JP5193668B2 - Dual-function headlight for automobile - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a dual-function headlight for an automobile that can irradiate with a cut-off as a first function and a second type of irradiation as a second function, specifically a high beam.

The headlight according to the present invention is:
An elliptical reflector having an inner focus and an outer focus on the optical axis;
A light source provided near the inner focal point;
-A lens provided in front of the reflecting mirror and having a focal point at or near the outer focal point of the reflecting mirror;
-A retractable type that can be an operating position for irradiation with cut-off and a retracted position for high-beam irradiation, where the upper edge for the cut-off is located near the focal point of the lens. It has a board.

  The main object of the present invention is a headlight having two functions, specifically, a low beam / high beam, and particularly to provide a headlight having a halogen type light source that has an appropriate luminance and light quantity in the case of a high beam. It is. It is desirable that the dual-function headlight is superior to the conventional headlight due to its principle and shape while maintaining a relatively simple design.

  According to the present invention, the light-shielding plate of the headlight defined above becomes a reflecting surface when it is in the retracted position of the part below the reflecting mirror, and when rotated forward, a high beam is irradiated. The shading plate is preferably made to be part of a parabolic composite surface.

  The headlight of the present invention is fixed to the lower part of the headlight so that the high beam is irradiated so as to pass through the lens in front of the reflector only when the light shielding plate is in the retracted position. It has a composite surface.

  Also, the headlight of the present invention has at least one composite surface in its upper part that reflects light on the lens shell, so that it can generate both low and high beams. This is advantageous.

  The light shielding plate is rotated around a horizontal axis perpendicular to the optical axis and perpendicular to the front-rear axis and retracted.

  The lens of the headlight is preferably a convex lens. The lens is attached to a frame having a radially projecting tab, and is fixed to the housing with a gap through which light can pass between the outer shell of the lens and the outer shell of the housing.

  Both sides of the lens should be vertical straight surfaces.

  The shading plate is advantageously controlled by a stepping motor. In the so-called “highway” mode, the cut-off line of the irradiated light is raised by a few tenths of degrees, specifically 0.2 ° to 0.6 °, compared to the conventional low beam by the control by the stepping motor. Irradiation is possible.

  A parking light may be provided below the free space between the lens and the housing of the headlight.

  As a manufacturing variation, the headlight shading plate has at least one intermediate position between the maximum operating position and the retracted position, and when the shading plate is in its operating position. It is possible to irradiate light with a higher cutoff.

  For reference, the movement of the light shielding plate from one position to another position is performed by a stepping motor.

  The present invention includes many embodiments in addition to those described above, and an example thereof will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Note that the drawings do not limit the present invention.

  1 and 2 show an automotive headlight P having two functions: irradiation with cut-off, that is, a low beam and a high beam.

  The headlight P includes an elliptical reflecting mirror 1, more specifically, a reflecting mirror 1 having a shape close to an ellipse having a plurality of surfaces, which is continuous or discontinuous having a vertical axis. In the present specification and claims, this reflector will be referred to as an “elliptical reflector” for convenience.

  When the headlight P is attached to the automobile, the optical axis AA of the reflecting mirror is substantially horizontal and parallel to the longitudinal direction of the automobile.

  The elliptical reflecting mirror 1 has a main part 1a above a horizontal plane including the optical axis AA, and has a rear part 1b below the horizontal plane that does not protrude forward as much as the part 1a. Yes.

  In the following description, the terms “front” and “back” are used with respect to the transmission direction of light reflected forward.

  On the optical axis AA of the reflecting mirror 1, there are an inner focal point Fi and an outer focal point Fe. The light source S is schematically shown as a point and is located on or near the inner focal point Fi. The light source S is preferably a Zenon sphere.

  A convergent convex lens L is provided in front of the reflecting mirror 1. The focal point of the lens L is at or very close to the outer focal point Fe of the reflecting mirror 1.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, the retractable light-shielding plate M is in an operating position when a low beam with a cutoff is used, and is in a retracted position when a high beam is used as shown in FIGS.

  The light shielding plate M is attached so as to be able to rotate around a rotation axis 2 (FIG. 3) orthogonal to the optical axis AA, and is positioned in front of the inner focal point Fi below the optical axis. Yes.

  When the light shielding plate M is in the operating position, its upper edge Mh is substantially perpendicular to the optical axis A-A in the horizontal plane, and is located in the vicinity of the focal point of the lens L and the outer focal point Fe. Form.

  In the present invention, the retractable light-shielding plate is formed by a part of the composite surface of the radiation reflector, and comes below the reflecting mirror 1 at the retracted position (FIGS. 2 and 4).

  In the description and in the claims, a “composite surface” or “radial composite surface” is essentially a straight line, in particular comprising a plurality of small planes forming a straight line, constituting a substantially radial shape. Represents what to do.

  In the radiation-shaped composite surface, particularly when the light shielding plate M is in the retracted position, the focal point of each small plane is close to or the same position as the inner focal point Fi in the reflecting mirror 1.

  Further, the headlight has at least one, preferably a plurality of, preferably a plurality of composite reflecting surfaces 3a, 3b that contribute to high beam irradiation when the light shielding plate M is in the retracted position (FIG. 4). 3c is fixed to the reflecting mirror 1.

  The focal points of the lower composite reflecting surfaces 3a, 3b, 3c are close to the inner focal point or at the same position as the inner focal point.

  The light beam r5 (FIG. 4) reflected by the lower composite surfaces 3a, 3b and 3c is parallel to the optical axis A-A, and the housing of the lens L below or on the side of the lens L and the headlight. (Not shown) and passes through the annular gap 4 surrounding the lens L.

  The lens L is attached to the housing with a ring-shaped gap 4 by three tabs 6 protruding radially from the frame 5 (FIG. 1).

  Notches are provided in the rows of the reflective facets of the reflecting mirror 1 and the portions below the composite surfaces 3a, 3b, 3c so that the light shielding plate M can be accommodated when retracted. When the reflecting surface of the light shielding plate M rotates forward to reach the retracted position, a high beam is emitted. The composite surface of the light shielding plate M supplements the functions of the composite surfaces 3a, 3b, and 3c.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the headlight P includes at least one composite reflecting surface 7 whose front edge is located radially away from the upper portion of the lens, as shown in FIG.

  The focal point of the composite reflecting surface 7 is located near or at the same position as the inner focal point Fi of the reflecting mirror 1. The composite reflecting surface 7 reflects light toward the upper side of the outer periphery of the lens L even when the light shielding plate M is in the operating position or the retracted position, and thus contributes to the irradiation of the low beam and the high beam.

  The front surface of the lens L has an arc on the upper side, an arc on the lower side, and both ends have vertical straight edges.

  A parking light V may be provided in the annular gap 4 in the opening of the reflecting mirror 1 above the lens L.

  By operating with a stepping motor (not shown), the light shielding plate M has a low beam cut-off line that is several tenths of a degree compared to a conventional low beam, specifically 0.2 ° to 0.degree. This is advantageous because it can be in “highway” mode up by 6 °.

  The upper transition of the cutoff line in irradiation is realized by lowering the upper edge Mh for cutoff by giving a preset number of pulses to the stepping motor when the light shielding plate M is in the operating position.

  FIGS. 5 a to 5 e show the change of the irradiation light 10 of the headlight obtained by an embodiment of the present invention comprising a stepping motor.

  FIG. 5a shows a normal low beam when the shading plate M is in operation on the right-hand side. This normal low beam has a cut-off edge 11 having a substantially horizontal cut-off edge 13 so as not to dazzle the drivers of other vehicles traveling in front of or crossing the direction of travel of the vehicle equipped with the headlight of the present invention. The oblique cut-off edge 12 illuminates the right side.

  FIG. 5e shows a high beam irradiated when the light shielding plate M is in the retracted position. In an embodiment that does not use a stepping motor, the light shielding plate has only two positions, ie, an operating position and a retracting position, so that only two irradiation lights of a low beam and a high beam are provided as in the examples shown in FIGS. It is necessary to note that.

  In an embodiment using a stepping motor, the light blocking plate has one or more intermediate positions between the maximum operating position and the retracted position. Figures 5b to 5d show the shape of the illumination light at three intermediate positions.

  In this example, when the light shielding plate M is moved by 4 ° from the maximum operating position to the first intermediate position, the irradiation light rises from the low beam (FIG. 5a), and the cutoff edge 11 rises, and only the oblique cutoff edge 12 is obtained. Instead, it changes to “highway” mode illumination with a cut-off (FIG. 5b) that also raises the substantially horizontal cut-off portion to the left of this diagonal cut-off edge 12.

  When the light shielding plate M is moved 8 ° from the maximum operating position, the irradiation light 10 is changed to irradiation light whose cut-off edge 11 is higher than that in FIG. 5b on the “highway” having the shape shown in FIG. Can do.

  When the light shielding plate M is moved 10 ° from the maximum operating position to the third intermediate position, the cut-off edge 11 becomes higher, and the irradiation light shown in FIG. 5d can be obtained.

  Of course, it is also possible to obtain desired irradiation light by selecting the position of the light shielding plate M while moving from the retracted position toward the maximum position. The number of intermediate positions varies depending on the embodiment.

  The above-mentioned change angle between the maximum position and the intermediate position is given as an example.

  The illustrated cut-off is for right-hand traffic, and the embodiment can be modified for left-hand traffic. If the vertical axis is changed to be symmetrical with respect to the left and right of the vertical axis shown in FIGS. 5a to 5e, the cut-off for right-hand traffic becomes that for left-hand traffic.

  The rotation angle of the light shielding plate M between the low beam operating position and the high beam position is preferably about 80 °.

  The operation of the headlight is performed as follows.

  As shown in FIG. 1 or FIG. 3, when the light shielding plate M is in the operating position and the light source S is turned on, a low beam is emitted as a first function.

  A light ray i1 (FIG. 3) emitted from the light source S to a portion above the elliptical reflecting mirror 1 is reflected to become reflected light r1 passing through the outer focal point Fe or its vicinity. The reflected light r1 travels downward, and after passing through the lens L, the reflected light r1 is irradiated at an angle parallel to the optical axis A-A or downward.

  The light beam i2 emitted from the light source to the upper part of the reflecting mirror 1 is reflected downward to become reflected light r2. Even if the reflected light r2 passes through the lens L, it keeps a downward angle.

  The light beam i3 emitted downward from the light source S is reflected upward as reflected light r3 in the lower portion 1b of the elliptical reflecting mirror, and passes through the upper edge Mh of the light shielding plate. When this reflected light r3 passes through the focal point of the lens L, after passing through the lens L, it is irradiated in parallel with the optical axis AA, and intersects the optical axis AA behind the focal point of the lens L. In this case, the light is refracted downward by the lens L.

  The light beam reflected by the portion 1b below the reflecting mirror and intersecting the optical axis A-A in front of the focal point of the lens is shielded by the light shielding plate M. Therefore, after passing through the lens L, the cutoff required for the low beam There is no extra light that irradiates upward beyond the line.

  When the light shielding plate M is rotated about 80 ° forward and downward along the rotation axis 2, a high beam is emitted as a second function. When the light shielding plate M is set to a low position, the light shielding plate M fits into a portion below the elliptical reflecting mirror 1 and a notch in the composite surfaces 3a, 3b, and 3c.

  The concave reflecting surface of the light shielding plate M supplements the functions of the composite reflecting surfaces 3a, 3b and 3c below the headlight P.

  The light beams i2 and i3 are reflected by the elliptical reflecting mirror portions 1a and 1b to be reflected light r2 and r3 and pass through the lens L.

  The light beam i4 irradiated downward from the light source is reflected by the concave reflecting surface of the light shielding plate M, becomes reflected light r4, and passes through the lens L.

  The light beam i5 irradiated downward from the light source is reflected by one of the lower composite surfaces 3a, 3b, and 3c to become reflected light r5 substantially parallel to the optical axis AA, and refracts below the lens L. Pass without.

  The amount of irradiation light when using the high beam of the headlight is larger than that obtained with a simple elliptical reflecting mirror having a retractable light shielding plate.

  The light source S may be a halogen sphere, but a bi-pin halogen sphere that is sufficiently bright and surpasses the current one is also preferred depending on its principle and shape.

  The amount of light in the high light of the headlight of the present invention is about 25% larger than that of a standard bi-pin halogen bulb.

  The light-shielding plate M becomes a moving reflector, but its contribution to the light quantity of the high beam is an important function, so its position is hardly adversely affected, and is mainly different from those using conventional bipin halogen spheres. Convenience is great.

  The conventional headlight is added to the low beam irradiation light when the shielded light is irradiated by the movement of the light shielding plate. However, the headlight according to the present invention has a composite surface. It gives a large refractive index and contributes to the light quantity of the high beam.

FIG. 3 is a schematic side perspective view of the headlight of the present invention when a light shielding plate is in an operating position and a low beam is irradiated. FIG. 3 is a schematic front perspective view of the headlight of the present invention when a light shielding plate is in a retracted position and a high beam is irradiated. It is a substantially longitudinal cross-sectional view in alignment with the optical axis of the headlight of this invention when a light-shielding plate exists in an operation position and irradiates a low beam. It is a substantially longitudinal cross-sectional view in alignment with the optical axis of the headlight of this invention at the time of irradiation with a high beam with a light-shielding plate in a drawing position. It is a figure which shows the change of the irradiation light of a headlight in one embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the change of the irradiation light of a headlight in one embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the change of the irradiation light of a headlight in one embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the change of the irradiation light of a headlight in one embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the change of the irradiation light of a headlight in one embodiment of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

A-A Optical axis Fe Outer focal point Fi Inner focal point i1 to i5 Ray L Convex lens M Shading plate Mh Upper edge P Headlight r1 to r5 Reflected light S Light source V Parking light 1 Reflective mirror 1a Main part 1b Rear part 2 Rotating shafts 3a to 3c Composite surface 4 Annular gap 5 Frame 6 Tab 7 Composite reflective surface 10 Irradiation light 11-13 Cut off edge

Claims (11)

The first function is to irradiate light with a cut-off, specifically a low beam, and the second function is to irradiate a high beam.
An elliptical reflector (1) having an inner focal point (Fi) and an outer focal point (Fe) on the optical axis;
A light source (S) located near the inner focus (Fi);
A lens (L) located in front of the reflector and having a focal point located at or very close to the outer focal point of the reflector;
-The maximum operating position for low beam irradiation and the retracted position for high beam irradiation can be taken so that the upper edge (Mh) for cutoff is located near the focal point of the above-mentioned lens. A retractable shading plate (M),
This retractable light shielding plate (M) moves to the lower part of the reflecting mirror at the retracted position, rotates forward, functions as a reflecting surface, and contributes to high beam irradiation .
The two-function headlight for an automobile , wherein the light shielding plate is formed as a part of a parabolic composite surface . The lower part comprises at least one composite surface (3a, 3b, 3c) that is used only when the light-shielding plate (M) is in the retracted position and contributes when a high beam is irradiated from the lens (L). Item 2. The headlight according to item 1 . 3. Headlight according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the upper part has at least one composite surface (7) that reflects light above the outer shell of the lens and contributes to both low and high beams. 4. The light shielding plate (M) according to any one of claims 1 to 3 , wherein the light shielding plate (M) is rotated and stored around a horizontal axis orthogonal to the optical axis (AA) and orthogonal to the longitudinal axis . The headlight according to one . The headlight according to any one of claims 1 to 4 , wherein the lens is a convex lens (L). The lens (L) is attached to a frame (5) having tabs (6) projecting radially, and the lens is fixed with a gap through which light can pass between the lens (L) and the housing. The headlight according to claim 5 , wherein The headlight according to claim 5 or 6, wherein both side surfaces of the lens have a vertical straight line shape. The headlight according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the light shielding plate (M) is controlled by a stepping motor. “Highway” mode irradiation, where the cut-off line of the irradiation light is increased by a few tenths of a degree, specifically 0.2 ° to 0.6 °, compared to the conventional low beam by control by a stepping motor The headlight according to claim 8 , wherein The headlight according to claim 6 , wherein a parking light (V) is incorporated below a gap between the housing and the outer shell of the lens. By making the above-mentioned light shielding plate (M) at least one intermediate position between the above-mentioned maximum operating position and the retracted position, it is higher than when the light shielding plate (M) is at the above-mentioned maximum operating position. The headlight according to claim 1, wherein the headlight can be irradiated with cut-off light.

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