JP4563338B2 - Vehicle headlamp lamp unit - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a lamp unit for a vehicle headlamp, and more particularly to a projector-type lamp unit using a light emitting element such as a light emitting diode as a light source.

  In recent years, a lamp unit that uses a light emitting element such as a light emitting diode as a light source has been adopted in a vehicle headlamp.

  For example, in “Patent Document 1”, a projection lens arranged on an optical axis extending in the vehicle front-rear direction, a light emitting element arranged behind the rear focal point of the projection lens, and light from the light emitting element A so-called projector-type lamp unit is described that includes a reflector that reflects light toward the front toward the optical axis.

  In “Patent Document 2” and “Patent Document 3”, although the light emitting element is not used as a light source, an auxiliary light source that emits light toward the projection lens is provided in the vicinity of the front focal plane of the projection lens. An arranged projector-type lamp unit is described.

JP 2005-166590 A JP-A 64-67804 Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 6-28909

  If the projector-type lamp unit as described in the above-mentioned “Patent Document 1” is employed, the luminous flux utilization rate for the light from the light emitting element can be increased in the lamp unit using the light emitting element as a light source. A light emitting element such as a diode emits a very small amount of light as compared with a light source bulb such as a halogen bulb or a discharge bulb. Therefore, a conventional vehicle headlamp is also described in “Patent Document 1”. As you are forced to place a lot of lamp units.

  In such a lamp unit, if an auxiliary light source as described in “Patent Document 2” or “Patent Document 3” is arranged between the projection lens and the rear focal point, the auxiliary light source The amount of irradiation light can be increased by the amount of the emitted light.

  However, in the lamp units described in these “Patent Document 2” and “Patent Document 3”, it is assumed that a shade that shields part of the reflected light from the reflector is disposed between the projection lens and the reflector. When such a shade is not disposed, it is difficult to accurately irradiate the light from the auxiliary light source forward with the auxiliary light source disposed without blocking the reflected light from the reflector. The same applies to the case where a light emitting element is used as an auxiliary light source.

  The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and in a lamp unit of a projector-type vehicle headlamp that uses a light emitting element as a light source, the reflected light traveling from the reflector toward the projection lens is irradiated without being blocked. It is an object of the present invention to provide a lamp unit for a vehicle headlamp capable of accurately performing light distribution control while increasing the amount of light.

  In the projector-type lamp unit according to the present invention, in addition to the first light emitting element as the light source, the second light emitting element is arranged at a predetermined position between the projection lens and the rear focal point. The object is achieved by adopting a configuration in which a predetermined reflector for controlling the light from the second light emitting element is arranged.

That is, the lamp unit of the vehicle headlamp according to the present invention is
A projection lens disposed on an optical axis extending in the vehicle front-rear direction, a first light emitting element disposed behind the rear focal point of the projection lens, and light from the first light emitting element directed forward A lamp unit for a vehicle headlamp comprising: a first reflector that reflects toward the optical axis;
At least one second light emitting element is disposed at a position away from the optical axis between the projection lens and the rear focal point of the projection lens,
Between each of the second light emitting elements and the optical axis, a second reflector for reflecting the light from the second light emitting element forward is disposed.
The cross-sectional shape of the reflecting surface of each of the second reflectors along the plane including the light emission center of each of the second light emitting elements and the optical axis is a point near the rear focal point of the projection lens as the first focal point. In addition, each of the second light emitting elements is formed by a hyperbola on the second focal point side in a pair of hyperbolic curves having a point near the light emission center as the second focal point.

  The “light-emitting element” in the “first light-emitting element” and the “second light-emitting element” means an element-like light source having a light-emitting chip that emits light substantially in the form of dots, and the type thereof is particularly limited. For example, a light emitting diode, a laser diode, or the like can be used.

  The “first light emitting element” may be disposed on the optical axis as long as it is disposed on the rear side of the rear focal point of the projection lens, or may be disposed at a position off the optical axis. May be.

  The above-described “at least one second light emitting element” is not particularly limited as long as it is disposed at a position away from the optical axis between the projection lens and the rear focal point. The number of arrangement may be singular or plural. In addition, these “at least one second light emitting element” do not always have to be configured to always be turned on simultaneously with the first light emitting element. Furthermore, it is not always necessary for all the second light emitting elements to be simultaneously lit even between these “at least one second light emitting element”, and all or part of them are appropriately lit. Also good.

  The “reflecting surface” of each of the second reflectors has a cross-sectional shape along the plane including the light emission center and the optical axis of each of the second light emitting elements formed by the hyperbola, but along the plane other than this plane. The cross-sectional shape is not particularly limited.

  As shown in the above configuration, the lamp unit of the vehicle headlamp according to the present invention is configured as a projector-type lamp unit using the first light emitting element as a light source, but between the projection lens and the rear focal point. At least one second light emitting element is disposed at a position away from the optical axis in FIG. 2, and light from the second light emitting element is forwarded between each of the second light emitting elements and the optical axis. Since the second reflectors that reflect toward each other are arranged, the light emitted from each of the second light emitting elements and incident on the second reflector is reflected by the second reflector and then incident on the projection lens. The deflection is controlled by this projection lens and the light is emitted forward. As a result, each second light emitting element and each second reflector are arranged at positions that do not block the reflected light from the first reflector toward the projection lens, and the amount of irradiation light is equal to the amount of light emitted from each second light emitting element. It can be increased.

  Moreover, the cross-sectional shape of the reflecting surface of each of the second reflectors along the plane including the light emission center and the optical axis of each of the second light emitting elements has a point near the rear focal point of the projection lens as the first focus. Since it is formed by a hyperbola on the second focal point side in a pair of hyperbola having a second focal point at a point near the light emission center of each second light emitting element, the reflected light from each of these second reflectors is within the plane. The incident light enters the projection lens through the optical path substantially the same as the divergent light from the first focal point of the pair of hyperbolas. At this time, since the first focal point is located in the vicinity of the rear focal point of the projection lens, light emitted from the projection lens becomes light substantially parallel to the optical axis at least in the plane, thereby controlling light distribution. Can be performed with high accuracy.

  As described above, according to the present invention, in the lamp unit of the projector-type vehicle headlamp using the light emitting element as the light source, the amount of irradiation light is increased without blocking the reflected light from the reflector toward the projection lens. The light distribution control can be performed with high accuracy. In the lamp unit according to the present invention, a spot-like light distribution pattern or an elongated light distribution pattern can be formed in the front direction of the lamp unit by lighting each second light emitting element.

  In the above-described configuration, with the arrangement of the projection lens, the first light emitting element, the first reflector, and each second reflector being maintained, the arrangement of each second light emitting element is changed and a predetermined third A configuration in which reflectors are additionally arranged is also possible.

  That is, a third reflector that reflects the light from the second light emitting element so as to converge to a predetermined point located between the second light emitting element and the optical axis is disposed in the vicinity of each second light emitting element. In addition, the second reflector can be arranged between each of the predetermined points and the optical axis.

  By setting it as such a structure, the light distribution pattern formed by the emitted light from each 2nd light emitting element can be made into a thing with little light distribution unevenness. Further, by adopting such a configuration, a plurality of sets of second light emitting elements and third reflectors are arranged for each second reflector so that the light from each set is converged to the predetermined point. This makes it possible to further increase the amount of irradiation light.

  In the above-described configuration, the first light emitting element and the first reflector are arranged in pairs on both the upper and lower sides of the optical axis, and the second light emitting element and the second reflector are set on each of the left and right sides of the optical axis. If it is set as the arrangement | positioning structure, the following effects can be acquired.

  That is, in general, a projector-type lamp unit used as a vehicle headlamp is configured to form a horizontally long light distribution pattern by light irradiation. When the first reflectors are arranged one by one and a horizontally long light distribution pattern is formed by turning on the first light emitting elements of each set, the first reflectors reflected from the first reflectors are used. This light converges between the projection lens and the rear focal point in the horizontal plane. Therefore, if one set of the second light emitting element and the second reflector is arranged on each of the left and right sides of the optical axis between the projection lens and the rear focal point, these are arranged at positions relatively close to the optical axis. However, the reflected light from each first reflector can be prevented from being blocked by these. Then, by effectively utilizing the empty space in the lamp unit in this way, the above-described effects can be obtained while maintaining the lamp unit in a compact configuration.

  In the above configuration, the shade that blocks a part of the reflected light from the first reflector is disposed between the projection lens and the first reflector so that the upper edge passes through the rear focal point of the projection lens. If it is set as a structure, the light distribution pattern which has a cut-off line in an upper end part can be formed with the irradiation light from a lamp unit, and this can be made suitable for formation of the light distribution pattern for low beams. At this time, if each of the second light emitting elements and each of the second reflectors are arranged above the optical axis, it becomes easy to prevent the reflected light from the first reflector from being blocked by these. Further, by additionally lighting each second light emitting element, a light distribution pattern across the cut-off line can be formed, which can be suitable for forming a high beam light distribution pattern.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a front view showing a lamp unit 10 of a vehicle headlamp according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG.
It is line sectional drawing.

  As shown in these drawings, the lamp unit 10 according to the present embodiment is configured as a projector-type lamp unit that performs light irradiation for forming a part of a high-beam light distribution pattern, and is not shown. Etc., so that the optical axis can be adjusted. The lamp unit 10 is arranged with the optical axis Ax extending in the vehicle front-rear direction when the optical axis adjustment is completed.

  The lamp unit 10 includes a projection lens 12, a first light emitting element 14, a first reflector 16, a base member 18, a lens holder 20, a light source holder 22, a second light emitting element 24, and a second reflector 26. It is made up of.

  The base member 18 is a metal member, and has a flat plate portion 18A having an upper surface 18a extending along a horizontal plane including the optical axis Ax of the lamp unit 10, and a substantially semi-cylinder downward at the front end portion of the flat plate portion 18A. It is the structure provided with the semi-cylindrical part 18B formed so that it may swell in shape.

  The projection lens 12 is a planoconvex aspheric lens having a convex front surface and a flat rear surface, and is disposed on the optical axis Ax. The projection lens 12 arranges an image on the rear focal plane (that is, a substantially spherical curved surface formed by the rear focal point F of the projection lens 12 and the rear focal point off its axis) in front of the lamp. The image is projected on the vertical virtual screen as a reverse image.

  The projection lens 12 is fixedly supported on the front end portion of the cylindrical lens holder 20 at the periphery thereof. The lens holder 20 is fixedly supported by the semi-cylindrical portion 18B of the base member 18 in the lower half thereof.

  The first light emitting element 14 is a white light emitting diode, and includes a light emitting chip 14a having a square light emitting surface of about 1 mm square and a substrate 14b that supports the light emitting chip 14a. At that time, the light emitting chip 14a is sealed with a thin film formed to cover the light emitting surface.

  The first light emitting element 14 is fixedly supported by the flat plate portion 18 </ b> A of the base member 18 on the rear side of the rear focal point F of the projection lens 12. At this time, the first light-emitting element 14 has a concave formed in the rear portion of the upper surface 18a of the flat plate portion 18A in the substrate 14b in a state where the light-emitting chip 14a is arranged vertically upward on the optical axis Ax. It is positioned in the groove.

  The first reflector 16 is formed in a semi-dome shape so as to cover the first light emitting element 14 from the upper side, and is mounted and fixed on the upper surface 18a of the flat plate portion 18A of the base member 18 at the peripheral lower end surface. . The first reflector 16 reflects light emitted from the light emitting chip 14 a of the first light emitting element 14 toward the projection lens 12 toward the optical axis Ax.

  Specifically, the reflection surface 16a of the first reflector 16 has an elliptical cross-sectional shape along a plane including the optical axis Ax. At this time, the reflecting surface 16a has a cross-sectional shape along a vertical plane including the optical axis Ax, the light emission center of the light emitting chip 14a being the first focal point, and the rear focal point F of the projection lens 12 being the second focal point. An elliptical shape is set, and the eccentricity is set to gradually increase from the vertical plane including the optical axis Ax to the horizontal plane including the optical axis Ax while keeping the first focus constant. As a result, the reflecting surface 16a converges the light emitted from the light emitting chip 14a to the rear focal point F of the projection lens 12 in the vertical plane and to some extent ahead of the rear focal point F in the horizontal section. It is made to converge on the optical axis Ax on the side.

  In the flat plate portion 18A of the base member 18, the front end edge of the upper surface 18a is the rear focal point F of the projection lens 12 so that the reflected light from the first reflector 16 toward the projection lens 12 is not blocked by the flat plate portion 18A. It is formed so as to be located considerably rearward.

  FIG. 3 is a detailed view of part III in FIG.

  As shown in the figure, the second light emitting element 24 is a white light emitting diode, like the first light emitting element 14, and has a light emitting chip 24a having a square light emitting surface of about 1 mm square, and the light emitting chip 24a. And a supporting substrate 24b. At that time, the light emitting chip 24a is sealed by a thin film formed so as to cover the light emitting surface.

  The second light emitting element 24 is disposed at a position spaced upward from the optical axis Ax between the projection lens 12 and the rear focal point F. At this time, the second light emitting element 24 is arranged at a position where a straight line L connecting the light emission center A and the rear focal point F of the convex lens 12 passes near the front edge of the inner peripheral surface of the lens holder 20. Yes. The second light emitting element 24 is fixedly supported by the light source holder 22 in a state where the light emitting chip 24a is arranged to face downward at a position directly above the optical axis Ax. The light source holder 22 is a metal member, and is fixedly supported by the lens holder 20 at a front end portion thereof.

  The second reflector 26 is disposed in the vicinity of the lower portion of the second light emitting element 24 so as to cover the second light emitting element 24 in a semi-dome shape, and the light from the second light emitting element 24 is directed forward. It is designed to reflect. At this time, the second reflector 26 is formed so that the front end edge thereof extends to the rear surface of the projection lens 12, and the second reflector 26 is fixedly supported by the light source holder 22.

  The reflecting surface 26a of the second reflector 26 has a cross-sectional shape along a vertical plane including the optical axis Ax (that is, a plane including the light emission center A and the optical axis Ax of the second light emitting element 24) of the projection lens 12. It is formed by a hyperbola H on the second focal side in a pair of hyperbolas with the rear focal point F as the first focal point and the light emission center A of the second light emitting element 24 as the second focal point (that is, with the straight line L as an axis). ing. In the present embodiment, the reflecting surface 26a of the second reflector 26 is constituted by a rotating hyperboloid formed by rotating the hyperbola H about its axis.

  FIG. 4 is a perspective view of two light distribution patterns PA and PB formed on a virtual vertical screen disposed at a position 25 m ahead of the lamp by light irradiated forward from the lamp unit 10 according to the present embodiment. FIG.

  As shown in the figure, each of these light distribution patterns PA, PB is a light distribution pattern formed around HV, which is a vanishing point in the front direction of the lamp, and is one of the high beam light distribution patterns PH. It is formed as a part. That is, a high beam light distribution pattern PH is formed as a combined light distribution pattern of these light distribution patterns PA, PB and a diffused light distribution pattern PC formed by light irradiated forward from another lamp unit (not shown). The hot zone that is the high luminous intensity region is mainly formed by the light distribution pattern PB.

  The light distribution pattern PA is a light distribution pattern formed by the light from the first light emitting element 14 that is reflected by the reflecting surface 16a of the first reflector 16 and enters the projection lens 12, and is centered on HV. It is formed as a horizontally long light distribution pattern extending in the left-right direction.

  On the other hand, the light distribution pattern PB is a light distribution pattern formed by light from the second light emitting element 24 reflected by the reflection surface 26a of the second reflector 26 and incident on the projection lens 12, and is centered on HV. It is formed as a spot-like light distribution pattern. This is because all the light from the second light emitting element 24 emitted forward from the convex lens 12 becomes light parallel to the optical axis Ax.

  As described above in detail, the lamp unit 10 of the vehicle headlamp according to the present embodiment is configured as a projector-type lamp unit using the first light emitting element 14 as a light source. A second light emitting element 24 is disposed at a position away from the optical axis Ax between the focal point F and the second light emitting element 24 and the optical axis Ax. Since the second reflector 26 that reflects the light from the two light emitting elements 24 forward is disposed, the light emitted from the second light emitting element 24 and incident on the second reflector 26 is reflected by the second reflector 26. After being reflected by the projection lens 12 and entering the projection lens 12, the projection lens 12 controls the deflection and emits the light forward. Therefore, the amount of irradiation light can be increased by the amount of light emitted from the second light emitting element 24.

  At this time, since the first reflector 16 is formed so as to cover the first light emitting element 14 in a semi-dome shape from the upper side, the first reflector 16 reflects from the first light emitting element 14 reflected toward the optical axis Ax. Most of the light advances forward from the rear focal point F of the projection lens 12 to the space below the optical axis Ax and enters the substantially lower half of the projection lens 12. And since the 2nd light emitting element 24 and the 2nd reflector 26 are arrange | positioned in the position away from the optical axis Ax between the projection lens 12 and the back side focus F, by arrange | positioning these, it is 1st. The reflected light from the reflector 16 toward the projection lens 12 can be prevented from being blocked.

  Moreover, the cross-sectional shape of the reflecting surface 26a of the second reflector 26 along the vertical plane including the optical axis Ax is such that the rear focal point F of the projection lens 12 is the first focal point and the emission center of the second light emitting element 24 is used. Since it is formed by a hyperbola H on the second focal point side in a pair of hyperbola with A as the second focal point, the reflected light from the second reflector 26 diverges from the first focal point in the vertical plane. The light enters the projection lens 12 through the same optical path as the light. At this time, since the first focal point is located at the rear focal point F of the projection lens 12, light emitted from the projection lens 12 becomes light parallel to the optical axis Ax at least in the vertical plane. Light distribution control can be performed with high accuracy.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, in the lamp unit 10 of the projector-type vehicle headlamp using the first light emitting element 14 as a light source, the reflected light from the first reflector 16 toward the projection lens 12 is not blocked. Light distribution control can be performed with high accuracy while the amount of irradiation light is increased.

  In addition, in the lamp unit 10 according to the present embodiment, since the reflecting surface 26a of the second reflector 26 is configured by a rotating hyperboloid, all the light from the second light emitting element 24 emitted forward from the projection lens 12 is all. The light becomes parallel to the optical axis Ax, and thereby the second light emitting element 24 is turned on, whereby a spot-like light distribution pattern PB can be formed in the front direction of the lamp. Then, by superimposing the light distribution pattern PB on the light distribution pattern PA formed by turning on the first light emitting element 14, a hot zone of the high beam light distribution pattern PH can be formed. The visibility with respect to the distant area | region of a road surface can be improved.

  In the above embodiment, the hyperbola H that forms a cross-sectional shape along the vertical plane including the optical axis Ax of the reflection surface 26a of the second reflector 26 has the rear focal point F of the projection lens 12 as the first focal point F. Although the description has been made assuming that the light emitting center A of the second light emitting element 24 is the second focal point, the first and second focal points are located in the vicinity of the rear focal point F and the light emitting center A, respectively. Since the light from the second light emitting element 24 emitted forward from the projection lens 12 becomes light substantially parallel to the optical axis Ax, it is possible to obtain substantially the same effect as the above embodiment.

  In the above-described embodiment, the light emitting chip 24a of the second light emitting element 24 is described as being disposed so as to face downward at a position directly above the optical axis Ax. It is also possible to adopt a configuration in which it is arranged in a direction inclined rearward with respect to the lower side. With such a configuration, even when the second light emitting element 24 is disposed close to the projection lens 12, most of the emitted light from the second light emitting element 24 is incident on the reflecting surface 26 a of the second reflector 26. It becomes possible to make it.

  Furthermore, in the lamp unit 10 according to the present embodiment, it has been described that one set of the second light emitting element 24 and the second reflector 26 is disposed above the optical axis Ax. The element 24 and the second reflector 26 may be arranged so as to be adjacent to each other in the circumferential direction. In this case, the amount of irradiation light can be further increased.

  Next, a first modification of the above embodiment will be described.

  FIG. 5 is a front view showing the lamp unit 110 according to this modification.

  As shown in the figure, the lamp unit 110 according to this modification has the same basic configuration as the lamp unit 10 of the above embodiment, but the shape of the reflection surface 126a of the second reflector 126 is the same as that of the lamp unit 10 described above. It is different from the case of form.

  That is, the reflecting surface 126a of the second reflector 126 is formed with the same hyperbola H as the reflecting surface 26a of the second reflector 26 of the above-described embodiment with respect to the cross-sectional shape along the vertical plane including the optical axis Ax. However, the cross-sectional shape along the horizontal plane is different from that of the above embodiment. Specifically, the reflecting surface 126a of the second reflector 126 is not a rotating hyperboloid like the reflecting surface 126a of the above-described embodiment, but is formed by a curved surface obtained by slightly expanding the rotating hyperboloid in the left-right direction. Yes.

  Thus, the light from the second light emitting element 24 reflected by the reflecting surface 126a of the second reflector 126 is projected on the same optical path as the divergent light from the rear focal point F of the projection lens 12 in the vertical plane. Light incident on the lens 12 and emitted from the projection lens 12 becomes light parallel to the optical axis Ax, but is projected at a larger incident angle than the divergent light from the rear focal point F of the projection lens 12 in the horizontal plane. The light enters the lens 12 and is emitted from the projection lens 12 as light that diffuses somewhat in the left-right direction.

  FIG. 6 is a perspective view of two light distribution patterns PA and PD formed on a virtual vertical screen arranged at a position 25 m ahead of the lamp by light irradiated forward from the lamp unit 110 according to this modification. FIG.

  As shown in the figure, the light distribution pattern PA is the same as in the above embodiment, but the light distribution pattern PD is a light distribution pattern in which the light distribution pattern PB in the above embodiment is slightly expanded in the left-right direction. It has become.

  This is because the reflected light from the reflecting surface 126a of the second reflector 126 is incident on the projection lens 12 at a larger incident angle than the diverging light from the rear focal point F of the projection lens 12 in the horizontal direction. .

  By adopting the configuration of this modified example, a slightly horizontally long light distribution pattern PD can be obtained as a light distribution pattern for forming a hot zone of the high beam light distribution pattern PH. The visibility can be improved by irradiating a wide area.

  Next, a second modification of the above embodiment will be described.

  FIG. 7 is a view similar to FIG. 3 showing the lamp unit 210 according to this modification.

  As shown in the figure, the lamp unit 210 according to this modification has the same basic configuration as the lamp unit 10 of the above embodiment, but the arrangement of the second light emitting elements 24 is the same as that of the above embodiment. The third embodiment is different from the above embodiment in that the third reflectors 230A and 230B are additionally arranged.

  That is, in the present modification, the configuration of the second reflector 26 is the same as that in the above embodiment, but the second light emitting element 24 is positioned at the light emission center A of the second light emitting element 24 in the above embodiment. It is arranged at two positions before and after the predetermined point B which is a point (that is, at a position away from the optical axis Ax). A pair of front and rear third reflectors 230 </ b> A and 230 </ b> B are disposed in the vicinity of each of the pair of front and rear second light emitting elements 24. At this time, each of the third reflectors 230A and 230B is configured to reflect the light from each of the second light emitting elements 24 so as to converge at a predetermined point B. In order to realize this, the reflection surfaces 230Aa and 230Ba of the third reflectors 230A and 230B have the light emission centers Aa and Ab of the second light emitting elements 24 as the first focus and the predetermined point B as the second focus. It is formed with a spheroid.

  And in this modification, the 2nd reflector 26 arrange | positioned between the predetermined point B and the optical axis Ax forwards the light from each 2nd light emitting element 24 reflected by each 3rd reflector 230A, 230B ahead. It is designed to reflect toward you.

  In the present modification, the shape of the light source holder 222 that fixes and supports each second light emitting element 24 is partially different from that in the above embodiment.

  That is, the light source holder 222 of this modification is configured as a metal member, like the light source holder 22 of the above embodiment, and fixedly supports the second reflector 26 while being fixedly supported by the lens holder 20. However, the pair of front and rear second light emitting elements 24 are fixedly supported in a state where they are back-to-back in the front-rear direction, and the pair of front and rear third reflectors 230A and 230B are fixedly supported in a state where they face each other in the front-back direction. It has become.

  The light distribution pattern formed by the irradiation light from the lamp unit 210 according to the present modification has substantially the same shape as the light distribution patterns PA and PB formed in the above embodiment. Since the light emitted from each second light emitting element 24 is reflected twice by each third reflector 230A, 230B and second reflector 26 and then enters the convex lens 12, the light distribution pattern formed thereby is expressed as above. Light distribution unevenness can be reduced as compared with the light distribution pattern PB formed in the embodiment.

  In addition, in the lamp unit 210 according to this modification, two sets of the second light emitting elements 24 and the third reflectors 230A and 230B are arranged, and light emitted from the second light emitting elements 24 of these sets is set to a predetermined point. Since the amount of irradiation light can be further increased, the light distribution pattern brighter than the light distribution pattern PB formed in the case of the above embodiment can be formed. .

  Instead of the configuration in which the two sets of the second light emitting element 24 and the third reflectors 230A and 230B are arranged as in the present modification, it is also possible to have a configuration in which only one of the sets is arranged. It is. Alternatively, the two sets of the second light emitting element 24 and the third reflectors 230A and 230B may be arranged in a plurality in the circumferential direction with respect to the optical axis Ax. Can be further increased.

  Next, a third modification of the above embodiment will be described.

  FIG. 8 is a front view showing a lamp unit 310 according to this modification, and FIGS. 9 and 10 are a cross-sectional view taken along line IX-IX and a cross-sectional view taken along line XX in FIG.

  As shown in these drawings, the lamp unit 310 according to the present modification has the same basic configuration as the lamp unit 10 of the above embodiment, but the second light emitting element 24 and the second reflector 326 are optical axes. One set is arranged on each of the left and right sides of Ax, and the first light emitting element 14 and the first reflector 16 are arranged on each of the upper and lower sides of the optical axis Ax. .

  That is, in this modification, in addition to the first light emitting element 14 and the first reflector 16 of the above embodiment, another set of the first light emitting element 14 and the first reflector 16 are disposed below the optical axis Ax. The first light-emitting element 14 and the first reflector 16 of the embodiment are disposed in a state where the first light-emitting element 14 and the first reflector 16 are turned upside down. In the first light emitting element 14 and the first reflector 16 located on the lower side, the light emitted from the first light emitting element 14 is reflected toward the projection lens 12 by the first reflector 16 toward the optical axis Ax. In the vertical plane, the light is converged to the rear focal point F of the projection lens 12 and light in the horizontal plane in front of the rear focal point F (specifically, at a position relatively close to the projection lens 12). It converges on the axis Ax.

  In order to realize this, the flat plate portion 318A of the base member 318 is formed such that the lower surface thereof is inclined slightly upward toward the front. In addition, the base member 318 allows light from the first light emitting element 14 reflected by the first reflector 16 located on the lower side to enter the projection lens 12, so that the space between the flat plate portion 318A and the semi-cylindrical portion 318B is between. It is formed so as to be partially interrupted.

  The two sets of the second light-emitting element 24 and the second reflector 326 in the present modified example rotate the second light-emitting element 24 and the second reflector 26 of the above-described embodiment by 90 ° in both the left and right directions around the optical axis Ax. It is arranged in such a posture. At this time, each of the second reflectors 326 has the same reflecting surface 326a as the reflecting surface 26a of the second reflector 26 of the above embodiment, but the portion of the outer peripheral surface near the optical axis Ax It differs from the reflective surface 26a of the said embodiment by the point formed as the vertical surface part 326b cut off by the vertical surface parallel to the axis | shaft Ax.

  In this modification, the light source holder 322 that fixes and supports each pair of the second light emitting element 24 and the second reflector 326 has the same configuration as the light source holder 22 of the above embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 10, the light from the first light emitting element 14 reflected by the first reflector 16 located above the optical axis Ax is projected between the projection lens 12 and the rear focal point F in the horizontal plane. The light once converges on the optical axis A at a position relatively close to the lens 12 and then enters the projection lens 12. The same applies to the light from the first light emitting element 14 reflected by the first reflector 16 located below the optical axis Ax.

  For this reason, even if the two sets of the second light emitting element 24 and the second reflector 326 are arranged on both the left and right sides of the optical axis Ax as in the present modification, the reflected light from both the first reflectors 16 is caused by these. It can be made almost unobstructed. Particularly in the present modification, the portion near the optical axis Ax on the outer peripheral surface of each second reflector 326 is formed as the vertical surface portion 326b, so that the reflected light from both the first reflectors 16 is not blocked at all. be able to.

  In this modification, the two first light emitting elements 14 and the two second light emitting elements 24 are turned on simultaneously.

  FIG. 11 shows four light distribution patterns PA1, PA2, PB1, and PB2 formed on a virtual vertical screen arranged at a position 25 m ahead of the lamp by light irradiated forward from the lamp unit 310 according to the present modification. It is a figure shown transparently.

  In the figure, a light distribution pattern PA1 is a light distribution pattern formed by turning on the first light emitting element 14 located above the optical axis Ax, and the light distribution pattern PA2 is located below the optical axis Ax. It is a light distribution pattern formed by lighting the first light emitting element 14. Each of these light distribution patterns PA1 and PA2 is substantially the same light distribution pattern as the light distribution pattern PA formed in the above embodiment. The light distribution pattern PB1 is a light distribution pattern formed by turning on the second light emitting element 24 located on the left side of the optical axis Ax, and the light distribution pattern PB2 is a second light emission located on the right side of the optical axis Ax. This is a light distribution pattern formed by lighting the element 24. Each of these light distribution patterns PB1 and PB2 is a light distribution pattern obtained by rotating the light distribution pattern PB formed in the above embodiment by 90 ° in the right and left directions around HV. .

  By adopting the configuration of this modified example, the brightness of the light distribution pattern for forming the hot zone of the high beam light distribution pattern PH can be doubled compared to the case of the above embodiment, thereby The visibility of the far region on the road surface ahead of the vehicle can be further enhanced. In addition, by adopting the configuration of the present modified example, it is possible to effectively use the empty space in the lamp unit 310, thereby maintaining the lamp unit 310 in a compact configuration.

  Next, the 4th modification of the said embodiment is demonstrated.

  FIG. 12 is a front view showing a lamp unit 410 according to this modification, and FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view taken along line XIII-XIII in FIG.

  As shown in the figure, the lamp unit 410 according to this modification has the same basic configuration as the lamp unit 10 of the above embodiment, but the configuration of the base member 418 is different from that of the above embodiment. ing.

  That is, the base member 418 includes a flat plate portion 418A that supports the first light emitting element 14 and the first reflector 16, and a semi-cylindrical portion 418B that supports the projection lens 12, similarly to the base member 18 of the above embodiment. However, it is different from the above embodiment in that a shade 418C is formed between the projection lens 12 and the first reflector 14 so as to shield part of the reflected light from the first reflector 14. . .

  The shade 418C is formed such that its upper edge 418a extends in a substantially arc shape in the horizontal direction along the rear focal plane of the projection lens 12 of the projection lens 12. At this time, the left side (right side in the front view of the lamp) of the upper edge 418a of the upper end edge 418a is formed to extend horizontally from the optical axis Ax to the left, while on the other hand, from the optical axis Ax. The right portion is formed so as to extend obliquely downward (for example, 15 ° downward) from the optical axis Ax to the right and then horizontally extend further to the right.

  The lamp unit 410 according to this modification is arranged in a state where the optical axis Ax extends in a downward direction by about 0.5 to 0.6 ° with respect to the vehicle front-rear direction when the optical axis adjustment is completed. It is like that.

  FIG. 14 is a perspective view showing a light distribution pattern formed on a virtual vertical screen arranged at a position 25 m ahead of the lamp by light irradiated forward from the lamp unit 410 according to this modification.

  FIG. 4A shows the light distribution pattern PE formed when only the first light emitting element 14 is turned on as a part of the low beam light distribution pattern PL. FIG. Light distribution patterns PE and PB formed when the light emitting element 14 and the second light emitting element 24 are simultaneously turned on are shown as part of the high beam light distribution pattern PH.

  The light distribution pattern PB formed by lighting the second light emitting element 24 is the same as that in the above embodiment. On the other hand, the light distribution pattern PE formed by lighting the first light emitting element 14 is formed as a horizontally long light distribution pattern having a substantially arcuate shape.

  This light distribution pattern PE has cut-off lines CL1 and CL2 at its upper end. The cut-off lines CL1 and CL2 are inverted projection images of the upper edge 418a of a part of the light from the first light emitting element 14 that is reflected by the first reflector 16 and travels toward the projection lens 12 by the shade 418C. It is formed as The cut-off lines CL1 and CL2 are formed such that the opposite lane side cut-off line CL1 on the right side of the VV line that is a vertical line passing through HV extends horizontally, and is located on the left side of the VV line. The own lane-side cut-off line CL2 extends from the opposite lane-side cut-off line CL1 at a predetermined angle (for example, 15 °) obliquely up to slightly above the HH line, which is a horizontal line passing through HV, and then extends horizontally. It is formed as follows.

  In this light distribution pattern PE, the position of the elbow point E that is the intersection of the oncoming lane side cut-off line CL1 and the VV line is set to a position about 0.5 to 0.6 ° below HV. Yes. This is because the optical axis Ax of the lamp unit 410 extends in a downward direction by about 0.5 to 0.6 ° with respect to an axis extending in the vehicle front-rear direction.

  And as shown to the figure (a), as a synthetic | combination light distribution pattern of this light distribution pattern PE and the diffused light distribution pattern PF formed by the light irradiated ahead from the other lamp unit which is not illustrated, it is for low beams. A light distribution pattern PL is formed. At this time, the hot zone of the low beam light distribution pattern PL is formed by the light distribution pattern PE.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 4B, the light distribution pattern PE, the light distribution pattern PB, and a diffusion light distribution pattern PC formed by light irradiated forward from another lamp unit (not shown). A high beam light distribution pattern PH is formed as the light distribution pattern. At this time, the hot zone of the high beam light distribution pattern PH is mainly formed by the light distribution pattern PB.

  By adopting the configuration of this modification, the lamp unit 410 can be shared between the low beam mode for forming the low beam light distribution pattern PL and the high beam mode for forming the high beam light distribution pattern PH. .

  In the lamp unit 410 according to this modification, the light from the first light emitting element 14 reflected near the optical axis Ax by the first reflector 16 is also emitted from the projection lens 12 as in the lamp unit 10 of the above embodiment. In front of the rear focal point F, most of the light advances to a space below the optical axis Ax and enters the substantially lower half of the projection lens 12, and the second light emitting element 24 and Since the second reflector 26 is arranged at a position away from the optical axis Ax between the projection lens 12 and the rear focal point F, the second reflector 26 is arranged from the first reflector 16 to the projection lens 12 by arranging them. It is possible to prevent the reflected light from being blocked.

  In the lamp unit 410 according to the fourth modified example, it has been described that one set of the second light emitting element 24 and the second reflector 26 is disposed above the optical axis Ax. The element 24 and the second reflector 26 may be arranged so as to be adjacent to each other in the circumferential direction. In this case, the amount of irradiation light can be further increased.

  In addition, the numerical value shown as a specification in the said embodiment and each modification is only an example, and of course, you may set these to a different value suitably.

The front view which shows the lamp unit of the vehicle headlamp which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention II-II sectional view of Fig. 1 Detailed view of part III in Fig. 2 The figure which shows two light distribution patterns formed on the virtual vertical screen arrange | positioned in the position of 25 m ahead of a lamp | ramp by the light irradiated ahead from the said lamp unit transparently The front view which shows the lamp unit which concerns on the 1st modification of the said embodiment. The figure which shows two light distribution patterns formed on the said virtual vertical screen transparently with the light irradiated ahead from the lamp unit which concerns on the said 1st modification. The figure similar to FIG. 3 which shows the lamp unit which concerns on the 2nd modification of the said embodiment. The front view which shows the lamp unit which concerns on the 3rd modification of the said embodiment. IX-IX line cross section of FIG. XX sectional view of FIG. The figure which shows perspectively four light distribution patterns formed on the said virtual vertical screen by the light irradiated ahead from the lamp unit which concerns on the said 3rd modification. The front view which shows the lamp unit which concerns on the 4th modification of the said embodiment. XIII-XIII sectional view of Fig. 12 It is a figure which shows perspectively the light distribution pattern formed on the said virtual vertical screen with the light irradiated ahead from the lamp unit which concerns on the said 4th modification, Comprising: The same figure (a) is formed in low beam mode. The figure which shows the light distribution pattern which is formed, the figure (b) the figure which shows the light distribution pattern which is formed with high beam mode

Explanation of symbols

10, 110, 210, 310, 410 Lamp unit 12 Projection lens 14 First light emitting element 14a, 24a Light emitting chip 14b, 24b Substrate 16 First reflector 16a, 26a, 126a, 230Aa, 230Ba, 326a Reflecting surface 18, 318, 418 Base member 18A, 318A, 418A Flat plate portion 18B, 318B, 418B Semi-cylindrical portion 18a Upper surface 20 Lens holder 22, 222 Light source holder 24 Second light emitting element 26, 326 Second reflector 126 Second reflector 230A, 230B Third reflector 326b Vertical Surface 418C Shade 418a Upper edge A, Aa, Ab Light emission center Ax Optical axis B Predetermined point CL1 Opposite lane side cut-off line CL2 Own lane side cut-off line E Elbow point F Rear focus H Hyperbola L Straight line PA, P A1, PA2, PB, PB1, PB2, PD, PE Light distribution pattern PC, PF Diffuse light distribution pattern PH High beam light distribution pattern PL Low beam light distribution pattern

Claims (4)

A projection lens disposed on an optical axis extending in the vehicle front-rear direction, a first light emitting element disposed behind the rear focal point of the projection lens, and light from the first light emitting element directed forward A lamp unit for a vehicle headlamp comprising: a first reflector that reflects toward the optical axis;
At least one second light emitting element is disposed at a position away from the optical axis between the projection lens and the rear focal point of the projection lens,
Between each of the second light emitting elements and the optical axis, a second reflector for reflecting the light from the second light emitting element forward is disposed.
The cross-sectional shape of the reflecting surface of each of the second reflectors along the plane including the light emission center of each of the second light emitting elements and the optical axis is a point near the rear focal point of the projection lens as the first focal point. A lamp unit for a vehicle headlamp, wherein the lamp unit is a hyperbola on the second focal point side of a pair of hyperbolas having a second focal point at a point near the light emission center of each of the second light emitting elements. A projection lens disposed on an optical axis extending in the vehicle front-rear direction, a first light emitting element disposed behind the rear focal point of the projection lens, and light from the first light emitting element directed forward A lamp unit for a vehicle headlamp comprising: a first reflector that reflects toward the optical axis;
At least one second light emitting element is disposed at a position away from the optical axis between the projection lens and the rear focal point of the projection lens,
In the vicinity of each of the second light emitting elements, a third reflector that reflects the light from the second light emitting element so as to converge at a predetermined point located between the second light emitting element and the optical axis is disposed. And
Between each of these predetermined points and the optical axis, a second reflector for reflecting the light from each of the second light emitting elements reflected by the third reflector toward the front is disposed, respectively.
The cross-sectional shape of the reflecting surface of each of the second reflectors along the plane including the predetermined points and the optical axis is set so that the point near the rear focal point of the projection lens is the first focal point, and is near the predetermined point. A lamp unit for a vehicle headlamp, wherein the lamp unit is formed by a hyperbola on the second focal point side in a pair of hyperbola having a point as a second focal point. The first light emitting element and the first reflector are arranged on each of the upper and lower sides of the optical axis,
The lamp unit for a vehicle headlamp according to claim 1 or 2, wherein one set of the second light emitting element and the second reflector is arranged on each of the left and right sides of the optical axis. A shade that blocks part of the reflected light from the first reflector is disposed between the projection lens and the first reflector so that the upper edge of the shade passes through the rear focal point of the projection lens. And
The lamp unit for a vehicle headlamp according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the second light emitting element and the second reflector are disposed above the optical axis.

Images