JP4089866B2 - Light projecting unit and LED vehicle illumination lamp comprising the light projecting unit - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a vehicular lamp used for illumination such as a headlamp and a fog lamp, and in particular, LED vehicle illumination that enables low power consumption, low heat generation, freedom of design, etc. using an LED lamp as a light source. The purpose is to provide a configuration of a lamp.
[0002]
[Prior art]
FIG. 7 shows an example of a conventional headlamp 90 of this type of vehicular illumination lamp. FIG. 7 shows a light source 91 such as a filament of a halogen bulb, an arc of a metal halide discharge lamp, and the like. A reflecting mirror 92 formed as a rotating paraboloid and a lens 93 covering the front of the reflecting mirror 92 are configured.
[0003]
With this configuration, the light reflected from the light source 91 reflected by the reflecting mirror 92 is directed in the irradiation direction as a parallel light beam. The light distribution characteristic suitable for the vehicle is formed by diffusing.
[0004]
Here, if light that is transmitted from the light source 91 directly through the lens 93 to be emitted to the outside is generated, this light will cause illusion to the driver of the oncoming vehicle. A hood 94 is provided in the front. Further, when the light distribution characteristic to be formed is a low light distribution, the light source 91 is also provided with an inner hood 91a in order to shield the light emitted downward from the light source 91.
[0005]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, in the headlamp 90 having the above-described conventional configuration, first, a metal halide discharge lamp, a halogen light bulb, etc. employed as the light source 91 consumes a large amount of power. In addition, it is necessary to select a member having high heat resistance as a member for forming the lens 93, which increases the material cost and lowers the moldability, resulting in a problem of increasing the cost of the headlamp 90. . Further, since the light source 91 has high power consumption, the burden on the power supply device on the vehicle side such as a battery becomes heavy.
[0006]
The reason why the light source 91 is required to have high power consumption is that the luminous flux capture rate of the reflecting mirror 92 with respect to the light source 91 is low. For example, it is said to be about 20 to 25% at the time of forming a low light distribution. In order to obtain the illuminance required for the headlamp 90, there is a problem with the configuration of the conventional headlamp 90 in which the light source 91 having brightness (power consumption) that is 4 to 5 times the required amount of light must be employed. This is due to a point.
[0007]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
As a specific means for solving the above-described conventional problems, the present invention uses an LED lamp as a light source, and spreads a spot-like light far in front of the vehicle and a light emission angle in the horizontal direction from the spot-like light. Light projection unit for narrow angle that emits light, LED lamp as light source, projection angle in the vertical direction is narrow and wide projection angle in the horizontal direction is set, and the right and left near sides of the vehicle are illuminated and predetermined light distribution A plurality of wide-angle light projecting units that form the overall shape of the light source, and a combination of light distribution by the plurality of narrow-angle light projecting units and light distribution by the plurality of wide-angle light projecting units. The problem is solved by providing an LED vehicular illumination lamp characterized by forming one predetermined light distribution as a whole .
[0008]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Below, this invention is demonstrated in detail based on embodiment shown in a figure. 1 to 3 is a narrow-angle light projecting unit constituting one of the LED vehicle illumination lamps 1 according to the present invention, and the narrow-angle light projecting unit 10 includes the LED lamp 2. Basically, it is composed of a narrow-angle reflecting surface 3 that is a paraboloid of revolution.
[0009]
Here, as shown in FIG. 3, in the LED lamp 2, the LED chip 2a is molded in a case 2b made of a transparent resin, but the top of the case 2b is formed in a lens shape. The light emitted from the case 2b to the outside is converged, and the position of the LED lamp 2 as a light emission source does not necessarily coincide with the position where the LED chip 2a is disposed.
[0010]
Therefore, in the present invention, the virtual focal point G is defined as the intersection of the extension line in the light source direction of the light emitted from the LED lamp 2 to the outside and the center line Z of the LED lamp 2. In the present invention, the virtual focal point G is arranged so as to coincide with the focal point of the narrow-angle reflecting surface 3.
[0011]
In the present invention, the narrow angle reflecting surface 3 is formed of a half portion obtained by cutting a curved surface called a paraboloid of revolution along a plane passing through the axis X. In combination with the LED lamp 2, the axis X of the narrow-angle reflecting surface 3 and the center line Z of the LED lamp 2 are inclined by a deviation angle β, and a predetermined radiation angle α from the LED lamp 2 is arranged. It is assumed that almost all of the light radiated in contact with the reflecting surface 3 for the included angle.
[0012]
By doing so, the narrow-angle light projecting unit 10 converts almost all of the light emitted from the LED lamp 2 into parallel light beams directed in the direction of the axis X of the narrow-angle reflection surface 3. For example, when the declination β is about 90 °, the cross-sectional shape is substantially circular or elliptical, and as the declination β is made smaller, a flat light beam that is wide in the horizontal direction and narrow in the vertical direction is obtained. It will be obtained.
[0013]
Here, what is indicated by reference numeral 4 in the figure is a light-shielding plate, and this light-shielding plate 4 is a portion that is unnecessary for forming the light distribution characteristics from the cross-sectional shape of the parallel rays emitted from the reflection surface 3 for the included angle. For example, it is provided as necessary, for example, during the formation of a passing light distribution in which the generation of upward light is restricted.
[0014]
In addition, the cross-sectional shape of the parallel light beam described above can be a flat shape that is wide in the horizontal direction and narrow in the vertical direction as the deflection angle β is reduced. It is possible to adjust the declination β appropriately so as to follow the shape. In addition, the same change in the shape of the light distribution characteristics can be achieved by, for example, combining the different parabolic focal lengths or gradually changing the focal length when forming the narrow-angle reflecting surface 3. But it is possible.
[0015]
4 and 5 show a wide-angle light projecting unit 20 that constitutes the other of the LED vehicle illumination lamp 1 according to the present invention. This wide-angle light projecting unit 20 also includes the LED lamp 2, the wide-angle reflecting surface 5, and the like. However, the configuration of the wide-angle reflecting surface 5 is different from that of the narrow-light projection unit 10 described above.
[0016]
The wide-angle reflecting surface 5 basically employs a parabolic column surface obtained by bending a flat plate in only one direction along with a parabola. When combined with the LED lamp 2, a vertical cross section is used. And the axis X of the reflecting surface 5 and the center line Z of the LED lamp 2 are arranged with a declination β, and the light emitted from the LED lamp 2 with a predetermined radiation angle α. Is substantially the same as the reflection surface 3 for a narrow angle in the previous point.
[0017]
With this configuration, the wide-angle light projecting unit 20 has a substantially fan-like shape that is a parallel light beam in the vertical direction and a radiation angle that the LED lamp 2 originally has (for example, 35 ° left and right) in the horizontal direction. Take the one that can get the irradiation light. The above shows the basic configuration. In actual implementation, in order to optimize the horizontal irradiation width (irradiation angle) as a vehicular lamp, a parabolic system similar to a parabolic column surface is used. A free curved surface or the like may be adopted.
[0018]
Here, as will be described in detail later, in the present invention, the LED vehicle illumination lamp 1 is configured by combining an appropriate number of the narrow-angle light projecting unit 10 and the wide-angle light projecting unit 20. Yes, at that time, the narrow-angle light projecting unit 10 is used for the purpose of irradiating far away from the front of the vehicle, and the wide-angle light projecting unit 20 is used for the purpose of irradiating the left and right of a range relatively close to the vehicle. The
[0019]
Therefore, the overall shape as the light distribution characteristic is almost determined by the wide-angle light projecting unit 20. Accordingly, the elbow shading plate 6 for forming a left-up light distribution called an elbow for confirming a road sign or the like on the left road side in the head lamp for left-hand traffic is provided for the wide-angle light projecting unit 20. On the side. In the LED lamp 2, the irradiation angle α is as narrow as about 60 °, as wide as about 120 °, and various irradiation angles α are supplied to the market. It is possible to select such as adopting a unit 10 having a narrow irradiation angle α and a wide-angle projection unit 20 having a wide irradiation angle.
[0020]
FIG. 6 shows the LED vehicle illumination lamp 1 of the present invention configured by combining the narrow-angle light projecting unit 10 and the wide-angle light projecting unit 20, and in this embodiment, the spot-shaped light distribution and Of the narrow-angle light projecting unit 10 (N), four of the narrow-angle light projecting unit 10 (W) with a slightly expanded light emission angle in the horizontal direction, and the wide-angle light projecting unit 20 4 are stacked in three stages according to type, and an LED vehicle illumination lamp 1 is configured by a total of 12 light projecting units 10 and 20.
[0021]
Moreover, although the elbow shading plate 6 is provided in the wide-angle light projecting unit 20 and the LED vehicle illumination lamp 1 is shown for passing light distribution, the present invention limits these. It is not intended to limit the number of units 10 and 20 and the total number of units, and the light projecting units 10 and 20 can be arranged in any way, for example, in a straight line.
[0022]
In this embodiment, the LED vehicle illumination lamp 1 is used for left-hand traffic, and the narrow-angle light projecting unit 10 (W) and the wide-angle light projecting unit 20 have an optical axis in the front direction of the vehicle body. However, only the narrow-angle light projecting unit 10 (N), which has a spot-like light distribution, is tilted 0.57 ° downward on the optical axis and 1.14 ° on the left side. The point at which the maximum illuminance is obtained on the characteristic is set at the lower left, and it is assumed that it matches the light distribution standard of the left-hand traffic headlamp.
[0023]
Here, the operation and effect of the present invention configured as described above will be described. By configuring as described above, both the narrow-angle light projecting unit 10 and the wide-angle light projecting unit 20 are from the LED lamp 2. Almost the entire amount of light can be used as irradiation light. On the other hand, in the conventional headlamp, the luminous flux utilization factor with respect to the light source is set to 20 to 30%. Therefore, the LED vehicle illumination lamp 1 of the present invention can obtain the efficiency of 3 to 5 times.
[0024]
This means that when a headlamp having the same brightness is obtained, the power consumption of the light source may be 1/5 to 1/3. In addition, since the LED lamp 2 has a luminous efficiency per unit power consumption that is twice or more higher than that of an incandescent light bulb, the head with the same brightness with a power consumption of 1/10 to 1/6 or less when combined. A lamp can be realized. Since the LED lamp 2 can be obtained in various emission colors, for example, in the case of a head lamp (headlight), the white light emitting LED lamp 2 may be adopted, and a fog lamp (fog lamp) is used. In this case, the amber color LED lamp 2 may be employed.
[0025]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the present invention, the LED lamp is a revolving paraboloidal system in which the virtual axis of the LED lamp is a focal point and the basic axis is substantially horizontal, and the reflection is a substantially half portion along the basic axis direction. The LED lamp is a narrow-angle light projecting unit that is mounted with an optical axis inclined so that almost all of the projection angle reaches the reflecting surface, the LED lamp, and the virtual focus of the LED lamp The projection angle in the vertical direction is narrow and the projection angle in the horizontal direction is set wide, with a free-form reflecting surface of the paraboloidal system including the paraboloidal column surface whose focal axis is substantially horizontal as the focal point By combining the at least one wide-angle light projecting unit with an LED vehicle illumination lamp characterized in that, first of all, it is epoch-making compared to the conventional headlamp. Enables the realization of low power consumption headlamps , In which exhibits extremely excellent effect such as simplification of the power supply apparatus for a vehicle.
[0026]
Secondly, since the LED lamp has a small amount of heat generation per power consumption, it is possible to dramatically reduce the heat generation of the entire headlamp in combination with the above-mentioned low power consumption, for example, resinization, etc. This makes it possible to achieve an extremely excellent effect in terms of weight reduction and cost reduction.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a front view showing an embodiment of a narrow-angle light projecting unit according to the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line AA in FIG.
FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing a virtual focus of an LED lamp.
FIG. 4 is a front view showing an embodiment of a wide-angle light projecting unit according to the present invention.
5 is a cross-sectional view taken along line BB in FIG.
FIG. 6 is a front view showing an embodiment of an LED vehicle illumination lamp according to the present invention.
FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view showing a conventional example.
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... LED illumination lamp 2 ... LED lamp 3 ... Reflection surface 4 for narrow angle ... Light-shielding plate 5 ... Reflection surface 6 for wide angle | corner ... Light-shielding plate 10 for elbows ... Light projection unit 20 for narrow angles ...... Wide-angle floodlight unit

Claims (3)

A narrow-angle light projecting unit that irradiates a spot-like light far from the front of the vehicle with an LED lamp as a light source and a light having a wider radiation angle in the horizontal direction than the spot-like light ,
A wide-angle light projecting unit that uses an LED lamp as a light source and has a narrow vertical projection angle and a wide horizontal projection angle, and forms the overall shape of a predetermined light distribution by illuminating the left and right sides of the vehicle; A combination of a plurality of
LED vehicle illumination characterized in that one predetermined light distribution is formed as a whole by combining light distribution by the plurality of narrow-angle light projection units and light distribution by the plurality of wide-angle light projection units Light fixture. The LED vehicle illumination according to claim 1, wherein a light shielding plate for setting a shape of light distribution characteristics is provided on at least one of the narrow-angle light projecting unit and the wide-angle light projecting unit. Light fixture. The LED vehicular lamp according to claim 1 or 2, wherein a light emission color of the LED lamp is a lamp color.

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