Optical device and vehicle equipped therewith

Abstract

The present invention provides an optical device for a vehicle's lamp structure that realizes a three-dimensional light-emitting image by using a light guide layer that includes a curved reflective surface that causes total internal reflection of LED light, and a vehicle equipped therewith. [Solution] An optical device 100 includes a printed circuit board 110; LEDs 120 mounted on the printed circuit board 110; an optical guide layer 130 in which the LEDs 120 are embedded and which includes a reflective surface 131 and an emission surface 132; and a reflective pattern layer 140 formed on the reflective surface 131 of the optical guide layer 130, wherein the reflective surface 131 of the optical guide layer 130 has a curved shape so that the light from the LEDs 120 is totally reflected internally by the reflective pattern layer 140 and emitted from the emission surface 132. In a vehicle lamp structure, an optical device 100 can realize a three-dimensional light-emitting image by an optical guide layer 130 which includes a curved reflective surface 131 that causes the LED light to totally reflect internally.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an optical device that realizes a three-dimensional light emission image by a light guide layer including a reflecting surface with a curved surface shape that internally reflects LED light in a lamp structure of a vehicle, and a vehicle including the same.

Background Art

[0002] Generally, a vehicle is equipped with various lamps that irradiate light forward according to the external environment and time, ensuring the driver's field of vision and informing other vehicles of the driving route.

[0003] These lamps are classified according to their usage purposes. In addition to headlamps for illuminating the front, there are direction indicator lamps for ensuring the driver's field of vision and informing the position of the vehicle, fog lamps for ensuring the driver's field of vision and informing the position of the vehicle together with the headlamps in fog or rainy weather, reverse lamps that light up when the vehicle is reversing, brake lamps that light up when the driver drives the brake, and so on.

[0004] Conventionally, halogen bulbs have been mainly used for vehicle lamps. When using a halogen lamp as a light source, there is a reflector that reflects the light irradiated from the halogen lamp, and the reflected light is irradiated forward. However, while halogen lamps have the advantage of being inexpensive, they have the disadvantages of intense heat generation during use, low brightness relative to power consumption, and short lifespan.

[0005] To solve such problems, vehicle lamps using LEDs (Light Emitting Diodes) have emerged. LED lamps have the advantages of high brightness, long lifespan, and being able to be driven with low power.

[0006] As mentioned above, LEDs are used to emit light in order to realize the diverse functions of vehicle lamps, but generally, various forms of light emission images are formed by arranging three-dimensional structures such as light guides or numerous reflectors to reflect the light.

[0007] However, continuous vehicle operation can cause discoloration and deformation of the light guides, which can pose maintenance problems. Furthermore, when multiple reflectors are used, the interfaces between the reflectors can create a sense of interruption in the light emission, resulting in issues with clarity.

[0008] Therefore, there is a need for a means to more efficiently realize various forms of luminescence images while solving the aforementioned problems. [Overview of the project] [Problems that the invention aims to solve]

[0009] The present invention provides an optical device and a vehicle equipped therewith, and more specifically, aims to provide an optical device and a vehicle equipped therewith that realize a three-dimensional light-emitting image in the lamp structure of a vehicle by an optical guide layer including a curved reflective surface that causes total internal reflection of LED light.

[0010] Furthermore, the objective is to provide an optical device and a vehicle equipped therewith that can realize a three-dimensional luminous image without interruption using a curved reflective surface.

[0011] Furthermore, the objective is to provide an optical device and a vehicle equipped therewith that can ensure uniformity of light emitted from an emission surface by forming an optical path with a reflective pattern layer formed on a curved reflective surface.

[0012] The problems that this invention aims to solve are not limited to the technical problems mentioned above, and other technical problems not mentioned can also be clearly understood by a person with ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs from the following description. [Means for solving the problem]

[0013] The present invention provides an optical device comprising: a printed circuit board; LEDs mounted on the printed circuit board; an optical guide layer in which the LEDs are embedded and which includes a reflective surface and an emitting surface; and a reflective pattern layer formed on the reflective surface of the optical guide layer, wherein the reflective surface of the optical guide layer has a curved shape such that the light from the LEDs is totally reflected internally by the reflective pattern layer and emitted from the emitting surface.

[0014] The reflective pattern layer may include a plurality of facets arranged in a grid pattern.

[0015] The reflective surface of the optical guide layer can be formed with a constant curvature.

[0016] The reflective surface of the optical guide layer can be formed such that the curvature of one side adjacent to the printed circuit board is different from the curvature of the other side adjacent to the emission surface.

[0017] The reflective pattern layer can be formed in a shape that corresponds to the curved shape of the reflective surface of the optical guide layer.

[0018] The light guide layer may include a first optical resin that diffuses the light from the LED.

[0019] The exit surface of the optical guide layer may include a second optical resin that reflects or shields a portion of the light that has been totally reflected internally.

[0020] The exit surface of the optical guide layer may have a convex curved shape so that the light that has been totally reflected internally is refracted and exited.

[0021] The optical guide layer may include an optical lens positioned alongside the light-emitting surface of the optical guide layer, which uses the light emitted from the light-emitting surface to form a three-dimensional light-emitting image.

[0022] A vehicle includes a vehicle body, a lamp structure located at least on one of the front surface or the rear surface of the vehicle body, and an optical device embedded in the lamp structure. The optical device includes a printed circuit board, an LED mounted on the printed circuit board, an optical guide layer embedding the LED and including a reflecting surface and an emitting surface, and a reflection pattern layer formed on the reflecting surface of the optical guide layer. The reflecting surface of the optical guide layer includes a curved surface shape such that the light of the LED is totally internally reflected by the reflection pattern layer and emitted from the emitting surface.

Advantages of the Invention

[0023] In the lamp structure of a vehicle, the optical device and the vehicle provided with the same according to the present invention can realize a three-dimensional light emission image by means of an optical guide layer including a reflecting surface with a curved surface shape for totally internally reflecting LED light.

[0024] Moreover, a three-dimensional light emission image can be realized without interruption by the reflecting surface with a curved surface shape.

[0025] Furthermore, an optical path can be formed by the reflection pattern layer formed on the reflecting surface with a curved surface shape, and the uniformity of the light emitted from the emitting surface can be ensured.

[0026] The effects obtained by the present invention are not limited to the effects mentioned above, and other effects not mentioned will also be clearly understood by those with ordinary knowledge in the technical field to which the present invention belongs from the following description.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0027] [Figure 1] An optical device according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown. [Figure 2] In the optical device according to an embodiment of the present invention, a plurality of facets formed on the reflection pattern layer are shown. [Figure 3] Another embodiment of the optical guide layer in the optical device of the present invention is shown. <00The shape of the emission surface of the optical guide layer in an optical device according to one embodiment of the present invention is shown. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0028] The embodiments disclosed herein will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings, but regardless of the reference numerals used in the drawings, identical or similar components will be given the same reference numerals and redundant descriptions will be omitted. The suffixes “module” and “part” used for components in the following description are added or used interchangeably solely for the ease of writing this specification and do not have any distinguishing meaning or role in themselves. Furthermore, in describing the embodiments disclosed herein, if it is determined that a specific description of the relevant prior art may obscure the gist of the embodiments disclosed herein, the detailed description will be omitted. In addition, the accompanying drawings are provided to facilitate an understanding of the embodiments disclosed herein and should be understood that the technical ideas disclosed herein are not limited by the accompanying drawings and include all modifications, equivalents or substitutes that fall within the concept and technical scope of the present invention.

[0029] Terms such as "First," "Second," etc., are used to describe the various components of the embodiment. However, the interpretation of these components should not be limited by these terms. Such terms are merely used to distinguish one component from another.

[0030] When it is mentioned that one component is “linked” or “connected” to another component, it should be understood that this means it is directly linked or connected to that other component, but also includes cases where another component is interposed between them. On the other hand, when it is mentioned that one component is “directly linked” or “directly connected” to another component, it should be understood that there is no other component interposed between them.

[0031] A singular expression includes plural forms unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

[0032] Furthermore, in this specification, terms such as “includes” or “having” merely specify the presence of features, figures, stages, operations, components, parts, or combinations thereof as described in the specification, and should be understood not to preemptively exclude the possibility of the presence or addition of one or more other features, figures, stages, operations, components, parts, or combinations thereof.

[0033] Figure 1 shows an optical device 100 according to one embodiment of the present invention. Figure 2 shows a plurality of facets 141 formed on the reflection pattern layer 140 in the optical device 100 according to one embodiment of the present invention. Figure 3 shows another embodiment of the optical guide layer 130 in the optical device 100 according to the present invention. And Figure 4 shows the shape of the emission surface 132 of the optical guide layer 130 in the optical device 100 according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0034] As shown in Figure 1, an optical device 100 according to one embodiment of the present invention may include a printed circuit board 110, an LED 120, an optical guide layer 130 including a reflective surface 131 and an emission surface 132, and a reflective pattern layer 140. It may also include an emission lens 150 arranged alongside the emission surface 132 of the optical guide layer 130 to form a three-dimensional light-emitting image. Furthermore, an optical device 100 according to one embodiment of the present invention may be embedded in a lamp structure located on at least one of the front or rear surfaces of a vehicle body.

[0035] More specifically, the LED 120 is mounted on the printed circuit board 110 and can perform the role of outputting light. The printed circuit board 110 also supplies current to the LED 120 so that the LED 120 lights up and outputs light. Here, the LED 120 of the optical device 100 according to one embodiment of the present invention may include top-emitting type and side-emitting type. Furthermore, the LED 120 may also include top-emitting and side-emitting type.

[0036] The optical guide layer 130 can be laminated on the printed circuit board 110 so as to embed the LED 120. The optical guide layer 130 may also contain a first optical resin for diffusing the light from the LED 120. Here, the first optical resin may be transparent in color to enhance the light diffusion effect.

[0037] Furthermore, the first optical resin can be formed by comprising at least one of polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA), titanium dioxide (TiO2), silicon dioxide (SiO2), or aluminum oxide (Al2O3).

[0038] The optical guide layer 130 may include a reflective surface 131 and an output surface 132, and the reflective pattern layer 140 may be formed on the reflective surface 131 of the optical guide layer 130. In particular, in the optical device 100 according to one embodiment of the present invention, the reflective surface 131 of the optical guide layer 130 may include a curved shape so that the light from the LED 120 is totally reflected internally by the reflective pattern layer 140 and emitted from the output surface 132.

[0039] As mentioned above, conventional methods have achieved various forms of light emission by arranging three-dimensional structures such as light guides or numerous reflectors to reflect light. However, with the continuous operation of vehicles, discoloration and deformation of the light guides can occur, sometimes posing maintenance problems. In addition, when numerous reflectors are arranged, the boundaries between the reflectors can cause interruptions in the light emission image, resulting in problems with clarity.

[0040] Herein, the optical device 100 according to one embodiment of the present invention aims to solve the above-mentioned problems by realizing a three-dimensional light-emitting image while omitting three-dimensional structures such as conventional light guides and numerous reflectors.

[0041] In other words, the optical device 100 according to one embodiment of the present invention can realize a three-dimensional light-emitting image realized by the light-emitting lens 150 without any interruption due to the curved reflective surface 131. Furthermore, the reflective pattern layer 140 formed on the curved reflective surface 131 forms an optical path, ensuring uniformity of the light emitted from the emission surface 132. More specific details regarding this will be described later.

[0042] Referring also to Figure 2, in the optical device 100 according to one embodiment of the present invention, the reflection pattern layer 140 can include a plurality of facets 141 arranged in a grid. Here, the plurality of facets 141 are formed to a size in millimeters, so that the light from the LED 121 can be refracted and reflected at multiple angles. This makes it possible to form various optical paths and ensure uniformity of the light emitted from the emission surface 132.

[0043] Furthermore, the optical device 100 according to one embodiment of the present invention can be processed so that the plurality of facets 141 are formed on the reflective surface 131 of the optical guide layer 131. The reflective surface 131 of the optical guide layer 131, on which the plurality of facets 141 are formed, allows the light from the LED 121 to be refracted at multiple angles.

[0044] In other words, in the optical device 100 according to one embodiment of the present invention, the light from the LED 121 is refracted and reflected at multiple angles by a plurality of facets 141 formed on the reflective surface 131 of the reflective pattern layer 140 or the optical guide layer 131, thereby forming a variety of optical paths and ensuring uniformity of the light emitted from the emission surface 132.

[0045] Furthermore, referring to Figures 1 and 3, in the optical device 100 according to one embodiment of the present invention, the reflective surface 131 of the optical guide layer 131 on which the reflective pattern layer 140 is formed may be formed with a constant curvature. Moreover, the reflective surface 131 of the optical guide layer 131 may be formed such that the curvature of one side adjacent to the printed circuit board 111 is different from the curvature of the other side adjacent to the output surface 132.

[0046] In other words, in the optical device 100 according to one embodiment of the present invention, by configuring the curvature of the reflective surface 131 on which the reflective pattern layer 140 is formed in various ways, the light from the LED 121 can be reflected at various angles. This allows for the formation of various optical paths and ensures uniformity of the light emitted from the emission surface 132.

[0047] In this case, the reflective pattern layer 140 formed on the reflective surface 131 of the optical guide layer 131 can be formed in a shape that corresponds to the curved shape of the reflective surface 131. By forming the reflective pattern layer 140, which acts to cause the light from the LED 121 to undergo total internal reflection in the optical guide layer 131, in a shape that corresponds to the curved shape of the reflective surface 131, the three-dimensional light emission image realized by the light-emitting lens 150 can be achieved without any interruption.

[0048] Furthermore, in an optical device 100 according to one embodiment of the present invention, the exit surface 132 of the optical guide layer 131 may include a second optical resin that reflects or shields a portion of the light that has been totally reflected internally. For example, the second optical resin may include black or at least one colored color.

[0049] Furthermore, the second optical resin can be formed by comprising at least one of polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA), titanium dioxide (TiO2), silicon dioxide (SiO2), or aluminum oxide (Al2O3).

[0050] In this case, the second optical resin can be formed with a different mixing ratio than that of the first optical resin. For example, the second optical resin can be formed to have a higher reflectivity than the first optical resin by adjusting the mixing ratio of the materials described above.

[0051] Furthermore, the second optical resin can also be formed on the emission surface 132 of the optical guide layer 133. That is, the second optical resin can be applied to the emission surface 132 of the optical guide layer 133. In one embodiment of the present invention, the optical device 100 can adjust the amount of light emitted from the emission surface 132 of the optical guide layer 133 using the second optical resin, thereby forming various three-dimensional light-emitting images.

[0052] Referring to Figure 4, in the optical device 100 according to one embodiment of the present invention, the exit surface 132 of the optical guide layer 133 may include a convex curved surface shape so that light totally reflected internally is refracted and exited. Furthermore, multiple convex curved surfaces can be formed on the exit surface 132 of the optical guide layer 133. Moreover, the curvature of the multiple curved surfaces formed on the exit surface 132 can be made different for each of them.

[0053] As a result, the optical device 100 according to one embodiment of the present invention can be configured so that the light that has been totally reflected internally is diffused and emitted from the emission surface 132 at various angles.

[0054] Therefore, the optical device 100 according to one embodiment of the present invention can form various optical paths depending on the shape of the emission surface 132 of the optical guide layer 132, and a variety of three-dimensional light-emitting images can be formed in the light-emitting lens 150. Furthermore, the light diffused from the emission surface 132 of the optical guide layer 132 at various angles can realize the three-dimensional light-emitting image realized in the light-emitting lens 150 without any interruption.

[0055] In summary, the optical device according to the present invention and the vehicle equipped therewith can realize a three-dimensional light-emitting image in the vehicle's lamp structure by using a light guide layer that includes a curved reflective surface that causes total internal reflection of LED light. Furthermore, the curved reflective surface can realize a three-dimensional light-emitting image without any interruption. In addition, a reflective pattern layer formed on the curved reflective surface can form an optical path, ensuring uniformity of the light emitted from the emission surface.

[0056] The above detailed description should not be interpreted restrictively in any way and should be considered illustrative. The scope of the invention shall be determined by a reasonable interpretation of the appended claims, and all modifications within the equivalent scope of the invention are included within the scope of the invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0057] 100:Optical device 110: Printed circuit board 120: LED 130: Optical guide layer 131: Reflective surface 132: Exit surface 140: Reflective pattern layer 141: Facet 150: Idemitsu Lens

Claims

1. Printed circuit board; LED mounted on the aforementioned printed circuit board; An optical guide layer including a reflective surface and an emitting surface, in which the aforementioned LEDs are embedded; and The optical guide layer includes a reflection pattern layer formed on the reflection surface of the optical guide layer, The reflective surface of the aforementioned optical guide layer is An optical device including a curved surface shape such that the light from the LED is totally internally reflected by the reflection pattern layer and emitted from the emission surface.

2. The aforementioned reflective pattern layer is The optical device according to claim 1, characterized in that it includes a plurality of facets arranged in a grid.

3. The reflective surface of the aforementioned optical guide layer is The optical device according to claim 1, characterized in that it is formed with a constant curvature.

4. The reflective surface of the aforementioned optical guide layer is The optical device according to claim 1, characterized in that the curvature of one side adjacent to the printed circuit board is different from the curvature of the other side adjacent to the emission surface.

5. The aforementioned reflective pattern layer is The optical apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that it is formed in a shape corresponding to the curved shape of the reflective surface of the optical guide layer.

6. The aforementioned optical guide layer is The optical apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that it includes a first optical resin for diffusing the light of the LED.

7. The exit surface of the aforementioned optical guide layer is The optical apparatus according to claim 6, characterized in that it includes a second optical resin that reflects or shields a portion of the light that has been totally reflected internally.

8. The exit surface of the aforementioned optical guide layer is The optical device according to claim 1, characterized in that it includes a convex curved surface shape so that the light that has been totally reflected internally is refracted and emitted.

9. The optical apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that it includes an emitting lens arranged alongside the emitting surface of the light guide layer, which uses the light emitted from the emitting surface to form a three-dimensional light-emitting image.

10. Vehicle body; A ramp structure located on at least one of the front or rear surfaces of the vehicle body; and The lamp structure includes an optical device embedded in it, The optical device is Printed circuit board; LED mounted on the aforementioned printed circuit board; An optical guide layer including a reflective surface and an emitting surface, in which the aforementioned LEDs are embedded; and The optical guide layer includes a reflection pattern layer formed on the reflection surface of the optical guide layer, The reflective surface of the aforementioned optical guide layer is A vehicle including a curved shape such that the light from the LED is totally reflected internally by the reflective pattern layer and emitted from the emission surface.

Images