VEHICULAR VARIABLE SPOILER LIGHTING APPARATUS

A light apparatus for a variable spoiler including a rear lamp movably provided in a rear section of a vehicle and configured to protrude to be positioned at multiple steps toward an opposite direction to a forward traveling direction of the vehicle according to a traveling speed of the vehicle and a spoiler movably provided in the rear section, the spoiler being configured to move together with the rear lamp and to be tilted according to the traveling speed of the vehicle.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit under 35 USC § 119(a) of Korean Patent Application No. 10-2023-0130409, filed on Sep. 27, 2023, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference for all purpose.

BACKGROUND

Exemplary embodiments relate to a vehicular variable spoiler lighting apparatus, and more particularly, to a vehicular variable spoiler lighting apparatus being capable of improving aerodynamic performance and providing visual information to a nearby vehicle and a pedestrian.

2. Description of the Related Art

A spoiler may be mounted on a vehicle. The spoiler prevents the vehicle from being lifted from the road surface due to an air vortex phenomenon during high-speed traveling, thereby enhancing the traction of the tires on the road surface. In recent years, variable spoilers that vary in position and direction according to a speed of the vehicle have become available in the market.

Only the tilting angle in the upward-downward direction of a variable spoiler in the related art can be adjusted. Particularly, there also occurs a problem in that the variable spoiler cannot be identified at night from the outside of the vehicle. Therefore, there is a need to address these problems.

SUMMARY

This Summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in a simplified form that are further described below in the Detailed Description. This Summary is not intended to identify key features or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used as an aid in determining the scope of the claimed subject matter. In a general aspect, here is provided a light apparatus for a variable spoiler including a rear lamp movably provided in a rear section of a vehicle and configured to protrude to be positioned at multiple steps toward an opposite direction to a forward traveling direction of the vehicle according to a traveling speed of the vehicle and a spoiler movably provided in the rear section, the spoiler being configured to move together with the rear lamp and to be tilted according to the traveling speed of the vehicle.

The rear section may include a rear body, wherein the rear lamp and the spoiler are movably accommodated in the rear body, a first actuator provided in the rear body and connected to the rear lamp, the first actuator being configured to move the rear lamp in a straight line, and a second actuator provided on the rear lamp and connected to the spoiler, the second actuator being configured to vary a tilting angle of the spoiler.

The spoiler may be seated on the rear lamp.

The apparatus may include a control unit configured to control an operation of each of the first actuator, the second actuator, and the rear lamp.

The rear light may include a lamp housing unit movably accommodated in the rear body and a lamp body movably accommodated in the lamp housing unit, wherein the lamp body includes a light source unit.

The light source unit may be provided on an end portion of the lamp body, the light source unit being configured to protrude from the end portion.

A pattern portion to which a light pattern is emitted may be provided on an outer surface of the light source unit, the light pattern being configured to be visible from an outside of the vehicle whether or not the rear lamp operates.

In a general aspect, here is provided a light apparatus for a vehicular spoiler including a rear lamp provided in a rear section of a vehicle and a spoiler movably provided in the rear section of the vehicle, the spoiler being configured to protrude toward an opposite direction to the a forward traveling direction of the vehicle and to be tilted.

The spoiler may include a first spoiler and second spoilers arranged on both sides, respectively, of the first spoiler.

The rear section may include a rear body, wherein the first spoiler and the second spoiler are movably accommodated in the rear body, a first actuator provided in the rear body, and connected to the first spoiler and the second spoiler, the first actuator being configured to move the first spoiler and the second spoiler in a straight line, and a second actuator provided in the rear body and connected to the first spoiler, the second actuator being configured to vary a tilting angle of the first spoiler.

The apparatus may include a control unit configured to control an operation of each of the first actuator and the second actuator.

The first spoiler may be horizontally provided along the rear body and the second spoilers may be vertically provided along outer edges of the rear body.

The spoiler may be a transparent material.

The rear lamp may be arranged horizontally along a top portion and vertically along outer edges of the rear section.

In a general aspect, here is provided a spoiler apparatus including one or more processors configured to execute instructions and a memory storing the instructions, wherein execution of the instructions configures the one or more processors to control a first operation of a first actuator of a vehicle, the first actuator being configured to move a spoiler of the vehicle in a direction opposite to a travel direction of the vehicle, control a second operation of the a second actuator, the second actuator being configured to tilt the spoiler vertically with respect to the travel direction, and control a third operation of a light source unit, the light source unit being movably provided on a rear section of the vehicle to protrude in the direction opposite to the travel direction.

The controller may be further configured to control a first position of the first actuator and a second position of the second actuator responsive to a travel speed of the vehicle, the first actuator may be controlled to extend the spoiler in the direction opposite to the travel direction responsive to the travel speed and the second actuator may be controlled to tilt the spoiler upward responsive to the travel speed.

The spoiler may be configured to slidably extend from an upper surface of the rear section of the vehicle, and the spoiler may be provided above the light source unit.

The controller may be further configured to control a position of the light source unit responsive to a travel speed of the vehicle and the light source unit may be configured to extend from the rear section of the vehicle responsive to the travel speed.

The spoiler and the light source unit may be configured to move together.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Advantages and features of the present disclosure and methods of achieving the advantages and features will be clear with reference to embodiments described in detail below together with the accompanying drawings. However, the present disclosure is not limited to the embodiments disclosed herein but will be implemented in various forms. The embodiments of the present disclosure are provided so that the present disclosure is completely disclosed, and a person with ordinary skill in the art can fully understand the scope of the present disclosure. The present disclosure will be defined only by the scope of the appended claims. Meanwhile, the terms used in the present specification are for explaining the embodiments, not for limiting the present disclosure.

Throughout the specification, when a component is described as being “connected to,” or “coupled to” another component, it may be directly “connected to,” or “coupled to” the other component, or there may be one or more other components intervening therebetween. In contrast, when an element is described as being “directly connected to,” or “directly coupled to” another element, there can be no other elements intervening therebetween.

In a description of the embodiment, in a case in which any one element is described as being formed on or under another element, such a description includes both a case in which the two elements are formed in direct contact with each other and a case in which the two elements are in indirect contact with each other with one or more other elements interposed between the two elements. In addition, when one element is described as being formed on or under another element, such a description may include a case in which the one element is formed at an upper side or a lower side with respect to another element.

A vehicular variable spoiler lighting apparatus according to the present disclosure will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. For clarity and convenience in description, thicknesses of lines, sizes of constituent elements, and the like may be illustrated in a non-exact proportion in the drawings. In addition, terms that hereinafter refer to constituent elements, respectively, according to the present disclosure are defined by considering their respective functions and may vary according to a user's or manager's intention or to practices in the art. Therefore, these terms should be contextually defined in light of the present specification.

FIG.1is a perspective view illustrating a vehicular variable spoiler lighting apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure.FIG.2is a perspective view illustrating a state where a rear lamp100of the vehicular variable spoiler lighting apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure protrudes to be positioned at the first step.FIG.3is a perspective view illustrating a state where the rear lamp100of the vehicular variable spoiler lighting apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure protrudes to be positioned at the second step.FIG.4is a perspective view illustrating a state where a spoiler200of the vehicular variable spoiler lighting apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure is tilted.FIG.5is a block diagram illustrating a connectional relationship between a control unit of the vehicular variable spoiler lighting apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure and each of constituent elements thereof.

With reference toFIGS.1to5, the vehicular variable spoiler lighting apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure includes the rear lamp100, the spoiler200, and a control unit20, which are described in detail as follows.

The rear lamp100is movably provided on a rear section10of a vehicle. The rear lamp100may be arranged in the widthwise direction of the rear section10.

The rear lamp100may emit light toward the opposite direction to the vehicle's forward traveling direction. In other words, light in the shape of a line may be emitted through an edge of the rear lamp100that faces toward the opposite direction to the vehicle's forward traveling direction.

The rear lamp100may move the forward-backward direction of the vehicle according to a traveling speed of the vehicle and may protrude to be positioned at multiple steps toward the opposite direction to the vehicle's forward traveling direction.

The spoiler200is movably provided in the rear section10. The spoiler200may be positioned on top of the rear lamp100and may be arranged on the center portion of the rear lamp100.

The spoiler200moves in the forward-backward direction of the vehicle according to the traveling speed of the vehicle, together with the rear lamp100. The spoiler200may move toward the opposite direction to the vehicle's forward traveling direction, together with the rear lamp100, and then may be tilted in the upward-downward direction according to the traveling speed of the vehicle.

The rear section10may include a rear body11, a first actuator12, and a second actuator13.

In the rear body11may be accommodated the rear lamp100and the spoiler200. In other words, the rear lamp100may be accommodated in the rear body11. The rear body11, facing toward the opposite direction to the vehicle's forward traveling direction, may have an opening11ain the outer surface.

The rear lamp100may be accommodated in the rear body11in a slidably movable manner. Therefore, the rear lamp100may be exposed to the outside through the opening11ain the rear body11.

The spoiler200may be accommodated behind the opening11aformed in an upper surface of the rear body11. The spoiler200may be seated on the rear lamp100.

The first actuator12may be provided in the rear body11. The first actuator12may be connected to the rear lamp100and may move the rear lamp100in a straight line in such a manner as to be positioned at multiple steps.

The second actuator13is provided to the rear lamp100. The second actuator13may be connected to the spoiler200and may vary a tilting angle, in the upward-downward direction, of the spoiler200according to the traveling speed of the vehicle.

The rear lamp100may include a lamp housing unit110and a lamp body120.

The lamp housing unit110may be accommodated in the rear body11. In other words, the lamp housing unit110may be movably accommodated within the rear body11.

The lamp housing unit110may be accommodated into the rear body11in a slidably movable manner. Therefore, the lamp housing unit110may be exposed to the outside through the opening11ain the rear body11.

The spoiler200may be seated on the lamp housing unit110. The spoiler200may be rotatably coupled to the lamp housing unit110.

The lamp body120may be accommodated in the lamp housing unit110. In other words, the lamp body120may be movably accommodated into the lamp housing unit110.

The lamp housing unit110, facing toward the opposite direction to the vehicle's forward traveling direction, may have an opening110ain the outer surface. Therefore, the lamp body120may be exposed to the outside through the opening110ain the lamp housing unit110.

A light source unit121may be provided in the lamp body120. The light source unit121may be provided on an end portion of the lamp body120, facing toward the opposite direction to the vehicle's forward traveling direction. The light source unit121may be provided along an edge of the lamp body120in a manner that protrudes toward the opposite direction to the vehicle's forward traveling direction.

The light source unit121may have a pattern portion121ain the outer surface. A light pattern is emitted to the pattern portion121a.The pattern portion121amay be formed by performing laser etching processing on an upper surface of the light source unit121.

When the lamp body120is exposed to the outside through the opening11ain the rear body11, the pattern portion121acan be recognized from the outside, and thus it can be checked from the outside whether or not the rear lamp100operates.

The control unit20may individually control the operation of the first actuator12, the operation of the second actuator13, and the operation of the rear lamp100. The control unit20may control the operation of the first actuator12, the operation of the second actuator13, and the operation of the rear lamp100according to a traveling mode of the vehicle that automatically varies with a signal generated in a vehicular speed sensor of the vehicle. Furthermore, the control unit20may control the operation of the first actuator12, the operation of the second actuator13, and the operation of the rear lamp100according to the traveling mode of the vehicle that is selected by an occupant's manual operation.

The control unit20may be electrically connected to the first actuator12and may control the operation of the first actuator12in such a manner that the rear lamp100moves toward the backward-forward direction of the vehicle.

The control unit20may be electrically connected to the second actuator13and, by controlling the operation of the second actuator13, may vary the tilting angle of the spoiler200in such a manner that the spoiler200is tilted in the upward-downward direction.

The control unit20may be electrically connected to the light source unit121and may control turning-on and -off operating of the light source unit121. In other words, the control unit20may perform control that turns on or off the light source unit121, according to the traveling speed of the vehicle.

The process of operation of the vehicular variable spoiler lighting apparatus, configured as described above, according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure is described as follows.

With reference toFIGS.1to5, the control unit20may control the operation of the first actuator12by inserting the rear lamp100into the rear body11in such a manner that the rear lamp100does not protrude toward the opposite direction to the vehicle's forward traveling direction.

The spoiler200, moving together with the rear lamp100, also does not protrude toward the opposite direction to the vehicle's forward traveling direction, and the control unit20may control the operation of the second actuator13in such a manner that the spoiler200has a tilting angle 0 degrees.

At this point, the control unit20may perform turning-off control of the light source unit121to turn off the light source unit121or may perform turning-on control of the light source unit121to turn on the light source unit121.

With reference toFIGS.2and5, when the vehicle travels at a high speed of approximately 100 km/h to approximately 130 km/h, the control unit20may control the operation of the first actuator12in such a manner that the lamp body120inserted within the lamp housing unit110is exposed from behind the rear body11and protrudes toward the opposite direction to the vehicle's forward traveling direction.

The spoiler200, moving together with the rear lamp100, also protrudes toward the opposite direction to the vehicle's forward traveling direction, together with the lamp body120, and the control unit20may control the operation of the second actuator13in such a manner that the spoiler200continues to maintain its tilting angle of 0 degrees.

The movement of the lamp body120can achieve the dual effect of improving aerodynamic and ensuring safe traveling while the vehicle travels at a high speed.

At this point, the control unit20may perform the turning-off control of the light source unit121to turn off the light source unit121or may perform the turning-on control of the light source unit121to turn on the light source unit121.

With reference toFIGS.3and5, when the vehicle travels at a constant speed of approximately 70 km/h or approximately 100 km/h, the control unit20may control the operation of the first actuator12in such a manner that the lamp housing unit110inserted into the rear body11is exposed to the outside from behind the rear body11and thus protrudes toward the opposite direction to the vehicle's forward traveling direction, together with the lamp housing unit110and the lamp body120.

The spoiler200, moving together with the rear lamp100, also protrudes toward the opposite direction to the vehicle's forward traveling direction, together with the lamp housing unit110and the lamp body120, and the control unit20may control the operation of the second actuator13in such a manner that the spoiler200continues to maintain its tilting angle of 0 degrees.

The movements of the lamp housing unit110and the lamp body120may redirect the flow of a vortex formed behind the vehicle when the vehicle travels at a constant speed, allowing the vehicle to travel a greater distance.

At this point, the control unit20may perform the turning-off control of the light source unit121to turn off the light source unit121or may perform the turning-on control of the light source unit121to turn on the light source unit121.

With reference toFIGS.4and5, when the vehicle travels at a speed of approximately 130 km/h or higher or travels under adverse weather, the control unit20may control the operation of the first actuator12in such a manner that the lamp body120inserted into the lamp housing unit110is exposed to the outside from behind rear body11and thus protrudes toward the opposite direction to the vehicle's forward traveling direction. Furthermore, the control unit20may control the operation of the second actuator13in such a manner that the spoiler200has a tilting angle of approximately 40 degrees to approximately 90 degrees.

When the vehicle travels at a high speed or under extremely adverse weather, the tilting operation of the spoiler200can redirect the flow of air current in the downward direction, thereby enhancing the traction of the tires on the road surface, increasing the stability during forward traveling, and assisting in safe traveling.

At this point, the control unit20may perform the turning-off control of the light source unit121to turn off the light source unit121or may perform the turning-on control of the light source unit121to turn on the light source unit121.

FIG.6is a perspective view illustrating a vehicular variable spoiler lighting apparatus according to a second embodiment of the present disclosure.FIG.7is a perspective view illustrating a state where a spoiler400of the vehicular variable spoiler lighting apparatus according to the second embodiment of the present disclosure protrudes.FIG.8is a perspective view illustrating a state where a first spoiler410of the vehicular variable spoiler lighting apparatus according to the second embodiment of the present disclosure is tilted.FIG.9is a block diagram illustrating a connectional relationship between a control unit40of the vehicular variable spoiler lighting apparatus according to the second embodiment of the present disclosure and each of constituent elements thereof.

With reference toFIGS.6to9, the vehicular variable spoiler lighting apparatus according to the second embodiment includes a rear lamp300and the spoiler400, which are described in detail as follows.

A rear lamp300is provided in a rear section30of the vehicle. The rear lamp300may emit light toward the opposite direction to the vehicle's forward traveling direction. The rear lamp300may be arranged along an edge of an outer surface of the rear section30that faces toward the opposite direction to the vehicle's forward traveling direction and may emit light in the shape of a line toward the opposite direction to the vehicle's forward traveling direction.

The spoiler400is movably provided in the rear section30. The spoiler400may be positioned on top of the rear lamp300and may be arranged on the center portion of the rear lamp300. The spoiler400may move in the forward-backward direction of the vehicle. The spoiler400may be tilted in the upward-downward direction after moving toward the opposite direction to the vehicle's forward traveling direction.

The spoiler400may include the first spoiler410and second spoilers420. The first spoiler410may be arranged on the center portion of the rear section30, and the second spoilers420may be arranged on both sides, respectively, of the first spoiler410.

The rear section30may include a rear body31, a first actuator32, and a second actuator33.

In the rear body31may be accommodated the spoiler400. In other words, the spoiler400may be accommodated within the rear body31. The rear body31, facing toward the opposite direction to the vehicle's forward traveling direction, may have an opening31ain the outer surface.

The first spoiler410and the second spoiler420may be accommodated in the rear body31in a slidably movable manner. Therefore, the first spoiler410and the second spoiler420may be exposed to the outside through an opening31ain the rear body31.

The first actuator32may be provided in the rear body31. The first actuator32may be connected to the first spoiler410and the second spoiler420and thus may move the first spoiler410and the second spoiler420in a straight line.

The second actuator33may be provided in the rear body31. The second actuator33may be connected to the first spoiler410and thus may vary a tilting angle, in the upward-downward direction, of the first spoiler410.

The control unit40may individually control the operation of the first actuator32and the operation of the second actuator33. The control unit40may control the operation of the first actuator32and the operation of the second actuator33according to the traveling mode of the vehicle that automatically varies with a signal generated in the vehicular speed sensor of the vehicle. Furthermore, the control unit40may control the operation of the first actuator32and the operation of the second actuator33according to the traveling mode of the vehicle that is selected by the occupant's manual operation.

The control unit40may be electrically connected to the first actuator32and may control the operation of the first actuator32in such a manner that the first spoiler410and the second spoiler420move in the forward-backward direction of the vehicle.

The control unit40may be electrically connected to the second actuator33and may vary the tilting angle of the first spoiler410by controlling the operation of the second actuator33in such a manner that the first spoiler410is tilted in the upward-downward direction.

The process of operation of the vehicular variable spoiler lighting apparatus, configured as described above, according to the second embodiment of the present disclosure is described as follows.

With reference toFIGS.6and9, as an implementation example, when the vehicle travels below a first preset speed, the control unit40may control the operation of the first actuator32in such a manner that the first spoiler410and the second spoiler420are inserted into the rear body31and that the first spoiler410and the second spoiler420thus do not protrude toward the opposite direction to the vehicle's forward traveling direction.

As another implementation example, with a control signal that is generated in an ECU of the vehicle according to the traveling mode of the vehicle that is selected by the occupant's manual operation, the control unit40may control the operation of the first actuator32in such a manner that the first spoiler410and the second spoiler420, which are accommodated within the rear body31, do not protrude toward the opposite direction to the vehicle's forward traveling direction.

With reference toFIGS.7and9, as an implementation example, when the vehicle travels above the first preset speed, but below a second present speed, the control unit40may control the operation of the first actuator32in such a manner that the first spoiler410and the second spoiler420, which are inserted into the rear body31, are exposed to the outside from behind the rear body31and thus protrude toward the opposite direction to the vehicle's forward traveling direction.

As another implementation example, with a control signal that is generated in the ECU of the vehicle according to the traveling mode of the vehicle that is selected by the occupant's manual operation, the control unit40may control the operation of the first actuator32in such a manner that the first spoiler410and the second spoiler420, which are accommodated within the rear body31, are exposed to the outside from behind the rear body31and thus protrude toward the opposite direction to the vehicle's forward traveling direction.

The movements of the first spoiler410and the second spoiler420can redirect the flow of air current formed behind the vehicle when the vehicle travels, allowing the vehicle to travel a greater distance.

With reference toFIGS.8and9, as an implementation example, when the vehicle travels at or above the second preset speed or travels under adverse weather, the control unit40may control the operation of the second actuator33in such a manner that the first spoiler410has a tilting angle of greater than approximately 0 degrees.

As another implementation example, with a control signal that is generated in the ECU of the vehicle according to the traveling mode of the vehicle that is selected by the occupant's manual operation, the control unit40may control the operation of the second actuator33in such a manner that the first spoiler410has a tilting angle in the upward-downward direction of greater than approximately 0 degrees.

When the vehicle travels at a high speed or under extremely adverse weather, the tilting operation of the first spoiler410can redirect the flow of air current in the downward direction, thereby enhancing the traction of the tires on the road surface, increasing the stability during forward traveling, and assisting in safe traveling.

FIG.10is a perspective view illustrating a state where the spoiler400of the vehicular variable spoiler lighting apparatus according to a third embodiment of the present disclosure protrudes.

With reference toFIG.10, the vehicular variable spoiler lighting apparatus according to the third embodiment of the present disclosure may include the rear lamp300and the spoiler400.

Another implementation example of the spoiler400of the vehicular variable spoiler lighting apparatus according to the second or third embodiment of the present disclosure, which is a spoiler of the vehicular variable spoiler lighting apparatus according to the third embodiment of the present disclosure, is described.

The descriptions of the constituent elements of the vehicular variable spoiler lighting apparatus according to the second embodiment of the present disclosure may apply to the constituent elements of the vehicular variable spoiler lighting apparatus according to the second embodiment of the present disclosure except for the spoiler400.

The spoiler400may be formed of transparent material. Light emitted by the rear lamp300provided in the rear section30of the vehicle may pass through the spoiler400, which protrudes toward the opposite direction to the vehicle's forward traveling direction, and then may scatter. The transparent spoiler400may serve to refract light to focus or disperse the light.

The light emitted by the rear lamp300can create a lighting effect through the spoiler400protruding toward the opposite direction to the vehicle's forward traveling direction. This light effect can provide visual information to a driver of another vehicle or a pedestrian.

In the vehicular variable spoiler lighting apparatuses according of the first, second, and third embodiments of the present disclosure, according to the traveling speed of the vehicle, the rear lamp100protrudes to be positioned at multiple steps toward the opposite direction to the vehicle's forward traveling direction. Furthermore, the spoiler200protrudes toward the opposite direction to the vehicle's forward traveling direction, together with the rear lamp100and has a tilting angle in the opposite direction to the vehicle's forward traveling direction that varies according to the traveling speed. In this manner, the rear lamp100and the spoiler200can minimize air resistance occurring behind the vehicle, thereby increasing a distance that the vehicle can travel.

In the vehicular variable spoiler lighting apparatuses according to the first, second, and third embodiments of the present disclosure, the rear lamp100, moving in the forward-backward direction of the vehicle according to the traveling speed of the vehicle, can provide visual information to a driver of another vehicle to a pedestrian.

In the vehicular variable spoiler lighting apparatuses according to the embodiments of the present disclosure, the first spoiler410and the second spoiler420, which protrude toward the opposite direction to the vehicle's forward traveling direction, can minimize the air resistance occurring behind the vehicle. Furthermore, the first spoiler410that varies in tilting angle in the upward-downward direction, can generate downforce during high-speed traveling, thereby assisting in safe traveling.

Various embodiments of the present disclosure do not list all available combinations but are for describing a representative aspect of the present disclosure, and descriptions of various embodiments may be applied independently or may be applied through a combination of two or more.