JP2010153076A - Vehicular illumination lamp - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To achieve simultaneous formation of a horizontal cut-off line and a diagonal cut-off line in a vehicular illumination lamp emitting light from a light-emitting element forward using a translucent member disposed in front of the light-emitting element. <P>SOLUTION: Light from a light-emitting element 12 is internally reflected on a front surface 14a of a translucent member 14. The light is subsequently internally reflected again on a rear surface 14b of the translucent member 14, and then emitted from the front surface 14a. In this case, a light-emitting surface 12A of the light-emitting element 12 is disposed such that a lower end edge 12A1 of the light-emitting surface is positioned on a horizontal line orthogonal to an optical axis Ax, thereby enabling formation of a horizontal cut-off line. Furthermore, in first and second zones Z1, Z2 on the rear surface 14b of the translucent member, respectively positioned diagonally upward on the oncoming vehicle lane side and diagonally downward on one's own vehicle lane side, inner peripheral side zones Z1i, Z2i are positioned more toward the inner peripheral side than first and second curves C1, C2, which are formed so as to project toward the optical axis Ax when viewed from the lamp front, and configured as zones for forming a diagonal cut-off line. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a vehicular illumination lamp configured to emit light from a light emitting element such as a light emitting diode forward by a translucent member disposed on the front side thereof.

  Conventionally, for example, as described in “Patent Document 1”, light from a light emitting element arranged forward in the vicinity of a predetermined point on an optical axis extending in the vehicle longitudinal direction is arranged on the front side thereof. There is known a vehicular illumination lamp that is configured to emit light forward by a translucent member.

  In this vehicular illumination lamp, the light emitted from the light emitting element is made incident on the translucent member and internally reflected on the front surface thereof, and then internally reflected again on the rear surface and emitted from the front surface. Yes. At that time, the center region on the front surface of the translucent member is subjected to a mirror surface treatment for internally reflecting light from the light emitting element.

  In addition, this “Patent Document 1” also describes a configuration in which the light emitting elements are arranged so that the lower end edge of the light emitting surface is positioned on a horizontal line orthogonal to the optical axis.

JP 2005-11704 A

  By adopting the configuration described in the above-mentioned “Patent Document 1”, it becomes possible to make the vehicular illumination lamp thin, and at this time, the lower end edge of the light emitting surface of the light emitting element is orthogonal to the optical axis. If it arrange | positions so that it may be located on a horizontal line, it will become possible to form the light distribution pattern which has a horizontal cutoff line in an upper end part.

  However, in the vehicular illumination lamp described in “Patent Document 1”, the cut-off line that can be formed by the irradiated light is only the horizontal cut-off line that extends in a straight line.

  For this reason, when it is going to form the light distribution pattern for low beams of a headlamp using this vehicle illumination lamp, a horizontal cut-off line is formed as described also in the above-mentioned "patent document 1." Therefore, there is a problem that it is necessary to use a vehicle illumination lamp for use in combination with a vehicle illumination lamp for forming an oblique cut-off line that is inclined with the same configuration as this. .

  The invention of the present application is made in view of such circumstances, and is a vehicle illumination lamp configured to emit light from a light emitting element forward by a translucent member arranged on the front side thereof. An object of the present invention is to provide a vehicular illumination lamp capable of forming a light distribution pattern for low beam having horizontal and oblique cut-off lines by the irradiated light.

  In the present invention, the object is achieved by devising the configuration of the rear surface of the translucent member.

That is, the vehicular illumination lamp according to the present invention is:
A light emitting element disposed forward in the vicinity of a predetermined point on the optical axis extending in the vehicle front-rear direction; and a translucent member disposed on the front side of the light emitting element, the light emitted from the light emitting element The vehicle is configured to be incident on the translucent member and internally reflected on the front surface of the translucent member, and then internally reflected again on the rear surface of the translucent member and emitted from the front surface of the translucent member. In lighting fixtures,
The light emitting element has a light emitting surface whose lower end edge extends linearly, and is arranged so that the lower end edge of the light emitting surface is positioned on a horizontal line orthogonal to the optical axis,
A paraboloid having a front surface of the translucent member configured by a plane orthogonal to the optical axis, and a rear surface of the translucent member focusing on a position symmetrical to the predetermined point with respect to the front surface of the translucent member. It consists of a predetermined light reflection control surface formed with the surface as a reference surface,
In the front surface of the light transmissive member, a mirror surface treatment is performed on a central region within a predetermined range centered on the optical axis, and a mirror surface treatment is performed on the rear surface of the light transmissive member.
A first region located obliquely above the opposite lane side with respect to the optical axis on the rear surface of the translucent member is bordered by a first curve formed so as to protrude toward the optical axis in a front view of the lamp. The second region located obliquely below the lane side with respect to the optical axis is convex toward the optical axis when viewed from the front of the lamp. With the formed second curve as a boundary, it is divided into an inner peripheral region and an outer peripheral region,
At least one of the vicinity region of the first curve in the inner peripheral side region of the first region and the vicinity region of the second curve in the inner peripheral side region of the second region is from the region It is configured as a region for forming an oblique cut-off line extending obliquely upward toward the own lane side by reflected light.

  As long as the “light emitting element” has a light emitting surface whose lower end edge extends linearly, the specific shape and size of the light emitting surface are not particularly limited. The “light-emitting element” is not particularly limited in terms of the specific position in the left-right direction as long as the lower-end edge of the light-emitting surface is positioned on a horizontal line orthogonal to the optical axis. It is not something.

  The specific shape of the “predetermined light reflection control surface formed with the rotational paraboloid as a reference surface” is not particularly limited. For example, the rotational paraboloid is composed of the rotational paraboloid itself. It is possible to adopt a structure in which a plurality of reflective elements are formed, a structure in which a rotating paraboloid is deformed, or the like.

  The above-mentioned “mirror treatment” means a treatment for enabling specular reflection, and it is a matter of course that the mirror treatment may be performed by a surface treatment such as aluminum vapor deposition. It is also possible to apply a mirror surface treatment by pasting.

  As shown in the above configuration, the vehicular illumination lamp according to the present invention arranges light from a light emitting element arranged forward in the vicinity of a predetermined point on the optical axis extending in the lamp front-rear direction on the front side thereof. The light emitting element is configured to be incident on the light-transmitting member and internally reflected on the front surface thereof, and then internally reflected again on the rear surface and emitted from the front surface. Is positioned so as to be positioned on a horizontal line orthogonal to the optical axis, it is possible to easily form a light distribution pattern having a horizontal cut-off line at the upper end.

  The translucent member has a front surface formed of a plane orthogonal to the optical axis, and a rear surface of the paraboloid having a focal point at a position symmetrical to the predetermined point with respect to the front surface of the translucent member. The light source image of the light emitting surface of the light emitting element formed by the reflected light from the rotating paraboloid that is the reference surface is the own lane side. It is possible to find a special position on the reference plane so as to be a light source image having an upper end edge extending obliquely upward toward.

  Specifically, the special position is such that, on the rear surface of the translucent member, the first region located obliquely above the opposite lane side with respect to the optical axis is convex toward the optical axis in the front view of the lamp. On the second curve formed so as to be convex toward the optical axis when viewed from the front of the lamp among the formed position on the first curve and the second region located obliquely below the own lane with respect to the optical axis It has been confirmed by the results of the study of the present inventor that the two positions are.

  Based on such knowledge, the vehicular illumination lamp according to the present invention has a rear surface of the translucent member, a region near the first curve in the inner peripheral region of the first region, and an inner peripheral region of the second region. Since at least one of the neighboring areas of the second curve is configured as an area for forming an oblique cutoff line extending obliquely upward toward the own lane side by the reflected light from the area, Not only a horizontal cutoff line but also an oblique cutoff line can be formed simultaneously.

  As described above, according to the present invention, in the vehicular illumination lamp configured to emit light from the light emitting element forward by the translucent member arranged on the front side, horizontal and oblique cuts are performed by the irradiation light. A low beam light distribution pattern having an off-line can be formed.

  By the way, in the said structure, the light source image formed with the reflected light from the outer peripheral side area | region in each of the 1st and 2nd area | region will be formed so that it may protrude above a horizontal and diagonal cut-off line. .

  Therefore, if the outer peripheral side region in each of the first and second regions is configured to deflect and reflect the inner surface reflected light from the front surface of the translucent member incident on the outer peripheral side region, the outer peripheral side region is non-reflective. It is possible to prevent the formation of a light source image that protrudes upward from the horizontal and oblique cutoff lines without requiring a reflection process or the like.

  At this time, if the outer peripheral side region in each of the first and second regions is configured to diffusely reflect the inner surface reflected light from the front surface of the translucent member incident on the outer peripheral side region, the outer peripheral side region It is possible to effectively suppress the occurrence of uneven light distribution on the road surface in front of the vehicle due to the light source image displaced downward due to downward deflection reflection at the vehicle.

  In the above configuration, if the light emitting element is arranged so that the end point on the own lane side at the lower end edge of the light emitting surface is positioned on the own lane side and in the vicinity of the optical axis with respect to the optical axis, The light source image formed by the reflected light from the region for forming the oblique cut-off line can be formed at a position near the own lane side of the elbow point that is the intersection of the horizontal cut-off line and the oblique cut-off line. Thereby, a hot zone that is a high luminous intensity region of the low beam light distribution pattern can be formed at an optimal position.

  In the above configuration, a central region on the front surface of the translucent member (that is, a region subjected to mirror processing within a predetermined range centered on the optical axis) is set as an annular region centered on the optical axis, and If a region located on the inner peripheral side of the annular region on the front surface of the translucent member is configured as a lens unit that deflects and emits light from the light emitting element that has reached the region, the light emitted from the lens unit The light distribution pattern to be formed can be formed in addition to the light distribution pattern formed by the light internally reflected by the rear surface of the translucent member, thereby making it possible to effectively use the light source light flux. In addition, at that time, it is easy to form a relatively dark and large light distribution pattern with an arbitrary size around a relatively bright and small light distribution pattern formed by the light reflected from the rear surface of the translucent member. It becomes possible. Therefore, the low beam light distribution pattern formed by the irradiation light from the vehicular illumination lamp can be formed as a light distribution pattern with little light distribution unevenness.

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

  As shown in these drawings, the vehicular illumination lamp 10 according to the present embodiment includes a light emitting element 12 disposed forward in the vicinity of a predetermined point A on an optical axis Ax extending in the lamp front-rear direction, and the light emitting element 12. A translucent member 14 disposed on the front side, a metal support plate 16 that supports the light emitting element 12, and a metal heat sink 18 that is fixed to the rear surface of the support plate 16. Yes.

  The vehicular illumination lamp 10 is used in a state in which the optical axis can be adjusted with respect to a lamp body or the like (not shown). When the optical axis adjustment is completed, the optical axis Ax is the vehicle. It extends downward about 0.5 to 0.6 ° with respect to the front direction. And the light distribution pattern PL of the left light distribution as shown in FIG. 4 is formed with the irradiation light from this vehicle lamp 10.

  The light emitting element 12 is a white light emitting diode, and includes four light emitting chips 12a arranged in series in the horizontal direction and a substrate 12b that supports them.

  The four light emitting chips 12a are arranged so as to be in close contact with each other, and their front surfaces are sealed with a thin film, thereby forming a light emitting surface 12A that emits light in a horizontally long rectangular shape when viewed from the front of the lamp. Yes. At this time, each light emitting chip 12a has a square outer shape of about 1 × 1 mm, and thus the light emitting surface 12A has an outer shape of about 1 × 4 mm.

  The light emitting element 12 has a lower end edge 12A1 of the light emitting surface 12A positioned on a horizontal line orthogonal to the optical axis Ax at a predetermined point A, and an end point on the own lane side (right side in the lamp front view) of the lower end edge 12A1. B is arranged so as to be positioned on the own lane side of the optical axis Ax and in the vicinity of the optical axis Ax (specifically, for example, a position about 0.3 to 1.0 mm away from the optical axis Ax). Has been.

  The translucent member 14 is made of a transparent synthetic resin molded product such as an acrylic resin molded product, and has a circular outer shape when viewed from the front of the lamp. The translucent member 14 makes the light emitted from the light emitting element 12 incident on the translucent member 14, reflects the inner surface on the front surface 14 a, and then reflects the inner surface again on the rear surface 14 b, and returns the front surface thereof. It is comprised so that it may radiate | emit ahead from 14a.

  The region near the optical axis on the front surface 14a of the translucent member 14 is configured as a lens portion 14a1 that deflects and emits light from the light emitting element 12, and the other region is configured by a plane orthogonal to the optical axis Ax. Yes.

  And in the front surface 14a of this translucent member 14, the annular area | region 14a2 adjacent to the outer peripheral side of the lens part 14a1 is given the mirror surface process by aluminum vapor deposition.

  The position of the outer peripheral edge of the annular region 14a2 is such that the incident angle of light from the light emitting element 12 that has reached the front surface 14a of the translucent member 14 (more precisely, light from the predetermined point A) becomes the critical angle α. Is set. As a result, the light from the light emitting element 12 that has reached the front surface 14a of the translucent member 14 is internally reflected by the reflecting surface that has been subjected to the mirror surface treatment in the annular region 14a2, and from the annular region 14a2. Also, the peripheral area 14a3 located on the outer peripheral side is internally reflected by total reflection.

On the other hand, the position of the inner peripheral edge of the annular region 14a2 is such that the light from the light emitting element 12 reflected on the inner surface by the front surface 14a of the translucent member 14 (precisely, the light from the predetermined point A) is The lens portion 14a1 on the front surface 14a of the translucent member 14 that is set to a position that is incident on a position substantially directly behind the outer peripheral edge of the annular region 14a2 has an elliptical spherical surface. At this time, the curvature of the elliptical sphere constituting the surface is set to a smaller value in the cross-sectional shape along the horizontal plane than in the cross-sectional shape along the vertical plane. The lens unit 14a1 emits the light from the light emitting element 12 that has reached the lens unit 14a1 (more precisely, the light from the predetermined point A) as light parallel to the optical axis Ax in the vertical direction. In addition, in the horizontal direction, the light is emitted forward as light that slightly spreads from the optical axis Ax to the left and right sides.

  On the other hand, the rear surface 14b of the translucent member 14 is formed with respect to the front surface 14a using a rotational paraboloid P centered on the optical axis Ax as a reference plane, with a position symmetrical to the predetermined point A as a focal point F. And a predetermined light reflection control surface (which will be described later). The rear surface 14b is subjected to a mirror surface treatment such as aluminum deposition over the entire region except the peripheral region of the optical axis Ax.

  A rear surface 14b of the translucent member 14 is formed so as to surround the optical axis Ax in an annular shape, and a space portion 14c surrounding the light emitting element 12 is formed at the center of the inner surface of the rear surface 14b. A stepped recess 14d is formed around the space 14c.

  The front end surface of the space portion 14c is formed in a hemispherical shape centered on the predetermined point A, and thereby, the emitted light from the light emitting element 12 (exactly the emitted light from the predetermined point A) is The light is incident on the translucent member 14 without being refracted. Further, the stepped recess 14d has a shape that follows the shape of the support plate 16 and the heat sink 18, and these are positioned and fixed. The heat sink 18 has a configuration in which a plurality of heat radiating fins 18a are formed on the rear surface thereof.

  Next, a specific configuration of the rear surface 14b of the translucent member 14 as a light reflection control surface will be described.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the rear surface 14b of the translucent member 14 has a first region Z1 located obliquely above the opposite lane side with respect to the optical axis Ax, and a second region located obliquely below the own lane side with respect to the optical axis Ax. It consists of a region Z2, a third region Z3 located obliquely below the opposite lane side with respect to the optical axis Ax, and a fourth region Z4 located obliquely above the own lane side with respect to the optical axis Ax.

  The first region Z1 has an inner periphery side region Z1i (a portion indicated by a mesh line in the drawing) and an outer periphery with a first curve C1 formed so as to be convex toward the optical axis Ax in the front view of the lamp. It is divided into a side region Z1o. Further, the second region Z2 also has an inner peripheral side region Z2i (a portion indicated by a mesh line in the drawing) with a second curve C2 formed so as to be convex toward the optical axis Ax in the front view of the lamp. And the outer peripheral side area Z2o.

  Here, the first and second curves C1 and C2 are reflected from the reference surface when the rear surface 14b of the translucent member 14 is constituted by the reference surface itself (that is, the paraboloid P). By connecting a special position such that the light source image of the light emitting surface 12A of the light emitting element 12 formed by light becomes a light source image having an upper end edge extending obliquely upward at an inclination angle of 15 ° toward the own lane side. This is a curve to be formed (this will be described later). At this time, the first and second curves C1 and C2 are curves approximate to a hyperbola centered on the optical axis Ax in the front view of the lamp, and are formed in a substantially rotationally symmetric positional relationship with respect to the optical axis Ax. It becomes.

  In other words, the portion of the first curve C1 that is closest to the optical axis Ax is located at the approximate center between the inner peripheral edge and the outer peripheral edge of the rear surface 14b of the translucent member 14, and intersects with the outer peripheral edge of the rear surface 14b. The end point on the upper end side is located slightly away from the vertical plane including the optical axis Ax toward the opposite lane, and the end point on the lower end side intersecting the outer peripheral edge of the rear surface 14b is above the horizontal plane including the optical axis Ax. Located slightly away to the side. The first curve C1 is formed such that the curvature in the vicinity of the portion closest to the optical axis Ax is large, and the curvature gradually decreases toward the end point on the upper end side and the end point on the lower end side. .

  On the other hand, the portion of the second curve C2 that is closest to the optical axis Ax is located at the approximate center between the inner peripheral edge and the outer peripheral edge of the rear surface 14b of the translucent member 14, and intersects with the outer peripheral edge of the rear surface 14b. The end point on the lower end side is located slightly away from the vertical plane including the optical axis Ax toward the own lane, and the end point on the upper end side intersecting with the outer peripheral edge of the rear surface 14b is lower than the horizontal plane including the optical axis Ax. Located slightly away to the side. The second curve C2 is formed such that the curvature in the vicinity of the portion closest to the optical axis Ax is large, and the curvature gradually decreases toward the end point on the lower end side and the end point on the upper end side. .

  The rear surface 14b of the translucent member 14 is configured such that each of the inner peripheral side regions Z1i and Z2i of the first and second regions Z1 and Z2 is configured by the reference surface itself (that is, the paraboloid P). Each of the other regions has a configuration in which a plurality of diffuse reflection elements 14s are formed on the reference surface, so that the inner surface reflected light from the front surface 14a incident on the region is diffusely reflected to the left and right sides. It has become.

  At that time, the third and fourth regions Z3 and Z4 only diffusely reflect the inner surface reflected light from the front surface 14a incident on the region to the left and right sides, but the outer peripheral side region Z1o of the first and second regions Z1. , Z2o is configured to deflect and reflect the inner surface reflected light from the front surface 14a incident on the region downward.

  FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a low beam light distribution pattern PL formed on a virtual vertical screen arranged at a position 25 m ahead of the lamp by light irradiated forward from the vehicular illumination lamp 10.

  The low beam light distribution pattern PL is a left light distribution low beam light distribution pattern as described above, and has horizontal and oblique cut-off lines CL1 and CL2 at the upper end thereof. At that time, a horizontal cut-off line CL1 is formed on the opposite lane side with respect to the VV line that is a vertical line passing through HV, which is a vanishing point in the front direction of the vehicle, and an inclination of 15 ° toward the own lane side. An oblique cut-off line CL2 having an angle is formed, and an elbow point E that is an intersection of both cut-off lines CL1 and CL2 is located about 0.5 to 0.6 ° below HV, and A hot zone HZ that is a high luminous intensity region is formed in the vicinity of the elbow point E on the own lane side. The elbow point E is located about 0.5 to 0.6 ° below HV because the optical axis Ax of the vehicular illumination lamp 10 is 0.5 to 0. 0 with respect to the vehicle front direction. This is because it extends in the downward direction by about 6 °.

  The low beam light distribution pattern PL is formed as a combined light distribution pattern in which seven light distribution patterns PZ1i, PZ1o, PZ2i, PZ2o, PZ3, PZ4, and P1 are superimposed.

  At this time, the light distribution patterns PZ1i, PZ1o, PZ2i, PZ2o, PZ3, and PZ4 are formed by light that is emitted after being repeatedly reflected by the front surface 14a and the rear surface 14b of the translucent member 14 (hereinafter referred to as “repetitively reflected light”). The light distribution pattern P <b> 1 is a light distribution pattern formed by light directly emitted from the lens portion 14 a 1 on the front surface 14 a of the translucent member 14 (hereinafter referred to as “direct emission light”).

  The horizontal cut-off line CL1 of the low-beam light distribution pattern PL is mainly formed by the upper end edges of the light distribution patterns PZ3 and PZ4, and the oblique cut-off line CL2 is formed by the upper end edges of the light distribution patterns PZ1i and PZ2i. Has been.

  First, the light distribution patterns PZ3 and PZ4 will be described.

  The light distribution pattern PZ3 is a light distribution pattern formed by repeated reflected light from the third region Z3, and the light distribution pattern PZ4 is a light distribution pattern formed by repeated reflected light from the fourth region Z4. These are formed as substantially the same light distribution pattern.

  Each of these light distribution patterns PZ3 and PZ4 is formed as a light distribution pattern extending in the horizontal direction along the horizontal cut-off line CL1, and has a clear light-dark boundary line at the upper edge.

  This is because the repetitively reflected light from each of the third and fourth regions Z3 and Z4 is parallel to the optical axis Ax in the vertical direction, as shown in FIG. 3, the light from the lower edge 12A1 of the light emitting surface 12A. The light from other parts of the light emitting surface 12A becomes light downward with respect to the optical axis Ax, and the light from the light emitting surface 12A has a plurality of diffuse reflections in the horizontal direction as shown in FIG. This is due to diffusion to the left and right sides by the element 14s.

  At this time, the light distribution patterns PZ3 and PZ4 have their center positions in the left-right direction slightly displaced toward the own lane with respect to the VV line, but this is because the light emitting surface 12A faces the optical axis Ax. This is because it is arranged at a position shifted to the lane side.

  As described above, the main part of the horizontal cutoff line CL1 is formed by the upper end edges of the light distribution patterns PZ3 and PZ4.

  Next, the light distribution patterns PZ1i and PZ2i will be described.

  The light distribution pattern PZ1i is a light distribution pattern formed by repeated reflected light from the inner peripheral side region Z1i of the first region Z1, and the light distribution pattern PZ2i is repeated from the inner peripheral side region Z2i of the second region Z2. These are light distribution patterns formed by reflected light, and these are formed as substantially the same light distribution patterns.

  Each of these light distribution patterns PZ1i and PZ2i is a substantially fan-shaped light distribution pattern extending along the oblique cut-off line CL2, and its upper end edge is formed as a clear light / dark boundary line. Hereinafter, the reason will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 5 shows a light emitting surface formed by repetitively reflected light from a plurality of positions on the first region Z1 when the first region Z1 is composed of the rotational paraboloid P over the entire region. It is a figure which shows the light source image of 12A.

  In this case, FIGS. 4A to 4C are front views showing a part of the first region Z1, and FIG. 4A shows four reflection points R1 in the upper stage portion of the first region Z1. , R2, R3, and R4, and FIG. 8B shows the positions of the four reflection points R5, R6, R7, and R8 in the middle stage, and FIG. The positions of four reflection points R9, R10, R11, and R12 in the lower part are shown.

  FIG. 6D shows light source images I1, I2, I3, and I4 of the light emitting surface 12A formed by repeated reflected light from the positions of the four reflection points R1, R2, R3, and R4 shown in FIG. FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 4D, each of the light source images I1 to I4 is formed as an elongated image extending obliquely upward from the vicinity of the elbow point E toward the own lane.

  The upper edge of each of the light source images I1 to I4 is formed as a light source image of the lower edge 12A1 of the light emitting surface 12A. The lower edge 12A is located on a horizontal line orthogonal to the optical axis Ax at a predetermined point A. Therefore, the upper edge of each of the light source images I1 to I4 is formed as a relatively clear light / dark boundary line passing through the elbow point E.

  Moreover, although the edge on the opposite lane side of each of these light source images I1 to I4 is located slightly on the opposite lane side from the VV line, this is because the end point B of the lower end edge 12A1 of the light emitting surface 12A is This is because it is located on the own lane side of the optical axis Ax and in the vicinity of the optical axis Ax.

  Then, the light source image I1 formed by the repetitively reflected light from the reflection point R1 located closest to the opposite lane becomes an image having the largest inclination, and is displaced toward the own lane in the order of the reflection points R2, R3, R4. The degree of inclination of the light source images I2, I3, and I4 gradually decreases.

  At that time, the light source image I2 formed by the repeatedly reflected light from the reflection point R2 located on the first curve C1 has an inclination angle of 15 ° at the upper edge, and is 15 from the elbow point E toward the own lane. It coincides with the oblique cut-off line CL2 extending at an inclination angle of °. In addition, the light source image I1 formed by the repeatedly reflected light from the reflection point R1 located in the outer peripheral side region Z1o has an inclination angle of the upper end edge larger than 15 °. On the other hand, the light source images I3 and I4 formed by the repetitively reflected light from the reflection points R3 and R4 located in the inner peripheral region Z1i have an inclination angle of the upper end edge smaller than 15 °.

  FIG. 6E shows light source images I5, I6, I7, and I8 of the light emitting surface 12A formed by repeated reflected light from the positions of the four reflection points R5, R6, R7, and R8 shown in FIG. FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 5E, each of the light source images I5 to I8 is also formed as an elongated image extending obliquely upward from the vicinity of the elbow point E toward the own lane, and the upper end edge of the light source image I5 to I8 is It is formed as a relatively clear light / dark boundary line passing through the point E, and the edge on the opposite lane side is located slightly on the opposite lane side from the VV line.

  Then, the light source image I5 formed by the repetitively reflected light from the reflection point R5 located closest to the opposite lane becomes an image having the largest inclination, and as the reflection points R6, R7, and R8 are displaced toward the own lane in this order. The degree of inclination of the light source images I6, I7, and I8 gradually decreases.

  At that time, the light source image I6 formed by repetitively reflected light from the reflection point R6 located on the first curve C1 has an inclination angle of 15 ° at the upper edge, and is 15 from the elbow point E toward the own lane. It coincides with the oblique cut-off line CL2 extending at an inclination angle of °. In addition, in the light source image I5 formed by repeatedly reflected light from the reflection point R5 located in the outer peripheral side region Z1o, the inclination angle of the upper edge is larger than 15 °. On the other hand, in the light source images I7 and I8 formed by the repetitively reflected light from the reflection points R7 and R8 located in the inner peripheral region Z1i, the inclination angle of the upper edge is smaller than 15 °.

  FIG. 8F shows light source images I9, I10, I11, and I12 of the light emitting surface 12A formed by repeated reflected light from the positions of the four reflection points R9, R10, R11, and R12 shown in FIG. FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 6 (f), each of these light source images I9 to I12 is also formed as a long and narrow image extending obliquely upward from the vicinity of the elbow point E toward the own lane, and the upper end edge of the light source image I9 to I12 is It is formed as a relatively clear light / dark boundary line passing through the point E, and the edge on the opposite lane side is located slightly on the opposite lane side from the VV line.

  Then, the light source image I9 formed by the repetitively reflected light from the reflection point R9 located closest to the opposite lane becomes an image having the largest inclination, and as the reflection points R10, R11, and R12 are displaced toward the own lane in this order. The degree of inclination of the light source images I10, I11, and I12 gradually decreases.

  At that time, the light source image I10 formed by the repetitively reflected light from the reflection point R10 located on the first curve C1 has an inclination angle of 15 ° at the upper edge, and is 15 from the elbow point E toward the own lane. It coincides with the oblique cut-off line CL2 extending at an inclination angle of °. In addition, the light source image I9 formed by the repetitively reflected light from the reflection point R9 located in the outer peripheral side region Z1o has an inclination angle of the upper end edge larger than 15 °. On the other hand, the light source images I11 and I12 formed by the repetitively reflected light from the reflection points R11 and R12 located in the inner peripheral region Z1i have an inclination angle of the upper end edge smaller than 15 °.

  Among these twelve light source images I1 to I12, light source images I2 to I4 and I6 to I6 are formed by repeatedly reflected light from the reflection points R2 to R4, R6 to R8, and R10 to R12 located in the inner peripheral side region Z1i. A light distribution pattern PZ1i is formed by superimposing I8, I10 to I12 (that is, a light source image in which the inclination angle of the upper edge is 15 ° or less).

  A light distribution pattern PZ2i formed by repeated reflected light from the inner peripheral side region Z2i of the second region Z2 is also formed in the same manner as this light distribution pattern PZ1i.

  As described above, the oblique cut-off line CL2 is formed by the upper end edges of the light distribution patterns PZ1i and PZ2i.

  Next, the light distribution patterns PZ1o and PZ2o will be described.

  The light distribution pattern PZ1o is a light distribution pattern formed by repeatedly reflected light from the outer peripheral side region Z1o of the first region Z1, and the light distribution pattern PZ2o is repeatedly reflected light from the outer peripheral side region Z2o of the second region Z2. Are formed as substantially the same light distribution pattern.

  Each of these light distribution patterns PZ1o and PZ2o is formed as a light distribution pattern extending in the horizontal direction substantially along the horizontal cutoff line CL1.

  At that time, the light distribution pattern PZ1o is a light source image I1, I5, I9 (that is, the inclination of the upper edge) formed by repeated reflected light from the reflection points R1, R5, R9 located in the outer peripheral side region Z1o of the first region Z1. The light source image having an angle of more than 15 ° is displaced downward and then diffused to the left and right sides, and is superimposed. The same applies to the light distribution pattern PZ2o.

  These light distribution patterns PZ1o and PZ2o also have their center positions in the left-right direction displaced slightly closer to the own lane with respect to the VV line, but this is because the light emitting surface 12A is on the opposite lane side with respect to the optical axis Ax. This is due to the fact that they are arranged at shifted positions.

  Next, the light distribution pattern P1 will be described.

  This light distribution pattern P <b> 1 is a light distribution pattern formed by light directly emitted from the lens portion 14 a 1 on the front surface 14 a of the translucent member 14.

  The light distribution pattern P1 is formed as a horizontally long light distribution pattern extending in the horizontal direction along the horizontal cut-off line CL1, and has a light-dark boundary line at the upper edge.

  This is because the light emitting surface 12A is formed in a horizontally long rectangular shape, and the light directly emitted from the lens portion 14a1 is light that spreads slightly to the left and right sides.

  At this time, the light distribution pattern P1 has its center position in the left-right direction displaced slightly toward the own lane with respect to the VV line. This is because the light emitting surface 12A is on the opposite lane side with respect to the optical axis Ax. This is due to the fact that they are arranged at shifted positions.

  As described above in detail, the vehicular illumination lamp 10 according to the present embodiment emits light from the light emitting element 12 disposed forward in the vicinity of the predetermined point A on the optical axis Ax extending in the lamp front-rear direction. The light emitting element is configured such that the light is incident on the translucent member 14 disposed on the front side and is internally reflected by the front surface 14a, and then is internally reflected again by the rear surface 14b and emitted from the front surface 14a. 12 is arranged so that the lower end edge 12A1 of the light emitting surface 12A is positioned on a horizontal line orthogonal to the optical axis Ax, it is easy to form a light distribution pattern having a horizontal cut-off line CL1 at the upper end. It becomes possible.

  The translucent member 14 has a front surface 14a formed of a plane perpendicular to the optical axis Ax, and a rear surface 14b of the translucent member 14 focused on a position symmetrical to the predetermined point A with respect to the front surface 14a of the translucent member 14. The light emitting element 12 emits light that is formed by the reflected light from the rotating paraboloid P serving as the reference surface. It is possible to find a special position on the reference plane so that the light source image of the surface 12A becomes a light source image having an upper end edge extending obliquely upward toward the own lane side.

  Specifically, this special position is directed toward the optical axis Ax in the front view of the lamp in the first region Z1 located obliquely above the opposite lane side with respect to the optical axis Ax on the rear surface 14b of the translucent member 14. Of the position on the first curve C <b> 1 formed to be convex and the second region Z <b> 2 located obliquely downward on the own lane side with respect to the optical axis Ax, it becomes convex toward the optical axis Ax in the front view of the lamp. It was confirmed from the examination results of the inventors of the present application that there are two locations on the second curve C2 formed as described above.

  Based on such knowledge, the vehicular illumination lamp 10 according to the present embodiment has an inner peripheral side region Z1i of the first region Z1 and an inner peripheral side region Z2i of the second region Z2 on the rear surface 14b of the translucent member 14. Are configured as regions for forming an oblique cut-off line CL2 extending obliquely upward toward the own lane side by the reflected light from the inner peripheral side regions Z1i, Z2i, so that only the horizontal cut-off line CL1 is used. The oblique cut-off line CL2 can also be formed at the same time.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, in the vehicular illumination lamp 10 configured to emit light forward from the light emitting element 12 by the translucent member 14 disposed on the front side thereof, the irradiation light emits light. A low beam light distribution pattern PL having horizontal and oblique cutoff lines CL1, CL2 can be formed.

  Moreover, in the present embodiment, each of the outer peripheral side region Z1o of the first region Z1 and the outer peripheral side region Z2o of the second region Z2 on the rear surface 14b of the translucent member 14 is incident on the outer peripheral side regions Z1o and Z2o. Since the inner surface reflected light from the front surface 14a of the member 14 is deflected and reflected downward, it is possible to cut horizontally and obliquely without requiring non-reflection treatment or the like on the outer peripheral side regions Z1o and Z2o. It is possible to prevent a light source image projecting upward from the offline lines CL1 and CL2 from being formed.

  At that time, each of the outer peripheral side regions Z1o, Z2o is configured to diffusely reflect the inner surface reflected light from the front surface 14a of the translucent member 14 incident on the outer peripheral side regions Z1o, Z2o. It is possible to effectively suppress the occurrence of uneven light distribution on the road surface in front of the vehicle due to the light source image displaced downward by the downward deflection reflection in the outer peripheral side regions Z1o and Z2o.

  Further, in the present embodiment, the light emitting element 12 positions the end point B on the own lane side at the lower end edge 12A of the light emitting surface 12A on the own lane side with respect to the optical axis Ax and in the vicinity of the optical axis Ax. Therefore, the light source image formed by the reflected light from the inner peripheral side region Z1i of the first region Z1 and the inner peripheral side region Z2i of the second region Z2, which is a region for forming the oblique cut-off line CL. Can be formed at a position near the own lane side of the elbow point E. As a result, the hot zone HZ of the low beam light distribution pattern PL can be formed at an optimum position.

  Furthermore, in this embodiment, the center area | region in the front surface 14a of the translucent member 14 is set as the annular | circular shaped area | region 14a2 centering on the optical axis Ax, and is located in the inner peripheral side rather than this annular | circular shaped area | region 14a2. Since the region near the optical axis is configured as a lens portion 14a1 that deflects and emits the light from the light emitting element 12 that has reached the region, the light distribution pattern P1 formed by the light emitted from the lens portion 14a1 is Light distribution patterns PZ1i, PZ1o, PZ2i, PZ2o, PZ3, and PZ4 formed by light reflected from the rear surface 14b of the translucent member 14 can be formed in addition to the light source, thereby effectively using the light source luminous flux. Can do.

  In addition, at that time, since the lens portion 14a1 is configured to emit the light from the light emitting element 12 as the right and left diffused light, the lens portion 14a1 is relatively bright and formed by the light internally reflected by the rear surface 14b of the translucent member 14. Thus, a relatively dark and large light distribution pattern P1 is formed as a horizontally long light distribution pattern around the small light distribution patterns PZ1i, PZ1o, PZ2i, PZ2o, PZ3, and PZ4. Therefore, the low-beam light distribution pattern PL formed by the irradiation light from the vehicular illumination lamp 10 can be formed as a light distribution pattern with little light distribution unevenness.

  In the above embodiment, on the rear surface 14b of the translucent member 14, the entire areas of the inner peripheral side region Z1i of the first region Z1 and the inner peripheral side region Z2i of the second region Z2 form an oblique cut-off line CL. However, the entire region of any one of them can be configured as a region for forming the oblique cut-off line CL, and these inner peripheral side regions Z1i can be formed. , Z2i or only one of the areas near the first and second curves C1, C2 can be configured as an area for forming the oblique cut-off line CL.

  In the above embodiment, the light emitting element 12 has been described as having a horizontally elongated light emitting surface 12A, but it is of course possible to have a configuration having a light emitting surface 12A having a shape other than this.

  In addition, the numerical value shown as a specification in the said embodiment 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. Detailed cross-sectional view taken along line III-III in FIG. The figure which shows perspectively the low-beam light distribution 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 said vehicle lighting lamp. In the case where the first region on the rear surface of the translucent member of the above embodiment is constituted by a paraboloid over the entire region, the first region is formed by repeatedly reflected light from a plurality of positions on the first region. Figure showing the light source image of the light emitting surface

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Vehicle lamp 12 Light emitting element 12A Light emitting surface 12A1 Lower end edge 12a Light emitting chip 12b Substrate 14 Translucent member 14a Front surface 14a1 Lens part 14a2 Toroidal region 14a3 Peripheral region 14b Rear surface 14c Space 14d Recessed part 18 Heat sink 18 Heat sink Heat sink A Predetermined point Ax Optical axis B End point on the own lane side at the lower edge CL1 Horizontal cut-off line CL2 Diagonal cut-off line C1 First curve C2 Second curve E Elbow point F Focus I1, I2, I3, I4, I5, I6, I7, I8, I9, I10, I11, I12 Light source image HZ Hot zone P Rotary paraboloid PZ1i, PZ1o, PZ2i, PZ2o, PZ3, PZ4, P1 Light distribution pattern PL Low beam light distribution pattern R1, R2, R3, R4, R5 , R6, R7, 8, R9, R10, R11, R12 reflection point Z1 first region Z1i, Z2i inner circumferential region Z1o, Z2o outer circumferential region Z2 second zone Z3 third region Z4 fourth region

Claims (5)

A light emitting element disposed forward in the vicinity of a predetermined point on the optical axis extending in the vehicle front-rear direction; and a translucent member disposed on the front side of the light emitting element, the light emitted from the light emitting element The vehicle is configured to be incident on the translucent member and internally reflected on the front surface of the translucent member, and then internally reflected again on the rear surface of the translucent member and emitted from the front surface of the translucent member. In lighting fixtures,
The light emitting element has a light emitting surface whose lower end edge extends linearly, and is arranged so that the lower end edge of the light emitting surface is positioned on a horizontal line orthogonal to the optical axis,
A paraboloid having a front surface of the translucent member configured by a plane orthogonal to the optical axis, and a rear surface of the translucent member focusing on a position symmetrical to the predetermined point with respect to the front surface of the translucent member. It consists of a predetermined light reflection control surface formed with the surface as a reference surface,
In the front surface of the light transmissive member, a mirror surface treatment is performed on a central region within a predetermined range centered on the optical axis, and a mirror surface treatment is performed on the rear surface of the light transmissive member.
A first region located obliquely above the opposite lane side with respect to the optical axis on the rear surface of the translucent member is bordered by a first curve formed so as to protrude toward the optical axis in a front view of the lamp. The second region located obliquely below the lane side with respect to the optical axis is convex toward the optical axis when viewed from the front of the lamp. With the formed second curve as a boundary, it is divided into an inner peripheral region and an outer peripheral region,
At least one of the vicinity region of the first curve in the inner peripheral side region of the first region and the vicinity region of the second curve in the inner peripheral side region of the second region is from the region A vehicular illumination lamp characterized by being configured as a region for forming an oblique cut-off line extending obliquely upward toward the own lane side by reflected light.   The outer peripheral side region in each of the first and second regions is configured to deflect and reflect the inner surface reflected light from the front surface of the translucent member incident on the outer peripheral side region downward. The vehicular illumination lamp according to claim 1.   The outer peripheral side region in each of the first and second regions is configured to diffusely reflect the inner surface reflected light from the front surface of the translucent member incident on the outer peripheral side region in the horizontal direction. The vehicular illumination lamp according to claim 2.   The light emitting element is disposed so that the end point on the own lane side at the lower end edge of the light emitting surface of the light emitting element is positioned closer to the own lane than the optical axis and in the vicinity of the optical axis. The vehicular illumination lamp according to any one of claims 1 to 3. The central region on the front surface of the translucent member is set as an annular region centered on the optical axis,
A region located on the inner peripheral side of the annular region on the front surface of the translucent member is configured as a lens unit that deflects and emits light from the light emitting element that has reached the region. The vehicular illumination lamp according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

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