CN210860958U

CN210860958U - Vehicle lamp

Info

Publication number: CN210860958U
Application number: CN201920459032.6U
Authority: CN
Inventors: 佐藤隆芳
Original assignee: Koito Manufacturing Co Ltd
Current assignee: Koito Manufacturing Co Ltd
Priority date: 2018-04-06
Filing date: 2019-04-04
Publication date: 2020-06-26
Anticipated expiration: 2029-04-04
Also published as: JP7021999B2; CN110345442B; CN110345442A; JP2019185971A

Abstract

The utility model discloses in the vehicle lamps and lanterns that constitute for will come from the light source light via spatial light modulator and projection lens towards the illumination of lamps and lanterns the place ahead, can dispose spatial light modulator for projection lens position accuracy is better. A lens holder 64 for supporting the projection lens 62 is fixed by screw fastening to a holder 40 for supporting the spatial light modulator 32. At this time, a positioning pin (64Bb) for positioning the lens holder (64) in the left-right direction with respect to the holder (40) is inserted into a long hole (40Bc) formed in the holder (40) and extending in the front-rear direction of the lamp. Further, by performing screw fastening and fixing in a state where the positioning pin (64Bb) is inserted into the elongated hole (40Bc) and appropriately moved in the lamp front-rear direction, it is possible to finely adjust the positional relationship in the lamp front-rear direction of the projection lens (62) and the spatial light modulator (32) while restricting the displacement of the lens holder (64) in the left-right direction with respect to the holder (40).

Description

Vehicle lamp

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a vehicle lamp configured to irradiate light from a light source toward the front of the lamp via a spatial light modulator and a projection lens.

Background

Conventionally, as a configuration of a vehicle lamp, for example, as described in patent document 1, a configuration configured to irradiate light from a light source toward the front of the lamp via a spatial light modulator and a projection lens is known.

Patent document 1: japanese unexamined patent application publication No. 2016 & 91976

In such a vehicle lamp, by controlling the spatial distribution of light reaching the projection lens in the spatial light modulator, various light distribution patterns can be formed with high accuracy.

However, in order to realize this, it is necessary to arrange the spatial light modulator with high positional accuracy with respect to the projection lens.

SUMMERY OF THE UTILITY MODEL

Technical problem to be solved by the utility model

The present invention has been made in view of these circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide a vehicle lamp configured to irradiate light from a light source toward the front of the lamp via a spatial light modulator and a projection lens, in which the spatial light modulator can be disposed with high positional accuracy with respect to the projection lens.

Technical solution for solving technical problem

The present invention achieves these objects by designing a support structure for a projection lens.

That is, the lamp for a vehicle according to the first invention of the present application,

which is configured to irradiate light from a light source to the front of a lamp through a spatial light modulator and a projection lens,

the lens holder supporting the projection lens is fixed by mechanical fastening with respect to the support supporting the spatial light modulator,

a positioning protrusion for positioning the lens holder in a direction orthogonal to the front-rear direction of the lamp with respect to the holder is formed on the lens holder,

a long hole extending along the front and back direction of the lamp is formed on the bracket,

the fixing by the mechanical fastening is performed in a state where the positioning protrusion is inserted into the long hole.

In addition, the lamp for vehicle of the second utility model of the present application,

the holder is formed with a positioning projection for positioning the lens holder in a direction orthogonal to the front-rear direction of the lamp with respect to the holder,

a long hole extending in the front-rear direction of the lamp is formed in the lens holder,

The "spatial light modulator" is not particularly limited as long as it can control the spatial distribution of light reaching the projection lens, and for example, a device using a digital micromirror device, a device using a transmissive liquid crystal or a reflective liquid crystal, or the like can be used.

The specific form of the "mechanical fastening" is not particularly limited, and for example, a fastening structure such as screw fastening or locking may be employed.

Effect of the utility model

The utility model discloses a vehicle lamp is for the structure that shines towards lamps and lanterns the place ahead through spatial light modulator and projection lens with the light that comes from the light source, consequently, controls the spatial distribution of the light that reachs projection lens through spatial light modulator, and can form various grading patterns better by the precision.

In this case, in the vehicle lamp according to the present invention, the lens holder supporting the projection lens is fixed to the holder supporting the spatial light modulator by mechanical fastening, and therefore, the projection lens and the spatial light modulator can be reliably supported.

In addition, in the first invention of the present application, since the lens holder is formed with the positioning protrusion for positioning the lens holder in the direction orthogonal to the front-rear direction of the lamp with respect to the holder, the holder is formed with the long hole extending in the front-rear direction of the lamp, and the lens holder is fixed by mechanical fastening in a state where the positioning protrusion is inserted into the long hole, the following operational effects can be obtained.

That is, by fastening by mechanical fastening in a state where the positioning protrusion of the lens holder is inserted into the elongated hole of the holder and appropriately moved in the front-rear direction of the lamp, it is possible to finely adjust the positional relationship in the front-rear direction of the lamp between the projection lens supported by the lens holder and the spatial light modulator supported by the holder while restricting the displacement of the lens holder relative to the holder in the direction orthogonal to the front-rear direction of the lamp. In addition, the spatial light modulator can be arranged with high positional accuracy with respect to the projection lens.

In the second invention of the present application, since the holder is formed with the positioning projection for positioning the lens holder with respect to the holder in the direction orthogonal to the front-rear direction of the lamp, the lens holder is formed with the long hole extending in the front-rear direction of the lamp, and the lens holder is fixed by mechanical fastening in a state where the positioning projection is inserted into the long hole, the following operational effects can be obtained.

That is, by fastening by mechanical fastening in a state where the positioning protrusion of the holder is inserted into the long hole of the lens holder and appropriately moved in the front-rear direction of the lamp, it is possible to finely adjust the positional relationship in the front-rear direction of the lamp between the projection lens supported by the lens holder and the spatial light modulator supported by the holder while restricting the displacement of the lens holder relative to the holder in the direction orthogonal to the front-rear direction of the lamp. In addition, the spatial light modulator can be arranged with high positional accuracy with respect to the projection lens.

As described above, according to the present invention, in a vehicle lamp configured to irradiate light from a light source toward the front of the lamp via a spatial light modulator and a projection lens, the spatial light modulator can be arranged with high positional accuracy with respect to the projection lens.

In the above-described configuration, a specific configuration of the positioning protrusion can be constituted by one positioning pin, but if it is constituted by two positioning pins arranged with a space in the front-rear direction of the lamp, the rigidity of the positioning protrusion can be improved.

In the above configuration, if the positioning projection is formed of the standing wall extending in the front-rear direction of the lamp, the rigidity as the positioning projection can be significantly improved as compared with the case where the positioning projection is formed of one positioning pin.

In the above configuration, if the positioning projection is formed by caulking and fixing the positioning projection to the holder or the lens holder around the elongated hole, it is possible to easily maintain a state after the completion of the fine adjustment in the front-rear direction of the lamp with respect to the positional relationship between the projection lens supported by the lens holder and the spatial light modulator supported by the holder. In this case, the "caulking" may be a hot caulking or a cold-rolled caulking. In addition, laser welding or the like may be used instead of the "caulking fixation".

In the above configuration, if the projection lens is fixed to the front and rear portions of the left and right sides of the projection lens by mechanical fastening, the projection lens can be supported more reliably. In this case, if the positioning projection and the elongated hole are arranged between the front and rear portions of the left and right sides of the projection lens, respectively, the positioning projection can be reliably maintained in the inserted state in the elongated hole, and the positioning function can be improved.

Drawings

Fig. 1 is a front view showing a vehicle lamp according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 2 is a sectional view taken along line II-II of fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a sectional view taken along line III-III of fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is an exploded perspective view showing the lens side assembly of the vehicular lamp together with a holder of a spatial light modulator assembly.

Fig. 5 shows first and second modifications of the first embodiment, and is substantially the same as fig. 3, in which (a) is a diagram showing the first modification, and (b) is a diagram showing the second modification.

Fig. 6 shows third and fourth modifications of the first embodiment, and substantially the same as fig. 3, wherein (a) is a diagram showing the third modification, and (b) is a diagram showing the fourth modification.

Fig. 7 shows a vehicle lamp according to a second embodiment of the present invention, and is the same as fig. 3.

Description of the reference numerals

10. 110, 210, 310, 410, 510 vehicular lamp

20 light source side subassembly

22 light source

24 reflecting piece

24a reflective surface

26 base part

30. 530 spatial light modulator assembly

32 spatial light modulator

32a reflection light control area

32b peripheral edge portion

32c terminal pin

34 lamp holder

36 support substrate

36a opening part

36b bolt insertion hole

40. 140, 240, 340, 440, 540 rack

40A vertical face

Openings 40Aa and 40Ba

40Ab protrusions

40Ac, 40Bb, 140Bb, 240Bb, 540Bb boss portion

40B, 140B, 240B, 340B, 440B, 540B horizontal plane portion

40Bb1 screw hole

The long holes of 40Bc, 140Bc, 240Bc, 340Bc, 440Bc and 564Bc

50 heat sink

50a bolt insertion hole

50b heat radiation fan

50c projection

52 step bolt

52a small diameter part

52b large diameter part

52c head

54 spring

60. 160, 260, 360, 560 lens side assembly

62 projection lens

62A first lens

62B second lens

64. 164, 264, 364, 564 lens holder

64A, 164A, 264A, 364A, 564A holder body

64Aa projection

64B, 164B, 264B, 564B flange part

64Ba, 564Ba screw insertion hole

Positioning pins (positioning protrusions) 64Bb, 164Bb, 364Bb, 464Bb, 540Bd

66 screw

264Bb vertical wall (positioning projection)

Ax optical axis

F back side focus

Detailed Description

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

First, a first embodiment of the present invention will be described.

Fig. 1 is a front view showing a vehicle lamp 10 according to a first embodiment of the present invention, and a part of the front view is shown in a sectional view. In addition, fig. 2 is a sectional view taken along line II-II of fig. 1, and fig. 3 is a sectional view taken along line III-III of fig. 1.

In these drawings, the direction indicated by X is the "front" of the lamp (also referred to as the "front" of the vehicle), the direction indicated by Y is the "left" perpendicular to the "front" (also referred to as the "left" of the vehicle, but is the "right" when the front surface of the lamp is viewed from the front), and the direction indicated by Z is the "upper". The same applies to other figures.

As shown in these drawings, the vehicle lamp 10 of the present embodiment is a headlamp provided at a front end portion of a vehicle, and is configured as a projection-type lamp unit that is incorporated in a lamp chamber formed by a lamp body and a translucent cover as shown in the drawings.

The vehicle lamp 10 includes: a light source side assembly 20, a spatial light modulator assembly 30, a lens side assembly 60.

The light source side unit 20 includes: a light source 22, a reflector 24 for reflecting light emitted from the light source 22 toward a spatial light modulator assembly 30, and a base member 26 for supporting them.

The spatial light modulator module 30 includes: the spatial light modulator 32, a support substrate 36 disposed behind the spatial light modulator 32, a bracket 40 disposed in front of the support substrate 36, and a heat sink 50 disposed behind the spatial light modulator 32.

The lens-side unit 60 includes: the projection lens 62 has an optical axis Ax extending in the vehicle longitudinal direction, and a lens holder 64 supporting the projection lens 62.

Further, the vehicle lamp 10 according to the present embodiment is configured such that various light distribution patterns (for example, a light distribution pattern for low beam, a light distribution pattern for high beam, a light distribution pattern that changes according to the vehicle running condition, or a light distribution pattern in which characters, symbols, or the like are drawn on a road surface in front of the vehicle) can be formed with high accuracy by irradiating the light from the light source 22 reflected by the reflector 24 toward the front of the lamp via the spatial light modulator 32 and the projection lens 62.

In order to achieve this, in the assembly process of the vehicle lamp 10, the positional relationship between the spatial light modulator 32 and the projection lens 62 is finely adjusted so as to improve the accuracy of the positional relationship in a state where the light source 22 is turned on to form a light distribution pattern.

The vehicle lamp 10 is supported by the lamp body in the bracket 40 or the heat sink 50 of the spatial light modulator module 30.

Next, specific configurations of the light source side module 20, the spatial light modulator module 30, and the lens side module 60 will be described.

First, the structure of the light source side module 20 will be described.

The light source 22 is a white light emitting diode, and is fixed and supported by the base member 26 with its light emitting surface directed obliquely upward and forward. The base member 26 is fixed to and supported by a bracket 40 of the spatial light modulator assembly 30.

The reflector 24 is disposed so as to cover the light source 22 from the front side of the lamp, and is fixed and supported by the base member 26 at its peripheral edge portion. The reflector 26 reflects the light emitted from the light source 22 obliquely upward and rearward. At this time, the reflecting surface 24a of the reflector 24 is formed so as to converge the light emitted from the light source 22 near the rear focal plane including the rear focal point F of the projection lens 62.

Next, the structure of the spatial light modulator module 30 will be described.

The spatial light modulator 32 is a reflective spatial light modulator and is composed of a Digital Micromirror Device (DMD) in which a plurality of micromirrors are arranged in a matrix.

The spatial light modulator 32 is configured to be able to selectively switch the direction of reflection of the light from the light source 22 that reaches the spatial light modulator 32 by controlling the angle of the reflection surface of each of the plurality of minute mirrors. Specifically, a mode in which light from the light source 22 is reflected toward the projection lens 62 and a mode in which light is reflected in the other direction (i.e., the direction that does not adversely affect the formation of the light distribution pattern) are selected.

The spatial light modulator 32 is disposed along a vertical plane orthogonal to the optical axis Ax at the position of the rear focal point F of the projection lens 62, and the reflected light control region 32a has an outer shape of a laterally long rectangle centered on the optical axis Ax.

The spatial light modulator 32 is supported on a support substrate 36 via a socket 34 on the rear surface of the peripheral edge portion 32b surrounding the reflected light control region 32 a.

The socket 34 is a rectangular frame member extending in the lateral direction along the peripheral edge portion 32b of the spatial light modulator 32, and is fixed to the support substrate 36 by soldering (ハンダ, け) or the like in a state of being electrically connected to a conductive pattern (not shown) formed on the support substrate 36. An opening 36a having substantially the same shape as the inner peripheral shape of the socket 34 is formed in the support substrate 36.

A plurality of terminal pins 32c are formed on the peripheral edge portion 32b of the spatial light modulator 32 so as to project from the rear surface thereof toward the rear of the lamp, and the plurality of terminal pins 32c are fitted into a plurality of fitting holes (not shown) formed in the socket 34 so as to be electrically connected to the socket 34.

The spatial light modulator 32 is supported by the bracket 40 and the heat sink 50 from both sides in the front-rear direction of the lamp.

The bracket 40 is a member made of metal (for example, made of die-cast aluminum), and includes a vertical surface portion 40A extending along a vertical surface perpendicular to the optical axis Ax, and a horizontal surface portion 40B extending from a lower end edge of the vertical surface portion 40A toward the front of the lamp along a horizontal surface.

A horizontally long rectangular opening 40Aa is formed in the vertical surface portion 40A around the optical axis Ax. The opening 40Aa has a laterally elongated rectangular opening shape smaller than the outer peripheral edge shape of the spatial light modulator 32 but larger than the reflection control region 32a, and the front edge of the inner peripheral surface thereof is chamfered over the entire circumference.

A columnar protrusion 40Ab protruding toward the lamp rear side is formed at three positions around the opening 40Aa on the rear surface of the vertical surface portion 40A. The rear end faces of the three protrusions 40Ab of the holder 40 are brought into contact with the peripheral edge portion 32b of the spatial light modulator 32 from the lamp front side.

The horizontal plane portion 40B is formed to extend to the front side of the lamp than the reflector 24, and a horizontally long rectangular opening 40Ba for inserting the reflector 24 is formed in the horizontal plane portion 40B.

The heat sink 50 is a metal (e.g., die-cast aluminum) member, and is disposed so as to extend along a vertical plane perpendicular to the optical axis Ax, and a plurality of heat dissipation fans 50b are formed in a vertical stripe pattern on a rear surface thereof.

A prismatic protrusion 50c protruding toward the front of the lamp is formed on the front surface of the heat sink 50. The projection 50c has a cross-sectional shape of a laterally long rectangle centered on the optical axis Ax, and its size is set to a value smaller than the inner peripheral surface shape of the socket 34. The projection 50c abuts on the central portion of the spatial light modulator 32 (i.e., the portion where the reflection light control region 32a is located) from the rear side of the lamp at the end surface of the projection 50c in a state where the projection is inserted through the opening 36a of the support substrate 36.

The spatial light modulator module 30 is configured such that a plurality of stepped bolts 52 are arranged around the spatial light modulator 32. Specifically, four stepped bolts 52 are arranged at two positions, i.e., the upper and lower positions, on the left and right sides of the spatial light modulator 32.

Each stepped bolt 52 is disposed such that a small diameter portion 52a at the tip thereof is screwed to the bracket 40 in a state of being inserted from the lamp rear side through a bolt insertion hole 50a formed in the heat sink 50 and a bolt insertion hole 36b formed in the support substrate 36. In order to achieve this, boss portions 40Ac for screwing the small diameter portions 52a of the stepped bolts 52 are formed in the bracket 40 at four locations corresponding to the 4 stepped bolts 52.

A spring 54 for elastically pressing the heat sink 50 toward the front side of the lamp is attached to the large diameter portion 52b of each stepped bolt 52. Each spring 54 is formed of a compression coil spring disposed between the head 52c of each stepped bolt 52 and the heat sink 50.

In this way, by elastically pressing the heat sink 50 toward the front side of the lamp at two upper and lower positions on both left and right sides of the spatial light modulator 32, the central portion thereof is elastically pressed toward the front side of the lamp without applying an undue load to the spatial light modulator. In addition, this maintains a state in which the plurality of terminal pins 32c formed in the peripheral edge portion 32b of the spatial light modulator 32 are properly fitted into the fitting holes of the socket 34 (i.e., a state in which electrical connection between the spatial light modulator 32 and the socket 34 is ensured).

Next, the structure of the lens side unit 60 will be described.

The projection lens 62 is composed of first and

second lenses

62A and 62B arranged at a desired interval in the front-rear direction of the lamp on the optical axis Ax.

The first lens 62A positioned on the front side of the lamp is formed as a biconvex lens, and the second lens 62B positioned on the rear side of the lamp is formed as a meniscus lens projecting toward the rear of the lamp. In this case, the first and

second lenses

62A and 62B are configured such that the upper ends thereof are slightly cut off along the horizontal plane and the lower ends thereof are more cut off along the horizontal plane.

The first and

second lenses

62A and 62B are supported by a common lens holder 64 at their outer peripheral edges.

The lens holder 64 is a metal (e.g., die-cast aluminum) member, and includes a holder body 64A formed to surround the projection lens 62 in a cylindrical shape, and a pair of flange portions 64B formed to extend to the left and right sides along a horizontal plane at a lower end portion of an outer peripheral surface of the holder body 64A.

A projection 64Aa for positioning the first and

second lenses

62A, 62B is formed on the inner peripheral surface of the holder body 64A. On the other hand, each of the pair of left and right flange portions 64B is formed in a flat plate shape extending in the front-rear direction of the lamp across the entire length of the lens holder 64 with a constant left-right width.

Fig. 4 is an exploded perspective view showing the lens-side assembly 60 together with the holder 40 of the spatial light modulator assembly 30.

As also shown in the same drawing, the lens holder 64 is fixed at a pair of left and right flange portions 64B thereof by mechanical fastening to the horizontal surface portion 40B in the holder 40 of the spatial light modulator module 30. The fixation by the mechanical fastening is performed by screw fastening.

In order to achieve the above, a pair of front and rear screw insertion holes 64Ba that vertically penetrate the flange portion 64B are formed in each flange portion 64B of the lens holder 64. Further, a pair of front and rear boss portions 40Bb having screw holes 40Bb1 are formed in the horizontal surface portion 40B of the bracket 40 so as to protrude downward. Further, the screws 66 are screwed to the screw holes of the boss portions 40Bb from above the flange portions 64B through the screw insertion holes 64 Ba.

At this time, the screw insertion holes 64Ba are formed as long holes extending in the front-rear direction of the lamp with a width larger than the screw diameter of the screws 66, and thereby the screw fastening can be performed in a state where the position of the lens holder 64 in the front-rear direction of the lamp is adjusted with respect to the holder 40.

A positioning pin 64Bb protruding vertically downward from the center position in the front-rear direction of the pair of front and rear screw insertion holes 64Ba is formed on the lower surface of each flange portion 64B of the lens holder 64. Each positioning pin 64Bb is formed in a cylindrical shape, and the tip end portion thereof is formed in a convex curved surface shape. The amount of downward projection from the flange portion 264B of each positioning pin 64Bb is set to a value slightly larger than the plate thickness of the horizontal surface portion 40B of the bracket 40.

On the other hand, in the horizontal surface portion 40B of the bracket 40, long holes 40Bc penetrating the horizontal surface portion 40B in the vertical direction are formed at positions corresponding to the respective positioning pins 64 Bb. Each of the elongated holes 40Bc is formed as an elongated hole extending in the front-rear direction of the lamp with a width slightly larger than the diameter of the positioning pin 64 Bb.

When the lens holder 64 is screwed to the holder 40, the positioning pin 64Bb is inserted into the elongated hole 40Bc in advance, whereby the positional relationship between the lens holder 64 and the holder 40 in the front-rear direction of the lamp can be finely adjusted while restricting the displacement of the lens holder 64 in the left-right direction with respect to the holder 40. This prevents the lens holder 64 from being inadvertently rotated with respect to the holder 40 by a torque generated when the screws are fastened, thereby improving the positional relationship accuracy between the spatial light modulator 32 and the projection lens 62.

Next, the operation of the present embodiment will be described.

Since the vehicle lamp 10 according to the present embodiment is configured to irradiate light from the light source 22 toward the front of the lamp via the spatial light modulator 32 and the projection lens 62, various light distribution patterns can be formed with high accuracy by controlling the spatial distribution of light reaching the projection lens 62 in the spatial light modulator 32.

In this case, in the vehicle lamp 10 of the present embodiment, the lens holder 64 that supports the projection lens 62 is fixed to the bracket 40 that supports the spatial light modulator 32 by screw fastening (i.e., mechanical fastening), and therefore the projection lens 62 and the spatial light modulator 32 can be reliably supported.

In addition, since the lens holder 64 is formed with a positioning pin 64Bb (i.e., a positioning projection) for positioning the lens holder 64 in the left-right direction (i.e., the direction orthogonal to the lamp front-rear direction) with respect to the holder 40, the holder 40 is formed with a long hole 40Bc extending in the lamp front-rear direction, and the positioning pin 64Bb is screwed in a state inserted into the long hole 40Bc, the following operational effects can be obtained.

That is, by screwing the positioning pin 64Bb of the lens holder 64 into the elongated hole 40Bc of the holder 40 and appropriately moving the same in the front-rear direction of the lamp, the positional relationship in the front-rear direction of the lamp between the projection lens 62 supported by the lens holder 64 and the spatial light modulator 32 supported by the holder 40 can be finely adjusted after the lens holder 64 is displaced in the left-right direction with respect to the holder 40. Further, this enables the spatial light modulator 32 to be disposed with high positional accuracy with respect to the projection lens 62.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, in the vehicular lamp 10 configured to irradiate light from the light source 22 toward the front of the lamp via the spatial light modulator 32 and the projection lens 62, the spatial light modulator 32 can be disposed with high positional accuracy with respect to the projection lens 62.

In this case, in the present embodiment, the positioning projection for positioning the lens holder 64 in the left-right direction with respect to the holder 40 is constituted by one positioning pin 64Bb, and therefore, the lamp configuration can be simplified.

In the present embodiment, the screw fastening is performed at two positions, front and rear, on both the left and right sides of the projection lens 62, so that the projection lens 62 can be reliably supported. In this case, since the positioning pins 64Bb and the elongated holes 40Bc are respectively disposed between the front and rear two positions on the left and right sides of the projection lens 62, the state in which the positioning pins 64Bb are inserted into the elongated holes 40Bc can be reliably maintained, and the positioning function can be improved.

In the first embodiment, the light emitted from the light source 22 reflected by the reflector 26 is reflected by the spatial light modulator 32, but a configuration in which the light emitted from the light source 22 by bias control using a lens or the like is reflected by the spatial light modulator 32, or a configuration in which the light emitted from the light source 22 is directly reflected by the spatial light modulator 32 may be employed.

In the first embodiment, the spatial light modulator 32 is described as being configured by a reflective spatial light modulator, but may be configured by a transmissive spatial light modulator.

Next, a modified example of the first embodiment will be described.

First, a first modification of the first embodiment will be described.

Fig. 5 is a view similar to fig. 3, showing a main part of the vehicle lamp 110 according to the modification.

As shown in the same drawing, the basic structure of this vehicle lamp 110 is the same as the vehicle lamp 10 of the first embodiment, but the positioning structures of the lens holder 164 of the lens side unit 160 and the holder 140 of the spatial light modulator unit are partially different from those of the first embodiment.

That is, the lens holder 164 of the present modification also includes a pair of flange portions 164B formed at the lower end portion of the outer peripheral surface of the holder body 164A so as to extend to the left and right along the horizontal plane, and the horizontal plane portion 140B of the holder 140 is fixed by screw fastening at two positions in front and rear of each flange portion 164B.

In addition, in the present modification, a pair of front and rear pins 164Bb are formed in each flange portion 164B of the lens holder 164, and a single long hole 140Bc penetrating the horizontal surface portion 140B in the vertical direction is formed in the horizontal surface portion 140B of the holder 140.

The long hole 140Bc is formed to extend in the front-rear direction of the lamp across substantially the entire length between the pair of front and rear boss portions 140Bb, and the left-right width thereof is set to the same value as the long hole 40Bc of the first embodiment.

On the other hand, a pair of front and rear positioning pins 164Bb are formed at positions away from the front and rear edges of the elongated hole 140Bc in a state of being separated from each other in the lamp front-rear direction. Each positioning pin 164Bb has the same structure as the positioning pin 64Bb of the first embodiment.

In the present modification, when the holder main body 164A is screwed and fixed at two positions in the front and rear directions on both left and right sides, the front and rear pair of positioning pins 164Bb are inserted into the elongated holes 140Bc of the respective flange portions 164B in advance, so that the positional relationship in the front and rear directions of the lamp between the projection lens 62 supported by the lens holder 164 and the spatial light modulator (not shown) supported by the holder 140 can be finely adjusted while the displacement of the lens holder 164 in the left and right directions with respect to the holder 140 is restricted.

Further, in the present modification, since the positioning projections for positioning the lens holder 164 with respect to the holder 140 are constituted by the pair of front and rear positioning pins 164Bb formed in the respective flange portions 164B of the lens holder 164, the lens holder 164 can be effectively positioned with respect to the holder 140 not only in the left-right direction but also in the rotational direction around the vertical axis, and the rigidity as the positioning projections can be improved as compared with the case of the first embodiment.

Next, a second modification of the first embodiment will be described.

Fig. 5(b) shows a main part of the vehicle lamp 210 according to the present modification, and is the same as fig. 3.

As shown in the same drawing, the basic configuration of this vehicle lamp 210 is the same as the vehicle lamp 10 of the first embodiment, but the positioning structures of the lens holder 264 of the lens side unit 260 and the holder 240 of the spatial light modulator unit are partially different from those of the first embodiment.

That is, in the present modification, the lens holder 264 includes a pair of flange portions 264B formed at the lower end portion of the outer peripheral surface of the holder body 264A so as to extend to both the left and right along the horizontal plane, and the horizontal plane portion 240B of the holder 240 is fixed by screw fastening at both the front and rear portions of the pair of left and right flange portions 264B.

In addition, in the present modification, the flange portions 264B of the lens holder 264 are formed with vertical walls 264Bb extending in the front-rear direction of the lamp, and the horizontal surface portion 240B of the holder 240 is formed with a single elongated hole 240Bc penetrating the horizontal surface portion 240B in the up-down direction.

The long hole 240Bc is formed to extend long in the front-rear direction of the lamp between the pair of front and rear boss portions 240Bb over substantially the entire length thereof, and the left-right width thereof is set to the same value as the long hole 40Bc of the first embodiment.

On the other hand, the standing wall 264Bb is formed in the elongated hole 240Bc in a state of being separated from the front end edge and the rear end edge thereof. The left-right width of the standing wall 264Bb is set to the same value as the diameter of the positioning pin 64Bb of the first embodiment, and the amount of protrusion downward from the flange portion 264B is also set to the same value as the positioning pin 64Bb of the first embodiment.

In the present modification, even when the holder body 264A is screwed at two front and rear positions on both left and right sides, the upright walls 264Bb are inserted into the elongated holes 240Bc of the flange portions 264B in advance, so that the positional relationship in the front and rear directions of the lamp between the projection lens 62 supported by the lens holder 264 and the spatial light modulator (not shown) supported by the holder 240 can be finely adjusted while the displacement of the lens holder 264 relative to the holder 240 in the left and right directions is restricted.

In addition, in the present modification, since the positioning projection for positioning the lens holder 264 with respect to the holder 240 is constituted by the standing wall 264Bb extending in the front-rear direction of the lamp formed in each flange portion 264B of the lens holder 264, the lens holder 264 can be effectively positioned with respect to the holder 240 not only in the left-right direction but also in the rotational direction around the vertical axis, and the rigidity as the positioning projection can be improved as compared with the case of the first embodiment.

Next, a third modification of the first embodiment will be described.

Fig. 6(a) shows a main part of a vehicle lamp 310 according to the present modification, and is the same as fig. 3.

As shown in the same drawing, the basic structure of this vehicle lamp 310 is the same as the vehicle lamp 10 of the first embodiment, but the positioning structures of the lens holder 364 of the lens side unit 360 and the holder 340 of the spatial light modulator unit are partially different from those of the first embodiment.

That is, the bracket 340 of the present modification has the same configuration as the bracket 40 of the first embodiment, and a long hole 340Bc, which is the same as the long hole 40Bc of the first embodiment, is formed in the horizontal surface portion 340B thereof.

On the other hand, the lens holder 364 of the present modification is formed as a member made of a synthetic resin (for example, made of a polycarbonate resin). The shape of the holder body 364A of the lens holder 364 and the basic shape of the positioning pin 364Bb are the same as those in the first embodiment, but the positioning pin 364Bb is formed longer than the positioning pin 64Bb of the first embodiment as shown by the two-dot chain line in the figure, and the tip end portion thereof is caulked and fixed to the horizontal surface portion 340B of the holder 340 around the elongated hole 340Bc by thermal caulking.

In this modification, the distal end of the positioning pin 364Bb is engaged with the lower surface of the horizontal surface portion 340B around the elongated hole 340Bc by thermal caulking.

By adopting the configuration of the present modification, it is possible to easily maintain the state after the positional relationship between the projection lens 62 supported by the lens holder 364 and the spatial light modulator (not shown) supported by the holder 340 is finely adjusted in the front-rear direction of the lamp.

In the present modification, the caulking of the positioning pin 364Bb may be performed after the completion of the screw fastening or before the completion thereof, and when the screw fastening is performed before the completion of the screw fastening, it is preferable to perform the caulking with the positional relationship between the lens holder 364 and the holder 340 fixed by using a jig or the like after the completion of the fine adjustment in the front-rear direction of the lamp.

In the third modification, the case where the positioning pin 364Bb of the lens holder 364 made of synthetic resin is caulked and fixed to the horizontal surface portion 340B of the holder 340 by hot caulking has been described, but the lens holder 364 may be formed as a metal member and the positioning pin 364Bb may be caulked and fixed to the horizontal surface portion 340B of the holder 340 by cold rolling caulking.

Next, a fourth modification of the first embodiment will be described.

Fig. 6(b) shows a main part of a vehicle lamp 410 according to the present modification, and is the same as fig. 3.

As shown in the same drawing, the basic configuration of the vehicle lamp 410 is the same as that of the vehicle lamp 310 of the third modification, but the form of caulking and fixing of the tip end portion of the positioning pin 464Bb is partially different from that of the third modification.

That is, in the present modification, the distal end portion of the positioning pin 464Bb is also caulked and fixed to the horizontal surface portion 440B of the bracket 440 around the long hole 440Bc by thermal caulking, but by increasing the pressing force at the time of thermal caulking, caulking and fixing are performed in a state where the distal end portion of the positioning pin 464Bb is engaged with the lower surface of the horizontal surface portion 440B around the long hole 440Bc and the middle portion of the positioning pin 464Bb is filled in the inside of the long hole 440Bc by thermal deformation.

With the configuration of the present modification, it is possible to more easily maintain the state after the positional relationship between the projection lens 62 supported by the lens holder 464 and the spatial light modulator (not shown) supported by the holder 440 is finely adjusted in the front-rear direction of the lamp.

In the present modification, the caulking of the positioning pin 464Bb may be performed after or before the completion of the screw fastening, and when the screw fastening is performed before the completion of the screw fastening, it is preferable to perform the caulking with the positional relationship between the lens holder 464 and the holder 440 fixed using a jig or the like after the completion of the fine adjustment in the front-rear direction of the lamp.

Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be explained.

Fig. 7 shows a vehicle lamp 510 according to a second embodiment of the present invention, and is the same as fig. 3.

As shown in the same drawing, the basic structure of this vehicle lamp 510 is the same as the vehicle lamp 10 of the first embodiment, but the positioning structures of the lens holder 564 of the lens side unit 560 and the holder 540 of the spatial light modulator unit 530 are partially different from those of the first embodiment.

That is, in the present modification, the lens holder 564 of the present embodiment also includes a pair of flange portions 564B formed at the lower end portion of the outer peripheral surface of the holder body 564A so as to extend to the left and right sides along the horizontal plane, and is fixed to the horizontal plane portion 540B of the holder 540 by screw fastening at both front and rear portions of each flange portion 564B.

In the present embodiment, a pair of front and rear screw insertion holes 564Ba that vertically penetrate the flange portion 564B are also formed in each flange portion 564B of the lens holder 564. Further, a pair of boss portions 540Bb in front and rear of the horizontal surface portion 540B of the bracket 540 having a screw hole are formed so as to protrude downward. Further, the screws 66 are screwed to the screw holes of the boss portions 540Bb from above the flange portions 564B through the screw insertion holes 564 Ba.

At this time, the screw insertion holes 564Ba are formed as long holes extending in the front-rear direction of the lamp with a width larger than the screw diameter of the screws 66, and thus the screw fastening can be performed in a state where the position of the lens holder 564 in the front-rear direction of the lamp is adjusted with respect to the holder 540.

A positioning pin 540Bb protruding vertically upward is formed at the front-rear direction center position of the front and rear pair of boss portions 540Bb on the upper surface of the horizontal surface portion 540B of the bracket 540. Each positioning pin 540Bd is formed in a cylindrical shape, and the tip end portion thereof is formed in a convex curved surface shape. The amount of projection upward from the horizontal surface 540B of each positioning pin 540Bd is set to a value slightly larger than the plate thickness of each flange 564B of the lens holder 564.

On the other hand, in each flange 564B of the lens holder 564, a long hole 564Bc is formed at a position corresponding to each positioning pin 540Bd to vertically penetrate the flange 564B. Each elongated hole 564Bc is formed as an elongated hole extending in the front-rear direction of the lamp, with a left-right width slightly larger than the diameter of the positioning pin 540 Bd.

When the lens holder 64 is screwed to the holder 40, the positioning pin 540Bd is inserted into the elongated hole 564Bc in advance, whereby the positional relationship in the front-rear direction of the lamp between the lens holder 564 and the holder 540 can be finely adjusted while restricting the displacement of the lens holder 564 in the left-right direction with respect to the holder 540. This prevents the lens holder 564 from being inadvertently rotated with respect to the holder 540 by a torque generated when the screws are fastened, thereby improving the positional relationship accuracy between the spatial light modulator 32 and the projection lens 62.

Next, the operation of the present embodiment will be described.

In the vehicle lamp 510 of the present embodiment, the lens holder 564 supporting the projection lens 62 is fixed to the bracket 540 supporting the spatial light modulator 32 by screw fastening (i.e., mechanical fastening), and therefore the projection lens 62 and the spatial light modulator 32 can be reliably supported.

In addition, since the holder 540 is formed with a positioning pin 564Bd (i.e., a positioning projection) for positioning the lens holder 564 in the left-right direction (i.e., the direction orthogonal to the front-rear direction of the lamp) with respect to the holder 540, the lens holder 564 is formed with a long hole 564Bc extending in the front-rear direction of the lamp, and the positioning pin 564Bd is screwed in the long hole 564 Bc.

That is, by fixing by mechanical fastening in a state where positioning pin 540Bd of holder 540 is inserted into long hole 564Bc of lens holder 564 and appropriately moved in the front-rear direction of the lamp, it is possible to finely adjust the positional relationship in the front-rear direction of the lamp of projection lens 62 supported by lens holder 564 and spatial light modulator 32 supported by holder 540, while restricting the displacement of lens holder 564 in the left-right direction with respect to holder 540. Further, this enables the spatial light modulator 32 to be disposed with high positional accuracy with respect to the projection lens 62.

In this case, in the present embodiment, since the positioning projection for positioning the lens holder 564 in the left-right direction with respect to the holder 540 is formed by the single positioning pin 564Bb, the lamp configuration can be simplified.

The configuration of the first to fourth modifications of the first embodiment can also be applied to the configuration of the present embodiment, and in such a case, the same operational effects as those of the first to fourth modifications of the first embodiment can be obtained.

The numerical values expressed as various specifications in the first embodiment, the modification thereof, and the second embodiment are merely examples, and it is needless to say that they may be set to different values as appropriate.

The present invention is not limited to the configurations described in the first embodiment and the modifications thereof and the second embodiment, and may be configured to add various modifications thereto.

Claims

1. A vehicle lamp configured to irradiate light from a light source toward a front of the lamp via a spatial light modulator and a projection lens,

2. The vehicular lamp according to claim 1,

the positioning protrusion is composed of two positioning pins arranged with a space in the front-back direction of the lamp.

3. The vehicular lamp according to claim 1,

the positioning protrusion is formed of a vertical wall extending in the front-rear direction of the lamp.

4. A lamp for a vehicle as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 3,

the positioning protrusion is fixed to the holder or the lens holder by caulking around the elongated hole.

5. A lamp for a vehicle as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 3,

the fixing by the mechanical fastening is performed at two positions of the front and the back of the left and the right sides of the projection lens,

the positioning protrusion and the elongated hole are disposed between the front and rear portions of the projection lens on the left and right sides, respectively.

6. A vehicle lamp configured to irradiate light from a light source toward a front of the lamp via a spatial light modulator and a projection lens,

the holder is formed with a positioning projection for positioning the lens holder with respect to the holder in a direction orthogonal to the front-rear direction of the lamp,

7. The vehicular lamp according to claim 6,

8. The vehicular lamp according to claim 6,

9. A lamp for a vehicle as claimed in any one of claims 6 to 8,

10. A lamp for a vehicle as claimed in any one of claims 6 to 8,