Vehicle lamp and vehicle including the lamp

Abstract

To provide a lamp for a vehicle, and a vehicle including the lamp.SOLUTION: Disclosed are a lamp for a vehicle, and a vehicle including the lamp. The lamp includes: a light source configured to emit light beams; a first optical part provided in front of the light source; and a second optical part provided in front of the first optical part. The second optical part includes: an MFL region including a plurality of facet lenses and having level differences formed at boundaries between the plurality of facet lenses; and a convex lens region provided at one side of the MFL region and having a shape convex forward.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a vehicle lamp and a vehicle including the lamp. [Background technology]

[0002] Vehicles are equipped with various types of vehicle lamps depending on their functions, such as low beam lamps, high beam lamps, and DRL (Daytime Running Light) lamps at the front of the vehicle.

[0003] The above-mentioned vehicle lamps may be equipped with various types of lenses. For example, the vehicle lamps may be equipped with a multi-faceted lens (MFL) having multiple facet lenses. In the case of a vehicle lamp equipped with an MFL, each unit light distribution pattern is individually formed by the multiple facet lenses provided in the MFL, and the unit light distribution patterns are gathered together to form a single light distribution pattern having a predetermined shape. In particular, the MFL has the advantage of being able to reduce the size of the vehicle lamp compared to other types of lenses.

[0004] However, light sources such as LEDs installed in vehicle lamps have a predetermined vertical size. This has led to a problem with the performance of the light distribution pattern of vehicle lamps equipped with MFLs, according to prior art. Specifically, vehicle lamps are often designed assuming that the light source is a point light source. However, in reality, light sources have a predetermined vertical size, which means that aberrations due to the size of the light source are directly reflected in the light distribution pattern. This problem is particularly pronounced in vehicle lamps equipped with MFLs, where light emitted from multiple facets forms individual unit light distribution patterns, which then assemble to form a single beam pattern. This results in vehicle lamps not meeting the regulations and performance requirements. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] Therefore, the problem to be solved by the present invention is to improve the performance of the light distribution pattern of a vehicle lamp equipped with an MFL. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] According to one aspect of the present invention for achieving the above object, a light source for emitting light, a first optical unit provided in front of the light source, and a second optical unit provided in front of the first optical unit, the second optical unit including a plurality of facet lenses, an MFL region having a step formed at a boundary between the plurality of facets, and a convex lens region provided on one side of the MFL region and having a shape convex toward the front. the first optical unit includes a collimator region that receives light emitted from the light source and then emits the light as parallel light, and a light guide region that protrudes forward from the collimator region and into which at least a portion of the light emitted from the collimator region is incident. A vehicle lamp is provided.

[0007] The MFL region and the convex lens region may be provided in close contact with each other or may be integrally formed.

[0008] A convex lens region may be provided in a central region of the second optical portion.

[0009] The MFL region may be provided to surround the periphery of the convex lens region.

[0011] A portion of the collimator region other than a portion connected to the light guide region may be provided to face the MFL region, and the light guide region may be provided to face the convex lens region.

[0012] The convex lens region may include an aspheric lens shape.

[0013] The light guide region may have a shape in which a cross section taken perpendicular to a front-rear direction A of the lamp decreases in size as it approaches the second optical unit.

[0014] The light guide region may include a cut-off surface having a stepped shape.

[0015] The cut-off surface may be formed on a lower surface of the light guide region.

[0016] The light guide region may have a shape parallel to the front-rear direction A of the lamp, and an upper periphery of a cross section cut parallel to the up-down direction B of the lamp may be formed parallel to the front-rear direction A.

[0017] The light guide region may be parallel to a front-rear direction A of the lamp, and may have a shape in which a lower periphery of a cross section cut parallel to a top-bottom direction B of the lamp is inclined.

[0018] The front end of the light guide region may be provided at a position corresponding to the focal point of the convex lens region.

[0019] The area and shape of the rear end of the light guide region can correspond to the area and shape of the convex lens region.

[0020] According to another aspect of the present invention to achieve the above object, there is provided a vehicle including a vehicle lamp, the vehicle lamp including a light source that emits light, a first optical unit provided in front of the light source, and a second optical unit provided in front of the first optical unit, the first optical unit including a collimator region that receives light emitted from the light source and then outputs it as parallel light, and a light guide region that protrudes forward from the collimator region and into which at least a portion of the light emitted from the collimator region is incident, and the second optical unit includes a plurality of facet lenses, an MFL region in which steps are formed at boundaries between the plurality of facets, and a convex lens region provided on one side of the MFL region and having a forwardly convex shape.

[0021] The vehicle lamp forms a predetermined light distribution pattern, and the light distribution pattern includes a first light distribution pattern formed by a first light of the light emitted from the light source that passes through the collimator region, the light guide region, and the convex lens region and is emitted to the outside, and a second light distribution pattern formed by a second light of the light emitted from the light source that passes through the collimator region and the MFL region and is emitted to the outside.

[0022] The second light distribution pattern can surround the periphery of the first light distribution pattern. [Effects of the Invention]

[0023] According to the present invention, the performance of the light distribution pattern of a vehicle lamp equipped with an MFL can be improved. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0024] [Figure 1] 1 is a perspective view showing the structure of a vehicle lamp according to the present invention; [Figure 2] 1 is a side cross-sectional view showing the structure of a vehicle lamp according to the present invention. [Figure 3] 4 is an enlarged view of an end portion of a light guide region provided in a vehicle lamp according to the present invention; FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0025] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS A vehicle lamp and a vehicle according to the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0026] [Vehicle lamps] Fig. 1 is a perspective view showing the structure of a vehicle lamp according to the present invention, Fig. 2 is a side cross-sectional view showing the structure of a vehicle lamp according to the present invention, and Fig. 3 is an enlarged view showing an end of a light guide region provided in a vehicle lamp according to the present invention.

[0027] 1 to 3, a vehicle lamp 10 (hereinafter referred to as "lamp") according to the present invention may include a light source 100 that emits light, a first optical unit 200 provided in front of the light source 100, and a second optical unit 300 provided in front of the first optical unit 200. In this specification, the direction in which the light source 100, the first optical unit 200, and the second optical unit 300 are arranged is defined as a front-rear direction A of the lamp 10.

[0028] The light source 100 may be, for example, an LED, but is not limited to this type of light source 100. In addition, the first optical unit 200 and the second optical unit 300 may be made of a material that can transmit light.

[0029] The first optical unit 200 may include a collimator region 210 configured to receive light emitted from the light source 100 and then emit it as parallel light, and a light guide region 220 configured to protrude forward from the collimator region 210 and into which at least a portion of the light emitted from the collimator region 210 is incident.

[0030] As shown in the drawing, the size of a cross section of the collimator region 210 cut in a direction perpendicular to the front-rear direction A may be larger than the size of a cross section of the light guide region 220 cut in a direction perpendicular to the front-rear direction A. Therefore, according to the present invention, a portion of the light emitted from the light source 100 and incident on the collimator region 210 can be incident on the light guide region 220 after emitting from the collimator region 210, and the other portion can be emitted to the external space without being incident on the light guide region 220 after emitting from the collimator region 210.

[0031] Meanwhile, the second optical unit 300 may include an MFL region 310 including a plurality of facet lenses, in which steps are formed at the boundaries between the facets, and a convex lens region 320 provided on one side of the MFL region 310 and having a convex shape facing forward.

[0032] More specifically, the MFL region 310 and the convex lens region 320 may be provided in close contact with each other. For example, if the MFL region 310 and the convex lens region 320 are provided separately, the MFL region 310 and the convex lens region 320 may have an assembled structure. Alternatively, the MFL region 310 and the convex lens region 320 may be integrally formed. Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 1 , a portion of the surface of the front region of the convex lens region 320 may be located behind the front region of the MFL region 310. For example, the peripheral region of the convex lens region 320 may be located behind the MFL region 310, and the central region of the convex lens region 320 may be located ahead of the MFL region 310. Alternatively, the entire front region of the convex lens region 320 may be located ahead of the MFL region 310.

[0033] Referring now to the drawings, the convex lens region 320 may be provided in a central region of the second optical unit 300. For example, as shown in FIG. 1, the convex lens region 320 may be provided in a central region of the second optical unit 300 in the vertical and horizontal directions of the lamp 10.

[0034] Furthermore, the MFL region 310 can be provided so as to surround the periphery of the convex lens region 320. More preferably, the MFL region 310 is shown to be provided so as to sandwich the periphery of the convex lens region 320 in the vertical and horizontal directions of the lamp 10.

[0035] Meanwhile, according to the present invention, a portion of collimator region 210 other than a portion connected to light guide region 220 may be configured to face MFL region 310 of second optical unit 300, and light guide region 220 may be configured to face convex lens region 320. Therefore, according to the present invention, light emitted from light source 100 and incident on light guide region 220 may reach convex lens region 320 after exiting light guide region 220, and at least a portion of light emitted from light source 100 and reaching collimator region 210 other than the light entering light guide region 220 may reach MFL region 310. As will be described later, light emitted to the outside from convex lens region 320 may form a first light distribution pattern, and light emitted to the outside from MFL region 310 may form a second light distribution pattern, and the first and second light distribution patterns may combine to form a predetermined light distribution pattern formed by lamp 10 according to the present invention. Meanwhile, according to the present invention, the convex lens region 320 may include or have an aspherical lens shape, but is not limited thereto, and the convex lens region 320 may include various shapes, such as a spherical lens.

[0036] According to the present invention, the second optical unit 300 is provided with a convex lens region 320 in addition to the MFL region 310 having multiple facets, thereby eliminating the problem in the prior art where the performance of the light distribution pattern is reduced when only an MFL is provided at a position corresponding to the second optical unit 300.

[0037] In other words, according to the present invention, since the second optical unit 300 is provided with an MFL region 310, part of the light distribution pattern is formed by the light emitted from the MFL region 310, and the advantages of the MFL can be obtained. Furthermore, when an MFL is provided, the disadvantages of the MFL can be minimized by providing a convex lens region 320 in an area where the performance of the light distribution pattern may be significantly reduced.

[0038] In particular, the lamp according to the present invention can form a low beam pattern, but when a lamp that forms a low beam pattern is provided with an MFL according to the prior art, there is a problem that the performance of the light distribution pattern is significantly reduced near the cut-off line. However, according to the present invention, the performance of the low beam pattern can be significantly improved by providing a convex lens region 320 in a portion of the second optical unit 300. As a result, light emitted from the convex lens region 320 can reach the cut-off line of the low beam pattern and its vicinity.

[0039] Referring now to the drawings, according to the present invention, the light guide region 220 may have a shape in which the size of a cross section taken perpendicular to the front-rear direction A of the lamp 10 decreases as it approaches the second optical unit 300. This can be understood as the light guide region 220 having a shape in which the widths of the top, bottom, left, and right become narrower toward the front, as shown in Figures 1 and 2. In this case, light incident on the light guide region 220 may be condensed as it travels forward from the inside of the light guide region 220, thereby increasing the intensity of light exiting the light guide region 220 and entering the convex lens region 320.

[0040] More preferably, as shown in the drawings, according to the present invention, the light guide region 220 may be parallel to the front-rear direction A of the lamp 10, and may have a shape in which the upper edge of a cross section cut parallel to the up-down direction B of the lamp 10 is parallel to the front-rear direction A. Meanwhile, the light guide region 220 may be parallel to the front-rear direction A of the lamp 10, and may have a shape in which the lower edge of a cross section cut parallel to the up-down direction B of the lamp 10 is inclined.

[0041] Meanwhile, as described above, the lamp 10 according to the present invention may be configured to form a low beam pattern. Meanwhile, a cutoff line is formed in the upper region of the low beam pattern. To this end, according to the present invention, the light guide region 220 may include a cutoff surface 222 having a stepped shape in the vertical direction of the lamp 10. Therefore, according to the present invention, light emitted from the light source 100 and entering the light guide region 220 exits the light guide region 220 and then enters the convex lens region 320, thereby forming the cutoff line of the low beam pattern and a light distribution pattern in the surrounding region.

[0042] In this case, the cutoff surface 222 may be formed on the lower surface of the light guide region 220. Therefore, according to the present invention, light emitted from the light guide region 220 can be emitted to the outside in a vertically inverted state.

[0043] More preferably, according to the present invention, the front end of the light guide region 220 may be provided at a position corresponding to the focal point of the convex lens region 320. This can be interpreted as including not only the case where the front end of the light guide region 220 coincides with the focal point of the convex lens region 320, but also the case where the front end of the light guide region 220 and the focal point of the convex lens region 320 are spaced apart from each other to such an extent that the performance of the light distribution pattern is not significantly affected compared to the case where the front end of the light guide region 220 coincides with the focal point of the convex lens region 320.

[0044] Meanwhile, according to the present invention, the area and shape of the rear end of the light guide region 220 can correspond to the area and shape of the convex lens region 320. More preferably, the area and shape of the rear end of the light guide region 220 can correspond to the area and shape of the figure when the convex lens region 320 is projected onto a virtual plane perpendicular to the front-rear direction A.

[0045] [vehicle] The vehicle according to the present invention may be not only an internal combustion engine vehicle, but also a hybrid vehicle, a purely electric drive vehicle and a general concept of mobility.

[0046] A vehicle according to the present invention may include a vehicle lamp 10. The lamp 10 may include a light source 100 that emits light, a first optical unit 200 provided in front of the light source 100, and a second optical unit 300 provided in front of the first optical unit 200. The first optical unit 200 may include a collimator region 210 that receives light emitted from the light source 100 and outputs the light as parallel light, and a light guide region 220 that protrudes forward from the collimator region 210 and receives at least a portion of the light emitted from the collimator region 210. The second optical unit 300 may include an MFL region 310 that includes a plurality of facet lenses and has steps formed at boundaries between the facets, and a convex lens region 320 that is provided on one side of the MFL region 310 and has a forwardly convex shape.

[0047] Meanwhile, the detailed features of the lamp 10 provided on the vehicle according to the present invention are substituted by the above-described content regarding the lamp according to the present invention.

[0048] Meanwhile, the lamp 10 provided in the vehicle according to the present invention can form a predetermined light distribution pattern, for example, a low beam pattern.

[0049] In this case, the light distribution pattern may include a first light distribution pattern formed by a first light, which is emitted from the light source 100 through the collimator region 210, the light guide region 220, and the convex lens region 320 and then emitted to the outside, and a second light distribution pattern formed by a second light, which is emitted from the light source 100 and then emitted to the outside through the collimator region 210 and the MFL region 310. More preferably, a cutoff line may be formed at the upper boundary of the first light distribution pattern, and the second light distribution pattern may surround the periphery of the first light distribution pattern.

[0050] Meanwhile, the above-described contents regarding the lamp provided in the vehicle according to the present invention can be similarly applied to the lamp according to the present invention.

[0051] The present invention has been described above using limited embodiments and drawings, but it goes without saying that the present invention is not limited thereto, and that a person having ordinary skill in the art to which the present invention pertains can implement various embodiments within the technical spirit of the present invention and the scope of the claims set forth below. [Explanation of symbols]

[0052] 10 Vehicle lamps 100 light sources 200 1st optical department 210 Collimator Area 220 Light guide area 222 Cutoff Surface 300 2nd optical department 310 MFL area 320 Convex Lens Region A Anteroposterior direction B Vertical direction

Claims

1. A light source that emits light; a first optical unit provided in front of the light source; a second optical unit provided in front of the first optical unit, The second optical unit is an MFL region including a plurality of facet lenses, wherein a step is formed at the boundary between the plurality of facets; a convex lens region provided on one side of the MFL region and having a forward convex shape, The first optical unit is a collimator region configured to receive the light emitted from the light source and then output the light as parallel light; a light guide region provided to protrude forward from the collimator region, and into which at least a portion of the light emitted from the collimator region is incident.

2. The vehicle lamp according to claim 1 , wherein the MFL region and the convex lens region are provided in close contact with each other or are integrally formed.

3. The vehicle lamp according to claim 1 , wherein the convex lens region is provided in a central region of the second optical portion.

4. The vehicular lamp according to claim 3 , wherein the MFL region is provided so as to surround a periphery of the convex lens region.

5. a portion of the collimator region other than a portion connected to the light guide region is provided to face the MFL region; The vehicle lamp according to claim 1 , wherein the light guide region is provided to face the convex lens region.

6. The vehicle lamp of claim 1 , wherein the convex lens region comprises an aspheric lens shape.

7. The light guide region The vehicle lamp according to claim 1 , wherein the cross section of the lamp, taken perpendicular to the front-rear direction A, decreases in size toward the second optical portion.

8. The light guide region 10. The vehicle lamp of claim 1, comprising a cut-off surface having a stepped shape.

9. The cutoff surface is The vehicle lamp according to claim 8 , wherein the light guide region is formed on a lower surface of the vehicle lamp.

10. The light guide region 2. The vehicle lamp according to claim 1, wherein the lamp has a shape that is parallel to a front-rear direction A of the lamp and has an upper edge of a cross section cut parallel to a top-bottom direction B of the lamp that is formed parallel to the front-rear direction A.

11. The light guide region 2. The vehicle lamp according to claim 1, wherein the lamp has a shape in which a lower edge of a cross section taken parallel to a front-rear direction A of the lamp and parallel to a top-bottom direction B of the lamp is formed in an inclined shape.

12. The vehicle lamp according to claim 1 , wherein a front end of the light guide region is provided at a position corresponding to a focus of the convex lens region.

13. The vehicle lamp according to claim 1 , wherein an area and a shape of the rear end of the light guide region correspond to an area and a shape of the convex lens region.

14. A vehicle including a vehicle lamp, The vehicle lamp includes: A light source that emits light; a first optical unit provided in front of the light source; a second optical unit provided in front of the first optical unit, The first optical unit is a collimator region configured to receive the light emitted from the light source and then output the light as parallel light; a light guide region provided to protrude forward from the collimator region and into which at least a portion of the light emitted from the collimator region is incident, The second optical unit is an MFL region including a plurality of facet lenses, wherein a step is formed at the boundary between the plurality of facets; a convex lens area provided on one side of the MFL area and having a forward convex shape.

15. The vehicle lamp forms a predetermined light distribution pattern, The light distribution pattern is a first light distribution pattern formed by a first light, which is part of the light emitted from the light source and is emitted to the outside via the collimator region, the light guide region, and the convex lens region; and a second light distribution pattern formed by a second light, which is part of the light emitted from the light source and passes through the collimator region and the MFL region and is emitted to the outside.

16. The second light distribution pattern is The vehicle according to claim 15 , wherein the first light distribution pattern is surrounded by a periphery thereof.

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