JP2020194722A - Vehicle lamp - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a vehicle lamp with each irradiation range made spread in the realization of both variable light distribution patterns and road surface drawing.SOLUTION: A vehicle lamp 1 with a lamp unit 4 comprises a light source 13, projection lenses 16a to 16c, and a spatial light modulator 17 that is equipped with a plurality of reflection elements each having a tiltable reflection surface 17a and that reflects the light of the light source to the projection lenses. At least one of the spatial light modulator 17 and the projection lenses 16a to 16c is formed in a displaceable manner so that a center 17b of the spatial light modulator 17 is located either above or below a rear focal point P1 of the projection lenses 16a to 16c.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

Related to variable light distribution type headlights or vehicle lighting fixtures for road surface drawing.

In Patent Document 1, a lamp unit that reflects light from a light source by a spatial light modulator and reflects it on a projection lens to display a light distribution pattern of a predetermined shape in front of a vehicle as shown in paragraph number [0017] and FIG. Is disclosed.

Spatial light modulators such as the DMD (Digital Micromirror Device) included in the lamp unit independently modulate the light from the light source for each of a large number of reflecting elements, reflect it, and transmit it through the projection lens. A front display having a predetermined shape and shade in front, that is, a headlight display or a road surface display can be performed.

In the front display by the lamp unit of Patent Document 1, it is assumed that the front display is irradiated to the front of the vehicle because the spatial light modulator is arranged so that the center of the spatial light modulator is located on the optical axis of the projection lens. The light is irradiated evenly in the vertical and horizontal directions around the HV point (the intersection where the optical axis of the projection lens is orthogonal to the virtual screen) of the test screen (virtual vertical surface orthogonal to the optical axis of the light source of the lamp unit).

With such a forward display, the lamp unit of Patent Document 1 has a variable arrangement having a predetermined shape by displaying above the HH line (horizontal line passing through the HV point along the surface of the test screen) on the test screen. While the light pattern is displayed in front of the vehicle, the road surface display having a predetermined shape is drawn on the road surface in front of the vehicle and diagonally downward by displaying the light pattern below the HH line.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2016-219279

The lamp unit shown in Patent Document 1 can realize the functions of both a variable light distribution type headlight and a road surface drawing unit by displaying the front from either the HH line upward or downward. However, since the lamp unit of Patent Document 1 can use only half of the entire irradiation area of the front display when realizing the function of the variable light distribution type headlight or the road surface drawing unit, the variable light distribution pattern and There is a problem in that the irradiation area is narrow in both the road surface drawing display.

In view of the above problems, the present application provides a vehicle lamp having a wide irradiation range in realizing both a variable light distribution pattern and road surface drawing.

In a vehicle lamp having a lamp unit including a light source, a projection lens, and a spatial light modulator including a plurality of reflecting elements each having a tiltable reflecting surface and reflecting the light of the light source to the projection lens. At least one of the spatial light modulator or the projection lens was made displaceable so that the center of the spatial light modulator was located either above or below the rear focus of the projection lens.

(Action) By relatively displaced the spatial light modulator and the projection lens and arranging the center of the spatial light modulator above the rear focal point of the projection lens, the lighting unit covers more than half of the irradiation area of the front display. By using the road surface drawing to be displayed on the road surface in front of the vehicle and arranging the center of the spatial light modulator displaced below the rear focus of the projection lens, the lighting unit can cover more than half of the irradiation area of the front display. It is used to irradiate the front space of the vehicle with a variable light distribution pattern.

Further, at least one of the spatial light modulator or the projection lens is formed so as to be displaceable so that the center of the spatial light modulator is located either to the left or to the right from the vertical direction of the rear focus of the projection lens. It is desirable to be done.

(Action) By relatively displaced the spatial light modulator and the projection lens and arranging the center of the spatial optical modulator to the left of the rear focal point of the projection lens, the lighting unit can be more than half of the irradiation area of the front display. By displaying a variable light distribution pattern or road surface drawing using the above diagonally to the right of the vehicle and arranging the center of the spatial light modulator to the right of the rear focus of the projection lens, the lighting unit can illuminate the front display. A variable light distribution pattern or road surface drawing that uses more than half of the area is displayed diagonally forward to the left of the vehicle.

Further, it is desirable that the vehicle lamp has a plurality of the lamp units, and at least one of the spatial light modulator or the projection lens of each lamp unit is independently displaceable for each lamp unit.

(Action) Each lamp unit performs independent forward irradiation.

Further, it is desirable that at least one of the spatial light modulator or the projection lens is automatically movable according to the driving situation of the vehicle.

(Action) The lamp unit automatically displays at least one of a shape, a variable light distribution pattern for an area, or a road surface drawing according to the driving situation of the vehicle in front of the vehicle.

It is also desirable that at least one of the spatial light modulators or projection lenses be manually movably formed.

(Action) The lamp unit displays at least one of a shape based on manual operation, a variable light distribution pattern on an area, or a road surface drawing in front of the vehicle.

According to the vehicle lighting equipment, it is possible to widen each irradiation range while realizing both the variable light distribution pattern and the road surface drawing.

Further, according to the vehicle lighting equipment, both a variable light distribution pattern having a wide irradiation range in either the diagonal left direction or the right direction of the vehicle or road surface drawing can be realized.

In addition, according to vehicle lamps, it is possible to display a composite variable light distribution pattern by front display by each lamp unit, a composite road surface drawing display, or a variable light distribution pattern and a road surface drawing at the same time. ..

Further, according to the lamp unit, at least one of the optimum variable light distribution pattern or the road surface drawing display according to the environment of the moving vehicle is automatically displayed in front of the vehicle.

Further, according to the lamp unit, at least one of the optimum variable light distribution pattern or the road surface drawing display according to the operation based on the judgment of the driver or the like is automatically displayed in front of the vehicle.

The front view regarding the embodiment of the vehicle lamp. (A) FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line II in FIG. 1 in which the DMD lamp unit is vertically cut. (B) FIG. A seen from the front of the DMD module. (A) Vertical cross-sectional view of a modified example of the DMD lamp unit cut vertically. (B) FIG. B seen from the front of the projection lens module. The block diagram which shows the control device of the DMD lamp unit of 1st Embodiment. (A) Explanatory drawing regarding the conventional irradiation range by a DMD lamp unit. (B) Explanatory drawing which shows the irradiation range of the variable type light distribution pattern by the DMD lamp unit of this embodiment. (C) Explanatory drawing which shows the irradiation range of the road surface drawing display by the DMD lamp unit of this embodiment. (A) Explanatory drawing which shows the irradiation range when the variable light distribution pattern display by the DMD lamp unit of this embodiment is swiveled to the left. (A) Explanatory drawing which shows the irradiation range when the road surface drawing display in the DMD lamp unit of this embodiment is swiveled to the right. (A) A front view of a pair of left and right vehicle lamps according to the present embodiment. (B) Explanatory drawing which shows the combined irradiation range by a pair of left and right DMD lamp units.

Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 7. In each figure, the direction of the road as seen from the driver of the vehicle (not shown) equipped with the vehicle lighting equipment (upper: lower: left: right: front: rear = Up: Lo: Le: Ri: Fri: Fri: It will be described as Re).

The vehicle lighting tool 1 shows an example of a left-side headlight, and includes a lamp body 2 having an opening on the front side of the vehicle and a transparent or translucent front cover 3 that closes the opening. Inside the lamp chamber S formed inside the lamp body 2 and the front cover 3, there are a DMD (Digital Micromirror Device) lamp unit 4, a low beam lamp unit 5, an aiming bracket 6, a swivel unit 7, and a plurality of aiming screws. 8. The extension reflector 9 and the control device 10 are housed.

The DMD lamp unit 4 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2A is a reflector having a control device 10, a swivel bracket 12, a light source 13 including a light emitting element such as an LED or a laser diode, and a projectile-shaped reflecting surface 14a. It is composed of 14, a DMD module 15, and a projection lens module 16.

The control device 10 shown in FIG. 2A performs on / off control of the light source 13 and operation control of the swivel unit 7 and the DMD module 15. A light source 13, a reflector 14, a DMD module 15, and a projection lens module 16 are mounted on the swivel bracket 12. The light source 13 and the reflector 14 are attached to the inner wall of the mounting hole 12a of the swivel bracket 12, the DMD module 15 is attached to the rear end of the swivel bracket 12, and the projection lens module 16 is near the front end of the swivel bracket 12. Attached to.

As shown in FIG. 2B, the DMD module 15 is composed of a spatial light modulator 17, a substrate 18, a substrate holder 19, a vertical slide mechanism 20, and a left and right slide mechanism 21. The spatial light modulator 17 is composed of a group of micromirrors provided with a large number of fine tiltable movable reflecting surfaces 17a arranged vertically and horizontally in a grid pattern. Each movable reflecting surface 17a is independently operated and controlled by the control device 10 to turn on (a state in which the light of the light source is incident on the projection lens by the reflection of the micromirror) and off (the light of the light source is applied to the projection lens). It is switched between a state in which no light is incident, that is, a state in which the light of the light source is reflected to the outside of the projection lens by a micromirror to invalidate the light incident on the projection lens), and an optical image composed of a composite of lighting points is displayed. The substrate 18 is held in the substrate holder 19 with the spatial light modulator 17 mounted therein.

The vertical slide mechanism 20 and the left and right slide mechanism 21 of FIG. 2B are both ball screw mechanisms, and are rotated around the axis (L2, L3) by the motors (20a, 21a) and the motors (20a, 21a). A rotating male screw (20b, 21b), a female screw portion (20c, 21c) screwed to the rotating male screw (20b, 21b), and an axis (L4, L5) orthogonal to the axis (L2, L3) from the female screw portion (20c, 21c). A hollow tubular portion (20d, 21d) formed so as to project in the direction along the axis, and a telescopic portion (L4, L5) that expands and contracts in the direction along the axis (L4, L5) while circling inside the tubular portion (20d, 21d). 20e, 21e) are provided. The expansion / contraction portion 20e is integrated with the left end portion 19a of the substrate holder 19, and the expansion / contraction portion 21e is integrated with the lower end portion 19b of the substrate holder 19.

As shown in FIG. 2B, the vertical slide mechanism 20 fixes the motor 20a to the swivel bracket 12 with the axis L2 in the vertical direction and the pipe portion 20d in the right direction, and the left / right slide mechanism 21 has the axis L3. The motor 21a is fixed to the swivel bracket 12 with the female thread portion 21c floating upward from the swivel bracket 12 and the pipe portion 21d facing upward. In the spatial light modulator 17 of FIG. 2B integrated with the substrate holder 19, the female screw portion 20c, the tube portion 20d, and the telescopic portion 20e move up and down as the motor 20a of the vertical slide mechanism 20 is driven, and The telescopic portion 21e slides up and down by moving up and down in the pipe portion 21d. Further, in the spatial light modulator 17, the female screw portion 21c, the pipe portion 21d and the expansion / contraction portion 21e move left and right as the motor 21a of the left / right slide mechanism 21 is driven, and the expansion / contraction portion 20e moves left and right in the pipe portion 20d. Slide left and right by moving. The motors (20a, 21a) are driven and controlled by the control device 10 of FIG. 2A, and the spatial light modulator 17 slides to a predetermined position in the vertical, horizontal, or diagonal directions under the control of the control device 10.

The projection lens module 16 of FIG. 2A has a first lens 16a that is biconvex from the rear to the front, a second lens 16b that is biconcave, a third lens 16c that is planoconvex, a lens holder 16d, and a pedestal portion. The first to third lenses (16a to 16c) having 16e are fixed to the lens holder 16d in a state of being arranged in order from the rear at intervals from each other. The lens holder 16d is mounted on the swivel bracket 12 via the pedestal portion 16e.

The swivel bracket 12 of FIG. 2A is integrally mounted on a motor drive shaft 7a that automatically rotates around an axis L1 extending vertically of the swivel unit 7, and is driven by a motor on the upper surface of the lens holder 16d. A support shaft 16f coaxial with the shaft 7a (axis line L1) is provided. The swivel unit 7 is supported by the lower end portion 6a of the aiming bracket 6 while supporting the swivel bracket 12, and the support shaft 16f of the lens holder 16d is rotatably supported by the support hole 6c of the upper end portion 6b of the aiming bracket 6. Will be done. The lower end portion 6a is integrated with the upper end portion 6b via the base end portion 6d on which the control device 10 is mounted, and the base end portion 6d is formed by a plurality of (three in this embodiment) aiming screws 8 to form the lamp body 2. It can be tilted freely.

The light source 13, the reflector 14, the DMD module 15, and the projection lens module 16 integrated on the swivel bracket 12 of FIG. 2A are used to rotate the motor drive shaft 7a of the swivel unit 7 controlled by the control device 10. Along with this, it rotates around the axis L1 as a unit and swivels left and right. The inside of the lamp chamber excluding the low beam lamp unit 5 of FIG. 1 and the first to third lenses (16a to 16c) of the projection lens module 16 is blindfolded from the front by the extension reflector 9 of FIG. 2 (a). ..

The reflector 14 of FIG. 2A is arranged so as to face both the light source 13 and the spatial light modulator 17 of the DMD module 15, and the spatial light modulator 17 is arranged so as to face the first lens 16a. Ru. The emitted light B1 from the light source 13 is reflected by the reflector 14 over the entire area of the spatial light modulator 17, and the spatial light modulator 17 is lighted by a large number of movable reflecting surfaces 17a turned on under the control of the control device 10. B1 is reflected toward the first lens 16a of the projection lens module 16. The reflected light B1 passes through the first to third lenses (16a to 16c) and the front cover 3 in order, and the reflection points (lighting points) of a large number of movable reflecting surfaces 17a turned on in front of the vehicle (not shown). ) Is irradiated with a variable light distribution pattern of a predetermined shape based on the composition of), or the road surface is drawn.

The center 17b of the spatial light modulator 17 shown in FIGS. 2 (a) and 2 (b) has a common rear focal point located on the optical axis L0 of the first lens to the third lens (16a to 16c) at the initial position. It is placed on P1. The center 17b of the spatial light modulator 17 is the rear focus P1 (optical) of the first to third lenses (16a to 16c) based on the operations of the vertical slide mechanism 20 and the left and right slide mechanism 21 controlled by the control device 10. It moves above or below the axis L0), to the left or right, and diagonally.

Next, FIGS. 3A and 3B will explain a modified example of the DMD lamp unit in the present embodiment. The DMD lighting unit 4 of FIG. 2A was a mechanism having a DMD module 15 for sliding the spatial light modulator 17 up, down, left and right with respect to the projection lens module 16 fixed to the swivel bracket 12. The DMD lighting unit 26 shown in (a) and (b) has the first to third projection lenses (32a to 32c) vertically and horizontally with respect to the spatial light modulator 29 of the DMD module 28 fixed to the swivel bracket 27. It is a mechanism having a projection lens module 31 that slides in.

In the DMD lamp unit 26 built in the vehicle lamp 25 shown in FIGS. 3 (a) and 3 (b), the configuration of the swivel bracket 27, the DMD module 28, and the projection lens module 31 is shown in FIGS. 2 (a) and 2 (b). In addition to being different from the configuration of the swivel bracket 12, DMD module 15 and projection lens module 16 shown, it has the same configuration as the DMD lamp unit 4.

A light source 13, a reflector 14, a DMD module 28, and a projection lens module 31 are mounted on the swivel bracket 27 shown in FIG. 3A. The light source 13 and the reflector 14 are attached to the inner wall of the attachment hole 27a of the swivel bracket 27, respectively. The DMD module 28 is configured by mounting the spatial light modulator 29 on the substrate 30, and the substrate 30 is a vertical wall portion extending upward from the rear end portion of the swivel bracket 27 with the spatial light modulator 29 facing forward. It is attached to 27b.

The projection lens module 31 shown in FIG. 3A is attached near the front end portion of the swivel bracket 27. The projection lens module 31 includes a first lens 31a that is biconvex from rear to front, a second lens 31b that is biconcave, a third lens 31c that is planoconvex, a lens holder 31d, a vertical slide mechanism 32, and a left / right slide mechanism 33. Has. The first to third lenses (31a to 31c) are fixed to the lens holder 31d in a state where they are arranged in order from the rear at intervals from each other. The lens holder 31d is mounted on the swivel bracket 27 via the vertical slide mechanism 32 and the left / right slide mechanism 33.

The vertical slide mechanism 32 and the left and right slide mechanism 33 of FIG. 3B are both ball screw mechanisms, and are around the axis (L2', L3') by the motors (32a, 33a) and the motors (32a, 33a). A rotating male screw (32b, 33b), a female screw portion (32c, 33c) screwed to the screw portion, and an axis (L2', L3') orthogonal to the axis (L2', L3') from the female screw portion (32c, 33c), respectively. A hollow tubular portion (32d, 33d) projecting in the direction along the L4', L5') and along the axis (L4', L5') while circling inside the tubular portion (32d, 33d). A telescopic portion (32e, 33e) that expands and contracts in the vertical direction is provided. The telescopic portion 32e is integrated with the left end portion 31e of the lens holder 31d, and the telescopic portion 33e is integrated with the lower end portion 31f of the lens holder 31d.

As shown in FIG. 3B, the vertical slide mechanism 32 fixes the motor 32a to the swivel bracket 27 with the axis L2'in the vertical direction and the pipe portion 32d in the right direction, and the left and right slide mechanism 33 has the axis. The motor 33a is fixed to the swivel bracket 27 with the female screw portion 33c floating upward from the swivel bracket 27 and the pipe portion 33d facing upward with L3'in the left-right direction. The first to third lenses (31a to 31c) of FIG. 3B integrated with the lens holder 31d have a female screw portion 32c, a tube portion 32d, and an expansion / contraction portion 32e as the motor 32a of the vertical slide mechanism 32 is driven. Moves up and down, and the telescopic portion 33e slides up and down by moving up and down in the pipe portion 33d. Further, in the first to third lenses (31a to 31c), the female screw portion 33c, the pipe portion 33d and the expansion / contraction portion 3e move left and right as the motor 33a of the left / right slide mechanism 33 is driven, and the expansion / contraction portion 32e is a tube. It slides left and right by moving left and right in the portion 32d. The motors (32a, 33a) are driven and controlled by the control device 10 of FIG. 3A, and the first to third lenses (31a to 31c) are moved to predetermined positions in the vertical, horizontal, or diagonal directions under the control of the control device 10. Slide.

The swivel bracket 27 of FIG. 3A rotates around an axis L1'that is supported from below by the motor drive shaft 7a of the swivel unit 7 and extends vertically. The swivel unit 7 is supported by the aiming bracket 6 with the swivel bracket 12 supported, and is tiltably attached to the lamp body 2 by a plurality of (three in this embodiment) aiming screws 8. The light source 13, the reflector 14, the DMD module 28, and the projection lens module 31 integrated on the swivel bracket 27 are integrated as the motor drive shaft 7a of the swivel unit 7 controlled by the control device 10 rotates. It rotates around the axis L1 and swivels left and right.

As shown in FIG. 3A, the emitted light B2 of the light source 13 is reflected by the reflector 14 over the entire area of the spatial light modulator 29, and is turned on under the control of the control device 10. The reflecting surface 29a rereflects the light B2 toward the projection lens module 31. The re-reflected light B2 passes through the first to third lenses (31a to 31c) and the front cover 3 in order, irradiates a variable light distribution pattern having a predetermined shape, or draws a road surface.

The center 29b of the spatial light modulator 29 shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B is a common rearward position on the optical axis L0'of the first lens to the third lens (31a to 31c) at the initial position. It is located at the focal point P2. The center 29b is above the rear focal point P2 (optical axis L0') of the first to third lenses (31a to 31c) based on the operations of the vertical slide mechanism 32 and the left and right slide mechanism 33 controlled by the control device 10. Or move down, left or right, diagonally.

Next, the control device 10 will be described with reference to FIG. The control device 10 includes a lamp ECU (electronic control device) 36, a ROM 37, and a RAM 38. The lamp ECU 36 includes a light source control unit 39, a DMD control unit 40, a slide control unit 41, and a swivel control unit 42. Various control programs are recorded in the ROM 37, and the lamp ECU 36 executes the control program recorded in the ROM 37 in the RAM 38 to generate various control signals.

The light source control unit 39 of FIG. 4 is connected to the light source 13 of FIG. 2 (a). The DMD control unit 40 is connected to a large number of movable reflecting surfaces 17a of the spatial light modulator 17 (in a modified example, a large number of movable reflecting surfaces 29a of the spatial light modulator 29) via a movable mirror control circuit 43. To. The slide control unit 41 is connected to the motor 20a of the vertical slide mechanism 20 (in the modified example, the motor 32a of the vertical slide mechanism 32) and the motor 21a of the left / right slide mechanism 21 (in the modified example, the motor 33a of the left / right slide mechanism 33). Will be done. The swivel control unit 42 is connected to the swivel drive unit 44, which is a drive source (motor or the like (not shown)) for driving the motor drive shaft 7a of the swivel unit 7 shown in FIG. 2A.

The light source control unit 39 of FIG. 4 turns on or off the light source 13 based on the control signal of the lamp ECU 36. Based on the control signal of the lamp ECU 36, the DMD control unit 40 turns on a large number of movable reflecting surfaces 17a arranged in a grid pattern to reflect the light of the light source and make it incident on the projection lens, and makes the projection lens. A light image consisting of a composite of lighting points is formed by turning off what is invalidated without reflecting. Further, the swivel control unit 42 rotates the motor drive shaft 7a around the central axis L1 via the swivel drive unit 44 based on the control signal of the lamp ECU 26, and the DMD lamp unit 4 (FIG. 3) of FIG. 2 (a). In the modified example of (a), the DMD lamp unit 26) is swung left and right.

The slide control unit 41 of FIG. 4 drives the motor 20a of the vertical slide mechanism 20 and the motor 21a of the left / right slide mechanism 21 shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B based on the control signal of the lamp ECU 36 to perform spatial optical modulation. The vessel 17 is slid to move the center 17b from the first lens to the upper or lower side of the rear focal point P1 (optical axis L0) of the third lens (16a to 16c), to the left or to the right, or in an oblique direction.

Further, the slide control unit 41 of FIG. 4 drives the motor 32a of the vertical slide mechanism 32 and the motor 33a of the left and right slide mechanism 33 based on the control signal of the lamp ECU 36 in the modified example shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B. Then, the third lens (16a to 16c) is slid from the first lens, and the center 29b of the spatial optical modulator 29 is moved from the first lens to the rear focus P2 (optical axis L0') of the third lens (31a to 31c). Move up or down, left or right, diagonally.

Further, an optical sensor 45, a steering motion detection mechanism 46, a turn signal lamp switch 47, an image processing device 48, a manual switch 51 and the like are connected to the lamp ECU 36 shown in FIG. A road monitoring camera 50 or the like is connected to the image processing device 48 via a communication line such as an in-vehicle camera 49 or the Internet.

The light sensor 45 is a sensor that detects the external illuminance of the vehicle lighting tool 1 (vehicle lighting tool 25 in the modified example), and the steering motion detection mechanism 46 and the turn signal lamp switch 47 are the vehicle lighting tool 1 of the present embodiment. It is used to detect the turning direction (left or right) of a vehicle equipped with (25 in the modified example), and the image processing device 48 is a pedestrian on the road from an image taken by an in-vehicle camera 49 or a road monitoring camera 50. The manual switch 51 is a device for detecting an oncoming vehicle or the like, and the manual switch 51 is a center 17b (center 29b in the modified example) of the spatial light modulator 17 and a rear focus P1 (16a to 16c) of the first to third lenses (16a to 16c). In the modified example, it is an operation unit for changing the positional relationship of P2) by button operation or the like.

Next, with reference to FIGS. 4 to 7, the irradiation range of the variable light distribution pattern or the road surface drawing display by the DMD lamp unit 4 of the vehicle lamp 1 of the present embodiment will be described. The upper view of FIGS. 5 and 6 is a view of the spatial light modulator 17 and the like assuming that the DMD lamp unit 4 is viewed from the rear. The upper view of each of FIGS. 5 and 6 shows the positional relationship of the center of the spatial light modulator with respect to the rear focal point of the lens, and the lower figures of FIGS. 5 and 6 show the positional relationship indicated by the reference numeral Lh. The range of the dotted chain line indicates the low beam light distribution pattern by the low beam lamp unit 5 of FIG. 1, and the reference numeral Dh indicates the light irradiation range by the DMD lamp unit 4.

The lower figure of FIG. 5A shows the light irradiation range by the conventional DMD lamp unit at the center of the spatial light modulator 17 and the light distribution pattern for low beam. Conventionally, as shown in the upper figure of FIG. 5A, the center 17b of the spatial light modulator 17 has been arranged so as to coincide with the rear focal point P1 on the optical axis L0 of the projection lens. As a result, as shown in the lower figure of FIG. 5A, the upper half of the light irradiation range Dh by the DMD lamp unit, which is indicated by the reference numeral Dh1, is used for displaying the variable light distribution pattern, and the reference numeral Dh2 The lower half of the area indicated by is used to display the road surface drawing. However, in that case, the irradiation range by the DMD lamp unit can be used only in half for both the display of the variable light distribution pattern and the display of the road surface drawing, and there is a problem that the irradiation range is narrowed.

The variable light distribution pattern is a headlight display whose shape changes according to the shape of the road surface, pedestrians, the presence or absence of oncoming vehicles, etc., and the road surface drawing display is a vehicle equipped with vehicle lighting equipment (shown in the figure). In order to inform the driver and pedestrians of oncoming vehicles in the direction of travel of the fact that the vehicle is approaching and the direction of travel of the vehicle, the road surface in the direction of travel is illuminated with light to indicate figures and characters of a predetermined shape. Say.

Therefore, in the vehicle lamp 1 (or 25) of the present embodiment, the DMD lamp based on the "variable light distribution pattern display mode" in FIG. 5 (b) and the "road surface drawing display mode" in FIG. 5 (c). Irradiate with the unit.

4 when the DMD lamp unit 4 of FIGS. 2A and 2B (DMD lamp unit 26 in the modified example of FIG. 3A) is used to irradiate light in the “variable light distribution pattern display mode”. The lamp ECU of the above drives the motor 20a of the vertical slide mechanism 20 of FIGS. 2 (a) and 2 (b) via the slide control unit 41 to drive the spatial light modulator 17 as shown in the upper figure of FIG. 5 (b). Slide downward to move the center 17b below the rear focus P1 (optical axis L0) of the third lens (16a-16c) from the first lens. In the modified example shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B, the slide control unit 41 drives the motor 32a of the vertical slide mechanism 32 to slide the projection lens module 31 upward with respect to the spatial light modulator 29. As shown in the upper part of FIG. 5B, the center 29b of the spatial light modulator 29 is moved from the first lens to the lower side of the rear focal point P2 (optical axis L0') of the third lenses (31a to 31c).

In that case, as shown in the lower figure of FIG. 5B, almost the entire area of the light irradiation range Dh by the DMD lamp unit 4 is inverted and displayed above the HH line, so that the variable light distribution pattern In addition to widening the display range, the entire area of the hotspot in the center of the display range is located above the HH line, so that the variable light distribution pattern can be displayed farther than before. There are advantages.

The vehicle lamp 1 (or the vehicle lamp 25 of FIG. 3A) of the present embodiment shown in FIG. 2A is automatically driven by the DMD lamp unit 4 (or 26) when a predetermined phenomenon is detected. It is desirable to display in the "variable light distribution pattern display mode". For example, when the optical sensor 45 or the image processing device 48 detects that the vehicle (not shown) is "running at night" or is running in a dark place such as in a tunnel, the lamp ECU 36 detects the DMD. It is desirable to control the lamp unit 4 (or 26) to automatically perform display in the "variable light distribution pattern display mode". Alternatively, the lamp ECU 36 is set to display in the "variable light distribution pattern display mode" even when the operation input is manually performed so as to perform the "display of the variable light distribution pattern" by the manual switch 51. Is desirable.

Further, when the DMD lamp unit 4 (DMD lamp unit 26 in the modified example of FIG. 3) of FIGS. 2 (a) and 2 (b) irradiates light in the "road surface drawing display mode", the lamp ECU of FIG. 4 is used. , The motor 20a of the vertical slide mechanism 20 of FIGS. 2 (a) and 2 (b) is driven via the slide control unit 41, and the spatial optical modulator 17 is slid upward as shown in the upper figure of FIG. 5 (c). , The center 17b is moved above the rear focus P1 (optical axis L0) of the third lens (16a to 16c) from the first lens. In the modified example shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B, the slide control unit 41 drives the motor 32a of the vertical slide mechanism 32 to slide the projection lens module 31 downward with respect to the spatial light modulator 29. As shown in the upper part of FIG. 5C, the center 29b of the spatial light modulator 29 is moved from the first lens to the upper side of the rear focal point P2 (optical axis L0') of the third lenses (31a to 31c).

In that case, as shown in the lower figure of FIG. 5C, the entire area of the light irradiation range Dh by the DMD lamp unit 4 is inverted and displayed below the HH line, so that the display range of the road surface drawing display is displayed. In addition to being wider, the entire area of the hotspot in the center of the display range is located below the HH line, which has the advantage of being able to display the road surface drawing display brighter than before and to a farther road surface. is there.

The vehicle lamp 1 (or the vehicle lamp 25 of FIG. 3 (a)) of the present embodiment shown in FIG. 2 (a) is described by the DMD lamp unit 4 (or 26) when a predetermined phenomenon is detected. It is desirable to display in the "road surface drawing display mode". For example, the vehicle (not shown) is "running in the daytime" by the optical sensor 45 and the image processing device 48 and does not need to display the variable light distribution pattern, and the image processing device 48 walks on the road surface. When it is necessary to draw a predetermined road surface to warn the detected pedestrian or driver of the oncoming vehicle of the approach of the own vehicle by detecting a person or an oncoming vehicle, the lamp ECU 36 uses the DMD lamp unit 4 (or 26). ) Is controlled to automatically display in the "road surface drawing display mode". Alternatively, it is desirable that the lamp ECU 36 displays in the "road surface drawing display mode" even when the operation input is manually performed so that the "road surface drawing display" is performed by the manual switch 51.

Further, in the vehicle lamp 1 (or the vehicle lamp 25 of FIG. 3 (a)) of the present embodiment shown in FIG. 2 (a), the “variable light distribution pattern display mode” shown in FIG. 5 (b) is used. , It is desirable to be able to perform either "left turn mode" or "right turn mode" in any of the irradiation by the DMD lamp unit in the "road surface drawing display mode" shown in FIG. 5 (c). ..

The "left turn mode" is a mode in which the light irradiation range of the DMD lamp unit is moved to the left side of the line VV line indicating a predetermined vertical direction as shown in FIG. 6A, and is a "right turn mode". As shown in FIG. 6B, the mode is a mode in which the irradiation range of the light by the DMD lamp unit is shifted to the right side of the line VV indicating the predetermined vertical direction.

For example, in the case where the light irradiation by the DMD lighting unit 4 (DMD lighting unit 26 in the modified example of FIG. 3) of FIGS. 2A and 2B is performed in the "variable light distribution pattern display mode and left turn mode". The lamp ECU 36 of FIG. 4 drives the motor 20a of the vertical slide mechanism 20 and the motor 21a of the left and right slide mechanism 21 of FIGS. 2 (a) and 2 (b) via the slide control unit 41 to drive the motor 21a of the left and right slide mechanism 21. As shown in, slide the spatial optical modulator 17 downward and to the right or diagonally to the lower right, and move the center 17b diagonally downward to the right of the rear focus P1 (optical axis L0) of the first lens to the third lens (16a to 16c). Move to. In the modified example shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B, the slide control unit 41 drives the motor 32a of the vertical slide mechanism 32 to slide the projection lens module 31 diagonally upward to the left with respect to the spatial light modulator 29. As shown in the upper figure of FIG. 6A, the center 29b of the spatial light modulator 29 is moved diagonally downward to the right of the rear focal point P2 (optical axis L0') of the first lens to the third lens (31a to 31c). Move.

In that case, as shown in the lower figure of FIG. 6A, almost the entire range of the light irradiation range Dh by the DMD lamp unit 4 is inverted and displayed widely in the area on the left side of the VV line, so that it is a variable type. By widening the display range of the light distribution pattern to the left, there is an advantage in that the turning direction can be illuminated more widely when the vehicle turns left.

In the DMD lighting unit 4 (or 26) that irradiates in the "variable light distribution pattern display mode", the sliding direction of the spatial light modulator 17 by the left / right slide mechanism 21 is set to the left, or the left / right slide mechanism 33. By shifting the sliding direction of the first lens to the third lens (31a to 31c) to the left, irradiation can be performed by the "variable light distribution pattern display mode and right turn mode" described later.

Further, in the case where the light irradiation by the DMD lamp unit 4 (DMD lamp unit 26 in the modified example of FIG. 3) of FIGS. 2 (a) and 2 (b) is performed in the "road surface drawing display mode and right turn mode", FIG. The lamp ECU 36 drives the motor 20a of the vertical slide mechanism 20 and the motor 21a of the left and right slide mechanism 21 of FIGS. 2A and 2B via the slide control unit 41, as shown in the upper view of FIG. 6B. The spatial optical modulator 17 is slid upward and to the left or diagonally to the upper left, and the center 17b is moved diagonally upward to the left of the rear focal point P1 (optical axis L0) of the third lens (16a to 16c). In the modified example shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B, the slide control unit 41 drives the motor 32a of the vertical slide mechanism 32 to slide the projection lens module 31 diagonally downward to the right with respect to the spatial light modulator 29. As shown in the upper figure of FIG. 6B, the center 29b of the spatial light modulator 29 is moved diagonally upward to the left of the rear focal point P2 (optical axis L0') of the first lens to the third lens (31a to 31c). Move.

In that case, as shown in the lower figure of FIG. 6B, almost the entire area of the light irradiation range Dh by the DMD lamp unit 4 is inverted and displayed widely in the area on the right side of the VV line, so that the road surface is drawn. Since the display range of the display is widened to the right, there is an advantage that the road surface drawing display on the predetermined hair can be performed to a wider road surface in the turning direction when the vehicle turns right or the like.

The vehicle lamp 1 (or the vehicle lamp 25 of FIG. 3 (a)) of the present embodiment shown in FIG. 2 (a) is described by the DMD lamp unit 4 (or 26) when a predetermined phenomenon is detected. It is desirable to display a combination of "left turn mode" and "right turn mode" in either "variable light distribution pattern display mode" or "road surface drawing display mode". For example, when the steering motion detection mechanism 46 detects a left turn or a right turn of a vehicle (not shown), or a left turn or a right turn input is detected by the turn signal lamp switch 47, the lamp ECU 36 of FIG. The DMD lamp unit 4 (or 26) is controlled based on the detection result of, and "left turn mode" and "right turn mode" are automatically set to either "variable light distribution pattern display mode" or "road surface drawing display mode". It is desirable to display in combination. Alternatively, the lamp ECU 36 so that the manual switch 51 displays either the "left turn mode" or the "right turn mode" when the operation is manually input or when the operation is input. It is desirable to do.

The irradiation range of the light emitted independently by the pair of left and right DMD lamp units (4, 4') will be described with reference to FIGS. 7 (a) and 7 (b). FIG. 7A shows a vehicle lamp 1 which is a left headlight equipped with a DMD lamp unit 4 and a low beam lamp unit 5, and a right front lamp equipped with a DMD lamp unit 4'and a low beam lamp unit 5'. Indicates a vehicle lamp 1'which is a lighting lamp. The DMD lamp unit 4'has a configuration common to that of the DMD lamp unit 4. The left and right DMD lamp units (4, 4') can independently change the positional relationship between the center of the spatial light modulator and the common rear focus of the first to third lenses. The left and right low beam lamp units (5, 5') display the combined low beam light distribution pattern Lh.

For example, as shown in the upper figure of FIG. 7B, the center 17b of the spatial light modulator 17 in the left DMD lighting unit 4 is displaced above the common rear focal point P1 of the first lens and the third lens. When the center 17b'of the spatial light modulator 17'in the right DMD lighting unit 4'is displaced below the common rear focal point P1'of the first lens and the third lens, as shown in the lower figure of FIG. 7B. In addition, the light irradiation range Dh by the DMD lighting unit 4 is displayed above the HH line, and the light irradiation range Dh'by the DMD lighting unit 4'is displayed below the HH line. ..

Since the left and right DMD lamp units (4, 4') have independent irradiation ranges (Dh, Dh'), one DMD lamp unit 4 displays a road surface drawing display as shown in the lower figure of FIG. 7 (b). The other DMD lamp unit 4'can display the variable light distribution pattern. By doing so, there is an advantage that both the road surface drawing display (reference numeral Dh) and the variable light distribution pattern display (reference numeral Dh') are simultaneously irradiated over a wide range and far.

The irradiation range (Dh, Dh') shown in the lower figure of FIG. 7B may be displayed in an overlapping manner, and the irradiation range (Dh, Dh') may display a variable light distribution pattern on both sides. , The illuminance may be improved by displaying the road surface drawing on both sides. Further, the irradiation range (Dh, Dh') may be swiveled to either the left direction or the right direction based on the detection result of either the left turn or the right turn of the vehicle or the operation of the manual switch. In addition, in the irradiation range (Dh, Dh'), pedestrians and the like who should detect a left turn (or right turn) of the vehicle to be irradiated with the variable light distribution pattern and should display a warning or the like by the road surface drawing display. If you want to display the variable light distribution pattern on the left and right separately, such as when it is detected on the right side (or left side), the irradiation range (Dh, Dh') is set on the left side based on the detection result. One may be swept to the right and the other to the right.

The vertical slide mechanism (20, 32) and the left and right slide mechanism (21, 33) shown in FIGS. 2 (b) and 3 (b) employ a rack and pinion method in addition to the ball screw mechanism. You may.

1 Vehicle lamps 4, 4'DMD lamp unit 13 Light sources 16a to 16c 1st to 3rd lenses (projection lenses)
17 Spatial Light Modulator 17a Movable Reflective Surface 17b Center 25 Vehicle Lamp 29 Spatial Light Modulator 29a Movable Reflective Surface 29b Center 31a-31c 1st to 3rd Lens (Projection Lens)
Back focus of P1, P2 projection lens

Claims (5)

In a vehicle lamp having a lamp unit including a light source, a projection lens, and a spatial light modulator having a plurality of reflecting elements each having a tiltable reflecting surface and reflecting the light of the light source to the projection lens.
At least one of the spatial light modulators or projection lenses is characterized by being displaceably formed such that the center of the spatial light modulator is located either above or below the posterior focal point of the projection lens. Vehicle lighting equipment. At least one of the spatial light modulators or projection lenses is displaced so that the center of the spatial light modulator is located either to the left or to the right of the posterior focal point of the projection lens. The vehicle lighting device according to claim 1, wherein the light fixture is characterized in that. The first or second aspect of the present invention, wherein a plurality of the lamp units are provided, and at least one of the spatial light modulator or the projection lens of each lamp unit is formed so as to be independently displaceable for each lamp unit. Vehicle lighting fixtures. The vehicle according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein at least one of the spatial light modulator or the projection lens is formed so as to be automatically movable according to the driving condition of the vehicle. Lighting equipment. The vehicle lamp according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein at least one of the spatial light modulator or the projection lens is manually formed to be movable.