Lighting System

Abstract

The present invention relates to a lighting system, and more particularly, to a lighting system capable of forming pattern images at various positions while simplifying the structure. The lighting system according to an embodiment of the present invention may include a lighting device for irradiating irradiation light for forming a pattern image at at least one position; and a control device for controlling a target direction to which the irradiation light is irradiated based on at least one of a vehicle state and a vehicle surrounding state.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an illumination system, and more particularly to an illumination system capable of forming pattern images at various positions while having a simplified structure. [Background technology]

[0002] 2. Description of the Related Art Vehicles are equipped with various kinds of lamps that have a lighting function to easily identify objects around the vehicle when driving at night and a signaling function to inform drivers of nearby vehicles and pedestrians of the vehicle's driving status.

[0003] For example, headlamps and fog lamps are primarily intended for illumination, while turn signal lamps, tail lamps, brake lamps, etc. are primarily intended for signaling purposes. Installation standards and specifications for each lamp are stipulated by law to ensure that they perform their functions adequately.

[0004] Recently, because the information that can be transmitted simply through lighting and signal functions is limited, active research has been conducted into conveying more diverse information to nearby vehicles and pedestrians by forming pattern images that indicate the information to be transmitted on the road surface around the vehicle. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT EMBODIMENT An object of the present invention is to provide an illumination system that is simple in structure and capable of irradiating light for forming pattern images at different positions around a vehicle.

[0006] Another object of the present invention is to provide a lighting system that can form a uniform pattern image even if the pattern images are formed at different positions around the vehicle.

[0007] The objects of the present invention are not limited to the objects mentioned above, and other objects not mentioned herein will be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the following description. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] In order to achieve the above object, a lighting system according to an embodiment of the present invention may include a lighting device that irradiates illumination light for forming a pattern image at at least one position; and a control device that controls a target direction to which the illumination light is irradiated based on at least one of a vehicle state and an ambient state of the vehicle.

[0009] The lighting device includes a light source unit that generates the illumination light; and an optical path adjustment unit that adjusts an optical path of the generated illumination light so that it travels in the target direction, and the optical path adjustment unit may include at least one reflective surface that reflects the illumination light so that the illumination light travels in the target direction.

[0010] The target direction can be determined based on a main axis of the light source unit, which is parallel to a traveling direction of the generated illumination light, according to a tilt angle of a main axis of the light path adjustment unit, which is parallel to a normal direction of the at least one reflecting surface.

[0011] The at least one reflecting surface may be repeatedly tilted in at least one direction based on a main axis of the optical path adjusting unit so that the pattern image has a set size, and the control device may control a light irradiation angle of the irradiation light by adjusting an angle at which the at least one reflecting surface tilts based on the main axis of the optical path adjusting unit.

[0012] The control device can adjust at least one of the amount of light and the light irradiation angle of the generated irradiation light according to a position where the traveling light is irradiated by the optical path adjustment unit.

[0013] The control device may adjust at least one of the amount of light of the generated irradiation light and the light irradiation angle according to a distance reached by the irradiation light emitted from the lighting device, so that pattern images formed at positions where the irradiation light reaches from the lighting device have uniform brightness and size.

[0014] The control device may be configured to decrease the light irradiation angle and increase the amount of light from the light source unit as the distance traveled by the light emitted from the lighting device increases.

[0015] The control device may include a sensing unit that senses at least one of the vehicle state and the vehicle's surrounding state; an input unit to which the sensing result of the sensing unit is input; and a processing unit that controls at least one of the target direction and attributes of the pattern image based on the input sensing result.

[0016] The attributes of the pattern image may include at least one of a size, brightness, and color of the pattern image.

[0017] The input unit may receive a driver's control command for at least one of the target direction and an attribute of the pattern image.

[0018] The vehicle state may include at least one of a vehicle speed, a gear ratio, a driving direction, and a door open state, and the vehicle surrounding state may include at least one of surrounding brightness, a road surface state, and a weather state.

[0019] The controller may cause the pattern image to be formed when the vehicle is stationary.

[0020] Other specific details of the present invention are included in the detailed description and the drawings. Effect of the Invention

[0021] The lighting system of the present invention as described above has one or more of the following advantages.

[0022] Since the configuration can be shared to form pattern images at different positions around the vehicle, the structure can be simplified.

[0023] In addition, the pattern images formed at different positions around the vehicle can have uniform size and brightness, which improves visibility.

[0024] The effects of the present invention are not limited to those mentioned above, and other effects not mentioned will be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the description of the claims. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0025] [Figure 1] 1 is a perspective view showing a lighting device according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 2] 1 is a perspective view showing a lighting device according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 3] 1 is a perspective view showing a lighting device according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] 1 is an exploded perspective view showing a lighting device according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 5] 1 is an exploded perspective view showing a lighting device according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 6] 1 is an exploded perspective view showing a lighting device according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 7] 1 is a schematic diagram showing a housing in which a lighting device according to an embodiment of the present invention is installed; [Figure 8] 1 is a schematic diagram showing a housing in which a lighting device according to an embodiment of the present invention is installed; [Figure 9] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view showing a light irradiation unit according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 10] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view showing a light irradiation unit according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 11] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view showing a light source unit according to the embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 12] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view showing a light source unit according to the embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 13] FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing a light path of a light combining unit according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 14] FIG. 2 is a side view showing a light source unit and an optical path adjustment unit according to the embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 15] 5 is a schematic diagram illustrating a position where a pattern image is formed according to a tilt angle between a main axis of a light source unit and a main axis of a light path adjustment unit according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 16] 5 is a schematic diagram showing a reflecting surface that tilts with respect to a principal axis of the optical path adjustment unit according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. [Figure 17] 5A and 5B are schematic diagrams illustrating pattern images formed according to an inclination of a reflecting surface with respect to a main axis of a light path adjusting unit according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 18] 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating an opening formed in a housing according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 19] 11 is a schematic diagram showing a passage hole of a cover whose position is changed within an opening of a housing by rotation of a light irradiation unit according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. [Figure 20] 11 is a schematic diagram showing a passage hole of a cover whose position is changed within an opening of a housing by rotation of a light irradiation unit according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. [Figure 21] 11 is a schematic diagram showing a passage hole of a cover whose position is changed within an opening of a housing by rotation of a light irradiation unit according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. [Figure 22] 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating a seal according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 23] 5 is a schematic diagram showing a position where a pattern image is formed by rotating a light irradiation unit according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 24] 5 is a schematic diagram showing a position where a pattern image is formed by rotating a light irradiation unit according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Diagram 25] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view showing a fixing member according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 26] FIG. 4 is a side view of a fixing member according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 27] FIG. 13 is a perspective view showing a fixing member according to another embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 28]FIG. 13 is a side view showing a fixing member according to another embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 29] FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a lighting system according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 30] 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating the distance light travels from a lighting device according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Diagram 31] 31 is a schematic diagram showing the tilt angle of the reflecting surface corresponding to the light reaching distance of FIG. 30. [Diagram 32] 5 is a schematic diagram showing the distance light travels from a lighting device according to another embodiment of the present invention; [Diagram 33] 33 is a schematic diagram showing the tilt angle of the reflecting surface corresponding to the light reaching distance of FIG. 32. BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THEINVENTION

[0026] The advantages and features of the present invention, as well as the methods for achieving them, will become clear from the following detailed description of the embodiments in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. However, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments disclosed below, and can be realized in various different forms. The present embodiments are provided merely to complete the disclosure of the present invention and to fully inform those skilled in the art of the present invention of the scope of the invention, and the present invention is defined only by the scope of the claims. The same reference numerals refer to the same elements throughout the specification.

[0027] Therefore, in some embodiments, well-known process steps, well-known structures and well-known techniques are not specifically described in order to avoid obscuring the present invention.

[0028] The terms used in the present specification are for the purpose of describing the embodiments and are not intended to limit the present invention. In the present specification, the singular form includes the plural form unless otherwise specified in the context. The terms "comprises" and "comprising" as used in the specification are used in a sense that does not exclude the presence or addition of one or more other components, steps, operations and / or elements other than the mentioned components, steps, operations and / or elements. And, "and / or" includes each and every combination of one or more of the mentioned items.

[0029] In addition, the embodiments described in this specification will be described with reference to cross-sectional views and / or schematic diagrams which are ideal exemplary views of the present invention. Therefore, the shapes of the exemplary views may be modified due to manufacturing techniques and / or tolerances. Therefore, the embodiments of the present invention are not limited to the specific shapes shown, but also include changes in shapes produced by the manufacturing process. In addition, in each drawing shown in the present invention, each component may be illustrated slightly enlarged or reduced for the convenience of explanation. The same reference numerals refer to the same components throughout the specification.

[0030] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings for explaining a lighting device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0031] 1 to 3 are perspective views showing a lighting device according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIGS. 4 to 6 are exploded perspective views showing a lighting device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0032] 1 to 6, a lighting device 1000 according to an embodiment of the present invention may include a light irradiation unit 1100 and a driving unit 1200. In the following drawings according to an embodiment of the present invention, an example will be described in which the X-axis indicates the left-right direction or vehicle width direction, the Y-axis indicates the front-rear direction, and the Z-axis indicates the up-down direction or vehicle height direction.

[0033] In an embodiment of the present invention, the lighting device 1000 can be used in various functions, such as a lighting function such as a headlamp that ensures the driver's field of vision when driving a vehicle at night, a signal function such as a position lamp, daytime running lamp, turn signal lamp, brake lamp, etc. that informs surrounding vehicles and pedestrians of the vehicle's driving status, and a function of forming a pattern image on the road surface around the vehicle that indicates various information that needs to be provided to drivers of surrounding vehicles and pedestrians. The lighting device 1000 of the present invention can be used in one of the above-mentioned functions or in combination of two or more functions.

[0034] In the following embodiment of the present invention, an example will be described in which the lighting device 1000 is used as a function to form a pattern image on the road surface around the vehicle. In the embodiment of the present invention, an example will be described in which the pattern image is used to inform surrounding vehicles and pedestrians of the vehicle state, or as a welcome or goodbye function in which the vehicle reacts when a passenger gets on or off the vehicle. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the pattern image can also be used to indicate various information that needs to be informed to surrounding vehicles and pedestrians, including passengers.

[0035] In addition, in the embodiment of the present invention, the lighting device 1000 is used to form a pattern image on the road surface around the vehicle, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the lighting device 1000 of the present invention can be similarly applied to cases where the lighting device 1000 is used as a lighting function or a signal function.

[0036] In the embodiment of the present invention, the lighting device 1000 is described as being mounted on a camera mirror that allows the driver to see the side or rear side of the vehicle as shown in Fig. 7 and Fig. 8, but this is merely an example to help the driver to understand the present invention and is not limited thereto. The lighting device 1000 may be mounted in various positions that allow the driver to easily check the pattern image formed by the lighting device 1000 of the present invention.

[0037] In this case, FIG. 8 shows an example in which a portion of the mirror housing 1400 of the camera mirror has been removed to allow viewing of the lighting device 1000 of the present invention.

[0038] The above-mentioned Figures 7 and 8 have been described as an example in which an image of the surroundings of the vehicle captured by a camera mounted on a camera mirror is displayed on a display device mounted inside the vehicle to ensure the driver's field of vision. However, this is not limited to this, and the present invention can be similarly applied to a case in which a mirror is installed instead of a camera to ensure the driver's field of vision.

[0039] The mirror housing 1400 may include a mounting frame 1410 for mounting the lighting device 1000 of the present invention, which may be manufactured integrally with the mirror housing 1400 or may be manufactured separately and then coupled thereto.

[0040] The light emitting unit 1100 can emit light for forming a pattern image suitable for the application of the lighting device 1000 of the present invention.

[0041] 9 and 10 are exploded perspective views showing a light irradiation unit according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0042] 9 and 10, the light irradiation unit 1100 according to an embodiment of the present invention may include a light source unit 1110 and a light path adjustment unit 1120, the light source unit 1110 and the light path adjustment unit 1120 may be positioned to be housed within a case 1130, the case 1130 may include a first sub-case 1131 and a second sub-case 1132 that are separably connected to each other so as to house the light source unit 1110 and the light path adjustment unit 1120 therein, and the first sub-case 1131 and the second sub-case 1132 may be connected to each other by various methods such as screw connection, hook connection, adhesive, etc.

[0043] In an embodiment of the present invention, an example is described in which case 1130 includes two sub-cases 1131, 1132, but this is not limited to this, and case 1130 may include a single sub-case or may include three or more sub-cases due to layout or design reasons, etc.

[0044] 11 and 12 are exploded perspective views showing a light source unit according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0045] 11 and 12, the light source unit 1110 according to an embodiment of the present invention may include multiple light sources 1111a, 1111b, 1111c, 1111d, and 1111e and a light combining unit 1112, and light can be generated from at least one of the multiple light sources 1111a, 1111b, 1111c, 1111d, and 1111e depending on pattern image attributes including hue, brightness, size, etc. of the pattern image formed by the lighting device 1000 of the present invention.

[0046] In an embodiment of the present invention, an example is described in which at least two of the multiple light sources 1111a, 1111b, 1111c, 1111d, and 1111e generate light of different hues. This is to enable the pattern image formed by the lighting device 1000 of the present invention to have more diverse hues by combining the light generated from the multiple light sources 1111a, 1111b, 1111c, 1111d, and 1111e, but is not limited to this, and the number of light sources included in the light source unit 1110 and the hue of the light can be changed depending on the attributes of the pattern image formed by the lighting device 1000 of the present invention.

[0047] In addition, light generated from the multiple light sources 1111a, 1111b, 1111c, 1111d, and 1111e is concentrated by multiple focusing lenses 1111a', 1111b', 1111c', 1111d', and 1111e' corresponding to the multiple light sources 1111a, 1111b, 1111c, 1111d, and 1111e, respectively, thereby improving light efficiency.

[0048] The multiple light sources 1111a, 1111b, 1111c, 1111d, and 1111e may be attached and fixed to the heat dissipation unit 1113 together with the multiple focusing lenses 1111a', 1111b', 1111c', 1111d', and 1111e'. This is to not only fix the positions of the multiple light sources 1111a, 1111b, 1111c, 1111d, and 1111e, but also to quickly dissipate heat so as to prevent a deterioration in light-emitting performance due to heat generated when light is generated from the multiple light sources 1111a, 1111b, 1111c, 1111d, and 1111e.

[0049] The heat dissipation portion 1113 may include a plurality of guide holes 1113a, 1113b, 1113c, 1113d, and 1113e that guide light generated from each of the plurality of light sources 1111a, 1111b, 1111c, 1111d, and 1111e, and the plurality of guide holes 1113a, 1113b, 1113c, 1113d, and 1113e can prevent optical interference from occurring between light generated from different light sources among the plurality of light sources 1111a, 1111b, 1111c, 1111d, and 1111e.

[0050] In addition, the multiple light sources 1111a, 1111b, 1111c, 1111d, and 1111e may be arranged in a row extending in a first direction and arranged in a second direction. This is intended to ensure installation space when the lighting device 1000 of the present invention is installed in a relatively narrow space such as the mirror housing 1400. In this case, since relatively more light sources are used than when the multiple light sources 1111a, 1111b, 1111c, 1111d, and 1111e are arranged in a row, a more diverse range of light amounts and colors can be achieved.

[0051] In an embodiment of the present invention, five light sources 1111a, 1111b, 1111c, 1111d, and 1111e are used as the multiple light sources 1111a, 1111b, 1111c, 1111d, and 1111e, of which three light sources 1111a, 1111b, and 1111c form a first row in a first direction, and the remaining two light sources 1111d and 1111e form a second row in the first direction, and the first and second rows are arranged in a second direction, and the light sources (1111a, 1111d), (1111b, 1111e) arranged in a row along the second direction emit light of the same hue.

[0052] The light combining unit 1112 can play a role of combining light generated from a plurality of light sources 1111a, 1111b, 1111c, 1111d, and 1111e to generate illumination light to be emitted from the lighting device 1000 of the present invention.

[0053] FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram showing the light paths of a light combining unit according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0054] Referring to FIG. 13, the light combining unit 1112 according to an embodiment of the present invention may include a first combining unit 1115 and a second combining unit 1116, where the first combining unit 1115 combines light from the light sources 1111a, 1111b, and 1111c included in the first row to generate a first combined light L1 and combines light from the light sources 1111d and 1111e included in the second row to generate a second combined light L2, and the second combining unit 1116 combines the first combined light L1 and the second combined light L2 to generate a third combined light L3, where the third combined light L3 may be understood as the illumination light emitted from the lighting device 1000 of the present invention, and hereinafter, in the embodiment of the present invention, the third combined light L3 will be referred to as the illumination light.

[0055] The first combining unit 1115 may include a plurality of reflective surfaces 1115a, 1115b, 1115c that transmit light of some wavelengths and reflect light of other wavelengths, and the second combining unit 1116 may also include a plurality of reflective surfaces 1116a, 1116b that transmit light of some wavelengths and transmit light of other wavelengths, similar to the first combining unit 1115, thereby making it possible to combine light generated from multiple light sources 1111a, 1111b, 1111c, 1111d, 1111e even when the multiple light sources 1111a, 1111b, 1111c, 1111d, 1111e are arranged in multiple rows.

[0056] In this case, in an embodiment of the present invention, light sources of the same hue among the first row of light sources 1111a, 1111b, 1111c and the second row of light sources 1111d, 1111e are arranged in a row in the second direction, so that they are reflected by the same one of the multiple reflecting surfaces 1115a, 1115b, 1115c of the first combining unit 1115.This makes it possible to share the light combining unit 1112 even when the multiple light sources 1111a, 1111b, 1111c, 1111d, 1111e are arranged to form multiple rows.

[0057] In addition, the light combining unit 1112 can be housed so that its position is fixed in the space formed by the heat dissipation unit 1113 and a fixed cover 1114 connected to the heat dissipation unit 1113, and the fixed cover 1114 can have an opening hole 1114a formed on one side so that the irradiation light generated by the light combining unit 1112 can proceed to the light path adjustment unit 1120.

[0058] In this embodiment of the present invention, the opening hole 1114a is formed so as to intersect with the direction of travel of the irradiated light, and therefore, an example is described in which a reflecting mirror 1117 is used to reflect the irradiated light so that it travels toward the opening hole 1114a. However, this is not limited to this, and the reflecting mirror 1117 can be omitted if the opening hole 1114a is positioned in the direction of travel of the irradiated light.

[0059] The light path adjusting unit 1120 is positioned closer to the vehicle body than the light source unit 1110 in the horizontal direction and can adjust the light path so that the light emitted from the light source unit 1110 advances in a target direction.

[0060] FIG. 14 is a side view showing a light source unit and an optical path adjustment unit according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0061] Referring to FIG. 14, the light path adjusting unit 1120 according to the embodiment of the present invention can adjust the light path so that the illumination light generated from the light source unit 1110 travels in a target direction.

[0062] In an embodiment of the present invention, the light path adjustment unit 1120 may include at least one reflective surface 1121 that reflects the irradiated light, and the light reflected by the at least one reflective surface 1121 is irradiated onto the road surface around the vehicle to form a pattern image suitable for use of the lighting device 1000 of the present invention.

[0063] The target direction is determined by the tilt angle (θ) between the principal axis Ax1 of the light source unit 1110 and the principal axis Ax2 of the optical path adjustment unit 1120, where the principal axis Ax1 of the light source unit 1110 can be understood as an axis parallel to the propagation direction of the generated illumination light, and the principal axis Ax2 of the optical path adjustment unit 1120 can be understood as an axis parallel to the normal direction of at least one reflecting surface 1121.

[0064] Hereinafter, in the embodiment of the present invention, the main axis Ax1 of the light source unit 1110 is referred to as the "first main axis," and the main axis Ax2 of the light path adjustment unit 1120 is referred to as the "second main axis."

[0065] The optical path adjustment unit 1120 may include an actuator (not shown) for adjusting the tilt angle (θ) of the second principal axis Ax2 with respect to the first principal axis Ax1.

[0066] In the embodiment of the present invention, an example is described in which the light path adjustment unit 1120 is positioned closer to the vehicle in the horizontal direction than the light source unit 1110. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 15, the distance d2 between the pattern image P formed when the angle between the first main axis Ax1 and the second main axis Ax2 is θ2, which is smaller than θ1, is larger than the distance d1 between the pattern image P formed when the angle between the first main axis Ax1 and the second main axis Ax2 is θ1 and the vehicle.

[0067] In this case, for convenience of explanation, FIG. 15 shows an example in which at least one reflecting surface 1121 is shown as the optical path adjustment unit 1120. In FIG.

[0068] In this way, when the tilt angle (θ) of the second main axis Ax2 can be adjusted with respect to the first main axis Ax1, it is possible to prevent the light emitted from the lighting device 1000 of the present invention from being interfered with by the vehicle body.

[0069] In the embodiment of the present invention, the optical path adjustment unit 1120 is described as including a single reflective surface 1121, but is not limited thereto. The optical path adjustment unit 1120 may include multiple reflective surfaces whose tilt angles can be adjusted individually. In this case, multiple pattern images may be simultaneously formed at different positions around the vehicle by the light reflected by each of the multiple reflective surfaces.

[0070] In addition, a display panel such as a liquid crystal panel may be located on the path of the irradiation light generated from the light source unit 1110. In this case, the light transmittance of each pixel of the display panel may be adjusted so that the pattern image formed by the lighting device 1000 of the present invention has more diverse shapes.

[0071] In this case, the display panel being located on the path of the irradiation light generated from the light source unit 1110 may include not only the case where the display panel is located between the light source unit 1110 and the optical path adjustment unit 1120 along the path of the irradiation light, but also the case where the display panel is located on the path of the irradiation light that is reflected by the optical path adjustment unit 1120 and travels.

[0072] In the above embodiment, an example has been described in which the display panel is located in front of or behind the optical path adjustment unit 1120, but this is not limited thereto, and the display panel can also replace at least one reflective surface 1121, in which case the irradiation light generated from the light source unit 1110 can directly pass through the display panel to form a pattern image, and the position of the light source unit 1110 can also be changed so that the irradiation light from the light source unit 1110 is directly irradiated onto the display panel.

[0073] In addition, at least one reflective surface 1121 can be repeatedly rotated around the rotation axis C so as to repeatedly tilt at a predetermined angle in at least one direction based on the second principal axis Ax2 as shown in FIG. 16, so that the pattern image formed by the lighting device 1000 of the present invention has an appropriate size. FIG. 16 is an example of a case where at least one reflective surface 1121 tilts at the same angle (+α, -α) in the forward / backward direction based on the second principal axis Ax2, and ``+'' and ``-'' indicate the direction of tilt based on the second principal axis Ax2, and +α and -α can be understood to mean tilting at the same angle in opposite directions based on the second principal axis Ax2.

[0074] In other words, as shown in FIG. 17, when at least one reflecting surface 1121 is fixed without tilting based on the second principal axis Ax2, compared to the size S1 of the pattern image formed, when at least one reflecting surface 1121 is tilted quickly and alternately in the forward and backward directions based on the second principal axis Ax2, the pattern images formed according to the tilt angles of the at least one reflecting surface 1121 are synthesized, and a pattern image of size S2 larger than the pattern image formed when the at least one reflecting surface 1121 is not tilted can be formed.

[0075] The above-mentioned case 1130 may include a plurality of connection holes 1130a, 1130b for connecting wires to supply operating power to the light source unit 1110 and the optical path adjustment unit 1120 and control their operation, and may include a transmission hole 1130c for allowing the irradiation light whose optical path is adjusted by the optical path adjustment unit 1120 to pass through.

[0076] In addition, the case 1130 may be coupled to a cover 1140 having a through hole 1141 formed therein corresponding to the through hole 1130c, and the cover 1140 may be coupled to the case 1130 by screw coupling, hook coupling, adhesive, etc., and may rotate integrally with the case 1130.

[0077] In this case, the cover 1140 rotates integrally with the case 1130, which may include not only the case where the cover 1140 and the case 1130 are manufactured integrally, but also the case where the cover 1140 and the case 1130 are manufactured separately and connected so that there is no relative movement between them.

[0078] As shown in FIG. 18, the mirror housing 1400 may have an opening 1420 formed therein so that the irradiation light traveling through the transmission hole 1130c and the passage hole 1141 advances in a target direction, and the cover 1140 may have a shielding surface 1142 formed around the passage hole 1141 to shield at least a portion of the opening 1420.

[0079] That is, as the light irradiation unit 1100 rotates by the driving unit 1200 described later, the cover 1140 rotates together with the light irradiation unit 1100 as shown in Figures 19 and 20, changing the position of the through hole 1141, so that the direction of travel of the irradiated light can be changed, and the remaining area of ​​the opening 1420 excluding the through hole 1141 is shielded by the shielding surface 1142, thereby preventing foreign matter from entering from the outside.

[0080] In addition, when a pattern image is not formed by the lighting device 1000 of the present invention, as shown in FIG. 21, the passage hole 1141 rotates so as not to be exposed through the opening 1420, and at the same time, the opening 1420 is covered by the shielding surface 1142 of the cover 1140, thereby preventing foreign matter from entering the inside of the mirror housing 1400 from the outside.

[0081] 22, the mirror housing 1400 may have a seal 1430 formed around the opening 1420 to seal the space between the opening 1420 and the cover 1140, and in the embodiment of the present invention, the seal 1430 is formed to protrude from the periphery of the opening 1420 toward the edge of the cover 1140, but this is merely an example to help understand the present invention and is not limited thereto. The seal 1430 is formed to protrude from at least one of the opening 1420 and the cover 1140 toward each other, and may be made of various structures and materials to seal the space between the opening 1420 and the edge of the cover 1140.

[0082] Referring again to Figures 1 to 6, the driver 1200 can rotate the light emitting unit 1100 to adjust the position where the pattern image is formed. The light emitting unit 1100 is coupled to a rotating rod 1210 of the driver 1200, so that when the driver 1200 is driven, the light emitting unit 1100 can rotate around the rotating rod 1210. In this case, as shown in Figures 19 to 21 above, the light emitting unit 1100 rotates together with the cover 1140, changing the direction of the irradiated light.

[0083] The case 1130 may have a connecting shaft 1133 at one end in the direction of the rotation axis of the rotating rod 1210 into which the rotating rod 1210 is inserted and connected, and a rotating shaft 1134 at the other end which is rotatably positioned in the mirror housing 1400. The connecting shaft 1133 may have a connecting groove 1133a into which the rotating rod 1210 of the driver 1200 is inserted and connected.

[0084] In this case, the coupling groove 1133a may be formed aspherically to correspond to the cross-sectional shape of the rotating rod 1210, in order to prevent relative movement of the rotating rod 1210 within the coupling groove 1133a and ensure that the driving force of the driver 1200 is transmitted correctly.

[0085] In the embodiment of the present invention, an example is described in which the rotating rod 1210 rotates around an axis parallel to the vehicle width direction. As a result, when the light irradiation unit 1100 rotates by the driving unit 1200, the position where the pattern image is formed in the front-rear direction can be changed as shown in Figures 23 and 24.

[0086] When the light irradiation unit 1100 is rotated by the driving unit 1200, if at least one of the connecting shaft 1133 and the rotating shaft 1134 moves out of its fixed position, the pattern image may not be formed in its fixed position, so it is necessary to ensure that at least one of the connecting shaft 1133 and the rotating shaft 1134 maintains its fixed position.

[0087] FIG. 25 is an exploded perspective view showing a fixing member according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 26 is a side view showing a fixing member according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0088] 25 and 26, the mounting frame 1410 and fixing members 1441, 1442 according to an embodiment of the present invention form a closed curve such that different portions are surrounded by the connecting shaft 1133 and the rotating shaft 1134, respectively, thereby enabling the connecting shaft 1133 and the rotating shaft 1134 to maintain fixed positions.

[0089] In this case, at least one of the mounting frame 1410 and the fixing members 1441, 1442 may have locking jaws 1411, 1441a formed thereon, and at least one of the connecting shaft 1133 and the rotating shaft 1134 may have a locking protrusion 1134a formed thereon, which can be understood to be for the purpose of initially setting the position of the light irradiation unit 1100.

[0090] For example, during the initial operation of the lighting device 1000 of the present invention, the driving unit 1200 can rotate the light irradiation unit 1100 until the locking protrusion 1134a of the rotating shaft 1134 catches on one of the locking jaws 1411, 1441a of the mounting frame 1410 and the fixed member 1441, and the light irradiation unit 1100 can be rotated based on the position where the locking protrusion 1134a of the rotating shaft 1134 catches on one of the locking jaws 1411, 1441a of the mounting frame 1410 and the fixed member 1441, thereby adjusting the position where the pattern image is formed.

[0091] In this case, although Figure 26 illustrates an example of the rotating shaft 1134 and a fixing member 1441 for maintaining the rotating shaft 1134 in a fixed position, the connecting shaft 1133 and a fixing member 1442 for maintaining the connecting shaft 1133 in a fixed position can also be applied in the same manner.

[0092] In addition, the connecting shaft 1133 and the rotating shaft 1134 are provided with bushing members 1133b, 1134b made of a POM material such as polyacetal or polyoxymethylene, which has excellent mechanical strength, abrasion resistance, and oil resistance, while enabling smooth rotation and ensuring durability.

[0093] FIG. 27 is a perspective view showing a fixing member according to another embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 28 is a side view showing a fixing member according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[0094] 27 and 28, a fixing member 1443 according to another embodiment of the present invention is fixed to the mounting frame 1410 at one end and positioned to apply pressure to the rotating shaft 1134 at the other end.

[0095] In another embodiment of the present invention, the fixing member 1443 is described as being composed of an elastic member such as a leaf spring that elastically deforms when an external force is applied and returns to its original shape when the external force is removed.

[0096] In this case, in another embodiment of the present invention, a protrusion 1443a is formed on the other end of the fixing member 1443 so as to protrude toward the rotating shaft 1134, and the protrusion 1443a is positioned so as to be inserted into one of a plurality of insertion grooves 1134c formed on the rotating shaft 1134 along the rotation direction of the rotating shaft 1134, thereby serving to guide the light irradiation unit 1100 to rotate at a set angle when the light irradiation unit 1100 rotates.

[0097] FIG. 29 is a block diagram illustrating a lighting system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0098] Referring to FIG. 29, a lighting system 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention may include a lighting device 1000 and a control device 2000. In the lighting system 1 of the present invention, the lighting device 1000 is the lighting device of the above-described embodiment, and components performing the same functions are given the same reference symbols, and detailed descriptions thereof will be omitted.

[0099] The control device 2000 may include a sensing section 2100 , an input section 2200 and a processing section 2300 .

[0100] The sensing unit 2100 may include at least one sensor that senses at least one of a vehicle state and an ambient state of the vehicle.

[0101] In this case, the vehicle state may include the vehicle speed, gear, driving direction, door open, etc., and the vehicle surrounding state may include the road surface state, weather condition, surrounding brightness, etc.

[0102] In addition, the sensing unit 2100 can serve to sense the position where a pattern image was previously formed by the lighting device 1000 and the attributes of the pattern image, etc., so that a pattern image with the same attributes can be formed even if the position where the pattern image is formed is changed. For example, it can be understood that this is so that a pattern image with the same brightness and size can be formed even if the position where the pattern image is formed is changed.

[0103] The input unit 2200 receives inputs such as the sensing results of the sensing unit 2100 and the driver's control commands, and the processing unit 2300 generates a control signal for forming a corresponding road surface image according to the information input to the input unit 2200, and can output the generated control signal to the lighting device 1000.

[0104] In this case, the driver's control command may include the formation position of the pattern image selected by the driver, attributes of the pattern image, and the like.

[0105] The processing unit 2300 forms a pattern image having set attributes at a set position according to the information input to the input unit 2200 .

[0106] For example, when the vehicle stops or the vehicle speed is lower than the reference speed and the door is opened, the processing unit 2300 outputs a control signal to form a pattern image near the rear side of the vehicle at at least one position on the road surface around the vehicle so that surrounding vehicles and pedestrians can recognize the passenger's disembarkation in advance and respond to it, and when a passenger tries to board the vehicle, a pattern image for a welcome function is formed near the side of the vehicle, which looks like the vehicle is welcoming the passenger.

[0107] In addition, when the surrounding brightness increases or the weather conditions are bad, the processing unit 2300 increases the relative light amount of the light source unit 1110 so that visibility does not decrease.

[0108] The pattern image formed by the lighting system 1 of the present invention is not limited to the above-mentioned examples, and pattern images showing various information that needs to be recognized by surrounding vehicles and pedestrians, including passengers, can be formed, and the position and attributes of the pattern image formed based on at least one of the vehicle state and the vehicle's surrounding state can be changed in various ways.

[0109] In addition, the processing unit 2300 can adjust the angle at which at least one reflective surface 1121 repeatedly tilts in at least one direction based on the second principal axis Ax2 depending on the position of the light irradiation unit 1100, thereby making the light irradiation angles of the lighting device 1000 different from one another, so that the pattern images formed at different positions can have the same size.

[0110] In other words, when at least one reflective surface 1121 is repeatedly tilted in at least one direction based on the second principal axis Ax2 at the same angle, the degree to which the light is diffused varies depending on the distance the light reaches from the lighting device 1 of the present invention, and therefore pattern images of different sizes can be formed. If the size or attributes of the pattern image are changed, nearby vehicles or pedestrians may mistakenly identify the vehicle forming the pattern image.

[0111] Therefore, in an embodiment of the present invention, as the distance that light travels from the lighting device 1000 of the present invention becomes longer, the angle at which at least one reflective surface 1121 repeatedly tilts in at least one direction based on the second principal axis Ax2 is reduced, thereby enabling a pattern image of uniform size to be formed even if the position at which the pattern image is formed changes, thereby improving visibility.

[0112] For example, as shown in Figures 30 to 33, when light is irradiated perpendicularly from the lighting device 1000 to the road surface, the distance at which the light reaches the road surface from the lighting device 1000 is g1, and at least one reflective surface 1121 is repeatedly tilted at angles of +α1 and -α1 based on the second principal axis Ax2 so that a pattern image of a set attribute is formed. When the distance at which the light reaches increases to g2 compared to g1 due to the rotation of the light irradiation unit 1100, at least one reflective surface 1121 is tilted at angles of +α2 and -α2, which are smaller than +α1 and -α1, based on the second principal axis Ax2 so that a pattern image of a set attribute is formed. In this way, even if the distance at which the light reaches the road surface from the lighting device 1000 is changed, a pattern image of the same attribute is formed.

[0113] In this case, FIGS. 30 to 33 show an example in which at least one reflecting surface 1121 tilts in the front-rear direction with the second principal axis Ax2 as the reference.

[0114] When at least one reflecting surface 1121 tilts at an angle of +α1 or -α1 based on the second principal axis Ax2, the light irradiation angle of the lighting device 1000 can be understood to be 2*α1, and when at least one reflecting surface 1121 tilts at an angle of +α2 or -α2 based on the second principal axis Ax2, the light irradiation angle of the lighting device 1000 can be understood to be 2*α2.

[0115] In addition, when the distance that the light reaches from the lighting device 1000 to the road surface increases from g1 to g2, the light is diffused and the brightness of the pattern image becomes relatively low, so the intensity of the current applied to the light source unit 1110 can be increased to increase the amount of light.

[0116] In other words, the lighting system 1 in an embodiment of the present invention can adjust the light intensity of the light source unit 1110 and the tilt angle of at least one reflecting surface 1121 depending on the position where light is irradiated from the lighting device 1000 to the road surface around the vehicle, so that a pattern image having uniform attributes can be formed even if the position where the pattern image is formed is changed.

[0117] In addition, the lighting system 1 in the embodiment of the present invention is described taking as an example a case where at least one reflective surface 1121 tilts alternately and repeatedly at the same angle in both directions based on the second principal axis Ax2, but is not limited to this, and at least one reflective surface 1121 can tilt repeatedly in one direction based on the second principal axis Ax2, can tilt in both directions, or can tilt at different angles.

[0118] For example, even if at least one reflective surface 1121 tilts at the same angle in both directions about the second principal axis Ax2, when the vehicle travels on a slope, it may have different light irradiation ranges on both sides based on the second principal axis Ax2, so that at least one reflective surface 1121 may be repeatedly tilted at different angles in both directions based on the second principal axis Ax2.

[0119] Those skilled in the art will understand that the present invention can be embodied in other specific forms without changing the technical idea or essential features of the present invention. Therefore, the above embodiment is illustrative in all respects and should not be construed as limiting. The scope of the present invention is indicated by the claims below, not by the above detailed description, and all modifications or variations derived from the meaning and scope of the claims and their equivalent concepts should be interpreted as being included in the scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. an illumination device for irradiating at least one position with illumination light for forming a pattern image; and A lighting system including a controller that controls a target direction to which the illumination light is projected based on at least one of a vehicle condition and an ambient condition of the vehicle.

2. The lighting device includes: A light source unit that generates the irradiation light; and a light path adjustment unit that adjusts a light path so that the generated illumination light travels in the target direction; The optical path adjustment unit is 10. The illumination system of claim 1, comprising at least one reflective surface configured to reflect the generated illumination light such that the illumination light travels in the target direction.

3. The target direction is:

3. The lighting system according to claim 2, wherein the tilt angle is determined based on a main axis of the light source unit, the main axis being parallel to a traveling direction of the generated illumination light, and the tilt angle is determined according to a tilt angle of a main axis of the light path adjustment unit, the main axis being parallel to a normal direction of the at least one reflecting surface.

4. The at least one reflective surface is The pattern image has a set size by repeatedly tilting in at least one direction based on a main axis of the optical path adjusting unit; The control device includes: The lighting system according to claim 3 , wherein a light irradiation angle of the irradiation light is controlled by adjusting an angle at which the at least one reflecting surface is tilted with respect to a main axis of the light path adjustment unit.

5. The control device includes: The lighting system according to claim 4 , wherein the light path adjustment unit adjusts at least one of the amount of the generated illumination light and the light illumination angle in accordance with a position where the traveling light is illuminated.

6. The control device includes:

5. The lighting system of claim 4, wherein at least one of an amount of the generated illumination light and the light illumination angle is adjusted according to a distance reached by the illumination light emitted from the illumination device, so that pattern images formed at positions where the illumination light reaches from the illumination device have uniform brightness and size.

7. The control device includes: The lighting system according to claim 4 , wherein the light irradiation angle is decreased and the amount of light from the light source unit is increased as the distance traveled by the light emitted from the lighting device increases.

8. The control device includes: a sensing unit that senses at least one of the vehicle state and an ambient state of the vehicle; an input unit to which the sensing result of the sensing unit is input; and The lighting system of claim 1 , further comprising a processor for controlling at least one of the target direction and attributes of the pattern image based on the input sensing result.

9. The attributes of the pattern image are: The lighting system of claim 8 , comprising at least one of a size, brightness, and hue of the pattern image.

10. The input unit includes:

10. The lighting system of claim 8, further comprising: an input of a driver's control command for at least one of the target direction and the attribute of the pattern image.

11. The vehicle state is At least one of vehicle speed, gear ratio, driving direction, and door opening, The surrounding conditions of the vehicle include:

10. The lighting system of claim 1, comprising at least one of ambient lighting, road conditions, and weather conditions.

12. The control device includes:

2. The lighting system of claim 1, wherein the pattern image is formed when the vehicle is stationary.

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