JP2009004309A - Vehicular lamp - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a vehicular lamp capable of reducing the number of lamp units mounted thereon, and of reducing a vehicular mounting space, by allowing a plurality of light distribution patterns to be switchable by the same lamp units. <P>SOLUTION: In this vehicular headlamp 10, a second unit 40 arranged in a lamp chamber 10a formed with a lamp body 14 and a translucent cover 12 is provided with a movable reflector 44, which has a second semiconductor light-emitting element 42, arranged in a state where its emission axis L2 is set substantially orthogonal to the optical axis, extending in the vehicular fore-and-aft direction, and three reflecting surfaces 46 (48, 50) having light distribution patterns of reflected light different from one another, and in which the respective reflecting surfaces 46 (48, 50) can independently reflect the light emitted from the semiconductor light-emitting element 42 to the vehicular front side; and a reflecting surface change-over mechanism 70 that selectively changes over the plurality of reflecting surfaces 46 (48, 50) by making the movable reflector 44 move. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a vehicular lamp, and more particularly, to a vehicular lamp configured to form a predetermined light distribution pattern by light irradiation from a lamp unit having a semiconductor light emitting element as a light source.

  In general, a vehicular lamp such as a vehicular headlamp can be used for diffused light or for condensing light so that a light distribution pattern for a traveling beam (for high beam) and a light distribution pattern for passing (for low beam) can be switched. A plurality of lamp units having different functions are mounted, and each is turned on / off to obtain diffused light / light collection (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

  In such a vehicle headlamp, among a plurality of mounted lamp units, a light distribution pattern for running is turned on by lighting a lamp unit for high beam, and a light distribution pattern for passing by turning on a lamp unit for low beam. Is realized. In the case of a vehicle headlamp using a semiconductor light emitting element as a light source, a predetermined light distribution pattern is formed by superimposing light emitted from a plurality of lamp units.

JP-A-2005-141919

However, in the vehicle headlamp described in the above-mentioned Patent Document 1, one lamp unit has only one function, and diffused light and light collection are realized by separate lamp units.
Therefore, in order to realize a plurality of light distribution patterns, there is a problem that the number of lamp units required is increased and a large in-vehicle space is required. In particular, in the case of a vehicular lamp using a semiconductor light emitting element as a light source, a predetermined light distribution pattern is formed by superimposing light emitted from a plurality of lamp units, and the number of lamp units is further increased.

  Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to solve the above-mentioned problems, and by enabling a plurality of light distribution patterns to be switched by the same lamp unit, the number of lamp units to be mounted can be reduced, and the in-vehicle space can be reduced. It is to provide a vehicular lamp that can be used.

The above object of the present invention is to provide at least one lamp unit arranged in a lamp chamber formed by a lamp body and a translucent cover.
A semiconductor light emitting element disposed in a state in which the irradiation axis is substantially perpendicular to the optical axis extending in the vehicle longitudinal direction;
A movable reflector having a plurality of reflecting surfaces with different light distribution patterns of reflected light, each reflecting surface being capable of independently reflecting the emitted light from the semiconductor light emitting element toward the front of the vehicle;
A reflective surface switching mechanism for selectively switching a plurality of the reflective surfaces by moving the movable reflector;
It is achieved by a vehicular lamp characterized by comprising:

  According to the vehicular lamp configured as described above, a plurality of different light distribution patterns can be switched by one lamp unit by selectively switching a plurality of reflecting surfaces by moving the movable reflector by the reflecting surface switching mechanism. . Therefore, the number of lamp units required to realize a plurality of light distribution patterns can be reduced.

  In the vehicle lamp configured as described above, it is preferable that the reflection surface switching mechanism selectively switches the plurality of reflection surfaces by rotationally driving the movable reflector around a rotation axis.

  According to the vehicular lamp having such a configuration, the movable reflector and the reflecting surface switching mechanism can be configured in a compact manner. Thus, it is possible to prevent the vehicular lamp from becoming large.

  Further, in the vehicle lamp having the above-described configuration, the movable reflector is a light shielding member that prevents light emitted from the semiconductor light emitting element from entering a reflecting surface other than the selected reflecting surface at a boundary between adjacent reflecting surfaces. It is desirable to have a wall.

  According to the vehicular lamp having such a configuration, the light shielding wall prevents the light from the semiconductor light emitting element from entering the reflecting surface other than the selected reflecting surface, so that the light distribution pattern formed by each reflecting surface is highly accurate. Can be

  In the vehicular lamp having the above-described configuration, it is preferable that the semiconductor light emitting element is turned off while the reflective surface switching mechanism switches and drives a plurality of reflective surfaces.

  According to the vehicular lamp having such a configuration, glare due to disturbance of the light distribution pattern when the reflecting surface is switched can be prevented. In addition, since the semiconductor light emitting element can be turned on and off quickly, it is possible to reduce a sense of incongruity caused by turning off the light when the reflecting surface is switched.

Further, in the vehicular lamp configured as described above, a projection lens disposed in front of the semiconductor light emitting element and having a lens central axis extending in the vehicle front-rear direction passing through the semiconductor light emitting element,
A shade that is arranged near the rear focal point of the projection lens and shields part of the reflected light from the reflector, and
It is desirable that at least one of the plurality of reflecting surfaces reflects light from the semiconductor light emitting element toward the vicinity of the rear focal point.

  According to the vehicular lamp having such a configuration, it is easy to make a low beam light distribution, and it is possible to switch the light distribution pattern between high and low by moving the movable reflector.

According to the vehicular lamp according to the present invention, a plurality of different light distribution patterns can be switched with one lamp unit by selectively switching a plurality of reflecting surfaces by moving the movable reflector by the reflecting surface switching mechanism. it can.
Therefore, the number of lamp units necessary for realizing a plurality of light distribution patterns can be reduced, and the vehicle-mounted space can be reduced.

Hereinafter, a preferred embodiment of a vehicular lamp according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 is a longitudinal sectional view showing a vehicular lamp according to a first embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a plan view of the movable reflector shown in FIG. 1, and FIG. 3 is 60 degrees to the right of the movable reflector shown in FIG. It is a schematic side view after rotating.

The vehicular lamp 10 according to the first embodiment is a headlamp that is attached to, for example, a front end portion of a vehicle and can be turned on and off by selectively switching between a traveling beam and a passing beam.
As shown in FIG. 1, the vehicular lamp 10 includes a light-transmitting translucent cover 12 and a lamp body (lamp body) 14. Two lamp units (first unit 20 and second unit 40) are fixedly disposed on the support member 15 in the lamp chamber 10 a surrounded by the translucent cover 12 and the lamp body 14. Further, an extension 16 is disposed between the first unit 20 and the second unit 40 and the translucent cover 12 so as to cover a gap when viewed from the front of the lamp.

  The support member 15 includes a light source support 15a to which a first semiconductor light emitting element (LED) 22 that is a first light source of the first unit 20 is attached, and a second semiconductor light emitting element (LED that is a second light source of the second unit 40). ) 42 is attached to the lamp body 14 and is fixed to the lamp body 14. The support member 15 is fixed to the lamp body 14 via the leveling mechanism 18 and can adjust the optical axis of each lamp unit.

Next, each lamp unit (the 1st unit 20 and the 2nd unit 40) is demonstrated.
The vehicular lamp 10 according to the present embodiment forms a plurality of light distribution patterns such as a passing beam light distribution pattern and a traveling beam light distribution pattern by superimposing light emitted from the first unit 20 and the second unit 40. Is configured to do.

Hereinafter, the first unit 20 will be described first.
As shown in FIG. 1, the first unit 20 has a first semiconductor light emitting element 22 as a first light source fixedly disposed on the support portion 15 a of the support member 15, and forwards light from the first semiconductor light emitting element 22. A first main reflector 26 that reflects to the base member 21, a base member 21 that is disposed in front of the support member 15, and a projection lens 24 that is held by the base member 21.

  The first semiconductor light emitting element 22 is a white light emitting diode having a light emitting portion (light emitting chip) having a size of about 1 mm square, and its irradiation axis L1 is substantially the same as the optical axis Ax1 of the first unit 20 extending in the vehicle front-rear direction. It is placed on the support portion 15a of the support member 15 in a state of being directed substantially vertically upward. In addition, you may comprise the light emission part of the 1st semiconductor light-emitting element 22 so that it may be arrange | positioned at a little angle according to the light emission part shape and the light distribution irradiated ahead. A plurality of light emitting portions (light emitting chips) may be provided in one semiconductor light emitting element.

  The first main reflector 26 is a reflecting member having a vertical cross-sectional shape that is substantially elliptical and a horizontal cross-sectional shape that has a free-form surface having an ellipse as a base and a free curved surface formed inside. The first main reflector 26 has a first focal point F1 in the vicinity of the light emitting portion of the first semiconductor light emitting element 22, and a second focal point F2 in the vicinity of the ridge line 21c formed by the curved surface 21a and the horizontal surface 21b of the base member 21. Designed to be arranged.

  The light emitted from the light emitting portion of the first semiconductor light emitting element 22 is reflected on the reflection surface 26a of the first main reflector 26 and enters the projection lens 24 through the vicinity of the second focal point F2. Further, in the first unit 20, a light distribution pattern in which light is selectively cut and projected to the front of the vehicle by partially reflecting light on the horizontal surface 21 b with the ridge line 21 c of the base member 21 as a boundary line. Are formed so as to form an oblique cut-off line. That is, the ridge line 21 c constitutes a light / dark boundary line of the first unit 20.

  In addition, it is preferable that a part of the light reflected on the reflecting surface 26a of the first main reflector 26 and further reflected on the horizontal surface 21b of the base member 21 is irradiated forward as effective light. Therefore, in the present embodiment, the vehicle front side of the horizontal surface 21b of the base member 21 has an optical shape with an appropriate reflection angle set in consideration of the positional relationship between the projection lens 24 and the first main reflector 26. .

The projection lens 24 is a convex aspherical lens that projects the light reflected by the reflecting surface 26a of the first main reflector 26 to the front of the vehicle, and is fixed near the front end of the base member 21 on the front side of the vehicle. Yes. In the present embodiment, the rear focal point of the projection lens 24 is configured to substantially coincide with the second focal point F <b> 2 of the first main reflector 26.
Accordingly, the light reflected by the first main reflector 26 and incident on the projection lens 24 is projected forward as substantially parallel light. In other words, the first unit 20 of the present embodiment constitutes a reflective projector-type lamp unit for forming a condensing cut.

Next, the second unit 40 will be described.
The second unit 40 is a lamp unit for forming a plurality of light distribution patterns such as a light distribution pattern for a passing beam and a light distribution pattern for a traveling beam together with the first unit 20 described above, and below the first unit 20. Is arranged.
As shown in FIG. 1, the second unit 40 includes a second semiconductor light emitting element 42 as a second light source fixedly disposed on the support portion 15 b of the support member 15, and the light from the second semiconductor light emitting element 42 forward. And a movable reflector 44 that reflects toward the surface.

  The second semiconductor light emitting element 42 is a white diode having a light emitting portion, similar to the first semiconductor light emitting element 22, and the irradiation axis L2 thereof is substantially perpendicular to the optical axis Ax2 of the second unit 40 extending in the vehicle front-rear direction. It is placed on the support portion 15b of the support member 15 in a state of being directed substantially vertically downward.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the movable reflector 44 of the present embodiment includes a plurality of (three in the present embodiment) reflecting surfaces 46, 48, and 50 having different light distribution patterns of the reflected light, Each reflecting surface 46, 48, 50 is a reflecting member capable of independently reflecting the emitted light from the second semiconductor light emitting element 42 to the front of the vehicle.
Therefore, the light emitted from the light emitting portion of the second semiconductor light emitting element 42 is reflected on any of the reflecting surfaces 46, 48, 50 of the movable reflector 44 and is irradiated forward of the vehicle. That is, the second unit 40 of the present embodiment constitutes a reflective lamp unit.

As shown in FIG. 2, the movable reflector 44 is configured such that the optical axes Rx1, Rx2, and Rx3 of the reflecting surfaces 46, 48, and 50 extend radially from the rotating shaft 60, and is fixed to the rotating shaft 60. .
Both ends of the rotary shaft 60 are supported in the vertical direction by the support member 15 via bearings 64 and actuators (motors) 62, respectively, and the movable reflector 44 is moved to selectively select a plurality of reflecting surfaces 46, 48, and 50. A reflection surface switching mechanism 70 for switching to is configured.

  That is, the reflection surface switching mechanism 70 of the present embodiment rotates the rotation shaft 60 by 60 degrees by the actuator 62 around the rotation shaft 60 substantially perpendicular to the optical axis Ax2 of the second unit 40, The three reflecting surfaces 46, 48, and 50 can be selectively switched.

In this embodiment, the reflecting surface 46 is a high-beam reflecting surface made of a substantially paraboloid, the reflecting surface 48 is a condensing reflecting surface made of a substantially paraboloid, and the reflecting surface 50 has a vertical cross-sectional shape. It is a diffuse reflection surface having a substantially elliptical shape or a substantially hyperbolic shape.
Therefore, in the state where the movable reflector 44 is shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the light emitted from the light emitting portion of the second semiconductor light emitting element 42 is condensed and reflected on the reflecting surface 48 and is forwarded to the vehicle as the condensed light. Irradiated.

  Further, in the state shown in FIG. 3 in which the movable reflector 44 is rotated 60 degrees to the right, the light emitted from the light emitting portion of the second semiconductor light emitting element 42 is collected and reflected upward on the reflecting surface 46. Irradiated to the front of the vehicle as a high beam. When the movable reflector 44 is rotated 60 degrees to the left from the state shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the light emitted from the light emitting portion of the second semiconductor light emitting element 42 is diffusely reflected on the reflecting surface 50. Then, the diffused light is irradiated forward of the vehicle. At this time, an opening 15 d is provided in a corresponding portion of the support member 15 so as not to interfere with the movable reflector 44.

Further, the light emitted from the second semiconductor light emitting element 42 is prevented from entering the reflecting surfaces other than the selected reflecting surface between the adjacent reflecting surfaces 46 and 48 and between the reflecting surfaces 48 and 50. The light shielding walls 52 and 54 are suspended.
Therefore, in the second unit 40 of the present embodiment, the light shielding walls 52 and 54 prevent the light from the second semiconductor light emitting element 42 from entering the reflecting surface other than the selected reflecting surface. , 50 can increase the accuracy of the light distribution pattern.

  Furthermore, it is desirable to turn off the second semiconductor light emitting element 42 while the above-described reflecting surface switching mechanism 70 switches and drives the three reflecting surfaces 46, 48, and 50 (while the movable reflector 44 is rotating). By doing so, it is possible to prevent glare due to disturbance of the light distribution pattern that occurs when the movable reflector 44 is switched while the second semiconductor light emitting element 42 is lit. Here, since the second semiconductor light emitting element 42 can be turned on and off more quickly than a halogen bulb, a discharge bulb, or the like, it is possible to reduce the uncomfortable feeling caused by turning off the reflective surfaces 46, 48, and 50.

The vehicle lamp 10 of the present embodiment described above is a single lamp unit by selectively switching the three reflecting surfaces 46, 48, and 50 by rotating the movable reflector 44 by the reflecting surface switching mechanism 70. A plurality of different light distribution patterns can be switched by the two units 40.
Therefore, when a plurality of light distribution patterns such as a passing beam light distribution pattern and a traveling beam light distribution pattern are formed by the vehicle lamp 10, the light emitted from the first unit 20 and the second unit 40 is superimposed. The number of lamp units required for realizing a plurality of light distribution patterns can be reduced.

Therefore, according to the vehicular lamp 10 of the present embodiment, the number of lamp units necessary for realizing a plurality of light distribution patterns can be reduced, and the in-vehicle space can be reduced.
Furthermore, in the vehicular lamp 10 of the present embodiment, the first light source of the first unit 20 and the second light source of the second unit 40 are configured by the first semiconductor light emitting element 22 and the second semiconductor light emitting element 42, respectively. Yes.
Therefore, by using semiconductor light emitting elements 22 and 42 such as light emitting diodes (LEDs) that are generally small and have low power consumption as the light source of the vehicular lamp 10, limited power can be effectively used.

The configurations of the lamp unit, the movable reflector, the reflecting surface switching mechanism, etc. in the vehicular lamp of the present invention are not limited to the configurations of the above-described embodiments, and can take various forms based on the spirit of the present invention. Needless to say.
FIG. 4 is a longitudinal sectional view showing a main part of a vehicular lamp according to a second embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 5 is a front view of the movable reflector shown in FIG. In addition, about the structural member substantially the same as the vehicle lamp 10 of the said 1st Embodiment, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected and detailed description is abbreviate | omitted.

In the vehicular lamp of the second embodiment, a lamp unit 100 is fixedly disposed on a support member 115 in a lamp chamber surrounded by a translucent cover 12 and a lamp body 14 (not shown).
The support member 115 includes a light source support portion 115a to which a semiconductor light emitting element (LED) 142 that is a light source of the lamp unit 100 is attached, and is fixed to the lamp body 14 (not shown).

As shown in FIG. 4, the lamp unit 100 according to the second embodiment includes a semiconductor light emitting element 142 as a light source fixedly disposed on a support portion 115 a of a support member 115 and light from the semiconductor light emitting element 142 forward. A movable reflector 144 for reflecting.
The semiconductor light emitting element 142 is a white diode having a light emitting portion, and the irradiation axis of the support member 115 is oriented substantially vertically downward, which is substantially perpendicular to the optical axis Ax of the lamp unit 100 extending in the vehicle front-rear direction. It is mounted on the support part 115a.

As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the movable reflector 144 of the present embodiment has a plurality of (two in the present embodiment) reflecting surfaces 146 and 148 having different light distribution patterns of the reflected light. Reference numerals 146 and 148 denote reflecting members capable of independently reflecting the emitted light from the semiconductor light emitting element 142 toward the front of the vehicle.
Therefore, the light emitted from the light emitting portion of the semiconductor light emitting element 142 is reflected on one of the reflecting surfaces 146 and 148 of the movable reflector 144 and is irradiated forward of the vehicle. That is, the lamp unit 100 of the present embodiment constitutes a reflective lamp unit.

The movable reflector 144 is configured such that the reflecting surfaces 146 and 148 extend radially across the rotation shaft 160, and the base portion 130 is fixed to the rotation shaft 60.
The rotating shaft 160 is horizontally supported by the support member 115 together with the base 130 of the movable reflector 144, and the reflection surface switching mechanism 170 that selectively switches the plurality of reflection surfaces 146 and 148 by moving the movable reflector 144. Is configured.

  That is, in the reflection surface switching mechanism 170 of the present embodiment, the rotation shaft 160 substantially parallel to the optical axis Ax of the lamp unit 100 is rotated 180 degrees by the actuator (motor) 62 via the transmission gears 110 and 120. By doing so, the two reflecting surfaces 146 and 148 can be selectively switched.

In this embodiment, the reflecting surface 146 is a diffuse reflecting surface whose vertical cross-sectional shape is substantially elliptical or substantially hyperbolic, and the reflecting surface 148 is a condensing reflecting surface consisting of a substantially paraboloid.
Therefore, in the state where the movable reflector 144 is shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the light emitted from the light emitting portion of the semiconductor light emitting element 142 is condensed and reflected on the reflecting surface 148 and irradiated to the front of the vehicle as the condensed light. The
Further, in a state where the movable reflector 144 is rotated 180 degrees, the light emitted from the light emitting portion of the semiconductor light emitting element 142 is condensed and reflected on the reflecting surface 146 and is irradiated to the front of the vehicle as diffused light.

  The vehicular lamp of the second embodiment described above differs depending on one lamp unit 100 by selectively switching the two reflecting surfaces 146 and 148 by rotating the movable reflector 144 by the reflecting surface switching mechanism 170. Two light distribution patterns can be switched.

Therefore, the vehicular lamp according to the second embodiment can reduce the number of lamp units necessary for realizing a plurality of light distribution patterns, similarly to the vehicular lamp 10 according to the first embodiment.
Therefore, the vehicular lamp 10 of the first embodiment in which the rotation shaft 60 extends in the vertical direction and the vehicular lamp in the second embodiment in which the rotation shaft 160 extends in the horizontal direction are selected according to the in-vehicle space. And the degree of freedom of mounting on the vehicle can be increased.

  FIG. 6 is a longitudinal sectional view of an essential part showing a vehicular lamp according to a third embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 7 is a plan view of the movable reflector shown in FIG. In addition, about the structural member substantially the same as the vehicle lamp 10 of the said 1st Embodiment, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected and detailed description is abbreviate | omitted.

In the vehicular lamp of the third embodiment, a lamp unit 200 is fixedly disposed in a lamp chamber surrounded by a light-transmitting cover 12 and a lamp body 14 (not shown).
As illustrated in FIGS. 6 and 7, the lamp unit 200 according to the present embodiment includes three semiconductor light emitting elements 242 a, 242 b, and 242 c that are fixedly disposed on the support portion of the rotation support member 215, and each semiconductor light emitting element. Each of the movable reflectors 244 having a plurality of (three in this embodiment) reflecting surfaces 246, 248, 250 for reflecting the light from 242a, 242b, 242c forward and the corresponding semiconductor light emitting elements 242a, 242b, 242c. A projector-type lamp unit that includes a projection lens 24 that is disposed in front and extends in the vehicle front-rear direction and has a lens central axis Ax that passes through each of the semiconductor light emitting elements 242a, 242b, and 242c.

  Each of the semiconductor light emitting elements 242a, 242b, and 242c is a white light emitting diode having a light emitting portion (light emitting chip) having a size of about 1 mm square, and its irradiation axis is the optical axis Rx1 of each reflecting surface 246, 248, 250. , Rx2 and Rx3, each of which is placed on the support portion 15a of the rotation support member 215 in a state of being substantially vertically upward.

  The movable reflector 244 is formed by integrally molding three reflecting members configured such that the optical axes Rx1, Rx2, and Rx3 of the reflecting surfaces 246, 248, and 250 formed on the inside extend radially from the rotating shaft 260. The rotation shaft 260 is fixed to the rotation shaft 260 via the rotation support member 215.

  A rotating shaft 260 connected to an actuator (motor) 62 (not shown) rotates a movable reflector 244 via a rotating support member 215 to selectively switch a plurality of reflecting surfaces 246, 248, 250. A switching mechanism 270 is configured.

The reflective surface 246 of the present embodiment is a diffuse reflective surface whose vertical cross-sectional shape is substantially elliptical or hyperbolic, and the reflective surface 248 is a condensing reflective surface whose vertical cross-sectional shape is substantially elliptical, The reflecting surface 250 is a high beam reflecting surface that is substantially a paraboloid of revolution.
As shown in FIG. 6, the reflection surface 248 has a first focal point F1 in the vicinity of the light emitting portion of the semiconductor light emitting element 242b, and a second focal point F2 formed by the curved surface 221a and the horizontal surface 221b of the base member 221. It is designed and arranged so as to be located in the vicinity of 221c.

  The light emitted from the light emitting portion of the semiconductor light emitting element 242b that is turned on in the state shown in FIG. 7 is collected toward the vicinity of the rear focal point (substantially coincident with the second focal point F2) of the projection lens 24 on the reflective surface 248. The light is reflected and enters the projection lens 24 through the vicinity of the second focal point F2. The light incident on the projection lens 24 is projected forward as substantially parallel light.

Further, the ridge line 221c of the base member 221 disposed in front of the reflecting surface 248 reflects a part of the light on the horizontal plane 221b, thereby selectively cutting the light and projecting it to the front of the vehicle. A shade is formed that forms an oblique cut-off line in the pattern.
Therefore, the light emitted from the light emitting portion of the semiconductor light emitting element 242b can form a low beam light distribution pattern.

Furthermore, in a state where the movable reflector 244 is rotated 60 degrees to the right via the rotation support member 215, the light emitted from the light emitting portion of the semiconductor light emitting element 242a is diffusely reflected on the reflection surface 246, and the projection lens. 24 is incident. The light incident on the projection lens 24 is projected forward as diffused light.
When the movable reflector 244 is rotated 60 degrees to the left from the state shown in FIG. 7, the light emitted from the light emitting portion of the semiconductor light emitting element 242c is condensed and reflected on the reflecting surface 250, and the high beam light is emitted. As shown in FIG.

Accordingly, the lamp unit 200 according to the vehicle lamp of the third embodiment described above is configured to selectively switch the three reflecting surfaces 246, 248, and 250 by rotating the movable reflector 244 by the reflecting surface switching mechanism 270. Three different light distribution patterns can be switched.
Furthermore, the lamp unit 200 of the present embodiment is a projector-type lamp unit, and it is easy to make a low beam light distribution. By moving the movable reflector 244, a good light distribution pattern can be switched between high and low.

  In the lamp unit 200 according to the vehicle lamp of the third embodiment, a plurality of movable reflectors 244 are rotated with respect to one projection lens 24 having a lens central axis Ax extending in the vehicle front-rear direction. The reflecting surfaces 246, 248, and 250 are configured to correspond to each other, but a projection lens is integrally arranged corresponding to each of the plurality of reflecting surfaces of the movable reflector so that the movable reflector and the projection lens move together. It may be configured.

  8 and 9 are schematic perspective views showing the movable reflector of the vehicular lamp according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 10 is a front view of the lamp by the light irradiated forward from the reflecting surface of the movable reflector shown in FIG. FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing a horizontal diffusion pattern formed on a virtual vertical screen arranged at a position of 25 m. FIG. 11 is a diagram of the front of the lamp 25 m by light irradiated forward from the reflecting surface of the movable reflector shown in FIG. It is a figure which shows perspectively the high beam condensing pattern formed on the virtual vertical screen arrange | positioned in the position.

As shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, the lamp unit 300 of the vehicle lamp according to the fourth embodiment includes a semiconductor light emitting element 342 as a light source fixedly disposed on a support portion of a support member (not shown), and the semiconductor light emitting device. And a movable reflector 344 that reflects light from the element 342 forward.
The movable reflector 344 has a plurality of (two in the present embodiment) reflecting surfaces 346 and 348 having different light distribution patterns of the reflected light, and the reflecting surfaces 346 and 348 transmit light emitted from the semiconductor light emitting element 342 to the vehicle. It is a reflecting member that can independently reflect forward.
Therefore, the light emitted from the light emitting unit of the semiconductor light emitting element 342 is reflected on one of the reflecting surfaces 346 and 348 of the movable reflector 344 and is irradiated forward of the vehicle. That is, the lamp unit 300 of the present embodiment constitutes a reflective lamp unit.

As shown in FIG. 2, the movable reflector 344 is configured such that the optical axes of the reflecting surfaces 346 and 348 extend radially from the rotation shaft 360, and is fixed to the rotation shaft 360.
The rotating shaft 360 is connected to, for example, an actuator (not shown), and constitutes a reflecting surface switching mechanism 370 that selectively moves the reflecting surfaces 346 and 348 by moving the movable reflector 344.

  That is, the reflecting surface switching mechanism 370 of the present embodiment rotates the rotating shaft 360 by 90 degrees with the actuator around the rotating shaft 360 substantially perpendicular to the optical axis of the lamp unit 300 extending in the vehicle front-rear direction. The individual reflecting surfaces 346 and 348 can be selectively switched.

In this embodiment, the reflecting surface 346 is a high-beam reflecting surface made of a substantially paraboloid, and the reflecting surface 348 is a diffuse reflecting surface whose vertical cross-sectional shape is a substantially elliptical shape or a substantially hyperbolic shape.
In the state where the movable reflector 344 is shown in FIG. 8, the light emitted from the light emitting portion of the semiconductor light emitting element 342 is diffusely reflected on the reflecting surface 348 and irradiated to the front of the vehicle as diffused light. Therefore, the light distribution pattern by the lamp unit 300 is a horizontally long horizontal diffusion pattern PLW as shown in FIG.

  Further, in the state shown in FIG. 9 in which the movable reflector 344 is rotated 90 degrees to the right, the light emitted from the light emitting portion of the semiconductor light emitting element 342 is condensed and reflected upward on the reflecting surface 346, and is used for a high beam. It is irradiated toward the front of the vehicle as a condensed light. Therefore, the light distribution pattern by the lamp unit 300 is a condensed high beam light distribution pattern PLH as shown in FIG.

In addition, light shielding walls 352, 353, and 354 that prevent light emitted from the semiconductor light emitting element 342 from entering other than the selected reflecting surface are suspended from each boundary portion of the reflecting surfaces 346 and 348.
Therefore, in the lamp unit 300 of the present embodiment, the light shielding walls 352, 353, and 354 prevent the light from the semiconductor light emitting element 342 from entering other than the selected reflecting surface, so that the arrangement formed by the reflecting surfaces 346 and 348 is prevented. The optical pattern can be made highly accurate.

Furthermore, in each said embodiment, it was set as the structure which arrange | positions one movable reflector with respect to a lamp unit, However, You may arrange | position two movable reflectors.
In this case, the number of parts can be reduced by providing two movable reflectors in the vertical direction and rotationally driving them with a common rotation axis substantially perpendicular to the optical axis of the lamp unit extending in the vehicle front-rear direction.

  In addition, two movable reflectors are provided above and below so that the back surfaces of the reflecting surfaces of the respective movable reflectors face each other, and corresponding semiconductor light emitting elements are arranged so that the irradiation axes face each other in the vertical direction, and mounting surfaces face each other. As described above, a pair of semiconductor light emitting elements can be provided, and the movable reflectors can be arranged so that the reflecting surfaces are spaced apart from each other and face each other.

It is a longitudinal section showing a vehicular lamp concerning a 1st embodiment of the present invention. It is a top view of the movable reflector shown in FIG. It is a schematic side view after rotating the movable reflector shown in FIG. 1 60 degree | times to the right. It is a principal part longitudinal cross-sectional view which shows the vehicle lamp which concerns on 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a front view of the movable reflector shown in FIG. It is a principal part longitudinal cross-sectional view which shows the vehicle lamp which concerns on 3rd Embodiment of this invention. It is a top view of the movable reflector shown in FIG. It is a schematic perspective view which shows the movable reflector of the vehicle lamp which concerns on 4th Embodiment of this invention. It is a schematic perspective view after rotating the movable reflector shown in FIG. 8 90 degree | times to the right. It is a figure which shows perspectively the horizontal diffusion pattern formed on the virtual vertical screen arrange | positioned in the position of 25 m ahead of a lamp | ramp by the light irradiated ahead from the reflective surface of the movable reflector shown in FIG. FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing a high beam condensing pattern formed on a virtual vertical screen arranged at a position 25 m ahead of the lamp by light irradiated forward from the reflecting surface of the movable reflector shown in FIG. 9.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Vehicle headlamp 12 Translucent cover 14 Lamp body 15 Support member 15a, 15b Support part 16 Extension 20 1st unit 22 1st semiconductor light emitting element 26 1st main reflector 40 2nd unit (lamp unit)
42 Second semiconductor light emitting device (semiconductor light emitting device)
44 Movable reflectors 46, 48, 50 Reflecting surfaces 52, 54 Shielding wall 60 Rotating shaft 62 Actuator 70 Reflecting surface switching mechanism

Claims (5)

At least one lamp unit disposed in a lamp chamber formed by the lamp body and the translucent cover,
A semiconductor light emitting element disposed in a state in which the irradiation axis is substantially perpendicular to the optical axis extending in the vehicle longitudinal direction;
A movable reflector having a plurality of reflecting surfaces with different light distribution patterns of reflected light, each reflecting surface being capable of independently reflecting the emitted light from the semiconductor light emitting element toward the front of the vehicle;
A reflective surface switching mechanism for selectively switching a plurality of the reflective surfaces by moving the movable reflector;
A vehicular lamp characterized by comprising:   The vehicular lamp according to claim 1, wherein the reflection surface switching mechanism selectively switches the plurality of reflection surfaces by rotationally driving the movable reflector around a rotation axis.   The movable reflector includes a light shielding wall that prevents light emitted from the semiconductor light emitting element from entering a reflecting surface other than the selected reflecting surface at a boundary between adjacent reflecting surfaces. The vehicular lamp according to 1 or 2.   4. The vehicular lamp according to claim 1, wherein the semiconductor light emitting element is turned off while the reflection surface switching mechanism switches and drives a plurality of reflection surfaces. 5. A projection lens disposed in front of the semiconductor light emitting element and having a lens central axis extending in the vehicle longitudinal direction passing through the semiconductor light emitting element;
A shade that is arranged near the rear focal point of the projection lens and shields part of the reflected light from the reflector, and
5. The vehicular lamp according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the plurality of reflecting surfaces reflects light from the semiconductor light emitting element toward the vicinity of the rear focal point.

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