Vehicle headlight

Abstract

A vehicle headlight (1) comprises: a lamp unit (10); an actuator (20) capable of adjusting the attitude of the lamp unit (10) in either a vertical direction or a horizontal direction; and a link unit (100) for amplifying a stroke amount of the actuator (20) and transmitting the amplified stroke amount to the lamp unit (10).

Description

Vehicle headlights

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

[0002] Patent Document 1 describes a vehicle headlamp that can reduce restrictions on the placement positions of an aiming unit and a leveling mechanism.

[0003] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2000-057824

[0004] Vehicle headlights require adjustment of their optical axis when installed in a vehicle. The optical axis is adjusted by displacing the position of the lamp unit inside the vehicle headlight. Conventionally, a method for adjusting the position of the lamp unit by manually operating it from outside the vehicle headlight has been known, but manual operation requires a certain amount of time. Therefore, in recent years, studies have been conducted to adjust the optical axis by displacing the position of the lamp unit by electronically controlling an actuator arranged in the vehicle headlight. However, in this case, the larger the headlamp unit, the greater the amount of actuator movement required to adjust the optical axis. This has resulted in a problem of increasing the size of the actuator and the vehicle headlight itself.

[0005] According to the present disclosure, it is possible to provide a vehicle headlamp that can aim a large lamp unit while suppressing an increase in the size of the actuator.

[0006] A vehicle headlamp according to one aspect of the present disclosure includes a lamp unit, an actuator capable of adjusting the attitude of the lamp unit in either the up-down or left-right direction, and a link unit that amplifies the stroke amount of the actuator and transmits it to the lamp unit.

[0007] According to the present disclosure, it is possible to provide a vehicle headlamp that can aim a large lamp unit while suppressing an increase in the size of the actuator.

[0008] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a vehicle headlamp 1 according to a first embodiment, as seen obliquely from the front. FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the vehicle headlamp 1 as seen obliquely from the rear. FIG. 3 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of a first support mechanism A and a third support mechanism C. FIG. 4 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of a second support mechanism B and a first actuator 21. FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view of a link unit 100. FIG. 6 is a view showing a state in which the optical axis of the lamp unit 10 shown in FIG. 3 is tilted downward. FIG. 7 is a view showing a state in which the lamp unit 10 shown in FIG. 4 is tilted leftward. FIG. 8 is a front view of a vehicle headlamp 1A according to a second embodiment. FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view taken along line IX-IX in FIG. 8. FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view taken along line X in FIG. 8. FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view taken along line XI in FIG. 8. FIG. 12 is an exploded perspective view of a link unit 100A. FIG. 13 is an enlarged view of portion XIII in FIG. 10. FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view taken along line XIV-XIV in FIG. 8. FIG. 15 is an exploded perspective view of the second support structure BB of the vehicle headlamp 1B according to the third embodiment. FIG. 16 is a perspective view of the second support structure BB. FIG. 17 is a right side view of the link arm 110B and the slider 200B. FIG. 18 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the link base 120B. FIG. 19 is a cross-sectional view of the link unit 100B, the connection bracket 15B of the lamp unit 10, and the slider 200B as viewed from above. FIG. 20 is a front view of the second support structure BC of the vehicle headlamp 1C according to the fourth embodiment. FIG. 21 is an exploded perspective view of the second support structure BC of the vehicle headlamp 1C according to the fourth embodiment. FIG. 22 is a cross-sectional view taken along line XXII in FIG. 20. FIG. 23 is a cross-sectional view taken along line XXIII in FIG. 20.

[0009] Specific examples of vehicle lamps according to embodiments of the present disclosure will be described below with reference to the drawings. Note that the present disclosure is not limited to these examples, but is defined by the claims, and is intended to include all modifications within the meaning and scope of the claims.

[0010] In the following description, when referring to the front-rear direction, the up-down direction, and the left-right direction, these directions are defined as directions seen by an occupant of a vehicle in which the vehicle lamp is installed. In the drawings, the symbols U, D, F, B, L, and R represent the upper, lower, front, rear, left, and right directions, respectively.

[0011] <First embodiment> [Overall structure] Figures 1 and 2 are perspective views of a vehicle headlamp 1 according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure. Figure 1 is a perspective view of the vehicle headlamp 1 as seen from diagonally forward. Figure 2 is a perspective view of the vehicle headlamp 1 as seen from diagonally rearward.

[0012] 1 and 2 , the vehicle headlamp 1 includes a housing 2, a bracket 3, a lamp unit 10, an actuator 20, and a link unit 100. The bracket 3, the lamp unit 10, the actuator 20, and the link unit 100 are disposed inside the housing 2. The lamp unit 10, the actuator 20, and the link unit 100 are supported by the bracket 3.

[0013] In the vehicle headlamp 1 of this embodiment, a bracket 3 is fixed to a housing 2. A lamp unit 10 is displaceably supported by the bracket 3. The lamp unit 10 is displaced relative to the housing 2 by an actuator 20 and a link unit 100.

[0014] The lamp unit 10 emits at least one of a high beam light distribution pattern and a low beam light distribution pattern. The lamp unit 10 includes an optical member 11, a heat sink 12, a connecting bracket 14, and an actuator 20. The optical member 11 includes a light source 11a, a reflector 11b that reflects light emitted from the light source 11a, and a lens 11c that irradiates the light emitted from the light source 11a forward. The heat sink 12 dissipates heat generated by the light source 11a.

[0015] The optical member 11 and the heat sink 12 are connected to a lens holder 13. In the illustrated example, the lens holder 13 is a rectangular frame-shaped member that is elongated in the left-right direction. A lens 11c that is elongated in the left-right direction is attached to the lens holder 13.

[0016] The connecting bracket 14 is provided at a position where it does not overlap the optical member 11 when viewed from the front. In the illustrated example, the connecting bracket 14 is fixed to the left end of the lens holder 13.

[0017] In the vehicle headlamp 1 of this embodiment, the lamp unit 10 is assembled to the bracket 3 so as to be relatively displaceable (aiming adjustable). The aiming of the lamp unit 10 is adjusted by an actuator 20, which will be described later. The bracket 3 is fixed to the housing 2.

[0018] The actuator 20 is fixed to the bracket 3. The actuator 20 controls the attitude of the lamp unit 10 relative to the bracket 3. The vehicle headlamp 1 according to this embodiment has a first actuator 21 and a second actuator 22. The first actuator 21 and the second actuator 22 are both linear actuators, and the output shaft portion moves forward and backward along the direction in which the output shaft portion extends. In the illustrated example, the output shaft portion moves forward and backward in the front-to-rear direction. The first actuator 21 is located on the right side of the rear surface of the bracket 3. The second actuator 22 is located on the left side of the rear surface of the bracket 3.

[0019] The lamp unit 10 is attached to the bracket 3 via a first support mechanism A, a second support mechanism B, and a third support mechanism C. The first support mechanism A is provided on the lower left side of the lens holder 13 of the lamp unit 10. The third support mechanism C is provided on the upper left side of the lens holder 13 of the lamp unit 10.

[0020] Fig. 3 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the first support mechanism A and the third support mechanism C. As shown in Fig. 3, the first support mechanism A is configured with a ball joint.

[0021] The first support mechanism A is composed of a joint pin 30 provided on the connecting bracket 14 of the lamp unit 10 and a joint receiver 31 provided on the bracket 3. The connecting bracket 14 is a plate-shaped member extending in the vertical direction. The joint pin 30 protrudes rearward from the lower part of the rear surface of the connecting bracket 14.

[0022] The lamp unit 10 is supported by the bracket 3 by supporting the joint pin 30 by the joint receiver 31. The joint pin 30 is supported by the joint receiver 31 so that it can rotate about an axis extending in the front-to-rear direction, an axis extending in the up-down direction, and an axis extending in the left-to-right direction, but cannot be displaced in the front-to-rear direction, up-down direction, or left-to-right direction.

[0023] As shown in Fig. 2, the third support mechanism C is provided on the upper left side of the lens holder 13. The third support mechanism C is composed of a ball joint. As shown in Fig. 3, the third support mechanism C is composed of a receiving portion 40 of the connecting bracket 14 of the lamp unit 10 and a ball portion 22d of the second actuator 22. As shown in Fig. 3, the receiving portion 40 is provided on the upper rear surface of the connecting bracket 14. The ball portion 22d is provided at the tip of the output shaft portion 22c of the second actuator 22.

[0024] The ball portion 22d is supported by the receiving portion 40. The receiving portion 40 has a groove extending in the vertical direction. The ball portion 22d is fitted into this groove. The ball portion 22d is supported relative to the receiving portion 40 so that it can rotate about an axis extending in the left-right direction, an axis extending in the up-down direction, and an axis extending in the front-rear direction, and can be displaced in the up-down direction, but cannot be displaced in the front-rear direction or left-right direction.

[0025] The second actuator 22 rotates the lamp unit 10 around the joint pin 30 as the center of rotation, thereby vertically displacing the attitude of the lamp unit 10. The second actuator 22 rotates the lamp unit 10 around a vertical rotation axis X1, which will be described later. The second actuator 22 has a main body 22a, an output shaft 22c, and a ball 22d provided at the tip of the output shaft 22c.

[0026] The second actuator 22 is fixed to the bracket 3 with the output shaft 22c protruding forward. The ball 22d is supported by the receiving portion 40 of the connecting bracket 14. When the second actuator 22 is activated and the ball 22d is displaced in the front-rear direction, the receiving portion 40 is also displaced in the front-rear direction. This causes the lamp unit 10 to rotate about an axis that passes through the joint pin 30 and extends in the left-right direction. As a result, the second actuator 22 rotates the lamp unit 10 about the axis that extends in the left-right direction.

[0027] Returning to FIG. 1 , the second support mechanism B is provided on the lower right side of the lens holder 13. The second support mechanism B is composed of a shaft portion 13a and a link unit 100. The shaft portion 13a is a portion that protrudes rightward from the right side surface of the lens holder 13. The link unit 100 is supported by the bracket 3. The shaft portion 13a is supported so as to be movable in the front-rear direction relative to the bracket 3. The link unit 100 moves the shaft portion 13a in the front-rear direction relative to the bracket 3. When the first actuator 21 operates, the attitude of the lamp unit 10 is changed via the second support mechanism B.

[0028] FIG. 4 is a vertical cross-sectional view showing the second support mechanism B and the first actuator 21. FIG. 4 is also a cross-sectional view taken along line IV-IV in FIG. 1. As shown in FIG. 4, the second support mechanism B is connected to the first actuator 21. The first actuator 21 has a main body 21a and a drive unit 21b extending forward from the main body 21a. The first actuator 21 is an electronically controllable direct-acting actuator. The first actuator 21 rotates the lamp unit 10 around the joint pin 30 as the center of rotation, thereby displacing the attitude of the lamp unit 10 in the left-right direction.

[0029] The driving unit 21b is composed of a rod-shaped shaft portion 21c and a spherical ball portion 21d provided at the tip of the shaft portion 21c. When the first actuator 21 displaces the ball portion 21d in the front-rear direction, this displacement is transmitted to the shaft portion 13a of the lens holder 13 via the link unit 100, and the attitude of the lamp unit 10 is controlled.

[0030] Next, the link unit 100 of the vehicle headlamp 1 according to this embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 5. Fig. 5 is an exploded perspective view of the link unit 100. The link unit 100 is supported by the bracket 3 and transmits the motion of the first actuator 21 to the lens holder 13. As shown in Fig. 5, the link unit 100 has a link arm 110 and a link base 120.

[0031] The link arm 110 is a member that can rotate with respect to the bracket 3. The link arm 110 can rotate about an axis that extends in the left-right direction. The link arm 110 has a first end 111, a second end 112, and a body 113. The first end 111 has a groove 111a, which, together with the ball portion 21d of the first actuator 21, forms a ball joint.

[0032] The first end 111 is provided at the upper part of the link arm 110. The groove 111a has a groove extending in the up-down direction. A ball 21d of the first actuator 21 is supported inside this groove. The ball 21d is displaceable in the up-down direction along the groove 111a. Furthermore, the ball 21d is capable of rotating about an axis extending in the left-right direction, an axis extending in the up-down direction, and an axis extending in the front-rear direction relative to the groove 111a. Furthermore, the ball 21d is unable to displace in the front-rear direction or left-right direction relative to the groove 111a.

[0033] The second end 112 is provided at the lower part of the link arm 110. The second end 112 is a generally U-shaped portion that opens downward and guides the movement of the shaft portion 13 a. The second end 112 is a plate-shaped portion that extends in the front-rear and up-down directions.

[0034] The second end 112 has an arm guide groove 112a that opens downward. The arm guide groove 112a sandwiches the cylindrical shaft 13a that protrudes rightward from the lens holder 13 from the front-to-rear direction. The opening width h1 of the arm guide groove 112a (the dimension of the opening in the front-to-rear direction) is approximately the same as the diameter of the shaft 13a. Meanwhile, the opening length t1 of the arm guide groove 112a (the length of the opening in the up-to-down direction) is configured to be longer than at least the diameter of the shaft 13a. This prevents the shaft 13a of the lamp unit 10 from displacing in the approximately front-to-rear direction relative to the link arm 110, but allows it to displace in the approximately up-to-down direction.

[0035] When the first actuator 21 is actuated, the link arm 110 rotates, and in this state, the arm guide groove 112a of the link arm 110 extends in a direction tilted from the vertical direction. However, for the sake of convenience, unless otherwise specified, the following description will be based on the position in which the lamp unit 10 faces directly forward and the optical axis of the lamp unit 10 extends in the front-to-rear direction. For example, in this reference position, the arm guide groove 112a extends in the vertical direction.

[0036] The body 113 is a plate-like member that connects the first end 111 and the second end 112. A support shaft 113a that can be fitted with a link base 120 (described later) protrudes in the left-right direction from the surface of the body 113. The distance from the axis of the support shaft 113a to the center of the ball portion 21d connected to the first end 111 is configured to be longer than the distance from the axis of the support shaft 113a to the axis of the shaft 13a connected to the second end 112.

[0037] The link base 120 is fixed to the bracket 3. The link base 120 has a first base portion 121 and a second base portion 122.

[0038] The first base portion 121 supports the support shaft portion 113a of the link arm 110 so as to be rotatable about an axis extending in the left-right direction. The first base portion 121 is a portion that protrudes forward from the bracket 3 so as to sandwich the link arm 110 from the left and right. The support shaft portion 113a supports the link arm 110 so as to be swingable relative to the link base 120.

[0039] The second base portion 122 is a portion that regulates the movement direction of the shaft portion 13a of the lamp unit 10. The second base portion 122 is a plate-shaped portion that extends in the front-rear and up-down directions. The second base portion 122 has a base guide groove portion 122a that opens forward. The shaft portion 13a is sandwiched between the base guide groove portion 122a from above and below. The opening width h2 of the base guide groove portion 122a (the vertical dimension of the opening) is approximately the same as the diameter of the shaft portion 13a. The base guide groove portion 122a allows the shaft portion 13a to move in the front-rear direction and rotate around the longitudinal direction of the shaft portion 13a (rotation around an axis extending in the left-right direction).

[0040] The base guide groove portion 122a and the arm guide groove portion 112a are arranged to extend in directions that intersect with each other, and the second base portion 122 restricts the shaft portion 13a from moving in the vertical direction relative to the link base 120.

[0041] The link arm 110 can swing around the support shaft 113a as a rotation center. For example, when the first end 111 of the link arm 110 is moved forward by the drive of the first actuator 21, the second end 112 of the link arm 110 moves rearward, tracing an arc with the support shaft 113a as a rotation center. At this time, the arm guide groove 112a of the second end 112 causes the shaft 13a of the lamp unit 10 to move together. However, the arm guide groove 112a supports the shaft 13a so that it can move up and down, and the shaft 13a is supported by the second base 122 of the link base 120 so that it can move forward and backward. Therefore, the shaft 13a moves rearward linearly along the base guide groove 122a of the second base 122.

[0042] [Adjusting the Attitude of the Lamp Unit] Next, a method for adjusting the attitude of the lamp unit 10 in the vehicle headlamp 1 according to this embodiment (aiming adjustment method) will be described. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 , the lamp unit 10 of the vehicle headlamp 1 according to this embodiment is attached to the housing 2 via a first support mechanism A, a second support mechanism B, and a third support mechanism C. The attitude of the lamp unit 10 is adjusted by operating the second support mechanism B and the third support mechanism C, with the first support mechanism A as a fulcrum. More specifically, when the second actuator 22 of the third support mechanism C is operated, the lamp unit 10 rotates about a vertical rotation axis X1 passing through the first support mechanism A and the second support mechanism B, thereby adjusting the attitude of the lamp unit 10 in the vertical direction. Furthermore, when the first actuator 21 of the second support mechanism B is operated, the lamp unit 10 rotates about a horizontal rotation axis X2 passing through the first support mechanism A and the third support mechanism C, thereby adjusting the attitude of the lamp unit 10 in the horizontal direction. The adjustment of the attitude in each direction will be described in detail below.

[0043] [Adjustment of the vertical attitude] Adjustment of the vertical attitude of the lamp unit 10 will be described with reference to Figures 3 and 6. Figure 6 is a diagram showing a state in which the optical axis of the lamp unit 10 of the vehicle headlamp 1 shown in Figure 3 is tilted downward.

[0044] As described above, in the first support mechanism A, the joint pin 30 of the lamp unit 10 is supported by the joint receiver 31 of the bracket 3 so as to be rotatable at least about an axis extending in the left-right direction. In the second support mechanism B, the shaft 13a of the lamp unit 10 is supported by the link base 120 so as to be rotatable about an axis extending in the left-right direction. In the second support mechanism B, the shaft 13a does not move in the front-rear direction unless the first actuator 21 is activated. Therefore, the lamp unit 10 can rotate relative to the bracket 3 about the vertical rotation axis X1 (see FIGS. 1 and 6 ) which passes through the joint pin 30 and the shaft 13a and extends in the left-right direction.

[0045] 6, when the ball portion 22d of the second actuator 22 is displaced forward, the receiving portion 40 of the connecting bracket 14 is also displaced forward, and the lamp unit 10 rotates around the vertical rotation axis X1. When the ball portion 22d of the first actuator 21 is displaced forward in this manner, the optical axis of the lamp unit 10 can be tilted downward. When the ball portion 22d of the first actuator 21 is displaced rearward, the optical axis of the lamp unit 10 can be tilted upward.

[0046] [Adjustment of Posture in the Left-Right Direction] Next, adjustment of the posture of the lamp unit 10 in the left-right direction will be described with reference to Fig. 7. Fig. 7 is a diagram showing a state in which the optical axis of the lamp unit 10 shown in Fig. 4 is tilted leftward.

[0047] As described above, in the first support mechanism A, the joint pin 30 of the lamp unit 10 is supported by the joint receiver 31 of the bracket 3 so as to be rotatable about an axis extending in the vertical direction. Furthermore, in the third support mechanism C, the ball portion 22d of the second actuator 22 is supported by the receiver 40 of the lamp unit 10 so as to be rotatable about an axis extending in the vertical direction. Furthermore, in the third support mechanism C, unless the second actuator 22 is actuated, the receiver 40 does not move in the front-to-rear direction. Therefore, the lamp unit 10 can rotate relative to the bracket 3 about the left-to-right rotation axis X2 that passes through the joint pin 30 and the ball portion 22d and extends in the vertical direction.

[0048] Therefore, as shown in Fig. 7, in the second support mechanism B, when the first actuator 21 is operated to displace the ball portion 21d of the first actuator 21 rearward from the state shown in Fig. 4, the link arm 110 rotates around the support shaft portion 113a, displacing the shaft portion 13a of the lamp unit 10 forward. As shown in Fig. 1 and other figures, the second support mechanism B supports the right side of the lamp unit 10, and therefore, when the shaft portion 13a displaces forward, the optical axis of the lamp unit 10 displaces leftward. In Fig. 7, the position of the shaft portion 13a in the state shown in Fig. 4 is indicated by H, and the movement trajectory of the shaft portion 13a in a side view is indicated by an imaginary line S.

[0049] Since the link arm 110 rotates, the second end 112 supporting the shaft 13a also moves in an arc around the support shaft 113a. However, if the shaft 13a of the lamp unit 10 also moves in an arc together with the link arm 110, the optical axis of the lamp unit 10 will also be displaced in the vertical direction. Therefore, in this embodiment, the arm guide groove 112a of the link arm 110 and the base guide groove 122a of the second base portion 122 are configured to limit the movement of the shaft 13a to linear movement only in the front-to-rear direction. Specifically, the arm guide groove 112a supports the shaft 13a so that it can be displaced only in the vertical direction, and the base guide groove 122a supports the shaft 13a so that it can be displaced only in the front-to-rear direction.

[0050] In this embodiment, the link unit 100 amplifies the stroke amount of the first actuator 21 and transmits it to the lamp unit 10. When the first actuator 21 moves by a stroke amount d1 from the state shown in FIG. 4 to the state shown in FIG. 7 , the stroke amount d2 (the distance from position H to position P) of the shaft 13a is larger than the stroke amount d1 of the first actuator 21. As described above, in the vehicle headlamp 1 according to this embodiment, the link unit 100 is connected to the first actuator 21, so that the stroke amount of the first actuator 21 is amplified and transmitted to the shaft 13a. Here, "the stroke amount of the first actuator 21 is amplified and transmitted to the shaft 13a" means that the drive amount of the shaft 13a is larger than the stroke amount of the first actuator 21. The stroke amount of the first actuator 21 is the amount of movement of the ball 21d in the fore-and-aft direction. The drive amount of the shaft 13a is the amount of movement of the portion of the shaft 13a below the ball 21d along the imaginary line S.

[0051] In recent years, the increase in size of the lamp unit 10 has led to a tendency for the distance from the rotation center to the point of application of the actuator, etc. to increase. Even if the lamp unit 10 increases in size, the stroke amount required of the actuator can be reduced by shortening the distance from the rotation center to the point of application. However, in practice, from a design perspective, it is difficult to move the actuator closer to the rotation center. When the distance from the rotation center to the point of application increases, a larger drive amount is required from the actuator 20 to ensure a predetermined rotation angle. In particular, when the drive unit 21b of the actuator 20 operates linearly, the required drive amount increases significantly. If an actuator with a large drive amount is used to solve the above problem, the actuator itself would increase in size, which would likely further increase the size of the entire vehicle headlamp.

[0052] However, the vehicle headlamp 1 according to the present disclosure is provided with a link unit 100 that amplifies the stroke amount of the actuator 20 and transmits the amplified stroke amount to the lamp unit 10. This makes it easier to perform aiming adjustment of the lamp unit 10 even with an actuator 20 that has a small stroke amount.

[0053] Furthermore, according to the present disclosure, the link unit 100 has a link arm 110 having one end connected to an actuator (first actuator 21) and the other end connected to the lamp unit 10, and a link base 120 that swingably supports the link arm 110, and a swing shaft (support shaft portion 113a) is provided between the one end and the other end, and the swing shaft may be formed at a position closer to the one end than the other end. With this configuration, when the actuator 20 displaces one end of the link arm 110 relative to the swing shaft, the amount of displacement of the other end relative to the swing shaft can be made larger than the amount of displacement of the one end.

[0054] Furthermore, according to the present disclosure, the link base 120 has a substantially U-shaped base support portion (base guide groove portion 122a) that guides the movement of the shaft portion 13a, and the link arm 110 has a substantially U-shaped arm support portion (arm guide groove portion 112a) that guides the movement of the shaft portion 13a, the base support portion and the arm support portion are arranged to extend in directions that intersect with each other, and the base support portion may restrict the shaft portion 13a from moving in the vertical direction relative to the link base 120.

[0055] This configuration can prevent the shaft portion 13a from moving up and down relative to the link unit 100 during the attitude adjustment of the lamp unit 10. This allows accurate aiming adjustment.

[0056] The vehicle headlamp 1 of the present disclosure also includes a bracket 3 on which the lamp unit 10 is mounted, and an actuator 20 that adjusts the attitude of the lamp unit 10. The bracket 3 supports the lamp unit 10 via a first support portion (first support mechanism A), a second support portion (second support mechanism B), and a third support portion (third support mechanism C). The actuator 20 includes a first actuator 21 connected to the second support portion and rotating the lamp unit 10 about a left-right rotation axis X2 that passes through the first support portion and the third support portion, and a second actuator 22 connected to the third support portion and rotating the lamp unit 10 about a top-bottom rotation axis X1 that passes through the first support portion and the second support portion. The link unit 100 connects the first actuator 21 and the second support portion, amplifies the stroke of the first actuator 21, and transmits the amplified stroke to the second support portion.

[0057] According to this configuration, it is possible to provide a vehicle headlamp 1 that can aim a large lamp unit 10 while suppressing an increase in size of the actuator 20 .

[0058] Furthermore, according to the present disclosure, the distance from the first support portion A to the second support portion B may be configured to be longer than the distance from the first support portion A to the third support portion C.

[0059] In the above-described embodiment, the shaft portion 13 a is formed on the lens holder 13, but the present disclosure is not limited to this. For example, the shaft portion 13 a may be formed on the heat sink 12.

[0060] Second Embodiment Next, a vehicle headlamp 1A according to a second embodiment of the present disclosure will be described using FIGS. 8 to 14. FIG. 8 is a front view of the vehicle headlamp 1A. Note that the housing 2 is omitted from FIG. 8. FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view taken along line IX-IX in FIG. 8. As shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, the vehicle headlamp 1A includes a lamp unit 10, a first support mechanism A, a second support mechanism BA, and a third support mechanism C. The first support mechanism A and the third support mechanism C are similar to the first support mechanism A and the third support mechanism C of the first embodiment, respectively, and therefore will not be described here. When the second actuator 22 of the third support mechanism C is actuated, the lamp unit 10 rotates around the vertical rotation axis X1. Hereinafter, members having the same configuration as those of the first embodiment will be designated by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

[0061] Figure 10 is an X-ray cross-sectional view of Figure 8. As shown in Figure 10, the left part of the lamp unit 10 is supported by the bracket 3 via a first support mechanism A. The right part of the lamp unit 10 is supported by the bracket 3 via a second support mechanism BA. The lamp unit 10 is rotatable around a left-right rotation axis X2 that passes through the joint pin 30 of the first support mechanism A.

[0062] Fig. 11 is a cross-sectional view taken along line XI in Fig. 8. As shown in Fig. 11, the second support mechanism BA has a first actuator 21, a link unit 100A, a slider 200A, and an elastic member 300A.

[0063] The first actuator 21 has an output shaft 22c extending in the front-rear direction and a ball 22d provided at the front end of the output shaft 22c. When the first actuator 21 is actuated, the ball 22d moves in the front-rear direction.

[0064] Figure 12 is an exploded perspective view of the link unit 100A. As shown in Figure 12, the link unit 100A has a link arm 110A, a link base 120A, a slider 200A, and a support shaft 130A. The link base 120A is fixed to the bracket 3. The link arm 110A extends substantially in the vertical direction. The support shaft 130A is fixed to the link base 120A. The support shaft 130A extends in the left-right direction. The support shaft 130A is inserted into a hole that is provided in the link arm 110A and penetrates in the left-right direction. The support shaft 130A supports the link arm 110A rotatably relative to the link base 120A.

[0065] A groove 111aA that supports the ball portion 22d of the first actuator 21 is provided on the upper part of the link arm 110A. The groove of the groove 111aA extends in the vertical direction. The groove 111aA supports the ball portion 22d so that it cannot move in the front-rear direction or the left-right direction. The groove 111aA supports the ball portion 22d so that it can move in the vertical direction, rotate around an axis extending in the front-rear direction, rotate around an axis extending in the vertical direction, and rotate around an axis extending in the left-right direction.

[0066] The lower portion of the link arm 110A has a front arm 114A extending downward and a rear arm 115A located behind the front arm 114A and extending downward. Each of the front arm 114A and rear arm 115A has a long hole 116A that penetrates in the front-to-rear direction and extends in the up-down direction. An arm guide groove 112aA that opens downward is formed between the front arm 114A and the rear arm 115A. The arm guide groove 112aA supports the slider 200A so that it can move up and down.

[0067] The link base 120A has an upper base 123A extending forward and a lower base 124A extending forward and located below the upper base 123A. A base guide groove 122aA opening forward is formed between the upper base 123A and the lower base 124A.

[0068] The front of the upper base 123A and the front of the lower base 124A pass through the long holes 116A of the rear arm 115A and the front arm 114A of the link arm 110A, respectively, preventing the link arm 110A from moving left and right and allowing it to rotate around the support shaft 130A.

[0069] A hole 125A into which the support shaft 130A is inserted is provided above the upper base 123A of the link base 120A.

[0070] The slider 200A has a rectangular parallelepiped main body 201A and a cylindrical columnar portion 202A that protrudes in the left-right direction from the main body 201A. The cylindrical portion 202A has a smaller diameter than the main body 201A. As shown in FIG. 10 , the slider 200A is fitted onto the shaft 13a of the lamp unit 10. The slider 200A cannot be displaced in the up-down direction, left-right direction, or front-rear direction relative to the shaft 13a. The slider 200A can rotate about an axis extending in the up-down direction, left-right direction, and front-rear direction relative to the shaft 13a.

[0071] 11 , the main body 201A of the slider 200A is slightly smaller than the base guide groove 122aA of the link base 120A when viewed from the left-right direction. The main body 201A is movable in the front-rear direction within the base guide groove 122aA. Furthermore, because the upper and lower surfaces of the main body 201A abut against the inner surface of the base guide groove 122aA, the main body 201A cannot rotate around an axis extending in the left-right direction within the base guide groove 122aA.

[0072] As shown in Figure 12, the main body 201A is larger than the arm guide groove 112aA when viewed from the left-right direction. When viewed from the front-rear direction, the main body 201A is provided inside the elongated holes 116A of the front arm 114A and the rear arm 115A of the link arm 110A (see Figure 8). Therefore, the slider 200A cannot be displaced left-right relative to the link arm 110A, but can be displaced up-down.

[0073] The cylindrical portion 202A of the slider 200A has a diameter slightly smaller than that of the arm guide groove 112aA. The cylindrical portion 202A is movable up and down within the arm guide groove 112aA. Because the cylindrical portion 202A is sandwiched between the front arm 114A and the rear arm 115A of the link arm 110A, the cylindrical portion 202A cannot be displaced forward or backward relative to the link arm 110A.

[0074] For example, as shown in Figure 11, when the first actuator 21 is actuated and the ball portion 22d moves forward, the upper portion of the link arm 110A moves forward, the link arm 110A rotates around the support shaft portion 130A, and the lower portion of the link arm 110A moves in an arc around the support shaft portion 130A. The arc movement of the lower portion of the link arm 110A causes the shaft portion 13a of the lamp unit 10 to move rearward. Here, the shaft portion 13a is connected to the link unit 100A via the slider 200A. The shaft portion 13a is supported by the slider 200A so as to be rotatable about an axis extending in the left-right direction.

[0075] The main body 201A of the slider 200A is only allowed to move in the front-to-rear direction relative to the link base 120A. Therefore, the slider 200A moves linearly rearward relative to the link base 120A and the bracket 3. The slider 200A can move vertically relative to the link arm 110A. Therefore, even if the link arm 110A moves downward, the shaft 13a moves upward relative to the link arm 110A, so the shaft 13a is not displaced vertically. Therefore, the slider 200A moves linearly only in the front-to-rear direction relative to the link base 120A.

[0076] FIG. 13 is an enlarged view of portion XIII in FIG. 10. As shown in FIG. 13, when the shaft 13a is displaced in the front-rear direction, the lamp unit 10 moves in an arc around the left-right rotation axis X2 (see FIG. 8), causing the shaft 13a to also displace slightly left-right. Because the slider 200A is attached to the shaft 13a so as not to be displaced left-right, the slider 200A also displaces left-right along with the shaft 13a. Therefore, the link arm 110A supports the slider 200A so that it can be displaced left-right. The left-right dimension b2 of the space that accommodates the slider 200A within the front arm 114A and the rear arm 115A is larger than the left-right dimension b1 of the main body 201A of the slider 200A. Therefore, the slider 200A can be displaced left-right relative to the link arm 110A.

[0077] A compressed torsion spring 300A is provided in the space that houses the slider 200A inside the front arm 114A and the rear arm 115A. The torsion spring 300A exerts an elastic force on the slider 200A, pressing the slider 200A to the right against the link arm 110A. Because the torsion spring 300A constantly presses the slider 200A against the link arm 110A, abnormal noise is unlikely to occur even when vibrations or the like are applied to the vehicle headlamp 1A.

[0078] When the second actuator 22 of the third support mechanism C is activated and the lamp unit 10 rotates about the vertical rotation axis X1, the shaft 13a of the lamp unit 10 rotates about the vertical rotation axis X1 relative to the slider 200A. The shaft 13a of the lamp unit 10 is supported rotatably about an axis extending in the left-right direction relative to the slider 200A. Therefore, the rotation of the lamp unit 10 about the vertical rotation axis X1 is not transmitted to the slider 200A.

[0079] Figure 14 is a cross-sectional view taken along line XIV-XIV in Figure 8. As shown in Figure 14, torsion spring 300A is fixed to cylindrical portion 202A of slider 200A and stopper portion 210A that protrudes to the right from the wall portion of link arm 110A. Torsion spring 300A applies a rotational force to slider 200A in the clockwise direction when viewed from the right. Because torsion spring 300A presses slider 200A against link base 120A so that slider 200A rotates in one direction about an axis extending in the left-right direction, abnormal noise is unlikely to occur even when vibrations or the like are applied to vehicle headlamp 1A.

[0080] 14, in the link unit 100A of the vehicle headlamp 1A of the second embodiment, the distance c1 between the groove 111aA that supports the ball portion 22d and the support shaft 130A that serves as the rotation center of the link arm 110A and the groove 111aA is shorter than the distance c2 between the arm guide groove 112aA that supports the shaft 13a of the lamp unit 10 and the support shaft 130A. Therefore, the link unit 100A of the vehicle headlamp 1A of the second embodiment amplifies the stroke amount of the first actuator 21 and transmits it to the lamp unit 10, just like the first embodiment.

[0081] As described above, in the vehicle headlamp 1A of this embodiment, the link unit 100A has the slider 200A attached to the shaft portion 13a of the lamp unit 10 so as to be rotatable but not movable in parallel, and the slider 200A is supported so as to be slidable relative to the base support portion (base guide groove portion 122aA) and the arm support portion (arm guide groove portion 112aA). Therefore, the relative rotation of the shaft portion 13a with respect to the base support portion and the arm support portion is absorbed by the slider 200A, and the slider 200A does not rotate relative to the base support portion and the arm support portion, so that the slider 200A, the base support portion, and the arm support portion are less likely to wear out.

[0082] As described above, in the vehicle headlamp 1A of this embodiment, the slider 200A is in surface contact with the base support portion (base guide groove portion 122aA) and the arm support portion (arm guide groove portion 112aA). Because the slider 200A is in surface contact with the base support portion and the arm support portion, they are less likely to vibrate with each other, improving the vibration resistance of the vehicle headlamp 1A.

[0083] Third Embodiment Next, a vehicle headlamp 1B according to a third embodiment of the present disclosure will be described using FIGS. 15 to 19 . The vehicle headlamp 1B according to the third embodiment differs from the vehicle headlamp 1A according to the second embodiment described above only in the second support mechanism. Therefore, the other components are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed descriptions thereof will be omitted. Like the second embodiment described above, the vehicle headlamp 1B also includes a lamp unit 10, a first support mechanism A, a second support mechanism BB, and a third support mechanism C. The first support mechanism A and the third support mechanism C are similar to the first support mechanism A and the third support mechanism C according to the first embodiment described above, and therefore detailed descriptions thereof will be omitted. When the second actuator 22 of the third support mechanism C is actuated, the lamp unit 10 rotates around the vertical rotation axis X1. Hereinafter, components having the same configuration as those according to the first embodiment will be denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed descriptions thereof will be omitted.

[0084] Fig. 15 is an exploded perspective view of the second support structure BB of a vehicle headlamp 1B according to the third embodiment. Fig. 16 is a perspective view of the second support structure BB. As shown in Figs. 15 and 16, the second support structure BB includes a link unit 100B supported by the bracket 3 and a slider 200B. In this embodiment, the lamp unit 10 includes a connecting bracket 15B having a shaft portion 13a.

[0085] The link unit 100B includes a link arm 110B, a link base 120B attached to the bracket 3, and a support shaft 130B. The link base 120B is attached to the bracket 3. The link base 120B has a base guide groove 122aB extending in the front-to-rear direction. A first through-hole 125B, through which the support shaft 130B is inserted, is provided above the base guide groove 122aB of the link base 120B.

[0086] The support shaft 130B is inserted into the first through-hole 125B of the link base 120B. The support shaft 130B passes through the link arm 110B and supports the link arm 110B rotatably relative to the link base 120B.

[0087] The link arm 110B includes a receiving portion 111B to which the ball portion 21d of the first actuator 21 is connected, a second through-hole 112B through which the support shaft portion 130B passes, and an arm guide groove 112aB that opens downward and extends in the vertical direction. The receiving portion 111B is located above the second through-hole 112B. The arm guide groove 112aB is located below the second through-hole 112B.

[0088] The receiving portion 111B supports the ball portion 21d of the first actuator 21 so as to prevent displacement in the front-rear direction and the left-right direction, but to allow rotation about an axis extending in the up-down direction, rotation about an axis extending in the front-rear direction, rotation about an axis extending in the left-right direction, and vertical displacement. In other words, when the ball portion 21d of the first actuator 21 displaces in the front-rear direction, the receiving portion 111B of the link arm 110B also displaces in the front-rear direction along with the ball portion 21d.

[0089] The slider 200B includes a first slider portion 210B supported by the shaft portion 13a of the lamp unit 10, and a second slider portion 220B supported by the first slider portion 210B.

[0090] In the illustrated example, the first slider portion 210B has a hole 214B into which the shaft portion 13a of the lamp unit 10 is inserted, a pair of first guide surfaces 215B guided by the link arm 110B, and a slider support shaft portion 213B. The front and rear surfaces of the first slider portion 210B each form the first guide surfaces 215B.

[0091] A hole 214B into which the shaft 13a of the lamp unit 10 is inserted is opened on the left surface of the first slider portion 210B. The first slider portion 210B is supported relative to the shaft 13a of the lamp unit 10 so that it cannot be displaced in the up-down direction, the front-rear direction, or the left-right direction, but can rotate about an axis extending in the up-down direction, the front-rear direction, and the left-right direction. In other words, when the first slider portion 210B is displaced in the front-rear direction, the shaft 13a of the lamp unit 10 also displaces in the front-rear direction together with the first slider portion 210B.

[0092] The second slider portion 220B has a support hole portion 221B and a pair of second guide surfaces 222B. The support hole portion 221B is a through hole extending in the left-right direction. The slider support shaft portion 213B of the first slider portion 210B passes through the support hole portion 221B. This allows the second slider portion 220B to rotate only about an axis extending in the left-right direction relative to the first slider portion 210B.

[0093] The upper and lower surfaces of the second slider portion 220B each form a second guide surface 222B. The second guide surface 222B is guided by the base guide groove portion 122aB of the link base 120B. This allows the second slider portion 220B to move only in the forward and backward directions relative to the link base 120B.

[0094] A slider support shaft 213B is provided on the right surface of the first slider portion 210B. The slider support shaft 213B is a cylindrical portion that protrudes to the right.

[0095] Figure 17 is a vertical cross-sectional view showing the link arm 110B and the slider 200B. Figure 18 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the link base 120B. As shown in Figure 17, the front and rear surfaces of the first slider portion 210B are first guide surfaces 215B that are guided by the arm guide groove portion 112aB of the link arm 110B. This allows the first slider portion 210B to move only vertically relative to the arm guide groove portion 112aB of the link arm 110B.

[0096] For example, when the first actuator 21 is activated and the ball portion 21d is displaced in the front-rear direction, the link arm 110B rotates around the support shaft portion 130B. This causes the lower portion of the link arm 110B to move in an arc. The slider 200B, which is positioned below the support shaft portion 130B, is displaced in the front-rear direction as the link arm 110B rotates. At this time, the first slider portion 210B can be displaced up and down relative to the link arm 110B, as shown in FIG. 17 . Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 18 , the second slider portion 220B can be displaced in the front-rear direction relative to the link base 120B. Therefore, the arc-shaped movement of the lower portion of the link arm 110B is converted into a front-rear displacement of the slider 200B along the base guide groove portion 122aB of the link base 120B. In this way, the shaft portion 13a of the lamp unit 10 supported by the slider 200B is also displaced in the front-rear direction, allowing the optical axis of the lamp unit 10 to be adjusted.

[0097] 19 is a cross-sectional view of the link unit 100B, the connection bracket 15B of the lamp unit 10, and the slider 200B as viewed from above. As described above, the left part of the lamp unit 10 is supported by the first support mechanism A so as to be rotatable about the left-right rotation axis X2 extending in the up-down direction. Therefore, strictly speaking, the shaft 13a of the lamp unit 10 displaces in an arc shape centered on the left-right rotation axis X2, as shown in FIG.

[0098] Therefore, the left-right length of the first guide surface 215B of the first slider portion 210B is made longer than the left-right length of the arm guide groove portion 112aB of the link arm 110B. This allows the first slider portion 210B to be displaced left-right relative to the link arm 110B. This allows the connection bracket 15B to move in an arc when it rotates about the left-right rotation axis X2 that extends in the up-down direction.

[0099] When the second actuator 22 of the third support mechanism C is activated and the lamp unit 10 rotates about the vertical rotation axis X1, the shaft 13a of the lamp unit 10 rotates about the vertical rotation axis X1 relative to the slider 200B. As shown in Fig. 15, the shaft 13a of the lamp unit 10 is supported by the hole 214B of the first slider part 210B so as to be rotatable about an axis extending in the left-right direction. Therefore, the rotation of the lamp unit 10 about the vertical rotation axis X1 is not transmitted to the slider 200B.

[0100] In the second embodiment described above, when the link arm 110A rotates, the slider 200A, which moves together with the link arm 110A, rotates about an axis extending in the left-right direction relative to the link base 120A. This rotation causes the circumferential surface of the cylindrical portion 202A of the slider 200A to slide against the link base 120A. In contrast, in the third embodiment, the first slider portion 210B can rotate about an axis extending in the left-right direction relative to the second slider portion 220B. Therefore, when the link arm 110B rotates, the first slider portion 210B moves together with the link arm 110B, but the first slider portion 210B rotates relative to the second slider portion 220B. This allows the second slider portion 220B to move in the front-rear direction relative to the link base 120B without rotating relative to the link base 120B. According to the third embodiment, the risk of wear caused by rubbing between components is reduced compared to the second embodiment. In other words, in the vehicle headlamp 1B of this embodiment, the slider 200B has a first slider portion 210B that is attached so as to be rotatable but not movable parallel to the shaft portion 13a of the lamp unit 10, and a second slider portion 220B that is attached so as to be rotatable relative to the first slider portion 210B.

[0101] In the link unit 100B of the vehicle headlamp 1B of this embodiment, the distance e1 between the receiving portion 111B that supports the ball portion 21d and the support shaft portion 130B that serves as the rotation center of the link arm 110B is shorter than the distance e2 between the arm guide groove portion 112aB that supports the shaft portion 13a of the lamp unit 10 and the support shaft portion 130B. Therefore, in the link unit 100B of the vehicle headlamp 1B of the third embodiment, the stroke amount of the first actuator 21 is amplified and transmitted to the lamp unit 10, just like in the first embodiment.

[0102] In this example, the shaft portion 13a of the lamp unit 10 is connected to the slider 200B via the connection bracket 15B, but the shaft portion 13a may be provided directly on the lens holder 13 of the lamp unit 10.

[0103] Fourth Embodiment Next, a vehicle headlamp 1C according to a fourth embodiment of the present disclosure will be described using Figures 20 to 23. The vehicle headlamp 1C according to the third embodiment differs from the vehicle headlamp 1A according to the second embodiment described above only in the second support mechanism. Therefore, the other components are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed descriptions thereof will be omitted. Like the second embodiment described above, the vehicle headlamp 1C also includes a lamp unit 10, a first support mechanism A, a second support mechanism BC, and a third support mechanism C. The first support mechanism A and the third support mechanism C are similar to the first support mechanism A and the third support mechanism C according to the first embodiment described above, and therefore detailed descriptions thereof will be omitted. When the second actuator 22 of the third support mechanism C is actuated, the lamp unit 10 rotates around the vertical rotation axis X1. Hereinafter, components having the same configuration as those in the first embodiment will be denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed descriptions thereof will be omitted.

[0104] 20 is a front view of the second support structure BC of the vehicle headlamp 1C according to the fourth embodiment. As shown in Fig. 20, the second support structure BC includes a link unit 100C rotatably supported on the bracket 3, a slider 200C, and a connecting bracket 400C attached to the shaft 13a of the lamp unit 10.

[0105] 21 is an exploded perspective view of the second support structure BC of the vehicle headlamp 1C according to the fourth embodiment. As shown in Fig. 21, the link unit 100C includes a link base 120C attached to the bracket 3, a support shaft 130C, a link arm 110C attached to the link base 120C via the support shaft 130C, and a receiving groove 140C.

[0106] The link base 120C includes a base guide groove 122aC extending in the front-rear direction and a support hole 126C into which the support shaft 130C is inserted. The support hole 126C is located above the base guide groove 122aC. The support shaft 130C supports the link arm 110C rotatably about an axis extending in the left-right direction.

[0107] The link arm 110C includes a through-hole 117C through which the support shaft 130C passes in the left-right direction, a first receiving portion 118C provided above the through-hole 117C, and a second receiving portion 119C provided below the through-hole 117C. The first receiving portion 118C has a groove extending in the vertical direction, and the ball portion 21d of the first actuator 21 is movably inserted into this groove. The first receiving portion 118C supports the ball portion 21d of the first actuator 21 so that it can be displaced in the vertical direction.

[0108] The receiving groove 140C is fixed to the second receiving portion 119C of the link arm 110C. The receiving groove 140C has a groove that opens forward and extends in the vertical direction. The rear portion of a pivot portion 420C of the connecting bracket 400C (described later) is fitted into the receiving groove 140C. The pivot portion 420C is movable in the vertical direction relative to the receiving groove 140C, but is unable to move in the front-to-back or left-to-right directions.

[0109] The connecting bracket 400C includes a bracket main body 410C and a pivot portion 420C. The bracket main body 410C has a coupling portion 413C that fits onto the shaft portion 13a of the lamp unit 10. The coupling portion 413C protrudes leftward from the left surface of the bracket main body 410C. The bracket main body 410C further includes a slider shaft portion 411C that protrudes rightward, and a pivot support portion 412C (see FIG. 22) that opens rearward and extends in the front-to-rear direction.

[0110] The bracket main body 410C cannot be displaced in the vertical, front-to-back, or left-to-right directions relative to the shaft 13a of the lamp unit 10, but can rotate around a rotation axis extending in the vertical, front-to-back, and left-to-right directions.

[0111] The slider 200C is rotatably supported by the slider shaft portion 411C. The slider 200C is rotatable about an axis extending in the left-right direction relative to the slider shaft portion 411C. The slider 200C has a pair of guide surfaces 201C that are parallel to each other. The upper and lower surfaces of the slider 200C each form a guide surface 201C. These guide surfaces 201C are guided by the base guide groove portion 122aC of the link base 120C. The slider 200C is displaceable in the front-rear direction relative to the link base 120C.

[0112] The slider shaft portion 411C is provided with a recess 411aC. The slider 200C is provided with a claw portion (not shown) that can be fitted into the recess 411aC. The circumferential length of the claw portion is shorter than the circumferential length of the recess 411aC. Therefore, the slider 200C can rotate about an axis extending in the left-right direction relative to the connecting bracket 400C, but the rotation angle of the slider 200C relative to the connecting bracket 400C is restricted by the relationship between the recess 411aC and the claw portion.

[0113] Figure 22 is a cross-sectional view taken along line XXII in Figure 20. As shown in Figure 22, the pivot portion 420C is a shaft member extending in the front-to-rear direction. The front portion of the pivot portion 420C is inserted into and fixed to the pivot support portion 412C of the bracket main body 410C. The rear portion of the pivot portion 420C is spherical and is supported by the receiving groove portion 140C of the link unit 100C.

[0114] As shown in FIG. 22, when the first actuator 21 is actuated and the ball portion 21d is displaced in the front-rear direction, the link arm 110C rotates around the support shaft portion 130C, and the lower portion of the link arm 110C moves in an arc.

[0115] Since the pivot portion 420C of the connecting bracket 400C is displaced in the up-down direction relative to the receiving groove portion 140C of the link unit 100C, only the front-to-rear component of the arcuate motion of the link arm 110C is transmitted to the bracket main body 410C. The slider 200C is guided by the base guide groove portion 122aC of the link base 120C and displaces in the front-to-rear direction, and the front-to-rear displacement of the connecting bracket 400C is transmitted to the shaft portion 13a of the lamp unit 10.

[0116] In this manner, in the vehicle headlamp 1C of this embodiment, the link base 120C has a substantially U-shaped base support portion (base guide groove portion 122aC) that guides the movement of the shaft portion 13a, and the link arm 110C has a substantially U-shaped arm support portion that guides the movement of the shaft portion 13a. In this embodiment, the arm support portion is constituted by a receiving groove portion 140C having a groove that extends in the vertical direction. The base support portion (base guide groove portion 122aC) and the arm support portion (receiving groove portion 140C) are arranged to extend in directions that intersect with each other, and the base support portion (base guide groove portion 122aC) restricts the shaft portion 13a from moving in the vertical direction relative to the link base 120C.

[0117] Figure 23 is a cross-sectional view taken along line XXIII in Figure 20. As shown in Figure 23, the bracket main body 410C attached to the shaft 13a of the lamp unit 10 moves in an arc about the lateral rotation axis X2. Therefore, the bracket main body 410C moves slightly left and right in addition to the front and rear direction. As shown in Figure 21, the base guide groove 122aC of the link base 120C penetrates in the lateral direction, so the slider 200C can move together with the bracket main body 410C and the shaft 13a of the lamp unit 10 without being obstructed by the link base 120C. In this way, the first actuator 21 rotates the lamp unit 10 about the lateral rotation axis X2, allowing the optical axis of the lamp unit 10 to be adjusted.

[0118] 22, in the link unit 100C of the vehicle headlamp 1C of this embodiment, the distance f1 between the first receiving portion 118C that supports the head portion 21d and the support shaft portion 130C that serves as the rotation center of the link arm 110C is shorter than the distance f2 between the support shaft portion 130C and the second receiving portion 119C that supports the shaft portion 13a of the lamp unit 10. Therefore, the link unit 100C of the vehicle headlamp 1C of the fourth embodiment amplifies the stroke amount of the first actuator 21 and transmits it to the lamp unit 10, just like the first embodiment.

[0119] Although the embodiments of the present disclosure have been described above, it goes without saying that the technical scope of the present disclosure should not be interpreted as being limited by the description of the present embodiments. The present embodiments are merely examples, and it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various modifications of the embodiments are possible within the scope of the invention described in the claims. The technical scope of the present disclosure should be determined based on the scope of the invention described in the claims and its equivalents.

[0120] The following configurations also constitute part of the present disclosure. [Item 1]: A vehicle headlamp comprising: a lamp unit; an actuator capable of adjusting the attitude of the lamp unit in either the up-down or left-right direction; and a link unit that amplifies the stroke amount of the actuator and transmits the amplified stroke amount to the lamp unit. [Item 2]: The vehicle headlamp according to item 1, wherein the link unit has: a link arm having one end connected to the actuator and the other end connected to the lamp unit; and a link base that swingably supports the link arm, wherein a swing shaft is provided between the one end and the other end, and the swing shaft is provided at a position closer to the one end than to the other end. [Item 3]: The vehicle headlamp according to Item 1, wherein the link unit has a link arm having one end connected to the actuator and the other end connected to the lamp unit, and a link base that swingably supports the link arm, the lamp unit has a shaft that extends in the left-right direction and is supported by the link arm and the link base, and the link arm and the link base movably support the shaft to adjust the attitude of the lamp unit up and down and / or left and right. [Item 4]: The vehicle headlamp according to Item 3, wherein the link base has a substantially U-shaped base support part that guides movement of the shaft, the link arm has a substantially U-shaped arm support part that guides movement of the shaft, the base support part and the arm support part are arranged to extend in directions that intersect with each other, and the base support part restricts the shaft so as not to move in the up-and-down direction relative to the link base.[Item 5]: The vehicle headlamp according to Item 1, comprising: a bracket that supports the lamp unit, the bracket supporting the lamp unit via a first support portion, a second support portion, and a third support portion, the actuator comprising: a first actuator connected to the second support portion and rotating the lamp unit about a left-right rotation axis passing through the first support portion and the third support portion, and a second actuator connected to the third support portion and rotating the lamp unit about a top-bottom rotation axis passing through the first support portion and the second support portion, the link unit amplifying the stroke amount of the first actuator and transmitting it to the second support portion. [Item 6]: The vehicle headlamp according to Item 5, wherein the distance from the first support portion to the second support portion is longer than the distance from the first support portion to the third support portion. [Item 7]: The vehicle headlamp according to Item 4, wherein the link unit comprises a slider rotatably and non-translatably attached to the shaft portion of the lamp unit, the slider being supported slidably with respect to the base support portion and the arm support portion. [Item 8]: The vehicle headlamp according to Item 7, wherein the slider is in surface contact with the base support portion and the arm support portion. [Item 9]: The vehicle headlamp according to Item 7, wherein the slider has a first slider portion attached to the shaft portion of the lamp unit so as to be rotatable but not movable in parallel, and a second slider portion attached to the first slider portion so as to be rotatable relative to the shaft portion.

[0121] This application is based on Japanese Patent Application No. 2024-097716 filed on June 17, 2024 and Japanese Patent Application No. 2025-065528 filed on April 11, 2025, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

Claims

1. A vehicle headlamp comprising: a lamp unit; an actuator capable of adjusting the position of the lamp unit in either the up-down or left-right direction; and a link unit that amplifies the stroke amount of the actuator and transmits it to the lamp unit.

2. The vehicle headlamp according to claim 1, wherein the link unit has a link arm having one end connected to the actuator and the other end connected to the lamp unit, and a link base that supports the link arm so that it can swing, and a swing shaft is provided between the one end and the other end, and the swing shaft is provided at a position closer to the one end than to the other end.

3. A vehicle headlamp as claimed in claim 1, wherein the link unit has a link arm having one end connected to the actuator and the other end connected to the lamp unit, and a link base that supports the link arm so that it can swing, the lamp unit has an axle that extends in the left-right direction and is supported by the link arm and the link base, and the link arm and the link base movably support the axle in order to adjust the attitude of the lamp unit up and down and / or left and right.

4. A vehicle headlamp as described in claim 3, wherein the link base has a substantially U-shaped base support portion that guides movement of the shaft portion, the link arm has a substantially U-shaped arm support portion that guides movement of the shaft portion, the base support portion and the arm support portion are arranged to extend in directions that intersect with each other, and the base support portion restricts movement of the shaft portion in the vertical direction relative to the link base.

5. A vehicle headlamp as described in claim 1, comprising: a bracket that supports the lamp unit, the bracket supporting the lamp unit via a first support portion, a second support portion, and a third support portion; the actuator comprising: a first actuator connected to the second support portion and rotating the lamp unit about a left-right rotation axis that passes through the first support portion and the third support portion; and a second actuator connected to the third support portion and rotating the lamp unit about a top-bottom rotation axis that passes through the first support portion and the second support portion; and the link unit amplifying the stroke amount of the first actuator and transmitting it to the second support portion.

6. The vehicle headlamp according to claim 5, wherein the distance from the first support portion to the second support portion is longer than the distance from the first support portion to the third support portion.

7. A vehicle headlamp as claimed in claim 4, wherein the link unit has a slider attached to the shaft of the lamp unit so as to be rotatable but not movable in parallel, and the slider is supported so as to be slidable relative to the base support part and the arm support part.

8. The vehicle headlamp according to claim 7, wherein the slider is in surface contact with the base support portion and the arm support portion.

9. A vehicle headlamp as claimed in claim 7, wherein the slider has a first slider portion attached so as to be rotatable but not movable in parallel with the shaft portion of the lamp unit, and a second slider portion attached so as to be rotatable with respect to the first slider portion.

Images