JP2003031007A - Lighting tool - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a lighting tool with improved utilization efficiency of light from a linear light source with a reflecting member, using a simple structure for utilizing the linear light source. SOLUTION: The tool is composed of a linear light source 11, arranged so as to be extended laterally, and a reflecting member 20 arranged at the rear of the linear light source, so as to reflect light from the linear light source forward. The reflecting member is provided with a concave first reflecting face 21, arranged backwards along the longitudinal direction of the linear light source, with an elliptic face at cross section vertical to the longitudinal direction of the light source, and the lighting tool is so structured that the light source is arranged to be located near the above first focal point.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a vehicular lamp used as a headlamp or an auxiliary headlamp provided in a front portion of an automobile, or a lamp using a linear light source used for various types of illuminating lamps. It is about.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, an automobile headlight, for example, comprises a light source, a main reflection surface for reflecting the light from the light source forward, for example, a paraboloid of revolution, and a diffusion lens cut. The light from the light source is converted into substantially parallel light by the main reflection surface, and the illumination light is emitted forward. A bulb such as a halogen bulb or a discharge lamp bulb is used as the light source. Here, in such a bulb, the light emitting portion is formed in a linear or rectangular shape microscopically, but is treated as a point light source macroscopically.

[0003]

By the way, as a vehicular lamp using a linear light source, for example, one using an LED array as a so-called high mount stop lamp is known. However, such a high mount stop lamp has a configuration in which the LED array is arranged as it is at the rear part of the automobile, and is not configured to utilize the reflected light by the reflecting member. For this reason, the utilization efficiency of the light from the LED array, which is a linear light source, becomes low, and the irradiation light becomes dark. Further, not only the headlights of automobiles, but also the auxiliary headlights of automobiles, signal lights such as tail lamps, driving lamps, backup lamps, etc., and various types of illuminating lights, the lamps using the linear light source are actually used. Absent.

In view of the above points, the present invention provides a lamp having a simple structure, which uses a linear light source and improves the efficiency of use of light from the linear light source by a reflecting member. Has an aim.

[0005]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, the above object is to provide a linear light source arranged so as to extend in a lateral direction, and to direct light from the linear light source to the front. And a reflecting member disposed at the rear of the linear light source so that the light is reflected by the linear light source, and the reflecting member is a concave first member disposed at the rear along the longitudinal direction of the linear light source. A first reflecting surface, wherein the first reflecting surface is an elliptical reflecting surface in a cross section perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the linear light source, and the linear light source is located near the first focal point. It is achieved by a lamp, which is characterized in that it is arranged at.

In the lamp according to the present invention, preferably, the reflection member includes a second reflection surface arranged in a region laterally forward of the first reflection surface, and the second reflection surface is exposed. It is a reflective surface.

In the lamp according to the present invention, preferably, the first reflecting surface has an angle from the linear light source of 0 to 12 degrees.
It is arranged within the range of 0 degrees.

In the lamp according to the present invention, preferably, the length of the first reflecting surface in the longitudinal direction is less than that of the linear light source.
7 to 1.5 times.

In the lamp according to the present invention, preferably, the linear light source is provided with a lens having the same outer shape in a cross section perpendicular to the longitudinal direction, and one side edge extending in the longitudinal direction of the linear light source is the above-mentioned. It is located in the center of the lens.

In the lamp according to the present invention, preferably, the reflecting member is arranged only above the optical axis, the linear light source is directed upward on the optical axis, and the one side edge is a reflecting member. Is disposed near the first focal point position of the first reflecting surface of, and the entire linear light source is disposed in the front region from the vicinity of the first focal point position.

In the lamp according to the present invention, preferably, the reflection member is arranged only below the optical axis, and the linear light source is reflected downward on the optical axis and the one side edge is reflected. The first reflecting surface of the member is arranged near the first focal position, and the entire linear light source is arranged in the rear region from the vicinity of the first focal position.

In the lamp according to the present invention, preferably, the linear light source is arranged so as to be inclined rearward.

In the lamp according to the present invention, preferably, the reflecting member includes a third reflecting surface arranged rearward along the longitudinal direction of the linear light source, and the third reflecting surface is a front side. The left side or the front right side is configured to reflect light slightly above the horizontal line.

Further, according to the second aspect of the present invention, the above object is to provide a linear light source arranged so as to extend in a lateral direction,
In order to reflect the light from the linear light source forward, a reflecting member disposed at the rear of the linear light source, and the reflecting member, in the longitudinal direction of the linear light source. A reflection surface formed by a conical curving body centered on an axis passing through a target point in the irradiation direction and a point on the light source. And a projection image of the linear light source arranged so as to illuminate an oblique region rotated about the target point.

In the lamp according to the present invention, preferably, the reflecting surface formed by the rotating body having the conical curve is a spheroidal reflecting surface, and the first focal point is located on the linear light source.
Further, the second focal point is arranged so as to be located at a target point forming an oblique irradiation area forward in the z-axis direction, and further, the reflecting surface rotates the linear light source by a predetermined angle around the rotation axis. , Is configured to reflect light slightly diagonally above the horizon on one front side.

In the lamp according to the present invention, preferably, the linear light source is an LED array.

The lamp according to the present invention is preferably a surface emitting element in which the linear light source is linearly formed.

Further, according to the present invention, the above object can be achieved by a lighting fixture further comprising a plurality of the above-mentioned lamps, and the illumination lights from the respective lamps are superposed on each other.

According to the above first construction, the light emitted from the linear light source, preferably the linear light source composed of the LED array or the linear light emitting element, is emitted directly or from the first member of the reflecting member. It will be reflected by the reflecting surface and proceed forward. Thereby, a part of the light emitted from the linear light source is reflected by the first reflecting surface of the reflecting member,
It is irradiated toward the front and illuminates the front area. Therefore, the utilization efficiency of the light emitted from the linear light source is improved, and bright illumination light can be obtained.

When the reflecting member has a second reflecting surface arranged in a region laterally forward of the first reflecting surface, and the second reflecting surface is a parabolic reflecting surface, Of the light emitted from the linear light source, preferably a linear light source composed of an LED array or a linear light emitting device, light traveling toward both sides in the regions of both end surfaces of the linear light source is It is reflected by the second reflecting surface and travels forward. As a result, a part of the light emitted from the linear light source is reflected by the second reflecting surface of the reflecting member, is irradiated toward the front, and illuminates the front area. Therefore, the utilization efficiency of the light emitted from the linear light source is improved, and bright illumination light can be obtained.

When the first reflecting surface is arranged within an angle of 0 ° to 120 ° from the linear light source, approximately 80% or more of the light emitted from the linear light source is obtained. Since the light is reflected by the first reflecting surface, the utilization efficiency of the light emitted from the linear light source is further improved, and brighter illumination light is obtained.

When the length of the first reflecting surface in the longitudinal direction is 0.7 to 1.5 times the length of the linear light source, the light emitted from the linear light source is the first Since the light is efficiently reflected by the reflecting surface and travels forward, brighter illumination light can be obtained.

In the case where the linear light source is provided with a lens having the same outer shape in a cross section perpendicular to the longitudinal direction, and one side edge extending in the longitudinal direction of the linear light source is arranged at the center of the lens. Since the light from this one side edge is emitted from the center of the lens in a cross section perpendicular to the longitudinal direction, it goes straight without receiving the refraction effect in the direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the lens. It will be. Therefore, the contrast of the boundary between the irradiation region and the non-irradiation region of the light distribution pattern of the light reflected by the first reflection surface of the reflection member and irradiated toward the front becomes good. Further, since the lenses have the same outer shape in the longitudinal direction, almost uniform light distribution characteristics can be obtained in the longitudinal direction.

The reflecting member is arranged only above the optical axis, the linear light source is directed upward on the optical axis, and the one side edge is the first reflecting surface of the reflecting member. When the entire linear light source is located in the front region from the vicinity of the first focus position, the light emitted from the linear light source is reflected by the first reflecting surface and is directed forward. When going forward, it will be illuminated below the horizon.

The reflecting member is arranged only below the optical axis, the linear light source faces downward on the optical axis, and the one side edge is the first reflecting surface of the reflecting member. When the linear light source is located near the one focal point position and the entire linear light source is located in the rear region from the vicinity of the first focal point position, the light emitted from the linear light source is reflected by the first reflecting surface and travels forward. When going forward, it will be illuminated below the horizon.

When the linear light source is arranged so as to be inclined rearward, the incidence efficiency of the light which is incident on the first reflecting surface of the reflecting member from the linear light source is improved. In order to increase the illuminance due to the light reflected toward the front and to obtain the same illuminance, the first reflecting surface of the reflecting member can be made compact.

The reflecting member has a third reflecting surface arranged rearward along the longitudinal direction of the linear light source, and the third reflecting surface is located on the front left side or the front right side, and slightly above the horizontal line. When configured to reflect light to the upper side, the third reflective surface causes the light from the linear light source to illuminate slightly upward on the left side toward the front, thereby making Pedestrians can be illuminated.

According to the above second structure, the light emitted from the linear light source, preferably the linear light source composed of the LED array or the linear light emitting element, is directly or by the reflecting surface of the reflecting member. It is reflected and goes forward.
As a result, the light emitted from the linear light source is reflected by the reflecting surface of the reflecting member to form an image of the linear light source rotated around the optical axis. By irradiating a little on the upper side (on the left in the case of left-hand traffic and on the right in the case of right-hand traffic), it is possible to illuminate road shoulders, pedestrians, and the like as a passing beam.

The reflecting surface formed by the rotating body of the conical curve is a spheroidal reflecting surface, the first focal point of which is located on the linear light source, and the second focal point of which is oblique irradiation in the front in the z-axis direction. It is arranged so as to be positioned at a target point forming an area, and further, the reflecting surface rotates the linear light source by a predetermined angle around the rotation axis, and is slightly above the horizontal line at one front side. In the case of being configured to reflect light in a direction, the light emitted from the linear light source is reflected by the reflecting surface and converges toward the second focal point, and also around the optical axis. An image of the rotated linear light source will be formed.

Further, according to the luminaire, which is provided with a plurality of the above-mentioned lamps and the illumination lights from the respective lamps are superposed on each other, the illumination lights from the plurality of lamps are concentrated, so that a brighter illumination light is obtained. Will be obtained.

[0031]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to FIGS.
Since the embodiments described below are preferred specific examples of the present invention, various technically preferable limitations are attached, but the scope of the present invention particularly limits the present invention in the following description. Unless otherwise stated, the present invention is not limited to these modes.

FIG. 1 shows the configuration of an embodiment in which the present invention is applied to a vehicular lamp. In FIG. 1, a vehicular lamp 10 is a lamp that realizes a light distribution downward from a horizontal line of a so-called passing beam headlight of an automobile, that is, horizontal diffused light distribution, and includes an LED array 11 as a linear light source. , L
The reflecting member 20 is provided on the rear side of the ED array 11.

The LED array 11 is constructed by arranging a plurality of LED array modules 12 as shown in FIG. 2 along the longitudinal direction. Where the LED
The array module 12 includes a substrate 13 as shown in FIG.
A plurality of LEDs, for example, 5 to 10 (5 in the case shown), which are mounted side by side in the longitudinal direction in the recess 13a of the
The chip 14, the phosphor layer 15 arranged so as to cover the LED chip 14, the silicon gel 16 formed so as to cover almost the entire surface of the substrate 13, and the silicon gel 16 formed so as to cover the entire surface of the substrate 13. Lens 17 and

The LED chip 14 is formed as a blue LED having a chip size of, for example, one side length D (= 1.0 mm), and each side is brought into contact with the wall surface 13b of the recess 13a. Chip 14 is substrate 1
3 is laterally displaced from the longitudinal center of D3 by a distance D / 2, so that one longitudinal side edge 14a thereof is formed.
Are aligned and arranged along the center of the substrate 13 in the longitudinal direction.

The phosphor layer 15 is made of, for example, a YAG phosphor, and is excited by the irradiation light from the LED chip 14 to emit white light. The silicon gel 16 includes the LED chip 14 and the phosphor 1.
5 is protected and a gap between the lens 17 and the lens 17 is prevented from occurring so that the light extraction efficiency is not lowered.

The lens 17 has a semi-cylindrical outer shape extending in the longitudinal direction, and the center axis of the lens 17 is the LED.
It is formed so as to substantially coincide with the one side edge 14a of the chip 14. Here, let the radius of the semi-cylindrical shape of the lens 17 be R,
Assuming that the length of one side of the LED chip 14 is D and the critical angle is α, the inner surface reflection of the lens 17 is reduced by determining the radius R according to the following formula R ≧ √2 · D / sin α. D = 1.0 mm, α = 4
LED chip 14 when 2.5 degrees and R = 2.1 mm
With respect to the light emitted from, the effective light can be extracted with the extraction efficiency of about 80% in calculation.

The reflecting member 20 reflects the light from the LED array 11 and reflects it toward the front.
It has a first reflecting surface 21 that is concave toward the front, and second reflecting surfaces 22 provided on both sides of the first reflecting surface 21.

Assuming that the longitudinal direction of the LED array 11 is the x direction, the horizontal axis in front of the lamp is the z direction, and the vertical direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction is the y direction, an orthogonal coordinate system is used. Is formed as an elliptical reflecting surface in the cross section of the yz plane (cross section perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the LED array 11).

Here, the elliptical reflecting surface is an elliptic curve forming an ellipse having a first focal point (F1) and a second focal point (F2) in the z direction, as shown in the schematic view of FIG. 3 (B). Section curve that can be expressed as, that is, two fixed points F1, F on one plane
A reflecting surface formed by a curve of a locus of a point P such that the sum (F1P + F2P) of distances from 2 is constant. However, in the present specification, the elliptic reflecting surface is not limited to the elliptic reflecting surface in the narrow sense described above, and strictly does not match the elliptic curve having the first focus and the second focus, but can be approximated to this elliptical cross section. It also includes a reflective surface consisting of a section curve. Therefore,
The first focal point and the second focal point also include not only the first focal point and the second focal point in the sectional curve that can be realized by the elliptic curve in the narrow sense, but also the first focal point and the second focal point of the elliptic curve that approximates each reflecting surface. .

The first reflecting surface 21 is formed so that the angle ψ falls within the range of 0 to 120 degrees when the angle parallel to the light emitting surface of the LED array 11 is 0 degrees. . In addition, in FIG. 1, the first reflecting surface 21 is formed in a so-called semi-cylindrical shape so as to have the same shape in any yz plane cross section, but it is not limited to this and may have a curvature in the x direction. It may be formed in.

The first reflecting surface 21 is shown in FIG.
As shown in, the first focus position 21a is located near the center of the lens 17 of the LED array 11 arranged upward, and the second focus position 21b is, for example, 25 m of the first focus position 21a. Optical axis O on the front screen
It is arranged so as to be located about 0.5 degrees below (z-axis), and satisfies the regulation as a headlight. Here, in the LED array 11, as shown in FIG. 3, one side edge 14a of the LED chip 14 coincides with the first focus position 21a of the first reflecting surface 21, and the entire LED array 11 has the first focus position 21a. It is arranged so as to be located in front of the focal position 21a.

As a result, each LED of the LED array 11 is
One side edge 14a of the chip 14 is located along the center of the lens 17 and near the first focus position 21a of the first reflecting surface 21, and each LED chip 14 as a whole has the first focus position 21a. Since it is located in front of each L
The light L1 emitted from the one side edge 14a of the ED chip 14 is
The lens 17 is reflected by the first reflecting surface 21 without being refracted in the yz plane cross section and travels toward the second focal position 21b.

Further, since the whole of each LED chip 14 is arranged so as to be located in front of the one side edge 14a, the light from the LED chip 14 is refracted by the lens 17 and then the first light. The light L1 is reflected by the reflecting surface 21.
Will proceed downwards. For example, the light L2 emitted from the other front side edge is always reflected downward from the second focus position 21b. Therefore, LE
The light emitted from the D chip 14 and the phosphor layer 15 and reflected by the first reflecting surface 21 is irradiated forward toward the lower side of the horizontal line and below the second focus position 21b. . At this time, one side edge 14a of the LED chip 14
The light L1 emitted from the lens 17 is in the longitudinal direction (x direction) of the lens 17.
Since it is not affected by refraction in a cross section (yz plane) perpendicular to, the boundary between the irradiation area and the non-irradiation area in the horizontal line of the light reflected by the first reflecting surface 21 and irradiated forward below the horizontal line. Is radiated, which results in good contrast.

On the other hand, the second reflecting surface 22 of the reflecting member 20 is formed as a parabolic reflecting surface in the xz plane (cross section perpendicular to the longitudinal direction and the optical axis direction) as shown in FIG. Has been done. Here, in the present specification, the term “parabolic reflection surface” means not only a parabolic reflection surface having a cross-sectional curve that can be expressed by a parabolic curve in a vertical cross section of the reflection surface unless otherwise specified. Is defined as a parabolic reflection surface including, for example, a pseudo-parabolic reflection surface that is a Bezier curve that does not have an axis of a parabolic curve but that closely approximates a parabolic curve. The above-mentioned parabolic reflection surface is emitted from the opposite edge 11a of the LED array 11 on both sides of the first reflection surface 21 (only one side is shown in FIG. 4), and the first reflection surface. Maximum diffusion angle θ reflected by 21 (eg 45 degrees)
So that it can be radiated toward a target point for obtaining a predetermined light distribution pattern on the front screen,
For example, a target point A directly below the central axis O (z axis), for example, 25
Point about 0.5 degrees down on the screen in front of m (see Fig. 5)
Is the focal position, and the angle θ from the target point A to the central axis O
It is composed of a parabola C whose axis is an axis B inclined only by an angle and which starts from an end 21a on one side of the first reflecting surface 21. The parabola C is swept in the y direction, that is, in the xz plane cross section. The parabola C is used as the reflecting surface.

The end point 22a of the parabolic reflection surface is
A rotation parabola obtained by rotating the parabola C about the axis B as a position where the light having the maximum diffusion angle θ reflected by the first reflection surface 21 and emitted from the opposite edge of the LED array 11 is incident. Use as a reflective surface. As a result, the light diffused from the LED array 11 at an angle equal to or larger than the maximum diffusion angle θ is reflected by the second reflecting surface 22 and is reflected substantially horizontally downward toward the target point A. , Improve the illuminance near the center.

The vehicle lamp 10 according to the embodiment of the present invention is
Each L of the LED array 11 is configured as described above.
When the ED chip 14 is powered by a drive circuit (not shown) and emits light, the light emitted from the LED array 11 is reflected by the first reflecting surface 21 and the second reflecting surface 22 of the reflecting member 20, It is irradiated toward the front.

Here, when the light emitted from the LED array 11 is reflected by the first reflecting surface 21 of the reflecting member, as shown in FIG. 5, the light is vertically generated based on the shape of the first reflecting surface 21. By controlling the direction, the irradiation is performed toward the irradiation area D ′ slightly below the horizontal line H. Further, a part of the light reflected by the first reflecting surface 21, the light emitted toward both ends of the irradiation area D ′ is reflected by the second reflecting surface 22, and the second reflecting surface 22. The light corresponding to both end regions of the irradiation region D ′ by the first reflecting surface 21 is controlled in the horizontal direction based on the shape of
The area below the central axis O is irradiated to make the illuminance of the central portion brighter, and the irradiation area D limited to the maximum diffusion angle θ is formed as a whole. As a result, a light distribution pattern suitable for horizontal diffused light distribution in a so-called passing beam as shown in FIG. 6 can be obtained.

In the vehicle lamp 10 described above,
In the LED array 11, the LED chip 14 is arranged on the upper surface of the substrate 13, that is, facing upward on the optical axis O.
0 is arranged on the upper side of the optical axis O, but not limited to this,
As shown in FIG. 7, the LED array 11 may be arranged downward on the optical axis O and the reflecting member 20 may be arranged below the optical axis O. In this case, the LED array 11
Is arranged such that one side edge 14a of the LED chip 14 coincides with the first focus position 21a of the first reflecting surface 21 and the whole is located behind the first focus position 21a. There is. Thereby, as in the case of the arrangement shown in FIG. 3, the light emitted from the LED array 11 is reflected by the reflecting member 2
By being reflected by the first reflection surface 21 of 0, the light is emitted slightly downward from the optical axis O.

The light emitted from the LED chip generally has directional characteristics. As described above, the one side edge 14a of each LED chip 14 of the LED array 11 has the lens 17
Using a line light source that is arranged so as to substantially coincide with the central axis of the LED array and the other side edges thereof are aligned at positions deviated from the center of the lens 17, the directional characteristics of the LED array 11 are shown in FIG. As described above, the directional characteristic is obtained in which the LED chip 14 is inclined in the opposite direction (leftward in FIG. 8) to the shifted side. In FIG. 8, the normal direction is 0 degree,
The left side is the minus direction and the right side is the plus direction. Then, the first reflecting surface 21, which will be described later, is arranged in the irradiation direction, that is, on the left side of the drawing so as to reflect the light of the central axis of the inclined directional characteristic. Here, in order to improve the light use efficiency and reduce the size of the lamp as a whole, the LED light source has a size such that the central axis of the directional characteristic of the LED array is located in the range of 20 to 50 degrees. , It is desirable to determine the size of the LED chip and the size of the lens 17 obtained according to the above-mentioned formula 1.

Further, as shown in FIG. 9, the first reflecting surface 21 has a range of at least 0 to 100 degrees, with respect to the light emitted from the LED array 11 having the directional characteristics shown in FIG. Utilization efficiency can be improved. Practically, 60% of the light from the above linear light source
It is desirable to arrange them so that the above light can be effectively reflected. If the first reflecting surface 21 is in the range of 0 to 120 degrees, approximately 80% or more in the cross-sectional direction of the first reflecting surface 21. It is possible to effectively reflect the light.

Further, in the above-described vehicle lamp 10, the LED array 11 is arranged so that the surface of the substrate 13 thereof extends along the optical axis O, as shown in FIG. 3 or 7. Not limited to this, FIG.
As shown in FIG. 10, the optical axis may be arranged so as to be inclined rearward with respect to the optical axis O by an inclination angle φ, for example, 10 degrees as shown in FIG. In these cases, the light L emitted from the LED array 11 reflected by the first reflecting surface 21 can be increased, and the first reflecting surface 21 and the second reflecting surface of the reflecting member 20 can be more efficiently. The light is reflected by 22 and is emitted toward the front, so that the illuminance of the light distribution pattern is improved. Therefore, in order to obtain the same illuminance, the reflecting member 20 can be made compact.

FIG. 13 shows the structure of a second embodiment of the vehicular lamp according to the present invention. In FIG. 13, a vehicle lamp 30 is a so-called passing beam vehicle headlight, and has substantially the same structure as the vehicle lamp 10 shown in FIGS. The same reference numerals are given and the description thereof is omitted.

The vehicular lamp 30 has a different structure only in that the reflecting member 20 further includes the third reflecting surface 31 in addition to the first reflecting surface 21 and the second reflecting surface 22. There is. As shown in FIG. 13, the third reflecting surface 31 is arranged in a region between the first reflecting surface 21 and the second reflecting surface 22.

The third reflecting surface 31 is constructed as a composite reflecting surface composed of a plurality of reflecting surfaces, and each reflecting surface 31a.
Is composed of a spheroid. Each reflecting surface 31a is
By reflecting the light from the LED array 11, a line E of 15 degrees upward to the left from the target point A (see FIG. 14).
(See (A)) The light emitted from one side edge 14a of each LED chip 14 of the linear light source 11 along the cutoff line E is formed so as to irradiate downward. It is possible to make the contrast of the boundary between the irradiation region and the non-irradiation region of the light distribution pattern clear along the cutoff line E by proceeding without receiving the light.

Here, with respect to the third reflecting surface 31,
This will be described with reference to FIGS. 15 and 16. As shown in FIG. 15, a point on the linear light source 11 is set to a first focus F1 and 2
On the screen 5 m ahead, an elliptic curve having the target point A in the -y direction as the second focal point F2 by about 0.5 degrees from the z axis is obtained. An elliptic curve is rotated with a straight line connecting F1 and F2 as a rotation axis to create a spheroid. On the reflecting surface formed of the spheroidal surface thus obtained, the projection image by the linear light source 11 is obtained by rotating the point F2 at which the first focus F1 is projected on the screen. By utilizing the property that the light source image rotates, a part of the spheroidal reflecting surface that illuminates the area up to the line E of 15 degrees upward to the left is defined as the reflecting surface 31a. The shape of the spheroidal reflecting surface thus obtained is shown in FIG. In FIG. 16, the front surface is the spheroidal reflection surface 31a. Note that, in FIG. 15, an example in which the position of the center point of the linear light source 11 is set to F1 is shown for the sake of easy understanding of the description.
In 1a, each reflection surface 31a is formed by defining F1 as a position corresponding to a light source reflected by each reflection surface, which is not the center point on the linear light source 11 but an arbitrary position on the linear light source 11. is doing. As a result, as shown in FIG. 14 (A), a line E of 15 degrees upward to the left from the target point A
It is possible to obtain a light distribution pattern that illuminates below.

According to the vehicular lamp 30 having such a structure, the light emitted from the LED array 11 is emitted from the LED array 11 in the same manner as the above-described vehicular lamp 10. By being reflected by the reflecting surface 22 and irradiated toward the front, a horizontal diffusion light distribution pattern that spreads slightly below the horizontal line H similar to that shown in FIG. 6 is formed. Further, the light from the LED array 11 is reflected by the third reflecting surface 31 of the reflecting member 20 and is irradiated slightly forward and leftward toward the front, so that the light shown in FIG.
As shown in FIG. 4 (A), the horizontal line H is on the left side from the target point A.
Irradiation is on the slightly upper side and below the line E of 15 degrees to the left.

Therefore, as shown in FIG. 14B, the light distribution pattern of FIG. 6 formed slightly below the horizontal line H,
On the left side of the optical axis O, move slightly upward to the horizontal line H and move to the left 1
A light distribution pattern that overlaps with the light distribution pattern of FIG. 14A formed below 5 degrees is formed on the screen in front of the lamp. As a result, when the vehicle lamp 30 is mounted, the reflecting surface 21,
Irradiation light from the reflecting surfaces of the reflecting surface 22 and the reflecting surface 31 is superimposed to obtain high illuminance. In this way, the curb on the shoulder, the pedestrian, the road sign, etc. are brightly illuminated on the front left side of the vehicle, so that the safety of the vehicle on the left side can be further ensured. Further, since the cutoff line F in the horizontal direction and the cutoff line E obliquely in the upper left direction, which are the boundaries between the irradiation region and the non-irradiation region, become clear, it is possible to reduce the dazzling light and the like.

In this embodiment, the area below the line E of 15 degrees upward to the left is illuminated, but in the case of driving on the right side, it may be increased to the right 15 degrees. Further, although the oblique irradiation area is formed by the reflecting surface formed of an elliptic curve, the rotating reflecting surface using another conical curve is not limited to the elliptic curve and may be adopted. However, in the case of a spheroidal reflecting surface, a condensing light distribution pattern can be easily obtained, but in the case of other conical curves, a diffusing light distribution pattern is likely to occur. It is preferred to use elliptic curves.

FIG. 17 shows the structure of a third embodiment of the vehicular lamp according to the present invention. In FIG. 17, a vehicle lamp 40 is a so-called passing beam vehicle headlight, and is the vehicle lamp 30 described in the second embodiment.
Since the configuration is almost the same, the same reference numerals are given to the same components, and the description thereof will be omitted.

In the vehicle lamp 40, the linear light source 43 is arranged in front of the first reflecting surface 21.
And a second linear light source unit 42 arranged in front of the third reflecting surface 31 are different from each other in configuration. The linear light source 43 is, as described above, the LED. By arranging the chips laterally by a distance D / 2 from the center of the substrate in the longitudinal direction, one side edge of the chip in the longitudinal direction is aligned with the center of the substrate in the longitudinal direction. .

As shown in FIG. 17, the second linear light source section 42 includes the reflecting surfaces 3 of the third reflecting surface 31 which is a composite reflecting surface.
It is arranged corresponding to 1a and is not formed in the region between the reflecting surfaces 31a. In each reflection surface 31a and each second linear light source unit 42, the light emitted from one side edge of the LED chip is reflected by each reflection surface 31 without being refracted in the direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the lens 17. , The reflected light,
The light emitted from the second linear light source unit 42 is arranged to irradiate the lower part of the cutoff line E by irradiating the cutoff line E of 15 degrees upward and leftward as shown in FIG. . At this time, the respective second linear light source portions 42 arranged corresponding to the respective reflecting surfaces 31a of the third reflecting surface 31 are irradiated in the oblique direction of 15 degrees by appropriately controlling the length thereof. Limit the width to the specified area only,
The light that irradiates the upper or lower side is not generated extremely.

According to the vehicular lamp 40 having such a structure, the vehicular lamp 40 shown in FIG.
It is possible to form a light distribution pattern suitable for a so-called passing beam vehicle headlight as shown in FIG. 6B, improve the efficiency of forming the light distribution pattern by the linear light source 41, and increase the second linear shape. By not forming the regions corresponding to the respective reflecting surfaces of the third reflecting surface 31 of the light source unit 42, it is possible to reduce the installation and power consumption of the light source and reduce the cost. Note that the linear light source 43 can also be formed by separately forming the first linear light source unit 41 and each second linear light source unit 42, but the above-described LED array 11 is also possible.
In the above, it is desirable that the LED chips 16 corresponding to the non-light emitting area are not provided and are integrated with each other.

FIG. 18 shows the structure of a fourth embodiment of the vehicular lamp according to the present invention. 18, a vehicular lamp 50 is a so-called passing beam vehicle headlight, and is provided on the vehicular lamp 10 shown in FIG.
Since the vehicular lamp 30 shown in FIG. 3 is stacked, the same components are designated by the same reference numerals and the description thereof will be omitted.

According to the vehicular lamp 50 having the above-described structure, the light distribution pattern shown in FIG. 6 that spreads in a region slightly below the horizontal line H of the vehicular lamp 10 described above and the left diagonal direction of the vehicular lamp 30 are shown. FIG. 14B having a cutoff line E in the upward direction and a cutoff line F in the horizontal direction.
By arranging the respective lamp units in parallel so that the light distribution pattern shown in (4) overlaps at a position below the cut-off line F, a light distribution pattern with higher illuminance can be obtained.

In order to obtain a desired light distribution pattern and brightness, another lamp unit may be used, or the irradiation area of the composite reflection surface of each lamp unit may be combined in an appropriate ratio, and each lamp unit may be used. It is also possible to limit the irradiation area by and to obtain a predetermined light distribution by combining a plurality of lamp units. When using a plurality of lamp units, the lamp units are not limited to those arranged vertically, but may be arranged side by side or lamp units of different sizes may be combined.

In the above-described embodiment, the LED module 12 which constitutes the LED array 11 is provided with the semi-cylindrical lens 17, but the present invention is not limited to this.
A hemispherical lens that covers the D chip 14 may be provided. However, when trying to obtain a light distribution pattern that spreads in a direction substantially parallel to the longitudinal direction of the light source, a lens such as a semi-circle having the same cross-sectional shape in a cross section perpendicular to the longitudinal direction is If the approximated curve has a lens shape that appears by moving in parallel in the longitudinal direction, the light emitted from the LED chip exhibits the same diffusion in the longitudinal direction, so that the light distribution is uniform in the direction substantially parallel to the longitudinal direction of the light source. Is easy to obtain, which is preferable. still,
In the above-described embodiment, when the pseudo elliptical reflection surface and the pseudo parabolic reflection surface that are close to each reflection surface are used as the elliptical reflection surface and the parabolic reflection surface, the above-described light distribution pattern is strictly different. However, since a light distribution pattern similar to the light distribution pattern by the approximate elliptical reflecting surface or parabolic reflecting surface can be obtained, such an approximate surface can be used within a range that does not pose a practical problem.

Further, for easy understanding in the above description of the embodiment, a reflecting surface composed of a sectional curve which can be represented by an elliptic curve forming an ellipse having a first focus and a second focus in the z direction, and Strictly speaking, the explanation has been made based on an elliptic reflecting surface including a reflecting surface which is composed of a sectional curve which does not match the elliptic curve having the first focus and the second focus, but which can be approximated to this elliptical cross section. Is a secondary rational Be
Zier curve (= conical curve) is used, N
It is also possible to use a reflecting surface that can be expressed by the definition of an elliptical reflecting surface including a curve that approximates a conic curve by a free curve, such as URBS (Hiroshi Toriya; Basics and Applications of 3D CAD; Kyoritsu Shuppan Co., Ltd.). it can. For example, if the contrast of the boundary between the irradiation area and the non-irradiation area by the lamp is emphasized, an elliptical reflection surface in a narrow sense is preferable, but the exaggerated reflection surface is shown in FIG. Yz cross-sectional shape combining multiple conic curves like
9B has a yz cross-sectional shape using a free curve having an inflection point, and a reflection surface obtained by sweeping the cross-sectional curve in the x direction as it is, that is, reflection in which all cross-sections in the yz plane are the same cross-sectional curve. It can also be a face.
If these reflecting surfaces are used, since the reflecting surfaces are swept in the x direction, the trajectories of light rays in the horizontal direction are all the same, and a substantially uniform light distribution pattern is obtained in the horizontal direction. A reflection pattern in which the distribution of reflected ray trajectories is provided with density is obtained based on the illustrated reflection surface, and an embodiment using such a reflection surface is also included in the present invention.

Further, in the above-mentioned embodiment, the base as an LED array in which a plurality of LED chips are arranged is used, but a surface emitting element such as an EL (electroluminescence element) formed by extending in the longitudinal direction. May be used as the light source. Further, a linear light source 1 for a lamp used for a vehicle lamp 10 as a headlight for a low beam of an automobile.
1 and 30, the present invention is not limited to this, and the present invention is not limited to the headlights for the traveling beams of automobiles, auxiliary lights for automobiles (fog lamps, driving lamps, backup lamps, etc.) and signal lights for automobiles (tail lamps, turn lamps). Lamps, stop lamps, etc.), or linear light sources for lamps other than those for automobiles, such as traffic sign lights, traffic signal lights, general illumination lights, work lights, general indicator lights, general signal lights, etc. It is obvious that the present invention can be applied.

[0069]

As described above, according to the present invention, light emitted from a linear light source, preferably a linear light source composed of an LED array or a linear light emitting device, is directly or reflected. It is reflected by the first reflecting surface of the member and travels forward. As a result, a part of the light emitted from the linear light source is reflected by the first reflecting surface of the reflecting member, is irradiated toward the front, and illuminates the front region. Therefore, the utilization efficiency of the light emitted from the linear light source is improved, and bright illumination light can be obtained.

As described above, according to the present invention, an extremely excellent lamp having a simple structure and using a linear light source to improve the utilization efficiency of the light from the linear light source by the reflecting member. Can be provided.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view showing a first embodiment of a vehicular lamp according to the present invention.

2 (A) is a perspective view, FIG. 2 (B) is a plan view, and FIG. 2 (C) is a side view showing the configuration of an LED array in the vehicle lamp of FIG.

FIG. 3 is a schematic side view showing the vehicle lamp of FIG.

FIG. 4 is a schematic plan view showing the vehicle lamp of FIG.

5 is a schematic perspective view showing an operation of the vehicle lamp of FIG.

FIG. 6 is a schematic view showing a light distribution pattern by the vehicle lamp of FIG.

FIG. 7 is a schematic side view showing a first modified example of the vehicle lamp of FIG.

8 is a graph showing the directional characteristics of the LED array in the vehicle lamp of FIG.

9 is an enlarged cross-sectional view showing the relationship between the LED array and the first reflecting surface in the vehicle lamp of FIG.

10 is a schematic side view showing a second modified example of the vehicle lamp of FIG.

11 is a schematic side view showing a third modified example of the vehicle lamp of FIG.

12 is an enlarged cross-sectional view showing the relationship between the LED array and the first reflecting surface in the vehicle lamp of FIG.

FIG. 13 is a schematic perspective view showing a second embodiment of the vehicular lamp according to the present invention.

14A and 14B are schematic diagrams showing a light distribution pattern by the (A) third reflecting surface and a (B) light distribution pattern by the entire reflecting member of the reflecting member of the vehicle lamp of FIG.

FIG. 15 is a schematic perspective view showing the configuration and arrangement of a third reflecting surface of the vehicle lamp of FIG.

16 is an enlarged perspective view showing the reflection surface of FIG.

FIG. 17 is a schematic perspective view showing a third embodiment of the vehicular lamp according to the present invention.

FIG. 18 is a schematic perspective view showing a fourth embodiment of the vehicular lamp according to the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

10 Vehicle lighting 11 LED array (linear light source) 12 LED module 13 board 14 LED chip 15 Phosphor 16 Silicon gel 17 lenses 20 Reflective member 21 First reflective surface 22 Second reflective surface 30 Vehicle lighting 31 Third reflective surface 40,50 vehicle lighting 41 First linear light source unit 42 Second linear light source unit 43 Linear light source

─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification code FI theme code (reference) F21V 13/02 F21W 101: 10 G02B 19/00 101: 14 H01L 33/00 F21Y 101: 02 // F21W 101 : 10 103: 00 101: 14 F21Q 1/00 F F21Y 101: 02 F21V 7/12 E 103: 00 F21S 1/02 G F21M 3/08 Z F21Q 1/00 N (72) Inventor Ryutaro Owada Tokyo Meguro, Tokyo Ward Nakameguro 2-9-13 Stanley Electric Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Takuya Kushimoto Takuya Kushimoto Tokyo Meguro 2-9-13 Stanley Electric Co., Ltd. F term (reference) 2H052 BA02 BA03 BA06 BA11 3K042 AA08 AA12 AC06 BB05 BB13 BE01 3K080 AA01 AB01 BA07 BC03 5F041 AA03 DA13 DA36 DA45 DA76 DA82 DB07 DC08 EE16 EE23 EE25 FF11

Claims (14)

[Claims] 1. A linear light source arranged so as to extend in a lateral direction, and a reflection member arranged behind the linear light source so as to reflect light from the linear light source forward. The reflective member includes a concave first reflective surface disposed rearward along the longitudinal direction of the linear light source, and the first reflective surface is a linear light source of the linear light source. A lamp having an elliptical reflecting surface in a cross section perpendicular to the longitudinal direction, wherein the linear light source is disposed near the first focal point. 2. The reflection member comprises a second reflection surface arranged in a region laterally forward of the first reflection surface, and the second reflection surface is a parabolic reflection surface. The lamp according to claim 1, wherein the lamp is a lamp. 3. The lamp according to claim 1, wherein the first reflecting surface is arranged within an angle of 0 to 120 degrees from the linear light source. . 4. The length of the first reflecting surface in the longitudinal direction is
The lamp according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the length is 0.7 to 1.5 times the length of the linear light source. 5. The linear light source includes a lens having the same outer shape in a cross section perpendicular to the longitudinal direction, and one side edge extending in the longitudinal direction of the linear light source is arranged at the center of the lens. The lamp according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that 6. The reflecting member is arranged only above the optical axis, the linear light source is directed upward on the optical axis, and the one side edge is the first reflecting surface of the reflecting member. 6. The lamp according to claim 5, wherein the linear light source is arranged near the first focus position and in the front region from the vicinity of the first focus position. 7. The first reflecting surface of the reflecting member, wherein the reflecting member is arranged only below the optical axis, the linear light source faces downward on the optical axis, and the one side edge is the reflecting member. 6. The lamp according to claim 5, wherein the linear light source is disposed in the vicinity of the first focal point position, and in the rear region from the vicinity of the first focal point position. 8. The lamp according to claim 6, wherein the linear light source is arranged so as to be inclined rearward. 9. The reflecting member includes a third reflecting surface arranged rearward along the longitudinal direction of the linear light source, and the third reflecting surface is a horizontal line on the front left side or the front right side. The lighting device according to claim 1, wherein the lighting device is configured to reflect light to a slightly upper side. 10. A linear light source arranged so as to extend in a lateral direction, and a reflecting member arranged behind the linear light source so as to reflect light from the linear light source forward. The reflecting member is composed of a concave reflecting surface arranged rearward along the longitudinal direction of the linear light source, wherein the reflecting surface is a target point in the irradiation direction and the light source. It is a reflecting surface formed by a rotating body of a conic curve centered on an axis passing through the upper point, so that the projected image of the linear light source illuminates an oblique region rotated about the target point. A lighting fixture characterized in that it is provided. 11. A reflecting surface formed by the rotating body having the conical curve is a spheroidal reflecting surface, a first focal point of which is located on the linear light source, and a second focal point of which is in the front in the z-axis direction. It is arranged so as to be positioned at a target point forming an oblique irradiation area, and further, the reflecting surface rotates the linear light source by a predetermined angle around the rotation axis, and is slightly ahead of the horizontal line on the front side. The lamp according to claim 10, wherein the lamp is configured to reflect light obliquely upward. 12. The lamp according to claim 1, wherein the linear light source is an LED array. 13. The lamp according to claim 1, wherein the linear light source is a linear light emitting device. 14. An illuminating device comprising a plurality of lamps according to claim 1, wherein illumination lights from the respective lamps are superimposed on each other.