Lamp unit

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-10696225-B2
Application number	US-201816206197-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Nov 30, 2018
Priority date	Nov 30, 2017
Publication date	Jun 30, 2020
Grant date	Jun 30, 2020

Abstract

The light deflection device is configured to switch a first reflection position and a second reflection position in at least some region of the reflection part. The first reflection position is a position at which the light irradiated by the irradiation optical system is to be reflected toward the projection optical system so as to be effectively used as a part of a desired light distribution pattern. The second reflection position is a position at which the light irradiated by the irradiation optical system is to be reflected so as not to be effectively used. The detection unit is arranged at a position at which the light reflected at the second reflection position by the light deflection device can be detected.

First claim

The invention claimed is:

1. A lamp unit comprising:
a projection optical system;
a light deflection device which is arranged at a rear of the projection optical system and which is configured to selectively reflect incident light toward the projection optical system;
an irradiation optical system configured to irradiate light to a reflection part of the light deflection device; and
a detector configured to detect light reflected by the light deflection device,
wherein the light deflection device is configured to switch a first reflection position and a second reflection position in at least some region of the reflection part, the first reflection position is a position at which the light irradiated by the irradiation optical system is to be reflected toward the projection optical system so as to be effectively used as a part of a desired light distribution pattern, and the second reflection position is a position at which the light irradiated by the irradiation optical system is to be reflected so as not to be effectively used, and
wherein the detector is arranged at a position at which the light reflected at the second reflection position by the light deflection device can be detected.

2. The lamp unit according to claim 1 ,
wherein the detector is arranged at a position at which the detector does not interfere with light reflected at the first reflection position by the light deflection device.

3. The lamp unit according to claim 1 ,
wherein the detector detects reflected light when light is irradiated from the irradiation optical system to the reflection part of the light deflection device located at the second reflection position.

4. The lamp unit according to claim 1 ,
wherein the light deflection device includes a micro mirror array, and
wherein each mirror element of the micro mirror array is configured to switch the first reflection position and the second reflection position about a rotation axis.

5. A lamp unit comprising:
a projection optical system;
a light deflection device which is arranged at a rear of the projection optical system and which is configured to selectively reflect incident light toward the projection optical system;
an irradiation optical system configured to irradiate light to a reflection part of the light deflection device;
an inspection light irradiation unit configured to irradiate non-visible light, and
a detector configured to detect non-visible light reflected by the light deflection device,
wherein the light deflection device is configured to switch a first reflection position and a second reflection position in at least some region of the reflection part, the first reflection position is a position at which the light irradiated by the irradiation optical system is to be reflected toward the projection optical system so as to be effectively, used as a part of a desired light distribution pattern, and the second reflection position is a position at which the light irradiated by the irradiation optical system is to be reflected so as not to be effectively used, and
wherein the detector is arranged at a position at which the non-visible light reflected at the first reflection position by the light deflection device can be detected.

Assignees

• Koito Mfg Co Ltd

Inventors

• Yagi Takayuki

Classifications

• F21S45/00

  Arrangements within vehicle lighting devices specially adapted for vehicle exteriors, for purposes other than emission or distribution of light · CPC title

• F21S41/365

  successively reflecting the light · CPC title

• F21S41/322

  the reflector using total internal reflection · CPC title

• F21S41/24

  Light guides · CPC title

• F21S41/285

  Refractors, transparent cover plates, light guides or filters not provided in groups F21S41/24 - F21S41/2805 · CPC title