JP2000322913A - Lighting fixture for vehicle - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To improve the performance of this kind of lighting fixture for a vehicle by reducing variations in a light distribution characteristic. SOLUTION: In this lighting fixture for a vehicle, aspherical lenses 4 are formed individually or integrally with each other, lens holders 5 are each formed into a shape corresponding to the form of the aspherical lens 4, and the aspherical lenses 4 are mounted on the lens holders 5 with centering means provided therefor. When the lenses 4 are different from the lens holders 5 in thermal expansion coefficient and a dimensional change occurs between the two, the amount of relative movement between the two is reduced by the centering means made up of, for example, an outer-surface taper 4a and an inner- surface taper 5b, coaxial with each other.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a vehicular lamp mainly used for lighting purposes such as a headlamp and a fog lamp, and more particularly to an elliptical reflecting surface and an aspherical projection lens. The present invention relates to a configuration of a vehicular lamp called a projector type.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art FIG. 11 shows an example of the structure of a conventional vehicle lamp 90 of this type, which corresponds to each of the reflecting surfaces 91a to 91c of a reflecting surface 91 formed as an elliptical composite reflecting surface. In addition, aspherical lenses 92a to 92c are disposed respectively, and in addition, for example, light distribution forming shades 93a to 93c for forming low-pass light distribution are provided at substantially focal positions of the aspherical lenses 92a to 92c. Are located.

At this time, the aspheric lenses 92a to 92a-9
2c and the light distribution forming shades 93a to 93c are appropriately attached to a housing 94 which includes the reflection surfaces 91 (a to c) and is formed so as to house them inside. In addition, in the aspheric lenses 92a to 92c, a plurality of the aspheric lenses may be integrally formed by a resin member as shown in the drawing to form a combined aspheric lens.
Although not shown here, they may be individually formed of a glass member or the like.

[0004]

However, in the above-described conventional configuration, in order for the projector-type lamp to realize accurate light distribution characteristics, the light between the aspherical lens 92 and the light distribution forming shade 93 is required. Since high accuracy is required for the mutual positional relationship, there is a problem that dimensional changes are caused by thermal expansion due to heat generation when the light source 95 is turned on, and light distribution characteristics are likely to be deviated.

[0005] In particular, in a vehicle lamp 90 employing a plurality of the aspherical lenses 92, each combination of the aspherical lens 92 and the light distribution forming shade 93 may be shifted in different directions. This is more likely to occur, and the light distribution characteristics are more likely to be out of order due to a temperature change, and solving this point has been an issue.

[0006]

According to the present invention, there is provided a projector-type vehicle lamp in which a plurality of aspherical lenses are mounted at predetermined positions by a lens holder. The aspherical lenses are individually or integrally formed, the lens holder is configured to correspond to the state of formation of the aspherical lens, and the aspherical lens and the lens holder are provided with centering means. The present invention solves the problem by providing a vehicular lamp characterized by being mutually attached.

[0007]

Next, the present invention will be described in detail based on an embodiment shown in the drawings. 1 and FIG.
Is a first embodiment of a vehicular lamp according to the present invention. The vehicular lamp 1 has an elliptical composite reflecting surface 3 having, for example, seven surfaces with respect to one light source 2. Is similar to that of the conventional example in that seven aspherical lenses 4 are arranged in accordance with. In the first embodiment, an example in which all of the aspherical lenses 4 are individually formed will be described.

Here, in the present invention, a lens holder 5 for mounting the aspherical lens 4 is formed. The lens holder 5 is formed by molding a metal member such as an aluminum die cast or a magnesium thixo mold into a mold. A lens mounting portion 5a formed by casting means and having a substantially cylindrical shape corresponding to the number of the aspherical lenses 4 is provided.

In the present invention, the fitting of the aspherical lens 4 and the lens mounting portion 5a is devised.
The outer diameter of the aspheric lens 4 is finished as an outer taper 4a. An inner taper 5b having an inclination corresponding to the outer taper 4a of the aspherical lens 4 is provided in the inner diameter portion of the lens mounting portion 5a, and the two are fitted together and pressed from the front by a retainer 6 having appropriate strength. It is.

In this way, when the member on which the aspherical lens 4 is formed and the member on which the lens mounting portion 5a is formed have a difference in the coefficient of thermal expansion, and when the ambient temperature changes, both members have different thermal expansion coefficients. Is caused by the outer surface taper 4a.
And the inner surface taper 5b are absorbed by sliding.

At this time, if the center of the aspheric lens 4 and the center of the outer surface taper 4a and the center of the lens mounting portion 5a and the center of the inner surface taper 5b are matched, the above-described sliding allows the aspheric lens 4 and the lens to be mounted. There is no misalignment with the portion 5a. Therefore, if the light distribution forming shade 5c is provided integrally with the lens mounting portion 5a, the aspherical lens 4 and the light distribution forming shade due to a change in ambient temperature are provided. 5c does not occur.

FIG. 3 and FIG. 4 show a second embodiment of the present invention.
Is distributed to, for example, seven aspherical lenses 4, so that the amount of transmitted light per one of the aspherical lenses 4 is reduced, the thermal burden is reduced, and resinification is possible. Accordingly, it is also possible to form the combined aspherical lens 41 by integrating the seven lenses.

The second embodiment corresponds to the combination aspherical lens 41 described above. Similar to the first embodiment, the outer diameter of the combination aspherical lens 41 is provided with an external taper 41a. An inner surface taper 51b is provided at an inner diameter portion of a lens mounting portion 51a provided on the lens holder 51, and both the tapers 41a and 51b are fitted to each other to mount the combined aspherical lens 41 and the lens holder 51 on a retainer 61.
Is what you do.

At this time, the combination aspherical lens 41
Of the combination aspherical lens 41
Are formed with reference to the physical center of the aspherical lens 4A or the combined aspherical lens 41 at the center, and the inner surface taper 51b is similarly formed. Note that a plurality of aspheric lenses, for example, the aspheric lenses 4A to 4A
When the 4G is integrated into the combined aspherical lens 41, it is possible to freely form a projection on a part of the outer surface taper 41a so that the combination with the lens holder 51 is at a correct position.

With the above configuration, the mutual positions of the combined aspherical lens 41 and the lens holder 51 can be reliably maintained even if a temperature change occurs. Further, even when there is a difference in the coefficient of thermal expansion between the combined aspherical lens 41 and the lens holder 51, the moving direction and the moving amount can be predicted in advance, so that it is easy to take measures. Therefore, even in the case where the light distribution forming shade 5c is provided in the lens holder 51, it is possible to predict the effect and take measures in advance.

FIG. 5 shows a third embodiment of the present invention. This third embodiment also employs a combined aspheric lens 42 having the same shape as that of the second embodiment. The outer periphery is not provided with an outer surface taper unlike the first and second embodiments described above. The lens holder 52 has substantially the same shape as that of the second embodiment, but does not have an inner surface taper.

The fixing of the combined aspherical lens 42 to the lens holder 52 is performed by a retainer 62.
The retainer 62 has openings 62 corresponding to the aspheric lenses 4A to 4G provided in the combined aspheric lens 42.
a to 62 g are provided, but the combination aspherical lens 4
The shape is such that only the opening 62a corresponding to the aspherical lens 4A located at the center of 2 is fixed.
Each of B to 4G is formed as an elongated hole having an axis centered on the aspherical lens 4A.

The lens holder 5 of the retainer 62
The elastic portion 6h is attached to the attachment portion 62h by cutting or the like.
2i is provided to give appropriate elasticity to the press-fitting of the combined aspherical lens 42 to the lens holder 52. By doing so, when thermal expansion occurs in the combined aspherical lens 42, the centrally located aspherical lens 4A holds its position, but the other aspherical lenses 4B to 4B
4G moves in the openings 42b to 42g and the applied stress is reduced. In this embodiment, the lens holder 5 is also used.
It is possible to freely provide the light distribution forming shade 52c to 2.

FIG. 6 shows a fourth embodiment of the present invention. This fourth embodiment also employs a combined aspherical lens 43 having a shape similar to those of the second and third embodiments. Further, the lens holder 53 has substantially the same shape as that of the third embodiment, but the fourth embodiment does not use a retainer for fastening the combined aspheric lens 43 and the lens holder 53.

At the outer diameter of the combined aspherical lens 43, a pair of tab-like mounting legs 43b are formed on the extension line X of the diameter of the aspherical lens 4A located at the center of the combined aspherical lens 43. The lens holder 53 is also provided with a lens receiving portion 53d corresponding to the mounting leg 43b, and the combined aspherical lens 43 and the lens holder 53 are connected by screwing the mounting leg 43b and the lens receiving portion 53d. Perform fastening. At this time, it is free to provide a boss on one of the mounting leg 43b and the lens receiving portion 53d and provide a hole on the other to make the positioning more clear.

At this time, the extension line X is not only the aspherical lens 4A but also another aspherical lens, for example, the aspherical lens 4A.
If you set the center of B and 4C to pass,
The aspheric lenses 4B and 4C through which the extension line X passes through the center can limit the movement direction when a temperature change occurs to one direction along the extension line X.

FIG. 7 shows a fifth embodiment of the present invention, which also employs a combination aspheric lens 44. Further, the fixing to the lens holder 54 is performed by the retainer 64. In the fifth embodiment, the engagement between the retainer 64 and the lens holder 54 is devised, and the dimension due to the thermal expansion is determined. The difference is to be absorbed.

The retainer 64 has a configuration in which, for example, two straight lines passing through the center of the combined aspherical lens 44 and contacting the outer diameter at four locations can push the retainer 64 in the radial direction. Formed spring 64j. On the other hand, the lens holder 54 is provided with a spring holder 54e for supporting the spring 64J from the outside.
By inserting 4j, the combined aspherical lens 44 is attached to the lens holder 54 via the retainer 64.

By doing so, the combined aspheric lens 44 is pushed from four directions by the four springs 64j, and is attached to the lens holder 54 in a state where the other parts are not touched. The holding force at this time is generated by the repulsive force of each spring 64j.

In this state, if a temperature difference causes a dimensional difference between the combined aspheric lens 44 and the lens holder 54,
The above-mentioned four springs 64j are deformed to absorb the dimensional difference.
If 4j have the same shape, that is, have the same spring characteristics, the amount of deformation of all springs 64j will be the same, and the combined aspheric lens 44 and lens holder 54 will not change in mutual position. Become.

FIG. 8 shows a sixth embodiment obtained by further improving the fifth embodiment described above. As is clear from the above description, a pair of springs 64j that face each other in the diametrical direction of the combined aspherical lens 44 are always connected to each other. The amount of deformation is the same. In the sixth embodiment, the combination aspherical lens 44 is provided with a position adjusting function with respect to the lens holder 54 by utilizing the above-described principle, and a spring 64j is provided on the spring holder 54e of the lens holder 54 on the outside. There is provided an adjusting screw 54f for compressing the pressure.

With the above arrangement, in the fifth embodiment, when the adjusting screw 54f is turned in the pushing direction, the spring 64j at that position is compressed, and at the same time, the diameter of the spring 64j is sandwiched. The opposing springs 64j are also compressed, and the deformation amounts of the two springs 64j at this time are the same. This means that the combination aspherical lens 44 moves in the direction in which it is pushed by half the size of the movement of the adjusting screw 54f, that is, the position adjustment with respect to the lens holder 54 is performed.

Since the force for supporting the combined aspherical lens 44 of the two springs 64j that face each other across the above-described diameter after the position adjustment is performed is the same, the dimensional change of the combined aspherical lens 44 may occur. Even if it occurs, once
The position set with respect to the lens holder 54 can be prevented from being out of order.

FIGS. 9 and 10 show a seventh embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 9, reference numeral 45 denotes a combination aspherical lens, and reference numeral 55 denotes a lens holder. In the seventh embodiment, the combination aspherical lens 45 is provided with slide grooves 45a to 45d each having a substantially U-shape and having an opening on the outer circumferential side at a position where the outer circumference is divided into four equal parts. Therefore, the center lines of the slide grooves 45a to 45d intersect at the center of the combined aspheric lens 45.

FIG. 10 shows an example in which three slide grooves 45e to 45g are provided in the combination aspherical lens 45. In this case, the slide grooves 45e to 45g are also used.
45g is provided as a position that divides the outer circumference into three equal parts, and the center line of each slide groove 45e to 45g is
It is assumed that they intersect at the center of 5.

On the other hand, guide bosses 55a to 55g are provided on the side of the lens holder 55 at positions corresponding to the slide grooves 45a to 45g in both FIG. 9 and FIG.
The guide bosses 55a to 55g substantially fit in the slide grooves 45e to 45g in the width W direction, and generate an appropriate gap with respect to the slide grooves 45e to 45g in the depth D direction.

In this way, when a dimensional change occurs on the side of the combined aspheric lens 45 due to a change in environmental temperature or the like, the guide bosses 55a to 55g slide within the slide grooves 45e to 45g, and Although the dimensional difference from the holder 55 is absorbed, the center of the combined aspherical lens 45 and the lens holder 55 does not shift at the time of absorption, and therefore, the influence on the light distribution characteristics is minimized. It can be.

[0033]

As described above, according to the present invention, each aspherical lens is formed individually or integrally.
The lens holder has a form corresponding to the state of formation of the aspherical lens, and the aspherical lens and the lens holder are provided with centering means and are mutually mounted to form a vehicle lamp. Thus, when the lens and the lens holder have a difference in aspiring supercoefficient and a dimensional change occurs between the two due to a change in the ambient temperature, for example, both are set by the centering means by the concentric outer surface taper and inner surface taper. This reduces the amount of movement between the light sources, thereby reducing the change in the light distribution characteristics, and is extremely effective in improving the performance of this type of vehicular lamp.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a first embodiment of a vehicular lamp according to the present invention in a partially exploded state.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken along line AA of FIG.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a second embodiment of the vehicular lamp according to the present invention in a partially exploded state.

FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken along line BB of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing a third embodiment of the vehicular lamp according to the present invention in a main part.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing a main part of a fourth embodiment of a vehicle lamp according to the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view showing a main part of a fifth embodiment of the vehicular lamp according to the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a sectional view showing a main part of a vehicle lamp according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a front view showing an example of a four-point stop according to the seventh embodiment of the vehicular lamp according to the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a front view showing an example of a three-point stop of a vehicle lamp according to a seventh embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a sectional view showing a conventional example.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Vehicle lamp 2 ... Light source 3 ... Composite reflective surface 4, 4A-4G ... Aspherical lens 41-45 ... Combined aspherical lens 4a, 41a ... External taper 43b ... Mounting leg 45a-45g ... Slide groove 5,51-55 ... Lens holder 5a, 51a ... Lens mounting part 5b, 51b ... Inner taper 5c ... Light distribution forming shade 53d ... Lens receiving part 54e ... Spring holder 54f ... Adjusting screw 55a to 55g Guide boss 6, 61 to 64 Retainer 62a to 62g Opening 62h Mounting part 62i Elastic part 64j Spring X Extension line

Claims (8)

[Claims] 1. A projector-type vehicular lamp in which a plurality of aspherical lenses are mounted at predetermined positions by a lens holder, wherein said aspherical lenses are formed individually or integrally combined, and said lens holder is provided with said lens holder. A vehicular lamp characterized in that the aspherical lens and the lens holder are provided with centering means and are attached to each other in a form corresponding to the state of formation of the spherical lens. 2. The centering means is provided on an outer periphery of an individual aspheric lens or an arc-shaped outer periphery provided coaxially with an aspheric lens at the center of a combined aspheric lens in which a plurality of lenses are integrated. The vehicular lamp according to claim 1, further comprising a tapered surface, and a tapered receiving surface provided on the lens holder corresponding to the tapered surface. 3. The retainer, wherein the centering means is a pressure contact so that only the center aspherical lens in the combined aspherical lens in which a plurality is integrated is positioned with respect to the lens holder. 2. The vehicular lamp according to claim 1, wherein a portion of the retainer corresponding to the other aspherical lens is provided with an appropriate allowance for thermal expansion and is pressed against the lens holder. 4. The method according to claim 1, wherein the centering means positions the lens holder on a straight line passing through the center of the aspherical lens located at the center of the combined aspherical lens in which a plurality of the integrated aspherical lenses are integrated. The vehicular lamp according to claim 1, wherein: 5. The vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the centering means is an engagement between the combined aspherical lens having a plurality of integrated lenses and the lens holder via elasticity in a radial direction. Lights. 6. An adjusting mechanism is provided between the combined aspherical lens and the lens holder to translate the combined aspherical lens and the lens holder in at least one direction along a radial direction. The vehicular lamp according to claim 5, characterized in that: 7. The vehicle according to claim 1, wherein a light distribution forming shade is provided at a position of the lens holder corresponding to the aspherical lens. Lighting fixtures. 8. The lens holder according to claim 1, wherein said lens holder is formed by casting means of a metal member, and said lamp component members such as said retainer and reflecting mirror are mounted on said lens holder as a reference. 8. The vehicle lighting device according to any one of items 7 to 7.