JP2010140663A - Lighting tool for vehicle - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To enhance visibility of a front area of a vehicle, without imparting glares on a driver of an oncoming vehicle or a leading vehicle, in a lighting tool for a vehicle so structured to form an additional high-beam light distribution pattern. <P>SOLUTION: A projector type lighting tool unit 20A is so structured to circle in a horizontal direction by a swivel mechanism 50A. At this time, a part of reflected light from a reflector 26A is so structured to be reflected toward sideways by a mirror member 28A, having a reflecting face 28Aa so arranged to be extended along a vertical face including a light axis Ax, and at the same time, so formed for its front end edge 28Aa1 to pass a rear-side focus F of a projection lens 22. Moreover, a shade 40A which is arranged in the vicinity of a front side of the mirror member 28A, and is moved in the vertical directions by the drive of a shade driving mechanism 42A. As a result of this, an additional light distribution pattern with a clear contour at the side-end edge and the top-end edge is formed to enable to be displaced in a horizontal direction. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a vehicular illumination lamp configured to form an additional light distribution pattern for a high beam, and more particularly to a vehicular illumination lamp using a light emitting element as a light source.

  In recent years, a light emitting element such as a light emitting diode has been adopted as a light source for a vehicular illumination lamp constituting a headlamp.

  For example, in “Patent Document 1”, a high beam additional light distribution pattern (that is, a high beam light distribution pattern is added to a low beam light distribution pattern by a lamp unit having a plurality of light emitting elements as light sources). A vehicle illumination lamp designed to form a light distribution pattern formed automatically) is described.

  In the vehicular illumination lamp described in “Patent Document 1”, a plurality of light emitting elements are arranged so as to be adjacent to each other in the horizontal direction in the vicinity of the rear focal plane of the projection lens. An additional light distribution pattern for a high beam is formed by combining light distribution patterns formed as inverted projection images of the light emitting elements.

  In “Patent Document 2”, a projection lens disposed on an optical axis extending in the vehicle front-rear direction, and a rear side of the rear focal point of the projection lens and an upward and downward direction in the vicinity of the optical axis. A pair of light emitting elements, and a pair of reflectors arranged so as to cover each of the pair of light emitting elements from above and below, respectively, and reflecting light from the light emitting elements forward and toward the optical axis. , Arranged between the pair of reflectors and the projection lens so as to extend substantially along a horizontal plane including the optical axis, and the front edge is formed so as to pass through the rear focal point of the projection lens. A lamp unit comprising: a double-sided mirror piece configured to reflect a part of the reflected light upward and to reflect a part of the reflected light from the lower reflector downward. It has been mounting.

JP 2007-179969 A JP 2005-108554 A

  In the vehicular illumination lamp described in the above “Patent Document 1”, a plurality of light distribution patterns are formed in parallel in the horizontal direction by the irradiated light. If the lighting control of each light emitting element is performed so as not to form the light distribution pattern that should be formed at the position of the oncoming vehicle or the preceding vehicle, the vehicle does not give glare to the driver of the oncoming vehicle or the preceding vehicle It becomes possible to improve the visibility of the front area.

  However, since each of these light distribution patterns is formed as a reverse projection image of the light emitting chip of each light emitting element, it is difficult to make the outline of the side edge clear. For this reason, there is a problem that if the glare is not given to the driver of the oncoming vehicle or the preceding vehicle, the light irradiation range for the vehicle front area is considerably limited.

  The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and in a vehicular illumination lamp configured to form an additional light distribution pattern for a high beam, glare is given to drivers of oncoming vehicles and preceding vehicles. It is an object of the present invention to provide a vehicular illuminating lamp that can improve the visibility of the vehicle front area without being lost.

  The present invention has a configuration in which the lamp unit is swung in the horizontal direction by a swivel mechanism, and is configured to form a light distribution pattern having a vertical cutoff line on the side edge by irradiation light from the lamp unit, and The object can be achieved by adopting a configuration in which a horizontal cut-off line can be selectively formed at the upper edge of the light distribution pattern.

That is, the vehicular illumination lamp according to the present invention is:
In the vehicular illumination lamp configured to form an additional light distribution pattern added to the low beam light distribution pattern when forming the high beam light distribution pattern,
A projection lens disposed on an optical axis extending in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle, a light emitting element disposed rearwardly of the rear focal point of the projection lens and laterally in the vicinity of the optical axis, and the light emitting element A reflector disposed so as to cover from the side and reflecting the light from the light emitting element forward toward the optical axis, and disposed between the reflector and the projection lens, and reflected light from the reflector A mirror member for reflecting a part of the reflecting member toward the side, wherein the reflecting surface of the mirror member extends substantially along a vertical plane including the optical axis, and the front edge of the reflecting surface is behind the projection lens. A lamp unit comprising a mirror member formed so as to pass through the side focal point;
A swivel mechanism that pivots the lamp unit horizontally,
With
The lamp unit is disposed substantially along the vertical plane orthogonal to the optical axis in the vicinity of the front of the mirror member, and the upper end edge is formed to extend substantially horizontally from the position of the optical axis toward the side. And a shade driving mechanism for moving the first shade in the vertical direction.

  The above “light emitting element” means an element-like light source having a light emitting chip that emits light substantially in the form of dots, and the type thereof is not particularly limited, and examples thereof include a light emitting diode and a laser diode. Can be adopted.

  The “mirror member” of the lamp unit is such that its reflection surface extends substantially along a vertical plane including the optical axis and the front edge of the reflection surface passes through the rear focal point of the projection lens. The specific configuration is not particularly limited.

  In this case, the “reflecting surface” of the mirror member may be formed as the same plane as the vertical plane including the optical axis, or may be formed as a plane or curved surface slightly inclined from this plane. There may be.

  In addition, the “front edge” of the reflecting surface of the mirror member may be formed so as to extend in the vertical direction, but is formed so as to extend in a direction slightly inclined with respect to the vertical direction. It may be what was done.

  The movement mode of the first shade in the vertical direction by driving the “shade drive mechanism” is not particularly limited, and for example, movement by linear reciprocation or rotation can be employed.

  As shown in the above configuration, the vehicular illumination lamp according to the present invention includes a projector-type lamp unit in which a light emitting element and a reflector are arranged behind a projection lens. The lamp unit is connected to the reflector and the projection. The mirror member disposed between the lens and the lens is configured to reflect part of the reflected light from the reflector to the side, and the reflecting surface of the mirror member is a vertical surface including the optical axis. And the front edge thereof is formed so as to pass through the rear focal point of the projection lens. Therefore, the following effects can be obtained.

  That is, the additional light distribution pattern for high beam formed by the irradiation light from the lamp unit has a vertical cutoff line extending in a substantially vertical direction in the front direction of the lamp at the side edge, and the front edge of the reflection surface of the mirror member. It is formed as a reverse projection image.

  At this time, the side end portion of the additional light distribution pattern includes light that is reflected from the reflector directly incident on the projection lens, and light that is reflected from the reflector and reflected by the mirror member and then incident on the projection lens. Therefore, the sharpness of the vertical cut-off line can be sufficiently ensured. As a result, an additional light distribution pattern having a clear vertical cut-off line at the side edge is formed so as to extend from the lamp front direction to the side opposite to the side.

  Further, in the vehicular illumination lamp according to the present invention, the lamp unit is disposed substantially along a vertical plane perpendicular to the optical axis in the vicinity of the front of the mirror member, and the upper edge is located on the side from the position of the optical axis. Since the first shade formed so as to extend substantially horizontally toward the head and the shade drive mechanism for moving the first shade in the vertical direction are provided, a horizontal cut-off line is provided at the upper end edge of the additional light distribution pattern. It becomes possible to form.

  In addition, in the vehicular illumination lamp according to the present invention, since the lamp unit is configured to turn in the horizontal direction by the swivel mechanism, the additional light distribution pattern can be displaced in the left-right direction. As a result, the vertical cut-off line can be formed in a state of being close to the side of the oncoming vehicle or the preceding vehicle. At that time, a horizontal cutoff line can be selectively formed at the upper edge of the additional light distribution pattern by appropriately moving the first shade in the vertical direction by the shade driving mechanism. Therefore, the irradiation range of the additional light distribution pattern can be clearly defined in the left-right direction and the up-down direction.

  As described above, according to the present invention, in the vehicular illumination lamp configured to form the additional light distribution pattern for the high beam, the vehicle front region can be visually recognized without giving glare to the driver of the oncoming vehicle or the preceding vehicle. Can increase the sex.

  By the way, in general, a pair of headlamps are disposed on both the left and right sides of the front end of the vehicle. The direction of the lamp unit and the position of the first shade in the vehicle lighting lamp on the left side, and the direction of the lamp unit and the position of the first shade in the vehicle lighting lamp of the right headlamp are appropriately combined to face each other. Without giving glare to the driver of the car or the preceding vehicle, it is possible to irradiate the regions on both sides thereof, thereby sufficiently increasing the visibility of the vehicle front region.

  Also, a single vehicular illumination lamp may be configured to include a pair of lamp units and a first shade having a symmetrical configuration, and a pair of swivel mechanism and shade drive mechanism for driving them. The same effect as this can be obtained.

  In the above configuration, the lamp unit is disposed substantially along the vertical plane perpendicular to the optical axis in the vicinity of the front of the mirror member, and the lower end edge is above the optical axis from the position of the optical axis to the side. If the second shade formed so as to extend substantially horizontally is provided, a horizontal cut-off line is formed at the lower end edge of the additional light distribution pattern to irradiate a short distance area on the road surface ahead of the vehicle. The light can be removed, and thereby the visibility of the long distance area on the road surface ahead of the vehicle can be relatively enhanced.

  In the above configuration, if the upper end edge of the first shade is formed so as to extend substantially horizontally from the position of the optical axis toward the side opposite to the side, a predetermined length is as follows. An effect can be obtained.

  That is, a slight gap is inevitably generated between the movable first shade and the mirror member, so that a part of the reflected light from the reflector passes near the front edge of the reflecting surface of the mirror member. Thus, the vertical plane including the optical axis is directed to the space opposite to the side, but the upper edge of the first shade is directed from the position of the optical axis to the side opposite to the side. In this way, the light reflected from the reflector toward the space can be shielded by the first shade. As a result, when a horizontal cut-off line is formed at the upper end edge of the additional light distribution pattern for high beams, light traveling upward from the horizontal cut-off line can be reliably removed.

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

  FIG. 1 is a front view showing a vehicular illumination lamp 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

  As shown in the figure, the vehicular illumination lamp 10 according to this embodiment includes a lamp body 12 and a transparent light-transmitting cover 14 attached to a front end opening of the lamp body 12. In addition, a pair of left and right lamp units 20A and 20B and a pair of swivel mechanisms 50A and 50B for individually rotating these lamp units 20A and 20B in the horizontal direction are accommodated.

  At that time, the two sets of lamp units 20A and 20B and the swivel mechanisms 50A and 50B have a symmetrical configuration with respect to the lamp unit 20A and the lamp unit 20B, and the swivel mechanism 50A and the swivel mechanism 50B are the same. It has the composition of.

  In the vehicular illumination lamp 10, in the reference state where the optical axis adjustment of each lamp unit 20A, 20B is completed and the swivel drive by each swivel mechanism 50A, 50B is not performed, each lamp unit 20A, 20B Each of the optical axes Ax extends in the vehicle front direction.

  In this vehicular illumination lamp 10, an additional light distribution pattern PA as shown in FIG. 4A is formed by irradiation light from both lamp units 20A and 20B. This additional light distribution pattern PA is a light distribution pattern formed in addition to the low beam light distribution pattern PL formed by the irradiation light from another vehicle illumination lamp (not shown), A high beam light distribution pattern PH is formed as the combined light distribution pattern.

  The additional light distribution pattern PA is also formed in modes other than the mode shown in FIG. 4A, which will be described later.

  Hereinafter, the configuration of one lamp unit 20A and swivel mechanism 50A will be described.

  2 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line II-II in FIG. 1, and FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line III-III in FIG.

  As shown in these drawings, the lamp unit 20A includes a projection lens 22 disposed on the optical axis Ax and a left side behind the rear focal point F of the projection lens 22 and in the vicinity of the optical axis Ax. A light emitting element 24A disposed toward the light emitting element 24A, a reflector 26A which is disposed so as to cover the light emitting element 24A from the left side and reflects light from the light emitting element 24A toward the front toward the optical axis Ax, and the reflector 26A. A mirror member 28A arranged between the projection lens 22 and the projection lens 22, a shade 40A (first shade) arranged near the front of the mirror member 28A, a shade drive mechanism 42A for moving the shade 40A in the vertical direction, It is equipped with.

  The projection lens 22 is a plano-convex aspheric lens having a convex front surface and a flat rear surface, and projects a light source image formed on the rear focal plane onto a virtual vertical screen in front of the lamp as a reverse image. It is supposed to be.

  The projection lens 22 is fixedly supported by a ring-shaped lens holder 30. The lens holder 30 is formed with a pair of bracket portions 30a extending rearward from the rear surface of both upper and lower end portions thereof.

  The light emitting element 24A is a white light emitting diode, and includes a light emitting chip 24a constituting a light emitting surface of a horizontally long rectangular shape, a substrate 24b that supports the light emitting chip 24a, and a metal support plate 24c that supports the substrate 24b. It is made up of. At that time, the light emitting chip 24a is configured by arranging four light emitting chips having a square light emitting surface of about 1 mm square in a substantially intimate contact with each other in the horizontal direction. The light emitting chip 24a is sealed with a thin film formed so as to cover the light emitting surface.

  The reflector 26A has a reflective surface 26Aa having a long axis extending substantially parallel to the optical axis Ax and a substantially elliptical curved surface having the light emission center of the light emitting element 24A as a first focal point, and its eccentricity. Is set to gradually decrease from the horizontal cross section toward the vertical cross section. As a result, the reflector 26A substantially converges the light from the light emitting element 24A slightly in front of the rear focal point F in the vertical section, and moves the convergence position considerably forward in the horizontal section. It is like that.

  The mirror member 28A is a metal plate-like member arranged so that the left side surface extends along a vertical plane including the optical axis Ax. A mirror surface treatment is applied to the left side surface of the mirror member 28A, thereby constituting a reflection surface 28Aa that reflects part of the reflected light from the reflector 26A toward the left side. The mirror member 28A extends in the vertical direction so that the front end edge 28Aa1 of the reflecting surface 28Aa passes through the rear focal point F. A heat sink 28Ab is formed on the right side surface of the mirror member 28A. The heat sink 28Ab includes a plurality of heat radiation fins extending along a vertical plane orthogonal to the optical axis Ax.

  The light emitting element 24A is fixedly supported on a support plate 24c by a recess 28Ac formed in a stepped manner at the rear of the left side surface of the mirror member 28A. The reflector 26A is fixedly supported on the left side surface of the mirror member 28A. The mirror member 28A is fixedly supported by a pair of upper and lower bracket portions 30a of the lens holder 30 at both upper and lower ends.

  The shade 40A is a thin plate-like member, and is disposed substantially along a vertical plane orthogonal to the optical axis Ax. The upper end edge 40Aa of the shade 40A is formed to extend horizontally from the position of the optical axis Ax toward the left side. At this time, the upper end edge 40Aa is formed such that the left end thereof is curved forward. Further, the upper end edge 40Aa of the shade 40A is formed so that the right end thereof extends horizontally to the right side of the right side surface of the mirror member 28A.

  The shade drive mechanism 42A is configured as an actuator such as a solenoid coupled to the shade 40A, and reciprocates the shade 40A linearly in the vertical direction. At this time, the shade 40A can take the lower end position shown in the figure and the upper end position where the upper end edge 40Aa is located on the horizontal plane including the optical axis Ax by driving the shade drive mechanism 42A.

  The shade drive mechanism 42A is fixedly supported by the lower bracket portion 30a of the lens holder 30.

  The swivel mechanism 50A includes a frame member 52 that supports the lamp unit 20A in a pair of upper and lower bracket portions 30a of the lens holder 30 so as to be rotatable about an axis Ax1 extending in the vertical direction, and below the frame member 52. The actuator 54 is fixed to the frame member 52 and rotates the lamp unit 20A about the axis Ax1.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the frame member 52 of the swivel mechanism 50A is also used as the frame member 52 of the other swivel mechanism 50B. That is, the other lamp unit 20B is also supported by the frame member 52 so as to be rotatable about the axis Ax1 extending in the vertical direction in the pair of upper and lower bracket portions 30a of the lens holder 30.

  The frame member 52 is supported so as to be tiltable with respect to the lamp body 12, whereby the optical axis adjustment of both the lamp units 20 </ b> A and 20 </ b> B can be performed collectively.

  FIG. 4A shows an additional light distribution pattern PA formed on a virtual vertical screen arranged at a position 25 m ahead of the vehicle by light emitted forward from the vehicular illumination lamp 10 according to the present embodiment. It is a figure shown transparently with the light distribution pattern PL for low beams formed by the irradiation light from the other vehicle lamp.

  As described above, the additional light distribution pattern PA is added to the low beam light distribution pattern PL, whereby the high beam light distribution pattern PH is formed.

  Before describing the additional light distribution pattern PA, the low beam light distribution pattern PL will be described.

  As shown in FIG. 6A, the low beam light distribution pattern PL is a left light distribution light beam distribution pattern, which has horizontal cut-off lines CL1 and CL2 having different left and right steps at the upper edge. .

  These horizontal cut-off lines CL1 and CL2 extend in the horizontal direction at the left and right steps with the VV line as a vertical line passing through HV which is a vanishing point in the front direction of the lamp, and are more than the VV line. The right side is formed so as to extend in the horizontal direction as the horizontal cut-off line CL1 on the opposite lane side, and the left side from the VV line is stepped up from the horizontal cut-off line CL1 as the horizontal cut-off line CL2 on the own lane side. It is formed so as to extend in the horizontal direction. However, the end near the VV line in the horizontal cut-off line CL2 is formed as an oblique cut-off line extending at an inclination angle of 15 ° obliquely left upward from the intersection of the horizontal cut-off line CL1 and the V-V line. .

  In this low beam distribution pattern PL, an elbow point E, which is the intersection of the horizontal cut-off line CL1 and the VV line, is located about 0.5 to 0.6 ° below HV. A hot zone HZ that is a high luminous intensity region is formed so as to surround the point E slightly to the left.

  The additional light distribution pattern PA is formed as a combined light distribution pattern of the additional light distribution pattern PA1 formed by the irradiation light from the lamp unit 20A and the additional light distribution pattern PA2 formed by the irradiation light from the lamp unit 20B. ing.

  In addition, in the additional light distribution pattern PA shown in FIG. 5A, both the lamp units 20A and 20B are in the reference state (that is, the state where the swivel mechanisms 50A and 50B are not swiveled), and both This is a light distribution pattern formed when the pair of light emitting elements 24A and 24B are simultaneously turned on in the state where the shades 40A and 40B of the lamp units 20A and 20B are at the lower end position.

  FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an additional light distribution pattern formed on the virtual vertical screen by irradiation light from both lamp units 20A and 20B.

  At that time, the additional light distribution pattern PA shown in FIG. 5A is a light distribution pattern formed when the light emitting elements 24A and 24B of the lamp units 20A and 20B in the reference state are simultaneously turned on. Further, the additional light distribution pattern PA1 shown in FIG. 5B is a light distribution pattern formed when only the light emitting element 24A of the lamp unit 20A is turned on, and the additional light distribution pattern shown in FIG. PA2 is a light distribution pattern formed when only the light emitting element 24B of the lamp unit 20B is turned on.

  As shown in FIG. 5A, the additional light distribution pattern PA is formed so as to straddle the horizontal cutoff lines CL1 and CL2 of the low beam light distribution pattern PL. At this time, the additional light distribution pattern PA is formed as a horizontally long light distribution pattern extending in both the left and right directions around HV.

  As shown in FIG. 5B, the additional light distribution pattern PA1 is formed as a horizontally long light distribution pattern extending rightward from the VV line. At this time, the additional light distribution pattern PA1 is formed as a vertically symmetrical light distribution pattern with respect to the HH line which is a horizontal line passing through HV.

  The additional light distribution pattern PA1 is formed as a combined light distribution pattern of the light distribution pattern PA1A and the light distribution pattern PA1B, and a sharp vertical cut extending in the vertical direction along the line VV is formed on the left edge thereof. An offline CL3 is formed.

  Among the additional light distribution patterns PA1, the light distribution pattern PA1A is a light distribution pattern formed by light from the light emitting element 24A that is directly incident on the projection lens 22 after being reflected by the reflector 26A of the lamp unit 20A. The light distribution pattern PA1B is reflected by the reflector 26A of the lamp unit 20A, then further reflected by the reflecting surface 28Aa of the mirror member 28A, and then formed by the light from the light emitting element 24A incident on the projection lens 22 thereof. It is. The light distribution pattern PA1B is formed so as to overlap the light distribution pattern PA1A at the left end portion of the light distribution pattern PA1A.

  The vertical cut-off line CL3 in the additional light distribution pattern PA1 is formed as a reverse projection image of the front end edge 28Aa1 of the reflection surface 28Aa of the mirror member 28A. At this time, the vertical cut-off line CL3 is formed at the same position by each of the light distribution patterns PA1A and PA1B, and therefore becomes extremely clear.

  When the shade 40A is moved to the upper end position by driving the shade drive mechanism 42A of the lamp unit 20A, the additional light distribution pattern PA1 becomes only the lower half as shown by a two-dot chain line in FIG. The upper edge of the lower half is formed as a horizontal cut-off line CL5 along the line HH. This is because the light irradiated upward from the lamp unit 20A is shielded by the shade 40A moved to the upper end position, and the horizontal cutoff line CL5 is formed as an inverted projection image of the upper end edge 40Aa of the shade 40A. It is what is done.

  As shown in FIG. 6C, the additional light distribution pattern PA2 is a light distribution pattern that is symmetrical with respect to the additional light distribution pattern PA1 and the VV line. That is, the additional light distribution pattern PA2 is formed as a horizontally long light distribution pattern extending rightward from the VV line. At this time, the additional light distribution pattern PA2 includes a light distribution pattern PA2A formed when the reflected light from the reflector 26B of the lamp unit 20B is directly incident on the projection lens 22, and the reflected light from the reflector 26B. It is formed as a combined light distribution pattern with the light distribution pattern PA2B formed by being reflected by the reflection surface 28Ba of the member 28B and then entering the projection lens 22, and at the right edge thereof, the VV line is formed. A clear vertical cut-off line CL4 extending in the vertical direction is formed.

  When the shade 40B is moved to the upper end position by driving the shade drive mechanism 42B of the lamp unit 20B, the additional light distribution pattern PA2 becomes only the lower half as shown by a two-dot chain line in FIG. The upper edge of the lower half is formed as a horizontal cut-off line CL6 along the line HH. This is because the light irradiated upward from the lamp unit 20A is shielded by the shade 40B moved to the upper end position. At that time, the horizontal cut-off line CL6 is formed as a reverse projection image of the upper end edge 40Ba of the shade 40B. It is what is done.

  As shown in FIG. 5A, the additional light distribution pattern PA obtained by synthesizing these additional light distribution patterns PA1 and PA2 is a lamp with both vertical cut-off lines CL3 and CL4 aligned on the VV line. It will be formed so as to spread from the front direction to the left and right sides. At that time, the front end edge 28Aa1 of the reflecting surface 28Aa of the mirror member 28A of the lamp unit 20A and the front end edge 28Ba1 of the reflecting surface 28Ba of the mirror member 28B of the lamp unit 20B also extend in the vertical direction so as to pass through the rear focal point F. Therefore, the position of the vertical cut-off line CL3 and the position of the vertical cut-off line CL4 of the additional light distribution pattern PA2 exactly match on the VV line.

  In this additional light distribution pattern PA, when one or both of the shades 40A and 40B are moved to the upper end position, either one or both of the additional light distribution patterns PA1 and PA2 constituting the shade 40A and 40B are moved to the lower half. Thus, the light distribution pattern is only formed.

  Next, the effect of this embodiment is demonstrated.

  The vehicular illumination lamp 10 according to the present embodiment includes a pair of projector-type lamp units 20A and 20B. Of these, the lamp unit 20A is disposed between the reflector 26A and the projection lens 22. The mirror member 28A is configured to reflect a part of the reflected light from the reflector 26A toward the left side, while the lamp unit 20B is disposed between the reflector 26B and the projection lens 22. The mirror member 28B is configured to reflect part of the reflected light from the reflector 26B toward the right side, and the reflecting surfaces 28Aa and 28Ba of the mirror members 28A and 28B in the respective lamp units 20A and 20B. Extends substantially along a vertical plane including the optical axis Ax, and its front end edges 28Aa1 and 28Ba1 are projected lenses. Is formed so as to pass through the rear focal point F of 22, it is possible to obtain the following effects.

  That is, the additional light distribution pattern PA1 formed by the reflected light from the reflector 26A of the lamp unit 20A has a vertical cut-off line CL3 extending in a substantially vertical direction in the front direction of the lamp at the left end edge of the reflecting surface 28Aa of the mirror member 28A. Formed as a reverse projection image of the front end edge 28Aa1. On the other hand, the additional light distribution pattern PA2 formed by the reflected light from the reflector 26B of the lamp unit 20B has a vertical cut-off line CL4 extending substantially in the vertical direction in the front direction of the lamp at the right end edge of the reflecting surface 28Ba of the mirror member 28B. Is formed as a reverse projection image of the front end edge 28Ba1.

  At that time, the left end portion of the additional light distribution pattern PA1 is reflected after the reflected light from the reflector 26A of the lamp unit 20A directly enters the projection lens 22 and the reflected light from the reflector 26A is reflected by the mirror member 28A. Since it is formed by combining with the light incident on the projection lens 22, it is possible to sufficiently ensure the sharpness of the vertical cutoff line CL3. Similarly, the right end portion of the additional light distribution pattern PA2 is obtained after the reflected light from the reflector 26B of the lamp unit 20B is directly incident on the projection lens 22 and the reflected light from the reflector 26B is reflected by the mirror member 28B. Since it is formed by combining with the light incident on the projection lens 22, it is possible to sufficiently ensure the definition of the vertical cut-off line CL4.

  Therefore, by turning on the light emitting element 24A of the lamp unit 20A, the additional light distribution pattern PA1 having a sharp vertical cutoff line CL3 at the left end edge is formed so as to extend rightward from the lamp front direction. On the other hand, by turning on the light emitting element 24B of the lamp unit 20B, the additional light distribution pattern PA2 having a clear vertical cut-off line CL4 at the right end edge is formed so as to extend leftward from the lamp front direction. Further, by turning on both the light emitting elements 24A and 24B simultaneously, the additional light distribution pattern PA obtained by synthesizing the two additional light distribution patterns PA1 and PA2 is aligned with the vertical cut-off lines CL3 and CL4. It is formed so as to diffuse from the direction to both the left and right sides.

  Moreover, the lamp unit 20A is disposed substantially along a vertical plane perpendicular to the optical axis Ax in the vicinity of the front of the mirror member 28A, and the upper end edge 40Aa extends horizontally from the position of the optical axis Ax toward the left side. Since the shade 40A formed in this manner and the shade drive mechanism 42A for moving the shade 40A in the vertical direction are provided, the shade 40A is moved to the upper end position by driving the shade drive mechanism 42A. The additional light distribution pattern PA1 may have a horizontal cut-off line CL5 formed on the upper edge thereof. The lamp unit 20B is disposed substantially along a vertical plane orthogonal to the optical axis Ax in the vicinity of the front of the mirror member 28B, and the upper end edge 40Ba extends horizontally from the position of the optical axis Ax to the right side. Since the shade 40B formed as described above and the shade drive mechanism 42B for moving the shade 40B in the vertical direction are provided, the shade 40B is moved to the upper end position by driving the shade drive mechanism 42B. The additional light distribution pattern PA2 may have a horizontal cut-off line CL6 formed on the upper edge thereof.

  In addition, in the vehicular illumination lamp 10 according to the present embodiment, the two lamp units 20A and 20B are configured to pivot in the horizontal direction by the swivel mechanisms 50A and 50B, respectively. Therefore, the additional light distribution patterns PA1 and PA2 , PA can be selectively displaced in the left-right direction.

  At that time, by displacing the additional light distribution pattern PA1 in the left-right direction, the vertical cut-off line CL3 can be formed in the state of being close to the right side of the oncoming vehicle or the preceding vehicle. On the other hand, by displacing the additional light distribution pattern PA2 in the left-right direction, the vertical cut-off line CL4 can be formed close to the left side of the oncoming vehicle or the preceding vehicle. Then, by combining these two additional light distribution patterns PA1 and PA2 while being appropriately displaced in the left and right directions, the areas on the left and right sides of the oncoming vehicle and the preceding vehicle are not given glare. Thus, the visibility of the vehicle front area can be improved. In addition, when there is no oncoming vehicle and no preceding vehicle, the diffused light distribution pattern can be formed in an appropriate direction according to the degree of the curve of the vehicle travel path, etc. by displacing the additional light distribution pattern PA in the left-right direction. it can.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, in the vehicular illumination lamp 10 configured to form the additional light distribution pattern for high beams, the vehicle front area without giving glare to the driver of the oncoming vehicle or the preceding vehicle. Visibility can be improved.

  At that time, the vehicular illumination lamp 10 according to the present embodiment includes the shade drive mechanisms 42A and 42B that move the shades 40A and 40B of the lamp units 20A and 20B in the vertical direction, so that the additional light distribution pattern PA1, Horizontal cut-off lines CL5 and CL6 can be selectively formed on the upper edge of PA2.

  Therefore, the irradiation range of the additional light distribution patterns PA1, PA2, and PA should be clearly defined in the horizontal direction and the vertical direction by appropriately combining the directions of the lamp units 20A and 20B and the positions of the shades 40A and 40B. Can do. Thereby, the visibility of the vehicle front area can be further improved without giving glare to the driver of the oncoming vehicle or the preceding vehicle.

  Specifically, as shown in FIG. 4 (b), when there is a preceding vehicle 2 traveling in the own lane on the road surface in front of the vehicle, the shades 40A and 40B of both lamp units 20A and 20B are moved to the upper end position. Therefore, if the additional light distribution patterns PA1 and PA2 having the horizontal cut-off lines CL5 and CL6 along the HH line are formed in close contact with each other on the VV line, glare is generated in the driver of the preceding vehicle. Without giving, it is possible to widely irradiate the road surface in front of the vehicle.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 5A, when there is an oncoming vehicle 4 traveling on the opposite lane on the road surface in front of the vehicle, both lamp units 20A and 20B are moved rightward from the reference state by the swivel mechanisms 50A and 50B. And the additional light distribution patterns PA1 and PA2 are relatively small in the right direction from the position shown in FIG. 4A by moving only the shade 40A of both lamp units 20A to the upper end position. If the additional light distribution pattern PA1 on the right side is displaced and has a horizontal cut-off line CL5 along the HH line at the upper edge, the vertical cut-off line CL4 of the left additional light distribution pattern PA2 is used. Is close to the left side of the oncoming vehicle 4 and the horizontal cut-off line CL5 of the right additional light distribution pattern PA1 is viewed by the oncoming vehicle driver. In a state where the was positioned below and in the vicinity, it is possible to form the additional light distribution pattern PA1, PA2. Thus, it is possible to irradiate the vehicle front area over a wide range without giving glare to the oncoming vehicle driver.

  At that time, as shown in FIG. 5 (b), when the oncoming vehicle 4 approaches, the vehicle turns the vehicle unit by increasing the turning angle of the lamp units 20A and 20B in the right direction according to the position. A state in which the front region is irradiated over a wide range can be maintained.

  For detecting the position of the preceding vehicle 2 or the oncoming vehicle 4 on the virtual vertical screen, for example, a landscape image in front of the vehicle is captured by a CCD camera or the like, and the preceding vehicle 2 is in a lighting state based on the captured data. This can be easily performed by detecting the position of the tail lamp or the position of the headlamp in the on-state of the oncoming vehicle 4 as a high-density pixel.

  Further, in the present embodiment, the upper end edge 40Aa of the shade 40A in the lamp unit 20A is formed so as to extend horizontally for a predetermined length from the position of the optical axis Ax toward the right side. Can be obtained.

  That is, in the lamp unit 20A, since a slight gap is inevitably generated between the movable shade 40A and the mirror member 28A, a part of the reflected light from the reflector 26A is reflected by the mirror member 28A. It passes through the vicinity of the front end edge 28Aa1 of the surface 28Aa toward the space on the right side of the vertical surface including the optical axis Ax, but the upper end edge 40Aa of the shade 40A is horizontal toward the right side from the position of the optical axis Ax. Therefore, the reflected light from the reflector 26A toward the space can be shielded by the shade 40A. As a result, when the horizontal cut-off line CL5 is formed at the upper end edge of the additional light distribution pattern PA1, light traveling upward from the horizontal cut-off line CL5 can be reliably removed.

  Similarly, in the present embodiment, the upper end edge 40Ba of the shade 40B in the lamp unit 20B is formed so as to extend horizontally from the position of the optical axis Ax toward the left side by a predetermined length, so that the additional light distribution pattern PA2 When the horizontal cut-off line CL6 is formed at the upper end edge of the light, it is possible to reliably remove light traveling upward from the horizontal cut-off line CL6.

  As a result, it is possible to reliably prevent glare from the driver of the oncoming vehicle or the preceding vehicle.

  Next, a modification of the above embodiment will be described.

  FIG. 7 is a view similar to FIG. 1 showing a vehicular illumination lamp 110 according to this modification.

  As shown in the figure, the basic configuration of the vehicular illumination lamp 110 according to this modification is the same as that of the vehicular illumination lamp 10 of the above embodiment, but the configuration of each of the lamp units 120A and 120B is as follows. It differs from each lamp unit 20A, 20B of the said embodiment.

  That is, each of these lamp units 120A and 120B has a configuration in which shades 144A and 144B (second shades) are added to the respective lamp units 20A and 20B of the above embodiment.

  Each of these shades 144A and 144B is formed of a thin plate-like member, and is disposed along a vertical plane perpendicular to the optical axis Ax in the vicinity of the front of the mirror members 28A and 28B of the lamp units 120A and 120B. At that time, the shade 144A of the lamp unit 120A is formed such that its lower end edge 144Aa extends horizontally from the position of the optical axis Ax to the left side above the optical axis Ax, and the lamp unit 120B. The lower end edge 144Ba of the shade 144B is formed to extend horizontally from the position of the optical axis Ax toward the right side above the optical axis Ax. A part of the reflected light from the reflector 26A is shielded by the shade 144A of the lamp unit 120A, and a part of the reflected light from the reflector 26B is shielded by the shade 144B of the lamp unit 120B.

  The shade 144A of the lamp unit 120A is fixedly supported on the front end surface of the mirror member 28A, and the shade 144B of the lamp unit 120B is fixedly supported on the front end surface of the mirror member 28B.

  FIG. 8 is a view similar to FIG. 4 showing the operation of this modification.

  The additional light distribution patterns PA1 and PA2 shown in FIG. 8A correspond to the additional light distribution patterns PA1 and PA2 shown in FIG. 4B.

  The additional light distribution patterns PA1 and PA2 shown in FIG. 8 (a) have horizontal cut-off lines CL7 and CL8 at their lower edges, respectively, compared to the additional light distribution patterns PA1 and PA2 shown in FIG. 4 (b). Thus, the light distribution pattern has its lower end cut off. The lower end is cut off in this way because the light irradiated downward from the lamp units 120A and 120B at a relatively large angle is shielded by the shades 144A and 144B. The horizontal cutoff lines CL7 and CL8 are formed as inverted projection images of the lower end edges 144Aa and 144Bb of the shades 144A and 144B.

  Thus, by forming the additional light distribution patterns PA1 and PA2 having the horizontal cut-off lines CL7 and CL8 at the lower end edge, it is possible to remove the light irradiated to the short-distance region on the road surface in front of the vehicle. The visibility of the long-distance area on the road surface can be relatively enhanced.

  The additional light distribution patterns PA1 and PA2 shown in FIG. 8B are formed by displacing the additional light distribution patterns PA1 and PA2 shown in FIG. 8A so as to approach each other in the direction closer to the VV line. It is a synthetic light distribution pattern. This combined light distribution pattern is formed by turning the lamp unit 120A leftward by the swivel mechanism 50A and turning the lamp unit 120B rightward by the swivel mechanism 50B.

  In this way, by increasing the overlapping portions of the additional light distribution patterns PA1 and PA2, it is possible to irradiate the far distance area on the road surface ahead of the vehicle more brightly, thereby further improving the visibility of the far distance area. it can.

  In the above embodiment, the light emitting elements 24A and 24B have been described as having the light emitting chip 24a in which four light emitting chips having a square light emitting surface of about 1 mm square are arranged in close contact with each other in the horizontal direction. However, it is of course possible to adopt a configuration having light emitting chips of other shapes and sizes. And by doing in this way, it is possible to adjust suitably the shape and brightness of each additional light distribution pattern PA, PA1, PA2.

  In the above embodiment, the vehicular illumination lamp 10 has been described as including two sets of lamp units 20A and 20B and swivel mechanisms 50A and 50B. Instead of doing this, a pair of left and right headlamps is used. Among them, a pair of lamp units 20A and a swivel mechanism 50A are provided in the vehicle illumination lamp for one headlamp, and another set of lamp units 20B and a swivel are provided for the vehicle illumination lamp for the other headlamp. A configuration in which the mechanism 50B is provided is also possible. Even in the case of adopting such a configuration, the direction of both lamp units 20A and 20B and the positions of the shades 40A and 40B are appropriately combined, so that the glare is applied to the driver of the oncoming vehicle and the preceding vehicle, as in the above embodiment. The vehicle front area can be irradiated without giving the light, and the visibility can be sufficiently enhanced.

  In addition, the numerical value shown as a specification in the said embodiment and its modification is only an example, and of course, you may set these to a different value suitably.

Front view showing a vehicular illumination lamp according to an embodiment of the present invention II-II sectional view of FIG. Sectional view along line III-III in Fig. 1 (A) shows an additional light distribution pattern formed in a double manner on a virtual vertical screen disposed at a position 25 m ahead of the vehicle by the light emitted forward from the vehicle illumination lamp, and other vehicle illumination The figure shown transparently with the light distribution pattern for low beams formed with the irradiation light from a lamp, (b) shows the additional light distribution pattern different from the said additional light distribution pattern, The figure similar to (a) FIG. 4 is a view similar to FIG. 4, showing two additional light distribution patterns different from the additional light distribution pattern. The figure which shows the additional light distribution pattern formed on the said virtual vertical screen by the irradiation light from one lamp unit in the said vehicle lamp The figure similar to FIG. 1 which shows the lamp unit of the illumination lamp for vehicles which concerns on the modification of the said embodiment. The same figure as FIG. 4 which shows the effect | action of the said modification.

Explanation of symbols

2 preceding vehicle 4 oncoming vehicle 10, 110 vehicle lighting lamp 12 lamp body 14 translucent cover 20A, 20B, 120A, 120B lamp unit 22 projection lens 24A, 24B light emitting element 24a light emitting chip 24b substrate 24c support plate 26A, 26B reflector 26Aa , 26Ba Reflective surface 28A, 28B Mirror member 28Aa, 28Ba Reflective surface 28Aa1, 28Ba1 Front edge 28Ab Heat sink 28Ac Recess 30 Lens holder 30a Bracket part 40Aa, 40Ba Upper edge 40A, 40B Shade (first shade)
42A, 42B Shade drive mechanism 50A, 50B Swivel mechanism 52 Frame member 54 Actuator 144A, 144B Shade (second shade)
144Aa, 144Ba Lower edge Ax Optical axis Ax1 Axis CL1, CL2, CL5, CL6, CL7, CL8 Horizontal cutoff line CL3, CL4 Vertical cutoff line E Elbow point F Rear focus HZ Hot zone PA, PA1, PA2 Additional light distribution pattern PA1A , PA1B, PA2A, PA2B Light distribution pattern PH High beam light distribution pattern PL Low beam light distribution pattern

Claims (4)

In the vehicular illumination lamp configured to form an additional light distribution pattern added to the low beam light distribution pattern when forming the high beam light distribution pattern,
A projection lens disposed on an optical axis extending in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle, a light emitting element disposed rearwardly of the rear focal point of the projection lens and laterally in the vicinity of the optical axis, and the light emitting element A reflector disposed so as to cover from the side and reflecting the light from the light emitting element forward toward the optical axis, and disposed between the reflector and the projection lens, and reflected light from the reflector A mirror member for reflecting a part of the reflecting member toward the side, wherein the reflecting surface of the mirror member extends substantially along a vertical plane including the optical axis, and the front edge of the reflecting surface is behind the projection lens. A lamp unit comprising a mirror member formed so as to pass through the side focal point;
A swivel mechanism that pivots the lamp unit horizontally,
With
The lamp unit is disposed substantially along the vertical plane orthogonal to the optical axis in the vicinity of the front of the mirror member, and the upper end edge is formed to extend substantially horizontally from the position of the optical axis toward the side. A vehicular illumination lamp comprising: a first shade that is moved, and a shade drive mechanism that moves the first shade in a vertical direction.   The lamp unit is disposed substantially along the vertical plane perpendicular to the optical axis in the vicinity of the front of the mirror member, and the lower end edge is above the optical axis from the position of the optical axis toward the side. The vehicular illumination lamp according to claim 1, further comprising a second shade formed so as to extend substantially horizontally.   The upper end edge of the first shade is formed so as to extend from the position of the optical axis to a side opposite to the side substantially horizontally for a predetermined length. The vehicle lighting device according to 2.   A lamp unit and a first shade having a symmetrical configuration with respect to the lamp unit and the first shade, and a swivel mechanism and a shade drive mechanism for driving the lamp unit and the first shade, respectively. The vehicle lighting device according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

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