LED driver module and vehicle including the same

Abstract

To provide an LED driver module and a vehicle including the LED driver module.SOLUTION: An LED driver module equipped so as to be coupled with a lamp housing of a vehicle, includes a connector portion that is provided so as to be coupled inside the lamp housing of the vehicle, a substrate portion that is provided so as to contact with the connector portion at a terminal end on a first direction side which is a direction going from the outside toward the inside of the lamp housing, a placing portion on which the substrate portion is placed thereon and which is provided so as to contact with the connector portion at a terminal end on the first direction side, and a cover portion which is coupled to a second direction side that is an opposite direction to the first direction of the placing portion, and covers the substrate portion and the placing portion from the outside of the lamp housing of the vehicle.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an LED driver module and a vehicle including the same. [Background technology]

[0002] Recently, LEDs are widely used in vehicle lamps and other areas that require light. To operate these LEDs, an LED driver module that drives the LEDs must be installed in the vehicle.

[0003] However, conventional LED driver modules are installed inside the vehicle lamp housing, which requires separate upper and lower cases for watertightness, and a case sealing process is required to join them.

[0004] In addition, conventional LED driver modules require an additional inspection process to check whether the LED driver module is watertight, which makes the process complicated and increases the process cost. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] An object of the present invention is to provide an LED driver module and a vehicle including the same that do not require a separate case for watertightness.

[0006] Another object of the present invention is to provide an LED driver module and a vehicle including the same, which can simplify the process and reduce the process cost. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] In one example, the LED driver module is an LED driver module configured to be coupled to a lamp housing of a vehicle, and includes a connector portion configured to be coupled to the inside of the lamp housing of the vehicle, a substrate portion configured so that its end on a first direction side, which is a direction from the outside to the inside of the lamp housing, comes into contact with the connector portion, a mounting portion configured so that the substrate portion is placed on top and its end on the first direction side comes into contact with the connector portion, and a cover portion coupled to a second direction side, which is a direction opposite to the first direction, of the mounting portion, and covering the substrate portion and the mounting portion from the outside of the lamp housing of the vehicle.

[0008] In another example, the connector portion includes a connector body configured to be coupled to the vehicle, a plurality of connector grooves formed from the end of the connector body on the second direction side so as to be recessed in the first direction and configured to allow portions of the substrate portion to be inserted therein, and a partition member disposed between the plurality of connector grooves and configured to partition the plurality of connector grooves, and the substrate portion may include a substrate member electrically connected to the vehicle, and an insertion recess formed at the end of the first direction side of the substrate member so as to be recessed in the second direction at a position corresponding to the partition member and configured to allow the partition member to be inserted therein.

[0009] In yet another example, the partition member may be disposed offset in the left-right width direction with respect to a center point in the left-right width direction of the connector groove.

[0010] In yet another example, the connector portion may include a connector body configured to be coupled to the vehicle, and an upper guide member disposed above the base portion and coupled to the connector body.

[0011] In yet another example, the upper guide member may include an upper guide surface that is inclined downward in the first direction and configured to guide the substrate portion downward.

[0012] In yet another example, the connector portion may further include a lower guide member disposed below the base portion and coupled to the connector body.

[0013] In yet another example, the lower guide member may include a lower guide surface that is inclined upward in the first direction and configured to guide the substrate unit upward.

[0014] In yet another example, the upper guide member and the lower guide member may be arranged side by side in the vertical direction.

[0015] In yet another example, the connector portion may include a connector body configured to be connected to the vehicle, and an outer guide member arranged on the outer side of the base plate portion in a direction toward the outside of the base plate portion and connected to the connector body.

[0016] In yet another example, the outer guide member may include an outer guide surface that is inclined in an inward direction, which is the opposite direction to the outward direction, as it approaches the first direction, and is configured to guide the substrate portion toward the inward direction.

[0017] In yet another example, the placement portion may include a placement portion body on which the substrate portion is placed, a first protruding member protruding upward from an end of the placement portion body on the second direction side, and a second protruding member protruding upward from an end of the placement portion body on a third direction side perpendicular to the vertical direction and the first direction.

[0018] In yet another example, the cover portion may include a first cover member that is inserted into an opening formed in a lamp housing of the vehicle and is configured to connect to the mounting portion, and a second cover member that is connected to the second direction side of the first cover member and has a size that can cover the first cover member when viewed from the second direction side.

[0019] In yet another example, the LED driver module may further include a sealing portion configured to enclose the outer surface of the first cover member and be positioned between the opening and the first cover member.

[0020] In yet another example, the cover portion may further include at least one protruding member protruding outward from the second cover member.

[0021] In yet another example, the LED driver module may further include an electrical component coupled to the second direction side of the second cover member and electrically connected to the board unit.

[0022] In yet another example, the LED driver module may further include a shielding portion disposed above the substrate portion and configured to shield the substrate portion.

[0023] In one example, a vehicle includes a lamp housing having an opening formed therein, and an LED driver module inserted into the interior space of the lamp housing through the opening, and the LED driver module includes a connector portion that is coupled to the interior of the lamp housing, a substrate portion that is arranged so that its end on a first direction side, which is a direction from the outside to the inside of the lamp housing, comes into contact with the connector portion, a mounting portion that is arranged on top of the substrate portion to be placed thereon and its end on the first direction side comes into contact with the connector portion, and a cover portion that is coupled to a second direction side, which is a direction opposite to the first direction, of the mounting portion and covers the opening from the outside of the lamp housing. [Effects of the Invention]

[0024] According to the present invention, since the LED driver module is disposed inside the lamp housing of the vehicle, a separate case for watertightness may not be required.

[0025] In addition, according to the present invention, the steps of sealing the case and inspecting the watertightness are no longer necessary, the process is simplified, and the process cost can be reduced.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0026] [Figure 1] It is a perspective view illustrating an LED driver module according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] It is an exploded perspective view of FIG. 1. [Figure 3] It is a perspective view illustrating a state in which the substrate portion and the mounting portion are separated from the connector portion. [Figure 4] It is a view illustrating a case where the substrate portion, the mounting portion, and the cover portion of the LED driver module according to an embodiment of the present invention are located outside the lamp housing. [Figure 5] It is a view illustrating a case where a part of the substrate portion and the mounting portion of the LED driver module according to an embodiment of the present invention is located inside the lamp housing. [Figure 6] It is a view of FIG. 4 seen from another direction. [Figure 7] It is a view illustrating a state in which the substrate portion and the mounting portion are in contact with the connector portion. [Figure 8] It is a perspective view illustrating an LED driver module further including an electrical component section.

Modes for Carrying Out the Invention

[0027] Hereinafter, some embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to exemplary drawings. When attaching reference numerals to the components of each drawing, the same components are given the same reference numerals as much as possible even if they are shown in different drawings. In addition, when explaining the embodiments of the present invention, if it is determined that a detailed description of a related known configuration or function will interfere with the understanding of the embodiments of the present invention, the detailed description thereof will be omitted.

[0028] <Basic Components of the LED Driver Module> An LED driver module according to an embodiment of the present invention relates to an LED driver module that is provided to be coupled to a lamp housing H of a vehicle. Fig. 1 is a perspective view illustrating an LED driver module according to an embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 2 is an exploded perspective view of Fig. 1.

[0029] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, an LED driver module according to an embodiment of the present invention may include a connector portion 10, a substrate portion 20, a mounting portion 30, and a cover portion 40.

[0030] For ease of explanation, the direction from the outside to the inside of the lamp housing H is referred to as a first direction D1, and the opposite direction is referred to as a second direction D2. The connector unit 10 may be provided to be coupled to the inside of the lamp housing H of the vehicle. While FIG. 2 illustrates the connector unit 10 being coupled to the lamp housing H of the vehicle by bolts, this is not necessarily limited to this, and various modifications are possible, such as attachment using an adhesive or magnetism.

[0031] The connector section 10 can come into contact with the substrate section 20 and the mounting section 30 as the substrate section 20 and the mounting section 30, which will be described later, move in the first direction D1.

[0032] The substrate unit 20 may be provided such that an end of the substrate unit 20 in the first direction D1 contacts the connector unit 10. The substrate unit 20 may be electrically connected to a vehicle. The substrate unit 20 may be disposed inside a lamp housing H of the vehicle.

[0033] The mounting portion 30 may be provided so that the board portion 20 is mounted thereon, and the end of the mounting portion 30 on the first direction D1 side may be in contact with the connector portion 10. The mounting portion 30 may be disposed inside the lamp housing H of the vehicle. The mounting portion 30 may be made of an aluminum material. More specifically, the mounting portion 30 may be an aluminum plate. However, the material of the mounting portion 30 is not limited thereto and may be selected from a variety of metals suitable for heat dissipation.

[0034] The cover part 40 is coupled to the second direction D2 side of the mounting part 30, and can cover the board part 20 and the mounting part 30 from the outside of the lamp housing H of the vehicle.

[0035] For example, an LED driver module may be mounted on the outside of a vehicle lamp housing H. In this case, the LED driver module requires separate upper and lower cases for watertightness, and a case sealing process for mounting them and a process for determining whether the case is watertight are required, which may complicate the process and increase the process cost.

[0036] According to the LED driver module according to one embodiment of the present invention, since the LED driver module is disposed inside the lamp housing H of the vehicle, a separate case for watertightness may not be required.

[0037] Furthermore, according to the LED driver module according to an embodiment of the present invention, the process of sealing the case and the process of inspecting whether it is watertight are not necessary, which simplifies the process and reduces the process cost.

[0038] <Structure to prevent incorrect assembly> 3 is a perspective view illustrating the state in which the substrate unit 20 and the mounting unit 30 are separated from the connector unit 10. Below, with reference to FIG. 3, a detailed description will be given of an erroneous assembly prevention structure that prevents the substrate unit 20 and the mounting unit 30 from being erroneously assembled to the connector unit 10.

[0039] The connector portion 10 may include a connector body 11, a connector groove 15, and a partition member 16. The connector body 11 may be adapted to couple to a vehicle.

[0040] The connector groove 15 may be recessed in the first direction D1 from an end of the connector body 11 on the second direction D2 side. The connector groove 15 may be provided to receive a portion of the board unit 20.

[0041] The partitioning members 16 can be disposed between the connector grooves 15 to partition the connector grooves 15. As the partitioning members 16 partition the connector grooves 15, a plurality of connector grooves 15 can be provided. The partitioning members 16 can be disposed offset in the left-right width direction with respect to the center point of the connector grooves 15 in the left-right width direction.

[0042] Meanwhile, the board unit 20 may include a board member 21 and an insertion recess 22. The board member 21 may be electrically connected to a vehicle. The board unit 20 may be a PCB board.

[0043] The insertion recess 22 may be recessed in the second direction D2 at a position corresponding to the partition member 16 on the end of the base member 21 on the first direction D1 side. The insertion recess 22 may be provided so that the partition member 16 can be inserted therein.

[0044] Because the partition member 16 is formed offset to one side and the insertion recess 22 is formed at a position corresponding to it, the partition member 16 and the insertion recess 22 can function as a structure to prevent incorrect assembly. For example, if the partition member 16 is formed offset to the right, the partition member 16 and the insertion recess 22 can only engage with each other if the insertion recess 22 is also positioned offset to the right. If the base member 21 is positioned upside down and the insertion recess 22 is positioned offset to the left, the partition member 16 and the insertion recess 22 will not engage with each other, thereby preventing incorrect assembly.

[0045] <Movement guide structure> The following describes in detail the guide structure that guides the movement of the substrate part 20 and the mounting part 30 when they move toward the connector part 10 to be assembled to the connector part 10. For ease of explanation, the position of each component will be described based on the state after assembly is completed.

[0046] 4 to 7 may be referred to for understanding the role of the guide structure. Fig. 4 is a diagram illustrating a case where the substrate unit 20, mounting unit 30, and cover unit 40 of an LED driver module according to an embodiment of the present invention are located outside the lamp housing H. Fig. 5 is a diagram illustrating a case where a portion of the substrate unit 20 and mounting unit 30 of an LED driver module according to an embodiment of the present invention are located inside the lamp housing H. Fig. 6 is a view of Fig. 4 viewed from another direction. Fig. 7 is a diagram illustrating a state where the substrate unit 20 and mounting unit 30 are in contact with the connector unit 10.

[0047] 4 to 7 can be understood as sequentially illustrating the process of assembling the substrate part 20, the mounting part 30, and the cover part 40 of the LED driver module according to an embodiment of the present invention into the lamp housing H.

[0048] <Upper guide member 12> The connector portion 10 may include an upper guide member 12. The upper guide member 12 may be disposed above the base portion 20. The upper guide member 12 may be coupled to the connector body 11.

[0049] The upper guide member 12 may include an upper guide surface. The upper guide surface may be inclined downward in the first direction D1 to guide the substrate unit 20 downward. For example, when the substrate unit 20 moves toward a position higher than the connector groove 15, the substrate unit 20 may come into contact with the upper guide surface, and the upper guide surface may guide the substrate unit 20 downward, thereby allowing the substrate unit 20 to be inserted into the connector groove 15.

[0050] <Lower guide member 13> The connector unit 10 may also include a lower guide member 13. The lower guide member 13 may be disposed below the base unit 20. The lower guide member 13 may be coupled to the connector body 11. The lower guide member 13 may be disposed next to the upper guide member 12 in the vertical direction.

[0051] The lower guide member 13 may include a lower guide surface. The lower guide surface may be inclined upward in the first direction D1 to guide the substrate unit 20 upward. For example, when the substrate unit 20 moves toward a position lower than the connector groove 15, the substrate unit 20 comes into contact with the lower guide surface, and the lower guide surface guides the substrate unit 20 upward, so that the substrate unit 20 can be inserted into the connector groove 15.

[0052] <Outer guide member 14> The connector unit 10 may also include an outer guide member 14. The lower guide member 13 may be disposed on the outer side of the substrate unit 20. Here, the outer side may be a direction toward the outside of the substrate unit 20 based on the substrate unit 20. For example, the outer side may be a left-right direction perpendicular to the first direction D1 and the up-down direction. In other words, the outer side may correspond to the third direction D3.

[0053] The outer guide member 14 can be coupled to the connector body 11. The outer guide member 14 can be disposed outwardly relative to the upper guide member 12 and the lower guide member 13.

[0054] The outer guide member 14 may include an outer guide surface that is inclined inward, i.e., in the opposite direction to the outward direction, as it approaches the first direction D1, and may be configured to guide the substrate unit 20 inward.

[0055] For example, when the substrate portion 20 moves toward the outer side of the connector groove 15, the substrate portion 20 comes into contact with the outer guide surface, and the outer guide surface guides the substrate portion 20 inward, thereby allowing the substrate portion 20 to be inserted into the connector groove 15.

[0056] <Specific Shape of Mounting Section 30> The mounting unit 30 may include a mounting unit body 31, a first protruding member 32, and a second protruding member 33. The substrate unit 20 may be mounted on the upper side of the mounting unit body 31. The first protruding member 32 may protrude upward from an end of the mounting unit body 31 on the second direction D2 side. The second protruding member 33 may protrude upward from an end of the mounting unit body 31 on the third direction D3 side, which is perpendicular to the vertical direction and the first direction D1. This structure of the mounting unit 30 allows the substrate unit 20 to be stably mounted on the upper side of the mounting unit body 31.

[0057] <Specific Shape of Cover Portion 40> The cover unit 40 may include a first cover member 41 and a second cover member 42. The first cover member 41 may be inserted into an opening OP formed in a lamp housing H of a vehicle, and the mounting unit 30 may be coupled thereto. The first cover member 41 may have a size corresponding to the opening OP. Since the first cover member 41 has a size corresponding to the opening OP, it is possible to prevent water from entering through the opening OP. Therefore, the LED driver module according to an embodiment of the present invention does not require a separate case for watertightness, which can reduce costs and simplify the production process.

[0058] The second cover member 42 may be coupled to the first cover member 41 on the second direction D2 side. The second cover member 42 may have a size that allows it to cover the first cover member 41 when viewed from the second direction D2 side. This may mean that the second cover member 42 can cover the opening OP. The second cover member 42 may be coupled to the lamp housing H. Although FIG. 3 illustrates the second cover member 42 being coupled to the lamp housing H with bolts, this is not necessarily limited to this, and various modifications are possible, such as attachment using an adhesive or magnetism.

[0059] The cover 40 may further include at least one protrusion member 43. The protrusion member 43 may protrude outward from the second cover member 42. Such protrusion member 43 may function as a structure to prevent misassembly when subsequently combining with an LED of a different specification. For example, in the case of an A-type LED, the cover 40 may be formed with one hole on the left side so that it can be assembled only when there is one protrusion member 43 on the left side. In this case, an LED that does not have one hole on the left side cannot be combined with the cover 40, thereby preventing misassembly.

[0060] <Sealing part 50> The LED driver module according to an embodiment of the present invention may further include a sealing unit 50. The sealing unit 50 may be provided to enclose the outer surface of the first cover member 41 and be disposed between the opening OP (FIG. 3) and the first cover member 41. The sealing unit 50 may be made of, but is not limited to, a rubber material. By disposing the sealing unit 50 between the opening OP and the first cover member 41, the watertightness between the opening OP and the first cover member 41 may be further strengthened.

[0061] <Shielding part 60> The LED driver module according to an embodiment of the present invention may further include a shielding portion 60. The shielding portion 60 may be disposed above the substrate portion 20 and may be provided to shield the substrate portion 20 from the outside electromagnetically. That is, the shielding portion 60 may be a configuration for protecting the substrate portion 20 from external electromagnetic waves.

[0062] <Electrical component unit 70> FIG. 8 is a perspective view illustrating an LED driver module further including an electrical component unit 70. As illustrated in FIG. 8, the LED driver module according to an embodiment of the present invention may further include an electrical component unit 70. The electrical component unit 70 may be coupled to the second direction D2 side of the second cover member 42 and may be electrically connected to the substrate portion 20. When the electrical component unit 70 is further included, compared to the case where the electrical component unit is disposed in the lamp housing, there is no need to separately add a main wire that was necessary for the electrical connection between the electrical component unit and the substrate portion, so that the cost can be reduced, and the space utilization efficiency can be improved.

[0063] <Vehicle including an LED driver module> Hereinafter, a vehicle including an LED driver module according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail. The specific description regarding the above-described LED driver module can be similarly applied to the vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0064] The vehicle may include a lamp housing H (FIG. 3) and an LED driver module. An opening OP (FIG. 3) may be formed in the lamp housing H. The LED driver module may be inserted into the opening OP.

[0065] As shown in FIGS. 4 to 7 , the LED driver module can be inserted into the interior space of the lamp housing H through the opening OP. The LED driver module can include a connector unit 10, a substrate unit 20, a mounting unit 30, and a cover unit 40. The connector unit 10 can be coupled to the interior of the lamp housing H. The substrate unit 20 can be provided such that an end thereof on the first direction D1 side contacts the connector unit 10. The mounting unit 30 can be provided such that the substrate unit 20 is mounted thereon, and an end thereof on the first direction D1 side contacts the connector unit 10. The cover unit 40 can be coupled to the second direction D2 side of the mounting unit 30 and can cover the opening OP from the outside of the lamp housing H.

[0066] The above description merely exemplifies the technical concept of the present invention, and various modifications and variations are possible within the scope of the essential characteristics of the present invention, as long as they are not deviated from the essential characteristics of the present invention. Therefore, the embodiments disclosed in the present invention are for illustrative purposes only, and are not intended to limit the technical concept of the present invention. The scope of protection of the present invention should be interpreted by the following claims, and all technical concepts within the scope equivalent thereto should be interpreted as being within the scope of the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0067] 10 Connector part 11 Connector body 12 Upper guide member 13 Lower guide member 14 Outer guide member 15 Connector groove 16 Compartment members 20 Circuit board section 21 Substrate material 22 Insertion recess 30 Placement section 31 Mounting body 32 First protruding member 33 Second protruding member 40 Cover 41 first cover member 42 second cover member 43 Protruding member 50 Sealing part 60 Shielding part 70 Electrical Equipment Department D1 1st direction D2 2nd direction D3 Third direction H Lamp housing OP Opening

Claims

1. 1. An LED driver module adapted to be coupled to a lamp housing of a vehicle, comprising: a connector portion adapted to be coupled to the interior of a lamp housing of a vehicle; a substrate portion provided so that an end portion on a first direction side, which is a direction from the outside to the inside of the lamp housing, comes into contact with the connector portion; a mounting portion provided on an upper side thereof so that the substrate portion is mounted thereon, and an end portion of the mounting portion on the first direction side is provided so that the end portion comes into contact with the connector portion; and a cover portion coupled to a second direction side of the mounting portion, which is opposite to the first direction, and covering the substrate portion and the mounting portion from the outside of the lamp housing of the vehicle.

2. The connector portion is a connector body adapted to couple to the vehicle; a plurality of connector grooves formed in the connector body from an end of the connector body on the second direction side to be recessed in the first direction, the connector grooves being configured to receive portions of the substrate; a partition member disposed between the plurality of connector grooves and configured to partition the plurality of connector grooves, The substrate portion is a base member electrically connected to the vehicle; 2. The LED driver module of claim 1, further comprising an insertion recess formed in the second direction at a position corresponding to the partition member at the end of the first direction side of the substrate member, and configured to allow the partition member to be inserted therein.

3. The partition member is The LED driver module according to claim 2 , wherein the LED driver module is disposed offset in the left-right width direction with respect to a center point in the left-right width direction of the connector groove.

4. The connector portion is a connector body adapted to couple to the vehicle; The LED driver module according to claim 1 , further comprising: an upper guide member disposed above the substrate portion and coupled to the connector body.

5. The upper guide member is The LED driver module of claim 4 , further comprising an upper guide surface that is inclined downward in the first direction and that guides the substrate portion downward.

6. The connector portion is The LED driver module according to claim 4 , further comprising a lower guide member disposed below the substrate portion and coupled to the connector body.

7. The lower guide member is The LED driver module of claim 6 , further comprising a lower guide surface that is inclined upward in the first direction and that guides the substrate portion upward.

8. The upper guide member and the lower guide member are The LED driver modules according to claim 6 , arranged side by side in a vertical direction.

9. The connector portion is a connector body adapted to couple to the vehicle; The LED driver module according to claim 1 , further comprising: an outer guide member disposed on an outer side of the substrate portion, the outer guide member being coupled to the connector body.

10. The outer guide member 10. The LED driver module of claim 9, further comprising an outer guide surface that is inclined inward, opposite the outward direction, toward the first direction and configured to guide the substrate portion toward the inward direction.

11. The placement section is a mounting body on which the substrate unit is mounted; a first protruding member protruding upward from an end of the mounting portion body on the second direction side; The LED driver module according to claim 1 , further comprising: a second protruding member protruding upward from an end of the mounting portion body in a vertical direction and a third direction perpendicular to the first direction.

12. The cover portion is a first cover member that is inserted into an opening formed in the lamp housing of the vehicle and that is provided so as to be coupled to the mounting portion; 2. The LED driver module of claim 1, further comprising: a second cover member coupled to the second direction side of the first cover member and having a size sufficient to cover the first cover member when viewed from the second direction side.

13. The LED driver module according to claim 12 , further comprising a sealing portion provided to enclose an outer surface of the first cover member and to be disposed between the opening and the first cover member.

14. The cover portion is The LED driver module according to claim 12 , further comprising at least one protruding member protruding outward from the second cover member.

15. The LED driver module of claim 12 , further comprising an electrical component coupled to the second side of the second cover member and electrically connected to the substrate.

16. The LED driver module according to claim 1 , further comprising a shielding portion disposed above the substrate portion and configured to shield the substrate portion.

17. a lamp housing having an opening formed therein; an LED driver module inserted into the interior space of the lamp housing through the opening, The LED driver module includes: a connector portion coupled to the interior of the lamp housing; a substrate portion provided so that an end portion on a first direction side, which is a direction from the outside to the inside of the lamp housing, comes into contact with the connector portion; a mounting portion provided on an upper side thereof so that the substrate portion is mounted thereon, and an end portion of the mounting portion on the first direction side is provided so that the end portion comes into contact with the connector portion; a cover portion coupled to the mounting portion on a second direction side opposite to the first direction, the cover portion covering the opening from the outside of the lamp housing.

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