JP5412314B2 - Vehicle headlamp - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a so-called projector-type vehicle headlamp, and particularly to a vehicle headlamp provided with a movable shade.

  In general, a projector-type vehicle headlamp has a projection lens disposed on an optical axis extending in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle, and a light source disposed behind the rear focal point. It is configured to reflect toward the projection lens. When a low beam light distribution pattern is formed by the projector-type vehicle headlamp, the reflector is provided with a shade arranged so that the upper edge is positioned near the optical axis near the rear focal point of the projection lens. A part of the reflected light from the light is shielded, and a predetermined cut-off line is formed at the upper end of the low beam light distribution pattern.

  In this case, in “Patent Document 1”, as the shade, a light shielding position whose upper edge is located in the vicinity of the optical axis in the vicinity of the rear focal point, and a light shielding effect for reducing a shielding amount for reflected light from the reflector than the light shielding position. A projector-type vehicular headlamp having a movable shade configured to be movable between a relaxed position is described.

  Further, “Patent Document 2” describes a configuration in which such an automotive headlamp is integrally formed with a movable shade and an auxiliary shade extending rearward from the upper end of the movable shade.

  In the vehicle headlamp described in “Patent Document 2”, when the movable shade is in the light shielding position, the reflected light from the lower reflection area of the reflector is shielded by the auxiliary shade and reflected from the upper reflection area. While only the light is used, when the movable shade moves to the light shielding relaxation position, not only the reflected light from the upper reflection area of the reflector but also the reflected light from the lower reflection area is used.

JP 2003-257218 A JP-A-2005-93342

  In the vehicle headlamps described in the above-mentioned “Patent Document 1” and “Patent Document 2”, a high beam light distribution pattern can be formed by moving the movable shade to the light-shielding relaxation position. One lamp can be used for both low beam and high beam.

  However, in the vehicle headlamp described in the above-mentioned “Patent Document 1”, the low beam light distribution pattern and the high beam light distribution pattern are formed by the reflected light from the same reflection region of the reflector. Therefore, if the center luminous intensity of the high beam light distribution pattern is set high, the central luminous intensity of the low beam light distribution pattern becomes too high, whereas if the central luminous intensity of the low beam light distribution pattern is set to an appropriate value, There is a problem that the central luminous intensity of the high beam light distribution pattern cannot be made sufficiently high.

  On the other hand, in the vehicle headlamp described in the above “Patent Document 2”, the lower reflection area of the reflector is set as a dedicated reflection area for forming a high beam light distribution pattern. It is possible to sufficiently increase the central light intensity of the high beam light distribution pattern after setting the central light intensity of the light distribution pattern for light to an appropriate value.

  However, in the vehicle headlamp described in “Patent Document 2”, the reflected light from the lower reflection area of the reflector does not contribute to the formation of the low beam distribution pattern. There is a problem that the light pattern becomes dark overall.

  The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and in the projector-type vehicle headlamp having a movable shade, the overall brightness of the low beam light distribution pattern is ensured, and the An object of the present invention is to provide a vehicular headlamp that can sufficiently increase the central luminous intensity of a high-beam light distribution pattern after setting the central luminous intensity to an appropriate value.

  The present invention is intended to achieve the above object by devising the configuration of the movable shade.

That is, the vehicle headlamp according to the present invention is
A projection lens disposed on an optical axis extending in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle; a light source disposed behind the rear focal point of the projection lens; and a reflector for reflecting light from the light source toward the projection lens; A movable shade configured to shield part of the reflected light from the reflector, and the movable shade so that the upper edge is positioned near the optical axis in the vicinity of the rear focal point of the projection lens. A vehicle headlamp comprising: a light shielding position that is moved between the light shielding position and a light shielding mitigation position that reduces a shielding amount with respect to the reflected light from the reflector than the light shielding position;
The movable shade is formed with a flange extending rearward from the upper end of the movable shade,
The upper surface of this buttock is mirror-finished,
When the movable shade is moved to the light shielding mitigation position, when the movable shade is in the light shielding position, a part of the reflected light from the lower reflection region of the reflector that is shielded by the movable shade is After being reflected on the upper surface, the reflected light is configured to pass through the vicinity of the rear focal point of the projection lens and enter the projection lens.

  The type of the “light source” is not particularly limited. For example, a discharge light emitting part of a discharge bulb, a filament of a halogen bulb, a light emitting chip of a light emitting diode, or the like can be employed.

  The “lower reflection region of the reflector” means a region located below the optical axis on the reflection surface of the reflector.

  The above-mentioned `` protrusion part '' is a part of the reflected light from the lower reflection region of the reflector that is shielded by the movable shade when the movable shade is moved to the light shielding relaxation position and the movable shade is in the light shielding position. After reflecting on the upper surface of the buttock, if the reflected light is formed so that it can pass through the vicinity of the rear focal point of the projection lens and enter the projection lens, its specific shape and size The thickness is not particularly limited.

  As shown in the above configuration, the vehicular headlamp according to the present invention is configured as a projector-type vehicular headlamp provided with a movable shade. The movable shade extends rearward from an upper end portion thereof. A collar portion is formed, and the upper surface of the collar portion is mirror-finished. When the movable shade is in the light shielding position, a part of the reflected light from the reflector shielded by the movable shade is removed. When the movable shade is moved to the light-shielding relaxation position, it is reflected on the upper surface of the collar, and then the reflected light passes through the vicinity of the rear focal point of the projection lens and is incident on the projection lens. Therefore, the following effects can be obtained.

  That is, when the movable shade is at the light shielding position, a low beam light distribution pattern having a cut-off line at the upper end is formed by the light emitted from the projection lens. At this time, a part of the reflected light from the lower reflection area of the reflector is shielded by the collar part formed on the movable shade. At the same time, the upper surface of the collar part from the upper reflection area of the reflector is shielded. A part of the reflected light is reflected and enters the projection lens. Therefore, it is possible to effectively suppress the low-beam light distribution pattern from becoming dark due to the formation of the collar portion.

  On the other hand, when the movable shade moves to the light-shielding relaxation position, a high-beam light distribution pattern that extends to above the cut-off line of the low-beam light distribution pattern is formed by the light emitted from the projection lens. At that time, a part of the reflected light from the lower reflection area of the reflector is reflected on the upper surface of the collar portion of the movable shade, and the reflected light on this upper surface passes through the vicinity of the rear focal point of the projection lens and enters the projection lens. Therefore, the central luminous intensity of the high beam light distribution pattern can be increased as compared with the case where the collar portion is not formed. Moreover, this can be realized without the need to increase the central luminous intensity of the low beam light distribution pattern.

  As described above, according to the present invention, in the projector-type vehicle headlamp having the movable shade, the overall brightness of the low beam light distribution pattern is ensured, and the central luminous intensity is set to an appropriate value. In the above, the central luminous intensity of the high beam distribution pattern can be made sufficiently high.

  In the above configuration, the collar portion of the movable shade is formed on the shoulder side of the optical axis (that is, the left side in the left headlight for a vehicle headlight and the right side in the right headlight for a vehicle headlight). With the configuration, the following operational effects can be obtained.

  That is, in order to efficiently increase the central luminous intensity of the light distribution pattern for the high beam by the reflected light from the lower reflection area of the reflector that is incident on the upper surface of the collar part of the movable shade, the collar part is formed as close to the optical axis as possible. It is preferable to do.

  On the other hand, the cut-off line of the low-beam light distribution pattern is generally formed as an opposite lane-side cut-off line whose portion on the opposite lane side extends in the horizontal direction. Since the headlamp is formed as a reverse projection image of a portion on the shoulder side of the upper end edge of the movable shade with respect to the optical axis, this portion on the shoulder side of the movable shade is in the horizontal direction over the entire length when the movable shade is in the light shielding position. It is formed to extend.

  Therefore, if the flange is formed on the shoulder side of the upper end edge of the movable shade, the upper surface of the movable shade is even when the flange is formed at a position near the optical axis. It can extend along the horizontal plane flush with the upper edge. Therefore, it is possible to easily reflect the reflected light from the lower reflection area of the reflector incident on the upper surface of the collar toward the rear focal point of the projection lens on the upper surface, and thereby, a high beam light distribution pattern. The central luminous intensity can be increased efficiently.

  In this case, in the lower reflection area of the reflector, the specific reflection area for making the reflected light incident on the upper surface of the collar portion of the movable shade moved to the light-shielding relaxation position is the upper end on the shoulder side of the optical axis. If it is set as the structure formed in the part, the following effects can be obtained.

  That is, if the movable shade is not formed with a collar portion, the reflected light from the reflective area that should correspond to the specific reflective area is on the opposite lane side in the low beam light distribution pattern when the movable shade is in the light shielding position. It will be used to form a part along the cut-off line (hereinafter referred to as the “opposite lane-side cut-off line part”). In such a case, glare may be given to the driver of the oncoming vehicle. At this time, the portion that particularly contributes to the brightness of the opposite lane side cut-off line portion is a region located at the upper end portion in the region closer to the road shoulder than the optical axis of the lower reflection region.

  Therefore, if the specific reflection area is formed at the upper end portion and the reflected light from the specific reflection area is shielded by the collar part of the movable shade at the light shielding position or its peripheral part, the oncoming lane The side cut-off line portion can be darkened, thereby effectively suppressing the possibility of giving glare to the driver of the oncoming vehicle.

Side sectional view which shows the vehicle headlamp which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention in the state in which the movable shade exists in a light-shielding position Plan sectional view showing the vehicle headlamp with its movable shade in the light-shielding position III-III sectional view of FIG. Side sectional view showing the vehicle headlamp in a state where the movable shade is in the light-shielding relaxation position It is a figure which shows in perspective the light distribution pattern formed on the virtual vertical screen arrange | positioned in the position of the lamp front 25m with the light irradiated ahead from the said vehicle headlamp, The same figure (a) is. The figure which shows the light distribution pattern for low beams, The figure (b) is a figure which shows the light distribution pattern for high beams.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a side sectional view showing a vehicle headlamp 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention in a state where a movable shade 20 is in a light shielding position, and FIG. 2 is a plan sectional view thereof. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line III-III in FIG. FIG. 4 is a side sectional view showing the vehicle headlamp 10 in a state where the movable shade 20 is in the light-shielding relaxation position.

  As shown in these drawings, the vehicle headlamp 10 according to the present embodiment is configured as a projector-type lamp unit with a left light distribution, and is used in a state of being incorporated in a lamp body or the like (not shown). It has become.

  The vehicle headlamp 10 includes a light source bulb 12, a reflector 14, a holder 16, a projection lens 18, a movable shade 20, and an actuator 22, and has an optical axis Ax extending in the vehicle front-rear direction. doing. However, the vehicle headlamp 10 is arranged in a state in which the optical axis Ax extends in a downward direction by about 0.5 to 0.6 ° with respect to the vehicle front-rear direction when the aiming adjustment is completed. It is like that.

  The projection lens 18 is a planoconvex aspheric lens having a convex front surface and a flat rear surface, and is disposed on the optical axis Ax. The projection lens 18 converts the light source image formed on the rear focal plane (that is, the focal plane including the rear focal point F of the projection lens 18) as an inverted image on the vertical virtual screen arranged in front of the lamp. Projected.

  The light source bulb 12 is a discharge bulb such as a metal halide bulb having a discharge light emitting portion as the light source 12a, and is inserted and fixed from the rear side to an opening portion 14b formed at the rear top portion of the reflector 14. The light source 12 a of the light source bulb 12 is configured as a line light source extending substantially coaxially with the optical axis Ax, and is disposed on the rear side of the rear focal point F of the projection lens 18.

  The reflector 14 has a reflecting surface 14a that reflects light from the light source 12a forward and toward the optical axis Ax. The cross-sectional shape along the plane including the optical axis Ax of the reflecting surface 14a is set to be substantially elliptical, and the eccentricity is set to gradually increase from the vertical cross section toward the horizontal cross section. As a result, the light from the light source 12a reflected by the reflecting surface 14a is substantially converged to the vicinity of the rear focal point F in the vertical section, and the convergence position is set to the front side of the rear focal point F in the horizontal section. It is supposed to be displaced.

  At this time, the lower reflective area 14aL located below the optical axis Ax on the reflective surface 14a has a rear focal point F of the reflected light higher than the upper reflective area 14aU located above the optical axis Ax. It is formed so as to improve convergence. A specific reflection area 14aA (which will be described later) is formed at the upper end of the lower reflection area 14aL on the shoulder side of the optical axis Ax (that is, on the left side of the optical axis Ax (right side in the front view of the lamp)). Yes.

  The holder 16 is formed so as to extend in a substantially cylindrical shape from the front end opening of the reflector 14 toward the front. The holder 16 fixes and supports the reflector 14 at the rear end, and also supports the projection lens 18 at the front end. ing. The lower region of the holder 16 is cut away.

  The movable shade 20 is provided so as to be positioned in a substantially lower half portion in the internal space of the holder 16, and is rotatably supported by the holder 16 via a rotation pin 24 extending in the left-right direction at the lower end portion thereof. Yes. The movable shade 20 is indicated by a solid line in FIGS. 1 to 3 and is shaded by a two-dot chain line in FIG. 4 and rotated by a predetermined angle from the light shielding position to the rear side. 1 and 2 can adopt a light-shielding relaxation position indicated by a two-dot chain line.

  The upper end edges 20a1 and 20a2 of the movable shade 20 are formed so as to be different from each other on the left and right sides. When the movable shade 20 is in the light shielding position, it extends in a substantially arc shape in the horizontal direction along the rear focal plane of the projection lens 18. Accordingly, a part of the reflected light from the reflector 14 is shielded. The detailed structure of the movable shade 20 will be described later.

  The actuator 22 is composed of a solenoid having a plunger 22 a extending in the front-rear direction, and is fixed to a mounting portion 14 c formed at the lower end portion of the reflector 14. The plunger 22a of the actuator 22 is engaged with a stay 20b formed so as to protrude downward from the movable shade 20 at the tip portion thereof, thereby reciprocating the plunger 22a in the front-rear direction. It is transmitted as a rotational movement. The actuator 22 is driven when a beam changeover switch (not shown) is operated to move the plunger 22a in the front-rear direction, thereby moving the movable shade 20 between the light shielding position and the light shielding relaxation position. It is like that.

  Next, the detailed structure of the movable shade 20 and the configuration of the specific reflection region 14aA on the reflection surface 14a of the reflector 14 will be described.

  As described above, the movable shade 20 has the upper and lower edges 20a1 and 20a2 that are different from each other on the left and right. The upper edges 20a1 and 20a2 are located on the shoulder side of the optical axis Ax when the movable shade 20 is in the light shielding position. The upper step portion 20a1 extends horizontally from the position of the rear focal point F to the shoulder side, and the lower step portion 20a2 on the opposite lane side from the optical axis Ax is opposed to the opposite lane from the position of the rear focal point F. It is arranged so as to extend horizontally after extending obliquely downward to the side.

  As described above, when the movable shade 20 is in the light shielding position, the movable shade 20 shields a part of the reflected light from the reflector 14, but when the movable shade 20 moves to the light shielding mitigation position, the upper edge 20a1, 20a2 is displaced obliquely downward toward the rear, whereby the amount of shielding against the reflected light from the reflector 14 is reduced. In the present embodiment, at the light shielding mitigation position, the shielding amount for the reflected light from the reflecting surface 14a of the reflector 14 is made substantially zero except for the reflected light from the specific reflecting region 14aA.

  The movable shade 20 is formed with a flange portion 20c extending rearward from the upper end portion thereof. The upper surface 20c1 of the flange 20c is subjected to a mirror treatment such as aluminum vapor deposition.

  The flange 20c is formed at a position closer to the optical axis Ax at a position closer to the road shoulder than the optical axis Ax. At this time, the upper surface 20c1 of the flange portion 20c is formed flush with the upper step portion 20a of the movable shade 20. Therefore, the upper surface 20c1 of the flange portion 20c is disposed so as to extend along the horizontal plane including the optical axis Ax when the movable shade 20 is in the light shielding position, and on the other hand, when the movable shade 20 moves to the light shielding relaxation position, It will be arranged to extend obliquely downward and rearward on the lower side of the optical axis Ax.

  As a result, when the movable shade 20 is in the light shielding position, the movable shade 20 regularly reflects the reflected light from the upper reflection region 14aU of the reflector 14 upward on the upper surface 20c1 of the flange portion 20c, thereby projecting the lens. When the movable shade 20 is moved to the light-shielding relaxation position, the reflected light from the specific reflection region 14aA is regularly reflected upward on the upper surface 20c1 of the flange portion 20c, and this is reflected on the rear side of the projection lens 18. The light passes through the vicinity F of the focal point and is incident on the projection lens 18.

  In order to realize this, the specific reflection region 14aA formed at the upper end portion of the lower reflection region 14aL on the reflection surface 14a of the reflector 14 is formed at a position on the road shoulder side further than the flange portion 20c of the movable shade 20. The specific reflection area 14aA reflects light from the specific reflection area 14aA in a direction (direction indicated by a one-dot chain line in FIG. 2) when the specific reflection area 14aA is not formed. The light is reflected in a direction close to the axis Ax (direction indicated by a solid line or a two-dot chain line in FIG. 2). At this time, the specific reflection area 14aA reflects the reflected light from the specific reflection area 14aA at a slightly smaller upward angle than when the specific reflection area 14aA is not formed. .

  As a result, if the specific reflection area 14aA is not formed in the state where the movable shade 20 is in the light shielding position, the reflection corresponding to the specific reflection area 14aA is indicated by a one-dot chain line in FIG. The light from the light source 12a reflected on the area and incident on the projection lens 18 as it is is reflected at a small upward angle relatively close to the optical axis Ax in the specific reflection area 14aA as shown by a solid line in FIG. Thus, the reflected light is shielded by the flange portion 20c of the movable shade 20 or its peripheral portion.

  On the other hand, in the state where the movable shade 20 has moved to the light-shielding relaxation position, as shown by a two-dot chain line in FIG. 2, the light from the light source 12a is relatively close to the optical axis Ax and has a small upward angle in the specific reflection region 14aA. Then, the light is incident on the upper surface 20c1 of the flange portion 20c, is regularly reflected by the upper surface 20c1, and then passes through the vicinity of the rear focal point F of the projection lens 18 and is incident on the projection lens 18.

  FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing a light distribution pattern formed on a virtual vertical screen arranged at a position 25 m ahead of the lamp by light irradiated forward from the vehicle headlamp 10. (A) shows the low beam distribution pattern PL, and (b) shows the high beam distribution pattern PH.

  The low beam light distribution pattern PL is formed when the movable shade 20 is in the light shielding position, while the high beam light distribution pattern PH is formed when the movable shade 20 is in the light shielding relaxation position. .

  A low beam light distribution pattern PL shown in FIG. 5A is a left light distribution light beam distribution pattern, and has upper and lower cut-off lines CL1 and CL2 at its upper edge. The cut-off lines CL1 and CL2 are formed so as to extend in the horizontal direction with a difference in left and right steps with a VV line passing through the HV as a vanishing point in the front direction of the lamp in the vertical direction. At that time, the opposite lane side cut-off line CL1 on the right side of the V-V line is formed to extend in the horizontal direction over the entire length thereof, while the roadside cut-off line CL2 on the left side of the V-V line is It is formed to extend in the horizontal direction after rising from the left end position of the oncoming lane side cut-off line CL1 via an inclined portion.

  In this low beam distribution pattern PL, the elbow point E, which is the intersection of the oncoming lane side cut-off line CL1 and the VV line, is located about 0.5 to 0.6 ° below HV. This is because the optical axis Ax of the lamp unit 20 extends in a downward direction by about 0.5 to 0.6 ° with respect to the vehicle longitudinal direction. In the low beam light distribution pattern PL, a hot zone HZL which is a high luminous intensity region is formed so as to surround the elbow point E.

  The low-beam light distribution pattern PL is obtained by converting the image of the light source 12a formed on the rear focal plane of the projection lens 18 by the light from the light source 12a reflected by the reflection surface 14a of the reflector 14 by the projection lens 18 to the virtual vertical direction. It is formed by projecting as a reverse projection image on the screen, and the cut-off lines CL1 and CL2 having different left and right steps are formed as reverse projection images of the upper edges 20a1 and 20a2 of the movable shade 20.

  At this time, the low beam distribution pattern PL has a portion along the opposite lane side cut-off line CL1 at a position slightly away from the elbow point E in the hot zone HZL to the opposite lane side (that is, the opposite lane side cut-off line portion). The light intensity decreasing region Z1 is slightly darker than the peripheral portion. In the light intensity decrease region Z1, the contrast ratio of the oncoming lane side cut-off line CL1 is relaxed.

  Such a light intensity decrease region Z1 is formed in the specific reflection region 14aA on the road shoulder side and the periphery thereof by the flange portion 20c of the movable shade 20 at the light shielding position with respect to the optical axis Ax on the reflection surface 14a of the reflector 14. A part of the reflected light from the reflection region located is shielded, and the reflected light from the specific reflection region 14aA has a relatively small upward angle, so that this reflected light is shielded by the movable shade 20 more. It is because.

  On the other hand, the high-beam light distribution pattern PH shown in FIG. 5B is formed so as to expand to some extent upward from the cut-off lines CL1 and CL2 with respect to the low-beam light distribution pattern PL. It has a hot zone HZH.

  At this time, the hot zone HZH has a central portion formed as a luminous intensity increasing region Z2. In this luminous intensity increasing region Z2, the light reflected by the specific reflecting region 14aA and then regularly reflected by the upper surface 20c1 of the flange 20c of the movable shade 20 at the light-shielding relaxation position passes through the rear focal point vicinity F of the projection lens 18. This is because the light enters the projection lens 18 and is emitted from the projection lens 18 substantially parallel to the optical axis Ax.

  As described above in detail, the vehicular headlamp 10 according to the present embodiment is configured as a projector-type vehicular headlamp including the movable shade 20, and the movable shade 20 has an upper end portion. A flange 20c extending rearward is formed, and the upper surface 20c1 of the flange 20c is mirror-finished, and is shielded by the movable shade 20 when the movable shade 20 is in the light shielding position. When a part of the reflected light from the reflector 14 is reflected by the upper surface 20c1 of the flange 20c when the movable shade 20 moves to the light-shielding relaxation position, the reflected light is near the rear focal point F of the projection lens 18. Is made to pass through and enter the projection lens 18, so that the following operational effects can be obtained.

  That is, when the movable shade 20 is in the light shielding position, the low beam light distribution pattern PL having cut-off lines CL1, CL2 having different left and right steps is formed at the upper end portion by the light emitted from the projection lens 18. At this time, a part of the reflected light from the lower reflection region 14aL of the reflector 14 is shielded by the flange part 20c formed on the movable shade 20, but at the same time, the reflector 14 on the upper surface 20c1 of the flange part 20c. A part of the reflected light from the upper reflection area 14 a U of the light is reflected and enters the projection lens 18. Therefore, it is possible to effectively suppress the low-beam light distribution pattern PL from becoming dark because the flange portion 20c is formed.

  On the other hand, when the movable shade 20 moves to the light-shielding relaxation position, the light emitted from the projection lens 18 forms a high-beam light distribution pattern PH that extends above the cut-off lines CL1 and CL2 of the low-beam light distribution pattern PL. It becomes. At that time, a part of the reflected light from the lower reflection region 14aL of the reflector 14 is reflected by the upper surface 20c1 of the flange 20c of the movable shade 20, and the reflected light from the upper surface 20c1 is near the rear focal point F of the projection lens 18. Since the light passes through and is incident on the projection lens 18, the central luminous intensity of the high beam light distribution pattern PH can be increased as compared with the case where the flange 20c is not formed. In addition, this can be realized without the need to increase the central luminous intensity of the low beam light distribution pattern PL.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, in the projector-type vehicle headlamp 10 having the movable shade 20, the overall brightness of the low-beam light distribution pattern PL is ensured, and the central luminous intensity is set appropriately. After setting the value, the central luminous intensity of the high beam distribution pattern PH can be made sufficiently high.

  Moreover, in the present embodiment, since the flange portion 20c of the movable shade 20 is formed on the road shoulder side with respect to the optical axis Ax, the following operational effects can be obtained.

  That is, in order to efficiently increase the central luminous intensity of the high-beam light distribution pattern PH by the reflected light from the lower reflection region 14aL of the reflector 14 incident on the upper surface 20c1 of the flange 20c of the movable shade 20, the flange 20c is light-transmitted. It is preferable to form it at a position near the axis Ax.

  On the other hand, the opposite lane side cut-off line CL1 formed as a horizontal cut-off line in the low-beam light distribution pattern PL is a reverse projection image of the upper step portion 20a1 on the road shoulder side with respect to the optical axis Ax at the upper end edges 20a1 and 20a2 of the movable shade 20. Since it is formed, the upper step portion 20a1 is formed so as to extend in the horizontal direction over its entire length when the movable shade 20 is in the light shielding position.

  Therefore, as in the present embodiment, the upper surface of the flange 20c is configured by forming the flange 20c on the upper shoulder 20a1 on the road shoulder side from the optical axis Ax at the upper edges 20a1 and 20a2 of the movable shade 20. 20c1 can be formed horizontally with the upper stage portion 20a1 of the movable shade 20. As a result, the reflected light from the lower reflection region 14aL of the reflector 14 incident on the upper surface 20c1 of the flange 20c can be easily reflected toward the vicinity of the rear focal point F of the projection lens 18 on the upper surface 20c1. Thus, the central luminous intensity of the high beam light distribution pattern PH can be efficiently increased.

  Moreover, in the present embodiment, in the lower reflection region 14aL of the reflector 14, the specific reflection region 14aA for making the reflected light incident on the upper surface 20c1 of the flange 20c of the movable shade 20 moved to the light-shielding relaxation position has the optical axis. Since it is formed at the upper end on the shoulder side of Ax, the following operational effects can be obtained.

  That is, assuming that the flange portion 20c is not formed on the movable shade 20, the reflected light from the reflection region that should correspond to the specific reflection region 14aA is the low-beam light distribution pattern PL when the movable shade 20 is at the light shielding position. Will be used to form the oncoming lane side cut-off line portion along the oncoming lane side cut off line CL1, but this oncoming lane side cut off line portion becomes relatively bright, so when the vehicle is pitched, etc. May give glare to the driver of the oncoming vehicle. At this time, the portion that particularly contributes to the brightness of the opposite lane side cut-off line portion is a region located at the upper end portion in the region closer to the road shoulder than the optical axis Ax of the lower reflection region 14aL.

  Accordingly, as in the present embodiment, the specific reflection region 14aA is formed at the upper end, and the reflected light from the specific reflection region 14aA is the flange portion 20c of the movable shade 20 at the light shielding position or its peripheral portion. If it is made to shield by, the oncoming lane side cut-off line part can be made dark as the light intensity decreasing area Z1, and thereby the possibility of giving glare to the driver of the oncoming vehicle can be effectively suppressed.

  In the above embodiment, the specific reflection area 14aA is described as being formed at the upper end of the lower reflection area 14aL. However, a configuration in which the specific reflection area 14aA is formed at other positions is also possible.

  In the above-described embodiment, the vehicle headlamp 10 is configured to form the left light distribution light beam distribution pattern as the low beam light distribution pattern PL. Even in the case where the light distribution pattern is formed, the same effect can be obtained by adopting the same structure as that of the above embodiment.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Vehicle headlamp 12 Light source bulb 12a Light source 14 Reflector 14a Reflective surface 14aA Specific reflection area 14aL Lower reflection area 14aU Upper reflection area 14b Opening part 14c Mounting part 16 Holder 18 Projection lens 20 Movable shade 20a1, 20a2 Upper stage edge 20a1 20a2 Lower stage portion 20b Stay 20c Ridge portion 20c1 Upper surface 22 Actuator 22a Plunger 24 Rotating pin Ax Optical axis CL1 Opposite lane side cutoff line CL2 Roadside cutoff line E Elbow point F Rear focus HZH, HZL Hot zone PH High beam distribution pattern PL Light distribution pattern for low beam Z1 Luminous decrease area Z2 Luminous intensity increasing area

Claims (3)

A projection lens disposed on an optical axis extending in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle; a light source disposed behind the rear focal point of the projection lens; and a reflector for reflecting light from the light source toward the projection lens; A movable shade configured to shield part of the reflected light from the reflector, and the movable shade so that the upper edge is positioned near the optical axis in the vicinity of the rear focal point of the projection lens. A vehicle headlamp comprising: a light shielding position that is moved between the light shielding position and a light shielding mitigation position that reduces a shielding amount with respect to the reflected light from the reflector than the light shielding position;
The movable shade is formed with a flange extending rearward from the upper end of the movable shade,
The upper surface of this buttock is mirror-finished,
When the movable shade is moved to the light shielding mitigation position, when the movable shade is in the light shielding position, a part of the reflected light from the lower reflection region of the reflector that is shielded by the movable shade is A vehicular headlamp configured to reflect the reflected light on the upper surface and then pass the reflected light through the vicinity of the rear focal point of the projection lens and enter the projection lens.   The vehicle headlamp according to claim 1, wherein the flange portion is formed on a shoulder side of the optical axis.   In the lower reflection region of the reflector, a specific reflection region for allowing reflected light to enter the upper surface of the collar portion of the movable shade moved to the light-shielding relaxation position is formed at the upper end portion on the road shoulder side from the optical axis. The vehicle headlamp according to claim 2, wherein

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