JP4780065B2 - Vehicle lighting - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a vehicular lamp used for a headlamp, a fog lamp, or the like of an automobile.

  As is well known, an automobile headlamp is provided with a low-beam light distribution pattern having a cut-off line at the upper edge so that glare light is not given to passengers of oncoming vehicles.

  Among such headlamps, a lamp having a reflector having a reflecting surface composed of a parabolic column having a focal line extending in the horizontal direction, and a semiconductor light emitting element such as an LED disposed in the vicinity of the focal line. One with a unit is known.

This is because the light irradiated from the semiconductor light emitting element is reflected by the reflecting surface formed by the parabolic columnar curved surface of the reflector, and thus the light is diffused in the horizontal direction slightly downward and spreads in the vehicle width direction. In order to form a required low beam light distribution pattern (see, for example, Patent Documents 1 and 2).
JP-A-2005-141919 JP 2006-147399 A

  In any of the prior arts, the direct light directed to the side from the semiconductor light emitting element and the reflected light reflected by the reflecting surface of the reflector and directed to the side are blocked by the side wall of the lamp unit. As a result, the amount of light on both sides in the vehicle width direction of the light distribution pattern decreases, and the forward visibility decreases.

  For this reason, in order to compensate for the shortage of light quantity on both sides of the light distribution pattern, it is necessary to arrange and arrange more semiconductor light emitting elements in a straight line along the vicinity of the focal line of the reflector, which is disadvantageous in terms of cost. Of course, it cannot be denied that the lamp unit is enlarged in the vehicle width direction.

  Accordingly, the present invention provides a vehicular lamp that can increase the amount of light on both sides of a required light distribution pattern without increasing the number of semiconductor light-emitting elements, thereby improving the visibility in front of the vehicle.

In the vehicular lamp of the present invention, a reflector having a reflective surface composed of a parabolic curved surface having a focal line extending in the horizontal direction;
A semiconductor light emitting device disposed in the vicinity of the focal line,
A lamp unit is formed that reflects the light emitted from the semiconductor light emitting element to the reflecting surface of the reflector and diffuses it forward in the horizontal direction slightly downward and in the vehicle width direction to form a required light distribution pattern. In structure
Along the both side edges in the vehicle width direction of the reflector, the direct light directed from the semiconductor light emitting element to the side and the reflected light reflected from the reflecting surface and directed to the side are captured and reflected forward. It is configured with a side reflection surface ,
The most important feature is that both side edges in the vehicle width direction of the reflector are formed in a circular arc shape that is widened toward the front and convex toward the center of the reflector .

  According to the present invention, the irradiation light from the semiconductor light emitting element is reflected by the reflecting surface formed by the parabolic columnar curved surface of the reflector, and is a diffused light that is a parallel light beam that is slightly downward in the horizontal direction and spreads in the vehicle width direction. As a result, the required light distribution pattern for the low beam is obtained.

  Here, the direct light directed to the side from the semiconductor light emitting element and the reflected light directed to the side by being reflected by the reflection surface are side reflection surfaces provided along both side edges in the vehicle width direction of the reflector. And is reflected toward the side.

  As a result, it is possible to increase the amount of light at both sides in the vehicle width direction of the light distribution pattern for low beam without increasing the number of semiconductor light emitting elements, and improve the visibility in front of the vehicle.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings, taking an automobile headlamp as an example.

    1 to 3 show a first embodiment of a vehicular lamp according to the present invention, FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an internal structural unit of a headlamp, and FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a lamp unit that is a subject of the present invention. 3 is an explanatory view schematically showing a light distribution pattern formed by a lamp unit as an object of the present invention.

  FIG. 1 shows an internal structural unit 1 of a right headlamp of an automobile.

  The internal structure unit 1 includes a first lamp unit 2 and second to fourth lamp units 3, 4, and 5.

  The first to fourth lamp units 2 to 5 are fixed to one support substrate 6 with fastening members such as screws.

  The internal structural unit 1 is assembled in a housing (not shown) through a support substrate 6 so as to be able to adjust the aiming. The cover is assembled.

The first lamp unit 2 forms a low beam diffusion light distribution pattern P ₁ as shown in FIG. 3, and is arranged at the upper center portion of the support substrate 6.

Second to fourth lamp unit 3-5, to form different light distribution patterns respectively, in a state in which the superposed with diffused light distribution pattern P _1, distribution for the required low beam having a cut-off line to the upper edge In this embodiment, a known projector type lamp is used.

  Among these, the 2nd, 3rd lamp units 3 and 4 irradiate the condensing type light distribution pattern which has an oblique cut-off line to the exterior (front of a vehicle). The fourth lamp unit 5 irradiates the outside (front of the vehicle) with a condensing type light distribution pattern having a horizontal cut-off line.

  The second to fourth lamp units 3 to 5 are arranged adjacent to each other in the vehicle width direction around the lamp unit 2 below the first lamp unit 2.

  Since the headlamp is shaped so that the side portion on the outer side in the vehicle width wraps obliquely backward for the reason of shaping the vehicle body front end, the second to fourth lamp units 3 to 5 are obliquely rearward. The third and second lamp units 4 and 3 are sequentially shifted rearward with respect to the fourth lamp unit 5 on the center side in the vehicle width direction in accordance with the wraparound shape.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the first lamp unit 2 includes a reflector 10 having a reflecting surface 11 having a parabolic curved surface having a focal line f extending horizontally in a rear upper direction, and a rear of the focal line f. And a semiconductor light emitting element 12 disposed in the vicinity of the side.

Accordingly, the first lamp unit 2 reflects the irradiation light from the semiconductor light emitting element 12 on the reflecting surface 11 of the reflector 10, and diffuses the parallel light slightly downward in the horizontal direction and spreads in the vehicle width direction. It is diffused forwardly as light, to form the desired diffusion light distribution pattern P ₁ as shown in FIG.

  Specifically, the first lamp unit 2 is formed in an open box shape with a bottom wall 13 and side walls 14 erected along the left and right side portions of the bottom wall 13, and the reflecting surface of the reflector 10. 11 is formed as a predetermined parabolic curved surface on the bottom wall 13 as described above.

  The rear edge of the reflector 10 is formed as a flat surface that is flush with the upper edges of the left and right side walls 14.

  Further, the reflector 10 has a depth and a width that are set in accordance with the directivity (pattern) of the emitted light of the semiconductor light emitting element 12, and is formed so as to widen toward the end of the plane with both side edges in the vehicle width direction facing forward. The parallel light rays that are reflected by the reflecting surface 11 and diffused forward can be spread more widely in the vehicle width direction.

  As the semiconductor light emitting element 12, for example, a light emitting diode (LED) is used.

  The LED 12 is attached to the lower surface side of the plate 12 a, and the plate 12 a is fixed on the flat rear edge of the reflector 10 with screws or the like so that the LED 12 faces the reflecting surface 11 of the reflector 10.

As described above, the LED 12 is provided in the vicinity of the rear side of the focal line f of the reflector 10, but in this embodiment, one LED 12 is used and attached so as to protrude forward from the central portion of the rear edge of the reflector 10. is there.

  Of course, when a plurality of LEDs 12 are used, they may be arranged in a straight line along the focal line f.

  The left and right side walls 14 of the first lamp unit 2 are provided with brackets 15 on the upper rear edge thereof, and the brackets 15 are formed on shelf pieces 6a that are bent forward from the upper edge of the support substrate 6 shown in FIG. It is superposed and firmly fixed by a fastening member such as a screw.

  Further, a mounting seat 16 is formed at the upper edge rear part of the left and right side walls 14, and the protector of the mounting portion of the LED 12 and the reinforcement of the lamp unit 2 are straddled over the surfaces of the left and right mounting seats 16. 1 is also fixed by a fastening member such as a screw.

  Then, along the both side edges in the vehicle width direction of the reflector 10, the direct light directed from the LED 12 to the side and the reflected light reflected by the reflecting surface 11 and directed to the side are captured and directed forward. A side reflection surface 20 is provided for reflection.

  Specifically, the side reflecting surface 20 is formed on the inner side surfaces of the left and right side walls 14 of the lamp unit 2, and in the present embodiment, the reflector 10 is formed so as to widen toward the end of the plane toward the front as described above. For this reason, these side reflecting surfaces 20 are erected so as to expand toward the end of the plane along the vehicle width direction side edge of the reflector 10.

  Here, particularly in the present embodiment, both side edges in the vehicle width direction of the reflector 10 that are widened toward the end of the plane are formed in an arc shape that protrudes toward the center side of the reflector 10, and accordingly, the side reflection surface 20. Are formed as columnar curved surfaces along both side edges in the arcuate vehicle width direction.

According to the headlamp of the first embodiment having the above-described configuration, in particular, the structure of the first lamp unit 2, the LED 12 is disposed in the vicinity of the rear side of the focal line f of the reflector 10. When the irradiation light is reflected by the reflecting surface 11 consisting of parabolic columnar curved surface of the reflector 10, as indicated by arrow L ₁ in FIG. 2, is reflected forward in the horizontal direction slightly downward parallel light, moreover, the reflective surface 11 Has the required width and depth, it is diffused forward as diffused light that spreads in the vehicle width direction and the height direction (both are parallel to the vertical direction).

Thus, diffused light distribution pattern for low beam, as indicated at P ₁ in FIG. 3 is formed.

Figure 3 is the reflective surface of the reflector 10 as shown in SEQ shows a light pattern, FIG P ₁ when irradiated with lamp light on a screen which is disposed from the first lamp unit 2 in the right headlamp to the front A diffused light distribution pattern P for a low beam having a spread in the vehicle width direction and the height direction below the HH line by reflected light projected from 11 to the front as rays parallel to the vertical direction. ₁ is formed.

In particular, in this embodiment, since is formed with the reflector 10 in a plane flared as described above, it is possible to increase the spreading degree of the vehicle width direction of the diffused light distribution pattern P _1.

On the other hand, the light emitted from the LED 12 includes light components such as direct light L ₂ directed laterally from the LED 12 and reflected light L ₃ reflected by the reflective surface 11 and directed laterally. These side-directed light components L ₂ and L ₃ are both captured and reflected by the side reflecting surfaces 20 formed along the both side edges of the reflector 10 in the vehicle width direction, and as shown in FIG. The light components L ₂ and L _{3 that} are directed are diffused as front reflected light from the side reflecting surface 20 on the reflecting side to the vehicle width direction outside and the vehicle width direction inside.

Thus, is added diffused light distribution light distribution pattern P ₂ side reflected light with deviation to the left and right sides of the pattern P _1, P ₃ as shown in FIG. 3, the vehicle width of the diffused light distribution pattern P ₁ It is possible to increase the amount of light on both sides in the direction.

In particular, in the present embodiment, both side edges in the vehicle width direction of the reflector 10 that are widened toward the end of the plane are formed in an arc shape that protrudes toward the center side of the reflector 10, and the side reflecting surface 20 is formed in this arc-shaped vehicle. Since it is formed in a columnar curved surface along both side edges in the width direction, it is possible to enlarge the lateral reflection light outward in the vehicle width direction as much as possible, and the light distribution patterns P ₂ and P ₃ so overlapped with the vehicle width direction central portion, allows the overall amount of light increases with less uneven light distribution of the diffused light distribution pattern P _1.

Therefore, can increase the amount of light in the vehicle width direction side portions of the diffused light distribution pattern P ₁ without the addition of the LED 12, the diffusion of, as well as predetermined vehicle width direction width that it is possible to improve the visibility ahead of the vehicle in order to obtain a light distribution pattern P _1, to reduce the front opening width of the lamp unit 2, it is also possible to reduce the size of the said lamp unit 2.

  In addition, although the example which applied this invention to the headlamp was shown in the said embodiment, the said lamp unit 2 can also be applied to a fog lamp and a cornering lamp.

The present invention makes it possible to increase the amount of light by efficiently reflecting light emitted from a semiconductor light emitting element forward, and does not limit the number of semiconductor light emitting elements. In the embodiment , the case where there is one LED is shown, but two or more LEDs may be used.

The perspective view of the internal structure unit of the headlamp to which this invention is applied. The perspective view which shows 1st Embodiment of this invention. Explanatory drawing which shows typically the light distribution pattern formed by 1st Embodiment of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

2 First lamp unit (lamp unit)
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Reflector 11 Parabolic column-shaped reflective surface 12 Semiconductor light emitting element f Focal line 20, 20A Side reflective surface

Claims (1)

A reflector having a reflecting surface composed of a parabolic curved surface having a focal line extending in the horizontal direction;
A semiconductor light emitting device disposed in the vicinity of the focal line,
A lamp unit is formed that reflects the light emitted from the semiconductor light emitting element to the reflecting surface of the reflector and diffuses it forward in the horizontal direction slightly downward and in the vehicle width direction to form a required light distribution pattern. In vehicle lamps,
Along the both side edges in the vehicle width direction of the reflector, the direct light directed from the semiconductor light emitting element to the side and the reflected light reflected from the reflecting surface and directed to the side are captured and reflected forward. It is configured with a side reflection surface ,
A vehicular lamp characterized in that both side edges in the vehicle width direction of the reflector are formed in an arc shape that is widened toward the front and convex toward the center of the reflector .

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