JP5580157B2 - Lighting fixtures for vehicles - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a vehicular illumination lamp configured to form a variable light distribution pattern for a high beam.

  Conventionally, the light distribution pattern shape can be changed as a high beam light distribution pattern or as an additional light distribution pattern added to the low beam light distribution pattern when forming the high beam light distribution pattern. There is known a vehicular illumination lamp configured to form a variable light distribution pattern.

  For example, in “Patent Document 1”, a pair of light distribution patterns formed by irradiation light from a pair of lamp units is synthesized to form an additional light distribution pattern, and then each lamp unit is swiveled. Accordingly, there is described a vehicular lamp that is configured so that the additional light distribution pattern becomes a variable light distribution pattern.

JP 2010-140661 A

  By adopting the vehicular illumination lamp described in the above-mentioned “Patent Document 1”, the variable light distribution pattern can be formed as a light distribution pattern lacking a predetermined region near the center. Then, by moving the position of the predetermined area in the left-right direction according to the position of the preceding vehicle or the oncoming vehicle, forward visibility of the driver of the own vehicle without giving glare to the driver of the preceding vehicle or the oncoming vehicle Can be increased.

  Instead of adopting such a configuration, in the projector-type lamp unit, a movable shade is arranged on the optical path between the reflector and the projection lens, and this movable shade is used as a variable light distribution among the reflected light from the reflector. When a single lamp unit is used by moving in the left-right direction between a light shielding position for shielding light for forming a predetermined area near the center of the pattern and a light shielding release position for releasing this shielding Even so, it becomes possible to improve the forward visibility of the driver of the vehicle without giving glare to the driver of the preceding vehicle or oncoming vehicle, and it is also possible to eliminate the need to swivel the lamp unit. .

  However, in this case, when the movable shade moves from the light shielding release position to the light shielding position, a dark part that moves from the end in the left-right direction toward the center is formed in the variable light distribution pattern. Therefore, there is a problem that the driver of the vehicle is uncomfortable.

  The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and in a vehicular illumination lamp configured to form a variable light distribution pattern for a high beam, with a simple lamp configuration, A vehicular illumination lamp capable of forming a variable light distribution pattern capable of enhancing the forward visibility of a driver of the vehicle without giving glare to the driver of the vehicle without causing a sense of incongruity to the driver of the vehicle. It is intended to provide.

  In the present invention, the lamp unit is configured to include a movable shade movable in the left-right direction and two sets of light sources and reflectors, and dimming control of one light source is performed in conjunction with the movement of the movable shade. By adopting a configuration, the above object is achieved.

That is, the vehicular illumination lamp according to the present invention is:
In a vehicle lighting device configured to form a variable light distribution pattern for a high beam,
A lamp unit for forming the variable light distribution pattern, a projection lens disposed on an optical axis extending in the vehicle front-rear direction, a light source disposed on the rear side of the rear focal point of the projection lens, A reflector that reflects light from the light source toward the projection lens, a movable shade that is disposed on the optical path between the reflector and the projection lens, and the movable shade that is included in the reflected light from the reflector. An actuator that moves in the left-right direction so as to adopt a light shielding position for shielding light for forming a predetermined region near the center of the variable light distribution pattern and a light shielding release position for shielding light reflected from the reflector. A lamp unit,
Detecting means for detecting a specific object existing in front of the vehicle;
Drive control means for driving the actuator to move the movable shade between the light shielding position and the light shielding release position when the object is detected by the detection means during traveling of the vehicle. ,
Two sets of the light source and the reflector are arranged on the left and right sides of the optical axis,
When the movable shade is moved from the light shielding release position to the light shielding position, the light amount of the light source located on the left side is reduced when the movement is performed from the left side, while the light source is located on the right side when the movement is performed from the right side. A light amount control means for reducing the light amount of the light source is provided.

  The above-mentioned “high beam variable light distribution pattern” is the high beam light distribution pattern itself, which may change the shape of the light distribution pattern, or when forming the high beam light distribution pattern. In addition, an additional light distribution pattern added to the low beam light distribution pattern, which can change the shape of the light distribution pattern.

  The “light source” is arranged on the rear side of the rear focal point of the projection lens. Here, “disposed on the rear side of the rear focal point” is geometrically behind the rear focal point. Not only in the case of being arranged on the side but also in the case of being optically arranged behind the rear focal point (that is, the mirror is arranged on the optical path, and the virtual light source as the mirror image is more than the rear focal point. (When arranged on the rear side).

  The “movable shade” is configured to be movable in the left-right direction between the light shielding position and the light shielding release position. However, the mode of the movement is not particularly limited. A rotation or the like can be employed.

  The above-mentioned “specific object” is not particularly limited as long as it is an object for which it is not preferable to irradiate the object with light. For example, a preceding vehicle, an oncoming vehicle, or a walking A person or a bicycle can be employed.

  The specific position of the “predetermined region near the center of the variable light distribution pattern” is that when the dark part moves from the left and right ends of the variable light distribution pattern toward the “predetermined region”, The position is not particularly limited as long as the position is within a range that may give a sense of discomfort to the vehicle driver.

  The specific value of the amount of decrease when “decreasing the light amount of the light source” by the “light amount control means” is not particularly limited, and includes a case where the light source is turned off.

  As shown in the above configuration, the vehicular illumination lamp according to the present invention employs a projector-type lamp unit having a movable shade as a lamp unit for forming a high beam variable light distribution pattern. When a specific object existing in front of the vehicle is detected during traveling, the movable shade is moved from the light shielding release position to the light shielding position that shields light for forming a predetermined region near the center of the variable light distribution pattern. Since it is configured to move in the direction, the following effects can be obtained.

  In other words, by moving the position of the predetermined area in the left-right direction according to the position of the preceding vehicle or oncoming vehicle, forward visibility of the driver of the own vehicle without giving glare to the driver of the preceding vehicle or oncoming vehicle Can be increased. Moreover, this can be realized by using a single lamp unit, and can be realized without requiring the lamp unit to be swiveled.

  In addition, the vehicular illumination lamp according to the present invention has a configuration in which two sets of light sources and reflectors are arranged on the left and right sides of the optical axis as the lamp unit, and the movable shade is shielded from the light shielding release position. When moving to the position, there is provided a light amount control means for reducing the light amount of the light source located on the left side when the movement is performed from the left side, and reducing the light amount of the light source located on the right side when the movement is performed from the right side. Therefore, the following effects can be obtained.

  That is, the variable light distribution pattern is formed as a combined light distribution pattern of a pair of left and right light distribution patterns formed by light from two sets of light sources and reflectors, but the movable shade is shielded from the light shielding release position. When moving to the position, the light amount control means performs dimming control on one of the light sources, thereby forming a dark portion that moves from the left and right end portions toward the center portion of the variable light distribution pattern. Can be effectively suppressed. As a result, it is possible to eliminate the possibility that the driver of the vehicle will feel uncomfortable.

  As described above, according to the present invention, the vehicular illumination lamp configured to form the variable light distribution pattern for the high beam gives glare to the driver of the preceding vehicle or the oncoming vehicle with a simple lamp configuration. A variable light distribution pattern that can improve the forward visibility of the driver of the vehicle without causing the driver to feel uncomfortable.

  In the above configuration, when the movable shade is moved from the light shielding release position to the light shielding position as the light quantity control means, when the movement is performed from the left side, the light quantity of the light source located on the right side is increased while the movement is performed from the right side. In some cases, if the light quantity of the light source located on the left side is increased, the following effects can be obtained.

  That is, in the present invention, when the movable shade moves from the light shielding release position to the light shielding position, the light intensity control unit performs the light reduction control on one light source, and accordingly the brightness of the entire variable light distribution pattern is increased accordingly. However, when the above movement is performed, the brightness of the entire variable light distribution pattern is made to be close to that of a normal variable light distribution pattern by performing light-intensification control on the other light source. Can be maintained. As a result, it is possible to further reduce the possibility of giving the driver a sense of incongruity.

Front view showing a vehicular illumination lamp according to an embodiment of the present invention II-II sectional view of FIG. Sectional view taken along line III-III in FIG. It is a figure which shows the light distribution pattern for high beams 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 said movable shade is (a). Is the light-shielding release position, and (b) is the figure when it is in the light-shielding position. It is a figure which shows the additional light distribution pattern as a variable light distribution pattern which comprises a part of said light distribution pattern for high beams, Comprising: (a), (f) is in the light distribution pattern for high beams of Fig.4 (a). Additional light distribution patterns, (e) and (j) are additional light distribution patterns in the high beam light distribution pattern of FIG. 4B, and (b) to (d) and (g) to (i) are transitions thereof. Diagram showing additional light distribution patterns in the process (A) is a timing chart showing a state of control for changing the additional light distribution pattern in the process of FIGS. 5 (a) to 5 (d), and (b) is a first modification of the embodiment. Similar timing chart in case The same figure as FIG. 5 which shows the effect | action of the said 1st modification. The same figure as FIG. 2 which shows the 2nd modification of the said embodiment.

  FIG. 1 is a front view showing a vehicular illumination lamp 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

  As shown in the figure, the vehicular illumination lamp 10 according to the present embodiment includes a lamp body 12, a control unit 50, and an in-vehicle camera 52 for capturing a scene in front of the vehicle. .

  In this vehicular illumination lamp 10, a beam from the beam changeover switch 54 for switching the beam of the image data picked up by the in-vehicle camera 52 and the low beam and the high beam to the control unit 50. A switching signal is input.

  The lamp body 12 has a configuration in which two lamp units 18 and 20 are accommodated in a lamp chamber formed by a lamp body 14 and a transparent light-transmitting cover 16 attached to the front end opening. .

  The lamp unit 18 is a lamp unit for forming a low beam light distribution pattern, and is configured as a projector-type lamp unit.

  The lamp unit 20 is a lamp unit for forming an additional light distribution pattern added to the low beam light distribution pattern when forming the high beam light distribution pattern, and is configured as a projector-type lamp unit. Yes.

  2 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line II-II in FIG. 1, and FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line III-III in FIG.

  As shown in these drawings, the lamp unit 20 for forming the additional light distribution pattern includes a projection lens 22, a pair of left and right light sources 24La and 24Ra, a pair of left and right reflectors 26L and 26R, and a movable shade. 28, the actuator 30, and the holder 32 which supports these.

  The projection lens 22 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 22 projects a light source image formed on the rear focal plane on the virtual vertical screen in front of the lamp as a reverse image.

  Each of the pair of left and right light sources 24La and 24Ra is a light emitting chip of white light emitting diodes 24L and 24R, and is rearward from the rear focal point F of the projection lens 22 and obliquely upward and leftward from the optical axis Ax. In terms of position, they are arranged substantially downward in a symmetrical relationship.

  Each of the pair of left and right reflectors 26L and 26R is disposed in a symmetrical relationship so as to cover each of the pair of left and right light sources 24La and 24Ra in a substantially semi-dome shape from the lower side. At this time, the pair of left and right reflectors 26L and 26R are formed integrally with each other.

  The reflecting surfaces 26La and 26Ra of the reflectors 26L and 26R have a long axis on the axis Ax1 extending obliquely downward toward the front of the lamp, and are substantially elliptical surfaces having the light emission centers of the light sources 24La and 24Ra as the first focal points, respectively. The eccentricity is set so as to gradually increase from the vertical section toward the horizontal section. As a result, each of the reflectors 26L and 26R substantially converges the light from the light sources 24La and 24Ra slightly in front of the rear focal point F in the vertical section, and sets the convergence position in the horizontal section. It is designed to move considerably forward.

  At this time, the pair of left and right reflectors 26L and 26R are arranged so that the axis Ax1 serving as the central axis intersects the optical axis Ax in the vicinity of the rear focal point F in plan view. The light condensing property to the rear focal point F of the reflected light from 26L and 26R is enhanced.

  The movable shade 28 is composed of a rectangular parallelepiped block having a vertically long rectangular outer shape when viewed from the front of the lamp, and is arranged so as to be movable in the left-right direction (that is, in the vehicle width direction) in the vicinity of the rear focal plane of the projection lens 22. Yes.

  The movable shade 28 is screwed with a shaft 34 extending in the left-right direction below the optical axis Ax and is slidably engaged with a guide pin 36. At this time, the shaft 34 is disposed on the horizontal axis Ax2 extending in the left-right direction so as to pass substantially directly below the rear focal point F, and the guide pin 36 is disposed in the vicinity thereof.

  The shaft 34 is connected to the actuator 30 at one end thereof. The actuator 30 is fixedly supported by a bracket 38 that is placed and fixed on a notch portion of the holder 32. Further, the shaft 34 is rotatably supported at the other end by a bracket 40 that is placed and fixed on the notch of the holder 32. The guide pin 36 is fixedly supported by brackets 38 and 40 at both ends thereof.

  The actuator 30 is constituted by a stepping motor or the like, and rotates the shaft 34 by driving the actuator 30 so as to move the movable shade 28 screwed with the shaft 34 in the left-right direction along the horizontal axis Ax2. .

  By driving the actuator 30, the movable shade 28 can adopt a light shielding release position indicated by a solid line and a light shielding position indicated by a two-dot chain line in FIG.

  At that time, the light shielding release position is set to the right end position (the left end position in the front view of the lamp) where the reflected light from the pair of left and right reflectors 26L and 26R is not shielded by the movable shade 28. It is set at a position on the optical axis Ax where the movable shade 28 shields light passing through the vicinity of the rear focal point F from the reflected light from the pair of left and right reflectors 26L and 26R. Note that the light shielding cancellation position can be set to the left end position, and the light shielding position can be set to a position slightly shifted in the left-right direction from the position on the optical axis Ax.

  The movable shade 28 is formed so that its upper end surface 28a is positioned slightly above the optical axis Ax in a state of being screwed with the shaft 34. The movable shade 28 is always kept upright by the engagement with the guide pin 36 even when the shaft 34 rotates.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the actuator 30 is driven by a drive control signal from the control unit 50 based on input signals from the beam changeover switch 54 and the in-vehicle camera 52. In addition, the control unit 50 also performs lighting on / off control of the light sources 24La and 24Ra of the lamp unit 20 based on an input signal from the beam changeover switch 54. Further, the control unit 50 also performs dimming control of the light sources 24La and 24Ra of the lamp unit 20 based on an input signal from the in-vehicle camera 52.

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

  The high beam light distribution pattern PH0 shown in FIG. 4A is a normal high beam light distribution pattern, and is formed as a combined light distribution pattern of the low beam light distribution pattern PL and the additional light distribution pattern PA0. It has become.

  The low-beam light distribution pattern PL is a light distribution pattern formed by light emitted from the lamp unit 18, and is a left-light distribution low-beam light distribution pattern having horizontal cut-off lines CL1 and CL2 having different left and right steps on the upper edge. Is formed.

  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.

  The additional light distribution pattern PA <b> 0 is a light distribution pattern formed by the irradiation light from the lamp unit 20. At this time, the additional light distribution pattern PA0 is an additional light distribution pattern formed when the pair of left and right light sources 24La and 24Ra are turned on in a state where the movable shade 28 is in the light shielding release position.

  This additional light distribution pattern PA0 is a combined light distribution pattern of a pair of left and right light distribution patterns PAL and PAR that partially overlap with each other in a symmetrical relationship with respect to the VV line, and is centered on the VV line. Thus, it is formed as a horizontally long light distribution pattern extending elongated on both the left and right sides.

  The left light distribution pattern PAL is a light distribution pattern formed by light from the right light source 24Ra reflected by the right reflector 26R, and the right light distribution pattern PAR is the left light source reflected by the left reflector 26L. It is a light distribution pattern formed by light from 24La.

  Each of the light distribution patterns PAL and PAR has a lower end edge extending in a substantially horizontal direction below the HH line, which is a horizontal line passing through HV, and the upper end edge from the left and right end positions of the lower end edge. It is formed so as to swell in the shape of a horizontally elongated ellipse upward. At that time, the lower end edge of each of the light distribution patterns PAL and PAR intersects with the VV line about 2 to 3 ° below HV, and the upper end edge is 3 to 5 ° of HV. It is formed so as to intersect with the VV line approximately upward.

  In this additional light distribution pattern PA0, the hot zone that is a high luminous intensity region is located in the vicinity of HV where the pair of left and right light distribution patterns PAL and PAR overlap.

  The high beam light distribution pattern PH1 shown in FIG. 4B is a high beam light distribution pattern having a shape lacking in part from the high beam light distribution pattern PH0 shown in FIG.

  The high beam light distribution pattern PH1 is a combined distribution of the low beam light distribution pattern PL and the additional light distribution pattern PA1 having a part of the additional light distribution pattern PA0 shown in FIG. It is formed as a light pattern.

  The additional light distribution pattern PA1 is an additional light distribution pattern formed when the pair of left and right light sources 24La and 24Ra are turned on in a state where the movable shade 28 is in the light shielding position indicated by a two-dot chain line in FIGS. .

  This additional light distribution pattern PA1 is formed as a light distribution pattern in which a rectangular notch PA1a is formed in the upper region at the center in the left-right direction with respect to the additional light distribution pattern PA0 shown in FIG. Has been.

  This notch PA1a is formed as a shadow of the movable shade 28 at the light shielding position. At this time, the lower end edge of the notch PA1a extends horizontally in the vicinity of the lower part of the HH line because the upper end surface 28a of the movable shade 28 is formed as a horizontal plane in the vicinity of the upper part of the optical axis Ax. Yes. The left and right side edges of the notch PA1a extend in the vertical direction on both sides of the VV line because the left and right side surfaces of the movable shade 28 are formed as vertical surfaces.

  Specifically, the notch PA1a is formed with a lateral width of about 4 to 5 ° with respect to the VV line, and the lower end edge thereof is a horizontal cut-off line CL1 of the low beam light distribution pattern PL. It is approximately the same height as or slightly above.

  In the high beam light distribution pattern PH1 having the additional light distribution pattern PA1 in which such a notch PA1a is formed, the forward visibility of the driver of the own vehicle is improved without giving glare to the driver of the preceding vehicle 2. It becomes possible. At this time, if the notch PA1a is slightly displaced in the right direction, it is possible to improve the forward visibility of the driver of the vehicle without giving glare to the driver of the oncoming vehicle.

  FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an additional light distribution pattern as a variable light distribution pattern.

  5A and 5F are additional light distribution patterns PA0 in the high-beam light distribution pattern PH0 shown in FIG. 4A, and FIGS. 5E and 5J are FIGS. The additional light distribution pattern PA1 in the high beam light distribution pattern PH1 shown in FIG. 5 (b) to (d) and (g) to (i) are diagrams showing additional light distribution patterns PA2, PA3, and PA4 in the transition process from the additional light distribution pattern PA0 to the additional light distribution pattern PA1, respectively. It is.

  At that time, the transition from the additional light distribution pattern PA0 shown in FIG. 5A to the additional light distribution pattern PA1 shown in FIG. 5E is performed by moving the movable shade 28 leftward from the right light shielding release position to the light shielding position. It is done by moving to. On the other hand, the transition from the additional light distribution pattern PA0 shown in FIG. 5 (f) to the additional light distribution pattern PA1 shown in FIG. 5 (j) moves the movable shade 28 in the right direction from the left light shielding release position to the light shielding position. This is done by moving it.

  The additional light distribution pattern PA0 shown in FIGS. 5 (a) and 5 (f) has a left and right 1 because the shadow S of the movable shade 28 at the light shielding release position is off the left or right side of the additional light distribution pattern PA0. The pair of light distribution patterns PAL and PAR are formed without any loss.

  On the other hand, in the additional light distribution pattern PA1 shown in FIGS. 5E and 5J, since the shadow S of the movable shade 28 at the light shielding position is located on the VV line, a notch is formed at the center in the left-right direction. PA1a is formed.

  When shifting from the additional light distribution pattern PA0 shown in FIG. 5 (a) to the additional light distribution pattern PA1 shown in FIG. 5 (e), it is assumed that the additional light distribution pattern PA0 remains (that is, a pair of right and left light distributions). If the pattern PAL and PAR are still formed), the shadow S of the movable shade 28 moves in the right direction in the light distribution pattern PAL on the left side, which makes the driver of the vehicle uncomfortable. There is a fear.

  Therefore, in the present embodiment, the additional light distribution pattern PA0 is shifted to the additional light distribution pattern PA1 via the additional light distribution patterns PA2, PA3, and PA4.

  That is, as shown in FIG. 5B, the right light source 24Ra is turned off so that the left light distribution pattern PAL is not formed as the additional light distribution pattern PA2, and then the movable shade 28 is moved in the right direction. In addition, as shown in FIG. 5D, after the movable shade 28 reaches the light shielding position, the right light source 24Ra is turned on to form the left light distribution pattern PAL. As a result, as shown in FIG. 5C, the shadow S of the movable shade 28 does not occur in the additional light distribution pattern PA3 in which the movable shade 28 is moving from the light shielding release position toward the light shielding position. It is supposed to be.

  Immediately before the movable shade 28 reaches the light shielding position, the left end portion of the right side light distribution pattern PAR is missing in the additional light distribution pattern PA4 shown in FIG. 5 (d). Since the position is close to the V-V line, there is no possibility that the driver will feel uncomfortable.

  On the other hand, in the transition from the additional light distribution pattern PA0 shown in FIG. 5 (f) to the additional light distribution pattern PA1 shown in FIG. 5 (j), the moving direction of the movable shade 28 is reversed left and right. By turning off the light source 24La on the left side, the light distribution patterns PA2, PA3, PA4 through which the right light distribution pattern PAR is not formed are routed.

  FIG. 6A is a timing chart showing a state of current control for the pair of left and right light sources 24La and 24Ra performed in the control unit 50 in order to change the additional light distribution pattern PA0 to the additional light distribution pattern PA1.

  As shown in FIG. 5A, in a state where the movable shade 28 is in the light shielding release position, the right light source 24Ra is turned off, and then the actuator 30 is driven to move the movable shade 28 from the light shielding release position to the light shielding position. After that, the right light source 24Ra is turned on. On the other hand, the light source 24La on the left side is kept lit throughout this period.

  Next, the effect of this embodiment is demonstrated.

  The vehicular illumination lamp 10 according to the present embodiment employs a projector-type lamp unit having a movable shade 28 as a lamp unit 20 for forming an additional light distribution pattern PA0 as a variable light distribution pattern for high beams. In the above, when a specific object existing in front of the vehicle is detected by the in-vehicle camera 52 as the detection means while the vehicle is running, the control unit 50 as the drive control means moves the movable shade 28 from the light shielding release position. Since it is configured to move in the left-right direction to the light shielding position for shielding the light for forming the predetermined region near the center of the additional light distribution pattern PA0, the following operational effects can be obtained.

  That is, by moving the position of the predetermined region (that is, the position of the notch PA1a of the additional light distribution pattern PA1) in the left-right direction according to the position of the preceding vehicle 2 or the oncoming vehicle, the preceding vehicle 2 or the oncoming vehicle This makes it possible to improve the forward visibility of the driver of the vehicle without giving glare to the driver. In addition, this can be realized by using a single lamp unit 20 and can be realized without requiring the lamp unit 20 to be swiveled.

  In addition, the vehicular illumination lamp 10 according to the present embodiment has a configuration in which two sets of light sources 24La and 24Ra and reflectors 26L and 26R are arranged on the left and right sides of the optical axis Ax as the lamp unit 20. When the movable shade 28 moves from the light shielding release position to the light shielding position, the light source 26L positioned on the left side is turned off when the movement is performed from the left side, while the light source positioned on the right side when the movement is performed from the right side. Since the control unit 50 is provided as a light amount control means for turning off the light 26R, the following effects can be obtained.

  That is, the additional light distribution pattern PA0 is formed as a combined light distribution pattern of a pair of left and right light distribution patterns PAL and PAR formed by light from the two sets of light sources 24La and 24Ra and the reflectors 26L and 26R. However, when the movable shade 28 moves from the light shielding release position to the light shielding position, the light source 26L or 24Ra is turned off by the control unit 50, so that the additional light distribution pattern PA0 is directed from the left and right ends to the center. Thus, it is possible to prevent the formation of dark parts that move. As a result, it is possible to eliminate the possibility that the driver of the vehicle will feel uncomfortable.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, in the vehicular illumination lamp 10 configured to form the additional light distribution pattern PA0 as the high beam variable light distribution pattern, the preceding vehicle 2 or The additional light distribution patterns PA0 and PA1 that can increase the forward visibility of the driver of the vehicle without giving glare to the driver of the oncoming vehicle can be formed without causing the driver of the vehicle to feel uncomfortable.

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

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

  In this modification, the configuration of the vehicular illumination lamp 10 is the same as that of the above embodiment, but the configuration of the control unit 50 as the light amount control means is different from that of the above embodiment.

  FIG. 6B is a timing chart showing the state of current control for the pair of left and right light sources 24La and 24Ra performed in the control unit 50 of this modification in order to change from the additional light distribution pattern PA0 to the additional light distribution pattern PA1. It is a chart.

  As shown in FIG. 5B, the control unit 50 of this modification turns off the light source 26L located on the left side when the movable shade 28 moves from the light shielding release position to the light shielding position when the movement is performed from the left side. Instead of reducing the light amount to half or less (for example, about 20%), when the movement is performed from the right side, instead of turning off the light source 26R located on the right side, the light amount is reduced to less than half (for example, about 20%). ) To decrease.

Further, as shown in FIG. 5B, the control unit 50 of the present modified example has a light source 26R located on the right side when the movable shade 28 moves from the light shielding release position to the light shielding position when the movement is performed from the left side. The light amount of the light source 26L positioned on the left side is increased by about 20 to 100% (for example, about 80%) when the movement is performed from the right side. It is configured,
FIG. 7 is a view similar to FIG. 5 showing the operation of this modification.

  As shown in FIGS. 9A to 9E, in this modification, when the movable shade 28 moves leftward from the light shielding release position toward the light shielding position, the light source 26R positioned on the right side by the control unit 50. The light distribution control PAL on the left side becomes darker by that amount, but the light increase control is performed on the light source 26L located on the left side during the above movement. Since the light distribution pattern PAR on the right side only becomes brighter, the overall brightness of each of the additional light distribution patterns PA2, PA3, PA4 should be maintained at a brightness close to that of the normal variable light distribution pattern PA0. Can do. As a result, it is possible to further reduce the possibility of giving the driver a sense of incongruity.

  In the middle of the transition, the light source 26R located on the right side is not turned off, but dimmed, so that the shadow S of the movable shade 28 becomes the light distribution pattern PAL on the left side as shown in FIG. Although the light distribution pattern PAL is not a bright light distribution pattern, there is no possibility that the driver of the vehicle will feel uncomfortable.

  Similarly, as shown in FIGS. 5F to 5J, in this modification, when the movable shade 28 moves rightward from the light shielding release position toward the light shielding position, the control unit 50 positions the left side on the left side. When the light reduction control is performed on the light source 26L, the light distribution pattern PAR on the right side is darkened by that amount. However, the light increase control is performed on the light source 26R located on the right side during the movement. Since the left side light distribution pattern PAL becomes brighter by that amount, the overall brightness of each additional light distribution pattern PA2, PA3, PA4 is set to a brightness close to that of the normal variable light distribution pattern PA0. Can be maintained. As a result, it is possible to further reduce the possibility of giving the driver a sense of incongruity.

  In the middle of the above transition, the light source 26L located on the left side is configured not to be extinguished but dimmed, so that the shadow S of the movable shade 28 is reflected on the right side light distribution pattern PAR as shown in FIG. However, since this light distribution pattern PAR is not a bright light distribution pattern, there is no possibility that the driver of the vehicle will feel uncomfortable.

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

  FIG. 8 is a view similar to FIG. 2 showing the lamp unit 120 according to this modification.

  The lamp unit 120 is configured as a projector-type lamp unit, similar to the lamp unit 20 of the above-described embodiment. However, the mirror 150 is disposed, and the optical axis Ax is perpendicular to the lower side on the rear side of the projection lens 22. It differs from the case of the said embodiment by the point which becomes the structure bent by.

  At that time, the mirror 150 is disposed in front of the rear focal point F of the projection lens 22, and therefore, the rear focal point F is optically positioned below the optical axis Ax. Accordingly, the movable shade 28 is also arranged in a state of being rotated 90 ° downward to the front side in the case of the above embodiment. In addition, the pair of left and right light sources 24La and 24Ra and the pair of left and right reflectors 26L and 26R are arranged in a state where they are reversed in the front and rear directions and rotated upward 90 ° to the front side. Furthermore, in connection with this, the shape of the holder 132 which supports these differs from the case of the said embodiment.

  Even in the case of adopting the configuration of the present modification, it is possible to obtain the same operational effects as in the case of the above embodiment.

  Further, by adopting the configuration of this modification, the front-rear length of the lamp unit 120 can be significantly reduced as compared with the lamp unit 20 of the above-described embodiment.

  In the above embodiment and each modified example, the pair of left and right light sources 24La and 24Ra of the lamp unit 20 has been described as the light emitting chips of the white light emitting diodes 24L and 24R, but the light emitting portion of the discharge bulb or the like is used as the light source. Even in such a case, it is possible to obtain the same operational effects as those of the above-described embodiment and each modification.

  In the above embodiment and each modification, the lamp unit 18 of the vehicular illumination lamp 10 is configured to form the left beam distribution pattern for the low beam as the low beam distribution pattern PL. Even when the light distribution pattern for low beam distribution is formed, the same operational effects can be obtained by adopting the same configuration as that of the above-described embodiment and each modification.

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

2 Front-running vehicle 10 Vehicle lighting lamp 12 Lamp body 14 Lamp body 16 Translucent cover 18, 20, 120 Lamp unit 22 Projection lens 24L, 24R White light emitting diode 24La, 24Ra Light source 26L, 26R Reflector 26aLa, 26Ra Reflecting surface 28 Movable Shade 28a Upper end surface 30 Actuator 32, 132 Holder 34 Shaft 36 Guide pin 38, 40 Bracket 50 Control unit (drive control means, light quantity control means)
52 On-board camera (detection means)
54 Beam changeover switch 150 Mirror Ax Optical axis Ax1 Axis CL1, CL2 Horizontal cut-off line F Rear focus PAL, PAR Light distribution pattern PA0, PA1, PA2, PA3, PA4 Additional light distribution pattern (variable light distribution pattern)
PA1a Notch PH0, PH1 Light distribution pattern for high beam PL Light distribution pattern for low beam S Shadow

Claims (2)

In a vehicle lighting device configured to form a variable light distribution pattern for a high beam,
A lamp unit for forming the variable light distribution pattern, a projection lens disposed on an optical axis extending in the vehicle front-rear direction, a light source disposed on the rear side of the rear focal point of the projection lens, A reflector that reflects light from the light source toward the projection lens, a movable shade that is disposed on the optical path between the reflector and the projection lens, and the movable shade that is included in the reflected light from the reflector. An actuator that moves in the left-right direction so as to adopt a light shielding position for shielding light for forming a predetermined region near the center of the variable light distribution pattern and a light shielding release position for shielding light reflected from the reflector. A lamp unit,
Detecting means for detecting a specific object existing in front of the vehicle;
Drive control means for driving the actuator to move the movable shade between the light shielding position and the light shielding release position when the object is detected by the detection means during traveling of the vehicle. ,
Two sets of the light source and the reflector are arranged on the left and right sides of the optical axis,
When the movable shade is moved from the light shielding release position to the light shielding position, the light amount of the light source located on the left side is reduced when the movement is performed from the left side, while the light source is located on the right side when the movement is performed from the right side. An illumination lamp for a vehicle, comprising: a light amount control means for reducing the light amount of the light source.   When the light quantity control means moves the movable shade from the light shielding release position to the light shielding position, when the movement is performed from the left side, the light quantity control unit increases the light quantity of the light source located on the right side, while the movement is performed from the right side. 2. The vehicular illumination lamp according to claim 1, wherein the vehicular illumination lamp is configured to increase the amount of light of the light source located on the left side when the lamp is moved.

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