JP2003208807A - Automobile headlamp - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an automobile headlamp capable of compensating for lack of a quantity of light by a small sub-reflector provided in the vicinity of a light source. <P>SOLUTION: This headlamp is structured by providing a light source 32, a main reflector 20 placed in the rear of the light source 32 to reflect and distribute light emitted from the light source 32 to the front, a small sub- reflector 42 placed in the vicinity of the light source 32 to reflect the light emitted from the light source 32 so as to converge it, and a diffusing projection lens 46 to project and distribute the light reflected by the sub-reflector 42 by diffusing it right and left in the front, and light emitted to the rear from the light source 32 forms a first light distribution pattern P1 by being reflected and distributed to the front by the main reflector 20. The light emitted from the light source 32 and reflected by the sub-reflector 42 forms a second light distribution pattern P2 diffused right and left to supplement the first light distribution pattern P1 by being diffused and reflected right and left in the front by the diffusing projection lens 46. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2003,JPO

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a vehicle headlamp that distributes light emitted from a light source by reflecting light from a rear main reflector, and particularly relates to an effective reflecting surface of the main reflector in view of the shape of a vehicle body. The present invention relates to a vehicle headlamp that is configured to provide a sub-reflector to compensate for a lack of light when a large amount of light cannot be obtained.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art An automobile headlamp is a lamp which is attached to a front corner of a vehicle and illuminates a wide area in front of the vehicle. It is configured with a main reflector that shines.

[0003]

However, a recent vehicle front end corner portion tends to have a streamlined shape having a small curvature when viewed from either the plane or the side surface. FIG. 10 is a plan view showing a positional relationship between the vehicle body shape 1 at the front end corner portion of the automobile and the main reflector 2 of the headlight. As shown in this figure, since the entire lamp is configured to follow the design shape of the vehicle body 1, the wraparound side of the lamp to the side of the vehicle body is narrowed, and the effective reflection surface of the main reflector 2 is limited to the area 2a. There is a problem that the size is insufficient and a sufficient amount of light cannot be obtained.

As a result of a study by the inventor, the conventional headlight described above does not utilize the light traveling from the light source to the area other than the effective reflection surface of the main reflector as a light distribution. We thought that it is possible to make up for the decrease in light quantity by making good use of light that is directed toward areas other than the surface and that has a particularly large quantity of light near the light source.

Therefore, a small sub-reflector is provided in the vicinity of the light source so that the light traveling toward the effective reflecting surface is not disturbed, and the light captured by this sub-reflector is distributed to the front via a projection lens. Thought.
Furthermore, if a normal collimator convex lens is used as the projection lens, a light distribution pattern that is preferable for a headlight cannot be formed, but when the device for spreading the light emitted from the projection lens in the left and right directions is used, Since it was confirmed that a favorable light distribution as a lamp can be obtained, the present invention has been proposed.

The present invention has been made on the basis of the above-mentioned problems of the prior art and the above-mentioned findings of the inventor, and an object thereof is to effectively use reflected light from a small sub-reflector provided in the vicinity of a light source. The purpose of the present invention is to provide a vehicle headlight that can compensate for the lack of light.

[0007]

In order to achieve the above object, in the vehicle headlamp according to claim 1, a light source and a light which is behind the light source and is emitted from the light source are provided. A main reflector that reflects and distributes light forward,
A small sub-reflector which is near the light source and reflects the light emitted from the light source so as to collect the light, and a diffusion projection lens which diffuses and diffuses the light reflected by the sub-reflector in the front left and right directions. Configured to prepare. (Operation) The light emitted rearward from the light source is reflected and distributed forward by the main reflector to form a predetermined first light distribution pattern.

Further, a part of a large amount of light emitted from the light source is reflected by the sub-reflector and is diffused and projected in the forward and leftward and rightward directions by the diffuser projection lens, and a predetermined first light distribution pattern is supplemented. 2 light distribution patterns are formed.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the vehicle headlamp according to the first aspect, the diffusion projection lens is a collimator convex lens provided with a left and right diffusion step on at least one of the front and back sides or a light mainly in the vertical direction. It is composed of a cylindrical convex lens that refracts light. (Function) The light reflected and condensed by the sub reflector is
The first light distribution pattern formed by the main reflector by being projected forward through a collimator convex lens provided with a left and right diffusion step on at least one of the front and back sides or a cylindrical convex lens that mainly refracts light in the vertical direction. In order to compensate for the above, a second light distribution pattern that is widely diffused in the front left and right directions is formed.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the vehicle headlamp according to the first or second aspect, the sub-reflector is arranged so as to circulate the light source, and the reflecting surface of the sub-reflector is located at the rear first side. The sub-reflector, the diffusion projection lens arranged in front of the sub-reflector, the sub-reflector and the projection lens, each of which is formed of an elliptic curved surface for condensing the light emitted from the light source arranged at the focal point to the second front focal point. A shade disposed between the shades that regulates the upper edge of the light distribution pattern diffusely projected and distributed by the projection lens is integrated as a sub-reflector unit. (Operation) A cut line corresponding to the upper edge of the shade is formed in the second light distribution pattern formed by the sub-reflector unit, and the generation of glare light is reliably suppressed.

By mounting the sub-reflector unit on the main reflector, the sub-reflector, the diffusion projection lens and the shade can be positioned and fixed to the light source.

Through the transparent front cover, a light black projection lens is placed almost in the center of the metal-colored main reflector, and the interior of the lamp can be seen through. A novel image not found in conventional reflection type headlights. Bring out.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the vehicle headlamp according to the first or second aspect, the sub-reflector is arranged so as to cover the light source from the front side to the upper side. Of the light source disposed at the first focus of the sub-reflector, the diffusion projection lens disposed below the sub-reflector, and the sub-reflector. A second sub-reflector that reflects the light reflected rearward by the reflector in front of the second focus and guides it to the projection lens, and is arranged between the second sub-reflector and the projection lens and diffused by the projection lens. A shade that regulates the upper edge of the projected light distribution pattern is integrated as a sub-reflector unit. (Operation) A cut line corresponding to the upper edge of the shade is formed in the second light distribution pattern formed by the sub-reflector unit, and the generation of glare light is reliably suppressed.

By attaching the sub-reflector unit to the main reflector, the sub-reflector, the second sub-reflector, the diffusion projection lens and the shade can be positioned and fixed to the light source.

Through the transparent front cover, the interior of the lamp in which the sub-reflector and the projection lens are arranged in parallel in the upper and lower parts can be seen through almost the central portion of the metal-colored main reflector. Bring out the image.

[0016]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Next, embodiments of the present invention will be described based on Examples.

1 to 5 show a first embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 1 is a longitudinal sectional view of a vehicle headlamp which is the first embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. FIG. 3 is a horizontal sectional view, FIG. 3 is a partially cutaway perspective view of a main reflector to which a sub reflector unit is attached, FIG. 4 is a horizontal sectional view of the sub reflector unit, and FIG. 5 is a view showing a light distribution pattern of the same headlamp.

The headlamp in this embodiment is shown in FIG.
As shown in FIG. 2, a transparent front cover 14 is attached to the front opening of a container-shaped synthetic resin lamp body 12 to define a lamp chamber S, and inside the lamp chamber S, a beam for forming a low beam is formed. The light source unit U1 is housed, and the optical axis (optical axis of the lamp) L of the light source unit U1 is provided so as to be tiltable in the vertical and horizontal directions by an aiming mechanism (not shown). The headlamp is formed in a shape that follows the shape 1 of the vehicle body front end corner portion that is formed in a streamlined shape with a small curvature when viewed from either the plane or the side surface, and the front opening portion of the lamp body 12 is formed. Further, the front cover 14, that is, the lamp chamber S is formed in a shape that largely wraps around from the front to the side of the vehicle body.

The light source unit U1 includes a main reflector 20 having an effective reflection surface 22 formed on the front surface thereof, a halogen bulb 30 serving as a light source, and a sub-reflector unit 40A.
With the structure in which the and are integrated, the bulb 30 is inserted into the bulb insertion hole 13 provided on the rear apex of the main reflector 20, and the effective reflection surface 22 of the main reflector 20 is attached.
Of the sub-reflector unit 40A
The L-shaped leg portion 48 is attached to the lower portion of the main reflector 20, and the cylindrical sub-reflector housing 41 is arranged so as to extend forward from a position covering the outer periphery of the front end portion of the valve 30. . Main reflector 2
0 is formed in a shape that follows the shape of the lamp body 12 so as to fit in the lamp chamber S.

The effective reflecting surface 22 of the main reflector 20
Is provided around the bulb insertion hole 13, but since the main reflector 20 has a shape following the shape of the lamp body 12, as shown in FIG. 2, the effective reflection surface 22b on the outer side in the vehicle width direction is shown. Is narrower than the effective reflection surface 22a on the inner side in the vehicle width direction. And
A part of the light emitted from the filament 32, which is the light emitting portion of the bulb 30, (light emitted obliquely rearward from the filament 32) is
The effective reflection surface 22 (22a, 2 of the main reflector 20)
2b), where it is reflected forward as shown at L1 in FIGS. L. A first light distribution pattern P1 for a low beam having a light beam is formed (see FIG. 5).

On the other hand, the sub reflector unit 40A
Has a structure in which a diffusion projection lens 46, a shade 44 and a sub reflector 42 are housed and integrated in a cylindrical housing 41 penetrating in the front and back. A part of light emitted from a filament 32 which is a light emitting portion of the bulb 30 is partially The reflector unit 40A diffuses and diffuses light in the front left and right directions.

That is, the sub-reflector 42 is arranged in the vicinity of the filament 32 of the bulb 30 which is a light source, and the reflecting surface 42a of the sub-reflector 42 provided so as to surround the filament 32 has a rear first focal point F.
It is composed of an elliptic curved surface that collects the light emitted from the filament 32 arranged at No. 1 at the second front focal point F2. Here, the vicinity of the filament 32 refers to a position slightly outward in the radial direction from the glass sphere covering the filament 32 at the bulb front end portion. Further, the sub-reflector unit 40A including the sub-reflector 42 does not shield the light (light that contributes to the formation of the light distribution pattern P1) L1 that is reflected by the effective reflection surface 22 of the main reflector 20 and travels forward (light distribution pattern) as much as possible. It is formed in a compact size that does not interfere with the formation of P1. The elliptical reflecting surface is a surface that emits diffused light after the light reflected by the sub-reflector 42 is once condensed in the reflecting direction.

The reflecting surface 4 of the sub-reflector 42
2a is composed of a plurality of divided reflective surfaces, and the aluminum sub-reflector 42 is generally composed of a plurality of divided bodies of 2 or more according to the number of divided reflective surfaces. The sub-reflector 42 may be formed as a single body depending on the number and positions of the reflecting surfaces 42a.

The rear focal point of the diffusion projection lens 46 is the second focal point F of the reflecting surface 42a of the sub reflector 42.
2 between the sub-reflector 42 and the projection lens 46, and the rear focus position of the diffuse projection lens 46 (the second reflection surface 42a of the sub-reflector 42).
At the focal point F2 position), the shade 44 that regulates the upper edge of the light distribution pattern diffusely projected and distributed by the projection lens 46.
Are arranged.

Further, as shown in FIG. 4, the upper edge of the shade 44 is formed so as to curve forward toward the end portion in the width direction, and the influence of spherical aberration on the light distribution pattern formed by the projection lens 46. Is configured not to appear.

The diffusing projection lens 46 is provided with a left-right diffusing step 47 on the entire back surface side of a conventionally known collimator convex lens as a projection lens so that the light emitted from the lens 46 is largely diffused in the left-right direction. ing.

Therefore, the filament 32 of the valve 30
1 (a large amount of light emitted from the filament 32 outward in the radial direction of the optical axis L) is reflected by the reflecting surface 42a of the sub-reflector 42 and is guided to the front diffusion projection lens 46, as shown in FIG. , 2 L2, a second light distribution pattern P2 that is projected forward by the diffusing projection lens 46 and that is largely diffused to the left and right to supplement the first light distribution pattern P1 is formed (see FIG. 5). ). Figure 5 symbol C '
L'denotes a cut line corresponding to the upper edge of the shade 44 in the light distribution pattern P2 formed by the diffusion projection lens 46. Then, the first light distribution pattern P1 and the second light distribution pattern P2 are combined to obtain the light distribution of the passing beam having a predetermined light amount.

As for the construction of the diffusing projection lens 46, the left and right diffusing step 47 may be provided on the front side instead of on the back side of the collimator convex lens, or on both the front side and the back side.

FIGS. 6 and 7 show a second embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 6 is a horizontal sectional view of a sub-reflector unit which is a main part of an automobile headlamp according to the second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the diffusion projection lens.

In the first embodiment described above, the diffuse projection lens 4 housed in the sub-reflector unit 40A is used.
6 is a collimator convex lens provided with a left and right diffusion step 47 on the front side and / or the back side,
In the second embodiment, the sub reflector unit 40
The diffusion projection lens 46A housed in B is mainly composed of a cylindrical convex lens that refracts light in the vertical direction.

Others are the same as those in the first embodiment,
By giving the same reference numerals, the duplicated description will be omitted.

8 and 9 show a third embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 8 is a longitudinal sectional view of a vehicle headlamp which is the third embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 9 shows a sub-reflector unit. It is a partially broken perspective view of the attached main reflector.

The light source unit U in the third embodiment
3 is a structure in which the valve 30 and the sub-reflector unit 40C are integrally mounted on the main reflector 20.

The sub-reflector unit 40C includes a sub-reflector 142 arranged so as to cover the filament 32 of the bulb 30 from the front side to the upper side, a diffusion projection lens 46 arranged below the sub-reflector 142, and a rear side with the sub-reflector 142. The second sub-reflector 143 that guides the light reflected to the diffuse projection lens 46, and the light distribution pattern that is disposed between the second sub-reflector 143 and the projection lens 46 and is diffusely projected and distributed by the projection lens 46. It has a structure in which the shade 44 that regulates the upper edge is integrated with the housing 141.

The reflecting surface 142a of the sub reflector 142
Is composed of an elliptic curved surface that reflects the light emitted from the filament 32 of the bulb 30 arranged at the front first focal point F1 ′ and focuses it at the second focal point F2 ′ obliquely rearward and downward. The second sub-reflector 143 has a second focus F2 ′ on which the light reflected backward by the sub-reflector 142 is condensed.
Is placed at a predetermined position in front of the sub reflector 142.
The reflected light at 1 is surely guided to the projection lens 46.

Further, the diffuse projection lens 46 has its rear focal point at a condensing point of the light reflected by the reflecting surface 143a of the second sub-reflector 143 (the reflecting surface 14 of the sub-reflector).
3a is arranged so as to coincide with a point F3 which is symmetrical to the second focal point F2 ', and the shade 44 is arranged so that its upper edge coincides with this condensing point F3.

Therefore, the filament 32 of the valve 30
A part of the emitted light (light having a large amount of light emitted upward, laterally and forward from the filament 32) is reflected obliquely downward and backward by the reflecting surface 142a of the sub-reflector, as shown by reference numeral L2 in FIG. 2 sub-reflector 14
3 is reflected forward and guided to the front diffusion projection lens 46, and is projected forward by this diffusion projection lens 46,
As shown in FIG. 5, the effective reflecting surface 2 of the main reflector
A second light distribution pattern P2 that is diffused to the left and right more than the first light distribution pattern P1 that is formed by reflection at 2 is formed. Then, the first light distribution pattern P1 and the second light distribution pattern P2 are combined to obtain the light distribution of the headlamp having a predetermined light amount.

Others are the same as those in the first embodiment,
By giving the same reference numerals, the duplicated description will be omitted.

Although the present invention has been described with reference to the headlamp which uses the halogen bulb 30 as a light source in the above-described embodiment, the present invention can also be applied to a headlamp which uses a discharge bulb having an arc tube as a light emitting portion as a light source.

Further, in the above-mentioned embodiment, the present invention has been described with respect to the vehicle headlamp for forming the low beam, but the present invention can also be applied to fog lamps and other vehicle headlights.

[0041]

As is apparent from the above description, according to the automotive headlamp of the first aspect, the first light distribution pattern formed by reflection from the main reflector and the reflection from the sub-reflector are formed. A second light distribution pattern that is formed by projecting light with a diffusion projection lens and is diffused to the left and right is synthesized,
It is possible to obtain a desired predetermined light distribution as a headlight that effectively uses the reflected light from the sub reflector.

According to the second aspect, the diffusion projection lens surely forms the second light distribution pattern which is appropriately diffused in the left-right direction and complements the first light distribution pattern, which is desirable as a headlight. Light distribution is obtained.

According to the third aspect, since the cut line corresponding to the upper edge of the shade is formed in the second light distribution pattern formed by the sub-reflector unit, an appropriate light distribution without generation of glare light is obtained. To be

Further, if the sub-reflector unit is attached to the main reflector, the sub-reflector, the diffuse projection lens and the shade can be positioned and fixed to the light source, so that the sub-reflector, the diffuse projection lens and the shade can be easily attached to the main reflector. Is. .

In addition, a calming light-black projection lens is arranged almost in the center of the metal-colored main reflector in the see-through lamp room, which gives a novel image not seen in the conventional reflection type headlight. Therefore, it can be differentiated from the conventional headlight.

According to the fourth aspect, since the cut line corresponding to the upper edge of the shade is formed in the second light distribution pattern formed by the sub-reflector unit, an appropriate light distribution without generation of glare light is obtained. To be

If the sub-reflector unit is attached to the main reflector, the sub-reflector, the second sub-reflector, the diffusion projection lens and the shade can be positioned and fixed to the light source.
It is easy to assemble the second sub-reflector, the diffuse projection lens and the shade to the main reflector.

Further, in the conventional reflection type headlight, a sub-reflector and a calm, light black projection lens are arranged in parallel vertically above and below the central portion of the metallic main reflector in the transparent lighting room. Since it creates a unique and novel image, it can be differentiated from conventional headlights.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a vertical cross-sectional view of a vehicle headlamp that is a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a horizontal sectional view of a conducting headlamp.

FIG. 3 is a partially cutaway perspective view of a main reflector to which a sub reflector unit is attached.

FIG. 4 is a horizontal sectional view of a sub reflector unit.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a light distribution pattern of the headlamp.

FIG. 6 is a horizontal sectional view of a sub-reflector unit which is a main part of a vehicle headlamp that is a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a diffusion projection lens which is a main part.

FIG. 8 is a vertical sectional view of a vehicle headlamp that is a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a partially cutaway perspective view of a main reflector to which a sub reflector unit is attached.

FIG. 10 is a plan view showing an arrangement of a vehicle body shape and a main reflector of a headlight in a conventional vehicle front end corner portion.

[Explanation of symbols]

U1, U3 Light source unit S light room 12 lamp body 13 Valve insertion hole 14 Front cover 20 main reflector 22 Effective reflection surface of main reflector 22a Effective reflection surface on the inner side in the vehicle width direction 22b Effective reflection surface on the outer side in the vehicle width direction 30 Halogen bulb as light source 32 Filament that is the light emitting part 40A, 40B, 40C Sub-reflector unit 42,142 Small sub reflector 42a, 142a Subreflector reflection surface 44 shades 46,46A Diffuse projection lens 47 Left and right diffusion steps 143 Second sub-reflector 143a Reflecting surface of second sub-reflector F1 the first focus behind F2 front second focus F1 'First focal point in front F2 'Second focus behind Optical axis of L reflector (lamp) Light reflected by the effective reflection surface of the L1 main reflector Projection light from L2 sub-reflector unit P1 First light distribution pattern P2 Second light distribution pattern

─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification code FI theme code (reference) F21Y 101: 00 (72) Inventor Akihisa Yamada 500 Kitawaki, Shimizu City, Shizuoka Koito Manufacturing Co., Ltd. Shizuoka Factory (72 ) Inventor Masao Kinoshita 500 Kitawaki, Shimizu City, Shizuoka Prefecture Koto Manufacturing Co., Ltd. Shizuoka Factory F-term (reference) 3K042 AA08 AC07 BB03 BB05 BB14 BC09 BD04 BE09

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. A light source, a main reflector behind the light source, which reflects and distributes light emitted from the light source forward, and a light near the light source, which collects light emitted from the light source. A headlight for an automobile, comprising: a small sub-reflector that reflects the light as described above, and a diffusion projection lens that diffuses and distributes the light reflected by the sub-reflector in the forward and leftward directions. 2. The diffusion projection lens is constituted by a collimator convex lens having a left and right diffusion step on at least one of front and back sides, or a cylindrical convex lens for refracting light mainly in a vertical direction. The vehicle headlamp described in. 3. The sub-reflector is an elliptical curved surface that is arranged so as to circulate around the light source and has a reflection surface that focuses the light emitted from the light source arranged at the rear first focal point to the front second focal point. The sub-reflector, the diffusion projection lens disposed in front of the sub-reflector, the sub-reflector disposed between the sub-reflector and the projection lens, and the light distribution pattern diffused and projected by the projection lens. The vehicle headlamp according to claim 1 or 2, wherein a shade for controlling an edge is integrated as a sub-reflector unit. 4. The sub-reflector is disposed so as to cover the light source from the front to the upper side, and the reflection surface of the sub-reflector emits light emitted from a light source disposed at a front first focal point to a rear diagonal lower side.
The sub-reflector, which is composed of an elliptic curved surface for converging light at a focal point, the diffusion projection lens disposed below the sub-reflector, and the light reflected backward by the sub-reflector is reflected in front of the second focal point. A second sub-reflector for guiding the projection lens to the projection lens;
2. A shade arranged between the sub-reflector and the projection lens to regulate an upper edge of a light distribution pattern diffused and projected by the projection lens is integrated as a sub-reflector unit. Two
The vehicle headlamp described in.