JP4362817B2 - Vehicle lighting - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a projector-type vehicular lamp that is used, for example, as a headlamp or an auxiliary headlamp provided at the front of an automobile.

Conventionally, such a headlight of an automobile is configured as shown in FIG. 9, for example.
That is, in FIG. 9, a headlamp 1 is an automobile headlamp, and includes a bulb 2 as a light source, a reflecting surface 3 that reflects light from the bulb 2 forward, and the reflecting surface 3. Projection lens 4 for converging the reflected light from the light and projecting it forward, and light shielding means 5 for forming a cut-off for passing light distribution.

The reflecting surface 3 is composed of a spheroid surface, its long axis extends in the optical axis direction (front-rear direction), and the light emitting portion of the bulb 2 is disposed near the first focal position f1. ing.
The projection lens 4 is composed of a convex lens, and is disposed so that the focal position on the rear side (bulb side) is located in the vicinity of the second focal position f2 of the reflecting surface 3.
The light-shielding means 5 is disposed in the vicinity of the focal position on the bulb side of the projection lens 4, that is, in the vicinity of the second focal position f2 of the reflecting surface 3, and is cut off (bright and dark) to be a light distribution pattern of a low beam. The edge 5a is formed so as to form a boundary line.

  According to the headlamp 1 having such a configuration, the light emitted from the bulb 2 is reflected by the reflecting surface 3, travels toward the second focal point f 2 of the reflecting surface 3, and is projected by the projection lens 4. Focused and irradiated forward. At this time, a cut-off is formed by the light shielding means 5 so that a range of a so-called passing beam light distribution pattern is illuminated.

By the way, in the headlamp 1 of such a structure, when changing a light distribution pattern, it is thought that it is realizable by moving the bulb | ball 2 as a light source, or moving the light-shielding means 5. FIG.
However, when such a bulb 2 or the light shielding means 5 is moved, the entire light distribution pattern is changed, and the light distribution pattern cannot be partially changed.

  In view of the foregoing, an object of the present invention is to provide a vehicular lamp that can change a part of a light distribution pattern with a simple configuration.

According to the configuration of the present invention, the object is to provide a light source, an elliptical basic reflection surface that is concave toward the front and disposed such that the first focal position is located in the vicinity of the light source, and the front of the light source. A light-shielding means for forming a cut-off disposed near the second focal position of the basic reflection surface on the optical axis, and the light reflected by the basic reflection surface is converged and projected forward. In addition, in the vehicular lamp including a projection lens disposed on the optical axis so that the rear focal point is positioned in the vicinity of the light shielding means, the basic reflection surface includes at least one window portion. Furthermore, it is arranged to be movable around the optical axis of the basic reflection surface outside the basic reflection surface so as to be able to face the window portion, and at the same position as the first and second focal points of the basic reflection surface. Have a focal point and at least two of them have different shapes A plurality of the sub-reflecting surface, characterized in that it comprises a driving means for moving the secondary reflecting surface, the vehicle lamp is achieved.

  In the vehicular lamp according to the present invention, preferably, different types of sub-reflection surfaces are selectively arranged by movement of the sub-reflection surface around the optical axis with respect to at least one window portion.

  In the vehicular lamp according to the present invention, preferably, when the sub-reflecting surface is moved around the optical axis, the light shielding member is interlocked and separated from the vicinity of the second focal position of the basic reflecting surface.

In the vehicular lamp according to the present invention, preferably, the sub-reflection surface is supported so as to be rotatable around the optical axis near the light source with respect to the basic reflection surface.

  In the vehicular lamp according to the present invention, preferably, the sub-reflection surface is rotatably supported by the basic reflection surface via a rotation support means in the vicinity of the light source.

  In the vehicular lamp according to the present invention, preferably, the rotation support means is a bearing.

  According to the said structure, the light radiate | emitted from the light source is reflected by a basic reflective surface, and is irradiated toward the front. At this time, a cutoff is formed by the light shielding means, so that a predetermined light distribution pattern, for example, a range of a light distribution pattern for a low beam is illuminated.

In this case, the light incident on the window portion of the basic reflection surface from the light source is irradiated forward by passing through the basic reflection surface as it is when the sub-reflection surface is not located in the window portion. Does not contribute to lighting. On the other hand, when the sub-reflecting surface is located in the window, the light reflected forward by the sub-reflecting surface and further passing through the light shielding means is converged by the projection lens and travels forward. Will be irradiated.
Thereby, the light distribution pattern irradiated toward the front is partially changed by the insertion / removal of the sub-reflection surface with respect to the window portion of the basic reflection surface by the driving means.

Therefore, for example, when driving at high speed or in bad weather, the sub-reflection surface is moved by the driving means, and the light distribution is widened or narrowed depending on the presence or absence of the reflected light from the sub-reflection surface. As a result, an appropriate light distribution pattern is always obtained.
Here, since the reflected light from the sub-reflecting surface is guided to the projection lens, there is no need to newly provide a projection lens for the sub-reflecting surface, and the vehicular lamp can be configured with a simple configuration. Is possible.

  When the sub-reflecting surface is movable around the optical axis of the basic reflecting surface, the sub-reflecting surface is moved along the back side of the basic reflecting surface when the sub-reflecting surface is moved. Thus, the sub-reflecting surface does not interfere with the basic reflecting surface when moving.

  When at least two of the plurality of sub-reflective surfaces are formed in different shapes, the reflected light from each sub-reflective surface has different properties such as focusing / diffusion properties. As a result, various light distribution patterns can be formed.

  When at least one sub-reflection surface is selectively placed by moving the sub-reflection surface around the optical axis for at least one window portion, multiple types of sub-reflection surfaces are selected for one window portion. As a result of the arrangement, different sub-reflecting surfaces reflect light of different properties and irradiate forward, so that a wider variety of light distribution patterns can be obtained.

  When the sub-reflecting surface is moved around the optical axis, the light-shielding member is moved away from the vicinity of the second focal position of the basic reflecting surface in conjunction with the rotation of the sub-reflecting surface. Thus, when the light shielding member is separated from the vicinity of the second focal position of the basic reflecting surface, the light distribution pattern can be switched between a so-called passing beam and a traveling beam.

  When the sub-reflecting surface is supported so as to be rotatable with respect to the basic reflecting surface in the vicinity of the light source, for example, via a rotation supporting means, preferably a bearing, the sub-reflecting surface is provided with its rotation supporting mechanism. Preferably, the bearing does not block the light from the light source, and the use efficiency of the light from the light source does not decrease.

Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to FIGS.
The embodiments described below are preferable specific examples of the present invention, and thus various technically preferable limitations are given. However, the scope of the present invention is particularly limited in the following description. As long as there is no description of the effect, it is not restricted to these aspects.

1 and 2 show a configuration of an embodiment of a vehicular lamp to which the present invention is applied.
1 and 2, a vehicular lamp 10 is an automotive headlamp, and includes a bulb 11 as a light source, a basic reflection surface 12 that reflects light from the bulb 11 forward, and a basic reflection surface. A projection lens 13 for converging the reflected light from 12, a light shielding means 14 for forming a cut-off for passing light distribution, and a sub-reflecting surface which is a feature of the present invention and is arranged outside the basic reflecting surface 12 15 and driving means 16 for the sub-reflecting surface 15.

  The bulb 11 is a bulb generally used for an automobile headlamp or an auxiliary headlamp. For example, a bulb such as an incandescent bulb, a halogen bulb, a metal halide lamp or the like is used and is fixedly held by a socket. In addition, power is supplied.

As shown in FIG. 2, the basic reflection surface 12 reflects light from the bulb 11 and reflects it forward, for example, from an elliptical reflection surface such as a spheroid that is concave toward the front. The light-emitting portion of the bulb 11 is arranged near the first focal position f1, and the long axis extends in the optical axis direction.
The spheroid may be any one that condenses light from the bulb disposed near the first focal position f1 near the second focal position f2, and is a secondary based on the spheroid. It may be a curved surface.

Further, the basic reflecting surface 12 is provided with at least one, in the illustrated case, two windows 12a and 12b.
In the illustrated case, these window portions 12a and 12b are arranged at positions symmetrical with respect to the optical axes on both sides of the optical axis, and are each formed in a sector shape. And the edge which defines each window part 12a, 12b is comprised from the side which connects the arc-shaped outer edge and inner edge centering on an optical axis, and these both ends to radial direction.

  The projection lens 13 is composed of a convex lens, and is arranged such that the focal position on the bulb side is located in the vicinity of the second focal position f2 of the basic reflecting surface 12.

  The light shielding means 14 is disposed in the vicinity of the second focal position f2 of the basic reflecting surface 12, that is, in the vicinity of the focal position on the bulb side of the projection lens 13, and its end edge 14a (upper edge) has, for example, a passing beam arrangement. A cut-off that forms a light pattern is formed.

Further, as shown in FIG. 2, the sub-reflection surface 15 has a concave elliptical reflection that is concave forward so as to reflect the light from the bulb 11 forward as in the case of the basic reflection surface 12. It is comprised from the surface, and is supported so that rotation around an optical axis is possible.
In the case shown in the drawing, the sub-reflecting surface 15 is in the vicinity of the bulb 11, that is, around the bulb 11, with respect to the basic reflecting surface 12 via a hollow cylindrical bearing 17 as a rotation support means. It is supported for rotation about an axis.
The sub-reflection surface 15 is rotationally driven around the optical axis by the driving means 16 and is rotationally moved to a predetermined rotational position described later.

Here, as shown in FIG. 2, the sub-reflecting surface 15 includes four reflecting portions 15a, 15b, 15c and 15d.
In each of the reflecting portions 15a to 15d, the reflecting portions 15a and 15b are adjacent to each other, the reflecting portions 15c and 15d are adjacent to each other, and the pair of reflecting portions 15a and 15c and the reflecting portions 15b and 15d are optical axes to each other. Are arranged so as to be symmetrical with respect to each other.

As a result, the sub-reflecting surface 15 is rotationally driven around the optical axis by the driving means 16 so that the reflecting portion 15a or 15b and the reflecting portion 15c or 15d are selectively provided in the windows of the basic reflecting surface 12, respectively. The portions 12a and 12b are positioned to face each other.
That is, the sub-reflecting surface 15 has a first rotation position where the reflecting portions 15a and 15c face the windows 12a and 12b of the basic reflecting surface 12, and the reflecting portions 15b and 15d are the window portions 12a of the basic reflecting surface 12. , 12b and a second rotational position opposite to each other.

Further, among the reflecting portions 15a to 15d, the reflecting portions 15a and 15c are the first focus and the second focus at the same positions as the first focus f1 and the second focus f2 of the basic reflection surface 12, respectively. And the curvature is selected so that the light from the bulb 11 is irradiated through the projection lens 14 while being relatively diffused in the lateral direction.
On the other hand, the reflecting portions 15b and 15d similarly have the first focus and the second focus at the same positions as the first focus f1 and the second focus f2 of the basic reflection surface 12, respectively. In addition, the curvature is selected so that the light from the bulb 11 is irradiated in a relatively focused manner in the lateral direction via the projection lens 14.

  The vehicular lamp 10 according to the embodiment of the present invention is configured as described above. First, the sub-reflecting surface 15 is rotationally driven around the optical axis by the driving means 16, and a pair of reflecting portions of the sub-reflecting surface 15 is formed. The case where 15a and 15c are located in the 1st rotation position of the outer side corresponding to the window parts 12a and 12b of the basic reflective surface 12, respectively, as shown in FIG. 3 will be described.

In this case, when the bulb 11 emits light by supplying power to the bulb 11 from the outside, most of the light L1 emitted from the bulb 11 is reflected by the basic reflecting surface 12, and this basic reflection is performed. After converging toward the second focal point f2 of the surface 12, the light enters the projection lens 13, is further focused by the projection lens 13, and is irradiated forward.
Further, the light L2 emitted from the bulb 11 and passing through the windows 12a and 12b of the basic reflecting surface 12, as shown in FIG. 4, is a sub-reflection located outside corresponding to these windows 12a and 12b. Reflected by the respective reflecting portions 15a and 15c of the surface 15 and again passing through the windows 12a and 12b of the basic reflecting surface 12 and focusing toward the vicinity of the second focal point f2 inside the basic reflecting surface 12, Similarly, the light enters the projection lens 13, is further focused by the projection lens 13, and is irradiated forward.

  Then, the light L1 and L2 reflected by the pair of reflecting portions 15a and 15c of the basic reflecting surface 12 and the sub-reflecting surface 15 is formed with a cut-off having an elbow portion by the light shielding means 14, respectively. As shown in FIG. 5, the range of a so-called passing beam light distribution pattern L is illuminated. At that time, since the light L2 reflected by the reflecting portions 15a and 15c of the sub-reflecting surface 15 is relatively diffused in the lateral direction, the light L2 spreads relatively to the left and right below the horizontal line. A bright light distribution pattern, that is, an irradiation pattern suitable for normal driving, for example, is obtained.

  On the other hand, the sub-reflecting surface 15 is rotationally driven by the driving means 16, and the other pair of reflecting portions 15b and 15d of the sub-reflecting surface 15 are respectively windows of the basic reflecting surface 12 as shown in FIG. Corresponding to the portions 12a and 12b, when positioned at the second rotational position outside the portion, the light L1 emitted from the bulb 11 is reflected by the basic reflecting surface 12 in the same manner as the light L1. After converging toward the second focal point f2 of the basic reflecting surface 12, the light enters the projection lens 13, is further focused by the projection lens 13, and is irradiated forward.

  Further, the light L3 emitted from the bulb 11 and passed through the windows 12a and 12b of the basic reflecting surface 12, as shown in FIG. 7, is a sub-reflection located outside corresponding to these windows 12a and 12b. Reflected by the reflecting portions 15b and 15d of the surface 15 and relatively focused, the second portion passes through the windows 12a and 12b of the basic reflecting surface 12 again and inside the basic reflecting surface 12. The light is converged toward the vicinity of the focal point f2, similarly enters the projection lens 13, and further converged by the projection lens 13 and irradiated forward.

  Then, the light L1 and L3 reflected by the other pair of reflecting portions 15b and 15d of the basic reflecting surface 12 and the sub-reflecting surface 15 is formed with a cut-off having an elbow portion by the light shielding means 14, respectively. Thus, as shown in FIG. 5, the range of the so-called passing beam light distribution pattern L ′ is illuminated. At this time, the light L3 reflected by the reflecting portions 15b and 15d of the sub-reflecting surface 15 is relatively focused with respect to the horizontal direction, so that the light L3 is brightly focused on the left and right below the horizontal line. A light distribution pattern, that is, an irradiation pattern suitable for, for example, high-speed driving or bad weather driving can be obtained.

  Still further, by applying colored deposition different from normal deposition to the pair of reflecting portions 15a and 15c of the sub-reflecting surface 15 and the pair of other reflecting portions 15b and 15d, for example, yellow colored deposition and bluishness are achieved. When colored deposition is applied, the reflective parts of each pair are interchanged, so that the light emitted from the surface will be yellowish and blueish, resulting in improved switching feeling. To do.

  In the embodiment described above, any one pair of the reflecting portions 15a and 15c or the reflecting portions 15b and 15d is selectively applied to the window portions 12a and 12b of the basic reflecting surface 12 by the rotational driving of the sub-reflecting surface 15. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and any pair of reflecting portions may not face the windows 12 a and 12 b of the basic reflecting surface 12. In that case, since the light that has passed through the windows 12a and 12b of the basic reflecting surface 12 from the bulb 11 is not reflected by the sub-reflecting surface 15, it does not contribute to the light distribution pattern of the light emitted toward the front.

  In the above-described embodiment, the sub-reflecting surface 15 is composed of two pairs of reflecting portions 15a to 15d, but is not limited thereto, and may be composed of a pair or three or more pairs of reflecting portions. Good.

  Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, the sub-reflecting surface 15 is supported so as to be rotatable with respect to the basic reflecting surface 12 via the bearing 17. It is obvious that the light may be rotatably supported by the reflecting surface 12 or the socket of the bulb 11 or the housing or housing of the vehicular lamp 10.

  In the above-described embodiment, the vehicular lamp 10 when the present invention is applied to an automobile headlamp has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the auxiliary lamp such as a fog lamp having similar light distribution characteristics is provided. It is clear that the present invention can be applied to the lighting.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, the light shielding member 14 has the edge 14a so as to form a light distribution pattern of a passing beam, and the sub-reflection surface 15 is in any rotational position. The light distribution pattern of the passing beam is formed. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, when the sub-reflecting surface 15 is moved to the second rotational position, the light shielding member 14 is interlocked with this. You may make it comprise so that it may leave | separate downward from the 2nd focus position f2 of the basic reflective surface 12, for example.
As a result, as the light distribution pattern is partially changed by the movement of the sub-reflection surface 15 to the second rotation position, the light shielding member 14 is retracted from the position where the light distribution pattern of the low beam is formed. Thus, for example, a light distribution pattern of a traveling beam can be formed.

  In the above-described embodiment, the basic reflection surface 12 includes the two window portions 12a and 12b. However, the basic reflection surface 12 is not limited thereto, and may include one or three or more window portions. At that time, the sub-reflecting surface 15 is configured to include one or more reflecting portions corresponding to each window portion, and the reflecting portion corresponding to each window portion is changed by rotational movement around the optical axis. Or will be evacuated.

  In this way, according to the present invention, the light distribution pattern can be partially changed with a simple configuration for a vehicular lamp such as a so-called projector-type headlamp, auxiliary headlamp, etc. Various light distribution patterns can be easily obtained.

It is a schematic side view which shows the structure of one Embodiment of the vehicle lamp by this invention. It is a disassembled perspective view which shows the relationship between the basic reflective surface and sub-reflective surface in the vehicle lamp of FIG. It is the front view which looked at the basic reflective surface in the state in which the sub-reflection surface in the vehicle lamp of FIG. 1 exists in a 1st rotation position, and a sub-reflection surface from the optical axis direction. FIG. 4 is a ray tracing diagram showing light reflected by a sub-reflection surface in the state of FIG. 3. It is a graph which shows the light distribution pattern in the state of FIG. It is the front view which looked at the basic reflective surface and the subreflective surface in the state which has the subreflective surface in the 2nd rotation position in the vehicle lamp of FIG. 1 from the optical axis direction. FIG. 7 is a ray tracing diagram showing light reflected by a sub-reflection surface in the state of FIG. 6. It is a graph which shows the light distribution pattern in the state of FIG. It is a schematic side view which shows the structure of an example of the conventional vehicle lamp.

Explanation of symbols

10 Vehicle Lamp 11 Bulb (Light Source)
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 12 Basic reflective surface 12a, 12b Window part 13 Projection lens 14 Light-shielding member 14a Edge 15 Subreflective surface 15a, 15c Reflective part (diffusion)
15b, 15d Reflector (condensing)
16 Drive means 17 Bearing (Rotation support means)

Claims (8)

A light source, an elliptical basic reflecting surface that is concave toward the front and arranged such that the first focal position is located in the vicinity of the light source, and the first reflecting surface on the optical axis in front of the light source. A light-shielding means for forming a cutoff disposed near the second focal position, and a rear focal point located near the light-shielding means so that the light reflected by the basic reflection surface is converged and projected forward. In a vehicular lamp including a projection lens arranged on an optical axis to
The basic reflection surface includes at least one window portion, and is further arranged to be movable around the optical axis of the basic reflection surface outside the basic reflection surface so as to face the window portion, and A plurality of sub-reflecting surfaces having a focal point at the same position as the first and second focal points of the basic reflecting surface, and at least two different shapes, and driving means for moving the sub-reflecting surface. A vehicle lamp characterized by comprising:   The vehicular lamp according to claim 1, wherein the sub-reflection surface is movable around the optical axis of the basic reflection surface.   3. The vehicular lamp according to claim 1, wherein at least two of the plurality of sub-reflective surfaces are formed in different shapes.   The vehicle according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein different types of sub-reflective surfaces are selectively arranged by movement of the sub-reflective surface around the optical axis with respect to at least one window portion. Lamps.   5. The light shielding member according to claim 1, wherein when the sub-reflecting surface is moved around the optical axis, the light shielding member is interlocked and separated from the vicinity of the second focal position of the basic reflecting surface. The vehicle lamp according to any one of the above. 6. The vehicular lamp according to claim 1, wherein the sub-reflecting surface is supported so as to be rotatable around the optical axis in the vicinity of the light source with respect to the basic reflecting surface. .   The vehicular lamp according to claim 6, wherein the sub-reflection surface is rotatably supported by a rotation support means in the vicinity of the light source with respect to the basic reflection surface.   8. The vehicular lamp according to claim 7, wherein the rotation support means is a bearing.

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