Vehicular headlight unit

Abstract

To provide a vehicular headlight that has a simple structure, and can effectively utilize light emitted by a light source.SOLUTION: A low beam unit 20 comprises a light source 21a, a reflector 24 for reflecting light of the light source 21a, and a projection lens 25 for projecting the light of the light source 21a frontward. The projection lens 25 on the side of the light source 21a comprises a first incidence surface 25a on which the light of the light source 21a reflected by the reflector 24 is incident, and a second incidence surface 25b on which the light of the light source 21a is directly incident.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a vehicle headlamp unit. [Background technology]

[0002] 2. Description of the Related Art A so-called projector type headlamp unit using a reflector and a projection lens is known as an automotive headlamp.

[0003] Patent Document 1 discloses a projector-type headlamp unit that projects a light source image formed on the rear focal plane of a projection lens forward in an inverted manner to irradiate a predetermined light distribution pattern. This light source image is formed by reflecting light emitted from the light source with a reflecting mirror. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2008-243432 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] However, in such a projector-type headlamp unit, a portion of the light emitted from the light source directly enters the projection lens, resulting in stray light.

[0006] The present disclosure has been made in consideration of the above circumstances, and aims to provide a headlamp unit that has a simple configuration and is capable of effectively utilizing light emitted from a light source. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] (Claim 1) The present disclosure is a vehicle headlamp unit comprising a light source, a reflector that reflects light from the light source, and a projection lens that receives the light from the light source and projects it forward as a predetermined light distribution pattern, wherein the incident surface of the projection lens on the light source side comprises a first incident surface and a second incident surface, and is configured so that light from the light source reflected by the reflector is incident on the first incident surface and so that light from the light source is directly incident on the second incident surface.

[0008] According to the present disclosure, the light from the light source is reflected by the reflector and enters the first entrance surface of the projection lens to form a desired light distribution pattern, and in addition, the light from the light source can be directly entered into the second entrance surface and used as light to form a desired light distribution pattern.

[0009] (Claim 2) A shade member may be further provided to block at least a portion of the light from the light source reflected by the reflector.

[0010] According to the present disclosure, by further providing a shade member, it is possible to form a light distribution pattern having a cutoff line.

[0011] (Claim 3) The lamp may further include a shade member that reflects at least a portion of the light from the light source reflected by the reflector, and the light from the light source reflected by the shade member may be configured to be incident on the first incident surface.

[0012] According to the present disclosure, a light distribution pattern having a cutoff line can be formed by the reflective surface provided on the shade member.

[0013] (Claim 4) The second entrance surface may protrude from the first entrance surface.

[0014] According to the present disclosure, light from the light source can be efficiently made incident on the second incident surface.

[0015] (Claim 5) The connection between the second entrance surface and the first entrance surface may be bent.

[0016] According to the present disclosure, by making the second incident surface an optical control surface different from the first incident surface, it is possible to more suitably control the light distribution.

[0017] (Claim 6) The light from the light source that enters the first incident surface is projected as a first light distribution pattern, and the light from the light source that enters the second incident surface is projected as a second light distribution pattern, and the second light distribution pattern may be irradiated above the first light distribution pattern.

[0018] According to the present disclosure, it is possible to effectively utilize light emitted from a light source with a simple configuration. [Effects of the Invention]

[0019] According to the present disclosure, it is possible to provide a headlamp unit that has a simple configuration and is capable of effectively utilizing light emitted from a light source. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0020] [Figure 1] 1 is a front view showing a vehicle according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 2] 1 is a front view showing a vehicle headlamp according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 3] 2 is a schematic diagram showing a cross section of the vehicle headlamp and low beam unit as seen from the side; FIG. [Figure 4] 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating the light path in the low beam unit. FIG. [Figure 5] FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing a light distribution pattern according to the embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 5 is a view similar to FIG. 4, showing a low beam unit according to a first modified example of the embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 5 is a view similar to FIG. 4, showing a low beam unit according to a second modified example of the embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0021] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. In each drawing, the directions of the components of a vehicle headlamp and the road as seen by a driver of a vehicle equipped with the vehicle headlamp are described as (upper: lower: left: right: front: rear = U: D: L: R: F: B).

[0022] Fig. 1 is a front view showing an outline of a vehicle 1 according to an embodiment. Fig. 2 is a front view showing an outline of a vehicle headlamp 10 according to an embodiment. Fig. 3 is a side cross-sectional view showing an outline of the vehicle headlamp 10. Fig. 4 is a side cross-sectional view showing an outline of a low beam unit 20.

[0023] A vehicle headlamp 10 and a fog lamp 42 are attached to the front of the vehicle 1.

[0024] The vehicle headlamp 10 has a lamp housing 11 with an opening on one side, and an outer cover 12 attached to the opening to form a lamp chamber 13. The lamp housing 11 is made of a light-blocking material. The outer cover 12 is made of a light-transmitting material, such as polycarbonate resin (PC), acrylic resin (PMMA), or glass. A portion of the outer cover 12 may be painted. The outer cover 12 may also be two-color molded or multi-color molded, combining a light-transmitting material with a non-light-transmitting material.

[0025] A low beam unit 20 and a high beam unit 30 are housed inside the lamp chamber 13. Specifically, the low beam unit 20 is disposed near the outer side of the vehicle headlamp 10, which is attached to the left side of the vehicle 1 when viewed from the front. The high beam unit 30 is disposed to the side of the low beam unit 20. In addition, a turn signal lamp unit 40 and a side light unit 41 may also be housed inside the lamp chamber 13. The arrangement of each unit may also be changed as appropriate.

[0026] The low beam unit 20 is composed of a low beam light source package 21, a heat sink 22, a shade 23, a reflector 24, a projection lens 25, and a lens holder 26. Specifically, the low beam light source package 21, the shade 23, and the reflector 24 are mounted on the upper surface of the heat sink 22. The lens holder 26 is attached to the front surface of the heat sink 22, and the projection lens 25 is attached to the front surface of the lens holder 26. The lens holder 26 and the projection lens 25 are fixed together by, for example, welding with a laser or the like, screw fastening, tab fitting, or by a pressing part (not shown).

[0027] The low beam light source package 21 has a light source 21a mounted on a substrate. The light source 21a may be a light emitting element such as a light emitting diode (LED), a laser diode, or an organic EL. The light source 21a is configured to receive power from a light source lighting control device 53 by means not shown.

[0028] The reflector 24 is made of a resin material, such as polycarbonate resin (PC), acrylic resin (PMMA), or unsaturated polyester resin (BMC). The reflector 24 has a main reflecting surface 24a and a sub-reflecting surface 24b. These reflecting surfaces are surface-treated with aluminum or the like to reflect the light from the light source 21a.

[0029] The reflector 24 may be made of a metal material such as aluminum, stainless steel, etc. In this case, it is desirable that the main reflecting surface 24a and the sub-reflecting surface 24b are subjected to a mirror finish such as metal deposition or polishing.

[0030] The projection lens 25 is made of a light-transmitting resin material, such as polycarbonate resin (PC) or acrylic resin (PMMA).

[0031] The projection lens 25 is divided into a first incident surface 25a and a second incident surface 25b. The second incident surface 25b is attached above the first incident surface 25a. The second incident surface 25b protrudes toward the light source 21a with respect to the first incident surface 25a. Note that this protrusion means that at least a portion of the second incident surface 25b is located outside the projection lens with respect to the first incident surface, and the position, shape, and amount of the protrusion are not limited.

[0032] The second incident surface 25b shown in this embodiment is configured as a surface that is tilted backward with respect to the first incident surface 25a. That is, the first incident surface 25a is configured to face the reflector 24, and the second incident surface 25b is configured to be tilted so as to face the light source 21a. This configuration of the second incident surface 25b allows light from the light source to be efficiently incident on the second incident surface 25b.

[0033] The intersection of the first incident surface 25a and the second incident surface 25b is the connection portion 25x. As described above, the first incident surface 25a and the second incident surface 25b are surfaces with different inclinations, so the intersection has a curved shape. The shape of the curve at the connection portion 25x is not limited as long as it does not affect the functions of the first incident surface 25a and the second incident surface 25b. The connection portion 25x may be unchamfered, i.e., a pin-angle shape, or may be chamfered (filleted) as necessary. The connection portion 25x may be formed as a gradually varying curved surface or a free-form surface. This configuration of the connection portion 25x makes it possible to form the second incident surface 25b, which can easily control the light from the light source 21a. In other words, by making the second incident surface 25b an optical control surface different from the first incident surface 25a, more suitable light distribution control can be achieved.

[0034] In this embodiment, the first entrance surface 25a and the second entrance surface 25b are each configured as a flat surface, but either one or both of them may be configured as a curved surface.

[0035] The heat sink 22 of the low beam unit 20 is fixed to a base plate 27. The heat sink 22 is made of a metal such as aluminum and dissipates heat from the low beam light source package 21 to the outside. The base plate 27 is fixed to the lamp housing 11 by aiming screws 14A, 14B, and a pivot part (not shown). This makes it possible to adjust the irradiation direction of the low beam unit 20 in the up / down or left / right directions by rotating the aiming screws 14A and 14B.

[0036] Here, the path of the light emitted from the light source 21a will be described in detail with reference to FIG.

[0037] When the vehicle headlamp 10 is turned on in the low beam mode, an illumination control device (not shown) starts supplying power to the light source 21a, thereby turning on the light source 21a.

[0038] Of the light emitted from the light source 21a, light L1 reflected by the main reflecting surface 24a provided on the reflector 24 is incident on the first incident surface 25a of the projection lens 25, and is then irradiated from the exit surface 25c to the front of the vehicle as a low-beam light distribution pattern LB. At this time, part of the light L1 is blocked or reflected by the shade surface 23a provided behind the shade 23, and a cutoff line CL is formed in the low-beam light distribution pattern LB that constitutes the first light distribution pattern.

[0039] Of the light emitted from the light source 21a, light L2 reflected by the sub-reflecting surface 24b provided on the reflector 24 is reflected by the reflecting surface 23b provided in front of the shade 23 and enters the first incident surface 25a of the projection lens 25, and is irradiated from the exit surface 25c toward the front of the vehicle as an upward light distribution pattern OHS that constitutes the first light distribution pattern.

[0040] The low beam light distribution pattern LB and the upward light distribution pattern OHS will now be described with reference to Fig. 5. Fig. 5 shows a schematic view of the driver's field of vision while driving, with an oncoming vehicle 2 in the oncoming lane on the right and a road sign 3 on the left side of the road.

[0041] As shown in Figure 5, the low-beam light distribution pattern LB illuminates the underside of the oncoming vehicle 2 so as not to dazzle the oncoming vehicle 2. The upper light distribution pattern OHS illuminates the area above the cutoff line CL of the low-beam light distribution pattern LB with a lower luminous intensity than the low-beam light distribution pattern. This ensures the driver's visibility when driving at night or in a tunnel.

[0042] Of the light emitted from the light source 21a, light L3 and light L4 that travel directly toward the projection lens 25 enter the second incident surface 25b of the projection lens 25, and are irradiated from the exit surface 25c toward the front of the vehicle as a position lamp light distribution pattern PSL that constitutes the second light distribution pattern.

[0043] Here, the position lamp light distribution pattern PSL will be described with reference to FIG.

[0044] This position lamp light distribution pattern PSL is formed with a lower luminous intensity than the low beam light distribution pattern LB and the upward light distribution pattern OHS. As a guideline, the luminous intensity of the position lamp light distribution pattern PSL should be within 100 cd (candela).

[0045] Furthermore, the position lamp light distribution pattern PSL irradiates a wider range in the vertical and horizontal directions than the upward light distribution pattern OHS. The illumination range of the position lamp light distribution pattern PSL is desirably at least 25 degrees to the left, at least 25 degrees to the right, at least 15 degrees upward, and at least 15 degrees downward on a vertical screen set in the illumination direction relative to the low beam unit 20. In this embodiment, the horizontal width of the position lamp light distribution pattern PSL is smaller than that of the low beam light distribution pattern LB, but it may, of course, be larger than that of the low beam light distribution pattern LB.

[0046] The reason why the position lamp light distribution pattern PSL is formed as such a light distribution pattern is that its purpose is not to ensure the driver's field of vision, but to alert the surroundings in front of the vehicle, such as oncoming vehicles and pedestrians, to the presence of the vehicle. In other words, by illuminating the front as the position lamp light distribution pattern PSL from the low beam unit 20, it is possible to alert the surroundings in front of the vehicle to the presence of the vehicle without causing glare.

[0047] As described above, the low beam unit 20, which is a vehicle headlamp unit of this embodiment, includes the light source 21a, the reflector 24 that reflects the light of the light source 21a, and the projection lens 25 that receives the light of the light source 21a and projects it forward as a predetermined light distribution pattern. The projection lens 25 has an entrance surface onto which the light of the light source 21a is incident, which surface includes a first entrance surface 25a and a second entrance surface 25b, and is configured so that the light of the light source 21a reflected by the reflector 24 is incident on the first entrance surface 25a, and the light of the light source 21a is directly incident on the second entrance surface 25b.

[0048] With this configuration, the light from the light source 21a is reflected by the reflector 24 and enters the first entrance surface 25a of the projection lens 25, thereby forming a desired light distribution pattern. In addition, the light from the light source 21a can be directly entered into the second entrance surface 25b, thereby being utilized as light that forms a desired light distribution pattern.

[0049] In addition, second entrance surface 25b may protrude from first entrance surface 25a, so that light from light source 21a can be efficiently incident on second entrance surface 25b.

[0050] Furthermore, the connection portion 25x between the second incident surface 25b and the first incident surface 25a may be bent. Therefore, by making the second incident surface 25b an optical control surface different from the first incident surface 25a, it is possible to more appropriately control the light distribution.

[0051] Furthermore, the light of the light source 21a incident on the first incident surface 25a may be projected as a low-beam light distribution pattern LB, which is a first light distribution pattern, and the light of the light source 21a incident on the second incident surface 25b may be projected as a position lamp light distribution pattern PSL, which is a second light distribution pattern, and the position lamp light distribution pattern PSL may irradiate an area above the low-beam light distribution pattern LB. Therefore, it is possible to provide a low-beam unit 20 that is simple in configuration and can effectively utilize the light emitted from the light source 21a.

[0052] Next, a first modified example of the above embodiment will be described.

[0053] FIG. 6 is a view similar to FIG. 4, showing a low beam unit 120 according to this modified example.

[0054] As shown in these figures, the basic configuration of this low beam unit 120 is similar to that of the low beam unit 20 of the above embodiment, but the shape of the second incident surface 125b is different from that of the above embodiment.

[0055] That is, in this modification, the second incident surface 125b is not flat, but is configured as a combination of convex curved surfaces that protrude toward the light source 121a. It is more preferable that the rear focal point of the lens configured by the second incident surface 125b and the exit surface 125c be located near the light source 121a. This configuration makes it possible to more appropriately control the light that has entered the second incident surface 125b from the light source 121a. In the projection lens 125, the portion where the first incident surface 125a and the second incident surface 125b intersect is the connection portion 125x.

[0056] Next, a second modified example of the above embodiment will be described.

[0057] FIG. 7 is a view similar to FIG. 4, showing a low beam unit 220 according to this modified example.

[0058] As shown in these figures, the basic configuration of this low beam unit 220 is similar to that of the low beam unit 20 of the above embodiment, but the shape of the second entrance surface 225b is different from that of the above embodiment.

[0059] That is, in this modification, the second entrance surface 225b is not flat, but is configured as a combination of multiple convex curved surfaces that protrude toward the light source 221a. The second entrance surface 225b has a shape known as a fly's eye lens. With this configuration, each lens can precisely control the light that enters the second entrance surface 225b from the light source 221a. In the projection lens 225, the portion where the first entrance surface 225a and the second entrance surface 225b intersect is the connection portion 225x.

[0060] As described above, the low beam unit 20, 120, 220, which is a vehicle headlamp unit, includes a light source 21a, 121a, 221a, a reflector 24, 124, 224 that reflects the light of the light source, and a projection lens 25, 125, 225 that receives the light from the light source and projects it forward as a predetermined light distribution pattern, and the projection lens is provided with a first incident surface 25a, 125a, 225a and a second incident surface 25b, 125b, 225b, and the light of the light source 21a, 121a, 221a reflected by the reflector 24, 124, 224 is incident on the first incident surface 25a, 125a, 225a, and the light of the light source 21a, 121a, 221a is directly incident on the second incident surface 25b, 125b, 225b.

[0061] Therefore, the light from the light sources 21a, 121a, 221a is reflected by the reflectors 24, 124, 224 and enters the first entrance surfaces 25a, 125a, 225a of the projection lenses 25, 125, 225, forming a desired light distribution pattern, while the light from the light sources 21a, 121a, 221a is directly entered into the second entrance surfaces 25b, 125b, 225b, and can be used to form a further light distribution pattern.

[0062] While the vehicle headlamp of the present disclosure has been described above with reference to the embodiments, the vehicle headlamp unit of the present disclosure is not limited to these embodiments, and various modifications, improvements, combinations, and usage forms are possible. For example, the number of low beam units 20 may be changed as appropriate. Furthermore, the shape of the projection lens in a front view may be polygonal, such as rectangular, instead of a perfect circle. Furthermore, the present disclosure is not limited to low beam units, and may also be applied to high beam units, fog lamp units, and cornering lamp units. [Explanation of symbols]

[0063] 1: Vehicle 2: Oncoming vehicle 3: Road sign 10: Vehicle headlights 11: Lamp housing 12: Outer cover 13: Lamp room 14A, 14B: Aiming screw 20, 120, 220: Low beam unit 21, 121, 221: Low beam light source package 21a, 121a, 221a: Light source 22: Heat sink 23, 123, 223: Shade 24, 124, 224: Reflector 24a, 124a, 224a: Main reflective surface 24b, 124b, 224b: Sub-reflecting surface 25, 125, 225: Projection lens 25a, 125a, 225a: 1st entrance surface 25b, 125b, 225b: 2nd entrance surface 25c, 125c, 225c: Output surface 25x, 125x, 225x: Connection 26: Lens holder 27: Base plate 30: High beam unit 40: Turn signal lamp unit 41: Parking light unit LB: Low beam light distribution pattern PSL: Position lamp light distribution pattern

Claims

1. A light source and a reflector that reflects light from the light source; a vehicle headlamp unit including a projection lens that receives light from the light source and projects the light forward as a predetermined light distribution pattern, an incident surface of the projection lens onto which the light from the light source is incident includes a first incident surface and a second incident surface; The first entrance surface has: The light from the light source reflected by the reflector is incident thereon, The second entrance surface has: The light from the light source is directly incident. Vehicle headlamp unit.

2. The lamp further includes a shade that blocks at least a portion of the light from the light source reflected by the reflector.

2. The vehicle headlamp unit according to claim 1.

3. The lamp further includes a shade that reflects at least a portion of the light from the light source reflected by the reflector, The light from the light source reflected by the shade is incident on the first incident surface.

2. The vehicle headlamp unit according to claim 1.

4. the second entrance surface protrudes relative to the first entrance surface; 2. The vehicle headlamp unit according to claim 1.

5. a connection portion between the second entrance surface and the first entrance surface is bent; 2. The vehicle headlamp unit according to claim 1.

6. the light from the light source incident on the first incident surface is projected as a first light distribution pattern, the light from the light source incident on the second incident surface is projected as a second light distribution pattern, The second light distribution pattern illuminates an area above the first light distribution pattern. The vehicle headlamp unit according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

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