JP2010153138A - Lamp unit for vehicle - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To realize a lamp unit for a vehicle in which temperature rise of a plurality of LEDs arranged linearly is suppressed and luminous efficiency can be improved. <P>SOLUTION: The lamp unit 100 is constructed by housing in a case a projection lens 13 which controls emitting light from each LED 11 of a light source unit 12 which has surface-mounted LEDs 11 arranged linearly as the light source. The light source unit 12 has seven LEDs 11 linearly mounted in longitudinal direction on a mounting face of a long LED substrate 14, and each LED 11 is constructed of a body part 111 and a light-emitting part 112 of which on emitting face side a single convex lens is adhered, and is arranged in a row along the longitudinal direction of the LED substrate. The LED substrate 14 has step portions 141, 142 lower than the mounting face in the longitudinal direction from the mounting face of each LED 11 toward the both side face, and these form a communication hole that enables convection of the LEDs located inside the LEDs 11 arranged linearly between the light-receiving portion 15 of the lens 13 and the outside air directly. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a vehicular lamp unit in which a lens for light projection made of total reflection resin and an LED (light emitting diode) are combined.

A conventional vehicle lamp unit is composed of a linear light source in which a plurality of LEDs are linearly arranged, and a prism lens that introduces light from the linear light source and emits it forward. Since the light-receiving part and the linear light source of the prism lens can be densely arranged along the length direction of the light-receiving part, the illuminance can be improved without increasing the size. (For example, Patent Document 1)
JP 2006-164923 A

  In the technique of the above-described Patent Document 1, both ends of the light receiving unit whose cross section is formed in a concave shape along the longitudinal direction of the lens are open. A plurality of LEDs are arranged in the light receiving unit, but the LEDs arranged at both ends of the plurality of LEDs arranged in a line shape can suppress a temperature rise from both open portions of the light receiving unit.

  However, the heat radiation of the LEDs arranged on the inside is convectively radiated to both open parts of the light receiving part via the LEDs arranged on both ends, so that it is difficult to suppress the temperature rise of the LEDs arranged on the inside. Met. For this reason, since it was difficult to suppress the temperature rise of the LED arranged inside, there was a problem that the luminous efficiency was lowered and the life of the LED was shortened by heat stress.

  An object of the present invention is to provide a vehicular lamp unit that can improve luminous efficiency by suppressing a temperature rise of a plurality of LEDs arranged in a line.

  In order to solve the above-described problems, a vehicle lamp unit according to the present invention accommodates an insulating substrate, at least three LEDs mounted linearly on the surface of the substrate, and a light emitting portion of the LED. An incident surface having a concave cross section, a lens that changes incident light from the LED incident on the incident surface by refraction, and exits from the output surface; and an inner surface of the linearly arranged LED The LED is provided with a communication hole for directly performing convection with the outside without using the LEDs located on both sides of the LED.

  According to this invention, since it is possible to suppress the temperature rise of a plurality of LEDs arranged linearly, it is possible to improve the light emission efficiency of the LEDs and suppress the shortening of the lifetime.

  Hereinafter, the best mode for carrying out the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

  1 to 6 are diagrams for explaining an embodiment of a vehicle lamp unit according to the present invention. FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view, FIG. 2 is a front view of the assembled state of FIG. 1, and FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken along line IIa-IIb in FIG. 2, FIG. 5 is a sectional view taken along line IIIa-IIIb in FIG. 2, and FIG. 6 is a sectional view taken along line IVa-IVb in FIG.

  First, in FIGS. 1 and 2, reference numeral 100 denotes a vehicle lamp unit, specifically a vehicle fog lamp. The lamp unit 100 includes a light source unit 12 that uses a plurality of LEDs 11 as light sources, and a light projection lens 13 that controls light emitted from the LEDs 11 of the light source unit 12, and these are not shown. The main part is configured by being housed in the main body. The lens 13 can be made of a resin material. As the material, acrylic, polycarbonate and the like used for general optical lenses can be considered.

  The light source unit 12 includes an LED substrate 14 having a long planar substantially rectangular shape. On the mounting surface of the LED substrate 14, for example, seven LEDs 11 are linearly mounted in the longitudinal direction. Each LED 11 is a surface-mounted type composed of a main body portion 111 and a light emitting portion 112 having a single-convex lens fixed to the exit surface side, and each LED 11 is arranged in a line along the longitudinal direction of the LED substrate 14.

  Here, the LED board 14 when the lamp unit 100 is mounted is in a state in which the mounting surface is erected with the front side facing the front of the vehicle so that the long side extends in the vehicle width direction and the short side extends in the vertical direction. Is arranged in. Thereby, each LED11 is arranged in a line along the vehicle width direction, and as shown in FIG. 3, the optical axis O of each LED11 is set along the front in the horizontal direction. The horizontal direction in which the optical axis O or the like of each LED 11 is set does not require a strict horizontal direction, and a predetermined error range is allowed.

  Furthermore, step portions 141 and 142 lower than the mounting surface in the longitudinal direction are formed on the LED substrate 14 from the mounting surface of each LED 11 to both side surfaces.

  The lens 13 is arranged on the optical axis O of each LED 11, and is configured by a lens part 131 that emits incident light from each LED 11 while being changed by refraction, and a light transmissive material that is integral with the lens part 131. The upper side upper reflector part 132 that totally reflects and emits the incident light from above the lens part 131, and the light transmitting material integral with the lens part 131, and the incident light from each LED 11 is below the lens part 131. And a lower reflector portion 133 that totally reflects and emits light.

  As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, for example, the incident surface 131 a of the lens part 131 is a light receiving device in which a cross section formed in the longitudinal direction of the lens 13 extending along the longitudinal direction of the LED substrate 14 is formed in a concave shape. The incident surface 131a is arranged on each optical axis O in a standing state so as to face the respective LEDs 11 substantially. In addition, the exit surface 131b of the lens unit 131 is formed of, for example, a cylindrical lens surface that extends along the longitudinal direction of the LED substrate 14, and is directly opposed to the entrance surface 131a.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the optical axis O of the lens unit 131 is set to be inclined at a predetermined angle below the horizontal direction with respect to the light emitting unit 112 of each LED 11. The curvature of the exit surface 131b, the inclination angle of the optical axis O ′ of the lens unit 131, and the like are set to appropriate values based on experiments, simulations, and the like.

  Thereby, the lens part 131 injects mainly the light radiated | emitted by the incident surface 131a below a predetermined radiation angle with respect to the optical axis O among the emitted light from each LED11 in the vehicle width direction. While maintaining the radiation angle at a predetermined level, the light is emitted while changing the radiation angle in the vertical direction to be close to parallel light by the refraction of the entrance surface 131a and the exit surface 131b. At that time, due to the inclination of the optical axis O ′, the light emitted from the lens unit 131 is directed obliquely downward in the front of the vehicle. For example, at a point where the irradiation distance is 10 m or more, the horizontal position of the lamp unit 100 or less ).

  As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the incident surface 132 a of the upper reflector section 132 is configured by a substantially rectangular plane extending along the longitudinal direction of the LED substrate 14, for example. The entrance surface 132a is arranged so that the front end edge portion is continuous with the upper end edge portion of the entrance surface 131a of the lens portion 131 and the base end edge portion is opposed to the stepped portion 141 of the LED substrate 14. (FIG. 3). Since the step portion 141 is not formed at a position facing both ends of the lens 13 in the longitudinal direction, the lens 13 and the LED substrate 14 are arranged in direct contact with each other (FIG. 4).

  In addition, the emission surface 132c of the upper reflector portion 132 is configured by, for example, a gradual surface extending along the short direction of the LED substrate 14. The emission surface 132c is disposed in a state where it rises at a predetermined angle with respect to the vertical direction so that the lower edge thereof is connected to the upper edge of the emission surface 131b of the lens portion 131.

  Furthermore, the upper surface of the upper reflector portion 132 is formed as an upper reflecting surface 132b that totally reflects incident light from the incident surface 132a and guides it in the direction of the exit surface 132c (front of the vehicle). The upper reflecting surface 132b is formed of an aspherical surface extending in the longitudinal direction of the LED substrate 14 and having a cross-sectional shape along a curve focusing on the light emitting portion 112 of each LED 11 or the vicinity thereof. It is provided in a row at the upper edge of the emission surface 132c.

  As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the incident surface 133 a of the lower reflector portion 133 is configured by a substantially rectangular plane extending along the longitudinal direction of the LED substrate 14, for example. The entrance surface 133a is arranged so that the front end edge portion is connected to the lower end edge portion of the entrance surface 131a of the lens portion 131 and the base end edge portion is opposed to the stepped portion 142 of the LED substrate 14. (FIG. 3). Since the step portion 142 is not formed at a position facing both ends of the lens 13 in the longitudinal direction, the lens 13 and the LED substrate 14 are arranged in direct contact with each other (FIG. 4).

  Furthermore, the lower surface of the lower reflector part 133 is formed as a lower reflecting surface 133b that totally reflects incident light from the incident surface 133a and guides it in the direction of the exit surface 133c (front of the vehicle). The lower reflective surface 133b is formed of an aspherical surface extending in the longitudinal direction of the LED substrate 14 and having a cross-sectional shape along a curve focusing on the light emitting portion 112 of each LED 11 or the vicinity thereof. Is continuously provided at the lower edge of the emission surface 133c.

  By the way, the LED board 14 side edge of the incident surfaces 132a and 133a of the lens 13 is arranged so as to be positioned on the LED board 14 side as shown in FIG. Thereby, all the light radiate | emitted from each LED11 can be radiate | emitted from corresponding output surface 131b, 132c, 133c.

  The interval between the step portions 141 and 142 is narrower than the interval between the light receiving portions 15. Accordingly, the light receiving unit 15 includes communication holes 161 and 162 through which the light receiving unit 15 of the lamp unit 100 communicates with the outside in the direction orthogonal to the longitudinal direction of the lens 13 via the step units 141 and 142. .

  The communication holes 161 and 162 can generate convection indicated by white arrows in FIG. 3 when the light emitting part 112 of each LED 11 is disposed in the light receiving part 15 of the lens 13. For this reason, the heat generated by each LED 11 causes heat convection under the same conditions at any position arranged in a line.

  In this embodiment, the step portions 141 and 142 are provided on the LED substrate 14, and the step portions 141 and 142 constitute communication holes 161 and 162 that communicate with the light receiving portion 15. The generation temperature of the LED 11 can be leveled. Furthermore, since the convection between the inside and the outside of the light receiving unit 15 can be performed smoothly, the temperature rise can be suppressed, which contributes to extending the life of each LED 11 and improving the light emission efficiency.

  In addition, the fact that the current flowing through each LED arranged linearly can be leveled means that the luminance of each LED is leveled, which contributes to stable lighting as a vehicle lamp unit.

  In this embodiment, the step portions 141 and 142 are formed to be one in the longitudinal direction on both sides of the LED substrate 14. However, even if a plurality of step portions are formed between the LEDs and the LED 11 as the same mounting surface as the LED 11. I do not care. In this case, since the stepped portion does not have to be long, the positions of the lens 13 and the LED substrate 14 can be easily managed.

  In addition, although seven LEDs 11 are arranged as an example, it is sufficient that at least three LEDs 11 are arranged in a line. In the case of two, there are open portions of concave portions connected to the outside at both ends in the longitudinal direction of the lens 13, and the effect when the communication hole is formed cannot be expected so much.

  7 to 12 are exploded perspective views, FIG. 8 is a front view of the assembled state of FIG. 1, and FIG. 9 is a view for explaining another embodiment of the vehicle lamp unit of the present invention. 8 is a sectional view taken along the line VIa-VIb in FIG. 8, FIG. 11 is a sectional view taken along the line VIIa-VIIb in FIG. 8, and FIG. 12 is a sectional view taken along the line VIIIa-VIIIb in FIG.

  In this embodiment, FIG. 7 corresponds to the exploded perspective view of FIG. 1, and FIGS. 8 to 12 correspond to the drawings of FIGS. 2 to 6, respectively. Will be described.

  In this embodiment, the step portions 141 and 142 are not formed on the LED substrate 14, but the notches 71 and 72 are formed on the lens 13 in contact with the LED substrate 14 with the light receiving portion 15 interposed therebetween. The notches 71 and 72 are formed so as not to contact the LED substrate 14.

  As a result, as shown in FIG. 9, the notches 71 and 72 form communication holes 73 and 74 that cause convection between the light receiving unit 15 and the outside in a direction orthogonal to the longitudinal direction of the light receiving unit 15. . The light receiving unit 15 of the lamp unit 100 can exchange air with the outside through the communication holes 73 and 74, and the temperature of the heat generated in the light receiving unit 15 can be leveled and temperature rise can be suppressed.

  The notches 71 and 72 are shaped so as to be positioned closer to the LED substrate 14 than the light emitting part 112 of each LED 11. Thereby, all the light radiate | emitted from each LED11 can be radiate | emitted from corresponding output surface 131b, 132c, 133c.

  Also in this embodiment, the inside and outside air in the light receiving unit 15 can be exchanged from the direction in which the communication holes 73 and 74 are orthogonal to the longitudinal direction of the lamp unit 100. For this reason, it becomes possible to suppress the temperature rise of each LED11 and to level the temperature. Suppressing the temperature rise of each LED 11 can improve the lifetime of the LED and the luminous efficiency.

  In this embodiment, the notches 71 and 72 need not be notched in a continuous state. For example, an optical column between each LED 11 and each light receiving surface 131a, 132a, 133a is formed by forming an integral column from the lens 13 and contacting or joining the LED substrate 14. Management can be performed.

  FIG. 13 is an explanatory view schematically showing the effect of the present invention in comparison with the conventional case.

  That is, in the conventional configuration, as shown by the broken line in FIG. 13, the temperature of the LEDs located at both ends arranged in a line where the light receiving part is connected to the outside of the lamp unit is lowered, but the temperature of the LEDs located inside is lowered. Hateful. In this regard, as shown by the solid line in FIG. 13, in the present invention, the LEDs located inside the LEDs arranged in a line by the action of the communication holes are also controlled at the same temperature and temperature as the LEDs located at both ends. I understand that.

  Therefore, as can be seen from FIG. 13, the present invention can suppress the temperature rise of each LED arranged in a line as compared with the prior art and level the temperature.

  The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment. For example, the communication hole may be a combination of the step portions 141 and 142 of the LED substrate 14 and the cutout portions 71 and 72 of the lens 13.

The disassembled perspective view for demonstrating one Embodiment regarding the lamp unit for vehicles of this invention. The front view of FIG. FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken along line Ia-Ib in FIG. 2. The IIa-IIb sectional view taken on the line of FIG. IIIa-IIIb sectional view taken on the line of FIG. FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken along line IVa-IVb in FIG. 2. The disassembled perspective view for demonstrating other embodiment regarding the lamp unit for vehicles of this invention. The front view of FIG. Va-Vb sectional view taken on the line of FIG. VIa-VIb sectional view taken on the line of FIG. VIIa-VIIb sectional view taken on the line of FIG. VIIIa-VIIIb sectional view taken on the line of FIG. Explanatory drawing for demonstrating the effect of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

100 Vehicle lamp unit 11 LED
111 Main body portion 112 Light emitting portion 12 Light source unit 13 Lens 131 Lens portion 132 Upper reflector portion 133 Lower reflector portions 131a, 132a, 133a Incident surface 132b Upper reflective surface 133b Lower reflective surface 14 LED substrates 141, 142 Step portion 15 Light receiving portion 161, 162 Communication hole 71, 72 Notch 73, 74 Communication hole

Claims (5)

An insulating substrate;
At least three LEDs linearly mounted on the surface of the substrate;
An incident surface in which a cross section accommodating the light emitting portion of the LED is formed in a concave shape, and a lens that changes incident light from the LED incident on the incident surface by refraction and emits the light from the emission surface;
The LED located inside the LED arranged in a line is provided with a communication hole for directly performing convection with the outside without going through the LED located on both sides of the LED. Lamp unit for vehicles.   2. The vehicular lamp unit according to claim 1, wherein the communication hole is configured between a step portion formed lower than the substrate surface on which the LED is mounted and the lens.   2. The vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the communication hole is configured between a notch formed in the lens and the substrate so that a part thereof is spaced from the substrate surface on which the LED is mounted. Lamp unit.   The vehicular lamp unit according to claim 1, wherein a plurality of the communication holes are formed at positions corresponding to the LEDs.   The vehicular lamp unit according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein an incident surface of the lens is in a positional relationship where all light from the light emitting portion of the LED is incident.

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