EP2246872B1 - Vehicle headlamp - Google Patents

Vehicle headlamp Download PDF

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Publication number
EP2246872B1
EP2246872B1 EP10160520A EP10160520A EP2246872B1 EP 2246872 B1 EP2246872 B1 EP 2246872B1 EP 10160520 A EP10160520 A EP 10160520A EP 10160520 A EP10160520 A EP 10160520A EP 2246872 B1 EP2246872 B1 EP 2246872B1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
ceramic arc
arc tube
light emitting
tube
emitting portion
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.)
Not-in-force
Application number
EP10160520A
Other languages
German (de)
English (en)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP2246872A1 (en
Inventor
Toru Ito
Yukihiro Onoda
Toshiaki Tsuda
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
Application filed by Koito Manufacturing Co Ltd filed Critical Koito Manufacturing Co Ltd
Publication of EP2246872A1 publication Critical patent/EP2246872A1/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP2246872B1 publication Critical patent/EP2246872B1/en
Not-in-force legal-status Critical Current
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical

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Classifications

    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01J—ELECTRIC DISCHARGE TUBES OR DISCHARGE LAMPS
    • H01J61/00—Gas-discharge or vapour-discharge lamps
    • H01J61/02—Details
    • H01J61/30—Vessels; Containers
    • H01J61/34—Double-wall vessels or containers
    • 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
    • F21S41/17—Discharge light sources
    • F21S41/172—High-intensity discharge light sources

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a headlamp for use in a vehicle. Specifically, the invention relates to technology in which a ceramic arc tube is inclined in the horizontal direction to thereby secure the maximum radiance of a high level.
  • a headlamp for use in a vehicle which is hereinafter referred to as a vehicle headlamp
  • a vehicle headlamp there are several types, for example, a type in which an incandescent lamp (an incandescent bulb) or a halogen lamp (a halogen bulb) is used as a light source, and a type in which a discharge lamp (a discharge bulb) is used as a light source.
  • an incandescent lamp an incandescent bulb
  • a halogen lamp a halogen bulb
  • a discharge lamp a discharge bulb
  • a filament of the incandescent lamp or halogen lamp substantially uniformly emits light to provide a rod-like light emitting portion. Owing to this, when such vehicle headlamp is used as a reflection type lamp using a reflector or the like, there is an advantage that a control of a light distribution according to a shape of a reflecting surface of the reflector is easy.
  • the discharge lamp can provide a larger quantity of light than the incandescent lamp and halogen lamp and thus can enhance the radiance thereof. Also, the discharge lamp has another advantage that it has a longer life than the incandescent lamp and halogen lamp.
  • the discharge lamp Since the discharge lamp has higher radiance and longer life than the incandescent lamp and halogen lamp, a vehicle headlamp of a type including the discharge lamp becomes widely used.
  • Some discharge lamp is structured in the following manner. That is, it includes a ceramic arc tube disposed within an outer tube.
  • the ceramic arc tube is used to hold a pair of electrodes and also contains a gas such as an inert gas enclosed therein.
  • the ceramic arc tube includes a light emitting portion, within which discharge is carried out, and a pair of fine tube portions respectively disposed on the mutually opposite sides with the light emitting portion between them.
  • the light emitting portion is a portion in which an arc is generated when the discharge is carried out and also which is formed larger in diameter than the fine tube portions.
  • the discharge lamp In the discharge lamp, a given starting voltage is applied to the pair of electrodes held by the ceramic arc tube and the discharge of the ceramic arc tube is executed in the light emitting portion, whereby the discharge lamp is started to turn ON.
  • the ceramic arc tube includes first and second portions connected together and a central portion of the light emitting portion is used as the connecting portion between the first and second portions (see, for example, EP2000447A2 ).
  • the ceramic arc tube As described above, there is widely used a method in which the two portions are connected together to form the ceramic arc tube. Therefore, when the ceramic arc tube is formed by connecting together the two portions, the stability of the shape of the ceramic arc tube can be secured and also, due to the facilitated formation thereof, the manufacturing cost thereof can be reduced.
  • JP 2007 188758 A relates to a vehicular headlight provided with a projection lens arranged on an optical axis, a light bulb and a reflector.
  • JP 7 114807 A discloses a headlamp device for a vehicle including a reflecting mirror, a lamp body and a lamp.
  • US 2006/0171162 A1 discloses a vehicle lamp with a light source, a reflector and a projection lens.
  • One or more embodiments of the present invention provide a vehicle headlamp which can secure the maximum radiance of a high level.
  • a vehicle headlamp 1 is provided with: a discharge lamp 8 as a light source.
  • the discharge lamp 8 is provided with: an outer tube 18 mounted on a socket 17; a ceramic arc tube 19 disposed within the outer tube 18 and including a light emitting portion 20, a first fine tube portion 21a that is continuous with the light emitting portion 20 at a first side of the light emitting portion 20, and a second fine tube portion 21b that is continuous with the light emitting portion 20 at a second side of the light emitting portion 20 which is opposite to said first side; and a pair of electrodes 24, 25 respectively disposed within the ceramic arc tube 19.
  • the ceramic arc tube 19 is inclined with respect to the horizontal direction H.
  • the discharge lamp is turned on in a state where the ceramic arc tube is inclined with respect to the horizontal direction, whereby the light is emitted from the vehicle headlamp.
  • the outer tube 18 further includes a tubular portion 18a1 having a cylindrical shape.
  • a central axis of the cylindrical shape may be set on a first axis Ax1.
  • Both a central axis of the first fine tube portion 21a and a central axis of the second fine tube portion 21b may be set on a second axis Ax2.
  • the second axis Ax2 may be inclined with respect to the first axis Ax1.
  • the first axis Ax1 be coincident with the horizontal direction H, when the vehicle headlamp 1 is mounted in a vehicle.
  • a rear end of the outer tube 18 may be attached to the socket 17.
  • the ceramic arc tube 19 may be inclined in a frond side rising state where a front end of the ceramic arc tube 19 is situated upward.
  • a rear end of the outer tube 18 may be attached to the socket 17, the ceramic arc tube 19 may be inclined in a front side falling state where a front end of the ceramic arc tube 19 is situated upward.
  • the ceramic arc tube 19 may include a connecting portion 20a where a first portion 22 and a second portion 23 are connected together.
  • the first portion 22 is defined by the first fine tube portion 21a and a portion of the light emitting portion 20.
  • the second portion 23 is defined by the second fine tube portion 21b and the other remaining portions of the light emitting portion 20.
  • the connecting portion 20a may be positioned nearer to the front end of the ceramic arc tube 19 than a center between the pair of electrodes 24, 25.
  • the ceramic arc tube 19 may include a connecting portion 20a where a first portion 22 and a second portion 23 are connected together.
  • the first portion 22 includes the first fine tube portion 21a and a portion of the light emitting portion 20.
  • the second portion 23 includes the second fine tube portion 21b and the other remaining portions of the light emitting portion 20.
  • a position of the connecting portion 20a in a direction of the second axis Ax2 may be shifted in the direction of the second axis Ax2 from a center between leading edges of the pair of electrodes 24, 25 in the direction of the second axis Ax2.
  • the maximum radiance of a necessary level can be secured without being influenced by a diffusion of the light in the connecting portion and thus sufficient remote visibility can be secured.
  • the range of an area capable of securing the radiance of a high level can be spread, so that the formation of a necessary lighting pattern for the light emitted from the discharge lamp can be facilitated.
  • headlamps are respectively disposed on right and left end portions of a front end portion of a vehicle body.
  • the vehicle headlamp 1 as shown in Fig. 1 , includes a lamp housing 2 having a recessed portion opened up forwardly and a cover 3 for covering the opened surface of the lamp housing 2, while the lamp housing 2 and cover 3 cooperate together in constituting a lamp casing 4.
  • the inner space of the lamp casing 4 is formed as a lamp chamber 5.
  • An insertion hole 2a is formed in a rear end portion of the lamp housing 2.
  • the insertion hole 2a penetrates back and forth through the housing rear end portion.
  • the insertion hole 2a is closed by a back cover 6.
  • a disposition hole 2b is formed in a lower end portion of the lamp housing 2. The disposition hole 2b penetrates vertically through the housing lower end portion.
  • a reflector 7 is supported by an optical axis adjusting mechanism (not shown) in such a manner that it can be inclined.
  • a mounting hole 7a is formed in a rear end portion of the reflector 7. The mounting hole 7a penetrates back and forth through the reflector rear end portion.
  • a discharge lamp 8 is mounted on the mounting hole 7a of the reflector 7.
  • a discharge lamp lighting device 9 is mounted on the disposition hole 2b of the lamp housing 2.
  • This discharge lamp lighting device 9 is made of a lighting circuit (not shown) which is stored into an interior portion of a case member 10.
  • An input side connector 11 is provided on an outer peripheral surface of the case member 10.
  • An output side connector 12 is provided on the upper surface of the case member 10. The input side connector 11 is connected to a power supply circuit (not shown).
  • the output side connector 12 is connected to a starter device 14 through a feed cable 13.
  • a connector 14a of the starter device 14 is connected to a socket (which will be discussed later) included in the discharge lamp 8.
  • a line voltage of the power supply circuit may be increased using the power supply circuit of the discharge lamp lighting device 9.
  • the line voltage may be DC converted to thereby provide a lighting voltage (starting voltage) which is a high ac voltage.
  • This lighting voltage may be applied to the discharge lamp 8 through the feed cable 13 and starter device 14.
  • An extension 15 is provided in the lamp chamber 5.
  • the extension 15 is used to shield some of composing parts disposed in the lamp chamber 5.
  • a shade (not shown), for shielding a portion of the light to be emitted from the discharge lamp 8, is disposed in the lamp chamber 5.
  • the discharge lamp 8 is structured by connecting a main body 16 to a socket 17 (see Fig. 2 ).
  • the main body 16 includes an outer tube 18 and a ceramic arc tube 19 disposed within the outer tube 18. A rear end of the outer tube 18 is attached to the socket 17.
  • the outer tube 18 includes a closing portion 18a for covering the ceramic arc tube 19 and a holding portion 18b projected forwardly from a front end portion of the closed portion 18a.
  • the outer tube 18 is made of, for example, quartz glass as an integral body.
  • the closing portion 18a includes a tubular portion 18a1 having a cylindrical shape, a central axis of which is set on a first axis Ax1.
  • the ceramic arc tube 19 includes a light emitting portion 20 and two fine tube portions (first fine tube portion 21a and second fine tube portion 21b) respectively formed continuously with front and rear ends of the light emitting portion 20.
  • the fine tube portions 21a and 21b are respectively formed to have substantially cylindrical shapes. Both of a central axis of the first fine tube portion 21a and a central axis of the second fine tube portion 21b are set on a second axis Ax2. Outside diameters of the fine tube portions 21a and 21b are set smaller than an outside diameter of the light emitting portion 20.
  • the light emitting portion 20 there are enclosed metal halides and inert gases such as xenon and argon.
  • the ceramic arc tube 19 is structured such that a first portion 22 and a second portion 23 are connected together.
  • the first portion 22 is structured such that a forwardly situated fine tube portion 21a (the first fine tube portion 21a) and a forward portion of the light emitting portion 20 are formed as an integral body.
  • the second portion 23 is structured such that a backwardly situated fine tube portion 21b (the second fine tube portion 21b) and a backward portion of the light emitting portion 20 are formed as an integral body.
  • connecting portion 20a which is formed by connecting together the first portion 22 and second portion 23.
  • the connecting portion 20a has an uneven portion in its central portion in the back-and-forth direction of the light emitting portion 20.
  • the second axis Ax2 defining the central axes of the fine tube portions 21a, 21b is inclined with respect to the first axis Ax1 defining the central axis of the cylindrical shape of the tubular portion 18a1 of the outer tube 18. That is, when the vehicle headlamp 1 is mounted in a vehicle so that the first axis Ax1 coincident with the horizontal direction, the ceramic arc tube 19 is inclined with respect to the horizontal direction (in Figs. 1 and 2 , which is shown by "H"). Further, in the embodiment of Fig. 2 , the ceramic arc tube 19 is inclined in a front side rising state where its front end is situated upward.
  • the ceramic arc tube 19 may also be inclined with respect to the horizontal direction in a front side falling state where its leading end side is situated downward.
  • a front electrode 24 and a rear electrode 25 which are respectively formed long in the back-and-forth direction.
  • a rear end portion 24a (a leading end 24a) of the front electrode 24 and a front end portion 25a (a leading end 25a) of the rear electrode 25 are respectively situated within the light emitting portion 20 of the outer tube 18.
  • a front end portion of the front electrode 24 is connected to a first lead wire 26.
  • the first lead wire 26 penetrates from an interior portion of the ceramic arc tube 19 through the holding portion 18b of the outer tube 18.
  • the first lead wire 26 is projected further forwardly, and the first lead wire 26 has a portion projected outwardly of the outer tube 18.
  • the portion of the first lead wire 26, which is projected outwardly of the outer tube 18, is bent in a given direction and its rear end portion is connected to a first connecting terminal (not shown) which is provided in the socket 17.
  • the first lead wire 26 is held by the holding portion 18b of the outer tube 18.
  • An insulating sleeve 27 is mounted on the portion that is projected outwardly of the outer tube 18, except for a portion thereof.
  • the insulating sleeve 27 is made of, for example, insulating material such as glass or ceramic.
  • a rear end portion of the rear electrode 25 is connected to a second lead wire 28.
  • the rear end portion of the second lead wire 28 is connected to a second connecting terminal (not shown) which is provided on the socket 17.
  • Figs. 3 to 6 are tables or graphical representations to show variations in the radiance and the like of the ceramic arc tube 19 caused by differences between the angles of inclination of the ceramic arc tube 19. Measurements, which are shown in Figs. 3 to 6 when the ceramic arc tube 19 is inclined with respect to the horizontal direction H, are taken in such a manner that the inclination angle is set for 1°, 1.5°, 5°, 10°, 11° and 15°.
  • Figs. 3 and 4 respectively show the measured values obtained, in a state where an alternating current is supplied to thereby ac turn on the ceramic arc tube 19, when the ceramic arc tube 19 is set horizontal, when the ceramic arc tube 19 is inclined with respect to the horizontal direction H in a front side rising state, and when the ceramic arc tube 19 is inclined with respect to the horizontal direction H in a front side falling state.
  • Figs. 5 and 6 respectively show the measured values obtained, in a state where a direct current is supplied to thereby dc turn on the ceramic arc tube 19, when the ceramic arc tube 19 is set horizontal, when the ceramic arc tube 19 is inclined with respect to the horizontal direction H in a front side rising state, and when the ceramic arc tube 19 is inclined with respect to the horizontal direction H in a front side falling state.
  • the term “bulb luminous flux” means an emitted luminous flux in the light emitting portion 20 when the light is emitted
  • the "lamp luminous flux” means a luminous flux of the light that goes forwardly when the light emitted from the light emitting portion 20 is radiated.
  • determination it is used in the following manner. That is, the "maximum radiance” is checked whether it was higher by 3% or more than a value obtained in the horizontal state (the inclination angle of 0°), and the “bulb luminous flux” or “lamp luminous flux” is checked whether it was lower by 3% or more than the value obtained in the horizontal state (the inclination angle of 0°). And, when any one of the "maximum radiance", “bulb luminous flux” and “lamp luminous flux” cannot satisfy the above-mentioned their check conditions, it is determined that a good result could not be obtained.
  • the horizontal axis expresses the positions of the light emitting portion 20, while the vertical axis expresses the radiance of the light emitting portion 20.
  • “0" means the rear end of the light emitting portion 20; and, as the numeric values become larger, the positions are situated more forward.
  • the ceramic arc tube 19 when the ceramic arc tube 19 is in its front side falling state, at an inclination angle of 1°, the "maximum radiance” does not provide a rise of 3% or more; and, at the inclination angles of 1.5°, 5°, 10°, 11° and 15°, the "bulb luminous flux” and “lamp luminous flux” respectively provide a drop of 3% or more.
  • the position where the maximum radiance is generated is easy to overlap with the connecting portion 20a; and, when the inclination angle becomes too large, the lowest temperature (the cold spot temperature) of the ceramic arc tube 19 becomes too low, whereby a drop of the radiance due to the reduced light emitting efficiency is caused.
  • the ceramic arc tube 19 may be inclined in a front side rising state in order that the front side of the discharge lamp 8 serving as the cathode is situated upward.
  • the ceramic arc tube 19 in the ac turn-on operation, preferably, may be inclined at angles of 1.5° to 10° with respect to the horizontal direction H in its front side rising state or in its front side falling state. And, for the dc turn-on operation, preferably, the ceramic arc tube 19 may be inclined at inclination angles of 1.5° to 10° with respect to the horizontal direction H in the front side rising state.
  • the connecting portion 20a of the light emitting portion 20 may be formed at a position existing forwardly of the central portion of the light emitting portion 20 in the back-and-forth direction thereof.
  • Fig. 9 shows measured values respectively obtained when, in the dc turn-on operation of the discharge lamp 8, the ceramic arc tube 19 is set in its horizontal state, is inclined relative to the horizontal direction H in the front side rising state, and is inclined relative to the horizontal direction H in the front side falling state.
  • the measurement in connection with Fig. 9 has been made in such a manner that the inclination angles of the ceramic arc tube 19 are set for 1°, 1.5°, 5°, 10°, 11° and 15°.
  • the ceramic arc tube 19 in the dc turn-on operation, when the ceramic arc tube 19 was inclined in the front side rising state in order that the front side of the discharge lamp 8 was situated upward, the maximum radiance provided a large rise when compared with a case where the ceramic arc tube 19 is set in the horizontal state.
  • the ceramic arc tube 19 may be inclined in the front side rising state in order that the front side of the discharge lamp 8 serving as the cathode is situated upward.
  • the ceramic arc tube 19 is inclined with respect to the outer tube 18.
  • the discharge lamp 8 may be mounted on the reflector 7 in a state where the whole of the discharge lamp 8 is inclined, and the ceramic arc tube 19 may be inclined with respect to the horizontal direction H. This alternative is not part of the invention as claimed.
  • the ceramic arc tube 19 is inclined with respect to the horizontal direction H in the front side rising state where the leading end side of the ceramic arc tube 19 is situated upward or in the front falling state where the leading end side of the ceramic arc tube 19 is situated downward, the maximum radiance is not generated at a position corresponding to the connecting portion 20a but is generated at a position existing on the lower side when the ceramic arc tube 19 is inclined.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Non-Portable Lighting Devices Or Systems Thereof (AREA)
EP10160520A 2009-04-27 2010-04-21 Vehicle headlamp Not-in-force EP2246872B1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
JP2009108309A JP2010257848A (ja) 2009-04-27 2009-04-27 車輌用前照灯

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP2246872A1 EP2246872A1 (en) 2010-11-03
EP2246872B1 true EP2246872B1 (en) 2012-01-18

Family

ID=42670427

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP10160520A Not-in-force EP2246872B1 (en) 2009-04-27 2010-04-21 Vehicle headlamp

Country Status (3)

Country Link
EP (1) EP2246872B1 (ja)
JP (1) JP2010257848A (ja)
AT (1) ATE542235T1 (ja)

Families Citing this family (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE102011082323A1 (de) * 2011-09-08 2013-03-14 Osram Ag Hochdruckentladungslampe für Kraftfahrzeugscheinwerfer

Family Cites Families (10)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JPS63111704U (ja) * 1987-01-14 1988-07-18
JPH07114807A (ja) * 1993-10-15 1995-05-02 Matsushita Electric Works Ltd 車輛用前照灯装置
JPH1064481A (ja) * 1996-08-20 1998-03-06 Kyocera Corp 放電灯用セラミック管及びその製造方法
JP2005203309A (ja) * 2004-01-19 2005-07-28 Matsushita Electric Ind Co Ltd 放電ランプ及び照明装置
JP2006100089A (ja) * 2004-09-29 2006-04-13 Hitachi Lighting Ltd セラミックメタルハライドランプ
JP2006216337A (ja) * 2005-02-02 2006-08-17 Koito Mfg Co Ltd 車両用前照灯
JP4639151B2 (ja) * 2006-01-13 2011-02-23 株式会社小糸製作所 車両用前照灯
CN101033828A (zh) * 2006-03-10 2007-09-12 杨庆铈 一种车用远近光氙气金卤灯
EP2000447A4 (en) 2006-03-24 2012-07-25 Ngk Insulators Ltd SINTER BODY, LIGHT EMISSION STROKE AND MANUFACTURING METHOD THEREFOR
EP1903598A3 (en) * 2006-09-22 2010-01-06 Toshiba Lighting & Technology Corporation High-pressure discharge lamp, high-pressure discharge lamp operating apparatus, and illuminating apparatus.

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
JP2010257848A (ja) 2010-11-11
EP2246872A1 (en) 2010-11-03
ATE542235T1 (de) 2012-02-15

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