This application claims priority from Korean Patent Application No. 10-2021-0191379 filed on Dec. 29, 2021, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
The present disclosure relates to a lamp for a vehicle, and more particularly, to a lamp for a vehicle capable of forming variable beam patterns using micromirrors.
In general, a vehicle is equipped with one or more lamps that provide illumination function for easily identifying objects around the vehicle during low-light conditions (e.g., night-time driving) and signaling function for informing other vehicles or road users of its driving condition.
For instance, the vehicle may be equipped with a vehicle lamp that operates by direct luminescence using lamps, such as a headlamp that irradiates light toward the front to secure a driver's field of view, a brake light that is turned on when the brake is applied, and a direction indicator that is used when the vehicle is turned to right or left. In addition, the front and rear of the vehicle may include reflectors that reflect light so that the vehicle can be easily recognized from outside.
Among them, the headlamp has an essential function to secure the driver's field of view by irradiating light in substantially the same direction as the driving direction of the vehicle when the vehicle is operated in low ambient brightness (e.g., at night or in a tunnel).
On the other hand, as the driver is looking ahead, it is not easy to provide specific information to the driver through the dash board. Therefore, there is a need for a means that provides information at night to a driver who is looking ahead.
The problem to be solved by the present disclosure is to provide a lamp for a vehicle capable of forming variable beam patterns using micromirrors.
The problems of the present disclosure are not limited to the problems mentioned above, and other objects not mentioned will be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the following descriptions.
In order to achieve the above object, a lamp for a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may include a variable beam forming part configured to irradiate light and form variable beam patterns. In particular, the variable beam forming part may include a first optical part configured to irradiate the light; a reflection part including a plurality of micromirrors and configured to reflect the light from the first optical part; a second optical part configured to transmit the light reflected by the reflection part; and a housing configured to support the first optical part, the second optical part, and the reflection part. Postures of the plurality of micromirrors of the reflection part may be adjusted to a first posture in which the light incident from the first optical part is reflected in a first direction or to a second posture in which the light incident from the first optical part is reflected in a second direction. The second optical part may be disposed on a path of light reflected in the second direction by the plurality of micromirrors, and the first optical part may include a first optical group configured to irradiate light for forming a first variable beam pattern and a second optical group configured to irradiate light for forming a second variable beam pattern different from the first variable beam pattern. Further, the second optical part may include a plurality of lenses configured to transmit the light reflected from the reflection part.
The first optical group may include a first light source configured to irradiate a first light; and a first lens set including a plurality of lenses spaced apart from one another and configured to transmit the first light. The second optical group may include a second light source configured to irradiate a second light; and a second lens set including a plurality of lenses spaced apart from one another and configured to transmit the second light.
The first light source may be disposed so that an optical axis of the first light source coincides with an optical axis of the first lens set, and the second light source may be disposed so that an optical axis of the second light source is spaced apart from an optical axis of the second lens set.
Each of the first optical group and the second optical group may include a first lens and a second lens, and an optical path length between the first lens and the second lens of the first optical group may be formed longer than an optical path length between the first lens and the second lens of the second optical group.
The lamp for a vehicle may further include a support bracket, which includes a first support configured to support the first lens of the first optical group and the first lens of the second optical group; and a second support configured to support the second lens of the first optical group and the second lens of the second optical group.
Further, the second support may include a first support portion configured to support the second lens of the first optical group; and a second support portion configured to support the second lens of the second optical group. A step may be formed between the first support portion and the second support portion so that the first support portion protrudes farther than the second support portion, and accordingly, a distance between a surface of the support bracket and an emitting surface of the second lens of the first optical group may be greater than a distance between a surface of the support bracket and an emitting surface of the second lens of the second optical group.
The lamp for a vehicle may further include a first fixing plate configured to fix the first lens of the first optical group and the first lens of the second optical group to the first support; and a second fixing plate configured to fix the second lens of the first optical group and the second lens of the second optical group to the second support. Further, the second fixing plate may include a shield configured to obstruct some of the light from being transmitted through the second lens of the second optical group.
In the second optical part, the number of aspherical lenses among the plurality of lenses may be greater than the number of spherical lenses. The number of lenses with a positive refractive power among the plurality of lenses may be greater than the number of lenses with a negative refractive power.
In order to achieve the above object, a lamp for a vehicle according to another embodiment of the present disclosure may include a variable beam forming part configured to irradiate light and form variable beam patterns. In particular, the variable beam forming part may include a first optical part configured to irradiate the light; a reflection part including a plurality of micromirrors and configured to reflect the light from the first optical part; a second optical part configured to transmit the light reflected by the reflection part; and a housing configured to support the first optical part, the second optical part, and the reflection part. Postures of the plurality of micromirrors may be adjusted to a first posture in which the light incident from the first optical part is reflected in a first direction or to a second posture in which the light incident from the first optical part is reflected in a second direction. The second optical part may be disposed on a path of light reflected in the second direction by the plurality of micromirrors, and the first optical part may include a first optical group configured to irradiate light for forming a first variable beam pattern; and a second optical group configured to irradiate light for forming a second variable beam pattern different from the first variable beam pattern. The second optical part may include a plurality of lenses configured to transmit the light reflected from the reflection part. The reflection part may include a first reflection region for forming the first variable beam pattern; and a second reflection region for forming the second variable beam pattern.
The second reflection region may be disposed above the first reflection region. The area of the second reflection region may be larger than the area of the first reflection region. For specifically, a horizontal width of the second reflection region may be longer than a horizontal width of the first reflection region. The first variable beam pattern may be irradiated more upward than the second variable beam pattern. Further, the first variable beam pattern may be irradiated farther than the second variable beam pattern from the vehicle.
The lamp for a vehicle may further include a low beam forming part configured to form a low beam pattern; and a high beam forming part configured to form a high beam pattern. The first variable beam pattern may be included in the areas of the low beam pattern and the high beam pattern.
In some embodiments, the first variable beam pattern may include a road surface pattern to provide driving information to a driver. In some embodiments, the second variable beam pattern may include a road surface pattern to provide information different from information provided by the first variable beam pattern.
The area of the second variable beam pattern may be larger than the area of the first variable beam pattern. More specifically, the horizontal width of the second variable beam pattern may be longer than the horizontal width of the first variable beam pattern.
The technical aspects of the present disclosure are not restricted to those set forth herein, and other unmentioned technical aspects will be clearly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which the present disclosure pertains by referencing the detailed description of the present disclosure given below.
Lamps for vehicle according to embodiments of the present disclosure as described herein may provide an advantage of enabling safer driving due to the additional information provided using variable beam patterns formed with micromirrors.
The above and other aspects and features of the present disclosure will become more apparent by describing in detail exemplary embodiments thereof with reference to the attached drawings, in which:
Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Advantages and features of the present disclosure, and a method of achieving them will be apparent with reference to the embodiments described below in detail together with the accompanying drawings. However, the present disclosure is not limited to the embodiments to be described below, but may be implemented in various different forms, and these embodiments are only provided to make the disclosure complete, and to fully inform the scope of the disclosure to those of ordinary skill in the technical field to which the present disclosure belongs. The invention is only defined by the scope of the claims. The same reference numerals refer to the same components throughout the specification.
Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientific terms) used in the present specification may be used as meanings that can be commonly understood by those of ordinary skill in the art to which the present disclosure belongs. In addition, terms defined in a commonly used dictionary are not to be interpreted too ideally or excessively unless explicitly defined.
The lamp 10 for a vehicle may form a low beam pattern to secure a short-range view in front of the vehicle 1, as well as a high beam pattern HP (see
The lamp 10 for a vehicle may include a first vehicle lamp 10 provided on the front left side of the vehicle 1 and a second vehicle lamp 10 provided on the front right side of the vehicle 1. In other words, the first vehicle lamp 10 may be understood as a left head lamp, and the second vehicle lamp 10 may be understood as a right head lamp.
In an embodiment of the present disclosure, a case where a plurality of vehicle lamps 10 are provided is described as an example since the vehicle lamp 10 of the present disclosure may be used as the head lamp. However, the number of the vehicle lamps 10 of the present disclosure is not limited thereto. In other words, the number, installation position, and installation direction of light irradiation parts may be variously changed based on the purpose of the vehicle lamp 10 of the present disclosure.
The low beam forming part 11 may irradiate light to form the low beam pattern LP (see
The variable beam forming part 13 may irradiate light to form variable beam patterns VP1 and VP2 (see
Referring to
Meanwhile, according to another embodiment of the present disclosure, as illustrated in
Referring to
The arrangement of the shadow area within the high beam pattern HP may be performed by a separate control device. The control device may be configured to control the high beam forming part 12 to irradiate light based on the surrounding environment, and the high beam forming part 12 may form the high beam pattern HP in accordance with control instructions of the control device.
The high beam pattern HP may be formed in a long-distance in front of the vehicle 1 to secure a long-distance front view. For instance, the high beam pattern HP may be formed farther from the vehicle 1 than the low beam pattern LP.
Meanwhile, according to another embodiment of the present disclosure, as illustrated in
Referring to
Similarly to the first variable beam pattern VP1, the second variable beam pattern VP2 may correspond to a region having a predetermined size formed in a particular position on the beam pattern formation surface.
Areas occupied by each of the first variable beam pattern VP1 and the second variable beam pattern VP2 may be provided, for instance, in a rectangular shape. However, the shape of the first variable beam pattern VP1 and the second variable beam pattern VP2 of the present disclosure is not limited to the rectangular shape and may be provided in shapes other than the rectangular shape (e.g., a polygonal shape, an elliptical shape, or any other geometric shape). Hereinafter, the first variable beam pattern VP1 and the second variable beam pattern VP2 that forms a substantially rectangular shape will be mainly described.
The area of the second variable beam pattern VP2 may be greater than the area of the first variable beam pattern VP1. Specifically, a horizontal length H2 of the second variable beam pattern VP2 may be greater than a horizontal length H1 of the first variable beam pattern VP1. Since the first variable beam pattern VP1 is irradiated to a longer distance from the vehicle 1 than the second variable beam pattern VP2, both the short-distance and the long-distance front views may be improved over a wide area as the first variable beam pattern may diffuse even though it is irradiated with a relatively narrower area. Meanwhile, the second variable beam pattern VP2 may be irradiated to a shorter distance from the vehicle 1 than the first variable beam pattern VP1.
A predetermined gap may be formed between the first variable beam pattern VP1 and the second variable beam pattern VP2. In other words, the first variable beam pattern VP1 and the second variable beam pattern VP2 may not overlap each other. In the present disclosure, the first variable beam pattern VP1 and the second variable beam pattern VP2 may not be formed concurrently. For instance, when the first variable beam pattern VP1 is formed, the second variable beam pattern VP2 may not be formed, and when the second variable beam pattern VP2 is formed, the first variable beam pattern VP1 may not be formed.
Referring to
In addition, the first variable beam pattern VP1 may include a road surface pattern to provide driving information to the driver. For instance, in the first variable beam pattern VP1, driving information such as a driving direction, driving speed, or traffic information may be formed on the road surface in the form of an image such as a letter, a number, a symbol, or any combination thereof.
Similarly to the first variable beam pattern VP1, the second variable beam pattern VP2 may include a road surface pattern to provide driving information to the driver. For instance, in the second variable beam pattern VP2, driving information such as a driving direction, driving speed, or traffic information may be formed on the road surface in the form of an image such as a letter, a number, a symbol, or any combination thereof.
In addition, the second variable beam pattern VP2 may include a road surface pattern to provide information associated with welcoming (e.g., “welcome”) or farewell (e.g., “goodbye”). For example, when the driver approaches or moves away from the vehicle 1, the second variable beam pattern VP2 may be formed on the road surface, which includes a light pattern, an image, or a text that means a welcoming or a farewell sign to the driver.
The second variable beam pattern VP2 may be formed closer to the vehicle 1 than the low beam pattern LP. For example, the second variable beam pattern VP2 may be formed within 3 to 10 meters in front of the vehicle 1.
According to some embodiments of the present disclosure, the second variable beam pattern VP2 may include a road surface pattern to provide information different from the road surface pattern of the first variable beam pattern VP1. For instance, when the first variable beam pattern VP1 includes the driving information of the vehicle, the second variable beam pattern VP2 may include information that is different and unrelated to the driving information of the vehicle or may include information that is different and related to the driving information of the vehicle.
The first optical part 100 may irradiate light. The first optical part 100 may include a first optical group 181 (see
The beam pattern forming part 300 may reflect the light of the first optical part 100 to form the variable beam patterns VP1 and VP2. The light irradiated by the first optical part 100 may be reflected by the beam pattern forming part 300 to form the variable beam patterns VP1 and VP2. The beam pattern forming part 300 may form a beam pattern of a particular shape by reflecting some portions of the incident light towards the second optical part 200 and reflecting other portions of the incident light so that they do not reach the second optical part 200. A detailed description of the beam pattern forming part 300 will be provided later below with reference to
The second optical part 200 may transmit the light from the beam pattern forming part 300. The second optical part 200 may condense and irradiate the incident light. Accordingly, the first variable beam pattern VP1 and the second variable beam pattern VP2 of the aforementioned shape may be formed. For condensation of light, the second optical part 200 may include a plurality of lenses. The light incident on the second optical part 200 may be condensed and emitted by being transmitted through the plurality of lenses. A detailed description of the second optical part 200 will be provided later below with reference to
Referring to
The housings 310 and 320 may include a first housing 310 and a second housing 320. The first housing 310 and the second housing 320 may be coupled to each other to provide an accommodation space for the reflection part 330 and the substrate 340. The first housing 310 may be coupled to the first optical part 100 and the second optical part 200. The reflection part 330, the substrate 340, the first optical part 100, and the second optical part 200 may be accommodated in the housings 310 and 320 and/or coupled thereto, thus allowing the lamp 10 for a vehicle to operate integrally.
Referring to
Referring to
In the present disclosure, the micromirrors M1 and M2 may include at least two positions.
The plurality of micromirrors M1 and M2 included in the reflection part 330 may each have the posture for collectively forming a specific image. For instance, the plurality of micromirrors M1 and M2 may have the postures for forming an image of an arrow. When the micromirrors M2 corresponding to the image of the arrow have the second posture and the remaining micromirrors M1 have the first posture, the variable beam patterns VP1 and VP2 may be formed to include a driving information image of the arrow.
The micromirror M according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may be implemented with known technologies such as disclosed in, for example, Korean Patent Application Publication No. 10-2019-0063984 published on Jun. 10, 2019, relevant portions of which are incorporated herein by reference.
Referring to
The first reflection region R1 may have a similar shape to the first variable beam pattern VP1, and the second reflection region R2 may have a similar shape to the second variable beam pattern VP2. Specifically, the area of the second reflection region R2 may be formed to be greater than that of the first reflection region R1, and the horizontal length of the second reflection region R2 may be formed to be greater than the horizontal length of the first reflection region R1.
The second reflection region R2 may be disposed above the first reflection region R1. In the present disclosure, the light reflected in the first reflection region R1 and the light reflected in the second reflection region R2 may intersect each other and be irradiated to the second optical part 200. Specifically, the light reflected on the first reflection region R1 may be irradiated more upwards as compared to the light reflected on the second reflection region R2, and the light reflected in the second reflection region R2 may be irradiated more downwards as compared to the light reflected in the first reflection region R1. Accordingly, the light reflected on the first reflection region R1 may be incident on an upper side of the second optical part 200 as compared to the light reflected on the second reflection region R2, and the light reflected on the second reflection region R2 may be incident on a lower side of the second optical part 200 as compared to the light reflected on the first reflection region R1.
The light reflected on the first reflection region R1 may be irradiated farther than the light reflected on the second reflection region R2 to form the first variable beam pattern VP1, and the light reflected on the second reflection region R2 may be irradiated closer than the light reflected on the first reflection region R1 to form the second variable beam pattern VP2.
Referring back to
The support bracket 110 may support the first lens part 121 and the second lens part 122. The first lens part 121 may include a first lens 121a belonging to a first optical group 181 and a first lens 121b belonging to a second optical group 182. The second lens part 122 may include a second lens 122a belonging to the first optical group 181 and a second lens 122b belonging to the second optical group 182. The first lens part 121 and the second lens part 122 may transmit light while they remain spaced apart from each other by a predetermined distance by the support bracket 110.
The light source part 130 may irradiate light. The light source part 130 may include a first light source 130a belonging to the first optical group 181 and a second light source 130b belonging to the second optical group 182. The first light source 130a may irradiate light to the first lens 121a of the first optical group 181, and the second light source 130b may irradiate light to the first lens 121b of the second optical group 182.
The substrate 140 may support the light source part 130. The substrate 140 may receive electric power from outside and may transmit the power to the light source part 130. The light source part 130 may irradiate light by being operated with the power transmitted from the substrate 140.
The heat dissipation part 150 may cool the first optical group 181 and the second optical group 182. To this end, the heat dissipation part 150 may be in thermal contact with the substrate 140. The light source part 130 may be disposed on one surface of the substrate 140, and the heat dissipation part 150 may be disposed on the opposite surface. The heat dissipation part 150 may include at least one heat dissipation fin. The light source part 130 may be cooled due to heat exchange at the heat dissipation fins.
The area of the first lens 121b of the second optical group 182 may be formed to be greater than the area of the first lens 121a of the first optical group 181. Specifically, a horizontal length of the first lens 121b of the second optical group 182 may be formed longer than a horizontal length of the first lens 121a of the first optical group 181.
The first lens 121a of the first optical group 181 and the first lens 121b of the second optical group 182 may be disposed adjacent to each other. For instance, the first lens 121b of the second optical group 182 may be disposed adjacent to an upper side of the first lens 121a of the first optical group 181. At least one of the first lens 121a of the first optical group 181 or the first lens 121b of the second optical group 182 may be formed so that a portion of the lens that faces the other is planar.
Due to the planar portion of the lens, an optical axis Ax1 of the first lens 121a of the first optical group 181 and an optical axis Bx1 of the first lens 121b of the second optical group 182 may be kept closer to each other, thereby allowing the light from the first light source 130a and the second light source 130b to be more easily condensed to the reflection part 330.
A flange may be formed on edges of the first lens 121a of the first optical group 181 and the first lens 121b of the second optical group 182. The flange may abut an edge of the light transmitting aperture of the support bracket 110 and may abut an edge of a first support 111 (see
As the two lenses are bonded to each other, the area of the second lens 122b of the second optical group 182 may be formed to be greater than the area of the second lens 122a of the first optical group 181. Specifically, a horizontal length of the second lens 122b of the second optical group 182 may be formed longer than a horizontal length of the second lens 122a of the first optical group 181.
The second lens 122a of the first optical group 181 and the second lens 122b of the second optical group 182 may be disposed adjacent to each other. For instance, the second lens 122b of the second optical group 182 may be disposed adjacent to an upper side of the second lens 122a of the first optical group 181. At least one of the second lens 122a of the first optical group 181 or the second lens 122b of the second optical group 182 may be formed so that a portion of the lens that faces the other is planar.
Due to the planar portion of the lens, an optical axis Ax2 of the second lens 122a of the first optical group 181 and an optical axis Bx2 of the second lens 122b of the second optical group 182 may be kept closer to each other, thereby allowing the light from the first light source 130a and the second light source 130b to be more easily condensed to the reflection part 330.
A flange may be formed on edges of the second lens 122a of the first optical group 181 and the second lens 122b of the second optical group 182. The flange may abut the edge of the light transmitting aperture of the support bracket 110 and may abut an edge of a second support 112 (see
The first fixing plate 160 may be used to fix the first lens part 121 to the first support 111. The first fixing plate 160 may fix the first lens 121a of the first optical group 181 and the first lens 121b of the second optical group 182 to the first support 111. The first fixing plate 160 may include a first light transmitting aperture 161 and a second light transmitting aperture 162. The first fixing plate 160 may transmit light from the first light source 130a and the second light source 130b through the first light transmitting aperture 161 and the second light transmitting aperture 162, respectively. Furthermore, the first fixing plate 160 may provide a shielding function of obstructing the light in the areas other than the light transmitting apertures 161 and 162. As the light is transmitted only through the light transmitting apertures 161 and 162, and the light may be blocked from being incident into the lenses 121a and 121b included in the first lens part 121 through the remaining area of the first fixing plate 160, an intended beam pattern may be formed, and the occurrence of glare may be prevented more effectively.
The first fixing plate 160 may press the flange of the first lens part 121 to edges of the first light transmitting aperture 161 and the second light transmitting aperture 162 and may fix the flange of the first lens part 121 to the first support 111. A groove in which the flange of the first lens part 121 is to be settled may be formed along the edges of the first light transmitting aperture 113a and the second light transmitting aperture 113b of the support bracket 110. Since the flange of the first lens part 121 may be pressed from both sides thereof by the support bracket 110 and the first fixing plate 160, the first lens part 121 may be be fixed to the support bracket 110.
The first fixing plate 160 may be coupled to the first support 111 by using a fastening means BT, such as a screw, a bolt-and-nut, and the like. The first lens part 121 may be coupled to the first support 111 by fitting the first lens part 121 to the light transmitting aperture of the support bracket 110, pressing the flange of the first lens part 121 with the first fixing plate 160, and then coupling the first fixing plate 160 to the first support 111 with the fastening means BT.
The second support 112 may include a first support portion 112a and a second support portion 112b. The first support portion 112a may support the second lens 122a of the first optical group 181, and the second support portion 112b may support the second lens 122b of the second optical group 182. A step (e.g., a difference in protrusion lengths) may be formed between the first support portion 112a and the second support portion 112b so that the first support portion 112a protrudes farther than the second support portion 112b. With the protrusion of the first support portion 112a, the distance between the surface of the support bracket 110 and an emitting surface of the second lens 122a of the first optical group 181 may be set to be greater than the distance between the surface of the support bracket 110 and an emitting surface of the second lens 122b of the second optical group 182. Accordingly, an optical path length between the first lens 121a and the second lens 122a of the first optical group 181 may be formed longer than an optical path length between the first lens 121b and the second lens 122b of the second optical group 182.
A second fixing plate 170 may be used to fix the second lens part 122 to the second support 112. The second fixing plate 170 may fix the second lens 122a of the first optical group 181 and the second lens 122b of the second optical group 182 to the second support 112. The second fixing plate 170 may include a first light transmitting aperture 173a and a second light transmitting aperture 173b. The second fixing plate 170 may transmit light of the first light source 130a and the second light source 130b through the first light transmitting aperture 173a and the second light transmitting aperture 173b, respectively. Furthermore, the second fixing plate 170 may provide a shielding function of obstructing the light in the areas other than the light transmitting apertures 173a and 173b. As the light is transmitted only through the light transmitting apertures 173a and 173b, and the light may be blocked from being incident into the lenses 122a and 122b included in the second lens part 122 through the remaining area of the second fixing plate 170, an intended beam pattern may be formed, and the occurrence of glare may be prevented more effectively.
The second fixing plate 170 may press the flange of the second lens part 122 to edges of the first light transmitting aperture 173a and the second light transmitting aperture 173b and fix the flange of the second lens part 122 to the second support part 112. A groove in which the flange of the second lens part 122 is to be settled may be formed along the edges of the first light transmitting aperture 113a and the second light transmitting aperture 113b of the support bracket 110. Since the flange of the second lens part 122 may be pressed from both sides thereof by the support bracket 110 and the second fixing plate 170, the second lens part 122 may be fixed to the support bracket 110.
The second fixing plate 170 may include a first fixing part 171 and a second fixing part 172. The first fixing part 171 may fix the second lens 122a of the first optical group 181 to the second support 112, and the second fixing part 172 may fix the second lens 122b of the second optical group 182 to the second support 112. In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the second lens 122a of the first optical group 181 and the second lens 122b of the second optical group 182 may be fixed to the second support 112 by an integrated second fixing plate 170.
The second fixing plate 170 may be coupled to the second support 112 using a fastening means BT, such as a screw, a bolt-and-nut, and the like. The second lens part 122 may be coupled to the second support 112 by fitting the second lens part 122 to the light transmitting aperture of the support bracket 110, pressing the flange of the second lens part 122 with the second fixing plate 170, and then coupling the second fixing plate 170 to the second support 112 with the fastening means BT.
The first optical group 181 may irradiate light for forming the first variable beam pattern VP1. The first optical group 181 may include the first light source 130a and the first lens set 121a and 122a. The first light source 130a may irradiate a first light. The first lens set 121a and 122a may include a plurality of lenses spaced apart from one another and may transmit the first light. Specifically, the first lens set 121a and 122a may include the first lens 121a and the second lens 122a, and the first lens 121a and the second lens 122a may have a coinciding optical axis Ax.
The second optical group 182 may irradiate light for forming the second variable beam pattern VP2. The second optical group 182 may include the second light source 130b and the second lens set 121b and 122b. The second light source 130b may irradiate a second light. The second lens set 121b and 122b may include a plurality of lenses spaced apart from one another and may transmit the second light. Specifically, the second lens set 121b and 122b may include the first lens 121b and the second lens 122b, and the first lens 121b and the second lens 122b may have a coinciding optical axis Bx.
The first light source 130a may be disposed so that an optical axis Cx of the first light source 130a coincides with the optical axis Ax of the first lens set 121a and 122a. The optical axis Ax of the first lens 121a and the second lens 122a of the first optical group 181 may coincide with the optical axis Cx of the first light source 130a, and the first light irradiated from the first light source 130a may be irradiated in a direction generally parallel to the optical axis Ax of the first lens set 121a and 122a.
The optical axis Bx of the first lens 121b and the second lens 122b of the second optical group 182 may be spaced apart from an optical axis Dx of the second light source 130b. The second light source 130b may be disposed so that the optical axis Dx of the second light source 130b is spaced apart from the optical axis Bx of the second lens set 121b and 122b. Specifically, the second light source 130b may be disposed so that the optical axis Dx is disposed above the optical axis Bx of the second lens set 121b and 122b. Accordingly, the second light irradiated from the second light source 130b may be inclined and irradiated downwards with respect to the optical axis Bx of the second lens set 121b and 122b.
In the present disclosure, the first light source 130a and the second light source 130b may not be simultaneously turned on. In other words, when the first light source 130a is turned on, the second light source 130b may be turned off, and when the second light source 130b is turned on, the first light source 130a may be turned off. In other words, at least one of the first light source 130a or the second light source 130b may be turned off. Accordingly, the first variable beam pattern VP1 and the second variable beam pattern VP2 may not be formed simultaneously, and only one of the two beam patterns may be formed, or neither may be formed.
An optical path length D1 of the first lens set 121a and 122a may be formed longer than the optical path length D2 of the second lens set 121b and 122b. The first reflection region R1 of the reflection part 330 may have a smaller area than the second reflection region R2. As the optical path length D1 of the first lens set 121a and 122a is formed longer than the optical path length D2 of the second lens set 121b and 122b, light condensation efficiency of the first lens set 121a and 122a may be improved.
The optical axis Ax of the first lens set 121a and 122a and the optical axis Bx of the second lens set 121b and 122b may be formed in parallel. The first lens set 121a and 122a and the second lens set 121b and 122b may be disposed in parallel, which allows the first lens set 121a and 122a and the second lens set 121b and 122b to be more easily fixed to the support bracket 110.
The first lens set 121a and 122a and the second lens set 121b and 122b may be disposed adjacent to each other. For example, the first lens set 121a and 122a and the second lens set 121b and 122b may be disposed such that lateral surfaces thereof face each other. Furthermore, at least one of the first lens set 121a and 122a or the second lens set 121b and 122b may be formed so that a portion of the lens set that faces the other lens set is planar. Although
Due to the planar portion of the lens set, the optical axis Ax of the first lens set 121a and 122a and the optical axis Bx of the second lens set 121b and 122b may be maintained closer to each other, thereby allowing the light from the first light source 130a and the second light source 130b to be more easily condensed to the reflection part 330.
The first lens 121a and the second lens 122a of the first optical group 181 may be spaced apart from each other by a predetermined distance G1. Likewise, the first lens 121b and the second lens 122b of the second optical group 182 may be spaced apart from each other by a predetermined distance G2. The distances G1 and G2 between the first lenses 121a and 121b and the second lenses 122a and 122b may be determined to more efficiently condense the light from the light sources 130a and 130b to the reflection part 330. Accordingly, the distances G1 and G2 between the first lenses 121a and 121b and the second lenses 122a and 122b may be determined according to a focal position and a focal distance of the first lenses 121a and 121b and the second lenses 122a and 122b.
The second optical group 182 may be disposed above the first optical group 181. As described above, the light reflected in the first reflection region R1 of the reflection part 330 and the light reflected in the second reflection region R2 may cross each other, and the crossed light may be irradiated to the second optical part 200. The light irradiated from the first optical group 181 may be reflected from the first reflection region R1 and then irradiated to the second optical part 200. The light irradiated from the second optical group 182 may be reflected from the second reflection region R2 and then irradiated to the second optical part 200. The light emitted from the second reflection region R2 may be irradiated downwards as compared to the light emitted from the first reflection region R1 and may be used to form a road surface pattern.
The first lens 121a and the second lens 122a of the first optical group 181 may have a convex incident surface and a convex emitting surface. Meanwhile, the first lens 121b of the second optical group 182 may have a planar incident surface and a convex emitting surface, and the second lens 122b of the second optical group 182 may have a convex incident surface and a convex emitting surface. Accordingly, the light of the first light source 130a may be condensed more than the light of the second light source 130b and irradiated to the reflection part 330.
Referring to
Referring to
The vertical angle VA1 of the light transmitted through the first lens set 121a and 122a and condensed to the reflection part 330 may be formed greater than the vertical angle VA2 of the light transmitted through the second lens set 121b and 122b and condensed to the reflection part 330. Specifically, the vertical angle VA1 of the light transmitted through the first lens 121a and the second lens 122a of the first optical group 181 and condensed to the first region R1 of the reflection part 330 may be greater than the vertical angle V2 of the light transmitted through the first lens 121b and the second lens 122b of the second optical group 182 and condensed to the second region R2 of the reflection part 330. The light of the first light source 130a may be condensed more than the light of the second light source 130b and be irradiated to the reflection part 330. Accordingly, when the first light source 130a and the second light source 130b have substantially equal performance, the first variable beam pattern VP1 may exhibit a higher brightness than the second variable beam pattern VP2.
Referring to
Referring to
The horizontal width of the light transmitted through the second lens set 121b and 122b and condensed to the reflection part 330 may be formed larger than the horizontal width of the light transmitted through the first lens set 121a and 122a and condensed to the reflection part 330. Accordingly, the horizontal length of the second variable beam pattern VP2 may be formed longer than the horizontal length of the first variable beam pattern VP1.
In addition, the horizontal angle HA1 by which the light is condensed onto the reflection part 330 after passing through the first lens 121a and the second lens 122a of the first optical group 181 may be formed larger than the horizontal angle HA2 by which the light is condensed onto the reflection part 330 after passing through the first lens 121b and the second lens 122a of the second optical group 182. Accordingly, the first variable beam pattern VP1 may spread in the horizontal direction wider than the second variable beam pattern VP2.
The first optical group 181 and the second optical group 182 may be disposed towards the reflection part 330. Furthermore, the first lens set 121a and 122a of the first optical group 181 and the second lens set 121b and 122b of the second optical group 182 may face the reflection part 330 with substantially equal inclination. Specifically, the optical axis Ax of the first lens set 121a and 122a and the optical axis Bx of the second lens set 121b and 122b may form a substantially equal angle with respect to a light reflection surface of the reflection part 330. In other words, the optical axis Ax of the first lens set 121a and 122a may be parallel to the optical axis Bx of the second lens set 121b and 122b.
As described above, the optical axis Cx of the first light source 130a may coincide with the optical axis Ax of the first lens set 121a and 122a. Accordingly, the first optical group 181 may irradiate the first light La generally parallel to the optical axis Ax of the first lens set 121a and 122a. Meanwhile, the optical axis Dx of the second light source 130b may not coincide with the optical axis Bx of the second lens set 121b and 122b. Specifically, the optical axis Dx of the second light source 130b may be disposed above the optical axis Bx of the second lens set 121b and 122b.
As the optical axis Dx of the second light source 130b does not coincide with the optical axis Bx of the second lens set 121b and 122b, the angle between the incident light and the reflected light by the second optical group 182 may be formed larger than the angle between the incident light and the reflected light by the first optical group 181. Thus, the angle of the second optical group 182 with respect to an imaginary line that is normal to the light reflecting surface of the reflection part 330 may be formed larger than the angle of the first optical group 181 with respect to the imaginary line that is normal to the light reflecting surface of the reflection part 330. To this end, as shown in
As compared to the second light Lb of the second optical group 182, the first light La of the first optical group 181 may be reflected from a lower region of the reflection part 330, i.e., the first reflection region R1, to pass through the second optical part 200 and then irradiated to the front of the vehicle 1. In such case, the first light La of the first optical group 181 may be incident on the upper region of the second optical part 200 as compared to the second light Lb of the second optical group 182.
The first light La of the first optical group 181 and the second light Lb of the second optical group 182 may cross (e.g., primary optical axes thereof may intersect each other) between the reflection part 330 and the second optical part 200. In other words, the first light La reflected from the first reflection region R1 and the second light Lb reflected from the second reflection region R2 may cross each other and the crossed light may be irradiated to the second optical part 200.
The second light Lb of the second optical group 182 reflected by the reflection part 330 may be irradiated more downwards as compared to the first light La of the first optical group 181 reflected by the reflection part 330. In other words, the second light Lb reflected in the second reflection region R2 may be irradiated to a lower region of the second optical part 200 as compared to the first light La reflected from the first reflection region R1. The first light La reflected from the first reflection region R1 may be irradiated to a longer distance in front of the vehicle 1 as compared to the second light Lb reflected from the second reflection region R2, thereby forming the first variable beam pattern VP1. The second light Lb reflected from the second reflection region R2 may be irradiated to a shorter distance in front of the vehicle 1 as compared to the first light La reflected from the first reflection region R1, thereby forming a second variable beam pattern VP2.
Referring to
A vertical width VW1 of the first light La of the first optical group 181 passing through the second optical part 200 may be formed larger than a vertical width VW2 of the second light Lb of the second optical group 182 passing through the second optical part 200. Accordingly, the first variable beam pattern VP1 formed by the first light La of the first optical group 181 passing through the second optical part 200 may have a larger vertical width VW1 than the second variable beam pattern VP2 formed by the second light Lb of the second optical group 182 passing through the second optical part 200.
Referring to
A sealing part 400 may be provided to prevent the introduction of foreign substances. The sealing part 400 may be disposed between the first optical part 100 and the beam pattern forming part 300 to seal the inside of the beam pattern forming part 300. For instance, the sealing part 400 may include a material of a relatively high resilience, such as rubber, urethane, or silicone. As the sealing part 400 prevents a gap from forming between the first optical part 100 and the first housing 310, foreign materials may be prevented from being introduced into the beam pattern forming part 300.
The second optical part 200 may be disposed adjacent to the light transmitting aperture 311 where the light of the first optical part 100 is incident. The second optical part 200 may be provided in a generally cylindrical shape. Accordingly, a portion of the light transmitting aperture 311 may include an arc corresponding to the shape of the second optical part 200. The sealing part 400 may include an arc-shaped portion 410 that conforms a portion of the second optical part 200, and the position of the arc-shaped portion 410 may correspond to the heat dissipation part 150 of the first optical part 100. Accordingly, as illustrated in
Referring to
Referring back to
The barrel 230 may accommodate the plurality of lenses 211 to 215. Furthermore, the barrel 230 may accommodate the spacers 221 to 224 together with the lenses 211 to 215. To this end, the barrel 230 may include an accommodation space for accommodating the lenses 211 to 215 and the spacers 221 to 224. Assemblies of the lenses 211 to 215 and the spacers 221 to 224 may generally have a cylindrical shape, and accordingly, the accommodation space of the barrel 230 may also have a cylindrical shape.
The cap 240 may be coupled to the barrel 230 to prevent the lenses 211 to 215 and the spacers 221 to 224 from deviating from the accommodation space of the barrel 230. Similarly to the spacers 221 to 224, the cap 240 may include a hollow space. The light that passes through the lenses 211 to 215 may be irradiated forward without deformation through the hollow space of the cap 240.
The incident surface of the proximal lens 211 closest to the beam pattern forming part 300 and the emitting surface of a distal lens 215 that is farthest from the beam pattern forming part 300 may be convex. Such configuration may improve the condensation of the light incident on the second optical part 200 and the light emitted therefrom.
The plurality of lenses 211 to 215 may include aspherical lenses and spherical lenses. With an appropriate arrangement of the aspherical and spherical lenses, the chromatic aberration may be reduced and/or straightness of light may be improved. In such case, the number of aspherical lenses among the plurality of lenses 211 to 215 may be greater than the number of spherical lenses. Accordingly, the light emitted from the second optical part 200 may be generally irradiated with straightness.
Incident surfaces and emitting surfaces of at least one lens among the plurality of lenses 211 to 215 may have a different curvature direction. For instance, the incident surface and the emitting surface of the lenses may be convex and concave, respectively, or may be concave and convex, respectively. Alternatively, the incident surface and the emitting surface of at least one lens among the plurality of lenses 211 to 215 may be concave and convex, respectively, or may be convex and concave, respectively. Furthermore, among the plurality of lenses 211 to 215, the number of lenses with the positive refractive power may be greater than the number of lenses with a negative refractive power. The shape of each lens that constitutes the plurality of lenses 211 to 215 and their performance may be appropriately determined to reduce the chromatic aberration and improve the straightness of light.
Although
Referring to
A step (e.g., diameter change) may be formed between adjacent accommodating regions. The step may prevent the lens with a large diameter from moving to the accommodating region of the lens with a small diameter.
Referring to
Referring to
The cap 240 may be coupled to or decoupled from the barrel 230. To this end, the cap 240 and the barrel 230 may include corresponding threads 242 and 232 configured to be coupled to each other, respectively. As the barrel 230 is brought in close contact with the cap 240 and then rotated, the cap 240 and the barrel 230 may become screw-coupled. Furthermore, the cap 240 coupled to the barrel 230 may be rotated to decouple the cap 240 from the barrel 230. Meanwhile, according to some embodiments of the present disclosure, the cap 240 may be coupled to the barrel 230 using an adhesive such as a resin or an ultraviolet adhesive.
The barrel 250 may include a first barrel 250a and a second barrel 250b. Each of the first barrel 250a and the second barrel 250b may be provided substantially in the shape of a semicircular pillar. After the first barrel 250a and the second barrel 250b are brought towards the plurality of lenses 211 to 215, they may be coupled to each other, which makes it possible to accommodate the plurality of lenses 211 to 215 in the barrel 250 with predetermined gaps maintained therebetween. The first barrel 250a and the second barrel 250b may be coupled using an adhesive such as a resin or an ultraviolet adhesive or be coupled using a coupling means such as a screw. Upon coupling of the first barrel 250a and the second barrel 250b, the plurality of lenses 211 to 215 may be fixed to the barrel 250. When using the barrel 250 including the movement prevention feature 251, an operation of separately coupling the spacer may be omitted.
Although the embodiments of the present disclosure have been described with reference to the above and the accompanying drawings, those of ordinary skill in the art, to which the present disclosure pertains, may understand that the present disclosure may be implemented in other specific forms without changing the technical spirit or essential features. Therefore, it should be understood that the embodiments described above are illustrative only and non-limiting in any respects.
Number | Date | Country | Kind |
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10-2021-0191379 | Dec 2021 | KR | national |