JP2002157904A - LED light source device - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Problem] In a conventional vehicle lamp using an LED lamp as a light source, since the light emitting area of the LED lamp is small, a large number is required to shine the entire light emitting surface, and power consumption, Brightness unevenness and the like have occurred along with an increase in cost. According to the present invention, an inner surface (3a) of a light collecting hood (3) is provided.
Has a shape that opens in a direction along an axis X from a light incident side end 3b, which is an end to which the LED lamp 2 is attached, to a light emission side end 3c, which is an end for emitting light to the outside. L at least part of which is included in the circumferential direction
By using the ED light source device 1, the light emitting position of the LED lamp, whose position and emission angle are fixed, can be changed to a pseudo light source at any position by adjusting the opening angle of the light collecting hood. Resolve.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a vehicular lamp, and more particularly, to a vehicular lamp using a conventional incandescent lamp as a light source when an LED lamp is used as a light source. It is intended to provide a light source device to be obtained.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art FIG. 10 shows an example of the structure of a vehicle lamp 90 employing a conventional LED lamp 91 as a light source. For example, a vehicle lamp 90 is provided on a substrate 92 on which a power supply circuit is formed by a printed circuit board or the like. Ten and many LED lamps 91
Are mounted in a matrix of vertical and horizontal directions, and are further covered from the irradiation direction side by a lens 93 having a lens cut 93a corresponding to each of the LED lamps 91.

Further, a resistor 94 connected in series with the LED lamp 91 is mounted on the substrate 92 in order to absorb a voltage fluctuation of a power supply of the vehicle. Therefore, as the light source device as the vehicle lamp 90, the LED lamp 91, the board 92, the resistor 94, and the like correspond.

[0004]

However, in the vehicular lamp 90 having the above-described conventional configuration, the LED lamp 91 has a relatively narrow light emission angle of ± 35 ° with a half angle reduction. When the surface of the lens 93 is viewed at the time of lighting, the light from each of the LED lamps 91 appears independently, and the surface of the lens 93 emits a spot-like light, which causes a problem that the appearance is impaired. I have.

As a solution to this problem, the LED
The distance between the lamps 91 is reduced, or
Until the light from the ED lamp 91 overlaps enough,
Means such as increasing the distance between the LED lamp 91 and the lens 93 may be considered.
If the distance between them is reduced by half, for example, 4
Since twice as many LED lamps 91 are required, cost and power consumption are dramatically increased, so that the feasibility is poor.

In the latter means, the depth of the vehicular lamp 90 itself is generally deep, and the volume is larger than that of a vehicular lamp using an incandescent bulb as a light source. Therefore, the above-mentioned solutions are not very feasible, and cannot be a drastic solution.

In the case where the luminous intensity of the vehicular lamp is changed like a tail / stop lamp, the means for turning off some of the LED lamps 91 and dimming the light may reduce light unevenness on the surface of the lens 93. It cannot be adopted because it becomes more remarkable. For example, when it is used as a tail lamp, it has to be performed by means such as connecting a series resistor 95, and there is a problem that power consumption is remarkably large compared to the light amount. ing.

[0008]

According to the present invention, as a specific means for solving the above-mentioned conventional problems, a light-collecting hood having a substantially cylindrical inner surface and a reflecting surface is attached to at least one LED lamp. An LED light source device for forming one pseudo light source at a position appropriately away from the LED lamp, wherein an inner surface of the light collecting hood receives light from a light incident side end which is an end to which the LED lamp is attached. An object of the present invention is to solve the problem by providing an LED light source device characterized in that at least a part thereof is opened in a direction along an axis line toward a light emitting side end which is an end to be radiated to the outside. .

[0009]

Next, the present invention will be described in detail based on an embodiment shown in the drawings. FIG. 1 shows a first embodiment of an LED light source device 1 according to the present invention. In the first embodiment, one LED lamp 2 is provided in the LED light source device 1. Inside 3
a is provided with a substantially cylindrical light-collecting hood 3 having a mirror-finished surface.

The light-collecting hood 3 has openings at both ends, and one end is provided with an appropriate holder structure for mounting the LED lamp 2 and the like.
The other end is a light emission side end 3c, and a reflection surface (hereinafter, a rotation two leaf hyperboloid reflection surface 4) is formed from the light emission side end 3c to be a rotating bilobal hyperboloid described later. Light is supplied to a vehicle lamp (not shown) via the.

Here, in the first embodiment, the entire inner surface 3a has a cross section along the axis X of the light collecting hood 3 and extends from the light incident side end 3b to the light emission side end 3c. The inner surface 3a has a shape that spreads out, that is, an angle α at which the wall surface of the inner surface 3a opens toward the light emitting side end 3c.

The provision of the substantially cylindrical condenser hood 3 in the LED lamp 2 as described above allows the light emitted from the LED lamp 2 to be repeatedly reflected in the condenser hood 3 to the light exit side end 3c. Will be facing. At this time, the focusing hood 3
The inventors have found that the light intensity at the light exit side end 3c in a state where the length L is fixed can be adjusted by changing the opening angle α.

In order to make the LED lamp 2 brightest in the vicinity of the light exit side end 3c, an angle at which the luminance decreases to 50% when the front luminance of the LED lamp 2 is 100% (generally, the LED lamp 2 is supplied to the market). In the case of an LED lamp, light emitted from 20 to 35 °) is transmitted to the light exit side end 3.
It has been confirmed that it is effective to set the opening angle α to an angle that converges near c.

As described above, in the LED light source device 1 of the first embodiment, the light from the LED lamp 2 attached to the light incident side end 3b has a luminance near the light exit side end 3c. Since the size increases and the size is regulated by the cross-sectional area of the light collecting hood 3, this position can be used as a pseudo light source (hereinafter, referred to as a pseudo light source P).

FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining the operation of the rotating two-lobed hyperbolic reflection surface 4. In the hyperbola, one hyperbola H1 is shown.
Has one focus F1 and the other hyperbola H2 has the other focus F2. At this time, when a point light source is placed at one focal point F1 and the light from this point light source is reflected on the other hyperbola H2, the reflected light at this time has the same characteristics as when the point light source is placed at the other focal point F2. It becomes what has. And the thing obtained by rotating the other hyperbola H2 about the axis passing through both focal points F1 and F2 is the rotating two-lobed hyperbolic reflecting surface 4 adopted by the present invention.

Therefore, as shown in FIG. 3, if one focal point F1 of the rotating bilobal hyperbolic reflecting surface 4 is provided so as to coincide with the pseudo focal point P, the rotating bilobal hyperbolic reflecting surface 4 will be as if it were at the other focal point F2. The light is turned back and reflected so that the pseudo focus P exists. Therefore, if the reflecting mirror 5 such as a paraboloid of revolution having a focal point at the other focal point F2 is provided, it becomes possible to project parallel rays and the like in the irradiation direction.

In the actual implementation, the opening angle α of the light collecting hood 3 may not be the same over the entire circumference depending on the use conditions and the like. In an extreme case, as shown in FIG. Alternatively, substantially half of the cross section of the light collecting hood 3 may have an opening angle α, and the remaining substantially half may be parallel to the axis X. The connection between the two portions may be provided with a step 3d as shown in FIG. 5 or, although not shown, the opening angle is gradually changed from α ゜ to 0 ° so as not to cause a step. The connection may be made smoothly so as not to cause a step.

FIG. 6 shows a third embodiment of the present invention. In the third embodiment, a plurality of LED light source devices 10 are provided.
For example, four LED lamps 2 are employed. Also in the third embodiment, each of the LED lamps 2 is attached to the light collecting hood 13.
At this time, the condensing hood 13 is connected to the light exit side end 3c.
The openings are integrated on one side to form one opening 13a.

The structure of the light collecting hood 13 will be described in more detail. The individual structures before the integration are substantially the same as those described in the first embodiment or the second embodiment. The axis X of the light hood 3 is crossed at one point on the center line Y, and this crossing is caused by the light exit side end 3c.
In the vicinity of

The intersection angle β between the axis X and the center line Y is arbitrary. For example, it is preferable that the intersection angle β is so narrow that the LED lamp 2 attached to the light incident side end 3b does not interfere. For the purpose of obtaining the light source P, there is a high possibility that good results can be easily obtained, which is preferable.

When a plurality of light collecting hoods 3 are integrated to form a light collecting hood 13, for example, when there are four light collecting hoods 3, one light collecting hood 3 is connected to the light emitting hood 3. From the side end 3c side with respect to the axis X by the intersection angle β
What is necessary is just to make it the shape which cut out the area | region of 70 degree | times, and unite four light-collecting hoods 3 of this shape.

By doing so, in the LED light source device 10 of the third embodiment, the brightness is several times the brightness of the LED lamp 2 of the LED light source device 1 described in the first embodiment and the second embodiment. Is obtained near the light emitting side end 3c, that is, in the vicinity of the opening 13a where the synthesis has been performed. Therefore, the LED light source device 10 can be used for a vehicle lamp requiring a higher illuminance, such as a stop lamp.

FIG. 7 shows a fourth embodiment of the present invention, and as is clear from the above description, the LED light source device 1 of the present invention,
In 10, the LED light source devices 1 and 10 alone,
Or, in a state combined with the rotating bilobal hyperbolic reflecting surface 4,
The light source has a function substantially similar to the filament of the incandescent lamp. Therefore, if the socket portion 6 having the flange 6a having the same configuration as that of the incandescent lamp with respect to the lamp body is provided, the lamp can be replaced.

Furthermore, if the distance from the flange 6a to the other focal point F2 is made to coincide with the distance from the flange of the incandescent lamp to the filament (referred to as LCL), the lamp is replaced with an incandescent lamp. Since the accident that the LED lamp 2 cannot be turned on due to disconnection does not substantially occur, the reliability of the vehicle lamp as a whole can be improved.

FIG. 8 shows a fifth embodiment of the present invention. This fifth embodiment corresponds to the LED light source device 10 of the third embodiment in which a plurality of LED lamps 2 are employed. For example, the four LED lamps 2 are divided into one first group G1 and three second groups G2.
Are connected to a switch TS for a tail lamp, for example, and the LED lamps 2 of the second group G2 are connected to a switch SS for a stop lamp, for example.

In this way, if only the switch TS is turned on during normal night driving, only one LED lamp 2 of the first group G1 is turned on, and LE
One LED is provided near the opening 13a of the D light source device 10.
A pseudo light source P having a brightness corresponding to the lamp 2 is generated, so that the vehicular lamp also shines with a corresponding brightness.

Here, when the brake is operated by the driver, the switch SS is turned on, and the three LED lamps 2 of the second group G2 are also turned on. Therefore, the brightness of the pseudo light source P generated near the opening 13a also becomes the brightness corresponding to the four LED lamps 2, and the vehicular lamp shines brightly. Then, at this time, the resistance value R1 of the first group G1 and
If the resistance value R2 of the second group is appropriately set, the stop lamp satisfies the standard that is about five times that of the tail lamp.

Therefore, in the conventional example, a series resistor or the like is connected to the LED lamp 2 and power is consumed by the series resistor to obtain an appropriate luminance as a tail lamp. However, according to the present invention, when the vehicle travels on a tail lamp that is overwhelmingly long, only one of the LED lamps 2 is turned on. As a good example, it is assumed that power consumption can be significantly reduced.

At this time, the LED lamps 2 of the first group G1 and the LED lamps 2 of the second group have different emission colors, for example, the first group G1 is red and the second group G2 is green. If the number of LED lamps 2 in each group is set appropriately,
When only the switch TS is turned on, a red light emission color is obtained from the vehicle lamp, when only the switch SS is turned on, a green light emission color is obtained, and when both switches TS and SS are turned on, a yellow light emission color is obtained. For example, the light emission color of the entire lamp can be changed without changing the light distribution characteristics.

It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the above-described method for switching the brightness and the like in the vehicular lamp.
As shown in FIG. 9 as a sixth embodiment, it is assumed that all the LED lamps 2 are simultaneously turned on via a pulse width control circuit PW and the like, and during normal driving at night, the pulse width is narrowed by the pulse width control circuit PW. It is needless to say that a lighting method can be used in which the light is turned on to obtain appropriate brightness as a tail lamp, and when the switch SS is turned on, the light is turned on with a wide pulse width to obtain appropriate brightness as a stop lamp.

[0031]

As described above, according to the present invention, at least one LED lamp is provided with a light-collecting hood having an inner surface as a reflecting surface and having a substantially cylindrical shape, and one pseudo light source is located at an appropriate distance from the LED lamp. An inner surface of the light collecting hood has an inner surface from a light incident side end, which is an end to which the LED lamp is attached, to a light emission side end, which is an end for emitting light to the outside. By making the LED light source device at least part of the circumferential direction include a portion that is shaped to open in the direction along the opposite axis, the light emitting position of the LED lamp whose position and emission angle are fixed ,
By adjusting the opening angle of the light collecting hood, a pseudo light source can be obtained at an arbitrary position, thereby improving the degree of freedom of the shape of the vehicular lamp and exhibiting excellent effects such as design improvement.

Further, by combining a plurality of the light collecting hoods, it is possible to secure sufficient brightness for the pseudo light source,
It is possible to illuminate the entire surface of the light emitting surface of the lamp with a single pseudo light source through the rotating two-lobe hyperbolic reflective surface, eliminating uneven brightness on the light emitting surface and extremely improving the aesthetic appearance of the vehicle lamp. It has the effect that it has.

Further, by combining a plurality of the light-collecting hoods, even if a part of the plurality of LED lamps is turned on and off, the pseudo light source does not change in position or shape. This eliminates the need for a low-efficiency light amount adjusting means using a series resistor as in a vehicle lamp employing a lamp, and provides an extremely excellent effect in reducing power consumption and heat generation.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a sectional view showing a first embodiment of an LED light source device according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing an operation of a rotating two-lobe hyperbolic reflecting surface.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing a use state of the LED light source device according to the present invention for a vehicle lamp.

FIG. 4 is a sectional view showing a second embodiment of the LED light source device according to the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a sectional view taken along the line AA of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a sectional view showing a third embodiment of the LED light source device according to the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing a fourth embodiment of the LED light source device according to the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a wiring diagram showing a fifth embodiment of the LED light source device according to the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a wiring diagram showing a sixth embodiment of the LED light source device according to the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a sectional view showing a conventional example.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1, 10 ... LED light source device 10a ... 2 ... LED lamp 3, 13 ... light collecting hood 3a ... inner surface 3b ... light incident side end 3c ... light emission side end 3d ... stepped portion 13a ... Opening 4... Rotating bilobe hyperbolic reflecting surface 5... Reflecting mirror 6... Socket part 6 a.

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification symbol FI Theme coat ゛ (Reference) F21S 1/02 G

Claims (6)

[Claims] 1. An LE having at least one LED lamp having a substantially cylindrical light-collecting hood having an inner reflecting surface.
An LED light source device for forming one pseudo light source at an appropriate distance from a D lamp, wherein an inner surface of the light collecting hood is configured to externally emit light from a light incident side end which is an end to which the LED lamp is attached. An LED light source device characterized in that at least a portion in a circumferential direction includes a portion that is opened in a direction along an axis that is directed to a light-emitting side end that is an end that emits light. 2. The light-collecting hood according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of light-collecting hoods cross each other at a point near the light-emitting end so that the light-incident-side end is open. One opening is formed by coupling near the light exit side end, and one pseudo light source is formed in the vicinity of the opening by light from the plurality of LED lamps attached to the respective light entrance side ends. An LED light source device, characterized in that: 3. A hyperboloid of revolution having one of the two hyperboloids of revolution having the pseudo light source as the other focal point is provided near the light exit side end as a reflection surface. The LED light source device according to item 1. 4. A plurality of LED lamps in one LED light source device are divided into two groups by an appropriate number distribution, so that the other group can blink freely regardless of whether one group is turned on. The LED light source device according to claim 2 or 3, wherein: 5. An angle at which the inner surface of the light collecting hood opens along the axis is an angle at which light at a half angle of the directional characteristic of the LED lamp is reflected by the inner surface and converges near the pseudo focus. The LED light source device according to claim 1. 6. The light incident end side is provided with a socket part which can be mounted on a vehicle lamp and can be connected to a connector on the vehicle side. The LED light source device according to item 1.