Vehicle light

Abstract

Light for a vehicle, wherein the light comprises: a light source system (100); a lens system (200), comprising: a plurality of entrance lenses (212) onto which light emitted from the light source system (100) falls; and a plurality of exit lenses (222) configured to emit the light incident upon them from the plurality of entrance lenses (212) in order to form a predetermined beam pattern; and a shielding system (300) comprising a plurality of main shields (310) arranged to prevent at least a portion of the light from striking the plurality of exit lenses (222), each of the majority of main shields (310) includes: a blocking surface (312) designed to prevent the light from striking the plurality of exit lenses (222); and a plurality of transmission holes (313) formed within the blocking surface (312) to transmit the light, wherein the positions of the plurality of transmission holes (313) in each of the plurality of main shields (310) are offset from the positions of the plurality of transmission holes (313) of a reference main shield, and wherein the positions of the transmission holes (313) in each of the main shields (310) depend on a distance and in one direction of the main shield (310) is varied from the reference main shield such that the positions of all transmission holes (313) in a respective main shield (310) are offset at the same distance and in the same direction relative to the respective positions of the majority of transmission holes (313) of the reference shield.

Description

[0001] This application claims priority to Korean Patent Application No. 10-2020-0090242, filed on July 21, 2020.

[0002] The present invention relates to a lamp for a vehicle, and more particularly to a lamp for a vehicle capable of forming a plurality of different beam patterns.

[0003] A vehicle is equipped with various types of lights that have an illumination function so that objects around the vehicle can be easily seen in low light conditions (e.g., when driving at night), and a signaling function to inform a driver of another vehicle or a pedestrian near the vehicle about a driving condition of the vehicle.

[0004] For example, headlights and fog lights are primarily intended for lighting functions. Turn signals, tail lights, brake lights, and the like are primarily intended for signaling functions. Installation standards and requirements for the lights are stipulated by laws and regulations to ensure they fully fulfill their respective functions.

[0005] Generally, a lamp is installed for each function in the vehicle. In this case, not only is a separate optical system required for each lamp, but a larger installation space is also required for each lamp, potentially increasing costs and reducing space utilization.

[0006] In addition, a portion of the light beams emitted by each luminaire is blocked by a shield, depending on the beam pattern each luminaire is intended to create. In this case, there is a possibility that the luminous efficacy may decrease due to the light blocked by the shield.

[0007] Accordingly, there is a need for a system to simplify a configuration required to implement at least two functions, thereby reducing costs, improving space utilization, and further improving light output.

[0008] DE 10 2018 212 596 A1 discloses a luminaire with a lens system comprising a plurality of shields. Each shield has a blocking surface and a transmitting area that transmits light, with the transmitting areas arranged in a regular pattern. At the same time, a first pattern and a second pattern alternate in adjacent shields.

[0009] Further luminaires with shields are disclosed in the publications KR 10 2019 0 081 309 A, AT 517 887 A1, KR 10 2020 0 039 600 A, AT 517 885 A1, DE 10 2016 119 880 A1, DE 10 2016 204 344 A1, JP 2003-100 118 A, EP 3 608 585 A1 and EP 3 572 719 A1.

[0010] It is one of the objects of the present invention to provide a lamp for a vehicle in which a configuration can be simplified and the cost can be reduced by commonly using an optical system for forming different beam patterns.

[0011] Furthermore, it is an object of the present invention to provide a lamp for a vehicle in which the luminous efficiency can be improved by reusing the light blocked by a shield.

[0012] For this purpose, the present invention provides a luminaire having the features of claim 1.

[0013] Objects according to the present invention are not limited to the above-mentioned purpose. Other objects and advantages according to the present invention not mentioned above can be understood from the following descriptions, and they will be more clearly understood from the embodiments according to the present invention. Furthermore, it will be readily apparent that the objects and advantages according to the present invention can be realized by features and combinations thereof as disclosed in the claims.

[0014] According to one aspect of the present invention, a vehicle lamp comprises a light source system, a lens system, and a shielding system. The lens system includes a plurality of entrance lenses onto which light emitted from the light source system is incident, and a plurality of exit lenses for emitting the light incident from the plurality of entrance lenses to form a predetermined beam pattern. The shielding system includes a plurality of main shields for blocking some of the light rays from being directed toward the plurality of exit lenses, each of the plurality of shields including a blocking surface for blocking a light beam from being directed toward the plurality of exit lenses, and at least one transmission hole formed in the blocking surface.

[0015] The light source system may include: a first light source for generating light to form a first beam pattern; a second light source for generating light to form a second beam pattern; and an optical path adjusting element for adjusting a path of light emitted from at least one of the first light source and the second light source. The first light source and the second light source may each generate light beams with different luminous intensities. The first light source may be arranged near a central axis of the lens system, and the second light source may be arranged above and / or below the first light source.

[0016] Some of the light rays blocked by the blocking surface of each of the plurality of main shields, among the total light rays emitted by at least one of the first light source and the second light source, can be transmitted to the plurality of exit lenses through the at least one transmission hole. The at least one transmission hole can be arranged in a regular pattern in each of the plurality of main shields. The at least one transmission hole can allow the beam pattern to expand downward to form an expanded area.

[0017] According to the invention, a position of the at least one transmission hole in one of the plurality of main shields is formed differently than a position of the at least one transmission hole in another of the plurality of main shields. Specifically, a position of the at least one transmission hole formed in each of the plurality of main shields is different based on at least one distance or direction of each main shield from a reference main shield.

[0018] The shielding system may further comprise a plurality of auxiliary shields, each disposed in front of the plurality of main shields. A top surface of each of the plurality of auxiliary shields may be disposed below the top surface of the corresponding main shield of the plurality of main shields.

[0019] The lens system may further comprise: a first optical element having an entrance surface and an exit surface, wherein the plurality of entrance lenses are arranged on the entrance surface of the first optical element; and a second optical element having an entrance surface and an exit surface, wherein the entrance surface of the second optical element is opposite the exit surface of the first optical element, and the plurality of exit lenses are arranged on the exit surface of the second optical element. The plurality of main shields may be arranged on the entrance surface of the first optical element or the second optical element, and the plurality of auxiliary shields may be arranged on the exit surface of the first optical element or the second optical element.

[0020] The vehicle lamp according to the present invention can achieve one or more of the following effects as described above. A plurality of different beam patterns can be formed by light beams incident from light sources at different positions. In this way, the optical system for forming the plurality of different beam patterns can be shared, thereby simplifying the configuration and reducing costs.

[0021] Furthermore, the beam pattern can be expanded by forming at least one transmission hole in a blocking surface of the shield, which blocks a portion of the light rays incident from the light source system to form a cut-off line of the beam pattern. This can improve visibility and light output.

[0022] In addition to the effects described above, specific effects in accordance with the present invention are described along with the detailed description below.

[0023] The above and other aspects and features of the present invention are made clearer by the detailed description of exemplary embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Fig. 1 and Fig. 2 are perspective views showing a lamp for a vehicle according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention; Fig. 3 is a side view showing a lamp for a vehicle according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention; Fig. 4 and Fig. 5 are exploded perspective views showing a lamp for a vehicle according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention; Fig. 6 is a schematic diagram showing a first beam pattern formed by a lamp for a vehicle according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention; Fig. 7 is a schematic diagram showing a second beam pattern formed by a lamp for a vehicle according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention; Fig. 8 is a schematic diagram showing a shield according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention; Fig. 9 is a schematic diagram showing a front surface of a shield according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention; Fig. 10 is a schematic diagram showing an expanded area resulting from a transmission hole formed in a blocking surface of a shield according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention; Fig. 11 is a schematic diagram showing a position of a transmission hole based on a position of a shield according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention; and Fig. 12 is a schematic diagram showing a beam pattern formed using an auxiliary shield according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

[0024] Advantages and features of the present invention, as well as methods for implementing them, will be better understood by reference to the following detailed description of the exemplary embodiments and the accompanying drawings. Throughout this specification, like numerals refer to like elements in the drawings.

[0025] In some example embodiments, well-known steps, structures, and techniques have not been described in detail in order not to unnecessarily obscure the invention.

[0026] The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular example embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the invention. As used herein, the singular forms "a" and "an" and "the" are intended to include the plural forms unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It is further understood that the terms "comprises" and / or "comprising," when used in this specification, indicate the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and / or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and / or groups thereof. As used herein, the term "and / or" includes all combinations of one or more of the related listed items.

[0027] Example embodiments of the invention are described herein with reference to plan and cross-sectional views that are schematic representations of idealized example embodiments of the invention. As such, variations from the shapes shown in the views are to be expected, due to, for example, manufacturing techniques and / or tolerances. Therefore, example embodiments of the invention should not be construed as being limited to the particular shapes of portions shown herein, but are intended to include variations in shapes that result, for example, from manufacturing. In the drawings, the respective components may be exaggerated or reduced in size for clarity of illustration.

[0028] In the following, the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings to explain a lamp for a vehicle according to exemplary embodiments of the present invention.

[0029] Fig. 1 and Fig. 2 are perspective views showing a lamp for a vehicle according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 3 is a side view showing a lamp for a vehicle according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 4 and Fig. 5 are exploded perspective views showing a lamp for a vehicle according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

[0030] With reference to the Fig. 1 to 5, a lamp 1 for a vehicle according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention includes a light source system 100, a lens system 200, and a shielding system 300.

[0031] In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, an example is described in which the lamp 1 for a vehicle is used as a headlight to ensure safe forward vision by irradiating light in a traveling direction of the vehicle when the vehicle is operated in low-light conditions such as at night or in a dark environment such as a tunnel. However, the present invention is not limited to this. The lamp 1 for the vehicle according to the present invention can be used not only for the main headlight but also for various lamps installed in the vehicle, such as daytime running lights, tail lights, brake lights, fog lights, position lights, turn signals, and backup lights.The lamp 1 for the vehicle according to the present invention can be used for a single one of the aforementioned purposes or for a combination of two or more purposes.

[0032] The light source system 100 may include a first light source 110, a second light source 120, and an optical path adjusting element 130, and may generate light having an amount and / or a color suitable for use in the lamp 1 for the vehicle according to the present invention.

[0033] The first light source 110 may generate light to form a first beam pattern. The second light source 120 may generate light to form a second beam pattern different from the first beam pattern. In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the description is given for an example in which the first beam pattern provides a low beam pattern in which light is irradiated to an area below a predetermined cut-off line so as not to dazzle a driver of a preceding vehicle or an oncoming vehicle, whereas the second beam pattern may provide a beam pattern corresponding to a daytime running lamp (DRL) that enables easy identification of an object during daytime driving of the vehicle. However, the present invention is not limited thereto.The beam patterns formed using the light beams emitted from the first light source 110 and the second light source 120, respectively, can be changed in various ways based on the functions of the lamp 1 for the vehicle according to the present invention.

[0034] In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, an example is described in which each of the first light source 110 and the second light source 120 includes at least one semiconductor light-emitting device such as a light-emitting diode (LED). However, the present invention is not limited to this. Each of the first light source 110 and the second light source 120 may use not only the semiconductor light-emitting device but also various other types of light sources, such as an incandescent bulb or a laser diode (LD). Optical elements such as lenses, mirrors, prisms, and reflectors that affect the light characteristics such as the path or brightness of each of the light beams emitted by the first light source 110 and the second light source 120 may be additionally used depending on the type of light source.

[0035] As described above, the lamp 1 for the vehicle according to the present invention may include the first light source 110 and the second light source 120 for generating the first beam pattern and the second beam pattern, respectively. Thus, one optical system for generating the first beam pattern and the second beam pattern can be shared. Accordingly, the configuration of the lamp can be simplified, and the cost thereof can be reduced.

[0036] Furthermore, in an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a case is described where the light emitted by the second light source 120 has a relatively low luminous intensity compared to the light emitted by the first light source 110. However, this is intended to assist in understanding the present invention and is only an example. The invention is not limited thereto, and the luminous intensity of each of the light beams emitted by the first light source 110 and the second light source 120 may vary based on each of the beam patterns formed using the light beams emitted by the first light source 110 and the second light source 120, respectively.

[0037] The optical path adjusting element 130 may be arranged in front of the first light source 110 and the second light source 120, and may control a light path such that the light emitted from at least one of the first light source 110 and the second light source 120 travels in a direction parallel to a central axis C of the lens system 200, that is, in the front-to-back direction. This configuration may allow the light emitted from at least one of the first light source 110 and the second light source 120 to be incident on the lens system 200 with minimal loss, and may allow the light to be incident on the lens system 200 evenly.

[0038] In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a case is described in which the optical path adjusting element 130 is implemented as a Fresnel lens. The Fresnel lens may include a plurality of annular lenses to enable the construction of a thin optical path adjusting element and to control the light path so that the light emitted from at least one of the first light source 110 and the second light source 120 moves in the front-to-back direction. However, the invention is not limited to this. The optical path adjusting element 130 may use not only the Fresnel lens but also various types of collimator lenses capable of adjusting the path of the light emitted from at least one of the first light source 110 and the second light source 120, such as an aspherical lens.

[0039] The first light source 110 may be arranged on or near the central axis C of the lens system 200, for example, on or below the central axis C, while the second light source 120 may be arranged above and / or below the first light source 110. This configuration allows a cut-off line of the low beam pattern formed by the light emitted by the first light source 110 to be positioned correctly. Furthermore, due to this configuration, a beam pattern corresponding to the daytime running light formed by the light emitted by the second light source 120 may include at least one portion arranged above and / or below the low beam pattern, allowing the portion to be identified without affecting the cut-off line of the low beam pattern.

[0040] Fig. 1 to 5 show an example in which the second light sources 120 are arranged above and below the first light source 110, respectively. In this case, the first beam pattern formed when the first light source 110 is turned on may correspond to a low beam pattern in which the light is radiated onto an area below the cut-off line CL with a predetermined shape, as shown in Fig. 6. The second beam patterns can be formed respectively below and above the low beam pattern, as in Fig. 7 when the second light sources 120, which are respectively located below and above the first light source 110, are switched on.

[0041] Fig. 7 shows an example of the second beam pattern, which comprises a plurality of beam patterns P11 and P12, at least a portion of which is arranged above and below the lower beam pattern. The upper beam pattern P11 from the plurality of beam patterns P11 and P12 can be formed by the second light source 120, which is arranged below the first light source 110, while the lower beam pattern P12 from the plurality of beam patterns P11 and P12 can be formed by the second light source 120, which is arranged above the first light source 110. Preferably, the second light source 120 is positioned below and / or above the first light source 110, so that easy identification of the pattern is possible even at a relatively large distance.

[0042] In the above exemplary embodiment, a case where the light source system 100 includes the first light source 110 for forming the first beam pattern and the second light source 120 for forming the second beam pattern is described by way of example. However, the present invention is not limited to this. The number or location of the light sources included in the light source system 100 may vary depending on a type of beam pattern formed by the lamp 1 for the vehicle according to the present invention.

[0043] The lens system 200 includes an entrance lens unit 210 and an exit lens unit 220. The entrance lens unit 210 includes a first optical element 211 and a plurality of entrance lenses 212. The first optical element 211 may be made of a light-transmitting material, such as glass, so that the light incident from the light source system 100 can reach the exit lens unit 220, which is arranged in front of the entrance lens unit 210.

[0044] The plurality of entrance lenses 212 may be arranged on an entrance surface 211a of the first optical element 211 facing the light source system 100. According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, each of the plurality of entrance lenses 212 may be made of a material such as a polymer or epoxy, and may use a microlens with a relatively short focal distance to reduce an overall size of the lamp 1 for the vehicle according to the present invention for miniaturization. The plurality of entrance lenses 212 may be arranged in a matrix form including at least one row extending in a horizontal direction and at least one column extending in a vertical direction. The row in the left-to-right direction of the plurality of entrance lenses 212 may be horizontal or inclined at a predetermined angle with respect to the horizontal direction.

[0045] The exit lens unit 220 includes a second optical element 221 and a plurality of exit lenses 222. The second optical element 221 may be oriented such that an entrance surface 221a thereof faces an exit surface 211b of the first optical element 211. The plurality of exit lenses 222 may be arranged on the exit surface 221b of the second optical element 221. The second optical element 221 may be made of a material that transmits light in a similar manner to the first optical element 211. Similar to the plurality of entrance lenses 212, each of the plurality of exit lenses 222 may be implemented as a microlens with a relatively short focal distance. The plurality of exit lenses 222 may be arranged in a matrix form including at least one row extending in the horizontal direction and at least one column extending in the vertical direction.The row in the left-to-right direction of the plurality of exit lenses 222 may be tilted by an angle corresponding to the tilt angle of the row in the left-to-right direction of the plurality of entrance lenses 212.

[0046] The shielding system 300 is arranged between the plurality of entrance lenses 212 and the plurality of exit lenses 222 to block or obscure a portion of the light rays incident on the plurality of exit lenses 222, thus forming a beam pattern suitable for the function of the lamp 1 for the vehicle according to the present invention.

[0047] The shielding system 300 comprises a plurality of main shields 310 and optionally additionally a plurality of auxiliary shields 320. As in Fig. As shown in Figure 8, each of the plurality of main shields 310 may have a center of an upper edge 311 thereof located near a focal point F formed between a corresponding one of the plurality of entrance lenses 212 and a corresponding one of the plurality of exit lenses 222. Light is blocked by a blocking surface 312 extending downward from the upper edge so that the low beam pattern can be formed in which the light is irradiated to a region below the predetermined cut-off line CL, as shown in Fig. 6 shown.

[0048] In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a case is described where the plurality of main shields 310 and the plurality of auxiliary shields 320 are respectively formed on both opposite surfaces of the first optical element 211 or the second optical element 221. However, the present invention is not limited to this. One of the plurality of main shields 310 or the plurality of auxiliary shields 320 may be formed on any surface of the first optical element 211 or the second optical element 221, while the other of the plurality of main shields 310 or the plurality of auxiliary shields 320 may be formed on any surface of the other of the first optical element 211 or the second optical element 221.

[0049] Fig. Figure 9 is a schematic diagram showing a front surface of the shield according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. In particular, Fig. 9 an example of one of the plurality of main shields 310. Referring to Fig. 9, the upper edge 311 of each of the plurality of main shields 310 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention may include an inclined edge 311a located at a center thereof, as well as a lower edge 311b and an upper edge 311c having different vertical levels, while the inclined edge 311a is located therebetween. Accordingly, as shown in Fig. 6, the cut-off line CL of the low beam pattern formed by the lamp 1 for the vehicle according to the present invention includes an inclined line CL1 and an upper line CL2 and a lower line CL3 having different vertical levels, with the inclined line CL1 being interposed therebetween.

[0050] A shape of the upper edge 311 of each of the plurality of main shields 310 is not limited to the example described above. Depending on a country or region, the entire upper edge 311 may have the same vertical level, or portions of the upper edge 311 may have different vertical levels.

[0051] Each of the plurality of main shields 310 includes a blocking surface 312 that blocks light passing to each of the plurality of exit lenses 222. The blocking surface 312 may extend downward from the upper edge 311. In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, at least one transmission hole 313 may be formed in the blocking surface 312 of each of the plurality of main shields 310.

[0052] The at least one transmission hole 313 may have an area of ​​100 µm 2 up to 40,000 µm 2 If the area of ​​the at least one transmission hole 313 is less than 100 µm 2 the light distribution performance may be degraded due to the light passing through the at least one transmission hole 313. If the area of ​​the at least one transmission hole 313 is larger than 40,000 µm 2the light may be concentrated on a specific area, causing glare.

[0053] According to the invention, a plurality of transmission holes 313 are formed in the blocking surface 312 of each of the plurality of main shields 310. Each of the plurality of transmission holes 313 may have various shapes, such as a circle, a polygon, or the like. Some of the plurality of transmission holes 313 may have a shape that differs from the shape of the others.

[0054] The plurality of transmission holes 313 may be evenly distributed or scattered across the blocking surface 312. If the plurality of transmission holes 313 are unevenly distributed, that is, concentratedly arranged across the blocking surface 312, the light passing through the plurality of transmission holes 313 may be radiated unevenly. In other words, the irradiated area may be arranged in a concentrated manner, increasing the possibility of uneven brightness occurring.

[0055] In this regard, it can be understood that when the plurality of transmission holes 313 are evenly distributed over the blocking surface 312, they are distributed in a non-concentrated manner in a vertical direction, a horizontal direction, and a diagonal direction.

[0056] The plurality of transmission holes 313 can transmit a portion of the light beams emitted by the second light source 120 without being blocked by the blocking surface 312. Accordingly, the visibility of the beam pattern can be improved by expanding a lower region of the second beam pattern formed by light emitted by the second light source 120.

[0057] As in Fig. 10, when the plurality of transmission holes 313 are formed in the blocking surface 312 of each of the plurality of main shields 310, an expanded area A can be created so that the lower beam pattern P12 can expand downward from the second beam patterns P11 and P12, compared with the case where the plurality of transmission holes 313 are not formed in the blocking surface 312.

[0058] When the positions of the plurality of transmission holes 313 in the plurality of main shields 310 are the same, there may be a limit to an increase in the expanded area A. For this reason, according to the present invention, the positions of the plurality of transmission holes 313 in one of the plurality of main shields 310 are different from the positions of the plurality of transmission holes 313 formed in another of the plurality of main shields 310.

[0059] For example, the positions of the plurality of transmission holes 313 in the plurality of main shields 310 may be different from each other, as shown in Fig. 11 shown. Fig. 11 shows an example in which a plurality of transmission holes 313 in each of the plurality of main shields 310 are arranged in a regular pattern, wherein the positions of the plurality of transmission holes 313 in each of the plurality of main shields 310 are respectively offset from the positions of the plurality of transmission holes 313 of a reference shield, which is the upper left shield, depending on the direction and the distance from the reference shield.

[0060] In other words, as in Fig. As shown in Figure 11, the upper left shield used as a reference shield may have a plurality of transmission holes 313, and an upper middle shield may have a plurality of transmission holes 313, each of whose positions are offset toward the right side by a first distance from the positions of the plurality of transmission holes 313 of the reference shield. Further, an upper right shield may have a plurality of transmission holes 313, each of whose positions are offset toward the right side by a second distance greater than the first distance from the positions of the plurality of transmission holes 313 of the reference shield. Furthermore, a lower left shield may have a plurality of transmission holes 313, each of whose positions are offset downward by the first distance from the positions of the plurality of transmission holes 313 of the reference shield.A lower middle shield may have a plurality of transmission holes 313, each of whose positions are offset in the right-down direction by the first distance in each direction from the positions of the plurality of transmission holes 313 of the reference shield. Furthermore, a lower right shield may have a plurality of transmission holes 313, each of whose positions are offset in the right-down direction by the second distance in each direction from the positions of the plurality of transmission holes 313 of the reference shield.

[0061] In this context, the dashed lines in Fig. 11 shows the position of each of the plurality of transmission holes 313 formed in the reference shield. An arrow direction indicates the direction in which the plurality of transmission holes 313 in a corresponding shield are offset relative to the positions of the plurality of transmission holes 313 formed in the reference shield. The length of the arrow indicates the distance by which the plurality of transmission holes 313 in a corresponding shield are offset from the plurality of transmission holes 313 formed in the reference shield. The offset distance may be proportional to the distance between the corresponding shield and the reference shield.

[0062] As described above, according to the present invention, the positions of the plurality of transmission holes 313 in the plurality of main shields 310 are formed differently from each other. Accordingly, the area to which light is irradiated through the plurality of transmission holes 313 can be relatively wider. This can prevent the light from being concentrated in a specific area and irradiate it more evenly over the entire area. Thus, glare can be suppressed more effectively.

[0063] Each of the plurality of auxiliary shields 320 may be arranged in front of each of the plurality of main shields 310 and may prevent the light from being irradiated to a region above the cut-off line of the beam pattern formed by the plurality of main shields 310, thereby preventing glare.

[0064] In other words, the plurality of auxiliary shields 320 can allow the upper line CL2 and the lower line CL3 to extend horizontally as shown in the cut-off line CL of Fig. 6. The upper line CL2 and the lower line CL3 of the cut-off line CL are mainly formed by light rays exiting the lower ones of the plurality of exit lenses 222. In this regard, the plurality of auxiliary shields 320 can prevent some of the light rays from impinging on the lower ones of the plurality of exit lenses 222. Therefore, the upper line CL2 and the lower line CL3 of the cut-off line CL can be formed such that they differ from a beam pattern formed when the plurality of auxiliary shields 320 are omitted (shown with the dashed line in Fig. 12), extend more horizontally. Accordingly, the beam pattern of Fig. 6 be shaped more effectively.

[0065] In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, it can be seen that the top surface of each of the plurality of auxiliary shields 320 is disposed below the top surface of a corresponding main shield of the plurality of main shields 310. This is because if the top surface of each of the plurality of auxiliary shields 320 is disposed above the top surface of the corresponding main shield, the amount of blocked light may be relatively increased, thereby reducing the light output.

[0066] Furthermore, a projection 321 (see e.g. Fig.4) protruding upward may be formed on a portion of the upper surface of each of the plurality of auxiliary shades 320. The protrusion 321 can suppress glare and prevent the glare from being directed toward a driver of a vehicle ahead of the vehicle having the lamp 1 according to the present invention.

[0067] As described above, in the lamp 1 for the vehicle according to the present invention, at least a part of the light rays blocked by the plurality of main shields 310 can be used to expand the beam pattern, thereby improving the luminous efficiency.

Claims

[1] Lamp for a vehicle, the lamp comprising: a light source system (100); a lens system (200) comprising: a plurality of entrance lenses (212) onto which light emitted by the light source system (100) is incident; and a plurality of exit lenses (222) configured to emit the light incident thereon from the plurality of entrance lenses (212) to form a predetermined beam pattern; and a shielding system (300) including a plurality of main shields (310) arranged to prevent at least a portion of the light from impinging on the plurality of exit lenses (222), wherein each of the plurality of main shields (310) comprises: a blocking surface (312) configured to prevent the light from impinging on the plurality of exit lenses (222); and a plurality of transmission holes (313) formed within the blocking surface (312) to transmit the light, wherein the positions of the plurality of transmission holes (313) in each of the plurality of main shields (310) are respectively offset from the positions of the plurality of transmission holes (313) of a reference main shield, and wherein the positions of the transmission holes (313) in each of the main shields (310) are determined depending on a distance and a direction of the main shield (310) from the reference main shield such that the positions of all transmission holes (313) in a respective main shield (310) are offset by the same distance and in the same direction relative to the respective positions of the plurality of transmission holes (313) of the reference shield. [2] Luminaire according to claim 1, wherein the light source system (100) comprises: a first light source (110) for generating light to form a first beam pattern; a second light source (120) for generating light to form a second beam pattern; and an optical path adjusting element (130) for adjusting a path of the light emitted from at least one of the first light source (110) and the second light source (120). [3] Luminaire according to claim 2, wherein the first light source (110) and the second light source (120) are designed to respectively generate light beams with different luminous intensities. [4] Luminaire according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the first light source (110) is arranged on or around a central axis of the lens system (200), and the second light source (120) is arranged above and / or below the first light source (110). [5] A luminaire according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the transmission holes (313) are formed to allow a portion of the light directed onto the main shield (310) to be transmitted to the plurality of exit lenses (222). [6] A luminaire according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, in each of the plurality of main shields (310), the plurality of transmission holes (313) are arranged in a regular pattern. [7] A luminaire according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the transmission holes (313) are formed to allow the beam pattern to expand downwards to form an extended area (A). [8] A luminaire according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the shielding system (300) further comprises a plurality of auxiliary shields (320) each arranged downstream of the plurality of main shields (310) along the light path. [9] The luminaire of claim 8, wherein each of the plurality of auxiliary shields (320) is disposed below a top surface of a respective one of the plurality of main shields (310). [10] Luminaire according to claim 8 or 9, wherein the lens system (200) further comprises: a first optical element (211) having an entrance surface (211a) and an exit surface (211b), wherein the plurality of entrance lenses (212) are arranged on the entrance surface (211a) of the first optical element (211); and a second optical element (221) having an entrance surface (221a) and an exit surface (221b), wherein the entrance surface (221a) of the second optical element faces the exit surface (221b) of the first optical element, and the plurality of exit lenses (222) are arranged on the exit surface (221b) of the second optical element, wherein the plurality of main shields (310) are arranged on the entrance surface (211a) of the first optical element (211) or between the first optical element (211) and the second optical element (221), and the plurality of auxiliary shields (320) are arranged on the exit surface (221b) of the second optical element (221) or between the first optical element (211) and the second optical element (221).

Images