EP2053304A1 - Phare de véhicule - Google Patents

Phare de véhicule Download PDF

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Publication number
EP2053304A1
EP2053304A1 EP08018412A EP08018412A EP2053304A1 EP 2053304 A1 EP2053304 A1 EP 2053304A1 EP 08018412 A EP08018412 A EP 08018412A EP 08018412 A EP08018412 A EP 08018412A EP 2053304 A1 EP2053304 A1 EP 2053304A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
reflecting surface
light
vehicle headlight
light source
bulb
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Granted
Application number
EP08018412A
Other languages
German (de)
English (en)
Other versions
EP2053304B1 (fr
Inventor
Tadanobu Abe
Kenji Shigematsu
Shinji Yamagata
Tadashi Sakamoto
Noriko Taniguchi
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Stanley Electric Co Ltd
Original Assignee
Stanley Electric Co Ltd
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Stanley Electric Co Ltd filed Critical Stanley Electric Co Ltd
Publication of EP2053304A1 publication Critical patent/EP2053304A1/fr
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP2053304B1 publication Critical patent/EP2053304B1/fr
Ceased legal-status Critical Current
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical

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Classifications

    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F21—LIGHTING
    • F21S—NON-PORTABLE LIGHTING DEVICES; SYSTEMS THEREOF; VEHICLE LIGHTING DEVICES SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR VEHICLE EXTERIORS
    • F21S41/00—Illuminating devices specially adapted for vehicle exteriors, e.g. headlamps
    • F21S41/30—Illuminating devices specially adapted for vehicle exteriors, e.g. headlamps characterised by reflectors
    • F21S41/32—Optical layout thereof
    • F21S41/33—Multi-surface reflectors, e.g. reflectors with facets or reflectors with portions of different curvature
    • F21S41/334—Multi-surface reflectors, e.g. reflectors with facets or reflectors with portions of different curvature the reflector consisting of patch like sectors
    • F21S41/336—Multi-surface reflectors, e.g. reflectors with facets or reflectors with portions of different curvature the reflector consisting of patch like sectors with discontinuity at the junction between adjacent areas

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a vehicle headlight to be used as a main headlight or an auxiliary headlight provided onto the front part of an automobile, for example.
  • Figs. 1A and 1B show a conventional vehicle headlight of this type.
  • the vehicle headlight 1 is configured to include a bulb 2 serving as a light source and a reflecting surface 3 configured to reflect light from the bulb 2 in an illumination direction (forward).
  • the bulb 2 can be any bulb for use in a general vehicle headlight, an auxiliary headlight, or the like.
  • a halogen bulb with a commonly known configuration can be used as the bulb 2.
  • the bulb 2 is disposed horizontally so that its optical axis O is arranged horizontally in the illumination direction.
  • the bulb 2 can be energized by power supplied from an external drive electrical power source (not shown).
  • the reflecting surface 3 is composed of a parabolic reflecting surface whose center axis extends horizontally in the illumination direction (forward).
  • the reflecting surface 3 is disposed behind the bulb 2 so that its focus F is located at or near the light emission center of the bulb 2.
  • the reflecting surface 3 may be any parabolic reflecting surface including a revolved paraboloid and a free curved parabolic surface.
  • the bulb 2 is supplied with power from an external drive electrical power source (not shown) to emit light.
  • the light emitted from the bulb 2 is directly projected in the illumination direction or enters the reflecting surface 3 and is reflected by the same to become parallel light L1 and to be directed in the illumination direction.
  • the reflecting surface 3 can have a circular outer shape having its center at the optical axis O when viewed from its front side, as shown by a solid bold line in Fig. 1B .
  • the radius of the reflecting surface 3 can be set to twice the focal distance f (namely, 2f) or larger so that the reflecting surface 3 extends just below the light emission center of the bulb 2.
  • the light L2 emitted from the bulb 2 rearward and downward can properly enter the reflecting surface 3 and can be reflected in the illumination direction.
  • Variations of the headlight includes a vehicle headlight with an abnormal profile, for example, with a first reflecting surface 3 of a horizontally elongated rectangular shape as shown by a thin solid line in Fig. 1B .
  • the vertical size is smaller than the other types.
  • the distance from the center axis O to one of the upper and lower rims is less than 2f (the normal radius of the first reflecting surface 3 being equal to twice the focal distance f). That is, in this structure of the headlight, the first reflecting surface 3 does not extend just below the light emitting center of the bulb 2. Accordingly, the light L2 emitted from the bulb 2 rearward and downward is not incident on the first reflecting surface 3.
  • a second reflecting surface 3a should be provided near the lower area of the first reflecting surface 3 (see Fig. 1A ).
  • the vertical size thereof, or the distance from the center axis to the vertical rim is less than 2f.
  • a second reflecting surface 3a is also provided near the lower area of the first reflecting surface 3 in order to cut the light L2 which otherwise becomes glare light.
  • the light L2 emitted from the bulb 2 frontward and downward is incident on the second reflecting surface 3a to be reflected therefrom in the forward direction.
  • the reflected light travels upward more than the illumination direction that is substantially horizontal, resulting in the generation of glare light L2'.
  • Fig. 3 is a graph illustrating a specification for a vehicle headlight with regard to glare light as measured at a position 25 m ahead of the vehicle.
  • an intensity of such glare light should be regulated to be 0.15 lx or less within a certain area (so-called "Zone 3") which is defined by a horizontal angle range of ⁇ 10 degrees and vertical angle range of 7 to 90 degrees. Accordingly, the generation of such glare light L2' as described above may not comply with the specification.
  • At least part of the second reflecting surface within a predetermined range "a" can be formed to have an appropriate arc section 3a' being convex upward, for example, as shown in Fig. 2 by a solid line.
  • the resulting second reflecting surface 3a' can reflect and diffuse light to generate the diffused light L3 within a predetermined range in the front-to-rear direction.
  • the diffused light L3 can have a reduced intensity at respective portions, whereby the headlight can comply with the specification with regard to glare light.
  • a vehicle headlight 1 with a second reflecting surface 3a' having a convex arc section with a large radius of curvature can be designed.
  • the light distribution pattern of this vehicle headlight 1 is shown in Fig. 5 as a simulation result.
  • This simulation result shows that glare light is generated in an area defined by a horizontal angle range of ⁇ 30 degrees in the right and left directions and a vertical angle range of 50 to 75 degrees.
  • the calculated value of the intensity is 0.18 lx when compared with the value of 0.15 lx or less that is regulated under a certain specification.
  • the light L2 which otherwise becomes glare light L2' can be diffused and therefore regulated by the arc section of the second reflecting surface 3a' only in the front-to-rear direction. Accordingly, if the degree of diffusion is not enough for the purpose, as shown in Fig. 5 , for example, the diffused light L3 cannot be emitted outside the area that is specified according to the specification with regard to glare light, but is diffused within the area. In this case, an additional counter measure should be taken, for example, the provision of shielding members such as a hood 4.
  • a known vehicle headlight 1 has a bulb 2 and a hood 4 disposed just below the bulb 2.
  • the hood 4 can prevent the light L2, which otherwise becomes glare light, from entering the second reflecting surface 3a, meaning the generation of the glare light can be reliably suppressed.
  • such glare light L2' shown in Fig. 5 can be prevented from being generated.
  • the hood 4 is provided as an additional component to a normal type vehicle headlight 1 including a bulb 2 and a reflecting surface 3. Accordingly, the parts number increases and the parts and assembly costs also increase.
  • an attachment member is required to firmly hold the hood 4 in position.
  • the attachment member can be observed externally, resulting in deterioration of outer appearance of the vehicle headlight.
  • an object of the present invention is to provide a vehicle headlight with a simple configuration which can suppress or prevent the generation of any glare light occurring due to the reflection by a second reflecting surface provided near the lower area of a first reflecting surface.
  • one aspect of the present invention is a vehicle headlight including: a light source; a first reflecting surface disposed behind the light source so as to reflect light from the light source to an illumination direction, the first reflecting surface having a focus at or near the position of the light source and a center axis along the illumination direction and being concave toward the illumination direction; and a second reflecting surface extending at least adjacent to an edge of the first reflecting surface, the vehicle headlight being characterized in that at least part of the second reflecting surface is inclined in right and left directions so as to reflect and diffuse light, that is emitted from the light source frontward and downward and incident thereon, in right and left directions to the outside.
  • the at least part of the second reflecting surface can reflect and diffuse the light to the outside by an angle of more than 10 degrees in right and left directions of the vehicle with respect to the vertical axis.
  • the at least part of the second reflecting surface can be inclined in right and left directions of the vehicle from its center by an inclined angle of ⁇ 2 such that ⁇ 1 + 2x ⁇ 2 ⁇ 10 degrees is satisfied wherein ⁇ 1 is an angle by which light emitted from the light source travels downward and outward in right or left direction with respect to the vertical axis when viewed from its front.
  • the light source when supplied with power from an external drive electrical power source, the light source is driven to emit light.
  • the light emitted from the light source is directly projected in the illumination direction or is reflected by the first reflecting surface to become parallel light so as to be projected in the illumination direction.
  • part of the light emitted from the light source may include the light directed frontward and downward. This light can enter the second reflecting surface and is reflected by the same to be directed upward with respect to the illumination direction.
  • At that time, at least part of the second reflecting surface is formed to be inclined in the right and left directions. Accordingly, when being incident on the inclined area of the second reflecting surface, the light is reflected by the same to be diffused to the outside in the right and left directions with respect to the illumination direction.
  • the light emitted from the light source forward and downward and directed to the second reflecting surface can enter the inclined second reflecting surface to be reflected and diffused in the right and left directions even when it is directed upward with respect to the illumination direction.
  • the present invention can prevent the light from becoming glare light or can reduce the generation of the glare light.
  • This configuration can eliminate any separate parts for preventing glare light such as a hood so that the parts number can be reduced as well as the parts cost and assembly cost can also be reduced when compared with the vehicle headlight with such a hood.
  • the at least part of the second reflecting surface can reflect and diffuse the light by an angle of more than 10 degrees in the right and left directions of the vehicle with respect to the vertical axis.
  • the at least part of the second reflecting surface can be inclined in the right and left directions of the vehicle from its center by an inclined angle of ⁇ 2 such that ⁇ 1 + 2x ⁇ 2 ⁇ 10 degrees is satisfied wherein ⁇ 1 is an angle by which light emitted from the light source travels downward and outward in right or left direction with respect to the vertical axis when viewed from its front.
  • the vehicle headlight of the present invention with the above configurations, it is ensured to prevent light directed to the area (Zone 3) which is defined by a horizontal angle range of ⁇ 10 degrees and vertical angle range of 7 to 90 degrees in accordance with the specification with regard to the vehicle headlight. This means that the generation of glare light can be surely suppressed.
  • the present invention can prevent the light that is reflected by the second reflecting surface provided near the lower area of the first reflecting surface from becoming glare light or can reduce the generation of the glare light.
  • Fig. 7 shows the configuration of the first exemplary embodiment of the vehicle headlight according to the present invention.
  • the vehicle headlight 10 is configured to include a bulb 11 serving as a light source and a first reflecting surface 12 configured to reflect light from the bulb 11 in an illumination direction (forward).
  • the bulb 11 can be any bulb for use in a general vehicle headlight, an auxiliary headlight, or the like.
  • a halogen bulb with a commonly known configuration can be used as the bulb 11.
  • the bulb 11 is disposed horizontally so that its optical axis O is arranged horizontally in the illumination direction.
  • the bulb 11 can be energized by power supplied from an electrical power source.
  • the first reflecting surface 12 is composed of a parabolic reflecting surface whose center axis extends horizontally in its illumination direction (forward).
  • the first reflecting surface 12 is disposed behind the bulb 11 so that its focus F is located at or near the light emission center of the bulb 11.
  • the reflecting surface may be any parabolic reflecting surface including a revolved paraboloid and a free curved parabolic surface.
  • the first reflecting surface 12 has its lower edge at a distance from the center axis equal to or less than twice the focal distance f. From the lower edge thereof a second reflecting surface 13 is provided to extend horizontally.
  • the second reflecting surface 13 is formed as a flat surface in a front-to-rear direction, it may have an appropriate arc section being convex upward within a predetermined range, as shown by a chain double-dashed line in Fig. 7 .
  • the second reflecting surface 13 is formed to be inclined in the right and left directions with respect to the vertical plane passing through the optical axis O as a symmetry plane when viewed from its front side, as shown in Fig. 8 .
  • the inclined angle ⁇ 2 is preferably set such that ⁇ 1 + 2x ⁇ 2 ⁇ 10 degrees is satisfied when the light L2 is emitted from the light emission center of the bulb 11 (bulb center) downward in the right or left direction.
  • the light L2 emitted from the bulb 11 by the angle ⁇ 1 with respect to the vertical plane (or vertical axis) is incident on the inclined second reflecting surface 13, the light L2 is reflected to the outside by an angle of 10 degrees or more in the right or left direction of the vehicle with respect to the vertical plane with reliably.
  • the vehicle headlight 10 is configured as described above, and when the bulb 11 serving as a light source is supplied with power from an external drive electrical power source, the bulb 11 is driven to emit light.
  • the light emitted from the bulb 11 is directly projected in the illumination direction or is reflected by the first reflecting surface 12 to become parallel light L1 so as to be projected in the illumination direction.
  • part of the light emitted from the bulb 11 includes the light L2 directed frontward and downward with respect to the light emission center of the bulb 11. This light can enter the second reflecting surface 13 and is reflected by the same to be directed upward with respect to the illumination direction.
  • the second reflecting surface 13 is formed to be inclined in the right and left directions (sideward) so that the foregoing conditions are satisfied. Accordingly, when being incident on the inclined second reflecting surface 13, the light L2 is reflected by the same to be diffused to the outside in the right and left directions with respect to the illumination direction by the angle of 10 degrees or more with respect to the vertical plane.
  • the inclined second reflecting surface 13 can reflect and diffuse the light L2, which otherwise becomes glare light by the conventional second reflecting surface, to be directed outside the Zone 3, thereby preventing the light from becoming glare light or reducing the generation of the glare light.
  • Figs. 9A and 9B show another exemplary embodiment of the first reflecting surface and the second reflecting surface of the vehicle headlight 1, which serves as a concrete exemplary configuration.
  • the second reflecting surface 13 is integrally formed with the first reflecting surface 12.
  • the second reflecting surface 13 includes a number of (26 in the shown example) divided' reflecting portions 13a in the right and left directions.
  • the respective reflecting portions 13a of the second reflecting surface 13 divided in the right and left directions are inclined sideward and downward by the angle ⁇ 2 with respect to the horizontal axis.
  • the light entering the respective portions 13a of the second reflecting surface 13 can be reflected and diffused by the angle of 10 degrees or more with respect to the vertical plane to the outside.
  • Fig. 10 is the light distribution pattern with respect to the specification for a vehicle headlight with regard to glare light as measured at a position 25 m ahead of the vehicle. Specifically, Fig. 10 is a graph showing the light distribution pattern of the vehicle headlight 10 with the first reflecting surface 12 and the second reflecting surface 13 (including the reflecting portions 13a) of Fig. 9 as a result of simulation.
  • the glare light L3 can be diffused to the outside by an angle of 10 degrees or more in the right or left direction of the vehicle with respect to the vertical plane with reliably by means of the inclined second reflecting surface 13. This can effectively reduce the generation of the glare light directed within the Zone 3 of the light distribution pattern.
  • the calculated value of the intensity of generated glare light is 0.11 lx or less when compared with the value of 0.15 lx or less that is regulated under a certain specification with regard to glare light. Accordingly, the vehicle headlight of the present invention can satisfy the specification.
  • the bulb 11 is used as the light source, although the present invention is not limited thereto.
  • the present invention can employ other types of light sources as long as the effects of the present invention cannot be hindered.
  • the frontal shape of the first reflecting surface 12 is formed as a horizontally elongated rectangle, although the present invention is not limited thereto.
  • the present invention can be applied to such vehicle headlights with a first reflecting surface having any shape wherein the distance from the center to the lower edge of the first reflecting surface is equal to or less than twice the focal distance.
  • the vehicle headlights 10 are configured as a main headlight, although the present invention is not limited thereto.
  • the present invention can be applied to an auxiliary headlight or the like.
  • the present invention can provide a vehicle headlight with a simple configuration which can suppress or prevent the generation of any glare light occurring due to the reflection by a second reflecting surface provided near the lower area of the first reflecting surface.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Non-Portable Lighting Devices Or Systems Thereof (AREA)
EP08018412.0A 2007-10-25 2008-10-21 Phare de véhicule Ceased EP2053304B1 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
JP2007277169 2007-10-25

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP2053304A1 true EP2053304A1 (fr) 2009-04-29
EP2053304B1 EP2053304B1 (fr) 2014-12-17

Family

ID=40086482

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP08018412.0A Ceased EP2053304B1 (fr) 2007-10-25 2008-10-21 Phare de véhicule

Country Status (2)

Country Link
EP (1) EP2053304B1 (fr)
JP (1) JP5149764B2 (fr)

Families Citing this family (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JP5444051B2 (ja) * 2010-03-12 2014-03-19 スタンレー電気株式会社 車両用灯具

Citations (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO1987006997A1 (fr) 1986-05-09 1987-11-19 Duracell International Inc. Phares de vehicules
US5055981A (en) 1989-02-17 1991-10-08 Koito Manufacturing Co., Ltd. Automotive projector type headlight

Family Cites Families (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JPH0650881Y2 (ja) * 1988-10-20 1994-12-21 三菱自動車工業株式会社 ランプ装置
FR2709811B1 (fr) * 1993-09-09 1995-12-01 Valeo Vision Projecteur d'aspect intérieur amélioré pour véhicule automobile.

Patent Citations (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO1987006997A1 (fr) 1986-05-09 1987-11-19 Duracell International Inc. Phares de vehicules
US5055981A (en) 1989-02-17 1991-10-08 Koito Manufacturing Co., Ltd. Automotive projector type headlight

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
JP5149764B2 (ja) 2013-02-20
JP2009123689A (ja) 2009-06-04
EP2053304B1 (fr) 2014-12-17

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