JP7438209B2 - Optical units and vehicle lights - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a vehicular lamp, for example, a vehicular lamp used in a vehicle such as an automobile. The present invention also relates to an optical unit that can be mounted on a vehicle lamp.

Conventionally, an illumination optical unit is known that includes a plurality of lenses arranged in the optical axis direction and a lens barrel that accommodates and holds these lenses (see, for example, Patent Document 1). Further, a lens unit is known that includes a lens holder in which lens holding portions are formed at a plurality of locations in the optical axis direction. In this lens unit, a plurality of lenses are attached to corresponding lens holding parts and arranged in the optical axis direction (see, for example, Patent Document 2).

International Publication No. 2016/158886 JP 2019-21602 Publication

In the above-mentioned lens unit, since a plurality of lenses must be attached one by one to the corresponding lens holder on the lens holder, assembly of the unit is time-consuming.

There is also a vehicle lamp in which a single projection lens is joined to a lens holder by, for example, welding. Although it is conceivable to fix a plurality of lenses to a holder using such a joining means, the reality is that it is not easy to realize this in terms of manufacturing.

Furthermore, in order to accurately control light using a plurality of lenses, it is desirable that each lens be correctly positioned at a designed position.

The present invention has been made in view of these circumstances, and one exemplary object of a certain aspect of the present invention is to provide an optical unit in which a plurality of lenses are arranged on an optical axis, and a vehicle lamp equipped with the same. It is in.

In order to solve the above problems, an optical unit according to an aspect of the present invention includes a plurality of lenses each having a lens shape and a lens flange provided at an edge of the lens shape, and wherein the lens flange of each lens is A plurality of lenses are stacked along the optical axis and each lens has a lens shape arranged on the optical axis, and a lens holder that holds the plurality of lenses is coupled to each other so as to sandwich the stacked lens flanges. a lens holder having a first holder component and a second holder component.

According to this aspect, the lens flanges of the plurality of lenses are stacked along the optical axis, so that the lenses can be positioned with respect to each other in the optical axis direction. As the lens flanges are stacked, the lenses are combined with each other, so that the lenses can be positioned relative to each other to some extent also in the direction perpendicular to the optical axis. Since the first holder part and the second holder part of the lens holder are coupled to each other so as to sandwich the stacked lens flanges, a plurality of lenses can be positioned as a unit with respect to the lens holder. In this way, an optical unit in which a plurality of lenses are arranged on the optical axis is provided. It is easy to ensure the positional accuracy of each lens, and assembly is also relatively easy.

The first holder component is formed with a cylindrical portion that can receive a plurality of lenses and a second holder component from the incident side end, and an exit side end of the cylindrical portion, and is configured to move the lens toward the exit side along the optical axis. It may also have an inner flange that regulates. The second holder component may be coupled to the cylindrical portion of the first holder component such that the stacked lens flange is sandwiched between the inner flange of the first holder component and the second holder component.

The second holder component may be fixed to the cylindrical portion of the first holder component so as to press the stacked lens flanges onto the inner flange of the first holder component.

The inner flange of the first holder component may have an exit side positioning part that positions a lens located on the exit side among the plurality of lenses with respect to the first holder component within a plane perpendicular to the optical axis.

The lens flange of each lens may have an inter-lens positioning portion that positions two lenses adjacent to each other along the optical axis in a plane perpendicular to the optical axis.

The lens flange of each lens may be formed over the entire circumference of the lens shape of the lens. Alternatively, the lens flanges of each lens may be formed at multiple locations along the outer periphery of the lens shape of the lens.

A plurality of lenses may be stacked such that the lens flanges of adjacent lenses are in direct contact with each other.

An embodiment of the present invention is a vehicle lamp. The vehicle lamp may include a light source mounting section and an optical unit according to any of the above aspects. The lens holder of the optical unit may have a holder fixing structure fixed to the light source mounting section.

According to the present invention, it is possible to provide an optical unit in which a plurality of lenses are arranged on an optical axis, and a vehicle lamp including the optical unit.

FIG. 1 is a schematic front view of a vehicle lamp according to an embodiment. 2 is a diagram schematically showing a cross section taken along line AA of the vehicle lamp shown in FIG. 1. FIG. 2 is a diagram schematically showing a cross section taken along line BB of the vehicle lamp shown in FIG. 1. FIG. FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view of an optical unit according to an embodiment. 5 is a schematic exploded perspective view of the optical unit shown in FIG. 4. FIG.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The present invention will be described below based on preferred embodiments with reference to the drawings. The embodiments are illustrative rather than limiting the invention, and all features and combinations thereof described in the embodiments are not necessarily essential to the invention. Identical or equivalent components, members, and processes shown in each drawing are designated by the same reference numerals, and redundant explanations will be omitted as appropriate. Further, the scale and shape of each part shown in each figure are set for convenience to facilitate explanation, and should not be interpreted in a limited manner unless specifically mentioned. Furthermore, terms such as "first" and "second" used in this specification or the claims do not indicate any order or importance, but are used to distinguish one configuration from another. It is. Furthermore, in each drawing, some members that are not important for explaining the embodiments are omitted.

FIG. 1 is a schematic front view of a vehicle lamp according to an embodiment. FIG. 2 is a diagram schematically showing a cross section taken along line AA of the vehicle lamp shown in FIG. FIG. 3 is a diagram schematically showing a cross section taken along line BB of the vehicle lamp shown in FIG. FIG. 4 is a schematic perspective view of the optical unit according to the embodiment. FIG. 5 is a schematic exploded perspective view of the optical unit shown in FIG. 4.

In this embodiment, the vehicular lamp 10 is a vehicular headlamp device having a pair of headlamp units arranged on the left and right sides in front of the vehicle. Since the pair of headlamp units have substantially the same configuration, FIG. 1 shows the structure of the headlamp unit disposed on either the left or right side as the vehicle lamp 10.

The vehicle lamp 10 includes a lamp body 12, a front cover 14, and a lamp unit 16. The lamp body 12 has a recess opened toward the front of the vehicle, and is configured to be attachable to the vehicle body. The front cover 14 is made of translucent resin, glass, or the like, and is attached to cover the opening of the lamp body 12. The front cover 14 is attached to the vehicle body via the lamp body 12. The lamp body 12 and the front cover 14 constitute a lamp housing, and the lamp unit 16 is housed in an internal space (hereinafter also referred to as a lamp chamber 18) of the lamp housing. The lamp unit 16 is supported by a lamp casing, for example, the lamp body 12, so that the optical axis Ax can be adjusted to some extent in the horizontal and vertical directions with respect to the lamp casing.

As an example, the lighting unit 16 may be configured as a pixel-type lighting unit (so-called pixel light) and may be operable to provide a pixel-type ADB (Adaptive Driving Beam). Therefore, the lamp unit 16 can form a variable light distribution pattern with high resolution of at least several hundred to several thousand pixels.

However, the lighting unit 16 is not limited to this, and may be a normal high beam lighting unit, a low beam lighting unit, or a lighting unit configured to be able to switch between a low beam and a high beam. The lamp unit may have any configuration and use. In addition to the lamp unit 16, the vehicle lamp 10 may include at least one other lamp unit.

The lamp unit 16 includes a light source mounting section 20 and an optical unit 30. The optical unit 30 is disposed in the lamp chamber 18 in front of the light source mounting section 20 in the direction of the optical axis Ax. The optical axis Ax extends in the front-rear direction of the lamp. The optical unit 30 is fixed to the light source mounting section 20. Although details will be described later, the optical unit 30 is configured to receive light from the light source mounting section 20 and emit it toward the front cover 14. The light emitted from the optical unit 30 is emitted to the outside of the vehicle lamp 10 through the front cover 14.

The light source mounting section 20 includes a light emitting device 21 as a light source and a heat dissipation member 22 also called a heat sink. As an example, the light source mounting section 20 is arranged in such a manner that the light emitting surface of the light emitting device 21 is directed toward the front of the lamp, and the heat dissipation member 22 is directed toward the rear of the lamp. The light emitting surface of the light emitting device 21 is located on the optical axis Ax.

The light emitting device 21 has at least one light emitting element and is mounted on a mounting board 23. The mounting board 23 is fixed to the heat radiation member 22. The light emitting element is, for example, a light emitting diode (LED), but is not particularly limited, and may be another semiconductor light emitting element or any other light emitting element. The light-emitting device 21 may have a plurality (for example, hundreds to thousands or more) of individually controllable light-emitting elements arranged in a matrix or a grid, and may be a so-called micro-LED. Alternatively, the light emitting device 21 may be an array of light emitting elements in which a plurality (for example, several or at most several tens) of light emitting elements are arranged in one or two dimensions.

The heat radiation member 22 includes a plate-shaped support portion 22a that supports the mounting board 23, and a heat radiation portion 22b extending from the support portion 22a. The mounting board 23 is fixed to the heat dissipating member 22 such that the back surface of the mounting board 23 is in surface contact with the front surface of the support section 22a. The heat radiating portion 22b includes a plurality of heat radiating fins extending from the back surface of the support portion 22a toward the rear of the lamp. The support part 22a and the heat radiation part 22b are one integrally formed member, and the heat radiation member 22 is formed of a metal material such as aluminum or an aluminum alloy, or other high thermal conductivity material. In this way, the light emitting device 21 is in thermal contact with the heat dissipating member 22. Therefore, the heat generated by the light emission of the light emitting device 21 can be dissipated to the surroundings through the heat radiating member 22, and the light emitting device 21 and its surrounding components are prevented from being excessively heated.

The mounting board 23 is provided with a connector 23a. In this embodiment, the mounting board 23 has a rectangular shape, and the light emitting device 21 is provided at one end of the front surface thereof, and the connector 23a is provided at the other end. The connector 23 a is located below the optical unit 30 and below the heat radiating member 22 when the mounting board 23 is fixed to the heat radiating member 22 .

A control board 24 arranged inside the light chamber 18 is connected to the connector 23a of the mounting board 23. In this embodiment, the control board 24 is arranged below the lamp unit 16, for example below the optical unit 30. The control board 24 can control the light emitting device 21 so that the lamp unit 16 forms a desired light distribution pattern. Control board 24 may be connected to an external power source (not shown) by any suitable electrical connection, such as a connector connection. Therefore, the light emitting device 21 is supplied with power from an external power source through the control board 24 and the mounting board 23, and can emit light according to a desired light distribution pattern.

The optical unit 30 includes a plurality of lenses 31 to 33 arranged on the optical axis Ax, and a lens holder 34 that holds the plurality of lenses. In this embodiment, the optical unit 30 is provided with three lenses. For convenience of explanation, these lenses will be referred to as an incident side lens 31, an intermediate lens 32, and an output side lens 33 from the light emitting device 21 toward the front cover 14 along the optical axis Ax. That is, the entrance lens 31 is closest to the light emitting device 21 in this lens arrangement, and the exit lens 33 is farthest from the light emitting device 21.

Each of the plurality of lenses 31 to 33 has a lens shape 31a to 33a and a lens flange 31b to 33b provided at the edge of the lens shape 31a to 33a. Lens flanges 31b to 33b of each lens 31 to 33 are stacked along the optical axis Ax, and lens shapes 31a to 33a of each lens 31 to 33 are arranged on the optical axis Ax.

The lens shapes 31a to 33a of the lenses 31 to 33 are optically designed to perform desired control on the incident light L1 from the light emitting device 21 to obtain the output light L2. In this embodiment, the entrance side lens 31 has a lens shape 31a with convex surfaces on both sides, the intermediate lens 32 has a lens shape 32a with concave surfaces on both sides, and the exit side lens 33 has a lens shape 32a with concave surfaces on both sides. It has a lens shape 33a. The shape of the convex surface of the exit side lens 33 is different from that of the entrance side lens 31. The lens shapes of two adjacent lenses do not contact each other, and there is a gap between them.

Each lens 31 to 33 is made of a transparent resin material such as acrylic resin or polycarbonate. In order to correct chromatic aberration, adjacent lenses are made of materials with different refractive indexes, for example, the entrance lens 31 and the exit lens 33 are made of the same material, and the intermediate lens 32 is made of a different material. may be formed. The material of the lens is not particularly limited, and may be formed of any other transparent resin, glass, or any other appropriate light-transmitting material.

The lens flanges 31b to 33b of each lens 31 to 33 are formed over the entire circumference of the lens shape 31a to 33a of the lens 31 to 33. Since the lens shapes 31a to 33a are bordered by lens flanges 31b to 33b, the lens flanges 31b to 33b define the shape of the outer periphery of each lens 31 to 33. Although the plurality of lenses 31 to 33 are formed as separate members, the lens shapes 31a to 33a and lens flanges 31b to 33b of each lens 31 to 33 are integrally formed.

In this embodiment, when viewed in the direction of the optical axis Ax, the lens shapes 31a to 33a of each lens 31 to 33 are circular, and the lens flanges 31b to 33b are square shaped (more precisely) surrounding the lens shapes 31a to 33a. The four corners are each chamfered). The lens shapes 31a to 33a of the lenses 31 to 33 have the same diameter, and the outer dimensions of the lens flanges 31b to 33b match each other.

Below, for convenience of explanation, the lens flanges of the entrance side lens 31, intermediate lens 32, and exit side lens 33 may be referred to as the entrance side lens flange 31b, the intermediate lens flange 32b, and the exit side lens flange 33b.

The lens flanges of two adjacent lenses are in contact. The back surface of the exit-side lens flange 33b is in contact with the front surface of the intermediate lens flange 32b, and the back surface of the intermediate lens flange 32b is in contact with the front surface of the entrance-side lens flange 31b.

By stacking the entrance side lens flange 31b, the intermediate lens flange 32b, and the exit side lens flange 33b, the entrance side lens 31, the intermediate lens 32, and the exit side lens 33 form a columnar lens assembly. The outer shape of this lens assembly in a cross section taken along a plane perpendicular to the optical axis Ax is constant along the optical axis Ax.

The thickness of the lens flanges 31b to 33b in the direction of the optical axis Ax differs depending on the lens shape 31a to 33a of each lens 31 to 33. For example, the intermediate lens flange 32b has a thickness that matches the concave lens shape of the intermediate lens 32, and is thicker than the entrance side lens flange 31b and the exit side lens flange 33b.

It is understood that the shapes and dimensions of the lens shapes 31a to 33a of each lens 31 to 33 are not limited to the above-mentioned specific examples, and can be appropriately selected depending on the required optical performance, ease of manufacture, or other conditions. It will be. Similarly, the shapes and dimensions of lens flanges 31b to 33b may vary. The lens flanges 31b to 33b do not have to be provided around the entire circumference of the lens shapes 31a to 33a; for example, they may be provided in a part of the periphery of the lens shapes 31a to 33a, such as on the top and bottom (or left and right) of the lens shapes 31a to 33a. It's okay to be hit. Further, the number of lenses provided in the optical unit 30 is also arbitrary, and the optical unit 30 may have, for example, 2 to 5 lenses arranged along the optical axis Ax.

The lens holder 34 has a first holder part 36 and a second holder part 38, which are coupled to each other so as to sandwich the stacked lens flanges 31b to 33b.

The first holder component 36 is formed at a cylindrical portion 36a that can receive a plurality of lenses 31 to 33 and a second holder component 38 from an incident side end, and an output side end of the cylindrical portion 36a, and is arranged along the optical axis Ax. It has an inner flange 36b that restricts the movement of the lens toward the exit side along the inner flange 36b.

The entrance side end of the cylindrical portion 36a is an opening, and the cross-sectional shape of the cylindrical portion 36a taken on a plane perpendicular to the optical axis Ax is constant along the optical axis Ax, and each lens 31 to 33 is positioned exactly on the cylindrical portion 36a. It is designed to fit. Therefore, the cylindrical portion 36a can receive the plurality of lenses 31 to 33 and the second holder component 38 from the incident side end. In this embodiment, since each of the lens flanges 31b to 33b has a square shape with a chamfer, the cylindrical portion 36a also has such a shape. In order to facilitate the insertion and removal of the lenses 31 to 33 into and out of the cylindrical portion 36a, there is a slight gap between the inner circumferential surface of the cylindrical portion 36a and the outer circumferential surfaces of the lens flanges 31b to 33b.

The inner flange 36b extends radially inward from the output side end of the cylindrical portion 36a toward the optical axis Ax, and defines an output side opening. When the exit lens 33 is housed in the first holder component 36, the convex lens shape of the exit lens 33 is arranged in the exit opening, and the front surface of the exit lens flange 33b contacts the back surface of the inner flange 36b. do. Therefore, the inner flange 36b restricts the movement of the exit side lens 33 toward the exit side along the optical axis Ax. The inner flange 36b is formed over the entire circumference of the output side end of the cylindrical portion 36a, but may be formed only on a part of the output side end.

The inner flange 36b of the first holder component 36 has an exit side positioning portion 40 that positions the exit side lens 33 with respect to the first holder component 36 within a plane perpendicular to the optical axis Ax. The output side positioning parts 40 are provided at two locations on the inner flange 36b so as to be located on both sides of the lens shape 33a of the output side lens 33. In this embodiment, the output side positioning section 40 is a positioning pin that protrudes from the back surface of the inner flange 36b in the direction of the optical axis Ax. A positioning hole corresponding to this positioning pin is formed on the front surface of the exit side lens flange 33b. When the front surface of the exit side lens flange 33b contacts the back surface of the inner flange 36b, the positioning pin fits into the positioning hole. Thereby, the exit lens 33 is positioned with respect to the first holder component 36 within a plane perpendicular to the optical axis Ax.

The first holder part 36 is made of a metal material and may be manufactured, for example, by casting. For example, the first holder part 36 is formed of aluminum material by die casting. In this case, in order to improve the positioning accuracy of the exit side lens 33 by the exit side positioning section 40, the inner flange 36b and the exit side positioning section 40 may be manufactured by cutting. Note that the first holder component 36 may be formed of a resin material or other materials.

The lenses are positioned with respect to each other in a similar manner. The lens flanges 31b to 33b of each lens 31 to 33 have inter-lens positioning parts 42 and 44 that position two adjacent lenses along the optical axis Ax with respect to each other in a plane perpendicular to the optical axis Ax.

For example, the incident side lens 31 has a first inter-lens positioning section 42 that positions the incident side lens 31 with respect to the intermediate lens 32 within a plane perpendicular to the optical axis Ax. The first inter-lens positioning portions 42 are provided at two locations on the entrance side lens flange 31b so as to be located on both sides of the lens shape 31a of the entrance side lens 31. The first inter-lens positioning portion 42 is a positioning hole formed in the front surface of the incident side lens flange 31b. A positioning pin corresponding to this positioning hole is formed on the back surface of the intermediate lens flange 32b. When the front surface of the entrance side lens flange 31b contacts the back surface of the intermediate lens flange 32b, the positioning pin fits into the positioning hole, and the entrance side lens 31 is positioned with respect to the intermediate lens 32 within a plane perpendicular to the optical axis Ax.

The intermediate lens 32 has a second inter-lens positioning section 44 that positions the intermediate lens 32 with respect to the exit side lens 33 within a plane perpendicular to the optical axis Ax. The second inter-lens positioning portions 44 are provided at two locations on the intermediate lens flange 32b so as to be located on both sides of the lens shape 32a of the intermediate lens 32. The second inter-lens positioning section 44 is a positioning pin formed on the front surface of the intermediate lens flange 32b. A positioning hole corresponding to this positioning pin is formed on the back surface of the exit side lens flange 33b. This positioning hole is also a positioning hole that fits into the above-mentioned output side positioning part 40, and passes through the output side lens flange 33b. When the front surface of the intermediate lens flange 32b contacts the rear surface of the exit lens flange 33b, the positioning pin fits into the positioning hole, and the intermediate lens 32 is positioned relative to the exit lens 33 within a plane perpendicular to the optical axis Ax.

In this embodiment, the output side positioning parts 40 are located on the left and right sides of the lens shape 33a of the output side lens 33, but they may be formed at other locations on the back surface of the inner flange 36b. The emission side positioning part 40 is a cylindrical positioning pin, but may be a protrusion having another shape, a recess that fits into the protrusion, or other positioning structure. Similarly, the inter-lens positioning parts 42 and 44 can also have various arrangements and shapes.

The second holder component 38 is coupled to the cylindrical portion 36a of the first holder component 36 so that the stacked lens flanges 31b to 33b are sandwiched between the inner flange 36b of the first holder component 36 and the second holder component 38. There is. The second holder component 38 is fixed to the cylindrical portion 36a of the first holder component 36 so as to press the stacked lens flanges 31b to 33b against the inner flange 36b of the first holder component 36.

The second holder part 38 is housed in the first holder part 36 together with the lenses 31 to 33. The second holder component 38 is made of, for example, a metal material. Since the second holder component 38 is a thin plate-like member, it may be manufactured by sheet metal processing, for example. Note that the second holder component 38 may be made of a resin material or other materials.

The second holder component 38 is a ring-shaped fastener having a ring portion 38a, and may be referred to as a fixed component or a fixture. An entrance-side opening is defined by the ring portion 38a, and when the front surface of the ring portion 38a contacts the back surface of the entrance-side lens flange 31b, the lens shape 31a of the entrance-side lens 31 is arranged in this entrance-side opening.

In this embodiment, the second holder part 38 is removably fixed to the cylindrical part 36a of the first holder part 36 using a so-called lance connection. The second holder component 38 has two lance support portions 38b extending from the ring portion 38a at substantially right angles, and these lance support portions 38b are formed on both sides of the ring portion 38a. Each lance support 38b is provided with a locking lance 38c that is flexibly connected to the lance support 38b.

A locking hole 36c corresponding to a locking lance 38c is formed in the cylindrical portion 36a of the first holder component 36. The locking hole 36c is located behind the lenses 31 to 33 in the direction of the optical axis Ax. The locking holes 36c are provided on the left and right sides of the cylindrical portion 36a, and penetrate from the outside to the inside of the cylindrical portion 36a, respectively.

When the second holder part 38 is housed in the first holder part 36, the lance support part 38b is located rearward in the direction of the optical axis Ax with respect to the ring part 38a, and is in contact with the inner surface of the cylindrical part 36a. . Since the locking lance 38c is flexible relative to the lance support portion 38b, the locking lance 38c also comes into contact with the inner surface of the cylindrical portion 36a.

When the second holder component 38 is moved within the cylindrical portion 36a toward the entrance lens 31 and the ring portion 38a comes into contact with the entrance lens 31, the locking lance 38c fits into the locking hole 36c. Since the distal end of the locking lance 38c is angled slightly outward with respect to the lance support portion 38b, the locking lance 38c is fixed in the locking hole 36c. Thereby, the second holder component 38 is pressed against the entrance side lens 31.

Further, the lens holder 34 has a holder fixing structure 46 that is fixed to the light source mounting section 20 . In this embodiment, the holder fixing structure 46 fixes the entrance side end of the first holder component 36 to the heat radiation member 22 of the light source mounting section 20 by screwing. The holder fixing structure 46 is not particularly limited, and any other suitable fixing method may be adopted. Lens holder 34 is positioned with respect to light emitting device 21 by holder fixing structure 46 .

In assembling the optical unit 30, as shown by an arrow 48 in FIG. 5, the output side lens 33, the intermediate lens 32, and the input side lens 31 are housed in order from the input side opening of the first holder part 36 to the cylindrical part 36a. be done. As described above, when the exit side lens flange 33b contacts the inner flange 36b of the first holder part 36, the exit side positioning part 40 positions the exit side lens 33 perpendicularly to the optical axis Ax with respect to the first holder part 36. Positioned within a plane. When the intermediate lens flange 32b contacts the exit side lens flange 33b, the intermediate lens 32 is positioned with respect to the exit side lens 33 within a plane perpendicular to the optical axis Ax by the second inter-lens positioning section 44. When the entrance side lens flange 31b contacts the intermediate lens flange 32b, the entrance side lens 31 is positioned with respect to the intermediate lens 32 within a plane perpendicular to the optical axis Ax by the first inter-lens positioning section 42.

Since the shapes of the cylindrical portion 36a and the lens flanges 31b to 33b of the lenses 31 to 33 match, the cylindrical portion 36a acts as a guide for the lenses 31 to 33, making it easy to store the lenses 31 to 33. Note that instead of putting the lenses 31 to 33 one by one into the cylindrical part 36a, the lens flanges 31b to 33b of each lens 31 to 33 can be stacked and the lenses 31 to 33 combined can be put into the cylindrical part 36a all at once. good.

Next, the second holder component 38 is housed in the cylindrical portion 36a from the entrance side opening of the first holder component 36. As mentioned above, the second holder part 38 is secured to the first holder part 36 by means of a lance connection. The second holder part 38 is pressed against the entrance lens 31, thereby pressing the stacked lens flanges 31b to 33b against the inner flange 36b of the first holder part 36. In this way, each of the lenses 31 to 33 is positioned with respect to the lens holder 34 in the direction of the optical axis Ax. The lens holder 34 holding the lenses 31 to 33 is fixed to the light source mounting section 20 by a holder fixing structure 46.

In this way, each lens 31 to 33 of the optical unit 30 is positioned by the lens holder 34 with respect to the light emitting device 21 of the light source mounting section 20 in the direction of the optical axis Ax and in the direction perpendicular to the optical axis Ax.

Referring again to FIG. 2, the light emitting operation of the vehicle lamp 10 will be described. When the light emitting device 21 emits light, light enters the optical unit 30 as indicated by arrow L1. The incident light passes through each of the lenses 31 to 33 of the optical unit 30, exits from the exit side lens 33 as shown by arrow L2, and further exits to the outside of the vehicle lamp 10 through the front cover 14. Since the light emitting device 21 has a large number of individually controllable pixels, the vehicle lamp 10 can realize various light distribution patterns.

As described above, in the optical unit 30 of the vehicle lamp 10 according to the embodiment, the lens flanges 31b to 33b of the plurality of lenses 31 to 33 are stacked along the optical axis Ax, and the The first holder component 36 and the second holder component 38 are coupled to each other so as to sandwich the stacked lens flanges 31b to 33b. In this way, the lenses 31 to 33 can be positioned with respect to each other in the optical axis direction, and the lenses 31 to 33 can be positioned as a unit with respect to the lens holder . The positional accuracy between the lenses and the positional accuracy with respect to the lens holder 34 can be ensured, and the light from the light emitting device 21 can be accurately controlled to provide the required light distribution.

Further, the cylindrical portion 36a of the first holder component 36 is capable of receiving a plurality of lenses 31 to 33 and the second holder component 38 from the incident side end, and the second holder component 38 has the stacked lens flanges 31b to 33b. is connected to the cylindrical portion 36a of the first holder component 36 so as to be sandwiched between the inner flange 36b of the first holder component 36 and the second holder component 38. In this way, the lenses 31 to 33 can be housed in the lens holder 34 by sequentially putting the plurality of lenses 31 to 33 and the second holder part 38 into the cylindrical part 36a of the first holder part 36. Positioning and assembly of the optical unit are easy.

Note that in a typical designed lens array, the lens located on the incident side often has a smaller diameter, and the lens located on the exit side often has a larger diameter. The diameter of the opening on the entrance side is smaller than the diameter of the lens on the exit side, and the lens on the exit side cannot pass through the opening on the entrance side. In this point, the optical unit 30 according to the embodiment differs from a typical configuration.

The second holder component 38 is fixed to the cylindrical portion 36a of the first holder component 36 so as to press the stacked lens flanges 31b to 33b against the inner flange 36b of the first holder component 36. Since the stacked lens flanges 31b to 33b are pressed against the inner flange 36b of the first holder component 36 by the second holder component 38, the lens positioning in the optical axis direction becomes more reliable.

The inner flange 36b of the first holder component 36 has an exit side positioning portion 40 that positions the exit side lens 33 with respect to the first holder component 36 within a plane perpendicular to the optical axis Ax. Further, the lens flanges 31b to 33b of each lens 31 to 33 have inter-lens positioning parts 42 and 44 that mutually position two lenses adjacent to each other along the optical axis Ax within a plane perpendicular to the optical axis Ax. In this way, lens positioning within a plane perpendicular to the optical axis Ax becomes more reliable.

The lens flanges 31b to 33b of each lens 31 to 33 are formed over the entire circumference of the lens shape 31a to 33a of the lens 31 to 33. This is advantageous in manufacturing the lens. If the lens flange is provided around the entire circumference, the periphery of the lens shape can be pushed out evenly when the lens is removed from the mold during lens molding, making it easier to remove the lens from the mold.

Further, the lens flanges of each lens may be formed at multiple locations along the outer periphery of the lens shape of the lens. For example, the lens flanges may be formed along the outer periphery of the lens shape and spaced apart from each other at equal angular intervals around the center of the lens shape. For example, when the lens flanges are formed at four locations, the lens flanges may be formed at the top, bottom, right, and left of the lens shape. Even in this case, when the lens is removed from the mold during lens molding, the periphery of the lens shape can be pushed out evenly, making it easier to take out the lens from the mold.

A holder fixing structure 46 for fixing the lens holder 34 to the light source mounting section 20 is provided. This facilitates accurate positioning of the lens holder 34 and the lenses 31 to 33 with respect to the light emitting device 21.

The present invention is not limited to the embodiments and modifications described above, and it is also possible to combine the embodiments and modifications, and to add further modifications such as various design changes based on the knowledge of those skilled in the art. Embodiments and modifications in which such combinations or further modifications are added are also included within the scope of the present invention. The above-described embodiments and modifications, and new embodiments created by combining the above-mentioned embodiments and modifications with the following modifications, combine the effects of the combined embodiments, modifications, and further modifications. Motsu.

In the embodiment described above, only one light emitting device 21 is provided in the light source mounting section 20, but a plurality of light emitting devices 21 may be provided. In this case, each of the lenses 31 to 33 may have a lens shape for each light emitting device 21. That is, one lens may have a plurality of lens shapes, and a lens flange may be formed to frame these lens shapes.

In the embodiments described above, the lens flanges of two adjacent lenses are stacked such that they are in direct contact with each other, but the present invention is not limited to this. The lens flanges may be stacked with, for example, a spacer or other inclusion between the two lens flanges. The second holder component may be coupled to the first holder component such that the stacked lens flange including an inclusion such as a spacer is sandwiched between the second holder component and the first holder component. Furthermore, a positioning section may be provided that has a configuration similar to the above-mentioned inter-lens positioning sections 42 and 44 and that mutually positions the lens flange and the inclusion adjacent thereto within a plane perpendicular to the optical axis.

Other configurations of the first holder part and the second holder part are also possible. For example, the first holder component may be a first cylindrical member that holds and accommodates a plurality of lenses, and the second holder component may be a second cylindrical member that connects the first cylindrical member to the light source mounting section. . The first holder component 36 and the second holder component 38 may be connected using appropriate fixing means such as screws.

Although the present invention has been described using specific words based on the embodiments, the embodiments merely illustrate one aspect of the principles and applications of the present invention, and the embodiments do not include the claims. Many modifications and changes in arrangement are possible without departing from the spirit of the invention as defined in scope.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICATION This invention can be utilized for a vehicular lamp, for example, a vehicular lamp used for vehicles, such as an automobile. Furthermore, the present invention can be used in an optical unit that can be mounted on a vehicle lamp.

10 Vehicle lamp, 20 Light source mounting part, 30 Optical unit, 31a to 33a Lens shape, 31b to 33b Lens flange, 34 Lens holder, 36 First holder part, 36a Cylindrical part, 36b Inner flange, 38 Second holder part, 40 output side positioning section, 42 first inter-lens positioning section, 44 second inter-lens positioning section, 46 holder fixing structure, Ax optical axis.

Claims (6)

Each lens has a lens shape and a lens flange provided at an edge of the lens shape, the lens flanges of each lens are stacked along the optical axis, and the lens shape of each lens is stacked along the optical axis. multiple lenses arranged on top,
A lens holder that holds the plurality of lenses, the lens holder having a first holder component and a second holder component that are coupled to each other so as to sandwich the stacked lens flanges ,
The first holder component is formed with a cylindrical portion that can receive the plurality of lenses and the second holder component from an incident side end, and an output side end of the cylindrical portion, and emits light along the optical axis. It has an inner flange that restricts the lens movement to the side, and a locking hole is formed in the cylindrical part.
The second holder component includes a ring portion that contacts a lens flange of an entrance lens among the plurality of lenses, and a locking lance that extends from the ring portion toward the entrance end of the first holder component. and a lance support portion, the locking lance being fixed to the locking hole so as to press the stacked lens flange against the inner flange of the first holder component. . The inner flange of the first holder component has an exit side positioning portion that positions a lens located on the exit side of the plurality of lenses with respect to the first holder component within a plane perpendicular to the optical axis. The optical unit according to claim 1 . 3. The lens flange of each lens has an inter-lens positioning part that positions two lenses adjacent to each other along the optical axis within a plane perpendicular to the optical axis. optical unit. The lens flange of each lens is formed over the entire circumference of the lens shape of the lens, or is formed at a plurality of spaced apart locations along the outer circumference of the lens shape of the lens. 3. The optical unit according to any one of 3 . 5. The optical unit according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of lenses are stacked such that lens flanges of adjacent lenses are in direct contact with each other. A light source mounting part,
An optical unit according to any one of claims 1 to 5 ,
The vehicle lamp is characterized in that the lens holder of the optical unit has a holder fixing structure that is fixed to the light source mounting section.

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