CN211821815U - Lamp unit - Google Patents

Abstract

The utility model provides a lamp unit, it possesses projection lens, even also can improve the mutual positional relationship precision of lens under the condition that projection lens comprises a plurality of lenses. The lens holder 74 for supporting the first and second lenses 72A and 72B arranged side by side in the cell front-rear direction is configured such that first and second positioning pins 74a1 and 74a2 extending in the cell front-rear direction are formed at two positions in the circumferential direction on the distal end surface 74 Aa. The first and second engagement portions 72a1 and 72a2 that engage with the first and second positioning pins are formed in the first lens, and the first and second engagement portions 72B1 and 72B2 that engage with the first and second positioning pins are formed in the second lens. Thus, the first lens and the second lens are positioned in a plane orthogonal to the optical axis Ax of the projection lens 72.

Description

Lamp unit

Technical Field

The utility model relates to a possess projection lens's lamps and lanterns unit.

Background

Conventionally, there is known a lamp unit configured to irradiate light from a light source toward the front of the unit via a projection lens.

As a configuration of a projection lens in such a lamp unit, patent document 1 describes a configuration including a plurality of lenses arranged side by side in the unit front-rear direction.

In the lamp unit described in "patent document 1", a plurality of lenses are supported by a common lens holder. In this case, the plurality of lenses are supported by a sleeve arranged as follows: the sleeve abuts against a stepped lens support portion formed on the inner peripheral surface of the lens holder and an outer peripheral flange portion of another lens.

Documents of the prior art

Patent document

Patent document 1: japanese patent laid-open publication No. 2018-14256

SUMMERY OF THE UTILITY MODEL

Problem to be solved by the utility model

In the lamp unit described in the above-mentioned "patent document 1", since the plurality of lenses are supported by the respective lens support portions and the sleeves formed in the stepped shape, it is not easy to sufficiently ensure the positional relationship accuracy between the lenses.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide a lamp unit including a projection lens, which can improve the positional relationship accuracy between lenses even when the projection lens is formed of a plurality of lenses.

Means for solving the problems

The present invention achieves the above-described object by improving a support structure of a plurality of lenses on a lens holder.

That is, the lamp unit according to the present invention is a lamp unit configured to irradiate light from a light source toward the unit front side via a projection lens, wherein the projection lens includes a first lens and a second lens arranged side by side in the unit front-rear direction, the first lens and the second lens are supported by a common lens holder, a first positioning pin and a second positioning pin extending in the unit front-rear direction are formed at two circumferential portions of a first end surface of the lens holder in the unit front-rear direction, and a first engaging portion and a second engaging portion that engage with the first positioning pin and the second positioning pin are formed at the first lens and the second lens, respectively.

The "lamp unit" may be configured to directly input light emitted from the light source to the projection lens, or may be configured to input light emitted from the light source to the projection lens via another optical member.

Specific shapes, materials, and the like of the "first lens element and the" second lens element "are not particularly limited.

The specific shape, material, and the like of the "lens holder" are not particularly limited.

The "first end surface" may be a front end surface or a rear end surface of the lens holder.

The "first positioning pin and the second positioning pin" may be formed at two circumferential positions on the first end surface of the lens holder, and the specific forming positions thereof are not particularly limited. The "first positioning pin and the second positioning pin" may be formed integrally with the lens holder, or may be formed by embedding a part of a member that is formed separately from the lens holder in the lens holder.

The "first engaging portion and the second engaging portion" may be configured to engage with the first positioning pin and the second positioning pin, and the specific shape thereof is not particularly limited.

Effect of the utility model

The lamp unit according to the present invention includes the first lens and the second lens arranged side by side in the unit longitudinal direction as the projection lens, but the lens holder supporting the projection lens is formed with the first positioning pin and the second positioning pin extending in the unit longitudinal direction at two positions in the circumferential direction in the first end surface in the unit longitudinal direction, and is formed with the first engaging portion and the second engaging portion engaging with the first positioning pin and the second positioning pin in the first lens and the second lens, respectively, so that the following operational effects can be obtained.

That is, since the first lens and the second lens are positioned in the plane orthogonal to the optical axis of the projection lens by the engagement between the first engagement portion and the second engagement portion thereof, respectively, and the first positioning pin and the second positioning pin of the lens holder, the positional relationship accuracy of the first lens and the second lens in the direction orthogonal to the optical axis of the projection lens can be improved.

Thus, according to the present invention, in the lamp unit including the projection lens, even when the projection lens is formed of a plurality of lenses, the positional relationship accuracy between the lenses can be improved.

Further, with such a configuration, it is not necessary to form a stepped lens support portion on the inner peripheral surface of the lens holder, and the outer diameter shape of the lens holder can be reduced.

In the above configuration, if the first lens and the second lens are configured to have the positioning holes for engaging the first engaging portions with the first positioning pins and the positioning grooves for engaging the second engaging portions with the second positioning pins, the following operational effects can be obtained.

That is, since the first lens and the second lens are positioned in the translational direction in the plane orthogonal to the optical axis of the projection lens by the engagement between the positioning hole and the first positioning pin, and the positioning in the rotational direction around the first positioning pin is realized by the engagement between the positioning groove and the second positioning pin, the positional relationship accuracy of the first lens and the second lens in the direction orthogonal to the optical axis of the projection lens can be improved without strictly controlling the interval between the first positioning pin and the second positioning pin.

In the above configuration, further, the first positioning pin and the second positioning pin are each constituted by a stepped pin having a small diameter portion and a large diameter portion formed in a stepped shape, and if the configuration is such that the first engaging portion and the second engaging portion formed in the first lens are engaged with the small diameter portions of the first positioning pin and the second positioning pin, and the first engaging portion and the second engaging portion formed in the second lens are engaged with the large diameter portions of the first positioning pin and the second positioning pin, it is possible to easily perform size management when the first positioning pin and the second positioning pin are formed.

In the above-described configuration, further, in addition to the configuration in which the lens support portions for supporting the second lens are formed at a plurality of positions in the circumferential direction in the first end surface of the lens holder and the outer peripheral flange portions are formed in the first lens and the second lens, respectively, if the first lens is disposed in a state in which the outer peripheral flange portion thereof abuts against the outer peripheral flange portion of the second lens and the second lens is disposed in a state in which the outer peripheral flange portion thereof abuts against the lens support portions of the lens holder, it is possible to improve the positional relationship accuracy of the first lens and the second lens with respect to the unit longitudinal direction.

In the above configuration, further, as the configuration of the projection lens, a configuration is provided in which the projection lens includes a third lens supported by the lens holder in a state of being arranged side by side in the unit front-rear direction with respect to the first lens and the second lens, and in addition, if a configuration is provided in which a third positioning pin and a fourth positioning pin are formed at two positions in the circumferential direction in a second end surface of the lens holder opposite to the first end surface, and a third engaging portion and a fourth engaging portion that engage with the third positioning pin and the fourth positioning pin are formed in the third lens, it is possible to ensure positional relationship accuracy between the first lens and the third lens, without increasing the outer diameter shape of the lens holder.

In the above configuration, further, in the case where the lamp unit according to the present invention is configured to include a spatial light modulator for reflecting light emitted from the light source toward the projection lens or a micro LED array for emitting direct light toward the projection lens as the light source, it is important to improve the accuracy of the positional relationship between the spatial light modulator or the micro LED array and the projection lens while sufficiently exerting the optical function as the lamp unit, and therefore the configuration of the present invention is particularly effective.

The "spatial light modulator" is not particularly limited as long as it is configured to control the spatial distribution of the reflected light when the light from the light source is reflected, and for example, a configuration using a digital micromirror, a configuration using a reflective liquid crystal, or the like can be employed.

Drawings

Fig. 1 is a side sectional view showing a vehicle lamp including a lamp unit according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 2 is a perspective view showing the lamp unit.

Fig. 3 is a plan view showing the lamp unit.

Fig. 4 is a front view showing the lens-side subassembly of the lamp unit.

Fig. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along line V-V of fig. 4.

Fig. 6 is a perspective view showing the lens side subassembly in an exploded manner.

Fig. 7 is a detailed view of main components of fig. 5, fig. 7 (a) is a detailed view of part VIIa of fig. 5, fig. 7 (b) is a detailed view of part VIIb of fig. 5, fig. 7 (c) is a detailed view of part VIIc of fig. 5, and fig. 7 (d) is a detailed view of part VIId of fig. 5.

Fig. 8 (a) is a front view showing a main part of the lens-side subassembly in an enlarged manner, and fig. 8 (b) is the same view as the view showing the modified example (a) of the embodiment.

Description of the reference numerals

10: a lamp unit; 20: a spatial light modulation unit; 22: a support substrate; 24: a heat sink; 26: a socket; 30: a spatial light modulator; 30A: a reflection control unit; 32: a plate-like member; 34: a gasket; 36: a light-transmitting cover; 40: a bracket; 40A: a vertical face; 40B: a horizontal plane section; 50: a light source side subassembly; 52: a light source; 54: a reflector; 56: a substrate; 60: a base member; 62. 84: a heat conducting plate; 70. 170: lens side subassembly: 72: a projection lens; 72A, 172A: a first lens; 72Ac, 72Bc, 72Cc, 172 Ac: an outer peripheral flange portion; 72A1, 72B1, 172A 1: a first engaging portion; 72A2, 72B2, 172A 2: a second engaging portion; 72B, 172B: a second lens; 72C: a third lens; 72C 3: a third engaging portion; 72C 4: a fourth engaging portion; 74: a lens holding frame; 74A: a holder body; 74 Aa: a front end face (first end face); 74Aa1, 74Ab 1: a lens support section; 74 Ab: a rear end face (second end face); 74 Ac: an opening part; 74A 1: a first positioning pin; 74A1A, 74A 2A: a small diameter part; 74A1B, 74A 2B: a large diameter portion; 74A 2: a second positioning pin; 74A 3: a third positioning pin; 74A 4: a fourth positioning pin; 74B: a leg portion; 74 Ba: a long hole; 76A: a first metal member; 76Aa, 76 Ba: a flange portion; 76Ab, 76 Bb: a cut-and-raised part; 76Ac, 76 Bc: a cut-out portion; 76B: a second metal piece; 80: a heat sink; 82: a heat radiation fan; 86: a heat pipe; 100: a vehicular lamp; 102: a lamp body; 104: a light-transmitting cover; ax: an optical axis; f: a back focal point.

Detailed Description

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

Fig. 1 is a side sectional view showing a vehicle lamp 100 including a lamp unit 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 2 is a perspective view showing the lamp unit 10, and fig. 3 is a plan view showing the lamp unit 10.

In these figures, the direction indicated by X is the "cell front", the direction indicated by Y is the "left direction" (the "right direction" in the cell front perspective) orthogonal to the "cell front", and the direction indicated by Z is the "upper direction". The same applies to the other figures.

The vehicle lamp 100 is a headlamp provided at a front end portion of a vehicle, and is configured such that the lamp unit 10 is accommodated in a lamp chamber formed by a lamp body 102 and a translucent cover 104 in a state in which an optical axis is adjusted so that a front-rear direction (i.e., a unit front-rear direction) coincides with a vehicle front-rear direction.

The lamp unit 10 includes a spatial light modulation unit 20, a light source side sub-assembly 50, and a lens side sub-assembly 70. The lamp unit 10 is supported by the lamp body 102 via a mounting structure, not shown, in the bracket 40 that constitutes a part of the spatial light modulation unit 20.

The spatial light modulation unit 20 includes a spatial light modulator 30, a support substrate 22 arranged on the cell rear side of the spatial light modulator 30, a heat sink 24 arranged on the cell rear side of the support substrate 22, and a bracket 40 arranged on the cell front side of the spatial light modulator 30.

The bracket 40 is a metal member, and includes a vertical surface portion 40A extending along a vertical surface orthogonal to the unit front-rear direction, and a horizontal surface portion 40B extending along a substantially horizontal surface from a lower end edge of the vertical surface portion 40A toward the unit front.

The light source side subassembly 50 includes a pair of left and right light sources (specifically, light emitting diodes) 52 mounted on a substrate 56, a reflector 54 for reflecting light emitted from the light sources 52 toward the spatial light modulation unit 20, and a base member 60 for supporting them, and the light source side subassembly 50 is supported by the horizontal surface portion 40B of the bracket 40 on the base member 60. At this time, the reflecting surface of the reflector 54 is configured to concentrate the light emitted from each light source 52 to the vicinity of the rear focal point F (see fig. 1) of the projection lens 72.

The lens-side subassembly 70 includes a projection lens 72 and a lens holder 74, the projection lens 72 having an optical axis Ax extending in the unit front-rear direction, the lens holder 74 supporting the projection lens 72, and the lens-side subassembly 70 being supported by the horizontal surface portion 40B of the bracket 40 in the lens holder 74.

A heat sink 80 and a heat dissipation fan 82 for dissipating heat generated by lighting of each light source 52 are disposed on the unit front side of the light source side sub-assembly 50 and on the lower side of the lens side sub-assembly 70. The heat sink 80 is connected to the heat conductive plate 62 of the light source side sub-assembly 50 via a heat conductive plate 84 and a pair of right and left heat pipes 86.

Further, by irradiating the light from each light source 52 reflected by the reflector 54 toward the unit front side via the spatial light modulator 30 and the projection lens 72, the lamp unit 10 is configured to be able to form 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, and a light distribution pattern in which characters, symbols, and the like are drawn on the road surface in front of the vehicle) with high accuracy.

The spatial light modulator 30 is a Digital Micromirror Device (DMD) and includes a reflection control unit 30A in which a plurality of reflection elements (specifically, hundreds of thousands of minute mirror surfaces) are arranged in a matrix, and the reflection control unit 30A is arranged in a state where a rear focal point F of the projection lens 72 is positioned on a vertical plane orthogonal to the optical axis Ax. The spatial light modulator 30 controls the angle of the reflection surface of each of the plurality of reflection elements constituting the reflection control unit 30A so that the light from the pair of left and right light sources 52 reflected by the reflector 54 and reaching each reflection element is selectively reflected in any one of a direction toward the projection lens 72 (a direction indicated by a solid line in fig. 1) and a direction away from the projection lens 72 (a direction indicated by a broken line in fig. 1).

The support substrate 22 is disposed to extend along a vertical plane orthogonal to the optical axis Ax, and a conductive pattern (not shown) is formed on the front surface thereof. The spatial light modulator 30 is electrically connected to the support substrate 22 via the socket 26.

The spatial light modulator unit 20 is configured such that the spatial light modulator 30 is supported from both sides in the front-rear direction of the unit by the vertical surface portion 40A of the bracket 40 and the heat sink 24. The plate-like member 32 and the spacer 34 are disposed between the vertical surface portion 40A of the bracket 40 and the spatial light modulator 30, and the light-transmitting cover 36 is supported on the vertical surface portion 40A of the bracket 40.

Next, a specific structure of the lens-side subassembly 70 will be described.

Fig. 4 is a front view showing the lens-side subassembly 70 taken out of the lamp unit 10, and fig. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along line V-V of fig. 4. Fig. 6 is a perspective view showing the lens side subassembly 70 in an exploded manner.

As shown in these figures, the projection lens 72 is composed of first, second, and third lenses 72A, 72B, and 72C arranged side by side along the unit front-rear direction on the optical axis Ax.

The first lens 72A located at the most front side of the cell is configured as a plano-convex lens bulging toward the front of the cell, the second lens 72B located at the center is configured as a biconcave lens, and the third lens 72C located at the most rear side of the cell is configured as a biconvex lens.

The first to third lenses 72A to 72C are each formed of a resin lens. Specifically, the first and third lenses 72A and 72C are made of acrylic resin, and the second lens 72B is made of polycarbonate resin.

The first to third lenses 72A to 72C are configured such that upper end portions thereof are slightly cut off along a horizontal plane and lower end portions thereof are relatively more greatly cut off along the horizontal plane. Also, the first to third lenses 72A to 72C are supported at their outer peripheral portions by a common lens holding frame 74 (which will be described later).

The lens holder 74 is a member made of metal (for example, made of aluminum die-cast), and includes a holder main body 74A and a pair of left and right leg portions 74B, the holder main body 74A is formed to surround the projection lens 72 in a cylindrical shape, and the pair of left and right leg portions 74B are formed to protrude from a lower end portion of an outer peripheral surface of the holder main body 74A to both left and right sides.

The holder main body 74A is configured such that the first metal piece 76A is attached from the unit front side and the second metal piece 76B is attached from the unit rear side, whereby the first to third lenses 72A to 72C are fixed to the holder main body 74A (which will be described later).

The pair of left and right leg portions 74B are formed such that the distal end portions thereof extend along a horizontal plane. A pair of front and rear long holes 74Ba (see fig. 6) extending in the unit front-rear direction are formed in the front end portion of each leg portion 74B. The lens holder 74 is fixed to the bracket 40 with the position of the unit in the front-rear direction being finely adjusted by screwing screws into the horizontal plane portions 40B of the bracket 40 through the elongated holes 74 Ba.

A pair of left and right outer peripheral flange portions 72Ac, 72Bc, and 72Cc are formed on the outer peripheral edge portions of the first, second, and third lenses 72A, 72B, and 72C constituting the projection lens 72, respectively.

The outer peripheral flange portions 72Ac to 72Cc are formed to extend along the outer peripheral edge portions of the first to third lenses 72A to 72C with a constant width, and project in a flat plate shape in a direction orthogonal to the optical axis Ax. In this case, in the second lens 72B configured as a biconcave lens, a pair of left and right outer peripheral flange portions 72Bc are formed at the front end positions of the outer peripheral surface thereof.

The first and second lenses 72A and 72B are supported by the front end surface 74Aa of the holder body 74A with the pair of left and right outer peripheral flange portions 72Ac and 72Bc overlapping each other with respect to the lens holder 74, and the third lens 72C is supported by the rear end surface 74Ab of the holder body 74A with the pair of left and right outer peripheral flange portions 72 Cc.

The holder main body 74A has first and second positioning pins 74A1, 74A2 formed at two positions in the circumferential direction on the front end surface 74Aa thereof and third and fourth positioning pins 74A3, 74A4 formed at two positions in the circumferential direction on the rear end surface 74Ab thereof and extending toward the rear of the unit.

The first and second positioning pins 74a1, 74a2 are located on horizontal planes including the optical axis Ax on both the right and left sides of the optical axis Ax, and the third and fourth positioning pins 74A3, 74a4 are also located on horizontal planes including the optical axis Ax on both the right and left sides of the optical axis Ax.

Fig. 7 is a detailed view of main components of fig. 5, fig. 7 (a) is a detailed view of part VIIa of fig. 5, fig. 7 (b) is a detailed view of part VIIb of fig. 5, fig. 7 (c) is a detailed view of part VIIc of fig. 5, and fig. 7 (d) is a detailed view of part VIId of fig. 5. Fig. 8 (a) is a front view showing a main part of the lens-side subassembly 70 in an enlarged manner.

As shown in fig. 7 a and 8 a, the first positioning pin 74A1 located on the right side (left side in the front view of the lamp unit) of the front end surface 74Aa of the holder main body 74A is constituted by a stepped pin formed by a small diameter portion 74A1A on the front end side and a large diameter portion 74A1B on the base end side in a stepped manner. At this time, the small diameter portion 74A1A and the large diameter portion 74A1B are each formed in a circular cross-sectional shape with a slightly pointed tip, and the connecting portion thereof is formed in a conical surface shape. The distal end surface of the small diameter portion 74A1A has a surface shape close to a spherical surface.

As shown in fig. 7 (b) and 8 (a), the second positioning pin 74A2 located on the left side of the front end surface 74Aa of the holder main body 74A is also constituted by a stepped pin having a small diameter portion 74A2A and a large diameter portion 74A2B formed in a stepped shape. The specific shape of the second positioning pin 74a2 is the same as that of the first positioning pin 74a 1.

As shown in fig. 7 (c) and 7 (d), each of the third positioning pin and the fourth positioning pin 74A3, 74a4 is formed to be slightly pointed in a circular cross-sectional shape, and the front end surface thereof has a surface shape close to a spherical surface.

On the other hand, as shown in fig. 7 (a) and 8 (a), a first engaging portion 72A1 that engages with the first positioning pin 74a1 is formed in the right outer peripheral flange portion 72Ac of the first lens 72A.

The first engaging portion 72A1 is constituted by a substantially cylindrical positioning hole that engages with the small diameter portion 74A1A of the first positioning pin 74 A1. At this time, the first engaging portion 72A1 is formed so that its inner diameter gradually decreases toward the unit rear side, and its inner diameter at its rear end edge is set to a value substantially equal to the outer diameter of the base end portion of the small diameter portion 74A1A of the first positioning pin 74 A1.

As shown in fig. 7 (b) and 8 (a), a second engagement portion 72A2 with which the second positioning pin 74a2 engages is formed in the left outer peripheral flange portion 72Ac of the first lens 72A.

The second engaging portion 72A2 is constituted by a positioning groove that engages with the small diameter portion 74A2A of the second positioning pin 74 A2. At this time, the second engaging portion 72A2 is formed to extend leftward from a position on the right side of the small diameter portion 74A2A, and is formed to gradually narrow in vertical width toward the unit rear. The vertical width of the rear end edge of the second engagement portion 72A2 is set to be substantially the same as the outer diameter of the base end portion of the small diameter portion 74A2A of the second positioning pin 74 A2.

As shown in fig. 7 (a), a first engaging portion 72B1 that engages with the first positioning pin 74a1 is formed on the right outer peripheral flange portion 72Bc of the second lens 72B.

The first engaging portion 72B1 is constituted by a substantially cylindrical positioning hole that engages with the large diameter portion 74A1B of the first positioning pin 74 A1. At this time, the first engaging portion 72B1 is formed so that its inner diameter gradually decreases toward the cell rear side, and its rear end edge has an inner diameter that is set to be substantially the same as the outer diameter of the portion near the base end portion of the large diameter portion 74A1B of the first positioning pin 74 A1.

As shown in fig. 7 (B), a second engagement portion 72B2 with which the second positioning pin 74a2 engages is formed on the left outer peripheral flange portion 72Bc of the second lens 72B.

The second engaging portion 72B2 is constituted by a positioning groove that engages with the large diameter portion 74A2B of the second positioning pin 74 A2. At this time, the second engaging portion 72B2 is formed to extend leftward from a position on the right side of the large diameter portion 74A2B, and is formed to gradually narrow in vertical width toward the rear of the unit. The vertical width of the rear end edge of the second engaging portion 72B2 is set to be substantially equal to the outer diameter of the portion near the base end portion of the large diameter portion 74A2B of the second positioning pin 74 A2.

As shown in fig. 7 (C), a third engagement portion 72C3 that engages with the third positioning pin 74a3 is formed on the right outer peripheral flange portion 72Cc of the third lens 72C.

The third engaging portion 72C3 is formed by a substantially cylindrical positioning hole that engages with the third positioning pin 74 A3. At this time, third engaging portion 72C3 is formed so that its inner diameter gradually decreases toward the cell front, and its inner diameter at its distal end edge is set to a value substantially equal to the outer diameter of the portion near the base end portion of third positioning pin 74 A3.

As shown in fig. 7 (d), a fourth engagement portion 72C4 that engages with the fourth positioning pin 74a4 is formed on the left outer peripheral flange portion 72C of the third lens 72C.

The fourth engaging portion 72C4 is constituted by a positioning groove that engages with the fourth positioning pin 74a 4. At this time, the fourth engaging portion 72C4 is formed to extend leftward from a position on the right side of the fourth positioning pin 74a4, and is formed to gradually narrow in vertical width toward the unit front. The vertical width of the distal edge of the fourth engaging portion 72C4 is set to be substantially equal to the outer diameter of the portion near the proximal end of the fourth positioning pin 74a 4.

The front end surface 74Aa of the holder main body 74A is formed in a state where the peripheral regions of the first and second positioning pins 74A1, 74A2 are recessed. The rear end surface 74Ab of the holder main body 74A is formed in a state where the peripheral regions of the third positioning pins and the fourth positioning pins 74A3, 74A4 are recessed.

As shown in fig. 4 and 6, the holder body 74A of the lens holder 74 has lens support portions 74Aa1 formed at a plurality of locations in the circumferential direction (specifically, three locations on the left and right sides) on the front end surface 74Aa thereof for supporting the second lens 72B.

Each lens support portion 74Aa1 is formed in a state in which a front end surface 74Aa of the holder main body 74A protrudes toward the cell front side, and the front end surface thereof is positioned on the same vertical plane orthogonal to the optical axis Ax.

As shown in fig. 6, the second lens 72B is disposed in a state in which the pair of left and right outer peripheral flange portions 72Bc thereof are in contact with the pair of left and right lens support portions 74Aa 1. The first lens 72A is disposed in a state where a pair of left and right outer peripheral flange portions 72Ac thereof are in contact with a pair of left and right outer peripheral flange portions 72Bc of the second lens 72B.

The first metal fitting 76A is disposed in a state of abutting from the unit front side against the pair of left and right outer peripheral flange portions 72Ac of the first lens 72A, thereby positioning the first and second lenses 72A, 72B in the unit front-rear direction.

On the other hand, the holder main body 74A of the lens holder 74 has lens support portions 74Ab1 formed at a plurality of locations in the circumferential direction (specifically, three locations on the left and right sides) on the rear end surface 74Ab thereof for supporting the third lens 72C.

Each lens support portion 74Ab1 is formed so as to project rearward from the rear end surface 74Ab of the holder main body 74A, and the front end surface thereof is located on the same vertical plane orthogonal to the optical axis Ax.

The third lens 72C is disposed in a state where the pair of left and right outer peripheral flange portions 72Cc thereof are in contact with the pair of left and right lens support portions 74Ab 1.

The second metal fitting 76B is disposed in a state of abutting from the unit rear side against the pair of left and right outer peripheral flange portions 72Cc of the third lens 72C, thereby positioning the third lens 72C in the unit front-rear direction.

As shown in fig. 1 and 6, the holder body 74A of the lens holder 74 has a pair of front and rear openings 74Ac formed in the upper and lower wall portions thereof. Each opening 74Ac has a substantially horizontally long rectangular opening shape.

The first and second metal members 76A and 76B are formed by bending a metal plate.

The first metal fitting 76A is formed in a frame shape so as to surround the first lens 72A in a vertical plane orthogonal to the optical axis Ax, and has a pair of upper and lower flange portions 76Aa extending substantially horizontally toward the rear of the unit at upper and lower end portions thereof. The distance between the pair of upper and lower flange portions 76Aa is set to be substantially equal to the height dimension of the holder main body 74A. Each flange portion 76Aa is formed with a cut-and-raised portion 76Ab cut and raised toward the optical axis Ax side. Further, the base end portion of each flange portion 76Aa is formed in a corrugated plate shape.

Then, the first and second lenses 72A and 72B can be assembled to the lens holder 74 by locking the pair of upper and lower cut-and-raised portions 76Ab to the opening 74Ac on the unit front side in the holder body 74A in a state where the outer peripheral flange portion 72Bc of the second lens 72B is brought into contact with the lens support portion 74Aa1 formed on the front end surface 74Aa of the holder body 74A, the outer peripheral flange portion 72Ac of the first lens 72A is brought into contact with the outer peripheral flange portion 72Bc of the second lens 72B, and the first metal fitting 76A is further brought into contact with the outer peripheral flange portion 72Ac of the first lens 72A from the unit front side.

In this assembly, the first metal fitting 76A elastically deforms the base end portions of the flange portions 76Aa formed in the wave plate shape, thereby pressing the first and second lenses 72A and 72B toward the lens holder 74, and thereby reliably locking the cut-and-raised portions 76Ab to the opening portions 74 Ac.

Further, a pair of left and right notches 76Ac are formed in the inner peripheral surface of the first metal member 76A, and therefore, the distal end portions of the first and second positioning pins 74a1, 74a2 are prevented from interfering with the first metal member 76A in advance at the time of the above-described assembly.

On the other hand, the second metal fitting 76B is formed in a frame shape so as to surround the third lens 72C in a vertical plane orthogonal to the optical axis Ax, and has a pair of upper and lower flange portions 76Ba formed at upper and lower end portions thereof and extending substantially horizontally toward the unit front.

In the second metal 76B, a cut-and-raised portion 76Bb cut and raised toward the optical axis Ax side is also formed in each flange portion 76Ba, and the base end portion of each flange portion 76Ba is formed in a wave plate shape. A pair of left and right notches 76Bc for preventing interference with third positioning pin and fourth positioning pins 74A3, 74a4 are formed in the inner peripheral surface of second metal fitting 76B.

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

The lamp unit 10 according to the present embodiment includes the first and second lenses 72A, 72B arranged side by side in the unit front-rear direction as the projection lens 72, but the lens holder 74 supporting them is formed with the first and second positioning pins 74a1, 74a2 extending in the unit front-rear direction at two positions in the circumferential direction of the front end surface 74Aa (the first end surface in the unit front-rear direction), and the first and second engagement portions 72A1, 72A2, 72B1, 72B2 with which the first and second positioning pins 74a1, 74a2 engage are formed in the first and second lenses 72A, 72B2, respectively, so that the following operational effects can be obtained.

That is, since the first and second lenses 72A, 72B are positioned in the plane orthogonal to the optical axis Ax of the projection lens 72 by the engagement of the first and second engagement portions 72A1, 72A2, 72B1, 72B with the first and second positioning pins 74a1, 74a2 of the lens holder 74, respectively, the positional relationship accuracy of the first and second lenses 72A, 72B can be improved in the direction orthogonal to the optical axis Ax of the projection lens 72.

According to the present embodiment, in the lamp unit 10 including the projection lens 72, even when the projection lens 72 is formed by a plurality of lenses, the positional relationship accuracy between the lenses can be improved.

In particular, the lamp unit 10 according to the present embodiment is configured to include the spatial light modulator 30 that reflects light emitted from the light source 52 toward the projection lens 72, and it is important to improve the accuracy of the positional relationship between the spatial light modulator 30 and the projection lens 72 while sufficiently exhibiting the optical function as the lamp unit 10, and therefore the configuration according to the present embodiment is particularly effective.

Further, with the configuration of the present embodiment, it is not necessary to form a stepped lens support portion on the inner peripheral surface of the lens holder 74, and the outer diameter shape of the lens holder 74 can be reduced.

In the present embodiment, as the configuration of each of the first and second lenses 72A and 72B, the first engaging portions 72A1 and 72B1 are formed by positioning holes to be engaged with the first positioning pins 74a1, and the second engaging portions 72A2 and 72B2 are formed by positioning grooves to be engaged with the second positioning pins 74a2, so that the following operational effects can be obtained.

That is, since the first and second lenses 72A and 72B are positioned in the translation direction in the plane orthogonal to the optical axis Ax of the projection lens 72 by the engagement between the first engaging portions 72A1 and 72B1 and the first positioning pin 74a1 as the positioning holes, and the positioning in the rotation direction around the first positioning pin 74a1 is achieved by the engagement between the second engaging portions 72A2 and 72B2 and the second positioning pin 74a2 as the positioning grooves, the positional relationship accuracy of the first and second lenses 72A and 72B can be improved in the direction orthogonal to the optical axis Ax of the projection lens 72 without strictly controlling the interval between the first and second positioning pins 74a1 and 74a 2.

Further, in the present embodiment, the first and second positioning pins 74A1, 74A2 are respectively configured by the stepped pins formed by the small diameter portions 74A1A, 74A2A and the large diameter portions 74A1B, 74A2B, and in addition, the first and second engaging portions 72A1, 72A2 formed in the first lens 72A are engaged with the small diameter portions 74A1A, 74A2A of the first and second positioning pins 74A1, 74A2, and the first and second engaging portions 72B1, 72B2 formed in the second lens 72B are engaged with the large diameter portions 74A1B, 74A2B of the first and second positioning pins 74A1, 74A2, so that the size management at the time of forming the first and second positioning pins 74A1, 74A2 can be easily performed.

In the present embodiment, the lens support portions 74Aa1 for supporting the second lens 72B are formed at a plurality of positions in the circumferential direction in the front end surface 74Aa of the lens holder 74, and the outer peripheral flange portions 72Ac, 72Bc are formed on the first and second lenses 72A, 72B, respectively, and in addition, the first lens 72A is disposed in a state in which the outer peripheral flange portion 72Ac thereof is in contact with the outer peripheral flange portion 72Bc of the second lens 72B, and the second lens 72Bc is disposed in a state in which the outer peripheral flange portion 72Bc thereof is in contact with the lens support portions 74Aa1 of the lens holder 74, so that the positional relationship accuracy of the first and second lenses 72A, 72B can be improved in the unit front-rear direction as well.

Further, in the present embodiment, the projection lens 72 includes the third lens 72C supported by the lens holder 74 in a state of being arranged side by side in the unit front-rear direction with respect to the first and second lenses 72A and 72B, and in addition, the third positioning pins and the fourth positioning pins 74A3 and 74a4 are formed at two positions in the circumferential direction in the rear end surface 74Ab (the second end surface opposite to the first end surface) of the lens holder 74, and the third engagement portions and the fourth engagement portions 72C3 and 72C4 that engage with the third positioning pins and the fourth positioning pins 74A3 and 74a4 are formed in the third lens 72C, so that it is possible to secure positional relationship accuracy between the first and second lenses 72A and 72B and the third lens 72C without increasing the outer diameter shape of the lens holder 74.

In the above embodiment, the case where the first positioning pin and the second positioning pins 74a1, 74a2 are each formed of a stepped pin has been described, but a normal pin may be used instead of the stepped pin.

In the above embodiment, the case where the outer peripheral flange portion 72Ac of the first lens 72A and the outer peripheral flange portion 72Bc of the second lens 72B are in direct contact has been described, but a configuration in which they are in contact via a spacer or the like may be employed.

In the above-described embodiment, the configuration in which the plurality of lenses (i.e., the first and second lenses 72A and 72B) are supported on the front end surface 74Aa of the lens holder 74 and the single lens (i.e., the third lens 72C) is supported on the rear end surface 74Ab of the lens holder 74 has been described, but a configuration in which a plurality of lenses are supported on the rear end surface 74Ab of the lens holder 74 (e.g., a configuration in which four lenses are provided in total for two in the front and rear sides) may be employed. In this case, the same lens support structure as that of the front end surface 74Aa is also used for the rear end surface 74Ab, and the same operational effects can be obtained.

In the above-described embodiment, the description has been given of the configuration in which the vehicle lamp 100 is a headlamp provided at the front end portion of the vehicle and the lamp unit 10 is housed in the lamp chamber thereof, but in addition to this, the vehicle lamp may be configured as the lamp unit 10 for applying a road surface drawing lamp provided at a bumper position on the lower side than the headlamp, or the lamp unit 10 for applying a road surface drawing lamp provided at the rear end portion of the vehicle body, for example.

In the above embodiment, the case where the lamp unit 10 is a lamp unit for mounting in a vehicle has been described, but the lamp unit may be used for applications other than mounting in a vehicle.

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

Fig. 8 (b) is a view similar to fig. 8 (a) showing the main components of the lens-side subassembly 170 according to the present modification.

The basic configuration of this modification is the same as that of the above embodiment, but the configurations of the first and second lenses 172A and 172B are partially different from those of the above embodiment.

That is, in the first lens 172A of the present modification, although the first engaging portion 172A1 that engages with the first positioning pin 74a1 of the lens holder 74 is formed on the outer peripheral flange portion 172Ac on the right side (left side in the front view of the lamp unit) and the second engaging portion 172A2 that engages with the second positioning pin 74a2 of the lens holder 74 is formed on the outer peripheral flange portion 172Ac on the left side, the first and second engaging portions 172A1 and 172A2 are each configured with a positioning groove, which is different from the case of the above-described embodiment.

Specifically, the second engagement portion 172A2 is formed to extend in the left direction from a position on the right side of the small diameter portion 74A2A of the second positioning pin 74A2, similarly to the second engagement portion 72A2 of the above embodiment, but the position of the right end edge thereof is set to be closer to the small diameter portion 74A2A of the second positioning pin 74A2 than in the case of the above embodiment.

The second engagement portion 172A2 is formed so that its vertical width gradually decreases toward the unit rear side, and its rear end edge vertical width is set to be substantially the same as the outer diameter of the base end portion of the small diameter portion 74A2A of the second positioning pin 74A2, as in the case of the above-described embodiment.

On the other hand, the first engaging portion 172a1 has a shape that is bilaterally symmetrical to the second engaging portion 172a2 with respect to a vertical plane including the optical axis Ax.

Thus, in the first lens 172A of the present modification, the first and second engagement portions 172A1, 172A2 are each constituted by a positioning groove, but can be maintained in a state in which positioning in the vertical direction and the horizontal direction is sufficiently achieved.

The second lens 172B also has the same structure as the first lens 172A with respect to the above points.

Even in the case where the configuration of the present modification is adopted, the accuracy of the positional relationship between the first and second lenses 172A and 172B in the direction orthogonal to the optical axis Ax can be improved.

In addition, in the case of the configuration of the present modification, it is necessary to strictly control the intervals between the first and second positioning pins 74a1, 74a2 as compared with the case of the above-described embodiment, but since both the first and second engagement portions 172A1, 172A2 are constituted by positioning grooves, engagement with the first and second positioning pins 74a1, 74a2 can be easily performed, and thus the first lens 172A can be easily attached to the lens holder 74. In this regard, the same is true in relation to the second lens 172B.

Note that the numerical values shown as elements in the above-described embodiment and the modifications thereof are merely examples, and it is needless to say that these elements may be set to different values as appropriate.

The present invention is not limited to the configurations described in the above embodiments and modifications thereof, and various modifications may be added thereto.

Claims (6)

1. A lamp unit configured to irradiate light from a light source toward the front of the unit via a projection lens,

the projection lens includes a first lens and a second lens arranged side by side in a unit front-rear direction,

the first lens and the second lens are supported by a common lens holding frame,

a first positioning pin and a second positioning pin extending in the unit front-rear direction are formed at two circumferential positions on a first end surface of the lens holder in the unit front-rear direction,

a first engaging portion and a second engaging portion that engage with the first positioning pin and the second positioning pin are formed on the first lens and the second lens, respectively.

2. The luminaire unit of claim 1,

the first clamping part is composed of a positioning hole clamped with the first positioning pin,

the second clamping part is composed of a positioning groove clamped with the second positioning pin.

3. Lamp unit according to claim 1 or 2,

the first positioning pin and the second positioning pin are respectively composed of a stepped pin with a small diameter part and a large diameter part formed in a stepped manner,

a first engaging portion and a second engaging portion formed on the first lens are engaged with the small diameter portions of the first positioning pin and the second positioning pin,

the first and second engaging portions formed on the second lens are engaged with the large diameter portions of the first and second positioning pins.

4. Lamp unit according to claim 1 or 2,

lens support portions for supporting the second lens are formed at a plurality of circumferential portions on the first end surface of the lens holding frame,

outer peripheral flange portions are formed on the first lens and the second lens,

the first lens is disposed in a state where an outer peripheral flange portion of the first lens abuts an outer peripheral flange portion of the second lens,

the second lens is disposed in a state in which an outer peripheral flange portion of the second lens is in contact with the lens support portion.

5. Lamp unit according to claim 1 or 2,

the projection lens includes a third lens supported by the lens holder in a state of being arranged side by side in a unit front-rear direction with respect to the first lens and the second lens,

third and fourth positioning pins extending in the unit front-rear direction are formed at two positions in the circumferential direction on a second end surface of the lens holder opposite to the first end surface,

a third engaging portion and a fourth engaging portion that engage with the third positioning pin and the fourth positioning pin are formed in the third lens.

6. Lamp unit according to claim 1 or 2,

the lamp unit includes a spatial light modulator that reflects light emitted from the light source toward the projection lens, or a micro LED array that emits direct light toward the projection lens as the light source.

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