JPH08298003A - Vehicle headlamp - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: To form a low beam or a high beam, by obtaining a secondary light distribution effected due to the overflow of a main light distribution when a sub-reflector, having a shape wherein the sub-reflector is extended in one radiation direction from an optical axis, is rotated, with the optical axis as a center, to be positioned horizontally and vertically. CONSTITUTION: When a sub-reflector 8 is at an upper position Pu, light, proceeding upward out of luminous flux emitted from a light source S, is reflected by a sub-reflector 8 to proceed downward to form secondary light distribution, overflowed downward than main light distribution reflected by a reflector 3, thereby obtaining low beam light distribution Bd. This low beam condition is the condition of a headlamp 1 in a normal straight proceeding condition of a vehicle. Adversely, when the sub-reflector 8 is at a lower position Pd, light, reflected by the sub-reflector 8, proceeds upward to form secondary light distribution overflowed upward than main light distribution reflected by the reflector 3, thereby obtaining high beam light distribution Bu. When the sub- reflector 8 is at a right or a left position Pr or Pe, secondary light distribution Be or Br is formed which is overflowed left or right than the main light distribution reflected by the reflector 3.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a vehicle headlamp in which a sub-reflector is installed in a lamp body and the sub-reflector is movable to change the light distribution.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art An example of this type of vehicle headlight is described in Japanese Patent Publication No. 2-6163. FIG. 9 shows an exploded perspective view of a main part of the headlight disclosed in the same example. lens
A light bulb 03 is vertically inserted from below into a lamp body formed by 01 and a fixed reflector 02.

Along the reflecting surface 02a of the fixed reflector 02, a reflecting portion 04a having a vertically long rectangular shape and an inner surface formed into a paraboloid of revolution, and the upper and lower end portions of the reflecting portion 04a are directed forward. The movable reflector 04 is formed by integrally forming the projecting mounting pieces 04b and 04c.
The upper and lower mounting pieces 04b and 04c are vertically pivotally supported, and the reflecting portion 04 is provided.
a is rotatably supported.

A support hole is formed in the center of the lower mounting piece 04c of the movable reflector 04, and the bulb 03
Is inserted and supported via the bulb mounting ring 05. A support shaft 06 penetrating the upper wall of the fixed reflector 02 is fixed to the upper mounting piece 04b of the movable reflector 04, and a rotating arm is provided above the support shaft 06.
The base of 07 is fixed, while the drive shaft of drive mechanism 08 is 09
The base of the drive arm 010 is fixed to the
The tip of 0 and the tip of the rotating arm 07 are linked lever 011
Are connected by.

Therefore, the rotation of the drive shaft 09 of the drive mechanism 08 rotates the rotation arm 07 via the link lever 011 and the rotation of the rotation arm 07 rotates the movable reflector 04 via the support shaft 06. The movable reflector 04 is moved to a fixed reflector 02 with the reflecting portion 04 having a paraboloid of rotation as a central axis of rotation.
It can be rotated along the reflection surface 02a. A neutral position restricting means 012 for urging the movable reflector 04 so as to always face the front is provided.

The movable reflector 04 is driven by the drive mechanism 08.
Is rotated to the right to obtain continuous cornering light distribution on the left side of the light distribution of the fixed reflector 02, and conversely, when the movable reflector 04 is rotated to the left side, continuous cornering light distribution to the right side of the light distribution of the fixed reflector 02 is obtained. Light is obtained.

[0007]

As described above, in the example described in the above-mentioned conventional publication, it is possible to adjust the light distribution to the left and right by rotating the movable reflector to the left and right with the complicated rotating mechanism. It is not possible to control the light distribution to the high beam and the low beam. Therefore, a separate high beam lamp is required.

The present invention has been made in view of the above points,
The purpose of this is to provide a vehicle headlamp that is capable of controlling the light distribution to the left and right as well as the light distribution to the left and right despite the simple structure of a single light source of one light source.

[0009]

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a light source and a light beam positioned behind the light source, which reflects the light beam emitted from the light source and irradiates the light beam forward. A reflector that forms a main light distribution in the front, and a shape that is developed in one radial direction from the optical axis along the reflecting surface of the reflector, is provided so as to be rotatable around the optical axis as the central axis of rotation, and is emitted from the light source. A sub-reflector that reflects a part of the luminous flux and forms a sub-light distribution that partially protrudes from the main light distribution, a drive unit that drives the sub-reflector to turn, and a running state of the vehicle or an operation instruction of an occupant. The vehicle headlamp is provided with a control means for controlling the drive means based on the above.

Since the sub-reflector having a shape expanded in one radial direction from the optical axis turns about the optical axis as the turning center axis, the sub-reflector is positioned vertically and horizontally along the reflecting surface of the reflector despite the simple structure. When located to the left or right, it is possible to obtain a sub-light distribution that extends the main light distribution to either the left or right, and when it is located above or below, obtain the sub-light distribution that protrudes either above or below the main light distribution. A low beam or a high beam can be formed.

A traveling direction signal output means for detecting a traveling direction of the vehicle and outputting a traveling direction signal is provided, and the control means inputs and processes the traveling direction signal of the traveling direction signal output means to process the driving means. By controlling and setting the sub-reflector to a predetermined turning position to obtain the sub-light distribution that is out of the main light distribution by the reflector in a required direction, it is possible to appropriately adjust the light distribution according to the traveling condition.

[0012]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of the present invention shown in FIGS. 1 to 7 will be described below. FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of the headlight 1.
And illustrated in FIG. A lens 2 having a substantially rectangular shape that is long in the left-right width direction and a reflector 3 having a large recess in the rear thereof and having an inner surface as a reflective surface form a lamp body, and a circular hole at the center of the reflector 3 enters the lamp body. The valve 4 is protrudingly supported.

The reflector 3 is a parabolic mirror, the light source S of the bulb 4 is located substantially at the focal point of the parabolic surface, and the light beam emitted from the light source of the bulb 4 is reflected by the reflector 3 to the front. It is irradiated and forms the main light distribution in front of the optical axis.

A cylindrical member 5 is rotatably interposed via bearing members 6 and 7 between the base portion 4a of the valve 4 and the opening edge of the circular hole at the center of the reflector 3, and the cylindrical member is provided. 5, a sub-reflector 8 is fan-shaped in one radial direction from the optical axis along the reflecting surface of the reflector 3 at the end of the lamp body.
The base end of is fixed. The sub-reflector 8 forms a paraboloid along the reflecting surface of the reflector 3, but its focus F is located behind the light source S (see FIG. 3).

Further, on the outer periphery of the end of the cylindrical member 5 outside the lamp body,
The gear 9 is fitted, and the gear 9 is meshed with the gear 11 fitted to the drive shaft of the stepping motor 10. Therefore, when the stepping motor 10 is driven, the cylindrical member 5 rotates about the optical axis L via the meshing of the gears 11 and 12, and the rotation of the cylindrical member 5 causes the sub-reflector 8 integrated with this to rotate the optical axis L. Turn to the central axis.

FIG. 2 is a front view of the headlamp 1 in which the lens 2 is removed. In FIG. 2, the sub-reflector 8 is in the upper position Pu in a solid line, and when the sub-reflector 8 is in the upper position Pu, it is 2
As shown by the dotted line, it can be located at the lower position Pd, the left position (the right position in FIG. 2, which is a front view) Pl, and the right position (the left position in FIG. 2) Pr.

When the sub-reflector 8 is at the upper position Pu, as shown by the solid line in FIG. 3, of the light flux emitted from the light source S, the light that goes upward is reflected by the sub-reflector 8 and proceeds downward, so that the reflector 3 A sub-beam distribution that protrudes downward from the main light distribution reflected by is formed, and a low-beam light distribution Bd is obtained as shown by the solid line in FIG. This low beam state is the state of the headlight 1 in a normal straight traveling state.

On the contrary, when the sub-reflector 8 is at the lower position Pd, the light reflected by the sub-reflector 8 travels upward as shown by the broken line in FIG. 3 and protrudes above the main light distribution reflected by the reflector 3. The secondary light distribution is formed to obtain the high beam light distribution Bu as shown by the broken line in FIG.

When the sub-reflector 8 is at the right position Pr, the light reflected by the sub-reflector 8 travels to the left as shown by the solid line in FIG. 5 to the left of the main light distribution reflected by the reflector 3. A light distribution Bl that forms a sub-light distribution that bulges out and bulges to the left as shown by the solid line in FIG.

On the contrary, when the sub-reflector 8 is at the left position Pl, the light reflected by the sub-reflector 8 advances to the right as shown by the broken line in FIG. A light distribution Br that forms a sub-light distribution that bulges out and bulges to the right as shown by the broken line in FIG.

As described above, the sub-reflector 8 is rotated by the driving of the stepping motor 10, and a desired position is selected from the upper, lower, left and right positions to set the sub-reflector 8. The driving of the stepping motor 10 is controlled by the light distribution control ECU 20, and a schematic block diagram of this control system will be described with reference to FIG.

The automobile 1 is equipped with a navigation system 30, and the light distribution control ECU 20 obtains map information and vehicle position information from the navigation system 30 and a vertical light distribution changeover switch 21 which is turned on and off by operating a winker lever. The direction signal of the turn switch 22, the direction signal of the turn switch 22, the steering angle signal of the steering angle sensor 23 for detecting the direction of the steered wheels, the vehicle speed signal of the vehicle speed sensor 24 for detecting the vehicle speed, etc. And outputs an instruction signal to the motor driver 25 to determine the position and set the same position, and the motor driver 25 drives the stepping motor 10.

The navigation system 30 will be briefly described. The navigation system E which is the control center.
In the CU 31, the current position detection unit 32 receives the detection signals of the gyro sensor 33 and the vehicle speed sensor 24 to calculate the moving position to obtain the own vehicle position, performs map matching and G
Accurate detection of the vehicle position is performed by correcting the vehicle position obtained from the satellite radio wave received by the PS receiver 34. The vehicle position thus obtained is displayed on the display 36 together with the road data output by the map information output device 35.

In the navigation system 30, a large number of predetermined points (nodes) that can be sequentially traced along the road are set. In other words, the nodes set along the road on the map have different intervals between nodes depending on the location. Normally, the interval is set large on a straight road part and narrow on a curved road part, and Is always set to a node.

Various road information on the map is stored in association with each node. The navigation system 30 also has a route guidance function of deriving the shortest route to the destination and guiding it along the route.

An example of the light distribution control controlled by the above control system will be described. First, the vertical light distribution changeover switch 21 indicates a low beam in a normal traveling state, and the sub-reflector 8 is in the upper position when traveling straight. It forms a low beam in Pu. In this state, when the turn switch 22 gives a left turn instruction or the steering angle sensor 23 outputs a left turn steering detection signal, the sub-reflector 8 is turned to the right side position Pr, and the sub-reflector 8 is turned to the left direction. Increase the light distribution.

On the contrary, when the turn switch 22 indicates a right turn or the steering angle sensor 23 outputs a right turn steering detection signal, the sub-reflector 8 is turned to the left position Pl, and the sub-reflector 8 is turned to the right. Increase the light distribution to. Further, when the navigation system 30 detects that there is a curve ahead of the road on which the vehicle is traveling, based on the map information and the current position of the vehicle, it increases the light distribution in the direction of the curve before entering the curve. In order to do so, the sub reflector 8 is turned to the right position Pr or the left position Pl.

In this way, the visibility can be improved by directing the light distribution in the traveling direction earlier before entering the curve. As described above, when the vertical light distribution changeover switch 21 indicates the low beam, the sub-reflector 8 is controlled to turn to the right position Pr or the left position Pl based on the upper position Pu.

On the other hand, when the vertical light distribution changeover switch 21 is switched to the high beam side, the sub reflector 8 turns straight to the lower position Pd to form a high beam. The sub-reflector 8 is based on the lower position Pd, and similarly to the above, under the instruction of the turn switch 22, the steering angle sensor 23 and the navigation system 30, the right position Pr or the left position Pl.
Turn to. In this way, the light distribution control according to the traveling conditions can be easily performed.

As described above, not only the cornering light distribution to the left and right but also the vertical distribution is achieved although the sub-reflector 8 has a simple structure in which the optical axis L is rotated about the central axis of rotation, which is advantageous in terms of cost. It is possible to distribute light, that is, low beam and high beam, and it is not necessary to separately prepare a lamp for high beam.

In the above embodiment, since the focus of the parabolic mirror of the sub reflector 8 is located behind the light source, the sub light distribution is formed in the direction opposite to the position where the sub reflector 8 is located. As shown, the focus F of the parabolic mirror of the sub-reflector 51 is set to the light source S of the bulb (generally the focus position of the reflector 50).
By positioning it further forward,
The sub light distribution can be formed in the same direction where 51 is located.

That is, as shown in FIG. 8, when the sub-reflector 51 which swivels around the optical axis L along the reflector 50 is located at the lower position Pd, the light reflected by the sub-reflector 51 travels downward to form a low beam. Form. Therefore, conversely, when the sub-reflector 51 is located at the upper position Pu, the light reflected by the sub-reflector 51 goes upward and forms a high beam. When the sub reflector 51 is located at the right position Pr, the sub light distribution is formed in the right direction, and when it is located at the left position Pl, the sub light distribution is formed in the left direction.

The sub-reflector is not limited to a parabolic mirror, but a plane mirror or the like can be used. In the above embodiments, the low beam, the high beam, and the left and right light distribution can be realized with one light source, but a main lamp body can be separately prepared to perform the main light distribution, and the lamp body of the present application can be used supplementarily. .

[0034]

According to the present invention, since the sub-reflector having a shape expanded in one radial direction from the optical axis revolves around the optical axis, the sub-reflector can be positioned vertically and horizontally despite the simple structure. When it is located to the left or right, it is possible to obtain a sub light distribution that extends the main light distribution to either the left or right, and when it is located above or below, obtain the sub light distribution that protrudes either above or below the main light distribution to obtain a low beam. Alternatively, a high beam can be formed.

Further, the control means controls the drive means based on the detection signal of the steering angle sensor, the signal of the direction indicating switch and the traveling direction signal of the road data of the navigation system to set the sub reflector to a predetermined turning position and the reflector. By obtaining the sub-light distribution that extends in the required direction from the main light distribution by, the light distribution can be appropriately adjusted according to the traveling conditions.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic side sectional view of a headlamp according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a front view of the headlight with a lens removed.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing a state in which light is vertically reflected by a sub reflector of the headlight.

FIG. 4 is a side view showing a vertical light distribution state.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing a state in which light is reflected to the left and right by the sub reflector.

FIG. 6 is a plan view showing a light distribution state in the left-right direction.

FIG. 7 is a schematic block diagram of a control system of this embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a schematic side sectional view of a headlamp according to another embodiment.

FIG. 9 is an exploded perspective view of a main part of a conventional headlight.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 ... Headlight, 2 ... Lens, 3 ... Reflector, 4 ... Bulb, 5 ... Cylindrical member, 6,7 ... Bearing member, 8 ... Sub-reflector, 9 ... Gear, 10 ... Stepping motor, 11, 12 ... Gear, 20 ... Light distribution control ECU, 21 ... Vertical light distribution changeover switch, 22 ... Turn switch, 23 ... Steering angle sensor, 24 ... Vehicle speed sensor, 25 ... Motor driver, 30 ... Navigation system, 31 ... Navigation system ECU, 32 ... Present Position detection unit, 33 ... Gyro sensor, 34 ... GPS receiver, 35 ... Map information output device, 36 ... Display, 50 ... Reflector, 51 ... Sub-reflector, 52 ... Valve.

Claims (2)

[Claims] 1. A light source, a reflector that covers the back of the light source and reflects a light beam emitted from the light source to irradiate the light beam forward to form a main light distribution in front of the optical axis, and the reflector along the reflection surface of the reflector. A sub-shape that is formed in a single radial direction from the optical axis, is provided so as to be rotatable around the optical axis, and reflects a part of the light beam emitted from the light source to partially protrude from the main light distribution. A vehicle comprising: a sub-reflector that forms a light distribution; a drive unit that drives the sub-reflector to turn; and a control unit that controls the drive unit based on a running state of the vehicle or an operation instruction of an occupant. Headlight. 2. A traveling direction signal output means for detecting a traveling direction of the vehicle and outputting a traveling direction signal, wherein the control means inputs and processes the traveling direction signal of the traveling direction signal output means to perform the driving. 2. The vehicle headlamp according to claim 1, wherein the sub-reflector is set to a predetermined turning position by controlling the means to obtain a sub-light distribution which is out of a main light distribution by the reflector in a required direction.