Vehicle headlights

Abstract

A vehicle headlamp includes a visor that shields a portion of light emitted from a light source. A predetermined edge of the visor is a cutoff line forming portion that forms a cutoff line of a light distribution pattern, and a dimming portion is provided on the visor. The dimming portion is located behind the cutoff line forming portion. A low brightness portion having a brightness lower than that of other portions of the light distribution pattern is formed in a portion of the light distribution pattern by the cutoff line forming portion and the dimming portion. The portion of the visor that includes the cutoff line forming portion is provided as a flat functional surface, and at least the functional surface is inclined rearward and downward.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field of a vehicle headlamp having a visor for shielding a part of light emitted from a light source. Background Art

[0002] In a vehicle headlamp, for example, a light source that emits light and a shading plate that shields a portion of the light emitted from the light source are arranged inside a lamp housing composed of a cover and a lamp housing (see, for example, Patent Documents 1 and 2).

[0003] In the vehicle headlamp described in Patent Documents 1 and 2, a lamp unit is arranged inside the lamp housing, and the lamp unit includes a light source, a shading plate, a reflector, and a projection lens, etc. The light emitted from the light source is reflected by the reflector, formed into substantially parallel light by the projection lens, and irradiated forward through the cover. At this time, part of the light reflected by the reflector is blocked by the shading plate, and the light not blocked by the shading plate forms a light distribution pattern.

[0004] A predetermined edge of the light shielding plate is formed as a cut-off line forming portion, and a cut-off line of the light distribution pattern is formed by the cut-off line forming portion.

[0005] In addition, sometimes a low brightness portion having a brightness lower than other portions of the light distribution pattern is formed on the light distribution pattern. In this case, the light emitted from the light source is controlled by the dimming portion and the cut-off line forming portion located behind the cut-off line forming portion, thereby forming the low brightness portion. By forming the low brightness portion on the light distribution pattern, it is possible to suppress the generation of disturbing light (glare) to passengers of the preceding vehicle or the oncoming vehicle.

[0006] The light shielding plate is often formed of a metal material, and at least a portion of the cutoff line forming portion is formed by bending a portion of the metal material in order to satisfy predetermined conditions for forming a light distribution pattern and a low brightness portion.

[0007] Prior art literature

[0008] Patent Literature

[0009] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2018-49730

[0010] Patent Document 2: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2011-258485

[0011] Technical problem to be solved by the invention

[0012] However, as described above, if at least a portion of the cutoff line forming portion is formed by bending a portion of a metal material, the positional accuracy of the cutoff line forming portion relative to the entire visor may be reduced due to the bending process, and a bending process is required when manufacturing the visor, resulting in an increase in the manufacturing cost of the vehicle headlamp. Summary of the invention

[0013] Therefore, an object of the vehicle headlamp of the present invention is to achieve a reduction in manufacturing cost while ensuring high positional accuracy of the cut-off line forming portion relative to the entire visor.

[0014] Technical means for solving technical problems

[0015] First, a vehicle headlamp according to the present invention includes a sunshade that shields a portion of light emitted from a light source, a predetermined edge of the sunshade is a cutoff line forming portion, the cutoff line forming portion forms a cutoff line of a light distribution pattern, a dimming portion is provided on the sunshade, the dimming portion is located behind the cutoff line forming portion, a low brightness portion having a brightness lower than that of other portions of the light distribution pattern is formed in a portion of the light distribution pattern by the cutoff line forming portion and the dimming portion, a portion of the sunshade including the cutoff line forming portion is provided as a flat functional surface portion, and at least the functional surface portion is inclined rearward and downward.

[0016] Thus, the flat functional surface portion having the cutoff line forming portion is inclined downward and rearward, so that the cutoff line forming portion forms a cutoff line of the light distribution pattern, and the dimming portion and the cutoff line forming portion form a low brightness portion in the light distribution pattern.

[0017] Secondly, in the vehicle headlamp of the present invention, it is preferable that the dimming portion is formed in a flat plate shape.

[0018] Thus, a low brightness portion is formed in the light distribution pattern by the flat-plate-shaped dimming portion.

[0019] Thirdly, in the vehicle headlamp of the present invention, it is preferable that the visor is composed of a base member having the functional surface portion and a plate-like member having the dimming portion and attached to the base member.

[0020] Thus, the light shielding plate is composed of two members: the base member and the plate-shaped member.

[0021] Fourthly, in the vehicle headlamp of the present invention, it is preferable that the base member is provided with a base surface portion bent relative to the functional surface portion, and the plate-like member is attached to the base surface portion.

[0022] Thus, the plate-shaped member having the light reduction portion is attached to the base surface portion which is formed integrally with the functional surface portion having the cut-off line forming portion and is provided continuously with the functional surface portion.

[0023] Fifthly, in the vehicle headlamp of the present invention, preferably at least a portion of the functional surface portion is formed as a reflecting surface that reflects light emitted from the light source, and the light reflected by the reflecting surface is used as a portion of light forming a light distribution pattern.

[0024] Thus, at least a portion of the functional surface portion serves as a reflecting surface that reflects light that forms a light distribution pattern.

[0025] Sixth, another vehicle headlamp of the present invention includes a visor that shields a portion of light emitted from a light source, a predetermined edge of the visor is a cut-off line forming portion, the cut-off line forming portion forms a cut-off line of a light distribution pattern, the visor is provided with a dimming portion that forms a low-brightness portion with lower brightness than other portions of the light distribution pattern in a portion of the light distribution pattern, and a lower surface of the dimming portion is located above the upper end of the cut-off line forming portion.

[0026] Thus, the dimming portion is located above the cut-off line forming portion with a gap therebetween.

[0027] Seventh, in another vehicle headlamp of the present invention mentioned above, it is preferred that the portion of the shading plate including the light-dark cutoff line forming portion is provided as a flat functional face portion, the shading plate is provided with a connecting portion whose one end is continuous with the functional face portion, the dimming portion is continuously provided at the other end of the connecting portion, and the connecting portion is formed in a shape protruding from the functional face portion.

[0028] Thus, the position of the dimming portion relative to the cut-off line forming portion is determined according to the protrusion amount and protrusion direction of the connecting portion relative to the functional surface portion having the cut-off line forming portion.

[0029] Eighth, in the other vehicle headlamp according to the present invention, it is preferable that the dimming portion is formed by bending the connecting portion.

[0030] Thus, the orientation of the dimming portion relative to the cut-off line forming portion is determined according to the bending angle of the dimming portion relative to the connecting portion.

[0031] Ninth, in another vehicle headlamp of the present invention, the functional surface is preferably formed into a folded shape, and the parts on both sides of the folded part of the functional surface are respectively arranged as a first part and a second part, the first part and the second part are connected in the thickness direction, the light-dark cut-off line forming part is formed in the first part, and the connecting part protrudes from the second part.

[0032] Thus, the first portion having the cut-off line forming portion and the second portion where the connecting portion protrudes are in contact with each other in the thickness direction, so that the positional accuracy of the connecting portion relative to the cut-off line forming portion is improved.

[0033] Tenth, in the other vehicle headlamp according to the present invention, it is preferred that the functional surface portion, the connecting portion, and the dimming portion are formed integrally.

[0034] Thus, the functional surface portion, the connecting portion, and the light reduction portion are formed by one component.

[0035] Effects of the Invention

[0036] According to the present invention, since the flat functional surface portion having the cut-off line forming portion is inclined rearward and downward, the cut-off line of the light distribution pattern is formed by the cut-off line forming portion, and the low brightness portion is formed in the light distribution pattern by the dimming portion and the cut-off line forming portion, a bending process for forming the cut-off line forming portion is not required when manufacturing the shading plate, and a high position accuracy of the cut-off line forming portion relative to the entire shading plate can be ensured, and the manufacturing cost of the vehicle headlamp can be reduced. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0037] Figure 1 is with Figures 2 to 5 The figures collectively show an embodiment of a vehicle headlamp according to the present invention, and are schematic cross-sectional views of the vehicle headlamp.

[0038] Figure 2 It is a three-dimensional diagram of the sunshade.

[0039] Figure 3 So from Figure 2 A perspective view of the shading plate shown when viewed from different directions.

[0040] Figure 4 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the sunshade.

[0041] Figure 5 This is a conceptual diagram showing a light distribution pattern.

[0042] Figure 6 is with Figures 7 to 12 The figure shows an embodiment of the vehicle headlamp of the present invention together. This figure is a schematic cross-sectional view of the vehicle headlamp.

[0043] Figure 7 It is a three-dimensional diagram of the sunshade.

[0044] Figure 8 So from Figure 7 A perspective view of the shading plate shown when viewed from different directions.

[0045] Fig. 9 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the sunshade.

[0046] Fig.10 It is a rear view showing a part of the sunshade.

[0047] Fig.11 This is a conceptual diagram showing a light distribution pattern.

[0048] Fig.12 This is a conceptual diagram showing an irradiation pattern. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0049] Hereinafter, embodiments of the vehicle headlamp according to the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0050] (Vehicle Headlamp According to First Embodiment)

[0051] First, a vehicle headlamp 1 according to a first embodiment will be described (see Figures 1 to 5 ).

[0052] The vehicle headlamp 1 is mounted on both left and right ends of the front end of a vehicle body.

[0053] The vehicle headlamp 1 includes a lamp housing 2 having an opening at the front and a cover 3 that closes the opening surface of the lamp housing 2 (see Figure 1 The lamp housing 4 is composed of a lamp body 2 and a cover 3 , and the inner space of the lamp housing 4 forms a lamp chamber 5 .

[0054] A lamp unit 6 is disposed in the lamp chamber 5. The lamp unit 6 includes: a lens holder 7 formed in a cylindrical shape; a projection lens 8 mounted on the front end of the lens holder 7; a heat sink 9 disposed behind the lens holder 7; a reflector 10 with a lower end mounted on the heat sink 9; a light source 11 disposed on the heat sink 9; and a light shielding plate 12 for shielding a portion of light emitted from the light source 11.

[0055] The lamp unit 6 is supported by the lamp housing 2 via an optical axis adjustment mechanism (not shown). Therefore, by operating the optical axis adjustment mechanism, the lamp unit 6 can be moved vertically or horizontally relative to the lamp housing 2 to adjust the optical axis of light emitted from the light source 11.

[0056] The front surface of the projection lens 8 is formed into a convex surface, and the rear surface is formed into a flat surface facing rearward. The projection lens 8 has a function of inverting an image on a focal plane including a rear focus and projecting it forward.

[0057] The heat dissipation base 9 has a plurality of heat dissipation fins 9a, 9a, ... at the lower end portion. Therefore, the heat generated when the light source 11 is driven is mainly released from the heat dissipation fins 9a, 9a, ..., and a good driving state of the light source 11 can be ensured.

[0058] The inner surface of the reflector 10 is formed as a reflective surface 10a, which is formed into an ellipsoidal spherical surface, for example. The reflector 10 is arranged in a direction where one focus of the reflective surface 10a coincides with the light source 11 and the other focus of the reflective surface 10a coincides with the rear focus of the projection lens 8.

[0059] As the light source 11 , for example, a light emitting diode (LED: Light Emitting Diode) can be used.

[0060] The shading plate 12 is, for example, a fixed shading plate, and is attached to a part of the lamp unit 6, for example, an attachment member such as a bracket not shown. However, the shading plate 12 may be provided as a movable shading plate.

[0061] The shading plate 12 is composed of a base member 13 formed of a metal material and a plate member 14, and the plate member 14 is mounted on the base member 13 (see Figures 2 to 4 ). When a reference line extending in the front-rear direction of the vehicle is taken as a reference line S, the sun visor 12 is arranged in a state of being inclined rearward and downward with respect to the reference line S.

[0062] The base component 13 includes: a base surface portion 15 which is formed by bending a plate-like component into a prescribed shape and is formed into a generally rectangular shape which is laterally longer in the front-to-back direction; a functional surface portion 16 which is bent forward from the upper edge of the base surface portion 15; side surface portions 17, 17 which are respectively bent forward from the left and right side edges of the base surface portion 15; and mounted surface portions 18, 18 which are respectively bent laterally (outwardly) from the lower edges of the side surface portions 17, 17.

[0063] The functional surface portion 16 is formed in a substantially vertically oriented flat plate shape, and its front edge is formed as a cutoff line forming portion 19 that forms a cutoff line of the light distribution pattern. A step portion 19a for forming the cutoff line is formed in the left-right center of the cutoff line forming portion 19.

[0064] At least a portion of the upper surface of the functional surface portion 16 is formed as a reflective surface 16a. The reflective surface 16a is formed by, for example, vapor-depositing aluminum on a portion of the functional surface portion 16.

[0065] The plate-like member 14 is formed in a flat plate shape facing substantially in the front-rear direction, and the upper end portion is provided as a dimming portion 14a having a portion protruding upward, and the portion other than the dimming portion 14a is provided as a mounted portion 14b. Therefore, the dimming portion 14a is also formed in a flat plate shape. However, the dimming portion 14a may be formed in a shape that is bent relative to the mounted portion 14b.

[0066] The mounted portion 14b of the plate-like member 14 is mounted to the rear surface of the base surface portion 15 by welding, bonding, etc. Therefore, the dimming portion 14a is located above the base surface portion 15. Alternatively, the dimming portion 14a may be formed integrally with the base surface portion 15 or the functional surface portion 16.

[0067] As described above, the functional surface portion 16 including the cutoff line forming portion 19 and the plate-like member 14 including the dimming portion 14a of the shading plate 12 are both formed in a flat plate shape. The mounted surface portions 18, 18 of the shading plate 12 are mounted to a mounting member such as a bracket.

[0068] As described above, the shading plate 12 is arranged in a state of being tilted backward and downward relative to the reference line S, and the tilt angle θ relative to the reference line S is, for example, 14 degrees to 24 degrees. However, the tilt angle θ of the shading plate 12 relative to the reference line S is determined by the diameter of the projection lens 8, the position of the rear focus of the projection lens 8, the positions of the two focal points of the reflector 10, etc., and can also be set to an angle other than 14 degrees to 24 degrees.

[0069] In the vehicle headlamp 1 configured as described above, when light is emitted from the light source 11, the emitted light is reflected by the reflecting surface 10a of the reflector 10 toward the projection lens 8, and is formed into substantially parallel light by the projection lens 8, and is irradiated forward through the cover 3. At this time, a part of the light reflected by the reflecting surface 10a of the reflector 10 is shielded by the shading plate 12, thereby forming a light distribution pattern P1 (see FIG. Figure 5 ). Figure 5 A horizontal line H and a vertical line V are shown.

[0070] The upper edge of the light distribution pattern P1 is the cut-off line C1, which is formed by the cut-off line forming portion 19 of the light shielding plate 12. At this time, part of the light emitted from the light source 11 is controlled (shielded) by the dimming portion 14a and the cut-off line forming portion 19, thereby forming a low brightness portion D1 ( Figure 5 The part shown by the dotted line).

[0071] The low brightness portion D1 is a portion of the light distribution pattern P1 having a brightness lower than other portions of the light distribution pattern P1. By forming the low brightness portion D1 in the light distribution pattern P1, it is possible to suppress the generation of disturbing light (glare) for passengers of a preceding vehicle or an oncoming vehicle.

[0072] In addition, part of the light emitted from the light source 11 and reflected by the reflector 10 is reflected by the reflection surface 16a of the functional surface portion 16 formed on the shading plate 12, and is irradiated forward through the projection lens 8 and the cover 3. Therefore, in addition to the light that is not shielded by the shading plate 12, the light reflected by the reflection surface 16a of the functional surface portion 16 of the light emitted from the light source 11 is also used as a part of the light forming the light distribution pattern P1.

[0073] Thus, in the vehicle headlamp 1 , at least a portion of the functional surface portion 16 of the visor 12 is formed as a reflecting surface 16 a that reflects light emitted from the light source 11 , and the light reflected by the reflecting surface 16 a is used as a portion of light forming the light distribution pattern P1 .

[0074] Therefore, since at least a part of the functional surface portion 16 serves as the reflecting surface 16 a that reflects the light that forms the light distribution pattern P1 , it is possible to improve the utilization efficiency of the light emitted from the light source 11 .

[0075] As described above, in the vehicle headlamp 1, a predetermined edge of the sunshade 12 is a cutoff line forming portion 19 that forms a cutoff line C1 of the light distribution pattern P1, and the sunshade 12 is provided with a dimming portion 14a located behind the cutoff line forming portion 19. The cutoff line forming portion 19 and the dimming portion 14a form a low brightness portion D1 having a brightness lower than that of other portions of the light distribution pattern P1 in a portion of the light distribution pattern P1, and at least the functional surface portion 16 is inclined rearward and downward.

[0076] Therefore, the flat functional surface portion 16 having the cut-off line forming portion 19 is inclined downward and rearward, thereby forming the cut-off line C1 of the light distribution pattern P1 by the cut-off line forming portion 19, and forming the low brightness portion D1 by the cut-off line forming portion 19 and the dimming portion 14a. Therefore, when manufacturing the sunshade 12, a bending process for forming the cut-off line forming portion 19 is not required, and a high position accuracy of the cut-off line forming portion 19 relative to the entire sunshade 12 can be ensured, and the manufacturing cost of the vehicle headlamp 1 can be reduced.

[0077] In particular, the cut-off line forming portion 19 can be formed by punching a metal material without bending, so that the vehicle headlamp 1 can be easily manufactured while ensuring high positional accuracy of the cut-off line forming portion 19 .

[0078] The light shielding plate 12 is provided with a dimming portion 14 a located behind the cutoff line forming portion 19 and forming a low brightness portion D1 having a brightness lower than that of other portions of the light distribution pattern P1 in a portion of the light distribution pattern P1 . The dimming portion 14 a is formed in a flat plate shape.

[0079] Therefore, since the low brightness portion D1 is formed in the light distribution pattern P1 by the flat-plate-shaped dimming portion 14 a , the portion forming the low brightness portion D1 has a simple structure, and an appropriate light distribution pattern P1 can be formed while reducing the manufacturing cost.

[0080] The light shielding plate 12 is composed of a base member 13 having a functional surface portion 16 and a plate-like member 14 having a light reducing portion 14 a and attached to the base member 13 .

[0081] Therefore, since the light shielding plate 12 is composed of two members, namely the base member 13 and the plate-shaped member 14 , it is possible to simplify the structure while ensuring high functionality of the light shielding plate 12 .

[0082] The base member 13 is provided with a base surface portion 15 that is bent relative to the functional surface portion 16 , and the plate-like member 14 is attached to the base surface portion 15 .

[0083] Therefore, since the plate-like member 14 having the dimming portion 14 a is mounted on the base surface portion 15 which is integrally formed with the functional surface portion 16 having the cutoff line forming portion 19 and is continuously provided with the functional surface portion 16 , the positional accuracy of the cutoff line forming portion 19 and the plate-like member 14 can be improved.

[0084] (Vehicle Headlamp of Second Embodiment)

[0085] Next, a vehicle headlamp 51 according to a second embodiment will be described (see Figures 6 to 12 ).

[0086] In addition, the vehicle headlamp 51 shown below is different from the vehicle headlamp 1 described above only in that a sunshade 52 is used instead of the sunshade 12. Therefore, only the parts different from the vehicle headlamp 1 will be described in detail, and the other parts are denoted by the same reference numerals as those denoted by the same reference numerals as those denoted by the same parts in the vehicle headlamp 1, and the description thereof will be omitted.

[0087] The shading plate 52 is, for example, a fixed shading plate, and is mounted on a part of the lamp unit 6, for example, a mounting member such as a bracket (not shown) (see Figure 6 ). However, the shading plate 52 may also be provided as a movable shading plate.

[0088] Each part of the light shielding plate 52 is formed integrally from a metal material (see Figures 7 to 9 The light shielding plate 52 includes a functional surface portion 53 , inclined surface portions 54 , 54 , end surface portions 55 , 55 , side surface portions 56 , 56 , mounted surface portions 57 , 57 , a connecting portion 58 , and a light reduction portion 59 .

[0089] The functional surface 53 is formed into a folded shape at the lower end portion, and has a first portion 60 formed into a generally rectangular flat plate that is longer in the horizontal direction and generally in the front-to-back direction, and a second portion 61 formed into a generally rectangular flat plate that is longer in the vertical direction and generally in the front-to-back direction, and the folded portion is provided as a folding portion 62.

[0090] The first portion 60 is slightly inclined forward and downward relative to the vertical direction, and its upper edge forms a cut-off line forming portion 63 that forms a cut-off line of the light distribution pattern. A step portion 63a is formed in the left-right central portion of the cut-off line forming portion 63 for forming the left-right central portion of the cut-off line.

[0091] The second portion 61 is continuous with the center portion of the first portion 60 in the left-right direction via the folded portion 62, and has a width smaller than that of the first portion 60. The second portion 61 is located on the rear side of the first portion 60, and the front surface of the second portion 61 is in contact with the rear surface of the first portion 60. Therefore, the second portion 61 is also slightly inclined forward and downward relative to the vertical direction, similarly to the first portion 60.

[0092] The inclined surface parts 54, 54 are bent forward from the left and right side edges of the functional surface part 53, and are inclined so as to move forward as they are separated from the functional surface part 53 in the side. The end surface parts 55, 55 are bent backward from the side outer side edges of the inclined surface parts 54, 54, and are located in a state facing the substantially front-back direction. The side surface parts 56, 56 are bent forward from the side outer side edges of the end surface parts 55, 55, and are located in a state facing the substantially left-right direction. The mounted surface parts 57, 57 are bent from the front edges of the side surface parts 56, 56 in a direction to approach each other in the side.

[0093] The connecting portion 58 is bent rearward from a part of one side edge of the second portion 61 , and is positioned so as to protrude rearward from the second portion 61 and face substantially in the left-right direction.

[0094] The dimming portion 59 is bent sideways from a portion of the upper edge of the connecting portion 58 , and its thickness direction is substantially in the vertical direction, and it is inclined slightly forward and upward.

[0095] The dimming portion 59 is located at the rear side of the cut-off line forming portion 63, and the lower surface 59a is located above the upper end 63b of the cut-off line forming portion 63 (see FIG. Fig. 9 and Fig.10 ). The lower surface 59a of the dimming portion 59 is located above the upper end 63b of the cut-off line forming portion 63, and a gap A is formed between the lower surface 59a and the upper end 63b. In addition, the dimming portion 59 is located at the rear side of the cut-off line forming portion 63, and a gap B is formed between the front end 59b and the upper end 63b. In addition, the dimming portion 59 may be configured so that at least a portion of the lower surface 59a is located above the upper end 63b of the cut-off line forming portion 63.

[0096] The mounted surface portions 57 , 57 of the light shielding plate 52 are mounted on a mounting member such as a bracket.

[0097] In the vehicle headlamp 51 configured as described above, when light is emitted from the light source 11, the emitted light is reflected by the reflecting surface 10a of the reflector 10 toward the projection lens 8, and is formed into substantially parallel light by the projection lens 8, and is irradiated forward through the cover 3. At this time, a part of the light reflected by the reflecting surface 10a of the reflector 10 is shielded by the light shielding plate 52, thereby forming a light distribution pattern P2 (see FIG. Fig.11 ). Fig.11 A horizontal line H and a vertical line V are shown.

[0098] The upper edge of the light distribution pattern P2 is the cut-off line C2, which is formed by the cut-off line forming portion 63 of the light shielding plate 52. At this time, part of the light emitted from the light source 11 is controlled (shielded) by the dimming portion 59, so that a low brightness portion D2 ( Fig.11 The part shown by the dotted line).

[0099] The low brightness portion D2 is a portion of the light distribution pattern P2 with a brightness lower than that of other portions of the light distribution pattern P2. By forming the low brightness portion D2 in the light distribution pattern P2, it is possible to suppress generation of disturbing light (glare) for passengers of preceding vehicles and oncoming vehicles.

[0100] However, in the vehicle headlamp described in Patent Document 1, a low brightness portion whose brightness is lower than other portions of the light distribution pattern is sometimes formed in the light distribution pattern. In this case, the low brightness portion is formed by controlling the light emitted from the light source by a dimming portion provided on the shading plate. By forming the low brightness portion in the light distribution pattern, it is possible to suppress the generation of disturbing light (glare) to passengers of the preceding vehicle or the oncoming vehicle.

[0101] In Patent Document 1, a rear extension portion (123b) located behind a front extension portion (123a) forming a light-dark cutoff line is provided as a dimming portion forming a low brightness portion, and the rear extension portion is provided as an upper end portion of an extension portion (121a1) in close contact with the rear surface of a rear wall (121a) (see Patent Document 1). Figure 6 ).

[0102] However, in the structure described in Patent Document 1, the front extension portion forming the light-dark cutoff line of the light distribution pattern and the rear extension portion forming the low-brightness portion of the light distribution pattern overlap in the front and rear directions in the front view. Therefore, in the light distribution pattern, the brightness of the portion that does not need to be dimmed is also reduced, and the brightness of the surrounding portion of the portion that originally forms the low-brightness portion is also reduced, which may reduce the visibility of the vehicle driver.

[0103] Therefore, as described above, in the vehicle headlamp 51, a predetermined edge of the visor 52 is a cut-off line forming portion 63 that forms a cut-off line C2 of the light distribution pattern P2, and the visor 52 is provided with a dimming portion 59 that forms a low brightness portion D2 having a brightness lower than that of other portions of the light distribution pattern P2 in a portion of the light distribution pattern P2, and a lower surface 59a of the dimming portion 59 is located above the upper end 63b of the cut-off line forming portion 63.

[0104] Therefore, the dimming portion 59 is located above the cut-off line forming portion 63 with a predetermined gap A therebetween. Therefore, the brightness of the surrounding portion of the area formed as the low brightness portion D2 in the light distribution pattern P2 is not reduced, and only the brightness of the necessary area in the light distribution pattern P2 is reduced. This can improve the visibility of the vehicle driver while suppressing the generation of interfering light.

[0105] Specifically, if Fig.11 As shown in FIG. 1 , in the case of a conventional vehicle headlamp in which the dimming portion is not located above the cut-off line forming portion with a gap therebetween but the dimming portion and the cut-off line forming portion overlap each other in the front and rear direction when viewed from the front, the brightness of the portion E surrounded by the one-dot chain line is lower than that of other portions, and the brightness of the portion that does not need dimming in the light distribution pattern P2 is also reduced. Fig.12 As shown, in the illumination pattern Q of the vehicle 100 on the road surface, an area G not illuminated by light indicated by oblique lines is formed, resulting in reduced visibility for the driver of the vehicle 100. Fig.12 The forward direction F and the left-right direction LR, which are the traveling directions of the vehicle 100, are shown.

[0106] On the other hand, Fig.11 As shown in FIG. 1 , in the case of the vehicle headlamp 51 in which the dimming portion 59 is located above the cut-off line forming portion 63 with the gap A therebetween, the brightness of the low brightness portion D2 surrounded only by the dotted line is lower than that of other portions, and in the light distribution pattern P2, only the brightness of the portion that originally needs dimming is reduced. Fig.12 As shown, a portion surrounded by a solid line except Da corresponding to the low brightness portion D2 forms an illumination pattern Q of the vehicle 100 on the road surface, thereby improving visibility for the driver of the vehicle 100 .

[0107] In addition, in the vehicle headlamp 51, the portion of the visor 52 including the cut-off line forming portion 63 is provided as a flat functional surface 53, and a connecting portion 58 is provided on the visor 52 at one end which is continuous with the functional surface 53, and a dimming portion 59 is continuously provided at the other end of the connecting portion 58, and the connecting portion 58 is formed in a shape protruding from the functional surface 53.

[0108] Therefore, the position of the dimming portion 59 relative to the cut-off line forming portion 63 is determined based on the protrusion amount and protrusion direction of the connecting portion 58 relative to the functional surface portion 53 having the cut-off line forming portion 63. Therefore, it is easy to set the appropriate position of the dimming portion 59 relative to the cut-off line forming portion 63, and it is easy to form the low brightness portion D2 of a necessary size within the specified range of the light distribution pattern P2.

[0109] Furthermore, the light reduction portion 59 is formed by bending the connecting portion 58 .

[0110] Therefore, the orientation of the dimming portion 59 relative to the cutoff line forming portion 63 is determined according to the bending angle of the dimming portion 59 relative to the connecting portion 58. Therefore, it is easy to set the appropriate orientation of the dimming portion 59 relative to the cutoff line forming portion 63, and it is easy to form the low brightness portion D2 of a necessary size within the specified range of the light distribution pattern P2.

[0111] In addition, the functional surface 53 is formed in a folded shape, and the parts on both sides of the folded portion 62 in the functional surface 53 are respectively provided as a first part 60 and a second part 61, the first part 60 and the second part 61 are connected in the thickness direction, a light-dark cutoff line forming part 63 is formed in the first part 60, and the connecting part 58 protrudes from the second part 61.

[0112] Therefore, since the first portion 60 having the cut-off line forming portion 63 and the second portion 61 protruding from the connecting portion 58 are in contact with each other in the thickness direction, the positional accuracy of the connecting portion 58 relative to the cut-off line forming portion 63 is improved, and the high positional accuracy of the dimming portion 59 continuous with the connecting portion 58 relative to the cut-off line forming portion 63 can be ensured.

[0113] In addition, since the shading plate 52 is formed as a whole, especially the functional surface 53, the connecting portion 58 and the light-reducing portion 59 are formed as a whole, the functional surface 53, the connecting portion 58 and the light-reducing portion 59 are formed by one component, the number of components of the shading plate 52 can be reduced.

[0114] Explanation of symbols

[0115] 1…vehicle headlamp, 11…light source, 12…shading plate, 13…base member, 14…plate member, 14a…light reduction portion, 15…base portion, 16…functional portion, 16a…reflecting surface, 19…cut-off line forming portion, P1…light distribution pattern, C1…cut-off line, D1…low brightness portion, 51…vehicle headlamp, 52…shading plate, 53…functional portion, 58…connecting portion, 59…light reduction portion, 59a…lower surface, 60…first portion, 61…second portion, 62…folded portion, 63…cut-off line forming portion, 63b…upper end, P2…light distribution pattern, C2…cut-off line, D2…low brightness portion

Claims

1. A vehicle headlamp, characterized in that: A shading plate is provided, the shading plate shielding a part of the light emitted from the light source, A predetermined edge of the light shielding plate is a cut-off line forming portion, and the cut-off line forming portion forms a cut-off line of the light distribution pattern. The shading plate is provided with a light reduction portion, which is located behind the cut-off line forming portion. The cut-off line forming portion and the dimming portion form a low brightness portion having a brightness lower than that of other portions of the light distribution pattern in a portion of the light distribution pattern where the cut-off line is formed. The portion of the shading plate including the cut-off line forming portion is provided as a flat functional surface portion. The front edge of the flat functional surface portion is formed as the cut-off line forming portion by punching a metal material. At least the functional face portion is inclined backward and downward.

2. The vehicle headlamp according to claim 1, characterized in that: The light reduction portion is formed in a flat plate shape.

3. The vehicle headlamp according to claim 2, characterized in that: The light shielding plate is composed of a base member having the functional surface portion and a plate-shaped member having the light reducing portion and attached to the base member.

4. The vehicle headlamp according to claim 3, characterized in that: The base member is provided with a base surface portion bent relative to the functional surface portion. The plate-shaped member is attached to the base surface portion.

5. The vehicle headlamp according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that: At least a portion of the functional surface portion is formed as a reflective surface that reflects light emitted from the light source. The light reflected by the reflecting surface is used as a part of the light forming the light distribution pattern.

6. A vehicle headlamp, characterized in that: A shading plate is provided, the shading plate shielding a part of the light emitted from the light source, A predetermined edge of the light shielding plate is a cut-off line forming portion, and the cut-off line forming portion forms a cut-off line of the light distribution pattern. The light shielding plate is provided with a dimming portion, the dimming portion forming a low brightness portion having a brightness lower than that of other portions of the light distribution pattern in a portion of the light distribution pattern, The lower surface of the light reduction portion is located above the upper end of the cut-off line forming portion.

7. The vehicle headlamp according to claim 6, characterized in that: The portion of the shading plate including the cut-off line forming portion is provided as a flat functional surface portion. The shading plate is provided with a connecting portion whose one end is continuous with the functional surface portion. The dimming portion is continuously arranged at the other end of the connecting portion, The connection portion is formed in a shape protruding from the functional surface portion.

8. The vehicle headlamp according to claim 7, characterized in that: The light reduction portion is formed by bending with respect to the connection portion.

9. The vehicle headlamp according to claim 7, characterized in that: The functional surface is formed in a folded shape, The parts on both sides of the folded portion of the functional surface are respectively provided as the first part and the second part. The first portion and the second portion are connected in a thickness direction, The cut-off line forming portion is formed in the first portion, The coupling portion protrudes from the second portion.

10. The vehicle headlamp according to any one of claims 7 to 9, characterized in that: The functional surface portion, the connecting portion, and the light reduction portion are formed as one body.

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