Lamp for a vehicle

Abstract

A lamp for a vehicle comprises a first optical module that forms a first light distribution pattern and includes a first light source part and a first exit lens part that directs light entering from the first light source part outwards, and a second optical module that forms a second light distribution pattern with light distribution properties that differ from those of the first light distribution pattern and includes a second light source part and a second exit lens part that directs light entering from the second light source part outwards. The first optical module and the second optical module are arranged in an up / down direction, with the first and second light distribution patterns overlapping to produce a low beam.

Description

Reference to related applications

[0001] This application claims the benefit of priority to Korean Patent Application No. 10-2023-0107797, filed on August 17, 2023, in the Korean Intellectual Property Office, the entire contents of which are incorporated by reference into this application. Technical area

[0002] The present disclosure relates to a lamp for a vehicle. background

[0003] Generally, a vehicle is provided with various types of lamps that have lighting functions for easily identifying an object near the vehicle during night driving and signaling functions for informing other vehicles or road users about the driving status of the vehicle.

[0004] Among vehicle lamps, headlights, which form low-beam or high-beam patterns to ensure the driver's forward visibility during nighttime driving, play an important role in safe driving. Furthermore, the importance of differentiating headlight designs has increased in recent years.

[0005] In recent years, in order to distinguish the designs of vehicle lamps, a vehicle lamp that produces a light image in the form of a line instead of a light image in the form of a figure in which a plurality of dots are arranged has been developed.

[0006] However, there are limitations in implementing a linear light image using a conventional separate optical module and structure. In particular, it is difficult to implement an optical system with a continuous image without intermittent texture in an illuminated state using conventional technology.

[0007] In particular, for an optical module implementing a wide range of low beam, it may be difficult to simultaneously achieve light distribution performance and a homogeneous light emission pattern of a light-emitting surface. Therefore, when designing to meet the light distribution performance, the light emission pattern is inhomogeneous, which may cause intermittent textures across the entire area of ​​an exit surface of the vehicle lamp. Accordingly, it is necessary to develop a technology for improving the homogeneity of the light emission distribution of a light-emitting surface while simultaneously achieving optical performance. Overview

[0008] The present disclosure has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems encountered in the prior art while maintaining the advantages achieved by the prior art.

[0009] One aspect of the present disclosure provides a lamp for a vehicle that forms an illumination pattern having a continuous image without intermittent texture in an illumination state.

[0010] Another aspect of the present disclosure provides a lamp for a vehicle that ensures design differentiation and thus increases product competitiveness.

[0011] The technical problems to be solved by the present disclosure are not limited to the above-mentioned problems, and any other technical problems not mentioned herein will be clearly understood by those skilled in the art to whom the present disclosure is directed from the following description.

[0012] According to one aspect of the present disclosure, a lamp for a vehicle comprises a first optical module forming a first light distribution pattern, and including a first light source part and a first exit lens part that exits light entering from the first light source part, and a second optical module forming a second light distribution pattern with light distribution characteristics different from those of the first light distribution pattern, and including a second light source part and a second exit lens part that exits light entering from the second light source part, wherein the first optical module and the second optical module are arranged in an up / down direction, wherein the first light distribution pattern and the second light distribution pattern overlap each other to generate a low beam,and wherein a distance from the second exit lens part to a vertical focal point of the second exit lens part is smaller than a distance from the first exit lens part to a vertical focal point of the first exit lens part.,

[0013] The first exit lens part may comprise a first entrance surface into which the light enters and a first exit surface from which the light exits, the second exit lens part may comprise a second entrance surface into which the light enters and a second exit surface from which the light exits, wherein the first exit lens part and the second exit lens part may be integrally formed in the up / down direction, and the first exit surface and the second exit surface may comprise multi-facet lenses, respectively.

[0014] A horizontal focal point of the second exit lens part may be formed in an interior of the second exit lens part.

[0015] The second entrance surface may include a plurality of unit entrance surfaces, wherein the plurality of unit entrance surfaces may be arranged along a left / right direction, and each of the unit entrance surfaces may have a curved shape in a horizontal cross section of the second exit lens part that is convex in a direction facing the second light source part.

[0016] The plurality of unit entry surfaces may have the same shape.

[0017] Curvatures of the unit entrance surfaces can, for example, be designed such that an exit angle of the light emerging from the second exit surface is in the range of 30 degrees to 90 degrees.

[0018] The first optical module may further include a first shielding part provided between the first light source part and the first exit lens part and shielding a region of the light, wherein the second optical module may further include a second shielding part provided between the second light source part and the second exit lens part and shielding a region of the light, and both the first shielding part and the second shielding part may have a shape corresponding to a cut-off line of the low beam.

[0019] The lamp may further comprise a third optical module forming a third light distribution pattern, and comprising a third light source part and a third exit lens part that exits light entering from the third light source part, wherein the third light distribution pattern may have light distribution characteristics different from those of the first light distribution pattern and the second light distribution pattern and exits a high beam, the third optical module may be arranged together with the first optical module and the second optical module in the up / down direction, and the third exit lens part may be formed integrally with the first exit lens part and the second exit lens part. Short description of the drawings

[0020] The above and other objects, features and advantages of the present disclosure will become more apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings: Fig. 1 is a perspective view illustrating a lamp for a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; Fig. 2 illustrates a lamp for a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present disclosure and illustrates a side surface of a lamp for a vehicle; Fig. 3 is a side view of a first exit lens part, a second exit lens part, and a third exit lens part, viewed from a side in a left / right direction, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; Fig. 4 is a perspective view illustrating a first optical module and a second optical module according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; Fig. 5 is a side view of a first optical module, viewed from a side in a left / right direction, and an optical path, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; Fig. 6 is a side view of a second optical module, viewed from a side in a left / right direction, and an optical path, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; Fig. 7 illustrates a second exit lens part according to an embodiment of the present disclosure and is a view illustrating a unit entrance surface and a vertical optical path; Fig. 8 is a view illustrating a plan view of a first optical module when viewed from above and an optical path according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; Fig. 9 is a view illustrating a plan view of a second optical module when viewed from above and an optical path according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; Fig. 10 is a plan view of a second exit lens portion, as viewed from above, and a light path passing through an input unit, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; Fig. 11 is a view illustrating a light distribution pattern (a top side) through a first optical module and a light emission pattern (a bottom side) of a first exit lens part according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; Fig. 12 is a table showing a ray tracing, a light distribution image, and a second light emission area image according to a second vertical focal length f2; Fig. 13 is a table illustrating ray tracing, a second light emission surface image, and a light distribution image according to a shape of a second entrance surface; Fig. 14A is a view illustrating light emission images of a first exit surface and a second exit surface according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; Fig. 14B is a view illustrating light distribution patterns through a first optical module and a second optical module according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; and Fig. 14C is a view illustrating the road surface pattern image imaged by a first optical module and a second optical module according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Detailed description

[0021] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0022] First, the embodiments described below are embodiments that contribute to understanding the technical features of a vehicle lamp according to the present disclosure. However, the present disclosure is not limited to the application by the embodiments described below, nor are the technical features of the present disclosure limited by the described embodiments, and the present disclosure can be modified in various ways within the technical scope of the present disclosure.

[0023] Fig. 1 is a perspective view illustrating a lamp for a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, Fig. 2 illustrates the lamp for a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present disclosure and illustrates a side surface of the lamp for a vehicle, Fig. 3 is a side view of a first lens part, a second lens part, and a third lens part when viewed from a side in a left / right direction, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, Fig. 4 is a perspective view illustrating a first optical module and a second optical module according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, Fig. 5 is a side view of the first optical module when viewed from a side in a left / right direction and an optical path, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, Fig. 6 is a side view of the second optical module when viewed from a side in a left / right direction and an optical path, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, Fig. 7 illustrates a second exit lens part according to an embodiment of the present disclosure and is a view illustrating a unit entrance surface and a vertical optical path, Fig. 8 is a plan view illustrating a plan view of the first optical module when viewed from above and an optical path according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, Fig. 9 is a view illustrating a plan view of the second optical module when viewed from above and an optical path according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, and Fig. 10 is a plan view of a second exit lens part when viewed from above and a light path passing through a unit entrance surface according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0024] Fig. 11 is a view illustrating a light distribution pattern (a top side) through the first optical module and a light emission pattern (a bottom side) of a first exit lens part according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, Fig. 12 is a table showing a ray tracing, a light distribution image and the second light emission surface image according to a second vertical focal length f2, Fig. 13 is a table showing a ray tracing, a second light emission surface image, and a light distribution image according to a shape of a second entrance surface, Fig. 14A is a view illustrating light emission images of a first exit surface and a second exit surface according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, Fig. 14B is a view illustrating light distribution patterns through the first optical module and the second optical module according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, and Fig. 14C is a view illustrating a road surface pattern by a first optical module and a second optical module according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0025] A lamp 10 for a vehicle according to an embodiment may be used for a lighting function (e.g., as a headlight or fog light) or for a signaling function (e.g., as a turn signal, tail light, brake light, or side marker light), and the present disclosure is neither limited nor restricted by the purposes. For example, the lamp 10 for a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may be used as a headlight for a vehicle mounted on a front left side and a front right side of the vehicle. An embodiment of the present disclosure may be associated with a headlight that can emit a low beam or can emit a low beam and a high beam simultaneously or individually.

[0026] With reference to the Fig. 1 to 14, the lamp for a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes a first optical module and a second optical module. Furthermore, an embodiment of the present disclosure may further include a third optical module.

[0027] An embodiment of the present disclosure may include a first optical module 100 and a second optical module 200, or may include the entire first optical module 100, the second optical module 200, and a third optical module 300. In the following, an example of the present disclosure including the entire first optical module 100, the second optical module 200, and the third optical module 300 will be described in the illustrative embodiment. However, the embodiment of the present disclosure is not limited.

[0028] The first optical module 100 is configured to form a first light distribution pattern and includes a first light source part 110 and a first exit lens part 140 configured to exit light entering from the first light source part 110. Furthermore, the second optical module 200 is configured to form a second light distribution pattern with light distribution characteristics different from those of the first light distribution pattern and includes a second light source part 210 and a second exit lens part 240 configured to exit the light entering from the second light source part 210.

[0029] Furthermore, the third optical module 300 is configured to form a third light distribution pattern and includes a third light source part 310 and a third exit lens part 340 configured to exit the light entering from the third light source part 310.

[0030] Here, the first optical module 100, the second optical module 200, and the third optical module 300 may be arranged in an up / down direction, and the first exit lens part 140, the second exit lens part 240, and the third exit lens part 340 may be arranged in the up / down direction and may be integrally formed. Fig. 1 to 9, “V” means a vertical direction (the up / down direction) with respect to a floor surface and “H” means a horizontal direction (a left / right direction).

[0031] Incidentally, the first light distribution pattern and the second light distribution pattern may overlap to form a low beam light distribution pattern.

[0032] Furthermore, the third light distribution pattern may be configured to form a high beam light distribution pattern.

[0033] For example, the first light distribution pattern among the low beam distribution patterns may be a core-area light distribution pattern to secure a field of view of a central area of ​​a front of the vehicle. Furthermore, the second light distribution pattern among the low beam distribution patterns may be a wide-area light distribution pattern to secure a field of view of a peripheral area of ​​the front of the vehicle and ensure visibility during a turning maneuver.

[0034] In addition, the third light distribution pattern may be a high beam light distribution pattern, which is a high beam that can radiate light to a distant distance on the front of the vehicle.

[0035] In detail, the first optical module 100 is configured to form the first light distribution pattern and includes the first light source part 110, the first exit lens part 140, and a first condenser lens part 120.

[0036] Various elements or devices capable of emitting light can be used as the first light source part 110. For example, the first light source part 110 may include a light source and a circuit board. The light source may be, for example, a light-emitting diode (hereinafter referred to as LED), and the circuit board may be a printed circuit board (PCB). However, the configuration of the first light source part 110 is not limited to this.

[0037] The first exit lens part 140 may be configured to exit the light entering from the first light source part 110. The first exit lens part 140 may be configured to form the first light distribution pattern by projecting the light emitted from the first light source part 110.

[0038] The first condenser lens part 120 may be configured to converge the light emitted by the first light source part 110. The light emitted by the first light source part 110 may exit to a front side after being converged by the first condenser lens part 120 and passing through the first exit lens part 140.

[0039] The second optical module 200 is configured to form the second light distribution pattern and includes the second light source part 210, the second exit lens part 240, and a second condenser lens part 220.

[0040] The second light source part 210 may, for example, include a light source and a circuit board. The light source may, for example, be a light-emitting diode (hereinafter referred to as LED), and the circuit board may be a printed circuit board (PCB). However, the configuration of the second light source part 210 is not limited thereto.

[0041] The second exit lens part 240 may be configured to exit the light entering from the second light source part 210. The second exit lens part 240 may be configured to form the second light distribution pattern with the light emitted from the second light source part 210.

[0042] The second condenser lens 220 may be configured to converge the light emitted by the second light source 210. It may be configured to converge the light emitted by the second light source part 210. The light emitted by the second light source part 210 may exit after being converged by the second condenser lens part 220 and then passing through the second exit lens part 240.

[0043] The third optical module 300 is configured to form the third light distribution pattern and includes the third light source part 310, the third exit lens part 340, and a third condenser lens part 320.

[0044] The third light source part 310 may, for example, include a light source and a circuit board. The light source may be, for example, a light-emitting diode (hereinafter referred to as LED), and the circuit board may be a printed circuit board (PCB). However, the configuration of the third light source part 310 is not limited thereto.

[0045] The third exit lens part 340 may be configured to exit the light entering from the third light source part 310. The third exit lens part 340 may be configured to form the third light distribution pattern with the light emitted from the third light source part 310.

[0046] The third condenser lens part 320 may be configured to converge the light emitted by the third light source 310. It may be configured to converge the light emitted by the third light source part 310. The light emitted by the third light source part 310 may exit after being converged by the third condenser lens part 320 and then passing through the third exit lens part 340.

[0047] As described above, the first optical module 100, the second optical module 200, and the third optical module 300 may be arranged in the up / down direction, and the first exit lens part 140, the second exit lens part 240, and the third exit lens part 340 may be integrally formed in the up / down direction.

[0048] The lamp 10 for a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is an optical system extending in the up / down direction and capable of implementing both a high-beam light distribution pattern and a low-beam light distribution pattern. According to the present disclosure, the first exit lens part 140, the second exit lens part 240, and the third exit lens part 340 are integrally formed, thereby forming an illumination pattern with a continuous line image without intermittent texture in an illuminated state.

[0049] Accordingly, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, a design of the lamp can be differentiated and thus the competitiveness of the product can be increased.

[0050] Incidentally, the first optical module 100 may further include a first shielding part 130 provided between the first condenser lens part 120 and the first exit lens part 140 and configured to shield a portion of the light. Furthermore, the second optical module 200 may further include a second shielding part 230 provided between the second condenser lens part 220 and the second exit lens part 240 and configured to shield a portion of the light.

[0051] The first shielding part 130 and the second shielding part 230 may include a stepped cut-off region having a shape corresponding to the cut-off of the low beam pattern.

[0052] In detail, the first shielding part 130 may include a cut-off region at its upper end and be configured to form the cut-off region in the first light distribution pattern by restricting the light emitted from the first light source part 110. Furthermore, the second shielding part 230 may include a cut-off region at its upper end and be configured to form the cut-off region in the second light distribution pattern by restricting the light emitted from the second light source part 210.

[0053] The first optical module 100 may further include a first heat-dissipating part 150. The first light source part 110 may be attached to the first heat-dissipating part 150, and the first heat-dissipating part 150 may be configured to dissipate heat generated by the first light source part 110. The first light source part 110 may include one or a plurality of light sources, and when the number of light sources is a plurality, the light sources may be arranged on a front side of the first heat-dissipating part 150 in an up / down direction.

[0054] The second optical module 200 may further include a second heat-dissipating part 250. The second light source part 210 may be attached to the second heat-dissipating part 250, and the second heat-dissipating part 250 may be configured to dissipate heat generated by the second light source part 210. The second light source part 210 may include one or a plurality of light sources, and when the number of light sources is a plurality, the light sources may be arranged on a front side of the second heat-dissipating part 250 in an up / down direction.

[0055] The third optical module 300 may further include a third heat-dissipating part 350. The third light source part 310 may be attached to the third heat-dissipating part 350, and the third heat-dissipating part 350 may be configured to dissipate heat generated by the third light source part 310. The third light source part 310 may include one or a plurality of light sources, and when the number of light sources is a plurality, the light sources may be arranged on a front side of the third heat-dissipating part 350 in an up / down direction.

[0056] Here, the first heat-dissipating part 150, the second heat-dissipating part 250, and the third heat-dissipating part 350 may be arranged in the up / down direction and formed integrally. Accordingly, the present disclosure may implement an optical system extending in the up / down direction to form an illumination image with an elongated shape.

[0057] As described above, this can be achieved by the first condenser lens part 120, the second condenser lens part 220, and the third condenser lens part 320 converging the light irradiated onto a front surface. For example, a scheme for converging the light emitted from the light source and directing the light onto a front surface is a conventional technology using an elliptical reflecting surface, the light source directs the light not onto the front surface but onto a top surface, and the like. In this case, the first light source part, the second light source part, and the heat dissipation member in which the second light source part is installed cannot use a heat sink with an elongated shape.

[0058] The present disclosure includes the first condenser lens part 120, the second condenser lens part 220, and the third condenser lens part 320, which both perform functions of a refractive lens and a condenser lens, and can condense the light emitted from the light source onto a front side of the vehicle line and direct the light onto the front side.

[0059] Accordingly, according to the present disclosure, as illustrated, a type may be adopted in which the first heat-dissipating part 150, the second heat-dissipating part 250, and the third heat-dissipating part 350 extend in the up / down direction and are integrally formed. Furthermore, the heat-dissipating fins provided in the first heat-dissipating part 150, the second heat-dissipating part 250, and the third heat-dissipating part 350 may be configured in a vehicle line direction. Here, the vehicle line means a forward / backward line of the vehicle with respect to a traveling direction of the vehicle.

[0060] However, the present disclosure is not limited to the case where the first heat-dissipating part 150, the second heat-dissipating part 250, and the third heat-dissipating part 350 are integrally formed, and the first heat-dissipating part 150, the second heat-dissipating part 250, and the third heat-dissipating part 350 can be arranged in a longitudinal direction after being separately formed and assembled (see Fig. 20).

[0061] The first exit lens part 140 may include a first entrance surface 141 into which the light enters and a first exit surface 143 from which the light exits, the second exit lens part 240 may include a second entrance surface 241 into which the light enters and a second exit surface 243 from which the light exits, and the third exit lens part 340 may include a third entrance surface 341 into which the light enters and a third exit surface 343 from which the light exits.

[0062] Here, the first exit surface 143, the second exit surface 243, and the third exit surface 343 may be multi-facet lenses (MFS). Accordingly, the lamp 10 for a vehicle can improve light scattering efficiency and implement surface light emission.

[0063] In addition, the first exit surface 143, the second exit surface 243 and the third exit surface 343 may have associated shapes.

[0064] In detail, a plurality of first optical modules 100, a plurality of second optical modules 200 and a plurality of third optical modules 300 can be provided. For example, as shown in the Fig. 3, two first optical modules 100 and two second optical modules 200 are provided and four third optical modules 300 are provided, wherein the first exit lens parts 140, the second exit lens parts 240 and the third exit lens parts 340 may be formed such that eight lenses are integrally formed.

[0065] Then, if all of the first exit surface 143, second exit surface 243, and third exit surface 343 each have different shapes, different textures for the modules may be felt when the lamp is turned off, and an intermittent texture may occur when the lamp is turned on.

[0066] Accordingly, according to one embodiment of the present disclosure, the first exit surface 143, the second exit surface 243, and the third exit surface 343 may have corresponding shapes. Here, an aspect that the first exit surface 143, the second exit surface 243, and the third exit surface 343 have corresponding shapes means that the first exit surface 143, the second exit surface 243, and the third exit surface 343 have the same shape or are formed to have shapes that are so extremely similar to each other, for example, that a person skilled in the art to which the present disclosure relates would determine that they have substantially the same shape.

[0067] In this case, intermittent textures between the optical modules can be minimized when the lamp is turned on or off. Furthermore, the optical modules can implement light distribution patterns with different light distribution characteristics by designing different shapes of the first entrance surface 141, the second entrance surface 241, and the third entrance surface 341.

[0068] In detail, the first entry surface 141, the second entry surface 241 and the third entry surface 341 can have different shapes.

[0069] Accordingly, the optical properties of the optical modules may vary. Differences between the properties, such as the focal points, of the first lens part 140, the second lens part 240, and the third lens part 340, which will be described below, may be caused by the differences between the shapes of the first entrance surface 141, the second entrance surface 241, and the third entrance surface 341. Furthermore, the optical performances of the optical modules may vary depending on the focal point locations of the first to third condenser lens parts 120, 220, and 320 and the first to third exit lens parts 140, 240, and 340.

[0070] To optimize the optical design of a lamp for a vehicle, the light emission uniformity, inter-module spacing, and the like of the first to third exit surfaces 143, 243, and 343 may become important factors. However, according to the first optical module 100 and the second optical module 200 that form the low beam, it may be difficult for the second exit lens part 240 to satisfy both the optical performance and the homogeneity of the second exit surface compared to the first exit lens part 140.

[0071] This is because it becomes difficult to create a homogeneous light emission pattern on the second exit surface when the distribution of light sources is designed to satisfy the optical performance of a wide zone in the second optical module. Since the first optical module implements a core zone with a small light distribution area, a design to ensure light distribution while ensuring homogeneity of the first exit surface is simple (see Fig. 11), while a design to ensure both light distribution and homogeneity of the second exit surface is difficult because the second optical module has a wide light distribution range (see Fig. 12).

[0072] In this way, if the light emission uniformity of the second exit surface, which is an exit surface in the lamp with the exit lens parts integrally formed in the up / down direction, is insufficient, an intermittent texture may appear on a light exit surface of the lamp for a vehicle when the lamp is turned on, and thus the design competitiveness of the product may be weakened. Accordingly, it is necessary to develop a technology for improving the homogeneity of the light emission distribution of the second exit surface while ensuring the optical performance of the second optical module.

[0073] First, with reference to the Fig. 5 to 8, a configuration for improving a vertical light emission image of the second exit lens part 240 is described.

[0074] In the present disclosure, a distance f2 from the second exit lens part 240 to a vertical focal point Fv2 of the second exit lens part 240 is smaller than a distance f1 from the first exit lens part 140 to a vertical focal point Fv1 of the first exit lens part 140 (f1>f2).

[0075] For convenience of description, a distance from an imaginary reference plane RF1 of the first exit lens part 140 to the vertical focal point Fv1 of the first exit lens part 140 is referred to as a first vertical focal length f1, and a distance from an imaginary reference plane RF2 of the second exit lens part 240 to the vertical focal point Fv2 of the second exit lens part 240 is referred to as a second vertical focal length f2.

[0076] Here, the imaginary reference plane RF1 of the first exit lens part 140 may be a plane obtained by extending a string connecting an upper end and a lower end of the first entrance surface 141 in the left / right direction of the first exit lens part 140 in a vertical cross section including a center of the first exit lens part 140 (see Fig. 5). Furthermore, the imaginary reference plane RF2 of the second exit lens part 240 may be a plane obtained by extending a string connecting an upper end and a lower end of the second entrance surface 241 in the left / right direction of the second exit lens part 240 in a vertical cross section including a center of the second exit lens part 240 (see Fig. 6).

[0077] When the second vertical focal length f2 is shortened, the distribution of light entering the second entrance surface 241 can become wider and more homogeneous. In this case, a homogeneous light emission pattern can be achieved because the light exiting from the second exit surface 243 is also emitted homogeneously from the second exit surface 243.

[0078] Accordingly, an embodiment of the present disclosure can implement a continuous light emission image without intermittent texture between the first exit surface 143 and the second exit surface 243 by complementing the homogeneity of the second exit surface 243 by designing the second vertical focal length f2 such that the second vertical focal length f2 is shorter than the first vertical focal length f1.

[0079] Here, a range of the second vertical focal length f2 compared to the first vertical focal length f1 can be considered as a suitable range, both in terms of performance and a light distribution pattern. That is, it is necessary to design the second vertical focal length f2 so that the second vertical focal length f2 is shorter than the first vertical focal length f1 and that the light distribution pattern is homogeneous, while meeting the performance requirements for implementing the wide range of low beam.

[0080] Fig. 12 is a table showing the ray tracing, the light distribution image, and an image of the second exit surface 243 according to the second vertical focal length f2.

[0081] In A1, the second vertical focal length f2 is 25 mm, in A2, the second vertical focal length f2 is 25 mm, in A3, the second vertical focal length f2 is 20 mm, and in A4, the second vertical focal length f2 is 15 mm. Furthermore, in A1, the beam is distributed upward from the focal point to achieve a downward distribution of the light distribution pattern.

[0082] In A1, the light distribution performance is satisfied, but the light emission pattern of the second exit surface 243 is not homogeneous. In A2, where the beam converges at the focal point, the homogeneity of the light emission pattern is satisfied, but the light intensity in a lower region of the light distribution pattern is insufficient, and thus the performance is not satisfied. In A4, it is found that the light distribution performance is satisfied, but the homogeneity of the light emission pattern is insufficient. As a result, it is found that when the second vertical focal length f2 is 20 mm, the homogeneity is satisfied, while the light distribution performance is satisfied.

[0083] Next, with reference to the Fig. 7, Fig. 9 and Fig. 10, a configuration for improving the light emission image in the horizontal direction (left / right) of the second exit lens part 240 is described.

[0084] A horizontal focal point FH2 of the second exit lens part 240 can be formed in an interior of the second exit lens part 240 (see Fig. 10).

[0085] In detail, the second exit lens part 240 can be designed such that the horizontal focal point FH2 is formed between the second entrance surface 241 and the second exit surface 243. A structure can be designed such that the light entering the second entrance surface 241, after the focal point is formed, is distributed within the second exit lens part 240 with respect to the horizontal direction of the second optical module 200. Due to this structure, the light can be distributed homogeneously on the second exit surface 243 to produce a homogeneous light emission image.

[0086] However, if, for example, the focal point is formed on an outer side of the exit surface due to the light incident on the entrance surface, the light may be narrowly distributed on the exit surface. In detail, the light incident on the entrance surface may be refracted, for example, by a curvature of the entrance surface, so that the focal point is formed on an outer side in an exit direction of the exit surface. In this case, the light is narrowly distributed on the exit surface because it is not dispersed on the exit surface. In this case, it is difficult to implement a homogeneous light emission pattern because the light is not confined to the left / right vicinity of the exit surface.

[0087] Accordingly, the second exit lens part 240 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure can produce a homogeneous light emission image when the light is distributed on the second exit surface 243 because the horizontal focal point FH2 is formed inside the second exit lens part 240.

[0088] In this way, the curvature of the second entrance surface 241 must be small to form the focal point inside the second exit lens part 240. In one embodiment of the present disclosure, the second entrance surface 241 may be formed by a plurality of unit entrance surfaces 241a to form an entrance surface with a small curvature.

[0089] In detail, the second entrance surface 241 includes the plurality of unit entrance surfaces 241a, and the plurality of unit entrance surfaces 241a may be arranged in the left / right direction. For illustration, a unit entrance surface 241a is shown in the perspective view in Fig. 7 shown.

[0090] Furthermore, in a horizontal cross section of the second lens part 240, each of the unit entrance surfaces 241a may have a curved shape that is convex in a direction facing the second light source part 210.

[0091] In detail, the second entrance surface 241 may include the unit entrance surface 241a that is convex in a direction facing the second light source part 210 with respect to the horizontal direction, and the plurality of unit entrance surfaces 241a may be repeatedly formed along the left / right direction.

[0092] Due to the structure, the lights entering the unit entrance surfaces 241a and exiting through the second exit surface 243 can overlap. Accordingly, since the light is distributed homogeneously on the second exit surface 243, a homogeneous light emission pattern can be implemented.

[0093] For example, the plurality of unit entrance surfaces 241a may have the same shape as shown in the Fig. 9 and Fig. 10. That is, the second entrance surface 241 may have a structure in which the unit entrance surfaces 241a having the same shape are continuous in the left / right direction.

[0094] However, the shape of the second entrance surface 241 is not limited to the embodiment in which the plurality of unit entrance surfaces 241a have the same shape, and the plurality of unit entrance surfaces 241a may be formed differently as long as the technical features of the present disclosure can be implemented.

[0095] Incidentally, a curvature of each of the unit entrance surfaces 241a may be formed such that an exit angle (θ) of the light exiting from the second exit surface 243 is in the range of 30 degrees to 90 degrees. In detail, the curvature of each of the unit entrance surfaces 241a may, for example, be designed such that the exit angle (θ) of the light exiting after the focal point is formed inside the second exit lens part 240 is 30 degrees or more (see Fig. 10).

[0096] In this way, since the exit angle (θ) of the light exiting from the second exit surface 243 is designed to be 30 degrees or more, the light can be more widely distributed on the second exit surface 243. Accordingly, the overlap amount of the light entering through the plurality of unit entrance surfaces 241a can be increased, and thus a homogeneous light emission pattern can be implemented on the second exit surface 243.

[0097] Fig. 13 is a table illustrating a ray tracing, a light emission area of ​​the second exit surface 243, and a light distribution pattern according to a shape of the second entrance surface 241.

[0098] B1 is a comparative example and corresponds to a case where the second entrance surface includes one entrance surface, and B2 to B5 illustrate the embodiments of the present disclosure and correspond to cases where the second entrance surface 241 includes the plurality of unit entrance surfaces 241a.

[0099] A radius of curvature of the second entrance surface of B1 is 10 mm and a taper constant is -1. B2 corresponds to a case where the second entrance surface 241 includes five unit entrance surfaces 241a, a radius of curvature of the unit entrance surface 241a is 2 mm and a taper constant is 0. B3 corresponds to a case where the second entrance surface 241 includes nine unit entrance surfaces 241a, a radius of curvature of the unit entrance surface 241a is 1.2 mm and a taper constant is 0. B4 corresponds to a case where the second entrance surface 241 includes eleven unit entrance surfaces 241a, a radius of curvature of the unit entrance surface 241a is 1.1 mm and a taper constant is 0. B5 corresponds to a case where the second entrance surface 241 includes fifteen unit entrance surfaces 241a and a radius of curvature of the unit entrance surface 241a is 1.1 mm and a conicity constant is -1.

[0100] Through the illustrative experimental examples, it can be identified that a homogeneous light emission image is implemented while the light distribution performance of the second exit surface 243 is satisfied in B5 in which the curvature of the unit entrance surfaces 241a constituting the second entrance surface 241 is largest and the number of the unit entrance surfaces 241a is large.

[0101] Fig. 14A is a view illustrating light emission patterns of the first exit surface 143 and the second exit surface 243 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in the illustrative drawing, a continuous light emission pattern can be implemented on the first exit surface 143 and the second exit surface 243.

[0102] Fig. 14B is a view illustrating light distribution patterns through the first optical module 100 and the second optical module 200 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, and Fig. 14C is a view illustrating a road surface pattern by the first optical module 100 and the second optical module 200 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0103] As illustrated in the drawings, according to the embodiment of the present disclosure, it can be seen that the light distribution performance for implementing a low beam is satisfied. C1, C2, C3 and C4 on the light distribution image of Fig. 14B show the same points as C1, C2, C3 and C4 of the road surface pattern image, and C1 is a point Emax (for example, about 35400 cd) at which a light intensity is maximum.

[0104] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, a light distribution performance extending in a vertical direction can be satisfied in the lamp for a vehicle, and a homogeneous light emission pattern can also be implemented on a surface from which light is emitted.

[0105] Accordingly, according to the present disclosure, a design of the lamp for a vehicle can be differentiated, and thus the competitiveness of the product can be increased.

[0106] Although the specific embodiments of the present disclosure have been described above, the spirit and scope of the present disclosure are not limited thereto, and the present disclosure may be corrected and modified in various ways by a person skilled in the art to which the present disclosure relates, without changing the gist of the present disclosure as described in the claims. QUOTES CONTAINED IN THE DESCRIPTION

[0000] This list of documents submitted by the applicant was generated automatically and is included solely for the convenience of the reader. This list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions. Cited patent literature

[0000] KR 10-2023-0107797

[0001]

Claims

[1] Lamp for a vehicle, comprising: a first optical module configured to form a first light distribution pattern, and comprising a first light source part and a first exit lens part configured to exit light entering from the first light source part; and a second optical module configured to form a second light distribution pattern having light distribution characteristics different from those of the first light distribution pattern, and comprising a second light source part and a second exit lens part configured to exit light entering from the second light source part, wherein: the first optical module and the second optical module are arranged in an up / down direction, the first light distribution pattern and the second light distribution pattern overlap each other to produce a low beam, and a distance from the second exit lens part to a vertical focal point of the second exit lens part is smaller than a distance from the first exit lens part to a vertical focal point of the first exit lens part. [2] Lamp according to claim 1, wherein: the first exit lens part comprises a first entrance surface into which the light enters and a first exit surface from which the light exits, the second exit lens part comprises a second entrance surface into which the light enters and a second exit surface from which the light exits, the first exit lens part and the second exit lens part are integrally formed in the upward / downward direction and the first exit surface and the second exit surface comprise multi-facet lenses. [3] The lamp according to claim 2, wherein a horizontal focal point of the second exit lens part is formed in an interior of the second exit lens part. [4] Lamp according to claim 2 or 3, wherein: the second entry surface comprises a plurality of unit entry surfaces, the plurality of unit entrance surfaces are arranged along a left / right direction and each of the unit entrance surfaces has a curved shape which is convex in a direction facing the second light source part in a horizontal cross section of the second exit lens part. [5] A lamp according to claim 4, wherein the unit entrance surfaces have the same shape. [6] The lamp according to claim 4 or 5, wherein curvatures of the unit entrance surfaces are formed such that an exit angle of the light emerging from the second exit surface is in a range of 30 degrees to 90 degrees. [7] A lamp according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the first optical module further comprises: a first shielding part provided between the first light source part and the first exit lens part and configured to shield a portion of the light, wherein the second optical module further comprises: a second shielding part provided between the second light source part and the second exit lens part and configured to shield a portion of the light, and wherein both the first shielding part and the second shielding part have a shape corresponding to a cut-off line of the low beam. [8] Lamp according to one of claims 2 to 7, further comprising: a third optical module configured to form a third light distribution pattern, and comprising a third light source part and a third exit lens part configured to exit light entering from the third light source part, wherein: the third light distribution pattern has light distribution characteristics that differ from those of the first light distribution pattern and the second light distribution pattern and produces a high beam, the third optical module is arranged in the up / down direction together with the first optical module and the second optical module and the third exit lens part is formed integrally with the first exit lens part and the second exit lens part.

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