JP7406357B2 - Vehicle lights - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a vehicle lamp configured to selectively form a low beam light distribution pattern and a high beam light distribution pattern.

Conventionally, as a vehicle lamp configured to be able to selectively form a light distribution pattern for low beam and a light distribution pattern for high beam, when forming a light distribution pattern for high beam, the light distribution pattern for low beam is A device configured to additionally form an additional light distribution pattern for high beam is known.

"Patent Document 1" discloses, as such a vehicle lamp, a low beam arrangement having a cutoff line at the upper end by emitting light from a first light source toward the front of the vehicle through a first projection lens. A high beam that spreads above the cut-off line by irradiating light from a first lighting unit configured to form a light pattern and a second light source toward the front of the vehicle through a second projection lens. A second lamp unit configured to form an additional light distribution pattern is described.

When the vehicle lamp described in Patent Document 1 is observed from the front side of the vehicle, in the low beam lighting mode (that is, the lighting mode when forming the low beam light distribution pattern), the lighting of the first light source causes the first projection lens to appears to be shining, and in the high beam lighting mode (that is, the lighting mode when forming a high beam light distribution pattern), the second projection lens also appears to be shining due to the additional lighting of the second light source.

JP2009-87811A

In the vehicle lamp described in the above-mentioned "Patent Document 1", in the high beam lighting mode, the first and second light sources are lit at the same time, so both the first and second projection lenses appear to be shining, but in the low beam lighting mode, the first and second light sources are lit simultaneously, but in the low beam lighting mode, Since the two light sources do not light up, the part of the second projection lens appears dark. Therefore, improvements are desired in order to improve the visibility of vehicle lamps. At this time, it is desirable to achieve this without inadvertently generating glare light.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and provides a vehicle lamp configured to selectively form a low beam light distribution pattern and a high beam light distribution pattern. However, it is an object of the present invention to provide a vehicle lamp that can improve visibility without generating glare light.

The present invention aims to achieve the above object by having a configuration including a predetermined auxiliary light source.

That is, the vehicle lamp according to the present invention is
a first lamp unit configured to form a low beam light distribution pattern having a cutoff line at an upper end by irradiating light from a first light source toward the front of the vehicle through a first projection lens; A second lamp unit configured to form an additional high beam light distribution pattern that extends above the cutoff line by irradiating light from a second light source toward the front of the vehicle through a second projection lens. In a vehicle lamp equipped with,
The second lighting unit includes an auxiliary light source that can be turned on simultaneously with the first light source, and is configured to form an auxiliary light distribution pattern at a position below the cutoff line by turning on the auxiliary light source. and
The auxiliary light source is configured to be lit in a low beam lighting mode that is a lighting mode when forming the low beam light distribution pattern,
The second lamp unit is characterized in that it does not have a function of forming a light distribution pattern having the cutoff line as a light distribution pattern constituting a part of the low beam light distribution pattern.

The specific configuration of each of the above-mentioned "first light source", "second light source", and "auxiliary light source" is not particularly limited.

The specific arrangement of the above-mentioned "auxiliary light source" is not particularly limited as long as it can form an auxiliary light distribution pattern at a position below the cut-off line of the low beam light distribution pattern when turned on. do not have.

The above-mentioned "auxiliary light source" may or may not be configured to be turned on at the same time as the second light source is turned on.

The vehicle lamp according to the present invention forms a low beam light distribution pattern having a cutoff line at the upper end by irradiating light from the first light source toward the front of the vehicle through the first projection lens. By irradiating light from the configured first lamp unit and the second light source toward the front of the vehicle through the second projection lens, an additional light distribution pattern for high beam that spreads above the cutoff line is formed. However, the second lighting unit is equipped with an auxiliary light source that can be turned on at the same time as the first light source, and by lighting the auxiliary light source, the area below the cut-off line is illuminated. Since the structure is such that the auxiliary light distribution pattern is formed at the position, the following effects can be obtained.

That is, by turning on the auxiliary light source of the second lamp unit at the same time as the first light source of the first lamp unit, not only the first projection lens but also the second projection lens illuminates in the low beam lighting mode as well as in the high beam lighting mode. It can be made to look like this. Therefore, the visibility of the vehicle lamp can be improved even in the low beam lighting mode.

At this time, since the auxiliary light distribution pattern formed by lighting the auxiliary light source is located below the cut-off line of the low beam light distribution pattern, glare light is generated by the lighting of the auxiliary light source in the low beam lighting mode. You can prevent this from happening.

As described above, according to the present invention, in a vehicle lamp configured to selectively form a low beam light distribution pattern and a high beam light distribution pattern, glare light is generated even in the low beam lighting mode. Therefore, it is possible to improve the visibility of the vehicle lamp.

In the above configuration, if the second lamp unit is further configured to form the auxiliary light distribution pattern at a position that partially overlaps with the side edge of the low beam light distribution pattern, It is possible to irradiate a wide range of light, thereby improving the visibility of the road ahead of the vehicle.

In this case, if the second lighting unit is configured so that the auxiliary light source lights up more brightly when the vehicle is turning than when the vehicle is traveling straight, it is possible to suppress power consumption when the vehicle is traveling straight and to The visibility of the road ahead can be improved. That is, the second lamp unit can also have a function as a cornering lamp.

If the above configuration is further provided with a plurality of auxiliary light emitting elements arranged in the vehicle width direction as an auxiliary light source of the second lamp unit, the auxiliary light distribution pattern is formed as a horizontally elongated light distribution pattern. This makes it possible to further improve the lateral visibility of the road ahead of the vehicle.

In the above configuration, the second light unit further includes a plurality of light emitting elements arranged in line in the vehicle width direction as the second light source, and one or more of the light emitting elements is selected. If the high beam is configured so that it can be turned on automatically, the additional light distribution pattern for high beam can be formed in a plurality of types of shapes. Therefore, in the high beam lighting mode, by appropriately combining light emitting elements that are selectively lit, it is possible to illuminate a wide area of the road ahead of the vehicle without giving glare to the driver of an oncoming vehicle or a vehicle in front.

A front view showing a vehicle lamp according to an embodiment of the present invention II-II cross-sectional view in Figure 1 Cross-sectional view along line III-III in Figure 1 Cross-sectional view taken along the line IV-IV in Figure 1 V direction arrow view in Figure 2 VI direction arrow view in Figure 3 VII direction arrow view in Figure 4 FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a light distribution pattern formed by the light emitted from the vehicle lamp, in which (a) shows a low beam light distribution pattern, and (b) shows a high beam pattern. FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a high beam pattern formed when an ADB control mode is selected, in which (a) is a diagram showing a high beam pattern formed in a first ADB control mode, and (b) is a diagram showing a high beam pattern formed in a first ADB control mode. A diagram showing a high beam pattern formed in the second ADB control mode (a) is a front view of the vehicle lamp in low beam lighting mode, and (b) is a front view of the vehicle lamp in high beam lighting mode. A diagram similar to FIG. 8 showing the effect of a modification of the above embodiment.

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a front view showing a vehicle lamp 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention. 2 is a sectional view taken along the line II--II in FIG. 1, FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken along the line III--III in FIG. 1, and FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken along the line IV--IV in FIG. Furthermore, FIG. 5 is a view taken in the V direction of FIG. 2, FIG. 6 is a view taken in the VI direction of FIG. 3, and FIG. 7 is a view taken in the VII direction of FIG.

In these figures, the direction indicated by , Z is the "upward direction".

As shown in FIG. 1, a vehicle lamp 10 according to the present embodiment is a headlamp disposed at the front end of a vehicle, and includes a lamp body 12 and a transparent cover 14 attached to the front end opening of the lamp body 12. The first lamp unit 20 and the two second lamp units 40 and 60 are installed in a lamp chamber formed by the vehicle width direction.

The first lamp unit 20 is a lamp unit for forming a low beam light distribution pattern (described later), and the two second lamp units 40 and 60 are located above the cut-off line of the low beam light distribution pattern. This is a lamp unit for forming an additional high beam light distribution pattern (this will also be described later) that spreads to the side.

The first lighting unit 20 and the two second lighting units 40, 60 are both projector-type lighting units, and the first projection lens 22 and second projection lenses 42, 62 have circular upper and lower sides when viewed from the front of the lamp. It has an external shape in which both ends are cut off in the horizontal direction.

An extension panel 16 extending along the light-transmitting cover 14 is arranged inside the lamp chamber. Openings 16a, 16b, and 16c, each of which is slightly larger than the outer shape of each of the first projection lens 22 and the second projection lenses 42, 62, are formed at three locations on the extension panel 16.

Next, the configurations of each of the first lamp unit 20 and the second lamp units 40 and 60 will be described.

First, the configuration of the first lamp unit 20 will be explained.

As shown in FIGS. 1, 2, and 5, the first lamp unit 20 is a reflective type lamp unit, and includes a first projection lens 22 having an optical axis Ax extending in the front-rear direction of the lamp; The structure includes a first light source 24 disposed on the rear side of the lamp, and a reflector 26 that reflects the light emitted from the first light source 24 toward the first projection lens 22.

The first projection lens 22 forms a light source image on a rear focal plane (that is, a focal plane including the rear focal point F of the first projection lens 22) by light emitted from the first light source 24 and reflected by the reflector 26. is projected onto a virtual vertical screen in front of the vehicle. The spherical convex curved surface forming the front surface of the first projection lens 22 is formed with a smaller radius of curvature than the spherical convex curved surface forming the rear surface. The first projection lens 22 is supported at its outer peripheral edge by a lens holder 28, and the lens holder 28 is supported by a base member 30.

The first light source 24 is composed of a light emitting element 24A supported by a substrate 24B. The light emitting element 24A is a white light emitting diode, and has a light emitting surface having a horizontally long rectangular shape (specifically, a horizontally long rectangular shape of about 1×4 mm), and the light emitting surface is placed on the optical axis Ax. It is placed facing upward. The first light source 24 is supported by the base member 30 on the lower surface of the substrate 24B.

The reflector 26 is disposed to cover the first light source 24 from above and is supported by the base member 30 at its lower edge. The reflective surface 26a of the reflector 26 is formed of a substantially ellipsoidal curved surface whose first focal point is the emission center of the first light source 24. This reflective surface 26a is set in an elliptical shape with a second focal point at a point located in front of the lamp rather than the rear focal point F, and its eccentricity is horizontal from the vertical cross section. It is set to gradually increase in size toward the cross section. Thereby, the reflector 26 converges the emitted light from the first light source 24 to a point located in front of the lamp than the rear focal point F in the vertical cross section, and further shifts the convergence position to the lamp in the horizontal cross section. It is designed to be displaced forward.

The base member 30 is formed with an upward reflecting surface 30a for blocking a portion of the light from the first light source 24 reflected by the reflector 26 and then reflecting the blocked light upward. In this upward reflecting surface 30a, the left side area located on the left side of the optical axis Ax (right side when viewed from the front of the lamp) is composed of a horizontal plane including the optical axis Ax, and the right side area located on the right side of the optical axis Ax is composed of a horizontal plane. It is composed of a horizontal plane that is one step lower than the left side area via a short slope, and its front edge extends to both the left and right sides so as to pass through the rear focal point F. As a result, in the first lighting unit 20, the light reflected upward by the upward reflecting surface 30a of the base member 30 is incident on the first projection lens 22, and is emitted from the first projection lens 22 as downward light. It looks like this.

Note that the first lamp unit 20 is arranged so that its optical axis Ax is directed downward by about 0.5 to 0.6 degrees by adjusting the optical axis.

Next, the configuration of the second lamp unit 40 will be explained.

As shown in FIGS. 1, 3, and 6, the second lamp unit 40 is a direct-projection type lamp unit, and includes a second projection lens 42 having an optical axis Ax extending in the front-rear direction of the lamp; The lamp is also configured to include a second light source 44 and an auxiliary light source 54 arranged on the rear side of the lamp.

The second projection lens 42 is supported at its outer peripheral edge by a lens holder 48, and the lens holder 48 is supported by a base member 50.

The second light source 44 is composed of eight light emitting elements 44A supported by a substrate 44B. The eight light emitting elements 44A are arranged in a line at equal intervals in the vehicle width direction. Each light emitting element 44A is a white light emitting diode, and has a square (specifically, a square of about 1×1 mm) light emitting surface. The second light source 44 is arranged such that the light emitting surfaces of the eight light emitting elements 44A are directed toward the front of the lamp at a position slightly forward of the rear focal point F of the second projection lens 42. At this time, the eight light emitting elements 44A are arranged in a symmetrical positional relationship with respect to the optical axis Ax, and the light emitting center of each light emitting element 44A is located slightly below the optical axis Ax ( Specifically, the upper edge of the light emitting surface is arranged so that the optical axis Ax is also located slightly above the light emitting surface. The second light source 44 is supported by the base member 50 on the rear surface of the substrate 44B.

The auxiliary light source 54 is composed of three auxiliary light emitting elements 54A supported by a substrate 54B. The three auxiliary light emitting elements 54A are arranged in a line at equal intervals in the vehicle width direction. Each auxiliary light emitting element 54A is a white light emitting diode, and has a square (specifically, a square of about 1×1 mm) light emitting surface. Then, the auxiliary light source 54 moves the light emitting surfaces of the three auxiliary light emitting elements 54A to a position slightly more forward of the lamp than the rear focal point F of the second projection lens 42 (that is, further forward of the lamp than the light emitting surfaces of the eight light emitting elements 44A). The lamp is placed facing forward at the side position). At this time, the auxiliary light source 54 is arranged to be located on the left side of the second light source 44 (on the right side when viewed from the front of the lamp) and above the second light source 44. The auxiliary light source 54 is supported by the base member 50 on the rear surface of the substrate 54B.

In the second lamp unit 40, the direct light from the second light source 44 is emitted as substantially parallel light slightly upward with respect to the front direction of the lamp through the second projection lens 42, and the direct light is emitted from the auxiliary light source 54. The emitted light is emitted through the second projection lens 42 in a direction that is largely deflected to the right with respect to the front direction of the lamp, and is directed downward by 5 degrees or more (for example, about 6 degrees) as light that is somewhat diffused. It has become.

Further, the second lamp unit 40 is configured such that eight light emitting elements 44A forming the second light source 44 can be individually lit. In order to realize this, each light emitting element 44A is connected to an electronic control unit (not shown), and the electronic control unit controls the lighting and extinguishing of the light emitting element 44A according to the driving condition of the own vehicle.

The auxiliary light source 54 is configured such that when the first light source 24 of the first lamp unit 20 is turned on, each auxiliary light emitting element 54A has a brightness that is less than half the brightness of each light emitting element 44A of the second light source 44 (for example, 20 to 30 % brightness).

Next, the configuration of the second lamp unit 60 will be explained.

As shown in FIGS. 1, 4, and 7, the second lamp unit 60 is a direct-projection type lamp unit, and includes a second projection lens 62 having an optical axis Ax extending in the front-rear direction of the lamp; The lamp is also configured to include a second light source 64 and an auxiliary light source 74 that are arranged on the rear side of the lamp.

The second projection lens 62 is supported at its outer peripheral edge by a lens holder 68, and the lens holder 68 is supported by a base member 70.

The second light source 64 is composed of four light emitting elements 64A supported by a substrate 64B. The four light emitting elements 64A are arranged in a line at equal intervals in the vehicle width direction. Each light emitting element 64A is a white light emitting diode, and has a square (specifically, a square of about 1×1 mm) light emitting surface. The second light source 64 is arranged such that the light emitting surfaces of the four light emitting elements 64A are directed toward the front of the lamp at a position slightly forward of the rear focal point F of the second projection lens 62. At this time, the four light emitting elements 64A are arranged in a bilaterally symmetrical positional relationship with respect to the optical axis Ax, and the light emitting center of each light emitting element 64A is located slightly below the optical axis Ax (i.e. The light emitting elements 44A of the second light source 44 are arranged further below the light emitting surface of each light emitting element 44A. The second light source 64 is supported by the base member 70 on the rear surface of the substrate 64B.

The auxiliary light source 74 is composed of three auxiliary light emitting elements 74A supported by a substrate 74B. The three auxiliary light emitting elements 74A are arranged in a line at equal intervals in the vehicle width direction. Each auxiliary light emitting element 74A is a white light emitting diode, and has a square (specifically, a square of about 1×1 mm) light emitting surface. Then, the auxiliary light source 74 moves the light emitting surfaces of the three auxiliary light emitting elements 74A to a position slightly more forward of the lamp than the rear focal point F of the second projection lens 62 (that is, further forward of the lamp than the light emitting surfaces of the four light emitting elements 64A). The lamp is placed facing forward at the side position). At this time, the auxiliary light source 74 is arranged to be located on the right side of the second light source 64 and above the second light source 64. The auxiliary light source 74 is supported by the base member 70 on the rear surface of the substrate 74B.
In the second lamp unit 60, the direct light from the second light source 64 is emitted slightly upwardly with respect to the front direction of the lamp (i.e., emitted from the second light source 44 of the second lamp unit 40) through the second projection lens 62. The light emitted from the auxiliary light source 74 is emitted as a substantially parallel light (more upward than the light emitted via the second projection lens 42), and the light emitted from the auxiliary light source 74 is directed to the left with respect to the front direction of the lamp via the second projection lens 62. The light is emitted as light that is largely deflected downward by 5 degrees or more (for example, about 6 degrees) and is somewhat diffused.

Further, in the second lamp unit 60, the four light emitting elements 64A constituting the second light source 64 are configured to be individually lit. In order to realize this, each light emitting element 64A is connected to an electronic control unit (not shown), and the electronic control unit controls the lighting and extinguishing of the light emitting element 64A according to the driving condition of the own vehicle.

The auxiliary light source 74 is configured so that when the first light source 24 of the first lamp unit 20 is turned on, each auxiliary light emitting element 74A has a brightness that is less than half the brightness of each light emitting element 64A of the second light source 64 (for example, 20 to 30 % brightness).

FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing a light distribution pattern formed on a virtual vertical screen placed 25 m in front of the vehicle by light emitted forward from the vehicle lamp 10. 8(a) is a diagram showing a low beam light distribution pattern PL, and FIG. 8(b) is a diagram showing a high beam light distribution pattern PH.

As shown in FIG. 8(a), the low beam light distribution pattern PL is a left-hand low beam light distribution pattern, and has cut-off lines CL1 and CL2 at different levels on the left and right edges thereof. These cutoff lines CL1 and CL2 extend horizontally at different levels on the left and right, with the VV line passing vertically through HV, which is the vanishing point in the front direction of the lamp, as the border, and are located on the right side of the VV line. The oncoming lane side portion is formed as a lower cutoff line CL1, and the own lane side portion on the left side of the V-V line is formed as an upper cutoff line CL2 that is raised from this lower cutoff line CL1 via an inclined part. It is formed. In the low beam light distribution pattern PL, the elbow point E, which is the intersection of the lower cutoff line CL1 and the line VV, is located approximately 0.5 to 0.6 degrees below HV.

The low beam light distribution pattern PL is a light distribution pattern formed by the irradiation light from the first lamp unit 20; A pair of left and right auxiliary light distribution patterns PB1 and PB2 are additionally formed by the light.

The right side auxiliary light distribution pattern PB1 is a light distribution pattern formed by lighting the auxiliary light source 54 of the second lamp unit 40, and is located at a position that partially overlaps with the right end of the low beam light distribution pattern PL. is formed.

The left auxiliary light distribution pattern PB2 is a light distribution pattern formed by lighting the auxiliary light source 74 of the second lamp unit 60, and is located at a position that partially overlaps with the left end of the low beam light distribution pattern PL. is formed.

In the low beam lighting mode, a pair of left and right auxiliary light distribution patterns PB1 and PB2 are additionally formed with respect to the low beam light distribution pattern PL, so that the road ahead of the vehicle is illuminated widely.

Details of the pair of left and right auxiliary light distribution patterns PB1 and PB2 will be described later.

As shown in FIG. 8(b), the high beam light distribution pattern PH extends above the cutoff lines CL1 and CL2 with respect to the low beam light distribution pattern PL and the pair of left and right auxiliary light distribution patterns PB1 and PB2. An additional light distribution pattern PA for high beam is added.

The high beam additional light distribution pattern PA is a combination of an additional light distribution pattern PA1 formed by the irradiation light from the second lamp unit 40 and an additional light distribution pattern PA2 formed by the irradiation light from the second lamp unit 60. It is formed as a light distribution pattern.

The additional light distribution pattern PA1 is formed as a horizontally elongated light distribution pattern that spreads evenly on both left and right sides from the VV line so as to vertically straddle the HH line passing through the HV in the horizontal direction. At this time, the additional light distribution pattern PA1 expands more above the line HH than below it in the vertical direction, and its lower edge is located slightly below the lower cutoff line CL1.

This additional light distribution pattern PA1 is formed as a composite light distribution pattern of eight light distribution patterns PA1a formed as light source images of the eight light emitting elements 44A constituting the second light source 44 of the second lamp unit 40.

The eight light distribution patterns PA1a all have a substantially square outer shape and are formed so as to partially overlap each other. This is because the light-emitting surface of each light-emitting element 44A has a substantially square outer shape, and the light-emitting surface of each light-emitting element 44A is located slightly toward the front of the lamp than the rear focal point F of the second projection lens 42. It depends on what you are doing.

Further, the additional light distribution pattern PA1 is formed as a horizontally elongated light distribution pattern that spreads evenly on both left and right sides from the VV line because the eight light emitting elements 44A are arranged in a symmetrical positional relationship with respect to the optical axis Ax. This is due to the fact that

Furthermore, the reason why the additional light distribution pattern PA1 expands more above the line HH than below it is because the upper edge of each light emitting element 44A is located slightly above the optical axis Ax. This is due to a number of reasons.

On the other hand, the additional light distribution pattern PA2 is formed as a horizontally elongated light distribution pattern that spreads evenly on both left and right sides from the VV line above the additional light distribution pattern PA1. At this time, the additional light distribution pattern PA2 is formed with a horizontal diffusion angle that is approximately half that of the additional light distribution pattern PA1, and partially overlaps with the additional light distribution pattern PA1 at its lower edge.

This additional light distribution pattern PA2 is formed as a composite light distribution pattern of four light distribution patterns PA2a formed as light source images of the four light emitting elements 64A constituting the second light source 64 of the second lamp unit 60.

The four light distribution patterns PA2a all have a substantially square outer shape and are formed so as to partially overlap each other. This is because the light emitting surface of each light emitting element 64A has a substantially square outer shape, and the light emitting surface of each light emitting element 64A is located slightly toward the front of the lamp than the rear focal point F of the second projection lens 62. It depends on what you are doing.

Further, the additional light distribution pattern PA2 is formed as a horizontally elongated light distribution pattern that spreads evenly on both the left and right sides from the VV line because the four light emitting elements 64A are arranged in a symmetrical positional relationship with respect to the optical axis Ax. This is due to the fact that

Furthermore, the additional light distribution pattern PA2 is formed above the additional light distribution pattern PA1, and partially overlaps with the additional light distribution pattern PA1 at the lower edge because each light emitting element 64A This is because it is located somewhat below the element 44A.

In the high beam lighting mode, the additional light distribution pattern PA for high beams is controlled by the light distribution pattern PH for high beams which is additionally formed with respect to the light distribution pattern PL for low beams and the pair of left and right auxiliary light distribution patterns PB1 and PB2. This ensures sufficient long-distance visibility of the road ahead.

As shown in FIG. 8B, the pair of left and right auxiliary light distribution patterns PB1 and PB2 are formed as horizontally elongated light distribution patterns having a larger vertical width than the additional light distribution patterns PA1 and PA2. This is because the auxiliary light sources 54 and 74 are displaced toward the front of the lamp than the second light sources 44 and 66, so that a light source image of the three auxiliary light emitting elements 54A and 74A that constitute the auxiliary light sources 54 and 74 is formed. This is because the outlines of the three light distribution patterns are largely blurred and integrated.

At this time, the pair of left and right auxiliary light distribution patterns PB1 and PB2 are formed as light distribution patterns that are less bright than the additional light distribution pattern PA for high beam and the light distribution pattern PL for low beam. This is because each of the auxiliary light emitting elements 54A, 74A that constitute the auxiliary light sources 54, 74 lights up at a brightness that is less than half of the brightness of each of the light emitting elements 44A, 64A that constitutes the second light sources 44, 64. be.

In this embodiment, as a variation of the high beam lighting mode, the eight light emitting elements 44A making up the second light source 44 and the four light emitting elements 64A making up the second light source 64 are turned on individually depending on the driving situation of the host vehicle. The configuration is such that the ADB control mode to be used can be selected.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing the high beam pattern PH formed when the ADB control mode is selected, and FIG. 9(a) shows the high beam pattern PH formed in the first ADB control mode. FIG. 9B is a diagram showing a high beam pattern PH formed in the second ADB control mode.

As shown in FIG. 9(a), in the first ADB control mode, a high beam is formed when the third light emitting element 44A from the left among the eight light emitting elements 44A constituting the second light source 44 is turned off. It is a figure which shows the pattern PH for.

In this high beam pattern PH, the third light distribution pattern PA1a from the right is missing out of the eight light distribution patterns PA1a that constitute the additional light distribution pattern PA1 of the high beam additional light distribution pattern PA.

By forming such a high beam pattern PH, even when there is an oncoming vehicle 2 on the road ahead of the vehicle, the vehicle can be driven forward without giving glare to the driver of the oncoming vehicle 2. It illuminates a wide area of the road.

As shown in FIG. 9(b), in the second ADB control mode, the fourth and fifth light emitting elements 44A from the left among the eight light emitting elements 44A that constitute the second light source 44 of the second lamp unit 40 are FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a high beam pattern PH that is formed when the lights are turned off.

In this high beam pattern PH, the fourth and fifth light distribution patterns PA1a from the right are missing out of the eight light distribution patterns PA1a that constitute the additional light distribution pattern PA1 of the high beam additional light distribution pattern PA. ing.

By forming such a high beam pattern PH, even when there is a vehicle in front 4 on the road in front of the vehicle, the driver of the vehicle in front 4 is prevented from receiving glare, and the vehicle is It illuminates a wide area of the road ahead.

Note that the position of the light emitting element to be turned off among the eight light emitting elements 44A forming the second light source 44 and the four light emitting elements 64A forming the second light source 64 is determined depending on the position of the oncoming vehicle 2 and the vehicle in front 4. It is also possible to form an additional light distribution pattern for high beam having a dark part at a different position from the additional light distribution pattern PA for high beam shown in FIGS. 9(a) and 9(b) by changing the number appropriately.

Next, the effects of this embodiment will be explained.

The vehicle lamp 10 according to the present embodiment emits light from the first light source 24 toward the front of the vehicle through the first projection lens 22, thereby providing a low beam arrangement having cutoff lines CL1 and CL2 at the upper end. By irradiating light from the first lamp unit 20 configured to form the light pattern PL and the second light sources 44, 64 toward the front of the vehicle via the second projection lenses 42, 62, the cutoff line is The second lamp units 40 and 60 are configured to form an additional light distribution pattern PA for high beams that expands upwards of CL1 and CL2. It is equipped with auxiliary light sources 54 and 74 that turn on at the same time, and is configured to form auxiliary light distribution patterns PB1 and PB2 at positions below cut-off lines CL1 and CL2 by turning on these auxiliary light sources 54 and 74. Therefore, the following effects can be obtained.

That is, FIG. 10(a) is a front view showing the vehicle lamp 10 in the low beam lighting mode, and FIG. 10(b) is a front view showing the vehicle lamp 10 in the high beam lighting mode. be.

As shown in FIG. 10(a), the vehicle lamp 10 is configured such that the auxiliary light sources 54, 74 of the second lamp units 40, 60 are turned on at the same time as the first light source 24 of the first lamp unit 20. Therefore, in the low beam lighting mode as well as in the high beam lighting mode, not only the first projection lens 22 but also the second projection lenses 42 and 62 can be made to appear shiny. Therefore, the visibility of the vehicle lamp 10 can be improved even in the low beam lighting mode.

At this time, since the auxiliary light distribution patterns PB1 and PB2 formed by lighting the auxiliary light sources 54 and 74 are located below the cut-off lines CL1 and CL2 of the low beam light distribution pattern PL, the auxiliary light distribution patterns PB1 and PB2 are located below the cut-off lines CL1 and CL2 of the low beam light distribution pattern PL. It is possible to prevent glare from being generated due to the lighting of the light sources 54 and 74.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, glare light is generated even in the low beam lighting mode in the vehicle lamp 10 configured to be able to selectively form the low beam light distribution pattern PL and the high beam light distribution pattern PH. It is possible to improve the visibility of the vehicular lamp 10 without causing any problems.

At this time, in this embodiment, as the second lamp units 40 and 60, a pair of left and right auxiliary light distribution patterns PB1 and PB2 are formed at positions that partially overlap with both end portions of the low beam light distribution pattern PL. With this configuration, the road ahead of the vehicle can be illuminated over a wide area, thereby improving the visibility of the road ahead of the vehicle.

Further, in this embodiment, since the auxiliary light sources 54 and 74 of the second lamp units 40 and 60 include three auxiliary light emitting elements 54A and 74A arranged in line in the vehicle width direction, the auxiliary light distribution pattern PB1, PB2 can be formed as a horizontally elongated light distribution pattern, thereby further improving the lateral visibility of the road ahead of the vehicle.

Furthermore, in this embodiment, the second light source 44 of the second lamp unit 40 includes eight light emitting elements 44A, 64A arranged in the vehicle width direction, and the second light source 64 of the second lamp unit 60 is equipped with four light emitting elements 44A, 64A arranged side by side in the vehicle width direction, and is configured such that one or more of these light emitting elements 44A, 64A can be selectively turned on. Therefore, the high beam additional light distribution pattern PA can be formed in a plurality of different shapes. Therefore, in the high beam lighting mode, by appropriately combining the light-emitting elements 44A and 64A that turn on selectively, it is possible to illuminate a wide area of the road ahead of the vehicle without giving glare to the driver of the oncoming vehicle 2 or the vehicle in front 4. I can do it.

In the above embodiment, the second light source 44 of the second lamp unit 40 includes eight light emitting elements 24A, and the second light source 64 of the second lamp unit 60 includes four light emitting elements 24A. However, it is also possible to configure the second light sources 44, 64 with a number other than this.

In the above embodiment, the auxiliary light sources 54 and 74 of the second lamp units 40 and 60 have been described as including three auxiliary light emitting elements 54A and 74A, but the auxiliary light sources 54 and 74 may include other numbers. It is also possible to have a different configuration.

In the above embodiment, each light emitting element 44A, 64A forming the second light source 44, 64 and each auxiliary light emitting element 54A, 74A forming the auxiliary light source 54, 74 are described as having a square light emitting surface. However, it is also possible to have a light emitting surface having a shape other than this (for example, a vertically long rectangular shape, a horizontally long rectangular shape, etc.).

In the above embodiment, the second light sources 44, 64 and the auxiliary light sources 54, 74 are arranged on the front side of the lamp with respect to the rear focal point F of the second projection lenses 42, 62. It is also possible to have a configuration arranged on the side.

In the embodiment described above, the auxiliary light sources 54 and 74 are turned on in both the low beam lighting mode and the high beam lighting mode, but it is also possible to have a configuration in which the auxiliary light sources 54 and 74 are turned on only in the low beam lighting mode.

Although the above embodiment has been described as including two second lamp units 40 and 60, it is also possible to adopt a configuration including a single second lamp unit. In this case, for example, it is also possible to have a configuration that includes only the second lighting unit 40, and then configure the second lighting unit 40 to include two auxiliary light sources 54 and 74.

Next, a modification of the above embodiment will be described.

The basic configuration of the vehicle lamp according to this modification is the same as the vehicle lamp 10 of the above embodiment, but in this modification, the second lamp units 40 and 60 are used to assist when the vehicle is turning rather than when the vehicle is traveling straight. This embodiment differs from the above embodiment in that the light sources 54 and 74 are configured to light up more brightly.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing a light distribution pattern formed by the irradiation light from the vehicle lamp according to the present modification when the vehicle turns left, and FIG. 11(a) shows the low beam light distribution pattern PL. FIG. 11B is a diagram showing a high beam light distribution pattern PH.

In this modification, in both the low beam lighting mode and the high beam lighting mode, when the vehicle turns left, the left side auxiliary light distribution pattern PB2 is formed as a brighter light distribution pattern than the right side auxiliary light distribution pattern PB1. ing.

Specifically, each auxiliary light emitting element 54A constituting the auxiliary light source 54 lights up with a brightness that is less than half of that of each light emitting element 44A constituting the second light source 44, similar to when the vehicle is traveling straight; Each of the constituent auxiliary light emitting elements 74A lights up with the same brightness as each of the light emitting elements 64A constituting the second light source 64, so that the left auxiliary light distribution pattern PB2 is 2 times larger than the right auxiliary light distribution pattern PB1. It is now formed with more than twice the brightness.

Similarly, when the vehicle turns to the right, the right side auxiliary light distribution pattern PB1 is formed as a light distribution pattern brighter than the left side auxiliary light distribution pattern PB2.

By employing the configuration of this modification, it is possible to suppress power consumption when the vehicle is traveling straight and to improve the visibility of the road ahead of the vehicle when the vehicle is turning. That is, the second lamp units 40 and 60 can also have a function as a cornering lamp.

Note that the numerical values shown as specifications in the above embodiment and its modified examples are merely examples, and it goes without saying that these may be set to different values as appropriate.

Furthermore, the present invention is not limited to the configurations described in the above embodiments and modifications thereof, and configurations with various changes other than these can be adopted.

2 Oncoming vehicle 4 Vehicle in front 10 Vehicle lamp 12 Lamp body 14 Transparent cover 16 Extension panel 16a, 16b, 16c Opening 20 First lamp unit 22 First projection lens 24 First light source 24A, 44A, 64A Light emitting element 24B , 44B, 54B, 64B, 74B Substrate 26 Reflector 26a Reflective surface 28, 48, 68 Lens holder 30, 50, 70 Base member 30a Upward reflective surface 40, 60 Second lamp unit 42, 62 Second projection lens 44, 64 2 light sources 54, 74 Auxiliary light sources 54A, 74A Auxiliary light emitting element Ax Optical axis CL1 Lower cut-off line CL2 Upper cut-off line E Elbow point F Rear focal point PA Additional light distribution pattern for high beam PA1, PA2 Additional light distribution pattern PA1a, PA2a Light distribution Pattern PB1, PB2 Auxiliary light distribution pattern PH Light distribution pattern for high beam PL Light distribution pattern for low beam

Claims (5)

a first lamp unit configured to form a low beam light distribution pattern having a cutoff line at an upper end by irradiating light from a first light source toward the front of the vehicle through a first projection lens; A second lamp unit configured to form an additional high beam light distribution pattern that extends above the cutoff line by irradiating light from a second light source toward the front of the vehicle through a second projection lens. In a vehicle lamp equipped with,
The second lighting unit includes an auxiliary light source that can be turned on simultaneously with the first light source, and is configured to form an auxiliary light distribution pattern at a position below the cutoff line by turning on the auxiliary light source. and
The auxiliary light source is configured to be lit in a low beam lighting mode that is a lighting mode when forming the low beam light distribution pattern,
A vehicular lamp characterized in that the second lamp unit does not have a function of forming a light distribution pattern having the cutoff line as a light distribution pattern constituting a part of the low beam light distribution pattern. 2. The second lamp unit is configured to form the auxiliary light distribution pattern at a position that partially overlaps a side edge of the low beam light distribution pattern. Vehicle lighting. 3. The vehicle lamp according to claim 2, wherein the second lamp unit is configured so that the auxiliary light source lights up more brightly when the vehicle is turning than when the vehicle is traveling straight. 4. The vehicle lamp according to claim 1, wherein the second lamp unit includes a plurality of auxiliary light emitting elements arranged in a row in the vehicle width direction as the auxiliary light source. The second lighting unit includes a plurality of light emitting elements arranged in a row in the vehicle width direction as the second light source,
5. The vehicle lamp according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of light emitting elements are configured such that one or more of the light emitting elements can be selectively turned on.

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