JP2012195152A - Vehicle light - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a vehicle light capable of effectively using light emitted from a light source to an area other than a reflecting surface (reflecting surface structured to form a given light distribution pattern) of a reflector.SOLUTION: The vehicle light includes a light source arranged in a posture to emit light substantially downward, a reflector arranged below the light source so as light emitted from the light source to be incident, and containing a first reflecting surface structured to form a given light distribution pattern on a virtual vertical screen opposed to a front end of a vehicle by reflecting light incident from the light source, and a second reflecting surface arranged on an optical path of light emitted from the light source to be headed forward from a front end of the first reflecting surface, and structured to directly reflect the light incident from the light source toward an overhead signal area on the virtual vertical screen.

Description

  The present invention relates to a vehicular lamp, and in particular, a vehicle capable of effectively using light emitted from a light source to a region other than a reflecting surface of a reflector (a reflecting surface configured to form a predetermined light distribution pattern). It relates to a lamp.

  Conventionally, in the field of vehicular lamps, as shown in FIG. 5, a light source 91 arranged in a posture to emit light substantially downward, and arranged below the light source 91 so that light emitted from the light source 91 enters. A vehicular lamp 90 including a reflector 92 including a reflecting surface 92a configured to reflect light incident from a light source 91 to form a predetermined light distribution pattern is known (for example, Patent Document 1). reference).

JP 2007-305575 A

  However, since the reflector 92 is designed in various shapes in relation to the design of the front end of the vehicle and the like while maintaining its basic function, a part of the light emitted from the light source 91 is depending on the design shape. There is a problem that it cannot be used effectively because it does not enter the reflector 92.

  The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and effectively uses light emitted from a light source to a region other than a reflecting surface of a reflector (a reflecting surface configured to form a predetermined light distribution pattern). An object of the present invention is to provide a vehicular lamp that can be used.

  In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the invention according to claim 1 is arranged below the light source so that the light source arranged in a posture to emit light substantially downward and the light emitted from the light source enter. A reflector including a first reflecting surface configured to reflect a light incident from the light source and form a predetermined light distribution pattern on a virtual vertical screen facing the front end of the vehicle; and radiated from the light source A second reflection that is disposed on an optical path of light forward from the front end of the first reflection surface and configured to reflect light incident from the light source directly toward an overhead sign region on the virtual vertical screen. And a surface.

  According to the first aspect of the present invention, the light emitted from the light source and traveling toward the front direction from the front end of the first reflecting surface without being incident on the first reflecting surface by the action of the second reflecting surface is displayed on the virtual vertical screen. Therefore, the light emitted from the light source to the region other than the reflecting surface of the reflector (the reflecting surface configured to form a predetermined light distribution pattern) is effectively used. It becomes possible. Further, according to the first aspect of the present invention, the second reflecting surface (overhead reflecting surface) is not formed on the first reflecting surface, and therefore the first reflecting surface on which the overhead reflecting surface is formed is used. Compared to the above, it is possible to secure a large reflection area on the first reflection surface, and accordingly, a bright predetermined light distribution pattern can be formed.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the invention, the reflector reflects the incident light above the horizontal line when light directed forward from the front end of the first reflecting surface is incident. It further includes a reflective area to be reflected.

  According to the second aspect of the present invention, when the light traveling from the light source toward the front direction from the front end of the first reflecting surface is incident from the light source, the incident light is more than the horizontal line by the action of the second reflecting surface. It is possible to block the light traveling toward the reflective area that reflects upward. As a result, it is possible to prevent light emitted from the light source from entering the reflection region and being reflected above the horizontal line (that is, generation of glare).

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the second aspect of the present invention, the reflective region is formed on a lower surface continuous with a lower end edge of the first reflective surface.

  According to the third aspect of the invention, due to the action of the second reflecting surface, when light that is directed forward from the front end of the first reflecting surface is incident from the light source, the incident light is more than the horizontal line. It is possible to block the light toward the reflection area reflecting upward (the lower surface continuous to the lower edge of the first reflection surface). Thereby, the light emitted from the light source is incident on the reflection region (the lower surface continuous to the lower edge of the first reflection surface) and reflected above the horizontal line (that is, the glare is generated). It becomes possible to prevent.

  According to the present invention, there is provided a vehicular lamp that can effectively use light emitted from a light source to a region other than a reflecting surface of a reflector (a reflecting surface configured to form a predetermined light distribution pattern). It becomes possible.

(A) It is a perspective view of the vehicle lamp 10 which is one Embodiment of this invention, (b) It is a longitudinal cross-sectional view. It is an expansion perspective view of the reflective surface 13 for overhead. (A) an example of the main light distribution pattern P1, (b) an example of the additional light distribution pattern P2 that irradiates the overhead sign region, and (c) a combined light distribution pattern P of the main light distribution pattern P1 and the additional light distribution pattern P2. (D) It is an example of the light distribution pattern formed of the reflective surface 12a including the reflective surface 13 for overhead shown in FIG. It is an example of the reflective surface 12a including the reflective surface 13 for overhead. It is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the conventional vehicle lamp 90.

  Hereinafter, a vehicular lamp that is an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  The vehicular lamp 10 according to the present embodiment is a parabolic vehicular lamp used as a headlamp for an automobile or a motorcycle. For example, in the case of an automobile, the vehicular lamp 10 is disposed on both the left and right sides of the front portion of the vehicle. .

  As shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B, the vehicular lamp 10 includes a light source 11, a reflector 12, and the like.

  The light source 11 is, for example, a plurality of semiconductor light emitting elements having a 0.7 mm square light emitting surface (for example, a white LED in which a blue LED chip and a phosphor are combined). The semiconductor light emitting elements are arranged in a row in a horizontal direction (for example, in the vehicle width direction) on a heat sink (not shown) or the like with the light emitting surface 11a facing downward so as to emit light substantially downward. The semiconductor light emitting device may be a white LED that combines a near-ultraviolet LED chip and a phosphor, a white LED that combines LED chips of RGB colors, or a white light source that combines a laser light source and a phosphor. .

  The reflector 12 is, for example, a reflective surface 12a formed by performing a mirror surface treatment such as aluminum deposition on a reflector base material made of a thermosetting resin formed using a mold, and a lower surface similarly subjected to the mirror surface treatment. 12b (corresponding to the reflection region of the present invention). The lower surface 12b is continuous with the lower end edge of the reflecting surface 12a and extends in the reflecting direction of the reflecting surface 12a. The lower surface 12b may be integrated with the reflector base material or may be a separate body.

  The reflection surface 12a is disposed below the light source 11 so that light emitted from the light source 11 enters. The reflecting surface 12a is, for example, a virtual vertical screen (for example, the front end of the vehicle) whose focal point is set in the vicinity of the light source 11, and which reflects (distributes) light incident from the light source 11 in a predetermined direction and faces the front end of the vehicle A rotating paraboloidal reflecting surface configured to form a main light distribution pattern P1 (for example, see FIG. 3 (a)) having a luminous intensity distribution required by law on is there.

  In the vehicular lamp 10 having the above configuration, when a part of the light emitted from the light source 11 is incident on the lower surface 12b, the incident light may be reflected above the horizontal line and cause glare (FIG. 1). (A) Refer to the reference Ray1 in FIG.

  In order to prevent this, in this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2, two light sources fixed to a heat sink or the like are interposed between the light source 11 and the lower surface 12 b so that light traveling from the light source 11 toward the lower surface 12 b is incident. An overhead reflecting surface 13 supported by the food stay 13a is disposed. The reflection surface 13 can shield light from the light source 11 toward the lower surface 12b. Thereby, it is possible to prevent glare caused by the light emitted from the light source 11 entering the lower surface 12b.

  The overhead reflecting surface 13 virtually transmits light incident from the light source 11 (light emitted from the light source 11 and traveling forward from the front end of the reflecting surface 12a without entering the reflecting surface 12a, that is, the light to be blocked). It is configured to reflect toward the overhead sign area A (see FIG. 3C) on the vertical screen. Thereby, it is possible to increase the light use efficiency. The overhead sign area A is an area where there is an object that the driver preferably recognizes during driving, such as a road sign that exists above the horizontal line on the virtual vertical screen, and is approximately 2 above the horizontal line. It means around 4 ° to 4 °.

  According to the vehicular lamp 10 having the above-described configuration, the light incident on the reflecting surface 12a out of the light emitted from the light source 11 is reflected by the reflecting surface 12a and irradiated forward. Thereby, the main light distribution pattern P1 (for example, refer to FIG. 3A) of the light intensity distribution required by the law is formed on the virtual vertical screen.

  On the other hand, the light emitted from the light source 11 toward the lower surface 12b is shielded by the overhead reflecting surface 13 and reflected by the reflecting surface 13 obliquely forward and upward (FIG. 1 (a), FIG. b) Refer to reference sign Ray2 in FIG. As a result, an additional light distribution pattern P2 (see FIG. 3B) that irradiates the overhead sign area A (see FIG. 3C) on the virtual vertical screen is formed. FIG. 3C is an example of a combined light distribution pattern P of the main light distribution pattern P1 and the additional light distribution pattern P2.

  As described above, according to the vehicular lamp 10 of the present embodiment, the overhead reflection surface 13 (corresponding to the second reflection surface of the present invention) emits light from the light source 11 and enters the reflection surface 12a. Therefore, it is possible to reflect the light traveling forward from the front end of the reflecting surface 12a toward the overhead sign area A (see FIG. 3C) on the virtual vertical screen. It is possible to effectively use the light emitted to the area. Furthermore, since the overhead reflecting surface 13 is not formed on the reflecting surface 12a, a larger reflection area is secured on the reflecting surface 12a than when the reflecting surface 12a (see FIG. 4) on which the overhead reflecting surface 13 is formed is used. Accordingly, the main light distribution pattern P1 brighter than the light distribution pattern (see FIG. 3D) formed by the reflective surface 12a (see FIG. 4) on which the overhead reflective surface 13 is formed can be obtained. It becomes possible to form.

  Further, according to the vehicular lamp 10 of the present embodiment, when the light reflected from the light source 11 toward the front direction from the front end of the reflection surface 12a is incident due to the action of the overhead reflection surface 13, the incident light It is possible to block the light toward the lower surface 12b) that reflects above the horizontal line. This makes it possible to prevent light emitted from the light source 11 from entering the reflection region (lower surface 12b) and being reflected above the horizontal line (that is, occurrence of glare).

  Next, a modified example will be described.

  In the above embodiment, an example has been described in which part of the light emitted from the light source 11 is incident on the lower surface 12b and the incident light is reflected above the horizon and causes glare. It is not limited. For example, in the present invention, a part of the light emitted from the light source 11 is incident on a reflection area other than the lower surface 12b (for example, a reflection area such as a side surface of the reflector 12 or an extension arranged around the reflector 12), The present invention can be similarly applied when the incident light is reflected above the horizon and causes glare.

  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.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Vehicle lamp, 11 ... Light source, 11a ... Light emission surface, 12 ... Reflector, 12a ... Reflection surface, 12b ... Lower surface, 13 ... Overhead reflection surface, 13a ... Food stay

Claims (3)

A light source arranged in a posture to emit light substantially downward,
A predetermined light distribution pattern is formed on a virtual vertical screen that is arranged below the light source so that light emitted from the light source is incident, reflects light incident from the light source, and faces the front end of the vehicle. A reflector including a first reflecting surface configured to:
It is disposed on the optical path of light emitted from the light source and traveling forward from the front end of the first reflecting surface, and reflects light incident from the light source directly toward an overhead sign area on the virtual vertical screen. A vehicular lamp, comprising: a configured second reflecting surface.   2. The reflector according to claim 1, further comprising a reflective region that reflects the incident light upward from a horizontal line when light directed forward from the front end of the first reflecting surface is incident. 3. Vehicle lamps.   The vehicular lamp according to claim 1, wherein the reflection region is formed on a lower surface continuous with a lower edge of the first reflection surface.

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