JP6266860B2 - Motorcycle headlamp - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a headlamp for a motorcycle, and more particularly to a headlamp capable of controlling the light distribution during cornering of a motorcycle to a light distribution suitable for safe driving.

  Since motorcycles run with the vehicle body tilted inside the curve during cornering, if such a vehicle tilt or so-called bank occurs during low beam light distribution, the light distribution pattern of the headlamps on the road surface changes, and light irradiation at the cornering destination is not possible. It tends to be sufficient. For example, if the two-wheeled vehicle tilts to the left side when traveling on the left curve, the light distribution pattern will also tilt to the left side, resulting in insufficient illumination of the left front area, which is the curve destination of the two-wheeled vehicle. Problems with safe driving occur. Therefore, the light distribution during cornering is adjusted in accordance with the inclination angle of the vehicle body in the two-wheeled vehicle, that is, the bank angle, and the light distribution as a whole headlamp is compensated. For example, Patent Document 1 proposes a technique of providing a sub lamp as a cornering lamp in addition to a main lamp for performing original illumination, and controlling the light distribution of the sub lamp according to the bank angle. Specifically, a movable shade for changing and controlling the light distribution pattern of the sub lamp is provided, and the movable shade is controlled according to the bank angle so that the front area on the bank side is illuminated by the sub lamp even when the motorcycle is banked. Is.

JP 2008-1306 A

The technique of Patent Document 1 can be said to be extremely effective in that the front area on the bank side can be suitably illuminated even during banking. However, by providing the sub lamp with the movable shade, the configuration of the sub lamp becomes complicated, and it becomes difficult to reduce the size and weight of the sub lamp. In particular, since the sub lamps are arranged on the left and right sides of the main lamp corresponding to the banks in the left and right directions of the two-wheeled vehicle, two sub-lamps are arranged in a limited space of the two-wheeled vehicle when it is difficult to downsize the sub lamp. It becomes difficult to design a motorcycle. In addition, if the structure of the sub lamp is complicated, it is difficult to reduce the price, and an increase in the price of the entire head lamp cannot be ignored.

  An object of the present invention is to provide a two-wheeled vehicle headlamp that enables illumination with a suitable light distribution during banking, while simplifying the structure of the sub-lamp.

The present invention relates to a main lamp disposed at the front of a motorcycle, and a light distribution that is disposed on the left and right of the main lamp, and is lit when the motorcycle is tilted to the left and right to compensate for the light distribution of the main lamp. The left and right sub lamps are respectively disposed obliquely above and outside the main lamp as viewed from the front of the two-wheeled vehicle, and the sub lamp further spreads the sub lamp light distribution of the sub lamp. The direction in which the angle is large is directed in the direction connecting the main lamp optical axis of the main lamp and the sub lamp optical axis of the sub lamp .

  In the present invention, when the two-wheeled vehicle tilts to the left and right, lamp control means for lighting the sub-lamp on the lower side is provided. The sub lamp is arranged so that a sub lamp horizontal axis directed in a direction in which the spread of the sub lamp light distribution by the sub lamp is large overlaps a line segment connecting the main lamp optical axis of the main lamp and the sub lamp optical axis of the sub lamp. The

Furthermore, in the present invention, the angle formed by the line connecting the main lamp optical axis of the main lamp and the sub lamp optical axis of the sub lamp with respect to the horizontal direction is equal to the tilted angle of the two-wheeled vehicle when the sub lamp is turned on. Is preferred. The sub lamp preferably has a light distribution in which a high luminous intensity region is positioned in the vicinity of the horizontal axis of the sub lamp.

According to the present invention, since the left and right sub-lamps are disposed obliquely above and outside the main lamp, when the two-wheeled vehicle is banked, the tilted side sub-lamp, that is, the lower side sub-lamp is the main lamp. It will be in a state of being lined up horizontally. Therefore, by turning on the lower sub lamp, illumination is performed by the main lamp and the sub lamp arranged in the horizontal direction, and it is possible to perform illumination that compensates for the light distribution of the main lamp by the sub lamp light distribution, The visibility of the front area of the motorcycle can be improved and safe driving can be ensured. Further, the sub lamp may be configured as a lamp that illuminates a predetermined area in a fixed manner, and means for controlling the light distribution is unnecessary, so that the configuration can be simplified, and the configuration can be reduced in size and cost.

  According to the present invention, by making the angle formed by the sub lamp with respect to the main lamp equal to the bank angle when the sub lamp is turned on, when the sub lamp is turned on, the main lamp and the sub lamp are aligned in the horizontal direction. A suitable light distribution can be obtained by the lamp, and the appearance of the headlamp at that time can be improved.

1 is a schematic perspective view of a part of a motorcycle to which a headlamp of the present invention is applied. The electrical system diagram of a headlamp and a lamp control unit. The schematic longitudinal cross-sectional view along the lamp | ramp optical axis of a main lamp, and the light distribution pattern figure of the high beam light distribution and the low beam light distribution. The front view of a left sublamp, and the schematic longitudinal cross-sectional view and light distribution pattern figure along the BB line. The front view of the headlamp for demonstrating the arrangement | positioning position of a right-and-left sublamp, and its light distribution pattern figure. The light distribution pattern figure compensated at the time of bank driving of the left curve and the right curve.

  Next, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a schematic configuration in which the present invention is applied to a headlamp HL of a motorcycle (motorcycle). A main lamp ML and a sub lamp SL are arranged on a cowl C provided at the front of the motorcycle. . Here, the main lamp ML is configured as a two-lamp type lamp, and the left main lamp L-ML and the right main lamp R-ML having the same configuration are arranged in the horizontal direction at the left and right positions close to the center of the cowl C, respectively. doing. The sub lamp SL is configured as a lamp having a function of a cornering lamp. The sub lamp SL is also composed of two lamps, a left sub lamp L-SL and a right sub lamp R-SL, and obliquely outside the left and right main lamps ML. It is arranged at each position. In FIG. 1, turn signal lamps TSL are disposed at positions obliquely outside the sub-lamps SL, but the description thereof is omitted because the relation with the present invention is small.

The left and right main lamps L-ML and R-ML and the sub lamps L-SL and R-SL are controlled to be turned on by a lamp control unit LCU that operates based on a lamp control signal, as shown in FIG. It has become. The lamp control unit LCU is connected to a lamp lighting switch LSW that is turned on / off by a driver's operation and a light distribution control switch DSW that switches light distribution to each light distribution pattern of low beam distribution or high beam distribution. . Also provided is a bank angle sensor BS provided on the motorcycle body for detecting a tilt angle when the vehicle body is tilted to the left and right with respect to the vertical line, that is, a bank angle, and is connected to the lamp control unit LCU. ing. The bank angle sensor BS is constituted by a gyro sensor, for example, and outputs the detected bank angle to the lamp control unit LCU.

  The left and right main lamps L-ML and R-ML have the same configuration, and are configured by a project type lamp capable of switching between high beam light distribution and low beam light distribution. Since this projector-type lamp has a known configuration, detailed description thereof will be omitted, but a spheroid is basically used as shown in a schematic longitudinal sectional view along the main lamp optical axis MLx in FIG. A reflector 11 having an inner surface as a reflection surface, a light source 12 supported in the reflector 11, and an irradiation lens 14 supported by a cylindrical holder 13 in the front opening of the reflector 11 are provided. The holder 13 is provided with a variable shade 15 for shielding light that does not contribute to light distribution. Here, the light source 12 is constituted by a discharge bulb, and lighting / extinguishing is controlled by the lamp control unit LCU. A semiconductor light emitting element such as an incandescent bulb or LED (light emitting diode) may be used as the light source. The variable shade 15 is configured to be tiltable between a solid line position and a chain line position in the figure by an actuator 16, and the light blocking area of the light is changed by changing the tilt position to distribute the light distribution of the main lamp ML to a low beam distribution. It is configured to be able to switch between light and high beam light distribution. The actuator 16 is connected to the lamp control unit LCU as shown in FIG. 2, and is driven and controlled by the lamp control unit LCU.

Note that the left and right main lamps L-ML and R-ML are arranged such that each main lamp optical axis MLx is directed in the straight traveling direction of the motorcycle, and the respective light distributions substantially coincide with each other in FIG. Illumination is performed with each of the light distribution patterns of the high beam distribution PHi and the low beam distribution PLo shown in (c). In these drawings, MH is a main lamp horizontal axis, MV is a main lamp vertical axis, the main lamp horizontal axis MH passes through the main lamp optical axis MLx of the main lamp ML, and in the high beam light distribution PHi and the low beam light distribution PLo. It is an axis oriented in the direction in which the spread of light is large. The main lamp vertical axis MV is an axis perpendicular to the main lamp horizontal axis MH. Since the main lamp vertical line MV is arranged in the vertical direction of the motorcycle, the main lamp horizontal axis MH is directed in the horizontal direction of the motorcycle. FIG. 3B shows a light distribution pattern of the high beam light distribution PHi when the variable shade 15 is tilted to the chain line position, and illuminates a wide front area including the main lamp optical axis MLx. FIG. 3C shows a light distribution pattern of the low beam light distribution PLo when the variable shade 15 is tilted to the solid line position, and is more than the main lamp horizontal axis MH in order to prevent dazzling of oncoming vehicles and preceding vehicles. The light distribution has a required cut-off line for blocking light in the upper region and mainly illuminates the region below the main lamp horizontal axis MH. Since each of the light distribution patterns of the high beam distribution PHi and the low beam distribution PLo is a known light distribution, detailed description thereof is omitted.

The left and right sub-lamps L-SL and R-SL have substantially the same structure except that the shape seen from the front is symmetrical. 4A is a front view of the left sub-lamp L-SL, and FIG. 4B is a vertical cross-sectional shape along the line BB. The LED 22 as the light source emits light on the upper surface of the rear portion of the base 21 as the base. It is mounted with the optical axis facing upward. The base 21 supports a reflector 23 having a half paraboloid shape so as to cover the LED 22, and a front lens having a flat plate structure having a required lens step 24 a at the front end of the base 22. 24 is fixed. The same applies to the right sub-lamp R-SL. The left and right sub-lamps L-SL and R-SL are connected to the lamp control unit LCU as shown in FIG. 2, and the LEDs 22 of the sub-lamps SL are selectively emitted by the lamp control unit LCU. It has become so. Further, the LED 22 has a characteristic that the luminous intensity in the vicinity region including the light emitting optical axis is emitted higher than the luminous intensity in the peripheral region, and the base 21 is in a state where the light emitting optical axis is directed vertically upward. Mounted on top.

In the sub lamp SL, a part of the light emitted when the LED 22 emits light is directly transmitted through the front lens 24, and the other part is reflected forward by the reflector 23 in a state close to a parallel light flux. Thus, the light passes through the front lens 24 and becomes illumination light for illuminating the front area of the motorcycle. Part of the light transmitted through the front lens 24 is shielded by a part of the base 21, and the light that is not shielded is refracted somewhat downward by the lens step 24 a when passing through the front lens 24. Thereby, the sub lamp light distribution PS shown in FIG. 4C is obtained. In the figure, SH is a sub-lamp horizontal axis, SV is a sub-lamp vertical axis, and the sub-lamp horizontal axis SH passes through the sub-lamp optical axis SLx of the sub-lamp SL and is an axis oriented in the direction in which the light spread in the sub-lamp light distribution PS is large. It is. The sub lamp vertical axis SV is an axis perpendicular to the sub lamp horizontal axis SH. This sub-lamp light distribution PS is a wide area below the sub-lamp horizontal axis SH from a limited area above the sub-lamp horizontal axis SH passing through the sub-lamp optical axis SLx and in the left-right direction around the sub-lamp optical axis SLx. It is a light distribution that illuminates a wide area. Further, as represented by an isoluminous intensity line in the drawing, the high luminous intensity region including the light emission optical axis of the LED 22 is located near the sub-lamp horizontal axis SH on the sub-lamp vertical axis SV or slightly below it. .

As described above, when the motorcycle is viewed from the front, the left and right sub-lamps L-SL and R-SL are respectively disposed obliquely above the left and right main lamps L-ML and R-ML. That is, the right sub lamp R-SL is disposed on the upper left side of the right main lamp R-ML when viewed from the front of the motorcycle, and the left sub lamp L-SL is also formed on the right side of the left main lamp L-ML when viewed from the front. It is arranged on the upper side.

More specifically, as shown in FIG. 5A, the left and right main lamps L-ML and R-ML are arranged on the main lamp optical axes MLx as shown in FIG. 5A when the head lamps HL are viewed from the front. (L) and MLx (R) are arranged on the left and right along the horizontal direction of the motorcycle. That is, the main lamp horizontal axes MH of the main lamps L-ML and R-ML are matched. Further, the main lamps L-ML and R-ML have the main lamp optical axes MLx (L) and MLx (R) oriented in the straight traveling direction of the two-wheeled motor vehicle. The lamp optical axes MLx (L) and MLx (R) match.

On the other hand, the right sub-lamp R-SL passes through the main lamp optical axis MLx (R) of the right main lamp R-ML and is a line segment extending to a predetermined angle θs, in this case, an angle of 30 degrees in the diagonally left direction when viewed from the front. It is arranged so that its own sub-lamp optical axis SLx (R) is positioned on Lr. In addition, the sub lamp horizontal axis SH of the right sub lamp R-SL is disposed in a state of being inclined in a direction overlapping with the inclined line segment Lr, and the sub lamp optical axis SLx (R) is the main lamp optical axis. A certain angle with respect to MLx is deflected outward along the line segment Lr, that is, leftward when viewed from the front. On the other hand, the left sub-lamp L-SL has its own sub-lamp on a line segment Ll that extends through the main lamp optical axis MLx (L) of the left main lamp L-ML to the predetermined angle θs obliquely rightward when viewed from the front. It arrange | positions so that optical axis SLx (L) may be located. In addition, the sub-lamp horizontal axis SH of the left sub-lamp L-SL is arranged in a state of being inclined in a direction overlapping the inclined line segment Ll, and the sub-lamp optical axis SLx (L) is the main lamp optical axis. A certain angle with respect to MLx is deflected outward along the line segment L1, that is, rightward when viewed from the front. Note that this fixed angle is a preferable angle for compensating for the light distribution of the low beam light distribution PLo, as will be described later.

By arranging the left and right sub-lamps L-SL and R-SL at the specified positions in this way, as shown in FIG. 5B, the sub-lamp light distribution PS (L of the left sub-lamp L-SL is shown. ) Is a light distribution that illuminates a region in which the sub-lamp optical axis SLx (L) is positioned in the straight direction of the motorcycle, that is, 30 degrees obliquely to the left of the main lamp optical axis MLx of the main lamps L-ML and R-ML. Become a pattern. Further, the sub lamp light distribution PS (R) of the right sub lamp R-SL is a region in which the sub lamp optical axis SLx (R) is positioned in the straight traveling direction of the motorcycle, that is, obliquely upward 30 degrees to the right with respect to the main lamp optical axis MLx. It becomes a light distribution pattern to illuminate.

Here, when the headlamp HL or the cowl C is observed from the front of the motorcycle, the left and right sub-lamps L-SL and R-SL and the main lamps L-ML and R-ML form a V-shaped light emitting region. It will be the appearance. That is, in the headlamp of this embodiment, as one of the concepts on the design of the cowl C when the motorcycle is viewed from the front, the motorcycle is anthropomorphized and the headlamp HL is made up of human “lifted eyes”. The main lamps L-ML and R-ML on the left and right correspond to the eyeballs, and the sub lamps L-SL and R-SL on the left and right correspond to the outer corners.

The light distribution PS (L), PS (R) of these left and right sub-lamps L-SL, R-SL is a low beam distribution in which illumination is performed by the left and right main lamps L-ML, R-ML shown in FIG. When superposed on the light PLo, as shown in FIG. 5C, the sub lamp light distribution PS (R) of the right sub lamp R-SL becomes a light distribution that illuminates the upper right region of the main lamp horizontal axis MH of the main lamp ML. The sub lamp light distribution PS (L) of the left sub lamp L-SL is a light distribution that illuminates the upper left region of the main lamp horizontal axis MH. A certain angle when the left and right sub-lamps L-SL and R-SL are respectively deflected outward by a certain angle is appropriately adjusted in order to obtain such a light distribution. When the main lamp ML is a high beam light distribution PHi, the left and right sub lamps L-SL and R-SL sub lamp light distributions PS (L) and PS (R) overlap with the high beam light distribution PHi. Therefore, here, the left and right sub-lamps L-SL and R-SL are configured not to be lit when the high beam distribution is performed.

According to the above headlamp HL, when the driver turns on the lamp lighting switch LSW, the left and right main lamps ML are lit by the control by the lamp control unit LCU. Further, when the driver switches the light distribution control switch DSW to the high beam side, the actuator 16 of the main lamp ML is controlled by the lamp control unit LCU, and the variable shade 15 is driven to the retracted position of the chain line in FIG. The light emitted from 12 is not blocked and is set to the high beam distribution PHi. When the light distribution control switch DSW is switched to the low beam side, the variable shade 15 is returned to the initial position of the solid line in FIG. 3A by the actuator 16 of the main lamp ML, and a part of the light emitted from the light source 12 is blocked. The low beam distribution PLo is set.

When the main lamp ML is switched to the high beam light distribution PHi, as described above, the light distribution PS of the sub lamp SL illuminates the area of the high beam light distribution PHi, and its luminous intensity is lower than the high beam light distribution PHi. Therefore, it is not meaningful to turn on the sub lamp SL. Therefore, the sub lamp SL is not turned on regardless of the traveling state of the motorcycle.

When the main lamp ML is switched to the low beam light distribution PLo, the left and right sub lamps SL are selectively lit corresponding to the bank of the motorcycle. For example, as shown in FIG. 6A, when the motorcycle is banked to the left by traveling on the left curve, the bank angle sensor BS detects the bank angle. The lamp control unit LCU has a detected bank angle of a predetermined angle, here a predetermined angle θs in which the sub-lamp horizontal axes SH (L) and SH (R) of the left and right sub-lamps L-SL and R-SL are inclined, here When it is determined that the angle is 30 degrees or more, the banked side sub lamp SL, that is, the LED 22 of the left side sub lamp L-SL on the lower side emits light. As a result, the front region of the left curve of the motorcycle is illuminated by superimposing the sub-lamp light distribution PS (L) of the left sub-lamp L-SL on the upper left region of the low-beam light distribution PLo inclined to the left side. The left front region that is no longer illuminated with the light PLo is compensated with the illumination light of the sub-lamp light distribution PS (L) of the left sub-lamp L-SL, and a light distribution suitable for safe driving can be obtained.

The same applies when traveling on the right curve. As shown in FIG. 6B, when the motorcycle is banked to the right, the bank control unit LCU detects the bank angle by the bank angle sensor BS and detects the bank angle. Is determined to be 30 degrees or more, which is a predetermined angle θs, the LED 22 of the right sub-lamp R-SL emits light. As a result, the front region of the right curve of the motorcycle is illuminated by superimposing the sub-lamp light distribution PS (R) of the right sub-lamp R-SL on the upper right region of the low-beam light distribution PLo tilted to the right. The right front area that is no longer illuminated in step 3 is compensated with the illumination light of the sub-lamp light distribution PS (R) of the right sub-lamp R-SL, and a light distribution suitable for safe driving is obtained.

  As described above, the left and right sub-lamps SL have a large light distribution along the sub-lamp horizontal axis SH, and a light distribution in which the high-luminance area of the sub-lamp light distribution PS is arranged in the vicinity of the sub-lamp horizontal axis SH. The axis SH is inclined at a required angle with respect to the main lamp horizontal axis MH so as to correspond to a predetermined bank angle. Therefore, when the motorcycle is banked, the high light intensity region of the sub lamp light distribution PS of the sub lamp SL for compensating for the low beam light distribution PLo is located in the traveling region of the motorcycle, and the traveling region has a higher illuminance. It is particularly effective in improving the visibility of the far front area of a motorcycle.

  Thus, the left and right sub-lamps SL are arranged as lamps having a required fixed light distribution pattern, but are arranged with the sub-lamp horizontal axis SH inclined at a predetermined bank angle. Sometimes the light distribution suitable for safe driving can be realized by compensating the light distribution of the main lamp ML. Therefore, it is not necessary to provide the sub lamp SL with a variable shade for changing the light distribution, an actuator for driving the sub lamp SL, etc., and the sub lamp can be reduced in size and weight without being complicated, and the price can be reduced. Can also be realized. This also makes it possible to apply to a small or low-priced motorcycle.

  In this embodiment, the main lamp ML and the sub lamp SL constituting the head lamp HL are arranged in a V shape, and the angle of the V shape is equal to the bank angle when the sub lamp SL is turned on. Therefore, when the state in which the motorcycle is banked and the sub lamp SL is lit is viewed from the front of the motorcycle, the sub lamp SL and the main lamp ML are lit in the horizontal direction, and the head lamp HL It is also effective in improving the appearance.

  In the embodiment, an example in which the main lamp is applied to a headlamp having a two-lamp configuration is shown. However, even when the main lamp is one lamp, sub-lamps are arranged on the upper right side and the upper left side of the main lamp. Also good. In the embodiment, the predetermined angle θs when the left and right sub lamps are arranged, that is, the angle obliquely outward with respect to the horizontal direction, and the bank angle when the left and right sub lamps are turned on are set to the same 30 degrees. However, this angle may be an angle other than 30 degrees, and the two angles may be set to different angles as long as the predetermined angle and the bank angle at the time of lighting are approximate.

  The configuration of the left and right sub-lamps in the present invention is not limited to the configuration of the embodiment as long as the configuration can obtain a light distribution capable of compensating the light distribution of the main lamp at the time of banking with a simple configuration. In particular, the light source of the sub lamp is not limited to the semiconductor light emitting element, but it is preferable to apply a lamp using the light emitting element in order to save power in the headlamp.

  The present invention can be applied to a headlamp that is miniaturized and has a cornering lamp function in a motorcycle.

12, 22 Light source 13, 23 Reflector 14, 24 Lens 15 Variable shade 16 Actuator HL Head lamp ML (L-ML, R-ML) Main lamp SL (L-SL, R-SL) Sub lamp LCU Lamp control unit LSW Lamp lighting Switch DSW Light distribution control switch BS Bank angle sensor θs Predetermined angle MLx Main lamp optical axis SLx Sub lamp optical axis MH Main lamp horizontal axis MV Main lamp vertical axis SH Sub lamp horizontal axis SV Sub lamp vertical axes Lr, Ll Line segments (inclination lines)

Claims (5)

A main lamp disposed in the front part of the motorcycle, and a light distribution disposed on the left and right of the main lamp, respectively, are turned on when the motorcycle is tilted to the left and right to compensate for the light distribution of the main lamp. A headlamp for a motorcycle having left and right sub-lamps, wherein the left and right sub-lamps are respectively disposed obliquely above and outside the main lamp as viewed from the front of the motorcycle, and the sub-lamp further includes a sub-lamp light distribution of the sub-lamp. A headlamp for a motorcycle , wherein a direction in which the spread is large is directed in a direction connecting a main lamp optical axis of the main lamp and a sub lamp optical axis of the sub lamp.   The headlamp for a motorcycle according to claim 1, further comprising lamp control means for lighting a sub lamp on the lower side when the motorcycle is tilted to the left and right.   The sub lamp is arranged such that a sub lamp horizontal axis directed in a direction in which the spread of the sub lamp light distribution by the sub lamp is large overlaps a line segment connecting the main lamp optical axis of the main lamp and the sub lamp optical axis of the sub lamp. The headlamp for a motorcycle according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the headlamp is for a motorcycle.   The angle formed with respect to a horizontal direction by a line connecting the main lamp optical axis of the main lamp and the sub lamp optical axis of the sub lamp is equal to an inclined angle of the two-wheeled vehicle when the sub lamp is turned on. The headlamp for a motorcycle according to 3. 5. The headlamp for a motorcycle according to claim 1, wherein the sub lamp has a light distribution in which a high luminous intensity region is positioned in the vicinity of a horizontal axis of the sub lamp.

Images