Lamp for a vehicle and vehicle comprising the same

Abstract

A lamp for an automobile and an automobile including the same, the lamp including a microlens array (MLA) module including an incident lens array including incident lenses, an exit lens array including exit lenses, and a shield unit including a shield disposed between the incident lens array and the exit lens array. An optical axis of the exit lens is spaced apart from an optical axis of the incident lens in a downward direction and a side direction, the exit lens being disposed in front of at least a portion of the plurality of incident lenses to face the incident lenses. A cutoff line region disposed on an upper edge of the shield is spaced apart from the optical axis of the incident lens in the downward direction and the side direction, the shield being disposed in front of at least a portion of the plurality of incident lenses to face the incident lenses. The lamp according to the present disclosure significantly reduces a ratio of light blocked by the shield with respect to light emitted from a light source of the lamp using the microlens array, thereby improving optical efficiency of the lamp.

Description

[0001] Cross-references to related applications

[0002] This application claims priority and benefit to Korean Patent Application No. 10-2021-0078123, filed on June 16, 2021, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference for all purposes, as set forth herein. Technical Field

[0003] Exemplary embodiments relate to a lamp for an automobile and an automobile including the lamp, and more specifically, to a lamp for an automobile utilizing a microlens array, and an automobile including the lamp. Background Technology

[0004] Microlens arrays, which consist of multiple microlenses, are widely used in micro-optics fields such as optical communication and direct optical imaging. In particular, recent microlens arrays are capable of forming specific patterns on the road surface through optical systems with a size of approximately 10 mm, and have therefore been used as components to perform welcome light functions in automobiles.

[0005] Meanwhile, in order to generate a low-beam pattern using a lamp equipped with a microlens array, a cutoff line for the low-beam pattern must be created. This requires the provision of a shielding material. However, according to existing technology, most of the light emitted from the lamp's light source is blocked by the shielding material, thus degrading the lamp's optical efficiency. Summary of the Invention

[0006] Exemplary embodiments of the present invention significantly reduce the ratio of light blocked by a shield to light emitted from a light source using a lamp employing a microlens array, thereby improving the optical efficiency of the lamp.

[0007] A first exemplary embodiment of the present invention provides a lamp for an automobile, the lamp comprising: a light source configured to generate and emit light; a microlens array (MLA) module disposed in front of the light source and to which light is incident, wherein the MLA module comprises: an incident lens array to which light is incident and the incident lens array includes a plurality of incident lenses; an exit lens array disposed in front of the incident lens array, receiving light incident on the incident lens array and emitting light to the outside, and including a plurality of exit lenses; and a shielding unit comprising a plurality of shields disposed between the incident lens array and the exit lens array, wherein the optical axes of the exit lenses are spaced apart from the optical axes of the incident lenses in a downward direction and a lateral direction, the exit lenses being disposed in front of at least a portion of the plurality of incident lenses facing the incident lens array; wherein a cutoff region disposed on the upper edge of the shielding is spaced apart from the optical axes of the incident lenses in a downward direction and a lateral direction, the shielding being disposed in front of at least a portion of the plurality of incident lenses facing the incident lenses.

[0008] The upper edge of the shield can include an upper line region connected to one side end of the cutoff line region and disposed above the cutoff line region, and a lower line region connected to the other side end of the cutoff line region and disposed below the cutoff line region, wherein an optical axis of an incident lens disposed behind at least a portion of the plurality of shields to face the shields is spaced apart from the cutoff line region of the shield in an upward direction and in a side direction toward the lower line region.

[0009] An optical axis of an exit lens disposed in front of at least a portion of the plurality of shields to face the shields can be aligned with the cutoff line region of the shield.

[0010] Each optical axis of at least a portion of the plurality of incident lenses can be horizontally spaced apart from the optical axes of the plurality of exit lenses.

[0011] All of the optical axes of the plurality of incident lenses can be horizontally spaced apart from the optical axes of the plurality of exit lenses.

[0012] Vertical widths of the plurality of incident lenses disposed in the incident lens array can be equal to each other.

[0013] Vertical widths of the plurality of exit lenses disposed in the exit lens array can be equal to each other.

[0014] The incident lens array can include a first portion and a second portion, and the exit lens array can include an A portion and a B portion, wherein light incident on the first portion is emitted from the first portion and then is incident on the A portion, and light incident on the second portion is emitted from the second portion and then is incident on the B portion.

[0015] The first portion can be disposed at a horizontal center of the incident lens array, and the left and right sides of the first portion can each be provided with the second portion.

[0016] The A portion can be disposed at a horizontal center of the exit lens array, and the left and right sides of the A portion can each be provided with the B portion.

[0017] In each of the plurality of incident lenses disposed in the incident lens array, a horizontal radius of curvature can be different from a vertical radius of curvature.

[0018] All of the optical axes of the plurality of incident lenses disposed in the second portion can be horizontally spaced apart from all of the optical axes of the plurality of exit lenses disposed in the B portion.

[0019] A horizontal width of each of the plurality of exit lenses disposed in the B portion can be smaller than a horizontal width of each of the plurality of exit lenses disposed in the A portion.

[0020] In each of the plurality of exit lenses disposed in the exit lens array, the horizontal curvature can be equal to the vertical curvature.

[0021] A radius of curvature of each of the plurality of exit lenses disposed in the A portion can be equal to a radius of curvature of each of the plurality of exit lenses disposed in the B portion.

[0022] A horizontal width of each of the plurality of entrance lenses disposed in the first portion can be equal to a horizontal width of each of the plurality of entrance lenses disposed in the second portion.

[0023] A horizontal radius of curvature of each of the plurality of entrance lenses disposed in the first portion can be different from a horizontal radius of curvature of each of the plurality of entrance lenses disposed in the second portion.

[0024] The lamp can further include a collimator disposed between the light source and the MLA module, wherein an optical axis of the light source, an optical axis of the entrance lens array, and an optical axis of the collimator are aligned with each other.

[0025] As a curvature of an exit surface of an exit lens within the exit lens array becomes smaller, a distance between an optical axis of the exit lens and an optical axis of an entrance lens facing the exit lens can become larger.

[0026] A second exemplary embodiment of the present invention provides an automobile including a lamp for the automobile, wherein the lamp includes: a light source configured to generate and emit light; a microlens array (MLA) module disposed in front of the light source and on which the light is incident, wherein the MLA module includes: an entrance lens array on which the light is incident and including a plurality of entrance lenses; an exit lens array disposed in front of the entrance lens array, receiving the light incident on the entrance lens array, and emitting the light to the outside, and including a plurality of exit lenses; and a shield unit including a plurality of shields disposed between the entrance lens array and the exit lens array, wherein an optical axis of the exit lens disposed in front of at least a portion of the plurality of entrance lenses to face the entrance lens array is spaced apart from an optical axis of the entrance lens in a downward direction and a lateral direction; and wherein a cutoff line region disposed on an upper edge of the shield disposed in front of at least a portion of the plurality of entrance lenses to face the entrance lens is spaced apart from the optical axis of the entrance lens in the downward direction and the lateral direction. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0027] The accompanying drawings, which are included to provide further understanding of the present invention and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate embodiments of the present invention and together with the description serve to explain the principles of the present invention.

[0028] Figure 1 A perspective view to show a structure of a lamp for an automobile according to the present disclosure, and

[0029] Figure 2 A side sectional view to show a structure of a lamp for an automobile when the MLA module is disassembled.

[0030] Figure 3 A side view to show a vertical arrangement relationship between an entrance lens and an exit lens provided in an MLA module of a lamp for an automobile according to the present disclosure.

[0031] Figure 4 A view to show a positional relationship between a shield and a beam pattern formed by a lamp for an automobile according to the present disclosure.

[0032] Figure 5 A view to show a positional relationship between a shield and a beam pattern formed by a lamp for an automobile according to the prior art.

[0033] Figure 6 A front view to show a state in which an entrance lens array of a lamp for an automobile according to the present disclosure is divided into a plurality of parts.

[0034] Figure 7 A front view to show a state in which an exit lens array of a lamp for an automobile according to the present disclosure is divided into a plurality of parts.

[0035] Figure 8 A sectional view to show a horizontal section of an MLA module of a lamp for an automobile according to the present disclosure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0036] Hereinafter, a lamp for an automobile according to the present disclosure and the automobile will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0037] Lamp for a car

[0038] Figure 1 A perspective view to show a structure of a lamp for an automobile according to the present disclosure, and Figure 2 A side sectional view to show a structure of a lamp for an automobile when the MLA module is disassembled. Figure 3 A side view to show a vertical arrangement relationship between an entrance lens and an exit lens provided in an MLA module of a lamp for an automobile according to the present disclosure, and Figure 4 A view to show a positional relationship between a shield and a beam pattern formed by a lamp for an automobile according to the present disclosure. Figure 5A view to show the positional relationship between a shield and a beam pattern formed by a lamp for an automobile according to the related art, and Figure 6 A front view to show a state in which an entrance lens array of a lamp for an automobile according to the present disclosure is divided into a plurality of parts. Further, Figure 7 A front view to show a state in which an exit lens array of a lamp for an automobile according to the present disclosure is divided into a plurality of parts, and Figure 8 A sectional view to show a horizontal section of an MLA module of a lamp for an automobile according to the present disclosure.

[0039] As Figure 1 and Figure 2 shown, a lamp 10 for an automobile according to the present disclosure (hereinafter referred to as "lamp") can include a light source 100 that generates and emits light, and a microlens array (MLA) module 200 that is disposed in front of the light source 100 and includes a plurality of microlenses, and light is incident on the MLA module from the light source 100. The light source 100 can be a light-emitting diode (LED), but the type of light source is not limited thereto.

[0040] Further, the lamp 10 can further include a collimator 300 disposed between the light source 100 and the MLA module 200. The collimator 300 can be configured to make the light incident from the light source 100 parallel, and then emit the parallel light to the MLA module 200. However, the collimator 300 is not a necessary component of the lamp 10 according to the present disclosure, and in some cases, the collimator 300 can be omitted.

[0041] Continuing to refer to Figures 1-2 , the MLA module 200 can include an entrance lens array 210 that faces the collimator 300 and on which light from the light source 100 is incident. Here, as Figure 6 shown, the entrance lens array 210 can include a plurality of entrance lenses 212. Further, the plurality of entrance lenses 212 can be convex lenses that are convexly protruded toward the light source 100.

[0042] More specifically, in each of the plurality of incident lenses 212 arranged in the incident lens array 210, the radius of curvature in the horizontal direction H may be different from the radius of curvature in the vertical direction V. For example, in each of the plurality of incident lenses 212, the radius of curvature in the horizontal direction H may be smaller than the radius of curvature in the vertical direction V (i.e., the curvature in the horizontal direction may be greater than the curvature in the vertical direction). In this case, light emitted from the light source 100 and then incident on the incident lens array 210 may be scattered in the horizontal direction while passing through the plurality of incident lenses 212. Therefore, significant light diffusion (especially in the horizontal direction) may occur compared to microlens arrays according to the prior art.

[0043] Furthermore, the MLA module 200 may include an exit lens array 220, which is disposed in front of the incident lens array 210, receives light incident on the incident lens array 210, and emits the light to the outside. For example... Figure 7 As shown, the exit lens array 220 may include a plurality of exit lenses 222. Here, as... Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, the plurality of exit lenses 222 can be convex lenses protruding in the outward direction opposite to the light source 100. Unlike the plurality of incident lenses 212 provided in the incident lens array 210, in each of the plurality of exit lenses 222 provided in the exit lens array 220, the radius of curvature in the horizontal direction H can be equal to the radius of curvature in the vertical direction V.

[0044] At the same time, such as Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, the MLA module 200 may include a shielding unit 230 disposed between the incident lens array 210 and the exit lens array 220. Figure 4 As shown, the shielding unit 230 may include a plurality of shielding elements 232. Furthermore, a plurality of slits may be formed between the plurality of shielding elements 232 in the shielding unit 230, allowing light emitted from the incident lens array 210 to pass through these slits and enter the exit lens array 220. That is, according to this disclosure, a specific beam pattern can be formed from light emitted from the light source 100 that passes through the slits and is emitted to the outside. Therefore, the shape of the beam pattern formed by the lamp 10 according to this disclosure can change with the shape of the shielding elements 232.

[0045] Here, in the lamp 10 according to this disclosure, the shielding unit 230 may be positioned at a location corresponding to the focal point of the exiting lens 222 disposed in the exiting lens array 220. In this case, considering the characteristics of the lens, light that passes through the slit of the shielding unit 230 from the incident lens array 210 and reaches the exiting lens array 220 can be emitted to the external ground in a parallel light state.

[0046] Here, the shielding unit 230 is disposed at a position corresponding to the focal point of the exit lens 222, and this feature can be interpreted as including not only the case where the focal point of the shielding unit 230 and the exit lens 222 overlap each other but also the case where the two components are disposed close to each other. It can be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which the present disclosure pertains that, in the latter case, there is no substantial difference in function and effect compared to the case where the two components overlap each other. However, more preferably, the focal point of the exit lens 222 can be disposed inside the main body of the shielding unit 230.

[0047] Meanwhile, the MLA module 200 can further include an entrance main body 240 disposed between the entrance lens array 210 and the shielding unit 230 and supporting the entrance lens array 210, and an exit main body 250 disposed between the exit lens array 220 and the shielding unit 230 and supporting the exit lens array 220. However, unlike the above-described structure, the MLA module 200 can not include the entrance main body 240 or the exit main body 250.

[0048] Meanwhile, the lamp 10 according to the present disclosure can be configured to form a low-beam pattern of an automobile.

[0049] To this end, as Figure 4 shown, in order to form a cutoff line of a low-beam pattern, the upper edge of the shield 232 can include a cutoff line region 232a formed obliquely, an upper line region 232b connected to one side end of the cutoff line region 232a in the horizontal direction and disposed above the cutoff line region 232a, and a lower line region 232c connected to the other side end of the cutoff line region 232a in the horizontal direction and disposed below the cutoff line region 232a. That is, according to the present disclosure, a stepped portion can be formed on the upper edge of the shield 232, with the cutoff line region 232a as a boundary.

[0050] Meanwhile, according to the present disclosure, as Figure 3 and Figure 4As shown, the optical axis A2 of the exit lens 222 can be spaced apart from the optical axis A1 of the incident lens 212 in both the downward and lateral directions. The exit lens 222 is disposed in front of at least some of the incident lenses 212 to face the incident lens 212. Furthermore, the center of the cutoff line region disposed on the upper edge of the shield 232 can be spaced apart from the optical axis A1 of the incident lens 212 in both the downward and lateral directions. The shield 232 is disposed in front of at least some of the incident lenses 212 to face the incident lens 212. More preferably, according to this disclosure, the optical axis A2 of the exit lens 222 can be spaced apart from the optical axis A1 of the incident lens 212 in both the downward and lateral directions. The exit lens 222 is disposed in front of any one of the incident lenses 212 to face the incident lens 212. Furthermore, the center of the cutoff line region 232a provided on the upper edge of the shield 232 can be spaced apart from the optical axis A1 of the incident lens 212 in the downward direction and the lateral direction. The shield 232 is provided in front of any of the incident lenses 212 to face the incident lens 212.

[0051] Figure 4 and Figure 5 An isobathry profile is shown, where regions with the same luminous intensity are connected to each other. Within the isobathry profile, the luminous intensity increases towards the center and decreases towards the periphery of the isobathry profile.

[0052] When the optical axes of the incident lens, the exit lens, and the cutoff line region of the shield are aligned with each other, the area with high luminous intensity is covered by the shield 232, such as... Figure 5 As shown, the optical efficiency of the lamp is significantly degraded.

[0053] However, as described in this disclosure, when the optical axis A2 of the exiting lens 222 and the cutoff region 232a of the shield 232 are spaced apart from the optical axis A1 of the incident lens 212 in the downward and lateral directions, the area with high luminous intensity but covered by the shield 232 is significantly reduced, such as Figure 4 As shown. Therefore, the optical efficiency of the lamp can be significantly improved. Meanwhile, according to this disclosure, the exit lens 222 facing the incident lens 212 can represent the exit lens 222 that maximizes overlap with the incident lens 212 when the lamp 10 is viewed from the front or rear. Furthermore, the shield 232 facing the incident lens 212 can represent the shield 232 that maximizes overlap with the incident lens 212 when the lamp 10 is viewed from the front or rear.

[0054] Continue to refer to Figure 3 and Figure 4The optical axis A1 of the incident lens 212, which is disposed behind at least some of the plurality of shields 232 to face the shields 232, can be spaced apart from the center of the cutoff line area 232a of the shield 232 in the upward direction and in the direction toward the one side of the lower line area 232c. The optical axis A1 of the incident lens 212, which is spaced apart from the center of the cutoff line area 232a of the shield 232 in the direction toward the one side of the lower line area 232c, can minimize the area, which is high in luminous intensity but covered by the shield 232, as described above. More preferably, the optical axis A1 of the incident lens 212, which is disposed behind any one of the plurality of shields 232 to face the shield 232, can be spaced apart from the center of the cutoff line area 232a of the shield 232 in the upward direction and in the direction toward the one side of the lower line area 232c.

[0055] Meanwhile, according to the present disclosure, the optical axis A2 of the exit lens 222, which is disposed in front of at least some of the plurality of shields 232 to face the shields 232, can be aligned with the cutoff line area 232a of the shield 232. In one example, the optical axis A2 of the exit lens 222, which is disposed in front of any one of the plurality of shields 232 to face the shield 232, can be aligned with the cutoff line area 232a of the shield 232.

[0056] Meanwhile, referring to FIG. 2, Figure 8 In the horizontal direction H, each optical axis A1 of at least some of the plurality of incident lenses 212 can be spaced apart from the optical axes A2 of the plurality of exit lenses 222. This can ensure that the light beam pattern formed by the lamp 10 according to the present disclosure has a shape that spreads in the left-right direction. More preferably, in the horizontal direction H, all of the optical axes A1 of the plurality of incident lenses 212 can be spaced apart from the optical axes A2 of the plurality of exit lenses 222.

[0057] Further, according to the present disclosure, the widths of the plurality of incident lenses 212 disposed in the incident lens array 210 in the vertical direction V can be equal to each other, and the widths of the plurality of exit lenses 222 disposed in the exit lens array 220 in the vertical direction V can also be equal to each other.

[0058] Meanwhile, in the lamp according to the present disclosure, the incident lens array 210 and the exit lens array 220 can be divided into a plurality of parts according to the characteristics of the incident lenses and the exit lenses, respectively.

[0059] That is, referring to FIG. 2, Figure 6 and Figure 7, the incident lens array 210 can include a first portion Z1 and a second portion Z2, and the exit lens array 220 can include an A portion ZA and a B portion ZB. More specifically, light that has been emitted from the light source 100 and then incident on the first portion Z1 can be emitted from the first portion Z1 and then incident on the A portion ZA, and light that has been incident on the second portion Z2 can be emitted from the second portion Z2 and then incident on the B portion ZB. More preferably, light emitted to the outside after passing through the first portion Z1 and the A portion ZA can provide a central region of a light beam pattern formed outside by the lamp 10 according to the present disclosure, and light emitted to the outside after passing through the second portion Z2 and the B portion ZB can provide a peripheral region of the light beam pattern formed outside by the lamp 10 according to the present disclosure.

[0060] In one example, as shown in FIG. 2A, in the horizontal direction H, the first portion Z1 can be disposed in a central region of the incident lens array 210, and the second portion Z2 can be disposed on each of the left and right sides of the first portion Z1. Here, the first portion Z1 and the second portion Z2 are shown as being in contact with each other, but differently from this case, the first portion Z1 and the second portion Z2 can be spaced apart from each other. For example, a third portion including a plurality of incident lenses can be disposed between the first portion Z1 and the second portion Z2. Figure 6 Figure 6 In one example, as shown in FIG. 2A, in the horizontal direction H, the first portion Z1 can be disposed in a central region of the incident lens array 210, and the second portion Z2 can be disposed on each of the left and right sides of the first portion Z1. Here, the first portion Z1 and the second portion Z2 are shown as being in contact with each other, but differently from this case, the first portion Z1 and the second portion Z2 can be spaced apart from each other. For example, a third portion including a plurality of incident lenses can be disposed between the first portion Z1 and the second portion Z2.

[0061] In one example, as shown in FIG. 2A, in the horizontal direction H, the first portion Z1 can be disposed in a central region of the incident lens array 210, and the second portion Z2 can be disposed on each of the left and right sides of the first portion Z1. Here, the first portion Z1 and the second portion Z2 are shown as being in contact with each other, but differently from this case, the first portion Z1 and the second portion Z2 can be spaced apart from each other. For example, a third portion including a plurality of incident lenses can be disposed between the first portion Z1 and the second portion Z2. Figure 7 Figure 7 In one example, as shown in FIG. 2A, in the horizontal direction H, the first portion Z1 can be disposed in a central region of the incident lens array 210, and the second portion Z2 can be disposed on each of the left and right sides of the first portion Z1. Here, the first portion Z1 and the second portion Z2 are shown as being in contact with each other, but differently from this case, the first portion Z1 and the second portion Z2 can be spaced apart from each other. For example, a third portion including a plurality of incident lenses can be disposed between the first portion Z1 and the second portion Z2.

[0062] In one example, as shown in FIG. 2A, in the horizontal direction H, the first portion Z1 can be disposed in a central region of the incident lens array 210, and the second portion Z2 can be disposed on each of the left and right sides of the first portion Z1. Here, the first portion Z1 and the second portion Z2 are shown as being in contact with each other, but differently from this case, the first portion Z1 and the second portion Z2 can be spaced apart from each other. For example, a third portion including a plurality of incident lenses can be disposed between the first portion Z1 and the second portion Z2.

[0063] In one example, as shown in FIG. 2A, in the horizontal direction H, the first portion Z1 can be disposed in a central region of the incident lens array 210, and the second portion Z2 can be disposed on each of the left and right sides of the first portion Z1. Here, the first portion Z1 and the second portion Z2 are shown as being in contact with each other, but differently from this case, the first portion Z1 and the second portion Z2 can be spaced apart from each other. For example, a third portion including a plurality of incident lenses can be disposed between the first portion Z1 and the second portion Z2. Figure 7 ​​The width of each of the plurality of exit lenses 222 disposed in the B region ZB in the horizontal direction H can be less than the width of each of the plurality of exit lenses 222 disposed in the A region ZA in the horizontal direction H. In addition, the radius of curvature of each of the plurality of exit lenses 222 disposed in the A portion ZA can be equal to the radius of curvature of each of the plurality of exit lenses 222 disposed in the B portion ZB.

[0064] On the other hand, referring to Figure 6 The width of each of the plurality of exit lenses 222 disposed in the B region ZB in the horizontal direction H can be less than the width of each of the plurality of exit lenses 222 disposed in the A region ZA in the horizontal direction H. In addition, the radius of curvature of each of the plurality of exit lenses 222 disposed in the A portion ZA can be equal to the radius of curvature of each of the plurality of exit lenses 222 disposed in the B portion ZB.

[0065] Meanwhile, according to the present disclosure, the optical axis of the light source 100 disposed in the lamp 10, the optical axis of the incident lens array 210, and the optical axis of the collimator 300 can be aligned with each other. This can minimize optical loss when the light emitted from the light source 100 passes through the collimator 300 to reach the incident lens array 210, thereby maximizing the optical efficiency of the lamp 10.

[0066] Meanwhile, in the lamp according to the present disclosure, as the curvature of the exit surface of the exit lens 222 within the exit lens array 220 becomes smaller (that is, as the radius of curvature becomes larger), the distance between the optical axis of the exit lens 222 and the optical axis of the incident lens 212 facing the exit lens 222 can become larger. In addition, as the curvature of the exit surface of the exit lens 222 becomes smaller, the distance between the exit lens 222 and the incident lens 212 can become larger.

[0067] Car

[0068] The automobile according to the present disclosure can include a lamp 10 for the automobile (hereinafter referred to as "lamp").

[0069] Here, the lamp 10 can include a light source 100 that generates and emits light, and a microlens array (MLA) module 200 disposed in front of the light source 100 and on which the light is incident. Further, the MLA module 200 can include an incident lens array 210 on which the light is incident and including a plurality of incident lenses 212, an exit lens array 220 disposed in front of the incident lens array 210, receiving the light incident to the incident lens array 210 and emitting the light to the outside and including a plurality of exit lenses 220, and a shielding unit 230 including a plurality of shields 232 disposed between the incident lens array 210 and the exit lens array 220.

[0070] Here, according to the present disclosure, an optical axis A2 of the exit lens 222 disposed in front of at least some of the plurality of incident lenses 212 to face the incident lenses 212 can be spaced apart from an optical axis A1 of the incident lenses 212 in a downward direction and a side direction, and a cutoff line region 232a disposed on an upper edge of the shield 232 disposed in front of at least some of the plurality of incident lenses 212 to face the incident lenses 212 can be spaced apart from the optical axis A1 of the incident lenses 212 in the downward direction and the side direction.

[0071] According to the present disclosure, it is possible to significantly reduce the ratio of light blocked by the shield with respect to light emitted from the light source of the lamp using the microlens array, thereby improving the optical efficiency of the lamp.

[0072] Although the present disclosure has been described through specific exemplary embodiments and drawings, the present disclosure is not limited thereto, and it is obvious that those skilled in the art to which the present disclosure pertains can make various changes and modifications within the technical idea of the present disclosure and the equivalent scope of the technical solutions of the present disclosure.

Claims

1. A lamp for an automobile, the lamp comprising: A light source, configured to generate and emit light; and A microlens array (MLA) module is positioned in front of the light source and onto which light is incident. The MLA module includes: An incident lens array, on which light is incident and which includes a plurality of incident lenses; An exiting lens array, positioned in front of the incident lens array to receive light incident on the incident lens array and emit the light out of the lamp, the exiting lens array comprising a plurality of exiting lenses; and A shielding unit, comprising multiple shielding elements disposed between the incident lens array and the exit lens array. The optical axis of the exit lens is spaced apart from the optical axis of the incident lens in the downward and lateral directions. The exit lens is positioned in front of at least a portion of the plurality of incident lenses to face the incident lenses. The cutoff line area disposed on the upper edge of the shield is spaced apart from the optical axis of the incident lens in the downward direction and the lateral direction, and the shield is disposed in front of at least a portion of the plurality of incident lenses to face the incident lenses. In each of the plurality of incident lenses disposed in the incident lens array, the horizontal radius of curvature is different from the vertical radius of curvature; and in each of the plurality of exit lenses disposed in the exit lens array, the horizontal curvature is equal to the vertical curvature. The incident lens array includes a first part and a second part, and the exiting lens array includes a part A and a part B, wherein light incident on the first part exits from the first part and then enters the part A, and light incident on the second part exits from the second part and then enters the part B; The horizontal width of each of the plurality of exit lenses in section B is smaller than the horizontal width of each of the plurality of exit lenses in section A; the radius of curvature of each of the plurality of exit lenses in section A is equal to the radius of curvature of each of the plurality of exit lenses in section B; and The horizontal width of each of the plurality of incident lenses in the first part is equal to the horizontal width of each of the plurality of incident lenses in the second part; the horizontal radius of curvature of each of the plurality of incident lenses in the first part is different from the horizontal radius of curvature of each of the plurality of incident lenses in the second part. The first portion is located at the horizontal center of the incident lens array, and the second portion is located to the left and right of the first portion; furthermore, portion A is located at the horizontal center of the exit lens array, and portion B is located to the left and right of portion A. As the curvature of the exit surface of the exit lens in the exit lens array becomes smaller, the distance between the optical axis of the exit lens and the optical axis of the incident lens facing the exit lens becomes larger.

2. The lamp according to claim 1, wherein, The upper edge of the shield includes: The upper line area, which is connected to one end of the cutoff line area and is disposed above the cutoff line area; and The lower line area is connected to the other end of the cut-off line area and is located below the cut-off line area. The optical axis of the incident lens is spaced apart from the cutoff line area of ​​the shield in the upward direction and in the direction toward the lower line area. The incident lens is disposed behind at least a portion of the plurality of shields so as to face the shields.

3. The lamp according to claim 2, wherein, The optical axis of the exiting lens is aligned with the cutoff line region of the shield, and the exiting lens is disposed in front of at least a portion of the plurality of shields so as to face the shield.

4. The lamp according to claim 1, wherein, Each optical axis of at least a portion of the plurality of incident lenses is horizontally spaced from the optical axes of the plurality of exit lenses.

5. The lamp according to claim 1, wherein, The optical axes of the plurality of incident lenses are horizontally spaced apart from the optical axes of the plurality of exit lenses.

6. The lamp according to claim 1, wherein, The vertical widths of the plurality of incident lenses disposed in the incident lens array are equal to each other.

7. The lamp according to claim 1, wherein, The vertical widths of the plurality of exiting lenses disposed in the exiting lens array are equal to each other.

8. The lamp according to claim 1, wherein, The optical axes of the plurality of incident lenses disposed in the second part are horizontally spaced apart from the optical axes of the plurality of exit lenses disposed in the B part.

9. The lamp according to claim 1 further includes a collimator disposed between the light source and the MLA module. in, The optical axis of the light source, the optical axis of the incident lens array, and the optical axis of the collimator are aligned with each other.

10. A vehicle, comprising lights for the vehicle, wherein, The lights for automobiles include: A light source, configured to produce and emit light; and A microlens array (MLA) module is positioned in front of the light source and onto which light is incident. The MLA module includes an incident lens array, onto which light is incident and the incident lens array includes multiple incident lenses; An exiting lens array, positioned in front of the incident lens array to receive light incident on the incident lens array and emit the light out of the lamp, the exiting lens array comprising a plurality of exiting lenses; and A shielding unit, comprising multiple shielding elements disposed between the incident lens array and the exit lens array. The optical axis of the exit lens is spaced apart from the optical axis of the incident lens in the downward and lateral directions. The exit lens is positioned in front of at least a portion of the plurality of incident lenses to face the incident lenses. The cutoff line area disposed on the upper edge of the shield is spaced apart from the optical axis of the incident lens in the downward direction and the lateral direction, and the shield is disposed in front of at least a portion of the plurality of incident lenses to face the incident lenses. In each of the plurality of incident lenses disposed in the incident lens array, the horizontal radius of curvature is different from the vertical radius of curvature; and in each of the plurality of exit lenses disposed in the exit lens array, the horizontal curvature is equal to the vertical curvature. The incident lens array includes a first part and a second part, and the exiting lens array includes a part A and a part B, wherein light incident on the first part exits from the first part and then enters the part A, and light incident on the second part exits from the second part and then enters the part B; The horizontal width of each of the plurality of exit lenses in section B is smaller than the horizontal width of each of the plurality of exit lenses in section A; the radius of curvature of each of the plurality of exit lenses in section A is equal to the radius of curvature of each of the plurality of exit lenses in section B; and The horizontal width of each of the plurality of incident lenses in the first part is equal to the horizontal width of each of the plurality of incident lenses in the second part; the horizontal radius of curvature of each of the plurality of incident lenses in the first part is different from the horizontal radius of curvature of each of the plurality of incident lenses in the second part. The first portion is located at the horizontal center of the incident lens array, and the second portion is located to the left and right of the first portion; furthermore, portion A is located at the horizontal center of the exit lens array, and portion B is located to the left and right of portion A. As the curvature of the exit surface of the exit lens in the exit lens array becomes smaller, the distance between the optical axis of the exit lens and the optical axis of the incident lens facing the exit lens becomes larger.

Images