JPH026165B2 - - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The details of the automotive lamp of the present invention will be explained in accordance with the following items.

A. Industrial field of application B. Overview of the invention C. Prior art [Fig. 11] D. Problem to be solved by the invention E. Means for solving the problem F. Example a. Lamp body [Fig. 1 to 4] ] b Lamp cover [Figures 1, 3, 4] c Reflector c-1 Fixed reflector [Figures 2 to 7] c-2 Movable reflector [Figures 3, 4, 6th
Figure] d Light bulb [Figure 4] e Reflector rotation mechanism [Figures 5 to 9] e-1 Rotating arm, link lever [Figures 5 to 7] e-2 Drive unit [Figure 8 e-3 Control circuit [Fig. 9] e-4 Operation f Neutral position regulating means [Fig. 5, Fig. 7] g Lens element [Fig. 2] G Effect of the invention (A. Field of industrial application) The present invention relates to a novel automotive lamp. Specifically, in addition to a fixed reflector facing in the direction in which the main optical axis extends, a movable reflector is provided, and in addition to the original function of the lamp, such as a fog lamp, the movable reflector can be rotated. A novel automotive lighting device that can function as a cornering lamp by turning the cornering lamp, and can brightly illuminate the road ahead even when the cornering lamp function is being performed. This is what we are trying to provide.

(B. Summary of the Invention) The automotive lamp of the present invention has a fixed reflector facing in the direction of the main optical axis and a movable reflector rotatably supported to one side in one light chamber. The movable reflector can be rotated to perform lateral irradiation, and the lens effect is small on the part of the lens opposite to the direction in which the light reflected by the movable reflector is directed during lateral irradiation. By forming a window with or without a window, and by irradiating the front of the runway with light transmitted through this window, the front of the runway can be brightly illuminated even during side illumination.

(C. Prior Art) [Figure 11] Since the fog lamps for illuminating the front of the vehicle body and the cornering lamps for illuminating the front side of the vehicle body have different irradiation directions, conventionally,
As shown in Fig. 11, a fog light b is attached to the vehicle body a.
and cornering lamps c were provided separately.

(D Problems to be Solved by the Invention) In the past, two lamps were required, which was not only uneconomical but also required a large amount of installation space.

Therefore, the present invention is a novel lamp that can function as a cornering lamp in addition to its original function, and that prevents the illumination of the road ahead from being neglected even when it functions as a cornering lamp. This was done with the aim of providing a light fixture for automobiles.

(E. Means for Solving Problems) In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the automotive lamp of the present invention has a fixed reflector facing in the main optical axis direction and a fixed reflector that rotates to the side in one lamp chamber. A movable reflector that is supported in a freely movable manner is arranged so that the movable reflector can be rotated at the appropriate time to perform lateral irradiation. A window portion with little or no lens effect is formed on the side opposite to the direction in which the reflected light is directed.

Therefore, according to the present invention, by rotating the movable reflector, it is possible to illuminate the front side of the vehicle body, so that in addition to its original function, it can also function as a cornering lamp when necessary. Furthermore, even when functioning as a cornering lamp, the area ahead of the runway is brightly illuminated through the window.

(F Example) The present invention will be described below in accordance with a detailed illustrated example. Incidentally, the automotive lamp 1 shown in the example
The original function is that of a fog lamp, and in addition, it can also function as a cornering lamp as appropriate.

(a Lamp Body) [Figures 1 to 4] Reference numeral 2 denotes a lamp body, which has a substantially rectangular opening at the front and a closed shape at other parts. Reference numeral 3 denotes a lens having a substantially rectangular front shape, and is fixed to a front frame 4 connected to the front opening of the lamp body 2. With this, lens 3
is arranged so as to cover the front surface of the lamp body 2.

(b Lamp cover) [Figures 1, 3, and 4] 5 is a lamp cover, which covers the lens 3 when the headlight is turned off, and so as not to block the irradiation when the headlight is turned on. The lamp cover 5 consists of a cover part 5a for covering the lens 3 and side parts 5b protruding from both ends of the cover part 5a. Engagement recesses 6, 6 each having a rectangular opening shape are formed in the parts 5b, 5b to engage a rotation shaft described later.

Reference numeral 7a designates a rotation shaft of a drive section, which will be described later, and projects outward from the right side wall of the lamp body 2, and the projecting portion has a rectangular cross-sectional shape. 7b
is a rotating shaft that projects outward from the left side wall of the lamp body 2, and the outwardly projecting portion of this rotating shaft 7b also has a rectangular cross-sectional shape.

The lamp cover 5 is held on the lamp body 2 by the rotating shafts 7a, 7b being engaged with the engaging recesses 6, 6 formed in the side parts 5b, 5b. Opening/closing movements are performed in conjunction with the rotation. This opening/closing movement of the lamp cover 5 is performed between the position where the cover portion 5a faces the top surface of the lamp body 2 and the position where it faces the front surface of the lens 3, so the rotation angle is within a range of approximately 90°. It is done.

8 is a toggle mechanism, and the toggle mechanism 8 is approximately
The toggle point is located at approximately half of the rotation of the lamp cover 5 within a range of 90 degrees, that is, the position where the lamp cover 5 is rotated by an angle of approximately 45 degrees. An appropriate stopper piece is provided to prevent the range of movement from exceeding 90°.

Reference numeral 9 denotes a lamp cover opening/closing device, which consists of a motor, a transmission mechanism that transmits the rotation of the motor to the rotation shaft 7a, a control section that controls the rotation angle of the rotation shaft 7a, etc.
This device is similar to the lamp cover opening/closing device disclosed in Japanese Patent Application No. 175492/1983, and the rotation of the rotating shaft 7a is controlled by this, and the lamp cover 5 is opened and closed. Such a lamp cover opening/closing device is housed and fixed deep inside the left side (on the right side) of the lamp body 2.

(c reflecting mirror) (c-1 fixed reflecting mirror) [FIGS. 2 to 7] Reference numeral 10 denotes a fixed reflecting mirror, which is formed by pressing a metal plate.

The fixed reflecting mirror 10 consists of a frame-shaped front part 11 and a reflecting part 12 recessed toward the rear, and the reflecting part 12 has a substantially paraboloid of revolution shape. And fixed reflector 10
The front surface, particularly the front surface of the reflective section 12, is treated to have reflective properties by aluminum vapor deposition or the like.

A shallow recess 13 recessed toward the rear is formed in the center portion of the reflecting portion 12 in the left-right direction.
The inner surface of the recess 13 is also formed to form a paraboloid of revolution and is treated to have reflective properties.

The fixed reflecting mirror 10 as described above is supported by the lamp body 2 with the peripheral edge of its front portion 11 held in a clamped manner between the front frame 4 and the lens 3. The rotation axis x-x of the paraboloid of rotation forming the reflecting portion 12 of the fixed reflecting mirror 10 becomes the main optical axis of the lamp 1.

Reference numeral 14 denotes a light bulb attachment ring, which is fixed to the upper surface of the bottom surface portion 12a of the reflecting portion 12 of the fixed reflecting mirror 10 at approximately the center thereof. Incidentally, an insertion hole 15 is formed approximately at the center of the bottom surface portion 12a of the reflecting portion 12, and the insertion hole 15 communicates with the center hole of the light bulb mounting ring 14.

A receiving edge 16 projecting inward is formed at the upper end of the light bulb mounting ring 14, and an annular receiving groove 17 is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the lower end of the light bulb mounting ring 14.

(c-2 Movable reflector) [Figure 3, Figure 4, Figure 6
Figure] 18 is a movable reflecting mirror, which is formed by pressing a metal plate. This movable reflecting mirror 18 is integrally formed with a reflecting part 19 having a vertically long rectangular shape from the front and mounting pieces 20a and 20b protruding forward from both the upper and lower ends of the reflecting part 19.
The inner surface of the reflecting portion 19 is formed in the shape of a paraboloid of revolution, and is treated to have reflective properties by aluminum vapor deposition or the like.

A support hole 21 is formed in the center of the mounting piece 20a on the lower side of the movable reflector 18.
is slidably engaged with the receiving groove 17 of the light bulb mounting ring 14.

22 is the upper surface part 1 of the reflecting part 12 of the fixed reflecting mirror 10
The upper mounting piece 20b of the movable reflector 18 is attached to a portion of the support shaft 22 that protrudes downward from the upper surface 12b. The center is fixed.

As described above, the movable reflecting mirror 18 is rotatably supported by the fixed reflecting mirror 10.

Further, the width of the reflecting portion 19 of the movable reflecting mirror 18 is the width of the shallow recess 1 formed in the reflecting portion 12 of the fixed reflecting mirror 10.
The width is approximately half the width of 3.

The focal position of the movable reflecting mirror 18 is approximately the same as the focal position of the fixed reflecting mirror 10.

(d Light bulb) [Figure 4] 24 is a light bulb for a light source, and its glass bulb 25
The reflecting portion 12 of the fixed reflecting mirror 10 passes through the insertion hole 15 provided in the fixed reflecting mirror 10 and the light bulb mounting ring 14.
located within. And the flange 2 of the light bulb 24
6 comes into contact with the receiving edge 16 provided on the light bulb mounting ring 14, so that the filament 27 of the light bulb 24
is positioned at the focal point of the reflecting sections 12 and 19. Incidentally, the light bulb 24 is held in this state by an appropriate holding means.

Therefore, when the movable reflecting mirror 18 is in the neutral position, that is, the optical axis of the reflecting portion 19 of the movable reflecting mirror 18 (the rotation axis of the paraboloid of revolution constituting the reflecting portion 19).
When xs-xs extends in the same direction as the main optical axis xx, the reflected light from the reflecting sections 12 and 19 is irradiated parallel to the main optical axis xx.

When the movable reflector 18 is rotated, the light reflected by the reflector 19 is reflected from the optical axis of the movable reflector 18.
Fixed reflector 1 is irradiated in the direction of xs−xs.
The light reflected by the reflection section 12 of 0 is along the main optical axis x
- Irradiation is performed in the direction in which x is facing.

Therefore, when it is necessary to illuminate the road shoulder, such as when turning a curve, the movable reflector 18 is moved in that direction.
By rotating it, you can expand the irradiation range to the side in that direction.

(e Reflector rotating mechanism) [Figures 5 to 9] (e-1 Rotating arm, link lever) [Figures 5 to 7] 28 is a rotating arm, the base of which is connected to the support The shaft 22 is fixed to the upper end of a portion of the shaft 22 that protrudes upward from the upper surface 12b of the reflecting portion 12 of the fixed reflecting mirror 10. Reference numeral 29 denotes an arm piece projecting laterally from the base of the rotating arm 28, and an engaging piece 29a bent downward is formed at the tip of the arm piece 29.

30 is a drive shaft of the drive unit 31, and the drive shaft 3
0, the base of the drive arm 32 is fixed.

33 is a link lever, one end of which is rotatably connected to the rotary end of the drive arm 32, and the other end rotatably connected to the rotary end of the rotary arm 28.

As a result, the drive shaft 30 rotates and the drive arm 3
2 rotates, the rotating arm 28 is rotated via the link lever 33, and the support shaft 22 fixed to the base of the rotating arm 28 is rotated, so that the movable reflector 18 is rotated. Become.

(e-2 Drive section) [Figure 8] Most of the components of the drive section 31 are located in the case 34.
located within.

35 is a motor fixed within the case 34, and a pinion gear 36 is fixed to its output shaft 35a.

37 is the output shaft 35 of the motor 35 inside the case 34.
A worm shaft is rotatably supported so as to extend in a direction perpendicular to the extending direction of the worm shaft, and a worm 37a is integrally formed in one half of the worm shaft.
A crown gear 37b is integrally formed in the other half, and the crown gear 37b is connected to the pinion gear 3.
It is meshed with 6.

Reference numeral 30 denotes a drive shaft which is rotatably supported within the case 34 so as to extend in a direction orthogonal to the axial direction of the worm shaft 37, and whose upper end projects upward from the case 34.

A worm wheel 38 is fixed to the drive shaft 30 and is meshed with the worm 37a.

When the motor 35 rotates, its output shaft 35a, pinion gear 36, and crown gear 37
b. The drive shaft 30 is rotated via the worm shaft 37, the worm 37a, and the worm wheel 38.

Reference numeral 39 denotes a spring contact made of a leaf spring material, the center part of which is fixed to the drive shaft 30, and contacts 39a, 39b formed at both ends. And this spring contact 3
9 is connected to a power source.

A printed circuit board 40 is fixed within the case 34 and is arranged to face the spring contact 39. On the surface of the printed circuit board 40 facing the spring contact 39, fixed electrodes 41a and 41b each having a quarter arc shape are provided.
is formed. These fixed electrodes 41
a and 41b are located on the rotation locus of the contacts 39a and 39b of the spring contact 39,
Moreover, the fixed electrodes 41a and 41b are located on opposite sides, that is, 180 degrees apart on the circumference. Also,
The spring contact 39 has its contacts 39a, 3
9b is the fixed electrode 41a, 41 of the printed circuit board 40
b is positioned so as to come into elastic contact with the surface on which is formed.

(e-3 control circuit) [Figure 9] FIG. 9 shows the control circuit.

42 is a relay coil, 43 and 44 are relay contact parts, 43c and 44c are common terminals, 43
A and 44a are a contacts, and 43b and 44b are b contacts. One common terminal 43c is connected to a forward rotation terminal 45f of the motor 35, and the other common terminal 44c is connected to a reverse rotation terminal 45r of the motor 35. Further, one a-contact 43a is connected to one of the fixed electrodes 41a, and the other a-contact 43a is connected to one of the fixed electrodes 41a.
4a is grounded. Furthermore, one b contact 43
b is grounded, and the other b contact 44b is connected to the other fixed electrode 41b.

46 is a cornering switch, one end of the relay coil 42 is connected to a power source via this cornering switch 46, and the other end is grounded.

(e-4 Operation) In the above-mentioned reflector rotation mechanism, when the cornering switch 46 is closed, the relay coil 4
2, and each common terminal 43c, 4 of the relay
4c are connected to the respective a contacts 43a and 44a. Therefore, power supply → spring contact 39
→One contact 39a of the spring contact 39
→One fixed electrode 41a →A contact 43a of relay
→ Common terminal 43c → Normal rotation terminal 45 of motor 35
f→Reverse rotation terminal 45r of motor 35→Common terminal 4
A current flows through the path 4c→a contact 44a→ground, and the motor 35 rotates in the normal direction. When the motor 35 rotates in the normal direction, the rotation is caused by its output shaft 35a, pinion gear 36, crown gear 37b, and worm shaft 3.
7, the signal is transmitted to the drive shaft 30 via the worm 37a and the worm wheel 38, and the drive shaft 30
The drive arm 32 is rotated in the clockwise direction in the figures and FIG. 6, and therefore the drive arm 32 fixed thereto is rotated in the clockwise direction. Then, the link lever 33 rotatably connected to the tip of the drive arm 32 is moved to the right in FIGS. 5 and 6. As a result, the rotating arm 28 connected to the link lever 33 is rotated in the clockwise direction, and the movable reflector 18 is rotated through the support shaft 22 that rotates integrally with the rotating arm 28. The portion 19 is rotated so as to face toward the lower left in FIG. Therefore, the optical axis xs-xs of the reflecting portion 19 of the movable reflector 18 points to the front right side of the automobile in which this automotive lamp 1 is mounted, and the light reflected by the movable reflector 18 is irradiated in this direction. That will happen.

As described above, when the drive shaft 30 rotates, the spring contact 39 also rotates clockwise, and when the spring contact 39 rotates approximately 90 degrees (the state shown by the two-dot chain line in FIG. 9), the spring contact 39 rotates clockwise.
One contact point 39a of is removed from contact with the fixed electrode 41a. Then, the portion between the fixed electrode 41a and the spring contact 39 in the power supply path is opened, so that the motor 35 stops rotating.

Therefore, when the cornering lamp is no longer needed, the cornering switch 46 is opened.

Then, the common terminals 43c, 4 of the relay coil
4c are both connected to b contacts 43b and 44b. Therefore, power supply → spring contact 39 →
The other contact 39b of the spring contact 39→
b contact 44b → common terminal 44c → reverse rotation terminal 45r of motor 35 → forward rotation terminal 45f → common terminal 4
A current flows through the path 3c→b contact 43b→ground, and the motor 35 is reversed.

Therefore, the drive shaft 30 is rotated counterclockwise, and the movable reflector 18 is rotated counterclockwise via the drive arm 32, link lever 33, and rotation arm 28, returning to its original state, i.e. , its optical axis xs
-xs is returned to the state in which it faces in the same direction as the main optical axis x-x (this position is referred to as a "neutral position").
During this time, the spring contact 39 is also connected to the drive shaft 3.
0 and rotated counterclockwise, and when the other contact 39b rotates approximately 90 degrees, the other contact 39b connects to the fixed electrode 41.
b, and the motor 35 stops.

In the above configuration, the cornering switch 46
When closed, the movable reflector 18 was designed to rotate so as to illuminate the front right side of the vehicle body.
In order to illuminate the front left side of the vehicle body, the direction of the drive arm 32 is changed as shown in Fig. 7.
Just change it 180 degrees. By doing this, when the motor 35 rotates normally and the drive shaft 30 rotates clockwise, the link lever 33 will move to the left in FIG. The movable arm 28 rotates counterclockwise, and the movable reflector 18 rotates so as to illuminate the front left side of the vehicle body. Then, when the cornering switch 46 is released, the movable reflecting mirror 18 returns to its original position.

Therefore, the automobile lights for right corners shown in Figures 5 and 6 were placed on the right side of the front of the car body, and the car lights for left corners shown in Figure 7 were placed on the left side of the front of the car body. Then, when the movable reflectors 18, 18 of both lamps are moved from the neutral position, cornering light distributions 48, 48 that are continuous on both sides of the original light distribution 47 are obtained as shown in FIG. When driving on a winding road, you can clearly see the shoulders on both sides of the road.

(f Neutral position regulating means) [Figures 5 and 7] 49 is a neutral position regulating means.

50a and 59b are regulating pieces, and each regulating piece 50
The bases of a and 50b are rotatably supported by the support shaft 22. And regulation pieces 50a, 50b
A tension spring 51 is tensioned between the tips of the . Therefore, the regulating pieces 50a, 50b are always urged in a direction to close the gap between them, and are in elastic contact with the engaging piece 29a formed on the rotating arm 28 from both sides.

Reference numeral 52 denotes a stopper fixed to the upper surface of the fixed reflecting mirror 10, and the tips of the regulating pieces 50a and 50b are in contact with each other from opposite sides when the movable reflecting mirror 18 is in the neutral position.

Therefore, when the rotating arm 28 rotates clockwise, the regulating piece 50b is pushed by the engaging piece 29a and rotates clockwise together with the rotating arm 28, but the regulating piece 50a is pushed by the stopper 52. Since the tension spring 51 is prevented from rotating clockwise, the tension spring 51 is expanded.

Further, when the rotating arm 28 is rotated counterclockwise, the regulating piece 50a is pushed by the engaging piece 29a and rotates counterclockwise together with the rotating arm 28, and the regulating piece 50b is moved toward the stopper 52. Since rotation in the counterclockwise direction is prevented by , the tension spring 51 is expanded.

When the movable reflector 18 is returned to the neutral position, if the motor 35 rotates insufficiently and stops short of the neutral position, or conversely, if the motor 35 overruns and passes the neutral position, In any case, since the tension spring 51 is in an expanded state, its tensile force is applied to the regulating piece 50a.
50b and to return the rotating arm 28 to the neutral position via the engagement piece 29a, the motor 35 is not braked when the cornering switch 46 is open, and the rotation is prevented. Arm 28 will be returned to the neutral position.
In this way, when not performing its function as a cornering lamp, the pivot arm 28 is always correctly located in the neutral position.

In addition, when an overrun occurs, the rotating arm 28
Compared to stopping directly with a stopper,
The impact applied to the rotating arm 28 and others can be alleviated.

(g Lens Element) [Fig. 2] 53 is a window formed in the lens 3. Does the window portion 53 have only a slight diffusion or refraction effect?
Alternatively, it is formed in a state where there is no light at all, and corresponds to a position where even if the movable reflector 18 moves among the reflecting portions 12 of the fixed reflector 10, it will not be disturbed by the movable reflector 18, and the light reflected by the movable reflector 18 It is installed in a part where it does not pass through. For right corner irradiation, a window 53 is placed on the right side facing the lens 3.
is provided.

By providing such a window portion 53 in the lens 3, a hot zone of the pattern irradiated to the front of the vehicle body is secured. In addition, the movable reflecting mirror 18
Since the cornering light distribution is located at a position where the irradiation light does not pass through, it is possible to prevent the cornering light distribution from becoming too bright compared to other parts of the light distribution (particularly the light distribution toward the front of the vehicle).

Reference numeral 54 denotes a wide-angle diffusion section in which a diffusion lens element with a high degree of diffusion in the horizontal direction is formed, and is formed at a portion through which reflected light passes when the movable reflecting mirror 18 is rotated from the neutral position.

With such a wide-angle diffuser 54, the light reflected by the movable reflector 18 toward the front and sides of the vehicle body is greatly diffused in the horizontal direction, making it possible to irradiate a wider lateral area. It is possible to prevent the side light distribution from becoming too bright compared to other parts of the light distribution.

In other parts of the lens 3, lens elements with relatively small horizontal diffusion angles are formed.

(G Effect of the Invention) As is clear from the above description, the automotive lamp of the present invention includes a fixed reflector facing in the main optical axis direction and a fixed reflector that is rotatably supported laterally in one lamp chamber. a window portion having a small or no lens effect on a portion of the lens disposed in front of the two reflecting mirrors on the opposite side to the direction in which the movable reflecting mirror is rotated and irradiated; It is characterized by the formation of

Therefore, according to the present invention, by rotating the movable reflector, it is possible to illuminate the front side of the vehicle body, so that in addition to its original function, it can also function as a cornering lamp when necessary. Furthermore, even when functioning as a cornering lamp, the area ahead of the runway is brightly illuminated through the window.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

Figures 1 to 10 show an example of the implementation of the automotive lamp of the present invention, with Figure 1 being an overall exploded perspective view, Figure 2 being a front view with the lamp cover removed, and Figure 3 being a front view with the lamp cover removed. Haha A cross-sectional view taken along the - line in Figure 2 with the lamp cover attached, Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along the - line in Figure 3, and Figure 5 is a plan view with the lamp body removed. Figure 6 is a partially cutaway plan view showing a state in which the movable reflector has been moved from the state shown in Figure 5, and Figure 7 is a partially cutaway plan view showing the state in which the movable reflector is moved in the opposite direction to that shown in Figure 5. 8 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view showing the drive section of the reflector rotation mechanism, FIG. 9 is a view showing the control circuit, FIG. 10 is a view showing light distribution, and FIG. 11 is a plan view excluding the lamp body. 1 is a schematic diagram showing an example of arrangement of conventional lighting equipment. Explanation of symbols: 1... Automobile lamp, 10... Fixed reflecting mirror, 18... Movable reflecting mirror, 53... Window section.

Claims (1)

[Scope of Claims] 1. A fixed reflector facing in the main optical axis direction and a movable reflector rotatably supported to one side are arranged in one lamp chamber, and the front side of the two reflectors is provided. An automotive lamp characterized in that a window portion having a small or no lens effect is formed in a portion of the lens arranged on the opposite side to the direction in which the movable reflecting mirror is rotated to irradiate light.