JP5223121B2 - Light source unit for vehicles - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a vehicle light source unit.

  Conventionally, a light source unit having a self-luminous semiconductor type light source (for example, an LED light source) has been used as a light source of a vehicle lamp such as a headlamp. Examples of such a vehicle light source unit include the light source units disclosed in Patent Documents 1 and 2. In the configuration disclosed in Patent Document 1, a light source unit circuit and a heat sink are provided outside the lamp body. In the configuration disclosed in Patent Document 2, the circuit of the light source unit is provided integrally with the lamp body in an empty space behind the reflector, and a heat radiation fin is provided at the bottom of the lamp body.

Japanese Patent No. 4258321 JP 2006-302713 A

In the configuration of Patent Document 1, since the circuit of the light source unit and the heat sink are provided outside the lamp body, the apparatus is enlarged.
In the configuration of Patent Document 2, since the circuit is provided integrally with the lamp body, it is difficult to separate the circuit and the lamp body. Therefore, when a problem occurs in a part of the member, it is necessary to replace the entire lamp, and workability during maintenance is reduced. Moreover, the apparatus is increased in size by providing the heat radiation fins.
Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a configuration of a vehicle light source unit that is small in size and facilitates maintenance such as replacement.

As a result of intensive studies to solve the above problems, the present inventors have arrived at the present invention described below. That is, the first aspect of the present invention is
A vehicle light source unit comprising an outer lens, a housing, a circuit case part, and a light source part,
The circuit case part has a peripheral wall formed of a material having higher thermal conductivity than the housing, and is attached to the periphery of the opening formed in the housing.
The light source unit includes a self-luminous semiconductor light source, a heat sink, and a circuit board.
The self-luminous semiconductor type light source is exposed from the opening of the housing into the housing,
The heat dissipation plate is thermally connected to a peripheral wall of the light emitting semiconductor light source and the circuit case part,
The circuit board is a vehicle light source unit housed between a peripheral wall of the circuit case portion and the heat radiating plate.

  In the vehicle light source unit according to the first aspect of the present invention, a circuit case portion having a peripheral wall formed of a material having higher thermal conductivity than the housing is attached to the periphery of the opening of the housing, and the light emitting semiconductor light source of the light source portion Appears in the opening, and the self-luminous semiconductor light source and the circuit case portion and the heat sink are thermally connected, so that the heat of the self-luminous semiconductor light source is conducted to the circuit case portion through the heat sink. Will be released to the outside. As a result, there is no need to provide a separate radiating fin or the like, so that a small vehicle light source unit is obtained. Furthermore, since the circuit case portion is configured separately from the housing, it is easy to separate and maintenance such as replacement of the self-luminous semiconductor light source is facilitated.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, in addition to the configuration of the first aspect, the circuit case portion includes a concave portion that accommodates the circuit board, and the heat radiating plate is connected to a flange portion around the opening portion of the concave portion. It is a light source unit. Therefore, the circuit board can be stored and the circuit case portion and the heat radiating plate can be thermally connected with a simple configuration, and the vehicle light source unit can be further downsized.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, in addition to the configuration of the first aspect described above, for a vehicle in which a recess for housing a circuit board is formed in the heat radiating plate, and a peripheral portion of the recess is connected to a peripheral wall of the circuit case portion. It is a light source unit. Therefore, the circuit board can be stored and the circuit case portion and the heat radiating plate can be thermally connected with a simple configuration, and the vehicle light source unit can be further downsized.

1 is a longitudinal sectional view of a vehicle light source unit 10 according to a first embodiment of the present invention. The longitudinal cross-sectional view of the vehicle light source unit 30 which is 2nd Embodiment of this invention.

<First Embodiment>
A vehicle light source unit 10 according to a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. In the following description, the “front side” is the front side (left side in the figure) of the vehicle light source unit 10.
The vehicle light source unit 10 is a vehicle headlamp and has a projector-type unit structure, and includes an outer lens 11 (engagement protrusion 11a), a housing 12 (engagement recess 12a, opening 12b, engagement recess). 12c, reflecting surface 12d), circuit case 13 (recess 13a, flange 13b), light source 20, self-luminous semiconductor light source 21 (lead wire 21a), heat sink 22 (pedestal 22a), circuit board 23, seal It consists of materials 24, 25, etc.

The outer lens 11 is integrally formed by injection molding of a colorless and transparent synthetic resin material. The outer lens 11 has a substantially spherical shape with a substantially constant thickness, and an engaging protrusion 11a is provided on the periphery.
The housing 12 is integrally formed by injection molding of a synthetic resin material or press molding of a metal plate. The housing 12 is opened in a shape that matches the outer lens 11 on the front side, and an engagement recess 12a is formed on the peripheral edge on the front side. Then, from the front side to the rear side through the central portion is closed to form a substantially dome shape, an opening 12b is formed on the lower side, and an engagement recess 12c is formed on the lower peripheral edge of the opening 12b. ing.
A reflection surface 12 d as a reflector that reflects the light of the self-light-emitting semiconductor light source 21 is provided on the inner wall surface of the housing 12 where the light of the self-light-emitting semiconductor light source 21 is projected. In order to provide the reflecting surface 12d, for example, coating with a paint to which a highly reflective fine powder material is added, plating or vapor deposition of a highly reflective metal material (for example, aluminum, chromium, etc.) may be used. .
The circuit case portion 13 is formed of a material having at least a peripheral wall that is more thermally conductive than the housing 12 (for example, injection molding of a synthetic resin material, die casting or press molding of a metal material such as an aluminum alloy), and the like. A concave portion 13a is formed in the central portion, and the periphery of the opening of the concave portion 13a extends outward to form a flange portion 13b.

The light source unit 20 includes a self-luminous semiconductor light source 21, a heat sink 22, and a circuit board 23.
The self-light-emitting semiconductor light source 21 is composed of, for example, an LED light source or an organic EL light source, and is connected to a lead wire 21a.
The heat radiating plate 22 is formed of a material having high thermal conductivity (for example, injection molding of a synthetic resin material, die casting or press molding of a metal material such as an aluminum alloy), and has a substantially flat plate shape on the upper surface side. A pedestal portion 22a is erected.
The circuit board 23 is a printed circuit board on which electronic components (not shown) constituting an electronic circuit for lighting the self-light-emitting semiconductor light source 21 are mounted.

The outer lens 11 is attached to the front side of the housing 12, and the engagement projection 11 a of the outer lens 11 is engaged with the engagement recess 12 a of the housing 12, so that the outer lens 11 is detachably attached and fixed to the housing 12. Yes.
A sealing material 24 made of a synthetic rubber material is mounted in the engaging recess 12a, and the housing 12 and the outer lens 11 are attached in a liquid-tight state by the sealing material 24.

The circuit case portion 13 is attached to the peripheral edge of the opening portion 12b so as to cover and close the opening portion 12b from the lower outer side of the housing 12, and the upper end portion of the peripheral wall of the circuit case portion 13 is engaged with the engagement recess portion 12c of the housing 12. Thus, the circuit case portion 13 is detachably attached to the housing 12.
A sealing material 25 made of a synthetic rubber material is mounted in the engaging recess 12c, and the housing 12 and the circuit case portion 13 are attached in a liquid-tight state by the sealing material 25.

The lower side of the peripheral portion of the heat radiating plate 22 is connected and fixed to the flange portion 13 b of the circuit case portion 13, and the heat radiating plate 22 is thermally connected to the peripheral wall of the circuit case portion 13. In addition, the self-luminous semiconductor light source 21 is thermally connected and fixed on the pedestal 22 a of the heat sink 22, and the self-luminous semiconductor light source 21 is exposed into the housing 12 from the opening 12 b of the housing 12. Yes.
The circuit board 23 is housed between the peripheral wall of the circuit case part 13 and the heat sink 22 by being housed in the recess 13 a of the circuit case part 13, and the circuit board 23 is attached and fixed to the circuit case part 13. ing.
The lead wire 21 a of the self-luminous semiconductor light source 21 is connected to the circuit board 23 through a through hole (not shown) formed in the heat radiating plate 22.

  In the vehicle light source unit 10, when the self light emitting semiconductor light source 21 is turned on and emitted, the light from the self light emitting semiconductor light source 21 is emitted upward and reflected by the reflecting surface 12 d of the housing 12. The direct light from the mold light source 21 passes through the outer lens 11 and is irradiated to the front side to illuminate the front side of the vehicle. Here, the optical axis of the self-luminous semiconductor light source 21 is configured to intersect the optical axis of the reflecting surface 12d of the housing 12 (lamp optical axis) at an angle of approximately 90 ° or more.

[Operations and effects of the first embodiment]
According to the vehicle light source unit 10 of the first embodiment, the following operations and effects can be obtained.

  [1] A circuit case portion 13 having a peripheral wall formed of a material having higher thermal conductivity than the housing 12 is attached to the periphery of the opening portion 12 b of the housing 12, and the light-emitting semiconductor light source 21 of the light source portion 20 is an opening of the housing 12. Since the self-light-emitting semiconductor light source 21 and the circuit case 13 and the heat sink 22 are thermally connected to each other, the heat of the self-light-emitting semiconductor light source 21 is connected to the circuit through the heat sink 22. It is conducted to the case part 13 and discharged to the outside. Thereby, since it is not necessary to provide a separate radiation fin etc., the vehicle light source unit 10 can be reduced in size.

  [2] The circuit case portion 13 is configured separately from the housing 12, and the upper end portion of the peripheral wall of the circuit case portion 13 is engaged with the engagement recess 12 c of the housing 12. It is easy to separate, and maintenance such as replacement of the self-luminous semiconductor light source 21 becomes easy.

[3] Since the concave portion 13a of the circuit case portion 13 accommodates the circuit board 23 and the heat radiating plate 22 is connected to the flange portion 13b at the periphery of the opening, the circuit board 23 can be accommodated and the circuit case with a simple configuration. The portion 13 and the heat radiating plate 22 can be thermally connected, and the vehicle light source unit 10 can be further downsized.
In addition, if the circuit case part 13 and the heat sink 22 are formed of a conductive material (for example, a metal material, a conductive resin material, etc.), the circuit board 23 is enclosed and accommodated by the circuit case part 13 and the heat sink 22. Therefore, an electromagnetic shield can be applied to the circuit board 23.

Second Embodiment
A vehicle light source unit 30 according to a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. In the second embodiment, the same components as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals and description thereof is omitted.
The vehicle light source unit 30 includes an outer lens 11 (engagement protrusion 11a), a housing 12 (engagement recess 12a, opening 12b, engagement recess 12c, reflection surface 12d), a light source unit 20, a self-luminous semiconductor light source 21 (lead). Line 21a), circuit board 23, sealing materials 24 and 25, circuit case part 31, heat sink 32 (pedestal part 32a, recess 32b), and the like.
The vehicle light source unit 30 of the second embodiment is different from the vehicle light source unit 10 of the first embodiment shown in FIG. 1 only in the following points.

[A] The circuit case portion 31 is formed of the same material as that of the circuit case portion 13 of the first embodiment, but the concave portion 13a and the flange portion 13b as in the circuit case portion 13 are not formed.
The circuit case portion 31 is attached to the peripheral edge of the opening 12b from the lower side of the housing 12, and the upper end portion of the peripheral wall of the circuit case portion 31 is engaged with the engagement recess 12c of the housing 12, thereby The circuit case portion 31 is detachably attached and fixed, and the housing 12 and the circuit case portion 31 are attached in a liquid-tight state by a sealing material 25.

  [A] The heat radiating plate 32 is formed of the same material as the heat radiating plate 22 of the first embodiment. A pedestal portion 32a is erected on the upper surface side, and a concave portion 32b is formed on the lower surface side. The peripheral edge of the recess 32b of the heat radiating plate 32 is thermally connected to and fixed to the peripheral wall of the circuit case 31.

  [C] The circuit board 23 is not housed in the recess 13a of the circuit case portion 13 as in the first embodiment, but is housed in the recess 32b of the heat radiating plate 32. It is accommodated between the heat sink 32.

  Therefore, according to the second embodiment, in addition to the operation / effect of [1] of the first embodiment, the following operation / effect can be obtained.

  [A] The circuit case portion 31 is formed separately from the housing 12, and the upper end portion of the peripheral wall of the circuit case portion 31 is engaged with the engagement recess 12 c of the housing 12. It is easy to separate, and maintenance such as replacement of the self-luminous semiconductor light source 21 becomes easy.

  [B] Since the concave portion 32b for accommodating the circuit board 23 is formed in the heat radiating plate 32 and the peripheral edge portion of the concave portion 32b of the heat radiating plate 32 is connected to the peripheral wall of the circuit case portion 31, the circuit board 23 can be accommodated with a simple configuration. In addition, the circuit case portion 31 and the heat radiating plate 32 can be thermally connected, and the vehicle light source unit 30 can be further reduced in size.

<Another embodiment>
In each of the above embodiments, the upper ends of the peripheral walls of the circuit case portions 13 and 31 are engaged with the engagement recesses 12c of the housing 12, but the circuit case portions 13 and 31 are detachably attached and fixed to the housing 12. If possible, any attachment method may be used. For example, screwing or engagement with a clip may be used.

  The present invention is not limited to the description of the above embodiments. Various modifications are also included in the present invention as long as those skilled in the art can easily conceive without departing from the scope of the claims. The contents of papers, published patent gazettes, patent gazettes, etc. specified in this specification are incorporated by reference in their entirety.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10, 30 ... Vehicle light source unit 11 ... Outer lens 12 ... Housing 12b ... Housing opening part 13, 31 ... Circuit case part 13a ... Circuit case part recessed part 13b ... Circuit case part flange part 20 ... Light source part 21 ... Self light emission Semiconductor type light sources 22, 32 ... radiator plate 32b ... recess of radiator plate 23 ... circuit board

Claims (3)

A vehicle light source unit comprising an outer lens, a housing, a circuit case part, and a light source part,
The circuit case part has a peripheral wall formed of a material having higher thermal conductivity than the housing, and is attached to the periphery of the opening formed in the housing.
The light source unit includes a self-luminous semiconductor light source, a heat sink, and a circuit board.
The self-luminous semiconductor type light source is exposed from the opening of the housing into the housing,
The heat dissipation plate is thermally connected to a peripheral wall of the light emitting semiconductor light source and the circuit case part,
The circuit board is a vehicle light source unit housed between a peripheral wall of the circuit case portion and the heat radiating plate.   2. The vehicle light source unit according to claim 1, wherein the circuit case portion includes a concave portion that accommodates the circuit board, and the heat radiating plate is coupled to a flange portion at a peripheral edge of the opening portion of the concave portion. 2. The vehicle light source unit according to claim 1, wherein the heat radiating plate is formed with a concave portion for housing the circuit board, and a peripheral portion of the concave portion is connected to a peripheral wall of the circuit case portion.

Images