JP5519394B2 - Lighting fixtures for vehicles - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a vehicular illumination lamp configured to form an additional light distribution pattern added to a low beam light distribution pattern when forming a high beam light distribution pattern.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a vehicular illumination lamp including a plurality of light emitting elements is known as a vehicular illumination lamp for forming an additional light distribution pattern.

  For example, in “Patent Document 1”, for a vehicle configured to form an additional light distribution pattern by irradiating a direct light from a plurality of light emitting elements arranged in a forward direction forward through a projection lens. Illumination lamps are described.

  That is, the vehicular illumination lamp described in “Patent Document 1” has a configuration in which a plurality of light emitting elements are arranged adjacent to each other in the horizontal direction in the vicinity of the rear focal plane of the projection lens, An additional light distribution pattern is formed as a combined light distribution pattern of spot-shaped light distribution patterns formed as a reverse projection image of the light emitting surface of each light emitting element.

JP 2007-179969 A

  The vehicular illumination lamp described in the above-mentioned “Patent Document 1” is configured as a so-called direct-type lamp that is configured to irradiate the direct light from a plurality of light emitting elements forward via a projection lens. Therefore, the depth dimension can be reduced.

  However, even if a plurality of light emitting elements are arranged in close contact with each other in such a direct-lighting type vehicle lamp, the light emitting surfaces cannot be arranged in close contact with each other. Therefore, in such a vehicular illumination lamp, even if a pair of left and right light emitting surfaces are arranged on the rear focal plane of the projection lens, a pair of left and right formed as an inverted projection image of the pair of left and right light emitting surfaces. These light distribution patterns are formed in a state of being separated from each other, and a dark portion is formed at the center position in the left-right direction of the additional light distribution pattern formed as the combined light distribution pattern.

  On the other hand, if the pair of left and right light emitting surfaces are arranged in a state of being largely displaced in the front-rear direction from the rear focal plane of the projection lens, the inverted projection image of each light emitting surface is blurred in its outline, Since the size becomes large, the pair of left and right light distribution patterns formed at this time can be formed without being separated from each other.

  However, in this case, the central luminous intensity of each light distribution pattern formed as a reverse projection image of each light emitting surface is significantly reduced. Therefore, there is a problem in that the central luminous intensity cannot be sufficiently increased even for the additional light distribution pattern formed as a combined light distribution pattern of the pair of left and right light distribution patterns.

  The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and is configured to form an additional light distribution pattern added to the low beam light distribution pattern when the high beam light distribution pattern is formed. Another object of the present invention is to provide a vehicular illumination lamp that can sufficiently increase the central luminous intensity of the additional light distribution pattern while reducing the depth dimension thereof.

  The present invention is intended to achieve the above object by adopting a direct-type lamp configuration including a pair of left and right light emitting elements and a configuration including a predetermined mirror member.

That is, the vehicular illumination lamp according to the present invention is:
In the vehicular illumination lamp configured to form an additional light distribution pattern added to the low beam light distribution pattern when forming the high beam light distribution pattern,
A projection lens disposed on the optical axis extending in the vehicle front-rear direction, a pair of left and right light emitting elements disposed forwardly on both left and right sides of the optical axis in the vicinity of the rear focal point of the projection lens, and a pair of left and right A mirror member that reflects a part of light directed from the light emitting surfaces toward the projection lens in a state of being disposed between the light emitting surfaces of the light emitting elements,
The mirror member has a pair of left and right reflecting surfaces extending substantially along a vertical plane parallel to the optical axis from the vicinity of each light emitting surface to the front .
The mirror member is configured to be able to move to a light non-incident position where light directed from each light emitting surface to the projection lens is not incident on each reflecting surface of the mirror member;
The pair of left and right light emitting surfaces are arranged on the rear side of the rear focal point,
Between the pair of left and right light emitting surfaces, there is disposed a first auxiliary mirror that reflects a part of light from each light emitting surface toward the projection lens when the mirror member moves to the light non-incident position. And
The first auxiliary mirror extends substantially along a vertical plane parallel to the optical axis from the vicinity of each light emitting surface to the vicinity of the rear focal plane of the projection lens when the mirror member moves to the light non-incident position. It has a pair of left and right reflecting surfaces arranged in this manner .

  The above-mentioned “one pair of left and right light emitting elements” is arranged on both the left and right sides of the optical axis in the vicinity of the rear focal point of the projection lens. The typical value is not particularly limited.

  The “near the rear focal point of the projection lens” means that the distance in the front-rear direction from the rear focal point is within a range of 1/10 or less of the focal length of the projection lens.

  The “light emitting surface” of each of the light emitting elements may be disposed on the rear focal plane of the projection lens, or may be disposed at a position slightly displaced in the front-rear direction from the rear focal plane. The specific size and shape are not particularly limited.

  The “mirror member” may be configured as a single member having a pair of left and right reflecting surfaces, or a portion constituting the left reflecting surface and a portion constituting the right reflecting surface may be included. It may be composed of a separate member.

  If the above-mentioned “one pair of left and right reflecting surfaces” is formed so as to extend substantially along the vertical plane parallel to the optical axis from the vicinity of each light emitting surface to the front, the specific distance between the reflecting surfaces is specified. The specific value and the specific size of each reflecting surface are not particularly limited.

  As shown in the above configuration, the vehicular illumination lamp according to the present invention is configured to form an additional light distribution pattern added to the low beam light distribution pattern when forming the high beam light distribution pattern. However, since this vehicular illumination lamp is configured as a direct-type lamp that is configured to irradiate the direct light from the pair of left and right light emitting elements forward through the projection lens, the depth dimension thereof is Can be small.

  In addition, in the vehicular illumination lamp according to the present invention, a pair of left and right light emitting elements are disposed forwardly on the left and right sides of the optical axis in the vicinity of the rear focal point of the projection lens, and the left and right pair of light emitting elements. A mirror member that reflects a part of the light traveling from each of the light emitting surfaces to the projection lens is disposed between the light emitting surfaces of each of the light emitting surfaces, and the mirror member is connected to the optical axis from the vicinity of each light emitting surface to the front. Since it has a pair of left and right reflecting surfaces extending substantially along a parallel vertical plane, the following operational effects can be obtained.

  That is, the pair of left and right light emitting elements are arranged with their light emitting surfaces spaced apart from each other in the left and right direction, but a part of the light traveling from each of these light emitting surfaces to the projection lens is reflected by each mirror member. Since the light is reflected by the surface, it is incident on the projection lens as light emitted from a virtual light emitting surface disposed between the two reflecting surfaces.

  At this time, since this virtual light emitting surface is generated for each light emitting surface, the left and right width of the mirror member and the left and right width of each light emitting surface are set so that the pair of left and right virtual light emitting surfaces overlap each other. By doing so, a pair of left and right light distribution patterns formed as inverted projection images of both light emitting surfaces and both virtual light emitting surfaces can be formed in a partially overlapping state. As a result, the additional light distribution pattern formed as a combined light distribution pattern of the pair of left and right light distribution patterns can be formed as the light distribution pattern having the brightest center position in the left-right direction.

  In addition, this additional light distribution pattern can be formed as a light distribution pattern having a sufficiently high central luminous intensity. This will be described in detail as follows.

  That is, the pair of left and right light emitting surfaces is not arranged in a state largely displaced in the front-rear direction from the rear focal plane of the projection lens. Thus, the central luminous intensity of each light distribution pattern formed as a reverse projection image is not significantly reduced.

  Actually, since a mirror member exists, each light distribution pattern to be formed as a reverse projection image of each light emitting surface is formed as a new light distribution pattern in which a part thereof is folded back in the left-right direction. The Rukoto. Therefore, the additional light distribution pattern formed as the combined light distribution pattern is formed as a light distribution pattern in which a part of the left and right pair of new light distribution patterns overlap each other. The central luminous intensity can be sufficiently increased.

  As described above, according to the present invention, in the vehicular illumination lamp configured to form the additional light distribution pattern added to the low beam light distribution pattern when forming the high beam light distribution pattern, the depth thereof The center luminous intensity of the additional light distribution pattern can be sufficiently increased while reducing the size. In addition, such operational effects can be obtained without wasting the luminous flux of the emitted light from each light emitting element.

  In the above configuration, if the mirror member is configured to be able to move to a light non-incident position where light traveling from each light emitting surface to the projection lens is not incident on each reflecting surface of the mirror member, the following effects can be obtained. be able to.

  That is, when the mirror member is moved to the light non-incident position, the emitted light from each light emitting surface is incident on the projection lens as it is, so that the left and right formed as a reverse projection image of the pair of left and right light emitting surfaces. The pair of light distribution patterns are formed in a state of being separated from each other in the left-right direction.

  Therefore, the additional light distribution pattern and the pair of left and right light distribution patterns can be selectively formed by appropriately moving the mirror member between the initial position and the light non-incident position. That is, when traveling with a high beam, the mirror member is held at the initial position and the additional light distribution pattern is added to the low beam light distribution pattern to form a high beam light distribution pattern, while at a high speed with a low beam. For example, by moving the mirror member to the light non-incident position and adding a pair of left and right light distribution patterns to the low beam light distribution pattern, it is possible to move the vehicle far away without giving glare to the preceding vehicle driver. The visibility of the left and right side portions of the road surface can be enhanced.

  At that time, it is also possible to combine control for lighting only one of the pair of left and right light emitting elements. And by doing in this way, the variation of variable light distribution can be increased.

  In this case, the pair of left and right light emitting surfaces are arranged behind the rear focal point of the projection lens, and the mirror member is not light-between the left and right pair of light emitting surfaces. When moved to the incident position, a first auxiliary mirror that reflects part of the light traveling from each light emitting surface to the projection lens is arranged, and as a configuration of the first auxiliary mirror, the mirror member is not incident on the light. When moved to the position, if it is configured to have a pair of left and right reflecting surfaces arranged so as to extend substantially along a vertical plane parallel to the optical axis from the vicinity of each light emitting surface to the vicinity of the rear focal plane of the projection lens, The following effects can be obtained.

  That is, when the pair of left and right light emitting surfaces are arranged behind the rear focal point within the range of the rear focal point of the projection lens, they are on the rear focal plane of the projection lens. Each light distribution pattern formed as a reverse projection image of each light emitting surface is slightly smaller in the central luminous intensity than in the case where it is arranged, but its size is increased. However, the contrast ratio of the outer peripheral edge of each light distribution pattern is lowered.

  For this reason, the size of the additional light distribution pattern formed when the mirror member is at the initial position can be set larger, although the central luminous intensity is slightly reduced.

  This also applies to the pair of left and right light distribution patterns formed when the mirror member is moved to the light non-incident position. At this time, the first auxiliary mirror is disposed between the light emitting surfaces. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the light / dark ratio of the inner edge of each light distribution pattern from being lowered.

  That is, even when the mirror member is moved to the light non-incident position, a part of the emitted light from each light emitting surface can be reflected by each reflecting surface of the first auxiliary mirror and then incident on the projection lens. Therefore, in each light distribution pattern formed as a reverse projection image of each light emitting surface, the light / dark ratio of the inner edge can be increased.

  As a result, even when a pair of left and right light distribution patterns are formed in a larger size, the visibility of the left and right side portions of the far road surface of the vehicle can be improved without giving glare to the preceding vehicle driver. It is possible to maintain the operational effect.

  In this case, the first auxiliary mirror may be configured as a separate member from the mirror member, or formed integrally with the mirror member, and when the mirror member moves to the light non-incident position, It may be configured to appear at a position that functions as one auxiliary mirror. The first auxiliary mirror may be configured as a single member having a pair of left and right reflecting surfaces, and a portion constituting the left reflecting surface and a portion constituting the right reflecting surface are provided. It may be configured by a separate member.

  In the above configuration, the second auxiliary mirror having the lower wall surface formed as a reflecting surface is arranged in the vicinity of the upper side of each light emitting surface, and the reflecting surface is located on the rear side of the projection lens from the vicinity of each light emitting surface. If the configuration is formed so as to extend substantially along a horizontal plane parallel to the optical axis to the vicinity of the focal plane, the following operational effects can be obtained.

  That is, the light emitted upward from each light emitting surface is reflected downward by the reflecting surface of the second auxiliary mirror and then enters the projection lens. Therefore, either the additional light distribution pattern or the pair of left and right light distribution patterns is used. In this case, the position of the lower edge can be prevented from becoming too low, and the brightness ratio of the lower edge can be increased. As a result, it is possible to prevent the short distance area on the road surface ahead of the vehicle from becoming too bright, and to further improve the visibility of the long distance area.

The perspective view which shows the vehicle lighting device which concerns on 1st Embodiment of this invention. The top view which takes out and shows only the optical element of the said illumination lamp for vehicles Sectional view taken along line III-III in FIG. It is a figure which shows the light distribution pattern formed on the virtual vertical screen arrange | positioned in the position of 25 m ahead of the lamp | ramp by the light irradiated ahead from the said vehicle lighting lamp, Comprising: The mirror member (a) is an initial position. (B) is a diagram when the light is not incident. The perspective view which shows the illuminating lamp for vehicles which concerns on 2nd Embodiment of this invention. The top view which takes out and shows only the optical element of the illumination lamp for vehicles which concerns on the said 2nd Embodiment VII-VII sectional view of FIG. The same figure as FIG. 4 showing the operation of the second embodiment. It is a figure which shows the effect | action of the said 2nd Embodiment, Comprising: The figure which shows six types of light distribution patterns

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

  First, a first embodiment of the present invention will be described.

  FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a vehicular illumination lamp 10 according to the present embodiment. 2 is a plan view showing only the optical elements of the vehicular illumination lamp 10, and FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line III-III in FIG.

  As shown in these drawings, the vehicular illumination lamp 10 according to this embodiment includes a projection lens 12 disposed on an optical axis Ax extending in the vehicle front-rear direction, and light in the vicinity of the rear focal point F of the projection lens 12. A pair of left and right light emitting elements 14 disposed forward and left and right on both sides of the axis Ax and the light emitting surfaces 14a of the pair of left and right light emitting elements 14 are disposed between the light emitting surfaces 14a and the projection lenses. 12 includes a mirror member 16 that reflects a part of the light directed to 12, a pair of left and right third auxiliary mirrors 18, and a holder 20 that supports them.

  The vehicular illumination lamp 10 is configured to form an additional light distribution pattern added to the low beam light distribution pattern when the high beam light distribution pattern is formed.

  The projection lens 12 is a plano-convex aspheric lens having a convex front surface and a flat rear surface, and is disposed on an optical axis Ax extending in the vehicle front-rear direction. The projection lens 12 projects the light source image formed on the rear focal plane onto the virtual vertical screen in front of the lamp as a reverse image. The focal length of the projection lens 12 is set to about 65 mm, and the back focal length is set to about 55 mm. The projection lens 12 is supported by the holder 20 via a retaining ring 22.

  Each of the pair of left and right light emitting elements 14 is a white light emitting diode and has the same configuration. The light emitting surface 14a of each light emitting element 14 is formed in a horizontally long rectangular shape of about 1 × 4 mm by the front surface of the light emitting chip.

  The pair of left and right light emitting elements 14 are arranged in a symmetrical relationship with respect to the optical axis Ax. At this time, each of the light emitting elements 14 has its light emitting surface 14 a positioned on the rear focal plane of the projection lens 12, and its emission center O is separated from the rear focal point F of the projection lens 12 by about 5 mm. It is arranged so as to be located at a point. The pair of left and right light emitting elements 14 are arranged in a state where the side edges of the substrate 14b that supports the light emitting chip are in contact with each other.

  The mirror member 16 has a pair of left and right side wall surfaces extending along a vertical plane parallel to the optical axis Ax from the vicinity of the light emitting surface 14a of each light emitting element 14 to the front, and each of these side wall surfaces is a reflecting surface. 16a.

  The pair of left and right reflecting surfaces 16a are formed in a symmetrical relationship with respect to the optical axis Ax. At this time, each of the reflecting surfaces 16a is formed such that the rear edge thereof is positioned approximately 0.3 to 0.5 mm forward from the inner edge (that is, the edge on the optical axis Ax side) of each light emitting surface 14a. Yes. Further, the front end edge of each of the reflecting surfaces 16a is located slightly in front of the midpoint between the light emitting surfaces 14a and the rear surface of the projection lens 12 in the front-rear direction.

  And this mirror member 16 carries out regular reflection of a part of light radiate | emitted from the light emission surface 14a of each light emitting element 14 in the left-right direction in each reflection surface 16a.

  In FIG. 2, the light emitting element 14 on the right side shows the optical path of the emitted light from the light emission center O of the light emitting surface 14a, and the light emitting element 14 on the left side is emitted from each position of the light emitting surface 14a. The optical path of the light incident on one portion of the reflective surface 16a on the left side of the mirror member 16 is shown.

  In the drawing, as indicated by a two-dot chain line, by arranging the mirror member 16, a part of the light emitted from the light emitting surface 14a of each light emitting element 14 is between the pair of left and right light emitting surfaces 14a. This is incident on the projection lens 12 as light emitted from the region. That is, the area between the pair of left and right light emitting surfaces 14a constitutes a virtual light emitting surface. At this time, this virtual light emitting surface is generated for each light emitting surface 14 a and is partially overlapped with the rear focal point F of the projection lens 12 as the center.

  The pair of left and right third auxiliary mirrors 18 are disposed on the left and right sides of the mirror member 16 in a symmetrical relationship.

  Each of these third auxiliary mirrors 18 is formed in an L-shaped vertical cross-sectional shape so as to extend in the front-rear direction, and at that time, the vertical cross-sectional shape is formed so as to gradually increase toward the front. .

  Each of the third auxiliary mirrors 18 is formed as a side reflection surface 18a whose inner side surface of the side wall portion extends in a planar shape toward the front and away from the optical axis Ax, and at the bottom wall portion thereof. The upper surface is formed as a bottom reflecting surface 18b extending in a planar shape toward the front and away from the optical axis Ax. At that time, the side reflection surface 18a of each third auxiliary mirror 18 has its rear edge positioned slightly outside the outer edge (that is, the edge opposite to the optical axis Ax) of each light emitting surface 14a. ing. In addition, the bottom reflecting surface 18b of each third auxiliary mirror 18 has a rear end edge located slightly below the lower end edge of each light emitting surface 14a.

  Each of the third auxiliary mirrors 18 regularly reflects light traveling from the light emitting surface 14a of each light emitting element 14 toward the peripheral edge of the projection lens 12 in the direction toward the front on the side reflecting surface 18a and the bottom reflecting surface 18b. It is supposed to let you.

  The mirror member 16 has a light non-incident position indicated by a two-dot chain line in FIG. 3 from the initial position indicated by a solid line (that is, light directed from each light emitting surface 14a to the projection lens 12 is reflected by each reflecting surface of the mirror member 16) It is configured to be able to move to a position where it does not enter 16a.

  This light non-incident position is set at a position where the upper edge of each reflecting surface 16a of the mirror member 16 extends substantially parallel to the bottom reflecting surface 18b slightly below the bottom reflecting surface 18b of each third auxiliary mirror 18. Has been.

  In order to realize this, the movement of the mirror member 16 from the initial position to the outside of the light non-incident position extends in the left-right direction so as to pass near the optical axis Ax on the rear side of the rear focal point F of the projection lens 12. The rotation is performed around a horizontal axis. Further, the mirror member 16 is formed such that each light emitting surface 14a expands in a substantially trapezoidal shape toward the front in a side view, and a protruding portion 16b protruding downward is formed at the rear end thereof. .

  The rotation movement of the mirror member 16 is performed by the rotation mechanism 24 shown in FIG. The rotating mechanism 24 is configured by connecting a solenoid supported by the holder 20 to a protrusion 16 b of the mirror member 16.

  The rotation mechanism 24 is driven and controlled by a control unit (not shown). At this time, in the case of a high beam, the control unit turns on the pair of left and right light emitting elements 14 with the mirror member 16 held at the initial position. And the pair of left and right light emitting elements 14 are turned on in a state where the mirror member 16 is rotated from the initial position to the light non-incident position.

  FIG. 4 is a view perspectively showing a light distribution pattern formed on a virtual vertical screen disposed at a position 25 m ahead of the vehicle by light irradiated forward from the vehicular illumination lamp 10 according to the present embodiment. is there.

  The light distribution pattern shown in FIG. 4A is an additional light distribution pattern PA that is formed when the mirror member 16 is in the initial position (that is, in the case of a high beam), and when the high beam light distribution pattern PH1 is formed. It is formed in addition to the low beam light distribution pattern PL indicated by a two-dot chain line.

  The light distribution pattern shown in FIG. 4B is a pair of left and right light distribution patterns PBL and PBR formed when the mirror member 16 is in a light non-incident position (that is, when traveling at high speed with a low beam). Further, it is formed in addition to the low beam light distribution pattern PL. Thus, an intermediate light distribution pattern PM1 between the high beam light distribution pattern PH1 and the low beam light distribution pattern PL is formed.

  First, the low beam light distribution pattern PL will be described.

  This low beam light distribution pattern PL is a light distribution pattern formed by irradiation light from other vehicle illumination lamps (not shown), and is a left light distribution pattern having horizontal cut-off lines CL1 and CL2 having different left and right steps at the upper end edge. It is formed as a low beam light distribution pattern.

  The horizontal cut-off lines CL1 and CL2 extend in a horizontal direction with a difference in left and right steps from the VV line which is a vertical line passing through HV which is a vanishing point in the front direction of the lamp, and are on the right side of the VV line. Is formed so as to extend in the horizontal direction as the horizontal cut-off line CL1 on the opposite lane side, and the left side of the VV line is stepped up from the horizontal cut-off line CL1 as the horizontal cut-off line CL2 on the own lane side. It is formed so as to extend in the horizontal direction. However, the end near the VV line in the horizontal cut-off line CL2 is formed as an oblique cut-off line extending at an inclination angle of 15 ° obliquely left upward from the intersection of the horizontal cut-off line CL1 and the V-V line. .

  In this low beam light distribution pattern PL, the elbow point, which is the intersection of the horizontal cutoff line CL1 and the VV line, is located about 0.5 to 0.6 ° below HV.

  Next, the additional light distribution pattern PA will be described.

  As shown in FIG. 4 (a), the additional light distribution pattern PA is a horizontally long light distribution pattern extending in the left and right sides around the VV line, and with respect to the low beam light distribution pattern PL. It is formed so as to straddle the horizontal cut-off lines CL1 and CL2 having the different left and right steps in the vertical direction. The additional light distribution pattern PA is hardly diffused downward in the vertical direction with respect to the HH line, which is a horizontal line passing through HV, but somewhat diffused in the upward direction. Yes.

  In this additional light distribution pattern PA, the hot zone HZ which is a high luminous intensity region is located in the vicinity of HV. In addition, in this additional light distribution pattern PA, the closed curve shown in multiplex is an isoluminous curve, which indicates that the brightness increases from the outer peripheral edge toward the center.

  By forming this additional light distribution pattern PA in addition to the low beam light distribution pattern PL, the high beam light distribution pattern PH1 becomes a light distribution pattern with excellent distance visibility in front of the vehicle. ing.

  The generation process of the additional light distribution pattern PA will be described later.

  Next, a pair of left and right light distribution patterns PBL and PBR will be described.

  As shown in FIG. 4B, the pair of left and right light distribution patterns PBL, PBR are formed at positions separated from each other in a symmetrical relationship with respect to the VV line.

  The light distribution pattern PBL located on the left side is a light distribution pattern formed by light emitted from the light emitting surface 14a of the light emitting element 14 located on the right side of the pair of left and right light emitting elements 14, and is arranged on the right side. The light pattern PBR is a light distribution pattern formed by light emitted from the light emitting surface 14a of the light emitting element 14 located on the left side.

  At this time, since the mirror member 16 is in the light non-incident position, the light emitted from the light emitting surface 14a of each light emitting element 14 does not enter the reflecting surface 16a of the mirror member 16 and enters the projection lens 12 as it is. It becomes.

  Each of the light distribution patterns PBL and PBR is formed as an inverted projection image of the light emitting surface 14a of each light emitting element 14, and each light emitting surface 14a is formed in a horizontally long rectangular shape and is behind the projection lens 12. Since they are arranged on the side focal plane, each of these light distribution patterns PBL, PBR is formed as a small and bright horizontally long light distribution pattern.

  The pair of left and right light distribution patterns PBL and PBR are formed at positions separated from each other in a symmetrical relationship with respect to the VV line because the pair of left and right light emitting surfaces 14a This is because they are arranged at positions separated from each other in a symmetrical positional relationship.

  At this time, each of the light distribution patterns PBL and PBR has an inner edge (that is, an edge on the VV line side) formed with a relatively high contrast ratio, whereas the outer edge is the inner edge. It is formed so as to expand slightly with a slightly lower contrast, and its upper end edge is formed to expand slightly with a slightly lower contrast than the lower end edge. This is because a part of the light traveling from each light emitting surface 14 a toward the peripheral edge of the projection lens 12 is regularly reflected by the side reflecting surface 18 a and the bottom reflecting surface 18 b of each third auxiliary mirror 18.

  Next, the generation process of the additional light distribution pattern PA shown in FIG.

  In this additional light distribution pattern PA, a part of light emitted from the pair of left and right light emitting surfaces 14a forming the pair of left and right light distribution patterns PBL and PBR is irradiated in the direction closer to the VV line. Thus, a series of light distribution patterns is formed.

  That is, in the state where the mirror member 16 is in the initial position, a part of the light emitted from the light emitting surface 14a located on the right side is regularly reflected by the right reflecting surface 16a of the mirror member 16, and thus the light distribution pattern on the left side. The PBL is formed so as to expand to the right side. On the other hand, part of the emitted light from the light emitting surface 14a located on the left side is regularly reflected by the left reflecting surface 16a of the mirror member 16, so that the right light distribution pattern PBR is formed to expand to the left side. .

  At that time, the emitted light from each light emitting surface 14a specularly reflected by each reflecting surface 16a of the mirror member 16 exits from the virtual light emitting surface generated so as to include the rear focal point F on the rear focal plane of the projection lens 12. Since the light is incident on the projection lens 12 as the incident light, a portion enlarged to the right side in the left light distribution pattern PBL and a portion enlarged to the left side in the right light distribution pattern PBR overlap in the vicinity of HV. As a result, an additional light distribution pattern PA having a hot zone HZ in the vicinity of HV is formed.

  In addition, the additional light distribution pattern PA is also formed so that the left and right end edges are slightly enlarged by the action of the third auxiliary mirrors 18 and the upper end edge is slightly larger than the lower end edge. Will be.

  Next, the effect of this embodiment is demonstrated.

  The vehicle lighting device 10 according to the present embodiment is configured to form an additional light distribution pattern PA added to the low beam light distribution pattern PL when forming the high beam light distribution pattern PH1. Since the vehicular illumination lamp 10 is configured as a direct-type lamp that is configured to irradiate the direct light from the pair of left and right light emitting elements 14 through the projection lens 12, the depth dimension thereof. Can be reduced.

  In addition, in the vehicular illumination lamp 10 according to the present embodiment, a pair of left and right light emitting elements 14 are disposed forwardly on both left and right sides of the optical axis Ax in the vicinity of the rear focal point F of the projection lens 12, and these Between the light emitting surfaces 14a of the pair of left and right light emitting elements 14, a mirror member 16 that reflects part of the light traveling from each of the light emitting surfaces 14a toward the projection lens 12 is disposed. Since the pair of left and right reflecting surfaces 16a extending along the vertical plane parallel to the optical axis Ax from the vicinity of each light emitting surface 14a to the front is provided, the following operational effects can be obtained.

  That is, the pair of left and right light emitting elements 14 are arranged in a state where the light emitting surfaces 14a are separated from each other in the left and right direction, but a part of the light from each of the light emitting surfaces 14a toward the projection lens 12 is mirrored. Since the light is regularly reflected by each reflecting surface 16a of the member 16, it is incident on the projection lens 12 as emitted light from the virtual light emitting surface disposed between the reflecting surfaces 16a.

  At this time, since the virtual light emitting surface 14a is generated for each light emitting surface 14a, the left and right widths of the mirror member 16 and the light emitting surfaces 14a of the light emitting surface 14a are set so that the pair of left and right virtual light emitting surfaces overlap each other. By setting the left and right widths, a pair of left and right light distribution patterns formed as reverse projection images of both light emitting surfaces 14a and both virtual light emitting surfaces can be formed in a partially overlapping state. As a result, the additional light distribution pattern PA formed as a combined light distribution pattern of the pair of left and right light distribution patterns can be formed as the light distribution pattern having the brightest center position in the left-right direction.

  In addition, the additional light distribution pattern PA can be formed as a light distribution pattern having a sufficiently high central luminous intensity. This will be described in detail as follows.

  That is, since the pair of left and right light emitting surfaces 14a are disposed on the rear focal plane of the projection lens 12, when the mirror member 16 is in the light non-incident position, the light emitting surfaces 14a are formed as inverted projection images. Each of the light distribution patterns PBL and PBR to be performed has a maximum central luminous intensity.

  When the mirror member 16 is in the initial position, each light distribution pattern to be formed as a reverse projection image of each light emitting surface 14a is a new one in which a part of each light distribution pattern PBL, PBR is folded back in the left-right direction. Since the additional light distribution pattern PA is formed as a composite light distribution pattern that is formed as a simple light distribution pattern and a part of the light distribution patterns overlaps with each other, the central light intensity of the additional light distribution pattern PA can be sufficiently increased.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, when the high beam light distribution pattern PH1 is formed, the vehicular illumination lamp configured to form the additional light distribution pattern PA added to the low beam light distribution pattern PL. 10, the depth of the depth can be reduced, and the central luminous intensity of the additional light distribution pattern PA can be sufficiently increased. In addition, such an effect can be obtained without wasting the luminous flux of the emitted light from each light emitting element 14.

  In the present embodiment, since the mirror member 16 is configured to be movable between the initial position and the light non-incident position, the additional light distribution pattern PA and the pair of left and right light distribution patterns PBL, PBR Can be selectively formed. That is, when traveling with the high beam, the mirror member 16 is held at the initial position, and the additional light distribution pattern PA is added to the low beam light distribution pattern PL to form the high beam light distribution pattern PH1, while the low beam is used. When the vehicle is traveling at a high speed, the mirror member 16 is moved to the light non-incident position, and a pair of left and right light distribution patterns PBL and PBR are added to the low beam light distribution pattern PL, thereby driving the driver of the preceding vehicle 2 The visibility of the left and right side portions of the far road surface of the vehicle can be improved without giving glare to the vehicle.

  In addition, in the present embodiment, light traveling from the light emitting surfaces 14a of the pair of left and right light emitting elements 14 toward the peripheral edge of the projection lens 12 is reflected on the side reflecting surface 18a and the bottom reflecting surface 18b of the pair of left and right third auxiliary mirrors 18. Therefore, the following functions and effects can be obtained.

  That is, since each light emitting element 14 has its light emitting surface 14a disposed on the rear focal plane of the projection lens 12, each light distribution pattern PBL, PBR is formed as a small and bright horizontally long light distribution pattern. However, due to the action of each third auxiliary mirror 18, each of the light distribution patterns PBL and PBR has an outer edge extending slightly larger than the inner edge and an upper edge extending slightly larger than the lower edge. Therefore, the irradiation range can be expanded. Further, the additional light distribution pattern PA can also be formed such that the left and right end edges are slightly enlarged and the upper end edge is slightly larger than the lower end edge, so that the irradiation range can be enlarged.

  Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described.

  FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing the vehicular illumination lamp 110 according to the present embodiment. FIG. 6 is a plan view showing only the optical elements of the vehicular illumination lamp 110, and FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line VII-VII in FIG.

  As shown in these drawings, the vehicular illumination lamp 110 according to the present embodiment has the same basic configuration as the vehicular illumination lamp 10 according to the first embodiment, but a pair of left and right light emission units. The element 14 is not located near the rear focal point F of the projection lens 12 but on the rear side of the rear focal point F of the rod, and on the left and right sides of the optical axis Ax. The difference from the first embodiment is that two auxiliary mirrors 134 are provided.

  That is, in the present embodiment, the light emitting surface 14a of each light emitting element 14 is located on the rear side about 3 to 4 mm from the rear focal plane of the projection lens 12.

  In the present embodiment, the first auxiliary mirror 132 is disposed between the light emitting surfaces 14 a of the pair of left and right light emitting elements 14.

  The first auxiliary mirror 132 has a pair of left and right side wall surfaces extending along a vertical plane parallel to the optical axis Ax from the vicinity of each light emitting surface 14a to the rear focal plane of the projection lens 12, and each of these side surfaces. The wall surface is formed as the reflecting surface 132a. At this time, the first auxiliary mirror 132 is configured as a separate member from the mirror member 16, and each of the reflecting surfaces 132 a is located at a rear end position of each reflecting surface 16 a of the mirror member 16 more than the reflecting surface 16 a. It is arranged so as to be positioned slightly closer to the optical axis Ax.

  As a result, when the mirror member 16 moves to the light non-incident position, the first auxiliary mirror 132 regularly reflects a part of the light from each light emitting surface 14a toward the projection lens 12 on each reflecting surface 132a. It is configured as follows. In the first auxiliary mirror 132, when the mirror member 16 is in the initial position, most of the reflecting surfaces 132a are hidden by the mirror member 16, so that most of the light traveling from the light emitting surfaces 14a toward the projection lens 12 is incident thereon. In addition, the light incident on each of the reflecting surfaces 132 a is also shielded by the rear end portion of the mirror member 16 and does not reach the projection lens 12.

  Further, in the present embodiment, a pair of left and right second auxiliary mirrors 134 are arranged on both sides of the first auxiliary mirror 132.

  Each of these second auxiliary mirrors 134 is disposed in the vicinity of the upper side of each light emitting surface 14a, and its lower wall surface is formed as a reflecting surface 134a.

  The reflection surface 134a of each of these second auxiliary mirrors 134 is formed so as to extend along the horizontal plane parallel to the optical axis Ax from the vicinity of each light emitting surface 14a to the rear focal plane of the projection lens 12.

  As a result, each of the second auxiliary mirrors 134 causes the light emitted upward from each light emitting surface 14a to be regularly reflected downward by the reflecting surface 134a and then incident on the projection lens 12.

  FIG. 8 is a view similar to FIG. 4 showing the operation of the present embodiment.

  The additional light distribution pattern PC shown in FIG. 8A is a light distribution pattern formed when the mirror member 16 is in the light non-incident position.

  Like the additional light distribution pattern PA shown in FIG. 4A, this additional light distribution pattern PC is formed as a horizontally long light distribution pattern extending in the left and right sides around the VV line. It is formed as a light distribution pattern that is generally larger than the light pattern PA. The hot zone HZ of the additional light distribution pattern PC is formed to be larger than the hot zone HZ of the additional light distribution pattern PA, but its central luminous intensity is slightly lower than that of the additional light distribution pattern PA.

  However, although the additional light distribution pattern PC is formed as a light distribution pattern that is generally larger than the additional light distribution pattern PA, the lower end edge thereof is substantially the same height as that of the additional light distribution pattern PA. And is formed at a high contrast ratio. This is because light emitted upward from each light emitting surface 14a is regularly reflected downward by the reflecting surface 134a of the second auxiliary mirror 134 and then enters the projection lens 12, and at that time, the reflecting surface 134a This is because the front end edge of the projection lens 12 is located on the rear focal plane of the projection lens 12.

  By adding this additional light distribution pattern PC to the low beam light distribution pattern PL to form the high beam light distribution pattern PH2, it is possible to widely irradiate a far region in front of the vehicle. In addition, at that time, the position of the lower edge of the additional light distribution pattern PC is not so low and the contrast ratio is high, so that the short distance area on the road surface in front of the vehicle can be prevented from becoming too bright.

  A pair of left and right light distribution patterns PDL and PDR shown in FIG. 8B is a light distribution pattern formed when the mirror member 16 is in the light non-incident position, and is a light distribution pattern PL for the low beam. In addition, it is formed. As a result, an intermediate light distribution pattern PM2 between the high beam light distribution pattern PH2 and the low beam light distribution pattern PL is formed.

  These pair of left and right light distribution patterns PDL and PDR are located at positions separated from each other in a symmetrical relationship with respect to the VV line, similarly to the pair of left and right light distribution patterns PBL and PBR shown in FIG. Although formed, these light distribution patterns PDL and PDR are formed as light distribution patterns that are generally larger than the light distribution patterns PBL and PBR. The hot zones of the respective light distribution patterns PDL and PDR are formed larger than the hot zones of the respective light distribution patterns PBL and PBR, but the central luminous intensity is slightly lower than the respective light distribution patterns PBL and PBR. ing.

  However, although these light distribution patterns PDL and PDR are formed as light distribution patterns that are larger than the light distribution patterns PBL and PBR as a whole, the lower end edges of the light distribution patterns PBL and PBR are the light distribution patterns PBL and PBR. Are located at substantially the same height as in the above case, and are formed with a high contrast ratio. This is due to the action of the second auxiliary mirror 134 as in the case of the additional light distribution pattern PC.

  In addition, although each of these light distribution patterns PDL and PDR is formed as a light distribution pattern that is generally larger than each of the light distribution patterns PBL and PBR, the inner edge thereof has each light distribution pattern PBL, It is displaced slightly closer to the VV line than in the case of PBR, and it is formed with a relatively high contrast ratio. This is because part of the light emitted from each light emitting surface 14a in the direction closer to the optical axis Ax is regularly reflected by the reflecting surface 132a of the first auxiliary mirror 132 and then enters the projection lens 12. This is because the front end edge of the reflecting surface 134 a is located on the rear focal plane of the projection lens 12.

  Next, the effect of this embodiment is demonstrated.

  In the vehicular illumination lamp 110 according to the present embodiment, the pair of left and right light emitting surfaces 14a are arranged on the rear side of the rear focal point F of the projection lens 12, so that the pair of left and right light emitting surfaces 14a are the projection lens. 12, each light distribution pattern formed as a reverse projection image of each light emitting surface 14 a has a central luminous intensity as compared with the case of the vehicular illumination lamp 10 according to the first embodiment disposed on the rear focal plane of 12. Although it decreases slightly, its size increases. However, the contrast ratio of the outer peripheral edge of each light distribution pattern is lowered.

  For this reason, the additional light distribution pattern PC formed when the mirror member 16 is in the initial position can also be set to a larger size, although its central luminous intensity is slightly reduced.

  On the other hand, the same applies to the pair of left and right light distribution patterns PDL and PDR formed when the mirror member 16 is moved to the light non-incident position. At this time, the first auxiliary mirror 132 is disposed between the light emitting surfaces 14a. Since they are arranged, it is possible to prevent the light / dark ratio of the inner edges of the light distribution patterns PDL and PDR from being lowered.

  That is, even when the mirror member is moved to the light non-incident position, a part of the light emitted from each light emitting surface 14a is reflected by each reflecting surface 132a of the first auxiliary mirror 132 and then applied to the projection lens 12. Since it can enter, in each light distribution pattern PDL and PDR formed as a reverse projection image of each light emission surface 14a, the light / dark ratio of the inner edge can be raised.

  As a result, even when a pair of left and right light distribution patterns PDL and PDR are formed in a larger size, the visibility of the left and right side portions of the far road surface of the vehicle is not given to the driver of the preceding vehicle 2 without glare. It is possible to maintain the effect of being able to increase

  Furthermore, in the present embodiment, a second auxiliary mirror 134 whose lower wall surface is formed as a reflecting surface 134a is disposed in the vicinity of the upper side of each light emitting surface 14a, and the reflecting surface 134a is in the vicinity of each light emitting surface 14a. To the rear focal plane of the projection lens 12 so as to extend along a horizontal plane parallel to the optical axis Ax, the following operational effects can be obtained.

  That is, the light emitted upward from each light emitting surface 14a is regularly reflected downward by the reflecting surface 134a of the second auxiliary mirror 134 and then enters the projection lens 12, so that the additional light distribution pattern PC and the left and right pairs In both of the light distribution patterns PDL and PDR, the position of the lower end edge can be prevented from becoming too low, and the brightness ratio of the lower end edge can be increased. As a result, it is possible to prevent the short distance area on the road surface ahead of the vehicle from becoming too bright, and to further improve the visibility of the long distance area.

  FIG. 9 shows six types of light distribution formed when the rotation control of the mirror member 16 and the turning on / off control of the pair of left and right light emitting elements 14 are combined in the vehicular illumination lamp 110 according to the present embodiment. It is a figure which shows a pattern.

  FIGS. 4A to 4C are light distribution patterns formed when the mirror member 16 is in the initial position. In this case, FIG. 5A shows the additional light distribution pattern PC, and FIG. 6B shows that when only the left side light emitting element 14 is turned on, the VV line extends slightly from the left side to the right side. FIG. 4C shows a light distribution pattern PER formed so as to be elongated from the right side of the VV line slightly to the left when only the right side light emitting element 14 is turned on. It is an optical pattern PEL.

  FIGS. 4D to 5F are light distribution patterns formed when the mirror member 16 moves to the light non-incident position. In this case, FIG. 4D shows a pair of left and right light distribution patterns PDL and PDR, and FIG. 4E is formed on the right side of the VV line when only the left side light emitting element 14 is turned on. FIG. 5F shows the light distribution pattern PDL formed on the left side of the VV line when only the right light emitting element 14 is turned on.

  As described above, by appropriately combining the rotation control of the mirror member 16 and the lighting on / off control of the pair of left and right light emitting elements 14, six types of light distribution patterns having different irradiation modes can be formed. Variations of variable light distribution can be increased. Of course, such control can be performed in the vehicular illumination lamp 10 according to the first embodiment.

  In the second embodiment, the first auxiliary mirror 132 has been described as being configured as a member separate from the mirror member 16, but the rear end of the mirror member 16 protrudes upward. A configuration in which the mirror member 16 is formed integrally with the mirror member 16 is also possible. Even in this case, when the mirror member 16 is moved to the light non-incident position, the integrally formed portion can appear at a position that functions as the first auxiliary mirror. The same effects as those of the second embodiment can be obtained.

  In each of the above-described embodiments, each reflection surface 16a of the mirror member 16 has been described as extending along a vertical plane parallel to the optical axis Ax. Even if it is formed so as to be slightly inclined or slightly curved and extended, it is possible to obtain substantially the same operational effects as those of the above embodiments. This also applies to the third auxiliary mirror 18 of the first embodiment and the first auxiliary mirror 132 and the second auxiliary mirror 134 of the second embodiment.

  In each of the above-described embodiments, the case where the light distribution pattern formed by the irradiation light from the vehicle lighting fixtures 10 and 110 is added to the left light distribution low-beam light distribution pattern PL has been described. Even when the light distribution pattern is added to the light distribution pattern for low beam distribution, the same effects as those of the above embodiments can be obtained.

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

2 Pedestrians 10, 110 Vehicle lighting lamp 12 Projection lens 14 Light emitting element 14a Light emitting surface 14b Substrate 16 Mirror members 16a, 132a, 134a Reflecting surface 16b Protruding portion 18 Third auxiliary mirror 18a Side reflecting surface 18b Bottom reflecting surface 20 Holder 22 Retaining ring 24 Rotating mechanism 132 First auxiliary mirror 134 Second auxiliary mirror Ax Optical axis CL1, CL2 Horizontal cutoff line F Rear focal point HZ Hot zone O Light emission center PA, PC Additional light distribution pattern PBL, PBR, PDL, PDR, PEL, PER Light distribution pattern PH1, PH2 Light distribution pattern for high beam PL Light distribution pattern for low beam PM1, PM2 Intermediate light distribution pattern

Claims (2)

In the vehicular illumination lamp configured to form an additional light distribution pattern added to the low beam light distribution pattern when forming the high beam light distribution pattern,
A projection lens disposed on the optical axis extending in the vehicle front-rear direction, a pair of left and right light emitting elements disposed forwardly on both left and right sides of the optical axis in the vicinity of the rear focal point of the projection lens, and a pair of left and right A mirror member that reflects a part of light directed from the light emitting surfaces toward the projection lens in a state of being disposed between the light emitting surfaces of the light emitting elements,
The mirror member has a pair of left and right reflecting surfaces extending substantially along a vertical plane parallel to the optical axis from the vicinity of each light emitting surface to the front .
The mirror member is configured to be able to move to a light non-incident position where light directed from each light emitting surface to the projection lens is not incident on each reflecting surface of the mirror member;
The pair of left and right light emitting surfaces are arranged on the rear side of the rear focal point,
Between the pair of left and right light emitting surfaces, there is disposed a first auxiliary mirror that reflects a part of light from each light emitting surface toward the projection lens when the mirror member moves to the light non-incident position. And
The first auxiliary mirror extends substantially along a vertical plane parallel to the optical axis from the vicinity of each light emitting surface to the vicinity of the rear focal plane of the projection lens when the mirror member moves to the light non-incident position. A vehicular illumination lamp characterized by having a pair of left and right reflecting surfaces arranged as described above . A second auxiliary mirror having a lower wall surface formed as a reflecting surface is disposed in the vicinity of the upper side of each light emitting surface,
2. The reflection surface of the second auxiliary mirror is formed so as to extend substantially along a horizontal plane parallel to the optical axis from the vicinity of each light emitting surface to the vicinity of the rear focal plane. The vehicle illumination lamp as described.

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