JP2001266616A - Headlight for vehicle - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To solve the problem that a vehicle design is restricted from a restriction that a conventional headlight structure cannot be used practically because of significant reduction of illuminance when it is put at a height 70 mm or less. SOLUTION: The headlight 1 for the vehicle comprises a parabolic first reflector 3 having a focus at the location of a light source 2, an elliptic second reflector 4 whose major axis crosses an irradiation direction at right angles having first focus at the location of the light source 2, a parabolic third reflector 5 having a focus at a location of a second focus of the second reflector 4, an elliptic fourth reflector 6 having a first focus at the locating of the light source, and parabolic fifth reflector 7 having a focus at the location of a second focus of the fourth reflector. A headlight not reducing the quantity of light can be realized even when it is required to maintain a vertical width of 50 mm or less.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a vehicular lamp, and more particularly, to a ratio between a vertical width and a horizontal width, that is,
It is an object of the present invention to provide a headlamp capable of realizing a headlamp having an aspect ratio higher than that of the related art, or of improving the luminous flux utilization rate for a light source more than the related art. .

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art As a conventional technique used to form a headlight for a vehicle, a parabolic reflecting surface such as a rotating paraboloid is used as in a headlight 90 shown in FIG. There are known ones that use an ellipsoidal reflecting surface such as a spheroidal surface, such as a headlight 80 shown in FIG. 8.

First, in a headlamp 90 shown in FIG. 7, a parabolic reflecting surface 91 such as a paraboloid of revolution having an irradiation direction X as a rotation axis is formed. The light source 92 is disposed such as a filament of an incandescent lamp. If the light source 92 is disposed in front of the focal point f as appropriate, the upper half of the reflection surface 91 can obtain downward light. A hood 92a covering the half part is provided, and a means for obtaining a passing light distribution is conventionally employed.

[0004] In the headlight 80 shown in FIG.
An elliptical reflecting surface 81 such as a spheroid having a first focal point f1 and a second focal point f2 is adopted, a light source 82 is arranged at the first focal point f1, and the reflected light is converged at the second focal point f2. A light shielding plate 83 is provided in the vicinity of the second focal point f2 to block a part of the cross-sectional shape of the converging light to form a desired light distribution shape. The light is projected in a state of being reversed in the irradiation direction X by a projection lens 84 having a focal point near the plate 83.

[0005]

However, in the conventional headlamp described above, light from a light source that emits light in all directions, such as a filament, is reflected in the irradiation direction on a reflecting surface to form a light distribution characteristic. For example, when the width of one of the upper, lower, left and right is 70 mm or less, the luminous flux capture rate of the reflecting surface is extremely reduced and the purpose as a headlight cannot be achieved, and thus, as a headlight Has a problem that the degree of freedom is limited due to the above values.

In addition, the headlight 90 shown in FIG. 7 and the headlight 80 shown in FIG. 8 use a hood 92a or a light shielding plate 83 to form a light distribution characteristic for passing each other.
As a result, almost half of the light amount of the light source is blocked, and in recent years, the luminous flux utilization rate in the low-pass light distribution used in most states during night driving is low, and sufficient brightness cannot be obtained. The problem that has arisen also arises.

[0007]

According to the present invention, as a specific means for solving the above-mentioned conventional problems, there is provided a parabolic system having a focal point substantially coincident with the position of a light source and reflecting light in an irradiation direction. Of the first reflection surface, at least one elliptical system provided at one of the upper and lower sides of the first reflection surface with a first focus substantially coincident with the position of the light source and a long axis is set to a direction substantially orthogonal to the irradiation direction. A second reflecting surface, a parabolic third reflecting surface having a focal point substantially coinciding with a second focal point of the second reflecting surface and reflecting light toward the irradiation direction, and a first focal point at a position of the light source. At least one elliptical fourth reflection surface provided above and below the first reflection surface and on the other of the second reflection surfaces, with the major axis being a direction substantially orthogonal to the irradiation direction. It has a focal point substantially coincident with the second focal point of the reflecting surface and reflects light toward the irradiation direction. A parabolic fifth reflecting surface, and a shutter having an opening or a light guide tube surrounded by two or more surfaces is provided near the second focal point of the second reflecting surface and the fourth reflecting surface. The object is solved by providing a vehicle headlamp characterized by the following.

[0008]

Next, the present invention will be described in detail based on an embodiment shown in the drawings. 1 and 2 show a first embodiment of a vehicle headlamp 1 according to the present invention. In the present invention, the headlamp 1 includes a light source 2 and a first reflecting surface 3.
, A second reflecting surface 4, a third reflecting surface 5, and a fourth reflecting surface 6.
And the fifth reflection surface 7 as main optical components. It should be noted that a lens, a housing, and the like naturally exist, but they are not part of the gist of the present invention, so that illustration and description thereof are omitted here.

The first reflecting surface 3 is a parabolic reflecting surface such as a paraboloid of revolution whose axis of rotation coincides with the irradiation direction X. The light source 2 is provided substantially coincident with its focal point f3. I have. Here, in the present invention, the first reflecting surface 3
Has a vertical width of 5 mm with the headlight 1 mounted on a vehicle.
The width is extremely narrow, such as 0 mm or less, as compared with the prior art.

A second reflecting surface 4 whose major axis Y is substantially horizontal and is orthogonal to the irradiation direction X is provided above the first reflecting surface 3. In the first embodiment, Each of the second reflection surfaces 4 is a pair having the light source 2 as a first focal point f41 and each having a second focal point f42 on the outside. Note that each of the second focal points f4
A shutter 41 or a light guide tube 42 is provided in the vicinity of 2, which will be described later.

On the left and right sides of the first reflecting surface 3, the second focal point f 42 of the second reflecting surface 4 is substantially a focal point f 5, and the rotation axis is substantially parallel to the irradiation direction X. A pair of third reflecting surfaces 5 of a parabolic system such as an object surface is provided. Therefore, the light of the light source 2 captured by each of the second reflecting surfaces 4 travels in the irradiation direction X by the third reflecting surface 5.

In addition, in the present invention, a pair of elliptical fourth reflecting surfaces 6 is provided below the first reflecting surface 3, and the fourth reflecting surface 6 is provided with the second reflecting surface 6. Face 4
Similarly, the light source 2 has a major axis Y that is substantially horizontal and orthogonal to the irradiation direction X, and has a first focal point f61 near the light source 2.

The fourth reflecting surface 6 has a respective second focal point f62 near the outer end of the third reflecting surface 5, and further outside the third reflecting surface 5 is a fourth focal point f62. A pair of fifth reflecting surfaces 7 having a focal point f7 near each second focal point f62 of the reflecting surface 6 and having a parabolic system such as a rotating paraboloid having a rotation axis substantially parallel to the irradiation direction X are provided. Have been.
Therefore, the light of the light source 2 captured by each of the fourth reflecting surfaces 6 also travels in the irradiation direction X by the fifth reflecting surface 7.

The second focal point f62 of the fourth reflecting surface 6
Is provided with a shutter 61 or a light guide tube 62 in the same manner as the second reflection surface 4. Here, the shutter (41, 61) or the light guide tube (42, 6) is used.
To describe 2), when the shutter or the light guide tube reflects light converging to the second focal point (f42, f62) in the irradiation direction on the third reflection surface 5 and the fifth reflection surface 7, The position and the cross-sectional shape are adjusted so that the light distribution shape as the illuminator 1 is obtained.

FIG. 3 shows an example of the configuration of a shutter 41 provided on the second reflecting surface 4. In the present invention, a shutter 61 is also provided on the fourth reflecting surface 6, but both are substantially provided. Since the configuration is the same, the explanation here is for the shutter 4
1 as a representative.

The shutter 41 is formed of, for example, a metal plate-like member which has been subjected to anti-reflection processing such as black coating, and has, for example, a rectangular opening 41a of an appropriate size. Then, as described above, it is installed near the second focal point f42, and the openings (41a, 61a)
Other light is blocked, and light passing through the opening 41a is used as a light source for the third reflecting surface 5.

Therefore, the focal point f5 of the third reflecting surface 5
By appropriately setting the position and the shape of the opening 41a of the shutter 41, the direction (for example, downward) and the shape (for example, rising 15 degrees to the left) of the light emitted from the third reflecting surface 5 in the irradiation direction can be freely set. It can be.

The shutter 41 is made movable using the above operation more aggressively. For example, when passing the vehicle, the opening 41a is positioned above the focal point f5 of the third reflecting surface 5 so that the reflected light can be reflected. Can be switched only by moving the shutter 41 if the opening 41a coincides with the focal point f5 of the third reflecting surface 5 and the reflected light is directed toward the front when obtaining the traveling light distribution. Become.

FIG. 4 shows an example of the configuration of a light guide tube 42 that can be employed in place of the shutter 41. Like the shutter 41, this light guide tube also has a second reflection tube. Although it is possible to provide the light guide tube 42 provided on the second reflection surface 4 as in the case of the shutter, it is possible to provide the light guide tube 42 on both the surface and the fourth reflection surface 6. Explanation will be given.

The light guide tube 42 is basically formed as a tubular tube having a rectangular cross section, and preferably has an inner surface subjected to a reflection treatment by aluminum evaporation or the like. With this configuration, if the second focal point f42 of the second reflection surface 4 is located near the entrance 42a of the light guide tube 42,
The light converged on the focal point f42 is transmitted to the outlet 42b while being repeatedly reflected inside the light guide plate 42, and emitted from the outlet 42b along the cross-sectional shape.

Therefore, by adjusting the length of the light guide tube 42, the position of the second focal point f42 of the second reflecting surface 4 and the position of the focal point f5 of the third reflecting surface 5 can be separated. ,
An appropriate degree of freedom is given to the design of the headlight 1. Further, for example, if the outlet 42b can be swung up and down with the inlet 42a as a center with respect to the inlet 42a, the light distribution characteristics can be switched in the same manner as the shutter 41 described above.

Incidentally, the results of trial manufacture and examination by the inventor for realizing the present invention have confirmed that the tip shape, inclination, and the like of the outlet 42b are also related to the formation of the light distribution characteristics. Further, the second reflecting surface 4 is substantially the upper half of the elliptical surface, and the fourth reflecting surface 6 is the substantially lower half, whereby the reflected light has directivity. The light guide tube 42
It was confirmed that (62) may be only a portion corresponding to the above-described directionality, for example, two upper and lower sides.

FIG. 5 shows a second embodiment of the present invention. In the first embodiment, the second reflecting surface 4 provided above the first reflecting surface 3 is provided outside the first reflecting surface 3. And a fourth reflecting surface 6 provided below the first reflecting surface 3.
Thus, light is supplied to the fifth reflecting surface 7 provided further outside the third reflecting surface 5.

The present invention is not limited to the above-described structure. As shown in FIG. 5, a second reflecting surface 4 for supplying light to the third reflecting surface 5 is provided below the first reflecting surface 3, and a fifth reflecting surface is provided. The fourth reflection surface 6 for supplying light to the reflection surface 7 may be provided above the first reflection surface 3, that is, a configuration in which the fourth embodiment is inverted upside down from the first embodiment.

As described above, according to the present invention, even when the headlamp 1 having a width in the vertical direction of 50 mm or less is required, for example, the second reflection surface 4 and the fourth reflection surface 6 can be used. A device capable of recovering light without lowering the light amount by collecting upper and lower portions of light cut off from the first reflecting surface 4 and directing the light toward the irradiation direction by the third reflecting surface 5 and the fifth reflecting surface 7. It is. Further, the first reflecting surface, the third reflecting surface 5, and the fifth reflecting surface 7
Are arranged in the horizontal direction, so that the light emitting area as the headlamp 1 can be made sufficient and the visibility from other vehicles does not decrease.

FIG. 6 shows a third embodiment of the present invention. In the development process for realizing the present invention, as described above, an elliptic reflection having a major axis Y vertically above and below the light source 2 and substantially perpendicular to the irradiation direction is described. Surface (for example, second reflecting surface 4 and fourth reflecting surface 6 in the first embodiment)
It has been confirmed that the type in which is provided has an excellent light flux capturing rate for the light source 2.

The third embodiment is intended mainly to improve the above-described light flux capturing ratio. In order to fulfill this purpose, the headlamp 10 of the third embodiment employs the headlight 10 of the previous embodiment. The second reflecting surface 14, the third reflecting surface 15, the fourth reflecting surface 16, and the fifth reflecting surface 17 provided as a pair are each one.
The second reflecting surface 14 and the fourth reflecting surface 16 that are basically elliptical are provided on one of the right and left sides of the light source 12 (shown on the right side as viewed in the drawing). ), A parabolic first reflecting surface 13,
The third reflecting surface 15 and the fifth reflecting surface 17 are provided on opposite sides.

The second reflecting surface 14 and the fourth reflecting surface 1
In the third embodiment, the second reflecting surface 1 is provided in the third embodiment, while the long axis is provided substantially horizontally in the previous embodiment.
Fourth, the fourth reflecting surface 16 is connected at one end on the first focal point side, and the major axis is appropriately inclined to the first reflecting surface 13, the third reflecting surface 15, and the fifth reflecting surface 17 side. ing.

The second reflecting surface 14, the fourth reflecting surface 1
6 has a tip at the second focal point (f14) along the long axis.
2, f162) light-shielding plates 14a and 16a in the vicinity are provided respectively, and the first reflecting surface 13, the third reflecting surface 15,
Interference with the fifth reflection surface 17 is prevented. Further, the side facing the second reflection surface 14 and the fourth reflection surface 16 of the light-shielding plates 14a and 16a is subjected to a mirror surface treatment so that the function of the light guide tube described in the first embodiment and the like can be obtained. I have.

Further, the light source 1 of the light shielding plates 14a, 16a
An appropriate gap is provided in the vicinity of the second reflector 2, a first reflecting surface 13 is provided, for example, in a fan shape in a range where the direct light is radiated from the gap, and the second reflecting surface 14, the fourth reflecting surface 1 are further provided.
A third reflecting surface 15 and a fifth reflecting surface 17 are provided corresponding to the second focal point 6.

At this time, as described above, the second reflecting surface 1
Since the second focal point of the fourth reflecting surface and the second focal point of the fourth reflecting surface 16 are arranged substantially vertically, the third reflecting surface 15 and the fifth reflecting surface 1
7 are also arranged in the vertical direction, that is, vertically. At this time, the second focal point (f) of the light shielding plates 14a and 16a
Since the end on the side of 142, f162) functions in substantially the same manner as the shutter in the previous embodiment, it is preferable to optimize the tip shape and the like in accordance with the desired light distribution shape.

Further, with this configuration, the light shielding plates 14a and 16a are arranged close to each other and can be integrally formed. As described in the previous embodiment, it is possible to switch between the passing light distribution and the traveling light distribution by appropriately rotating the position shown in FIG.

The headlamp 10 having the above-described structure includes a light source 12
Is improved, and a low-pass light distribution can be obtained without using a hood, a light-shielding plate, and the like, which are indispensable in the conventional example. Therefore, the light flux utilization rate for the light source 12 can reach approximately 60%. Confirmed by the inventor. Therefore, compared with the conventional headlamp having a luminous flux utilization rate of at most 30% or less, the headlamp 10 of the third embodiment has twice or more the brightness even with the light source 12 having the same power consumption. Is obtained.

In the configuration of FIG. 6, the aspect ratio is not so large as in the embodiments shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 5, and is substantially the same as that of a vehicle headlight having a conventional structure. However, by practicing the present invention, the light source 12 can be placed closer to one of the left and right sides of the vehicle headlamp 10.

Here, in recent automobile designs, overhangs tend to be cut off for the purpose of reducing weight, improving ride comfort, and improving maneuverability.
In the situation viewed from the headlights 1 and 10, the tires move forward, causing a conflict between places.

In the structure of the vehicle headlamp 10 of the present invention shown in the third embodiment (FIG. 6) of the present invention, the light source 12 is deviated to one side and does not interfere with the tire. In addition, since only the reflecting surfaces such as the third reflecting surface and the fourth reflecting surface are present in front of the tire, it is possible to achieve extremely good compatibility with the above-mentioned recent automobile design.

[0037]

As described above, according to the present invention, a parabolic first reflecting surface having a focal point substantially coinciding with the position of the light source and reflecting light toward the irradiation direction, and a second reflecting surface at the position of the light source. At least one elliptic second reflecting surface provided on one of the upper and lower sides of the first reflecting surface, with the long axis substantially coincident with one focal point and a direction substantially orthogonal to the irradiation direction, and the second reflecting surface of the second reflecting surface. A third reflecting surface of a parabolic system having a focal point substantially coinciding with the two focal points and reflecting light in the irradiation direction, the first focal point substantially coincides with the position of the light source, and the long axis is substantially orthogonal to the irradiation direction. At least one elliptical fourth reflecting surface provided above and below the first reflecting surface and on the other of the second reflecting surfaces,
A parabolic fifth reflecting surface that has a focal point substantially coinciding with the second focal point of the fourth reflecting surface and reflects light toward the irradiation direction, and the second reflecting surface and the fourth reflecting surface First, there is a demand for a vertical width of 50 mm or less by using a vehicle headlight provided with a shutter having an opening or a light guide tube surrounded by two or more surfaces near the two focal points. In some cases, it can be realized without reducing the amount of light, giving a headlight a degree of freedom in design, and improving the aesthetic appearance of the entire vehicle, and has extremely excellent effects. Secondly, the above-described configuration improves both the light flux capturing rate and the light flux utilization rate with respect to the light source, and also has an excellent effect that a significantly brighter headlight can be realized with the same power consumption. To play.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a main part of a first embodiment of a vehicular headlamp according to the present invention.

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

FIG. 3 is an explanatory view showing a shutter which is a main part of the first embodiment.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory view showing a light guide tube which is a main part of the first embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view showing a main part of a second embodiment of the vehicle headlamp according to the present invention.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory view showing a third embodiment of the vehicle headlight according to the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a sectional view showing a conventional example.

FIG. 8 is a sectional view showing another conventional example.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1, 10 ... vehicle headlights 2, 12 ... light source 3, 13 ... first reflecting surface 4, 14 ... second reflecting surface 41 ... shutter 42 ... light guide tube 5, 15 ... Three reflection surfaces 6, 16 Fourth reflection surface 61 Shutter 62 Light guide tube 7, 17 Fifth reflection surface

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page (72) Inventor Yoshifumi Kawaguchi 2-9-13 Nakameguro, Meguro-ku, Tokyo Inside Stanley Electric Co., Ltd. (72) Takashi Akutagawa 2-9-1 Nakameguro, Meguro-ku, Tokyo No. 13 F term in Stanley Electric Co., Ltd. (reference) 3K042 AA08 AC01 AC07 BB03 BB05 BB11 BD04 CB07 CB20

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. A first reflecting surface of a parabolic system having a focal point substantially coinciding with the position of a light source and reflecting light in an irradiation direction, and a first focal point substantially coinciding with the position of the light source, and a long axis is set. At least one elliptic second reflecting surface provided in a direction substantially orthogonal to the irradiation direction and provided on one of the upper and lower sides of the first reflecting surface, and a focal point substantially coinciding with a second focal point of the second reflecting surface. A third reflecting surface of a parabolic system that reflects light in the irradiation direction, a first focal point substantially coincides with the position of the light source, and a long axis is set to a direction substantially orthogonal to the irradiation direction, and the upper and lower sides of the first reflecting surface And at least one elliptical fourth reflection surface provided on the other of the second reflection surfaces, and a focal point substantially coinciding with a second focal point of the fourth reflection surface, and reflects light toward the irradiation direction. A fifth reflecting surface of a parabolic system, and an opening near the second focal point of the second reflecting surface and the fourth reflecting surface. A vehicle headlight provided with a shutter having an opening or a light guide tube surrounded by two or more surfaces. 2. The vehicle headlight according to claim 1, wherein the shutter or the light guide tube is movable, and the light distribution shape is changed by the movement. 3. The vehicle headlight according to claim 2, wherein the shutter or the light guide tube is provided at two or more positions, and at least two of the shutters or the light guide tubes are configured to be movable by a drive unit. light. 4. The vehicle headlight according to claim 1, wherein an inner surface of the light guide tube is mirror-finished.