CN112443809B - Lamp unit - Google Patents

Lamp unit Download PDF

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Publication number
CN112443809B
CN112443809B CN202010854169.9A CN202010854169A CN112443809B CN 112443809 B CN112443809 B CN 112443809B CN 202010854169 A CN202010854169 A CN 202010854169A CN 112443809 B CN112443809 B CN 112443809B
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CN
China
Prior art keywords
light
projection lens
lens
lens holder
spatial light
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Active
Application number
CN202010854169.9A
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Chinese (zh)
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CN112443809A (en
Inventor
佐藤隆芳
小松隆明
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Koito Manufacturing Co Ltd
Original Assignee
Koito Manufacturing Co Ltd
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
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Publication of CN112443809A publication Critical patent/CN112443809A/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of CN112443809B publication Critical patent/CN112443809B/en
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Classifications

    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F21—LIGHTING
    • F21S—NON-PORTABLE LIGHTING DEVICES; SYSTEMS THEREOF; VEHICLE LIGHTING DEVICES SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR VEHICLE EXTERIORS
    • F21S41/00—Illuminating devices specially adapted for vehicle exteriors, e.g. headlamps
    • F21S41/10—Illuminating devices specially adapted for vehicle exteriors, e.g. headlamps characterised by the light source
    • F21S41/14—Illuminating devices specially adapted for vehicle exteriors, e.g. headlamps characterised by the light source characterised by the type of light source
    • F21S41/141—Light emitting diodes [LED]
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F21—LIGHTING
    • F21S—NON-PORTABLE LIGHTING DEVICES; SYSTEMS THEREOF; VEHICLE LIGHTING DEVICES SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR VEHICLE EXTERIORS
    • F21S45/00—Arrangements within vehicle lighting devices specially adapted for vehicle exteriors, for purposes other than emission or distribution of light
    • F21S45/40—Cooling of lighting devices
    • F21S45/42—Forced cooling
    • F21S45/43—Forced cooling using gas
    • F21S45/435—Forced cooling using gas circulating the gas within a closed system
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F21—LIGHTING
    • F21S—NON-PORTABLE LIGHTING DEVICES; SYSTEMS THEREOF; VEHICLE LIGHTING DEVICES SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR VEHICLE EXTERIORS
    • F21S41/00—Illuminating devices specially adapted for vehicle exteriors, e.g. headlamps
    • F21S41/10—Illuminating devices specially adapted for vehicle exteriors, e.g. headlamps characterised by the light source
    • F21S41/14—Illuminating devices specially adapted for vehicle exteriors, e.g. headlamps characterised by the light source characterised by the type of light source
    • F21S41/141—Light emitting diodes [LED]
    • F21S41/147—Light emitting diodes [LED] the main emission direction of the LED being angled to the optical axis of the illuminating device
    • F21S41/148—Light emitting diodes [LED] the main emission direction of the LED being angled to the optical axis of the illuminating device the main emission direction of the LED being perpendicular to the optical axis
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F21—LIGHTING
    • F21S—NON-PORTABLE LIGHTING DEVICES; SYSTEMS THEREOF; VEHICLE LIGHTING DEVICES SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR VEHICLE EXTERIORS
    • F21S41/00—Illuminating devices specially adapted for vehicle exteriors, e.g. headlamps
    • F21S41/20—Illuminating devices specially adapted for vehicle exteriors, e.g. headlamps characterised by refractors, transparent cover plates, light guides or filters
    • F21S41/25—Projection lenses
    • F21S41/255—Lenses with a front view of circular or truncated circular outline
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F21—LIGHTING
    • F21S—NON-PORTABLE LIGHTING DEVICES; SYSTEMS THEREOF; VEHICLE LIGHTING DEVICES SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR VEHICLE EXTERIORS
    • F21S41/00—Illuminating devices specially adapted for vehicle exteriors, e.g. headlamps
    • F21S41/20—Illuminating devices specially adapted for vehicle exteriors, e.g. headlamps characterised by refractors, transparent cover plates, light guides or filters
    • F21S41/25—Projection lenses
    • F21S41/265—Composite lenses; Lenses with a patch-like shape
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F21—LIGHTING
    • F21S—NON-PORTABLE LIGHTING DEVICES; SYSTEMS THEREOF; VEHICLE LIGHTING DEVICES SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR VEHICLE EXTERIORS
    • F21S41/00—Illuminating devices specially adapted for vehicle exteriors, e.g. headlamps
    • F21S41/30—Illuminating devices specially adapted for vehicle exteriors, e.g. headlamps characterised by reflectors
    • F21S41/32—Optical layout thereof
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F21—LIGHTING
    • F21S—NON-PORTABLE LIGHTING DEVICES; SYSTEMS THEREOF; VEHICLE LIGHTING DEVICES SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR VEHICLE EXTERIORS
    • F21S41/00—Illuminating devices specially adapted for vehicle exteriors, e.g. headlamps
    • F21S41/30—Illuminating devices specially adapted for vehicle exteriors, e.g. headlamps characterised by reflectors
    • F21S41/32—Optical layout thereof
    • F21S41/321—Optical layout thereof the reflector being a surface of revolution or a planar surface, e.g. truncated
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F21—LIGHTING
    • F21S—NON-PORTABLE LIGHTING DEVICES; SYSTEMS THEREOF; VEHICLE LIGHTING DEVICES SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR VEHICLE EXTERIORS
    • F21S45/00—Arrangements within vehicle lighting devices specially adapted for vehicle exteriors, for purposes other than emission or distribution of light
    • F21S45/40—Cooling of lighting devices
    • F21S45/42—Forced cooling
    • F21S45/43—Forced cooling using gas
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F21—LIGHTING
    • F21S—NON-PORTABLE LIGHTING DEVICES; SYSTEMS THEREOF; VEHICLE LIGHTING DEVICES SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR VEHICLE EXTERIORS
    • F21S45/00—Arrangements within vehicle lighting devices specially adapted for vehicle exteriors, for purposes other than emission or distribution of light
    • F21S45/40—Cooling of lighting devices
    • F21S45/47—Passive cooling, e.g. using fins, thermal conductive elements or openings
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F21—LIGHTING
    • F21V—FUNCTIONAL FEATURES OR DETAILS OF LIGHTING DEVICES OR SYSTEMS THEREOF; STRUCTURAL COMBINATIONS OF LIGHTING DEVICES WITH OTHER ARTICLES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • F21V19/00—Fastening of light sources or lamp holders
    • F21V19/001—Fastening of light sources or lamp holders the light sources being semiconductors devices, e.g. LEDs
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F21—LIGHTING
    • F21W—INDEXING SCHEME ASSOCIATED WITH SUBCLASSES F21K, F21L, F21S and F21V, RELATING TO USES OR APPLICATIONS OF LIGHTING DEVICES OR SYSTEMS
    • F21W2103/00—Exterior vehicle lighting devices for signalling purposes
    • F21W2103/60—Projection of signs from lighting devices, e.g. symbols or information being projected onto the road
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F21—LIGHTING
    • F21W—INDEXING SCHEME ASSOCIATED WITH SUBCLASSES F21K, F21L, F21S and F21V, RELATING TO USES OR APPLICATIONS OF LIGHTING DEVICES OR SYSTEMS
    • F21W2107/00—Use or application of lighting devices on or in particular types of vehicles
    • F21W2107/10—Use or application of lighting devices on or in particular types of vehicles for land vehicles
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F21—LIGHTING
    • F21Y—INDEXING SCHEME ASSOCIATED WITH SUBCLASSES F21K, F21L, F21S and F21V, RELATING TO THE FORM OR THE KIND OF THE LIGHT SOURCES OR OF THE COLOUR OF THE LIGHT EMITTED
    • F21Y2115/00—Light-generating elements of semiconductor light sources
    • F21Y2115/10—Light-emitting diodes [LED]

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Microelectronics & Electronic Packaging (AREA)
  • Optics & Photonics (AREA)
  • Non-Portable Lighting Devices Or Systems Thereof (AREA)

Abstract

The application relates to a lamp unit, which can sufficiently maintain the optical characteristics of a projection lens in the lamp unit with a reflective spatial light modulator. The light from the light source (52) reflected by the spatial light modulator (30) is irradiated to the front of the unit through the projection lens (72). At this time, an opening (74 d) is formed in the upper surface wall (74 c) of the lens holder (74) for supporting the projection lens at a position where the reflected light from the light source reaches when the reflective element (30 As) of the spatial light modulator is positioned at the second angular position (i.e., an angular position where the light from the light source is reflected in a direction away from the projection lens). The light-transmitting plate (78) is mounted on the opening. This effectively suppresses the heating of the lens holder and the conduction of the heat to the projection lens via the lens holder. And thus the optical characteristics of the projection lens can be maintained.

Description

Lamp unit
Technical Field
The present application relates to a lamp unit including a reflective spatial light modulator.
Background
Conventionally, as a vehicle-mounted lamp unit, a lamp unit having the following structure is known: which irradiates light from a light source reflected by a spatial light modulator toward the front of a cell through a projection lens.
In "patent document 1", a spatial light modulator having the following structure is described: as a configuration of the spatial light modulator in such a lamp unit, a plurality of reflection elements that reflect light from the light source are provided, and a first angular position that reflects light toward the projection lens and a second angular position that reflects light in a direction deviated from the projection lens can be selectively employed as the angular positions of the respective reflection elements.
The lamp unit described in patent document 1 is configured to be capable of forming various light distribution patterns with high accuracy by controlling the spatial distribution of reflected light in a spatial light modulator.
Prior art literature
Patent literature
Patent document 1: japanese patent laid-open publication 2016-91976
Disclosure of Invention
Problems to be solved by the application
In the lamp unit described in the above patent document 1, the lens holder for supporting the projection lens is supported by a bracket for supporting the spatial light modulator.
In such a lamp unit, the following structure is formed: since the reflected light from the reflecting element located at the second angular position reaches the inner peripheral surface of the lens holder, the lens holder is heated, and the heat is easily conducted to the projection lens via the lens holder. Therefore, in the case where the projection lens is formed of a resin lens or the like, the lens shape may be changed by thermal expansion due to heat conduction, and the optical characteristics of the projection lens may be degraded.
The present application has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object of the present application is to provide a lamp unit including a reflective spatial light modulator, which can sufficiently maintain optical characteristics of a projection lens.
Means for solving the problems
The present application achieves the above object by making improvements in the structure of the lens holder.
That is, a lamp unit according to the present application includes: a light source; a spatial light modulator that reflects light from the light source; and a projection lens for irradiating the light reflected by the spatial light modulator toward the front of the lamp unit, wherein,
the spatial light modulator is configured to: a plurality of reflecting elements for reflecting light from the light source, and a first angular position for reflecting light toward the projection lens and a second angular position for reflecting light toward a direction deviated from the projection lens can be selectively employed as angular positions of the reflecting elements,
the spatial light modulator is supported by a carrier,
the projection lens is supported by a lens holder,
the lens holder is supported by the bracket,
in the lens holder, an opening is formed at a position where reflected light from the reflecting element located at the second angular position reaches,
a light-transmitting plate is mounted at the opening.
The specific forming position, opening shape, and the like are not particularly limited as long as the "opening portion" is formed in the lens holder at a position where the reflected light from the reflecting element located at the second angular position reaches.
The specific mounting structure is not particularly limited as long as the "light-transmitting plate" is mounted on the opening of the lens holder, and for example, a structure in which the light-transmitting plate is mounted by adhesion, fitting, or the like can be employed.
Effects of the application
Since the lamp unit according to the present application is configured to radiate light from the light source reflected by the spatial light modulator toward the front of the unit via the projection lens, various light distribution patterns can be formed with high accuracy by controlling the spatial distribution of the reflected light in the spatial light modulator.
At this time, since the lens holder supporting the projection lens is supported by the bracket supporting the spatial light modulator, the reflected light from the reflecting element located at the second angular position (i.e., the angular position at which the light from the light source is reflected in the direction deviated from the projection lens) reaches the inner peripheral surface of the lens holder, but since the opening is formed in the lens holder at the position where the reflected light from the reflecting element located at the second angular position reaches, the light transmitting plate is mounted at the opening, the following operational effects can be obtained.
That is, even if the reflected light from the reflecting element located at the second angular position reaches the inner peripheral surface of the lens holder, the reflected light passes through the light-transmitting plate fitted to the opening portion and advances toward the outer peripheral side space of the lens holder, so that the lens holder can be effectively suppressed from being heated. Thereby, heat conduction to the projection lens via the lens holder can be effectively suppressed.
Therefore, even when the projection lens is formed of a resin lens or the like, the change in the lens shape due to thermal expansion caused by heat conduction can be effectively suppressed, and the optical characteristics of the projection lens can be maintained.
In addition, the light-transmitting plate is attached to the opening, so that intrusion of dust and the like into the inner peripheral side space of the lens holder through the opening can be prevented.
As described above, according to the present application, the optical characteristics of the projection lens can be sufficiently maintained in the lamp unit including the reflective spatial light modulator. In addition, this makes it possible to maintain the function of forming various light distribution patterns with high accuracy as a lamp unit.
In the above configuration, if the lens holder is configured to be further arranged in a state of closing the space between the bracket and the projection lens, it is possible to prevent foreign matter from adhering to the surface of the spatial light modulator.
Further, although the space between the bracket and the projection lens is thus closed, since the reflected light from the reflecting element located at the second angular position passes through the light-transmitting plate fitted to the opening portion of the lens holder and advances toward the outer peripheral side space of the lens holder, the lens holder can be effectively suppressed from being heated.
In the above configuration, if a light shielding member for shielding light reflected by the reflecting element located at the second angular position and transmitted through the light transmitting plate is further disposed in the outer peripheral side space of the lens holder, it is possible to prevent light that has transmitted through the light transmitting plate attached to the opening and has advanced to the outer peripheral side space of the lens holder from becoming stray light.
In this case, if the light shielding member is supported by the bracket, the following operational effects can be obtained.
That is, since the bracket is located farther from the projection lens than the lens holder, even if heat is conducted to the bracket via the light shielding member, heat can be made difficult to be conducted to the projection lens.
In the above configuration, if the light shielding member is supported by the electromagnetic shield in addition to the configuration in which the spatial light modulator is covered with the electromagnetic shield from the cell rear side, the following operational effects can be obtained.
That is, by adopting a configuration in which the spatial light modulator is covered from the unit rear side by the electromagnetic shield, the spatial light modulator can be protected from electromagnetic interference generated by repeating the turning on/off of the light source, and thus adverse effects on the control of the spatial light modulator can be effectively suppressed.
Further, since the electromagnetic shield is located further away from the projection lens than the bracket, the effect that even if heat is conducted to the electromagnetic shield via the light shielding member, heat is less likely to be conducted to the projection lens can be improved.
In the above configuration, if the configuration is further configured to include a reflector for reflecting light from the light source toward the spatial light modulator, the light source and the reflector are supported by the bracket at a position lower than the spatial light modulator, the following operational effects can be obtained.
That is, in the case of such a configuration, since the reflected light from the reflecting element located at the second angular position reaches the inner peripheral surface of the upper surface wall of the lens holder, even if heat is conducted from the light-transmitting plate fitted to the opening portion of the upper surface wall to the upper surface wall, the heat can be efficiently released.
Further, by the structure in which the light source and the reflector are supported by the bracket, the positional relationship accuracy between the light source and the reflector and the spatial light modulator can be improved.
Drawings
Fig. 1 is a side cross-sectional view showing a vehicle lamp including a lamp unit according to an embodiment of the present application.
Fig. 2 is a perspective view showing the lamp unit.
Fig. 3 is a plan view showing the lamp unit.
Fig. 4 is a perspective view showing the lamp unit in an exploded manner.
Fig. 5 is a detailed view of the main part of fig. 1.
Fig. 6 is a detailed view of the main part of fig. 5.
Fig. 7 is a perspective view showing a light distribution pattern formed by the irradiation light from the lamp unit.
Fig. 8 shows a first modification of the above embodiment, and is the same as fig. 5.
Fig. 9 shows a second modification of the above embodiment, and is the same as fig. 5.
Description of the reference numerals
10: a lamp unit;
20: a spatial light modulation unit;
22: a support substrate;
24: a heat sink for a spatial light modulator;
24a: a protruding portion;
24b: radiating fins for spatial light modulator;
26: a socket;
30: a spatial light modulator;
30A: a reflection control unit;
30As: a reflective element;
30B: a frame body part;
30C: a light-transmitting plate;
40: a bracket;
40A: a vertical face;
40Aa: an opening portion;
40Ab: a protruding portion;
40Ac: a bracket annular flange portion;
40B: a frame-like portion;
50: a light source side subassembly;
52: a light source;
54: a reflector;
54a: mounting feet;
56: a substrate;
58: a connector;
60: a control substrate;
62A: a first connector;
62B: a second connector;
64: a flexible printed wiring board;
70: a lens side subassembly;
72: a projection lens;
72A: a first lens;
72B: a second lens;
72C: a third lens;
74: a lens holder;
74a: a flange portion;
74b: a lower protruding portion;
74c: an upper surface wall;
74d: an opening portion;
74e: a lens holder annular flange portion;
76A: a first metal piece;
76B: a second metal piece;
78: a light-transmitting plate;
84. 184, 284: a light shielding member;
80: radiator for light source;
80a: radiating fins for light sources;
82: a cooling fan;
90. 290: an electromagnetic shield;
90a, 290a: an upper surface portion;
100: a lamp for a vehicle;
102: a lamp body;
104: a light-transmitting cover;
ax: an optical axis;
ax1: a central axis;
CL1: a horizontal cutoff line;
CL2: tilting the cutoff line;
e: an elbow point;
f: a rear focal point;
PA: a light distribution pattern for road surface drawing;
PL: a light distribution pattern for low beam;
r1 and R2: an optical path;
z1: an area.
Detailed Description
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present application will be described with reference to the drawings.
Fig. 1 is a side cross-sectional view showing a vehicle lamp 100 including a lamp unit 10 according to an embodiment of the present application. Fig. 2 is a perspective view showing the lamp unit 10, and fig. 3 is a plan view showing the lamp unit 10. Fig. 4 is a perspective view showing the lamp unit 10 in a disassembled state.
In these figures, the direction indicated by X is "front of the cell", the direction indicated by Y is "left direction" orthogonal to "front of the cell" (the "right direction" when the cell is viewed from the front), and the direction indicated by Z is "up direction". The same applies to the drawings other than these drawings.
The vehicle lamp 100 is a road surface drawing lamp provided at a front end portion of a vehicle, and is configured as follows: the lamp unit 10 is accommodated in a lamp chamber formed by the lamp body 102 and the translucent cover 104 in a state in which an optical axis is adjusted so that a front-rear direction (i.e., a unit front-rear direction) coincides with a vehicle front-rear direction.
The lamp unit 10 is configured to include the spatial light modulation unit 20, the light source side subassembly 50, the lens side subassembly 70, and the bracket 40 for supporting them.
The bracket 40 is a metal member (for example, aluminum die cast), and includes a vertical surface portion 40A extending along a vertical surface orthogonal to the front-rear direction of the unit, and a shelf portion 40B extending toward the front of the unit in a lower region of the vertical surface portion 40A.
The lamp unit 10 is supported by the lamp body 102 via a mounting structure, not shown, in the vertical surface portion 40A of the bracket 40, and can tilt in the up-down direction and the left-right direction with respect to the lamp body 102.
The spatial light modulation unit 20 includes: a spatial light modulator 30; a support substrate 22 disposed at a position on the cell rear side of the spatial light modulator 30; and a spatial light modulator heat sink 24 disposed at a position on the rear side of the support substrate 22. At this time, the support substrate 22 is formed to extend to a position lower than the spatial light modulator heat sink 24.
The light source side subassembly 50 includes a pair of left and right light sources (specifically, light emitting diodes) 52 mounted on a substrate 56, and a reflector 54 for reflecting light emitted from each light source 52 toward the spatial light modulation unit 20. At this time, the reflection surface of the reflector 54 is configured to focus the light emitted from each light source 52 at a position displaced upward with respect to the rear focal point F (see fig. 1) of the projection lens 72. A connector 58 for supplying power to the pair of right and left light sources 52 is mounted on the board 56.
The frame-like portion 40B of the bracket 40 extends horizontally from the vertical surface portion 40A toward the front of the unit, and then extends obliquely downward and forward, and the substrate 56 and the reflector 54 of the light source side subassembly 50 are supported on the upper surface of the inclined region. Further, at the lower end portion of the reflector 54, a mounting leg portion 54a for mounting to the frame-like portion 40B of the bracket 40 is formed so as to surround the connector 58.
The lens-side subassembly 70 includes: a projection lens 72 having an optical axis Ax extending in the unit front-rear direction; and a lens holder 74 that supports the projection lens 72, the lens-side subassembly 70 being supported by the bracket 40 at a rear end portion of the lens holder 74.
A light source heat sink 80 and a cooling fan 82 for releasing heat generated by the lighting of the light sources 52 are disposed below the frame-like portion 40B of the bracket 40. The light source heat sink 80 is integrally formed with the bracket 40, and includes a plurality of light source heat radiating fins 80a extending toward the rear of the unit. The cooling fan 82 is disposed on the unit rear side of the plurality of light source heat radiating fins 80a.
The lamp unit 10 according to the present embodiment is configured as follows: by radiating the light from each light source 52 reflected by the reflector 54 toward the front of the unit via the spatial light modulator 30 and the projection lens 72, a light distribution pattern (i.e., a light distribution pattern for road surface drawing) in which characters, marks, and the like are drawn can be formed on the road surface in front of the vehicle with high accuracy.
To achieve this, the lamp unit 10 is formed as follows: the control board 60 is provided with a control circuit (not shown) for controlling the spatial light modulator 30 based on a video signal from an in-vehicle camera (not shown) mounted on the control board 60.
As shown in fig. 1, the control board 60 is disposed so as to face the support board 22 (specifically, so as to extend parallel to the support board 22) at a position on the rear side of the unit with respect to the spatial light modulator heat sink 24, and is supported by an electromagnetic shield 90 or the like, which will be described later, via a support member, not shown. The control board 60 is electrically connected to the support board 22 via a flexible printed wiring board 64.
The first connector 62A is mounted on the support substrate 22, and the second connector 62B is mounted on the control substrate 60. The first connector 62A is disposed in a state of being opened downward at the lower end portion of the front surface of the support substrate 22, and the second connector 62B is disposed in a state of being opened downward at the lower end portion of the rear surface of the control substrate 60.
The flexible printed wiring board 64 is disposed below the support substrate 22 and the control substrate 60. At this time, the flexible printed wiring board 64 is disposed in a U-shape extending when viewed from the unit side, and both ends thereof are inserted into the openings of the first connector 62A and the second connector 62B from the lower side.
Fig. 5 shows the detailed structure of the spatial light modulation unit 20, and is a detailed view of the main part of fig. 1.
As shown in fig. 5, the spatial light modulator 30 is a Digital Micromirror Device (DMD) and includes: a reflection control unit 30A in which a plurality of reflection elements (specifically, hundreds of thousands of micromirrors) 30As are arranged in a matrix; a housing portion 30B that accommodates the reflection control portion 30A; and a light-transmitting plate 30C supported by the frame 30B in a state of being disposed on the front side of the unit than the reflection control portion 30A.
The spatial light modulator 30 is configured such that its reflection control section 30A is located on a vertical plane orthogonal to the optical axis Ax at the rear focal point F of the projection lens 72. At this time, the central axis Ax1 of the reflection control section 30A extends in the cell front-rear direction at a position displaced upward with respect to the optical axis Ax.
Further, the spatial light modulator 30 is formed as follows: by controlling the angles of the reflection surfaces of the plurality of reflection elements 30As constituting the reflection control section 30A, the reflection direction of the light from each light source 52 reaching each reflection element 30As can be selectively switched. Specifically, a first angular position at which the light from each light source 52 is reflected in the direction of the optical path R1 toward the projection lens 72 (the direction indicated by the solid line in the figure) and a second angular position at which the light is reflected in the direction of the optical path R2 away from the projection lens 72 (i.e., the direction that does not adversely affect the formation of the light distribution pattern) are selected.
Fig. 6 shows the detailed structure of the reflection control section 30A, and is a detailed view of the main part of fig. 5.
As shown in fig. 6, each of the reflection elements 30As constituting the reflection control section 30A is configured to be rotatable about a horizontal axis extending in the left-right direction, and in a first angular position, the reflected light from the reflector 54 (see fig. 5) is reflected toward the front of the unit As light slightly upward (light of the optical path R1) while in a second angular position, the reflected light from the reflector 54 is reflected toward the front of the unit As light substantially upward (light of the optical path R2) while being rotated downward by a predetermined angle (for example, by about 12 °) with respect to a vertical plane orthogonal to the central axis Ax1, opposite to the vertical plane orthogonal to the central axis Ax 1.
The switching between the first angular position and the second angular position is performed by controlling the energization to an electrode (not shown) disposed in the vicinity of a member (not shown) rotatably supporting each of the reflection elements 30 As. In the neutral state in which the current is not supplied, the reflection surfaces of the reflection elements 30As are arranged coplanar with each other along a vertical plane orthogonal to the central axis Ax 1.
In fig. 6, the reflection element 30As located in the vicinity of the central axis Ax1 of the reflection control section 30A is shown in a state where the reflection element 30As located in the lower region thereof is located at the first angular position.
As shown in fig. 5, the support substrate 22 is disposed so as to extend along a vertical plane orthogonal to the front-rear direction of the unit (i.e., a vertical plane orthogonal to the optical axis Ax and the central axis Ax 1), and a conductive pattern (not shown) is formed on the front surface thereof. The support substrate 22 supports the peripheral edge portion of the frame portion 30B of the spatial light modulator 30 from the unit rear side via the socket 26, and thereby the spatial light modulator 30 is electrically connected to the support substrate 22.
The spatial light modulator 30 is supported from both sides in the cell front-rear direction by the vertical surface portion 40A of the bracket 40 and the spatial light modulator heat sink 24.
The spatial light modulator heat sink 24 is disposed so as to extend along a vertical plane orthogonal to the front-rear direction of the cell, and has a front surface on which a protrusion 24a protruding in a prismatic shape toward the front of the cell is formed, and a rear surface on which a plurality of spatial light modulator heat dissipation fins 24b extending toward the rear of the cell are formed. The front end surface of the protrusion 24a of the heat sink 24 for the spatial light modulator is in contact with the central portion of the housing 30B of the spatial light modulator 30.
A horizontally long rectangular opening 40Aa surrounding the light-transmitting plate 30C of the spatial light modulator 30 is formed in the vertical surface portion 40A of the bracket 40. The opening 40Aa has an inner peripheral surface shape which is chamfered so as to spread over the entire circumference thereof toward the front of the unit.
Further, on the rear surface of the vertical surface portion 40A of the bracket 40, three projecting portions 40Ab projecting cylindrically toward the rear of the unit are formed at three positions surrounding the opening portion 40Aa, and further, on the outer peripheral side thereof, a bracket annular flange portion 40Ac projecting toward the rear of the unit is formed to extend in a horizontally long rectangular shape.
In the vertical surface portion 40A of the bracket 40, the front end surfaces of the three-position protrusions 40Ab are in contact with the front surface of the frame portion 30B of the spatial light modulator 30, and at this time, the bracket annular flange portion 40Ac covers the spatial light modulator 30 over the entire circumference.
As shown in fig. 1, an electromagnetic shield 90 for protecting the spatial light modulator 30 from electromagnetic interference caused by repetition of turning on and off of the light source 52 is disposed on the unit rear side of the bracket 40. The electromagnetic shield 90 is made of metal (for example, steel), is disposed so as to cover the spatial light modulation unit 20 and the control board 60 from the unit rear side, and is fixed to the vertical surface portion 40A of the bracket 40 by screw fastening or the like. The electromagnetic shield 90 forms a part of the lamp unit 10, but the lamp unit 10 is shown in a state in which the electromagnetic shield 90 is removed in fig. 2 to 4.
Next, a specific configuration of the lens-side subassembly 70 will be described.
As shown in fig. 1, the projection lens 72 is configured by a first lens 72A, a second lens 72B, and a third lens 72C arranged in the unit front-rear direction on the optical axis Ax.
The first lens 72A located on the most forward side of the cell is configured as a plano-convex lens bulging toward the front of the cell, the second lens 72B located in the center is configured as a biconcave lens, and the third lens 72C located on the most rearward side of the cell is configured as a biconvex lens.
The first lens 72A, the second lens 72B, and the third lens 72C are each composed of a resin lens. Specifically, the first lens 72A and the third lens 72C are made of acrylic resin, and the second lens 72B is made of polycarbonate resin.
The first lens 72A, the second lens 72B, and the third lens 72C each have a rectangular outer peripheral shape when viewed from the front of the unit, and are supported by a common lens holder 74 in both left and right side portions of the outer peripheral portion thereof.
The lens holder 74 is a member made of metal (for example, aluminum die cast), and is formed to cylindrically surround the projection lens 72 in a rectangular cross-sectional shape.
In the lens holder 74, a first metal piece 76A is fitted from the unit front side, and a second metal piece 76B is fitted from the unit rear side, whereby the first lens 72A, the second lens 72B, and the third lens 72C are fixed to the lens holder 74. At this time, the first metal piece 76A is fitted to the outer peripheral surface side of the lens holder 74, and the second metal piece 76B is fitted to the inner peripheral surface side of the lens holder 74.
As shown in fig. 2, a pair of left and right flange portions 74a are formed at the rear end portion of the lens holder 74. The lens holder 74 is fixed to the vertical surface portion 40A of the bracket 40 by screw fastening at each flange portion 74a.
A lower protruding portion 74b protruding downward is formed in a rear region of the lower surface wall of the lens holder 74. The lower protruding portion 74B has a lower surface shape formed along the horizontal surface shape and the inclined surface shape of the shelf portion 40B of the bracket 40 and the outer peripheral surface shape of the mounting leg portion 54a of the reflector 54. The lens holder 74 is fixed to the vertical surface portion 40A of the bracket 40 with the lower protruding portion 74B being placed on the frame portion 40B of the bracket 40. Thereby, the lens holder 74 is disposed in a state where the space between the bracket 40 and the projection lens 72 is closed.
As shown in fig. 5, an opening 74d is formed in a rear region of the upper surface wall 74c of the lens holder 74, and a light-transmitting plate 78 is fitted in the opening 74 d.
The opening 74d is formed in the upper surface wall 74c of the lens holder 74 at a position where the reflected light (i.e., the light of the optical path R2) from the reflection element 30As located at the second angular position reaches. The opening 74d has an opening shape of a laterally long rectangle in plan view, and a lens holder annular flange 74e is formed at the lower end of the inner peripheral surface thereof.
The light-transmitting plate 78 is a plate-like member made of a transparent resin (for example, made of an acrylic resin or a polycarbonate resin) having an outer peripheral surface shape substantially equal to the inner peripheral surface shape of the opening 74d, and is bonded to the upper surface wall 74c in a state of being fitted into the opening 74d from above and placed on the lens holder annular flange 74e. The light-transmitting plate 78 is formed so that its upper surface is flush with the upper surface of the upper surface wall 74c of the lens holder 74 when fitted to the opening 74 d.
In the outer peripheral side space of the lens holder 74, a light shielding member 84 that shields light reflected by the reflection element 30As located at the second angular position and transmitted through the light transmitting plate 78 is arranged.
Specifically, the light shielding member 84 is made of a metal plate (e.g., a steel plate) and is supported by the bracket 40 in a state of being disposed so as to cover the light-transmitting plate 78 from above. The light shielding member 84 is fixed to the vertical surface portion 40A of the bracket 40 at its rear end portion by screw fastening or the like, thereby supporting the bracket 40.
As shown in fig. 1, since the optical axis Ax of the projection lens 72 is displaced downward from the central axis Ax1 of the reflection control section 30A of the spatial light modulator 30, the light that reaches the projection lens 72 from the reflection control section 30A is irradiated from the projection lens 72 toward the front of the unit as light that is slightly downward from the horizontal direction, and thereby a light distribution pattern for road surface drawing is formed on the road surface in front of the vehicle.
Fig. 7 is a perspective view showing a light distribution pattern formed on a virtual vertical screen arranged 25 meters in front of the vehicle by the irradiation light from the vehicle lamp 10.
The light distribution pattern shown in fig. 7 is a light distribution pattern PA for road surface drawing, and is formed together with a light distribution pattern PL for low beam formed by irradiation light from another vehicle lamp, not shown.
Before explaining the light distribution pattern PA for road surface drawing, the light distribution pattern PL for low beam will be explained.
The low beam light distribution pattern PL is a low beam light distribution pattern of a left light distribution, and has cutoff lines CL1, CL2 at the upper edge thereof.
Of the cut-off lines CL1, CL2, a horizontal cut-off line CL1 is formed on the right side of the opposite lane side of a V-V line passing through the extinguishing point H-V in the front direction of the lamp in the vertical direction, and an inclined cut-off line CL2 is formed on the left side of the V-V line, and an elbow point E, which is the intersection of the two, is located below about 0.5 to 0.6 DEG of H-V.
The road surface drawing light distribution pattern PA is a light distribution pattern for performing road surface drawing for promoting attention to the surrounding, and is formed as a light distribution pattern for performing drawing of characters, marks, and the like on the road surface in front of the vehicle. The light distribution pattern PA for road surface drawing shown in fig. 7 is formed as an arrow-shaped light distribution pattern directed in the front direction of the vehicle.
The light distribution pattern PA for road surface drawing is formed by directing reflected light from a part of the plurality of reflection elements 30As (for example, the reflection elements 30As located in the area set in the shape of an arrow) constituting the reflection control portion 30A of the spatial light modulator 30 toward the projection lens 72.
When the vehicle is traveling at night, by forming the light distribution pattern PA for road surface drawing in the shape of such an arrow, for example, the notification to the surroundings is promoted and attention is paid to the fact that the own vehicle is approaching an intersection in front of the vehicle.
The region Z1 indicated by a two-dot chain line in fig. 7 indicates a range in which various light distribution patterns PA for road surface drawing can be formed. The region Z1 is a rectangular region centered on a V-V line, and the upper edge thereof is located near the lower portion of an H-H line passing through H-V in the horizontal direction.
Next, the operation of the present embodiment will be described.
Since the lamp unit 10 according to the present embodiment is configured to irradiate the light from the light source 52 reflected by the spatial light modulator 30 toward the front of the unit via the projection lens 72, various light distribution patterns PA for road surface drawing can be formed with high accuracy by controlling the spatial distribution of the reflected light in the spatial light modulator 30.
At this time, since the lens holder 74 that supports the projection lens 72 is supported by the bracket 40 that supports the spatial light modulator 30, the reflected light from the reflection element 30As located at the second angular position (i.e., the angular position at which the light from the light source 52 is reflected in the direction deviated from the projection lens 72) reaches the inner peripheral surface of the lens holder 74, and the opening 74d is formed in the lens holder 74 at the position at which the reflected light from the reflection element 30As located at the second angular position reaches, the light transmitting plate 78 is mounted in the opening 74d, so that the following operational effects can be obtained.
That is, even if the reflected light from the reflection element 30As located at the second angular position reaches the inner peripheral surface of the lens holder 74, the reflected light passes through the light-transmitting plate 78 fitted to the opening 74d and advances toward the outer peripheral side space of the lens holder 74, so that the lens holder 74 can be effectively suppressed from being heated. Thereby, heat conduction to the projection lens 72 via the lens holder 74 can be effectively suppressed.
Accordingly, even though the projection lens 72 is composed of a resin lens, the change in the lens shape due to thermal expansion caused by heat conduction can be effectively suppressed, and thus the optical characteristics of the projection lens 72 can be maintained.
Further, by attaching the light-transmitting plate 78 to the opening 74d, intrusion of dust and the like into the inner peripheral side space of the lens holder 74 through the opening 74d can be prevented.
As described above, according to the present embodiment, the optical characteristics of the projection lens 72 can be sufficiently maintained in the lamp unit 10 including the reflective spatial light modulator 30. Thus, the lamp unit 10 can maintain a function of forming various light distribution patterns with high accuracy.
In the present embodiment, the lens holder 74 is disposed in a state where the space between the bracket 40 and the projection lens 72 is closed, so that it is possible to prevent foreign matter from adhering to the surface of the spatial light modulator 30.
Further, although the space between the bracket 40 and the projection lens 72 is thus closed, since the reflected light from the reflection element 30As located at the second angular position passes through the light-transmitting plate 78 fitted to the opening 74d of the lens holder 74 and advances toward the outer peripheral side space of the lens holder 74, the lens holder 74 can be effectively suppressed from being heated.
In the present embodiment, since the light shielding member 84 for shielding the light reflected by the reflection element 30As located at the second angular position and transmitted through the light-transmitting plate 78 is disposed in the outer peripheral space of the lens holder 74, the light traveling toward the outer peripheral space of the lens holder 74 through the light-transmitting plate 78 attached to the opening 74d can be prevented from becoming stray light.
At this time, in the present embodiment, since the light shielding member 84 is supported by the bracket 40, the following operational effects can be obtained.
That is, since the bracket 40 is located at a position farther from the projection lens 72 than the lens holder 74, even if heat is conducted to the bracket 40 via the light shielding member 84, heat is made difficult to be conducted to the projection lens 72.
In the lamp unit 10 according to the present embodiment, since the light source 52 and the reflector 54 are supported by the bracket 40 at a position below the spatial light modulator 30, the reflected light from the reflection element 30As located at the second angular position reaches the inner peripheral surface of the upper surface wall 74c of the lens holder 74, and therefore, even if heat is conducted from the light-transmitting plate 78 attached to the opening 74d of the upper surface wall 74c to the upper surface wall 74c, the heat can be efficiently released.
Further, by configuring the light source 52 and the reflector 54 to be supported by the bracket 40 in this way, the positional relationship accuracy between the light source 52, the reflector 54, and the spatial light modulator 30 can be improved.
In the above embodiment, the light-transmitting plate 78 is described as a plate-like member made of transparent resin, but a glass plate or the like may be used.
In the above embodiment, the case where the light shielding member 84 is a metal plate has been described, but an aluminum die cast product or the like may be used.
In the above embodiment, the case where the lamp unit 10 is the vehicle-mounted lamp unit has been described, but the lamp unit may be used for applications other than the vehicle-mounted lamp unit (for example, applications such as street lamp units configured to draw a road surface from a direction directly above).
Next, a modification of the above embodiment will be described.
First, a first modification of the above embodiment will be described.
Fig. 8 is a view similar to fig. 5 showing the main parts of the lamp unit according to the present modification.
The basic structure of the present modification is the same as in the case of the above embodiment, but the structure of the light shielding member 184 is different from that in the case of the above embodiment.
That is, the light shielding member 184 of the present modification is also made of a metal plate and is disposed so as to cover the light transmitting plate 78 from above, but the light shielding member 184 is supported by the electromagnetic shield 90. At this time, the light shielding member 184 is fixed to the upper surface portion 90a of the electromagnetic shield 90 at the rear end portion thereof by spot welding, adhesion, or the like, to support the electromagnetic shield 90.
Even in the case of the structure of the present modification, the same operational effects as in the case of the above-described embodiment can be obtained.
In addition, in the present modification, since the light shielding member 184 is supported by the electromagnetic shield 90 located further from the projection lens 72 than the bracket 40, even if heat is conducted to the electromagnetic shield 90 via the light shielding member 184, the effect of making it difficult to conduct heat to the projection lens 72 can be improved.
Next, a second modification of the above embodiment will be described.
Fig. 9 is a view similar to fig. 5 showing the main parts of the lamp unit according to the present modification.
The basic structure of the present modification is the same as in the case of the above embodiment, but the structure of the light shielding member 284 is different from that of the above embodiment.
That is, the light shielding member 284 of the present modification is also made of a metal plate and is disposed so as to cover the light transmitting plate 78 from above, but the light shielding member 284 is integrally formed with the electromagnetic shield 290.
Specifically, the electromagnetic shield 290 according to the present modification is similar in basic structure to the electromagnetic shield 90 according to the above embodiment, but is different from the above embodiment in that the upper surface 290a is partially formed to extend toward the front side of the unit and the light shielding member 284 is formed by the portion formed by the extension.
Even in the case of the structure of the present modification, the same operational effects as in the case of the above-described embodiment can be obtained.
In the present modification, the same operational effects as in the case of the first modification can be obtained without increasing the number of components.
In the above embodiment and the modification thereof, the numerical values shown as the specification are merely examples, and these may be appropriately set to different values.
The present application is not limited to the configuration described in the above embodiment and the modification examples thereof, and various modifications other than the above may be employed.

Claims (4)

1. A lamp unit is provided with: a light source; a spatial light modulator that reflects light from the light source; and a projection lens for irradiating the light reflected by the spatial light modulator toward the front of the lamp unit, wherein,
the spatial light modulator is configured to: a plurality of reflecting elements for reflecting light from the light source, and a first angular position for reflecting light toward the projection lens and a second angular position for reflecting light toward a direction deviated from the projection lens can be selectively employed as angular positions of the reflecting elements,
the spatial light modulator is supported by a carrier,
the projection lens is supported by a lens holder formed in a rectangular cross-sectional shape and cylindrically surrounding the projection lens,
the lens holder is supported by the bracket,
an opening is formed in the upper surface wall of the lens holder at a position where reflected light from the reflecting element located at the second angular position reaches,
a light-transmitting plate is mounted at the opening portion,
a light shielding member for shielding light reflected by the reflecting element at the second angular position and transmitted through the light transmitting plate is arranged in the outer peripheral side space of the lens holder,
the spatial light modulator is covered by an electromagnetic shield from the rear side of the lamp unit,
the light shielding member is supported by the electromagnetic shield,
the optical axis of the projection lens is displaced downward with respect to the central axis of the reflection control section of the spatial light modulator.
2. A lighting unit as recited in claim 1, wherein,
the lens holder is disposed in a state of closing a space between the bracket and the projection lens.
3. A lighting unit as recited in claim 1, wherein,
the light shielding member is supported by the bracket.
4. A light fixture unit as recited in claim 1 or claim 2, wherein,
the luminaire unit is provided with a reflector for reflecting light from the light source towards the spatial light modulator,
the light source and the reflector are supported by the bracket at a position below the spatial light modulator.
CN202010854169.9A 2019-09-02 2020-08-24 Lamp unit Active CN112443809B (en)

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JP2019159528A JP2021039868A (en) 2019-09-02 2019-09-02 Lighting appliance unit
JP2019-159528 2019-09-02

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CN112443809B true CN112443809B (en) 2023-08-18

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CN206592976U (en) * 2016-11-03 2017-10-27 武汉通畅汽车电子照明有限公司 A kind of intelligent automotive light module relay lens group
JP2018037323A (en) * 2016-09-01 2018-03-08 スタンレー電気株式会社 Vehicular headlight device
CN109690180A (en) * 2016-09-08 2019-04-26 Zkw集团有限责任公司 Headlight for vehicle

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* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CN1580867A (en) * 2003-08-14 2005-02-16 台达电子工业股份有限公司 Digital light treating projecting system and its projecting method
CN1811522A (en) * 2005-01-27 2006-08-02 乐金电子（沈阳）有限公司 Optical system for projection image display equipment
CN102478190A (en) * 2010-11-19 2012-05-30 现代自动车株式会社 Intelligent head lamp assembly for vehicle
CN202419429U (en) * 2012-01-16 2012-09-05 安徽师范大学 Self-adaptive automobile headlamp device based on digital micro-mirror element
JP2018037323A (en) * 2016-09-01 2018-03-08 スタンレー電気株式会社 Vehicular headlight device
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