Patent Description:
In general, when a vehicle travels on the road through a tunnel or in the nighttime, a head lamp of the vehicle emits light to the forward area of the vehicle such that a driver can easily check and identify an object ahead of vehicle. The head lamp is typically installed on either side of the front of the vehicle.

The head lamp of the vehicle uses two light sources to adjust the brightness of light, when illuminating the forward area of the vehicle. Any one of the light sources is used as a low beam capable of illuminating an area at a relatively small distance, and the other of the light sources is used as a high beam capable of illustrating an area at a relatively large distance.

In such a head lamp for a vehicle, an incandescent lamp or halogen lamp is typically used as the light source for emitting light. Recently, the case in which an LED having low power consumption and excellent light straightness is used as a light source is increasing.

According to the recent trend in which a head lamp for a vehicle is designed to have a small size, a lamp housing may lack in an air flow space. In this case, the humidity inside the lamp housing may be increased to cause condensation.

Furthermore, when the head lamp for a vehicle is exposed to sunlight for a long time, the surface of a bezel part of the lamp housing may be corrupted or deformed as the temperature of the bezel part increases.

With the recent development of autonomous driving technology, technologies related to full-scale driving of autonomous vehicles are being developed. Furthermore, research is being conducted on an apparatus and method capable of effectively transferring notice information on the state of an autonomous vehicle or notice information related to the driving of the autonomous vehicle to an oncoming vehicle or pedestrian, among the technologies related to autonomous vehicles. Besides, there is a need for developing an apparatus and method which can display notice information related to an autonomous vehicle to the outside of the vehicle more effectively with lower power consumption, and minimize damage to a pedestrian.

The related art of the present disclosure is disclosed in <CIT> and entitled "Flip Dot Display Element using Electromagnet and Assembly Module Thereof". A headlamp with the features of the preamble of claim <NUM> is disclosed in <CIT>. Further headlamps are disclosed in <CIT>, <CIT>. <CIT> and <CIT>.

Various embodiments are directed to a head lamp for a vehicle, which includes a flip-dot unit installed in a lamp housing in order to prevent overheat and moisture in the lamp housing and to effectively inform an oncoming vehicle or pedestrian of notice information on the state of a vehicle or notice information related to the driving of the vehicle.

A head lamp according to the invention is defined in appended claim <NUM>.

The housing may include: a first side portion formed in a plate shape, and having an air flow hole to communicate with the opening; a second side portion bent and extended from the first side portion, and configured to form the space with the first side portion; and a third side portion bent and extended from the second side portion, disposed to face the first side portion, and having the flip disk installed thereon.

The flip disk may be installed to rotate about a rotation axis passing through a center of the third side portion.

The flip disk may have a symmetrical shape with respect to a center axis.

The head lamp may further include: a sensor unit installed in the bezel and configured to measure an internal temperature and humidity of the lamp housing; and a control unit configured to transmit a flip disk operation signal to the flip-dot unit to rotate the flip disk.

The control unit may transmit a flip disk operation signal to the flip-dot unit to rotate and invert the flip disk according to the internal temperature of the lamp housing, measured by the sensor unit.

The control unit may transmit a flip disk operation signal to the flip-dot unit to repeatedly rotate the flip disk according to the internal humidity of the lamp housing, measured by the sensor unit.

The control unit may transmit a flip disk operation signal to the flip-dot unit to display a character or sign for warning an oncoming vehicle or pedestrian.

In the head lamp for a vehicle in accordance with the embodiment of the present disclosure, the flip-dot unit may be installed in the lamp housing to prevent overheat and moisture in the lamp housing.

In the head lamp for a vehicle in accordance with the embodiment of the present disclosure, the flip-dot unit may be installed in the lamp housing to effectively transfer the notice information on the state of the vehicle or the notice information related to the driving of the vehicle to an oncoming vehicle or pedestrian.

Hereinafter, a head lamp for a vehicle will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings through various exemplary embodiments. It should be noted that the drawings are not to precise scale and may be exaggerated in thickness of lines or sizes of components for descriptive convenience and clarity only. Furthermore, the terms as used herein are defined by taking functions of the invention into account and can be changed according to the custom or intention of users or operators. Therefore, definition of the terms should be made according to the overall disclosures set forth herein.

<FIG> is a diagram schematically illustrating a head lamp for a vehicle in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure, <FIG> is a diagram schematically illustrating a flip-dot unit applied to the head lamp for a vehicle in accordance with the embodiment of the present disclosure, <FIG> is a diagram illustrating an example of the case in which the temperature of a lamp housing applied to the head lamp for a vehicle in accordance with the embodiment of the present disclosure rises, <FIG> is a diagram illustrating an operation state of the flip-dot unit to lower the temperature of the lamp housing applied to the head lamp for a vehicle in accordance with the embodiment of the present disclosure, <FIG> is a diagram illustrating an operation state of the flip-dot unit to lower the humidity of the lamp housing applied to the head lamp for a vehicle in accordance with the embodiment of the present disclosure, <FIG> is a diagram illustrating the state in which the air of the lamp housing is circulated to remove humidity through an operation of the flip-dot unit applied to the head lamp for a vehicle in accordance with the embodiment of the present disclosure, <FIG> is a diagram schematically illustrating the head lamp for a vehicle in accordance with the embodiment of the present disclosure, showing an example of the case in which the lamp housing is formed in a hemispherical shape, <FIG> is a diagram illustrating an example of the case in which notice information on the state of the vehicle is displayed through the operation of the flip-dot unit applied to the head lamp for a vehicle in accordance with the embodiment of the present disclosure, <FIG> is a diagram illustrating an example of the case in which notice information on the driving of a vehicle is displayed through the operation of the flip-dot unit applied to the head lamp for a vehicle in accordance with the embodiment of the present disclosure, and <FIG> is a diagram illustrating another example of the case in which notice information on the driving of the vehicle is displayed through the operation of the flip-dot unit applied to the head lamp for a vehicle in accordance with the embodiment of the present disclosure.

Referring to <FIG>, the head lamp for a vehicle in accordance with the embodiment of the present disclosure includes a lamp housing <NUM>, a bezel <NUM> and a plurality of flip-dot units <NUM>. The lamp housing <NUM> has a light source <NUM> installed therein, the light source <NUM> serving to emit light to a forward area of the vehicle. The bezel <NUM> is installed on the lamp housing <NUM>, spaced by a predetermined distance apart from the light source <NUM>, and disposed in a shape to cover the light source <NUM>. The plurality of flip-dot units <NUM> are installed in the bezel <NUM>.

As illustrated in <FIG>, the flip-dot unit <NUM> includes a housing <NUM> and a flip disk <NUM>. The housing <NUM> has an opening S formed on one side thereof and a space formed therein, and the flip disk <NUM> is rotatably installed in the housing <NUM> so as to open or close the opening S.

The housing <NUM> of the flip-dot unit <NUM> is formed in an approximately rectangular parallelepiped shape as a whole, and has the opening S formed on one side thereof and the space formed therein. When the opening S is closed by the flip disk <NUM>, the housing <NUM> has a rectangular parallelepiped shape.

The housing <NUM> of the flip-dot unit <NUM> includes a first side portion <NUM>, a second side portion <NUM> and a third side portion <NUM>. The first side portion <NUM> is formed in a plate shape with an air flow hole H which communicates with the opening S, the second side portion <NUM> is bent and extended from the first side portion <NUM> so as to form the space with the first side portion <NUM>, and the third side portion <NUM> is bent and extended from the second side portion <NUM>, disposed to face the first side portion <NUM>, and having the flip disk <NUM> installed thereon.

Outside the housing <NUM>, an air flow duct (not illustrated) may be installed to communicate with the air flow hole H formed in the first side portion <NUM>. The air flow duct may have an opening/closing member (not illustrated) installed to open/close the air flow duct. The opening/closing member may be operated to close or open the air flow duct according to the operation of the flip disk <NUM> to close or open the opening S.

The plurality of flip-dot units <NUM> may be installed in the bezel <NUM> of the head lamp for a vehicle in accordance with the embodiment of the present disclosure. Furthermore, a sensor unit <NUM> for measuring the internal temperature and humidity of the lamp housing <NUM> may be installed in the bezel <NUM>.

Furthermore, the head lamp for a vehicle in accordance with the embodiment of the present disclosure may further include a control unit <NUM> configured to transmit a flip disk operation signal to the flip-dot unit <NUM> to rotate the flip disk <NUM>.

The flip-dot unit <NUM> may rotate the flip disk <NUM> installed therein, in order to prevent overheat and humidity in the lamp housing <NUM>.

Furthermore, each of the flip-dot units <NUM> may serve as a pixel of a general display device, and visualize and display notice information on the state of the vehicle or notice information related to the driving of the vehicle as figures, characters or signs, thereby calling an oncoming vehicle or pedestrian's attention.

The notice information on the state of the vehicle is information displayed by visualizing information on whether the vehicle is turned on/off, whether the vehicle is being stopped or traveling, or whether the vehicle is in an autonomous driving mode, and the notice information related to the driving of the vehicle is information displayed by visualizing the acceleration, deceleration or turn of the vehicle.

The flip disk <NUM> is referred to as a flip dot, formed in a polygonal or circular plate shape, and rotatably installed in the third side portion <NUM> of the housing <NUM> to open or close the opening S formed in the third side portion <NUM> of the housing <NUM>.

The flip disk <NUM> has one surface and the other surface which have different colors, and is rotated to invert the color of the flip disk <NUM> which appears through the bezel <NUM>.

The flip disk <NUM> may be rotated by an electromagnetic actuator (not illustrated), and the opening degree of the opening S may be changed according to the rotation angle of the flip disk <NUM>, such that the amount of air circulated through the opening S is changed.

The flip disk <NUM> is installed to rotate about a rotation axis <NUM> passing through the center of the third side portion, and has a symmetrical shape with respect to the rotation axis <NUM>. Therefore, the flip disk <NUM> is configured in such a manner that portions disposed on both sides of the rotation axis <NUM> have the same shape and cross-sectional area.

When the internal temperature of the lamp housing <NUM>, measured by the sensor unit <NUM>, is equal to or higher than a preset value, the control unit <NUM> may transmit a flip disk operation signal to the flip-dot unit <NUM> to rotate and invert the flip disk <NUM>. This process may lower the internal temperature of the lamp housing <NUM> overheated by direct sunlight or the like.

Furthermore, when the internal humidity of the lamp housing <NUM>, measured by the sensor unit <NUM>, is equal to or higher than a preset value, the control unit <NUM> may transmit the flip disk operation signal to the flip-dot unit <NUM> to repeatedly rotate the flip disk <NUM>. This process may circulate the air inside the lamp housing <NUM>, thereby removing the humidity of the lamp housing <NUM>.

Furthermore, the control unit <NUM> may transmit the flip disk operation signal to the flip-dot unit <NUM> to display a character or sign which can warn an oncoming vehicle or pedestrian. Through this process, the notice information on the state of the vehicle or the notice information related to the driving of the vehicle may be effectively transferred to an oncoming vehicle or pedestrian, which makes it possible to improve a traffic flow and to prevent an accident.

Hereafter, the operation of the head lamp for a vehicle in accordance with the embodiment of the present disclosure will be described in detail.

Referring to <FIG>, an overheat prevention function of the head lamp for a vehicle in accordance with the embodiment of the present disclosure will be described as follows.

<FIG> is a diagram illustrating an example of the case in which the temperature of the lamp housing applied to the head lamp for a vehicle in accordance with the embodiment of the present disclosure rises, and <FIG> is a diagram illustrating an operation state of the flip-dot unit to lower the temperature of the lamp housing applied to the head lamp for a vehicle in accordance with the embodiment of the present disclosure.

As illustrated in <FIG>, the internal temperature of the lamp housing <NUM> may be excessively raised by direct sunlight. In particular, the temperature of the bezel <NUM> inside the lamp housing <NUM>, which is directly exposed to direct sunlight, may rapidly rise.

When the internal temperature of the lamp housing <NUM> excessively rises, the control unit <NUM> may control the operation of the flip-dot unit <NUM> according to the temperature information measured by the sensor unit <NUM> installed in the bezel <NUM>.

That is, when the internal temperature of the lamp housing <NUM> is equal to or higher than the preset value, the control unit <NUM> may rotate the flip disks <NUM> in the state illustrated in <FIG>, such that the heated surfaces of the flip disks <NUM> are turned to face the inside of the bezel <NUM>, and the opposite surfaces of the flip disks <NUM>, which are not heated, are turned to appear through the bezel <NUM>, as illustrated in <FIG>. Then, the internal temperature of the lamp housing <NUM> may be lowered.

Referring to <FIG>, a humidity prevention function of the head lamp for a vehicle in accordance with the embodiment of the present disclosure will be described as follows.

<FIG> is a diagram illustrating an operation state of the flip-dot unit to lower the humidity of the lamp housing applied to the head lamp for a vehicle in accordance with the embodiment of the present disclosure, and <FIG> is a diagram illustrating that the air of the lamp housing is circulated to remove humidity according to the operation of the flip-dot unit applied to the head lamp for a vehicle in accordance with the embodiment of the present disclosure.

As illustrated in <FIG>, moisture m may be generated in the lamp housing <NUM> by a temperature difference between the outside and the inside of the lamp housing <NUM>.

When the moisture m is generated in the lamp housing <NUM>, the control unit <NUM> may control the operation of the flip-dot unit <NUM> according to the humidity measured by the sensor unit <NUM> installed in the bezel <NUM>.

That is, when the internal humidity of the lamp housing <NUM> is equal to or higher than a preset value, the control unit <NUM> may operate the flip disk <NUM> to repeatedly rotate as illustrated in <FIG>. Then, as illustrated in <FIG>, the air inside the lamp housing <NUM> may be circulated (e.g. circulation indicated by an arrow C), thereby removing the moisture generated in the lamp housing <NUM>.

Furthermore, while the air inside the lamp housing <NUM> is circulated, the air inside the lamp housing <NUM> and the air outside the lamp housing <NUM> may be exchanged. In this case, the air inside the lamp housing <NUM> and the air outside the lamp housing <NUM> may be exchanged through the opening S and the air flow hole H which are formed in the housing <NUM> of the flip-dot unit <NUM>.

Referring to <FIG>, the function of displaying the notice information on the state of the vehicle and the notice information related to the driving of the vehicle through the head lamp for a vehicle in accordance with the embodiment of the present disclosure will be described as follows.

<FIG> is a diagram schematically illustrating the head lamp for a vehicle in accordance with the embodiment of the present disclosure, showing an example of the case in which the lamp housing is formed in a semispherical shape.

When the lamp housing <NUM> has a hemispherical shape illustrated in <FIG>, the function of displaying the notice information on the state of the vehicle or the notice information related to the driving of the vehicle may be exhibited more effectively than when the lamp housing <NUM> has the shape illustrated in <FIG>.

When the hemispherical lamp housing <NUM> is applied as illustrated in <FIG>, the flip-dot units <NUM> may be arranged in a circular shape along the bezel <NUM>. In this case, the flip-dot units <NUM> may be arranged in two or more lines in order to display various pieces of notice information.

Even when the hemispherical lamp housing <NUM> is applied, the flip disks <NUM> of the flip-dot units <NUM> may be rotated to prevent overheat and moisture in the lamp housing <NUM>, as described above.

<FIG> is a diagram illustrating an example of how the notice information on the state of the vehicle may be displayed through the head lamp for a vehicle in accordance with the embodiment of the present disclosure.

For example, when the vehicle is turned on, the flip disks <NUM> of the flip-dot units <NUM> may be operated to generate a flow (i.e. a flow indicated by an arrow D) from the edge of the lamp housing <NUM> to the center of the lamp housing <NUM> where the light source <NUM> is located, as illustrated in <FIG>. In this way, the flip-dot unit <NUM> may inform an oncoming vehicle or pedestrian that the vehicle is turned on.

<FIG> is a diagram illustrating an example of how the notice information related to the driving of the vehicle may be displayed through the head lamp for a vehicle in accordance with the embodiment of the present disclosure.

For example, when the vehicle enters the autonomous driving mode, the entire flip disks <NUM> of the flip-dot units <NUM> may be repeatedly operated so that the surfaces of the flip disks <NUM> having the same color appear, thereby informing an oncoming vehicle or pedestrian that the vehicle is in the autonomous driving mode, as illustrated in <FIG>.

<FIG> is a diagram illustrating another example of how the notice information related to the driving of the vehicle may be displayed through the head lamp for a vehicle in accordance with the embodiment of the present disclosure.

For example, when the vehicle makes a turn, the flip disks <NUM> of the flip-dot units <NUM> may be operated to generate a flow in which the flip disks <NUM> are sequentially rotated along an arrow E, as illustrated in <FIG>, thereby informing an oncoming vehicle or pedestrian of the vehicle's turn.

In the head lamp for a vehicle in accordance with the embodiment of the present disclosure, the flip-dot unit may be installed in the lamp housing to prevent overheat and moisture in the lamp housing, and effectively transfer the notice information on the state of the vehicle or the notice information related to the driving of the vehicle to an oncoming vehicle or pedestrian.

Claim 1:
A head lamp for a vehicle, comprising:
a lamp housing (<NUM>) having a light source (<NUM>) installed therein, the light source (<NUM>) serving to emit light to a forward area of a vehicle; and
a bezel (<NUM>) installed on the lamp housing (<NUM>), spaced by a predetermined distance apart from the light source (<NUM>), and disposed in a shape to cover the light source (<NUM>);
characterized by
a plurality of flip-dot units (<NUM>) installed in the bezel (<NUM>),
wherein each of the flip dot units (<NUM>) comprises:
a housing (<NUM>) having an opening (S) formed on one side thereof and a space formed therein; and
a flip disk (<NUM>) rotatably installed in the housing (<NUM>) so as to open or close the opening (S).