Vehicle lamp

The present invention relates to a vehicle lamp, and more particularly to a vehicle headlight such as a headlight and a sub-headlight using a plurality of LED devices as the light source.

In recent years, with the increase of power and intensity of white LEDs, white LEDs have been considered for use as the light source for a vehicle lamp. The advantages of using the LEDs are expected to be the acquisition of a non-replaceable light source, lowering of power consumption and size-reduction of the lighting fixture itself.

However, though the power of white LEDs has increased, for each individual LED light source both the luminous flux and the intensity are low compared to an individual conventional light source using an electric discharge lamp, such as a halogen lamp, an HID lamp, etc. The luminous flux of a white LED is approximately 1/20 of that of a halogen lamp and approximately 1/60 of that of an HID lamp in the present situation. Furthermore, since it may be difficult, even in the future, for the flux and the intensity of an LED to reach those equal to those of an HID lamp, it is preferable to make a vehicle lamp with an optical system that uses a plurality of LEDs in order to use an LED as a light source of a vehicle lamp.

A vehicle lamp as described above, for example a conventional vehicle lamp as shown in <figref idref="f0025 f0026 f0027">Figs. 25-27</figref>, will now be described.

First, a vehicle lamp 1 shown in <figref idref="f0025">Fig. 25</figref> comprises a light source module 2 in which a plurality of LEDs 2a are arranged and mounted on the surface of a substrate having a dented shape facing the front. A projector lens 3 is arranged in front of the light source module 2, and a shading member 4 is arranged in the vicinity of the focusing position F on the light source side of the projector lens 3.

Each of the LEDs 2a of the above light source module 2 is respectively arranged such that its optical axis is directed to the focusing position F of the projector lens 3 and is respectively adapted to be illuminated by being supplied with a driving current from a driving unit (not shown). The projector lens 3 comprises a convex lens and is adapted to converge and frontwardly emit the light irradiated from each of the LEDs 2a of the light source module 2. The shading member 4 has an edge 4a formed such that it forms a cut-offto create a light distribution pattern for a low beam.

According to the vehicle lamp having such a structure, each of the LEDs 2a of the light source module 2 is illuminated by being supplied with a driving current, and the light irradiated from each of the LEDs 2a respectively travels toward the focusing position F of the projector lens 3 and is converged and emitted frontward by the projector lens 3.

In this case, as shown in <figref idref="f0026">Fig. 26</figref>, due to the shading member 4 forming a cut-off, the above mentioned light is emitted frontward and within the area of a light distribution pattern L for a so-called low beam. Thereby, the vehicle lamp is configured such that it does not give any glaring or dazzling light to oncoming cars and pedestrians when used as a headlamp.

A vehicle lamp 5 shown in <figref idref="f0027">Fig. 27</figref> comprises a light source module comprising a plurality of LEDs 6a arranged circumferentially around a central axis extending frontward. A reflector 7 reflects light from the light source module 6 towards the front. A projector lens 3 causes the reflected light from the reflector 7 to converge, and a shading member 4 forms a cut-off for dipped light-distribution.

As shown in <figref idref="f0027">Fig. 27(B)</figref>, each of the LEDs 6a of the light source module 6 is arranged such that its optical axis extends from the central axis in an outward radial direction. The reflector 7 comprises, for example, an ellipsoid of revolution, and each of the LEDs 6a of the light source module 6 is arranged in the vicinity of a first focusing position of the surface, and a second focusing position of the surface is in the vicinity of a focusing position on the light source side of the projector lens 3.

According to the vehicle lamp 5 having such a structure, each of the LEDs 6a of the light source module 6 is illuminated by being supplied with a driving current. The light irradiated from each of the LEDs 6a is respectively reflected by the reflector 7 and travels toward the second focus of the reflector 7, i.e., a focusing position F of the projector lens 3. Then, the light is caused to converge by the projector lens 3, and is emitted frontward.

In this case, as shown in <figref idref="f0026">Fig. 26</figref>, due to a cut-off formed by the shading member 4, the light is emitted frontward within the area of a light distribution pattern L for a so-called low beam. Thus, the vehicle lamp is configured such that it does not give any glaring or dazzling light to oncoming cars and pedestrians, when configured as a headlight.

However, for a vehicle lamp 1 having such a structure, it has not been suitable to employ LEDs as light sources since the lamp comprises an optical system based on a halogen lamp or an electric discharge lamp. It has been difficult to form a desired light distribution pattern with the LEDs. Therefore, it has also been difficult to efficiently use the light irradiated from each of the LEDs and emit the light frontward.

Furthermore, as shown in <figref idref="f0026">Fig. 26</figref>, a luminous intensity of, for example, 6,000-20,000cd is preferable for a low beam of a headlight in the vicinity of the central area. In contrast, in an optical system in which light is caused to converge by a projector lens, the value of the luminous intensity is in proportion to the density of light (luminous flux divergence) in the vicinity of a focusing position of the projector lens and the area of the lamp fitting. Therefore, in the case where an LED (which has a considerably lower intensity compared to an electric discharge lamp such as a halogen lamp or an HID lamp) is used as a light source, the optical system becomes considerably large in order to obtain the above-mentioned luminous intensity with a conventional optical system using a reflector and a projector lens as described above.

In the case of a vehicle lamp 1 shown in <figref idref="f0025">Fig. 25</figref>, the density of light in the vicinity of a focusing position F becomes low as the distance increases between each of the LEDs 2a of the light source module 2 and a focusing position F of the projector lens 3. Therefore, it is difficult to obtain a high luminous intensity. In contrast, as the light source module 2 and the focusing position F are made closer to each other, the number of the LEDs 2a capable of being integrated on the light source module 2 becomes fewer. In this manner, for the vehicle lamp 1, in any case, it is difficult to obtain a desired luminous intensity.

Furthermore, in the case of the vehicle lamp 5 shown in <figref idref="f0027">Fig. 27</figref>, each of the LEDs 6a of the light source module 6 is projected and enlarged by the reflector 7, and it is difficult to obtain a desired luminous intensity as well.

In contrast, for example, a conventional vehicle lamp 8 shown in <figref idref="f0028">Fig. 28</figref> can be considered. In <figref idref="f0028">Fig. 28</figref>, the vehicle lamp 8 has a structure in which a reflector 9b, a projector lens 9c and a shading member 9d are provided adjacent each of a plurality of LEDs 9a arranged in a matrix of horizontal rows and vertical columns. An image of each of the LEDs 9a is projected frontward by the reflector 9b and a projector lens 9c corresponding to each of the LEDs 9a.

However, for the vehicle lamp 8, the optical system comprising the reflector 9b and the projector lens 9c is also not suitable for employing an LED as the light source because it has a structure based on a halogen lamp or an electric discharge lamp, similar to the case of the vehicle lamp 5 discussed above.

Furthermore, for each of the vehicle lamps 1, 5 and 8, shading members 4 or 9d are provided in order to form a light distribution pattern of a low beam, e.g., a light beam which illuminates more brightly on one side of the road (in the case of driving on the left, the left side) soas not to dazzle or blind the drivers of oncoming cars. By cutting unnecessary light with the shading member 4 or 9d, the vehicle lamps are adapted to obtain the light distribution pattern of the above-mentioned low beam. In this case, in order to form a cut-off against the light distribution pattern of the low beam, it is necessary to form the cut-off with the shading member 4 or 9d at the location in the vicinity of the optical axis of each of the LEDs 2a, 6a and 9a, where the luminous intensity is highest. Therefore, for example, an amount of light close to approximately 40% is cut by the shading member 4 or 9d from the emitted light amount from each of the LEDs 2a, 6a and 9a, resulting in a substantial loss of light. Therefore, the LED's optical characteristic of plane illumination can not be utilized and the efficiency of light use is very low.

On the contrary, when a vehicle lamp is adapted to control its light distribution pattern only with the reflector 7 or 9b without using the shading members 4 and 9d, the efficiency of light use can be increased by up to approximately 70% since the loss can be minimized. However, it is difficult to obtain a sufficient contrast at the border of light and shade on an H line (horizontal line) and elbow line (an inclined line of 15 degrees) since the intensity of each LED is low.

<patcit id="pcit0001" dnum="US2003198060A1"><text>US 2003/198060 A1</text></patcit> discloses a light source unit for a vehicular lamp. An LED is mounted on an optical axis extending in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle with its light output directed upward, and a reflector is provided above the LED having a first reflecting surface for collecting the light emitted by the LED and reflecting the light generally in the direction of the optical axis. The first reflecting surface is formed in such a manner that a distance in a vertical direction from the LED to the first reflecting surface is approximately 10 mm in a preferred embodiment. Consequently, the size of the reflector can be considerably reduced as compared with reflectors employed in conventional vehicular lamps. Moreover, the LED used as a light source emits little heat, the reflector can be designed without having to take into account the influence of heat generated by the light source. Furthermore, the LED can be treated substantially as a point light source so that proper reflection control can be carried out even if the size of the reflector is reduced. By mounting the LED so that its light output is directed substantially orthogonal to the optical axis, moreover, it is possible to effectively utilize most of the light emitted by the LED and reflected by the first reflecting surface.

<patcit id="pcit0002" dnum="DE10205779A1"><text>DE 102 05 779 A1</text></patcit> discloses a headlamp for a vehicle. The device has light sources on a carrier material provided with optical arrangements individually or in groups for focusing their light beams onto illumination points or regions in the foreground. Light sources can be switched on and off individually and/or in groups, the light distribution can be adjusted as required within the sources' arrangement/alignment capabilities and at least some sources have a shade to give a dipped beam effect. The device has a light source arrangement with a number of light sources on a carrier material and provided with optical arrangements individually or in groups for focusing the light beams from the light sources onto several illumination points or regions in the foreground of the vehicle. Light sources can be switched on and off individually and/or in groups, the light distribution can be adjusted as required within the arrangement and alignment capabilities of the sources and at least some sources are provided with a shade to give a dipped beam effect.

In view of the foregoing, according to the present invention there is provided a vehicle lamp as set forth in claim 1. Preferred embodiments of the present invention may be gathered from the dependent claims. The vehicle lamp is suitable for a headlight, a sub-headlight, tail light, or other vehicle lamp, etc. configured to obtain a desired light distribution pattern using a plurality of LED devices as light sources.

A light distribution pattern can be divided into a plurality of areas, and a light source module and an optical system can be provided for each of the areas. Then, by optimizing each of the light source modules and each of the optical systems for their corresponding area respectively, a light distribution characteristic can be obtained in which each of the areas of the light distribution pattern respectively has desired luminous intensity distribution.

Thereby, the vehicle lamp as a whole can form a desired light distribution pattern having desired luminous intensity distribution by virtue of the plurality of combinations of the light source modules and the optical systems. In this case, by optimizing each of the LEDs of each of the light source modules together with the optical system for their corresponding area of the light distribution pattern, the efficiency of light usage from each of the LEDs can be increased and brighter emitted light can be obtained.

When each of the above light source modules and optical systems emit light respectively to the converged area and the diverged area of the light distribution pattern, they can respectively emit light to the converged area and the diverged area in desired light distribution by optimizing each of the light source modules and each of the optical systems respectively for the converged area and the diverged area of the light distribution pattern. Thereby, as a whole, a light distribution pattern having desired luminous intensity distribution can be formed.

When each of the above light source modules and optical systems emit light respectively to the converged area, the diverged area and an intermediate area of the light distribution pattern, they can respectively emit light to the converged area, the diverged area and the intermediate area in desired luminous intensity distribution by optimizing each of the light source modules and each of the optical systems respectively for the converged area, the diverged area and the intermediate area of the light distribution pattern. Thereby, as a whole, a light distribution pattern having desired luminous intensity distribution can be formed and, at the same time, the converged area and the diverged area can be continuously connected by the intermediate area in a smoothly varying contrast.

In the case where a light source module for emitting light to the converged area of the above light distribution pattern is provided with a shading member having the same shape as that of the light distribution pattern of the low beam, and an optical system corresponding to the module includes a projector lens for converging light, a cut-off can be formed by a shading member. The shading member can be located to block light from each LED of the light source module and, further, the shape of the emission formed by the cut-off can be converged by the projector lens and emitted frontward. Thereby, in a simple structure, it is possible to, for example, form a border of light and shade having a high contrast in the vicinity of the center. Therefore, it is possible to form a light distribution pattern suitable for the converged area.

In the case where a light source module for emitting light to a diverged area of the above light distribution pattern has an illuminating shape having one linear ridge line and is elongated along one direction, and an optical system corresponding to the light source module includes a reflector for reflecting light from the light source module, utilizing, for example, a light source module in which LED chips are arranged in a line, the linear ridge line is reflected by the reflector and emitted frontward. Therefore, the light from the light source module can be efficiently reflected frontward. At the same time, a high-contrast border of light and shade can be formed by projecting the linear ridge line into the vicinity of a cut-off line. Thereby, it is possible to form a light distribution pattern diverging in the horizontal direction (the cut-off line has a difference in light and shade) and suitable for the diverged area. Furthermore, since the light source module is substantially plane-illuminating and fully-diverging illuminating, the reflector does not need to cover the entire light source and can have a substantially planar shape. Therefore, the vehicle lamp can be made thin.

In the case where an optical system for emitting light to the intermediate area of the above light distribution pattern includes a reflector and a projector lens such that the light distribution characteristics of the converged area and the diverged area are connected continuously and smoothly, the light is diverged by the reflector and is converged by the projector lens and emitted frontward while being slightly diverged. Since the cut-off is formed by a shading board at a lens focus, it is possible to smoothly connect a light distribution pattern forming a high-contrast border of light and shade in the converged area with a light distribution pattern diverging horizontally in the diverged area.

Furthermore, in the case where a light source module and an optical system optimized for emitting light to a light distribution area of a sub-lamp are provided and, preferably, the light distribution area of the sub-lamp is a daytime-running lamp distribution area, fog lamp distribution area or a cornering lamp distribution area, the light source module and the optical system can be directly incorporated in the vehicle lamp. Therefore, it is possible to implement a function of a sub-lamp in the vehicle lamp itself, and the entire lamp fitting for a vehicle can be made very small. As a result, the degree of freedom for lamp design and lamp fitting for a vehicle is increased.

Furthermore, in the case where a light source module and an optical system optimized for emitting light to an arbitrary light distribution area are removably arranged, it is possible to add or remove functions of a sub-lamp or other lamp fittings for a vehicle as necessary. Therefore, it is possible to easily manufacture a lamp fitting for a vehicle provided with arbitrary functions.

As indicated, each light source module can be structured as a different kind of package for which the number, the arrangement and the structure of LED chips are optimized, respectively, corresponding to a light distribution area in order to efficiently emit light. Therefore, a vehicle lamp can be made by combining different types of such packages.

In this manner, by virtue of a light source module employing an LED as a light source, light from each of the LEDs can be emitted to a predetermined area in a light distribution pattern through the corresponding optical system. In this case, since the light source module and the optical system are optimized in terms of each corresponding area of the light distribution pattern, it is possible to realize a light distribution characteristic having a desired shape of illumination and intensity distribution.

Therefore, even when an LED, which typically has a lower intensity compared to an electric discharge lamp such as a halogen lamp or an HID lamp, is used as a light source, a sufficient maximum luminous intensity can be obtained. Therefore, it is possible to realize a highly efficient, small and thin vehicle lamp. Furthermore, since a desired light distribution characteristic can be formed by combining light source modules, the degree of freedom of light distribution and the degree of freedom of the design of the vehicle lamp can be increased.

The vehicle lamp can also include a first pattern that is not symmetrical and is elbow shaped. In addition, a third light source module can be provided having an LED as a light source; and a third optical system can be located adjacent the third light source module, wherein the third light source module and corresponding third optical system are configured to emit light in a third pattern, and the third pattern being different from the first pattern and the second pattern.

The above and other objects, aspects, features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which: <ul id="ul0001" list-style="none" compact="compact"><li><figref idref="f0001">Fig. 1</figref> is a schematic diagram illustrating the composition of an embodiment of a vehicle lamp made in accordance with the principles of the present invention;</li><li><figref idref="f0002">Fig. 2</figref> is a schematic perspective view illustrating the composition of a set of lighting units of the vehicle lamp shown in <figref idref="f0001">Fig. 1</figref>;</li><li><figref idref="f0003">Fig. 3</figref> is an enlarged perspective view illustrating a light source module of the set of lighting units shown in <figref idref="f0002">Fig. 2</figref>;</li><li><figref idref="f0004">Fig. 4</figref> is a schematic side view illustrating a modification of the set of lighting units shown in <figref idref="f0002">Fig. 2</figref>:</li><li><figref idref="f0005">Fig. 5</figref> is a graph showing a light distribution pattern formed by the set of lighting units shown in <figref idref="f0004">Fig. 4</figref>;</li><li><figref idref="f0006">Fig. 6</figref> is a schematic perspective view illustrating another embodiment of the lighting units of the vehicle lamp shown in <figref idref="f0001">Fig. 1</figref>;</li><li><figref idref="f0007">Fig. 7</figref> is a schematic diagram showing an example of the shape of an illuminating unit of a light source module of the set of lighting units shown in <figref idref="f0006">Fig. 6</figref>;</li><li><figref idref="f0008">Fig. 8</figref> is a schematic diagram showing a projected image of the light source of the set of lighting units shown in <figref idref="f0006">Fig. 6</figref>;</li><li><figref idref="f0009">Fig. 9</figref> is a graph showing a light distribution pattern formed by the set of lighting units shown in <figref idref="f0006">Fig. 6</figref>;</li><li><figref idref="f0010">Fig. 10</figref> is a schematic diagram showing another example of the shape of the illuminating unit of the light source module of the set of lighting units shown in <figref idref="f0006">Fig. 6</figref>;</li><li><figref idref="f0011">Fig. 11</figref> is a schematic view showing yet another example of the shape of the illuminating unit of the lighting source module of the set of lighting units shown in <figref idref="f0006">Fig. 6</figref>;</li><li><figref idref="f0012">Fig. 12</figref> is a schematic side view illustrating another embodiment of the lighting unit of the vehicle lamp shown in <figref idref="f0001">Fig. 1</figref>;</li><li><figref idref="f0013">Fig. 13</figref> is a schematic side view illustrating another embodiment of the lighting unit of the vehicle lamp shown in <figref idref="f0001">Fig. 1</figref>;</li><li><figref idref="f0014">Fig. 14</figref> is a schematic side view illustrating yet another embodiment of the lighting unit of the vehicle lamp shown in <figref idref="f0001">Fig. 1</figref>;</li><li><figref idref="f0015">Fig. 15</figref> is a schematic side view illustrating a modification of the embodiment of the lighting unit shown in <figref idref="f0012">Fig. 12</figref>;</li><li><figref idref="f0016">Fig. 16</figref> is a schematic side view illustrating another modification of the embodiment of the lighting unit shown in <figref idref="f0012">Fig. 12</figref>;</li><li><figref idref="f0017">Fig. 17</figref> is a schematic diagram showing the composition of another embodiment of a vehicle lamp made in accordance with the principles of the present invention;</li><li><figref idref="f0018">Fig. 18</figref> is a schematic perspective view illustrating a set of lighting units for a vehicle lamp as shown in <figref idref="f0017">Fig. 17</figref>;</li><li><figref idref="f0019">Fig. 19</figref> is a schematic perspective view illustrating another set of lighting units for a vehicle lamp as shown in <figref idref="f0017">Fig. 17</figref>;</li><li><figref idref="f0020">Fig. 20</figref> is a schematic perspective view illustrating yet another set of lighting units for a vehicle lamp as shown in <figref idref="f0017">Fig. 17</figref>;</li><li><figref idref="f0021">Fig. 21</figref> is a graph showing a light distribution pattern formed by the set of lighting units as shown in <figref idref="f0018">Fig. 18</figref>;</li><li><figref idref="f0022">Fig. 22</figref> is a graph showing a light distribution pattern formed by the set of lighting units as shown in <figref idref="f0019">Fig. 19</figref>;</li><li><figref idref="f0023">Fig. 23</figref> is a graph showing a light distribution pattern formed by the set of lighting units as shown in <figref idref="f0020">Fig. 20</figref>;</li><li><figref idref="f0024">Fig. 24</figref> is a graph showing a light distribution pattern formed by the vehicle lamp as shown in <figref idref="f0017">Fig. 17</figref>;</li><li><figref idref="f0025">Fig. 25</figref> is a schematic side view illustrating the composition of an example of a conventional vehicle lamp;</li><li><figref idref="f0026">Fig. 26</figref> is a graph schematically showing a light distribution pattern for a low beam;</li><li><figref idref="f0027">Figs. 27(A) and (B)</figref> are a schematic side view and partial front view, respectively, illustrating the composition of another example of a conventional vehicle lamp; and</li><li><figref idref="f0028">Figs. 28 (A) and (B)</figref> are a schematic side view and front view, respectively, illustrating the composition of yet another example of a conventional vehicle lamp.</li></ul>

Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail referring to <figref idref="f0001 f0002 f0003 f0004 f0005 f0006 f0007 f0008 f0009 f0010 f0011 f0012 f0013 f0014 f0015 f0016 f0017 f0018 f0019 f0020 f0021 f0022 f0023 f0024">Figs. 1-24</figref>. Since the embodiments described herein below are preferred specific examples and embodiments of the present invention, there are various technically preferred limitations given thereto. However, the scope of the present invention is not limited to these aspects or limitations unless otherwise described.

<figref idref="f0001">Fig. 1</figref> shows the composition of an embodiment of a vehicle lamp made in accordance with the principles of the present invention. In <figref idref="f0001">Fig. 1</figref>, a vehicle lamp 10 can include three sets 11, 21 and 31 of lighting units. The first set 11 of the lighting units is preferably adapted to emit light to a converged area having maximal luminous intensity and including borders of light and shade, such as an elbow line, in a light distribution pattern of a so-called low beam.

The second set 21 of the lighting units can be adapted to emit light to a diverged area. The diverged area being a wide area for which no elbow line is necessary, in the above light distribution pattern.

Furthermore, the third set 31 of lighting units can be adapted to emit light to an intermediate area that is located between the above areas such that it smoothly connects the contrast of the light distribution in the above converged area and the diverged area in the above light distribution pattern.

First, the first set of the lighting units 11 for the converged area will be described. As shown in <figref idref="f0002">Fig. 2</figref>, the first set of the lighting units 11 can include a light source module 12 and an optical system 13. As shown in <figref idref="f0003">Fig. 3</figref>, the light source module 12 can be provided with an illuminating unit 12a that includes an LED formed by surrounding an LED chip with fluorescent material and which can be packaged by a lens house 12b made of, for example, resin. The above illuminating unit 12a can be arranged such that, by being supplied with external power through a lead 12c, light emitted from an LED chip strikes fluorescent material and a mixed-color light that includes both the light emitted directly from the LED chip and the light emitted by excitation of the fluorescent material, is emitted from the illuminating unit 12a. The light source module 12 can also include a core 12f made from a core material, such as a copper core material.

The above described light source module 12 can further be provided with a lens 12d and a shading member 12e located at the front of the illuminating unit 12a. A cut-off can be formed by cutting out or blocking light emitted from the illuminating unit 12a with the shading member 12e. Therefore, by projecting using a horizontal line and a convex lens (projector lens), an elbow line extending obliquely upward at an angle of, for example, 15 degrees from the center, can be formed, which is a characteristic of a light distribution pattern of a low beam.

The above described optical system 13 can be formed as a projector lens that includes a convex lens and, as shown in <figref idref="f0002">Fig. 2</figref>, arranged such that its optical axis is aligned on the central axis of the light source module 12. The optical system's focusing position can be located on the light source side and positioned in the vicinity of the shading member 12e in front of the illuminating unit 12a of the light source module 12. Thereby, light from each LED 12a of the light source module 12 can be converged frontward by the optical system 13. Therefore, the light can form a light distribution pattern area (converged area) indicated by the symbol "La" in <figref idref="f0002">Fig. 2</figref>.

Here, since the optical system 13 is preferably a condensing optical system, it is possible to use condensing optical systems having other compositions. However, since the maximum value of luminous intensity in a converged area in a light distribution pattern is preferably in proportion to the intensity in the vicinity of a focus of the secondary optical system, i.e., the optical system 13 and the area of the optical system 13, the maximum intensity can be obtained most efficiently with a composition shown in <figref idref="f0002">Fig. 2</figref>, in which the illuminating unit 12a of the light source module 12 is projected directly to the converged area by a projector lens.

In contrast, in the case where a focusing position of the projector lens is disposed in the vicinity of the shading member 12e which is located in the vicinity of the outer surface of the lens of the light source module, the intensity is considerably lowered. Therefore, the maximum value of the luminous intensity is also considerably lowered.

In the case of an optical system in which an image of the illuminating unit 12a is imaged in the vicinity of the shading member 12e using a relay lens, and the image is projected toward the converged area by the projector lens, the optical system is complicated, and the cost of parts and cost for assembling are increased. Furthermore, the depth of the whole vehicle lamp is large and the intensity of the image of the illuminating unit 12a at the focusing position is lowered and, therefore, the maximum value of luminous intensity is also lowered.

Here, it is difficult for the first set of the lighting units 11 to give arbitrary or even intensity distribution in the converged area of the light distribution pattern. Therefore, as shown in <figref idref="f0004">Fig. 4</figref>, by providing the first set of lighting units 11 with a plurality (in the case shown, four (4)) illuminating units 11a, 11b, 11c and 11d, light L1, L2, L3 and L4 from light source modules 12a', 12b', 12c' and 12d' is respectively emitted frontward by optical systems 13a, 13b, 13c and 13d, each having focus distances respectively different from each other. Thereby, as shown in <figref idref="f0005">Fig. 5</figref>, a light distribution characteristic having intensity distribution, i.e., gradation as a whole, can be provided by setting the range to be emitted for each of the illuminating units 11a, 11b, 11c and 11d to be properly overlapped.

Next, a set of lighting units 21 for the diverged area will be described. As shown in <figref idref="f0006">Fig. 6</figref>, the set of lighting units 21 can include a light source module 22 and an optical system 23. The light source module 22 can be provided with an illuminating unit 22a having an illuminating shape having one (1) or more linear ridge line(s) such as, for example, a rectangle composed of an LED.

The optical system 23 can include a reflector having a combination of concave surfaces, e.g., surfaces dented frontward. For example, the reflector can include a combination of a paraboloid of revolution and an ellipsoid of revolution and can be arranged such that its focusing position is positioned in the vicinity of the illuminating unit 22a of the light source module 22 opposing over the axis of the light source module 22. Thereby, light from the illuminating unit 22a of the light source module 22 can be reflected by the optical system 23 and can form the light distribution pattern area (diverged area) indicated by the symbol "Lb" in <figref idref="f0006">Fig. 6</figref>.

The light source module 22 can be plane-illuminating and, utilizing the advantage of having Lambertian directivity, the efficiency of light use emitted from the illuminating unit 22a of the light source module 22 can be approximately 70% or more. A desired light distribution pattern can be formed by properly selecting the shape of the reflector.

By projecting light frontward by the optical system 23 by arranging the linear ridge line of the illuminating unit 22a of the light module 22 in a horizontal direction, the ridge line can form a cut-off for a horizontal line of the light distribution pattern. Furthermore, the set of lighting units 21 preferably includes an optical system 23 that has a multi-reflector divided into a plurality of reflecting faces. By forming each of the reflecting faces properly, the illuminating unit 22a of the light source module 22 can be projected as shown in <figref idref="f0008">Fig. 8</figref>. Thus the projected image of the illuminating unit 22a can be rotated depending on the position where light is reflected. Thereby, the diverged area of the light distribution pattern can be provided with a light distribution characteristic having intensity distribution, i.e., gradation, as shown in <figref idref="f0009">Fig. 9</figref>, by allowing projected images of the illuminating unit 22a formed by each reflecting face to overlap each other.

The shape of the illuminating unit 22a of the light source module 22 is not limited to a rectangle and, as shown in <figref idref="f0010">Fig. 10</figref>, may be formed such that it has an outer shape of an approximate semicircle. As shown in <figref idref="f0011">Fig. 11</figref>, the shape of the illuminating unit 22a can be formed such that a plurality of LED chips are lined up in a particular direction.

Another set of lighting units 31 will now be described. As shown in <figref idref="f0012">Fig. 12</figref>, a set of lighting units 31 can include a light source module 32 and an optical system 33. The light source module 32 can have a composition that does not include the shading member 12e from the light source module 12 in <figref idref="f0002">Fig. 2</figref>. The surface of the illuminating unit 12a can be arranged along the optical axis of the optical axis of the optical system 33.

There is no limitation for the shape of the illuminating unit 32a of the light source module 32. However, it is preferable that the illuminating unit 32a be as small and as high-intensity as possible in order to improve the efficiency of incidence to a projector lens 33b of the optical system 33, and to further downsize the size of the optical system 33.

The optical system 33 can include a reflector 33a, a projector lens 33b and a shading member 33c. The reflector 33a can include, for example, an ellipsoid of revolution and can be arranged such that a focusing position on one hand is positioned in the vicinity of the center of the illuminating unit 32a of the light source module 32, and the other focusing position on the other hand can be positioned in front on the optical axis of the optical system 33.

The projector lens 33b can be a convex lens and can be arranged such that its focusing position on the light source side is positioned in the vicinity of a focusing position on the front side of the reflector 33a. Furthermore, the shading member 33c can be arranged in the vicinity of a focusing position on the light source side of the projector lens 33b and its edge 33d can be adapted to form a cut-off with its upper end.

In the composition described above, the illuminating unit 32a is preferably arranged facing upward and the reflector 33a is preferably arranged in the upper half portion. However, the composition is not limited to this configuration and, as shown in <figref idref="f0013">Fig. 13</figref>, in addition to the above illuminating unit 32a, a reflector 33a' facing downward may be provided along with a reflector 33a' in the lower half portion facing vertically to the reflector 32a.

Furthermore, as shown in <figref idref="f0014">Fig. 14</figref>, a shading member 33c may be arranged along the optical axis to form a cut-off with the front end of its edge 33d. Thereby, light incident to a portion of the surface of the shading member 33d can be reflected and emitted frontward. Accordingly, the efficiency of light use can be improved by 50% or more.

As shown in <figref idref="f0015">Fig. 15</figref>, in order to improve the contrast at the cut-off line, the illuminating unit 32a may be arranged to be slightly inclined backward.

In the optical system shown in <figref idref="f0016">Fig. 16</figref>, the LED light source can be plane-illuminating and, when the reflecting faces are either present only above or below the center of the lens, light is incident to either an area below or above the center of the projector lens 33b. Therefore, by cutting off the upper half portion or the lower half portion of the projector lens 33b, downsizing in the vertical direction can be facilitated. In addition, when a plurality of lighting units 31 are arranged to vertically overlap each other in order to obtain a light distribution pattern having a higher intensity, they can be arranged more densely in the vertical orientation.

The vehicle lamp 10 according to embodiments of the present invention can include lighting units 11, 21 and 31 which are illuminated by being supplied with power, respectively. Thereby, the light irradiated from the illuminating unit 12a of the light source module 12 can have the cut-off formed by the shading member 12e and be condensed by the projector lens of the optical system 13, and can be emitted frontward to form the converged area "La" of the light distribution pattern.

The light irradiated from the illuminating unit 22a of the light source module 22 can be emitted frontward by being reflected by the reflector of the optical system 23 and can thus form the diverged area "Lb" of the light distribution pattern.

Furthermore, the light irradiated from the illuminating unit 32a of the light source module 32 can be reflected by the reflector 33a of the optical system 33, can be further converged by the projector lens 33b and be concurrently given the cut-off formed by the shading member 33c, and can be emitted frontward to form the intermediate area between the converged area "La" and the diverged area "Lb."

Thereby, the reflected light from each of the lighting units 11, 21 and 31 can overlap each other and can form the light distribution pattern of a so-called low beam. The plurality of areas of the light distribution pattern, i.e., the converged area, the diverged area and the intermediate area can be respectively formed by the lighting units 11, 21, and 31. Here, since each of the lighting units 11, 21 and 31 is optimized for its respective corresponding area, each of the areas and the whole light distribution pattern can be formed in a desired luminous intensity distribution and at maximum luminous intensity. In this manner, a desired light distribution pattern such as, for example, a light distribution of a so-called low beam can be obtained using a plurality of LEDs as the vehicle lamp's light source.

<figref idref="f0017">Fig. 17</figref> shows the composition of another embodiment of a vehicle lamp made in accordance with the principles of the present invention. In <figref idref="f0017">Fig. 17</figref>, vehicle lamp 40 is a specific embodiment of the vehicle lamp 10 described above. Similar to the vehicle lamp 10 shown in <figref idref="f0001">Fig. 1</figref>, the vehicle lamp 40 can include three sets of lighting units 41, 51 and 61.

A first set of lighting units 41 corresponding to a converged area can be composed to be almost the same as the set of lighting units 11 of the vehicle lamp shown in <figref idref="f0001">Fig. 1</figref> and can be adapted to emit light to the range from 8 degrees on the left to 8 degrees on the right.

The set of lighting units 51 corresponding to a diverged area can be composed to be almost the same as the set of lighting units 21 of the vehicle lamp shown in <figref idref="f0001">Fig. 1</figref> and can be adapted to emit light to the range from 50 degrees on the left to 50 degrees on the right.

Furthermore, the lighting units 61 corresponding to an intermediate area can be composed to be almost the same as the set of lighting units 31 of the vehicle lamp shown in <figref idref="f0001">Fig. 1</figref> and can be adapted to emit light to the range from 20 degrees on the left to 20 degrees on the right.

The light distribution ratio (luminous flux ratio) for each of the areas, i.e., the converged area, the intermediate area and the diverged area is set preferably at 1:2:4.

As shown in <figref idref="f0018">Fig. 18</figref>, the set of lighting units 41 can include a plurality (in the case shown, four (4)) of light source modules 42a, 42b, 42c and 42d, and projector lenses 43a, 43b, 43c and 43d, respectively, corresponding to the light source modules. Each of the light source modules 42a, 42b, 42c and 42d are preferably composed to be almost the same as the light source modules of the set of lighting units 11 of the vehicle lamp 10.

Each of the projector lenses 43a, 43b, 43c and 43d can have the same composition as that shown in <figref idref="f0004">Fig. 4</figref> and can each have a focusing position that is different from the other lenses, and can each have a focusing distance different from the other lenses. A luminous intensity and a projection size on a screen can be obtained by properly selecting the focusing distance of each of the projector lenses 43a, 43b, 43c and 43d.

As shown in <figref idref="f0019">Fig. 19</figref>, the set of lighting units 51 can include a plurality (in the case shown, two (2)) of light source modules 52a and 52b, and reflectors 53a and 53b corresponding to the light source modules 52a and 52b. Each of the light source modules 52a and 52b can be configured to be similar to the light source module 22 in the set of lighting units 21 of the vehicle lamp 10, and can be arranged back-to-back in the direction from right to left.

Here, an illuminating unit of each of the light source modules 52a and 52b can have one (1) or more linear ridge lines, for example, ridge lines formed as a rectangle, and the ridge line(s) can be longer than a filament of a halogen lamp or an arc electrode dimension and preferably have a length that is twice as long as the filament. As shown in <figref idref="f0011">Fig. 11</figref>, by using a light source package formed with a plurality of LED chips of a so-called multi-chip type arranged linearly in a package, the luminous flux of the light source package itself can be increased and the size of the vehicle lamp can be minimized.

Furthermore, each of the reflectors 53a and 53b can be composed similar to the reflector 23 in the set of lighting units 21 of the vehicle lamp 10 and can be configured to spread light in the rightward and leftward directions. Thus, even when the illuminating units of respective light source modules 52a and 52b have a relatively long linear ridge line, the position of the projected image of the illuminating units can be arbitrarily controlled based on the shape of reflectors 53a and 53b, and 70% or more of the luminous flux from the illuminating units can be emitted frontward.

As shown in <figref idref="f0020">Fig. 20</figref>, the set of lighting units 61 can include a plurality (in the case shown, three (3)) of light source modules 62a, 62b and 62c, reflectors 63a 63b and 63c respectively corresponding to the light source modules, one (1) projector lens 64 and a shading member 65. Each of the light source modules 62a, 62b and 62c can be respectively composed similar to the light source module 32 as shown in the set of lighting units 31 of the vehicle lamp 10, and can be arranged around the central axis and spaced from each other by the same degree. An illuminating unit of each of the light source modules 62a, 62b and 62c is preferably selected to be as small as possible, for example, smaller than the filament of a conventional halogen lamp or the arc electrode dimension of an HID.

Each of the reflectors 63a, 63b and 63c can be configured similar to the reflector 33a in the set of lighting units 31 of the vehicle lamp 10, and can be arranged above and on both sides of the optical axis corresponding to each of the light source modules 62a, 62b and 62c. Furthermore, the projector lens 64 can be similar to the projector lens 33b in the set of lighting units 31 of the vehicle lamp 10, and preferably only one projector lens 64 is arranged on the optical axis.

The shading member 65 can also be configured similar to the shading member 33c of the set of lighting units 31 of the vehicle lamp 10, and can be arranged in the vicinity of a focusing position on the light source side of the projector lens 64.

In the case where the light source module has a linear illuminating unit, in order to form a light distribution pattern that spreads in the rightward and leftward directions, it is desirable that the light source module correspond to a reflector positioned above the optical axis and be arranged such that the longitudinal direction of the illuminating unit is substantially perpendicular to the optical axis. Furthermore, it is desirable that the light source module that corresponds to a reflector positioned on the side of the optical axis be arranged such that the longitudinal direction of the illuminating unit is parallel to the optical axis. Thereby, the projected image of the illuminating unit that is formed by the reflector extends horizontally and, therefore, a light distribution pattern can be easily formed.

With respect to the vehicle lamp 40, as shown in <figref idref="f0021">Fig. 21</figref>, the set of lighting units 41 emits light to a converged area "La" and, as shown in <figref idref="f0022">Fig. 22</figref>, the set of lighting units 51 emits light to a diverged area "Lb," and the set of lighting units 61 emits light to an intermediate area "Lc" between the converged area and the diverged area, as shown in <figref idref="f0023">Fig. 23</figref>. Then, by overlapping the light distribution patterns "La", "Lb", and "Lc" formed by each set of the lighting units 41, 51 and 61, as shown in <figref idref="f0024">Fig. 24</figref>, a light distribution pattern L suitable for a low beam can be formed.

In the embodiments described above, the vehicle lamps 10 and 40 have lighting units 11, 21 and 31 or 41, 51 and 61, respectively, corresponding to the converged area, the diverged area and the intermediate area, respectively. However, the composition of a vehicle lamp is not limited to the above described preferred embodiments. For example, the lighting units 31 and 61 corresponding to the intermediate areas can be omitted. Furthermore, by adding a lighting unit that has a light distribution pattern for realizing a different function, for example, a daytime running lamp, a sub-lamp for a cornering lamp, a sub-headlight of a fog lamp or a so-called AFS lamp it is possible to form a multi-functional light distribution pattern with one (1) vehicle lamp. The light distribution pattern can also be divided into multiple areas and new lighting units can be added for the additional divided areas to form a multi-functional light distribution pattern with one (1) vehicle lamp. It is also possible to arbitrarily and/or optionally add or remove the lighting units by configuring the lighting units such that they are removable.

The embodiments described above disclose a light distribution characteristic for a low beam limited to the case of running the vehicle on the left side of a road. Moreover, in order to avoid the production of dazzling or blinding light directed towards oncoming cars on the right side of a car, edges of the shading boards 12e, 33c and 65 are provided. However, the invention is not limited to this light distribution characteristic for a low beam. Specifically, in the case of running the vehicle on the right side of a road, the arrangement of the edges of the shading boards can be inverted to provide the same effect as described above with respect to the vehicle driven on the left hand side of the road, <i>i.e.,</i> diminishing the glaring, blinding or dazzling light that would be directed towards oncoming cars or pedestrians.