Lamp and lamp system for a vehicle

Abstract

A lamp and a lamp system for a vehicle are provided. A lamp for a vehicle includes a light source and a light guide disposed at one side of the light source to receive light emitted from the light source. The light guide includes a front surface portion, a rear surface portion, an upper surface portion, and a lower surface portion. The light source includes a first light source disposed behind the light guide and facing the rear surface portion, and a second light source disposed above the light guide and facing the upper surface portion. The lower surface portion includes a downwardly protruding region protruding downwardly such that at least a portion of light emitted from the second light source reaches the downwardly protruding region.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This disclosure relates to a lamp for a vehicle, and more specifically, to a lamp for a vehicle capable of forming multiple light distribution patterns. Background Technology

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

[0003] In related technologies, because various types of lamps are installed together in a vehicle, and the light-emitting surfaces formed by these lamps are different from each other, the vehicle's design cannot meet consumer needs when the lamps are turned on. Furthermore, the installation of various types of lamps in a vehicle results in excessive space occupied by these lamps. Utility Model Content

[0004] This disclosure aims to provide a lighting module for a vehicle having a structure in which one of the luminaires for the vehicle can perform two or more functions, such that a single light-emitting surface can be shared even when luminaires with different functions are turned on, thereby facilitating differentiation in vehicle design.

[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; and an upper surface portion configured to connect the front surface portion and the rear surface portion and to define an upper region of the light guide. The light source includes: a lower surface portion configured to connect the front surface portion and the rear surface portion and to define a lower region of the light guide portion; the light source includes: a first light source disposed behind the light guide portion and configured to face the rear surface portion; and a second light source disposed above the light guide portion and configured to face the upper surface portion; and the lower surface portion includes a downwardly projecting region configured such that at least a portion of the light emitted from the second light source reaches the downwardly projecting region.

[0006] The optical axis of the second light source can be tilted downwards and forwards, and the downward protruding area can be located in front of the second light source.

[0007] The downwardly protruding region may include: a first downwardly protruding surface configured to define a rear surface of the downwardly protruding region; and a second downwardly protruding surface configured to define a front surface of the downwardly protruding region.

[0008] The first downward protruding surface and the second downward protruding surface may each have a flat shape, and the first downward protruding surface and the second downward protruding surface may meet at the lower end of the downward protruding region.

[0009] The angle α defined between the first downward protruding surface and the upward / downward direction H can be greater than the angle β defined between the second downward protruding surface and the upward / downward direction H.

[0010] The upper surface portion may include an upwardly projecting region configured to face the second light source.

[0011] The upward protrusion of the region can be parallel to the direction of the first downward protrusion of the surface.

[0012] The first plane, which is an imaginary plane including the first downwardly projecting surface, may coincide with the second plane, which is an imaginary plane including the front surface including the upwardly projecting region, or the first plane may be located in front of the second plane.

[0013] The surface of the upwardly protruding region facing the second light source may include a portion with a raised shape.

[0014] The lower surface portion may further include: a light-guiding protrusion region, which is spaced forward from the downward protrusion region and protrudes downward; and a lower reflective region, which is disposed between the downward protrusion region and the light-guiding protrusion region.

[0015] The horizontal cross-section of the rear surface of the light-guiding protrusion area may include a portion having a rearward convex shape.

[0016] The lower reflective region may have a stepped portion formed at the boundary between a side surface based on the left / right direction W and another side surface based on the left / right direction W.

[0017] The light guide portion may further include a light collecting region formed between the upper surface portion and the lower surface portion and configured to face the first light source.

[0018] The light collection area may include a portion having a collimator shape.

[0019] Light emitted from the first light source and totally reflected by the upper inner surface of the light collecting area can reach the lower reflecting area.

[0020] The entire light guide portion can be formed integrally.

[0021] In another general aspect, a lighting system includes: a light guide comprising: a front surface portion; a rear surface portion; an upper surface portion connected to the front surface portion and the rear surface portion; and a lower surface portion connected to the front surface portion and the rear surface portion; a first light source disposed behind the light guide and configured to face the rear surface portion; a second light source disposed above the light guide and configured to face the upper surface portion; and a controller configured to control the first light source and the second light source to form one or more light distribution patterns via the light guide, wherein the lower surface portion includes a downwardly projecting region, the downwardly projecting region being configured such that at least a portion of light emitted from the second light source reaches the downwardly projecting region.

[0022] The optical axis of the second light source can be tilted downwards and forwards, and the downward protruding area can be located in front of the second light source.

[0023] The downwardly protruding region may include: a first downwardly protruding surface configured to define a rear surface of the downwardly protruding region; and a second downwardly protruding surface configured to define a front surface of the downwardly protruding region.

[0024] The lower surface portion may further include: a light-guiding protrusion region, which is spaced forward from the downward protrusion region and protrudes downward; and a lower reflective region, which is disposed between the downward protrusion region and the light-guiding protrusion region.

[0025] According to this disclosure, a luminaire for a vehicle can perform two or more functions, allowing them to share a single luminous surface even when luminaires with different functions are turned on, thereby promoting differentiation in vehicle design. Attached Figure Description

[0026] Figure 1 This is a perspective view of a vehicle lamp according to the present disclosure.

[0027] Figure 2 This is a side view of a lamp for a vehicle according to this disclosure.

[0028] Figure 3This is an enlarged view showing the downward protruding area and the area surrounding the downward protruding area of ​​a lamp for a vehicle according to the present disclosure.

[0029] Figure 4 This is a diagram showing the cross-sectional structure of the stepped portion formed in the light guide portion of a lamp for a vehicle according to the present disclosure.

[0030] 10: Lighting fixtures for vehicles

[0031] 100: Light source

[0032] 101: First Light Source

[0033] 102: Second Light Source

[0034] 200: Light guide section

[0035] 210: Front surface portion

[0036] 220: Rear surface portion

[0037] 230: Upper surface portion

[0038] 232: Upward-protruding area

[0039] 240: Lower surface portion

[0040] 242: Downward protruding area

[0041] 242a: First downward protruding surface

[0042] 242b: Second downward protruding surface

[0043] 244: Light guiding protrusion area

[0044] 246: Lower reflection area

[0045] 246a: Step section

[0046] 250: Light collection area

[0047] H: Up / Down direction

[0048] W: Left / Right direction Detailed Implementation

[0049] The following description, with reference to the accompanying drawings, describes a lamp for a vehicle according to the present disclosure.

[0050] Lighting for vehicles

[0051] Figure 1 This is a perspective view of a vehicle lamp according to the present disclosure. Figure 2 This is a side view of a lamp for a vehicle according to this disclosure. Figure 3This is an enlarged view showing the downwardly projecting area and the area surrounding the downwardly projecting area of ​​a lamp for a vehicle according to the present disclosure, and Figure 4 This is a diagram showing the cross-sectional structure of the stepped portion formed in the light guide portion of a lamp for a vehicle according to the present disclosure.

[0052] The luminaire for a vehicle according to this disclosure (hereinafter referred to as the "luminaire") can be a luminaire module capable of forming two or more types of light distribution patterns. That is, the luminaire according to this disclosure can separately form a first light distribution pattern and a second light distribution pattern different from the first light distribution pattern. For example, the first light distribution pattern can be a low beam pattern, and the second light distribution pattern can be a daytime running light (DRL) pattern. However, the types of the first and second light distribution patterns are not limited to those described above. Various types of beam patterns can be applied.

[0053] Reference Figures 1 to 3 The luminaire 10 according to this disclosure may include a light source 100 and a light guide 200, the light guide 200 being disposed on one side of the light source 100 and configured to receive light emitted from the light source 100. The entire light guide 200 according to this disclosure may be an integrally formed lens. Therefore, according to this disclosure, a first light distribution pattern and a second light distribution pattern may be formed by an integrated lens (i.e., the light guide 200). Even when light distribution patterns with different functions are formed, a single light-emitting surface can be shared by means of a single light guide, thereby promoting differentiation in vehicle design.

[0054] Meanwhile, the surface of the light guide 200 can be divided into multiple regions according to its position. More specifically, the light guide 200 may include a front surface portion 210 configured to define a front region of the light guide 200, a rear surface portion 220 configured to define a rear region of the light guide 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 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 200.

[0055] Additionally, the light source 100 may include a first light source 101 disposed behind the light guide portion 200 and facing the rear surface portion 220, and a second light source 102 disposed above the light guide portion 200 and facing the upper surface portion 230. For example, the first light source 101 and the second light source 102 may each be an LED. According to this disclosure, light emitted from the first light source 101 can form a first light distribution pattern (e.g., a low beam light distribution pattern), and light emitted from the second light source 102 can form a second light distribution pattern (e.g., a DRL light distribution pattern).

[0056] In other words, according to this disclosure, at least a portion of the light emitted from the first light source 101 can pass through the rear surface portion 220 of the light guide 200 and then exit to the outside, thereby forming a first light distribution pattern. At least a portion of the light emitted from the second light source 102 can pass through the upper surface portion 230 of the light guide 200 and then exit to the outside, thereby forming a second light distribution pattern. More specifically, the second light distribution pattern can be formed above the first light distribution pattern. Hereinafter, the features of the light guide 200 for performing the above functions will be described in detail.

[0057] like Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, according to this disclosure, the lower surface portion 240 may include a downwardly projecting region 242, which is configured such that at least a portion of the light emitted from the second light source 102 reaches the downwardly projecting region 242. According to this disclosure, light emitted from the second light source 102 and passing through the upper surface portion 230 of the light guide portion 200 can be emitted to the outside via the downwardly projecting region 242, thereby forming a second light distribution pattern.

[0058] More specifically, the light emitted from the second light source 102 and passing through the upper surface portion 230 can be refracted once when it leaves the light guide portion 200 through the lower surface portion 240, and then re-enters the light guide portion 200 through one side of the downward protruding region 242, and the light emitted from the light guide portion 200 through the other side of the downward protruding region 242 can form a second light distribution pattern.

[0059] Specifically, according to this disclosure, the aforementioned second light distribution pattern can be a DRL light distribution pattern. In this case, the second light distribution pattern can be formed by light propagating relatively upward. Therefore, according to this disclosure, light emitted from the second light source 102 generally propagates downward until it exits downward from the light guide 200 via the lower surface portion 240. Furthermore, the light enters the downward protruding region 242 and generally propagates upward. Meanwhile, in this specification, the optical path defined up to the downward exit of the light emitted from the second light source 102 via the lower surface portion 240 of the light guide 200 is referred to as the "front optical path" of the light emitted from the second light source 102, and the optical path defined up to the point where the light exiting downward via the lower surface portion 240 of the light guide 200 re-enters the downward protruding region 242 is referred to as the "rear optical path" of the light emitted from the second light source 102.

[0060] Meanwhile, the optical axis of the second light source 102 can be tilted downward and forward, and the downward protruding region 242 can be set in front of the second light source 102, so that the front optical path for the light emitted from the second light source 102 propagates forward and downward as a whole.

[0061] Meanwhile, the aforementioned downwardly protruding region 242 may include multiple surfaces. That is, referring to... Figure 2 and Figure 3 The downwardly protruding region 242 may include a first downwardly protruding surface 242a configured to define the rear surface of the downwardly protruding region 242 and a second downwardly protruding surface 242b configured to define the front surface of the downwardly protruding region 242. For example, the first downwardly protruding surface 242a and the second downwardly protruding surface 242b may each have a flat shape, and the lower end of the downwardly protruding region 242 may have a pointed shape. It is understood that the first downwardly protruding surface 242a and the second downwardly protruding surface 242b meet at the lower end of the downwardly protruding region 242. Alternatively, it is understood that the cross-section formed by cutting the downwardly protruding region 242 in a left / right direction perpendicular to the luminaire has a triangular shape.

[0062] As described above, the light emitted from the first light source 101 can form a near-beam distribution pattern, and the light emitted from the second light source 102 can form a DRL distribution pattern. In this case, as... Figure 3 As shown, the angle α defined between the first downward protruding surface 242a and the upward / downward direction H of the luminaire can be greater than the angle β defined between the second downward protruding surface 242b and the upward / downward direction H of the luminaire. This can be to prevent excessive light emitted from the second light source 102 and reaching the downward protruding region 242 from propagating upwards and causing glare. A controller (not shown) can control the first light source 101 and the second light source 102 to form one or more light distribution patterns via the light guide 200.

[0063] Meanwhile, continue to refer to Figure 1 and Figure 2 The upper surface portion 230 may include an upwardly protruding region 232 that is configured to face the second light source 102. The upwardly protruding region 232 may be the region in the light guide portion 200 where light emitted from the second light source 102 first reaches. The upwardly protruding region 232 may be used to collect light emitted from the second light source 102.

[0064] In this case, the direction in which the upwardly protruding region 232 protrudes from the light guide portion 200 may not be parallel to the upward / downward direction H. For example, the direction in which the upwardly protruding region 232 protrudes may be parallel to the direction in which the first downwardly protruding surface 242a protrudes. Furthermore, the first plane, which is an imaginary plane including the first downwardly protruding surface 242a, may coincide with the second plane, which is an imaginary plane including the front surface of the upwardly protruding region 232. Alternatively, the first plane may be located in front of the second plane.

[0065] According to the above configuration, light emitted from the second light source 102 and incident on the light guide 200 through the upward protruding region 232 can be refracted forward from the light guide 200, emitted downward through the lower surface portion 240, and then incident again on the light guide 200 through the first downward protruding surface 242a of the downward protruding region 242. The light can then propagate forward in the downward protruding region 242 and then be emitted from the downward protruding region 242 and the light guide 200 through the second downward protruding surface 242b. Meanwhile, for example, the surface of the upward protruding region 232 facing the second light source 102 may include a portion with a raised shape.

[0066] Continue to refer to Figure 1 and Figure 2 The lower surface portion 240 may further include a light-guiding protrusion region 244 that is spaced forward from the downward protrusion region 242 and protrudes downward, and a lower reflective region 246 disposed between the downward protrusion region 242 and the light-guiding protrusion region 244.

[0067] The light-guiding protrusion region 244 can be configured such that light emitted from the second light source 102 and exiting from the downward protrusion region 242 re-enters the light-guiding protrusion region 244. The light entering the light-guiding protrusion region 244 can move upwards, pass through the front surface portion 210 of the light guide portion 200, and finally exit from the light guide portion 200, thereby forming a second light distribution pattern. Simultaneously, the lower reflection region 246 can be configured to participate in forming the first light distribution pattern. That is, light emitted from the first light source 101 can be reflected by the lower reflection region 246 and then move upwards and forwards. Thereafter, the light can pass through the front surface portion 210 of the light guide portion 200 and finally exit from the light guide portion 200, thereby forming the second light distribution pattern.

[0068] For example, the horizontal cross-section of the rear surface of the light-guiding protrusion region 244 may include a portion having a rearwardly convex shape. This maximizes luminous efficiency by collecting light emitted from the second light source 102. More specifically, the horizontal cross-section of the entire rear surface of the light-guiding protrusion region 244 may have a rearwardly convex shape.

[0069] Meanwhile, as described above, the first light distribution pattern can be a near-beam light distribution pattern. That is, the light emitted from the first light source 101 can form a near-beam light distribution pattern. In this case, such as Figure 4As shown, the lower reflective region 246 may have a stepped portion 246a 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. Based on the boundary of the stepped portion 246a, the one side surface of the lower reflective region 246 based on the left / right direction W and the other side surface of the lower reflective region 246 based on the left / right direction W may have different heights in the upward / downward direction H. The stepped portion 246a may have a shape corresponding to the cutoff line defined at the upper boundary of the near beam distribution pattern.

[0070] Furthermore, 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 first light source 101. For example, the outer surface of the light collecting region 250 may have an integrally curved shape. More specifically, the light collecting region 250 may include a portion having a collimator shape.

[0071] According to this disclosure, light emitted from the first light source 101 and totally reflected by the upper inner surface of the light collection area 250 can reach the lower reflection area 246, and the light reflected by the lower reflection area 246 can move upward and forward, and then be emitted to the outside through the front surface portion 210 of the light guide portion 200.

[0072] 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.

[0073] Cross-references to related applications

[0074] This application claims priority and benefit to Korean Patent Application No. 10-2024-0178615, filed on December 4, 2024, with the Korean Intellectual Property Office, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference for all purposes.

Claims

1. A lamp for a vehicle, characterized in that, 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 and the rear surface portion and is configured to define the upper region of the light guide portion; and The lower surface portion is configured to connect the front surface portion and the rear surface portion and is configured to define the lower region of the light guide portion. The light source includes: A first light source, disposed behind the light guide portion and configured to face the rear surface portion; and A second light source is disposed above the light guide portion and configured to face the upper surface portion. The lower surface portion includes a downwardly projecting region, which is configured such that at least a portion of the light emitted from the second light source reaches the downwardly projecting region.

2. The vehicle lighting fixture according to claim 1, characterized in that, The optical axis of the second light source is tilted downward and forward, and the downward protruding area is located in front of the second light source.

3. The vehicle lighting fixture according to claim 1, characterized in that, The downward protruding area includes: A first downwardly projecting surface, the first downwardly projecting surface being configured as a rear surface defining the downwardly projecting region; and A second downward protruding surface is configured as a front surface defining the downward protruding region.

4. The vehicle lighting fixture according to claim 3, characterized in that, The first downwardly protruding surface and the second downwardly protruding surface each have a flat shape, and The first downward protruding surface and the second downward protruding surface meet at the lower end of the downward protruding region.

5. The vehicle lighting fixture according to claim 3, characterized in that, The angle (α) defined between the first downward protruding surface and the upward / downward direction (H) is greater than the angle (β) defined between the second downward protruding surface and the upward / downward direction (H).

6. The vehicle lighting fixture according to claim 3, characterized in that, The upper surface portion includes an upwardly projecting region, which is configured to face the second light source.

7. The lighting fixture for a vehicle according to claim 6, characterized in that, The upward protruding area protrudes in a direction parallel to the direction of the first downward protruding surface.

8. The lighting fixture for a vehicle according to claim 6, characterized in that, A first plane, which is an imaginary plane including the first downwardly protruding surface, coincides with a second plane, which is an imaginary plane including the front surface including the upwardly protruding region, or the first plane is located in front of the second plane.

9. The lighting fixture for a vehicle according to claim 6, characterized in that, The surface of the upwardly protruding region facing the second light source includes a portion with a raised shape.

10. The lighting fixture for a vehicle according to claim 1, characterized in that, The lower surface portion also includes: A light-guiding protrusion region, the light-guiding protrusion region being spaced forward from the downward protrusion region and protruding downward; and The lower reflective region is disposed between the downward protruding region and the light-guiding protruding region.

11. The lighting fixture for a vehicle according to claim 10, characterized in that, The horizontal cross-section of the rear surface of the light-guiding protrusion area includes a portion having a rearward convex shape.

12. The lighting fixture for a vehicle according to claim 10, characterized in that, The lower reflective region has a stepped portion 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).

13. The lighting fixture for a vehicle according to claim 10, characterized in that, The light guide portion further includes a light collecting region formed between the upper surface portion and the lower surface portion and configured to face the first light source.

14. The lighting fixture for a vehicle according to claim 13, characterized in that, The light collection region includes a portion having a collimator shape.

15. The lighting fixture for a vehicle according to claim 13, characterized in that, Light emitted from the first light source and totally reflected by the upper inner surface of the light collecting region reaches the lower reflecting region.

16. The lighting fixture for a vehicle according to claim 1, characterized in that, The entire light guide portion is formed integrally.

17. A lighting system, characterized in that, The lighting system includes: Light guide portion, the light guide portion comprising: Front surface portion; Rear surface portion; The upper surface portion, which is connected to the front surface portion and the rear surface portion; and A lower surface portion, the lower surface portion being connected to the front surface portion and the rear surface portion; A first light source, disposed behind the light guide portion and configured to face the rear surface portion; a second light source, disposed above the light guide portion and configured to face the upper surface portion; and A controller configured to control the first light source and the second light source to form one or more light distribution patterns via the light guide portion. The lower surface portion includes a downwardly projecting region, which is configured such that at least a portion of the light emitted from the second light source reaches the downwardly projecting region.

18. The lighting system according to claim 17, characterized in that, The optical axis of the second light source is tilted downward and forward, and the downward protruding area is located in front of the second light source.

19. The lighting system according to claim 17, characterized in that, The downward protruding area includes: A first downwardly projecting surface, the first downwardly projecting surface being configured as a rear surface defining the downwardly projecting region; and A second downward protruding surface is configured as a front surface defining the downward protruding region.

20. The lighting system according to claim 17, characterized in that, The lower surface portion also includes: A light-guiding protrusion region, the light-guiding protrusion region being spaced forward from the downward protrusion region and protruding downward; and The lower reflective region is disposed between the downward protruding region and the light-guiding protruding region.

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