Optical module and vehicle with this module

Abstract

Optical module that features: a printed circuit board (PCB); several LEDs arranged on the PCB in such a way that they are spaced apart from each other in a first direction; several cover elements, each covering the multiple LEDs; a reflective element having multiple recesses, each exposing the multiple LEDs, wherein the reflective element is configured to reflect light emitted by the multiple LEDs in a lateral direction; a light-guiding layer that embeds the multiple LEDs, the multiple cover elements, and the reflective element; and a diffusion plate that is arranged on the light-guiding layer, the multiple LEDs are arranged at different distances.

Description

Technical area

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an optical module that enables the light output of a plurality of LEDs to be uniformly radiated in a lamp structure of a vehicle, and a vehicle having the module. background

[0002] Generally, a vehicle is equipped with various lights that emit light forward depending on an environment and time of day to ensure a driver's visibility and inform other vehicles of his or her path.

[0003] These lights are classified according to their intended use, such as a turn signal to ensure the driver's visibility and to indicate the position of the vehicle along with a headlight to illuminate the front of the vehicle, a fog light to ensure the driver's visibility and to indicate the position of the vehicle in foggy or rainy conditions along with the headlight, a reversing light to illuminate when the vehicle is reversing, and a brake light to illuminate when the driver applies the brakes.

[0004] Halogen bulbs are primarily used for conventional vehicle lights. When a halogen bulb is used as a light source, there is a reflector that reflects the light emitted by the halogen bulb, and the reflected light is projected forward. While halogen bulbs have the advantage of being cost-effective, they have the disadvantages of high heat generation during use, low brightness relative to the amount of electricity used, and a short lifespan.

[0005] To solve these problems, vehicle lights using light-emitting diodes (LEDs) emerged. LED lights have the advantages of high brightness, long lifespan, and low energy consumption.

[0006] As described above, multiple LEDs are arranged to emit light to realize various functions of vehicle lights. In this case, the light emitted by the multiple LEDs must be uniformly emitted. Conventionally, a structure comprising multiple components, such as a light-diffusing lens, is used to improve the uniformity of the emitted light.

[0007] However, as the number of components increases, this becomes disadvantageous in terms of cost and maintenance, and there is a need for a device that solves these problems and allows light emitted by the multiple LEDs to be radiated evenly. Summary

[0008] The present disclosure is intended to address at least the above-mentioned problems and / or disadvantages and to provide at least the advantages described below. Accordingly, an object of the present disclosure is to provide an optical module that enables light emitted by a plurality of LEDs to be uniformly radiated in a lamp structure of a vehicle, and a vehicle having the same.

[0009] It is another object to provide an optical module capable of improving the uniformity of emitted light by changing the distance between LEDs or by changing the shape of a reflective element that reflects the light emitted from each LED in a lateral direction, and to provide a vehicle having the same.

[0010] Objects of the present disclosure are not limited to the above-mentioned objects, and other unmentioned objects will be clearly understood by a person having ordinary skill in the art to which the present disclosure relates based on the following description.

[0011] According to one aspect, an optical module comprises a printed circuit board (PCB), a plurality of LEDs arranged on the PCB so as to be spaced apart from each other in a first direction, a plurality of cover members configured to cover the plurality of LEDs respectively, a reflective member having a plurality of recesses configured to expose the plurality of LEDs respectively, wherein the reflective member is configured to reflect light emitted from each of the LEDs in a lateral direction, a light guide layer configured to embed the plurality of LEDs, the plurality of cover members, and the reflective member, and a diffusion plate arranged on the light guide layer, wherein the plurality of LEDs are arranged at different intervals.

[0012] The plurality of LEDs may be arranged such that the LEDs adjacent to the outside of the PCB in the first direction are arranged at a smaller distance from each other than the LEDs adjacent to the center of the PCB in the first direction.

[0013] The amount of light emitted by multiple LEDs may vary.

[0014] Each of the plurality of recesses of the reflective element may include a reflective surface formed at one end with a height greater than the height of the LED and inclined toward the other end.

[0015] The plurality of recesses may be formed such that positions where the plurality of LEDs are exposed are different from each other.

[0016] The multiple recesses can be formed in different sizes.

[0017] The multiple recesses can have different inclination angles of the reflecting surface.

[0018] Each of the cover members may be formed in a shape having a small thickness in an up-down direction and may comprise a silicone material.

[0019] The optical module may further comprise a transreflective plate arranged in the light guide layer.

[0020] The plurality of LEDs may be spaced apart from one another in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction.

[0021] The amount of light emitted by some of the plurality of LEDs arranged in the first direction and the second direction may be greater than the amount of light emitted by the other LEDs.

[0022] The light-guiding layer may comprise a resin layer.

[0023] The multiple LEDs may include upward-firing and side-firing LEDs.

[0024] According to another aspect, a vehicle includes a vehicle body, a lamp structure disposed in at least one of a front and rear portion of the body, and an optical module embedded in the lamp structure, the optical module comprising: a PCB, a plurality of LEDs disposed on the PCB such that they are spaced apart from each other in a first direction, a plurality of cover members configured to cover the plurality of LEDs, respectively, a reflective member including a plurality of recesses configured to expose the plurality of LEDs, respectively, the reflective member being configured to reflect light emitted from each of the LEDs in a lateral direction, a light guide layer configured to embed the plurality of LEDs, the plurality of cover members, and the reflective member, and a diffusion plate disposed on the light guide layer.and wherein the plurality of LEDs are arranged at different distances., Short description of the drawings

[0025] The accompanying drawings, which are included to provide a further understanding of the present disclosure and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this application, illustrate embodiments of the present disclosure and, together with the description, serve to explain the principle of the present disclosure. In the drawings: Fig. 1 is a plan view of an optical module according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; Fig. 2 is a view illustrating the shape of a cover member in the optical module according to the embodiment of the present disclosure; Fig. 3 is a BB sectional view of Fig. 1; Fig. 4 is a view illustrating the shape of a reflective element in the optical module according to the embodiment of the present disclosure; Fig. Fig. 5 is a view showing another embodiment of Fig. 3 shows; and Fig. 6 and Fig. 7 are views illustrating the effects of the optical module according to the embodiment of the present disclosure. Detailed description

[0026] Now, a detailed description will be given of exemplary embodiments disclosed herein with reference to the accompanying drawings. The same or equivalent components may be designated by the same reference numerals, and their descriptions will not be repeated. As used herein, the suffixes "module" and "part" are added or used interchangeably to simplify the preparation of this specification and are not intended to imply different meanings or functions. In describing disclosures disclosed in this specification, relevant well-known technologies need not be described in detail so as not to obscure the subject matter of the embodiments disclosed in this specification.Furthermore, it should be noted that the accompanying drawings are provided only to facilitate understanding of the embodiments disclosed in this specification and should not be construed as limiting the technical spirit disclosed in this specification. As such, this disclosure should be interpreted to extend to all modifications, equivalents, and substitutes besides those specifically shown in the accompanying drawings.

[0027] Although the terms first, second, etc. may be used here to describe various elements, these elements should not be limited by these terms. These terms are generally used to distinguish one element from another.

[0028] It is understood that when an element is referred to as "connected to" another element, the element may be directly connected to the other element or there may be intervening elements. Conversely, when an element is referred to as "directly connected to" another element, there are no intervening elements.

[0029] A singular representation may include a plural representation if, according to the context, it does not represent a definitely different meaning.

[0030] The terms used herein, such as "comprise" or "have," are intended to indicate the presence of features, numbers, steps, operations, elements, components, or combinations thereof used in the following description, and it should thus be understood that the possibility of the presence or addition of one or more other features, numbers, steps, operations, elements, components, or combinations thereof is not precluded.

[0031] Fig. 1 is a top view of an optical module 100 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Fig. 2 is a view illustrating the shape of a cover member 130 in the optical module 100 according to the embodiment of the present disclosure. Fig. 3 is a BB sectional view of Fig. 1. Fig. 4 is a view illustrating the shape of a reflective element 140 in the optical module 100 according to the embodiment of the present disclosure. Fig. Fig. 5 is a view showing another embodiment of Fig. 3 shows. Fig. 6 and Fig. 7 are views illustrating the effects of the optical module 100 according to the embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0032] Hereinafter, in describing the optical module 100 according to the embodiment of the present disclosure, a left-right direction is an x-axis direction, an up-down direction is a y-axis direction, and a front-back direction is a z-axis direction.

[0033] Referring to Fig. 1 to 3, the optical module 100 according to the embodiment of the present disclosure may include a printed circuit board (PCB) 110, a plurality of LEDs 120, a plurality of cover members 130, a reflective member 140, a light guide layer 150, and a diffusion plate 160. The plurality of LEDs 120 may be arranged on the PCB 110 such that they are spaced apart from each other in a first direction (x-axis direction). Furthermore, the plurality of LEDs 120 may be arranged such that they are spaced apart from each other in a second direction (y-axis direction) that is perpendicular to the first direction (x-axis direction). The plurality of LEDs 120 may be driven to emit light when power is supplied to them via the PCB 110.

[0034] In addition, the plurality of LEDs in the optical module 100 according to the embodiment of the present disclosure, as shown in Fig. 3, upward-firing and side-firing LEDs. Consequently, the amount of light emitted and radiated by the plurality of LEDs may be greater than the amount of light emitted and radiated by upward-firing LEDs or side-firing LEDs.

[0035] The plurality of cover members 130 can cover the plurality of LEDs, respectively. Here, (a) of Fig. 2 is a view showing the structure of a conventional LED module 10, and (b) of Fig. 2 is a view showing the shape of the cover member 130 covering the LED 120 in the optical module 100 according to the embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0036] As in (b) of Fig. As shown in Figure 2, the cover member 130 may be formed in a plate or disc shape with a small thickness in the top-bottom direction. Furthermore, the cover member 130 may comprise a silicone material. This may allow the light emitted by the plurality of LEDs 120 to be radiated over a wider area. Furthermore, the cover member 130 may serve to improve the uniformity of the emitted light, which will be described later, by reducing differences in light intensity depending on the orientation angle of the light emitted by the cover member.

[0037] Referring to Fig. 1 and Fig. 3, the reflective element 140 in the optical module 100 according to the embodiment of the present disclosure may include a plurality of recesses 141 that respectively expose the plurality of LEDs 120. The reflective element 140 may serve to reflect light emitted from each of the LEDs 120 in a lateral direction.

[0038] Here, each of the plurality of recesses (or holes) 141 of the reflective element 140 may have a reflective surface 142 formed at one end with a height greater than the height of the LED 120 and inclined toward the other end. Consequently, the inclination of the reflective surface 142 may reflect light emitted from each of the plurality of LEDs 120 in the lateral direction, so that, as shown in Fig. 3, points in the forward direction (z-axis direction).

[0039] Referring to Fig. 6 is (a) of Fig. 6 is a view showing an image in which light output from the plurality of LEDs 120 is radiated in the absence of the reflective member 140, and (b) Fig. Fig. 6 is a view showing an image in which light emitted from the plurality of LEDs 120 is radiated in the presence of the reflective member 140. When (a) of Fig. 6 and (b) of Fig. 6, it can be seen that there is a difference in the uniformity of the light depending on whether the reflective element 140 is provided.

[0040] Furthermore, in the optical module 100 according to the embodiment of the present disclosure, the plurality of LEDs 120, the plurality of cover members 130, and the reflective member 140 may be embedded in the light guide layer 150. Here, the light guide layer 150 may include a resin layer. That is, when the light guide layer 150 is made of a light guide resin, the effect of increasing the light efficiency can be achieved. Moreover, the thickness t of the light guide layer 150 can be smaller than when a conventional light guide plate is used, and the structure can also be simplified.

[0041] The improvement in light efficiency by the light guide layer 150 can be achieved by increasing the amount of light emitted by the LED 120 due to a difference in refractive index between the silicone material covering member 130 covering the LED 120 and the light guide layer 150. For example, if the refractive index of the silicone material covering member 130 is 1.5 and the refractive index of the light guide layer 150 with the resin layer is 1.47, the smaller the difference in the refractive indices of the media through which the light passes, the larger the critical angle, resulting in less light being lost in the LED 120. Thus, the amount of light emitted by the LED 120 can increase. In addition, the improvement in light efficiency can be achieved by reducing the amount of light loss due to the structure in which light is emitted into the light guide layer 150, which is an optical element.

[0042] In the optical module 100 according to the embodiment of the present disclosure, the diffusion plate 160 may be disposed on the light guide layer 150, and the light output from the LED 120 may pass through the light guide layer 150 and diffuse through the diffusion plate 160.

[0043] In particular, in the optical module 100 according to the embodiment of the present disclosure, as shown in Fig. 1, the plurality of LEDs 120 may be arranged at different distances L1, L2, L3, and L4. The plurality of LEDs 120 may be arranged such that a first group of LEDs, arranged in the first direction (x-axis direction) adjacent to the outside of the PCB 110, is spaced apart by a smaller distance than a second group of LEDs, arranged in the first direction (x-axis direction) adjacent to the center AA of the PCB 110.

[0044] Reference to (b) of Fig. 6, it can be seen that the reflective element 140 can improve the uniformity of light compared to the case without the reflective element 140, but results in a greater dispersion of light in the center. Therefore, the optical module 100 according to the embodiment of the present disclosure can remedy this by arranging the plurality of LEDs 120 at a smaller pitch on the outer side of the center, where a smaller dispersion of light is formed, when the plurality of LEDs 120 are arranged to be spaced apart from each other.

[0045] That is, in Fig. 1, L2 may be smaller than L1, L3 may be smaller than L2, and L4 may be smaller than L3. By reducing the distance between the LEDs 120 away from the center AA of the PCB 110, a phenomenon in which a large light distribution is formed in the center can be reduced. As a result, the uniformity of the light output and radiated from the plurality of LEDs 120 can be improved.

[0046] Furthermore, in the optical module 100 according to the embodiment of the present disclosure, the amounts of light emitted by the plurality of LEDs 120 may be different from each other. For example, the amount of light emitted by the LEDs 120 away from the center AA of the PCB 110 may be increased, which can reduce the uneven light distribution and improve the uniformity of the emitted light.

[0047] Moreover, in the optical module 100 according to the embodiment of the present disclosure, the plurality of recesses 141 of the reflective element 140 may be formed such that the positions at which the plurality of LEDs 120 are exposed are different from each other. That is, vertical distances a, b, c, and d from the LED 120 to the recess 141 may be as shown in Fig. 1. Here, a and b may be the same, c and d may be the same, and a and b may be smaller than c and d. Furthermore, the plurality of recesses 141 may be formed in different sizes. As a result, the imbalance in the light distribution can be reduced, thereby improving the uniformity of the emitted light.

[0048] Referring to Fig. 4, in the optical module 100 according to the embodiment of the present disclosure, the plurality of recesses 141 may have different inclination angles of the reflective surface 142. For example, θ1 and θ2 shown in Fig. 4 may be different from each other. By forming different inclined angles of the reflective surface 142, the light emitted by the plurality of LEDs 120 can be reflected differently to improve light uniformity.

[0049] Fig. Fig. 7 is a view illustrating the effects of the present disclosure, wherein (a) of Fig. 7 is a view showing a light distribution when the plurality of LEDs 120 are equally spaced from each other, and (b) of Fig. 7 is a view showing a light distribution by the optical module 100 according to the embodiment of the present disclosure. That is, by changing the distance between the LEDs 120 as shown in Fig. As shown in Figure 7, the phenomenon of unbalanced light distribution can be reduced, thereby improving the uniformity of the emitted light.

[0050] Reference to Fig. 4, in the optical module 100 according to the embodiment of the present disclosure, the height h of the reflective element 140, the inclination angles θ1 and θ2 of the reflective surface 142, and the distance w between the recesses 141 can be numerically limited to optimize the optical efficiency and improve the uniformity of the emitted light. For example, the height h of the reflective element 140 can be 1 mm to 2 mm, the inclination angles θ1 and θ2 of the reflective surface 142 can be 30 degrees to 40 degrees, and the distance w between the recesses 141 can be 3 mm to 5 mm. By forming the reflective element 140 within these numerical ranges, it is possible to optimize the optical efficiency and improve the uniformity of the emitted light.

[0051] Referring to Fig. 5, the optical module 100 according to the embodiment of the present disclosure may include a transreflective plate 170 disposed in the light guide layer 150. The transreflective plate 170 is configured to prevent an internal configuration including the plurality of LEDs 120 from being visible from outside the vehicle when the plurality of LEDs 120 are not illuminated.

[0052] In addition, the plurality of LEDs 120 in the optical module 100 according to the embodiment of the present disclosure, as described above with reference to Fig. 1, in the first direction (x-axis direction) and the second direction (y-axis direction). Here, the amount of light emitted by some of the plurality of LEDs 120 may be greater than the amount of light emitted by the other LEDs 120.

[0053] In one embodiment, the amount of light emitted by the elements located in the area C of Fig.1 may be greater than the amount of light emitted by the other LEDs 120 excluding the area C. This serves to convey a warning signal more accurately to the outside by displaying the illumination distributions of an image output in a special situation, such as, for example, emergency braking, with high contrast.

[0054] In view of the foregoing, the optical module according to the present disclosure and a vehicle equipped with the same can ensure that the light emitted by the plurality of LEDs is emitted uniformly in a lamp structure of the vehicle. Furthermore, the uniformity of the emitted light can be improved by changing the spacing between the LEDs or by changing the shape of the reflective element that reflects the light emitted by each LED in the lateral direction.

[0055] As is apparent from the above description, the optical module according to the present disclosure and the vehicle equipped with the same can ensure that the light output from the plurality of LEDs is uniformly radiated in the lamp structure of the vehicle.

[0056] In addition, the uniformity of the emitted light can be improved by changing the distance between the LEDs or by changing the shape of the reflective element that reflects the light emitted by each LED in the lateral direction.

[0057] The effects of the present disclosure are not limited to those mentioned above, and other effects not mentioned will be clearly understood by a person having ordinary knowledge in the art to which the present disclosure relates from the above description.

[0058] The foregoing detailed description is to be interpreted in all aspects as illustrative and not restrictive. The scope of the present disclosure should be determined by a reasonable interpretation of the appended claims, and all changes which come within the range of equivalence of the present disclosure are intended to be embraced within the scope of the present disclosure.

Claims

[1] Optical module comprising: a printed circuit board (PCB); a plurality of LEDs arranged on the PCB such that they are spaced apart from each other in a first direction; several cover elements, each covering the multiple LEDs; a reflective member having a plurality of recesses each exposing the plurality of LEDs, the reflective member configured to reflect light emitted from the plurality of LEDs in a lateral direction; a light guide layer embedding the plurality of LEDs, the plurality of cover elements, and the reflective element; and a diffusion plate arranged on the light guide layer, wherein the multiple LEDs are arranged at different distances. [2] The optical module according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of LEDs are arranged such that a first group of LEDs arranged adjacent to an outer side of the PCB in the first direction are arranged at a smaller distance from each other than a second group of LEDs arranged adjacent to a center of the PCB in the first direction. [3] The optical module according to claim 2, wherein a plurality of light output amounts from the plurality of LEDs are respectively different from each other. [4] The optical module of claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of recesses of the reflective element has an inclined reflective surface having a first height at a first end and a second height different from the first height at a second end, the first height of the first end being greater than a height of the plurality of LEDs. [5] The optical module according to claim 4, wherein the plurality of recesses are formed such that a plurality of positions at which the plurality of LEDs are exposed are different from each other. [6] The optical module according to claim 4, wherein the plurality of recesses have different sizes and different inclination angles of the reflecting surface. [7] The optical module according to claim 1, further comprising a transreflective plate disposed in the light guide layer; and wherein the plurality of cover members have a plate shape and comprise a silicone material. [8] The optical module according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of LEDs are spaced apart from each other in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction; and wherein an amount of light output from some of the plurality of LEDs arranged in the first direction and the second direction is larger than that of other LEDs. [9] The optical module according to claim 1, wherein the light guide layer comprises a resin layer; and the plurality of LEDs comprise an upward-emitting LED and a side-emitting LED. [10] Vehicle that has: a vehicle body; a lamp structure disposed in at least one of a front and rear portion of the body; and an optical module embedded in the luminaire structure, the optical module comprising: a printed circuit board (PCB); a plurality of LEDs arranged on the PCB and spaced apart from each other in a first direction; a plurality of cover elements, each covering the plurality of LEDs; a reflective member including a plurality of recesses configured to expose the plurality of LEDs, respectively, wherein the reflective member is configured to reflect light emitted from each of the plurality of LEDs in a lateral direction; a light guide layer embedding the plurality of LEDs, the plurality of cover elements, and the reflective element; and a diffusion plate arranged on the light guide layer, wherein the multiple LEDs are arranged at different distances.

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