WO2015012084A1 - Light source device and vehicle lamp - Google Patents

Abstract

A light source device (2) comprises: a LED unit(light emitting element unit) (3) including a unit body (30) equipped with a FPC (light emitting module) (37) which includes a LED (semiconductor light emitting element) (31); and a base (4) equipped with a connector (42) for supplying the LED (31) with power from an external light source. The unit body (30) is formed of a material having higher heat conductivity than the base (4), and the base (4) is formed of an insulating material. When the LED unit (3) and the base (4) are integrally configured, a connector electrode (43) is electrically connected to a power supply pad (39) of the FPC (37) to allow for power supply to the LED (31).

Description

Light source device and vehicle lamp

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a light source device used as a light source of a lamp mounted on a vehicle such as an automobile, and more particularly to a light source device integrally provided with a power supply connector and a vehicle lamp using the same.

2. Description of the Related Art A light source device using a semiconductor light emitting element such as an LED as a light source of a vehicle lamp (lamp) is provided. Patent Document 1 discloses a configuration in which an FPC (flexible wiring board) on which an LED is mounted is mounted on a connector housing that can be attached to and detached from the lamp. That is, the FPC on which the LED is mounted is integrally supported by a connector housing formed of resin, and a part of the FPC is protruded in a cavity provided in the connector housing, so that the protruding portion is used for power supply. It is configured to connect to an external connector as a connector electrode and to supply power to the LED. According to this light source device, it can be applied to a lamp with the same handling as a conventional incandescent bulb socket.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2012-146601

In the technique of Patent Document 1, since the connector housing is formed of resin, there is a problem that heat generated by the LED is not easily transmitted to the connector housing, and a sufficient heat dissipation effect cannot be obtained. Therefore, it is considered that the connector housing is formed of a metal material excellent in heat dissipation, for example, ADC (aluminum die casting). However, since the ADC is conductive, there is a problem that when a connector electrode for power feeding is configured by a part of the FPC, the connector electrode contacts the connector housing and is electrically short-circuited. In order to prevent this short circuit, it is conceivable that an insulator made of an insulating material is interposed between the ADC and the connector electrode. However, the assembly process for incorporating the insulator into the connector housing becomes complicated, resulting in high costs. Become.

An object of the present invention is to provide a light source device and a vehicular lamp that are excellent in heat dissipation, can be easily assembled, and can be configured at low cost.

The present invention is a light source device that can be mounted on a reflector of a lamp,
A light emitting element unit including a unit body on which a light emitting module including a semiconductor light emitting element is mounted;
A base that is configured integrally with the light-emitting element unit and includes a connector portion for supplying power from an external power source to the semiconductor light-emitting element;
The unit body is formed of a material having higher heat conductivity than the base,
The base is formed of an insulating material;
The connector portion is electrically connected to the light emitting module in a state in which the light emitting element unit and the base are integrally formed,
In a state where the light source device is mounted on the reflector, a part of the unit main body is exposed on the back side of the reflector.

In the present invention, the light emitting element unit further includes a power feeding pad electrically connected to the light emitting module, and the connector portion is in electrical contact with the power feeding pad when the light emitting element unit and the base are integrated. It is good. In addition, the light emitting element unit and the base can be integrated toward the direction of the light emitting optical axis of the semiconductor light emitting element, and the connector portion is from the direction of the light emitting optical axis or the direction intersecting the light emitting optical axis. The external power supply may be connected. The base may be attached to the lamp, and the light emitting element unit may be attached to the base. Alternatively, the light emitting element unit may be attached to the lamp, and the base may be attached to the light emitting element unit.

The vehicular lamp according to the present invention is a vehicular lamp provided with the light source device, and an optical cap can be attached to the light emitting element unit, and the optical cap emits light emitted from the semiconductor light emitting element. It comprises a light guide that guides light and emits the guided light toward a required region.

According to the present invention, since the unit body on which the light emitting module including the semiconductor light emitting element is mounted is formed of a material having higher heat conductivity than the base, the heat generated in the light emitting module can be effectively radiated through the unit body. Can do. Moreover, since the base provided with the connector part for supplying the power of the external power source to the light emitting element is formed of an insulating material, the electrical insulation state of the connector part can be maintained. Therefore, parts and structures for ensuring electrical insulation in the connector portion are unnecessary, and the light source device can be easily assembled and can be formed at low cost. Further, even when the light emitting module unit and the base are integrally formed, even if the light emitting module and the connector portion are electrically connected, the connector portion can be prevented from being short-circuited to the base, and the semiconductor light emitting device can be protected. The light emission state can be secured.

FIG. 2 is a schematic horizontal sectional view in which the light source device according to the first embodiment of the present invention is applied to a clearance lamp. FIG. 2 is an enlarged sectional view taken along line II-II in FIG. 3 is a schematic partial exploded perspective view of the light source device of Embodiment 1. FIG. It is a disassembled perspective view of an LED unit. It is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the light source device of Embodiment 2. 6 is a schematic partial cross-sectional view of a light source device according to Embodiment 2. FIG. It is a fragmentary perspective view of the support structure of an optical cap. (A)-(c) is sectional drawing of an optical cap and its modification. It is sectional drawing of the modification of a connector electrode.

(Embodiment 1)
Next, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a horizontal sectional view in which the light source device of Embodiment 1 of the present invention is applied to a clearance lamp of an automobile. FIG. 1 shows an example of a left headlamp. A clearance lamp CLL is disposed in a lamp housing 1 including a lamp body 1a and a front light transmitting cover 1b together with a low beam lamp unit LoL and a high beam lamp unit HiL. The clearance lamp CLL includes a reflector 12 formed on a part of a pseudo reflector 11 called an extension built in the lamp housing 1. The light source device 2 is detachably mounted in a light source mounting hole 13 provided at a substantially central position of the reflector 12. The light source mounting hole 13 is formed as a bayonet hole. As will be described later, the light source device 2 is inserted into the light source mounting hole 13 and rotated around the hole axis, whereby the reflector 12 can be attached.

2 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line II-II in FIG. 1, and FIG. 3 is a partially exploded perspective view of the light source device 2. As shown in FIG. The light source device 2 includes an LED unit 3 and a base 4. The base 4 is detachable from the light source mounting hole 13 of the reflector 12. The base 4 can be connected to an external connector 5 connected to an external power source (such as an in-vehicle battery) not shown. The LED unit 3 can be attached to and detached from the base 4. The LED unit 3 includes an LED 31 as a light source, and is electrically connected to a connector electrode 43 provided on the base 4 when the LED unit 3 is mounted on the base 4. The LED 31 is a semiconductor light emitting element in the present invention, and the LED unit 3 is a light emitting element unit in the present invention.

The LED unit 3 has a unit main body 30 formed by ADC. FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of the LED unit 3. An annular groove 32 a and a circular flange 32 b are integrally formed on the outer peripheral surface of the base end portion 32 of the unit main body 30. A gasket ring 33 is held in the annular groove 32a. Mounting tabs 32c protrude in the outer diameter direction at two locations in the circumferential direction of the circular flange 32b. Each mounting tab 32c has an insertion hole 32d, and the LED unit 3 is attached to the base 4 with a small screw 34. In addition, the distal end portion 35 of the unit main body 30 has a substantially trapezoidal side shape with a part of a cylinder cut out in a region excluding the proximal end portion. A tip end surface 35a of the tip end portion 35 directed in the column axis direction is formed in a plane perpendicular to the column axis direction. Two guide pins 36 protrude from the distal end surface 35a in the column axis direction. Then, an FPC (flexible printed circuit board) 37 is arranged in a bent state so as to cover the front end surface 35a.

The FPC 37 is a substrate for constituting the light emitting module in the present invention. The FPC 37 includes a flexible insulating layer 37a having an elongated shape, and a required conductive circuit pattern 37b is formed on the surface of the insulating layer 37a. On the back surface of the insulating layer 37a, a metal film 37d such as aluminum for increasing the mechanical strength is provided. As described above, the FPC 37 is configured as a metal base FPC, and is bent in a U-shape in the plate thickness direction with the back surface having the metal film 37d inside. Two chip-type LEDs 31 are mounted side by side on part of the surface of the central region in the length direction of the FPC 37. Two guide grooves 37 c that can be fitted to the guide pins 36 are cut out at both side edges in the width direction of the central region of the FPC 37. Various electronic components 38 are mounted on the surfaces of both end regions sandwiching the central region of the FPC 37 in the length direction. The various electronic components 38 constitute a lighting circuit for causing the LED 31 to emit light. Further, two power supply pads 39 formed of a part of the conductive circuit pattern 37b are arranged in the width direction on the surface of one end portion of both end regions of the FPC 37. Each power supply pad 39 is formed by exposing a part of the surface of the conductive circuit pattern 37b. As will be described later, each power supply pad 39 can be in electrical contact with the connector electrode 43 of the base 4.

The FPC 37 as the light emitting module configured as described above covers the front end surface 35a of the unit main body 30 such that the guide groove 37c in the center region is fitted to the guide pin 36 of the front end surface 35a of the unit main body 30. To be attached. And FPC37 is adhere | attached on the front-end | tip part 35 with the adhesive agent with high heat conductivity apply | coated to almost the whole back surface including the said center area | region. Thus, in a state where the FPC 37 is attached to the unit main body 30, the two LEDs 31 are positioned in front of the front end surface 35 a of the unit main body 30. Further, in this attached state, the electronic component 38 mounted on the FPC 37 is configured not to protrude outward from the circumferential surface of the unit body 30.

The base 4 shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 is formed by insulating resin molding. The base 4 is formed integrally with a cylindrical portion 41 having a hollow hole into which the LED unit 3 can be inserted, and a part of the circumferential surface on the proximal end side of the cylindrical portion 41 in a direction substantially perpendicular to the cylindrical axis direction. It is comprised with the connector part 42 made. A circular flange 41 a and a bayonet piece 41 b are formed on the circumferential surface on the tip side of the cylindrical portion 41. As a result, the base 4 is mounted in the light source mounting hole 13 of the reflector 12 with a bayonet structure. That is, by inserting the bayonet piece 41b into the light source mounting hole 13 and rotating the base 4 by a predetermined angle in the cylinder axis direction, the inner edge portion of the light source mounting hole 13 is sandwiched between the bayonet piece 41b and the circular flange 41a. It is the structure to do. A gasket ring 44 is disposed between the circular flange 41a and the bayonet piece 41b to ensure waterproofing with the reflector 12. In addition, two mounting tabs 45 are formed on the proximal end of the cylindrical portion 41 so as to protrude in the circumferential direction. Each mounting tab 45 has a screw hole 45a opened in the cylinder axis direction.

The connector portion 42 is formed with a cavity 42a having an open bottom surface. Two connector electrodes 43 are lined up in the cavity 42a. The connector electrode 43 is formed by bending an elongated metal piece. The contact part 43a on one end side of the connector electrode 43 is bent back so as to generate an elastic force in the upward direction of FIGS. 2 and 3 and is formed on a part of the lower side of the inner peripheral surface of the cylindrical part 41 of the base 4. It is supported. The contact portions 43 a of the two connector electrodes 43 are arranged side by side in the circumferential direction of the cylindrical portion 41. In addition, the fitting portion 43b on the other end side of the connector electrode 43 is configured as a two-layered strip that is folded back in the plate thickness direction. The fitting portion 43b is inserted from the inner diameter side into a slit 41c provided in a part of the circumference of the cylindrical portion 41 and is disposed so as to protrude into the cavity 42a. And the connector electrode 43 is supported by the base 4 by engaging the latching piece 43c cut and raised by a part of fitting part 43b with the groove part 42b of the cavity 42a. The fitting portion 43b of the connector electrode 43 can be electrically connected to the external connector electrode 51 of the external connector 5 when the external connector 5 is fitted.

In the light source device 2 of Embodiment 1, the LED unit 3 is inserted into the cylindrical portion 41 from the base end side of the cylindrical portion 41 of the base 4, and the insertion holes 32 d of the mounting tabs 32 c of the circular flange 32 b and the mounting tabs 45 are provided. After the screw holes 45a are opposed to each other, the small holes 34 are screwed into the insertion holes 32d and the screw holes 45a, and the circular flange 32b and the mounting tab 45 are fastened and integrated. By this fastening, the axial direction and circumferential direction of the LED unit 3 with respect to the base 4 are performed, and the LED unit 3 and the base 4 are waterproofed by the gasket ring 33. Further, by this fastening, the two power supply pads 39 of the LED unit 3 are respectively positioned to face the contact portions 43 a of the connector electrodes 43 of the base 4. Therefore, electrical connection with the power supply pad 39 is performed by the elastic force of the contact portion 43a. The light source device 2 assembled in this way is fixedly supported by the reflector 12 by mounting the base 4 in the light source mounting hole 13 of the reflector 12 of the clearance lamp CLL by the above-described bayonet structure. At this time, the circular flange 30 b of the LED unit 3 is exposed from the base 4 on the back side of the reflector 12.

2, the connector electrode 43 is electrically connected to the external connector electrode 51 of the external connector 5 by fitting the external connector 5 to the connector portion 42 of the base 4. Is supplied to the connector electrode 43. Further, the power supplied to the connector electrode 43 is supplied to the power supply pad 39 in contact with the contact portion 43a of the connector electrode 43, and further supplied to the LED 31 through the conductive circuit pattern 37b, so that the LED 31 emits light. The light emitted and emitted from the LED 31 is projected onto the reflecting surface of the reflector 12 and reflected in a predetermined direction, whereby light irradiation with a required light distribution required for the clearance lamp CLL is performed.

In the light source device 2 according to the first embodiment, heat generated when the LED 31 emits light is transferred to the unit body 30 of the LED unit 3 via the FPC 37. Since the unit main body 30 is composed of ADC, the heat transfer is high, and the heat transferred is immediately transferred to the entire area of the unit main body 30. Then, heat is radiated from the surface of the exposed circular flange 30b of the unit body 30 to the outside, or heat is transferred from the unit body 30 to the base 4 and radiated from the base 4, so that the heat radiation effect of the LED 31 is enhanced. The connector electrode 43 electrically connected to the LED unit 3 is formed of an independent metal piece, but the base 4 is insulated in the base 4 because the cylindrical portion 41 and the connector portion 42 are formed of insulating resin. It is supported in a state where the state is maintained. Accordingly, an insulator or the like for insulating the connector electrode 43 is unnecessary, and the connector electrode 43 can be attached simply by being inserted into the cylindrical portion 41 or the connector portion 42 of the base 4 and can be easily assembled. Can do. In addition, when the LED unit 3 and the base 4 are assembled, the connector electrode 43 can be electrically connected to the power supply pad 39 to supply external power to the LED 31. This eliminates the need for wiring work for electrically connecting the LED unit 3 and the base 4 during assembly, thereby further facilitating assembly and reducing costs.

Furthermore, in the light source device 2, only the LED unit 3 can be replaced while the base 4 is mounted on the reflector 12. That is, the LED unit 3 can be pulled out from the cylindrical portion 41 of the base 4 by removing the two small screws 34. At this time, the electrical connection between the connector electrode 43 and the power supply pad 39 is automatically canceled. Therefore, if the standard of the unit main body 30 of the LED unit 3 is the same, such as the shape, dimensions, etc., it is easy to replace the LED unit with a different standard LED or electronic component, realizing lamp maintenance and performance improvement. This is advantageous.

Alternatively, the entire light source device 2 can be removed from the reflector 12. That is, by rotating the base 4 around the axis by a small angle, the coupling with the reflector 12 by the bayonet structure is released, and the light source device 2 can be removed from the light source mounting hole 13 of the reflector 12. After the light source device 2 is removed, the LED unit 3 may be removed from the base 4 and replaced as described above. Alternatively, the entire light source device 2 may be replaced with a different one.

(Embodiment 2)
FIG. 5 is a longitudinal sectional view of Embodiment 2 configured as a light source device applying the present invention to a headlamp or a fog lamp, and FIG. 6 is a partially exploded perspective view thereof. The basic configuration of the light source device 2A of the second embodiment is the same as that of the first embodiment, and includes a LED unit 6 having a unit body 60 formed of ADC and a base 7 formed of resin. Here, as will be understood from the following description, the connector portion 72 of the base 7 is configured in the direction of the optical axis of the LED. In addition, about the reflector of a headlamp or a fog lamp, only one part is shown by the code | symbol 12A in FIG.

The unit main body 60 of the LED unit 6 is made of ADC, and is formed in a cylindrical shape in which a tip end portion 60a has a small diameter and a base end portion 60b is integrated in a cylinder axis direction. A plurality of heat radiating fins 60c protrude in the radial direction on the outer peripheral surface of the large-diameter base end portion 60b. The small-diameter tip 60a is formed with a pedestal 60d that is formed by cutting out both side regions facing each other in a circular arc shape. The front end surface 60e of the pedestal portion 60d is oriented in a direction perpendicular to the cylinder axis direction of the unit body 60. Two insertion holes 60f are opened on the distal end surface 60e in the cylinder axis direction at a required interval in the radial direction. Bayonet pieces 60g are formed at a plurality of locations on the outer peripheral surface of the tip portion 60a. Furthermore, optical cap support pieces 60h are formed at a plurality of locations on the circumference different from the bayonet pieces 60g. The bayonet piece 60g has the same configuration as the bayonet piece 41b of the first embodiment, and is detachable from the light source mounting hole 13A of the reflector 12A. The optical cap support piece 60h is formed as a rectangular frame on which the optical cap 8 is engaged and supported, as will be described later.

Further, the unit main body 60 supports the FPC 62 which is mounted with the LED 61 and constitutes the light emitting module. The FPC 62 is bent and formed in an L shape in the plate thickness direction, and three chip-shaped LEDs 61 are mounted on the surface of the short side portion 62a directed in the tip direction. Various electronic components 63 are mounted on the surface of the long side portion 62b directed in the cylinder axis direction. Three power supply pads 64 are arranged in the width direction on the surface of the base end side of the long side portion 62b. The power supply pad 64 is configured by a part of a conductive circuit pattern (not shown) formed on the surface of the FPC 62, and the conductive surface is exposed in the portion configured as the power supply pad 64. Is the same as in the first embodiment. Reinforcing plates 65a and 65b made of a highly rigid flat plate are bonded to the back surfaces of the short side portion 62a and the long side portion 62b of the FPC 62, respectively, and the short side portion 62a and the long side portion 62b are adhered by the reinforcing plates 65a and 65b. The shape is retained. In the state in which the FPC 62 is supported by the unit main body 60, the back surface of the short side portion 62a is in contact with the distal end surface 60e of the pedestal portion 60d, and the long side portion 62b is on the proximal side along the cylinder axis direction. To the upper side surface of the pedestal 60d. In addition, support tabs 65c project from both sides of the reinforcing plate 65a bonded to the back surface of the short side portion 62a toward both outer sides. Each support tab 65c has a connection hole 65d at a position corresponding to the insertion hole 60f of the pedestal 60d.

The base 7 is formed by resin molding and can be inserted into the base end portion 60b of the unit main body 60 of the LED unit 6 from the base end side. A circular flange 71 is provided at a substantially intermediate position in the length direction of the base 7, that is, in the direction directed in the tube axis direction of the LED unit 6. A proximal end side of the circular flange 71 is configured as a connector portion 72, and a connecting portion 73 and a connector electrode support portion 74 are provided on the distal end side of the circular flange 71. When the base 7 is inserted into the unit main body 60 of the LED unit 6, the circular flange 71 is brought into contact with the base end of the unit main body 60, and the connecting portion 73 and the connector electrode support portion 74 are housed inside the unit main body 60. The connector 72 is projected from the base end side of the unit main body 60 in the cylinder axis direction.

The connecting portion 73 of the base 7 includes two elongated connecting rods 75 projecting from the circular flange 71 toward the distal end, and a hook rod disposed in the vertical position adjacent to the connector electrode support portion 74. 76. The connecting rod 75 is formed to have a length substantially equal to the length of the unit body 60 in the cylinder axis direction. A distal end portion 75a of the connecting rod 75 is formed with a small diameter. When the base 7 is inserted into the unit main body 60 of the LED unit 6, the distal end portion 75 a of each connecting rod 75 is inserted into the insertion hole 60 f of the pedestal portion 60 d and further provided on the reinforcing plate 65 a of the FPC 62. The connecting tab 65c of the support tab 65c is penetrated in the cylinder axis direction. Further, when the base 7 is inserted into the unit main body 60, the hook portion 76a at the tip of the hook rod 76 engages with a protrusion 60i formed in the unit main body 60 so as to protrude in the inner diameter direction, thereby fixing the base 7 to the LED unit. Lock to 6.

The connector electrode support part 74 supports three connector electrodes 77. Each connector electrode 77 is formed in a crank shape by bending an elongated metal piece in the plate thickness direction. The contact portion 77a of each connector electrode 77 directed in the left direction in FIG. 5 is folded inward so as to generate an elastic force in the thickness direction. In addition, the fitting portion 77b oriented in the right direction in FIG. 5 has a two-sheet configuration in which the fitting portion 77b is folded back and overlapped in the plate thickness direction. Further, a locking piece 77c is cut and raised on the lower surface of FIG. And the fitting part 77b is inserted from the front end side of the base 7 into the slit 74a of the cylinder axis direction provided in the said connector electrode support part 74. As shown in FIG. When the fitting portion 77b is inserted, the locking piece 77c is locked to the stepped portion 74b of the slit 74a, whereby the connector electrode 77 is supported by the connector electrode support portion 74.

The connector portion 72 protrudes from the circular flange 71 toward the proximal end in the cylinder axis direction, and forms a rectangular cavity 72a therein. The three connector electrodes 77 supported by the connector electrode support portion 74 are supported in a state where each fitting portion 77b protrudes toward the opening of the cavity 72a in the cavity 72a. An external connector similar to that described in the first embodiment can be fitted to the cavity 72a. When the external connector is fitted, the external connector electrode is fitted and electrically connected to the fitting portion 77b of the connector electrode 77 projectingly supported in the cavity 72a.

In Embodiment 2, when assembling the light source device 2A, the base 7 supporting the connector electrode 77 is inserted into the unit body 60 of the LED unit 6 from the base end side. By this insertion, the hook portions 76 a of the two hook rods 76 of the base 7 are engaged with the protrusions 60 i of the unit body 60, whereby the base 7 is integrated with the LED unit 6. At the same time, the distal end portion 75a of the connecting rod 75 is inserted into the insertion hole 60f of the pedestal portion 60d of the unit body 60, and is further inserted into the connection hole 65d of the reinforcing plate 65a of the FPC 62. And the front-end | tip part 75a is crimped by the heat caulking method etc. in the state which the front-end | tip part 75a of the connection rod 75 was penetrated to the connection hole 65d. Accordingly, the base 7 is connected to the LED unit 6 by the connecting rod 75, and the FPC 62 is integrally supported by the base portion 60d of the LED unit 6. Further, when the base 7 is inserted into the unit main body 60 in this way, the contact portions 77a of the three connector electrodes 77 supported by the base 7 are brought into contact with the three power supply pads 64 provided on the FPC 62, and are electrically connected to each other. Connected.

Furthermore, in Embodiment 2, the optical cap 8 is attached to the tip side of the LED unit 6 after the light source device 2A is assembled. As shown in FIG. 6, the optical cap 8 has a light guide body 80 made of a transparent material such as a transparent resin. The light guide 80 has a proximal end portion 80a formed in a cylindrical shape and a distal end portion 80b formed in a substantially columnar shape. The diameter of the light guide 80 is substantially equal to the diameter of the tip 60a of the unit body 60 of the LED unit 6. FIG. 7 is a partially enlarged perspective view of the optical cap 8 mounted on the LED unit 6. Two hook pieces 81 protrude in the axial direction at a plurality of locations on the circumference of the base end portion 80 a of the light guide 80 of the optical cap 8. Between the circumferential direction of each hook piece 81, the contact piece 82 which contact | abuts to the circumferential end surface 60j of the front-end | tip part 60a of the said unit main body 60 is protrudingly formed. When the optical cap 8 is attached to the LED unit 6, the abutment piece 82 abuts on the circumferential end surface 60 j of the unit main body 60, and each of the two hook pieces 81 is provided on the tip end portion 60 a of the unit main body 60. Each is engaged with the piece 60h. Thereby, the optical cap 8 is integrally supported by the front-end | tip part 60a of the unit main body 60 in the coaxial state.

FIG. 8A is a cross-sectional view of the optical cap 8. A base end portion 80 a of the light guide 80 formed in a cylindrical shape is supported by the LED unit 6 so as to surround the LED 61. The base end surface 80c of the tip portion 80b formed in a columnar shape is formed in a substantially conical surface, and guides the light emitted from each LED 61 in the tip direction along the axial direction as a parallel light flux. . Further, the central front end face 80d of the front end portion 80b of the light guide 80 is formed in an inverted conical shape. An inner ring front end surface 80e and an outer ring front end surface 80f having a triangular cross section are formed so as to surround the center front end surface 80d. By providing the central front end surface 80d, the inner ring front end surface 80e, and the outer ring front end surface 80f, the light guided in the axial direction from the base end surface 80c to the inside of the light guide 80 is transmitted to the front end surfaces 80d, 80e, and 80f. Each is refracted or internally reflected to be diffused over a wide area extending from the optical axis direction of the LED 61 to the circumferential direction. Here, the light guide 80 is designed so that light emitted from each of the tip surfaces 80d, 80e, and 80f is directed to almost the entire surface of the reflector 12A. Therefore, it is possible to realize light irradiation with a light distribution characteristic having a wide illumination range required for a headlamp and a fog lamp.

As described above, in the light source device 2A according to the second embodiment in which the LED unit 6, the base 7, and the optical cap 8 are integrated, the LED unit 6 is housed in the light source mounting hole 13A of the reflector 12A as shown in FIG. Thus, it is mounted on the reflector 12A by the bayonet structure. That is, the gasket ring 66 is fitted to the small-diameter distal end portion 60a, and the distal end portion 60a is used as the light source of the reflector 12A until the distal end surface of the large-diameter base end portion 60b of the LED unit 6 contacts the back surface of the reflector 12A. The bayonet piece 60g is engaged with the inner edge portion of the light source mounting hole 13A by being inserted into the mounting hole 13A and rotated by a predetermined angle on the mounting hole 13A, so that the bayonet structure can be mounted. In this state, most of the LED unit 6 is exposed on the back side of the reflector 12A. Accordingly, by fitting an external connector to the connector portion 72 of the base 7 from the rear side of the light source device 2A, the connector electrode 77 is electrically connected to the external connector electrode of the external connector in the same manner as in the first embodiment. External power from the connector is supplied to the connector electrode 77, and this power is further supplied to the power supply pad 64 in contact with the contact portion 77 a of the connector electrode 77. Accordingly, the LED 61 is supplied with power through the conductive circuit pattern of the FPC 62 and emits light. The light emitted and emitted from the LED 61 is guided through the light guide 80 of the optical cap 8, and is emitted as diffused light from the respective end faces 80d, 80e, and 80f. By providing the optical cap 8, the emitted light is projected on almost the entire surface of the reflector 12A and reflected toward a predetermined direction. Therefore, light irradiation with a required light distribution required for the headlamp or fog lamp is performed.

In the light source device 2A of the second embodiment, heat generated when the LED 61 emits light is transferred to the unit main body 60 via the FPC 62 and the reinforcing plates 65a and 65b. Since the unit main body 60 is composed of ADC, the heat transfer is high, and the heat transferred is immediately transferred to the entire area of the unit main body 60 and radiated, so that the heat dissipation effect of the LED 61 is enhanced. In particular, since the outer periphery of the unit main body 60 is exposed to the back side of the reflector 12A and a plurality of heat radiation fins 60c are formed, the heat radiation effect can be enhanced as compared with the first embodiment. The connector electrode 77 for electrical connection to the power feeding pad 64 of the LED unit 6 is formed of an independent metal piece, but the base 7 supporting the connector electrode 77 is formed of an insulating resin. Therefore, the connector electrode 77 does not cause an electrical short circuit with respect to the base 7 or the LED unit 6. Therefore, an insulator or the like for insulating the connector electrode 77 is unnecessary, and the light source device 2A can be easily assembled.

In Embodiment 2, when the base 7 and the LED unit 6 are integrated, the distal end portion 75a of the connecting rod 75 of the base 7 is caulked. Therefore, the entire light source device 2A is removed from the reflector 12A during maintenance or replacement. At this time, by rotating the light source device 2A by a predetermined angle around the axis, the coupling with the reflector 12A by the bayonet structure is released, and the light source device 2A can be removed and replaced from the light source mounting hole 13A. In addition, you may comprise by the snap structure or fastener structure which couple | bonds the front-end | tip part 75a of the connection rod 75 by press injection. According to this configuration, after the light source device 2A is removed from the reflector 12A, the engagement of the fastener structure of the connecting rod 75 is released, and at the same time, the engagement of the hook rod 76 with the LED unit 6 is released. It is also possible to remove 6 from the base 7 and replace only the LED unit 6. Furthermore, it is also possible to remove and replace only the FPC 62 from the LED unit 6.

Furthermore, in the light source device 2A according to this embodiment, the optical cap 8 can be replaced. By releasing the engagement between the hook piece 81 provided on the optical cap 8 and the optical cap support piece 60h of the unit main body 60 of the LED unit 6, the optical cap 8 is removed from the LED unit 6 and replaced with an optical cap having a different configuration. can do. For example, the caps can be replaced with optical caps 8A and 8B having different tip end face shapes as shown in FIGS. The optical cap 8A shown in FIG. 8B has basically the same configuration as the optical cap 8 shown in FIG. 8A, but the cross-sectional shape of the outer ring front end face 80g is changed. The outer ring front end surface 80g is formed such that the outer peripheral surface is a cylindrical surface and the inner peripheral surface is an acute cone surface. Thus, by forming the outer ring front end face 80g, light can be diffused at a wider angle. The optical cap 8B of FIG. 8C is formed with a convex spherical surface whose base end face 80h is opposed to each LED 61, the distal end face is a central distal end face 80i having a convex spherical face, and a peripheral distal end face 80j having a conical surface. And is formed from. Further, the intermediate portion in the length direction of the distal end portion 80b of the light guide 80 is formed to have a slightly small diameter. Thereby, the luminous flux density of the light that enters from the base end portion 80a and is guided through the light guide 80 can be increased, and diffused light with high luminous intensity can be formed. It is also possible not to attach the optical cap 8.

The connector portion 42 of the first embodiment has a configuration in which the external connector 5 of the external power source is connected from the direction intersecting the light emitting optical axis. It is a configuration to be connected. As described above, in the embodiment according to the present invention, when the light source device is mounted on the lamp, a degree of freedom in the direction of connecting the external power source is generated, and the connection work is facilitated.

In the first and second embodiments, the connector electrodes 43 and 77 are brought into contact with the power supply pads 39 and 64 provided on the surfaces of the FPCs 37 and 62 of the LED units 3 and 6 from the surface side. For example, FIG. As shown in the second modification, the connector electrode 77 </ b> A may be configured to sandwich the end portion of the FPC 62 provided with the power supply pad 64. That is, the contact portion 77a of the connector electrode 77A is bent into a U shape, and an opposing portion 77d that faces the contact portion 77a at a required interval is formed. And the contact portion 77a, and the electrical connection state to the power supply pad 64 can be stabilized. In particular, in the case of the configuration in which the base 7 is coupled to the LED unit 6 from the cylinder axis direction as in the second embodiment, by adopting such a configuration, the power supply pad 64 and the connector electrode 77A are adopted. It is possible to make the electrical connection to the stable and reliable.

In the first and second embodiments, the unit main bodies 30 and 60 of the LED units 3 and 6 are formed of ADC, but may be formed of other metal materials having high heat conductivity and excellent heat dissipation. On the other hand, the bases 4 and 7 may be made of a resin other than nylon or other materials as long as the material has electrical insulation with respect to the connector electrodes 43 and 77.

In Embodiment 1, the base 4 is attached to the reflector 12 with a bayonet structure, and in Embodiment 2, the LED unit 6 is attached to the reflector 12A with a bayonet structure. Good. For example, an attachment structure using screws or an attachment structure using hooks or springs may be used. In the case of the first embodiment, the surface of the base 4 may be metal-plated so that the heat transmitted from the LED unit 3 can be easily radiated from the surface of the base 4.

In the first and second embodiments, the chip type LEDs 31 and 61 are mounted on the FPCs 37 and 62. However, a discrete type LED may be used, or a light source device including a semiconductor light emitting element other than the LED. There may be. Further, the FPCs 37 and 62 are not limited to the metal base FPC shown in the first embodiment and the FPC having the reinforcing plate shown in the second embodiment, and may be configured by a normal PCB (printed circuit board).

In the first and second embodiments, the present invention is applied to a light source device such as a clearance lamp, a head lamp, and a fog lamp. However, if the light source device is a vehicle lamp using a semiconductor light emitting element such as an LED as a light source, a tail lamp ( It can be configured as a light source device for other vehicular lamps such as a stop lamp, a backup lamp), a DRL (daytime running lamp), and a TSL (turn signal lamp).

This application is based on Japanese Patent Application No. 2013-151358 filed on July 22, 2013, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

The present invention can be applied to a light source device of a lamp using a semiconductor light emitting element as a light source.

Claims (6)

A light source device that can be mounted on a reflector of a lamp,
A light emitting element unit including a unit body on which a light emitting module including a semiconductor light emitting element is mounted;
A base that is configured integrally with the light-emitting element unit and includes a connector portion for supplying power from an external power source to the semiconductor light-emitting element;
The unit body is formed of a material having higher heat conductivity than the base,
The base is formed of an insulating material;
The connector portion is electrically connected to the light emitting module in a state in which the light emitting element unit and the base are integrally formed,
In the state where the light source device is mounted on the reflector, a part of the unit main body is exposed on the back side of the reflector. The light emitting element unit further includes a power supply pad electrically connected to the light emitting module,
The light source device according to claim 1, wherein the connector portion is in electrical contact with the power supply pad when the light emitting element unit and the base are integrated. The light emitting element unit and the base can be integrated toward the direction of the light emitting optical axis of the semiconductor light emitting element,
3. The light source device according to claim 1, wherein the connector unit is configured to be connected to the external power source from a direction of the light emission optical axis or a direction intersecting the light emission optical axis. The light source device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the base can be attached to the lamp, and the light emitting element unit can be attached to the base. The light source device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the light emitting element unit can be attached to the lamp, and the base can be attached to the light emitting element unit. A vehicle lamp comprising the light source device according to any one of claims 1 to 5,
An optical cap can be attached to the light emitting element unit,
The said optical cap is a vehicle lamp comprised from the light guide which guides the light radiate | emitted from the said semiconductor light-emitting device, and radiate | emits the light guided toward the required area | region.

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