JP2015018702A - Vehicular lighting fixture - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a vehicular lighting fixture equipped with an irregularly shaped lens giving no glare to vehicles ahead and pedestrians.SOLUTION: A projection lens 6 has a main lens 6a, a left sub lens 6b, and a right sub lens 6c. A reflector 4 reflects beams of light L6, L7 emitted from a light source 2. The reflector 4 has a focus on the focus of the main lens 6a or its vicinity. When a shade 5 is arranged at a first position, it interrupts a beam of light L5 to form a low beam pattern in front of the projection lens 6. When the shade 5 is arranged at a second position, the beams of light L6, L7 pass through the main lens 6a to form a high beam pattern in front of the projection lens 6. In the case that the shade 5 is arranged at the first position, beams of light L7, L8, L9, L10 not reflected by the reflector 4 are interrupted by the shade 5, a left mask part 7b, and a right mask part 7c and prevented from passing through the left sub lens 6b and the right sub lens 6c.

Description

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

  As this type of lamp, a headlamp is known in which a part of light emitted from a light source is reflected in a predetermined direction by a reflector and illuminates the front of the vehicle through a projection lens (see, for example, Patent Document 1). ).

JP2011-119184A

  The projection lens described in Patent Document 1 has a circular peripheral shape. In recent years, for example, in order to improve design properties, there are cases where use of projection lenses having various peripheral shapes that are not circular is required. Such a projection lens, sometimes referred to as a deformed lens, has a first region and a second region that are integrally molded. The first region is a region through which reflected light from the reflector mainly passes. The second region is shaped so as to extend, for example, outward in the left-right direction of the first region. If a part of the light emitted from the light source that is not controlled by the reflector passes through the second region, there may be a case where glare is given to the preceding vehicle or pedestrian without being subjected to orientation control.

  Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a technique for preventing glare from being given to a preceding vehicle or a pedestrian in a vehicular lamp provided with a deformed lens.

In order to achieve the above object, one aspect of the present invention is a lamp mounted on a vehicle,
A light source;
A reflector that reflects a first portion of light emitted from the light source;
A shade that is displaceable between a first position and a second position;
A projection lens having a first region and a second region;
The reflector has a focal point at or near the focal point of the first region;
When the shade is disposed at the first position, a first pattern is formed in front of the projection lens by partially blocking the first portion of the light;
When the shade is disposed at the second position, the first portion of the light passes through the first region, thereby forming a second pattern different from the first pattern in front of the projection lens;
When the shade is disposed at the first position, the light guide further includes a light blocking member that prevents the second portion of the light emitted from the light source from passing through the second region.

  According to such a configuration, for example, light that is not subjected to orientation control by the reflector is incident on the second region, which is a portion unique to the deformed lens, so that glare can be prevented from being given to the front vehicle or the pedestrian. The “part unique to the deformed lens” can be defined as a part that is not associated with the focal point of the reflector.

  When the shade is arranged at the second position, the second portion of the light may pass through the second region to form the second pattern together with the first portion of the light.

  According to such a configuration, at least a part of the light that is not subjected to the orientation control by the reflector can be used to increase the illuminance of the second pattern. That is, it is possible to improve the utilization efficiency of light emitted from the light source and improve forward visibility.

  Here, the second region of the projection lens may be configured to be a lens having a focal point at or near the light source. In this case, more accurate light beam control can be performed when light that is not subjected to orientation control by the reflector contributes to the formation of the second pattern.

  The light shielding member may be at least one of a part of the shade and a part of a member that holds the projection lens. In this case, the cost of components can be reduced by using, as the light shielding member, some of the components essential to the lamp that can switch the light distribution pattern.

It is a perspective view which shows the external appearance of the headlamp unit which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is a longitudinal cross-sectional view which shows typically a part of component of a headlamp unit. It is a figure which shows typically the light distribution pattern formed with a headlamp unit. It is the perspective view which looked at the lens holder with which a headlamp unit is provided from back. It is a cross-sectional view which shows typically a part of component of a headlamp unit. It is a longitudinal cross-sectional view which shows typically a part of component of a headlamp unit.

  Exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. In each drawing used in the following description, the scale is appropriately changed to make each member a recognizable size. Further, “right” and “left” used in the following description indicate the left and right directions viewed from the driver's seat.

  FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an appearance of a headlamp unit 1 (an example of a lamp) according to an embodiment of the present invention. The headlamp unit 1 is disposed in a lamp chamber defined by a lamp housing and a translucent cover (not shown), and is mounted on the front end portion of the vehicle. The headlamp unit 1 includes a light source 2, a heat sink 3, a reflector 4, a shade 5, a projection lens 6, and a lens holder 7.

  FIG. 2 is a view of the longitudinal section of the headlamp unit 1 along the optical axis A of the projection lens 6 as viewed from the left side, and the positional relationship between the light source 2, the heat sink 3, the reflector 4, the shade 5, and the projection lens 6. Is shown schematically. Other parts are not shown.

  The light source 2 is disposed on the heat sink 3. The light source 2 is, for example, a white light emitting diode (LED) that is a semiconductor light emitting element. The heat sink 3 is made of a material having high thermal conductivity and emits heat generated from the light source 2.

  The inner surface of the reflector 4 is a reflecting surface 4a. The reflector 4 is disposed so that the reflection surface 4 a faces the light source 2. The reflecting surface 4a is formed so as to constitute a part of a substantially elliptic spherical surface having the optical axis A as a central axis. The light source 2 is disposed at the first focal point of an ellipse that constitutes the longitudinal section of the reflecting surface 4a, and is configured such that the light emitted from the light source 2 converges on the second focal point F of the ellipse.

  The shade 5 has a rotating shaft 5a connected to an actuator (not shown). For example, when the actuator is operated based on a control signal from an integrated control unit mounted on the vehicle, the rotation shaft 5a rotates, and the shade 5 rotates about the rotation shaft 5a. The shade 5 can be rotated (displaced) between a first position indicated by a solid line and a second position indicated by a two-dot chain line.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the projection lens 6 includes a main lens 6a, a left sub lens 6b, and a right sub lens 6c. The left sub lens 6b is disposed on the left side of the main lens 6a and is formed integrally with the main lens 6a. The right sub lens 6c is disposed on the right side of the main lens 6a, and is molded integrally with the main lens 6a.

  The main lens 6 a is disposed so that the rear focal point thereof coincides with the second focal point F of the reflecting surface 4 a of the reflector 4. The left sub-lens 6b and the right sub-lens 6c are arranged so that the respective rear focal points coincide with the positions where the light sources 2 are arranged. The lens holder 7 supports the projection lens 6 so that the main lens 6a, the left sub lens 6b, and the right sub lens 6c satisfy the arrangement condition.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the light emitted from the light source 2 includes light rays L1, L2, L3, and L4. The reflector 4 reflects a part of the light emitted from the light source 2 (light rays L1, L2, L3; an example of a first portion of light). The light beam L4 is directed to the projection lens 6 without being reflected by the reflector 4.

  The main lens 6a irradiates light incident from behind and projects an image on the rear focal point as a reverse image in front of the vehicle. When the shade 5 is disposed at the first position indicated by the solid line in FIG. 2, the light rays L1 and L4 are blocked by the shade 5 and do not reach the main lens 6a. The light rays L2 and L3 pass above the upper end edge 5b of the shade 5 and reach the main lens 6a. An upper end edge 5b of the shade 5 extends in the left-right direction in the vicinity of the second focus F. By reversing and projecting the shape of the upper edge 5b by the main lens 6a, a low beam pattern LP shown in FIG. 3A is formed in front of the vehicle. The low beam pattern LP has a cut-off line CL corresponding to the shape of the upper end edge 5b, and the lower part is an illumination area. The low beam pattern LP is a light distribution pattern that illuminates the front of the vehicle at a relatively short distance.

  When the shade 5 is disposed at the second position indicated by a two-dot chain line in FIG. 2, the above-described light shielding state is canceled, and the light beam L1 and the light beam L4 reach the main lens 6a in addition to the light beam L2 and the light beam L3. Thereby, a high beam pattern HP is formed as shown in FIG. The high beam pattern HP is a light distribution pattern that illuminates a wide range in front of the vehicle to a relatively long distance.

  FIG. 4 is a view showing an appearance of the lens holder 7 that holds the projection lens 6 as viewed from the rear. The lens holder 7 includes a left mask portion 7b disposed behind the left sub lens 6b and a right mask portion 7c disposed behind the right sub lens 6c. An opening 7a is defined by the left mask portion 7b and the right mask portion 7c. Almost the entire back surface of the main lens 6a is exposed rearward through the opening 7a.

  The left mask portion 7b forms a left slit 7d. A part of the back surface of the left sub lens 6b is exposed rearward through the left slit 7d. The right mask portion 7c forms a right slit 7e. A part of the back surface of the right sub lens 6c is exposed rearward through the right slit 7e.

  FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing a positional relationship among the light source 2, the reflector 4, the shade 5, the main lens 6a, the left sub lens 6b, the right sub lens 6c, the left mask portion 7b, and the right mask portion 7c. . FIG. 5A shows a case where the shade 5 is arranged at the first position. FIG. 5B shows a case where the shade 5 is arranged at the second position.

  As shown to (a) of FIG. 5, the light radiate | emitted from the light source 2 contains the light rays L5, L6, L7, L8, L9, and L10. The light beam L5 and the light beam L6 (an example of the first portion of light) are reflected forward by the reflecting surface 4a of the reflector 4. The light beam L5 is blocked by the shade 5 and does not reach the projection lens 6. The light beam L6 passes above the shade 5 and reaches the main lens 6a. Therefore, the light beam L6 contributes to the formation of the low beam pattern LP shown in FIG. 3A together with the light beams L2 and L3 described above.

  Light rays L7, L8, L9, and L10 (an example of the second portion of light) are directed to the projection lens 6 without being reflected by the reflecting surface 4a of the reflector 4. The light beam L7 and the light beam L8 are blocked by the shade 5 and do not reach the projection lens 6. In other words, the shade 5 has a shape and an arrangement capable of blocking a part of the light emitted from the light source 2 that is not reflected by the reflecting surface 4 a of the reflector 4.

  When the light shielding by the shade 5 is released as shown in FIG. 5B, the light beam L5 reaches the main lens 6a in addition to the light beam L6. Therefore, the light beam L5 contributes to the formation of the high beam pattern HP shown in FIG.

  Further, the light beam L7 passes through the shade 5 and enters the left sub lens 6b through the left slit 7d formed by the left mask portion 7b. The light beam L8 passes through the shade 5 and enters the right sub lens 6c through the right slit 7e formed by the right mask portion 7c. The light beam L7 that has passed through the left sub lens 6b and the light beam L8 that has passed through the right sub lens 6c contribute to the formation of the high beam pattern HP together with the above-described light beams L1, L2, L3, L4, L5, and L6.

  Specifically, the light beam L7 and the light beam L8 are subjected to orientation control by the left sub lens 6b and the right sub lens 6c, respectively, and travel toward the central region CZ of the high beam pattern HP shown in FIG. A high beam pattern HP is formed by the light beams L1, L2, L3, L4, L5, and L6 that have passed through the main lens 6a, and the central region CZ is illuminated by the light beams L7 and L8 that have passed through the left sub lens 6b and the right sub lens 6c. Therefore, the illuminance of the central area CZ increases.

  In other words, the left slit 7d and the right slit 7e are ones of lights that are not reflected by the reflecting surface 4a of the reflector 4 among the lights emitted from the light source 2 when the shade 5 is disposed at the second position. It is set as the shape and arrangement | positioning which can let a part pass.

  The light rays L9 and L10 are continuously blocked by the left mask portion 7b and the right mask portion 7c, respectively, and do not pass through the left sub lens 6b and the right sub lens 6c.

  FIG. 6 is a longitudinal sectional view schematically showing the positional relationship among the light source 2, the heat sink 3, the reflector 4, the shade 5, the left sub-lens 6b, and the left mask portion 7b. Of the light emitted from the light source 2, light rays L7 and L9 that are not reflected by the reflector 4 are shown.

  When the shade 5 is disposed at the first position indicated by the solid line, the light beam L7 is blocked by the shade 5 and does not reach the left sub lens 6b. On the other hand, when the shade 5 is disposed at the second position indicated by the two-dot chain line, the light beam L7 enters the left sub lens 6b through the left slit 7d. The light beam L9 is blocked by the left mask portion 7b regardless of the position of the shade 5, and does not pass through the left sub lens 6b.

  As described above, in the headlamp unit 1 according to the present embodiment, the projection lens 6 is added to the main lens 6a (an example of the first region), the left sub lens 6b, and the right sub lens 6c (the second region). Example). The focal point of the reflector 4 coincides with the rear focal point of the main lens 6a. The reflector 4 reflects light rays L1, L2, L3, L5, and L6 (an example of a first portion of light) among the light rays L1 to L10 included in the light emitted from the light source 2. When the shade 5 is disposed at the first position, the light beams L1 and L5 are blocked (the first portion of the light is partially blocked), and the low beam pattern LP (the first pattern of the first pattern) is placed in front of the projection lens 6. An example) is formed.

  Among the light beams L1 to L10, the light beams L4, L7, L8, L9, and L10 (an example of the second portion of light) are not reflected by the reflector 4. The light rays L4, L7, and L8 are blocked by a part of the shade 5 (an example of a light blocking member) and are prevented from passing through the left sub lens 6b and the right sub lens 6c. Light rays L9 and L10 are blocked by the left mask portion 7b and the right mask portion 7c (an example of a light shielding member), which are part of the lens holder 7 (an example of a member that holds the projection lens), respectively, and the left sub lens 6b. Passing through the right sub-lens 6c is blocked.

  According to such a configuration, for example, light that is not subjected to orientation control by the reflector 4 is incident on the left sub-lens 6b and the right sub-lens 6c, which are portions unique to the deformed lens, so that glare can be caused to the vehicle ahead or a pedestrian. Can be prevented. The “part unique to the irregular lens” can be defined as a part that is not associated with the focal point of the reflector 4. In the present embodiment, the focal point of the main lens 6 a is associated with the focal point of the reflector 4. On the other hand, the left sub lens 6b and the right sub lens 6c are not associated with each other. Therefore, it can be said that the left sub lens 6b and the right sub lens 6c are portions unique to the deformed lens.

  The light shielding function is realized by a part of the shade 5 and a part of the lens holder 7. Since these are indispensable components in a lamp capable of switching the light distribution pattern, the cost of components can be suppressed.

  When the shade 5 is disposed at the second position, the light beams L1, L2, L3, L5, and L6 (an example of the first portion of light) pass through the main lens 6a (an example of the first region), and are projected lenses. 6, a high beam pattern HP (an example of a second pattern) different from the low beam pattern LP is formed. At this time, the light beams L4, L7, and L8 (an example of the second portion of light) pass through the left sub lens 6b and the right sub lens 6c (an example of the second region), and contribute to the formation of the high beam pattern HP.

  According to such a configuration, at least a part of the light that is not subjected to orientation control by the reflector 4 can be used to increase the illuminance of the high beam pattern HP. That is, it is possible to improve the utilization efficiency of light emitted from the light source and improve forward visibility.

  In the present embodiment, the left sub lens 6b and the right sub lens 6c have a focal point at a position where the light source 2 is disposed. According to such a configuration, it is possible to perform more accurate light beam control when light that is not subjected to orientation control by the reflector 4 contributes to the formation of the high beam pattern HP.

  The above embodiment is for facilitating understanding of the present invention, and does not limit the present invention. The present invention can be modified and improved without departing from the spirit of the present invention, and it is obvious that the present invention includes equivalents thereof.

  It is not always necessary to use a white light emitting diode as the light source 2. A semiconductor light emitting element such as a laser diode or an organic EL element may be used, or a bulb light source such as a halogen lamp or an HID (High Intensity Discharge) lamp may be used.

  In order to prevent light that has not been subjected to the light distribution control of the reflector 4 from passing through the left sub lens 6b and the right sub lens 6c, a part of the shade 5 and a part of the lens holder 7 (the left mask part 7b and It is not necessary to use both of the right mask part 7c). As long as a desired light shielding function can be realized, only one of them may be used to reduce the product cost.

  The rear focal point of the main lens 6 a does not necessarily need to coincide with the second focal point F of the reflector 4. The rear focal point can be arranged in the vicinity of the second focal point F. Here, “near” is an expression that allows deviation from the second focus F within a range that does not hinder the formation of the desired low beam pattern LP and high beam pattern HP.

  The rear focal points of the left sub lens 6b and the right sub lens 6c do not necessarily need to coincide with the position where the light source 2 is provided. Each rear focal point can be arranged near the position where the light source 2 is provided. Here, “near” is an expression that allows a deviation from the position where the light source 2 is provided in a range that does not hinder the contribution of the light not subjected to the orientation control of the reflector 4 to the formation of the high beam pattern HP. is there.

  A portion unique to the projection lens 6 as a deformed lens, that is, a portion through which light not subjected to light distribution control of the reflector 4 passes does not necessarily need to be formed as a lens. As long as the front of the vehicle can be illuminated without hindrance, the left sub lens 6b and the right sub lens 6c may be replaced with a transparent light-transmitting member.

  1: headlight unit, 2: light source, 4: reflector, 5: shade, 6: projection lens, 6a: main lens, 6b: left sub lens, 6c: right sub lens, 7: lens holder, 7b: right mask Part, 7c: left mask part, F: focus of reflector, HP: high beam pattern, LP: low beam pattern

Claims (5)

A lamp mounted on a vehicle,
A light source;
A reflector that reflects a first portion of light emitted from the light source;
A shade that is displaceable between a first position and a second position;
A projection lens having a first region and a second region;
The reflector has a focal point at or near the focal point of the first region;
When the shade is disposed at the first position, a first pattern is formed in front of the projection lens by partially blocking the first portion of the light;
When the shade is disposed at the second position, the first portion of the light passes through the first region, thereby forming a second pattern different from the first pattern in front of the projection lens;
The lamp further comprising a light shielding member that prevents the second portion of the light emitted from the light source from passing through the second region when the shade is disposed at the first position.   2. When the shade is disposed at the second position, the second portion of the light passes through the second region, thereby forming the second pattern together with the first portion of the light. The listed lamp.   The lamp according to claim 2, wherein the second region of the projection lens is a lens having a focal point at or near the light source.   The lamp according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the light shielding member is a part of the shade.   The lamp according to claim 1, wherein the light shielding member is a part of a member that holds the projection lens.