JP2013175391A - Vehicle headlight - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a compact and lightweight vehicle headlight with smaller depth to be mounted on a vehicle, while improving light utilization efficiency and extending a light emitting range.SOLUTION: A vehicle headlight 1 is provided with an LED light source 2, a first reflector 4 which reflects light from the LED light source 2 upward, and a second reflector which reflects light from the first reflector 4 forward. The vehicle headlight 1 is provided with a projection optical part 5 which condenses light from the first reflector 4 and projects it within a predetermined range of the second reflector 6. Accordingly, the second reflector 6 is configured to have required minimum dimension, to reduce the size and weight of and the vehicle headlight 1. Most of the light from the first reflector 4 enters the second reflector 6, thereby improving light utilization efficiency. A light path length is made long by reflecting the light from the LED light source 2 in a direction orthogonal to the light-emitting direction of the vehicle headlight 1, thereby extending the light-emitting range, while reducing the depth of the vehicle headlight 1.

Description

  The present invention relates to a vehicle headlamp mounted on a vehicle.

  Conventionally, as a vehicle headlamp mounted on a vehicle, a first light source unit for low beam irradiation, a second light source unit for high beam irradiation, and the light from these light source units are distributed and emitted to the outside. There is known a lens provided with a lens that performs the same (for example, see Patent Document 1). Both the first light source unit and the second light source unit emit light forward, and the lens is disposed in front of these light source units. In such a vehicle headlamp, since the optical path extends in the front-rear direction (light emission direction), the depth of the vehicle headlamp increases when the optical path length is increased to increase the light emission range. There was a problem.

  To solve this problem, a light source that emits light forward, a first reflector that reflects light from the light source upward, and a second reflector that reflects light from the first reflector forward. A vehicular headlamp including a plate is known (for example, see Patent Document 2). The light reflected by the second reflecting plate is subjected to light distribution control by a projection lens provided in front of the second reflecting plate and then emitted to the outside in a predetermined light distribution pattern. In such a vehicle headlamp, since the light path length is increased by reflecting light from the light source upward, the depth of the vehicle headlamp is reduced while ensuring a wide light emission range.

JP 2007-109493 A JP 2009-259667 A

  However, in the vehicle headlamp as in Patent Document 2, in order to make all the light reflected by the first reflector enter the second reflector, it is necessary to make the second reflector large. There is. In addition, since the light whose emission range is expanded by the first reflector and the second reflector is incident on the projection lens, the projection lens becomes large. For this reason, the vehicle headlamp becomes larger or its weight increases. On the other hand, if the second reflecting plate and the projection lens are made smaller, the amount of light that is not used as the emitted light increases, so that the light use efficiency decreases.

  The present invention solves the above-mentioned problems, and in a vehicle headlamp mounted on a vehicle, the depth is reduced while ensuring a wide light emission range, and the size and weight are reduced and high light use efficiency is achieved. An object of the present invention is to provide a vehicular headlamp that can achieve both of the above.

  The vehicle headlamp of the present invention includes an LED light source, a main body having a mounting surface on which the LED light source is mounted, and light from the LED light source that is attached to the mounting surface and is orthogonal to the optical axis direction of the LED light source. A first reflecting plate that reflects in one direction, and a light that is attached to a side surface of the main body and reflected by the first reflecting plate is further reflected in the optical axis direction and emitted to the outside in a predetermined pattern. And a projection optical unit that controls the light distribution of the light reflected by the first reflector and emits the light to the second reflector.

  The first reflecting plate includes a support body resin-molded in a predetermined shape, and a light reflection layer provided on a surface of the support body on which light from the LED light source is incident, and the projection optical unit Is preferably provided at an end of the first reflecting plate on the light emitting side and is integrally molded with the support.

  The vehicle headlamp preferably further includes a shade that stands on the mounting surface between the LED light source and the projection optical unit and cuts a part of light incident on the projection optical unit.

  The vehicular headlamp is provided on a side periphery of the LED light source on the mounting surface, and reflects the light emitted from the LED light source to the side thereof in the direction of the first reflector. Is preferably further provided.

  It is preferable that the vehicle headlamp further includes a drive circuit that controls lighting of the LED light source, and the drive circuit is housed inside the main body.

  The vehicle headlamp preferably further includes a heat radiating body attached to the main body for radiating heat from the LED light source.

  It is preferable that the drive circuit is housed inside the heat radiator.

  The vehicle headlamp includes the LED, the main body, the first reflecting plate, the second reflecting plate, the projection optical unit, and the radiator, and a translucent front panel at a position facing the mounting surface. And a heat radiating member extending from the mounting surface toward the front panel of the case. The heat radiating member includes a column portion erected on the mounting surface, and the front panel side of the column portion. And a flat plate portion having the same size as the mounting surface in opposition to the front panel.

  The vehicle headlamp is provided on the mounting surface on a side opposite to the side adjacent to the projection optical unit of the LED light source, and is controlled separately from the LED light source. A fourth reflecting plate that reflects light from the LED light source in a direction opposite to the one direction, and the second reflecting plate is provided over the entire circumference of the main body. It is preferable.

  The vehicle headlamp includes a plurality of light source units including the LED light source, the first reflector, and a projection optical unit, and the plurality of light source units are individually controlled to be lit to emit light in different directions. It is preferable that the second reflecting plate is provided over the entire circumference of the main body.

  The projection optical unit preferably includes a liquid crystal panel.

  According to the present invention, the light path length is increased by reflecting the light from the LED light source in the direction orthogonal to the light emission direction of the vehicle headlamp (the optical axis direction of the LED light source). The depth of the vehicle headlamp can be reduced while increasing the range of light emitted from the lamp. Further, the light reflected by the first reflecting plate is subjected to light distribution control by the projection optical unit and projected within a predetermined range of the second reflecting plate. Therefore, the second reflector can be configured to the minimum necessary size to reduce the size and weight of the vehicle headlamp, and most of the light from the first reflector is second reflected. Since it is incident on the plate, the light utilization efficiency can be improved.

1 is a side sectional view of a vehicle headlamp according to an embodiment of the present invention. The figure which looked at the said vehicle headlamp from the direction of the arrow shown by FIG. (A) (b) is a figure which shows the example of arrangement | positioning of the LED unit which comprises the LED light source provided in the said vehicle headlamp, respectively, (c) is the LED light source comprised as (a) (b) The figure which shows the pattern of the light radiate | emitted from the vehicle headlamp provided with. Side sectional drawing of the vehicle headlamp which concerns on other embodiment. Furthermore, the sectional side view of the vehicle headlamp which concerns on other embodiment. (A) is a sectional side view of a vehicle headlamp according to still another embodiment, (b) is a view of the vehicle headlamp viewed from the direction of the arrow shown in (a), and (c) is The perspective view of the shade which comprises the headlight for vehicles. The figure which shows the pattern of the light radiate | emitted from the vehicle headlamp when the vehicle carrying the said vehicle headlamp is drive | working the road. (A) is a perspective view showing a modified example of the shade, (b) is for the vehicle when a vehicle equipped with the vehicle headlamp equipped with the shade shown in (a) is traveling on a road. The figure which shows the pattern of the light radiate | emitted from a headlamp. (A) is a sectional side view of a vehicle headlamp according to still another embodiment, (b) is a view of the vehicle headlamp viewed from the direction of the arrow shown in (a), and (c) is The sectional side view of the 1st reflecting plate and the 3rd reflecting plate which comprise the vehicle headlamp, and a projection optical part. Furthermore, the sectional side view of the vehicle headlamp which concerns on other embodiment. The perspective view which looked at the said vehicle headlamp from the heat radiator side. The sectional side view of the vehicle headlamp which concerns on the modification of the said embodiment. Furthermore, the sectional side view of the vehicle headlamp which concerns on other embodiment. The figure which looked at the said vehicle headlamp from the direction of the arrow shown by FIG. The perspective view of the 1st reflecting plate and the 4th reflecting plate which comprise the said vehicle headlamp. (A) is a figure which shows the example of arrangement | positioning of the LED unit which comprises another LED light source provided in the said vehicle headlamp, (b) is radiate | emitted from another LED light source comprised as (a). FIG. Furthermore, the sectional side view of the vehicle headlamp which concerns on other embodiment. The figure which looked at the said vehicle headlamp from the direction of the arrow shown by FIG. The sectional side view of the vehicle headlamp which concerns on the modification of the said embodiment. The front view of the vehicle headlamp which concerns on other embodiment. The front view of the vehicle headlamp which concerns on the modification of the said embodiment.

  A vehicle headlamp according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 3. In FIG. 1, the upward and downward directions on the paper indicate the upward and downward directions of the vehicle headlamp 1, respectively, and the left and right directions on the paper indicate the backward and forward directions of the vehicle headlamp 1, respectively. . In FIG. 2, the upward direction, the downward direction, the left direction, and the right direction on the paper indicate the upward direction, the downward direction, the left direction, and the right direction of the vehicle headlamp 1, respectively.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the vehicle headlamp 1 includes an LED light source 2 and a main body 3 that holds the LED light source 2. The main body 3 has a cylindrical shape with a hollow inside, and is arranged so that the direction in which the cylinder extends is the front-rear direction (horizontal direction). One end surface of the main body 3 is a mounting surface 3A for mounting the LED light source 2 thereon. The LED light source 2 is mounted on the mounting surface 3A so that its optical axis Ax coincides with the front-rear direction. The main body 3 is made of a material having a predetermined rigidity and excellent in light reflectivity and thermal conductivity, for example, aluminum.

  In addition, the vehicle headlamp 1 controls the light distribution of the first reflector 4 that reflects light from the LED light source 2 in one direction orthogonal to the optical axis Ax, and the light from the first reflector 4. And a second reflecting plate 6 that reflects the light from the projection optical unit 5 in the direction of the optical axis Ax. In the illustrated example, the first reflecting plate 4 reflects light from the LED light source 2 upward, and the second reflecting plate 6 reflects light from the projection optical unit 5 forward. Such light is emitted from the vehicle headlamp 1 as low beam light (an example of an optical path is indicated by a one-dot chain arrow in FIG. 1).

  The first reflecting plate 4 has a (1/4) ellipsoidal surface shape obtained by dividing the ellipsoidal surface by a plane passing through the major axis and the minor axis and further dividing the ellipsoidal surface into two equal parts in the major axis direction. The first reflecting plate 4 has a light reflecting surface on its concave surface, and is attached to the mounting surface 3A so as to cover the LED light source 2 from below with the light reflecting surface. The projection optical unit 5 is attached to the opening on the upper surface of the first reflecting plate 4.

  The projection optical unit 5 controls the light distribution of the light from the first reflecting plate 4 so that the light from the first reflecting plate 4 is projected within a predetermined range of the second reflecting plate 6. The projection optical unit 5 is composed of a convex lens in which the surface on which the light reflected by the first reflecting plate 4 is incident is a flat surface and the opposite surface is convex, and the light from the first reflecting plate 4 Condensing.

  The second reflecting plate 6 has a (1/4) ellipsoidal surface shape obtained by dividing the ellipsoidal surface by a plane passing through the major axis and the minor axis and further dividing the ellipsoidal surface into two equal parts in the minor axis direction. The second reflecting plate 6 has a light reflecting surface on its concave surface, and is attached to the side surface of the main body 3 so as to cover the convex surface of the projection optical unit 5 with this light reflecting surface.

  In addition, the vehicle headlamp 1 includes a case 7 that houses each of the LED light source 2, the main body 3, the first reflecting plate 4, the projection optical unit 5, and the second reflecting plate 6. The case 7 has a front panel 71 made of a translucent member at a position facing the mounting surface 3A so that the light reflected by the second reflecting plate 6 can be emitted to the outside. The front panel 71 is made of, for example, a transparent acrylic resin.

  The LED light source 2 is composed of a plurality of LED units 20, and is composed of two LED units 20 arranged side by side in the left-right direction in the illustrated example. Each LED unit 20 includes a plurality of LEDs arranged in a matrix. Each LED is configured by, for example, a white LED that emits white light. The white LED includes, for example, a GaN-based blue LED light source chip that emits blue light and a yellow phosphor that emits yellow light when excited by the blue light. By mixing these blue light and yellow light, the white LED is mixed. White light is emitted. The LED light source 2 is connected to an external drive circuit by a distribution line. This external drive circuit controls the lighting of the LED light source 2.

  The first reflecting plate 4 and the second reflecting plate 6 are made of a metal material having a predetermined rigidity and excellent in light reflectivity and heat conductivity, for example, aluminum. The light reflecting surface of the second reflecting plate 6 is divided into a plurality of light reflecting surfaces by a plurality of slits 61. In order to reflect light in a predetermined pattern, each of the plurality of light reflecting surfaces has, for example, an inclination or unevenness composed of a large number of quadrangular minute light reflecting surfaces. Each of the light reflecting surfaces has a surface for condensing light and a surface for diffusing the light, and is configured to synthesize and emit the light generated on these surfaces. In addition, each light reflecting surface is arranged with a step with respect to the light reflecting surface adjacent to the light reflecting surface in order to prevent color variation and color unevenness when combining light. Moreover, the 1st reflective plate 4 and the 2nd reflective plate 6 have a radiation fin (not shown) for radiating heat to the surface on the opposite side to those light reflection surfaces. Since such a radiation fin is provided on the surface opposite to the light reflecting surface, it does not affect the light reflection.

  As shown to Fig.3 (a), the LED light source 2 may be comprised by the four LED units 20 arrange | positioned side by side in the left-right direction. Moreover, as shown in FIG.3 (b), the LED light source 2 may be comprised by what the eight LED units 20 arrange | positioned side by side in the left-right direction were laminated | stacked on the upper and lower two steps. As shown in FIG. 3C, the light emitted from the vehicle headlamp 1 having the LED light source 2 configured as described above is externally spread as an elliptical light that is preferably used as a low beam light. Is emitted.

  In the vehicle headlamp 1 configured as described above, the light emitted from the LED light source 2 is reflected upward by the first reflector 4 and enters the projection optical unit 5. The light incident on the projection optical unit 5 is subjected to light distribution control and condensing there, and is projected within a predetermined range of the second reflecting plate 6. The light projected on the second reflecting plate 6 is reflected forward by the second reflecting plate 6, passes through the front panel 71 of the case 7, and is emitted from the vehicle headlamp 1 as low beam light.

  According to the vehicle headlamp 1 of the present embodiment, the light path length is increased by reflecting the light from the LED light source 2 upward in the direction orthogonal to the light emission direction (front direction) of the vehicle headlamp 1. Therefore, the depth of the vehicle headlamp 1 can be reduced while increasing the range of light emitted from the vehicle headlamp 1. The light reflected by the first reflecting plate 4 is collected by the projection optical unit 5 and projected within a predetermined range of the second reflecting plate 6. Therefore, the second reflector 6 can be configured to the minimum necessary size so that the vehicle headlamp 1 can be reduced in size and weight, and most of the light from the first reflector 4 is the first. The light utilization efficiency can be improved because the light is incident on the second reflector 6.

  Moreover, the main body 3 which mounts the 1st reflecting plate 4, the 2nd reflecting plate 6, and the LED light source 2 is each comprised with the material excellent in thermal conductivity, and the 1st reflecting plate 4 and the 2nd reflecting plate are comprised. 6 is directly attached to the main body 3. Furthermore, heat radiating fins are provided on the surfaces of the first reflecting plate 4 and the second reflecting plate 6 opposite to the light reflecting surfaces. Therefore, the heat generated with the light emission of the LED light source 2 is transferred to the main body 3, and then to the heat dissipating fins of the first reflecting plate 4 and the heat dissipating fins of the second reflecting plate 6, so that the heat can be efficiently radiated to the outside. it can. Thereby, the abnormal temperature rise of the LED light source 2 can be prevented, the reliability of the LED light source 2 can be improved, and the lifetime of the LED light source 2 can be extended. Moreover, since the main body 3 is comprised with the material excellent in light reflectivity, absorption by the main body 3 of the light radiate | emitted from the LED light source 2 is suppressed, and the light extraction efficiency of the vehicle headlamp 1 improves.

  Next, a vehicle headlamp according to another embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. The vehicle headlamp 11 differs from the vehicle headlamp 1 described above in the first reflector 4 and the projection optical unit 5. In the vehicle headlamp 11, the first reflecting plate 4 includes a support body 41 formed in a predetermined shape, and a light reflection layer 42 provided on a surface of the support body 41 on which light from the LED light source 2 is incident. Have. The support 41 is made of a translucent and heat resistant resin, such as a transparent polycarbonate resin or a transparent acrylic resin. The light reflecting layer 42 is formed, for example, by depositing a metal such as silver or aluminum on the support 41 or by attaching a metal reflector to the support 41. The projection optical unit 5 is made of a translucent and heat-resistant resin, and is integrally molded with the support 41 by resin molding. The resin material constituting the projection optical unit 5 may be the same as or different from the resin material constituting the support body 41.

  According to the vehicle headlamp 11 of the present embodiment, since the first reflecting plate 4 and the projection optical unit 5 are integrally molded with resin, the projection optical unit 5 is accurately attached to the first reflecting plate 4. And easy to install. Moreover, since the number of structural members is reduced as compared with the vehicle headlamp 1, the assembly efficiency is improved. Moreover, since the position shift of the projection optical part 5 with respect to the 1st reflecting plate 4 does not occur, the emitted light accuracy can be improved and the reliability of the vehicle headlamp 1 can be increased. Furthermore, since the vehicle headlamp 1 has a portion for fixing the projection optical unit 5 at the opening end of the upper surface of the first reflecting plate 4, a part of the light is blocked by this portion, and the light extraction efficiency is improved. There is a risk of lowering. On the other hand, since the vehicle headlamp 11 does not have such a light shielding portion, the light extraction efficiency can be improved as compared with the vehicle headlamp 1.

  Next, a vehicle headlamp according to still another embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. The vehicle headlamp 12 is different from the vehicle headlamp 1 described above in the projection optical unit 5. In the vehicle headlamp 12, the projection optical unit 5 is constituted by a liquid crystal panel 51. The surface of the liquid crystal panel 51 is divided into a plurality of regions, and is configured so that the light transmission can be controlled for each region. The liquid crystal panel 51 is attached to the opening on the upper surface of the first reflecting plate 4 with one end thereof in contact with the mounting surface 3 </ b> A of the main body 3.

  According to the vehicle headlamp 12 of the present embodiment, light can be projected onto the second reflecting plate 6 in a desired pattern by controlling the light transmittance for each region on the surface of the liquid crystal panel 51. . Further, since one end of the liquid crystal panel 51 is in contact with the mounting surface 3 </ b> A of the main body 3, wiring connection between the liquid crystal panel 51 and an external circuit that controls the operation of the liquid crystal panel 51 can be easily performed via the main body 3. .

  Next, a vehicle headlamp according to still another embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. As shown in FIGS. 6A to 6C, the vehicle headlamp 13 is a shade 43 that cuts a part of the light incident on the projection optical unit 5 based on the vehicle headlamp 1 described above. Is further provided. The shade 43 is a long plate-like member made of, for example, aluminum, and is erected on the mounting surface 3A between the LED light source 2 and the projection optical unit 5 so that the longitudinal direction thereof coincides with the left-right direction. ing.

  As shown in FIG. 7, when the vehicle headlamp 13 is mounted on a vehicle, the vehicle headlamp 13 emits a low beam light L in which a part of the upper light is cut. Such low-beam light L sufficiently illuminates the front of the host vehicle traveling on the driving lane DL, and passes through the driver of the oncoming vehicle C traveling on the oncoming lane OL and the sidewalk SW on the left side of the driving lane DL. The light is difficult to enter into the eyes of the person P.

  Moreover, as shown to Fig.8 (a), the shade 43 may be set as the structure which has a level | step difference in the surface on the opposite side to the surface joined to the mounting surface 3A. This step is provided such that the left side of the shade 43 is higher than the right side. As shown in FIG. 8 (b), the vehicle headlamp 13 having such a shade 43 is a low-beam light in which a part of the upper light is cut and the left side reaches a position farther than the right side. L is emitted. Such low-beam light L is light that does not easily enter the eyes of the driver of the oncoming vehicle C while sufficiently illuminating the passerby P.

  According to the vehicle headlamp 13 of the present embodiment, a part of the light incident on the projection optical unit 5 is cut by the shade 43 so that it is difficult to enter the eyes of the driver of the oncoming vehicle C and the passerby P. Low beam light L can be emitted. Here, since the shade 43 is disposed in the vicinity of the LED light source 2, even the small one can sufficiently cut the light from the LED light source 2. Further, since the shade 43 and the LED light source 2 are both arranged on the mounting surface 3A, the positional accuracy of the shade 43 with respect to the LED light source 2 is increased, and the light from the LED light source 2 can be cut accurately.

  Next, a vehicle headlamp according to still another embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. The vehicle headlamp 14 is based on the vehicle headlamp 11 described above, and a third reflector 44 that reflects light emitted from the LED light source 2 to the side thereof in the direction of the first reflector 4. Is further provided. The third reflecting plate 44 has a truncated cone shape with both end faces open, and is attached to the mounting surface 3 </ b> A via the smaller opening while surrounding the side periphery of the LED light source 2. The third reflection plate 44 includes a support body 45 that is resin-molded into a predetermined shape, and a light reflection layer 46 that is provided on the surface of the support body 45 on which light from the LED light source 2 is incident. The support body 45 and the light reflection layer 46 are made of the same material as the support body 41 and the light reflection layer 42, respectively. The third reflecting plate 44 is resin-molded integrally with the first reflecting plate 4 and the projection optical unit 5. This integrally molded member has a leg portion 47 for attaching itself to the mounting surface 3A on a surface in contact with the mounting surface 3A of the main body 3, and a claw provided at the tip of the leg portion 47 has a mounting surface 3A. It is attached to the main body 3 by being locked in a hole 48 provided in the main body 3.

  According to the vehicle headlamp 14 of the present embodiment, the light emitted from the LED light source 2 to the side can be reflected by the third reflector 44 in the direction of the first reflector 4. The light utilization efficiency of the vehicle headlamp 14 can be improved.

  Next, a vehicle headlamp according to still another embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 10 and 11. In FIG. 11, the case 7 is omitted. The vehicle headlamp 15 is based on the vehicle headlamp 1 described above, and a driving circuit 21 that controls the lighting of the LED light source 2 and a radiator for radiating heat generated in the LED light source 2 and the driving circuit 21. 8 are further provided. The drive circuit 21 is built in the main body 3 and connected to the LED light source 2 by a distribution line 22. The drive circuit 21 is connected to the main body 3 by a heat transfer member 24 made of a material having excellent thermal conductivity, and is connected to a connector 23 provided on the outer surface of the heat radiating body 8 and related to connection with an external power source. ing. The radiator 8 is attached to the surface opposite to the mounting surface 3A of the main body 3, and is made of a material having excellent thermal conductivity, for example, aluminum or copper. The heat generated in the drive circuit 21 is transferred to the main body 3 and then to the heat radiating body 8 through the heat transfer member 24, and is finally radiated to the outside. In the vehicle headlamp 15, the second reflecting plate 6 is provided over the entire side surface of the main body 3.

  According to the vehicle headlamp 15 of the present embodiment, the drive circuit 21 that is separately provided in the vehicle headlamp 1 is built in the main body 3. The whole can be reduced in size. Further, since the heat radiating body 8 is attached to the main body 3, the heat generated by the LED light source 2 and the drive circuit 21 is efficiently radiated from the heat radiating body 8 to the outside through the main body 3, and the vehicle headlamp 15 An abnormal temperature rise can be prevented.

  Next, a vehicle headlamp according to a modification of the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. In the vehicle headlamp 15 a, the drive circuit 21 is housed inside the radiator 8 and is connected to the radiator 8 by a heat transfer member 24. By doing in this way, since the LED light source 2 and the drive circuit 21 are arranged at a distance from each other, heat can be dispersed and efficiently radiated in the vehicle headlamp 15a.

  Next, a vehicle headlamp according to still another embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. As shown in FIGS. 13 and 14, the vehicle headlamp 16 includes an LED light source 2a provided separately from the LED light source 2 on the mounting surface 3A based on the vehicle headlamp 11 described above, and an LED light source 2a. And a fourth reflecting plate 9 that reflects light from the bottom downward. Further, in the vehicle headlamp 16, a radiator 8 is provided to radiate heat from the LED light sources 2, 2 a, and a second reflector 6 is provided over the entire side surface of the main body 3. .

  The LED light source 2a is provided on the opposite side of the mounting surface 3A from the side adjacent to the projection optical unit 5 of the LED light source 2. The LED light source 2a is mounted on the mounting surface 3A so that its optical axis coincides with the front-rear direction. The LED light source 2a is configured in the same manner as the LED light source 2, and includes one LED unit 20 in the illustrated example. The lighting of the LED light source 2 and the lighting of the LED light source 2a are controlled separately. The fourth reflecting plate 9 has a (1/4) ellipsoidal surface shape similar to that of the first reflecting plate 4 and has a light reflecting surface on its concave surface. The fourth reflecting plate 9 includes a support 91 that is resin-molded into a predetermined shape, and a light reflection layer 92 that is provided on the surface of the support 91 on which light from the LED light source 2a is incident. The fourth reflector 9 is attached to the mounting surface 3A so as to cover the LED light source 2a from above, and emits light from an opening provided on the lower surface thereof. The light emitted from the fourth reflecting plate 9 is reflected forward by the second reflecting plate 6 and is emitted to the outside as high beam light (an example of an optical path is indicated by a two-dot chain line arrow in FIG. 13). The opening of the fourth reflecting plate 9 is configured to be smaller than the opening of the first reflecting plate 4. By doing so, the light beam of the high beam light becomes higher than that of the low beam light, and the high beam light reaches farther.

  As shown in FIG. 15, the fourth reflecting plate 9 and the first reflecting plate 4 (and the projection optical unit 5) are integrally molded with a resin while attached to one surface of a disk-shaped pedestal 93, It is joined to the mounting surface 3 </ b> A of the main body 3 through the other surface of the pedestal 93.

  As shown in FIG. 16A, the LED light source 2a may be configured by a total of four LED units 20 arranged in a 2 × 2 matrix. As shown in FIG. 16B, the light emitted from the LED light source 2a is emitted to the outside as light spreading in a circular shape that is preferably used as high beam light.

  According to the vehicle headlamp 16 of the present embodiment, the light from the LED light source 2 is finally emitted to the outside as a low beam light (an example of an optical path is indicated by a one-dot chain line arrow in FIG. 13), and from the LED light source 2a. Is finally emitted to the outside as high beam light. Both a low beam light and a high beam light can be emitted from one vehicle headlamp, and these two lights can be switched to each other by individually controlling the lighting of the LED light source 2 and the LED light source 2a.

  Next, a vehicle headlamp according to still another embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 17 and 18. The vehicle headlamp 17 is further provided with a heat radiating member 81 extending from the mounting surface 3A of the main body 3 toward the front panel 71 of the case 7 based on the vehicle headlamp 16 described above. The heat dissipating member 81 includes a column part 82 erected at the center of the mounting surface 3A, a substantially disc-shaped flat plate part 83 provided to face the front panel 71 on the front panel 71 side of the column part 82, Have The diameter of the flat plate portion 83 is configured to be substantially the same as the diameter of the mounting surface 3A. The heat radiating member 81 is made of the same material as that of the heat radiating body 8, and heats the front panel 71 by transferring heat generated from the LED light sources 2, 2 a to the front panel 71.

  In conventional vehicle headlamps, the front panel is warmed by providing a heating wire on the front panel of the case or by providing a fan that circulates air in the case. Condensation on the inner surface of the panel was prevented. On the other hand, according to the vehicle headlamp 17 of the present embodiment, the front panel 71 is warmed by the heat from the LED light sources 2 and 2a by the heat radiating member 81 without providing such a heating wire or a fan. Snow accumulation, freezing, and condensation on the inner and outer surfaces of the front panel 71 can be prevented. Moreover, since the heat from the LED light sources 2 and 2a is radiated by the heat radiating member 81 and the heat radiating body 8, the temperature rise of the LED light sources 2 and 2a can be prevented more efficiently than when only the heat radiating body 8 is provided. be able to. As a result, the radiator 8 can be made smaller, and the vehicle headlamp 17 can be made smaller and lighter. Further, in the vehicular headlamp 17, the front region of the mounting surface 3A is a region that does not affect the outgoing light pattern even when there is no light passage or light passage. Therefore, by configuring the diameter of the flat plate portion 83 and the diameter of the mounting surface 3A to be substantially the same, the above effect can be obtained without affecting the outgoing light pattern.

  Next, a vehicle headlamp according to a modification of the above embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. In the vehicle headlamp 17a, the main body 3 and the heat radiating body 8 are arranged so that the main body 3 and the heat radiating body 8 are housed in different rooms of the case 7 while maintaining the thermal connection between the main body 3 and the heat radiating body 8. A partition plate 72 is provided between the two. By doing in this way, since the air warmed by the heat from the LED light sources 2 and 2a does not flow into the room in which the radiator 8 is stored, the temperature of the radiator 8 is always kept low and the heat radiation by the radiator 8 is performed. Can be promoted.

  Next, a vehicle headlamp according to still another embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. The vehicular headlamp 18 includes a plurality of light source units 10 each including an LED light source 2, a first reflecting plate 4, and a projection optical unit 5 that are configured by one LED unit 20. The plurality of light source units 10 are mounted on the mounting surface 3A so as to emit light in different directions. In the illustrated example, four light source units 10 are provided and emit light in the upward direction, the downward direction, the left direction, and the right direction, respectively. The light emitted from each light source unit 10 is reflected by the second reflecting plate 6 provided over the entire side surface of the main body 3 and is emitted to the outside in a predetermined pattern. The lighting of each LED light source 2 is individually controlled. According to the vehicle headlamp 18, since the plurality of light source units 10 share one second reflecting plate 6, the apparatus can be reduced in size and weight. Moreover, various light distribution patterns are realizable by controlling lighting of each LED light source 2 separately.

  Next, a vehicle headlamp according to a modification of the above embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. In the vehicle headlamp 18a, each LED light source 2 is composed of a plurality of LED units 20. In the illustrated example, each LED light source 2 is configured by eight LED units 20 arranged in a 2 × 4 matrix. By configuring each LED light source 2 with a plurality of LED units 20 in this way, the forward voltage (Vf) of the LED light source 2 increases and the forward current (If) decreases, so that the circuit efficiency is improved.

  In addition, the vehicle headlamp according to the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment and its modifications, and various modifications are possible. For example, a vehicle headlamp does not necessarily have to include a case. In addition, a leveler that moves the member having the LED light source, the main body, the first reflecting plate, the second reflecting plate, and the projection optical unit in the case is provided in the case, and the position of these members is adjusted by the leveler to emit light. You may comprise so that a pattern can be adjusted. In a vehicle headlamp including a plurality of light source units, the luminous flux, wattage, or emission color of the LED light source may be changed for each light source unit.

1, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 15a, 16, 17, 17a, 18, 18a Vehicle headlamp 10 Light source unit 2 LED light source 2a Another LED light source 21 Drive circuit 3 Main body 3A Mounting surface 4 First Reflective plate 41 Support 42 Light reflecting layer 43 Shade 44 Third reflecting plate 5 Projection optical unit 51 Liquid crystal panel 6 Second reflecting plate 7 Case 71 Front panel 8 Heat dissipating member 81 Heat dissipating member 82 Column portion 83 Flat plate portion 9 4 reflector

Claims (11)

An LED light source;
A main body having a mounting surface on which the LED light source is mounted;
A first reflector that is attached to the mounting surface and reflects light from the LED light source in one direction perpendicular to the optical axis direction of the LED light source;
A second reflector that is attached to a side surface of the main body and is further reflected in the optical axis direction and reflected to the outside in a predetermined pattern;
A vehicle headlamp comprising: a projection optical unit that controls light distribution of the light reflected by the first reflecting plate and emits the light to the second reflecting plate. The first reflecting plate has a support body resin-molded in a predetermined shape, and a light reflection layer provided on a surface of the support body on which light from the LED light source is incident,
2. The vehicle headlamp according to claim 1, wherein the projection optical unit is provided at an end of the first reflecting plate on a light emitting side and is integrally molded with the support. .   3. The shade according to claim 1, further comprising a shade that stands on the mounting surface between the LED light source and the projection optical unit and cuts a part of light incident on the projection optical unit. The vehicle headlamp described in 1.   And a third reflector that is attached to the mounting surface so as to surround a side periphery of the LED light source and reflects light emitted from the LED light source to the side toward the first reflector. The vehicle headlamp according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the vehicle headlamp is characterized in that: A drive circuit for controlling the lighting of the LED light source;
The vehicular headlamp according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the drive circuit is housed inside the main body.   The vehicular headlamp according to any one of claims 1 to 5, further comprising a heat dissipator attached to the main body for dissipating heat from the LED light source.   The vehicle headlamp according to claim 6, wherein the drive circuit is housed in the heat radiating body. A case in which the LED, the main body, the first reflecting plate, the second reflecting plate, the projection optical unit, and the heat radiating body are housed and having a translucent front panel at a position facing the mounting surface; A heat radiating member extending toward the front panel of the case, and
The heat dissipating member includes a pillar portion erected on the mounting surface, and a flat plate portion configured to be the same size as the mounting surface opposite the front panel on the front panel side of the pillar portion. The vehicle headlamp according to claim 6 or 7, characterized by comprising: On the mounting surface, another LED light source provided on the opposite side of the LED light source from the side adjacent to the projection optical unit and controlled to be lighted separately from the LED light source, and the light from the other LED light source A fourth reflector that reflects in a direction opposite to the one direction,
The vehicular headlamp according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the second reflecting plate is provided over the entire circumference of the main body. A plurality of light source units comprising the LED light source, the first reflector and the projection optical unit;
The plurality of light source units are individually controlled to emit light and emit light in different directions,
The vehicular headlamp according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the second reflecting plate is provided over the entire circumference of the main body.   The vehicular headlamp according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the projection optical unit includes a liquid crystal panel.

Images