WO2023054513A1

WO2023054513A1 - Vehicle headlight

Info

Publication number: WO2023054513A1
Application number: PCT/JP2022/036266
Authority: WO
Inventors: 隆芳佐藤
Original assignee: 株式会社小糸製作所
Priority date: 2021-10-01
Filing date: 2022-09-28
Publication date: 2023-04-06

Abstract

A vehicle headlight (1) comprises: a first light-emitting optical system (LE1) for emitting first light (L1); a second light-emitting optical system (LE2) for emitting second light (L2); a projection lens (35); a beam shaper (50) that is formed from a plate-like body part (51) having a slit (54), and an additional part (60). The additional part (60) has: a plate-like fixed section (61) that extends along a lower surface (51S1) of the body part (51); and a plate-like light shielding section (62) that penetrates through the slit (54) from an outer edge of the fixed section (61) and extends upward of an upper surface (51S2) of the body part (51). A part of the first light (L1) is reflected by the upper surface (51S2) toward the projection lens (35) such that a cutoff line (CL) of a low beam light distribution pattern (PL) is formed. A portion protruding from the upper surface (51S2) in the light shielding section (62) shields the other part of the first light (L1).

Description

vehicle headlight

The present invention relates to a vehicle headlamp.

A vehicle headlamp capable of switching the emitted light between a low beam and a high beam is known, and Patent Document 1 below discloses such a vehicle headlamp.

The vehicle headlamp disclosed in Patent Document 1 below includes a first light emitting optical system, a second light emitting optical system arranged below the first light emitting optical system, the first light emitting optical system, and the second light emitting optical system. A projection lens arranged in front of the system, and a plate-shaped beam shaper arranged between the first and second light emitting optical systems and the projection lens. The first light emitted from the first light emitting optical system and the second light emitted from the second light emitting optical system pass through the projection lens. The upper surface of the beam shaper reflects part of the first light toward the projection lens, so that the first light forms a low-beam light distribution pattern with a cutoff line. Also, a high beam light distribution pattern is formed by superposing the first light and the second light. Therefore, by switching between emission and non-emission of light from the second light source, the emitted light can be switched between a low beam and a high beam.

EP-A-2982902

The low-beam light distribution pattern has a cut-off line, so glare to drivers of oncoming vehicles is suppressed. In such a low-beam light distribution pattern, a predetermined area may be darkened. For example, if the darkened area overlaps the road surface between the vehicle and the oncoming vehicle, glare to the driver of the oncoming vehicle due to light reflected from the road surface can be suppressed.

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a vehicle headlamp that can switch the emitted light between low beam and high beam and that can darken a predetermined area in the light distribution pattern of the low beam.

In order to achieve the above object, a vehicle headlamp according to the present invention includes a first light emitting optical system for emitting first light forming a low beam light distribution pattern forward from a first portion; a second light emitting optical system for emitting forward a second light forming a light distribution pattern of a high beam together with the first light from a second portion located below the portion; The projector comprises a projection lens arranged in front of the two parts and through which the first light and the second light are transmitted, a plate-shaped main body part having a slit and an additional part, and the first part and the second part. a beam shaper arranged between the projection lens and the projection lens, wherein the additional portion includes a plate-shaped fixing portion extending along the lower surface of the main body portion and fixed to the lower surface; and an outer edge of the fixing portion. a plate-shaped light shielding part that penetrates the slit from the main body part and extends upward from the upper surface of the main body part, and the cutoff line of the light distribution pattern of the low beam is formed on the upper surface of the main body part. part of the first light is reflected toward the projection lens, and the part of the light shielding part protruding from the upper surface of the main body part shields the other part of the first light. It is characterized by

In this vehicle headlamp, as described above, the portion of the light shielding portion that protrudes from the upper surface of the main body shields the other part of the first light. Therefore, according to this vehicle headlamp, it is possible to darken a predetermined area in the light distribution pattern of the low beam. Further, in this vehicle headlamp, as described above, the fixing portion of the additional portion extends along the lower surface of the main body and is fixed to the lower surface, and the portion of the additional portion protruding from the upper surface of the main body is It is a part of the light shielding part passing through the slit of the main body part. Therefore, compared to the case where the fixed portion of the additional portion extends along the upper surface of the main body portion and is fixed to the upper surface, the first light is reflected by the side surface of the fixed portion, thereby forming a low-beam light distribution pattern. It is possible to suppress the formation of unintended bright areas and dark areas.

The additional portion may be thinner than the main body portion.

With such a configuration, compared to the case where the additional portion is thicker than the main body portion, the second light is reflected by the side surface of the fixed portion of the additional portion, resulting in an unintended bright area or dark area in the light distribution pattern of the high beam. The formation of regions can be suppressed. Further, as compared with the above case, it is possible to suppress the formation of an unintended bright area or dark area in the light distribution pattern of the low beam due to the reflection of the first light from the side surface of the light shielding portion of the additional portion.

The lower surface of the fixing portion may be inclined at the outer edge so as to approach the main body portion toward the outer edge.

By adopting such a configuration, compared to the case where the lower surface of the fixing portion is not inclined at the outer edge so as to approach the main body portion toward the outer edge, the second light is reflected by the side surface of the fixing portion. It is possible to suppress the formation of unintended bright areas and dark areas in the light distribution pattern of the high beam.

The additional portion includes a main block and a tail block extending from an edge of the main block in a predetermined direction along the extending direction of the main block and having a width narrower than that of the main block in a specific direction perpendicular to the predetermined direction. The tail block may be bent so that the side opposite to the main block side becomes the light shielding portion.

In this additional part, the main block side of the tail block and the main block are the fixed parts. Therefore, by adopting such a configuration, the width of the fixing portion in the above-mentioned specific direction can be increased compared to the case where the width of the main block in the above-mentioned specific direction is the same as the width of the tail block in the above-mentioned specific direction. and the fixing portion can be easily fixed to the main body.

In this case, the body portion has a bent portion that bends, and the slit extends in a direction non-parallel to the extending direction of the bent portion in a portion of the body portion other than the bent portion. The edge of the block on the bent portion side and the edge of the tail block on the bent portion side may be positioned on the same straight line.

With such a configuration, even if the slit is provided in the vicinity of the bent portion, compared to the case where the bent portion side edge of the main block is positioned closer to the bent portion side than the bent portion side edge of the tail block, It is easy to prevent a part of the main block from overlapping the bent portion. Therefore, according to this vehicle headlamp, it is easier to fix the fixing portion to the main body than in the case described above.

In this case, the body portion has two bent portions, and one of the bent portions allows the first base portion extending in the horizontal direction and the edge of the first base portion on one side in the left-right direction to extend from the edge of the first base portion in the horizontal direction. An inclined portion extending obliquely downward is formed on the side opposite to the first base portion, and the other bent portion causes the edge of the inclined portion on the side opposite to the first base portion to extend downward from the inclined portion. A horizontally extending second base portion may be formed on the opposite side, and the slit may be formed in the first base portion.

In this vehicle headlamp, the cutoff line in the light distribution pattern of the low beam is divided into a first line extending horizontally from the elbow point on one side in the left-right direction and a line extending diagonally upward from the elbow point on the other side in the left-right direction. It may have a slanted line extending toward it and a second line extending horizontally from the end of the slanted line opposite the elbow point. Further, according to this vehicle headlamp, it is possible to form a darkened area below the first line in the light distribution pattern of the low beam.

As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to provide a vehicle headlamp that can switch the emitted light between a low beam and a high beam, and can darken a predetermined area in the light distribution pattern of the low beam.

1 is a side view schematically showing a vehicle headlamp according to an embodiment of the invention; FIG. FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view schematically showing a lamp unit; FIG. 2 is a front view schematically showing a lamp unit; FIG. 4 is a diagram schematically showing a cross section of the lamp unit taken along line IV-IV of FIG. 3; FIG. 4 is a diagram schematically showing a cross section of the lamp unit taken along line VV of FIG. 3; 1 is an exploded perspective view schematically showing a beam shaper; FIG. FIG. 4 is a front view schematically showing a beam shaper; FIG. 4 is a schematic bottom view of a beam shaper; FIG. 4 is a plan view schematically showing a plate-like member for forming an additional portion; FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing a portion of the cross section of the beam shaper taken along line XX of FIG. 7; 5 is an enlarged view of part of FIG. 4 schematically showing an example of optical paths of first light emitted from a first light source and second light emitted from a second light source; FIG. It is a figure which shows the light distribution pattern of the low beam in this embodiment. It is a figure which shows the light distribution pattern of the high beam in this embodiment.

Hereinafter, a form for implementing a vehicle headlamp according to the present invention will be exemplified along with the accompanying drawings. The embodiments illustrated below are intended to facilitate understanding of the present invention, and are not intended to limit and interpret the present invention. The present invention can be modified and improved without departing from its spirit. In addition, the present invention may appropriately combine the constituent elements in each embodiment illustrated below. Note that in the drawings referred to below, the dimensions of each member may be changed to facilitate understanding.

FIG. 1 is a side view schematically showing a vehicle headlamp according to this embodiment. Vehicle headlamps are generally provided in front of a vehicle in left and right directions. In this specification, "right" means the right side in the forward direction of the vehicle, and "left" means the left side in the forward direction of the vehicle. Each of the left and right vehicle headlamps has the same configuration, except that the shape is generally symmetrical in the left-right direction. Therefore, one vehicle headlamp will be described below.

The vehicle headlamp 1 of this embodiment mainly includes a housing 10 and a lamp unit LU. Note that FIG. 1 shows the housing 10 in a vertical section. The housing 10 has a lamp housing 11 and a front cover 12 having optical transparency. The front of the lamp housing 11 is open, and a front cover 12 is fixed to the lamp housing 11 so as to close the opening. A space formed by the lamp housing 11 and the front cover 12 is a lamp chamber R, and the lamp unit LU is accommodated in the lamp chamber R.

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view schematically showing the lamp unit LU, and is an exploded perspective view of the lamp unit LU seen obliquely from the front and above. FIG. 3 is a front view schematically showing the lamp unit LU, and is a front view of the lamp unit LU as seen from the front. FIG. 4 is a diagram schematically showing a cross section of the lighting unit LU along line IV-IV in FIG. As shown in FIGS. 1 to 4, the lighting unit LU of this embodiment mainly includes a heat sink 20, a light source section 30, a projection lens 35, a light guide 40, a beam shaper 50, and a holder 80. Prepared as a configuration.

The heat sink 20 of this embodiment has a metal base plate 21 that extends substantially vertically and in the left-right direction. is provided in Three bosses 23 protruding forward are provided integrally with the base plate 21 on the front side of the base plate 21 . Each boss 23 is provided with a screw hole 24 along the boss 23 from the tip surface.

The light source section 30 of this embodiment has three

first light sources

31a, 31b, and 31c, a second light source 32, and a circuit board 33. The circuit board 33 is placed on the front surface of the base plate 21 of the heat sink 20 and fixed to the base plate 21 with screws (not shown). The

first light sources

31 a , 31 b , 31 c and the second light source 32 are mounted on the circuit board 33 and emit white light forward when power is supplied from the circuit board 33 . In this embodiment, the

first light sources

31a, 31b, 31c and the second light source 32 are LEDs (Light Emitting Diodes). The first light source 31a is spaced on the right side of the first light source 31b, and the first light source 31c is spaced on the left side of the first light source 31b. in line. The

first light sources

31a, 31b, and 31c are low-beam light sources, and forwardly emit first light that forms a low-beam light distribution pattern. The second light source 32 is arranged below the

first light sources

31a, 31b, and 31c, and the second light source 32 and the first light source 31b are arranged substantially vertically. The second light source 32 is a high-beam light source, and forwardly emits a second light that forms a high-beam light distribution pattern together with the first light. The types and numbers of the

first light sources

31a, 31b, 31c and the second light sources 32 are not particularly limited.

The projection lens 35 is a lens that changes the angle of divergence of transmitted light, and is arranged in front of the

first light sources

31 a , 31 b , 31 c and the second light source 32 . In the present embodiment, the projection lens 35 is a biconvex aspherical lens with an outer shape elongated in the left-right direction and having an approximately oval track shape. 31 b and the second light source 32 . 4 is a vertical sectional view of the lamp unit LU along the optical axis 35C. A flange portion 36 is provided on the outer peripheral surface of the projection lens 35 so as to protrude outward and extend over the entire circumference. Examples of the material forming the projection lens 35 include resin, glass, and the like.

FIG. 5 is a diagram schematically showing a cross section of the lighting unit LU taken along line VV in FIG. 3, and is a horizontal cross-sectional view of the lighting unit LU passing through the

first light sources

31a, 31b, and 31c. Note that the illustration of the heat sink 20 is omitted in FIG. As shown in FIGS. 2, 4 and 5, the light guide 40 is arranged between the

first light sources

31a, 31b, 31c and the second light source 32 and the projection lens 35 to The first light emitted from 31 c and the second light emitted from the second light source 32 are guided and made incident on the projection lens 35 .

The light guide 40 of this embodiment has three

first entrance surfaces

41a, 41b, 41c and a second entrance surface 42 on the rear side, and an exit surface 43 on the front side. The first light from the first light source 31a enters the first incident surface 41a, the first light from the first light source 31b enters the first incident surface 41b, and the first light enters the first incident surface 41c. The first light from the first light source 31 c is incident, and the second light from the second light source 32 is incident on the second incident surface 42 . Further, plate-shaped flange portions 48 projecting outward and extending along the outer edge of the front end of the light guide 40 are provided at the upper portion and left and right side portions of the front end portion of the light guide 40 .

The light guide 40 directly or totally reflects the first light incident from the first incident surfaces 41a, 41b, and 41c and guides it to the exit surface 43, and directs or totally reflects the second light incident from the second incident surface 42. The light is totally reflected and guided to the exit surface 43 . The exit surface 43 emits the thus guided first light and second light toward the projection lens 35 . In this embodiment, the exit surface 43 is concavely curved rearward. As shown in FIG. 4, a beam shaper 50, which will be described later, is arranged between the exit surface 43 and the projection lens 35. As shown in FIG. A region above the rear end of the beam shaper 50 on the emission surface 43 is a first emission region 43a from which the first light is emitted. A region below the rear end of the beam shaper 50 is a second emission region 43b for emitting the second light. The light guide 40 guides the first light and the second light in such a manner. Therefore, the

first light sources

31a, 31b, 31c and the light guide 40 form a first light emitting optical system LE1 that emits the first light forward. The second light source 32 and the light guide 40 form a second light emission optical system LE2 that emits the second light forward. shares the light guide 40 with. A first portion of the first light emission optical system LE1 that emits the first light is a first emission area 43a on the emission surface 43. As shown in FIG. The second part of the second light emitting optical system LE2 that emits the second light is the second emission area 43b on the emission surface 43, and the second emission area 43b is larger than the first emission area 43a, which is the first part. located below.

FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view schematically showing the beam shaper 50, and is an exploded perspective view of the beam shaper 50 viewed obliquely from the front and above. FIG. 7 is a front view schematically showing the beam shaper 50, and is a front view of the beam shaper 50 viewed from the front. FIG. 8 is a bottom view schematically showing the beam shaper 50, and is a bottom view of the beam shaper 50 viewed from below. Note that the upper side in FIG. 8 is the front side of the vehicle, and the lower side is the rear side of the vehicle. As shown in FIGS. 6 to 8, the beam shaper 50 is composed of a plate-like body portion 51 and an additional portion 60. As shown in FIG.

The body portion 51 of the present embodiment is a plate-like member that is elongated in the left-right direction and has one main surface facing upward. The body portion 51 also has a pair of left and right fixing

portions

52 , 52 and a base portion 53 . 6 and 8 show a dotted line indicating the boundary between the fixed portion 52 and the base portion 53 on the left side. The pair of fixing

portions

52, 52 has a through hole 52h extending in the horizontal direction and penetrating in the thickness direction. Also, the pair of fixing

portions

52, 52 are positioned on the same plane.

The base part 53 is elongated in the left-right direction, is positioned between a pair of fixing

parts

52 , 52 , has a left end connected to the left fixing part 52 and a right end connected to the right fixing part 52 . A center portion in the left-right direction of the front end 53e1 of the base portion 53 is curved in an arc shape that is concave backward, and both ends in the left-right direction of the front end 53e1 are positioned on the same straight line extending in the left-right direction. A rear end 53e2 of the base portion 53 is curved in a rearward convex shape. Also, the base portion 53 has a slit 54 near the front end 53e1.

Also, the base portion 53 has three

bent portions

55a, 55b, and 55c at which the base portion 53 is bent. These

bent portions

55a, 55b, 55c generally extend linearly from the front end 53e1 to the rear end 53e2. The bent portion 55a extends obliquely downward from the left edge of the first base portion 56, which is one side in the left-right direction, to the side opposite to the first base portion 56 side. An existing inclined portion 57 is formed. The bent portion 55 b forms a second base portion 58 that extends horizontally from the edge of the inclined portion 57 opposite to the first base portion 56 toward the side opposite to the inclined portion 57 . The left edge of the second base portion 58 is connected to the left fixing portion 52, and the second base portion 58 and the left fixing portion 52 are positioned on the same plane. A connecting portion 59 extending downward from the edge of the first base portion 56 opposite to the inclined portion 57 is formed by the bent portion 55c. The edge of the connection portion 59 on the side opposite to the first base portion 56 side is connected to the fixing portion 52 on the right side. The slit 54 is formed in the first base portion 56 thus formed, and extends in the left-right direction, which is a direction non-parallel to the extending direction of the bent portion 55a. In this embodiment, the extending direction of the slit 54 and the extending direction of the bent portion 55a are substantially perpendicular, but they do not have to be perpendicular.

The additional portion 60 has a plate-like fixing portion 61 and a plate-like light shielding portion 62 . The fixed portion 61 extends along the lower surface 51S1 of the main body portion 51 and is fixed to the lower surface 51S1 by, for example, laser welding. The light shielding portion 62 extends from the outer edge portion of the fixing portion 61 through the slit 54 to the upper surface 51 S 2 of the main body portion 51 . In this embodiment, the thickness of the additional portion 60 is thinner than the thickness of the main body portion 51 . However, the thickness of the additional portion 60 may be the same as the thickness of the body portion 51 or may be greater than the thickness of the body portion 51 . The thickness of the main body portion 51 and the additional portion 60 is, for example, about 0.05 mm to 1.0 mm. The additional portion 60 of this embodiment is formed by bending a plate-like member.

FIG. 9 is a plan view schematically showing a plate-like member for forming the additional portion 60, and is a plan view schematically showing the plate-like member before being bent. As shown in FIG. 9, the plate-like member 70 is a plate-like member having a main block 71 and a tail block 72 extending from the outer edge of the main block 71 in a predetermined direction along the direction in which the main block 71 extends. be. In this embodiment, the main block 71 has a substantially rectangular shape, the predetermined direction is the longitudinal direction of the main block 71, and the tail block 72 is one of the outer edges of the main block 71 in the longitudinal direction of the main block 71. extending from the outer edge of the side. A width 72W of the tail block 72 in the lateral direction of the main block 71, which is a specific direction perpendicular to the predetermined direction, is narrower than a width 71W of the main block 71 in that direction. The edge 71e1 of the main block 71 on one side in the direction and the edge 72e1 of the tail block 72 on the one side in the direction are located on the same straight line. An edge 72e2 of the tail block 72 on the side opposite to the main block 71 side is convexly curved toward the side opposite to the main block 71 side. Such a tail block 72 is bent so that the side opposite to the main block 71 side serves as the light blocking portion 62 described above. In FIG. 9, the portions to be bent are indicated by dotted lines. In this embodiment, the entire edge 72e2 is located on the side opposite to the lower surface 51S1 side of the upper surface 51S2 of the body portion 51, and the tip of the portion 63 of the light shielding portion 62 protruding from the upper surface 51S2 is curved in a convex shape. Further, as shown in FIG. 8, the edge 71e1 and the edge 72e1 are located on the bent portion 55a side of the base portion 53. As shown in FIG.

Note that the outer shapes of the main block 71 and the tail block 72 are not particularly limited. Also, the width 72W may be wider than the width 71W or may be the same as the width 71W. Also, the edge 71e1 and the edge 72e1 do not have to be positioned on the same straight line.

FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing a part of the cross section of the beam shaper 50 taken along line XX of FIG. As shown in FIG. 10, in this embodiment, the body portion 51 is formed of a plate-like member 65 composed of a base material 65a and a light reflecting film 65b covering the base material 65a. The plate member 70 forming the additional portion 60 is composed of a base material 70a and a light reflecting film 70b covering the base material 70a. Examples of the base material 65a and the base material 70a include metal plates, and examples of the metal include stainless steel and carbon steel. The base material 65a is bent so as to form the fixed part 52 and the base part 53, and the base material 70a is bent so that the fixed part 61 and the light shielding part 62 are formed. A portion of the base material 70 a corresponding to the fixed portion 61 is fixed to the base material 65 a by laser welding or the like, and a portion of the base material 70 a corresponding to the light shielding portion 62 penetrates the slit 54 . In the present embodiment, the light reflecting film 65b and the light reflecting film 70b are metal-plated, and the member composed of the base material 65a and the base material 70a fixed to the base material 65a is metal-plated. , the light reflecting film 65b and the light reflecting film 70b are integrally formed. Note that in FIG. 10, the boundary between the light reflecting film 65b and the light reflecting film 70b is indicated by a dotted line. The light reflecting film 65b thus formed covers the portion of the surface of the base material 65a that is not covered by the base material 70a, and the light reflecting film 70b covers the surface of the base material 70a that is covered by the base material 65a. Cover the areas that will not be cut. The lower surface 61S1 of the fixed portion 61 of the additional portion 60 is inclined at the outer edge portion 64 so as to approach the main body portion 51 toward the outer edge 61e by the light reflecting film 70b which is metal plating.

The plate-like member 65 may consist of only the base material 65a, and the plate-like member 70 may consist of only the base material 70a. Alternatively, the entire surface of the substrate 65a may be covered with the light reflecting film 65b, or the entire surface of the substrate 70a may be covered with the light reflecting film 70b. The light reflecting film 65b and the light reflecting film 70b may be formed by metal vapor deposition. Alternatively, the base material 65a and the base material 70a may be formed by cutting metal members.

Such a beam shaper 50 is arranged between the first and

second emission areas

43a and 43b on the emission surface 43 of the light guide 40 and the projection lens 35, as shown in FIG. In this embodiment, the body portion 51 of the beam shaper 50 intersects the exit surface 43 when viewed from the front along the optical axis 35C of the projection lens 35 . The optical axis 35C passes through the bent portion 55a of the base portion 53 of the body portion 51 or its vicinity, and the rear focal point of the projection lens 35 is positioned at the front end 53e1 of the base portion 53 or its vicinity.

As shown in FIGS. 2, 4, and 5, the holder 80 of this embodiment has a support portion 81 and a protection portion 82, and supports the projection lens 35, the light guide 40, and the beam shaper 50. As a material forming the holder 80, for example, a resin such as opaque polycarbonate can be used, and in the present embodiment, the support portion 81 and the protection portion 82 are integrally formed.

The support part 81 is a cylindrical member extending in the front-rear direction, and has a flange part 83 protruding from the inner peripheral surface at the front end. The flange portion 36 of the projection lens 35 contacts the flange portion 83 from the front side, and the flange portion 36 is fixed to the flange portion 83 by, for example, ultrasonic welding or laser welding. The lower side of a predetermined range from the rear end of the support portion 81 to the front is notched, and the lower end on the right side and the lower end on the left side of the predetermined range extend generally horizontally outward. A support plate 84 is provided. A connection wall 87 that protrudes from the outer surface in a direction substantially perpendicular to the extending direction of the support portion 81 is provided at the rear end portion of the support portion 81 . As shown in FIG. 3, the lower surface of the support plate 84 is provided with a pedestal portion 85 protruding downward. Each of the left and right fixing portions 52 of the main body portion 51 of the beam shaper 50 abuts on the tip of the base portion 85 from below and is fixed to the base portion 85 . In the present embodiment, the fixed portion 52 is fixed to the base portion 85 by thermal caulking. Specifically, the tip portion of the pin protruding downward from the pedestal portion 85 and penetrating the through hole 52h of the fixing portion 52 is melted by heat, thereby closing the opening of the through hole 52h on the side opposite to the pedestal portion 85 side. A head 86 is formed. By doing so, the fixing portion 52 is sandwiched between the base portion 85 and the head portion 86 , and the fixing portion 52 is fixed to the base portion 85 . In addition, the fixing method of the fixing|fixed part 52 is not specifically limited, For example, you may fix by ultrasonic welding or laser welding.

As shown in FIGS. 2, 4, and 5, the protection part 82 is a plate-shaped member located behind the support part 81 and surrounding the left and right sides and the top of the light guide 40. As shown in FIG. In this embodiment, the protective portion 82 surrounds the left and right sides and the upper portion of the front portion of the light guide 40 . The front end of the protective portion 82 is connected to the connection wall 87, the flange portion 48 of the light guide 40 contacts the connection wall 87 from the rear side, and the flange portion 48 is fixed to the connection wall 87 by, for example, ultrasonic welding or laser welding. be done. Projection lens 35 , light guide 40 and beam shaper 50 are thus supported by holder 80 .

As shown in FIGS. 2 to 4, the rear end portion of the protective portion 82 is provided with three fixing plates 88 projecting substantially vertically from the outer surface. The fixing plate 88 corresponds to the boss 23 of the heat sink 20, and has a through hole 88h. The holder 80 is fixed to the heat sink 20 by the fixing plate 88 coming into contact with the tip of the boss 23 from the front side, and the screw 89 being inserted into the through hole 88h and fastened to the screw hole 24 . Thus, the projection lens 35 , the light guide 40 and the beam shaper 50 are fixed to the heat sink 20 via the holder 80 .

Next, formation of a low-beam light distribution pattern by the vehicle headlamp 1 will be described. FIG. 11 is an enlarged view of part of FIG. 4 schematically showing an example of optical paths of the first light emitted from the first light source and the second light emitted from the second light source. Note that the reflection angle, refraction angle, and the like of light shown in FIG. 11 may not be accurate.

When forming a low-beam light distribution pattern, the first light L1 is emitted from the first light emitting optical system LE1. Specifically, the first light L1 is emitted from the

first light sources

31a, 31b, and 31c. The first light L1 from the first light source 31b enters the light guide 40 from the first incident surface 41b, and is emitted from the first emission area 43a toward the projection lens 35 positioned ahead. The same applies to the first light L1 from the

first light sources

31a and 31c. Most of the first light L1 emitted from the first emission region 43 a passes above the beam shaper 50 and directly enters the projection lens 35 . A portion of the first light L1 emitted from the first emission region 43a is irradiated onto the upper surface 51S2 of the main body portion 51 of the beam shaper 50. As shown in FIG. A region of the upper surface 51S2 irradiated with the first light L1 is in continuous contact with the front end of the body portion 51, and in this embodiment, is in contact with the entire front end 53e1 of the base portion 53 of the body portion 51. The upper surface of the base portion 53, which is a part of the upper surface 51S2, is formed with a cutoff line having a shape corresponding to the front end 53e1 in the light distribution pattern formed by the first light L1, and the light distribution pattern is a low beam. Part of the first light L1 is reflected toward the projection lens 35 so as to form a light distribution pattern. A low-beam light distribution pattern is formed by the reflected first light and the first light L1 directly incident on the projection lens 35 from the first emission area 43a. Further, as shown in FIG. 10, another portion of the first light L1 emitted from the first emission region 43a is irradiated onto the portion 63 of the light shielding portion 62 protruding from the upper surface 51S2. This portion 63 reflects and shields other part of the first light L1 so that it does not enter the projection lens 35 . Therefore, a predetermined area in the light distribution pattern of the low beam can be darkened. In addition, since the region of the upper surface 51S2 irradiated with the first light L1 is in contact with the entire front end 53e1 as described above, the region between the front end 53e1 and the portion 63 of the upper surface 51S2 also receives the first light. L1 is illuminated and the area becomes bright. This may allow a gap between the predetermined area to be darkened and the cutoff line. In this manner, a low-beam light distribution pattern is formed by the first light L1, and light having this low-beam light distribution pattern is transmitted through the projection lens 35 and emitted from the vehicle headlamp 1 through the front cover 12. be done. As described above, the rear focus of the projection lens 35 is located at or near the front end 53e1. Therefore, the low-beam light distribution pattern projected forward of the vehicle is a light distribution pattern that is inverted by the projection lens 35 .

FIG. 12 is a diagram showing a low beam light distribution pattern in this embodiment. In FIG. 12 , S indicates a horizontal line, V indicates a vertical line passing through the center of the vehicle in the left-right direction, and the low-beam light distribution pattern PL projected onto a virtual vertical screen placed 25 m in front of the vehicle is indicated by a thick line. shown. The light guide 40 and the beam shaper 50 are shaped so that the light distribution pattern of the first light L1 incident on the projection lens 35 becomes such a low-beam light distribution pattern PL. The low-beam light distribution pattern PL of the present embodiment is for a country or region where vehicles drive on the right side. A cutoff line CL of the low-beam light distribution pattern PL corresponds to the shape of the front end 53e1 of the base portion 53, and is composed of a first line CL1, an inclined line CL2, and a second line CL3. The first line CL1 extends horizontally to the left, which is one side in the left-right direction, from an elbow point EP located below the horizontal line S and on or near the vertical line V. As shown in FIG. The slant line CL2 extends obliquely upward to the right from the elbow point EP, and the right end of the slant line CL2 is positioned above the horizontal line S. The second line CL3 extends horizontally to the right from the right end of the inclined line CL2. Further, the area AR1 located below the first line CL1 in the low-beam light distribution pattern PL is made darker than the other areas. The area AR1 is located on the oncoming lane OL side of the elbow point EP. Therefore, the area AR1 can overlap the road surface between the host vehicle and the oncoming vehicle, and can suppress glare to the driver of the oncoming vehicle due to the light reflected on the road surface. The position and shape of the area AR1 can be changed by adjusting the position and shape of the portion 63 of the light shielding portion 62 that protrudes from the upper surface 51S2.

Next, formation of a high beam light distribution pattern by the vehicle headlamp 1 will be described.

When forming a high beam light distribution pattern, the first light L1 is emitted from the first light emitting optical system LE1, and the second light L2 is emitted from the second light emitting optical system LE2. Specifically, the

first light sources

31a, 31b, and 31c emit the first light L1, and the second light source 32 emits the second light L2. Therefore, as described above, the low-beam light distribution pattern PH is formed by the first light L1, and the vehicle headlamp 1 emits light having the low-beam light distribution pattern PH. The second light L2 emitted from the second light source 32 enters the light guide 40 through the second incident surface 42, as shown in FIG. The second light L2 that has entered the light guide 40 is emitted from the second emission area 43b toward the projection lens 35 located forward. Most of the second light L2 emitted from the second emission region 43b passes below the beam shaper 50 and directly enters the projection lens 35 arranged in front of the second emission region 43b. Part of the second light L2 emitted from the second emission region 43b is irradiated to the lower surface 51S1 of the main body portion 51 and the lower surface 61S1 of the fixing portion 61 of the additional portion 60 . The lower surface 51S1 of the main body portion 51 and the lower surface 61S1 of the fixed portion 61 reflect part of the second light L2 toward the projection lens 35 . The regions of the lower surface 51S1 and the lower surface 61S1 irradiated with the second light L2 are in continuous contact with the front end of the body portion 51, and in the present embodiment, are in contact with the entire front end 53e1 of the base portion 53 of the body portion 51. ing. Then, the lower surface 51S1 and the lower surface 61S1 are arranged so that a cutoff line having a shape corresponding to the front end 53e1 is formed in the light distribution pattern formed by the second light L2, and the light distribution pattern becomes an additional light distribution pattern. Part of the second light L2 is reflected toward the projection lens 35 side. An additional light distribution pattern is formed by the reflected second light L2 and the second light L2 directly incident on the projection lens 35 from the second emission area 43b. This additional light distribution pattern is a light distribution pattern in which a high beam light distribution pattern is formed by being added to the low beam light distribution pattern PH. A light distribution pattern of the high beam is formed by the light L1 of the high beam. In this manner, the additional light distribution pattern is formed by the second light L2, and the light having this additional light distribution pattern is transmitted through the projection lens 35 and emitted from the vehicle headlamp 1 through the front cover 12. . Therefore, light having a high beam light distribution pattern is emitted from the vehicle headlamp 1 . The additional light distribution pattern projected in front of the vehicle is a light distribution pattern that is inverted by the projection lens 35, like the low beam light distribution pattern PL. The cutoff line of the additional light distribution pattern is defined by the front end 53e1 of the base portion 53, similarly to the cutoff line CL of the low beam light distribution pattern PL. Therefore, the cutoff line of the additional light distribution pattern and the cutoff line CL of the light distribution pattern PL of the low beam approximately match, and the light distribution pattern of the high beam is a combination of the additional light distribution pattern and the light distribution pattern PL of the low beam. becomes. In this embodiment, the light distribution pattern of the high beam is formed by superimposing the first light L1 and the second light L2. However, the first light L1 and the second light L2 do not have to overlap. In this case, at least part of the cutoff line of the additional light distribution pattern and at least part of the cutoff line CL of the low beam light distribution pattern PL match, and the additional light distribution pattern and the low beam light distribution pattern PL are connected.

FIG. 13 is a diagram showing the light distribution pattern of the high beam in this embodiment, and is a diagram showing the light distribution pattern of the high beam in the same manner as in FIG. In FIG. 13, the cutoff line CL in the low-beam light distribution pattern PL is indicated by a dotted line. A region below the cutoff line CL in the light distribution pattern PH of the high beam is formed by the first light L1, and a region above the cutoff line CL is formed by the second light L2.

As described above, the vehicle headlamp 1 of this embodiment includes the first light emitting optical system LE1, the second light emitting optical system LE2, the projection lens 35, and the beam shaper 50. The first light emitting optical system LE1 emits first light L1 that forms a low-beam light distribution pattern PL from a first portion forward. The second light emitting optical system LE2 emits forward from a second portion located below the first portion a second light L2 that forms a high beam light distribution pattern PH together with the first light L1. The projection lens 35 is arranged in front of the first part and the second part, and transmits the first light L1 and the second light L2. The beam shaper 50 is composed of a plate-like body portion 51 having a slit 54 and an additional portion 60 and is arranged between the first and second portions and the projection lens 35 . The additional portion 60 includes a plate-like fixing portion 61 that extends along the lower surface 51S1 of the main body portion 51 and is fixed to the lower surface 51S1, and an upper surface 51S2 of the main body portion 51 that extends from the outer edge portion of the fixing portion 61 through the slit 54. and a plate-shaped light blocking portion 62 extending upward. The upper surface 51S2 of the main body 51 reflects part of the first light L1 toward the projection lens 35 so that the cutoff line CL of the low-beam light distribution pattern PL is formed.

In the vehicle headlamp 1 of the present embodiment, the portion 63 of the light shielding portion 62 protruding from the upper surface 51S2 of the main body portion 51 shields the other portion of the first light L1. Therefore, according to the vehicle headlamp 1 of the present embodiment, the predetermined area AR1 in the light distribution pattern PL of the low beam can be darkened. Further, in the vehicle headlamp 1 of the present embodiment, as described above, the fixing portion 61 of the additional portion 60 extends along the lower surface 51S1 of the main body portion 51 and is fixed to the lower surface 51S1. A portion of the additional portion 60 protruding from the upper surface 51</b>S<b>2 of the main body portion 51 is a part of the light shielding portion 62 passing through the slit 54 of the main body portion 51 . Therefore, compared to the case where the fixed portion 61 of the additional portion 60 extends along the upper surface 51S2 of the main body portion 51 and is fixed to the upper surface 51S2, the side surface of the fixed portion 61 does not reflect the first light L1. can suppress the formation of unintended bright areas and dark areas in the low-beam light distribution pattern PL.

Also, in the vehicle headlamp 1 of the present embodiment, the additional portion 60 is thinner than the main body portion 51 . Therefore, according to the vehicle headlamp 1 of the present embodiment, the second light L2 is reflected by the side surface of the fixing portion 61 of the additional portion 60 as compared with the case where the additional portion 60 is thicker than the main body portion 51. can suppress the formation of unintended bright areas and dark areas in the light distribution pattern of the high beam.

Further, in the vehicle headlamp 1 of the present embodiment, the lower surface 61S1 of the fixing portion 61 of the additional portion 60 is inclined at the outer edge portion 64 so as to approach the main body portion 51 toward the outer edge 61e. Therefore, according to the vehicle headlamp 1 of the present embodiment, compared to the case where the lower surface 61S1 at the outer edge portion 64 is not inclined toward the outer edge 61e so as to approach the main body portion 51, the side surface of the fixed portion 61 is It is possible to suppress the formation of an unintended bright area or dark area in the light distribution pattern PH of the high beam due to the reflection of the second light L2 at .

In this embodiment, the additional portion 60 is formed from the plate-like member 70 composed of the base material 70a and the light reflecting film 70b, which is a metal plating coating the base material 70a. The portion 64 is inclined toward the outer edge 61 e so as to approach the main body portion 51 . However, from the viewpoint of suppressing the formation of unintended bright regions and dark regions in the light distribution pattern PH of the high beam, the lower surface 61S1 should be inclined at the outer edge portion 64 toward the outer edge 61e so as to approach the main body portion 51. Just do it. For example, by gradually thinning the thickness of the base material 70a, the lower surface 61S1 of the outer edge portion 64 may be inclined toward the outer edge 61e so as to approach the main body portion 51. FIG.

Further, in the vehicle headlamp 1 of the present embodiment, the additional portion 60 is composed of a plate-like member 70 having a main block 71 and a tail block 72 . The tail block 72 extends from the edge of the main block 71 in a predetermined direction along the extending direction of the main block 71, and the width 72W of the tail block 72 in the direction perpendicular to this predetermined direction is is narrower than the width 71W of the main block 71 at . Also, the tail block 72 is bent so that the side opposite to the main block 71 side serves as the light blocking portion 62 . Therefore, the main block 71 side of the tail block 72 and the main block 71 become the fixed portion 61 . Therefore, according to the vehicle headlamp 1 of the present embodiment, the width of the fixed portion 61 is increased compared to the case where the width 71W of the main block 71 is the same as the width 72W of the tail block 72. , and the fixing portion 61 can be easily fixed to the main body portion 51 .

In addition, in the vehicle headlamp 1 of the present embodiment, the body portion 51 has a bent portion 55a that bends, and the slit 54 is formed in a portion of the body portion 51 other than the bent portion 55a in the extending direction of the bent portion 55a. extending in a direction non-parallel to An edge 71e1 of the main block 71 on the side of the bent portion 55a and an edge 72e2 of the tail block 72 on the side of the bent portion 55a are located on the same straight line. Therefore, according to the vehicle headlamp 1 of the present embodiment, compared to the case where the edge 71e1 is positioned closer to the bent portion 55a than the edge 72e1, even if the slit 54 is provided in the vicinity of the bent portion 55a, it is possible to It is easy to prevent a portion of the block 71 from overlapping the bent portion 55a. Therefore, according to the vehicle headlamp 1 of the present embodiment, it is easier to fix the fixing portion 61 to the main body portion 51 than in the above case.

In addition, the vehicle headlamp 1 of the present embodiment has two

bent portions

55a and 55b. By one bent portion 55a, the first base portion 56 extends in the horizontal direction, and the first base portion 56 extends obliquely downward from the edge of the first base portion 56 on one side in the left-right direction to the side opposite to the first base portion 56 side. An inclined portion 57 is formed. The other bent portion 55b forms a second base portion 58 extending horizontally from the edge of the inclined portion 57 opposite to the first base portion 56 toward the side opposite to the inclined portion 57, and the slit 54 is , are formed on the first base portion 56 . Therefore, according to the vehicle headlamp 1 of the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 12, the cutoff line CL is defined as the first line CL1 horizontally extending from the elbow point EP to one side in the left-right direction. , an inclined line CL2 extending obliquely upward from the elbow point EP to the other side in the left-right direction, and a second line CL3 extending horizontally from the end of the inclined line CL2 opposite to the elbow point EP side. can be made Further, according to the vehicle headlamp 1, a darkened area AR1 can be formed below the first line CL1 in the low-beam light distribution pattern PL.

Although the present invention has been described above using the above embodiments as examples, the present invention is not limited to these.

For example, in the above embodiment, the first light emitting optical system LE1 comprising the

first light sources

31a, 31b, 31c and the light guide 40, and the second light emitting optical system LE2 comprising the second light source 32 and the light guide 40 was explained as an example. However, the first light emitting optical system LE1 and the second light emitting optical system LE2 are not particularly limited. For example, the first light emitting optical system LE1 and the second light emitting optical system LE2 may not share the light guide 40 but may have different light guides. Also, the first light emitting optical system LE1 and the second light emitting optical system LE2 may be composed of a light source and a reflector that reflects the light from the light source.

Also, in the above embodiment, the beam shaper 50 having one additional section 60 was described as an example. However, the number of additional parts 60 is not particularly limited. For example, the beam shaper 50 may have a plurality of additional portions 60 and the body portion 51 may have slits 54 corresponding to each of the plurality of additional portions 60 .

Further, in the above embodiment, the base portion 53 having the

bent portions

55a, 55b, 55c extending from the front end to the rear end was described as an example. However, the bent portion only needs to extend from the front end of the main body portion 51 and does not have to extend to the rear end of the base portion 53 . Also, the number of bent portions is not particularly limited. For example, the base portion 53 may not have a bent portion.

Further, in the above embodiment, the holder 80 that holds the projection lens 35, the light guide 40, and the beam shaper 50 has been described as an example. However, the holder 80 only needs to hold the beam shaper 50, and the projection lens 35 and the light guide 40 may be held by a holder other than the holder 80. It is preferable that the holder 80 holds the light guide 40 and the beam shaper 50 from the viewpoint of suppressing the relative positional deviation between the light guide 40 and the beam shaper 50 .

According to the present invention, there is provided a vehicle headlamp capable of switching emitted light between a low beam and a high beam and capable of darkening a predetermined area in the light distribution pattern of the low beam. It can be used in fields such as

Claims

a first light emitting optical system that emits forward from a first portion a first light that forms a low-beam light distribution pattern;
a second light emitting optical system that emits forward a second light that forms a high beam light distribution pattern together with the first light from a second portion located below the first portion;
a projection lens disposed in front of the first portion and the second portion and through which the first light and the second light are transmitted;
a beam shaper comprising a plate-like main body portion having a slit and an additional portion, the beam shaper being arranged between the first portion and the second portion and the projection lens;
with
The additional portion includes a plate-shaped fixing portion that extends along the lower surface of the main body and is fixed to the lower surface, and a plate-like fixing portion that extends from the outer edge of the fixing portion through the slit to extend above the upper surface of the main body. and an extending plate-shaped light shielding part,
the upper surface of the main body part reflects a portion of the first light toward the projection lens so that a cutoff line of the light distribution pattern of the low beam is formed;
A vehicular headlamp, wherein a portion of the light blocking portion protruding from the upper surface of the main body blocks other part of the first light.
The vehicle headlamp according to claim 1, wherein the additional portion is thinner than the main body portion.
3. The vehicle headlamp according to claim 1, wherein the lower surface of the fixing portion is inclined toward the outer edge so as to approach the main body portion at the outer edge.
The additional portion includes a main block and a tail block extending from an edge of the main block in a predetermined direction along the extending direction of the main block and having a width narrower than that of the main block in a specific direction perpendicular to the predetermined direction. consisting of a plate-shaped member having
3. The vehicle headlamp according to claim 1, wherein the tail block is bent so that the side opposite to the main block side serves as the light shielding portion.
The body portion has a bending portion that bends,
the slit extends in a direction non-parallel to the extending direction of the bent portion at a portion other than the bent portion in the main body;
5. The vehicle headlamp according to claim 4, wherein an edge of the main block on the bent portion side and an edge of the tail block on the bent portion side are positioned on the same straight line.
The main body has two bends,
With one of the bent portions, the first base portion extends in the horizontal direction, and the first base portion extends obliquely downward from one side edge of the first base portion in the left-right direction to the side opposite to the first base portion side. an inclined portion is formed;
The other bent portion forms a second base portion extending horizontally from the edge of the inclined portion opposite to the first base portion side to the side opposite to the inclined portion side,
The vehicle headlamp according to claim 5, wherein the slit is formed in the first base portion.