Patent Publication Number: US-11391430-B2

Title: Light emitting module for vehicle and lamp device including the same

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application claims priority to and benefit from Korean Patent Application No. 10-2020-0128995, filed on Oct. 6, 2020, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present disclosure relates to a light emitting module for a vehicle and a lamp device including the same, and more particularly to a headlamp device of a vehicle including a plurality of light emitting modules for vehicles. 
     BACKGROUND 
     A lamp for a vehicle is adapted to illuminate the area in front of the vehicle in order to enable a driver to safely drive the vehicle. As such a vehicle lamp, there are a headlamp, a rear lamp, etc. The headlamp includes configurations such as a high-beam lamp, a low-beam lamp, a direction indicator lamp, a position lamp, etc. 
     The design of such a headlamp is being highlighted as an element determining design characteristics of a vehicle and, as such, the design of a headlamp module becomes more complex and diverse. 
     For such headlamp design, technology for using, in common, a daytime running light (DRL) illuminated in the daytime and high-beam and low-beam lamps illuminated in the nighttime has been developed. However, in this technology, there is a problem in that application of the same design character is difficult due to a difference between illumination areas in which light is irradiated. 
     The above matters disclosed in this section are merely for enhancement of understanding of the general background of the disclosure and should not be taken as an acknowledgement or any form of suggestion that the matters form the related art already known to a person skilled in the art. 
     SUMMARY 
     Therefore, the present disclosure provides a lamp device for a vehicle in which a daytime running light (DRL) is integrated with a headlamp realizing a high beam or a low beam. 
     In accordance with an aspect of the present disclosure, the above and other objects can be accomplished by the provision of a light emitting module for a vehicle including a first light source for generating light during operation thereof, a light concentrator disposed forwards in an advance direction of light generated from the first light source, to change the advance direction of the light generated from the first light source through reflection or refraction, a second light source disposed to be spaced apart from the first light source, to generate light in a direction different from a light generation direction of the first light source, and a lens unit disposed forwards in an advance direction of the light generated from the second light source, to change the advance directions of the light generated from the first light source and the light generated from the second light source. 
     The first light source may be disposed rearwardly of the second light source in the advance direction of the light generated therefrom. The light condenser may be a lens for condensing the light generated from the first light source forwards in the advance direction of the light. 
     The first light source may generate light in a direction different from a direction in which light is generated from the second light source. The light condenser may be a total reflection lens bent to change the advance direction of the light generated from the first light source toward the lens unit and to totally reflect light incident upon an inside thereof. 
     The first light source may generate light in a direction different from a direction in which light is generated from the second light source. The light condenser may change the advance direction of the light generated from the first light source such that the light advances to the lens unit. 
     The light condenser may include a curved reflective surface for reflecting light incident thereupon after being generated from the first light source such that the light advances to the lens unit. 
     The reflective surface of the light condenser may be formed along a parabola having a focus corresponding to the first light source, and may extend between the second light source and the lens unit. 
     The first light source may be disposed to be spaced apart from the second light source in a direction crossing the light generation direction of the second light source. 
     The light condenser may be disposed to be prevented from interfering with the light generated from the second light source. 
     The lens unit may include a primary lens and a secondary lens which are disposed to be spaced apart from each other in a direction parallel to the light generation direction of the second light source. 
     The primary lens may be a condensing lens for condensing the light generated from the first light source or the second light source. The secondary lens may be a light distribution lens for refracting light passing through the primary lens in a particular direction. 
     An illumination area in which light passing through the lens unit after being generated from the first light source is irradiated and an illumination area in which light passing through the lens unit after being generated from the second light source may differ from each other. 
     In accordance with another aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a lamp device for a vehicle including a plurality of light emitting modules, wherein the plurality of light emitting modules is arranged in a vertical direction or in a lateral direction. 
     A daytime running lamp may be illuminated by the light generated from the first light source. 
     A low-beam headlamp may be illuminated by the light generated from the second light source. 
     A high-beam headlamp may be illuminated by the light generated from the first light source and the light generated from the second light source or is illuminated by the light generated from the first light source. 
    
    
     
       DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a schematic view showing a conventional lamp device for vehicles; 
         FIG. 2  is an exploded perspective view of a light emitting module for a vehicle in one form of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 3  is a perspective view showing a coupled state of a part of the light emitting module in one form of the present disclosure. 
         FIGS. 4, 5 and 6  are cross-sectional views showing light emitting modules for vehicles in one form of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 7  is a schematic view showing an illumination area in a lamp device including a light emitting module in one form of the present disclosure; and 
         FIGS. 8 and 9  are schematic views showing illumination areas of light emitting modules in one form of the present disclosure and lamp devices including the light emitting modules. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     For embodiments of the present disclosure disclosed herein, specific structural or functional descriptions are exemplary to merely describe the embodiments of the present disclosure, and the embodiments of the present disclosure can be implemented in various forms and should not be interpreted as being limited to the embodiments described in the present specification. 
     As various modifications can be made and diverse embodiments are applicable to the embodiments according to the concept of the present disclosure, specific embodiments will be illustrated with reference to the accompanying drawings and described in detail herein. However, these specific embodiments should not be construed as limiting the embodiments according to the concept of the present disclosure, but should be construed as extending to all modifications, equivalents, and substitutes included in the concept and technological scope of the disclosure. 
     Terms including ordinal numbers such as first and/or second, etc. can be used to describe various elements, but the elements should not be limited by these terms. The terms are used merely for the purpose of distinguishing one element from another element. For example, a first element may be renamed second element and, similarly, a second element may be renamed first element without departing from the scope of right of the disclosure. 
     In the case where an element is “connected” or “linked” to another element, it should be understood that the element may be directly connected or linked to the other element, or another element may be present therebetween. On the contrary, in the case where an element is “directly connected” or “directly linked” to another element, it should be understood that no other element is present therebetween. Other expressions describing a relation between constituent elements, such as “between  ˜ ” and “immediately between  ˜ ” or “adjacent to  ˜ ” and “directly adjacent  ˜ ”, to and the like, should be construed in a similar manner. 
     It should be noted that terms used herein are merely used to describe a specific embodiment, not to limit the present disclosure. Incidentally, unless clearly used otherwise, singular expressions include a plural meaning. In this application, the term “comprising,” “including,” or the like, is intended to express the existence of the characteristic, the numeral, the step, the operation, the element, the part, or the combination thereof, and does not exclude another characteristic, numeral, step, operation, element, part, or any combination thereof, or any addition thereto. 
     Unless defined otherwise, terms used herein including technological or scientific terms have the same meaning as generally understood by those of ordinary skill in the art to which the disclosure pertains. The terms used herein shall be interpreted not only based on the definition of any dictionary but also the meaning that is used in the field to which the disclosure pertains. In addition, unless clearly defined, the terms used herein shall not be interpreted too ideally or formally. 
     Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, and the same reference numerals in the drawings designate the same elements, respectively. 
       FIG. 1  shows a conventional lamp device for vehicles. 
     Referring to  FIG. 1 , the conventional lamp device for vehicles may be constituted by a combination of a plurality of light emitting modules M having different illumination areas. 
     In particular, a part of the plurality of light emitting modules M is adapted for a low-beam lamp, and the other part of the plurality of light emitting modules M is adapted for a DRL. The light emitting modules M are disposed to be spaced apart from one another in a vertical direction and, as such, have individual illumination areas, respectively. 
     That is, the light emitting modules M are configured to have relatively narrow illumination areas. As a result, an observer approaching the light emitting modules M may observe that only a part of the light emitting modules M, for example, the light emitting modules {circle around ( 2 )} and {circle around ( 4 )}, are illuminated. As such, the realization of uniform illumination may be difficult. 
       FIG. 2  is an exploded perspective view of a light emitting module M for a vehicle in some forms of the present disclosure.  FIG. 3  is a perspective view showing a coupled state of a part of the light emitting module M in some forms of the present disclosure. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 2 and 3 , the light emitting module M in some forms of the present disclosure includes a first light source  10  for generating light during operation thereof, a light concentrator  20  disposed forwards in an advance direction of light generated from the first light source  10 , to change the advance direction of the light generated from the first light source  10  through reflection or refraction, and a second light source  30  disposed to be spaced apart from the first light source  10 , to generate light in a direction different from a light generation direction of the first light source  10 . The light emitting module M further includes a lens unit  40  disposed forwards in an advance direction of the light generated from the second light source  30 , to change the advance directions of the light generated from the first light source  10  and the light generated from the second light source  30 . 
     The first light source  10  and the second light source  30  may form an image of light having a specific form through application of a point light source or a surface light source. 
     Each of the first light source  10  and the second light source  30  may include a light emitting diode (LED) or an organic light emitting diode (OLED). In addition, each of the first light source  10  and the second light source  30  may be an LED array module (LAM). 
     Each of the first light source  10  and the second light source  30  may be coupled to a substrate for controlling supply of current. For example, the substrate may be a printed circuit board (PCB) substrate, without being limited thereto. 
     Each of the first light source  10  and the second light source  30  may generate light at a specific point, and may emit the light in various directions. Here, the generation and advance directions of the light generated from the first light source  10  or the second light source  30  mean directions corresponding to an effective irradiation area of the first light source  10  or the second source  30 , and may be directions opposite to a direction of light intercepted by the substrate, etc. 
     In particular, when the light emitting module M in some forms of the present disclosure is mounted to a vehicle, the first light source  10  and the second light source  30  may generate light forwardly of the vehicle or may cause the light to advance forwardly of the vehicle. 
     The light condenser  20  may be disposed in front of the first light source  10 , to change the advance direction of light generated from the first light source  10 . In particular, the light condenser  20  may guide the light generated from the first light source  10  to be condensed. 
     In particular, the light condenser  20  may reflect or refract light incident thereupon from the first light source  10  and, as such, may change the advance direction of the light generated from the first light source  10  such that the light advances toward the lens unit  40 . 
     The lens unit  40  may be disposed forwards in the advance direction of light generated from the second light source  30 , to change the advance direction of the light generated from the second light source  30 . In addition, the lens unit  40  may change the advance direction of light passing through the light condenser  20  after being generated from the first light source  10 . 
     As will be described later, the lens unit  40  may vary the advance directions of light generated from the first light source  10  and light generated from the second light source  30 , for condensation of the light or irradiation of the light in a particular direction. 
     As both the first light source  10  and the second light source  30 , from which light beams are incident upon the lens unit  40  in different directions, are included in the light emitting module M in some forms of the present disclosure, there is an effect in which different illumination areas are integrated in a single module. 
     In detail, the first light source  10  may be disposed to be spaced apart from the second light source  30  in forward and rearward directions with respect to the advance direction of light generated therefrom. 
     In addition, the first light source  10  and the second light source  30  may be connected to heat dissipation fins  60  and, as such, an enhancement in heat dissipation performance may be achieved. 
     Furthermore, the first light source, the second light source  30  and the lens unit  40  may be disposed within a case  50  surrounding outer surfaces thereof. The case  50  may have a hollow structure extending in forward and rearward directions, and may be opened forwards such that light generated therein is irradiated forwards. 
       FIGS. 4 to 6  show cross-sectional views of light emitting modules M for vehicles in some forms of the present disclosure, respectively. 
     Further referring to  FIGS. 4 to 6 , in an embodiment, as shown in  FIG. 5 , the first light source  10  may be disposed rearwardly of the second light source  30  in an advance direction of light generated therefrom, and the light condenser  20  may be a lens for condensing the light generated from the first light source  10  forwards in the advance direction of the light. 
     The light condenser  20  extends toward the first light source  10  at a rear end thereof while extending toward the second light source  30  at a front end thereof and, as such, may extend in forward and rearward directions. The light condenser may be disposed between the first light source  10  and the second light source  30  which are spaced apart from each other in the forward and rearward directions. 
     In particular, the light condenser  20  may be a total reflection lens for totally reflecting light incident upon an inner surface thereof in an inward direction. 
     The lens condenser  20  may vary the advance direction of light generated from the first light source  10  through refraction or reflection such that the light is incident upon the lens unit  40 . In particular, the lens condenser  20  may condense the light generated from the first light source  10 . 
     In addition, the light condenser  20  may be disposed to be prevented from interfering with light generated from the second light source  30 . In particular, the front end of the light condenser  20  may be disposed rearwardly of an effective irradiation angle range of the second light source  30 . 
     In other embodiments, as shown in  FIGS. 5 and 6 , the first light source  10  may generate light in a direction different from a direction in which light is generated from the second light source  30 , and the light condenser  20  may change the advance direction of the light generated from the first light source  10  such that the light advances to the lens unit  40 . 
     The first light source  10  may generate light in a direction crossing the direction in which light is generated from the second light source  30 . The light condenser  20  may refract or reflect the light generated from the first light source  10  such that the light generated from the first light source  10  advances to the lens unit  40  disposed forwards in the advance direction of light generated from the second light source  30 . 
     In particular, as shown in  FIG. 5 , the first light source  10  generates light in a direction different from a direction in which light is generated from the second light source  30 , and the light condenser  20  may be a total reflection lens bent to change the advance direction of the light generated from the first light source  10  toward the lens unit  40  and to totally reflect light incident upon an inside thereof. 
     In this case, the light condenser  20  may use a total reflection lens having a bent shape for application thereof to an imaging optical system package while having a function of totally reflecting light incident upon an inner peripheral surface thereof. 
     In another embodiment, as shown in  FIG. 6 , the light condenser  20  may include a curved reflective surface and, as such, may reflect light incident thereupon after being generated from the first light source  10  such that the light advances to the lens unit  40 . 
     The light condenser  20  may be a total reflection lens for totally reflecting light incident upon the reflective surface or a mirror for reflecting light incident upon the reflective surface. 
     In particular, the reflective surface of the light condenser  20  may be formed along a parabola having a focus corresponding to the first light source  10 , and may extend between the second light source  30  and the lens unit  40 . 
     The reflective surface may be formed in accordance with a parabolic equation (y=4px{circumflex over ( )}2) having a focus corresponding to the first light source  10 . Accordingly, light reflected from the reflective surface after being generated from the first light source  10  may be incident upon the lens unit  40 . 
     In this case, the light condenser  20  may be formed with a reflective surface such that the light condenser  20  does not interfere with light generated from the second light source  30  or does not interfere with the lens unit  40 . In particular, the light condenser  20  may be disposed rearwardly, upwardly or downwardly of an effective irradiation angle of the second light source  30  while being spaced apart from the lens unit  40  in forward and rearward directions. 
     In addition, a region, upon which light generated from the first light source  10  is incident, at the outside of the reflective surface of the light condenser  20  may include a material or a color absorbing light. 
     The first light source  10  may be disposed to be spaced apart from the second light source  30  in a direction crossing a light generation direction of the second light source  30 . 
     In particular, the first light source  10  and the second light source  30  may be spaced apart from each other in upward and downward directions. Light beams respectively generated from the first light source  10  and the second light source  30  may be irradiated in different illumination areas while passing through the lens unit  40 . In particular, the illumination area of the first light source  10  and the illumination area of the second light source  30  may be spaced apart from each other in upward and downward directions or may be differently formed. 
     In addition, the light condenser  20  may be disposed to be prevented from interfering with the light generation direction of the second light source  30 . 
     The light condenser  20 , upon which light generated from the light source  10  is incident, may be prevented from interfering with light generated from the second light source  30  such that the light condenser  20  does not intercept the light generated from the second light source  30 . In particular, the light condenser  20  may be disposed to be beyond the effective irradiation angle range of the second light source. 
     The lens unit  40  may include a primary lens  41  and a secondary lens  42  which are disposed to be spaced apart from each other in a direction parallel to the light generation direction of the second light source  30 . 
     In detail, the primary lens  41  may be a condensing lens for condensing light passing through the light condenser  20  after being generated from the first light source  10  and light generated from the second light source  30 . 
     The secondary lens  42  may be a light distribution lens for refracting light passing through the primary lens  41  in a particular direction. 
     The secondary lens  42  may be a light distribution lens disposed forwardly of the primary lens  41  and adapted to refract light passing through the primary lens  41  in a particular direction. In particular, light condensed while passing through the primary lens  41  may be incident upon the secondary lens  42 . The secondary lens  42  may guide light incident thereupon after passing through the primary lens  41  to be refracted in a particular direction. 
     An illumination area in which light passing through the lens unit  40  after being generated from the first light source  10  is irradiated and an illumination area in which light passing through the lens unit  40  after being generated from the second light source  30  may differ from each other. 
     In an embodiment, light emitted from the first light source  10  may be irradiated in an illumination area disposed at a relatively upper side after passing through the light condenser  20  and the lens unit  40 . In addition, the light generated from the second light source  30  may be irradiated in an illumination area disposed at a relatively lower side after passing through the lens unit  40 . 
     In addition, the difference between the illumination area which light passing through the lens unit  40  after being generated from the first light source  10  irradiates and the illumination area which light passing through the lens unit  40  after being generated from the second light source  30  irradiates does not mean that the illumination areas do not overlap with each other at all parts thereof, but means that the illumination areas overlap with each other at parts thereof and, as such, do not coincide with each other. 
       FIG. 7  shows an illumination area in a lamp device including a light emitting module M in some forms of the present disclosure. 
     Further referring to  FIG. 7 , the lamp device may include a plurality of light emitting modules M in some forms of the present disclosure. The plurality of light emitting modules M may be arranged in a vertical direction or in a lateral direction. 
     A lamp device for a vehicle in some forms of the present disclosure may be constituted by a plurality of light emitting modules M. In an embodiment, the plurality of light emitting modules M may be arranged in a lateral direction or may be arranged in a vertical direction. 
     In some forms of the present disclosure, the light emitting module M may embody a daytime running light (DRL), a low-beam headlamp and a high-beam headlamp as a single module. Accordingly, the illumination area of the light emitting module M may be widened. As a result, an observer positioned in front of the vehicle may observe that all light emitting modules M ({circle around ( 1 )}, {circle around ( 2 )}, {circle around ( 3 )}, and {circle around ( 4 )}) are illuminated. 
     Thus, although the light emitting module M, in which a DRL, a low-beam headlamp and a high-beam headlamp are integrated, is used, a uniform illumination effect may be provided, as compared to conventional cases. 
       FIGS. 8 and 9  show illumination areas of light emitting modules M in some forms of the present disclosure and lamp devices including the light emitting modules M. 
     Further referring to  FIGS. 8 and 9 , a DRL may be illuminated by light generated from the first light source  10 . 
     In addition, a low-beam headlamp may be illuminated by light generated from the second light source  30 . 
     Furthermore, a high-beam headlamp may be illuminated by light generated from the first light source  10  and light generated from the second light source  10  or may be illuminated by the light generated from the first light source  10 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 8 , the cross-section of the light condenser  20  may be formed as a portion of the cross-section of the case  50 , and light generated from the first light source  10  may be irradiated in a relatively-upper illumination area, which is an illumination area of the DRL, while passing through the light condenser  20  and the lens unit  40 . 
     In addition, light generated from the second light source  30  may be irradiated in a relatively-lower illumination area, which is an illumination area of the low-beam headlamp, while passing through the lens unit  40 . 
     The illumination area of the high-beam headlamp may be illuminated in accordance with simultaneous light generation of the first light source  10  and the second light source  30 . 
     In some forms of the present disclosure, as shown in  FIG. 9 , the cross-section of the light condenser  20  may be enlarged up to the entire portion of the cross-section of the case  50 . Accordingly, light generated from the first light source  10  may be irradiated in an illumination area of the high-beam headlamp widened in a vertical direction. 
     In this case, light from the first light source  10  may be irradiated in plural steps. As light having a relatively low intensity is generated, the DRL may be illuminated, whereas as light having a relatively high intensity is generated, the high-beam headlamp may be illuminated. 
     As apparent from the above description, in accordance with a light emitting module for a vehicle in some forms of the present disclosure and a lamp device including the same, both a first light source and a second light source, from which light beams are incident upon a lens unit in different directions, are included in the light emitting module and, as such, there is an effect in which different illumination areas are integrated in a single module. 
     In addition, the illumination area of the light emitting module is widened and, as such, a uniform illumination effect may be provided, as compared to conventional cases. 
     Although some forms of the present disclosure have been disclosed for illustrative purposes, those skilled in the art will appreciate that various modifications, additions and substitutions are possible, without departing from the scope and spirit of the disclosure as disclosed in the accompanying claims.