Lighting for vehicles

Abstract

This disclosure relates to a lamp for a vehicle, the lamp including a light source and a light guide for receiving light emitted from the light source, wherein a lower surface portion of the light guide includes a lower total reflection region where light emitted from the light source is totally reflected and a refractive region spaced forward from the lower total reflection region, such that light emitted from the light source is refracted when passing through the refractive region, and wherein an upper surface portion of the light guide includes an upper total reflection region spaced forward from the lower total reflection region and spaced backward from the refractive region, such that light emitted from the light source and totally reflected in the lower total reflection region is totally reflected.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This disclosure relates to a lamp for use in vehicles. Background Technology

[0002] Vehicles are equipped with various types of vehicle lights categorized according to their function. For example, low beam lights, high beam lights, and daytime running lights (DRL lights) are installed on the front of the vehicle. Low beam lights form a low beam light distribution pattern, high beam lights form a high beam light distribution pattern, and DRL lights form a DRL light distribution pattern.

[0003] In addition to the types of light distribution patterns mentioned above, regulations also require vehicles to form signal light distribution patterns. A signal light distribution pattern is a light distribution pattern formed above the low beam light distribution pattern. A signal light distribution pattern is a light distribution pattern with the minimum brightness required to identify objects such as signs present in the upper area in front of the vehicle. Utility Model Content

[0004] This disclosure aims to provide a luminaire for a vehicle that can form a signal light distribution pattern without the need for a separate optical system for forming the signal light distribution pattern.

[0005] To achieve the above objectives, one aspect of this disclosure provides a lamp for a vehicle, the lamp comprising: a light source; and a light guide disposed on one side of the light source and configured to receive light emitted from the light source, wherein the light guide includes: a front surface portion configured to define a front region of the light guide; a rear surface portion configured to define a rear region of the light guide; an upper surface portion configured to connect the front surface portion to the rear surface portion and to define an upper region of the light guide; and a lower surface portion configured to receive light emitted from the front surface portion. The upper surface portion is connected to the rear surface portion and configured to define a lower region of the light guide portion, wherein the lower surface portion includes: a lower total internal reflection region in which light emitted from the light source is totally internally reflected; and a refractive region spaced forward from the lower total internal reflection region and configured such that light emitted from the light source is refracted as it passes through the refractive region, and wherein the upper surface portion includes an upper total internal reflection region spaced forward from the lower total internal reflection region and spaced rearward from the refractive region, and configured such that light emitted from the light source and totally internally reflected in the lower total internal reflection region is totally internally reflected.

[0006] The light guide portion can be integrally formed.

[0007] The lower total reflection region may include: a first lower total reflection surface having a forward-sloping surface shape; and a second lower total reflection surface connected to the front end of the first lower total reflection surface and having a forward-rising sloping surface shape.

[0008] The upper total reflection region may have a downward concave shape.

[0009] The upper total reflection region may include an upper total reflection surface having a forward-rising inclined surface shape and being configured such that light totally reflected in the lower total reflection region reaches the upper total reflection surface.

[0010] The upper total reflection region may include an upper connecting surface that is connected to the rear end of the upper total reflection surface and spaced rearward from the light that is totally reflected in the lower total reflection region.

[0011] The angle between the upper total reflection surface and the upward / downward direction H can be greater than the angle between the upper connecting surface and the upward / downward direction H.

[0012] The refractive region can have an upwardly concave shape.

[0013] The refractive region may include: a first refractive surface having a forward-rising inclined surface shape; and a second refractive surface connected to the front end of the first refractive surface and having a forward-falling inclined surface shape.

[0014] The angle between the first refractive surface and the upward / downward direction H can be smaller than the angle between the second refractive surface and the upward / downward direction H.

[0015] The lower surface portion may include: a lower surface rear portion, the lower surface rear portion including the lower total reflection region; a lower surface front portion, the lower surface front portion being spaced forward from the lower surface rear portion, having a shape that protrudes downward more than the lower surface rear portion, and including the refractive region; and a lower surface connecting portion, the lower surface connecting portion being configured to connect the lower surface rear portion to the lower surface front portion and having an upwardly recessed shape.

[0016] The lower surface connection portion may include a stepped portion disposed at the boundary between a first side surface based on the left / right direction W and a second side surface based on the left / right direction W.

[0017] The light guide portion may include a light collecting region disposed between the upper surface portion and the lower surface portion and configured to face the light source, and the first lower total internal reflection surface is disposed in the light collecting region.

[0018] The vehicle lamp may further include a reflector disposed below the light guide and having an upper surface provided with a light-reflecting surface.

[0019] The portion of the light receiving from the light source that passes sequentially through the lower total reflection region, the upper total reflection region, and the refractive region on the light-reflecting surface can be positioned behind the front surface portion.

[0020] The rear surface of the front portion of the lower surface may have a rearward convex shape.

[0021] At least a portion of the rear surface at the front of the lower surface may be located on a straight line connecting the upper total reflection region to the refractive region.

[0022] The upper total reflection region and the refractive region can be spaced inward from the two opposing surfaces of the light guide portion based on the left / right direction W, respectively.

[0023] According to this disclosure, a vehicle lamp can be provided that can form a signal light distribution pattern without adding a separate optical system for forming the signal light distribution pattern. Attached Figure Description

[0024] Figure 1 This is a side view of a lamp for a vehicle according to the present disclosure.

[0025] Figure 2 This is a top plan view of the light guide portion of a lamp for a vehicle according to the present disclosure.

[0026] Figure 3 This is a bottom view of the light guide portion of a lamp for a vehicle according to the present disclosure.

[0027] Figure 4 This is a diagram showing the cross-sectional structure of the connecting portion on the lower surface of the light guide portion of the lamp for a vehicle according to the present disclosure.

[0028] 10: Lighting fixtures

[0029] 100: Light source

[0030] 200: Light guide section

[0031] 210: Front surface portion

[0032] 220: Rear surface portion

[0033] 230: Upper surface portion

[0034] 232: Upper total reflection area

[0035] 232a: Upper total internal reflection surface

[0036] 232b: Upper connecting surface

[0037] 240: Lower surface portion

[0038] 240-1: Rear part of the lower surface

[0039] 240-2: Front of lower surface

[0040] 240-3: Lower surface connection part

[0041] 240-3a: Stepped section

[0042] 242: Lower total reflection area

[0043] 242a: First lower total internal reflection surface

[0044] 242b: Second lower total internal reflection surface

[0045] 244: Refraction Region

[0046] 244a: First refractive surface

[0047] 244b: Second refractive surface

[0048] 250: Light collection area

[0049] 300: Reflector

[0050] 310: Light-reflecting surface Detailed Implementation

[0051] The following description, with reference to the accompanying drawings, describes the lighting fixtures for vehicles according to this disclosure.

[0052] Lighting for vehicles

[0053] Figure 1 This is a side view of a lamp for a vehicle according to the present disclosure. Figure 2 This is a top plan view of the light guide portion of a lamp for a vehicle according to the present disclosure. Figure 3 This is a bottom plan view of the light guide portion of a vehicle lamp according to this disclosure. Figure 4 This is a diagram showing the cross-sectional structure of the connecting portion on the lower surface of the light guide portion of the lamp for a vehicle according to the present disclosure.

[0054] Reference Figures 1 to 4The vehicle lamp 10 (hereinafter referred to as "lamp") according to this disclosure may include a light source 100 and a light guide portion 200 disposed on one side of the light source 100 and configured to receive light emitted from the light source 100. More specifically, the light guide portion 200 may include a front surface portion 210 configured to define a front region of the light guide portion 200, a rear surface portion 220 configured to define a rear region of the light guide portion 200, an upper surface portion 230 configured to connect the front surface portion 210 and the rear surface portion 220 and to define an upper region of the light guide portion 200, and a lower surface portion 240 configured to connect the front surface portion 210 and the rear surface portion 220 and to define a lower region of the light guide portion 200.

[0055] Furthermore, according to this disclosure, the entire light guide portion 200 can be integrally formed. More specifically, the entire light guide portion 200, described later, can be manufactured as an integral lens.

[0056] The luminaire 10 according to this disclosure can form a low beam light distribution pattern or a high beam light distribution pattern, and additionally form a signal light distribution pattern. The features of the light guide portion 200 used to form the signal light distribution pattern will be described in detail.

[0057] Reference Figures 1 to 3 The lower surface portion 240 may include a lower total internal reflection region 242 and a refractive region 244. In the lower total internal reflection region 242, light emitted from the light source 100 is totally internally reflected. The refractive region 244 is configured to be spaced forward from the lower total internal reflection region 242 and is refracted as light emitted from the light source 100 passes through the refractive region 244. Furthermore, the upper surface portion 230 may include an upper total internal reflection region 232, which is configured to be spaced forward from the lower total internal reflection region 242, spaced rearward from the refractive region 244, and is configured such that light emitted from the light source 100 and totally internally reflected in the lower total internal reflection region 242 is totally internally reflected.

[0058] The following describes the process by which light emitted from the light source 100 of the luminaire 10 according to the present disclosure passes through the light guide 200 and exits while forming a signal light distribution pattern. First, a portion of the light emitted from the light source 100 is totally reflected in the lower total internal reflection region 242 and moves forward and upward. Then, when the light reaches the upper total internal reflection region 232, it is totally reflected again and moves forward and downward. Then, the light is refracted while passing through the refraction region 244 and exits to the outside of the light guide 200. Thereafter, the light exiting from the light guide 200 is reflected by the reflective portion (described later) and then exits forward and upward, thereby forming a signal light distribution pattern.

[0059] At the same time, such as Figure 1 and Figure 3As shown, the lower total internal reflection region 242 may include multiple surfaces. More specifically, the lower total internal reflection region 242 may include a first lower total internal reflection surface 242a having a forward-sloping surface shape and a second lower total internal reflection surface 242b connected to the front end of the first lower total internal reflection surface 242a and having a forward-rising sloped surface shape. It can be understood that the lower total internal reflection region 242 has an approximately "V" shaped cross-sectional structure. According to this disclosure, light emitted from the light source 100 and reaching the lower total internal reflection region 242 can be totally reflected once by the first lower total internal reflection surface 242a, totally reflected twice by the second lower total internal reflection surface 242b, and then moved toward the upper total internal reflection region 232.

[0060] Furthermore, according to this disclosure, the upper total reflection region 232 can have a downwardly concave shape. In this case, similar to the lower total reflection region 242, the upper total reflection region 232 can also include multiple surfaces. More specifically, as... Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, the upper total internal reflection region 232 may include an upper total internal reflection surface 232a, which has a forward-rising inclined surface shape and is configured such that light totally reflected in the lower total internal reflection region 242 reaches the upper total internal reflection surface 232a. Therefore, light reaching the upper total internal reflection region 232 from the lower total internal reflection region 242 can be totally reflected again by the upper total internal reflection surface 232a and then move toward the refractive region 244.

[0061] Simultaneously, the upper total internal reflection region 232 may also include an upper connecting surface 232b, which is connected to the rear end of the upper total internal reflection surface 232a and extends upward from the upper total internal reflection surface 232a. In this case, the upper connecting surface 232b may be configured to be rearwardly spaced from the light totally reflected in the lower total internal reflection region 242. That is, according to this disclosure, the upper connecting surface 232b may be physically spaced from the optical path of light that helps to form a signal light distribution pattern formed by the luminaire according to this disclosure. For example, the figures show that the angle defined between the upper total internal reflection surface 232a and the upward / downward direction H is greater than the angle defined between the upper connecting surface 232b and the upward / downward direction H.

[0062] Simultaneously, the refractive region 244 can have an upwardly concave shape. In this case, similar to the lower total internal reflection region 242 and the upper total internal reflection region 232, the refractive region 244 can also include multiple surfaces. More specifically, as... Figure 1 and Figure 3As shown, the refractive region 244 may include a first refractive surface 244a and a second refractive surface 244b. The first refractive surface 244a has a forward-rising inclined surface shape, and the second refractive surface 244b is connected to the front end of the first refractive surface 244a and has a forward-falling inclined surface shape. It can be understood that the refractive region 244 has an approximately inverted "V" shape in the upward / downward direction H. According to this disclosure, light that is totally reflected in the upper total internal reflection region 232 and then reaches the refractive region 244 can be refracted forward while passing through the first refractive surface 244a, and then emitted to the outside of the light guide portion 200. For example, Figure 1 and Figure 3 It is shown that the angle defined between the first refractive surface 244a and the upward / downward direction H is smaller than the angle defined between the second refractive surface 244b and the upward / downward direction H.

[0063] Furthermore, according to this disclosure, the lower surface portion 240 can be divided into multiple parts. However, as described above, since the entire light guide portion 200 is a single unit, the multiple parts are only conceptually distinguished and are not considered as physically separate components.

[0064] Meanwhile, the lower surface portion 240 may include a lower surface rear portion 240-1 having the aforementioned lower total reflection region 242, a lower surface front portion 240-2 having a shape that is spaced forward from the lower surface rear portion 240-1, protruding downward more than the lower surface rear portion 240-1, and having the aforementioned refractive region 244, and a lower surface connecting portion 240-3 having an overall upwardly concave shape and being configured to connect the lower surface rear portion 240-1 and the lower surface front portion 240-2. More specifically, the lower surface connecting portion 240-3 may have a shape that is more upwardly concave than the lower surface rear portion 240-1 and the lower surface front portion 240-2.

[0065] As described above, the luminaire 10 according to this disclosure can also form a low beam beam pattern separately from the signal beam pattern. In this case, such as Figure 1 , Figure 3 and Figure 4 As shown, the lower surface connecting portion 240-3 may further include a stepped portion 240-3a, which is formed at the boundary between one side surface based on the left / right direction W and another side surface based on the left / right direction W. The stepped portion 240-3a may have a shape corresponding to the cutoff line defined at the upper boundary of the low beam distribution pattern.

[0066] Meanwhile, the light guide portion 200 may also include a light collecting region 250 formed between the upper surface portion 230 and the lower surface portion 240 and disposed facing the light source 100. As can be seen from the specification, the light collecting region 250 can be used to collect light emitted from the light source 100, thereby improving the overall luminous efficiency of the luminaire. At least a portion of the light collecting region 250 may have a collimator shape. Furthermore, in the exemplary example, a first lower total internal reflection surface 242a may be formed in the light collecting region 250. That is, the first lower total internal reflection surface 242a may be formed on the lower surface of the light collecting region 250.

[0067] At the same time, such as Figure 1 As shown, the luminaire 10 according to this disclosure may further include a reflector 300 disposed below the light guide 200 and having an upper surface on which a light-reflecting surface 310 is formed. According to this disclosure, light refracted in the refraction region 244 and then emitted from the light guide 200 to the outside can reach the light-reflecting surface 310 of the reflector 300, be reflected by the light-reflecting surface 310, and then move forward and upward, thereby ultimately forming a signal light distribution pattern. More specifically, a portion of the light-reflecting surface 310 may be formed behind the front surface portion 210, which receives light emitted from the light source 100 and sequentially passing through the lower total internal reflection region 242, the upper total internal reflection region 232, and the refraction region 244.

[0068] Meanwhile, in the examples of this disclosure, the rear surface of the lower front portion 240-2 may have a rearwardly convex shape. In this case, at least a portion of the rear surface of the lower front portion 240-2 may lie on the straight line connecting the upper total internal reflection region 232 and the refractive region 244. Therefore, taking into account the straightness of light, light emitted from the upper total internal reflection region 232 can reach the rear surface of the lower front portion 240-2 before reaching the refractive region 244, and the light reaching the rear surface of the lower front portion 240-2 can be collected in the horizontal direction and then reach the refractive region 244.

[0069] At the same time, refer to Figure 2 and Figure 3 The upper total internal reflection region 232 and the refractive region 244 can be spaced inward from the two opposing surfaces of the light guide portion 200 in the left / right directions W, respectively. It can be understood that the widths of the upper total internal reflection region 232 and the refractive region 244 in the left / right directions W are both smaller than the width of the light guide portion 200 in the left / right directions W.

[0070] This disclosure has been described with reference to limited embodiments and accompanying drawings, but is not limited thereto. This disclosure may be implemented in various forms by those skilled in the art to which it pertains, within the spirit and scope of the disclosure.

[0071] Cross-references to related applications

[0072] This application claims priority and benefit to Korean Patent Application No. 10-2024-0184910, filed on December 12, 2024, with the Korean Intellectual Property Office, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

Claims

1. A lamp for a vehicle, characterized by, The lighting fixtures for vehicles include: Light source; and A light guide portion is disposed on one side of the light source and configured to receive light emitted from the light source. The light guide portion includes: A front surface portion, wherein the front surface portion is configured to define a front region of the light guide portion; The rear surface portion is configured to define a rear region of the light guide portion; The upper surface portion is configured to connect the front surface portion to the rear surface portion and is configured to define an upper region of the light guide portion; and The lower surface portion is configured to connect the front surface portion to the rear surface portion and is configured to define a lower region of the light guide portion. The lower surface portion includes: The lower total internal reflection region, in which light emitted from the light source is totally internally reflected; and A refractive region, spaced forward from the lower total internal reflection region, is configured such that light emitted from the light source is refracted as it passes through the refractive region. The upper surface portion includes an upper total reflection region, which is spaced forward from the lower total reflection region and spaced backward from the refractive region, and is configured such that light emitted from the light source and totally reflected in the lower total reflection region is totally reflected.

2. The lamp for a vehicle according to claim 1, characterized by, The light guide is integrally formed.

3. The lamp for a vehicle according to claim 1, characterized by, The lower total reflection region includes: A first lower total reflective surface, the first lower total reflective surface having a forward-sloping surface shape; and The second lower total reflective surface is connected to the front end of the first lower total reflective surface and has a forward-rising inclined surface shape.

4. The lamp for a vehicle according to claim 1, characterized by, The upper total reflection region has a downward concave shape.

5. The lamp for a vehicle according to claim 1, characterized by, The upper total reflection region includes an upper total reflection surface having a forward-rising inclined surface shape and being configured such that light totally reflected in the lower total reflection region reaches the upper total reflection surface.

6. The lamp for a vehicle according to claim 5, characterized by The upper total reflection region includes an upper connecting surface that is connected to the rear end of the upper total reflection surface and is spaced rearward from the light that is totally reflected in the lower total reflection region.

7. The lighting fixture for a vehicle according to claim 6, characterized in that, The angle between the upper total reflective surface and the upward / downward direction (H) is greater than the angle between the upper connecting surface and the upward / downward direction (H).

8. The lighting fixture for a vehicle according to claim 1, characterized in that, The refractive region has an upwardly concave shape.

9. The lighting fixture for a vehicle according to claim 1, characterized in that, The refractive region includes: A first refractive surface, the first refractive surface having a forward-rising inclined surface shape; and A second refractive surface is connected to the front end of the first refractive surface and has a forward-sloping surface shape.

10. The lighting fixture for a vehicle according to claim 9, characterized in that, The angle between the first refractive surface and the upward / downward direction (H) is smaller than the angle between the second refractive surface and the upward / downward direction (H).

11. The lighting fixture for a vehicle according to claim 1, characterized in that, The lower surface portion includes: The rear portion of the lower surface includes the lower total reflection region; A lower surface front portion, the lower surface front portion being spaced forward from the lower surface rear portion, having a shape that projects downwardly more than the lower surface rear portion, and including the refractive region; and The lower surface connecting portion is configured to connect the rear portion of the lower surface to the front portion of the lower surface and has an upwardly concave shape.

12. The lighting fixture for a vehicle according to claim 11, characterized in that, The lower surface connection portion includes a stepped portion disposed at the boundary between a first side surface based on the left / right direction (W) and a second side surface based on the left / right direction (W).

13. The lighting fixture for a vehicle according to claim 3, characterized in that, The light guide includes a light collecting region disposed between the upper surface portion and the lower surface portion and facing the light source, and the first lower total internal reflection surface is disposed in the light collecting region.

14. The lighting fixture for a vehicle according to claim 1, characterized in that, The vehicle lighting fixtures also include: A reflective portion is disposed below the light guide portion and has an upper surface on which a light-reflecting surface is provided.

15. The lighting fixture for a vehicle according to claim 14, characterized in that, The portion of the light receiving light emitted from the light source and passing sequentially through the lower total reflection region, the upper total reflection region, and the refractive region is disposed behind the front surface portion.

16. The lighting fixture for a vehicle according to claim 11, characterized in that, The rear surface of the front portion of the lower surface has a rearward convex shape.

17. The lighting fixture for a vehicle according to claim 16, characterized in that, At least a portion of the rear surface at the front of the lower surface lies on a straight line connecting the upper total reflection region to the refractive region.

18. The lighting fixture for a vehicle according to claim 1, characterized in that, The upper total reflection region and the refractive region are respectively spaced inward from the two opposing surfaces of the light guide in a left / right direction (W).

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