JP2009134963A - Lighting fixture lens, and vehicular headlight - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a lighting fixture lens capable of shortening the depth of a headlight in its optical axial direction even if a lens surface is enlarged to improve visibility, and a vehicular headlight using the lighting fixture lens. <P>SOLUTION: In this lighting fixture lens with a light emitting surface forming at least one convex lens surface and a light incident surface opposite to it for light from a light source to enter, the light incident surface is plurally divided, and a lens portion between at least one light incident surface among a plurality of the divided light incident surfaces and the light emitting surface is a projection lens portion where parallel light entered from the light emitting surface condenses at the prescribed focus on at least one light incident surface side by being irradiated from at least one light emitting surface. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a lamp lens and a vehicle headlamp, and in particular, a lamp lens capable of reducing the depth in the optical axis direction of the headlamp even when the exit surface is enlarged to improve the visibility. The present invention relates to a vehicle headlamp.

  Conventionally, in vehicles such as automobiles, shortening the overhang of the front part of the car body, adopting a shape that rounds and rounds the four corners of the car body to improve aerodynamic performance, adopting wide tires with large flatness ratio and large diameter wheels In order to cope with the reduction of the headlight installation space due to, etc., the depth of the headlight in the optical axis direction is shortened by arranging the bulb in the horizontal direction instead of the vertical direction with respect to the traveling direction of the vehicle. (For example, refer to Patent Document 1 and Patent Document 2).

By the way, in recent years, in order to improve the visibility from pedestrians and oncoming vehicles, there is a demand to increase the lens surface (light emitting surface) constituting the headlamp.
JP 2004-127830 A JP-A-2005-1000076

  However, if the lens surface is enlarged, the lens thickness increases and the focal length becomes longer. For this reason, when the lens surface is enlarged, there is a problem that it becomes difficult to shorten the depth of the headlamp in the optical axis direction.

  The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and a lamp lens capable of reducing the depth in the optical axis direction of a headlamp even when the lens surface is enlarged to improve visibility, And it aims at providing the vehicle headlamp using this lens for lamps.

  In order to solve the above-mentioned problem, the invention according to claim 1 is directed to a lens for a lamp provided with an exit surface which is at least one convex lens surface and an incident surface on the opposite side to which light from a light source is incident. The incident surface is divided into a plurality of portions, and the lens portion between at least one of the plurality of divided incident surfaces and the exit surface has the parallel light incident from the exit surface as described above. It is a projection lens part that is irradiated from at least one incident surface and collects light at a predetermined focal point on the at least one incident surface side.

  According to the first aspect of the present invention, the focal point is set not on the entire lens but on a lens portion (projection lens portion) between at least one entrance surface and an exit surface of the plurality of entrance surfaces. Therefore, the focal length can be shortened compared to a conventional projection lens of the same size (one focal point is set on the optical axis). That is, according to the first aspect of the present invention, it is possible to provide a lamp lens that can shorten the depth of the headlamp in the optical axis direction even when the emission surface is enlarged to improve the visibility. It becomes possible.

  According to the first aspect of the present invention, since the boundary line of the plurality of incident surfaces appears on the exit surface side, when the viewpoint is placed on the exit surface side, It is possible to provide a new-looking monocular lens in which a boundary line appears.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the present invention, the lens portion between at least one other incident surface of the plurality of divided incident surfaces and the exit surface is the at least one. It is a diffusing lens portion that irradiates parallel light incident from two other incident surfaces as diffused light.

  According to the second aspect of the present invention, it is possible to give a new-looking monocular lens in which a boundary line between a plurality of incident surfaces appears to have a function as a projection lens and a function as a diffusion lens.

  The invention according to claim 3 is the invention according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the incident surface is divided into substantially fan-shaped regions having a central angle of 360 / N (N is an integer of 2 or more). To do.

  This is an example of the division of the incident surface. Therefore, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the incident surface may be partitioned into a lattice shape or a circular shape.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, the lamp lens according to the third aspect, a light source disposed on the incident surface side, a first focal point is set in the vicinity of the light source, and a second focal point is the projection. An ellipsoidal reflecting surface set at a predetermined focal point of the lens portion, which reflects light irradiated backward to the lamp lens out of light emitted from the light source, and is a second of the ellipsoidal reflecting surface. After focusing on the focal point, the first reflecting surface that forms the low beam distribution pattern by irradiating the projection lens part from the at least one incident surface and irradiating from the exit surface, and the first focal point The ellipsoidal reflecting surface is set near the light source and the second focal point is set to the side as viewed from the optical axis of the lamp, and reflects light emitted forward from the light emitted from the light source. And focused on the second focal point of the elliptical reflecting surface. A second reflecting surface that irradiates toward the side and a parabolic reflecting surface whose focal point is set in the vicinity of the second focal point of the second reflecting surface, the reflected light from the second reflecting surface; A third reflecting surface that forms a predetermined light distribution pattern by being incident on the diffusing lens portion from the at least one other incident surface and irradiating from the exit surface; It is characterized by providing.

  According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, the focal point is set not on the entire lens but on a lens portion (projection lens portion) between at least one entrance surface and an exit surface of the plurality of entrance surfaces. Therefore, the focal length can be shortened compared to a conventional projection lens of the same size (one focal point is set on the optical axis). That is, according to the fourth aspect of the present invention, the depth of the headlamp in the optical axis direction can be shortened even if the emission surface is enlarged to improve the visibility.

  According to the invention described in claim 4, since the boundary line of a plurality of incident surfaces appears on the exit surface side, when the viewpoint is placed on the exit surface side, It is possible to provide a vehicular headlamp having a monocular lens having a new appearance in which a boundary line appears.

  According to the invention described in claim 4, the front lens for a vehicle in which a new-looking monocular lens in which a boundary line of a plurality of incident surfaces appears has a function as a projection lens and a function as a diffusion lens. It becomes possible to provide a lighting.

  The invention according to claim 5 is the invention according to claim 4, further comprising a light shielding plate provided between the first reflecting surface and the projection lens part, wherein the predetermined focus of the projection lens part is It is set near the upper edge of the light shielding plate.

  According to the invention described in claim 5, it is possible to provide a vehicle headlamp capable of forming a low beam light distribution pattern having a cut-off line.

  A sixth aspect of the invention is characterized in that in the invention of the fourth or fifth aspect, at least a part of the projection lens portion or the diffusion lens portion is configured as a Fresnel lens.

  According to the sixth aspect of the present invention, it is possible to further reduce the depth of the headlamp in the optical axis direction by configuring at least part of the projection lens portion or the diffusion lens portion as a Fresnel lens.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a lamp lens that can shorten the depth of the headlamp in the optical axis direction even when the emission surface is enlarged to improve the visibility.

  Hereinafter, a lamp lens according to an embodiment of the present invention and a vehicle headlamp to which the lamp lens is applied will be described with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a lamp lens according to an embodiment of the present invention and a vehicle headlamp to which the lamp lens is applied. Fig.2 (a) is AA sectional drawing of the vehicle headlamp shown in FIG. FIG. 2B is a front view of the vehicle headlamp shown in FIG. FIG. 2C is a cross-sectional view taken along the line BB of the vehicle headlamp shown in FIG.

  The vehicle headlamp 100 includes a lamp lens 10, an upper reflective surface 31U, a lower reflective surface 31D, a first reflector 30 having a right reflective surface 32R and a left reflective surface 32L, a right reflective surface 41R, and a left reflective surface. A second reflector 40 having a surface 41L, a light shielding plate 50, and the like are provided.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 (a) to 2 (c), the lamp lens 10 is, for example, substantially circular when viewed from the front, and has one convex lens surface (a spherical surface having a constant curvature or an aspherical surface in which different curvatures are continuous). This is a lens provided with an exit surface 11 and an entrance surface 12 on the opposite side to which light from the light source 20 is incident. The lamp lens 10 is integrally formed, for example, by injection molding a transparent or translucent material such as acrylic or polycarbonate.

  As shown in FIG. 2B, the incident surface 12 of the lamp lens 10 has four substantially fan-shaped regions (upper incident surface 12U, lower incident surface 12D, right incident surface 12R, left incident) with a central angle of 90 degrees. Surface 12L). In addition, in this embodiment, it shall say the top and bottom, right and left seen from the front view of Fig.2 (a).

  As shown in FIGS. 2C and 3, the upper incident surface 12 </ b> U is irradiated with the parallel light from the exit surface 11, and the parallel light is irradiated from the upper incident surface 12 </ b> U, and the predetermined light on the upper incident surface 12 </ b> U side. It is designed to focus on the focal point F1. That is, the upper lens portion 10U (hereinafter referred to as a projection lens portion 10U) between the upper incident surface 12U and the exit surface 11 is configured as a projection lens having one focal point F1 on the upper incident surface 12U side.

  Similarly, the lower incident surface 12D is designed so that, when parallel light is incident from the exit surface 11, the parallel light is irradiated from the lower incident surface 12D and collected at a predetermined focal point F2 on the lower incident surface 12D side. ing. That is, a lower lens portion 10D (hereinafter referred to as a projection lens portion 10D) between the lower incident surface 12D and the exit surface 11 is configured as a projection lens having one focal point F2 on the lower incident surface 12 side.

  The upper and lower entrance surfaces 12U and 12D are determined by, for example, predetermining the shape of the exit surface 11 (a spherical surface with a constant curvature or an aspherical surface with different curvatures) and a predetermined focal point, and performing a predetermined calculation using an existing program. It is possible. The upper and lower incident surfaces 12U and 12D do not necessarily have a round outline when viewed from the front, and can be cut out and designed to some extent within the necessary range in which light is incident.

  As described above, the lamp lens 10 is not the entire lens 10 but the lens portion between the upper incident surface 12U and the lower incident surface 12D and the exit surface 11 of the divided incident surfaces 12 (that is, a projection lens). Since the focus is set on the portion 10U and the projection lens portion 10D), the focal length can be shortened compared to a conventional projection lens of the same size (one focus is set on the optical axis). It becomes possible. That is, even if the emission surface 11 is enlarged to improve the visibility, the depth of the headlamp 100 in the optical axis direction can be shortened. In addition, when the viewpoint is placed on the exit surface 11 side, it is possible to provide the lens 10 having a new appearance in which the boundary line of the entrance surface 12 divided into a plurality of portions appears.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the right incident surface 12R is designed such that parallel light incident from the right incident surface 12R is irradiated as diffused light from the exit surface 11. That is, the right lens portion 10R between the right entrance surface 12R and the exit surface 11 (hereinafter referred to as a diffuser lens portion 10R) is configured as a diffuser lens having no focal point. Similarly, the left incident surface 12L is designed such that the parallel light incident from the left incident surface 12L is irradiated from the exit surface 11 as diffused light. That is, the left lens portion 10L between the left entrance surface 12L and the exit surface 11 (hereinafter referred to as the diffuser lens portion 10L) is configured as a diffuser lens having no focal point.

  The right and left entrance surfaces 12R and 12L are, for example, incident on the shape of the exit surface 11 (a spherical surface with a constant curvature or an aspheric surface with different curvatures), the start and end points of the incident range of parallel light, and the start point. The diffusion angle of parallel light (for example, 0 degrees) and the diffusion angle of light incident on the end point (for example, 45 degrees) can be determined in advance, and can be determined by performing a predetermined calculation using an existing program. Note that the right and left entrance surfaces 12R and 12L do not necessarily have a round outline when viewed from the front, and can be cut out and designed to some extent within the necessary range where light is incident.

  The light source 20 is an elongated bulb extending in the longitudinal direction, such as HID, and is disposed sideways so that the light emitting point is located on the main optical axis AX of the lens 10.

  Next, the projection optical system will be described.

  As shown in FIG. 3, behind the light source 20 (on the side opposite to the irradiation direction), an upper reflecting surface 31U and a lower reflecting surface 31D constituting the projection optical system are arranged so as to cover the light source 20 arranged sideways. Has been.

  The upper reflecting surface 31U is an elliptical reflecting surface in which the first focal point is set in the vicinity of the light emitting point of the light source 20 and the second focal point is set in the vicinity of the focal point F1 of the upper lens portion 10U. It is designed to reflect relatively strong light emitted toward the upper surface 12U toward the upper incident surface 12U. Therefore, effective use of light emitted from the light source 10 is possible. An upper light shielding plate 50U having the shape shown in FIG. 5 is disposed between the upper reflecting surface 31U and the upper lens portion 10U. Near the upper edge of the upper light shielding plate 50U, the focal point F1 of the upper lens portion 10U is located. Therefore, in this upper projection optical system, the relatively strong light emitted mainly toward the rear upper part of the light emitted from the light source 20 is reflected by the upper reflecting surface 31U as shown in FIG. After being condensed at the second focal point and partially cut by the upper light shielding plate 50U, the light enters the upper lens portion 10U from the incident surface 12U, and is irradiated as substantially parallel light from the exit surface 11, as shown in FIG. The low beam light distribution pattern P1 shown is formed.

  The lower reflection surface 31D is an elliptical reflection surface in which the first focus is set in the vicinity of the light emitting point of the light source 20 and the second focus is set in the vicinity of the focus F2 of the lower lens portion 10D. It is designed to reflect relatively strong light emitted toward the lower surface 12D toward the lower incident surface 12D. Therefore, effective use of light emitted from the light source 10 is possible. A lower light shielding plate 50D having the shape shown in FIG. 5 is disposed between the lower reflecting surface 31D and the lower lens portion 10D. Near the upper edge of the lower light shielding plate 50D, the focal point F2 of the lower lens portion 10D is located. Therefore, in this lower projection optical system, the relatively strong light emitted mainly toward the rear lower part of the light emitted from the light source 20 is reflected by the lower reflecting surface 31D as shown in FIG. After being focused on the second focal point and partially cut by the lower light-shielding plate 50D, it is incident on the lower lens portion 10D from the incident surface 12D, and is irradiated as substantially parallel light from the exit surface 11, as shown in FIG. A low beam light distribution pattern P2 shown is formed.

  Next, the diffusion optical system will be described.

  As shown in FIG. 4, at a position in front of the light source 20 that does not interfere with the reflected light from the upper reflecting surface 30U and the lower reflecting surface 30D (see FIG. 3), the right reflecting surface 41R constituting the diffusion optical system. And the left part reflection surface 41L is arranged so as to cover the light source 20.

  In the right reflecting surface 41R, the first focal point is set in the vicinity of the light emitting point of the light source 20, and the second focal point is set in the vicinity of the opening 42L (for example, an opening of about 3φ) formed in the left reflecting surface 41L. An elliptical reflecting surface. A left reflecting surface 32L is disposed outside the opening 42L. The left reflecting surface 32L has a focal point in the vicinity of the second focal point of the right reflecting surface 41R, and the reflected light from the right reflecting surface 41R is adjusted to parallel light and reflected toward the left incident surface 12L. It is a parabolic reflecting surface designed to do. Therefore, in this diffusing optical system, the relatively strong light mainly emitted toward the front right part of the light emitted from the light source 20 is reflected by the right reflecting surface 41R as shown in FIG. After being focused on the second focal point and passing through the opening 42L, the light is further reflected by the parabolic reflecting surface 32L, adjusted to parallel light, and then incident on the left diffusing lens portion 10L from the incident surface 12L. Then, the light is emitted as diffused light in the horizontal direction from the exit surface 11 to form a light distribution pattern P3 shown in FIG.

  The left reflecting surface 41L has a first focal point set in the vicinity of the light emitting point of the light source 20, and a second focal point F3 is set in the vicinity of an opening 42R (for example, an opening of about 3φ) formed in the right reflecting surface 41R. It is an elliptical reflecting surface. A right reflecting surface 32R is disposed outside the opening 42R. The right reflecting surface 32R has a focal point in the vicinity of the second focal point F3 of the left reflecting surface 41L, and the reflected light from the left reflecting surface 41L is adjusted to parallel light and directed toward the right incident surface 12R. It is a parabolic reflecting surface designed to reflect. Therefore, in this diffusing optical system, the relatively strong light mainly emitted toward the front left part of the light emitted from the light source 20 is reflected by the left reflecting surface 41L as shown in FIG. After being condensed at the second focal point F3 and passing through the opening 42R, the light is further reflected by the paraboloidal reflecting surface 32R and adjusted to parallel light, and then from the incident surface 12R to the right diffusing lens portion 10R. Incident light is irradiated as diffused light in the horizontal direction from the exit surface 11 to form a light distribution pattern P3 shown in FIG.

  In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 6D, a light distribution pattern obtained by superimposing the light distribution patterns P1 to P3 is obtained.

  In addition, by configuring at least a part of the projection lens portions 10U and 10D or the diffusion lens portions 10R and 10L as a Fresnel lens, the depth of the headlamp 100 in the optical axis direction can be further shortened.

    As described above, according to the lamp lens 10 of the present embodiment, not the entire lens 10 but the upper entrance surface 12U and the lower entrance surface D and the exit surface 11 of the entrance surfaces 11 divided into a plurality of sections. Since the focal point is set in the lens part (upper projection lens part 10U and lower projection lens part), compared with a conventional projection lens of the same size (one focal point is set on the optical axis), The focal length can be shortened. That is, according to the present embodiment, the depth of the headlamp 100 in the optical axis direction can be shortened even if the emission surface 11 is enlarged to improve the visibility.

  Further, according to the lamp lens 10 of the present embodiment, since the boundary line of the incident surface 12 divided into a plurality appears on the exit surface 11 side, when the viewpoint is placed on the exit surface 11 side, the boundary is divided into a plurality. In addition, it is possible to provide a new-looking monocular lens in which the boundary line of the incident surface 12 appears.

  Further, according to the lamp lens 10 of the present embodiment, the new-looking monocular lens 10 in which the boundary line of the plurality of incident surfaces appears can have a function as a projection lens and a function as a diffusion lens. It becomes possible.

  Moreover, according to the vehicle headlamp 100 to which the lamp lens 10 of the present embodiment is applied, the light source 20 is disposed sideways, and the light from the light source 20 is shifted from the optical axis of the headlamp 100 in the vertical and horizontal directions. Since the light is distributed, the depth of the headlamp 100 in the optical axis direction can be shortened. Further, by applying the lamp lens 10 of the present embodiment, the depth of the headlamp 100 in the optical axis direction can be further shortened.

  In addition, according to the vehicle headlamp 100 to which the lamp lens 10 of the present embodiment is applied, the light source 20 arranged in the lateral direction is covered with the all-round reflection surfaces 31U, 31D, 41R, and 41L with almost no excess. Therefore, almost all of the light emitted from the light source 20 can be reflected and incident on the lamp lens 10. As a result, it is possible to achieve a light utilization rate equal to or higher than that of the prior art.

  Moreover, according to the vehicle headlamp 100 to which the lamp lens 10 of the present embodiment is applied, the lens diameter is enlarged to about 100 mm, and the area ratio is larger than that of a general projector lens having a diameter of 60 to 70. It becomes possible to enlarge about twice. That is, even if the emission surface 11 is enlarged to improve the visibility, the depth of the headlamp 100 in the optical axis direction can be shortened.

  Moreover, according to the vehicle headlamp 100 to which the lamp lens 10 of the present embodiment is applied, the irradiation heat is also distributed by distributing the light emitted from the light source 20 vertically and horizontally. For this reason, the heat applied to the lens 10 is relaxed, and the lens 10 can be formed of a resin material. By making the lens 10 resin, weight reduction and improvement in shape accuracy can be expected. Further, by integrally forming the mount portion for fixing the lens 10, the number of parts can be reduced.

  Next, a modified example will be described.

  In the above embodiment, the entrance surface 12 of the lamp lens 10 is divided into four substantially fan-shaped regions (upper entrance surface 12U, lower entrance surface 12D, right entrance surface 12R, left entrance surface 12L) having a central angle of 90 degrees. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the incident surface 12 of the lamp lens 10 may be partitioned into a substantially fan-shaped region having a central angle of 360 / N (N is an integer of 2 or more). Further, the incident surface 12 may be partitioned into a lattice shape or a circular shape.

  In the above embodiment, the projection lens portions are described as being provided on the top and bottom, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the projection lens portion may be provided only on either the top, bottom, left, or right. Or you may provide a projection lens part in all the division areas.

  In the above embodiment, the diffuser lens portions are described as being provided on the left and right, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the diffusing lens portion may be provided only on either the top, bottom, left, or right. Or you may provide a diffuser lens part in all the division areas.

  The above embodiment is merely an example in all respects. The present invention is not construed as being limited to these descriptions. The present invention can be implemented in various other forms without departing from the spirit or main features thereof.

1 is a perspective view of a lamp lens that is an embodiment of the present invention and a vehicle headlamp to which the lamp lens is applied. (A) It is AA sectional drawing of the vehicle headlamp shown in FIG. (B) It is a front view of the vehicle headlamp shown in FIG. (C) It is BB sectional drawing of the vehicle headlamp shown in FIG. It is BB sectional drawing of the vehicle headlamp shown in FIG. It is AA sectional drawing of the vehicle headlamp shown in FIG. It is a figure for demonstrating a light-shielding plate. It is a figure for demonstrating the light distribution pattern of the vehicle headlamp to which the lens for lamps which is one Embodiment of this invention was applied.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100 ... Vehicle headlamp, 10 ... Lamp lens, 10U ... Upper lens part, 10D ... Lower lens part, 10R ... Right lens part, 10L ... Left lens part, 11 ... Ejection surface, 12U ... Upper entrance surface 12D ... Lower incidence surface, 12R ... Right incidence surface, 12L ... Left incidence surface, 20 ... Light source, 30 ... First reflector, 31U ... Upper reflection surface, 31D ... Lower reflection surface, 32R ... Right reflection surface, 32L ... Left reflective surface, 40 ... Second reflector, 41R ... Right reflective surface, 41L ... Left reflective surface, 50 ... Light shielding plate

Claims (6)

In a lamp lens comprising an exit surface that is at least one convex lens surface and an incident surface on the opposite side to which light from a light source is incident,
The incident surface is divided into a plurality of portions, and the lens portion between at least one of the plurality of incident surfaces and the exit surface has parallel light incident from the exit surface being the at least one. A lamp lens, which is a projection lens portion that is irradiated from one incident surface and collects light at a predetermined focal point on the at least one incident surface side.   A diffusing lens that irradiates parallel light incident from the at least one other incident surface as diffused light, at least one other incident surface of the plurality of divided incident surfaces and the exit surface. The lamp lens according to claim 1, wherein the lamp lens is a portion.   3. The lamp lens according to claim 1, wherein the incident surface is partitioned into a substantially fan-shaped region having a central angle of 360 / N (N is an integer of 2 or more). A lamp lens according to claim 3;
A light source disposed on the incident surface side;
A first focal point is set in the vicinity of the light source, and a second focal point is an elliptical reflecting surface set as a predetermined focal point of the projection lens part, and the light source emits light with respect to the lamp lens. And reflecting the light irradiated backward, condensing it on the second focal point of the elliptical reflecting surface, and then entering the projection lens portion from the at least one incident surface and irradiating from the exit surface A first reflecting surface forming a low beam light distribution pattern;
The first focal point is set in the vicinity of the light source, and the second focal point is an elliptical reflecting surface set to the side as viewed from the optical axis of the lamp, and is irradiated forward of the light emitted from the light source. A second reflecting surface that irradiates sideward after reflecting the reflected light and condensing it on the second focal point of the elliptical reflecting surface;
The focal point is a parabolic reflecting surface set in the vicinity of the second focal point of the second reflecting surface, and reflects the reflected light from the second reflecting surface and adjusts it to parallel light. A third reflecting surface that forms a predetermined light distribution pattern by being incident on the diffusing lens portion from another incident surface and irradiating from the exit surface;
A vehicle headlamp characterized by comprising: A light shielding plate provided between the first reflecting surface and the projection lens portion;
The vehicle headlamp according to claim 4, wherein a predetermined focal point of the projection lens portion is set near an upper edge of the light shielding plate.   6. The vehicular headlamp according to claim 4, wherein at least a part of the projection lens portion or the diffusion lens portion is configured as a Fresnel lens.

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