Headlight device

Abstract

This headlight device is provided with a lens body (12) having an incident part (20), a light guide part (30), and a light-distribution-forming part (40). The light guide part (30) has a first light guide reflection surface (31) and a second light guide reflection surface (32). The light-distribution-forming part (40) is provided with: a first light distribution reflection surface (41) that reflects light reflected by the first light guide reflection surface (31) or the second light guide reflection surface (32) and light not reflected by the first light guide reflection surface (31) and the second light guide reflection surface (32) as cutoff light distribution; a second light distribution reflection surface (42) that reflects light reflected as cutoff light distribution by the first light distribution reflection surface (41); an incident surface (43) which again makes incident inside the lens body (12) light that is passed through the second light guide reflection surface (32) that also serves as an emission surface to the outside of the lens body (12) after being reflected as overhead light distribution by the first light distribution reflection surface (41); and a projection surface (44) for projecting the light reflected as the cutoff light distribution by the second light distribution reflection surface (42) and the light incident as overhead light distribution from the incident surface (43).

Description

Headlight device

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a headlamp device.

[0002] 2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there has been provided a headlamp device that combines a light source and a lens body. Such a conventional headlamp device is disclosed in, for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2003-222999.

[0003] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2017-84556

[0004] The headlamp device disclosed in Patent Document 1 is applied to a vehicle and forms an overhead light distribution line above a cut-off line to illuminate road signs and the like located above the vehicle.

[0005] In the headlamp device disclosed in Patent Document 1, to form an overhead light distribution, light incident on a lens body from a light source is first emitted from the lens body to the outside of the lens body, and then the light that has been emitted to the outside of the lens body is again incident on the inside of the lens body. In the headlamp device disclosed in Patent Document 1, the light that has been incident on the inside of the lens body is projected forward to form the overhead light distribution.

[0006] In this case, the headlamp device disclosed in Patent Document 1 has a dedicated exit surface on the lens body so that light incident from the light source into the lens body is temporarily emitted from the lens body to the outside of the lens body. If a dedicated exit surface is provided for forming an overhead light distribution in this way, the structure of the lens body may become complicated.

[0007] The present disclosure has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and aims to provide a headlight device that can form an overhead light distribution without providing a lens body with a dedicated exit surface for forming an overhead light distribution.

[0008] The headlight device according to the present disclosure is a headlight device including a lens body having an incident section at a front end of which a light source is provided, a light guiding section through which light is guided from the incident section, and a light distribution forming section through which light is guided from the light guiding section, wherein the light guiding section has a first light guiding reflecting surface and a second light guiding reflecting surface that reflect the light guided from the incident section and are arranged to face each other, and the light distribution forming section has a first light distribution reflecting surface that is connected to a rear end of the first light guiding reflecting surface and that reflects light reflected by the first light guiding reflecting surface or the second light guiding reflecting surface and light that is not reflected by the first light guiding reflecting surface and the second light guiding reflecting surface as a cut-off light distribution, and The lens element has a second light distributing reflecting surface that is arranged at an angle to the first light distributing reflecting surface and that reflects light reflected by the first light distributing reflecting surface as a cut-off light distribution; an incident surface that faces the second light guiding reflecting surface on the outside of the lens body and that allows light that has been reflected by the first light distributing reflecting surface as an overhead light distribution and then transmitted through the second light guiding reflecting surface, which also serves as an exit surface to the outside of the lens body, to enter the interior of the lens body; and a projection surface that forms the rear end surface of the light distribution forming portion and projects the light that has been reflected by the second light distributing reflecting surface as a cut-off light distribution and the light that has entered from the incident surface as an overhead light distribution.

[0009] According to the present disclosure, an overhead light distribution can be formed without providing a lens body with a dedicated exit surface for forming the overhead light distribution, thereby simplifying the structure of the lens body.

[0010] FIG. 1 is a side view of a headlight device according to embodiment 1. FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of a main part of FIG. 1. FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a headlight device according to embodiment 2, as seen from the front right. FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a headlight device according to embodiment 2, as seen from the lower left. FIG. 5 is a front view of a headlight device according to embodiment 2. FIG. 6 is a plan view of a headlight device according to embodiment 2. FIG. 7 is a bottom view of a headlight device according to embodiment 2. FIG. 8 is a left side view of a headlight device according to embodiment 2. FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a headlight device according to embodiment 2, as seen from the rear left.

[0011] In order to explain the present disclosure in more detail, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0012] First Embodiment A headlamp device according to a first embodiment will be described with reference to Figs.

[0013] Fig. 1 is a side view of a headlamp device according to embodiment 1. Fig. 2 is an enlarged view of a main part of Fig. 1 .

[0014] The headlight device according to the first embodiment shown in Fig. 1 is mounted on a vehicle, for example. The headlight device according to the first embodiment is used as a headlight device that illuminates the area ahead of an automobile, a motorcycle, or a three-wheeled vehicle called a gyro (a scooter or motorized bicycle with one front wheel and two rear wheels on a single axle), and satisfies a predetermined light distribution pattern defined by road traffic regulations, etc. The headlight device according to the first embodiment has a low beam and a high beam.

[0015] The headlight device according to the first embodiment can be used for both low beam and high beam, but is particularly suitable for use for low beam. In the following description, an example will be described in which the headlight device according to the first embodiment is applied to a low beam headlight device for an automobile. When the headlight device according to the first embodiment is applied to a low beam headlight device for an automobile, the headlight device may be a single headlight device, or a plurality of headlight devices may be arranged in parallel in the left-right direction.

[0016] The low beam of the headlamp device according to the first embodiment has a characteristic light distribution called cut-off light distribution, which is designed not to dazzle the driver of an oncoming vehicle. The headlamp device according to the first embodiment also has a light distribution called overhead light distribution, which improves the recognition rate of signs and the like by illuminating the area above the cut-off light distribution more dimly.

[0017] As shown in FIG. 1 , the headlamp device according to the first embodiment includes a light source 11 and a lens body 12 .

[0018] The light source 11 emits light toward an incident portion 20 of the lens body 12, which will be described later. The light source 11 has a rectangular emission surface that emits light to the front. The light source 11 is either a tube light source such as an incandescent lamp, a halogen lamp, or a fluorescent lamp, or a semiconductor light source such as a light-emitting diode (LED, hereinafter referred to as LED) or a laser diode (LD, hereinafter referred to as LD).

[0019] The light source 11 contains carbon dioxide (CO ２ From the viewpoint of reducing the burden on the environment by suppressing emissions of benzene and fuel consumption, it is preferable to use semiconductor light sources, which have higher luminous efficiency than halogen lamps, are directional, and allow for the optical system to be made smaller and lighter.

[0020] The lens body 12 is formed of a transparent material filled with a refractive material. The lens body 12 is manufactured by, for example, injection molding. The material forming the lens body 12 is preferably highly transparent from the viewpoint of light utilization efficiency, and is also preferably a material with excellent heat resistance because the lens body 12 is disposed immediately after the light source 11. For example, the material forming the lens body 12 is preferably a transparent resin such as glass or a silicone material. Specifically, suitable transparent resins include acrylic resin (particularly PMMA: polymethyl methacrylate), polycarbonate (PC), and cycloolefin resin.

[0021] The lens body 12 has an incident portion 20, a light guiding portion 30, and a light distribution forming portion 40. The incident portion 20, the light guiding portion 30, and the light distribution forming portion 40 are integrally formed. The light guiding portion 30 and the light distribution forming portion 40 are formed so as to intersect with each other.

[0022] As shown in Fig. 2, the incident portion 20 has a conical shape. The incident portion 20 has a lens 21 and a reflective surface 22. The lens 21 is provided inside the apex of the incident portion 20. The reflective surface 22 is formed by the inner circumferential surface of the incident portion 20. The light source 11 is provided outside the apex of the incident portion 20, in other words, at the front end of the incident portion 20. The light source 11 and the lens 21 face each other. The incident portion 20 receives light emitted from the light source 11 through the lens 21.

[0023] Of the light emitted from light source 11, light with a small emission angle is incident on lens 21 and then directly guided toward the conical bottom surface of incident unit 20. On the other hand, of the light emitted from light source 11, light with a large emission angle is incident on lens 21 and then reflected by reflecting surface 22 and guided toward the conical bottom surface of incident unit 20. The light directly guided from lens 21 and the light reflected by reflecting surface 22 and guided are guided toward light guide unit 30 as approximately parallel light.

[0024] The front end (light source 11 side) of the light guiding unit 30 is connected to the incident unit 20. The cross-sectional shape of the front end side of the light guiding unit 30 may be rectangular, circular, or elliptical. Furthermore, the side of the front end side of the light guiding unit 30 facing a projection surface 44 (described later) may be a convex or concave curved surface. The rear end of the light guiding unit 30 is connected to the light distribution forming unit 40.

[0025] The light guiding section 30 is a long, narrow section that extends linearly from the incident section 20 to the light distribution forming section 40. The light guiding section 30 has a first light guiding reflecting surface 31 and a second light guiding reflecting surface 32. The first light guiding reflecting surface 31 and the second light guiding reflecting surface 32 face each other. The second light guiding reflecting surface 32 may be a curved surface that is convex or concave with respect to the lens body 12. Furthermore, although details will be described later, the second light guiding reflecting surface 32 also serves as an exit surface for forming an overhead light distribution.

[0026] The light guiding unit 30 guides the light incident from the incident unit 20 directly toward the light distribution forming unit 40. Furthermore, the light guiding unit 30 reflects the light incident from the incident unit 20 onto the first light guiding reflecting surface 31, or onto the first light guiding reflecting surface 31 and the second light guiding reflecting surface 32, and then guides the light toward the light distribution forming unit 40.

[0027] The front end of the light distribution forming unit 40 is connected to the rear end of the light guiding unit 30. The light distribution forming unit 40 is a long, narrow portion that extends linearly in a direction perpendicular to the light guiding unit 30. The light guiding unit 30 and the light distribution forming unit 40 do not necessarily need to be perpendicular to each other, as long as they are arranged so that they intersect. Specifically, the extension direction of the light guiding unit 30 and the extension direction of the light distribution forming unit 40 intersect so that the light emitted from the light source 11 is incident on the first light distribution reflecting surface 41.

[0028] The light distribution forming portion 40 has a first light distributing reflecting surface 41 , a second light distributing reflecting surface 42 , an incident surface 43 , and a projection surface 44 .

[0029] The first light distributing reflection surface 41 is provided on the light guiding section 30 side of the light distribution forming section 40 so as to reflect light that is emitted from the light source 11 and passes through the light guiding section 30. The first light distributing reflection surface 41 is disposed at an angle with respect to the longitudinal direction of the light distribution forming section 40. The front end of the first light distributing reflection surface 41 is connected to the rear end of the first light guiding reflection surface 31 of the light guiding section 30, and is disposed so as to intersect with the first light guiding reflection surface 31.

[0030] The first light distributing reflecting surface 41 reflects light reflected by the first light-guiding reflecting surface 31 and the second light-guiding reflecting surface 32 of the light-guiding unit 30. The first light distributing reflecting surface 41 also reflects light that is not reflected by the first light-guiding reflecting surface 31 and the second light-guiding reflecting surface 32 of the light-guiding unit 30. The first light distributing reflecting surface 41 reflects a portion of the reflected light as a cutoff light distribution and guides the light toward the second light distributing reflecting surface 42 and the projection surface 44 described below. The first light distributing reflecting surface 41 also reflects the rest of the reflected light as an overhead light distribution and transmits it to the second light-guiding reflecting surface 32, which guides the light toward the projection surface 44 described below.

[0031] The second light distributing reflecting surface 42 extends in the length direction of the light distribution forming unit 40. The second light distributing reflecting surface 42 is disposed so as to be inclined with respect to the first light distributing reflecting surface 41. The front end of the second light distributing reflecting surface 42 is connected to the rear end of the second light guide reflecting surface 32 of the light guide unit 30 and is disposed so as to intersect with the second light guide reflecting surface 32. The second light distributing reflecting surface 42 reflects a portion of the light reflected by the first light distributing reflecting surface 41 as a cutoff light distribution, and guides the light toward a projection surface 44, which will be described later.

[0032] The incident surface 43 is connected to the rear end of the second light distributing reflecting surface 42 and is disposed so as to intersect with the second light distributing reflecting surface 42. The incident surface 43 is disposed on the outside of the lens body 12 so as to face the second light guiding reflecting surface 32 of the light guiding unit 30. In this case, the incident surface 43 and the second light guiding reflecting surface 32 may have any crossing angle with each other. The incident surface 43 may also be a curved surface that is convex or concave with respect to the lens body 12.

[0033] The incident surface 43 allows the light that has been reflected by the first light distributing reflecting surface 41 as an overhead light distribution and then transmitted through the second light-guiding reflecting surface 32 to enter the interior of the lens body 12. The incident surface 43 also guides the incident light toward a projection surface 44, which will be described later. That is, the incident surface 43 allows the light that has once exited the lens body 12 from the second light-guiding reflecting surface 32 as an overhead light distribution to enter the interior of the lens body 12 again.

[0034] The projection surface 44 forms the rear end surface of the light distribution forming unit 40. The projection surface 44 is formed in a convex shape that bulges out toward the front of the light distribution forming unit 40. The projection surface 44 projects the light reflected by the first light distribution reflecting surface 41 toward the front of the light distribution forming unit 40 as a cut-off light distribution. The projection surface 44 projects the light reflected by the second light distribution reflecting surface 42 toward the front of the light distribution forming unit 40 as a cut-off light distribution. The projection surface 44 projects the light that has been re-entered into the lens body 12 by the incident surface 43 toward the front of the light distribution forming unit 40 as an overhead light distribution.

[0035] Here, light R1 to R4 will be described as an example of light incident on the lens body 12 from the light source 11. Light R1 to R3 form a cutoff light distribution. Light R4 forms an overhead light distribution.

[0036] Light R1 is incident on incident portion 20 from light source 11, is reflected by reflecting surface 22 of incident portion 20, and is then reflected by first light distributing reflecting surface 41 and second light distributing reflecting surface 42 of light distribution forming portion 40. Light R1 is then guided toward projection surface 44 and projected forward from projection surface 44.

[0037] Light R2 is incident on incident unit 20 from light source 11, is reflected by reflecting surface 22 of incident unit 20, and is then reflected by first light-guiding reflecting surface 31 of light-guiding unit 30. Light R2 is then reflected by first light-distributing reflecting surface 41 of light distribution forming unit 40. Light R2 is not reflected by second light-distributing reflecting surface 42. Next, light R2 is guided toward projection surface 44, and is projected forward from projection surface 44.

[0038] Light R3 is incident on incident unit 20 from light source 11, is reflected by reflecting surface 22 of incident unit 20, and is then reflected by second light-guiding reflecting surface 32 of light-guiding unit 30. Light R3 is then reflected by first light-distributing reflecting surface 41 of light distribution forming unit 40. Light R3 is not reflected by second light-distributing reflecting surface 42. Next, light R3 is guided toward projection surface 44, and is projected forward from projection surface 44.

[0039] Light R4 is incident on incident portion 20 from light source 11, is reflected by reflecting surface 22 of incident portion 20, and is then reflected by first light distribution reflecting surface 41 of light distribution forming portion 40. Light R4 then passes through second light-guiding reflecting surface 32, which also serves as the exit surface to the outside of lens body 12, and is once emitted toward the outside of lens body 12, before being re-incident from incident surface 43 of light distribution forming portion 40 toward the inside of lens body 12. Light R4 is then guided toward projection surface 44, and is projected forward from projection surface 44.

[0040] In this way, the headlight device according to the first embodiment does not require a dedicated exit surface for forming the overhead light distribution by transmitting the light R4 that forms the overhead light distribution through the second light-guiding and reflecting surface 32, which also serves as the exit surface to the outside of the lens body 12. Therefore, the headlight device according to the first embodiment can simplify the configuration of the lens body 12.

[0041] As described above, the headlamp device according to the first embodiment can form an overhead light distribution without providing the lens body 12 with an exit surface dedicated to forming the overhead light distribution.

[0042] Embodiment 2 A headlamp device according to embodiment 2 will be described with reference to Figures 3 to 9. Note that components having the same functions as those described in embodiment 1 above will be assigned the same reference numerals, and descriptions thereof will be omitted.

[0043] Fig. 3 is a perspective view of a headlight device according to embodiment 2 as seen from the front right. Fig. 4 is a perspective view of the headlight device according to embodiment 2 as seen from the lower left. Fig. 5 is a front view of the headlight device according to embodiment 2. Fig. 6 is a plan view of the headlight device according to embodiment 2. Fig. 7 is a bottom view of the headlight device according to embodiment 2. Fig. 8 is a left side view of the headlight device according to embodiment 2. Fig. 9 is a perspective view of the headlight device according to embodiment 2 as seen from the rear left.

[0044] The headlight device according to the first embodiment has one lens body 12 and one optical path through which the light beams R1 to R4 pass. In contrast, the headlight device according to the second embodiment has one lens body 13 and multiple optical paths through which the light beams R1 to R4 pass. Therefore, the headlight device according to the second embodiment shown in Figures 3 to 9 shows an example in which one lens body 13 has five optical paths. In the headlight device according to the second embodiment, an example in which one lens body 13 has five optical paths is shown, but one lens body 13 may have two or more optical paths.

[0045] As shown in FIGS. 3 to 9 , the headlamp device according to the second embodiment includes a light source 11 and a lens body 13 .

[0046] The lens body 13 has one incident section 20, five light guiding sections 30A-30E, and five light distribution forming sections 40A-40E. In this case, the number of light guiding sections is the same as the number of light distribution forming sections. In other words, the lens body 13 has one incident section 20, multiple light guiding sections 30A-30E, and multiple light distribution forming sections 40A-40E corresponding to the multiple light guiding sections 30A-30E, respectively. The incident section 20, light guiding sections 30A-30E, and light distribution forming sections 40A-40E are integrally formed. The incident section 20 is common to all light paths. The light guiding sections 30A-30E are formed to branch off from the incident section 20.

[0047] The incident portion 20, light guide portion 30A, and light distribution forming portion 40A correspond to each other and form a first optical path. The incident portion 20, light guide portion 30B, and light distribution forming portion 40B correspond to each other and form a second optical path. The incident portion 20, light guide portion 30C, and light distribution forming portion 40C correspond to each other and form a third optical path. The incident portion 20, light guide portion 30D, and light distribution forming portion 40D correspond to each other and form a fourth optical path. The incident portion 20, light guide portion 30E, and light distribution forming portion 40E correspond to each other and form a fifth optical path. Each of these optical paths allows light R1 to R4 described in embodiment 1 to pass through.

[0048] In the headlight device according to the second embodiment, the side on which light guiding unit 30C and light distribution forming unit 40C are arranged is the right side when viewed from the front on which light source 11 is arranged. In addition, in the headlight device according to the second embodiment, the side on which light guiding unit 30E and light distribution forming unit 40E are arranged is the left side when viewed from the front on which light source 11 is arranged. In other words, the five light paths are arranged side by side in the left-right direction (width direction) of the headlight device.

[0049] The light guide section 30A has a first light guide reflection surface 31A and a second light guide reflection surface 32A. The second light guide reflection surface 32A also serves as an exit surface for forming an overhead light distribution.

[0050] The light guiding unit 30A guides the light incident from the incident unit 20 directly toward the light distribution forming unit 40A. Furthermore, the light guiding unit 30A reflects the light incident from the incident unit 20 off the first light guiding reflecting surface 31A, or the first light guiding reflecting surface 31A and the second light guiding reflecting surface 32A, and then guides the light toward the light distribution forming unit 40A.

[0051] The light distribution forming portion 40A has a first light distributing reflecting surface 41A, a second light distributing reflecting surface 42A, an incident surface 43A, and a projection surface 44A.

[0052] The first light distributing reflecting surface 41A reflects light reflected by the first light-guiding reflecting surface 31A and the second light-guiding reflecting surface 32A of the light guide unit 30A. The first light distributing reflecting surface 41A also reflects light that is not reflected by the first light-guiding reflecting surface 31A and the second light-guiding reflecting surface 32A of the light guide unit 30A. The first light distributing reflecting surface 41A reflects a portion of the reflected light as a cutoff light distribution and guides the light toward the second light distributing reflecting surface 42A and the projection surface 44A (described later). The first light distributing reflecting surface 41A also reflects the rest of the reflected light as an overhead light distribution and transmits it through the second light-guiding reflecting surface 32A, which guides the light toward the projection surface 44A (described later).

[0053] The second light distributing reflecting surface 42A reflects a portion of the light reflected by the first light distributing reflecting surface 41A as a cutoff light distribution, and guides the light toward a projection surface 44A, which will be described later.

[0054] The incident surface 43A allows the light that has been reflected by the first light distributing reflecting surface 41A as an overhead light distribution and then transmitted through the second light-guiding reflecting surface 32A to enter the interior of the lens body 13. The incident surface 43A also guides the incident light toward the projection surface 44A, which will be described later. That is, the incident surface 43A allows the light that has once exited the lens body 13 from the second light-guiding reflecting surface 32A as an overhead light distribution to enter the interior of the lens body 13 again.

[0055] The projection surface 44A projects the light reflected by the first light distributing reflecting surface 41A as a cut-off light distribution toward the front of the light distribution forming unit 40A. The projection surface 44A projects the light reflected by the second light distributing reflecting surface 42A as a cut-off light distribution toward the front of the light distribution forming unit 40A. The projection surface 44A projects the light that has been re-entered into the lens body 13 by the incident surface 43A as an overhead light distribution toward the front of the light distribution forming unit 40A.

[0056] The light guide section 30B has a first light guide reflecting surface 31B and a second light guide reflecting surface 32B. The second light guide reflecting surface 32B also serves as an exit surface for forming an overhead light distribution.

[0057] The light guiding unit 30B guides the light incident from the incident unit 20 directly toward the light distribution forming unit 40B. Furthermore, the light guiding unit 30B reflects the light incident from the incident unit 20 off the first light guiding reflecting surface 31B, or the first light guiding reflecting surface 31B and the second light guiding reflecting surface 32B, and then guides the light toward the light distribution forming unit 40B.

[0058] The light distribution forming portion 40B has a first light distributing reflecting surface 41B, a second light distributing reflecting surface 42B, an incident surface 43B, and a projection surface 44B.

[0059] The first light distributing reflecting surface 41B reflects light reflected by the first light-guiding reflecting surface 31B and the second light-guiding reflecting surface 32B of the light guide unit 30B. The first light distributing reflecting surface 41B also reflects light that is not reflected by the first light-guiding reflecting surface 31B and the second light-guiding reflecting surface 32B of the light guide unit 30B. The first light distributing reflecting surface 41B reflects a portion of the reflected light as a cutoff light distribution and guides the light toward the second light distributing reflecting surface 42B and the projection surface 44B described below. The first light distributing reflecting surface 41B also reflects the rest of the reflected light as an overhead light distribution and transmits it through the second light-guiding reflecting surface 32B, which guides the light toward the projection surface 44B described below.

[0060] The second light distributing reflecting surface 42B reflects a portion of the light reflected by the first light distributing reflecting surface 41B as a cutoff light distribution, and guides the light toward a projection surface 44B, which will be described later.

[0061] The incident surface 43B allows the light that has been reflected by the first light distributing reflecting surface 41B as an overhead light distribution and then transmitted through the second light-guiding reflecting surface 32B to enter the interior of the lens body 13. The incident surface 43B also guides the incident light toward the projection surface 44B, which will be described later. That is, the incident surface 43B allows the light that has once exited the lens body 13 from the second light-guiding reflecting surface 32B as an overhead light distribution to enter the interior of the lens body 13 again.

[0062] The projection surface 44B projects the light reflected by the first light distribution reflecting surface 41B as a cut-off light distribution toward the front of the light distribution forming unit 40B. The projection surface 44B projects the light reflected by the second light distribution reflecting surface 42B as a cut-off light distribution toward the front of the light distribution forming unit 40B. The projection surface 44B projects the light that has been re-entered into the lens body 13 by the incident surface 43B as an overhead light distribution toward the front of the light distribution forming unit 40B.

[0063] The light guide unit 30C has a first light guide reflecting surface 31C and a second light guide reflecting surface 32C. The second light guide reflecting surface 32C also serves as an exit surface for forming an overhead light distribution. In the headlamp device according to the second embodiment, the second light guide reflecting surface 32B of the light guide unit 30B and the second light guide reflecting surface 32C of the light guide unit 30C are flush with each other.

[0064] The light guiding unit 30C guides the light incident from the incident unit 20 directly toward the light distribution forming unit 40C. Furthermore, the light guiding unit 30C reflects the light incident from the incident unit 20 off the first light guiding reflecting surface 31C, or the first light guiding reflecting surface 31C and the second light guiding reflecting surface 32C, and then guides the light toward the light distribution forming unit 40C.

[0065] The light distribution forming portion 40C has a first light distributing reflecting surface 41C, a second light distributing reflecting surface 42C, an incident surface 43C, and a projection surface 44C.

[0066] The first light distributing reflecting surface 41C reflects light reflected by the first light-guiding reflecting surface 31C and the second light-guiding reflecting surface 32C of the light guide unit 30C. The first light distributing reflecting surface 41C also reflects light that is not reflected by the first light-guiding reflecting surface 31C and the second light-guiding reflecting surface 32C of the light guide unit 30C. The first light distributing reflecting surface 41C reflects a portion of the reflected light as a cutoff light distribution and guides the light toward the second light distributing reflecting surface 42C and the projection surface 44C described below. The first light distributing reflecting surface 41C also reflects the rest of the reflected light as an overhead light distribution and transmits it through the second light-guiding reflecting surface 32C, which guides the light toward the projection surface 44C described below.

[0067] The second light distributing reflecting surface 42C reflects a part of the light reflected by the first light distributing reflecting surface 41C as a cutoff light distribution, and guides the light toward a projection surface 44C described later.

[0068] The incident surface 43C allows the light that has been reflected by the first light distributing reflecting surface 41C as an overhead light distribution and then transmitted through the second light-guiding reflecting surface 32C to enter the interior of the lens body 13. The incident surface 43C also guides the incident light toward the projection surface 44C, which will be described later. That is, the incident surface 43C allows the light that has once exited the lens body 13 from the second light-guiding reflecting surface 32C as an overhead light distribution to enter the interior of the lens body 13 again.

[0069] The projection surface 44C projects the light reflected by the first light distributing reflecting surface 41C as a cut-off light distribution toward the front of the light distribution forming unit 40C. The projection surface 44C projects the light reflected by the second light distributing reflecting surface 42C as a cut-off light distribution toward the front of the light distribution forming unit 40C. The projection surface 44C projects the light that has been re-entered into the lens body 13 by the incident surface 43C as an overhead light distribution toward the front of the light distribution forming unit 40C.

[0070] The light guide unit 30D has a first light guide reflection surface 31D and a second light guide reflection surface 32D. The second light guide reflection surface 32D also serves as an exit surface for forming an overhead light distribution.

[0071] Light guiding unit 30D guides the light incident from incident unit 20 directly toward light distribution forming unit 40D. Furthermore, light guiding unit 30D reflects the light incident from incident unit 20 off first light guiding reflecting surface 31D, or off first light guiding reflecting surface 31D and second light guiding reflecting surface 32D, and then guides the light toward light distribution forming unit 40D.

[0072] The light distribution forming portion 40D has a first light distributing reflecting surface 41D, a second light distributing reflecting surface 42D, an incident surface 43D, and a projection surface 44D.

[0073] The first light distributing reflecting surface 41D reflects light reflected by the first light-guiding reflecting surface 31D and the second light-guiding reflecting surface 32D of the light guide unit 30D. The first light distributing reflecting surface 41D also reflects light that is not reflected by the first light-guiding reflecting surface 31D and the second light-guiding reflecting surface 32D of the light guide unit 30D. The first light distributing reflecting surface 41D reflects a portion of the reflected light as a cutoff light distribution and guides the light toward the second light distributing reflecting surface 42D and the projection surface 44D described below. The first light distributing reflecting surface 41D also reflects the rest of the reflected light as an overhead light distribution and transmits it through the second light-guiding reflecting surface 32D, which guides the light toward the projection surface 44D described below.

[0074] The incident surface 43D allows the light that has been reflected by the first light distributing reflecting surface 41D as an overhead light distribution and then transmitted through the second light-guiding reflecting surface 32D to enter the interior of the lens body 13. The incident surface 43D also guides the incident light toward the incident surface 43D, which will be described later. That is, the incident surface 43D allows the light that has once exited the lens body 13 from the second light-guiding reflecting surface 32D as an overhead light distribution to enter the interior of the lens body 13 again.

[0075] The projection surface 44D projects the light reflected by the first light distributing reflecting surface 41D as a cut-off light distribution toward the front of the light distribution forming unit 40D. The projection surface 44D projects the light reflected by the second light distributing reflecting surface 42D as a cut-off light distribution toward the front of the light distribution forming unit 40D. The projection surface 44D projects the light that has been re-entered into the lens body 13 by the incident surface 43D as an overhead light distribution toward the front of the light distribution forming unit 40D.

[0076] The light guide unit 30E has a first light guide reflecting surface 31E and a second light guide reflecting surface 32E. The second light guide reflecting surface 32E also serves as an exit surface for forming an overhead light distribution. In the headlamp device according to the second embodiment, the first light guide reflecting surface 31D of the light guide unit 30D and the first light guide reflecting surface 31E of the light guide unit 30E are flush with each other.

[0077] The light guiding unit 30E guides the light incident from the incident unit 20 directly toward the light distribution forming unit 40E. Furthermore, the light guiding unit 30E reflects the light incident from the incident unit 20 off the first light guiding reflecting surface 31E, or the first light guiding reflecting surface 31E and the second light guiding reflecting surface 32E, and then guides the light toward the light distribution forming unit 40E.

[0078] The light distribution forming portion 40E has a first light distributing reflecting surface 41E, a second light distributing reflecting surface 42E, an incident surface 43E, and a projection surface 44E.

[0079] The first light distributing reflecting surface 41E reflects light reflected by the first light-guiding reflecting surface 31E and the second light-guiding reflecting surface 32E of the light guide unit 30E. The first light distributing reflecting surface 41E also reflects light that is not reflected by the first light-guiding reflecting surface 31E and the second light-guiding reflecting surface 32E of the light guide unit 30E. The first light distributing reflecting surface 41E reflects a portion of the reflected light as a cutoff light distribution and guides the light toward the second light distributing reflecting surface 42E and the projection surface 44E, which will be described later. The first light distributing reflecting surface 41E also reflects the remainder of the reflected light as an overhead light distribution and transmits it through the second light-guiding reflecting surface 32E, which guides the light toward the projection surface 44E, which will be described later.

[0080] The second light distributing reflecting surface 42E reflects a portion of the light reflected by the first light distributing reflecting surface 41E as a cutoff light distribution, and guides the light toward a projection surface 44E, which will be described later.

[0081] The incident surface 43E allows the light that has been reflected by the first light distributing reflecting surface 41E as an overhead light distribution and then transmitted through the second light-guiding reflecting surface 32E to enter the interior of the lens body 13. The incident surface 43E also guides the incident light toward the projection surface 44E, which will be described later. That is, the incident surface 43E allows the light that has once exited the lens body 13 from the second light-guiding reflecting surface 32E as an overhead light distribution to enter the interior of the lens body 13 again.

[0082] The projection surface 44E projects the light reflected by the first light distributing reflecting surface 41E as a cut-off light distribution toward the front of the light distribution forming unit 40E. The projection surface 44E projects the light reflected by the second light distributing reflecting surface 42E as a cut-off light distribution toward the front of the light distribution forming unit 40E. The projection surface 44E projects the light that has been re-entered into the lens body 13 by the incident surface 43E as an overhead light distribution toward the front of the light distribution forming unit 40E.

[0083] In this way, the headlight device according to embodiment 2 does not require a dedicated exit surface for forming the overhead light distribution by transmitting light that forms the overhead light distribution (corresponding to R4 according to embodiment 1) through second light-guiding and reflecting surfaces 32A to 32E, which also serve as exit surfaces to the outside of lens body 13. Therefore, the headlight device according to embodiment 2 can simplify the configuration of lens body 13.

[0084] Although the second embodiment has been described with reference to a case in which five light guiding sections and five light distribution forming sections are provided, the present invention is not limited to this. The headlight device according to the second embodiment can arbitrarily set the numbers of light guiding sections and light distribution forming sections as long as the headlight device is configured to guide light from two or more (plural) adjacent light distribution forming sections to the projection surface.

[0085] As described above, the headlamp device according to the second embodiment can form an overhead light distribution without providing the lens body 13 with an exit surface dedicated to forming the overhead light distribution.

[0086] It should be noted that within the scope of the present disclosure, the embodiments may be freely combined, or any component in each embodiment may be modified, or any component in each embodiment may be omitted.

[0087] The headlight device of the present disclosure is suitable for use in headlight devices, etc., because the second light-guiding reflecting surface also serves as the exit surface to the outside of the lens body, allowing for the formation of an overhead light distribution without providing the lens body with a dedicated exit surface for forming the overhead light distribution.

[0088] 11 light source, 12, 13 lens body, 20 incident portion, 21 lens, 22 reflecting surface, 30 light guiding portion, 31 first light guiding reflecting surface, 32 second light guiding reflecting surface, 40 light distribution forming portion, 41 first light distributing reflecting surface, 42 second light distributing reflecting surface, 43 incident surface, 44 projection surface, 30A to 30E light guiding portion, 31A to 31E first light guiding reflecting surface, 32A to 32E second light guiding reflecting surface, 40A to 40E light distribution forming portion, 41A to 41E first light distributing reflecting surface, 42A to 42E second light distributing reflecting surface, 43A to 43E incident surface, 44A to 44E, R1 to R4 light.

Claims

1. A headlamp device comprising a lens body having an incident portion at a front end of which a light source is provided, a light guiding portion through which light is guided from the incident portion, and a light distribution forming portion through which light is guided from the light guiding portion, wherein the light guiding portion has a first light guiding reflecting surface and a second light guiding reflecting surface that are arranged to face each other and reflect the light guided from the incident portion, and the light distribution forming portion has a first light distribution reflecting surface that is connected to a rear end of the first light guiding reflecting surface and that reflects light reflected by the first light guiding reflecting surface or the second light guiding reflecting surface and light not reflected by the first light guiding reflecting surface and the second light guiding reflecting surface as a cut-off light distribution, and a second light distribution reflecting surface that is arranged to be inclined with respect to the first light distribution reflecting surface and that reflects light reflected by the first light distribution reflecting surface as a cut-off light distribution, a light guide reflecting surface that faces the second light guide reflecting surface on the outside of the lens body, and that causes light that is reflected by the first light distribution reflecting surface as an overhead light distribution and then passes through the second light guide reflecting surface, which also serves as an exit surface to the outside of the lens body, to enter the inside of the lens body; and a projection surface that forms a rear end surface of the light distribution forming portion, and that projects the light reflected by the second light distribution reflecting surface as a cutoff light distribution and the light that is incident from the entrance surface as an overhead light distribution.

2. The headlamp device according to claim 1, characterized in that the light guide section and the light distribution forming section are arranged so as to intersect with each other.

3. A headlamp device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the second light-guiding reflection surface and the incident surface have an arbitrary crossing angle with each other.

4. A headlamp device as claimed in claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the second light-guiding reflection surface is a curved surface that is convex or concave with respect to the lens body.

5. A headlamp device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the entrance surface is a curved surface that is convex or concave with respect to the lens body.

6. A headlamp device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that it comprises one incident portion, a plurality of light guiding portions, and a plurality of light distribution forming portions.

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