JP2007172882A - Vehicle headlight - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a vehicle headlight constructed so as to form a light distribution pattern for low-beam having a cut-off line at the upper end part, without apprehension of giving large glare to an driver or the like of a vehicle on the opposite lane, even if a light source emitting light of high color temperature is used as the light source. <P>SOLUTION: The vehicle headlight is provided with a prescribed optical system which irradiates light for forming a near elbow point region A of a cut-off line CL1 on the opposite lane side in the low-beam light distribution pattern PL1 and the other optical system which irradiates light for forming a region other than the near elbow point region A. In this case, the prescribed optical system irradiates light by a lower color temperature than the other optical system. Thereby, even if the optical axis becomes upward by a pitching of the vehicle or the like, and the light irradiated to the near elbow point region A is directed toward the eyes of a driver or the like of the vehicle on the opposite lane, this light is made a light irradiated by the low color temperature, and glare directed to the driver or the like of the vehicle on the opposite lane can be attenuated. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a vehicle headlamp configured to form a low beam light distribution pattern having a cut-off line at an upper end portion.

  In recent years, a light source that emits light having a high color temperature, such as a discharge bulb or a light-emitting diode, has been used as a light source for a vehicle headlamp.

  For example, in “Patent Document 1”, in the low beam mode, a lamp unit using a light emitting diode as a light source is turned on, and in the high beam mode, a lamp unit using a discharge bulb as a light source is additionally turned on. There is a lighting.

JP-A-2005-141917

  In general, in the low beam mode, a low beam light distribution pattern having a cut-off line is formed at the upper end portion, thereby preventing glare from an oncoming vehicle driver or a pedestrian. However, if the optical axis of the lamp unit is directed upward due to vehicle pitching or the like, part of the light emitted from the lamp unit will enter the eyes of an oncoming vehicle driver or the like.

  At that time, as in the vehicle headlamp described in the above-mentioned “Patent Document 1”, a low beam light distribution pattern is formed by light irradiation from a lamp unit that uses a light emitting diode or the like that emits light with a high color temperature as a light source. In the case where the light beam is formed, the glare is larger than that in the case where the light distribution pattern for low beam is formed by light irradiation from a lamp unit using a halogen bulb or the like that emits light having a low color temperature as a light source. Will be given to an oncoming vehicle driver or the like.

  This is due to the Purkinje phenomenon in which the human visual sensitivity shifts to the short wavelength side (specifically, the visual sensitivity peak shifts from 560 nm to 510 nm) in a state close to dark vision such as when driving a vehicle at night. Is.

  The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and in a vehicle headlamp configured to form a low-beam light distribution pattern having a cut-off line at the upper end portion, a color temperature as a light source thereof is provided. An object of the present invention is to provide a vehicular headlamp that can eliminate the risk of giving large glare to an oncoming vehicle driver or the like even when a light source that emits high light is used.

  The present invention is intended to achieve the above object by setting a part of the irradiation light for forming the low beam light distribution pattern to a low color temperature.

That is, the vehicle headlamp according to the present invention is
In a vehicle headlamp configured to form a low beam light distribution pattern having a cut-off line at an upper end portion,
A predetermined optical system for performing light irradiation for forming an area near the elbow point of the opposite lane side cut-off line in the low beam light distribution pattern, and other for performing light irradiation for forming an area other than the area near the elbow point With an optical system,
The predetermined optical system is configured to perform light irradiation at a color temperature lower than that of the other optical system.

  The above-mentioned “vehicle headlamp” is configured as a lamp that forms a low-beam light distribution pattern, but may be configured as a dedicated lamp that forms only a low-beam light distribution pattern, or a high beam by beam switching. It may be configured as a lamp that can also form a light distribution pattern for use.

  As long as the above-mentioned “low beam light distribution pattern” has a cut-off line at the upper end, the specific configuration such as the shape and size or the light intensity distribution is not particularly limited. The shape of "" is not particularly limited.

  The specific configuration of the “predetermined optical system” is not particularly limited as long as it is configured to perform light irradiation at a color temperature lower than that of the “other optical system”. In addition, the “predetermined optical system” may be configured so as to form only the area near the elbow point of the opposite lane side cut-off line in the low beam light distribution pattern by the light irradiation. However, it may be configured to form a region that is somewhat wider than the region near the elbow point.

  The “other optical system” is configured to perform light irradiation for forming a region other than the region near the elbow point. Here, “light irradiation for forming a region other than the region near the elbow point” is used. "Means that the light irradiation from the" other optical system "does not greatly contribute to the formation of the region near the elbow point rather than the formation of the region other than the region near the elbow point.

  Each of the “predetermined optical system” and the “other optical system” may be composed of a single optical system or a plurality of optical systems.

  As shown in the above configuration, the vehicular headlamp according to the present invention is configured to form a low-beam light distribution pattern having a cut-off line at the upper end, and the opposite lane side in this low-beam light distribution pattern A predetermined optical system that performs light irradiation for forming a region near the elbow point of the cut-off line and another optical system that performs light irradiation for forming other regions are provided. At that time, the predetermined optical system is provided. Since light irradiation is performed at a color temperature lower than that of other optical systems, the following operational effects can be obtained.

  In other words, the light that causes glare to the oncoming vehicle driver when the optical axis of the lamp unit is directed upward due to vehicle pitching or the like is the elbow on the opposite lane side cut-off line in the low beam light distribution pattern. Although the light is directed to the area near the point, the elbow point vicinity area is formed by light irradiation from a predetermined optical system that performs light irradiation at a color temperature lower than that of other optical systems. Even if the light irradiated to the area near the point enters the eyes of an oncoming vehicle driver or the like, glare applied to the oncoming vehicle driver or the like can be reduced.

  Thus, according to the present invention, in a vehicle headlamp configured to form a low beam light distribution pattern having a cut-off line at the upper end, a light source that emits light having a high color temperature is used as the light source. Even in such a case, the risk of giving large glare to the oncoming driver or the like can be eliminated.

  Moreover, light irradiation at a low color temperature is performed in an area close to the cut-off line, and light irradiation at a low color temperature is not performed in the vicinity of the lower end portion of the low beam light distribution pattern. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the near-field area on the road surface ahead of the vehicle from appearing yellowish, thereby eliminating the possibility of giving the driver of the vehicle a useless feeling.

  In the above configuration, if the predetermined optical system and the other optical system are configured by different lamp units, functional separation between the predetermined optical system and the other optical system can be easily performed.

  At that time, if the light source of the lamp unit constituting the predetermined optical system is caused to emit light at a color temperature lower than that of the light source of the lamp unit constituting the other optical system, light irradiation at a low color temperature by the predetermined optical system is performed. Can be realized by a simple configuration using only different light sources.

  In this case, the light source of the lamp unit constituting the predetermined optical system is constituted by a light emitting diode including a light emitting chip and a resin member covering the light emitting chip, and the resin member has a short wavelength in light from the light emitting chip. If a phosphor for lowering the transmittance of the component is contained, light emission at a low color temperature can be easily realized.

  In the above configuration, when the vehicle headlamp is configured to include a light source and a reflector that reflects light from the light source forward, the predetermined optical system may be a part of the light source and the reflector. If a surface treatment for reducing the reflectance of the short wavelength component in the light from the light source is applied to the surface of the predetermined reflecting portion, the light source is single. In addition, it is possible to realize light irradiation at a low color temperature by a predetermined optical system.

  In the above configuration, when the vehicle headlamp includes a light source, a reflector that reflects light from the light source forward, and a translucent member that transmits the reflected light from the reflector. The predetermined optical system includes a light source, a reflector, and a predetermined translucent part that constitutes a part of the translucent member, and the surface of the predetermined translucent part transmits a short wavelength component in the reflected light from the reflector. If surface treatment for reducing the rate is performed, light irradiation at a low color temperature by a predetermined optical system can be realized even when a single light source is used. In this case, the “translucent member” may be formed in a transparent shape or may have a lens function. The “surface of the predetermined light transmitting portion” may be the front surface or the rear surface of the predetermined light transmitting portion.

  In the above configuration, the vehicle headlamp includes a projection lens disposed on an optical axis extending in the vehicle front-rear direction, a light source disposed behind the rear focal point of the projection lens, and light from the light source. When the projector is configured to include a reflector that reflects toward the optical axis toward the front, the predetermined optical system includes a light source, a predetermined reflector that forms part of the reflector, and a projection lens. If the surface of the predetermined reflecting portion is configured to have a surface treatment for reducing the reflectance of the short wavelength component in the light from the light source, even if there is a single light source, the low color by the predetermined optical system Light irradiation at temperature can be realized.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  First, a first embodiment of the present invention will be described.

  FIG. 1 is a front view showing a vehicle headlamp according to the present embodiment, and FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line II-II in FIG.

  As shown in these drawings, the vehicle headlamp 10 according to the present embodiment is formed by a lamp body 12 and a transparent translucent cover 14 attached to the front end opening of the lamp body 12. Eight lamp units 30 and 40 are accommodated in the lamp chamber. And in this vehicle headlamp 10, the light distribution pattern for low beams is formed by the light irradiation from these eight lamp units 30,40.

  Each of the eight lamp units 30 and 40 is configured as a projector-type lamp unit, and is supported by the common metal bracket 20 in a two-stage arrangement. Of these eight lamp units 30, 40, the two lamp units 40 arranged in the center of the lower stage have the same configuration as each other, thereby forming a “predetermined optical system” and the rest. The six lamp units 30 also have the same configuration as each other, and these constitute an “other optical system”.

  The metal bracket 20 includes a vertical panel portion 20A and eight unit mounting portions 20B extending in a shelf shape forward from the vertical panel portion 20A. The metal bracket 20 is vertically and horizontally attached to the lamp body 12 via the aiming mechanism 18. It is supported so that it can tilt.

  Each lamp unit 30, 40 is fixed to the metal bracket 20 at each unit mounting portion 20B. In that case, each lamp unit 30 and 40 is arrange | positioned so that the optical axis Ax may extend mutually parallel in the direction orthogonal to the vertical panel part 20A. However, the optical axis Ax of each lamp unit 30 is set to extend in a downward direction by about 0.5 to 0.6 ° with respect to the vehicle front-rear direction when the optical axis adjustment by the aiming mechanism 18 is completed. ing.

  Next, a specific configuration of each of the lamp units 30 and 40 will be described.

  First, the configuration of the lamp unit 30 will be described.

  The lamp unit 30 includes a projection lens 32 disposed on the optical axis Ax, a light emitting diode 34 disposed behind the projection lens 32, and a reflector 36 disposed so as to cover the light emitting diode 34 from above. And a light control member 38 disposed between the light emitting diode 34 and the projection lens 32.

  The projection lens 32 is configured as a plano-convex aspheric lens having a convex front surface and a flat rear surface. The projection lens 32 projects an image on the rear focal plane including the rear focal point F as a reverse image on a vertical virtual screen arranged in front of the lamp.

  The light emitting diode 34 is a white light emitting diode having a light emitting chip 34 a and is supported by a metal support plate 22. The light emitting diode 34 is fixed to the unit mounting portion 20B of the metal bracket 20 via the support plate 22 with the light emission center positioned on the optical axis Ax and arranged vertically upward. Yes.

  The reflector 36 is configured to reflect the light from the light emitting diode 34 forward and toward the optical axis Ax so as to substantially converge near the rear focal point F of the projection lens 32. Specifically, the reflecting surface 36a of the reflector 36 is set so that the cross-sectional shape including the optical axis Ax is an elliptical shape, and the eccentricity gradually increases from the vertical cross section toward the horizontal cross section. ing. The reflecting surface 36a converges the light from the light emitting diode 34 to a position slightly ahead of the rear focal point F in the vertical plane, and displaces the convergence position to the front side of the rear focal point F in the horizontal section. It is supposed to let you.

  The light control member 38 is formed such that its upper surface 38a extends rearward from the rear focal point F of the projection lens 32, and its front edge 38a1 is formed in a substantially arc shape along the rear focal plane of the projection lens 32. Has been.

  The upper surface 38a of the light control member 38 is configured by a horizontal plane in which the region on the left side (right side in the front view of the lamp) from the optical axis Ax extends horizontally from the optical axis Ax to the left. The region includes a short slope extending obliquely downward (for example, 15 ° downward) from the optical axis Ax and a horizontal plane extending horizontally further to the right from the right end of the slope. The upper surface 38a is mirror-finished by aluminum vapor deposition or the like, whereby the upper surface 38a prevents a part of the reflected light from the reflecting surface 36a of the reflector 36 from going straight and reflects it upward. It is like that.

  The light control member 38 is formed so that the front end portion is curved downward, and the projection lens 32 is fixedly supported at the front end edge.

  Next, the configuration of the lamp unit 40 will be described.

  The lamp unit 40 has the same basic configuration as the lamp unit 30, and includes a projection lens 42, a light emitting diode 44, a reflector 46, and a light control member 48.

  Similar to the projection lens 32, the projection lens 42 is configured as a plano-convex aspheric lens, but has a longer focal length than the projection lens 32.

  Like the light emitting diode 34, the light emitting diode 44 is a white light emitting diode having a light emitting chip 44a, but is configured to emit light at a color temperature lower than that of the light emitting diode 34.

  That is, in the light emitting diode 44, as shown in FIG. 3 which is a detailed view of part III in FIG. However, this sealing is performed via a resin member 44d disposed so as to cover the light emitting chip 44a. The resin member 44d contains a phosphor for lowering the transmittance of the short wavelength component in the light from the light emitting chip 44a, so that the light emitting diode 44 emits light at a color temperature lower than that of the light emitting diode 34. It has become.

  Thereby, the lamp unit 40 is configured to perform light irradiation at a color temperature lower than that of the lamp unit 30.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the reflector 46 has a reflecting surface 46 a in which the cross-sectional shape including the optical axis Ax is set to an elliptical shape, like the reflector 36, but the interfocal distance is longer than that of the reflector 36. Is set to a value.

  Similar to the light control member 38, the light control member 48 is configured such that a part of the reflected light from the reflection surface 46a of the reflector 46 is reflected upward on the upper surface 48a, and the front edge 48a1 of the upper surface 48a. Is formed in a substantially arc shape along the rear focal plane of the projection lens 42. At this time, the front end edge 48a1 of the light control member 48 is positioned in front of the front end edge 38a1 of the light control member 38 so that the reflected light from the reflector 46 is converged to the position of the front end edge 48a1 in the vertical plane. It has become.

  By configuring the lamp unit 40 in this way, the image formed on the rear focal plane of the projection lens 42 by the reflected light from the reflector 46 is reduced, and the reflected light from the reflector 46 is used to realize this. This reflected light can be made incident on the projection lens 42, although the convergence to the rear focal point F is improved.

  FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a low beam light distribution pattern formed on a virtual vertical screen arranged at a position 25 m ahead of the lamp by light irradiated forward from the vehicle headlamp 10 according to the present embodiment. FIG.

  As shown in the figure, this low beam light distribution pattern PL1 is a left light distribution pattern for low beam, and has cut-off lines CL1 and CL2 at its upper edge.

  The light distribution pattern PL1 for low beam is superimposed in the same shape by the light distribution pattern PA1 formed in the same shape by the light irradiation from the six lamp units 30 and the light irradiation from the two lamp units 40. It is formed as a combined light distribution pattern with the formed light distribution pattern PB1. In the low beam light distribution pattern PL1, the entire shape is formed by the light distribution pattern PA1, and the hot zone HZ, which is the high luminous intensity region, is formed by the light distribution pattern PB1.

  The cut-off lines CL1 and CL2 of the low beam light distribution pattern PL1 are formed as inverted projection images of the front end edges 38a1 and 48a1 of the light control members 38 and 48 in the lamp units 30 and 40, respectively. The cut-off lines CL1 and CL2 are formed such that the opposite lane-side cut-off line CL1 on the right side of the VV line passing through the HV that is a vanishing point in the front direction of the lamp in the vertical direction extends horizontally. The own lane side cut-off line on the left side of the −V line rises obliquely from the opposite lane side cut-off line CL1 to a slightly upper position of the HH line passing through the HV in a horizontal direction at a predetermined angle (for example, 15 °). After that, it is formed to extend horizontally.

  In this low beam light distribution pattern PL1, the position of the elbow point E that is the intersection of the opposite lane side cut-off line CL1 and the VV line is set to a position about 0.5 to 0.6 ° below HV. The hot zone HZ is formed so as to surround the elbow point E. At this time, the elbow point E is positioned about 0.5 to 0.6 ° below HV because the optical axis Ax of each lamp unit 30 and 40 is 0 with respect to the axis extending in the vehicle longitudinal direction. This is because it extends in the downward direction by about 5 to 0.6 °.

  In this low beam light distribution pattern PL1, an elbow point vicinity area A (a horizontally long area indicated by a broken line in the figure) located near the elbow point E along the opposite lane side cut-off line CL1 When the optical axis Ax of the units 30 and 40 is directed upward, a part of the light irradiated to form the elbow point vicinity area A will enter the eyes of an oncoming vehicle driver or the like.

  However, the elbow point vicinity region A is mainly configured as a part of the light distribution pattern PB1, and the light distribution pattern PB1 is composed of the six lamp units 30 that perform light irradiation for forming the light distribution pattern PA1. Is formed by two lamp units 40 that irradiate light at a low color temperature, so that when a part of the light irradiated to form the elbow point vicinity area A enters the eyes of an oncoming vehicle driver or the like, they face each other. The glare given to a car driver or the like is reduced as compared with the case where the two lamp units 40 are configured to emit light at the same color temperature as the other six lamp units 30.

  As described above in detail, the vehicular headlamp 10 according to the present embodiment forms the low beam distribution pattern PL1 having the cut-off lines CL1 and CL2 at the upper end portion. Two lamp units 40 as a predetermined optical system for performing light irradiation for forming the elbow point vicinity area A of the oncoming lane side cut-off line CL1 in the light pattern PL1, and light irradiation for forming other areas are performed. 6 lamp units 30 as other optical systems. At this time, each lamp unit 40 emits light at a color temperature lower than that of each lamp unit 30. An effect can be obtained.

  That is, the light that causes glare to the oncoming vehicle driver when the optical axis Ax of each of the lamp units 30 and 40 is directed upward due to vehicle pitching or the like is light directed toward the elbow point vicinity region A. However, since the elbow point vicinity region A is formed by light irradiation from the lamp unit 40 that performs light irradiation at a color temperature lower than that of the lamp unit 30, the elbow point vicinity region A is Even if the irradiated light enters the eyes of an oncoming vehicle driver or the like, glare applied to the oncoming vehicle driver or the like can be reduced.

  In particular, in the present embodiment, the predetermined optical system and the other optical systems are composed of different lamp units 30 and 40, so that the function separation between the predetermined optical system and the other optical systems can be easily performed.

  Moreover, the light emitting diode 44 that is the light source of the lamp unit 40 that constitutes the predetermined optical system emits light at a lower color temperature than the light emitting diode 34 that is the light source of the lamp unit 30 that constitutes the other optical system. Therefore, light irradiation at a low color temperature by a predetermined optical system can be realized with a simple configuration using only different light sources.

  At this time, the light emitting diode 44 has its light emitting chip 44a covered with a resin member 44d containing a phosphor, thereby reducing the transmittance of the short wavelength component in the light from the light emitting chip 44a. Therefore, light emission at a low color temperature can be easily realized.

  Furthermore, in this embodiment, the light distribution pattern PB1 formed by light irradiation at a low color temperature includes not only the elbow point vicinity region A but also the region near the elbow point E along the own lane side cut-off line CL2. Since it is formed so as to include not only when the optical axis Ax of each lamp unit 30 and 40 is directed upward due to vehicle pitching or the like, but also when the vehicle is turning, along the own lane side cut-off line CL2 Even when the light irradiated to the area near the elbow point E enters the eyes of an oncoming vehicle driver or the like, glare applied to the oncoming vehicle driver or the like can be reduced.

  In addition, in this embodiment, light irradiation at a low color temperature is performed in a region close to the cut-off lines CL1 and CL2, and light irradiation at a low color temperature is performed with respect to a region near the lower end of the low beam light distribution pattern PL1. Can be prevented, so that it is possible to prevent the near-field area on the road surface ahead of the vehicle from appearing yellowish, thereby eliminating the possibility of causing unnecessary discomfort to the driver of the vehicle. Can do.

  In the first embodiment, the eight lamp units 30 and 40 are described as being arranged in two upper and lower stages. However, the lamp unit 30 and 40 may be configured to have other numbers or arrangements. The number and arrangement of the lamp units 40 constituting the predetermined optical system may be set to a number and arrangement different from those in the first embodiment.

  Moreover, in the said 1st Embodiment, it is lower than each lamp unit 30 by setting each lamp unit 40 as the structure provided with the light source which light-emits with a color temperature relatively lower than the light source of each lamp unit 30. Although light irradiation is performed at the color temperature, instead of doing this, the reflectance of the short wavelength component in the light from the light source is given to a predetermined region on the reflection surface 46a of the reflector 46 or the surface of the projection lens 42. It is also possible to adopt a configuration in which light irradiation is performed at a color temperature lower than that of each lamp unit 30 by performing a surface treatment for lowering.

  Furthermore, in the first embodiment, the lamp units 30 and 40 have been described as projector-type lamp units. However, even when the lamp units are other types, the same as in the first embodiment. By adopting this configuration, the same effect can be obtained.

  FIG. 5 is a front view showing a vehicle headlamp according to a modification of the first embodiment.

  As shown in the figure, the vehicular headlamp 10 'according to this modification has the same basic configuration as the vehicular headlamp 10 according to the first embodiment, but the first As the light sources of the two lamp units 40 ′ corresponding to the two lamp units 40 of the embodiment, the same light emitting diodes 34 as those of the six lamp units 30 are used, and the two lamps on the rear surface of the translucent cover 14 are used. A surface treatment for reducing the transmittance of the short wavelength component in the light emitted from each of the lamp units 40 'is applied to the predetermined light transmitting portion Z1 (the area indicated by the mesh in the drawing) located in front of the unit 40'. This is different from the case of the first embodiment.

  In the case of adopting the configuration of this modified example, the irradiation light itself from each lamp unit 40 ′ has the same color temperature as the irradiation light from each lamp unit 30. With respect to the light irradiated to the front of the headlamp 10 ′, the light irradiated from each lamp unit 40 ′ passes through the light transmitting cover 14 through the predetermined light transmitting portion Z 1, thereby irradiating light from each lamp unit 30. The color temperature is also low.

  Therefore, even when the configuration of the present modification is employed, the same operational effects as those of the first embodiment can be obtained.

  Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described.

  FIG. 6 is a front view showing the vehicle headlamp according to the present embodiment.

  As shown in the figure, a vehicle headlamp 110 according to this embodiment includes a lamp body 112 and a light-transmitting transparent cover 114 attached to the front end opening of the lamp body 112. A single reflector unit 120 is supported by the lamp body 112 via the aiming mechanism 118 so as to be able to tilt in the vertical direction and the horizontal direction in the room, and a light distribution pattern for low beam is formed by irradiating light from the reflector unit 120. It comes to form.

  The reflector unit 120 includes a light source bulb 122 disposed on an optical axis Ax extending in the vehicle front-rear direction, a reflector 124 that reflects light from the light source bulb 122 forward, and a shade disposed near the front of the light source bulb 122. 126. The optical axis Ax of the reflector unit 120 is set to extend in a downward direction by about 0.5 to 0.6 ° with respect to the vehicle front-rear direction when the optical axis adjustment by the aiming mechanism 118 is completed.

  The light source bulb 122 is a discharge bulb such as a metal halide bulb using the discharge light emitting portion 122a as a light source, and is inserted into the rear opening of the reflector 124. The discharge light emitting portion 122a is disposed on the optical axis Ax. The line segment light source extends along the optical axis Ax.

  The reflector 124 has a reflecting surface 124a on which a plurality of reflecting elements 124s are formed, and each of the reflecting elements 124s diffuses and reflects light from the discharge light emitting unit 122a forward. Yes. At this time, each of the reflecting elements 124s is formed with a rotating paraboloid having the optical axis Ax as a central axis and a focal point at a point near the front end of the discharge light emitting unit 122a.

  On the reflecting surface 124a of the reflector 124, a predetermined reflecting portion Z2L (a region indicated by a diagonally upward diagonal line in the drawing) and a predetermined reflecting part Z2R (indicated by a diagonally upward diagonal line in the drawing) located near both side edges thereof. (Region) is subjected to a surface treatment for reducing the reflectance of the short wavelength component in the light from the discharge light emitting unit 122a.

  The shade 126 is formed in a cup shape and shields direct light traveling forward from the light source bulb 122.

  FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a low beam light distribution pattern formed on a virtual vertical screen disposed at a position 25 m ahead of the lamp by light irradiated forward from the vehicle headlamp 110 according to the present embodiment. FIG.

  As shown in the figure, this low beam light distribution pattern PL2 is a left light distribution pattern for low beams, and has cutoff lines CL1 and CL2 at the upper edge thereof.

  The cut-off lines CL1 and CL2 are formed such that the opposite lane-side cut-off line CL1 extends horizontally, and the own lane-side cut-off line CL2 is inclined at a predetermined angle (for example, 15 °) from the opposite-lane-side cut-off line CL1. It is formed to stand up.

  In this low beam distribution pattern PL2, the position of the elbow point E is set to a position about 0.5 to 0.6 ° below HV, and a hot zone HZ is formed so as to surround the elbow point E. Has been.

  The low beam light distribution pattern PL2 is formed as a combined light distribution pattern of a plurality of light distribution patterns formed by reflected light from each of the plurality of reflection elements 124s.

  Of the plurality of reflecting elements 124s, the light distribution pattern PA2 formed by the reflected light from the reflecting element 124s located at the predetermined reflecting portion Z2L on the left side becomes the opposite lane side cut-off line CL1 in the vicinity of the lower right of the elbow point E. A light distribution pattern PB2 formed as a light distribution pattern extending along the right side and formed by reflected light from the reflective element 124s located at the right predetermined reflection portion Z2R is near the lower left side of the elbow point E. It is formed as a light distribution pattern extending along CL2. At this time, the light distribution pattern PA2 is formed as a light distribution pattern that is slightly larger than the elbow point vicinity region A, and overlaps the light distribution pattern PB2 at the left end thereof.

  As described in detail above, the vehicle headlamp 110 according to the present embodiment is configured to form the low beam distribution pattern PL2 having the cut-off lines CL1 and CL2 at the upper end portion. The predetermined optical system that performs light irradiation for forming the elbow point vicinity region A of the oncoming lane side cut-off line CL1 in the light pattern PL2 includes a discharge light emitting unit 122a of the light source bulb 122, and a predetermined reflection unit Z2L on the left side in the reflector 124. Since the surface treatment for reducing the reflectance of the short wavelength component in the light from the discharge light emitting part 122a is applied to the surface of the predetermined reflecting part Z2L, the following effects are obtained. be able to.

  That is, when the optical axis Ax of the reflector unit 120 is directed upward due to vehicle pitching or the like, the light that causes glare to the oncoming vehicle driver or the like is light toward the elbow point vicinity region A. Since the elbow point vicinity region A is formed by irradiation with light of a low color temperature reflected by the left predetermined reflecting portion Z2L in the reflector 124, the light irradiated on the elbow point vicinity region A Even if the driver gets into the eyes of an oncoming vehicle driver or the like, glare applied to the oncoming vehicle driver or the like can be reduced.

  As a result, light irradiation at a low color temperature by the predetermined optical system can be realized even if the light source is single like the vehicle headlamp 110 according to the present embodiment.

  Further, in the present embodiment, the light distribution pattern PB2 that forms the vicinity of the elbow point E along the own lane side cut-off line CL2 is reflected at a low color temperature from the reflecting element 124s located at the predetermined reflecting portion Z2R on the right side. Since it is formed by light, not only when the optical axis Ax of the reflector unit 120 faces upward due to vehicle pitching or the like, but also when the vehicle turns, the elbow along the own lane side cut-off line CL2 Even in the case where the light irradiated to the area near the point E enters the eyes of an oncoming vehicle driver or the like, glare applied to the oncoming vehicle driver or the like can be reduced.

  In addition, in this embodiment, light irradiation at a low color temperature is performed in a region close to the cut-off lines CL1 and CL2, and light irradiation at a low color temperature is performed for a region near the lower end of the low beam light distribution pattern PL2. Can be prevented, so that it is possible to prevent the near-field area on the road surface ahead of the vehicle from appearing yellowish, thereby eliminating the possibility of causing unnecessary discomfort to the driver of the vehicle. Can do.

  FIG. 8 is a front view showing a vehicle headlamp according to a modification of the second embodiment.

  As shown in the figure, the vehicular headlamp 110 'according to this modification has the same basic configuration as the vehicular headlamp 110 according to the second embodiment, but its reflector unit. Unlike the reflector 124 of the second embodiment, the reflector 120 ′ of 120 ′ is not subjected to a surface treatment for reducing the transmittance of the short wavelength component in the reflected light. On the rear surface of the cover 114 ', a predetermined light transmitting portion Z2L (a region indicated by oblique lines on the left obliquely upward in the drawing) and a predetermined light transmitting portion located in front of the predetermined reflecting portion Z2L and the predetermined reflecting portion Z2R of the second embodiment. Z3R (a region indicated by a diagonal line pointing upward to the right in the drawing) is subjected to a surface treatment for reducing the transmittance of the short wavelength component in the reflected light from the reflector 124 '.

  When the configuration of this modification is adopted, all the reflected light from the reflector 124 ′ has the same color temperature, but the reflected light from the reflecting portions located near both side edges of the reflecting surface 124 a is transmitted. Since the predetermined light-transmitting portions Z3L and Z3R of the light cover 114 ′ are transmitted, the light irradiated through the light-transmitting cover 114 ′ to the front of the vehicle headlamp 110 ′ is transmitted to other reflecting portions. The color temperature is lower than that of the irradiation light reflected at, so that the same effect as that of the second embodiment can be obtained.

  Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described.

  FIG. 9 is a front view showing the vehicle headlamp according to the present embodiment.

  As shown in the figure, a vehicle headlamp 210 according to this embodiment includes a lamp body 212 and a translucent cover 214 attached to the front end opening of the lamp body 212. A single reflector unit 220 is supported on the lamp body 212 via an aiming mechanism (not shown) so as to be tiltable in the vertical direction and the horizontal direction, and light irradiation from the reflector unit 220 through the translucent cover 214 results in a low beam. A light distribution pattern is formed.

  The basic configuration of the reflector unit 220 includes a light source bulb 222, a reflector 224, and a shade 226, similar to the reflector unit 120 of the second embodiment, but the reflecting surface 224a of the reflector 224 is provided. The configuration is different from that of the second embodiment. That is, the reflecting surface 224a of the reflector 224 is composed of a rotating paraboloid with the optical axis Ax as the central axis and a point near the front end of the discharge light emitting portion 222a. The reflecting surface 224a The surface treatment for reducing the transmittance of the short wavelength component in the reflected light is not performed.

  The translucent cover 214 has a plurality of lens elements 214s formed on the rear surface thereof, and the light from the discharge light emitting unit 222a reflected by the reflector 224 is diffused, deflected and transmitted by the lens elements 214s. It has become.

  On the rear surface of the translucent cover 214, a predetermined translucent portion Z4L (a region indicated by a diagonally upward slanting left line in the figure) and a predetermined translucent part Z4R (a diagonally upward slanting rightward in the figure) are located near both side edges. The surface treatment for lowering the transmittance of the short wavelength component in the reflected light from the reflector 224 is applied to the region indicated by. The positions of the predetermined light transmitting portions Z4L and Z4R are set to positions that substantially correspond to the predetermined light transmitting portions Z3L and Z3R in the modification of the second embodiment.

  FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a low beam light distribution pattern formed on a virtual vertical screen disposed at a position 25 m ahead of the lamp by light irradiated forward from the vehicle headlamp 210 according to the present embodiment. FIG.

  As shown in the figure, the low beam light distribution pattern PL3 is formed in substantially the same shape as the low beam light distribution pattern PL2 shown in FIG. In addition, among the reflected light from the reflector 224, the shape of the light distribution patterns PA3 and PB3 formed by the light having a low color temperature transmitted through the light transmitting cover 214 at the predetermined light transmitting portions Z4L and Z4R is also the low beam light distribution pattern. It has substantially the same shape as the light distribution patterns PA2 and PB2 of PL2.

  Therefore, even when the configuration of the present embodiment is adopted, the same operational effects as those of the second embodiment can be obtained.

  Next, a fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described.

  FIG. 11 is a side sectional view showing the vehicle headlamp according to the present embodiment.

  As shown in the figure, a vehicle headlamp 310 according to this embodiment includes a lamp body (not shown) and a transparent light-transmitting cover 314 attached to a front end opening of the lamp body. A single lamp unit 320 is supported by the lamp body via an aiming mechanism (not shown) so as to be tiltable in the vertical and horizontal directions, and a light distribution pattern for low beam is formed by light irradiation from the lamp unit 320. It is like that.

  The lamp unit 320 is a projector-type lamp unit, and includes a projection lens 322, a light source bulb 324, a reflector 326, a shade 328, and a holder 330, and has an optical axis Ax extending in the vehicle front-rear direction. is doing. However, when the aiming adjustment is completed, the lamp unit 320 is arranged with its optical axis Ax extending in a downward direction by about 0.5 to 0.6 ° with respect to the vehicle longitudinal direction. ing.

  The projection lens 322 is configured as a planoconvex aspheric lens having a convex front surface and a flat rear surface, and is disposed on the optical axis Ax. The projection lens 322 projects an image on the rear focal plane including the rear focal point F as a reverse image on a vertical virtual screen disposed in front of the lamp.

  The light source bulb 324 is a discharge bulb such as a metal halide bulb using the discharge light emitting section 324a as a light source, and is inserted into the rear top opening 326b of the reflector 326. The discharge light emitting section 324a is located on the optical axis Ax. The line segment light source extends along the optical axis Ax.

  The reflector 326 has a reflecting surface 326a that reflects light from the discharge light emitting unit 324a forward and toward the optical axis Ax. The cross-sectional shape along the plane including the optical axis Ax of the reflecting surface 326a is set to be substantially elliptical, and the eccentricity is set to gradually increase from the vertical cross section toward the horizontal cross section. Thus, the light from the discharge light emitting unit 324a reflected by the reflecting surface 326a is substantially converged in the vicinity of the rear focal point F in the vertical section, and the convergence position of the rear focal point F in the horizontal section. It is designed to be displaced forward. At this time, the region located below the optical axis Ax on the reflecting surface 326a deflects and reflects light from the discharge light emitting unit 324a slightly closer to the optical axis Ax than the region located above the optical axis Ax. Thus, the reflected light from the reflecting surface 326a is prevented from being shielded by the shade 328 more than necessary.

  The holder 330 is a substantially cylindrical member disposed between the projection lens 322 and the reflector 326. The holder 330 fixes and supports the projection lens 322 at the front end portion thereof, and is fixedly supported by the reflector 326 at the rear end portion thereof. Yes.

  The shade 328 is formed integrally with the holder 330 so as to extend from the front end portion to the rear side in a substantially lower half portion inside the holder 330. The shade 328 is formed such that its upper edge 328a extends in a substantially arc shape along the rear focal plane of the projection lens 26, thereby blocking a part of the reflected light from the reflecting surface 326a of the reflector 326. Thus, most of the upward light emitted forward from the projection lens 322 is removed. At this time, the upper edge 328a of the shade 328 has a region on the left side of the optical axis Ax extending horizontally from the optical axis Ax to the left, and a region on the right side of the optical axis Ax is located on the right side of the optical axis Ax. It is formed so as to extend obliquely downward in the direction (for example, 15 ° downward) and then horizontally extend further to the right.

  FIG. 12 is a front view showing the reflector 326 of the lamp unit 320 together with the light source bulb 324.

  As shown in the figure, a predetermined reflecting portion Z5 (a region indicated by a hatched line in the drawing) located in the vicinity of the rear top opening portion 326b on the reflecting surface 326a of the reflector 326 has a discharge light emitting portion 324a. Surface treatment is performed to reduce the reflectance of short wavelength components in the light. The predetermined reflecting portion Z5 is formed in a horizontally long rectangular shape when viewed from the front of the lamp, and its center position is located slightly above and to the left of the optical axis Ax (upper right when viewed from the front of the lamp).

  FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a low beam light distribution pattern formed on a virtual vertical screen disposed at a position 25 m ahead of the lamp by light irradiated forward from the vehicle headlamp 310 according to the present embodiment. FIG.

  As shown in the figure, this low beam light distribution pattern PL4 is a left light distribution pattern for low beam, and has cutoff lines CL1 and CL2 at the upper edge thereof.

  The cut-off lines CL1 and CL2 are formed such that the opposite lane-side cut-off line CL1 extends horizontally. The own lane-side cut-off line is HH at a predetermined angle (for example, 15 °) from the opposite-lane-side cut-off line CL1. It is formed so as to extend horizontally after standing up slightly above the line.

  In this low beam light distribution pattern PL4, the position of the elbow point E is set to a position about 0.5 to 0.6 ° below HV, and a hot zone HZ is formed so as to surround the elbow point E. Has been.

  The light distribution pattern PA4 constituting a part of the low beam light distribution pattern PL4 is a light distribution pattern formed by the reflected light from the predetermined reflection portion Z5 on the reflection surface 326a of the reflector 326.

  In the low beam light distribution pattern PL4, the elbow point vicinity area A located near the elbow point E along the opposite lane side cut-off line CL1 is mainly configured as a part of the light distribution pattern PA4. However, the light distribution pattern PA4 is formed as a horizontally long light distribution pattern that is somewhat larger than the elbow point vicinity region A, and is formed so as to wrap around to the left side of the elbow point E along the own lane side cut-off line CL2. Yes.

  As described above in detail, the vehicular headlamp 310 according to the present embodiment forms the low beam distribution pattern PL4 having the cut-off lines CL1 and CL2 at the upper end portion. The predetermined optical system that performs light irradiation to form the elbow point vicinity region A of the oncoming lane side cut-off line CL1 in the light pattern PL4 includes the discharge light emitting unit 324a of the light source bulb 324 and the predetermined reflection unit Z5 near the center in the reflector 326. Since the surface treatment for reducing the reflectance of the short wavelength component in the light from the discharge light emitting part 324a is applied to the surface of the predetermined reflecting part Z5, the following effects can be obtained. it can.

  That is, when the optical axis Ax of the lamp unit 320 is directed upward due to vehicle pitching or the like, the light that causes glare to the oncoming vehicle driver or the like is light directed toward the elbow point vicinity region A. Since the elbow point vicinity region A is formed by irradiation with light of a low color temperature reflected by the predetermined reflecting portion Z5 of the reflector 326, the light irradiated to the elbow point vicinity region A is opposed to the elbow point vicinity region A. Even if the vehicle driver or the like gets in the eyes, glare given to the oncoming vehicle driver or the like can be reduced.

  As a result, even if the light source is single like the vehicle headlamp 310 according to the present embodiment, light irradiation at a low color temperature by the predetermined optical system can be realized.

  Furthermore, in the present embodiment, the light distribution pattern PA4 formed by the reflected light from the predetermined reflecting portion Z5 is formed so as to wrap around to the vicinity of the elbow point E in the own lane side cut-off line CL2. Not only when the optical axis Ax of the lamp unit 320 is directed upward due to pitching or the like, but also when the vehicle is turning, the light irradiated to the area near the elbow point E in the own lane side cut-off line CL2 Even in a case where it gets into the eyes, glare given to an oncoming vehicle driver or the like can be reduced.

  In addition, in this embodiment, light irradiation at a low color temperature is performed in a region close to the cut-off lines CL1 and CL2, and light irradiation at a low color temperature is performed for the region near the lower end of the low beam light distribution pattern PL4. Can be prevented, so that it is possible to prevent the near-field area on the road surface ahead of the vehicle from appearing yellowish, thereby eliminating the possibility of causing unnecessary discomfort to the driver of the vehicle. Can do.

The front view which shows the vehicle headlamp which concerns on 1st Embodiment of this invention. II-II sectional view of Fig. 1 Detailed view of part III in Fig. 2 The figure which shows perspectively the light distribution pattern for low beams formed on the virtual vertical screen arrange | positioned in the position of the lamp front 25m with the light irradiated ahead from the vehicle headlamp which concerns on the said 1st Embodiment. The front view which shows the vehicle headlamp which concerns on the modification of the said 1st Embodiment. The front view which shows the vehicle headlamp which concerns on 2nd Embodiment of this invention. The figure which shows perspectively the light distribution pattern for low beams formed on the said virtual vertical screen by the light irradiated ahead from the vehicle headlamp which concerns on the said 2nd Embodiment. The front view which shows the vehicle headlamp which concerns on the modification of the said 2nd Embodiment. The front view which shows the vehicle headlamp which concerns on 3rd Embodiment of this invention. The figure which shows perspectively the light distribution pattern for low beams formed on the said virtual vertical screen with the light irradiated ahead from the vehicle headlamp which concerns on the said 3rd Embodiment. Side sectional view which shows the vehicle headlamp which concerns on 4th Embodiment of this invention. The front view which shows the reflector in the said 4th Embodiment with a light source bulb The figure which shows perspectively the light distribution pattern for low beams formed on the said virtual vertical screen by the light irradiated ahead from the vehicle headlamp which concerns on the said 4th Embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

10, 10 ', 110, 110', 210, 310 Vehicle headlamp 12, 112, 212 Lamp body 14, 114, 114 ', 214, 314 Translucent cover 18, 118 Aiming mechanism 20 Metal bracket 20A Vertical panel Part 20B Unit mounting part 22 Support plate 30, 40, 40 ', 320 Lamp unit 32, 42, 322 Projection lens 34, 44 Light emitting diode 34a, 44a Light emitting chip 36, 46, 124, 124', 224, 326 Reflector 36a, 46a, 124a, 224a, 326a Reflective surface 38, 48 Light control member 38a, 48a Upper surface 38a1, 48a1 Front edge 44b Base 44c Sealing resin member 44d Resin member 120, 120 ', 220 Reflector unit 122, 222, 324 Light source bulb 12 a, 222a, 324a Discharge light emitting part 124s Reflective element 126, 226, 328 Shade 214s Lens element 326b Rear apex opening 328a Upper edge 330 Holder A Elbow point vicinity area Ax Optical axis CL1, CL2 Cut-off line E Elbow point F Rear focus HZ hot zone PA1, PA2, PA3, PA4, PB1, PB2, PB3 Light distribution pattern PL1, PL2, PL3, PL4 Light distribution pattern for low beam Z2L, Z2R, Z5 Predetermined reflection part Z1, Z3L, Z3R, Z4L, Z4R Predetermined transmission Hikari

Claims (7)

In a vehicle headlamp configured to form a low beam light distribution pattern having a cut-off line at an upper end portion,
A predetermined optical system for performing light irradiation for forming an area near the elbow point of the opposite lane side cut-off line in the low beam light distribution pattern, and other for performing light irradiation for forming an area other than the area near the elbow point With an optical system,
The vehicle headlamp, wherein the predetermined optical system is configured to perform light irradiation at a color temperature lower than that of the other optical system.   2. The vehicle headlamp according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined optical system and the other optical system are composed of different lamp units.   The light source of the lamp unit constituting the predetermined optical system is configured to emit light at a color temperature lower than that of the light source of the lamp unit constituting the other optical system. Vehicle headlamp. The light source of the lamp unit constituting the predetermined optical system is composed of a light emitting diode comprising a light emitting chip and a resin member covering the light emitting chip,
4. The vehicle headlamp according to claim 3, wherein the resin member contains a phosphor for reducing the transmittance of short wavelength components in the light from the light emitting chip. The vehicle headlamp includes a light source and a reflector that reflects light from the light source forward,
The predetermined optical system is composed of the light source and a predetermined reflecting portion constituting a part of the reflector,
The vehicle headlamp according to claim 1, wherein the surface of the predetermined reflecting portion is subjected to a surface treatment for reducing a reflectance of a short wavelength component in light from the light source. The vehicle headlamp includes a light source, a reflector that reflects light from the light source forward, and a translucent member that transmits the reflected light from the reflector.
The predetermined optical system includes the light source, the reflector, and a predetermined light-transmitting portion that constitutes a part of the light-transmitting member.
The vehicle headlamp according to claim 1, wherein a surface treatment for reducing a transmittance of a short wavelength component in the reflected light from the reflector is applied to a surface of the predetermined light transmitting portion. The vehicle headlamp includes a projection lens disposed on an optical axis extending in the vehicle front-rear direction, a light source disposed behind the rear focal point of the projection lens, and light from the light source forward. A reflector that reflects toward the optical axis toward the optical axis,
The predetermined optical system is composed of the light source, a predetermined reflecting portion constituting a part of the reflector, and the projection lens.
2. The vehicular headlamp according to claim 1, wherein a surface treatment for lowering a reflectance of a short wavelength component in light from the light source is applied to a surface of the predetermined reflecting portion.

Images