JP7513463B2 - Lighting unit - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a lighting unit that is configured to project light from a light source unit that has passed through a rotating light-transmitting plate toward the front of the unit via a projection lens.

Conventionally, there are known in-vehicle lighting units that are configured to irradiate light from a light source unit reflected by a spatial light modulator through a projection lens toward the front of the unit, as described in, for example, Patent Document 1, and that are configured to irradiate light from a light source unit reflected by a rotating reflector through a projection lens toward the front of the unit, as described in, for example, Patent Document 2.

The lamp unit described in Patent Document 1 is configured to be able to form a light distribution pattern for drawing (i.e., a light distribution pattern for drawing letters, symbols, etc.) on the road surface ahead of the vehicle by controlling the spatial distribution of reflected light in a spatial light modulator.

The lighting unit described in Patent Document 2 is configured to be able to form a light distribution pattern for drawing by controlling the light source unit to be turned on and off while the rotating reflector is rotated.

JP 2016-91976 A JP 2014-216049 A

If a configuration using a spatial light modulator like the lighting unit described in the above-mentioned "Patent Document 1" is used, it becomes possible to form a light distribution pattern for drawing with high accuracy, but it becomes an expensive configuration.

On the other hand, if a configuration is used that includes a rotating reflector like the lighting unit described in the above-mentioned "Patent Document 2," it is possible to form a light distribution pattern for drawing with a relatively inexpensive configuration, but since it is necessary to control the on/off of the light source unit, it is difficult to achieve further cost reduction.

It is also possible to form a light distribution pattern for drawing by configuring the lighting unit using a rotating light-transmitting plate instead of a rotating reflector, and irradiating the light from the light source unit that passes through this rotating light-transmitting plate toward the front of the unit via a projection lens, but even when such a configuration is adopted, it is desirable to reduce the cost.

The present invention was made in consideration of these circumstances, and aims to provide a lighting unit that is inexpensively constructed to form a light distribution pattern for drawing, in a lighting unit that is configured to irradiate light from a light source unit that has passed through a rotating light-transmitting plate toward the front of the unit via a projection lens.

The present invention aims to achieve the above objective by adopting a rotating light-transmitting plate and improving its configuration.

That is, the lamp unit according to the present invention is
A lighting unit configured to irradiate light from a light source unit, which has passed through a rotary light-transmitting plate, toward the front of the unit via a projection lens,
The rotating light-transmitting plate includes a light-transmitting plate body having a plurality of light-transmitting control units, and an actuator that rotates the light-transmitting plate body,
the light-transmitting plate body is configured such that, by driving the actuator, any one of the plurality of light-transmitting control parts can be selectively disposed at a light-transmitting control position at which light from the light source unit is transmitted toward the projection lens,
the light-transmitting plate body includes at least two light-transmitting control parts having effective light-transmitting regions different in shape from each other as the plurality of light-transmitting control parts,
The light-transmitting plate body is formed such that the light-transmitting control parts are thinner than other general parts,
The light-transmitting plate body is characterized in that a thin plate having the multiple effective light-transmitting areas is supported on the front surface of a support plate having openings formed in portions where the multiple light-transmitting control portions are located .

The light source unit may be configured to allow the light emitted from the light source to enter the rotating light-transmitting plate as is, or may be configured to allow the light emitted from the light source to enter the rotating light-transmitting plate in a state in which the light is controlled by a reflector, lens, etc.

The above-mentioned "rotating translucent plate" is configured so that, by driving an actuator, any one of the multiple translucent control units constituting the translucent plate body can be selectively positioned at a translucent control position, and there are no particular limitations on the direction of the rotation axis or the specific shape of each translucent control unit.

The above-mentioned "effective light-transmitting area" refers to an area that has the function of transmitting light from the light source unit toward the projection lens, and its specific shape is not particularly limited.

The lighting unit according to the present invention is configured to irradiate light from the light source unit that has passed through a rotating translucent plate toward the front of the unit via a projection lens. The rotating translucent plate includes a translucent plate body with multiple translucent control units and an actuator that rotates it. By driving the actuator to selectively position one of the multiple translucent control units at the translucent control position, a light distribution pattern for drawing can be formed by the transmitted light from the translucent control unit positioned at the translucent control position.

In this case, the light-transmitting plate body is provided with at least two light-transmitting control parts as the plurality of light-transmitting control parts, each of which has a different shape of the effective light-transmitting area, so that by rotating the light-transmitting plate body by a predetermined angle, a plurality of types of light distribution patterns for drawing can be formed according to the shape of the effective light-transmitting area. Moreover, this can be achieved by an inexpensive configuration that only requires rotating the light-transmitting plate body by a predetermined angle.

According to the present invention, a lighting unit configured to irradiate light from a light source unit that has passed through a rotating light-transmitting plate toward the front of the unit via a projection lens can form a light distribution pattern for drawing with an inexpensive configuration.

In the above configuration, if the light-transmitting plate main body is configured such that the multiple light-transmitting control parts are thinner than the other general parts, it is possible to form a light distribution pattern for drawing with clear contours while ensuring the rigidity of the light-transmitting plate main body.

In this case, if the translucent plate body is configured such that a thin plate having multiple effective translucent regions is supported on the front surface of a support plate in which openings are formed in the areas where the multiple translucent control units are located, the translucent plate body can be easily manufactured.

When such a configuration is adopted, if the thin plate is made of an opaque material and multiple effective light-transmitting areas are formed as openings, the thin plate can be easily manufactured by press molding, etc.

On the other hand, if the thin plate is made of a transparent material and has a light-shielding treatment applied to the area surrounding the multiple effective light-transmitting areas, the thin plate can be easily manufactured by, for example, printing on the surface of a transparent film.

In this case, if the "thin plate" is made of a transparent material, it may be colorless and transparent or colored and transparent.

Furthermore, when such a configuration is adopted, if multiple effective light-transmitting areas are subjected to a colored light-transmitting treatment by color printing or the like, the light distribution pattern for drawing can be formed in a color other than the color of the light emitted from the light source unit or the color of the thin plate itself.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a lamp unit according to an embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 1 is a view taken in the direction of the arrow II. FIG. 1, viewed from the direction of arrow III IV arrow view of FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line V-V of FIG. FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the lamp unit as viewed obliquely from the rear. FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the lamp unit disassembled into its main components. FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a main part of a rotary light-transmitting plate in the lighting unit; FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a light distribution pattern for drawing formed by light emitted from the lighting unit; FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a light distribution pattern formed on a road surface ahead of a vehicle by light emitted from the lamp unit; 1A is a perspective view showing a main part of a rotary light-transmitting plate in a lamp unit according to a first modified example of the embodiment, and FIG. 1B is a cross-sectional view taken along line bb in FIG. FIG. 12 is a view similar to FIG. 11 showing a second modification of the embodiment; 11(a) to 11(d) are views substantially similar to FIG. 11(b), showing third to fifth modified examples of the above embodiment.

The following describes an embodiment of the present invention with reference to the drawings.

Figure 1 is a perspective view showing a lamp unit 10 according to one embodiment of the present invention. Also, Figure 2 is a view taken in the direction of arrow II in Figure 1, Figure 3 is a view taken in the direction of arrow III in Figure 1, Figure 4 is a view taken in the direction of arrow IV in Figure 1, and Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along line V-V in Figure 2. Furthermore, Figure 6 is a perspective view showing the lamp unit 10 as seen obliquely from behind, and Figure 7 is a perspective view showing the lamp unit 10 disassembled into its main components.

In these figures, the direction indicated by X is the "front of the unit," the direction indicated by Y is the "left direction" (the "right direction" when viewed from the front of the unit) that is perpendicular to the "front of the unit," and the direction indicated by Z is the "upward direction." This is the same for the other figures.

The lamp unit 10 according to this embodiment is configured as part of an in-vehicle road marking lamp (not shown). This road marking lamp is configured to form a light distribution pattern for marking on the road surface ahead of the vehicle by irradiating light from the lamp unit 10 when attached to the front end of the vehicle.

As shown in FIG. 5, the lighting unit 10 is configured to irradiate light from the light source unit 50 that has passed through the rotating light-transmitting plate 20 toward the front of the unit via the projection lens unit 70.

The rotating light-transmitting plate 20, the light source unit 50, and the projection lens unit 70 are supported by a common bracket 40. This bracket 40 is a metal (e.g., aluminum die-cast) member and has a vertical surface portion 40A that extends along a vertical plane perpendicular to the front-to-rear direction of the unit, and a horizontal surface portion 40B that extends toward the front of the unit in the lower region of this vertical surface portion 40A.

The lamp unit 10 is configured to be supported by the lamp body (not shown) of the road marking lamp at its bracket 40 while being housed in the lamp chamber of the road marking lamp.

Note that in Figures 1 to 7, the lamp unit 10 is shown positioned so that its front-to-rear direction (i.e., the front-to-rear direction of the unit) extends horizontally, but when housed within the lamp chamber of the road marking lamp, the lamp unit 10 is positioned facing diagonally downward toward the front of the unit in order to form a light distribution pattern for marking on the road surface ahead of the vehicle.

As shown in Figures 4 to 6, the rotating translucent plate 20 is disposed on the rear side of the unit relative to the vertical surface portion 40A of the bracket 40. This rotating translucent plate 20 is configured to include a translucent plate body 22 having six translucent control portions 22a, and an actuator 30 that rotates this translucent plate body 22.

The translucent plate body 22 is configured so that, by driving the actuator 30, any one of the six translucent control units 22a can be selectively positioned at a translucent control position that transmits light from the light source unit 50 toward the projection lens unit 70.

As shown in Figures 1 to 3, the projection lens unit 70 is disposed on the front side of the unit relative to the vertical surface portion 40A of the bracket 40. This projection lens unit 70 is equipped with a projection lens 72 having an optical axis Ax extending in the front-to-rear direction of the unit, and a lens holder 74 that supports this projection lens 72, and is supported by the horizontal surface portion 40B of the bracket 40 at the lens holder 74.

The light source unit 50 is disposed rearward of the translucent plate body 22 of the rotating translucent plate 20. The light source unit 50 includes a pair of left and right light sources (specifically, light-emitting diodes) 52 mounted on a substrate 56, and a reflector 54 that reflects the light emitted from each light source 52 toward the translucent plate body 22 of the rotating translucent plate 20.

As shown in FIG. 5, the bracket 40 is arranged so that the rear surface of the vertical surface portion 40A is located slightly forward of the rear focal point F of the projection lens 72. A horizontally elongated rectangular opening 40Aa is formed in the vertical surface portion 40A of the bracket 40 so as to surround the optical axis Ax. When viewed from the front of the unit, this opening 40Aa has an opening shape that is slightly larger than the light transmission control portion 22a that is located at the reflection control position (specifically, a position centered on the rear focal point F of the projection lens 72), and is formed so as to expand in an inclined manner from the rear surface of the vertical surface portion 40A to the front surface around its entire circumference.

Next, the specific configuration of the rotating translucent plate 20 will be described.

Figure 8 is a perspective view showing the main parts of the rotating translucent plate 20.

As shown in FIG. 8, the light-transmitting plate body 22 of the rotating light-transmitting plate 20 is configured to rotate around an axis Ax1 that extends parallel to the optical axis Ax at a position away from the optical axis Ax to the right.

The light-transmitting plate body 22 is configured to include a support plate 22A arranged to extend along a vertical plane perpendicular to the optical axis Ax, and a thin plate 22B fixedly supported by adhering (or screwing) to the front surface of the support plate 22A.

The support plate 22A is a member made of colored resin (e.g., polyacetal resin) and is formed in a disk shape.

A circular opening 22Aa is formed at the center of the support plate 22A at the position of the axis Ax1, and the annular area surrounding this is formed as a thick portion 22Ab. Six openings 22Ac are formed around the thick portion 22Ab in the support plate 22A at intervals of 60° in the circumferential direction. Each opening 22Ac has a rectangular opening shape that is elongated and extends in the radial direction when the lamp is viewed from the front. In addition, three positioning holes 22Ad are formed in the support plate 22A at intervals of 120° in the circumferential direction.

Spur teeth 22Ae are formed all around the outer periphery of the support plate 22A, which configures the support plate 22A as a large-diameter external gear.

The translucent plate body 22 is rotatably supported on the vertical surface portion 40A of the bracket 40 by a shaft 26 arranged on the axis Ax1, as shown in FIG. 6.

The thin plate 22B is a metal (e.g., stainless steel) member with a thickness of approximately 0.4 to 0.8 mm, and is formed into a disk shape with an outer diameter smaller than that of the support plate 22A.

As shown in FIG. 8, a circular opening 22Ba having an opening shape slightly larger than the outer diameter of the thick portion 22Ab of the support plate 22A is formed in the center of the thin plate 22B, and six effective light-transmitting areas 22Bb1, 22Bb2, 22Bb3, 22Bb4, 22Bb5, and 22Bb6, which have the function of transmitting light from the light source unit 50 toward the projection lens 72, are formed around the center of the axis Ax1 as openings spaced at 60° intervals in the circumferential direction. In addition, three positioning holes 22Bc are formed in the thin plate 22B at 120° intervals in the circumferential direction.

The six effective light-transmitting regions 22Bb1 to 22Bb6 are formed as openings having different opening shapes.

Specifically, when the light transmission control unit 22a is placed in the light transmission control position, the effective light transmission region 22Bb1 is formed as a downward arrow, the effective light transmission region 22Bb2 is formed as a rightward arrow, the effective light transmission region 22Bb3 is formed as a leftward arrow, the effective light transmission region 22Bb4 is formed as two arrows facing downward and arranged in series, the effective light transmission region 22Bb5 is formed as six band-shaped regions arranged in vertical stripes spaced apart in the left-right direction, and the effective light transmission region 22Bb6 is formed as three band-shaped regions arranged in horizontal stripes spaced apart in the up-down direction.

As shown in FIG. 6, the thin plate 22B is fixedly supported on the front surface of the support plate 22A, so that six light-transmitting control parts 22a are formed at 60° intervals in the circumferential direction around the axis Ax1. At this time, three positioning holes 22Ad formed in the support plate 22A are aligned with three positioning holes 22Bc formed in the thin plate 22B, so that in each light-transmitting control part 22a, each effective light-transmitting region 22Bb1 to 22Bb6 of the thin plate 22B is positioned at the center position of each opening 22Ac of the support plate 22A.

As shown in FIG. 4, the light-transmitting plate body 22 is rotatably supported on the vertical surface 40A of the bracket 40 by a shaft 26 arranged on the axis Ax1, and the spur teeth 22Ae formed on the outer peripheral surface of the support plate 22A mesh with the spur gear 34 of the actuator 30.

As shown in FIG. 7, the shaft 26 is inserted into the circular opening 22Aa of the support plate 22A and the circular opening 22Ba of the thin plate 22B from the rear side of the unit, and into the shaft insertion hole 40Ab formed in the vertical surface portion 40A of the bracket 40. With E-rings 28A and 28B attached to its front and rear ends, the shaft 26 is supported rotatably around the axis Ax1 relative to the vertical surface portion 40A of the bracket 40.

The actuator 30 is fixed to the bracket 40 at the right end of the bracket 40 via the actuator holder 32.

The actuator 30 is composed of a stepping motor with an output shaft that protrudes toward the front of the unit, and a spur gear 34 is fixed to the output shaft.

The actuator 30 is adapted to mesh with the spur gear 34 of the support plate 22A of the translucent plate body 22 with the spur gear 34 protruding toward the front side of the unit through an opening (not shown) formed in the vertical surface portion 40A of the bracket 40.

The actuator 30 is configured to be driven and controlled according to the vehicle driving conditions, and is capable of rotating the translucent plate body 22 by a predetermined angle around the axis Ax1.

The actuator 30 drives the light-transmitting plate body 22 so that one of the six light-transmitting control units 22a can be selectively positioned at a light-transmitting control position that transmits light from the light source unit 50 toward the projection lens 72.

Next, the specific configuration of the light source unit 50 will be described.

Each light source 52 is composed of a light-emitting diode that emits green light and is supported by the light source holder 60 via a substrate 56.

The board 56 is equipped with connectors 58 for supplying power to the pair of light sources 52 on the left and right.

The light source holder 60 is configured as a heat sink equipped with a cooling fan 62 and is fixedly supported on the horizontal surface portion 40B of the bracket 40.

The reflector 54 has a pair of reflecting surfaces 54a on the left and right, and is configured to converge the light emitted from each light source 52 at the rear focal point F of the projection lens 72 (see Figure 5) on each reflecting surface 54a.

Next, the specific configuration of the projection lens unit 70 will be described.

As shown in FIG. 5, the projection lens 72 is composed of first, second and third lenses 72A, 72B and 72C arranged side by side in the front-to-rear direction of the unit on the optical axis Ax.

The first lens 72A, located closest to the front of the lamp, is configured as a substantially plano-convex lens that bulges toward the front of the lamp, the second lens 72B, located in the center, is configured as a biconcave lens, and the third lens 72C, located closest to the rear of the lamp, is configured as a biconvex lens.

The first to third lenses 72A to 72C are all made of resin lenses. Specifically, the first and third lenses 72A and 72C are made of acrylic resin, and the second lens 72B is made of polycarbonate resin.

The first to third lenses 72A to 72C have their upper ends slightly cut away along the horizontal plane and their lower ends cut away relatively largely along the horizontal plane. The first to third lenses 72A to 72C are supported at their outer peripheries by a common lens holder 74 via mounting brackets 76A and 76B.

The lens holder 74 is a metal member (e.g., aluminum die-cast) and includes a holder body 74A formed to cylindrically surround the projection lens 72, and holder legs 74B formed to protrude on both the left and right sides from the lower end of the outer circumferential surface of the holder body 74A.

A first metal fitting 76A is attached to the holder body 74A from the front side of the lamp, and a second metal fitting 76B is attached to the rear side of the lamp, thereby fixing the first to third lenses 72A to 72C to the holder body 74A.

The holder legs 74B are placed on the horizontal surface 40B of the bracket 40 at both left and right ends. At this time, a pair of left and right engagement grooves 40Ba are formed on the horizontal surface 40B of the bracket 40, which engage with a pair of left and right protrusions 74Ba formed on the underside of both left and right ends of the holder legs 74B. The projection lens unit 70 is configured so that it can be fixed to the bracket 40 by the lens holder 74 when the projection lens 72 is focused by adjusting the position of the lens holder 74 in the front-to-rear direction of the unit.

Figure 9 shows a light distribution pattern for drawing formed on a virtual vertical screen placed in front of the vehicle by the light emitted from the lamp unit 10 according to this embodiment.

The drawing light distribution patterns P1 to P6 shown in Figures 9(a) to (f) are light distribution patterns formed when the light-transmitting control unit 22a, in which each of the effective light-transmitting areas 22Bb1 to 22Bb6 is formed, is positioned in the reflection control position in the light-transmitting plate body 22 of the rotating light-transmitting plate 20.

The light distribution pattern for drawing P1 shown in FIG. 9(a) is a light distribution pattern in the shape of an upward arrow as an inverted projection image, since the effective light-transmitting area 22Bb1 is formed as a downward arrow.

The light distribution pattern for drawing P2 shown in FIG. 9(b) is a light distribution pattern in the shape of a left-pointing arrow as an inverted projection image, since the effective light-transmitting area 22Bb2 is formed as a right-pointing arrow.

The light distribution pattern for drawing P3 shown in FIG. 9(c) is a light distribution pattern in the shape of a right-pointing arrow as an inverted projection image, since the effective light-transmitting area 22Bb3 is formed as a left-pointing arrow.

The light distribution pattern for drawing P4 shown in FIG. 9(d) is formed as two arrows arranged in series facing downward in the effective light-transmitting area 22Bb4, and its inverted projection image is a light distribution pattern in the shape of two arrows arranged in series facing upward.

The drawing light distribution pattern P5 shown in FIG. 9(e) is formed as six stripe regions arranged in vertical stripes with intervals in the left-right direction in the effective light-transmitting area 22Bb5, and its inverted projection image is a light distribution pattern made up of six stripe regions arranged in vertical stripes with intervals in the left-right direction.

The drawing light distribution pattern P6 shown in FIG. 9(f) is formed as three stripe-shaped regions arranged in horizontal stripes with vertical spacing between them in the effective light-transmitting region 22Bb6, and therefore its inverted projection image is a light distribution pattern consisting of three stripe-shaped regions arranged in horizontal stripes with vertical spacing between them.

In addition, the area Z indicated by the two-dot chain line in Figures 9(a) to (f) indicates the range in which the light distribution pattern for drawing can be formed (i.e., the range in which the light distribution pattern for drawing can be formed if the entire area of the translucent control unit 22a (specifically, a rectangular area of the same size as the opening shape of the opening 22Aa) is considered to be the effective translucent area).

Figure 10 is a perspective view of the drawing light distribution pattern P1 that is formed when the light transmission control unit 22a, in which the effective light transmission area 22Bb1 is formed, is positioned in the reflection control position.

As shown in FIG. 10, the drawing light distribution pattern P1 is formed together with (or independently of) the low beam light distribution pattern PL formed by the light emitted from another lamp unit (not shown).

The low beam light distribution pattern PL is a low beam light distribution pattern for left light distribution, and has cutoff lines CL1 and CL2 at its upper edge.

The cutoff lines CL1 and CL2 are formed as follows: the portion of the cutoff line CL1 on the oncoming lane side to the right of the V-V line that passes vertically through H-V, which is the vanishing point in front of the lamp, is formed as a horizontal cutoff line CL1, and the portion of the own lane side to the left of the V-V line is formed as a diagonal cutoff line CL2, with the elbow point E, where the two intersect, being located approximately 0.5 to 0.6° below H-V.

On the other hand, the drawing light distribution pattern P1 is formed on the road surface in front of the vehicle as an arrow-shaped light distribution pattern facing in the forward direction of the vehicle, thereby calling attention to the surroundings.

In this case, since the light source 52 of the light source unit 50 is composed of a light-emitting diode that emits green light, the drawing light distribution pattern P1 is also formed as a green light distribution pattern.

When a vehicle is traveling at night, this arrow-shaped light distribution pattern P1 is formed to alert those around the vehicle that it is approaching an intersection ahead of the vehicle, for example, to draw attention to the situation.

Next, the operation of this embodiment will be explained.

The lighting unit 10 according to this embodiment is configured to irradiate light from the light source unit 50 that has passed through the rotating translucent plate 20 toward the front of the unit via the projection lens 72. The rotating translucent plate 20 includes a translucent plate body 22 with six translucent control units 22a and an actuator 30 that rotates it. By driving the actuator 30 to selectively position one of the six translucent control units 22a at the translucent control position, a light distribution pattern for drawing can be formed by the transmitted light from the translucent control unit 22a positioned at the translucent control position.

In this case, since the shapes of the effective light-transmitting areas 22Bb1 to 22Bb6 of the six light-transmitting control parts 22a of the light-transmitting plate body 22 are different from one another, by rotating the light-transmitting plate body 22 by 60° each, six types of drawing light distribution patterns P1 to P6 corresponding to the shapes of the effective light-transmitting areas 22Bb1 to 22Bb6 can be formed. Moreover, this can be achieved by an inexpensive configuration that only requires rotating the light-transmitting plate body 22 by 60° each.

According to this embodiment, the lighting unit 10 is configured to irradiate the light from the light source unit 50 that has passed through the rotating light-transmitting plate 20 toward the front of the unit via the projection lens 72, making it possible to form the light distribution patterns P1 to P6 for drawing with an inexpensive configuration.

In particular, the translucent plate body 22 of this embodiment is configured such that the six translucent control parts 22a are thinner than the other general parts, so that the rigidity of the translucent plate body 22 is ensured while the drawing light distribution patterns P1 to P6 with clear contours can be formed.

In addition, the light-transmitting plate body 22 is configured such that a thin plate 22B having six effective light-transmitting regions 22Bb1 to 22Bb6 is supported on the front surface of a support plate 22A having openings formed in the areas where the six light-transmitting control parts 22a are located, so that the light-transmitting plate body 22 can be easily manufactured.

In this case, since the thin plate 22B is made of a metal member (i.e., an opaque member) and the six effective light-transmitting areas 22Bb1 to 22Bb6 are formed as openings, the thin plate 22B can be easily manufactured by press molding, etc.

In the above embodiment, the support plate 22A of the light-transmitting plate body 22 is described as being made of a colored resin material, but it is also possible to make it out of a metal material (e.g., aluminum die-cast).

In the above embodiment, the translucent plate body 22 is described as having six translucent control units 22a, but it is also possible to configure it with five or fewer or seven or more translucent control units 22a.

In the above embodiment, the light source 52 is described as being composed of a light-emitting diode that emits green light, but the light source 52 can also be configured to emit light in other colors besides green, such as blue or white.

In the above embodiment, the light transmission control position is described as being located on the optical axis Ax of the projection lens 72, but it is also possible to configure the light transmission control position to be displaced above the optical axis Ax. By adopting such a configuration, it is also possible to form a light distribution pattern for drawing on the road surface in front of the vehicle while maintaining the lamp unit 10 in a horizontal position.

In the above embodiment, the lamp unit 10 is described as an in-vehicle lamp unit, but it can also be used for purposes other than in-vehicle use (for example, a street lamp unit configured to draw on the road surface from diagonally above, etc.).

Next, we will explain a variation of the above embodiment.

First, we will explain the first variation of the above embodiment.

Figure 11(a) is a perspective view showing the main part of a rotating light-transmitting plate in a lamp unit according to this modified example, and Figure 11(b) is a cross-sectional view taken along line b-b in Figure 11(a).

The basic configuration of this modified example is the same as that of the above embodiment, but the configuration of the thin plate 122B in the translucent plate body 122 of the rotating translucent plate is partially different from that of the above embodiment.

In other words, the light-transmitting plate body 122 of this modified example is also configured such that a thin plate 122B having six effective light-transmitting regions 122Bb1, 122Bb2, 122Bb3, 122Bb4, 122Bb5, and 122Bb6 is supported on the front surface of a support plate 22A in which openings 22Ac are formed in the areas where the six light-transmitting control parts 122a are located. However, in this modified example, the thin plate 122B is made of a transparent material, and a light-shielding treatment is applied to the area surrounding the six effective light-transmitting regions 122Bb1 to 122Bb6.

Specifically, the thin plate 122B is made of a colorless and transparent resin (e.g., polycarbonate resin) film, and on its front surface, a black light-shielding print B is formed in the area surrounding the effective light-transmitting areas 122Bb1 to 122Bb6.

As a result, in the thin plate 122B of this modified example, six effective light-transmitting regions 122Bb1 to 122Bb6 are formed as transparent regions arranged at 60° intervals in the circumferential direction around the axis Ax1.

In addition, in the thin plate 122B of this modified example, a circular opening 122Ba is formed on the axis Ax1, and three positioning holes 122Bc are formed at 120° intervals in the circumferential direction around the axis Ax1.

Even when the configuration of this modified example is adopted, the drawing light distribution pattern can be formed as a green light distribution pattern.

Furthermore, by adopting the configuration of this modified example, the thin plate 122B can be easily manufactured by, for example, printing on the surface of a transparent film.

Next, we will explain the second variation of the above embodiment.

Figure 12(a) is a perspective view showing the main part of a rotating light-transmitting plate in a lamp unit according to this modified example, and Figure 12(b) is a cross-sectional view taken along line b-b in Figure 12(a).

The basic configuration of this modified example is the same as that of the above embodiment, but the configuration of the thin plate 222B in the translucent plate body 222 of the rotating translucent plate is partially different from that of the above embodiment.

In other words, the light-transmitting plate body 222 of this modified example is also configured such that a thin plate 222B having six effective light-transmitting regions 222Bb1, 222Bb2, 222Bb3, 222Bb4, 222Bb5, 222Bb6 is supported on the front surface of a support plate 22A in which openings 22Ac are formed in the areas where the six light-transmitting control parts 222a are located. However, in this modified example, the thin plate 222B is made of a transparent material, and a colored light-transmitting treatment is applied to the areas where the six effective light-transmitting regions 222Bb1 to 222Bb6 are located, and a light-shielding treatment is applied to the area surrounding these.

Specifically, thin plate 222B is made of a colorless and transparent resin (e.g., polycarbonate resin) film, and its front surface is provided with colored and transparent light-transmitting printing A in the area where effective light-transmitting areas 222Bb1 to 222Bb6 are located, and black light-shielding printing B is formed in the area surrounding these.

As a result, in the thin plate 222B of this modified example, six effective light-transmitting regions 222Bb1 to 222Bb6 are formed as colored, non-transparent regions arranged at 60° intervals in the circumferential direction around the axis Ax1.

In addition, in the thin plate 222B of this modified example, the circular opening 222Ba is formed on the axis Ax1, and three positioning holes 222Bc are formed at 120° intervals in the circumferential direction around the axis Ax1.

When the configuration of this modified example is adopted, the drawing light distribution pattern can be formed as a light distribution pattern in a color in which the color of the effective light-transmitting regions 222Bb1 to 222Bb6 of the thin plate 222B is added to green.

In the second modified example, if the light source 52 (see FIG. 5) of the light source unit 50 is configured with a light emitting diode that emits white light instead of green light, the drawing light distribution pattern can be formed as a light distribution pattern in the color of the effective light transmitting areas 222Bb1 to 222Bb6 of the thin plate 222B.

In addition, in the thin plate 222B of the second modified example, if the color of the colored plain area is set to be different for each of the six effective light-transmitting areas 222Bb1 to 222Bb6, the color of the drawing light distribution pattern can be made different for each of the effective light-transmitting areas 222Bb1 to 222Bb6.

Next, we will explain the third variation of the above embodiment.

Figure 13(a) is a view similar to Figure 11(b) showing the main parts of the rotating light-transmitting plate in the lamp unit of this modified example.

The basic configuration of this modified example is the same as that of the above embodiment, but the configuration of the translucent plate body 322 of the rotating translucent plate is partially different from that of the above embodiment.

In other words, the light-transmitting plate body 322 in this modified example is made of a transparent material in which the portions where the six light-transmitting control parts 322a are located are formed as rectangular recesses 322f with a thin wall.

Specifically, the light-transmitting plate body 322 is a member made of colorless and transparent polycarbonate resin, and its front surface is configured with a black light-shielding print B formed in an area surrounding the area in which the effective light-transmitting area 322b1 etc. are located.

In addition, in this modified example of the light-transmitting plate body 322, three positioning holes 322c are formed at 120° intervals in the circumferential direction around the axis Ax1.

Even when the configuration of this modified example is adopted, the drawing light distribution pattern can be formed as a green light distribution pattern.

In addition, in the third modified example, the light-transmitting plate body 322 can also be made of a colored transparent material.

Next, we will explain the fourth variation of the above embodiment.

Figure 13(b) is a diagram similar to Figure 11(b) showing the main parts of the rotating light-transmitting plate in the lamp unit of this modified example.

The basic configuration of this modified example is the same as that of the above embodiment, but the configuration of the translucent plate body 422 of the rotating translucent plate is partially different from that of the above embodiment.

In other words, the light-transmitting plate body 422 in this modified example is made of a transparent material in which the portions where the six light-transmitting control parts 422a are located are formed as rectangular recesses 422f with a thin wall.

Specifically, the light-transmitting plate body 422 is a member made of colorless and transparent polycarbonate resin, and its front surface is provided with a colored and transparent light-transmitting print A in the area where the effective light-transmitting area 422b1 etc. are located, and a black light-shielding print B is formed in the area surrounding these.

In addition, in this modified example of the light-transmitting plate body 422, three positioning holes 422c are formed at 120° intervals in the circumferential direction around the axis Ax1.

Even when the configuration of this modified example is adopted, the drawing light distribution pattern can be formed as a light distribution pattern of a color in which the color of the effective light transmitting region 422Bb1 or the like is added to green.

In the fourth modified example, if the light source 52 (see FIG. 5) of the light source unit 50 is configured with a light-emitting diode that emits white light instead of green light, the drawing light distribution pattern can be formed as a light distribution pattern of the color of the effective light-transmitting region 422Bb1, etc.

In addition, in the thin plate 422B of the fourth modified example, if the color of the colored plain area is set to be different for each of the six effective light-transmitting areas 422b1, etc., the color of the drawing light distribution pattern can be made different for each effective light-transmitting area 422b1, etc.

Next, we will explain the fifth variation of the above embodiment.

Figure 13(c) is a view similar to Figure 11(b) showing the main parts of the rotating light-transmitting plate in the lamp unit of this modified example.

The basic configuration of this modified example is the same as that of the above embodiment, but the configuration of the translucent plate body 522 of the rotating translucent plate is partially different from that of the above embodiment.

In other words, the light-transmitting plate body 522 in this modified example is made of a transparent material formed with a constant thickness.

Specifically, the light-transmitting plate body 522 is a member made of colorless and transparent polycarbonate resin, and its front surface is formed with black light-shielding printing B in an area surrounding the effective light-transmitting area 522b1, etc.

In addition, in this modified example of the light-transmitting plate body 522, three positioning holes 522c are formed at 120° intervals in the circumferential direction around the axis Ax1.

Even when the configuration of this modified example is adopted, the drawing light distribution pattern can be formed as a green light distribution pattern.

In addition, in the fifth modified example, the light-transmitting plate body 522 can also be made of a colored transparent material.

The numerical values shown as the specifications in the above embodiment and its modified examples are merely examples, and it goes without saying that these may be set to different values as appropriate.

Furthermore, the present invention is not limited to the configurations described in the above embodiment and its modified examples, and various other modified configurations may be adopted.

10 Lighting unit 20 Rotating light-transmitting plate 22, 122, 222, 322, 422, 522 Light-transmitting plate body 22a, 122a, 222a, 322a, 422a Light-transmitting control section 22A Support plate 22Aa Circular opening 22Ab Thick section 22Ac Opening 22Ad Positioning hole 22Ae Spur tooth 22B, 122B, 222B Thin plate 22Ba, 122Ba, 222Ba Circular opening 22Bb1, 22Bb2, 22Bb3, 22Bb4, 22Bb5, 22Bb6, 122Bb1, 122Bb2, 122Bb3, 122Bb4, 122Bb5, 122Bb6, 222Bb1, 222Bb2, 222Bb3, 222Bb4, 222Bb5, 222Bb6, 322b1, 422b1, 522b1 effective light-transmitting area 22Bc, 122Bc, 222Bc, 322c, 422c, 522c positioning hole 26 shaft 28A, 28B E-ring 30 actuator 32 actuator holder 34 spur gear 40 bracket 40A vertical surface portion 40Aa opening 40Ab shaft insertion hole 40B Horizontal surface portion 40Ba Engagement groove portion 50 Light source unit 52 Light source 54 Reflector 54a Reflecting surface 56 Board 58 Connector 60 Light source holder 62 Cooling fan 70 Projection lens unit 72 Projection lens 72A First lens 72B Second lens 72C Third lens 74 Lens holder 74A Holder body 74B Holder leg portion 74Ba Protrusion portion 76A, 76B Mounting bracket 322f, 422f Rectangular recess A Light-transmitting print Ax Optical axis Ax1 Axis line B Light-shielding print CL1 Horizontal cutoff line CL2 Oblique cutoff line E Elbow point F Rear focus PL Light distribution pattern for low beam P1, P2, P3, P4, P5, P6 Light distribution pattern for drawing Z Area

Claims (4)

A lighting unit configured to irradiate light from a light source unit, which has passed through a rotary light-transmitting plate, toward the front of the unit via a projection lens,
The rotating light-transmitting plate includes a light-transmitting plate body having a plurality of light-transmitting control units, and an actuator that rotates the light-transmitting plate body,
the light-transmitting plate body is configured such that, by driving the actuator, any one of the plurality of light-transmitting control parts can be selectively disposed at a light-transmitting control position at which light from the light source unit is transmitted toward the projection lens,
the light-transmitting plate body includes at least two light-transmitting control parts having effective light-transmitting regions different in shape from each other as the plurality of light-transmitting control parts,
The light-transmitting plate body is formed such that the light-transmitting control parts are thinner than other general parts,
The light fixture unit is characterized in that the light-transmitting plate body is configured such that a thin plate having the multiple effective light-transmitting areas is supported on the front surface of a support plate having openings formed in portions where the multiple light-transmitting control portions are located. The lamp unit according to claim 1, characterized in that the thin plate is made of an opaque material, and the multiple effective light-transmitting areas are formed as openings. The lamp unit according to claim 1, characterized in that the thin plate is made of a transparent material, and a light-shielding treatment is applied to the area surrounding the multiple effective light-transmitting areas. The lamp unit according to claim 3, characterized in that the effective light-transmitting areas are treated with a colored light-transmitting treatment.

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