JP2018067523A - Optical unit - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an optical unit that has a simple structure and can irradiate a wide range.SOLUTION: An optical unit 40 comprises a first light source 42, a second light source 48, a rotating reflector 44 that rotates about a rotating axis while reflecting first light L1 emitted from the first light source 42, and a projection lens 46 that projects the first light L1 reflected by the rotating reflector, in a light irradiation direction of the optical unit. The second light source 48 is arranged so that emitted second light L2 enters the projection lens 46 without being reflected by the rotating reflector 44. The projection lens 46 projects the second light L2 in the light irradiation direction of the optical unit.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

  The present invention relates to an optical unit, and more particularly to an optical unit used for a vehicular lamp.

  In recent years, an apparatus has been devised that reflects light emitted from a light source to the front of a vehicle and scans a region in front of the vehicle with the reflected light to form a predetermined light distribution pattern. For example, a rotating reflector that rotates in one direction around the rotation axis while reflecting light emitted from the light source, and a plurality of light sources composed of light emitting elements, the rotating reflector receives light from the light source reflected while rotating. An optical unit is known in which a reflecting surface is provided so as to form a desired light distribution pattern, and the plurality of light sources are arranged so that each emitted light is reflected at different positions on the reflecting surface ( Patent Document 1).

JP2015-26628A

  However, when attempting to scan a wide range with the light reflected by the rotating reflector, the maximum luminous intensity is likely to be lowered and the imaging performance is liable to occur. Therefore, in the above-described optical unit, a diffusion LED unit for realizing diffused light for irradiating a wide range is provided separately from the light collecting LED unit for realizing strong light collection in the front in the traveling direction. Yes. The light emitted from the LED unit for condensing is reflected at the first position of the rotary reflector, then projected forward through the first projection lens, and the light emitted from the LED unit for diffusion is After being reflected at the second position of the rotary reflector, it passes through the second projection lens and is projected forward. Therefore, a plurality of projection lenses are necessary, and the entire unit tends to be large.

  The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and an object thereof is to provide a new optical unit that can irradiate a wide range with a simple configuration.

  In order to solve the above-described problems, an optical unit according to an aspect of the present invention has a first light source, a second light source, and the first light emitted from the first light source as a center while reflecting the first light. A rotating reflector that rotates, and a projection lens that projects the first light reflected by the rotating reflector in the light irradiation direction of the optical unit. The second light source is arranged so that the emitted second light is incident on the projection lens without being reflected by the rotary reflector, and the projection lens projects the second light in the light irradiation direction of the optical unit. .

  According to this aspect, since the second light emitted from the second light source is incident on the projection lens without being reflected by the rotary reflector, the optical characteristics can be selected without considering that the second light is reflected by the rotary reflector. Therefore, for example, a wider range can be irradiated by using a second light source having a wider viewing angle than the first light source.

  The second light source may be disposed between the substrate on which the first light source is mounted and the rotating reflector in a front view as viewed from the front of the vehicle. Thereby, the second light source can be arranged without increasing the width of the optical unit.

  The projection lens projects the first light incident after being reflected by the rotating reflector as a condensed light distribution pattern in the light irradiation direction of the optical unit, and the second light incident without being reflected by the rotating reflector is You may comprise so that it may project as a diffused light distribution pattern in the light irradiation direction of an optical unit. Thereby, it is possible to irradiate a wide range without significantly reducing the luminous intensity of the light distribution pattern.

  Another embodiment of the present invention is also an optical unit. The optical unit includes a first light source, a rotating reflector that rotates around the rotation axis while reflecting the first light emitted from the first light source, and the first light reflected by the rotating reflector. A projection lens for projecting in the light irradiation direction, a second light source disposed between the first light source and the projection lens, and a projection lens by changing the optical path of the second light emitted from the second light source And an optical member to be directed to. The second light source is arranged so that the emitted second light is incident on the projection lens without being reflected by the rotary reflector.

  According to this aspect, since the second light emitted from the second light source is incident on the projection lens without being reflected by the rotary reflector, the optical characteristics can be selected without considering that the second light is reflected by the rotary reflector. Therefore, for example, a wider range can be irradiated by using a second light source having a wider viewing angle than the first light source. In addition, by changing the optical path of the second light with the optical member and directing it toward the projection lens, it is possible to adjust the location where the second light source is disposed, and the degree of freedom of layout of the components constituting the optical unit is increased. .

  The projection lens projects the first light incident after being reflected by the rotating reflector as a condensed light distribution pattern in the light irradiation direction of the optical unit, and the second light incident without being reflected by the rotating reflector is You may comprise so that it may project as a diffused light distribution pattern in the light irradiation direction of an optical unit. Thereby, it is possible to irradiate a wide range without significantly reducing the luminous intensity of the light distribution pattern.

  The second light source may have a plurality of light emitting elements arranged in an array. Thereby, an irradiation range can be changed in steps.

  Yet another embodiment of the present invention is also an optical unit. The optical unit includes a first light source, a rotating reflector that rotates around the rotation axis while reflecting the first light emitted from the first light source, and the first light reflected by the rotating reflector. The projection lens that projects in the light irradiation direction, the second light source disposed between the first light source and the projection lens, and the second light emitted from the second light source are reflected and directed toward the projection lens. An optical member to be replaced. The second light source is arranged so that the emitted second light is incident on the projection lens without being reflected by the rotary reflector.

  According to this aspect, since the second light emitted from the second light source is incident on the projection lens without being reflected by the rotary reflector, the optical characteristics can be selected without considering that the second light is reflected by the rotary reflector. Therefore, for example, a wider range can be irradiated by using a second light source having a wider viewing angle than the first light source.

  Yet another embodiment of the present invention is also an optical unit. The optical unit includes a light source and a rotating reflector that rotates around a rotation axis while reflecting light emitted from the light source. The rotating reflector is provided with a reflecting surface so as to form a predetermined light distribution pattern by scanning the front with the light reflected while rotating, and the light source includes a first light intensity region including a maximum luminous intensity region. A first light emitting unit that emits first light that scans the region; and a second light emitting unit that emits second light that scans the second region adjacent to the first region. When the total length in the longitudinal direction of the first light emitting unit is L1, and the total length of the second light emitting units in the direction parallel to the longitudinal direction of the first light emitting unit is L2, L1> L2 is satisfied.

  According to this aspect, in addition to the first light emitting unit that scans the first region including the maximum luminous intensity region, the second light emitting unit that scans the second region adjacent to the first region has the maximum luminous intensity, A wider range of irradiation is possible.

  When the number of light emitting elements constituting the first light emitting unit is N1, and the number of light emitting elements constituting the second light emitting unit is N2, N1> N2 is satisfied. Thereby, in the 2nd light emission part which radiate | emits the 2nd light which scans the 2nd area | region which does not contain a maximum luminous intensity area | region, the number of light emitting elements can be restrained.

  The area of the second light emitting unit is smaller than the area of the first light emitting unit. Thereby, for example, the number of light emitting elements constituting the second light emitting unit can be suppressed as compared with the first light emitting unit.

  The second light emitting unit may have a plurality of light emitting regions that are provided so as to sandwich the non-light emitting region. Thereby, a wide range can be irradiated, without enlarging a 2nd light emission part.

  The plurality of light emitting regions may be provided adjacent to both ends in the longitudinal direction of the first light emitting unit. Thereby, the area | region of the same width as a 1st light emission part can be irradiated by a 2nd light emission part.

  According to the present invention, a new optical unit capable of irradiating a wide range can be realized with a simple configuration.

It is a horizontal sectional view of a vehicle headlamp. It is the top view which showed typically the structure of the optical unit which concerns on a reference example. It is a side view of the optical unit which concerns on a reference example. It is the schematic diagram which looked at the optical unit which concerns on 1st Embodiment from upper direction. It is the schematic diagram which looked at the optical unit shown in FIG. 4 from the side. It is the schematic diagram which looked at the optical unit shown in FIG. 4 from the front. FIG. 7A is an enlarged schematic view of the main part of the first light source according to the present embodiment, and FIG. 7B is an enlarged schematic view of the main part of the light emitting module according to the present embodiment. is there. It is the figure which showed typically the light distribution pattern formed with the vehicle headlamp provided with the optical unit which concerns on 1st Embodiment. It is the schematic diagram which looked at the optical unit which concerns on 2nd Embodiment from upper direction. It is the schematic diagram which looked at the optical unit shown in FIG. 9 from the side. It is the schematic diagram which looked at the optical unit shown in FIG. 9 from the front. It is the schematic diagram which looked at the optical unit which concerns on 3rd Embodiment from upper direction. It is the schematic diagram which looked at the optical unit shown in FIG. 12 from the side. It is the schematic diagram which looked at the optical unit shown in FIG. 12 from the front. It is a horizontal sectional view of the vehicle headlamp which concerns on 4th Embodiment. It is a front view of the vehicle headlamp which concerns on 4th Embodiment. It is a top view of the 1st light source which concerns on this Embodiment. It is the figure which showed typically the positional relationship of the several light emitting module mounted in the 1st light source. It is a figure which shows the pattern P which reflected the light source image with the stationary rotating reflector in the state which all the 1st light sources lighted, and was projected ahead. It is the figure which showed typically the light distribution pattern formed with the vehicle headlamp provided with the optical unit which concerns on 4th Embodiment. FIG. 21A to FIG. 21C are diagrams showing modifications of the high beam light distribution pattern by the first light source according to the present embodiment.

  Hereinafter, the present invention will be described based on 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. Further, 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.

  The optical unit of the present invention can be used for various vehicle lamps. First, an outline of a vehicle headlamp capable of mounting an optical unit according to each embodiment described later will be described.

[Vehicle headlamps]
FIG. 1 is a horizontal sectional view of a vehicle headlamp. FIG. 2 is a top view schematically showing the configuration of the optical unit according to the reference example. FIG. 3 is a side view of the optical unit according to the reference example.

  A vehicle headlamp 10 shown in FIG. 1 is a right-side headlamp mounted on the right side of the front end of an automobile, and has the same structure except that it is symmetrical to the headlamp mounted on the left side. Therefore, in the following, the right vehicle headlamp 10 will be described in detail, and the description of the left vehicle headlamp will be omitted.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the vehicle headlamp 10 includes a lamp body 12 having a recess opening forward. The lamp body 12 has a front opening covered with a transparent front cover 14 to form a lamp chamber 16. The lamp chamber 16 functions as a space in which the two lamp units 18 and 20 are accommodated in a state of being arranged side by side in the vehicle width direction.

  Among the lamp units, the lamp unit 20 disposed on the outer side, that is, the upper side shown in FIG. 1 in the right vehicle headlamp 10 is a lamp unit having a lens so as to emit a variable high beam. It is configured. On the other hand, among these lamp units, in the vehicle headlamp 10 on the right side, the lamp unit 18 disposed on the lower side shown in FIG. 1 is configured to emit a low beam.

  The low beam lamp unit 18 includes a reflector 22, a light source bulb (incandescent bulb) 24 supported by the reflector 22, and a shade (not shown). The reflector 22 is a known means (not shown) such as an aiming screw and a nut. Is supported so as to be tiltable with respect to the lamp body 12.

  The lamp unit 20 is an optical unit that includes a rotating reflector 26, an LED 28, and a convex lens 30 as a projection lens disposed in front of the rotating reflector 26. In addition, it is also possible to use a semiconductor light emitting element such as an EL element or an LD element as a light source instead of the LED 28. In particular, a light source that can be turned on and off accurately in a short time is preferable for the control for shielding a part of a light distribution pattern described later. The shape of the convex lens 30 may be appropriately selected according to the light distribution characteristics such as a required light distribution pattern and illuminance distribution, but an aspherical lens or a free-form surface lens is used.

  The rotary reflector 26 is rotated in one direction around the rotation axis R by a drive source such as a motor (not shown). The rotating reflector 26 includes a reflecting surface configured to reflect the light emitted from the LED 28 while rotating to form a desired light distribution pattern.

  In the rotating reflector 26, two blades 26a having the same shape and functioning as a reflecting surface are provided around a cylindrical rotating portion 26b. A rotation axis R of the rotary reflector 26 is inclined with respect to the optical axis Ax, and is provided in a plane including the optical axis Ax and the LED 28. In other words, the rotation axis R is provided substantially parallel to the scanning plane of the light (irradiation beam) of the LED 28 that scans in the left-right direction by rotation. Thereby, thickness reduction of an optical unit is achieved. Here, the scanning plane can be regarded as, for example, a fan-shaped plane formed by continuously connecting the light traces of the LEDs 28 as scanning light. Further, in the lamp unit 20 according to the present embodiment, the LED 28 provided is relatively small, and the position where the LED 28 is disposed is also between the rotating reflector 26 and the convex lens 30 and deviated from the optical axis Ax. . Therefore, as compared with the case where the light source, the reflector, and the lens are arranged in a line on the optical axis as in a conventional projector-type lamp unit, the depth direction of the vehicle headlamp 10 (vehicle longitudinal direction) Can be shortened.

  Further, the shape of the blade 26 a of the rotary reflector 26 is configured such that the secondary light source of the LED 28 by reflection is formed near the focal point of the convex lens 30. The blade 26a has a shape twisted so that the angle formed by the optical axis Ax and the reflecting surface changes as it goes in the circumferential direction about the rotation axis R. Thereby, as shown in FIG. 3, scanning using the light of the LED 28 becomes possible.

(First embodiment)
In the scanning optical system using the rotating reflector 26, when the diffusion (scanning) range is widened, there is a possibility that the maximum luminous intensity is lowered, the imaging property is deteriorated, or the like. Therefore, a practical scanning range is about ± 10 ° with respect to the optical axis (center axis). Since the lamp unit 20 described above forms a high beam light distribution pattern with one light source, there is a limit in expanding the scanning range. Therefore, in the optical units according to the following embodiments, a plurality of light sources are provided in order to broaden the irradiation of the high beam light distribution pattern.

  FIG. 4 is a schematic view of the optical unit 40 according to the first embodiment viewed from above. FIG. 5 is a schematic view of the optical unit 40 shown in FIG. 4 as viewed from the side. FIG. 6 is a schematic view of the optical unit 40 shown in FIG. 4 as viewed from the front.

  The optical unit 40 according to the present embodiment includes a first light source 42, a rotating reflector 44 that rotates around the rotation axis R while reflecting the first light L1 emitted from the first light source 42, and a rotating reflector. Projection lens 46 that projects the first light L1 reflected by 44 in the light irradiation direction (right direction in FIG. 4) of the optical unit, and a second light source 42 disposed between the first light source 42 and the projection lens 46. A light source 48, an inner lens 50 as an optical member that changes the optical path of the second light L 2 emitted from the second light source 48 and directs it toward the projection lens 46, and the first light source 42 and the second light source 48. A heat sink 52 mounted thereon.

  In the first light source 42, a plurality of light emitting modules are arranged in an array. Specifically, eight light emitting modules 54 are arranged in three stages, four light emitting modules 54 in the upper stage, two light emitting modules 54 in the middle stage, and two light emitting modules 54 in the lower stage. Yes. The two middle light emitting modules 54 are arranged adjacent to the lower side of the light emitting modules 54 at both ends of the four upper light emitting modules 54, and the two lower light emitting modules 54 include the two middle light emitting modules 54. The light emitting module 54 is disposed adjacent to and below the light emitting module 54.

  FIG. 7A is an enlarged schematic view of the main part of the first light source according to the present embodiment, and FIG. 7B is an enlarged schematic view of the main part of the light emitting module according to the present embodiment. is there.

  As shown in FIG. 7A, on the light emitting surface 54a side of each light emitting module 54, a small reflector 56 in which openings 56a corresponding to the respective light emitting surfaces 54a are formed in a lattice shape is disposed. Thereby, the light emitted from the light emitting module 54 reaches the reflecting surface of the rotating reflector 44 without being diverged much.

  7B, the light emitting module 54 includes a rectangular LED 57 mounted on the circuit board 55, a light wavelength conversion member 58 mounted on the light emitting surface of the LED 57, the LED 57, and the light wavelength. And a frame body 59 provided so as to surround the outer periphery of the conversion member 58. The LED 57 is, for example, a semiconductor light emitting element that emits blue light. The light wavelength conversion member 58 is obtained by dispersing, for example, YAG ceramics or YAG powder that emits yellow light in a resin. The frame body 59 is a white resin in which white powder is dispersed, and reflects light emitted from the side surfaces of the LED 57 and the light wavelength conversion member 58.

  In the second light source 48, two light emitting modules 53 are arranged in an array in the horizontal direction, and each light emitting module 53 is configured to be able to be turned on and off individually. The specific configuration of the light emitting module 53 is the same as that of the light emitting module 54.

  The second light source 48 according to the present embodiment is arranged such that the second light L2 is incident on the projection lens 46 without being reflected by the rotating reflector 44. Thereby, the optical characteristics can be selected without considering that the second light L2 emitted from the second light source 48 is reflected by the rotating reflector 44. Therefore, for example, by using the second light source 48 having a wider viewing angle than the first light source 42, a wider range can be irradiated. Here, the viewing angle is an index represented by an emission angle of light having both ends at positions where the emission intensity becomes half of the peak value.

  In addition, by changing the optical path of the second light L2 by the inner lens 50 and directing the second light L2 toward the rotating reflector 44, the location where the second light source 48 is disposed can be adjusted. For example, in the optical unit 40 according to the present embodiment, if the inner lens 50 is not provided, the position of the second light source 48 that is appropriate for the projection lens 46 is behind the heat sink 52, making layout difficult. However, by disposing a member that changes the optical path of light, such as the inner lens 50, between the second light source 48 and the projection lens 46, the second light L2 emitted from the second light source 48 is as if it is a heat sink. Since it can be considered that the projection lens 46 has been reached from behind 52, the degree of freedom in the layout of the components constituting the optical unit 40 including the second light source 48 is increased.

  FIG. 8 is a diagram schematically illustrating a light distribution pattern formed by the vehicle headlamp including the optical unit according to the first embodiment. The high beam light distribution pattern PH shown in FIG. 8 is a combination of the light collection light distribution pattern PH1 and the diffused light distribution pattern PH2. The condensed light distribution pattern PH1 is reflected as a light source image X of the first light source 42 after being reflected by the rotary reflector 44 and then incident on the projection lens 46, and is scanned in the horizontal direction. It is formed. On the other hand, the diffused light distribution pattern PH2 is formed by projecting the second light L2 incident on the projection lens 46 without being reflected by the rotating reflector 44 in the light irradiation direction of the optical unit 40. The diffused light distribution pattern PH2 irradiates a region on the right side of the right end portion of the light collection light distribution pattern PH1. Thereby, it is possible to irradiate a wider range with a simple configuration without significantly reducing the maximum luminous intensity of the high beam light distribution pattern PH.

  The second light source 48 has a plurality of light emitting modules 53 arranged in an array, and is configured so that each light emitting module 53 can be dimmed individually. Thereby, an irradiation range can be expanded in steps.

(Second Embodiment)
FIG. 9 is a schematic view of the optical unit 60 according to the second embodiment viewed from above. FIG. 10 is a schematic view of the optical unit 60 shown in FIG. 9 viewed from the side. FIG. 11 is a schematic view of the optical unit 60 shown in FIG. 9 as viewed from the front. In addition, about the structure similar to the optical unit which concerns on 1st Embodiment, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected and description is abbreviate | omitted suitably.

  The optical unit 60 according to the second embodiment includes a first light source 42, a second light source 48, and the first light L1 emitted from the first light source 42 while reflecting the first light L1 around the rotation axis R. A rotating heat reflector 44 that mounts a rotating reflector 44 that rotates, a projection lens 46 that projects the first light L 1 reflected by the rotating reflector 44 in the light irradiation direction of the optical unit 60, and a first light source 42 and a second light source 48. 62. The second light source 48 is arranged so that the emitted second light L2 is directly incident on the projection lens 46 without being reflected by the rotary reflector 44, and the projection lens 46 transmits the second light L2 to the optical unit. It projects in 60 light irradiation directions.

  Thereby, the optical characteristics can be selected without considering that the second light L2 emitted from the second light source 48 is reflected by the rotating reflector 44. Therefore, by using the second light source 48 having a wider viewing angle than the first light source 42, a wider range can be irradiated with a simple configuration.

  The second light source 48 is disposed between the circuit board 55 on which the first light source 42 is mounted and the rotating reflector 44 in a front view as viewed from the front of the vehicle shown in FIG. Thereby, the second light source 48 can be arranged without increasing the width of the optical unit 60. Further, the optical unit 60 according to the present embodiment can form the high beam light distribution pattern PH shown in FIG. 8, similarly to the optical unit 40 according to the first embodiment.

(Third embodiment)
FIG. 12 is a schematic view of the optical unit 80 according to the third embodiment viewed from above. FIG. 13 is a schematic view of the optical unit 80 shown in FIG. 12 as viewed from the side. FIG. 14 is a schematic view of the optical unit 80 shown in FIG. 12 as viewed from the front. In addition, about the structure similar to the optical unit which concerns on 1st Embodiment and 2nd Embodiment, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected and description is abbreviate | omitted suitably.

  The optical unit 80 according to the third embodiment includes a first light source 42, a rotating reflector 44 that rotates around the rotation axis while reflecting the first light L1 emitted from the first light source 42, and a rotation A projection lens 46 for projecting the first light L1 reflected by the reflector 44 in the light irradiation direction of the optical unit 80; a second light source 48 disposed between the first light source 42 and the projection lens 46; A fixed reflector 66 as an optical member that reflects the second light L <b> 2 emitted from the second light source 48 and directs it toward the projection lens 46. The second light source 48 is arranged so that the emitted second light L <b> 2 is incident on the projection lens 46 without being reflected by the rotary reflector 44.

  Thereby, the optical characteristics can be selected without considering that the second light L2 emitted from the second light source 48 is reflected by the rotating reflector 44. Therefore, by using the second light source 48 having a wider viewing angle than the first light source 42, a wider range can be irradiated with a simple configuration.

(Fourth embodiment)
FIG. 15 is a horizontal sectional view of the vehicle headlamp according to the fourth embodiment. FIG. 16 is a front view of a vehicle headlamp according to a fourth embodiment. In FIG. 16, some parts are omitted.

  A vehicle headlamp 100 according to a fourth embodiment is a left headlamp mounted on the left side of the front end of an automobile, and has the same structure except that it is symmetrical to the headlamp mounted on the right side. It is. Therefore, in the following, the left vehicle headlamp 100 will be described in detail, and the description of the right vehicle headlamp will be omitted. Also, the description of the same configuration as that of the optical unit according to the first to third embodiments is omitted as appropriate.

  As shown in FIG. 15, the vehicle headlamp 100 includes a lamp body 112 having a recess that opens forward. The lamp body 112 has a front opening covered with a transparent front cover 114 to form a lamp chamber 116. The lamp chamber 116 functions as a space in which one optical unit 118 is accommodated. The optical unit 118 is a lamp unit configured to irradiate both a variable high beam and a low beam. The variable high beam means a beam that is controlled so as to change the shape of the light distribution pattern for the high beam. For example, a non-irradiation region (light-shielding portion) can be generated in a part of the light distribution pattern.

  The optical unit 118 according to the present embodiment includes a first light source 142 and a primary optical system that changes the optical path of the first light L1 emitted from the first light source 142 and directs it toward the blade 126a of the rotating reflector 126. A condensing lens 143 (optical member), a rotating reflector 126 that rotates around the rotation axis R while reflecting the first light L1, and the first light L1 reflected by the rotating reflector 126 as an optical unit Is emitted from a convex lens 130 as a projection lens that projects in the light irradiation direction (left direction in FIG. 15), a second light source 148 disposed between the first light source 142 and the convex lens 130, and the second light source 148. The diffusing lens 150 as a primary optical system (optical member) that changes the optical path of the second light L2 to be directed toward the convex lens 130, the first light source 142, and the second light source 1 Comprising 8 and the heat sink 152 mounted with the.

  The rotating reflector 126 has the same configuration as the rotating reflector 26 and the rotating reflector 44 described above, and a blade 126a as a reflecting surface is formed so as to form a predetermined light distribution pattern by scanning the front with the light reflected while rotating. Is provided. For each light source, a semiconductor light emitting element such as an LED, an EL element, or an LD element is used. The shape of the convex lens 130 may be appropriately selected according to the light distribution characteristics such as a required light distribution pattern and illuminance distribution, but an aspherical lens or a free-form surface lens can also be used.

  For example, the convex lens 130 according to the present embodiment can form the cutout portion 130a in which a part of the outer periphery is cut out in the vertical direction by devising the arrangement of the light sources and the rotating reflector 126. ing. Therefore, the size of the optical unit 118 in the vehicle width direction can be suppressed. Further, the presence of the notch portion 130a makes it difficult for the blade 126a of the rotating reflector 126 to interfere with the convex lens 130, and the convex lens 130 and the rotating reflector 126 can be brought closer to each other. Further, when the vehicle headlamp 100 is viewed from the front, a non-circular (straight line) portion is formed on the outer periphery of the convex lens 130, so that the outer shape of the curved line and the straight line is viewed from the front of the vehicle. A vehicle headlamp with a novel design having a lens can be realized.

  FIG. 17 is a top view of the first light source 142 according to the present embodiment. FIG. 18 is a diagram schematically illustrating the positional relationship between a plurality of light emitting modules mounted on the first light source 142.

  In the first light source 142 according to this embodiment, a plurality of light emitting modules 154 are arranged in an array. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 17, nine light emitting modules 154 (154a to 154i) are arranged in three stages on a circuit board 144, and five light emitting modules 154c to 154g are arranged in the upper stage. Two light emitting modules 154b and 154h are arranged in the lower stage, and two light emitting modules 154a and 154i are arranged in the lower stage. The two light emitting modules 154b and 154h in the middle stage are arranged adjacent to and below the light emitting modules 154c and 154g at both ends of the five light emitting modules 154c to 154h in the upper stage, and the two light emitting modules 154a in the lower stage. , 154i are arranged adjacent to the lower part of the two light emitting modules 154b, 154h in the middle stage. Each of the light emitting modules 154a to 154i is configured to be able to be turned on and off individually. The specific configuration of the light emitting module 154 is the same as that of the light emitting module 54 described above.

  As illustrated in FIGS. 15 and 16, a condensing lens 143 including a plurality of inner lenses corresponding to each light emitting surface is disposed on the light emitting surface side of each light emitting module 154 included in the first light source 142. . Thereby, the light emitted from the light emitting module 54 reaches the reflecting surface of the rotating reflector 126 without being diverged so much.

  In the second light source 148, two light emitting modules 153 are arranged in an array in the horizontal direction, and each light emitting module 153 is configured to be able to be turned on and off individually. The specific configuration of the light emitting module 153 is the same as that of the light emitting module 54.

  The second light source 148 according to the present embodiment is arranged such that the second light L2 is incident on the convex lens 130 without being reflected by the rotating reflector 126. As a result, the optical characteristics of the second light L2 emitted from the second light source 148 can be selected without considering that it is reflected by the rotating reflector 126. Therefore, for example, since the light emitted from the second light source 148 is diffused by the diffusion lens 150 and then incident on the convex lens 130, a wider range can be irradiated. Can be used as a light source.

  FIG. 19 is a diagram showing a pattern P projected from the light source image reflected by the stationary rotating reflector 126 with the first light source 142 fully turned on. FIG. 20 is a diagram schematically illustrating a light distribution pattern formed by the vehicle headlamp 100 including the optical unit according to the fourth embodiment.

  The light distribution pattern shown in FIG. 20 is a combination of the high beam light distribution pattern PH and the low beam light distribution pattern PL. The high beam light distribution pattern PH is a pattern generated as a result of scanning the pattern P shown in FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 19, a concave pattern P is formed by the light source images 155a to 155i corresponding to the light emitting surfaces of the light emitting modules 154a to 154i. In addition, scanning patterns Pa to Pi are formed by scanning each of the light source images 155a to 155i, and a high beam light distribution pattern PH is formed by superimposing the scanning patterns Pa to Pi. The interval between the light emitting module 154a and the light emitting module 154i is set so that at least a part of the scanning pattern Pa and the scanning pattern Pi overlap. Similarly, the interval between the light emitting module 154b and the light emitting module 154h is defined so that at least a part of the scanning pattern Pb and the scanning pattern Ph overlap each other.

  Further, the light emitted from the light emitting module 153 of the second light source 148 and diffused by the diffusion lens 150 passes through the convex lens 130, thereby forming a low beam distribution pattern PL below the HH line and V−. Irradiate the area on the right side of the V-line. It goes without saying that the entire region below the HH line is irradiated by the pair of left and right vehicle headlamps 100. As described above, the optical unit 118 according to the present embodiment can project the light emitted from the first light source 142 and the second light source 148 forward using the common convex lens 130, and thus has a simple configuration and a wide range. Can be irradiated.

  The first light source 142 according to the present embodiment includes light emitting modules 154c to 154g as first light emitting units that emit light for scanning the first region R1 including the maximum luminous intensity region Rmax in the high beam light distribution pattern PH. The light emitting modules 154b and 154h as the second light emitting units that emit light that scans the second region R2 adjacent to the first region R1, and the light that scans the third region R3 adjacent to the second region R2 are emitted. And light emitting modules 154a and 154i as third light emitting units. The maximum luminous intensity region Rmax of the high beam light distribution pattern PH according to the present embodiment is a region near the point where the HH line and the VV line intersect.

  In addition, as shown in FIG. 18, the first light source 142 according to the present embodiment has a total length in the longitudinal direction of the entire light emitting modules 154c to 154g as L1 and parallel to the longitudinal direction of the entire light emitting modules 154c to 154g. When the sum of the lengths of the light emitting modules 154b and 154h in any direction is L2 (L2 ′ + L2 ″), L1> L2 is satisfied.

  Accordingly, the optical unit 118 includes the light emitting modules 154b and 154h that scan the second region R2 adjacent to the first region R1 in addition to the light emitting modules 154c to 154g that scan the first region R1 including the maximum luminous intensity region. Therefore, a wider range of irradiation is possible while satisfying the maximum luminous intensity.

  Further, in the first light source 142 according to the present embodiment, the number of light emitting modules 154 that scan the first region R1 including the maximum luminous intensity region is N1 (N1 = 5), and the light emitting modules 154 that scan the second region R2. If N2 is N2 (N2 = 2), N1> N2 is satisfied. Thereby, the number of the light emitting modules 154 which emit the light which scans 2nd area | region R2 which does not contain the maximum luminous intensity area | region Rmax can be suppressed.

  Moreover, as shown in FIG.17 and FIG.18, the area of a 2nd light emission part (light emission module 154b, 154h) is smaller than the area of a 1st light emission part (light emission module 154c-154g). Thereby, for example, the number of light emitting modules 154 constituting the second light emitting unit can be suppressed as compared with the first light emitting unit.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 18, the light emitting modules 154b and 154h are a plurality of light emitting regions provided so as to sandwich the non-light emitting region R4. As a result, as shown in FIG. 20, the wide second region R2 similar to the first region R1 can be irradiated with only the two scanning patterns Pb and Ph without increasing the light emitting modules 154b and 154h.

  The light emitting modules 154b and 154h are provided adjacent to the respective light emitting modules 154c and 154g at both ends in the longitudinal direction of the light emitting modules 154c to 154g. Thereby, the area | region of the width | variety same as the area | region which the light emitting modules 154c-154g irradiate can be irradiated by luminescent modules 154b and 154h.

  FIG. 21A to FIG. 21C are diagrams showing modifications of the high beam light distribution pattern by the first light source 142 according to the present embodiment.

  A high beam light distribution pattern PH1 'shown in FIG. 21A is a pattern in which a part of the third region R3 is a light shielding region (non-irradiation region). For this purpose, the light emitting modules 154a and 154i may be turned off at a predetermined timing.

  A high beam light distribution pattern PH2 'shown in FIG. 21B is a pattern in which a part of the first region R1 and the second region R2 is a light shielding region (non-irradiation region). For that purpose, the light emitting modules 154b to 154h may be turned off at a predetermined timing.

  A high beam light distribution pattern PH3 'shown in FIG. 21C is a pattern in which a part of the first region R1 is a light shielding region (non-irradiation region). For this purpose, the light emitting modules 154c to 154g may be turned off at a predetermined timing.

  As described above, the optical unit 118 according to the present embodiment includes a plurality of light emitting modules arranged so that the light source images are aligned in the scanning direction (horizontal direction) in order to increase the maximum luminous intensity at the center of the first region R1. In order to extend the irradiation range in a direction that is arranged along one direction and intersects the scanning direction, light emitting modules are also arranged in a second direction that intersects the first direction.

  As described above, the present invention has been described with reference to the above-described embodiments. However, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and the configurations of the embodiments are appropriately combined or replaced. Those are also included in the present invention. Further, it is possible to appropriately change the combination and processing order in each embodiment based on the knowledge of those skilled in the art and to add various modifications such as various design changes to each embodiment. Embodiments to which is added can also be included in the scope of the present invention.

  L1 first light, L2 second light, 10 vehicle headlamp, 20 lamp unit, 26 rotating reflector, 40 optical unit, 42 first light source, 44 rotating reflector, 46 projection lens, 48 second light source , 50 inner lens, 52 heat sink, 53, 54 light emitting module, 55 circuit board, 57 LED, 60 optical unit, 62 heat sink, 66 fixed reflector, 80 optical unit.

Claims (12)

A first light source;
A second light source;
A rotating reflector that rotates about a rotation axis while reflecting the first light emitted from the first light source;
A projection lens that projects the first light reflected by the rotating reflector in the light irradiation direction of the optical unit;
The second light source is arranged so that the emitted second light is incident on the projection lens without being reflected by the rotating reflector,
The optical unit, wherein the projection lens projects the second light in a light irradiation direction of the optical unit.   The said 2nd light source is arrange | positioned between the board | substrate with which the said 1st light source is mounted, and the said rotation reflector in the front view seen from the vehicle front, The said reflector is characterized by the above-mentioned. Optical unit. The projection lens is
The first light incident after being reflected by the rotating reflector is projected as a condensed light distribution pattern in the light irradiation direction of the optical unit,
The second light incident without being reflected by the rotary reflector is projected as a diffused light distribution pattern in the light irradiation direction of the optical unit.
The optical unit according to claim 1, wherein the optical unit is configured as described above. A first light source;
A rotating reflector that rotates about a rotation axis while reflecting the first light emitted from the first light source;
A projection lens that projects the first light reflected by the rotating reflector in the light irradiation direction of the optical unit;
A second light source disposed between the first light source and the projection lens;
An optical member that changes the optical path of the second light emitted from the second light source and directs it toward the projection lens,
The optical unit, wherein the second light source is arranged so that the emitted second light is incident on the projection lens without being reflected by the rotating reflector. The projection lens is
The first light incident after being reflected by the rotating reflector is projected as a condensed light distribution pattern in the light irradiation direction of the optical unit,
The second light incident without being reflected by the rotary reflector is projected as a diffused light distribution pattern in the light irradiation direction of the optical unit.
The optical unit according to claim 4, wherein the optical unit is configured as described above.   The optical unit according to claim 1, wherein the second light source includes a plurality of light emitting elements arranged in an array. A first light source;
A rotating reflector that rotates about a rotation axis while reflecting the first light emitted from the first light source;
A projection lens that projects the first light reflected by the rotating reflector in the light irradiation direction of the optical unit;
A second light source disposed between the first light source and the projection lens;
An optical member that reflects the second light emitted from the second light source and directs it to the projection lens,
The optical unit, wherein the second light source is arranged so that the emitted second light is incident on the projection lens without being reflected by the rotating reflector. A light source;
A rotating reflector that rotates around a rotation axis while reflecting light emitted from the light source, and
The rotating reflector is provided with a reflecting surface so as to form a predetermined light distribution pattern by scanning the front with light reflected while rotating,
The light source includes: a first light emitting unit that emits a first light that scans a first region that includes a maximum luminous intensity region in the light distribution pattern; and a second that scans a second region adjacent to the first region. A second light emitting unit that emits light,
L1> L2 is satisfied, where L1 is the total length in the longitudinal direction of the first light emitting section, and L2 is the total length of the second light emitting sections in the direction parallel to the longitudinal direction of the first light emitting section. An optical unit characterized by.   9. The optical unit according to claim 8, wherein N1> N2 is satisfied, where N1 is a number of light emitting elements constituting the first light emitting unit, and N2 is a number of light emitting elements constituting the second light emitting unit. .   The optical unit according to claim 8 or 9, wherein an area of the second light emitting unit is smaller than an area of the first light emitting unit.   11. The optical unit according to claim 8, wherein the second light emitting unit has a plurality of light emitting regions provided so as to sandwich a non-light emitting region.   The optical unit according to claim 11, wherein the plurality of light emitting regions are provided adjacent to both ends in the longitudinal direction of the first light emitting unit.

Images