Vehicle lamp

The present invention relates to vehicle headlights such as headlights and auxiliary headlights that use a plurality of LED elements as a light source.

In recent years, with the increase in output and brightness of white LEDs, it has been studied to use white LEDs as a light source for vehicle headlights, and by using LEDs, non-exchangeable light sources and power consumption have been studied. It is expected to have advantages such as reduction of the number of LEDs and miniaturization of the lamp itself. However, even though the output of white LEDs is increased, the luminous flux and brightness of one LED light source are lower than those of conventional halogen light sources and light sources that use discharge lights such as HID. The luminous flux is about 1/20 and about 1/60 of HID. Since it is considered difficult for LEDs to reach the same luminous flux and brightness as HID in the future, multiple LEDs were used in order to use LEDs as the light source for vehicle headlights. It is necessary to configure the vehicle headlight by the optical system.

As such vehicle headlights, for example, the vehicle headlights shown in FIGS. 25 to 27 are disclosed. First, the vehicle headlight 1 shown in FIG. 25 includes a light source module 2 in which a plurality of LEDs 2a are arranged side by side on a substrate surface concave toward the front, and a projection lens 3 arranged in front of the light source module 2. It is composed of a light-shielding member 4 arranged near the focal position F on the light source side of the projection lens 3.

Each LED 2a of the light source module 2 has its optical axis oriented toward the focal position F of the projection lens 3, and emits light when a drive current is supplied from a drive unit (not shown). There is. The projection lens 3 is composed of a convex lens, and the light emitted from each LED 2a of the light source module 2 is focused and irradiated toward the front. The light-shielding member 4 has an edge 4a formed so as to form a cutoff so as to form a light distribution pattern of a passing beam.

According to the vehicle headlight 1 having such a configuration, each LED 2a of the light source module 2 emits light when a driving current is supplied, and the light emitted from each LED 2a is directed to the focal position F of the projection lens 3, respectively. It is focused by the projection lens 3 and irradiated forward. At that time, the light is emitted forward in the range of the so-called passing beam light distribution pattern L, as shown in FIG. 26, by forming a cutoff by the light shielding member 4. This prevents dazzling light from being given to oncoming vehicles and pedestrians.

Further, the vehicle headlight 5 shown in FIG. 27 reflects the light from the light source module 6 and the light source module 6 composed of a plurality of LEDs 6a arranged in a ring around the central axis extending forward. It is composed of a reflector 7, a projection lens 3 that focuses the reflected light from the reflector 3, and a light-shielding member 4 that forms a cutoff for passing light distribution.

As shown in FIG. 27 (B), each LED 6a of the light source module 6 is arranged so that its optical axis extends outward in the radial direction from the central axis. The reflector 7 is composed of, for example, a spheroidal surface, and each LED 6a of the light source module 6 is arranged near the first focal position thereof, and the second focal position is on the light source side of the projection lens 3. It is designed to be located near the focal position.

According to the vehicle headlight 5 having such a configuration, each LED 6a of the light source module 6 emits light when a driving current is supplied, and the light emitted from each LED 6a is reflected by the reflector 7 and reflected by the reflector 7. It advances toward the second focal point of the projection lens 3, that is, the focal position F of the projection lens 3, is focused by the projection lens 3, and is irradiated toward the front. At that time, the light is emitted forward in the range of the so-called passing beam light distribution pattern L, as shown in FIG. 26, by forming a cutoff by the light shielding member 4. This prevents dazzling light from being given to oncoming vehicles and pedestrians.

<p> However, since the vehicle headlight 1 having such a configuration is composed of an optical system premised on a halogen bulb or a discharge lamp, it is not suitable for using an LED as a light source, and is desired. It was difficult to form the light distribution pattern of. Therefore, it is not possible to efficiently utilize the light emitted from each LED and irradiate it forward.</p><p> Further, as shown in FIG. 26, the passing beam of the headlight requires a luminosity of, for example, about 6000 cd to 20000 cd in the central direction, that is, in the vicinity of the so-called HV. On the other hand, in an optical system in which light is focused by a projection lens, the luminous intensity value is proportional to the light density (luminous radiance) near the focal position of the projection lens and the lamp area. Therefore, when an LED whose brightness is significantly lower than that of a halogen lamp or a discharge lamp such as HID is used as a light source, in order to obtain the above-mentioned luminous intensity by the above-mentioned conventional optical system using a reflector or a projection lens, optics is used. The size of the system becomes very large.</p><p> In particular, in the case of the vehicle headlight 1 shown in FIG. 25, the light density near the focal position F becomes sparse as the distance between each LED 2a of the light source module 2 and the focal position F of the projection lens 3 increases. Therefore, it becomes impossible to obtain high luminosity. On the contrary, when the light source module 2 and the focal position F are brought close to each other, the number of LEDs 2a that can be integrated on the light source module 2 decreases. In this way, it is difficult for the vehicle headlight 1 to obtain a desired luminous intensity in any case.</p><p> Further, in the case of the vehicle headlight 5 shown in FIG. 27, each LED 6a of the light source module 6 is enlarged and projected by the reflector 7, and it is difficult to obtain a desired luminous intensity in the same manner.</p><p> On the other hand, for example, a vehicle headlight 8 as shown in FIG. 28 can be considered. In FIG. 28, the vehicle headlight 8 is provided with a reflector 9b, a projection lens 9c, and a light-shielding member 9d for each of a plurality of LEDs 9a arranged in a matrix in the vertical and horizontal directions, and the reflector 9b corresponding to each LED 9a is provided. And the projection lens 9c is configured to project the image of each LED 9a forward. However, in the vehicle headlight 8 having such a configuration, the optical system by the reflector 9b and the projection lens 9c is configured on the premise of a halogen bulb or a discharge lamp as in the case of the vehicle headlight 5. Therefore, it is also not suitable for using LEDs as a light source.</p><p> Furthermore, in each of the vehicle headlights 1, 5 and 8 described above, one side of the road (in the case of left-hand traffic, the left side) is illuminated more brightly so as not to dazzle the driver of the oncoming vehicle. In order to define the light distribution pattern of the beam, light-shielding members 4, 9d are provided, and by blocking unnecessary light by the light-shielding members 4, 9d, the above-mentioned light distribution pattern of the passing beam can be obtained. ing. At that time, in order to form a cutoff for the light distribution pattern of the passing beam, it is necessary to form a cutoff with the light shielding members 4, 9d at the brightest part near the optical axis of each LED 2a, 6a, 9a. There is. Therefore, of the amount of light emitted from each LED 2a, 6a, 9a, for example, about 40% of the amount of light is blocked by the light-shielding members 4, 9d and becomes lost light. It cannot be utilized and the efficiency of light utilization becomes very low.</p><p> On the other hand, if the light distribution pattern is controlled only by the reflectors 7, 9b without using the light-shielding members 4, 9d, the loss can be suppressed to the minimum, so that the light utilization efficiency is about. It can be increased up to about 70%, but it is difficult to obtain sufficient contrast at the light-dark boundary line on the H line (horizontal line) and elbow line (diagonal line of 15 degrees) due to the low brightness of each LED. Become.</p><p> From the above points, the present invention provides a vehicle headlight suitable for a headlight, an auxiliary headlight, etc., which uses a plurality of LED elements as a light source to obtain a desired light distribution pattern. The purpose is to do.</p>

<p> According to the present invention, the above object comprises a plurality of light source modules provided with LEDs as a light source and a number of optical systems corresponding to each of the plurality of light source modules, and the light from each light source module is directed forward. The illumination unit that illuminates toward the light corresponds to the respective irradiation regions of the light source region, the diffusion region, and the intermediate region in the light distribution pattern.<u style="single">Assuming that each region has a different optical system configuration and a different light distribution is formed for each region, at least one set for each region</u>It is equipped and corresponds to each of the above irradiation areas.<u style="single">each</u>Illumination light of the lighting unit<u style="single">Overlapping</u>As a whole, one light distribution pattern is formed.<u style="single">The illumination unit that irradiates the condensing area with light</u><u style="single">An optical system is provided with a projection lens whose focal position is near a light-shielding member having a shape corresponding to the light distribution pattern of the passing beam, and a portion of the above light distribution pattern having a focused elbow line is formed near the center. The illumination unit that irradiates the diffused region with light includes a light source module having a light emitting unit having one or more linear ridges, and the light from the light source module is directed forward with the vicinity of the light emitting unit as the focal position. A reflector for projecting and irradiating is provided as an optical system, and a portion of the light distribution pattern diffused in the horizontal line direction is formed by the projected image of the light emitting portion irradiated by the reflector.</u>In the lighting unit that irradiates the intermediate region with light, the light emitting surface of the light source module is inclined rearward, and the reflector that reflects the light of the light source module and the light-shielding member arranged along the light axis of the lamp are used.<u style="single">Focusing on the vicinity of the light-shielding member</u>A projection lens that projects the reflected light of the above reflector<u style="single">As an optical system</u>Prepare<u style="single">, The light distribution pattern has a size intermediate between the condensing region and the diffusing region, and forms a horizontal line cutoff.</u>Achieved by vehicle headlights, characterized in that.</p><p> The vehicle headlights according to the present invention preferably further include a light source module and an optical system optimized for irradiating the light distribution region of the auxiliary lamp with light.</p><p> In the vehicle headlight according to the present invention, the light distribution area of the auxiliary lamp is preferably the light distribution area of the datum running lamp, fog lamp or cornering lamp.</p><p> The vehicle headlights according to the present invention preferably further include a light source module and an optical system that are optimized for irradiating an arbitrary light distribution region with light and are detachably arranged.</p><p> In the vehicle headlights according to the present invention, preferably, each light source module is configured as a different type of package in which the number, arrangement and structure of LED chips are optimized corresponding to the light distribution area to irradiate the light. There is.</p>

<p> According to the above configuration, the light distribution pattern is divided into a plurality of regions, and a light source module and an optical system are provided for each region. Then, by optimizing these light source modules and optical systems with respect to the corresponding regions, each region of the light distribution pattern has a light distribution characteristic having a desired luminosity distribution. As a result, the vehicle headlight as a whole can form a desired light distribution pattern having a desired luminosity distribution by combining a plurality of sets of light source modules and optical systems. At that time, each LED of each light source module is optimized for the region of the corresponding light distribution pattern together with the optical system, so that the utilization efficiency of the light from each LED is improved and brighter irradiation light is obtained. Will be.</p><p> When each of the above light source modules and the optical system irradiates light to the condensing region and the diffusing region of the light distribution pattern, each light source module and the optical system with respect to the condensing region and the diffusing region of the light distribution pattern, respectively. By optimizing the light, the condensing area and the diffusing area are irradiated with light with a desired optical intensity distribution, respectively. As a result, a light distribution pattern having a desired luminosity distribution can be formed as a whole.</p><p> When each of the above light source modules and the optical system irradiates light to the condensing region, the diffusing region, and the intermediate region of the light distribution pattern, each light source module and the optical system each irradiates the condensing region, the diffusing region, and the intermediate region of the light distribution pattern, respectively. By optimizing for the region and the intermediate region, the condensing region, the diffusing region, and the intermediate region are irradiated with light with a desired optical intensity distribution, respectively. As a result, it is possible to form a light distribution pattern having a desired luminosity distribution as a whole, and it is possible to continuously connect the condensing region and the diffusing region with a smooth contrast by the intermediate region.</p><p> The light source module for irradiating the condensing area of the light distribution pattern with light has a light-shielding member having the same shape as the light distribution pattern of the passing beam, and the corresponding optical system is a projection that focuses the light. When composed of a lens, the light from each LED of the light source module forms a cutoff by a light-shielding member, and the light emission shape due to the cutoff is focused by a projection lens and projected forward. As a result, it is possible to form a high-contrast light-dark boundary line near the center with a simple configuration, so that a light distribution pattern suitable for the light-collecting region can be formed.</p><p> The light source module for irradiating the diffused region of the light distribution pattern has a long light emitting shape in one direction having one straight ridge line, and the corresponding optical system is the light from the light source module. When it is composed of a reflector that reflects light, for example, by using a light source module in which LED chips are arranged in a straight line, the straight ridgeline is reflected by the reflector and irradiated forward. The light from the light source module can be efficiently reflected forward, and by projecting a straight ridgeline near the cut-off line, a high-contrast light-dark boundary can be formed, so that it diffuses in the horizontal line direction ( It is possible to form a light distribution pattern suitable for the diffusion region (having a difference in brightness in the cut-off line). Further, since the light source module is substantially surface-emitting and completely diffused-emitting, the reflector does not need to cover the entire light source and has a shape close to a flat surface, so that the entire vehicle headlight can be made thin. ..</p><p> When the optical system for irradiating the intermediate region of the light distribution pattern is composed of a reflector and a projection lens so as to continuously and smoothly connect the light distribution characteristics of the condensing region and the diffusing region. Is diffused by a reflector, focused by a projection lens, and slightly diffused forward to be irradiated. Since the cutoff is formed by the light-shielding plate at the lens focal point, the light distribution pattern that forms a high-contrast light-dark boundary line in the condensing area and the light distribution pattern that diffuses in the horizontal direction in the diffusion area are smoothly connected. can do.</p><p> Further, it includes a light source module and an optical system optimized for irradiating the light distribution area of the auxiliary lamp with light, preferably the light distribution area of the auxiliary lamp is a datum running lamp, a fog lamp or a fog lamp. In the case of the light distribution area of the cornering lamp, the function of the auxiliary lamp can be realized by the light source module and the optical system incorporated in the vehicle headlight, and the entire vehicle lighting equipment is compactly configured. As a result, the degree of freedom in designing vehicle lamps and automobiles will increase.</p><p> In addition, auxiliary lamps and other vehicles as needed, if equipped with light source modules and optics that are optimized to illuminate any light distribution area and are detachably arranged. Since the function of the lamp can be added or removed, it becomes possible to easily configure the vehicle lamp having any function.</p><p> If each light source module is configured as a different type of package with optimized number, arrangement and structure of LED chips corresponding to the light distribution area to irradiate the light, each light source module emits light. Since the package is configured by optimizing the number, arrangement, and structure of these LED chips for a predetermined area of the light distribution pattern to be irradiated, the combination of such package types can be used to make the vehicle headlights. Can be configured.</p><p> In this way, according to the present invention, a light source module using an LED as a light source irradiates a predetermined region of a light distribution pattern with light from each LED via a corresponding optical system, and at that time, a light source. Since the modules and the optical system are optimized for the corresponding light distribution pattern region, the light distribution characteristics having the desired light emission shape and brightness distribution as a whole by combining a plurality of sets of light source modules and the optical system. Can be realized. Therefore, even if an LED with a lower brightness than a halogen bulb or a discharge lamp such as HID is used as the light source, a sufficient maximum luminous intensity can be obtained, so that a highly efficient, compact, and thin vehicle headlight can be used. It can be realized. Further, since the desired light distribution characteristics can be formed by combining the light source modules, the degree of freedom of light distribution and the degree of freedom of designing the vehicle headlight can be increased.</p>

Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 1 to 24. Since the embodiments described below are suitable specific examples of the present invention, various technically preferable limitations are added, but the scope of the present invention particularly limits the present invention in the following description. Unless otherwise stated, the present invention is not limited to these aspects.

FIG. 1 shows the configuration of the first embodiment of the vehicle headlight according to the present invention. In FIG. 1, the vehicle headlight 10 is composed of three sets of lighting units 11, 21, and 31.

The first set of illumination units 11 is configured to irradiate light to a condensing region having a maximum luminous intensity including a light-dark boundary line such as an elbow line in a so-called passing beam light distribution pattern. Further, the illumination unit 21 of the second set irradiates light to the diffusion region, which is a wide region in which the elbow line is not required, in the above light distribution pattern. Further, the illumination unit 31 of the third set irradiates the intermediate region between the light distribution patterns so as to smoothly connect the contrasts of the light distributions in the condensing region and the diffusing region. It has become.

First, the first set of illumination units 11 for the condensing area will be described. As shown in FIG. 2, the first set of illumination units 11 is composed of a light source module 12 and an optical system 13. As shown in FIG. 3, the light source module 12 includes a light emitting unit 12a composed of an LED in which an LED chip is surrounded by a phosphor, and is packaged by, for example, a resin lens house 12b. When the light emitting unit 12a is supplied with power from the outside via the lead 12c, the light emitted from the LED chip hits the phosphor, and the mixed color light of the light from the LED chip and the excitation light by the phosphor is emitted to the outside. It has become.

The light source module 12 is further provided with a lens 12d and a light-shielding member 12e in front of the light-emitting unit 12a, and the light from the light-emitting unit 12a is cut off by the light-shielding member 12e to form a cutoff, and a horizontal line and a light-shielding member 12e are formed. Just by projecting with a convex lens (projection lens), an elbow line extending diagonally upward at, for example, 15 degrees from the center, which is a characteristic of the light distribution pattern of the passing beam, is established.

The optical system 13 is a projection lens composed of a convex lens, and as shown in FIG. 2, the optical axis is aligned with the central axis of the light source module 12, and the focal position on the light source side is the focal position of the light source module 12. It is arranged so as to be located near the light-shielding member 12e in front of the light-emitting portion 12a. As a result, the light from each LED 12a of the light source module 12 is focused forward by the optical system 13, so that the light distribution pattern region (condensing region) indicated by the symbol La in FIG. 2 is formed. It has become.

Here, since the optical system 13 is a condensing optical system, it is possible to use a condensing optical system having another configuration, but the maximum light intensity value in the condensing region in the light distribution pattern is two. Since the brightness near the focal position of the secondary optical system, that is, the optical system 13 is proportional to the area of the optical system 13, the light emitting portion 12a of the light source module 12 is projected directly toward the condensing region by the projection lens. The configuration shown can most efficiently obtain the maximum brightness.

On the other hand, when the focal position of the projection lens is arranged near the light-shielding member 12e arranged near the outer surface of the lens of the light source module, the brightness is significantly reduced, so that the maximum luminous intensity value is also significantly reduced. Resulting in. Further, in the case of an optical system having a configuration in which an image of the light emitting portion 12a is formed in the vicinity of the light-shielding member 12e by using a relay lens and this image is projected toward the focusing region by the projection lens. The optical system becomes complicated, the parts cost and the assembly cost become high, the depth of the entire vehicle headlight becomes large, and the brightness of the image of the light emitting unit 12a at the focal position decreases. The maximum luminous intensity value in the optical region also decreases.

Here, it is difficult for the illumination unit 11 of the first set to impart an arbitrary luminance distribution in the condensing region of the light distribution pattern. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 4, a plurality of (four in the case of illustration) first set of illumination units 11a, 11b, 11c, 11d are provided, and the light source modules 12a', 12b', 12c', 12d are provided. By projecting the light L1, L2, L3, L4 from'forwardly by the optical systems 13a, 13b, 13c, 13d with different focal lengths, as shown in FIG. 5, each illumination unit 11a, By appropriately overlapping the irradiation ranges for each of 11b, 11c, and 11d, it is possible to provide a light distribution characteristic having a brightness distribution, that is, a gradation as a whole.

Next, the second set of illumination units 21 for the diffusion region will be described. As shown in FIG. 6, the lighting unit 21 of the second set includes a light source module 22 and an optical system 23. The light source module 22 includes a light emitting shape having one or more straight ridges such as a rectangle by an LED, for example, a rectangular light emitting unit 22a as shown in FIG.

Further, in this case, the optical system 23 is composed of a reflector composed of a combination of, for example, a rotating paraboloid surface and a rotating ellipsoidal surface that are concave toward the front, and is opposed to the axis of the light source module 22 and its focal position. Is arranged so as to be located near the light emitting portion 22a of the light source module 22. As a result, the light from the light emitting unit 22a of the light source module 22 is reflected by the optical system 23 to form a light distribution pattern region (diffusion region) indicated by reference numeral Lb in FIG.

In this case, taking advantage of the light source module 22 being surface-emitting and having a lumbar cyan directivity characteristic, the utilization efficiency of the light emitted from the light emitting unit 22a of the light source module 22 is about 70% or more and the reflector. A desired light distribution pattern can be formed by appropriately selecting the shape of the above. At that time, by arranging the straight ridge line of the light emitting portion 22a of the light source module 22 in the horizontal direction and projecting it forward by the optical system 23, this ridge line is formed as a cutoff of the horizontal line of the light distribution pattern. It can be used.

Further, in the second set of illumination units 21, preferably, the reflectors constituting the optical system 23 are configured as multi-reflectors divided into a plurality of reflecting surfaces, and the individual reflecting surfaces are appropriately formed. , The light emitting portion 22a of the light source module 22 is projected as shown in FIG. In this case, the projected image of the light emitting unit 22a is rotated and projected depending on the position of reflection. As a result, the diffused region of the light distribution pattern can have a light distribution characteristic having a luminous intensity distribution, that is, a gradation, as shown in FIG. 9, by superimposing the projected images of the light emitting unit 22a on each reflecting surface on each other. ..

The light emitting portion 22a of the light source module 22 is not limited to a rectangle, and may be formed so as to have a substantially semicircular outer shape as shown in FIG. 10, and a plurality of light emitting portions 22a may be formed as shown in FIG. LED chips may be arranged side by side in one direction.

Finally, the third set of lighting units 31 for the intermediate region will be described. As shown in FIG. 12, the third set of illumination units 31 includes a light source module 32 and an optical system 33. The light source module 32 has a configuration in which the light shielding member 12e is removed from the light source module 12 in FIG. 2, and the surface of the light emitting unit 12a is arranged along the optical axis of the optical system 33. In this case, the shape of the light emitting unit 32a of the light source module 32 is not limited, but in order to improve the incident efficiency of the optical system 33 on the projection lens 33b and further reduce the size of the optical system, the light emitting unit 32a Is preferably as small as possible and has high brightness.

The optical system 33 includes a reflector 33a, a projection lens 33b, and a light-shielding member 33c. Here, the reflector 33a is composed of, for example, a spheroid, and one focal position is located near the center of the light emitting portion 32a of the light source module 32, and the other focal position is located forward on the optical axis of the optical system 33. It is arranged to do. The projection lens 33b is a convex lens, and the focal position on the light source side thereof is arranged so as to be located near the focal position on the front side of the reflector 33a. Further, the light-shielding member 33c is arranged near the focal position on the light source side of the projection lens 33b, and its edge 33d forms a cutoff at the upper end.

In the above-described configuration, the light emitting unit 32a is arranged upward and the reflector 33a is arranged only in the upper half. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and as shown in FIG. 13, in addition to the light emitting unit 32a. , The downward light emitting unit 32a'may be provided, and the reflector 32a and the lower half reflector 33a' may be provided with respect to the upper and lower sides.

Further, as shown in FIG. 14, the light-shielding member 33c may be arranged along the optical axis so that the edge 33d thereof forms a cutoff at the front end. As a result, the light incident on a part of the surface of the light-shielding member 33d is reflected and irradiated forward, so that the light utilization efficiency can be increased to 50% or more.

At that time, as shown in FIG. 15, in order to further enhance the contrast in the cut-off line, the light emitting portion 32a may be arranged so as to be slightly inclined toward the rear. In the optical system shown in FIG. 16, when the LED light source emits surface light and the reflecting surface exists only above or below the center of the lens, the light is incident only on the lower surface or the upper surface of the center of the projection lens 33b. By cutting the upper half or the lower half of the lens 33b, it is possible to reduce the size in the vertical direction, and in order to obtain an orientation pattern with higher luminous intensity, a plurality of illumination units 31 are arranged so as to overlap in the vertical direction. When doing so, it becomes possible to arrange them closer to each other in the vertical direction.

The vehicle headlight 10 according to the embodiment of the present invention is configured as described above, and emits light when the light source modules 12, 22, and 32 of the lighting units 11, 21, and 31 are fed, respectively. As a result, the light emitted from the light emitting unit 12a of the light source module 12 forms a cutoff by the light-shielding member 12e, is collected by the projection lens of the optical system 13, and is irradiated forward to collect the light distribution pattern. Form the optical region La. Further, the light emitted from the light emitting unit 22a of the light source module 22 is reflected by the reflector of the optical system 23 and is irradiated forward to form a diffusion region Lb of the light distribution pattern. Further, the light emitted from the light emitting unit 32a of the light source module 32 is reflected by the reflector 33a of the optical system 33, further focused by the projection lens 33b, and a cutoff is formed by the light shielding member 33c toward the front. It is irradiated and forms an intermediate region between the focusing region La and the diffusion region Lb of the light distribution pattern.

As a result, the irradiation lights from the illumination units 11, 21, and 31 can overlap each other to form a so-called passing beam light distribution pattern toward the front. At that time, a plurality of regions of the light distribution pattern, that is, a condensing region, a diffusing region, and an intermediate region between them are formed by the first set of illumination units 11, the second set of illumination units 21, and the third set of illumination units 31, respectively. It will be formed. Here, since each of the illumination units 11, 21, and 31 is optimized for the corresponding region, each region and the entire light distribution pattern are formed with a desired luminous intensity distribution and maximum luminous intensity. Become.

In this way, according to the vehicle headlight 10 according to the present invention, a desired light distribution pattern, for example, a so-called passing beam light distribution pattern can be obtained by using a plurality of LEDs as a light source.

FIG. 17 shows the configuration of the second embodiment of the vehicle headlight according to the present invention. In FIG. 17, the vehicle headlight 40 is a specific embodiment of the vehicle headlight 10 described above, and like the vehicle headlight 10 shown in FIG. 1, three sets of lighting units 41, 51. , 61.

In this case, the first set of lighting units 41 corresponding to the condensing area has almost the same configuration as the first set of lighting units 11 of the vehicle headlights shown in FIG. 1, from 8 degrees left to 8 degrees to the right. It is designed to irradiate the range up to the degree. In addition, the second set of lighting units 51 corresponding to the diffusion region has almost the same configuration as the second set of lighting units 21 of the vehicle headlights shown in FIG. 1, from 50 degrees to the left to 50 degrees to the right. It is designed to irradiate the area of. Further, the third set of lighting units 61 corresponding to the intermediate region has almost the same configuration as the third set of lighting units 31 of the vehicle headlights shown in FIG. 1, from 20 degrees to the left to 20 degrees to the right. It is designed to irradiate the area of. The light distribution ratio (luminous flux ratio) to each region, that is, the condensing region, the intermediate region, and the diffusing region is preferably set to be 1: 2: 4.

As shown in FIG. 18, the first set of illumination units 41 includes a plurality of (four in the case of illustration) light source modules 42a, 42b, 42c, 42d and corresponding projection lenses 43a, 43b, 43c, respectively. It is composed of 43d and. Each of the light source modules 42a, 42b, 42c, and 42d is configured in the same manner as the light source module 12 in the lighting unit 11 of the first set of the vehicle headlights 10. Further, the projection lenses 43a, 43b, 43c, 43d have different focal lengths from each other in the same manner as in the configuration shown in FIG. Then, by appropriately selecting the focal lengths of the projection lenses 43a, 43b, 43c, and 43d, the luminous intensity and the projection size on the screen can be obtained.

As shown in FIG. 19, the second set of illumination units 51 is composed of a plurality of (two in the case of drawing) light source modules 52a and 52b and corresponding reflectors 53a and 53b, respectively. The light source modules 52a and 52b are configured in the same manner as the light source modules 22 in the second set of lighting units 21 of the vehicle headlights 10, and are arranged back to back in the left-right direction. Here, the light emitting part of each light source module 52a, 52b has one or more straight ridges such as a rectangle, and these ridges are longer than the filament of a conventional halogen bulb or the arc electrode shape of HID. For example, it is desirable to have twice the length of the filament. In particular, as shown in FIG. 11, by using a light source package in which a plurality of so-called multi-chip type LED chips are linearly arranged in one package, the luminous flux of the light source package itself can be increased. , It is possible to make the entire vehicle headlight compact.

Further, the reflectors 53a and 53b are configured in the same manner as the reflectors 23 in the lighting unit 21 of the second set of the vehicle headlights 10, and are arranged so as to expand in the left-right direction. As a result, even if the light emitting portion of the light source modules 52a and 52b has a relatively long straight ridgeline, the projected image position of the light emitting portion can be arbitrarily controlled based on the shape of the reflectors 53a and 53b. It is possible, and 70% or more of the luminous flux from the light emitting portion can be irradiated forward.

As shown in FIG. 20, the third set of illumination units 61 includes a plurality of (three in the case of illustration) light source modules 62a, 62b, 62c, and corresponding reflectors 63a, 63b, 63c, respectively. It is composed of a projection lens 64 and a light-shielding member 65. Each of the light source modules 62a, 62b, and 62c is configured in the same manner as the light source module 32 in the lighting unit 31 of the third set of the vehicle headlight 10, and is arranged at equal intervals around the central axis. .. Here, it is desirable that the light emitting portion of each light source module 62a, 62b, 62c is selected as small as possible, for example, smaller than the filament of a conventional halogen bulb or the arc electrode shape of HID.

Further, each reflector 63a, 63b, 63c is configured in the same manner as the reflector 33a in the lighting unit 31 of the third set of the vehicle headlight 10, respectively, and corresponds to each light source module 62a, 62b, 62c. It is located above and on both sides of the shaft.

Further, each of the projection lenses 64 is configured in the same manner as the projection lenses 33b in the illumination unit 31 of the third set of the vehicle headlights 10, and only one is arranged on the optical axis. Further, the light-shielding member 65 is configured in the same manner as the light-shielding member 33c in the lighting unit 31 of the third set of the vehicle headlight 10, and is arranged near the focal position on the light source side of the projection lens 64.

When a light source module having a linear light emitting portion is used, in order to form a light distribution pattern that spreads in the left-right direction, the light source module corresponding to the reflector located above the optical axis of the light emitting portion is used. It is desirable to arrange the longitudinal direction perpendicular to the optical axis. Further, it is desirable that the light source module corresponding to the reflector located on the side of the optical axis is arranged in the longitudinal direction of the light emitting portion in parallel with the optical axis. As a result, the projected image of the light emitting portion by the reflector extends long in the horizontal direction, and the light distribution pattern can be formed more easily.

According to the vehicle headlight 40 having such a configuration, the first lighting unit 41 irradiates the condensing area with light La as shown in FIG. 21, and the second lighting unit 51 is shown in FIG. As shown in 22, the light Lb is irradiated to the diffused area, and the third illumination unit 61 emits the light Lc to the intermediate region between the focused area and the diffused area as shown in FIG. 23. Irradiate. Then, by superimposing the light distribution patterns La, Lb, and Lc by the respective illumination units 41, 51, 61, it is possible to form a light distribution pattern L suitable for the passing beam as shown in FIG. 24.

In the above-described embodiment, the vehicle headlights 10 and 40 are provided with lighting units 11,21,31 or 41,51,61 corresponding to the condensing area, the diffusing area and the intermediate area, respectively. Not limited to this, the illumination units 31, 61 corresponding to the intermediate region may be omitted. Further, to these lighting units, for example, a lighting unit having a light distribution pattern that realizes the functions of a datum running lamp, an auxiliary light of a cornering lamp, an auxiliary headlight of a fog lamp lamp, or a so-called AFS lamp is added. Alternatively, by dividing the light distribution pattern into more areas and adding a new lighting unit to the divided areas, it becomes possible to form a multifunctional light distribution pattern by one vehicle headlight. .. At that time, by configuring the newly added lighting unit to be detachable, the lighting unit can be arbitrarily added or removed as an option.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, as the light distribution characteristic for the passing beam, the light-shielding plate 12e is limited to the case of left-hand traffic so as not to give dazzling light to the oncoming vehicle with respect to the right side when facing the front of the vehicle. , 33c, 65 are formed, but not limited to this, in the case of right-hand traffic, the same effect can be obtained by reversing the arrangement of the edge of the light-shielding plate in the vehicle headlight. Will be obtained.

<figref num="1">It is the schematic which shows the structure of the 1st Embodiment of the vehicle headlight by this invention.</figref><figref num="2">It is a schematic perspective view which shows the structure of the 1st set lighting part in the vehicle headlight of FIG.</figref><figref num="3">It is an enlarged perspective view which shows the structure of the light source module in the 1st set lighting part of FIG.</figref><figref num="4">It is a schematic side view which shows the structure of the modification of the lighting part of the first set of FIG.</figref><figref num="5">It is a graph which shows the light distribution pattern by the 1st set lighting part shown in FIG.</figref><figref num="6">It is a schematic perspective view which shows the structure of the 2nd set lighting part in the vehicle headlight of FIG.</figref><figref num="7">It is the schematic which shows an example of the shape of the light emitting part of the light source module in the 2nd set of lighting part of FIG.</figref><figref num="8">It is the schematic which shows the light source projection image in the lighting part of the 2nd set of FIG.</figref><figref num="9">It is a graph which shows the light distribution pattern by the lighting part of the 2nd set of FIG.</figref><figref num="10">It is the schematic which shows another example of the shape of the light emitting part of the light source module in the 2nd set of lighting part of FIG.</figref><figref num="11">6 is a schematic perspective view showing still another example of the shape of the light emitting unit of the light source module in the second set of illumination units of FIG.</figref><figref num="12">It is a schematic side view which shows an example of the structure of the 3rd set lighting part in the vehicle headlight of FIG.</figref><figref num="13">It is a schematic side view which shows another example of the structure of the 3rd set lighting part in the vehicle headlight of FIG.</figref><figref num="14">It is a schematic side view which shows still another example of the structure of the 3rd set lighting part in the vehicle headlight of FIG.</figref><figref num="15">It is a schematic side view which shows the modification of the 3rd set of lighting part of FIG.</figref><figref num="16">It is a schematic side view which shows the other modification of the lighting part of the 3rd set of FIG.</figref><figref num="17">It is the schematic which shows the structure of the 2nd Embodiment of the vehicle headlight by this invention.</figref><figref num="18">It is a schematic perspective view which shows the structure of the 1st set lighting part in the vehicle headlight of FIG.</figref><figref num="19">It is a schematic perspective view which shows the structure of the 2nd set lighting part in the vehicle headlight of FIG.</figref><figref num="20">It is a schematic perspective view which shows the structure of the 3rd set lighting part in the vehicle headlight of FIG.</figref><figref num="21">It is a graph which shows the light distribution pattern by the lighting part of the first set of FIG.</figref><figref num="22">It is a graph which shows the light distribution pattern by the lighting part of the 2nd set of FIG.</figref><figref num="23">It is a graph which shows the light distribution pattern by the lighting part of the 3rd set of FIG.</figref><figref num="24">It is a graph which shows the light distribution pattern by the vehicle headlight of FIG.</figref><figref num="25">It is a schematic side view which shows the structure of an example of the conventional vehicle headlight.</figref><figref num="26">It is a graph which shows roughly the light distribution pattern of a passing beam.</figref><figref num="27">It is a schematic side view which shows the structure of another example of a conventional vehicle headlight.</figref><figref num="28">It is a schematic side view which shows the structure of still another example of a conventional vehicle headlight.</figref>

Code description

10 Vehicle headlights 11 First set of lighting unit 12 Light source module 12a Light emitting part (LED) 12e shading member 13 Optical system (projection lens) 21 Second set of lighting unit 22 Light source module 22a Light emitting part (LED) 23 Optical system (reflector) 31 3rd set of lighting unit 32 light source module 32a, 32a'Light emitting part (LED) 33 Optical system 33a, 33a'Reflector 33b projection lens 33c shading member 40 Vehicle headlights 41 First set of lighting unit 42a, 42b, 42c, 42d light source module 43a, 43b, 43c, 43d Optical system (projection lens) 51 Second set of lighting unit 52a, 52b Light source module 53a, 53b Optical system (reflector) 61 Lighting section of the third group 62a, 62b, 62c Light source module 33 Optical system 63a, 63b, 63c reflector 64 Projection lens 65 Shading member