JP6985807B2 - Optical unit - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to an optical unit, and more particularly to an optical unit used for a vehicle lamp.

In recent years, a device has been devised that reflects light emitted from a light source to the front of a vehicle and scans a region in front of the vehicle with the reflected light to form a predetermined light distribution pattern. For example, a rotary reflector that rotates in one direction around a rotation axis while reflecting light emitted from a light source and a light source composed of a light emitting element are provided. An optical unit provided with a reflecting surface so as to form a light distribution pattern has been devised (Patent Document 1).

Further, this optical unit can form a non-irradiated region in a part of the light distribution pattern by turning off the light emitting element at a predetermined timing.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2015-266628

However, in the above-mentioned optical unit, the shape of the light distribution pattern that can be formed is limited, and there is room for further improvement.

The present invention has been made in view of such a situation, and an object of the present invention is to provide a new optical unit capable of forming a plurality of light distribution patterns with a simple configuration.

In order to solve the above problems, the optical unit of an embodiment of the present invention includes a light source and a rotary reflector that rotates in one direction about a rotation axis while reflecting light emitted from the light source. The rotary reflector is configured to form a light distribution pattern by scanning the reflected light as a light source image, and the light source is a non-irradiation that occurs in a part of the light distribution pattern by controlling the turning on and off. The light emitting surface is configured so that the shape of the end portion of the region can be changed.

According to this aspect, it is possible to form a plurality of light distribution patterns having different shapes of the edges of the non-irradiated region.

The light emitting surface intersects the first light emitting surface having a first side intersecting the direction scanned as the light source image and the direction scanned as the light source image, and the second side has a different direction from the first side. It may have a second light emitting surface having sides. As a result, the end portion of the non-irradiated region can be formed by a cut line corresponding to the first side and a cut line corresponding to the second side. It should be noted that one light emitting surface may have a first side and a second side.

A control unit that controls the lighting state of the first light emitting surface and the second light emitting surface may be further provided. When the control unit forms the first light distribution pattern having the non-irradiated portion of the first shape as the light distribution pattern, the light emitted from the first light emitting surface of the non-irradiated portion of the first shape is emitted from the control unit. When controlling the extinguishing of the first light emitting surface at the timing of scanning to form a second light distribution pattern having a non-irradiating portion having a second shape different from the first shape as the light distribution pattern, the second light distribution pattern is formed. The second light emitting surface may be turned off at the timing when the light emitted from the second light emitting surface scans the non-irradiated portion of the shape. This makes it possible to form a plurality of light distribution patterns having different shapes of the non-irradiated portions.

The first light emitting surface may have a shape in which an oblique first cut line is formed by the first side. Thereby, for example, it can be applied to a vehicle lamp such as a headlight.

The second light emitting surface may have a shape in which a second cut line having a different angle from the first cut line is formed by the second side. This makes it possible to make the non-irradiated portion into a more suitable shape according to the situation of the irradiation direction. For example, when the optical unit is applied to a vehicle headlight, it is possible to improve the visibility ahead while suppressing glare given to a vehicle in front or the like.

The second light emitting surface may have a shape in which a second cut line symmetrical to the first cut line is formed by the second side. This makes it possible to form a symmetrical light distribution pattern at the ends of the non-irradiated region.

As the light emitting surface, the first light emitting surface and the second light emitting surface may be arranged in the direction of being scanned as a light source image. This makes it possible to form a plurality of light distribution patterns in a small space.

It should be noted that any combination of the above components and the conversion of the expression of the present invention between methods, devices, systems, etc. are also effective as aspects of the present invention.

According to the present invention, it is possible to realize a new optical unit capable of forming a plurality of light distribution patterns.

It is a horizontal sectional view of the headlight for a vehicle which concerns on this embodiment. It is a front view of the headlight for a vehicle which concerns on this embodiment. It is a side view schematically showing the structure of the rotary reflector which concerns on this embodiment. It is a top view schematically showing the structure of the rotary reflector which concerns on this embodiment. FIG. 5A is a schematic view when the first light source according to the first embodiment is viewed from the front, and FIG. 5B is a rotary reflector in which the first light source in a lit state is stationary. It is a schematic diagram which shows the state which was reflected and projected forward as a light source image. 6 (a) to 6 (d) are schematic views for explaining a light distribution pattern that can be formed when the light source images L15 to L18 are scanned. 7 (a) to 7 (d) are diagrams showing an example of a light distribution pattern that can be realized by the optical unit according to the first embodiment. It is a figure which shows the control device of the headlight for a vehicle which concerns on each embodiment. 9 (a) is a schematic view when the first light source according to the second embodiment is viewed from the front, and FIG. 9 (b) is a rotary reflector in which the first light source in a lit state is stationary. It is a schematic diagram which shows the state which was reflected and projected forward as a light source image. 10 (a) and 10 (b) are schematic views for explaining a light distribution pattern that can be formed when the light source images L21 to L25 are scanned. 11 (a) and 11 (b) are diagrams showing an example of a light distribution pattern that can be realized by the optical unit according to the second embodiment. It is a horizontal sectional view of the headlight for a vehicle which concerns on 3rd Embodiment.

Hereinafter, the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings based on the embodiments. The same or equivalent components, members, and processes shown in the drawings shall be designated by the same reference numerals, and duplicate description thereof will be omitted as appropriate. Further, the embodiment is not limited to the invention but is an example, and all the features and combinations thereof described in the embodiment are not necessarily essential to the invention.

The optical unit according to this embodiment can be used for various vehicle lighting fixtures. Hereinafter, a case where the optical unit according to the present embodiment is applied to the vehicle headlight among the vehicle lighting fixtures will be described.

[First Embodiment]
(Vehicle headlights)
FIG. 1 is a horizontal sectional view of a vehicle headlight according to the present embodiment. FIG. 2 is a front view of the vehicle headlight according to the present embodiment. In FIG. 2, some parts are omitted.

The vehicle headlight 10 according to the present embodiment is a right-hand headlight mounted on the right side of the front end portion of the automobile, and has the same structure as the headlight mounted on the left side, except that it is symmetrical. .. Therefore, in the following, the vehicle headlight 10 on the right side will be described in detail, and the description of the vehicle headlight on the left side will be omitted.

As shown in FIG. 1, the vehicle headlight 10 includes a lamp body 12 having a recess that opens toward the front. The lamp body 12 has a lamp chamber 16 formed by covering the front opening of the lamp body 12 with a transparent front cover 14. The light room 16 functions as a space in which one optical unit 18 is housed. The optical unit 18 is a lamp unit configured to irradiate both a variable high beam and a low beam. The variable high beam means one that is controlled so as to change the shape of the light distribution pattern for the high beam, and for example, a non-irradiated region (light-shielding portion) can be generated in a part of the light distribution pattern.

The optical unit 18 according to the present embodiment is a primary optical system that changes the optical paths of the first light source 20 and the first light L1 emitted from the first light source 20 so as to be directed toward the blade 22a of the rotary reflector 22. A condensing lens 23 as an (optical member), a rotating reflector 22 that rotates about a rotation axis R while reflecting the first light L1, a projection lens 24, a first light source 20, and a projection lens 24. A second light source 26 arranged between the two, a diffusion lens 28 as a primary optical system (optical member) for directing the second light L2 emitted from the second light source 26 toward the blade 22a, and a control unit. 29 and.

In the first light source 20, elements having an isosceles right triangle as a light emitting surface are arranged in a matrix. In the second light source 26, four elements are arranged in a row.

The projection lens 24 has a condensing unit 24a that condenses and projects the first light L1 reflected by the rotary reflector 22 in the light irradiation direction (left direction in FIG. 1) of the optical unit, and a second light L1 reflected by the rotary reflector 22. It is provided with a diffusing unit 24b for diffusing and projecting the light L2 of 2 in the light irradiation direction of the optical unit. As a result, the light source image can be clearly projected in front of the optical unit 18.

FIG. 3 is a side view schematically showing the configuration of the rotary reflector according to the present embodiment. FIG. 4 is a top view schematically showing the configuration of the rotary reflector according to the present embodiment.

The rotary reflector 22 is rotated in one direction around the rotation axis R by a drive source such as a motor 34. Further, the rotary reflector 22 is provided with a blade 22a as a reflecting surface so as to form a desired light distribution pattern by scanning the light of each light source reflected while rotating. That is, the rotary reflector emits visible light from the light emitting unit as an irradiation beam by its rotation operation, and forms a desired light distribution pattern by scanning the irradiation beam.

The rotary reflector 22 is provided with two blades 22a having the same shape, which function as a reflecting surface, around the cylindrical rotating portion 22b. The rotation axis R of the rotation reflector 22 is inclined with respect to the optical axis Ax, and is provided in a plane including the optical axis Ax and each light source. In other words, the rotation axis R is provided substantially parallel to the scanning plane of the light (irradiation beam) of each light source that scans in the left-right direction by rotation. As a result, the optical unit can be made thinner. Here, the scanning plane can be regarded as, for example, a fan-shaped plane formed by continuously connecting the trajectories of the light of each light source which is the scanning light.

Further, the shape of the blade 22a of the rotary reflector 22 has a twisted shape so that the angle formed by the optical axis Ax and the reflection surface changes as it goes in the circumferential direction about the rotation axis R. As a result, as shown in FIG. 4, scanning using the light of the first light source 20 and the second light source 26 becomes possible.

A semiconductor light emitting element such as an LED, an EL element, or an LD element is used as each light source. The shape of the convex projection lens 24 having the condensing portion 24a and the diffusing portion 24b may be appropriately selected according to the required light distribution pattern, illuminance distribution, and other light distribution characteristics, but is an aspherical lens or a free curved surface. It is also possible to use a lens.

The control unit 29 controls the turning off of the first light source 20 and the second light source 26 and controls the rotation of the motor 34 based on the control signal from the outside. The first light source 20 is mounted on the heat sink 30, and the second light source 26 is mounted on the heat sink 32.

Hereinafter, the shape and layout of the light emitting surface of the light emitting element in the first light source will be described. In the present embodiment, the light distribution pattern is formed by scanning the light source image reflected by the rotary reflector 22, but by devising the shape and lighting state of the light emitting surface of the light emitting element constituting the light source image, the light distribution pattern is formed. Various forms of light distribution patterns can be formed.

FIG. 5A is a schematic view when the first light source according to the first embodiment is viewed from the front, and FIG. 5B is a rotary reflector in which the first light source in a lit state is stationary. It is a schematic diagram which shows the state which was reflected and projected forward as a light source image. Note that FIG. 5A omits the illustration of the condensing lens 23. Further, the light source image of FIG. 5B is an image of the light emitting element of FIG. 5A inverted upside down by the projection lens 24.

As shown in FIG. 5A, eight light emitting elements E11 to E18 are arranged in the first light source 20. Each light emitting element E11 to E18 has a light emitting surface (light emitting surface) of an isosceles right triangle. In addition, the combination of the two light emitting elements also functions as a rectangular light emitting surface. The light source images L11 to L18 shown in FIG. 5B correspond to the light emitting surfaces of the light emitting elements E11 to E18.

6 (a) to 6 (d) are schematic views for explaining a light distribution pattern that can be formed when the light source images L15 to L18 are scanned. As shown in FIGS. 6A to 6D, the light source images L11 to L18 are classified into four types in consideration of the pattern formed by scanning.

As shown in FIG. 6A, when the light emitting element E15 is continuously lit, the pattern P1 formed by scanning the light source image L15 is such that the left side S11 is vertical and the right side S12 is oblique. It becomes a trapezoid that descends to the right. Further, when the light emitting element E15 is turned off at a predetermined timing, the pattern P1'formed by scanning the light source image L15 has a non-irradiated region R1 partially formed. The non-irradiated region R1 has a trapezoidal shape in which the left side S11'is diagonally rising to the left and the right side S12' is vertical.

Similarly, as shown in FIG. 6B, when the light emitting element E16 is continuously lit, the pattern P2 formed by scanning the light source image L16 has the left side S21 rising diagonally to the left. The right side S22 becomes a vertical trapezoid. Further, when the light emitting element E16 is turned off at a predetermined timing, the pattern P2'formed by scanning the light source image L16 has a non-irradiated region R2 partially formed. The non-irradiated region R2 is a trapezoid in which the left side S21'is vertical and the right side S22' is diagonally downward to the right.

Similarly, as shown in FIG. 6C, when the light emitting element E17 is continuously lit, the pattern P3 formed by scanning the light source image L17 has a left side S31 perpendicular to the right side. S32 becomes a trapezoid that rises diagonally to the right. Further, when the light emitting element E17 is turned off at a predetermined timing, the pattern P3'formed by scanning the light source image L17 has a non-irradiated region R3 partially formed. The non-irradiated region R3 has a trapezoidal shape in which the left side S31'is diagonally downward to the left and the right side S32' is vertical.

Similarly, as shown in FIG. 6D, when the light emitting element E18 is continuously lit, the pattern P4 formed by scanning the light source image L18 has the left side S41 descending diagonally to the left. The right side S42 becomes a vertical trapezoid. Further, when the light emitting element E18 is turned off at a predetermined timing, the pattern P4'formed by scanning the light source image L18 has a non-irradiated region R4 partially formed. The non-irradiated region R4 has a trapezoidal shape in which the left side S41'is vertical and the right side S42' is diagonally rising to the right.

As described above, in the light emitting elements E11 to E18 according to the present embodiment, the two opposing sides are not parallel as compared with the rectangular light emitting element. Therefore, the shape of the pattern formed by scanning the light source image is not a rectangle, but a trapezoid in which the front and rear edges in the scanning direction are not parallel. In addition, the shape of the non-irradiated region generated in a part of the pattern by controlling the turning on and off when the light source image is scanned is not a rectangle but a trapezoid in which the front and rear edges in the scanning direction are not parallel. ..

Moreover, although the first light source 20 according to the present embodiment has the same light emitting elements E11 to E18 having an isosceles right triangle as the light emitting surface, the first light source 20 does not have translational symmetry by devising the arrangement. Two light source images L15 to L18 (L11 to L14) can be realized. Then, by scanning the four light source images L15 to L18, four patterns P1 to P4 having different shapes can be formed. In addition, four non-irradiated regions R1 to R4 having no translational symmetry can be realized by controlling the light emitting element to be turned on and off when scanning with the light source image. Therefore, by combining these patterns and non-irradiated regions, it is possible to realize a plurality of types of light distribution patterns having different overall shapes and light-shielding region shapes with an optical unit having a simple configuration. Specifically, the first light source according to the first embodiment can be realized by one kind of light emitting element.

7 (a) to 7 (d) are diagrams showing an example of a light distribution pattern that can be realized by the optical unit according to the first embodiment.

The light distribution pattern PH1 shown in FIG. 7A is formed by constantly lighting all the light emitting elements E11 to E18 of the first light source 20. The light distribution pattern PH1 is formed by scanning the pattern P11 formed by scanning the light source image L11, the pattern P12 formed by scanning the light source image L12, and scanning the light source image L13. The pattern P13, the pattern P14 formed by scanning the light source image L14, the pattern P15 formed by scanning the light source image L15, and the pattern P16 formed by scanning the light source image L16. This is a high beam light distribution pattern in which a pattern P17 formed by scanning the light source image L17 and a pattern P18 formed by scanning the light source image L18 are combined.

The light distribution pattern PH2 shown in FIG. 7B is formed by turning on and off the light emitting elements E11, E14, E15, and E18 of the first light source 20. The light distribution pattern PH2 is a pattern P11'formed by scanning the light source image L11 and turning off the light at a predetermined timing, and a pattern formed by scanning the light source image L14 and turning off the light at a predetermined timing. P14', a pattern P15'formed by scanning the light source image L15 and turning off the light at a predetermined timing, and a pattern P18'formed by scanning the light source image L18 and turning off the light at a predetermined timing. And is a combined light distribution pattern for variable high beam. In the light distribution pattern PH2, a trapezoidal non-irradiated region having symmetrical diagonal cut lines is formed in the central portion.

The light distribution pattern PH3 shown in FIG. 7C is formed by turning on and off the light emitting elements E13, E14, E17, and E18 of the first light source 20. The light distribution pattern PH3 is a pattern P13'formed by scanning the light source image L13 and turning off the light at a predetermined timing, and a pattern formed by scanning the light source image L14 and turning off the light at a predetermined timing. P14', a pattern P17'formed by scanning the light source image L17 and turning off the light at a predetermined timing, and a pattern P18'formed by scanning the light source image L18 and turning off the light at a predetermined timing. And is a combined light distribution pattern for variable high beam. In the light distribution pattern PH3, a parallelogram non-irradiated region having diagonal cut lines parallel to the left and right is formed in the central portion.

The light distribution pattern PH4 shown in FIG. 7D is formed by turning on and off all the light emitting elements E11 to E18 of the first light source 20. The light distribution pattern PH4 is a pattern P11'formed by scanning the light source image L11 and turning off the light at a predetermined timing, and a pattern formed by scanning the light source image L12 and turning off the light at a predetermined timing. P12', a pattern P13'formed by scanning the light source image L13 and turning off the light at a predetermined timing, and a pattern P14'formed by scanning the light source image L14 and turning off the light at a predetermined timing. The pattern P15'formed by scanning the light source image L15 and turning off the light at a predetermined timing, and the pattern P16'formed by scanning the light source image L16 and turning it off at a predetermined timing. The pattern P17'formed by scanning the light source image L17 and turning off the light at a predetermined timing and the pattern P18'formed by scanning the light source image L18 and turning off the light at a predetermined timing are combined. It is a light distribution pattern for a variable high beam. In the light distribution pattern PH3, a rectangular non-irradiated region having a vertical cut line is formed in the central portion.

As described above, in the first light source 20 according to the present embodiment, the shape of the end portion of the non-irradiated region generated in a part of the light distribution pattern can be changed by controlling the turning on and off. The light emitting surface is configured. This makes it possible to form a plurality of light distribution patterns PH2 to PH4 having different shapes of the edges of the non-irradiated region.

Here, the light emitting surface is a light emitting surface of a plurality of light emitting elements E11 to E18 constituting the first light source 20. Then, it is more preferable that the shape of the light emitting surface is not a shape in which two opposing sides are parallel as in a rectangular light emitting element, and at least one side is not parallel to any other side. For example, a trapezoid is also possible. When the first light source is composed of one light emitting element and a light transmission control member (for example, a liquid crystal shutter or a dimming mirror) for controlling the transmission of light is arranged in front of the light source, light is emitted. The surface of the equal control member may be regarded as a light emitting surface.

As shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B, the first light source 20 according to the present embodiment is a first light having a first side A1 intersecting the direction D1 scanned as a light source image. It has an emitting surface (light emitting element E15) and a second light emitting surface (light emitting element E18) having a second side A2 that intersects the direction scanned as a light source image and has a different direction from the first side A1. is doing. As a result, as shown in the light distribution pattern PH2 shown in FIG. 7B, the end portion of the non-irradiated region is cut diagonally corresponding to the first side A1 and the diagonal cut line CL1 corresponding to the second side A2. It can be formed by line CL2. This can be applied to vehicle lamps such as headlights.

Further, the light emitting element E18 has a shape in which the cut line CL2 having a different angle from the cut line CL1 is formed by the second side A2. This makes it possible to make the non-irradiated portion into a more suitable shape according to the situation of the irradiation direction. For example, it is possible to improve the visibility ahead while suppressing glare given to a vehicle in front.

Further, the light emitting element E18 has a shape in which the cut line CL2 symmetrical to the cut line CL1 is formed by the second side A2. As a result, the end portion of the non-irradiated region can form a symmetrical light distribution pattern PH2, and for example, a headlight that easily complies with the Dover regulations can be realized.

Further, the optical unit 18 according to the present embodiment further includes, for example, a control unit 29 that controls the lighting state of the light emitting element E15 and the light emitting element E17, respectively. When the control unit 29 forms a light distribution pattern PH2 (see FIG. 7B) having a trapezoidal non-irradiating portion as the light distribution pattern, the light emitted from the light emitting element E15 scans the trapezoidal non-irradiating portion. When the light emitting element E15 is turned off at the timing of turning off the light to form a light distribution pattern PH3 (see FIG. 7 (c)) having a parallelogram non-irradiating portion as a light distribution pattern, the parallelogram non-irradiating portion is formed. The light emitting element E17 may be turned off at the timing when the light emitted from the light emitting element E17 scans. This makes it possible to form a plurality of light distribution patterns having different shapes of the non-irradiated portions.

In the first light source 20 according to the present embodiment, the light emitting elements E15 to E18 are arranged in the direction D1 scanned as a light source image. This makes it possible to form a plurality of light distribution patterns with a space-saving light source.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a control device for vehicle headlights according to each embodiment. As shown in FIG. 8, the control device 100 of the vehicle headlight 10 according to the present embodiment captures the distance and existence of the camera 44 that captures the front and surroundings of the vehicle and other vehicles and pedestrians in front of the vehicle. The radar 46 to be detected, the switch 48 to control the lighting state of the vehicle headlights and the irradiation mode (selection of high beam light distribution pattern and low beam light distribution pattern, automatic control mode, etc.) by the driver, and the steering state to be detected. It includes a detection unit 50, a sensor 52 such as a vehicle speed sensor and an acceleration sensor, a control unit 29, a motor 34, a first light source 20, and a second light source 26.

The control unit 29 rotates the motor 34 and each light emitting element included in the first light source 20 and the second light source 26 based on the information acquired from the camera 44, the radar 46, the switch 48, the detection unit 50, and the sensor 52. Controls the turning on and off of. This makes it possible to realize a new optical unit 18 capable of forming a plurality of light distribution patterns with a simple configuration.

[Second Embodiment]
FIG. 9A is a schematic view when the first light source according to the second embodiment is viewed from the front, and FIG. 9B is a rotary reflector in which the first light source in a lit state is stationary. It is a schematic diagram which shows the state which was reflected and projected forward as a light source image. Note that FIG. 9A omits the illustration of the condensing lens 23. Further, in the light source image of FIG. 9B, the light emitting element of FIG. 9A is upside down by the projection lens 24.

As shown in FIG. 9A, five light emitting elements E21 to E25 are arranged in the first light source 120. Each light emitting element E21 to E25 has a rectangular (square) light emitting surface (light emitting surface). Further, the light emitting elements E21 to E23 are arranged so that their sides are oblique to the horizon HH, and the light emitting elements E24 and E25 are arranged so that their sides are parallel to the horizon HH. Is located in. By arranging the light emitting elements having the same shape in different directions in this way, it is possible to realize light distribution patterns having various shapes. The light source images L21 to L25 shown in FIG. 9B correspond to the light emitting surfaces of the light emitting elements E21 to E25.

10 (a) and 10 (b) are schematic views for explaining a light distribution pattern that can be formed when the light source images L21 to L25 are scanned. As shown in FIGS. 10A and 10B, the light source images L21 to L25 are classified into two types in consideration of the pattern formed by scanning.

As shown in FIG. 10A, when the light emitting element E24 is continuously lit, the pattern P1 formed by scanning the light source image L24 has the left side S11 vertical and the right side S12 also vertical. It becomes a rectangular shape. Further, when the light emitting element E24 is turned off at a predetermined timing, the pattern P1'formed by scanning the light source image L24 has a non-irradiated region R1 partially formed. The non-irradiated region R1 is a rectangle in which the left side S11'is vertical and the right side S12' is also vertical.

Similarly, as shown in FIG. 10B, when the light emitting element E21 is continuously lit, the pattern P2 formed by scanning the light source image L21 has the left side S21 rising diagonally to the left. And diagonally downward-sloping polygonal line, and the right-hand side S22 is diagonally upward-sloping and diagonally downward-sloping polygonal line, forming a horizontally long hexagon. Further, when the light emitting element E21 is turned off at a predetermined timing, the pattern P2'formed by scanning the light source image L21 has a non-irradiated region R2 partially formed. In the non-irradiated region R2, the left side S21'is a polygonal line diagonally rising to the left and diagonally falling left, and the right side S22'is a polygonal line diagonally rising to the right and falling diagonally to the right.

As described above, in the light emitting elements E21 to E25 according to the present embodiment, one type of rectangular light emitting element is used, and the two opposing sides are parallel. However, a plurality of patterns can be realized by devising the location and orientation in which some of the light emitting elements E21 to E23 are arranged with respect to the light emitting elements E24 and E25. Further, the shape of the pattern formed by scanning the light source image is not only a rectangle but also a hexagon in which the front and rear ends in the scanning direction are polygonal lines. Further, the shape of the non-irradiated region generated in a part of the pattern by controlling the turning on and off when the light source image is scanned is not a rectangle, but the front and rear edges in the scanning direction are polygonal lines.

11 (a) and 11 (b) are diagrams showing an example of a light distribution pattern that can be realized by the optical unit according to the second embodiment.

The light distribution pattern PH1 shown in FIG. 11A is formed by constantly lighting all the light emitting elements E21 to E25 of the first light source 120. The light distribution pattern PH1 is formed by scanning the pattern P21 formed by scanning the light source image L21, the pattern P22 formed by scanning the light source image L22, and scanning the light source image L23. It is a high beam light distribution pattern in which the pattern P23, the pattern P24 formed by scanning the light source image L24, and the pattern P25 formed by scanning the light source image L25 are combined.

The light distribution pattern PH2 shown in FIG. 11B is formed by turning off the light emitting elements E21 to E24 of the first light source 120 and turning off the light emitting element E25 at all times. The light distribution pattern PH2 is a pattern P21'formed by scanning the light source image L21 and turning off the light at a predetermined timing, and a pattern formed by scanning the light source image L22 and turning off the light at a predetermined timing. P22', a pattern P23'formed by scanning the light source image L23 and turning off the light at a predetermined timing, and a pattern P24'formed by scanning the light source image L24 and turning off the light at a predetermined timing. And is a combined light distribution pattern for variable high beam. In the light distribution pattern PH2, a trapezoidal non-irradiated region having symmetrical diagonal cut lines is formed in the central portion.

Similar to the light distribution pattern PH3 shown in FIG. 7 (c) of the first embodiment, by controlling the lighting of the light emitting elements E21 to E23 of the first light source 120, the left and right are parallel and diagonal. A parallelogram non-irradiated region with a cut line can also be formed in the center.

As described above, in the first light source 120 according to the present embodiment, the shape of the end portion of the non-irradiated region generated in a part of the light distribution pattern can be changed by controlling the turning on and off. The light emitting surface is configured. This makes it possible to form a plurality of light distribution patterns having different shapes of the edges of the non-irradiated region.

As shown in FIGS. 9A and 9B, the first light source 120 according to the present embodiment is a first light having a first side A1 intersecting the direction D1 scanned as a light source image. A second light emitting surface (light emitting elements E21 to E23) having a second side A2 that intersects the emitting surface (light emitting elements E21 to E23) and is scanned as a light source image and has a different direction from the first side A1. And have. As a result, as shown in the light distribution pattern PH2 shown in FIG. 11B, the end portion of the non-irradiated region is cut diagonally corresponding to the first side A1 and the diagonal cut line CL1 corresponding to the second side A2. It can be formed by line CL2.

[Third Embodiment]
In the vehicle headlight 10 according to the first embodiment, the angle formed by the optical axis Ax and the reflecting surface as the shape of the blade 22a of the rotary reflector 22 tends toward the circumferential direction centered on the rotary axis R. Has a twisted shape to change. On the other hand, in the vehicle headlight according to the third embodiment, a polygon mirror is used as the rotation reflector, and other than that, there is no substantial difference from the first embodiment. Therefore, in the following description, the rotary reflector will be described in detail, and the same components as those in the first embodiment will be designated by the same reference numerals and the description thereof will be omitted as appropriate.

FIG. 12 is a horizontal sectional view of the vehicle headlight according to the third embodiment. The vehicle headlight 110 according to the third embodiment includes a lamp body 12 having a recess that opens toward the front. The lamp body 12 has a lamp chamber 16 formed by covering the front opening of the lamp body 12 with a transparent front cover 14. The light room 16 functions as a space in which one optical unit 118 is housed. The optical unit 118 is a lamp unit configured to irradiate both a variable high beam and a low beam.

The optical unit 118 according to the present embodiment is used as a primary optical system (optical member) for changing the optical path of the light source 220 and the first light L1 emitted from the light source 220 toward the reflection surface 122a of the polygon mirror 122. 23, a polygon mirror 122 that rotates about the rotation axis R while reflecting the first light L1, a projection lens 124, and a control unit 29.

In the light source 220, a plurality of elements are arranged in a matrix. The projection lens 124 collects and projects the first light L1 reflected by the polygon mirror 122 in the light irradiation direction (left direction in FIG. 1) of the optical unit. As a result, the light source image can be clearly projected in front of the optical unit 118.

The polygon mirror 122 rotates in one direction about the rotation axis R by a drive source such as a motor. Further, the polygon mirror 122 is provided with a reflecting surface 122a so as to form a desired light distribution pattern by scanning the light of each light source reflected while rotating. That is, the polygon mirror 122 emits visible light from the light emitting unit as an irradiation beam by its rotational operation, and forms a desired light distribution pattern by scanning the irradiation beam.

The rotation axis R of the polygon mirror 122 is substantially perpendicular to the optical axis Ax, and is provided so as to intersect the plane including the optical axis Ax and the light source 220. In other words, the rotation axis R is provided so as to be substantially orthogonal to the scanning plane of the light (irradiation beam) of the light source that scans in the left-right direction by rotation. Even in the vehicle headlight 110 using such a polygon mirror 122, the above-mentioned various light distribution patterns can be formed.

Although the present invention has been described above with reference to the above-described embodiments, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and the configurations of the embodiments may be appropriately combined or substituted. Those are also included in the present invention. Further, it is also possible to appropriately rearrange the combinations and the order of processing in each embodiment based on the knowledge of those skilled in the art, and to add modifications such as various design changes to each embodiment, and such modifications. The embodiment to which the above is added may also be included in the scope of the present invention.

10 Vehicle headlights, 18 optical units, 20 first light source, 22 rotating reflectors, 22a blades, 22b rotating parts, 24 projection lenses, 29 control units, 34 motors, 100 control devices, 120 first light sources.

Claims (7)

Light source and
A rotary reflector that rotates in one direction around a rotation axis while reflecting light emitted from the light source is provided.
The rotary reflector is configured to form a light distribution pattern by scanning the reflected light as a light source image.
The non-irradiated region generated in a part of the light distribution pattern has a linear end which is a tip or a trailing end.
The light source comprises a plurality of light emitting elements, each having a triangular light emitting surface.
The optical unit is characterized in that the plurality of light emitting elements are arranged so that the inclination of the straight line can be changed by controlling the turning on and off. The light emitting surfaces of the plurality of light emitting elements are
A first light emitting surface having a first side intersecting the direction scanned as a light source image,
The optical unit according to claim 1, further comprising a second light emitting surface that intersects the direction scanned as a light source image and has a second side that is different in direction from the first side. Further, a control unit for controlling the lighting state of the first light emitting surface and the second light emitting surface is further provided.
The control unit
When the first light distribution pattern having the non-irradiated portion of the first shape is formed as the light distribution pattern, the light emitted from the first light emitting surface scans the non-irradiated portion of the first shape. The first light emitting surface is turned off at the timing of turning off the light.
When forming a second light distribution pattern having a non-irradiating portion having a second shape different from the first shape as the light distribution pattern, the non-irradiating portion having the second shape is used as the second light emitting surface. The second light emitting surface is controlled to be turned off at the timing when the light emitted from the light is scanned.
The optical unit according to claim 2. The optical unit according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the first light emitting surface has a shape in which an oblique first cut line is formed by the first side. The optical unit according to claim 4, wherein the second light emitting surface has a shape in which a second cut line having a different angle from the first cut line is formed by the second side. The optical unit according to claim 4, wherein the second light emitting surface has a shape in which a second cut line symmetrical to the first cut line is formed by the second side. Wherein the first light emitting surface and the second light emitting surface, the optical unit according to any one of claims 2 to 6, characterized in that it is an array in a direction to be scanned as a light source image.

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