Automobile lamp and automobile including the lamp

Abstract

To provide a lamp for an automobile, and an automobile.SOLUTION: According to one aspect of the present invention, there is disclosed a lamp for an automobile including a light source which generates and emits light, and a lens array provided in front of the light source. The light emitted from the light source is emitted to the outside via the lens array and forms a predetermined beam pattern. The lens array includes a plurality of cells provided in a front region of the lens array, and steps are formed at boundaries between the plurality of cells.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an automotive lamp and an automobile including the lamp, and more particularly, to an automotive lamp to which a microlens array is applied and an automobile including the lamp.

Background Art

[0002] A microlens array including a plurality of microlenses is widely used in the field of micro-optics such as optical communication and direct optical imaging. In particular, recently, due to the feature that a microlens array can draw a specific pattern on the road surface by an optical system having a size of approximately 10 mm or so, it is used as a configuration that functions as a welcome light in an automobile.

[0003] According to the prior art, a microlens array has a structure in which a plurality of components including an incident lens array, a shield, an exit lens array, etc. are laminated in order. However, such a complicated laminated structure not only causes difficulties in manufacturing, but also causes a problem of reducing the efficiency of the beam pattern because light exits after passing through a plurality of components.

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] Therefore, the problem to be solved by the present invention is to simplify the structure of the microlens array mounted on an automobile compared to the prior art, improve manufacturability, and improve the efficiency of the beam pattern.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0005] According to one aspect of the present invention for achieving the above object, it includes a light source that generates and emits light, and a lens array provided in front of the light source. The light emitted from the light source exits to the outside through the lens array, forming a predetermined beam pattern. The lens array includes a plurality of cells provided in a front region of the lens array, and an automotive lamp is provided in which a step is formed at a boundary between the plurality of cells.

[0006] Each of the plurality of cells can be provided in a first cell region provided in one region of the lens array or a second cell region provided in another region of the lens array. Among the light, the light that exits to the outside through the first cell region reaches the central region and the peripheral region of the beam pattern in the left-right direction W. Among the light, the light that exits to the outside through the second cell region can reach the central region of the beam pattern in the left-right direction W.

[0007] The first cell region can be provided in a central region of the lens array in the left-right direction W, and the second cell region can be provided in both side regions of the lens array in the left-right direction W.

[0008] Among the plurality of cells, each of the cells provided in the first cell region can be provided such that the thickness of the lower region is thicker than the thickness of the upper region.

[0009] Among the plurality of cells, the thickness of the cells provided in the first cell region can be thicker than the thickness of the cells provided in the second cell region.

[0010] When the lens array is viewed from the front of the lens array, each of the plurality of cells can have a square shape.

[0011] When the lens array is viewed from the front of the lens array, each of the plurality of cells can have a rectangular shape.

[0012] Among the plurality of cells provided in the first cell region, of any two cells provided at the same height in the vertical direction H, the area of the region where the light passing through the cell relatively adjacent to the middle of the lens array in the left-right direction W reaches the beam pattern can be larger than the area of the region where the light passing through the cell relatively spaced apart from the middle of the lens array in the left-right direction W reaches the beam pattern.

[0013] Among the plurality of cells provided in the first cell region, of any two cells provided at the same position in the left-right direction W, the area of the region where the light passing through the cell relatively lower in the vertical direction H reaches the beam pattern can be larger than the area of the region where the light passing through the cell relatively upper in the vertical direction H reaches the beam pattern.

[0014] Among the plurality of cells provided in the second cell region, of any two cells provided at the same height in the vertical direction H, the area of the region where the light passing through the cell relatively adjacent to the middle of the lens array in the left-right direction W reaches the beam pattern can be larger than the area of the region where the light passing through the cell relatively spaced apart from the middle of the lens array in the left-right direction W reaches the beam pattern.

[0015] Among the plurality of cells provided in the second cell region, of any two cells provided at the same position in the left-right direction W, the area of the region where the light passing through the cell relatively lower in the vertical direction H reaches the beam pattern can be larger than the area of the region where the light passing through the cell relatively upper in the vertical direction H reaches the beam pattern.

[0016] The light passing through the plurality of cells provided at both ends of the lens array in the left-right direction W among the plurality of cells can reach the upper boundary region of the beam pattern.

[0017] The beam pattern can be a low beam pattern in which a cut-off shape is formed in the upper boundary region.

[0018] Among the plurality of cells, the cells provided in the first cell region can have a thickness that is larger as they are provided adjacent to the center of the lens array in the left-right direction W.

[0019] According to another aspect of the present invention for achieving the above object, an automobile including an automotive lamp, the automotive lamp includes a light source that generates and emits light, and a lens array provided in front of the light source, the light emitted from the light source is emitted to the outside through the lens array to form a predetermined beam pattern, the lens array includes a plurality of cells provided in a front region of the lens array, and an automobile is provided in which a step is formed at a boundary between the plurality of cells.

Advantages of the Invention

[0020] According to the present invention, compared with the prior art, by simplifying the structure of the microlens array mounted on an automobile, the manufacturability can be improved and the efficiency of the beam pattern can be improved.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0021]

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Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0022] Hereinafter, with reference to the drawings, an automotive lamp and an automobile according to the present invention will be described.

[0023] [Automotive Lamp] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the structure of an automotive lamp according to the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a front view showing the structure of a lens array provided in the automotive lamp according to the present invention. Further, FIG. 3 is a bottom view showing the structure of the lens array provided in the automotive lamp according to the present invention, and FIG. 4 is a side view showing the vertical cross-sectional structure of the first cell region in the lens array provided in the automotive lamp according to the present invention.

[0024] As shown in FIGS. 1 to 4, an automotive lamp 10 (hereinafter referred to as "lamp") according to the present invention can include a light source (not shown) that generates and emits light, a collimator 100 provided in front of the light source, and a lens array 200 provided in front of the light source and the collimator 100. The light source can be, but is not limited to, an LED (Light-Emitting Diode). Further, the collimator 100 can be configured to make the light incident from the light source into parallel light and then emit it to the lens array 200.

[0025] FIG. 5 is a diagram showing the state of a beam pattern formed by an automotive lamp according to the present invention.

[0026] As shown in FIG. 5, the light emitted from the light source of the lamp 10 according to the present invention can be emitted to the outside through the collimator 100 and the lens array 200 to form a predetermined beam pattern P. At this time, as shown in FIG. 5, the beam pattern P can be a low beam pattern in which a stepped cut off shape is formed in the upper boundary region. That is, the lamp 10 according to the present invention can be a lamp for forming a low beam. However, the lamp 10 according to the present invention can also be applied to a lamp for forming other types of beams including a high beam.

[0027] A conventional microlens array has a structure in which a plurality of components including an incident lens array, a shield, and an exit lens array are stacked in order. However, such a complex stacked structure not only causes manufacturing difficulties but also causes a problem of reducing the efficiency of the beam pattern because light is emitted after passing through a plurality of components.

[0028] To solve the above problems of the prior art, the lens array 200 provided in the lamp 10 according to the present invention can have a single-layer structure made of one material. Therefore, according to the present invention, it can have a simpler configuration than the microlens array according to the prior art. Hereinafter, the characteristics of the lens array according to the present invention, which can form a predetermined beam pattern even with a simpler structure than the microlens array according to the prior art, will be described.

[0029] As shown in FIG. 1, according to the present invention, the lens array 200 can include a plurality of cells 200a provided in the front region of the lens array.

[0030] According to the present invention, the light emitted from the light source and passing through the collimator 100 passes through the plurality of cells 200a provided in the lens array 200 to form a predetermined beam pattern. At this time, according to the present invention, the light emitted to the outside after passing through the plurality of cells 200a can each form a part of the beam pattern. That is, the beam pattern formed by the lamp 10 according to the present invention can be a collection of the light emitted from each of the plurality of cells 200a and reaching the outside. Also, the plurality of cells 200a provided in the lens array 200 according to the present invention can be integrally formed.

[0031] On the other hand, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, according to the present invention, a step S can be formed at the boundary between the plurality of cells 200a. Therefore, according to the present invention, the plurality of cells 200a can be distinguished from each other by the step S. FIGS. 1 to 4 illustrate, as an example, a state in which the lens array 200 is provided with 10 cells 200a along the left-right direction W and 4 cells 200a along the up-down direction H, for a total of 40 cells 200a. However, the number and arrangement structure of the cells 200a provided in the lens array 200 are not limited thereto. On the other hand, the surface forming the step S can be a curved surface having a predetermined radius of curvature.

[0032] Also, according to the present invention, when the lens array 200 is viewed from the front of the lens array 200, the plurality of cells 200a can each have a rectangular shape. More preferably, when the lens array 200 is viewed from the front of the lens array 200, the plurality of cells 200a can each have a rectangular shape.

[0033] On the other hand, according to the present invention, the lens array 200 can include a first cell region Z1 provided in one region of the lens array and a second cell region Z2 provided in another region of the lens array. Therefore, each of the plurality of cells 200a provided in the lens array 200 can be provided in the first cell region Z1 or the second cell region Z2. More specifically, the first cell region Z1 can be provided in the central region of the lens array 200 in the left - right direction W, and the second cell region Z2 can be provided in both side regions of the lens array 200 in the left - right direction W. Therefore, the second cell region Z2 can wrap the first cell region Z1 at both sides in the left - right direction W. More specifically, the boundary of the first cell region Z1 in the left - right direction W can be in contact with the second cell region Z2.

[0034] According to the present invention, among the light emitted to the lens array 200 through the light source and the collimator, the region reached by the light emitted to the outside through the first cell region Z1 and the region reached by the light emitted to the outside through the second cell region Z2 can be different from each other. More specifically, as shown in FIG. 5, among the light, the light emitted to the outside through the first cell region Z1 can reach the central region and the peripheral region of the beam pattern P in the left - right direction W, and the light emitted to the outside through the second cell region Z2 can reach the central region of the beam pattern P in the left - right direction W. That is, according to the present invention, the light emitted to the outside through the second cell region Z2 can form the central region of the beam pattern P, and the light emitted to the outside through the first cell region Z1 can form the central region and the peripheral region of the beam pattern P.

[0035] On the one hand, as shown in FIGS. 1 to 4, according to the present invention, the thicknesses of the plurality of cells 200a constituting the lens array 200 can be different from each other according to the regions where the cells are provided.

[0036] As an example, among the plurality of cells 200a, the thickness of the cells provided in the first cell region Z1 may be thicker than the thickness of the cells provided in the second cell region Z2. For example, as shown in FIG. 3, when the lens array 200 is viewed from below, the boundary of the front region of the lens array 200 can have a shape similar to a normal distribution curve in which the center in the left-right direction W protrudes most forward. More preferably, among the plurality of cells 200a, the cells provided in the first cell region Z1 can have a larger thickness as they are provided adjacent to the center of the lens array 200 in the left-right direction W.

[0037] Therefore, according to the present invention, the light passing through the first cell region Z1 is emitted to the outside in a relatively dispersed state in the left-right direction W, so that it can reach the central region and the peripheral region in the left-right direction W of the beam pattern. The light passing through the second cell region Z2 is emitted to the outside in a state where it is not relatively sufficiently dispersed, so that it can reach the central region in the left-right direction W of the beam pattern.

[0038] As another example, according to the present invention, as shown in FIG. 4, among the plurality of cells 200a, each of the cells provided in the first cell region Z1 can be provided such that the thickness of the lower region is thicker than the thickness of the upper region in the up-down direction H. This may be for the purpose of causing the light emitted from the lens array 200 to move downward. That is, as described above, the lamp according to the present invention can be a lamp that forms a low beam. However, in order to form a low beam, the light emitted from the lens array 200 needs to move downward. Therefore, according to the present invention, by making the thickness of the lower region of the cell 200a provided in the first cell region Z1 thicker, the light passing through the first cell region Z1 and reaching the central region and the peripheral region of the beam pattern can move downward.

[0039] FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a region where light passing through cell (1) among a plurality of cells provided in the lens array of FIG. 2 reaches the beam pattern, and FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a region where light passing through cell (2) among a plurality of cells provided in the lens array of FIG. 2 reaches the beam pattern. FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a region where light passing through cell (3) among a plurality of cells provided in the lens array of FIG. 2 reaches the beam pattern, and FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a region where light passing through cell (4) among a plurality of cells provided in the lens array of FIG. 2 reaches the beam pattern. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a region where light passing through cell (5) among a plurality of cells provided in the lens array of FIG. 2 reaches the beam pattern, and FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a region where light passing through cell (6) among a plurality of cells provided in the lens array of FIG. 2 reaches the beam pattern. FIG. 12 is a diagram showing a region where light passing through cell (7) among a plurality of cells provided in the lens array of FIG. 2 reaches the beam pattern, and FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a region where light passing through cell (8) among a plurality of cells provided in the lens array of FIG. 2 reaches the beam pattern.

[0040] As described above, according to the present invention, the light emitted to the outside through the first cell region Z1 can reach the central region and the peripheral region of the beam pattern P in the left - right direction W, and among the light, the light emitted to the outside through the second cell region Z2 can reach the central region of the beam pattern P in the left - right direction W.

[0041] At this time, the area of the region where the light emitted through any one of the plurality of cells provided in the first cell region Z1 reaches the beam pattern can be larger than the area of the region where the light emitted through any other one of the plurality of cells provided in the first cell region Z1 reaches the beam pattern through the beam pattern.

[0042] More specifically, according to the present invention, in a plurality of cells 200a provided in the first cell region Z1, among any two cells provided at the same height in the vertical direction H, the area of the region where the light passing through the cell relatively adjacent to the middle of the lens array 200 in the horizontal direction W reaches the beam pattern can be larger than the area of the region where the light passing through the cell relatively spaced apart from the middle of the lens array 200 in the horizontal direction W reaches the beam pattern.

[0043] For example, referring to FIGS. 2, 6, and 7, when comparing (1) cell and (2) cell provided at the same height in the vertical direction H among a plurality of cells 200a provided in the first cell region Z1, the area of the region where the light passing through the (2) cell relatively adjacent to the middle of the lens array 200 reaches the beam pattern (see FIG. 7) can be confirmed to be larger than the area of the region where the light passing through the (1) cell relatively spaced apart from the middle of the lens array 200 reaches the beam pattern (see FIG. 6).

[0044] Also, for example, referring to FIGS. 2, 8, and 9, when comparing (3) cell and (4) cell provided at the same height in the vertical direction H among a plurality of cells 200a provided in the first cell region Z1, the area of the region where the light passing through the (4) cell relatively adjacent to the middle of the lens array 200 reaches the beam pattern (see FIG. 9) can be confirmed to be larger than the area of the region where the light passing through the (3) cell relatively spaced apart from the middle of the lens array 200 reaches the beam pattern (see FIG. 8).

[0045] Further, according to the present invention, in a plurality of cells 200a provided in the first cell region Z1, among any two cells provided at the same position in the horizontal direction W, the area of the region where the light passing through the cell relatively lower in the vertical direction H reaches the beam pattern can be larger than the area of the region where the light passing through the cell relatively upper in the vertical direction H reaches the beam pattern.

[0046] For example, referring to FIGS. 2, 6, and 8, among the plurality of cells 200a provided in the first cell region Z1, when comparing the (1) cell and the (3) cell provided at the same position in the left-right direction W, the area of the region where the light passing through the (3) cell provided relatively lower reaches the beam pattern (see FIG. 8) can be confirmed to be larger than the area of the region where the light passing through the (1) cell provided relatively upper reaches the beam pattern (see FIG. 6).

[0047] Also, for example, referring to FIGS. 2, 7, and 9, among the plurality of cells 200a provided in the first cell region Z1, when comparing the (2) cell and the (4) cell provided at the same position in the left-right direction W, the area of the region where the light passing through the (4) cell provided relatively lower reaches the beam pattern (see FIG. 8) can be confirmed to be larger than the area of the region where the light passing through the (2) cell provided relatively upper reaches the beam pattern (see FIG. 6).

[0048] Also, according to the present invention, at this time, the area of the region where the light emitted through any one of the plurality of cells provided in the second cell region Z2 reaches the beam pattern can be larger than the area of the region where the light emitted through another one of the plurality of cells provided in the second cell region Z2 reaches the beam pattern through the beam pattern.

[0049] More specifically, according to the present invention, in the plurality of cells 200a provided in the second cell region Z2, among any two cells provided at the same height in the up-down direction H, the area of the region where the light passing through the cell provided relatively adjacent to the middle of the lens array 200 in the left-right direction W reaches the beam pattern can be larger than the area of the region where the light passing through the cell provided relatively separated from the middle of the lens array in the left-right direction W reaches the beam pattern.

[0050] For example, referring to FIGS. 2, 10, and 11, among the plurality of cells 200a provided in the second cell region Z2, when comparing the (5) cells and the (6) cells provided at the same height in the vertical direction H, the area of the region where the light passing through the (6) cells provided relatively adjacent to the center of the lens array 200 reaches the beam pattern (see FIG. 11) is larger than the area of the region where the light passing through the (5) cells provided relatively spaced apart from the center of the lens array 200 reaches the beam pattern (see FIG. 10).

[0051] Also, for example, referring to FIGS. 2, 12, and 13, among the plurality of cells 200a provided in the second cell region Z2, when comparing the (7) cells and the (8) cells provided at the same height in the vertical direction H, the area of the region where the light passing through the (8) cells provided relatively adjacent to the center of the lens array 200 reaches the beam pattern (see FIG. 13) is larger than the area of the region where the light passing through the (7) cells provided relatively spaced apart from the center of the lens array 200 reaches the beam pattern (see FIG. 12).

[0052] Also, according to the present invention, in the plurality of cells 200a provided in the second cell region Z2, among any two cells provided at the same position in the left - right direction W, the area of the region where the light passing through the cell provided relatively lower in the vertical direction H reaches the beam pattern can be larger than the area of the region where the light passing through the cell provided relatively upper in the vertical direction H reaches the beam pattern.

[0053] For example, referring to FIGS. 2, 10, and 12, among the plurality of cells 200a provided in the second cell region Z2, when comparing the (5) cells and the (7) cells provided at the same position in the left - right direction W, the area of the region where the light passing through the relatively lower (7) cells reaches the beam pattern (see FIG. 12) is larger than the area of the region where the light passing through the relatively upper (5) cells reaches the beam pattern (see FIG. 10).

[0054] [Automobile] The vehicle according to the present invention can include an automotive lamp 10 (hereinafter referred to as "lamp"). At this time, the lamp 10 can include a light source that generates and emits light, a collimator 100 provided in front of the light source, and a lens array 200 provided in front of the light source and the collimator 100. The light emitted from the light source can be emitted to the outside through the lens array 200 to form a predetermined beam pattern P (see FIG. 5).

[0055] At this time, according to the present invention, the lens array 200 can include a plurality of cells 200a provided in the front region of the lens array 200. Further, the plurality of cells 200a can be integrally formed, and a step S (see FIGS. 3 and 4) can be formed at the boundary between the plurality of cells 200a.

[0056] As described above, the present invention has been described with reference to limited embodiments and drawings, but the present invention is not limited thereby, and it goes without saying that various implementations are possible within the equivalent scope of the technical idea of the present invention and the claims described below by those having ordinary knowledge in the technical field to which the present invention belongs.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0057] 10 Lamp 100 Collimator 200 Lens Array 200a Cell Z1 First Cell Region Z2 Second Cell Region H Vertical Direction W Horizontal Direction P Beam Pattern S Step

Claims

1. A light source that generates and emits light, and a lens array provided in front of the light source, wherein the light emitted from the light source passes through the lens array and is emitted to the outside to form a predetermined beam pattern, the lens array includes a plurality of cells provided in a front region of the lens array, a step is formed at a boundary between the plurality of cells, a vehicle lamp, wherein when the lens array is viewed from below, a boundary of the front region of the lens array has a shape in which the middle protrudes most forward in a left - right direction W.

2. Each of the plurality of cells is provided in a first cell region provided in one region of the lens array or a second cell region provided in another region of the lens array, among the light, the light emitted to the outside through the first cell region reaches a central region and a peripheral region of the beam pattern in the left - right direction W, among the light, the light emitted to the outside through the second cell region reaches the central region of the beam pattern in the left - right direction W. The vehicle lamp according to claim 1.

3. The first cell region is provided in a central region of the lens array in the left - right direction W, The second cell region is provided in both side regions of the lens array in the left - right direction W. The vehicle lamp according to claim 2.

4. Among the plurality of cells, each cell provided in the first cell region is provided such that a thickness of a lower region is thicker than a thickness of an upper region. The vehicle lamp according to claim 3.

5. Among the plurality of cells, a thickness of a cell provided in the first cell region is thicker than a thickness of a cell provided in the second cell region. The vehicle lamp according to claim 3.

6. When the lens array is viewed from in front of the lens array, each of the plurality of cells has a rectangular shape. The vehicle lamp according to claim 1.

7. When the lens array is viewed from in front of the lens array, each of the plurality of cells has a rectangular shape. The vehicle lamp according to claim 1.

8. In the plurality of cells provided in the first cell region, among any two cells provided at the same height in the vertical direction H, the area of the region where the light passing through the cell relatively adjacent to the middle of the lens array in the left-right direction W reaches the beam pattern is larger than the area of the region where the light passing through the cell relatively separated from the middle of the lens array in the left-right direction W reaches the beam pattern. The automotive lamp according to claim 2.

9. In the plurality of cells provided in the first cell region, among any two cells provided at the same position in the left-right direction W, the area of the region where the light passing through the cell relatively lower in the vertical direction H reaches the beam pattern is larger than the area of the region where the light passing through the cell relatively upper in the vertical direction H reaches the beam pattern. The automotive lamp according to claim 2.

10. In the plurality of cells provided in the second cell region, among any two cells provided at the same height in the vertical direction H, the area of the region where the light passing through the cell relatively adjacent to the middle of the lens array in the left-right direction W reaches the beam pattern is larger than the area of the region where the light passing through the cell relatively separated from the middle of the lens array in the left-right direction W reaches the beam pattern. The automotive lamp according to claim 2.

11. In the plurality of cells provided in the second cell region, among any two cells provided at the same position in the left-right direction W, the area of the region where the light passing through the cell relatively lower in the vertical direction H reaches the beam pattern is larger than the area of the region where the light passing through the cell relatively upper in the vertical direction H reaches the beam pattern. The automotive lamp according to claim 2.

12. The light passing through the plurality of cells provided at both ends of the lens array in the left-right direction W among the plurality of cells reaches the upper boundary region of the beam pattern. The automotive lamp according to claim 1.

13. The beam pattern is a low beam pattern in which a cut-off shape is formed in the upper boundary region. The automotive lamp according to claim 1.

14. The lamp for an automobile according to claim 5, wherein among the plurality of cells, the cell provided in the first cell region has a thickness that is larger as it is provided adjacent to the center of the lens array in the left-right direction W.

15. An automobile including a lamp for an automobile, wherein the lamp for an automobile includes a light source that generates and emits light, and a lens array provided in front of the light source, the light emitted from the light source is emitted to the outside through the lens array to form a predetermined beam pattern, the lens array includes a plurality of cells provided in a front region of the lens array, a step is formed at a boundary between the plurality of cells, and when the lens array is viewed from below, a boundary of the front region of the lens array has a shape in which the center most protrudes forward in the left-right direction W.

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