Light guide apparatus

Abstract

A light guide apparatus, according to an embodiment of the present invention, comprises: a plate portion in which light is totally reflected internally; a first diffraction portion diffracting the light, which is totally reflected inside the plate portion, to the outside; a second diffraction portion diffracting the light, which is incident into the plate portion, toward the first diffraction portion; and a camera module disposed adjacent to the first diffraction portion and into which the light diffracted by the first diffraction portion is incident, wherein the first diffraction portion and the second diffraction portion include a grating pattern having an inclination on an incident surface onto which the light is incident, and the plate portion is inclined toward an object.

Description

Light guide device

[0001] The present invention relates to a light guide device.

[0002] The camera module can sense light reflected from an object and generate an image based on the sensed light.

[0003] However, since camera modules generate images using light incident on the image sensor, they generally sense the image in the direction they are facing. If the camera module cannot reach the desired shooting location, this can be overcome through various methods, such as using a drone, utilizing a separate support structure, or employing a miniature camera module.

[0004] Nevertheless, the use of a light guide device is being devised in which, for design or aesthetic reasons, the camera module is not exposed externally, and the incident light is diffracted and the diffracted light is totally reflected so that the position of incidence and the position where the light is sensed are different.

[0005] In particular, the light guide device positioned facing the instrument panel to capture the occupant's condition is positioned such that the camera module is positioned differently from the incident position of the light to prevent the camera module from obstructing the instrument panel. Additionally, it is positioned at an angle relative to the instrument panel to prevent external light from reflecting onto the occupant.

[0006] In other words, since the light guide device is positioned at an angle, it is necessary to consider the angle of incidence of light and the tilt of the camera module.

[0007] The present invention is an invention devised to solve the problems of the aforementioned prior art, and aims to maintain the performance of a light guide device positioned at an angle.

[0008] The problems that the present invention aims to solve are not limited to those mentioned above, and other problems not mentioned herein will be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the description below.

[0009] A light guide device according to an embodiment of the present invention for achieving the above-mentioned purpose comprises a plate portion in which light is totally reflected internally, a first diffraction portion that diffracts the light totally reflected internally within the plate portion outwardly, a second diffraction portion that diffracts the light incident into the interior of the plate portion toward the first diffraction portion, and a camera module disposed adjacent to the first diffraction portion and into which the light diffracted from the first diffraction portion is incident, wherein the first diffraction portion and the second diffraction portion include a grating pattern having an inclination on the incident surface into which the light is incident, and the plate portion is tilted toward an object.

[0010] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the angle of arrangement between a virtual line crossing the center of the camera module in a direction toward the first diffraction part in the camera module and one surface of the plate part facing the camera module may be greater than 90 degrees.

[0011] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the camera module includes an optical system, and the virtual line crossing the center of the camera module may be the optical axis of the optical system.

[0012] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the second diffraction unit includes an incident surface into which the light is incident, and the second diffraction unit may include a grating pattern that diffracts the light.

[0013] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the grid pattern may be formed at an angle with respect to the incident plane.

[0014] According to an embodiment of the present invention, with respect to a virtual line perpendicular to the incident plane, the angle of incidence between the virtual line and the incident light may be smaller than the angle of diffraction between the diffracted light diffracted from the incident plane and the virtual line.

[0015] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the incident light is reflected from the incident surface, and the grating angle between the incident surface and the grating pattern may be 0.95 to 1.05 times the average value of the incident angle and the diffraction angle.

[0016] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the incident light transmits the incident surface, and the grating angle between the incident surface and the grating pattern may be inversely proportional to the average of the incident angle and the diffraction angle.

[0017] According to an embodiment of the present invention, a virtual line crossing the center of the camera module in a direction toward the first diffraction part in the camera module and one surface of the plate part facing the camera module may be arranged perpendicularly to each other.

[0018] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the camera module includes an optical system, and the optical system includes a plurality of lenses and an image sensor arranged along the virtual line, and the image sensor may be spaced apart from the virtual line.

[0019] Additionally, a light guide device according to an embodiment of the present invention comprises a plate portion disposed facing a display and in which light is totally reflected from within, a first diffraction portion that diffracts the light totally reflected from within the plate portion outwardly, a second diffraction portion that diffracts the light incident into the interior of the plate portion toward the first diffraction portion, and a camera module disposed adjacent to the first diffraction portion and into which the light diffracted from the first diffraction portion is incident, wherein the plate portion is disposed at an angle with respect to the display.

[0020] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the first distance between one end of the plate portion where the first diffraction portion is disposed and the display may be smaller than the second distance between the other end of the plate portion where the second diffraction portion is disposed and the display.

[0021] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the second diffraction unit includes an incident plane into which the light is incident, and the light incident on the camera module may be incident in a region opposite to the direction toward the first diffraction unit with respect to a virtual line perpendicular to the incident plane.

[0022] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the angle of arrangement between a virtual line crossing the center of the camera module and the center of the first diffraction part and one surface of the plate part facing the camera module may be greater than 90 degrees.

[0023] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the camera module includes an optical system, and the angle formed between the optical axis of the optical system of the camera module and one surface of the plate portion on which the first diffraction part is disposed may be greater than 90 degrees.

[0024] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the second diffraction unit includes a grating pattern that diffracts the light, and the grating pattern may be formed at an angle with respect to the incident plane.

[0025] According to an embodiment of the present invention, with respect to the virtual line, the angle of incidence between the virtual line and the incident light may be smaller than the angle of diffraction between the diffracted light diffracted from the incident plane and the virtual line.

[0026] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the incident light is reflected from the incident surface, and the grating angle between the incident surface and the grating pattern may be 0.95 to 1.05 times the average value of the incident angle and the diffraction angle.

[0027] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the incident light transmits the incident surface, and the grating angle between the incident surface and the grating pattern may be inversely proportional to the average of the incident angle and the diffraction angle.

[0028] According to an embodiment of the present invention, a virtual line crossing the center of the camera module in a direction toward the first diffraction part in the camera module and one surface of the plate part facing the camera module are arranged perpendicularly to each other, and the image sensor of the camera module may be arranged spaced apart from the virtual line.

[0029] The light guide device according to an embodiment of the present invention for solving the above problem may have the effect of maintaining the performance of a light guide device that is positioned at an angle.

[0030] The effects of the present invention are not limited to those mentioned above, and other unmentioned effects will be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the description in the claims.

[0031] In addition, the effects of the present invention may be described in more detail in the detailed description of the present invention and are not necessarily limited to those presented above.

[0032] The summary described above, as well as the detailed description of the preferred embodiments of the present application described below, will be better understood when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

[0033] Preferred embodiments are illustrated in the drawings for the purpose of illustrating the present invention.

[0034] However, it should be understood that the present application is not limited to the exact arrangement and means depicted.

[0035] FIG. 1 is a drawing illustrated for the overall explanation of a light guide device according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0036] FIG. 2 is a drawing illustrating the tilt of a light guide device and a camera module according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0037] FIG. 3 is a drawing illustrating the incident area of ​​light of a light guide device according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0038] FIG. 4 is a drawing illustrating the case where the first diffraction part of the light guide device according to an embodiment of the present invention is of the reflection type;

[0039] FIG. 5 is a drawing illustrating the case where the first diffraction part of the light guide device according to an embodiment of the present invention is a transmission type;

[0040] FIG. 6 is a drawing illustrating the case where the light guide device according to an embodiment of the present invention is a transmission type;

[0041] FIG. 7 is a drawing illustrated for the overall description of a light guide device according to a modified embodiment of the present invention;

[0042] FIG. 8 is a drawing illustrating the incident area of ​​a light guide device according to a modified embodiment of the present invention; and

[0043] FIG. 9 is a drawing illustrating the arrangement of an image sensor for receiving an incident area of ​​a light guide device according to a modified example of the present invention.

[0044] The present invention is capable of various modifications and may have various embodiments, and specific embodiments are illustrated in the drawings and described in detail. However, this is not intended to limit the present invention to specific embodiments, and it should be understood that it includes all modifications, equivalents, and substitutions that fall within the spirit and scope of the present invention. In describing the present invention, detailed descriptions of related prior art are omitted if it is determined that such detailed descriptions may obscure the essence of the present invention.

[0045] Terms such as "first," "second," etc., may be used to describe various components, but said components should not be limited by said terms. These terms are used solely for the purpose of distinguishing one component from another.

[0046] The terms used in this application are used merely to describe specific embodiments and are not intended to limit the invention. The singular expression includes the plural expression unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. In this application, terms such as "comprising" or "having" are intended to indicate the presence of the features, numbers, steps, actions, components, parts, or combinations thereof described in the specification, and should be understood as not precluding the existence or addition of one or more other features, numbers, steps, actions, components, parts, or combinations thereof.

[0047] Furthermore, throughout the specification, when the term "connected" is used, it does not mean only that two or more components are directly connected, but may also mean that two or more components are indirectly connected through other components, that they are connected not only physically but also electrically, or that they are a single unit although referred to by different names depending on their location or function.

[0048] Furthermore, when described as being formed or placed on the “top or bottom” of each component, “top or bottom” includes not only cases where two components are in direct contact with each other, but also cases where one or more other components are formed or placed between the two components. Additionally, when expressed as “top or bottom,” it may include the meaning of a downward direction as well as an upward direction relative to a single component.

[0049] A preferred embodiment of the present invention, in which the objective of the present invention can be specifically realized, will be described below with reference to the attached FIGS. 1 to 5.

[0050] Specifically, FIG. 1 is a drawing illustrating an overall description of a light guide device according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a drawing illustrating an explanation of the tilt of a light guide device and a camera module according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 3 is a drawing illustrating an explanation of the incident area of ​​light of a light guide device according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 4 is a drawing illustrating a case where the first diffraction part of a light guide device according to an embodiment of the present invention is a reflection type, FIG. 5 is a drawing illustrating a case where the first diffraction part of a light guide device according to an embodiment of the present invention is a transmission type, and FIG. 6 is a drawing illustrating a case where the light guide device according to an embodiment of the present invention is a transmission type.

[0051] First, the light guide device according to an embodiment of the present invention includes, as shown in FIG. 1, a plate portion (100) in which light is totally reflected from within, a first diffraction portion (200) that diffracts the light totally reflected from within the plate portion (100) to the outside, a second diffraction portion (300) that diffracts the light incident into the interior of the plate portion (100) toward the first diffraction portion (200), and a camera module (400) that is positioned adjacent to the second diffraction portion (300) and into which the light diffracted from the first diffraction portion (200) is incident.

[0052] Here, each of the first diffraction section (200) and the second diffraction section (300) may include a grating pattern having an inclination on the incident plane where light is incident. Additionally, the first diffraction section (200) and the second diffraction section (300) may be of the reflection type. That is, light incident on the inside of the plate section (100) may be diffracted at the incident plane of the first diffraction section (200) and totally reflected inside the plate section (100), and light incident on the incident plane of the second diffraction section (300) may be diffracted toward the outside of the plate section (100), preferably toward the image sensor of the camera module (400).

[0053] At this time, the first diffraction section (200) is positioned facing the display (G), and the first diffraction section (200) may be positioned at an angle to the display (G). That is, the first diffraction section (200) and the display (G) may not be parallel to each other. At this time, since the first diffraction section (200) is positioned at an angle to the display (G), the light diffracted from the second diffraction section (300) to the camera module (400) is also diffracted at a predetermined angle, so the camera module (400) may be positioned at an angle to the plate section (100).

[0054] Here, the display (G) may be a vehicle instrument panel. In the detailed description of the present invention, to facilitate a smooth understanding of the light guide device according to an embodiment of the present invention, the display (G) is assumed to be an instrument panel. However, this is merely an example to aid in understanding the light guide device according to an embodiment of the present invention and is not necessarily limited thereto.

[0055] In the light guide device according to an embodiment of the present invention, the vector (V1) of the display (G) and the vector (V2) of the plate portion (100) are different from each other, and the angle formed between the front of the camera module (400) looking at the plate portion (100) and the plate portion (100) may be different from the angle between the front of the camera module (400) and the front of the display (G) looking at the plate portion (100). That is, the camera module (400), the display (G), and the plate portion (100) may have different angles from each other.

[0056] To explain this in detail, as shown in FIG. 1, the first distance (L1) between the end of the plate portion (100) where the first diffraction part (200) is placed and the display (G) may be smaller than the second distance (L2) between the other end of the plate portion (100) where the second diffraction part (300) is placed and the display (G). That is, the other end of the plate portion (100) where the second diffraction part (300) is placed may be positioned relatively in front of the first end of the plate portion (100) where the first diffraction part (200) is placed and tilted.

[0057] At this time, the first diffraction section (200) and the second diffraction section (300) are provided in a reflection type, so the first distance (L1) between one end of the plate section (100) and the display (G) corresponds to the distance between the plate section (100) and the display (G), but since the second diffraction section (300) is arranged between the other end of the plate section (100) and the display (G), the second distance (L2) may be interpreted as the distance between the second diffraction section (300) and the display (G).

[0058] That is, the first distance (L1) corresponds to the shortest distance between the light guide device according to the embodiment of the present invention and the display (G) at one end of the plate portion (100), and the second distance (L2) corresponds to the shortest distance between the light guide device according to the embodiment of the present invention and the display (G) at the other end of the plate portion (100). This will be compared in more detail through the drawings to be described later.

[0059] Meanwhile, as previously described, the display (G), camera module (400), and plate portion (100) are tilted at different angles from each other, and the front of the camera module (400) facing the plate portion (100) and the display (G) may be tilted at an angle. Additionally, in FIG. 1, the display (G) is shown tilted further to the left by a first angle of placement (A1) than the front of the camera module (400), but depending on the design, the display (G) may be tilted further to the right by a first angle of placement (A1), and is not necessarily limited to what is shown.

[0060] However, generally, in order for the light of the display (G) to be easily transmitted to the passenger, it may be desirable for the display (G) to be tilted to the left by a first placement angle (A1) relative to the front of the camera module (400).

[0061] In addition, the plate portion (100) of the light guide device according to an embodiment of the present invention is positioned such that the second distance (L2) is inclined more significantly than the first distance (L1), so that the first diffraction portion (200) is relatively farther from the passenger than the second diffraction portion (300), and the second diffraction portion (300) is relatively closer to the passenger than the first diffraction portion (200). This may have the effect of preventing sunlight from being reflected by the plate portion (100) and affecting the passenger's field of vision.

[0062] In particular, taking the instrument panel as an example, the instrument panel is positioned relatively lower than the passenger's field of vision, and when the plate portion (100) is positioned corresponding to the display (G), external light is reflected and directed toward the passenger's field of vision, so it may be preferable for the plate portion (100) to be positioned in a tilted shape on its upper side.

[0063] To explain this in detail, refer to FIG. 2. As shown in FIG. 2, the second arrangement angle (A2) between the first virtual line (I1) crossing the center of the camera module (400) in the direction toward the first diffraction part (200) from the camera module (400) and one surface of the plate part (100) facing the camera module (400) is greater than 90 degrees.

[0064] The plate portion (100) is positioned at an angle relative to the display (G) and the camera module (400), and since the first distance (L1) described above is smaller than the second distance (L2), one end of the plate portion (100) is positioned relatively closer to the camera module (400) than the other end, and due to this positioning shape, the second positioning angle (A2) described above may be greater than 90 degrees.

[0065] However, the second placement angle (A2) between the first virtual line (I1) crossing the center of the camera module (400) and the plate portion (100) can be increased as the third distance (L3) between the plate portion (100) and the front of the camera module (400) increases. The angle of light incident on the second diffraction portion (300) of the camera module (400) affects the light diffracted by the first diffraction portion (200), and the camera module (400), which is positioned to be tilted according to the angle of the diffracted light, can be positioned so that the second placement angle (A2) becomes larger as the third distance (L3) increases.

[0066] With reference to FIG. 1, the front of the camera module (400) and the display (G) are positioned at an angle of first positioning (A1), and since the display (G) is relatively tilted to the left of the camera module (400) by the first positioning angle (A1), that is, in a direction away from the plate portion (100), if the third distance (L3) between the camera module (400) and the plate portion (100) increases, the angle formed by the display (G) and the plate portion (100) can be increased.

[0067] Additionally, the camera module (400) includes an optical system (410), and a first virtual line (I1) crossing the center of the camera module (400) may be the optical axis of the optical system (410). Alternatively, the first virtual line (I1) may be interpreted as having the same meaning as the optical axis of the camera module (400), and the plate portion (100) may be positioned at a second positioning angle (A2) with respect to the optical axis of the camera module (400), and the display (G) may be positioned not perpendicular to the optical axis of the camera module (400).

[0068] Meanwhile, as illustrated in FIG. 3, the light guide device according to an embodiment of the present invention is positioned at an angle relative to the display (G) to prevent external light from reflecting into the passenger's field of vision, and the second diffraction part (300) may be positioned relatively closer to the passenger than the first diffraction part (200).

[0069] Accordingly, light incident on the second diffraction section (300) is reflected at the same angle as the light reflected from the first diffraction section (200), and the second arrangement angle (A2) at which the camera module (400) is tilted relative to the plate section (100) can vary depending on the angle of light incident on the second diffraction section (300).

[0070] That is, when the area is divided into a region facing the first diffraction section (200) and a region opposite to the direction facing the first diffraction section (200) based on an incident virtual line (IS) perpendicular to the incident plane of the second diffraction section (300), in order for the light incident from the second diffraction section (300) to be diffracted at the first diffraction section (200) and directed toward the camera module (400), the light in the region facing the first diffraction section (200) is not diffracted, and only the light incident from the region opposite to the direction facing the first diffraction section (200) can be diffracted toward the first diffraction section (200).

[0071] Specifically, a plurality of incident virtual lines (IS) perpendicular to the incident plane of the second diffraction section (300) may be formed along the longitudinal direction of the second diffraction section (300), that is, in the direction from the second diffraction section (300) toward the first diffraction section (200), and based on each incident virtual line (IS), the area toward the first diffraction section (200) described above and the area opposite to the direction toward the first diffraction section (200) may be divided.

[0072] At this time, the light incident on the second diffraction section (300) is diffracted from the second diffraction section (300) to the first diffraction section (200) only in the region opposite to the direction toward the first diffraction section (200) centered on the incident virtual line (IS) perpendicular to the incident plane of the second diffraction section (300), and the light diffracted from the first diffraction section (200) and incident on the camera module (400) can also be incident only in the region opposite to the direction toward the first diffraction section (200) centered on the incident virtual line (IS) perpendicular to the incident plane of the second diffraction section (300).

[0073] That is, if the angle in the direction toward the first diffraction section (200) relative to the incident virtual line (IS) is defined as a negative angle and the angle in the opposite direction toward the first diffraction section (200) is defined as a positive angle, then only light having a positive angle of incidence relative to the incident virtual line (IS) can be incident on the second diffraction section (300), or alternatively, light diffracted from the first diffraction section (200) and incident on the camera module (400), and light having a zero or negative angle of incidence relative to the incident virtual line (IS) may not be incident on the camera module (400).

[0074] Alternatively, referring to FIG. 1 and FIG. 3, as shown in FIG. 1, the occupant is positioned in the field of view at a relatively higher position than the display (G), and when external light is reflected off the plate portion (100), the light is transmitted directly to the occupant's field of view, obstructing the field of view, which may lead to a risk of accident.

[0075] Therefore, in the light guide device according to the embodiment of the present invention, the plate portion (100) is positioned at an angle relative to the display (G), and as the angle of inclination is such that the upper side is relatively close to the passenger and the lower side is relatively far from the passenger, the reflected light is not directed toward the passenger but is reflected downward toward the passenger's field of vision, so that the reflected light is not directed directly toward the passenger, thereby preventing the risk of an accident.

[0076] In addition, as shown in FIG. 3, in the second diffraction section (300), only light having a positive angle relative to the incident virtual line (IS) is incident, and light having a negative angle is not incident, so the situation of the occupant can be received by the camera module (400).

[0077] That is, as the plate portion (100) is tilted, the incident light is incident on the second diffraction portion (300) in a limited manner, and it may be desirable for the camera module (400) to be positioned at a relative tilt with respect to the plate portion (100) due to the angle of the light incident on the second diffraction portion (300). This may be because the reflected light is incident on the camera module (400) at the same angle as the incident light.

[0078] In this way, for only light having a positive incident angle with respect to the incident virtual line (IS) to be diffracted from the second diffraction section (300) to the first diffraction section (200), the diffraction patterns of the second diffraction section (300) and the first diffraction section (200) can be considered important.

[0079] To explain this, refer to FIG. 4. As shown in FIG. 4, the second diffraction section (300) includes a grating pattern, and the grating pattern (301) of the second diffraction section (300) may be arranged at an angle with respect to the incident plane where light is incident.

[0080] At this time, when a virtual line perpendicular to the incident plane of the second diffraction section (300) is defined as the second virtual line (I2) and a virtual line perpendicular to the incident plane of the plate section (100) is defined as the third virtual line (I3), the angle (θ1) incident on the plate section (100) with respect to the third virtual line (I3) is relatively larger than the second angle incident on the incident plane of the second diffraction section (300) with respect to the second virtual line (I2), and the second angle may be smaller than the diffraction angle diffracted on the incident plane of the second diffraction section (300) with respect to the second virtual line (I2).

[0081] At this time, the grating angle (θ4) of the grating pattern tilted with respect to the incident plane may correspond to the average of the incident angle (θ2) and the diffraction angle (θ3). That is, the grating pattern must be positioned so as to be tilted on the incident plane of the second diffraction section (300) by an angle (θ4) having an error range of 5% of the average value of the incident angle (θ2) and the diffraction angle (θ3) so that the light incident on the second diffraction section (300) can be diffracted toward the first diffraction section (200). Alternatively, the grating angle (θ4) may be 0.95 to 1.05 times the average value of the incident angle (θ2) and the diffraction angle (θ3). Here, the 5% error range takes into account various factors such as tolerances occurring during the manufacturing process, errors caused by the expansion or contraction of the product due to external factors, and errors caused during the process of forming multiple grid patterns. Since a grid angle (θ4) being less than 0.95 times or more than 1.05 times the average value of the incident angle (θ2) and the diffraction angle (θ3) may cause problems with the product's performance, it may be desirable for the grid angle (θ4) to be between 0.95 times and 1.05 times the average value of the incident angle (θ2) and the diffraction angle (θ3).

[0082] Additionally, although not illustrated, the grating pattern of the first diffraction section (200) may also be formed with an angle (θ4) identical to that of the grating pattern (301) of the second diffraction section (300) and inclined at the incident plane of the first diffraction section (200). As a result, the angle of light incident on the incident plane of the second diffraction section (300) and the angle of light diffracted on the incident plane of the first diffraction section (200) can be the same when incident on the camera module (400).

[0083] Additionally, the average of the refractive indices of each grating pattern (301) of the second diffraction section (300) may be relatively smaller than the refractive index of the plate section (100).

[0084] For example, if the angle (θ1) incident on the incident surface of the plate portion (100) with respect to the third virtual line (I3) is 10 degrees, the angle (θ2) incident on the incident surface of the second diffraction portion (300) with respect to the second virtual line (I2) is 30 degrees, and the diffraction angle (θ3) diffracted on the incident surface of the second diffraction portion (300) is 45 degrees, the grating angle (θ4) of the grating pattern (301) of the second diffraction portion (300) may be 37.5 degrees.

[0085] However, generally, considering various variables and external errors during the product design process such as production and assembly, it may be desirable to have a value of 0.95 to 1.05 times the average value described above. That is, if the arithmetic value of the grid angle (θ4) described above is 37.5 degrees, it may be desirable for the range of the grid angle (θ4) considering the error range to have a value of 35.6 to 39.4 degrees.

[0086] Meanwhile, although the first diffraction section (200) and the second diffraction section (300) of the light guide device according to the embodiment of the present invention described above were both explained as reflection-type grating patterns that reflect and diffract with respect to the incident plane, transmission-type grating patterns can also be explained with reference to FIG. 5 and FIG. 6.

[0087] Specifically, as illustrated in FIG. 5, since the transmission type is not incident on the incident surface of the second diffraction section (300) through the plate section (100), only a second virtual line (I2) perpendicular to the second diffraction section (300) is formed, and an incident angle (θ2) which is the incident angle incident on the incident surface of the second diffraction section (300) based on the second virtual line (I2) and a diffraction angle (θ3) which is diffracted based on the incident surface of the second diffraction section (300) and the second virtual line (I2) are formed, and the grating pattern (301) of the second diffraction section (300) can be arranged to be inclined with a grating angle (θ4) on the incident surface of the second diffraction section (300).

[0088] Here, the angle of incidence (θ2) is smaller than the angle of diffraction (θ3), and the grating angle (θ4) can correspond to the difference between the average value of the angle of incidence (θ2) and the angle of diffraction (θ3) at 90 degrees. That is, since the grating angle (θ4) corresponds to the difference between the average value of the angle of incidence (θ2) and the angle of diffraction (θ3) at 90 degrees, the grating angle (θ4) decreases as the average value of the angle of incidence (θ2) and the angle of diffraction (θ3) increases, so the grating angle (θ4) can be inversely proportional to the average value of the angle of incidence (θ2) and the angle of diffraction (θ3). That is, the grating angle (θ4) can have a smaller value as the angle of incidence (θ2) or the angle of diffraction (θ3) increases.

[0089] For example, as in FIG. 4, when the incident angle (θ2) incident on the incident plane of the second diffraction section (300) with respect to the second virtual line (I2) is 30 degrees and the diffraction angle (θ3) diffracted on the incident plane of the second diffraction section (300) is 45 degrees, the grating angle (θ4) of the grating pattern (301) of the second diffraction section (300) may be 52.5 degrees.

[0090] However, as described above, considering various variables and external errors during the product design process such as production and assembly, it may be desirable to have a value of 0.95 to 1.05 times the calculated value described above. That is, when the grid angle (θ4) described above has a calculated value of 52.5 degrees, the preferred range of the grid angle (θ4) considering the error range may be 49.8 to 55.2 degrees.

[0091] This may be because the angle at which light must be diffracted to be incident on the first diffraction section (200) differs depending on whether it is reflected and diffracted from the incident plane of the second diffraction section (300) or transmitted and diffracted from the incident plane.

[0092] Meanwhile, as described above, in the case where a transmission type grid pattern is used instead of a reflection type grid pattern, as shown in FIG. 6, when light passes through the second diffraction section (300) and is diffracted into the interior of the plate section (100), the diffracted light is totally reflected inside the plate section (100), and the totally reflected light is diffracted at the second diffraction section (300) and can be incident on an external camera module (400).

[0093] Additionally, if necessary, a separate cover (C) may be placed at one end of the plate portion (100) to prevent exposure of the camera module (400), and at this time, the cover (C) may be placed on the same plane as the second diffraction portion (300) and the plate portion (100).

[0094] In addition, similar to the previous reflection type, the display (G), the front of the camera module (400), and the plate portion (100) may be tilted at different angles from each other, and in the case of the transmission type, the angle of arrangement between the plate portion (100) and the virtual line crossing the center of the camera module (400) in the direction from the camera module (400) toward the first diffraction portion (200) may have an obtuse angle of 90 degrees or more.

[0095] In this way, the plate portion (100) is positioned at an angle to the display (G), and the light incident on the second diffraction portion (300) is light incident in an area opposite to the direction toward the first diffraction portion (200) based on the incident virtual line (IS) perpendicular to the incident plane of the second diffraction portion (300), and the camera module (400) is positioned at an angle corresponding to the incident light, so that the light reflected from the outside is not reflected toward the occupant, while maintaining the performance of the light guide device according to the embodiment of the present invention.

[0096] Meanwhile, a light guide device according to a modified example of the present invention can be explained through FIGS. 7 to 9.

[0097] Specifically, FIG. 7 is a drawing illustrating an overall description of a light guide device according to a modified embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 8 is a drawing illustrating an incident area of ​​a light guide device according to a modified embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 9 is a drawing illustrating an arrangement of an image sensor for receiving the incident area of ​​a light guide device according to a modified embodiment of the present invention.

[0098] First, the light guide device according to the embodiment of the present invention is described as having a first virtual line (I1) crossing the center of the camera module (400) tilted to have a second arrangement angle (A2) with the plate portion (100). However, since the arrangement having the second arrangement angle (A2) requires precision in the assembly process, it may be preferable for the optical axis of the plate portion (100) and the camera module (400), that is, the first virtual line (I1), to be arranged perpendicular to each other for smoother application during the assembly and product application stages.

[0099] This is merely a modified example of the arrangement of the camera module (400) for the convenience of the assembly process, and it should not be misinterpreted as meaning that the arrangement of the camera module (400) of the light guide device according to the embodiment of the present invention described above is not more advanced or has inferior performance.

[0100] To describe a light guide device according to a modified embodiment of the present invention, first, as shown in FIG. 7, a plate portion (100), a first diffraction portion (200), and a second diffraction portion (300) are arranged at an angle relative to the display (G), as in the light guide device according to the embodiment of the present invention, and a camera module (400) is arranged at an angle relative to the display (G), but can be arranged vertically relative to the plate portion (100).

[0101] More specifically, the vector (V1) of the display (G) and the vector (V2) of the plate portion (100) are positioned differently from each other, and the first virtual line (I1) crossing the center of the camera module (400), to cite the above description, the optical axis of the optical system (410) of the camera module (400) can be positioned perpendicular to the plate portion (100).

[0102] That is, a first virtual line (I1) crossing the center of the camera module (400) in a direction toward the first diffraction part (200) from the camera module (400) and one surface of the plate part (100) facing the camera module (400) can be arranged perpendicularly to each other.

[0103] Accordingly, the second placement angle (A2) between the plate portion (100) and the display (G) may be the same as the first placement angle (A1) between the front of the camera module (400) and the plate portion (100). With such a placement, the camera module (400) is not tilted toward the plate portion (100) but is positioned vertically, so the placement of the camera module (400) is easy, and there may be an advantage that simple assembly is possible without excessively requiring precision or expertise in assembly.

[0104] Additionally, as shown in FIG. 8, the light from the upper direction, which is directed from the first diffraction section (200) to the second diffraction section (300) at a positive angle with respect to the incident virtual line (IS), is incident on the second diffraction section (300), and the incident light can be diffracted at the same angle as the incident angle during the diffraction process in the first diffraction section (200) and incident on the camera module (400).

[0105] However, when the camera module (400) is positioned vertically in this manner, light does not correspond to the field of view of the camera module (400) and thus cannot output an image because only the upper region of the incident virtual line (IS), that is, a positive angle, is incident. Therefore, the camera module (400) must be positioned at an angle as in the previous embodiment.

[0106] At this time, in order to accommodate light incident only at a positive angle of the incident virtual line (IS), the optical system (410) of the camera module (400) includes a plurality of lenses (411) and an image sensor (412), and the image sensor (412) can be positioned spaced apart from the first virtual line (I1).

[0107] In other words, the optical system (410) of a general camera module (400) may have a plurality of lenses (411) arranged along an optical axis, and an image sensor (412) may also be positioned to correspond to the optical axis. Accordingly, the first center (V1) of the field of view of the general camera module (400) may be interpreted as being the same as the first virtual line (I1) described above, but the camera module (400) according to a variation of the present invention may change the image sensor (412) to the second center (V2) of the field of view by separating it from the first virtual line (I1).

[0108] To explain the comparison with the overall configuration, the first virtual line (I1) corresponds to the first center (V1) of the field of view of a conventional camera module (400), and the image sensor (412) can be positioned spaced apart from the first virtual line (I1), or alternatively from the first center (V1) of the field of view of a conventional camera module (400) or the optical axis of a plurality of lenses (411).

[0109] At this time, the direction of separation is arranged so as to be separated from the first virtual line (I1) in the direction from the second diffraction section (300) toward the first diffraction section (200), and since the plate section (100) and the camera module (400) are arranged vertically, the image sensor (412) can be separated from the first virtual line (I1) in the direction from the second diffraction section (300) toward the first diffraction section (200) in a direction parallel to the plate section (100).

[0110] When arranged in this manner, the direction of the field of view of the camera module (400) has a field of view that is tilted with respect to the first virtual line (I1) of the camera module (400), and the second center (V2) of the field of view separated from the first virtual line (I1) can be arranged to have an angle with respect to the first virtual line (I1). Accordingly, light at a positive angle, which is the upper region with respect to the incident virtual line (IS), can be incident on the image sensor (412).

[0111] In addition, in the arrangement of the image sensor (412) of the light guide device according to a modified embodiment of the present invention, a first area (414) is formed which was an effective area based on the first center (V1) of the conventional angle of view corresponding to the angle of view, but is changed to a non-effective area as the angle of view changes to the second center (V2), and may include a second area which was a non-effective area when it was the first center (V1) of the angle of view, but becomes an effective area as it changes to the second center (V2) of the angle of view due to the movement of the image sensor (412).

[0112] At this time, in order to eliminate the first area (414) that occurs as the image sensor (412) is positioned eccentrically with respect to the optical axis, more specifically the first virtual line (I1) and changes to the second center (V2) of the field of view, there may be various methods such as reducing the size of the camera module (400) or changing the shape of the multiple lenses (411), but this causes problems such as requiring additional manufacturing processes or creating a new housing, so it is inevitably less efficient in terms of economy and labor.

[0113] That is, in order to prevent additional economic and labor-related factors as described above from occurring, the light guide device according to the modified embodiment of the present invention changes only the placement of the image sensor (412) to the second center (V2) of the viewing angle, and accordingly, can correspond to the incident angle of light diffracted from the first diffraction part (200). Therefore, since no cumbersome manufacturing process is added and only the placement position during the process of placing the image sensor (412) needs to be changed, it is more economical and time-consuming.

[0114] We have examined preferred embodiments according to the invention, and it is obvious to those skilled in the art that, in addition to the embodiments described above, the invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or scope thereof.

[0115] Therefore, the embodiments described above should be regarded as exemplary rather than limiting, and accordingly, the present invention is not limited to the description above but may be modified within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. A plate portion in which light is totally reflected internally; A first diffraction part that diffracts the light totally reflected inside the plate part to the outside; A second diffraction part that diffracts the light incident into the interior of the plate part toward the first diffraction part; and It includes a camera module disposed adjacent to the first diffraction section and into which the light diffracted from the first diffraction section is incident. The first diffraction section and the second diffraction section include a grating pattern having an inclination on the incident plane where the light is incident, and The above plate portion is a light guide device tilted toward an object.

2. In Paragraph 1, A light guide device in which the arrangement angle between a virtual line crossing the center of the camera module in a direction toward the first diffraction part in the camera module and one surface of the plate part facing the camera module is greater than 90 degrees.

3. In Paragraph 1, The second diffraction section includes an incident surface where the light is incident, and The above second diffraction section is a light guide device comprising a grating pattern that diffracts the light.

4. In Paragraph 3, A light guide device in which, based on a virtual line perpendicular to the incident plane, the angle of incidence between the virtual line and the incident light is smaller than the angle of diffraction between the diffracted light diffracted from the incident plane and the virtual line.

5. In Paragraph 4, The above incident light is reflected from the above incident surface, and A light guide device in which the grating angle between the incident plane and the grating pattern is 0.95 to 1.05 times the average value of the incident angle and the diffraction angle.

6. In Paragraph 1, A light guide device in which a virtual line crossing the center of the camera module in a direction toward the first diffraction section in the camera module and one surface of the plate section facing the camera module are arranged perpendicularly to each other.

7. A plate portion positioned facing the display and in which light is totally reflected internally; A first diffraction part that diffracts the light totally reflected inside the plate part to the outside; A second diffraction part that diffracts the light incident into the interior of the plate part toward the first diffraction part; and It includes a camera module disposed adjacent to the first diffraction section and into which the light diffracted from the first diffraction section is incident. A light guide device in which the plate portion is positioned at an angle relative to the above display.

8. In Paragraph 7, A light guide device in which the first distance between one end of the plate portion where the first diffraction portion is disposed and the display is smaller than the second distance between the other end of the plate portion where the second diffraction portion is disposed and the display.

9. In Paragraph 7, A light guide device in which the arrangement angle between a virtual line crossing the center of the camera module and the center of the first diffraction section and one surface of the plate section facing the camera module is greater than 90 degrees.

10. In Paragraph 7, The above camera module includes an optical system, and An optical guide device in which the angle formed by the optical axis of the optical system of the camera module and one surface of the plate portion on which the first diffraction portion is disposed is greater than 90 degrees.

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