Patent Publication Number: US-10767832-B2

Title: Light source module for vehicle

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED PATENT APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a U.S. National Stage Application under 35 U.S.C. 371 of PCT Application No. PCT/KR2017/005014, filed May 15, 2017, which claims priority to Korean Patent Application No. 10-2016-0059817, filed May 16, 2016, whose entire disclosures are hereby incorporated by reference. 
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     Embodiments of the present invention relate to a light source module for a vehicle. 
     BACKGROUND ART 
     Generally, various lamps are provided in a vehicle to secure visibility of a driver by emitting light forward according to an external environment and time and inform a traveling path to the other vehicle. 
     The lamps are classified according to the purpose of use, such as headlamps having a purpose of illuminating a forward direction, turn signal lamps having a purpose of securing visibility of the driver and informing a position of the vehicle, fog lamps configured to secure visibility of the driver and informing a position of the vehicle along with the headlamps in foggy or rainy weather, and backup lamps configured to turn on when the vehicle is reversed. 
     Halogen bulbs have been mainly used as conventional lamps for a vehicle. When halogen lamps are used as a light source, reflectors configured to reflect light emitted from the halogen lamps are provided, and the light reflected from the reflectors is emitted forward. However, while halogen lamps have an advantage of being inexpensive, the halogen lamps have a disadvantage in that the halogen lamps generate a large amount of heat when being used and have a low luminance compared to the amount of electricity being used and a short lifespan. 
     In order to solve such a problem, lamps for a vehicle using light emitting diodes (LEDs) are emerging. LED lamps have advantages of high luminance, long lifespan, and low power consumption. 
     However, headlamps to which LEDs with high luminance are applied generate extremely high heat when the LEDs are turned on, and thus there is a limit in that parts around the LEDs are thermally deformed, thereby reducing durability of the headlamps. Accordingly, for lamps to which LED light sources are applied, a heat dissipation structure is the most important matter. 
     DISCLOSURE 
     Technical Problem 
     Embodiments of the present invention are directed to providing a light source module for a vehicle, which is easily assembled and separated by assembling the light source module using a snap ring. 
     Embodiments are also directed to providing a light source module for a vehicle capable of increasing heat dissipation efficiency through a double heat dissipation structure of a heat pipe and a heat sink. 
     Objectives to be achieved by the embodiments of the present invention are not limited to the above-described objectives, and other objectives, which are not described above, may be clearly understood by those skilled in the art through the following specification. 
     Technical Solution 
     Embodiments of the present invention include a heat pipe having a plate shape, a pair of substrates provided on both sides of the heat pipe, respectively, light-emitting devices provided on the substrates, respectively, and a pair of bases including a through hole configured to transmit light emitted from the light-emitting device and connected to outer sides of the pair of substrates. 
     The plurality of light-emitting devices may be provided and diagonally arranged on each of the substrates, the plurality of light-emitting devices may be divided into a low beam and a high beam, and a blocking member formed to protrude from the base may be included. 
     The blocking member may be positioned below the low beam and may have a surface contacting light emitted from the low beam, one area of which has a right-angled shape. 
     The plurality of light-emitting devices may be divided into a first light-emitting device and a second light-emitting device, and the second light-emitting device forming the low beam may have a distance of 0.02 mm to 0.2 mm from the blocking member. 
     The second light-emitting device may have a spacing distance of 2.5 mm to 4.0 mm from an outer wall of the base forming a through hole. 
     The pair of bases may form a cylindrical shape by being coupled to each other, and outer circumferential surfaces of the pair of bases may be coupled to each other through at least one snap ring. 
     A seating groove for seating the snap ring may be formed on the base. 
     A separating groove recessed inward may be formed in one area of the seating groove so that the snap ring is easily separated. 
     The snap ring may be provided in a circular strap shape having a certain thickness, and one area of the snap ring may have an opening. 
     The substrate may be divided into a first substrate and a second substrate, and the first substrate and the second substrate may be provided in different shapes. 
     The heat pipe may be connected to a heat sink. 
     The heat sink may be screw-coupled to the base. 
     An inner space for seating the substrates may be formed in the pair of bases, and the inner space may be divided into a close contact space of both the substrates and a spacing space configured to prevent wiring of the substrates from interference. 
     Terminals of the pair of substrates may be electrically connected through wires, and a terminal space through which the wires pass may be formed in the pair of bases. 
     A coupling part may be provided in one area of an outside of the base. 
     The coupling part may be provided with an insertion groove to be coupled to the base, and a rotation preventing part configured to prevent the base from rotating may be formed in one area of the insertion groove. 
     Advantageous Effects 
     According to an embodiment, there is an effect in which a heat dissipation effect can be enhanced by increasing contact between a heat pipe and a substrate. 
     Further, an inner space of the light source module can be secured by coupling bases using a snap ring, and attachment and detachment can be facilitated. 
     Various advantages and effects of the present invention are not limited to the above description and can be more easily understood during the description of specific exemplary embodiments of the present invention. 
    
    
     
       DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a light source module for a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 2  is an exploded perspective view of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 3  is a view illustrating positions of light-emitting devices and a blocking member, which are components of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 4  is a graph illustrating intensity of light according to a spacing distance between a base and the light-emitting device in  FIG. 3 . 
         FIG. 5  is a graph illustrating intensity of light according to a spacing distance between the blocking member and the light-emitting device in  FIG. 3 . 
         FIG. 6  is a view illustrating a coupling structure of a snap ring for assembling the light source module of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 7  is a view illustrating a process of separating the snap ring of  FIG. 6 . 
         FIG. 8  is a view illustrating another configuration for separating the snap ring of  FIG. 6 . 
         FIG. 9  is a view illustrating a shape of a first substrate coupled to the base. 
         FIG. 10  is a view illustrating a shape of a second substrate coupled to the base. 
         FIG. 11  is a view illustrating a configuration in which a heat sink is coupled to the base. 
         FIG. 12  is a view illustrating an internal structure of the base accommodating the substrates. 
         FIG. 13  is an enlarged view of the base forming a terminal space. 
         FIG. 14  is a view illustrating a structure in which a terminal connects the substrates inside the terminal space. 
     
    
    
     MODES OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention may be modified in various forms and have various embodiments, and thus particular embodiment thereof will be illustrated in the accompanying drawings and described in the detailed description. It should be understood, however, that there is no intent to limit the embodiments of the present invention to the particular forms disclosed, but on the contrary, the embodiments are to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the present invention. 
     Although the terms encompassing ordinal numbers such as first, second, etc. may be used to describe various elements, these elements are not limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish one element from another. For example, a first element could be termed a second element, and similarly, a second element could be also termed a first element, without departing from the scope of the embodiments. As used herein, the term “and/or” includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items. 
     The terminology provided herein is merely used for describing particular embodiments and is not intended to be limiting of the embodiments. The singular forms “a” and “an” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. In the present invention, it will be further understood that the terms “comprise,” “comprising,” “include,” and/or “including” when used in this specification, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components and/or groups thereof, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components and/or groups thereof. 
     In the description of the embodiments, when an element is referred to as being “on or under” another element, the term “on or under” refers to either a direct connection between two elements or an indirect connection between two elements having one or more elements formed therebetween. In addition, when the term “on or under” is used, it may refer to a downward direction as well as an upward direction with respect to an element. 
     Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Regardless of reference numerals, like numbers refer to like elements throughout the description of the figures, and the description of the same elements will be not reiterated. 
       FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a light source module for a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention, and  FIG. 2  is an exploded perspective view of the light source module for a vehicle. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , a light source module  1  for a vehicle according to the embodiment of the present invention includes a heat pipe  100 , a substrate  200 , a light-emitting device  240 , a base  300 , a coupling part  400 , a snap ring  500 , and a heat sink  600 . 
     The heat pipe  100  transmits heat generated from a light source to the heat sink  600 . As one example, a light emitting diode (LED) may be used as the light-emitting device. When the LED is used as the light source, it has an advantage in low power and high efficiency but has a disadvantage in that a large amount of heat is generated. In order to solve such a problem, the heat pipe  100  may be formed of a metal having high heat conduction efficiency to dissipate the heat generated from the light-emitting device  240 . 
     As one example, the heat pipe  100  is provided in a plate shape to increase a contact area with the substrate  200  and may be in surface contact with the substrate  200 . 
     The substrates  200  contact left and right sides of the heat pipe  100  and may include at least one light-emitting device  240 . The substrate  200  may be provided in an elongated plate shape to contact the heat pipe  100  and may have a plurality of terminals  250  for being electrically connected. As one example, a heat pipe may be used for the heat pipe  100 . 
     A plurality of light-emitting devices  240  may be provided to perform different roles and may be used in various colors. As one example, when the light source module  1  for a vehicle is used for a headlamp of the vehicle, the substrate  200  may be provided with a pair of light-emitting devices  240 , and each of the light-emitting devices  240  may operate as a high beam and a low beam. 
     A hole is formed in the base  300  to transmit light emitted from the light-emitting device  240 . Further, a pair of holes may be formed in the shape of a through hole  310  to be connected to outer sides of the pair of substrates  200 . A pair of bases  300  are coupled to surround outer sides of the substrates  200  and heat pipe  100 . As one example, the pair of bases  300  may be coupled to each other to form a cylindrical shape. Further, the entire bases  300  may be formed of a material having a high thermal conductivity to dissipate the heat generated from the light-emitting device  240  to the outside. 
     The coupling part  400  is provided so as to protrude from an outer side surface of the base  300  and may fix the position of the light source module when the light source module is coupled to the lamp. The coupling part  400  may be integrally formed with the outer sides of the bases  300  or may be manufactured in a separate structure and connected to the bases  300 . 
     As one example, when the coupling part  400  is manufactured in the separate structure, a third groove for insertion of the base  300  may be formed in the coupling part  400 , and the third groove may be formed as an insertion groove. Further, a rotation preventing part  340  may be formed in one area of the insertion groove to prevent a problem, in which the light emitted from the light-emitting device  240  is not directed to the through hole  310  due to a rotation of the base  300 . The rotation preventing part  340  may prevent the base  300  from rotating when the base  300  is inserted. As one example, the light source module may be prevented from rotating by forming a linear shaped corner on the circular shaped base  300  and forming a shape of the insertion groove to correspond to the linear shaped corner. 
     Further, the coupling part  400  may be provided as a separate structure so that tolerances generated when the coupling part  400  is coupled to and assembled with the base  300  may be adjusted. Generally, when the light source module using the light-emitting device  240  is installed in a vehicle, the light source module using the light-emitting device  240  is connected to a reflector. Here, when the light source module is connected to various kinds of reflectors, tolerances may be generated with respect to the reflector of each company, and a spacer (not shown) may be connected to a front surface or a rear surface of the coupling part  400  to adjust the tolerance at the time of assembly. A shape of the spacer is not limited and may be provided in a plate shape to adjust the tolerance. 
     The snap ring  500  may be coupled to an outer circumferential surface of the base  300  to assemble the light source module. As one example, when the base  300  is provided in the cylindrical shape, at least one snap ring  500  may be coupled to the outer circumferential surface of the base  300 . 
     In a conventional light source module using a light-emitting device, when the heat pipe  100  is used to dissipate heat, the heat sink  600  may not be used, or there is a problem of fixing during assembly. Further, when the heat pipe  100  is not used, a heat dissipation fan is required due to heat dissipation problems, which increase the cost. 
     Thus, when the bases  300  are coupled to each other using the snap ring  500 , the problem of penetration of the heat pipe  100  that may occur when a bolt is used may be solved, and additional structure may be omitted, thereby reducing costs and increasing heat dissipation efficiency. 
     The heat sink  600  may be connected to the base  300  to dissipate the heat conducted from the heat pipe  100  and the base  300  to the outside. A shape of the heat sink  600  is not limited, and various structures for increasing the heat dissipation efficiency may be used. 
       FIG. 3  is a view illustrating positions of the light-emitting devices and a blocking member, which are components of the light source module for a vehicle,  FIG. 4  is a graph illustrating intensity of the light according to a spacing distance between the base and the light-emitting device in the light source module for a vehicle, and  FIG. 5  is a graph illustrating intensity of the light according to a spacing distance between the blocking member and the light-emitting device in the light source module for a vehicle. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 3 to 5 , the plurality of light-emitting devices  240  may be provided on the substrate  200  to operate as the high beam and the low beam. A light distribution regulation shall be satisfied in the case of low beam in order not to interfere with visibility of a driver of a vehicle traveling in the opposite lane while driving the vehicle. A blocking member  330  is provided in one area of the base  300  to satisfy such a light distribution regulation. 
     The plurality of light-emitting devices  240  may be divided into a first light-emitting device  242  and a second light-emitting device  244 , and the first light-emitting device  242  and the second light-emitting device  244  may be diagonally arranged. Here, the first light-emitting device  242  operates as the high beam and the second light-emitting device  244  operates as the low beam. 
     The blocking member  330  is positioned below the second light-emitting device  244 , and thus, when the second light-emitting device  244  emits the light, one area of the second light-emitting device  244  is blocked and reflected to the outside of the vehicle through the reflector, thereby satisfying the light distribution regulation. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 2 and 3 , the blocking member  330  may be formed such that one area of a surface of the blocking member  330  contacting the light has a right-angled shape to block the light emitted from the second light-emitting device  244 . A distance D 3  at which the first light-emitting device  242  is separated from the blocking member  330  may be variously modified to satisfy the light distribution regulation for the low beam. 
     The second light-emitting device  244  may have a spacing distance of 2.5 mm to 4.0 mm from a sidewall of the base  300  forming the through hole  310 . Referring to  FIG. 4 , it may be seen that certain light intensity is secured when a spacing distance D 1  between the second light-emitting device  244  and an outer wall of the base  300  forming the through hole  310  is 2.5 mm or more. However, when the distance increases excessively, the entire size of the light source module increases, and thus the distance may be limited to a certain range, and preferably the spacing distance D 1  may have a distance of 3 mm. 
     Further, the second light-emitting device  244  may have a spacing distance D 2  of 0.02 mm to 0.2 mm from the blocking member  330 . Referring to  FIG. 5 , a blocking effect of the light emitted from the second light-emitting device  244  increases as the spacing distance at which the second light-emitting device  244  is separated from the blocking member  330  is closer. However, a certain spacing distance should be provided to facilitate assembly and to prevent breakage of the light-emitting device  240 , and accordingly, the spacing distance may have a distance of 0.02 to 0.2 mm, and preferably, the spacing distance d 2  may have a distance of 0.15 mm. 
       FIG. 6  is a view illustrating a coupling structure of the snap ring for assembling the light source module for a vehicle,  FIG. 7  is a view illustrating a process of separating the snap ring, and  FIG. 8  is a view illustrating another configuration for separating the snap ring. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 6 to 8 , the pair of base  300  may form a cylindrical shape by being coupled to each other, and the outer circumferential surfaces of the cylindrical shaped base  300  may be connected to each other through at least one snap ring  500 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 6 , a plurality of snap rings  500  may be provided to connect the outer surfaces of the base  300  to each other, and a first groove for seating the snap ring  500  may be formed in the base  300 , and a seating groove  350  may be formed in the first groove. 
     The snap ring  500  is provided in a circular strap shape having a certain thickness, and an opening is present in one area thereof, so that the snap ring  500  may be coupled to and separated from the base  300  by elasticity. 
     In order to repair an inside of the light source module, the base  300  needs to be separated, and  FIG. 7  illustrates a method of separating the snap ring  500  using a jig  700 . 
     The opening formed in the snap ring  500  is formed to be smaller than a diameter of the base  300 , which is surrounded by the snap ring  500 , to prevent the snap ring  500  from being separated. The jig  700  may be provided with a groove whose shape matches a shape of the outer surface of the base  300 , which is surrounded by the snap ring  500 , and may be provided such that a support part of the jig  700  comes into contact with both side ends of the snap ring  500 . The support part of the jig  700  pushes up the snap ring  500  to cause an elastic deformation of the snap ring  500  so that the snap ring  500  may be easily separated. 
     Further, referring to  FIG. 8 , a second groove recessed into the seating groove  350  may be formed in one area of the seating groove  350  in which the snap ring  500  is mounted, and a separating groove  370  is formed in the second groove, so that the snap ring  500  may be easily separated. 
     The separating groove  370  may form a gap between the base  300  and the snap ring  500  even when the snap ring  500  is mounted, and the snap ring  500  may be easily removed using various devices even when the jig  700  is not provided. 
       FIG. 9  is a view illustrating a shape of a first substrate coupled to the base, and  FIG. 10  is a view illustrating a shape of a second substrate coupled to the base. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 9 and 10 , a pair of substrates  200  may be provided and connected to both sides of the heat pipe  100  having a plate shape. The light-emitting device  240  is positioned on each of the substrates  200 , and the substrate  200  should be positioned such that the light-emitting device  240  faces outward. Here, when both the substrates  200  have the same shape, both the substrates  200  may be connected in reverse while being assembled, and thus, in order to prevent this, a first substrate  210  and a second substrate  220  may be provided in different shapes. 
     When the shapes of the first substrate  210  and the second substrate  220  are changed, the shapes of the bases  300  on which the substrates  200  are disposed should also be changed to match the shapes of the first substrate  210  and the second substrate  220 . 
     As one example, a diagonal shaped edge  212  may be provided on the first substrate  210  and a step-shaped edge  222  may be provided on the second substrate  220  to prevent from being misassembled. 
       FIG. 11  is a view illustrating a configuration in which the heat sink is coupled to the base. 
     Referring to  FIG. 11 , the heat sink  600  may be connected to the heat pipe  100 . The heat pipe  100  may be coupled in an entirely wrapped form by the base  300 , and the heat sink  600  is connected to the base  300  formed of a thermally conductive material to receive the heat transmitted through the heat pipe  100 . 
     The heat sink  600  may be formed in various structures to increase heat dissipation efficiency, and as one example, the heat sink  600  may be provided in a plurality of fin shapes to increase a heat dissipating area. 
     Further, the heat sink  600  may be screw-coupled to the base  300 . 
     When the heat sink  600  is screw-coupled to the base  300 , a screw thread  380  is formed on the base  300 . When the base  300  is connected to the heat sink  600 , a contact between the substrate  200  and the heat pipe  100  may be increased and the heat sink  600  may be easily attached and detached by pressing the base  300 . 
       FIG. 12  is a view illustrating an internal structure of the base accommodating the substrates. 
     Referring to  FIG. 12 , the base  300  may be provided with an inner space  390  to accommodate the substrate  200 . 
     The inner space  390  may be divided into a close contact space  392  into which the substrate  200  is inserted and which closely contacts the substrate  200  with the heat pipe  100 , and a spacing space  394  for preventing a wiring area of the substrate  200  from being pressed to break a circuit of the substrate  200  or interfere with the wiring. 
     Circuit wirings (copper foil patterns) are not formed in a portion of the substrate  200 , which is positioned in the close contact space  392 , and a shape of the spacing space  394  may be modified in accordance with a shape of the circuit wirings of the substrate  200 . 
       FIG. 13  is an enlarged view of the base forming a terminal space, and  FIG. 14  is a view illustrating a structure in which a terminal connects the substrates inside the terminal space. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 13 and 14 , a terminal space  360  through which wires  260  connecting a terminal  250  of the substrate  200  pass may be formed in the base  300 . 
     The substrate  200  is provided with the plurality of terminals  250  and both the substrates  200  are electrically connected through the wires  260 . Here, when the wire  260  comes into contact with the base  300 , an electrical problem may occur, and thus, in order to prevent this, the terminal space  360  may be formed on a front surface of the substrate  200 , on which the terminal  250  is positioned. 
     The terminal space  360  may be modified according to the shape of the wire  260  connecting the terminal  250 . As one example, when the wire  260  is provided in a ‘C’ shape, the terminal space  360  may be formed in a quadrangular shape. 
     As described above, the embodiments of the present invention have been specifically viewed with reference to the accompanying drawings. 
     The above description is only an example describing a technological scope of the present invention. Various changes, modifications, and replacements may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention by those skilled in the art. Therefore, the embodiments disclosed above and in the accompanying drawings should be considered in a descriptive sense only and not for limiting the technological scope. The technological scope of the present invention is not limited by these embodiments and the accompanying drawings. The spirit and scope of the present invention should be interpreted by the appended claims and encompass all equivalents falling within the scope of the appended claims. 
     DESCRIPTION OF REFERENCE NUMERALS 
       1 : LIGHT SOURCE MODULE FOR VEHICLE 
       100 : HEAT PIPE 
       200 : SUBSTRATE 
       210 : FIRST SUBSTRATE 
       220 : SECOND SUBSTRATE 
       240 : LIGHT-EMITTING DEVICE 
       250 : TERMINAL 
       260 : WIRE 
       300 : BASE 
       310 : THROUGH HOLE 
       330 : BLOCKING MEMBER 
       340 : ROTATION PREVENTING PART 
       350 : SEATING GROOVE 
       360 : TERMINAL SPACE 
       370 : SEPARATING GROOVE 
       380 : SCREW THREAD 
       390 : INNER SPACE 
       392 : CLOSE CONTACT SPACE 
       394 : SPACING SPACE 
       400 : COUPLING PART 
       500 : SNAP RING 
       600 : HEAT SINK 
       700 : JIG