JP2007324000A - Vehicle headlamp - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To solve the problem of making light weight and compactness not being taken into account in a conventional headlight for a vehicle. <P>SOLUTION: Shape of projector lens 4 seen from a front surface is basically formed to be a shape of the region where reflected light is transmitted or a shape of a vertically long region 11. That is, a general projecting lens 12 is deformed to be a projecting lens 13 which is given a secondary curved deformation to a shape which is on an outer side of the vertically long region 11 in the part that the reflected light is transmitted, and the projecting lens 13 is formed into a projecting lens 4 which is an oval shape seen from a front surface. As a result, making light weight and compactness are achieved. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a projector-type vehicle headlamp such as a headlamp or a fog lamp. In particular, the present invention relates to a projector-type vehicle headlamp that is optimal for weight reduction and compactness.

  This type of projector-type vehicle headlamp has been conventionally used (see, for example, Patent Document 1). Hereinafter, a conventional vehicle headlamp will be described. A conventional vehicle headlamp transmits a light source, a reflector having a reflecting surface that reflects light from the light source, and the reflected light from the reflecting surface of the reflector to project forward as a predetermined light distribution pattern. A projection lens.

  Hereinafter, the operation of the conventional vehicle headlamp will be described. When the light source is turned on, the light from the light source is reflected by the reflecting surface of the reflector toward the projection lens, and the reflected light passes through the projection lens and is emitted from the projection lens to the front of the vehicle as a predetermined light distribution pattern.

  However, conventional vehicle headlamps are not considered for weight reduction and compactness.

JP 2004-185903 A

  The problem to be solved by the present invention is that conventional vehicle headlamps are not considered for weight reduction and compactness.

  The present invention (the invention according to claim 1) is characterized in that the left and right side edges of the projection lens in front view are located inside the left and right side edges of a general projection lens in the front view.

  The invention (invention according to claim 2) is characterized in that the left and right side edges of the projection lens in front view are formed based on the degree of deformation of a quadratic curve.

  Further, the present invention (the invention according to claim 3) is characterized in that the shape of the projection lens formed based on the degree of deformation of the quadratic curve is an elliptical shape.

  In the vehicle headlamp according to the present invention (the invention according to claim 1), the left and right side edges of the projection lens in front view are located on the inner side of the circular left and right side edges of the general projection lens in front view. 5 (Explanatory view of a general projection lens showing the transmission characteristics of the reflected light of the projection lens of a projector type vehicle headlamp) As shown in FIG. Can be eliminated. As a result, the vehicular headlamp according to the present invention (the invention according to claim 1) can reduce the size and weight of the projection lens, and can reduce the weight and size of the entire lamp unit. Can do. In addition, since the vehicle headlamp according to the present invention (the invention according to claim 1) uses a portion of the projection lens through which the reflected light is transmitted, a predetermined light distribution pattern can be formed.

  In the vehicle headlamp according to the present invention (the invention according to claim 2), the means for solving the above problems eliminates the left and right side portions of the projection lens that hardly transmits the reflected light. The appearance is improved as compared with the projection lens of the conventional vehicular headlamp which has a portion that looks entirely shining and hardly reflects reflected light, that is, a portion that does not look shining.

  Further, in the vehicle headlamp according to the present invention (the invention according to claim 3), the shape of the projection lens in a front view is an elliptical shape (in this specification and the claims, it is similar to the elliptical shape and the elliptical shape). (Including the shape), it is further reduced in weight and compactness and improved in appearance.

  Embodiments of a vehicle headlamp according to the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Note that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments. In the drawing, reference sign “VU-VD” indicates vertical lines on the upper and lower sides of the screen. Reference sign “HL-HR” indicates horizontal lines on the left and right of the screen.

  Hereinafter, the configuration of the vehicle headlamp according to this embodiment will be described. 1 to 3, reference numeral 1 denotes a vehicle headlamp according to this embodiment. The vehicular headlamp 1 is, for example, a projector-type headlamp that is provided on each of the left and right sides of a front portion of an automobile (vehicle). 1 to 3, the vehicle headlamp 1 includes a discharge lamp 2 as a light source, a reflector 3, a projection lens (condensing lens, convex lens) 4, a shade 5, and a frame. The member 8 is provided with a lamp housing (not shown) and a lamp lens (not shown) (for example, a transparent outer lens).

  The discharge lamp 2, the reflector 3, the projection lens 4, the shade 5 and the frame member 8 constitute a lamp unit. The lamp unit is disposed, for example, via an optical axis adjusting mechanism (not shown) in a lamp chamber (not shown) defined by the lamp housing and the lamp lens.

  The discharge lamp 2 is a so-called high pressure metal vapor discharge lamp such as a metal halide lamp, a high intensity discharge lamp (HID), or the like. The discharge lamp 2 is detachably attached to the reflector 3 via a socket mechanism 6. The discharge lamp 2 has a light emitting unit 7. In addition to the discharge lamp 2, the light source may be a halogen bulb or an incandescent bulb.

  The reflector 3 is fixedly held on the frame member 8. The reflector 3 has a hollow concave shape that is open on the front side (light irradiation direction side of the vehicle headlamp 1) and closed on the rear side. A circular through hole 9 for inserting the discharge lamp 2 is provided in the center of the closing portion on the rear side of the reflector 3.

  A reflective surface 10 is formed on the inner concave surface of the reflector 3 by vapor deposition of aluminum or silver coating. The reflecting surface 10 reflects light from the light emitting part 7 of the discharge lamp 2 toward the shade 5 and the projection lens 4 side. The reflecting surface 10 is an ellipse or a reflecting surface such as a free-form surface (NURBS curved surface) based on an ellipse (the vertical cross section in FIG. 2 is an elliptical surface, and the horizontal cross section in FIG. 3 is a paraboloid or modified paraboloid). Reflecting surface). For this purpose, the reflecting surface 10 has a first focal point F1, a second focal point (a focal line on the horizontal section) F2, and a rotation axis, that is, an optical axis Z1-Z1. The free-form surface (NURBS surface) of the reflective surface 10 is a NURBS free-form surface (Non-Uniform Rational B-Spline Surface) described in “Mathematical Elemennts for Computer Graphics” (Devid F. Rogers, J Alan Adams). is there.

  The projection lens 4 is an aspherical convex lens. The front side of the projection lens 4 forms a convex aspheric surface, while the rear side of the projection lens 4 forms a flat aspheric surface. The projection lens 4 is fixedly held on the frame member 8. The projection lens 4 has a lens focal point (a meridional image plane that is a focal plane on the object space side) F3 and an optical axis Z2-Z2. The optical axis Z2-Z2 of the projection lens 4 and the optical axis Z1-Z1 of the reflecting surface 10 are shifted to the left and right as shown in FIGS.

  The shade 5 has a plate structure (in this example, a flat thin steel plate structure) that is inexpensive to manufacture. The shade 5 shields a part of the reflected light from the reflecting surface 10 toward the projection lens 4 and has a predetermined light distribution pattern LP having a cut-off line, for example, a light distribution pattern for passing shown in FIG. A light distribution pattern for roads is formed. The upper edge of the shade 5 forms the predetermined light distribution pattern cut-off line, and is positioned along the lens focal point F3 of the projection lens 4 and the second focal point F2 of the reflecting surface 10 or in the vicinity thereof. To do. The shade 5 is fixedly held on the frame member 8.

  Here, the transmission characteristic of the reflected light of the projection lens of the projector-type vehicle headlamp will be described with reference to FIG. In FIG. 5, reference numeral “12” denotes a projection lens of a general projector type vehicle headlamp. As shown in FIG. 5, the general projection lens 12 has a substantially circular shape when viewed from the front. And the light which forms the said predetermined light distribution pattern LP is the vertically long area | region 11 (in FIG. 5) of the center part except the right-and-left both sides part among the said general projection lenses 12, as shown by the dots in FIG. Most of the reflected light is transmitted through a region between the two two-dot chain lines on both the left and right sides. For this reason, the reflected light hardly passes through the left and right side portions of the general projection lens 12 (the portion outside the two vertical two-dot chain lines in FIG. 5). The left and right side portions of the general projection lens 12 hardly contribute to the formation of the predetermined light distribution pattern LP.

  Therefore, the vehicular headlamp 1 is a portion of the general projection lens 12 that is necessary for forming the predetermined light distribution pattern LP, that is, the other portion except the vertical region 11. That is, the projection lens 4 in which the left and right side portions are eliminated is used.

  The projection lens 4 is formed in a shape in which the shape of the projection lens 4 in a front view is matched with a basic shape based on the shape of the vertically long region 11 where most of the reflected light is transmitted. For example, the shape of the projection lens 4 outside the vertically long region 11 where the reflected light is transmitted is formed in a deformed shape based on the degree of deformation of a quadratic curve.

That is, the general projection lens 12 is cut by a predetermined number (6 to 40) of substantially horizontal planes. As the number of cuts increases, the shape of deformation approaches a quadratic curve. By multiplying (multiplying) the distance of each cross-section cut by the substantially horizontal plane by the degree of atypicality K, the projection lens 4 has a secondary shape in an outer shape from the vertically long region 11 where the reflected light is transmitted. A curvilinear deformation is added. The atypical degree K is composed of the following formula (1). However, a and b are appropriate coefficients. R is a circular radius of the general projection lens 12 in a front view.

K = a × R × R + b (1)

  Hereinafter, a more detailed description will be given with reference to FIGS. First, as shown in FIG. 6, the general projection lens 12 is cut at 11 substantially horizontal planes. Next, as shown in FIGS. 7 to 9, the outer surface of the general projection lens 12 is at a distance of each cross section, that is, substantially perpendicular (right angle) from the center OO (optical axis) of the general projection lens 12. Multiplied by the above-mentioned degree of variation K to the distances L1, L2, L3L4, L5, L6 (L1 to 6), M1, M2, M3, M4 (M1 to 4), N1 and N2 (N1 to 2). Accordingly, a quadratic curve is formed from the general projection lens 12 having a circular shape in front view shown in FIG. 10A to the outer shape from the vertically long region 11 of the portion through which the reflected light shown in FIG. 10B is transmitted. Thus, the projection lens 13 with a typical deformation is obtained.

  7A, FIG. 8A, and FIG. 9A are cross-sectional views showing the distance of each cross section of the general projection lens 12. FIG. 7B, FIG. 8B, and FIG. 9B are cross-sectional views showing a state in which the distance between the respective cross sections of the general projection lens 12 is multiplied by the atypical degree K. 7C, FIG. 8C, and FIG. 9C show a projection lens 13 in which a quadratic curve is added to the outer shape from the vertically long region 11 of the portion through which the reflected light is transmitted. It is sectional drawing. Further, the cross-sectional distances L1 to L6 in FIG. 7 multiplied by the atypical degree K are six, the cross-sectional distances M1 to M4 in FIG. 8 are four, and the cross-sectional distances N1 and N2 in FIG. However, the number is not particularly limited and is arbitrary.

  Then, the shape of the projection lens 13 in a front view obtained by adding a quadratic curve deformation to the outer shape from the vertically long region 11 of the portion through which the reflected light shown in FIG. 10B and FIG. , And is formed (cut out) into an elliptical shape indicated by a dotted line in FIG. As a result, the projection lens 4 deformed based on the degree of deformation of the quadratic curve is formed in an elliptical shape as shown in FIG. 11B.

  The vehicle headlamp 1 according to this embodiment is configured as described above, and the operation thereof will be described below.

  First, the discharge lamp 2 is turned on. Then, light is emitted from the light emitting portion 7 of the discharge lamp 2. This light is reflected by the reflecting surface 10 of the reflector 3 toward the shade 5 and the projection lens 4. A part of the reflected light is shielded by the shade 5, and a predetermined light distribution pattern LP3 shown in FIG. 4 is formed by the remaining reflected light. The remaining reflected light travels toward the projection lens 4, passes through the projection lens 4, and is projected (radiated and irradiated) in front of the automobile as a predetermined light distribution pattern LP.

  The vehicle headlamp 1 according to this embodiment has the above-described configuration and action, and the effects thereof will be described below.

  The vehicular headlamp 1 according to this embodiment eliminates the portion of the general projection lens 12 that hardly transmits the reflected light and has only the portion that transmits the reflected light, that is, the vertically long region 11, due to the configuration and operation described above. The projection lens 4 (13) can be formed. For this reason, the vehicle headlamp 1 according to this embodiment can reduce the weight and size of the projection lens 4 (13), and can reduce the weight and size of the entire lamp unit. it can. Thereby, the optical axis adjustment mechanism for adjusting the optical axis of the lamp unit can be reduced in size, and the manufacturing cost can be reduced correspondingly.

  Moreover, since the vehicular headlamp 1 according to this embodiment uses a portion of the general projection lens 12 through which reflected light is transmitted, that is, the vertically long region 11, a predetermined light distribution pattern LP can be formed.

  Further, the vehicular headlamp 1 according to this embodiment has a portion in which the reflected light is hardly transmitted, that is, a portion that is not visible because the entire projection lens 4 (13) shines by the above-described configuration and operation. Compared with the projection lens of a vehicle headlamp, the appearance is improved.

  Further, the vehicular headlamp 1 according to this embodiment has an elliptical shape when viewed from the front of the projection lens 4, so that it is further reduced in weight and improved in appearance.

  Hereinafter, examples other than the above embodiment will be described. In the above embodiment, a headlamp is described as a vehicle headlamp. However, in the present invention, the vehicle headlamp may be a lamp other than the headlamp, such as a fog lamp.

  Further, in the above-described embodiment, a projector type headlamp capable of obtaining a passing light distribution pattern and a highway light distribution pattern as the predetermined light distribution pattern LP will be described. However, in the present invention, the obtained predetermined light distribution pattern is not particularly limited. For example, the predetermined light distribution pattern may be, for example, a traveling light distribution pattern, a wet road light distribution pattern, or a bad weather light distribution pattern.

  Furthermore, in the said Example, the projection lens 4 in which the shape of a front view makes an ellipse shape is demonstrated. However, in the present invention, a projection lens 13 in which a quadratic curve is added to the outer shape from the vertically long region 11 where the reflected light is transmitted may be used. The projection lens of only the portion of the vertically long region 11 in the center portion excluding the center portion may be used.

It is a front view of the lamp unit which shows the Example of the vehicle headlamp concerning this invention. Similarly, it is the II-II sectional view taken on the line in FIG. 1 (vertical sectional view). Similarly, it is the III-III sectional view taken on the line (horizontal sectional view) in FIG. Similarly, it is explanatory drawing which shows a predetermined light distribution pattern. Similarly, it is explanatory drawing which shows the permeation | transmission characteristic of the reflected light in a projection lens. Similarly, it is explanatory drawing which shows the state cut | disconnected by a substantially horizontal surface in a general projection lens. Similarly, it is the VII-VII sectional view taken on the line in FIG. Similarly, it is the VIII-VIII sectional view taken on the line in FIG. Similarly, it is the IX-IX sectional view taken on the line in FIG. Similarly, it is an explanatory view showing a state in which a general projection lens is deformed into a projection lens obtained by applying a quadratic curve deformation to an outer shape from a vertically long region of a portion through which reflected light is transmitted. Similarly, it is an explanatory view showing a state in which a projection lens having an elliptical shape when viewed from the front is formed from a projection lens obtained by applying a quadratic curve deformation to the outer shape from a vertically long region of a portion through which reflected light is transmitted.

Explanation of symbols

1 Vehicle headlamp 2 Discharge lamp (light source)
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 3 Reflector 4 Projection lens 5 Shade 6 Socket mechanism 7 Light emission part 8 Frame member 9 Through-hole 10 Reflecting surface 11 Vertically long area | region 12 General projection lens 13 From the longitudinally long area | region of the part which reflected light permeate | transmits to a shape of a quadratic curve Modified projection lens LP Predetermined light distribution pattern HL-HR Left and right horizontal lines VU-VD Up and down vertical lines Z1-Z1 Optical axis of the reflecting surface Z2-Z2 Optical axis of the projecting lens F1 First focus of the reflecting surface F2 Reflection The second focal point of the surface F3 The focal point of the projection lens OO Center K Degree of variation L1-6, M1-4, N1-2

Claims (3)

In projector-type vehicle headlamps,
A light source;
A reflector having an ellipse or a reflecting surface based on the ellipse, and reflecting light from the light source;
A projection lens that transmits the reflected light from the reflecting surface of the reflector and projects it forward as a predetermined light distribution pattern;
With
The left and right side edges of the projection lens in front view are located inside the circular left and right side edges of a general projection lens in front view,
A vehicle headlamp characterized by that.   The vehicular headlamp according to claim 1, wherein left and right side edges of the projection lens in front view are formed based on a degree of deformation of a quadratic curve.   The vehicular headlamp according to claim 2, wherein a shape of the projection lens formed on the basis of the degree of deformation of the quadratic curve is an oval shape.

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