JP6862247B2 - Vehicle headlights - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a vehicle headlight capable of emitting light on the outer circumference of a projection lens.

In Patent Document 1, a main light distribution pattern consisting of a low beam light distribution pattern by the first light source and a light distribution pattern that illuminates an area that does not give glare to an oncoming vehicle or the like is displayed forward by the first light source, and the second light source. Discloses a lighting unit that displays a light distribution pattern of a DRL (daytime running lamp).

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2013-152897

In recent years, headlamps have a projection lens formed so as to have an outer shape such as a rectangle instead of the conventional round shape due to a request from the design aspect, and the projection lens is used to emphasize the outer diameter. There is a desire to make the outer circumference shine strongly.

The lamp unit of Patent Document 1 reflects a part of the light of the second light source by the fourth reflecting mirror or passes the fourth reflecting mirror so that the light of the first light source does not reach the outer peripheral region of the projection lens. Is incident. However, the second light source provided between the fourth reflecting mirror and the projection lens is arranged near the upper end portion of the projection lens. When light is incident near the lower end of the first incident surface in order to illuminate the outer periphery of the lower end of the projection lens in this way, the incident angle becomes too large and is totally reflected behind the projection lens to transmit light through the projection lens. There is a possibility that the outer periphery of the lower end portion of the projection lens cannot sufficiently emit light because most of the light is reflected and cannot be sufficiently emitted from the vicinity of the lower end portion of the emission surface of the projection lens.

In view of the above problems, the present application provides a vehicle headlight capable of sufficiently emitting light in the vicinity of the outer periphery of the projection lens.

A first optical system having a main light source, a reflecting mirror that reflects light from the main light source, and a shade that blocks a part of the reflected light by the reflecting mirror, and a projection lens that transmits light by the first optical system. A vehicle headlight having an outer peripheral lens formed on at least a part of the outer periphery of the projection lens is provided with a second optical system that causes the outer peripheral lens to emit light.

(Action) The light of the second optical system is incident on the outer peripheral lens that the light of the first optical system does not reach or does not reach sufficiently.

In a vehicle headlight, the second optical system is arranged between a plurality of second light sources arranged to face the light incident surface of the outer peripheral lens, the second light source, and the light incident surface. It has an inner lens that allows the light of the light source to enter the light incident surface of the outer peripheral lens.

(Action) The light from the second light source is incident on the outer peripheral lens by the inner lens without leakage.

In a vehicle headlight, the outer peripheral lens refracts the outer peripheral surface, the light emitting surface extending from the front end of the outer peripheral surface toward the inside and the rear of the projection lens, and the transmitted light toward the outer peripheral surface of the outer peripheral lens. It has a light incident surface, and the inner lens emits light from a second light source to a projection lens.

When parallel light is emitted from a light emitting surface extending from the front end of the outer peripheral lens to the inside and the rear of the projection lens to emit the light emitting surface, the light is transmitted through the inner lens from the second light source. When the light is directed directly to the light emitting surface, the light is not able to illuminate the light emitting surface because the incident angle is too large and is totally reflected, or most of the light is reflected and cannot be sufficiently emitted from the light emitting surface. Therefore, it may not be possible to sufficiently illuminate the light emitting surface of the outer peripheral lens.

(Action) In the outer peripheral lens having a light emitting surface extending from the front end of the outer peripheral lens of the present application to the inside and the rear of the projection lens, the inner lens emits the light of the second light source toward the light incident surface of the projection lens. Then, the light incident surface reflects the light incident from the inner lens toward the outer peripheral surface of the outer peripheral lens, and the refracted light is totally reflected by the inner surface of the outer peripheral surface of the outer peripheral lens toward the light emitting surface. The incident light from the inner lens passes through the light incident surface of the outer peripheral lens and is directly incident on the light emitting surface, the angle of incidence on the light emitting surface is smaller, and the light is not totally reflected on the inner surface of the light emitting surface. More is emitted in front of the light emitting surface.

In the vehicle headlight, the inner lens is formed as a diffusing lens that diffuses the light of the second light source in the extending direction of the outer peripheral lens.

(Action) The inner lens diffuses the light of the second light source widely so as not to leak from the outer peripheral lens and in the extending direction of the outer peripheral lens.

In a vehicle headlight, the outer peripheral lens has an outer peripheral surface, a front surface inclined from the front end of the outer peripheral surface toward the inside and the rear of the projection lens, and a light incident that refracts transmitted light toward the outer peripheral surface of the outer peripheral lens. The second optical system having a surface is arranged between the reflecting mirror and the outer peripheral lens, and is formed as a sub-reflector that reflects light directly incident from the main light source on the outer peripheral lens.

(Action) In an outer peripheral lens having a light emitting surface extending from the front end of the outer peripheral lens to the inside and rear of the projection lens, the subreflector reflects glare light that does not enter the reflector toward the light incident surface of the outer peripheral lens. The light incident surface of the outer peripheral lens refracts the light incident from the inner lens toward the outer peripheral surface of the outer peripheral lens, and the inner surface of the outer peripheral surface of the outer peripheral lens totally reflects the refracted light toward the light emitting surface. The totally reflected light has an incident angle on the light emitting surface smaller than the critical angle, and the light is not totally reflected on the inner surface of the light emitting surface and is emitted more in front of the light emitting surface.

In a vehicle headlight, the inner lens focuses the light of a plurality of second light sources in the height direction of the outer peripheral lens between the outer peripheral lens and the inner lens, and the light of the plurality of second light sources is collected by the outer peripheral lens. It was formed so as to diffuse in the extending direction.

(Action) The light transmitted from the second light source through the inner lens is focused between the outer lens and the inner lens in the height direction of the outer lens, so that after the light is focused, the light is directed toward the light emitting surface of the outer lens. It diffuses without leakage and spreads widely in the direction in which the outer peripheral lens extends.

In a vehicle headlight, the projection lens is held in a first lens holder, an outer peripheral lens is provided in a second lens holder arranged on the outer periphery of the first lens holder, and the second optical system is It is formed as a plurality of second light sources arranged inside the second lens holder so as to be located behind the projection lens so as to face the light incident surface of the outer peripheral lens, and is formed on the outer periphery of the first lens holder. Two light passing holes are provided so as to face both the light incident surface of the light source and the projection lens.

When the DRL lamp is installed on the outer periphery of the projection lens of the vehicle headlight, it is necessary to secure the light emitting area required for visual recognition. If it is attempted to secure the light emitting area required for visual recognition only by the outer peripheral lens formed on the outer circumference of the projection lens, there is a problem that the lamp unit also becomes larger due to the larger outer peripheral lens.

(Action) Light emitted from the plurality of second light sources according to the present application toward the light incident surface of the outer peripheral lens is transmitted through the outer peripheral lens to cause the outer peripheral lens to emit light, and is transmitted from the second light source to the light incident surface of the projection lens. The light emitted toward the lens passes through the light passage hole on the outer periphery of the first lens holder, enters the projection lens, and is totally reflected multiple times on the inner surface of the projection lens, so that the light is emitted forward from the vicinity of the outer periphery of the projection lens. Light is emitted near the outer periphery of the projection lens.

According to the vehicle headlight of the present application, the outer peripheral lens on the outer periphery of the projection lens emits sufficient light.

According to the vehicle headlight of the present application, the outer peripheral lens emits sufficient light because glare does not occur in the light of the second light source.

According to a vehicle headlight, light is totally reflected by the outer peripheral surface of the outer peripheral lens and then incident on the light emitting surface extending from the front end of the outer peripheral lens to the inside and the rear of the projection lens to reduce the incident angle. As a result, glare light that is reflected and wasted on the light emitting surface is reduced, the light transmission from the light emitting surface is improved, and the outer peripheral lens emits more intense light.

According to the vehicle headlights, the light from the plurality of second light sources emits a wide range of light from the outer peripheral lens in the direction in which the outer peripheral lens extends, so that the number of light sources installed can be reduced to reduce the cost.

According to the vehicle headlight, glare light that does not enter the reflector is reflected by the sub-reflector, and the reflected light is reflected from the front end of the outer peripheral lens to the inside and rear of the projection lens through total reflection by the outer peripheral surface of the outer peripheral lens. By making the light incident on the light emitting surface extending toward it to reduce the incident angle, the light that does not enter the reflector is used as the light source of the outer peripheral lens to reduce unnecessary glare light, and on the light emitting surface of the outer peripheral lens. By reducing the reflected useless glare light and improving the light transmission from the light emitting surface, the outer peripheral lens emits more intense light.

According to the vehicle headlight, the light source light from the second light source is collected between the outer peripheral lens and the inner lens in the height direction of the outer peripheral lens by the inner lens, and leaks from the light emitting surface of the outer peripheral lens. By emitting light without any glare, the generation of useless glare light is reduced, and the light from multiple second light sources emits a wide range of light from the outer peripheral lens in the direction in which the outer peripheral lens extends, reducing the number of light sources installed and reducing costs. Can be measured.

According to vehicle headlights, the area required for visual recognition is defined as the area of the outer peripheral lens while reducing the generation of unnecessary glare light by using the light that does not enter the outer peripheral lens to emit light near the outer periphery of the projection lens. Since it can be secured by the total area of the light emitting region near the outer periphery of the projection lens that emits light by the second light source, the outer peripheral lens can be miniaturized and the lamp unit can be miniaturized.

The front view of the headlight for a vehicle of 1st Example. FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line II of FIG. 1 in which the low beam headlight unit of the first embodiment is cut in the vertical direction. (A) An enlarged partial cross-sectional view of FIG. 2 showing a second optical system of the first embodiment. (B) FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken along line II-II of FIG. 2 in which the second optical system of the first embodiment is cut in the lateral direction. The vertical sectional view of the headlight for a vehicle of 2nd Example. The vertical sectional view of the headlight for a vehicle of 3rd Example. (A) An enlarged partial cross-sectional view of FIG. 5 showing a second optical system of the third embodiment. FIG. 6 is a sectional view taken along line III-III of FIG. 6 in which the second optical system of the third embodiment is cut in the lateral direction. The front view of the vehicle headlight of the 4th embodiment. FIG. 7 is a sectional view taken along line IV-IV of FIG. 7 in which the low beam headlight unit of the fourth embodiment is cut in the vertical direction.

Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 8. In each figure, the direction of the road as seen from each part of the vehicle headlights and the driver of the vehicle equipped with the vehicle headlights (upper: lower: left: right: front: rear = Up: Lo: Le). : Ri: Fr: Re).

First, the vehicle headlights of the first embodiment, which are mounted on the vehicle (not shown) according to FIGS. 1 to 3, will be described. The vehicle headlight 1 of the first embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 shows an example of a right side headlight, and includes a lamp body 2, a front cover 3, and a headlight unit 4. .. The lamp body 2 has an opening on the front side of the vehicle, and the front cover 3 is made of a translucent resin, glass, or the like, and is attached to the opening of the lamp body 2 to form a lamp chamber S inside. To form. The headlight unit 4 shown in FIG. 1 has a high beam headlight unit 5 and a low beam headlight unit 6, and is fixed to the lamp body 2 via a support member 7 made of metal or the like. Is arranged inside the light room S.

As shown in FIG. 2, the low beam headlight unit 6 is formed on the outer periphery of the first optical system 8, the transparent or translucent projection lens 9 that transmits light by the first optical system, and the projection lens 9. It is composed of a transparent or translucent outer peripheral lens 10 and a second optical system 11 that causes the outer peripheral lens 10 to emit light. The support member 7 has a rectangular parallelepiped rear end portion 7a to which the first optical system 8 is provided, and a central portion 7b to which a part of the second optical system 11 is provided so as to project in a stepped manner in front of the rear end portion 7a. The central portion 7b has a shape in which the projection lens 9 and the front end portion 7c to which the outer peripheral lens 10 is provided are integrated so as to project forward from the upper portion of the front end. Further, in the light chamber S, an extension reflector 18 is provided to blindfold the periphery of the outer peripheral lens 10 from the front.

As shown in FIG. 2, the first optical system 8 includes a main light source 12 composed of a light emitting element such as an LED, a reflecting mirror 13 having an elliptical reflecting surface 13a covering the main light source 12 from above, and a reflecting mirror 13. It is composed of a shade 14 that blocks a part of the light reflected by the reflector 13. The reflecting mirror 13 is fixed to the rear end portion 7a of the support member 7, and the main light source 12 is fixed to the rear end portion 7a so as to be arranged near the first focal point F1 of the reflecting surface 13a. The shade 14 is formed on the front end portion 7c of the support member 7 so as to have a stepped shape as shown in FIG. 1 when viewed from the front and to be located near F2 of the second focal point of the reflecting surface 13a of the reflecting mirror 13. ..

The light L1 emitted from the main light source 12 is reflected by the reflecting surface 13a of the reflecting mirror 13 so as to connect the focal point F2 in the vicinity of the shade 14, and a part of the reflected light L1 passes through the shade 14 and is a projection lens. A low beam light distribution pattern (not shown) having a cut-off line is displayed in front of the vehicle by transmitting through 9 and the front cover 3. The high beam headlight unit 5 of FIG. 1 has a configuration common to the low beam headlight unit 6 in addition to having a first optical system different from that of the low beam headlight unit 6.

The projection lens 9 of FIG. 1 has a shape that is trapezoidal when viewed from the front by cutting out the top, bottom, left, and right of the biconvex lens whose optical axis L0 extends back and forth. The outer shape of the projection lens 9 in FIG. 1 has a trapezoidal shape whose lower side is shorter than the upper side when viewed from the front. As shown in FIG. 2, the projection lens 9 may be formed so that the curvatures of the front surface and the rear surface are different or coincide with each other, and the rear surface of the projection lens 9 may be formed in a free curved surface shape. .. Further, the projection lens 9 may be formed into a wide variety of shapes including a square system other than a trapezoid and a polygonal shape.

As shown in FIG. 1, the outer peripheral lens 10 is a projection lens 9 in which the upper piece 10d, the lower piece 10e, the left piece 10f, and the right piece 10g are integrated along the four sides of the trapezoid of the projection lens 9 when viewed from the front. It has a shape that surrounds the outer circumference of the lens. Further, as shown in FIG. 2, the outer peripheral lens 10 has an outer peripheral surface 10a facing the optical axis L0 of the projection lens 9 and parallel to the optical axis L0, and an optical axis L0 inside the projection lens 9 from the front end of the outer peripheral surface 10a. A light emitting surface 10b extending in the direction and rearward, and a light incident surface extending forward from the rear end of the outer peripheral surface 10a in the direction of the optical axis L0 inside the projection lens and refracting transmitted light toward the outer peripheral surface of the outer peripheral lens. It has 10c. The light incident surface 10c is formed so as to have a concave curved surface shape recessed toward the outer peripheral surface 10a, so that a light flux parallel to the optical axis L0 of the projection lens 9 incident from the light incident surface 10c is emitted from the outer peripheral surface 10a. Refract toward and focus. In the outer peripheral lens 10 integrated with the projection lens 9, the lower piece 10e is fixed to the front end portion 7c of the support member 7. The main light source 12 is arranged on an extension line of the optical axis L0 of the projection lens 9.

As shown in FIG. 3A, it is desirable that the light incident surface 10c is formed so that the refracted and condensed light L2 is incident on the outer peripheral surface 10a at an angle θ exceeding the critical angle. In that case, the light transmitted through the light incident surface 10c is totally reflected by the outer peripheral surface 10a toward the front light emitting surface 10b without waste.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3A, the second optical system 11 is provided with a plurality of second light sources 15 arranged to face the light incident surface 10c of the outer peripheral lens 10 and each of the second light sources 15. It has a plurality of inner lenses 16 arranged between the second light source 15 and the light incident surface 10c. When the projection lens 9 has a polygonal shape, the number of pairs of the second light source 15 and the inner lens 16 is equal to or greater than the number of sides thereof. In the first embodiment, since the projection lens 9 is formed in a quadrangular trapezoidal shape, four sets of the second light source 15 and the inner lens 16 are provided as an example, but if there are four or more sets, this number is used. Not limited.

The second light source 15 is formed by a light emitting element such as an LED, and each inner lens 16 has a shape of a biconvex arc in the vertical cross section as shown in FIG. 3A, and has a shape of a biconvex arc in FIG. b) As shown, it is formed so as to be convex forward in the cross section and to have a semi-ring shape surrounding the left and right sides of the second light source 15. Further, the front surface 16a of each inner lens 16 is provided with a plurality of recesses 16b having the same arc shape that are continuously arranged in the lateral direction. The diffused light incident on the rear surface 16c of the inner lens 16 is changed to parallel light in the vertical direction due to the biconvex arc shape in the vertical direction, and becomes diffused light in the horizontal direction due to the plurality of concave portions 16b in the horizontal direction.

In the first embodiment, the four sets of the combination of the second light source 15 and the inner lens 16 are the second light source support portions (17a, 17b) formed of resin or metal having high heat dissipation, respectively, and two second light sources (not shown). It is fixed to each light source support. The second light source support portions 17a and 17b (and two not shown) have vertical planes (17a1 and 17b1) and orthogonal planes (17a2 and 17b2) projecting forward so as to be orthogonal to the vertical planes, respectively. The second light source 15 is fixed to the vertical planes (17a1, 17b1) of the second light source support portions (17a, 17b) and the vertical planes of the second light source support portion (not shown), and each inner lens 16 is convex for mounting. It is fixed to the front end portion of the orthogonal plane (17a2, 17b2) and the orthogonal plane of the second light source support portion (not shown) via the portion 16d, and the base end portion (16e, 16f) is fixed to the vertical plane (17a1, 17b1). As a result, they are arranged so as to face the paired second light source 15.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the second light source support portion (17a, 17b) and the two second light source support portions (not shown) have the front surface 16a and the second light source 15 of the inner lens 16 and the light of the outer peripheral lens 10, respectively. It is fixed to the support member 7 or the lamp body 2 so as to face the incident surface 10c. In the first embodiment, as an example, the second light source support portion 17a is integrally provided with the central portion 7b of the support member 7, and the second light source support portion 17b is provided on the upper surface 2a of the lamp body 2. Further, the plurality of combinations of the second light source 15 and the inner lens 16 are the outer peripheral lens 10 shown in FIG. 1 so that the diffused light in the lateral direction by the inner lens 16 emits each of the upper, lower, left and right pieces (10d to 10 g) evenly. The upper piece 10d, the lower piece 10e, the left piece 10f, and the right piece 10g are arranged so as to face the central portion (10h to 10k).

The light L2 from the plurality of second light sources 15 passes through the inner lenses 16 facing each other in the vertical cross section of FIGS. 2 and 3 (a) to become parallel light on the light incident surface 10c of the outer lens 10. Incident. The light L2 incident on the light incident surface 10c having a concave shape toward the outer peripheral surface 10a is refracted and condensed toward the outer peripheral surface 10a. The light L2 incident on the outer peripheral surface 10a is totally reflected by the light emitting surface 10b by being incident on the outer peripheral surface 10a at an angle θ exceeding the critical angle, and is refracted by the light emitting surface 10b and substantially parallel to the optical axis L0. It emits forward as a bright light.

Further, the light L2 from the plurality of second light sources 15 is incident on each inner lens 16 from the rear surface 16c in the cross section of FIG. 3B, and is emitted forward from the recess 16b on the front surface, so that the light L2 is emitted in the lateral direction, that is, the outer circumference. The upper, lower, left and right pieces (10d to 10g) of the lens 10 are diffused in the extending direction. The light L2 incident on the outer peripheral lens 10 is totally reflected by the outer peripheral surface 10a in the vertical cross section of FIGS. 2 and 3A, so that the outer peripheral lens 10 is made to emit bright light from the vicinity of the outer peripheral surface 10a and the light emitting surface is emitted. The light emitted by 10b is substantially parallel to the optical axis L0 of the projection lens 9, so that the outer peripheral lens 10 emits bright light when the vehicle headlight is viewed from the front. Further, the light L2 is vertically arranged by arranging a plurality of combinations of the second light source 15 and the inner lens 16 so as to face each central portion (10h to 10k) of the upper, lower, left and right pieces (10d to 10g) of the outer peripheral lens 10. The left and right pieces (10d to 10g) are made to emit light evenly in these extending directions. In the trapezoidal projection lens 9, the outer peripheral lens 10 which is the outer frame of the trapezoid is wasted even if only one second light source 15 facing each of the upper, lower, left, and right pieces (10d to 10 g) of the outer peripheral lens 10 is arranged. It is emphasized that it is a polygonal shape such as a trapezoid that is not a round shape by emitting bright light.

It should be noted that the combination of the second light source 15 and the inner lens 16 may be provided not one in the center for each of the upper, lower, left and right pieces (10d to 10 g) of the outer lens 10, and the inner lens 16 may be provided in a plurality of combinations. One inner lens having a shape in which a plurality of inner lenses 16 having the shape of one embodiment are connected may be used.

Next, the vehicle headlight 21 of the second embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. The vehicle headlight 21 includes a high beam headlight unit (not shown) and a low beam headlight unit 22. FIG. 4 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the vehicle headlight 21 of the second embodiment cut at the same position as the cutting line I-I of FIG. 1, that is, at the position of the low beam headlight unit 22. The vehicle headlight 21 of the second embodiment is a sub-reflector 23 as a second optical system instead of the second light source support portion 17a of the first embodiment and the second light source 15 and the inner lens 16 attached thereto. In addition to the above, it has the same configuration as the vehicle headlight 1 of the first embodiment. The sub-reflector 23 may be added at a position not overlapping the second light source support portion 17a of the first embodiment and the second light source 15 and the inner lens 16 attached thereto, and may be provided together with the second optical system 11. Good.

As shown in FIG. 4, the sub-reflector 23 is formed in the gap region 24 formed between the reflecting mirror 13 and the outer peripheral lens 10 between the reflecting mirror 13 and the outer peripheral lens 10, and the upper piece 10d of the outer peripheral lens 10 It is arranged at a position facing both the main light source 12 and the reflecting surface 13a of the reflecting mirror 13. The sub-reflector 23 is formed at any position in the gap region 24 as long as it faces both the top, bottom, left, and right pieces (10d to 10 g) of the outer peripheral lens 10 and the main light source 12. May be good. Even if the light emitted from the main light source 12 cannot be incident on the reflection surface 13a of the reflector 13, the light is directly incident on the reflection surface 23a of the subreflector 23 to be parallel light parallel to the optical axis L0 of the projection lens 9. It is reflected by the outer peripheral lens 10 without becoming glare light.

As shown in FIG. 4, the light L3 incident on the light incident surface 10c of the upper piece 10d of the outer peripheral lens 10 by the subreflector 23 is refracted and focused toward the outer peripheral surface 10a, and the outer peripheral surface is angled θ exceeding the critical angle. When it is incident on 10a, it is totally reflected on the light emitting surface 10b. The light incident on the light emitting surface 10b is refracted and emitted forward as light substantially parallel to the optical axis L0, and the upper piece 10d of the outer peripheral lens 10 is brightly emitted from the vicinity of the outer peripheral surface 10a.

Next, the vehicle headlight 31 of the third embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 5 and 6. The vehicle headlight 31 includes a high beam headlight unit (not shown) and a low beam headlight unit 32. FIG. 4 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the vehicle headlight 31 of the third embodiment cut at the same position as the cutting line I-I of FIG. 1, that is, at the position of the low beam headlight unit 32. The vehicle headlight 31 of the third embodiment has different shapes of the outer peripheral lens 33 and the inner lens 34 from the outer peripheral lens 10 and the inner lens 16 of the first embodiment, and the vehicle headlight 1 of the first embodiment. Has a common configuration with.

The outer peripheral lens 33 has an upper piece 33d, a lower piece 33e, a left piece (not shown), and a right piece (not shown) along the four sides of the trapezoid of the projection lens 9 when viewed from the front as shown in FIG. Each of them has a shape that surrounds the outer circumference of the projection lens 9. As shown in FIG. 5, the outer peripheral lens 33 has an outer peripheral surface 33a facing the optical axis L0 of the projection lens 9 and parallel to the optical axis L0, and the outer peripheral surface 33a in the direction of the optical axis L0 inside the projection lens 9 from the front end of the outer peripheral surface 33a. It has a light emitting surface 33b extending rearward and a light incident surface 33c orthogonal to the inner side of the projection lens 9 in the direction of the optical axis L0 from the rear end of the outer peripheral surface 33a.

The inner lens 34 is provided on the second light source support portion (17a, 17b) and two second light source support portions (not shown), respectively. Each inner lens 34 is fixed to the orthogonal planes (17a2, 17b2) and the front end of the orthogonal plane of the second light source support portion (not shown), and is arranged so as to face the paired second light source 15. A plurality of combinations of the second light source 15 and the opposing inner lenses 34 form the second optical system 35.

As shown in FIG. 6B, each inner lens 34 has a front end piece 34a extending in the lateral direction, a left end piece 34b extending rearward and orthogonally from the left and right ends of the front end piece, and a right end piece 34b surrounding the second light source 15. It is composed of 34c. The left end piece 34b and the right end piece 34c are fixed to the vertical surfaces 17a1, 17b1) of the second light source support portions (17a, 17b), respectively. The front end piece 34a has a plano-convex shape that is convex rearward in the vertical cross section as shown in FIG. 6 (a), and is convex in an arc shape in the front and rear in the cross section as shown in FIG. 6 (b). It has a biconvex shape.

The light L4 from the plurality of second light sources 15 passes through the inner lenses 34 facing each other, so that the focal point F3 is between the outer peripheral lens 33 and the inner lens 34 in the vertical cross section of FIGS. 5 and 6A. After being condensed so as to connect the two, the light is incident on the light incident surface 33c of the outer peripheral lens 33 while being diffused, and is emitted forward from the light emitting surface 33b without leakage. Further, the light L4 from the plurality of second light sources 15 is incident on the front end piece 34a in the cross section of FIG. 6B and emitted forward, so that the light L4 is emitted in the lateral direction, that is, the upper, lower, left and right pieces (33d,) of the outer peripheral lens 33. 33e, the left and right pieces are not shown), and each diffuses in the extending direction. The light L4 incident on the outer peripheral lens 33 is evenly diffused on the light emitting surface 33b without leaking, so that only one second light source 15 facing each of the upper, lower, left, and right pieces of the outer peripheral lens 33 is arranged. Even without it, the outer peripheral lens 33 is made to emit bright light without waste, and the trapezoidal shape of the projection lens 9 is emphasized.

Next, the vehicle headlight 41 of the fourth embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 7 and 8. The vehicle headlight 41 of the fourth embodiment shown in FIGS. 7 and 8 shows an example of the right headlight, and includes a lamp body 42, a front cover 43, and a headlight unit 44. .. The lamp body 42 has an opening on the front side of the vehicle, and the front cover 43 is made of a translucent resin, glass, or the like, and is attached to the opening of the lamp body 42 to form a lamp chamber S inside. To form.

As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the low beam headlight unit 46 includes a first optical system 48, a transparent or translucent projection lens 49 that transmits light from the first optical system, and a projection lens 49. It is composed of a transparent or translucent ring-shaped outer peripheral lens 50 formed on the outer periphery and a second light source 51 which is a second optical system for emitting light from the outer peripheral lens 50.

As shown in FIG. 8, the first optical system 48 includes a main light source 52 composed of a light emitting element such as an LED, a reflecting mirror 53 having an elliptical reflecting surface 53a, and light reflected by the reflecting mirror 53. It is composed of a shade 54 that blocks a part of the light. The main light source 52 and the reflecting mirror 53 are fixed to the prismatic support member 47, and the support member 47 is fixed to the inside of the lamp body 42. The main light source 52 is arranged on the support member 47 in the vicinity of the first focal point F4 of the reflecting surface 53a of the reflecting mirror 53, and the shade 54 has a stepped shape as shown in FIG. 7 when viewed from the front and the reflecting mirror 53. It is formed at the front end portion of the support member 47 so as to be located near the second focal point F5 of the reflecting surface 53a of the above.

The projection lens 49 shown in FIGS. 7 and 8 is a biconvex lens having a circular shape when viewed from the front, and has a flange portion 49a on the outer periphery. As shown in FIG. 8, the projection lens 49 has an arcuate surface whose front surface is convex forward, which is the light emitting surface 49b, and has a free curved surface shape which is the rear surface which is the light incident surface 49c.

As shown in FIG. 8, a holding plate 55, a first lens holder 56, and a second lens holder 57 are provided inside the lamp body 42. The holding plate 55 has an opening 55a that opens in the plate thickness direction, and is indicated by a support portion 42a provided on the lamp body 42 with the opening 55a facing the reflecting surface 53a of the reflecting mirror 53 and the shade 54. It is held in the groove 42b.

The first lens holder 56 shown in FIG. 8 is formed in a cylindrical shape, and has a flange-shaped base end portion 56a protruding outward in the radial direction of the cylinder and a plurality of flange-shaped portions protruding outward in the radial direction from the central portion of the outer peripheral surface. It has a light source mounting portion 56b, a first projection lens holding portion 56c protruding inward in the radial direction from the tip portion, and a plurality of light passing holes 56d. A plurality of second light sources 51 shown in FIG. 7 are provided vertically and horizontally on the front surface of the light source mounting portion 56b. It is desirable that the second light source 51 is arranged at equal intervals in the circumferential direction of the light source mounting portion 56b, and although it is provided at four locations as in the example, it is not limited to four locations if it is provided at a plurality of locations.

Further, the plurality of light passing holes 56d shown in FIG. 8 are through holes penetrating from the outer periphery of the first lens holder 56 in the inner peripheral direction, and are fixed to the plurality of second light sources 51 and the first lens holder 56. It is provided at a position facing both of the light incident surfaces 49c of the projection lens 49 of the above.

The second lens holder 57 shown in FIG. 8 is formed in a cylindrical shape in which only the vicinity of the tip is tapered, and has a flange-shaped base end portion 57a protruding outward in the radial direction of the cylinder. The tip of the ring-shaped outer lens 50 is integrated inside the tip of the second lens holder 57, and the rear end of the outer lens 50 is formed as a dome-shaped light incident surface 50a that is convex rearward. The lens. The outer peripheral lens 50 integrally has a second projection lens holding portion 50b that projects in a ring shape inside the tip portion. The outer peripheral lens 50 and the second lens holder 57 are integrally formed of a transparent or translucent resin or the like, and only the front surface of the second lens holder 57 and the second projection lens holding portion 50b is masked by vapor deposition of metal or the like. Will be done.

As shown in FIG. 8, the first lens holder 56 and the second lens holder 57 are flanges of the projection lens 49 between the first projection lens holding portion 56c and the second projection lens holding portion 50b of the outer peripheral lens 50. The base end portions (56a, 57a) are fixed to the front surface 55b of the holding plate 55 with the portion 49a sandwiched. At that time, the first lens holder 56 and the second lens holder 57 are arranged coaxially with the optical axis L0 of the projection lens 49, and the projection lens 49 is arranged so that the main light source 52 is located on the extension line of the optical axis L0. Will be done.

The plurality of second light sources 51 shown in FIGS. 7 and 8 are formed of light emitting elements such as LEDs, and are located outside the first lens holder 56 and inside the second lens holder 57, respectively, behind the projection lens 49. As described above, the outer peripheral lens 50 is arranged so as to face the light incident surface 50a at the rear end portion. Further, the plurality of second light sources 51 face the light incident surface 49c of the projection lens 49 through the corresponding light passing holes 56d. In the light chamber S, an extension reflector 58 that blindfolds the periphery of the outer peripheral lens 50 from the front is provided. The high beam headlight unit 45 of FIG. 7 has a configuration in which the first optical system 48 is different from the low beam headlight unit 46 and is common to the low beam headlight unit 46.

As shown in FIG. 8, the light L5 emitted from the main light source 52 is reflected by the reflecting surface 53a of the reflecting mirror 53 so as to connect the focal point F5 in the vicinity of the shade 54, and a part of the reflected light L5 is the shade 54. A low beam light distribution pattern (not shown) having a cut-off line is displayed in front of the vehicle by passing through the opening 55a of the holding plate 55 and passing through the projection lens 49 and the front cover 43. Further, a part L6 of the light emitted from the plurality of second light sources 51 is incident on the outer peripheral lens 50 from the light incident surface 50a while diffusing, and becomes substantially parallel light and is emitted in front of the outer peripheral lens 50.

Further, as shown in FIG. 8, the light L7 emitted from the plurality of second light sources 51 and directed toward the first lens holder 56 without being incident on the outer peripheral lens 50 passes through the opposing light passing holes 56d and is a projection lens. It is incident on the light incident surface 49c of 49. The light L7 incident on the projection lens 49 from the light incident surface 49c and incident on the first point 49d at which the incident angle with respect to the light emitting surface 49b exceeds the critical angle θ2 is the optical axis L0 inside the light emitting surface 49b. It is totally reflected in the direction orthogonal to. The totally reflected light L7 is directed toward the light incident surface 49c by incident on the second point 49e inside the light emitting surface 49b, which is positioned symmetrically with respect to the optical axis L0 inside the light emitting surface 49b. Is totally reflected again. The light L7 totally reflected again is internally reflected by the light incident surface 49c of the projection lens 49 toward the outer peripheral vicinity region 59 of the projection lens 49, and is emitted to the front of the vehicle from the outer peripheral vicinity region 59 of the light emission surface 49b. The range surrounded by the alternate long and short dash line in FIG. 8 indicates a region near the outer circumference of the light emitting surface 49b emitted by the projection lens 49 by the light L7.

The light L7 emitted from the plurality of second light sources 51 cannot be incident on the outer peripheral lens 50 and does not become glare light toward the first lens holder 56, but is incident on the projection lens 49 and is repeatedly totally reflected inside. As a result, the light is emitted from the outer peripheral vicinity region 59 of the light emitting surface 49b to the front of the vehicle, and the entire circumference of the outer peripheral vicinity region 59 of the projection lens 49 is emitted. According to the vehicle headlight 41 of the fourth embodiment, the light L7 that does not enter the outer peripheral lens 50 is used to emit light in the outer peripheral vicinity region 59 of the projection lens 49, thereby reducing the generation of unnecessary glare light. Since the area required for visual recognition in DRL or the like can be secured by the sum of the area of the outer peripheral lens 50 that emits light by the light L6 of the second light source 51 and the light emitting area of the outer peripheral vicinity region 59 of the projection lens 49 that emits light by the light L7, the outer peripheral lens The 50 can be miniaturized to miniaturize the low beam headlight unit 46 and the high beam headlight unit 45.

1 Vehicle headlight 8 First optical system 8
9 Projection lens 9
10 Outer lens 10
10a Outer surface 10b Light emission surface 10c Light incident surface 11 Second optical system 12 Main light source 13 Reflector 14 Shade 15 Second light source 16 Inner lens 23 Sub-reflector 31 Vehicle headlight 33 Outer lens 34 Inner lens 41 For vehicles Headlight 49 Projection lens 49c Light incident surface 50 Outer lens 50a Light incident surface 51 Second optical system Second light source 56 First lens holder 56d Light passage hole 57 Second lens holder

Claims (5)

A first optical system having a main light source, a reflecting mirror that reflects light from the main light source, and a shade that blocks a part of the reflected light by the reflecting mirror, and a projection lens that transmits light by the first optical system. In a vehicle headlight having an outer peripheral lens formed on at least a part of the outer periphery of the projection lens.
Have a second optical system for emitting the outer peripheral lens,
The outer peripheral lens has an outer peripheral surface, a front surface inclined from the front end of the outer peripheral surface toward the inside and the rear of the projection lens, and a light incident surface that refracts transmitted light toward the outer peripheral surface of the outer peripheral lens.
A vehicle headlight in which the second optical system is arranged between a reflecting mirror and an outer peripheral lens and has a sub-reflector that reflects light directly incident from a main light source on the outer peripheral lens. The second optical system has a plurality of second light sources arranged to face the light incident surface of the outer peripheral lens, and the light of the second light source arranged between the second light source and the light incident surface of the outer peripheral lens. The vehicle headlight according to claim 1, further comprising an inner lens that is incident on a light incident surface. The vehicle headlight according to claim 2, wherein the inner lens is formed as a diffusing lens that diffuses the light of the second light source in the extending direction of the outer peripheral lens. A first optical system having a main light source, a reflecting mirror that reflects light from the main light source, and a shade that blocks a part of the reflected light by the reflecting mirror, and a projection lens that transmits light by the first optical system. In a vehicle headlight having an outer peripheral lens formed on at least a part of the outer periphery of the projection lens.
It has a second optical system that causes the outer peripheral lens to emit light.
The second optical system has a plurality of second light sources arranged to face the light incident surface of the outer peripheral lens, and the light of the second light source arranged between the second light source and the light incident surface of the outer peripheral lens. With an inner lens that is incident on the light incident surface,
The inner lens collects the light of a plurality of second light sources between the outer peripheral lens and the inner lens in the height direction of the outer peripheral lens, and diffuses the light of the plurality of second light sources in the extending direction of the outer peripheral lens. A headlight for a vehicle, which is characterized by being formed as follows . A first optical system having a main light source, a reflecting mirror that reflects light from the main light source, and a shade that blocks a part of the reflected light by the reflecting mirror, and a projection lens that transmits light by the first optical system. In a vehicle headlight having an outer peripheral lens formed on at least a part of the outer periphery of the projection lens.
It has a second optical system that causes the outer peripheral lens to emit light.
The projection lens is held in the first lens holder and
The outer peripheral lens is provided on the second lens holder arranged on the outer periphery of the first lens holder.
The second optical system is formed as a plurality of second light sources arranged inside the second lens holder so as to be located behind the projection lens and facing the light incident surface of the outer peripheral lens.
A vehicle headlight characterized in that light passing holes facing both the second light source and the light incident surface of the projection lens are provided on the outer periphery of the first lens holder.

Images