JPH09102203A - Vehicular lamp device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide light distribution suitable for vehicles by restraining a visor from decreasing the efficiency of utilizing light. SOLUTION: This vehicular lamp device includes a first lens part 20 for focusing light from a light source and for applying it and a second lens part 10 provided on the light source side of the first lens part 20 to refract the light from the light source in a desired direction before it has been focused by the first lens part 20. The curved surface of the second lens part 20 is given as that of a cylindrical lens and has an axis set to be inclined by a predetermined angle (preferably 15 deg.) to either the right or left of the vertical direction. Therefore, cut-line light distribution is formed which extends diagonally in accordance with the inclination angle of the axis of the curved surface of the second lens part.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a vehicular lamp device, and more particularly to a vehicular lamp device provided with a compound lens for light distribution that forms a desired light distribution.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, as a vehicle headlamp, a vehicle headlamp capable of obtaining a desired spread in a lateral direction of light distribution without obscuring a bright / dark boundary line at an upper edge. Is proposed in JP-A-63-40201. This product has a light-shielding plate for forming a light distribution pattern arranged at a substantially focal position of a condensing lens unit composed of a plurality of condensing lenses, and emits light from a light source along a line connecting focal positions of the respective condensing lenses. 8 is provided by providing a reflecting mirror that collects light to generate reflected light, and projects the light-shielding edge of the light-shielding plate for forming the light distribution pattern forward by the condenser lens unit.
The light distribution as shown in (b) is obtained.

[0003]

However, in such a structure, about half of the reflected light from the reflecting mirror is shown in FIG. Since it is cut by, the problem that the light utilization efficiency is poor and sufficient illuminance cannot be obtained occurs. Further, in such a structure, in order to obtain a desired light distribution, a reflecting mirror, a light-shielding plate for forming a light distribution pattern, and the like are required, and the number of constituent parts increases, and a vehicle headlamp of this type is provided. There was a problem that the structure became complicated. Therefore, the present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and suppresses a decrease in the amount of light due to a light distribution pattern forming light-shielding plate, and yet obtains a desired light distribution suitable for vehicle light distribution. Is to

[0004]

The present invention employs the means described in the claims to solve the above problems. In claim 1, the light from the light source is condensed by the first lens unit 20,
A predetermined light distribution is formed. Moreover, a part of the light from the light source is refracted by the second lens unit 10 and then condensed by the first lens unit 20. At this time, the second lens unit 10
Is a cylindrical lens having an axis inclined to the left or right with respect to the vertical direction by a predetermined angle, and therefore, in addition to the light distribution by the first lens portion 20, it has a cut-line light distribution extending in an oblique direction from there. A light distribution suitable for a vehicle light distribution is provided.

It should be noted that the cylindrical lens is a cylindrical lens, and the curved surface of the outer surface thereof can be a surface of a rotating solid having the axis as the axis of rotation. In addition, a cylindrical lens having an elliptical surface or a cylindrical lens having a compound curved surface can be used.

In the second aspect, by arranging the second lens portion 10 below the optical axis, it is possible to obtain a light distribution that does not give glare to an oncoming vehicle.

According to the third aspect, the cylindrical lens having the axis line along the vertical direction is used as the third lens portion (30, 4).
0) may be additionally provided, whereby a flat light distribution spreading in the horizontal direction can be obtained.

Further, as in claim 4, the second lens portion 1
By curving the curved surface of 0 along the axial direction as well, for example, by using a curved surface such as a partial surface of a barrel-shaped solid rather than a partial surface of a simple cylinder, at the end of the second lens unit 10, Aberration can be suppressed, the bright and dark boundary of the upper edge of the cut line light distribution becomes clear, and a clear cut line light distribution can be obtained. Therefore, it is possible to satisfy the light distribution characteristic required for the vehicular lamp device that illuminates a pedestrian brightly without giving glare to the oncoming vehicle.

Further, as described in claim 5, the entrance surface 31 of the third lens portion 30 is formed by combining a plurality of curved surfaces having different radii of curvature, and the radius of curvature is made smaller toward the central portion of the third lens portion 30. Then, the brightness of each light distribution of the light distribution formed by the light incident on the second lens unit 10 and the flat light distribution formed by the light incident on the third lens unit 30 continuously changes. As a result, the light distribution is sufficiently widened in the left-right direction and the light-dark boundary line becomes a blurred light distribution, and the sense of discomfort disappears.

[0010]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. 1 is a perspective view showing a compound lens for light distribution according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a plan view of the compound lens for light distribution seen from the incident side, and FIG. 3 is a light distribution diagram of FIG. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a light distribution of a light flux emitted from a compound lens for a vehicle. 1, FIG. 2 and FIG. 3, the compound lens A for light distribution of the present embodiment includes a first lens portion 20 having a substantially hemispherical shape and a first lens portion 20 having a substantially hemispherical shape.
The second lens unit 10 has a / 4 cylindrical shape, the third lens unit 30 has a substantially ½ cylindrical shape, and the fourth lens unit 40 has a ¼ cylindrical shape. Therefore, the second, third and fourth lens portions 10, 30, 40 have a shape as a cylindrical lens.

Each of these lens portions 10, 20, 30, 4
0 is made of a material having excellent light transmittance, for example, a material such as polycarbonate or acrylic resin.
0, 20, 30, 40 are integrally molded, or the lens parts 10, 20, 30, 40 molded separately are bonded together by an adhesive having a refractive index substantially similar to that of each lens material. ing.

The first lens portion 20 has a substantially hemispherical shape, and has an incident surface 21 on which the light beam emitted from the emission surface 51 of the optical cable 50 is directly incident, and each lens portion 10, 30, 40.
The light flux that is incident on the
Emission surface 22 for converging and emitting the light beam directly incident on
And The exit surface 22 has a convex lens shape having a focal position F ₂ near the lower end of the exit surface 51 of the optical cable 50. Here, since the exit surface 22 has a convex lens shape having a focal position F _{2 in the} vicinity of the lower end of the exit surface 51 of the optical cable 50, the light flux that directly enters the entrance surface 21 without passing through the lens portions 10, 30, 40. Forms a hot zone light distribution that brightly illuminates the central part (see part b in FIG. 3), as shown in FIG.

The second lens portion 10 is a cylindrical lens having a substantially quarter-cylindrical shape with a radius r ₁ and is disposed inside the incident surface of the first lens portion 20 on the incident surface side. The light beam emitted from a light source (not shown) is the optical cable 5
0, and is emitted from the emission surface 51 of the optical cable 50. The second lens unit 10 has an incident surface 11 on which the light flux from the optical cable 50 is incident. This incident surface 11 is
A first main axis (axis line) tilted to the right by a predetermined angle (preferably 15 °) with respect to a vertical line (z axis) perpendicular to the optical axis (x axis).
The outer periphery of the first main shaft P and parallel to the predetermined radius r ₁ spaced first meridian m and the first section S ₁ of the cylindrical body obtained by rotating the first spindle P as the rotation axis constituted by the P Toko It is composed of a part (approximately 1/4) of the surface and is a cylindrical surface. In addition, the upper end surface 12 and the lower end surface 13 of the second lens unit 10
Is a predetermined angle (preferably 15 °) at the bottom of FIGS. 1 and 2.
It is formed to be inclined.

Here, the focal position F ₁ of the second lens unit 10
As shown in FIG. 4, it is formed so as to be positioned midway between the focal position F ₄ of the focal position F ₂ and the fourth lens unit 40 of the first lens unit 20 to be described later, and the second lens Part 1
The first principal axis P of 0 and the first meridian m parallel to the first principal axis P are formed to be inclined to the right side with respect to the vertical line (z axis) by a predetermined angle (preferably 15 °), and the incident surface 11 Is a cylindrical surface, the refracting action on this cylindrical surface causes the light to enter the entrance surface 11 and exit the exit surface 2 of the first lens portion 20.
As shown in FIG. 3, the light flux emitted from 1 forms a cut-line light distribution (see a portion in FIG. 3) inclined by 15 ° to the left with respect to the horizontal axis (H-H).

The third lens portion 30 is a cylindrical lens having a substantially 1/2 cylindrical shape with a radius r ₃ and is disposed adjacent to the upper portion of the above-mentioned second lens portion 10 and has an emission surface 51 of the optical cable 50. It has an incident surface 31 on which a light beam emitted further enters. The incident surface 31 is a third main axis (axis line) parallel to a vertical line (z axis) perpendicular to the optical axis (x axis).
The outer periphery of the third section S ₃ of the third cylindrical body obtained by the spindle Q is rotated as a rotation axis and a third meridian n spaced a predetermined radius r ₃ is parallel to the third main spindle Q of Q Toko It is composed of a part (approximately half) of the surface and is a cylindrical surface.
The upper end surface 32 and the lower end surface 33 of the third lens unit 30 are formed parallel to the horizontal axis (y axis).

Here, the focal position F ₃ of the third lens unit 30
, Like the focal position F ₁ of the second lens unit 10, as shown in FIG. 5, located in the middle of the focal position F ₂ of the first lens unit 20 and the focus position F ₄ of the fourth lens unit 40 And the third principal axis Q and the third meridian n of the third lens portion 30 are vertical lines (z-axis) perpendicular to the optical axis (x-axis).
Since the incident surface 31 is formed in parallel with respect to, and the incident surface 31 is a cylindrical surface, due to the refracting action on this cylindrical surface,
The light flux incident on the incident surface 31 of the third lens unit 30 is shown in FIG.
Is bent toward the center side of the third lens portion 30,
The light flux emitted from the lens unit 20 is largely bent to the left and right of the first lens unit 20 and emitted. For this reason, as shown in FIG. 3, the horizontal axis (H-H) is greatly expanded to the left and right (preferably 70 ° to 80 °), and the vertical axis (V-V) is narrowed (preferably). 7 ° to 8 °) to form a flat light distribution (see part c in FIG. 3).

The fourth lens portion 40 is a cylindrical lens having a substantially 1/4 cylindrical shape with a radius r ₄ and is arranged adjacent to the left side of the above-mentioned second lens portion 10 and has an emission surface 51 of the optical cable 50. It has an incident surface 41 on which the light beam emitted further enters. The incident surface 41 is a fourth main axis (axis line) parallel to a vertical line (z axis) perpendicular to the optical axis (x axis).
The outer periphery of the fourth fourth meridian o a fourth section S ₄ of the cylindrical body obtained by rotating the fourth spindle R as the axis of rotation comprised of spaced predetermined radius r ₄ parallel to the main axis R of R Toko It is composed of a part (approximately 1/4) of the surface and is a cylindrical surface. In addition, the upper end surface 42 and the lower end surface 43 of the fourth lens portion 40
Are formed parallel to the horizontal axis (y-axis).

Here, the focal position F ₄ of the fourth lens unit 40
Is the focus position F ₂ of the first lens unit 20, as shown in FIG.
Further, the fourth principal axis R and the fourth meridian o of the fourth lens portion 40 are located in front, and are formed parallel to a vertical line (z axis) perpendicular to the optical axis (x axis). Since the incident surface 41 is a cylindrical surface, the light flux incident on the incident surface 41 of the fourth lens portion 40 due to the refraction effect on the cylindrical surface causes the incident light from the fourth lens portion 40 as shown in FIG. The light beam that is bent toward the center and is emitted from the first lens unit 20 has a first
Although it is bent to the left and right of the lens unit 20 and emitted, the fourth lens unit 40 is disposed adjacent to the left side of the second lens unit 10, and therefore, as shown in FIG. A hot zone light distribution (see part d in FIG. 3) that illuminates the right side of the vertical axis (VV) below −H) is formed.

The third lens portion 30 and the fourth lens portion 4
Both 0 are for forming a light distribution that spreads in the horizontal direction, and therefore their curved surfaces are provided as part of a cylindrical lens having an axis line along the vertical direction.

In the present embodiment configured as described above, the light flux emitted from the emission surface 51 of the optical cable 50 is incident on the second lens portion 10 and emitted from the first lens portion 20, so that the horizontal axis Cut-line light distribution inclined to the left by 15 ° from (H-H) (see a part in Fig. 3)
To form a hot zone light distribution (see part b in FIG. 3) that brightly illuminates the central portion by the light flux that is directly incident on the first lens portion 20 and emitted from the first lens portion 20.
A light beam that enters the lens unit 30 and exits from the first lens unit 20 spreads greatly to the left and right below the horizontal axis (H-H) (preferably 70 ° to 80 °) and the vertical axis (V-V). Flat light distribution (Fig. 3)
Of the horizontal axis (H-) is formed by the light flux that enters the fourth lens unit 40 and exits from the first lens unit 20.
A hot zone light distribution (see part d in FIG. 3) that illuminates the right side of the vertical axis (V-V) below H) is formed.

With each of these light distributions, a pedestrian or the like on the left side in front of the vehicle is illuminated brightly, and at the same time, it is illuminated to the front left and right sides of the vehicle and far away in front of the vehicle, so that it is dazzling to an oncoming vehicle. It is possible to realize a light distribution suitable for a vehicle light distribution that does not give light.

Modification 1 In the above-mentioned embodiment, the second lens portion is approximately 1/4.
The third lens portion has a substantially cylindrical shape, the third lens portion has a substantially ¼ cylindrical shape, the fourth lens portion has a substantially ½ cylindrical shape, and the side of each vertical cross section on the incident side is linear. , The aberration of the light flux incident on each of these lens portions and irradiated from the first lens portion gradually increases from the central portion toward the peripheral portion, and the light distribution generated by the irradiation is distributed in the peripheral portion. Become light. Therefore, in the first modified example, the aberration of each lens portion is corrected so that the peripheral portion has a clear cut line light distribution.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing the first modified example. In FIG. 6, a compound lens B for light distribution of the first modified example is a first lens portion 20a having a substantially hemispherical shape, a second lens portion 10a having a substantially ¼ cylindrical shape, and a substantially ½ cylindrical shape. The third lens portion 30a having a shape and the fourth lens portion having a substantially quarter column shape
It is composed of a lens portion 40a. The first lens unit 20a is similar to the first lens unit 20 of the above-mentioned embodiment, and therefore its description is omitted.

The second lens portion 10a has a substantially ¼ cylindrical shape, and the incident surface 11a is a curved surface curved in the direction of the first meridian m in FIGS. 1 and 2, that is, the outer edge of the first cross section S ₁ is An inwardly curved oblique curved surface is formed. The incident surface 11a has an oblique curved surface, in other words, a barrel-shaped surface, whereas the incident surface 11 in FIG. 1 is a cylindrical surface. The third lens portion 30a has a substantially ½ cylindrical shape, and the incident surface 31a forms a curved surface curved in the direction of the third meridian n in FIGS. 1 and 2, that is, an oblique curved surface. The fourth lens portion 40a is approximately 1/4
It has a cylindrical shape, and the incident surface 41a is the fourth surface in FIGS.
A curved surface curved in the meridian o direction, that is, an oblique curved surface is formed.

In the first modified example configured as described above, the incident surface 11a of the second lens portion 10a, the incident surface 31a of the third lens portion 30a and the incident surface 41a of the fourth lens portion 40a are inclined curved surfaces. Since the light flux emitted from the first lens unit 20 upon entering each of the lens units 10a, 30a, and 40a has no aberration, the light-dark boundary of the upper edge of the light distribution generated by the irradiation is eliminated. Becoming clear,
A clear cut line light distribution can be obtained. As a result, the condition required for the vehicular lamp device to illuminate a pedestrian brightly without giving glare to the oncoming vehicle is satisfied.

The incident surface 11 of the second lens portion 10a
a, only one or two of the incident surface 31a of the third lens portion 30a and the incident surface 41a of the fourth lens portion 40a may be an oblique curved surface.

Modification 2 Further, in the above-mentioned embodiment, the third lens portion 30 is used.
Flat light distribution that spreads greatly to the left and right below the horizontal axis (H-H) formed by the light flux incident on the first lens unit 20 and is emitted from the first lens unit 20, and is narrowed in the vertical axis (V-V) direction. (Refer to part c of FIG. 3) and a light distribution inclined to the left by 15 ° from the horizontal axis (H-H) formed by the light flux incident on the second lens part 10 and emitted from the first lens part 20. (Refer to part a in FIG. 3) and a hot zone light distribution formed by the light flux incident on the fourth lens part 40 and irradiated from the first lens part 20 (refer to part d in FIG. 3) cause an illuminance difference. Therefore, the user feels something wrong with the illuminated light distribution. Therefore, in the second modified example, the illuminance at the central portion of the flat light distribution is increased, and the illuminance is gradually decreased from the central portion to the left and right peripheral portions.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing the second modification. The light distribution compound lens C of the second modified example has a first lens portion 20b having a substantially hemispherical shape, a second lens portion 10b having a substantially ¼ cylindrical shape, and a ½ cylindrical shape. 3 lens part 3
0b and a fourth lens portion 40b having a substantially 1/4 cylindrical shape. The first lens portion 20b and the second lens portion 20b
The lens portion 10b and the fourth lens portion 40b are the same as the first lens portion 20, the second lens portion 10 and the fourth lens portion 40 of the above-described embodiment, and therefore the description thereof will be omitted.

The third lens portion 30b of the second modified example is substantially 1
It has a / 2 cylindrical shape, and its incident surface forms a plurality of curved surfaces having different radii of curvature. In FIG. 7, the radius of curvature of the central portion 31c of the entrance surface of the third lens portion 30b is formed smaller than the radius of curvature of the peripheral edge portion 31b.

In the second modified example configured as described above, since the radius of curvature of the central portion 31c of the entrance surface of the third lens portion 30b is formed small, the first lens portion 20 is formed.
The further irradiated light flux is collected in the central portion as indicated by the symbol α in FIG. 7, and is formed by the light flux incident on the second lens unit 10 and emitted from the first lens unit 20 at 15 °. Light distribution inclined to the upper left (see part a in Fig. 3)
Also, the illuminance difference between the hot zone light distribution formed by the light flux incident on the fourth lens unit 40 and emitted from the first lens unit 20 (see part d in FIG. 3) becomes small, so that each light distribution is reduced. The brightness of the light will change continuously,
It spreads sufficiently in the left-right direction, and the light-dark boundary becomes a blurred light distribution, and the sense of discomfort disappears.

In the second modified example described above, the third
The example in which the radius of curvature of the central portion 31c of the incident surface of the lens portion 30b is formed to be smaller than the radius of curvature of the peripheral edge portion 31b has been described, but if the radius of curvature is changed in multiple steps,
The illuminance difference becomes smaller and the light distribution becomes more blurred. Further, if the radii of curvature of the incident surfaces 11b and 41b of the second lens portion 10b and the fourth lens portion 40b are also changed in multiple steps, the illuminance difference will be further reduced, and the bright / dark boundary line will be further reduced. Blurred light distribution is obtained.

In the above-described embodiment and each modification, the second lens portions 10, 10a, 10b are arranged on the right side of the optical axis (x axis), and the fourth lens portions 40, 40a,
40b is arranged on the left side of the optical axis (x-axis) to form an obliquely upward left light distribution, each hot zone light distribution, and a flat light distribution that are optimal for left-side vehicle light distribution. It is also possible to form an obliquely upward right light distribution, each hot zone light distribution, and a flat light distribution that are optimal for vehicle light distribution.
In this case, the second lens units 10, 10a, 10b are arranged on the left side of the optical axis (x axis), and the fourth lens units 40, 40a,
40b is arranged on the right side of the optical axis (x axis), and
The first main axes of the lens units 10, 10a, 10b may be tilted to the left with respect to the vertical line (z axis) of the second lens units 10, 10a, 10b by a predetermined angle (preferably 15 °).

Further, the second lens portions 10, 10a, 10b
May be tilted either left or right on the y-z plane from the z-axis, or may be tilted forward or backward on the x-z plane.

In the above-described embodiment and each modification, a rotating solid body defined by a rotation axis and a meridian distant from the rotation axis by a predetermined radius, particularly, in the embodiment, a simple cylindrical body, the first modification. In the example, a part of the surface of the barrel-shaped cylindrical body is the curved surface of the cylindrical lens, so the axis of the cylindrical lens coincides with the rotation axis, but the curved surface of the cylindrical lens has various curved surfaces depending on the light distribution requirements. Can be

For example, the curved surface of the cylindrical lens is
The curved surface is not limited to a curved surface obtained by rotating a single main shaft as a rotation axis, but may be a combined curved surface of a plurality of curved surfaces obtained by rotating a plurality of main shafts as respective rotation axes. Alternatively, two rotation axes may be set, the meridian may be rotated with these two rotation axes as the two origins of the ellipse, and the curved surface obtained as the elliptical locus may be the curved surface of the cylindrical lens. Also, 1/4 of the cylindrical lens, or 1
In addition to the parts such as / 2 as the second, third, and fourth lens parts, a part obtained by cutting a part of the cylindrical lens along the chord of the circular cross section may be used. In these cases, the axis of the cylindrical lens can be appropriately set as the extending direction of the curved surface.

Further, in the above-described embodiment and each modification, the light distribution shape of the irradiation light is determined without using a shade (light shielding plate), but a clearer cut line light distribution is realized. Therefore, a shade (light-shielding plate) may be used, and the shade (light-shielding plate) may be provided at the lower end portion of the emission surface 51 of the optical cable 50. In this case, it is desirable that the focal position of each lens unit be the cut position of the shade (light shielding plate).

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a compound lens for light distribution according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a plan view of an incident side of the light distribution compound lens of FIG.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a light distribution of a light beam emitted from the light distribution compound lens of FIG.

4 is a diagram illustrating a case where light incident on the first and fourth lens portions of FIG.
It is a figure which shows the state of the light beam radiate | emitted from a lens part.

5 is a diagram showing a state of a light beam that is incident on the third lens unit of FIG. 1 and is emitted from the second lens unit.

FIG. 6 is a side view showing a first modified example of the embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a top view showing a second modified example of the embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a light distribution of a light beam emitted from a conventional compound lens for light distribution.

[Explanation of symbols]

10 ... 1st lens part, 11 ... Incident surface of the 1st lens part, P
... Major axis of the first lens section, m ... Meridian of the first lens section, 20
... second lens portion, 21 ... incidence surface of second lens portion, 22 ...
Emission surface of second lens portion, 30 ... Third lens portion, 31 ... Incident surface of third lens portion, 32 ... Emission surface of third lens portion, Q
... principal axis of the third lens section, n ... meridian of the third lens section, 40
... Fourth lens part, 41 ... Incident surface of the fourth lens part, 42 ...
Output surface of the fourth lens portion, 50 ... Optical cable, 51 ... Output surface of optical cable

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. A vehicle lighting device comprising a combination of single lenses and comprising a compound lens for light distribution for forming a desired light distribution, wherein the compound lens for light distribution condenses light from a light source. A first lens unit for irradiating; and a second lens unit provided on the light source side of the first lens unit for refracting light from the light source in a desired direction before being condensed by the first lens unit. The curved surface of the second lens portion is provided as a curved surface of a cylindrical lens, and the cylindrical lens has an axis set to be inclined at a predetermined angle to the left or right with respect to the vertical direction, and A vehicular lamp device, characterized in that a cut line light distribution is formed that extends obliquely according to an inclination angle of an axis. 2. The vehicular lamp device according to claim 1, wherein the second lens portion is located below the optical axis. 3. The compound lens for light distribution is further provided on the light source side of the first lens portion, and directs light from the light source in a desired direction before being condensed by the first lens portion. A third lens portion for refracting is provided, and the curved surface of the third lens portion is given as a curved surface of a cylindrical lens, and the cylindrical lens has an axis line set in the vertical direction, and has a flat arrangement that spreads in the horizontal direction. The vehicle lighting device according to claim 1 or 2, which forms light. 4. The vehicular lamp device according to claim 1, wherein the curved surface of the second lens portion is curved along the axial direction. 5. The entrance surface of the third lens portion is formed by combining a plurality of curved surfaces having different radii of curvature, and the plurality of curved surfaces have a smaller radius of curvature toward the central portion of the third lens portion. The vehicular lamp device according to claim 4, which is characterized in that it is dependent on claim 3.