Vehicle lamp

Abstract

A vehicle lamp is disclosed. The vehicle lamp includes a lamp housing, a frame portion housed in the lamp housing, a light source portion including a plate located in the frame portion and a plurality of light sources located on the plate, a lens portion located on the lamp housing and externally irradiating light generated by the light source portion, and a reflection portion located on a rear side corresponding to a direction opposite to a front side facing the lens portion from the light source portion to be spaced apart from the light source portion and reflecting light irradiated from the light source portion to the front side, and the plate is formed of a transparent material having a light-transmitting property so that a part of the light generated by the plurality of light sources reaches the reflection portion.

Description

[0001] Cross-references to related applications

[0002] This application claims priority to Korean Patent Application No. 10-2021-0104814, filed with the Korean Intellectual Property Office on August 9, 2021, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. Technical Field

[0003] This disclosure relates to vehicle lights, and more specifically, to vehicle lights capable of realizing three-dimensional lighting modes. Background Technology

[0004] Typically, vehicle lights are installed on the front or rear of a vehicle and are used to notify other vehicles or pedestrians of driving information, such as location, driving status, and predicted route, by emitting different lights depending on the purpose.

[0005] Because vehicle lighting significantly influences vehicle design and imagery, various lighting designs have been developed in recent years, taking into account both functional and aesthetic aspects. Furthermore, the images achieved through vehicle lighting have become increasingly diverse, exploring different design possibilities. This includes enhancing product value by creating images with increased detail and a stronger sense of three-dimensionality, as well as by achieving simple illumination of the light source. The sense of three-dimensionality can be achieved using visual perception differences such as binocular parallax, perspective, and contrast.

[0006] However, to create 3D images in traditional vehicle lighting, a large number of light sources or structures other than light sources are required, thus increasing costs. Therefore, it is necessary to improve the technology for realizing 3D images at a lower cost. Summary of the Invention

[0007] This disclosure has been made to address the aforementioned problems in the prior art, while maintaining the advantages achieved by the prior art without being affected.

[0008] One aspect of this disclosure provides a vehicle lamp that achieves a parallax angle through the refraction and reflection of sidelight emitted by a light source.

[0009] Another aspect of this disclosure provides a vehicle lamp that enhances the three-dimensionality and improves visibility through the shape of the reflective portion.

[0010] Another aspect of this disclosure provides a vehicle lamp that forms a three-dimensional lighting pattern at low cost.

[0011] The technical problems to be solved by this disclosure are not limited to those described above, and any other technical problems not mentioned herein will be clearly understood by those skilled in the art to which this disclosure pertains through the following description.

[0012] According to one aspect of this disclosure, a vehicle lamp includes: a lamp housing; a frame portion mounted in the lamp housing; a light source portion including a plate mounted in the frame portion and a plurality of light sources mounted on the plate; a lens portion mounted on the lamp housing and irradiating light generated by the light source portion outward; and a reflective portion mounted on a rear side corresponding to the opposite direction from the front side of the light source portion facing the lens portion, spaced apart from the light source portion, and reflecting the light irradiated from the light source portion to the front side, wherein the plate is formed of a transparent material having light transmittance, such that a portion of the light generated by the plurality of light sources reaches the reflective portion.

[0013] Each light source may include: a front surface corresponding to the front-facing surface; a rear surface corresponding to the rear-facing surface and in contact with the plate; and a side surface disposed between the front and rear surfaces, wherein a portion of the side light corresponding to the light incident from the side surface of the light source can be refracted by the plate and reach the reflecting portion.

[0014] The plate may have a curved surface that bends toward the front.

[0015] The board can be a flexible printed circuit board (FPCB).

[0016] The reflective portion may include: a main body disposed on the rear side of the plate and mounted in the frame portion; and a reflective surface formed on the front side of the main body, spaced apart from the plate, and reflecting light irradiated from the light source portion to the front side.

[0017] Reflective surfaces can be formed by depositing materials that reflect light.

[0018] The reflective surface can have a curved surface that bends toward the front.

[0019] The plate can have a curved surface that bends toward the front, and the curvature of the reflective surface can be greater than the curvature of the plate.

[0020] The plate and the reflective surface can be symmetrical about a vertical center plane, which corresponds to an imaginary surface obtained by extending a central axis that passes through the center of the light source portion in a direction perpendicular to the ground and extends in the direction in which the vehicle lamp illuminates the light.

[0021] The plate and the reflective surface can be asymmetrical about each other with respect to a vertical center plane, which corresponds to an imaginary surface obtained by extending through the center of the light source portion in a direction perpendicular to the ground and in the direction in which the vehicle lamp illuminates the light.

[0022] The distance between the plate and the reflective surface can be shortest at the center of the light source section.

[0023] Vehicle lights can be taillights mounted on the rear surface of the vehicle. Attached Figure Description

[0024] The above and other objects, features and advantages of this disclosure will become more apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings:

[0025] Figure 1 This is a schematic cross-sectional view of a vehicle lamp according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0026] Figure 2 A vehicle lamp according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown, and is illustrated. Figure 1 A diagram showing the light from some light sources.

[0027] Figure 3 An image illustrating an example of a light source portion according to this disclosure is shown;

[0028] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram showing the light source portion according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, and a diagram showing the side light of the light source being refracted by the plate;

[0029] Figure 5 A comparative example of the light source portion according to this disclosure is shown, and it is shown that the plate is planar; and

[0030] Figure 6 yes Figure 2 Enlarged cross-sectional view of part A. Detailed Implementation

[0031] In the following, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0032] First, the embodiments described herein are examples suitable for understanding the technical features of vehicle lights according to this disclosure. However, this disclosure is not limited to the embodiments described below, or the technical features of this disclosure are not limited to the described embodiments, and various modifications can be made to this disclosure without departing from its technical scope.

[0033] Figure 1 This is a schematic cross-sectional view of a vehicle lamp according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Figure 2 A vehicle lamp according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown, and is illustrated. Figure 1 A diagram showing the light from some light sources. Figure 3 An image showing an example of a light source portion according to this disclosure is displayed. Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram showing the light source portion according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, and a diagram showing the side light of the light source being refracted by the plate. Figure 5 A comparative example of the light source portion according to this disclosure is shown, and it is shown that the plate is planar. Figure 6 yes Figure 2 Enlarged cross-sectional view of part A.

[0034] refer to Figures 1 to 6 According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, a vehicle lamp 1 includes a lamp housing 10, a frame portion 20, a light source portion 30, a lens portion 50, and a reflector portion 40.

[0035] The lamp housing 10 is a component that covers the assembly including the frame portion 20, the light source portion 30, the lens portion 50, and the reflector portion 40, and can form a space for accommodating these components.

[0036] The frame portion 20 is housed within the lamp housing 10. The frame portion 20 is the portion that forms the edge of the lamp and can be located inside the lamp housing 10. As in the illustrated embodiment, the frame portion 20 can be used to secure the edge portion of the light source portion 30 to the reflective portion 40.

[0037] The light source portion 30 includes: a plate 31 located in the frame portion 20; and a plurality of light sources 35 located on a first surface of the plate 31 facing the lens portion 50.

[0038] Specifically, board 31 can be a printed circuit board (PCB) in which a particular circuit board is formed. For example, board 31 may include a flexible printed circuit board (FPCB). The printed circuit board 31 is a circuit board 31 coated with flexible, bent copper foil, and is thin and flexible to realize the shape of board 31 according to the lamp design.

[0039] The light source 35 can be a light-emitting diode (LED), and multiple LEDs can be located on the plate 31. Multiple LEDs can be arranged in a matrix on the plate 31 both longitudinally and laterally (see [reference]). Figure 3 The light source 35 can be set in various forms (such as in the form of an LED chip or an LED package).

[0040] The lens portion 50 is located on the lamp housing 10 and is configured to emit light generated by the light source portion 30 outward. That is, the light emitted by the light source portion 30 can be emitted outward while passing through the lens portion 50.

[0041] The reflective portion 40 is located on the second surface side of the light source portion 30 and spaced apart from the second surface of the light source portion 30. The second surface faces a rearward direction toward the reflective portion 40, which may be opposite to the forward direction, and the second surface is configured to reflect light irradiated from the light source portion 30 to the front side.

[0042] Specifically, assuming the direction of the light emitted by the vehicle lamp 1 is forward and the opposite direction is rearward, the lens portion 50 can be positioned in front of the light source portion 30, and the reflector portion 40 can be positioned behind the light source portion 30. That is, the reflector portion 40, the light source portion 30, and the lens portion 50 can be sequentially arranged inside the lamp housing 10 facing forward. Here, the direction of the light emitted by the vehicle lamp 1 can be either forward or rearward of the vehicle's driving direction. For example, if the vehicle lamp 1 is a taillight, the forward direction corresponding to the light emission direction can be the opposite direction of travel.

[0043] Here, plate 31 can be formed of a transparent material that allows light to pass through. Therefore, a portion of the light generated by the multiple light sources 35 can be guided by plate 31 to the reflective portion 40.

[0044] Specifically, the light source 35 may include a front surface 36 facing forward, a rear surface 37 corresponding to the surface facing backward and in contact with the plate 31, and a side surface 38 disposed between the front surface 36 and the rear surface 37. Furthermore, a portion of the sidelight SL, which is light irradiated from the side surface 38 of the light source 35, can be refracted by the plate 31 and can reach the reflecting portion 40. The light reaching the reflecting portion 40 is reflected back to the front.

[0045] The light source 35 illuminates most of the light through its front surface 36, but also through its side surface 38. When the light illuminating the light from the side surface 38 of the light source 35 is a side light SL, the side light SL can diffuse radially from the side surface 38. A portion of the side light SL can reach the plate 31, and the portion of the side light SL that reaches the plate 31 can be refracted by the plate 31 and reach the reflective portion 40 located on the rear side.

[0046] A portion of the sidelight SL from light source 35 is refracted by plate 31 and reaches the reflecting portion 40, while another portion of the sidelight SL is refracted by plate 31. A three-dimensional lighting pattern can be formed by the light refracted by plate 31 or the reflecting portion 40. Then, as the amount of sidelight SL completely refracted by plate 31 becomes greater than the amount of sidelight SL refracted by plate 31 and reflected by the reflecting portion 40, the three-dimensionality of the lighting pattern can be further enhanced.

[0047] The board 31 may have a curved surface that bends toward the front. That is, the board 31 may be formed to bulge toward the front, and as mentioned above, this is possible because the board 31 is a flexible circuit board.

[0048] Because plate 31 has a curved surface in this manner, the amount of side light SL refracted by plate 31 and reaching the reflecting portion 40 can be increased. Furthermore, the three-dimensionality of the lighting pattern can be further enhanced accordingly. Specifically, when plate 31' has such a curved surface... Figure 5In the comparative example shown with a flat surface, the amount of side light SL' completely refracted by plate 31' is greater than the amount of side light SL' refracted by plate 31' and reaching the reflecting portion 40. That is, most of the side light SL' illuminated by the side surface 38' of the light source 35' cannot reach the reflecting portion 40. In other words, in... Figure 5 In the comparative example, the lamp's emission pattern can be formed by light illuminating the front surface 36' of the light source 35' and light being fully refracted by the plate 31'. In this case, the three-dimensional effect of the illumination pattern may be undesirable.

[0049] At the same time, such as Figure 4 In the illustrated embodiment, when plate 31 has a curved surface, the amount of sidelight SL refracted by plate 31 and reaching the reflecting portion 40 can be increased compared to when plate 31 has a flat surface. The sidelight SL passing through plate 31 and reflected by the reflecting portion 40 can further enhance the three-dimensionality of the lighting pattern.

[0050] In this way, the vehicle lamp 1 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure can be configured such that the side light SL of the light source 35 is refracted and reflected by a plurality of light sources 35 and a reflective portion 40 of a transparent plate 31 having a curved surface. Therefore, the present disclosure can achieve a visual parallax angle of the illumination mode through the light DL irradiated from the front surface 36 of the light source 35 and the refracted and reflected side light SL. Thus, the present disclosure can realize a three-dimensional illumination mode with a simple structure and low cost.

[0051] Meanwhile, the reflective portion 40 may include a main body 41 and a reflective surface 43.

[0052] The main body 41 is the main body of the reflective part 40, and can be located in the frame part 20 and set on the rear side of the plate 31.

[0053] The reflective surface 43 can be formed on the front side of the body 41 and spaced apart from the plate 31, and can be configured to reflect light irradiated from the light source portion 30 to the front side. That is, the reflective surface 43 can be formed on the surface of the body 41 facing the plate 31.

[0054] For example, the edge of the body 41 may protrude toward the plate 31, and the plate 31 may be fixed to the edge of the body 41 by the frame portion 20. The reflective surface 43 may be formed in the area other than the edge of the body 41.

[0055] Here, the reflective surface 43 can be formed by depositing a material that reflects light. For example, the reflective surface 43 can be formed by depositing or coating a material with high reflectivity on the surface facing the front of the body 41. As an example, the reflective surface 43 can be formed by depositing aluminum, but this disclosure is not limited thereto. The reflective portion 40 can be reflected to the front by the reflective surface 43 from the side light SL irradiated by the light source 35.

[0056] Meanwhile, the reflecting surface 43 may have a curved surface that bends toward the front. That is, the reflecting surface 43 may be formed to bulge toward the lens portion 50 like the plate 31.

[0057] More specifically, the surface of the body 41 opposite to the plate 31 can be bent forward, and the reflective surface 43 can be formed by depositing deposits on the convex surface.

[0058] In this way, because the reflecting surface 43 is formed as a convex surface, the sidelights SL1, SL2, and SL3 incident from the light source 35 onto the reflecting surface 43 can be reflected by the reflecting surface 43 at different incident angles depending on the angle of incidence. Here, the sidelights SL incident from the light source can form at least two images on the reflecting surface 43. Therefore, this disclosure can achieve a three-dimensional sense of light patterns by forming images on the reflecting surface 43.

[0059] For example, refer to Figure 2 and Figure 6 Multiple side lights SL1, SL2 and SL3 from a light source 35 passing through plate 31 and reaching the reflective portion 40 can reach different points on the reflective surface 43, and a three-dimensional light pattern can be formed by the convex shape of the reflective surface 43.

[0060] Furthermore, because the reflective surface 43 has a curved surface that bends toward the front, visibility can be enhanced by a wide range of illumination.

[0061] Meanwhile, in order to form an image on the reflective surface 43 using the side light SL from the light source 35, the curvatures of the plate 31 and the reflective surface 43 must be different. Specifically, the curvature of the reflective surface 43 can be made greater than the curvature of the plate 31. That is, the radius of curvature of the reflective surface 43 can be made smaller than the radius of curvature of the plate 31.

[0062] In this way, because the curvature of the reflective surface 43 is greater than that of the plate 31, the three-dimensional effect of binocular parallax can be maximized.

[0063] Meanwhile, the curved surface shape of plate 31 and the curved surface shape of reflective surface 43 can be various curved surface shapes, as long as these curved surface shapes are formed to bulge in the direction facing the lens portion 50.

[0064] For example, plate 31 and reflective surface 43 can be symmetrical about a vertical center plane, which corresponds to an imaginary surface obtained by extending a central axis "C" through the center of the light source portion and in the direction in which the vehicle lamp 1 illuminates the light.

[0065] In the following text, the axis passing through the center of plate 31 and extending forward about the direction of light illumination is defined as the central axis "C", and the imaginary surface obtained by extending the central axis "C" in a direction perpendicular to the ground is defined as the vertical central surface. Then, plate 31 and reflective surface 43 can be symmetrical to each other to the left and right about the vertical central surface.

[0066] For example, plate 31 and reflective surface 43 may be asymmetrical about each other with respect to a vertical center plane, which corresponds to an imaginary surface obtained by extending through the center of the light source portion 30 and in the direction in which the vehicle lamp 1 illuminates the light.

[0067] That is, plate 31 and reflective surface 43 can be asymmetrical about each other to the left and right about the vertical center plane. At the same time, in this case, plate 31 and reflective surface 43 can be formed to be similar about each other about the vertical center plane.

[0068] Here, the distance between plate 31 and reflective surface 43 can be shortest at the center of light source section 30.

[0069] Specifically, the distance between plate 31 and reflective surface 43 can be shortest along the central axis "C". This is because plate 31 and reflective surface 43 are formed to bulge forward, the curvature of reflective surface 43 is greater than the curvature of plate 31, and the left and right sides of plate 31 and reflective surface 43 are similar to each other about the vertical central plane. However, the distance between plate 31 and reflective surface 43 is not limited to this.

[0070] Meanwhile, for example, vehicle light 1 can be a taillight located on the rear surface of the vehicle.

[0071] Specifically, the vehicle lamp 1 according to this disclosure is located at the rear of the vehicle and can be configured to emit light in the direction opposite to the vehicle's direction of travel. The vehicle lamp 1, as long as it is located on the rear surface of the vehicle, can be a lamp with various functions, such as a taillight or brake light. However, the vehicle lamp 1 according to this disclosure is not limited to taillights, but can be applied to headlights, etc.

[0072] In this way, the vehicle lamps according to embodiments of the present disclosure can form a three-dimensional lighting pattern by realizing a visual parallax perspective, while the side light of the light source is refracted by the plate and reflected by the reflective portion. Furthermore, according to the present disclosure, the reflective portion has a convex shape, which enhances the three-dimensional effect and improves visibility by ensuring a sufficient area of ​​light illumination.

[0073] Furthermore, according to this disclosure, since the curvature of the reflective surface is greater than that of the plate, the amount of sidelight from the light source refracted by the plate and reaching the reflective surface may increase. Additionally, according to this disclosure, by achieving a three-dimensional effect with a simple structure, the cost of forming a three-dimensional lighting pattern can be saved.

[0074] Although specific embodiments of the present disclosure have been described so far, the spirit and scope of the present disclosure are not limited to the specific embodiments, and various modifications and alterations can be made by those skilled in the art to which the present disclosure pertains without changing the essence of the present disclosure as claimed in the claims.

Claims

1. A vehicle light, comprising: Lamp housing; The frame portion is housed within the lamp housing; The light source portion includes (a) a plate located in the frame portion and (b) a plurality of light sources located on a first surface of the plate and configured to generate light; The lens portion is located on the lamp housing and is configured to project light generated by the light source portion outward; as well as The reflective portion, located on the second surface side of the plate and spaced apart from the second surface of the light source portion, is configured to reflect the light generated by the light source portion. The plate includes a transparent material configured to direct a portion of the light generated by the plurality of light sources to the reflective portion. The reflective portion includes: The main body has a main surface facing the second surface of the plate; and A reflective surface, located on the main surface of the body, spaced apart from the plate, and configured to reflect a portion of the light directed by the plate towards the reflective portion toward the lens portion, and The reflective surface has a first curved surface, the central portion of which protrudes toward the plate. The first surface of the plate has a second curved surface, the central portion of which protrudes toward the lens portion. The curvature of the first curved surface of the reflective surface is greater than the curvature of the second curved surface of the first surface of the plate.

2. The vehicle lamp according to claim 1, wherein: Each of the plurality of light sources includes: The front surface faces the lens portion in a first direction; The rear surface faces the reflective portion in the second direction and contacts the plate; and A side surface, disposed between the front surface and the rear surface, and A portion of the light directed by the plate to the reflective portion includes a portion of the side light that is incident from the side surface of each of the plurality of light sources and refracted by the plate toward the reflective portion.

3. The vehicle lamp according to claim 1, wherein, The reflective portion has a curved surface, the central portion of which protrudes toward the plate.

4. The vehicle lamp according to claim 1, wherein, The board includes a flexible printed circuit board.

5. The vehicle lamp according to claim 1, wherein, The main body is located within the border portion.

6. The vehicle lamp according to claim 5, wherein, The reflective surface includes a light-reflecting material.

7. The vehicle lamp according to claim 5, wherein, The plate and the reflective surface are symmetrical about an imaginary plane extending through the center of the light source portion.

8. The vehicle lamp according to claim 5, wherein, The plate and the reflective surface are asymmetrical about an imaginary surface extending through the center of the light source portion.

9. The vehicle lamp according to claim 5, wherein, The distance between the plate and the reflective surface is shortest at the center of the light source portion.

10. The vehicle lamp according to claim 1, wherein, The vehicle lights include the vehicle's taillights.

Images