JP2007317604A - Vehicular lighting fixture - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To selectively carry out a plurality of patterns of irradiation. <P>SOLUTION: A vehicular lighting fixture, mounted with a plurality of LED units that are provided with one or a plurality of LEDs and light control elements 132, 133 that control the light of the LEDs, and in which the plurality of LED units are enabled to be lighted on individually, and the plurality of the LED units, includes the LED unit 14 that has a pattern P14 having a right diagonal cut-off line irradiated, the LED unit 13 that has a pattern P13 having a left diagonal cut-off line irradiated, and the LED unit 17 that has the center light condensing pattern 17 irradiated. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a novel vehicular lamp. More specifically, the present invention relates to a lamp capable of irradiating a plurality of different patterns with a single vehicle lamp.

  Incandescent bulbs such as halogen bulbs and discharge bulbs have been used as light sources for vehicular lamps. However, these conventional light sources have a certain size in the light source itself, and are accompanied by heat generation. As a result, there was a limit to the miniaturization of the lamp.

  Therefore, attempts have been made to reduce the size of the lamp by using a semiconductor light emitting element such as a light emitting diode (hereinafter referred to as “LED”) that is close to an ideal point light source and generates a small amount of heat. For example, Patent Document 1 proposes a vehicular lamp that irradiates a desired pattern by combining a plurality of light emitting units each using a semiconductor light emitting element such as an LED as a light source.

JP 2003-317513 A

  By the way, in a vehicle lamp, there are cases where irradiation of a plurality of patterns is necessary.

  For example, in the case of automobile headlamps, low-beams that do not give illusion light to oncoming drivers and pedestrians when driving in urban areas, traveling at high speeds and in suburbs, etc. It is necessary to irradiate a high beam so that the front of the distant road and the surroundings of the road can be easily seen.

  Patent Document 1 proposes a vehicular lamp that irradiates a low beam with a pattern having an oblique cut-off line by combining a plurality of light emitting units each using an LED as a light source.

  However, the vehicular lamp disclosed in Patent Document 1 can only irradiate only a low beam having a cut-off line extending to the upper left on the left side (hereinafter referred to as “left light distribution low beam”).

  Vehicle traffic is not standardized globally, such as countries that employ left-hand traffic and, conversely, countries that employ right-hand traffic. For example, many European countries, such as France, use right-hand traffic. In these countries, a low beam of a pattern having a cut-off line extending to the right on the right side of the pattern (hereinafter referred to as “right light distribution low beam”). Irradiation is necessary. However, in the same European country, left-hand traffic is adopted in the UK. Therefore, for example, an automobile equipped with a vehicular lamp that emits a right light distribution low beam, which was traveling in France, cannot travel in the UK because the light distribution of the low beam is different even when traveling to the UK by ferry. In this way, even if there is an environment where people can freely travel across the border, the inconsistency in vehicle traffic will effectively limit free traffic across the border.

  The difference between the left light distribution and the right light distribution of the low beam described above is an example. In addition, if a single vehicle lamp can selectively irradiate a plurality of patterns, the convenience of driving increases. It is clear to do.

  In view of the above circumstances, an object of the present invention is to selectively perform irradiation of a plurality of patterns.

  In order to solve the above-described problem, the vehicular lamp according to the present invention includes a plurality of LED units each including one or a plurality of LEDs and a light control element that controls light of the LEDs, and the plurality The LED units can be individually lit, and the plurality of LED units include an LED unit that irradiates a pattern having a right oblique cut-off line, an LED unit that irradiates a pattern having a left oblique cut-off line, and a central condensing pattern. LED unit that emits light.

  Therefore, in the vehicular lamp of the present invention, irradiation of a plurality of patterns can be appropriately performed by selectively lighting three types of LED units.

  The vehicle lamp according to the present invention includes a plurality of LED units each including one or a plurality of LEDs and a light control element for controlling the light of the LEDs, and the plurality of LED units can be individually lit. The plurality of LED units are irradiated with a LED unit that irradiates a pattern having a right oblique cut-off line, an LED unit that irradiates a pattern having a left oblique cut-off line, and a central condensing pattern. LED unit to be included.

  Therefore, in the vehicular lamp of the present invention, it is possible to irradiate a plurality of patterns by appropriately selecting and lighting three types of LED units.

  In the invention described in claim 2, since the LED unit that irradiates the diffusion pattern is provided, the patterns that can be irradiated are further diversified.

  In the invention described in claim 3, the LED unit that irradiates the pattern having the right oblique cutoff line on the upper side of the LED unit that irradiates the diffusion pattern and the LED unit that irradiates the pattern having the left oblique cutoff line are horizontally arranged. Since the LED units that irradiate the central condensing pattern are arranged on the sides of the region where the three LED units are arranged, even if the left light distribution and the right light distribution are irradiated with the low beam, Adjacent LED units will be lit, and the sense of unity as a lamp will not be impaired.

  In the invention described in claim 4, the LED unit that irradiates the pattern having the right oblique cut-off line and the LED unit that irradiates the pattern having the left oblique cut-off line collect the light of the LED as a light control element. A condensing reflector that emits light; a shade that is located near a condensing region of the concentrating reflector and that limits an upper edge of the pattern; and a projection lens that projects a pattern whose upper edge is limited by the shade to the front Since it is provided, the low beam cut-off line can be made clear and the LED unit can be made compact.

  In the invention described in claim 5, when the left light is distributed, the LED unit that irradiates the pattern having the left oblique cut-off line is turned on, and when the right light is distributed, the LED unit that irradiates the pattern having the right oblique cut-off line. When the traveling beam is distributed, the LED unit that irradiates the pattern with the right diagonal cut-off line, the LED unit that irradiates the pattern with the left diagonal cut-off line, and the LED unit that irradiates the central condensing pattern are lit. Therefore, a beam with a clear pattern can be irradiated.

  The best mode for carrying out the vehicular lamp of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

  1 to 3 show a first embodiment of a vehicular lamp according to the present invention. In the first embodiment, the present invention is applied to an automotive headlamp.

  FIG. 1 is a schematic front view of a vehicular lamp 1 in which a front cover (not shown) that covers the front surface of a lamp body 11 and projection lenses of each LED unit are removed.

  The lamp body 11 has a container shape with an open front surface, the front surface is covered with a transparent front cover (not shown), and a plurality of LED units 13 are provided in a lamp chamber 12 defined by the lamp body 11 and the front cover. , 14, 15, 16, and 17 are arranged. Each LED unit 13, 14, 15, 16, 17 is a so-called projector-type light emitting unit, which is an LED as a light source, a reflector that condenses the light of the LED, and the LED light collected by the reflector forward. A projection lens for projection.

  The LED unit 13 irradiates a pattern P13 having a left oblique cut-off line shown in FIG. 3 (hereinafter referred to as “left light distribution unit”), and the LED unit 14 has a right oblique cut-off line shown in FIG. The LED unit that irradiates P14 (hereinafter referred to as “right light distribution unit”), and the LED unit 15 that irradiates the pattern P15 that is greatly diffused in the horizontal direction shown in FIG. 3 (hereinafter referred to as “large diffusion unit”). The LED unit 16 irradiates a pattern P16 that is moderately diffused in the left-right direction shown in FIG. 3 (hereinafter referred to as “medium diffusion unit”), and the LED unit 17 collects light at the central portion shown in FIG. LED unit that irradiates the pattern P17 (hereinafter referred to as “central condenser unit”) A.

  FIG. 3 shows a pattern irradiated by the LED units 13, 14, 15, 16, and 17 on a virtual vertical screen disposed at a position 25 m ahead of the vehicular lamp 1. A horizontal line V line having the same height as the center of the lamp 1 is a vertical line passing through the same position as the center in the left-right direction of the vehicle on which the vehicle lamp 1 is mounted.

  The left light distribution unit 13 and the right light distribution unit 14 are positioned side by side, the large diffusion unit 15 is disposed substantially below the left light distribution unit 13, and substantially below the right light distribution unit 14. An intermediate diffusion unit 16 is disposed, and a central light collecting unit 17 is disposed on the right side of the intermediate diffusion unit 16.

  FIG. 2 shows a central longitudinal sectional view of the left light distribution unit 13. The left light distribution unit 13 includes an LED 131 as a light source, and includes a reflector 132, a shade 133, and a projection lens 134 as light control elements.

  The reflector 132 condenses the light of the LED 131 and has, for example, a spheroidal reflection surface 132a, and the LED 131 is disposed at the first focal position. Therefore, the light from the LED 131 is condensed at the second focal position of the reflector 132. The reflector 132 is not limited to a spheroid, as long as the light from the LED 131 is collected at a desired position.

  The projection lens 134 projects the light of the LED 131 collected by the reflector 132 with the top and bottom and left and right inverted, and the rear surface, that is, the surface facing the reflector 132 is a flat surface. It is a convex lens composed of a convex curved surface (substantially spherical), and its rear focal point is substantially located at the second focal point of the reflector 132.

  The shade 133 limits the upper edge of the pattern to be irradiated, and a regulating edge 133A that limits the upper edge of the pattern is located at the above-mentioned light converging area, that is, at the second focal point of the reflector 132. The restriction edge 133A has a left side portion 133Al inclined downward from the center (as viewed from the front) at an angle of about 15 °, and a right side portion 133Ar is formed substantially horizontally.

  Therefore, in the left light distribution unit 13, the light from the LED 131 is condensed by the reflector 132 on the portion where the restriction edge 133 </ b> A of the shade 133 is located, and a part of the collected light is blocked by the shade 133. When viewed from the bottom, the lower edge is a pattern that is limited to a “he” shape. When this is reversely projected forward by the projection lens 134, the pattern P13 having a cut-off line inclined upward at an angle of approximately 15 ° on the left side is irradiated.

  The basic structure of the right light distribution unit 14 is substantially the same as that of the left light distribution unit 13, and the shape of the regulation edge 143 </ b> A of the shade 143 is different from that of the left light distribution unit 13. That is, in the regulation edge 143A of the shade 143, the right side portion 143Ar is inclined downward at an angle of about 15 ° from the center, and the left side portion 143Al is formed substantially horizontally.

  Accordingly, the right light distribution unit 14 is irradiated with the pattern P14 having a cut-off line inclined upward to the right at an angle of approximately 15 ° on the right side.

  The basic structure of the large diffusing unit 15 is substantially the same as that of the left light distribution unit 13, and is different in that the regulating edge 153A of the shade 153 is formed horizontally, and the focal length of a projection lens (not shown) is The focal length of the projection lens 134 of the left light distribution unit 13 is much longer than the focal length. Therefore, the rear focal point is located behind the regulating edge 153A of the shade 153.

  Accordingly, in the large diffusion unit 15, the light having a still large spread before being condensed is inverted and projected forward, so that the pattern P 15 that is greatly diffused to the left and right is irradiated.

  The basic configuration of the intermediate diffusing unit 16 is substantially the same as that of the left light distribution unit 13, and is different in that the regulating edge 163A of the shade 163 is formed horizontally, and the focal length of a projection lens (not shown) is It is longer than the focal length of the projection lens 134 of the left light distribution unit 13 and shorter than the focal length of the projection lens of the large diffusion unit 15. Accordingly, the rear focal point is located behind the regulating edge 163A of the shade 163, but is located in front of the rear focal point of the projection lens of the large diffusion unit 15.

  Therefore, in the medium diffusion unit 16, light having a large extent before being condensed (but smaller than that of the large diffusion unit) is reversely projected forward, so that the pattern diffused moderately to the left and right P16 will be irradiated.

  The central light collecting unit 17 has a structure in which a shade is removed from the left light distribution unit 13. Therefore, in the central condensing unit 17, since the pattern condensed by the reflector is reversely projected forward by the projection lens as it is, the pattern P17 as a bright spot is irradiated to a narrow area in the central part. Become.

  In the vehicular lamp 1, a desired light distribution beam can be irradiated by appropriately lighting the plurality of LED units 13, 14, 15, 16, and 17.

  For example, by turning on the left light distribution unit 13, the large diffusion unit 15, and the middle diffusion unit 16, a left light distribution low beam having an irradiation area that protrudes upward on the left side and is limited by a cut-off line with an upper edge rising to the left. By turning on the right light distribution unit 14, the large diffusion unit 15, and the middle diffusion unit 16, it is possible to irradiate the right with a projection area that protrudes upward on the right side and the upper edge is limited by a cut-off line that rises to the right. A light distribution low beam can be irradiated, and a high beam can be irradiated by lighting all the LED units 13, 14, 15, 16, and 17.

  In addition, even when any of the above three beams is irradiated, the lighted area is continuous, and the sense of unity as a single lamp is not impaired.

  Therefore, the vehicle equipped with the vehicle lamp 1 of the present invention can travel without any trouble in either the vehicle right-hand traffic region or the vehicle left-hand traffic region.

  4 to 6 show a second embodiment of the vehicular lamp of the present invention.

  FIG. 4 is a schematic front view of the vehicular lamp 2, in which a front cover (not shown) that covers the front surface of the lamp body 21 and a projection lens of each LED unit are removed.

  The lamp body 21 has a container shape with an open front surface, the front surface is covered with a transparent front cover (not shown), and a plurality of LED units 13 are provided in a lamp chamber 22 defined by the lamp body 21 and the front cover. , 14, 17 and 23 are arranged. The LED units 13, 14 and 17 are so-called projector type light emitting units, which are the same as the left light distribution unit 13, the right light distribution unit 14 and the central light collecting unit 17 used in the first embodiment. is there. Therefore, the description of the LED units 13, 14, and 17 is omitted.

  The LED unit 23 is a diffusion unit that irradiates a diffusion pattern, and includes three LEDs 231 serving as a light source and a reflector 232 disposed below the LEDs 231. The reflector 232 has a reflecting surface 232a composed of a parabolic curved surface having a focal line FL extending horizontally in the left-right direction. The three LEDs 231 are arranged at predetermined intervals along the focal line FL.

  Therefore, when the LED 231 of the LED unit 23 is turned on, the light of the LED 231 is reflected forward by the reflector 232. Since the reflector 232 has a parabolic column reflecting surface 232a, the light reflected by the reflecting surface 232a becomes substantially parallel light in the vertical direction and becomes light diffused greatly in the horizontal direction in the horizontal direction. That is, the LED unit 23 can irradiate the pattern P23 that is greatly diffused to the left and right shown in FIG. FIG. 6 represents the light distribution pattern by the same method as in FIG.

  Therefore, for example, if the left light distribution unit 13 and the diffusion unit 23 are turned on, it is possible to irradiate a left light distribution low beam having an irradiation area that protrudes upward on the left side and is limited by a cut-off line with an upper edge rising to the left. If the right light distribution unit 14 and the diffusion unit 23 are turned on, a right light distribution low beam that projects upward on the right side and has an irradiation area limited by a cut-off line with an upper edge rising to the right can be irradiated. By turning on the LED units 13, 14, 17 and 23, a high beam can be irradiated.

  In addition, even when any of the above three beams is irradiated, the lighted area is continuous, and the sense of unity as a single lamp is not impaired.

  Therefore, the vehicle equipped with the vehicle lamp 2 of the present invention can travel without any trouble in either the vehicle right-hand traffic region or the vehicle left-hand traffic region.

  In the above description of each embodiment, the projector type light emitting units 13, 14, 15, 16, and 17 and the light emitting unit 23 having a parabolic reflector are shown as the LED unit. It does not mean that the LED unit is limited to these. In short, any LED may be used as long as it can irradiate a desired pattern with a light control element such as a reflector or a lens. For example, a reflector having a reflecting surface that can direct reflected light at an arbitrary point or region on a reflecting surface such as a multiple reflecting surface or a free-form reflecting surface to a desired direction with a desired diffusion angle is used. It is possible to apply one that irradiates light in a desired pattern, one that irradiates light in a desired pattern by combining a plurality of LEDs having different emission angles (diffusion angle and directivity), and the like. In addition, the projector-type light emitting unit is not limited to the above-described one, but has a shade shape different from that described above, a light-emitting unit having an auxiliary reflective surface in addition to a condensing main reflective surface, or a movable shade Various variations can be applied. For example, in the case of a device equipped with a movable shade, if the shade is positioned in the light collection area by the reflector, a pattern with a limited upper edge can be irradiated, and if the shade is retracted from the light collection area by the reflector Two types of pattern irradiation can be selectively performed with one type of LED unit, such as irradiation of a condensing pattern.

  Further, in the above-described embodiment, an example in which the present invention is applied to an automotive headlamp has been shown. However, the scope of the present invention is not limited to an automotive headlamp, and fog lamps and bendings are not meant. Of course, the present invention can also be applied to a lamp or the like.

  In addition, the shapes and structures of the respective parts shown in the above-described embodiments are merely examples of implementations in carrying out the present invention, and these limit the technical scope of the present invention. It should not be interpreted.

1 and 2 show a first embodiment of a vehicular lamp according to the present invention, and this figure is a schematic front view showing an arrangement state of LED units. FIG. It is a general | schematic center longitudinal cross-sectional view which shows an example of an LED unit. It is a figure which shows the light distribution pattern by each LED unit. 5 and 6 show a second embodiment of the vehicular lamp of the present invention, and this figure is a schematic front view showing an arrangement state of LED units. FIG. It is a general | schematic center longitudinal cross-sectional view which shows an example of an LED unit. It is a figure which shows the light distribution pattern by each LED unit.

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Vehicle lamp, 13 ... LED unit which irradiates the pattern which has diagonally cut-off left, 131 ... LED, 132 ... Condensing type reflector (light control element), 133 ... Shade (light control element), 134 ... Projection lens (Light control element), P13 ... pattern with left oblique cut-off line, 14 ... LED unit that irradiates pattern with right oblique cut-off line, 143 ... shade (light control element), P14 ... pattern with right oblique cut-off line, DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 15 ... LED unit which irradiates a diffusion pattern, 153 ... Shade (light control element), P15 ... Diffusion pattern, 16 ... LED unit which irradiates a diffusion pattern, 163 ... Shade (light control element), P16 ... Diffusion pattern, 17 ... LED unit that irradiates the central condensing pattern, 2 ... vehicle lamp, 17 ... central light collecting pattern, 23 ... LED unit for irradiating a diffusion pattern, 231 ... LED, 232 ... reflector (light control element) P23 ... diffusion pattern

Claims (5)

A plurality of LED units including one or a plurality of light emitting diodes (hereinafter referred to as “LEDs”) and a light control element for controlling the light of the LEDs are mounted, and the plurality of LED units can be individually lit. A vehicle lamp,
In the plurality of LED units,
An LED unit for irradiating a pattern having an oblique cut-off line on the right;
An LED unit that irradiates a pattern having an oblique cut-off line on the left;
A vehicular lamp comprising: an LED unit that irradiates a central condensing pattern. The vehicle lamp according to claim 1, further comprising an LED unit that irradiates a diffusion pattern. An LED unit that irradiates a pattern having a right diagonal cut-off line and an LED unit that irradiates a pattern having a left diagonal cut-off line are arranged side by side in the horizontal direction above the LED unit that irradiates a diffusion pattern, and the three LED units are The vehicular lamp according to claim 2, wherein an LED unit that irradiates a central condensing pattern is disposed on a side portion of the disposed region. The LED unit that irradiates the pattern having the right oblique cut-off line and the LED unit that irradiates the pattern having the left oblique cut-off line, as the light control element, the condensing reflector that condenses the light of the LED, and the condensing type The projector according to claim 1, further comprising: a shade that is located near a condensing region of the reflector and that limits an upper edge of the pattern; and a projection lens that projects the pattern whose upper edge is limited by the shade to the front. The vehicle lamp according to claim 2 or claim 3. At the time of left light distribution, the LED unit that irradiates the pattern with the left diagonal cut-off line is turned on,
At the right light distribution, turn on the LED unit that irradiates the pattern with the diagonal cut-off line on the right,
At the time of traveling beam distribution, the LED unit that irradiates a pattern having a right diagonal cut-off line, the LED unit that irradiates a pattern having a left diagonal cut-off line, and the LED unit that irradiates a central condensing pattern are lit. The vehicular lamp according to claim 1, claim 2, claim 3, or claim 4.

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