WO2014207817A1

WO2014207817A1 - Vehicle headlight

Info

Publication number: WO2014207817A1
Application number: PCT/JP2013/067349
Authority: WO
Inventors: 安部　俊也; 大久保　泰宏
Original assignee: 市光工業株式会社
Priority date: 2013-06-25
Filing date: 2013-06-25
Publication date: 2014-12-31

Abstract

[Problem] To address the problem that a conventional vehicle headlight lacks a part of a light distribution pattern. [Solution] A vehicle headlight of the invention comprises a semiconductor light source (2), a reflector (3), and a lens (4). The semiconductor light source (2) has a downward light-emitting surface. The reflector (3) has a reflective surface (32) for reflecting light from the semiconductor light source (2). The lens (4) is sectioned into a plurality of regions (41) for performing a light distribution control on the light reflected from the reflective surface (32). The vertical width of the lens (4) is smaller than the vertical width of the reflector (3). The upper side (45) of the lens (4) is located on the side below the upper side (31) of the reflector (3). At least parts of reflective surfaces (33, 34) of the reflector (3) located on the side above the upper side (45) of the lens (4) are set so that the light (L1, L2) from the semiconductor light source (2) is made incident on regions (42) of the lens (4). Consequently, the vehicle headlight of the invention can complement an insufficient light distribution.

Description

Vehicle headlamp

The present invention relates to a vehicle headlamp including a semiconductor light source, a reflector, and a lens having a plurality of regions.

This type of vehicle headlamp has been conventionally used (for example, Patent Document 1). Hereinafter, a conventional vehicle headlamp will be described.

A conventional vehicle headlamp includes an LED, a reflector, and a lens having a first lens cut portion and a second lens cut portion. When the LED is turned on, the light from the LED is reflected by the reflector, and the reflected light is a light distribution pattern that is focused from the first lens cut portion and a light distribution pattern that is diffused from the second lens cut portion. Irradiates in front of the vehicle.

Japanese Patent No. 4895831

In such a vehicle headlamp, the upper side of the lens may be set below the upper side of the reflector from the viewpoint of the vehicle body design. In this case, since the upper side of the lens is set to be positioned below the upper side of the reflector, a part of the reflected light from the reflector is part of the first lens cut portion and the second lens cut portion of the lens. It does not enter. For this reason, a part of the light distribution pattern may be insufficient.

The problem to be solved by the present invention is that a part of the light distribution pattern may be insufficient in the conventional vehicle headlamp.

The present invention (the invention according to claim 1) includes a semiconductor-type light source, a reflector, and a lens, the semiconductor-type light source has a downward light emitting surface, and the reflector reflects light from the semiconductor-type light source. And the lens is partitioned into a plurality of areas for controlling the light distribution of the reflected light from the reflecting surface, and the upper side of the lens is located below the upper side of the reflector and located above the upper side of the lens At least a part of the reflecting surface of the reflector is set so that light from the semiconductor-type light source enters the lens region.

According to the present invention (the invention according to claim 2), the upper side of the lens is inclined from the lower side to the upper side of the vehicle from the inner side to the outer side of the vehicle in a front view of the vehicle, and the reflector is positioned above the upper side of the lens. A portion of the reflective surface outside the vehicle is set so that light from the semiconductor-type light source is directed downward and incident on the lens region, and the reflective surface of the reflector located above the upper side of the lens. Of these, at least a part of the inner portion of the vehicle is set so that light from the semiconductor-type light source is incident on the lens region toward the lower side and toward the outer side of the vehicle.

This invention (the invention according to claim 3) is characterized in that the light emitting surface of the semiconductor-type light source is inclined rearward of the vehicle with respect to the reference optical axis of the reflector.

In the vehicle headlamp according to the present invention, at least a part of the reflecting surface of the reflector located above the upper side of the lens is set so that light from the semiconductor-type light source enters the lens region. For this reason, even if the upper side of the lens is located below the upper side of the reflector, at least part of the reflected light from the reflecting surface of the reflector located above the upper side of the lens is incident on the lens area. can do. Thereby, it is possible to make up for a partial shortage of the light distribution pattern when the upper side of the lens is positioned below the upper side of the reflector, and the partial light distribution pattern is improved. In addition, since the upper side of the lens is positioned below the upper side of the reflector, the vertical width of the lens can be made smaller than the vertical width of the reflector.

FIG. 1 shows a first embodiment of a vehicle headlamp according to the present invention, and is a plan view of a vehicle equipped with left and right vehicle headlamps. FIG. 2 is a front view showing the left lamp unit. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line III-III in FIG. FIG. 4 is a front view showing the relative positional relationship between the semiconductor light source, the reflector, and the lens of the left lamp unit. FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing the relative positional relationship between the semiconductor light source, the reflector, and the lens of the left lamp unit. FIG. 6 is a front view showing the relative positional relationship between the semiconductor light source and the reflector of the left lamp unit. FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing the relative positional relationship between the semiconductor light source and the reflector of the left lamp unit. FIG. 8 is a longitudinal sectional view (vertical sectional view) showing the relative positional relationship of the semiconductor light source, reflector, and lens of the left lamp unit, and corresponds to the sectional view taken along the line III-III in FIG. 2 (FIG. 3). It is sectional drawing. FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view (horizontal cross-sectional view) showing the relative positional relationship between the semiconductor light source, the reflector, and the lens of the left lamp unit. FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing the operation of the auxiliary reflecting surface. FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram showing an outline of a low beam light distribution pattern irradiated in front of the vehicle. FIG. 12 is an explanatory diagram showing a low beam light distribution pattern irradiated in front of the vehicle. FIG. 13 is a longitudinal sectional view (vertical sectional view) showing Embodiment 2 of the vehicle headlamp according to the present invention, and is a sectional view corresponding to FIG.

Hereinafter, two examples of embodiments (examples) of a vehicle headlamp according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In addition, this invention is not limited by this embodiment. In this specification and claims, front, rear, upper, lower, left, right are front, rear, upper, lower, left, right when the vehicle headlamp according to the present invention is mounted on a vehicle. It is.

In the drawings, the symbol “F” indicates the front side of the vehicle (the forward direction side of the vehicle). The symbol “B” indicates the rear side of the vehicle. The symbol “U” indicates the upper side when the front side is viewed from the driver side. The symbol “D” indicates the lower side when the front side is viewed from the driver side. The symbol “L” indicates the left side when the front side is viewed from the driver side. The symbol “R” indicates the right side when the front side is viewed from the driver side. The symbol “VU-VD” indicates vertical lines on the top and bottom of the screen. The left side of the screen means the left side of the vertical line VU-VD. The right side of the screen means the right side of the vertical line VU-VD. The symbol “HL-HR” indicates a horizontal line on the left and right of the screen. The lower side of the screen means the lower side of the left and right horizontal lines HL-HR.

FIG. 12 is an explanatory diagram of an isoluminous curve showing the light distribution pattern on the screen drawn by computer simulation in a simplified manner. The central isoluminous curve is a high luminous intensity band, and the other curves are It is a light intensity zone that decreases as you go outside.

(Description of Configuration of Embodiment 1)
1 to 12 show Embodiment 1 of a vehicle headlamp according to the present invention. Hereinafter, the configuration of the vehicle headlamp in the first embodiment will be described. In FIG. 1, reference numerals 1 L and 1 R denote vehicle headlamps (for example, a headlamp) in the first embodiment. The

vehicle headlamps

1L and 1R are mounted on both left and right ends of the front portion of the vehicle C for left-hand traffic. Hereinafter, the left vehicle headlamp 1L mounted on the left side L of the vehicle C will be described. The right vehicle headlamp 1R mounted on the right side R of the vehicle C has substantially the same configuration as the left vehicle headlamp 1L, and a description thereof will be omitted.

(Description of vehicle headlamp 1L)
As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the vehicle headlamp 1 L includes a lamp housing (not shown), a lamp lens (not shown), a semiconductor light source 2, a reflector 3, and a lens 4. And a heat sink member 5 and a cover member 6.

The semiconductor light source 2, the reflector 3, the lens 4, the heat sink member 5, and the cover member 6 constitute a lamp unit. The lamp housing and the lamp lens define a lamp chamber (not shown). The

lamp units

2, 3, 4, 5, 6 are disposed in the lamp chamber, and include an up / down direction optical axis adjustment mechanism (not shown) and a left / right direction optical axis adjustment mechanism (not shown). And is attached to the lamp housing.

(Description of semiconductor light source 2)
As shown in FIG. 3, the semiconductor light source 2 is a self-luminous semiconductor light source such as an LED or an EL (organic EL) in this example. The semiconductor light source 2 includes a light emitting chip (LED chip) 20, a package (LED package) in which the light emitting chip 20 is sealed with a sealing resin member, a substrate 21 on which the package is mounted, and an attachment to the substrate 21. And a connector 22 for supplying a current from a power source (battery) to the light emitting chip 20. The substrate 21 is fixed to the heat sink member 5 with screws (not shown). As a result, the semiconductor light source 2 is fixed to the heat sink member 5.

The light emitting chip 20 has a planar rectangular shape (planar rectangular shape). That is, four square chips are arranged in the X-axis direction (horizontal direction). Two, three, or five or more square chips, one rectangular chip, or one square chip may be used. A surface (lower surface) on the lower side D of the light emitting chip 20 forms a light emitting surface. As a result, the light emitting surface faces the lower side D. The center O of the light emitting surface of the light emitting chip 20 is located at or near the reference focal point F1 of the reflector 3 and on or near the reference optical axis (reference axis) Z of the reflector 3.

In FIG. 3, FIG. 4, and FIG. 6 to FIG. 10, X, Y, and Z constitute an orthogonal coordinate (XYZ orthogonal coordinate system). The X axis is a horizontal axis in the horizontal direction passing through the center O of the light emitting surface of the light emitting chip 20. In the X axis, the inside of the vehicle C, that is, the right side R in the first embodiment is the + direction, and the outside of the vehicle C, that is, the left side L in the first embodiment is the − direction. The Y axis is a vertical axis (vertical axis, normal line, perpendicular line) passing through the center O of the light emitting surface of the light emitting chip 20. In the first embodiment, the upper side U is the + direction and the lower side D is the − direction in the first embodiment. Further, the Z-axis is a reference optical axis Z of the reflector 3, and is a longitudinal axis that passes through the center O of the light-emitting surface of the light-emitting chip 20 and is orthogonal to the X-axis and the Y-axis. . In the first embodiment, the front side F is a positive direction and the rear side B is a negative direction in the first embodiment.

(Description of reflector 3)
As shown in FIG. 3, the reflector 3 includes a reflecting portion 30 and an attachment portion (not shown). The attachment portion is fixed to the heat sink member 5 by a screw (not shown). As a result, the reflector 3 is fixed to the heat sink member 5. A reflective surface 32 is provided on the front surface (inner surface) of the reflective portion 30.

The reflection surface 32 is a reflection surface made of a parabolic free-form surface. As a result, the reflection surface 32 (the reflector 3) has the reference focal point F1 and the reference optical axis Z. The reflection surface 32 has a basic light distribution pattern having light from the semiconductor-type light source 2 having an oblique cut-off line, a horizontal cut-off line, and an elbow point (a crossing point between the oblique cut-off line and the horizontal cut-off line or a point in the vicinity thereof). It is a free-form reflecting surface that is reflected as a low beam basic light distribution pattern (not shown).

(Description of lens 4)
As shown in FIGS. 2 to 5, the lens 4 includes a lens portion 40 having a rectangular shape in front view and an attachment portion (not shown). The attachment portion is fixed to the heat sink member 5 by a screw (not shown). As a result, the lens 4 is fixed to the heat sink member 5.

The lens unit 40 is a lens (thin lens, prism lens) divided into a plurality of regions (prism, prism cut, cut, prism surface, prism cut surface, cut surface) 41. The lens portion 40 of the lens 4 is slanted from the lower side D to the upper side U of the vehicle C from the inner side (right side R) to the outer side (left side L) of the vehicle C in a front view of the vehicle C ( Lifted).

In other words, both the upper and lower sides of the lens 4 are slanted from the lower side D to the upper side U of the vehicle C from the inner side (right side R) to the outer side (left side L) of the vehicle C in the front view of the vehicle C ( Lifted). The upper and lower sides of the lens 4 are parallel to each other and form a straight line.

An incident surface is provided on the inner surface (the rear B surface) of the lens portion 40 of the lens 4. On the outer surface (front F surface) of the lens portion 40 of the lens 4, an exit surface is provided. The incident surface is a flat surface or a compound quadratic curved surface. The exit surface is a plurality of the regions 41 and forms a convex free-form surface. The plurality of regions 41 of the lens 4 have a cylindrical shape whose axis is in the vertical direction.

Among the plurality of regions 41, four in the middle of the upper side U constitute a large diffusion region 42. Among the plurality of regions 41, four in the middle of the lower side U constitute a region 43 (hereinafter referred to as a “small diffusion region”) that is small diffusion or plain or a combination of small diffusion and plain. The two on the left side L and the two on the right side R constitute an intermediate diffusion region 44.

The lens portion 40 of the lens 4 controls the light distribution of the basic light distribution pattern from the reflection surface 32 of the reflector 3 as a low beam light distribution pattern LP shown in FIG. It is a lens part. The low beam light distribution pattern LP has an oblique cut-off line CL1, a horizontal cut-off line CL2, and an elbow point E (intersection of the oblique cut-off line CL1 and the horizontal cut-off line CL2 or a point in the vicinity thereof).

The vertical width of the lens 4 is smaller than the vertical width of the reflector 3. The upper side 45 of the lens 4 is positioned on the lower side D of the upper side 31 of the reflector 3. As a result, the

upper U portions

33 and 34 of the reflecting surface 32 of the reflector 3 located above the upper side 45 of the lens 4 protrude above the upper side 45 of the lens 4.

(Explanation of the protruding reflection surfaces 33 and 34)
Of the protruding reflection surfaces 33, 34, the first protruding reflection surface 33 on the outer side (left side L) of the vehicle C with respect to the reference optical axis Z is from the light emitting surface of the light emitting chip 20 of the semiconductor light source 2. The light L1 is set so as to enter the large diffusion region 42 of the plurality of regions 41 of the lens 4 toward the lower side D. That is, the first protruding reflection surface 33 is formed on the lens 4 while the light L1 from the light emitting chip 20 of the semiconductor-type light source 2 is aimed at the lower side D of the screen as the lower supplementary light distribution pattern PD (see FIG. 11). Is set so as to be incident on the large diffusion region 42.

Here, the upper side 45 of the lens 4 is inclined from the lower side D to the upper side U of the vehicle C from the inner side to the outer side of the vehicle C in a front view of the vehicle C. On the other hand, the upper side 31 of the reflector 3 is substantially horizontal. The first protruding reflection surface 33 is located outside the vehicle C with respect to the reference optical axis Z. For this reason, the amount of overlap between the first protrusion reflection surface 33 and the lens 4 is equal to the amount of overlap between the second protrusion reflection surface 34 located on the inner side of the vehicle C with respect to the reference optical axis Z and the lens 4. Big in comparison. As a result, in order for the reflected light L3 from the first protruding reflection surface 33 to enter the large diffusion region 42 of the lens 4, the angle at which the reflected light L3 is directed downward D may be small. Thereby, the first protruding reflection surface 33 only needs to be directed to the lower side D.

Of the protruding reflection surfaces 33, 34, a part of the second protruding reflection surface 34 that is inside (right side R) of the vehicle C with respect to the reference optical axis Z is the light emitting chip 20 of the semiconductor-type light source 2. Is set so as to be incident on the large diffusion region 42 of the region 41 of the lens 4 toward the left side L and the lower side D. In other words, the second protruding reflection surface 34 is configured such that the light L2 from the light emitting chip 20 of the semiconductor-type light source 2 is aimed at the left side L and the lower side D of the screen as the left side supplementary light distribution pattern PL (see FIG. 11). It is set so as to be incident on the large diffusion region 42 of the lens 4. Note that the left supplemental light distribution pattern PL is a light distribution pattern irradiated to the front of the vehicle C from the left vehicle headlamp 1L. From the right vehicle headlamp 1R, a right supplementary light distribution pattern PR is irradiated in front of the vehicle C as shown in FIG.

Here, the second protruding reflection surface 34 is located inside the vehicle C with respect to the first protruding reflection surface 33. For this reason, the amount of overlap between the second protrusion reflection surface 34 and the lens 4 is smaller than the amount of overlap between the first protrusion reflection surface 33 and the lens 4. As a result, since the reflected light L4 from the second protruding reflection surface 34 is incident on the lens 4, the angle at which the reflected light L4 is directed downward D is increased, and the reflected light L4 is diffused by the lens 4 in the large diffusion. In some cases, the light enters the small diffusion region 43 as well. Therefore, by directing the second protruding reflecting surface 34 to the outside of the vehicle C, the reflected light L4 is incident only on the large diffusion region 42 of the lens 4 toward the outside of the vehicle C and toward the lower side D. Can do. Thus, the second protruding reflection surface 34 only needs to be directed to the outside of the vehicle C and to the lower side D.

As shown in FIGS. 4 to 7, the second protruding reflection surface 34 is a portion on the upper side U of the reflection surface 32 of the reflector 3 located on the upper side U of the upper side 45 of the lens 4, And it is comprised from a part of part inside a vehicle rather than the said reference | standard optical axis Z (the said 1st protrusion reflective surface 33). The range in which the second protruding reflection surface 34 is provided can ensure a sufficient amount of light of the left supplemental light distribution pattern PL, and can be applied to the reflection surface 32 that is generated by a step of the second protruding reflection surface 34. The range that can suppress the influence of the shadow as much as possible. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 6, the ratio of the length a of the second protruding reflective surface 34 in the X-axis direction and the length b of the reflective surface 32 in the X-axis direction is a: b = The range is 3: 2, and as shown in FIG. 7, the step c of the second protruding reflection surface 34 is about 6 mm.

As shown by a broken line, the first protruding reflection surface 33 is connected to other surrounding reflection surfaces 32 and 34 in a state of continuous curvature. The second protruding reflection surface 34 is divided from the other reflection surfaces 32 and 33 in the vicinity, as indicated by a solid line.

(Description of heat sink member 5)
As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the heat sink member 5 includes a horizontal plate portion 50, fin portions 51, an attachment portion, and a shade portion 53. The semiconductor-type light source 2 and the reflector 3 are attached to one surface (the lower D surface) of the horizontal plate portion 50 by the screws.

On the other surface (upper U surface) of the horizontal plate portion 50, a plurality of fin portions 51 each having a vertical plate shape are integrally provided. The fin portion 51 releases heat generated in the light emitting chip 20 of the semiconductor light source 2 to the outside.

The mounting portions are integrally provided at both left and right end portions of the front side F edge of one surface of the horizontal plate portion 50. The lens 4 is attached to the attachment portion by the screw.

The shade portion 53 is integrally provided at the center of the edge of the front side F of one surface of the horizontal plate portion 50. The shade portion 53 prevents light from the light emitting surface of the semiconductor light source 2 from directly entering the lens portion 40 of the lens 4.

(Description of cover member 6)
As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the cover member 6 has a front F portion with a small vertical width, a rear B portion with a large vertical width, and a vertical width from the front F portion to the rear B. It forms a divergent shape over this part. The cover member 6 is composed of a light impermeable member.

An insertion opening 60 having a rectangular shape is provided on the front side F of the cover member 6. The lens portion 40 of the lens 4 is inserted into the insertion opening 60. Attachment portions are integrally provided on the left and right edges of the inside of the insertion opening 60 in the front F portion of the cover member 6. The attachment portion is attached to the attachment portion of the lens 4. As a result, the cover member 6 is fixed to the heat sink member 5 via the lens 4. A ventilation opening 62 is provided at the center of the upper and lower edges of the opening on the rear side B of the cover member 6.

(Description of the operation of the first embodiment)
The vehicle headlamps 1L and 1R in the first embodiment are configured as described above, and the operation thereof will be described below.

The light emitting chip 20 of the semiconductor type light source 2 is turned on. Then, most of the light emitted from the light emitting surface of the light emitting chip 20 is reflected to the lens 4 side by the reflecting surface 32 of the reflector 3.

The reflected light reflected by the reflecting surface 32 is subjected to light distribution control in a basic light distribution pattern (not shown) having an oblique cut-off line, a horizontal cut-off line, and an elbow point. To the plurality of regions 41 on the exit surface. As shown in FIG. 11, the emitted light emitted from the lens unit is distributed to a low beam light distribution pattern LP having an oblique cut-off line CL1, a horizontal cut-off line CL2, and an elbow point E, and is emitted to the front of the vehicle C. Is done.

On the other hand, the light L1 from the light emitting chip 20 of the semiconductor light source 2 is reflected toward the lower side D so as to enter the large diffusion region 42 of the lens 4 at the first protruding reflection surface 33 of the reflector 3. The reflected light L3 is irradiated from the large diffusion region 42 of the lens 4 as a lower supplementary light distribution pattern PD to a range from the lower D portion of the low beam light distribution pattern LP to the lower side D of the screen. Illuminate.

Further, the light L2 from the light emitting chip 20 of the semiconductor light source 2 is directed to the outside of the vehicle C and to the lower side D so as to enter the large diffusion region 42 of the lens 4 at the second protruding reflection surface 34 of the reflector 3. And reflected. The reflected light L4 from the large diffusion region 42 of the lens 4 as the left supplemental light distribution pattern PL and the right supplemental light distribution pattern PR, from the left L and right R portions of the low beam light distribution pattern LP to the lower side of the screen. Illuminates by irradiating the area up to D.

By superimposing (combining) the low beam light distribution pattern LP, the lower supplementary light distribution pattern PD, the left supplementary light distribution pattern PL, and the right supplementary light distribution pattern PR, An ideal low beam light distribution pattern LP1 shown in FIG. 12B is obtained.

(Description of the effect of Embodiment 1)
The vehicle headlamps 1L and 1R in the first embodiment are configured and operated as described above, and the effects thereof will be described below.

In the vehicle headlamps 1L and 1R according to the first embodiment, at least a part of the protruding reflection surfaces 33 and 34 of the reflector 3 positioned above the upper side 45 of the lens 4 is light L1 from the semiconductor-type light source 2. , L2 is set to enter the region 41 of the lens 4. For this reason, even if the upper side 45 of the lens 4 is located below the upper side 31 of the reflector 3, the reflected light from the reflecting

surfaces

33 and 34 protruding from the reflector 3 located above the upper side 45 of the lens 4. At least a part of L3 and L4 can enter the region 41 of the lens 4. Thereby, when the upper side 45 of the lens 4 is located below the upper side 31 of the reflector 3, the light distribution pattern, that is, a part of the low beam light distribution pattern LP (the lower D portion, the left L portion). , The right side R portion) can be compensated for, and a partially insufficient light distribution pattern, that is, the low beam light distribution pattern LP (see FIG. 12A) is an ideal low beam distribution shown in FIG. The light pattern LP1 is improved. In addition, since the upper side 45 of the lens 4 is positioned on the lower side D of the upper side 31 of the reflector 3, the vertical width of the lens 4 can be made smaller than the vertical width of the reflector 3.

Here, the reflecting surface 35 of the reflector 3 located above the upper side 45 of the lens 4 (see the two-dot chain line in FIG. 10) is set like the protruding reflecting

surfaces

33 and 34 in the first embodiment. This will be described in the case where it is not. That is, as indicated by a two-dot chain line in FIG. 10, the light L1 and L2 from the light emitting chip 20 of the semiconductor-type light source 2 is reflected by the reflection surface 35 (a protruding reflection surface that is not set at all). Does not enter the region 41 of the lens 4 through the upper side U of the upper side 45 of the lens 4.

As a result, with respect to the ideal low-beam light distribution pattern LP1 shown in FIG. 12B, the light distribution PD1 in the lower part, the light distribution PL1 in the left part, and the right part shown in broken lines in FIG. The light distribution pattern LP for low beam (see FIG. 12A) in which the light distribution PR1 is insufficient is irradiated in front of the vehicle C. If the vertical width of the lens 4 and the vertical width of the reflector 3 are substantially equal, the reflected light L5 from the reflecting surface 35 is incident on the lens 4, so that an ideal low beam light distribution pattern LP1 with no light distribution shortage. Is obtained. However, since the vertical width of the lens 4 is smaller than the vertical width of the reflector 3, the reflected light L5 from the reflecting surface 35 does not enter the lens 4, and thus the low beam light distribution pattern LP with insufficient light distribution is irradiated.

On the other hand, the vehicle headlamps 1L and 1R in the first embodiment are parts of the outer surface of the vehicle C among the reflecting

surfaces

33 and 34 of the reflector 3 located on the upper side U of the upper side 45 of the lens 4. The first protruding reflection surface 33 is set so that the light L1 from the light emitting chip 20 of the semiconductor-type light source 2 enters the large diffusion region 42 of the lens 4 downward. As a result, the light L 1 from the light emitting chip 20 of the semiconductor light source 2 is reflected toward the lower side D so as to enter the large diffusion region 42 of the lens 4 at the first protruding reflection surface 33 of the reflector 3. The reflected light L3 is irradiated from the large diffusion region 42 of the lens 4 as a lower supplementary light distribution pattern PD to a range from the lower D portion of the low beam light distribution pattern LP to the lower side D of the screen. Illuminate.

Further, the vehicle headlamps 1L and 1R according to the first embodiment are at least a part of the inner part of the vehicle C among the reflecting

surfaces

33 and 34 of the reflector 3 positioned above the upper side 45 of the lens 4. The second protrusion reflecting surface 34 is set so that the light L2 from the light emitting chip 20 of the semiconductor-type light source 2 enters the large diffusion region 42 of the lens 4 toward the lower side and toward the outside of the vehicle C. Yes. As a result, the light L2 from the light emitting chip 20 of the semiconductor-type light source 2 is placed outside the vehicle C and on the lower side D so as to enter the large diffusion region 42 of the lens 4 at the second protruding reflection surface 34 of the reflector 3. Reflected towards. The reflected light L4 from the large diffusion region 42 of the lens 4 as the left supplemental light distribution pattern PL and the right supplemental light distribution pattern PR, from the left L and right R portions of the low beam light distribution pattern LP to the lower side of the screen. Illuminates by irradiating the area up to D.

The vehicle headlamps 1L and 1R according to the first embodiment superimpose a low beam light distribution pattern LP, a lower supplementary light distribution pattern PD, a left supplementary light distribution pattern PL, and a right supplementary light distribution pattern PR. By (combining), an ideal low beam light distribution pattern LP1 shown in FIG. 12B is obtained. In addition, the vehicle headlamps 1L and 1R according to the first embodiment are reflected from the reflecting

surfaces

33 and 34 of the reflector 3 located on the upper side U of the upper side 45 of the lens 4 that has not been incident on the lens 4 until now. Since the lights L3 and L4 are incident on the large diffusion region 42 of the lens 4, the light from the semiconductor light source 2 can be used effectively.

In the vehicle headlamps 1L and 1R according to the first embodiment, the upper side 45 of the lens 4 is inclined from the lower side D to the upper side U of the vehicle C from the inner side to the outer side of the vehicle C in the front view of the vehicle C. The first protruding reflection surface 33 is located outside the vehicle C with respect to the second protruding reflection surface 34. For this reason, the amount of overlap between the first protrusion reflection surface 33 and the lens 4 is larger than the amount of overlap between the second protrusion reflection surface 34 and the lens 4. As a result, the angle at which the reflected light L3 is directed to the lower side D may be small in order to cause the reflected light L3 from the first protruding reflection surface 33 to enter the large diffusion region 42 of the lens 4. Thereby, the 1st protrusion reflective surface 33 is suitable for forming lower supplementary light distribution pattern PD.

On the other hand, the second protruding reflection surface 34 is located inside the vehicle C with respect to the first protruding reflection surface 33. For this reason, the amount of overlap between the second protrusion reflection surface 34 and the lens 4 is smaller than the amount of overlap between the first protrusion reflection surface 33 and the lens 4. As a result, since the reflected light L4 from the second protruding reflecting surface 34 is incident on the lens 4, the angle at which the reflected light L4 is directed downward D is increased, and the reflected light L4 is only in the large diffusion region 42 of the lens 4. In some cases, the light also enters the small diffusion region 43. Therefore, by directing the second protruding reflection surface 34 to the outside of the vehicle C, the reflected light L4 can be incident only on the large diffusion region 42 of the lens 4 toward the outside of the vehicle C and downward D. Thereby, the 2nd protrusion reflective surface 34 is suitable for forming the left side supplementary light distribution pattern PL and the right side supplementary light distribution pattern PR.

(Description of Embodiment 2)
FIG. 13 shows Embodiment 2 of the vehicle headlamp according to the present invention. Hereinafter, the vehicle headlamp according to the second embodiment will be described. In the figure, the same reference numerals as those in FIGS. 1 to 12 denote the same components.

In the vehicle headlamps 1L and 1R in the first embodiment, the light emitting surface of the light emitting chip 20 of the semiconductor light source 2 faces the lower side D. In contrast, in the vehicle headlamp according to the second embodiment, the light emitting surface of the light emitting chip 20 of the semiconductor light source 2 is inclined to the rear side B of the vehicle C with respect to the reference optical axis Z of the reflector 3. Is. That is, the light emitting surface of the light emitting chip 20 of the semiconductor light source 2 is inclined from the lower side D to the upper side U from the front side F to the rear side B.

The angle θ ° for inclining the light emitting surface of the light emitting chip 20 can be arbitrarily determined using the following formula as a guide.
θ ° = tan-1 (H1 / L1)
However, H1 is a dimension between the upper side 31 of the reflector 3 and the upper side 45 of the lens 4, and L1 is a dimension from the center of the light emitting surface of the light emitting chip 20 of the semiconductor light source 2 to the inner surface of the lens 4. Here, in FIG. 13, reference sign “Z 1” is a horizontal line parallel to the light emitting surface from the center of the light emitting surface of the light emitting chip 20, and is inclined θ ° below D with respect to the reference optical axis Z. Reference sign “Y1” is a vertical line perpendicular to the light emitting surface from the center of the light emitting surface of the light emitting chip 20 and is inclined θ ° front side F with respect to the Y axis.

Since the vehicle headlamp according to the second embodiment is configured as described above, it is possible to achieve substantially the same operational effects as the vehicle headlamps 1L and 1R according to the first embodiment. In particular, the vehicle headlamp according to the second embodiment has a light emitting surface of the light emitting chip 20 inclined toward the rear side of the vehicle C with respect to the reference optical axis Z of the reflector 3. As a result, of the light emitted from the light emitting surface of the light emitting chip 20, relatively strong light enters the reflecting surface 32, the first protruding reflecting surface 33, and the second protruding reflecting surface 34 of the reflector 3. Thereby, the light of the semiconductor-type light source 2 can be used more effectively.

Further, in the vehicle headlamp according to the second embodiment, the angle θ ° for inclining the light emitting surface of the light emitting chip 20 is equal to the dimension H1 between the upper side 31 of the reflector 3 on the Z axis and the upper side 45 of the lens 4. The angle corresponding to the vertical width of the lens 4 on the Z axis smaller than the vertical width of the reflector 3 can be set. For this reason, even if the vertical width of the lens 4 is smaller than the vertical width of the reflector 3, the light from the light emitting chip 20 of the semiconductor light source 2 can be used effectively.

As described above, the vehicle headlamp according to the present embodiment includes the semiconductor light source 2, the reflector 3, and the lens 4, and the semiconductor light source 2 has a downward light emitting surface, The reflector 3 has a reflection surface 32 that reflects light from the semiconductor-type light source 2, and the lens 4 is partitioned into a plurality of regions 41 that control light distribution of the reflection light from the reflection surface 32, The upper side of the lens 4 is located below the upper side of the reflector 3, and at least a part of the reflecting surface 32 of the reflector 3 located above the upper side of the lens 4 is the semiconductor type. It is set so that light from the light source 2 is incident on the region 41 of the lens 4.

Further, according to the vehicle headlamp in the present embodiment, the upper side of the lens 4 is inclined from the lower side to the upper side of the vehicle from the inner side to the outer side of the vehicle in the front view of the vehicle. Of the reflecting surfaces (first and second projecting reflecting surfaces) 33 and 34 of the reflector 3 positioned above the upper side of the vehicle, the portion outside the vehicle has the light from the semiconductor-type light source 2 downward. Of the reflecting

surfaces

33 and 34 of the reflector 3 which are set so as to be incident on the region 41 of the lens 4 and are located above the upper side of the lens 4. At least a part is set so that light from the semiconductor-type light source 2 enters the region 41 of the lens 4 toward the lower side and toward the outside of the vehicle.

Further, according to the vehicle headlamp in the present embodiment, the light emitting surface of the semiconductor light source 2 is inclined to the rear side of the vehicle with respect to the reference optical axis of the reflector 3.

Further, according to the vehicle headlamp in the present embodiment, the reflector 3 includes the protruding reflection surfaces 33 and 34 positioned above the upper side of the lens 4, and the protruding reflection surfaces 33 and 34 are the reflectors. The light from the semiconductor-type light source 2 disposed above 3 is directed downward and is incident on the region 41 located below the protruding reflection surfaces 33 and 34 of the lens 4. .

In addition, according to the vehicle headlamp in the present embodiment, the protruding reflection surfaces 33 and 34 have a large diffusion of the light from the semiconductor light source 2 in the plurality of regions 41 of the lens 4. It is configured to enter the diffusion region 42.

Further, according to the vehicle headlamp in the present embodiment, the large diffusion region 42 of the lens 4 is provided in the vicinity of the upper side of the lens 4.

Further, according to the vehicle headlamp in the present embodiment, at least a part of the protruding reflection surfaces 33 and 34 is bent so as to reflect the light from the semiconductor-type light source 2 toward the outside of the vehicle. (See FIG. 9).

Moreover, according to the vehicle headlamp in the present embodiment, the semiconductor type light source 2 includes the semiconductor light source 2, the reflector 3, the lens 4, and the cover member 6. The semiconductor light source 2 has a light emitting surface. The reflector 3 has a reflection surface 32 that reflects light from the semiconductor-type light source 2, and the lens 4 is partitioned into a plurality of regions 41 that control light distribution from the reflection surface 32. The cover member 6 has an opening 60 into which the lens 4 is inserted and is made of a light-impermeable member. The upper side of the lens 4 is located below the upper side of the reflector 3, The reflective surfaces (first and second protruding reflective surfaces) 33 and 34 of the reflector 3 that are connected to the opening 60 of the cover member 6 and are located above the upper side of the lens 4 are The cover member connected to the upper side At least a part of the reflecting

surfaces

33 and 34 of the reflector 3 located above the upper side of the lens 4 is located in the region 41 of the lens 4. It is set so that light from

Moreover, according to the vehicle headlamp in the present embodiment, at least a part of the reflecting

surfaces

33 and 34 of the reflector 3 positioned above the upper side of the lens 4 is the facing cover member. 6 does not reflect the light from the semiconductor-type light source 2.

(Description of examples other than Embodiments 1 and 2)
In the first and second embodiments, vehicle headlamps 1L and 1R when the vehicle C is on the left side will be described. However, the present invention can also be applied to a vehicle headlamp when the vehicle C is right-hand traffic.

In the first and second embodiments, the entrance surface of the lens 4 is a flat surface or a compound quadratic curved surface, and the exit surface of the lens 4 is a plurality of regions 41 (a large diffusion region 42, a small diffusion region 43, a medium diffusion region). A diffusion region 44) which forms a convex free-form surface. However, in the present invention, the incident surface of the lens 4 is a plurality of regions 41 (a large diffusion region 42, a small diffusion region 43, and a medium diffusion region 44), which forms a convex free-form surface. The exit surface may be a flat surface or a compound quadratic curved surface. Further, the exit surface and the entrance surface of the lens 4 form a plurality of regions 41 (a large diffusion region 42, a small diffusion region 43, and a medium diffusion region 44), which form a convex free-form surface. May be.

Furthermore, in the first and second embodiments, the low beam light distribution pattern LP is irradiated. However, in the present invention, the light distribution pattern for fog lamps or the light distribution pattern having a cut-off line may be irradiated.

Furthermore, in the first and second embodiments, the upper side 45 of the lens 4 is inclined from the lower side D to the upper side U of the vehicle C from the inner side to the outer side in the front view of the vehicle C. However, in the present invention, the upper side of the lens 4 may be substantially horizontal, like the upper side 31 of the reflector 3.

Furthermore, in

Embodiments

1 and 2, the vertical width of the lens 4 is smaller than the vertical width of the reflector 3. However, in the present invention, the vertical width of the lens 4 may be substantially equal to the vertical width of the reflector 3, or the vertical width of the lens 4 may be larger than the vertical width of the reflector 3. However, it is necessary that the upper side 45 of the lens 4 is located on the lower side D of the upper side 31 of the reflector 3.

1L Left vehicle headlamp 1R Right vehicle headlamp 2 Semiconductor light source 20 Light emitting chip 21 Substrate 22 Connector 3 Reflector 30 Reflector 31 Upper side 32 Reflective surface 33 First protruding reflective surface 34 Second protruding reflective surface 35 Reflective surface 4 Lens 40 Lens portion 41 Region 42 Large diffusion region 43 Small diffusion region 44 Medium diffusion region 45 Upper side 5 Heat sink member 50 Horizontal plate portion 51 Fin portion 53 Shade portion 6 Cover member 60 Insertion opening portion 62 Ventilation opening portion C vehicle F front side B rear side U upper side D lower side L left side (vehicle outer side)
R right side (vehicle inside)
HL-HR Horizontal lines on the left and right of the screen VU-VD Vertical lines on the upper and lower sides of the screen LP1 Ideal low-beam light distribution pattern LP Low-beam light distribution pattern CL1 Oblique cut-off line CL2 Horizontal cut-off line E Elbow point F1 Reference focus O Center of light emitting surface X X axis Y Y axis Z Reference optical axis (Z axis)
L1, L2 Light L3 from the light emitting chip Reflected light L4 from the first protruding reflection surface L4 Reflected light from the second protruding reflection surface L5 Reflected light from the reflecting surface Lower supplementary light distribution pattern PL Left supplementary light distribution pattern PR Right Supplementary light distribution pattern PD1 Light distribution PL1 in the lower part Light distribution PR1 in the left part Light distribution in the right part a Length b in the X-axis direction of the second protrusion reflecting surface Length c in the X-axis direction of the reflection surface Second protrusion Reflection surface step H1 Dimension L1 Dimension θ ° Inclination angle

Claims

A semiconductor-type light source, a reflector, and a lens;
The semiconductor light source has a light emitting surface,
The reflector has a reflecting surface that reflects light from the semiconductor-type light source,
The lens is divided into a plurality of regions for controlling light distribution of reflected light from the reflecting surface,
The upper side of the lens is located below the upper side of the reflector,
At least a part of the reflecting surface of the reflector located above the upper side of the lens is set so that light from the semiconductor-type light source is incident on the region of the lens.
A vehicle headlamp characterized by that.
The upper side of the lens is inclined from the lower side of the vehicle to the upper side from the inner side to the outer side of the vehicle in a front view of the vehicle,
Of the reflecting surface of the reflector located on the upper side of the upper side of the lens, the outer portion of the vehicle causes light from the semiconductor-type light source to enter the region of the lens facing downward. Is set,
Of the reflecting surface of the reflector located above the upper side of the lens, at least a part of the inner part of the vehicle has the light from the semiconductor-type light source directed downward and toward the outside of the vehicle. Set to enter the area of the lens,
The vehicle headlamp according to claim 1.
The light emitting surface of the semiconductor-type light source is inclined to the rear side of the vehicle with respect to a reference optical axis of the reflector.
The vehicle headlamp according to claim 1.
The reflector includes an overhanging reflecting surface located above the upper side of the lens,
The protruding reflection surface is configured to direct light from the semiconductor light source disposed above the reflector toward the lower side and to enter the region located below the protruding reflection surface of the lens. The vehicle headlamp according to claim 1, wherein:
5. The protruding reflection surface is configured to make light from the semiconductor-type light source enter a large diffusion region where light diffusion is large among a plurality of regions of the lens. The vehicle headlamp described.
The vehicular headlamp according to claim 4, wherein the large diffusion region of the lens is provided in the vicinity of an upper side of the lens.
5. The vehicle headlamp according to claim 4, wherein at least a part of the protruding reflection surface is bent so as to reflect light from the semiconductor-type light source toward the outside of the vehicle. .
A semiconductor light source, a reflector, a lens, and a cover member;
The semiconductor light source has a light emitting surface,
The reflector has a reflecting surface that reflects light from the semiconductor-type light source,
The lens is divided into a plurality of regions for controlling light distribution of reflected light from the reflecting surface,
The cover member has an opening for inserting the lens, and is composed of a light-impermeable member.
The upper side of the lens is located below the upper side of the reflector, and is connected to the opening of the cover member,
The reflecting surface of the reflector located above the upper side of the lens is disposed to face the cover member connected to the upper side of the lens,
At least a part of the reflecting surface of the reflector located above the upper side of the lens is set so that light from the semiconductor-type light source is incident on the region of the lens.
A vehicle headlamp characterized by that.
9. The reflecting surface of the reflector located above the upper side of the lens, at least a part of the reflecting surface does not reflect light from the semiconductor-type light source to the facing cover member. The vehicle headlamp described in 1.