JP4895224B2 - Vehicle lighting - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a projector-type vehicular lamp that uses a semiconductor-type light source such as an LED as a light source.

  As a projector-type vehicular lamp using a semiconductor-type light source, there is known a projector equipped with a planar reflector that reflects light focused on a second focal point of an elliptical reflector toward a projection lens.

This is because a planar reflector is disposed between the projection lens and the lens focal point of the projection lens so as to intersect the lens optical axis, and the lens optical axis and a straight line connecting the first focal point and the second focal point of the elliptical reflector are provided. By intersecting at substantially right angles, the size of the vehicular lamp in the depth direction (optical axis direction) is to be reduced (see Patent Document 1).
JP 2007-3111141 A

  In the conventional structure, the light distribution pattern reflected from the planar reflector and projected from the projection lens toward the front of the lamp is limited to a single light distribution pattern (for example, a headlight of an automobile). ) And a traveling light distribution pattern (high beam), a plurality of lamp units are required for each light distribution pattern.

  Therefore, the present invention provides a vehicular lamp that can obtain a plurality of light distribution patterns without adding a semiconductor-type light source and a reflector even with a single lamp unit.

In the present invention, in a projector-type vehicular lamp that uses a semiconductor-type light source as a light source, a straight line that has a concave reflecting surface and connects the first focus and the second focus is the lens optical axis of the projection lens. A concave reflector that is orthogonal and reflects light from the semiconductor-type light source, the semiconductor-type light source that is disposed so that the light emitting portion is positioned at the first focal point of the concave reflector, and the reflected light from the concave reflector is reflected A planar reflector having a planar reflecting surface; and the projection lens that projects the light reflected by the planar reflector toward the front of a lamp, the lens optical axis being substantially horizontal, and the planar reflector is It is arranged to intersect with the lens optical axis between the lens focal point of the projection lens and the projection lens, and the lens optical axis direction or concave reflector of the projection lens by the drive means Are movable parallel to the straight resistance direction connecting the first focus and the second focus is mainly characterized in that the reflection optical path with respect to the projection lens is variable.

  Accordingly, by moving the planar reflector by a predetermined amount in the predetermined direction by the driving means, the reflected light path reflected by the planar reflector and directed to the projection lens changes, and the light distribution pattern of the light distribution pattern projected from the projection lens to the front of the lamp is distributed. The direction is changed.

  According to the present invention, by making the planar reflector variable by the driving means, the reflected light path of the planar reflector to the projection lens is changed, and the light distribution direction of the light distribution pattern projected from the projection lens to the front of the lamp is changed. Is done.

  As a result, by the variable control of the planar reflector, for example, in the case of a headlamp, a plurality of light distribution patterns of a passing light distribution pattern (low beam) and a traveling light distribution pattern (high beam) can be obtained.

  In addition, since a plurality of light distribution patterns can be obtained without adding semiconductor light sources and reflectors, it is possible to reduce the size and cost of the vehicular lamp.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings, taking a vehicle headlamp as an example.

  FIG. 1 is an explanatory cross-sectional view showing a first embodiment of a headlamp according to the present invention, and FIG.

  The headlamp according to the first embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 is shown as a vertical section in a state where it is mounted on a vehicle. The headlamp is configured as a projector type using a semiconductor light source as a light source, and includes a semiconductor light source 10, a concave reflector 11 having a concave reflection surface 11a that reflects light emitted from the semiconductor light source 10, and a concave surface. A planar reflector 12 having a planar reflecting surface 12a for reflecting light reflected by the reflector 11, a shade 13 provided between the concave reflector 11 and the planar reflector 12 to form a predetermined light distribution pattern, and a plane A projection lens 14 that projects the light reflected by the reflector 12 toward the front of the lamp and a heat sink 15 that diffuses the heat generated by the semiconductor light source 10 are provided.

  A lamp unit 1 is constituted by the semiconductor-type light source 10, the concave reflector 11, the flat reflector 12, the shade 13, the projection lens 14, and the heat sink 15.

  The lamp unit 1 is disposed in a lamp chamber formed by a lamp housing (not shown) and a transparent outer lens, thereby constituting a headlamp.

  The reflecting surface 11a of the concave reflector 11 is formed of a reflecting surface based on an ellipse or an ellipse, for example, a free-form surface based on a spheroidal surface or an ellipse. In the vertical cross section of FIG. 1, the reflecting surface 11a of the concave reflector 11 has, for example, a semi-elliptical shape in which an ellipse is halved along its minor axis.

  The concave reflector 11 has a first focal point F1 and a second focal point F2, and the light emitted from the first focal point F1 is reflected by the reflecting surface 11a of the concave reflector 11 and converges to the second focal point F2. A straight line Z2 connecting the first focal point F1 and the second focal point F2 is vertical or substantially vertical.

  The semiconductor light source 10 is disposed at or near the position of the first focal point F1 of the concave reflector 11. As a result, of the light emitted from the semiconductor-type light source 10, the light reflected by the reflecting surface 11 a of the concave reflector 11 (for example, the light beam shown in the optical paths L 1 and L 2 in FIG. 1) is the second focal point F 2 of the concave reflector 11. Or it is condensed in the vicinity.

  The semiconductor light source 10 is a light source using luminescence (light emission development) obtained by applying a voltage to a semiconductor, such as a light emitting diode (LED) or an electroluminescence (EL) including an organic EL and an inorganic EL. For example, the semiconductor light source 10 includes a light emitting unit 10b of a small rectangular light source chip (semiconductor chip) fixed to one surface of the substrate 10a, and a cover (not shown) made of a light transmitting member that covers the light emitting unit 10b. Prepare. In addition, the number of the light emission parts 10b is 1 or 2 or more.

  The semiconductor light source 10 is attached to the front surface of the heat sink 15 via the substrate 10a so that the plane of the substrate 10a is vertical. The heat sink 15 is made of a metal material having a high thermal conductivity and a large heat capacity, for example, made of aluminum die casting, and has a plurality of heat radiation fins 15a on the back surface thereof.

  The planar reflector 12 has a planar reflecting surface 12a on the front surface thereof, and is arranged at an arbitrary angle with respect to the substantially horizontal lens optical axis Z1 of the projection lens 14, for example, an inclination angle of approximately 45 ° in the present embodiment. Although the case where it is provided will be described as an example, an angle other than this may be used.

  The concave reflector 11 and the flat reflector 12 are both made of, for example, a light-impermeable synthetic resin material, and the inner surface of the concave reflector 11 and the front surface of the flat reflector 12 are subjected to aluminum vapor deposition or silver coating to form the reflective surface. 11a and 12a are formed.

  The projection lens 14 is a convex lens in which at least one of the side surfaces has a spherical or substantially spherical shape. In this embodiment, both side surfaces of the projection lens 14 have convex substantially spherical shapes, and the side surface (front surface) on the front side of the lamp has a smaller radius of curvature than the side surface (rear surface) on the rear side of the lamp. The shape of the projection lens 14 is not limited to this, and may be any convex lens whose thickness in the lens optical axis direction becomes thinner from the center to the outer periphery. For example, the projection lens 14 is a plano-convex lens whose side surface on the rear side of the lamp is a substantially flat surface. Also good.

  The projection lens 14 has a horizontal or substantially horizontal lens optical axis Z1 and a focal point FL1 on the rear side of the lamp, and the flat reflector 12 has a lens optical axis between the projection lens 14 and the lens focal point FL1 as described above. It intersects Z1 at an angle of approximately 45 °.

  The lens focal point FL1 of the projection lens 14 exists as a pseudo lens focal point FL2 at a position symmetrical to the reflecting surface 12a by the planar reflector 12 as shown in FIG. The pseudo lens focal point FL2 is located at or near the second focal point F2 of the concave reflector 11. Further, the substantially horizontal lens optical axis Z1 of the projection lens 14 exists as a substantially vertical pseudo lens optical axis Z3 orthogonal to the substantially horizontal lens optical axis Z1 by the reflecting surface 12a of the planar reflector 12 in the same manner. The pseudo lens optical axis Z3 coincides with or substantially coincides with a straight line Z2 connecting the first focal point F1 and the second focal point F2 of the concave reflector 11.

  As a result, the light beam focused on the second focal point F2 of the concave reflector 11 or in the vicinity thereof (the light beam including the light beam shown in the optical paths L1 and L2 in FIG. 1) is reflected by the reflecting surface 12a of the planar reflector 12, and then the projection lens. 14, the light is condensed into a light beam that is parallel or substantially parallel to the lens optical axis Z1 and projected forward of the lamp.

  Since the semiconductor-type light source 10 generates less heat than a halogen lamp or HID lamp (high-intensity discharge lamp), a light synthetic resin lens such as an acrylic lens is used as the projection lens 14 in addition to a glass lens. Is done.

  The shade 13 is disposed between the concave reflector 11 and the flat reflector 12. The shade 13 blocks a part of the reflected light emitted from the semiconductor-type light source 10 and reflected by the reflecting surface 11a of the concave reflector 11, and a predetermined light distribution pattern having a cut-off line with the remaining reflected light, For example, a light distribution pattern for passing is formed. In this embodiment, the shade 13 is formed in a flat plate shape from a light-impermeable synthetic resin material, and is attached to the substantially vertical front surface of the heat sink 15.

  The shade 13 is provided with an edge 16 that forms a cut-off line of the predetermined light distribution pattern at the second focal point F2 of the concave reflector 12 or in the vicinity thereof along the second focal point F2. Further, below the edge 16, a plane reflecting surface 17 is formed in a required region by aluminum vapor deposition or silver coating. The planar reflecting surface 17 is provided on a straight line Z2 connecting the first focal point F1 and the second focal point F2, and a part L2 of the reflected light from the concave reflector 11 blocked by the shade 13 is converted into the planar reflector. The loss of light emitted from the semiconductor light source 10 is reduced by reflecting the light toward the light source 12.

  Since the semiconductor light source 10 is attached to the front surface of the heat sink 15 as described above, the shade 13 is provided with an opening portion 18 for arranging the semiconductor light source 10.

  The concave reflector 11 is attached to the front surface of the shade 13 via the flange portion 11b on the circumferential side. However, the concave reflector 11 can be formed integrally with the shade 13.

  In addition, holder portions 11 </ b> A and 13 </ b> A are formed on the upper portions of the concave reflector 11 and the shade 13.

  The planar reflector 12 is held by the holder portion 13A of the shade 13 at the tilt angle. The front end portion of the holder portion 11A of the concave reflector 11 and the holder portion 13A of the shade 13 is formed in a semi-cylindrical shape, and the projection lens 14 includes the holder portion 11A of the concave reflector 11 and the front end portion of the holder portion 13A of the shade 13. It is fixed in a state of being held from above and below between the cylindrical portions formed by the above.

  Here, the planar reflector 12 has a movable structure by the driving means 19 so that the reflected light path with respect to the projection lens 14 is variable.

  In the present embodiment, the planar reflector 12 is held by the holder portion 13A of the shade 13 so as to be horizontally movable in the front-rear direction of the lamp, that is, in the direction of the lens optical axis Z1 of the projection lens 14, for example, as drive means It is moved back and forth by the electric actuator 19. The electric actuator 19 is driven and controlled by a low beam / high beam switching operation of a lamp switch (not shown). The flat reflector 12 is pulled to the retracted position in FIG. 1 at the low beam position of the lamp switch, and the flat reflector 12 is pushed to the advanced position in FIG. 2 at the high beam position.

  According to the headlamp of the present embodiment having the above-described configuration, the light emitted from the semiconductor-type light source 10 is a concave reflector when the flat reflector 12 is in the retracted position (low beam position of the lamp switch) shown in FIG. 11 is reflected toward the planar reflector 12 by the reflecting surface 11a. The light beams L1 and L2 focused at or near the second focal point F2 of the concave reflector 11 are reflected by the reflecting surface 12a of the planar reflector 12 and then parallel to the lens optical axis Z1 when transmitted through the projection lens 14. The light is condensed into a substantially parallel light beam and projected forward of the lamp. At this time, part of the light reflected by the reflecting surface 11 a of the concave reflector 11 is blocked by the shade 13. Therefore, a light distribution pattern for passing (low beam light distribution pattern) having a cut-off line specified by the shape of the edge 16 of the shade 13 on the upper edge is projected from the projection lens 14.

  When the lamp switch (not shown) is switched from the state shown in FIG. 1 to the high beam position, the plane reflector 12 is pushed forward by a predetermined amount by the electric actuator 19 and is horizontally translated to the forward position shown in FIG. As a result, the reflected light path of the planar reflector 12 with respect to the projection lens 14 is changed, and the parallel light paths L1 and L2 projected from the projection lens 14 shown in FIG. 1 are parallel with an upward angle with respect to the lens optical axis Z1. The light distribution direction is changed to the optical paths L1 ′ and L2 ′. As a result, the light distribution direction of the light distribution pattern projected from the projection lens 14 to the front of the lamp is changed upward, and a traveling light distribution pattern (high beam light distribution pattern) is obtained.

  Further, at the forward position of the planar reflector 12, the pseudo lens focal point FL2 of the projection lens 14 is shifted to the projection lens 14 side (front of the lamp), so that the cut-off line of the light distribution pattern formed by the edge 16 of the shade 13 is obscured. As a result, a light distribution pattern suitable for high beam light distribution in which the difference in brightness is reduced can be obtained.

  Thus, according to the present embodiment, the planar reflector 12 disposed between the projection lens 14 and the lens focal point FL1 of the projection lens 14 can be horizontally translated by the driving means 19 in the direction of the lens optical axis Z1. With this simple structure, it is possible to easily switch and control a plurality of light distribution patterns of the low beam distribution and the high beam distribution.

  In addition, since a plurality of light distribution patterns can be obtained without the addition of the semiconductor light source 10 and reflectors (concave reflector 11 and planar reflector 12), there is no need for dedicated lamp units for low beam distribution and high beam distribution. In addition, the headlamp can be downsized and the cost can be reduced.

  In the above-described embodiment, the planar reflector 12 is translated in the direction of the lens optical axis Z1 of the projection lens 14, but the planar reflector 12 is a straight line connecting the first focal point F1 and the second focal point F2 of the concave reflector 11. The same effects as described above can be obtained even if the lens is translated in the Z2 direction, that is, in the direction of the pseudo lens optical axis Z3 in the first embodiment.

  FIG. 3 shows a second embodiment of the present invention. The same reference numerals are given to the same portions as those in the first embodiment.

  FIG. 3 is a vertical cross-sectional explanatory view similar to the first embodiment showing the lamp unit 1 of the headlamp according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

  The arrangement of the semiconductor light source 10, the concave reflector 11, the flat reflector 12, the shade 13, the projection lens 14, and the heat sink 15 constituting the lamp unit 1 in the second embodiment is exactly the same as in the first embodiment.

  Here, in the present embodiment, the planar reflector 12 is capable of rotating and moving around a rotating shaft 20 as a constituent member of driving means such as an electric actuator. The rotation axis 20 is disposed substantially horizontally in a direction orthogonal to the lens optical axis Z1 of the projection lens 14. In the present embodiment, the rotational center position of the planar reflector 12 by the rotational shaft 20 is set to a position where the reflecting surface 12a of the planar reflector 12 intersects on the lens optical axis Z1 of the projection lens 14. The rotational center position of the planar reflector 12 can be set to a position shifted upward or downward from the lens optical axis Z1 depending on the specification. The planar reflector 12 is rotationally moved between the solid line position shown in FIG. 3 by the rotary shaft 20 and the broken line position rotated counterclockwise by a predetermined angle θ in the figure.

  Therefore, according to the configuration of the second embodiment, when the planar reflector 12 is at the solid line position in FIG. 3, the reflected lights L1 and L2 from the reflecting surface 12a of the planar reflector 12 are the lens optical axes of the projection lens 14. A light beam parallel to or substantially parallel to Z1 is projected from the projection lens 14 to the front of the lamp, and a low beam light distribution pattern is obtained. When the planar reflector 12 is rotationally moved counterclockwise from the solid line position in FIG. 3 to a broken line position at a predetermined angle θ, the reflected light path of the planar reflector 12 projected from the projection lens 14 to the front of the lamp is changed to the lens optical axis. A high beam light distribution pattern is obtained by changing to a parallel optical path having an upward angle with respect to Z1.

  In this embodiment, the center of rotation of the planar reflector 12 by the rotating shaft 20 is set at a position where the reflecting surface 12a of the planar reflector 12 intersects the lens optical axis Z1 of the projection lens 14, so that the high beam distribution is performed. Thus, it is possible to obtain a light distribution pattern that substantially maintains the cut-off line of the light distribution pattern formed during the low beam light distribution.

  In each of the above embodiments, a light distribution pattern having a predetermined cut-off line is formed by the shade 13 arranged between the concave reflector 11 and the flat reflector 12. However, this shade function is given to the flat reflector 12. It is also possible to do. The present invention is not limited to the headlamp, but can be applied to a rear combination lamp, a fog lamp, and the like. Furthermore, depending on the specifications, the shade 13 in the above embodiment may be omitted, and the lamp unit 1 can be used in a horizontal arrangement in which the phase is changed by 90 ° from the vertical arrangement in the above embodiment.

Cross-sectional explanatory drawing which shows 1st Embodiment of this invention. Cross-sectional explanatory drawing which shows the state which the plane reflector in FIG. 1 moved. Cross-sectional explanatory drawing which shows 2nd Embodiment of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Lamp unit 10 Semiconductor type light source 11 Concave reflector 11a Reflective surface F1 1st focus F2 2nd focus 12 Planar reflector 12a Reflective surface 14 Projection lens Z1 Lens optical axis 19 Drive means 20 Rotating shaft

Claims (1)

In a projector-type vehicular lamp that uses a semiconductor-type light source as a light source,
A concave reflector having a concave reflective surface, a straight line connecting the first focal point and the second focal point is substantially orthogonal to the lens optical axis of the projection lens, and reflects light from the semiconductor-type light source;
The semiconductor-type light source disposed so that the light emitting portion is positioned at the first focal point of the concave reflector;
A planar reflector having a planar reflecting surface for reflecting light reflected from the concave reflector;
The lens optical axis is substantially horizontal, and the projection lens that projects the light reflected by the planar reflector toward the front of the lamp, and
The planar reflector is disposed between the projection lens and the lens focal point of the projection lens so as to intersect the lens optical axis, and is driven by the driving means in the direction of the lens optical axis of the projection lens or the first focal point of the concave reflector. A vehicular lamp characterized in that it can be translated in a linear direction connecting to a second focal point, and a reflected light path to the projection lens is variable .

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