JP6682378B2 - Lens body, lens combination and vehicle lamp - Google Patents

Description

  BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a lens body, a lens combination, and a vehicular lamp, and more particularly, to a lens body and a lens combination used in combination with a light source, and a vehicular lamp including these.

  Conventionally, a vehicular lamp in which a light source and a lens body are combined has been proposed (for example, see Patent Document 1). In a vehicular lamp, light from a light source enters the inside of the lens body from the entrance portion of the lens body, and is partially reflected by the reflecting surface of the lens body, and then from the exit surface of the lens body to the outside of the lens body. Light is emitted to. As a result, the light radiated in front of the lens body reversely projects the light source image formed in the vicinity of the focal point of the exit surface of the lens body, and includes a cutoff line defined by the front end portion of the reflection surface at the upper edge. A low beam light distribution pattern is formed.

JP, 2004-241349, A

  By the way, in the above-described vehicle lamp, a slant angle (also referred to as a camber angle depending on the tilting direction) may be given to the exit surface of the lens body in accordance with the slant shape given to the corner portion on the vehicle front end side. . For example, in a lens body having a camber angle on its exit surface, the exit surface is inclined at a predetermined angle in the direction in which the outside of the vehicle width direction retracts from the inside in the vehicle travel direction.

  However, in a lens body having a camber angle on the emission surface, the optical path of light changes between the emission surface and the front end of the reflection surface that defines the cutoff line by tilting the emission surface. The cut-off line of the light distribution pattern for low beam was not clear, and it sometimes became doubly blurred.

  In addition, in a lens body having a camber angle on its exit surface, tilting the exit surface may cause Fresnel reflection loss and the like, resulting in a decrease in the light utilization efficiency of the light emitted from the light source. .

  The present invention has been proposed in view of such conventional circumstances, and in a lens body having a camber angle (slant angle) on the exit surface, a cutoff line is clear while preventing occurrence of blurring or the like. An object of the present invention is to provide a lens body and a lens combination body capable of forming a light distribution pattern, and a vehicle lamp including the lens body and the lens combination body.

In order to achieve the above object, the invention according to claim 1 is such that an incident portion, a reflection surface, and an emission surface are arranged in this order along a first reference axis extending in the horizontal direction, and light from a light source is emitted. Is incident on the inside of the lens from the incident part, is partially reflected by the reflection surface, and then the light emitted to the outside of the lens from the emission surface, the light irradiated to the front of the lens is A lens body configured to reverse project a light source image formed in the vicinity of the focal point on the emission surface side to form a predetermined light distribution pattern including a cutoff line defined by the front end portion of the reflection surface on the upper edge. The exit surface has a predetermined direction with respect to the traveling direction of the light emitted from the exit surface, in the direction in which the other end side is retracted from the one end side in the horizontal direction across the first reference axis. The front end of the reflecting surface is inclined at an angle The relative traveling direction of the light emitted from the emission surface, wherein said one end of the first reference across the axis horizontal is relatively backward, have a shape that the other end side is relatively advanced The lens body is adjusted according to an angle at which the emission surface is inclined.

In the invention described in claim 1, the optical path of light changes between the front end portion of the reflecting surface and the emitting surface depending on the angle at which the emitting surface is inclined. In accordance with this, the shape of the front end of the reflecting surface is adjusted (corrected) so as to cancel the change from when the emitting surface is not inclined. This makes it possible to optimize the optical path of light between the front end of the reflection surface and the emission surface, prevent blurring, and form a light distribution pattern with a clear cutoff line.
Further, in the invention according to claim 1, the front end portion of the reflection surface has a shape adjusted according to the angle at which the emission surface is inclined, so that the optical path of the light between the front end portion of the reflection surface and the emission surface. The light distribution pattern with a clear cut-off line can be formed while optimizing the image formation and preventing the occurrence of blurring.

Further, in the invention described in claim 2 , in the lens body according to claim 1, the front end portion of the reflection surface has a most receded position with respect to a traveling direction of light emitted from the emission surface. characterized in that it has a shape shifted to one end side of the horizontal direction across the first reference axis.

In the invention described in claim 2 , the front end portion of the reflecting surface has a shape adjusted according to the angle at which the emitting surface is inclined, so that the optical path of light is optimal between the front end portion of the reflecting surface and the emitting surface. It is possible to form a light distribution pattern with a clear cut-off line while preventing the occurrence of blurring.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the lens body according to the first or second aspect, the emission surface has a predetermined angle with respect to the horizontal direction in a direction of rotation about the first reference axis. It is inclined, and the front end portion of the reflection surface is inclined in a direction opposite to the rotation direction of the emission surface with the first reference axis as the center, according to the angle at which the emission surface is inclined. And

In the invention according to claim 3 , even when the emission surface is inclined at a predetermined angle with respect to the horizontal direction in the direction of rotation about the first reference axis, the light distribution pattern is formed in the direction corresponding to the rotation direction. It is possible to suppress the rotation of the.

According to a fourth aspect of the invention, in the lens body according to any one of the first to third aspects, the focal point on the emission surface side is set near the front end portion of the reflection surface. To do.

In the invention according to claim 4 , the light source image formed in the vicinity of the focal point on the exit surface side is reversely projected to form a predetermined light distribution pattern including a cutoff line defined by the front end portion of the reflecting surface on the upper edge. can do.

According to a fifth aspect of the invention, in the lens body according to any one of the first to fourth aspects, the reflecting surface is inclined forward and obliquely downward with respect to the first reference axis. Is characterized by.

In the invention according to claim 5 , while suppressing a part of the light reflected by the reflecting surface from becoming light (stray light) that does not enter the emission surface, the utilization efficiency of the light reflected by the reflecting surface is increased. be able to.

A sixth aspect of the present invention is the lens body according to any one of the first to fifth aspects, wherein the incident portion has an incident surface on which light from the light source is incident and an incident surface on which the light is incident from the incident surface. while reflecting the light parts, and a condensing reflecting surface for condensing light toward the reflective face, the light converging reflecting surface is horizontal the other sandwiching the first reference axis of the reflecting surface It is characterized in that a part of the light reflected toward the end side is condensed so that the focal point thereof is located at least in front of the front end portion of the reflecting surface or at a point at infinity.

In the invention according to claim 6, when a part of the light reflected from the condensing reflection surface toward the other end side in the horizontal direction across the first reference axis of the reflection surface is emitted from the emission surface, glare is caused. Can be prevented.

An invention according to claim 7 is the lens body according to any one of claims 1 to 6 , wherein the first lens portion includes a first incident surface serving as the incident portion, the reflecting surface, and a first emitting surface. And a second lens portion including a second entrance surface and a second exit surface serving as the exit surface, and the first exit surface condenses light emitted from the first exit surface in a horizontal direction. As described above, the cylindrical axis is configured as a semi-cylindrical lens surface extending in the vertical direction, and the second emission surface is configured to condense light emitted from the second emission surface in the vertical direction, It is characterized in that the cylindrical axis is configured as a semi-cylindrical lens surface extending in the horizontal direction.

According to the seventh aspect of the present invention, it is possible to form a predetermined light distribution pattern in which the light is condensed in the horizontal direction and the vertical direction while the light condensing function is decomposed by the first emission surface and the second emission surface.

The invention according to claim 8 is the lens body according to claim 7 , further comprising a connecting portion that connects the first lens portion and the second lens portion, and the connecting portion includes the first emission surface. The first lens unit and the second lens unit are connected to each other with a space formed between the first lens unit and the second incident surface.

In the invention described in claim 8 , it is possible to obtain a lens body in which the first lens portion and the second lens portion are integrally molded via the connecting portion.

According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, the lens body according to the seventh or eighth aspect is provided, and when the plurality of lens bodies are arranged side by side, the respective emission surfaces are combined to form a line shape in a horizontal direction. It is a lens combination characterized in that a continuous emission surface that extends is configured.

According to the ninth aspect of the present invention, it is possible to provide a lens combination body that extends in a line shape in the horizontal direction and has a feeling of unity.

An invention according to claim 10 is provided with a lens body according to any one of claims 1 to 8 and a light source for irradiating light toward the incident portion of the lens body. It is a lighting fixture.

According to the invention described in claim 10 , it is possible to provide a vehicular lamp including a lens body capable of forming a light distribution pattern having a clear cutoff line while preventing occurrence of blurring and the like.

According to an eleventh aspect of the present invention, a plurality of light sources for irradiating the lens combination body according to the ninth aspect and a plurality of lens bodies forming the lens combination body with light toward the respective incident portions. And a vehicle lamp.

According to the eleventh aspect of the present invention, it is possible to provide a vehicular lamp including a lens assembly that has a linear appearance and extends horizontally in a linear shape.

  As described above, according to the present invention, in a lens body having a camber angle (slant angle) on its exit surface, a lens body capable of forming a light distribution pattern with a clear cut-off line while preventing occurrence of blurring, etc. It is possible to provide a lens combination and a vehicular lamp including these.

It is sectional drawing which shows schematic structure of the vehicle lamp provided with the lens body which concerns on the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a schematic diagram for demonstrating the shape of the front-end part of the reflective surface in the lens body shown in FIG. It is a luminous intensity distribution diagram which shows the light distribution pattern formed on the surface of the virtual vertical screen by LB light. FIG. 6 is a top view for explaining the difference in shape between the front end of the reflection surface adjusted according to the camber angle and the front end of the reflection surface before adjustment. It is a top view which shows the shape of the front-end part of a reflective surface when receding angle (theta) x is 0 degrees, 10 degrees, 20 degrees, 30 degrees, and 40 degrees. It is an XY coordinate diagram which shows the position which the front-end part of a reflective surface retreats most when the receding angle (theta) x is 0 degrees, 10 degrees, 20 degrees, 30 degrees, and 40 degrees. FIG. 9 is a luminous intensity distribution diagram showing a light distribution pattern formed on the surface of the virtual vertical screen when the receding angle θx is 0 °. FIG. 8 is a luminous intensity distribution diagram showing a light distribution pattern formed on the surface of the virtual vertical screen when the receding angle θx is 10 °. FIG. 7 is a luminous intensity distribution diagram showing a light distribution pattern formed on the surface of the virtual vertical screen when the receding angle θx is 20 °. FIG. 9 is a luminous intensity distribution diagram showing a light distribution pattern formed on the surface of the virtual vertical screen when the receding angle θx is set to 30 °. FIG. 9 is a luminous intensity distribution diagram showing a light distribution pattern formed on the surface of the virtual vertical screen when the receding angle θx is 40 °. It is a front view which shows the rotating direction of the output surface to which the angle of fishing was given and the front end part of a reflective surface. It is a top view which shows schematic structure of the vehicle lamp provided with the lens body which concerns on the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a top view which shows the structure of the 1st entrance part of the lens body shown in FIG. It is a top view which shows the optical path of the light reflected by the condensing reflective surface before adjustment. 16 is a luminous intensity distribution diagram showing a light distribution pattern formed on the surface of the virtual vertical screen before adjustment shown in FIG. 15. FIG. It is a top view which shows the optical path of the light reflected by the condensing reflection surface after adjustment. FIG. 18 is a luminous intensity distribution diagram showing a light distribution pattern formed on the surface of the virtual vertical screen after adjustment shown in FIG. 17. It is a top view which shows schematic structure of the vehicle lamp provided with the lens coupling body which concerns on the 3rd Embodiment of this invention.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.
In the drawings used in the following description, in order to make each component easy to see, the scale of dimensions may be different depending on the component, and the dimensional ratio of each component may not be the same as the actual one. Absent.

(First embodiment)
First, a vehicle lamp 10 including a lens body 12 shown in FIG. 1 will be described as a first embodiment of the present invention. Note that FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view showing a schematic configuration of the vehicle lamp 10. In FIG. 1, the optical path of the light L incident on the lens body 12 from the light source 14 of the vehicular lamp 10 is indicated by a broken line. In the drawings shown below, an XYZ orthogonal coordinate system is set, the X-axis direction is the front-back direction of the vehicle lamp 10 (lens body 12), the Y-axis direction is the left-right direction of the vehicle lamp 10 (lens body 12), The Z-axis direction is shown as the vertical direction of the vehicular lamp 10 (lens body 12).

  As shown in FIG. 1, the vehicular lamp 10 includes a lens body 12 to which the present invention is applied, and a light source 14 that emits light L toward an incident surface 12a that is an incident portion of the lens body 12.

  The lens body 12 is a polyhedral lens body having a shape extending along a first reference axis AX1 extending in the horizontal direction (X-axis direction). Specifically, in the lens body 12, the incident surface 12a, the reflecting surface 12b, the front end portion 12c of the reflecting surface 12b, and the emitting surface 12d are arranged in this order along the first reference axis AX1 extending in the horizontal direction. It has a configuration arranged in. The lens body 12 may be made of a material having a higher refractive index than air, such as transparent resin such as polycarbonate or acrylic, or glass. When a transparent resin is used for the lens body 12, the lens body 12 can be formed by injection molding using a mold.

  The incident surface 12a is located at the rear end portion (rear surface) of the lens body 12, and the light L from the light source 14 (more precisely, the reference point F in the optical design) arranged near the incident surface 12a is refracted. Then, a lens surface (for example, a free-form surface that is convex toward the light source 14) that enters the inside of the lens body 12 is configured.

The incident surface 12a is at least in the vertical direction (Z-axis direction), and the light L from the light source 14 arranged near the incident surface 12a is near the center (reference point F) of the light source 14 and the front end portion 12c of the reflecting surface 12b. passes through the point (focal point F _12d of the exit surface 12d _side), and, as focused on the second reference axis AX2 towards inclined forwardly obliquely downward with respect to the first reference axis AX1, the surface The shape has been adjusted.

  Further, in the incident surface 12a, with respect to the horizontal direction (Y-axis direction), the light L from the light source 14 incident inside the lens body 12 is collected toward the front end 12c of the reflecting surface 12b toward the first reference axis AX1. Its surface shape is configured to illuminate. The incident surface 12a has a surface shape such that the light from the light source 14 that enters the lens body 12 is parallel to the first reference axis AX1 in the horizontal direction (Y-axis direction). May be configured. Further, the incident portion is not limited to such an incident surface 12a, but an incident concave portion may be provided on the rear end side of the lens body 12 and the light source 14 may be arranged inside the incident concave portion.

  The reflecting surface 12b has a planar shape extending forward (+ X axis direction) from the lower edge of the incident surface 12a. Of the light L from the light source 14 entering the inside of the lens body 12, the reflecting surface 12b reflects the light L1 entering the reflecting surface 12b inside the lens body 12 toward the front emission surface 12d by internal reflection (total reflection). reflect. As a result, in the lens body 12, the reflecting surface 12b can be formed without using a metal reflecting film formed by metal deposition, so that it is possible to prevent an increase in cost and a decrease in reflectance.

  The reflecting surface 12b is inclined forward and obliquely downward with respect to the first reference axis AX1. In this case, it is possible to improve the utilization efficiency of the light reflected by the reflecting surface 12b while suppressing a part of the light L1 reflected by the reflecting surface 12b from becoming light (stray light) that does not enter the emission surface 12d. it can.

  The front end portion 12c of the reflecting surface 12b defines a cutoff line of the light L incident from the light source 14 into the lens body 12.

  Here, the shape of the front end portion 12c of the reflecting surface 12b will be described with reference to FIGS. 2A is a schematic diagram showing a front view shape of the front end portion 12c of the reflecting surface 12b (shape when viewed from the incident surface 12a side (+ X axis direction)). 2B to 2D are schematic diagrams showing an example of a side view shape of the front end portion 12c of the reflecting surface 12b (shape when viewed from the side surface side (+ Y axis direction)).

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2A, the front end portion 12c of the reflecting surface 12b is formed so as to extend in the left-right direction (Y-axis direction) of the lens body 12 at the tip portion of the reflecting surface 12b. Specifically, the front end portion 12c of the reflecting surface 12b has a side e1 corresponding to the left horizontal cutoff line, a side e2 corresponding to the right horizontal cutoff line, and the side between the left horizontal cutoff line and the right horizontal cutoff line. It has a step shape including the side e3 corresponding to the oblique cutoff line to be connected.

  The shape of the front end portion 12c of the reflecting surface 12b shown in FIG. 2A illustrates the case where the vehicle is driving on the right side. On the other hand, when the vehicle is traveling on the left side, the shape of the front end portion 12c of the reflecting surface 12b is a stepped shape in which the heights of the side e1 corresponding to the left horizontal cutoff line and the side e2 corresponding to the right horizontal cutoff line are reversed. . Further, the shape of the front end portion 12c of the reflecting surface 12b is not limited to these shapes, and may be a shape including only a side corresponding to a horizontal cutoff line extending linearly in the horizontal direction.

  As for the side view shape of the front end portion 12c of the reflecting surface 12b, as shown in FIG. 2B, the reflecting surface 12b has a shape that linearly extends upward (+ Z-axis direction) from the tip portion of the reflecting surface 12b. . Further, as for the side view shape of the front end portion 12c of the reflecting surface 12b, as shown in FIG. 2 (c), it may be a shape extending linearly obliquely forward and upward, and is shown in FIG. 2 (d). As described above, the shape may be curved and extended obliquely upward and forward.

  The front end portion 12c of the reflecting surface 12b is not necessarily limited to the shape described above, and can be appropriately modified within a range in which the cutoff line can be defined. Further, the front end portion 12c of the reflecting surface 12b is not limited to the stepped shape described above, but may be formed by a groove portion corresponding to a cutoff line.

As shown in FIG. 1, the emission surface 12d is located at the front end portion (front surface) of the lens body 12 and travels toward the emission surface 12d of the light L from the light source 14 that enters the inside of the lens body 12. Light (hereinafter, referred to as “straight ahead light”) L2 and light (hereinafter, referred to as “reflected light”) L1 that is reflected by the reflection surface 12b and then travels toward the emission surface 12d are emitted to the outside of the lens body 12. It forms a lens surface (for example, a free-form surface that is convex toward the front). The focal _{F 12d} of the exit surface 12d side is set to the front end portion 12c vicinity of the reflecting surface 12b (e.g., near the center in the lateral direction of the front end portion 12c of the reflecting surface 12b (Y axis direction)).

  Among the surfaces forming the lens body 12, a surface (upper surface) 12f that connects the upper end edge of the incident surface 12a and the upper end edge of the exit surface 12d, and the tip portion of the reflecting surface 12b (the front end portion of the reflecting surface 12b). 12c) and the surface (lower surface) 12g that connects the lower end edge of the emission surface 12d are not particularly described, but the upper surface 12f and the lower surface 12g adversely affect the light L passing through the inside of the lens body 12 ( For example, it is possible to freely design within a range that does not give a shield.

  As the light source 14, for example, a semiconductor light emitting element such as a white light emitting diode (LED) or a white laser diode (LD) can be used. In this embodiment, one white LED is used. The type of the light source 14 is not particularly limited, and a light source other than the semiconductor light emitting element described above may be used. Further, the number of the light sources 14 is not limited to one and may be plural.

  The light source 14 is in the vicinity of the incident surface 12a of the lens body 12 (at the reference point F) with the light emitting surface thereof directed obliquely downward and forward, that is, with the optical axis of the light source 14 aligned with the second reference axis AX2. It is located in the vicinity). Further, the light source 14 has a lens body in a state where the optical axis of the light source 14 does not coincide with the second reference axis AX2 (for example, the optical axis of the light source 14 is arranged parallel to the first reference axis AX1). It may be arranged near the incident surface 12a of 12 (near the reference point F).

  In the vehicle lamp 10 of the present embodiment, of the light L from the light source 14 that enters the inside of the lens body 12 through the incident surface 12a, the reflected light that is reflected by the reflecting surface 12b and then travels toward the emitting surface 12d. L1 and the straight light L2 traveling toward the emission surface 12d are emitted from the emission surface 12d to the outside of the lens body 12.

As a result, the light (hereinafter, referred to as low beam (LB) light L _LOW ) radiated to the front of the lens body 12 reversely projects the light source image formed in the vicinity of the focus F _12d on the exit surface 12d side and the upper end. A predetermined low beam (LB) light distribution pattern including a cutoff line defined by the front end portion 12c of the reflecting surface 12b is formed on the edge.

Here, FIG. 3 shows a light source image when the LB light L _LOW is projected on the virtual vertical screen that is directly facing the lens body 12 by simulation. Note that FIG. 3 is a luminous intensity distribution diagram showing the LB light distribution pattern P _LOW formed on the surface of the virtual vertical screen. The virtual vertical screen is arranged about 25 m ahead of the exit surface 12d of the lens body 12.

The light source image by the LB light L _LOW is for LB including the cutoff lines CL1 to CL3 corresponding to the sides e1 to e3 of the front end portion 12c of the reflecting surface 12b on the surface of the virtual vertical screen shown in FIG. A light distribution pattern P _LOW is formed.

The degree of diffusion of the LB light distribution pattern P _{LOW in} the horizontal direction (Y-axis direction) is adjusted by adjusting the surface shape of the incident surface 12a (for example, the curvature of the incident surface 12a in the horizontal direction (Y-axis direction)). Can be adjusted freely. Further, the degree of diffusion of the LB light distribution pattern P _{LOW in} the horizontal direction (Y-axis direction) and the vertical direction (Z-axis direction) can be freely adjusted by adjusting the surface shape of the emission surface 12d. is there.

  By the way, the vehicle lamp 10 of the present embodiment is a vehicle headlamp arranged at both corner portions on the vehicle front end side (in this example, the left corner portion is exemplified), and the vehicle front end side corners. A camber angle is given to the emission surface 12d of the lens body 12 in accordance with the slant shape given to the portion. On the other hand, the front end 12c of the reflecting surface 12b has a shape adjusted according to the camber angle.

  Here, the shapes of the emission surface 12d provided with the camber angle and the front end portion 12c of the reflection surface 12b will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 4 is a top view showing the difference in shape between the front end 12c of the reflecting surface 12b adjusted according to the camber angle and the front end 12c of the reflecting surface 12b before adjustment.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the emission surface 12d to which the camber angle is given is arranged in a horizontal direction (the + X axis direction) in which the light emitted from the emission surface 12d travels in the horizontal direction with the first reference axis AX1 interposed therebetween. The other end (+ Y axis) side of the Y-axis direction is inclined at a predetermined angle (hereinafter referred to as a retreat angle) θx in a direction in which the other end (+ Y axis) retracts (−X axis direction). . The traveling direction of the light emitted from the emission surface 12d corresponds to the traveling direction of the vehicle, and one end side in the horizontal direction across the first reference axis AX1 corresponds to the inner side in the vehicle width direction. The other end in the horizontal direction across the AX1 corresponds to the outside in the vehicle width direction.

  The front end portion 12c of the unadjusted reflecting surface 12b is located at the most receded position B ′ on the first reference axis AX1 with respect to the traveling direction (+ X axis direction) of the light L emitted from the emitting surface 12d. Further, it has a shape C ′ in which one end (−Y axis) side and the other end (+ X axis) side in the horizontal direction (Y axis direction) sandwiching the first reference axis AX1 are symmetrically curved.

  On the other hand, in the lens body 12 of the present embodiment, the optical path of the light L changes between the front end 12c of the reflecting surface 12b and the emitting surface 12d depending on the angle (receding angle) θx of the emitting surface 12d. . In accordance with this, the shape of the front end portion 12c of the reflecting surface 12b is adjusted (corrected) so as to cancel the change from when the emitting surface 12d is not inclined (before adjustment).

  Specifically, the front end portion 12c of the reflecting surface 12b has a most receded position B with respect to the traveling direction (+ X axis direction) of the light L emitted from the emitting surface 12d, and is horizontal with the first reference axis AX1 interposed therebetween. It has an asymmetrical shape C shifted to one end (-Y axis) side in the direction (Y-axis direction). Further, the front end portion 12c of the reflecting surface 12b has one end in the horizontal direction (Y-axis direction) with the first reference axis AX1 sandwiched between the traveling direction (+ X-axis direction) of the light L emitted from the emission surface 12d ( It has a curved shape C such that the −Y axis) side is relatively retracted from before adjustment and the other end (+ Y axis) side is relatively advanced from before adjustment.

As described above, in the vehicular lamp 10 of the present embodiment, in the lens body 12 in which the emission surface 12d is provided with a camber angle, the reflection surface 12b corresponds to the angle (receding angle) θx at which the emission surface 12d is inclined. The shape C of the front end portion 12c of is adjusted. Thereby, the optical path of the light L is optimized between the front end portion 12c of the reflecting surface 12b and the emitting surface 12d, and while forming the LB light distribution pattern P _LOW with a clear cutoff line while preventing occurrence of blurring or the like. Is possible.

Further, the camber angle (receding angle θx) applied to the emission surface 12d is preferably in the range of 0 ° <θx ≦ 40 °. Here, the shape C (C ′) of the front end portion 12c of the reflecting surface 12b when the angle (receding angle) θx at which the emitting surface 12d is inclined is 0 °, 10 °, 20 °, 30 °, 40 ° is shown. The line is shown in FIG. Further, when the receding angle θx is 0 °, 10 °, 20 °, 30 °, 40 °, the XY coordinates of the position B (B ′) where the front end 12c of the reflecting surface 12b recedes most are shown in FIG. Show. 7 to 11 show LB light distribution patterns P _LOW formed on the surface of the virtual vertical screen when the receding angle θx is 0 °, 10 °, 20 °, 30 °, and 40 °.

  In FIG. 5, when the receding angle θx is 0 °, the shape C ′ of the front end portion 12c of the reflecting surface 12b before the adjustment is shown. Further, in FIG. 6, when the receding angle θx is 0 °, the most receding position B ′ of the front end portion 12c of the reflecting surface 12b before the adjustment is the origin (0, 0) of the XY coordinates.

  As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, it is understood that the position B shifts from the origin in the −X axis direction and the −Y axis direction as the receding angle θx increases. Further, as the receding angle θx increases, the receding amount in the line on the one end (−Y axis) side in the horizontal direction (Y axis direction) across the first reference axis AX1 of the shape C and the other end (+ X axis) side. It can be seen that the amount of forward movement in the line of is increasing together.

As shown in FIG. 7, the LB light distribution pattern P _LOW when the receding angle θx is 0 ° is doubled in the vertical direction on the surface of the virtual vertical screen without the left cutoff line being clear. It's out of focus.

On the other hand, the LB light distribution pattern P _LOW when the receding angle θx is 10 °, 20 °, 30 °, and 40 ° is clear on the surface of the virtual vertical screen as shown in FIGS. 8 to 11. It can be seen that a large cut-off line is formed.

When the receding angle θx exceeds 40 °, the boundary of the LB light distribution pattern P _LOW shifts to the left of 30 ° to the right. In this case, the overlapping range of the LB light L _LOW from the vehicle headlight on the left side of the vehicle and the LB light L _LOW from the vehicle headlight on the right side of the vehicle becomes far from the front of the vehicle, and is outside the practical range. It is not preferable because it will happen.

  Further, in the lens body 12 of the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 12, the emission surface 12d is inclined at a predetermined angle (fishing angle) θz in the direction of rotation about the first reference axis AX1. May be Note that FIG. 12 is a front view showing the rotation directions of the emitting surface 12d provided with the fishing line angle θz and the front end portion 12c of the reflecting surface 12b.

In this case, depending on the angle (fishing angle) θz at which the emission surface 12d is inclined, a predetermined (−) direction is set in the opposite direction to the rotation direction (+ direction) of the emission surface 12d about the first reference axis AX1. The front end 12c of the reflecting surface 12b is tilted at an angle -θz. This makes it possible to suppress the rotation of the LB light distribution pattern P _{LOW in} the direction corresponding to the rotation direction even when the emission surface 12d is inclined at a predetermined angle (fishing angle) θz. is there.

  It should be noted that the angle θz with which the emitting surface 12d is inclined and the angle −θz with which the front end portion 12c of the reflecting surface 12b is inclined do not necessarily have to be in the same angular range. For example, in the present embodiment, θz is 5 At − °, −θz is about −7.5 °.

(Second embodiment)
Next, a vehicle lamp 10A including a lens body 12A shown in FIG. 13 will be described as a second embodiment of the present invention. Note that FIG. 13 is a top view showing a schematic configuration of the vehicle lamp 10A. Further, in the following description, the same parts as those of the vehicle lamp 10 (lens body 12) will not be described and the same reference numerals will be given in the drawings.

  As shown in FIG. 13, the vehicular lamp 10A includes a lens body 12A to which the present invention is applied, and a light source 14 that emits light toward the first incident portion 13 of the lens body 12A. That is, this vehicular lamp 10A has a configuration including a lens body 12A instead of the lens body 12 included in the vehicular lamp 10.

  The lens body 12A has a first incident portion 13, a first lens portion 12A1 including a reflecting surface 12b and a first exit surface 12A1a, and a second lens portion 12A2 including a second incident surface 12A2a and a second exit surface 12A2b. are doing. The first lens portion 12A1 and the second lens portion 12A2 are connected by the connecting portion 12A3 between the first emitting surface 12A1a and the second incident surface 12A2a.

  The lens body 12A is a polyhedral lens body having a shape extending along a first reference axis AX1 extending in the horizontal direction (X-axis direction). Specifically, the lens body 12 has a first incident portion 13, a reflecting surface 12b, a first emitting surface 12A1a, a second incident surface 12A2a, and a first incident surface 13B along a first reference axis AX1 extending in the horizontal direction. The two emission surfaces 12A2b are arranged in this order. The first exit surface 12A1a and the second entrance surface 12A2a face each other with a space S surrounded by the first lens portion 12A1, the second lens portion 12A2, and the connecting portion 12A3 interposed therebetween.

  Of the surfaces forming the lens body 12A, the first incident portion 13, the reflecting surface 12b, and the front end portion 12c of the reflecting surface 12b are located on the incident surface 12a of the lens body 12, the reflecting surface 12b, and the front end portion 12c of the reflecting surface 12b. This is the corresponding surface. On the other hand, among the surfaces forming the lens body 12A, the first emitting surface 12A1a and the second incident surface 12A2a form different surfaces from the lens body 12.

  Of these, the first incident portion 13 is located on the rear end (rear surface) side of the first lens portion 12A1 and is disposed in the vicinity of the first incident portion 13 (accurately, in terms of optical design criteria). The light L from the point F) is refracted to form an incident surface that is incident on the inside of the first lens unit 13. Specifically, the first incident section 13 has a structure as shown in FIG. 14, for example. Note that FIG. 14 is a plan view showing the configuration of the first incident section 13.

  As shown in FIG. 14, the first incident portion 13 has a first light collecting and incident surface 13a, a second light collecting and incident surface 13b, and a light collecting and reflecting surface 13c at a position facing the light source 14. There is. The first light-collecting / incident surface 13a is formed by a free-form surface (aspherical surface) that is convex from the center toward the rear. The 2nd condensing incidence surface 13b is comprised by the substantially cylindrical inner peripheral surface of the part which protruded back from the position which surrounds the circumference | surroundings of the 1st incident part 13. As shown in FIG. The condensing / reflecting surface 13c is configured by a substantially frustoconical outer peripheral surface of a portion protruding rearward from a position surrounding the periphery of the first incident portion 13.

  In the first incident section 13, of the light L emitted from the light source 14, the light L11 incident from the first condensing incident surface 13a is condensed toward the reflecting surface 12b. On the other hand, the light L12 incident from the second condensing / incident surface 13b is reflected (total reflection) by the condensing / reflecting surface 13c to be condensed toward the reflecting surface 12b.

  As a result, in the first incident section 13, the light L incident on the inside of the first lens section 12A1 from the first incident section 13 is parallel to the first reference axis AX1 in the horizontal section (Y-axis section). It is configured to be light.

  In addition, in the first incident portion 13, the light L incident on the inside of the first lens portion 12A1 from the first incident portion 13 is condensed toward the first reference axis AX1 in the horizontal section (Y-axis section). It may be configured to.

On the other hand, in the first incident section 13, the light L incident on the inside of the first lens section 12A1 from the first incident section 11 is reflected by the center (reference point F) of the light source 14 in the vertical section (Z-axis section). through a front end portion 12c near the point of the surface 12b (the combined focal _{F 12A4} below synthesizing lens 12A4), and the second reference axis AX2 towards inclined forwardly obliquely downward with respect to the first reference axis AX1 It is configured to focus on.

  As shown in FIG. 13, the first emission surface 12A1a is located at the front end portion (front surface) of the first lens portion 12A1 and is in the first direction in the horizontal direction (Y-axis direction). The surface shape is adjusted so as to collect the light emitted from the. Specifically, the first emission surface 12A1a is configured as a semi-cylindrical lens surface whose cylinder axis extends in the vertical direction (Z-axis direction). The focal line of the first exit surface 12A1a extends in the vertical direction (Z-axis direction) near the front end 12c of the reflecting surface 12b.

  The second incident surface 12A2a is located at the rear end (rear surface) of the second lens portion 12A2 and constitutes a plane as a surface on which the light emitted from the first emitting surface 12A1a is incident. The shape of the second incident surface 12A2a is not limited to such a flat surface and may be a curved surface (lens surface).

  The second emission surface 12A2b is a surface corresponding to the emission surface 12d of the lens body 12, is located at the front end portion (front surface) of the second lens portion 12A2, and is the second direction in the vertical direction (Z-axis direction). With respect to the above, the surface shape is adjusted so that the light emitted from the second emission surface 12A2b is condensed. Specifically, the second emission surface 12A2a is configured as a semi-cylindrical lens surface whose cylinder axis extends in the horizontal direction (Y-axis direction). The focal line of the second emission surface 12A2b extends in the horizontal direction (Y-axis direction) near the front end 12c of the reflection surface 12b.

Further, the combined focal point F _12A4 (corresponding to the focal point F _12d on the exit surface 12d side) of the synthetic lens 12A4 including the first exit surface 12A1a and the second lens portion 12A2 (the second entrance surface 12A2a and the second exit surface 12A2b). ) Is set near the front end 12c of the reflecting surface 12b (for example, near the center of the front end 12c of the reflecting surface 12b in the left-right direction).

  The connecting portion 12A3 connects the upper portion between the first lens portion 12A1 and the second lens portion 12A2 with the space S interposed therebetween. The lens body 12A can be formed of the same material as the lens body 12 by injection molding using a mold.

  By the way, in the vehicle lamp 10A of the present embodiment, a camber angle is imparted to the second emission surface 12A2b of the lens body 12A, similarly to the vehicle lamp 10 described above. On the other hand, the front end 12c of the reflecting surface 12b has a shape adjusted according to the camber angle.

  That is, in the lens body 12A of the present embodiment, similar to the lens body 12 shown in FIG. 4, the angle (receding angle) θx at which the second emission surface 12A2b is inclined allows the front end 12c of the reflection surface 12b and the second emission surface. The optical path of the light changes with the surface 12A2b. In accordance with this, the shape of the front end 12c of the reflecting surface 12b is adjusted (corrected) so as to cancel the change from when the second emission surface 12A2b is not inclined (before adjustment).

  Specifically, the front end portion 12c of the reflecting surface 12b has the most receded position B with respect to the traveling direction (+ X axis direction) of the light emitted from the second emitting surface 12A2b, sandwiching the first reference axis AX1. It has an asymmetrical shape C shifted to one end (+ Y axis) side in the horizontal direction (Y axis direction). Further, the front end portion 12c of the reflecting surface 12b has one end in the horizontal direction (Y-axis direction) sandwiching the first reference axis AX1 with respect to the traveling direction (+ X-axis direction) of the light emitted from the second emission surface 12A2b. It has a curved shape C so that the (+ Y axis) side is relatively retracted from before adjustment and the other end (−Y axis) side is relatively advanced from before adjustment.

  As described above, in the vehicle lamp 10A of the present embodiment, in the lens body 12A in which the second emission surface 12A2b is provided with the camber angle, the second emission surface 12A2b is inclined according to the angle (receding angle) θx. The shape C of the front end portion 12c of the reflecting surface 12b is adjusted. This makes it possible to optimize the optical path of light between the front end portion 12c of the reflecting surface 12b and the second emission surface 12A2b, prevent blurring, and form a LB light distribution pattern with a clear cutoff line. It is possible.

  Further, in the lens body 12A of the present embodiment, similarly to the lens body 12 shown in FIG. 12, the second emission surface 12A2b has a predetermined angle (fishing angle) in the direction of rotation about the first reference axis AX1. It may be configured to be inclined at θz.

  In this case, depending on the angle (fishing angle) θz at which the second emission surface 12A2b is inclined, the direction (− direction) opposite to the rotation direction (+ direction) of the second emission surface 12A2b about the first reference axis AX1. Then, the front end portion 12c of the reflecting surface 12b is inclined. Thereby, even when the second emission surface 12A2b is inclined at a predetermined angle (fishing angle) θz, it is possible to suppress the rotation of the LB light distribution pattern in the direction corresponding to the rotation direction thereof. is there.

By the way, FIG. 15 shows an optical path of the light L12 reflected by the condensing reflection surface 13c before the adjustment in the lens body 10A. 16 shows the LB light distribution pattern P _LOW formed on the surface of the virtual vertical screen at this time.

  As shown in FIG. 15, the front end portion 12c of the reflecting surface 12b has an asymmetrical shape C that is curved so that the other end (+ Y axis) side advances rather than the one end (−Y axis) side described above. In this case, of the light L12 reflected by the condensing reflection surface 13c before adjustment, a part of the light L12 condensed toward the other end (+ Y axis) of the front end portion 12c (-Y in FIG. 15). The light ray Lx) shown on the axis side may become stray light, may be emitted from the second emission surface 12A2b after being reflected by the front end portion 12c of the reflection surface 12b.

In this case, like the LB light distribution pattern P _LOW shown in FIG. 16, this ray _Lx may cause glare P _Lx above the cutoff line.

On the other hand, in the lens body 10A, FIG. 17 shows the optical path of the light L12 reflected by the adjusted condenser reflection surface 13c. Further, FIG. 18 shows an LB light distribution pattern P _LOW formed on the surface of the virtual vertical screen at this time.

  As shown in FIG. 17, on the adjusted converging / reflecting surface 13c, the light L12 reflected by the converging / reflecting surface 13c is condensed toward the other end (+ Y axis) of the front end 12c. A part of the light L12 is condensed so that the focus thereof is located at least in front of the front end portion 12c of the reflecting surface 12b or at a point at infinity.

  That is, in the 1st entrance part 13, the light L12 condensed from the condensing reflection surface 13c toward the other end (+ Y axis) side of the front end portion 12c is focused in front of the front end portion 12c of the reflection surface 12b. It is preferable to adjust the surface of the condensing / reflecting surface 13c so that the light is connected or is collimated.

As a result, like the LB light distribution pattern P _LOW shown in FIG. 18, of the light L12 reflected by the light collecting and reflecting surface 13c, it is condensed toward the other end (+ Y axis) of the front end 12c. It is possible to prevent a part of the light L12 from becoming stray light and causing the glare described above.

(Third Embodiment)
Next, a vehicle lamp 20A including a lens combination 22A shown in FIG. 14 will be described as a third embodiment of the present invention. Note that FIG. 14 is a top view showing a schematic configuration of the vehicle lamp 20A. Further, in the following description, the same parts as those of the vehicle lamp 10A (lens body 12A) will not be described and the same reference numerals will be given in the drawings.

  As shown in FIG. 14, the vehicular lamp 20A faces the first incident surface 12a of each of the lens combination 22A to which the present invention is applied and the plurality of lens bodies 12A constituting the lens combination 22A. And a plurality of light sources 14 that emit light.

  That is, the vehicular lamp 20A has a configuration in which a plurality of vehicular lamps 10A (plurality of lens bodies 12A) are arranged in a line in the horizontal direction (Y-axis direction). The lens combination body 22A has a continuous emission surface 12A2B extending linearly in the horizontal direction (Y-axis direction) by coupling the respective second emission surfaces 12A2b in a state where the plurality of lens bodies 12A are arranged side by side. ing.

  The vehicular lamp 20A of the present embodiment can improve its design by including such a lens combination 22A that extends in a line shape in the horizontal direction and has an attractive appearance.

  The lens combination 22A is not limited to one formed by integrally molding a plurality of lens bodies 12A, but a plurality of lens bodies 12A can be formed separately and then held by a holding member such as a lens holder. It is also possible to have an integrated configuration.

  As described above, in the vehicle lamp 20A of the present embodiment, in the lens combination 22A in which the continuous emission surface 12A2B (second emission surface 12A2b) is provided with the camber angle, the continuous emission surface 12A2B (second emission surface 12A2b). ) Is tilted (receding angle) θx, the shape C of the front end portion 12c of the reflecting surface 12b included in each lens body 12A is adjusted. Thereby, in each lens body 12A, the optical path of the light is optimized between the front end portion 12c of the reflecting surface 12b and the second emitting surface 12A2b to prevent the occurrence of blurring and the like, and the LB light distribution with a clear cutoff line. It is possible to form a pattern.

  Further, in the lens body 22A of the present embodiment, similar to the lens body 12 shown in FIG. 12, the continuous emission surface 12A2B (second emission surface 12A2b) is predetermined in the direction of rotation about the first reference axis AX1. The structure may be inclined at an angle (angle of fishing) θz.

  In this case, the rotation direction of the continuous emission surface 12A2B (second emission surface 12A2b) about the first reference axis AX1 according to the angle (fishing angle) θz at which the continuous emission surface 12A2B (second emission surface 12A2b) is inclined. The front end portion 12c of the reflecting surface 12b included in each lens body 12A is tilted in the direction (− direction) opposite to the (+ direction). As a result, even if the continuous emission surface 12A2B (second emission surface 12A2b) is inclined at a predetermined angle (fishing angle) θz, the LB light distribution pattern is rotated in the direction corresponding to the rotation direction. It is possible to suppress.

10, 10A ... Vehicle lamp 12,12A ... Lens body 12a ... (First) incident surface (incident portion) 12b ... Reflecting surface 12c ... Reflecting surface front end portion 12d ... Exiting surface 12A1 ... First lens portion 12A2 ... Second Lens part 12A3 ... Connection part 12A4 ... Synthetic lens 12A1a ... 1st exit surface 12A 2a ... 2nd entrance surface 12A 2b ... 2nd exit surface 12A 2B ... Continuous exit surface 14 ... Light source 20A ... Vehicle lamp 22A ... Lens combination body AX1 ... 1st Reference axis F _12d ... Focus F _12A4 ... Synthetic focus L ... Light L _LOW ... Low beam (LB) light P _LOW ... Light distribution pattern for low beam (LB) .theta.x ... Receding angle (camber angle) .theta.z ... Angle of fishing line

Claims (11)

An incident portion, a reflecting surface, and an emitting surface are arranged in this order along a first reference axis extending in the horizontal direction, and light from a light source enters the inside of the lens from the incident portion, and the reflecting surface. After part of the light is reflected by the light, the light emitted from the exit surface to the outside of the lens causes the light emitted in front of the lens to reverse-project the light source image formed near the focus on the exit surface side. A lens body configured to form a predetermined light distribution pattern including a cutoff line defined by a front end portion of the reflecting surface on an upper edge,
The emission surface is inclined at a predetermined angle with respect to the traveling direction of the light emitted from the emission surface, in the direction in which the other end side is retracted from the one end side in the horizontal direction with the first reference axis interposed therebetween. And
The front end portion of the reflecting surface is relatively retracted at the one end side in the horizontal direction across the first reference axis and relatively at the other end side with respect to the traveling direction of the light emitted from the emission surface. a forward shape, lens body, characterized in that said exit surface is adjusted according to the angle of inclination. The front end of the reflecting surface, the traveling direction of the light emitted from the exit surface, having its most retracted position is shifted to the one end side of the horizontal direction across the first reference axis shape The lens body according to claim 1, wherein: The emission surface is inclined at a predetermined angle with respect to the horizontal direction in a direction of rotation about the first reference axis,
The front end portion of the reflecting surface has a shape that is inclined in a direction opposite to a rotation direction of the emitting surface about the first reference axis, depending on an angle at which the emitting surface is inclined. The lens body according to 1 or 2 . The focus of the emission surface side, a lens body according to any one of claim 1 to 3, characterized in that it is set to near the front end portion of the reflecting surface. The lens body according to any one of claims 1 to 5 , wherein the reflecting surface is inclined forward and obliquely downward with respect to the first reference axis. The incident part has an incident surface on which light from the light source is incident, and a condensing reflective surface that condenses light toward the reflective surface while reflecting a part of the light incident from the incident surface,
The light converging reflecting surface, a portion of the light reflected toward the other end side in the horizontal direction across the first reference axis of the reflecting surface, the front end portion of the focus of at least the reflection surface lens body according to any one of claim 1 to 5, characterized in that for focusing so as to be located in front of or infinity. A first lens portion including a first incident surface, which serves as the incident portion, the reflection surface, and a first exit surface;
A second lens part including a second incident surface and a second emitting surface which becomes the emitting surface,
The first emission surface is configured as a semi-cylindrical lens surface whose columnar axis extends in the vertical direction so that the light emitted from the first emission surface is condensed in the horizontal direction,
The second emission surface is configured as a semi-cylindrical lens surface having a cylindrical axis extending in the horizontal direction so that the light emitted from the second emission surface is condensed in the vertical direction. The lens body according to any one of claims 1 to 7 . A connecting portion that connects the first lens portion and the second lens portion,
The connection part connects the first lens part and the second lens part in a state where a space is formed between the first exit surface and the second entrance surface. The lens body according to claim 7 . A lens body according to claim 7 or 8 ,
A lens combination, wherein a plurality of the lens bodies are arranged side by side, and the respective emission surfaces are combined to form a continuous emission surface that extends in a line in the horizontal direction. A lens body according to any one of claims 1-8,
A vehicular lamp comprising: a light source that emits light toward the incident portion of the lens body. A lens assembly according to claim 9 ;
A vehicular lamp comprising: a plurality of light sources that irradiate light to the respective incident portions with respect to a plurality of lens bodies that form the lens combination.