JP2012226997A - Vehicular headlight - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a vehicular headlight that can switch light-distribution patterns after simplifying its structure by reducing the number of components.SOLUTION: The vehicular headlight includes a light source unit 9 having a planar light source 13 and turned in a direction orthogonal to a plane containing a normal of an emitting surface 13a of the optical axis L and the planar light source as an axial direction, a reflector 10 for reflecting the light emitted from the planar light source, and a projection lens 12 for projecting the light emitted from the planar light source. When the light source is located at a first position by turning the light source unit, the light emitted from the planar light source is irradiated by reflecting by the reflector as a first light beam. Further, when the planar light source is located at a second position by turning the light source unit, the light emitted from the planar light source is irradiated by projecting by the projection lens as a second light beam.

Description

  The present invention relates to a vehicle headlamp. More specifically, the present invention relates to a technical field in which light distribution patterns are switched by irradiating light via a reflector or a projection lens according to the position of a planar light source by rotation of a light source unit, thereby reducing the number of parts.

  For vehicle headlamps, for example, a lamp unit having a light source is arranged inside a lamp outer casing constituted by a cover and a lamp body, and a so-called high beam light distribution pattern for irradiating a long distance or a short distance is irradiated. Some have a function of switching a so-called low beam light distribution pattern.

  Such a vehicle headlamp includes a projection lens that projects light emitted from a light source, a reflector that reflects light emitted from the light source toward the projection lens, and a light source disposed between the projection lens and the light source. There is provided a shade that can move (rotate) by blocking a part of the light emitted from the light and a moving mechanism that moves the shade (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

  In the vehicle headlamp described in Patent Document 1, the light shielding state is changed by the rotation of the shade, and switching between a high beam light distribution pattern and a low beam light distribution pattern is performed.

  Further, another vehicle headlamp includes a first lamp unit configured so that light emitted from the first light source is emitted as a low beam, and light emitted from the second light source is a high beam. And a control unit that controls the first light source and the second light source (see, for example, Patent Document 2).

  In the vehicle headlamp described in Patent Document 2, the first light source and the second light source are turned on or off by the control mechanism to switch between the low beam light distribution pattern and the high beam light distribution pattern. Has been done.

JP 2010-218728 A JP 2011-51381 A

  However, in the vehicle headlamps described in Patent Document 1 and Patent Document 2, a movable shade for moving a light distribution pattern and a moving mechanism for moving the shade and two lamp units (two There is a problem that the number of parts is large and the configuration is complicated.

  Therefore, an object of the present invention is to overcome the above-described problems and to enable switching of a light distribution pattern after simplifying the configuration by reducing the number of parts.

  In order to solve the above-described problems, a vehicle headlamp has a planar light source and is rotated with an axial direction as a direction perpendicular to a plane including an optical axis and a normal line of an emission surface of the planar light source. A light source unit, a reflector that reflects the light emitted from the planar light source, and a projection lens that projects the light emitted from the planar light source, and the planar light source is rotated to rotate the planar light source. When the light source is positioned at the first position, the light emitted from the planar light source is reflected by the reflector and irradiated as a first beam, and the light source unit is rotated so that the planar light source is second. The light emitted from the planar light source when projected at the position is projected by the projection lens and irradiated as the second beam.

  Therefore, in the vehicle headlamp, the light distribution pattern is switched by irradiating light through the reflector or the projection lens according to the position of the planar light source by the rotation of the light source unit.

  The vehicle headlamp according to the present invention includes a light source unit that has a planar light source and is rotated about a direction orthogonal to a plane including an optical axis and a normal line of an emission surface of the planar light source, and the surface A reflector for reflecting the light emitted from the planar light source and a projection lens for projecting the light emitted from the planar light source, and the planar light source is positioned at the first position by rotating the light source unit. When the light emitted from the planar light source is reflected by the reflector and irradiated as the first beam, the light source unit is rotated and the planar light source is positioned at the second position. Further, the light emitted from the planar light source is projected by the projection lens and irradiated as a second beam.

  Therefore, since the light distribution pattern is switched by irradiating light through the reflector or the projection lens according to the position of the planar light source by the rotation of the light source unit, the configuration is simplified by reducing the number of parts. The light distribution pattern can be switched above.

  In the invention described in claim 2, the projection lens is disposed apart from the optical path of the first beam.

  Therefore, since the light reflected by the reflector does not go to the projection lens, a good light distribution pattern can be formed.

  The best mode for carrying out the vehicle headlamp of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

  The vehicle headlamp 1 is mounted and arranged at both left and right ends of the front end of the vehicle body.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the vehicle headlamp 1 includes a lamp housing 2 formed in a concave shape that opens forward, and an outer cover 3 that closes the opening surface of the lamp housing 2. The outer casing 4 and the outer cover 3 constitute a lamp casing 4. An internal space of the lamp outer casing 4 is formed as a lamp chamber 5.

  A lamp unit 6 is disposed in the lamp chamber 5, and the lamp unit 6 is supported on the lamp housing 2 by an aiming adjustment mechanism 7 so as to be tiltable.

  The lamp unit 6 includes a bracket 8, a light source unit 9, a reflector 10, a lens holding member 11, and a projection lens 12.

  The bracket 8 includes a flat surface portion 8a formed in a rectangular flat plate facing in the front-rear direction, and support protrusions 8b and 8b (only one in FIG. 1) protruding forward from the center portion in the vertical direction of the flat surface portion 8a. It shows.)

  The light source unit 9 includes a planar light source 13 that emits light, a circuit board 14 on which the planar light source 13 is mounted, a base body 15 to which the circuit board 14 is attached, and a rotating shaft 16 that is fixed to the base body 15. And have. The light source unit 9 is rotatable about the rotation shaft 16 as a fulcrum.

  As the planar light source 13, for example, a light emitting diode (LED) is used. The surface light source 13 has a surface opposite to the surface attached to the circuit board 14 as an emission surface 13a for emitting light.

  The circuit board 14 is provided with connection terminals (not shown). A flexible printed wiring board (not shown) is connected to the connection terminal, and power is supplied to the planar light source 13 from a power supply circuit (not shown) via the flexible printed wiring board and the circuit board 14.

  The support protrusions 8b and 8b and the rotation shaft 16 are formed of a conductive material, the rotation shaft 16 is connected to the circuit board 14, and the support protrusions 8b and 8b, the rotation shaft 16 and the circuit board 14 are connected. It is possible to supply the planar light source 13 with power from a power supply circuit. Such a configuration eliminates the need for a flexible printed wiring board, thereby reducing the number of components. Further, since the flexible printed wiring board is not necessary, the load on the rotation of the light source unit 9 is reduced, and the light source unit 9 can be smoothly rotated.

  The base body 15 is formed in a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape, and a circuit board 14 on which a planar light source 13 is mounted is attached to a predetermined surface of the base body 15. The base body 15 functions as a heat sink that releases heat generated when light is emitted from the planar light source 13.

  The rotating shaft 16 extends in the left-right direction and is connected to a drive mechanism (not shown).

  The base body 15 is rotatably supported by the support protrusions 8b and 8b of the bracket 8 with the rotation shaft 16 as a fulcrum. Therefore, the base body 15, the planar light source 13, and the circuit board 14 are integrated and can be rotated by the drive mechanism about the rotation shaft 16 (with the left-right direction as the axial direction).

  The reflector 10 includes a reflection portion 17 that reflects light emitted from the planar light source 13 and an attachment portion 18 provided at the upper end portion of the reflection portion 17, and the attachment portion 18 is the center of the front surface of the flat portion 8 a of the bracket 8. It is attached to the part. The inner surface of the reflecting portion 17 is formed as a reflecting surface 17a.

  The lens holding member 11 is provided so as to extend forward from the central portion of the upper end portion of the bracket 8.

  The projection lens 12 is attached to the front end of the lens holding member 11 and is held in front of the light source unit 9 by the lens holding member 11. The projection lens 12 includes a central lens portion 12a that is formed in a substantially hemispherical shape convex forward, and a Fresnel lens portion 12b that has a large number of prisms in a ring shape from the outer peripheral portion of the central lens portion 12a toward the outer peripheral direction. Become. The lower end of the Fresnel lens portion 12b is substantially at the same position as the lower end of the central lens portion 12a.

  In the vehicle headlamp 1, the upper end portion of the reflector 10 is positioned immediately behind the light source unit 9 and the lower end portion of the Fresnel lens portion 12 b of the projection lens 12. Therefore, portions other than the upper end portion of the reflector 10 are positioned below the projection lens 12 without overlapping the projection lens 12 in the front-rear direction.

  Although the example in which the projection lens 12 includes the central lens portion 12a and the Fresnel lens portion 12b has been described above, the projection lens 12 is not limited to the example including the central lens portion 12a and the Fresnel lens portion 12b. The projection lens 12 only needs to have a function of projecting the light emitted from the planar light source 13. For example, the projection lens 12 may be a lens having an outer surface formed of a spherical surface that is convex forward, a rear surface, and a lower surface. .

  The aiming adjustment mechanism 7 has aiming screws 19, 19, 19. The aiming screws 19, 19, 19 extend in the front-rear direction, and are screwed into the upper and lower end portions on the left side and the upper end portion on the right side of the bracket 8 while being rotatably supported by the rear end portion of the lamp housing 2. The housing 2 and the bracket 8 are connected.

  In the vehicle headlamp 1, when the aiming screw 19 is rotated by a jig such as a driver (not shown), the lamp unit 6 tilts in the direction corresponding to the rotation direction with the other aiming screws 19, 19, 19 as fulcrums. Then, aiming adjustment of the lamp unit 6 is performed.

  In the vehicle headlamp 1 configured as described above, the light source unit 9 includes a first position (see FIG. 3) in which the emission surface 13a of the planar light source 13 faces obliquely downward and rearward, and a first position that faces obliquely upward and forward. It can be rotated within an angle range of about 180 degrees so as to be moved between the two positions (see FIG. 4). When the light source unit 9 is rotated and the planar light source 13 is positioned at the first position, the light emitted from the planar light source 13 is reflected by the reflector 10 and irradiated forward. When the light source unit 9 is rotated and the planar light source 13 is positioned at the second position, the light emitted from the planar light source 13 is projected by the projection lens 12 and irradiated forward.

  The light reflected by the reflector 10 and the light projected by the projection lens 12 are irradiated forward as described above. Therefore, the direction of the optical axis L (see FIGS. 3 and 4) is the front-rear direction.

  Hereinafter, switching of the light distribution pattern in the vehicle headlamp 1 configured as described above will be described (see FIGS. 3 to 6).

  When the light source unit 9 is rotated and the planar light source 13 is positioned at the first position, the light emitted from the planar light source 13 is reflected by the reflecting surface 17a of the reflector 10 as shown in FIG. Irradiated forward as a low beam (first beam) that irradiates a short-distance region.

  FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a light distribution pattern PL when the light emitted from the planar light source 13 is reflected by the reflector 10 and irradiated as a low beam. H indicates a horizontal line.

  As described above, the portion other than the upper end portion of the reflector 10 is positioned below the projection lens 12 without overlapping the projection lens 12 in the front-rear direction. That is, the projection lens 12 is arranged apart from the low beam optical path. Therefore, since the light reflected by the reflector 10 does not go to the projection lens 12, a good light distribution pattern can be formed.

  When the light source unit 9 is rotated and the planar light source 13 is positioned at the second position, the light emitted from the planar light source 13 passes through the projection lens 12 and is distant as shown in FIG. Irradiated forward as a high beam (second beam) that irradiates a region of distance.

  FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a light distribution pattern PH when light emitted from the planar light source 13 is projected by the projection lens 12 and irradiated as a high beam.

  As described above, the portion other than the upper end portion of the reflector 10 is positioned below the projection lens 12 without overlapping the projection lens 12 in the front-rear direction. That is, the reflector 10 is disposed away from the high beam optical path. Therefore, since the light projected by the projection lens 12 does not go to the reflector 10, a good light distribution pattern can be formed.

  In the vehicle headlamp 1, as described above, the planar light source 13 is positioned at the first position, and the light emitted from the planar light source 13 is reflected by the reflector 10 and irradiated as a low beam. The planar light source 13 is positioned at the second position, and the light emitted from the planar light source 13 is projected by the projection lens 12 and irradiated as a high beam. Therefore, when the light source unit 9 is rotated and the planar light source 13 is positioned at a predetermined position, switching between the low beam light distribution pattern PL and the high beam light distribution pattern PH is performed.

  In addition, although the example in which the reflector 10 is located below the projection lens 12 was shown above, it may be configured that the reflector 10 is located above the projection lens 12. In this case, the first position is a position where the emission surface 13a of the planar light source 13 faces rearward and obliquely upward, and the second position is a position where the emission surface 13a of the planar light source 13 faces obliquely downward and forward. Therefore, when the planar light source 13 is positioned at the first position, the light emitted from the planar light source 13 is reflected by the reflector 10 and is irradiated as a high beam (first beam), and the planar light source 13 is second. The light emitted from the planar light source 13 is projected by the projection lens 12 and irradiated as a low beam (second beam).

  Moreover, although the example in which the light source unit 9 is rotated about the rotation shaft 16 extending in the left-right direction has been described above, the light source unit is configured to be rotated about the rotation shaft extending in the vertical direction. Also good. In this case, the reflector 10 and the projection lens 12 are arranged on the left and right. When the light source unit is rotated and the planar light source 13 is positioned at, for example, a first position facing diagonally left rearward, the light emitted from the planar light source 13 is reflected by the reflector 10 and is reflected to the first position. Irradiated as a beam. Further, when the light source unit is rotated and the planar light source 13 is positioned at the second position facing diagonally forward right, the light emitted from the planar light source 13 is projected by the projection lens 12 to be second. Irradiated as a beam.

  Below, the modification of a light source unit is demonstrated (refer FIG.7 and FIG.8).

  In addition, since the light source unit according to the modified example shown below is different only in the shape of the base body as compared with the light source unit 9 described above, only the parts different from the light source unit 9 will be described in detail. The other parts are denoted by the same reference numerals as those in the light source unit 9 and description thereof is omitted.

  The light source unit 9A according to the modification is fixed to the planar light source 13 that emits light, the circuit board 14 on which the planar light source 13 is mounted, the base body 15A to which the circuit board 14 is attached, and the base body 15A. And a rotating shaft 16. The light source unit 9A is rotatable about the rotation shaft 16 as a fulcrum.

  As shown in FIG. 7, the base body 15A is formed in a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape, and a circuit board 14 on which the planar light source 13 is mounted is attached to a predetermined surface of the base body 15A.

  The base body 15A is rotatably supported by the support protrusions 8b and 8b of the bracket 8 with the rotation shaft 16 as a fulcrum. Therefore, the base body 15A, the planar light source 13, and the circuit board 14 are integrally made rotatable by the drive mechanism around the rotation shaft 16 (with the left-right direction as the axial direction).

  A light transmission hole 20 is formed in the base body 15A. The light transmission hole 20 is formed so as to penetrate the surface on which the circuit board 14 is attached and a predetermined surface orthogonal to the surface. When the light source unit 9A is rotated and the planar light source 13 is positioned at the first position, the light transmission hole 20 extends substantially in the front-rear direction, and the front end of the light transmission hole 20 is the focal point of the projection lens 12. Located below F.

  In the vehicle headlamp 1 configured as described above, when the light source unit 9A is rotated and the planar light source 13 is positioned at the first position, most of the light emitted from the planar light source 13 is obtained. Is reflected toward the front as a low beam (first beam) that is reflected by the reflecting surface 17a of the reflector 10 and irradiates a short-distance region.

  Further, a part of the light emitted from the planar light source 13 is reflected by the reflecting surface 17a of the reflector 10 and passes through the light transmitting hole 20 of the base body 15A, and then is projected by the projection lens 12 to be mainly visible road signs. The light is emitted as so-called overhead sign light that goes upwards.

  FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a light distribution pattern PLS when light emitted from the planar light source 13 is irradiated as a low beam and overhead sign light. P1 is a low beam light distribution pattern, and P2 is an overhead sign light distribution pattern.

  In the vehicle headlamp 1 configured as described above, when the light source unit 9A is rotated and the planar light source 13 is positioned at the second position, the light emitted from the planar light source 13 is projected to the projection lens. Irradiated forward as a high beam (second beam) that passes through 12 and irradiates a long-distance region. At this time, since the light transmission hole 20 is positioned from the lower side to the rear side of the planar light source 13, the light emitted from the planar light source 13 is not transmitted through the light transmission hole 20, and the light transmission hole 20 is present. It does not affect the formation of the light distribution pattern.

  In the above-described modification, an example in which the reflector 10 is positioned below the light source unit 9A is shown, but conversely, the reflector 10 may be positioned above the light source unit 9A. In this case, the first position is a position where the exit surface 13a of the planar light source 13 faces rearward and obliquely upward. Further, the light transmission hole 20 of the base body 15 </ b> A is in a state extending substantially in the front-rear direction when the light source unit 9 </ b> A is rotated and the planar light source 13 is positioned at the first position. The front end is positioned below the focal point F of the projection lens 12. When the light transmission hole 20 is in such a state, a part of the light emitted from the planar light source 13 is reflected by the reflector 10 and transmitted through the light transmission hole 20 and then projected by the projection lens 12 to be overhead sign light. As irradiated.

  As described above, in the vehicle headlamp 1, the light emitted from the planar light source 13 when the light source units 9 and 9A are rotated and the planar light source 13 is positioned at the first position. Is reflected by the reflector 10 and irradiated as the first beam. When the light source units 9 and 9A are rotated and the planar light source 13 is positioned at the second position, the light emitted from the planar light source 13 is projected. Projected by the lens 12 and irradiated as a second beam.

  Accordingly, the light distribution pattern is switched by irradiating light through the reflector 10 or the projection lens 12 in accordance with the position of the planar light source 13 by the rotation of the light source units 9 and 9A. The light distribution pattern can be switched after simplification.

  The shapes and structures of the respective parts shown in the above-described best mode are merely examples of implementations in carrying out the present invention, and the technical scope of the present invention is limitedly interpreted by these. It should not be done.

2 to 8 show the best mode of the present invention, and this figure is a schematic longitudinal sectional view of a vehicle headlamp. It is a schematic front view of the vehicle headlamp. It is a schematic longitudinal cross-sectional view which shows the optical path of a low beam (1st beam) when a light source unit is rotated to the 1st position. It is a schematic longitudinal cross-sectional view which shows the optical path of a high beam (2nd beam) when a light source unit is rotated to the 2nd position. It is a figure which shows the light distribution pattern of a low beam (1st beam) when a light source unit is rotated to the 1st position. It is a figure which shows the light distribution pattern of a high beam (2nd beam) when a light source unit is rotated to the 2nd position. It is an enlarged side view which shows the light source unit etc. which concern on a modification in part in cross section. It is a figure which shows the light distribution pattern which concerns on a modification.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Vehicle headlamp, 9 ... Light source unit, 9A ... Light source unit, 10 ... Reflector, 12 ... Projection lens, 13 ... Planar light source, 13a ... Output surface, L ... Optical axis

Claims (2)

A light source unit that has a planar light source and is rotated about a direction orthogonal to a plane including an optical axis and a normal line of an emission surface of the planar light source;
A reflector that reflects light emitted from the planar light source;
A projection lens for projecting light emitted from the planar light source,
When the light source unit is rotated and the planar light source is positioned at the first position, the light emitted from the planar light source is reflected by the reflector and irradiated as a first beam,
When the light source unit is rotated and the planar light source is positioned at the second position, the light emitted from the planar light source is projected by the projection lens and irradiated as the second beam. A vehicle headlamp characterized by this. The vehicle headlamp according to claim 1, wherein the projection lens is disposed apart from the optical path of the first beam.

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