JP2007005182A - Vehicular lamp and vehicular headlight device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To solve a problem that, in a conventional vehicular lamp, a manufacturing cost is increased by a increase in the number of light irradiation units and the lighting/extinguishing control of LEDs of the multiple light irradiation units is complicated. <P>SOLUTION: Five light irradiation units 1 are rotatably held to brackets 13 and 14 through rotating shafts 8; drive parts 15 are formed on the brackets 13 and 14; shaft members 16 are fixed to the five light irradiation units 1 and the drive part 15, respectively; a connection member 17 is rotatably connected to the six shaft members 16; and distances T1, T2 and T3 between the rotating shafts 8 and the shaft members 16 in the five light irradiation units 1 are changed. As a result, the number of light irradiation units 1 is reduced, whereby the manufacturing cost is reduced and the lighting/extinguishing control of semiconductive light sources 6 of the small number of light irradiation units 1 is simplified. In addition, rotating angles θ1, θ2 and θ3 of the five light irradiation units 1 can be changed. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a vehicular lamp that includes a plurality of light irradiation units that use a semiconductor-type light source, and in which the light irradiation direction and the light irradiation range change in accordance with the traveling state of the vehicle. The present invention also relates to a vehicular headlamp device in which the light irradiation direction and the light irradiation range change in accordance with the traveling state of the vehicle. That is, the present invention is a vehicle equipped with a light distribution control means, for example, an adaptive lighting system (AFS (Adaptive Front-lighting System)) that changes the light irradiation direction and the light irradiation range in accordance with the traveling state of the vehicle. The present invention relates to a lamp and a vehicle headlight device (hereinafter referred to as “vehicle lighting system”).

  This type of vehicle lighting system is conventionally known (for example, Patent Document 1). Hereinafter, this vehicle illumination system will be described. A conventional vehicle illumination system includes a plurality of light irradiation units that use LEDs or the like as light sources. A conventional vehicle lighting system turns on and off the LED of a predetermined light irradiation unit among a plurality of light irradiation units, and changes the light irradiation direction and the light irradiation range in accordance with the traveling state of the vehicle. It is.

  However, in the conventional vehicle lighting system, since a plurality of light irradiation units using LEDs as light sources are fixed, the LEDs of a predetermined light irradiation unit among the plurality of light irradiation units are turned on and off to emit light. Many light irradiation units are required to change the irradiation direction and the light irradiation range in accordance with the traveling state of the vehicle. For this reason, the conventional vehicle illumination system has a problem that the number of light irradiation units is increased, the manufacturing cost is increased correspondingly, and the lighting / extinguishing control of LEDs of many light irradiation units is complicated. is there.

JP 2004-71409 A

  The problems to be solved by the present invention are that, in the conventional vehicular lamp, the manufacturing cost increases as the number of light irradiation units increases, and the control of turning on / off the LEDs of many light irradiation units is complicated. In the point.

  According to the present invention (the invention according to claim 1), a plurality of light irradiation units are rotatably held by holding members via a rotation shaft, and a drive unit is provided on the holding member, A shaft member is fixed to each of the drive units, and a connection member is rotatably connected to the plurality of shaft members, and a distance between the rotation shaft and the shaft member in the plurality of light irradiation units is changed. It is characterized by.

  Further, in the present invention (the invention according to claim 2), a plurality of shaft members are respectively rotatably fitted in a plurality of holes provided in the connecting member, and among the plurality of holes, The hole into which the shaft member of the light irradiation unit having a rotation angle different from the rotation angle of the drive unit is fitted is a long hole.

  Further, according to the present invention (the invention according to claim 3), the plurality of light irradiation units is a projector type light irradiation unit, a semiconductor light source fixed to the holding member, and a rotating shaft on the holding member. And a reflector and a projection lens that are rotatably held around a substantially vertical axis of the semiconductor light source.

  Furthermore, this invention (invention according to claim 4) is a vehicle lamp according to any one of claims 1 to 3, and a vehicle front that irradiates a predetermined light distribution pattern in front of the vehicle. And an illumination lamp.

  In the vehicular lamp according to the present invention (the invention according to claim 1), when the driving unit is driven by the above-described problem solving means, the plurality of light irradiation units are held via the plurality of shaft members and the connecting members. The member rotates (swivels) around the rotation axis, and the light irradiation direction and the light irradiation range change in accordance with the traveling state of the vehicle. As a result, the vehicular lamp according to the present invention (the invention according to claim 1) can change the light irradiation direction and the light irradiation range in accordance with the traveling state of the vehicle by a small number of light irradiation units. it can. As a result, the vehicular lamp according to the present invention (the invention according to claim 1) requires fewer light irradiation units than the conventional vehicular illumination system, and the manufacturing cost can be reduced accordingly. In addition, it is easy to control the turning on / off of the semiconductor light source of the light irradiation unit with a small number.

  In particular, in the vehicular lamp according to the present invention (the invention according to claim 1), the distance between the rotation shaft and the shaft member in the plurality of light irradiation units is changed. Is different. That is, the irradiation direction of the light from the plurality of light irradiation units varies depending on the rotation of the plurality of irradiation units. As a result, the vehicular lamp of the present invention (the invention according to claim 1) has a light distribution pattern overlapping state of a plurality of light irradiation units (that is, light irradiation intensity, light irradiation direction, and light irradiation range). Gradually changes with the rotation of the plurality of light irradiation units, so that it is possible to optimally cope with the driving situation of the vehicle, and is optimal for, for example, a vehicular lamp and a vehicular headlight device equipped with an adaptive illumination system. .

  Further, the vehicular lamp according to the present invention (the invention according to claim 2) is related to the fact that the problem solving means causes a displacement at the fitting position between the shaft member and the hole of the connecting member due to a different rotation angle. Since the displacement is absorbed by the long holes, a plurality of light irradiation units having different rotation angles can be smoothly rotated.

  Furthermore, in the vehicle lamp of the present invention (the invention according to claim 3), since the reflector and the projection lens of the light irradiation unit rotate with respect to the holding member, the weight load that the drive unit rotates is reduced. Therefore, an inexpensive drive unit can be used.

  In particular, the vehicular lamp of the present invention (the invention according to claim 3) is such that when the reflector and the projection lens are rotated, the reflector and the projection lens rotate about the substantially vertical axis of the semiconductor light source in the light irradiation unit. There is no deviation in the relative positional relationship between the focal point of the reflector and the projection lens and the semiconductor-type light source. For this reason, the vehicular lamp of the present invention (the invention according to claim 3) does not generate distortion in the light distribution pattern when the light distribution pattern changes following the driving situation of the vehicle. .

  Moreover, in the vehicular lamp of the present invention (the invention according to claim 3), the semiconductor-type light source among the light irradiation units is fixed to the holding member. The holding member can be shared. In addition, a single heat radiating member can be provided on the single holding member, and the single heat radiating member can be shared by a plurality of light irradiation units. As a result, the vehicular lamp of this invention (the invention according to claim 3) can reduce the manufacturing cost and improve the heat dissipation effect.

  Furthermore, the vehicle headlamp according to the present invention (the invention according to claim 4) is configured such that the vehicle lamp according to any one of claims 1 to 3 and a predetermined light distribution pattern are arranged in front of the vehicle. Therefore, it is possible to achieve substantially the same effect as the vehicular lamp according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

  Embodiments of a vehicle lighting system according to the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings. Note that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments. In the drawing, reference sign “V-V” indicates vertical lines on the upper and lower sides of the screen. Reference sign “HH” indicates horizontal lines on the left and right of the screen.

  Hereinafter, the configuration of the vehicle lighting system in this embodiment will be described. In FIG. 8, reference numeral LS denotes a vehicle illumination system in this embodiment. The vehicle lighting system LS is provided on both the left and right sides of the front portion of a vehicle (not shown). The vehicle lighting system LS is the vehicle headlamp according to the fourth aspect of the invention, and includes a vehicle lamp 10 and a vehicle headlamp 100 as shown in FIG. It is. The vehicular lamp 10 and the vehicular headlamp 100 have, for example, an optical axis adjustment in a lamp chamber 12 defined by a lamp housing 11 and a lamp lens (not shown, for example, a transparent outer lens). The optical axes can be adjusted via mechanisms (not shown).

  The vehicular lamp 10 is a vehicular lamp according to the first to third aspects of the present invention, and includes a plurality of irradiation units 1, holding members 13 and 14, a drive unit 15, and a plurality of shaft members. 16 and a connecting member 17.

  A plurality of the light irradiation units 1 (1-1, 1-2, 1-3, 1-4, 1-5) in this example are shown in FIGS. 4 (A), (B), (C ), The light from the semiconductor-type light source 6 is irradiated in a predetermined direction. The light irradiation unit 1 is a projector type and has a unit structure. The light irradiation unit 1 includes an upper reflector 2 and a lower reflector 3, a reflecting surface 4 and a shade 5, a semiconductor light source 6, and a projection lens (convex lens, condenser lens) 7. 4A is a cross-sectional view taken along line IVA-IVA in FIG. 4B is a cross-sectional view taken along the line IVB-IVB in FIG. 4C is a cross-sectional view taken along the line IVC-IVC in FIG.

  The upper reflector 2 and the lower reflector 3 are composed of a light-impermeable resin member or the like, and are also used as holding members such as a housing and a holder. Further, the upper reflector 2 and the lower reflector 3 are divided into two parts in the vertical direction on the horizontal axis. The upper reflector 2 and the lower reflector 3 are integrally fixed by fixing means (not shown) (for example, a bolt nut, a screw, caulking, a clip, etc.).

  The upper reflector 2 has a front part opened in a semicircular shape, and a part from the front part through the center part (upper part) to the rear part is closed in a semi-rotating elliptical shape. The inner surface of the closed portion from the rear half to the rear portion of the central portion of the upper reflector 2 is subjected to aluminum vapor deposition or silver coating, and the reflection surface 4 is integrally provided.

  As with the upper reflector 2, the lower reflector 3 has a front portion opened in a semicircular shape, a central portion (lower portion) is closed in a crank shape from the front portion, and from a substantially rear half of the central portion. The rear part is open. The shade 5 is integrally provided at a central portion of the lower reflector 3. The shade 5 is composed of a horizontal plate portion. A reflective surface may be provided on the inner surface of the lower reflector 3, for example, the upper surface of the horizontal plate portion of the shade 5.

  The reflection surface 4 is a reflection surface based on an ellipse, for example, a reflection surface such as a rotation ellipsoid or a free-form surface based on an ellipse. As a result, the reflecting surface 4 has a first focal point F1 and a second focal point F2, and an optical axis ZZ (Z1-Z1, Z2-Z2, Z3-) connecting the first focal point F1 and the second focal point F2. Z3, Z4-Z4, Z5-Z5).

  The shade 5 forms a light distribution pattern BP (BP1, BP2, BP3) for bending in this example having a cut-off line CL. Further, the corner between the horizontal plate portion of the shade 5 and the vertical plate portion of the lower reflector 3 forms a cut-off line CL (see FIGS. 7A and 7B) of the light distribution pattern BP for bending. The edge to be. The edge is located at or near the second focal point F2 of the reflective surface 4. The edge is located on the optical axis ZZ of the reflecting surface 4.

  The semiconductor light source 6 is disposed in the rear opening of the lower reflector 3. As the semiconductor-type light source 6, for example, a self-luminous semiconductor-type light source (LED in this embodiment) such as LED or EL (organic EL) is used. The semiconductor light source 6 includes a substrate, a light emitting body of a light source chip (semiconductor chip) having a small rectangular shape (square shape) fixed to one surface of the substrate, and a light transmitting member that covers the light emitting body. Has been. The semiconductor light source 6 is fixed to the holding member 13. The light emitter of the semiconductor light source 6 is located at or near the first focal point F1 of the reflective surface 4.

  The projection lens 7 is held on the edge (not shown) of the front semicircular opening of the upper reflector 2 and the edge (not shown) of the front semicircular opening of the lower reflector 3. The projection lens 7 is made of resin, for example, and is a convex lens of an aspheric lens. The front side (external side) of the projection lens 7 forms a convex aspheric surface, while the rear side (the semiconductor light source 6 side) of the projection lens 7 forms a flat aspheric surface. The projection lens 7 has a convex aspherical surface with a large curvature (small curvature radius) on the front side (external side), and a small curvature (curvature radius on the rear side (the semiconductor light source 6 side)). A large convex aspheric surface may be used. The projection lens 7 includes a front focal point and a rear focal point (external focal point) and an optical axis ZZ (Z1-Z1, Z2-Z2, Z3-Z3, Z4) connecting the front focal point and the rear focal point. -Z4, Z5-Z5). The optical axis ZZ of the main reflecting surface 4 and the optical axis ZZ of the projection lens 7 substantially coincide.

  The holding members 13 and 14 hold the five light irradiation units 1 so as to be rotatable via the rotation shaft 8. The holding member includes a lower bracket 13 and an upper bracket 14 that are fixed to each other by a screw or the like. As shown in FIG. 2, the semiconductor light sources 6 of the five light irradiation units 1 are fixed to the lower bracket 13 with screws or the like. The lower bracket 13 is provided with the drive unit 15. Further, the lower bracket 13 is provided with a heat radiating member 9.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the five rotating shafts 8 are integrally provided on the upper reflector 2 of the five light irradiation units 1 via a boss portion and a step surface. The rotating shaft 8 is provided on substantially the vertical axis V0-V0 of the semiconductor light source 6 of the five light irradiation units 1. In the upper bracket 14, the upper reflector 2, the lower reflector 3, and the projection lens 7 of the five light irradiation units 1 through the rotation shaft 8 are arranged on a substantially vertical axis V 0 − of the semiconductor light source 6. It is held rotatably around V0. The upper reflectors 2 of the five light irradiation units 1 are rotatably held in a state of being sandwiched between the upper bracket 14 and the lower bracket 13. On the other hand, the center V0-V0 of the rotating shaft 8 and the vertical axis V0-V0 of the semiconductor-type light source 6 substantially coincide. The vertical axis V0-V0 of the semiconductor light source 6 is an axis that maximizes the radiation intensity of the light emitted from the semiconductor light source 6.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the driving unit 15 transmits a driving force to a driving source such as a stepping motor 18 driven by an output control signal from a control device (not shown) such as an ECU, and an output shaft of the stepping motor 18. The drive unit 20 is connected via a gear 19 such as a mechanism or a speed reduction mechanism, and a lever 22 having one end fixed to the drive shaft 21 of the drive unit 20.

  A plurality of, in this example, six of the shaft members 16 are fixed to the five light irradiation units 1 and the drive unit 15 as shown in FIGS. Five of the six shaft members 16 are fixed to the upper reflectors 2 of the five light irradiation units 1 via bosses and step surfaces. Further, one of the six shaft members 16 is fixed to the other end of the lever 22 of the driving unit 15.

  The distances T1, T2, and T3 between the five rotating shafts 8 and the five shaft members 16 in the five light irradiation units 1 are different. That is, as shown in FIGS. 1, 3, and 4, the first light irradiation unit 1, 1-1 and the second light irradiation unit 1, 1-2 from the driving unit 15 are two. The distance T1 between the center V0-V0 of the rotary shaft 8 and the centers V1-V1 of the two shaft members 16 is equal to the center V0-V0 of the drive shaft 21 in the drive unit 15 It is equal to the distance T1 between the shaft member 16 and the center V1-V1. Further, between the center V0-V0 of one of the rotating shafts 8 and the center V2-V2 of one of the shaft members 16 in the third light irradiation units 1, 1-3 from the driving unit 15. The distance T2 is slightly longer than the distance T1. Furthermore, the center V0-V0 and two centers of the two rotating shafts 8 in the fourth light irradiation units 1, 1-4 and the fifth light irradiation units 1, 1-5 from the drive unit 15 are provided. The distance T3 between the shaft member 16 and the center V3-V3 is slightly longer than the distances T1 and T2. As a result, the rotation angles θ1, θ2, and θ3 of the five light irradiation units 1 are different as shown in FIG.

  The six shaft members 16 are formed in six holes 23 (23-1, 23-2, 23-3) provided in the connecting member 17, as shown in FIGS. Each is fitted through a washer and push nut 24 to be rotatable. The five light irradiation units 1 and the drive unit 15 are connected by the connecting member 17 through the six shaft portions 16. Further, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 6, the five rotating shafts 8 are rotatably fitted to the five holes 26 provided in the upper bracket 14 via washers and push nuts 24, respectively. Has been. As a result, the five light irradiation units 1 rotate around the rotation shaft 8 through the six shaft portions 16 and the connecting members 17 by driving the drive portion 15. The six shaft portions 16, the connecting member 17, and the lever 22 constitute a link mechanism.

  When the optical axes ZZ (Z1-Z1, Z2-Z2, Z3-Z3, Z4-Z4, Z5-Z5) of the five light irradiation units 1 coincide with the center axis ZC-ZC (see FIG. 1) The five light irradiation units 1 face the front as shown in FIGS. 3, 6, and 8. At this time, the drive unit axis Z0-Z0 connecting the center V0-V0 of the drive shaft 21 and the center V1-V1 of the single shaft member 16 also coincides with the center axis ZC-ZC. The six center axes ZC-ZC are parallel to each other as shown in FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 5, among the six holes 23 of the connecting member 17, the light irradiation unit 1 (1-3, 1-4, The hole 23 (23-2, 23-3) in which the shaft member 16 of 1-5) is fitted is a long hole. A distance T4 between the center of the holes 23 and 23-1 and the center of the long holes 23 and 23-2 is a difference (T2−T1) between the distances T1 and T2. The distance T5 between the center of the holes 23 and 23-1 and the center of the long holes 23 and 23-3 is the difference between the distances T1 and T3 (T3-T1).

  The vehicular lamp 10 includes five light irradiation units 1 that use the semiconductor-type light source 6, and the light irradiation direction and the light irradiation range change in accordance with the traveling state of the vehicle. The vehicle headlamp 100 irradiates a predetermined light distribution pattern, in this example, a light distribution pattern LP for passing in front of the vehicle.

  The vehicle headlamps 100 are respectively disposed above and below the vehicle lamp 10. The vehicular headlamp 100 uses a plurality of projector-type lamp units 25 using a semiconductor-type light source, in this example, four on the upper side and three on the lower side, similar to the vehicular lamp 10. To do. The upper vehicle headlamp 100 is mainly responsible for the diffuse light distribution of the passing light distribution pattern LP. On the other hand, the lower vehicle headlamp 100 is mainly responsible for the light distribution of the cut-off line C of the passing light distribution pattern LP.

  The semiconductor light source 6 of the vehicular lamp 10, the stepping motor 18 of the vehicular lamp 10, and the semiconductor light source of the vehicular headlamp 100 are connected to the control device. Connected to the control device is a vehicle running state detection device that detects the running state of the vehicle and outputs a vehicle running state detection signal, such as a headlamp switch, a steering angle sensor, a vehicle speed sensor, an illuminance sensor, a GPS receiver, and an imaging device. Has been. The control device is configured to control the semiconductor light source 6 of the vehicular lamp 10, the stepping motor 18 of the vehicular lamp 10, and the front of the vehicle based on a vehicular travel situation detection signal from the vehicular travel situation inspection device. A control signal is output to the semiconductor-type light source of the headlamp 100 to control radiation intensity of the semiconductor-type light source 6 of the vehicle lamp 10 and the semiconductor-type light source of the vehicle headlamp 100, or the vehicle The rotation angle of the five light irradiation units 1 is controlled by controlling the driving of the stepping motor 18 of the lamp 10.

  The vehicle lighting system LS in this embodiment is configured as described above, and the operation thereof will be described below.

  First, the light emitters of the semiconductor-type light sources of the seven lamp units 25 of the vehicle headlamp 100 are turned on by a control signal output from the control device. Then, light is emitted from the light emitter of the semiconductor-type light source in substantially the same manner as in the case of the light irradiation unit 1 described above. Part of this light is reflected by the reflecting surface, and this reflected light is concentrated on the second focal point of the reflecting surface. A part of the reflected light concentrated on the second focus is cut off by the shade. On the other hand, a passing light distribution pattern LP having a cutoff line C is formed by the remaining reflected light. The passing light distribution pattern LP having the cut-off line C is projected forward from the projection lens to illuminate the road surface and the like, as shown in FIGS. 7A and 7B.

  In addition, the light emitters of the semiconductor light sources 6 of the five light irradiation units 1 of the vehicular lamp 10 are turned on by a control signal output from the control device. Then, light is emitted from the light emitter of the semiconductor-type light source 6 as indicated by the solid line arrow in FIG. Part of this light is reflected by the reflecting surface 4, and this reflected light is concentrated on the second focal point F <b> 2 of the reflecting surface 4. A part of the reflected light concentrated on the second focal point F2 is cut off by the shade 5. On the other hand, a bending light distribution pattern BP (BP1, BP2, BP3) having a cutoff line CL is formed by the remaining reflected light. The bending light distribution pattern BP (BP1, BP2, BP3) having the cut-off line CL is similarly projected forward from the projection lens 7 as shown in FIGS. Illuminate.

  At this time, as shown in FIGS. 3, 6, and 8, when the five light irradiation units 1 face the front, the bending light distribution pattern BP (BP1, BP2, BP3) As shown in FIGS. 7A and 7B, it is located in the light distribution pattern LP for passing.

  In this case, for example, when the vehicle travels on a left curve, the vehicle travel state detection device detects the left curve travel state of the vehicle and outputs a vehicle travel state detection signal to the control device. The control device outputs a control signal to the drive unit 15 in accordance with the vehicle travel state detection signal. Then, the stepping motor 18 of the drive unit 15 is driven, and the driving force of the stepping motor 18 is transmitted to the lever 22 through the gear 19, the drive unit 20, and the drive shaft 21, and the lever 22 is shown in FIG. Rotate counterclockwise about the center V0-V0 of the drive shaft 21 by an angle θ1.

  As the lever 22 rotates, the five light irradiation units 1 facing the front are shown in FIG. 1 by the link action of the six shaft members 16 and the connecting members 17 constituting the lever 22 and the link mechanism. Thus, it rotates counterclockwise around the center V0-V0 of the rotating shaft 8. Then, as shown in FIGS. 7A and 7B, the bending light distribution pattern BP (BP1, BP2, BP3) shifts to the left with respect to the passing light distribution pattern LP. As a result, when the vehicle travels on the left curve, the destination where the vehicle travels can be illuminated with the light distribution pattern BP (BP1, BP2, BP3) for bending, which can contribute to traffic safety.

  At this time, the vehicle illumination system LS in this embodiment includes two rotation shafts 8 in the first light irradiation unit 1, 1-1 and the second light irradiation unit 1, 1-2 from the drive unit 15. The distance T1 between the center V0-V0 and the center V1-V1 of the two shaft members 16 is the center V0-V0 of the drive shaft 21 and the center V1-V1 of the one shaft member 16 in the drive unit 15. Is equal to the distance T1 between. For this reason, the rotation angle θ1 between the first light irradiation unit 1, 1-1 and the second light irradiation unit 1, 1-2 is equal to the rotation angle θ1 of the lever 22.

  Further, a distance T2 between the center V0-V0 of one rotating shaft 8 and the center V2-V2 of one shaft member 16 in the third light irradiation unit 1, 1-3 from the drive unit 15 is as follows. It is slightly longer than the distance T1 in the first light irradiation unit 1, 1-1 and the second light irradiation unit 1, 1-2 and the drive unit 15. For this reason, the rotation angle θ2 of the third light irradiation units 1, 1-3 is set so that the first light irradiation units 1, 1-1, the second light irradiation units 1, 1-2 and the lever 22. Is smaller than the rotation angle θ1.

  Furthermore, the center V0-V0 of the two rotating shafts 8 and the two shaft members 16 in the fourth light irradiation units 1, 1-4 and the fifth light irradiation units 1, 1-5 from the drive unit 15. The distance T3 between the first light irradiation unit 1, 1-1 and the second light irradiation unit 1, 1-2 and the driving unit 15 and the distance T3 between the center V3-V3 and It is slightly longer than the distance T2 in the light irradiation units 1 and 1-3 of the eyes. Therefore, the rotation angle θ3 between the fourth light irradiation units 1, 1-4 and the fifth light irradiation units 1, 1-5 is set to the first light irradiation units 1, 1-1, and 2. The rotation angle θ1 of the first light irradiation units 1 and 1-2 and the lever 22 is smaller than the rotation angle θ2 of the third light irradiation units 1 and 1-3.

  As a result, in the vehicle lighting system LS in this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 7A, the transition distance to the left side of the light distribution pattern BP1 that bears the right part of the light distribution pattern BP for bending is 1. Longest. In addition, the transition distance to the left side of the light distribution pattern BP2 serving as the central portion of the bending light distribution pattern BP is shorter than that of the previous light distribution pattern BP1. Furthermore, the transition distance to the left side of the light distribution pattern BP3 that bears the left portion of the bending light distribution pattern BP is shorter than the light distribution patterns BP1 and BP2. Thereby, in the bending light distribution pattern BP shifted to the left side, the transition distance of the light distribution pattern BP1 serving as the inner side (passing light distribution pattern LP side) is long and the outer side (light passing light distribution pattern). Since the bending light distribution pattern BP shifted to the left side is obtained as a substantially concentrated light distribution pattern.

  Here, according to the dimming control signal output from the control device, the semiconductor light source 6 of the five light irradiation units 1 of the vehicular lamp 10 is turned on and off, or the seven lamp units 25 of the dual-purpose headlamp 100 are turned on. The semiconductor-type light source can be turned on / off by light-increasing lighting in which the light emission intensity gradually increases from 0% to 100% or dimming-off by gradually decreasing from 100% to 0%.

  The vehicle lighting system LS in this embodiment is configured and operated as described above, and the effects thereof will be described below.

  In the vehicle lighting system LS in this embodiment, when the driving unit 15 is driven, the five light irradiation units 1 are the holding members via the six shaft members 16 and the connecting members 17 constituting the link mechanism. With respect to the lower bracket 13 and the upper bracket 14, they rotate (swivel) around the five rotation shafts 8, respectively, and the light irradiation direction and the light irradiation range change in accordance with the traveling state of the vehicle. As a result, the vehicle lighting system LS in this embodiment can change the light irradiation direction and the light irradiation range in accordance with the traveling state of the vehicle by a small number (five) of the light irradiation units 1. . Thereby, the vehicle lighting system LS in this embodiment can be reduced in the number of the light irradiation units 1 compared with the conventional vehicle lighting system, and the manufacturing cost can be reduced accordingly. It is easy to turn on / off the semiconductor light source 6 of the light irradiation unit 1 with a small number.

  In particular, in the vehicle lighting system LS in this embodiment, the distances T1, T2, and T3 between the rotating shaft 8 and the shaft member 16 in the five light irradiation units 1 are changed. 1 have different rotation angles θ1, θ2, and θ3. That is, the irradiation direction of the light from the five light irradiation units 1 varies with the rotation of the five irradiation units 1. As a result, the vehicular illumination system LS in this embodiment is configured such that the bending light distribution patterns BP (BP1, BP2, BP3) of the five light irradiation units 1 overlap, that is, the light irradiation intensity and the light irradiation. Since the direction and the light irradiation range gradually change with the rotation of the plurality of light irradiation units, the range corresponding to the traveling state of the vehicle is widened, and is optimal as a vehicle lighting system including, for example, an adaptive lighting system.

  Further, in the vehicle lighting system LS in this embodiment, among the six holes 23 of the connecting member 17, the light irradiation units 1 (1-1) have rotation angles θ 2 and θ 3 different from the rotation angle θ 1 of the lever 22 of the drive unit 15. The holes 23 (23-2, 23-3) into which the shaft members 16 of (3, 1-4, 1-5) are fitted are long holes. As a result, in the vehicle lighting system LS in this embodiment, the six shaft members 16 and the six holes 23 (23-1, 23-2, 23-3) are obtained by different rotation angles θ1, θ2, and θ3. Although the displacement occurs at the fitting position, the displacement is absorbed by the long holes 23 (23-2, 23-3), so that the five light irradiation units having different rotation angles θ1, θ2, θ3 1 (1-1, 1-2, 1-3, 1-4, 1-5) can be smoothly rotated.

  Furthermore, in the vehicle illumination system LS in this embodiment, the resin-made upper reflector 2 (reflecting surface 4) and lower reflector 3 (shade 5) in the light irradiation unit 1 and the projection lens 7 are the lower brackets of the holding member. 13 and the upper bracket 14, the weight load that the drive unit 15 rotates can be reduced as compared with the one that rotates together with the semiconductor light source and the heat radiating member. A simple driving unit 15 can be used.

  In particular, in the vehicle illumination system LS in this embodiment, in the light irradiation unit 1, the upper reflector 2, the lower reflector 3, and the projection lens 7 rotate around the substantially vertical axis V 0 -V 0 of the semiconductor light source 6. When the reflector 2, the lower reflector 3, and the projection lens 7 rotate, there is no deviation in the relative positional relationship between the focal points of the reflection surfaces 4 of the upper reflector 2 and the focal points of the projection lens 7 and the semiconductor light source 6. For this reason, the vehicular lighting system LS according to the present embodiment has a bending light distribution pattern when the bending light distribution pattern BP (BP1, BP2, BP3) changes in accordance with the traveling state of the vehicle. No distortion occurs in the pattern BP (BP1, BP2, BP3).

  Moreover, in the vehicle illumination system LS in this embodiment, the semiconductor light source 6 of the light irradiation unit 1 is fixed to the lower bracket 13 of the holding member, so that the five light irradiation units 1 are used. A single holding member (lower bracket 13 and upper bracket 14) can be shared. In addition, a single heat radiating member 9 can be provided on the lower bracket 13 of the single holding member, and the single heat radiating member 9 is shared by the five light irradiation units 1. be able to. As a result, the vehicle lighting system LS in this embodiment can reduce the manufacturing cost and improve the heat dissipation effect.

  Hereinafter, examples other than the above-described embodiment will be described. In the above-described embodiment, the distances T1, T2, T3 between the centers V0-V0 of the rotating shaft 8 and the centers V1-V1, V2-V2, V3-V3 of the shaft member 16 in the five light irradiation units 1 are described. The rotation angles θ1, θ2, and θ3 of the five light irradiation units 1 are changed so that the inner side is large and the outer side is small, so that as shown in FIG. The light distribution pattern BP (BP1, BP2, BP3) is obtained. However, in the present invention, the rotation angle of the plurality of light irradiation units is changed so that the inside is small and the outside is greatly changed, and as shown in FIG. It may be configured to obtain (BP1, BP2, BP3).

  Moreover, in the said Example, the vehicle headlamp of the invention concerning the said Claim 4 provided with the vehicle lamp 10 of the invention concerning the said Claims 1-3, and the vehicle headlamp 100. As shown in FIG. A vehicle illumination system LS will be described. However, in this invention, the vehicle lighting system which consists of the vehicle lamp 10 of the invention concerning said Claims 1-3 may be sufficient.

  Further, in the above embodiment, the semiconductor light source 6 of the light irradiation unit 1 is fixed to the lower bracket 13, while the upper reflector 2 (reflection surface 4) and the lower reflector 3 (shade 5) of the light irradiation unit 1. ) And the projection lens 7 rotate with respect to the lower bracket 13 and the upper bracket 14. However, in the present invention, a light irradiation unit including a reflector, a semiconductor light source, and a projection lens (or including a heat dissipation member) may be rotated.

It is a top view of the important section showing the example of the lighting system for vehicles concerning this invention. Similarly, it is a perspective view which shows a semiconductor type light source, a lower bracket, a drive part, and a heat radiating member. Similarly, it is a perspective view which shows a light irradiation unit, a drive part, and a link mechanism. Similarly, it is a longitudinal cross-sectional view showing a light irradiation unit. Similarly, it is a top view which shows a connection member. Similarly, it is a perspective view showing a vehicular lamp. Similarly, it is explanatory drawing which shows the light distribution pattern for bending by the vehicle lamp, and the light distribution pattern for passing by the vehicle headlamp. Similarly, it is a front view showing a state excluding the lamp lens.

Explanation of symbols

LS Vehicle lighting system 1 (1-1, 1-2, 1-3, 1-4, 1-5) Light irradiation unit 2 Upper reflector 3 Lower reflector 4 Reflecting surface 5 Shade 6 Semiconductor light source (LED)
7 Projection lens 8 Rotating shaft 9 Heat radiation member 10 Vehicle lamp 11 Lamp housing 12 Lamp chamber 13 Lower bracket (holding member)
14 Upper bracket (holding member)
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 15 Drive part 16 Shaft member 17 Connecting member 18 Stepping motor 19 Gear 20 Drive unit 21 Drive shaft 22 Lever 23 (23-1) Hole 23 (23-2, 23-3) Long hole 24 Washer and push nut 100 Front for vehicle Illumination H-H Horizontal lines on the left and right of the screen VV Vertical lines on the top and bottom of the screen F1 First focal point of the reflective surface F2 Second focal point of the reflective surface ZZ (Z1-Z1, Z2-Z2, Z3-Z3, Z4) -Z4, Z5-Z5) Optical axis of reflecting surface ZC-ZC Center axis Z0-Z0 Drive axis BP (BP1, BP2, BP3) Light distribution pattern for bending CL Cut OFF line LP Light distribution pattern for passing C cut Offline V0-V0 Center of rotation shaft and center of drive shaft V1-V1, V2-V2, V3-V3 Center of shaft member T1, T The distance T4, T5 hole of the difference between the center θ1 between T3 rotary shaft and the shaft member, .theta.2, .theta.3 rotation angle

Claims (4)

In a vehicle lamp that includes a plurality of light irradiation units that use a semiconductor-type light source, and the light irradiation direction and light irradiation range follow and change in accordance with the traveling state of the vehicle,
A plurality of the light irradiation units for irradiating light from the semiconductor light source in a predetermined direction;
A plurality of light irradiation units, each holding member rotatably held via a rotation shaft;
A drive unit provided in the holding member;
A plurality of shaft members respectively fixed to the plurality of light irradiation units and the drive unit;
A plurality of the shaft members are rotatably fitted to each other, a plurality of the light irradiation units and the driving unit are connected, and the plurality of the light irradiation units are respectively connected by driving the driving unit. A connecting member that rotates about a rotation axis;
With
The distance between the rotating shaft and the shaft member in the plurality of light irradiation units is different, and the rotation angle of the plurality of light irradiation units is different.
A vehicular lamp characterized by the above. The plurality of shaft members are rotatably fitted in a plurality of holes provided in the connecting member,
Of the plurality of holes, the hole into which the shaft member of the light irradiation unit having a rotation angle different from the rotation angle of the drive unit is a long hole,
The vehicular lamp according to claim 1. The plurality of light irradiation units are:
A projector type light irradiation unit,
The semiconductor-type light source fixed to the holding member;
A reflector and a projection lens that are held by the holding member so as to be rotatable about a substantially vertical axis of the semiconductor-type light source via the rotation shaft;
Composed of,
The vehicular lamp according to claim 1 or 2. In the vehicle headlamp device in which the light irradiation direction and the light irradiation range follow and change corresponding to the traveling state of the vehicle,
A plurality of light irradiation units using a semiconductor-type light source, and a vehicle lamp in which the light irradiation direction and the light irradiation range follow and change in accordance with the traveling state of the vehicle;
A vehicle headlamp that irradiates a predetermined light distribution pattern in front of the vehicle;
With
The vehicle lamp is the vehicle lamp according to any one of claims 1 to 3.
A vehicle headlamp device characterized by the above.

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