Lamp for a vehicle

Abstract

A lamp for a vehicle is provided that includes a light guide that receives light emitted from a light source on one side of the light source. The light guide includes a front surface portion that defines a front region, a back surface portion that defines a back region, an upper surface portion that connects the front surface portion to the back surface portion to define an upper region of the light guide, and a lower surface portion that connects the front surface portion to the back surface portion to define a lower region of the light guide. The lower surface portion includes a downwardly projecting region that is disposed at least partially behind the light source, the light source emits light rearwardly toward the downwardly projecting region, and at least a portion of the downwardly projecting region has a light reflective surface.

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; 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 light source. The front surface portion is connected to the rear surface portion and configured to define a lower region of the light guide portion, wherein the light source includes: a first light source disposed behind the light guide portion facing the rear surface portion; and a second light source disposed below the first light source, wherein the lower surface portion includes a downwardly protruding region, the downwardly protruding region including a downwardly protruding portion, the downwardly protruding region being at least partially disposed behind the second light source, wherein the second light source is configured to emit light rearward toward the downwardly protruding region, and wherein at least a portion of the downwardly protruding region facing the second light source has a light-reflecting surface.

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

[0007] The light-reflecting surface can be disposed on the entire front surface of the downwardly protruding region.

[0008] The light-reflecting surface may have a backward-recessed shape.

[0009] The cross-section formed by cutting the light-reflecting surface in a direction perpendicular to the left / right direction W can have a backward-concave shape.

[0010] The horizontal cross-section of the light-reflecting surface can have a backward-concave shape.

[0011] The cross section formed by cutting the light-reflecting surface in a direction perpendicular to the left / right direction W can have the shape of a portion of an ellipse that is concave backward.

[0012] The light-emitting area of ​​the second light source can be set at a position corresponding to one of the two focal points of the ellipse.

[0013] The other of the two foci of the ellipse can be set at a position corresponding to the foci of the front surface portion, based on the upward / downward direction H.

[0014] The second light source can be configured such that the optical axis of the second light source has a predetermined angle relative to the forward / backward direction and the upward / downward direction H.

[0015] The height of the light-emitting area of ​​the second light source in the upward / downward direction H can correspond to the height of the light-reflecting surface in the upward / downward direction H.

[0016] The lower surface portion may 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.

[0017] The rear surface of the light-guiding protrusion area may include a flat surface area.

[0018] The rear surface of the light-guiding protrusion area may include an inclined surface shape that is positioned forward in the downward direction.

[0019] The lower reflective region may have a stepped portion, which is disposed 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.

[0020] 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 first light source.

[0021] The light-collecting region and the downward-protruding region may overlap each other in the forward / backward direction.

[0022] The light collection area may include a portion having a collimator shape.

[0023] Light emitted from the first light source and totally reflected by the upper inner surface of the light collecting region can be configured to reach the lower reflecting region.

[0024] The other focus of the ellipse may be located at a position corresponding to the lower reflective 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 the present disclosure.

[0028] Figure 3 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. Detailed Implementation

[0029] The following description, with reference to the accompanying drawings, describes a lamp for a vehicle according to the present disclosure.

[0030] Lighting for vehicles

[0031] 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 the present disclosure. Figure 3 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.

[0032] 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.

[0033] 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.

[0034] 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.

[0035] 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 below the first light source 101. As described below, the first light source 101 may emit light forward, while the second light source 102 may emit light backward. For example, the first light source 101 and the second light source 102 may each be an LED. According to this disclosure, the light emitted from the first light source 101 may form a first light distribution pattern (e.g., a low beam light distribution pattern), and the light emitted from the second light source 102 may form a second light distribution pattern (e.g., a DRL light distribution pattern).

[0036] 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.

[0037] like Figure 1 and Figure 2As shown, the lower surface portion 240 may include a downwardly protruding region 242, which includes a downwardly protruding portion and is at least partially disposed behind the second light source 102. The second light source 102 may emit light rearward toward the downwardly protruding region 242, and the light emitted from the second light source 102 may reach a surface of the downwardly protruding region 242. More specifically, according to this disclosure, at least a portion of the region of the downwardly protruding region 242 facing the second light source 102 may have a light-reflecting surface 242a. Therefore, light emitted from the second light source 102 may be reflected by the light-reflecting surface 242a and then move forward. The light-reflecting surface 242a may be the front surface of the downwardly protruding region 242. More specifically, the light-reflecting surface 242a may be formed on the entire front surface of the downwardly protruding region 242. For example, the light-reflecting surface 242a may be formed by attaching or applying a light-reflecting layer to the front surface of the downwardly protruding region 242.

[0038] According to this disclosure, the light-reflecting surface 242a may have a rearwardly recessed shape. This allows light to be collected after it has been reflected by the light-reflecting surface 242a from the second light source 102.

[0039] For example, the cross section formed by cutting the light-reflecting surface 242a in a direction perpendicular to the left / right direction W can have a backward concave shape, and the horizontal cross section of the light-reflecting surface 242a can also have a backward concave shape.

[0040] More specifically, the cross section formed by cutting the light-reflecting surface 242a in a direction perpendicular to the left / right direction W can have the shape of a portion of a backward-concave ellipse.

[0041] By definition, an ellipse has two foci, F1 and F2. According to this disclosure, the luminous region of the second light source 102 can be positioned at a location corresponding to one of the two foci, F1 and F2, of the ellipse. In this case, the focusing efficiency of the light emitted from the second light source 102 can be maximized. Simultaneously, the other foci, F2, of the two foci, F1 and F2, can be located at a position corresponding to the focal point of the front surface portion 210 based on the upward / downward direction H.

[0042] Furthermore, according to this disclosure, the second light source 102 can emit light backward in an upwardly tilted direction. That is, the second light source 102 can be arranged such that the optical axis of the second light source 102 has a predetermined angle relative to the forward / backward direction and the upward / downward direction H. Also, for example, as... Figure 2As shown, the height of the emitting area of ​​the second light source 102 in the upward / downward direction H can correspond to the height of the light reflecting surface 242a in the upward / downward direction H. More specifically, the height of the emitting area of ​​the second light source 102 in the upward / downward direction H can be equal to the height of the light reflecting surface 242a in the upward / downward direction H.

[0043] 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 forwardly spaced from and protrudes downward from the downward protrusion region 242, and a lower reflective region 246 disposed between the downward protrusion region 242 and the light-guiding protrusion region 244.

[0044] According to this disclosure, at least a portion of the light emitted from the second light source 102 is reflected by the light-reflecting surface 242a of the downwardly projecting region 242 and propagates forward, reaching the lower reflecting region 246. More specifically, the light emitted from the second light source 102 and reflected by the light-reflecting surface 242a can reach the front end of the lower reflecting region 246. For example, the other focus F2 of the two foci F1 and F2 of the ellipse can be located at a position corresponding to the lower reflecting region 246. More specifically, the front end of the lower reflecting region 246 can correspond to the other focus F2 of the two foci F1 and F2 of the ellipse and the focus of the front surface portion 210 based on the upward / downward direction H.

[0045] Furthermore, the lower reflective 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 reflective region 246 and then move upward and forward. Thereafter, the light can pass through the front surface portion 210 of the light guide 200 and finally exit from the light guide 200, thereby forming the second light distribution pattern.

[0046] For example, the rear surface of the light guide protrusion region 244 may include a flat surface region. For example, Figure 1 and Figure 2 The rear surface of the light guide protrusion region 244 is shown to have an inclined surface shape in the downward direction.

[0047] 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 3As 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.

[0048] 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.

[0049] According to this disclosure, light emitted from the first light source 101 and totally reflected by the upper inner surface of the light collecting region 250 can reach the lower reflecting region 246, and the light reflected by the lower reflecting region 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. Meanwhile, for example, as... Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, the light collecting region 250 and the downward protruding region 242 can overlap each other in the forward / backward direction. In this case, the length of the light guide portion 200 in the forward / backward direction can be reduced.

[0050] 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.

[0051] Cross-reference to related applications

[0052] This application claims priority and benefit to Korean Patent Application No. 10-2024-0178618, filed on December 4, 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 light source includes: A first light source, disposed behind the light guide portion to face the rear surface portion; and A second light source is positioned below the first light source. The lower surface portion includes a downwardly protruding area, which comprises a downwardly protruding portion, and the downwardly protruding area is at least partially disposed behind the second light source. The second light source is configured to emit light rearward toward the downwardly protruding region, and The downwardly protruding region has at least a light-reflecting surface on the portion facing the second light source.

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 light-reflecting surface is disposed on the entire front surface of the downwardly protruding region.

4. The vehicle lighting fixture according to claim 1, characterized in that, The light-reflecting surface has a backward-recessed shape.

5. The lamp for a vehicle according to claim 1, characterized by, The cross-section formed by cutting the light-reflecting surface in a direction perpendicular to the left / right direction (W) has a backward-concave shape.

6. The lamp for a vehicle according to claim 5, characterized by The horizontal cross-section of the light-reflecting surface has a backward-concave shape.

7. The lamp for a vehicle according to claim 1, characterized by, The cross-section formed by cutting the light-reflecting surface in a direction perpendicular to the left / right direction (W) has the shape of a portion of an ellipse that is concave backward.

8. The lamp for a vehicle according to claim 7, characterized by, The light-emitting area of ​​the second light source is set at a position corresponding to one of the two focal points of the ellipse.

9. The lamp for a vehicle according to claim 7, characterized by, The other of the two foci of the ellipse is set at a position corresponding to the foci of the front surface portion based on the upward / downward direction (H).

10. The lighting fixture for a vehicle according to claim 1, characterized in that, The second light source is configured such that the optical axis of the second light source has a predetermined angle relative to the forward / backward direction and the upward / downward direction (H).

11. The lamp for a vehicle according to claim 1, characterized by, The height of the light-emitting area of ​​the second light source in the upward / downward direction (H) corresponds to the height of the light-reflecting surface in the upward / downward direction (H).

12. The lamp for a vehicle according to claim 9, characterized by, The lower surface portion 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.

13. The lamp for a vehicle according to claim 12, characterized by, The rear surface of the light-guiding protrusion area includes a flat surface region.

14. The lamp for a vehicle according to claim 12, characterized by, The rear surface of the light-guiding protrusion area includes an inclined surface shape positioned forward in the downward direction.

15. The lamp for a vehicle according to claim 12, characterized by, The lower reflective region has a stepped portion, which is disposed 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).

16. The lamp for a vehicle according to claim 1, characterized by, The light guide includes a light collecting region disposed between the upper surface portion and the lower surface portion and configured to face the first light source.

17. The lamp for a vehicle according to claim 16, characterized by, The light-collecting region and the downward-protruding region overlap each other in the forward / backward direction.

18. The lamp for a vehicle according to claim 16, characterized by, The light collection region includes a portion having a collimator shape.

19. The lamp for a vehicle according to claim 16, characterized by, Light emitted from the first light source and totally reflected by the upper inner surface of the light collecting region is configured to reach the lower reflecting region.

20. The lamp for a vehicle according to claim 12, characterized by, The other of the two foci of the ellipse is located at a position corresponding to the lower reflective region.

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