JP3911241B2 - Vehicle headlamp - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a novel vehicle headlamp. In a vehicle headlamp comprising a projector lamp unit and configured to be rotatable in a horizontal direction, a power supply cord to a control circuit of an actuator for rotating the projector lamp unit in a horizontal direction is a projector lamp The present invention relates to a technique for preventing interference with a projector lamp unit when the unit is rotated.
[0002]
[Prior art]
A lamp unit including at least a light source bulb and a reflector that reflects light of the light source bulb forward is provided in a vehicle headlamp, for example, an automobile headlamp, so that the lamp unit can be rotated in a horizontal direction with respect to the lamp body. An arrangement is proposed in which the lamp unit is rotated in the traveling direction at an appropriate time, for example, when traveling on a curved road or turning right and left, etc., so that the traveling direction is illuminated more brightly (see Patent Document 1). .
[0003]
[Patent Document 1]
JP 2002-222603 A (FIGS. 6 and 7)
[0004]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
By the way, in the vehicle headlamp shown in Patent Document 1, an actuator for rotating the lamp unit and a control circuit for controlling the actuator are arranged in the lamp body. A cord for supplying power to the circuit from the outside is located in the lamp body. If the position of the cord is not fixed in the lamp body, the lamp unit and the cord may interfere with each other when the lamp unit rotates, and the rotation of the lamp unit may be hindered or the cord may be damaged. is there.
[0005]
Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to prevent the power supply cord to the actuator control circuit that rotates the projector lamp unit in the horizontal direction from interfering with the projector lamp unit when the projector lamp unit is rotated.
[0006]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to solve the above-described problems, the vehicle headlamp of the present invention supports a projector lamp unit in a frame supported by a lamp body so as to be rotatable in a horizontal direction, and is connected to the projector lamp unit. The actuator for horizontally rotating the actuator and the control circuit unit of the actuator are fixed to the frame, and the connector provided at one end of the cord led out from the control circuit unit is positioned at the second lamp unit side of the frame. It is fixed to the frame so that it is located at the connector fixing part that has a wall on the top and bottom, and the most part of the part between the control circuit unit and the connector of the cord is sandwiched between the actuator and the frame, and fixed. Connect the power supply cord connected to the connector to the bottom of the lamp body. Jefferies Kuta lamp units and those derived to the outside through an opening provided between the second lamp unit.
[0007]
Therefore, in the vehicle headlamp of the present invention, the cord between the control circuit unit and the connector does not interfere with the projector lamp unit when the projector lamp unit is rotated.
[0008]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Embodiments of a vehicle headlamp according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the illustrated embodiment, the present invention is applied to an automotive headlamp.
[0009]
The vehicle headlamp 10 is a right-side headlamp mounted on the right side of the front end of the vehicle, and the headlamp mounted on the left side has a symmetrical arrangement with that shown in the drawing.
[0010]
As can be seen from FIGS. 2 and 3, the automotive headlamp 10 includes a lamp body 20 having a recess opening forward, and the front opening of the lamp body 20 is covered by a transparent front cover 30. A chamber 11 is formed. Two lamp units 40 and 50 are arranged side by side in the lamp chamber 11. Among these lamp units 40 and 50, the lamp unit 50 located outside, that is, on the right side in the right headlamp, is configured as a projector lamp unit and configured to emit a low beam. The second lamp unit 40 located inside, that is, on the left side is configured to emit a high beam. The high beam lamp unit 40 includes a reflector 41 and a light source bulb (incandescent bulb) 42 supported by the reflector 41. The reflector 41 is formed by known means (not shown), for example, means using an aiming screw and a nut body. It is supported so as to be tiltable with respect to 20.
[0011]
As shown in FIG. 2, the projector lamp unit 50 includes a reflector 51, a discharge bulb 52 that is detachably supported by the reflector 51, a convex lens 53 disposed in front of the reflector 51, and a lens that holds the convex lens 53. A holding frame 54 is provided.
[0012]
The reflector 51 includes a reflecting surface 51 a that condenses the light emitted from the discharge bulb 52 in a predetermined condensing area, and a substantially cylindrical lens holding frame 54 is continuously fixed to the front end of the reflector 51. The convex lens 53 is held so as to close the front end of the lens holding frame 54.
[0013]
The lens holding frame 54 has a cylindrical shape whose diameter decreases toward the front end, and supported pieces 54a and 54b projecting substantially horizontally from the upper and lower ends of the rear end portion are projected. A supported shaft 54c protrudes upward from the tip of the upper supported piece 54a, and is connected to a position directly below the supported shaft 54c in the tip of the lower supported piece 54b. A shaft 54d protrudes downward. The connecting shaft 54d is formed with an engaging recess 54e that opens on the lower surface.
[0014]
A light shielding member 55 is integrally formed at the lower edge of the front end of the lens holding frame 54. The light shielding member 55 has a base piece portion 55a extending inwardly from the lower edge of the front end of the lens holding frame 54 and a light shielding portion 55b protruding upward from the rear end of the base piece portion 55a. Formed. And the upper edge of the light-shielding part 55b is located in the condensing area | region of the said reflector 51. FIG. A shade body 56 that projects inward and rearward is integrally formed on the upper edge of the front end of the lens holding frame 54. The rear end 56a of the shade body 56 extends above the light shielding portion 55b of the light shielding member 55 and to the rear of the light shielding portion 55b. Among the light emitted from the discharge bulb 52 by the shade body 56, the above-described predetermined light collection is performed. Light other than the light condensed on the area is blocked by the convex lens, so that the glare light is not emitted.
[0015]
A pressing ring 57 is attached to the front end of the lens holding frame 54, and a peripheral edge 53 a of the convex lens 53 is held in a sandwiched manner between the pressing ring 57 and the front end of the lens holding frame 54. Is held at the front end of the lens holding frame 54. The focal point of the convex lens 53 is located in the vicinity of the upper edge of the light shielding portion 55 b of the light shielding member 55.
[0016]
In the projector lamp unit 50 described above, the light emitted from the discharge bulb 52 and reflected by the reflecting surface 51a of the reflector 51 is condensed on the condensing area near the upper edge of the light shielding portion 55b of the light shielding member 55, The condensed light is projected forward by the convex lens 53. At this time, since a part of the collected light is shielded by the light shielding portion 55b of the light shielding member 55, the upper edge of the beam projected forward by the convex lens 53 is similar to the upper edge of the light shielding portion 55b. Thus, a so-called cut line is formed. Thus, the projector lamp unit 50 performs low beam irradiation.
[0017]
The projector lamp unit 50 described above is supported by the lamp body 20 via the frame 60.
[0018]
As can be seen in FIG. 4, the frame 60 has a substantially rectangular frame shape when viewed from the front, and support plates 61 and 62 project from the upper and lower sides to the front. A bearing portion 61a is provided at the front end portion of the upper support plate 61, and a supported shaft 54c provided on the upper portion of the projector lamp unit 50 is rotatably supported by the bearing portion 61a. The lower support plate 62 protrudes slightly forward from the upper support plate 61, and a circular shaft insertion hole 62a is formed in a portion of the front end portion of the support plate 62 that is positioned directly below the bearing portion 61a. ing. Then, a connecting shaft 54d provided at the lower portion of the projector lamp unit 50 is inserted into the shaft insertion hole 62a, and is supported rotatably. In this way, the projector lamp unit 50 is supported by the frame 60 so as to be rotatable in the horizontal direction.
[0019]
As can be seen in FIGS. 3 to 7, an actuator 70 that rotates the projector lamp unit 50 in the horizontal direction is fixed to the lower surface of the lower support plate 62 of the frame 60.
[0020]
Two mounting bosses 63, 63 project from the lower surface of the lower support plate 62 on the lower side of the frame 60 so as to be spaced apart from each other (see FIG. 4).
[0021]
The actuator 70 is driven in response to a steering operation, for example, and the output shaft 71 is rotated by being driven. As shown in FIG. 4, the output shaft 71 has a spline shaft shape and is formed with a plurality of ridges 71a, 71a,... Extending in the axial direction. Mounting pieces 72 a, 72 a project from the left and right side surfaces of the case 72 of the actuator 70, and screws 73, 73 inserted through the mounting pieces 72 a, 72 a from below are lower surfaces of the support plate 62 below the bracket 60. Thus, the actuator 70 is fixed to the lower surface of the support plate 62. The engaging recess 54e formed in the connecting shaft 54d of the projector lamp unit 50 has a shape corresponding to the output shaft 71 of the actuator 70, and the output shaft 71 is in the engaging recess 54e of the connecting shaft 54d. The connecting shaft 54d is connected to the output shaft 71 by engaging with the fitting shape.
[0022]
Accordingly, when the actuator 70 is driven, the output shaft 71 is rotated, and the projector lamp unit 50 is rotated in the left-right direction as the output shaft 71 rotates.
[0023]
The actuator 70 is driven by being supplied with electric power through a control circuit built in the case 81 of the control circuit unit 80. The control circuit unit 80 is also supported by the frame 60.
[0024]
As can be seen in FIGS. 7 and 8, the rear surface of the right side portion of the frame 60 is an attachment portion 64 of the control circuit unit 80. At a position near the lower end of the mounting portion, a tongue piece-like insertion piece 65 is provided protruding rearward.
[0025]
The control circuit unit 80 is configured by forming a control circuit (not shown) in a case body 81 having a rectangular box shape that is flat on the left and right sides, and insertion portions 82 and 83 are formed on both upper and lower surfaces of the front end portion. Each insertion part 82, 83 is formed by forming grooves 82b, 82b and 83b, 83b on mutually opposing surfaces of a pair of protrusions 82a, 82a and 83a, 83a extending in the front-rear direction in parallel with each other. And the attachment metal fitting 84 is attached to the insertion part 82 of an upper surface part. The mounting bracket 84 is formed by bending a band-shaped metal plate into an L shape, and an insertion piece 84 a extending in the front-rear direction is fixed to the insertion portion 82 at the top of the control circuit unit 80. That is, when the left and right side edges of the insertion piece 84a are inserted into the grooves 82b and 82b of the insertion portion 82 from the front side, and the mounting piece 84b extending in the vertical direction substantially coincides with the front end of the control circuit unit 80, the insertion piece 84 a is locked by locking means (not shown), whereby the mounting bracket 84 is fixed to the front end of the upper part of the control circuit unit 80, and the mounting piece 84 b protrudes upward from the front end of the control circuit unit 80.
[0026]
Therefore, the insertion piece 65 of the frame 60 is inserted into the insertion portion 83 on the lower side of the control circuit unit 80. That is, the left and right side edge portions of the insertion piece 65 are inserted into the grooves 83b and 83b of the insertion portion 83 from the front side. Then, in a state where the mounting piece 84b of the mounting bracket 84 is in contact with the mounting portion 64 of the frame 60, a screw 85 inserted through the mounting piece 84b from the rear side is screwed to the mounting portion 64 of the frame 60, thereby The control circuit unit 80 is attached to the frame 60 so as to protrude rearward from the control circuit unit attachment portion 64 of the frame 60.
[0027]
Two types of cords 86, 86, and 87 are derived from a position near the front end of the left side surface of the control circuit unit 80. The cords 86 and 86 are connected to the actuator 70, and the cord 87 is for feeding and signals. The cord 87 is a bundle of a plurality of power cords and other signal cords, and a connector 90 is connected to the tip.
[0028]
The connector 90 is attached to a connector fixing portion 66 formed on the left side surface of the frame 60. The connector fixing portion 66 is formed at a substantially central portion in the vertical direction of the left side surface of the frame 60, and includes walls 66a and 66a that are spaced apart from each other in the vertical direction (see FIGS. 5 and 9).
[0029]
As can be seen in FIG. 9, an insertion hole 91 that opens at the rear end and is flat in the left-right direction is formed on the right side surface of the connector 90. The connector 90 is attached to the frame 60 by a fixture 92. The attachment 92 has a base portion 92 a that is substantially L-shaped when viewed from above and a tongue-like insertion piece 92 b that protrudes forward from the front end of the base portion 92 a, and the insertion piece 92 b is inserted into the insertion hole 91 of the connector 90. In this state, the locking means (not shown) prevents the insertion piece 92b from being pulled out from the insertion hole 91. Therefore, with the connector 90 positioned between the two walls 66a and 66a, the rear end portion of the base portion 92a is fixed to the rear surface of the connector fixing portion 66 of the frame 60 by the screw 93. In this way, the connector 90 is fixed to the frame 60 via the fixture 92. As described above, the connector 90 is fixed to the frame 60 with the walls 66a and 66a covering the upper and lower sides, so that it is possible to prevent foreign matter from colliding with the connector 90 from the upper and lower sides and the right side during the assembly of the headlamp. The
[0030]
As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, most of the portion of the cord 87 between the control circuit unit 80 and the connector 90 is the rear end of the lower support plate 62 of the frame 60 and the rear end of the case 72 of the actuator 70. It is inserted into a gap formed between the two parts. Then, after the portion of the cord 87 is sandwiched between the support plate 62 and the actuator 70, the cord cover 67 is fixed to the rear surface of the lower end portion of the frame 60 with screws 67 a and 67 a, and the cord cover 67 supports the cord 87. The rear side of the portion sandwiched between 62 and the actuator 70 is covered, and the cord 87 is prevented from falling off between the support plate 62 and the actuator 70.
[0031]
An external connector 100 is connected to the connector 90. As can be seen from FIGS. 2 and 10, a cord (hereinafter referred to as a power supply cord) 101 for supplying power and transmitting signals from the outside is fitted into a cord insertion hole 21 a formed in the bottom wall of the lamp body 20. The connector 100 is connected to the tip of the portion of the power supply cord 101 that is introduced into the lamp chamber 11 through the rubber bushing 22 and drawn into the lamp chamber 11. The cord insertion hole 21 a is provided at a position between the projector lamp unit 50 and the second lamp unit 40 in the bottom wall 21 of the lamp body 20. As a result, the portion of the power supply cord 101 between the connector 100 and the cord insertion hole 21a does not obstruct the tilt and rotation of the projector lamp unit 50 and the tilt of the second lamp unit 40. .
[0032]
Therefore, for example, a signal corresponding to the steering operation is input to a control circuit (not shown) in the control circuit unit 80 via the cord 101, the connector 100, the connector 90, and the cord 87, and the control circuit supplies power corresponding to the signal. The power is supplied to the actuator 70 via the cord 86, and the actuator 70 is driven by the electric power, and the output shaft 71 is rotated in the direction corresponding to the signal by an angle corresponding to the signal. Then, the projector lamp unit 50 is rotated by the rotation of the output shaft 71.
[0033]
The frame 60 is tiltably supported by the lamp body 20 by known means.
[0034]
As can be seen in FIG. 4, the nut members 110, 110 are supported at positions close to the left and right ends of the upper end portion of the frame 60, and the ball receiver is positioned at a portion of the lower end portion of the frame 60 positioned below one nut member 110. Member 120 is supported. Reference numerals 130 and 130 denote adjustment shafts, which have screw shaft portions 131 and 131 and operation heads 132 and 132 provided at the rear ends of the screw shaft portions 131 and 131, and are rotatable on the rear side wall of the lamp body 20. The screw shaft portions 131 and 131 are screwed to the nut members 110 and 110, respectively. Reference numeral 140 denotes a leveling drive unit that includes a leveling shaft 142 that moves in the front-rear direction by driving of a drive source (not shown) housed in the case body 141, and a spherical body portion 143 is formed at the tip of the leveling shaft 142. ing. The case body 141 is fixed to the lamp body 20, and the sphere portion 143 of the leveling shaft 142 is rotatably fitted in a spherical recess (not shown) formed in the ball receiving member 120 supported by the frame 60. The driving source of the leveling drive unit 140 is driven by an operation from the driver's cab or by automatic control based on a detection result by a sensor that detects the tilt of the vehicle body, particularly the tilt in the front-rear direction. Accordingly, the leveling shaft 142 is moved in the front-rear direction.
[0035]
As the frame 60 is supported by the lamp body 20 as described above, the frame 60 is tilted as follows. As the frame 60 tilts, the projector lamp unit 50 supported by the frame 60 is also tilted in the same manner as the frame 60.
[0036]
When the leveling drive unit 140 is driven, the leveling shaft 142 is moved in the front-rear direction, and the portion of the frame 60 that supports the ball receiving member 120 to which the tip of the leveling shaft 142 is connected moves back and forth. As a result, the frame 60 is tilted with the line connecting the portions supported by the adjustment shafts 130, that is, the portions supporting the nut members 110, 110 as tilting axes. Therefore, when the vehicle body is tilted back and forth due to a weight deviation of the load, the leveling driving unit 140 is driven to obtain a beam irradiation direction suitable for the vehicle body tilt.
[0037]
Further, the beam irradiation axis can be finely adjusted by rotating both or one of the adjustment axes 130 and 130. When the two adjusting shafts 130 and 130 are rotated in the same direction by the same amount, the two portions of the frame 60 that support the nut members 110 and 110 are moved in the same direction by the same amount in the front-rear direction. Is tilted in the vertical direction with the portion supported by the leveling drive unit 140, that is, the portion supporting the ball receiving member 120 as the tilting fulcrum. When one of the adjusting shafts 130 and 130 is rotated, the frame 60 supports the portion that supports the nut member 110 to which the adjusting shaft 130 that has not been rotated is screwed and the ball receiving member 120. It is tilted with the line connecting the existing parts as the tilt axis. The tilt adjustment of the frame 60 performed by rotating the adjusting shafts 130 and 130 as described above is so-called initial aiming, that is, a state of no load or close to no load at the time of shipment or periodic inspection of the automobile, That is, the adjustment is performed so that an appropriate beam irradiation angle can be obtained in a state where no passenger or luggage is on the vehicle or only a driver is on the vehicle.
[0038]
In order to turn on the discharge bulb 52 which is a light source bulb of the projector lamp unit 50, a ballast circuit which boosts the voltage of the in-vehicle battery and converts it into a lighting voltage which is a high-voltage and high-frequency AC voltage and applies it to the discharge bulb 52; There is a need for a discharge bulb lighting circuit comprising a starting circuit that superimposes the starting voltage on the lighting voltage at the time of starting. Therefore, as can be seen in FIG. 3, the lighting circuit unit 150 having the discharge bulb lighting circuit in the case body 151 is supported by the lamp body 20 at a position directly below the projector lamp unit 50. The power supply cord 152 led out from the lighting circuit unit 150 extends upward through the back of the projector lamp unit 50, and a bulb socket 153 connected to the upper end of the cord 152 is attached to the discharge bulb 52. A lighting voltage and a starting voltage are supplied to the discharge bulb 52 from a discharge lamp lighting circuit provided in the lighting circuit unit 150. As a result, the length of the power supply cord 152 between the lighting circuit unit 150 and the discharge bulb 52 can be shortened. Therefore, the fluctuation of the power supply cord 152 when the projector lamp unit 50 rotates is minimized. be able to.
[0039]
In the automotive headlamp 10 described above, the power supply cord 87 led out from the control circuit unit 80 is sandwiched between the support plate 62 of the frame 60 and the actuator 70 so as to be integrated with the frame 60. Therefore, even if the projector lamp unit 60 rotates in the horizontal direction and the power supply cord 152 to the light source bulb 52 swings left and right, the control circuit unit 80 and the connector 90 There is no interference with the cord 87 between. Therefore, the cord 87 between the control circuit unit 80 and the connector 90 does not hinder the rotation of the projector lamp unit 50 or interferes with the rotating projector lamp unit 50 and is not damaged.
[0040]
It should be noted that the shapes and structures of the respective parts shown in the above-described embodiments are merely examples of implementations in carrying out the present invention, and the technical scope of the present invention is thereby limited. It should not be interpreted in a limited way.
[0041]
【The invention's effect】
As is apparent from the above description, the vehicle headlamp according to the present invention includes a projector lamp unit having a convex lens, a reflector, and a light source bulb, and a second lamp unit adjacent to the projector lamp unit. Is a vehicle headlamp that is disposed in a lamp chamber defined by a lamp body having an opening and a front cover that is attached to the lamp body so as to cover the front opening. An actuator that is rotatably supported in a horizontal direction on a frame supported by the body, is connected to the projector lamp unit and rotates the projector lamp unit in a horizontal direction, and a control circuit unit of the actuator is fixed to the frame, and Provided at one end of the cord derived from the control circuit unit The connector is fixed to the frame so as to be positioned at a connector fixing portion provided at a position on the second lamp unit side of the frame and having a wall up and down, and most of the portion of the cord between the control circuit unit and the connector is The power supply cord connected to the connector is fixed by being sandwiched between the actuator and the frame, and is externally provided through an opening provided at the bottom of the lamp body and between the projector lamp unit and the second lamp unit. It is derived from
[0042]
Therefore, in the vehicle headlamp of the present invention, the cord between the control circuit unit and the connector does not interfere with the projector lamp unit when the projector lamp unit is rotated.
[0043]
In the invention described in claim 2, the light source bulb is a discharge bulb, a discharge bulb lighting circuit unit for lighting the discharge bulb is disposed below the actuator, and the discharge bulb lighting circuit unit and Since the power supply cord connecting the discharge bulb extends through the back of the projector lamp unit, the length of the power supply cord connecting the discharge bulb and the discharge bulb lighting circuit unit can be shortened. When the lamp unit is rotated in the horizontal direction, it is possible to minimize the deflection of the cord.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of a vehicle headlamp according to the present invention, which is a front view.
FIG. 2 is a horizontal sectional view.
3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line III-III in FIG.
4 shows the projector lamp unit and its periphery together with FIGS. 5 to 9, and this figure is an exploded perspective view. FIG.
FIG. 5 is a perspective view seen from the front upper left.
FIG. 6 is a perspective view seen from the upper left of the back surface.
FIG. 7 is a main part rear view showing a state in which a cord cover is removed.
FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing a state in which the control circuit unit is separated from the control circuit unit mounting portion of the frame.
FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing the connector separated from the connector fixing portion of the frame.
10 is a cross-sectional view taken along line XX of FIG.
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Automotive headlamp (vehicle headlamp), 11 ... Lamp chamber, 20 ... Lamp body, 21 ... Bottom wall (bottom part of lamp body), 21a ... Cord insertion hole (opening), 30 ... Front cover, DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 40 ... Lamp unit (2nd lamp unit), 50 ... Projector lamp unit, 51 ... Reflector, 52 ... Discharge bulb, 53 ... Convex lens, 60 ... Frame, 66 ... Connector fixing part, 66a ... Wall, 70 ... Actuator, 80 ... Control circuit unit, 87 ... Cord, 90 ... Connector, 101 ... Power supply cord, 150 ... Discharge bulb lighting circuit unit

Claims (2)

A projector lamp unit having a convex lens, a reflector, and a light source bulb and a second lamp unit adjacent to the projector lamp unit are attached so as to cover the front opening of the lamp body whose front surface is substantially open and the lamp body. A vehicle headlamp arranged in a lamp compartment defined by a front cover,
The projector lamp unit is supported on a frame supported by the lamp body so as to be rotatable in the horizontal direction,
An actuator connected to the projector lamp unit and rotating the projector lamp unit in a horizontal direction and a control circuit unit of the actuator are fixed to the frame;
The connector provided at one end of the cord led out from the control circuit unit is fixed to the frame so as to be positioned at the connector fixing portion provided at the position on the second lamp unit side of the frame and having walls up and down,
Fix most of the portion of the cord between the control circuit unit and the connector between the actuator and the frame,
A vehicle headlamp characterized in that the power supply cord connected to the connector is led out through an opening provided at the bottom of the lamp body and between the projector lamp unit and the second lamp unit. . The light source bulb is a discharge bulb, a discharge bulb lighting circuit unit for lighting the discharge bulb is disposed below the actuator,
2. The vehicle headlamp according to claim 1, wherein a power supply cord connecting the discharge bulb lighting circuit unit and the discharge bulb extends through the back of the projector lamp unit.

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