JP2014022198A - Vehicular head lamp - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To reduce the size of a vehicular head lamp while considering the positional relationship between a projection lens and a light quantity control mechanism.SOLUTION: A lamp unit 7 is arranged inside a lamp outer case 4 constituted by a lamp housing 2 having an opening in at least one side thereof and a cover 3 covering the opening of the lamp housing. The lamp unit includes: a light source unit 11 having a light source 24; a light quantity control mechanism 26 having a movable shade 29 for changing the shading quantity of light emitted from the light source and an actuator 27 for driving the movable shade; and a projection lens 9 for projecting the light emitted from the light source. The light quantity control mechanism is arranged between the projection lens and the focal point S of the projection lens.

Description

  The present invention relates to a vehicle headlamp. More specifically, the present invention relates to a technical field in which a light amount control mechanism is disposed between a projection lens and the focal point of the projection lens to reduce the size.

  Some vehicle headlamps include, for example, a lamp unit having a light source or the like disposed inside a lamp outer casing constituted by a cover and a lamp housing.

  Some lamp units of vehicle headlamps are provided with a light amount control mechanism that controls the amount of light emitted from a light source (see, for example, Patent Document 1, Patent Document 2, and Patent Document 3).

  The light quantity control mechanism has a movable shade that changes the shielding amount of the light quantity emitted from the light source and an actuator that operates the movable shade. In the vehicle headlamp described in Patent Documents 1 to 3, for example, the movable shade is switched to the low beam irradiation mode for irradiating a short distance by rotating to the first position. The movable shade is turned to the second position to switch to the high beam irradiation mode for irradiating a long distance.

  The light quantity control mechanism is arranged to be supported or attached to predetermined parts such as a connecting plate, a fixed arm, a light source unit, and a lens holder.

JP 2011-65960 A JP2011-119184A JP 2010-3589 A

  By the way, in the type having a lamp unit such as the vehicle headlamp described in Patent Documents 1 to 3, a light amount control mechanism for controlling the shielding amount of light projected by the projection lens behind the projection lens. Is provided.

  Therefore, depending on the positional relationship between the projection lens and the light quantity control mechanism, the overall length in the optical axis direction (front-rear direction) becomes long, and the vehicle headlamp may become large.

  Accordingly, an object of the vehicle headlamp of the present invention is to overcome the above-described problems and to reduce the size in consideration of the positional relationship between the projection lens and the light quantity control mechanism.

  In order to solve the above-described problem, a vehicle headlamp has a lamp unit disposed inside a lamp outer casing formed by a lamp housing having an opening on at least one side and a cover covering the opening of the lamp housing. The lamp unit includes a light source unit having a light source, a light amount control mechanism having a movable shade for switching a shielding amount of light emitted from the light source, and an actuator for operating the movable shade, and light emitted from the light source. And the light quantity control mechanism is disposed between the projection lens and the focal point of the projection lens.

  Therefore, in the vehicle headlamp, the light amount control mechanism is disposed close to the projection lens.

  The vehicle headlamp according to the present invention is a vehicle headlamp in which a lamp unit is arranged inside a lamp outer casing formed by a lamp housing having an opening in at least one side and a cover covering the opening of the lamp housing. The lamp unit includes a light source unit having a light source, a light amount control mechanism having a movable shade for switching a shielding amount of light emitted from the light source, and an actuator for operating the movable shade, and the light source emitted from the light source. A projection lens that projects the light, and the light quantity control mechanism is disposed between the projection lens and the focal point of the projection lens.

  Accordingly, the light quantity control mechanism is disposed close to the projection lens and the total length in the optical axis direction is shortened, so that the vehicle headlamp can be miniaturized.

  In the invention described in claim 2, a reflector that reflects the light emitted from the light source toward the projection lens is provided, and at least a part of the light source unit is disposed behind the focal point of the projection lens. A reflector is arranged.

  Accordingly, the light quantity control mechanism, the light source unit, and the reflector can be prevented from interfering with each other to ensure proper operation, and a desired light distribution pattern can be formed by the light emitted from the light source.

  In the invention described in claim 3, the light source unit is disposed below the reflector.

  Therefore, it is possible to reduce the size of the vehicle headlamp in the front-rear direction.

  In the invention described in claim 4, the actuator is provided with an output shaft that is moved in the axial direction and applies rotational force to the movable shade, and the output shaft is moved in the front-rear direction.

  Accordingly, since the rotation direction of the movable shade and the movement direction of the output shaft can be made the same direction, it is not necessary to provide an orthogonal conversion mechanism for rotating the movable shade in the light quantity control mechanism. The mechanism can be simplified by reducing the number of parts.

  According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, the actuator is provided with an output shaft that is moved in the axial direction and applies rotational force to the movable shade, and the output shaft is moved in the left-right direction.

  Therefore, the size of the actuator in the front-rear direction is small, and the vehicle headlamp can be reduced in size in the front-rear direction.

  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 headlamps 1 are respectively attached to the left and right end portions of the front end portion of the vehicle body.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the vehicle headlamp 1 includes a lamp housing 2 having a recess opened forward and a cover 3 that closes the opening of the lamp housing 2. The lamp housing 2 and the cover 3 constitute a lamp outer casing 4, and the inner space of the lamp outer casing 4 is formed as a lamp chamber 5.

  A mounting hole 2 a penetrating in the front-rear direction is formed at the rear end of the lamp housing 2. A back cover 6 is attached to the attachment hole 2a.

  A lamp unit 7 is disposed in the lamp chamber 5 (see FIGS. 1 and 2). The lamp unit 7 is attached to a lens holder 8, a projection lens 9 attached to the front end of the lens holder 8, a reflector 10 that reflects light, a light source unit 11 that is disposed below the reflector 10, and a lower surface of the light source unit 11. And a cooling fan 12.

  The lens holder 8 includes an arc-shaped lens mounting portion 13 penetrating in the front-rear direction, and holding portions provided between the side portions 14 and 14 and the side portions 14 and 14 protruding rearward from the left and right end portions of the lens mounting portion 13, respectively. 15 (see FIGS. 2 and 3).

  The lens mounting portion 13 is formed in an arc shape opened downward.

  The side parts 14 and 14 are formed in the plate shape which faces the substantially left-right direction.

  The holding portion 15 includes a mounting surface portion 16 facing in the vertical direction, bearing portions 17 and 17 provided on the front end portion of the mounting surface portion 16 so as to be separated from each other on the left and right sides, an actuator mounting portion 18 and a mounting surface portion 16 provided on the front side of the mounting surface portion 16. There are coupling projections 19 and 19 projecting downward from the left and right end portions of each.

  The bearing portion 17 projects upward and obliquely forward from the mounting surface portion 16.

  The actuator mounting portion 18 protrudes forward from the receiving surface portion 20 that faces in the front-rear direction and the support protrusions 21 and 21 that protrude forward from the respective outer peripheral portions of the receiving surface portion 20 and the upper end portion of the receiving surface portion 20. An engagement protrusion 22 is provided. Positioning holes 20a, 20a, 20a are formed in the receiving surface portion 20. The support protrusions 21 are provided to be separated from each other on the left and right.

  The projection lens 9 is formed in a substantially hemispherical shape and is attached to the lens attachment portion 13 of the lens holder 8 (see FIGS. 1 and 2).

  The inner surface of the reflector 10 is formed as a reflecting surface 10a. The reflector 10 is attached to the upper surface of the light source unit 11.

  The light source unit 11 includes a circuit board 23 and a light source 24 mounted on the upper surface of the circuit board 23. As the light source 24, for example, a light emitting diode (LED) is used.

  The light source unit 11 is provided with attached pieces 11a and 11a protruding sideward (outward). The light source unit 11 is attached to the lens holder 8 with the attached pieces 11a and 11a pressed against the coupling projections 19 and 19 from the rear, coupled to the coupling projections 19 and 19 by screws or the like.

  The light source unit 11 is provided with a heat sink 25 positioned below the circuit board 23.

  The cooling fan 12 is attached to the lower surface of the heat sink 25.

  The portion excluding the front end portion of the light source unit 11 and the reflector 10 are arranged behind the focal point S of the projection lens 9 (see FIG. 1).

  The lens holder 8 is assembled with a light amount control mechanism 26 from the front (see FIGS. 1, 2 and 4).

  The light quantity control mechanism 26 includes an actuator 27, a transmission body 28, and a movable shade 29.

  The actuator 27 has a yoke case 30, a coil body 31 disposed inside the yoke case 30, and an output shaft 32 that is movable in the left-right direction.

  The yoke case 30 is in a horizontally long state, the coil body 31 has an axial direction in the left-right direction, and the output shaft 32 has an axial direction in the left-right direction, and part of the output shaft 32 protrudes laterally from the yoke case 30. The yoke case 30 is provided with positioning protrusions 30a, 30a, 30a protruding rearward.

  The transmission body 28 is connected to the end of the output shaft 32 that protrudes laterally from the yoke case 30. The transmission body 28 includes a supported portion 33, a connecting portion 34 projecting downward from one side of the supported portion 33, and a drive shaft 35 supported by the supported portion 33.

  The supported portion 33 is provided with a shaft support portion 33a that extends in the front-rear direction and bearing portions 33b and 33b that are spaced apart in the left-right direction and protrude rearward. The supported portion 33 is provided with a spring engaging projection 33c on one side surface. In the transmission body 28, the lower end portion of the connecting portion 34 is connected to the output shaft 32.

  The drive shaft 35 is formed in a round shaft shape extending in the front-rear direction, and is rotatably supported by the shaft support portion 33 a of the supported portion 33.

  In a state where the transmission body 28 is coupled to the output shaft 32, the actuator 27 is positioned by inserting the positioning protrusions 30a, 30a, 30a into the positioning holes 20a, 20a, 20a of the receiving surface portion 20, respectively. It is attached by tightening or the like. At this time, the yoke case 30 is engaged with the engaging protrusion 22 and assembled to the actuator mounting portion 18.

  In a state where the actuator 27 is assembled to the actuator mounting portion 18, the rotation shaft 39 is inserted into the bearing portions 33 b and 33 b of the transmission body 28, and the transmission body 28 and the rotation shaft 39 are connected. The transmission body 28 is movable in the axial direction of the rotation shaft 39.

  The movable shade 29 has a light amount control unit 29a formed in a substantially arcuate surface shape, and connecting arm portions 29b and 29b protruding substantially downward from positions near the left and right ends of the light amount control unit 29a (FIG. 5). And FIG. 6).

  The movable shade 29 is provided with a driven portion 36, and the driven portion 36 protrudes downward from the light amount control portion 29a and is positioned between the connecting arm portions 29b and 29b. A first sliding surface 37 and a second sliding surface 38 are formed at the lower end of the driven portion 36 so as to be separated from each other in the front-rear direction, and between the first sliding surface 37 and the second sliding surface 38. Is formed with a receiving recess 36a opened substantially downward.

  The first sliding surface 37 has a flat first formed restricted surface 37a and a torsion surface 37b and a twisted surface that are displaced downward while being twisted sideways from the first restricted surface 37a. It consists of a planar second position-regulating surface 37c located on the opposite side of the first position-regulating surface 37a across the 37b.

  The second sliding surface 38 has a first surface-restricted surface 38a formed in a planar shape, and a twisted surface 38b and a twisted surface that are displaced upward while being twisted sideways from the first position-restricted surface 38a. And a planar second position restricting surface 38c located on the opposite side of the first position restricting surface 38a with 38b interposed therebetween.

  The first position restricting surface 38 a of the second sliding surface 38 is positioned directly behind the second position restricting surface 37 c of the first sliding surface 37, and the second position of the second sliding surface 38 is the second. The position-restricted surface 38 c is positioned immediately behind the first position-restricted surface 37 a of the first sliding surface 37.

  A rotating shaft 39 extending in the left-right direction is connected to the connecting arm portions 29 b and 29 b of the movable shade 29. In a state where the movable shade 29 is connected to the rotation shaft 39, the rotation shaft 39 is inserted into the receiving recess 36 a, and the first sliding surface 37 and the second sliding surface 38 are the drive shaft 35 of the transmission body 28. It touches from above.

  The rotating shaft 39 is assembled to the bearing portions 17 and 17 of the holding portion 15.

  The movable shade 29 is rotated about a rotation shaft 39 as a fulcrum between a first position where a part of the light emitted from the light source 24 is shielded and a second position where the shielding amount is smaller than the first position. The The first position is the position of the low beam that irradiates a short distance, and the light amount control unit 29a of the movable shade 29 is in a substantially vertical state, and the second position is the position of the high beam that irradiates a long distance, The light quantity control unit 29a is inclined.

  For example, an urging spring 40 that is a compression coil spring is supported on the rotation shaft 39 in an outer fitting manner.

  One end of the biasing spring 40 is engaged with the lower surface of the light amount control unit 29 a of the movable shade 29, and the other end is engaged with a spring engaging protrusion 33 c provided on the supported portion 33 of the transmission body 28. Accordingly, the movable shade 29 is urged by the urging spring 40 in the direction in which the movable shade 29 is rotated from the second position toward the first position.

  In a state where the rotation shaft 39 is inserted into the bearing portions 33 b and 33 b of the transmission body 28, both end portions of the urging spring 40 are respectively connected to one connecting arm portion 29 b of the movable shade 29 and one bearing portion of the transmission body 28. 33b is compressed. Therefore, the output shaft 32 of the actuator 27 is urged by the urging spring 40 via the transmission body 28 in the direction in which the output shaft 32 protrudes from the yoke case 30.

  In the movable shade 29, the first sliding surface 37 and the second sliding surface 38 are in contact with the drive shaft 35 of the transmission body 28 from above. At this time, in a state in which the movable shade 29 is rotated to the first position, the first position-regulating surface 37a of the first sliding surface 37 and the second of the second sliding surface 38 on the drive shaft 35. The position-regulating surface 38c comes into contact. In the state where the movable shade 29 is rotated to the second position, the second position-regulating surface 37 c of the first sliding surface 37 and the second sliding surface 38 of the second sliding surface 38 are applied to the drive shaft 35. The position-regulating surface 38a contacts.

  The light quantity control mechanism 26 configured as described above is disposed between the projection lens 9 and the focal point S of the projection lens 9 (see FIG. 1).

  The lamp unit 7 is tiltably supported by the lamp housing 2 through an aiming adjusting mechanism (not shown). Therefore, the lamp unit 7 is tilted in the vertical direction or the horizontal direction by the operation of the aiming adjustment mechanism, and the optical axis adjustment (initial adjustment) of the light source 24 is performed.

  The lamp unit 7 may be supported by the lamp housing 2 so as to be tiltable in the vertical direction, for example. When the lamp unit 7 is supported by the lamp housing 2 so as to be tiltable in the vertical direction, a leveling adjustment mechanism (not shown) is connected to the lamp unit 7, and the lamp unit 7 is tilted in the vertical direction by the operation of the leveling adjustment mechanism. The direction of the optical axis of the light source 24 is adjusted according to the weight of the vehicle-mounted object.

  Furthermore, the lamp unit 7 may be rotatable in the horizontal direction, for example. When the lamp unit 7 is rotatable in the horizontal direction, a swivel mechanism (not shown) is connected to the lamp unit 7, and the lamp unit 7 is rotated in the horizontal direction by the operation of the swivel mechanism. The direction of the optical axis is changed following this.

  In the vehicle headlamp 1 configured as described above, the output shaft 32 protrudes from the yoke case 30 by the biasing force of the biasing spring 40 in a state where no drive current is supplied to the coil body 31 of the actuator 27. It is located at the moving end in the direction. At this time, the movable shade 29 is not applied with turning force in the direction from the first position to the second position, the transmitting body 28 is positioned at the left moving end, and the movable shade 29 is energized. The first position restricting surface 37a of the first sliding surface 37 is pressed from above onto the drive shaft 35 of the transmission body 28 by the spring 40 and is held in the first position (see FIG. 5). In the first position, the second position restricting surface 38 c of the second sliding surface 38 is in contact with the drive shaft 35.

  When light is emitted from the light source 24 in a state where the movable shade 29 is in the first position, a part of the light is shielded by the movable shade 29, and the unshielded light is incident on the projection lens 9, and the projection lens 9 The light is projected by 9 and a light distribution pattern of a low beam that irradiates a short distance is formed.

  When the coil body 31 of the actuator 27 is energized, the output shaft 32 is moved in the direction in which it is drawn into the yoke case 30, and the transmission body 28 is moved to the right along with the movement of the output shaft 32. When the transmission body 28 is moved rightward, the drive shaft 35 is slid on the first sliding surface 37 from the twisted surface 37b to the second position-regulating surface 37c, and the movable shade 29 is moved from the first position to the first position. It is rotated to position 2 (see FIG. 6). At this time, the drive shaft 35 is slid on the twisted surface 38b of the second sliding surface 38 and the first position-regulating surface 38a. The movable shade 29 is held in the second position by pressing the second position restricting surface 37c of the first sliding surface 37 against the drive shaft 35 from above by the biasing spring 40.

  By rotating the movable shade 29 to the second position, the shielding amount of the light emitted from the light source 24 is reduced, and a high beam light distribution pattern for irradiating a long distance is formed.

  When energization of the coil body 31 is stopped, the output shaft 32 is moved in a direction protruding from the yoke case 30 by the biasing force of the biasing spring 40, and the transmission body 28 is moved to the left along with the movement of the output shaft 32. Moved. When the transmission body 28 is moved to the left, the drive shaft 35 is slid on the first sliding surface 37 from the twisted surface 37b to the first position restricting surface 37a, and the movable shade 29 is moved from the second position to the first position. It is rotated to position 1 (see FIG. 5). At this time, the drive shaft 35 is slid on the twisted surface 38b of the second sliding surface 38 and the second position restricting surface 38c. The movable shade 29 is held again at the first position by pressing the first position restricting surface 37 a of the first sliding surface 37 against the drive shaft 35 from above by the biasing spring 40.

  As described above, the vehicle headlamp 1 having the light quantity control mechanism 26 is configured such that the output shaft 32 of the actuator 27 is moved in the left-right direction and the movable shade 29 is rotated.

  Therefore, the size of the actuator 27 in the front-rear direction is small, and the vehicle headlamp 1 can be reduced in size in the front-rear direction.

  Below, the modification of a lens holder and a light quantity control mechanism is demonstrated (refer FIG.7 and FIG.8).

  The lens holder 8 </ b> A according to the modification is provided between a side part 44, 44 and a side part 44, 44 that protrudes rearward from the left and right ends of the lens attachment part 43, and a circular lens attachment part 43 that penetrates forward and backward. The holding part 45 is provided.

  Each of the side portions 44 and 44 is formed in a plate shape facing substantially the left-right direction.

  The holding portion 45 includes a mounting surface portion 46 facing in the vertical direction, bearing portions 47 and 47 provided on the front end portion of the mounting surface portion 46 so as to be laterally separated from each other, an actuator mounting portion 48 provided on the front end side of the mounting surface portion 46, and a mounting surface portion. 46, projections 49 and 49 for coupling projecting downward from the left and right ends of 46, respectively.

  A spring support protrusion 46 a is provided on the upper surface of the attachment surface portion 46.

  The bearing portion 47 protrudes upward from the mounting surface portion 46.

  The actuator mounting portion 48 includes a receiving surface portion 50 that faces in the front-rear direction, a support protrusion 51 that protrudes forward from the lower end portion of the receiving surface portion 50, and an engagement protrusion that protrudes upward from both left and right ends of the support protrusion 51. 52 and 52 are provided. Positioning holes 51a, 51a, 51a are formed in the support protrusion 51.

  In the light source unit 11, the attached pieces 11a and 11a are pressed against the coupling protrusions 49 and 49 from the rear, respectively, and are coupled to the coupling protrusions 49 and 49 by screws or the like and attached to the lens holder 8A.

  A light amount control mechanism 56 is assembled to the lens holder 8A from above.

  A portion excluding the front end portion of the light source unit 11 and the reflector 10 are disposed behind the focal point S of the projection lens 9.

  The light quantity control mechanism 56 includes an actuator 57, a transmission member 58, and a movable shade 59.

  The actuator 57 has a yoke case 60, a coil body 61 disposed inside the yoke case 60, and an output shaft 62 that is movable in the front-rear direction.

  The coil body 61 has an axial direction in the front-rear direction, and the output shaft 62 has an axial direction in the front-rear direction, and a part projects forward from the yoke case 60. The yoke case 60 is provided with positioning protrusions 60a, 60a, 60a protruding downward.

  The transmission member 58 is, for example, a wire-like member, and one end thereof is connected to the end of the output shaft 62 on the side protruding forward from the yoke case 60.

  In the state where the transmission member 58 is connected to the output shaft 62, the actuator 57 is positioned by inserting the positioning protrusions 60a, 60a, 60a into the positioning holes 51a, 51a, 51a of the support protrusion 51, respectively. Attached by caulking or the like. At this time, both side surfaces of the yoke case 60 are respectively engaged with the engaging protrusions 52 and 52 and assembled to the actuator mounting portion 48.

  In a state where the actuator 57 is assembled to the actuator mounting portion 48, the other end of the transmission member 58 is connected to the connecting projection 59c, and the transmission member 58 and the movable shade 59 are connected.

  The movable shade 59 is formed in a substantially arcuate surface shape in the left-right direction of the light amount control unit 59a and the connection arm portions 59b, 59b and the light amount control unit 59a projecting substantially downward from the positions near the left and right ends of the light amount control unit 59a. And a connecting protrusion 59c protruding substantially downward from the substantially central portion. The other end of the transmission member 58 is connected to the connecting protrusion 59 c of the movable shade 59.

  A rotating shaft 63 extending in the left-right direction is connected to the connecting arm portions 59b, 59b of the movable shade 59.

  The rotating shaft 63 is assembled to the bearing portions 47 and 47 of the holding portion 45.

  The movable shade 59 is rotated around the rotation shaft 63 as a fulcrum between a first position where a part of the light emitted from the light source 24 is blocked and a second position where the shielding amount is smaller than the first position. The The first position is the position of the low beam that irradiates a short distance, and the light amount control unit 59a of the movable shade 59 is in a substantially vertical state, and the second position is the position of the high beam that irradiates a long distance, The light quantity control unit 59a is tilted.

  For example, an urging spring 64 that is a coil spring is supported on the rotating shaft 63 in an outer fitting manner.

  One end of the biasing spring 64 is engaged with the lower surface of the light amount control unit 59a of the movable shade 59, and the other end is engaged with a spring support protrusion 46a provided on the mounting surface 46 of the lens holder 8A. Accordingly, the movable shade 59 is urged by the urging spring 64 in a direction in which the movable shade 59 is rotated from the second position toward the first position.

  In a state where the transmission member 58 is connected to the movable shade 59, the movable shade 59 is urged by the urging spring 64 in the direction in which the movable shade 59 is rotated from the second position toward the first position. The urging force of the urging spring 64 is transmitted to the output shaft 62 of the actuator 57 via the transmission member 58, and is urged in the direction in which the output shaft 62 protrudes from the yoke case 60.

  The light quantity control mechanism 56 configured as described above is disposed between the projection lens 9 and the focal point S of the projection lens 9.

  In the vehicular headlamp 1 having the lens holder 8A and the light amount control mechanism 56 configured as described above, the output shaft 62 is biased by a biasing spring 64 in a state where no drive current is supplied to the coil body 61 of the actuator 57. It is located at the moving end in the direction protruding from the yoke case 60 by the urging force. At this time, the movable shade 59 is not applied with turning force in the direction from the first position toward the second position, and the movable shade 59 is held at the first position by the biasing spring 64.

  When light is emitted from the light source 24 in a state where the movable shade 59 is in the first position, a part of the light is shielded by the movable shade 59, and the unshielded light enters the projection lens 9, and the projection lens 9 The light is projected by 9 and a light distribution pattern of a low beam that irradiates a short distance is formed.

  When the coil body 61 of the actuator 57 is energized, the output shaft 62 is moved in the direction in which it is drawn into the yoke case 60, and the transmission member 58 is moved rearward as the output shaft 62 moves. When the transmission member 58 is moved rearward, the movable shade 59 is rotated from the first position to the second position against the urging force of the urging spring 64.

  By rotating the movable shade 59 to the second position, the shielding amount of the light emitted from the light source 24 is reduced, and a high beam light distribution pattern for irradiating a long distance is formed.

  When the energization of the coil body 61 is stopped, the output shaft 62 is moved in a direction protruding from the yoke case 60 by the biasing force of the biasing spring 64, and the transmission member 58 moves forward as the output shaft 62 moves. Is done. When the transmission member 58 is moved forward, the movable shade 59 is rotated from the second position to the first position by the urging force of the urging spring 64 and is held again at the first position.

  As described above, the vehicle headlamp 1 having the light quantity control mechanism 56 is configured such that the output shaft 62 of the actuator 57 is moved in the front-rear direction and the movable shade 59 is rotated.

  Accordingly, since the rotation direction of the movable shade 59 and the movement direction of the output shaft are the same direction, there is no need to provide an orthogonal conversion mechanism for rotating the movable shade 59 in the light quantity control mechanism 26, and accordingly, the parts. It is possible to simplify the mechanism by reducing the number of points.

  As described above, in the vehicle headlamp 1, the light quantity control mechanisms 26 and 56 are disposed between the projection lens 9 and the focal point S of the projection lens 9.

  Accordingly, the positional relationship between the projection lens 9 and the light quantity control mechanisms 26 and 56 is taken into consideration, and the light quantity control mechanisms 26 and 56 are arranged close to the projection lens 9 to shorten the total length in the optical axis direction (front-rear direction). Therefore, the vehicle headlamp 1 can be reduced in size.

  Further, since the reflector 10 and the portion excluding the front end of the light source unit 11 are disposed behind the focal point of the projection lens 9, the light amount control mechanism 26, the light source unit 11 and the reflector 10 do not interfere with each other and the proper operation is achieved. And a desired light distribution pattern can be formed by the light emitted from the light source 24.

  Furthermore, since the light source unit 11 is disposed below the reflector 10, the vehicle headlamp 1 can be reduced in size in the front-rear direction.

  In the above description, the vehicle headlamp 1 having the reflector 10 is shown as an example. However, the present invention can also be applied to a so-called direct-type vehicle headlamp having no reflector. .

  The shapes and structures of the respective parts shown in the best mode for carrying out the invention described above are merely examples of the embodiments performed in practicing the present invention. The range should not be interpreted in a limited way.

2 to 8 show an embodiment of the vehicle headlamp of the present invention, and this figure is a schematic longitudinal sectional view. It is a disassembled perspective view of a lamp unit. It is a perspective view of a lens holder. It is a perspective view which shows the state by which the light quantity control mechanism was assembled | attached to the lens holder. It is an expansion perspective view which shows the state by which the movable shade is hold | maintained in the 1st position. It is an expansion perspective view which shows the state by which the movable shade is hold | maintained in the 2nd position. FIG. 8 shows a lens holder and a light quantity control mechanism according to a modified example together with FIG. 8, and this figure is a perspective view showing a state before the light quantity control mechanism is assembled to the lens holder. It is a perspective view which shows the state in which the light quantity control mechanism was assembled | attached to the lens holder.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Vehicle headlamp, 2 ... Lamp housing, 3 ... Cover, 4 ... Lamp outer casing, 7 ... Lamp unit, 9 ... Projection lens, 11 ... Light source unit, 24 ... Light source, 26 ... Light quantity control mechanism, 27 ... Actuator, 29 ... movable shade, 32 ... output shaft, 56 ... light quantity control mechanism, 57 ... actuator, 59 ... movable shade, 62 ... output shaft

Claims (5)

A vehicle headlamp in which a lamp unit is arranged inside a lamp outer casing formed by a lamp housing having an opening in at least one and a cover that covers the opening of the lamp housing,
The lamp unit is
A light source unit having a light source;
A light amount control mechanism having a movable shade for switching a shielding amount of light emitted from the light source and an actuator for operating the movable shade;
A projection lens for projecting light emitted from the light source,
The vehicle headlamp, wherein the light quantity control mechanism is disposed between the projection lens and a focal point of the projection lens. A reflector for reflecting the light emitted from the light source toward the projection lens is provided;
The vehicle headlamp according to claim 1, wherein at least a part of the light source unit and the reflector are arranged behind a focal point of the projection lens. The vehicle headlamp according to claim 2, wherein the light source unit is disposed below the reflector. An output shaft that is moved in the axial direction by the actuator and that provides rotational force to the movable shade;
The vehicle headlamp according to claim 1, wherein the output shaft is moved in the front-rear direction. An output shaft that is moved in the axial direction by the actuator and that provides rotational force to the movable shade;
The vehicle headlamp according to claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein the output shaft is moved in the left-right direction.

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