Lighting device for vehicle

A lighting device for a vehicle may include a light source; a lens; and a first reflecting unit provided on a partial area of a front surface of the lens. The lighting device may also include a light reducer configured to reduce a size of light emitted from the light source and to emit light having a reduced size toward the first reflecting unit on the lens. The lighting device may further include a reflective fluorescent body disposed on a rear side of the lens and configured to convert a wavelength of light reflected from the first reflecting unit and to reflect light having a converted wavelength into the lens.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to a lighting device for a vehicle.

BACKGROUND

Vehicles typically implement a lighting device, such as a lamp, designed to improve a driver's visibility or inform people outside the people of a current running state of the vehicle. Such lighting devices typically increase an intensity of illumination of the surroundings of the vehicle during running of the vehicle.

A lighting device for a vehicle installed in the vehicle, hereinafter referred to simply as “a lighting device for a vehicle,” typically includes, for example, a head lamp which irradiates light to the front of the vehicle and a rear lamp which displays a heading direction of the vehicle or indicates whether a brake of the vehicle is operated.

A lighting device for a vehicle is typically designed to form a low beam or a high beam for securing visibility of a driver. For example, some vehicles implement a lighting device with a light source as an LED which has a high power efficiency and a long service life. As another example, some vehicles implement a laser diode as a light source having a longer irradiation distance than an LED.

SUMMARY

In one aspect, a lighting device for a vehicle may include a light source; a lens; and a first reflecting unit provided on a partial area of a front surface of the lens. The lighting device may also include a light reducer configured to reduce a size of light emitted from the light source and to emit light having a reduced size toward the first reflecting unit on the lens. The lighting device may further include a reflective fluorescent body disposed on a rear side of the lens and configured to convert a wavelength of light reflected from the first reflecting unit and to reflect light having a converted wavelength into the lens.

In some implementations, the front surface of the lens may have a convex shape, and the first reflecting unit may be configured with a cross sectional shape that is an arc shape.

In some implementations, the first reflecting unit may be a concave mirror which is formed in the front surface of the lens.

In some implementations, the first reflecting unit may be a reflective coating layer which is coated on a portion of the front surface of the lens that does not intersect an optical axis of the lens.

In some implementations, the reflective fluorescent body may be disposed to face a rear surface of the lens and may be configured to reflect, toward the rear surface of the lens, the light having the converted wavelength.

In some implementations, the light reducer may be disposed at a position between the lens and the light source.

In some implementations, the reflective fluorescent body may be disposed on an optical axis of the lens, and the light reducer may be disposed apart from the optical axis of the lens.

In some implementations, the light reducer may be disposed on a rear side of the lens and may be configured to emit the light having the converted wavelength in a direction parallel to an optical axis of the lens.

In some implementations, the light reducer may include: a first reducer lens configured to reduce a width of light transmitted therethrough that was emitted from the light source; and a second reducer lens that is spaced apart from the first reducer lens and that is configured to reduce a width of light transmitted therethrough that was emitted from the first reducer lens.

In some implementations, an emitting surface of the first reducer lens and an incident surface of the second reducer lens may be spaced apart from each other.

In some implementations, a diameter of the second reducer lens may be smaller than a diameter of the first reducer lens.

In some implementations, a thickness of the second reducer lens may be smaller than a thickness of the first reducer lens.

In some implementations, an incident surface of the first reducer lens on which light is incident may have a convex shape.

In some implementations, an emitting surface of the second reducer lens from which light is emitted may have a concave shape.

In some implementations, an optical axis of the first reducer lens may be the same as an optical axis of the second reducer lens.

In some implementations, an incident surface of the first reducer lens may be configured to face the light source, and an emitting surface of the second reducer lens may be configured to face a rear surface of the first lens.

In some implementations, the first reducer lens and the second reducer lens may be configured such that an optical axis of the first reducer lens intersects with an optical axis of the second reducer lens.

In some implementations, the lighting device may further include: a reflecting member configured to reflect, to the second reducer lens, the light emitted from the first reducer lens.

In some implementations, the reflective fluorescent body may be disposed on an optical axis of the lens, and the light reducer may be arranged to be spaced apart from the reflective fluorescent body in the optical axis of the lens.

In some implementations, the lighting device may further include: a second reflecting unit provided to be spaced apart from the first reflecting unit on the front surface of the lens and configured to reflect, to a rear side of the lens, light that is reflected from the reflective fluorescent body.

The details of one or more implementations are set forth in the accompanying drawings and the description below. Other features will be apparent from the description and drawings, and from the claims. The description and specific examples below are given by way of illustration only, and various changes and modifications will be apparent.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Implementations are described herein that enable a lighting device for a vehicle that implements a reflecting unit and a reflective fluorescent body that are arranged with respect to a lens to provide efficient functionality.

In some implementations, the lighting device implements reflective components that perform multiple reflections of light irradiated from a light source, and then projects the light to an outside of the vehicle.

According to an implementation, light from a light source is reduced in size by a light reducer, before being incident on a first reflecting unit, and then being reflected to a reflective fluorescent body that reflects the light through a lens. As such, the size of the lens may be reduced and lens may be made compact. Further, the first reflecting unit may be provided on an area of a front surface of the lens, thus further reducing the number of components in the lighting device and further reducing the size of the lens.

Hereinafter, examples of implementations will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1is a diagram illustrating an example of a lighting device for a vehicle according to a first implementation,FIG. 2is a diagram illustrating an example of an optical path of the lighting device for a vehicle according to the first implementation, andFIG. 3is a perspective view illustrating an example of the lighting device for a vehicle according to the first implementation.

In some implementations, the lighting device for a vehicle may constitute a head lamp of the vehicle and may be used as a high beam lighting device which generates a high beam or may be used as a low beam lighting device which generates a low beam.

In the examples ofFIGS. 1 to 3, the lighting device100for a vehicle includes a light source apparatus1, a first reflecting unit2, and a lens3.

The light source apparatus1is configured to emit light toward the first reflecting unit2. For example, as shown inFIGS. 1 and 2, the light source apparatus1may be configured to emit light toward lens3, so that the light transmits through lens3and is incident on the first reflecting unit2. In some implementations, the light source apparatus1may be configured to emit light toward a rear surface of lens3, so that the light incident on the rear surface of lens3from the light source apparatus1transmits through lens3and is incident on the rear surface of the first reflecting unit2.

The light source apparatus1may include a light source10that emits light, and a light reducer12that reduces the size of the light emitted from light source10, as shown in the examples ofFIGS. 1 and 2. The light source10may receive electric energy and convert the electric energy into light energy, for example using a light emitting source such as an ultra-high pressure mercury lamp (UHV Lamp), a light emission diode (LED), or a laser diode.

The light source10may be a light source which is configured to be irradiated with light from a long distance while having an excellent feature of straightness and high efficiency. In some implementations, the light source10preferably is a laser diode. For example, the light source10may preferably be a laser diode which irradiates with a blue based laser light having high efficiency.

The light source apparatus1may further include a light reducer, such as light reducer12inFIGS. 1 and 2. The light reducer12may be configured to reduce a size of the light emitted from the light source10, and emit the reduced-size light toward the first reflecting unit2. As such, light emitted from the light source10may pass through the reducer12and then may be emitted toward the first reflecting unit2. Further details of the light reducer12will be described below.

As shown in the examples ofFIGS. 1 and 2, the lighting device100may also include a reflective fluorescent body4, which may be configured to convert a wavelength of incident light and emit wavelength-converted light. For example, as shown inFIG. 2, light that is reflected from the first reflecting unit2may be incident on the reflective fluorescent body4, which may convert a wavelength of the incident light and emit wavelength-converted light towards the lens3.

In some implementations, the lens3may have a larger size than the size of the reflective fluorescent body4and the first reflecting unit2. As such, the lens3may be configured to protect the reflective fluorescent body4and the first reflecting unit2at the front side of the reflective fluorescent body4.

The lens3may have, for example, a cylindrical shape or polygonal pillar shape. The lens3may include a front surface31, a rear surface32, and a peripheral surface33, as illustrated inFIGS. 1 and 2.

The front surface31of lens3may have a convex curved surface toward the front side. The rear surface32of lens3may have a flat surface or a recessed curved surface toward the front side.

The lens3may have an optical axis X. The front surface of lens3may be a convex condensing lens and may be symmetrical about the optical axis X. As shown inFIGS. 1 and 2, the optical axis X of the lens3may be a rotational symmetrical axis or a center axis of lens3and may refer to a straight line which passes through the centers of the front surface31and the rear surface32of lens3.

The lighting device100for a vehicle may further include a projection lens5disposed on the front surface of the lens3, as shown inFIGS. 1 to 3.

The projection lens5may have a greater size than the size of the lens3. The optical axis of the projection lens5may be matched and aligned with the optical axis X of the lens3, as shown inFIGS. 1 and 2.

The projection lens5may include a front surface51, a rear surface52, and a peripheral surface53. The front surface51of the projection lens5may be a convex surface toward the front side. The rear surface52of the projection lens5may be a flat surface. The projection lens5may have a symmetrical structure about the optical axis.

The reflective fluorescent body4may be disposed on the rear side of the lens3and reflect light from the first reflecting unit2to the lens3.

In some implementations, reflective fluorescent body4may be arranged to be spaced apart from the lens3. For example, as shown inFIGS. 1 and 2, the reflective fluorescent body4may be disposed on the rear side of the lens3to be spaced apart from the lens3. As such, in some implementations, heat that is generated at the reflective fluorescent body4during wavelength conversion of light may be mitigated from affecting the lens3.

The reflective fluorescent body4may be disposed to face the rear surface32of the lens3and may reflect light toward the rear surface32of the lens3. In some implementations, the front surface of the reflective fluorescent body4may be parallel to the rear surface32of the lens3.

As shown inFIGS. 1 and 2, in some implementations, the reflective fluorescent body4may be disposed on the optical axis X of the lens3, so that the center of the reflective fluorescent body4may be aligned with the optical axis X of lens3. However, implementations are not limited thereto.

For example, in some implementations, the reflective fluorescent body4may be eccentrically disposed with respect to the optical axis X of the lens3, so that the center of reflective fluorescent body4is not aligned with the optical axis X of lens3. However, in this case, the lighting efficiency may be reduced because an area of the lens3through which light reflected at the reflective fluorescent body4is transmitted may be smaller than the area in a case where the reflective fluorescent body4is aligned with the optical axis X of the lens3.

Further, in a case where the reflective fluorescent body4may be disposed to be eccentric with respect to the optical axis X of the lens3, the area through which light reflected from the reflective fluorescent body4is transmitted may be asymmetrical with respect to the other area in the projection lens5. In this case, the manufacturing process of the projection lens5may be more complicated, and thus the manufacturing cost of the projection lens5may be increased.

In implementations where the reflective fluorescent body4is disposed on and aligned with the optical axis X of lens3, the projection lens5is formed to be symmetrical about the optical axis X, and thus the manufacturing cost of the projection lens5may be reduced.

As such, in some implementations, the reflective fluorescent body4is preferably disposed on the optical axis X of the lens3, so that the center of the reflective fluorescent body4is aligned on the optical axis X of the lens3, as shown in the examples ofFIGS. 1 and 2.

The reflective fluorescent body4may include a wavelength conversion layer which faces the rear surface32of the lens3. The reflective fluorescent body4may also include a reflecting unit which is disposed on the rear side of the wavelength conversion layer.

The wavelength conversion layer may be made of a wave conversion film and may include an opto-ceramic material. The wavelength conversion layer is configured to convert the wavelength of the light reflected at the first reflecting unit in a state of being positioned at the front side of the reflecting unit. For example, if blue-based light is incident from the outside, the wavelength conversion layer may be a wavelength conversion film that converts the blue-based light into yellow-based light. The wavelength conversion layer may include an opto-ceramic having yellow color. However, the wavelength conversion properties are not limited to these specific colors, and the wavelength conversion layer may be configured to convert between any suitable wavelengths of light.

The reflecting unit may include a plate and a reflecting coating layer which is coated the outside surface of the plate. The plate may be, in some implementations, made of a metal. The reflecting unit may support the wavelength conversion layer and light transmitted through the wavelength conversion layer may be reflected toward the rear surface32of the lens3by the reflect unit.

When blue based light is reflected to the reflective fluorescent body4by the first reflecting unit2in the surface of the wavelength conversion layer, a portion of the blue based light is surface-reflected and the light which is incident on the inner portion of the wavelength conversion layer of the blue based light is configured to be excited in the inner portion of the wavelength conversion layer and the light may be reflected in the front side of the wavelength conversion layer by the reflecting unit.

The blue based light which is surface-reflected from the surface of the wavelength conversion layer and yellow based light which is emitted to the front side of the wavelength conversion layer may be mixed and white based light is emitted to the front side of the front surface of the reflective fluorescent body4. This white based light may be transmitted through the lens3and may be emitted toward the front side of the lens3.

A distance L1between the reflective fluorescent body4and the lens3may determine the width of the lighting device100for a vehicle in the longitudinal direction, and preferably, the reflective fluorescent body4is closely disposed to the lens3within the range in which the damage of the lens3by heat is mitigated.

The heat radiating member42which assists to radiate heat of the reflective fluorescent body4may be disposed in the reflective fluorescent body4. The heat radiation member42may include a contact plate43which is in contact with the reflective fluorescent body4, and a heat radiation fin44which is projected from the contact plate43.

The contact plate43may be attached to the rear surface of the reflecting unit to be surface-contact.

The first reflecting unit2may be provided to reflect the incident light to the reflective fluorescent body4.

The first reflecting unit2is provided on lens3to be integrated with the lens3or is provided separately from the lens3spaced apart from the lens3.

The first reflecting unit2may be determined the position thereof according to an arrangement position of the reflective fluorescent body4. In a case where the reflective fluorescent body4may be disposed on the rear side of the lens3, the first reflecting unit2is positioned on the rear side of the lens3to be spaced apart from the lens3, provided on the rear surface of the lens3, is provided on the front surface of the lens or is positioned on the front side of the lens3to be spaced apart from the lens3.

The first reflecting unit2allows the light emitted from the light source apparatus1to reflect between the reflective fluorescent body4and the lens3, in a state where the first reflecting unit2is provided on the rear side of the lens3to be spaced apart from the lens3.

The first reflecting unit2allows the beam emitted from the light source apparatus1to reflect between the reflective fluorescent body4and the lens3, in a state where the first reflecting unit2is provided on the rear surface of the lens3to be integrated with the lens3.

The first reflecting unit2allows the light transmitted through the lens3after being emitted from light source apparatus1to reflect to the lens3to be reflected toward on the reflective fluorescent body4, in a state where the first reflecting unit2is provided on the front surface of the lens3to be integrated with the lens3.

The first reflecting unit2allows the beam transmitted through the lens3after being emitted from light source apparatus1to reflect to the lens3to be reflected toward on the reflective fluorescent body4, in a state where the first reflecting unit2is provided on the front side of the lens3to be spaced apart from the lens3.

In a case where the first reflecting unit2is provided the rear side or the front side of the lens3to be spaced apart from lens3, the component number of the lighting device100for a vehicle may be increased and the size of the lighting device100for a vehicle may be increased by the separating distance between the lens3and the first reflecting unit2from each other.

In some implementations, the first reflecting unit2is provided in the front surface31or the rear surface32of the lens to be integrated with each other. Such a configuration may reduce the number of components in the lighting device100for a vehicle, and thus improve compactness of the lighting device100.

In a case where the first reflecting unit2is provided on the entirety of the rear surface or the entirety of the front surface of lens3, the first reflecting unit2reflects all or substantially all the light reflected from the reflective fluorescent body4to rear side of lens3, and prevents the light reflected from the reflective fluorescent body4from being emitted to the front side of the lens3.

As such, in some implementations, the first reflecting unit2is preferably provided on only a portion of the rear surface of the lens3or only a portion of the front surface of the lens3, without covering the entirety of the surface. For example, the first reflecting unit2may be provided on only a portion of the surface with a size that allows lens3transmit light through a sufficient light emitting area of lens3. In some implementations, the first reflecting unit2is positioned at a portion on the surface of lens3that is not aligned with the optical axis X of the lens, and thus spaced apart from the optical axis X of lens3. Preferably, the first reflecting unit2is positioned on the surface of lens3between the optical axis X of the lens3and the perimeter surface33of lens3, as shown inFIGS. 6 and 7.

The first reflecting unit2may be provided on a portion area of the rear surface of the lens3or a portion area of the front surface of the lens3. The first reflecting unit2may be provided to reflect the light emitted from the light source apparatus1to the reflective fluorescent body4.

Preferably, the first reflecting unit2may reflect the incident light to the rear side of lens3.

In some implementations, the position of the first reflecting unit2may be determined considering the distance between the reflective fluorescent body4and the lens3.

Preferably, the reflective fluorescent body4is disposed close to the rear surface32of the lens3, and the first reflecting unit2is provided on the front surface31of the lens3.

For example, the first reflecting unit2may be provided on a portion of the front surface of lens3such that light emitted from light source apparatus1and reducer12may be transmitted through lens3and then may be incident on the first reflecting unit2. The light which is then reflected from the first reflecting unit2may be transmitted through lens3and may be incident on the reflective fluorescent body4. The reflective fluorescent body4may convert a wavelength of this incident light and reflect the wavelength-converted light be transmitted through lens3, and subsequently irradiated to the front side of the lighting device100. In some implementations, the lens3may be three-path lens through which light is transmitted three times. As such, the lighting device100for a vehicle may be made more compact by implementing such a three-path lens3.

The first reflecting unit2may be formed according to a convex front surface31in a portion of a convex front surface31of the lens3and the cross-sectional shape of the first reflecting unit2may be formed as an arc-shape. The first reflecting unit2may have a round shape or a polygonal shape when viewed from the front side of lens3.

In some implementations, the first reflecting unit2may be a concave mirror formed on the front surface31of lens3. The first reflecting unit2may have a convex front surface and a concave rear surface.

The front surface of the first reflecting unit2may face the projection lens5described below. The first reflecting unit2may be projected by the lens3and the projection lens5between the lens3and the projection lens5.

The first reflecting unit2may be a reflective coating layer coated on a portion of the front surface31of lens3such that the first reflecting unit2does not intersect the optical axis X of the lens3. Alternatively, the first reflecting unit2may be a reflective sheet attached to the portion of the front surface31of lens3that does not intersect the optical axis X of the lens3.

The light reducer12may be disposed between the lens3and the light source10. For example, the light reducer12may be disposed between the rear surface32of the lens3and the front surface31of the light source10, and spaced apart from the lens3and the light source10respectively.

In some implementations, the light reducer12may be spaced apart from the optical axis X of the lens3. For example, as shown in the example ofFIG. 1, the light reducer12may have an optical axis P and the lens3may have an optical axis X. The light reducer may be arranged such that its optical axis P is not aligned with the optical axis X of the lens3. With this arrangement, a portion of the light reducer12may be positioned on the optical axis X of the lens3, as long as the optical axis P of the light reducer12is spaced apart from the optical axis X of the lens3.

The light reducer12is disposed on the rear side of the lens3and may emit light in the direction parallel to the optical axis X of the lens3. The optical axis P of the light reducer12may be parallel to the optical axis X of the lens3.

The light reducer12may include a first reducer lens20in which light width is reduced while the light emitted from the light source10transmits through the first reducer lens20and a second reducer lens30which is spaced apart from the first reducer lens20and in which light width is reduced while the light emitted from the first reducer lens20transmits through the second reducer lens30.

The first reducer lens20has an incident surface21and an emitting surface22and the second reducer lens25has an incident surface26and an emitting surface27.

The emitting surface22of the first reducer lens20and the incident surface26of the second reducer lens25is space apart from each other. The emitting surface22of the first reducer lens20and the incident surface26of the second reducer lens25may be space apart in the direction parallel to the optical axis X of the lens3. The first reducer lens20and the second reducer lens25may be spaced apart having air between the first reducer lens20and the second reducer lens25.

The first reducer lens20and the second reducer lens25may be spaced apart in the longitudinal direction. The emitting surface22of the first reducer lens20and the incident surface of the second reducer lens25is space apart in the longitudinal direction.

The first reducer lens20may be positioned between the light source10and the second reducer lens25and the second reducer lens25may be positioned between the first reducer lens20and the lens3.

The incident surface21of the first reducer lens20may face the light source10.

The optical axis P of the first reducer lens20and the optical axis of the second reducer lens25may be the same each other.

The emitting surface27of the second reducer lens25may face the rear surface32of the lens3. Preferably, the emitting surface27of the second reducer lens25does not face a heat radiating member42or the reflective fluorescent body4.

The incident surfaces, on which light is incident, of first reducer lens20and the second reducer lens25may have a convex shape. The emitting surfaces, from which light is emitted, of first reducer lens20and the second reducer lens25may have a concave shape.

The rear surface of the first reducer lens20may be the incident surface21and the incident surface21may have a convex curved surface toward the rear side. The light which is incident from the light source10may be refracted at the convex incident surface21and the width of the light which transmits through the first reducer lens20may be gradually reduced, as illustrated inFIG. 2.

The front surface of the first reducer lens20may be the emitting surface22and the emitting surface22may have a concave depression curved surface toward the rear side. In some implementations, the entire front surface of the first reducer lens20may have a concave depression emitting surface22. In some implementations, only the center portion of the front surface of the first reducer lens20may have the concave depression emitting surface22.

A portion of the emitting surface22of the first reducer lens20may face the incident surface26of the second reducer lens25.

The rear surface of the second reducer lens25may be the incident surface26and the incident surface26may have a convex curved surface toward the rear side. The light which is emitted from the first reducer lens20and then passes through the air between the first reducer lens20and the second reducer lens25may be refracted at the convex incident surface26of the second reducer lens25, and the width of the light transmitted through the second reducer lens25may be gradually reduced.

The front surface of the second reducer lens25may be the emitting surface27and the emitting surface27may have a concave depression curved surface toward the rear side. In some implementations, the entire front surface of the second reducer lens25may have a concave depression emitting surface27. In some implementations, only the center portion of the front surface of the second reducer lens25may have the concave depression emitting surface27.

The entire emitting surface27of the second reducer lens25may face the rear surface32of the lens3.

The diameter D2of the second reducer lens25may be smaller than the diameter D1of the first reducer lens20. The thickness T2of the second reducer lens25may be thinner than the thickness T1of the first reducer lens20.

The size of the second reducer lens25may be smaller than the size of the first reducer lens20in order to increase the peripheral space utilization, since the light is primarily reduced at the first reducer lens20.

The curvatures of the incident surface21of the first reducer lens20and the incident surface26of the second reducer lens25may be the same each other or may be different from each other.

The reduction degree of the width of the light which is transmitted through the first reducer lens20may be highly dependent on the curvature of the incident surface21of the first reducer lens20. The reduction degree of the width of the light which is transmitted through the first reducer lens20may be increased as the curvature of the incident surface21of the first reducer lens20is increased.

For example, the sizes of the second reducer lens25, the first reflecting unit2, and the lens3may be decreased as the curvature of the incident surface21of the first reducer lens20is increased.

The light of which width is primarily reduced at the first reducer lens20may be incident on the incident surface26of the second reducer lens25and the incident surface26of the second reducer lens25is preferably configured that the light is not excessively reduced.

In a case where the curvature of the incident surface21of the first reducer lens20and the curvature of the incident surface26of the second reducer lens25are different from each other, preferably, the curvature of the incident surface21of the first reducer lens20is greater than the curvature of the incident surface26of the second reducer lens25.

The curvatures of the emitting surface22of the first reducer lens20and the emitting surface27of the second reducer lens25may be the same each other or may be different from each other.

The first reducer lens20is configured to differentiate the width of the light emitted from the first reducer lens20according to the curvature of the emitting surface22.

The emitting surface22of the first reducer lens20may have a curvature which allows the light which passes through the emitting surface22to be emitted in parallel. Further, the emitting surface22of the first reducer lens20may have a curvature which allows the width of the light passed through the emitting surface22to be gradually reduced between the emitting surface22of the first reducer lens20and the incident surface26of the second reducer lens25.

Preferably, the second reducer lens25is configured that the width of the light which is incident on the first reflecting unit2may be different from each other according to the curvature of the emitting surface and the emitting surface27of the second reducer lens25is configured that the light passed through the emitting surface27is incident on the first reflecting unit2in parallel.

In a case where the curvature of the emitting surface22of the first reducer lens20and the curvature of the emitting surface27of the second reducer lens25are different from each other, preferably, the curvature of the emitting surface27of the second reducer lens25is greater than the curvature of the emitting surface22of the first reducer lens20.

The lighting device100for a vehicle may further include a light reducer supporter56, as shown inFIG. 3, supporting the light reducer12.

The light reducer supporter56may have a shape surrounding the light reducer12. The light reducer supporter56may be lengthened in the direction parallel to the optical axis X of the lens3and may have a light transmitting path through which light transmits in the inner portion thereof.

Further, the lighting device100for a vehicle may further include a lens holder58which supports the lens3and the projection lens5.

In some implementations, the lighting device100may also include a heat radiation member11, as shown inFIG. 3, which radiates heat generated in the light source10. The heat radiation member11may include a contact plate which is in contact with the light source10and a heat radiation fin which is projected from the contact plate.

Hereinafter, an example of an operation of a lighting device100according to some implementations is described. Hereinafter, the light source10emits the blue based light and the reflective fluorescent body4converts the wavelength of the blue based light into the wavelength of the yellow based light, for example.

First, when the light source10turns on, the blue based light A may be emitted from the light source10and the light. The blue-based light A emitted from the light source10may be incident on the light reducer12in parallel.

The light A emitted from the light source10in parallel may be incident on the incident surface21of the first reducer lens20, may refract at the incident surface21of the first reducer lens20and then the width of the light may be reduced.

The light refracted at the incident surface21of the first reducer lens20may transmit through the first reducer lens20and thus may be emitted to the emitting surface22of the first reducer lens20.

The light B emitted to the emitting surface22of the first reducer lens20is incident on the incident surface26of the second reducer lens25in parallel or the width of the light B is gradually reduced between the emitting surface22of the first reducer lens20and the incident surface26of the second reducer lens25and the light B may be incident on the incident surface26of the second reducer lens25.

The light which is incident on the incident surface26of the second reducer lens25may transmit through the second reducer lens25and thus may be emitted through the emitting surface27of the second reducer lens25.

For example, the light A emitted from the light source10sequentially transmits through the first reducer lens20, the air between the first reducer lens20and the second reducer lens25, and the second reducer lens25and thus the width of the light is reduced, and the light C of which the width is reduced may be incident on the rear surface32of the lens3in parallel.

The light D which is incident on the rear surface32of the lens3transmits through the rear side area of the first reflecting unit2of the lens3and may be incident on the rear surface of the first reflecting unit2, and then reflects from the rear surface of the first reflecting unit2to the lens3.

The light E reflected from the first reflecting unit2may be reflected in the direction toward the optical axis X of the lens3and may refract at the rear surface32of the lens3.

The light F refracted at the rear surface32of the lens3may be passed through between the rear surface32of the lens3and the reflective fluorescent body4and then may be incident on the reflective fluorescent body4.

The wavelength of the light which is incident on the reflective fluorescent body4may be changed by the reflective fluorescent body4and the white based light F may be irradiated to the rear surface32of the lens3.

The light irradiated from the reflective fluorescent body to the rear surface32of the lens3in the reflective fluorescent body4may transmit through the lens3, and the light G transmits through the front surface31of the lens3and then may be incident on the projection lens5through the rear surface52of the projection lens5.

The light which is incident on the projection lens5transmits through the projection lens5, refracts at the front surface51of the projection lens5and thus may be emitted in the front side of the projection lens5in parallel.

The light H emitted to the front side of the projection lens5may be irradiated in the front side of the vehicle.

FIG. 4is a construction view illustrating a lighting device100for a vehicle according to a second implementation.

In the example ofFIG. 4, the optical axis P1of the first reducer lens20intersects with the optical axis P2of the second reducer lens25. The optical axis P1of the first reducer lens20and the optical axis P2of the second reducer lens30may have an inclined angle which is an acute angle or an obtuse angle, or may be perpendicular to each other.

An implementation may further include a reflecting member28which reflects the light emitted from the first reducer lens20to the second reducer lens30.

The light of which the width is reduced by the first reducer lens20may be incident on the second reducer lens25, and the width of the light is reduced again at the second reducer lens25by the reflecting member28.

The incident surface21of the first reducer lens20may face the light source10.

The emitting surface22of the first reducer lens20and the incident surface26of the second reducer lens25may face with each other.

The emitting surface27of the second reducer lens25may face the rear surface32of the lens3. The optical axis P2of the second reducer lens25is parallel to the optical axis of the lens3. The light emitted through the emitting surface27of the second reducer lens25may be irradiated toward the first reflecting unit2provided on the front surface31of the lens3as in the first implementation.

The curvatures of the incident surface and the emitting surface, size relation between each other, and thickness relation between each other of each of the first reducer lens20and the second reducer lens25are same or similar to those of the first implementation.

In some implementations, the light source10and the first reducer lens20may not disposed on the rear side of the second reducer lens25and the first reducer lens20and the light source10may not relatively disposed on the more front side than in the case of the first implementation.

The light emitted from the light source10passes through the first reducer lens20and then may be incident on the reflecting member28, the light path is changed in parallel to the optical axis X of the lens3by the reflecting member28, and may be transmitted through the second reducer lens25and then may be emitted toward the first reflecting unit2.

FIG. 5is a construction view illustrating a lighting device100for a vehicle according to a third implementation.

In the present implementation, at least one of the light source10or the light reducer12may be disposed to be spaced apart from the reflective fluorescent body4, which is arranged on the optical axis X of lens3.

As shown in the example ofFIG. 5, the optical axis P1of the light reducer12may be non-parallel to the optical axis X of the lens3, and may intersect with the optical axis X of the lens3.

The present implementation further includes a reflecting member29which reflects the light emitted from the light reducer12toward the first reflecting unit2.

As in the first implementation, the light reducer12may include a first reducer lens20and a second reducer lens25. The first reducer lens20and the second reducer lens25may have the same light axis P1with each other.

The light of which the width is reduced by the first reducer lens20and the second reducer lens25may be incident on the lens3by the reflecting member29and transmitted through the lens3and then may be incident on the first reflecting unit2.

The incident surface21of the first reducer lens20may face the light source10.

The emitting surface22of the first reducer lens20and the incident surface26of the second reducer lens25may face each other.

The emitting surface27of the second reducer lens25may face each other.

The reflecting member29may reflect the light emitted from the second reducer lens25in parallel direction P2to the optical axis X of the lens3and the light reflected from the reflecting member29may be irradiated toward the first reflecting unit2provided on the front surface31of the lens3as in the first implementation.

The curvature of the incident surface and the emitting surface, size relation between each other, and thickness relation between each other of each of the first reducer lens20and the second reducer lens25are same or similar to those of the first implementation.

In a case of the present implementation, the light source10and the reducer12may be more closely disposed to the lens3. In the present implementation, the light source10and the reducer12is relatively positioned at the more front side than in a case of the first implementation.

The light emitted from the light source10passes through the first reducer lens20and then may be passed through the second reducer lens25, the light path is changed in parallel to the optical axis X of the lens3by the reflecting member29, and may be transmitted through the lens3and then may be emitted toward the first reflecting unit2.

FIG. 6is a construction view illustrating a lighting device100for a vehicle according to a fourth implementation.

The present implementation may include a second reflecting unit6which reflects light which reflects from the reflective fluorescent body4to the lens3to the rear side of the lens3. Since the other constructions and the effects other than the second reflecting unit6and their effects are the same or similar to the first implementation to third implementation, the other constructions other than the second reflecting unit6use the same numerical references as the first implementation to third implementation.

The second reflecting unit6may be provided to be spaced apart from the first reflecting unit2in the front surface31of the lens3and may reflect the light reflected from the reflective fluorescent body4in the rear side of the lens3.

Each of the first reflecting unit2and the second reflecting unit6may be provided on the front surface of the lens3.

The first reflecting unit2and the second reflecting unit6may have an arc shape as a cross-sectional shape on the convex front surface31of the lens3, respectively.

The first reflecting unit2and the second reflecting unit6may have a concave mirror formed along the front surface31of the lens3on the convex front surface31of the lens3, respectively.

The first reflecting unit2and the second reflecting unit6may be provided to be spaced apart with each other. The first reflecting unit2and the second reflecting unit6may be provided symmetrically relative to the optical axis X of the lens3.

The first reflecting unit2and the second reflecting unit6may be provided symmetrically to have a 180° phase difference to the front surface31of the lens3. In a case where the first reflecting unit2may be provided on the left area of the front surface31of the lens3, the second reflecting unit6may be provided on the upper side area of the front surface31of the lens3. In a case where the first reflecting unit2may be provided on the right area of the front surface31of the lens3, the second reflecting unit6may be provided on the lower side area of the front surface31of the lens3.

The first reflecting unit2and the second reflecting unit6may be provided at the same distance from the optical axis X of the lens with each other or at the different distance from the optical axis X of the lens with each other.

In a case where the first reflecting unit2and the second reflecting unit6is provided at the same distance from the optical axis X of the lens3, any one of two reflecting unit may serves as the first reflecting unit2, and the other of two reflecting unit may serves as the second reflecting unit6. Convenience of the operator may be improved. Since two reflecting units need not distinguish from each other at the mounting or service of the lens3.

The first distance between the first reflecting unit2and the optical axis X of the lens3may be shorter or longer than the second distance between the second reflecting unit6and the optical axis X of the lens3. In this case, the light source apparatus1may be installed in the position which any one of the two reflecting unit faces each other and the position which allows the lighting device100for a vehicle to be made compact or allows the efficiency of the lighting device100for a vehicle to be optimized. In a case where the light source apparatus1faces any one of two reflecting units, the reflecting unit facing the light source apparatus1serves as the first reflecting unit2and the reflecting unit which does not face the light source apparatus1serves as the second reflecting unit6.

The light source apparatus1and the detecting unit7may be installed in the optimal position in which the efficiency of the lighting device100for a vehicle may be increased.

The first reflecting unit2and the second reflecting unit6is made of a reflective coating layer coated on the portion other than the optical axis X of the lens3of the front surface of the lens3or is made of a reflective seat attached to the portion other than the optical axis X of the lens3of the front surface of the lens3.

The first reflecting unit2may reflect light which is emitted from the light source apparatus1and then is transmitted through the lens3to the reflective fluorescent body4the light reflected from the reflective fluorescent body4may be transmitted through the lens and a portion of the light reflected to the lens from reflective fluorescent body4may be incident on the second reflecting unit6. The light which is incident from the reflective fluorescent body4to the second reflecting unit6may be reflected in the rear direction of the lens3by the second reflecting unit6.

The light I reflected in the rear direction of the lens3by the second reflecting unit6transmits through the rear surface32of the lens3and the light J which is reflected from the second reflecting unit6and is transmitted through the rear surface32of the lens3may be radiated in the rear side of the lens3.

The second reflecting unit6may minimize the light leak phenomenon which may be generated when the light which is reflected in the reflective fluorescent body4transmitted through the area on which the second reflecting unit6is formed.

FIG. 7is a construction view illustrating an optical path of the lighting device100for a vehicle according to a fifth implementation.

The present implementation may include a detecting unit7which detects light J reflected to the rear side of the lens3at the second reflecting unit6, and a control unit8which controls the light source10according to the detection value of the detecting unit7. Since the other constructions and the effects other than the detecting unit7and the control unit8are the same or similar to the fourth implementation, the other constructions other than the detecting unit7and the control unit8use the same numerical references as the fourth implementation.

The detecting unit7may be disposed on the rear side of the lens3. The detecting unit7is disposed outside of the optical axis X of the lens3.

The detecting unit7may include a first filter71through which blue light is transmitted, a first optical sensor72that detects light transmitted through the first filter71, a second filter73that blocks blue light, and a second optical sensor74that detects light transmitted through the second filter73. In this example, the blue light may be a blue-based light.

The present implementation may further include a third filter78which is disposed on the front side of the first filter71and the second filter73and detects light which is towards the first filter71and the second filter73.

The control unit8may be configured such that the light source apparatus1is turned off when the control unit8detects light which is greater than the reference value at the first optical sensor72. The control unit8may allow the light source apparatus1to be turned off when the control unit8detects light which is equal to and less than the reference value or does not detect light in the second optical sensor74.

In a scenario in which the light which is greater than the reference value is detected at the first optical sensor72, this scenario may correspond to the reflective fluorescent body4not converting the blue-based light into white-based light, or the degree of such conversion being insignificant. In this scenario, blue-based light which exceeds the safety range may be emitted to the front side of a vehicle. To mitigate the risk of such a scenario, the light source apparatus1, for example the light source10, may be configured to be turned off in order to avoid emitting blue-based light to the front side of the vehicle.

Further, in a scenario in which light which is less than or equal to the reference value is not detected at the second optical sensor74, this scenario may correspond to the reflective fluorescent body4not functioning normally or the second reflecting unit6having failed. In this scenario, it may be difficult to perform an optical conversion function by the reflective fluorescent body4or to perform a safety function using the second reflecting unit6, the detecting unit7and the control unit8. As such, to mitigate such a scenario, the light source apparatus1, for example the light source10, may be configured to be turned off.

Although implementations have been described with reference to a number of illustrative examples thereof, it should be understood that numerous other modifications and implementations may be devised.

Accordingly, implementations are disclosed herein merely for illustrative purposes and do not limit the technical scope of the present disclosure, and the scope of the technical spirits of the present disclosure is not limited by the implementations disclosed herein.

In addition, the protective scope of the present disclosure should be construed by the following claims, and all technical spirits within a scope equivalent to the protective scope will be construed as being included in the scope of the disclosure.