WO2024101369A1 - 車両用前照灯 - Google Patents

車両用前照灯 Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2024101369A1
WO2024101369A1 PCT/JP2023/040121 JP2023040121W WO2024101369A1 WO 2024101369 A1 WO2024101369 A1 WO 2024101369A1 JP 2023040121 W JP2023040121 W JP 2023040121W WO 2024101369 A1 WO2024101369 A1 WO 2024101369A1
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WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
light
distribution pattern
projection lens
area
light distribution
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/JP2023/040121
Other languages
English (en)
French (fr)
Japanese (ja)
Inventor
裕太 露木
孝哉 清水
Original Assignee
株式会社小糸製作所
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by 株式会社小糸製作所 filed Critical 株式会社小糸製作所
Priority to JP2024557431A priority Critical patent/JPWO2024101369A1/ja
Priority to CN202380077634.4A priority patent/CN120187983A/zh
Publication of WO2024101369A1 publication Critical patent/WO2024101369A1/ja

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    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F21—LIGHTING
    • F21S—NON-PORTABLE LIGHTING DEVICES; SYSTEMS THEREOF; VEHICLE LIGHTING DEVICES SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR VEHICLE EXTERIORS
    • F21S41/00—Illuminating devices specially adapted for vehicle exteriors, e.g. headlamps
    • F21S41/10—Illuminating devices specially adapted for vehicle exteriors, e.g. headlamps characterised by the light source
    • F21S41/14—Illuminating devices specially adapted for vehicle exteriors, e.g. headlamps characterised by the light source characterised by the type of light source
    • F21S41/141—Light emitting diodes [LED]
    • F21S41/143—Light emitting diodes [LED] the main emission direction of the LED being parallel to the optical axis of the illuminating device
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F21—LIGHTING
    • F21S—NON-PORTABLE LIGHTING DEVICES; SYSTEMS THEREOF; VEHICLE LIGHTING DEVICES SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR VEHICLE EXTERIORS
    • F21S41/00—Illuminating devices specially adapted for vehicle exteriors, e.g. headlamps
    • F21S41/10—Illuminating devices specially adapted for vehicle exteriors, e.g. headlamps characterised by the light source
    • F21S41/14—Illuminating devices specially adapted for vehicle exteriors, e.g. headlamps characterised by the light source characterised by the type of light source
    • F21S41/141—Light emitting diodes [LED]
    • F21S41/147—Light emitting diodes [LED] the main emission direction of the LED being angled to the optical axis of the illuminating device
    • F21S41/148—Light emitting diodes [LED] the main emission direction of the LED being angled to the optical axis of the illuminating device the main emission direction of the LED being perpendicular to the optical axis
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F21—LIGHTING
    • F21S—NON-PORTABLE LIGHTING DEVICES; SYSTEMS THEREOF; VEHICLE LIGHTING DEVICES SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR VEHICLE EXTERIORS
    • F21S41/00—Illuminating devices specially adapted for vehicle exteriors, e.g. headlamps
    • F21S41/20—Illuminating devices specially adapted for vehicle exteriors, e.g. headlamps characterised by refractors, transparent cover plates, light guides or filters
    • F21S41/25—Projection lenses
    • F21S41/265—Composite lenses; Lenses with a patch-like shape
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F21—LIGHTING
    • F21S—NON-PORTABLE LIGHTING DEVICES; SYSTEMS THEREOF; VEHICLE LIGHTING DEVICES SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR VEHICLE EXTERIORS
    • F21S41/00—Illuminating devices specially adapted for vehicle exteriors, e.g. headlamps
    • F21S41/60—Illuminating devices specially adapted for vehicle exteriors, e.g. headlamps characterised by a variable light distribution
    • F21S41/65—Illuminating devices specially adapted for vehicle exteriors, e.g. headlamps characterised by a variable light distribution by acting on light sources
    • F21S41/663—Illuminating devices specially adapted for vehicle exteriors, e.g. headlamps characterised by a variable light distribution by acting on light sources by switching light sources
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F21—LIGHTING
    • F21W—INDEXING SCHEME ASSOCIATED WITH SUBCLASSES F21K, F21L, F21S and F21V, RELATING TO USES OR APPLICATIONS OF LIGHTING DEVICES OR SYSTEMS
    • F21W2102/00—Exterior vehicle lighting devices for illuminating purposes
    • F21W2102/10—Arrangement or contour of the emitted light
    • F21W2102/13—Arrangement or contour of the emitted light for high-beam region or low-beam region
    • F21W2102/135—Arrangement or contour of the emitted light for high-beam region or low-beam region the light having cut-off lines, i.e. clear borderlines between emitted regions and dark regions
    • F21W2102/155—Arrangement or contour of the emitted light for high-beam region or low-beam region the light having cut-off lines, i.e. clear borderlines between emitted regions and dark regions having inclined and horizontal cutoff lines
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F21—LIGHTING
    • F21W—INDEXING SCHEME ASSOCIATED WITH SUBCLASSES F21K, F21L, F21S and F21V, RELATING TO USES OR APPLICATIONS OF LIGHTING DEVICES OR SYSTEMS
    • F21W2102/00—Exterior vehicle lighting devices for illuminating purposes
    • F21W2102/20—Illuminance distribution within the emitted light
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F21—LIGHTING
    • F21Y—INDEXING SCHEME ASSOCIATED WITH SUBCLASSES F21K, F21L, F21S and F21V, RELATING TO THE FORM OR THE KIND OF THE LIGHT SOURCES OR OF THE COLOUR OF THE LIGHT EMITTED
    • F21Y2115/00—Light-generating elements of semiconductor light sources
    • F21Y2115/10—Light-emitting diodes [LED]

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a vehicle headlamp.
  • a vehicle headlamp includes a low beam lamp unit that emits light of a low beam light distribution pattern ahead of the vehicle, and an auxiliary lamp unit that emits light of a different light distribution pattern that is projected next to the low beam light distribution pattern in the left-right direction.
  • a vehicle headlamp is disclosed in Patent Document 1 below.
  • a horizontally long light distribution pattern consisting of a low beam light distribution pattern and another light distribution pattern projected next to the low beam light distribution pattern is projected ahead of the vehicle, illuminating a wide area of the road ahead of the vehicle and improving visibility.
  • a projection lens is provided separately for each of the low beam lighting unit and the auxiliary lighting unit, and the respective projection lenses are connected together into a single unit. This makes the entire projection lens longer horizontally, and the vehicle headlamp tends to be larger overall. For this reason, there is a demand for a smaller vehicle headlamp.
  • the present invention aims to provide a vehicle headlamp that can project multiple light distribution patterns forward of the vehicle while being compact.
  • the vehicle headlamp of the present invention comprises a first light source that emits a first light that is one of the lights of a low beam light distribution pattern and an additional light distribution pattern that is added to the low beam light distribution pattern to form a high beam light distribution pattern, a second light source, and a projection lens that projects the first light from the first light source and the second light from the second light source forward of the vehicle, and is characterized in that within the projection lens, a part of the area through which the second light propagates is shared with the area through which the first light propagates.
  • part of the area in the projection lens through which the second light propagates is shared with part of the area through which the first light propagates. This makes it possible to make the projection lens smaller than when the area in the projection lens through which the second light propagates is not shared with the area through which the first light propagates and the respective areas are located apart from each other. Therefore, with this configuration, it is possible to make the vehicle headlamp smaller while projecting multiple light distribution patterns, including a light distribution pattern of the first light and a light distribution pattern of the second light, from the vehicle headlamp forward of the vehicle.
  • At least a portion of the incidence area of the projection lens onto which the second light is incident may overlap with the incidence area of the projection lens onto which the first light is incident.
  • This configuration allows the projection lens to be made smaller than when the incident area where the second light is incident and the incident area where the first light is incident are located apart from each other on the projection lens. Therefore, this configuration allows the vehicle headlamp to be made smaller.
  • At least a portion of the emission area of the projection lens from which the second light is emitted may overlap with the emission area of the projection lens from which the first light is emitted.
  • This configuration allows the projection lens to be made smaller than when the emission area from which the first light is emitted and the emission area from which the second light is emitted are located apart from each other on the projection lens. Therefore, this configuration allows the vehicle headlamp to be made smaller.
  • the emission area of the projection lens from which the second light is emitted does not have to overlap with the emission area of the projection lens from which the first light is emitted.
  • the second light may also be an expanded light distribution pattern projected next to the low beam light distribution pattern in the left-right direction.
  • the second light may be a light of an increased light distribution pattern projected inside the low beam light distribution pattern in the left-right direction.
  • the present invention provides a vehicle headlamp that can project multiple light distribution patterns forward of the vehicle while being compact.
  • FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a vehicle headlamp according to an embodiment of the present invention.
  • FIG. 2 is a schematic side view of a low beam lamp unit.
  • FIG. 4 is a side view illustrating a schematic configuration of a lighting unit including a second light source.
  • 1A and 1B are diagrams illustrating a low beam light distribution pattern and an enlarged light distribution pattern.
  • 1A and 1B are diagrams illustrating a high beam light distribution pattern and an enlarged light distribution pattern.
  • FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of a vehicle headlamp according to a first modified example.
  • FIG. 11 is a side view showing a schematic configuration of a lamp unit according to a first modified example including a second light source.
  • 1A and 1B are diagrams illustrating a low beam light distribution pattern and an increased light distribution pattern.
  • 1A and 1B are diagrams illustrating a high beam light distribution pattern and an increased light distribution pattern.
  • FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram of a vehicle headlamp according to a
  • FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a vehicle headlamp in this embodiment.
  • Vehicle headlamp 1 is generally provided on each of the left and right sides of the front of the vehicle, and the left and right vehicle headlamp 1 are configured to be roughly symmetrical in the left-right direction. For this reason, in this embodiment, the left vehicle headlamp 1 will be described. Note that in this specification, “right” means the right side in the forward direction of the vehicle, and “left” means the left side in that forward direction.
  • the vehicle in this embodiment is an automobile.
  • the vehicle headlamp 1 includes a housing 10, a lamp unit 1L for a low beam light distribution pattern, a lamp unit 1S for an enlarged light distribution pattern projected next to the low beam light distribution pattern in the left-right direction, and a lamp unit 1H for an additional light distribution pattern that is added to the low beam light distribution pattern to form a high beam light distribution pattern.
  • the lamp unit 1L is disposed on the outside of the vehicle relative to the lamp unit 1H and is aligned with the lamp unit 1H in the left-right direction.
  • the lamp unit 1S is disposed on the outside and forward of the vehicle relative to the lamp unit 1L in the left-right direction.
  • the lamp unit 1S is inclined toward the outside of the vehicle in the front-rear direction compared to the lamp unit 1L.
  • the light distribution pattern refers to both the shape of the light image formed on a virtual vertical screen, for example, 25 m ahead of the vehicle, and the light intensity distribution in the image.
  • the housing 10 comprises a housing 11 and a front cover 12.
  • the housing 11 is configured in a box shape with an opening at the front, and the front cover 12 is fixed to the housing 11 so as to cover the opening.
  • an accommodation space surrounded by the housing 11 and the front cover 12 is formed in the housing 10, and the lighting units 1L, 1S, and 1H are arranged in the accommodation space.
  • the front cover 12 transmits light emitted from the lighting units 1L, 1S, and 1H.
  • FIG. 2 is a side view showing a schematic of the lighting unit 1L.
  • the lighting unit 1L includes a first light source 30L, a projection lens 60, a reflector 70, and a shade 80.
  • the first light source 30L in the lamp unit 1L emits a first light that becomes the light of a low beam light distribution pattern.
  • the first light source 30L is composed of, for example, an LED (Light Emitting Diode).
  • the on/off switching of the power supply to the first light source 30L and the intensity of the light from the first light source 30L are controlled by a light control circuit (not shown).
  • the light control circuit (not shown) and the first light source 30L are fixed to the base plate of a heat sink (not shown).
  • the heat generated by the first light source 30L and the light control circuit is transferred to the base plate of the heat sink, and the heat dissipation fins of the heat sink connected to the base plate are cooled by the airflow caused by the rotation of a cooling fan (not shown). This allows the heat of the first light source 30L and the light control circuit to be efficiently diffused.
  • the reflector 70 is made of a curved plate material and is fixed to the base plate of the heat sink so as to cover the emission surface of the first light source 30L.
  • the surface of the reflector 70 facing the first light source 30L is a concave reflection surface 70R that reflects the first light from the first light source 30L without transmitting it.
  • the reflection surface 70R is based on an ellipsoidal surface of revolution, and the first light source 30L is disposed at or near the first focal point of the ellipsoidal surface. At least a portion of the first light emitted from the first light source 30L is reflected by the reflection surface 70R to the projection lens 60.
  • FIG. 2 shows an example in which a portion of the first light is reflected by the reflection surface 70R to the projection lens 60, and another portion of the first light is reflected by the reflection surface 70R to the shade 80.
  • the projection lens 60 is a convex lens.
  • the projection lens 60 includes an entrance region 61L into which the first light from the first light source 30L is incident, and an exit region 62L from which the first light incident on the projection lens 60 from the entrance region 61L is emitted forward.
  • the entrance region 61L is curved convexly toward the rear and faces the exit region 62L.
  • the exit region 62L is curved convexly toward the front.
  • the projection lens 60 is disposed so that the rear focal point of the projection lens 60 is located at or near the second focal point of the reflecting surface of the reflector 70.
  • the lighting unit 1L of this embodiment is a PES (Projector Ellipsoid System) type lighting unit.
  • the shade 80 is disposed between the reflecting surface 70R and the projection lens 60.
  • the upper end of the shade 80 is located at or near the second focal point of the elliptical curved surface of the reflecting surface 70R.
  • a portion of the first light emitted from the first light source 30L and reflected by the reflector 70 is irradiated onto the shade 80.
  • the shade 80 blocks a portion of the first light from the first light source 30L so that the light distribution pattern of the first light emitted from the emission area 62L of the projection lens 60 becomes a low beam light distribution pattern. Therefore, a portion of the first light is blocked by the shade 80 and does not enter the projection lens 60.
  • the other portion of the first light proceeds directly from the reflecting surface 70R to the entrance area 61L of the projection lens 60 without being blocked by the shade 80 and enters the entrance area 61L, or is reflected at the upper end of the shade 80 and enters the entrance area 61L.
  • the first light of the low beam light distribution pattern which reflects the shape of the cut line created by the upper end of the shade 80, is emitted from the emission area 62L of the projection lens 60 and projected forward of the vehicle.
  • FIG. 3 is a side view showing the lighting unit 1S in schematic form.
  • the lighting unit 1S has the same configuration as the lighting unit 1L, except that the lighting unit 1S does not have the shade 80 of the lighting unit 1L, and a second light source 32 is provided instead of the first light source 30L. Therefore, the lighting unit 1S can be thought of as replacing the first light source 30L described in the lighting unit 1L with the second light source 32.
  • the following explanation of the lighting unit 1S will mainly focus on the differences from the lighting unit 1L.
  • the second light source 32 of the lamp unit 1S of this embodiment emits second light in an expanded light distribution pattern, which is a light distribution pattern different from the low beam light distribution pattern.
  • the surface of the reflector 70 of the lamp unit 1S facing the second light source 32 is a reflective surface 70R that reflects the second light from the second light source 32 without transmitting it.
  • the reflective surface 70R is based on an ellipsoidal surface of revolution, and the second light source 32 is disposed at or near the first focal point of the ellipsoidal surface. At least a portion of the second light emitted from the second light source 32 is reflected by the reflective surface 70R of the lamp unit 1S to the projection lens 60.
  • the entrance region and exit region of the projection lens 60 of the lamp unit 1S are shown as entrance region 61S and exit region 62S.
  • the second light enters the entrance region 61S via the reflecting surface 70R, and the entrance region 61S is curved in a convex shape toward the rear.
  • the exit region 62S emits the second light from the second light source 32 that entered the projection lens 60 from the entrance region 61S forward, faces the entrance region 61S, and is curved in a convex shape toward the front.
  • the projection lens 60 is arranged so that the rear focal point of the projection lens 60 is located at or near the second focal point of the reflecting surface of the reflector 70.
  • the lamp unit 1S of this embodiment is also a PES type lamp unit.
  • At least a portion of the second light emitted from the second light source 32 is reflected by the reflecting surface 70R of the reflector 70 and enters the entrance area 61S of the projection lens 60.
  • the second light of the expanded light distribution pattern is emitted from the exit area 62S of the projection lens 60 and projected forward of the vehicle.
  • the reflector 70 of the lamp unit 1S shown in FIG. 3 appears to be located farther from the projection lens 60 in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle than the reflector 70 of the lamp unit 1L shown in FIG. 2.
  • the second light source 32 is located at the same position from the projection lens 60 in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle as the first light source 30L.
  • the reflector 70 of the lamp unit 1S is located closer to the projection lens 60 in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle than the reflector 70 of the lamp unit 1L, specifically, in a position forward of the rear end of the shade 80.
  • the second light source 32 of the lamp unit 1S is located forward of the first light source 30L of the lamp unit 1L, specifically, in a position forward of the shade 80.
  • the second light source 32 is located above the first light source 30L.
  • the projection lens 60 of the lamp unit 1S is the projection lens 60 of the lamp unit 1L. Therefore, one projection lens 60 is shared by the lamp unit 1L and the lamp unit 1S, and is a common lens to them.
  • the projection lens 60 in the lamp units 1L and 1S is a single lens that is long horizontally in the left-right direction. A part of this long horizontal projection lens 60 is a projection lens for low beam, and another part of the projection lens 60 adjacent to the part of the projection lens 60 is a projection lens for an expanded light distribution pattern. Therefore, the projection lenses 60 in each of the lamp units 1L and 1S can be understood to be integrated.
  • Such a projection lens 60 projects the first light from the first light source 30L and the second light from the second light source 32 forward of the vehicle.
  • the entrance area 61S may be smaller than the entrance area 61L but larger than the entrance area 61L. Also, a part of the entrance area 61S overlaps with the entrance area 61L, and another part of the entrance area 61S is located outside the part of the entrance area 61S and does not overlap with the entrance area 61L.
  • the overlapping area between the entrance area 61S and the entrance area 61L is preferably 10% to 20% of the larger area of the entrance area 61S and the entrance area 61L.
  • the overlapping area is located outside the most recessed position of the recess from the rear surface to the front surface of the projection lens 60, but may be located around the recessed position.
  • the exit area 62S may be smaller than the exit area 62L but larger than the exit area 62L. Also, the exit area 62S is located outside the vehicle from the exit area 62L and does not overlap with the exit area 62L.
  • Lighting unit 1H has the same configuration as lighting unit 1L, except that lighting unit 1H does not have the shade 80 of lighting unit 1L, and a first light source 30H is provided instead of the first light source 30L. Therefore, when thinking of lighting unit 1H, the first light source 30L described in lighting unit 1L can be replaced with the first light source 30H.
  • the following description of lighting unit 1H will mainly focus on the differences from lighting unit 1L.
  • the first light source 30H of the lamp unit 1H emits a first light that becomes the light of an additional light distribution pattern that is added to the low beam light distribution pattern to form a high beam light distribution pattern.
  • the first light source 30H is disposed at the same height as the first light source 30L, and is aligned in a row with the first light source 30L in the left-right direction.
  • the first light source 30H is a light source that is disposed in a lamp unit other than the lamp unit 1L that mounts the first light source 30L and the lamp unit 1S that mounts the second light source 32.
  • the projection lens 60 of the lamp unit 1H is a projection lens different from the projection lenses 60 of the lamp units 1L and 1S.
  • the entrance area and the exit area of the projection lens 60 of the lamp unit 1H are shown as an entrance area 61H and an exit area 62H.
  • the first light from the first light source 30H enters the entrance area 61H via the reflecting surface 70R of the reflector 70 of the lamp unit 1H, and the entrance area 61H is curved convexly toward the rear.
  • the exit area 62H emits the first light from the first light source 30H that entered the projection lens 60 from the entrance area 61H forward, faces the entrance area 61H, and is curved convexly toward the front.
  • the projection lens 60 is arranged so that the rear focal point of the projection lens 60 is located at or near the second focal point of the reflecting surface of the reflector 70.
  • the lamp unit 1H of this embodiment is also a PES type lamp unit.
  • At least a portion of the first light emitted from the first light source 30H is reflected by the reflecting surface 70R of the reflector 70 and enters the entrance area 61H of the projection lens 60.
  • the first light of the additional light distribution pattern is emitted from the exit area 62H of the projection lens 60 and projected forward of the vehicle.
  • the first light when emitting a low beam, as shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, the first light is emitted from the first light source 30L, and this first light is mainly reflected by the reflecting surface 70R of the reflector 70.
  • the first light reflected by the reflecting surface 70R a portion proceeds directly to the entrance area 61L of the projection lens 60 without being blocked by the shade 80, and another portion is reflected by the upper end of the shade 80 and proceeds to the entrance area 61L.
  • still another portion of the first light is blocked by the shade 80.
  • the first light proceeding to the entrance area 61L enters the projection lens 60 from the entrance area 61L and exits from the exit area 62L.
  • the low beam light distribution pattern PL is projected forward from the vehicle headlamp 1.
  • the second light is emitted from the second light source 32, and this second light is mainly reflected by the reflecting surface 70R of the reflector 70.
  • the second light reflected by the reflecting surface 70R is incident on the projection lens 60 from the incident area 61S of the projection lens 60.
  • a portion of the incident area 61S overlaps with the incident area 61L. Therefore, it can be understood that a portion of the second light enters the projection lens 60 from the incident area 61L. Therefore, in the projection lens 60 of this embodiment, a portion of the area through which the second light incident on the projection lens 60 from a portion of the incident area 61S that overlaps with the incident area 61L propagates is shared with a portion of the area through which the first light from the first light source 30L propagates. In other words, in the projection lens 60, a portion of the area through which the second light from the second light source 32 propagates is shared with the area through which the first light from the first light source 30L propagates.
  • the optical path of the second light from the second light source 32 intersects with the optical path of the first light from the first light source 30L.
  • another portion of the second light enters the projection lens 60 from another portion of the incident area 61S that does not overlap with the incident area 61L.
  • the area through which the second light incident on the projection lens 60 from another part of the entrance area 61S propagates is not shared with the area through which the first light from the first light source 30L propagates.
  • the second light propagating through the projection lens 60 is emitted from the emission region 62S. Because the emission region 62S does not overlap with the emission region 62L, the first light does not exit from the emission region 62S. Also, because the emission region 62S does not overlap with the emission region 62L, the area shared by the first light and the second light in the projection lens 60 narrows from a part of the entrance region 61S toward the emission regions 62L, 62S, and does not reach the emission regions 62L, 62S.
  • an expanded light distribution pattern P1 is projected forward from the vehicle headlamp 1.
  • the expanded light distribution pattern P1 is a different light distribution pattern from the low beam light distribution pattern PL, and is projected next to the low beam light distribution pattern PL, specifically to the right.
  • a part of the expanded light distribution pattern P1 overlaps with the low beam light distribution pattern PL, and another part does not overlap with the low beam light distribution pattern PL.
  • a part of the expanded light distribution pattern P1 is smaller than the other part of the expanded light distribution pattern P1, but may be larger than the other part.
  • the center of the expanded light distribution pattern P1 does not overlap with the low beam light distribution pattern PL, but may overlap with the low beam light distribution pattern PL.
  • the expanded light distribution pattern P1 may be in contact with the low beam light distribution pattern PL without overlapping with the low beam light distribution pattern PL.
  • the second light source 32 is provided forward and above the first light source 30L. Therefore, the upper edge of the expanded light distribution pattern P1 of this embodiment is located at the same height as the cutoff line of the low beam light distribution pattern PL, and the expanded light distribution pattern P1 is suppressed from being projected above the cutoff line.
  • the second light from the second light source 32 is reflected by the reflecting surface 70R of the reflector 70, and the second light reflected by the reflecting surface 70R of the reflector 70 is projected forward of the vehicle by the projection lens 60 without being blocked by the shade 80.
  • the second light is not blocked by the shade 80, so that it irradiates the front of the vehicle without waste, and deterioration of the shade 80 due to the irradiation of the second light is suppressed.
  • the expanded light distribution pattern P1 expands the light distribution pattern in front of the vehicle compared to when only the low beam light distribution pattern PL is projected in front of the vehicle. This allows a wide area of the road ahead of the vehicle to be illuminated, improving visibility.
  • the low beam light distribution pattern PL is projected forward from the vehicle headlamp 1 as described above, and the first light is further emitted from the first light source 30H as shown in FIG. 1.
  • this first light is mainly reflected by the reflecting surface 70R of the reflector 70.
  • the first light reflected by the reflecting surface 70R enters the projection lens 60 from the entrance area 61H and exits from the exit area 62H.
  • the additional light distribution pattern PA is projected forward from the vehicle headlamp 1 together with the low beam light distribution pattern PL, and the high beam light distribution pattern PH shown by the thick line is formed.
  • the high beam light distribution pattern PH is formed by adding the additional light distribution pattern PA, which is a generally horizontally elongated rectangular shape, to the low beam light distribution pattern PL.
  • a part of the additional light distribution pattern PA overlaps with the low beam light distribution pattern PL, and the additional light distribution pattern PA extends horizontally and overlaps with the horizontal line S.
  • the portion of the cutoff line, which is the upper edge of the low beam light distribution pattern PL, that overlaps with the additional light distribution pattern PA is shown by a dashed line.
  • the expanded light distribution pattern P1 shown in FIG. 4 is also projected.
  • a portion of the expanded light distribution pattern P1 overlaps with the low beam light distribution pattern PL and the additional light distribution pattern PA, and another portion overlaps with the low beam light distribution pattern PL but does not overlap with the additional light distribution pattern PA. Furthermore, still another portion does not overlap with the low beam light distribution pattern PL and the additional light distribution pattern PA. Note that when the high beam is emitted, the expanded light distribution pattern P1 shown in FIG. 4 is projected, but the expanded light distribution pattern P1 does not have to be projected.
  • part of the area in the projection lens 60 through which the second light propagates is also used as the area through which the first light from the first light source 30L propagates.
  • the projection lens 60 can be made smaller than when the area through which the second light propagates is not shared with the area through which the first light propagates within the projection lens 60 and the respective areas are located apart from each other. Therefore, with this configuration, the vehicle headlamp 1 can be made smaller while projecting multiple light distribution patterns, including the low beam light distribution pattern PL of the first light and the expanded light distribution pattern P1 of the second light, from the vehicle headlamp 1 forward of the vehicle.
  • a portion of the entrance area 61S of the projection lens 60 into which the second light is incident overlaps with the entrance area 61L of the projection lens 60 into which the first light from the first light source 30L is incident.
  • the projection lens 60 can be made smaller than when the entrance area 61S into which the second light is incident and the entrance area 61L into which the first light is incident are positioned apart from each other in the projection lens 60. Therefore, with this configuration, the vehicle headlamp 1 can be made smaller.
  • the entire entrance area 61S of the projection lens 60 into which the second light is incident may overlap with the entrance area 61L of the projection lens 60 into which the first light from the first light source 30L is incident.
  • the entrance area 61S of the projection lens 60 into which the second light is incident does not have to overlap with the entrance area 61L of the projection lens 60 into which the first light from the first light source 30L is incident.
  • the lighting unit 1S is tilted toward the outside of the vehicle in the front-to-rear direction compared to the lighting unit 1L, and the second light from the second light source 32 is an expanded light distribution pattern projected next to the low beam light distribution pattern in the left-right direction.
  • the arrangement of the lighting unit 1S and the second light are not limited to this. Other examples of the arrangement of the lighting unit 1S and the second light are described below as Variation 1 of this embodiment.
  • FIG 6 is a schematic diagram of a vehicle headlamp 1 in this modified example.
  • Figure 7 is a schematic side view of a lamp unit 1S in this modified example.
  • lamp unit 1L is disposed on the outer side of the vehicle than lamp unit 1H, and is aligned with lamp unit 1H in the left-right direction.
  • Lamp unit 1S is disposed between lamp units 1L and 1S in the left-right direction.
  • lamp unit 1S in this modified example is inclined toward the outer side of the vehicle in the front-to-rear direction compared to lamp unit 1L.
  • the second light source 32 and reflector 70 of the lamp unit 1S of this modified example are positioned behind the shade 80 of the lamp unit 1L.
  • the second light source 32 positioned in this manner emits second light of an increased light distribution pattern, which is a light distribution pattern different from the low beam light distribution pattern.
  • the increased light distribution pattern is projected inside the low beam light distribution pattern in the left-right direction, and at least a portion of the increased light distribution pattern overlaps with the low beam light distribution pattern.
  • part of the entrance area 61S overlaps with the entrance area 61L on the rear surface of the projection lens 60. Another part of the entrance area 61S is located inside the part of the entrance area 61S and does not overlap with the entrance area 61L. Also, in this modified example, unlike the embodiment, part of the exit area 62S overlaps with the exit area 62L on the front surface of the projection lens 60, and another part of the exit area 62S is located inside the part of the exit area 62S and does not overlap with the exit area 62L.
  • the overlapping area between the exit area 62S and the exit area 62L is preferably 10% to 20% of the larger area of the exit area 62S and the exit area 62L.
  • the lamp units 1L and 1H are the same as in the embodiment, so their description will be omitted.
  • the lamp unit 1S When the lamp unit 1S is in the state of emitting a low beam, as shown in Figures 6 and 7, the second light is incident on the projection lens 60 from the entrance area 61S of the projection lens 60 from the second light source 32 via the reflecting surface 70R, as in the embodiment.
  • part of the entrance area 61S in this modified example overlaps with the entrance area 61L. Therefore, in this modified example as well, it can be understood that part of the second light enters the projection lens 60 from the entrance area 61L. Therefore, in this modified example as well, part of the area in the projection lens 60 through which the second light from the second light source 32 propagates is shared with the area through which the first light from the first light source 30L propagates. Also, in this modified example as well, another part of the second light enters the projection lens 60 from another part of the entrance area 61S that does not overlap with the entrance area 61L. The area through which the second light that entered the projection lens 60 from another part of the entrance area 61S propagates is not shared with the area through which the first light from the first light source 30L propagates.
  • the second light propagating through the projection lens 60 is emitted from the emission region 62S.
  • a portion of the emission region 62S overlaps with the emission region 62L. Therefore, it can be understood that a portion of the second light is emitted from the emission region 62L. Also, another portion of the second light is emitted from another portion of the emission region 62S that does not overlap with the emission region 62L.
  • a portion of the emission region 62S overlaps with the emission region 62L, so the area shared by the first light and the second light in the projection lens 60 is provided from a portion of the entrance region 61S to a portion of the emission region 62S, and reaches a portion of the emission region 62S.
  • an increased light distribution pattern P2 is projected forward from the vehicle headlamp 1.
  • the increased light distribution pattern P2 is a different light distribution pattern from the low beam light distribution pattern PL, is smaller than the low beam light distribution pattern PL, and is projected inside the low beam light distribution pattern PL in the left-right direction.
  • the increased light distribution pattern P2 is projected around the upper edge of the low beam light distribution pattern PL, and a part of the increased light distribution pattern P2 overlaps with the low beam light distribution pattern PL, and another part does not overlap with the low beam light distribution pattern PL.
  • the other part is located above the upper edge of the light distribution pattern PL.
  • a part of the brightening light distribution pattern P2 is larger than the other part of the brightening light distribution pattern P2, but may be smaller than the other part as long as it overlaps with the low beam light distribution pattern PL.
  • the center of the brightening light distribution pattern P2 overlaps with the low beam light distribution pattern PL, but it does not have to overlap with the low beam light distribution pattern PL.
  • the brightening light distribution pattern P2 is projected inside the low beam light distribution pattern PL in the left-right direction, at least a part of the brightening light distribution pattern P2 may overlap with the low beam light distribution pattern PL in the up-down direction.
  • a light distribution pattern consisting of the low beam light distribution pattern PL and the brightening light distribution pattern P2 which is a light distribution pattern different from the low beam light distribution pattern PL and overlaps with the low beam light distribution pattern PL, is projected forward of the vehicle.
  • the brightening light distribution pattern P2 makes the overlapping area of the low beam light distribution pattern PL and the brightening light distribution pattern P2 brighter than when only the low beam light distribution pattern PL is projected forward of the vehicle. This improves visibility.
  • FIG. 9 is a diagram showing the high beam light distribution pattern PH and the increased light distribution pattern P2 in this modified example.
  • the high beam light distribution pattern PH is shown by a thick line.
  • the increased light distribution pattern P2 shown in FIG. 8 is also projected.
  • a part of the increased light distribution pattern P2 overlaps with the low beam light distribution pattern PL and the additional light distribution pattern PA, and another part overlaps with the low beam light distribution pattern PL but does not overlap with the additional light distribution pattern PA. Furthermore, still another part does not overlap with the low beam light distribution pattern PL and the additional light distribution pattern PA. Note that, when the high beam is emitted, the increased light distribution pattern P2 shown in FIG. 8 is projected, but the increased light distribution pattern P2 does not have to be projected.
  • the vehicle headlamp 1 of this modified example a portion of the exit area 62S of the projection lens 60 from which the second light is emitted overlaps with the exit area 62L of the projection lens 60 from which the first light from the first light source 30L is emitted.
  • the projection lens 60 can be made smaller than when the exit area 62S from which the second light is emitted and the exit area 62L from which the first light is emitted are positioned apart from each other on the projection lens 60. Therefore, with this configuration, the vehicle headlamp 1 can be made smaller.
  • the entire exit area 62S of the projection lens 60 from which the second light is emitted may overlap with the exit area 62L of the projection lens 60 from which the first light from the first light source 30L is emitted.
  • the emission area 62S of the projection lens 60 through which the second light is emitted does not have to overlap with the emission area 62L of the projection lens 60 through which the first light from the first light source 30L is emitted.
  • the entire incident area 61S may overlap the incident area 61L.
  • the incident area 61S may not overlap the incident area 61L, so long as part of the area through which the second light propagates within the projection lens 60 is also used as the area through which the first light propagates.
  • FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram of the vehicle headlamp 1 in this modification.
  • the projection lens 60 of the lamp unit 1S is the projection lens 60 of the lamp unit 1H. Therefore, one projection lens 60 is shared by both the lamp unit 1L and the lamp unit 1H and is a common lens to them.
  • the projection lens 60 in the lamp units 1L and 1H is a single lens that is long horizontally in the left-right direction. A portion of this long horizontal projection lens 60 is a projection lens for an additional light distribution pattern, and another portion of the projection lens 60 adjacent to the portion of the projection lens 60 is a projection lens for an enlarged light distribution pattern.
  • Such a projection lens 60 projects the first light from the first light source 30H and the second light from the second light source 32 forward of the vehicle.
  • the entrance area 61S may be smaller than the entrance area 61H direction but larger than the entrance area 61H. Also, a part of the entrance area 61S overlaps with the entrance area 61H, and another part of the entrance area 61S is located outside the part of the entrance area 61S and does not overlap with the entrance area 61H.
  • the overlapping area between the entrance area 61S and the entrance area 61H is preferably 10% to 20% of the larger area of the entrance area 61S and the entrance area 61H.
  • the overlapping area is located outside the most recessed position of the recess toward the front surface on the rear surface of the projection lens 60, but may be located around the recessed position.
  • the exit area 62S may be smaller than the exit area 62H but larger than the exit area 62H. Also, the exit area 62S is located outside the vehicle more than the exit area 62L and does not overlap with the exit area 62H.
  • a part of the area through which the second light incident on the projection lens 60 from a part of the entrance area 61S propagates is shared with a part of the area through which the first light from the first light source 30H propagates.
  • a part of the area through which the second light from the second light source 32 propagates is shared with the area through which the first light from the first light source 30H propagates.
  • part of the area in the projection lens 60 through which the second light propagates is shared with the area through which the first light from the first light source 30H propagates.
  • the projection lens 60 can be made smaller than when the area in the projection lens 60 through which the second light propagates is not shared with the area through which the first light propagates and the respective areas are located apart from each other.
  • This modified example has been described as a modified example of the embodiment, but it may also be a modified example of modified example 1. Therefore, at least a portion of the emission area 62S of the projection lens 60 from which the second light is emitted may overlap with the emission area 62H of the projection lens 60 from which the first light from the first light source 30H is emitted.
  • the lighting units 1L, 1S, and 1H do not necessarily have to use a PES optical system. There is no particular limitation on the left-right arrangement of the lighting units 1L, 1S, and 1H.
  • the present invention provides a vehicle headlamp that can be made compact while projecting multiple light distribution patterns forward of the vehicle, and can be used in fields such as vehicle headlamps for automobiles, etc.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Microelectronics & Electronic Packaging (AREA)
  • Optics & Photonics (AREA)
  • Non-Portable Lighting Devices Or Systems Thereof (AREA)
PCT/JP2023/040121 2022-11-10 2023-11-07 車両用前照灯 WO2024101369A1 (ja)

Priority Applications (2)

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JP2024557431A JPWO2024101369A1 (enrdf_load_stackoverflow) 2022-11-10 2023-11-07
CN202380077634.4A CN120187983A (zh) 2022-11-10 2023-11-07 车辆用前照灯

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JP2022180597 2022-11-10

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CN (1) CN120187983A (enrdf_load_stackoverflow)
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Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JP2007227228A (ja) * 2006-02-24 2007-09-06 Koito Mfg Co Ltd 車両用前照灯の灯具ユニット
JP2007234562A (ja) * 2006-03-03 2007-09-13 Koito Mfg Co Ltd 車両用前照灯の灯具ユニット
JP2015509647A (ja) * 2012-03-07 2015-03-30 ツィツァラ リヒトシステメ ゲーエムベーハー 自動車用の照明装置

Patent Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JP2007227228A (ja) * 2006-02-24 2007-09-06 Koito Mfg Co Ltd 車両用前照灯の灯具ユニット
JP2007234562A (ja) * 2006-03-03 2007-09-13 Koito Mfg Co Ltd 車両用前照灯の灯具ユニット
JP2015509647A (ja) * 2012-03-07 2015-03-30 ツィツァラ リヒトシステメ ゲーエムベーハー 自動車用の照明装置

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