JP2018098078A - Vehicular headlamp - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a vehicular headlamp capable of forming desired low-beam distribution and high-beam distribution with a small number of lighting units.SOLUTION: A vehicular headlamp includes: a light-emitting element 42 for high-beam configured to emit light forming at least part of high-beam distribution; a light-emitting element 41 for low-beam configured to emit light forming at least part of low-beam distribution; and a reflector 20 having a first reflection region 21r configured to reflect direct light emitted by the light-emitting element 41 for low-beam, and a second reflection region 22r configured to reflect direct light emitted by the light-emitting element 42 for high-beam and formed at a position into which the direct light emitted by the light-emitting element for low-beam is not incident.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

  The present invention relates to a vehicle headlamp.

  2. Description of the Related Art Vehicle headlamps typified by automobile headlights are known in which a low beam light source that illuminates the front at night and a high beam light source that illuminates far away from the low beam are mounted. The light from the high beam light source includes light that is irradiated upward from the low beam.

  For example, Patent Document 1 below discloses a vehicle headlamp that includes a plurality of lamp units each having a light source and a reflector that reflects light from the light source forward.

JP 2014-229588 A

  In the vehicle headlamp described in Patent Document 1, a high beam light distribution is formed by light emitted from a plurality of lamp units. Thus, a plurality of lamp units may be used to form a desired light distribution. Further, the low beam distribution and the high beam distribution differ not only in the direction in which light is irradiated, but also in the shape and luminance distribution of the range irradiated with light. For this reason, the low beam lamp unit and the high beam lamp unit are often provided separately. As described above, the conventional vehicle headlamp may require many lamp units in order to form a desired light distribution.

  Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a vehicle headlamp that can form a desired low beam light distribution and a high beam light distribution with a small number of lamp units.

  In order to solve the above-described problems, a vehicle headlamp according to the present invention includes a high-beam light-emitting element that emits light that forms at least part of a high-beam light distribution, and light that forms at least part of a low-beam light distribution. A low beam light emitting element that emits light, a first reflection region that reflects direct light emitted from the low beam light emitting element, and a direct light emitted from the high beam light emitting element that reflects and emits the low beam light emitting element. And a reflector having a second reflection region formed at a position where no direct light is incident.

  In the vehicle headlamp, at least a part of the low beam light distribution can be formed by the light from the low beam light emitting element, and at least a part of the high beam light distribution can be formed by the light from the high beam light emitting element. . If it is desired to brighten the low beam light distribution or the high beam light distribution, the light distribution from the other lamp units is complemented by the light from the low beam light emitting element or the light from the high beam light emitting element. Thus, a desired low beam light distribution and a high beam light distribution can be formed. For example, it is possible to form a rough portion of the light distribution of the low beam with the light from the other lamp unit, and to complement the light distribution of the low beam with the light from the light emitting element for low beam. Further, it is possible to complement the high beam light distribution by forming the light distribution of the light from the high beam light emitting element above the light distribution formed by the light from the other lamp units. In the case of forming a bright low-beam light distribution and a high-beam light distribution, the conventional vehicle headlamp includes a plurality of lamp units to form a low-beam light distribution and further forms a high-beam light distribution. You may need a separate lamp unit. However, in the vehicle headlamp described above, the low beam distribution and the high beam distribution can be complemented by a single lamp unit, so that the desired low beam distribution and the high beam distribution can be formed with a small number of lamp units. In addition, the second reflection region is formed at a position where the direct light emitted from the high beam light emitting element is reflected and the direct light emitted from the low beam light emitting element is not incident, so that the light from the low beam light emitting element is emitted when the low beam is turned on. Can be prevented from entering the second reflection region and being irradiated with unintended light above the desired low beam distribution.

  Preferably, the first reflective region is formed above the second reflective region, and the high beam light emitting element is disposed in front of the low beam light emitting element.

  The first reflective region is formed above the second reflective region and the high beam light emitting element is disposed in front of the low beam light emitting element, thereby reflecting the direct light emitted from the high beam light emitting element and emitting the low beam. It becomes easy to form the second reflection region at a position where the direct light emitted from the element does not enter.

  The light emitted from the low-beam light emitting element preferably further includes a lamp unit that forms the left or right end of the low-beam light distribution and emits light that forms the central portion of the low-beam light distribution. .

  It may be difficult to form a bright low-beam light distribution with only light from a single lamp unit. As described above, the light from one lamp unit forms part of the light distribution of the low beam, and the light emitted from the light emitting element for low beam complements the light distribution to obtain the light distribution of the low beam. A low beam light distribution may be formed.

  Further, it is preferable that the low beam light emitting element is turned off when the high beam light emitting element is turned on.

  When the high beam is lit, there is a desire to darken the lower side (front side of the vehicle as viewed from the driver) than when the low beam is lit. By turning off the low beam light emitting element when the high beam is on, the amount of light below the high beam light distribution can be reduced as compared to the low beam light distribution, making it easier to form a desired high beam light distribution. In addition, since the low beam light emitting element is turned off when the high beam light emitting element is turned on, the same number of light emitting elements can be emitted when the low beam is turned on and when the high beam is turned on. Thus, the difference in the amount of heat generated by the light emitting elements can be reduced. For example, when the amount of heat generated during light emission of each light emitting element is the same, the amount of heat generated by the light emitting element can be made substantially the same during low beam lighting and during high beam lighting. In this way, the difference in the amount of heat generated by the light emitting elements between when the low beam is turned on and when the high beam is turned on is reduced, so that it is easy to optimize the design of the heat sink and the like for releasing the heat generated by each light emitting element. Thus, the heat sink and the like can be prevented from increasing in size.

  As described above, according to the present invention, a vehicle headlamp capable of forming a desired low beam light distribution and high beam light distribution with a small number of lamp units is provided.

It is a front view showing an outline of a vehicle provided with a headlight for vehicles in an embodiment of the present invention. It is sectional drawing in the II-II line of FIG. It is sectional drawing in the III-III line of FIG. 4A shows a low beam light distribution, FIG. 4B shows a high beam light distribution, and FIG. 4C shows a daytime light distribution.

  EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION Hereinafter, the form for implementing the vehicle headlamp which concerns on this invention is illustrated with an accompanying drawing. The embodiments exemplified below are intended to facilitate understanding of the present invention, and are not intended to limit the present invention. The present invention can be modified and improved from the following embodiments without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

  FIG. 1 is a front view showing an outline of a vehicle provided with a vehicle headlamp in the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1, the vehicle 100 includes a pair of vehicle headlamps 1 in each of the front left and right directions. The pair of vehicular headlamps 1 provided in the vehicle 100 are symmetrical to each other in the left-right direction. In the vehicle headlamp 1 according to this embodiment, a lamp 1 a and a lamp 1 b are arranged side by side, the lamp 1 a is disposed outside the vehicle 100, and the lamp 1 b is disposed on the center side of the vehicle 100.

<Lamp 1a>
First, the lamp 1a will be described. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along line II-II in FIG. That is, FIG. 2 is a vertical sectional view of the lamp 1a. As shown in FIG. 2, the lamp 1 a that is a part of the vehicle headlamp 1 includes a housing 10 and a lamp unit LUa accommodated in the housing 10.

  The housing 10 includes a lamp housing 11, a front cover 12, and a back cover 13 as main components. The front of the lamp housing 11 is open, and the front cover 12 is fixed to the lamp housing 11 so as to close the opening. In addition, an opening smaller than the front is formed at the rear of the lamp housing 11, and the back cover 13 is fixed to the lamp housing 11 so as to close the opening.

  A space formed by the lamp housing 11, the front cover 12 that closes the front opening of the lamp housing 11, and the back cover 13 that closes the rear opening of the lamp housing 11 is a lamp chamber LR. A lamp unit LUa is accommodated therein.

  The lamp unit LUa includes a support member 30, a reflector 20, a low beam light emitting element 41, and a high beam light emitting element 42 as main components.

  The support member 30 is a metal member, and includes a top plate 31, a back plate 32, and a locking portion 33. The top plate 31 is a plate-like metal member extending substantially horizontally, and the back plate 32 is a plate-like metal member extending substantially vertically. The rear end of the top plate 31 and the upper end of the back plate 32 are connected to each other. Further, a locking portion 33 is connected near the upper end of the back plate 32. The locking portion 33 extends rearward from the back plate 32, and the locking portion 33 is formed with a screw hole that opens to the rear side. A screw 35 is screwed into the screw hole from the outside of the lamp housing 11, and the locking portion 33 is fixed to the lamp housing 11. A screw hole is also formed on the lower side of the back plate 32, and a screw 34 is screwed into the screw hole from the outside of the lamp housing 11, and the back plate 32 is fixed to the lamp housing 11. Thus, the back plate 32 is fixed in the lamp chamber LR in a substantially vertical state, and the top plate 31 connected to the back plate 32 is also fixed in the lamp chamber LR. In addition, the angle of the back plate 32 can be finely adjusted by adjusting these screws 34 and 35, and the angle of the top plate 31 can be finely adjusted accordingly.

  The reflector 20 is fixed to the lower surface of the top plate 31. The reflector 20 has a reflector body 24 and a plating part 23. The reflector body 24 is made of resin. The plated portion 23 is a thin film made of a metal such as aluminum or a metal oxide on the front side (front cover 12 side) surface of the reflector main body 24. The surface of the plated portion 23 is a light reflecting surface 23r.

  The reflecting surface 23r has a first reflecting area 21r and a second reflecting area 22r which are different areas, and a horizontal area 25r extending in a substantially horizontal direction between the first reflecting area 21r and the second reflecting area 22r. Have The first reflection region 21r is formed at a position where the direct light emitted from the low beam light emitting element 41 can be reflected. The second reflection region 22r is formed at a position where the direct light emitted from the high beam light emitting element 42 is reflected and the direct light emitted from the low beam light emitting element 41 is not incident. In the present embodiment, the first reflection region 21r is formed at a position recessed rearward above the second reflection region 22r.

  The first reflection region 21r has, for example, a concave shape formed of a free curved surface based on a parabola whose opening direction is the front side. More specifically, the shape of the first reflection region 21r in the vertical cross section is substantially lower than the apex when the central axis of the parabola is horizontal, and the first reflection region 21r is in the horizontal direction. The shape in the cross section is generally a shape including the apex of the parabola. However, the parabola in the vertical cross section of the first reflection region 21r and the parabola in the horizontal cross section may be different from each other. In addition, the shape of the first reflection region 21r in the horizontal cross section may not be based on a parabola, and may be, for example, a shape based on a part of an ellipse or another concave shape.

  The second reflection region 22r has, for example, a concave shape formed of a free curved surface based on a parabola whose opening direction is the front side. More specifically, the shape of the second reflection region 22r in the vertical cross section is substantially lower than the apex when the central axis of the parabola is horizontal, and the second reflection region 22r is in the horizontal direction. The shape in the cross section is generally a shape including the apex of the parabola. However, the parabola in the vertical cross section of the second reflective region 22r and the parabola in the horizontal cross section may be different from each other. In addition, the shape of the second reflection region 22r in the horizontal cross section may not be based on a parabola, and may be, for example, a shape based on a part of an ellipse or another concave shape.

  A low beam light emitting element 41 and a high beam light emitting element 42 are disposed on the lower surface of the top plate 31. The low-beam light emitting element 41 emits light that forms at least part of the low-beam light distribution. The direct light emitted from the low-beam light emitting element 41 is reflected by the first reflection region 21r and becomes at least part of the light distribution of the low beam. The high beam light emitting element 42 emits light that forms at least a part of the high beam light distribution. The direct light emitted from the high beam light emitting element 42 is reflected by the second reflection region 22r and becomes at least part of the high beam light distribution.

  Each of the low beam light emitting element 41 and the high beam light emitting element 42 is, for example, an LED (Light Emitting Diode). The low-beam light-emitting element 41 and the high-beam light-emitting element 42 are each connected to a circuit board (not shown), and can emit light by feeding from the circuit board. The low-beam light-emitting element 41 and the high-beam light-emitting element 42 may be connected to separate circuit boards, or may be connected to a single circuit board. However, when the low-beam light-emitting element 41 and the high-beam light-emitting element 42 are connected to one circuit board, an increase in the number of components can be suppressed, and the relative positions of the respective light-emitting elements can be easily determined.

<Lamp 1b>
Next, the lamp 1b will be described. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line III-III in FIG. That is, FIG. 3 is a vertical sectional view of the lamp 1b. 3, components equivalent to those shown in FIG. 2 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof is omitted. As shown in FIG. 3, the lamp 1 b that is a part of the vehicle headlamp 1 includes a housing 10 and a lamp unit LUb accommodated in the housing 10.

  The lamp unit LUb includes a support member 30, a reflector 60, and a low-beam light emitting element 51 as main components.

  The reflector 60 is fixed to the lower surface of the top plate 31. The reflector 60 has a reflector body 64 and a plating part 63. The reflector body 64 is made of resin. The plating part 63 is a thin film made of a metal such as aluminum or a metal oxide on the front side (front cover 12 side) surface of the reflector body part 64. The surface of the plated portion 63 is a light reflecting surface 63r.

  The reflecting surface 63r has, for example, a concave shape composed of a free-form surface based on a parabola whose opening direction is the front side. More specifically, the shape of the reflecting surface 63r in the vertical section is substantially lower than the apex when the central axis of the parabola is horizontal, and the shape of the reflecting surface 63r in the horizontal section is The shape generally includes the apex of a parabola. However, the parabola in the vertical cross section of the reflecting surface 63r and the parabola in the horizontal cross section may be different from each other. Further, the shape of the reflecting surface 63r in the horizontal section may not be based on a parabola, and may be a shape based on a part of an ellipse or another concave shape, for example.

  A low beam light emitting element 51 is disposed on the lower surface of the top plate 31. The low-beam light emitting element 51 emits light that forms at least part of the low-beam light distribution. The direct light emitted from the low-beam light emitting element 51 is reflected by the reflecting surface 63r and becomes at least part of the low-beam light distribution. The low-beam light-emitting element 51 is disposed in the vicinity of the focal point of the parabola based on the vertical sectional shape of the reflecting surface 63r.

  The low-beam light emitting element 51 is, for example, an LED (Light Emitting Diode). The low-beam light emitting element 51 is connected to a circuit board (not shown), and can emit light by power feeding from the circuit board.

  Next, the operation and effects of the vehicle headlamp 1 according to this embodiment will be described. 4A shows a low beam light distribution, FIG. 4B shows a high beam light distribution, and FIG. 4C shows a daytime light distribution.

<When the low beam is on>
In this embodiment, the low beam is irradiated by light from the low beam light emitting element 41 provided in the lamp 1a and the low beam light emitting element 51 provided in the lamp 1b.

  As shown in FIG. 3, most of the light L51 emitted from the low beam light emitting element 51 is reflected by the reflecting surface 63r. Of the light L51, light emitted from the foremost region in the emission part of the low-beam light emitting element 51 forms a low-beam cut line shown in FIG. Further, the low beam light emitting element 51 is arranged in the vicinity of the focal point of the parabola based on the vertical sectional shape of the reflecting surface 63r as described above, and is emitted from the same region in the emission part of the low beam light emitting element 51. Regardless of the portion of the reflecting surface 63r that reflects the light, the light becomes substantially parallel after reflection. Thus, the hatched portion of the light distribution of the low beam shown in FIG. 4A is formed by the light L51 emitted from the low-beam light emitting element 51 and reflected by the reflecting surface 63r. That is, the light L51 from the lamp unit LUb forms a central portion of the low beam light distribution.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 2, most of the light L41 emitted from the low beam light emitting element 41 is reflected by the second reflection region 22r. The light L41 reflected by the second reflection region 22r is irradiated to the rightmost range A1 when viewed from the driver in the low beam light distribution shown in FIG. By providing the low-beam light-emitting element 41 in this way, the light distribution formed by the light from the low-beam light-emitting element 51 can be supplemented by the light from the low-beam light-emitting element 41. For example, a predetermined region of the low beam light distribution can be made relatively brighter than other regions, or the low beam light distribution can be widened. Thus, by providing the light emitting element 41 for low beams, it becomes easy to form a desired low beam light distribution. Note that, in the low beam light distribution shown in FIG. 5A, the leftmost range as viewed from the driver is formed by light from the lamp 1 a provided on the left side of the vehicle 100 as viewed from the driver.

  Further, a part of the light L41 emitted from the low beam light emitting element 41 is reflected by the horizontal region 25r after being reflected by the first reflecting region 21r. In this way, a part of the light reflected by the horizontal region 25r may be irradiated before the front end of the top plate 31 and above the cut line of the low beam to be an overhead sign lamp. However, since the light directly emitted from the low-beam light emitting element 41 to the horizontal region 25r is shielded by the top plate 31, it is possible to prevent the light from being extremely emitted upward.

  The second reflection region 22r is formed at a position where the direct light from the low beam light emitting element 41 is not incident as described above, and the horizontal region 25r and the second reflection region of the direct light from the low beam light emitting element 41 are formed. Light passing in front of the corner portion 26 between 22r does not enter the second reflection region 22r.

<When the high beam is on>
In the present embodiment, the high beam is irradiated by the light from the high beam light emitting element 42 in addition to the light L51 from the low beam light emitting element 51.

  As shown in FIG. 2, most of the light L42 emitted from the high beam light emitting element 42 is reflected by the second reflection region 22r. At least a part of the light L42 reflected by the second reflection region 22r is irradiated above the cut line of the low beam. In this way, the light from the high beam light emitting element 42 is irradiated to the range A2 shown in FIG. 5B, and together with the light from the low beam light emitting element 51, a high beam light distribution shown in FIG. 5B is formed. . As described above, according to the vehicle headlamp 1, the light distribution formed by the light from the low-beam light-emitting element 51 is complemented by the light from the high-beam light-emitting element 42 to obtain a desired high-beam light distribution. it can.

  In the above description, when the high beam is turned on, the light is emitted from the low beam light emitting element 51 and the high beam light emitting element 42. However, in addition to these light emitting elements, the low beam light emitting element 41 may emit light. However, when the high beam is turned on, there is a desire to darken the lower side (the front side of the vehicle 100 as viewed from the driver) than when the low beam is turned on. By turning off the low-beam light emitting element 41 when the high beam is turned on, the amount of light below the high beam light distribution can be reduced compared to the low beam light distribution, and a desired high beam light distribution can be easily formed. In addition, since the low beam light emitting element 41 is turned off when the high beam light emitting element is turned on, the number of light emitting elements that emit light when the low beam is turned on and when the high beam is turned on in the lamp 1a can be made the same. The difference in the amount of heat generated by the light emitting element can be reduced between when the high beam is turned on. For example, when the amount of heat generated during light emission of each light emitting element is the same, the amount of heat generated by the light emitting element can be made substantially the same during low beam lighting and during high beam lighting. In this way, the difference in the amount of heat generated by the light emitting elements between when the low beam is turned on and when the high beam is turned on is reduced, so that it is easy to optimize the design of the heat sink and the like for releasing the heat generated by each light emitting element. Thus, the heat sink and the like can be prevented from increasing in size.

<During daytime lighting>
When one of the lamps 1a and 1b is used for daytime illumination, the daytime illumination distribution shown in FIG. 4C is formed when daytime illumination light is irradiated.

  As described above, in the vehicle headlamp 1 of the present embodiment, at least a part of the low beam light distribution is formed by the light from the low beam light emitting element 41, and the high beam is emitted by the light from the high beam light emitting element 42. At least part of the light distribution can be formed. When it is desired to lighten the low beam light distribution or the high beam light distribution, the light distribution from the lamp unit LUb is complemented by the light from the low beam light emitting element 41 or the light from the high beam light emitting element 42. Thus, a desired low beam light distribution and a high beam light distribution can be formed. For example, as described above, a rough portion of the low beam distribution can be formed by the light from the lamp unit LUb, and the low beam distribution can be complemented by the light from the low beam light emitting element 41. In addition, as described above, the light distribution from the high-beam light emitting element 42 can be formed above the light distribution formed by the light from the lamp unit LUb to complement the high-beam light distribution. In the case of forming a bright low-beam light distribution and a high-beam light distribution, the conventional vehicle headlamp includes a plurality of lamp units to form a low-beam light distribution and further forms a high-beam light distribution. You may need a separate lamp unit. However, in the vehicular headlamp 1, the low beam distribution and the high beam distribution can be complemented by a single lamp unit LUa, so that the desired low beam distribution and the high beam distribution can be formed with a small number of lamp units. Therefore, it can suppress that the vehicle headlamp 1 enlarges. Further, the second reflection region 22r is formed at a position where the direct light emitted from the high beam light emitting element 42 is reflected and the direct light emitted from the low beam light emitting element 41 is not incident. It can suppress that the light from 41 enters into the 2nd reflective area | region 22r, and unintended light is irradiated above the desired low beam distribution.

  As mentioned above, although the said embodiment was demonstrated to the example about this invention, this invention is not limited to the said embodiment.

  For example, in the above embodiment, the number of lamps is not particularly limited. Further, when a plurality of lamps are provided, the position of each tool is not particularly limited. Therefore, for example, in the above-described embodiment, the lamp 1b may be disposed outside the vehicle 100, and the lamp 1a may be disposed on the center side of the vehicle 100.

  The numbers of the low beam light emitting elements 41 and 51 and the high beam light emitting element 42 are not particularly limited, and the low beam light emitting element 51 is not an essential component.

  Moreover, in the said embodiment, although the 1st reflective area | region 21r was formed above the 2nd reflective area | region 22r, and the light emitting element 42 for high beams was arrange | positioned ahead of the light emitting element 41 for low beams, these positions were illustrated. The relationship is not limited to the above relationship. The reflector is formed in a first reflection area that reflects direct light emitted from the low-beam light emitting element, and a position that reflects direct light emitted from the high-beam light-emitting element and does not receive direct light emitted from the low-beam light-emitting element. What is necessary is just to have the 2nd reflective area | region made.

  The range in which the light emitted from the low beam light emitting element 41 is irradiated is not particularly limited. For example, the light emitted from the low beam light emitting element 41 forms an end portion on the left side of the light distribution of the low beam as viewed from the driver. May be.

  As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to provide a vehicular headlamp that can form a desired low beam light distribution and a high beam light distribution with a small number of lamp units. The vehicle headlamp can be used in the field of vehicle headlamps such as automobiles.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Vehicle headlamp 1a, 1b ... Lamp 10 ... Case 20 ... Reflector 21r ... 1st reflection area | region 22r ... 2nd reflection area | region 41 ... Light emission for low beams Element 42 ... High beam light emitting element 51 ... Low beam light emitting element 60 ... Reflector 63r ... Reflecting surface LUa, LUb ... Lamp unit

Claims (4)

A high-beam light-emitting element that emits light forming at least part of the high-beam light distribution;
A light emitting element for low beam that emits light forming at least part of the light distribution of the low beam;
A first reflection region that reflects direct light emitted from the low-beam light emitting element, and a position that reflects direct light emitted from the high-beam light-emitting element and is not incident on the direct light emitted from the low-beam light-emitting element. A reflector having a second reflective region,
A vehicle headlamp characterized by comprising: The first reflective region is formed above the second reflective region;
The vehicular headlamp according to claim 1, wherein the high beam light emitting element is disposed in front of the low beam light emitting element. The light emitted by the low beam light emitting element forms the left or right end of the low beam light distribution,
The vehicle headlamp according to claim 1, further comprising a lamp unit that emits light that forms a central portion of the low beam light distribution. The vehicle headlamp according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the low-beam light-emitting element is turned off when the high-beam light-emitting element is turned on.

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