JP2010061985A - Vehicular headlight - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a vehicular headlight for automatically changing light distribution depending on the travelling conditions of a vehicle while automatically restoring low beam irradiation even in a trouble of an actuator. <P>SOLUTION: A shade mechanism 15 is provided for shielding part of reflected light from a reflector 13. It consists of four shades 21, 23, 25, 27 provided in the vicinity of the lower side of an optical axis Ax along a plane substantially perpendicular to the optical axis Ax and shaped mutually different to form a cutoff line, a biasing member 44 for biasing the shades 21, 23, 25, 27 in the shielding direction, a solenoid 40 for moving the shades 21, 23, 25, 27 via an elastic member 43 against the biasing force of the biasing member 44 in the evacuating direction during control, a stroke control mechanism 29 for individually restricting the moving strokes of the shades 21, 23, 25, 27 in the evacuating direction at a plurality of drive positions, and a rotating motor 30 for changing the drive positions of the stroke control mechanism 29. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a vehicular headlamp, and more particularly to a projector-type vehicular headlamp having a variable light distribution function capable of changing the light distribution of the headlamp in accordance with the traveling state of the vehicle.

  Conventionally, light from a light source bulb arranged on an optical axis extending in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle is condensed and reflected by the reflector toward the front of the optical axis, and this reflected light is provided on the front of the reflector. There is known a vehicular headlamp that includes a projector-type lamp unit that is configured to irradiate through a lamp.

When such a projector-type lamp unit is used, a shade capable of shielding a part of the reflected light from the reflector is provided between the projection lens and the reflector, for example, a required light distribution such as a passing light distribution pattern. By blocking unnecessary portions according to the pattern, a cut-off line can be formed at the upper end of the desired light distribution pattern.
However, in a configuration in which a single shade is fixed, the light distribution pattern that can be formed is single. For example, when the shade is set to a low light distribution pattern (low beam light distribution pattern), this lamp unit is only used for the low beam. It became usable, and switching use with a traveling beam (light distribution pattern for high beam) was impossible.

  Therefore, as shown in FIG. 9, the shape of the upper edge is different near the rear focal point F of the projection lens 182 in front of the reflector 183 that reflects the light emitted from the light source bulb 181 toward the projection lens 182. The shades 185 and 186 are substantially overlapped with each other and individually movable up and down, and either shade is raised to a predetermined height, and a light distribution pattern cut-off line is formed by the upper edge of the shade. There has been proposed a lamp unit 188 configured to form (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

  In the case of the lamp unit 188 illustrated in FIG. 9, one end of each of the two shades 185 and 186 is rotatably supported by the pivot 190, and the shades 185 and 186 are disposed on the free ends of the respective shades 185 and 186. The cam mechanism 192 that selectively moves the 186 up and down is provided, and the shape of the cut-off line is switched by switching the shade that is pushed up to a predetermined position by the cam mechanism 192 driven by the motor 187. be able to.

Therefore, for example, the shade 186 is used for the passing light distribution pattern, and the shade 185 is used for the light distribution pattern during high-speed traveling, so that the light distribution pattern according to the traveling state can be switched and used.
Further, by increasing the number of shades to be mounted in an overlapping manner, it is possible to switch and use more various light distribution patterns, and it is possible to improve the visibility in various driving conditions.

European patent EP 1070911 A2

By the way, in the lamp unit disclosed in Patent Document 1, when the drive control of the cam mechanism 192 that selectively moves the shades 185 and 186 up and down is automatically performed according to the vehicle traveling state, a motor that is an actuator is used. 187 must be selectively driven.
Therefore, when a failure occurs in the motor 187 itself or the control circuit and the motor 187 cannot be driven, the shades 185 and 186 may not be able to move up and down. In particular, if the motor 187 breaks down during high beam irradiation while traveling, there is a risk of glare on the oncoming vehicle because it cannot automatically return to low beam irradiation.

  Accordingly, the object of the present invention is to solve the above-mentioned problems, and can automatically change the light distribution according to the traveling state of the vehicle, etc. It is an object of the present invention to provide a vehicle headlamp capable of preventing glare on a vehicle.

An object of the present invention is to provide a projection lens disposed on an optical axis extending in the vehicle front-rear direction in a lamp chamber formed by a lamp body and a cover, a light source disposed on the rear side of the projection lens, and the light source. A reflector that reflects the light from the front toward the optical axis, a part of the reflected light from the reflector disposed between the projection lens and the light source, and a part of the direct light from the light source A vehicular headlamp comprising a shade mechanism that shields light and forms a cut-off line of a light distribution pattern,
The shade mechanism is
A plurality of shades that are provided along a plane substantially perpendicular to the optical axis in the vicinity below the optical axis and have different shapes for forming the cut-off line;
A biasing member that biases each shade in the shielding direction;
A first actuator that moves each shade in the retracting direction against the urging force of the urging member during control via an elastic member;
A stroke adjusting mechanism that individually regulates the movement stroke of each shade in the retracting direction at a plurality of driving positions;
A second actuator for changing the drive position of the stroke adjusting mechanism;
It is achieved by a vehicle headlamp characterized by comprising:

  According to the vehicle headlamp having the above-described configuration, each shade biased in the shielding direction by the biasing member is moved by the second actuator when the first actuator moves each shade in the retracting direction via the elastic member. In accordance with the movement strokes individually regulated by the stroke adjusting mechanism whose driving position has been changed, the respective movements are made in the retracting direction.

Therefore, by controlling the stroke adjustment mechanism and positioning at least one shade at the shielding position, a cut-off line of a plurality of low beam light distribution patterns can be formed by the upper edge of the shade, and all shades are retracted. By positioning at the position, a high beam light distribution pattern can be generated.
Furthermore, when a failure occurs such as when the power supply to the first actuator is interrupted during high beam irradiation while traveling, each shade biased in the shielding direction by the biasing member moves to the shielding position, so the low beam is automatically Can be returned to irradiation.

In the vehicle headlamp configured as described above, it is preferable that the first actuator is not controlled when the second actuator is driven.
According to the vehicle headlamp having such a configuration, when switching from one light distribution pattern to another light distribution pattern, after moving each shade to the shielding position with the first actuator temporarily in a non-control state, After the second actuator is driven to change the drive position of the stroke adjustment mechanism, the first actuator is again set to the control state.
Therefore, during the switching of the light distribution pattern by the shade mechanism, each shade temporarily moves to the shielding position, so that the occurrence of glare during switching can be prevented.

Further, in the vehicle headlamp configured as described above, the stroke adjusting mechanism includes a stopper portion formed on each shade corresponding to a movement stroke of each shade at a plurality of driving positions, and the stopper portion at a plurality of driving positions. It is desirable to provide a stopper member that comes into contact with.
According to the vehicle headlamp having such a configuration, the stopper portion corresponding to the movement stroke of each shade can be integrally formed with each shade, and each shade can be moved in the retracting direction by a single stopper member. The moving stroke can be regulated individually.
Therefore, the stroke adjustment mechanism can be configured with a minimum number of parts.

In the vehicle headlamp configured as described above, it is preferable that the first actuator is a solenoid and the second actuator is a rotary motor.
According to the vehicle headlamp having such a configuration, the switching of the light distribution pattern for high / low beam whose switching time is to be shortened can be performed by the solenoid, and the rotary motor for changing the driving position of the stroke adjusting mechanism operates. Can be late. Therefore, the second actuator can improve the accuracy of each drive position by the stroke adjustment mechanism.

  According to the vehicle headlamp of the present invention described above, it is possible to automatically change the light distribution according to the traveling state of the vehicle, etc., and to automatically return to low beam irradiation even when the actuator fails. Glare to the oncoming vehicle can be prevented.

Hereinafter, a vehicle headlamp according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.
1 to 4 show a vehicle headlamp according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1 is a schematic longitudinal sectional view of a vehicle headlamp according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA of the lamp unit in the vehicle headlamp of FIG. 1, and FIG. 3 and FIG. 4 are an exploded perspective view and a schematic front view of the main part of the shade mechanism shown in FIG.

The vehicular headlamp 1 according to this embodiment includes a lamp unit 5 housed in a lamp chamber 4 defined by a transparent transparent cover (cover) 2 and a lamp body 3.
The lamp unit 5 is supported by the lamp body 3 via an aiming mechanism 6 including an aiming screw 6a and an aiming nut 6b. The aiming mechanism 6 is a mechanism for finely adjusting the mounting position and the mounting angle of the lamp unit 5 by adjusting the tightening by the aiming nut 6b. At the stage of adjusting the aiming, the optical axis Ax of the lamp unit 5 is It extends in the downward direction by about 0.5 to 0.6 degrees with respect to the direction.

  The lamp unit 5 is a projector-type lamp unit, and includes a projection lens 8 disposed on an optical axis Ax extending in the vehicle front-rear direction, and a rear focal point F of the projection lens 8 with the bulb axis aligned with the optical axis Ax. Also, a light source bulb (light source) 10 such as a discharge bulb or a halogen bulb arranged on the rear side, and the light L1 and L2 emitted from the light source bulb 10 with the light source bulb 10 inserted and fixed toward the front are close to the optical axis Ax. And a reflector 13 that reflects the light beam and a rear edge F near the optical axis Ax in the vicinity of the rear focal point F, and shields a part of the reflected light from the reflector 13 and a part of the direct light from the light source bulb 10. Thus, the shade mechanism 15 that forms the cut-off line of the light distribution pattern, and the substantially cylinder that is interposed between the projection lens 8 and the opening edge of the front end of the reflector 13 and serves as a connecting means between them And a holder 17.

In the present embodiment, the holder 17 is integrally formed with an auxiliary shade 37. The auxiliary shade 37 includes an upper auxiliary shade 37a positioned at the upper part of the holder internal space and a lower auxiliary shade 37b provided at a position lower than the optical axis Ax on the lower side of the holder internal space.
The auxiliary shade 37 shields the reflector reflected light that is about to pass under the shade mechanism 15 and shields stray light that is about to enter the projection lens 8.

  The projection lens 8 is a plano-convex lens having a convex front surface and a flat rear surface, and projects an image on the focal plane including the rear focus F forward as a reverse image.

  In the case of this embodiment, the light source bulb 10 is a metal halide bulb having a light emitting portion 10a that emits light by discharge on a bulb axis (center axis), and the optical axis is aligned with the optical axis Ax. Inserted and fixed to the reflector 13 from the rear of Ax.

As shown in FIG. 2, the reflector 13 has a reflection surface 13a having a substantially elliptical spherical shape with the optical axis Ax passing through the light emitting portion 10a as a central axis.
The reflecting surface 13a has a cross-sectional shape including the optical axis Ax set to a substantially elliptical shape with the center position of the light emitting unit 10a as the first focus (F1) and the vicinity of the rear focus F of the projection lens 8 as the second focus. The light from the light emitting unit 10a is condensed and reflected toward the optical axis Ax toward the front. The eccentricity of the reflecting surface 13a is set so as to gradually increase from the vertical cross section toward the horizontal cross section.

  As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the shade mechanism 15 of the present embodiment is provided along a plane substantially perpendicular to the optical axis Ax in the vicinity below the optical axis Ax, and has a shape for forming a cut-off line. Through a plurality of different (four in this embodiment) shades 21, 23, 25, 27, biasing members 44 that bias the shades 21, 23, 25, 27 in the shielding direction, and elastic members 43. And a solenoid 40 as a first actuator that moves the shades 21, 23, 25, and 27 in the retracting direction against the biasing force of the biasing member 44 during control, and a plurality of drive positions (in this embodiment, five positions). 2, a stroke adjustment mechanism 29 that individually regulates the movement stroke of each shade 21, 23, 25, 27 in the retracting direction, and a second actuator that changes the drive position of the stroke adjustment mechanism 29. It comprises a rotating motor 30 as a.

The shades 21, 23, 25, and 27 according to the present embodiment are made of substantially rectangular plate-like members that are arranged side by side along a plane that is substantially perpendicular to the optical axis Ax.
In the shade 21 shown in FIG. 5A, the shape of the upper end edge 21a is set so as to obtain a cut-off line of the light distribution pattern for the motor distribution of the left light distribution.
In the shade 23 shown in FIG. 5B, the shape of the upper edge 23a is set so as to obtain a cut-off line mainly for the left-side light distribution pattern for the highway, and the shade shown in FIG. 27 is configured so that a cut-off line of the light distribution pattern for the left light distribution can be formed.

When the shade 25 shown in FIG. 5C is used in combination with the shade 27 shown in FIG. 5D, the shape of the upper edge 25a is obtained so as to obtain a cut-off line of the right light distribution pattern for the low beam. Is set.
The shade 27 shown in FIG. 5D is used in combination with the shade 23 or the shade 25 so as to obtain a cut-off line of the left light distribution pattern for the low beam distribution or the right light distribution pattern for the low beam. The shape of the upper edge 27a is set.

As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, on one end side of each of the shades 21, 23, 25, and 27, shafts that pass through a support shaft 45 parallel to the optical axis Ax and are rotatably supported. A hole 20a and latching holes 20b and 20c for latching one end of the biasing member 44 and the elastic member 43 are formed.
Further, stoppers for individually restricting the movement strokes of the shades 21, 23, 25, 27 at five driving positions of a stroke adjusting mechanism 29 described later are provided at the lower end edges of the shades 21, 23, 25, 27. 22, 24, 26, and 28 are provided.

  The stroke adjusting mechanism 29 according to the present embodiment includes stopper portions 22, 24, 26, and 28 formed on the lower end edges of the shades 21, 23, 25, and 27, and stopper portions 22, 24, 26, and 28 at five driving positions. And a stopper member 34 that abuts against 28.

  The stopper member 34 has one end fixed to the large gear 33 of the reduction gear mechanism 100 and the other end extending radially outward of the large gear 33, and a columnar shape suspended from the other end of the arm portion 35. Engaging portion 36. Then, the rotation motor 30 controls the rotation of the stopper member 34 via the reduction gear mechanism 100, and stops the stopper member 34 at each of the five driving positions.

Therefore, the engaging portion 36 that intersects the lower edge of the shades 21, 23, 25, and 27 comes into contact with the corresponding portions of the stopper portions 22, 24, 26, and 28 at the five driving positions.
These stopper portions 22, 24, 26, and 28 are formed in shapes corresponding to the respective movement strokes at the positions of the corresponding portions in contact with the engaging portions 36 at the respective driving positions.

  That is, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the stopper portions 22, 24, 26, and 28 correspond to the corresponding portions 22a, 24a, and 26a in which the shades 21, 23, 25, and 27 are brought into contact with the engaging portion 36 at the shielding positions. , 28a and corresponding portions 22b, 24b, 26b, 28b that contact the engaging portion 36 at the retracted position.

  The reduction gear mechanism 100 includes a small gear 31 fixed to the drive shaft of the rotary motor 30 and a large gear 33 that is rotatably supported by the holder 17 via a support shaft and meshes with the small gear 31. One end of a stopper member 34 is fixed at the center of the large gear 33, and the stopper member 34 is rotated integrally.

  The biasing member 44 of the present embodiment is a tension coil spring having one end hooked to the hooking hole 20 b of each shade 21, 23, 25, 27 and the other end hooked to the fixing portion 46. 21, 23, 25, and 27 are urged to rotate in the shielding direction (clockwise direction in FIG. 3). Each shade 21, 23, 25, 27 is positioned at the shielding position by a stopper 38 that abuts the upper edge at the shielding position.

  The elastic member 43 of the present embodiment is a tension coil spring having one end hooked to the hooking hole 20 c of each shade 21, 23, 25, 27 and the other end hooked to the movable iron core 41 of the solenoid 40. Further, the elastic member 43 has a sufficient spring force that can move the shades 21, 23, 25, and 27 in the retracting direction against the biasing force of the biasing member 44 when the solenoid 40 is turned on (control time). have. The elastic member 43 and the urging member 44 are not limited to tension coil springs, and various springs and elastic bodies such as elastic rubber can be used.

The first actuator of the present embodiment is a solenoid 40 that rotates the shades 21, 23, 25, and 27 in the retracting direction via elastic members 43. The second actuator of the present embodiment includes a rotary motor 30 such as a step motor, and rotates the stopper member 34 via the reduction gear mechanism 100 of the stroke adjustment mechanism 29.
The rotary motor 30 and the solenoid 40 are driven and controlled by a control unit (not shown) in accordance with a vehicle traveling state or a beam switching switch operation.

  The rotation motor 30 controls the rotation of the stopper member 34 via the reduction gear mechanism 100 and stops the stopper member 34 at a predetermined driving position. On the other hand, the solenoid 40 rotates the shades 21, 23, 25, and 27 in the retracting direction via the elastic member 43 when turned on. Then, the engaging portion 36 of the stopper member 34 comes into contact with the stopper portions 22, 24, 26, and 28, respectively, so that the movement strokes of the shades 21, 23, 25, and 27 in the retracting direction are individually regulated.

  Therefore, the rotation of the stopper member 34 is controlled by the rotary motor 30 to change the five driving positions, and the movement strokes of the shades 21, 23, 25, 27 in the retracting direction are individually regulated, so that the blocking position is reached. The shades 21, 23, 25, and 27 to be positioned are appropriately selected, and a plurality of low-beam light distribution pattern cut-off lines can be formed by the upper edge of the shade.

  Accordingly, the upper end edges 21a, 23a, 25a, 27a are selectively selected by switching the driving position of the stopper member 34 by the stroke adjusting mechanism 29 and positioning any one of the shades 21, 23, 25, 27 at the shielding position. If it is arranged in the vicinity of the optical axis Ax, it is possible to switch the light distribution pattern for low beam generated by the reflector reflected light shielding action. Moreover, if the upper end edges 21a, 23a, 25a, and 27a are arranged away from the optical axis Ax by positioning all the shades 21, 23, 25, and 27 at the retracted position, the reflector reflected light shielding action is canceled. Thus, a high beam light distribution pattern can be generated.

  For example, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6A, the rotation control of the rotary motor 30 is performed so that the engaging portion 36 of the stopper member 34 is positioned at the drive position D1 of the left-way light distribution pattern for the motorway. Is performed, a part of the upper edge 23a of the shade 23 and a part of the upper edge 25a of the shade 25 are arranged on the focal plane of the rear focal point F of the projection lens 8. Then, a part of the reflected light from the reflecting surface 13a of the reflector 13 is shielded, and most of the upward light emitted forward from the projection lens 8 is removed.

  As shown in FIG. 7A, this light distribution pattern is a left light distribution low beam light distribution pattern PL having a cut-off line CPL at the upper end portion, and the own lane side is one step higher than the opposite lane side. Thus, it is formed as an uneven horizontal cut-off line along the line H-H.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 6B, the rotation control of the rotary motor 30 is performed so that the engaging portion 36 of the stopper member 34 is positioned at the drive position D2 of the left-way light distribution pattern for the motorway. Then, the upper edge 21a of the shade 21 is disposed on the focal plane of the rear focal point F of the projection lens 8. Then, a part of the reflected light from the reflecting surface 13a of the reflector 13 is shielded, and most of the upward light emitted forward from the projection lens 8 is removed.

  As shown in FIG. 7B, this light distribution pattern is a left light distribution motorway light distribution pattern PML having a cut-off line CML at the upper end, and the own lane side is one step higher than the opposite lane side. Thus, it is formed as a stepped horizontal cut-off line extending in the horizontal direction slightly above the HH line.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 6C, when the rotation control of the rotary motor 30 is performed so that the engaging portion 36 of the stopper member 34 is positioned at the drive position D3 of the right beam distribution pattern for the low beam. A part of the upper edge 25 a of the shade 25 and a part of the upper edge 27 a of the shade 27 are disposed on the focal plane of the rear focal point F of the projection lens 8. Then, a part of the reflected light from the reflecting surface 13a of the reflector 13 is shielded, and most of the upward light emitted forward from the projection lens 8 is removed.

  As shown in FIG. 7 (c), this light distribution pattern is a right light distribution low beam light distribution pattern PR having a cut-off line CPR at the upper end, and the own lane side is one step higher than the opposite lane side. Thus, it is formed as an uneven horizontal cut-off line along the line H-H.

  As shown in FIG. 6D, when the rotation control of the rotary motor 30 is performed so that the engaging portion 36 of the stopper member 34 is positioned at the drive position D4 of the left-side light distribution pattern for the highway. The upper edge 23a of the shade 23 is disposed on the focal plane of the rear focal point F of the projection lens 8. Then, a part of the reflected light from the reflecting surface 13a of the reflector 13 is shielded, and most of the upward light emitted forward from the projection lens 8 is removed.

  As shown in FIG. 7D, this light distribution pattern is a highway light distribution pattern PHL for the left light distribution that extends greatly above the HH line on the own lane side.

Further, when the rotation control of the rotary motor 30 is performed so that the engaging portion 36 of the stopper member 34 is positioned at the driving position D5 of the high beam light distribution pattern, all the shades 21, 23, 25, 27 are retracted. Is located. Then, the reflected light from the reflecting surface 13 a of the reflector 13 enters the projection lens 8 with almost no shielding by the shades 21, 23, 25, and 27.
As shown in FIG. 7E, this light distribution pattern is a high-beam light distribution pattern PH that extends widely above the HH line.

  As described above, according to the vehicle headlamp 1 of the present embodiment, the rotary motor 30 and the solenoid 40 are driven and controlled by a control unit (not shown) in accordance with the vehicle traveling state or the beam switching switch operation, and the shades 21, 23, 23 are controlled. By selectively positioning 25 and 27 at the shielding positions, the light distribution pattern formed by light irradiation from the lamp unit 5 can be changed, and the visibility can be improved.

In addition, the shade mechanism 15 of the present embodiment has the shades 21 that are biased in the shielding direction by the biasing member 44 when a failure such as the power supply to the solenoid 40 being interrupted during high beam irradiation during traveling occurs. Since 23, 25, and 27 move to the shielding position, it is possible to automatically return to the low beam irradiation.
Therefore, the vehicular headlamp 1 can automatically change the light distribution according to the running state of the vehicle, and can automatically reduce the glare to the oncoming vehicle by returning to low beam irradiation automatically when the solenoid 40 fails. Can be prevented.

Furthermore, in the shade mechanism 15 of the present embodiment, the solenoid 40 is controlled to be turned off (non-controlled) when the rotary motor 30 is driven.
Therefore, when switching from a certain light distribution pattern to another light distribution pattern, after the solenoid 40 is temporarily turned off, the shades 21, 23, 25, 27 are moved to the shielding position by the biasing force of the biasing member 44. Then, after driving the rotary motor 30 to change the driving position of the stroke adjusting mechanism 29, the solenoid 40 is turned on again.
Accordingly, during the switching of the light distribution pattern by the shade mechanism 15, the shades 21, 23, 25, 27 are temporarily moved to the shielding position, so that the occurrence of glare during the switching can be prevented.

Further, in the vehicle headlamp 1 of the present embodiment, the first actuator is constituted by a solenoid 40 and the second actuator is constituted by a rotary motor 30.
Therefore, switching of the light distribution pattern for high / low beam whose switching time is to be shortened can be performed by the solenoid 40, and the operation of the rotary motor 30 that changes the drive position of the stroke adjusting mechanism 29 can be delayed. Therefore, the rotation motor 30 as the second actuator can improve the accuracy of each drive position by the stroke adjustment mechanism 29.

  FIG. 8 is a schematic front view for explaining the operation of the stroke adjusting mechanism, showing a modification of the stroke adjusting mechanism according to the vehicle headlamp of the present invention. The stroke adjustment mechanism 50 of the present embodiment has substantially the same configuration except that the rotation stopper members 51, 53, 55, and 57 are used instead of the stopper member 34 in the stroke adjustment mechanism 29 of the above embodiment. Detailed description of other components will be omitted. Also, with respect to the stroke adjustment mechanism 50, the same reference numerals are given to components that are substantially the same as those of the stroke adjustment mechanism 29, and detailed description thereof is omitted.

  As shown in FIG. 8, the stroke adjusting mechanism 50 according to the present embodiment has four stopper positions corresponding to the movement strokes of the shade shades 21, 23, 25, and 27 at a plurality of drive positions (four positions in the present embodiment). Rotating stopper members 51, 53, 55 and 57 having S1, S2, S3 and S4 are provided. These rotation stopper members 51, 53, 55, and 57 are fixed so as to be integrally rotatable with the large gear 33 of the reduction gear mechanism 100.

  Protrusions 21b, 23b, 25b, and 27b that contact the outer peripheral ends of the corresponding rotation stopper members 51, 53, 55, and 57 are formed on the lower edges of the shades 21, 23, 25, and 27, respectively. Then, the rotation motor 30 controls the rotation of the rotation stopper members 51, 53, 55, 57 via the reduction gear mechanism 100, and stops the rotation stopper members 51, 53, 55, 57 at the four drive positions.

Therefore, the outer peripheral ends of the rotation stopper members 51, 53, 55, and 57 come into contact with the protrusions 21b, 23b, 25b, and 27b of the shades 21, 23, 25, and 27 at the corresponding portions of the four drive positions, respectively.
The outer peripheral ends of the rotation stopper members 51, 53, 55, and 57 have shapes corresponding to the movement strokes of the shades 21, 23, 25, and 27 at the corresponding positions that contact the protrusions 21b, 23b, 25b, and 27b at the respective driving positions. Is formed.

  That is, the rotation stopper members 51, 53, 55, and 57 correspond to the corresponding portions 51a, 53a, 55a, and 57a in which the protrusions 21b, 23b, 25b, and 27b of the shades 21, 23, 25, and 27 are in contact with the outer peripheral ends at the shielding positions. And corresponding portions 51b, 53b, 55b, and 57b that come into contact with the outer peripheral end at the retracted position.

  The rotation motor 30 controls the rotation of the rotation stopper members 51, 53, 55, and 57 via the reduction gear mechanism 100, and stops the rotation stopper members 51, 53, 55, and 57 at a predetermined drive position. On the other hand, the solenoid 40 rotates the shades 21, 23, 25, and 27 in the retracting direction via the elastic member 43 when turned on. Then, since the projections 21b, 23b, 25b, and 27b come into contact with the outer peripheral ends of the rotation stopper members 51, 53, 55, and 57, respectively, the movement strokes in the retracting direction of the shades 21, 23, 25, and 27 are individually restricted. Is done.

  In the shade mechanism 50 of the present embodiment, the solenoid 40 is driven and controlled so as to be turned off when the rotary motor 30 is driven, as in the shade mechanism 15 of the above embodiment. Here, the outer peripheral end shapes of the rotation stopper members 51, 53, 55, 57 are formed in a continuously changing cam shape, and the rotation stopper members 51, 53, 55, 57 are rotated while the solenoid 40 is in the ON state. The shades 21, 23, 25, 27 can also be moved.

  Therefore, the rotation motor 30 controls the rotation of the rotation stopper members 51, 53, 55, and 57 to change the four drive positions and individually regulate the movement strokes of the shades 21, 23, 25, and 27 in the retracting direction. By doing so, the shades 21, 23, 25, and 27 positioned at the shielding position can be selected as appropriate, and a plurality of low beam light distribution pattern cut-off lines can be formed by the upper edge of the shade.

  Therefore, by switching the driving positions of the rotation stopper members 51, 53, 55, and 57 by the stroke adjusting mechanism 50 and positioning any one of the shades 21, 23, 25, and 27 at the shielding positions, the upper end edges 21a, 23a, If 25a and 27a are selectively arranged in the vicinity of the optical axis Ax, it is possible to switch the light distribution pattern for low beam generated by the reflector reflected light shielding action.

Needless to say, the number of shades according to the required light distribution pattern type may be set in consideration of the use of the vehicle equipped with the headlamp of the present invention, the traveling environment, and the like.
In addition, the specific configurations of the shade, the urging member, the elastic member, the first and second actuators, the stroke adjusting mechanism, the shade mechanism, and the like in each of the above embodiments are not limited to the above embodiments.

  For example, the stroke adjusting mechanism includes a spacer member having a thickness corresponding to the movement stroke of each shade at a plurality of driving positions, and the movement stroke of each shade is changed by switching the thickness of the spacer member at the plurality of driving positions. May be configured to be individually regulated.

It is a schematic longitudinal cross-sectional view of the vehicle headlamp which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is sectional drawing in alignment with the AA of the lamp unit in the vehicle headlamp of FIG. FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of a main part of the shade mechanism shown in FIG. 2. It is a schematic front view for demonstrating operation | movement of the shade mechanism shown in FIG. It is explanatory drawing for demonstrating operation | movement of each shade shown in FIG. It is a schematic front view for demonstrating operation | movement of the shade mechanism shown in FIG. The figure which shows the example of a light distribution pattern formed on a road surface with the light irradiated ahead from a vehicle headlamp, and the example of a light distribution pattern formed on the virtual vertical screen arrange | positioned in the position of the lamp front 25m FIG. FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating a variation of the stroke adjustment mechanism according to the vehicle headlamp of the present invention, and is an explanatory diagram for explaining the operation of the stroke adjustment mechanism. It is a perspective view of the principal part of the conventional vehicle headlamp.

Explanation of symbols

1 Vehicle headlamp 2 Transparent cover (cover)
3 Lamp body 5 Lamp unit 8 Projection lens 10 Light source bulb (light source)
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10a Light emission part 13 Reflector 15 Shade mechanism 17 Holder 21,23,25,27 Shade 21a, 23a, 25a, 27a Upper end edge 22,24,26,28 Stopper part 29 Stroke adjustment mechanism 30 Rotation motor (2nd actuator)
31 Small gear 33 Large gear 34 Stopper member 36 Engaging portion 40 Solenoid (first actuator)
43 Elastic member 44 Biasing member Ax Optical axis

Claims (4)

In a lamp chamber formed by a lamp body and a cover, a projection lens disposed on an optical axis extending in the vehicle front-rear direction, a light source disposed on the rear side of the projection lens, and light from the light source directed forward A reflector that reflects near the optical axis, and a light distribution pattern that is disposed between the projection lens and the light source to shield a part of the reflected light from the reflector and a part of the direct light from the light source. A vehicle headlamp having a shade mechanism that forms a cut-off line of
The shade mechanism is
A plurality of shades that are provided along a plane substantially perpendicular to the optical axis in the vicinity below the optical axis and have different shapes for forming the cut-off line;
A biasing member that biases each shade in the shielding direction;
A first actuator that moves each shade in the retracting direction against the urging force of the urging member during control via an elastic member;
A stroke adjusting mechanism that individually regulates the movement stroke of each shade in the retracting direction at a plurality of driving positions;
A second actuator for changing the drive position of the stroke adjusting mechanism;
A vehicle headlamp characterized by comprising:   The vehicle headlamp according to claim 1, wherein the first actuator is not controlled when the second actuator is driven.   The stroke adjusting mechanism includes: a stopper portion formed on each shade corresponding to a movement stroke of each shade at a plurality of driving positions; and a stopper member that contacts the stopper portion at a plurality of driving positions. The vehicle headlamp according to claim 1 or 2.   The vehicle headlamp according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the first actuator is a solenoid, and the second actuator is a rotary motor.

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