Vehicle Lamp Unit Layout for Road Projection Without Axis Tilt
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional vehicle lighting tools face difficulties in arranging lamp units and signal lighting units side by side due to their different orientations, as the lamp unit axis is tilted downward to form an irradiation pattern on the road surface.
Innovation Solution
A lamp unit design where a light source, condenser lens, light-shielding member, and projection lens are arranged along a lamp unit axis, with the projection lens having a reference focus set on the lamp unit axis and disposed in a position rotated downward about the reference focus, allowing the lamp unit axis to remain parallel to the road surface while forming an irradiation pattern.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If the lamp unit axis is tilted downward to form an irradiation pattern on the road surface, then the irradiation pattern can be formed on the road surface, but the lamp unit and signal lighting unit cannot be arranged side by side due to interference
Solution Approach 1:
The lamp unit is divided into two independent optical systems: a signal lighting unit with axis A1 that emits light horizontally, and a lamp unit with axis A2 that projects patterns onto the road surface. Each system operates independently with its own optical path, allowing them to be arranged side by side without interference while fulfilling both functions simultaneously
Solution Approach 2:
The projection lens (24) is tilted downward at an angle θ relative to the lamp unit axis A2, creating a three-dimensional optical configuration. This angular displacement allows the irradiation pattern to be projected onto the road surface while the lamp unit axis remains horizontally aligned with the signal lighting unit, resolving the spatial conflict through dimensional adjustment
2Ease of operation
If the lamp unit axis is kept parallel to the road surface, then the lamp unit and signal lighting unit can be arranged side by side, but the irradiation pattern cannot be formed on the road surface
Solution Approach 1:
The optical system is segmented into the lamp unit (20) responsible for pattern projection and the signal lighting unit (13) responsible for horizontal light emission. The projection lens (24) is specifically oriented at an angle θ to direct the irradiation pattern onto the road surface, while the signal lighting unit maintains horizontal alignment, allowing both units to coexist side by side without compromising either function
Solution Approach 2:
The projection lens (24) is disposed at a position rotated downward about the reference focus Fb, creating an angular offset between the lamp unit axis A2 and the projection lens axis A5. This rotational adjustment in three-dimensional space enables the irradiation pattern to be projected onto the road surface while keeping the lamp unit axis parallel to the road surface, resolving the contradiction through spatial reorientation
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables the formation of an irradiation pattern on the road surface without tilting the lamp unit axis, allowing for the simultaneous side-by-side arrangement of lamp units and signal lighting units, thereby improving usability and meeting regulatory intervals.
Implementation Method 1
a condenser lens that condenses light from the light source
Implementation Method 2
a projection lens that projects the light which passes through the light-shielding member to form an irradiation pattern
Data Source
AI summary
Provided are a lamp unit that can form an irradiation pattern on a road surface almost without tilting an inclination of a lamp unit axis with respect to the road surface, and a vehicle lighting tool using the lamp unit. A lamp unit includes: a light source; a condenser lens that condenses light from the light source; a light-shielding member (shade) provided with an irradiation slit through which the light condensed by the condensing lens partially passes; and a projection lens that projects the light that passes through the light-shielding member (shade) to form an irradiation pattern, which are arranged along a lamp unit axis. The projection lens has a reference focus set on the lamp unit axis, and is disposed at such a position rotated downward about the reference focus, and a projection lens axis is directed further downward than the lamp unit axis.