JP2015018652A - Vehicle lighting appliance - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a technology for improving a light utilization rate in a vehicle lighting appliance.SOLUTION: A vehicle lighting appliance in one embodiment of the present invention comprises: a light source 10; a light distribution pattern forming part 30 in which a plurality of optical elements which can independently switch between a state that light-source light is radiated in front of the lighting appliance and a non-radiated state or a light-extinguished state are aligned; and an optical member 20 which radiates the light-source light to the light distribution pattern forming part 30. The optical member 20 radiates the light-source light to the light distribution pattern forming part 30 so that a prescribed illuminance distribution including a second illuminance region R2 which is lower than a first illuminance region R1 in illuminance is formed above the light distribution pattern forming part 30. The light distribution pattern forming part 30 radiates light for forming a first light distribution pattern in front of the lighting appliance by using the optical element which is overlapped with the first illuminance region R1, and radiates light for forming a second light distribution pattern which is lower in illuminance in front of the light appliance by using the optical element which is overlapped with the second illuminance region R2 or brings the optical element into the non-radiated state.

Description

  The present invention relates to a vehicular lamp, and more particularly to a vehicular lamp used in a vehicle such as an automobile.

  Patent Document 1 discloses a variable light distribution light including a light source, a MEMS mirror that controls light distribution by reflecting light from the light source, and a condenser lens. This light distribution variable light forms a desired light distribution pattern by controlling on / off of each of the plurality of micromirrors included in the MEMS mirror.

JP 2008-143510 A

  In a conventional vehicular lamp having a MEMS mirror, the micromirror array is irradiated with light having substantially uniform brightness, the on-state micromirror reflects light toward the front of the lamp, and the off-state micromirror reflects light. By reflecting toward the light absorbing material, a desired light distribution pattern is formed in front of the lamp. According to this technique, the degree of freedom in forming the light distribution pattern can be increased, but there is room for improvement from the viewpoint of improving the light utilization rate in the vehicular lamp.

  This invention is made | formed in view of such a condition, The objective is to provide the technique for aiming at the improvement of the light utilization factor in a vehicle lamp.

  In order to solve the above problems, an aspect of the present invention is a vehicular lamp. The vehicle lamp individually switches between a light source, a state in which the light source emitted from the light source is irradiated in front of the lamp, and a non-irradiation state or a dimming state in which the amount of irradiation in front of the lamp is less than the irradiation state. A light distribution pattern forming unit in which a plurality of possible optical elements are arranged; and an optical member that irradiates the light distribution pattern forming unit with light source light. The optical member emits light source light to the light distribution pattern forming unit so that a predetermined illuminance distribution including the first illuminance region and the second illuminance region having lower illuminance than the first illuminance region is formed on the light distribution pattern forming unit. Irradiate. The light distribution pattern forming unit irradiates the front of the lamp with light for forming a predetermined first light distribution pattern using an optical element that overlaps with the first illuminance region, and uses the optical element that overlaps with the second illuminance region. The light for forming the second light distribution pattern having lower illuminance than the one light distribution pattern is irradiated in front of the lamp or the optical element is not irradiated. According to this aspect, it is possible to improve the light utilization rate in the vehicular lamp.

  The said aspect WHEREIN: You may further provide the optical member displacement part which displaces an optical member and displaces the position of at least one of the 1st illumination intensity area | region and 2nd illumination intensity area | region on a light distribution pattern formation part. Thereby, a driver | operator's visibility can be improved. In any one of the above aspects, the light source includes a first light source that emits light that forms the first illuminance region on the light distribution pattern formation unit, and light that forms the second illuminance region on the light distribution pattern formation unit. A second light source that emits light, and the light distribution pattern forming unit forms a first light distribution pattern using an optical element that overlaps the first illuminance region, and uses a second optical element that overlaps the second illuminance region. A light distribution pattern may be formed. Thereby, an illuminance distribution can be more easily formed on the light distribution pattern forming portion.

  In any one of the above aspects, the optical member includes a first optical member that irradiates the light distribution pattern forming unit with light from the first light source, and a second optical member that irradiates the light distribution pattern forming unit with light from the second light source. The first optical member is displaced to displace the position of the first illuminance region on the light distribution pattern forming portion, and the second optical member is displaced to form the light distribution pattern. You may further provide at least one of the 2nd optical member displacement part which displaces the position of the 2nd illumination intensity area | region on a part. Further, the first optical member displacement portion and the second optical member displacement portion may displace the position of the first illuminance area and the position of the second illuminance area independently of each other. By these, the variation of the light distribution pattern which can be formed can be increased. In any of the above aspects, the light source may include a red laser light source, a green laser light source, and a blue laser light source, and the emission intensity of each laser light source may be adjustable independently of each other. Thereby, the visibility of a light distribution pattern can be improved.

  Moreover, the other aspect of this invention is also a vehicle lamp. The vehicle lamp individually switches between a light source, a state in which the light source emitted from the light source is irradiated in front of the lamp, and a non-irradiation state or a dimming state in which the amount of irradiation in front of the lamp is less than the irradiation state. A light distribution pattern forming unit in which a plurality of possible optical elements are arranged, an optical member that irradiates the light distribution pattern forming unit with light source light, and an optical member displacement unit that displaces the optical axis of the optical member. This aspect can also improve the light utilization rate in the vehicular lamp.

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, the technique for aiming at the improvement of the light utilization rate in a vehicle lamp can be provided.

1 is a vertical sectional view showing a schematic structure of a vehicular lamp according to a first embodiment. It is a perspective view which shows typically the internal structure of the vehicle lamp which concerns on Embodiment 1. FIG. It is sectional drawing which shows schematic structure of a light source. 4A and 4B are schematic diagrams illustrating an example of a light distribution pattern formed by the vehicular lamp according to the first embodiment. FIG. 5A and FIG. 5B are schematic diagrams illustrating an example of a light distribution pattern formed by the vehicular lamp according to the first embodiment. 6A to 6C are schematic diagrams illustrating an example of a light distribution pattern formed by the vehicular lamp according to the first embodiment. FIG. 5 is a vertical sectional view schematically showing an internal structure of a vehicle lamp according to a second embodiment. It is a perspective view which shows typically the internal structure of the vehicle lamp which concerns on Embodiment 2. FIG. FIG. 9A and FIG. 9B are schematic views illustrating an example of a light distribution pattern formed by the vehicular lamp according to the second embodiment. FIG. 10A and FIG. 10B are schematic views illustrating an example of a light distribution pattern formed by the vehicle lamp according to the second embodiment. FIG. 11A is a vertical cross-sectional view schematically showing the internal structure of the vehicular lamp according to the third embodiment. FIG. 11B is a perspective view schematically showing the internal structure of the vehicular lamp according to the third embodiment.

  The present invention will be described below based on preferred embodiments with reference to the drawings. The same or equivalent components, members, and processes shown in the drawings are denoted by the same reference numerals, and repeated descriptions are omitted as appropriate. The embodiments do not limit the invention but are exemplifications, and all features and combinations thereof described in the embodiments are not necessarily essential to the invention.

(Embodiment 1)
FIG. 1 is a vertical sectional view showing a schematic structure of a vehicular lamp according to the first embodiment. FIG. 2 is a perspective view schematically showing the internal structure of the vehicular lamp according to the first embodiment. The vehicular lamp 1 according to the present embodiment is a vehicular headlamp device having a pair of headlamp units arranged on the left and right sides in front of the vehicle. Since the pair of headlamp units have substantially the same configuration except that they have a symmetrical structure, FIG. 1 shows the structure of one headlamp unit as the vehicular lamp 1.

  The vehicular lamp 1 includes a lamp body 2 having an opening on the front side of the vehicle, and a translucent cover 4 attached so as to cover the opening of the lamp body 2. The translucent cover 4 is made of translucent resin or glass. In the lamp chamber 3 formed by the lamp body 2 and the translucent cover 4, a light source 10, an optical member 20, a light distribution pattern forming unit 30, an optical member displacement unit 40, and a projection lens 50 are accommodated. Is done. Each part is attached to the lamp body 2 by a support mechanism (not shown).

  The light source 10 of this embodiment is configured by a laser device such as a laser diode, a solid-state laser, or a gas laser. Since the laser light has high luminance and high directivity, the illuminance distribution described later can be easily formed on the light distribution pattern forming unit 30 by configuring the light source 10 with a laser device. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view showing a schematic structure of the light source. As illustrated in FIG. 3, the light source 10 includes a blue laser light source 102, a green laser light source 104, a red laser light source 106, a heat sink 110, a first lens 112 to a third lens 116, an optical integrator 120, And an optical part 200. In FIG. 3, a blue laser light source 102 to a red laser light source 106 constituted by laser diodes are shown as examples.

  The blue laser light source 102 emits blue laser light B, the green laser light source 104 emits green laser light G, and the red laser light source 106 emits red laser light R. The blue laser light source 102 to the red laser light source 106 are mounted on a common substrate. A heat sink 110 is connected to the back surface of the substrate. The first lens 112 to the third lens 116 are constituted by, for example, collimating lenses. The first lens 112 converts blue laser light B into parallel light, the second lens 114 converts green laser light G into parallel light, and the third lens 116 converts red laser light R into parallel light.

  The condensing unit 200 bundles the blue laser light B, the green laser light G, and the red laser light R and outputs them to the optical integrator 120. The condensing unit 200 includes a first dichroic mirror 202 to a third dichroic mirror 206. The first dichroic mirror 202 reflects the blue laser light B toward the optical integrator 120. The second dichroic mirror 204 reflects the green laser light G toward the optical integrator 120 and transmits the blue laser light B. The third dichroic mirror 206 reflects the red laser light R toward the optical integrator 120 and transmits the blue laser light B and the green laser light G. The condensing unit 200 bundles the blue laser light B, the green laser light G, and the red laser light R, and the bundled RGB laser light travels toward the optical integrator 120. The optical integrator 120 is fitted into the opening 101 provided in the housing of the light source 10. By the optical integrator 120, the blue laser light B, the green laser light G, and the red laser light R are mixed and homogenized, and the white laser light W is generated. The white laser light W travels from the optical integrator 120 toward the optical member 20.

  The laser light sources of the blue laser light source 102 to the red laser light source 106 can adjust the emission intensity independently of each other. Thereby, the vehicular lamp 1 can irradiate laser light of a desired color in front of the lamp. By changing the color of the light source light that forms the light distribution pattern according to the type of the light distribution pattern to be formed, the driver can easily recognize the light distribution pattern. That is, the visibility of the light distribution pattern can be improved, and the driver can be alerted.

  The optical member 20 is a member for irradiating the light distribution pattern forming unit 30 with the light source light emitted from the light source 10. The vehicular lamp 1 according to the present embodiment includes two optical members 20A and 20B. The optical member 20A and the optical member 20B are composed of, for example, a plane mirror. The optical members 20A and 20B reflect the light emitted from the light source 10 toward the optical member 20B, and the optical member 20B irradiates the light distribution pattern forming unit 30 with the light reflected by the optical member 20A. Thus, the mutual positional relationship is determined.

  The optical member displacement unit 40 is a member that displaces the optical member 20A and the optical member 20B. The optical member displacement unit 40 provided in the optical member 20A displaces the reflection surface of the optical member 20A so that the light irradiated to the light distribution pattern forming unit 30 is displaced in the lamp vertical direction (for example, the vertical direction). The optical member displacement part 40 provided in the optical member 20B displaces the reflection surface of the optical member 20B so that the light irradiated to the light distribution pattern forming part 30 is displaced in the lamp left-right direction (for example, the horizontal direction). The optical member displacement unit 40 can be configured by, for example, a pivot mechanism that supports the optical member 20 and an actuator such as a stepping motor that swings the optical member 20 supported by the pivot mechanism. Note that only one of the optical member 20A and the optical member 20B may be provided. In this case, the optical member displacing unit 40 displaces the one optical member so that the light applied to the light distribution pattern forming unit 30 is displaced in the vertical and horizontal directions of the lamp.

  The light distribution pattern forming unit 30 irradiates the light source light emitted from the light source in front of the lamp (hereinafter referred to as “irradiation state” as appropriate) and non-irradiation (hereinafter referred to as “non-irradiation state” as appropriate). Alternatively, a plurality of optical elements that can be individually switched between a dimming state in which the amount of irradiation in front of the lamp is smaller than the irradiation state are arranged. The light distribution pattern forming unit 30 of the present embodiment is configured by a MEMS (Micro Electro Mechanical Systems) mirror array. Since the structure of the MEMS mirror array is known, a detailed description thereof is omitted. The light distribution pattern forming unit 30 reflects the light irradiated to the light distribution pattern forming unit 30 to the front of the lamp and the light absorption by switching on / off the power supply to each of the micromirrors as the optical elements. It is possible to switch between a non-irradiation state that reflects toward the material. The light reflected in front of the lamp by the micromirror in the irradiated state is incident on the projection lens 50 disposed on the front side of the lamp of the light distribution pattern forming unit 30. It should be noted that the state in which the light source light is irradiated in front of the lamp per unit time is the longest state, the next long state is the dimmed state, and the shortest state is the non-irradiated state. You can also. In this case, it can be said that each micromirror of the MEMS mirror array can take an irradiation state, a dimming state, and a non-irradiation state.

  The projection lens 50 is composed of, for example, a free-form surface lens having a front surface and a rear surface having a free-form surface, and a light source image formed on a rear focal plane including the rear focus of the projection lens 50 is used as a reverse image. Project onto the front virtual vertical screen. The projection lens 50 is disposed so that its rear focal point is located on the optical axis of the vehicular lamp 1 and in the vicinity of the light emitting surface of the light distribution pattern forming unit 30 (the reflecting surface of the micromirror array).

  The light emitted from the light source 10 is reflected by the optical member 20 </ b> A and the optical member 20 </ b> B and is applied to the micromirror array of the light distribution pattern forming unit 30. Here, the light source light is irradiated with a distribution on the light distribution pattern forming unit 30. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 2, a predetermined illuminance distribution including a first illuminance region R1 and a second illuminance region R2 having an illuminance lower than that of the first illuminance region R1 is formed on the light distribution pattern forming unit 30. Is done. In this embodiment, 1st illumination intensity area | region R1 is an area | region where light source light is irradiated, and 2nd illumination intensity area | region R2 is an area | region where light source light is not substantially irradiated. For example, the first illuminance region R1 and the second illuminance region R2 are formed as follows. That is, the entire surface of the micromirror array of the light distribution pattern forming unit 30 is irradiated by the first lens 112 to the third lens 116 of the light source 10, the optical integrator 120, the condensing unit 200, the optical member 20 </ b> A, and / or the optical member 20 </ b> B. The condensing degree (diffuse degree) of the light source light is adjusted so that the light source light is not diffused as much. Thereby, the light distribution pattern forming unit 30 is locally irradiated with the light source light, and the first illuminance region R1 and the second illuminance region R2 are formed.

  And the light distribution pattern formation part 30 irradiates the light ahead of a lamp with the light for forming a predetermined light distribution pattern using the micromirror which overlaps with 1st illumination intensity area | region R1. The micromirror that overlaps the second illuminance region R2 is not irradiated. Here, the light distribution pattern forming unit 30 irradiates light for forming a light distribution pattern with the part of the micromirror overlapping the first illuminance region R1 in an irradiation state, and irradiates the first illuminance region R1 with the first illuminance region R1. A predetermined light distribution pattern shape can be formed by making the remaining part of the overlapping micromirrors non-irradiated. The light distribution pattern formed by the vehicular lamp 1 will be described in detail later.

  The control unit 300 executes adjustment of the emission intensity of each laser light source included in the light source 10, driving of the optical member displacement unit 40, and on / off control of each micromirror of the light distribution pattern forming unit 30. The control unit 300 is realized by an element and a circuit including a CPU and a memory of a computer as a hardware configuration, and is realized by a computer program and the like as a software configuration. The control unit 300 is provided outside the lamp chamber 3 in FIG. 1, but may be provided inside the lamp chamber 3. The control unit 300 receives signals from the image processing device 310, the steering sensor 320, the navigation system 330, and a light switch (not shown) connected to the imaging device 312. And the control part 300 transmits various control signals to the light source 10, the light distribution pattern formation part 30, the optical member displacement part 40, etc. according to the received signal.

  Then, the formation method of the light distribution pattern by the vehicle lamp 1, and the shape of the formed light distribution pattern are demonstrated. FIGS. 4A, 4 </ b> B, 5 </ b> A, and 5 </ b> B are schematic diagrams illustrating an example of a light distribution pattern formed by the vehicular lamp according to the first embodiment. 4 (A) to 5 (B) show light distribution patterns formed on a virtual vertical screen arranged at a predetermined position in front of the lamp, for example, at a position 25 m ahead of the lamp.

  As shown in FIG. 2, a substantially elliptical first illuminance region R <b> 1 is formed on the light distribution pattern forming unit 30. And the micromirror which overlaps with 1st illumination intensity area | region R1 will be in an irradiation state, and the light which forms 1st illumination intensity area | region R1 will be irradiated to a lamp front via the projection lens 50. FIG. As a result, as shown in FIG. 4A, a substantially elliptical high beam light distribution pattern PH is formed. That is, the first illuminance region R1 and the high-beam light distribution pattern PH have substantially similar shapes. The light distribution pattern forming unit 30 performs processing such as clarifying the outline of the high beam light distribution pattern PH, with the micromirrors positioned at the peripheral edge among the micromirrors overlapping the first illuminance region R1 being not irradiated. May be. Since the shape of the high beam light distribution pattern PH is known, a detailed description thereof will be omitted.

  Moreover, the vehicle lamp 1 can form a light distribution pattern having a desired shape by setting a part of the micromirror that overlaps the first illuminance region R1 to an irradiation state and the remaining part to a non-irradiation state. For example, as shown in FIG. 4B, a so-called left-side high light distribution pattern PHL having a light irradiation region above the horizontal line H and on the left side and a light-shielding region on the right side can be formed. . In addition to the left-side high light distribution pattern PHL, the right-side high light distribution pattern, the low-beam light distribution pattern, and a light-shielding region at the center above the horizontal line H, on both sides of the light-shielding region in the horizontal direction. A so-called split light distribution pattern having a light irradiation region can also be formed.

  Moreover, as shown to FIG. 5 (A), the vehicle lamp 1 can form the light-shielding area | region S in the area | region which overlaps with the other vehicle and pedestrian in the high beam light distribution pattern PH. Thereby, coexistence with the reduction of a possibility of giving a glare to another vehicle or a pedestrian, and the improvement of a driver's visibility can be aimed at. FIG. 5A illustrates a high beam light distribution pattern PH in which a light shielding region S is formed at a position overlapping with an oncoming vehicle. The light shielding region S can be formed as follows, for example.

  That is, the image processing apparatus 310 acquires image data captured by the imaging apparatus 312 such as a camera and performs image processing. As a result, the image processing apparatus 310 identifies vehicles and pedestrians included in the image data and detects these positions. Since a technique for identifying a vehicle or a pedestrian and a technique for detecting a position are well known, description thereof will be omitted. The detected vehicle and pedestrian position information is sent to the control unit 300. The control unit 300 controls the light distribution pattern forming unit 30 so as to form the light shielding region S at the position where the vehicle or the pedestrian is present in the high beam light distribution pattern PH using the position information of the vehicle or the pedestrian. The light distribution pattern formation part 30 makes the micromirror corresponding to the light-shielding region S out of the micromirrors that overlap with the first illuminance region R1. Thereby, the light shielding region S is formed in the high beam light distribution pattern PH.

  Moreover, as shown to FIG. 5 (B), the vehicle lamp 1 can displace the formed light distribution pattern according to the shape of the road to drive, for example. Thereby, a driver | operator's visibility can be improved. For example, when the road shape in front of the vehicle is a curve, the high beam light distribution pattern PH is set so that the irradiation direction of the high beam light distribution pattern PH is not at the front of the vehicle but at the end of the curve road (exit direction). Displace. Such displacement of the light distribution pattern can be carried out, for example, as follows.

  That is, the steering sensor 320 sends vehicle steering angle information to the control unit 300. The control unit 300 controls the driving of the optical member displacement unit 40 according to the steering angle obtained from the steering sensor 320, and displaces the first illuminance region R1 on the light distribution pattern forming unit 30. As shown in FIG. 5B, when the high beam light distribution pattern PH is displaced in the horizontal direction, the control unit 300 controls the optical member displacement unit 40 that displaces the optical member 20B to rotate the optical member 20B. By moving, the first illuminance region R1 is displaced in the horizontal direction. Alternatively, the control unit 300 may displace the first illuminance region R1 using road shape information in front of the vehicle obtained from the navigation system 330.

  Moreover, the vehicle lamp 1 can form various information display light distribution patterns P1 to P3 as shown in FIGS. 6 (A), 6 (B), and 6 (C). 6A to 6C are schematic diagrams illustrating an example of a light distribution pattern formed by the vehicular lamp according to the first embodiment. 6A to 6C, (i) shows a state in front of the lamp, and (ii) shows a micromirror array of the light distribution pattern forming unit 30. FIG. As shown in each of (ii) of FIGS. 6A to 6C, when forming the information display light distribution patterns P <b> 1 to P <b> 3, the concentration of light irradiated to the light distribution pattern forming unit 30 is high. The high beam distribution pattern PH and the like are set higher than those described above. As a result, a first illuminance region R <b> 1 having a smaller area is formed on the light distribution pattern forming unit 30. In addition, the control unit 300 controls the optical member displacement unit 40 connected to the optical members 20A and 20B, and at the position on the light distribution pattern forming unit 30 corresponding to the information display light distribution patterns P1 to P3. One illuminance region R1 is moved.

  Then, among the micromirrors that overlap with the first illuminance region R1, the micromirrors that overlap with the shapes of the information display light distribution patterns P1 to P3 are set to the irradiation state, and the remaining micromirrors are set to the non-irradiation state. Thereby, information display light distribution patterns P1 to P3 are formed in front of the lamp. By forming the information display light distribution patterns P1 to P3, the driving of the driver can be supported. Further, the control unit 300 adjusts the emission intensity of the blue laser light source 102 to the red laser light source 106 according to the type of light distribution pattern to be formed. For example, when forming the information display light distribution patterns P <b> 1 to P <b> 3, laser light other than white such as red, yellow, blue, and green is emitted from the light source 10. Thereby, the visibility of the information display light distribution patterns P1 to P3 can be enhanced.

  For example, as shown in FIG. 6A, the vehicular lamp 1 can form an arrow-shaped information display light distribution pattern P1 indicating the direction in which the host vehicle should travel at an intersection or the like ahead of the host vehicle. In this case, for example, the travel route information registered in the navigation system 330 is sent to the control unit 300, and the control unit 300 acquires the direction in which the host vehicle should travel based on this information, and the light distribution pattern forming unit 30. The shape of the information display light distribution pattern P1 to be formed can be determined.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 6B, for example, the vehicular lamp 1 is a numeric information display light distribution pattern P2 that indicates a distance to a predetermined point such as a destination or an intersection to be turned right or left next. Can be formed. In this case, for example, the travel route information registered in the navigation system 330 is sent to the control unit 300, and the control unit 300 acquires distance information to a predetermined point based on this information, and the light distribution pattern forming unit 30 can determine the shape of the information display light distribution pattern P2 to be formed. The information display light distribution pattern P2 may be, for example, a numerical value such as an outside air temperature, a remaining amount of fuel, a speed limit on a traveling road, an inter-vehicle distance from a preceding vehicle, and the like.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 6C, the vehicular lamp 1 forms an information display light distribution pattern P3 for notifying the driver that an obstacle such as a pedestrian exists in front of the vehicle. be able to. In this case, for example, position information of an obstacle such as a pedestrian is sent from the image processing apparatus 310 to the control unit 300, and the control unit 300 distributes information display light distribution near the position of the obstacle based on this information. A pattern P3 can be formed.

  As described above, the vehicular lamp 1 according to the present embodiment includes the light distribution pattern forming unit 30 in which a plurality of optical elements that can be individually switched between the irradiation state and the non-irradiation state are arranged, and the high illumination intensity. The optical member 20 that irradiates the light distribution pattern forming unit 30 with the light source light so that a predetermined illuminance distribution including the first illuminance region R1 and the low illuminance second illuminance region R2 is formed on the light distribution pattern forming unit 30. Prepare. And the light distribution pattern formation part 30 irradiates the light for forming a predetermined light distribution pattern using the optical element which overlaps with 1st illumination intensity area | region R1 ahead of a lamp, and the optical element which overlaps with 2nd illumination intensity area | region R2 Non-irradiated state.

  In other words, the vehicular lamp 1 keeps the amount of light applied to an optical element that is not used for forming a light distribution pattern lower than that of an optical element that is used for forming a light distribution pattern. As a result, an optical element that is not used to form the light distribution pattern is irradiated with the same amount of light as the optical element that is used to form the light distribution pattern, and this light is absorbed by the light absorbing material, thereby moving the light forward. Compared to a conventional vehicle lamp that avoids irradiation and forms a desired light distribution pattern, the amount of light that is not used to form the light distribution pattern can be reduced. Therefore, according to the vehicular lamp 1 of the present embodiment, it is possible to improve the light utilization rate in the vehicular lamp.

  Moreover, since the light irradiation amount to the optical element used for forming the light distribution pattern can be increased, the illuminance of the light distribution pattern can be further increased. Therefore, the visibility of the driver can be further improved. Moreover, since the brightness | luminance requested | required of a light source can be lowered | hung, the freedom degree of selection of a light source can be raised. Moreover, since the vehicle lamp 1 includes the light distribution pattern forming unit 30 including a plurality of optical elements, the shape of the light distribution pattern can be freely changed. Therefore, it is possible to achieve both the increase in the variation of the light distribution pattern that can be formed and the improvement of the light utilization efficiency. Note that the duty ratio of the on / off control of a part of the micromirror that overlaps the first illuminance region R1 is controlled to lengthen the non-irradiation time per unit time and reduce the amount of light irradiated to the front of the lamp ( That is, as the above-described dimming state, a low illuminance region may be formed in the light distribution pattern to be formed. Thereby, the variation of the light distribution pattern which can be formed can be increased.

  In addition, the vehicular lamp 1 displaces the first illuminance region R <b> 1 on the light distribution pattern forming unit 30 by displacing the optical member 20 by the optical member displacement unit 40. Thereby, since the light distribution pattern irradiated ahead of a lamp can be displaced, a driver | operator's visibility can be improved more. Further, in the conventional vehicle lamp, the light distribution pattern is displaced by swiveling or leveling the entire lamp. On the other hand, in this embodiment, the displacement of the light distribution pattern is realized by the displacement of the first illuminance region R1 on the light distribution pattern forming unit 30. Therefore, according to this embodiment, since the swivel mechanism and the leveling mechanism of the lamp can be omitted, the structure of the vehicular lamp can be simplified and the manufacturing cost can be reduced.

  Moreover, the optical member displacement part 40 is displacing the optical axis O of the optical member 20 (optical member 20B in the figure) as shown in FIG.1 and FIG.2. Thereby, the position C where the optical axis O and the light distribution pattern forming unit 30 overlap is displaced on the light distribution pattern forming unit 30. In optical design, the optical member 20 is formed such that the high illuminance first illuminance region R1 is formed in a region close to the optical axis O of the optical member 20, and the low illuminance second illuminance region R2 is formed in a region separated from the optical axis O. Designed to do. In this case, the second illuminance region R2 is a region where the illuminance is not substantially 0 but has a certain level of brightness. Temporarily, when the position of the first illuminance region R1 and the second illuminance region R2 on the light distribution pattern forming unit 30 is fixed, the region of the optical element that takes the irradiation state is displaced to displace the light distribution pattern. The optical element group which takes an irradiation state may remove | deviate from 1st illumination intensity area | region R1. In this case, since the light in the first illuminance region R1 with high illuminance is not used for forming the light distribution pattern, the light utilization rate decreases, and the light distribution pattern is formed using the light in the second illuminance region R2 with low illuminance. Therefore, the illuminance of the light distribution pattern decreases. In contrast, in the present embodiment, the optical member displacement unit 40 moves the position C where the optical axis O and the light distribution pattern forming unit 30 overlap according to the displacement of the light distribution pattern. Thus, a light distribution pattern can be formed using more light from the first illuminance region R1. Therefore, it is possible to improve the light utilization rate and suppress the illuminance reduction of the light distribution pattern.

(Embodiment 2)
The vehicular lamp according to the second embodiment is generally the same as the configuration of the vehicular lamp 1 according to the first embodiment except that the vehicular lamp includes two light sources and optical members corresponding to the two light sources. The same components as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description and illustration thereof are omitted as appropriate. FIG. 7 is a vertical sectional view schematically showing the internal structure of the vehicular lamp according to the second embodiment. FIG. 8 is a perspective view schematically showing the internal structure of the vehicular lamp according to the second embodiment. FIGS. 9A, 9 </ b> B, 10 </ b> A, and 10 </ b> B are schematic views illustrating an example of a light distribution pattern formed by the vehicular lamp according to the second embodiment.

  The vehicular lamp 1 according to the present embodiment includes a first light source 10 </ b> A and a second light source 10 </ b> B as the light source 10. The optical member 20 includes a first optical member 20C and a second optical member 20D. The first light source 10 </ b> A emits light that forms the first illuminance region R <b> 1 on the light distribution pattern forming unit 30. The second light source 10 </ b> B emits light that forms the second illuminance region R <b> 2 on the light distribution pattern forming unit 30. The first optical member 20C irradiates the light distribution pattern forming unit 30 with the light from the first light source 10A. The second optical member 20D irradiates the light distribution pattern forming unit 30 with the light from the second light source 10B. And the light distribution pattern formation part 30 irradiates the light ahead for a lamp with the light for forming a predetermined 1st light distribution pattern using the optical element which overlaps with 1st illumination intensity area | region R1, and the optical which overlaps with 2nd illumination intensity area | region R2. Light for forming a second light distribution pattern having an illuminance lower than that of the first light distribution pattern is irradiated to the front of the lamp using the element. Therefore, in the present embodiment, the second illuminance region R2 is a region formed by irradiating with a smaller amount of light than the first illuminance region R1 when the illuminance is not substantially zero.

  In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 9A, the high beam light distribution pattern PH formed by the vehicular lamp 1 is in the vicinity of the vanishing point (so-called hot zone) that is the intersection of the horizontal line H and the vertical line V. The condensing pattern PH1 to be irradiated and the diffusion pattern PH2 having a lower illuminance than the condensing pattern PH1 and irradiating a wider range. The condensing pattern PH1 corresponds to the first light distribution pattern with high illuminance formed by the light in the first illuminance region R1, and the diffusion pattern PH2 is the second low illuminance formed with light in the second illuminance region R2. Corresponds to the light distribution pattern. In this case, the first light source 10A that forms the first illuminance region R1 is preferably composed of a laser light source that emits high-luminance laser light. Moreover, it is preferable that the 2nd light source 10B which forms 2nd illumination intensity area | region R2 is comprised with a light emitting diode (LED) with low directivity but many light quantities. In the present embodiment, the first light source 10A is constituted by a laser light source, and the second light source 10B is constituted by an LED. Further, the first optical member 20C is constituted by, for example, a plane mirror, and the second optical member 20D is constituted by a curved mirror.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 9B, the vehicular lamp 1 of the present embodiment also forms a light shielding region S in a region overlapping with other vehicles and pedestrians in the high beam light distribution pattern PH, as in the first embodiment. be able to. In this case, the light distribution pattern forming unit 30 sets the micromirror corresponding to the light shielding region S out of the micromirrors overlapping the first illuminance region R1 and the micromirrors overlapping the second illuminance region R2. Thereby, the light shielding area S is formed.

  The vehicular lamp 1 includes a first optical member displacement portion 40A and a second optical member displacement portion 40B. The first optical member displacement unit 40A displaces the first optical member 20C to displace the position of the first illuminance region R1 on the light distribution pattern forming unit 30. The second optical member displacement unit 40B displaces the second optical member 20D to displace the position of the second illuminance region R2 on the light distribution pattern forming unit 30. The first optical member displacement portion 40A and the second optical member displacement portion 40B move the first optical member 20C and the second optical member 20D so that the light emitted to the light distribution pattern forming portion 30 is displaced in the left-right direction of the lamp. Displace. The first optical member displacement portion 40A and the second optical member displacement portion 40B can displace the position of the first illuminance region R1 and the position of the second illuminance region R2 independently of each other. Thereby, the variation of a light distribution pattern can be increased and a driver | operator's visibility can be improved more. Note that the first optical member displacement portion 40A and the second optical member displacement portion 40B may be capable of displacing the first illuminance region R1 and the second illuminance region R2 in the lamp vertical direction.

  By the first optical member displacement portion 40A and the second optical member displacement portion 40B, the vehicular lamp 1 can displace the light distribution pattern in accordance with, for example, the shape of the traveling road. At this time, as shown in FIG. 10A, the vehicular lamp 1 can displace the entire high beam light distribution pattern PH while maintaining the positional relationship between the light collection pattern PH1 and the diffusion pattern PH2. As shown in B), only the condensing pattern PH1 can be displaced. Of course, only the diffusion pattern PH2 can be displaced.

  As described above, the vehicular lamp 1 according to the present embodiment forms the light collection pattern PH1 with high illuminance in the first illuminance region R1 with high illuminance on the light distribution pattern forming unit 30, and the diffusion pattern with low illuminance. PH2 is formed in the second illuminance region R2 having a low illuminance on the light distribution pattern forming unit 30 to complete the high beam light distribution pattern PH. For this reason, a substantially uniform illuminance region is formed on the light distribution pattern forming unit 30, in other words, only the first illuminance region R1 is formed on the light distribution pattern forming unit 30, and one optical element overlapping the first illuminance region R1. In addition to forming the condensing pattern PH1 at the part, the duty ratio of on / off control of the remaining optical elements is controlled to lengthen the time of the non-irradiation state per unit time, thereby reducing the amount of light irradiated to the front of the lamp Compared with the case where the diffusion pattern PH2 is formed, the light utilization rate can be improved. Note that the duty ratio of the on / off control of all or part of the optical element that overlaps the second illuminance region R2 is controlled so that the irradiation state time per unit time is shorter than that of the micromirror that overlaps the first illuminance region R1. Thus (that is, by setting the above-described dimming state), it is possible to form a diffusion pattern PH2 having lower illuminance or a diffusion pattern PH2 having a partially low illuminance region. Even in this case, the light utilization rate can be improved.

  The vehicular lamp 1 includes a first light source 10A for the first illuminance region R1 and a second light source 10B for the second illuminance region R2. Therefore, two illuminance regions having different illuminances can be easily formed on the light distribution pattern forming unit 30. In addition, the vehicle lamp 1 of this embodiment may further be provided with a light source for forming the information display light distribution patterns P1 to P3 shown in FIGS. 6 (A) to 6 (C). Alternatively, the information display light distribution patterns P1 to P3 may be formed by the first light source 10A. These light sources that form a high illuminance region (first illuminance region R1) on the light distribution pattern forming unit 30 in order to form the information display light distribution patterns P1 to P3 are, as shown in FIG. It is preferable that the light source 102, the green laser light source 104, and the red laser light source 106 are included, and the emission intensity of each laser light source can be adjusted independently of each other.

  When forming the information display light distribution patterns P1 to P3 with the first light source 10A, the second light source 10B and the second optical member 20D use the first illuminance region R1 for the condensing pattern PH1 and the first for the diffusion pattern PH2. 2 illuminance regions R2 can be formed. Also in the vehicular lamp 1 of the first embodiment, by adjusting the reflection surface shape of the optical members 20A and 20B, the first illuminance region R1 on the light distribution pattern forming unit 30 and the illuminance are not substantially zero. The second illuminance region R2 can be formed.

(Embodiment 3)
The vehicular lamp according to the third embodiment is generally the same as the configuration of the vehicular lamp 1 according to the first or second embodiment except that the light distribution pattern forming unit is a liquid crystal shutter. The same components as those in the first or second embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description and illustration thereof are omitted as appropriate. FIG. 11A is a vertical cross-sectional view schematically showing the internal structure of the vehicular lamp according to the third embodiment. FIG. 11B is a perspective view schematically showing the internal structure of the vehicular lamp according to the third embodiment.

  The vehicular lamp 1 of the present embodiment includes a first light source 10 </ b> A and a second light source 10 </ b> B as the light source 10. The optical member 20 includes a first optical member 20C and a second optical member 20D. 10 A of 1st light sources radiate | emit the light which forms 1st illumination intensity area | region R1a for forming the light distribution pattern P1-P3 for information display on the light distribution pattern formation part 30. FIG. The second light source 10B includes a first illuminance region R1b for forming the condensing pattern PH1 of the high-beam light distribution pattern PH and a second illuminance region R2 for forming the diffusion pattern PH2 on the light distribution pattern forming unit 30. The light which forms is emitted. The first optical member 20C irradiates the light distribution pattern forming unit 30 with the light from the first light source 10A. The second optical member 20D irradiates the light distribution pattern forming unit 30 with the light from the second light source 10B. In the present embodiment, the first light source 10A is constituted by a laser light source, and the second light source 10B is constituted by an LED. Further, both the first optical member 20C and the second optical member 20D are configured by curved mirrors. The first light source 10A includes a blue laser light source 102, a green laser light source 104, and a red laser light source 106, and the emission intensity of each laser light source can be adjusted independently of each other.

  The vehicular lamp 1 includes a first optical member displacement portion 40A that displaces the first optical member 20C to displace the position of the first illuminance region R1a on the light distribution pattern forming portion 30. The first optical member displacement unit 40A can displace the first optical member 20C so that the light applied to the light distribution pattern forming unit 30 is displaced in the left-right direction and the up-down direction of the lamp. The second optical member 20D may also be provided with an optical member displacement portion, or the second optical member 20D may be provided with an optical member displacement portion only.

  The light distribution pattern forming unit 30 of the present embodiment is configured by a liquid crystal shutter, and is disposed between the first optical member 20C and the second optical member 20D and the projection lens 50 on the path of the light source light. Therefore, light source light is incident on the light distribution pattern forming unit 30 from the rear side of the lamp. The light distribution pattern forming unit 30 is arranged so that the polarization direction of the liquid crystal is aligned with the polarization direction of the laser light. Thereby, the utilization efficiency of light can be improved. The light distribution pattern forming unit 30 changes the light transmission amount in each of the liquid crystal elements as the optical element, thereby reducing the irradiation amount in front of the lamp compared to the irradiation state, the non-irradiation state, and the irradiation state. Can be switched individually. Since the structure of the liquid crystal shutter is known, its detailed description is omitted. The light distribution pattern forming unit 30 transmits light emitted from the first optical member 20C and the second optical member 20D to the front of the lamp by the liquid crystal elements in the irradiation state and the dimming state. This transmitted light is incident on the projection lens 50 disposed on the front side of the lamp of the light distribution pattern forming unit 30.

  Thus, even when a liquid crystal shutter is used as the light distribution pattern forming unit 30, a light distribution pattern can be formed in the same manner as in the first and second embodiments, and the same effect can be achieved. Note that in the vehicular lamp 1 of the present embodiment, the configurations of the light source 10, the optical member 20, and the optical member displacement portion 40 are not limited to those illustrated in FIGS. The configuration of 1 or 2 can be adopted. Further, the configuration of the third embodiment may be adopted for the first and second embodiments.

  The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and it is possible to combine the embodiments or add various modifications such as various design changes based on the knowledge of those skilled in the art. Embodiments combined or further modified are also within the scope of the present invention. A combination of the above-described embodiments and a new embodiment generated by a combination of each of the above-described embodiments and the following modifications have the effects of the combined embodiments and modifications.

  In each embodiment described above, a reflector may be provided instead of the projection lens 50. A plurality of projection lenses 50 may be provided. Moreover, the vehicular lamp 1 may not include the optical members 20A to 20D configured by mirrors. In this case, for example, the light source 10 is provided with a lens having an optical function such as condensing laser light, or the optical integrator 120 is provided with such an optical function, and the lens or the optical integrator 120 is used as the optical member 20. be able to. When this lens or optical integrator 120 is used as the optical member 20, the optical member displacement unit 40 displaces the lens or optical integrator 120 by displacing the entire light source 10, for example. However, since the light source 10 is generally relatively large with heat radiation fins or the like, the structure of the vehicular lamp 1 can be simplified if the optical members 20A to 20D configured by mirrors are displaced. Cheap. A condensing optical system may be provided between the light source 10 and the optical member 20 or between the optical member 20 and the light distribution pattern forming unit 30.

  In the second embodiment, there is a region where the light source light is not irradiated on the outside of the second illuminance region R2 on the light distribution pattern forming unit 30, but all the regions except the first illuminance region R1 are the second illuminance region R2. Also good. Of the optical elements that overlap the second illuminance region R2, only the optical element corresponding to the diffusion pattern PH2 may be in the irradiation state and / or the dimming state, and the other optical elements may be in the non-irradiation state. Even in this case, compared with the case where only the first illuminance region R1 is formed on the light distribution pattern forming unit 30 and the diffusion pattern PH2 is formed using the optical element overlapping the first illuminance region R1, The light utilization rate of the lamp 1 can be improved. In each of the above-described embodiments, the light source includes a laser light source that emits laser light having a wavelength in the blue or ultraviolet region, and a fluorescent member that emits light having a wavelength longer than the wavelength of the laser light by irradiation with the laser light. A high-intensity light source formed by combining the above may be used.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Vehicle lamp, 10 Light source, 10A 1st light source, 10B 2nd light source, 20 Optical member, 20C 1st optical member, 20D 2nd optical member, 30 Light distribution pattern formation part, 40 Optical member displacement part, 40A 1st Optical member displacement part, 40B 2nd optical member displacement part, 102 Blue laser light source, 104 Green laser light source, 106 Red laser light source, R1, R1a, R1b 1st illumination intensity area, R2 2nd illumination intensity area.

Claims (7)

A light source;
A plurality of optical elements capable of individually switching between a state in which the light source emitted from the light source is irradiated in front of the lamp and a state in which the light is not irradiated or a dimming state in which the amount of irradiation in front of the lamp is smaller than the irradiation state are arranged A light distribution pattern forming unit,
An optical member that irradiates the light distribution pattern forming portion with the light source light,
The optical member includes a first illuminance area and a predetermined illuminance distribution including a second illuminance area having a lower illuminance than the first illuminance area on the light distribution pattern formation section. Irradiate with light source,
The said light distribution pattern formation part irradiates the light for forming a predetermined 1st light distribution pattern using the said optical element which overlaps with the said 1st illumination intensity area ahead of a lamp, and the said optics which overlap with the said 2nd illumination intensity area A vehicular lamp characterized in that light for forming a second light distribution pattern having a lower illuminance than the first light distribution pattern is irradiated to the front of the lamp using an element or the optical element is not irradiated. .   2. The vehicular lamp according to claim 1, further comprising an optical member displacing unit that displaces the optical member to displace at least one position of the first illuminance region and the second illuminance region on the light distribution pattern forming unit. . The light source emits light for forming the first illuminance region on the light distribution pattern forming unit, and light for forming the second illuminance region on the light distribution pattern forming unit. Two light sources,
The light distribution pattern forming unit forms the first light distribution pattern using the optical element that overlaps the first illuminance region, and uses the optical element that overlaps the second illuminance region. The vehicular lamp according to claim 1, wherein the vehicular lamp is formed. The optical member includes: a first optical member that irradiates the light distribution pattern formation unit with light from the first light source; and a second optical member that irradiates the light distribution pattern formation unit with light from the second light source. Including
Displacement of the first optical member to displace the position of the first illuminance region on the light distribution pattern forming unit, and displacement of the second optical member to displace the light distribution pattern forming unit The vehicular lamp according to claim 3, further comprising at least one of a second optical member displacement portion that displaces the position of the second illuminance region above.   The vehicular lamp according to claim 4, wherein the first optical member displacement portion and the second optical member displacement portion displace the position of the first illuminance area and the position of the second illuminance area independently of each other.   6. The vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the light source includes a red laser light source, a green laser light source, and a blue laser light source, and the emission intensity of each laser light source can be adjusted independently of each other. Light fixture. A light source;
A plurality of optical elements capable of individually switching between a state in which the light source emitted from the light source is irradiated in front of the lamp and a state in which the light is not irradiated or a dimming state in which the amount of irradiation in front of the lamp is smaller than the irradiation state are arranged A light distribution pattern forming unit,
An optical member that irradiates the light distribution pattern forming portion with the light source light;
An optical member displacement section for displacing the optical axis of the optical member;
A vehicular lamp characterized by comprising:

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