Patent Description:
The present disclosure relates to an inner lens for a vehicle lamp.

In general, a rear lamp provided on a rear side of a vehicle serves to provide information to an outside person. Examples of the rear lamp include a brake light that is turned on when a driver steps on a brake, a turn indicator that may repeatedly flash to notify a left turn or a right turn of the vehicle to the outside, a tail light that may notify the presence of a vehicle of a driver to an occupant in another vehicle positioned behind the vehicle of the driver in a dark tunnel, and the like. Meanwhile, such a rear lamp requires a function for forming a light distribution that satisfies the law, and in recent years, interest in not only a function of the rear lamp but also a design of the rear lamp for enhancing aesthetics is increasing.

In some lamps according to the related art, a functional component for implementing a function required for the rear lamp and a design component for implementing the design of the rear lamp have been separately provided. In this way, when the functional component and the design component are provided separately, a structure of the lamp is complicated, and at the same time, the cost required for manufacturing is increased.

Accordingly, in recent years, interest in a lamp in which the functional component and the design component are integrated so that the function and the design required for the rear lamp may be simultaneously implemented has been continuously increased. For example, the published patent application <CIT> discloses an inner lens for vehicle lamp, comprising a main body portion that emits light from the front surface of the lens, and a light guide portion extending from the outer edge of the main body portion.

The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems occurring in the prior art while advantages achieved by the prior art are maintained intact.

The above and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will be more apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings:.

Hereinafter, some embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the exemplary drawings. In adding reference numerals to components of each drawing, it should be noted that identical or equivalent components are designated by an identical numeral even when they are displayed on other drawings. Further, in describing the embodiment of the present disclosure, a detailed description of the related known configuration or function will be omitted when it is determined that it interferes with the understanding of the embodiment of the present disclosure.

Further, in the description of components of the embodiments of the present disclosure, the terms such as first, second, A, B, (a) and (b) may be used. These terms are merely intended to distinguish one component from other components, and the terms do not limit the nature, order, or sequence of the components. When it is described that one component "is input into", "passes through", or "is output from" another component, the component may be directly input into, directly pass through, or be directly output from the other component, but a third component may be input, pass, or be output between the components.

Hereinafter, a lamp <NUM> according to the present disclosure will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

The lamp <NUM>, according to the present disclosure, may provide information to an outside person. As an example, the lamp <NUM> may be a rear lamp provided behind a vehicle. Referring to <FIG>, the lamp <NUM> may include an inner lens <NUM>, an outer lens <NUM>, a light source <NUM>, and a housing <NUM>.

A light beam output from the light source <NUM> may be input into, pass through, and be then output from the inner lens <NUM>. The light beam output from the inner lens <NUM> may form a light distribution pattern and an image pattern. The light distribution pattern means a pattern light beam having light properties that satisfy regulations. The image pattern means a pattern light beam providing aesthetics to a person who looks at the lamp <NUM>. Such an image pattern may be designed by a user to have various shapes. The inner lens <NUM> includes a light transmission part <NUM>, a light distribution formation part <NUM>, and an image formation part <NUM>.

The light beam output from the light source <NUM> may be input into the light transmission part <NUM>. The light transmission part <NUM> may output at least a portion of the input light beam. The light beam output from the light transmission part <NUM> may be named a transmission light beam. The light transmission part <NUM> may be disposed to surround the light source <NUM>. The light transmission part <NUM> may include a first light transmission portion <NUM> and a second light transmission portion <NUM>.

The light beam input into a first light distribution formation portion <NUM>, which will be described below, may be output from the first light transmission portion <NUM>. The light beam output from the first light transmission portion <NUM> may be a portion of the transmission light beam. The portion of the transmission light beam may be named a first transmission light beam. The first light transmission portion <NUM> may be disposed to face a first light distribution output area <NUM>, which will be described below. Further, the first light transmission portion <NUM> may be disposed to face a surface of the light source <NUM> in an output direction "R. " A transmission optic <NUM> may be formed in the first light transmission portion <NUM>.

The transmission optic <NUM> may guide the first transmission light beam to the first light distribution output area <NUM>. The transmission optic <NUM> may be formed on an area, through which the first transmission light beam is output, among the first light transmission portion <NUM>. The transmission optic <NUM> may have a concavo-convex shape protruding in a direction opposite to the output direction "R. " The output direction "R" may be defined as a direction in which the light beam is output from the first light distribution formation portion <NUM>. The output direction "R" may be understood as a rearward direction. Further, the direction opposite to the output direction "R" may be named an opposite output direction and may be understood as a forward direction.

The transmission optic <NUM> may be provided as a plurality of transmission optics <NUM>. The plurality of transmission optics <NUM> may be arranged in a vertical direction "H. " The vertical direction "H" may be defined as a direction perpendicular to the output direction "R. " The vertical direction "H" may be understood as a concept including an up-down direction. A corrosion-treated area may be provided between adjacent two transmission optics <NUM> among the plurality of transmission optics <NUM>. At least a portion of the light beam output from the light source <NUM> may be scattered in the corrosion-treated area provided between the adjacent two transmission optics <NUM>.

The light beam input into the image formation part <NUM> may be output from the second light transmission portion <NUM>. The light beam output from the second light transmission portion <NUM> may be the other portion of the transmission light beam. The other portion of the transmission light beam may be named a second transmission light beam. The second light transmission portion <NUM> may guide the light beam output from the light source <NUM> to the image formation part <NUM>.

The second light transmission portion <NUM> may extend from the first light transmission portion <NUM> in the opposite output direction. The second light transmission portion <NUM> may have a convex shape in a guide direction. The guide direction may be defined as a direction inclined in the output direction "R" with respect to the vertical direction "H. " For example, the guide direction may be defined as a direction inclined toward the output direction "R" with respect to a direction away from the light transmission part <NUM> in the vertical direction "H. " The guide direction may include a first guide direction and a second guide direction, which will be described below. Based on <FIG>, the first guide direction may be understood as a direction toward a lower left side, and the second guide direction may be understood as a direction toward an upper left side. A transmission corrosion area <NUM> may be provided in the second light transmission portion <NUM>.

The transmission corrosion area <NUM> may be defined as a corrosion-treated portion of the second light transmission portion <NUM>. The transmission corrosion area <NUM> may scatter at least a portion of the light beam output from the light source <NUM>.

Further referring to <FIG>, the transmission light beam output from the light transmission part <NUM> may be input into, pass through, and be then output from the light distribution formation part <NUM>. The light beam output from the light distribution formation part <NUM> may form a light distribution pattern. Such a light distribution pattern may include a first light distribution pattern and a second light distribution pattern, which will be described below. The light distribution formation part <NUM> may include the first light distribution formation portion <NUM> and a second light distribution formation portion <NUM>.

Further referring to <FIG>, the first transmission light beam may be input into, pass through, and be then output from the first light distribution formation portion <NUM>. For example, the first transmission light beam output from the first light distribution formation portion <NUM> may pass through the outer lens <NUM> and may then be output externally (i.e., to the outside) of the lamp <NUM>. The light beam output from the first light distribution formation portion <NUM> may form a first light distribution pattern. As an example, the first light distribution formation portion <NUM> may be disposed above the second light distribution formation portion <NUM>. The first light distribution formation portion <NUM> may be named an "upper light distribution formation portion. " The first light distribution formation portion <NUM> may include the first light distribution output area <NUM> and an extension area <NUM>.

The first light distribution output area <NUM> may be defined as an area from which the first transmission light beam is output. The first light distribution output area <NUM> may extend in the vertical direction "H. " The first light distribution output area <NUM> may be disposed from the image formation part <NUM> in the output direction "R". The first transmission light beam output from the first light distribution output area <NUM> may be diffused in the vertical direction "H. " The first light distribution output area <NUM> may be provided with a first light distribution optic. The first light distribution optic may have a convex shape in the output direction "R. " The first light distribution optic may be arranged as a plurality of first light distribution optics in the vertical direction "H. " A first light distribution corrosion area 211a may be provided between the two adjacent first light distribution optics among the first light distribution optics.

The first light distribution corrosion area 211a may be defined as a corrosion-treated portion of the first light distribution output area <NUM>. The first light distribution corrosion area 211a may scatter the first transmission light beam. The first light distribution corrosion area 211a may be provided as a plurality of first light distribution corrosion areas 211a. The plurality of first light distribution corrosion areas 211a and the plurality of first light distribution optics may be alternately arranged in the vertical direction "H.

The extension area <NUM> may extend between the first light distribution output area <NUM> and the image formation part <NUM> in the output direction "R. " The extension area <NUM> may have a shape, of which the width in the vertical direction "H" becomes narrower as it goes in the output direction "R. " The extension area <NUM> may be corrosion-treated. The corrosion-treated extension area <NUM> may scatter at least a portion of the first transmission light beam.

Further referring to <FIG>, a pattern formation light beam among the second transmission light beam may be input into, pass through, and be then output from the second light distribution formation portion <NUM>. A portion of the second transmission light beam may be named an image formation light beam input into the image formation part <NUM>, and the other portion of the second transmission light beam may be named a pattern formation light beam input into the second light distribution formation portion <NUM>. The pattern formation light beam may be a portion of a light beam input into a first light guide <NUM>, which will be described below, among the second transmission light beam. The pattern formation light beam may be a light beam transmitting the second light transmission portion <NUM> and passing through the first light guide <NUM>. Further, the image formation light beam may include a first image formation light beam and a second image formation light beam. The first image formation light beam may be defined as a light beam which is input into the first light guide <NUM>, is substantially entirely reflected by a first image optic <NUM>, which will be described below, and is then output to the outside of the lamp <NUM> in the output direction "R. " Further, the second image formation light beam may be defined as a light beam which is input into a second light guide <NUM>, is substantially entirely reflected by a second image optic <NUM>, which will be described below, and is then output to the outside of the lamp <NUM> in the output direction "R.

The pattern formation light beam output from the second light distribution formation portion <NUM> may pass through the outer lens <NUM> and may be then output to the outside of the lamp <NUM>. The light beam output from the second light distribution formation portion <NUM> may form a second light distribution pattern. The second light distribution formation portion <NUM> may be named a "lower light distribution formation portion. " The second light distribution formation portion <NUM> may include a second light distribution output area <NUM> and an input area <NUM>.

The second light distribution output area <NUM> may be defined as an area from which the pattern formation light beam is output. The second light distribution output area <NUM> may form a side of the second light distribution formation portion <NUM> in the output direction "R. " The second light distribution output area <NUM> may extend in the vertical direction "H. " The pattern formation light beam output from the second light distribution output area <NUM> may be diffused in the vertical direction "H. " The second light distribution output area <NUM> may be provided with a plurality of second light distribution optics.

The plurality of second light distribution optics may be arranged spaced apart from each other in the vertical direction "H. " A second light distribution corrosion area 221a may be provided between the two adjacent second light distribution optics among the second light distribution optics.

The second light distribution corrosion area 221a may be defined as a corrosion-treated portion of the second light distribution output area <NUM>. The second light distribution corrosion area 221a may scatter the pattern formation light beam. The second light distribution corrosion area 221a may be provided as a plurality of second light distribution corrosion areas 221a. The plurality of second light distribution corrosion areas 221a and the plurality of second light distribution optics may be alternately arranged in the vertical direction "H.

The light beam having passed through the first light guide <NUM> may be input into the input area <NUM>. The input area <NUM> may form a side of the second light distribution formation portion <NUM> in the opposite output direction. For example, the input area <NUM> may be disposed on a side of the second light distribution output area <NUM> in the opposite output direction. A light distribution reflection optic 222a may be formed in the input area <NUM>.

The light distribution reflection optic 222a may reflect, toward the second light distribution output area <NUM>, the pattern formation light beam having passed through the first light guide <NUM>. The light distribution reflection optic 222a may have a concavo-convex shape protruding in the output direction "R. " The light distribution reflection optic 222a may be provided as a plurality of light distribution reflection optics 222a. The plurality of light distribution reflection optics 222a may be arranged in the vertical direction "H.

The image formation part <NUM> may output the light beam forming the image pattern to the outside of the lamp <NUM>. The image pattern may include a first image pattern and a second image pattern, which will be described below. The image formation part <NUM> may include the light guides <NUM> and <NUM>. The light guides <NUM> and <NUM> may guide progress of the second transmission light in a guide direction. The second transmission light beam input into the light guides <NUM> and <NUM> may be substantially entirely reflected inside the light guides <NUM> and <NUM>. The light guides <NUM> and <NUM> may include the first light guide <NUM> and the second light guide <NUM>.

The first image formation light beam and the pattern formation light beam among the second transmission light beam may be input into the first light guide <NUM>. The first light guide <NUM> may guide progress of the pattern formation light beam to the second light distribution formation portion <NUM> in the first guide direction. The light input into the first light guide <NUM> may be substantially entirely reflected inside the first light guide <NUM>. The first light guide <NUM> may extend from a lower end of each of the first light distribution formation portion <NUM> and the second light transmission portion <NUM> in the first guide direction. The first image optic <NUM> may be formed in the first light guide <NUM>.

The first image optic <NUM> may reflect the first image formation light beam toward the outside of the lamp <NUM> so as to form the first image pattern. In other words, the first image optic <NUM> may guide progress of the first image formation light beam to the outside of the lamp <NUM> in the output direction "R. " The first image optic <NUM> may be formed on a side of the first light guide <NUM> in the opposite output direction. Further, the first image optic <NUM> may have a concavo-convex shape protruding in the output direction "R. " Further, the first image optic <NUM> may be corrosion-treated. For example, the corrosion-treated first image optic <NUM> may scatter the first image formation light beam.

The first image optic <NUM> may be provided as a plurality of first image optics <NUM>. The plurality of first image optics <NUM> may be arranged spaced apart from each other in the first guide direction. The first image pattern may be three-dimensionally observed by the outside person outside the lamp <NUM> through the plurality of first image optics <NUM>. In other words, the plurality of first image optics <NUM> may enhance the aesthetics felt by the person who looks at the lamp <NUM>.

The second image formation light beam and an extinction light beam among the second transmission light beam may be input into the second light guide <NUM>. The extinction light beam may be defined as a light beam, which is not output to the outside of the lamp <NUM>, among the light input into the second light guide <NUM>. In summary, the second transmission light beam may be understood as a concept including the pattern formation light beam, the first image formation light beam, the second image formation light beam, and the extinction light beam. Furthermore, the pattern formation light beam and the first image formation light beam may be input into the first light guide <NUM>, and the second image formation light beam and the extinction light beam may be input into the second light guide <NUM>.

The light input into the second light guide <NUM> may be substantially entirely reflected inside the second light guide <NUM>. The second light guide <NUM> may extend from an upper end of each of the first light distribution formation portion <NUM> and the second light transmission portion <NUM> in the second guide direction. Further, the second light guide <NUM> and the first light guide <NUM> may be spaced apart from each other in the vertical direction "H. " For example, a separation distance between the second light guide <NUM> and the first light guide <NUM> in the vertical direction "H" may increase in the output direction "R. " The second image optic <NUM> may be formed in the second light guide <NUM>.

The second image optic <NUM> may reflect the second image formation light beam toward the outside of the lamp <NUM> so as to form the second image pattern. In other words, the second image optic <NUM> may guide progress of the second image formation light beam to the outside of the lamp <NUM> in the output direction "R.

The second image optic <NUM> may be formed on a side of the second light guide <NUM> in the opposite output direction. Further, the second image optic <NUM> may have a concavo-convex shape protruding in the output direction "R. " Further, the second image optic <NUM> may be corrosion-treated. For example, the corrosion-treated second image optic <NUM> may scatter the second image formation light beam.

The second image optic <NUM> may be provided as a plurality of second image optics <NUM>. The plurality of second image optics <NUM> may be arranged spaced apart from each other in the second guide direction. The second image pattern may be three-dimensionally observed by the outside person outside the lamp <NUM> through the plurality of second image optics <NUM>. In other words, the plurality of second image optics <NUM> may enhance the aesthetics felt by the person who looks at the lamp <NUM>. The light beam output from the inner lens <NUM> is input into, passes through, and is then output to the outside of the lamp <NUM> through the outer lens <NUM>. The outer lens <NUM> may be disposed from the inner lens <NUM> in the output direction "R". For example, the outer lens <NUM> may form a rear side of the lamp <NUM>.

The light source <NUM> may output the light beam toward the light transmission part <NUM>. As an example, the light source <NUM> may be a light emitting diode (LED). In more detail, the light source <NUM> may be a 4FLED. The 4FLED may mean an LED in which light beams are output from four portions thereof. When the light source <NUM> is the 4FLED, light may be output from four output surfaces (as an example, an upper surface, a lower surface, a left surface, and a right surface) perpendicular to the output direction "R" of the light source <NUM>. However, the spirit of the present disclosure is not limited thereto, the number of output surfaces, from which the light beam may output, among the light source <NUM> may be five or more, and the light beam may also output from a side surface of the light source <NUM> in the output direction "R" and a side surface of the light source <NUM> in the opposite output direction. As an example, in the light source <NUM>, the four output surfaces perpendicular to the output direction "R" may be arranged to face the second light transmission portion <NUM>.

As an example, the light source <NUM> may be provided as a one light source <NUM>. In more detail, the lamp <NUM>, according to the present disclosure, may form both the light distribution pattern and the image pattern using the one light source <NUM>. In this way, since both the light distribution pattern and the image pattern may be formed using only the one light source <NUM>, the number of light sources <NUM> required for manufacturing the lamp <NUM> is minimized, and thus manufacturing cost of the lamp <NUM> is reduced.

The housing <NUM> together with the outer lens <NUM> may form the exterior of the lamp <NUM>. The inner lens <NUM> and the light source <NUM> may be arranged inside the housing <NUM> and the outer lens <NUM>. Further, the housing <NUM> may support the inner lens <NUM>, the outer lens <NUM>, and the light source <NUM>.

A lamp according to the present disclosure is provided with an inner lens in which a function component and a design component are integrated to form a light distribution that satisfies regulations, and at the same time, implement a design that enhances aesthetics, and thus a structure thereof may be simplified, and cost thereof may be reduced.

Claim 1:
An inner lens (<NUM>) for a vehicle lamp (<NUM>), comprising:
a light transmission part (<NUM>) configured to receive at least a portion of a light beam output from a light source (<NUM>) and output a transmission light beam, wherein the transmission light beam comprises a first transmission light beam and a second transmission light beam;
a light distribution formation part (<NUM>) configured to generate, based on the transmission light beam output from the light transmission part (<NUM>), a first light beam having a light distribution pattern, and externally output the first light beam, wherein the light distribution pattern defines a pattern light beam having light properties that satisfy regulations to provide information to an outside person,
wherein the light distribution formation part (<NUM>) includes: a first light distribution formation portion (<NUM>) configured to receive the first transmission light beam and externally output a first light distribution pattern, and wherein the first transmission light beam is diffused in the first light distribution output area (<NUM>), through which the first transmission light beam is output, within the first light distribution formation portion (<NUM>); and
an image formation part (<NUM>) configured to generate, based on the transmission light beam output from the light transmission part (<NUM>), a second light beam having an image pattern, and externally output the second light beam, wherein the image pattern defines a pattern light beam providing aesthetics to the outside person,
wherein the image formation part (<NUM>) includes a light guide (<NUM>; <NUM>) extending in a guide direction offset from an output direction (R) of the first light distribution formation portion (<NUM>) and configured to receive and guide the second transmission light beam in the guide direction, and
wherein the first light distribution formation portion (<NUM>) includes an extension area (<NUM>) extending between the first light distribution output area (<NUM>) and the light guide (<NUM>; <NUM>) in the output direction (R) of the first light distribution formation portion (<NUM>), wherein the extension area (<NUM>) is corrosion-treated to scatter at least a portion of the first transmission light beam passing through the light transmission part (<NUM>).