KR101852445B1 - Selective retroreflection apparatus and headlight using the same - Google Patents

Abstract

An optional retroreflective device according to the present invention includes: an incidence panel having at least one reflective structure capable of reflecting incident light; A fluid pocket provided downstream of the incident panel with respect to the optical path of the incident light so as to allow different fluids to be selectively received so that the interface state between the reflection structure and the fluid can be adjusted; And a structure for supplying and discharging the fluid to the fluid pocket.
According to the present invention, it is possible to improve the linearity of the light with respect to the transmitted light, thereby improving the light efficiency of the selective retroreflector operated in the transmissive state, and the blocking performance of the incident light to the selective retroreflector operated in the transmissive state . Further, the processability of the selective retroreflector can be improved, and it is possible to manufacture the retroreflector at low cost, and the operation performance of the selective retroreflector can be improved by performing the operation quickly and simply. Further, according to the headlamp using the selective retroreflective device, the light efficiency can be improved, and the headlamp can be operated without any inconvenience.

Description

Selective retroreflection apparatus and headlight using same

The present invention relates to an optional retroreflective device capable of selectively retroreflecting incident light and a headlamp using the same.

BACKGROUND ART A retroreflector is a device used for a signboard or the like, and refers to a device that allows incident light to be reflected as it is. By using a retroreflective device on the sign, the light irradiated from the vehicle is directed to the driver as much as possible so that the driver can secure the safe operation.

The selective retroreflective device refers to a device that operates the retroreflective device to retroreflect incident light when operated in one mode and to transmit incident light when operated in another mode. There is no prior art which specifically introduces the selective reflex reflection device, and an example of realizing transmission or impermeability without a reflex reflection function is disclosed in Proceedings of the First NASA / ESA Conference on Adaptive Hardware and Systems (AHS '06) 0- 7695-2614-4 / 06 2006 Refer to 'Switchable Glass: A possible medium for Evolvable Hardware' which was introduced in IEEE.

In the above-cited documents, Polymer Dispersed Liquid Crystals (PDLC), Suspended-particle devices (SPD), and Electrochromic devices (ECD) are introduced to make glass plates transparent and translucent. However, even when the above cited document is used, it is not possible to implement an optional retroreflective device capable of only realizing transparent and opaque states and selectively obtaining retroreflected light.

Figure 3 of 'Switchable Glass: A possible medium for Evolvable Hardware' presented in IEEE 2006 and other related (NASA / ESA Conference on Adaptive Hardware and Systems (AHS '06) 0-7695-2614-4 / Explanation

The present invention proposes a retroreflective device capable of selectively reflecting incident light, which is proposed under the background described above.

According to the present invention, it is possible to improve the straightness of light with respect to transmitted light during transmission, improve the blocking performance of incident light during non-transmission, improve the workability of the selective retroreflector, An optional retroreflective device is proposed which can be performed quickly and simply.

An optional retroreflective device according to the present invention includes: an incidence panel having at least one reflective structure capable of reflecting incident light; A fluid pocket provided downstream of the incident panel with respect to the optical path of the incident light so as to allow different fluids to be selectively received so that the interface state between the reflection structure and the fluid can be adjusted; And a structure for supplying and discharging the fluid to the fluid pocket. According to the present invention, it is possible to enhance the straightness of transmitted light and increase the blocking performance of incident light.

Here, the reflective structure may have at least three reflective surfaces that share a vertex that protrudes toward the fluid pocket side, and each reflective surface may have four reflective surfaces that are inclined at 45 degrees. According to this, it is possible to enhance the straightness of the transmitted light and the blocking performance of the incident light. In addition, the incident panel may be provided in a two-dimensional planar structure, and a plurality of the reflective structures may be arranged at equal intervals in the vertical direction and the horizontal direction. According to this, the workability can be enhanced.

In addition, a reflective structure may be provided on the entire surface of the emitting panel, which interfaces with the fluid pockets with reference to the optical path of the incident light. In this case, selective light transmittance and barrier properties can be further enhanced.

In addition, the reflection structure of the incident panel and the reflection structure of the emission panel may be arranged in the same arrangement state. According to this, it is possible to further enhance the straightness of the transmitted light and the blocking property of the retroreflected light.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a headlamp comprising: a lamp; A reflector for reflecting the light emitted from the lamp; A projection lens for emitting light reflected by the reflecting mirror; And an optional retroreflective device provided in the path of the upward light in the light reflected from the reflector, wherein the selective reflex reflection device includes at least one reflective structure capable of reflecting the incident light on the backside of the optical path of the incident light An incident panel; A fluid pocket provided downstream of the incident panel with respect to the optical path of the incident light and capable of selectively accommodating different fluids so that an interface state between the reflection structure and the fluid can be adjusted; An exit panel provided downstream of the fluid pocket with respect to the optical path of the incident light; And a structure for supplying and discharging the fluid to and from the fluid pocket. Thus, the light efficiency of the headlamp can be increased.

According to the present invention, it is possible to improve the linearity of the light with respect to the transmitted light, thereby improving the light efficiency of the selective retroreflector operated in the transmissive state, and the blocking performance of the incident light to the selective retroreflector operated in the transmissive state .

Further, the processability of the selective retroreflector can be improved, and it is possible to manufacture the retroreflector at low cost, and the operation performance of the selective retroreflector can be improved by performing the operation quickly and simply.

Further, according to the headlamp using the selective retroreflective device, the light efficiency can be improved, and the headlamp can be operated without any inconvenience.

1 is a view showing an optional retroreflective device according to a first embodiment;
2 is a view for explaining total reflection at the interface of a material;
Fig. 3 is an enlarged view of "A"
Figs. 4 and 5 are views for explaining the transmission state and the non-transmission state, respectively. Fig.
6 is a flow chart for explaining a manufacturing method of an optional retroreflective device.
7 is a cross-sectional view of one part of an optional retroreflective device according to the second embodiment;
8 shows a vehicle headlamp in which an optional reflex reflection device can be used.

Hereinafter, specific embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. However, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes in form and details may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims. It will be understood by those skilled in the art that the present invention is not limited thereto.

≪ Embodiment 1 >

1 is a view showing an optional retroreflective device according to a first embodiment.

1, an optional retroreflective device 1 according to the embodiment is provided with an incident panel 2 provided on a side where light is incident, an exit panel 5 provided on a side from which light is emitted, And a fluid pocket 4 provided at an interval between the light emitting element 2 and the exit panel 5. The fluid pockets 4 are provided with at least a space defined by the incidence panel 2, the exit panel 5 and the interior of the housing 3, in which various kinds of fluids can be selectively filled have. The fluids received in the fluid pockets 4 may be exemplified by liquids such as water, ethanol and the like, and common gases such as air. Depending on the fluid accommodated in the fluid pocket 4, the transmission state of the incident light according to the action of the selective retroreflective device 1 can be manipulated. At least the retroreflective state may be included in the transmission state.

Wherein a fluid inlet (6) and a suction valve (8) for controlling the flow of fluid through the fluid inlet (6) are provided on either side of the fluid pocket (5) A discharge valve 9 for controlling the flow of the fluid through the fluid discharge port 7 and the fluid discharge port 7 may be provided. Although not shown, a pump for controlling the flow of the fluid may be further provided. Wherein the fluid inlet (6), the inlet valve (8), the fluid outlet (7), and the outlet valve (9) are operable to manipulate the inflow and outflow of fluid supplied into the fluid pocket There is enough. Other inflow / outflow structures than those described above can be sufficiently applied.

The operation of the selective retroreflective device 1 will be briefly described as an example. When the air having a refractive index of 1 is in the fluid pocket 4, the light incident on the incidence panel 2 is totally reflected at the interface between the fluid pocket 4 and the incidence panel 2 according to Snell's law, (retroreflection). When water with a refractive index of 1.3 is present in the fluid pocket 4, the light incident on the incidence panel 2 passes through the interface between the fluid pocket 4 and the incidence panel 2 in accordance with Snell's law, (4), passes through the fluid pockets (4), and is allowed to exit again through the interface between the fluid pockets (4) and the exit panel (5). This action is based on the refractive index of the fluid filling the interior of the fluid pocket 4 and the refractive index of the incidence panel 2 and the exit panel 5 and the refractive index of the gas lying outside (air with a refractive index of 1 in most cases) When the incident light has an incident angle exceeding the critical angle due to the difference in the refractive index, total reflection takes place at the interface.

FIG. 2 is a view for explaining total reflection at the interface of a material. FIG.

Referring to Fig. 2, a case where the refractive index of the incident panel 2 is n1 and the refractive index of the fluid filling the fluid pocket is n2 will be described as an example. When the incident angle of the incident light A is? 1 and the outgoing angle of the refracted light A passing through the interface between the incident panel 2 and the fluid pocket 4 is? 2, the incident angle and the outgoing angle satisfy the expression (1).

When n1 and n2 are given, there is an incident angle at which the angle [theta] 2 becomes 90 degrees, and the incident angle [theta] 1 in this case is called a critical angle. When the incident angle of the incident light exceeds the critical angle, the incident light is totally reflected and the light passing through the interface disappears.

According to Equation 1, when the incident panel has a refractive index of 1.5 as PMMA (poly (methylmethacrylate)) and the fluid pocket 4 is filled with air having a refractive index of 1, 1 is 1.5 sin? 1 = sin 90. Therefore, total reflection occurs when the angle of incidence of incident light reaches a critical angle of approximately 40. In addition, when the incident panel has a refractive index of 1.5 as PMMA (poly (methylmethacrylate) When the pockets 4 are filled with water having a refractive index of 1.3, 1.5 sin < 1 > = 1.3 sin 90 [deg.] Thus, total reflection occurs when the incident angle of incident light reaches a critical angle of approximately 60 [ The critical angle varies depending on the fluid contained in the fluid pockets 4, and accordingly, the condition for the total reflection of the incident light is different depending on the conditions The structure of the interface that can optimally adjust the total reflection conditions of the incidence panel 2, the fluid pockets 4, the emission panel 5, and the liquid state, etc., can also be understood as an aspect of the present invention. I am interested.

The operation of total reflection described above will be described in connection with the operation of the selective reflex reflection device.

A predetermined reflective structure 5 is formed on the side of the incidence panel 2 at the interface between the incidence panel 2 and the fluid pockets 4 and the inside of the fluid pockets 4 is selectively filled with water. When the fluid pockets 4 are not filled with water, it can be said that air is filled. Since the critical angle varies depending on the fluid contained in the fluid pockets 4, if the angle of reflection of the reflective structure 10 with respect to incident light incident on the horizon is set to the angle between the critical angle with respect to water and the critical angle with respect to air , The total reflection state of the incident light can be adjusted. Specifically, when the fluid pockets 4 are selectively filled with air, the incident light is totally reflected at the interface (interface between the incident panel and the fluid pocket) at a critical angle of about 40 degrees, The critical angle is approximately 60 degrees so that the incident light can transmit the interface at a predetermined refraction angle. In addition, since the light can be retroreflected through the total reflection twice, when considering the secondary reflection after the primary reflection, the reflection angle of the reflection structure 10 with respect to the incident light can be set between 40 degrees and 50 degrees.

The interface state of the incident panel 2, the fluid pocket 4 and the exit panel 5 can be selected by operating the fluid contained in the fluid pockets 4, as can be seen from the above description, A retroreflective effect can be obtained.

3 is an enlarged view of "A" in Fig.

3, although the incident panel 2 and the emitting panel 5 are transparent materials, it may be difficult to understand the drawing. However, the reflective structure 10 is formed such that one vertex 16 corresponds to the incident panel 12, 13, and 14 as a pyramid-shaped structure protruding toward the side of the fluid pocket 4 from the bottom surface 2, It can be seen that the reflective structure 10 is formed continuously in the horizontal and vertical directions. The four reflecting surfaces 11, 12, 13, and 14 are provided in a shape that shares vertexes (pyramid-shaped vertices) 16 with each other.

When the total reflection is performed, when incident light is incident on one of the reflective surfaces (for example, the first reflective surface 11) of the reflective structure 10 described above, it is totally reflected to the other reflective surfaces 12, 13, And can be totally reflected and reflected by the other reflection surfaces 12, 13, and 14 again. In other words, in any one of the reflection structures 10, it is possible to retroreflect through two reflection processes. More specifically, when the incident light incident on the first reflecting surface 11 is totally reflected, there is a high possibility of being incident on the second reflecting surface 12. However, since the incident angle of all the incident light is not perpendicular to the incident panel 2, there is a possibility that the incident light is incident on the other reflection surfaces 13 and 14 as well. In order to increase the retroreflective performance in response to this case, the reflective structure 10 may be formed in a pyramid shape having a plurality of reflective surfaces as shown in FIG.

As a comparative example, it is possible to provide the case of FIG. 3 as an experimental example (that is, to provide the case of four reflecting surfaces , The angle of the reflection surface is 45 degrees and the angle of incidence of the incident light is in the range of 90 degrees ± 5 degrees. As a result, in the comparative example, the half-level retroreflective performance can be obtained. Therefore, it was confirmed that the higher the number of reflective surfaces in the reflective structure 5, the higher the retroreflective performance. However, the shape of the triangular pillar is not excluded from the present invention, and may be used as another embodiment of the invention, except that the retroreflective performance is poor.

The reflective structure 10 may be provided in various shapes such as a pyramid shape but a combination of a pyramid, a hexagon, and various horns. However, a pyramid shape that can be provided in both horizontal processing and vertical processing in terms of ease of fabrication is more preferable in view of convenience of processing.

It is preferable that the angle at which the reflection surface is provided is 45 degrees. Since most of the retroreflected light is reflected by the two reflection surfaces in a time-wise manner, the second total reflection is effectively performed to increase the light amount of the retroreflected light . In order to ensure the straightness of the retroreflected light, it is preferable that the reflected light is reflected at a total of 180 degrees by 90 degrees every total reflection.

Figs. 4 and 5 are views for explaining the transmission state and the non-transmission state, respectively.

4, when the selective retroreflective device 1 is in an opaque state, air is received in the fluid pockets 4 and total internal reflection occurs at the interface between the incident panel 2 and the fluid pockets 4 The total reflection is performed as shown by the arrows. In addition, when some light having a different incident angle due to diffusibility of light passes through the interface between the incident panel 2 and the fluid pocket 4, total reflection occurs at the interface between the emitting panel 5 and the fluid pocket 4, It can be retroreflected toward the incident panel side.

5, when the selective retroreflective device 1 is in the transmitting state, water is received in the fluid pockets 4, and at the interface between the incident panel 2 and the fluid pockets 4, The refracted light can be refracted again at the interface between the fluid pocket 4 and the exit panel 5 and restored to the original incidence angle of the incident light. The reflecting structure 10 of the incident panel 2 and the reflecting structure 15 of the emitting panel 5 are formed so as to keep the incident angle of the incident light incident on the incident panel 2 at the exit angle of the emitting panel 5 Are arranged in the same arrangement in the horizontal and vertical directions.

It is preferable that the reflective structure 10 is made hydrophobic so that the liquid does not remain on the surface of the reflective structure 10 as much as possible while the fluid as the liquid is discharged.

The fluid contained in the fluid pocket 4 may be not only water but also other media such as alcohol and mixtures thereof. As the constraint, as the fluid, a material having high transparency without any formation of gas droplets due to pressure and flow and not adhering to the surface of the panel can be preferably exemplified.

6 is a flowchart for explaining a method of manufacturing an optional retroreflective device.

Referring to FIG. 6, a groove having a triangular cross section (preferably, a 45 ° isosceles triangle in cross section) is formed on one surface of a transparent panel in any one of the horizontal and vertical directions (S1) And a groove having a triangular cross section is formed in one of the horizontal and vertical directions (S2). This process can be provided for the incident panel 2 and the exit panel 5, respectively.

A housing 4 is formed separately from the manufacturing process of the panel 3 and the fluid pockets 4 are provided by fastening the incidence panel 2 and the output panel 5 to the housing 3, The reflecting device 1 can be manufactured. At this time, it is needless to say that the fluid suction device and the fluid discharge device can be further combined in a predetermined form.

≪ Embodiment 2 >

The second embodiment of the present invention differs only in that the other parts are likewise not provided with a reflection structure in the emission panel 5. [ In the case of the second embodiment, this is a method which can be more preferably examined in the case where it is considerably difficult to process the predetermined reflection structure on the panel.

7 is a cross-sectional view of one part of an optional retroreflective device according to the second embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 7, the reflecting structure 10 is formed on the incident panel 2 in the same manner as in the first embodiment, but the reflecting structure 15 is not formed on the emitting panel 5. In this case, when the selective retroreflector device 1 is operated in the transmissive state, the incident light is refracted so that the predetermined amount of light is reflected at the interface between the emission panel 5 and the fluid pocket 4, or the refractivity is greatly changed, There may be a case where high desired outgoing light can not be obtained. However, that part is only a part, and most of the light passing through the exit panel 5 can go straight. Therefore, the second embodiment is also advantageous in the realization of the concept of the present invention, and can be advantageously used when the effect of retroreflection is important and an inexpensive manufacturing cost is required.

8 shows a headlamp for a vehicle in which an optional retroreflective device shown in the first embodiment and the second embodiment can be preferably used.

8, the headlamp 100 is provided with a lamp 101 for emitting light, a reflecting mirror 102 for collecting light radiated in all directions from the lamp 101, a projection lens 104 for enhancing straightness of light Is provided. In addition, an optional retroreflective device 103 may be used which has already been examined on any part of the path of the upward light at the exit side of the reflector 102.

The operation of the headlamp will be described. When the headlamp should also function as an upward light, the selective retroreflective device 103 may be operated to be in a transmitting state so that the upward light 120 may be used. The selective retroreflective device 103 can be operated in a non-transmissive state when the headlamp 100 has to perform only a downward motion. The light reflected by the selective reflex reflector 103 may be used as the downward light 110 and the retroreflected light 121 may be downwardly directed, And the like can be expected to be further improved.

In the case of the headlamp, the selective reflex reflection device is applied, thereby increasing the light efficiency of the headlamp.

The selective retroreflective device of the present invention can be conveniently applied to a variety of applications in industry where retroreflective and transmissive functions are required instead of only headlamps.

The selective retroreflective device according to the present invention is expected to be applied to various places where the functions of transmission and retroreflective reflection are required together, such as a vehicle headlamp. In addition, there is an advantage that the straightness of light in the transmissive state is high and the light-shielding performance in the non-transmissive state is high. In addition, there is an advantage that the applicability to industry is further increased by a low manufacturing cost and a simple operation.

1: Optional retroreflective device
4: Fluid pocket

Claims (9)

An incident panel having at least one reflecting structure capable of reflecting light and provided on a side from which light is incident;
An emission panel provided on a side from which light is emitted;
A fluid pocket provided between the incidence panel and the exit panel to allow different fluids to be selectively received, thereby enabling the interface state of the reflection structure and the fluid to be adjusted; And
And a structure for supplying and discharging the fluid to the fluid pocket,
Wherein the reflective structure has at least three reflective surfaces that share a vertex that protrudes toward the fluid pocket side and the vertex,
The exit panel is provided in a planar shape so that it does not include a reflecting structure
Selective retroreflective device. delete delete The method according to claim 1,
Wherein the reflective structure has four reflective surfaces inclined at 45 degrees. 5. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
Wherein the incident panel is provided in a two-dimensional planar structure, and a plurality of the reflective structures are arranged at equal intervals in the vertical direction and the horizontal direction. delete delete delete lamp;
A reflector for reflecting the light emitted from the lamp;
A projection lens for emitting light reflected by the reflecting mirror; And
An optional retroreflective device is provided which is provided in the path of the upward light in the light reflected by the reflector,
In the selective reflex reflection device,
An incident panel having at least one reflecting structure capable of reflecting light and provided on a side from which light is incident;
An emission panel provided on a side from which light is emitted;
A fluid pocket provided between the incident panel and the exit panel, the fluid pockets being capable of selectively accommodating different fluids so that the interface state of the fluid and the reflection structure can be adjusted;
An exit panel provided downstream of the fluid pocket with respect to an optical path of incident light; And
And a structure for supplying and discharging the fluid to the fluid pocket,
Wherein the reflective structure has at least three reflective surfaces that share a vertex that protrudes toward the fluid pocket side and the vertex,
The exit panel is provided in a planar shape so that it does not include a reflecting structure
headlight.

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