JP2001076510A - Vehicular headlight - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To improve an outward appearance when observing a lighting fixture from the front slightly upper side by applying surface treatment for brightening a front face of a light shielding plate for removing the upwardly irradiation light by shielding a part of the reflected light from a reflector more than a back face of the light shielding plate. SOLUTION: A condenser lens 18 is a flat covex lens having front face 18a of a convex surface and a rear surface 18b of a plane, and is arranged so that a rear side focal position coincides with a second focus F2 of a reflecting surface 14a of a reflector 14. Thus, the condenser lens 18 passes the reflected light from the reflecting surface 14a of the reflector 14 so as to be condensed on the side of the optical axis Ax of a lighting fixture. A light shielding plate 22 is integrally formed with a holder 16 so as to be positioned in a lower part of an inside space of the holder 16 to remove the upwardly irradiating light emitted from this vehicular headlight 10 by shielding a part of the reflected light from the reflecting surface 14a to thereby obtain the irradiation light B for a low beam irradiated downward to the optical axis Ax of the lighting fixture.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a projector type vehicle headlamp, and more particularly to a low beam headlamp.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, projector-type headlamps have been widely used as vehicular headlamps.

As shown in FIG. 10, this projector-type headlamp includes a light source 102 provided on a lamp optical axis Ax extending in the vehicle front-rear direction, and a light from the light source 102 directed forward. Reflector 104 that reflects toward Ax
And a condenser lens 106 provided in front of the reflector 104.

Further, when the projector type headlamp is used as a low beam headlamp, the reflected light from the reflector 104 is interposed between the condenser lens 106 and the reflector 104 as shown in FIG. A light shielding plate 108 that shields a part of the light and removes upward irradiation light is provided, thereby forming a low-beam light distribution pattern having a light-dark boundary line.

[0005]

However, in the above-mentioned conventional vehicle headlamp, when the lamp is observed from a slightly upper side, the interior of the lamp looks dark, so that the appearance is not so good. is there.

That is, the light-shielding plate 108 of the projector-type headlight is generally formed of a die-cast or metal plate, and the front surface 108a and the rear surface 108b have the same color.

On the other hand, in a projector type headlamp,
Part of the convergent reflected light from the reflector 104 is
8 is incident on the rear surface 108b, but the light reflected on the rear surface 108b becomes harmful stray light in the lamp light distribution. For this reason, in a conventional vehicle headlamp, the color of the light shielding plate 108 is set to a dark color, and the reflectance of the rear surface 108b is reduced, so that stray light generation is suppressed as much as possible.

Accordingly, the front surface 1 of the light shielding plate 108
Since 08a is also set to a dark color, when the lamp is observed from a slightly upper side, the light shielding plate 108 of a dark color is seen through the condenser lens 106, whereby the inside of the lamp appears dark. There is a problem.

The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and in a projector type headlamp, it is possible to improve the appearance of a vehicular lamp when the lamp is observed from a slightly upper front side. It is intended to provide an illumination light.

[0010]

According to the present invention, the above object is achieved by devising the color scheme inside the lamp.

That is, the present invention provides a light source provided on an optical axis of a lamp extending in a vehicle front-rear direction, a reflector for reflecting light from the light source forward toward the optical axis of the lamp, and a front side of the reflector. And a light-shielding plate provided between the light-collecting lens and the reflector, for shielding a part of the reflected light from the reflector and removing upward irradiation light. On the premise of a projector-type vehicle headlamp, according to the first invention of the present application, the front surface of the light-shielding plate is subjected to a surface treatment to make the front surface brighter than the rear surface of the light-shielding plate. The second invention of the present application is characterized in that a high brightness member having a front surface brighter than the front surface of the light shielding plate is provided near the front of the light shielding plate. Things.

The type of the "light source" is not particularly limited, and may be, for example, a discharge light emitting portion of a discharge bulb, or a filament of an incandescent bulb such as a halogen bulb.

The specific configuration such as the material and shape of the "light shield plate" is not particularly limited.

The above "surface treatment" is not limited to a particular type of surface treatment as long as at least a part of the front surface of the light-shielding plate can be made brighter than the rear surface thereof. Surface treatment such as plating and the like can be adopted.

Further, as long as the "high brightness member" is a member having a front surface that is brighter than the front surface of the light shielding plate, the arrangement position, size, material, shape, and the like are not particularly limited. It may be formed integrally with the light blocking plate, or may be formed separately.

[0016]

As described above, in the vehicle headlamp according to the first aspect of the present invention, the front surface of the light-shielding plate is subjected to a surface treatment to make it brighter than the rear surface. When observing from a slightly upper front side, the light shielding plate looks relatively bright through the condenser lens. In addition, the vehicle headlamp according to the second invention of the present application is arranged near the front of the light shielding plate,
Since the high-brightness member having a front surface that is brighter than the front surface of the light-shielding plate is provided, the high-brightness member looks relatively bright through the condenser lens when the lamp is observed from a slightly upper side. Therefore, in both the first and second inventions of the present application, the inside of the lamp can be made to look bright.

At that time, when the lamp is not lit, external light is incident on the front surface of the light-shielding plate subjected to the surface treatment or the front surface of the high brightness member through the condenser lens, and the bright color on the front surface is reflected. The interior of the lamp looks bright. When the lamp is turned on, part of the light that has been reflected by the reflector and reached the condenser lens is reflected on the back of the condenser lens, and this is reflected on the front surface of the light-shielding plate or the front surface of the high brightness member that has been subjected to surface treatment. The light enters and the inside of the lamp looks bright due to the reflection of the bright color on the front surface.

As described above, according to the present invention, in a projector type headlamp, when the lamp is observed from a slightly upper side, the interior of the lamp can be made brighter.
Thereby, the appearance of the lamp can be improved.

The color of the front surface of the light-shielding plate subjected to the surface treatment in the first invention of the present application is not limited to a specific color as long as the color is lighter than the rear surface of the light-shielding plate. The color of the front surface of the high-brightness member in the second invention is not limited to a specific color as long as it is a lighter color than the front surface of the light-shielding plate. ) Can be set, but if this is set to a cool color such as blue, for example, the following effects can be obtained.

That is, when the light source is the discharge light emitting portion of the discharge bulb, when the lamp is turned on, the beam is irradiated at a high color temperature, and the lamp itself appears to shine at a high color temperature. Even when the lamp is not lit, the interior of the lamp looks bright in a cool color, so the appearance of the lamp is different between when the lamp is lit and when the lamp is not illuminated as in the past, which gives the viewer an uncomfortable feeling. Can be prevented.

On the other hand, when the light source is a filament of an incandescent bulb such as a halogen bulb, the above-mentioned color setting of the cool color system makes the lamp look luminous at a color temperature higher than the actual light source when the lamp is turned on. In addition, when the lamp is not lit, the interior of the lamp looks cool and bright, so when the lamp is turned on, it gives the observer the impression that beam irradiation is performed at a high color temperature. Thus, it is possible to bring out a sense of quality to the lamp.

Alternatively, in the above configuration, if the front surface of the light-shielding plate or the front surface of the high-brightness member that has been subjected to the surface treatment is formed of a reflection-treated surface, the interior of the lamp can be seen in a wide range in harmony with the reflection surface of the reflector. Can be. Further, in this case, since slightly upward irradiation light is emitted toward the front of the lamp, it can be used as overhead sign irradiation light.

Further, in the above configuration, a pattern may be applied to the front surface of the light-shielding plate or the front surface of the high-brightness member that has been subjected to the surface treatment, thereby making the lamp look fresh. be able to. Particularly, in the case of a projector-type headlamp, when the lamp is observed from a slightly upper side, the front surface of the light-shielding plate or the front surface of the high-brightness member that has been subjected to the surface treatment by the lens action of the condenser lens appears to be enlarged. A pattern (for example, a logo or a mark) written on the front surface can be highlighted.

[0024]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

First, a first embodiment of the first invention of the present application will be described.

FIG. 1 is a side sectional view showing a vehicle headlamp according to this embodiment.

As shown, a vehicle headlamp (lamp) 10 according to the present embodiment is a projector-type headlight for a low beam, and includes a discharge bulb 12 and a reflector 14.
, A holder 16, a condenser lens 18, a retaining ring 20, and a light shielding plate 22.

The discharge bulb 12 is a metal halide bulb, and is attached to the reflector 14 such that the discharge light emitting portion 12a (light source) is located on a lamp optical axis Ax extending in the vehicle front-rear direction.

The reflector 14 has a substantially elliptical spherical reflecting surface 14a centered on the lamp optical axis Ax. The reflection surface 14a has an elliptical cross section including the lamp optical axis Ax, and is set so that the eccentricity gradually increases from the vertical cross section to the horizontal cross section. However, the vertices on the rear side of the ellipse forming these cross sections are set at the same position. The discharge light emitting unit 12a is disposed at an elliptical first focal point F1 that forms a vertical section of the reflection surface 14a. Thereby, the reflection surface 14a is
The light from the discharge light-emitting portion 12a is reflected forward toward the lamp optical axis Ax. At this time, in the vertical section including the lamp optical axis Ax, the light is substantially converged to the second focal point F2 of the ellipse. It has become.

The holder 16 is made of zinc die-cast, is formed in a cylindrical shape so as to extend forward from the front end opening 14b of the reflector 14, and fixedly supports the reflector 14 at its rear end. At its front end, the condenser lens 18 is fixedly supported via a retaining ring 20.

The condensing lens 18 is a plano-convex lens having a convex front surface 18a and a flat rear surface 18b so that the rear focal position coincides with the second focal point F2 of the reflecting surface 14a of the reflector 14. Are located. As a result, the condenser lens 18 transmits the reflected light from the reflection surface 14a of the reflector 14 so as to be converged toward the lamp optical axis Ax.

The light-shielding plate 22 is formed integrally with the holder 16 so as to be located below the internal space of the holder 16, and shields a part of the light reflected from the reflection surface 14 a and emits the light from the lamp 10. The upward irradiation light to be emitted is removed, so that the low-beam irradiation light B irradiated downward with respect to the lamp optical axis Ax is obtained.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the light shielding plate 22 together with a part of the holder 16.

As shown, the light-shielding plate 22 is formed such that its upper edge 22a passes through the second focal point F2. Then, the lamp optical axis Ax at the upper edge 22a.
Is formed in a horizontal plane including the lamp optical axis Ax, and the right region (left region in FIG. 2) of the lamp optical axis Ax at the upper edge 22a is the lamp optical axis A.
It is formed in an inclined plane extending obliquely downward by 15 ° from x.

A blue paint 24 is applied to the front surface 22b of the light shielding plate 22. This paint 24 is applied on the front 2
The process is performed over the entire area of the front surface 22b up to the boundary with the rear end of the substantially semi-cylindrical concave surface 22d extending forward from 2b. By applying the paint 24 to the front surface 22 b of the light shielding plate 22 in this manner, the front surface 22 b of the light shielding plate 22 is
The rear surface 22 of the light-shielding plate 22 in the form of zinc die-cast material.
The color is set to be lighter than c.

As described in detail above, the vehicular headlamp 10 according to the present embodiment includes the front
Since the surface treatment for making 2b brighter than the back surface 22c is performed, the light-shielding plate 22 looks relatively bright through the condenser lens 18 when the lamp 10 is observed from a slightly upper side. For example, when the lamp 10 is observed obliquely from above at a relatively short distance, the central region of the front surface 22b of the light shielding plate 22 appears to be enlarged by the lens action of the condensing lens 18 as shown in FIG. Will look quite bright.

At this time, when the lamp is not lit, external light is incident on the front surface 22b of the light-shielding plate 22 which has been subjected to the surface treatment through the condenser lens 18, and the bright color of the front surface 22b is reflected, whereby the lamp is illuminated. The inside looks bright. When the lamp is turned on, part of the light reflected by the reflecting surface 14a of the reflector 14 and reaching the condenser lens 18 is reflected by the back surface 18b of the condenser lens 18, and this is a light-shielding plate on which the surface treatment has been performed. The light enters the front surface 22b of the lamp 22 and the bright color of the front surface 22b is reflected, so that the interior of the lamp looks bright.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, in the projector type headlamp, the interior of the lamp can be made brighter when the lamp is observed from a slightly upper side, thereby improving the appearance of the lamp. Can be done.

In the present embodiment, the light shielding plate 22
Since the surface treatment of the front surface 22b is performed by applying the blue paint 24, not only the inside of the lamp looks bright but also the following operation and effect can be obtained.

That is, since the light source of the vehicle headlamp 10 according to the present embodiment is the discharge light emitting portion 12a of the discharge bulb 12, the beam is emitted at a high color temperature when the lamp is turned on, and the lamp itself is also at a high color temperature. Although it looks shiny, since the blue paint 24 is applied to the front surface 22b of the light-shielding plate 22, the inside of the lamp looks pale even when the lamp is not lit. It is possible to prevent the observer from feeling uncomfortable due to the different appearance of the lamp.

Next, a modified example of this embodiment will be described.

FIG. 4 is a view similar to FIG. 2, showing a main part of a vehicle headlamp according to this modification.

As shown in the drawing, in this modification, the blue paint 24 is applied not only on the front surface 22b of the light shielding plate 22 but also over the entire area of the substantially semi-cylindrical concave surface 22d. The mark 26 is formed by applying a paint other than blue at substantially the center of the mark.

By expanding the application area of the blue paint 24 as in the present modification, the interior of the lamp can be made to look brighter and paler. Further, as shown in FIG. 5, the mark 26 formed by coating on the substantially center position of the front surface 22b of the light shielding plate 22 appears to be enlarged by the lens function of the condenser lens 18, so that the mark 26 can be highlighted. it can.

Next, a second embodiment of the first invention of the present application will be described.

FIG. 6 is a side sectional view showing a vehicle headlamp according to this embodiment.

As shown, the vehicle headlamp (lamp) 50 according to the present embodiment is also a projector-type low beam headlamp, and its light source is a filament 52 a of a halogen bulb 52. In the present embodiment, the holder 56 is composed of a plurality of brackets extending forward from the front end of the reflector 54, and the tips of the brackets 56 are lance engaged with the retaining ring 60. In the present embodiment, the light-shielding plate 62 is formed of a metal plate, and is screwed and fixed to the boss 54b in a state where the light-shielding plate 62 is in contact with the plurality of bosses 54b and the positioning pins 54c extending forward from the front end of the reflector 54. ing.

The light shielding plate 62 is provided on the reflecting surface 5 of the reflector 54.
There is a shielding part 62A that shields a part of the reflected light from 4a and removes upward irradiation light emitted from the lamp 50. A blue paint 64 is applied to the front surface 62Ab of the shielding portion 62A.

Also in the vehicle headlamp 50 according to the present embodiment, the front surface 62Ab of the shielding portion 62A of the light shielding plate 62 is subjected to a surface treatment for making the front surface 62Ab brighter than the rear surface 62Ac. When viewed from the front slightly above, the light-shielding plate 62 looks relatively bright through the condenser lens 58.

At that time, when the lamp is not lit, external light is incident on the front surface 62Ab of the surface-treated shielding portion 62A through the condenser lens 58, and the bright color of the front surface 62Ab is reflected, whereby the lamp is illuminated. The inside looks bright. When the lamp is turned on, a part of the light reflected by the reflection surface 54a of the reflector 54 and reaching the condenser lens 58 is
At the back surface 58b of the shielding portion 62A, which is incident on the front surface 62Ab of the shielding portion 62A subjected to the surface treatment.
The interior of the lamp looks bright due to the reflection of the bright color of 2 Ab.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, in the projector type headlamp, the interior of the lamp can be made brighter when the lamp is observed from a slightly upper side, thereby improving the appearance of the lamp. Can be done.

Further, also in this embodiment, the shielding portion 62
A surface treatment for the front surface 62Ab of the A
Is applied, not only the inside of the lamp looks bright, but also the following operation and effect can be obtained.

That is, the light source of the vehicle headlamp 50 according to the present embodiment is the filament 52 a of the halogen bulb 52.
Therefore, since the blue paint 64 is applied to the front surface 62Ab of the shielding portion 62A, the lamp can be seen to shine at a higher color temperature than the actual light source when the lamp is turned on. When the lamp is not lit, the inside of the lamp looks bluish, so that the observer can be given an impression that the beam is radiated at a high color temperature when the lamp is lit, thereby giving the lamp a sense of quality.

Next, an embodiment of the second invention of the present application will be described.

FIG. 7 is a side sectional view showing a vehicle headlamp according to the present embodiment. FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing the light shielding plate 22 together with a part of the holder 16.

As shown in these figures, a vehicle headlamp (lamp) 80 according to the present embodiment has a basic configuration according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
However, in the present embodiment, the front surface 22b of the light shielding plate 22 is not subjected to the surface treatment, and the high brightness member 8 is covered so as to cover the front surface 22b.
2 are installed.

The high-brightness member 82 is formed of a metal plate, and has a screw portion 82c integrally formed on the rear surface thereof. The high-brightness member 82 is fixed to the light-shielding plate 22 by inserting a screw portion 82c into a screw insertion hole (not shown) formed in the light-shielding plate 22 and tightening a nut 84 to the screw portion 82c. It has become so.

The high brightness member 82 has a front surface 82b formed of a reflection-treated surface. That is, the high brightness member 8
The front surface 82b of the second 2 is subjected to the same aluminum deposition process as that of the reflection surface 14a of the reflector 14.

The position of the upper edge 82a of the high-brightness member 82 is set slightly lower than the upper edge 22a of the light-shielding plate 22.
The light reflected from the light axis 4a toward the lamp optical axis Ax and passing near the upper edge 22a of the light shielding plate 22 is prevented from being inadvertently blocked by the high brightness member 82.

As in the present embodiment, a high brightness member 82 having an aluminum vapor-deposited front surface 82b is attached to the front surface 22b of the light-shielding plate 22, so that the interior of the lamp is bright and the reflection surface of the reflector 14 covers a wide area. 14 can be harmonized.

In this case, when the lamp is turned on, a part of the light that has been reflected by the reflecting surface 14 of the reflector 14 and has reached the condenser lens 18 is reflected by its rear surface 18b, and this is a high brightness member. At the front surface 82b of 82,
Upward illumination light B toward the front of the lamp through the condenser lens 18
Irradiated as 1. Then, as shown in FIG. 9, the overhead irradiation light B1 places an overhead sign (OH) above the basic light distribution pattern P for the low beam (the light distribution pattern formed by the low beam irradiation light B).
S) The irradiation light distribution pattern P1 can be formed.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a side sectional view showing a vehicle headlamp according to a first embodiment of the first invention of the present application.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a light shielding plate of the vehicle headlamp together with a part of a holder.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the condenser lens of the vehicle headlamp as viewed from a slightly upper front side.

FIG. 4 is a view similar to FIG. 2, showing a modification of the first embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a view similar to FIG. 3, showing the above modification.

FIG. 6 is a side sectional view showing a vehicle headlamp according to a second embodiment of the first invention of the present application.

FIG. 7 is a side sectional view showing a vehicle headlamp according to an embodiment of the second invention of the present application.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing a light shielding plate of the vehicle headlamp according to the one embodiment together with a part of a holder.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a main part of a low-beam light distribution pattern formed in front of the vehicle by irradiation light from the vehicle headlamp according to the embodiment.

FIG. 10 is a view similar to FIG. 1, showing a conventional example.

[Explanation of symbols]

 10, 50, 80 Vehicle headlamp 12 Discharge bulb 12a Discharge light emitting part (light source) 14 Reflector 14a Reflecting surface 16 Holder 18 Condensing lens 18a Front surface 18b Back surface 20 Retaining ring 22 Light shielding plate 22a Top edge 22b Front surface 22c Rear surface 22d Substantially semi-cylindrical concave surface 24 Blue paint 26 Mark (pattern) 52 Halogen bulb 52a Filament (light source) 54 Reflector 54a Reflecting surface 54b Boss 54c Positioning pin 56 Holder (bracket) 58 Condensing lens 58b Back surface 60 Retaining ring 62A Shielding portion 62Ab Front surface 62Ac Back surface 64 Blue paint 82 High brightness member 82a Upper edge 82b Front surface (reflection processing surface) 82c Screw portion 84 Nut Ax Lamp optical axis B Irradiation light for passing beam B1 Upper irradiation light P Basic light distribution pattern P Light distribution pattern for overhead sign irradiation

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. A light source provided on a lamp optical axis extending in the vehicle front-rear direction, a reflector for reflecting light from the light source forward toward the lamp optical axis, and a reflector provided on a front side of the reflector. And a light-shielding plate provided between the light-collecting lens and the reflector, for shielding a part of the reflected light from the reflector and removing the upward irradiation light. A headlamp for a vehicle, wherein a front surface of the light shielding plate is subjected to a surface treatment to make the front surface brighter than a rear surface of the light shielding plate. 2. A light source provided on a lamp optical axis extending in the vehicle front-rear direction, a reflector for reflecting light from the light source forward toward the lamp optical axis, and a reflector provided on the front side of the reflector. And a light-shielding plate provided between the light-collecting lens and the reflector, for shielding a part of the reflected light from the reflector and removing the upward irradiation light. A vehicular headlamp, wherein a high brightness member having a front surface that is brighter than a front surface of the light shielding plate is provided near the front of the light shielding plate. 3. The vehicle according to claim 1, wherein a color of a front surface of the light-shielding plate subjected to the surface treatment or a front surface of the high-brightness member is set to a cool color. Headlights. 4. The vehicle headlight according to claim 1, wherein the front surface of the light-shielding plate subjected to the surface treatment or the front surface of the high-brightness member is formed of a reflection-treated surface. light. 5. The vehicle headlight according to claim 1, wherein a pattern is provided on a front surface of the light-shielding plate subjected to the surface treatment or a front surface of the high-brightness member. light.