member of the first lamp unit so as to diffuse the output light from the translucent member in the horizontal direction. Furthermore, multiple oblique diffusion lens elements are formed in the output face of the translucent member of the second lamp unit so as to diffuse the output light from the translucent member in an oblique direction inclined with respect to the horizontal direction. This is capable of forming a bright light distribution pattern having an upper edge that defines the horizontal cutoff line and the oblique cutoff line by the light emitted from the first lamp unit and the second lamp unit. Moreover, multiple oblique diffusion lens elements are formed in the third lamp unit so as to diffuse the light in an oblique direction inclined with respect to the horizontal direction. This is capable of suitably illuminating the third region extending along the oblique cutoff line.

In one embodiment, the translucent members of the first lamp unit, the second lamp unit, and the third lamp unit may be monolithically formed as a single unit.

In one embodiment, the light-emitting elements of the first lamp unit, the second lamp unit, and the third lamp unit and a lighting circuit thereof may be mounted on the same substrate.

In one embodiment, the first lamp unit through the third lamp unit may be arranged such that the centers thereof are positioned at vertices of a virtual triangle as viewed in a front view.

In one embodiment, the first lamp unit through the third lamp unit may be arranged on the same straight line as viewed in a front view.

In one embodiment, the translucent member of the first lamp unit may be configured such that the horizontal diffusion lens element formed in the output face of the direct light controller thereof has a diffusion angle that is larger than that of the horizontal diffusion lens element formed in the output face of the total reflection controller. Also, the translucent member of the second lamp unit may be configured such that the oblique diffusion lens element formed in the output face of the direct light controller thereof has a diffusion angle that is larger than that of the oblique diffusion lens element formed in the output face of the total reflection controller.

With this arrangement, the direct light controller is arranged at a position closer to the light-emitting element than the total reflection controller. Accordingly, the light distribution pattern formed by the output light from the direct light controller is larger than that formed by the output light from the total reflection controller. Accordingly, with such an arrangement in which the horizontal diffusion lens element and the oblique diffusion lens element formed in the output face of the direct light controller are designed to have diffusion angles that are larger than those of the horizontal diffusion lens element and the oblique diffusion lens element formed in the output face of the total reflection controller, this is capable of providing the light distribution pattern formed by the light emitted from the first lamp unit and the second lamp unit with little unevenness.

In one embodiment, in the first lamp unit, the translucent member may include the total reflection controller having an output face divided into an inner circumferential ring-shaped region and an outer circumferential ring-shaped region. Furthermore, the horizontal diffusion lens element formed in the inner circumferential ring-shaped region is configured to have a diffusion angle that is larger than that of the horizontal diffusion lens element formed in the outer circumferential ring-shaped region. Moreover, in the second lamp unit, the translucent member may include the total reflection controller having an output face divided into an inner circumferential ring-shaped region and an outer circumferential ring-shaped region. Furthermore, the oblique diffusion lens element formed in the inner circumferential ring-shaped region is configured to have a diffusion angle that is larger than that of the oblique diffusion lens element formed in the outer circumferential ring-shaped region.

That is to say, the light distribution pattern formed by the output light from the inner circumferential ring-shaped region is larger than that formed by the output light from the outer circumferential ring-shaped region. With such an arrangement in which the horizontal diffusion lens element and the oblique diffusion lens element formed in the inner circumferential ring-shaped regions are designed to have diffusion angles that are larger than those of the horizontal diffusion lens element and the oblique diffusion lens element formed in the outer circumferential ring-shaped regions, this is capable of forming a light distribution pattern formed by the light emitted from the first lamp unit and the second lamp unit with little unevenness.

In one embodiment, in each of the first lamp unit and the second lamp unit, the translucent member is configured such that the output face of the total reflection controller is arranged at a position shifted toward the front side of the lamp with respect to the output face of the direct light controller, and such that the outer circumferential ring-shaped region of the output face of the total reflection controller is arranged at a position shifted toward the front side of the lamp with respect to the inner circumferential ring-shaped region of the output face. This allows the translucent member to be designed to have a reduced thickness.

With this, the translucent member of the first lamp unit is configured such that the horizontal diffusion lens element formed in the output face of the direct light controller and the horizontal diffusion lens element formed in the inner circumferential ring-shaped region of the output face of the total reflection controller have diffusion angles that are larger as the distance from the light-emitting element is smaller as viewed in a front view of the lamp. Furthermore, the translucent member of the second lamp unit is configured such that the oblique diffusion lens element formed in the output face of the direct light controller and the oblique diffusion lens element formed in the inner circumferential ring-shaped region of the output face of the total reflection controller have diffusion angles that are larger as the distance from the light-emitting element is smaller as viewed in a front view of the lamp. Such an arrangement provides the following effects.

That is to say, such an arrangement suppresses the potential for the output light from the output face of the direct light controller to be blocked by a vertical wall portion arranged on the outer circumferential side thereof. Furthermore, such an arrangement suppresses the potential for the output light from the inner circumferential ring-shaped region of the output face of the total reflection controller to be blocked by a vertical wall portion arranged on the outer circumferential side thereof. With this, such an arrangement provides improved utilization efficiency of the light flux from the light source. Furthermore, this is capable of effectively suppressing the occurrence of stray light.

Description will be made below regarding preferred embodiments with reference to the drawings. In each drawing, the same or similar components, members, and processes are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant description thereof will be omitted as appropriate. The embodiments have been described for exemplary purposes only, and are by no means intended to restrict the present invention.

In the present specification, a state represented by the phrase "the member A is coupled to the member B" includes a state in which the member A is indirectly coupled to the member B via another member that does not substantially affect the electrical connection between them, or that does not damage the functions or effects of the connection between them, in addition to a state in which they are physically and directly coupled.

Similarly, a state represented by the phrase "the member C is provided between the member A and the member B" includes a state in which the member A is indirectly coupled to the member C, or the member B is indirectly coupled to the member C via another member that does not substantially affect the electrical connection between them, or that does not damage the functions or effects of the connection between them, in addition to a state in which they are directly coupled.

<FIG> is a diagram showing an automotive lamp <NUM> according to an embodiment. The automotive lamp <NUM> includes a first lamp unit <NUM>, a second lamp unit <NUM>, and a third lamp unit <NUM>. The automotive lamp <NUM> is switchable between a high-beam mode and a low-beam mode.

The first lamp unit <NUM>, the second lamp unit <NUM>, and the third lamp unit <NUM> are optically designed so as to illuminate different regions on a virtual vertical screen. The order of the first lamp unit <NUM>, the second lamp unit <NUM>, and the third lamp unit <NUM> is not restricted to such an arrangement shown in the drawing. Also, the lamp units may be interchanged.

In the low-beam mode and the high-beam mode, the first lamp unit <NUM> is set to the lighting-on state. In this state, the first lamp unit <NUM> illuminates a first region PA1 having its longitudinal direction in the horizontal direction, and having its upper edge forms a horizontal cutoff line.

In the low-beam mode and the high-beam mode, the second lamp unit <NUM> is set to the lighting-on state. In this state, the second lamp unit <NUM> illuminates a second region PB1 having its longitudinal direction in a direction inclined with respect to the horizontal direction and having its upper edge forms an oblique cutoff line.

In the high-beam mode, the third lamp unit <NUM> is set to the lighting-on state. In this state, the third lamp unit <NUM> illuminates a third region PC1 having its longitudinal direction in a direction inclined with respect to the horizontal direction, and having its lower edge is parallel to the oblique cutoff line.

As described later, the first lamp unit <NUM>, the second lamp unit <NUM>, and the third lamp unit <NUM> may each have substantially the same optical configuration.

The above is the configuration of the automotive lamp <NUM>. <FIG> are diagrams showing the low-beam distribution and the high-beam distribution formed by the automotive lamp <NUM> shown in <FIG>. <FIG> shows a light distribution PL in the low-beam mode. In this mode, the first region PA1 and the second region PB1 are illuminated. The upper edge of the first region PA1 forms the horizontal cutoff line CL1. The upper edge of the second region PB1 forms the oblique cutoff line CL2. The intersection of the two cutoff lines CL1 and CL2 will be referred to as an "elbow point E".

<FIG> shows a light distribution PH in the high-beam mode. In addition to the first region PA1 and the second region PB1, the third region PC1 is illuminated. The lower edge of the third region PC is formed such that it extends along the horizontal cutoff line CL1, i.e., the upper edge of the second region PA2.

The third region PC1 may be formed such that it slightly overlaps the second region PB1. This is capable of preventing the occurrence of a region that cannot be illuminated even in a case in which optical axis misalignment has occurred in the second lamp unit <NUM> or the third lamp unit <NUM>.

For example, a portion having a length (width) that is smaller than <NUM>% in the lateral direction of the third region PC1 may overlap the second region PB1.

The first region PA1 has a length in the longitudinal direction (horizontal direction) that is larger than those of the second region PB1 and the third region PC1 in their longitudinal direction (inclined direction). <FIG> shows an arrangement in which the third region PC1 has a length that is equal to that of the second region PB1. However, the present invention is not restricted to such an arrangement. Also, the third region PC1 may have a length that is shorter or longer than that of the second region PB1.

The above is the configuration of the automotive lamp <NUM>.

In the low-beam mode, the automotive lamp <NUM> instructs the first lamp unit <NUM> to illuminate a wide region below the horizontal cutoff line CL1, and instructs the second lamp unit <NUM> to illuminate a region that extends along the oblique cutoff line CL2, so as to form the light distribution PL suitable for the low beam.

On the other hand, in the high-beam mode, the third lamp unit <NUM> illuminates the third region PC1 as an additional illuminated region that mainly occupies the region above the oblique cutoff line CL2 so as to form the high-beam light distribution PH. That is to say, instead of designing the illuminated region (third region PC1) specific to the high beam to be bilaterally symmetrical, the third region PC1 is designed such that it includes only a small region that is illuminated by the low-beam optical system (first region and second region), i.e., such that, as its major part, it occupies a large region that is not illuminated by the low-beam optical system. This is capable of providing a sufficient light intensity (light amount) for the region specific to the high beam. For example, the third region PC1 is preferably designed to have a region overlapping the first region PA1 or the second region PB1 of <NUM>% or less of the overall area of the third region PC1. More preferably, the third region PC1 is preferably designed to have such an overlapping region of <NUM>% or less.

According to the invention, in the high-beam mode, the first lamp unit <NUM> and the second lamp unit <NUM> provide a light intensity that is lower than that in the low-beam mode. With such an arrangement in which the first lamp unit <NUM> and the second lamp unit <NUM> each provide low light intensity in the high-beam mode, such an arrangement is capable of offsetting an increase in power consumption and an increase in heat generation due to the third lamp unit <NUM> being additionally turned on.

Specific description will be made regarding a configuration of the automotive lamp <NUM>.

<FIG> is a front view showing the automotive lamp <NUM> according to one embodiment. In this example, the first lamp unit <NUM>, the second lamp unit <NUM>, and the third lamp unit <NUM> are arranged in a row in the horizontal direction.

In the drawings used as a reference in the present specification, the direction indicated by "X" indicates the "front side" of the automotive lamp <NUM> (which also indicates the "front side" of the vehicle). The direction indicated by "Y" indicates the "left direction" orthogonal to the "frontside direction" (which also indicates the "left direction" of the vehicle and the "right direction" as viewed in the front view of the lamp). The direction indicated by "Z" indicates the "upper direction". The same can be said of the other drawings.

As shown in <FIG>, the automotive lamp <NUM> according to the present embodiment is a headlamp provided to the front-end portion of the vehicle. The automotive lamp <NUM> has a configuration in which the first lamp unit <NUM>, the second lamp unit <NUM>, and the third lamp unit <NUM>, each configured as a projector-type lamp, are built into a lamp chamber formed of a lamp body <NUM> and a translucent cover <NUM> configured to pass through light and mounted on the front-end opening portion of the lamp body <NUM>.

With this, the automotive lamp <NUM> forms a low-beam light distribution pattern using light emitted from the first lamp unit <NUM> and the second lamp unit <NUM>. Furthermore, by providing the light emitted from the third lamp unit <NUM> as additional emitted light, such an arrangement is capable of forming a high-beam light distribution pattern.

First, description will be made regarding a configuration of the first lamp unit <NUM>.

<FIG> is a perspective diagram of the first lamp unit <NUM>. <FIG> is a cross-sectional diagram of the first lamp unit <NUM> (cross-sectional diagram taken along line II-II of <FIG>). <FIG> is a cross-sectional diagram of the first lamp unit <NUM> (cross-sectional diagram taken along line II-III of <FIG>).

As shown in <FIG>, the first lamp unit <NUM> is configured to emit light from a light-emitting element <NUM> via a translucent member <NUM> toward the front side of the lamp.

The light-emitting element <NUM> is configured as a white light-emitting diode having a rectangular (e.g., square) light-emitting face 22a. The light-emitting element <NUM> is arranged such that it is directed toward the front side of the lamp (which is also the front side of the vehicle) in a state in which it is mounted on the substrate <NUM>. The substrate <NUM> is supported by the lamp body <NUM>.

The light-emitting element <NUM> is arranged in the vicinity of the upper side of the axis Ax that extends in the front-rear direction of the lamp such that the lower edge of the light-emitting face 22a extends in the horizontal direction.

The translucent member <NUM> is configured as a translucent synthetic resin molded product such as an acrylic resin or the like. The translucent member <NUM> is arranged on the front side of the lamp of the light-emitting element <NUM>. The translucent member <NUM> is supported by the lamp body <NUM> via an unshown support structure.

The translucent member <NUM> has a configuration including a direct light controller 24A configured to directly output the light incident to the translucent member <NUM> from the light-emitting element <NUM> toward the front side of the lamp, and a total reflection controller 24B configured to output the light incident to the translucent member <NUM> from the light-emitting element <NUM> toward the front side of the lamp after total reflection.

The direct light controller 24A is designed as a circular region with the axis Ax as its center as viewed in a front view of the lamp.

The direct light controller 24A has a back face 24Ab configured as a rotational convex curved face with the axis Ax as its center. With this, the direct light controller 24A is configured such that the light emitted from the center of light emission provided by the light-emitting element <NUM> is incident to its back face 24Ab as parallel light slightly inclined toward the lower side.

The total reflection controller 24B is a region positioned on the outer circumferential side of the direct light controller 24A. The total reflection controller 24B is designed as a circular region with the axis Ax as its center as viewed in a front view of the lamp.

The total reflection controller 24B has a back face 24Bb including an incident face 24Bb1 configured to refract the light emitted from the light-emitting element <NUM> such that it passes through in a direction away from the axis Ax, and a total reflection face 24Bb2 configured to totally reflect the incident light from the incident face 24Bb1 toward the front side of the lamp.

The incident face 24Bb1 is configured as a conical face that is similar to a cylindrical face with the axis Ax as its center. The total reflection face 24Bb2 is configured as a curved face with a rotational convex curved face as a reference face.

Furthermore, the total reflection controller 24B is configured such that the total reflection face 24Bb2 reflects the light emitted from the center of light emission of the light-emitting element <NUM> and incident via the incident face 24Bb1 as parallel light in a direction slightly inclined toward the lower side.

The total reflection face 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 with the axis Ax as its center. Specifically, the eight reflection regions L1 through L4 and R1 through R4 each have a fan-shaped external structure of the same size with the axis Ax as their center as viewed in a front view of the light. Furthermore, the light reflection regions L1 through L4 and R1 through R4 are arranged on both the left and right sides of a vertical plane including the axis Ax in a bilaterally symmetrical position relation.

The eight reflection regions L1 through L4 and R1 through R4 are designed to have slightly different light reflection angles in the vertical direction for each reflection region. However, a pair of the reflection regions having a bilaterally symmetrical position relation (i.e., each of the reflection regions L1 through L4 and each of the reflection regions R1 through R4) are designed to have a bilaterally symmetrical surface structure.

The output face 24a of the translucent member <NUM> is configured as three output regions 24aA, 24aB, and 24aC divided concentrically as viewed in a front view of the lamp.

The emitting region 24aA positioned at the center is a circular region with the axis Ax as its center in a front view of the lamp. The emitting region 24aA is designed to have a diameter that is slightly larger than that of the inner circumferential edge of the total reflection face 24Bb2 of the total reflection controller 24B.

The output region 24aB adjacent to the outer circumferential side of the output region 24aA is configured as a ring-shaped region such that it is shifted toward the front side of the lamp with respect to the output region 24aA. Furthermore, the output region 24aC adjacent to the outer circumferential side of the output region 24aB is configured as a ring-shaped region such that it is shifted to the front side of the lamp with respect to the output region 24aB.

The output regions 24aA through 24aC are respectively provided with multiple horizontal diffusion lens elements 24sA, 24sB, and 24sC configured to diffuse light from the light-emitting element <NUM> after it reaches the corresponding output regions 24aA through 24aC. The horizontal diffusion lens elements 24sA through 24sC are each configured in a convex cylindrical lens structure extending in the vertical direction. The horizontal diffusion lens elements 24sA through 24sC are configured to diffuse the light from the light-emitting element <NUM> equally on both the left and right sides in the horizontal direction.

With such an arrangement, the horizontal diffusion lens element 24sA formed in the output region 24aA is designed to have a diffusion angle that is larger than that of the horizontal diffusion lens element 24sB formed in the output region 24aB. Furthermore, the horizontal diffusion lens element 24sB formed in the output region 24aB is designed to have a diffusion angle that is larger than that of the horizontal diffusion lens element 24sC formed in the output region 24aC.

Next, description will be made regarding a configuration of the second lamp unit <NUM>. The second lamp unit <NUM> has substantially the same optical configuration as that of the first lamp unit <NUM>.

<FIG> is a cross-sectional diagram of the second lamp unit <NUM> (cross-sectional diagram taken along line IV-IV shown in <FIG>). As shown in <FIG>, the second lamp unit <NUM> is configured to emit the output light from a light-emitting element <NUM> toward the front side of the lamp via a translucent member <NUM>.

It should be noted that the second lamp unit <NUM> has the same configuration except that it has been rotated clockwise (counterclockwise in a front view of the lamp) by a predetermined angle (specifically, <NUM> degrees) around the axis Ax extending in the front-rear direction of the lamp as shown in <FIG>, and the output face 44a of the translucent member <NUM> has a configuration that is partially different from that of the lamp unit <NUM>.

That is to say, the light-emitting element <NUM> of the second lamp unit <NUM> has the same configuration as that of the light-emitting element <NUM> of the first lamp unit <NUM>. The light-emitting element <NUM> is arranged such that it faces the front side of the lamp in a state in which it is mounted on a substrate <NUM> in the vicinity of the upper side of the axis Ax.

Furthermore, the translucent member <NUM> of the second lamp unit <NUM> has a configuration provided with a direct light controller 44A configured to directly output the light from the light-emitting element <NUM> toward the front side of the lamp after it is incident to the translucent member <NUM>, and a total reflection controller 44B configured to output the light from the light-emitting element <NUM> toward the front side of the lamp after it is input to the translucent member <NUM> and is totally reflected.

The back face 44Ab of the direct light controller 44A and the back face 44Bb of the total reflection controller 44B have the same configurations as that of the first lamp unit <NUM> except that they have been rotated by <NUM> degrees clockwise.

As with the first lamp unit <NUM>, the output face 44a of the translucent member <NUM> is configured as three output regions 44aA, 44aB, and 44aC divided concentrically as viewed in a front view of the lamp. The output regions 44aA through 44aC are provided with oblique diffusion lens elements 44sA, 44sB, and 44sC each configured to diffuse the output light emitted from the translucent member <NUM> in an oblique direction of <NUM> degrees with respect to the horizontal direction.

The oblique diffusion lens elements 44sA through 44sC are each configured in a convex cylindrical lens structure extending in a direction that is orthogonal to the oblique direction. The oblique diffusion lens elements 44sA through 44sC are configured to diffuse the light from the light-emitting element <NUM> equally on both the left and right sides in the oblique direction.

It should be noted that the oblique diffusion lens elements 24sA through 24sC are each designed to have a diffusion angle that is smaller than (e.g., on the order of half) the diffusion angle of the corresponding one from among the horizontal diffusion lens elements 24sA through 24sC included in the lamp unit <NUM>.

In this case, the oblique diffusion lens element 44sA is designed to have a diffusion angle that is larger than that of the oblique diffusion lens element 44sB. Furthermore, the oblique diffusion lens element 44sB is designed to have a diffusion angle that is larger than that of the oblique diffusion lens element 44sC.

Next, description will be made regarding a configuration of the third lamp unit <NUM>.

Referring to <FIG>, as with the first lamp unit <NUM>, the third lamp unit <NUM> is also configured to emit the output light from a light-emitting element <NUM> toward the front side of the lamp via a translucent member <NUM>.

The third lamp unit <NUM> has substantially the same basic configuration as that of the second lamp unit <NUM>.

The output face 44a of the translucent member <NUM> is configured as three output regions 64aA, 64aB, and 64aC divided concentrically as viewed in a front view of the light. The output regions 64aA through 64aC are provided with oblique diffusion lens elements 64sA, 64sB, and 64sC each configured to diffuse the output light emitted from the translucent member <NUM> in an oblique direction inclined by <NUM> degrees with respect to the horizontal direction.

The oblique diffusion lens elements 64sA through 64sC are each configured in a convex cylindrical lens structure extending in a direction that is orthogonal to the oblique direction. The oblique diffusion lens elements 64sA through 64sC are configured to diffuse the light from the light-emitting element <NUM> equally on both the left and right sides in the oblique direction.

The oblique diffusion lens elements 64sA through 64sC are each configured to have a diffusion angle on the same order as those of the oblique diffusion lens elements 44sA through 44sC of the second lamp unit <NUM>, and that is smaller than (e.g., on the order of half) those of the horizontal diffusion lens elements 24sA through 24sC in the lamp unit <NUM>.

The oblique diffusion lens element 64sA is designed to have a diffusion angle that is larger than that of the oblique diffusion lens element 64sB. Furthermore, the oblique diffusion lens element 64sB is designed to have a diffusion angle that is larger than that of the oblique diffusion lens element 64sC.

<FIG> are perspective diagrams each showing a light distribution pattern formed on a virtual vertical screen arranged at a position <NUM> in front of a vehicle by light emitted toward the front side of the lamp from the automotive lamp <NUM>. <FIG> is a diagram showing a low-beam light distribution pattern PL1. <FIG> is a diagram showing a high-beam light distribution pattern PH1.

The low-beam light distribution pattern PL1 shown in <FIG> is a low-beam light distribution pattern for left-side light distribution. The low-beam light distribution pattern PL1 has a horizontal cutoff line CL1 and an oblique cutoff line CL2 at its upper edge. The cutoff lines CL1 and CL2 are formed as follows. That is to say, the cutoff line CL1 is formed such that it defines an opposite-lane-side portion on the right side of line V-V that extends in the vertical direction, and that passes through a vanishing point H-V positioned on the front side of the lamp. On the other hand, the cutoff line CL2 is formed such that it defines the own-lane-side portion on the left side of the line V-V. The elbow point E, which is an intersection of the cutoff lines CL1 and CL2, is positioned on the order of <NUM> to <NUM> degrees below the vanishing point H-V.

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

The light distribution pattern PA1 is an oblong light distribution pattern having a long width extending in the horizontal direction with line V-V as its center line. The light distribution pattern PA1 is configured such that its upper edge defines the horizontal cutoff line CL1 of the low-beam light distribution pattern PL1.

The low-beam light distribution pattern PL1 has a high light intensity region defined as a portion positioned on the lower-left side of the elbow point E where the high light intensity region of the light distribution pattern PA1 and the high light intensity region of the light distribution pattern PB1 overlap.

The light distribution pattern PB1 shown in <FIG> is a light distribution pattern having a long width that extends in an oblique direction inclined by <NUM> degrees clockwise with respect to the horizontal direction. The light distribution pattern PB1 is configured such that its upper edge defines the oblique cutoff line CL2 of the low-beam light distribution pattern PL1.

The high-beam light distribution pattern PH1 shown in <FIG> is formed by combining the low-beam light distribution pattern PL1 and a light distribution pattern PC1 as an additional light distribution pattern.

The light distribution pattern PC1 is a light distribution pattern formed by the light emitted from the third lamp unit <NUM>. The light distribution pattern PC1 is an oblong light distribution pattern having a long width extending in an oblique direction inclined by <NUM> degrees clockwise with respect to the horizontal direction. The light distribution pattern PC1 is configured such that its lower edge extends along the oblique cutoff line CL2 of the low-beam light distribution pattern PL1.

With such an arrangement in which such a high-beam light distribution pattern PH1 is formed, this is capable of securing distant visibility of a lane in front of the vehicle.

<FIG> are diagrams for explaining the steps for forming the light distribution pattern PA1.

<FIG> is a diagram showing a light distribution pattern PA1A, which is a part of the light distribution pattern PA1, formed by the output light emitted from the direct light controller 64A.

The light distribution pattern PA1A is an oblong light distribution pattern having a large width formed by extending a light distribution pattern PA1Ao shown in <FIG> to both the left and right sides.

As shown in <FIG>, if the multiple horizontal diffusion lens elements 24sA through 24sC are not formed in the output face 24a of the translucent member <NUM>, the light distribution pattern PA1Ao is a light distribution pattern formed by the output light from the direct light controller 24A.

The light distribution pattern PA1Ao is configured to have an approximately square outline shape below the line H-H that extends in the horizontal direction, and that passes through H-V. The light distribution pattern PA1Ao has an upper edge that defines a clear light/dark boundary line extending in the horizontal direction. This is due to the lower edge of a light-emitting face 22a of the light-emitting element <NUM> extending in the horizontal direction in the vicinity of the upper side of the axis Ax, and due to the direct light controller 24A of the translucent member <NUM> having the back face 24Ab configured such that the output light emitted from the center of light emission of the light-emitting element <NUM> is incident as parallel light passing through in a direction slightly inclined toward the lower side.

In actuality, the multiple horizontal diffusion lens elements 24sA through 24sC are formed in the output face 24a of the translucent member <NUM>. Accordingly, the light distribution pattern PA1A formed by the output light from the direct light controller 24A is formed as an oblong light distribution pattern as shown in <FIG>. The light distribution pattern PA1A has an upper edge that defines the light/dark boundary line CLa extending in the horizontal direction.

It should be noted that the multiple lines drawn inside each of the light distribution patterns PA1Ao and PA1A indicate that the region enclosed by the inner line is relatively bright. The same can be said of other kinds of light distribution patterns.

<FIG> shows the light distribution patterns formed by the output light from the right-half region of the total reflection controller 24B in a case in which the multiple horizontal diffusion lens elements 24sA through 24sC are not formed in the output face 24a of the translucent member <NUM>.

The light distribution pattern PA1B1o shown in <FIG> is a light distribution pattern formed by the reflected light from the reflection region R1 shown in <FIG>. The light distribution pattern PA1B1o is formed as an approximately oblong light distribution pattern straddling the line V-V. The light distribution pattern PA1B1o has an upper region that is relatively bright with an upper edge that defines the light/dark boundary line extending in the approximately horizontal direction.

The light distribution pattern PA1B2o shown in <FIG> is a light distribution pattern formed by the reflected light from the reflection region R2 shown in <FIG>. The light distribution pattern PA1B2o is formed as an approximately oblong light distribution pattern straddling the line V-V. The light distribution pattern PA1B2o has an upper region that is relatively bright with an upper edge that defines the light/dark boundary line extending in the approximately horizontal direction.

The light distribution pattern PA1B3o shown in <FIG> is a light distribution pattern formed by the reflected light from the reflection region R3 shown in <FIG>. The light distribution pattern PA1B3o is formed as an approximately oblong light distribution pattern straddling the line V-V. The light distribution pattern PA1B3o has an upper region that is relatively bright with an upper edge that defines the light/dark boundary line extending in the approximately horizontal direction.

The light distribution pattern PA1B4o shown in <FIG> is a light distribution pattern formed by the reflected light from the reflection region R4 shown in <FIG>. The light distribution pattern PA1B4o is formed as an approximately oblong light distribution pattern straddling the line V-V. The light distribution pattern PA1B4o has an upper region that is relatively bright with an upper edge that defines the light/dark boundary line extending in the approximately horizontal direction.

The reflection regions R1 through R4 are each designed to have a surface shape such that the light distribution patterns PA1B1o through PA1B4 each have an upper edge positioned at approximately the same height as that of the upper edge of the light distribution pattern PA1A shown in <FIG>.

In actuality, as shown in <FIG>, the multiple horizontal diffusion lens elements 24sA through 24sC are formed in the output face 24a of the translucent member <NUM>. Accordingly, as shown in <FIG>, the light distribution pattern PB1 formed by the output light from the entire region of the total reflection controller 24B is configured as an oblong light distribution pattern formed as a combination of the four light distribution patterns PA1B1o through PA1B4o shown in <FIG> and four light distribution patterns having a shape obtained by horizontally inverting the light distribution patterns PA1B1o through PA1B4o. The light distribution pattern PB1 has an upper edge that defines a relatively clear light/dark boundary line CLb.

With this, the light/dark boundary line CLa of the light distribution pattern PA1A and the light/dark boundary line CLb of the light distribution pattern PA1B are designed to define the horizontal cutoff line CL1 of the low-beam light distribution pattern PL1.

<FIG> is a diagram for explaining the steps for forming the light distribution pattern PB1 shown in <FIG>.

The light distribution pattern PB1 is configured as a combined light distribution pattern that is a combination of the light distribution pattern PB1A shown in <FIG> and the light distribution pattern PB1B shown in <FIG>.

The light distribution pattern PB1A is a light distribution pattern formed by the output light from the direct light controller 44A of the translucent member <NUM> shown in <FIG>. As shown in <FIG>, the light distribution pattern PB1A is formed as an oblong light distribution pattern extending in an oblique direction as shown in <FIG> with an upper edge that defines a clear light/dark boundary line CLc extending in the oblique direction.

The light distribution pattern PB1B is a light distribution pattern formed by the output light from the total reflection controller 44B of the translucent member <NUM> shown in <FIG>. As shown in <FIG>, the light distribution pattern PB1B is formed as an oblong light distribution pattern extending in an oblique direction as shown in <FIG> with an upper edge that defines a light/dark boundary line CLd extending in the oblique direction.

With this, the light/dark boundary lines CLc and CLd are configured to define an oblique cutoff line CL2 of the low-beam light distribution pattern PL1.

The light distribution pattern PC1 is configured in the same manner as the light distribution pattern PB1 by the third lamp unit <NUM> having the same configuration as that of the second lamp unit <NUM>. For example, the light distribution pattern PC1 may be a light distribution pattern obtained by rotating the light distribution pattern PB1 by <NUM> degrees with the elbow point as the center. In this case, the translucent member <NUM> of the third lamp unit <NUM> may have the same optical configuration as that of the translucent member <NUM> of the second lamp unit <NUM>. Also, the translucent member <NUM> may be mounted rotated by <NUM> degrees with respect to the translucent member <NUM> as viewed in a front view.

Also, the light distribution pattern PC1 and the light distribution pattern PB1 may be designed to have a line symmetrical relation with respect to the oblique cutoff line CL2. In this case, the translucent member <NUM> of the third lamp unit <NUM> may have the same optical configuration as that of the translucent member <NUM> of the second lamp unit <NUM>. Also, the translucent member <NUM> may be mounted inverted upside down with respect to the translucent member <NUM> as viewed in a front view.

Next, description will be made regarding the effects of the present embodiment.

The automotive lamp <NUM> according to the present embodiment includes the first lamp unit <NUM> and the second lamp unit <NUM>. The translucent members <NUM> and <NUM> respectively include the direct light controllers 24A and 44A respectively configured to directly output the light from the light-emitting elements <NUM> and <NUM> incident to the translucent members <NUM> and <NUM>, and the total reflection controllers 24B and 44B respectively configured to output the output light incident from the light-emitting elements <NUM> and <NUM> via the translucent members <NUM> and <NUM> after it is totally reflected. This allows a large part of the output light from the light-emitting elements <NUM> and <NUM> to be output toward the front side of the lamp, thereby providing improved utilization efficiency of the light flux emitted from the light source.

In this case, in the first lamp unit <NUM>, the translucent member <NUM> includes the total reflection controller 24B having the total reflection face 24Bb2 formed of eight reflection regions L1, L2, L3, L4, R1, R2, R3, and R4 each configured as a sub-region of the total reflection face 24Bb2 divided in a circumferential direction. As a result, this is capable of easily aligning the upper-end positions of the light distribution patterns PA1B1o, PA1B2o, PA1B3o, PA1B4ο, and so forth, formed by the reflected light from the reflection regions L1 through L4 and R1 through R4.

In the same manner, in the second lamp unit <NUM>, the translucent member <NUM> includes the total reflection controller 44B having the same configuration as that of the translucent member <NUM> of the first lamp unit <NUM>. Accordingly, this is capable of easily aligning the upper-end positions of the light distribution patterns formed by the reflected light from the respective reflection regions.

Furthermore, the multiple horizontal diffusion lens elements 24sA, 24sB, and 24sC are formed in the output face 24a of the translucent member <NUM> of the first lamp unit <NUM>, so as to diffuse the output light from the translucent member <NUM> in the horizontal direction. Moreover, the multiple oblique diffusion lens elements 44sA, 44sB, and 44sC are formed in the output face 44a of the translucent member <NUM> of the second lamp unit <NUM>, so as to diffuse the output light from the translucent member <NUM> in an oblique direction inclined with respect to the horizontal direction. Accordingly, such an arrangement is capable of forming the low-beam light distribution pattern PL1 with its upper edge that defines the horizontal cutoff line CL1 and the oblique cutoff line CL2 formed by the light emitted from the first lamp unit <NUM> and the second lamp unit <NUM>.

As described above, with the present embodiment in which the automotive lamp <NUM> includes the lamp unit configured to emit the output light from the light-emitting element toward the front of the lamp via the translucent member, this is capable of forming the bright low-beam light distribution pattern PL1 with its upper edge that defines the horizontal cutoff line CL1 and the oblique cutoff line CL2 with improved utilization efficiency of the light flux from the light source.

Furthermore, in the present embodiment, the translucent member <NUM> of the first lamp unit <NUM> is designed such that the horizontal diffusion lens element 24sA formed in the output region 24aA configured as an output face of the direct light controller 24A has a diffusion angle that is larger than those of the diffusion lens elements 24sB and 24sC formed in the output regions 24aB and 24aC each configured as an output face of the total reflection controller 24B. Moreover, the translucent member <NUM> of the second lamp unit <NUM> is designed such that the diffusion angle of the oblique diffusion lens element 44sA formed in the output region 44aA configured as an output face of the direct light controller 44A is larger than those of the oblique diffusion lens elements 44sB and 44sC formed in the output regions 44aB and 44aC each configured as an output face of the total reflection controller 44B. Accordingly, such an arrangement provides the following effects.

That is to say, the direct light controllers 24A and 44A are arranged at positions that are closer to the light-emitting elements <NUM> and <NUM> than the total reflection controllers 24B and 44B. Accordingly, the light distribution patterns PA1Ao and so forth formed by the output light from the direct light controllers 24A and 44A are larger than the light distribution patterns PA1B1o through PA1B4o and so forth formed by the output light from the total reflection controllers 24B and 44B.

With this, the horizontal diffusion lens element 24sA and the oblique diffusion lens element 44sA formed in the output regions 24aA and 44aA that form the output faces of the direct light controllers 24A and 44A are designed to have diffusion angles that are larger than the diffusion angles of the horizontal diffusion lens elements 24sB and 24sC formed in the output regions 24aB and 24aC that form the output faces of the total reflection controller 24B and the diffusion angles of the oblique diffusion lens elements 44sB and 44sC formed in the output regions 44aB and 44aC that form the output faces of the total reflection controller 44B. Such an arrangement is capable of forming the light distribution patterns PA1 and PB2 formed by the light emitted from the first lamp unit <NUM> and the second lamp unit <NUM> with little unevenness.

Moreover, in the present embodiment, the translucent member <NUM> of the first lamp unit <NUM> includes the total reflection controller 24B having an output face divided into the output region 24aB (inner circumferential ring-shaped region) and the output region 24aC (outer circumferential ring-shaped region). The horizontal diffusion lens element 24sB formed in the output region 24aB is designed to have a diffusion angle that is larger than that of the horizontal diffusion lens element 24sC formed in the output region 24aC. Moreover, the translucent member <NUM> of the second lamp unit <NUM> includes the total reflection controller 44B having an output region divided into the output region 44aB (inner circumferential ring-shaped region) and the output region 44aC (outer circumferential ring-shaped region). The oblique diffusion lens element 44sB formed in the output region 44aB is designed to have a diffusion angle that is larger than that of the oblique diffusion lens element 44sC formed in the output region 44aC. Accordingly, such an arrangement provides the following effects.

That is to say, the light distribution patterns formed by the output light from the output regions 24aB and 44aB are designed such that they are larger than those formed by the output light from the output regions 24aC and 44aC. Accordingly, with such an arrangement in which the horizontal diffusion lens element 24sB and the oblique diffusion lens element 44sB formed in the output regions 24aB and 44aB are designed to have diffusion angles that are larger than those of the horizontal diffusion lens element 24sC and the oblique diffusion lens element 44sC formed in the output regions 24aC and 44aC, this is capable of forming the light distribution patterns PA1 and PB1 by the light emitted from the first lamp unit <NUM> and the second lamp unit <NUM> with little unevenness.

In this case, the translucent members <NUM> and <NUM>, which are respectively included in the first lamp unit <NUM> and the second lamp unit <NUM>, respectively include the total reflection controllers 24B and 44B having the output regions 24aB and 44Ba configured as the output faces thereof arranged at positions shifted toward the front side of the lamp with respect to the output regions 24aA and 44aA that form the output faces of the direct light controllers 24A and 44A. Moreover, the output regions 24aC and 44aC that form the output faces of the total reflection controllers 24C and 44C are arranged at positions shifted toward the front side of the lamp with respect to the output regions 24aB and 44aB that form the output faces of the total reflection controllers 24B and 44B. This allows the translucent members <NUM> and <NUM> to be designed to have a reduced thickness.

Furthermore, the automotive lamp <NUM> according to the present embodiment is configured to additionally supply the light emitted from the third lamp unit <NUM> having approximately the same configuration as those of the first lamp unit <NUM> and the second lamp unit <NUM> so as to form the high-beam light distribution pattern PH1. Accordingly, this arrangement is capable of providing functions as a headlamp while ensuring design consistency.

The third lamp unit <NUM> has the same configuration as that of the second lamp unit <NUM>. The light distribution pattern PC1 has the same features as those of the light distribution pattern PB1. This allows the light distribution pattern PC1 and the light distribution pattern PB1 to be arranged with their upper edges perfectly aligned. Also, this allows the light distribution patterns PC1 and PB1 to be arranged such that they slightly overlap. Accordingly, this allows a region where the light distribution pattern PC1 and the low-beam light distribution region PL1 are overlapped to be reduced. This allows the energy of the light distribution pattern PC1 to be concentrated to a distant range to be illuminated in the high-beam mode.

<FIG> is an exploded perspective diagram showing an example configuration of the automotive lamp <NUM>. The automotive lamp <NUM> includes an electrical unit <NUM> in which electrical circuits are modularized and an optical unit <NUM> in which an optical system is mounted. In this example, the first lamp unit <NUM> is arranged as a central lamp unit. Furthermore, the second lamp unit <NUM> is arranged on the central side of the vehicle, and the third lamp unit <NUM> is arranged on the outer side of the vehicle.

The electrical unit <NUM> is also referred to as an "LED assembly". The electrical unit <NUM> includes a substrate <NUM>. The light-emitting elements <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> respectively included in the first lamp unit <NUM>, the second lamp unit <NUM>, and the third lamp unit <NUM> are mounted on the common substrate <NUM> together with their lighting circuits <NUM> and connectors <NUM>.

The optical systems of the first lamp unit <NUM>, the second lamp unit <NUM>, and the third lamp unit <NUM>, i.e., the translucent members <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM>, are mounted on the optical unit <NUM> such that they are detachably mounted on the electrical unit <NUM>.

<FIG> are a cross-sectional diagram and a front diagram each showing the optical unit <NUM>. The optical unit <NUM> includes a lens unit <NUM> and a lens holder <NUM>.

The lens unit <NUM> is configured including the translucent members <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> monolithically formed using a transparent synthetic resin such as an acrylic resin or the like. The lens unit <NUM> is fixed to the lens holder <NUM>. The lens holder <NUM> is fixed to the substrate <NUM> of the electrical unit <NUM>.

Description has been made above regarding the embodiments. The above-described embodiments have been described for exemplary purposes only. Rather, it can be readily conceived by those skilled in this art that various modifications may be made by making various combinations of the aforementioned components or processes, which are also encompassed in the technical scope of the present invention. Description will be made below regarding such modifications.

<FIG> is an exploded perspective diagram showing a modification of the automotive lamp <NUM>. In this modification, the three lamp units <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> are arranged in a nonlinear manner. Specifically, the three lamp units <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> are arranged such that the centers thereof are positioned at vertices of a virtual triangle as viewed in a front view of the automotive lamp <NUM>. For example, the translucent members <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> may be arranged such that the outer circles thereof are circumscribed to each other. In this case, the light-emitting elements <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> are arranged such that they define the vertices of an equilateral triangle on the substrate <NUM>.

In this example, the first lamp unit <NUM> is arranged on the lower side, and the second lamp unit <NUM> and the third lamp unit <NUM> are arranged on the upper side. However, the positions thereof may be interchanged.

<FIG> are diagrams each showing the automotive lamp <NUM> according to a modification. <FIG> shows an arrangement obtained by inverting the configuration shown in <FIG> upside down. Also, as shown in <FIG>, the first lamp unit <NUM>, the second lamp <NUM>, and the third lamp unit <NUM> may be arranged on a straight line extending in an oblique direction. Also, as shown in <FIG>, the first lamp unit <NUM>, the second lamp <NUM>, and the third lamp unit <NUM> may be arranged in the vertical direction.

Description has been made in the embodiments regarding an arrangement in which the total reflection controller 24B of the translucent member <NUM> has the total reflection face 24Bb divided into eight reflection regions L1 through L4 and R1 through R4. Also, an arrangement may be made in which the total reflection face 24Bb is divided into nine or more regions or seven or less regions.

Description has been made in the embodiments regarding an arrangement in which the horizontal diffusion lens elements 24sA through 24sC, 44sA through 44sC, and 64sA through 64sC, are each configured as a convex cylindrical lens. Also, such horizontal diffusion lens elements may each be configured as a concave cylindrical lens.

Description has been made in the embodiments regarding an arrangement in which, in the translucent members <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM>, the total reflection controllers 24B, 44B, and 64B respectively include the total reflection faces 24Bb, 44Bb, and 64Bb each configured as a rotationally curved face or a curved face defined with a rotationally curved face as a reference face. Also, each translucent member may be configured as a curved face that differs from the curved faces described above. Also, each translucent member may be configured as a combination of multiple planar faces.

Description has been made in the embodiments regarding an arrangement in which the translucent members <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> respectively have the output faces 24a, 44a, and 64a divided into a concentric structure as viewed in a front view of the lamp. Also, each translucent member may be divided into a structure (e.g., elliptical, rectangular, etc.) that differs from such a concentric structure.

The present invention is not restricted to such an arrangement described in the embodiments and modifications thereof. Also, various modifications thereof may be made as an adoptable application, as long as they fall in the scope of the appended claims.

The present invention relates to an automotive lamp.

Claim 1:
An automotive lamp (<NUM>) structured to be switchable between a low-beam mode and a high-beam mode, comprising:
a first lamp unit (<NUM>) structured to illuminate a first region having its longitudinal direction in a horizontal direction, and having its upper edge that defines a horizontal cutoff line in both the low-beam mode and the high-beam mode, when the lamp is arranged on the vehicle;
a second lamp unit (<NUM>) structured to illuminate a second region having its longitudinal direction in a direction inclined with respect to the horizontal direction, and having its upper edge that defines an oblique cutoff line in both the low-beam mode and the high-beam mode,when the lamp is arranged on the vehicle; and
a third lamp unit (<NUM>) structured to illuminate a third region having its longitudinal direction in a direction inclined with respect to the horizontal direction, and having its lower edge parallel to the oblique cutoff line in the high-beam mode, when the lamp is arranged on the vehicle,
characterized in that
at least one from among the first lamp unit (<NUM>) and the second lamp unit (<NUM>) provides a lower light intensity in the high beam mode than the light intensity thereof in the low-beam mode.