Vehicle Lamps

Abstract

To provide a lamp for a vehicle which implements a disparity perspective through refraction and reflection of side light radiated by a light source.SOLUTION: A lamp 1 for a vehicle includes: a lamp housing 10; a bezel part 20 installed in the lamp housing 10; a light source part 30 including a board 31 installed in the bezel part 20, and a plurality of light sources 35 mounted on the board 31; a lens part 50 which is attached to the lamp housing 10 and provided so as to radiate light generated by the light source part 30 to the outside; and a reflection part 40 which is installed spaced apart from the light source part 30 on the rear side opposite to the front side as seen in a direction from the light source part 30 toward the lens part 50 and which is provided so as to reflect the light radiated from the light source part 30 to the front side. The board 31 is formed of a transparent material having light transparency such that a portion of the light generated by the plurality of light sources 35 reaches the reflection part 40.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a vehicle lamp, and more particularly to a vehicle lamp that realizes a three-dimensional lighting pattern. [Background technology]

[0002] Generally, vehicle lamps are installed at the front or rear of a vehicle and emit different light depending on the purpose, thereby informing other vehicles and pedestrians of driving information such as the vehicle's position, driving status, and planned route.

[0003] Vehicle lamps have a significant impact on the design and image of a vehicle, and so recently, lamps with a variety of designs have been developed that take into account both functionality and aesthetics. At the same time, efforts are being made to differentiate designs by diversifying the images realized by vehicle lamps. That is, rather than simply realizing the image of a light source being lit, efforts are being made to realize images that stand out with detail and a three-dimensional effect, thereby improving marketability. Such a three-dimensional effect can be realized by utilizing visual perception differences such as binocular parallax, perspective, and contrast.

[0004] However, in the past, forming a three-dimensional image in a vehicle lamp required many light sources or structures other than the light sources, which increased costs. Therefore, there is a need for improved technology that can realize a three-dimensional image at low cost. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] The present invention has been developed to solve the above-mentioned problems, and has an object to provide a vehicle lamp that realizes parallax perspective by refraction and reflection of side light emitted from a light source.

[0006] Another object of the present invention is to provide a vehicle lamp that enhances the three-dimensional effect by the shape of the reflecting portion, thereby improving visibility.

[0007] Another object of the present invention is to provide a vehicle lamp that forms a three-dimensional illumination pattern at low cost. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] In order to achieve the above object, a vehicle lamp according to the present invention includes a lamp housing, a bezel installed in the lamp housing, a light source unit including a substrate installed in the bezel and a plurality of light sources mounted on the substrate, a lens unit attached to the lamp housing and configured to emit light generated by the light source unit to the outside, and a reflector installed at a distance from the light source unit at a rear side opposite to a forward direction from the light source unit toward the lens unit and configured to reflect light emitted from the light source unit to the front, wherein the substrate is made of a transparent material having optical transparency so that a portion of the light generated from the plurality of light sources reaches the reflector.

[0009] The light source may include a front surface facing the front, a rear surface facing the rear and in contact with the substrate, and a side surface provided between the front surface and the rear surface, and a portion of side light that is light emitted from the side surface of the light source may be refracted by the substrate and reach the reflector.

[0010] The substrate may be formed with a curved surface that is recessed toward the front.

[0011] The substrate may be provided as a Flexible Printed Circuit Board (FPCB).

[0012] The reflecting unit may include a main body disposed behind the substrate and installed on the bezel, and a reflecting surface formed on the front-facing surface of the main body, spaced apart from the substrate, and configured to reflect light irradiated from the light source unit forward.

[0013] The reflective surface may be formed by depositing a light-reflecting material.

[0014] The reflecting surface may be formed as a curved surface that is recessed toward the front.

[0015] The substrate may be curved to be recessed toward the front, and the curvature of the reflective surface may be greater than the curvature of the substrate.

[0016] The substrate and the reflective surface may be formed symmetrically with respect to a vertical center plane, which is an imaginary plane obtained by extending a central axis that passes through the center of the light source unit and extends in a direction in which light is emitted by the vehicle lamp in a direction perpendicular to the ground.

[0017] The substrate and the reflective surface may be formed asymmetrically with respect to a vertical center plane, which is an imaginary plane obtained by extending a central axis that passes through the center of the light source unit and extends in a direction in which light is emitted by the vehicle lamp in a direction perpendicular to the ground.

[0018] The distance between the substrate and the reflecting surface may be shortest from the center of the light source unit.

[0019] The vehicle lamp may be a rear lamp installed on the rear surface of the vehicle. [Effects of the Invention]

[0020] In this way, the vehicle lamp according to the embodiment of the present invention can form a three-dimensional lighting pattern by realizing parallax perspective as the side light of the light source is refracted by the transparent substrate and reflected by the reflective portion.

[0021] Furthermore, according to the present invention, the reflective portion is formed in a convex shape, which can emphasize the three-dimensional effect and ensure a sufficient light irradiation area, thereby improving visibility.

[0022] Furthermore, according to the present invention, the curvature of the reflective surface is greater than the curvature of the substrate, so that the amount of side light from the light source that is refracted by the substrate and reaches the reflective surface can be increased.

[0023] Furthermore, according to the present invention, the three-dimensional effect can be achieved with a simple structure, thereby reducing the cost for forming a three-dimensional illumination pattern. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0024] [Figure 1] 1 is a cross-sectional view schematically illustrating a vehicle lamp according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 2] 1 is a diagram illustrating a vehicle lamp according to an embodiment of the present invention, and is a diagram illustrating light rays from some of the light sources in FIG. [Figure 3] 1 is an image showing an example of a light source unit according to the present invention. [Figure 4] 1 is a schematic view of a light source unit according to an embodiment of the present invention, illustrating that side light from the light source is refracted by a substrate; [Figure 5] 10 is a diagram illustrating a comparative example of a light source unit according to the present invention, in which the substrate is flat; FIG. [Figure 6] FIG. 3 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of part A in FIG. 2. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0025] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0026] First, the following examples are suitable for understanding the technical features of the vehicle lamp of the present invention. However, the present invention is not limited to the following examples, and the technical features of the present invention are not limited by the following examples. Various modifications are possible within the technical scope of the present invention.

[0027] FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a vehicle lamp according to one embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a view illustrating a vehicle lamp according to one embodiment of the present invention, and a view illustrating light rays from a part of a light source in FIG. 1, FIG. 3 is an image showing an example of a light source unit according to the present invention, FIG. 4 is a view illustrating a light source unit according to one embodiment of the present invention, and is a view for explaining that side light from the light source is refracted by the substrate, FIG. 5 is a view illustrating a comparative example of a light source unit according to the present invention, and is a view illustrating the case where the substrate is flat, and FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view enlarging part A of FIG. 2.

[0028] 1 to 6, a vehicle lamp 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a lamp housing 10, a bezel portion 20, a light source portion 30, a lens portion 50, and a reflector portion 40.

[0029] The lamp housing 10 is a member for covering parts including a bezel portion 20, a light source portion 30, a lens portion 50, and a reflecting portion 40, and a space for accommodating these parts can be formed.

[0030] The bezel 20 is installed in the lamp housing 10. The bezel 20 forms the edge of the lamp and can be attached inside the lamp housing 10. As in the illustrated embodiment, the bezel 20 can serve to fix the edge of the light source 30 together with the reflector 40.

[0031] The light source unit 30 includes a substrate 31 that is placed in the bezel unit 20 and a plurality of light sources 35 that are mounted on the substrate 31 .

[0032] Specifically, the substrate 31 may be a printed circuit board (PCB) on which a predetermined circuit pattern is formed. For example, the substrate 31 may include a flexible printed circuit board (FPCB). The flexible circuit board 31 is a circuit board 31 with copper foil that can be flexibly bent, and has the advantage of being thin and flexible, allowing the substrate 31 to be realized to match the shape of the lamp design.

[0033] The light source 35 may be implemented as an LED (Light Emitting Diode), and a plurality of LEDs may be mounted on the substrate 31. The plurality of LEDs may be arranged vertically and horizontally on the substrate 31 to form a matrix (see FIG. 3). The light source 35 may be provided in various forms, such as an LED chip or an LED package.

[0034] The lens unit 50 is attached to the lamp housing 10 and configured to emit light generated by the light source unit 30 to the outside. That is, the light emitted from the light source unit 30 can be transmitted through the lens unit 50 and emitted to the outside.

[0035] The reflecting unit 40 is installed at a distance from the light source unit 30 at the rear, which is the opposite direction from the front, which is the direction from the light source unit 30 toward the lens unit 50, and is configured to reflect light emitted from the light source unit 30 forward.

[0036] Specifically, when the direction in which light is emitted by the vehicle lamp 1 is defined as the forward direction and the opposite direction to the forward direction is defined as the rearward direction, the lens unit 50 may be disposed in front of the light source unit 30 and the reflector 40 may be disposed behind the light source unit 30. That is, the reflector 40, the light source unit 30, and the lens unit 50 may be disposed in this order inside the lamp housing 10 facing forward. Here, the direction in which light is emitted by the vehicle lamp 1 may be the forward direction or the rearward direction of the vehicle. For example, when the vehicle lamp 1 is a rear lamp, the forward direction in which light is emitted may be the opposite direction to the vehicle's traveling direction.

[0037] Here, the substrate 31 is made of a transparent material having optical transparency, so that part of the light generated from the plurality of light sources 35 can reach the reflecting portion 40.

[0038] Specifically, the light source 35 may include a front surface 36 that faces forward, a rear surface 37 that faces rearward and contacts the substrate 31, and a side surface 38 provided between the front surface 36 and the rear surface 37. In addition, part of the side light SL that is light emitted from the side surface 38 of the light source 35 may be refracted by the substrate 31 and reach the reflecting unit 40. The light that reaches the reflecting unit 40 is reflected forward.

[0039] Most of the light from light source 35 is emitted through front surface 36 facing forward, but light is also emitted through side surface 38. When the light emitted from side surface 38 of light source 35 is referred to as side light SL, the side light SL can spread radially from side surface 38. A portion of this side light SL can reach substrate 31, and the side light SL that reaches substrate 31 is refracted by transparent substrate 31 and can reach reflector 40 located at the rear.

[0040] A portion of the side light SL from the light source 35 is refracted by the substrate 31 and reaches the reflecting portion 40, and another portion of the side light SL is reflected from the substrate 31. A three-dimensional illumination pattern can be formed by the light reflected from the substrate 31 or the reflecting portion 40. In this case, the more the amount of side light SL that is refracted by the substrate 31 and reflected by the reflecting portion 40 is greater than the amount of side light SL that is totally reflected by the substrate 31, the more the three-dimensional effect of the illumination pattern can be emphasized.

[0041] The substrate 31 may be formed with a curved surface that is concave toward the front. In other words, the substrate 31 may be formed with a convex shape toward the front, which is possible when the substrate 31 is provided as a flexible circuit board, as described above.

[0042] By forming the substrate 31 as a curved surface, the amount of side light SL that refracts through the substrate 31 and reaches the reflecting portion 40 can be increased. This further enhances the three-dimensional effect of the illumination pattern. Specifically, when the substrate 31' is flat, as in the comparative example shown in FIG. 5, the amount of side light SL' that is refracted by the substrate 31' and reaches the reflecting portion 40 is greater than the amount that is totally reflected by the substrate 31'. In other words, most of the side light SL' emitted from the side surface 38' of the light source 35' does not reach the reflecting portion 40. In other words, in the comparative example of FIG. 5, the illumination pattern of the lamp is formed by the light emitted from the front surface 36' of the light source 35' and the light that is totally reflected by the substrate 31'. In this case, the three-dimensional effect of the illumination pattern may be insufficient.

[0043] 4, when the substrate 31 is formed as a curved surface, the amount of side light SL that is refracted by the substrate 31 and reaches the reflecting portion 40 can be increased compared to when the substrate 31 is flat. The side light SL that is transmitted through the substrate 31 and reflected by the reflecting portion 40 can further emphasize the three-dimensional effect of the illumination pattern.

[0044] As described above, the vehicle lamp 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention can be provided with a plurality of light sources 35 and a transparent substrate 31 formed with a curved surface, so that the side light SL from the light source 35 is refracted and reflected by the reflector 40. As a result, the present invention can realize a parallax perspective of the illumination pattern by the light DL emitted from the front surface 36 of the light source 35 and the refracted and reflected side light SL. As a result, the present invention can realize a three-dimensional illumination pattern with a simple structure and low cost.

[0045] Meanwhile, the reflecting portion 40 may include a body 41 and a reflecting surface 43 .

[0046] The main body 41 forms the main body of the reflector 40 , and can be installed in the bezel 20 and disposed behind the substrate 31 .

[0047] The reflective surface 43 may be formed on a surface of the body 41 facing forward, spaced apart from the substrate 31, and configured to reflect light emitted from the light source unit 30 forward. That is, the reflective surface 43 may be formed on a surface of the body 41 facing the substrate 31.

[0048] For example, the end of the main body 41 may protrude toward the substrate 31, and the substrate 31 may be fixed by the end of the main body 41 and the bezel part 20. The reflective surface 43 may be formed in an area other than the end of the main body 41.

[0049] Here, the reflective surface 43 may be formed by depositing a light-reflecting material. For example, the reflective surface 43 may be formed by depositing or coating a material having high reflectivity on the front-facing surface of the body 41. As an example, the reflective surface 43 may be formed by aluminum deposition, but is not limited thereto. The reflector 40 may reflect the side light SL emitted from the light source 35 forward using the reflective surface 43.

[0050] On the other hand, the reflecting surface 43 may be formed as a curved surface that is recessed forward. That is, the reflecting surface 43 may be formed as a convex surface that faces the lens portion 50, similar to the substrate 31.

[0051] More specifically, the surface of the body 41 facing the substrate 31 may be formed to be concave toward the front, and the reflective surface 43 may be formed by depositing a deposition material on such a convex surface.

[0052] In this way, by forming the reflecting surface 43 in a convex shape, the side light SL1, SL2, and SL3 emitted from the light source 35 onto the reflecting surface 43 can be reflected at different angles by the reflecting surface 43 depending on the angle of incidence. Here, the side light SL emitted from the light source 35 can be imaged into at least two or more images on the reflecting surface 43. As a result, the present invention can realize a three-dimensional effect of the illumination pattern due to the imaging on the reflecting surface 43.

[0053] For example, referring to Figures 2 and 6, multiple side lights SL1, SL2, and SL3 that pass through the substrate 31 from one light source 35 and reach the reflecting portion 40 can each reach different points on the reflecting surface 43, and a three-dimensional light pattern can be formed due to the convex shape of the reflecting surface 43.

[0054] Furthermore, by forming the reflective surface 43 as a curved surface that is recessed forward, it is possible to illuminate a wide range and improve visibility.

[0055] Meanwhile, in order for the side light SL from the light source 35 to be imaged on the reflecting surface 43, the curvatures of the substrate 31 and the reflecting surface 43 must be different from each other. Specifically, the curvature of the reflecting surface 43 may be greater than the curvature of the substrate 31. That is, the radius of curvature of the reflecting surface 43 may be smaller than the radius of curvature of the substrate 31.

[0056] In this way, the curvature of the reflecting surface 43 is formed to be larger than the curvature of the substrate 31, thereby maximizing the stereoscopic effect using binocular disparity.

[0057] On the other hand, the curved surface shape of the substrate 31 and the curved surface shape of the reflecting surface 43 can be formed into various curved shapes as long as they can be formed in a convex shape in the direction toward the lens portion 50.

[0058] For example, the substrate 31 and the reflective surface 43 can be formed symmetrically with respect to a vertical center plane, which is an imaginary plane extending perpendicularly to the ground from the central axis C that passes through the center of the light source unit 30 and extends in the direction of light irradiation by the vehicle lamp 1.

[0059] Hereinafter, an axis passing through the center of the substrate 31 and extending forward based on the direction of light irradiation is defined as a central axis C, and an imaginary plane extending from the central axis C in a direction perpendicular to the ground is defined as a vertical central plane. In this case, the substrate 31 and the reflective surface 43 may be formed to be symmetrical on the left and right sides based on the vertical central plane.

[0060] Furthermore, for example, the substrate 31 and the reflective surface 43 can be formed asymmetrically with respect to a vertical center plane, which is an imaginary plane extending perpendicularly to the ground from the central axis C that passes through the center of the light source unit 30 and extends in the direction of light irradiation by the vehicle lamp 1.

[0061] That is, the substrate 31 and the reflective surface 43 may be formed asymmetrically with respect to the vertical center plane, but even in this case, the substrate 31 and the reflective surface 43 may be formed similarly with respect to the vertical center plane.

[0062] Here, the distance between the substrate 31 and the reflecting surface 43 may be formed to be the shortest from the center of the light source unit 30 .

[0063] Specifically, the distance between the substrate 31 and the reflecting surface 43 can be shortest on the central axis C. This is because the substrate 31 and the reflecting surface 43 are formed in a forward convex shape, the curvature of the reflecting surface 43 is greater than the curvature of the substrate 31, and the substrate 31 and the reflecting surface 43 are formed so that the left and right sides are similar with respect to the vertical central plane. However, the distance between the substrate 31 and the reflecting surface 43 is not limited to this.

[0064] On the other hand, for example, the vehicle lamp 1 may be a rear lamp installed on the rear surface of the vehicle.

[0065] Specifically, the vehicle lamp 1 according to the present invention may be installed at the rear of a vehicle and configured to emit light in the direction opposite to the vehicle's traveling direction. The vehicle lamp 1 may be a lamp having various functions such as a back lamp or a brake lamp, as long as it is a lamp mounted on the rear of the vehicle. However, the vehicle lamp 1 according to the present invention is not limited to a rear lamp and may also be applied to a head lamp, etc.

[0066] As described above, the vehicle lamp according to the embodiment of the present invention can form a three-dimensional illumination pattern by realizing a parallax perspective as the side light from the light source is refracted by the transparent substrate and reflected by the reflector. Furthermore, according to the present invention, the reflector is formed in a convex shape, thereby emphasizing the three-dimensional effect and ensuring a sufficient light irradiation area to improve visibility.

[0067] In addition, according to the present invention, the curvature of the reflective surface is greater than the curvature of the substrate, thereby increasing the amount of side light from the light source that is refracted by the substrate and reaches the reflective surface.Furthermore, according to the present invention, the three-dimensional effect is achieved with a simple structure, thereby reducing the cost of forming a three-dimensional illumination pattern.

[0068] Although specific embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail above, the spirit and scope of the present invention are not limited to such specific embodiments, and various modifications and variations can be made by those skilled in the art to which the present invention pertains, without departing from the spirit of the present invention as defined in the claims. [Explanation of symbols]

[0069] 1 Vehicle lamp 10 Lamp housing 20 Bezel 30 Light source section 31 PCB 35 Light source 36 Front 37 Back 38 Side 40 Reflector 41 Main Unit 43 Reflective surface 50 Lens section DL Naomitsu SL, SL1, SL2, SL3 side light C center axis

Claims

1. A lamp housing; a bezel portion installed on the lamp housing; a light source unit including a substrate disposed in the bezel portion and a plurality of light sources mounted on the substrate; a lens unit mounted on the lamp housing to emit light generated by the light source unit to the outside; a reflector, the reflector being installed at a rear end, which is opposite to a front end, which is a direction from the light source unit toward the lens unit, and spaced apart from the light source unit, the reflector including a reflecting surface configured to reflect light emitted from the light source unit toward the front end, the substrate is formed with a curved surface that is recessed toward the front, the reflecting surface is formed as a curved surface recessed toward the front, The curvature of the reflecting surface is greater than the curvature of the substrate, The vehicle lamp is configured such that the distance between the substrate and the reflecting surface is shortest from the center of the light source portion.

2. the light source includes a front surface facing the front, a rear surface facing the rear and in contact with the substrate, and a side surface provided between the front surface and the rear surface, The vehicle lamp according to claim 1 , wherein a portion of side light, which is light emitted from the side surface of the light source, is refracted by the substrate and reaches the reflecting portion.

3. A vehicle lamp as described in claim 1, wherein the substrate is made of a transparent material having optical transparency so that a portion of the light generated from the plurality of light sources reaches the reflective portion.

4. 2. The vehicular lamp according to claim 1, wherein the substrate is provided as a flexible printed circuit board (FPCB).

5. The reflecting portion is a main body disposed behind the substrate and installed in the bezel portion; The reflective surface is The vehicular lamp according to claim 1 , wherein the light source is formed on the front surface of the body and spaced apart from the substrate.

6. The vehicle lamp according to claim 5, wherein the reflective surface is formed by vapor deposition of a light-reflecting material.

7. 6. The vehicle lamp according to claim 5, wherein the substrate and the reflective surface are formed symmetrically with respect to a vertical center plane, which is an imaginary plane obtained by extending a central axis that passes through a center of the light source unit and extends in a direction perpendicular to the ground.

8. 6. The vehicle lamp according to claim 5, wherein the substrate and the reflective surface are formed asymmetrically with respect to a vertical center plane, which is an imaginary plane obtained by extending a central axis that passes through a center of the light source unit and extends in a direction perpendicular to the ground.

9. 2. The vehicle lamp according to claim 1, wherein the vehicle lamp is a rear lamp installed on a rear surface of a vehicle.

Images