JP6857936B2

JP6857936B2 - Light source unit and vehicle headlight device using it

Info

Publication number: JP6857936B2
Application number: JP2016245610A
Authority: JP
Inventors: 真也小暮
Original assignee: Stanley Electric Co Ltd
Current assignee: Stanley Electric Co Ltd
Priority date: 2016-12-19
Filing date: 2016-12-19
Publication date: 2021-04-14
Anticipated expiration: 2036-12-19
Also published as: JP2018101487A

Description

本発明は光源ユニット及びこれを用いた車両用前照灯装置に関する。 The present invention relates to a light source unit and a vehicle headlight device using the same.

近年、車両の夜間走行における安全面の向上のために、アダプティブ・ドライビング・ビーム（ＡＤＢ）制御が車両用前照灯装置に搭載されている。このＡＤＢ制御においては、ハイビームモードにおいて先行車、対向車、歩行者等の非照射対象があった場合、その非照射対象に対して眩惑を与えないように遮光（又は減光）するものである。また、アダプティブ・フロントライティング・システム（ＡＦＳ）制御においては、低速走行時に車両側方の近方視認性を向上させて歩行者の巻き込み等を防止するために、側方照射対象に対して照度をより大きくする。さらに、高速走行時により遠方視認性の向上のために、遠方照射対象に対して照度をより大きくする（参照：特許文献２）。このように、特に照度がより大きい領域を高照度帯と呼ぶ。 In recent years, adaptive driving beam (ADB) control has been incorporated into vehicle headlight devices in order to improve safety during night driving of vehicles. In this ADB control, when there is a non-irradiated object such as a preceding vehicle, an oncoming vehicle, or a pedestrian in the high beam mode, the non-irradiated object is shielded (or dimmed) so as not to dazzle the non-irradiated object. .. In addition, in adaptive front lighting system (AFS) control, in order to improve the near visibility of the vehicle side at low speeds and prevent pedestrians from getting caught, the illuminance is applied to the side irradiation target. Make it bigger. Further, in order to improve the distant visibility when traveling at high speed, the illuminance is further increased with respect to the distant irradiation target (see: Patent Document 2 ). In this way, the region where the illuminance is particularly large is called the high illuminance zone.

従来のＡＤＢ制御、ＡＦＳ制御等を採用した車両用前照灯の光源ユニットは、２次元アレイ（マトリクス）状に配列された発光ダイオード（ＬＥＤ）素子などの半導体発光素子を有し、半導体発光素子を部分領域毎に制御している（参照：特許文献１）。 The light source unit of a vehicle headlight that employs conventional ADB control, AFS control, etc. has semiconductor light emitting elements such as light emitting diode (LED) elements arranged in a two-dimensional array (matrix), and is a semiconductor light emitting element. Is controlled for each subregion (see: Patent Document 1).

図７は上述の従来の車両用前照灯装置の１次元光源ユニットを示す。 FIG. 7 shows a one-dimensional light source unit of the above-mentioned conventional vehicle headlight device.

１次元光源ユニット１０は１０個の光出射部１０１、１０２、…、１１０によって構成され、各光出射部１０１、１０２、…、１１０に１つの半導体発光素子が設けられている。ここで、半導体発光素子の光束を決定するのは半導体発光素子に流れる電流であるが、その電流には上限があり、この上限を超える電流が流れると、半導体発光素子は破壊する恐れがある。従って、各半導体発光素子の最大光束、すなわち、各半導体発光素子の担当する照射領域の最大照度は上記上限電流で決定される。そこで、各光出射部（半導体発光素子）１０１、１０２、…、１１０の最大光束は半導体発光素子によってたとえば１０と仮定し、従って、全体の最大光束は１００（＝１０×１０）と仮定する。このとき、光出射部（半導体発光素子）１０１、１０２、１０３、１０４、１０７、１０８、１０９、１１０は光を出射せず、高照度帯を担当する光出射部（半導体発光素子）１０５、１０６のみが光を最大光束で出射するとする。この場合、光出射部（半導体発光素子）１０１、１０２、１０３、１０４、１０５、１０６、１０７、１０８、１０９、１１０の光束分配割合は０：０：０：０：１０：１０：０：０：０：０となる。 The one-dimensional light source unit 10 is composed of ten light emitting units 101, 102, ..., 110, and one semiconductor light emitting element is provided in each of the light emitting units 101, 102, ..., 110. Here, the luminous flux of the semiconductor light emitting element is determined by the current flowing through the semiconductor light emitting element, but the current has an upper limit, and if a current exceeding this upper limit flows, the semiconductor light emitting element may be destroyed. Therefore, the maximum luminous flux of each semiconductor light emitting element, that is, the maximum illuminance of the irradiation region in charge of each semiconductor light emitting element is determined by the above upper limit current. Therefore, the maximum luminous flux of each light emitting unit (semiconductor light emitting device) 101, 102, ..., 110 is assumed to be 10, for example, depending on the semiconductor light emitting element, and therefore the total maximum luminous flux is assumed to be 100 (= 10 × 10). At this time, the light emitting units (semiconductor light emitting elements) 101, 102, 103, 104, 107, 108, 109, 110 do not emit light, and the light emitting units (semiconductor light emitting elements) 105, 106 in charge of the high illuminance band. Suppose that only emits light with the maximum luminous flux. In this case, the luminous flux distribution ratio of the light emitting unit (semiconductor light emitting element) 101, 102, 103, 104, 105, 106, 107, 108, 109, 110 is 0: 0: 0: 0: 10: 10: 0: 0. : 0: 0.

特開２００１−２６６６２０号公報Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2001-266620 特開２００４−２１０１３１号公報Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2004-210131

しかしながら、図７に示す従来の車両用前照灯の１次元光源ユニットにおいては、全体の最大光束が１００であっても、これを有効的に利用できず、この結果、各光出射部（半導体発光素子）１０５、１０６の最大光束は上述の例では１０、１０であり、高照射帯を担当する光出射部（半導体発光素子）の局所的な光束を大きくできない。つまり、全体の最大光束が大きくても各光出射部の最大光束が小さいので高照度帯の照度を大きくできないという課題がある。 However, in the one-dimensional light source unit of the conventional vehicle headlight shown in FIG. 7, even if the total maximum luminous flux is 100, this cannot be effectively used, and as a result, each light emitting unit (semiconductor). The maximum luminous flux of the light emitting elements) 105 and 106 is 10 and 10 in the above example, and the local luminous flux of the light emitting portion (semiconductor light emitting element) in charge of the high irradiation band cannot be increased. That is, even if the total maximum luminous flux is large, there is a problem that the illuminance in the high illuminance band cannot be increased because the maximum luminous flux of each light emitting portion is small.

上述の課題を解決するために、本発明に係る光源ユニットは、偏光を出射するための光源部と、偏光の光路上に設けられた少なくとも１つの光路分岐部とを具備し、光路分岐部は、入射された偏光の偏光状態を変化させて偏光を出射するための偏光変換素子と、偏光変換素子から出射された偏光を分岐させるための偏光ビームスプリッタとを具備し、複数の光路分岐部は２次元アレイ状に配置されたｍ行×ｎ列（ｍ、ｎは２以上の正の整数）の複数の第１の光路分岐部及び第１の光路分岐部の各行と光源部との間に配置された１列の複数の第２の光路分岐部よりなり、各第２の光路分岐部は光源部の偏光を所定分配割合で各行の第１の光路分岐部に分配するものである。 In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the light source unit according to the present invention includes a light source unit for emitting polarized light and at least one optical path branching portion provided on the polarized light path, and the optical path branching portion is provided. , a polarization conversion element for emitting polarized by changing the polarization state of the incident polarized light, comprising a polarization beam splitter for branching the polarized light emitted from the polarization conversion element, the plurality of optical path branching unit Between each row of a plurality of first optical path branching portions and the first optical path branching portion of m rows × n columns (m and n are positive integers of 2 or more) arranged in a two-dimensional array and the light source portion. It is composed of a plurality of second optical path branching portions in one column arranged, and each second optical path branching portion distributes the polarized light of the light source portion to the first optical path branching portion of each row at a predetermined distribution ratio .

また、本発明に係る車両用前照灯装置は、上述の光源ユニットと、光源ユニットの光路分岐部の一出射光を受光して投影するための投影光学ユニットとを具備するものである。 Further, the vehicle headlight device according to the present invention includes the above-mentioned light source unit and a projection optical unit for receiving and projecting one emitted light of the optical path branch portion of the light source unit.

本発明によれば、光源の最大光束の範囲内で各光出射部の最大光束を大きくできるので、高照射帯の照度を大きくできる。 According to the present invention, the maximum luminous flux of each light emitting portion can be increased within the range of the maximum luminous flux of the light source, so that the illuminance in the high irradiation band can be increased.

本発明の原理を説明するための車両用前照灯の１次元光源ユニットを示す図である。It is a figure which shows the one-dimensional light source unit of the headlight for a vehicle for demonstrating the principle of this invention. 本発明に係る車両用前照灯装置の第１の実施の形態を示す図である。It is a figure which shows the 1st Embodiment of the headlight device for a vehicle which concerns on this invention. 本発明に係る車両用前照灯装置の第２の実施の形態を示す図である。It is a figure which shows the 2nd Embodiment of the headlight device for a vehicle which concerns on this invention. 図２の車両用前照灯装置の変更例を示す図である。It is a figure which shows the modification example of the headlight device for a vehicle of FIG. 本発明に係る車両用前照灯装置の第３の実施の形態を示す図である。It is a figure which shows the 3rd Embodiment of the headlight device for a vehicle which concerns on this invention. 本発明に係る車両用前照灯装置の第４の実施の形態を示す図である。It is a figure which shows the 4th Embodiment of the headlight device for a vehicle which concerns on this invention. 従来の車両用前照灯装置の１次元光源ユニットを示す図である。It is a figure which shows the one-dimensional light source unit of the conventional headlight device for a vehicle.

図１は本発明の原理である車両用前照灯の１次元光源ユニットを示す。 FIG. 1 shows a one-dimensional light source unit for a vehicle headlight, which is the principle of the present invention.

１次元光源ユニット２０は、図７の光出射部（半導体発光素子）の１０個分の光束を全体最大光束（＝１００）として出射する半導体発光素子２００の光路上に配置された１行の１０個の光出射部２０１、２０２、…、２１０によって構成され、各光出射部２０１、２０２、…、２１０には１つの光路分岐部が設けられている。各光出射部（光路分岐部）２０１、２０２、…、２１０は全体最大光束＝１００を所定割合で分配する。たとえば、１個の光出射部（光路分岐部）が全体最大光束＝１００を出射することもできる。図１においては、光出射部（光路分岐部）２０１、２０２、２０３、２０４、２０７、２０８、２０９、２１０の出射光束を０とし、高照度帯を担当する光出射部（光路分岐部）２０５、２０６の出射光束を５０とする。この場合、光出射部（光路分岐部）２０１、２０２、２０３、２０４、２０５、２０６、２０７、２０８，２０９、２１０の光束分配割合は０：０：０：０：５０：５０：０：０：０：０となる。従って、全体最大光束が１００の場合、高照度帯を担当する光出射部（光路分岐部）２０５、２０６の光束を５０、５０とすることにより図７の場合の５倍とすることができる。この結果、半導体発光素子２００への同一供給電力の基で光出射部（光路分岐部）２０１、２０２、…、２１０の高照度帯の照度を大きくでき、逆に、光出射部（光路分岐部）２０１、２０２、…、２１０の高照度帯の同一照度を少ない供給電力で実現できる。 The one-dimensional light source unit 20 is a row of 10 arranged on the optical path of the semiconductor light emitting element 200 that emits 10 light fluxes of the light emitting unit (semiconductor light emitting element) of FIG. 7 as the total maximum luminous flux (= 100). It is composed of light emitting units 201, 202, ..., 210, and each light emitting unit 201, 202, ..., 210 is provided with one optical path branching portion. Each light emitting unit (optical path branching unit) 201, 202, ..., 210 distributes the total maximum luminous flux = 100 at a predetermined ratio. For example, one light emitting part (optical path branching part) can emit the total maximum luminous flux = 100. In FIG. 1, the luminous flux emitted from the light emitting section (optical path branching section) 201, 202, 203, 204, 207, 208, 209, 210 is set to 0, and the light emitting section (optical path branching section) 205 in charge of the high illuminance band is set to 0. , 206 is the emitted luminous flux of 50. In this case, the luminous flux distribution ratio of the light emitting part (optical path branching part) 201, 202, 203, 204, 205, 206, 207, 208, 209, 210 is 0: 0: 0: 0: 50: 50: 0: 0. : 0: 0. Therefore, when the total maximum luminous flux is 100, the luminous flux of the light emitting portions (optical path branching portions) 205 and 206 in charge of the high illuminance band can be set to 50 and 50, which is five times as large as that in the case of FIG. As a result, the illuminance in the high illuminance band of the light emitting portions (optical path branching portions) 201, 202, ..., 210 can be increased based on the same power supply to the semiconductor light emitting element 200, and conversely, the light emitting portion (optical path branching portion) can be increased. ) The same illuminance in the high illuminance bands of 201, 202, ..., 210 can be realized with a small amount of power supply.

図２は本発明に係る車両用前照灯装置の第１の実施の形態を示す図である。 FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a first embodiment of the vehicle headlight device according to the present invention.

図２において、１次元光源ユニット１は制御ユニット３によって制御されて白色光Ｗ１、Ｗ２、Ｗ３を投影光学ユニット２に出射する。 In FIG. 2, the one-dimensional light source unit 1 is controlled by the control unit 3 to emit white light W1, W2, and W3 to the projection optical unit 2.

１次元光源ユニット１は、偏光Ｐ０を発光する光源部１１、偏光Ｐ０の光路上に直列に設けられた１行の光路分岐部１２−１、１２−２、１２−３及び遮蔽部１３よりなる。尚、光路分岐部は４つ以上になし得る。 The one-dimensional light source unit 1 includes a light source unit 11 that emits polarized light P0, a line of optical path branching units 12-1, 12-2, 12-3, and a shielding unit 13 provided in series on the optical path of polarized light P0. .. The number of optical path branching portions may be four or more.

光源部１１はたとえば青色の半導体発光素子１１１及び半導体発光素子１１１の無偏光を所定偏光たとえばＰ偏光Ｐ０に変換する偏光器（ポラライザ）、ポラライジングコンバータ（ＰＬＣ）等の偏光素子１１２よりなる。光源部１１のオン/オフ及び強度は制御ユニット３によってリアルタイムで制御される。尚、青色の半導体発光素子１１１の代わりに、直線偏光を発光するレーザ光源を用いた場合には、偏光素子１１２は不要となる。 The light source unit 11 includes, for example, a blue semiconductor light emitting element 111 and a polarizing element 112 such as a polarizing device (polarizer) that converts unpolarized light of the semiconductor light emitting element 111 into predetermined polarized light, for example, P polarized light P0, and a polarizing converter (PLC). The on / off and intensity of the light source unit 11 are controlled in real time by the control unit 3. When a laser light source that emits linearly polarized light is used instead of the blue semiconductor light emitting element 111, the polarizing element 112 becomes unnecessary.

各光路分岐部１２−１、１２−２、１２−３は、Ｐ偏光の偏光状態を制御ユニット３によって指示された所定量だけ変化させて偏光をリアルタイムで出射する偏光変換素子１２Ａ及び偏光ビームスプリッタ１２Ｂよりなる。偏光ビームスプリッタ１２Ｂは偏光変換素子１２Ａが出射した偏光Ｌ１、Ｌ２、Ｌ３のうちＰ偏光Ｐ１、Ｐ２、Ｐ３成分を次段の光路分岐部又は遮蔽部１３に出射し、偏光変換素子１２Ａが出射した偏光Ｌ１、Ｌ２、Ｌ３のうちＳ偏光Ｓ１、Ｓ２、Ｓ３成分を投影光学ユニット２に出射する。この場合、偏光ビームスプリッタ１２Ｂにおける透過Ｐ偏光Ｐ１（Ｐ２、Ｐ３）と反射Ｓ偏光Ｓ１（Ｓ２、Ｓ３）との割合は偏光変換素子１２Ａの出射偏光の偏光状態で決定される。尚、遮蔽部１３に入射した光は吸収されて光源ユニット１外に出射しない。 Each of the optical path branching portions 12-1, 12-2, and 12-3 is a polarization conversion element 12A and a polarization beam splitter that emits polarized light in real time by changing the polarization state of P-polarized light by a predetermined amount instructed by the control unit 3. It consists of 12B. The polarization beam splitter 12B ejects the P-polarized light P1, P2, and P3 components of the polarized light L1, L2, and L3 emitted by the polarization conversion element 12A to the optical path branching portion or the shielding portion 13 of the next stage, and the polarization conversion element 12A emits. Of the polarized light L1, L2, and L3, the S polarized light S1, S2, and S3 components are emitted to the projection optical unit 2. In this case, the ratio of the transmitted P-polarized light P1 (P2, P3) and the reflected S-polarized light S1 (S2, S3) in the polarization beam splitter 12B is determined by the polarization state of the outgoing polarized light of the polarization conversion element 12A. The light incident on the shielding unit 13 is absorbed and does not emit to the outside of the light source unit 1.

偏光変換素子１２Ａはたとえば１/２波長以上の位相差を有する波長板及び該波長板の光軸を回転させるアクチュエータたとえば圧電アクチュエータよりなり、圧電アクチュエータは制御ユニット３によって制御される。また、偏光変換素子１２Ａは直線偏光を磁場に応じて回転させるファラデー素子及び該磁場を発生する電磁石で構成することもできる。この場合には、電磁石への電流が制御ユニット３から供給される。さらに、偏光変換素子１２Ａは液晶素子及び液晶駆動回路によって構成できる。この場合には、液晶駆動回路は制御ユニット３によって制御される。 The polarization conversion element 12A comprises, for example, a wave plate having a phase difference of 1/2 wavelength or more and an actuator for rotating the optical axis of the wavelength plate, for example, a piezoelectric actuator, and the piezoelectric actuator is controlled by the control unit 3. Further, the polarization conversion element 12A can also be composed of a Faraday element that rotates linearly polarized light in response to a magnetic field and an electromagnet that generates the magnetic field. In this case, the current to the electromagnet is supplied from the control unit 3. Further, the polarization conversion element 12 A can be composed of a liquid crystal element and a liquid crystal drive circuit. In this case, the liquid crystal drive circuit is controlled by the control unit 3.

偏光ビームスプリッタ１２Ｂは２枚の三角プリズム間に低屈折層、高屈折層を交互に積層したもので、Ｐ偏光を透過し、Ｓ偏光を反射する。 The polarization beam splitter 12B is formed by alternately stacking low-refraction layers and high-refraction layers between two triangular prisms, and transmits P-polarized light and reflects S-polarized light.

各偏光ビームスプリッタ１２Ｂから出射したＳ偏光Ｓ１、Ｓ２、Ｓ３は各光路分岐部１２−１、１２−２、１２−３毎に分離されて設けられた青色光を黄色光に変換するＹＡＧ蛍光体等を含む波長変換部材１４−１、１４−２、１４−３によって白色光Ｗ１、Ｗ２、Ｗ３に変換されて凸レンズ等よりなる投影光学ユニット２に出射される。波長変換部材１４−１、１４−２、１４−３は互いに非連続となっている。尚、もし波長変換部材１４−１、１４−２、１４−３を連続した１枚の波長変換部材で構成すると波長変換部材内での光伝播により出射光が滲んでしまい光路分岐部に対応していない領域まで照射してしまい、好ましくない。尚、光源部１１が白色光を発光するＲＧＢレーザ光源等であれば、波長変換部材１４−１、１４−２、１４−３は省略される。 The S-polarized light S1, S2, and S3 emitted from each of the polarization beam splitters 12B are YAG phosphors that convert blue light into yellow light, which is provided separately for each optical path branching portion 12-1, 12-2, 12-3. It is converted into white light W1, W2, W3 by the wavelength conversion members 14-1, 14-2, 14-3 including the above, and is emitted to the projection optical unit 2 including a convex lens or the like. The wavelength conversion members 14-1, 14-2, and 14-3 are discontinuous with each other. If the wavelength conversion members 14-1, 14-2, and 14-3 are composed of one continuous wavelength conversion member, the emitted light is blurred due to the light propagation in the wavelength conversion member, which corresponds to the optical path branching portion. It is not preferable because it irradiates the area that is not covered. If the light source unit 11 is an RGB laser light source or the like that emits white light, the wavelength conversion members 14-1, 14-2, and 14-3 are omitted.

このようにして、各光路分岐部１２−１、１２−２、１２−３の偏光変換素子１２Ａの出射偏光Ｌ１、Ｌ２、Ｌ３の偏光状態に応じで光路分岐部１２−１、１２−２、１２−３のＳ偏光Ｓ１、Ｓ２、Ｓ３の光束は任意の分配割合で実現できる。この場合、Ｐ偏光Ｐ３の光束が零であれば、Ｓ偏光Ｓ１、Ｓ２、Ｓ３の全光束は光源１１のＰ偏光Ｐ０の光束である。従って、Ｐ０、Ｓ１、Ｓ２、Ｓ３が光束を表すとすれば、
Ｐ０＝Ｓ１＋Ｓ２＋Ｓ３（１）
を満足する限り、Ｓ１、Ｓ２、Ｓ３は０〜Ｐ０の範囲で任意に設定でき、従って、局所的に照度を大きくできる。 In this way, the optical path branching portions 12-1, 12-2, depending on the polarization state of the emitting polarized light L1, L2, L3 of the polarization conversion element 12A of the optical path branching portions 12-1, 12-2, 12-3, The light fluxes of the S-polarized light S1, S2, and S3 of 12-3 can be realized at an arbitrary distribution ratio. In this case, if the light flux of the P-polarized light P3 is zero, the total light flux of the S-polarized light S1, S2, and S3 is the light flux of the P-polarized light P0 of the light source 11. Therefore, if P0, S1, S2, and S3 represent the luminous flux,
P0 = S1 + S2 + S3 (1)
S1, S2, and S3 can be arbitrarily set in the range of 0 to P0 as long as the above is satisfied, and therefore the illuminance can be increased locally.

制御ユニット３はたとえばマイクロコンピュータによって構成され、種々の運転状態パラメータたとえばヘッドランプスイッチ、ロー/ハイビームスイッチ、赤外光カメラ、レーダ、車速センサ、ステアリング角度センサ等の出力信号を入力し、半導体発光素子１１１、偏光変換素子１２Ａを制御する。たとえば、ヘッドランプスイッチがオン、ロー/ハイビームスイッチのハイビームオン、赤外光カメラ、レーダによる先行車等を発見した場合には、制御ユニット３はＡＤＢ制御を行う。また、ヘッドランプスイッチオン、ロー/ハイビームスイッチのロービームオン、車速センサが低速走行状態を示し、ステアリング角度センサの角度が所定値以上の場合には、制御ユニット３はＡＦＳ制御を行って車両側方を高照射帯とする。さらに、ヘッドランプスイッチオン、ロー/ハイビームスイッチのハイビームオン、車速センサが高速走行状態を示す場合には、遠方照射対象を高照度帯とする。さらにまた、一部の光路分岐部のＳ偏光をダークにしたときに、その光路分岐部のＰ偏光が大きくなり、遮蔽部１３による吸収で損失が大きくなることがある。このような場合には、損失を小さくするために、制御ユニット３は、光源部１１のＰ偏光Ｐ０の出力光束を小さくする。また、ある光路分岐部のＳ偏光の光束が大きくなってその部分の光出射の光度が大きくなり過ぎてグレアを感じる場合にも、光源部１１のＰ偏光Ｐ０の光束を小さくする。これにより、たとえば、図１の光束分配割合を０：０：０：０：２５：２５：０：０：０：０とする。 The control unit 3 is composed of, for example, a microcomputer, and inputs output signals of various operating state parameters such as a head lamp switch, a low / high beam switch, an infrared light camera, a radar, a vehicle speed sensor, and a steering angle sensor, and is a semiconductor light emitting element. 111, the polarization conversion element 12A is controlled. For example, when the headlamp switch is turned on, the low / high beam switch is turned on, the infrared light camera, the preceding vehicle by the radar, or the like is found, the control unit 3 performs ADB control. Further, when the headlamp switch is turned on, the low beam of the low / high beam switch is turned on, the vehicle speed sensor indicates a low-speed running state, and the angle of the steering angle sensor is equal to or more than a predetermined value, the control unit 3 performs AFS control to the side of the vehicle. Is the high irradiation band. Further, when the headlamp switch is turned on, the low / high beam switch is turned on, and the vehicle speed sensor indicates a high-speed running state, the distant irradiation target is set to the high illuminance band. Furthermore, when the S-polarized light of a part of the optical path branching portion is darkened, the P-polarized light of the optical path branching portion becomes large, and the loss may become large due to absorption by the shielding portion 13. In such a case, in order to reduce the loss, the control unit 3 reduces the output luminous flux of the P-polarized light P0 of the light source unit 11. Further, when the luminous flux of the S-polarized light at a certain optical path branching portion becomes large and the luminosity of the light emission at that portion becomes too large to cause glare, the luminous flux of the P-polarized light P0 of the light source unit 11 is reduced. As a result, for example, the luminous flux distribution ratio in FIG. 1 is set to 0: 0: 0: 0: 25: 25: 0: 0: 0: 0.

図３は本発明に係る車両用前照灯装置の第２の実施の形態を示す図である。図３においては、図２の１次元光源ユニット１の代りに、２次元光源ユニット１’を設けてある。尚、図３においては、波長変換部材１４−１、１４−２、１４−３及び投影光学ユニット２は省略してある。 FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a second embodiment of the vehicle headlight device according to the present invention. In FIG. 3, a two-dimensional light source unit 1'is provided instead of the one-dimensional light source unit 1 of FIG. In FIG. 3, the wavelength conversion members 14-1, 14-2, 14-3 and the projection optical unit 2 are omitted.

２次元光源ユニット１’においては、図２の光路分岐部１２−１、１２−２、１２−３と同一構成の３行の光路分岐部１２−１１、１２−１２、１２−１３；１２−２１、１２−２２、１２−２３；１２−３１、１２−３２、１２−３３及び図２の遮蔽部３と同一の遮蔽部１３−１、１３−２、１３−３が設けられている。但し、３行×３列に限定されない。尚、光路分岐部１２−１１、１２−１２、１２−１３；１２−２１、１２−２２、１２−２３；１２−３１、１２−３２、１２−３３のＳ偏光Ｓ１１、Ｓ１２、Ｓ１３；Ｓ２１、Ｓ２２、Ｓ２３；Ｓ３１、Ｓ３２、Ｓ３３は図３の前方に向うものとする。 In the two-dimensional light source unit 1', the three rows of optical path branching portions 12-11, 12-12, 12-13; 12- having the same configuration as the optical path branching portions 12-1, 12-2, 12-3 in FIG. 21, 12-22, 12-23; 12-31, 12-32, 12-33 and the same shielding portions 13-1, 13-2, 13-3 as the shielding portion 3 of FIG. 2 are provided. However, it is not limited to 3 rows × 3 columns. The S-polarized light S11, S12, S13; S21 of the optical path branching portions 12-11, 12-12, 12-13; 12-21, 12-22, 12-23; 12-31, 12-32, 12-33. , S22, S23; S31, S32, S33 are assumed to face the front of FIG.

また、２次元光源ユニット１’においては、光源１１と光路分岐部１２−１１、１２−１２、１２−１３；１２−２１、１２−２２、１２−２３；１２−３１、１２−３２、１２−３３との間に１列の光路分岐部１５−１、１５−２、１５−３を設けると共に、終端の光路分岐部１５−３に遮蔽部１６を設ける。 Further, in the two-dimensional light source unit 1', the light source 11 and the optical path branching portions 12-11, 12-12, 12-13; 12-21, 12-22, 12-23; 12-31, 12-32, 12 A row of optical path branching portions 15-1, 15-2, and 15-3 are provided between -33 and the optical path branching portion 15-1, and a shielding portion 16 is provided at the terminal optical path branching portion 15-3.

光路分岐部１５−１、１５−２、１５−３も、図２の光路分岐部１２−１、１２−２、１２−３の偏光変換素子１２Ａ及び偏光ビームスプリッタ１２Ｂと同一構成の偏光変換素子１５Ａ及び偏光ビームスプリッタ１５Ｂよりなる。すなわち、各偏光変換素子１５Ａの偏光Ｌ１０、Ｌ２０、Ｌ３０の偏光状態は制御ユニット３によって制御される。この結果、光源部１１のＰ偏光Ｐ０は、光路分岐部１５−１のＰ偏光Ｐ１０、光路分岐部１５−２のＳ偏光Ｓ２０及び光路分岐部１５−３のＳ偏光Ｓ３０の各光束に分配される。この場合、光路分岐部１５−３のＰ偏光Ｐ３０の光束が零であれば、Ｐ偏光Ｐ１０、Ｓ偏光Ｓ２０、Ｓ３０の全光束は光源１１のＰ偏光Ｐ０の光束となる（Ｐ０＝Ｐ１０＋Ｓ２０＋Ｓ３０）。尚、光路分岐部１５−１において、偏光変換素子１５ＡをＰ偏光Ｐ１０が光路分岐部１５−２に入射し、Ｓ偏光Ｓ１０が光路分岐部１２−１１に入射するとすれば、Ｐ０＝Ｓ１０＋Ｓ２０＋Ｓ３０となる。つまり、光路分岐部１５−１の配置は９０°回転できる。 The optical path branching portions 15-1, 15-2, and 15-3 also have the same configuration as the polarization converting elements 12A and the polarization beam splitter 12B of the optical path branching portions 12-1, 12-2, and 12-3 in FIG. It consists of 15A and a polarizing beam splitter 15B. That is, the polarization states of the polarizations L10, L20, and L30 of each polarization conversion element 15A are controlled by the control unit 3. As a result, the P-polarized light P0 of the light source unit 11 is distributed to the P-polarized light P10 of the optical path branching portion 15-1, the S-polarized light S20 of the optical path branching portion 15-2, and the S-polarized light S30 of the optical path branching portion 15-3. To. In this case, if the luminous flux of the P-polarized light P30 of the optical path branching portion 15-3 is zero, the total luminous flux of the P-polarized light P10, the S-polarized light S20, and S30 becomes the light flux of the P-polarized light P0 of the light source 11 (P0 = P10 + S20 + S30). In the optical path branching portion 15-1, if the P-polarized light P10 is incident on the optical path branching portion 15-2 and the S-polarized light S10 is incident on the optical path branching portion 12-11, then P0 = S10 + S20 + S30. .. That is, the arrangement of the optical path branching portion 15-1 can be rotated by 90 °.

光路分岐部１２−１１、１２−１２、１２−１３においては、各偏光変換素子１２Ａの偏光Ｌ１１、Ｌ１２、Ｌ１３の偏光状態が制御ユニット３によって制御される。この結果、光路分岐部１５−１のＰ偏光Ｐ１０の光束は光路分岐部１２−１１、１２−１２、１２−１３のＳ偏光Ｓ１１、Ｓ１２、Ｓ１３の各光束に所定分配比で分割される。この場合、光路分岐部１２−１３のＰ偏光Ｐ１３の光束が零であれば、Ｓ偏光Ｓ１１、Ｓ１２、Ｓ１３の全光束は光路分岐部１５−１のＰ偏光Ｐ１０の光束となる（Ｐ１０＝Ｓ１１＋Ｓ１２＋Ｓ１３）。 In the optical path branching portions 12-11, 12-12, and 12-13, the polarization states of the polarizations L11, L12, and L13 of each polarization conversion element 12A are controlled by the control unit 3. As a result, the luminous flux of the P-polarized light P10 of the optical path branching portion 15-1 is divided into the light fluxes of the S-polarized light S11, S12, and S13 of the optical path branching portions 12-11, 12-12, and 12-13 at a predetermined distribution ratio. In this case, if the luminous flux of the P-polarized light P13 of the optical path branching portion 12-13 is zero, the total luminous flux of the S-polarized light S11, S12, S13 becomes the luminous flux of the P-polarized light P10 of the optical path branching portion 15-1 (P10 = S11 + S12 + S13). ).

また、光路分岐部１２−２１、１２−２２、１２−２３においては、各偏光変換素子１２Ａの偏光Ｌ２１、Ｌ２２、Ｌ２３の偏光状態が制御ユニット３によって制御される。この結果、光路分岐部１５−２のＳ偏光Ｓ２０の光束は光路分岐部１２−２１、１２−２２、１２−２３のＳ偏光Ｓ２１、Ｓ２２、Ｓ２３の各光束に所定分配比で分割される。この場合、光路分岐部１２−２３のＰ偏光Ｐ２３の光束が零であれば、Ｓ偏光Ｓ２１、Ｓ２２、Ｓ２３の全光束は光路分岐部１５−２のＳ偏光Ｓ２０の光束となる（Ｓ２０＝Ｓ２１＋Ｓ２２＋Ｓ２３）。 Further, in the optical path branching portions 12-21, 12-22, and 12-23, the polarization states of the polarizations L21, L22, and L23 of each polarization conversion element 12A are controlled by the control unit 3. As a result, the luminous flux of the S-polarized light S20 of the optical path branching portion 15-2 is divided into the light fluxes of the S-polarized light S21, S22, and S23 of the optical path branching portions 12-21, 12-22, and 12-23 at a predetermined distribution ratio. In this case, if the luminous flux of the P-polarized light P23 of the optical path branching portion 12-23 is zero, the total luminous flux of the S-polarized light S21, S22, S23 becomes the luminous flux of the S-polarized light S20 of the optical path branching portion 15-2 (S20 = S21 + S22 + S23). ).

さらに、光路分岐部１２−３１、１２−３２、１２−３３においては、各偏光変換素子１２Ａの偏光Ｌ３１、Ｌ３２、Ｌ３３の偏光状態が制御ユニット３によって制御される。この結果、光路分岐部１５−３のＳ偏光Ｓ３０の光束は光路分岐部１２−３１、１２−３２、１２−３３のＳ偏光Ｓ３１、Ｓ３２、Ｓ３３の各光束に所定分配比で分割される。この場合、光路分岐部１２−３３のＰ偏光Ｐ３３の光束が零であれば、Ｓ偏光Ｓ３１、Ｓ３２、Ｓ３３の全光束は光路分岐部１５−３のＳ偏光Ｓ３０の光束となる（Ｓ３０＝Ｓ３１＋Ｓ３２＋Ｓ３３）。 Further, in the optical path branching portions 12-31, 12-32, and 12-33, the polarization states of the polarizations L31, L32, and L33 of each polarization conversion element 12A are controlled by the control unit 3. As a result, the luminous flux of the S-polarized light S30 of the optical path branching portion 15-3 is divided into the light fluxes of the S-polarized light S31, S32, and S33 of the optical path branching portions 12-31, 12-32, and 12-33 at a predetermined distribution ratio. In this case, if the luminous flux of the P-polarized light P33 of the optical path branching portion 12-33 is zero, the total luminous flux of the S-polarized light S31, S32, S33 becomes the luminous flux of the S-polarized light S30 of the optical path branching portion 15-3 (S30 = S31 + S32 + S33). ).

このように、各光路分岐部１５−１、１５−２、１５−３の偏光変換素子１５Ａの出射偏光Ｌ１０、Ｌ２０、Ｌ３０の偏光状態及び各光路分岐部１２−１１、１２−１２、１２−１３；１２−２１、１２−２２、１２−２３；１２−３１、１２−３２、１２−３３の偏光Ｌ１１、Ｌ１２、Ｌ１３；Ｌ２１、Ｌ２２、Ｌ２３；Ｌ３１、Ｌ３２、Ｌ３３の偏光状態に応じて光路分岐部１２−１１、１２−１２、１２−１３；１２−２１、１２−２２、１２−２３；１２−３１、１２−３２、１２−３３のＳ偏光Ｓ１１、Ｓ１２、Ｓ１３；Ｓ２１、Ｓ２２、Ｓ２３；Ｓ３１、Ｓ３２、Ｓ３３の光束を任意の分配割合で実現できる。この場合、Ｐ偏光Ｐ１３、Ｐ２３、Ｐ３３、Ｐ３０の各光束が零であれば、Ｓ偏光Ｓ１１、Ｓ１２、Ｓ１３；Ｓ２１、Ｓ２２、Ｓ２３；Ｓ３１、Ｓ３２、Ｓ３３の全光束は光源１１のＰ偏光Ｐ０の光束となる。従って、Ｐ０；Ｐ１０、Ｐ２０、Ｐ３０；Ｓ１１、Ｓ１２、Ｓ１３；Ｓ２１、Ｓ２２、Ｓ２３；Ｓ３１、Ｓ３２、Ｓ３３が光束を表すとすれば、
Ｐ０＝Ｐ１０＋Ｓ２０＋Ｓ３０
＝Ｓ１１＋Ｓ１２＋Ｓ１３＋Ｓ２１＋Ｓ２２＋Ｓ２３＋Ｓ３１＋Ｓ３２＋Ｓ３３（２）
を満足する限り、Ｓ１１、Ｓ１２、Ｓ１３；Ｓ２１、Ｓ２２、Ｓ２３；Ｓ３１、Ｓ３２、Ｓ３３は０〜Ｐ０の範囲で任意に設定でき、従って、局所的に光度を大きくできる。 In this way, the polarization states of the emitted polarized light L10, L20, L30 of the polarization conversion element 15A of each optical path branching portion 15-1, 15-2, 15-3 and the respective optical path branching portions 12-11, 12-12, 12- 13; 12-21, 12-22, 12-23; 12-31, 12-32, 12-33 polarized light L11, L12, L13; L21, L22, L23; L31, L32, L33 depending on the polarization state Optical path branching portions 12-11, 12-12, 12-13; 12-21, 12-22, 12-23; 12-31, 12-32, 12-33 S-polarized light S11, S12, S13; S21, S22 , S23; The light fluxes of S31, S32, and S33 can be realized at an arbitrary distribution ratio. In this case, if the light fluxes of the P-polarized light P13, P23, P33, and P30 are zero, the total luminous flux of the S-polarized light S11, S12, S13; S21, S22, S23; S31, S32, and S33 is the P-polarized light P0 of the light source 11. It becomes the luminous flux of. Therefore, if P0; P10, P20, P30; S11, S12, S13; S21, S22, S23; S31, S32, S33 represent the luminous flux,
P0 = P10 + S20 + S30
= S11 + S12 + S13 + S21 + S22 + S23 + S31 + S32 + S33 (2)
S11, S12, S13; S21, S22, S23; S31, S32, S33 can be arbitrarily set in the range of 0 to P0, and therefore the luminous intensity can be locally increased.

図３においても、たとえば、ヘッドランプスイッチがオン、ロー／ハイビームスイッチのハイビームオン、赤外光カメラ、レーダによる先行車等を発見した場合には、制御ユニット３はＡＤＢ制御を行う。また、ヘッドランプスイッチがオン、ロー／ハイビームスイッチのロースイッチオン、車速センサが低速走行状態を示し、ステアリング角センサの角度が所定値以上の場合には、制御ユニット３はＡＦＳ制御を行って車両側方を高照射帯とする。さらに、ヘッドランプスイッチがオン、ロー／ハイビームスイッチのハイビームオン、車速センサが高速走行状態を示す場合には、遠方照射対象を高照射帯とする。さらにまた、一部の光路分岐部の出射偏光をダークにしたときには、その光路分岐部の偏光が大きくなり、遮蔽部１３−１、１３−２、１３−３又は１６による吸収で損失が大きくなる。このような場合には、損失を小さくするために、制御ユニット３は光源部１１のＰ偏光Ｐ０の出力光束を小さくする。また、ある光路分岐部１２−１１、１２−１２、１２−１３；１２−２１、１２−２２、１２−２３；１２−３１、１２−３２、１２−３３のＳ偏光の光束が大きくなってその部分の光出射の光度が大きくなり過ぎてグレアを感じる場合には、光源部１１のＰ偏光Ｐ０の光束を小さくする。 Also in FIG. 3, for example, when the headlamp switch is turned on, the low / high beam switch is turned on, the infrared light camera, the preceding vehicle by the radar, or the like is found, the control unit 3 performs ADB control. When the headlamp switch is on, the low / high beam switch is on, the vehicle speed sensor indicates a low-speed running state, and the angle of the steering angle sensor is equal to or greater than a predetermined value, the control unit 3 performs AFS control to the vehicle. The side is a high irradiation band. Further, when the headlamp switch is on, the low / high beam switch is on, and the vehicle speed sensor indicates a high-speed running state, the distant irradiation target is set as the high irradiation zone. Furthermore, when the emitted polarized light of a part of the optical path branching portion is darkened, the polarized light of the optical path branching portion becomes large, and the loss becomes large due to absorption by the shielding portion 13-1, 13-2, 13-3 or 16. .. In such a case, in order to reduce the loss, the control unit 3 reduces the output luminous flux of the P-polarized light P0 of the light source unit 11. In addition, the luminous flux of S-polarized light of certain optical path branching portions 12-11, 12-12, 12-13; 12-21, 12-22, 12-23; 12-31, 12-32, 12-33 becomes large. When the luminous intensity of the light emitted from that portion becomes too large and glare is felt, the luminous flux of the P-polarized light P0 of the light source unit 11 is reduced.

図４は図２の車両用前照灯装置の変更例を示す図である。 FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a modified example of the vehicle headlight device of FIG.

図４においては、図２の波長変換部材１４−１、１４−２、１４−３を１次元光源ユニット１から投影光学ユニット２内に移動させ、１次元光源ユニット１の光路分岐部１２−１、１２−２、１２−３と投影光学ユニット２の波長変換部材１４−１、１４−２、１４−３との間の接続をたとえば光ファイバよりなる導光部材４−１、４−２、４−３で行う。これにより、１次元光源ユニット１の位置と投影光学ユニット２の位置とを離間でき、車両用前照灯装置の小型化を図れる。 In FIG. 4, the wavelength conversion members 14-1, 14-2, and 14-3 of FIG. 2 are moved from the one-dimensional light source unit 1 into the projection optical unit 2, and the optical path branching portion 12-1 of the one-dimensional light source unit 1 is moved. , 12-2, 12-3 and the wavelength conversion members 14-1, 14-2, 14-3 of the projection optical unit 2, for example, the light source members 4-1 and 4-2 made of an optical fiber. Perform in 4-3. As a result, the position of the one-dimensional light source unit 1 and the position of the projection optical unit 2 can be separated from each other, and the vehicle headlight device can be miniaturized.

尚、図４の変更例は図３の車両用前照灯装置にも適用できる。 The modified example of FIG. 4 can also be applied to the vehicle headlight device of FIG.

図５は本発明に係る車両用前照灯装置の第３の実施の形態を示す図である。 FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a third embodiment of the vehicle headlight device according to the present invention.

図５においては、図２の１次元光源ユニット１又は図３の２次元光源ユニット１’と投影光学ユニット２との間に集光レンズ５及びディジタルミラーデバイス（ＤＭＤ）６を挿入してある。ディジタルミラーデバイス６はＣＭＯＳスタティックランダムアクセスメモリ（ＳＲＡＭ）基板上にマイクロエレクトロメカニカルシステム（ＭＥＭＳ）技術で形成された多数のマイクロミラーによって構成される。各マイクロミラーの鏡面（反射面）はオン状態でねじれ軸回りに第１の傾斜角度（ニュートラル状態に対して＋θ）で傾斜し、オフ状態でねじれ軸回りに第２の傾斜角度（ニュートラル状態に対して−θ）で傾斜する。この場合、マイクロミラーのオン状態及びオフ状態はＳＲＡＭセルの各２値に応じて駆動され、θはたとえば１０°又は１２°である（参照：特許文献２の明細書段落００２３〜００３１、図３〜図６）。ディジタルミラーデバイス６は制御ユニット３によって制御される。

In FIG. 5, a condenser lens 5 and a digital mirror device (DMD) 6 are inserted between the one-dimensional light source unit 1 of FIG. 2 or the two-dimensional light source unit 1'of FIG. 3 and the projection optical unit 2. The digital mirror device 6 is composed of a large number of micromirrors formed by a microelectromechanical system (MEMS) technique on a CMOS static random access memory (SRAM) substrate. The mirror surface (reflection surface) of each micromirror is tilted at the first tilt angle (+ θ with respect to the neutral state) around the twist axis in the on state, and the second tilt angle (neutral state) around the twist axis in the off state. On the other hand, it tilts at −θ). In this case, the on and off states of the micromirror are driven according to the respective binary values of the SRAM cell, and θ is, for example, 10 ° or 12 ° (see: paragraphs 0023 to 0031 of Patent Document 2 , FIG. 3). ~ Fig. 6). The digital mirror device 6 is controlled by the control unit 3.

図５においては、光源ユニット１（１’）の光軸上に集光レンズ５及びディジタルミラーデバイス６が配置され、集光レンズ５の焦点にディジタルミラーデバイス６が位置している。ディジタルミラーデバイス６上では、光源ユニット１（１’）及び集光レンズ５の光軸は投影光学ユニット２の光軸に対して所定角傾いており、光源ユニット１（１’）からの出射光は集光レンズ５によってディジタルミラーデバイス６の近傍位置で集光し、反射されて投影光学ユニット２に向う。これにより、より高精細なＡＤＢ制御が可能となり、また、高効率で高照度帯を移動できる。 In FIG. 5, the condenser lens 5 and the digital mirror device 6 are arranged on the optical axis of the light source unit 1 (1'), and the digital mirror device 6 is located at the focal point of the condenser lens 5. On the digital mirror device 6, the optical axes of the light source unit 1 (1') and the condenser lens 5 are tilted by a predetermined angle with respect to the optical axis of the projection optical unit 2, and the light emitted from the light source unit 1 (1'). Is focused by the condenser lens 5 at a position near the digital mirror device 6, reflected, and directed toward the projection optical unit 2. As a result, higher-definition ADB control becomes possible, and the high-illuminance band can be moved with high efficiency.

図６は本発明に係る車両用前照灯装置の第４の実施の形態を示す図である。 FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a fourth embodiment of the vehicle headlight device according to the present invention.

図６においては、図２の１次元光源ユニット１又は図３の２次元光源ユニット１’と投影光学ユニット２との間に液晶シャッタ７を挿入してある。液晶シャッタ７は制御ユニット３によって制御される。 In FIG. 6, the liquid crystal shutter 7 is inserted between the one-dimensional light source unit 1 of FIG. 2 or the two-dimensional light source unit 1'of FIG. 3 and the projection optical unit 2. The liquid crystal shutter 7 is controlled by the control unit 3.

図６においては、光源ユニット１（１’）の光軸上に液晶シャッタ７及び投影光学ユニット２が配置され、投影光学ユニット２の焦点に液晶シャッタ７が位置している。光源ユニット１（１’）からの出射光は液晶シャッタ７の近傍位置で集光し、投影光学ユニット２に向う。これにより、より高精細なＡＤＢ制御が可能となり、また、高効率で高照度帯を移動できる。 In FIG. 6, the liquid crystal shutter 7 and the projection optical unit 2 are arranged on the optical axis of the light source unit 1 (1'), and the liquid crystal shutter 7 is located at the focal point of the projection optical unit 2. The light emitted from the light source unit 1 (1') is focused at a position near the liquid crystal shutter 7 and directed toward the projection optical unit 2. As a result, higher-definition ADB control becomes possible, and the high-illuminance band can be moved with high efficiency.

尚、本発明は上述の実施の形態の自明の範囲内でのいかなる変更にも適用できる。 It should be noted that the present invention can be applied to any modification within the obvious scope of the above-described embodiment.

１：１次元光源ユニット
１’：２次元光源ユニット
１１：光源部
１１１：半導体発光素子
１１２：偏光素子
１２−１、１２−２、１２−３；１２−１１、１２−１２、１２−１３；１２−２１、１２−２２、１２−２３；１２−３１、１２−３２、１２−３３：光路分岐部
１２Ａ：偏光変換素子
１２Ｂ：偏光ビームスプリッタ
１３、１３−１、１３−２、１３−３：遮蔽部
１４−１、１４−２、１４−３：波長変換部材
１５−１、１５−２、１５−３：光路分岐部
１５Ａ：偏光変換素子
１５Ｂ：偏光ビームスプリッタ
１６：遮蔽部
２：投影光学ユニット
３：制御ユニット
４−１、４−２、４−３：導光部材
５：集光レンズ
６：ディジタルミラーデバイス（ＤＭＤ）
７：液晶シャッタ
1: 1 dimensional light source unit 1': 2 dimensional light source unit 11: light source 111: semiconductor light emitting element 112: polarizing element 12-1, 12-2, 12-3; 12-11, 12-12, 12-13; 12-21, 12-22, 12-23; 12-31, 12-32, 12-33: Optical path branch 12A: Polarization conversion element 12B: Polarized beam splitter 13, 13-1, 13-2, 13-3 : Shielding unit 14-1, 14-2, 14-3: Wavelength conversion member 15-1, 15-2, 15-3: Optical path branching unit 15A: Polarizing conversion element 15B: Polarized beam splitter 16: Shielding unit 2: Projection Optical unit 3: Control unit 4-1, 4-2, 4-3: Light guide member 5: Condensing lens 6: Digital mirror device (DMD)
7: Liquid crystal shutter

Claims

A light source for emitting polarized light and
It is provided with a plurality of optical path branching portions provided on the polarized optical path.
Each optical path branch is
A polarization conversion element for changing the polarization state of the incident polarized light to emit polarized light,
A light source unit including a polarization beam splitter for splitting the polarized light emitted from the polarization conversion element .
The plurality of optical path branching portions are the plurality of first optical path branching portions of m rows × n columns (m and n are positive integers of 2 or more) arranged in a two-dimensional array, and the first optical path branching portions. It consists of a plurality of second optical path branching portions in a row arranged between each row and the light source portion.
Each of the second optical path branching portions is a light source unit that distributes the polarized light of the light source portion to the first optical path branching portion of each row at a predetermined distribution ratio.

The light source unit according to claim 1, wherein the polarization conversion element changes the polarization state of polarized light emitted from the polarization conversion element in real time by the amount of change when the amount of change in the polarization state is instructed from the outside.

The light source unit according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the polarization conversion element includes a wave plate having a phase difference of 1/2 wavelength or more.

The light source unit according to any one of claims 1 to 3 , wherein the light source unit changes the output of the light source unit to the predetermined value in real time when a predetermined output value is instructed from the outside.

The light source unit includes no polarization-emitting source, the light source unit according to any one of claims 1 to 4, the non-polarized light of the inorganic polarization light emission source comprising a polarizing element for converting into a predetermined polarized light.

The light source unit according to any one of claims 1 to 4 , wherein the light source unit is a laser light source that emits polarized light.

In the first optical path branching portion, the P-polarized light component of the polarized light emitted from the polarization conversion element of the first optical path branching portion is transmitted and emitted to the next stage, and is emitted from the polarization conversion element of the first optical path branching portion. The light source unit according to claim 1 , wherein the S-polarized light component of the emitted polarized light is emitted to the outside.

In the second optical path branching portion, the P-polarized light component or the S-polarized light component of the polarized light emitted from the polarization conversion element of the second optical path branching portion is emitted to the next stage, and the polarization conversion element of the second optical path branching portion is emitted. The light source unit according to claim 1 , wherein the S-polarized light component or the P-polarized light component of the polarized light emitted from the light emitting unit is emitted to the first optical path branching portion of each row.

The light source unit according to any one of claims 1 to 8 , further comprising a wavelength conversion member for converting the wavelength of one emitted light branched by the polarization beam splitter.

The light source unit according to any one of claims 1 to 8 , further comprising a light guide member for guiding one emitted light branched by the polarization beam splitter.

The light source unit according to claim 10 , further comprising a wavelength conversion member for converting the wavelength of one emitted light from the light guide member.

The light source unit according to claim 9 or 11 , wherein a plurality of the wavelength conversion members are provided corresponding to the plurality of emitted lights, and the plurality of wavelength conversion members are discontinuous with each other.

The light source unit according to any one of claims 1 to 12.
A projection optical unit for receiving and projecting one emitted light of each of the first optical path branching portions of the light source unit, and a projection optical unit.
A vehicle headlight device including a control unit for controlling the light source unit.

further,
Between the light source unit and the projection optical unit,
A condensing lens for incidenting the emitted light of the light source unit and
The vehicle headlight device according to claim 13 , further comprising a digital mirror device for emitting the emitted light of the condenser lens to the projection optical unit, wherein the digital mirror device is controlled by the control unit.

further,
Between the light source unit and the projection optical unit,
The vehicle headlight device according to claim 13 , further comprising a liquid crystal shutter for emitting the emitted light of the light source unit to the projection optical unit, and the liquid crystal shutter is controlled by the control unit.