JP2012190754A - Lamp unit - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a lamp unit capable of forming a light distribution pattern long in depth without deteriorating light utilization efficiency.SOLUTION: The lamp unit of projector type used for vehicle headlamp is provided with a projection lens, a reflecting surface which is arranged between the projection lens and the rear side focal point of the projection lens and includes a plane mirror inclined nearly 45 degrees on the projection lens side against the plane orthogonal to the optical axis of the projection lens, a light source which is arranged at the position of plane symmetry to the rear focal point of the projection lens or in its vicinity with the plane mirror as a symmetry plane, and emits light that is reflected by the reflecting surface and transmits the projection lens. The reflecting surface includes a reflecting region which is bent in a concave shape viewed from the light source so that the upper part of the light source image of the light source projected by the projection lens may be diffused to the upper direction.

Description

  The present invention relates to a lamp unit, and more particularly to a lamp unit capable of forming a vertically long light distribution pattern.

  Conventionally, a vehicular lamp configured to project a light source image to form a light distribution is known (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

  As shown in FIG. 12, the vehicular lamp 200 described in Patent Document 1 includes a plurality of cylindrical members 210 whose inner peripheral surfaces 211 are mirror-finished, and one end 212 of the cylindrical member 210 via a reflector 220. A plurality of light emitting elements 230 that emit light emitted from the other end 213 (exit port) of the cylindrical member 210 by being reflected from the inner peripheral surface 211 that is incident on the cylindrical member 210 and is subjected to mirror surface treatment. ing. The exit ports 213 of the plurality of cylindrical members 210 are disposed in the vicinity of the rear focal plane of the projection lens 240.

  In the lamp unit 200 described in Patent Document 1 having the above-described configuration, light from the light emitting element 230 enters the cylindrical member 210 from one end 212 of the corresponding cylindrical member 210 via the reflector 220, and the mirror surface treatment is performed. The light is reflected by the applied inner peripheral surface 211 and is emitted from the emission port 213. Thereby, a uniform (or specific) luminous intensity distribution is formed at the exit port 213. The projection lens 240 reversely projects an image of the emission port 213 (that is, the light intensity distribution formed at the emission port 213). Thereby, a light distribution pattern is formed. The shape of this light distribution pattern can be adjusted to some extent by adjusting the shape of the emission port 213 of the cylindrical member 210.

JP 2009-070679 A

  However, in the lamp unit 200 having the above-described configuration, when the shape of the emission port 213 of the cylindrical member 210 is adjusted to diffuse light beyond an upper angle, both the inner surface of the cylindrical member 210 and the lens 240 are used. There is a problem that light that does not enter increases (light utilization efficiency decreases), and light cannot be diffused in a target direction.

  This invention is made | formed in view of such a situation, and it aims at providing the lamp unit which can form a vertically long light distribution pattern, without reducing light utilization efficiency.

  In order to solve the above-described problem, the invention according to claim 1 is a projector-type lamp unit used for a vehicle headlamp, and includes a projection lens, a projection lens, and a rear focal point of the projection lens. A reflecting surface including a plane mirror that is disposed and tilted by approximately 45 ° toward the projection lens with respect to a plane orthogonal to the optical axis of the projection lens; and a plane with respect to the rear focal point of the projection lens with the plane mirror as a symmetry plane A light source that is disposed at or near a symmetric position and that emits light reflected by the reflecting surface and transmitted through the projection lens, and the reflecting surface of the light source projected by the projection lens A reflection region curved in a concave shape when viewed from the light source is included so that an upper portion of the light source image diffuses upward.

  According to the first aspect of the present invention, the upper portion of the light source image projected by the projection lens is diffused upward by the action of the curved reflection region. With the light source image in which the upper part is diffused, it is possible to form a vertically long light distribution pattern having an enlarged vertical width on the virtual vertical screen without reducing light use efficiency.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the invention, the light source has an incident port that is one end disposed below, an output port that is the other end disposed above, and an inner peripheral surface. And a plurality of cylindrical portions each having a reflective surface formed thereon, and light that enters the cylindrical portion from an incident port that is one end of the cylindrical portion, is reflected by the reflective surface, and exits from an output port that is the other end of the cylindrical portion A plurality of light emitting elements that emit light, and the outlets of the plurality of cylindrical portions are in plane symmetry with respect to the rear focal point of the projection lens with the plane mirror as a plane of symmetry or in the vicinity thereof, Arranged adjacently in a line in a direction orthogonal to the optical axis of the projection lens and in a substantially horizontal direction, of the plurality of tube portions, the exit ports adjacent to each other include the same edge. And the plurality of tube portions are separated by the same edge. Respectively, characterized in that it is constructed in a shape which narrows in a substantially pyramidal shape as the direction from said exit to said entrance.

  According to the second aspect of the present invention, the adjacent outlets among the plurality of outlets are not thick portions but are partitioned by an edge whose width is almost negligible, and are partitioned by the edges. In addition, a plurality of exit ports (that is, luminous intensity distribution formed at each exit port) is reversely projected forward by the action of the projection lens, so that gaps (around It is possible to prevent or reduce the occurrence of darker areas.

  The invention according to claim 3 is the invention according to claim 2, wherein each of the plurality of cylindrical portions is formed with one end surface as the incident port, the other end surface as the emission port, and the reflection surface. And a solid substantially cone-shaped lens body that narrows into a substantially cone shape as it goes from the other end surface to the one end surface.

  According to the third aspect of the present invention, between the exit ports (other end surfaces) adjacent to each other among the plurality of exit ports (other end surfaces) is not a thick portion, but is partitioned by an edge whose width is almost negligible. The plurality of exits partitioned by the edges (that is, the luminous intensity distribution formed on each other end surface) are inverted and projected forward by the action of the projection lens, and thus are individually controlled to be turned on and off. It is possible to prevent or reduce the formation of a gap (a darker part than the surroundings) between the irradiation areas.

  As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to provide a lamp unit capable of forming a vertically long light distribution pattern without reducing light utilization efficiency.

It is a cross-sectional view of a right vehicle lamp including a lamp unit 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a perspective view of a lamp unit 10. FIG. 1 is a longitudinal sectional view of a lamp unit 10. FIG. (A) An example of a light distribution pattern formed by a light source image (image of each of the exit ports 31c _{1 to} 31c ₉ as a light source) reflected by the plane mirror 12a and projected by the projection lens 11, (b) a curved reflection region it is reflected by 12b, an example of a light distribution pattern formed by the light source image projected by the projection lens 11 (an image of the exit opening _31c 1 _{~31c 9} as a light source). (A) It is AA sectional drawing of the light source unit 30 shown in FIG.5 (b), (b) Front view, (c) It is BB sectional drawing of the light source unit 30 shown in FIG.5 (b). 4 is a diagram for explaining a relationship between light from a light emitting element 33a and a projection lens 11. FIG. It is the figure which expanded the inside of the circle in FIG. (A) Cross-sectional view of the light source unit 30 (mirror image) disposed (assumed to be) in the vicinity of the rear focal point F of the projection lens 11, and (b) an enlarged view of the circle in FIG. 8 (a). (A) An example of the light distribution pattern P2 formed by the lamp unit 70 dedicated to the low beam, (b) an example of the light distribution pattern P1L formed by the left lamp unit 10, and (c) formed by the right lamp unit 10. (D) an example of a combined light distribution pattern in which the light distribution patterns P1L, P1R, and P2 are superimposed. (A) Example of a combined light distribution pattern formed when the light emitting element 33a corresponding to the irradiation area covering the oncoming vehicle V (or preceding vehicle) existing in the distance is turned off or dimmed, (b) existing in the distance Example of a combined light distribution pattern formed when the light emitting element 33a corresponding to the irradiation area covering the oncoming vehicle V (or the preceding vehicle) is turned off or dimmed, (c) the oncoming vehicle V (or the vicinity) existing in the vicinity It is an example of the synthetic | combination light distribution pattern formed when the light emitting element 33a corresponding to the irradiation area | region which covers a preceding vehicle is light-extinguished or dimmed. It is a figure for demonstrating the modification of the light guide member. It is a cross-sectional view of a conventional vehicular lamp 200.

  Hereinafter, a lamp unit according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  The lamp unit 10 of the present embodiment is a projector-type lamp unit, and is arranged on each of the left and right sides of the front portion of the vehicle to constitute a vehicle headlamp. For example, as shown in FIG. 1, the lamp unit 10 is disposed in a lamp chamber 60 configured by combining a housing 61 and a light-transmitting cover 62 together with a lamp unit 70 dedicated to a passing beam. The lamp unit 10 and the lamp unit 70 dedicated to the passing beam are respectively disposed on the left and right sides of the front portion of the vehicle.

  As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the lamp unit 10 includes a projection lens 11, a reflection surface 12 disposed between the projection lens 11 and the rear focal point F, and a light source unit 30 disposed below the reflection surface 12. Etc.

  The projection lens 11 is, for example, a plano-convex aspheric lens having a convex front surface and a flat rear surface. The projection lens 11 projects the light source image on the rear focal plane as a reverse image. The projection lens 11 is fixed to the front end portion of the reflecting surface 12, for example.

As shown in FIG. 3, the reflecting surface 12 is disposed between the projection lens 11 and the rear focal point F of the projection lens 11, and is on the projection lens 11 side with respect to a plane orthogonal to the optical axis AX axis of the projection lens 11. Includes a plane mirror 12a inclined at θ = approximately 45 °. The reflection surface 12 is a light source such that the upper part of the light source image (the image of each of the exit ports 31c _{1 to} 31c ₉ as the light source) reflected by the reflection surface 12 and projected by the projection lens 11 is diffused upward. The reflection region 12b curved in a concave shape when viewed from the unit 30 is included. In FIG. 3, the range from the upper end of the reflecting surface 12 to the inflection point A is the region of the plane mirror 12a, and the range from the inflection point A to the lower end of the reflecting surface 12 is the curved reflecting region 12b. Note that the inflection point A in FIG. 3 is located below the optical axis AX, but may be located above the optical axis AX depending on the size of the projection lens 11, the size of the light source unit 30, and other factors. obtain.

  The curved reflection region 12b may be, for example, a region that is gradually bent in a concave shape as it goes from the inflection point to the lower end of the reflection surface 12, or may be a surface whose longitudinal section becomes an arc having a constant curvature. Good.

As shown in FIGS. 5A to 5C, the light source unit 30 includes a plurality of light emitting elements 33a and a plurality of cylindrical portions 31 (cylindrical openings) arranged in front of the plurality of light emitting elements 33a. Contains. Each light emitting element 33a is incident on the cylindrical portion 31 from the corresponding incident port 31b of the cylindrical portion 31 and is reflected by the inner peripheral surface (reflecting surface 31a) of the cylindrical portion 31 to be the other end of the cylindrical portion 31. Light emitted from the emission ports 31c _{1 to} 31c _{9 is} emitted. Thereby, a uniform light intensity distribution (or a specific light intensity distribution) is formed at each of the exit ports 31c _{1 to} 31c ₉ .

As shown in FIG. 3, the light source unit 30 emits light upward at a position P1 (or its vicinity) that is plane-symmetric with respect to the rear focal point F of the projection lens 11 with the plane mirror 12a as a plane of symmetry (that is, the light source unit 30). , In a posture in which each of the emission ports 31c _{1 to} 31c ₉ faces upward.

When attention is paid to the optical path of the light emitted from the light source unit 30 (the respective exit ports 31c _{1 to} 31c ₉ ), the optical path RayA of the light reflected by the plane mirror 12a is arranged in the vicinity of the rear focal point F of the projection lens 11 (and It is substantially the same as the optical path of the light RayB emitted from the light source unit 30 (mirror image) (see the optical path indicated by the dotted line in FIGS. 3 and 7). In this case, the light distribution pattern formed by the light source image reflected by the plane mirror 12a and projected by the projection lens 11 (images of the respective exit ports 31c _{1 to} 31c ₉ as the light source) is as shown in FIG. In addition, the light distribution pattern has a vertical width of about 3 ° above the horizontal line and about 1 ° below, and the overhead sign area cannot be irradiated. The overhead sign area includes an object that the driver preferably recognizes during driving, such as a road sign that exists above the horizontal line on a virtual vertical screen set in front of the vehicle (for example, 25 m). This is an area, which is about 2 ° to 4 ° above the horizon.

On the other hand, the optical path of the light RayC reflected by the curved reflection region 12b is the light RayD (see FIG. 5) radiated from below the light source unit 30 (mirror image) disposed (assumed to be) in the vicinity of the rear focal point F of the projection lens 11. 3 and the optical path of the optical path indicated by the dotted line in FIG. 7). In this case, the upper part of the light source image (the image of each of the emission ports 31c _{1 to} 31c ₉ as the light source) reflected by the curved reflection region 12b and projected by the projection lens 11 is diffused upward. As shown in FIG. 4B, the light distribution pattern formed by the light source image in which the upper part is diffused becomes a light distribution pattern whose vertical width is about 4.5 ° above the horizontal line and about 1 ° below. The overhead sign area can be irradiated by the light source image in which the upper part is diffused.

According to the lamp unit 10 having the above-described configuration, the light emitted upward from the light source unit 30 (the respective emission ports 31c _{1 to} 31c ₉ ) (images of the respective emission ports 31c _{1 to} 31c ₉ as light sources) is reflected on the reflection surface 12. The light is reflected by the (plane mirror 12a and the curved reflection region 12b), passes through the projection lens 11, and is irradiated forward. Thereby, it is possible to form a vertically long light distribution pattern (about 4.5 ° above the horizontal line and about 1 ° below the horizontal line) with an enlarged vertical width on the virtual vertical screen (see FIG. 4B). . With this vertically long light distribution pattern, it is possible to irradiate a traveling beam irradiation region (a high luminous intensity region called a hot zone including an intersection of the horizontal line H and the vertical line V point) and an overhead sign region.

  Next, the light source unit 30 will be described in detail.

  As shown in FIGS. 5A to 5C, the light source unit 30 includes a plurality of light emitting elements 33a and a plurality of cylindrical portions 31 (cylindrical openings) arranged in front of the plurality of light emitting elements 33a. The formed light guide member 32 is provided.

  The plurality of light emitting elements 33a are arranged in a row on the metal substrate 33 fixed to the upper surface of the heat sink 50 in a direction perpendicular to the optical axis AX and at a constant interval (about 2 mm) in the horizontal direction. Yes.

  As the light emitting element 33a, for example, a white LED having the same configuration having a 0.7 mm square light emitting surface (a white LED combining a blue LED chip and a phosphor, a white LED combining a near ultraviolet LED chip and a phosphor, Alternatively, it is possible to use a white LED in which LED chips of RGB colors are combined. As the light emitting element 33a, other light emitting diodes, laser diodes, or the like can be used.

  As shown in FIG. 6, the light emitted from the light emitting element 33a includes not only the light Ray1 in the narrow angle direction with respect to the optical axis AX but also the light Ray2 in the wide angle direction with respect to the optical axis AX. A light guide member 32 that controls the light Ray2 in the wide-angle direction with respect to the optical axis AX is disposed in front of each light emitting element 33a so that the light Ray2 in the wide-angle direction with respect to the optical axis AX is also incident on the projection lens 11. (See FIG. 2, FIG. 5 (a), etc.).

  As shown in FIG. 5A to FIG. 5C, the light guide member 32 includes a plurality of cylindrical portions 31 (cylindrical openings) that communicate one surface with the opposite surface. . A reflective surface 31 a is formed on the inner peripheral surface of each cylindrical portion 31 by performing mirror surface treatment (for example, aluminum vapor deposition). The light guide member 32 is integrally formed, for example, by injection molding a plastic material having heat resistance.

The light guide member 32, the entrance 31b is one end of the cylindrical portion 31 is disposed in front of the corresponding light emitting element 33a, the exit port _31c 1 _{~31c 9,} which is the other end of the cylindrical portion 31 is disposed above Thus, after positioning with respect to the board | substrate 33, it fixes with the screw on the upper surface of the heat sink 50 on both sides of the board | substrate 33 (refer FIG. 2).

  Each entrance 31b is disposed about 2.0 mm below the position P1 (or its vicinity) that is plane-symmetric with respect to the rear focal point F of the projection lens 11 with the plane mirror 12a as a plane of symmetry. Each incident port 31b is set to be slightly larger than the light emitting element 33a (for example, left and right width: 1 mm, vertical width: 1.5 mm).

Each of the exit ports 31c _{1 to} 31c ₉ has a plane mirror 12a as a plane of symmetry and is located at a position P (or its vicinity) that is plane-symmetric with respect to the rear focal point F of the projection lens 11 (for example, on the rear focal plane of the projection lens 11). (Along a plane-symmetrical region) and adjacently arranged in a line in a direction orthogonal to the optical axis AX and in a substantially horizontal direction (see FIGS. 2 and 3). As the exit ports 31c _{1 to} 31c ₉ , for example, a rectangular shape, a parallelogram shape, a trapezoidal shape, or the like can be used.

Light emitted upward from the light source unit 30 (the respective exit ports 31c _{1 to} 31c ₉ ) (images of the respective exit ports 31c _{1 to} 31c ₉ as light sources) is reflected by the reflecting surface 12 and passes through the projection lens 11. Is irradiated forward (see FIG. 3). Thus, on a virtual vertical screen, the light distribution pattern P1L including a plurality of irradiation regions A ₁ to A ₉ luminous intensity separately disposed adjacent to the horizontal direction is increased or decreased, P1R is formed (FIG. 9 (b), the (See FIG. 9C). The exit ports 31c _{1 to} 31c ₉ are set so as to gradually increase as they move away from the optical axis AX (see FIG. 5B. For example, the vertical width: 3 mm to 6 mm, the exit ports 31c _{2 to} 31c. ₈ left and right width: 2 mm, left and right width of the exit ports 31c ₁ and 31c ₉ : 4.5 mm).

However, if there is a thick portion between the exit ports 31c _{1 to} 31c ₉ , this thick portion is projected forward, and a gap is formed between the irradiation regions A _{1 to} A ₉ .

In order to prevent this, the exit ports (for example, the exit port 31c ₁ and the exit port 31c ₂ ) that are adjacent to each other among the exit ports 31c _{1 to} 31c ₉ of the plurality of cylindrical portions 31 have the same edge E (almost the width thereof). And an edge that can be ignored) and is partitioned by the same edge E (see FIG. 5B). Thus, it is possible without gaps closely adjacently disposed a plurality of irradiation regions _A 1 to A ₉ inverting a projected image of the exit port _31c 1 _{~31c 9} in the horizontal direction (FIG. 9 (b), the FIG. 9 (See (c)).

  FIGS. 8A and 8B show optical paths of light emitted in the horizontal direction from the light source unit 30 (mirror image) disposed (assumed to be) in the vicinity of the rear focal point F of the projection lens 11. .

As shown in FIG. 5A, FIG. 8A, and FIG. 8B, each of the plurality of cylindrical portions 31 (reflecting surfaces 31a) is light (light) from the light emitting element 33a that has entered the cylindrical portion 31. The light Ray 2) in the wide-angle direction with respect to the axis AX is emitted from the exit ports 31c _{1 to} 31c ₉ with a single reflection, and narrows in a substantially conical shape as it goes from the exit ports 31c _{1 to} 31c ₉ to the entrance port 31b. It is configured. By the action of the cylindrical portion 31 (reflection surface 31a), not only the light Ray1 in the narrow angle direction with respect to the optical axis AX but also the light Ray2 in the wide angle direction with respect to the optical axis AX can be incident on the projection lens 11. (Improvement of light utilization efficiency. See FIGS. 8A and 8B).

The cylindrical portion 31 is configured in a shape that narrows in a substantially conical shape as it goes from the exit ports 31c _{1 to} 31c ₉ to the entrance port 31b, and the exit ports adjacent to each other (for example, the exit port 31c1 and the exit port 31c2). As long as it is configured to include the same edge E and is partitioned by the same edge E, the specific shape, degree of expansion, and the like are not limited.

In the present embodiment, the reflecting surface 31a, the light incident from the light emitting element 33a is, as well as entering the projection lens 11 is reflected once, uniform luminous intensity distribution (or specific luminous intensity in each exit opening 31c ₁ ~31c ₉ Distribution).

Edge corresponding to the lower edge of the light source image (an image of the exit opening _31c 1 _{~31c 9} as a light source) of each exit opening _31c 1 _{~31c 9} (FIG. 5 (b) Medium upper edge) is a front view It extends in a substantially horizontal direction. Thereby, the lower end edge of the light source image (image of each of the exit ports 31c1 to 31c9 as the light source) reflected by the reflection surface 12 and projected by the projection lens 11 and the horizontal cutoff line of the passing beam light distribution pattern P2 are substantially omitted. It is possible to overlap.

The exit ports 31c _{1 to} 31c ₉ may be arranged such that the center in the optical axis AX direction is slightly closer to the rear focal point F (about 1 mm) of the projection lens 11. In this way, it is possible to increase the luminous intensity in the vicinity of the upper end edges of the emission ports 31c _{1 to} 31c ₉ . That is, since it is possible to increase the luminous intensity in the vicinity of the lower end edges of the plurality of irradiation areas A _{1 to} A ₉ arranged adjacent to each other in the horizontal direction, the area near the horizontal line HH is particularly bright and has excellent distant visibility. The optical patterns P1L and P1R can be formed.

On the other hand, a light source image (each emission as a light source) of each of the emission ports 31c _{1 to} 31c ₉ is set such that the height of the irradiation areas A _{1 to} A ₉ on the virtual vertical screen is small in the distance and increases as the distance increases. End edges (lower end edges in FIG. 5B) corresponding to the upper end edges of the mouths 31c _{1 to} 31c ₉ extend in an arc shape in front view (see FIG. 5B). As a result, the light flux density is high in the distant place, and the vicinity can be irradiated over a wide range.

Next, the light distribution patterns P1L and P1 formed by the lamp unit 10 having the above configuration.
R will be described.

The lamp units 10 arranged on both the left and right sides of the front part of the vehicle have the same configuration, and the same light distribution patterns P1L and P1R including a plurality of irradiation areas A _{1 to} A _{9 in} which the light intensity is individually increased or decreased (FIG. 9 ( b), see FIG. 9C).

The lamp units 10 arranged on the left and right sides of the front part of the vehicle are respectively adjusted in aiming so that the irradiation areas A _{1 to} A ₉ partially overlap each other (for example, by shifting left and right by 1 °) (see FIG. 9 (d)). Thereby, it is possible to extinguish or diminish a total of 18 areas by turning on / off the specific irradiation areas A _{1 to} A ₉ (extinguishing or dimming) (near 1 ° in the vicinity of the center). Can be turned off or dimmed).

Light Ray1 narrow angle direction with respect to the optical axis AX of the light from the light emitting element 33a is emitted from the emission port _31c 1 _{~31c 9} without being reflected by the incident from the incident port 31b to the tubular portion 31 the reflecting surface 31a Then, the light directly enters the projection lens 11. On the other hand, a wide angle of light Ray2 respect to the optical axis AX is emitted and incident on the incident port 31b to the cylindrical portion 31 is reflected once by the reflecting surface 31a from the exit _31c 1 _{~31c 9,} enters the projection lens 11 (See FIGS. 8A and 8B). These direct light Ray1 and once reflected light Ray2 form a luminous intensity distribution uniform (or specific) to the exit port _31c 1 _{~31c 9.}

The exit ports 31c _{1 to} 31c ₉ (that is, the luminous intensity distribution formed at the exit ports 31c _{1 to} 31c ₉ ) are inverted and projected forward by the action of the projection lens 11. Thus, on a virtual vertical screen, intensity separately disposed adjacent to the horizontal direction is increased or decreased, the light distribution pattern including a plurality of irradiation regions A ₁ to A ₉ having a clear contour P1L, P1R (Fig. 9 (b ) And FIG. 9C) are formed.

  On the virtual vertical screen, an image having a size of 1 mm square on the rear focal plane of the projection lens 11 is formed as an image having a size of about 1 ° square.

Since the exit ports 31c _{1 to} 31c ₉ are arranged with the center in the optical axis AX direction slightly closer to the rear focal point F (about 1 mm) of the projection lens 11, the irradiation areas A _{1 to} A ₉ are on the virtual vertical screen. In FIG. 5, the horizontal line HH is disposed about 1 ° above.

On the other hand, the irradiation areas A _{1 to} A ₉ are formed as follows in the horizontal direction. That is, the emission ports 31c _{2 to} 31c ₈ have a rectangular shape with a vertical width of 3 mm and a horizontal width of 2 mm, and are arranged so that the center thereof is located on a vertical plane including the optical axis AX. , irradiation area _a 2 to a ₈ corresponding to these exit opening _31c 2 _{~31c 8} is centered and positioned the line V-V, the vertical width: formed as a 3 °, substantially rectangular region of the lateral width of about 2 ° .

The exit ports 31c ₁ and 31c ₉ have a rectangular shape with a vertical width of 3 mm and a lateral width of 4.5 mm, and are disposed outside the exit ports 31 c _{2 to} 31 c ₈ . The irradiation areas A ₁ and A ₉ corresponding to 31c9 are formed outside the irradiation areas A _{2 to} A ₈ as a substantially rectangular area having a vertical width of about 3 ° and a horizontal width of about 4.5 °.

  Next, the low beam light distribution pattern P2 formed by the lamp unit 70 dedicated to the passing beam will be described.

  As shown in FIG. 9 (a), the low beam light distribution pattern P2 is a left light distribution light beam distribution pattern, and has a cut-off line CL with a different left and right step at the upper edge.

  This cut-off line CL extends in a horizontal direction with a difference in right and left on the VV line that is a vertical line passing through HV that is a vanishing point in the front direction of the lamp, and the right side of the VV line is The opposite lane side cut-off line CLR is formed so as to extend in the horizontal direction, and the left side of the VV line is stepped upward from the opposite lane side cut-off line CLR and extends in the horizontal direction as the own lane side cut-off line CLL. Is formed. And the edge part near VV line in this own lane side cut-off line CLL is formed as the diagonal cut-off line CLS. This oblique cut-off line CLS extends obliquely leftward and upward at an inclination angle of 15 ° from the intersection of the opposite lane side cut-off line CLR and the VV line.

  In this low beam light distribution pattern P2, the elbow point, which is the intersection of the opposite lane side cut-off line CLR and the VV line, is located about 0.5 to 0.6 ° below HV, A hot zone that is a high luminous intensity region is formed so as to surround the elbow point E slightly to the left.

  The above light distribution patterns P1L, P1R, and P2 are superimposed to form a combined light distribution pattern shown in FIG.

Next, an example in which the lighting regions A _{1 to} A ₉ (light emitting elements 33a) are individually turned on and off will be described.

For example, as shown in FIG. 10 (a), when a preceding vehicle V exists in the distance ahead of the vehicle (or as shown in FIG. 10 (b), there is an oncoming vehicle V in the distance of the opposite lane in front of the vehicle. The light emitting element 33a corresponding to the irradiation area that covers the preceding vehicle V (or the oncoming vehicle V) that exists in the distance among the plurality of irradiation areas A _{1 to} A ₉ is turned off (or dimmed). . Thereby, it becomes possible to prevent glare with respect to the preceding vehicle V (or oncoming vehicle V) existing in the distance. At the same time, the visibility of the road surface ahead of the vehicle can be improved.

On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 10 (c), if the oncoming vehicle V approaches the subject vehicle to some extent, i.e., when there is an oncoming vehicle in the vicinity is a vicinity of the plurality of irradiation areas A ₁ to A ₉ The light emitting element 33a corresponding to the irradiation region that covers the existing oncoming vehicle V is turned off (or dimmed). Thereby, it becomes possible to prevent glare with respect to the oncoming vehicle V existing in the vicinity. At the same time, the visibility of the road surface ahead of the vehicle can be improved.

  In addition, the horizontal position on the virtual vertical screen of the oncoming vehicle (or preceding vehicle) in front of the vehicle is, for example, imaged in front of the vehicle by a CCD camera or the like, and the oncoming vehicle (or preceding vehicle) is based on the image data. It can be easily detected by detecting the position of the headlight (or taillight) in the lit state as a high-density pixel.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, the upper portion of the light source image (image of each of the exit ports 31c _{1 to} 31c ₉ ) projected by the projection lens 11 is diffused upward by the action of the curved reflection region 12b. It will be in the state. With the light source image in which the upper part is diffused, it is possible to form a vertically long light distribution pattern (see FIG. 4B) having an enlarged vertical width on the virtual vertical screen without reducing light use efficiency. Become.

Further, according to the present embodiment, a conventional thick portion (in FIG. 12) is provided between the exit ports adjacent to each other (for example, the exit port 31 c ₁ and the exit port 31 c ₂ ) among the plurality of exit ports 31 c _{1 to} 31 c ₉ . thick portion B reference), but are separated by the edge E which can hardly ignore the width, a plurality of exit port _31c partitioned by the edge E 1 ~31c ₉ (i.e., the exit opening _31c 1 _{~31c 9} (A light intensity distribution formed on the light source) is inverted and projected forward by the action of the projection lens 11 (see FIG. 5B). It is possible to prevent or reduce the formation of gaps (parts darker than the surroundings) between the irradiation areas A _{1 to} A ₉ (conventionally, gaps between a plurality of irradiation areas that are individually controlled to be turned on and off ( Darker than the surrounding area It was necessary to add another lamp to irradiate the gap to fill the min)).

  In addition, according to the present embodiment, the plurality of light emitting elements 33a are arranged in a line in the horizontal direction with the light emitting surface facing the front of the vehicle (see FIG. 3 and the like), and thus the plurality of light emitting elements are light. Compared to the conventional arrangement in which the light is distributed in the axis AX direction (see the light emitting element 230 in FIG. 12), it is possible to configure a small lamp unit having a shorter dimension in the direction of the optical axis AX.

  In addition, according to the present embodiment, the light from the light emitting element 33a that has entered the cylindrical portion 31 (light Ray2 in the wide-angle direction with respect to the optical axis AX) is emitted from the emission port 31c with a single reflection. Each of the cylindrical portions 31 (reflecting surfaces 31a) is formed in a shape that narrows in a substantially conical shape from the exit port 31c toward the entrance port 31b (see FIG. 5B). By the action of the cylindrical portion 31 (reflection surface 31a), not only the light Ray1 in the narrow angle direction with respect to the optical axis AX but also the light Ray2 in the wide angle direction with respect to the optical axis AX can be incident on the projection lens 11. (Improvement of light utilization efficiency)

  Moreover, according to this embodiment, since it is the structure which does not use a reflector, it becomes possible to comprise a lamp unit with a fewer number of parts compared with the past which uses a reflector (refer to the reflector 220 in FIG. 12).

  In addition, according to the present embodiment, since the plurality of light emitting elements 33a are mounted on the same substrate 33 (that is, the plurality of light emitting elements 33a are unitized), the plurality of light emitting elements are the same. As compared with the conventional case where the light emitting elements 33a are dispersed in the direction of the optical axis AX without being mounted on the substrate (see the light emitting elements 230 in FIG. 12), the plurality of light emitting elements 33a can be assembled very easily. In addition, it is possible to position the plurality of light emitting elements 33a with respect to the plurality of cylindrical portions 31 with extremely high accuracy.

Further, according to this embodiment, instead of the plurality of light emitting elements 33a itself, since it is configured to invert projecting the exit opening 31c ₁ ~31c ₉ of the light guide member 32, inverts projecting a plurality of light emitting elements 33a itself configuration Compared to, it is possible to widen the arrangement interval of the plurality of light emitting elements 33a. Thereby, it becomes possible to reduce the influence of heat generated with the light emission of the light emitting element 33a.

  Next, a modified example will be described.

In the above embodiment, the lower end edges of the exit ports 31c _{1 to} 31c ₉ are circular in front view so that the heights of the irradiation areas A _{1 to} A ₉ on the virtual vertical screen are small in the distance and increase as they approach the vicinity. Although described as extending in an arc, the present invention is not limited to this.

For example, as shown in FIG. 11, the lower end edges of the emission ports 31c _{1 to} 31c ₉ may extend linearly in the horizontal direction when viewed from the front.

  Moreover, although the said embodiment demonstrated the example which has nine light emitting elements 33a and a 0.7 mm square light emission surface, this invention is not limited to this. It is possible to use a light-emitting element having an appropriate number and size of light-emitting surfaces according to the required light intensity.

Moreover, although the said embodiment demonstrated the example which comprised the lamp unit 10 using each hollow cylinder part 31, this invention is not limited to this. For example, they comprise instead a plurality of cylindrical portion 10, and one end face of the entrance 31b and the other end face of the exit opening 31c ₁ ~31c _9, and an outer peripheral surface of the inner circumferential surface reflection surface 31a is formed, Further, the lamp unit 10 may be configured using each solid lens body (not shown) having a solid cone shape that narrows in a substantially cone shape as it goes from the other end surface to the one end surface. This also makes it possible to achieve the same effects as in the above embodiment.

  Moreover, although the said embodiment demonstrated the example which has arrange | positioned the light source unit 30 below the reflective surface 12, this invention is not limited to this. For example, the light source unit 30 may be disposed above the reflecting surface 12 (that is, a configuration in which the lamp unit 10 shown in FIG. 3 is turned upside down). In this case, the inflection point A is moved toward the upper end of the reflection surface 12, and a range from the inflection point A to the upper side is a reflection region 12b that is curved. This also makes it possible to achieve the same effects as in the above embodiment.

The above embodiment is merely an example in all respects. The present invention is not construed as being limited to these descriptions. The present invention can be implemented in various other forms without departing from the spirit or main features thereof.

10 ... lamp unit, 11 ... projection lens, 12 ... reflecting surface, 30 ... light source unit, 31 ... cylinder portion, 31a ... reflecting surface, 31b ... entrance, 31c ₁ -31c 9 _... emitting window, 32 ... light shielding member, 33 ... Substrate, 33a ... Light emitting element, 40 ... Lens holding frame, 50 ... Heat sink, 60 ... Light chamber, 61 ... Housing, 62 ... Translucent cover, 70 ... Lamp unit

Claims (3)

In a projector-type lamp unit used for a vehicle headlamp,
A projection lens;
A reflective surface including a plane mirror disposed between the projection lens and a rear focal point of the projection lens and inclined approximately 45 ° toward the projection lens with respect to a plane orthogonal to the optical axis of the projection lens;
A light source that radiates light that is reflected by the reflecting surface and transmitted through the projection lens, arranged at or near a plane symmetric with respect to the rear focal point of the projection lens with the plane mirror as a plane of symmetry;
With
The lamp unit, wherein the reflection surface includes a reflection region curved in a concave shape when viewed from the light source so that an upper part of a light source image of the light source projected by the projection lens diffuses upward. . The light source has a plurality of cylindrical portions in which an incident port which is one end is disposed below, an emission port which is the other end is disposed on the upper side, and a reflection surface is formed on an inner peripheral surface, and one end of the cylindrical portion A plurality of light emitting elements that emit light that is incident on the cylindrical portion from the incident port and reflected by the reflecting surface and emitted from the exit port that is the other end of the cylindrical portion, and
The exit ports of the plurality of cylindrical portions are substantially horizontal and in a direction orthogonal to the optical axis of the projection lens at or near a plane symmetric with respect to the rear focal point of the projection lens with the plane mirror as a symmetry plane. Arranged in a row in the direction,
The exit ports adjacent to each other among the exit ports of the plurality of cylindrical portions are configured to include the same edge and are partitioned by the same edge,
2. The lamp unit according to claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of cylindrical portions is configured to have a substantially conical shape narrowing from the exit port toward the entrance port.   Each of the plurality of cylindrical portions includes one end surface as the incident port, the other end surface as the emission port, and an outer peripheral surface as an inner peripheral surface on which the reflection surface is formed, and from the other end surface, 3. The lamp unit according to claim 2, wherein the lamp unit is a solid, substantially cone-shaped lens body that narrows in a substantially cone shape toward one end surface.

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