Stanley Electric Co., Ltd

Hiroo Oyama

Yoshifumi Kawaguchi

Go Adachi

Takashi Akutagawa

Masahito Okamoto

Kouichi Masuyama

Tadashi Kouchi

A vehicle light can include a light source, a reflector configured to reflect light emitted from the light source in an irradiation direction of a vehicle on which the vehicle light is mounted, and a diffusion plate for diffusion of light and which can irradiate light in the irradiation direction. In this configuration, the diffusion plate can be configured such that light emitted from the light source and light reflected by the reflector enter the diffusion plate and pass therethrough while being refracted. The light is emitted from the diffusion plate in the irradiation direction while being diffused. At the same time, light which is incident on the diffusion plate and is reflected by the diffusion plate is diffused and irradiated in the irradiation direction of the vehicle light. The end portion of the diffusion plate can be bent or curved so as to diffuse the light reflected by the diffusion plate.

Vehicle light

A lighting device can include a light shielding plate configured to impart a required or desired light distribution pattern by shielding light received directly from a light source and/or light reflected from a reflector. The light shielding plate can be configured to be movable between at least two predetermined positions so as to impart at least two light distribution patterns to the projected light. The movement of the light shielding plate can be achieved by rotation about a vertical rotary shaft.

Drum-type movable light shielding plate and lighting device using the same

A vehicle light can be configured to reduce the difference between the cut-off line of the actual light distribution pattern and the cut-off line of the designed light distribution pattern. The vehicle light can include a light source, first reflectors configured to reflect light from the light source, corresponding second reflectors configured to reflect light from the respective first reflectors, and a support member configured to support the light source. The support member and the first reflectors can be separately formed. Furthermore, edge portions configured to form cut-off lines in the light distribution pattern by the second reflectors can be provided in the support member instead of in the first reflectors.

A vehicle headlight can project a low beam and a high beam in a reasonable and efficient fashion and does not require a maximum output during high beam illumination, which is low in frequency of use. A light source can be arranged so that a main optical axis thereof forms an angle of approximately 30&#xb0; to 60&#xb0; with respect to a front-to-back direction of a vehicle/vehicle headlight. An extremity of the light source can extend toward the front and side of the vehicle. Part of a first reflector can be arranged closer to the front and a center of the vehicle than the light source. A second reflector can be configured to collect light from the first reflector and reflect the same light to the front of the vehicle. The second reflector can be located behind and closer to the side of the vehicle than the light source is. A distribution pattern switching unit can be located between the first reflector and the second reflector. The first reflector and the second reflector can be configured to provide a maximum output during low beam illumination. Part of the light from the first reflector that is to be projected to the lower half of the low beam distribution pattern during low beam illumination can be reflected by a reflecting plate of the distribution pattern switching unit and projected towards a location above a horizontal level during high beam illumination.

Vehicle headlight

A vehicle light can include a projector type unit and an ellipse-parabola combined unit that surrounds a light source. Part of the light from the light source is directed toward a projector lens by part of an ellipse group reflecting portion of the projector type unit. The remainder of the light is directed toward a parabolic group reflecting portion of the ellipse-parabola combined unit by the ellipse group reflecting portion of the ellipse-parabola combined unit via openings. This parabolic group reflecting portion then directs the light to its illumination direction. This can improve light utilization efficiency, and the entire front face of the vehicle light can be lit without deteriorating from the vehicle light's light distribution.

In a conventional vehicle headlamp, when improvement in the visibility at the time of turning the vehicle is attempted by turning the light distribution characteristic, if a part of the light is turned, the quantity of light becomes insufficient as a whole, and if the whole light distribution is turned, the visibility straight ahead becomes insufficient. According to the present invention, there is provided a vehicle headlampcomprising: one light source; a first light distribution-forming reflecting surfaceforming a light distribution shape for a diagonally rising portion, and consisting of double reflecting surfaces, that is, a primary reflecting surface which is an elliptic type, and a secondary reflecting surface which is a parabolic type; a second light distribution-forming reflecting surfaceforming a light distribution shape in a wide range below the horizontal line, and consisting of double reflecting surfaces, that is, a primary reflecting surface which is an elliptic type, and a secondary reflecting surface which is a parabolic type; and a third light distribution-forming reflecting surfaceforming a light distribution shape in a narrow range below the horizontal line, wherein at least one of the first light distribution-forming reflecting surface to the third light distribution-forming reflecting surface is rotatable in the horizontal direction. As a result, the turning direction and the direction straight ahead can be illuminated with sufficient quantity of light, to thereby solve the problems.

Vehicle headlamp

A vehicle light can include a multi-reflex optical system having a light source, a first reflecting surface system and a second reflecting surface system. The first reflecting surface system can include a parabolic group reflecting surface, an ellipse group reflecting surface or combination thereof. The second reflecting surface system can include an ellipse group reflecting surface having a first focus located approximately on the light source and a second focus. The ellipse group reflecting surface can be located such that it covers the front of the light source and collects light rays emitted from the light source directed to its second focus. The second reflecting surface system can include a parabolic group reflecting surface having a focus in the vicinity of the second focus of the ellipse group reflecting surface, and an adjusting reflecting plate located in the vicinity of the second focus of the ellipse group reflecting surface. The second focus of the ellipse group reflecting surface of the second reflecting surface system can be located away from and either above or below the first reflecting surface system. The overall shape of the vehicle light can be substantially T-shaped or L-shaped.

Vehicle lamp

A vehicle light having a multi-reflex optical system can include a light source, at least one pair of ellipse group reflecting surfaces located so as to substantially surround the light source. Each ellipse group reflecting surface can be symmetrical relative to the light source and have a first focus in the vicinity of the light source, a second focus, and a longitudinal axis perpendicular to an optical axis of the vehicle light. The same number of parabolic group reflecting surfaces as the ellipse group reflecting surfaces can be located substantially linearly, with each parabolic group reflecting surface having a focus on the second focus of the corresponding ellipse group reflecting surface and a longitudinal axis substantially parallel to the optical axis of the vehicle light. At least one shade can be located in the vicinity of one of the second foci of the ellipse group reflecting surfaces to provide a predetermined shape to luminous flux directed from the corresponding ellipse group reflecting surface.

There is provided a headlamp for a vehicle, comprising a light source; a first reflector formed of a parabolic reflector and having a focal point at which the light source is positioned; a light guide passage to the backside of the first reflector; a second reflector formed of a parabolic reflector and provided outside thereof corresponding to the light guide passage of the first reflector; a third reflector provided in the vicinity of an optical axis of the first It reflector for converging and transmitting a light from the light source to the vicinity of the light guide passage; and a lens provided in front of the first and second reflectors. The headlamp for a vehicle has an improved luminous flux efficiency to the light source and also has a height of about 30 mm in vertical direction, which is an original design which has not conventionally been implemented.

Headlamp for vehicle

A vehicle lamp can include a tube-like lamp element that has an aperture, a reflector having a focus located approximately at the aperture, and a front lens. The lamp can be disposed in a vehicle body space that has a small width from the front view and a small depth from a side view of the vehicle body. A blind or shade is not necessary to cover non-aesthetic portions of the lamp. The lamp can be tube-like in shape and can include an optical system that has at least two ellipse group reflecting surfaces that are combined to form a multi-reflex optical system. An aperture can be formed by the reflecting surfaces to allow light rays to be guided outside of the lamp. A light source is preferably located on a common first focus of the at least two ellipse group reflecting surfaces. One of the ellipse group reflecting surfaces can have a longer focal distance than, and a different longitudinal direction from, those of other ellipse group reflecting surface(s). An inner reflecting surface portion can be provided on a first of the ellipse group reflecting surfaces for directing light rays, which were traveling towards a second focus of a second of the ellipse group reflecting surfaces, towards the second focus of the first ellipse group reflecting surface(s), thereby forming a complex second focus of the lamp. The aperture is preferably located around the complex second focus.

A lamp having a multi-reflex optical system can include a first ellipse group reflector and a third ellipse group reflector each sharing one light source at a first focal point, with a second focal point of the first reflector being above its first focal point and a second focal point of the third reflector being positioned below its first focal point. A parabolic group second reflector can be positioned above the first reflector and can have a focal point located at the second focal point of the first reflector. A parabolic group fourth reflector can be positioned below the third reflector and can have a focus at the second focal point of the third reflector. Light from the light source that is converged by the ellipse group first reflector and third reflector is then supplied to the parabolic group second and fourth reflectors to provide a bright oblong headlamp.

Vehicle headlamp having multi-reflex optical system

A vehicle light can include a light source, at least one first elliptic group reflecting surface shaped as half of an elliptical surface (after either an upper or lower substantial half of the substantial ellipse is cut-off). The first elliptic group reflecting surface can have its longitudinal axis on an optical axis of the vehicle light, and a first focus located in the vicinity of the light source. Two second elliptic group reflecting surfaces can be provided that are shaped as substantial halves of elliptical surfaces (after either upper or lower substantial halves of substantial ellipses are cut-off). The second elliptic group reflecting surfaces can have longitudinal axes that are substantially perpendicular to the optical axis of the vehicle light, and their first foci can be located in the vicinity of the light source. Two third parabolic group reflecting surfaces can each have its optical axis oriented in a direction that is substantially the same as the direction of the optical axis of the vehicle lamp, and can have foci located in the vicinity of the second focus of each of the second elliptic group reflecting surfaces.

A vehicle front lamp includes a light source upper and lower first curved surfaces made of composite curved surfaces to reflect a light beam from a light source in the left direction and in the right direction, respectively, the upper and lower first curved surfaces being respectively mounted at higher and lower positions than the light source; and upper and lower second curved surfaces for reflecting a light beam reflected from the upper and lower first curved surfaces for making the light beam substantially parallel in the forward direction of the vehicle, the upper and lower second curved surfaces being mounted at the right and left of the light source. The composite curved surfaces of the upper first curved surface are slanted by an angle of 10 to 35 degrees so as to direct the reflected light beam downward; the composite curved surfaces of the lower first curved surface are slanted by an angle of 10 to 35 degrees so as to direct the reflected light beam upward. The upper and lower second curved surfaces are in contact relation with each other substantially along a line, and light shielding units are mounted at the right and left of the light source along the line defining the contact between the upper and lower second curved surfaces.

Vehicle front lamp

A composite reflecting mirror for a headlamp comprises a plurality of paraboloidal columnar reflecting surfaces, the reflecting surfaces having their respective focal points fall on a horizontal line extending through approximately the axis of symmetry of the mirror. The composite reflecting mirror is laterally substantially divided into three portions, i.e., a left end portion, a right end portion and a central portion. The relationship of the average value of the focal lengths of the plurality of paraboloidal columnar reflecting surfaces included in the respective portions is such that the average value of the focal lengths of the left end portion is greater than that of the central portion, and the average value of the focal lengths of the right end portion is greater than that of the central portion.

Composite reflecting mirror for headlamp

The present invention is to provide the headlamp for the vehicle characterized with the revolution paraboloidal reflector, the lamp in which the filament is located at a near focus of the reflector, the first reflecting plates to reflect the beam of more than about half of the beam from the above reflector to the oblique- upper and lower directions in the right and left sides or to the either direction respectively, the second reflecting plates arranged in parallel to the first reflecting plates to reflect the beam from the corresponding reflection faces in parallel to the same direction of the remained parallel beam, the slender rectangular shape front lens provided in front of the above reflector recieving the direct-parallel beam from the above reflector and the parallel beam from the second reflecting plates.

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Tokyo, Japan

Hiroo Oyama