Vehicle lamp

Abstract

The present invention relates to a vehicle lamp and, more specifically, to a vehicle lamp which improves light efficiency when a beam pattern is formed. The vehicle lamp according to an embodiment of the present invention may include: a light source unit; and a light guide unit for guiding the light incident from the light source unit to be emitted, wherein the light guide unit includes: an incident unit on which the light is incident from the light source unit; an emitting unit for emitting the light incident on the incident unit; and a transmission unit connected between the incident unit and the emitting unit to transmit at least a part of the light incident on the incident unit to the emitting unit, and the incident unit allows the light incident on the upper part and the lower part with respect to a reference line horizontally passing through the optical axis of the light source unit to have different concentration degrees.

Description

car lamps

[0001] The present invention relates to a vehicle lamp, and more particularly, to a vehicle lamp that improves light efficiency when forming a beam pattern.

[0002] Typically, vehicles are equipped with various lamps that have a lighting function to easily identify objects located around the vehicle when driving at night and a signaling function to inform other vehicles and road users of the vehicle's driving status.

[0003] For example, headlamps and fog lamps are primarily intended for lighting purposes, while turn signal lamps, tail lamps, and brake lamps are primarily intended for signaling purposes, and the installation standards and specifications for each lamp are stipulated by law to ensure that each function is fully realized.

[0004] Among these, headlamps play a very important role in ensuring safe driving by irradiating light in the direction of travel of the vehicle to ensure the driver's forward visibility.

[0005] The headlamps form a low beam pattern that secures a wide field of vision for a short distance in front of the vehicle by irradiating light downward based on the cut-off line so as not to dazzle the driver of the vehicle ahead, or a high beam pattern that secures a long field of vision for a long distance in front of the vehicle.

[0006] At this time, since the low beam pattern blocks a portion of the light generated from the light source to form a cut-off line, light loss may occur and light efficiency may be reduced. Therefore, a method is required to form an optimal beam pattern while reducing light loss.

[0007] The problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide a vehicle lamp that can reduce light loss by allowing light generated from a light source to be emitted without loss.

[0008] The tasks of the present invention are not limited to the tasks mentioned above, and other tasks not mentioned will be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the description below.

[0009] In order to achieve the above object, a vehicle lamp according to an embodiment of the present invention comprises: a light source unit; and a light guide unit for guiding light incident from the light source unit to be emitted, wherein the light guide unit comprises: an incident unit through which light is incident from the light source unit; an emission unit through which light incident to the incident unit is emitted; and a transmission unit connected between the incident unit and the emission unit so that at least a portion of the light incident to the incident unit is transmitted to the emission unit, wherein the incident unit can allow light incident from above and below to have different concentrations based on a reference line horizontally passing through the optical axis of the light source unit.

[0010] The above-mentioned incident section includes a first incident module positioned above the reference line; and a second incident module positioned below the reference line, and the first incident module and the second incident module may be formed asymmetrically to each other so as to have different light collection rates.

[0011] The first incident module and the second incident module may have different curvatures in at least one direction.

[0012] The first incident module may be formed to have a greater curvature in the vertical direction and left-right direction than the second incident module.

[0013] The first inlet module and the second inlet module may be formed to have different lengths in at least one direction.

[0014] The first incident module may be formed to have a shorter length than the second incident module in the vertical and left-right directions.

[0015] The above-mentioned incident portion includes a central plane centered on the optical axis of the light source portion; a protruding surface formed to protrude from the edge of the central plane toward the light source portion; and a reflecting surface that reflects light incident on the protruding surface so that it propagates forward, and the first incident module may be configured with a region among the central plane, the protruding surface, and the reflecting surface that is located above the reference line, and the second incident module may be configured with a region among the central plane, the protruding surface, and the reflecting surface that is located below the reference line.

[0016] Light incident on the first incident module can be guided to be focused on a focus formed between the incident portion and the output portion, and light incident on the second incident module can be guided to proceed parallel to the optical axis of the light source portion.

[0017] The above transmission unit may include a main guide member that guides light incident from above the incident unit to the emission unit; and at least one sub-guide member formed on at least one of both sides of the main guide member that guides light incident from below the incident unit to the emission unit.

[0018] The above-mentioned emission portion may include a main emission surface through which light guided by the main guide member is emitted; and at least one sub-emission surface formed on at least one of both sides of the main emission surface through which light guided by the at least one sub-guide member is emitted.

[0019] The light guide portion may further include a main shield portion forming a portion of the lower surface of the light guide portion, the front end of which is positioned at the rear focus of the main emission surface; and at least one sub shield portion forming a portion of the lower surface of the light guide portion, the front end of which is positioned at the rear focus of the at least one sub emission surface.

[0020] The at least one sub-guide member includes an optical path adjustment unit that adjusts the path of light incident on the lower portion of the incident portion, and the optical path adjustment unit can adjust the path of light so that light incident through a lower space based on the optical axis of the light source portion is focused on a focus formed between the incident portion and the emission portion through an upper space based on the optical axis.

[0021] The above optical path adjustment unit may be located in front of the entrance unit.

[0022] The above optical path adjustment unit may include a first reflective surface that reflects light incident below the incident unit so that it travels laterally; a second reflective surface that reflects light reflected by the first reflective surface so that it travels upward; and a side reflective surface that reflects light reflected by the second reflective surface so that it travels forward.

[0023] Light incident from the upper and lower portions of the incident portion is focused on different foci formed between the incident portion and the emission portion, and the emission portion may include a plurality of emission surfaces having different foci.

[0024] Light incident from the upper and lower portions of the incident portion is focused on the same focus formed between the incident portion and the emission portion, and the emission portion may include a single emission surface.

[0025] The above-mentioned projection part may have a convex or concave shape with respect to the front.

[0026] The above-mentioned projection part includes a plurality of facets, and any one of the plurality of facets may have at least one different formation angle, curvature, or size from another.

[0027] Other specific details of the present invention are included in the detailed description and drawings.

[0028] According to the vehicle lamp of the present invention as described above, one or more of the following effects are provided.

[0029] The light incident from the light source to the upper portion of the entrance portion is focused on the focus formed between the entrance portion and the exit portion, and the light incident from the light source to the lower portion of the entrance portion is adjusted to proceed to the exit portion through the upper space based on the optical axis of the light source portion. Therefore, a portion of the light proceeding from the entrance portion to the exit portion is prevented from being lost to form a cut-off line, thereby improving the light efficiency.

[0030] The effects of the present invention are not limited to the effects mentioned above, and other effects not mentioned will be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the description of the claims.

[0031] Figures 1 to 4 are perspective views illustrating a vehicle lamp according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0032] Figure 5 is a plan view illustrating a vehicle lamp according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0033] Figure 6 is a bottom view illustrating a vehicle lamp according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0034] Figure 7 is a side view illustrating a vehicle lamp according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0035] Fig. 8 is a rear view showing the entrance portion of a light guide portion according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0036] Fig. 9 is a side view showing the incident portion of the light guide portion according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0037] Fig. 10 is a plan view showing the incident portion of a light guide portion according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0038] FIG. 11 is a perspective view illustrating a plurality of facets forming an emission surface of an emission portion according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0039] FIG. 12 is a schematic diagram illustrating a beam pattern formed by a vehicle lamp according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0040] Figures 13 and 14 are schematic diagrams showing the path of light incident on the first incident module according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0041] Figures 15 and 16 are schematic diagrams showing the path of light incident on a second incident module according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0042] Figure 17 is a bottom view showing a main exit surface and a sub exit surface formed on one side of the main exit surface according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0043] Figure 18 is a schematic diagram showing the path of light emitted through the main emission surface and sub emission surface of Figure 17.

[0044] Fig. 19 is a perspective view showing a vehicle lamp according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[0045] FIG. 20 is a schematic diagram illustrating a light path of a vehicle lamp according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[0046] The advantages and features of the present invention, and the methods for achieving them, will become clearer with reference to the embodiments described in detail below together with the accompanying drawings. However, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments disclosed below and may be implemented in various different forms. These embodiments are provided only to ensure that the disclosure of the present invention is complete and to fully inform those skilled in the art of the scope of the invention, and the present invention is defined only by the scope of the claims. Like reference numerals designate like elements throughout the specification.

[0047] Accordingly, in some embodiments, well-known process steps, well-known structures, and well-known techniques are not specifically described to avoid obscuring the present invention.

[0048] The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the present invention. In this specification, the singular also includes the plural unless specifically stated otherwise. As used herein, the terms "comprises" and / or "comprising" are used to mean that they do not exclude the presence or addition of one or more other components, steps, operations, and / or elements other than the mentioned components, steps, operations, and / or elements. In addition, "and / or" includes each and every combination of one or more of the mentioned items.

[0049] In addition, the embodiments described in this specification will be described with reference to cross-sectional drawings and / or schematic drawings, which are ideal examples of the present invention. Accordingly, the form of the examples may be modified due to manufacturing technology and / or tolerances, etc. Accordingly, the embodiments of the present invention are not limited to the specific forms illustrated, but also include changes in form resulting from the manufacturing process. In addition, each component in each drawing illustrated in the present invention may be illustrated to some extent enlarged or reduced for convenience of explanation. Like reference numerals refer to like components throughout the specification.

[0050] Hereinafter, the present invention will be described with reference to drawings for explaining a vehicle lamp according to embodiments of the present invention.

[0051] FIGS. 1 to 4 are perspective views illustrating a vehicle lamp according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 5 is a plan view illustrating a vehicle lamp according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 6 is a bottom view illustrating a vehicle lamp according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 7 is a side view illustrating a vehicle lamp according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0052] Referring to FIGS. 1 to 7, a vehicle lamp (1) according to an embodiment of the present invention may include a light source unit (1000) and a light guide unit (2000).

[0053] In the embodiment of the present invention, the vehicle lamp (1) is used as a headlamp to secure the forward visibility of the vehicle by irradiating light in the driving direction of the vehicle when the vehicle is driven at night or in a dark place such as a tunnel, but the present invention is not limited thereto, and the vehicle lamp (1) of the present invention can be used for various lamps installed in the vehicle, such as not only a headlamp but also a tail lamp, a brake lamp, a daytime running lamp, a turn signal lamp, a fog lamp, a backup lamp, a position lamp, etc., and the vehicle lamp (1) of the present invention can be used for any one of the various purposes described above, or can be used together for two or more purposes.

[0054] When the vehicle lamp (1) of the present invention is used for the purpose of a head lamp, at least one of a low beam pattern that secures a wide field of vision for a short distance in front of the vehicle by irradiating light downward based on a cut-off line so as not to cause glare to the driver of a front vehicle, such as a preceding vehicle or an oncoming vehicle, and a high beam pattern that secures a long field of vision for a long distance in front of the vehicle can be formed. In the following embodiments of the present invention, a case in which a low beam pattern is formed by the vehicle lamp (1) will be described as an example, and the X-axis direction is the left-right direction and means the vehicle width direction, the Y-axis direction is the driving direction and means the front-back direction, and the Z-axis direction is the up-down direction and means the garage direction.

[0055] The light source unit (1000) may include at least one light source that generates light of an amount or color suitable for the use of the vehicle lamp (1) of the present invention.

[0056] In the embodiment of the present invention, a case where a semiconductor light-emitting element such as an LED (Light Emitting Diode) is used as at least one light source will be described as an example, but the present invention is not limited thereto, and the at least one light source may be not only an LED but also various types of light sources such as an LD (Laser Diode) or a Bulb, and depending on the type of light source, optical elements such as a reflector, a phosphor, a mirror, a prism, etc. may be additionally used.

[0057] The light guide unit (2000) may be positioned in front of the light source unit (1000) to guide light incident from the light source unit (1000) to be emitted forward. To this end, the light source unit (1000) may be positioned so that the light-emitting surface or light-emitting area faces forward.

[0058] At this time, the fact that the light guide unit (2000) is located in front of the light source unit (1000) indicates the positions of the light source unit (1000) and the light guide unit (2000) when the direction in which light is irradiated from the vehicle lamp (1) of the present invention is assumed to be forward. However, the direction actually meant by forward may vary depending on the position or direction in which the vehicle lamp (1) of the present invention is installed.

[0059] The light guide unit (2000) may include an entrance unit (2100), an exit unit (2200), and a transmission unit (2300).

[0060] The incident portion (2100) may be formed so that different portions have different curvatures, thereby allowing different portions of the light incident from the light source portion (1000) to have different concentrations.

[0061] At this time, the fact that different portions of the light incident on the incident portion (2100) have different concentrations may include not only cases where the light is concentrated at different foci, but also cases where some portions of the light incident on the incident portion (2100) are concentrated at the foci and other portions proceed as parallel light.

[0062] FIG. 8 is a rear view illustrating an incident portion of a light guide unit according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 9 is a side view illustrating an incident portion of a light guide unit according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 10 is a plan view illustrating an incident portion of a light guide unit according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0063] Referring to FIGS. 8 to 10, the incident portion (2100) according to the embodiment of the present invention may be formed asymmetrically with respect to a reference line (S) horizontally passing through the optical axis (Ax) of the light source portion (1000) so that the light incident from the upper and lower portions respectively has different concentrations.

[0064] At this time, the optical axis (Ax) of the light source unit (1000) means a line passing vertically through the light-emitting surface of the light source, and in the case where the light source unit (1000) includes multiple light sources, it can be understood as a line passing vertically through the center of the light-emitting area where light is generated from the light source unit (1000).

[0065] The entrance unit (2100) may include a first entrance module (2110) positioned above the reference line (S) and a second entrance module (2120) positioned below the reference line (S). The fact that the entrance unit (2100) is formed asymmetrically at the upper and lower portions with respect to the reference line (S) can be understood to mean that the first entrance module (2110) and the second entrance module (2120) are formed asymmetrically at the upper and lower portions with respect to the reference line (S).

[0066] The incident portion (2100) may include a central plane (2102) centered on the optical axis (Ax) of the light source portion (1000), a protruding surface (2104) protruding from the edge of the central plane (2102) toward the light source portion (1000), and a reflecting surface (2106) that reflects light incident on the protruding surface (2104) so ​​that it travels forward.

[0067] At this time, the first incident module (2110) may be configured as an area located above the reference line (S) among the central plane (2102), the protruding plane (2104), and the reflecting plane (2106), and similarly, the second incident module (2120) may be configured as an area located below the reference line (S) among the central plane (2102), the protruding plane (2104), and the reflecting plane (2106).

[0068] The fact that the first incident module (2110) and the second incident module (2120) are formed asymmetrically may include cases where the first incident module (2110) and the second incident module (2120) have different lengths and different curvatures in at least one of the up-down direction and the left-right direction.

[0069] The fact that the first incident module (2110) and the second incident module (2120) have different lengths in at least one direction may include a case where at least one of the central surface (2102), the protruding surface (2104), and the reflective surface (2106) has different lengths in at least one direction in an area located above and an area located below the reference line (S).

[0070] Additionally, the fact that the first incident module (2110) and the second incident module (2120) have different curvatures in at least one direction may include a case where at least one of the central surface (2102), the protruding surface (2104), and the reflective surface (2106) has different curvatures in at least one direction in an area located above and an area located below the reference line (S).

[0071] In an embodiment of the present invention, a case will be described as an example in which the first incident module (2110) has a curvature (R11) in the vertical direction and a curvature (R21) in the left-right direction that are greater than the curvature (R12) in the vertical direction and the curvature (R22) in the left-right direction of the second incident module (2120), and this is to ensure that the light incident on the first incident module (2110) is focused on a focus formed between the incident portion (2100) and the exit portion (2200), and the light incident on the second incident module (2120) is allowed to proceed approximately parallel to the optical axis (Ax) of the light source portion (1000), which will be described in detail later.

[0072] As described above, when the vertical curvature (R11) and the left-right curvature (R21) of the first incident module (2110) are greater than the vertical curvature (R12) and the left-right curvature (R22) of the second incident module (2120), the vertical length (d11) and the left-right length (d21) of the first incident module (2110) can be formed shorter than the vertical length (d12) and the left-right length (d22) of the second incident module (2120) due to the difference in curvature.

[0073] In the embodiment of the present invention, an example will be described in which the length in the vertical direction and the length in the left-right direction of each of the first incident module (2110) and the second incident module (2120) are determined by the curvature of the first incident module (2110) and the second incident module (2120). However, this is merely an example to help understanding of the present invention, and the present invention is not limited thereto. Even if the second incident module (2120) has a smaller curvature in the vertical direction than the first incident module (2110), the second incident module (2120) may have a shorter length in the vertical direction than the first incident module (2110), and even if the second incident module (2120) has a smaller curvature in the left-right direction than the first incident module (2110), the second incident module (2120) may have a shorter length in the left-right direction than the first incident module (2110).

[0074] For example, if at least one of the central surface (2102), the protruding surface (2104), and the reflective surface (2106) is formed so that the upper and lower portions have a step difference based on the reference line (S), the length in the left-right direction and the length in the up-down direction of the first incident module (2110) and the second incident module (2120) may not be dependent on the curvature of the first incident module (2110) and the second incident module (2120).

[0075] The emission portion (2200) can emit light incident on the incident portion (2100), and in the embodiment of the present invention, the emission portion (2200) includes a main emission surface (2210) and a first sub emission surface (2220) and a second sub emission surface (2230) which are respectively positioned on both sides of the main emission surface (2210) based on the front-back direction, and in the embodiment of the present invention, the main emission surface (2210), the first sub emission surface (2220), and the second sub emission surface (2230) each have a forward convex shape, but this is merely an example to help understanding of the present invention, and is not limited thereto, and may have a convex or concave shape with respect to the front depending on the light distribution characteristics of the beam pattern formed by the vehicle lamp (1) of the present invention, that is, the position, brightness, size, shape, etc. of the area to which light is irradiated.

[0076] At this time, the main exit surface (2210) can allow light incident on the first incident module (2110) to be emitted, and the first sub exit surface (2220) and the second sub exit surface (2230) can allow light incident on the second incident module (2120) to be emitted, and a detailed description thereof will be provided later.

[0077] In addition, in the embodiment of the present invention, an example is given in which a first sub-exit surface (2220) and a second sub-exit surface (2230) are formed on both sides of the main exit surface (2210), but the present invention is not limited thereto, and either of the first sub-exit surface (2220) and the second sub-exit surface (2230) may be formed.

[0078] Meanwhile, in the embodiment of the present invention, a case in which each of the main exit surface (2210), the first sub exit surface (2220), and the second sub exit surface (2230) is formed as a continuous surface without steps is described as an example, but the present invention is not limited thereto, and as shown in FIG. 11, each of the main exit surface (2210), the first sub exit surface (2220), and the second sub exit surface (2230) may include a plurality of facets (2210a, 2220a, 2230a).

[0079] At this time, the main emission surface (2210) is formed so that at least one of the formation angle, size, and curvature of one of the plurality of facets (2210a) is different from the other, so that the path of light can be controlled so that the beam pattern can more easily satisfy the required light distribution characteristics.

[0080] In addition, the first sub-emitter surface (2220) can be similar to the main emitter surface (2210) in that the formation angle, size, curvature, etc. of each of the plurality of facets (2220a) can be adjusted so that the beam pattern can more easily satisfy the required light distribution characteristics, and the second sub-emitter surface (2230) can be similar to the main emitter surface (2210) and the first sub-emitter surface (2220) in that the formation angle, size, curvature, etc. of each of the plurality of facets (2230a) can be adjusted so that the beam pattern can more easily satisfy the required light distribution characteristics.

[0081] In the embodiment of the present invention, a case is described as an example in which the main exit surface (2210), the first sub exit surface (2220), and the second sub exit surface (2230) each include a plurality of facets (2210a, 2220a, 2230a), but the present invention is not limited thereto, and at least one of the main exit surface (2210), the first sub exit surface (2220), and the second sub exit surface (2230) may include a plurality of facets depending on the required light distribution characteristics.

[0082] The transmission unit (2300) can be formed to be connected between the incident unit (2100) and the emission unit (2200) so that at least a portion of the light incident on the incident unit (2100) is transmitted to the emission unit (2200), and as a result, the incident unit (2100), the emission unit (2200), and the transmission unit (2300) can be formed integrally with each other, so that the number of parts can be reduced and the assembly process can be simplified compared to a case where the incident unit (2100), the emission unit (2200), and the transmission unit (2300) are individually manufactured and assembled.

[0083] The transmission unit (2300) may include a main guide member (2310) that guides light incident on the first incident module (2110) to be transmitted to the emission unit (2200), and at least one sub-guide member (2320, 2330) that is positioned on at least one of both sides of the main guide member (2310) based on the front-back direction and guides light incident on the second incident module (2120) to be transmitted to the emission unit (2200). In an embodiment of the present invention, an example will be described in which the at least one sub-guide member (2320, 2330) includes a first sub-guide member (2320) formed on the left side of the main guide member (2310) and a second sub-guide member (2330) formed on the right side of the main guide member (2310), but the present invention is not limited thereto, and either the first sub-guide member (2320) or the second sub-guide member (2330) may be formed.

[0084] At this time, the fact that the first sub-guide member (2320) is formed on the left side of the main guide member (2310) and the second sub-guide member (2330) is formed on the right side of the main guide member (2310) means the direction when looking at the light guide member (2000) from the upper side of the light guide member (2000) as shown in FIG. 5 described above.

[0085] A main exit surface (2210) may be formed at an end of the main guide member (2310), and a first sub exit surface (2220) and a second sub exit surface (2230) may be formed at an end of each of the first sub guide member (2320) and the second sub guide member (2330).

[0086] Light incident on the first incident module (2110) can be focused on the rear focus (F1) of the main exit surface (2210) and emitted through the main exit surface (2210), some of the light incident on the second incident module (2120) can be focused on the rear focus (F2) of the first sub exit surface (2220) and emitted through the first sub exit surface (2220), and other parts can be focused on the rear focus (F3) of the second sub exit surface (2230) and emitted through the second sub exit surface (2230).

[0087] At this time, the rear focus (F1, F2, F3) of each of the main exit surface (2210), the first sub exit surface (2220), and the second sub exit surface (2230) may have a shape of a point, line, surface, space, or a combination thereof depending on the area where light is actually focused.

[0088] The first sub-guide member (2320) and the second sub-guide member (2330) may include a first optical path adjustment unit (2321) and a second optical path adjustment unit (2331), respectively, so that different portions of the light incident on the second incident module (2120) can be guided by the first sub-guide member (2320) and the second sub-guide member (2330) and be emitted through the first sub-exit surface (2220) and the second sub-exit surface (2230), respectively.

[0089] Each of the first optical path adjustment unit (2321) and the second optical path adjustment unit (2331) may include a first reflective surface (2321a, 2331a), a second reflective surface (2321b, 2331b), and a lateral radiating surface (2321c, 2331c), and the first optical path adjustment unit (2321) and the second optical path adjustment unit (2331) may be formed to be symmetrical to each other in the left and right directions based on the optical axis (Ax) of the light source unit (1000).

[0090] That is, the first reflective surface (2321a) of the first optical path adjustment unit (2321) may be formed to be inclined forward so that the distance laterally spaced from the optical axis (Ax) increases from one side closer to the optical axis (Ax) to the other side, thereby reflecting light incident on the second incident module (2120) laterally, and the second reflective surface (2321b) of the first optical path adjustment unit (2321) may be formed to be inclined laterally so that the distance laterally spaced from the optical axis (Ax) increases from the lower side to the upper side, thereby allowing light reflected laterally by the first reflective surface (2321a) to proceed upward.

[0091] At this time, the side reflection surface (2321c) of the first optical path adjustment unit (2321) causes the light reflected upward by the second reflection surface (2321b) to be focused on the rear focus (F2) of the first sub-exit surface (2220) so that it is emitted through the second sub-exit surface (2220).

[0092] In addition, the first reflection surface (2331a), the second reflection surface (2331b), and the side reflection surface (2331c) of the second optical path adjustment unit (2331) also play a similar role to the first reflection surface (2321a), the second reflection surface (2321b), and the side reflection surface (2321c) of the first optical path adjustment unit (2321) described above, but are formed symmetrically in the left and right directions based on the optical axis (Ax) so that light incident on the second incident module (2120) is focused on the rear focus (F3) of the second sub-exit surface (2230) and is emitted through the second sub-exit surface (2230).

[0093] As described above, in order to ensure that the light incident on the second incident module (2120) is transmitted to the first sub-guide member (2320) and the second sub-guide member (2330) by the first optical path adjustment unit (2321) and the second optical path adjustment unit (2331), respectively, the first optical path adjustment unit (2321) and the second optical path adjustment unit (2331) are each positioned in front of the incident unit (2100).

[0094] Meanwhile, the transmission unit (2300) may include a main shield unit (2341), a first sub-shield unit (2342), and a second sub-shield unit (2343) which form at least a portion of the lower surface of each of the main exit surface (2210), the first sub-exit surface (2220), and the second sub-exit surface (2230), and the front ends (2341a, 2342a, 2343a) are located at or near the rear focus (F1, F2, F3) of each of the main exit surface (2210), the first sub-exit surface (2220), and the second sub-exit surface (2230), and the main shield unit (2341), the first sub-shield unit (2342), and the second sub-shield unit (2343) are formed such that a low beam pattern (LP) is formed in which light is irradiated to the lower side based on the cut-off line (CL), as shown in FIG. 12. It can play a role.

[0095] At this time, the front ends (2341a, 2342a, 2343a) of each of the main shield part (2341), the first sub-shield part (2342), and the second sub-shield part (2343) may be formed so that different parts have different heights depending on the shape of the cut-off line (CL), or may be formed so that they have the same height. In order to form the cut-off line (CL) of FIG. 12 described above, it can be understood that the front ends (2341a, 2342a, 2343a) of each of the main shield part (2341), the first sub-shield part (2342), and the second sub-shield part (2343) are formed so that different parts have different heights.

[0096] At this time, the front ends (2341a, 2342a, 2343a) of the main shield part (2341), the first sub-shield part (2342), and the second sub-shield part (2343) are positioned at or near the rear focus (F1, F2, F3) of the main exit surface (2210), the first sub-exit surface (2220), and the second sub-exit surface (2230), respectively, so that the light that passes through the lower space based on the rear focus (F1, F2, F3) of the main exit surface (2210), the first sub-exit surface (2220), and the second sub-exit surface (2230) and is emitted through the main exit surface (2210), the first sub-exit surface (2220), and the second sub-exit surface (2230) is refracted in the upward direction, and thus may be irradiated on the upper side of the cut-off line to generate glare. This is to block light passing through the lower space based on the rear focus (F1, F2, F3) of each of the main exit surface (2210), the first sub exit surface (2220), and the second sub exit surface (2230) from being emitted through the main exit surface (2210), the first sub exit surface (2220), and the second sub exit surface (2230).

[0097] In the embodiment of the present invention, a case in which the front ends (2341a, 2342a, 2343a) of the main shield portion (2341), the first sub-shield portion (2342), and the second sub-shield portion (2343) each have the same shape will be described as an example, but the present invention is not limited thereto, and in the case in which the light emitted through the main exit surface (2210), the first sub-exit surface (2220), and the second sub-exit surface (2230) each have different light distribution characteristics, the front end shape of one of the main exit surface (2210), the first sub-exit surface (2220), and the second sub-exit surface (2230) may be different from the front end shape of the other.

[0098] Meanwhile, in the embodiment of the present invention, the light incident on the first incident module (2110) is focused on the rear focus (F1) of the main exit surface (2210), and the light incident on the second incident module (2120) has its path adjusted by the first optical path adjustment unit (2321) and the second optical path adjustment unit (2331) to prevent light loss from occurring due to light incident on the second incident module (2120) being blocked by the main shield unit (2341).

[0099] In other words, the light incident on the first incident module (2110) is not interfered by the main shield part (2341) even when the curvature or forming angle of the area located above the reference line (S) among the center plane (2102), the protruding surface (2104), and the reflecting surface (2106) is adjusted so that it is focused on the rear focus (F1) of the main exit surface (2210), whereas the light incident on the second incident module (2120) may be interfered by the main shield part (2341) even when the curvature or forming angle of the area located below the reference line (S) among the center plane (2102), the protruding surface (2104), and the reflecting surface (2106) is adjusted, and in this case, light loss may occur. Therefore, the light incident on the second incident module (2120) is not interfered by the main shield part (2341) even when the curvature or forming angle of the area located below the reference line (S) among the center plane (2102), the protruding surface (2104), and the reflecting surface (2106) is adjusted. By adjusting the path of light to proceed along a path that does not cause interference by the shield part (2341), the light can proceed along the first sub-guide member (2320) and the second sub-guide member (2330) so that it is focused on the rear focus (F2, F3) of the first sub-exit surface (2220) and the second sub-exit surface (2230) from the upper side of the optical axis (Ax), thereby preventing light loss due to light being blocked for forming a cut-off line.

[0100] Figures 13 and 14 are schematic diagrams showing the path of light incident on the first incident module according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0101] Referring to FIGS. 13 and 14, light (L11, L12) incident from the light source unit (1000) to the first incident module (2110) can be focused at or near the rear focus (F1) of the main exit surface (2210) and emitted through the main exit surface (2210).

[0102] Among the light (L11, L12) incident on the first incident module (2110), some of the light (L11) can pass through the rear focus (F1) of the main exit surface (2210) and proceed to the main exit surface (2210), and other some of the light (L12) can be reflected upward from a position adjacent to the rear of the rear focus (F1) of the main exit surface (2210) and be emitted through the main exit surface (2210).

[0103] Figures 15 and 16 are schematic diagrams showing the path of light incident on a second incident module according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0104] Referring to FIGS. 15 and 16, among the light (L21, L22) incident from the light source unit (1000) to the second incident module (2120), the light (L21) incident in one direction (left direction) based on the optical axis (Ax) of the light source unit (1000) is guided to be focused at or near the rear focus (F2) of the first sub-exit surface (2220) by the first reflective surface (2321a), the second reflective surface (2321b), and the side reflective surface (2321c) of the first optical path adjustment unit (2321), so that it can be emitted through the first sub-exit surface (2220).

[0105] In addition, among the light (L21, L22) incident on the second incident module (2120), the light (L22) incident in the other direction (right direction) based on the optical axis (Ax) of the light source unit (1000) is guided to be focused on the rear focus (F3) of the second sub-exit surface (2230) or its vicinity by the first reflection surface (2331a), the second reflection surface (2331b), and the side reflection surface (2331c) of the second optical path adjustment unit (2331), so that it can be emitted through the second sub-exit surface (2230).

[0106] In this way, when the light incident on the second incident module (2120) is emitted through the first sub-exit surface (2220) and the second sub-exit surface (2230), when the amount of light incident on the light source (1000) is 100%, the amount of light incident on the first incident module (2110) and emitted through the main exit surface (2210) can be 50%, and the amount of light incident on the second incident module (2120) and emitted through the first sub-exit surface (2220) and the second sub-exit surface (2230) can be 25%.

[0107] At this time, FIG. 15 is an example of a direction viewed from the lower side of the light guide unit (2000), and among the light (L21, L22) incident on the second incident module (2120), the fact that it is incident from the left and right directions based on the optical axis (Ax) of the light source unit (1000) means a direction when viewing the light guide unit (2000) from the upper side to the lower side, and FIG. 15 is an example in which the path of the light reflected upward by the second reflective surface (2321b) of the first optical path adjustment unit (2321) and the path of the light reflected upward by the second reflective surface (2331b) of the second optical path adjustment unit (2331) are omitted.

[0108] In addition, FIG. 16 is an example of a case where the light path by the second light path adjustment unit (2331) is shown, and although not shown in FIG. 16, the light path by the first light path adjustment unit (2331) can also be applied similarly, and FIG. 16 is an example of a case where the path of light reflected laterally by the first reflective surface (2331a) of the second light path adjustment unit (2331) is omitted.

[0109] As described above, the vehicle lamp (1) of the present invention can emit light generated from one light source (1000) not only through the main emission surface (2210) but also through the first sub-emission surface (2220) and the second sub-emission surface (2230) which are respectively positioned on both sides of the main emission surface (2210), so that the light incident on the second incident module (2120) is prevented from being lost to form a cut-off line, thereby improving light efficiency.

[0110] In addition, since a separate light source unit is not used for forming a lighting image by light emitted from the first sub-emission surface (2220) and the second sub-emission surface (2230), the number of parts can be reduced and costs can be saved.

[0111] In other words, the vehicle lamp (1) of the present invention can form a long and slim lighting image in the left and right direction by emitting light generated from a single light source (1000) through the main emitting surface (2210) and the sub-emitting surface (2220, 2230) formed on at least one of both sides of the main emitting surface (2210), so that a separate light source for forming a long and slim lighting image in the left and right direction is not used, thereby reducing the number of parts and saving costs.

[0112] Meanwhile, in the above-described embodiment, an example is given in which the first sub-exit surface (2220) and the second sub-exit surface (2230) are formed on both sides of the main exit surface (2210), but this is merely an example to help understanding of the present invention, and is not limited thereto. As shown in FIGS. 17 and 18, either the first sub-exit surface (2220) or the second sub-exit surface (2230) may be formed based on the main exit surface (2210), and accordingly, either the first optical path adjustment unit (2321) or the second optical path adjustment unit (2331) may be omitted.

[0113] The above-described FIGS. 17 and 18 are examples of a case where the second sub-exit surface (2230) located on the right side of the main exit surface (2210) based on the front-back direction is omitted. Light (L1) incident on the first incident module (2110) can be transmitted through the main guide member (2310) and exited through the main exit surface (2210), and light (L2) incident on the second incident module (2120) can be guided by the first light path adjustment unit (2321) and exited through the first sub-exit surface (2220). In this case, when the amount of light incident on the incident portion (2100) is 100%, the amount of light exited through the main exit surface (2210) can be 50%, and the amount of light exited through the first sub-exit surface (2220) can be 50%.

[0114] At this time, Fig. 18 is an example of a case where the path of light reflected upward by the second reflective surface (2321b) of the first optical path adjustment unit (2321) is omitted.

[0115] In the above-described embodiments, the case where the emission unit (2200) includes a plurality of emission surfaces (2210, 2220, 2230) having different rear focuses (F1, F2, F3) is described as an example, but the present invention is not limited thereto, and the emission unit (2200) may be configured as a single emission surface having a single rear focus.

[0116] FIG. 19 is a perspective view illustrating a vehicle lamp according to another embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 20 is a schematic diagram illustrating a light path of a vehicle lamp according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[0117] Referring to FIGS. 19 and 20, a vehicle lamp (1) according to another embodiment of the present invention may include a light source unit (1000) and a light guide unit (2000) similar to the above-described embodiment, and components that play the same role as the above-described embodiment will use the same reference numerals, and a detailed description of their roles will be omitted.

[0118] In another embodiment of the present invention, the vehicle lamp (1) may have an emission portion (2200) configured as a single emission surface, and in this case, not only the light incident on the first incident module (2110), but also the light incident on the second incident module (2120) needs to be focused on the same rear focus (F) as the first incident module (2110).

[0119] That is, light (L1) incident on the first incident module (2110) can be guided to be focused on the rear focus (F) of the main exit surface (2210) similarly to the embodiments described above and can be emitted through the exit portion (2200).

[0120] Light (L2) incident on the second incident module (2120) is reflected by the first optical path adjustment unit (2321) and the second optical path adjustment unit (2331) similarly to the embodiment described above, but is guided to be focused on the rear focus (F) of the main exit surface (2210) by the side reflection surface (2321c) of the first optical path adjustment unit (2321) and the side reflection surface (2331c) of the second optical path adjustment unit (2331) similarly to the first incident module (2110) described above, and can be emitted through the exit unit (2200).

[0121] Meanwhile, in another embodiment of the present invention, a case is described in which the emission portion (2200) is formed as a continuous surface without steps when it is formed as a single emission surface, but the present invention is not limited thereto, and even when the emission portion (2200) is formed as a single emission surface, it may include a plurality of facets having different formation angles, sizes, curvatures, etc.

[0122] As described above, in the vehicle lamp (1) of the present invention, when forming a low beam pattern (LP) in which light is irradiated to the lower side based on the cut-off line (CL), the light that is blocked for forming the cut-off line can be transmitted to the emission portion (2200) and emitted without loss as much as possible, so that light loss can be reduced.

[0123] In addition, it is possible to form a long and slim lighting image in the left and right directions without adding a light source, thereby enabling the implementation of a more aesthetically pleasing exterior design while reducing the number of parts and thus reducing costs.

[0124] Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the present invention can be implemented in other specific forms without altering the technical concept or essential characteristics thereof. Therefore, the embodiments described above should be understood as illustrative in all respects and not restrictive. The scope of the present invention is indicated by the claims that follow rather than the detailed description above, and all changes or modifications derived from the meaning and scope of the claims and their equivalents should be construed as being included within the scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. Light source; and It includes a light guide unit that guides light incident from the above light source unit to be emitted, The above light guide part, An incident portion where light is incident from the above light source portion; An exit portion from which light incident on the above entrance portion is emitted; and A transmission unit is included that is connected between the incident unit and the emission unit and allows at least a portion of the light incident on the incident unit to be transmitted to the emission unit. The above entrance department, A vehicle lamp that allows light incident from above and below to have different concentrations based on a reference line that passes horizontally through the optical axis of the light source.

2. In paragraph 1, The above entrance department, A first inlet module positioned above the above reference line; and Includes a second inlet module positioned below the above reference line, The above first inlet module and the above second inlet module, Vehicle lamps that are formed asymmetrically to have different light concentrations.

3. In paragraph 2, The above first inlet module and the above second inlet module, A vehicle lamp having a different curvature in at least one direction.

4. In paragraph 3, The above first entry module, A vehicle lamp formed to have a greater curvature in the vertical and left-right directions than the second incident module.

5. In paragraph 2, The above first inlet module and the above second inlet module, A vehicle lamp formed to have different lengths in at least one direction.

6. In paragraph 5, The above first entry module, A vehicle lamp formed to have a shorter length than the second incident module in the vertical and left-right directions.

7. In paragraph 2, The above entrance department, A central plane centered on the optical axis of the above light source; A protruding surface formed to protrude from the edge of the central surface toward the light source; and It includes a reflective surface that reflects light incident on the above protruding surface so that it travels forward, The above first entry module, It is composed of an area located above the reference line among the above central surface, the above protruding surface, and the above reflective surface, The above second entry module, A vehicle lamp comprising a region located below the reference line among the center surface, the protruding surface, and the reflective surface.

8. In paragraph 2, The light incident on the first incident module is, It is guided to be focused on the focus formed between the above-mentioned entrance and exit parts, The light incident on the second incident module is, A vehicle lamp guided to proceed parallel to the optical axis of the above light source.

9. In paragraph 1, The above transmission unit, A main guide member that guides light incident on the upper portion of the above-mentioned entrance portion to the above-mentioned exit portion; and A vehicle lamp comprising at least one sub-guide member formed on at least one of both sides of the main guide member and guiding light incident to the lower portion of the incident portion to the emission portion.

10. In paragraph 9, The above-mentioned emission part is, A main emission surface through which light guided by the above main guide member is emitted; and A vehicle lamp comprising at least one sub-emitting surface formed on at least one of both sides of the main emitting surface and from which light guided by the at least one sub-guide member is emitted.

11. In paragraph 10, A main shield portion forming a portion of the lower surface of the above light guide portion, the front end of which is positioned at the rear focus of the main emission surface; and A vehicle lamp further comprising at least one sub-shield portion forming a portion of the lower surface of the light guide portion, the front end of which is positioned at the rear focus of the at least one sub-emitting surface.

12. In paragraph 9, At least one sub-guide member is, It includes a light path adjustment unit that adjusts the path of light incident on the lower portion of the above-mentioned entrance unit, The above optical path adjustment unit is, A vehicle lamp that adjusts the path of light so that light incident through a lower space based on the optical axis of the light source unit is focused on a focus formed between the incident unit and the emission unit through an upper space based on the optical axis.

13. In paragraph 12, The above optical path adjustment unit is, A vehicle lamp located in front of the above entrance.

14. In paragraph 12, The above optical path adjustment unit is, A first reflective surface that reflects light incident on the lower portion of the above-mentioned incident portion so that it travels laterally; A second reflective surface that reflects light reflected by the first reflective surface so that the light travels upward; and A vehicle lamp including a side reflector that reflects light reflected by the second reflector so that it travels forward.

15. In paragraph 1, The light incident on the upper and lower portions of the above-mentioned entrance is, It is focused on different foci formed between the above-mentioned entrance and exit parts, The above-mentioned emission part is, A vehicle lamp comprising a plurality of emitting surfaces having different focuses.

16. In paragraph 1, The light incident on the upper and lower portions of the above-mentioned entrance is, It is focused on the same focus formed between the above-mentioned entrance and exit parts, The above-mentioned emission part is, A vehicle lamp comprising a single emitting surface.

17. In paragraph 1, The above-mentioned emission part is, A vehicle lamp having a convex or concave shape with respect to the front.

18. In paragraph 1, The above-mentioned emission portion includes a plurality of facets, A vehicle lamp wherein at least one of the plurality of facets has a different forming angle, curvature, or size from the other facets.

Images