Vehicle headlamp

Abstract

A vehicle headlamp capable of suppressing an increase in the number of components is provided. The vehicle headlamp includes: a first light source that emits first light toward the front; a second light source that is disposed above the first light source and emits second light toward the front; a first reflection surface that is disposed in front of the first light source and reflects the first light upward; a second reflection surface that is disposed above the second light source and reflects the first light that has reached from the first light source via the first reflection surface toward the front; a third reflection surface that is disposed above the second light source and below the second reflection surface in a state of extending in the front-rear direction, is connected to the second reflection surface at a shared edge portion between the second reflection surface and the third reflection surface, and reflects the second light from the second light source toward the front; and a projection lens that is disposed in front of the first reflection surface, the second reflection surface, and the third reflection surface, and irradiates the first light and the second light toward the front, the first light source and the second light source being disposed on the same plane.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a headlight for vehicles. Background Technology

[0002] As a vehicle headlight, it is known, for example, that a structure is provided in one unit for forming a first light source for forming a low beam pattern in front of the vehicle and a second light source for forming a high beam pattern for illuminating distant objects (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

[0003] Existing technical documents

[0004] Patent documents

[0005] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2018-98105 Summary of the Invention

[0006] The problem that the invention aims to solve

[0007] Patent Document 1 describes a vehicle headlight with a structure in which a first light source and a second light source are arranged on different surfaces. In this structure, mounting base plates need to be formed separately for the first and second light sources, thus increasing the number of components.

[0008] The present invention was made in view of the above circumstances, and its object is to provide a vehicle headlight capable of suppressing the increase in the number of components.

[0009] Solution for solving the problem

[0010] The vehicle headlight of the present invention comprises: a first light source that emits first light forward; a second light source disposed above the first light source and emitting second light forward; a first reflective surface disposed in front of the first light source and reflecting the first light upward; a second reflective surface disposed above the second light source and reflecting the first light arriving from the first light source via the first reflective surface forward; a third reflective surface disposed above the second light source and below the second reflective surface in a longitudinal direction, connected to the second reflective surface at a shared edge, and reflecting the second light from the second light source forward; and a projection lens disposed in front of the first reflective surface, the second reflective surface, and the third reflective surface, and irradiating the first light and the second light forward, wherein the first light source and the second light source are disposed on the same plane.

[0011] In the aforementioned vehicle headlight, the edge is preferably positioned near the focal point of the projection lens, the second light source is positioned below the optical axis of the projection lens and behind the focal point of the projection lens, and the first light source and the second light source are respectively positioned obliquely upward with their emission axes facing forward.

[0012] In the aforementioned vehicle headlight, it is preferable to further include a substrate having a planar mounting surface for mounting the first light source and the second light source, and the substrate being arranged obliquely upward with the normal of the mounting surface facing forward.

[0013] In the aforementioned vehicle headlights, it is preferable that the first reflective surface, the second reflective surface, and the third reflective surface are formed on the surface of a single component.

[0014] In the aforementioned vehicle headlights, it is preferable that the first light is light used to form a low beam pattern in front of the vehicle, the second light is light used to form a high beam pattern in front of the vehicle, and the edge portion has a cutoff forming portion for forming a cutoff line in the low beam pattern.

[0015] The effects of the invention are as follows.

[0016] According to the present invention, a vehicle headlight capable of suppressing the increase in the number of components can be provided. Attached Figure Description

[0017] Figure 1 This is a front view showing an example of a vehicle headlight according to this embodiment.

[0018] Figure 2 yes Figure 1 AA-direction sectional view.

[0019] Figure 3 It is shown in magnification Figure 2 A diagram of the main parts of the image.

[0020] Figure 4 This is a diagram illustrating an example of the operation of a vehicle's headlights.

[0021] Figure 5 This is an example of a light distribution pattern illuminating an imaginary screen in front of a vehicle. Detailed Implementation

[0022] Hereinafter, embodiments of the vehicle headlight of the present invention will be described based on the accompanying drawings. However, the present invention is not limited to these embodiments. Furthermore, the constituent elements in the following embodiments include those that can be easily substituted or are substantially the same as those skilled in the art.

[0023] Figure 1 and Figure 2 This is a diagram showing an example of a vehicle headlight 100 according to this embodiment. Figure 1 This is a front view showing an example of a vehicle headlight 100. Figure 2 yes Figure 1 The AA-direction sectional view in the diagram. (Example) Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, the vehicle headlight 100 includes a light source 10, a reflector 20, a projection lens 30, and a holding part 40.

[0024] The light source unit 10 includes a first light source 11, a second light source 12, and a substrate 13. The first light source 11 emits, for example, a first light L1 for forming a low beam pattern in front of the vehicle. The second light source 12 emits, for example, a second light L2 for forming a high beam pattern in front of the vehicle.

[0025] The first light source 11 and the second light source 12 are, for example, semiconductor light sources such as LEDs. Multiple first light sources 11 and multiple second light sources 12 are provided and arranged in a left-right direction. One first light source 11 is located in the center of the left-right direction, and one is located on each side of the left-right direction, for a total of three. The number of first light sources 11 is not limited to three; it can be two or fewer, or four or more. Multiple second light sources 12 are arranged with a narrower left-right spacing compared to the first light sources 11. The second light sources 12 can also, for example, have their illumination states controlled independently. The first light source 11 is positioned below the second light source 12. In other words, the second light source 12 is positioned above the first light source 11. Thus, the first light source 11 and the second light source 12 are arranged vertically.

[0026] The first light source 11 and the second light source 12 are mounted on the mounting surface 13a of the substrate 13. In this embodiment, the first light source 11 and the second light source 12 are mounted on a single substrate 13. Therefore, it is not necessary to form each substrate according to the light source, and the number of components can be reduced. The mounting surface 13a is planar. The substrate 13 is disposed on the substrate support surface 41 of the holding portion 40 described below (see reference). Figure 2 The substrate 13 is disposed along the substrate support surface 41. The substrate 13 is disposed with the mounting surface 13a facing forward and obliquely upward. The first light source 11 and the second light source 12 are disposed with the light-emitting surfaces 11a and 12a facing forward, and more specifically, with the light-emitting surfaces facing forward and obliquely upward. Therefore, the first light source 11 and the second light source 12 are configured such that the emission axes of the first light L1 and the second light L2 respectively face forward and obliquely upward.

[0027] The reflector 20 reflects the first light L1 from the first light source 11 and the second light L2 from the second light source 12 toward the projection lens 30. For example... Figure 1As shown, the reflector 20 is a single component and is fixed to the holding part 40. By making the reflector 20 a single component, the positions of the first reflecting surface 21, the second reflecting surface 22, and the third reflecting surface 23 described below can be defined with high precision.

[0028] Figure 3 It is shown in magnification Figure 2 A diagram of the main parts of the image. (See image for example.) Figure 2 and Figure 3 As shown, the reflector 20 has a first reflecting surface 21, a second reflecting surface 22, and a third reflecting surface 23.

[0029] A first reflective surface 21 is disposed in front of the first light source 11. The first reflective surface 21 reflects the first light upwards. The first reflective surface 21 extends forward from the substrate 13 and has a shape that curves upwards in a forward-convex manner. The first reflective surface 21 is, for example, composed of an ellipse or a free-form surface based on a parabola. Figure 1 As shown, the first reflective surface 21 is arranged corresponding to the positions of each of the first light sources 11. In this embodiment, one first reflective surface 21 is arranged in the center in the left-right direction, and one is arranged on each of the left and right sides in the left-right direction. Furthermore, the first reflective surface 21 is not limited to a structure in which it is arranged corresponding to the positions of each of the first light sources 11.

[0030] The second reflecting surface 22 is disposed above the second light source 12. It reflects the first light arriving from the first light source 11 via the first reflecting surface 21 forward. The second reflecting surface 22 has a curved shape that convexes upward. The second reflecting surface 22 is, for example, composed of an ellipse, a parabola, or a freeform surface based on a plane. The curvature of the second reflecting surface 22 may be the same as or different from that of the first reflecting surface 21.

[0031] The second reflecting surface 22 has a rim 24 formed at its rear end. The rim 24 is shared between the second reflecting surface 22 and the third reflecting surface 23 described below. Figure 1 As shown, the edge portion 24 has a first straight portion 24a, an inclined portion 24b, and a second straight portion 24c. The first straight portion 24a and the second straight portion 24c are horizontal cutoff lines CLa and CLac for forming a near-beam pattern (see reference). Figure 5 The inclined portion 24b is the inclined cutoff line CLb used to form the near-beam pattern (see reference). Figure 5 The edge portion 24 is positioned at or near the focal point F of the projection lens 30 described below. Furthermore, the first straight portion 24a and the second straight portion 24c may also have a shape that curves along the image plane of the projection lens 30.

[0032] The third reflective surface 23 is disposed above the second light source 12 and below the second reflective surface 22. The third reflective surface 23 is disposed downwards. The third reflective surface 23 reflects forward a portion of the second light emitted from the second light source 12, such as the upward component of the second light from the second light source 12. The third reflective surface 23 shares an edge 24 with the second reflective surface 22, and is connected to the second reflective surface 22 at this edge 24. The third reflective surface 23 is arranged to extend rearwards from the edge 24 towards the substrate 13 in a front-rear direction. The third reflective surface 23 is disposed close to the second light source 12.

[0033] A projection lens 30 is disposed in front of the reflector 20. The projection lens 30 has an incident surface 31 and an exit surface 32. The incident surface 31 receives first light L1 and second light L2 from the reflector 20. The exit surface 32 emits the first light L1 and second light L2 incident on the incident surface 31 to the front of the vehicle, forming a near beam pattern and a far beam pattern. The projection lens 30 may also have a light diffuser (not shown) on at least one of the incident surface 31 and the exit surface 32. This light diffuser diffuses the light incident on the incident surface 31 and the light emitted from the exit surface 32 in a left-right or up-down direction.

[0034] The holding part 40 has a substrate support surface 41 for supporting the substrate 13 at its front. The substrate support surface 41 is, for example, planar and arranged in a forward-facing and upward orientation. The holding part 40 releases heat generated by the first light source 11 and the second light source 12. The holding part 40 may also have heat dissipation parts such as fins (not shown) at its rear, upper, or lower parts.

[0035] Next, the operation of the vehicle headlight 100 configured as described above will be explained. Figure 4 This diagram illustrates an example of the operation of a vehicle headlight 100. By illuminating the first light source 11 of the vehicle headlight 100, a first light L1 is emitted from the light-emitting surface 11a. (As shown...) Figure 4 As shown, the first light L1 is reflected upward by the first reflecting surface 21 and forward by the second reflecting surface 22, and then reaches the projection lens 30. The first light L1 that reaches the projection lens 30 is then directed forward by the projection lens 30 towards the front of the vehicle.

[0036] Figure 5 This is an example diagram showing a light distribution pattern PF projected onto an imaginary screen in front of a vehicle, showing a pattern corresponding to a vehicle traveling on the left. Figure 5 In the diagram, the VV line represents the vertical line of the screen, and the HH line represents the horizontal line. Furthermore, the intersection of the vertical and horizontal lines serves as the horizontal reference point.

[0037] like Figure 5As shown, a near beam pattern P1 is formed in front of the vehicle using a first light L1 emitted from the projection lens 30. A cutoff line CL is formed using the light passing through the edge 24 in the first light L1. The cutoff line CL includes horizontal cutoff lines CLa and CLc, and an inclined cutoff line CLb.

[0038] Additionally, by illuminating the second light source 12 of the vehicle's headlight 100, a second light L2 is emitted from the light-emitting surface 12a. For example... Figure 3 As shown, a portion of the second light L2 emitted forward (hereinafter referred to as second light L2a) passes below the third reflecting surface 23 and reaches the projection lens 30. In this case, a portion of the second light L2a passes near the edge 24, which is the leading edge of the third reflecting surface 23, and reaches the projection lens 30. Additionally, a portion of the second light L2 emitted upward (hereinafter referred to as second light L2b) is reflected forward by the third reflecting surface 23 and reaches the projection lens 30. Furthermore, a portion of the second light L2 emitted downward (hereinafter referred to as second light L2c) passes above the first reflecting surface 21 and reaches the projection lens 30.

[0039] The second rays L2a, L2b, and L2c that reach the projection lens 30 are projected from the projection lens 30 toward the front of the vehicle, such as... Figure 5 A distant beam pattern P2 is formed as shown. Furthermore, a second light L2c that reaches the lower side of the projection lens 30 illuminates the upper part of the distant beam pattern P2.

[0040] In this embodiment, the first light source 11 and the second light source 12 are configured such that the emission axes of the first light L1 and the second light L2 are directed forward and obliquely upward. Therefore, the first light source 11 can be configured such that the first light L1 passes through the edge 24 of the second reflecting surface 22, and the second light source 12 can be configured such that the emission axis of the second light L2 is directed towards the vicinity of the edge 24. With this structure, a portion of the second light L2a passes near the edge 24 and reaches the projection lens 30. Therefore, the lower portion of the far beam pattern P2 is formed near the horizontal cutoff line CLc of the near beam pattern P1. As a result, it is possible to suppress the formation of the far beam pattern P2 in a state of upward separation relative to the near beam pattern P1. Furthermore, the near beam pattern P1 and the far beam pattern P2 can be illuminated in a manner of partial overlap, thereby increasing the height of the central portion.

[0041] As described above, the vehicle headlight 100 of this embodiment includes: a first light source 11 that emits a first light L1 forward; a second light source 12 that is disposed above the first light source 11 and emits a second light L2 forward; a first reflective surface 21 that is disposed in front of the first light source 11 and reflects the first light L1 upward; a second reflective surface 22 that is disposed above the second light source 12 and reflects the first light L1 that arrives from the first light source 11 via the first reflective surface 21 forward; and a third reflective surface 23 that is disposed extending in the longitudinal direction. Above the second light source 12 and below the second reflective surface 22, the first light source 11 is connected to the second reflective surface 22 at the edge 24 in such a way that it shares an edge 24 with the second reflective surface 22, and reflects the second light L2 from the second light source 12 forward; and the projection lens 30 is disposed in front of the first reflective surface 21, the second reflective surface 22 and the third reflective surface 23, and illuminates the first light L1 and the second light L2 forward. The first light source 11 and the second light source 12 are disposed on the same plane, and the second light source 12 is disposed below the optical axis AX of the projection lens 30.

[0042] According to this structure, since the first light source 11 and the second light source 12 are arranged on the same plane, they can be mounted on a single substrate 13. Therefore, it is not necessary to form individual substrates according to the light sources. As a result, the increase in the number of components can be suppressed. In addition, since the second light L2 from the second light source 12 is reflected forward by the third reflecting surface 23, the loss of the second light L2 can be suppressed. Furthermore, by arranging the first light source 11 and the second light source 12 in the vertical direction and facing forward, the front-to-back dimension can be reduced compared to a structure in which the first light source 11 and the second light source 12 are oriented vertically.

[0043] In the vehicle headlight 100 of this embodiment, the edge portion 24 is positioned near the focal point of the projection lens 30, and the second light source 12 is positioned below the optical axis AX of the projection lens 30 and behind the focal point F of the projection lens 30. The first light source 11 and the second light source 12 are respectively positioned with the emission axes of the first light L1 and the second light L2 pointing forward and obliquely upward. With this structure, the first light source 11 can be positioned such that the first light L1 passes through the edge portion 24 of the second reflective surface 22, and the second light source 12 can be positioned such that the emission axis of the second light L2 is near the edge portion 24. Thus, a portion of the second light L2 passes near the edge portion 24 and reaches the projection lens 30, thereby enabling the pattern of the second light L2 to be formed near and above the pattern of the first light L1.

[0044] The vehicle headlight 100 of this embodiment also includes a substrate 13, which has a planar mounting surface 13a for mounting a first light source 11 and a second light source 12. The substrate 13 is arranged obliquely upward with the normal of the mounting surface 13a facing forward. With this structure, the direction and position of the first light source 11 and the second light source 12 can be set with high precision.

[0045] In the vehicle headlight 100 of this embodiment, the first reflective surface 21, the second reflective surface 22, and the third reflective surface 23 are formed on the surface of a single component. In this structure, compared with a structure in which the first reflective surface 21, the second reflective surface 22, and the third reflective surface 23 are formed on different components, the relative positional relationships can be defined with high precision.

[0046] In the vehicle headlight 100 of this embodiment, the first light L1 is used to form a low beam pattern P1 in front of the vehicle, and the second light L2 is used to form a high beam pattern P2 in front of the vehicle. The edge portion 24 has cutoff forming portions (first straight portion 24a, inclined portion 24b, and second straight portion 24c) for forming a cutoff line CL in the low beam pattern P1. In this structure, the lower portion of the high beam pattern P2 is formed near the horizontal cutoff line CLc of the low beam pattern P1. As a result, it is possible to prevent the high beam pattern P2 from forming in a state that is separated upwards from the low beam pattern P1.

[0047] The scope of the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments, and appropriate modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. For example, in the above embodiments, a structure in which the first reflective surface 21, the second reflective surface 22, and the third reflective surface 23 are formed on the surface of a single component has been described as an example, but it is not limited thereto. The first reflective surface 21, the second reflective surface 22, and the third reflective surface 23 may also be formed on at least one different component.

[0048] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the example described is that the first light source 11 and the second light source 12 are respectively configured such that the emission axes of the first light L1 and the second light L2 are oriented diagonally upwards and forwards, but this is not a limitation. The first light source 11 and the second light source 12 may also be configured such that the emission axes of the first light L1 and the second light L2 are oriented along the horizontal plane in front or diagonally downwards and forwards.

[0049] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the example described is that the first light L1 is light used to form a low beam pattern P1 in front of the vehicle, and the second light L2 is light used to form a high beam pattern P2 in front of the vehicle, but this combination is not limited. For example, the second light L2 may also be an auxiliary pattern that illuminates upwards towards the horizontal line, such as an elevated pattern. In this case, the first light L1 may also be a high beam pattern P2.

[0050] Explanation of symbols

[0051] AX—Optical axis, CL—Cutoff line, CLa, CLc—Horizontal cutoff line, CLb—Oblique cutoff line, F—Focus point, L1—First beam, L2, L2a, L2b—Second beam, PF—Light distribution pattern, P1—Near beam pattern, P2—Far beam pattern, 10—Light source section, 11—First light source, 11a, 12a—Emitting surface, 12—Second light source, 13—Substrate, 13a—Mounting surface, 20—Reflector, 21—First reflecting surface, 22—Second reflecting surface, 23—Third reflecting surface, 24—Edge section, 24a—First straight section, 24b—Oblique section, 24c—Second straight section, 30—Projection lens, 31—Incident surface, 32—Exit surface, 40—Holding section, 41—Substrate support surface, 100—Vehicle headlight.

Claims

1. A vehicle headlight, characterized in that, have: The first light source emits the first light forward; The second light source is positioned above the first light source and emits a second light forward; A first reflective surface is disposed in front of the first light source and reflects the first light upward; The second reflective surface is disposed above the second light source and reflects the first light that arrives from the first light source via the first reflective surface forward; A third reflecting surface, extending in a front-rear direction, is positioned above and below the second light source, connected to the second reflecting surface at a shared edge, and reflects the second light from the second light source forward. A projection lens is positioned in front of the first reflective surface, the second reflective surface, and the third reflective surface, and projects the first light and the second light forward. The first light source and the second light source are arranged on the same plane. The third reflective surface is positioned in front of the second light source such that light emitted forward in the second light passes under the third reflective surface and light emitted upward in the second light is reflected forward by the third reflective surface.

2. The vehicle headlight according to claim 1, characterized in that, The aforementioned edge is positioned near the focal point of the aforementioned projection lens. The second light source is positioned below the optical axis of the projection lens and behind the focal point of the projection lens. The first light source and the second light source are respectively configured such that the emission axes of the first light and the second light are directed forward and obliquely upward.

3. The vehicle headlight according to claim 1, characterized in that, It also includes a substrate having a planar mounting surface for mounting the first light source and the second light source. The aforementioned substrate is arranged in a state where the normal of the aforementioned mounting surface faces forward and is obliquely upward.

4. The vehicle headlight according to claim 1, characterized in that, The aforementioned first reflective surface, the aforementioned second reflective surface, and the aforementioned third reflective surface are formed on the surface of a single component.

5. The vehicle headlight according to claim 1, characterized in that, The aforementioned first light is used to form a near-beam pattern in front of the vehicle. The second light mentioned above is used to form a high beam pattern in front of the vehicle. The aforementioned edge portion has a cutoff forming portion for forming a cutoff line in the aforementioned near beam pattern.

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