JPH1145606A - Vehicular headlight - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To select the beam light distribution according to a surrounding condition and a road surface condition due to the weather when passing by each other, by providing a vehicular headlight by respectively arranging reflecting mirrors having plural different light distribution characteristics and light sources in the vicinity of its focus. SOLUTION: A vehicular headlight 10 has a wide light distribution reflecting mirror 11 to obtain the wide light distribution, a narrow light distribution reflecting mirror 12 to obtain the narrow light distribution and a leftward rising light distribution reflecting mirror 13 (having the maximum light distribution in a position of 15 degrees to a horizontal line). Three light sources 14, 15 and 16 are arranged in the vicinity of a focus of the respective reflecting mirrors. One's own traffic lane at nighttime travel time when a road surface is invisible by rain and mist, is made easily visible by a combination of the wide light distribution by the wide light distribution reflecting mirror 11 and a light distribution pattern by the leftward rising light distribution reflecting mirror 13. A road surface light distribution pattern optimal for nighttime travel at fine weather time is also obtained by a light distribution pattern by a combination of the narrow light distribution reflecting mirror 12 and the leftward rising light distribution reflecting mirror 13.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to switching of a light distribution pattern for passing a headlight for a vehicle. The present invention relates to a passing beam of a vehicle headlamp for providing an optimum light distribution on a road surface according to a road surface condition on which a driver runs.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventional vehicle headlamps are roughly classified into two types.
There are light-type headlights and four-light type headlights. FIG. 6 shows a two-lamp headlamp, and FIG. 7 shows a four-lamp headlamp. These general headlamps are used for traveling at relatively high speeds, such as in suburbs, and when there are few oncoming vehicles, and at low speed, for example, in urban areas, when passing at relatively low speeds and when there are many oncoming vehicles. -It is possible to switch between programs. FIG.
The light distribution patterns for passing each other are shown in FIG. 1 and are shown as rising upward to the left at an angle of 15 degrees from the horizontal direction.

[0003] A two-lamp type headlamp 60 shown in Fig. 6 has a traveling reflecting surface 63 for forming a traveling light distribution for irradiating a distant place and a passing reflecting surface for forming a passing light distribution for irradiating below the horizontal. The light source 61 is arranged near the focal point of each reflection surface. The switching between the traveling beam and the passing beam is performed by switching the reflecting surface to be used between the traveling reflecting surface 63 and the passing reflecting surface 62 by switching the filament with a switch provided separately.

[0004] A four-lamp type headlamp 70 shown in FIG. 7 includes a traveling reflecting mirror 73 for forming a traveling light distribution for irradiating a distant place and a passing reflecting mirror for forming a passing light distribution for irradiating below the horizontal. The light source 71 is arranged near the focal point of each reflecting mirror. Switching between the traveling beam and the passing beam is performed by switching the lighting of the traveling reflecting mirror 73 and the passing reflecting mirror 72 by switching the filament by using a switch provided separately. . However, the passing beam includes only the passing reflecting mirror 72, and the traveling beam includes the passing reflecting mirror 72 and the traveling reflecting mirror 73.

Further, some vehicle headlamps use an H4 bulb having two filaments which can be switched to a light source, and switch between a traveling beam and a passing beam by the light source.

[0006]

In a conventional vehicle headlamp, only the switching between driving and passing is considered, and the light distribution on the road is fixed. Select the halfway light distribution characteristics, such as if it is impossible or impossible to obtain light distribution characteristics corresponding to all road surface conditions such as highway, sunny weather, rainy weather, fog, snowfall and surrounding conditions and weather etc. I had to do it. For this reason, some users install auxiliary lamps according to their preference so that they can travel more comfortably and safely.

In recent years, the number of oncoming vehicles has decreased due to the increase in the number of vehicles and the development of road facilities, and it is rarely seen that the vehicle is running on a passing beam. For this reason, it has been demanded that the passing beam light distribution can be changed in accordance with a road surface condition such as a surrounding condition or weather.

Further, among vehicle headlamps, there has been considered one in which a reflecting surface for passing light distribution is movable. However, a vehicle speed sensor or a facing sensor is used in order for a driver to instantly move the reflecting surface for passing light. A complicated drive means including a vehicle detection sensor and an optical axis drive actuator is required, resulting in an increase in cost.

[0009]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In view of the above-mentioned problems, the present invention determines a predetermined number of light distribution patterns for passing a vehicle headlamp in advance according to the road surface conditions such as surrounding conditions and weather. Every
A plurality of reflectors having different light distribution characteristics and a vehicle headlight in which light sources in the vicinity of the focal point are arranged are formed.
A headlamp for a vehicle is proposed, in which a light distribution pattern suitable for a road surface condition can be easily selected so that the vehicle can be driven more comfortably.

[0010] Further, it has a plurality of reflecting mirrors, each having different light distribution characteristics, and light sources respectively arranged near the focal points of the reflecting mirrors, and the light sources are connected to a control unit through conductive members. The control unit performs control to change the power of each light source so that the light distribution pattern can be varied.

[0011]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS A vehicle headlamp 10 according to a first embodiment of the present invention shown in FIG. 1 has the same overall size as the conventional one, and has three light distribution characteristics different from each other. Reflector 1
Three light sources 14, 15, 16 are arranged near the focal points of the reflecting mirrors 1, 12, 13 respectively. In detail, a wide light distribution reflecting mirror 11 for obtaining a wide light distribution, a narrow light distribution reflecting mirror 12 for obtaining a narrow light distribution, and an upwardly reflecting light distribution reflecting mirror 13 are provided. I have. What is a light distribution that rises to the left?
As shown in FIG. 8, MAX is placed at a position of 15 degrees with respect to the horizontal line.
It is a light distribution with a section. By combining the light distributions formed by these reflecting mirrors, a light distribution pattern such as rain or fog and a light distribution pattern when it is sunny are formed.

FIG. 2A shows a wide light distribution A formed by a wide light distribution reflecting mirror 11 for obtaining a wide light distribution.
And a light distribution pattern formed by the light distribution mirror C for upward light distribution formed by the upwardly reflecting light reflection mirror 13 for facilitating the visibility of the own traffic lane during night driving when it is difficult to see the road surface such as rain or fog. It is.

FIG. 2B shows a spot light distribution B formed by a narrow light distribution reflector 12 for obtaining a narrow light distribution and a light distribution reflector 13 raised to the left. The road surface light distribution pattern obtained by combining the light distribution C rising to the left is an optimum road surface light distribution pattern when the vehicle is running at night when it is sunny.

Further, the brightness of the total is not to be deviated by the combination of the reflectors to be turned on.
As described above, the light distribution pattern such as the surrounding situation and the weather is previously determined in several ways, so that the driver can switch to the optimal light distribution pattern according to the road surface condition. Further, in this embodiment, only the light distribution of the passing beam is described, but in order to obtain the light distribution of the traveling beam, a passing lamp using a halogen lamp having two filaments such as an H4 halogen lamp is used.
The switching between the filament for the beam and the filament for the traveling beam may be performed.

As described above, a headlamp having the same size as the conventional headlamp as a whole has three or more small plural reflecting surfaces, and one reflecting surface is provided for each of the reflecting surfaces. A light source is provided, and a number of light distribution patterns are determined in advance, and a plurality of reflecting surfaces are combined and turned on to determine an appropriate road surface light distribution.

Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the configuration diagram of FIG. 3 (a) and the example of FIG. 3 (b). A vehicle headlamp 30 shown in FIG. 3A has a wide light distribution A formed by arranging and illuminating a wide light distribution reflector 31 having a wide light distribution characteristic and a light source 33 near a focal point thereof. A light distribution pattern combining a narrow light distribution reflecting mirror 32 having a narrow light distribution characteristic with a light source 34 in the vicinity of the focal point thereof and a spot light distribution B formed by turning on the narrow light distribution characteristic. Are formed.

The light sources 33 and 34 are connected to a control unit 35, which changes the power consumed by each light source. The control unit 35 is connected to a balance switch 37 of an operation panel of a driver seat provided inside the vehicle body by a conductive member 36. The light amount of the wide light distribution A and the light intensity of the spot light distribution B are adjusted by a balance switch 37.
By moving the adjustment lever 38 provided to the left and right to adjust, the light distribution pattern for passing can be adjusted so that the driver can travel comfortably according to the road surface conditions such as the surrounding conditions and the weather.

FIG. 3B shows an example of power control, which is set so that the total power consumption is 60 watts. When the light source 34 near the focal point of the narrow light distribution reflector 32 is 20 watts, the light source 33 near the focal point of the wide light distribution reflector 31 is 40 watts. This is effective for making it easier to see the lane when traveling. When the light source 34 is 30 watts, the light source 33 is 30 watts, which is effective to make it easy to see the own lane when the visibility at night when traveling in rainy weather is slightly poor. Also, when the light source 34 is 40 watts, the light source 33 is 20 watts, and it may be used when the visibility is good when running at night on a sunny day.

FIGS. 5A to 5D show specific examples of the power control unit. FIG. 5A shows a battery 51 and left and right bulbs 5.
2 and its filament 55 and their lighting ON /
This is a circuit including a semiconductor switch (FET) 53 to be turned off and a PWM control circuit 54. By changing the ON / OFF ratio by the PWM control circuit 54, the duty is changed to adjust the power supplied to the left and right. FIG. 5 (b)
In the case where the frequency of the inverter section is changed in the portion to be fed back, the voltage applied to the bulb is changed to change the electric power. FIG. 5C shows a case where the output of the switching type constant voltage circuit is changed and the power is changed in the feedback portion. FIG. 5D shows a case where a resistor is provided between the battery and the electric bulb, and the power is changed by selecting the resistor.

As described above, a plurality of reflecting surfaces are provided in one lamp, and a light source is provided near a focal point of each of the plurality of reflecting surfaces. It is designed and manufactured so that the irradiated pattern is emitted.

The conductive members connected to the respective light sources are gathered in one control unit and then connected to a power supply and a switch on the vehicle body side. The control unit controls the power consumed by each light source, and changes the ratio of the power of each light source.

The driver can change the balance of the brightness of each light source by moving the balance switch provided in the driver's seat, so that the optimum light distribution characteristics can be set according to the surrounding conditions and weather. You can run.

Next, FIGS. 4A to 4D show a third embodiment of the present invention. The first embodiment of the present invention, in which a light distribution pattern is formed by combining different light distribution characteristics, and the second embodiment of the present invention, in which the output ratio of each light source in the light distribution pattern is changed. Is a third embodiment. A vehicle lamp 10 having the same size as a conventional vehicle as a whole is similar to FIG. 1, and has three reflecting mirrors 11, 12, and 13 having different light distribution characteristics, and a light source 14, Numerals 15 and 16 are arranged to form light distribution patterns combining different light distribution patterns. In addition, the light sources 14, 15, and 16 are each connected to a control unit 35, and the control unit 35 changes the ratio of power consumed by each light source. An example of a light distribution pattern in which different reflecting surfaces are lit in combination and power control thereof will be described with reference to FIGS. 4 (a) to 4 (d). Here, the total power consumption is set to be 60 W as in the second embodiment.

FIG. 4A shows a case in which the light source 15 near the focal point of the narrow light distribution reflecting mirror 12 is controlled to be 0 watt (not lit). It forms a road surface light distribution pattern for night driving in fog. Furthermore,
The controller 35 sets the light distribution C to 20 w when the light distribution A is 40 w and makes it easier to see the own traffic lane especially during nighttime driving in bad weather such as dense fog. When the light distribution A becomes 30w and 20w, the light distribution C naturally becomes 30w and 40w. As described above, the A + C light distribution pattern is the optimum road surface light distribution pattern during nighttime rainy weather as described in the first embodiment, but the balance provided on the operation panel of the driver's seat. By changing the ratio of the electric power by the switch, it is possible to make an adjustment to a driver's easy-to-see preference.

FIG. 4B shows a case in which the light source 14 near the focal point of the wide light distribution reflecting mirror 11 is controlled to be 0 watt (not lit). A light distribution pattern for night driving is formed. Further, the control unit 3
5, light distribution C is 20 w when light distribution B is 40 w, and light distribution C is naturally 30 w and 40 w when light distribution B is 30 w and 20 w. As described above, the B + C light distribution pattern is the optimum light distribution pattern when traveling in fine weather as described in the first embodiment, but the power is supplied by the balance switch provided on the operation panel of the driver's seat. Can be adjusted to meet the driver's easy-to-see preference.

FIG. 4 (c) shows a reflecting mirror 1 for forming the left shoulder rising.
In the case where the light source 16 near the focal point of No. 3 controls 0 w (non-lighting), an A + B light distribution pattern is formed as in the second embodiment. In this case, the same power control is performed with the same combination of irradiation patterns as in the second embodiment, and the description is omitted.

FIG. 4 (d) shows an example of the control when all the light sources are turned on.
When the light source 15 is changed to 20w 30w, the light source 15 becomes 20w, 3
0 w, 10 w and the light source 14 is 30 w, 10, w, 2
The control to be 0w is performed by the control unit 35. In this case, it is a relatively all-weather type, and the adjustment of the ratio of the power is changed by a balance switch provided on the operation panel of the driver's seat to make the adjustment more suitable for the driver's easy-to-see preference.

As described above, by using the first embodiment and the second embodiment of the present invention in combination, the driver can respond to the situation at that time, such as the surrounding situation and weather formed by combining different light distributions. By selecting a different light distribution pattern and changing the power of each of the different light distributions, it is possible to easily select a light distribution pattern that is more suitable for the user according to the road surface condition. Was. In the above description, the sum of the powers applied to the light sources has been described as being constant. However, it is not necessary to make the sum constant if the illuminance satisfying the standard can be obtained.

[0029]

According to the present invention, there are provided a plurality of reflectors having different light distribution characteristics in a vehicular lamp, and a combination of the reflectors to be turned on to provide several light distribution patterns suitable for a road surface condition. Since the light distribution pattern is determined in advance, a light distribution pattern that is easy for the driver to see can be easily selected according to the surrounding situation and weather. Further, since no complicated driving means for changing the light distribution pattern is used, no production cost is required.

Furthermore, since the driver can change the balance of the brightness of each light source, it is necessary to set the light distribution characteristics to the optimum for the driver according to the surrounding conditions and weather conditions, and to drive. Is possible.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a front view showing a first embodiment of a vehicular lamp according to the present invention.

FIG. 2A is a diagram showing the light distribution pattern of FIG. FIG. 2B is a diagram showing the light distribution pattern of FIG.

FIG. 3A is a configuration diagram showing a second embodiment of a vehicular lamp according to the present invention. FIG. 3B is a diagram illustrating an example of the power control in FIG.

FIG. 4A is a diagram showing a power control and light distribution pattern according to a third embodiment of the present invention. (B) is a power control and light distribution pattern according to the third embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. (C) is a diagram showing a power control and light distribution pattern of the third embodiment according to the present invention.
(D) is a diagram showing a power control and light distribution pattern of a third embodiment according to the present invention.

FIG. 5A is a diagram illustrating an embodiment of a power control unit according to the present invention. (B) is a diagram showing an embodiment of a power control unit according to the present invention. (C) is a diagram illustrating an embodiment of a power control unit according to the present invention. (D) is a diagram showing an embodiment of a power control unit according to the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a configuration diagram of a conventional two-lamp type vehicle lamp.

FIG. 7 is a configuration diagram of a conventional four-lamp type vehicle lamp.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing the passing light distribution patterns of FIGS. 6 and 7;

[Explanation of symbols]

 10,30 Vehicle headlight 11,31 Wide light distribution reflector 12,32 Narrow light distribution reflector 13,13 Left-side rising light distribution mirror 14,15,16,33,34 Light source 35 Control unit 36 Conductive member 37 Balance switch 38 Adjustment lever A Wide light distribution B Spot light distribution C Lighting up left shoulder 51 Battery 52 Light bulb 53 FET 54 PWM control circuit 55 Filament

Claims (6)

[Claims] 1. A vehicular vehicle characterized in that a plurality of passing light distribution patterns can be formed and one light distribution pattern among the plurality of passing light distribution patterns is appropriately selected according to a road surface condition. Lights. 2. The plurality of passing light distribution patterns include a plurality of reflecting mirrors having different light distribution characteristics and light sources respectively arranged near the focal points of the plurality of reflecting mirrors. The vehicular lamp according to claim 1, wherein the vehicular lamp is formed by combining different light distribution characteristics. 3. The plurality of passing light distribution patterns include a plurality of reflecting mirrors having different light distribution characteristics and light sources respectively arranged near the focal points of the plurality of reflecting mirrors. The vehicular lamp according to claim 1, wherein the vehicular lamp is formed by performing control to change the electric power of the vehicle. 4. The plurality of passing light distribution patterns comprise a plurality of reflecting mirrors having different light distribution characteristics and light sources respectively disposed near the focal points of the plurality of reflecting mirrors. The vehicular lamp according to claim 1, wherein the vehicular lamp is formed by combining different light distribution characteristics and performing control to change the power of each light source. 5. The vehicular lamp according to claim 1, wherein the light amount of the passing light distribution pattern is always constant. 6. The reflector according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of reflectors comprise at least two of three reflectors having a wide light distribution characteristic, a narrow light distribution characteristic, and a light distribution characteristic rising to the left. Item 4. The vehicle lamp according to item 2 to item 4.