JP2024085545A - head lamp - Google Patents

Abstract

A headlamp including a lamp optical system for a high beam and a lamp optical system for a low beam is provided, and has improved visibility from the front of the vehicle.
SOLUTION
The vehicle body is provided with a lamp optical system for a high beam and a lamp optical system for a low beam, which are paired on both the left and right sides of the vehicle body in the left and right direction. The optical system located on the rear side includes a first projection lens having a first lens main exit surface. The optical system located on the front side includes a second projection lens having a second lens entrance surface and a peripheral entrance surface provided around the second lens entrance surface. The first lens main exit surface has an intermediate exit surface that emits light toward the peripheral entrance surface, and the second projection lens is illuminated by the light. As a result, the optical system located on the front side is also brightened by the light from the optical system on the rear side, thereby improving visibility from the front of the vehicle.
[Selection diagram] Figure 10

Description

The present invention relates to vehicle lighting equipment, and more particularly to headlamps used as equipment on motorcycles, two-wheeled motor vehicles, scooters, and other motorbikes and vehicles considered to be motorcycles, to increase the visibility of the vehicle.

Projector-type headlamps that use a projector lens to project light have been proposed as vehicle lighting that illuminates the area in front of a motorcycle (for example, see Patent Document 1).

The vehicle lamp described in Patent Document 1 is a direct-type motorcycle headlamp that includes a light source using a semiconductor light-emitting element such as an LED and a projection lens arranged in front of the light source, and projects direct light from the light source through the projection lens. In Figure 6 of Patent Document 1, a two-lamp system is shown in which a low-beam optical system (18A) and a high-beam optical system (18B) are arranged in the lamp chamber of the headlamp, and the area in front of the vehicle is illuminated through the outer lens.

The above-mentioned twin-lamp headlamp has the low beam optical system located toward the center of the vehicle and the high beam optical system located toward the outside. Each optical system is a direct projection type optical system that has a projection lens and an LED light source located behind the projection lens and is fixed to a heat sink.

Japanese Patent No. 6142463

In the headlight of Patent Document 1, a low beam light distribution pattern is formed when the light source of the low beam optical system is turned on, and a high beam light distribution pattern is formed when the light source of the high beam optical system is turned on. Therefore, either the low beam optical system or the high beam optical system arranged to the side of it is selectively turned on, and both optical systems are not illuminated at the same time.

Conventionally, motorcycles have a smaller visible area when viewed from the front than four-wheeled vehicles. As a result, they are easily overlooked by drivers of four-wheeled vehicles, for example. Increasing the visibility of headlamps is effective in increasing visibility at night. One way to increase the visibility of headlamps is to provide additional light sources for illumination. However, providing additional illumination increases costs and is not desirable.

In light of this, it is desirable to improve visibility when the headlights are turned on and to increase the visibility of motorcycles while suppressing increases in costs in order to contribute to traffic safety. There is also a demand for headlights that make efficient use of the light emitted from the light source.

According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a vehicle headlight system including: a lamp optical system for a high beam and a lamp optical system for a low beam, the lamp optical system being disposed at the front of the vehicle and provided on both sides of the vehicle body in the left and right direction so as to form a pair;
one of the main beam lamp optical system and the low beam lamp optical system is disposed at a position farther away from a center of the vehicle body than the other of the main beam lamp optical system and the low beam lamp optical system when viewed from a front of the vehicle;
the one optical system includes a first light source, a substrate on which the first light source is mounted, and a first projection lens disposed in front of the first light source and configured to condense and irradiate at least a portion of light emitted from the first light source toward a front of the vehicle;
the first projection lens includes a first lens entrance surface into which light from the first light source is incident, a first lens main exit surface located in front of the first lens entrance surface and emitting the light incident from the first lens entrance surface toward a front of the vehicle, a first lens sub-exit surface located at a position farther away from a central axis of the first lens than the first lens main exit surface and emitting the light in a more lateral direction than the light emitted from the first lens main exit surface, and a first lens intermediate exit surface located between the first lens main exit surface and the first lens sub-exit surface,
the other optical system includes a second light source and a second projection lens that condenses and irradiates light emitted from the second light source toward a front of the vehicle;
the second projection lens includes a second lens incident surface into which light from the second light source is incident, a peripheral incident surface located in a peripheral direction of the second lens incident surface and at an outer edge of the second projection lens, and a second lens main exit surface located in front of the second incident surface and exiting the light incident from the second incident surface toward a front of the vehicle,
a second lens main exit surface of the second projection lens is located on the vehicle front side in the vehicle front-rear direction relative to the first lens intermediate exit surface,
the first lens intermediate exit surface emits a portion of the light emitted from the first light source toward the peripheral entrance surface of the second projection lens;
This headlamp is characterized in that the peripheral entrance surface of the second projection lens is shaped so that light from the first light source that is incident from the peripheral entrance surface spreads and travels toward the second lens main exit surface.

According to the above invention, the lamp optical system for the main beam and the lamp optical system for the low beam, which have different functions, are formed on the left and right sides of the vehicle body. Therefore, whether the lamp optical system for the main beam is turned on or the lamp optical system for the low beam is turned on, the left and right sides of the vehicle body are always observed to be turned on, so the presence of the vehicle can be directly or indirectly known. The second projection lens of the other optical system is configured to receive the light emitted from one optical system. As a result, when one optical system is turned on, the other optical system is simultaneously illuminated by the light emitted from the one optical system. In other words, the other optical system can also be illuminated by one optical system without using an additional light source. This further increases the visibility of the motorcycle.

In addition, when the light emitted from one optical system is configured to be incident on the second projection lens of the other optical system, the lens of one optical system is provided with a main exit surface, a sub-exit surface, and an intermediate exit surface, and the light not used as the light emitted from the main exit surface is used by being emitted from the intermediate exit surface and being incident on the second projection lens, thereby making it possible to provide a headlamp that effectively utilizes the light emitted from the light source of one optical system.

Another aspect of the present invention is a headlamp as described in [1], wherein [2] the peripheral entrance surface protrudes toward the first lens intermediate exit surface of the first optical system beyond the second entrance surface of the second lens.
[3] The one optical system is the lamp optical system for low beam,
The headlamp according to any one of claims 1 to 2, wherein the other optical system is the high beam lamp optical system.
[4] The headlamp according to [3], wherein the one optical system is a direct-projection optical unit that irradiates the first light source image.

According to each of the other aspects of the invention described above, [2] light emitted from the light source of one optical system can be made to enter the other optical system with a simple configuration and with little loss. [3] Since light emitted from the lamp optical system for low beam is made to enter the lamp optical system for high beam, the light emitted from the light source of the lamp optical system for low beam can be utilized to illuminate the lamp optical system for high beam, and both the lamp optical system for low beam and the lamp optical system for high beam installed side by side can be illuminated simultaneously, improving visibility. [4] A compact headlamp can be realized by using a direct-illumination type optical unit.

The above configuration improves visibility when the headlamp is turned on, contributing to traffic safety while suppressing increases in costs. The light emitted from the light source can be effectively utilized to illuminate one optical system using the light emitted from the other optical system, thereby improving visibility. This has the advantage of improving the visibility of the motorcycle.

FIG. 1 is a front view showing a motorcycle equipped with a headlamp according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a front view showing a headlamp according to one embodiment. FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the main part for explaining the mounting state of the optical system of the headlamp of FIG. FIG. 4 is a horizontal cross-sectional view of the headlamp of FIG. 2 taken along line AA. FIG. 5 is a perspective view illustrating an assembled state of the lamp body. FIG. 6 is a perspective view illustrating an assembled state of the heat sink and the substrate. FIG. 7 is a front view showing a reflector, (A) being a reflector used in a lamp optical system for a passing beam, and (B) being a reflector used in a lamp optical system for a main beam. FIG. 8 is a horizontal cross-sectional view showing a lamp optical system for low beams in one embodiment. FIG. 9 is a horizontal cross-sectional view showing a main beam lamp optical system in one embodiment. FIG. 10 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a lamp body for explaining a part of the light emitted from a light source of a lamp optical system for a low beam in one embodiment. 11 is a front view showing a headlamp according to an embodiment as viewed from the front in the irradiation direction, in which (A) shows a non-illuminated state, (B) shows a state in which the lamp optical system for the high beam is lit, and (C) shows a state in which the lamp optical system for the low beam is lit. 12 is a front view showing a headlamp of a comparative example as viewed from the front in the irradiation direction, in which (A) shows a non-illuminated state, (B) shows a state in which the lamp optical system for the high beam is lit, and (C) shows a state in which the lamp optical system for the low beam is lit. FIG. 13 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a lamp body for explaining a part of light emitted from a light source of a lamp optical system for a low beam in another embodiment.

The following describes a preferred embodiment of the headlamp according to the present invention with reference to the drawings.

First Embodiment
First, the overall configuration of the headlamp will be described with reference to Figs. 1 to 4. Fig. 1 is a front view showing a motorcycle equipped with a headlamp 2 according to an embodiment. The motorcycle is viewed from the front side, which is the direction of travel of the motorcycle. The type of motorcycle is not limited to a specific type, and the present invention is applicable to various types of vehicles such as sports type, off-road type, touring type, and scooter type. In the following description, the terms "front", "rear", "left", "right", "upper", and "lower" refer to the direction as seen by the driver when the headlamp is installed in front of the motorcycle. Therefore, "front" corresponds to the front of the vehicle (the direction of travel of the motorcycle) which is the direction of irradiation of light from the headlamp, "rear" corresponds to the rear side of the vehicle (the direction behind the driver), and "left" corresponds to the left side when the vehicle's traveling direction is used as a reference. "Lower" corresponds to the road surface side (the driver's feet side).

The motorcycle 1 is equipped with a vehicle frame on which a seat for a rider (driver) is attached, a drive source such as an engine or motor that is attached to the vehicle frame and generates a propulsive force to drive the wheels of the motorcycle, wheels that rotate by receiving power from the drive source of the motorcycle, and a tail lamp that is attached to the rear of the vehicle and emits light toward the rear of the vehicle. These components are not shown in the figure. The vehicle frame is provided with two front forks 6, and a front wheel 5 and handlebars 7 are attached to the front forks 6. A headlamp 2 is fixed to the upper side of the front wheel 5 in front of the front forks. The headlamp 2 is partially covered by a cowl 3 so that a central portion 2a and the like that is not related to the function of the headlamp cannot be seen. A side mirror 4 is attached to the handlebars 7. The cowl 3 can be omitted.

Figure 2 is a front view showing a headlamp of one embodiment. Figure 3 is a perspective view of the main parts of the headlamp shown in Figure 2, which is disassembled and shows the installation state of the optical system. Figure 4 is a horizontal cross-sectional view of the headlamp shown in Figure 2 along line A-A. As shown in Figure 4, the headlamp 2 has a housing 10 that opens forward and forms a space for accommodating the lamp body 13 inside, and an outer lens 11 that covers the opening of the housing 10 and forms a lamp accommodating section 8 for accommodating the lamp body 13. The outer lens 11 is fixed watertightly using a seal member 9a at a seal section 9 provided on the peripheral edge of the housing 10. The outer lens 11 is a transparent light-transmitting cover, and in Figure 4, only the area of the seal section 9 fixed to the housing 10 is shown, and the area located in front of the lamp body 13 and the like are omitted. The outer lens may be partially provided with a refractive element that refracts the irradiated light.

As shown in FIG. 1, the lamp housing 8 is configured to have the lamp housings 8L and 8R arranged on the left and right sides of the motorcycle with respect to the center in the lateral direction. In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2, both the lamp body 13L on the left side and the lamp body 13R on the right side are accommodated in one housing 10. The area in which the left lamp body 13L is accommodated is referred to as the left lamp housing 8L, and the area in which the right lamp body 13R is accommodated is referred to as the left lamp housing 8R. The lamp body 13 in the left lamp housing 8L and the lamp body 13 in the right lamp housing 8R are provided with lamp bodies 13 that are symmetrically designed on the left and right sides with respect to a vertical line passing through the center of the vehicle. The lamp housing 8L arranged on the left side and the lamp housing 8R arranged on the right side are also symmetrical and have substantially the same configuration. For this reason, the following description will mainly focus on the left lamp body 13L arranged on the left side. In the following explanation, unless the lamp body 13R located on the right side is specifically described, when the lamp body 13 is simply referred to, it refers to the lamp body 13L on the left side.

The lamp body 13 is a general term for lamp products that function as lamps when lit, such as the main beam lamp optical system 13a, the low beam lamp optical system 13b, and the turn lamp optical system 13c, which are shown in FIG. 2. Therefore, it may also include lamps with other functions, such as daytime running lamps (abbreviated as DRL), position lamps, and cornering lamps. Lamps that combine the functions of these lamps are also included in the lamp body. In the lamp body 13 in this embodiment, the main beam lamp optical system 13a is provided at a position closer to the center of the vehicle, and the low beam lamp optical system 13b is provided at a position closer to the outside of the vehicle. The low beam lamp optical system 13b is arranged so as to be located above the main beam lamp optical system 13a. As a result, the left and right lamp bodies 13L and 13R are formed into a so-called hanging eye shape that extends diagonally upward as a whole. The optical system is a general term for optical components such as reflecting surfaces and lens elements that control the light from the light source to form a predetermined light distribution pattern. In the direct projection system as in this embodiment, the optical system mainly consists of the light source and the projection lens. In the reflector system, the optical system mainly consists of the light source and the reflector.

As shown in FIG. 3, an extension 15 is provided between the lamp body 13 and the outer lens 11, and openings 15a and 15b are formed to partially expose the high beam lamp optical system 13a and the low beam lamp optical system 13b. The extension 15 is made of a non-translucent resin material.

Next, we will explain the lamp body 13.

Figure 5 is an exploded perspective view of the lamp body 13. To be precise, it is the left lamp body 13L housed in the left lamp housing 8L. The lamp body 13 has the lamp optical system for the high beam 13a and the lamp optical system for the low beam 13b attached to the bracket 14 formed integrally with the lamp body 13. The lamp body 13 is fixed in a predetermined position by attaching and fixing the bracket 14 to the housing 10. The lamp optical system for the high beam 13a and the lamp optical system for the low beam 13b are fixed to the bracket 14 using screws 14a. The bracket 14 and the housing 15 are joined via an aiming device (not shown) in order to adjust the relative position of the bracket 15 to the housing so that the optical light distribution characteristics of the lamp optical system for the low beam 13b are set to the cutoff line position according to the legal requirements. A step is provided in the bracket 14 so that the high beam lamp optical system 13a, which is located closer to the center of the vehicle body, is located further forward in the fore-and-aft direction than the passing lamp optical system 13b, which is located closer to the side of the vehicle body. The bracket 14 is molded from a resin material to reduce weight. In addition, in the space between the bracket 14 and the housing 10 in the lamp storage section 8, a lighting control board 10a is fixed to the housing 10. The lighting control board 10a is a board on which a control circuit that controls the lighting of the lamp body 13 is mounted.

The low beam lamp optical system 13a corresponds to one of the optical systems in the present invention. By locating the low beam lamp optical system 13a behind the high beam lamp optical system 13b, a portion of the light emitted from the low beam lamp optical system 13a can be made to enter the high beam lamp optical system 13b. The high beam lamp optical system 13b is located forward in the front-to-rear direction and closer to the center of the vehicle in the left-to-right direction than the low beam lamp optical system 13a, giving the impression of a slanted eye shape. This is the same as in Patent Document 1 in that the headlamp 2 gives the impression of a slanted eye shape.

The low beam lamp optical system 13a is attached to the bracket 14 by stacking the heat sink 27, the board 22, the reflector 26, and the projection lens 23 in order from the rear side with screws 14a. The light source 21 is mounted on the board 22. Note that FIG. 5 illustrates the state in which the heat sink 27 and the board 22 are positioned and attached to the bracket 14 in a predetermined position. In the first embodiment, the heat sink 27, the board 22, the reflector 26, and the projection lens 23 of the low beam lamp optical system 13a correspond to the first heat sink 27, the first board 22, the first projection reflector 26, and the first projection lens 23 in the present invention, respectively.

Figure 6 is an exploded perspective view of a substrate on which a heat sink and a light source are mounted. The first heat sink 27 is made of a lightweight metal material with excellent thermal conductivity, such as aluminum, an aluminum alloy, or a magnesium alloy. In this embodiment, in both the main beam lamp optical system and the low beam lamp optical system, a heat sink that is thicker than the first substrate 22 and has a large surface area is used as the heat sink, as shown in Figure 6. This improves heat dissipation from the first substrate 22. To further improve heat dissipation, a heat dissipation fin may be provided on the surface opposite to the side in contact with the first substrate 22, or a large number of small holes may be provided to increase the surface area in contact with the air. In addition, the first heat sink 27 is formed with a positioning notch 16, a hole corresponding to a screw boss for fixing a reflector, and a screw hole for screw fixing.

The substrate (first substrate) 22 of the low beam lamp optical system 13a mounts the light source 21 of the low beam lamp optical system on the surface opposite to the surface that contacts the heat sink 27 of the low beam lamp optical system. The substrate 22 of the low beam lamp optical system is preferably an aluminum base substrate, an aluminum core substrate, a copper substrate, a copper core substrate, or the like, which has a metal layer with high thermal conductivity, rather than a glass epoxy substrate. In addition, the substrate 22 of the low beam lamp optical system is provided with a connector portion 22a that supplies power and control signals to the LED light source 21. The connector 22a is provided on the same surface side as the surface on which the LED light source 21 is mounted, and is not installed on the surface on the heat sink 27 side of the low beam lamp optical system, so that the connector portion 22a does not interfere with the heat sink 27. The connector portion 22a is connected to the lighting control substrate indicated by the symbol 10a in FIG. 4. The board 32 of the main beam lamp optical system 13b is similar to the board 22 of the low beam lamp optical system 13a except for the wiring for the light source, so a description will be omitted.

In this embodiment, the light source (first light source 21) of the low beam lamp optical system 13a is a surface-mounted LED. The optical axis of the LED 21 coincides with the normal direction of the substrate 22, and the projection lens 23 (first projection lens) of the low beam lamp optical system is located on the optical axis. The light distribution characteristic of the LED 21 has a directivity in which the light axis direction is the brightest, and the LED 21 has a characteristic of having a brightness of 50% when the brightness on the optical axis is 100% within a range of 20° to 45° with respect to the optical axis. A white light-emitting LED that emits white light suitable for the low beam lamp optical system 13a is used. For example, an LED element that emits blue light and has a wavelength conversion layer that is excited by blue light and emits yellow light, etc., can be used as the surface-mounted LED. A structure in which one or more semiconductor light-emitting elements (for example, a light-emitting surface of 1 mm square) are mounted on a thermally conductive substrate such as ceramic, the semiconductor light-emitting elements are covered with a reflective resin, and a wavelength conversion layer is placed on the upper surface is used. It is possible to provide sufficient brightness for a passing beam lamp with a small number of semiconductor light-emitting elements.

Figure 7 is a front view showing a reflector, (A) is a reflector used in a lamp optical system for a low beam, and (B) is a reflector used in a lamp optical system for a high beam, each shown as viewed from the front. The reflector (first reflector) 26 of the low beam lamp optical system has an opening 26a in the center part whose vertical length is shorter than its horizontal length (horizontal direction) as shown in Figure 7 (A), and a plurality of reflective surfaces 26b are formed on the inner surface of the inner circumference forming the opening 26a. Also, as can be understood from Figures 5 and 6, the light source 21 is located inside the opening 26a, and a plurality of reflective surfaces 26b are provided to reflect the light emitted radially from the light source 21 in a direction inclined from the light axis of the light source. The reflector (first reflector) 26 has a plurality of holes for positioning and fixing formed in the upper and lower parts. The plurality of reflective surfaces 26b are inclined surfaces that widen as they move forward from the light source 21, that is, toward the outer lens 11, as shown in Figure 4. It is formed so that light emitted from the light source 21 in a direction inclined to the optical axis is reflected by multiple reflecting surfaces toward the outer lens 11. Note that FIG. 7 corresponds to the installation state when the headlamp is viewed from the front (front). Therefore, the right and left written in the drawing are the directions as seen from the driver's perspective, and are reversed from the left and right when viewed on the paper.

The multiple reflecting surfaces 26b include an auxiliary reflecting surface 26b1 and a main reflecting surface 26b2. In this embodiment, the auxiliary reflecting surface 26b1 is disposed in an area in the left-right direction (horizontal direction) of the light source 21 when the headlamp 2 is attached to the vehicle 1. The auxiliary reflecting surface 26b1 protrudes in a direction closer to the light source 21 than the main reflecting surface 26b2. When the passing lamp optical system 13a is turned on, the auxiliary reflecting surface 26b1 illuminates the road surface near the vehicle in the traveling direction (forward), thereby improving the visibility of the road surface condition for the rider (driver), thereby enabling the rider to quickly notice abnormalities such as foreign objects on the road surface and increase safety. The main reflecting surface 26b2 reflects toward the inside of the irradiation pattern of the light distribution pattern of the passing beam light distribution and improves the utilization efficiency of the light irradiated from the light source 21. In this embodiment, the main reflecting surface 26b2 is disposed in an area corresponding to the vertical direction of the inner circumference of the opening 26a. In addition, in this embodiment, the main reflective surface 26b2 is provided on the front side of the auxiliary reflective surface 26b1 in the left-right (horizontal) cross section, i.e., via a step located away from the light source 21 (see FIG. 8).

In this embodiment, the first heat sink 27 and the first substrate 22 are attached in close contact with each other so that the contact area between them is large. This allows the first heat sink 27 to smoothly dissipate heat generated by the first light source 21, and the first heat sink 27 is attached to increase the efficiency of heat dissipation. If the first heat sink 27 is attached to the first substrate 22 through a grease with excellent thermal conductivity, the first heat sink 27 can be attached without any gaps, and the first substrate 22 can be attached with excellent thermal conductivity and adhesion. The first projection lens 23 is attached to the upper side of the first substrate 22, i.e., the surface side opposite to the surface to which the first heat sink 27 is attached, through the first reflector 26 having the reflective surface 26b. In the front-rear direction of the first reflector 26, in other words, in the stacking direction of the first heat sink 27, the first substrate 22, the first reflector 26, and the first projection lens 23, the first reflector 26 is formed three-dimensionally as shown in FIG. By forming the first reflector 26 three-dimensionally, the reflective surface 26b can be formed as an inclined surface. In addition, a space that serves as an air layer can be provided between the first substrate 22 and the first projection lens 23. This space generates convection due to the heat generated by the first light source 21. The space between the first substrate 22 and the first projection lens 23 is connected to the space of the lamp chamber formed between the housing 10 and the outer lens 11, and is structured to facilitate circulation of the air layer due to convection. This allows heat to be dissipated even on the front side of the first substrate 22.

The projection lens (first projection lens) 23 of the low beam lamp optical system 13a is designed to have the shapes of the entrance surface 24 and the exit surface 25 so as to satisfy the standard requirements of laws and regulations as a low beam lamp on a virtual screen at a predetermined distance in front of the headlamp 2. Of the light emitted from the light source 21, the direct light from the light source 21 reaches the entrance surface of the projection lens 23 while diffusing (radiating). The projection lens 23 has a positive refractive power so as to collect this diffused light and obtain a predetermined light distribution characteristic. The light distribution characteristic determined by laws and regulations as the light distribution pattern of the low beam is mainly formed by the combination of the light source 21, the projection lens 23, and the reflector 26. A shade that partially blocks light may be placed between the light source 21 and the projection lens 23. For example, in the case of a low beam lamp of a four-wheeled vehicle, when a light-dark boundary line (cutoff line) is required near the required center (near the intersection of the vertical axis and the horizontal axis), the shape of the reflector 26 can be changed and a shade can be added to accommodate the need.

Figure 8 is a horizontal cross-sectional view showing the low beam lamp optical system 13a in this embodiment. However, although the light source 21 has a size relatively smaller than the opening 26 of the first reflector 26, to simplify the drawing and explanation, the center point on the optical axis that is the center of the light source 21, which has a finite size, is described as the light source 21.

In this embodiment, the incidence surface 24 of the projection lens 23 of the low beam lamp optical system 13a corresponds to the first lens incidence surface 24 in the present invention. Since the direct projection method is adopted in this embodiment, the first lens incidence surface 24 is located in front of the first light source 21, and the first projection lens 23 is arranged so that the light emitted from the light source and diffused directly reaches the first lens incidence surface 24. The first lens incidence surface 24 has a first incidence surface 24a arranged on the central axis of the first projection lens 23 and in an area facing the light source 21. The optical axis Ax1 of the first light source 21 coincides with the central axis of the first projection lens. The first reflector 26 is arranged in the space between the first light source 21 and the first lens incidence surface 24. In this embodiment, the first reflector 26 is shaped to be concave toward the front in the horizontal cross section as shown in FIG. 8.

The exit surface 25 of the projection lens 23 of the low beam lamp optical system 13a corresponds to the first lens exit surface 25 in the present invention. The first lens exit surface 25 is located in front of the first incident surface 24. The first lens exit surface 25 includes a first lens main exit surface 25a that outputs the light incident from the first incident surface 24 toward the front of the vehicle, a first lens sub-exit surface 25b that is located farther from the central axis of the first lens than the first lens main exit surface 25a and outputs the light in a more lateral direction than the light exiting from the main exit surface 25a, and a first lens intermediate exit surface 25c that is located between the first lens main exit surface 25a and the first lens sub-exit surface 25b.

The first lens main exit surface 25a is located on the optical axis Ax1 of the first light source 21 as shown in FIG. 8, and is an exit surface from which the light emitted from the light source 21 in the optical axis direction is directly incident on the first entrance surface 24a and then exits without being reflected inside the projection lens 23. The first entrance surface 24a is within the range of angle an4 centered on the central axis of the projection lens 23. The light emitted from the first lens main exit surface 25a is focused toward a predetermined light distribution pattern formed by this optical system and projects the image of the light source 21 forward. In this embodiment, the angle an4 is formed at the apex in the range up to about 45° (about 23° from the central axis) in the horizontal cross section. The first lens main exit surface 25a is a curved surface that is convex toward the front, and is a convex surface with a gentler inclination than the projection lens of the main beam lamp optical system 13b.

The first lens sub-exit surface 25b is formed in a vertical wall-like region formed in the outer circumferential direction of the projection lens 23, which is a direction away from the optical axis Ax1 of the first light source 21, as shown in FIG. 8. It is formed in a region where the relatively low-luminance exit light emitted by the first light source 21 in a direction away from the optical axis Ax1 (inclined direction) reaches the exit surface 25. In the first lens sub-exit surface 25b, a part of the light is internally reflected. Therefore, compared with the first lens main exit surface 25a, it is inclined in a direction parallel to the central axis of the projection lens 23, that is, along the approximately front-rear direction. In addition, a part of the light that enters from the first lens entrance surface 24 and reaches the first lens sub-exit surface 25b is emitted to the outside. This light is mainly reflected by the extension 15 and then directed toward the forward direction of the headlamp 1. The light reflected internally by the first lens sub-exit surface 25b is formed to be irradiated toward the road surface closer to the rider (driver) than the light distribution pattern of a low beam lamp. The light that reaches the first lens sub-exit surface 25b is low in luminance, and there is little light that can be emitted to the outside without being reflected internally, so there is no nuisance to drivers of oncoming vehicles.

In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 8, the angle is formed within the range of angles an1 to an2 based on a vertical line centered on the light source position in the horizontal cross section. Within the range of angle an1, the first reflector 26 blocks light emitted from the center of the light source 21 from reaching the first lens entrance surface 24. Light that exceeds angle an2 and travels within the range to the optical axis becomes light that travels toward the first lens main exit surface 25a and the first lens intermediate exit surface 25c. In this embodiment, angle an1 is 36° and angle an2 is 50°. In addition, the first reflector 26 can be provided so that all of the light emitted from the center of the light source 21 does not directly reach the first lens sub-exit surface 25b.

The first lens intermediate emission surface 25c is an emission surface formed between the first lens main emission surface 25a and the first lens sub-emission surface 25b as shown in FIG. 8. It is formed in a vertical wall-like region where light heading in a direction inclined with respect to the optical axis Ax1 of the first light source 21 reaches the emission surface 25. The first lens intermediate emission surface 25c is an emission surface where the light emitted from the first light source 21 directly enters the first incidence surface 24a and then exits without being reflected inside the projection lens 23, similar to the first lens main emission surface 25a. The light that reaches the first lens intermediate emission surface 25c is light with a lower brightness than the light that reaches the first lens main emission surface 25a. The first lens intermediate emission surface 25c is shaped to emit light while concentrating it toward the second projection lens 33 described later. In this embodiment, it is a curved surface that is concave toward the front side. The angle indicated by the symbol an3 in FIG. 8 is the angle indicating the range within the first lens intermediate emission surface 25c where the component of light that is emitted outside the first projection lens 23 is greater than the component that is internally reflected. In this embodiment, the angle an3 is set to 10°.

In the first embodiment, the main beam lamp optical system 13b is attached to the bracket 14 so as to be located forward of the passing beam lamp optical system 13a in the longitudinal direction and closer to the center of the vehicle in the lateral direction. The main beam lamp optical system 13b corresponds to the other optical system in the present invention. By locating the main beam lamp optical system 13b forward of the passing beam lamp optical system 13a, a portion of the light emitted from the passing beam lamp optical system 13a can be made to enter the main beam lamp optical system 13b.

The main beam lamp optical system 13b is attached to the bracket 14 by stacking the heat sink 37, the substrate 32, the reflector 36, and the projection lens 33 in order from the rear side with the screws 14a. The light source 31 is mounted on the substrate 32. Note that FIG. 5 illustrates the heat sink 37 and the substrate 32 attached to the bracket 14 in a positioned state. In the first embodiment, the heat sink 37, the substrate 32, the reflector 36, and the projection lens 33 of the main beam lamp optical system 13b correspond to the second heat sink 37, the second substrate 32, the second projection reflector 36, and the second projection lens 33 in the present invention, respectively.

The second heat sink 37 and the second board 32 on which the second light source 31 is mounted have the same configuration as the first heat sink 27 and the first board 22, except that the wiring for mounting the second light source 31 and controlling its illumination is different, so a description of them will be omitted here.

The light source (second light source) 31 of the lamp optical system 13b for the main beam uses a surface-mount type LED, similar to the light source (first light source) 21 of the lamp optical system 13a for passing. In this embodiment, the light source (second light source) 31 of the lamp optical system 13b for the main beam may have a smaller horizontal width than the light source (first light source) 21 of the lamp optical system 13a for passing. This is because the light source (second light source) 21 of the lamp optical system 13b for the main beam is required to irradiate a distance farther than the passing beam.

The reflector (second reflector) 36 of the lamp optical system 13b for main beam has an opening 36a in the center whose vertical length is longer than its horizontal length, as shown in FIG. 7B, and a plurality of reflecting surfaces 36b are formed on the inner surface around the opening 36a. The second light source 31 is located inside the opening 36a, and a plurality of reflecting surfaces 36b are formed to reflect the light emitted from the light source 31 in a direction inclined with respect to the optical axis direction of the light source. In addition, a plurality of holes for positioning and fixing are formed in the upper and lower parts of the reflector. The plurality of reflecting surfaces 36b are inclined surfaces that widen from the light source 31 toward the front, i.e., the outer lens 11 side, as shown in FIG. 4. The plurality of reflecting surfaces 36b are formed at an angle such that the light emitted from the light source 31 in a direction inclined with respect to the optical axis is reflected toward the outer lens 11 side by the plurality of reflecting surfaces. Among the multiple reflecting surfaces 36b, the auxiliary reflecting surface 36b1, which reflects light emitted at a large angle to the optical axis of the light source 31, is configured to illuminate the road surface near the traveling direction (forward) and illuminate a wide area from the near side to the far side in the traveling direction for the rider (driver) when the headlamp 2 is attached to the vehicle 1, rather than reaching far as a lamp for the main beam. The main reflecting surface 36b2 reflects light toward the inside of the light distribution pattern of the main beam light distribution, thereby improving the utilization efficiency of the light emitted from the light source 31.

The projection lens (second projection lens) 33 of the high beam lamp optical system 13b has a second lens entrance surface 34 and a second lens exit surface 35 designed in such a way that they satisfy the standard requirements of regulations and the like as a high beam lamp on a virtual screen a predetermined distance ahead of the headlamp 2. Of the light emitted from the light source 31, direct light from the light source 31 reaches the second lens entrance surface 34 of the second projection lens 33 while diffusing (radiating). The second projection lens 33 has a positive refractive power so as to collect this diffusing light and achieve a predetermined light distribution characteristic.

9 is a horizontal cross-sectional view showing the main beam lamp optical system 13b in this embodiment. However, the light source 31 has a size relatively smaller than the opening 36 of the second reflector 36, but for simplicity of explanation, the center point on the optical axis is described as the light source. The incident surface 34 of the projection lens (second projection lens) 33 of the main beam lamp optical system in this embodiment corresponds to the second lens incident surface 34 in the present invention. Since the direct projection method (direct type) is adopted in this embodiment, the second lens incident surface 34 is located in front of the second light source 31, and the second projection lens 33 is arranged so that the light emitted from the light source and diffused directly reaches the second lens incident surface 34. The main incident surface 34a of the second lens is arranged on the central axis of the second projection lens 33 and in an area facing the light source 31. In this embodiment, the main incident surface 34a is curved and convex toward the rear on both the left and right sides in a horizontal cross section, as shown in FIG. 9. The optical axis Ax2 of the second light source 31 coincides with the central axis of the second projection lens 33. The second reflector 36 is disposed in the space between the second light source 31 and the second lens incident surface 34.

The incidence surface 34 of the projection lens (second projection lens) 33 of the lamp optical system for main beam is formed with a peripheral incidence surface 34b at the outer edge of the second projection lens in the peripheral direction of the second lens incidence surface. The peripheral incidence surface 34b is formed in the rear end region of the protruding portion 33b that protrudes rearward from the main incidence surface 34a of the second lens as shown in FIG. 9. The protruding portion 33b protrudes toward the first lens intermediate emission surface 25c side of the lamp optical system for low beam (first optical system) 13a. The peripheral incidence surface 34b is shaped so that the light components that are incident toward the inside of the projection lens (second projection lens) 33 are increased at the position where the light emitted from the first light source 21 emitted from the first lens intermediate emission surface 25c is incident. In this embodiment, the peripheral incidence surface 34b is a curved surface that is convex toward the first lens intermediate emission surface 25c. As a result, the peripheral incidence surface 34b diffuses the light from the first light source toward almost the entire surface of the second lens main emission surface 35 as it travels inside the projection lens (second projection lens) 33.

The exit surface 35 of the projection lens 33 of the high beam lamp optical system 13b corresponds to the second lens exit surface 35 in the present invention. The second lens exit surface 35 is located in front of the second entrance surface 34. The second lens exit surface 35 has a second lens main exit surface 35a formed on the central axis, which emits the light incident from the second entrance surface 34 toward the front of the vehicle.

The second lens main exit surface 35a is located on the optical axis Ax2 of the second light source 31 as shown in FIG. 9, and is an exit surface from which the light emitted from the light source 31 in the optical axis direction is directly incident on the main entrance surface 34a of the second lens and then exits without being reflected inside the projection lens 33. The light emitted from the second lens main exit surface 35a is focused toward a predetermined light distribution pattern formed by this optical system, and an image of the light source 31 is projected forward. In this embodiment, in the horizontal cross section, it is formed into a parabolic shape convex toward the front within an angle an5 centered on the central axis of the projection lens 23. In this embodiment, the angle an5 is about 70° (about 35° from the central axis). This angle an5 is a range that includes the entire range in which the intensity of the emitted light is 50% when the intensity of the emitted light on the optical axis ax2 is 100% in the light distribution characteristics of the light emitted from the light source 32.

Figure 10 is a schematic cross-sectional view for explaining the light rays emitted from the first lens intermediate emission surface 25c of the projection lens 23 of the lamp optical system for low beam 13a arranged on the rear side and reaching the protruding portion 33b of the projection lens 33 of the lamp optical system for high beam 13b arranged on the front side. Light L1a indicates light emitted from the light source 21 and passing near the boundary with the sub-emission surface 25b in the first lens intermediate emission surface 25c of the projection lens 23 of the lamp optical system for low beam 13a. This light L1a reaches the peripheral entrance surface 34b of the projection lens 33 of the lamp optical system for high beam 13b. A part of the light is reflected at the peripheral entrance surface 34b and heads toward the second reflector 36, and after being reflected by the second reflector 36, a part of the light enters the projection lens 33 of the lamp optical system for high beam 13b from the main entrance surface 34a and then exits the projection lens 33. In addition, another portion of the light that enters the inside of the projection lens 33 from the peripheral entrance surface 34b is guided inside the projection lens 33 and then emitted outside the projection lens 33.

Light L1b is light that is emitted from the light source 21 of the low beam lamp optical system 13a, passes through the first lens intermediate emission surface 25c of the projection lens 23 of the low beam lamp optical system 13a, and is emitted from the area facing the peripheral incidence surface 34b of the projection lens 33 of the high beam lamp optical system 13b, and reaches the peripheral incidence surface 34b. Light L1b is guided from the peripheral incidence surface 34b through the projection lens 33 of the high beam lamp optical system 13b, and then emitted to the outside of the projection lens 33. Light L1a and light L1b are emitted from the projection lens 33 of the high beam lamp optical system 13b, and some of them pass through the outer lens 11 directly and some of them are reflected by the extension 15. As a result, the light emitted from the light source 21 of the low beam lamp optical system 13a is emitted to the outside through the projection lens 33 of the high beam lamp optical system 13b, so that when the headlamp 2 is viewed from the front in the direction of illumination, the high beam lamp optical system 13b appears to be lit.

Figures 11 and 12 are schematic front views showing the lamp body 13 when viewed from the front of the headlamp 2 in the irradiation direction. Figure 11 shows the headlamp of this embodiment, and Figure 12 shows a headlamp of a comparative example. In the headlamp of the comparative example, there is no area corresponding to the first lens intermediate exit surface 25c of the projection lens 23 of the low beam lamp optical system 13a described in the first embodiment above, and the peripheral entrance surface 34b of the projection lens 33 of the high beam lamp optical system 13b, and the light emitted from the projection lens 91 of the low beam lamp optical system does not enter the projection lens 92 of the high beam lamp optical system.

Figure 11 (A) shows the non-illuminated state, (B) shows the state where only the high beam lamp optical system 13b is lit, and (C) shows the state where only the low beam lamp optical system 13a is lit. The dashed lines indicate the contour of the outer circumference of the left lamp housing 8L of the headlamp 2 and the contour of the outer circumference of the right lamp housing 8R. The diagonal line pattern indicates the lit state, and the white outline indicates the non-illuminated state. When only the high beam lamp optical system 13b is lit, as shown in Figure 11 (B), the high beam lamp optical system 13b housed in the left lamp housing chamber 8L and positioned toward the center of the vehicle, and the high beam lamp optical system 13b housed in the right lamp housing chamber 8R and positioned toward the center of the vehicle are observed to be lit. On the other hand, when only the low beam lamp optical system 13a is turned on, the low beam lamp optical system 13a accommodated in the lamp housing chamber 8L and arranged closer to the side of the vehicle, and the low beam lamp optical system 13a accommodated in the right lamp housing chamber 8R and arranged closer to the side of the vehicle are observed as being turned on, as shown in Fig. 11(C). Furthermore, as shown by dots in Fig. 11(C), the high beam lamp optical system 13b accommodated in the left lamp housing chamber 8L and arranged closer to the center of the vehicle, and the high beam lamp optical system 13b accommodated in the right lamp housing chamber 8R and arranged closer to the center of the vehicle also appear to be lit. This is because, as explained using Fig. 10, a part of the light emitted from the low beam lamp optical system 13a reaches the high beam lamp optical system 13b and appears to be lit. In addition, the brightness of the main beam lamp optical system 13b housed in the left lamp housing chamber 8L and positioned toward the center of the vehicle, and the brightness of the main beam lamp optical system 13b housed in the right lamp housing chamber 8R and positioned toward the center of the vehicle, is darker in the case of FIG. 11(C) than in FIG. 11(B).

On the other hand, in the case of the comparative example, the light emitted from the projection lens 91 of the low beam lamp optical system is configured not to enter the projection lens 92 of the high beam lamp optical system. A part of the light emitted from the projection lens 91 of the low beam lamp optical system does not reach the projection lens 92 of the high beam lamp optical system. As shown in FIG. 12(C), when the low beam lamp optical system is turned on, only the projection lens 91 of the low beam lamp optical system is observed to be lit, and as shown in FIG. 12(B), when the high beam lamp optical system is turned on, only the projection lens 92 of the high beam lamp optical system is observed to be lit. Note that in FIG. 12, as in FIG. 11, (A) shows a non-lit state, (B) shows a state where only the high beam lamp optical system is turned on, and (C) shows a state where only the low beam lamp optical system is turned on. The dashed lines show the outline of the outer circumference of the left lamp housing 8L of the headlamp 2 and the outline of the outer circumference of the right lamp housing 8R. As in Figure 11, the diagonal lines indicate the lit state and the white outline indicates the unlit state.

Second Embodiment
Next, the second embodiment will be described. FIG. 13 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a lamp body 41 of the second embodiment. The second embodiment includes a lamp body 41 including a lamp optical system for low beam 41a and a lamp optical system for high beam 41b, similar to the first embodiment. The difference from the first embodiment is that the lamp optical system for high beam 41b is arranged relatively forward and away from the lamp optical system for low beam 41a, as compared with the first embodiment. By arranging them away from each other, the virtual line connecting the center point of the lamp optical system for low beam and the center point of the lamp optical system for high beam has a steeper angle than the virtual line in the first embodiment. Therefore, in the first embodiment, the light component that directly reaches the peripheral entrance surface 34b of the projection lens of the lamp optical system for high beam is reduced when the light is emitted to the outside from the first lens intermediate emission surface 25c of the projection lens of the lamp optical system for low beam. Therefore, in the second embodiment, a third reflector 45 is provided in order to increase the amount of light that is emitted to the outside from the first lens intermediate emission surface 25c and enters the projection lens of the main beam lamp optical system.

The rest of the configuration is the same as in the first embodiment, so a description thereof will be omitted here. It should be noted that, like the first embodiment, the lamp optical system 41a for the low beam corresponds to one optical system in the present invention, and the lamp optical system 41b for the main beam corresponds to the other optical system in the present invention.

The symbols L41a and L41b indicate representative rays of light that are emitted from the light source of the low beam lamp optical system 41a and are emitted to the outside from the projection lens 42a of the low beam lamp optical system toward the main beam lamp optical system 41b.

The light L41a is light that does not directly reach the projection lens 42b of the lamp optical system for high beam 41b after being emitted from the projection lens 42a of the lamp optical system for low beam, but reaches the projection lens 42b of the lamp optical system for high beam 41b by being reflected by the third reflector 45. In FIG. 13, it is reflected twice by the third reflector 45. The third reflector 45a that performs the first reflection of the two reflections is provided in the space between the projection lens 42a of the lamp optical system for low beam and the projection lens 42b of the lamp optical system for high beam 41b, which is located near the center of the vehicle, and the third reflector 45b that performs the second reflection of the two reflections is disposed in the space in front of the reflector 45a and to the side of the projection lens 42b of the lamp optical system for high beam 41b. Both the third reflectors 45a and 45b are provided on the extension 15. In FIG. 13, the surface of the extension 15 is used as it is. A reflector may also be attached separately from the extension 15.

Light L41b is light that is emitted from the projection lens 42a of the lamp optical system for low beam and reaches directly the projection lens 42b of the lamp optical system for high beam 41b. The projection lens 42b of the lamp optical system for high beam 41b has a peripheral incidence surface 44b formed thereon as in the first embodiment, and after being guided from the peripheral incidence surface 44b through the projection lens 42b of the lamp optical system for high beam 13b, it is emitted to the outside of the projection lens 42b.

When the lamp body 41 is viewed from the front of the headlamp 2 in the direction of illumination, as in the first embodiment, neither the low beam lamp optical system 41a nor the high beam lamp optical system 41b is lit when not lit (see FIG. 11(A)). When only the high beam lamp optical system 41b is lit, only the left and right high beam lamp optical systems 41b are lit (see FIG. 11(B)). When the low beam lamp optical system 41b is lit, the left and right low beam lamp optical systems 41b are lit and at the same time, part of the light enters the high beam lamp optical system 41a, so that the high beam lamp optical system 41a is also observed to be lit (see FIG. 11(C)).

In this embodiment, the third reflector 45 reflects twice to allow a portion of the light emitted from the passing beam lamp optical system 41a to enter the main beam lamp optical system 41b, but it may also be reflected once to allow the light emitted from the passing beam lamp optical system 41a to enter the main beam lamp optical system 41b. It is preferable that the projection lens 42b of the main beam lamp optical system 41b has a large angle an6, which is the range that forms the peripheral incidence surface, so that the light reflected by the third reflector 45 can easily enter the projection lens 42b. The angle an4 is formed large so that not only the light emitted from the passing beam lamp optical system 41a and directly reaching the main beam lamp optical system 41b, but also the reflected light from the third reflector 45 can enter. In this embodiment, an6 is 40°.

According to the second embodiment, even if the relative positional relationship between the low beam lamp optical system and the high beam lamp optical system is such that the light emitted from one optical system does not directly enter the other optical system, the third reflector 45 can be added to allow a part of the light emitted from one optical system to enter the other optical system. Therefore, the degree of freedom in the layout of the low beam lamp optical system and the high beam lamp optical system can be increased. In addition, by providing the third reflector 45 on the extension 15, when the low beam lamp optical system and the high beam lamp optical system are viewed from the front, the extension 15 can clearly define the boundary with each lamp, and can block the reflection surface of the third reflector from being observed from the front direction. As a result, the third reflector 45 does not significantly degrade the quality of the external design of the headlamp. In addition, the light emitted from one light source can be effectively utilized. If it were possible to use both the light emitted from one optical system that directly enters the other optical system, and the light emitted from one optical system that could not directly enter the other optical system but can enter the other optical system by passing through a third reflector, it would be possible to increase the amount of light from one optical system that exits the other optical system, making it brighter and improving the efficiency of light utilization.

According to the above-mentioned embodiment, in a headlamp provided with a lamp optical system for a low beam and a lamp optical system for a high beam, when the light source of one optical system is turned on, only one of the optical systems can be brightened. However, a portion of the light emitted from the light source of one optical system can be made incident on the projection lens of the other optical system, and the other optical system is illuminated by that light, thereby improving the visibility of the headlamp. In addition, since illumination can be achieved without using an additional light source, the wiring and space required for providing an additional light source are not required, and a headlamp with a small and inexpensive configuration can be provided without complexity.

In the first and second embodiments, a configuration was described in which an optical system, also known as a direct projection system, is used as the optical system for both the low beam lamp optical system and the high beam lamp optical system, in which light emitted from a light source is directly collected and projected by a projection lens. We will now provide a supplementary explanation of this direct projection system (direct type).

As mentioned above, the lamp body 13 shown in FIG. 5 has the lamp optical system 13a for low beam and the lamp optical system 13b for high beam attached and fixed to the resin bracket 14. By configuring each optical system as a direct projection type, each optical system can be assembled by stacking the heat sink, substrate, reflector, and projection lens on the bracket 14 in that order. At this time, optical alignment of the optical components (light source, reflecting surface, projection lens) is required, but positioning protrusions 15a and 15b are formed on the bracket 14, and positioning is performed using these positioning protrusions 15a and 15b as references, making it possible to fix with high precision.

The positioning protrusion 15a is a protrusion for attaching a substrate carrying a heat sink and a light source to a predetermined position on the bracket 14. The portion indicated by the reference symbol 16 in FIG. 6 corresponds to the positioning protrusion 15a. The positioning notches 16 are provided on both sides of the first heat sink 27 and on both sides of the first substrate 22. The positioning protrusion 15a and the positioning notches 16 are formed to correspond to both the low beam lamp optical system 13a and the main beam lamp optical system 13b.

The positioning protrusion 15b is a protrusion for attaching the reflector and the projection lens to a predetermined position on the bracket 14. In FIG. 5, the part indicated by the reference numeral 17 corresponds to the positioning protrusion 15b. In the low beam lamp optical system 13a, the positioning holes 17 are formed below the opening of the first reflector 26 and below the first projection lens 23. In the high beam lamp optical system 13b, the positioning holes 17 are formed below the opening of the second reflector 36 and below the second projection lens 33. If the positioning holes 17 are also provided in the first substrate 22 at positions corresponding to the positioning protrusions 15b, the positioning protrusions 15a and the positioning notches 16 may be omitted.

In the above embodiment, by using a direct projection type optical system, the optical system can be formed by stacking the positioning protrusions 15a and 15b on the bracket 14 in a predetermined position, reducing the number of assembly steps and achieving a compact design.

In addition, by providing the positioning protrusion 15b and the positioning hole 17 at a position below the opening of the reflector, the left-right dimension of the optical system can be reduced. By reducing the left-right dimension of the optical system, it is possible to easily configure not only headlamps with a slant-eye appearance, but also headlamps with an appearance design in which the passing beam lamp optical system and the main beam lamp optical system are horizontally aligned. The distance between the passing beam lamp optical system and the main beam lamp optical system can be freely laid out, from close to far apart, which has the advantage of making it easier to realize headlamps with various appearance designs. In particular, in the case of motorcycles where the left-right dimension cannot be large, the optical system of the above embodiment is suitable because it can be made small and lightweight, and the degree of freedom in the arrangement of the passing beam lamp optical system and the main beam lamp optical system is increased.

Although the embodiment and its modified examples of the present invention have been described above, the above embodiment and modified examples are merely illustrative in every respect. The present invention should not be interpreted in a limited manner based on these descriptions. The present invention can be modified in various other ways without departing from the spirit of the present invention. For example, since the other optical system only needs to include a second projection lens, a projector type optical system in which light from a second light source is collected on an elliptical reflecting surface and then irradiated by a second projection lens may be used instead of a direct projection type optical system. In addition, one optical system may be a projector type optical system or a reflector type optical system that does not use a projection lens, as an optical system that emits a portion of light toward a predetermined position of the second projection lens.

Applicable to headlamps of motorcycles, two-wheeled vehicles, scooters and other motorbikes and vehicles considered to be such, as well as headlamps of vehicles with interior space such as four-wheeled automobiles, trucks and three-wheeled vehicles.

1. Vehicle (motorcycle)
2...Headlamp 3...Cowl 5...Front wheel 6...Front fork 8...Lamp housing 8L...Left lamp housing 8R...Right lamp housing 9...Sealing section 10...Housing 10a...Lighting control board 11...Outer lens 12...Lamp unit 13...Lamp body 13R...Right lamp body 13L...Left lamp body 13a...Lamp optical system for low beam 13b...Lamp optical system for high beam 13c...Turn lamp optical system 14...Bracket 15...Extension 21...First light source 22...First substrate 23...First projection lens 24...First lens entrance surface 24a...First entrance surface 25...First lens exit surface 25a...First lens main exit surface 25b...First lens sub-exit surface 25c...First lens intermediate exit surface 26...First reflector 26b...Reflecting surface 26b1...auxiliary reflecting surface 26b2...main reflecting surface 27...first heat sink 31...second light source 32...second substrate 33...second projection lens 33b...projection portion 34...second lens entrance surface 34a...main entrance surface 34b of second lens...peripheral entrance surface 35...second lens exit surface 35a...second lens main exit surface 36...second reflector 36a...opening 36b...reflecting surface 36b1...auxiliary reflecting surface 36b2...main reflecting surface 37...second heat sink 41...lamp body 41a...passing beam lamp optical system 41b...high beam lamp optical system 42a...projection lens 42b of the passing beam lamp optical system...projection lens 44b of the high beam lamp optical system...peripheral entrance surface 45 (45a, 45b)...third reflector Ax1...optical axis of first light source Ax2...optical axis of second light source

Claims (4)

The vehicle is arranged at the front of the vehicle, and is provided with a lamp optical system for a high beam and a lamp optical system for a low beam in pairs on both left and right sides of the vehicle body in the left and right direction,
one of the main beam lamp optical system and the low beam lamp optical system is disposed at a position farther away from a center of the vehicle body than the other of the main beam lamp optical system and the low beam lamp optical system when viewed from a front of the vehicle;
the one optical system includes a first light source, a substrate on which the first light source is mounted, and a first projection lens disposed in front of the first light source and configured to condense and irradiate at least a portion of light emitted from the first light source toward a front of the vehicle;
the first projection lens includes a first lens entrance surface into which light from the first light source is incident, a first lens main exit surface located in front of the first lens entrance surface and emitting the light incident from the first lens entrance surface toward a front of the vehicle, a first lens sub-exit surface located at a position farther away from a central axis of the first lens than the first lens main exit surface and emitting the light in a more lateral direction than the light emitted from the first lens main exit surface, and a first lens intermediate exit surface located between the first lens main exit surface and the first lens sub-exit surface,
the other optical system includes a second light source and a second projection lens that condenses and irradiates light emitted from the second light source toward a front of the vehicle;
the second projection lens includes a second lens incident surface into which light from the second light source is incident, a peripheral incident surface located in a peripheral direction of the second lens incident surface and at an outer edge of the second projection lens, and a second lens main exit surface located in front of the second incident surface and exiting the light incident from the second incident surface toward a front of the vehicle,
a second lens main exit surface of the second projection lens is located on the vehicle front side in the vehicle front-rear direction relative to the first lens intermediate exit surface,
the first lens intermediate exit surface emits a portion of the light emitted from the first light source toward the peripheral entrance surface of the second projection lens;
a peripheral entrance surface of the second projection lens having a shape such that light from the first light source incident on the peripheral entrance surface spreads and travels toward the second lens main exit surface. The headlamp according to claim 1, wherein the peripheral entrance surface protrudes toward the first lens intermediate exit surface of the first optical system beyond the second lens entrance surface of the second lens. the one optical system is the lamp optical system for low beam,
3. The headlamp according to claim 1, wherein the other optical system is the main beam lamp optical system. The headlamp according to claim 3, wherein the one optical system is a direct-type optical unit that irradiates the first light source image.