JP2009218166A - Vehicular lamp - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention provides a vehicular lamp having a reduced external dimension and high light use efficiency from a light source.
A projection lens disposed on a lamp optical axis, a light source disposed on a lamp optical axis, a shade disposed between the projection lens and the light source, and light from the light source is reflected. A first reflecting surface that forms a basic light distribution pattern by condensing near the focal point of the projection lens and then passing through the projection lens and irradiating forward, and the projection lens side end of the first reflecting surface A second reflection surface that is disposed in the vicinity and reflects light from the light source toward the vicinity of the end of the light source toward the projection lens, and is disposed in the vicinity of the end of the light source on the side of the projection lens. (2) After reflecting the reflected light from the reflecting surface and condensing it in the vicinity of the focal point of the projection lens, an additional light distribution pattern to be superimposed on the basic light distribution pattern is formed by transmitting through the projection lens and irradiating forward And a third reflecting surface .
[Selection] Figure 1

Description

  The present invention relates to a vehicular lamp, and more particularly to a vehicular lamp that has a smaller external dimension and a high efficiency of using light from a light source as compared with a conventional projector-type headlamp.

 Conventionally, there is known a projector-type headlamp that includes a projection lens, a light source, a shade disposed between the projection lens and the light source, a reflecting surface disposed so as to surround the light source, and the like (for example, Patent Document 1). , See Patent Document 2).

  FIG. 4 is a side view for explaining the projector-type headlamp described in Patent Document 1.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the projector type headlamp described in Patent Document 1 includes a projection lens 10 ′, a light source bulb 20 ′, a shade 30 ′ disposed between the projection lens 10 ′ and the light source bulb 20 ′, a light source A reflecting surface 40 ′ arranged so as to surround the bulb 20 ′ is provided, and a surface facing the reflecting mirror 40 ′ of the shade 30 ′ has direct light from the light source bulb 20 ′ and the reflecting mirror 40 ′. A reflecting surface 31 ′ is provided for reflecting the reflected light toward the upper half of the reflecting mirror 40 ′.

  In the projector type headlamp described in Patent Document 1, direct light from the light source bulb 20 ′ and reflected light from the reflecting mirror 40 ′ are returned to the light source bulb 20 ′ by the reflecting surface 31 ′ of the shade 30 ′. Again, the light is reflected forward by the reflecting mirror 40 ', thereby improving the utilization efficiency of light from the light source bulb 20'.

  FIG. 5 is a side view for explaining the projector-type headlamp described in Patent Document 2.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the projector type headlamp described in Patent Document 2 includes a projection lens 50 ', a light source 60', a shade 70 'disposed between the projection lens 50' and the light source 60 ', and a light source 60'. A reflective surface 80 ′ disposed so as to surround the light source 60, and a cutout portion 81 ′ through which light from the light source 60 ′ passes is formed below the reflective surface 80 ′. An auxiliary reflection surface 90 'for reflecting light from the light source 60' that has passed through the notch 81 'toward the front is provided on the outer side of'.

In the projector-type headlamp described in Patent Document 2, the light from the light source 60 'that has been blocked by the shade 70' and invalidated passes through the notch 81 'formed in the reflecting surface 80'. The light passes through and is reflected toward the front by the auxiliary reflecting surface 90 ', thereby improving the use efficiency of light from the light source 60'.
JP 2005-347144 A JP 2006-216455 A

  However, in the projector type headlamp described in Patent Document 1, the light from the light source bulb 20 ′ and the like returned to the light source bulb 20 ′ by the reflecting surface 31 ′ of the shade 30 ′ is the glass of the light source bulb 20 ′. It will pass through the tube again. For this reason, the projector-type headlamp described in Patent Document 1 has a problem that the utilization efficiency of light from the light source bulb 20 'cannot be improved so much.

  In addition, in the projector type headlamp described in Patent Document 2, the use efficiency of light from the light source 60 ′ can be improved, but an auxiliary reflecting surface 90 ′ is provided outside the reflecting surface 80 ′. Therefore, there is a problem that the outer dimensions are large, and cannot be applied to a vehicle having a narrow vertical dimension.

  The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and provides a vehicular lamp that has a smaller external dimension and a high light utilization efficiency from a light source compared to a conventional projector-type headlamp. The purpose is to do.

  In order to solve the above-mentioned problem, the invention according to claim 1 is directed to a projection lens disposed on the lamp optical axis, a light source disposed on the lamp optical axis, and an upper edge near the focal point of the projection lens. A shade disposed between the projection lens and the light source in a positioned state, and disposed so as to surround the light source, and after reflecting the light from the light source and condensing the light near the focal point of the projection lens A first reflecting surface that forms a basic light distribution pattern by transmitting through the projection lens and irradiating forward, and is disposed in the vicinity of the projection lens side end of the first reflecting surface, and the light from the light source is A second reflection surface that reflects toward the vicinity of the projection lens side end of the light source; and a projection that is disposed near the projection lens side end of the light source and reflects the reflected light from the second reflection surface. After focusing near the focal point of the lens, the projection A third reflecting surface forming an additional light distribution pattern to be superimposed on the basic light distribution pattern by irradiating the front is transmitted through the lens, characterized in that it comprises a.

  According to the first aspect of the present invention, the light from the light source that is not used on the first reflecting surface is projected by the second reflecting surface disposed near the projection lens side end of the first reflecting surface. Reflects toward a second focal point located near the end on the lens side. The light reflected by the second reflecting surface is irradiated toward the front projection lens by the third reflecting surface having the second focal point as a focal point.

  For this reason, according to the first aspect of the present invention, it is possible to configure a vehicular lamp that has a smaller outer dimension and a higher light utilization efficiency from the light source than a conventional projector-type headlamp. It becomes possible.

  According to the first aspect of the present invention, the space in which the third reflecting surface is disposed is a space where the light from the light source has a low luminous intensity due to the light emission characteristics of the light source. Therefore, according to the first aspect of the present invention, even if the third reflecting surface is arranged, the first reflecting surface has little influence on the formation of the basic light distribution pattern.

  According to the first aspect of the present invention, by superimposing the additional light distribution pattern formed by the second reflection surface on the basic light distribution pattern formed by the first reflection surface, the light intensity within a predetermined range (for example, The luminous intensity of about 2 to 3 degrees on the left and right near the center) can be increased. That is, according to the first aspect of the present invention, it is possible to realize an excellent light distribution with improved far irradiation performance (far view visibility).

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the invention, the first reflecting surface has a first focal point set near the light source and a second focal point set near the focal point of the projection lens. The second reflecting surface is a spheroidal reflecting surface in which a first focal point is set near the light source and a second focal point is set near the end of the light source on the projection lens side. The third reflecting surface is a spheroid reflecting surface in which the first focal point is set to the second focal point of the second reflecting surface and the second focal point is set near the focal point of the projection lens; It is a parabolic reflecting surface.

  This is an example of each reflecting surface. Therefore, the reflective surface of the present invention is not limited to these. For example, the second reflecting surface may be a parabolic reflecting surface set in a space where the light from the light source has a relatively low luminous intensity near the end of the light source on the projection lens side.

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, compared with the conventional projector type | mold headlamp, it becomes possible to provide the vehicle lamp with a small external dimension and high light utilization efficiency from a light source.

  Hereinafter, a vehicular lamp that is an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a side view for explaining the main configuration of the vehicular lamp of the present embodiment. FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the vehicle lamp shown in FIG.

  The vehicle headlamp 100 according to the present embodiment is applied to a headlamp such as a headlamp or a fog lamp of a vehicle such as an automobile. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the projection lens 10 and the light source 20 are used. , A shade 30 disposed between the projection lens 10 and the light source 20, a first reflecting surface 40, a pair of upper and lower second reflecting surfaces 50U and 50D, a third reflecting surface 60, and the like.

  The projection lens 10 has a focal point F on the light source 20 side. The projection lens 10 is arranged in a state where its optical axis is matched with the lamp optical axis AX.

  The light source 20 is, for example, a light source bulb such as an incandescent light bulb or a halogen lamp, an HID, or an LED light source such as an LED package in which one or a plurality of LED chips of single color or RGB three colors are packaged. As shown in FIG. 1, when the light source 20 is a light source bulb such as an incandescent lamp or an HID, the light source 20 is arranged on the lamp optical axis AX with the longitudinal direction thereof aligned with the lamp optical axis AX.

  The shade 30 is a member for shielding part of the reflected light from the first reflecting surface 40 and the pair of upper and lower second reflecting surfaces 50U and 50D, and the upper edge 31 is positioned near the focal point F of the projection lens 10. In this state, it is disposed between the projection lens 10 and the light source 20.

  The first reflecting surface 40 is a reflecting surface that reflects the light emitted from the light source 20 and is disposed so as to surround the light source 20. In the first reflecting surface 40, for example, the first focus is set in the vicinity of the light source 20 (the position indicated by f1 in FIGS. 1 and 2), and the second focus is in the vicinity of the focus F of the projection lens 10 (in FIGS. 1 and 2). This is a spheroid reflection surface set at a position indicated by f2.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the first reflecting surface 40 reflects the light from the light source 20 and collects it near the focal point F of the projection lens 10, and then transmits the projection lens 10 and irradiates it forward. As shown in FIG. 3, a basic light distribution pattern P1 having a cutoff line L1 defined by the upper edge 31 of the shade 30 is formed.

  Each of the pair of upper and lower second reflecting surfaces 50U and 50D is a reflecting surface that reflects light from the light source 20 (light from the light source 20 that cannot be captured by the first reflecting surface 40), as shown in FIG. The first reflecting surface 40 is disposed in the vicinity of the end 41 on the projection lens 10 side. For example, each of the pair of upper and lower second reflecting surfaces 50U and 50D has a first focal point set near the light source 20 and a second focal point depending on the light emission characteristics of the light source 20 near the end of the light source 20 on the projection lens 10 side. It is a spheroid reflection surface set in a space S (for example, a position in the space S indicated by f3 in FIGS. 1 and 2) in which light from the light source 20 has a relatively low luminous intensity.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the second reflecting surfaces 50 </ b> U and 50 </ b> D are spaces in which light from the light source 20 and light from the light source 20 in the vicinity of the end 21 on the projection lens 10 side of the light source 20 have a relatively low luminous intensity. The light is condensed toward a second focal point (for example, a position in the space S indicated by f3 in FIGS. 1 and 2) that is reflected toward S and set in the space S, and then irradiates the third reflecting surface 60. In FIG. 2, the second reflecting surfaces 50 </ b> U and 50 </ b> D are configured separately from the shade 30, but may be configured integrally with the shade 30.

  The third reflecting surface 60 is a reflecting surface for reflecting the reflected light from the second reflecting surfaces 50U and 50D, and is provided at the tip of the support arm A as shown in FIG. Located in the space S where the light from the light source 20 is relatively low in the vicinity of the end 21 on the projection lens 10 side (the space that does not block the reflected light from the first reflecting surface 40 toward the second reflecting surface 50). Yes. In the third reflecting surface 60, for example, the first focal point is set to the second focal point of the second reflecting surfaces 50U and 50D (for example, the position in the space S indicated by f3 in FIGS. 1 and 2), and the second focal point is This is a spheroid reflection surface set near the focal point F of the projection lens 10 (for example, a position indicated by f2 in FIGS. 1 and 2).

  As described above, since the light from the light source 20 is disposed in a space where the light intensity is low due to the light emission characteristics of the light source 20, the third reflecting surface 60 has an influence on the formation of the basic light distribution pattern by the first reflecting surface 40. Few.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the third reflecting surface 60 reflects the reflected light from the second reflecting surfaces 50U and 50D and condenses it in the vicinity of the focal point F of the projection lens 10, and then transmits the projection lens 10 forward. By irradiating, as shown in FIG. 3, it has a cut-off line L2 (cut-off line L2 coinciding with the cut-off line L1) defined by the upper edge 31 of the shade 30, and is superimposed on the basic light distribution pattern P1. The additional light distribution pattern P2 is formed.

  As described above, according to the vehicular lamp 100 of the present embodiment, the space S near the end 21 on the projection lens 10 side of the light source 20 where the light from the light source 20 is relatively low in intensity (used conventionally). The third reflecting surface 60 was placed in a space that was not present.

  For this reason, according to the vehicular lamp 100 of the present embodiment, the space S in the vicinity of the end 21 on the projection lens 10 side of the light source 20 where the light from the light source 20 has a relatively low luminous intensity (not conventionally used) Space) can be effectively used, and it is possible to configure a vehicular lamp that has a smaller outer dimension and higher light utilization efficiency from the light source 20 than a conventional projector-type headlamp.

  Further, according to the vehicular lamp 100 of the present embodiment, the additional light distribution pattern P2 formed by the second reflection surface 50 is superimposed on the basic light distribution pattern P1 formed by the first reflection surface 40. As shown in FIG. 3, it is possible to increase the luminous intensity of about 2 to 3 degrees on the left and right in the vicinity of the center, and it is possible to realize an excellent light distribution with improved far irradiation performance (distant visibility).

  Next, a modified example will be described.

  In the above embodiment, for example, the third reflecting surface 60 is set such that the first focal point is the second focal point of the second reflecting surfaces 50U and 50D (for example, the position in the space S indicated by f3 in FIGS. 1 and 2). In the above description, the second focal point is a spheroid reflecting surface set near the focal point F of the projection lens 10 (for example, the position indicated by f2 in FIGS. 1 and 2), but the present invention is not limited to this. Not. For example, the third reflecting surface 60 may be a parabolic reflecting surface whose focal point is set near the end f3 of the light source 20 on the projection lens 10 side.

  The above embodiment is merely an example in all respects. The present invention is not construed as being limited to these descriptions. The present invention can be implemented in various other forms without departing from the spirit or main features thereof.

It is a side view for demonstrating the main structures of the vehicle lamp of this embodiment. It is a disassembled perspective view of the vehicle lamp shown in FIG. It is an example of the light distribution pattern obtained as a result of superimposing the additional light distribution pattern P2 formed by the second reflection surfaces 50U and 50D on the basic light distribution pattern P1 formed by the first reflection surface 40. It is a side view for demonstrating the structure of the conventional vehicle lamp. It is a side view for demonstrating the structure of the conventional vehicle lamp.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100 ... Vehicle lamp, 10 ... Projection lens, 20 ... Light source, 30 ... Shade, 31 ... Upper edge, 40 ... 1st reflective surface, 50U, 50D ... 2nd reflective surface, 60 ... 3rd reflective surface

Claims (2)

A projection lens arranged on the lamp optical axis;
A light source disposed on the lamp optical axis;
A shade disposed between the projection lens and the light source with the upper edge positioned near the focal point of the projection lens;
A basic light distribution pattern is formed by surrounding the light source, reflecting light from the light source, condensing the light near the focal point of the projection lens, and transmitting the projection lens and irradiating it forward. A first reflecting surface;
A second reflection surface that is disposed near the projection lens side end of the first reflection surface and reflects light from the light source toward the projection lens side end of the light source;
Arranged in the vicinity of the end of the light source on the projection lens side, the reflected light from the second reflecting surface is reflected and condensed near the focal point of the projection lens, and then transmitted through the projection lens and irradiated forward. A third reflecting surface for forming an additional light distribution pattern superimposed on the basic light distribution pattern,
A vehicular lamp characterized by comprising: The first reflecting surface is a spheroid reflecting surface in which a first focal point is set near the light source and a second focal point is set near the focal point of the projection lens,
The second reflecting surface is a spheroid reflecting surface in which a first focal point is set in the vicinity of the light source and a second focal point is set in the vicinity of an end of the light source on the projection lens side,
The third reflecting surface is a spheroidal reflecting surface or paraboloidal system in which the first focal point is set to the second focal point of the second reflecting surface and the second focal point is set near the focal point of the projection lens. The vehicular lamp according to claim 1, wherein the vehicular lamp is a reflecting surface.

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