IP Library Granted Patent US 11,209,145
Granted Patent B2
US 11,209,145 · App. 16/750,331 · Granted Dec 28, 2021

Optical unit

Inventor: Akitaka Kanamori (Shizuoka, JP)
Assignee: KOITO MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
F21S41/675F21S41/36
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 11,209,145
App. No.
16/750,331
Granted
Dec 28, 2021
Kind
B2
Abstract

An optical unit includes: a light source; a first reflector that reflects emitted light emitted from the light source, at a first reflection region of which the reflecting direction is periodically changed; and a second reflector that further reflects first reflected light reflected by the first reflector, at a second reflection region of which the reflecting direction is periodically changed. The first reflector is configured such that the second reflection region is scanned with the first reflected light. In the second reflector, the second reflection region is formed such as to reflect the first reflected light to provide second reflected light with which scanning is performed to produce a light distribution pattern.

Claims (26)

1. An optical unit, comprising:

a light source;

a first reflector that reflects emitted light emitted from the light source, at a first reflection region of which the reflecting direction is periodically changed; and

a second reflector that further reflects first reflected light reflected by the first reflector, at a second reflection region of which the reflecting direction is periodically changed, wherein:

the first reflector is configured such that the second reflection region is scanned with the first reflected light; and,

in the second reflector, the second reflection region is formed such as to reflect the first reflected light to provide second reflected light with which scanning is performed to produce a light distribution pattern,

wherein the first reflector reflects the emitted light at the first reflection region while rotating about a first rotational axis in only one direction and comprises at least one first blade functioning as the first reflection region and provided around the first rotational axis,

wherein the second reflector reflects the first reflected light at the second reflection region while rotating about a second rotational axis in only one direction and comprises at least one second blade functioning as the second reflection region and provided around the second rotational axis,

wherein the radius of the second blade is larger than the radius of the first blade.

2. The optical unit of claim 1 , further comprising a control unit that controls the magnitude of a drive current of the light source appropriately for the light distribution pattern.

3. The optical unit of claim 1 , wherein the second blade has a shape formed such that the angle between the second rotational axis and the reflecting surface changes according to the position in a circumferential direction when the second rotational axis is regarded as the center.

4. The optical unit of claim 1 , wherein

the rotational speed of the first reflector is higher than the rotational speed of the second reflector.

5. The optical unit of claim 1 , wherein:

the first reflector produces a linear pattern by scanning the second reflection region with the first reflected light in a first direction; and

the second reflector produces the light distribution pattern by performing scanning with the linear pattern as the second reflected light in a second direction that intersects the first direction.

6. An optical unit, comprising:

a light source;

a first reflector that reflects emitted light emitted from the light source, at a first reflection region of which the reflecting direction is periodically changed; and

a second reflector that further reflects first reflected light reflected by the first reflector, at a second reflection region of which the reflecting direction is periodically changed, wherein:

the first reflector is configured such that the second reflection region is scanned with the first reflected light; and,

in the second reflector, the second reflection region is formed such as to reflect the first reflected light to provide second reflected light with which scanning is performed to produce a light distribution pattern,

wherein the first reflector reflects the emitted light at the first reflection region while rotating about a first rotational axis in only one direction and comprises at least one first blade functioning as the first reflection region and provided around the first rotational axis,

wherein the second reflector reflects the first reflected light at the second reflection region while rotating about a second rotational axis in only one direction and comprises at least one second blade functioning as the second reflection region and provided around the second rotational axis,

wherein the radius of the second blade is larger than the radius of the first blade, and

the second reflection region is broader than the first reflection region.

Assignments (1)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jan 23, 2020
From: KANAMORI, AKITAKA
To: KOITO MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
Reel/Frame 051597/0784 →
Priority Claims (1)
JP JP2017-144668 · Jul 26, 2017 · national
Continuity (2)
Continuation PCTJP2018026984 · Jul 18, 2018
Related Publication 20200158307A1 · May 21, 2020