Lamp for vehicle

Abstract

A lamp for a vehicle includes a light source, a reflector configured to reflect light incident from the light source, an optical system including a lens configured to concentrate the light reflected from the reflector to form a light distribution, the lens having a plurality of facets formed on a light emission surface thereof, a line connecting the centers of the plurality of facets forms a straight line or curve that is not perpendicular to the optical axis of the optical system or asymmetrical with respect to the optical axis, and light from the light emitting surface is incident on the outer lens of the lamp.

Description

[0001] Cross-references to related applications

[0002] This application claims the benefit of Korean Patent Application No. 10-2024-0056950, filed on April 29, 2024, which is incorporated herein by reference as if fully set forth herein. Technical Field

[0003] This disclosure relates to a lamp for a vehicle, and more specifically, to a lamp for a vehicle comprising a lens having multiple facets. Background Technology

[0004] There is a need to design a light for vehicles, particularly headlights, so that the optical system includes a specific skin angle. This is primarily for the design of the vehicle's appearance, but also to reduce costs and miniaturize the optical system.

[0005] Generally, if an optical system has a specific skin angle, at least two lenses are required to avoid altering the optical axis. However, this increases the size of the optical system and raises the cost.

[0006] Therefore, when the optical system for vehicle lights is designed with a specific skin angle, a method is needed to miniaturize the optical system and reduce the number of parts to lower its cost. Utility Model Content

[0007] This disclosure addresses at least the aforementioned problems and / or disadvantages and provides at least the following advantages. Therefore, the object of this disclosure is to provide an optical system having a skin angle and a single lens, applicable to lamps used in vehicles.

[0008] The purpose of this disclosure is not limited to the foregoing, and other unmentioned purposes will be clearly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this disclosure pertains based on the following description.

[0009] In one aspect, a lamp for a vehicle is provided, wherein the lamp includes a light source, a reflector configured to reflect light incident from the light source, and an optical system including a lens configured to focus the light reflected from the reflector to form a light distribution, the lens having a plurality of facets formed on its light-emitting surface, wherein a line connecting the centers of the plurality of facets forms a straight line or curve that is not perpendicular to the optical axis of the optical system or is asymmetrical with respect to the optical axis, and light emitted from the light-emitting surface is incident on an outer lens of the lamp.

[0010] Additionally or alternatively, the curvature of the plurality of facets can be configured such that the focal point of the light-emitting surface is located on the optical axis of the optical system.

[0011] Additionally or alternatively, the plurality of facets may be arranged in an array extending in both the horizontal and vertical directions.

[0012] Additionally or alternatively, among the plurality of facets, the light-emitting surfaces of the facets arranged side by side in the horizontal direction can be formed to have a plurality of horizontal slopes or a plurality of curvatures, the plurality of horizontal slopes having a predetermined tilt angle difference, the plurality of curvatures having a predetermined curvature difference, and the predetermined tilt angle difference or predetermined curvature difference can be set according to the angle formed by the line connecting the centers of the plurality of facets arranged side by side in the horizontal direction and the optical axis of the optical system.

[0013] Additionally or alternatively, among the plurality of facets, the light-emitting surface of the facets arranged side by side in the vertical direction can be formed to have a plurality of vertical slopes or a plurality of curvatures, the plurality of vertical slopes having a predetermined tilt angle difference, the plurality of curvatures having a predetermined curvature difference, and the predetermined tilt angle difference or predetermined curvature difference can be set according to the angle formed by the line connecting the centers of the plurality of facets arranged side by side in the vertical direction and the optical axis of the optical system.

[0014] Additionally or alternatively, each of the plurality of facets may be configured such that the curvature in the vertical direction and the curvature in the horizontal direction are the same.

[0015] Additionally or alternatively, each of the plurality of facets may have zero curvature.

[0016] Additionally or alternatively, the light-incident surface of the lens can focus the light reflected from the reflector.

[0017] Additionally or alternatively, the light-emitting surface of the lens may have the same skin angle as the outer lens.

[0018] On the other hand, a vehicle is provided that includes the light for the vehicle.

[0019] The solutions disclosed herein are some embodiments of this disclosure. Various other solutions besides those described above can also be derived and understood based on the detailed description of this disclosure, which will be given below. Attached Figure Description

[0020] The accompanying drawings, included to provide a further understanding of this disclosure and incorporated in and constituting a part of this application, illustrate (multiple) embodiments of the disclosure and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the disclosure. In the drawings:

[0021] Figure 1 The basic configuration of lights for a vehicle is shown;

[0022] Figure 2The optical axis variation is shown according to the shape of the light-emitting surface of the lens used for vehicle lamps;

[0023] Figure 3 The image shows a lens configuration based on the shape of the light-emitting surface of a lens for a vehicle lamp;

[0024] Figure 4 A lens with a light-emitting surface is shown, the light-emitting surface having the same skin angle as the outer lens of the lamp according to the present disclosure;

[0025] Figure 5 A lens with multiple facets is shown, which form the same skin angle as the outer lens of the lamp according to the present disclosure;

[0026] Figure 6 The curvature of a plurality of facets of a lens having the same skin angle as the outer lens of the lamp according to this disclosure is shown; and

[0027] Figure 7 An optical system with a lens is shown, the lens having the same skin angle as the outer lens of the lamp according to this disclosure. Detailed Implementation

[0028] The embodiments of this disclosure will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0029] The present disclosure may be implemented in various different forms and is not limited to the embodiments described herein. In the accompanying drawings, components unrelated to the description of the present disclosure have been omitted to clearly explain the present disclosure, and similar reference numerals will be used throughout the specification to refer to similar components.

[0030] In the specification, when a component “includes” an element, unless otherwise stated, it means that the component may also include another element rather than excluding another element.

[0031] Figure 1 The basic configuration of the optical system 1 for a vehicle lamp is shown.

[0032] A lamp for a vehicle may include a light source 10, a reflector 20, a housing 30, and a lens 40. The light source 10 emits light toward the reflector 20, which reflects the incident light. The reflected light passes through the housing 30 and is incident on the lens 40. The housing 30 is configured to control and adjust the direction of the light, and the housing 30 ensures that the light from the lamp is focused in a specific direction, or conversely, that the light is not scattered in a specific direction. The light incident on the lens 40 is refracted at the light-incident surface of the lens to form the final target light distribution.

[0033] The reflector 20 located on the optical axis A forms the hot zone region of the light distribution, the reflector 20 positioned away from the optical axis forms the wide zone of the light distribution, and the reflector 20 located in the middle forms the middle zone of the light distribution.

[0034] Figure 2 The diagram illustrates how the optical axis varies depending on the shape of the light-emitting surface of the lens that constitutes the optical system of a lamp used in a vehicle.

[0035] The skin angle refers to the angle formed between the axis perpendicular to the direction of travel of the vehicle with the lamp or the width axis of the vehicle (i.e., the lateral axis) and the surface (e.g., the light-emitting surface) of the outer lens constituting the (headlight) lamp. The light-emitting surface of the lens of the lamp's optical system can be formed correspondingly to or identically to the light-emitting surface of the outer lens. In this case, the skin angle of any lens in the lamp's optical system can be the angle formed by the light-emitting surface of the lens and the lateral axis of the vehicle or the optical axis of the optical system.

[0036] In this case, the vehicle's lateral axis can be perpendicular to the optical axis of the lamp's optical system, or the vehicle's longitudinal axis can be parallel to the optical axis of the lamp's optical system.

[0037] exist Figure 2 In (a), a lens 40 with a skin angle different from that of the outer lens formed on the light-emitting surface of the lamp's optical system is shown. Figure 2 The lens shown in (a) is assumed to be the final optical component of the lamp's optical system. That is, through the lens... Figure 2 The light from lens 40 shown in (a) is incident on the outer lens of the lamp used for the vehicle, without passing through any other lens or optical system.

[0038] Incident light passing through the focal point F of lens 40 is refracted on the light incident surface of lens 40 and refracted again at the light emitting surface to form light emission parallel to the optical axis A.

[0039] exist Figure 2 In diagram (b), a lens 40 is shown having a light-emitting surface 41 with a skin angle that is the same (or identical) as that of an outer lens formed on the light-emitting surface of the lamp's optical system. When the skin angle is formed on the light-emitting surface 41, the optical axis A changes. The optical axis can be described as relative to... Figure 2 The distortion of the optical axis in (a). Figure 2 The lens in (b) is also assumed to be the final optical component of the lamp's optical system. That is, through the lens in... Figure 2 In (b), the light from lens 40 is incident on the outer lens of the lamp used for the vehicle, without passing through any other lens or optical system.

[0040] If the optical axis changes, the characteristics of the optical system will also change, and the optical system will need to be redesigned to achieve the desired light distribution. Therefore, a method for maintaining the optical axis is needed.

[0041] Figure 3 The image shows a lens configuration based on the shape of the light-emitting surface of a lens constituting an optical system for a vehicle lamp.

[0042] exist Figure 3 In the image (a), an optical system or a lamp for a vehicle is shown, including a lens 50 having a light-emitting surface 51 with the same skin angle as a conventional outer lens.

[0043] exist Figure 3 In, (b) shows that in Figure 3 Enlarged view of part 50A in (a).

[0044] To compensate for changes in the optical axis, lens 50 is typically designed such that the light incident surface and the light emitting surface of lens 50 have the same skin angle, and lens 50 is positioned in front of condenser lens 40. For example... Figure 3 As shown in (b), the angle of light L1 incident on lens 50 and the angle of light L2 emitted from lens 50 remain unchanged, so the optical axis does not change.

[0045] Lens 50 is not used as a condenser lens configured to form a light distribution, but rather as a means to prevent changes in the optical axis. Therefore, as shown, a separate condenser lens 40 for forming a light distribution is necessary, and thus two lenses are required.

[0046] Figure 4 An optical system or a lamp for a vehicle, including a lens, is shown according to the present disclosure. The lens has a light-emitting surface with a skin angle formed like that of the lamp's outer lens.

[0047] According to this disclosure, lens 60 has a light-emitting surface 61 with a skin angle. Incident light passing through the focal point F of lens 60 is refracted on the light-incident surface of lens 40 and refracted again on the light-emitting surface of lens 60 to form light emission parallel to the optical axis A of the optical system.

[0048] Therefore, with Figure 2 Compared to (a), the optical axis A is maintained, and therefore, the light distribution can be formed based on light refraction, etc., just like in a conventional optical system design. Therefore, it is not necessary to... Figure 3 The additional lens 50 shown, and the light emitted from the light emitting surface 61 is incident on the outer lens of the lamp, and the light transmitted through the outer lens forms a light distribution.

[0049] Reference Figure 5 The light-emitting surface 61 is described in detail.

[0050] Figure 5 A lens with multiple facets according to the invention is shown, the multiple facets forming the same skin angle as the outer lens of the lamp.

[0051] Lens 60 includes multiple facets, therefore it can be called a multifaceted lens (MFL).

[0052] exist Figure 5 In the image, (a) is a perspective view of lens 60, and (b) is a top view of lens 60 as seen from above.

[0053] Lens 60 has a light incident surface 62 and a light emitting surface 61. The light emitting surface 61 of lens 60 includes a plurality of facets 63, which are arranged along a vertical (V) direction (or longitudinal direction) and a horizontal (H) direction (or transverse direction).

[0054] Reference Figure 5 In (a), the arrangement of facets 63 can be described as a matrix. The width or thickness of a row of horizontally arranged facets may differ slightly from that of the row of horizontally arranged facets below it. Alternatively, a row of horizontally arranged facets may differ in height from the row of horizontally arranged facets below it in the light-emitting surface 61. That is, when observing a side section of the light-emitting surface 61 of the lens 60, the light-emitting surface may have a repeating, uniform, irregular pattern.

[0055] However, this is just an example. The faceted structure can also be formed such that the length from the light incident surface 62 to the light emitting surface 61 is the same between adjacent facets in the longitudinal direction, or the light emitting surface 61 is uniform in the longitudinal direction.

[0056] Furthermore, each facet 63 can be formed to have curvature. In this case, the curvature of each facet 63 in the horizontal direction can be formed to be the same as (or consistent with) its curvature in the vertical direction. Alternatively, the horizontal and vertical curvatures of each facet 63 can be different. (See reference...) Figure 5 As can be seen in (b), the light-emitting surface 61 of lens 60 is formed to have the same skin angle as that of the outer lens used in vehicle lamps. (Refer to...) Figure 5 As can be seen from (b), the line connecting the center of facet 63 forms the overall skin angle of the light emitting surface of lens 60.

[0057] Figure 6 The lens shown has the same curvature of multiple facets of skin angle as the outer lens of a lamp for a vehicle according to this disclosure.

[0058] exist Figure 6In the image, (a) shows a lens 70 with curvature formed on the light emitting surface of each of the facets 731 to 737, and (b) shows a lens 80 without curvature formed on the light emitting surface of each of the facets 831 to 837.

[0059] exist Figure 6 First, we will describe (a).

[0060] Lens 70 can be designed such that the light-emitting surface 71 of each of the facets 731 to 737 has curvature. The focal point of the light-emitting surface formed by the plurality of facets 731 to 737 is designed to be located on the optical axis of the optical system including lens 70. Because each facet has curvature, light from the light-emitting surface is refracted instead of propagating in a straight line. The angle at which the emitted light is refracted depends on the curvature of the light-emitting surface.

[0061] Reference Figure 6 In (a), the light-emitting surface 71 of each of the facets 731 to 737 has curvature. That is, the profile corresponding to the light-emitting surface of each facet is not perpendicular to the optical axis of the optical system. More specifically, in Figure 6 As can be seen in (a), the light-emitting surfaces 71 of the facets are formed at different angles (i.e., different curvatures), and each facet may have a slope or tilt angle that is tilted at a certain angle from the top to the bottom of the figure relative to the previous facet, or the curvature difference between the facets may be a certain curvature difference.

[0062] Alternatively, the difference in slope or tilt angle or curvature between facets may not be constant. More specifically, the curvature of each facet may be determined by the number of facets or the skin angle of the light-emitting surface.

[0063] This is because the light-emitting surface 71, which is composed of the plurality of facets 731 to 737, corresponds to or is identical in shape to the light-emitting surface of the convex lens. Therefore, the light transmitted through the lens 70 forms an output light parallel to the optical axis of the optical system without distorting the optical axis. This will be described in more detail below.

[0064] For example, assuming and by Figure 6 The contour corresponding to the light-emitting surface of the uppermost first facet 731 in (a) is relative to Figure 6If the angle formed by the line H in (a) is -k1 degrees (i.e., the contour is tilted counterclockwise), then the angle formed by the contour corresponding to the light-emitting surface of the second facet 732 adjacent to the first facet can be -k2 degrees (k2 < k1). In addition, the angle formed by the contour corresponding to the light-emitting surface of the third facet 732 adjacent to the second facet can be -k3 degrees (k3 < k2 < k1, where k1, k2, and k3 are rational numbers greater than zero), and the angle formed by the contour corresponding to the light-emitting surface of the fourth facet 734 can be 0 degrees. In addition, the angles formed by the contours corresponding to the light-emitting surfaces of the fifth to seventh facets 735, 736, and 737 can be k4 degrees, k5 degrees, and k6 degrees respectively (k4 < k5 < k6, where k4, k5, and k6 are rational numbers greater than zero).

[0065] In other words, among the multiple facets 731 to 737, the light-emitting surfaces of the facets arranged side by side in the horizontal direction can be formed to have a horizontal tilt angle or slope with a predetermined angular difference. The angle formed by the light-emitting surface or its contour of each facet can be determined by the skin angle of the light-emitting surface 71 of the lens 70 or the skin angle of the outer lens of the lamp including the lens 70. That is, the predetermined tilt angular difference can be set according to the angle formed by the line connecting the centers of the multiple facets arranged horizontally side by side and the optical axis of the lamp optical system.

[0066] In this case, among the horizontally arranged facets, the facet located at the center may not have a tilt angle. That is, the facet located at the center may have a light-emitting surface perpendicular to the optical axis of the optical system.

[0067] As another example, among the multiple facets 731 to 737, the light-emitting surfaces of the facets arranged side by side in the horizontal direction can be formed to have a curvature with a predetermined curvature difference. The curvature of each facet can be determined by the skin angle of the light-emitting surface 71 of the lens 70 or the skin angle of the outer lens of the lamp including the lens 70. That is, the predetermined curvature difference can be set according to the angle formed by the line connecting the centers of the multiple facets arranged horizontally side by side and the optical axis of the lamp optical system.

[0068] Furthermore, although not shown, the light-emitting surfaces 71 of the facets can be formed with different angles (i.e., different curvatures) in the vertical direction. In other words, among the multiple facets, the light-emitting surfaces of the facets arranged side by side in the vertical direction can be formed with a vertical tilt angle or slope having a predetermined angle difference. The angle formed by the light-emitting surface of each facet or its contour can be determined by the skin angle of the light-emitting surface 71 of the lens 70 or the skin angle of the outer lens of the lamp including the lens 70. That is, the predetermined tilt angle difference can be set according to the angle formed by the line connecting the centers of the multiple facets arranged vertically side by side and the optical axis of the lamp optical system.

[0069] In this case, among the vertically arranged facets, the facet located at the center may not have an angle of inclination. That is, the facet located at the center may have a light-emitting surface perpendicular to the optical axis of the optical system.

[0070] As another example, among the plurality of facets 731 to 737, the light-emitting surfaces of the facets arranged side-by-side in the vertical direction can be formed with a curvature having a predetermined curvature difference. The curvature of each facet can be determined by the skin angle of the light-emitting surface 71 of the lens 70 or the skin angle of the outer lens of the lamp including the lens 70. That is, the predetermined curvature difference can be set according to the angle formed by the line connecting the centers of the plurality of vertically side-by-side facets and the optical axis of the lamp optical system.

[0071] exist Figure 6 In the middle, (b) will be described.

[0072] The light-emitting surfaces 81 of the lens 80, with multiple facets 831 to 837, can be designed to have no curvature (i.e., zero curvature). That is, each facet 831 to 837 is a plane. Since the facets have no curvature, light is not refracted but travels directly toward the light-emitting surfaces.

[0073] See Figure 5 In (b), the light-emitting surface 61, the line connecting the centers of the plurality of facets ultimately forms the skin angle of lens 60. The line connecting the centers of the plurality of facets can be formed as a straight line or a curve depending on the facet design, corresponding to or coinciding with the light-emitting surface of the outer lens of the lamp including lens 60. This straight line or curve is at least not perpendicular to the optical axis of the optical system composed of lenses. Furthermore, the line connecting the centers of the plurality of facets is asymmetrical with respect to the optical axis of the optical system composed of lenses. However, in the lamp or lens according to this disclosure, the light-emitting surfaces 61, 71, and 81 of lenses 60, 70, and 80 can be formed by the plurality of facets, thereby obtaining light emission that coincides with or is parallel to the optical axis of the lamp's optical system.

[0074] Furthermore, a plane can be formed at the center of the plurality of facets formed on the light-emitting surface of the lens, and this plane corresponds to or coincides with the light-emitting surface of the outer lens of the lamp including the lens. Moreover, this plane is at least not perpendicular to the optical axis of the optical system composed of the lens. Furthermore, the plane including the center of the plurality of facets is asymmetrical with respect to the optical axis of the optical system composed of the lens. However, in the lamp or lens according to this disclosure, the light-emitting surfaces 61, 71, 81 of lenses 60, 70, 80 can be formed by the plurality of facets, thereby obtaining light emission that coincides with or is parallel to the optical axis of the lamp's optical system.

[0075] Figure 7 An optical system is shown that has a lens with the same skin angle as the outer lens of the lamp according to this disclosure.

[0076] See Figure 7 (a) shows a lens 70 having curvature formed on the light-emitting surfaces of each facet, with reference to Figure 7 (b) shows a lens 80 in which no curvature is formed on the light-emitting surface of each facet.

[0077] Reference Figure 7 (a) The incident light passing through the focal point F of lens 70 is refracted on the light incident surface 72 of lens 70, refracted again on the light emitting surface 71, and emitted parallel to the optical axis (not shown).

[0078] Additionally, refer to Figure 7 (b) The incident light passing through the focal point F of lens 80 is refracted on the light incident surface 82 of lens 80, but is not refracted on the light emitting surface, and is emitted in a straight line, that is, parallel to the optical axis A of the optical system.

[0079] Lenses 70 and 80 have light-incident surfaces 72 and 82 that converge the incident light radiated from the light source 10 and reflected by the reflector 20. This allows for the formation of a light distribution for the lamp.

[0080] Meanwhile, lens 70 is thinner than lens 80 because a shorter focal length is created when curvature is formed at the facets. This is due to the refraction phenomenon caused by curvature.

[0081] Furthermore, although not shown in the figures, another embodiment of the invention provides a vehicle including a lamp for the vehicle, the lamp including the optical system described above according to the present disclosure.

[0082] It is evident from the above description that the present invention has the following effects.

[0083] In this invention, the lamp for a vehicle is designed such that the light emitting surface has multiple facets using a single lens, and the light emitting surface has skin angles.

[0084] In this disclosure, the optical system for a vehicle lamp is configured to employ a single lens, thereby enabling miniaturization and simplification.

[0085] The effects of this disclosure are not limited to those described above, and other unmentioned effects will be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the foregoing description.

[0086] As described above, a detailed description of preferred embodiments of the present invention has been provided to enable those skilled in the art to implement and practice the invention.

[0087] It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made to the present invention without departing from the spirit or scope thereof.

[0088] Therefore, this disclosure is intended to cover modifications and variations thereof, provided they fall within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. A lamp for a vehicle, comprising: a light source; a reflector configured to reflect light incident from the light source; an outer lens; and an optical system including a lens configured to collect light reflected from the reflector to form a light distribution, the lens having a light emission surface and a plurality of facets formed on the light emission surface, wherein light emitted from the light emission surface is incident on the outer lens, wherein a line connecting a plurality of centers of the plurality of facets is a straight line or a curve, and wherein the line connecting the plurality of centers of the plurality of facets is not perpendicular to an optical axis of the optical system or is asymmetric with respect to the optical axis. a plurality of curvatures of the plurality of facets are formed on the light emission surface such that a focal point of the light emission surface is located on the optical axis of the optical system.

2. The lamp of claim 1, wherein, the plurality of facets are arranged in an array extending in a horizontal direction and a vertical direction.

3. The lamp of claim 1, wherein, 4.The lamp according to claim 3, wherein: the plurality of facets include a plurality of first facets arranged side by side in a horizontal direction, a plurality of light emission surfaces of the plurality of first facets have a plurality of horizontal slopes having a predetermined difference in inclination angle or a plurality of curvatures having a predetermined difference in curvature, and the predetermined difference in inclination angle or the predetermined difference in curvature is set according to an angle formed by a line connecting a plurality of centers of the plurality of first facets and the optical axis of the optical system. 5.The lamp according to claim 3, wherein: the plurality of facets include a plurality of first facets arranged side by side in a vertical direction, a plurality of light emission surfaces of the plurality of first facets have a plurality of vertical slopes having a predetermined difference in inclination angle or a plurality of curvatures having a predetermined difference in curvature, and the predetermined difference in inclination angle or the predetermined difference in curvature is set according to an angle formed by a line connecting a plurality of centers of the plurality of first facets and the optical axis of the optical system. each of the plurality of facets is formed such that a curvature in a vertical direction and a curvature in a horizontal direction are the same.

6. The lamp of claim 3, wherein, a curvature of each of the plurality of facets is zero.

7. The lamp of claim 1, wherein, the lens further has a light incidence surface configured to collect light reflected from the reflector.

8. The lamp of claim 1, wherein, a skin angle of the light emission surface of the lens is the same as a skin angle of the outer lens.

9. The lamp of claim 1, wherein, 10.A vehicle, comprising: a light source; a reflector configured to reflect light incident from the light source; an outer lens; and an optical system including a lamp including a lens configured to collect light reflected from the reflector to form a light distribution, the lens having a light emission surface and a plurality of facets formed on the light emission surface, wherein light emitted from the light emission surface is incident on the outer lens, wherein a line connecting a plurality of centers of the plurality of facets is a straight line or a curve, and wherein the line connecting the plurality of centers of the plurality of facets is not perpendicular to an optical axis of the optical system or is asymmetric with respect to the optical axis. ​ ​

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