Vehicular headlamp

Abstract

To provide a vehicular headlamp that can inhibit a light distribution pattern of emitted light from being deviated from a predetermined light distribution pattern.SOLUTION: A vehicular headlamp 1 includes: a light source 42 for emitting light; a projection lens 60 disposed forward relative to the light source 42; and a reflector unit 50 disposed backward relative to the projection lens 60 and including a reflection part 51 for reflecting light from the light source 42 toward the projection lens 60 and a right support part 57a and a left support part 57b for supporting the projection lens 60.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical Field]

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

[0002] BACKGROUND ART Vehicle headlamps equipped with a reflector unit for forming a predetermined light distribution pattern are known, and Patent Document 1 listed below discloses such a vehicle headlamp.

[0003] The vehicle headlamp of Patent Document 1 below includes a light source that emits light, a projection lens that is located in front of the light source, and a reflector unit that is located behind the projection lens and has a reflecting portion that reflects the light from the light source toward the lens. The light source is mounted on a substrate that is placed on a heat sink, the reflector unit is fixed to the heat sink, and the projection lens is supported by a lens holder that is fixed to the heat sink. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] International Publication No. 2023 / 068153 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] The relative position of the reflector unit and the projection lens in the vehicle headlamp of Patent Document 1 is affected by the position of the reflector unit relative to the heat sink, the position of the lens holder relative to the heat sink, the position of the projection lens relative to the lens holder, etc. If the relative positions of the reflector unit and the projection lens deviate from their designed positions, there is a risk that the light distribution pattern of the emitted light will deviate from a predetermined light distribution pattern.

[0006] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a vehicle headlamp that can prevent the light distribution pattern of emitted light from deviating from a predetermined light distribution pattern. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] In order to achieve the above object, the vehicle headlamp is characterized by comprising a light source that emits light, a projection lens that is arranged in front of the light source, a reflector unit that is arranged behind the projection lens and has a reflecting portion that reflects light from the light source toward the lens, and a support portion that supports the projection lens.

[0008] In this vehicle headlamp, as described above, the projection lens is supported by the support portion of the reflector unit. Therefore, with this vehicle headlamp, it is possible to prevent the relative positions of the reflector unit and the projection lens from shifting, compared to when the projection lens is supported by a member different from the reflector unit. Therefore, with this vehicle headlamp, it is possible to prevent the light distribution pattern of the emitted light from shifting from a predetermined light distribution pattern.

[0009] The projection lens may be supported by the support portion via a member having a lower thermal conductivity than the support portion.

[0010] With this configuration, heat is less likely to be transmitted from the reflector unit to the projection lens, and deformation of the projection lens due to heat can be suppressed.

[0011] The projection lens may have a recess on the rear surface thereof into which a part of the support portion is inserted.

[0012] With this configuration, it is possible to further prevent the relative positions of the projection lens and the reflector unit from shifting.

[0013] The above-described vehicle headlamp may further include a pressing member that presses the projection lens from the front side to press the projection lens against the support portion.

[0014] With this configuration, it is possible to prevent the projection lens from shifting relative to the reflector unit without fixing the projection lens to the support portion by thermal welding or the like.

[0015] The portion of the projection lens pressed by the pressing member and the portion of the projection lens pressed against the support portion may not overlap in the front-rear direction.

[0016] The projection lens may have a lens body through which the light from the light source passes and a flange protruding outward from an outer periphery of the lens body, and the pressing member may press the flange.

[0017] With this configuration, it is possible to prevent the light from the light source from being blocked by the pressing member.

[0018] The above-mentioned vehicle headlamp may further include a heat sink on which a substrate on which the light source is mounted is placed, and the pressing member may be fixed to the heat sink.

[0019] With this configuration, heat from the projection lens can be released to the heat sink via the pressing member.

[0020] The reflector unit may be in contact with the substrate.

[0021] According to this configuration, it is possible to easily improve the positional accuracy of the reflector unit relative to the light source, compared to a case where the reflector unit is not in contact with the substrate. [Effects of the Invention]

[0022] As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to provide a vehicle headlamp that can prevent the light distribution pattern of emitted light from deviating from a predetermined light distribution pattern. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0023] [Figure 1] 1 is a side view schematically showing a vehicle headlamp according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the lamp unit as seen from diagonally above the front. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the lighting unit. [Figure 4] FIG. [Figure 5] FIG. 4 is a horizontal cross-sectional view of a lamp unit according to a first modified example of the embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is a horizontal cross-sectional view of a lamp unit according to a second modified example of the embodiment. [Figure 7] 10 is a vertical cross-sectional view showing a lamp unit in which a projection lens is supported by a member different from the support portion in the embodiment. FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0024] Hereinafter, embodiments for carrying out a vehicle headlamp according to the present invention will be illustrated with reference to the accompanying drawings. The embodiments illustrated below are intended to facilitate understanding of the present invention and are not intended to limit the present invention. The present invention can be modified and improved without departing from the spirit thereof. Furthermore, the present invention may also be realized by appropriately combining the components in each of the embodiments illustrated below. Note that in the drawings referred to below, the dimensions of each component may be changed to facilitate understanding.

[0025] FIG. 1 is a side view that schematically shows a vehicle headlamp 1 according to this embodiment. The vehicle headlamp 1 according to this embodiment is for use in an automobile. The vehicle headlamp 1 is generally provided on each of the left and right sides in front of the vehicle. In this specification, "right" means the right side in the forward direction of the vehicle, and "left" means the left side in the forward direction of the vehicle. The left and right vehicle headlamp 1 have the same configuration, except that their shapes are roughly symmetrical in the left-right direction. Therefore, the following will explain one of the vehicle headlamp 1.

[0026] As shown in Fig. 1, the vehicle headlamp 1 of this embodiment mainly comprises a housing 10 and a lamp unit LU. In Fig. 1, the housing 10 is shown in vertical cross section for ease of understanding.

[0027] The housing 10 has a lamp housing 11 and a light-transmitting front cover 12. The front of the lamp housing 11 is open, and the front cover 12 is fixed to the lamp housing 11 so as to close the opening. The space formed by the lamp housing 11 and the front cover 12 is a lamp chamber R, and the lamp unit LU is housed in this lamp chamber R.

[0028] 2 is an exploded perspective view of the lamp unit LU as seen from diagonally above the front. The lamp unit LU of this embodiment mainly comprises a heat sink 20, a fan 30, a substrate 40, a reflector unit 50, a projection lens 60, and a pair of pressing members 70.

[0029] FIG. 3 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the lamp unit LU. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the heat sink 20 of this embodiment mainly comprises a base plate 21, multiple heat dissipation fins 22, multiple mounting bosses 23, and a peripheral wall 24. The base plate 21 is a plate-shaped member with its front surface positioned forward and its back surface positioned rearward, and has an inclined portion 25 that slopes upward and rearward. The multiple heat dissipation fins 22, multiple mounting bosses 23, and peripheral wall 24 are disposed on the back surface of the base plate 21, extend rearward, and are integral with the base plate 21. The multiple heat dissipation fins 22 are arranged in parallel with a gap between them. The peripheral wall 24 is a frame that surrounds the multiple heat dissipation fins 22 and is spaced apart from the multiple heat dissipation fins 22. The heat sink 20 is made of a material with excellent heat dissipation properties, such as a metal such as aluminum.

[0030] The fan 30 is disposed behind the plurality of heat dissipation fins 22 and is fixed to the mounting boss 23. The heat sink 20 is cooled by the air blown by the fan 30.

[0031] The substrate 40 of this embodiment is placed on the front surface of the inclined portion 25. A light source 42, an integrated circuit 43, and a connector 44 are mounted on a front surface 40f of the substrate 40.

[0032] The light source 42 emits light that forms a predetermined light distribution pattern. In this embodiment, the light source 42 is an LED array made up of a plurality of LEDs (Light Emitting Diodes) arranged in the left-right direction.

[0033] The integrated circuit 43 is disposed below the light source 42, and the connector 44 is disposed below the integrated circuit 43. A circuit (not shown) is provided on the substrate 40, and the circuit connects the connector 44 to the integrated circuit 43, and the integrated circuit 43 to the light source 42. Power is supplied to the connector 44 from a power supply unit (not shown). Therefore, power is supplied from the connector 44 to the light source 42 via the integrated circuit 43. The integrated circuit 43 includes multiple switch elements and can individually adjust the power supplied to each LED of the light source 42. Note that the configuration of the integrated circuit 43 is not particularly limited as long as it can adjust the power supplied to the light source 42. Furthermore, the arrangement of the integrated circuit 43 and the connector 44 is not particularly limited. Furthermore, the integrated circuit 43 does not have to be mounted on the substrate 40, in which case the connector 44 and the light source 42 are connected by a circuit.

[0034] As described above, the substrate 40 is placed on the inclined portion 25 that slopes upward and rearward, so the substrate 40 is also inclined in the same manner. Therefore, the light source 42 emits light diagonally upward and forward.

[0035] 4 is a horizontal cross-sectional view of the lighting unit LU, and is a cross-sectional view across the multiple LEDs lined up in the left-right direction that make up the light source 42. As shown in FIGS. 2 to 4, the reflector unit 50 of this embodiment mainly includes a reflecting portion 51, a right support portion 57a, a left support portion 57b, and a cover portion 52.

[0036] The reflecting portion 51 is a member that reflects light from the light source 42 toward the projection lens 60, which will be described later. The reflecting portion 51 of this embodiment includes an upper reflecting portion 54a and a lower reflecting portion 54b. The upper reflecting portion 54a is disposed above the light source 42 and has a reflecting surface 54ar that reflects light. The upper reflecting portion 54a is a plate-like member that extends upward from above the light source 42 and has one main surface facing forward, and the lower side surface of the plate-like member is the reflecting surface 54ar. The lower reflecting portion 54b is disposed below the light source 42 and has a reflecting surface 54br that reflects light. The lower reflecting portion 54b is a plate-like member that extends diagonally downward from below the light source 42 and has one main surface facing forward, and the front main surface of the plate-like member is the reflecting surface 54br.

[0037] The right support portion 57a ​​and the left support portion 57b in this embodiment are members that support a projection lens 60, which will be described later. In this embodiment, the shapes of the right support portion 57a ​​and the left support portion 57b are generally symmetrical. The right support portion 57a ​​and the left support portion 57b are rectangular prism-shaped members that extend in the front-rear direction, and their width in the left-right direction gradually narrows toward the front. The right support portion 57a ​​is disposed on the right side of the reflecting portion 51, and the left support portion 57b is disposed on the left side of the reflecting portion 51, with the right support portion 57a ​​and the left support portion 57b facing each other in the left-right direction. The upper reflecting portion 54a and the lower reflecting portion 54b are connected to the left side of the right support portion 57a, and the upper reflecting portion 54a and the lower reflecting portion 54b are connected to the right side of the left support portion 57b, forming an opening 50h surrounded by the upper reflecting portion 54a, the lower reflecting portion 54b, the right support portion 57a, and the right support portion 57a, and exposing the light source 42 from the opening 50h.

[0038] The right support portion 57a ​​has a right protrusion 59a protruding forward from a front end surface 58a, and the left support portion 57b has a left protrusion 59b protruding forward from the front end surface 58b. The surface of the right support portion 57a ​​facing the light source 42 is a reflective surface 53a that reflects light. The surface of the left support portion 57b facing the light source 42 is a reflective surface 53b that reflects light. The reflective surfaces 53a and 53b are inclined so that the distance between them increases from the rear to the front. Each of the right support portion 57a ​​and the left support portion 57b is provided with a rib 55 protruding from the rear end surface, and the tip of the rib 55 abuts against the front surface 40f of the substrate 40.

[0039] The cover portion 52 in this embodiment is a member that surrounds both the left and right sides and the lower side of the portion consisting of the reflecting portion 51, the right support portion 57a, and the left support portion 57b. In this embodiment, the cover portion 52 is a plate-shaped member with one main surface facing forward and connected to the lower reflecting portion 54b, the right support portion 57a, and the left support portion 57b. Through holes 56 are provided on both the left and right sides of the cover portion 52, and pins 27 provided on the heat sink 20 are inserted into the through holes 56. Therefore, the reflector unit 50 can be positioned relative to the heat sink 20 by the circumferential surface defining the through holes 56 and the pins 27. Furthermore, in a direction perpendicular to the front surface 40f of the substrate 40, the integrated circuit 43 and the connector 44 overlap with the cover portion 52. Therefore, when the substrate 40 is viewed in plan, the cover portion 52 covers the integrated circuit 43 and the connector 44 mounted on the substrate 40. The cover part 52 is fixed to the heat sink 20 by the screws 26, and the substrate 40 is pressed against the heat sink 20 by the ribs 55. Then, the substrate 40 and the reflector unit 50 are fixed to the heat sink 20. Note that the ribs 55 that come into contact with the substrate 40 are not limited, and for example, the ribs 55 may be provided on the cover part 52.

[0040] The reflector unit 50 is made of a material such as a plated metal, and is formed by, for example, cutting and plating a metal member obtained by casting. The reflecting portion 51, the cover portion 52, the right support portion 57a, and the left support portion 57b are integral with each other. In other words, no seams are formed between the reflecting portion 51, the cover portion 52, the right support portion 57a, and the left support portion 57b.

[0041] The projection lens 60 of this embodiment is disposed in front of the reflector unit 50. Therefore, the substrate 40 and the reflector unit 50 are located behind the projection lens 60. The projection lens 60 includes a lens body 61 that changes the divergence angle of the light that passes through it, and a flange 62 that protrudes outward from the outer periphery of the lens body 61.

[0042] The lens body 61 of this embodiment is a plano-convex lens with an elongated, generally racetrack-shaped outer shape, and the front surface 66 of the lens body 61 bulges forward. The rear surface 64 of the lens body 61 is flat. In this embodiment, a right recess 63a recessed forward is formed at a position on the surface 64 corresponding to the right protrusion 59a. Furthermore, a left recess 63b recessed forward is formed at a position on the surface 64 corresponding to the left protrusion 59b. The right protrusion 59a is inserted into the right recess 63a, and the left protrusion 59b is inserted into the left recess 63b. This restricts the projection lens 60 from moving up, down, left, and right relative to the reflector unit 50. Cutouts 65 are provided on the upper and lower sides of the lens body 61, cutting the lens body 61 in a generally horizontal direction.

[0043] The flange portion 62 in this embodiment extends around the entire outer periphery of the projection lens 60. The flange portion 62 is integral with the lens main body 61. The width of the flange portion 62 is generally constant in the circumferential direction, and the thickness of the flange portion 62 in the front-to-rear direction is generally constant in the circumferential direction. The left and right sides of the flange portion 62 are curved in an arc, and the top and bottom sides of the flange portion 62 extend linearly in the left-to-right direction.

[0044] The projection lens 60 may be made of a material such as resin or glass.

[0045] The pair of pressing members 70 press the projection lens 60 against the right support portion 57a ​​and the left support portion 57b. In this embodiment, each of the pair of pressing members 70 is elastically deformable and includes a claw portion 71, a main body portion 73, and a fixed portion 74. Because the shapes of the pair of pressing members 70 are symmetrical, only the right pressing member 70 will be described. The claw portion 71 is a plate-shaped member located forward of the flange portion 62 and extending along the right arc-shaped portion of the flange portion 62. The right end of the claw portion 71 protrudes outward from the flange portion 62. The main body portion 73 is a plate-shaped member extending diagonally rearward and rightward from the right end of the claw portion 71. The fixed portion 74 is a plate-shaped member extending rightward from the rear end of the main body portion 73 and is generally parallel to the horizontal direction. The fixed portion 74 is fixed to the base plate 21 by the screw 28. The claw portion 71, the main body portion 73, and the fixed portion 74 are integral.

[0046] The pair of pressing members 70 may be made of a material such as resin.

[0047] When the fixing portion 74 is fixed to the base plate 21, the claw portion 71 abuts against the flange portion 62 from the front side, and the projection lens 60 is pushed rearward by the elastic force of the pressing member 70. The surface 64 of the projection lens 60 abuts against the front end faces 58a and 58b of the right support portion 57a ​​and the left support portion 57b. In this way, the pressing member 70 presses the projection lens 60 from the front side, pressing the projection lens 60 against the right support portion 57a ​​and the left support portion 57b, and the projection lens 60 is supported by the right support portion 57a ​​and the left support portion 57b.

[0048] In the projection lens 60 supported in this manner, the portion pressed by the pressing member 70 is the portion of the front surface of the flange portion 62 that abuts against the claw portion 71. In the projection lens 60, the portion pressed by the right support portion 57a ​​and the left support portion 57b is the portion of the surface 64 that abuts against the front end surface 58a and the front end surface 58b. Therefore, the portion of the projection lens 60 pressed by the pressing member 70 and the portion of the projection lens 60 pressed by the right support portion 57a ​​and the left support portion 57b do not overlap in the front-to-rear direction. In the projection lens 60, the portion pressed by the left pressing member 70 is located to the left of the portion pressed against the left support portion 57b. In the projection lens 60, the portion pressed by the right pressing member 70 is located to the right of the portion pressed against the right support portion 57a. Furthermore, when viewed in the front-to-back direction, the portion of the projection lens 60 pressed against the right support portion 57a ​​and the portion pressed against the left support portion 57b are located between the portion of the projection lens 60 pressed by the left pressing member 70 and the portion pressed by the right pressing member 70.

[0049] In the vehicle headlamp 1 configured as described above, light emitted from the light source 42 passes through the opening 50h of the reflector unit 50. Most of the light from the light source 42 that passes through the opening 50h is directly incident on the projection lens 60. A portion of the light emitted to the lower front side from the light source 42 passes through the opening 50h, is reflected forward by the lower reflecting portion 54b, and is incident on the projection lens 60. A portion of the light emitted to the upper front side from the light source 42 passes through the opening 50h, is reflected forward by the upper reflecting portion 54a, and is incident on the projection lens 60. A portion of the light emitted to the right front side from the light source 42 passes through the opening 50h, is reflected forward by the reflecting surface 53a, and is incident on the projection lens 60. A portion of the light emitted to the left front side from the light source 42 passes through the opening 50h, is reflected forward by the reflecting surface 53b, and is incident on the projection lens 60. Light emitted from the light source 42 and incident on the projection lens 60 passes through the projection lens 60 and is irradiated in a predetermined light distribution pattern.

[0050] As described above, the vehicle headlamp 1 of this embodiment includes the light source 42 that emits light, the projection lens 60 that is arranged in front of the light source 42, the reflector unit 50 that is arranged behind the light source 42 and reflects the light from the light source 42 toward the projection lens 60, and the reflector unit 50 that has a pair of right support portions 57a and left support portions 57b that support the projection lens 60. Therefore, the vehicle headlamp 1 of this embodiment can prevent deviation of the relative positions of the reflector unit 50 and the projection lens 60 compared to when the projection lens 60 is supported by a member different from the reflector unit 50. Therefore, the vehicle headlamp 1 of this embodiment can prevent deviation of the light distribution pattern of the emitted light from a predetermined light distribution pattern.

[0051] The vehicle headlamp 1 of this embodiment further includes a pressing member 70 that presses the projection lens 60 from the front side to press the projection lens 60 against the right support portion 57a ​​and the left support portion 57b. Therefore, the vehicle headlamp 1 of this embodiment can prevent the projection lens 60 from shifting relative to the reflector unit 50 without fixing the projection lens 60 to the right support portion 57a ​​and the left support portion 57b by thermal welding or the like. Note that the vehicle headlamp 1 does not necessarily have to include the pressing member 70. For example, the projection lens 60 may be thermally welded to the right support portion 57a ​​and the left support portion 57b.

[0052] In the vehicle headlamp 1 of this embodiment, the projection lens 60 has a lens body 61 through which light from the light source 42 passes and a flange 62 that protrudes outward from the outer periphery of the lens body 61, and the pressing member 70 presses the flange 62. Therefore, according to the vehicle headlamp 1 of this embodiment, it is possible to prevent light from the light source 42 from being blocked by the pressing member 70. Note that the pressing member 70 does not have to press the flange 62, and may press the lens body 61, for example.

[0053] The vehicle headlamp 1 of this embodiment further includes a heat sink 20 on which the substrate 40 on which the light source 42 is mounted is placed, and the pressing member 70 is fixed to the heat sink 20. Therefore, according to the vehicle headlamp 1 of this embodiment, heat from the projection lens 60 can be released to the heat sink 20 via the pressing member 70. Note that the pressing member 70 does not have to be fixed to the heat sink 20. For example, the pressing member 70 may be fixed to the housing 10.

[0054] In the vehicle headlamp 1 of this embodiment, the reflector unit 50 abuts against the substrate 40. Therefore, according to the vehicle headlamp 1 of this embodiment, it is easier to improve the positional accuracy of the reflector unit 50 with respect to the light source 42 compared to a case where the reflector unit 50 does not abut against the substrate 40.

[0055] Although the present invention has been described above using the above embodiment as an example, the present invention is not limited to this.

[0056] For example, in the above embodiment, an example has been described in which the right protrusion 59a and the left protrusion 59b are inserted into the right recess 63a and the left recess 63b provided in the projection lens 60. However, from the viewpoint of preventing the relative positions of the reflector unit 50 and the projection lens 60 from being shifted, the projection lens 60 may have recesses on the rear surface 64 into which a portion of the right support portion 57a ​​and a portion of the left support portion 57b are inserted, respectively. Although not shown, for example, the right protrusion 59a and the left protrusion 59b may not be formed. Furthermore, the surface 64 of the projection lens 60 may be provided with a recess into which the front end of the right support portion 57a ​​is inserted and another recess into which the front end of the left support portion 57b is inserted. In this case, the front end surface 58a of the right support portion 57a ​​abuts against the bottom surface of the recess into which the front end portion of the right support portion 57a ​​is inserted, and the front end surface 58b of the left support portion 57b abuts against the bottom surface of the recess into which the front end portion of the left support portion 57b is inserted, so that the projection lens 60 may be supported by the right support portion 57a ​​and the left support portion 57b. Note that the surface 64 may not be formed with recesses into which parts of the right support portion 57a ​​and the left support portion 57b are inserted.

[0057] In the above embodiment, the right support portion 57a ​​and the left support portion 57b have the reflecting surfaces 53a and 53b that reflect light from the light source 42. However, the reflector unit 50 only needs to have the support portions that support the projection lens 60, and the support portions do not need to have the reflecting surfaces that reflect light from the light source 42. In addition, the number of support portions is not limited to two. Furthermore, the positions at which the support portions are arranged are not limited. For example, the reflector unit 50 may have two support portions that are arranged above and below the light source 42, respectively.

[0058] FIG. 5 is a horizontal cross-sectional view of a lamp unit LU according to a first modified example of the above embodiment. The lamp unit LU of this modified example differs from the lamp unit LU of the above embodiment mainly in that the reflector unit 50 does not include a rib 55, as shown in FIG. 5. In this modified example, the substrate 40 is fixed to the base plate 21 by screws 29. In this modified example, the reflector unit 50 is spaced apart from the substrate 40. This modified example can make it difficult for heat from the substrate 40 to be transmitted to the reflector unit 50. Therefore, it can make it difficult for heat to be transmitted from the reflector unit 50 to the projection lens 60, and can prevent the projection lens 60 from being deformed by heat.

[0059] FIG. 6 is a horizontal cross-sectional view of a lamp unit LU according to a second modified example of the embodiment. The lamp unit LU of this modified example differs from the lamp unit LU of the embodiment in that it includes sheet members 90a and 90b. In this modified example, the right support portion 57a ​​does not have a right protrusion 59a, and the left support portion 57b does not have a left protrusion 59b. The projection lens 60 does not have a right recess 63a or a left recess 63b. The sheet members 90a and 90b are sheet-like members with lower thermal conductivity than the right support portion 57a ​​and the left support portion 57b. Examples of members with lower thermal conductivity include carbon sheets. The sheet member 90a is disposed between the front end surface 58a of the right support portion 57a ​​and the surface 64 of the projection lens 60, and the sheet member 90b is disposed between the front end surface 58b of the left support portion 57b and the surface 64. The projection lens 60 is supported by the right support part 57a via a sheet member 90a, and is also supported by the left support part 57b via a sheet member 90a. According to this modification, heat from the reflector unit 50 is less likely to be transmitted to the projection lens 60, and deformation of the projection lens 60 due to heat can be suppressed. From this perspective, it is sufficient that the projection lens 60 is supported by the support part via a member having a lower thermal conductivity than the support part, and the member having a lower thermal conductivity is not limited to a sheet-like member.

[0060] The reflecting section 51 is not limited to the shape and structure of the above embodiment as long as it reflects light from the light source 42 toward the projection lens 60. Although the light source 42 is an LED array in the above embodiment, the light source 42 is not limited to this. The light emission direction of the light source 42 is not limited to an upward and forward diagonal direction.

[0061] Another configuration for supporting the projection lens 60 will be described below. FIG. 7 is a vertical cross-sectional view showing a lamp unit LU in which the projection lens 60 is supported by members different from the right support portion 57a ​​and the left support portion 57b in the embodiment. The lamp unit LU of this example differs from the lamp unit LU of the above embodiment mainly in that it includes a pair of lens holders 80 instead of the right support portion 57a ​​and the left support portion 57b and the pressing member 70. Of the pair of lens holders 80, one lens holder 80 is disposed above the reflector unit 50 and fixed to the heat sink 20. The other lens holder 80 is disposed below the reflector unit 50 and fixed to the heat sink 20. The pair of lens holders 80 have a generally vertically symmetrical configuration, so only the upper lens holder 80 will be described.

[0062] The upper lens holder 80 includes a plate-shaped main body 81, claws 82, a receiving portion 83, and a fixing portion 84. The plate-shaped main body 81 is a plate-like member extending in the front-rear direction. The front end of the main body 81 is located forward of the reflector unit 50. The claws 82 are protrusions protruding downward from the front end of the main body 81. The lower surfaces of the claws 82 slope upward from the rear to the front. The receiving portion 83 is a protrusion protruding downward from a portion of the main body 81 rearward of the claws 82. The length between the claws 82 and the receiving portion 83 is slightly longer than the thickness of the flange portion 62. The fixing portion 84 is a plate-like member extending upward from the rear end of the main body 81. The fixing portion 84 is fixed to the base plate 21 of the heat sink 20 with screws 86. The main body 81, the claws 82, the receiving portion 83, and the fixing portion 84 are integral with each other.

[0063] In this modification, an upper portion of the flange 62 extending linearly is fitted between the claws 82 and the receiving portion 83 of the upper lens holder 80. Also, a lower portion of the flange 62 extending linearly is fitted between the claws 82 and the receiving portion 83 of the lower lens holder 80. The projection lens 60 is then supported by the pair of lens holders 80.

[0064] The pair of lens holders 80 are elastically deformable. Examples of materials that form the pair of lens holders 80 include resin.

[0065] The method for supporting the projection lens 60 on a pair of lens holders 80 will be described below. The projection lens 60 is pushed between the pair of lens holders 80 from the front to the rear. At this time, the flange portion 62 abuts against the inclined surface 85, and each lens holder 80 elastically deforms, widening the distance between the claw portion 82 of the upper lens holder 80 and the claw portion 82 of the lower lens holder 80. When the projection lens 60 is then pushed further rearward, the upper portion of the flange portion 62 fits between the claw portion 82 and the receiving portion 83 of the upper lens holder 80. The lower side of the flange portion 62 fits between the claw portion 82 and the receiving portion 83 of the lower lens holder 80. In this way, the projection lens 60 is supported by the pair of lens holders 80. [Industrial Applicability]

[0066] According to the present invention, a vehicle headlamp is provided that can prevent the light distribution pattern of emitted light from deviating from a predetermined light distribution pattern, and can be used in fields such as lighting. [Explanation of symbols]

[0067] 1. Vehicle headlamp 20. Heat sink 40... board 42...Light source 50···Reflector unit 51...Reflector 57a...Right support part 57b...Left support part 60...Projection lens 61 Lens body 62 Flange part 63a Right recess 63b Left recess 64 Rear surface 70 Pressing member

Claims

1. A light source that emits light; a projection lens disposed in front of the light source; a reflector unit disposed behind the projection lens and including a reflecting portion that reflects the light from the light source toward the projection lens and a supporting portion that supports the projection lens; Equipped with A vehicle headlamp characterized by:

2. The projection lens is supported by the support via a member having a lower thermal conductivity than the support.

2. The vehicle headlamp according to claim 1.

3. The projection lens has a recess on the rear surface into which a part of the support part is inserted.

3. A vehicle headlamp according to claim 1 or 2.

4. The projection lens may further include a pressing member that presses the projection lens from the front side to press the projection lens against the support portion.

3. A vehicle headlamp according to claim 1 or 2.

5. A portion of the projection lens that is pressed by the pressing member and a portion of the projection lens that is pressed against the support portion do not overlap in the front-rear direction.

5. The vehicle headlamp according to claim 4.

6. the projection lens has a lens body portion through which the light from the light source passes and a flange portion protruding outward from an outer periphery of the lens body portion, The pressing member presses the flange portion.

5. The vehicle headlamp according to claim 4.

7. a heat sink on which a substrate on which the light source is mounted is placed; The pressing member is fixed to the heat sink.

5. The vehicle headlamp according to claim 4.

8. The reflector unit abuts against a substrate.

5. The vehicle headlamp according to claim 4.

Images